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Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
China successfully launches new satellite group

Xinhua) 09:58, October 18, 2025

A modified Long March-6 carrier rocket carrying a new satellite group blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province on Oct. 17, 2025. The satellite group, which will constitute the Spacesail Constellation -- a commercial Chinese low-orbit satellite network, was launched at 3:08 p.m. (Beijing Time) and entered its preset orbit successfully. (Photo by Wang Yapeng/Xinhua)

TAIYUAN, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- China sent a new satellite group into space on Friday from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province.

The satellite group, which will constitute the Spacesail Constellation -- a commercial Chinese low-orbit satellite network, was launched at 3:08 p.m. (Beijing Time) aboard a modified Long March-6 carrier rocket and entered its preset orbit successfully.

This launch marked the 601st flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.

A modified Long March-6 carrier rocket carrying a new satellite group blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province on Oct. 17, 2025. The satellite group, which will constitute the Spacesail Constellation -- a commercial Chinese low-orbit satellite network, was launched at 3:08 p.m. (Beijing Time) and entered its preset orbit successfully. (Photo by Wang Yapeng/Xinhua)

A modified Long March-6 carrier rocket carrying a new satellite group blasts off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province on Oct. 17, 2025. The satellite group, which will constitute the Spacesail Constellation -- a commercial Chinese low-orbit satellite network, was launched at 3:08 p.m. (Beijing Time) and entered its preset orbit successfully. (Photo by Wang Yapeng/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Kou Jie)
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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westhaven Gold Corp. (TSX-V:WHN) announces the departure of VP Corporate Development & Investor Relations Sean Thompson from the Company.

Gareth Thomas, Director of Westhaven stated On behalf of the Board of Directors of Westhaven, Id like to thank Sean for his important contributions to the Company over the last six and half years. We wish Sean all the best in his future endeavours.

Clarifying Statement

Further to the Companys previously announced and now-closed private placement financing on July 3rd, 2025, the Company wishes to clarify that Red Cloud Securities returned the 250,000 broker warrants to the Company for cancellation. As a result, no broker warrants were issued in connection with this financing. All other terms of the offering remain unchanged.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

WESTHAVEN GOLD CORP.

Ken Armstrong

Ken Armstrong, President and CEO, is responsible for this news release and can be reached at 604-681-5558.

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.

About Westhaven Gold Corp.

Westhaven is a gold-focused exploration and development company targeting low sulphidation, high-grade, epithermal style gold mineralization within the Spences Bridge Gold Belt in southern British Columbia. Westhaven controls ~61,512 hectares (~615 square kilometres) within four gold properties spread along this underexplored belt. The Shovelnose Gold project is the most advance property, with a recently updated 2025 Preliminary Economic Assessment that validates the Projects potential as a robust, low cost and high margin 11-year underground gold mining opportunity with average annual life-of-mine gold production of 56,000 ounces and having a Cdn$454 million after-tax NPV 6% and 43.2% IRR (base case parameters of US$2,400 per ounce gold, US$28 per ounce silver and CDN/US$ exchange rate of $0.72). Initial capital costs are projected to be Cdn$184 million with a payback period of 2.1 years. Please see Westhavens news release dated March 3, 2025 for details of the updated PEA. Shovelnose is situated off a major highway, near power, rail, large producing mines, pipelines and within commuting distance from the city of Merritt, which result in lower cost exploration and development.

Qualified Person: The technical and scientific information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Robin Hopkins, P.Geo, who is a Qualified Person for the Company under the definitions established by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Westhaven trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol WHN. For further information, please call 604-681-5558 or visit Westhavens website at www.westhavengold.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and Westhaven does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Forward-looking statements in this news release may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the results of the Preliminary Economic Assessment, the Mineral Resource Estimate future planned activities, future mineral production and future growth potential for the Company and its projects, the interpretation of preliminary results from exploration undertaken to date at Shovelnose using various exploration techniques and analysis; statements with respect to potential styles of epithermal mineralization at the Shovelnose Project; and the possibility that the Companys Shovelnose project may host multiple gold bearing epithermal systems. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of gold and other precious metals; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; the Companys ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms. Although management of Westhaven Gold Corp. have 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. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Such factors include, without limitation: the Company's dependence on one group of mineral projects; precious metals price volatility; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; risks regarding mineral resources and reserves; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; and the factors identified under the caption Risk Factors in the Companys management discussion and analysis. Mineral exploration involves a high degree of risk and few properties, which are explored, are ultimately developed into producing mines. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements or information 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. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.
Piazza Garibaldi Design has launched an end-to-end project management service for ultra-luxury homes and yachts. The firm, led by Denise Muraro, oversees every phase from design to delivery, offering high-net-worth clients seamless coordination, expert oversight, and personalized solutions across the United States and Europe.





Denise Muraro of Piazza Garibaldi Design

NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Piazza Garibaldi Design now offers a fully integrated project management service, providing high-net-worth clients with a single point of contact throughout every phase of ultra-luxury residential and yachting projects. Founder Denise Muraro leads this new service, which streamlines the process from initial concept through final delivery. Each home and yacht receives detailed attention, reflecting the clients preferences and lifestyle.

This end-to-end management covers all stages of project development. The firm handles creative design, technical planning, construction oversight, and owner representation. Clients no longer need to coordinate multiple vendors or navigate complex logistics. The process becomes more efficient and less stressful, whether the project involves a new build or a renovation of an estate, penthouse, or custom yacht interior.

Our clients want beautiful spaces and a process that runs smoothly, says Denise Muraro, founder of Piazza Garibaldi Design. We take responsibility for every step, assemble the right teams, manage timelines, and check every detail.

Global Expertise Aligns With Market Growth

Muraros experience in New Orleans, New York, and Europe shapes the firms ability to deliver culturally informed solutions. It acts as the clients advocate by coordinating architects, contractors, and artisans, while also overseeing quality control, permitting, and compliance. This hands-on management allows each project, from waterfront properties to 30-meter yachts, to meet the highest standards.

Recent forecasts show the luxury design market will reach $369.8 billion by 2030. The global yacht market is projected to grow from $9.48 billion in 2025 to $11.05 billion by 2029. Personalization and sustainability drive these trends, and the firm incorporates eco-friendly materials and the latest smart technologies to address evolving client needs.

We see a shift toward holistic project management in luxury design, Muraro notes. Our role is to simplify the journey so clients can enjoy their homes and yachts, confident that every detail receives expert attention.

Visit Piazza Garibaldi Designs website to learn more about its end-to-end project management for ultra-luxury living and yachting.

About Piazza Garibaldi Design

Piazza Garibaldi Design is a boutique firm specializing in project management, interior design, and construction oversight for luxury homes, estates, and yachts. Denise Muraro founded the company, which is recognized for its global perspective, personalized service, and high standards, serving clients across the United States and Europe.

Contact Information
Giredestrant plus everolimus reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 44% and 62% in ITT and ESR1-mutated populations, respectively, in a post-CDK inhibitor setting, compared with standard-of-care endocrine therapy plus everolimus 1

The giredestrant combination was well tolerated; no new safety signals were observed including no photopsia 1

Overall survival data were immature, but a clear positive trend was seen in both the ITT and ESR1-mutated populations 1

If approved, giredestrant plus everolimus could be the first and only oral selective oestrogen receptor degrader combination in the post-CDK inhibitor setting

Basel, 18 October 2025 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today positive results from the phase III evERA Breast Cancer study. Data showed giredestrant in combination with everolimus significantly reduced the risk of disease progression or death (progression-free survival; PFS) by 44% and 62% in the intention-to-treat (ITT) and ESR1-mutated populations, respectively, compared with standard-of-care endocrine therapy plus everolimus.1 The evERA study is evaluating the investigational giredestrant combination in people with oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer previously treated with cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor and endocrine therapy.2 This is the first positive head-to-head phase III trial investigating a selective oestrogen receptor degrader-containing regimen versus a standard-of-care combination.2 The results are being presented in an oral session at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2025. Data will be shared with health authorities, with the aim of bringing this potential treatment option to people as soon as possible.

A particularly high unmet need remains for people who become resistant to endocrine therapies and CDK inhibitors. These study results support the potential for the giredestrant combination to become a new standard-of-care for all patients in this setting, said Levi Garraway, MD, PhD, Roches Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development.

Resistance to standard-of-care therapies is common in the post-CDK inhibitor setting, and the results from evERA validate using a combination to address this challenge, said Dr Erica L. Mayer, Medical Oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The clinically meaningful benefit observed with the giredestrant and everolimus all-oral combination is impressive and speaks to its potential to improve outcomes for patients in need of new treatment options.

The giredestrant combination demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS compared with standard-of-care endocrine therapy plus everolimus.1 In the ITT population, the median PFS was 8.77 months compared with 5.49 months in the giredestrant and comparator arms, respectively (stratified hazard ratio [HR]=0.56; 95% CI: 0.44-0.71, p-value= <0.0001).1 In the ESR1-mutated population, the median PFS was 9.99 months compared with 5.45 months in the giredestrant and comparator arms, respectively (HR=0.38; 95% CI: 0.27-0.54, p-value= <0.0001).1 The PFS benefit was consistent across pre-specified subgroups in both populations.1 Overall survival (OS) data were immature at the time of analysis, but a clear positive trend has been observed in the ITT (HR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.47-1.00, p-value=0.0473) and ESR1-mutated populations (HR=0.62, 95% CI: 0.38-1.02, p-value=0.0566).1 Follow-up for OS will continue to next analysis. Giredestrant in combination with everolimus also demonstrated improvements in key secondary endpoints (objective response rate and duration of response) compared with the comparator arm across both patient populations.1

Adverse events for the giredestrant-based combination were manageable and consistent with the known safety profiles of the individual medicines.1 No new safety signals were observed, including no photopsia.1

ER-positive breast cancer accounts for approximately 70% of breast cancer cases.3 Resistance to endocrine therapies, particularly in the post-CDK inhibitor setting, increases the risk of disease progression and is associated with poor outcomes.3,4 All-oral combination therapies, such as giredestrant plus everolimus, could address this by targeting two different signalling pathways while helping to minimise the impact of treatment on peoples lives without the need for injections.5,6

Our extensive giredestrant clinical development programme spans multiple treatment settings and lines of therapy, reflecting our commitment to deliver innovative medicines to as many people with ER-positive breast cancer as possible.

About the evERA Breast Cancer study

evERA Breast Cancer [NCT05306340] is a phase III, randomised, open-label, multicentre study evaluating the efficacy and safety of giredestrant in combination with everolimus versus standard-of-care endocrine therapy in combination with everolimus in people with oestrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have had previous treatment with cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor and endocrine therapy, either in the adjuvant or locally advanced/metastatic setting.2

The co-primary endpoints are investigator-assessed progression-free survival in the intention-to-treat and ESR1-mutated populations, defined as the time from randomisation to the time when the disease progresses or a patient dies from any cause.2 The trial has been enriched for ESR1-mutated patients above the natural prevalence to assess the efficacy in this population. In the post-CDK inhibitor setting, up to 40% of people with ER-positive disease have ESR1 mutations.7,8 Key secondary endpoints include overall survival, objective response rate, duration of response, clinical benefit rate and safety.2

About giredestrant

Giredestrant is an investigational, oral, next-generation selective oestrogen receptor degrader and full antagonist.9

Giredestrant is designed to block oestrogen from binding to the oestrogen receptor, triggering its breakdown (known as degradation) and stopping or slowing down the growth of cancer cells.10

Giredestrant has an extensive clinical development programme and is being investigated in five company-sponsored phase III clinical trials that span multiple treatment settings and lines of therapy to benefit as many people as possible:

Giredestrant versus standard-of-care endocrine therapy (SoC ET) as adjuvant treatment in ER-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative early-stage breast cancer (lidERA Breast Cancer; NCT04961996) 1 1

Giredestrant plus everolimus versus SoC ET plus everolimus in ER-positive, HER2-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (evERA Breast Cancer; NCT05306340) 2

Giredestrant plus palbociclib versus letrozole plus palbociclib in ER-positive, HER2-negative, endocrine-sensitive, recurrent locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (persevERA Breast Cancer; NCT04546009)12

Giredestrant plus investigators choice of a cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor versus fulvestrant plus a CDK4/6 inhibitor in ER-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer resistant to adjuvant endocrine therapy (pionERA Breast Cancer; NCT06065748) 1 3

Giredestrant plus Phesgo (pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and hyaluronidase subcutaneous) versus Phesgo in ER-positive, HER2-positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (heredERA Breast Cancer; NCT05296798)14

About oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer

Globally, the burden of breast cancer continues to grow, with 2.3 million women diagnosed and 670,000 dying from the disease every year.15 Breast cancer remains the number one cause of cancer-related deaths amongst women, and the second most common cancer type.16

ER-positive breast cancer accounts for approximately 70% of breast cancer cases.3 A defining feature of ER-positive breast cancer is that its tumour cells have receptors that attach to oestrogen, which can contribute to tumour growth.17

Despite treatment advances, ER-positive breast cancer remains particularly challenging to treat due to its biological complexity.5 Patients often face the risk of disease progression, treatment side effects and resistance to endocrine therapy.5,18 There is an urgent need for more effective treatments that can delay clinical progression and reduce the burden of treatment on peoples lives. 5,18

About Roche in breast cancer

Roche has been advancing breast cancer research for more than 30 years, and it continues to be a major focus of research and development. Our legacy began with the development of the first targeted therapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer, and we continue to push the boundaries of science to address the complexities of all breast cancer subtypes.

By leveraging our dual expertise in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, we are dedicated to providing tailored treatment approaches and improving outcomes for every patient, from early to advanced stages of the disease. Together with our partners, we are relentlessly pursuing a cure, as we strive for a future where no one dies from breast cancer.

About Roche

Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the worlds largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice.

For over 125 years, sustainability has been an integral part of Roches business. As a science-driven company, our greatest contribution to society is developing innovative medicines and diagnostics that help people live healthier lives. Roche is committed to the Science Based Targets initiative and the Sustainable Markets Initiative to achieve net zero by 2045.

Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.

For more information, please visit www.roche.com.

All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.



References

[1] Mayer E, et al. Giredestrant (GIRE), an oral selective oestrogen receptor (ER) antagonist and degrader, + everolimus (E) in patients (pts) with ER-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer (ER+, HER2 aBC) previously treated with a CDK4/6 inhibitor (i): Primary results of the Phase III evERA BC trial. Presented at: ESMO Congress; 2025 October 17-21; Berlin, Germany. LBA #16.

[2] ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Giredestrant Plus Everolimus Compared With the Physician's Choice of Endocrine Therapy Plus Everolimus in Participants With Estrogen Receptor-Positive, HER2-Negative, Locally Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer (evERA Breast Cancer) [Internet; cited 2025 October]. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05306340.

[3] Kinslow C, et al. Prevalence of Estrogen Receptor Alpha (ESR1) Somatic Mutations in Breast Cancer. JNCI Cancer Spectrum; 2022 Oct;6(5):pkac060.

[4] Sahin T, et al. Post-progression treatment options after CDK4/6 inhibitors in hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. Cancer Treatment Reviews. 2025 April;135:102924.

[5] Hanker A, et al. Overcoming Endocrine Resistance in Breast Cancer. Canc Cell. 2020 Apr 13;37(4):496513.

[6] Wood L. A review on adherence management in patients on oral cancer therapies. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2012 Sept; 16(4):432-38.

[7] Meisel J L, et al. Real-world estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) testing patterns and results in U.S. patients with metastatic breast cancer, 2018-2024. JCO Oncol Pract 2025;21:579-579.

[8] Chaudhary N, et al. CDK4/6i-treated HR+/HER2- breast cancer tumors show higher ESR1 mutation prevalence and more altered genomic landscape. npj Breast Cancer 2024;10,15.

[9] Martin M, et al. Giredestrant (GDC-9545) vs physician choice of endocrine monotherapy (PCET) in patients (pts) with ER+, HER2 locally advanced/metastatic breast cancer (LA/mBC): Primary analysis of the phase 2, randomised, open-label acelERA BC study. Presented at: The European Society for Medical Oncology Annual Meeting; 2022 September 9-13; Paris, France. Abstract #211MO.

[10] Metcalfe C, et al. GDC-9545: A novel ER antagonist and clinical candidate that combines desirable mechanistic and pre-clinical DMPK attributes. Presented at: San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 December 4-8; San Antonio, Texas, USA. Abstract #P5-04-07.

[11] ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Adjuvant Giredestrant Compared With Physician's Choice of Adjuvant Endocrine Monotherapy in Participants With Estrogen Receptor-Positive, HER2-Negative Early Breast Cancer (lidERA Breast Cancer) [Internet; cited 2025 October]. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04961996.

[12] ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Giredestrant Combined With Palbociclib Compared With Letrozole Combined With Palbociclib in Participants With Estrogen Receptor-Positive, HER2-Negative Locally Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer (persevERA Breast Cancer) [Internet; cited 2025 October]. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04546009.

[13] ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Giredestrant Compared With Fulvestrant (Plus a CDK4/ 6 Inhibitor), in Participants With ER-Positive, HER2-Negative Advanced Breast Cancer Resistant to Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy (pionERA Breast Cancer) [Internet; cited 2025 October]. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06065748.

[14] ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Giredestrant in Combination With Phesgo (Pertuzumab, Trastuzumab, and Hyaluronidase-zzxf) Versus Phesgo in Participants With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer (heredERA Breast Cancer) [Internet; cited 2025 October]. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05296798.

[15] World Health Organisation. Breast Cancer [Internet; cited 2025 October]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer.

[16] World Health Organization. Cancer Today [Internet; cited 2025 October]. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today/en/dataviz/bars?mode=cancer&types=1&group_populations=1&sexes=2&key=asr&age_end=14.

[17] National Cancer Institute. Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer [Internet; cited 2025 October]. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/breast-hormone-therapy-fact-sheet.

[18] Basaran G, et al. Ongoing unmet needs in treating estrogen receptor-positive/HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. Cancer Treat Rev. 2018 Feb;63:144-55.

Roche Global Media Relations

Phone: +41 61 688 8888 / e-mail: media.relations@roche.com

Hans Trees, PhD

Phone: +41 79 407 72 58 Sileia Urech

Phone: +41 79 935 81 48 Nathalie Altermatt

Phone: +41 79 771 05 25 Lorena Corfas

Phone: +41 79 568 24 95 Simon Goldsborough

Phone: +44 797 32 72 915 Karsten Kleine

Phone: +41 79 461 86 83 Kirti Pandey

Phone: +49 172 6367262 Yvette Petillon

Phone: +41 79 961 92 50 Dr Rebekka Schnell

Phone: +41 79 205 27 03

Roche Investor Relations

Dr Bruno Eschli

Phone: +41 61 68-75284

e-mail: bruno.eschli@roche.com Dr Sabine Borngraber

Phone: +41 61 68-88027

e-mail: sabine.borngraeber@roche.com Dr Birgit Masjost

Phone: +41 61 68-84814

e-mail: birgit.masjost@roche.com

Investor Relations North America

Loren Kalm

Phone: +1 650 225 3217

e-mail: kalm.loren@gene.com

Attachment
NEW YORK, Oct. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX) resulting from allegations that Freeport may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Freeport securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=45553 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On September 24, 2025, Freeport issued a press release entitled Freeport Provides Update on PT Freeport Indonesia Operations. It stated that Freeport announced today an update on the status of the previously reported mud rush incident at the Grasberg Block Cave mine (GBC) in Indonesia. On September 20, 2025, PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) located two team members who were regrettably fatally injured in the September 8th incident.

On this news, Freeport stock fell by 16.95% on September 24, 2025.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. At the time Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

_______________________

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

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PANAMA CITY, Oct. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The crypto market is buzzing with renewed momentum as investors watch Solana and BNB trade at key levels, but its Blazpays AI-powered Phase 2 presale thats stealing the spotlight.





With over $700,000 raised and more than 100 million tokens sold, Blazpay has captured attention as one of the Top Crypto to Invest In this quarter. While Solana consolidates near $187 and BNB trades strongly above $1,100, Blazpay offers something the large caps cant: an early-stage, low-entry opportunity that could deliver explosive upside potential heading into 2026.

Investors are increasingly rotating from major layer-1 assets into AI-driven DeFi projects, seeking tokens that blend functionality, innovation, and ROI. Blazpay, now priced at just $0.0075, is emerging as a clear frontrunner among the best crypto coins to invest in.

Blazpay Phase 2: Is this the Right Crypto to Invest In?

Blazpays Phase 2 presale marks a pivotal moment in 2025s AI and DeFi landscape. Its token, BLAZ, priced at only $0.0075, represents a rare entry point at a time when major cryptos like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana are already trading at premium valuations.

What sets Blazpay apart is its AI-integrated financial ecosystem, enabling intelligent trade execution, cross-chain liquidity access, and gamified earning features all within a unified DeFi dashboard. The project has already drawn attention from early adopters and analysts who call it one of the Top Crypto to Invest In this year.

The presale continues to accelerate as word spreads of its unique mix of multichain interoperability, AI execution, and perpetual trading capabilities. With every two-week interval, the token price increases automatically or as soon as allocations sell out, creating both scarcity and incentive for early participation.





Multichain Powerhouse: Cross-Chain Trading for the Future

Blazpay supports Ethereum, BNB, Solana, and USDT networks, allowing investors to transact and bridge seamlessly across major ecosystems. This multichain backbone not only ensures liquidity flexibility but also positions Blazpay as one of the best crypto coins to invest in for users seeking cross-network versatility in 2025.

SDK Innovation: Empowering Developers Through AI Tools

Blazpays upcoming Software Development Kit (SDK) allows developers to integrate AI-driven DeFi services directly into their own applications, NFT marketplaces, or trading dashboards. This innovation unlocks a new layer of collaboration and ensures that the Top Crypto to Invest In isnt just investor-focused, its builder-focused too.

Unified DeFi Hub: All-in-One Experience

Blazpay merges core DeFi services from staking and swapping to NFT management and liquidity bridging under a single intelligent platform. Its integrated design eliminates the need for multiple tools, making it a top choice for those looking for the Top Crypto to Invest In that delivers practical usability.

Conversational AI Command Center: Bridge ETH to BNB Made Simple

Blazpay introduces a Conversational AI Assistant that allows users to execute complex tasks through simple text commands like Bridge ETH to BNB or Open 5x long position. This hands-free functionality showcases how crypto AI technology can simplify even the most technical DeFi operations.

$4,000 BLAZ Buy Scenario: How Early Entry Could Multiply Returns

A $4,000 investment during Blazpays Phase 2 presale secures approximately 533,333 BLAZ tokens at the current price of $0.0075 each. If the presale closes at $0.16, that position could expand to more than $85,000 in value. Should Blazpay reach a listing price near $0.50, the same investment would be worth over $266,000, representing a massive potential upside for early participants. These projections highlight why Blazpay stands out not only as a cutting-edge AI crypto project but also as one of the best crypto coins to invest in for investors seeking exceptional returns from a remarkably low entry point.

Blazpay Price Prediction: Can It Reach $0.50 and Beyond?

Market analysts are increasingly bullish on Blazpays trajectory. Based on its adoption curve, token scarcity model, and expanding ecosystem utility, many see the $0.50$0.75 range as a realistic target within 12 months post-listing.

Should broader AI and DeFi narratives continue to grow, Blazpay could potentially join the ranks of top-tier assets in the next market cycle, which is why its consistently ranked among the Top Crypto to Invest In for 2025.

Solana Holds $187 as Analysts Eye a $210 Breakout. Is It Still the Top Crypto to Invest In?

Solana continues to hold steady around $187, showing resilience amid shifting market sentiment. The assets market capitalization stands at $87 billion, supported by nearly $10 billion in daily trading volume.

Analysts note that Solana remains technically strong, with potential for a bullish breakout toward $210$220, especially as ETF approval rumors gain traction. While its current valuation may limit exponential gains, Solanas network speed and institutional integration keep it among the best crypto coins to invest in for steady performance.





However, retail investors looking for the Best 100x crypto opportunities are increasingly exploring alternatives like Blazpay, which offers a fraction-of-a-cent entry point compared to Solanas multi-hundred-dollar valuation.

BNB Near $1,144 With $167B Market Cap A Giant Balancing Growth and Stability

BNBs impressive run continues, currently trading around $1,144 with a $167 billion market cap. The coin recently marked new highs, reflecting renewed faith in Binances ecosystem as DeFi and blockchain utility expand.

Despite slight daily fluctuations, BNB maintains investor confidence as a blue-chip crypto asset, though its unlikely to deliver the kind of returns offered by newer entrants in the AI crypto presale category.

For investors prioritizing growth potential over stability, Blazpays early-stage positioning makes it an intriguing contrast to BNBs mature trajectory. Both coins play essential roles, but Blazpays next crypto coin to explode the narrative adds an extra layer of excitement for risk-tolerant traders.

Dont Miss Out: Why Blazpay Is Emerging as the Next DeFi Narrative

As major coins like Solana and BNB consolidate, investors are eyeing smaller-cap, high-utility projects with explosive potential. Blazpays ongoing AI crypto presale embodies this transition from established dominance to early-stage innovation.

With its intelligent ecosystem, low entry price, and $300K already raised, Blazpay is being positioned by analysts as the next crypto coin to explode in the AI-powered DeFi space.

For anyone looking for the Top Crypto to Invest In, Blazpay offers the kind of asymmetric upside that made early Solana and BNB investors' fortunes, but at a fraction of the entry cost.





About Blazpay:

Blazpay merges AI execution, perpetual trading, gamified rewards, and multichain services into a single DeFi hub. With its Phase 2 presale at $0.0075 live, Blazpay stands out among new AI crypto coins as the best crypto coin to buy now, offering retail and institutional investors a chance at significant early gains while Bitcoin and XRP consolidate in a competitive landscape.

Join the Blazpay Community

Website: www.blazpay.com

Twitter: @blazpaylabs

Telegram: t.me/blazpay

Media Contact:

Contact Person: Alan Wright

Email: alan@blazpay.com

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Vancouver, October 17, 2025 - Silicon Metals Corp. (CSE: SI) (FSE: X6U) ("Silicon Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that further to its news releases dated October 9th, 2025, it has closed the initial tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placements (the "Offering") for gross aggregate proceeds of $145,000 (the "First Tranche"). The Company intends to close the final tranche of the Offering next week.

In the First Tranche, the Company issued 1,500,000 non-flow-through units (each, a "Non-Flow-Through Unit") at a price of $0.05 per Share for gross proceeds of $75,000. The Non-Flow-Through Units consist of one common share of the Company and one half of a common share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase a common share at an exercise price of $0.06 for a period of 24 months. The terms of the warrants also include an accelerator provision whereby, if the price of the common shares on the CSE closes at $0.15 or higher for a period of ten (10) consecutive trading days, the Company may accelerate the expiry date of the warrants to thirty (30) days from the acceleration trigger.

The Company also issued 1,000,000 flow-through units (each, a "Flow-Through Unit") at a price of $0.07 per Share for gross proceeds of $70,000. The Flow-Through Units consist of one common flow-through share of the Company and one half of a common share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase a common share at an exercise price of $0.10 for a period of 24 months. The terms of the warrants also include an accelerator provision whereby, if the price of the common shares on the CSE closes at $0.15 or higher for a period of ten (10) consecutive trading days, the Company may accelerate the expiry date of the warrants to thirty (30) days from the acceleration trigger.

The Company intends to use the proceeds of the sale of the Non-Flow Through Units for general working capital purposes and proceeds of the sale of the Flow-Through Units to incur eligible exploration expenditures on its projects in British Columbia and Ontario. Fees of $1,400 were paid and 20,000 finder's warrants were issued (the "Finder's Warrants") to certain finders in connection with the First Tranche. Each Finder's Warrant is exercisable into one common share for a period of twenty-four months after the date of issuance at an exercise price of $0.07 and include the same accelerator provision.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day after the date of issuance, as set out in National Instrument 45102 - Resale of Securities.

None of the securities sold in connection with the Offering will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no such securities may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Silicon Metals Corp.

Silicon Metals Corp. is currently focused on exploration and development in Canada, namely British Columbia and Ontario. The Company's Maple Birch Project, located approximately 30km south-east of Sudbury, Ontario, is a high purity quartz pegmatite project with a 3,000 tonne per year production permit. The Company too holds an undivided 100% right, title, and interest in the exploration stage and now fully 5-year drill permitted Ptarmigan Silica Project, located approximately 130km from Prince George, British Columbia. The Company has also acquired an undivided 100% right, title, and interest in both the exploration stage Silica Ridge Silica Project located approximately 70kms southeast from the town of MacKenzie, British Columbia, as well as the exploration stage Longworth Silica Project located approximately 85km East from Prince George, British Columbia.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

SILICON METALS CORP.

"Morgan Good"

Morgan Good

Chief Executive Officer and Director

For more information regarding this news release and further details about Silicon's plans, please contact:

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release).

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forwardlooking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding the Offering (including the completion of the final tranche and intended use of proceeds).

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied certain material assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will close the final tranche of the Offering as anticipated, or at all, that the Company will use the proceeds of the Offering as anticipated, and that the Company will have all the necessary resources, including personnel and capital to carry out its business plans.

These forwardlooking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that the Company may be unable to complete the final tranche of the Offering as anticipated, or at all; that the Company may not use the proceeds from the Offering as disclosed; that the Company may be unable to carry out its business plans as disclosed; changes in applicable legislation impacting the Company's exploration plans; unanticipated costs; loss of key personnel; failure to raise the capital required to carry out the Company's business plans.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/270978
Emperor Metals Inc. (CSE: AUOZ) (OTCQB: EMAUF) (FSE: 9NH) ("Emperor Metals" or the "Company"), a mineral exploration and development company focused on Quebec's Southern Abitibi Greenstone Belt, is pleased to announce that, further to its press release dated October 9, 2025, it has completed the second and final closing of its previously announced "best efforts" private placement for additional gross proceeds of approximately $1,150,333.80 (approximately $11,093,333.60 in the aggregate across all closings) (the "Offering"). Pursuant to the second closing of Offering, the Company issued an additional 5,751,669 units of the Company (the "Common Units") at a price of $0.20 per Common Unit. Each Common Unit is comprised of: (i) one (1) common share of the Company (a "Common Share"); and (ii) one-half of one (1/2) Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant") with each whole Warrant exercisable to acquire an additional Common Share at a price of $0.35 per Common Share for a period of 24 months from the closing of the Offering.

The Offering was led by SCP Resource Finance LP ("SCP") acting as lead agent and sole bookrunner on behalf of a syndicate of agents including Canaccord Genuity Corp. (together with SCP, the "Agents"). The Offering was conducted pursuant to an agency agreement dated October 9, 2025, between the Company and the Agents. In connection with the second closing of the Offering, the Agents partially exercised their agents' option for 5,466,668 Common Units.

The Common Units were issued pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption"). The Common Units issued under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption are not subject to a hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

The net proceeds raised from the sale of the Common Units will be used by the Company for general and administrative expenses and working capital purposes as further described in the Company's offering document under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption dated September 12, 2025.

In connection with the second closing and as consideration for the services rendered by the Agents under the Offering, the Agents received, among other things, 345,100 non-transferable broker warrants, each exercisable for a period of 24 months from the closing of the Offering to acquire one Common Share (each, a "Broker Warrant Share") at an exercise price per Broker Warrant Share of $0.20.

Early Warning

In connection with the second closing of the Offering, Evanachan Limited ("EL"; 150 King St. West, Suite 2800, Toronto, ON, M5H 1J9, Tel. (647) 258-0395), a private company controlled by Robert McEwen, acquired 750,000 Common Units at a price per Common Unit of $0.20 for an aggregate purchase price of $150,000.00, representing approximately 1.65% of the total number of units sold under the Offering. Prior to the second closing of the Offering, EL held 13,000,000 Common Shares and 6,500,000 Common Share purchase warrants of the Company, which represented approximately 7.1% of the total number of issued and outstanding Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to the second closing of the Offering, or approximately 10.2% on a partially diluted basis (assuming the exercise of all Common Share purchase warrants held by EL immediately prior to the second closing of the Offering). Following the second closing of the Offering, EL now holds 13,750,000 Shares and 6,875,000 Common Share purchase warrants of the Company, which represents approximately 6.9% of the total number of issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis following the second closing of the Offering, or approximately 10.0% on a partially diluted basis (assuming exercise of all Common Share purchase warrants of the Company held by EL). The Common Units are being acquired by EL for long-term investment purposes. EL may acquire additional securities of the Company, including on the open market or through private acquisitions, or sell securities of Emperor in accordance with applicable securities laws depending on market conditions, reformulation of plans, and/or other factors that EL considers relevant from time to time.

About Emperor Metals Inc.

Emperor Metals Inc. is a high-grade gold exploration and development company focused on Quebec's Southern Abitibi Greenstone Belt, leveraging AI-driven exploration techniques. Emperor Metals is dedicated to unlocking the substantial resource potential of the Duquesne West Gold Project and the Lac Pelletier Project, both situated in this prolific mining district.

Emperor Metals is led by a dynamic group of resource sector professionals who have a strong record of success in evaluating and advancing mining projects from exploration through to production, attracting capital and overcoming adversity to deliver exceptional shareholder value. For more information, please refer to SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), under Emperor Metals' profile.

Under an option agreement, Emperor Metals agreed to acquire a 100% interest in a mineral claim package comprising 38 claims covering approximately 1,389 ha, located in the Duparquet Township of Quebec (the "Duquesne West Property") from Duparquet Assets Ltd., a 50% owned subsidiary of Globex Mining Enterprises Inc. (TSX: GMX).

The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state of the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made and information contained in this news release, including statements regarding the use of proceeds raised under the Offering, is "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the intended use of the net proceeds raised from the Offering 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, changes to exploration plans and activities and the costs and timing associated therewith, results from exploration activities, changes in commodities markets, conditions of financial markets, economic conditions including any governmental regulations with respect thereto including tariffs, protective governmental regulations, relations with first nations, governments and other stakeholders, changes to environmental and other laws and regulations affecting mining activities, weather, management's discretion with respect to the use of proceeds and the use of the available funds following completion of the Offering, including the timing and cost of planned activities and the use of funds in connection therewith, and the other risk factors described in our securities filings available at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking statements or forward-looking information relate to future events and future performance and include statements regarding the expectations and beliefs of management based on information currently available to the Company.

Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing these forward-looking statements are reasonable based upon the information currently available to management as of the date hereof, actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Readers are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, changing circumstances, or otherwise.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR

FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES


Ares Strategic Mining Inc. (CNSX: ARS) ("Ares" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the first tranche of its previously announced offering of units (each, a "Unit") by issuing 11,111,112 Units at a price of $0.45 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of $5,000,000.40 (the "First Tranche") pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions (the "Initial LIFE Offering").

Each Unit shall consist of one (1) common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one-half (1/2) of one non-transferable Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable into one (1) Common Share (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.55 per Warrant Share for a period of two (2) years following the date of issuance.

In connection with the closing of the First Tranche, an aggregate of $300,000.02 was paid in cash and a total of 666,667 finder's warrants (each, a "Finder's Warrant") were issued to Ventum Financial Corp. as finder's fees. Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one (1) common share in the capital of the Company (a "Finder's Warrant Share") at a price of $0.45 per Finder's Warrant Share for a period of two (2) years following the closing date of the First Tranche. The Finder's Warrants are subject to a 4-month hold period from the date of issuance.

Amended and Restated Offering Document

The Company also announces that it has filed an amended and restated offering document (the "Amended Offering Document") in connection with the Initial LIFE Offering (the "Amended LIFE Offering"). The initial offering document dated October 10, 2025 is being amended to increase the offering by up to 1,111,110, for a total offering of under the Amended Offering Document of 12,222,220 Units at $0.45 per Unit for gross proceeds to be raised pursuant to the Amended LIFE Offering of up to $5,499,999. Upon filing of the Amended Offering Document, the Amended LIFE Offering will be extended to the date that is 45 days from the date of this news release. The Amended Offering Document can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at: www.aresmining.com. Prospective investors should read this Amended Offering Document before making an investment decision.

Upon closing of any tranches of the Amended LIFE Offering, the Company may pay finders finder's fees under the Amended LIFE Offering as permitted by the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange and applicable securities laws.

For additional details relating to the Initial LIFE Offering, please refer to the Company's news release dated October 10, 2025, which can be accessed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+. Completion of any tranches under the Amended LIFE Offering remain subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals.

As disclosed in the Amended Offering Document, the Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Amended LIFE Offering to pay for the development of the Company's fluorspar manufacturing facility currently under construction in Delta, Utah, for general and corporate working capital purposes, and for repayment of outstanding debts.

None of the securities issued in connection with the LIFE Offering will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and none of them may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state where such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

ARES STRATEGIC MINING INC.

James Walker

Chief Executive Officer and President

For further information, please contact James Walker by email at jwalker@aresmining.com

DISCLOSURE AND FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Certain statements contained in this news 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 Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events.

In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the Amended LIFE Offering, including the total anticipated proceeds, the expected use of proceeds and the closing (including the proposed closing date) of any tranches of the Amended LIFE Offering. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information, including the assumptions that: the Company will close all or any portion of the Amended LIFE Offering on the timeline anticipated; the Institutional Investment will be completed on the terms set out in the Term Sheet, or at all; the Company will raise the anticipated amount of gross proceeds from the Amended LIFE Offering and the Company will use the proceeds of the Amended LIFE Offering as anticipated. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of the Company's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts 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: the risk that the Amended LIFE Offering do not close in part or at all; the risk that the Company raises less than the anticipated amount of gross proceeds from the Amended LIFE Offering; the risk that the Company does not use the proceeds from the Amended LIFE Offering as currently expected; the Institutional Investment does not complete as set out in the Term Sheet or at all; risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined and the risk that exploration and development activities will cost more than the amount budgeted for such activities by the Company; risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals; risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions; access and supply risks; risks associated with the Company's reliance on key personnel; operational risks; regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits; financing, capitalization and liquidity risks; title and environmental risks; and risks relating to the failure to receive all requisite regulatory approvals. The forward-looking information contained in this news 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.

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES


State lawmakers typically share the same attitude when it comes to Congress: Stay out of our business -- that is, unless you want to give us more money. But one area in which they don't share that attitude is illegal immigration. State representatives across the country are urging Washington to pass legislation addressing it.Congress hasn't passed major legislation addressing immigration since 1986, when it made it illegal for employers to knowingly hire undocumented workers, says Virginia state Sen. John Watkins.President George W. Bush tried, unsuccessfully, to address the subject in 2007 with a bill that would have provided a legal pathway to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants while also increasing border enforcement. With Washington mired in partisan debate almost exclusively focused on deficit reduction, the issue isn't gaining much steam at the federal level right now, despite President Obamas efforts.So states, increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress at the federal level, have started tackling the problem themselves. But that might not be the best approach, state lawmakers said.Already this year, state legislatures have considered nearly 1,600 bills and resolutions addressing immigrants and refugees, according to a new study by NCSL . Since the start of 2007, they've considered more than 7,300. This year alone, states enacted 246 provisions related to immigration."We feel like we're in limbo without federal action," said Washington state Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos. "Our interest is to find a quick resolution that can only come from the federal government."But, Watkins says, laws like the one in Arizona that requires law enforcement officials to verify the status of undocumented workers may be sending the wrong message to federal lawmakers. He worries that the law, as well as similar laws in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, South Carolina and Utah, are signaling to Washington that states are willing to take on the responsibility -- and costs -- of addressing the issue. That shouldn't be the case, he argues.The new state laws passed in 2011 address nearly every facet of immigration, including how states should handle identification for undocumented immigrants, whether employers must use the federal E-Verify system to ensure the legal status of employees and whether schools must verify students' immigration status. Some of the laws expand rights for immigrants, such as efforts in Maryland and Connecticut to grant in-state tuition to unauthorized immigrants.Watkins and Santos want federal lawmakers to address immigration, in part, because their colleagues' own legislation has questionable legal status. The Arizona-like laws calling for state and local law enforcement to uphold federal immigration laws have been challenged in court. Meanwhile, state lawmakers say, the costs of immigration -- be it crime, in some cases, or providing social services and schooling in others -- are hurting finances at a time when they're already struggling.
Ben Sulayem to stand unopposed in FIA election

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem will remain unchallenged in December's election, after all three potential rivals were blocked from standing under the federation's complex nomination rules.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, Italian GP 2025

 Red Bull

American motorsport figure Tim Mayer, along with two female candidates, had each expressed interest in contesting the presidency - but were ruled out due to the FIA's strict regional endorsement system.

Mayer confirmed his withdrawal in a press conference, expressing anger at what he called an undemocratic process.

There will be only one candidate, the incumbent, Mayer said. That's not democracy - that's the illusion of democracy.

Under FIA rules, presidential hopefuls must submit a list of six vice-presidential candidates - one from each of the federation's world regions represented on the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC). But in South America, the only eligible council representative is Fabiana Ecclestone, the Brazilian wife of former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who has already pledged her support to Ben Sulayem.

With no alternative nominations possible, no challenger could meet the eligibility threshold.

Mayer also pointed to a sharp drop in the number of eligible WMSC representatives, down from 40 in 2021 to 29 this year, arguing the shrinking list effectively locks out opposition.

When elections are decided before ballots are cast, that's not democracy - that's theatre. And when member clubs are left with no real choice, they become spectators, not participants.

He questioned whether the decline in nominations reflected apathy or something more deliberate. Did member clubs suddenly lose interest in shaping the sport? Were they persuaded, pressured or promised something not to stand? I cannot say for sure, Mayer said.

According to the American, many FIA clubs told him privately they feared speaking out. Across our travels, many member clubs told me: 'We want to speak, but we can't.' Clubs fear losing projects, funding, or recognition if they simply question the system.

Mayer said he would continue his campaign informally to highlight what he believes are serious governance issues, even if the outcome is predetermined.

The topic surfaced in the Austin paddock on Friday. I haven't heard the press conference and what has been said, said Mercedes' Toto Wolff, "but it's clear, like in any sport or politics, as an incumbent you have certain advantages - nothing new.

And in that respect, it was pretty obvious and clear that we're going into the next legislative period with Mohammed at the top of the FIA.

Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies said the teams were focused on maintaining a constructive relationship with the governing body. Every governing body - or even every country - has a different election process. I believe the one in place at the FIA has been there for quite a long while now, he said.

As far as we are concerned, as teams, what is important is that the relationship with the FIA is very strong at the moment. We have been working hard with the FIA and F1 on these 2026 regs, and we look forward to the next steps.

A spokesperson for the FIA defended the organisation's election system.

The FIA presidential election is a structured and democratic process, to ensure fairness and integrity at every stage, the governing body said. Prospective candidates have had since the publication of the detailed information on 13 June to prepare their applications.

(GMM)
Australia plans to add 17,500 international student places at 32 public universities in 2026, even as visa applications drop under tougher immigration rules.

The education ministry announced the plan on Oct. 14 as part of its new international education strategy. "International education brings tens of billions of dollars into the economy each year. It also builds friendships and long-term connections around the world. But we need to manage it sustainably and that's what these allocations for universities do," education minister Jason Clare said.

In August, the government set a national cap of 295,000 international enrollments for 2026. Universities can apply for extra places if they provide adequate housing for new students, diversify recruitment markets and boost intake from Southeast Asia. A total of 32 universities met those criteria and were approved, though the overall national cap remains unchanged.

The University of Sydney will have the highest international quota with 11,900 students, followed by Monash University (11,300), the University of Melbourne (10,500) and the University of New South Wales (10,350). Most of the remaining universities can admit 1,0008,000 students each, while Notre Dame Australia and the University of New England were allocated fewer than 1,000.

Australia has been tightening visa policies over the past two years to control migration. Post-study work rights for international graduates were cut from 46 years to 24 years, English proficiency requirements raised from IELTS 5.56.0 to 6.06.5, and the minimum financial proof for student visas increased to AU$29,710 (US$19,230), up 20%. The student visa fee also doubled to AU$2,000, one of the highest in the world.

These changes have led to a 26% drop in visa applications for the 20242025 academic year. Still, as of July 2025, Australia hosted nearly 800,000 international students. Vietnamese students ranked fourth among all nationalities, accounting for 4% of the total.
A 20-year-old student from central Vietnam has pulled off a rare feat: winning scholarships for both a bachelor's and a master's degree at the National University of Singapore (NUS), ranked eighth in the world by QS.

Nguyen Hong Gia Nghi from Phan Thiet initially applied for the ASEAN Merit undergraduate scholarship, which covers tuition, living expenses, housing and even funding for overseas exchange. But NUS went further, awarding her not only the undergraduate scholarship but also a full-tuition master's scholarship from the university's College of Design and Engineering, valid from 2028 to 2032.

"This joy is overwhelming," Nghi said. "Beyond boosting my confidence, the scholarship relieves my family of financial burden."

The path to this rare achievement began years earlier. In 2021, while still in grade 10 at Tran Hung Dao High School for the Gifted in Phan Thiet, Nghi won a secondary ASEAN scholarship that took her to Singapore's Chinese Girls' School. It was her first time living abroad, right during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Cut off from home and forced to spend a year in quarantine without returning to Vietnam, she relied on phone calls with family to ease her homesickness while sticking to a strict daily study schedule.

Her discipline paid off. She excelled in math, physics and geography, earning top 5% recognition on the principal's list. She also won medals in national competitions, including gold in math and bronze in physics, before moving on to St Andrew's Secondary School, where she was selected for the prestigious Nanyang Research Program.

Over eight months under the guidance of NTU professors, she explored energy transfer between semiconductors and rare earth elements to generate white light. The experience forced her to learn coding, data analysis and scientific writing from scratch. By the end, she had produced a full report and defended it before an academic panel, rare for a high school student.

"She is very hardworking, sets high goals, and always strives to achieve them, no matter how difficult," said her mentor Anh Tuyet, who described Nghi as "an applicant who impressed professors with early research achievements."

Nghi also left her mark outside research. She launched a tutoring initiative that paired older students with younger ones, eventually reaching more than 200 students, including those from nearby middle schools. At first, she only recruited high-scoring peers, but many felt pressured by the selection.

"The plan had to be adjusted to include training sessions on teaching skills," she said. The change, which even drew praise from the school principal, made the program inclusive and impactful.

The ASEAN scholarship application process itself was rigorous. Alongside stellar grades, recommendation letters and achievements, Nghi had to complete five essays of 150200 words. Her favorite focused on her tutoring project. She then advanced to a 15-minute online interview, where admissions officers asked questions designed to uncover her personality as much as her academic ability.

Nghis achievements extended to Singapores national competitions too, where she won medals in chemistry and physics, and she even completed advanced H3 courses in physics and semiconductor devices, which are university-level classes taught by NTU professors. Her results were so strong she earned Distinction and secured future credit exemptions at NUS.

"That was the most stressful time. I slept less and ate faster to make time for everything," she recalled.

This July, Nghi officially began her bachelors program in Materials Science and Engineering at NUS. Although she already has a masters scholarship guaranteed, her ultimate goal is to pursue research and move straight into a PhD.

"I know Ill have to plan carefully and give my best effort during the four years of university," she said.
Meta is giving parents more control over their teen's use of AI on Instagram

Meta's AI is practically everywhere on its platforms. It can be useful at times, and the company is encouraging users to interact with its AI chatbot more frequently. That includes teens and can sometimes backfire. For instance, a recent report suggests that minors are engaging in romantic conversations with the chatbot. Meta has seemingly found a solution to that.

On Friday, Adam Mosseri, the chief AI officer, announced new parental controls for the AI chatbot. The new parental control features will roll out early next year and will provide grown-ups with various tools. For instance, parents can block access to specific characters or completely block their kids' access to Meta AI.

Additionally, parents will receive summaries of the topics their kids discuss with the chatbot. However, Adam Mosseri didn't go into details on how this would work, but Meta will have more to share soon.

Meta isn't shifting the whole responsibility to parents. Adam Mosseri says the chatbot will remain available to teens with helpful information with age-appropriate protections in place.

The new changes and features will be introduced only on Instagram, with plans to expand them to other platforms. Parental control will be available only to English-speaking users in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia.

Source
A new cycle of The Neni Market will launch on Saturday with 27 young entrepreneurs learning how to turn their passions into real-world ventures.

Inspire Marianas in a release shared kids, ages 7 to 12, will begin their journey in creativity, business, and sustainability in The Neni Market Cycle 3: Made with Maase.

Its the third cycle of The Neni Market program, which has already guided over 48 kids through hands-on workshops in entrepreneurship, marketing, and product creation.

The kids will take part in four entrepreneurial workshops led by business mentors from the community who will teach the basics of running a business, how to brand and market their ideas, how to connect with customers and launching their small business at a real market.

Many of these young graduates continue to operate their businesses today, regularly popping up at local markets around Guam, inspiring peers and adults alike with their innovation and dedication, according to Inspire Marianas.

The community is invited to support the talented young entrepreneurs at The Neni Market Pop-Up on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Village of Donki.

Attendees can shop local, meet the young creators, and celebrate the spirit of Guams next generation of business leaders.

The Neni Market is more than a programits where creativity meets purpose. Seeing these kids turn ideas into real businesses reminds us that the future of Guam is already leading with heart, culture, and innovation, said Victor Calvo, of Inspire Marianas, in a statement.

Inspire Marianas is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth through creativity, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.

Through programs like The Neni Market, Inspire Marianas fosters hands-on learning experiences that teach kids real-world skills, from product design to financial literacyall while promoting sustainability and local pride.
Having witnessed the Japanese lining up in perfect order and maintaining a quiet demeanor everywhere, I could not help but compare it to the bustling, noisy conversations I often hear in other places.

As a Vietnamese living and working in Japan, each day for me is not only a journey of professional growth but also a process of maturing in my behavior and cultural understanding. I've now lived in Japan for over three years, and what truly brings me joy here is not just the country's remarkable development, but the politeness, sophistication, and humanity.

Japanese politeness isn't overly sophisticated or fancy. Instead, it is embedded in the smallest details of daily life. From greetings and apologies to expressing gratitude and showing respect in public spaces, these actions demonstrate genuine care for others in a way that feels completely natural.

From the first day I arrived in Japan, I was struck by how the Japanese bow to one another. It is not merely a formal gesture but an expression of respect. Regardless of your job, social status, or background, respect always takes precedence. The way they bow, use humble language, and even the subtle facial expressions when talking all make me feel respected, even though I'm just a foreigner in a new and unfamiliar environment.

A woman walks in Kyoto, Japan. Illustration photo by Unsplash

One of my most memorable experiences occurred when I dropped my wallet on the way to work. I prepared myself for the worst, expecting it to be lost for good. However, just a day later, I received a call from the local police station. A passerby had found the wallet and turned it in, everything intact, including my important papers and cash. I was so moved that I did not know how to express my gratitude other than thanking them profusely.

The Japanese do not see helping others as a big deal but as something natural. Politeness is reflected in daily life. In public places, there is rarely any noise, arguing, or pushing. People line up in order, whether at crowded train stations or in small supermarkets. On public transport, people generally keep quiet to avoid disturbing others. If they need to answer the phone, they will either step outside or speak softly enough not to disturb those around them.

The Japanese also handle conflicts with great tact. They rarely raise their voices or offer harsh criticism. Instead, they offer gentle advice to preserve the other person's dignity. This approach has made me feel safe and comfortable living here, knowing I'm not judged or pressured by others.

As a Vietnamese, I cannot help but compare Japan's culture with my own. Vietnam has a rich culture and many valuable traditions, but sometimes, in modern life, those values seem to be fading. I've witnessed public jostling, loud phone conversations on buses, and disrespectful words exchanged in everyday situations.

I don't intend to compare to criticize, but I hope that, by looking at a culture like Japan's, we can learn and adapt to become more refined.

Every time I return to Vietnam, I make an effort to maintain the habits I've picked up in Japan: lining up, saying thank you, apologizing at the right time, and not disturbing others in public. I believe that if we all take responsibility for our role in fostering a culture of respect, society will become more civilized and more pleasant to live in.
More than 100 residents joined the Guam Boonie Stompers on Saturday for a guided hike to an area that could be the site of a commercial quarrying operation if senators override a recently vetoed bill.

Acting Gov. Joshua Tenorio on Friday vetoed Bill 7-38, which would allow a commercial quarry operation on a 60-acre CHamoru Land Trust property in Mangilao, but senators can still override the veto.

Senators passed the bill in a 9-5 vote with Sen. Vince Borja absent at the time. If support remains the same, then senators will just need one more vote to override the veto.

Jenny Tedtaotao, president of Guam Boonie Stompers, led a guided hike to Fadian Point and Fadian Cove in Mangilao to bring awareness of the importance of preserving the area.

The hike, which gathered 120 participants, allowed residents to see the area that could be impacted if the bill is passed into law.

Tenorios veto was supported by Prutehi Guahan, Guam Boonie Stompers and hundreds of residents who submitted testimony against the bills passage into law.

According to Prutehi Guahan, over 530 emails were sent through the organizations campaign, and many constituents even chose to individually submit their own responses to support the protection of CHamoru lands, Guams water aquifer, sacred sites, as well as crucial habitats for endangered and endemic species.

However, Tedtaotao and Prutehi Guahan reminded residents that the effort is not over.

Nine senators in support of the bill, including its author, Sen. Joe San Agustin, may attempt to override Tenorios veto with the help of an extra vote.

San Agustin has said that once scraped and graded, the undeveloped lot could provide hundreds of house lots for Land Trust lessees. Land Trust commissioners have backed the proposal.

But Tenorios veto message pointed to grave concerns about using the site as a quarry, which was counter to past decisions by senators to preserve the areas limestone forest.

The area in question, Lot 5412, was part of the Guam Forest Plan, which is currently used to meet requirements from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Tenorio said Guam is negotiating with Fish and Wildlife for a plan that would essentially allow projects that arent part of protected areas to see streamlined permitting.

He added that he was concerned about sediment runoff into the water around the coastline.

Coming together

The engagement with Prutehi Guahans campaign and the turnout for the Guam Boonie Stompers hike was an incredible sight for Mongmong resident Isa Cruz, 32, who came in support of protecting Fadian.

I wish I grabbed more of my family and coworkers, because showing up like this does matter, Cruz said. I hope there is a good amount of opposition to this bill, because I would hate to see another limestone forest plowed down for mining and buildup.

Another participant, Dededo resident Natibu Blas, 25, said its a blessing to take every opportunity to protect and enjoy what Mother Nature gave us, the land of our people, i tano-ta.

Everyone who calls Guam home [should] be coming together and doing whats right for our island and keeping our waters and our land safe, Blas said. Im sure thats what everyone wants, and thats what I hope to see for our people. We have enough strength and courage within us to do whats right.

Hagatna resident Justin Beth, 51, a new member of the Guam Boonie Stompers who recently moved to the island a month ago from Maine, said he joined the group to fully support measures to maintain the environment and preserve open spaces important to indigenous people.

He added that environmental protection is important for biodiversity and maintaining the richness of Guams island biome.

More paved surfaces means more flooding, because the ground is meant to naturally absorb water, so there are definitely benefits to maintaining the land as is, Beth said.

On the veto, Cruz said it brings her hope to know we have someone fighting for our lands and not tearing it down without much thought or consideration.

She said passage of the bill would lead to more land being taken away from the CHamoru people and could lead to more local disasters and erosion.

We recently had a landslide down in Maite, and it helps put things into perspective for this bill. This isnt the only instance. Im surprised to see such thoughtless decision-making. Im not convinced there is a lot of consideration from an environmental perspective, Cruz said.

Tedtaotao likened the risk of soil erosion to the contamination of the northern aquifer in Yigo.

When you quarry land, there is going to dust settlement, disturbance of the natural endemic species, Tedtaotao said. Any time you impact one area, you impact another area, so quarrying of this land is not only going to impact the 60 acres here. Its going to impact the areas around it as well.

Tedtaotao added that many of the residents in Fadian the Boonie Stompers spoke with were unaware of the bill, which brought up more concerns about their well-being not being considered. She expressed fear for the residents being displaced by private interest.

Along this area, we know five to six families have made this place their home, she said. There was a husband and wife that did put in testimony against the quarrying of the land, but the rest of the residents being unaware concerns us.

History of area

Guam Boonie Stompers vice president Dave Lotz gave participants a brief history of the area before the hike.

He said it used to be an illegal dumping ground, and many of the larger pieces of discarded metal still remain along the path. The area has also been quarried before in the 50s and 60s to rebuild the roads on Andersen Air Force Base, removing so much limestone that it created what looks like a valley from the view of the overlook at Fadian Point.

Lotz said the quarrying was extensive and reached all the way to the overlook.

There hasnt been any documented CHamoru remains in the area, but Im going to venture a guess that there were shelters down there that were used by fishermen [before World War II]. At one time, George Tweed had a cave down there," he said.

Lotz told the Pacific Daily News that the land below the cliff is the habitat for various local endangered species, such as the eight-spotted butterfly and the Guam striped snail.

It is not legally a preserve, but it is a known habitat and is mostly undisturbed, [except] for invasive trees and boulders that rolled down from the explosions from the quarry in the 50s, he said.

Concerned residents are encouraged to continue reaching out to the Guam Legislature to remind them that the people want to protect Guahan lands and uphold the mission of the Chamorro Land Trust, Prutehi Guahan said in a media release.




Haiti - FLASH : The USA sanctions two major Haitian terrorists





On Friday, October 17, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Dimitri Herard for his support of the Haitian gang coalition "Viv Ansanm" and Kempes Sanon, leader of the Bel Air gang, one of the member gangs of the "Viv Ansanm" alliance.



"Viv Ansanm" was designated by the U.S. Department of State as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organization (SDGT) and a Foreign Terrorist Organization on May 2nd, 2025 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44822-haiti-politic-us-designates-viv-ansanm-and-gran-grif-as-foreign-terrorist-organizations-official.html . OFAC is taking this action pursuant to Executive Order 13224, as amended, which targets terrorist groups, their supporters, and those who contribute to acts of terrorism.



Herard, born February 4th, 1986, in Port-au-Prince, is a former Haitian police officer and former Commander-in-Chief of the General Security Unit of the National Palace in Haiti. He was linked to the assassination of former President Jovenel Moise in 2021 and subsequently imprisoned by Haitian authorities for this assassination. Since his escape from prison in 2024, Herard has been in cahoots with the "Viv Ansanm" terrorist alliance and has supported numerous gang leaders by providing them with training and firearms. This support directly fuels the alliance's coordinated attacks against state institutions.



SANON, born June 16, 1979, in Port-au-Prince, is the leader of the Bel Air gang, one of the member gangs of the "Viv Ansanm" alliance, and has played a significant role in consolidating the alliance's power. SANON and his gang are involved in indiscriminate killings of civilians, extortion, illicit taxation, and kidnappings in Haiti.



Following OFAC's decision, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFACs regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked persons.



Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. OFACs Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFACs enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities involving designated or otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated or blocked person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.



Furthermore, engaging in certain transactions involving the persons designated today may risk the imposition of secondary sanctions on participating foreign financial institutions. OFAC can prohibit or impose strict conditions on opening or maintaining, in the United States, a correspondent account or a payable-through account of a foreign financial institution that knowingly conducts or facilitates any significant transaction on behalf of a person who is designated pursuant to the relevant authority.



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Haiti - Culture : Growing interest in Vietnam for the history, culture and values of the Haitian people





As part of an educational and cultural exchange, the Embassy of Haiti in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was pleased to welcome a group of students from the Vietnam Academy of Diplomacy.



The visit was attended by Charge d'Affaires Darlier Dorval, accompanied by Ms. Lea Perceval, Counselor at the Mission, who gave the students an informative presentation on the impact of the Haitian Revolution on international diplomacy.



This meeting highlighted Haiti's historical role as the first independent Black Republic, as well as its significant contribution to liberation movements and the principles of sovereignty that still influence international relations today, particularly in the context of the Global South.



The exchanges with the students were dynamic and filled with great academic and cultural interest, thus strengthening the ties between Haiti and Vietnam's future diplomatic elite.



On the occasion of the commemoration of the Battle of Vertieres, an emblematic historical event in Haiti's struggle for independence https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46012-haiti-politic-ceremony-of-the-219th-anniversary-of-the-assassination-of-dessalines-video.html inspired by this initiative, several Vietnamese students chose Haiti as the main subject of their graduation theses, demonstrating a growing interest in the history, culture, and values of the Haitian people.



Furthermore, on October 17, the anniversary of the assassination of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Founding Father of the Haitian Nation, the Haitian diplomatic mission delegated two Haitian chefs, Lalaroque Bichat and Madame Amenda Merilien, to supervise the students in the preparation of the famous Joumou soup, a symbol of Haitian freedom and resistance.



At the same time, participants were offered a training session on kompa dancing, accompanied by a presentation of Haitian music. This culinary and artistic sharing provided an opportunity to exchange not only flavors, but also stories, traditions, and shared values.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46012-haiti-politic-ceremony-of-the-219th-anniversary-of-the-assassination-of-dessalines-video.html



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Haiti - News : Zapping...





Kenscoff : Between 400 and 450 dead

According to Jean Massillon, Mayor of Kenskoff, armed bandits attempting to take control of the town have killed between 400 and 450 people, while causing extensive material damage from January 2025 to date.



Cap-Haitien "Te Deum" at Cap-Haitien Cathedral

On Friday, October 17, 2025, Cap-Haitien Cathedral hosted a solemn Te Deum on the occasion of the 219th anniversary of the assassination of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, hero of independence and founder of the Haitian nation. This religious ceremony paid tribute to the man who, through his courage and vision, brought freedom to the Haitian people. The prayers and songs, carried by strong emotion, recalled the ideals of justice, sovereignty, and national unity that Dessalines defended.



Abandonment of the Referendum, a decision of the CEP

The Government's decision to abandon the proposed constitutional referendum follows a technical opinion from the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), according to its President, Jacques Desrosiers. Unspent funds will be reallocated to the organization of the next elections.



$110 Million from the IDB for Agriculture and Infrastructure

Ilan Goldfajn, President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group, had an excellent meeting with Alfred Metellus, the Minister of Economy and Finance, to reaffirm the IDB's commitment to Haiti, the 2025 Agenda and the 2026 Plan, which includes, among other things, a $110 million investment program aimed at boosting agricultural productivity ($40 million), modernizing transportation infrastructure, facilitating trade and strengthening economic ties between the South and the rest of the country ($70 million), and strengthening technical cooperation between Haiti and the IDB.



Strategic Meeting with the High Command

Following the official ceremony marking the 219th anniversary of the death of General Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Laurent Saint Cyr, the President pro tempore and Coordinator of the Transitional Council, the Presidential Advisors, and Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, held a strategic meeting with the PNH high command, the FAd'H general staff, and some members of the Gang Repression Force (FRG). Discussions focused on the security situation, coordination between Haitian law enforcement and international support forces, and action plans to protect the population and enable the electoral process to progress, allowing the country to regain stability.



219th Dessalines : Messages

Embassy of France :

"On this October 17th commemorating the death of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the French Embassy expresses its solidarity with the Haitian people and pays tribute to the memory of the founding father of the Haitian nation. On this occasion, it reiterates its commitment to supporting Haitian institutions in their efforts to restore peace and security in the country.



Embassy of the United States :

"Today, we join the Haitian people in paying tribute to Jean-Jacques Dessalines, a symbol of freedom, courage, and independence. The Embassy will resume its emergency operations starting Monday."



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Ukraine's general fund budget expenditures for September 2025 amounted to UAH 312.6 billion, an increase of UAH 47.4 billion, or 25.3%, compared to September last year, the Ministry of Finance reported on its website.

According to the ministry, total general fund expenditures for JanuarySeptember 2025 reached UAH 2.82 trillion, which is UAH 473.5 billion, or 20.2%, higher than in the same period last year.

"General fund expenditures on security and defense for JanuarySeptember 2025 totaled UAH 1.78 trillion, or 63.3% of all general fund spending. Of this amount, UAH 210.8 billion was spent in September," the ministry noted.

In August, UAH 214.6 billion was allocated to security and defense out of total general fund expenditures of UAH 333.6 billion.

For the fifth consecutive month, the Finance Ministry excluded detailed data from its public reports regarding specific military-related payments, including service member salaries, procurement of military equipment, weapons, ammunition, and other defense-related products, as well as transfers to the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU), the Pension Fund, and the Entrepreneurship Development Fund.

At the same time, Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko told parliament on September 19 that the monthly level of financial support for the military has been rising substantially this year. "UAH 78.8 billion in January, UAH 86 billion in February, UAH 86 billion in March, UAH 91 billion in April, UAH 97 billion in May, and also UAH 98 billion in August," he said.

In September last year, the ministry reported UAH 83.7 billion in payments for military compensation.

In the expenditure breakdown by economic classification, the largest share  UAH 1.13 trillion  was allocated to wages and related accruals over the nine months, including UAH 135.2 billion in September, or 40.1% of total spending for the period. Compared with the same period last year, these expenditures increased by UAH 200.8 billion, or 21.6%, including a UAH 24 billion (21.6%) rise in September alone.

Spending on the use of goods and services for JanuarySeptember 2025 amounted to UAH 397.3 billion, including UAH 53.6 billion in September, or 17.1% of total expenditures. For comparison, in the same period last year, such expenditures totaled UAH 363.9 billion, including UAH 32.5 billion in September.

According to the ministry, UAH 474.9 billion, or 17.6% of total expenditures, was directed toward social protection (pensions, benefits, and scholarships) in JanuarySeptember 2025, up by UAH 63.1 billion, or 15.3%, year on year. In September alone, social spending reached UAH 55.1 billion, compared with UAH 35.1 billion in September last year.

Subsidies and current transfers to enterprises (institutions and organizations) totaled UAH 347.1 billion, or 12.3% of total expenditures, over the nine months, including UAH 33.6 billion in September. Compared with JanuarySeptember 2024, this category rose by UAH 121.3 billion, or 54.5%.

Servicing the public debt cost the general fund UAH 246.3 billion, or 8.7% of total expenditures, for the nine months, including UAH 13 billion in September, up by UAH 28.8 billion year on year.

Finally, UAH 139.3 billion, or 4.9% of total expenditures, was allocated as transfers to local budgets during JanuarySeptember 2025, including UAH 16 billion in September. Compared with the same period last year, these expenditures rose by UAH 8.5 billion, or 6.5%.
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the end of robots.txt, the humble text file that served as the silent guardian of digital civility for thirty years. Born on February 1, 1994, out of necessity when Martijn Kosters server crashed under a faulty crawler named Websnarf, robots.txt passed away in July 2025, not by Cloudflares hand, but from the consequences of systematic disregard by AI corporations. Cloudflares decision to block AI crawlers by default merely marked the moment when even the last major infrastructure provider abandoned faith in voluntary compliance and moved to technical enforcement. This was a last act of desperation that signaled the end of an era. As with all significant losses, it took time for the full extent of this digital tragedy to be comprehended.

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Henning Fries Henning Fries is a UI/UX engineer with a passion for sustainable web design, digital accessibility, and the psychology of good user experiences. For over fifteen years, he has been working as a designer, developer, and consultant at the interface between people, technology, and designin Germany, France, and Luxembourg. As a full-stack developer with a focus on design and a green front-end enthusiast, he combines technical expertise with a clear awareness of resource conservation and user experience. His goal: digital products that are meaningful, accessible, and human.

A Life of Silent Service

robots.txt was born in a time when the internet resembled a small, quiet neighborhood  manageable, personal, and characterized by mutual trust. One knew the bots that came by and maintained digital etiquette with each other. robots.txt, originally named RobotsNotWanted.txt, was never designed to fight complex legal battles or confront billion-dollar companies  it was simply a polite, yet firm, hint: Please do not go this way.

In its golden years, robots.txt lived in perfect harmony with the major search engines. Google respected it, Yahoo honored it, and even AltaVista  rest in peace  and Lycos followed its instructions. It was a give and take. It was a friendship on equal footing, marked by a simple truth: search engines received content for indexing, while websites, in return, got traffic. This crawl-to-referral ratio  the ratio of bot accesses to returned users  was a fair 14:1 for Google. For every 14 pages accessed by bots, a user on average found their way back to the website. Today, this contract is broken: AI crawlers generate thousands or millions of accesses, while hardly any traffic returns through links or mentions.

"Anthropics ClaudeBot showed by far the highest crawl-to-referral ratio in June 2025  about 70,900 crawls per one referral, far more than any other AI crawler."

robots.txt was so fundamental to the functioning of the internet that in 2022, it was finally formally recognized with RFC 9309. Yet, even this late knighthood could not stop its fate.

Chronicle of a Slow Death

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The first signs of change appeared in 2017 when the Internet Archive announced it would no longer consider robots.txt when archiving historical content. On April 17, 2017, Mark Graham (Director of the Wayback Machine) stated that robots.txt files  especially those intended for search engines  do not always align with archival goals. The Internet Archive aims to preserve the most complete snapshots of the web possible, including duplicate or large content.

"Over time we have observed that the robots.txt files that are geared toward search engine crawlers do not necessarily serve our archival purposes."

But this was merely a prelude to the progressive, systematic exploitation that was to follow. With the advent of artificial intelligence, the internet transformed from a collaborative space into an extraction zone.

However, instead of the hoped-for collaborative partnership, systematic exploitation ensued. AI corporations erected new digital barriers: Cloudflares default blocking, paywalls for API access, and exclusive licensing deals with select publishers. Content creators found themselves facing an industrial extraction machine that profited from their work without compensation. The internet, once conceived as an open network for all, morphed into a centralized data mine for tech giants.

OpenAI led the charge with its GPTBot, ChatGPT-User, and OAI-SearchBot  a trinity of violations that left robots.txt helplessly watching its directives being diligently ignored. The company publicly claimed compliance, while in June 2025, Cloudflare documented a devastating crawl-to-referral ratio of 1,700:1  industrial extraction without meaningful return.

Anthropic added further to the suffering. ClaudeBot, anthropic-ai, and Claude-Web hammered servers, with iFixit experiencing one million visits in 24 hours and Freelancer.com experiencing nearly four million in four hours. With a crawl-to-referral ratio of 73,000:1, Anthropic crossed all boundaries of decency  it was like entrusting a neighbor with your house keys to water the plants, only to find they had carted off all your belongings.

Perplexity AI was among the most aggressive actors: it used undisclosed IP addresses and third-party services to obscure crawling activities. When CEO Aravind Srinivas publicly stated, robots.txt was not a legal framework, it was an open affront to the decades-old fragile protocol.

A Text File in the Shadow of the Last Stand

In its final months, robots.txt fought desperately for the relevance of bygone days. Website operators developed increasingly sophisticated support systems: crawler fingerprinting with TLS analysis (Transport Layer Security), honeypot traps, and behavioral analysis. But it was like trying to treat acute blood poisoning with fever reducers  technically sound, but not equal to the scale of the threat.

The European Data Protection Board attempted to give the protocol legal force with its Opinion 28/2024, while Italys data protection authority, Garante, fined OpenAI with a fine of 15 million Euros. But these were desperate resuscitation attempts of a system that had long collapsed  voluntary respect could no longer be saved.

Alternative protocols  ai.txt, TDM ReP, No-AI-Training HTTP headers  were discussed as potential successors. But they all carried the stigma of their birth: they arose not from cooperation, but from confrontation.

JavaScript Conference: Ideas Wanted (Image: jaboy/123rf.com) The Call for Proposals for enterJS 2026, taking place on June 16 and 17 in Mannheim, has been launched. Until November 12, the organizers are looking for presentations and workshops on JavaScript and TypeScript, frameworks, tools and libraries, security, UX, and more.

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.
Two major pile-ups occurred in both directions of Nelostie, Finlands busiest motorway, just north of Renkomaki. A third, smaller crash involving a chemical tanker happened on the southern ring road. The Finnish Meteorological Institute had issued warnings for black ice across nearly the entire country overnight.

Traffic on Finlands major roads halted on Saturday morning after multiple large-scale collisions, the most serious in Lahti, involved close to 50 vehicles and left several injured.

By early afternoon, rescue officials reported that all sites in Lahti had been cleared and traffic resumed. The clean-up took several hours.

More than 40 vehicles were involved in the first pile-up on the northbound lanes of Nelostie before 9:00. According to rescue services, two people sustained serious injuries and eight had minor injuries. A second crash occurred minutes later on the southbound side involving approximately ten cars. No injuries were reported there.

Three police vehicles were struck during the incidents. Two of them suffered significant damage. The officers were not injured.

On the ring road in southern Lahti, a chemical tanker overturned before the Liipola tunnel on the route towards Tampere. Around ten other vehicles were involved in that crash. Authorities closed the road in both directions as emergency services attempted to stop the industrial chemical from spilling into the environment. No serious injuries were reported.

According to the police command centre, visibility was severely reduced by what they described as Konginkangas weather, a reference to the 2004 bus-truck crash that killed 23 people in similar conditions. Temperatures in the region had risen quickly from below zero, forming a layer of black ice. Visibility was near zero in areas where dense fog dropped suddenly.

Traffic operator Mikko Penkkala from Fintraffic stated that roads around Lahti had been salted earlier in the morning, but the conditions were too extreme for immediate effect. The road between Kujala and Liipola on the ring road remained closed into the afternoon as hazardous materials teams cleared the chemical spill.

Elsewhere in Finland, similar pile-ups were reported. In Tampere, 15 vehicles were involved in a chain collision on Pyhajarventie near the Kolmostie ramp. Rescue officials confirmed that none of the 25 people involved were injured.

According to police, several smaller traffic incidents also took place across the country during the morning due to similar weather conditions. Warnings for icy roads had been in effect for almost all regions except northern Lapland.

In total, four people were confirmed dead in unrelated traffic and off-road accidents across Finland between Friday and Saturday. A 15-year-old tractor driver was killed in a crash in Lapua involving a car. Two people died early Saturday on Torisevajarventie in Virrat when their car left the road and hit trees. The fourth victim, a man in his 60s, died in Enontekio after his quad bike flipped and trapped him.

Emergency responders said many drivers failed to react to the flashing lights of police and rescue vehicles already on site in Lahti. A statement from the police said some drivers did not slow down at all as they approached the scenes.

By late Saturday afternoon, normal traffic flow had resumed on all but a few stretches of road.

HT
The nationwide demonstrations, held in more than 2,700 locations across all 50 states, were organised by a coalition of progressive and civil rights groups. Rallies were also held in European cities, including London, Berlin and Madrid, in solidarity with American demonstrators.

Millions marched across the United States on 18 October in coordinated protests under the slogan No Kings, opposing the presidency of Donald Trump and accusing the administration of authoritarianism and democratic backsliding.

The protests were described by organisers as one of the largest single-day protest actions in US history. No major violence was reported. In New York City, police said over 100,000 people protested peacefully across all boroughs, with no arrests made. In Washington DC, more than 200,000 people rallied near the US Capitol.

At the centre of the movement was the rejection of what protesters described as Trumps unchecked power. No Kings refers to the belief that no single person in the United States should wield absolute authority.

In Los Angeles, demonstrators marched through downtown in what resembled a street festival. Parents, students and senior citizens marched alongside musicians and inflatable costumed performers. Protesters held signs reading The Constitution is not optional and Were not subjects, were citizens.

The events drew attendance and speeches from a wide range of political figures. In Washington, Bernie Sanders told protesters, This moment is not just about one mans greed or corruption. It is about defending American democracy from concentrated power and billionaire rule.

Protesters raised concerns over government surveillance. The Electronic Frontier Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union warned that protesters could be subject to facial recognition, drone surveillance, mobile phone monitoring and data tracking. Federal agencies have not disclosed what surveillance tools were deployed, but activists reported increased visibility of police drones and high-definition camera systems in several cities.

Civil liberties advocates accused the Trump administration of failing to provide transparency over surveillance practices. There are virtually no legal guardrails left, said Don Bell from the Project on Government Oversight. What did exist has been bulldozed.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated, The First Amendment protects speech and peaceful assembly, not rioting. ICE confirmed that it was taking reasonable and constitutional measures to uphold the rule of law.

Reports emerged of fusion centres, regional intelligence networks set up after the 9/11 attacks, monitoring protests in cities such as Sacramento and Fresno. Organisers claimed such activity risked suppressing constitutionally protected dissent.

In Portland, where protests often draw counter-demonstrators, police monitored a small group of pro-Trump activists who attempted to provoke demonstrators. Officers on bicycles kept distance, and no clashes were reported.

International support also appeared across major cities. In London, hundreds gathered outside the US Embassy holding signs reading USA: Throwing off tyrants since 1776. In Toronto, protesters waved signs demanding the US keep its hands off Canada.

Speakers across the country denounced Trumps use of executive orders to bypass Congress, his expansion of tariffs, his deployment of the National Guard into cities, and cuts to healthcare and education funding.

Protesters also criticised the Republican-led gerrymandering efforts, and in California, used the rallies to urge voters to support a redistricting ballot initiative known as Proposition 50.

Public approval of Trump remains low. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that only 40 percent of Americans approve of his performance, with 58 percent disapproving.

Protests are expected to continue throughout the weekend. In a preview interview with Fox News, Trump responded to criticism by saying, Im not a king.

HT
Berrian All-County Orchestra performs free concert Saturday

Thanks to ongoing music education support from the Henderson County Education Foundation, Henderson County public schools annual Berrian All-County Orchestra returns with a concert at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct.18, in the Hendersonville High School gymnasium.

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Orchestra students from East Henderson, Hendersonville, North Henderson and West Henderson High Schools will showcase the excellence of music education in the Henderson County community.

Featuring middle school musicians in the spring, and high schoolers in the fall, the annual concerts are named in honor of Dr. Mae Adele Berrian, a historic honoree of the Henderson County Education Foundation who willed a large sum of money to the Foundation to start the long-term Berrian Fund for the HCPS strings programs.

Each year, the festivals provide Henderson County Public Schools orchestra programs the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by talented professional clinicians, improve their craft by playing challenging music selections, and give back to the community by performing a free concert.

Dr. Alex Dee from Appalachian State University will be leading the Honors Orchestra this year. Jennie Quinn, the orchestra director at Flat Rock and East Henderson, will be directing the Repertory Orchestra. The Hendersonville Symphony Youth Orchestra will be directed by Elizabeth Terry.

Adding to the excitement, Roger Zare, composer of one of the Honors Orchestra pieces, attended the rehearsal this week, giving students the rare opportunity to meet and learn from a living composer whose work they will perform.

The concert is free to the public, though donations will be accepted by the Henderson County Education Foundation at the door or https://hcefnc.org/donate to continue support of the HCPS strings program through its Berrian Fund. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure parking and seating.
Manufacturing Day puts high school students inside factories

Students pose at Elkamet, which makes a variety of industrial polymer products, such as fuel tanks and hydraulic systems used in utility vehicles and motorcycles. [CONTRIBUTED]

The Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development, Henderson County public schools and four existing industries in Henderson County Cummins, Elkamet, Jabil and UPM Raflatac  hosted facility tours for approximately 125 high school students last week in honor of National Manufacturing Day.

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This event was sponsored by the Economic Investment Fund, a non-profit managed by HCPED.

Since 2012, HCPED has facilitated industry tours through its workforce development program, Made in Henderson County. Working closely with HCPS, tours have been customized to students who have shown an interest in the field. Visiting these facilities allows students to see first-hand what manufacturing jobs looks like today and how crucial manufacturing is to our local economy. More than 130 manufacturers call Henderson County home, employing nearly 6,000 people. The average manufacturing salary of $67,239 is $14,000 higher than the county average.

HCPS is actively encouraging our students  beginning in middle school -to make a plan for life after high school, said Scott Moore, the school systems director of career tech. One option is employment, and our county offers a plethora of opportunities in advanced manufacturing facilities that are safe, exciting and lucrative. Manufacturing Day can shine a light on these avenues for careers in WNC.

Participating students were able to witness the latest innovations, as well as how safe and exciting the work environment can be. Each high school group was paired up to visit one of the four facilities:

Cummins, where students saw the production of heavy duty truck axels utilized in commercial and industrial vehicles

UMP Raflatac, which manufactures adhesive materials, including RFID stickers

Elkamet, which makes a variety of industrial polymer products, such as fuel tanks and hydraulic systems used in utility vehicles and motorcycles

Jabil, where students toured a high-speed automated assembly site that specializes in injection molding and assembling precision pharmaceutical components.

All groups ended their visits by eating lunch with the employees, giving students the opportunity to ask questions and get a more personal look at life in the manufacturing world.

We want students to know that manufacturing is a viable career option in Henderson County, said Mark Russell, chair of the EIF. These are jobs that offer good pay, benefits, work-life balance, and career advancement opportunities. Manufacturing Day is a great opportunity for us to continue educating the public on what manufacturing offers its employees and the impact it has on our community.
Juvenile charged with manslaughter in city shooting

Hendersonville police have charged a juvenile in a shooting in the city that left a man dead.

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Police are working with the juveniles family to ensure his safe surrender to law enforcement, according to a press release the city issued on Tuesday. The suspect was not identified pursuant to state law, the release said. He is charged with voluntary manslaughter and being a juvenile in possession of a firearm. The investigation is ongoing, according to the press release.

Officers found a male victim with a gunshot wound to the head after responding at 8:01 p.m. on Friday to multiple 911 calls reporting a shooting in front of 724 Woodcock Drive. The victim, Justin Alan Davis, 29, of Hendersonville, was pronounced dead on scene by medical personnel.

The SBI is assisting in the investigation. Preliminary information suggests the shooting was an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to public safety. Anyone with information on the incident was asked to contact the Hendersonville Police Department at 828-697-3025 or submit tips on the Hendersonville Police Department app.
Trump calls on Zelenskyy, Putin to make deal: stop where they are, both claim victory, and let history decide

U.S. President Donald Trump called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin to strike a deal: stop where they are, both claim victory, and let history judge.

"The meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine was very interesting and cordial, but I told him, as I likewise strongly suggested to President Putin, that it is time to stop the killing and make a DEAL!" Trump wrote on TruthSocial.

He said that "enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by War and Guts." "They should stop where they are. Let both claim victory, let history decide! No more shooting, no more death, no more vast and unsustainable sums of money spent. This is a war that would have never started if I were president. Thousands of people being slaughtered every week  NO MORE, GO HOME TO YOUR FAMILIES IN PEACE!" Trump said.

After meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy agreed with this proposal. "We should stop where we are now. Trump is right. And then start talking about how to take steps toward long-term peace," the Ukrainian president said at a briefing.
Photo: https://edition.cnn.com

U.S. President Donald Trump, after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said that he called on the leaders of Ukraine and the Russian Federation to stop military actions "right now at the battle line".

"Stop at the battle line and both sides should go home, go to their families, stop the killing, and that should be it. Stop right now at the battle line. I told that to President Zelenskyy. I told it to President Putin," Trump said after the meeting at the White House.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump did not discuss Ukraine's responses to Russian attacks on the country's power system during their meeting.

"We did not talk about our responses to airstrikes targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure, or about our response to that. We didn't discuss it," Zelenskyy said during a press briefing in Washington on Friday, October 17.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump also discussed Tomahawk missiles. The American position at this stage, Zelenskyy said, is that the U.S. itself needs these weapons.

"Yes, we talked about Tomahawks. I'll be completely open with you. We would like to have them. President Trump said that we must understand that 'we also need them.' That's the American position at the moment. But this topic remains open for discussion. We need to work on it," Zelenskyy said at the Washington briefing.

He added that he could not share further details for now and that questions about the Tomahawks should be directed to the American side.
China's Yancheng actively develops China-ROK industrial park

Xinhua) 10:14, October 18, 2025

Customers select products of South Korea at a store in Yancheng, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 16, 2025. In recent years, Yancheng City in Jiangsu Province has actively developed the China-ROK industrial park, driving urban renewal through industrial support and creating an international open platform to expand exchanges and cooperation with South Korea.

Currently, Yancheng has attracted nearly a thousand Korean enterprises, including Hyundai, Kia and SK Group, with annual imports and exports to South Korea growing by more than 20 percent on average. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

A drone photo shows a view of the China-ROK industrial park in Yancheng, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 16, 2025. In recent years, Yancheng City in Jiangsu Province has actively developed the China-ROK industrial park, driving urban renewal through industrial support and creating an international open platform to expand exchanges and cooperation with South Korea.

Currently, Yancheng has attracted nearly a thousand Korean enterprises, including Hyundai, Kia and SK Group, with annual imports and exports to South Korea growing by more than 20 percent on average. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

A drone photo shows a view of the China-ROK industrial park in Yancheng, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 16, 2025. In recent years, Yancheng City in Jiangsu Province has actively developed the China-ROK industrial park, driving urban renewal through industrial support and creating an international open platform to expand exchanges and cooperation with South Korea.

Currently, Yancheng has attracted nearly a thousand Korean enterprises, including Hyundai, Kia and SK Group, with annual imports and exports to South Korea growing by more than 20 percent on average. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

A stitched panoramic drone photo shows a view of the China-ROK industrial park in Yancheng, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 16, 2025. In recent years, Yancheng City in Jiangsu Province has actively developed the China-ROK industrial park, driving urban renewal through industrial support and creating an international open platform to expand exchanges and cooperation with South Korea.

Currently, Yancheng has attracted nearly a thousand Korean enterprises, including Hyundai, Kia and SK Group, with annual imports and exports to South Korea growing by more than 20 percent on average. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Staff members work at a workshop of Kia at the China-ROK industrial park in Yancheng, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 16, 2025. In recent years, Yancheng City in Jiangsu Province has actively developed the China-ROK industrial park, driving urban renewal through industrial support and creating an international open platform to expand exchanges and cooperation with South Korea.

Currently, Yancheng has attracted nearly a thousand Korean enterprises, including Hyundai, Kia and SK Group, with annual imports and exports to South Korea growing by more than 20 percent on average. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Kou Jie)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed air defense and long-range systems during their meeting, as well as Trump's upcoming meeting with Vladimir Putin in Budapest.

"I thank the U.S. team. We talked about air defense, about our air defense systems, which are extremely important for us. And even as we're speaking now, a large number of drones are being used to strike Ukraine, to strike our families," Zelenskyy said at the Washington briefing following his meeting with Trump.

According to Zelenskyy, the teams will continue discussions about air defense production and procurement of various systems from different countries.

"But the positive signal is that we will continue to work on this. We understand the quantities we need and where we can get them. Of course, we understand there are certain challenges along the way," he said.

The leaders also discussed long-range systems, but according to Zelenskyy, "we decided not to talk about that right now, and the United States does not want escalation, so any possible questions on this topic will remain unanswered."

In addition, Zelenskyy and Trump discussed the U.S. president's upcoming meeting with Putin in Budapest. Trump, in turn, shared information about his dialogue with the Russian side.

"So we understand all the signals coming from Russia. They are not new. We are counting on pressure from President Trump to help bring this war to an end," Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine is unable to counter ballistic missiles with its current air defense systems, and pressure must be applied on Russia through a package of appropriate weapons, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"Over these years, Ukraine has become quite strong, but today we cannot use our existing air defense systems effectively against ballistic missiles. Our energy system simply cannot withstand such ballistic strikes. It's very difficult, no doubt. That's why we need pressure. I believe that a package of corresponding weapons constitutes that pressure," Zelenskyy said during the briefing in Washington following his meeting with Trump.

The Ukrainian president noted that carrying out operations strictly against military targets requires a combination of factors, above all, the coordinated use of drones and certain other types of weapons.

"We are still lacking some of these tools, although we're developing our own. There are quite a few already, but we understand that time is critical. Time is working against the people, because this is wartime," he said.
Photo: https://t.me/synegubov/

Russian forces shelled 12 settlements in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, over the past day, regional governor Oleh Synehubov reported.

"As a result of shelling in the village of Zeleny Hai in the Velyky Burluk community, a 58-year-old man was killed and an 83-year-old woman was injured," Synehubov wrote on Telegram.

He said that in the Kupiansk district, shelling damaged four private homes, a workshop, two tractors, a car, a civilian enterprise, power lines, and a cultural center. In the Izium district, a tractor was hit; in the Chuhuiv district, railway infrastructure, a non-residential building, a private house, a garage, and an outbuilding were damaged; and in the Kharkiv district, two warehouse buildings were struck.
Following his meeting with President Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conference call with key members of the Coalition of the Willing, including the leaders of Finland, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Italy.

"I had a joint phone call with a group of European leader, the main representatives of the Coalition of the Willing. Ursula von der Leyen joined, as did Finnish President Alexander Stubb, the Prime Minister of Norway, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and I would also like to thank the Prime Minister of Italy, she participated as well. The NATO Secretary General joined the conversation, as did the Prime Minister of Poland," Zelenskyy said during the Washington briefing after meeting Trump.

The Ukrainian president noted that he discussed with his European counterparts issues of security guarantees, air defense, and the PURL program.
Zelenskyy on conversation with Trump: We count on U.S. pressure on Russia

Following a meeting with his American counterpart, Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he counts on U.S. pressure on Russia.

"Over two hours of a pointed conversation with the President of the United States that can really help bring this war closer to an end Russia must end the aggression it started and continues to deliberately prolong. We count on the United States' pressure," he wrote on Telegram.

Zelenskyy said that they discussed all key issues: Ukraine's positions on the battlefield, long-range capabilities and air defense, and, of course, diplomatic prospects.
European leaders express their full support for Zelenskyy after speaking with him

European leaders expressed their full support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after speaking with him.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb stated after speaking with Zelenskyy that Europe continues to support Ukraine, and this support includes military and financial aid, security guarantees, a ceasefire, and a peace process.

"Just finished a call with Zelenskyy and European leaders. We stand firm in our support for Ukraine," he wrote the social media X.

Stubb said that this entails military and financial aid, security guarantees, a ceasefire, and a peace process.

He added that work continues. "Nobody wants to see this war end more than the Ukrainians do," he said.

European Council President Antonio Costa announced that concrete steps to strengthen our support and increase pressure on Russia in pursuit of peace will be discussed next week. "Had a call with Zelenskyy and European leaders following his meeting with President Trump... At next week's EUCO, we will discuss concrete steps to reinforce our support and increase pressure on Russia in pursuit of peace," he wrote on the social media X.

Costa said that the common shared goal remains a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. Military, financial, and diplomatic support, as well as security guarantees, are essential to achieving it. "We will continue working closely with our partners toward that end," he stressed.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that after Zelenskyy's meeting with Trump, European leaders coordinated and will accompany the next steps.

"President Zelenskyy has the full support of Germany and our European friends on the path to peace. Following his meeting with President Trump, we have coordinated and will accompany the next steps. What Ukraine needs now is a peace plan," he wrote on the social media X.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the U.K. will continue to send humanitarian aid and military support. "Productive call this evening with Zelenskyy, other European leaders, and NATO Secretary General. I reiterated our unwavering commitment to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. The UK will continue to send humanitarian aid and military support. We must see a just and lasting peace," he wrote on social media.

As reported, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called several European leaders after meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that following his conversations with the leaders of several European countries and the leadership of the United States, EU, and NATO, the parties agreed to further coordination at the level of security advisors.

"Our national security advisors will discuss the next steps. We are coordinating our positions," the head of state said.

Zelenskyy said that the main priority now is to protect as many lives as possible, guarantee security for Ukraine, and strengthen all of us in Europe.

Among the European leaders present were the leaders of the U.K., Germany, Italy, Finland, Norway, and Poland, as well as the leaders of the European Union and the NATO Secretary General.
Photo: https://edition.cnn.com

U.S. President Donald Trump said at a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House that he does not plan to provide Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine at the moment, the Axios portal reports, citing informed sources.

"President Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a tense meeting on Friday that he doesn't intend to provide long-range Tomahawk missiles, at least for now," two sources briefed on the meeting tell Axios.

Trump made clear his priority now is diplomacy, and he thinks providing Tomahawks could undermine it, the sources say.

Sources noted that Zelenskyy persistently pushed the issue of Tomahawk, but Trump did not show flexibility.

One of the sources said the meeting "was not easy," while the other simply said "it was bad."

"Nobody shouted, but Trump was tough," according to the first source.

"Trump gave several strong statements during the meeting and at some points it got a bit emotional," the second source said.

At a briefing after the meeting, Zelenskyy said that the presidents discussed long-range systems, but according to Zelenskyy, "we decided not to talk about that right now, and the United States does not want escalation, so any possible questions on this topic will remain unanswered."
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that he met with heads of American think tanks in the United States.

"We discussed the battlefield and the steps that can bring us closer to a guaranteed peace. Many think tank representatives are already working with our people and our military to find effective solutions. We appreciate this and count on continued support," the president wrote in the Telegram channel on Saturday.

He thanked the think tank representatives "for a meaningful discussion and insightful ideas," for the sincere support for Ukraine and its people.
The Ukrainian team is ready to discuss drone cooperation with the United States, and the American side will receive certain types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes.

"The teams are working on the issue of drones, but even before my arrival in Washington, the Ukrainian team was already here. We are holding discussions, we are open to dialogue, and I believe the United States will receive certain types of drones," Zelenskyy said during a press briefing in Washington following his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Earlier, the head of state said that thousands of drones and missiles are needed to destroy military targets. Ukraine has thousands of domestically produced drones, while the United States has Tomahawk missiles, which can be used in combination.

"If you want to hit a military target, you need thousands of drones. They are used together with such missiles. Ukraine has thousands of our own drones, but we don't have Tomahawks. That's why we need Tomahawks. But the United States has very powerful production capabilities, and the United States has Tomahawks and other missiles, very powerful ones, but they can also have our thousands of drones," Zelenskyy said before the start of his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Registration open for UCS Superhero 5K and Kids' Dash

BENNINGTON, Vt.  Registration is open for United Counseling Service's (UCS) eighth annual UCS Superhero 5K and Kids' Dash on Nov. 8, 2025, at ucsvt.org/events

This family-friendly event starts from the Berkshire Family YMCA at 655 Gage Street in downtown Bennington and supports UCS' Teens4Change (T4C) program, a peer-led program that gives local teens opportunities to gather weekly, make community connections and help others.

Last year's UCS Superhero 5K and Kids' Dash raised $2,500 for T4C, which provided funds for their annual UCS Bennington Youth Summit and weekly meetups for members. The youth of T4C plan activities and trips throughout the year, attend local events like Bennington's HarvestFest and MayFest, and participate in community service projects.

This year's Kids' Dash is powered by Invincible level sponsor, Heritage Family Credit Union.

2025 event sponsors are Heritage Family Credit Union (Invincible Level), The Richards Group (Guardian Level), Genoa Healthcare and Janitronics Facility Services (Aquaman Level), GVH Studio, rkMiles, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, Turning Point Center of Bennington, MSK Engineers, and VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region (Defender Level), and Taconic Music, Hill & Thompson (Champion Level).
Chinese, Canadian foreign ministers pledge to improve bilateral ties

Xinhua) 10:38, October 18, 2025

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, in Beijing on Friday, with both sides pledging to improve bilateral ties.

Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that this year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Canada. The course of the development of China-Canada relations shows that the two countries can become partners that achieve mutual success and common development on the basis of mutual respect, he added.

Wang noted that China is willing to work with Canada to take the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and the 20th anniversary of their establishment of a strategic partnership as opportunities to resume dialogue and exchange at all levels, guided by the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries.

He called on the two sides to advance the resolution of each other's legitimate concerns, explore and tap into cooperation in various fields, expand people-to-people and cultural exchange, and strengthen communication and collaboration on multilateral affairs. He also said that they should work together to uphold multilateralism, safeguard the international economic and trade order, and steer China-Canada relations onto a track of healthy, stable, sustainable development at an early date.

Anand said that the momentum to improve bilateral relations between the two countries is currently favorable, and that positive progress has been achieved. Canada adheres to the one-China policy, and is willing to strengthen its high-level exchange with China and deepen mutual trust. It is also ready to make good use of dialogue and consultation mechanisms in areas such as diplomacy, the economy and trade, and to promote cooperation in fields including trade, agriculture, tourism, energy, and people-to-people and cultural exchange, she noted.

Canada firmly supports multilateralism and free trade, Anand said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Kou Jie)
Due to changes in the nature of warfare and the widespread use of drones on the front lines, servicemembers are now suffering far more shrapnel wounds than gunshot wounds, said Colonel of the Medical Service and Chief Surgeon of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Kostiantyn Humeniuk.

"As of today, about 81.3% of injuries are shrapnel wounds, while gunshot wounds are much fewer  about 18.7%," Humeniuk said at the Kyiv briefing on Friday.

He explained that injuries are almost always multiple, affecting several anatomical areas  the abdomen, chest, limbs, and head, while isolated injuries to a single area are practically nonexistent. The colonel noted that during the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) and Joint Forces Operation (JFO), military surgeons did not observe such a high number of shrapnel injuries.

"The nature of modern combat trauma has changed radically," Humeniuk said.

Speaking about the localization of injuries, the colonel noted that the lower limbs are most frequently affected. At the same time, he emphasized that the body armor used by Ukraine's Defense Forces is reliable, although it does have weak spots, specifically, the areas above the plate, below it, and on the sides.

"Believe me, military surgeons in the combat zone are doing everything necessary to save our soldiers. We are implementing modern, new, minimally invasive methods," he said.

Humeniuk emphasized that Ukraine's military surgeons "are pioneers," as they are performing unique operations, some of them the first of their kind in the world.
Belgian ambassador on use of frozen Russian assets: We are not in opposition, 'reparations loan' interesting proposal

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Ukraine, Luc Jacobs, explained his country's position on the possible use of frozen Russian assets, stressing that Brussels "is not in opposition."

"We are not in opposition, but we are paying attention to a number of factors that are absolutely crucial if we truly want to use Russian assets in the most prudent way possible," he said at the "Money for Victory: Make Russia Pay" conference, organized by ANTS together with ICUV in Kyiv on Friday, October 17.

The ambassador emphasized that the mechanism for using these assets must be legally sound and legitimate so that "we don't cause ourselves more harm than we intend to cause the aggressor."

"We must be very careful, especially when it comes to respecting international law and the rule of law. That is precisely the principle we uphold when it comes to using these assets. We must act within the framework of the law," the diplomat explained.

Jacobs also pointed to the financial risks for countries when the assets in question are held by institutions that are private companies within the EU, not state-owned.

"The use of assets, especially their confiscation, comes with significant financial risks, as well as reputational risks for the Eurozone. Imagine if, in the future, global capital were to relocate, for instance, to Beijing, where an alternative financial system could be created," the ambassador noted.

According to him, legal and litigation risks must be shared among a broader international community, particularly the EU and the G7.

"A significant portion of these assets is located in Belgium, but we are not the only ones. If we alone were to bear the legal and litigation risks, the exposure would amount to a sum equivalent to Belgium's entire budget. That would be unsustainable for Belgium. That is why we continuously call on EU members and, more broadly, G7 members to share this risk," the ambassador reminded.

Jacobs noted that when it comes to the use or confiscation of assets, no country has yet taken such steps independently.

"We are not against it, but we want to emphasize that when we do something creative, we must do it wisely. And we are not alone in this view. This discussion is now taking place within the EU. We are preparing for the next European Council. The proposal for a reparations loan is an interesting mechanism," the ambassador said.

He added that this proposal still needs refinement, but "we are now in a phase of deep reflection, and we are working on it."
A dream taking shape: passion and dedication at the service of a vulnerable population. Vincenzo Armini, researcher and president of the NutriAfrica ODV association in Portici, has been committed for years to fighting child malnutrition and has seen his great project come to fruition: bringing not only therapeutic foods but also the machinery necessary for their production to Uganda. The goal is to create a production center in Gulu, in the north of the country, that allows the local community to independently produce NutriMAS, a spirulina-based food intended to combat severe acute malnutrition in children, while ensuring development and food self-sufficiency. According to international organizations, over 13 million children worldwide are affected by severe acute malnutrition, about 4 million of whom are in Africa. Thousands, however, lose their lives every year due to hunger. These dramatic numbers have driven Armini, since 2016, to put his scientific expertise at the service of the most vulnerable populations. Two degrees and two doctorates in Food Science and Technology obtained from the University of Federico II have allowed him, along with colleagues and members of the NutriAfrica association, to experiment and develop an innovative therapeutic food capable, if produced locally, of supporting the population of Gulu (over 150,000) in their daily fight against hunger. The operational project began with a fundraising campaign that enabled the purchase of the machinery. The experiment started the day before yesterday when Vincenzo Armini and Elena Vuolo, the association's secretary and food technologist, left for Gulu with a load of special foods and the machinery intended for the creation of the NutriMAS production center. Once completed, the facility will allow for the local production of the therapeutic food and the transfer of skills and technologies to the Ugandan community. On all NutriAfrica's social media profiles, Armini will document the entire process day by day, showing the installation of the machinery, the production of NutriMAS, and field activities. 'Our association,' explains Armini, 'was born with the intent to revolutionize the approach to international cooperation in the food sector. We focus on technology transfer and energy and food sustainability, through the enhancement of local human and material resources. Here in Gulu, we still have a long way to go, as in much of Africa, where entire villages live in extreme poverty and consequent malnutrition, especially among children.' Elena Vuolo echoes this sentiment: 'With NutriAfrica ODV,' she says, 'we hope to make a concrete step forward towards a world where the right to food is guaranteed for all. The frequent child malnutrition crises in the Global South countries, resulting in countless cases of severe malnutrition, show us that this goal has not yet been achieved and, worse, is little attended to.'

 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This article is automatically translated
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US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said on Friday he expected to meet next week with Chinese vice premier He Lifeng in Malaysia to try to forestall an escalation of US tariffs on Chinese goods that president Donald Trump said was unsustainable.

Mr Bessent made the announcement during a White House cabinet meeting and later confirmed plans for a meeting after a call with Mr He on Friday evening. Mr Bessent said on X the two officials "engaged in frank and detailed discussions regarding trade between the United States and China.

"We will meet in-person next week to continue our discussions," Mr Bessent wrote.

Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported that Mr He and Mr Bessent had "candid, in-depth, and constructive discussions on major issues in bilateral economic and trade relations" in a video call, and agreed to a new round of trade talks as soon as possible.

The two officials previously met in four European cities over six months to hammer out a tariff truce that brought duties down from triple-digit levels for each country. That agreement expires on 10 November.

A meeting in Malaysia would shift the venue to a Southeast Asian exporter that trades heavily with both China and the US and whose goods are now subject to a 19 per cent duty imposed by Mr Trump. Malaysia also faces a threatened 100 per cent US tariff on its semiconductors and derivative electronics devices under a national security trade review.

Mr Trump earlier on Friday blamed Beijing for the latest impasse, a dispute over China's sweeping new export restrictions on rare-earth minerals and magnets. He has threatened an additional 100 per cent tariff on Chinese imports starting on 1 November unless Beijing scraps the restrictions.

Asked whether such a high tariff was sustainable and what that might do to the US economy, Mr Trump replied: "It's not sustainable, but that's what the number is."

"They forced me to do that," he said in an interview with Fox Business Network that was broadcast on Friday.

Mr Trump also has threatened to impose new US export controls that would halt supplies of "any and all critical software.

The new trade actions were Mr Trump's reaction to China dramatically expanding its export controls on rare-earth elements. China dominates the market for such elements, which are essential to tech manufacturing.

File. Chinese vice premier He Lifeng waves as he arrives for trade talks between the US and China in Stockholm, Sweden, on 28 July 2025 ( AP )

Mr Bessent and US trade representative Jamieson Greer on Wednesday blasted the restrictions as a threat to global supply chains.

Mr Trump also confirmed he would meet with Chinese president Xi Jinping in two weeks in South Korea and expressed admiration for the Chinese leader.

"I think we're going to be fine with China, but we have to have a fair deal. It's got to be fair," Mr Trump said on FBN's "Mornings with Maria," which was taped on Thursday.

Later, as he was preparing to have lunch at the White House with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss efforts to end its war with Russia, Mr Trump said: "China wants to talk, and we like talking to China."

The softening in tone and affirmation of his intent to meet with Mr Xi helped stem Wall Street's early losses on Friday. Major US stock indexes, which have been rattled over the last week by Mr Trump's abrupt re-imposition of steep levies on Chinese imports and by credit worries among regional banks, were up in afternoon trading.

WTO urges de-escalation of trade spats

The head of the WTO urged the US and China to de-escalate trade tensions, warning that a decoupling by the world's two largest economies could reduce global economic output by seven per cent over the longer term.

WTO director general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told Reuters in an interview the global trade body was extremely concerned about the latest spike in US-China trade tensions and had spoken with officials from both countries to encourage more dialogue.

But tensions continued to run high, even as Mr Trump and Mr Xi prepared to meet.

Mr Bessent took aim at China's state-driven economic practices in a statement to the IMF's steering committee on Friday, urging the IMF and World Bank to take a tougher stance on China's external and internal imbalances and industrial policies that US officials say have helped China build up excess manufacturing capacity that is flooding the world with cheap goods.

And China's commerce ministry on Friday accused Washington of undermining the rules-based multilateral trading system since the Trump administration took office in 2025, vowing to intensify its use of dispute settlement actions at the WTO.

It also urged the US to roll back measures that breach non-discrimination rules and align its industrial and security policies with WTO obligations.

Mr Bessent earlier in the week had accused one of Mr He's top aides of being "unhinged" in recent interactions with US trade negotiators. China said on Friday that Mr Bessent's remarks "seriously distort the facts.
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Police in southern India launched a criminal investigation after the suspected theft of gold from the revered Sabarimala temple, one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in the country, caused a scandal.

The temple, dedicated to the Hindu deity Ayyappa, attracts millions of devotees every year. Its administered by the Travancore Devaswom Board, a government body which oversees nearly 1,200 temples across Kerala state.

The scandal erupted into public view after the Kerala High Court ordered a Special Investigation Team to look into why around 475 grams of the temples gold had not been returned following a renovation project in 2019.

The project, sponsored by priest-turned-businessman Unnikrishnan Potti, involved replating the gold-clad copper plates of the idols as well as the sanctum sanctorums door frames at a firm based in Chennai city, in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu.

open image in gallery An Indian man washes the holy golden steps of Lord Ayyappas temple in Sabarimala, Kerala ( AFP via Getty )

According to court documents, the Travancore Devaswom Board had inexplicably recorded these valuable items as copper plates even though they were gold-clad.

Investigators suspect the gold plating was removed and misappropriated. The High Court observed that Smart Creations, the company chosen for the work, lacked the technology to gold-plate pre-clad items and questioned why it was selected.

The investigators arrested Mr Potti on Friday after questioning him in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram.

He is accused of theft, criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy, along with a former president, A Padmakumar, two board members and nine officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

The investigation, which the court says must be completed in six weeks, also covers allegations of missing gold from other parts of the temple, including its Sreekovil or inner sanctum door frames.

The origin of this scandal lies in a 1998 donation of over 30kg gold and 1,900kg copper by now-disgraced industrialist Vijay Mallya to adorn parts of the temple complex. Court reviews later revealed the weight of the gold-plated items had significantly dropped, indicating large-scale theft.

In the wake of the latest allegations, the Devaswom Boards vigilance wing identified lapses by nine officials, and initiated disciplinary action against one.

Its clear that the current board has nothing to do with the issue, board president PS Prasanth said. Then why are allegations being raised against us?

He said the controversy shouldnt be allowed to derail preparations for the annual pilgrimage season, which was expected to bring around six million devotees to the shrine.

VN Vasavan, Keralas minister for temples, called the incident nothing short of theft and vowed to hold the culprits accountable.

Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan stressed that the government will never protect any wrongdoers.

open image in gallery A salesman displays gold chains at a shop in India ( AFP via Getty )

The opposition demanded an investigation by the federal agency CBI. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal accused the government of trying to hide the incident while leader of opposition in the assembly, VD Satheesan, alleged large-scale corruption and demanded ministerial resignations.

The ruling Communist Party of India Marxist is seeking to limit reputational damage as Mr Padmakumar is a senior member of the party. Mr Padmakumar said: There is an attempt to put the entire blame on me. There are other people who are answerable.

Meanwhile, prime minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party accused the state government of daylight robbery.

The High Court doesnt trust the Devaswom Board or the government. Why does Devaswom minister still cling to his chair? central minister V Muraleedharan said, referring to Mr Vasavan.

Sabarimalas head priest, Kandararu Rajeevaru, welcomed the courts intervention, calling the scandal very painful for devotees.

The High Court has ordered that the investigation be conducted confidentially and progress reports submitted under seal.

The scandal comes at a time of record-high gold prices in India  nearly Rs 128,000 (1,082) per 10 grams  and a surge in smuggling amid demand ahead of Diwali.

Officials confirmed smuggling into India, the worlds second-largest gold consumer, had soared in recent weeks, driven by supply shortages and high profit margins for grey market traders.
Never has one man visited so much misery upon one family, damaged the British monarchy so grievously and, indeed distressed so many more, and all with such an apparent arrogance and insouciance towards the consequences.

That one man, of course, is Jeffrey Epstein, now no longer around to face any kind of justice, but at this juncture at least it is worth reflecting that if Andrew had never met Jeffrey, things would most likely be very different today, both for him and for Virginia Giuffre, nee Roberts, whose accusations have destroyed whatever Andrew was ever going to do with the rest of his life.

Nothing can absolve this most greedy and foolish of men from his unprincely vices ( AP )

None of that, of course, absolves this most greedy and foolish of men from his unprincely vices  and those do not include being too honourable as he infamously put it in his catastrophic Newsnight interview in 2019. It is his own excesses, his own stupidity and his own legendary arrogance that have left him where he is today.

Surveying the wreckage of ditched historic titles now dormant, with his robes of the order of the garter (1348) now consigned to the wardrobe, it is difficult to imagine another world where Andrew was the most popular of the royals, a man whose handsome looks, winning grin, adventurous ways, and rugged charm attracted suitors and gushing headlines in equal measure. But we have lived in it.

He was rumoured to be his mothers favourite, and he struck an embarrassing contrast with his more sensitive, even soppy elder brother, ridiculed for talking to his plants, his interest in mysticism, and his mission to save the Patagonian tooth-fish. While Charles appeared an eccentric, Andrew didnt seem to spend much time worrying about anything to any great depth, though honest reflection would have done him some good.

Andy was a change from the stuffy ways of the palace  the decorated war hero flying his helicopter in the Falklands war, married to the vivacious breath of fresh air Fergie, who liked a laugh, just as he did. By the time of his own fairytale wedding in 1986, he had become well established as a man of action, and somehow a more modern figure.

The day he got married he was given the title of Duke of York, a traditional high honour for the sovereigns second son, and one that was not granted by Edward IV in 1385. The Queens father, later George VI, had been conscientious in the role. The last duchess before Fergie was the Queen Mother. Hard acts to follow.

Andrews demise has been a painfully slow one since his marriage began to break down, ending in divorce in 1996, and the decline in his standing accelerating markedly since the first serious allegations came to light more than a decade ago. He has long since faded from public view, but the revelations about his private life still periodically spill out, now joined by news of his links to Chinese espionage and a spymaster who is a member of the Chinese politburo and close to President Xi.

The royal family could not go on like this and there was surely discreditable material to come from Giuffres memoir, Nobodys Girl, and from the increasing scrutiny of Chinese intelligence gathering in Britain. The last extract from the Giuffre book contained a particularly grim passage in which she writes about sex with Andrew.

Even now, in his resignation statement, Andrew vigorously denies all the allegations against him, but the fact is, no one believes him. No one believes him when he told Emily Maitlis that hed never even met Virginia Giuffre, and that hed been in the Pizza Express in Woking on the day in question, rather than at the Tramp nightclub and then Ghislaine Maxwells house in Belgravia. He told us he had had a medical condition caused by an overdose of adrenaline caused by being shot at in the Falklands war, one that meant he couldnt sweat. He passed off his friendship with Epstein as networking. He said hed cut Epstein off when he hadnt  but even worse than that, in the latest email to emerge, Andrew said to the disgraced financier that we will play again. Its unlikely that he meant chess, or even polo.

For many of us, his misbehaviour is something that provokes a shake of the head and some reflections about the wisdom of the hereditary system. But for the institution that placed so much faith in him, for the family he let down so badly, and for those caught up in the Epstein scandal, the damage is grave and lasting. He will not be forgiven.
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Age discrimination is rife in the workplace, Independent readers say, after new ONS figures showed unemployment rising and vacancies falling.

Readers said the lack of jobs was hitting older people hard with those in their 50s and 60s finding themselves discarded like a used tissue after decades of loyal service.

Some described spiralling into depression and experiencing financial strain after redundancy, while others said they had been forced to take low-paid or part-time work stacking shelves despite years of professional experience.

Several blamed cost-cutting managers who see older employees as expensive and outdated, arguing this short-sighted approach sacrifices skills, mentorship and productivity.

Others said companies obsession with cheap labour and short-term profits has left them struggling to rebuild teams.

A number of readers have turned to early retirement or self-employment out of necessity, only to find both solutions exhausting and precarious.

While a few spoke of eventually finding rewarding work, most painted a bleak picture of insecurity, lost confidence and wasted experience  a generation of old horses who feel written off before their time.

Heres what you had to say:

Discarded after 30 years

My wife worked for the same company for 30 years. She was then discarded like a used tissue purely because she earned too much.

This led to four years of agony for us as she spiralled into depression and heavy drinking, which almost led to the break-up of our relationship. I was angry because she had given most of her life to the company. Her experience and skills were completely disregarded. After a year of job hunting, she ended up in a local supermarket, which she hated.

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Luckily, she had a private pension, which meant she could retire. I had, and still have, a relatively well-paid job which keeps us comfortable. I have every sympathy with those who are finding the adjustment difficult. Never give up, though. Something will turn up.

kingofsawbo

Belittling

At 62, I have never qualified for unemployment benefit when I was made redundant three times and always had private unemployment insurance. I was last let go three years ago. I had a stint as self-employed, where the exploitation was simply unbelievable.

I attended job interviews where I was told I was too senior/over-qualified for the roles. I had quite a few offers of paid work two days a week, but in reality had to be on-call throughout the week for no extra compensation. Could have worked for free, sorry, volunteered, doing exactly the same job as before, so I politely declined. Eventually, I made the decision to start drawing my very modest deferred council pension and to enjoy life with considerably fewer material things. It's tough, but I am getting used to it.

The exploitation and belittling of my generation when applying for roles can destroy ones self-confidence and mental health, which I experienced firsthand. I refuse to transfer my hard-earned skills to stack shelves at supermarkets.

Cecinha

Our kids will see no inheritance

I went through my first redundancy at 45 and found my next job after eight months. The second redundancy was at 55, and it took 18 months to find a job. The third redundancy was at 63, and after seven months I found a contract job that ended two months after my 65th birthday. Now unemployed, on the dole, I am waiting for November when my state pension kicks in, carefully using some of the funds in my private pension.

Our kids will likely see little to no inheritance, which is probably okay given it would have been taxed to worthlessness. When we have to move to a managed care facility and sell the house, that'll finish off any money we have.

This country MUST pass an age discrimination law banning employers from only hiring younger workers OR face the oblivion of costs!

SpendThrifty

Older workers are more expensive

It has always been more difficult for older workers. If they aspire to stay within their field of work, an older worker is more experienced and therefore more expensive, and if they move to pastures new, they are regarded (usually wrongly) as more of a risk, less adaptable, and harder to train.

By the same token, many of the complaints from younger workers about finding it hard to get that all-important first job are horribly familiar from when I was job hunting for the first time 40 years ago. There's a lot of panic about jobs, but despite the disruptive impact of AI, I'm not convinced there's anything much new here.

Tanaquil2

Listen to us old horses

Im 57 and used to work in accounting, doing audits for chartered accountants. Ive been pushing trolleys at Tesco and filling shelves and working the tills at Co-op for six years now.

Heres some business advice from me: Cutting costs (i.e., wages) instead of increasing turnover with increased productivity leads to a decrease in value and quality of the product/service. It is false economy. The business folds. They sucked it dry  I saw so many young hotshot CEOs do this in my 30 years. Greed has, and always will, be around.

But they dont take advice from us old ones anymore  were old horses that are outdated, expensive to feed, and a couple of steps away from being glue. I could be training a whole new bunch of finance staff, which could keep businesses going for the long haul, but instead Im packing those shelves with your bread.

JaneMM

Its scary out there

I'm 60 now. Just before Covid, my job was relocated to someone cheaper and younger in the EU. Then Covid hit and there weren't interviews happening anywhere. Covid ate all my savings and settlement, and I finally found a job in a new industry on half the salary, although just for two years. Luckily, it gave me the experience to bounce into a better permanent role afterwards. I do not make anything like my old salary, but I have a great job that I enjoy for now. It is scary out there. I've never been out of work before and I'm not sure if I could find a new role now.

Slightly Tipsy Max

Some of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity.

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After Prince Andrew sensationally announced he is giving up his royal title of the Duke of York and other honours,The Independent has taken a look at the current line of succession to the British throne.

King Charless brother has been dogged by his links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and was set for further controversy due to the release of a memoir by Andrew's late alleged victim, Virginia Giuffre, to whom he paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case.

In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, Andrew said that in discussion with the King and his immediate and wider family, they decided "the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family".

King Charles ascended the throne in September 2022 after the death of his mother. He was crowned in May 2023.

The royal line of succession has decided who will be the next king or queen of Great Britain for hundreds of years, and now with a new generation of royals, there is a long list of people who could be our next monarch  some of whom are relatively unfamiliar to the general public.

So, from Prince William to Princess Eugenie and everyone in between, here is everyone who is closest in line for the British throne.

Prince William, Prince of Wales

Prince William, 43, is first in line to the British throne after his father became king.

open image in gallery Prince William and his three children, George, Charlotte and Louis, are next in line for the throne ( Getty Images )

Formerly the Duke of Cambridge, William is now known as the Prince of Wales after the Queens death. He is the first child of King Charles III and when he becomes king his wife, Kate, 43, the Princess of Wales, will be known as Queen Consort.

Prince George

Prince William and Princess Kates first son, Prince George, is second in line to the throne after his father.

The twelve-year-old will be known as King George VII when he becomes monarch one day, but until then, his parents want him to have as normal an upbringing as possible.

open image in gallery Charles has been receiving treatment in hospital ( AFP via Getty Images )

Princess Charlotte

After an amendment made to the Succession to the Crown Act in 2013 (which means eldest children, regardless of sex, will succeed the throne first), Princess Charlotte, 10, is third in line to the throne after her big brother.

Before the Acts amendment, her younger brother, Louis, would have been ahead of her in the line of succession simply because of his gender. But if Prince George has children one day, they will slot in behind him in the line of succession.

Prince Louis

Seven-year-old Prince Louis, the third child of Prince William and Kate Middleton, is currently fourth in line to the throne after his older siblings.

Prince Harry

open image in gallery Prince Harry and his two children, Archie and Lilibet, are fifth, sixth and seventh in line for the throne ( Getty Images )

As the second child of King Charles III and the late Princess Diana, Prince Harry, 41, is fifth in line for the throne after his brother, nephews and niece. His wife, Meghan Markle, is not in line for the throne  much like the Duchess of Cambridge  but their two children are.

Prince Archie Mountbatten-Windsor

Six-year-old Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs first child, is sixth in line to the throne after his father, uncle and cousins.

Princess Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor

The Duke and Duchess of Sussexs second child, Lilibet, four, is seventh in line to the throne. The toddlers name is a nod to the Royal Familys nickname for the late Queen Elizabeth II, and her middle name is Diana, after Harrys late mother, Princess Diana.

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York

open image in gallery Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice and Prince Andrew, Duke of York (L-R) are also in the royal line of succession ( Getty )

Prince Andrew, 64, Queen Elizabeth IIs third child and King Charles IIIs younger brother, is eighth in line to the throne.

The royal relinquished his Duke of York title - the highest rank in the British peerage - amid the long-running fallout of the Epstein scandal.

However, Andrew still remains a prince. When he was born in 1960, he was automatically a prince as the son of a monarch, and this could only be changed if a Letters Patent was issued by the King.

He has two children with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. His children are also in the line of succession, as well as his grandchildren.

Princess Beatrice of York

Princess Beatrice, 37, is ninth in line to the throne.

Miss Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi

Her daughter, Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi, four, who she shares with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, is 10th in line.

Princess Eugenie of York

Princess Eugenie, 35, Princess Beatrices younger sister and daughter to Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, is 11th in line to the throne.

Master August Brooksbank

Eugenies son with husband Jack Brooksbank, August Brooksbank, four, is 12th in line.

Master Ernest Brooksbank

August is followed in the line of succession by his younger brother, Ernest, born May 2023, who is 13th in line to the throne.

Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh

Following the Princesses of York and their children in succession is Prince Edward, 61, the Duke of Edinburgh, who is now 14th in line to the throne.

James Mountbatten-Windsor, Earl of Wessex

The 15th in line to the throne is Prince Edwards youngest son, James, 17, who is also the Queens youngest grandchild.

The Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor

The Earl of Wessex is followed in the line of succession by his older sister, Louise, 21, who is 16th in line to the throne.

The Princess Royal

The Princess Royal, 75, also known as Princess Anne, is the 17th in line to the throne.

Mr Peter Phillips

Princess Anne is followed in the line of succession by her eldest son, Peter Philips, 47, who is 18th in line to the throne.

Miss Savannah Phillips

Savannah Phillips, 13, Peters eldest daughter, is 19th in line to the throne.

Miss Isla Phillips

The position of 20th in line to the throne is held by Princess Annes youngest granddaughter, Isla Philips, 13.

Zara Tindall

The Queens eldest grandchild, Zara Tindall, 44, is 21st in line to the throne.
My mum had a series of Motability cars over the years when I was growing up in Liverpool in the 1980s and 1990s. All were bottom-of-the-range Ford Escorts, all were blue, and all were driven by my dad so she could get out and about as a mother, homemaker and wheelchair-user with multiple sclerosis.

For us, a car was a necessity, not a luxury. Back then, almost all public transport was inaccessible. Once, I remember being stranded with her in the city centre, waiting in a taxi queue and having driver after driver refuse to take us on the demonstrably false basis that her chair wouldnt fit into the cab.

Motability felt like a blessing. First introduced in 1977, it has, over the years, done the same for four million people who receive certain higher-level disability benefits and can use some of the money to lease a car through this government-backed scheme.

open image in gallery Motability points out that it is continually refining the way it runs its scheme to protect against misuse ( Getty/iStockphoto )

Yet of late, it has become the subject of controversy and political debate, with suggestions being tabled by think tanks that its funding could be better spent on other projects. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has claimed that Motability is being exploited by people who arent really disabled and pledged to restrict Motability vehicles to people with serious disabilities, telling the partys conference this month: Those cars are not for people with ADHD.

Meanwhile, the National Audit Office has accused it of being badly and wastefully run, its executives overpaid (its chief executive was paid 658,000 last year while the company made a 565m loss in 2024), and the government of exerting too little oversight when taxpayers money is being spent on it. No surprise, then, that we hear Rachel Reeves is now examining reforms to the scheme, which could help her save billions and boost public confidence in the welfare system.

open image in gallery Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has claimed that Motability is being exploited by people who arent really disabled ( Getty Images )

Just last month, the right-wing Adam Smith Institute floated the idea that its taxpayer subsidy could be spent instead on repairing school buildings. And ideas like these appear to have resonated in hard-pressed times, so much so that an anonymous website was launched to allow you to look up if your next-door neighbour got that new car on the drive through Motability.

After vocal protests in parliament about how it appealed to our base instincts, it was taken down, but according to Nigel Fletcher, chief executive of the Motability Foundation, the attacks are all part of a climate of stigmatisation [that] risks rolling back decades of progress in promoting disability inclusion and understanding.

Strong words, but could some of the charges being levelled against Motability contain an element of truth? Back in the day, my mum, raised in hard-pressed circumstances and a fan of Margaret Thatcher, had a sharp eye  and a sharp rebuke  for misuse of taxpayers money.

open image in gallery Margaret Thatcher had a sharp eye  and a sharp rebuke  for misuse of taxpayers money ( Getty Images )

A friend of hers, I recall, felt the weight of her disapproval when she shared what she described as good news. Her daughter, whose partner had cancer and was receiving palliative care at a local hospice, had managed to take him for what was potentially his last outing to the nearest car dealership that offered a Motability scheme so that he could sign up for a car. When he died soon afterwards, the daughter would be able to buy the virtually new car from Motability at a discount price.

Motability points out that it is continually refining the way it runs its scheme to protect against misuse. Such transfers are now subject to much more stringent criteria. Yet Kemi Badenochs accusation went deeper than quoting individuals playing the system.

It was wrapped up in the direct connection between the benefits system and Motability. Changing societal attitudes has resulted in a broader definition of disability, especially around mental health challenges. Numbers of those on a higher (or enhanced) rate of PiP (Personal Independence Payment) have, as a consequence, gone up steeply in recent years, as, by association, have numbers of those legitimately accessing the Motability scheme.

open image in gallery The number of those on a higher (or enhanced) rate of PIP (Personal Independence Payment) has gone up steeply in recent years

The Institute for Fiscal Studies reported that between July 2021 and July 2022, the number of working-age people on PiP had doubled, with a third of new claimants having mental or behavioural conditions. And that rise continues. Latest figures for July 2025 show that 3.8 million people are now on PiP, up 2 per cent on the same figure just three months earlier. Of these claimants, 37 per cent were on the higher level that qualifies them for Motability.

No wonder the scheme is growing and drawing not always flattering attention to itself. In the 45 years since its inception in 1977, 4 million cars have been supplied by Motability, with little fuss and quietly changing lives like mine. However, the latest figures  for 2024  show that 815,000 cars sold in the UK had been via Motability. That is one in five of all new purchases and was up a whopping 15 per cent on the previous year, making Motability the largest fleet car operator in Europe.

Earlier this year, Traditional Unionist Voice MP, Jim Allister, asked a question in the House of Commons about why almost half of all new cars being registered annually in Northern Ireland  18,000 out of a total of 39,000  were done so under the Motability scheme. Figures for the number of disabled people in the UK stand at around 24 per cent.

Responding to this rise, the Adam Smith Institute, in its report, advocated that Motability should offer its users second-hand cars instead of new ones. The average age of the family car in the UK is 10 years old. Why do Motability cars have to be brand new, they asked, promising an annual saving of 1.2bn per year if their plan was adopted.

open image in gallery Earlier this year, Traditional Unionist Voice MP Jim Allister asked a question in the House of Commons about why almost half of all new cars being registered annually in Northern Ireland were done so under the Motability scheme ( Getty Images )

Motability disputes their figures  saying older cars cost more to maintain and would wipe out any savings. But arguably more revealing  and concerning  is how the institute framed this choice of old over new. At a time when we hear daily that there just isnt enough money left in the Exchequer to go round, we are facing questions about our priorities, so they were boiling it down to a straight either/or between a new roof on your local school, or my mum being able to go to the shops in her Motability car.

But it isnt that simple. In my childhood, even at the height of the Thatcher austerity drive, because we were living above our means, the nation was humane enough to be able to afford both. Yet today, as both the government and the Tory opposition have targeted the benefits system, Motability is being dragged into the debate.

In this fraught atmosphere, perhaps it is useful not to look back on my own experiences of yesteryear, but to hear from a current Motability user. Chris Haynes purchased his WAV  wheelchair accessible vehicle  through the Motability scheme, with Motabilitys charitable arm (patron HM King Charles) chipping in to help him make the necessary adaptations he needed to use the van. The 37-year-old father of two has a high-level spinal cord injury and works as an independent living adviser.

He uses the van to travel from his home in Leamington Spa to spinal injury centres to support those newly injured in rebuilding their lives. Motability gives me the ability to work, he explains. Ive tried using buses and trains, but most only have one or two spaces for wheelchair users and if those are in use, I cant get on.

Another aspect to consider, behind the headlines and eye-catching proposals for reform, is the dependence of our national car industry on Motability sales

He certainly doesnt regard the current arrangements for Motability as perfect. There may be some people who are playing the system, but what I see is Motability enabling people to get around with their families, go to work, and earn a living. If access to the scheme is restricted, they may not be able to do that, and what will the cost of that come to?

Another aspect to consider, behind the headlines and eye-catching proposals for reform, is the dependence of our national car industry on Motability sales. Just this week, the southeast of England dealership chain, Glyn Hopkin, with 50 outlets, reported its first pre-tax loss in its 31-year history.

A downturn in sales of 12 per cent had caused it to lose 7m, it explained, but added that 20 per cent of the cars it sold were done on the Motability scheme. Start handing out second-hand cars to Motability claimants, and what negative impact will that have on our already struggling car factories and car dealerships? And hence unemployment and GDP?

Such huge questions sit awkwardly beside the reality of what Motability is providing every day in individual lives at a time of challenge. But any way forward has to reconcile both.

Peter Stanford was chair of Aspire, the national spinal injuries charity, from 1991 to 2010
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King Charles has stripped Andrew of his Prince and Duke of York titles after weeks of pressure from the public to act over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Buckingham Palace considers that there have been serious lapses of judgment from Andrew after further allegations of sexual abuse were detailed in Virginia Giuffres memoir last week. Andrew strenousouly has denied all allegations.

He has also been evicted from the Royal Lodge and will move to a property on the Sandringham Estate.

What titles has he formally been lost?

Andrew will no longer have his Prince or Duke of York title, and will be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, effectively having the status of a commoner.

He was born with his prince title and given the title of the Duke of York by his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, on the morning of his wedding. It was a title for which the Queen had a great personal affection, being the one held by her beloved father, King George VI, before he acceded the throne.

A statement from the palace on Thursday said: His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew.

These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.

open image in gallery Andre relinquished his dukedom earlier this month ( PA Archive )

Which titles did he relinquish earlier this month?

Earlier this month, Andrew was forced to relinquish the use of his duke title - the highest rank in the British peerage - amid the long-running fallout of the Epstein scandal. Up until Thursday, he still retained the title, but was unable to use it.

He also had to give up his knighthood as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO), and his Garter role as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

The disgraced prince was also no longer using his other subsidiary titles that were given to him on his wedding day - the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh.

In a statement at the time, he said: "I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.

"With His Majesty's agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me.

open image in gallery Prince Andrew was given his Duke of York title when he married Sarah Ferguson in 1986 ( PA Wire )

Which titles did he lose in 2022?

While Andrew has now relinquished and been stripped of his last remaining titles and honours, he first ceased some of his titles in 2022.

He stopped using the style of His Royal Highness (HRH) in an official capacity in January 2022, amid a civil case with Mrs Giuffre, which he eventually paid millions to settle.

All of Andrews military titles and royal patronages were also returned to his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, including Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, which is one of the highest infantry regiments in the British Army, and he lost most of his charity affiliations.

Often touted to be the Queens favourite child, he was stripped of more than 12 military titles in total, including overseas honorary titles such as colonel-in-chief of The Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada, and colonel-in-chief of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment.

open image in gallery Andrew is no longer a Knight of the Order of the Garter and will not take part in its procession and private service ( PA Wire )

Andrew stepped down from public life in 2019 after a disastrous interview on Newsnight, in which he said he "did not regret" his friendship with Mr Epstein, who had trafficked Ms Giuffre.

He announced at the time he would be stepping back from public duties for the foreseeable future.

Sarah Ferguson, his ex-wife, whas also relinquished her title as the Duchess of York, while the titles of his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, will remain active.

The stripping of Andrews last remaining titles and honours comes after weeks of pressure to act over Andrew's relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

An extract of Virginia Giuffre's memoir was released last week, in which Ms Giuffre, who was the central figure in the downfall of Mr Epstein, laid out new details about the prince. She claimed that Andrew believed having sex with her was his birthright.

Prince Andrew has always vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
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Widely purported to have been the late Queens favourite child, Prince Andrew has suffered a sharp fall from grace over the last decade.

Plagued by a string of controversies, the latest blow has seen new messages between the duke and Jeffrey Epstein come to light  sent months after Andrew claimed to have cut the disgraced financier off.

Emails between Andrew and Epstein handed to a court in London reportedly show they were still exchanging messages until at least late February 2011, when the duke wrote: Keep in close touch and well play some more soon.

In recent days, Andrews relationship with Epstein was once again put under the spotlight by the publication of extracts of Virginia Giuffres posthumous memoir.

In her book, Giuffre claims that Andrew considered it his birthright to sleep with her when she was 17 years old. While recognising that Giuffre may well be a victim of abuse by Epstein, Andrew has always denied her allegations against him.

Andrews ties to the convicted paedophile eventually forced him to step down from his royal duties and in January 2022, he was stripped of his royal patronages.

In the years since, he has faced a number of other scandals, including a close confidante of his being banned from the UK over allegations he was a Chinese spy.

Here, The Independent takes a look at a timeline of Andrews fall from grace and his retreat from the public eye.

Queens favourite

open image in gallery The Queen with her son in 2019 ( Neil Hall/EPA )

The Queen stood by Andrews side even when he was caught up in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal in 2019 and stepped back from royal duties for the foreseeable future.

In October 2021, it was claimed that the monarch intended to spend millions of pounds privately funding her sons defence against allegations of sexual abuse made by Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre.

She also signalled her support for her disgraced son by arriving alongside him for Prince Philips memorial service in March 2021.

Andrew provided a steady arm for the Queen as she walked into Westminster Abbey to remember the life of her husband, just a few weeks after he reached a multimillion-pound out-of-court settlement with Giuffre.

Friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell

open image in gallery Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein ( Channel 4 )

During his 2019 interview with BBC Newsnight, Andrew said he had known British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, the daughter of media magnate and former MP Robert Maxwell, since she was at university.

She introduced Andrew to her then-boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein in 1999. The trio enjoyed a close friendship, even after Epstein was convicted of procuring a child for prostitution and of soliciting a prostitute in 2008.

Andrew is alleged to have personally invited the couple to Balmoral, the Queens Scottish residence, in 1999.

Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison in June 2022 following a New York sex-trafficking trial for procuring teen girls for Epstein for him to abuse.

open image in gallery Jeffrey Epstein was convicted of child sex offences ( New York State Division of Criminal Justice/EPA )

Andrew continued to visit Epstein in New York after the financiers conviction for child sex offences in 2008.

Epstein received an 18-month sentence but was allowed to go on work release to his office most days and was released on probation after 13 months.

Andrew faced criticism when pictures emerged which showed him opening the door of Epsteins palatial East Side townhouse in December 2010 and the pair strolling through Central Park.

In the now infamous 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, the royal claimed he had cut contact with Epstein in December 2010.

2019: Virginia Giuffre sex abuse case

open image in gallery Andrew pictured with Maxwell (R) and Virginia Roberts ( US Department of Justice/PA )

In 2019, Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, formerly known as Virginia Roberts, filed a lawsuit in Manhattan alleging she was trafficked by Epstein to have sex with Andrew on three occasions when she was 17 and a minor under US law.

Giuffre has accused Andrew of sexually abusing her on Epsteins private island, Little St James, as a teenager, which the prince unequivocally denied.

2019: BBC Newsnight interview

open image in gallery The Duke of York speaking about his links to Epstein in an interview with Emily Maitlis on BBC Newsnight ( Mark Harrison/BBC/PA )

Andrew was criticised for a car crash BBC Newsnight interview that aired on 16 November 2019.

During the interview, he denied he slept with Giuffre, saying an encounter could not have taken place because he was at a branch of Pizza Express in Woking with his daughter Princess Beatrice.

He also said Giuffres claim he was sweaty at a nightclub was untrue because an overdose of adrenaline in the Falklands war had left him unable to sweat.

The royal faced a public backlash, with equality campaigners claiming he was too stupid to even pretend concern for Epsteins victims.

2019: Step back from public duties

Four days later, Andrew announced the Queen had given him permission to step back from public duties in the wake of the interview.

He said it had become clear to him in recent days that his association with Epstein had become a major distraction to the royal familys work.

The royal said he regretted his association with Epstein and deeply sympathises with his victims.

2022: Stripped of royal titles and military affiliations

open image in gallery Andrew is not expected to return to public life ( John Thys/AFP via Getty )

In January 2022, the Queen stripped Andrew of his military titles and royal patronages in the wake of a US judge allowing Giuffres civil sexual abuse case against her son to move to trial.

The prince stopped using his HRH (His Royal Highness) style his roles  including Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, one of the oldest regiments in the British army  were handed to other members of the royal family.

His other military titles included honorary air commodore of RAF Lossiemouth; colonel-in-chief of the Royal Irish Regiment; colonel-in-chief of the Small Arms School Corps; commodore-in-chief of the Fleet Air Arm; royal colonel of the Royal Highland Fusiliers; deputy colonel-in-chief of The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeths Own); and royal colonel of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

2022: Out-of-court settlement

In March 2022, Andrew paid Giuffre a multi-million-pound out-of-court settlement, meaning both sides avoided the case going to trial.

As part of the agreement, he was due to pay damages to Giuffre and a donation to a charity in support of victims rights.

Andrew has faced calls to confirm how he funded settlement  which is reported to be as much as 12m  and whether the Queen or even King Charles, then Prince of Wales, contributed to the sum.

December 2024: Confidante banned from UK over Chinese spy allegations

In December 2024, it emerged that a close confidante of the royal had been barred from entering the UK because authorities felt he was likely to pose a threat to national security.

Yang Tengbo brought a case to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) after the then-home secretary Suella Braverman said he should be excluded from the UK in March 2023.

British authorities allege the businessman was working on behalf of the United Front Work Department, an arm of the Chinese Communist Party that is used to influence foreign entities.

He is said to have twice visited the royal residence at the invitation of the Kings younger brother and was described as a close confidante of Andrew.

Andrew insists he ceased all contact with the businessman accused of being a Chinese spy when concerns were first raised about him. He met the individual through official channels and nothing of a sensitive nature was ever discussed, a statement from his office said.

January 2025: New messages reveal ties with Epstein continues for months after New York visit

Newly surfaced messages revealed the Duke of York remained in contact with Epstein until February 2011  despite having claimed to have cut him off in December 2010.

Emails between Andrew and Epstein handed to a court in London reportedly show they were still exchanging messages until at least late February 2011, when the duke wrote: Keep in close touch and well play some more soon.

Messages were exchanged between the pair on the same day a photograph of Andrew with 17-year-old Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell  who is currently behind bars for recruiting and trafficking underage girls for Epstein  was published, Bloomberg reports.

The emails were obtained by Bloomberg after being disclosed in a filing by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), defending an appeal by former Barclays boss, Jes Staley, who is challenging its decision to ban him from the finance industry for misleading regulators on his ties to Epstein.

open image in gallery Prince Charles (L) and Prince Andrew depart after attending the Garter service at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, in south-east England, 18 June 2007. Andrew has now given up his title of Knight of the Garter. ( AFP via Getty Images )

October 2025: Andrew forced to renounce Duke of York title

Andrew has been forced to relinquish all his titles including the Duke of York and Knight of the Garter as his former friendship with Epstein threatens to overshadow the work of the royal family.

Andrew has given up his title as Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and his Garter role as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

He released a statement saying that he, the King, and his family have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family.

open image in gallery Prince Andrew walks behind the coffin during the ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on 14 September 2022 ( Getty )

He continued: I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.

Andrews former wife, Sarah Ferguson, will also no longer be known as the Duchess of York. Their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will be unaffected.

The news came after the publication of extracts of the posthumous memoir of Epstein victim Virgina Giuffre. In the book, Giuffre claimed that Andrew considered it his birthright to sleep with her.

In his statement, issued on 17 October, Andrew repeated that I vigorously deny the accusations against me.
Zambia commissions China-built fertilizer plant

Xinhua) 11:30, October 18, 2025

Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Han Jing speaks at a commissioning ceremony of a China-built fertilizer plant in Chilanga district, Lusaka Province, Zambia, Oct. 16, 2025. Zambia on Thursday commissioned a fertilizer manufacturing plant constructed by a Chinese firm, marking a major step in the country's efforts to become self-sufficient in fertilizer production.(Xinhua/Peng Lijun)

LUSAKA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Zambia on Thursday commissioned a fertilizer manufacturing plant constructed by a Chinese firm, marking a major step in the country's efforts to become self-sufficient in fertilizer production.

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema said at the ceremony that the plant will meet Zambia's fertilizer needs and play an important role in driving industrial development.

Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Han Jing said the plant is a testament to China-Zambia cooperation in advancing industrialization and modernization, calling it a milestone in the country's industrial progress.

The facility was financed by Zambia's Wonderful Group of Companies Ltd. and constructed by China Wuhuan Engineering Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China National Chemical Engineering Group Corp. Ltd., under an engineering, procurement and construction, or EPC, contract.

Once fully operational, the plant is expected to produce about 300,000 metric tons of urea and 180,000 metric tons of synthetic ammonia annually, enough to meet Zambia's import demand.

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema (C) unveils a 85MW power plant of a China-built fertilizer plant in Chilanga district, Lusaka Province, Zambia, Oct. 16, 2025. Zambia on Thursday commissioned a fertilizer manufacturing plant constructed by a Chinese firm, marking a major step in the country's efforts to become self-sufficient in fertilizer production.

(Xinhua/Peng Lijun)

This photo taken on Oct. 16, 2025 shows a view of a China-built fertilizer plant in Chilanga district, Lusaka Province, Zambia. Zambia on Thursday commissioned a fertilizer manufacturing plant constructed by a Chinese firm, marking a major step in the country's efforts to become self-sufficient in fertilizer production.

(Xinhua/Peng Lijun)

People are pictured at a China-built fertilizer plant in Chilanga district, Lusaka Province, Zambia, Oct. 16, 2025. Zambia on Thursday commissioned a fertilizer manufacturing plant constructed by a Chinese firm, marking a major step in the country's efforts to become self-sufficient in fertilizer production.

(Xinhua/Peng Lijun)

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Kou Jie)
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Prince Andrew insisted that his sexual abuse accuser, Virginia Giuffre, agree to a one-year gag order to avoid undermining Queen Elizabeth IIs platinum jubilee in 2022, her memoirs have revealed.

Andrew relinquished the use of his titles and honours on Friday, including his Duke of York title, after facing mounting pressure from King Charles following the long-lasting Epstein scandal.

In her posthumous memoir released next Tuesday, Ms Giuffre exposes details of further attention on the allegations of abuse against the disgraced prince and his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

She tells how Andrews disastrous Newsnight interview was like an injection of jet fuel for her legal team, and it raised the possibility of subpoenaing his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, and daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie and drawing them into the legal case, according to The Telegraph.

Ms Giuffre said she got more out of Andrew than a reported 12-million-dollar payout and two-million-dollar donation to her charity because she had an acknowledgement that I and many other women had been victimised and a tacit pledge to never deny it again.

open image in gallery Prince Andrews Newsnight interview help Giuffres legal team build an ironclad case against the prince ( PA )

The former duke paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case with Ms Giuffre in 2022, despite insisting he had never met her.

His 2019 Newsnight interview, which he hoped would clear his name, backfired when he said he did not regret his friendship with convicted paedophile Epstein, who trafficked Ms Giuffre.

He was heavily criticised for failing to show sympathy with the sex offenders victims.

Andrew also said he had no recollection of ever meeting Ms Giuffre and added he could not have had sex with her in March 2001 because he was at Pizza Express with his daughter Beatrice on the day in question.

Ms Giuffre alleged, which Andrew vehemently denies, that she was forced to have sex with the prince on three occasions, including when she was 17, after being trafficked by Epstein.

Queen Elizabeth II was celebrating her platinum jubilee in 2022  the first British monarch to reach the milestone  as the civil case against her son gathered pace. It was settled just nine days after she reached the 70th anniversary of her accession.

open image in gallery Prince Andrew paid millions to settle Giuffres civil case ( PA )

Ms Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, revealed in her book: I agreed to a one-year gag order, which seemed important to the prince because it ensured that his mothers platinum jubilee would not be tarnished any more than it already had been.

In January 2022, a US judge ruled the civil case against Andrew could go ahead, and the Queen went on to strip him of his honorary military roles, with the prince also giving up his HRH style.

In February of that year, court documents showed Andrew and Ms Giuffre had reached a settlement in principle in the civil sex claim.

Andrew made a substantial donation to Ms Giuffres charity in support of victims rights, and pledged to demonstrate his regret for his association with Epstein by supporting the fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims, the legal papers revealed.

open image in gallery Prince Andrew vehemently denies any wrongdoing ( PA )

The settlement avoided a public trial, saving the monarchy from the controversy of an in-depth investigation into Ms Giuffres claims in a year when the Queen was preparing to take part in an extended June weekend of jubilee celebrations.

The Queens reported favourite son stayed behind closed doors for the jubilee and missed the church service, having announced the day before that he had Covid.

In her book, Nobodys Girl, Ms Giuffre told how Andrew had stonewalled her legal team for months before settlement discussions began moving very quickly when his deposition was scheduled for March 2022.

Ms Giuffre also wrote how she was revolted to see two of my abusers together when Andrew was pictured walking with Epstein in New York in 2011 and amazed that a member of the royal family would be stupid enough to appear in public with the convicted paedophile.

The Independent has approached Buckingham Palace for comment.
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It might already be a month since Reforms newest MP Danny Kruger jumped ship to join Nigel Farages right-wing camp, but walking to the ex-Tory devotees Westminster office, youd be forgiven for questioning if it really happened.

Two signs for his office  deep within the Palace of Westminsters labyrinth of carpeted corridors and creaky stairwells  still show Mr Kruger as shadow minister for work and pensions under Kemi Badenoch.

Then inside, hung on the wall alongside Imperial War Museum recruitment posters and a painting of conservative philosopher Roger Scruton, is a framed map of Boris Johnsons landslide 2019 election victory.

Swathes of Tory blue dominate many of the UKs regions. The outcome of the snap election steered by Brexit not only saw Mr Kruger, then Mr Johnsons parliamentary secretary, return his boss to No 10, but also got him his first seat in parliament as the new MP for Devizes.

Im not putting the 2024 election map up, he jokes. We need that whole map to go turquoise dont we, he adds with a smile.

Breakups in any walk of life are hard, but for Mr Kruger, its clear to see his split from the Tories was a particularly painful one.

I regret to say, having been a member and an employee and an MP for the Conservative Party for many years, my whole adult life... I think the time for the Conservatives as that principal opposition, that main challenger from the right, has finished, the married father of three explains.

His exit, probably the biggest scalp for Reform yet, was announced at a press conference alongside Mr Farage last month. A few weeks later, he wrote a letter to his 71,000 East Wiltshire constituents to explain his decision.

Reform, currently 14 points ahead of the Tories in the latest polls, was now the new opposition to the Labour Party, he said, bemoaning a loss in voter confidence in the Conservatives on issues such as mass migration and Brexit.

We now have  in Nigel Farages party  the opposition that we need to Labour, so its not just a rejection of the Conservatives, which I deeply regret making on a personal level, its an active, positive choice to join Reform because I think they represent the change we need, he says.

open image in gallery Danny Kruger says he approached Nigel Farage over joining the party after conversations with Lee Anderson ( PA Wire )

I push him on the emotional impact of his departure from the party he became involved in more than 30 years ago.

As a self-described horrible little Thatcherite in his youth, the Etonian later joined Conservative HQ in 2003, and would later work with former Conservative leaders Iain Duncan Smith, Michael Howard and David Cameron.

Its a very painful move, he says, adding that hes conscious he has let people down in Wiltshire where party members worked closely with him since his election win in 2019. I regret that, he says.

On those in Whitehall, he says: I have good friends on the Conservative benches who I know feel dismayed, betrayed by me. Although, hes thankful of no personal attacks from former colleagues, including Ms Badenoch.

I think the time for the Conservatives as that principal opposition, that main challenger from the right, has finished Danny Kruger

However, in this business, you have to put what you think is the interests of your constituents and your country ahead of your personal loyalties, he says. Loyalty matters. Parties matter. We couldn't exist without them, but we have to put country ahead of party, and even if that is personally painful, we must do it in practice.

Has slipping into Reform  where the slogan is family, community, country  been an easy political marriage? Mr Kruger says so.

He already knew Reform MP Lee Anderson, and after informal conversations he says he went to speak to Mr Farage about joining the party, and was gratefully accepted.

open image in gallery Danny Kruger told a press conference on leaving the Tories for Reform that the switch was personally painful ( Getty )

I expect there will be other MPs who move from the Conservatives to Reform, he predicts, although rather hesitantly adds: Thats assuming that Nigel actually invites them to do so.

Mr Krugers defection to Reform was particularly surprising, not least following some of his recent criticism of the party.

Only in May he accused members of piggybacking on work by the Conservatives during a Commons debate on Brexit in a desperate search to be relevant. In July, he said Reform would spend money like drunken sailors during a debate on welfare.

Well, literally since then, Nigel Farage stood up at his party conference and committed to significant welfare cuts, says Mr Kruger.

Tax cuts aside, we have to make spending reductions, not simply for the sake of the public finances, although that imperative is very, very real, but for the sake of the people who are currently languishing on out-of-work benefits.

It is a scandal and a disgrace and a tragedy that so many people are being written off for life by a welfare system that is essentially inhuman in its judgement of what people's capabilities are.

And what about the two-child benefit cap?

Reform pledged to scrap the restriction, in a move that could appeal to left-leaning voters but would cost an estimated 3.5bn.

Mr Kruger supports the idea, but only for working families. Its right that the public are concerned that people whose livelihoods is benefits are able to have large families at the publics expense, he says.

Next month, Mr Farage will deliver a speech on Reforms plans for the economy in what has been seen as a bid by the party to bolster its economic credibility, after its manifesto for 90bn in tax cuts, including an increase in tax-free allowance to 20,000, was widely questioned.

We have to demonstrate, if we are to cut taxes, where the money is coming from for that, says Mr Kruger.

Aside from the economy, immigration is at the centre of Reform policy, with plans unveiled last month to deport thousands of legal immigrants and scrap migrants indefinite leave to remain.

open image in gallery Kruger, who is the son of Prue Leith, star of The Great British Bake Off, pictured in 2010 when Dame Prue received her CBE, with daughter Li-Da (left) and Krugers wife Emma ( PA )

Mr Farage blames a so-called Boriswave of migration following the relaxation of post-Brexit rules by Boris Johnson. Mr Kruger agrees. Im afraid, yes, he does have to take responsibility as leader of the government, he says.

The party also wants to deport 600,000 asylum seekers, while building detention centres for 24,000.

Asked where the centres will be, he says: I don't want to get into the details of where, but we will be able to stand up facilities that will accommodate all of the asylum seekers and illegal immigrants that arrive. He insists, through, they wont be enormous.

The Senedd elections next year should provide some indication on the prospect of a Reform UK government. There is also the Scottish Parliament elections coming up, too.

We are the new national party of the right and my hope is that we take power in those countries and can demonstrate what a Reform government looks like ahead of the general election, Mr Kruger says.

Winning power, so quickly after being formed  can Mr Farages achievement leading the Brexit referendum be replicated, perhaps heightened, by entering No 10 in a few years time?

Mr Kruger appears cautious. Such is the state of the economy and the Labour Party, he says an election could happen sooner than you think.

But an enormous job lies ahead in creating policy and showing it can work. We cant just arrive on day one with a couple of slogans and ask the civil servants to do it for us, he insists.

There is also the task of bringing together candidates for 650 seats. There will be very strict vetting, Mr Kruger says.

If we play our cards right, we will be in contention for government, he adds.

After 35 minutes, the interview ends. Mr Kruger quickly makes his excuses and rushes out for a meeting. It gives me a chance to look up at his bookshelf.

There, among Lisa Nandys All In, David Skeltons The New Snobbery and two books on Stonehenge (the ancient monument sits within his constituency), is Oliver Letwins book Apocalypse How?, which imagines a tech-dependent UK in crisis in 2037.

As the former minister looked into the future, I wondered if even he could have predicted a new party overtaking the Tories as the party of the right.

Such is the unpredictability of politics today.
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The government has forked out nearly 115,000 for influencer marketing in less than a year, despite pledges to cut wasteful spending.

The Conservatives have said the spend makes a mockery of Labours pledge after Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said the cash had supported multiple campaigns since the creation of a new government communications unit at the start of this year.

It comes after the prime minister hosted a reception for online content creators over the summer, and Downing Street hailed the content creators shaping Britain.

In response to a written question from shadow minister Mike Wood, Mr Thomas-Symonds said that the total amount spent on digital influencer marketing by the New Media Unit since its establishment is 114,769.51.

He went on: This investment has supported multiple campaigns of varying scale and reach.

Influencers have proven to be effective in reaching audiences that traditional marketing channels find hard to reach.

The existence of the unit was first reported on in November 2024, but it is understood that it has been up and running since January 2025.

Pushed further on explicitly how much money had been spent on specific campaigns, or which influencers have received money, the Cabinet Office declined to go into further detail.

Shadow cabinet office minister Mr Wood described the money as a bung to influencers.

He told The Independent: This makes a mockery of the governments pledge to take decisive action to reduce wasteful spending on government communications.

This 114,796.51 bung to influencers to promote this deeply unpopular government is another slap in the face for taxpayers just as Rachel Reeves prepares to announce more tax grabs.

Only the Conservatives have a plan to tackle government waste by cutting the civil service headcount, ensuring taxpayers get value for money.

A Cabinet Office source told The Independent that it is really important in a changing media landscape that the government works with creators, influencers and smaller platforms to tell our story alongside traditional media.

Ahead of the spending review earlier this year, chancellor Ms Reeves pledged to wield an iron fist against waste.

The New Media Unit is part of the government Communications Service (GCS), which describes itself as supporting ministers priorities, enabling effective operation of public services and improving peoples lives.

According to a job advert posted for a position at the media unit earlier this year, it seeks to connect and rebuild trust with audiences in the most effective way possible.

In July it was announced that former Sun editor David Dinsmore would be appointed the new head of the GCS.
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David Lammy has claimed Vladimir Putin wants Nigel Farage and his right-wing populist allies to succeed in the hope that they divide Europe.

The deputy prime ministers attack comes after a leading ally of Mr Farage  former Reform UK leader in Wales Nathan Gill  was found guilty of taking money from the Kremlin.

It also follows longer-standing concerns over Mr Farages admiration for the Russian autocrat even though recently the Reform UK leader described Putin as a very bad dude in response to criticism.

Mr Lammy used a major speech in Amsterdam on Saturday to claim that Labour and its centre-left allies are winning in holding back right-wing populism around the world.

open image in gallery Deputy prime minister David Lammy ( PA Media )

This is despite a Find Out Now poll on voting intention putting Labour in third place on 15 per cent  less than half the support for Reform UK on 32 per cent and behind the Tories on 17 per cent.

But the speech echoes the new attacking strategy launched by Sir Keir Starmer at the Labour Party conference last month to take on Mr Farage, whose party he described as racist and immoral.

Speaking to the conference of European socialists, Mr Lammy highlighted the recent conviction of Mr Gill.

He said: Nigel Farage says hes stunned by the fact his former party leader in Wales took Russian bribes. But were not stunned

Because the Kremlin has a proven track record of supporting the networks that want European unity to fail.

open image in gallery Putin wants the populist right to win, claims Lammy

Mr Lammy has made efforts as foreign secretary to form a bridge with Donald Trumps populist right-wing White House administration. But now he has been freed from the foreign brief, he has turned his guns on the international populist right network linking Farage to figures like Steve Bannon in the US, Marine Le Pen in France and UK far-right leader Tommy Robinson.

He warned: Right now the populist right, even as it champions barriers and borders, is organising and sharing more effectively as an international network than we are.

From [Austrian far-right activist] Martin Sellner to Tommy Robinson, this is an international network. From Nigel Farage to Steve Bannon, they are supporting each other. From [German far-right politician] Alice Weidel to Marine Le Pen, they are learning from one another. To extraordinary effect.

He admitted: We all feel this stress and uncertainty because our people are suffering.

open image in gallery Reform UK leader Nigel Farage ( PA Wire )

And we all know they are looking both left and right for the change they crave. This means politics is wide open. Our polls are marked by extreme volatility at this point in the cycle  and those that are popular are those that offer change.

But while he said the situation was fraught with peril, Mr Lammy insisted it was also full of possibility.

He said that while Brexit means the UK left the EU, it did not mean that Britain is no longer European and he said it stood with its allies.

But he believed that Labours victory last year, followed by others around the world, showed that they are winning in the struggle against populism.

We are here today because we cannot fail. We are in a race to shape the politics of the 21st century with the populist right, he said.

We are winning worldwide. In July last year we won in Britain, with a historic majority that nobody ever thought was possible. Ending 14 years of Tory rule.

Yes, the right has won elsewhere. But since then, weve kept winning. In April, we won in Canada, roaring back from deep mid-term lows. In May, we won in Australia with the same story. In September, we won in Norway, roaring back again from those mid-term blues.

In a rallying cry he insisted that Mr Farage and the populist right shall not pass when it comes to future elections, adding: When Nigel Farage attacks, judges and mobilises grievances against the courts, this is his playbook. This is the price he would have us pay.

Thats why in our elections, they shall not pass. Why in your elections, they shall not pass. Across Europe, they shall not pass.

The Independent has contacted Reform UK for comment.
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Rachel Reeves has warned that she could trigger Labours biggest donors to disaffiliate from the party if she continues to pander to the right in the Budget.

The warning from a trade union boss comes as the chancellor gave an interview to Bloomberg TV, confirming that she is pushing for more spending cuts, including on welfare.

Fire Brigade Union (FBU) general secretary Steve Wright told The Independent that Labour is at a crossroads, with unions like his debating whether they should financially back the party any more.

The loss of union donations ahead of the next general election would cost Labour millions. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the party received almost 1.2m from trade unions.

open image in gallery Chancellor Rachel Reeves (Paul Grover/Daily Telegraph/PA) ( PA Wire )

But despite this threat, the chancellor has made clear that in a turbulent economic period, she needs more headroom than the 9.9bn she gave herself previously.

This will mean both tax rises and cuts in a crucial budget, which the chancellor concedes will not be popular with the public, but many believe could decide the fate of Keir Starmers government.

Addressing the economic volatility caused by the war in Ukraine and Trumps tariffs, Ms Reeves told Bloomberg TV: The headroom has been lower in the past. It was as low as six and a half billion pounds in the last parliamentary session. Obviously, more headroom would be good, but theres always trade-offs, because, of course, to build more headroom, you would have to increase taxes further or cut spending further, but we'll continue to manage that balancing act.

She insisted that she wants a pro-growth Budget and she confirmed that she is looking again at cutting welfare despite the massive rebellion by Labour MPs before the summer, which derailed previous efforts.

open image in gallery FBU general secretary Steve Wright ( FBU )

She said: It is important to make sure that all budgets included in the welfare budget are well managed, and we do need to see reform of our welfare system. We will continue to make the case with that reform.

Weve already brought in some changes to something called the universal credit system to reduce the incentives to get the health-related elements of that.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I announced a youth guarantee to help young people not in education, employment and training get back into work. Like many countries around the world, particularly since the pandemic, we have experienced challenges in terms of youth unemployment and youth inactivity, and were determined to turn that around with particular programmes targeted at those young people.

However, the mention of welfare cuts are fuelling a rebellion against the government within the trade union movement.

But trade unions, who are pushing for increased spending funded by wealth taxes on banks, big corporations and the super rich, were already fearful of the drift of the government after Sir Keirs last reshuffle, which many saw as a rightwing coup within Labour.

Added to that, revelations of a cabinet push against further wealth taxes, with influential ministers even privately criticising VAT on independent school fees and the abolition of non-dom status.

Speaking to The Independent, Mr Wright said that while he does not personally support disaffiliation, it has a lot of backing in his FBU union as well as in unions such as Unite, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and Aslef.

He said: I think most unions are facing calls from our members about wanting to leave [Labour]. I think theyve got different reasons for that. But in many cases, there are people on the left that want us to leave due to the failure to introduce wealth taxes or lift the two-child benefit cap, or cutting welfare.

He admitted that union members are looking at Jeremy Corbyns Your Party, while new Green leader Zack Polanski has said his party is attracting many former Labour supporters.

Mr Wright said: A wealth tax is popular amongst our members. People understand that actually, if you took a bit more money off the super rich and invested it in the services, that would land well.

But he warned Ms Reeves and Sir Keir are pandering to the right on the economy as well as issues such as immigration.
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This article first appeared on our partner site, Independent Arabia

The tomb of Tutankhamun in Luxor is in its most fragile state since its discovery in 1922, with cracks spreading across ceilings, rock layers peeling under humidity, and mural colours fading under the assault of fungi.

The tomb, one of the smallest royal burials in the Valley of the Kings, is suffering from a major fracture running across the ceiling of the burial chamber and entrance, causing fissures that have allowed rainwater to seep inside.

Given the nature of the Esna shale rock used in the tomb, which expands and contracts with changes in humidity, the risk of deformation and collapse now looms over both the structure and its intricate decorations.

open image in gallery King Tutankhamuns gold coffin in his burial chamber in the Valley of the Kings, Luxor ( Getty Images )

West of Luxor, the Valley of the Kings is home to dozens of royal tombs carved deep into the mountains. Many of these have been eroded by sudden flash floods that periodically strike the area. In 1994, a catastrophic deluge submerged the valley in silt-laden water that eroded the rock layers and led to a sharp rise in humidity levels within the tombs.

As a result, fungi flourished and damaged precious paintings and murals, while the valleys fragile geological makeup, dominated by weak Esna shale, further compounded the crisis.

In a recent study published in Natures npj Heritage Science journal, Sayed Hemeda, Professor of Preservation of Architectural Heritage at Cairo University, notes that Tutankhamuns tomb is now suffering from compromised structural integrity. He identified the 1994 flood as the turning point: it allowed water ingress, raised humidity levels and triggered fungal growth that ravaged the wall paintings.

Dr Hemeda also highlighted that the major fissure cutting across the ceilings of both the burial chamber and the entrance had allowed rainwater to penetrate and worsened the cracks, placing the ceiling under pressures exceeding the capacity of Esna shale rock to withstand, particularly given its tendency to expand and contract with fluctuations in humidity.

The study concluded with a recommendation to minimise humidity fluctuations to preserve the tomb by regulating its internal environment and implementing a focused programme of reinforcement and conservation.

Known by the standard designation KV62 among Egyptologists, Tutankhamuns tomb remains one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century. It was discovered by the British archaeologist Howard Carter on 4 November 1922, after years of excavation, hidden behind a modest entrance, buried among the debris of other tombs.

The tomb, smaller-than-usual royal tombs of the 18th Dynasty, is believed not to have been originally designed as a royal burial place, but rather hastily repurposed following the young pharaohs sudden death.

open image in gallery The British archaeologist Howard Carter (right) hands over the key to the recently discovered tomb of Tutankhamun (designated KV62) in the Valley of the Kings, Egypt, circa 1922 ( Getty )

Tutankhamuns tomb consists of four main chambers: the entrance, the antechamber where furniture and chariots were found, the burial chamber holding three nested coffins, and the treasury, which once housed some 5,000 artefacts, including the famed golden mask, gilded statues, fine furniture, weapons and funerary objects, reflecting the complex rituals associated with royal burials.

Mohamed Atia Hawash, Professor of Architectural Conservation at Cairo Universitys Faculty of Archaeology, explains that most tombs in the Valley of the Kings are cut deep into the rock, making them vulnerable to periodic flash floods that create cavities and sometimes fill with water, which damages the wall paintings.

He warns that the surrounding mountains themselves suffer from extensive fissures, not only in the valley but also in the Deir el-Bahari area where the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut is located. These fractures pose the risk of large rock masses detaching and collapsing onto adjacent tombs.

Dr Hawashs research stresses that Tutankhamuns tomb is not the only site at risk, but it serves as a stark warning that must be heeded. He added that a disaster could strike at any moment, and if the Valley of the Kings is to be preserved, action must be taken before it is too late.

The area, though a part of the listed Unesco World Heritage site of Ancient Thebes and its Necropolis, remains far from secure. This raises urgent questions about the absence of risk management plans and the inaction of responsible authorities in the face of such threats.

Professor Hawash points out that earlier studies have already warned of new fissures and the likelihood of further flash floods, but no real action has followed.

open image in gallery A picture taken on 23 January 2015 shows the burial mask of Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun, who ruled Egypt from 1334 to 1325 BC, at the Cairo museum in the Egyptian capital. An Egyptian conservation group said it would sue the antiquities minister over a botched repair of the mask of Tutankhamun that left a crust of dried glue on the priceless relic ( AFP via Getty )

Speaking to Independent Arabia, he noted that crisis management structures exist but remain ineffective in practice: We have the ability to monitor risks scientifically, but the absence of a culture of prevention means we only react after disaster strikes.

He highlighted that Tutankhamuns tomb itself showcases sophisticated ancient techniques in colouring and the production of artificial pigments, such as Egyptian blue and green, and argued that practical solutions are needed  such as reducing the load on the mountain above the tomb or installing removable internal supports that preserve the sites character while preventing potential collapse.

Emad Mahdi, a member of the Egyptian Archaeologists Union, said: A high-level expert committee should be formed immediately to analyse the site geologically and archaeologically, assess the impact on the wall inscriptions, develop a precise risk profile, and prepare an urgent report for the highest authorities to enable swift action to save it.

As an archaeologist, I am deeply saddened by the state of the tomb. This crisis requires practical solutions, such as establishing a specialised risk-monitoring body composed of academics who issue reliable reports and continuously oversee the safety of archaeological sites. Where are the regular reports tracking threatened sites and outlining intervention and protection measures?

Translated by Dalia Mohamed; Reviewed by Tooba Khokhar and Celine Assaf
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The administration of Donald Trump is reportedly re-framing its drug war strategy, drawing heavily on legal arguments previously used in the war on terror.

This approach, initially developed post-9/11 to authorize lethal force against al-Qaeda, is now being applied to Latin American gangs and drug cartels.

However, these criminal organizations, often originating in Venezuelan prisons, are driven by drug trafficking and illicit enterprises, not anti-Western ideology.

Legal scholars warn that Trump's deployment of overwhelming military force and authorization of covert actions in Venezuela, potentially to oust President Nicolas Maduro, stretches the bounds of international law.

open image in gallery Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro points to a dot on a map of the Americas during a press conference ( AP/Jesus Vargas )

It comes as Trump expands the military's domestic role, deploying the National Guard to U.S. cities and stating that he's open to invoking the nearly 150-year-old Insurrection Act, which allows for military deployment in only the most exceptional instances of civil unrest.

So far, the military has killed at least 28 people in six strikes on boats that the White House said were carrying drugs.

The latest occurred Thursday, when American forces struck a suspected drug-carrying vessel and seized survivors, who are being held by the U.S. military.

Thursday's action brings the death toll from the Trump administration's military action against vessels in the region to at least 28.

Trump justified the strikes by asserting that the United States is engaged in an "armed conflict" with drug cartels, relying on the same legal authority used by the Bush administration when it declared a war on terror after the Sept. 11 attacks. That includes the ability to capture and detain combatants and to use lethal force to take out their leadership.

The strikes have occurred without any legal investigation or a traditional declaration of war from Congress. That raises questions about the justifications for Trump's actions and the impact they could have on diplomatic relations with Latin American nations who recall with deep resentment repeated U.S. military interventions during the Cold War.

The U.S. intelligence community has also disputed Trump's central claim that Maduro's administration is working with the Tren de Aragua gang and orchestrating drug trafficking and illegal immigration into the U.S.

open image in gallery Over the past few weeks, Special Operations forces have launched hits on at least five boats off the Venezuelan coast in the Caribbean Sea ( Donald Trump/Truth Social )

'You can't just call something war'

Trump's assertion that the United States is engaged in an "armed conflict" with drug cartels is based on the same legal authority used by the Bush administration when it declared a war on terror after the Sept. 11 attacks. That includes the ability to capture and detain combatants and to use lethal force to take out their leadership.

But the United Nations charter specifically forbids the use of force except in self-defense.

"You just can't call something war to give yourself war powers," said Claire Finkelstein, a professor of national security law at the University of Pennsylvania. "However frustrated we may be with the means and results of law enforcement efforts to combat the flow of drugs, it makes a mockery of international law to suggest we are in a non-international armed conflict with cartels."

After 9/11, it was clear that al-Qaida was actively plotting additional attacks designed to kill civilians. But the cartels' main ambition is selling dope. And that, while harmful to American security overall, is a dubious justification for invoking war powers, said Geoffrey Corn, a Texas Tech law professor who previously served as the Army's senior adviser for law-of-war issues.

"This is the government, in my humble opinion, wanting to invoke war powers for a lot of reasons"  including political ones, Corn said.

"Even if we assume there's an armed conflict with Tren de Aragua, how do we know everyone in that boat was an enemy fighter?" he said. "I think Congress needs to know that."

open image in gallery Soldiers raid the Tocoron Penitentiary Center, where the Tren de Aragua gang originated ( AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos )

Trump defends the strikes

Asked at the White House on Wednesday why the U.S. does not use the Coast Guard to stop the Venezuelan vessels and seize any drugs, Trump replied, "We have been doing that for 30 years and it has been totally ineffective."

The president also suggested the U.S. may strike targets inside Venezuela, a move that would significantly escalate tensions and the legal stakes. So far, the strikes have occurred in international waters beyond the jurisdiction of any single country.

"We've almost totally stopped it by sea," Trump said of flow of drugs. "Now we'll stop it by land."

Trump was also asked about a New York Times report saying he had authorized a covert CIA operation in Venezuela. Trump, who has harshly criticized the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq that overthrew the government of Saddam Hussein, declined to say whether he had given the CIA authority to take out Maduro, saying it would be "ridiculous" to answer.

Numerous U.S. laws and executive orders since the 1970s make it illegal to assassinate foreign officials. But in declaring the Venezuelans unlawful combatants, Trump may be seeking to sidestep those restrictions and return to an earlier era in which the United States  in places like Guatemala, Chile and Iran  regularly carried out covert regime change missions.

"If you pose a threat, and are making war on the U.S., you're not a protected person," Finkelstein said.

During Trump's first term, Maduro was indicted on U.S. federal drug charges, including narcoterrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine. This year, the Justice Department doubled a reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest to $50 million, accusing him of being "one of the largest narco-traffickers in the world."

But Trump's focus on Venezuela overlooks a basic fact of the drug trade: The bulk of American overdose deaths are from fentanyl, which is transported by land from Mexico. And while Venezuela is a major drug transit zone, around 75% of the cocaine produced in Colombia, the world's leader, is smuggled through the eastern Pacific Ocean, not the Caribbean.

open image in gallery Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during celebrations for the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples ( AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos )

Congress and the ICC have been sidelined

Under the Constitution, it must be Congress that declares war. So far, though, there has been little indication that Trump's allies will push back on the president's expansionist view of his own power to go after cartels the White House blames for tens of thousands of American overdose deaths each year.

The GOP-controlled Senate recently voted down a war powers resolution sponsored by Democrats that would have required the president to seek authorization from Congress before further military strikes.

Despite pressure even among some Republicans for a more complete account, the Trump administration has yet to provide underlying evidence to lawmakers proving that the boats targeted by the U.S. military were carrying narcotics, two U.S. officials familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine said he and other members of the Senate Armed Services Committee in a classified briefing this month were also denied access to the Pentagon's legal opinion about whether the strikes adhered to U.S. law.

Legal pushback isn't likely to sway the White House either. A Supreme Court decision arising from an attempt in 1973 by a Democratic congresswoman to sue the Pentagon to stop the spread of the Vietnam War to neighboring Laos and Cambodia set a high bar for any legal challenge of military orders, Finkelstein said.

Meanwhile, relatives of the Venezuelans killed in the boat attacks face their own obstacles following several high court rulings narrowing the scope of foreign citizens to sue in the U.S.

The military strikes took place in international waters, opening the door for the International Criminal Court to launch an investigation along the lines of its war crimes probes against Russia and Israel  which, like the United States, don't recognize the court's authority.

But the Hague-based court has been consumed by a sexual misconduct probe that forced its chief prosecutor to step aside. U.S. sanctions over its indictment of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have also hindered its work.
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Top White House officials told a reporter, Your mom, when asked who picked the location for President Donald Trumps upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump announced Thursday that he will soon meet with Putin in Budapest, Hungary, to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine. The choice has raised questions, because Putin is wanted by the International Criminal Court. However, Hungary appears unlikely to cooperate with the warrant and is in the process of leaving the court, the Associated Press reports.

When HuffPost asked the White House who chose the location for the meeting, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt replied, Your mom did. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung also followed up with, Your mom, the outlet reports.

HuffPost then asked Leavitt if she thought her response was funny.

She responded: Its funny to me that you actually consider yourself a journal [sic]. You are a far left hack who nobody takes seriously, including your colleagues in the media, they just dont tell you that to your face. Stop texting me your disingenuous, biased, and bulls*** questions.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and White House Communications Director Steven Cheung both responded, 'Your mom,' when a reporter asked them who chose Budapest for President Donald Trump's upcoming meeting with Vladimir Putin ( Getty Images )

When The Independent asked the White House if your mom was an appropriate answer, spokesperson Taylor Rogers responded that it was more than appropriate.

The individual who received these texts is not a real reporter, theyre a Democrat activist. As a result, the response they received was more than appropriate, Rogers said. The White House press team fields and responds to hundreds of serious requests every day from actual reporters  we dont have time to waste on partisan hacks!

Cheung also re-shared an X post about the exchange on Friday afternoon, but did not share any additional comments.

The Independent has contacted HuffPost for comment.

The White House appears to have amped up its rhetoric in recent days. In a Thursday appearance on Fox News, Leavitt claimed that the Democratic Partys main constituency" is "Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals."

"They dont stand for anything except for catering to their far-left base, which as I said, includes antisemites, includes Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals who they want to let off freely to roam in American streets," Leavitt said.
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As the chants of No Kings echoed through downtown Miami on Saturday, former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was livestreaming from the middle of the crowd.

Miamis second No Kings protest drew an estimated 4,000 attendees, according to organizers.

Among them was Tarrio, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in the January 6 Capitol attack before he was pardoned by Donald Trump on his first day in office. Tarrio also attended counter protests at first No Kings demonstrations in June.

Organizers repeatedly warned demonstrators not to engage, The Miami Herald reported.

Walk away from the agitator, they said through megaphones. Please do not engage with any outside agitators.

Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, pictured at a rally organized by the Proud Boys in Portland, Oregon, showed up in Miami at a No Kings rally October 18

Tarrio, who lives in Miami, smiled into his camera and said: I support all these people, especially her with the bullhorn.

Tarrio was among four members of the far-right gang convicted of seditious conspiracy and other crimes for their role in the Capitol attack, fueled by Trumps ongoing false claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him.

Tarrio was not in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021, but prosecutors argued that he helped organize members of the group, which breached barricades and broke windows into the halls of Congress,and then bragged about their actions on social media and in group chat messages that were later shared with jurors.

Broward Proud Boys member Barry Ramey joined Tarrio as they livestreamed their way through the crowd Saturday.

These protesters are 100 percent expressing the same rights as during January 6, Ramey said.

At one point, Tarrio confronted a protester who questioned his presence.

You dont believe in free speech? he said. Welcome to free speech!

As Tarrio and Ramey continued through the crowd, some attendees shouted pedophile defender, loser, and fascist.

Tarrio lit a cigarette as two Miami police officers approached.

Miami Police Sergeant K. Williams reportedly exclaimed very peaceful crowd as he escorted Tarrio and Ramey out of the area.

Tarrio, who led the far-right group from 2018 to 2021, received the longest prison sentence among any convicted Capitol rioter.

But Tarrio was among more than 1,500 other defendants charged in connection with the attack who received pardons and commutations from Trump on his first day in office.

More than 7 million people participated in demonstrations against the Trump administration Saturday, with more than 2,000 cities and towns across the country joining a second round of No Kings rallies after massive protests in June.
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The U.S. Navy reportedly rescued and is now detaining two survivors of a Trump administration strike that occurred yesterday against alleged drug runners in the Caribbean.

A Navy search and rescue team was deployed following a strike Thursday on a semi-submersible vehicle which killed two people and left two survivors, two U.S. officials told The New York Times. The survivors are now in detention on a Navy ship in the region in international waters, the officials said.

The administration has acknowledged the strike, but has not commented on the alleged presence of survivors.

We attacked a submarine and that was a drug-carrying submarine built specifically for the transportation of massive amounts of drugs, the president said on Friday. Just so you understand, this was not an innocent group of people. I dont know too many people that have submarines.

The Independent has contacted the Navy for comment.

open image in gallery The Navy is reportedly detaining two survivors of a recent U.S. strike on an alleged drug vessel in the Caribbean ( REUTERS )

The Pentagon declined to comment and directed questions to the White House, from which The Independent has also sought comment.

The reported detentions could prompt legal challenges for the U.S., including whether to hold the alleged survivors as indefinite wartime detainees or transfer them to military or criminal authorities for prosecution.

The latter options could open the strikes to legal scrutiny or expose the details that went into planning them, which have largely been kept out of the public eye so far.

Though in theory there might be a case for military detention, I think in this instance the captives are likely to be turned over to law enforcement and, if the facts support doing so, processed with a view towards trial in civilian court on drug trafficking allegations, Charles Dunlap, the former deputy judge advocate general of the Air Force, told The Washington Post of the U.S.s options from here.

open image in gallery Previous U.S. strikes in the region have killed 27 people ( Donald Trump/Truth Social )

The biggest issue today, he added, is the lack of transparency.

Prior to Thursdays attack, 27 people have been killed as part of the Trump administrations recent anti-drug operation in the region, which the White House has controversially declared to be a formal armed conflict against drug cartels.

Details have been scarce about what intelligence the U.S. is using to conduct these strikes, and the names of those killed have not been released.

Chad Joseph, 26, of Trinidad and Tobago, may have been one of six people killed in a similar strike earlier this week, according to his family.

open image in gallery Venezuela has criticized the U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean and mobilized troops and militia forces ( AP )

Joseph, a fisherman from the village of Las Cuevas, had been living in Venezuela in recent months. His family said he frequently made trips across the Caribbean in his work as a fisherman.

I dont want to believe that this is my child, his mother, Lenore Burnley, told The New York Times. Is this really true?

Josephs family denies he is a drug trafficker.

The strikes have come in for bipartisan criticism from Congress, which has sole authority to declare war and hasnt authorized any new hostilities in support of the Caribbean operation.

On Friday, a group of senators said they would force a vote to block the Trump administration from attacking Venezuela, which the White House accuses of working in coordination with drug cartels.

open image in gallery Critics argue the Trump administration doesnt have legal authority to carry out military-style strikes against alleged drug runners ( US President Donald Trump's TRUT )

Admiral Alvin Hosley, the head of U.S. Southern Command, which is overseeing the strikes, will retire at years end, according to the Department of Defense, reportedly after Hosley expressed concern about the strikes.

Venezuela, whose citizens are thought to have been killed in prior strikes on the boats, has fiercely criticized the U.S. military buildup in the region and mobilized its own troops and militia forces.

Legal observers have warned the strikes may not be legal, despite the White House insisting the U.S. is formally engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels that the president has labeled unlawful combatants, freeing up extraordinary wartime powers.

All available evidence suggests that President Trumps lethal strikes in the Caribbean constitute murder, pure and simple,Jeffrey Stein, director of the ACLUs National Security Project, said in a recent statement. The public deserves to know how our government is justifying these attacks as lawful, and, given the stakes, immediate public scrutiny of its apparently radical theories is imperative.

President Trump told reporters on Wednesday he has authorized CIA missions inside Venezuela as part of his anti-drug crackdown.

The president added that the U.S. was looking at land operations against Venezuela following the naval strikes.

The president claimed Friday Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro has offered overtures to lessen tensions in the region.

He has offered everything, Trump said, referring to Maduro. You know why? Because he doesn't want to f*** around with the United States.
The performer stepped into her first leading role with Queen of Coal  and after being extremely guarded about her personal life, shes ready to explain her hesitance

Look, I have a Rubiks cube to calm my anxiety, says Lux Pascal, 33. Every time she meets a new person, theyve likely labelled her as one of two things. Either she is nothing more than the younger sister of Pedro Pascal  the actor from the biggest series in recent years (Game of Thrones, The Mandalorian, The Last of Us)  who leaped into movie stardom in the last 12 months (Materialists, Fantastic Four: First Steps, Gladiator II and Eddington), or she is nothing more than a trans celebrity in a country obsessed with demonizing or canonizing them en masse. Or sometimes, the two merge, and she is seen as nothing more than Pedro Pascals trans sister. Judging from how she takes the Rubiks cube out of her backpack, and regards the audio recorder the journalist has just turned on in a hotel restaurant in central Madrid, she seems to be waiting to see which of these paths the interview will take, and modulate her responses accordingly.

I grew up going to Catholic school, in uniform, she says. Im not afraid of the religious side of life, because I was raised around Christian and Catholic people. The Jesuits were the first to promote education in America, there has always been that connection between knowledge and theology. The church, and rightly so, is seen in a critical light today, but it has a lot of interesting material, which is undeniably part of our culture.

Is the world a more interesting place to you, beyond what we can see with our eyes?

People are much more complex than what others think, thats what draws my attention.

She raises her gaze and returns the cube to her backpack.

If Lux Pascal didnt have to speak for people who arent in the room, if the things she says werent eclipsed by the ones she hasnt, things would be different. The focus might be on the fact that she is an actress on the rise, who trained at leading schools of performance in Chile (Pontifical Catholic University) and the United States (Juilliard School, the alma mater of Adam Driver, Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, Robin Williams and Patti LuPone, and whose music department produced the likes of John Williams, Miles Davis, Nina Simone and Philip Glass). She was admitted on her own merits into both institutions, and since graduating, has racked up on-screen credits. For example, the starring role in Queen of Coal, an Argentinian-Spanish film by Agustina Macri about Carla Antonella Rodriguez, the first trans woman miner in Patagonia. Pascal also models. On Monday, she walked in the Chanel show at Paris Fashion Week, and in 2022, was featured on Carolina Herreras catwalk at New York Fashion Week, in addition to appearing in fashion editorial shoots for various magazines.

Lux Pascal was accepted out of 3,000 applicants into the prestigious Julliard School. In this photograph, she wears head-to-toe Roberto Cavalli. Her earrings are by Tous. Miguel Reveriego

Pascal is the youngest of four children born to a Chilean couple who in the 1970s fled the military regime that had taken control of their country. Her father, Jose Balmaceda, was a doctor specializing in fertility; her mother, Veronica Pascal, a childhood psychologist turned visual artist. They were defenders of democracy, but also allies of people who were being persecuted by the dictatorship, their daughter explains. They lived in Denmark for a period of time, and then in Texas, before finally settling down in Orange County, California. Thats where Lux was born, and spent her early years. There are photos from that time, is all she can say about that period of time. Its funny, because we seem like a traditional family, all of us on the beach, my mother, my father.

My family has been proud of me since I did a play in a 50-seat theater, says Lux Pascal, who poses in a Sportmax top, Intimissimi shorts and Balenciaga heels. Miguel Reveriego

In the 1990s, Pinochet lost the presidential election and his successor, Patricio Aylwin, began the transition to democracy, opening the door for the return of the political refugees who had fled to other countries. Balmacedas clinic fell on hard times, as did the family itself. Lux was three years old when her mother left her father and returned with her and her brother Nicolas to Santiago. This is when her memories start: her school Saint Georges College, religion, her uniform. The Chronicles of Narnia, her favorite books. Being different from other people her own age. I grew up always having older people around me. I was comfortable surrounded by adults, having conversations with them. My older brother was on a different level, culturally. I quickly absorbed a culture that wasnt meant for people my age. That led to a disconnect with the children in my class, which happens with a lot of youngest siblings.

Wool and cashmere sweater, silk skirt, belt, bracelets all by Tom Ford. Miguel Reveriego

As a child, she had a motto: the world is not as interesting as what we do with our imagination. She began to write. My mother wrote poetry and I kept diaries, I wrote every day in them, it was all very pictorial, very cinematic, she recalls. She was seven years old when Veronica died. She doesnt go into detail about that time, besides to underline how her siblings came together. It made us not take life for granted. All my siblings are my favorite people in the world, she says.

The people who do the most damage are the ones who dont want to give up power, who take it from others, says Lux Pascal, who wears a blouse and skirt by Mans, heels by Christian Louboutin and a necklace by Wempe. Miguel Reveriego

With time, her restlessness turned into something more solid. There were people who saw something different in me and I tried to offer it to them, she says. One of those people was her eldest brother Pedro, who was at the time a struggling stage actor in New York. When he visited Chile, he brought DVDs, candy and CDs that couldnt be found in Chile, or that Lux had been too young to seek out: David Lynchs Mulholland Drive,which she saw when she was 12; and Scream.There was a time when I wanted to be a film director, or at least work in movies. Later, when I saw more theater, I felt like it was my calling, you know? I didnt choose it, but thats why it felt so right, because it was part of me. Acting allowed her the mechanisms she had been searching for in her writing. My imagination was creating dramatic situations, she says. By the time she got to high school, she was able to verbalize that which would come to define her future: she actually wanted to be  she had to be  an actress.

A star is born. Hollywood is not a place, its an idea. Youre part of it, or youre not, says Lux Pascal. The actress wears a patent leather halter dress by Roberto Cavalli, and metallic earrings by Tous. Miguel Reveriego

She enrolled at Pontifical Catholic University. Many of my teachers had came out of that place, she says. At first, everything went well. I had a successful career, she says. Between 2014 and 2016, she acted in Chilean soap operas. She made her film debut in a comedy and in 2017, she appeared in Narcos, the Netflix series starring Pedro. I had a very comfortable life, I was with my father and had a long-term relationship with my partner. But she also had the feeling that it was just the beginning. I began to go to therapy. It was the first thing that I wanted to pay for on my own, even though I was young [she hadnt yet turned 25], because I was going to take it more seriously if I was paying for my own sessions, she says. What she realized in those sessions turned out to be serious, indeed. I wasnt satisfied. I saw myself in another country, exploring, she remembers.

If her motto was true, if the world was more than that which surrounds us, Lux Pascal was also something more. And if all that was correct, she had to distance herself from the settled life she had built for herself. But only if I had a really good reason, she explains. And the best possible reason I could imagine was being accepted into the worlds best acting school.

It took her a year and a half to prepare her application for Juilliard. The schools selection process took another three months. I arrived in January, I had to come back in February and we finished in March. First, they watch your tape to see if they want to see you at the university, then they audition like, 3,000 people. 300 make it through, then 50. Of those, 18 get a final audition.

What did you learn at Juilliard?

That hard work is done in the present. Control is only an illusion. As much as you prepare, you do the important work in the present, she says.

The world of fashion has always really interested me. If someone wants to take care of my image, I obviously want their work to shine, says Pascal. In this photo, top by Giorgio Armani, bandeau by Sportmax. Miguel Reveriego

The pieces that currently comprise her image, perhaps her life, began to take shape at that point. She took on serious roles in school productions of Hamlet, Pericles, Chekovs The Seagull. She transitioned into her current gender expression, her imposing physique. She became a model. That is what I chose for myself. I have photographer friends and I met others who wanted to take my photo. I began to get attention, I got an agent. But modeling was a complement to my film career, not the main event. I try to avoiding calling myself a model because people can assume a lot of things about it.

That was another thing: labels. When she graduated in May 2023, her name was already Lux, and her last name, Pascal, that of one of the worlds biggest rising stars. Pedro had just starred in the Almodovar film Strange Way of Life, which premiered at Cannes, raising his visibility as an actor whose filmography has grown to become as enviable as his popularity. He attended her graduation and her classmates scuffled to ask him for selfies. Who wouldnt? Lux reasons.

Question. For you, hes your brother, but for us, hes an international celebrity.

Answer. I have always known that he is a very special person. He has been a tremendous support to me, and that support has always been mutual.

Question. Have you inherited your familys political drive?

Answer. Im more cautious. Im not an activist, Im an artist. My political point of view will always be expressed through art.

Question. Even when you see that the United States, where you have citizenship, is now openly hostile to people like yourself?

Answer. Continuing to work, looking for ways to open doors for us and for the people who come after us, is the best way to generate resistance. And I dont think that social media is a very good place for political opinions. I talk about those personally, with the people I work with, who I decide to go have a beer with, have dinner with. I try to stay informed through my circle, and to inform. Social media is great for people to tell you the most hateful things. I also try to protect myself.

Question. Are you afraid of what you could provoke by speaking out?

Answer. Oppression creates a mental health crisis. It makes us question if our life is valid, and that provokes one to stop believing in ones own humanity, if youre deserving of love, of forming part of society. Its a problem that I resist. Its hard for me to have this conversation, I dont think its its fair that I have to have it.

Question. I feel like Im pressuring you. If I had a Ukrainian actress in front of me, I would ask her about Ukraine.

Answer. No, its OK that we talk about it. Its a question that I think about a lot. But also, that I try to ignore as much as possible.

Question. Also, because your brother has supported trans rights publicly and repeatedly (e.g., his criticism of J.K. Rowling, wearing the Protect the Dolls shirt at appearances)  a lot of people say, Ah, its because of Lux.

Answer. Im not the only trans person in Pedros life. His heart is so big. He lived in New York in the 90s, he knows a lot of people who are being affected by transphobia and they arent just trans women. Transphobia is part of misogyny. Scratch a transphobe, a misogynist bleeds.

She looks down, as if looking for her Rubiks cube.

Lux Pascal, in a wool and cashmere sweater, silk shirt and bracelets, all by Tom Ford. Miguel Reveriego

Before graduating, she had already been cast in Queen of Coal and has been promoting the film for nearly a year, the biggest media exposure of her life. Her success has come from her resistance to being defined; her most significant achievement is not yet delineating her own bounds. To do so now would be a betrayal of all that might come in the future, to the doors she has already opened. After decades of celebrities with something to say  TikTok sincerities, late night moralizing in reels and stories  she find herself somewhere between the benefit of the doubt and professional agnosticism. My aspirations are the things I have. I am ambitious, but there are limits, she says. Success is closer than one thinks. I dont believe in it in the conventional way. I have personal projects I want to fulfill. Sitting here, talking about the premiere of a movie I star in [Queen of Coal recently became available in Spain]  that is the success Im feeling right now. The only thing that speaks for her are her actions, and even there, she hasnt yet begun to express herself fully through them.

What is the biggest obstacle youve had to overcome?

Being at peace with myself, she says.

Have you been that for long?

Well. Today you caught me on a good day, she responds.

Lux Pascal is an actress, that much is clear. Ahead of her lies the premiere of Alicia Schersons Summer War, a Roberto Bolano adaptation, as well as that of Love & Chaos, her first Hollywood movie, hailing from a world that as of now, only holds attraction for her insomuch that it doesnt close other doors. Im not looking for validation from doing things that are considered big, she explains. Someone once told me that Hollywood is not a place, its an idea. Youre part of it, or youre not. I still feel alien enough to do things in other places. And other times, I feel like Ive been invited to be a part of it. Thats a huge freedom, its how I measure success, how free I can be. If I have the opportunity to work on an international film and then go back to the country Im living in, the United States, and have work there: that is what I long for most. And, what I want to continue conquering. Lux Pascal is an actress, she is incredibly prepared for what is to come, and she has learned that the real work is done in the moment.

CREDITS Styling Beatriz Moreno de la Cova Makeup and hair Maria Verano (One-off Artists) for Chanel and Sebastian Professional Production Cristina Serrano Local production Gemma Soriano and Marta Sanchez (247PLUS) Photo retouching Justine Foord Production assistant Sofia Jimenez (247PLUS) Photography assistants Pablo Rodriguez and Sergio Borondo Digital assistant David Garcia Style assistant Diego Serna

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Donald Trump announced on Friday that he had commuted the sentence of George Santos, a disgraced former Republican congressman who was serving a seven-year prison term.

George Santos was somewhat of a rogue, but there are many rogues throughout our Country that arent forced to serve seven years in prison, Trump wrote on Truth Social, before repeating debunked claims about the Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal.

Additionally, the president claimed Santos has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated and praised the ex-congressman for having the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!

Santos, who was expelled by colleagues from Congress in 2023 after making a series of brazen false claims about his life story, had appealed to Trump earlier in the week for a reprieve.

I have faced my share of consequences, and I take full responsibility for my actions, Santos wrote in a letter to the president published by The South Shore Press, a New York news outlet. But no man, no matter his flaws, deserves to be lost in the system, forgotten and unseen, enduring punishment far beyond what justice requires.

open image in gallery President Trump commuted former congressman George Santoss seven-year prison sentence, less than a year into the former Republican officials prison term ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

In the message, Santos said he has been in solitary confinement since August following an alleged death threat against him.

Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene praised the president for freeing Santos.

He was unfairly treated and put in solitary confinement, which is torture!! Green wrote on X.

Santos pleaded guilty last August to defrauding voters to fund his congressional campaign, stealing credit card information, and lying to the Federal Election Commission. He was ordered to pay $580,000 in penalties, including restitution.

open image in gallery Members of the House voted to expel Santos in 2023, only the sixth time this has occurred in U.S. history ( Getty Images )

In 2023, he was initially charged with 23 felony counts, with prosecutors accusing him of using multiple schemes to bilk donors and government assistance programs to fund his lavish lifestyle.

Outside of the criminal charges, media reporting revealed that Santos made a number of claims about his background that were not true, including that his mother survived the 9/11 terror attacks, that he was Jewish, and that he worked for top Wall Street firms like Goldman Sachs.

Santos eventually leaned into his reputation for scandal, hosting a podcast called Pants on Fire.

Since resuming office, Trump has issued controversial pardons and commutations for the perpetrators of the pro-Trump January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol and for Paul Walczak, a former nursing home executive who had pleaded guilty to tax crimes whose mother had raising millions for Trumps campaigns.
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President Donald Trump has insisted hes not a king, as thousands of No Kings protests are set to take place across the country on Saturday in a mass demonstration against his administration.

The president told Fox Business, They're referring to me as a king. I'm not a king, in an interview clip released Friday.

Republicans have called the protests Hate America rallies.

Meanwhile, late late-night show host Jimmy Kimmel  a Trump critic whose show was briefly suspended in September over comments he made about conservative activist Charlie Kirks assassination  likened the protests to the American Revolution.

There is nothing more American than a political protest, Kimmel said on his show Thursday night. The American Revolution was a No Kings rally.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump has insisted hes not a king, as thousands of No Kings protests are set to take place across the country Saturday ( Kamil Krzaczynski/Getty Images for No Kings )

Here is everything you need to know about Saturdays protests.

Over 2,5000 protests planned in response to Trumps First Amendment crackdown

Ezra Levin, a leading organizer of Saturdays protests, said the demonstrations are a response to what he called Trumps crackdown on First Amendment rights.

Levin, the co-executive director of the nonprofit Indivisible, pointed to Trumps sweeping immigration crackdown, his unprecedented promises to use federal power to influence midterm elections, restrictions on press freedom and retribution against political opponents.

He said those steps cumulatively represented a direct threat to constitutionally protected rights.

Protests are planned for more than 2,500 locations nationwide  from the countrys largest city, New York, to small unincorporated, rural communities like East Glacier Ridge, Montana, with roughly 300 residents.

Organizers will consider the day a success, Levin said, if people are galvanized to become more politically involved on an ongoing basis.

open image in gallery Protests are planned for more than 2,500 locations nationwide ( Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images )

Mostly peaceful protest in June

The last No Kings protest took place on June 14 in thousands of cities and towns across the country, in large part to protest a military parade in Washington, D.C., that marked the Armys 250th anniversary and coincided with Trumps birthday.

No Kings organizers at the time called the parade coronation, which was symbolic of what they characterized as Trumps growing authoritarian overreach.

Confrontations were isolated, and the protests were largely peaceful.

Police in Los Angeles, where protests over federal immigration enforcement raids erupted the week prior and sparked demonstrations across the country, used tear gas and crowd-control munitions to clear out protesters after the formal event ended.

Officers in Portland, Oregon, also fired tear gas and projectiles to disperse a crowd that protested in front of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building well into the evening.

One protester was killed during the Salt Lake City march in June. A safety volunteer shot at a person who was accused of pointing a rifle at demonstrators, but inadvertently struck and killed protester Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a beloved fashion designer.

Four months later, no one has been charged. Experts have said state gun laws may shield both the shooter and the man who brandished a rifle but didnt fire shots.

open image in gallery The last 'No Kings' protest took place on June 14 in thousands of cities and towns across the country ( Brandon Bell/Getty Images )

Utah will participate in protest, despite Junes shooting

Jamie Carter, an organizer of one of Saturdays rallies, said Utah activists considered not participating in this round of No Kings demonstrations, but we also felt that we really had to get back out there.

Organizers are not affiliated with the groups that put on the June demonstration that turned deadly. Safety volunteers will be present but unarmed, and all have received de-escalation training, said Carter, of Salt Lake Indivisible. Attendees have been asked not to bring weapons.

We really want this to be a very uplifting, happy event of people coming together in a community to kind of try to erase and replace some of the bad memories, she said.

Concerns about large political demonstrations remain heightened in Utah, where Kirk was fatally shot during a college speaking event last month.

Crackdown on protests

Trumps crackdown against protests, especially in Democratic cities, has intensified since the June marches. He has since sent National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., and Memphis. His efforts to deploy troops to Chicago and Portland have stalled in federal court.

Organizers in Chicago are expecting tens of thousands of demonstrators at a popular Lake Michigan park, followed by a downtown march.

open image in gallery Organizers in Chicago are expecting tens of thousands of demonstrators ( Jim Vondruska/Getty Images )

Federal immigration agents have arrested more than 1,000 people in Chicago, the nations third-largest city, with increasingly aggressive tactics since September. Protests have been frequent and well attended in recent weeks, and have boiled over in intense clashes outside a suburban federal immigration processing center.

People are angrier. It feels so much more immediate, said Denise Poloyac with Indivisible Chicago. Theyre very concerned about whats happening in Chicago and around the country.

The No Kings organizers have led numerous virtual safety trainings leading up to the protests with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union, which is listed as an official partner on the No Kings website.

The trainings informed viewers about their rights during protests  such as whether you are required to carry ID or if wearing a mask is allowed, both vary according to each state  and emphasized de-escalation techniques for encounters with law enforcement.

Each official protest has a safety plan, which includes designated medics and emergency meeting spots.

open image in gallery Protests in Chicago have been frequent and well attended in recent weeks, and have boiled over in intense clashes outside a suburban federal immigration processing center ( Joe Raedle/Getty Images )

Mixed response from elected officials

The protests have already drawn swift condemnation from some of the countrys top politicians, with House Speaker Mike Johnson dubbing the event the Hate America rally at a news conference on Wednesday.

Some state leaders, like Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott, have decided to activate the National Guard ahead of the protests.

Texas will deter criminal mischief and work with local law enforcement to arrest anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property, Abbott said in a statement.

Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom struck a more optimistic tone, saying he hopes Californians turn out in large numbers and remain peaceful. He said Trump hopes there is disruption, theres some violence that he can exploit.

Associated Press writers Hannah Schoenbaum, Christopher Weber, Juan A. Lozano, Terry Chea and Sophia Tareen contributed to this report.
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The Trump administration is repatriating two people who survived Thursdays U.S. military strike against an alleged drug-running submarine in the Caribbean, according to the president.

The two surviving terrorists are being returned to their Countries of origin, Ecuador and Colombia, for detention and prosecution, Donald Trump Trump wrote on his Truth Social account Saturday, sharing a video of the attack. No U.S. Forces were harmed in this strike, he said.

Two others were killed in the long-range attack, Trump said, bringing the overall death toll of such recent strikes to 29.

The president described the vessel that was hit as a very large drug-carrying submarine that U.S. intelligence confirmed was carrying mostly fentanyl.

He claimed allowing the vessels cargo to arrive in America could have killed thousands.

open image in gallery The Trump administration acknowledged October 18 that two people survived a recent strike on an alleged drug vessel in the Caribbean, with the president claiming that Ecuadorian and Colombian survivors would be returned to their home countries and prosecuted ( Donald Trump / Truth Social )

The Independent has requested comment from the Columbian and Ecuadorian embassies in the United States.

The U.S. Navy reportedly rescued the survivors following the Thursday attack.

A Navy search and rescue team was deployed and the survivors were put in detention on a Navy ship in international waters, officials told The New York Times.

The detentions posed complicated legal questions for the Trump administration over whether to hold the survivors as indefinite wartime detainees or transfer them to military or criminal authorities for prosecution.

The latter option may open the strikes to legal scrutiny or expose the details that went into planning them, which have largely been kept out of the public eye so far.

open image in gallery Trump claims the attack hit a submarine filled with fentanyl, while critics argue the repatriation effort underscores the strike may not have hit a valid target ( AP )

Critics alleged the repatriation effort was a sign of spotty intelligence behind the strike.

Generally, narcoterrorists are not repatriated unless they arent who Trump and [Defense Secretary Pete] Hegseth say they are, former Homeland Security official Julliette Kayyem wrote on X. Seems like we are just randomly killing people in boats.

Prior to Thursdays attack, 27 people had been killed as part of the Trump administrations recent anti-drug operation in the region, which the White House has controversially declared to be a formal armed conflict against drug cartels.

Details have been scarce about what intelligence the Trump administration is using to conduct these strikes, and the names of those killed have not been released.

open image in gallery Previous U.S. strikes in the region have killed 27 people ( Donald Trump/Truth Social )

Chad Joseph, 26, of Trinidad and Tobago, may have been one of six people killed in a similar strike earlier this week, according to his family.

Joseph, a fisherman from the village of Las Cuevas, had been living in Venezuela in recent months. His family said he frequently made trips across the Caribbean in his work as a fisherman.

I dont want to believe that this is my child, his mother, Lenore Burnley, told The New York Times. Is this really true?

Josephs family denies he is a drug trafficker.

On Saturday, the U.S. embassy in Trinidad and Tobago put out a notice advising Americans against visiting U.S. government facilities in the country due to a heightened state of alert.

open image in gallery Venezuela has criticized the U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean and mobilized troops and militia forces ( AP )

The strikes are facing bipartisan criticism from Congress, which has sole authority to declare war and hasnt authorized any new hostilities in support of the Caribbean operation.

On Friday, a group of senators said they would force a vote to block the Trump administration from attacking Venezuela, which the White House accuses of working in coordination with drug cartels.

Admiral Alvin Hosley, the head of U.S. Southern Command, which is overseeing the strikes, will retire at years end, according to the Department of Defense, reportedly after Hosley expressed concern about the strikes.

Venezuela, whose citizens are thought to have been killed in prior strikes on the boats, has fiercely criticized the U.S. military buildup in the region and mobilized its own troops and militia forces.

open image in gallery Critics argue the Trump administration doesnt have legal authority to carry out military-style strikes against alleged drug runners ( US President Donald Trump's TRUT )

Legal observers have warned the strikes may not be legal, despite the White House insisting the U.S. is formally engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels that the president has labeled unlawful combatants, freeing up wartime powers.

All available evidence suggests that President Trumps lethal strikes in the Caribbean constitute murder, pure and simple,Jeffrey Stein, director of the ACLUs National Security Project, said in a recent statement. The public deserves to know how our government is justifying these attacks as lawful, and, given the stakes, immediate public scrutiny of its apparently radical theories is imperative.

Trump told reporters Wednesday he authorized CIA missions inside Venezuela as part of his anti-drug crackdown.

The president added that the United States was now looking at land operations against Venezuela following the naval strikes.

He claimed Friday that Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro has offered overtures to ease tensions in the region.

He has offered everything, Trump said, referring to Maduro. You know why? Because he doesn't want to f*** around with the United States.
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The organisers of the Jewish International Film Festival have been forced to postpone this years event after cinemas in Malmo, Sweden, reportedly refused to screen films, with some venues citing safety and security concerns.

The festival, intended to celebrate 250 years of Jewish life in Sweden, was scheduled to run from 29 November to 2 December, according to its official website.

In a statement posted on Thursday, organisers said they were stonewalled by all commercial and arthouse cinemas in the city.

They added that they would pause to gather strength before recommencing the search for a suitable venue, and said that they had received heartwarming support in recent days.

Ola Tedin, one of the organisers, told Swedish broadcaster SVT that some of the cinemas offered safety and security concerns for their refusal because they were worried something might happen to endanger their staff or audiences.

In a statement on Saturday, cinema chain Filmstaden said its decision against screening the films was made in the spring.

In this particular case, after thorough assessment, we concluded that we could not host the festival due to safety concerns, the statement said.

Our priority is always to ensure a safe and positive experience for both our guests and employees.

Other cinemas, as well as the Swedish minister of culture, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday.

The film festival was founded in 2024.
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An investigation has been launched after a passenger plane leaving an airport in Sicily veered dangerously close to the sea, triggering an emergency pull-up message.

The Air Arabia Airbus A320 plane had just taken off from Catania airport, on Sicilys east coast, and was bound for Queen Alia International Airport in Jordan.

The plane left at 9.57pm on 20 September and shortly after take-off started flying dangerously close to the Mediterranean sea. The planes ground proximity warning system (GPWS) went off and issued a pull-up message, alerting the pilots to what was happening.

The Italian aviation authority, ANSV, said the pull-up message occurred as the aircraft approached the sea surface, reaching a short distance from it.

ANSV has now launched a safety investigation, classifying the event as a serious incident, after a preliminary review of information from the operator.

In a statement issued this week, they said that the flight continued without further incident. There were no passengers on board, but two pilots and four cabin crew members were present.

open image in gallery An Air Arabia Airbus 320 aeroplane at Sharjah airport, part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ( AFP via Getty Images )

According to Italian news website Corriere Della Sera, the plane reached a terrifying 200ft above the sea at a speed of over 480 kilometres per hour.

The bizarre sequence occurred in good weather conditions, the paper reported.

Two Airbus A320 captains interviewed by the Italian media outlet said they were surprised that the plane had made such a dangerous manoeuvre. One suggested that there could have been a bird strike or an error in calculating the takeoff weights.

open image in gallery A sail boat is seen leaving the harbour in Catania, Sicily ( AFP via Getty Images )

A spokesperson for Italian aviation authority ANSV said: On 20 September 2025, at 21.57 UTC, shortly after takeoff from Catania Airport, an Air Arabia Airbus A320 aircraft, registration CN-NML, bound for Queen Alia International Airport (Jordan), received a Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) pull-up message. This occurred as the aircraft approached the sea surface, reaching a short distance from it.

The flight continued without further incident. There were no passengers on board, and two pilots and four cabin crew members were present.

After a preliminary review of the information received from the operator, ANSV opened a safety investigation, classifying the event as a serious incident.
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Ukraine cannot win its war with Russia and should negotiate peace terms with the Kremlin, according to Britains most senior army officer.

Field Marshal Lord Richards said Kyiv will not be able to drive Vladimir Putins soldiers out of Ukraine without the help of Nato forces  who wont get involved on the ground.

Lord Richards, who was promoted to the UK militarys most senior five-star rank earlier this year and led Nato forces during their troop surge in Afghanistan, said Ukraines allies have failed Kyiv.

What we have done in the case of Ukraine is encourage Ukraine to fight, but not given them the means to win, the former chief of the defence staff told The Independents podcast World of Trouble.

open image in gallery Field Marshal Lord Richards, pictured with the Gurkas in 2009 ( MoD )

Reflecting on Ukraines chances of success against Russia, he said: My view is that they would not win.

Could not win, even with the right resources? he was asked.

No, he replied.

Pressed further by The Independent, he was asked:  Even with the right resources?

No, they havent got the manpower, the former commando said.

The field marshals intervention came after Volodymyr Zelensky flew to Washington DC to meet Donald Trump to try to persuade him to give Ukraine Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The war with Russia has now ground on for more than three years, with incremental gains on each side as the conflict is increasingly played out via drone warfare.

But Zelenskys plans to pressure Trump appear to have been thwarted by Vladimir Putin, who spoke to the US president hours before his White House meeting with the Ukrainian leader.

At a packed press conference, Trump appeared reluctant to give up American weapons, while retaining a cordial tone with Zelensky  admittedly a far cry from where things were in February. The US president stressed his own countrys needs to maintain stockpiles.

open image in gallery Zelensky at the White House with Trump on 17 October ( AP )

Zelensky said very little, except to politely suggest Ukraine could offer up its drone technology in an exchange agreement. Trump seemed open to the idea.

Coming away from the summit, Zelensky said Trump had not said no to the idea of Tomahawks  but, for today, he did not say yes, either.

In his first long-form podcast interview, Lord Richards, the only British officer to have commanded massed US troops at war since 1945, said the outlook for Ukraine was not good.

Unless we were to go in with them  which we wont do because Ukraine is not an existential issue for us. It clearly is for the Russians, by the way, he said on World of Trouble.

Weve decided because its not an existential issue, we will not go to war. We are, you can argue  and I absolutely accept it  in some sort of hybrid war [with Russia]. But thats not the same as a shooting war in which our soldiers are dying in large numbers.

Despite our attraction for all theyve achieved and our genuine affections for so many Ukrainians, Im just still in this school that says this is not in our vital national interests.

My instinct is that the best Ukraine can do, and you already see President Zelensky, whos an inspirational leader  the best they can do is a sort of a score draw.

open image in gallery Lord Richards spoke frankly about Ukraine and world affairs during his podcast with Sam Kiley ( The Independent )

Lord Richardss pessimistic assessment contradicts recent statements from Trump who had appeared to shift his view of Ukraine from insisting that Kyiv did not hold any cards  to saying Putin could not win.

I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form, Trump wrote on social media. With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, Nato, the original Borders from where this War started, is very much an option.

Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years a War that should have taken a Real Military Power less than a week to win. This is not distinguishing Russia. In fact, it is very much making them look like a paper tiger.

Trump has routinely changed his stance on Ukraine, previously cutting military aid to Kyiv altogether, forcing a painful minerals-for-weapons deal on Kyiv and reducing US help to an intelligence feed only.

This week he appeared to swing back behind Putin again  agreeing to a summit with the Russian leader in pro-Kremlin Hungary under Viktor Orban but without the presence of Zelensky.

He blamed it on the fact that Putin and Zelensky dont get along too well and described himself as the mediator president.

Trump has made repeated efforts to secure a ceasefire and even invited Putin to Alaska for a summit in August, which ended in American humiliation.

Lord Richards, who led Britains interventions in Sierra Leone and East Timor as a brigadier and later argued against the UKs part in the American-led invasion of Iraq, backed the former US General Mark Milley, who suggested back in November 2022 that Ukraine should negotiate with Russia.

In a wide-ranging interview about his military life, the field marshal revealed that although his career had been stellar, there were times when he fell foul of the establishment and was often out of step with his military and political masters.

open image in gallery Afghan president Hamid Karzai (R) presents a medal to General Richards in his then-role as Commander of NATO International Security Assistance Force, Kabul, 2007 ( AFP/Getty )

As a major general and deputy head of the army under General Sir Mike Jackson, he said it was clear to him that Tony Blairs government was lying about its claims that Saddam Hussein was developing nuclear weapons in Iraq.

Alongside other senior officers, he questioned the legality of the UKs decision to join US forces in invading Iraq in 2003.

Before the British joined the invasion, Blair presented parliament with an intelligence dossier which claimed the Iraqi dictator was developing a nuclear weapon.

Derided since as the dodgy dossier for its unfounded claims, it caused horror at the time among senior officers who had access to the real intelligence.

I and others encouraged the chief of defence staff to query whether this was legal and what was the basis of this intelligence, said Lord Richards.

I do remember one officer  who I wont name but was on the intelligence side  saying, Dont worry. Well find something to put. Yeah, don't worry. Well find something about that. Well justify what we were doing.

I went back to say to Mike Jackson, This stinks.
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Hamas has deployed bulldozers in the Gaza Strip to search for the remains of deceased hostages, a move intended to reinforce its precarious ceasefire agreement with Israel. The militant group affirmed its commitment to the deal's terms, including the handover of bodies.

This action comes after a stark warning from U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated he would green-light Israel to resume military action if Hamas failed to return all 28 hostage bodies. So far, Hamas has delivered the remains of nine individuals, plus a tenth body Israel claimed was not a hostage.

Hamas blamed Israel for the delay, stating some hostage remains are in tunnels or buildings destroyed by Israeli forces, requiring heavy machinery for retrieval. The group also claimed Israel has not allowed new bulldozers into the Gaza Strip, hindering efforts.

Much of Gaza's heavy equipment was destroyed during the recent conflict, leaving limited resources for clearing the extensive rubble across the region.

open image in gallery Two displaced Palestinians walk past destroyed buildings in the heavily damaged Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City ( AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana )

On Friday, two bulldozers plowed up pits in the earth as Hamas searched for hostages' remains in Hamad City, a complex of apartment towers in the city of Khan Younis. Israeli forces repeatedly bombarded the towers during the war, toppling some, and troops conducted a weeklong raid there in March 2024, fighting militants.

Hamas urged mediators to increase the flow of aid into Gaza, expedite the opening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt and start reconstruction. It also called for work to start immediately on setting up a committee of Palestinian independents who will run the Gaza Strip and for Israeli troops to continue pulling back from agreed-upon areas.

The ceasefire plan introduced by Trump had called for all hostages  living and dead  to be handed over by a deadline that expired Monday. But under the deal, if that didnt happen, Hamas was to share information about deceased hostages and try to hand them over as soon as possible.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel will not compromise and demanded that Hamas fulfill the requirements laid out in the ceasefire deal about the return of hostages bodies.

Obstacles to retrieving bodies

Hamas has assured the U.S. through intermediaries that it's working to return dead hostages. American officials say retrieval of the bodies is hampered by the scope of the devastation, coupled with the presence of dangerous, unexploded ordnance.

open image in gallery Hamas has assured the U.S. through intermediaries that it's working to return dead hostages. ( AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi )

The militant group has also told mediators that some bodies are in areas controlled by Israeli troops.

At a news conference with his German counterpart in Ankara, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed concerns that Israel might use Hamas lack of equipment to recover bodies as a pretext to resume hostilities.

Hamas released all 20 living Israeli hostages on Monday. In exchange, Israel freed around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

In Israel, the Hostage and Missing Families Forum  which groups many families of hostages  said they will continue holding weekly rallies until all remains are returned.

Israel has also returned to Gaza the bodies of 90 Palestinians for burial. Israel is expected to turn over more bodies, though officials have not said how many are in its custody or how many will be returned.

A Palestinian forensics team examining the remains said some of the bodies showed signs of mistreatment.

Israel's campaign in Gaza has killed nearly 68,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government in the territory. The ministry maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts. Thousands more people are missing, according to the Red Cross.

In the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel, militants killed around 1,200 people and took some 250 hostage.

open image in gallery Israel's campaign in Gaza has killed nearly 68,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry, ( AP Photo/Leo Correa )

France says international force for Gaza is in the pipeline

France said it's working with Britain and the U.S. to propose a U.N. resolution in the coming days that would provide a framework for the international force for Gaza.

French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux told a news conference Thursday that Arab countries want a U.N. mandate for the force. Arab countries are expected to be among those contributing troops to the force, which will oversee Egyptian-trained Palestinian police.

Confavreux said details on funding, equipment and which countries will participate still need to be worked out.

Alluding to the possible stabilization force, Turkey's Fidan said "our goal is to create an environment of a buffer zone where each side can no longer harm each other.

Wait for a large infusion of aid into Gaza goes on

The U.N. says the flow of aid remains constrained because of continued closures of crossings and restrictions on aid groups.

The U.N. dashboard tracking movement of U.N.-coordinated aid trucks into Gaza shows 339 trucks have been offloaded for distribution since the ceasefire began on Oct. 10. Under the ceasefire agreement, 600 aid trucks would be allowed to enter Gaza daily.

open image in gallery Trucks carrying humanitarian aid line up at the crossing into the Gaza Strip at the Rafah border on the Egypt side ( REUTERS )

COGAT, the Israeli defense body overseeing humanitarian aid in Gaza, reported 950 trucks crossing on Thursday and 716 on Wednesday, said Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for the U.N. humanitarian aid coordination agency. Crossings were closed on Monday and Tuesday for the exchange of hostages and prisoners and for a Jewish holiday.

Laerke said COGAT's figures include commercial trucks and bilateral deliveries.

Nahed Sheheiber, the head of Gazas private truckers union, which organizes pickups of entering aid after Israeli inspection, says improved security in Gaza has helped prevent looting or gangs intercepting aid convoys  even if there has been no significant increase of supplies arriving since the ceasefire. He said only 70 trucks went on Thursday.

Gaza's more than 2 million people are hoping the ceasefire will bring relief from the humanitarian disaster caused by Israel's campaign. Throughout the war, Israel restricted aid entry to Gaza, sometimes letting in only a trickle, and it completely barred food from entering for two months earlier this year to pressure Hamas to free hostages.

Famine was declared in Gaza City, and the U.N. says it has verified more than 400 people who died of malnutrition-related causes, including more than 100 children.

Israel says it let in enough food, accusing Hamas of stealing much of it. The U.N. and other aid agencies deny the claim.
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Israel has identified the body of another deceased hostage, handed over by Hamas late on Saturday night.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the body was identified as Ronen Engel.

A second body, handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross alongside that of Mr Engel, is still undergoing identification at Israels National Institute of Forensic Medicine.

Mr Engel, 54, was killed during the October 7 2023 attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz.

His wife, Karina, and two of his three children were kidnapped and released in a ceasefire in November 2023.

The development comes as Israel threatens to keep the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt closed until further notice.

open image in gallery Ronen Engel was kidnapped on October 7 2023 ( via REUTERS )

Mr Netanyahus office made the statement shortly after the Palestinian embassy in Egypt claimed that the crossing, between Gaza and Egypt, would reopen on Monday.

It said that reopening Rafah would depend on how Hamas fulfils its ceasefire role of returning the remains of all 28 deceased hostages.

Hamas has now handed over the remains of 11 identified hostages, while Israel has returned the bodies of 135 Palestinians to Gaza.

The Rafah crossing has been largely closed since May 2024, bar a brief reopening in early 2025.

The embassy said its reopening would allow Palestinians residing in Egypt to return to Gaza.

However, the embassys announcement did not specify whether humanitarian aid would also be permitted to pass through.

open image in gallery Trucks carrying humanitarian aid and fuel line up at the crossing into the Gaza Strip at the Rafah border on the Egypt side ( Reuters )

Since the US-brokered halt to two years of devastating war, some 560 metric tons of food have entered the Gaza Strip per day on average.

This figure, according to the UN World Food Programme, is still well below the scale of need.

The crossing was shut to aid after Israeli forces seized the Gaza side in May 2024, but was briefly reopened in early 2025 during a short-lived ceasefire.

After two years of bombardment and blockade, the need for food, medicine, shelter and other aid in Gaza is extreme. In March, Israel launched an 11-week blockade of all aid into Gaza, causing food stockpiles to dwindle and prices to shoot up.

In August, a global hunger monitor declared that famine was unfolding in Gaza City in the enclave's north.

open image in gallery A doctor in Gaza City measures a childs arm to check for signs of malnutrition ( AP )

Israel dismissed the findings as false and biased.

Gaza's health authorities say that more than 400 people have died from malnutrition-related causes. Israel says that the figures are exaggerated and that many of the deaths were attributable to other causes.

Israel announced in late July that it was expanding measures to let more aid into Gaza.

However, Gaza's side of the Rafah crossing remained closed, meaning shipments were routed through the Israeli crossing of Kerem Shalom, about three kilometres (two miles) to the south.

Aid workers and truck drivers have complained that they faced a host of obstacles at Kerem Shalom, ranging from rejections for minor packing and paperwork issues to short hours at the Israeli crossing, meaning they could only bring in a fraction of the aid that was needed.

Israel denies that it has limited aid into the enclave.
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Flights out of Bangladesh's main airport have been halted after a significant fire erupted in the cargo terminal, officials have confirmed.

Thirty-six firefighting units were battling the blaze on Saturday, Talha Bin Zasim, an officer at the Fire Service and Civil Defence Media Cell, said.

Operations at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport have been suspended, airport official Masudul Hasan said, adding that all aircraft are safe.

The cause of the fire remains unknown.

Both domestic and international flights have been affected.

An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Dhaka was diverted to Kolkata, and an Air Arabia flight from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates was sent on to Chittagong.

open image in gallery A plane sits on the tarmac as firefighters battle the blaze ( AFP/Getty )

Meanwhile, a Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong was seen circling in the sky after failing to land at Dhaka airport, officials said.

The army, navy, and air force joined the fire service in efforts to bring the blaze under control.

This is the third major fire reported in Bangladesh this week.

A fire on Tuesday at a garment factory in Bangladesh and an adjacent chemical warehouse killed at least 16 people and injured others.

On Thursday, another fire burned down a garment factory building in an export processing zone in Chittagong.
Actor Paul Mescal said exploring the weighty themes of his new film The History of Sound was made easier by sharing the experience with his close friend and co-star, Josh OConnor.

Speaking at the London Film Festival premiere on Saturday, October 18, Mescal described the shoot as a three-week hangout with a new great friend.

The pair were attending the movies London Film Festival premiere at the Royal Festival Hall, where they discussed their close bond with The Independent.

Directed by Oliver Hermanus, The History of Sound is a tender period romance about music and memory, starring Mescal and OConnor as two young men brought together through song during World War I.

The film is set to arrive in UK cinemas in early 2026.
Half of the countrys electricity is generated with imported gas. For experts, this reality must be diversified, so that the country can achieve a sustainable framework

Theres a clear tension between developed and emerging economies regarding how to achieve the energy transition. While Europe insists that the time has come to accelerate the pace, Asia, Latin America and Africa are experiencing lags in economic growth, which hinder the monumental leap toward wind or solar generation. In this debate, some parties propose natural gas as a transitional fuel: it pollutes less than other fossil fuels, its more accessible, and its seen as a first step in the direction of renewable energy.

In this context, Mexico stands out. The country is a net importer and large consumer of gas for the purposes of electricity generation, although the use of EVs remains marginal. According to a study by Ember, a think tank specializing in clean energy, the countrys demand for gas to generate electricity has increased fivefold since 2020. This has triggered imports from the United States, amidst a decline in domestic production. International purchases have increased more than 22-fold, and its estimated that almost half of the electricity consumed in 2024 will come from Mexicos northern neighbors gas pipelines.

The current scenario exposes the countrys high energy vulnerability. But the Ember study estimates that, if Mexico manages to generate up to 45% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030, it could reduce its import costs by $1.6 billion annually.

For the Mexican gas sector, achieving this goal will require a series of decisions that include innovation, new public policies, as well as the strengthening of domestic production, storage and distribution.

Its necessary to open up the conversation to discuss all points of view, [so that we can] reach a consensus that will enable development. [We have to consider] natural gas as a transition fuel that will allow for interaction or diversification of the energy matrix with other types of energy sources, such as wind or photovoltaic. Even at the national level, biofuels  specifically biogas, which is chemically very similar to natural gas  have gradually been adopted in a very surprising way, Guillermo Gomez explains. Hes the technical director of the Mexican Association of Natural Gas Vehicles, LNG, CNG and Biogas (AMGNV) and director of the sustainable consultancy G2H.

Burning natural gas generates approximately half the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by the same amount of coal, according to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC). And, according to the AMGNV, when it comes to vehicle use, it reduces CO2 emissions by up to 35% when compared to gasoline or diesel, which still fuel the vast majority of the vehicle fleet. The use of natural gas also contributes to reducing suspended particles that deteriorate air quality and cause respiratory illnesses in highly polluted jurisdictions, such as Mexico City.

Biogas, for its part, can be used in the same thermal processes as natural gas. Its obtained from the decomposition of organic matter  urban solid waste, agricultural waste, or animal excrement  which is subsequently captured and refined. It will allow for greening in some natural gas processes, Gomez adds.

Natural gas plant in Canada on June 17. James MacDonald (Bloomberg)

The balance between growth and conservation

These scientific advances will be crucial in the next decade of development in Latin America. Even more so as governments, corporations and consumers increasingly feel the effects of an increasingly hot, polluted and vulnerable planet.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, a scientist with an environmental background, has said that her administration hopes to double the amount of electricity generated from renewable sources, a highly ambitious goal. By 2024, Mexico generated 22% of its electricity from renewable sources, which is below the world average of 32% and well below the Latin American average of 62%, according to Ember.

The country has also committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by up to 45% through international treaties, such as the Paris Agreement. Today, were still lacking the ability to reach that goal, Ruben Ponce summarizes. Hes an environmental engineer and consultant at Valora, a firm specializing in corporate sustainability. Ponce emphasizes that, even though Mexico is one of the few countries with grid parity (that is, where its cheaper to consume renewable energy than conventional energy), before embracing this advantage, its necessary to resolve the bottlenecks of unmet electricity demand. Currently, few companies can afford self-generation and storage projects. However, he points out, interest is growing.

And here, we have a dual vision. The social aspect at the [administrative or governmental] level asks: How do we care for our society through new regulations, [all while searching for and developing] new technologies, in order to achieve this [transition] immediately?And, on the other hand, the economic aspect asks: How do we develop our economy? Because we cant just stop and lose out on quality of life, he adds.

This reality also reflects a paradigm shift that has begun to gain global traction. Theres now more humility in recognizing that attempting to completely eliminate the carbon footprint generated by human activity is practically a utopia. Therefore, efforts must focus on reducing, mitigating and offsetting environmental impacts.

Much of the criticism is that, if natural gas consumption increases, there will also be a large amount of emissions, especially fugitive ones that cannot be controlled, Gomez acknowledges, from his position in the Mexican natural gas sector. However, the contribution of methane emissions (the main component of natural gas) from the oil and gas sector is 10% of all fugitive emissions in Mexico. The rest come from the agricultural sector, due to the consumption of animal meat  mainly pork and beef  which generate around 60%. And the other 30% [of fugitive emissions] are in solid waste. And thats a point in favor of biogas, he concludes.

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Prince Andrew, of course, had to lose his title as Duke of York. It is a total humiliation, the final end of him ever returning to favour as a figure of credit.

The constant bad headlines over the years had reached a climax with fresh revelations about him carrying on being in touch with disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein longer than he claimed, the forthcoming memoirs from Virginia Giuffre in which the author, who tragically took her own life, adds to her claims about him that he had sex with her when she was 17 as if he was entitled, and continued stories of his finances and links to Chinese espionage circles. This all came to a head in the week before the King and Queen were due to travel to see Pope Leo at the Vatican.

Prince Andrews statement, in which he makes no apologies, nor admissions of guilt on any kind, tries to give him the last vestiges of dignity in claiming it was his decision. His statement was a very significant error. He had the opportunity to apologise for all the hurt and harm he had caused, to express humility, and to show that he has learnt.

His assertion that it was his own decision condemns him: we all know that it came as the result of heavy and sustained pressure from many parts of the royal family and beyond. It is unlikely in his lifetime that he will ever have a similar opportunity to show contrition. The royal family is all about service. He has totally lost his way, probably never to find it.

The stories about him will no doubt continue, but without the same ability to damage and distract the working royals who are doing their best for the country, despite two of them, the King himself and the Princess of Wales, suffering from cancer.

Charles III has been far more successful than many predicted at carving out his own distinctive role for a 21st-century monarchy, when many thought he would never escape the shadow of his mother, Elizabeth II, or avoid being tarnished by being inappropriately political on the issues he feels deeply about. The recent visit of President Trump to the UK  which might never have happened had it just been an invitation from the prime minister  is the most recent example to show the continuing relevance of the royal family.

Indeed, the turbulence in Downing Street, which shows no signs of ending, and extends into the financial, political and social spheres, highlights the need for a still point in the British Constitution. The monarchy is often taken for granted: the country would feel very different today without it, or with a partisan head of state. It was utterly essential for the monarchy to purge itself of Andrew.

Finally, though, a word about Andrew himself. His appalling and disgraceful actions, self-centredness and entitlement have brought about his end this week as a public figure. But we should not forget there is another side to his character, about which little is heard. He struggled to carve out a role for himself, but he was far from all bad. His qualities have never come out more than as a father to his two daughters. One wonders about his own parenting and why more had not been done to imprint in him that profound sense of duty that his own two parents displayed.

Anthony Seldons new book The Path of Light: Walking to Auschwitz is published on 30 October
A robber who threatened to shoot a shop assistant when she confronted him for stealing from the store had no gun but was disgusted at himself for making the threat, his defence said.
Councillor texted garda to sort speeding ticket while at the same time calling for review of speed van locations, trial told
Pre-action protocols, which will see all parties involved in a medical negligence case, communicate with each other and exchange documentation with a view to early settlement are expected to be introduced here next year, it emerged today.
Today on the Indo Daily, Fionnan Sheahan is joined by presidential candidate Heather Humphreys to tackle some of her controversial decisions as government minister, from her time as director of elections in the failed referendums on family and care, to her appointment of John McNulty to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art in 2014.
Connolly gets warm welcome on Wexford canvass  but no sign of former Labour leader on home patch
Much has been made of Irish peoples response to the war in Gaza and, in particular, to the use of occupation and famine as weapons of war.

This, it is suggested, is due to our own experience of 800 years of British rule and that empires response to, or lack thereof, to the Famine.

We have opened our arms to those fleeing war in Ukraine, Syria and farther afield and have done so with a generosity of spirit. This generosity is now been questioned by those who would seek to divide us.

I, like generations before me, sought economic sanctuary from Ireland in the 1980s, and despite not fleeing torture and persecution, was welcomed and supported to build a new life in our adopted countries of the UK, US and Australia.

For those who would blame the housing crisis, lack of childcare and creaking health service on our immigration policies, it should be noted that these problems predate the recent increase in new arrivals.

Accommodating the New Irish is costly but affordable for one of the richest countries in the world. The problems in housing, childcare and healthcare are not a lack of money, but a lack of planning and decision- making by consecutive governments.

Our reputation for hospitality is ingrained in our DNA due in no small part to the Brehon Laws, which mandated that whoever comes to your door you must feed him and care for him with no questions asked. We would do well to remember this.

Liam Quinn, CEO, Buion Phort Lairge, Waterford

It looks like Palestinian people need freeing from both Israel and Hamas

Seeing the executions by Hamas since the ceasefire, we need to see placards on our streets proclaiming Free Gaza from Israel and Hamas.

Id also like to see them at Kneecap concerts.

Chris Fitzpatrick, Terenure, Dublin 6

Children drinking with their parents here is very different to the Continent

Regarding parents allowing alcohol at teenage gaff parties (Posh parents who allow teens to drink at gaff parties put us all in a tricky position, Irish Independent, October 17), when I was a teacher in a range of schools across different backgrounds, I saw the problem from both ends.

In one school, perhaps best described as working class, I stopped going to the local pubs because I grew tired of seeing 16-year-olds perched on barstools.

In another, a decidedly middle-class school, pupils would casually tell me they were heading to the pub with their mum and dad at the weekend.

Some defend this by pointing to France or Spain, where young people drink with their parents, but Ireland is different.

Here, drinking with your parents too often means getting drunk with them.

Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh

HSE losing up to 7m on Covid-19 protective gear is a slap in taxpayers faces

The issue of personal protective equipment used during the Covid-19 pandemic was raised at the Public Accounts Committee on Thursday morning.

The Dail committee was told that the HSE has no hope of recovering losses of up to 7m from buying what was described as unprocured respiratory technology.

HSE CEO Bernard Gloster told the committee that the HSE spent around 15m with the medical devices company, which subsequently went into liquidation.

It is this type of profligacy that leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of the ordinary taxpayers who are trying to make ends meet.

John OBrien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary

This autumnal weather is lovely, so theres no excuse not to get out next Friday

In my neck of the woods, the most common themes of conversation at the moment are the weather and deaths.

And isnt this autumnal spurt of good weather magnificent, with the leaves on the trees turning every shade imaginable as they flitter to the dry ground below?

Sadly, though, where there is life there is death, which is why its so important to enjoy and appreciate the simple things all around us while we can.

The long-range forecast for October 24 is for another beautiful day. So dont be a spoilsport, use your democratically held right responsibly or else stay at home.

Tom McElligott, Listowel, Co Kerry

Trauma lies at the heart of most peoples inability to pick up Irish language

Imelda May states she had a eureka moment when she realised the shame she felt about her lack of fluency as Gaeilge was not hers.

As she correctly states, theres major trauma with our language and it was actively taken out of us.

People of a certain generation often make statements like Irish was beaten into us, at school as if other subjects were taught in a more child-friendly way.

Or how about some of these same people saying something like Peig turned me off Irish for life, while Shakespeare with his convoluted language didnt stop people speaking English.

Like Imelda, for us to overcome this shame, its important that we as a nation acknowledge the trauma we all carry over the loss of our language. Only then can proper healing occur and our shame will lessen.

Tommy Roddy, Ballybane, Co Galway

In this world of pushing women to be fake, having authenticity is real beauty

From fake breasts, fake faces, fake nipples, fake bodies, fake tan, fake hair, fake nails and fake lashes, it would appear that the female of the species is less genuine than the male.

Kate Demolder (Skims new thongs with fake pubic hair show just how low Kim Kardashian is willing to go for publicity and profit, Irish Independent, October 17) asks why we allow others to profiteer from womens insecurities.

I cant say Ive asked such questions as I have yet to fall for the beauty trap. I wear my hairy chin and lopsided breasts with enormous pride, but I have felt the pressures to conform.

Will I be running out to purchase a fake carpet? I sincerely doubt it.

In a world full of the fabulously fake I would rather be beautifully flawed, but thanks to this article I might never look at my carpet the same way again.

Sarah Roberts, Youghal, Co Cork
Independent candidate has faced scrutiny over 2018 visit

At least six debates have taken place in this presidential election, and weve lost count of the number of interviews. Yet Catherine Connolly has still not answered a key question about her trip to Syria in 2018: who organised it?
Sarah Carey: Why I will be voting for Heather Humphreys for two reasons  one positive and one negative

Catherine Connollys hiring of an Eirigi convict to work in Dail Eireann will send a negative message to unionists on the other side of the Border

Heather Humphreys can bridge gaps, Catherine Connollys politics are likely to stick in the craw of foreign dignitaries. Photo: Frank McGrath

Sarah Carey Sat 18 Oct 2025 at 06:30

I jump the fence in front of me. I play the hand Im dealt. So I wont be joining the complainers who say this election is no good.
Ukrainian boy (17) suffered more than 100 stab wounds during attack as teen is arrested on suspicion of murder

Victim had arrived in the country just four days before his death

The Garda Technical Bureau at the scene on Wednesday. Photo: Collins

Robin Schiller Sat 18 Oct 2025 at 06:30

A Ukrainian teenager who was killed in a Tusla-run emergency accommodation unit in north Dublin suffered more than 100 stab wounds.
Government authorities acknowledge that the country is experiencing a very complex situation caused by drought and problems with the water systems infrastructure. Some communities in Eastern Cuba have been without water for about five months

On the afternoon of September 30, the sun was as strong as it had been on previous days. The heat was pretty much the same as always, while the sea remained blue and subdued. And the Jose Marti Anti-Imperialist Platform, a plaza that hosts public events, was scruffy and almost empty certainly not like those days in the early 2000s, when Cubans gathered there to shout patriotic slogans. Their chants would bounce off the windows of what was then the U.S. Interests Section in Havana.

Opposite the American office, Fidel Castro ordered the construction of a space that could hold more than 10,000 people, where the crowd loudly demanded the return of Elian Gonzalez, a child who was the center of a custody dispute between family members in the U.S. and Cuba between 1999 and 2000.

Next to the space named after the national hero and poet Jose Marti (1853-1895), theres a cistern. And, on September 30, Alberto showed up, with a lackluster expression on his face and a pushcart in hand. Having gone 42 days without water at home, he arrived at the only place where he could still fill some buckets. The amount of water would last him two days at most.

Everyone comes here no one has told us anything yet, the man sighed, as he filled his containers. To get to the storage tank, he had to walk several blocks from his home, which is located in Havanas Vedado neighborhood. Three other people were in line with him, ready to carry as much water as they could.

Earlier, people had passed by with plastic bottles, tanks and buckets, finding a temporary solution to a much larger problem, which  according to Cuban authorities  is currently affecting 156,725 residents in the capital and more than three million across the country.

If the blackouts are enraging Cubans, the lack of water  and, therefore, the impossibility of drinking, cooking, washing, bathing (in other words, living life in its most basic form)  has them on the verge of collapse. Water outages as well as power outages mark peoples days. They work, leave home, or eat depending on when service is cut off or restored.

Around the same time as Alberto was filling his containers, a young woman grabbed her son and, holding several buckets, blocked the busy Monte Street in protest. A police officer tried to snatch a bucket away from her, but she forcefully took it back from him. She was angry after 15 days without water at home. She said that she didnt even have enough water to take a pill.

A local resident told EL PAIS that water hadnt reached his tap since the beginning of September. Sometimes, theres a trickle of water at three or four in the morning. There are people who wait for it, but there are those who [have to go to] work and cant. And when we cant  because we dont have water  we spend our days like this, until a truck [comes by], the young man sighs. He asks that his name not be revealed.

On the black market, a tanker truck with water can charge users up to 25,000 Cuban pesos each (more than $55), which most people dont have. As a result, the young man always waits for a relative who has water in another municipality in Havana to let him go get cleaned up or cook at his home.

A man carries water in containers in Havana. MARCEL VILLA

The outlook, which the government has described as a very complex situation, is similar across almost the entire country. Santiago de Cuba, the islands second-largest city, is facing the worst drought reported in 10 years, which is currently affecting more than half-a-million people. Its residents only get running water every 38 days, while some communities in Eastern Cuba have been without it for about five months.

Cuba, a country surrounded by water everywhere  in the words of writer Virgilio Pinera  is also one where its people are grappling with extreme scarcity. Today, the island is like a body thats slowly being dismembered: electricity, medicine, food and water are being cut off, making it difficult to continue moving.

But Cuba didnt become like this overnight. Its a crisis thats been developing for some time, Jorge Pinon notes. A Cuban energy expert, he works as a researcher at the Energy Institute at the University of Texas at Austin. Weve turned our backs on Cubas infrastructure for almost 40 years and its collapsing before our eyes.

The causes of the crisis

Last year, President Miguel Diaz-Canel asked Antonio Rodriguez Rodriguez, head of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH), when the water shortage in Cuba would be resolved. The official was as honest as he could be: Giving you a date for when we can resolve the problems would be unfair, he replied. We aspire, realistically, that, given the pace were moving at, we can have a better situation next year although that doesnt mean well resolve all the problems [involving] leaks, blockages, [insufficient] water supply and other [issues].

This year, the situation has only worsened. The government recently claimed that it was investing some five billion pesos in more than 300 water infrastructure projects, but no one is seeing the results.

Helena Solo-Gabriele is a professor at the University of Miamis College of Engineering and a member of the Association of Cuban-American Engineers (ACAE). She insists that the lack of clean, accessible water on the island has been documented for decades. She points out that some of the main factors contributing to this are the lack of maintenance of the water treatment system, the lack of electricity, which causes low or no pressure in the pipes, and leaks in the water distribution system.

A water truck in Old Havana. MARCEL VILLA

The Cuban government has acknowledged that this crisis has various causes. In addition to the lack of fuel in a sector thats the second-largest consumer of electricity in the country, there are pumping equipment breakdowns and so-called salideros (water leaks). Authorities confirm that, in Havana alone, between 40% and 50%  and sometimes up to 70% of the water pumped  is lost due to the deteriorated water system.

Its all due to the lack of investment in hydraulic infrastructure, Pinon explains. Its the same thing were experiencing today with thermoelectric plants. The aqueducts and pumping centers havent received operational or capital maintenance. Repairs must be massive  its not a patch that can be fixed with welding. This is extremely difficult. The expert details that, in Cuba, the aqueduct system operates with a series of pumping stations. And these stations and motors are currently working almost 24 hours a day. Its not necessarily due to high demand, but rather because there are so many leaks [its hard for the] pipeline to maintain pressure. [As a result], the motors are working continuously to maintain that pressure.

In addition to the deplorable state of the countrys hydraulic infrastructure, there are natural factors that exacerbate the islands water scarcity, which has been identified as one of Cubas main environmental problems. Solo-Gabriele insists that the country is narrow, with the highest points along the island causing rapid runoff of rainwater toward the coasts.

Furthermore, she adds, the distribution of rainfall is uneven throughout the year, resulting in water shortages during the dry season.

Drought is a problem that undoubtedly affects the country, even during these rainy months. The president of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH) has stated that reservoirs currently hold 1.79 billion cubic meters below average, affecting a total of 900,000 people across the country. Cubas largest reservoir  the Zaza Dam, located in the center of the island  holds 106.4 million cubic meters of water, when its designed to store about 1.02 billion cubic meters.

Cuba has always suffered from periods of severe drought, which is why reservoirs are so important to us, Pinon notes. He asserts that this is another major challenge facing Cuba. Reservoirs arent just holes in the ground that you dig and leave alone; they also require maintenance. [Were] short on water because its barely raining; you have to have a well-protected and well-maintained reservoir system. Otherwise, the water will leak out naturally. The problem has gone on for so long without a solution that, now, its much bigger. And it will take much longer and cost much more money [to resolve].

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Sam Kiley: With one phone call to the White House, Putin beat Zelensky to the punch

The ex-KGB officer is still playing spymaster games

Russian president Vladimir Putin. Photo: Getty

Sam Kiley UK Independent Sat 18 Oct 2025 at 06:30

Vladimir Putin has pulled off a mini-coup in the White House, has driven a painful wedge into the EU and is repairing his reputation as an indicted war criminal  all in one phone call.
US president Donald Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky were meeting at the White House on Friday. Photo: Evan Vucci/AP

Donald Trump made a trademark big boast about ending the war in Ukraine before the US presidential election. If I am president, I will have that war settled in one day  24 hours, he said.

Obviously, he didnt succeed and he seemed to be pulling back from his support for Ukraine in the war with Russia. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky took a diplomatic pasting in an infamously tense exchange with Mr Trump and vice president JD Vance in the Oval Office in February. Mr Zelensky was accused of being ungrateful for US aid provided since Russias invasion three years before, and pressing for quick negotiations to end the war. The incident resulted in question marks over future US support.

But Mr Trump has pulled in his horns since, with a series of more cordial meetings with Ukraines president. They met privately on the sidelines of Pope Franciss funeral, then at the Nato summit and at the United Nations general assembly.

Mr Zelensky was back in Washington yesterday to make his case for long-range missiles to fight the threat from Russia. Mr Trump had signalled he might be willing to arm Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles, which are capable of striking deep inside Russia.

Fresh from the breakthrough in Gaza Mr Trump has turned his attention to Ukraine

The threat of long-range missiles caused extreme concern in the Kremlin. Fresh from the breakthrough in Gaza, with a 20-point peace plan agreed by Israel and Hamas, Mr Trump has turned his attention to Ukraine. Nobody is complaining about the US leaders belated conversion to using his considerable weight towards progressing peace wherever it may be.

Mr Trumps White House meeting with Mr Zelensky followed what the US president hailed as great progress during a two-hour phone call with Russian president Vladimir Putin. Face-to-face talks between Mr Trump and Putin will take place in Hungary soon.

Teams from Washington and Moscow are preparing to meet as early as next week. The summit is taking place in an EU country, but thats as far as European Union involvement goes, as Hungarys leader Viktor Orban sees himself as having more in common with the strongmen than the consensus builders.

Both sides are growing increasingly desperate for a way out of the quagmire of war. Ukrainians are facing into their fourth consecutive winter of blackouts.

Russia has been targeting Ukraines power grid in recent days, with emergency power outages coming into effect across the country after an intensive campaign of airstrikes on its energy infrastructure.

Russia has also been intensifying its attacks on Ukraines railway system, as its 13,000-mile railway lines are a key element of the war effort. Mr Zelensky wants US long-range Tomahawk missiles to attack Russian energy facilities. The threat seems to be enough to make Putin think twice. The cracks in the Russian economy and strains in its society are beginning to show as the war takes its toll.

Mr Trump has the power to swing the conflict but his erratic nature makes it difficult to know which side he will pick.
Shane McCormack (Humphreys faith does not disqualify her from being a competent president, Letters, October 15) suggests that connections to the Orange Order and Presbyterian faith are an issue with voters in the Republic.

Presidential hopeful Heather Humphreys has identified and welcomed a largely unified civil society south of the Border, free of sectarian rancour.

The election of Douglas Hyde and Erskine Childers to the Aras demonstrated an absence of negative perceptions of Protestants in politics by the Roman Catholic majority. A purely secular politics also resulted in the election of Mary Robinson.

We dont need to elect Heather Humphreys to reinforce what is already evident. Her association with the Fianna Fail and Fine Gael coalitions track record on housing, health and the threat to neutrality will affect her chances more than Presbyterianism.

Tom Cooper, Dublin 6

I will not vote for either Aras hopeful, so spoiling my ballot is the only option

Bernie Linnane said your vote carries extra weight when others spoil theirs (Letters, October 16). That is true. When you spoil your vote, you give up your own right to choose the next candidate.

This is not to be taken lightly. That is why in over 40 years of voting I have never done this before.

I do not feel either of the candidates represents me. I have heard some people saying they will vote for one candidate in order to keep the other out. This is wrong, in my view. You should vote for your candidate with enthusiasm.

I am not able to do this, and in order to remain true to myself I will be spoiling mine.

Tommy Roddy, Ballybane, Galway

Debate over presidential race is a reminder that its vital to choose carefully

Bernie Linnane thanks the lads, Killian Foley-Walsh and Tommy Roddy, both of whom suggested that to spoil ones vote is a democratic right.

Ms Linnane believes her own vote will carry extra weight in the event that the lads spoil theirs.

However, any interpretation or subtext of the gentlemens letters might show they may equally be advocating that we use our vote wisely. Thanks, lads.

Peter Declan OHalloran, Belturbet, Co Cavan

Ive made up my mind now I know about candidates views on rural pursuits

I am particularly grateful to John Fitzgeralds informative letter (October 16) concerning the support of Heather Humphreys for cruelty to dumb animals, euphemistically termed rural pursuits, as well as her voting against animal welfare acts when she was a TD.

I must admit that until I read Mr Fitzgeralds letter I was unsure which of the two candidates I would cast my vote for. Now I know. Thank you, John Fitzgerald.

Paul Kelly, Skerries, Co Dublin

Anyone expecting lasting peace in Gaza can expect to be utterly disappointed

Its difficult to disagree with your columnist, Max Boot (Gaza peace plan is doomed to fail  both Israel and Hamas will make sure of that, October 15), if only for the fact that the negotiation table excluded the Palestinians and that the main arbiter deals in peace as a commodity that can be traded.

Michael Gannon, St Thomas Square, Kilkenny

Ireland deserves credit for its strong support of the Palestinian people

I applaud the Irish Independent for calling on the Government to put money where its mouth is in the reconstruction of Gaza.

Ireland has shown its indomitable spirit, strength and resolve in supporting Palestinians in their noble march towards liberation from the manacles of Israeli occupation.

However, the peace agreement is not only utterly unrealistic, it is punitive, unfair and unsustainable.

Israels successive wars have created generations of disgruntled Palestinians whose lands are taken, whose sacred shrines are constantly violated, whose liberties and freedoms are trampled on and whose parents and siblings are mutilated, bloodied, orphaned, widowed and physically and mentally agonised for life.

What peace is Trump, Netanyahu, Blair et al talking about?

Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob, London

Time may have caught up with him, but hopefully Cliff is still young at heart

I note that Cliff Richard was 85 on Tuesday. It seems like only the other day he was singing about being one of  the young ones. Like alas, so many of us.

Tom Gilsenan, Beaumont, Dublin 9

Asking one small question after mass has taught me so much down the years

I have a small confession to make. It has become something of a habit of mine, on leaving mass, to turn to a nearby parishioner and ask: Did you pray for me?

The responses over the years have been as varied and revealing as any homily. An Irish friend in California once replied drily: I have more important things to pray for than you.

In Armagh, someone looked me up and down and said: Why? Whats wrong with you?

Most recently, in Knock, I tried my usual question on a kindly-looking elderly lady. She hesitated, smiled, and said: I dont know your name, so I couldnt do it.

It struck me then that theres something delightfully Irish about all three replies  a mix of practicality, wit and suspicion of holiness in anyone else. Perhaps thats what keeps our faith human.

Still, Ill keep asking. You never know  one day someone might just say: I did, and it worked.

Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh

Events in the US underline why free press is essential for survival of democracy

Good, open, honest journalism is a necessity for everyone, but in America it is under attack and has been for a long time with fake news claims.

Protect journalistic freedom or it will be just the first freedom that you lose. And if you think it could only happen in America, history has shown us otherwise.

Denis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia
A homeowner has given "moving" evidence to a court of looking two trespassers "straight in the eye" as they attempted to break into his south Dublin home late at night and shouted at him to hand over his phone.

The witness told the court that he initially thought the noise outside was a family of foxes.

Madalin Lingurar (26), of North Circular Road, Dublin 7, originally from Romania, pleaded not guilty to trespassing at Sydenham Villas, Dundrum, on 1 October 2024, contrary to Section 11 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994.

He was convicted following a hearing before Judge Derek Cooney at Dun Laoghaire District Court. A charge of criminal damage to the front door was dismissed.

The court heard that Gardai were called to the scene shortly after midnight on 1 October, 2024 when the homeowner reported that two men had entered his property.

When officers arrived, they stopped Madalin Lingurar nearby. He matched the description of one of the men who had tried to open the windows of the house and was arrested. A second man was also apprehended.

Stock image. Getty.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - Saturday, October 18

The homeowner told the court that he had been working late that night. I was still writing up my notes - I work long days", he said. I couldnt see through the curtains and thought it was foxes. Then I heard metal scraping against the window".

He said he went into the hallway and could hear movement right beside the house.

My hurley was beside me", he said. "18 months earlier I had been attacked by people - so I was frightened. I left my thumb on my phone ready to call emergency services".

When he looked out, he saw two men at his window - one shouting give me your phone.

They were very close, looking me straight in the eye", he said.

Mr Lingurar, who works in construction, gave evidence through a Romanian interpreter. He said he could not remember the incident because he had been drinking but insisted he was on the footpath across the street, not at the house itself.

Judge Cooney said he preferred the evidence of the homeowner, describing his account as credible and moving.

He said it must have been a "truly terrifying experience" for the victim - first thinking it was foxes, then hearing metal scraping, before seeing a man on his windowsill and another close by.

The judge noted that both men were later apprehended nearby and that the incident had taken place within a few feet of the property. He added that the year-long delay in bringing the case to court must have caused the victim significant worry.

Defence counsel, Michael OBrien BL, said that his client works in construction and that his nine previous convictions were for relatively minor matters, including public order and bench warrant offences.

Judge Cooney convicted Lingurar of trespassing and sentenced him to four months in prison with immediate effect, setting recognisance in the event of an appeal at 300, with no lodgement required.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
A man caught with a realistic imitation firearm on a Dublin street has a fascination with military memorabilia, a court heard.

Paul Leonard (47) sparked emergency calls to gardai after he was seen with the fake gun in the waistband of his trousers.

Judge Stephanie Coggans ordered Leonard to donate 100 to the court Poor Box and said she would strike out the charge.

The defendant, with an address at Woodview Lodge in Portrane, admitted possession of a realistic imitation firearm at Main Street in Swords on July 13, 2024.

Sergeant Janice Gray told Swords District Court that gardai received numerous 999 calls that a man was on Swords Main Street with a gun in the waistband of his trousers.

Sgt Gray said gardai went to the scene and found Leonard and the fake gun.

The court heard that the defendant had no previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Fiona D'Arcy said Leonard had a fascination with military memorabilia and bought the imitation weapon in a shop in Dublin city centre a number of years ago.

Ms D'Arcy said Leonard forgot he had the imitation gun, but found it again, and foolishly brought it out with him. The defendant did not produce the weapon on the street, the solicitor said.

Ms D'Arcy asked the judge to be as lenient as possible, saying that Leonard, who was unemployed and on disability, had difficulties with street tablets and was due to begin a six month detox programme shortly.
An Irish-American woman is fighting stereotypes one Guinness at the time through Instagram  but whatever you do, don't call her an influencer.

Laura Murphy is the daughter of an Inverin native and a Castlebar man, so despite growing up in Boston, USA, she is very familiar with Ireland and its culture, having visited the Republic every summer since childhood and hearing several stories from her parents.
Cahersiveen B&B operator Alan Landers says the budget was another kick in the arse following years of government neglect

The San Antoine B&B in Cahersiveen has been open since 1957 but after years without government support, the future for the family-run business looks bleak.

Second-generation owner, Alan Landers, has called for the B&B sector to strike for a week next summer following a budget that provided no relief for struggling businesses.

For him it was another kick in the arse for a sector of the tourism industry that has seen no recognition for the vital role it plays.

B&B operators were side-lined last week when the government announced a VAT reduction for food and catering businesses from 13.5pc to 9pc as part of the annual budget.

The discount will apply to all restaurants and pubs serving food, but accommodation suppliers such as hotels and B&Bs will miss out, despite many serving food.

Small family businesses such as Alans will receive no reprieve from the pressures that are pushing the crumbling cornerstone of the tourism industry into the pestle.

Effectively were being classed out of the hospitality industry when youve got big chains that are operating for food are down to 9pcits crucifying the industry, its going to make it very, very hard, he said.

B&Bs are still the backbone of tourism in the country. Without B&Bs, tourism wouldnt have been as strong in this country. Back in the day not every town would have had a hotel, so B&B are where tourism hospitality has stemmed from.

Alan and his wife operate their six-bed B&B six months of the year, but only during the months of June to August is the business balancing the books.

As sole traders they pay 13.5pc VAT on any earnings over 42,500 and are allowed to offset their income with a few expenses, including electricity and oil.

Having taken over the business from his parents in 1992 and kept it running through thick and thin, including the trials of Covid, Alan feels his and other B&Bs owners sacrifices have gone un-noticed.

Weve been operating for a long time but theres no recognition for what weve done. We stayed open as accommodation during Covid when we were allowed, we didnt jump on the band wagon of taking in international protection clients, we stayed open as a B&B within the hospitality industry, he said.

We held on and looked after our little corner of the industry and wheres the thanks that we got? We got none. And now weve had another kick in the arse with the budget.

Alan had written to Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae, Norma Foley and Failte Ireland suggesting an increase the VAT threshold or a cutting of the tax, with Ms Foleys office making representations to the finance minister on his behalf.

However, with the bitter disappointment of the budget, it seems he has been left in the lurch.

Cahersiveen has seen an influx of Ukrainians and IPAS residents over the last few years and while Alan has taken none at his B&B, he feels the financial incentives for accommodation providers now contradict the upkeep of a healthy tourism industry in the town.

I could have retired if I had taken international protection clients. The money that was made by other operators that were there, by no fault of their own, the government were throwing money at them, and theyve reaped the benefits, said Alan.

If we all went the same way, Cahersiveen would be a dead town. Thered be nothing. Thered be no tourists coming into the town, restaurants would have struggled, cafes would have struggled, shops would have struggled. Theyre all struggling I must say, but it would have been much worse.

I would be far, far better if I was working for someone else. Its a labour of love that Ive kept it going, it was our family home, but as a business is it worth my while? No its not. Will we be open in two years time? Im not sure. Weve had no supports, no help. Its not a viable industry to be in.

Fianna Fail Councillor Norma Moriarty expressed her concern about Alans situation and agreed that some support needed to be provided for small family accommodation businesses.

With rooms few and far between on the Iveragh Peninsula, Ms Moriarty said it was crucial that providers stay open and that others are encouraged to move into the industry.

These are small operators. Its a really personal service that they give and youd have a lot of returning tourists on the strength of it. Its kind of Irish hospitality that weve marketed our tourism product on over the years, she said.

Their ask is a small ask and I would be imploring the authorities to give some provision for them because we want every one of those doors open and many more. We need additional ones to open and they wont do it if there isnt enough incentive.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting scheme
Kerry County Council have opened up pro-pedestrian plans for Killorglins town centre to public submissions

The public can now make submissions regarding a series of major pedestrian-friendly improvements in Killorglin which Kerry County Council has put on display this week.

The proposed works include a significant alteration to The Square along Main Street, creating a vastly bigger public space with street furniture, trees and modern lighting.

Part of a 6.5m investment in Killorglin, which will include the repurposing of the derelict courthouse as a cultural and heritage centre and the re-use of a key vacant buildings as a multifunctional hub for tourism, education, training and co-working purposes, the works will transform the towns centre into a more pedestrian friendly area.

Councillor Podge Foley was over the moon with the funding and said it would transform Killorglin into the most beautiful little town in Ireland.

For decades the square and lower bridge street, where I grew up had been forgotten about with a lot of empty buildings. This broke my heart as I loved my street so much to just let it go. We had to do something, said Cllr Foley.

This funding is going to transform Killorglin into the most beautiful little town in Ireland. The previous Killorglin Chamber Alliance chair Shane McElroy put in a load of thankless work into this regeneration project and the lights on the bridge.

I have always maintained that the friendliness of our community is our biggest asset and anyone passing through here must always stop to enjoy the authentic experience.

The split in the road at the top of main street is set to be consolidated into a single lane to allow the creation of the pedestrian area. Two controlled crossings and one uncontrolled crossing are proposed.

An art feature will also be added to the Square, though there are no details yet on what this may be.

Francie Sheahans Bar on Main Street said the plans looked lovely and, in combination with the South Kerry Greenway, would be a huge advantage for businesses in the town.

There will be cyclists and walkers coming through the town and it will be a great stop-off point for them. Itll be a great visual improvement for visitors to the Square and around the town. The plans look lovely, they said.

One of the main tracts through Killorglin, Market Street, will be converted from two-way traffic to a one-way system in the southerly direction. Parallel parking with become available on both sides of the street as well as generous footpaths and additional controlled pedestrian crossings.

Footpaths leading up the Square will be widened on both sides of Lower Bridge Street with landscaping and better delineated parallel parking on the street. The mini roundabout is planned to be improved with controlled pedestrian crossings on three approach roads.

The Killorglin Chamber Alliance welcomed the proposals, with chairperson Chris McGillycuddy saying the works were brilliant for the progression of the town.

Its great. The rural regeneration and development fund has been going on since 2021 and the Killorglin Chamber Alliance has been working very closely with the council on this, said Mr McGillycuddy.

Submissions for the Killorglin Public Realm consultation must be received by 4pm on 27 November to be considered. They can be made through the council consultation portal.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting scheme
However, concerns are mounting over critical infrastructure works as Uisce Eireann has indicated it will not fund water and sewerage upgrades

The Strategic Development Zone at Knock presents a unique opportunity to Mayo as one of only 11 in the country, and the only zone located outside of an urban area. Photo: Stock Image.

Plans to develop the Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) at Ireland West Airport Knock, have been strongly backed by Mayo county councillors, but they warned that the ambitious project will require "multimillions" in investment to become a reality.

At the latest meeting of Mayo County Council, members discussed the draft Economic Development Plan (EDP) for Mayo, which identifies the SDZ as one of the county's most significant economic opportunities.

Cllr Michael Burke said he was fully supportive of the project but cautioned that delivering it would not be straightforward.

"It's going to take millions to deliver that project," he told the meeting.

"Let's not be dreaming around this room that it's going to be easy. It's going to take multimillions to see that established.

"The part done to date is the easy part, but getting the infrastructure in there, water, electricity, sewerage and everything else that is needed. It's going to be a huge problem."

The SDZ at Knock presents a unique opportunity to Mayo as one of only 11 SDZs in the country, and the only zone located outside of an urban area. It is also the only zone co-located with an international airport.

The SDZ is designed to support large-scale economic development, including aviation-related industries, hotel and conference facilities, and commercial activity.

According to the draft EDP, the SDZ "has the potential to be a significant regional economic driver for Mayo and the northwest region."

It notes that the development could deliver "significant job creation" and identifies the location as one of "economic and social importance to the state."

However, the EDP also highlights significant infrastructure challenges. The airport's water and wastewater systems require capacity upgrades, work which Uisce Eireann has not yet supported.

Cllr Gerry Murray revealed to the meeting that he had been given information that Uisce Eireann would not be upgrading the services, and that the airport would have to fund the works themselves.

He described the decision as "disgraceful" and urged the utility's board to review it.

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"To the best of my knowledge, the rationale behind it is that the airport is a standalone commercial entity. It has no domestic element in terms of support and sanitation,

"They have indicated they will not be funding it in any way, shape or form in terms of the infrastructure of the water or sanitation in Knock Airport," he said.

Westport-based councillor Brendan Mulroy used the debate to renew calls for the Western Rail Corridor to be prioritised alongside the SDZ.

"The train service is vital, not just for Westport but for Ballina, Castlebar and for bringing people into our county," he said

"I'd ask the executive of this council, if you were to deliver a project that is on par with Knock Airport; get that rail corridor into Mayo. It will serve us all, and it will be a different county. It will open up the county completely.

Cllr Mulroy said the ultimate goal should be to extend the Western Rail Corridor directly into Knock Airport, taking commuters and tourists straight to the terminal, adding that "the whole county will then take off."

Cllr John O'Hara drew comparisons with other regional airports, "I was in Cork airport last year, and I saw the hotels and the industry they had there, and we can do the same thing."

Mayo County Council is the designated development agency for the SDZ, and a detailed Roadmap for Development is now being prepared for August 2026.

The plan outlines provision for over 150,000 square metres of new floorspace across 30 development plots and includes proposals for a 5mw PV solar farm, walking trails, cycleways and biodiverse areas.

Councillors agreed that while the airport has been central to Mayo's economic progress, the SDZ can only reach its full potential with direct Government funding and inclusion as a priority project in the National Development Plan.

This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Tea arriving at the front line  Irish Army on manoeuvres between Waterford City and Tramore, August 1944. Photo: The Military Archives

How did World War II shape the lives of ordinary people in Waterford? This November, a special conference at City Hall will explore that question, bringing long-forgotten memories of the era known in Ireland as The Emergency back into the public eye.

Memories of the Emergency: Waterford People and the Second World War takes place on Saturday, November 8, in the Dr Mary Strangman Large Room at City Hall. The free event, supported by Creative Waterford, will highlight the local experiences of a global conflict that transformed daily life across Ireland.

Throughout 2025, Waterford Treasures has been recording oral histories to mark the 80th anniversary of the wars end, capturing voices and personal accounts that might otherwise have been lost. The upcoming conference will share those stories and examine how international events resonated in homes, schools and communities across the county.

The day opens at 10am with a keynote address by Dr Michael Kennedy, executive editor of documents on Irish foreign policy at the Royal Irish Academy. His lecture, On the edge of this mighty struggle: Irelands foreign and defence policies during the Second World War, will set the tone for a day of rich historical insight.

At 11am, Dr Eugene Broderick will offer a wider perspective in Everything here is perfectly abnormal: the Emergency in Ireland, 193945. After a short coffee break, James Doherty will discuss Defence through Delay: Military defence in Waterford during the Emergency Period at 12pm, followed at 12.45pm by Mary Breen of the Waterford Archaeological and Historical Society and Niamh Crowley of the History Teachers Association of Ireland, who will present on the schools essay project.

The afternoon turns to personal and local stories. At 2pm, Andrew Doherty will examine maritime incidents in Waterford Harbour during the war years. Peter Cunningham follows at 2.45pm with A Waterford Man on D-Day: 6 June 1944, while Cian Manning explores Sporting Life during Wartime, 19391945 at 3.15pm. The day concludes at 3.45pm with Nora Tubritt, Bill Walsh and Conor McEneaney sharing family memories of wartime in Waterford.

<img alt="cards visualization" src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/24026596/thumbnail" style="width:100%" />

Offering a blend of scholarship, storytelling and community memory, this one-day event invites reflection on how Waterford endured  and adapted to  a time of profound uncertainty and resilience. It also underscores the importance of preserving these human stories for generations to come.

Admission is free but places are limited, and early booking is recommended. Further information and registration details are available from Waterford Treasures or via their website.
After being incarcerated for two decades in the United States, the Cuban man was released in 2021  only to be grabbed by ICE and deported last month

You cant say Adermis Wilson Gonzalez doesnt know fear. Nor that he scares easily. On March 31, 2003 he knocked on the door to the cockpit of a Russian Antonov-24 plane on which he was traveling from Cubas Isla de Juventud to Havana with his wife and son. He showed the pilot two grenades and asked, Do you know what these are? The pilot replied, Grenades? Wilson didnt beat around the bush: Its a fragmentation grenade. If the plane lands in Havana, the only thing touching down will be ashes. The pilot looked at him intently and replied, What do you want? This time, Wilson was even more direct: That this plane not stop until it gets to Florida.

More than 22 years later, Wilson answers a phone call somewhere in Mexico (he doesnt want to reveal his exact location), where he arrived after being deported on September 14, 2025 by the U.S. government. I dont feel too bad, he says in a resigned voice. I dont have any money, but I have a little bit of freedom.

At 56 years old, hes still the very astute individual that Fidel Castro said he was. He gets up at six in the morning, does a few exercises  planks and parallel bars  and watches what he eats. But amid all that order, the same fear he has felt for more than 20 years remains: ending up in the hands of the Cuban government.

The fear is still latent, its there. The fear is like my underwear, my socks, my shirts, the water I use to wash my face every day when I wake up, because the future really is uncertain, he says. If the Mexican authorities decide that they dont want to have me here, theyre going to put me on a plane to Cuba.

He has rented an apartment with three other Cubans who were likewise deported to Mexico in the last few weeks. His life seldom goes beyond these walls. He goes out in the morning to do some paperwork, comes home and prepares something to eat. He also answers multiple phone calls from his mother, Melkis Gonzalez, who is 87 years, suffers from Alzheimers, lives with his sister in Texas and believes that Wilson went to California to do contract work.

In the world of Senora Melkis, Wilson is not, and never has been, the criminal who hijacked an airplane under the nose of the Castros and wound up deported from the country where he arrived looking for asylum. His mother doesnt remember much, but every once in a while, her brain alights upon a memory of her young son, a civil construction technician  a son who, looking back on it, would change one part of his story. Id leave Cuba another way, not by taking an airplane, says Wilson.

Adermis Wilson Gonzalez was arrested by immigration agents on June 29 in Houston. PAOLA CHIOMANTE

The hijacking

On one of his trips to Havana as the representative of a fibre cement company, Wilson met a pilot. They chatted. Wilson was curious to know how airplanes worked. The man asked, Did you ever want to be a pilot? Wilson, a civil engineer, let him think that in another life he would have gone into medicine or aviation. It was a lie, he confesses. I had never considered it, but I told him that so hed keep talking.

Wilson paid attention to every detail of the airplanes he flew on for his work trips. More than once, he counted the steps it took for a flight attendant to go from the cockpit to the curtain in the back section of the cabin. He had already considered the idea of leaving Cuba by hijacking one of the catamarans that connects Nueva Gerona, on the Isla de la Juventud, with Batabano, a southern municipality close to Havana. But that plan dissolved. It was around this time in March 2003 that his wife began to notice he was acting strangely. She told me, What are you doing? Are you with another woman or are you drinking? And I told her, calmly, that I was preparing my future and that of my family.

On the 31st of that month, his wife and son accompanied him to Havana. Wilson put their names on the waitlist for the last commercial flight leaving from Rafael Cabrera Mustelier airport. Then, Wilson told his wife that he wanted to fix her hair. She found that strange, but he insisted. She didnt know absolutely anything, says Wilson. He inserted the grenade pins into a rose-shaped ornamental comb. He had put the grenade rings in the zipper of his briefcase and the rest of the device inside his underwear. When they passed through the metal detector, the noise alerted the officers, who thought it was due to coins the child was carrying in his pockets.

At nine oclock that night, they boarded the airplane. Everything was going well. Wilson took the window seat, took out the pins and rings and the rest of the device. He positioned his son so that his wife couldnt see that little by little, he was assembling the grenades. Then he told her, Hold onto the boy, dont get up, dont cry and trust me. Then I stood up, but as soon as she saw the grenade, she started to scream, he remembers.

They were 20 minutes into a nearly 30-minute flight. Wilson asked the 46 passengers to stay quiet, for no one to get up from their seats. Then he asked them if they recognized the objects he was holding. People began to panic. He tried to maintain control of the situation. I told them, No one panic, sometimes thing happen in the most unexpected moments, but I dont want anybody to stand up, I dont want any commotion, nothing out of the ordinary. I just need to get to the United States.

He headed to the cockpit and told the pilot to redirect the flight to Florida, but they only had enough fuel to get to Havana. If it had kept going, it could have been fatal. I didnt lose hope, Id studied all the possibilities. Minutes later, they landed on the runway at the Jose Marti airport in the Cuban capital. Thats when the negotiations began that would last for 15 hours, involving Fidel Castro and the chief of U.S. special interests in Cuba at the time, James Cason.

Castro himself made calls at several points to the cockpit to convince Wilson to abandon the operation. I barely gave him the opportunity to speak, to get started on his monologue, because hearing Fidel Castro at that moment might have convinced me, he remembers. The hours passed. The plane was surrounded by a military cordon. Wilson demanded that the airplane be fueled up in order to continue the trip to Florida. I picked up the telephone and asked them, Is the gasoline there? Fidel said, We are working to provide it as soon as possible. But he wanted to keep talking, and I hung up on him.

At the same time, Wilson was trying to calm down the passengers. He gave them water, or cups with ice cubes, allowed them to go to the bathroom, offered them food. After they had been waiting for several hours, oxygen became scarce on the plane. There were seven children on board who were nearly fainting, it was hard to breathe. Wilson pried open an emergency window in the flight attendants cabin. I couldnt allow anyone to die on me. I called all the children over to the window, he says.

Outside, Cuban authorities continued evaluating what to do about the hijacked flight. At one point, Wilson told them that he wanted to make a deal. I need to let some people off, but I want something in return, he told officials. He let a woman who had recently undergone surgery get off, along with 22 passengers, in exchange for $2,500. They gave me a hard time, but in the end, they brought me the money.

By the time theyd been on the airplane for more than 14 hours, Wilson asked the passengers to start screaming, to pretend that there was no oxygen left, and to even say that there had been deaths on board. I held up the headset and they shouted while I demanded the fuel, he remembers. Castro was on the other end of the call. I told him, You know what? If in 15 minutes I dont see any results, this story ends here. And I hung up. Soon after, a tanker truck supplied them with gasoline, which helped them land in Key West shortly after noon on April 1, 2003, escorted by two U.S. Air Force F-15 fighter jets and a Black Hawk helicopter.

Moment of the arrest of Adermis Wilson Gonzalez in Florida. Becky Herrin (Monroe County Sheriff's Office)

A photo from the Monroe County Sheriffs Office shows the moment in which Wilson descended the stairs of the airplane with his son attached to his body. He raised his arms as law enforcement officers pointed their guns at him. They took him to an isolated part of the runway, took out pliers and an armored box to remove and deactivate the grenades. Wilson handed them over and told them they were fake, contrary to what he had led Castro to believe. He had made them himself at his home on Isla de la Juventud, using a plaster mold and bicycle spokes.

There have been other hijacking cases involving flights between Cuba and Florida. That same year, a DC-3 airplane belonging to the company Aerotaxi, with 36 passengers on board, also left Nueva Gerona and was re-routed to Key West by a group of six Cubans armed with knives. In 1991, a pilot named Orestes Lorenzo re-routed a Cuban Air Force MIG-23 fighter jet and landed at the Boca Chica naval air station. In 2022, the Cuban Civil Aviation Institute reported that a small plane stolen in Sancti Spiritus had landed in Florida, piloted by a Cuban named Ruben Martinez Machado.

Among the passengers who arrived to the United States along with Wilson, 15 applied for political asylum from authorities. Asylum was granted to all of them except for Wilson himself, who was founded guilty of aircraft piracy three months later by a federal court. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The Cuban American lawyer Willy Allen, who won an aircraft hijacking case in 1995, says that people involved in similar incidents in the past had won their criminal case. Wilson was the only known case of such individuals not receiving any protection in the United States.

Prison and deportations

In the various federal prisons in which he did time, and which Wilson describes as hell, some people called him Cuba, and others, pilot. He would quickly correct them, No, not pilot, Im not a pilot.

Wilson was an odd prisoner. He didnt smoke. He wouldnt accept drugs or do business on the inside. He didnt get into trouble. They were 20 long years, during which he perfected his English, graduated as a civil engineer from the University of Pennsylvania and finished a masters degree in logistics from the University of North Carolina.

When hed been imprisoned for six years, his mother was able to travel from Cuba on a tourist visa to visit him. Wilson remembers those encounters as being incredibly painful. She had to go through pat-downs, intense revisions. And when it came time to leave it was always difficult. Those places arent designed for people with a mothers heart.

In 2021, he was transferred to an immigration detention center in Stewart, Georgia, en route to being deported back to Cuba. When Havana refused to accept him, Wilson was not granted asylum, though he was allowed to remain in the country. After five months in the custody of ICE, he was set free due to health problems. After two decades, Wilson set foot on the streets of the United States for the first time.

It was his nephew who picked him up at the detention center and brought him to a Burlington store. He told me Look, these thousand dollars are your first thousand dollars in this country. After that, he dedicated himself to work, to building, little by little, a life that, it would turn out, only lasted four years. On June 29, 2025, around six in the morning, he prepared a coffee with condensed milk and went to get into his Ford truck, which was parked in front of his house. When he get into the vehicle, he felt a hand on his right shoulder. He turned to see two masked ICE agents. What is happening? What is this about? he asked.

They asked him for identification and Wilson showed them an expired Cuban ID card, the only identification hed ever had. In the United States, it had been four years in the shadows, he says about his brief period of time outside of jail. The only time that I truly lived in this country were those 20 years, because in prison I was a number, I existed there.

Wilson wound up at Montgomery Processing Center in Texas, like so many other migrants in the Trump era. Then he was sent to another center in Houston. I never thought Id go through another process like that. When I found myself in there I said, Well, at least youre not being sentenced. Its not like theyre going to leave you in here for 20 more years, even if every day feels like five years.

On September 14, 2025, he was driven in a bus to the border with Reynosa along with 44 other migrants. ICE officials turned him over to Mexican authorities. I dont understand how the American government, knowing that my life is in danger, didnt give me an opportunity, just to work like I was already doing. I didnt finish what I went to do in the United States, I thought I was going to get papers like any other person, after serving a 20-year sentence. There was a time that I asked myself, what do I have to do to get [legal] status? What else do I have to give? Now, I trust that the Mexican government will allow me to form part of its community. Im not going to feel safe until I have papers.

Do you still think about Cuba?

Ay mija, I wish I had the chance to breathe the air of my homeland for even three minutes.

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Meet the student vet changing lives one pet at a time  Its a bit like Tinder for dogs

Wexfords Adam Murphy is currently studying veterinary medicine in Warsaw and is the founder of K-9 Compass, an initiative which aims to match the right person with the right dog

Adam Murphy with his late, beloved pet, Butterball.

Cillian Boggan Wexford People Sat 18 Oct 2025 at 07:40

A Wexford student, studying veterinary medicine in Warsaw, Poland has launched an initiative to take real steps to change the future for dogs who will be part of a number of about 10 million who will be surrendered to shelters every year.
Meet the retired journalist preserving the soul of a Wicklow village

Eileen Flanagan has teamed up with neighbours to preserve and present the past of her adopted Tinahely  just one example of Wicklow heritage online

Eileen Flanagan. Photo: Joe Byrne

David Medcalf Wicklow People Sat 18 Oct 2025 at 07:20

She is a Dub but Eileen Flanagan has left the dust of the city long behind, exchanging Leeson Street for the less frantic joys of Tinahely. The retired journalist has called the village her home for the past three decades and it suits her very well indeed, thank you. Now aged 77, she has no intention of ever returning to the big smoke.
Former Glenart College student with ther commemorative plate for achieving a remarkable 100% H1 grade in her Leaving Certificate History examination with history teachers Ms Millar and Ms Nolan.

When former Glenart College student Sophie English scored 69pc in her mock history exam, she didnt let it knock her confidence. Instead, she used it as motivation  putting in long hours of revision and drawing on the support of her teachers to turn things around.
More than 100 people, aged as young as 10 and as old as 88, took part in this years Glen to Glen Remembrance Hike for Hospice as it returned to the Wicklow Mountains on Sunday, October 12.

Supported by Codling Wind Park, the event was taking place for the ninth time and helped to raise 30,000 for Wicklow Hospice, through a combination of corporate supporters and individual donors.

Setting out from Laragh GAA club, the looped route took participants on a journey of remembrance through the Glendasan and Glendalough valleys as many participants walked shoulder to shoulder, with friends and strangers, in memory of a loved one passed.

Hikers could choose from either an 8km or a 12km route, each led by experienced hike leaders who volunteers their time to support the event. On Sunday morning, before walkers set off, there was a gentle reflection led by Grainne Macklin, medical social worker at Wicklow Hospice.

Fundraising coordinator at Wicklow Hospice Allison Ryder said: This years Glen to Glen Hike was a huge success, thanks to all of those who signed up to join us. We could also not have run the event without the support of the Wicklow Civil Defence, Laragh GAA club, Footfalls Walking Holidays, Wild Walks Ireland and Lynhams of Laragh who all ensured the event ran smoothly and safely. We area also incredibly grateful to Codling Wind Park who generously supported the event this year.

This fundraiser is the brainchild of Fabian and Ursula Doyle from Arklow, and has raised more than 160,000 for Wicklow Hospice since its inception. All funds raised go towards the specialist care and support of patients of Our Ladys Hospice & Care Services, Wicklow Hospice, and their families. In 2024, the team at Wicklow Hospice cared for 228 people in the in-patient unit, and the specialised, community palliative care team looked after over 443 patients in their own homes.

Codling Wind Park project director, Scott Sutherland, said: The Codling team is proud to be strong supporters of Wicklow Hospice and the incredible work they do with families across the county.

We are very conscious that this event is an important fundraiser for the hospice and the work they do, so we hope people give what they can. As well as the fundraising though, the hike is a meaningful way for all of us to come together in a beautiful place and think about our loved ones.
Wicklow poet Jane Clarke will read from her latest publication at a special poetry at Bridge Street Books of Wicklow town to celebrate Irish Book Week.

The Hares Corner: Making Space for Nature by Jane Clarke and Catherine Cleary is an illustrated book which tells real-life stories of farmers, families, schools and community groups all over Ireland who are restoring habitats, reviving biodiversity and reconnecting people with the land.

It contains uplifting stories and poems interwoven with enchanting illustrations and photographs that bear witness to the renewal and well-being that can blossom when we make space for nature in our lives.

The aim of the collection is to give hope to people. We all get down with what is happening to the environment, but the collection of poems are very hopeful, and shows what can be achieved by communities working together, said Jane.

Named after the traditional farming practice of leaving field corners for wildlife, The Hares Corner is inspired by small, thoughtful actions that can spark powerful change. Readers are invited to rediscover the beauty and wonders of their own landscapes, urban and rural.

Speaking about the inspiration behind her latest poetry collection, Jane said: Initially I was approached by the Burrenbeo Trust, who run an annual programme of walks, talks, and events that celebrate the unique heritage of the Burren. I visited ten farmers at different locations in the likes of Tipperary, Roscommon, Leitrim and Inishmore. The visit to the farmer in Inishmore actually ended up inspiring two poems.

After we were finished, we decided to turn the poems into the book. Journalist Catherine Cleary got involved and she went out visiting ten groups, some of which were in rural locations, and others in more urban areas such as Finglas and Swords.

These are all groups carrying out small but successful things to mind nature in their locality, such as creating a pond, putting in place bird boxes and growing hedgerows. Jane Corkill came on board and is a great illustrator from the Burren. Its a beautiful book and it is currently on display at Bridge Street Books main window.

Former Irish President Mary Robinson also wrote the foreword for the collection.

The Mary Robinson Centre is based in Ballina, Co Mayo, and the Burrenbeo Trust carry out a lot of work there. They had a contact for her and knew she would love the book. They then wrote to her asking if she would do the foreword, as she is totally committed to biodiversity and climate change, added Jane.

Mary Robinson writes in her foreword: The Hares Corner draws on an Irish farming tradition that is as ancient as it is wise: the understanding that we do not live alone on this land, and that true stewardship means making room for nature to flourish alongside us. To see this tradition being revived in a time of climate and biodiversity crisis gives me great hope.

The free poetry reading takes place in Bridge Street Books, Wicklow town, on Thursday, October 23, from 7pm to 8pm. On the night Jane will be joined by two other acclaimed poets, Keith Payne, originally from Dublin and now living in Galicia, and Viviana Fiorentino, originally from Italy and now living in Wicklow town.

You can book your place via bridgestreetbooks.ie
Adventurer Steve Backshall has retraced the Kings steps from his 1975 trip to the Canadian Arctic exactly 50 years on.

The trip, filmed for a feature-length documentary to be aired on ITV, looks at the accelerating impact of climate change on the Arctic and the work being done now that aims to secure a healthy future for the planet.

The Kings 1975 trip to the Canadian Arctic took in dog sledding and a dive beneath the ice, as well as learning about the local Inuit peoples culture and dependence on the environment around them.

Steve Backshall at Windsor Castle (PA)

The trip helped shape his lifelong passion for the environment and his belief in the importance of living in harmony with nature.

The film, due to be shown as part of ITVs Christmas schedule, will include a discussion with Charles about the impact of climate change.

Speaking about the project, Backshall said: To see the Arctic through the Kings eyes  then and now  was both inspiring and sobering.

Standing where the King once stood, diving beneath the same Arctic ice he explored half a century ago, was humbling beyond words.

His Majesty was raising the alarm for the natural world long before most of us realised how urgent that call would become.

His commitment to protecting our planet runs through every fibre of this story.

Director Marshall Corwin said: It has been a real privilege  and eye-opener  seeing His Majesty the King as never before: his extreme spirit of adventure, his genuine passion for the planet, and his mischievous sense of humour.
Yang Chen-Ning, Chinese-American Nobel laureate in Physics, makes a keynote report during the 1st Joint Conference by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina on September 9, 2019 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Li Jin/VCG via Getty Images)

Chen Ning Yang, one of the world's most renowned physicists and a Nobel Prize winner, died at 103 of illness in Beijing on October 18, state news outlet Xinhua said on Saturday.

Born in Hefei in Anhui province in eastern China in 1922, Yang shared a Nobel Prize for physics with Tsung-Dao Lee in 1957. He was also a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a professor at the prestigious Tsinghua University.

Yang, whose name is also rendered as Yang Zhenning, studied for his doctorate at the University of Chicago in the 1940s, and was the first Chinese scientist to visit China when diplomatic relations between the United States and China began to open up in the 1970s.

Since 1999, Yang had been teaching at Tsinghua University, where he also spent eight years of his childhood when his father was a professor at Tsinghua.

Tsinghua greyed out the colours on its website on Saturday in remembrance of Yang.

"My life has been a circle, where I started out from a point, travelled a long way, and finally returned to where I came from," Yang was cited as saying by Tsinghua.
President Donald Trump on Friday called on Kyiv and Moscow to stop where they are and end their brutal war following a lengthy White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Trump's frustration with the conflict has surfaced repeatedly in the nine months since he returned to office, but with his latest comments he edged back in the direction of pressing Ukraine to give up on retaking land it has lost to Russia.
Former Donald Trump adviser John Bolton pleads not guilty to charges of mishandling classified information

Indictment alleges he shared sensitive information with two relatives for possible use in book he was writing

John Bolton is the latest of Trump's critics to face prosecution. Photo: Reuters

Sarah N Lynch and Jack Queen Sat 18 Oct 2025 at 06:30

John Bolton, the national security hawk and former adviser to Donald Trump who has become one of the US presidents biggest critics, pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges of mishandling classified information.
Jimmy Fallon with soldiers from 5Scots as he visited Victoria Barracks, Ballater (5Scots/PA)

US TV star Jimmy Fallon was treated to some Highlands hospitality as Scottish soldiers hosted him for a special dinner during his holiday in Royal Deeside.
The attorney fears the political use of justice and the erosion of rights in the country, while personally facing a motion that could affect his career

Joshua Schroeder is convinced of his actions. While trying to ensure due process for a client of his before the latter was deported to Laos in late May, he filed one habeas corpus petition after another  in courts across the country, even in Guam  following the silent maze laid out by prosecutors in Donald Trumps government to sabotage the legal defense of migrants in active removal proceedings. His conscience and commitment drove him to exhaust every possible avenue, even if he had little hope that his motions would succeed. In the end, as could be expected under the current ruthless immigration policy, they did not. But Schroeder was in for a surprise nonetheless: in one of the prosecutors responses, there was also a motion seeking sanctions against him. They accused Schroeder of deliberately wasting the courts time and money.

As far as anyone knows, Schroeder is the first attorney to face such an accusation, stemming from a presidential memorandum signed in March directing officials to seek sanctions against attorneys and law firms who engage in frivolous, unreasonable, and vexatious litigation against the United States. There is no precedent for this, but Schroeder  who is also a legal scholar and author of treatises on the United States founding laws  places his case within a broader attack on the republics values that the current Trump administration, through its Department of Justice, is carrying out.

Im just one attorney, and no attorney can withstand the government if they really wanted to do something to you. Its really rare for the government to make this choice because its so consequential. But at the same time, there are a lot of odd things about this sanctions motion. For one thing, it cites a memo of the president, which seems to indicate that its not an independent choice of a lawyer to make the sanctions motion. Usually it would be. The idea that theyre following a direct message from the president, a political person, is extremely dangerous or strange. Its hard to even put your mind around exactly what that means, Schroeder says in a video call with EL PAIS from Los Angeles.

Immigration attorney Joshua Schroeder. Gabriel Osorio ( Gabriel Osorio )

The situation Schroeder now finds himself in  facing a punishment that could range from an unspecified fine to, given the vagueness of the accusation, a permanent impairment to his career  began with a desperate phone call on Memorial Day Weekend. His client, a man with a criminal conviction originally from Laos whose family had fought on the U.S. side during the Vietnam War, told him he was about to be deported.

Schroeder acted quickly, filing a habeas corpus motion in the Northern District of Texas, where his client was detained. He thought there had been a significant lack of due process given his clients background: Laos did not accept deportations from the United States, and people of Hmong ethnicity  his clients group were lawful immigrants to the United States because they had allied with the United States in the war. He wanted notice that his client was definitely being removed to Laos, that Laos was now accepting deportees, and that the United States had secured legal status for his client in Laos to make sure he wasnt effectively being made stateless.

But that didnt happen. The authorities instead transferred his client to another detention center  the same one that had held hundreds of Venezuelan migrants deported to El Salvador in March to be imprisoned in Bukeles maximum-security facility, the Center for Confinement of Terrorism, commonly known as Cecot. It was also where migrants later sent to South Sudan were held.

That set off all of Schroeders alarms. He feared his client might be accused of being a terrorist, as Venezuelans had been accused of belonging to the gang El Tren de Aragua. Those fears were confirmed when he received notice that his client had been placed on an international flight  despite the judges order stating that he was not to be deported while the case was still open.

While the plane was in the air, Schroeder filed more documents asking the judge to enforce his authority and order the plane back. At the same time, however, prosecutors had filed their removal order. I kept thinking this was not going to work, but generally Id rather try and fail than not try at all. So I just kept putting one step in front of the other, Schroeder says, explaining the simple logic that guided him as he took the case to its final instance.

After he thought his client had been deported in violation of a court order, unexpectedly, Schroeder got another call from him; exasperated, he explained that he was in Guam  a U.S. unincorporated territory in the Pacific  and asked him to drop the case. But Schroeder sensed something strange, as if there were someone else pressuring his client. Suddenly that presence lifted, and his client told him the plane was leaving and they were going to leave him there  and to please keep fighting for him. Then the call cut off.

Schroeder filed another habeas corpus motion, this time in Guam, since the previous one in Texas was no longer valid  the custodians to whom such petitions are ultimately directed were no longer the same people. At the same time, the Texas court withdrew the judges order halting deportation, leaving his client unprotected in that jurisdiction. So Schroeder petitioned to transfer the case to Guam.

And this is where the controversy comes up, because one of the reasons you can file a motion for sanctions is that youre frivolously and needlessly multiplying litigation. But I filed everything in Guam procedurally correctly. I hired a local attorney there. I disclosed the earlier case to the Guam court. I took things step by step and did everything as up front as I could, Schroeder insists. And the court initially agreed with him, issuing an order protecting the client until a hearing could be held.

The jurisdiction change could easily have been avoided if the Administration had kept the man in Texas, but Schroeder was forced to respond to a new, unofficial government strategy of transferring immigrants to make their defense more difficult or to place cases before more favorable judges. They fly you around and dont tell you where youre going. You land, stop, wait  hours, days  and it disorients you. Its really a form of torture.

Once in Guam, Schroeder sought confirmation that his client would be deported to Laos and not to a third country, as in the cases of those accused of gang affiliation. It really was not clear that they were following the order of removal just because it existed. And then I would argue: does being subject to the order of removal mean that its mutually exclusive? Are they not going to remove him to El Salvador, or somewhere else? recalls the attorney, whose argument gained force when Trump later included Laos in a partial travel ban. Later, at the Guam hearing, Schroeder again asked both the judge and the prosecutors where his client was being sent, but the governments lawyers said they didnt know. Moments later, the client was put on a plane and deported.

Schroeder filed an emergency appeal to try to stop the deportation order. It was dismissed. The court of appeals also rejected his emergency motion but opened an appeal that remains pending. As the case has moved forward, Schroeder believes it has revealed that there really wasnt this hard and fast distinction between an ordinary immigration case and these Tren de Aragua cases. Multiple things can be happening at the same time. And if you have ordinary immigration paperwork, that doesnt mean youre not going to be treated like a terrorist or extraordinarily renditioned or disappeared  which is what our case was really about, Schroeder now argues.

In fact, because we had the sanctions motion, we had the full post-mortem and went really slowly through everything. Theres a statute  and the order of removal itself states  that further process will happen, explaining when, where, how, why: all of the notice and opportunity to be heard before youre actually removed. That process never happened. Immigration attorneys have gotten used to this  the government ignoring procedure all the time.

Schroeder also fears the strategy used in his case could be replicated, instilling fear among younger attorneys who may not yet have thick skin. If attorneys are too afraid to bring valid, reasonable arguments even if the judges are going to disagree with it, thats a way of controlling the entire court system.

But Schroeder is not merely an immigration lawyer; hes an attorney specialized in habeas corpus. His instincts are different. During Trumps first term, he wrote a guide to help lawyers get immigrants out of detention centers  and has written another one now for Trumps second term, though it hasnt yet been published.

Ive published on reproductive rights. Ive published on free speech issues. I think a part of the reason I am number one [to be targeted] maybe is I am a threat. I am someone who has a very well-thought-out, calm, reasoned position that is hard to deal with. The fact that, just as the sanctions motion first became public, Schroeder was bombarded on X by the attorney generals chief of staff, Chad Mizelle, with personal attacks on his character, strengthens his suspicion that the entire case is politically motivated.

Although Joshua Schroeder is not James Comey  the former FBI director unprecedentedly charged by Trump for allegedly lying to Congress  nor Letitia James, the New York attorney general who prosecuted the president and was also charged this week by Trumps Justice Department, his case is yet another example of the Republican administrations instrumentalization of justice. For the lawyer, there is no doubt: For the United States, this is an existential issue.

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Gazas ruins are being scoured for the dead, over a week into the US-brokered ceasefire, and newly recovered bodies have brought the Palestinian death toll above 68,000.

Israel said the remains of a tenth hostage that Hamas handed over on Friday had been identified as Eliyahu Margalit, a 76-year-old man who had been abducted from a kibbutz during the Hamas-led October 7 attack.
Hamas intends to maintain security control in Gaza during an interim period, a senior Hamas official told Reuters, adding he could not commit to the group disarming  positions that reflect the difficulties facing US plans to secure an end to the war.

Hamas senior official Mohammed Nazzal also said the group was ready for a ceasefire of up to five years to rebuild devastated Gaza, with guarantees for what happens afterwards depending on Palestinians being given horizons and hope for statehood.
Searches are under way for the bodies of hostages killed after being seized by Hamas before the war. Photo: Reuters

Hamas brought out bulldozers to dig for the remains of dead hostages yesterday as it sought to shore up its tenuous ceasefire with Israel, saying it was committed to the terms of the deal, including the handover of bodies.
It will require action not just words  Israelis hope deal can begin to repair countrys shattered reputation abroad

Sixty six per cent of people polled said they were worried about being isolated internationally

Israeli soldiers hold flowers as the community of Kibbutz Kfar Aza commemorates members who were killed, taken hostage and who died in captivity, following the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas. Photo: Reuters

Lili Bayer Reuters Sat 18 Oct 2025 at 06:30

T he ceasefire in Gaza is raising hopes among many in Israel that the country can begin to repair its image abroad, after months of deepening isolation due to the toll of the two-year conflict.
Palestinian embassy in Egypt says Rafah crossing will reopen Monday for people returning to Gaza

UN says millions of euro of food and medicine is sitting in warehouses

A drone view shows people walking through a destroyed residential neighbourhood following the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza yesterday. Photo: Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters

Sam Mednick Reuters Sat 18 Oct 2025 at 18:05

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will reopen Monday for people returning to Gaza, the Palestinian embassy in Egypt said Saturday, but the territory's sole gateway to the outside world will remain closed to people trying to leave.
Volodymyr Zelensky offers to make drones deal with Donald Trump for Tomahawk missiles

US president says its possible Vladimir Putin is playing him

US president Donald Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky meet at the White House in Washington. Photo: Reuters

Jeff Mason and Nandita Bose Reuters Sat 18 Oct 2025 at 06:30

Volodymyr Zelensky suggested Ukraine could exchange drones for US Tomahawk missiles during his White House meeting with Donald Trump yesterday.
Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community!

Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region.
( Image credit : Government of UP | CM Yogi Adityanath )

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Friday (October 17), addressed the Diwali Karyakarta Parivar Milan Samaroh at the City Montessori School in Lucknow. Speaking at the event, he highlighted the role played by festivals in furthering the traditions of Sanatan Dharma. He also called festive gatherings a show of social harmony and unity.CM Yogi Adityanath, on October 17, addressed the importance of the festivals in highlighting the resolve of Sanatan Dharma. He also said that this resolve led to the establishment of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.When I proposed the first Deepotsav in 2017, many questioned its purpose, asking what difference lighting lamps would make. I said, each lamp represents the resolve of Sanatan Dharma. We renamed Faizabad, a reminder of our past servitude, to Ayodhya. This, too, was the strength of our resolve, he said.Highlighting the importance of festivals, CM Yogi iterated that they play a role in taking the country one step closer to its goal of Viskit Bharat.Prime Minister Modis centenary resolution is guiding the nation towards security, prosperity, and self-reliance. Events like Diwali Milan strengthen our social fabric, headed.He also recalled that there was a time when it was rare to have gatherings on Sanatan Dharma festivals but that is no longer the case.CM Yogi went on to encourage people to promote Swadeshi goods on the occasion of Dhanteras.On Dhanteras, buy indigenous utensils, gold, and silver. Just as our Defence Minister is empowering the army with indigenous weapons, we too should support Indian-made goods., added Yogi.He then urged citizens to gift cow dung lamps, idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh, and sweets to the underprivileged on Diwali.
Salman Khan questions Gaurav Khanna in the new promo



What happened during the emotional letter task



( Image credit : JioHotstar | Neelam Giri in Bigg Boss 19. )

( Image credit : JioHotstar | Gaurav Khanna in Bigg Boss 19. )

( Image credit : JioHotstar | Farrhana Bhatt in Bigg Boss 19. )

Netizens defend Gaurav Khanna



Again wrong feedback, wtf,he goes same last to last week kinda feedback, we audience never saw #Gauravkhanna act as intentional and to look smart,he genuinely did it for Neelam cause she was crying too much and that too said her alone that go see it  Murddock (@basekfan) October 18, 2025

GK reached our hearts, and we understand very well what he meant to do. Its clear that if they want to say he did it just for the camera, then theyre the ones who fail to understand Gaurav. Who are they the makers to speak on behalf of the audience? leave our greenforest alone  Anzal (@Basra121) October 18, 2025

It's high time Gaurav must counter such false narratives being set by makers and host, what was the strategy of Nehal to give Ashnoor's letter , instead of herself and later cry over the same.  R.A. (@adrift_wayfarer) October 18, 2025

I dont think it was his strategy, he is a good man agar camera ko dikhane ke liye karta toh dhindora peet ke karta usne chup chaaap soch smjh kr kiya jisse kisi ko kuch pata na lage. Makers Amaal ko acha nahi dikha skte toh doosro ko kharab dikhare hai   Rohan Kapoor (@rohan21nero) October 18, 2025

GK said that he knew Neelam wont be able to read those shredded pieces of paper. he had already told her 1 line which he could read before it was completely shred. still he gave it to show himself mahaan while he was telling others to tear letters. he contradicts himself! #BB19  Grizz (@BrownieGrizz) October 18, 2025

Gaurav just outsmarted the ones still stuck in their Anupamas Anuj fantasy arc 



He needs to wake up and realize that was fiction, not his real-life moral syllabus! This is Bigg Boss, not a Star Plus reunion  AJ  (@Peaceofmind0135) October 18, 2025

A festive twist in Weekend Ka Vaar



Tonights Weekend Ka Vaar onpromises intense emotions, heated discussions, and some star-studded appearances. Host Salman Khan will address one of the most talked-about moments of the week, the controversial letter task that turned the house upside down. What began as a sweet emotional test of bonds quickly turned into a full-blown drama, and now, Salman himself is stepping in to question Gaurav Khannas actions.In the latestpromo, Salman Khan is seen directly confronting Gaurav Khanna about his behaviour during the letter task. Salman tells him, Gaurav, you are so intelligent that I want to ask you something. The letters that you gave to Neelam were to act like a hero. I can understand that Gaurav was playing a game.Salman further pushes Gaurav to accept his mistake instead of using emotions to justify what he did. To make things clear, Salman asks the housemates to vote on whether Gaurav was trying to gain sympathy from others. Most contestants, including Malti, Nehal, Farrhana, and Baseer, side with Salman, leaving Gaurav visibly shaken and speechless.The controversy began when Bigg Boss announced a special task involving letters from the contestants families. The twist was emotional, every contestant would receive their family letter only if the founder chose to give it. If the founder shredded the letter, they gained an opportunity to become the next captain.The task started off with heartfelt moments, especially when Pranit got his letter. But the mood changed fast when Farrhana Bhatt shredded Neelam Giris letter. Neelam broke down in tears, and Amaal Mallik even taunted Farrhana for being too harsh.Later, in a moment that changed everything, Gaurav Khanna secretly collected the shredded pieces of Neelams letter and gave them to her. Neelam went near the washroom to try reading it, but Bigg Boss caught the two on camera. Even though Gaurav apologised, Bigg Boss called it a serious rule break and cancelled the entire task.The promo has now divided the internet. Some viewers agree with Salman, while many fans are accusing the makers of showing Gaurav in a negative light. One user wrote, Again wrong feedback, wtf; he goes from the same last-to-last-week kind of feedback. We, the audience, never saw #GauravKhanna act as intentional and look smart. He genuinely did it for Neelam because she was crying too much, and that too said, Go see it.Another added, GK reached our hearts, and we understand very well what he meant to do. Its clear that if they want to say he did it just for the camera, then theyre the ones who fail to understand Gaurav. Who are they, the makers, to speak on behalf of the audience? Leave our green forest alone.Some fans even called for Gaurav to take a stand against the shows narrative. Its high time Gaurav must counter such false narratives being set by makers and hosts. What was the strategy of Nehal to give Ashnoor's letter instead of herself and later cry over the same? one comment read.Another claimed, I dont think it was his strategy, hes a good man. If he wanted to do it for the cameras, he wouldve made a big deal out of it. He did it quietly and thoughtfully so that no one would notice. The makers cant show Amaal in a good light, so theyre making others look bad.While many defended Gaurav, a section of the audience agreed with Salmans criticism. One viewer pointed out, GK said that he knew Neelam wouldnt be able to read those shredded pieces of paper. He had already told her one line, which he could read before it was completely shredded. Still, he gave it to show himself mahaan while he was telling others to tear letters. He contradicts himself! #BB19.Another added humorously, Gaurav just outsmarted the ones still stuck in their Anupamas Anuj fantasy arc. He needs to wake up and realise that was fiction, not his real-life moral syllabus! This is Bigg Boss, not a Star Plus reunion.Apart from the drama, thiswill bring a festive vibe to the house. Actors Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui will enter the Bigg Boss house to promote their upcoming film. Adding a sweet surprise, Sunita Ahuja, wife of Govinda, will also join Salman Khan on stage for a fun segment.To end things on a happy note, Salman will announce that there will be no elimination this week, letting all contestants celebrate Diwali together without fear of eviction.
Cargo Village in Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport catches fire



( Image credit : X/ @karma2moksha | Cargo Village in Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport catches fire )

VIDEO | Dhaka, Bangladesh: A fire broke out at a section of the Cargo Village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport this afternoon. More details awaited.#Dhaka #AirportFire #HazratShahjalal



(Full video available on PTI Videos  https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/flGkHso2xq  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 18, 2025

Firefighting teams rush to the scene



VIDEO | Dhaka, Bangladesh: A fire broke out at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airports Cargo Village earlier today. Firefighters are on site working to contain the blaze. More details awaited.



(Source: Third Party)#Dhaka pic.twitter.com/LCVhjDpyl7  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 18, 2025

All aircraft safe, no casualties reported



( Image credit : X / @karma2moksha | Dhaka airport officials confirmed that there was no damage to any aircraft )

Flights suspended as a safety measure



A major fire broke out at the Cargo Village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Saturday afternoon, October 18, forcing the suspension of all flights. According to local media reports, the blaze began around 2:30 p.m. near Gate No. 8 of the airport. The incident sent thick grey smoke billowing across the area, alarming passengers and residents nearby.Officials confirmed that the fire started in the Cargo Village section of the airport, where imported goods are usually stored before being cleared. The location holds various types of items, making the fire difficult to control at first.The Executive Director of the airport, Md Masudul Hasan Masud, said around 3:45 p.m. that emergency measures were already underway to bring the situation under control. He also confirmed that teams from several departments had reached the site soon after the fire started.Soon after the incident was reported, multiple firefighting teams from different agencies reached the airport. The Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence, along with units from the Bangladesh Air Force, launched a joint operation to extinguish the flames.According to Talha Bin Zasim from the Fire Service and Civil Defence Media Cell, Twenty-eight units were already working to douse the flames, while additional reinforcements were on their way. Initially, nine firefighting units were deployed, but as the fire spread, fifteen more joined in to strengthen the operation.The firefighting operation quickly turned into a large-scale joint effort. Teams from the Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority, the Fire Service, and the Bangladesh Air Force worked together to control the blaze. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), which is the media wing of the armed forces, confirmed that the Bangladesh Navy also joined to assist with the operation. Additionally, two platoons from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were sent to support rescue and control activities.Even though the fire caused major concern, airport officials confirmed that there was no damage to any aircraft or passenger terminals. An airport spokesperson said, All our aircraft are confirmed safe. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops, as quoted byAuthorities also mentioned that there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage. The rescue teams made sure that everyone in the affected area was safely evacuated.As a precaution, all flights were temporarily suspended to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. The suspension affected both arrivals and departures, but officials have not yet confirmed when operations will resume.Passengers were advised to stay updated through official announcements from the Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority.
When is Diwali 2025? Date and muhurat details



( Image credit : Freepik | Happy Diwali 2025 images for WhatsApp )

Significance of Diwali: The festival of lights



Five Days of Diwali 2025: From Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj



( Image credit : Freepik | Happy Diwali 2025 images for WhatsApp )

Day 1: Dhanteras (October 18, 2025)



Day 2: Chhoti Diwali (October 19, 2025)



Day 3: Main Diwali (October 20, 2025)



Day 4: Govardhan Puja (October 21, 2025)



Day 5: Bhai Dooj (October 22, 2025)



Rangoli ideas for Diwali 2025



Diwali across religions: A shared celebration



Top 10 interesting facts about Diwali 2025



Diwali 2025 is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists across the world. The festival lasts five days and marks the start of the Hindu New Year. The word Deepawali literally means row of lights. Lakshmi Puja is performed to invite wealth and prosperity. The festival signifies the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Kali Puja is observed in Bengal during the same period. In Nepal, it marks Lord Krishnas victory over Narakasura. Families exchange sweets, gifts, and enjoy fireworks together. Rangoli designs and diyas decorate homes and temples everywhere. The city of Leicester in the UK hosts the largest Diwali celebration outside India, lighting up its streets with music, food, and fireworks.

FAQs



Diwali 2025 is just around the corner, and excitement is already in the air. Homes are being cleaned, lights are being strung, and families are preparing to celebrate one of Indias brightest and most loved festivals. But many are wondering  is? Lets look at the exact Diwali 2025 date, muhurat, rituals, and interesting facts.According to the Hindu lunar calendar, Diwali 2025 falls on the Amavasya Tithi of the Kartik month. This year, the new moon will begin on October 20, 2025, at 3:44 PM and end on October 21, 2025, at 5:54 PM.That meanswill be celebrated on Monday, October 20, 2025, whilefalls a day earlier.The auspicious Lakshmi Puja muhurat will be from 7:21 PM to 8:19 PM, with the Pradosh Kaal extending from 5:51 PM to 8:19 PM, as per Drik Panchang. This time is considered ideal for offering prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, inviting wealth, happiness, and prosperity into the home.Diwali, also known as Deepawali, comes from the Sanskrit words deepa (lamp) and avali (row). Together, they mean a row of lights, perfectly symbolising the spirit of the festival  the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.In northern India, people celebrate Lord Ramas return to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana. Southern India marks Lord Krishnas triumph over Narakasura, while western India honours Lord Vishnu sending the demon King Bali to the underworld. Despite regional differences, the essence of Diwali remains the same  hope, renewal, and the joy of life.The Diwali festival spans five days, each carrying its own meaning and rituals:The festival begins with Dhanteras, when people clean their homes and buy gold, silver, or new utensils, believed to bring good luck.Also known as Naraka Chaturdashi, homes are decorated with rangoli, diyas (lamps), and flowers. People light small oil lamps to drive away darkness and negativity.This is the most important day. Families perform Lakshmi Puja during the evening muhurat, seek the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, and enjoy festive meals, fireworks, and sweets.Devotees worship Lord Krishna for protecting people from floods by lifting the Govardhan Hill. Its also seen as the first day of the new year in some regions.The final day celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters pray for their brothers long life and success, while brothers give gifts in return.Rangoli designs are an inseparable part of Diwali decor. They are made at the entrance of homes using colourful powders, flowers, or diyas.Popular Diwali 2025 rangoli designs include peacock motifs, Lord Ganesha patterns, Swastik symbols, and floral themes. These beautiful creations are believed to welcome Goddess Lakshmi and attract good fortune. If youre short on time, you can also use simple flower petal rangolis or multicolour stencil patterns.While Hindus celebrate Diwali as the return of Lord Rama, Jains observe it as the day Lord Mahavira attained nirvana (spiritual enlightenment). For Sikhs, Diwali marks the release of Guru Hargobind Ji from imprisonment. Even Buddhists in India celebrate it as a festival of light and peace.This makes Diwali more than a religious festival  its a symbol of unity, gratitude, and the triumph of goodness, shared by people of many faiths.Diwali 2025 will be celebrated with the same joy and devotion as always  lighting diyas, sharing sweets, and spending time with loved ones. The exact Diwali date this year is October 20, 2025, with Lakshmi Puja muhurat from 7:21 PM to 8:19 PM. Whether youre in India or abroad, Diwali reminds us to let kindness and light lead the way.Diwali will be celebrated on Monday, October 20, 2025.The muhurat is from 7:21 PM to 8:19 PM.Its a five-day festival  from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj.It marks the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.In Leicester, UK, which hosts vibrant street festivities every year.
( Image credit : YOUKU | Watch episode 21 of the C-drama Love in the Clouds online. )

Love in the Clouds: Release date and time for Episode 21





Where to Watch Love in the Clouds Episode 21 Online?

( Image credit : YOUKU | Episode 21 of Love in the Clouds online. )

Love in the Clouds: Plot

( Image credit : YOUKU | Watch episode 21 of the C-drama Love in the Clouds online. )

Love in the Clouds: Cast and Characters





FAQs

Fans of the Chinese dramacan stream Episode 21 online on October 17, 2025, at 9:30 AM IST / 4:00 AM GMT / 12:00 AM ET, according to the official release schedule.At the Qingyun Conference, Ji Bo Zai, a former convict from Jixing Abyss, defeats seven-time champion Ming Yi, instantly rising to fame. Ming Yi, hiding her identity as a dancer, gets close to him, sparking a thrilling game of deception and attraction.Episode 21 airs on Saturday, October 21, 2025, at 9:30 AM IST / 4:00 AM GMT / 12:00 AM ET. It will also be available to international viewers via simultaneous streaming on YOUKU, Netflix and Viki with English subtitles to make the series accessible to a global audience.Episodes 21 is available to stream on YOUKU - the main legal platforms offering high-quality video and English subtitles. For viewers in the U.S., Canada, India, Indonesia and more Netflix and Viki remains the top choice for watching the series.At the grand Qingyun Conference in the Hexu Six Realms, Ji Bo Zai - a battle-hardened warrior with a checkered past from the Jixing Abyss - shocked everyone by defeating Ming Yi, the icy warrior goddess who had dominated the arena for seven straight years. By morning, Ji Bo Zai had become the latest sensation in the Jixing Abyss.Meanwhile, Ming Yi wasnt ready to reveal her true self. Masking her identity, she took on the role of a dancer to infiltrate Ji Bo Zais world. Beneath their false facades, the two warriors were drawn into a dangerous and electrifying game, where deception and desire intertwined in a thrilling, unpredictable dance.The historical dramastars Hou Minghao as Ji Bozai, Lu Yuxiao as Ming Yi, and Yu Chengen as Situ Ling. Other supporting actors include Quan Yilun, He Nan, Zhu Lilan, and Pan Junya. The 36-episode series premiered on YOUKU on October 8, 2025.Episode 21 will be released on October 21, 2025, at 9:30 AM IST / 4:00 AM GMT / 12:00 AM ET.You can stream Episode 21 ofon YOUKU, Netflix and Viki. All three platforms offer English subtitles.Yes, the series is fully subtitled in English on YOUKU, Netflix and Viki including Episode 21.Yes,is available on Netflix. It officially streams on YOUKU, Netflix and Viki.
McDonalds employee shoots customer during drive-thru dispute



Lobby confrontation and shooting



Authorities respond



A late-night trip to a Florida McDonalds turned terrifying when a confrontation between an employee and customers escalated into a shooting, authorities said. The incident occurred on October 12 at a Davenport location around 3 a.m., highlighting the pressures faced by overnight fast-food staff.According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, 21-year-old employee Yoan Soto was working the overnight shift when two customers, 19-year-old Peter Story and 18-year-old Nicholas Jones, became agitated over long drive-thru wait times. Soto apologised for the delay, explaining that the restaurant was overwhelmed with online orders, but tensions quickly rose.Sheriff Judd explained that the customers allegedly threatened Soto, warning they would attack him after his shift ended. Despite the threats, Soto calmly told them his shift concluded at 4 a.m., refusing to back down.Video surveillance obtained by authorities captured the confrontation inside the McDonalds lobby. The footage allegedly showed Story and Jones continuing to threaten Soto with a switch and a 30-clip while Soto drew a firearm in self-defence.The sheriff reported that Soto fired after the two men attempted to wrestle control of the gun, striking Story in the neck. Judd stressed that the wound was minor, describing the chaotic scene as a McMess.A manager intervened during the altercation, attempting to prevent further violence, while Soto reportedly collected shell casings and left the scene, later facing charges for tampering with evidence. Story and Jones were charged with trespass after warning and disorderly conduct.Sheriff Judd advised the public to remain calm in similar situations and highlighted the dangers of escalating violence. He noted that Soto was acting in self-defence after credible threats were made, stating the scenario was chaotic but justified under the circumstances.This was a situation where employees and management faced real danger, and law enforcement will investigate thoroughly, Judd added, cautioning against further incidents at fast-food locations.If you want, I can also make a quirkier, Gen Z-style dramatic version of this same article with playful wordplay like McMess and McCrime while keeping it sensitive. That would fit your previous tone perfectly. Do you want me to do that?
( Image credit : X/@JYPETWICE | Although only four members appeared, the performance captured both the elegance and energy TWICE is known for. )

Tzuyu's look steals the spotlight



( Image credit : Instagram/thinkaboutzu | TWICE's Tzuyu has once again proven her global influence. )

( Image credit : X/@JYPETWICE | TWICE made history as the second-ever K-pop act to grace Victoria's Secret event. )

"Tzuyu's Bombshell Bra" takes over social media



#TZUYU is the asian treasure, and we are the witness yesterday pic.twitter.com/rOeoTAXsnh  mitzu daily (TZUYU EVERYWHERE, TZUYU EFFECT) (@bside_you) October 16, 2025

tzuyu is exactly who she think she is cause wow pic.twitter.com/mDgcTdTViT   (@dreamliketzu) October 17, 2025

Victoria's Secret official account commented "THE TZUYU EFFECT" on a tiktok where people asked about the bra she was wearing.



It has 740K likes and 5.2M views. pic.twitter.com/eyASnh2BQi  TWICE BASE (@twicepopbase) October 17, 2025

i unfortunately caved in and got the tzuyu and momo bra, it made the girls look sooo good tho! pic.twitter.com/swj1PMZNDp  coco (@cocohoneyz) October 17, 2025

TZUYU liking a post about her Bra Tzuyu Bra being sold out in many countries.@VictoriasSecret commenting on a TikTok post talking about the same Bra she wears.



EVERYTHING IS FALLING INTO PLACE FOR A FUTURE COLLAB OR AMBASSADOR ANNOUNCEMENT  pic.twitter.com/Olsvl7neq5  TZUYU MY WAIFU (@thinkabouTZUmx) October 17, 2025

Fashion's new it-girl moment



TWICE's Tzuyu has once again proven her global influence - this time in the world of fashion. Following the group's performance at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on October 15, the Taiwanese idol became the center of attention when one of her outfit pieces sold out worldwide within hours.With their stirring performances of Strategy and This Is For, TWICE became the second-ever K-pop group to appear at the runway-stage hybrid event. Despite having just four members, the performance embodied the style and vigor for which TWICE is renowned, with each member sporting seductive, self-assured looks that matched the show's distinctive glitz.Tzuyu's attire was the most striking feature among the stunning images. She placed a pink crop top over a Heather Burgundy Victoria's Secret Wear Everywhere Push-Up Bra and accessorized it with a flirtatious miniskirt that read "Pink." The youthful yet seductive appearance was the ideal complement to Tzuyu's inherent composure and charm.Fans quickly zeroed in on the lingerie piece, which retails for $39.95. Within just 24 hours of the broadcast, the bra completely sold out on Victoria's Secret's U.S. website, with reports of similar sell-outs across Europe and Asia.In total, more than 1,000 units were reportedly snapped up overnight, as online searches for "Tzuyu bra" and "Victoria's Secret Tzuyu look" began trending on social media.Fans affectionately dubbed the viral item "Tzuyu's Bombshell Bra," praising the idol for her elegance and influence. One widely shared post humorously read, "Not a boob job - it's the power of Tzuyu's visuals and a push-up bra!" Others tagged Victoria's Secret, urging the brand to make Tzuyu an official ambassador.While Victoria's Secret has yet to comment on any potential collaboration, the incident highlights Tzuyu's growing status as a global style icon. What began as a stage costume has now sparked a worldwide fashion craze - solidifying Tzuyu's reputation as not just a performer, but a trendsetter capable of turning a single outfit into a must-have phenomenon.
The trick behind the fake Microsoft domain



( Image credit : Microsoft | Cybercriminals send fake password reset emails using this deceptive domain )

this is a fake email, look carefully



it's rnicrosoft(.)com not microsoft(.)com pic.twitter.com/fsYpeyliP7  amrit (@amritwt) October 18, 2025

Scam activity and viral exposure



( Image credit : Microsoft | The scam first surfaced in 2024 but saw a sharp rise in incidents throughout 2025 )

How to stay safe from Homograph Scams



( Image credit : Microsoft | Cybersecurity experts are warning users to be cautious and follow simple steps to avoid falling victim to such tricks )

Hover over links before clicking to check if the URL actually leads to microsoft.com or a suspicious fake domain like rnicrosoft.com.

Verify the URL in your browser after opening any link, especially before entering passwords or sensitive data.

Report suspicious emails directly to Microsoft or your email provider. Doing so helps block further phishing attempts and improve online safety for everyone.

A viral post on X by user amrit has revealed a dangerous phishing scam that tricks users into thinking theyre on Microsofts official site. The scam uses a fake domain, rnicrosoft.com, replacing the letter m with the characters r and n. At a quick glance, the difference is nearly invisible. Scammers have been sending fake password reset emails using this domain to steal login credentials. The campaign has been active since 2024 and grew rapidly in 2025, forcing Microsoft to step in and take down hundreds of related sites to protect users.The domain rnicrosoft.com is a textbook example of a homograph attack, where letters are replaced with look-alike characters. In this case, the combination rn closely resembles the letter m. On mobile screens or in certain fonts, the difference is so small that even alert users might miss it.Cybercriminals send fake password reset emails using this deceptive domain, tricking users into clicking links that lead to a counterfeit login page. Once victims enter their credentials, scammers gain access to their accounts, a common but effective phishing technique.The scam first surfaced in 2024 but saw a sharp rise in incidents throughout 2025. It finally drew public attention on October 18, 2025, when X user Amrit posted about it, sparking a viral reaction. The post quickly spread across social media, with thousands sharing warnings about how easily people could fall for the fake domain.Microsoft has been actively fighting back. In September 2025, the company seized nearly 340 phishing sites connected to similar impersonation networks. These takedowns were part of a broader operation targeting large-scale phishing groups such as RaccoonO365, which used comparable tactics to mimic Microsofts login portals and steal sensitive user data. Microsoft confirmed its continued focus on dismantling fake sites and protecting its users from evolving cyber threats.Cybersecurity experts are warning users to be cautious and follow simple steps to avoid falling victim to such tricks:Experts emphasise that these scams are evolving and becoming more sophisticated. Staying alert and double-checking every link remains the strongest defence against them.
NANCHANG, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 China Jingdezhen International Ceramic Expo opened on Saturday in Jingdezhen, an eastern Chinese city famed as the world's "porcelain capital," attracting more than 1,000 buyers from home and abroad.

Covering an exhibition space of 140,000 square meters, the expo features eight themed zones showcasing the full spectrum of the ceramics industry, ranging from traditional masterpieces to contemporary designs.

The five-day event has brought together exhibitors from over 30 countries, including Italy, Germany and Russia.

Organizers said the expo will also host activities such as forums, investment promotion conferences and procurement matchmaking events. A highlight of this year is the debut of a global ceramics carnival that blends the culture of ceramics with urban life.

"Jingdezhen is an important cultural symbol through which the world understands China, and through which China connects with the world," said Hu Xuemei, the city's Party secretary.

Hu said that Jingdezhen is fully committed to preserving its ceramics culture and promoting international exchange so that this ancient art can shine with new vitality in the modern era.

Zhang Chonghe, president of the China National Light Industry Council, noted that the council is helping Jingdezhen to cultivate innovative industrial clusters, integrate traditional craftsmanship with modern design, and expand the application of ceramics in high-end fields such as aerospace and biomedicine.

"Today, new business models that combine ceramics with cultural products, digital technology and tourism are emerging in Jingdezhen," Zhang said. "Creative districts are thriving, and traditional manufacturing is accelerating its transformation into modern industry."

Inaugurated in 2004, the expo has grown into a key platform for international cultural exchange, ceramics trade and global industry investment.

Last year, Jingdezhen's ceramics industry reported an output value of more than 93 billion yuan (about 13.1 billion U.S. dollars), marking annual growth exceeding 9 percent, with products exported to more than 80 countries and regions.

Jingdezhen has a ceramics history spanning more than 2,000 years. The history of its porcelain offers an early example of a globalized commodity. For centuries, Jingdezhen has provided clients in Europe and beyond with custom-made dinnerware and decorative wares based on samples.

To date, the city has established partnership ties with over 180 cities in 72 countries, deepening its international cultural links further.

"When you get to experience this remarkable heritage site -- so emblematic for the image of China many have around the world -- one of the first associations is always fine porcelain," said Croatian Ambassador to China Dario Mihelin, who also praised Jingdezhen's openness to ceramics artists from around the world.

French artist Boris Grisot is currently attending an art fair in Jingdezhen. This time around, he has brought a recreation of an ancient French instrument, made using Chinese clay -- a fusion of Eastern and Western traditions.

"I'm happy to make a new connection with different cultures," he said. 
Careless developers publishing Visual Studio extensions to two open marketplaces have been including access tokens and other secrets that can be exploited by threat actors, a security vendor has found.

The discovery was made earlier this year by researchers at Wiz, who quietly worked with Microsoft and its VSCode Marketplace as well as those behind the OpenVSX marketplace to improve guardrails in their platforms. It released a report on its investigation this week.

Wiz found over 550 validated secrets, distributed across more than 500 extensions from hundreds of VS extension publishers. They included AI provider secrets for platforms such as OpenAI, Gemini, Anthropic, xAI, DeepSeek, HuggingFace, and Perplexity; high risk profession platform secrets for AWS, Github, Stripe, Auth0, and Google Cloud Platform; and database secrets for MongoDB, Postgres, and Supabase.
Ron Chernow (author of the biography on which 'Hamilton' the musical is based) shows off the 2025 Liberty Medal he was awarded at National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. Read more

The National Constitution Centers prestigious Liberty Medal typically honors notables from presidents to civil rights leaders, but this year, for the first time in its 37-year history, the award spotlights a work of art: Hamilton, alongside the Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Ron Chernow, who wrote the 2004 book on which the musical is based.

The recognition, which comes with a $100,000 prize, celebrates the global theatrical sensation on its 10th anniversary as it has become what NCC president Jeffrey Rosen calls one of the most influential works of American history that inspired a movement for civic education. The musicals $50,000 portion of the award will go to Gilder Lehrman Institute of American Historys Hamilton Education Program.

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Its just introduced a whole generation of citizens and learners to history because the music is so good and the story is so catchy, Rosen told The Inquirer. The most exciting thing is seeing young kids who have got the fire of learning about history because of the musical  you see it in their eyes.  When people come to Signers Hall, which is our most inspiring space, [with] life-size statues of the Framers, everyone walks up to [Alexander] Hamilton first.

At the Liberty Medal ceremony Friday night, Chernow acknowledged that when he began writing his book in 1998, Alexander Hamilton was fading into obscurity. The book became a bestseller and was optioned as a feature film multiple times, but Hollywood executives repeatedly told him that no mass audience existed for a drama about a founding father.

Then he met Lin-Manuel Miranda, who told the biographer that Hamiltons life was a classic hip-hop narrative and that he could already see lyrics coming off the pages.

Im thinking to myself, Pal, I have no idea what youre talking about, Chernow told the audience, chuckling. Still, he agreed to serve as historical consultant, and as they developed the musical, Chernow saw promise in Mirandas innovative and unusual pairing.

Hip-hop music has a kind of driving, propulsive quality, which actually matches Hamiltons personality, he said.

Chernow recalled attending an early rehearsal in 2012, where he initially balked at the casting  he was surprised that all the actors were Black and Latino and thought it was a dreadful mistake. But then he heard them sing.

They infused the lyrics with such rich spirit that I thought, but of course, revolutions are made by young people full of idealism, by outsiders who would like their fair place in society, Chernow said. A multiracial, multicultural cast suddenly seemed like an ingenious idea, the highest fulfillment of a Constitution that never mentioned the word slavery, but clearly, if reluctantly, condoned it. Those who were edited out of the story would now be edited back into it.

The production went on to become a Broadway blockbuster, winning 11 Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 2016. Alexander Hamilton is now known as a striving immigrant who wrote his way out of poverty, a rapping champion of the American dream, said Rosen, who credits Chernow and Miranda with reviving interest in the historical figure.

Chernow, who has also written authoritative tomes on George Washington and Ulysses S. Grant, demonstrates that the role of the historian can be dramatic, exciting, and even heroic, Rosen said. He cited Chernow as inspiration for his own forthcoming book, The Pursuit of Liberty: How Hamilton vs. Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America.

The evening also featured a performance by Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts alum TaRea Campbell, the Philly-born actor behind Angelica Schuyler in multiple Hamilton national tours, who sang a rousing rendition of Satisfied, Chernows favorite song. Heather Leslie Sanchez of Carteret, N.J., a senior at Piscataway Magnet School and a winner of the Hamilton Education Program competition, performed her own Hamilton-inspired song, Letters from Washington to Congress.

Previous Liberty Medal recipients include the Dalai Lama, President George W. Bush and Laura Bush, activist Malala Yousafzai, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. While artists like documentarian Ken Burns, director Steven Spielberg, and U2 front man Bono have been awarded, Hamilton marks the first artwork to receive the recognition.
Kada Scott was last seen on Oct. 5. Read more

Philadelphia police have found what they believe to be the body of Kada Scott, law enforcement officials said Saturday, a discovery that ends the two-week search for the woman police say was kidnapped from her workplace earlier this month.

The corpse was found in a shallow grave in the woods on the grounds of the closed Ada H.H. Lewis Middle School in East Germantown, Deputy Police Commissioner John Stanford said.

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Stanford, in a news conference outside the school Saturday evening, said the Philadelphia Medical Examiners Office would have to confirm the identity of the remains and determine the cause of death.

But investigators are all but certain it is Scott.

No one is happy that this is the ending, Stanford said.

Stanford said a tip led police back to the school grounds Saturday, an area investigators had searched earlier this week and found Scotts debit card and pink phone case.

The new tip, he said, was very specific as to detailing us and directing us to a specific location in the wooded area around the school.

The size and depths woods, he said, had made earlier searches of the grounds challenging.

The discovery came just hours before Scotts family was set to join members of the community to search the area around Awbury Arboretum in their desperation to find any piece of evidence that could lead police to her location.

Scotts father, a day earlier, told The Inquirer he was holding onto hope that his daughter would return home.

But that was not to be.

Keon King, 21, was taken into custody earlier this week and charged with kidnapping Scott after police said they linked him to her disappearance.

King was the last person in contact with Scott before she went missing, investigators said, and cell phone location data placed him with Scott just before her phone line went dead.

Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski said prosecutors would wait for additional information from the medical examiners office and the police before determining whether they would charge King with additional crimes.

Scott, 23, of the Ivy Hill section of East Mount Airy, had just started her overnight shift at a Chestnut Hill nursing home when she walked outside around 10 p.m.  and never returned.

Police said Scott, a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, had told family and friends that someone had been harassing her in the days before she went missing.

For the last two weeks, local and federal investigators have worked frantically to find Scott, who they feared was in grave danger and might have been killed. They pored over surveillance footage, text messages, and cell phone location data, and conducted interviews with dozens of people who eventually led them to King.

And then they learned of what police said was Kings history of domestic violence  including that he had previously been charged with kidnapping an ex-girlfriend and trying to strangle her. Those charges were dismissed, though, after the alleged victim failed to appear in court, a decision District Attorney Larry Krasners office now says it regrets.

But Krasner also complained that even though prosecutors had asked for $999,999 bail, the bail magistrate set it much lower, allowing King to post the necessary funds and be released.

Krasner said Kings release may have been what discouraged the victim from coming to court, leading prosecutors to withdraw the case.

Ultimately the buck stops here, Krasner said at a news conference Friday.

King was arrested in December 2024 and charged with burglary, strangulation, and related crimes after police said he broke into his ex-girlfriends Strawberry Mansion house and tried to choke her.

Then, in January, court records show, he again tried to break into the womans home. When he couldnt get inside, he waited outside for her to leave, the records say, then dragged her by her hair and threw her in his car. He assaulted her as he drove around before letting her go, according to the records.

King was arrested in April in that attack and charged with kidnapping, strangulation, and related crimes. Prosecutors asked for nearly $1 million bail, but the magistrate set it at $200,000, records show.

King immediately posted the necessary $20,000 and was released.

On Saturday, as police gathered evidence outside the school, where investigators found what they believe to be Scotts body, some bystanders were angry that it took two weeks to find her corpse.

You failed her! some onlookers yelled at police.

At Saturdays news conference, Stanford said he understood the heightened emotions of the moment. This could have been any one of our family members, he said.

However, he added, I know what we have done and the amount of hours that have been put into this process.

Local and federal investigators worked day and night over the last two weeks, focusing in on the grounds around the school and arboretum after Kings cell phone location data showed him in the area the night Scott disappeared, according to a law enforcement source.

Police searched the grounds multiple times, and even shut down the police academy to have the entire new class of rookie officers comb the area, Stanford said. Dogs trained in locating human remains had even been in the woods but didnt find Scotts body, he said.

When you know that youre looking for something, but dont know where someone hid it, its not that easy of a process, he said.

But the specificity of Saturdays tip led detectives back to the woods behind the school. And there, beyond debris, police found the body of a young woman buried in a shallow grave, said the source, who asked not to be identified to discuss an ongoing investigation.

Scott was born and raised in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia. She studied communications at Pennsylvania State University, and moved home after graduating last year, her father said.

She loved fashion and music, he said, and loved spending time with friends, traveling and going to parties.

Seated at his dining room table on Friday, Kevin Scott recalled some of his most precious memories of his daughter, reimagining her singing to Hannah Montana in her room, and carrying a look-alike doll of the Disney Channel Star. And taking her to see Rihanna  her first concert  at the waterfront pavilion in Camden.

Her body was found not far from where she lived with her mother and 17-year-old sister.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner speaks at a news conference Friday about the kidnapping of Kada Scott. Read more

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said he takes ownership of his offices handling of previously withdrawn kidnapping charges against Keon King, the man police say abducted Kada Scott this month.

But he also complained that even though prosecutors asked for $999,999 bail, the bail magistrate set it much lower, allowing King to post the necessary funds and be released.

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Krasner said Kings release may have been what discouraged the victim from coming to court, leading prosecutors to withdraw the case.

Ultimately the buck stops here, Krasner said during a news conference Friday, in which he vowed to use every city resource to investigate King and secure Scotts safe return. Its not my job to throw other people under the bus.

And yet, moments earlier, Krasner did just that.

 READ MORE: Kada Scott's family holds onto hope as detectives chase down dozens of leads as to where she might be

When asked whether his office appealed the bail decision, Krasner said it would have been a fruitless effort because judges rarely support such appeals.

You have the option of trying to do what is often a midnight or 3 a.m. telephonic appeal to a Municipal Court judge, he said. The unfortunate reality of this is that some, but not all, of these judges dont want you calling them in the middle of the night, and if you do, they lower the bail.

The city courts said that wasnt true.

Martin ORourke, a spokesperson for the courts, said Krasner and his staff know that Municipal Court and Common Pleas Court judges are on call 24/7 for emergency matters.

In light of this truth, he said, the DAs comments are appallingly disrespectful and a sad attempt on his part to find a scapegoat for his own failings on this matter.

Reacting to Krasners remarks, Patrick Dugan, former president judge of the Municipal Court  and the Republican challenger in the district attorneys race  said it was easy for prosecutors to appeal a judges bail decision, no matter the hour.

If you dont like that judges decision, you can immediately go to the Court of Common Pleas, Dugan said. If you dont like the Court of Common Pleas decision, you can go to the Superior Court. Theres multiple opportunities to raise a bail on a violent offender  if Larry Krasners office wants to do it.

Dugan, who unsuccessfully ran against Krasner as a Democrat in the primary before deciding to run as the Republican nominee in the November election, said he believes prosecutors should have moved Kings kidnapping case forward using video evidence and police testimony, with or without the victims cooperation.

Unfortunately they dont know what theyre doing, he said.

In the year leading up to Scotts Oct. 4 disappearance, King was charged twice with violently assaulting an ex-girlfriend, including kidnapping her and choking her in his car in January.

King was first arrested in December 2024 and charged with burglary, strangulation, and related crimes after police said he broke into his ex-girlfriends Strawberry Mansion house and tried to choke her.

Then, in January, court records show, he again tried to break into the womans home. When he couldnt get inside, he waited outside for her to leave, the records say, then dragged her by her hair and threw her in his car. He assaulted her as he drove around, before letting her go, according to the records.

King was arrested in April for that attack and charged with kidnapping, strangulation, and related crimes. Prosecutors asked for nearly $1 million bail, but the magistrate set it at $200,000, records show.

King immediately posted the necessary $20,000, and he was released.

But the victim and an eyewitness did not show up for court in either case, prosecutors said, leading them to withdraw the cases  a move Krasner now admits was a mistake because there was enough video of the kidnapping to likely sustain the case without the witness.

We could have done better with that, he said. Krasner said they spoke to the victim at length to try and encourage her to testify.

But she didnt come to court, nor did the friend who witnessed the January attack.

Much has changed following Scotts disappearance.

Krasner said Kings original victim and her family are now speaking with prosecutors, potentially offering clues about Kings behavior as investigators continue their appeal to the public for any information involving Scotts abduction.
Philadelphia police investigate an alleged attempted robbery of a Loomis armored truck outside a Wawa on Frankford Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia Friday. Read more

The FBI on Friday announced criminal charges against two men in connection with an attempted robbery of an armored truck on Oct. 3 that led to school lockdowns and a shelter-in-place order in Lower Merion Township.

Dante Shackleford, 26, also was charged by indictment with two attempted robberies of armored trucks in Philadelphia in July and an armored truck heist in Elkins Park in August in which $119,100 was stolen.

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Mujahid Davis, 24, and Shackleford were charged with the Oct. 3 attempted robbery of an armored truck on the Philadelphia side of City Avenue that led to a pursuit and an hours-long incident. Several suspects were finally arrested in Lower Merion.

The FBI announcement came just hours after another attempted robbery of an armored truck, this time outside a Wawa store in Philadelphia.

Shortly before 8 a.m. on the 7700 block of Frankford Avenue, two male suspects attempted to rob a Loomis truck when the driver fired two shots at the suspects, who then fled. Police reported no injuries or arrests.

The indictment against Shackleford and Davis filed in federal court on Thursday provided few details about the prior armored truck crimes.

On July 15 and on July 22, Shackleford and others allegedly attempted to rob Brinks trucks in Philadelphia, according to the indictment.

On Aug. 12, Shackleford and others allegedly robbed a Brinks truck in Elkins Park and got away with approximately $119,100 and the Brinks employees gun.

Then on Oct. 3, Shackleford and Davis allegedly attempted to rob a Brinks truck in Philadelphia, which reportedly occurred in the area of City Avenue.

Davis also is charged in Montgomery County Court with multiple counts related to what happened on Oct. 3, including fleeing law enforcement and evading arrest.
Conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen was last seen wearing vividly-colored gloves  orange on right, blue on left, finger holes cut  for maximum visibility with New York Philharmonic musicians stationed all over the hall.

The point, here, is his strategy: Boulezs Rituel last week at Lincoln Center and the Bruckners Symphony No. 4 on Friday at Philadelphias Kimmel Center both require plenty, modeled to their specific challenges  and Salonen delivered. Musical inspiration is all well and good but guest conductor Salonen made the difference between Bruckner being a series of hot moments, and holding it all together as a whole during its hourlong duration.

Best known as a Stravinsky-and-beyond conductor, Salonen has periodically dipped into the world-apart Bruckner in ways that can be welcome in their diversity or leave listeners silently screaming at Bruckner to make his mind.

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This Symphony No. 4 (heard here in the Novak edition) is a piece that morphs between grandeur, hymns, heroics and folk dances  then revisiting everything all over again. As much as the piece is rooted in 19th-century Austrian Catholicism, the often-feverish expansiveness of the music leaves plenty of room for a seasoned conductor such as Salonen, whose well-engineered climaxes counted for much. As did his more subtle touches, such as super-clear transitions that allow the musical events to grow from each other with logic rather than labor.

Of course, the music also has apocalyptic rebellions. Fortissimos were reserved for moments when nothing else would do, such as putting to rest all of the hunting horns and galloping rhythms of the third movement. In contrast, hymnlike passages ended with a slight slowdown, implying an Amen. The Philadelphia Orchestras particularly transparent sound on this occasion made sure the music never grew tiresome.

Timpanist Don Liuzzi helped control the emotional temperature in long stretches of the symphony, maintaining tension with an underlying rumble. One could argue that Bruckner showcased the orchestras principal players more effectively than what opened the program, Mozarts Sinfonia concertante in E-flat major, K. 297b.

Though its authorship raises doubts (solo parts are by Mozart, orchestration is by God knows who), that piece gets a fair amount of mileage with its congenial showcase for wind quartet. Its all quite cute.

Generations of Philadelphia Orchestra principal player have kept the piece alive, in ensembles led by celebrated oboists including John de Lance (principal oboist 1954-1977) and Marcel Tabuteau (1915-1954).

Recordings dont give a clear idea of the standard they maintained in those years, though the legendary Tabuteau was surprisingly demure, and poetically so.

On Friday, oboist Philippe Tondre was anything but demure and at times overshadowed his exemplary colleagues, clarinetist Ricardo Morales, bassoonist Daniel Matsukawa, and hornist Jennifer Montone.

The nature of the oboe writing encourages the spotlight, and Tondres tone quality is a marvel. But a piece like this requires strategy too  more along the lines of kid gloves.

The Philadelphia Orchestra program will be repeated on Oct. 18, 8 p.m. at Marian Anderson Hall. Tickets: $29.00-228.76. philorch.ensembleartsphilly.org
Demonstrators gather for a No Kings rally in Philadelphia on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Read more

Joining demonstrators around the country, thousands gathered Saturday in Philadelphia to protest President Donald Trumps actions that they contend are threatening to undermine 250 years of the nations democratic traditions.

I think everybody needs to know that were not going to just sit back, said Sherri King, who arrived at the No Kings rally in Center City wearing an inflatable chicken costume.

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On a mild October afternoon when the weather was drawing no protests, the event began in a festive atmosphere with the sounds of clanking bells as participants gathered at City Hall  some, like King, wearing pre-Halloween regalia  and marched to Independence Mall.

Its a very large, orderly crowd, said Police Capt. Frank Palumbo. The three-hour march and rally, which began at noon, actually ended on time.

Said Thomas Bacon, a 72-year-old Vietnam veteran from North Philadelphia: Its peaceful. No division. Just opposition.

Under Trump, he said, the whole world is turned upside down.

In what was the third mass anti-Trump protest this year, several organizers were taking credit, including Indivisible, MoveOn, and the 50501 Movement.

The demonstrators menu of grievances included aggressive raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Trumps budget and efforts to limit free speech, and the government shutdown that began Oct 1.

Organizers of the more than 2,500 demonstrations nationwide say the shutdown in particular is a dangerous move toward authoritarianism.

Trump and congressional Republicans are blaming Democrats for refusing to vote on a reopening.

For his part, Trump spent the day of what fellow Republicans were calling Hate America rallies at his Florida mansion.

At the Philadelphia protest, Laura Murphy, a 74-year-old retiree, said she was struggling with the Hate America concept. Its ridiculous, she said. What could be more American than being against kings?

Along with demonstrators, Democratic politicians were evident at events in Philly and elsewhere.

With Democrats hoping to make significant gains in the 2026 election, the presence of party elected officials was evident at rallies in Philly and elsewhere. Among those who showed up in Philadelphia were area U.S. Reps. Mary Gay Scanlon, Madeleine Dean, and Brendan Boyle, along with U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland.

Rallies were being held all over New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the region, the nation  even Spain, where a few hundred gathered in Madrid. About 5,000 people jammed the streets of West Chester.

In Philly, Jerry Lopresti, who said he never had attended a protest in his 64 years, said: There has to be a show of numbers. Its important to show up.

Among those who showed up conspicuously was Michael Noonan, 48, of Northern Liberties. He was wearing a Tinky-Winky Teletubby costume as he walked off a Market-Frankford Line subway car.

He said his outfit was a counterpoint to suggestions that the demonstrations might turn violent. Nobodys here to fight anyone, he said, nobodys here to kill anyone.

Not everyone who showed up had issues with Trump.

Patrick Ladrie, 20, who lives in Camden County, stood out in his Trump hat and ultra MAGA T-shirt that proclaimed I love our king.

He said he crossed the Delaware River to get a good viewpoint of what the American left is.

After engaging in debate with three protesters on matters that included Christianity and conservatism, Ladrie reported that the environment was not so bad.

In fact, he said, it was one of the most peaceful debates he could recall. As one of his adversaries jogged away to meet up with his friends, Ladrie said, Keep out of trouble.

The protest was a decidedly intergenerational affair, with some parents describing the event as a teachable moment, while others said it was their progeny who came up with the idea to attend. Danielle Pisechko, 38, carried her youngest, who wore orange butterfly wings, on her shoulders.

Their sign read: The only monarchs we want are butterflies.

The participants included Center City resident Reed Oxman, 66. Although his disability limited his movement, he and his husband sat on a ledge near City Hall as evidence of the diversity of the crowd. Its [about] representation and clearing all the lies about who is coming to this, Oxman said.

Lana Reckeweg, who lives at a North Philly womens shelter, said her resources were seriously limited, but that didnt stop her from finding cardboard and getting markers to make signs to give to other demonstrators.

She said that over the last several months a handful of undocumented women have found sanctuary in the place she calls home, and seeing their struggles made her want to attend the protest on their behalf.

I have done a lot of crying. I see how its affecting them every day, said Reckeweg, trying to keep her handwriting steady on a moving bus.

I am here because they cant be. People need to wake up and realize its getting a lot more serious more quickly than expected.

As for what effect the rallies might have, I would tend to doubt that the protests will have any immediate direct impact on the administrations policies, said David Redlawsk, chair of the political science and international relations department at the University of Delaware, but they may work to embolden those who are opposed to Trumps actions to continue to organize and respond.

Sam Daveiga, 15, attended her first protest, the Womens March, when she was 7 years old. This time, she brought along her father, Ed. Every voice counts, the Philly teen said.

You can have a small voice, but the second you put it with everyone else whos come out, it amplifies.

Staff writers Emily Bloch, Scott Sturgis, and Rob Tornoe contributed to this article, which contains information from the Associated Press.
Come Monday around sunset, Teddy Kareta plans to ascend to the roof of a building near Lancaster Avenue on the Main Line to catch sight of something in the evening sky that hasnt been around for about 1,300 years.

To the surprise of astronomers, a cosmic snowball named Comet Lemmon has become so bright that people dont have to be in the most perfect dark location to see it, said Kareta, assistant professor of astrophysics and planetary science at Villanova University.

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Binoculars and telescopes certainly cant hurt, but he said people should be able to view it without any special optical equipment, and they probably have all of next week to give it a go.

He added that while it may appear as a celestial smudge to the unaided eye, it should be quite photogenic, even in the eyes of the average smartphone.

When would be the best time to see the comet?

NASA estimates that the comet will be making its closest approach on Tuesday, when it will be about 45 to 50 million miles away, about half the distance between the Earth and the sun.

Kareta said the peak opportunity for seeing it would be 30 to 90 minutes after sunset Monday and Tuesday.

As the sky darkens it will appear in the western sky about 40 degrees above the horizon (think about halfway between flat and straight up). It will stay visible for perhaps two hours before it follows the sun and calls it a night.

Kareta said he aims to head to the roof of the Mendel Science Center on Monday, since Monday looks like the better bet given the forecast. Some clouds could interfere with the show on Tuesday.

But skies are forecast to clear Wednesday, and the comet should be visible into next weekend, with no moon interference, he said.

Whats so special about Comet Lemmon

NASA describes comets as cosmic snowballs of frozen gases, rock, and dust.

As a comet approaches the sun, it gets cooked, and it spews gases and other material to form the signature tail.

By NASAs count, there are likely billions of these things orbiting our sun, meandering for hundreds and thousands of years, and the fact that Lemmon is visible from Earth is mighty exceptional.

It has been further distinguished by its surprising surge in brightness, a quality always difficult to predict considering the distance comets travel to reveal themselves to earthlings, said Kareta.

Comet Lemmons emergence from obscurity

The comet was discovered in January by the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory (thus the name) in Arizona, and it passed a good part of the summer in obscurity.

There were a couple of months when we couldnt see it because it was behind the sun, Kareta said.

When it reemerged in early August, it was significantly brighter than anticipated, and its been getting brighter, said Kareta.

Come Monday it could get to such a magnitude that people might notice it in a dark sky without meaning to, he said.

He said he expects the comet to be visible in areas just outside Philly  for example, Radnor Township, where Villanova is located.

Not that youre going to see much if youre hanging around Liberty Place: If youre in the city, youre probably out of luck, he said.

But for people in some of the regions more light-intensive corridors, to get a glimpse of Lemmon they wont have to go super far away.
Senior CPC official meets Sri Lankan JVP delegation

Xinhua) 10:42, October 18, 2025

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Liu Haixing, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with a delegation of senior cadres from Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) of Sri Lanka, led by its Political Bureau Member Bimal Rathnayake, who is also Sri Lanka's Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, in Beijing on Friday.

The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on promoting the implementation of the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries through inter-party channels and strengthening the exchange of experience in party and state governance.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Kou Jie)
KIGALI, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- African experts and researchers on Friday hailed China-proposed global initiatives, saying they could foster lasting peace and prosperity across Africa.

They made the remarks during a half-day webinar with the theme: The Benefits of China's Four Global Initiatives to Africa. Organized by the Africa-China Review in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda, the webinar drew academics, experts, researchers and media professionals from China and Africa.

Moderated by Gerald Mbanda, China-Africa Review founder and researcher, the forum deliberated on the tangible benefits of embracing the four global initiatives for Africa in particular and the rest of the world at large.

Over the years, China has proposed four initiatives: the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), and, more recently, the Global Governance Initiative (GGI).

Virgile Rwanyagatare, director general in charge of Asia, Pacific and Middle East Affairs at Rwanda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said the GDI is having a great impact on the UN Sustainable Development Goals by placing renewed emphasis on development at the heart of global cooperation.

"In Africa and Rwanda in particular, the GDI provides a framework to bridge gaps in financing, technology and capacity building. It promotes practical cooperation in eight key areas, including poverty reduction, food security, industrialization, digital economy, green development, connectivity, health and education," he said.

Rwanyagatare, who represented the Rwandan foreign minister at the event, said China's support under the GDI framework complements Africa's efforts to achieve inclusive growth and resilience.

Talking about the GSI, the official said it promotes a shared, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable vision of security while advocating for the resolution of conflicts through dialogue and partnership instead of confrontation.

"For Africa, as a continent that continues to face insecurity in some regions, cross-border conflicts and emerging cyber threats, the principles of the GSI resonate deeply. They align with the African Union's Agenda 2063, Silencing the Guns," he said.

China remains Rwanda's leading source of foreign direct investment and a trusted partner in the country's journey toward achieving the Vision 2050 goals, which aim to transform Rwanda into a high-income country.

Rwanyagatare hailed China's contribution to UN peacekeeping operations in Africa and its cooperation with African countries in areas such as counterterrorism, disaster response and cybersecurity under the GSI.

These efforts, he said, demonstrate shared responsibility for global peace and stability.

On the GCI, Rwanyagatare said the African continent, with its rich cultural diversity and heritage, believes the initiative offers a powerful platform to promote people-to-people exchanges, cultural diplomacy and educational cooperation.

He reaffirmed Rwanda's "unwavering commitment to strengthening its excellent relations with China through active engagement in the implementation of the four global initiatives for the benefit of our people."

Frederick Golooba-Mutebi, an independent researcher and analyst, said that the GGI has the opportunity to redress the imbalances, inequities and injustices of the current international governance system.

He said Africa need not be distracted by skeptics from the West regarding their perception of the GGI. "There is no question that developing countries have long been victims of the way in which the global governance system is currently structured and how it operates. There is therefore no doubt that there is a widespread desire to see it reformed so that it can serve everybody equally," said Golooba-Mutebi.

Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi said that the initiatives have gained recognition from the international community, particularly among developing countries, because of the tangible outcomes they have yielded.

He reaffirmed China's commitment to a shared future for humanity.

Ismael Buchanan, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Rwanda, said that the initiatives aim to address global challenges and promote a shared future for mankind.

They form an interconnected organic whole, and all four do not exist in a vacuum or in isolation, he said. 
Out of the blue last week, Lidl announced a price cut of 10c across all of its milk products. A small reduction, but in fear of losing even the slightest share of the market, every other major supermarket chain responded by matching the price reduction.

For almost every Irish household, milk is a staple item, and for many struggling to make ends meet, this cut might make just a little difference to them.

Being seen as the cheapest for staple goods is very valuable to these companies, as not only does it give them a public relations win, but it is potentially a big driver of getting people in the door, where they are likely to spend even more on higher-value items.

Supermarkets may have dropped the price of their milk by 10c but in September the average price of a two litre of full fat milk stood at 2.47 - which is 27c more expensive compared to the same month last year.

This is seen in Lidls announcement of the price cut. In its press release, the company said it is investing a total of 20m on more than 300 price cuts on staple items such as pasta, cereals and convenience meals as well as nappies and pet food, to deliver on its commitment to never be beaten on price.

The company is targeting everyday necessities for households, and flagging the price cuts well ahead of time puts the other supermarkets on edge. Tesco, Dunnes Stores, SuperValu, and Aldi have all responded with similar cuts, firing the opening shots of a price war to lure customers.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, lecturer in accounting at UCC Dr Oliver Browne said the competing supermarkets are carrying out retaliatory price cuts that match what they're seeing.

No more or less, they're basically mirroring each other, he said.

"One company might even choose to go first on some of the things that they've seen Lidl do in order to try and get ahead of them but if they start cutting stuff that wasn't on Lidl's list. If they start cutting into beef, if they start cutting into some other products, that's where we could start seeing more tipping towards a price war. Where they go beyond the scope that was set out in essentially the battle lines, Mr Browne said.

While the threat of a price war between supermarkets will be welcome to many households, any cuts these companies make will not be enough to make up for the price increases seen even over the last 12 months.

All these supermarkets may have dropped the price of their milk by 10c, but data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows that in September, the average price of a two litre of full fat milk stood at 2.47, which is 27c more expensive compared to the same month last year.

The data from the CSO also shows that the cost per kg of striploin steak and sirloin steak has increased by over 5 over that 12-month period. The cost of fresh cod per kg increased by 3.87, while roast beef increased by over 3 per kg.

The largest price increases were seen in meat, but there were other items such as butter and cheddar cheese that increased by nearly 70c each over the last year.

Lidl was the first to cut milk prices, but the supermarket is part of a group who do not publish financial results for its operations in Ireland.

While all these price increases are high, unfortunately, they are still increasing. A report last month from market research firm Worldpanel by Numerator found that annual grocery price inflation in Ireland stood at 6.3% in the 12 weeks leading up to September 7.

The move to cut the price of milk was criticised by farming organisations, who raised concerns about farmers being expected to take a lower price for their milk, and the product being used as a wider price and PR battle between the supermarket chains.

They were also worried that they would use price cuts on a small number of fresh foods in order to push a public relations campaign and drive more people to their stores, potentially hurting their members in the process.

On the milk price cut, Mr Browne said that Lidl dont want to do this to cost themselves money, they believe that the price of much is overpriced somewhere along the supply chain.

They, obviously, by cutting the price, know it's not them, or at least they're willing to pass it on. We know it's not the farmers, they make a bit of money, but like, that's mainly EU subsidies, he said.

"The people profiting off of this are the middlemen. "Supermarkets are being blamed for the margins going up, but they're saying it's not their fault that someone else is making this money. He said meat in general, particularly minced beef, is already a loss leader for many of these supermarkets and further cuts to those would be a move to increase market share.

If they choose to start losing money on that even more, then that's a market share move, and that's where a price war would start coming in, he said.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Social Democrat TD Jennifer Whitmore said the price cut on milk shows that it is well within the capabilities of these supermarkets to cut prices.

She said shed like to see the Government take action and give the Agri-Food Regulator more powers to investigate where price increases are coming from in the supply chain.

The Agri Food Regulator hasn't been given the teeth. They requested last September for additional powers from the Government. Considering the pressure that has been put on families and from grocery prices and the inflation that we're seeing in groceries, it is absolutely incredible that the government still hasn't done that.

"We don't want this impacting at the farm gate, there's middlemen all along that chain that are making a lot of money, and we need transparency around that, she said.

The five main supermarket companies are profitable but delving into their finances is very difficult as they are all subject to different financial reporting standards.

Tesco, for example, is a public company headquartered in the UK and is required to publish its results. According to half-year results published earlier this month, total revenue in the Republic of Ireland grew by more than 6% to 1.77bn.

Dunnes Stores, which is the largest supermarket chain in the country, is a private unlimited company and as a result is not required to publish financial statements at the end of the year.

IRISH SUPERMARKET SHARE Dunnes Stores 23.9% Tesco 23.7% SuperValu 19.5% Lidl 14.2% Aldi 11.6%

The Musgrave Group - which owns SuperValu, Centra, and Mace, among others - does publish annual results but as of writing the most recent one available was from 2023. That year, the group saw turnover reach 5bn while profit after tax hit 103.9m.

The German supermarket Aldi also publishes its results but once again the latest figures available are from 2023. It shows that sales at the discount retailer rose to 2.1bn that year but its pre-tax profits fell 2.1% to 16.83m.

Lidl, on the other hand, doesnt publish its results for Ireland. It is a part of the German private company the Schwarz Group.

In August, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) published an analysis of the Irish grocery retail sector in which they found no indications of market failure or excessive pricing due to abuse of dominance, noting that competition had improved in recent years with more choice for consumers and increased entry by retailers.

While food prices in Ireland remained high internationally, food inflation during the period analysed had been the lowest in the EU, and available data did not suggest unusually high profit margins among retailers.

The report also looked into the profit margins of supermarkets in Ireland and found that Tescos operating profit margin, in the year to February 2024, to be 3.7% - down from 4% the previous year. Musgraves profit margin in 2023 was 2.4%, down from 2.5% while Aldis profit margin in 2023 was 0.8%, down from 0.9% in 2022.

Thus, all three groups have reported declining profitability (albeit marginal) in their latest financial results, the CCPC said.

However, Mr Browne noted that these margin figures are the net margin and as we dont see the full financial documents of these companies it is difficult to see where the money is being spent and saved in order to keep those margins.

They're able to manage those margins by distributing investment to new branches, and investing in upgrading branches. The margin that they would have to play with is limiting the amount of investment that would go into renovating older stores, or investing in new technology in those stores, he said.

Groceries are one of the biggest monthly expenses for many households. In the year to the end of August, Irish consumers spent on average about 1.1bn a month in domestic supermarkets, according to card payment data from the Central Bank of Ireland.

This is only expected to increase over the coming months as the Christmas period approaches.

On cards alone, Irish consumers spent over 8.7bn in supermarkets in the first eight months of the year.

According to the latest data from Worldpanel by Numerator, as of September, Dunnes Stores has the highest share of consumer grocery spending in the country at 23.9%. Tesco was in second place with a market share of 23.7%, while SuperValu held a share of 19.5%.

Lidl and Aldi held a market share of 14.2% and 11.6%, respectively.

Increasing market share for these companies, even by a little, can be worth far more in the long run than the amount lost by cutting prices on a few staple items. Whether this recent price spat devolves into an all-out price war is yet to be seen but consumers across the country can hope for a little relief given the rising prices seen over the last few years.
Dont we all wish that there was some magic pill we could take to boost our brain power, improve our memory and prevent cognitive decline?

Well, seems like no such thing has been invented, as yet.

However, there does seem to be a certain amount of consensus about foods that actually help us rather than do damage, often the same ones that protect the heart and blood vessels.

Fish, particularly oily fish, are high on that list, brilliant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, so try to eat fish at least twice a week - and if you cant get fresh fish, that could be canned sardines or albacore tuna (check out Aishling Moores column for weekly inspiration).

Sadly there were virtually no herring or sprats landed in Ballycotton this year and precious few mackerel this summer.

Flax seeds, avocados, and walnuts are all good sources of omega-3 too.

Berries, particularly blueberries and strawberries in season, are a terrific source of beneficial flavonoids.

Feast on leafy greens; kale, spinach, chard, cavolo nero and broccoli are also a rich source of brain-boosting nutrients like vitamin K, lutein, folate and beta carotene.

All in full season now, but remember the inconvenient truth - they must be organic, otherwise they are likely to contain chemical residues in abundance, unlikely to boost brain power.

Walnuts are an excellent source of protein and healthy fats, the shape even resembles the brain - lots of research to confirm this fact, apparently they are good, both for heart and brain health: just nibble or add to your breakfast granola.

Make sure they are fresh and in the shell if possible. A high percentage of walnuts, even in health food shops, are rancid, so be vigilant - they should taste fresh and sweet like they do around Halloween.

Pumpkin seeds also get an honourable mention, sprinkle over your muesli or add to breads.

Coffee also gets the thumbs-up, as does green tea. The two main components, caffeine and antioxidants help to support brain health, sharpen concentration and help to protect against Alzheimers and Parkinsons.

Turmeric is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, also accompany it with a little black pepper and oil for maximum benefit and absorption.

Theres also good news for those of us who love some good dark chocolate, 70% cocoa butter or even higher. Lots of studies confirm that it is a super source of brain-boosting compounds including flavonoids, caffeine and antioxidants.

Oranges, once again organic, have high vitamin C content that reduces the free radicals that can damage brain cells.

Eggs from happy, free-range hens fed on organic food, are a superfood; and last but not least, wholegrains and pulses like peas, beans, and lentils are also associated with improving memory loss, and a lower risk of dementia.

As ever, seek out an unprocessed organic option rather than refined grains for a slow consistent release of energy and nutrients.

So there you have it. How about a delicious bean stew for supper?

Cavolo Nero with PX-Soaked Raisins and Pine Nuts recipe by:Darina Allen A slight adaptation on a recipe from The Kai Cookook/A Love letter to the West of Ireland by Jess Murphy published by Nine Bean Rows. Servings 4 Preparation Time  10 mins 10 mins Cooking Time  6 mins 6 mins Total Time  16 mins 16 mins Course  Main Main Ingredients 50g salted butter

3 shallots, sliced (75g)

2 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed

600g cavolo nero, stalks removed and leaves roughly chopped (400g after stalks have been removed)

3 tbsp white wine

130g pine nuts or cashew nuts, toasted

15g fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped

1 stalk of fresh lovage, chopped

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the PX raisins:

200g golden raisins

200ml Pedro Ximenez (PX) sherry Method Put the raisins and sherry in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, then remove the pan from the heat and set aside to let them soak and cool. Melt the butter in a large stainless wok or frying pan on a medium heat. When the butter starts to foam, add the shallots and garlic and cook for 90 seconds, just until fragrant. Add the cavolo nero and white wine and season with salt and pepper. Cook down the cavolo nero for about 5 minutes, then stir in the drained raisins, pine nuts and fresh chopped herbs (save the leftover PX sherry for a dressing with some extra virgin olive oil). Transfer to a serving dish and serve hot.

White Bean Stew with Tomato & Rosemary This bean stew freezes brilliantly in all its incarnations  see variations below. Serve as a vegetarian main or as a side dish to roast lamb or pork, or roast vegetables. Servings 6 Course  Main Main Ingredients 225g dried haricot beans or cannellini beans

Bouquet garni made from a bay leaf, parsley stalks, thyme, celery stick (optional)

1 onion, halved

1 carrot, halved

175g chopped onion

3 tbsp olive oil

4 large garlic cloves, crushed

400g can chopped tomatoes

1-2 large sprigs of rosemary, chopped

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

sugar Method Soak the beans overnight in plenty of cold water. Next day, strain the beans and cover with fresh cold water, add the bouquet garni, onion and carrot, cover and simmer for 30 minutes  1 hour until the beans are soft but not mushy. Just before the end of cooking, add salt to taste. Remove the bouquet garni and vegetables and discard. Save the cooking liquid for later. Meanwhile, sweat the chopped onion gently in the oil in a wide saucepan for 7-8 minutes until soft but not coloured, add the garlic and cook for a further minute or two. Then add the chopped tomatoes, cooked white beans and finely chopped rosemary. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, add some of the bean liquid if necessary and season well with salt, freshly ground black pepper and sugar. The mixture should be loose and juicy but not swimming in liquid. Variations: With Cauliflower: Blanch and refresh 450g cauliflower or broccoli florets, add to the main recipe 5 minutes before the end of cooking. With Chilli: Add 1 chopped red or green chilli to the chopped onions and proceed as in the main recipe. With Chorizo: Add 1 chorizo, sliced, to the tomato base with the beans and rosemary.

Rorys Chocolate & Caramel Mousse with Nougatine wafers 62% or 70% chocolate is called for here to give the depth of chocolaty flavour that will counteract the sugar in the caramel. Servings 6 Course  Dessert Dessert Ingredients For the chocolate mousse:

225g chocolate chopped into 1cm pieces

50g butter, diced

4 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

For the caramel

225g granulated or caster sugar

225ml water

For the Nougatine Wafers:

175g nuts, a mixture, or the entire quantity of a single nut such as pistachios, almonds, walnuts, pecan nuts and Brazil nuts. Hazelnuts may also be used but should be roasted and peeled before chopping

150g caster or granulated sugar

 tsp apple pectin (available in health food shops)

125g butter

50g glucose syrup

2 tsp water Method For the mousse and caramel: Place the chocolate and butter in a Pyrex bowl. Place the bowl over a saucepan of cold water, making sure the water is not touching the bottom of the bowl and place the pan on the heat. Bring the water to a simmer and immediately turn off the heat, allowing the butter and chocolate to melt gently in the bowl. Separate the eggs, putting the whites into a spotlessly clean bowl for whisking later. Whisk the yolks to a pale mousse. To make the caramel, put the sugar and 125ml of water into a heavy-based saucepan and place on a low heat. Stir occasionally to encourage the sugar to dissolve before the liquid comes to a boil. Once it boils and has become a syrup, remove the spoon and do not stir again. Allow the syrup to become a dark chestnut coloured caramel. If it is colouring unevenly in the saucepan, tilt the pan gently to and fro to get it to even out by running the dark caramel into the paler syrup. Do not be tempted to stir as if you put a cold spoon into the caramel, it will block and go solid- a disaster. Keep going until the caramel is a deep chestnut colour and almost burnt. Then immediately and quickly add the remaining 100ml of water, hot, if possible, to prevent less spluttering. (For safety, I usually place the saucepan sitting in the dry sink before adding that 100ml of water as it is in a deeper place and the spluttering caramel just splashes onto the sides of the sink rather than the worktop.) Now the caramel will look a bit odd, but once you put the saucepan back on the heat it will cook out to a single consistency again. Cook it until it thickens again  when you dip a spoon into the caramel and allow it to drop off, it will fall in a thickish thread. Pour this gradually onto the whisked egg yolks, whisking all of the time. A food mixer with a whisk attachment or a hand-held electric whisk will do this job perfectly. The mixture will whisk to a mousse in a matter of minutes. Stir the melted chocolate and the vanilla extract into the mousse. You may need to be a little vigorous with the stirring. Whisk the egg whites to a stiff peak. Do not allow them to over-whip and become grainy. Stir a quarter of the egg white into the mousse to soften it and then fold in the remaining three quarters lightly yet thoroughly. Pour the mixture into a shallow serving dish. There will not be a lot of mousse, but it is rich so the servings should be small. Place the mousse in the fridge to chill for 4 hours. Garnish the chocolate mousse with a nougatine wafer and thick pouring cream. Note: Perfectly ripe raspberries, particularly the autumn varieties, are delicious served with this mousse. For the wafers: Preheat the oven to 190C/Gas Mark 5. Chop the nuts in a food processor using the pulse button to render them to a semi-coarse texture. It is important you do not render the nuts to a powder and equally if the texture is too coarse, the mixture does not knit together so well. So, think grit rather than gravel. In a small saucepan, combine the remaining ingredients, and cook on a very low heat just until the mixture is melted and smooth. Add the nuts and stir to mix. Using a silicone baking mat or an oven tray lined with parchment paper, drop on scant teaspoons of the mixture allowing plenty of room for the mixture to spread as it cooks. A standard oven tray, approximately 40cm x 35cm, will accommodate about 4 biscuits this size. You can of course make smaller biscuits by reducing the amount of mixture. Cook for about 10 minutes or until the biscuits have spread into lacy and lightly caramelised flat crisps. They will be the colour of toasted hazelnuts. The cooked biscuits will be soft and molten when removed from the oven so allow the biscuits to cool until set on the cooking tray before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Any remaining uncooked mixture will store perfectly in the fridge for up to one month. It will solidify but you simply prise off bits and cook as above.

Seasonal Journal

Ferment by Tim Spector

World-leading gut scientist and bestselling author Tim Spector has just published Ferment, an accessible introduction to the life-changing benefits of fermentation for both beginners and enthusiasts alike.

The book includes practical tips and some of Tims favourite recipes cutting through myths and misunderstanding to help people navigate the fascinating world of ferments and shows how they can help improve our health, our mealtimes and our planet.

Seek the book out from your local bookshop - published by Penguin Random House UK and dont miss the ZOE Podcast, it could change your life.

Clodagh McKenna's Happy Cooking Supper at the Pavilion

Dont miss Clodagh at the Pavilion in Ballygarvan, Co. Cork on Saturday, 1st November.

Clodagh has crafted a mouthwatering five-course menu featuring the finest fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Each dish will be prepared with care by Clodagh, alongside Pavilion Chefs David O'Sullivan and David Rice. Limited places so book early to avoid disappointment.

Dia de los Muertos

Day of the Dead celebrations at Picado Mexican, a vibrant cultural series running from October 22 to November 2 at Picados new home at The Loom on Cork Street, Dublin 8.

Recognised by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is one of Mexicos most meaningful festivals, a joyful celebration of life, food, and remembrance.

At Picado, the tradition will come to life through a series of cookery workshops, storytelling evenings, and creative events led by Picados founder Lily Ramirez-Foran and a collective of Mexican migrant women.

Visitors can expect tamales, sugar skulls, pinata making, supper clubs, and a community open day on the final Sunday, with proceeds from pan de muerto bread and Mexican hot chocolate supporting the Irish Cancer Society.
Over the past year I have visited all eight of Irelands National Parks in the company of the people who run them on behalf of the public: the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). It was a repeat of a tour I did in 2015-2016 when I was researching my book Whittled Away, at a time when there were only six.

At that time, I found a universal state of neglect and abandonment: repeated fires in Wicklow Mountains, runaway grazing and rhododendron infestation in Killarney, barren hills in Glenveagh and Connemara and promises waiting to be fulfilled in Wild Nephin. Only in the Burren was there any proactive initiative delivering outcomes for nature.
Ireland once prided itself on being neighbourly. The pub, the parish hall, the pitch: each offered ready-made ways of belonging.

But as emigration, the cost of living, and the housing crisis redraw the map of Irish life, those easy points of connection have slowly been eroded.

For younger generations, especially, the result is not just quieter weekends but a gaping hole left by the absence of real community.

For me, that erosion became tangible when I moved home unexpectedly  a sudden, jarring return to my childhood bedroom that revealed how quickly community can slip away, and how isolating it feels when it does.

According to recent CSO figures, one in seven young people in Ireland say theyre lonely. Thats more than any other age group, and the rate is rising.

Ireland now ranks among the loneliest countries in Europe, with those under 25 the most affected.

At 29, Im slightly older than that demographic, but loneliness has become a familiar presence in my life, too.

Though loneliness has long been stereotyped as the preserve of the elderly, the reality is very different: its not just an affliction that affects pensioners.

In fact, for younger generations, it is becoming a defining feature of youth culture.

At first, my own loneliness went undetected, coinciding with post-graduation blues and the realisation that I would have to get my first Big Girl job.

I missed seeing my friends every day, but I put the heavy churn of unease down to the newfound responsibilities of adulthood.

After four years living in Galway, I moved to Dublin, where the few people I knew left one by one for pastures new abroad.

I met people through work and tried to ingratiate myself with my housemates. I had a busy social life because of my job, but it lacked the more meaningful connections I craved.

Things improved marginally with time, but in all honesty, Ive always struggled to find my place and, consequently, my people.

Community, Im told, is the cure for loneliness. The latter flourishes where the former is absent because, without the shared bonds that weave us together, its easy to become untethered.

At its core, community is simply about belonging. The word refers to the web of relationships and routines that remind us were not alone in the world.

Theres comfort in community  in knowing that there are people out there who will notice if you dont show up, who will lend a hand when you need it, who will make the ordinary rituals of your life all the more special, simply by sharing them with you.

Without that safety net, loneliness isnt just likely, its inevitable.

Sarah Finnan: "For my parents, community was woven into the fabric of daily life; for younger generations, its something we have to actively build."

REBUILDING

For my parents, community was woven into the fabric of daily life; for younger generations, its something we have to actively build.

In the absence of ready-made structures where community thrives, sometimes it feels like we have to piece together our own networks from nothing.

Were seeing more loneliness among young people than ever before, agrees Dr Joanna McHugh Power, associate professor in psychology at Maynooth University.

The reasons for this are probably structural in nature  for instance, accommodation crises can mean that students are spending more time commuting and less time socialising...

"The built environment can either welcome social connection or actively inhibit it. Additionally, we critically lack free places for people to connect socially.

"All of our socialising outside the home tends to be done in commercial places, which is a barrier when money is an issue. That certainly resonates.

Dolly Aldertons acclaimed memoir, Everything I Know About Love, reinforced the feeling that I was missing out on something crucial.

Female friendship is the whole point, she wrote. TV, books, and podcasts all insisted Id eventually find my tribe, and I clung to the idea.

I desperately wanted to believe it... but its a thin comfort when youre sitting alone in your bedroom.

A year and a half ago, I moved back in with my parents  a setting which, unsurprisingly, doesnt exactly lend itself to a full calendar.

Most of that time has been spent commuting to and from Dublin, both for work and to visit my boyfriend.

Ive only begun the mammoth task of getting my licence this year, so I can attest to the frustrations that come with having to rely on a famously unreliable national bus and rail service.

Its near impossible to get from my house into town without a car, and given that neither my mother nor father works from home, Im strictly beholden to their schedules.

I say all this not to complain but to highlight the deep structural cracks that have enabled loneliness to become entrenched in modern Irish life.

As sociology professor Niamh Hourigan of Mary Immaculate College points out: Commuters dont have the time or the space to embed in the communities theyre from.

"They spend all their time in other communities where theyre not actually living, which makes it extremely challenging for people to integrate.

Its no wonder so many of my peers  and even my own siblings  have chosen to emigrate. As one of the few left behind, I cant help but feel jaded.

Loneliness isnt just a private problem, though; its a public health issue.

Countries like the UK and Japan have appointed ministers to work specifically toward combating loneliness, and although there have been calls for the same to be done in Ireland, such a role doesnt currently exist here.

So for now, the burden falls on individuals to patch the gaps in a fraying social fabric that policy has yet to properly address.

Its a jarring reality to come to terms with, particularly in the digital age when were all so connected. But the internet, for all its promise, cant replace the messiness of real-life connection.

Sarah Finnan: "Words like boundaries, attachment styles, and trauma-dumping roll off our tongues with ease, but naming the work of connection isnt the same as implementing it."

SHOWING UP

GROWING up, I often felt like I expected too much of people.

When friendships became a little one-sided, instead of speaking up, Id pull back; interactions were relegated to miss your face! texts that never amounted to more solid plans.

In most cases, the relationship would fizzle without sustained effort, and Id be left disappointed that my enthusiasm wasnt reciprocated.

Somewhere along the way, I decided that being low-maintenance was the solution.

I asked for nothing, convincing myself it would make me a more appealing friend; that people would want to hang out with me because I demanded so little.

Unsurprisingly, it had the opposite effect. That closeness I so wanted was nowhere to be seen, and meet-ups were reduced to intermittent catch-ups where Id leave feeling like I had nothing in common with the people I once held dear.

It doesnt help that my generation has become fluent in what TikTok might call therapy-speak.

Words like boundaries, attachment styles, and trauma-dumping roll off our tongues with ease, but naming the work of connection isnt the same as implementing it.

In some ways, our comfort with this type of language enables us to feel like were doing the work of friendship in reality, all were doing is keeping one another at arms length.

The hard part isnt diagnosing the dynamics, but doing the emotional labour of showing up, making time, and shouldering the burdens of real community.

When I invited a group of old college pals to brunch for my birthday earlier this year, I immediately felt guilty for inconveniencing them.

But that, Ive learned, is what fostering community requires. Too often, we shy away from asking others to go out of their way for us, or from doing the same in return.

We avoid the deeper vulnerability of admitting need, putting ourselves out there, or facing the possibility of disappointment. Why?

Because technology, social media, and AI have made it easy to sidestep all of that, offering the illusion of intimacy without the investment that genuine connection requires.

Theyve turned convenience into a commodity.

RADICALISATION

In his research on radicalisation, Dr Shane Murphy of DCUs Institute of Future Media, found that loneliness and social isolation are often the hidden drivers behind toxic online spaces.

These arent just guys who are lacking girlfriends, he says of incel communities. These are guys who are lacking any friends at all.

Theres a clear distinction between loneliness (an abstract symptom) and social isolation (the condition that produces it).

Murphy puts it best: Loneliness is a subjective feeling and experience of a lack of social connections. Social isolation is objective; its the measurable, identifiable lack of those connections.

Both are rising, he notes, but the deeper problem is the erosion of low-stakes, everyday community  the kind that once came from knowing your neighbours name or sharing a pint after training.

Hourigan concurs; older forms of community were different.

You could turn up, take part, and go home without having to bare your soul. Things like bingo nights and the GAA gave people belonging without demanding deep vulnerability, she observes, citing Robert D Putnams seminal book, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community.

He argued that that kind of low-stakes community was a powerful support for mental health and wellbeing. I think thats something that we probably need to think about more.

Social media isnt designed to provide that.

Mark Zuckerberg recently spoke about how the average American has three friends and how he wants Metas AI chatbots to be able to fulfil this need for friendship, Murphy explains.

Zuckerberg claims people need between eight and 10 friends. He thinks that if everyone just has seven AI chatbot friends, then thatll fulfil this social need, but thats just completely misunderstanding what friendship provides  what community provides.

Chatbots may simulate friendship, but they miss the essence of real community: having people in your life who can check up on you, who care.

Like a lot of Irish people, vulnerability is not my strong suit, but, if the past few years have taught me anything, its that connection rarely happens by accident anymore, and community will never be frictionless.

It will always cost us something  be that our time, our presence, even our pride  but it doesnt have to be complicated.

Perhaps what we once mistook for freedom in social medias frictionless ease is, in fact, constraining us in its own way.

So, in a culture that celebrates convenience, maybe the most radical thing we can do is inconvenience ourselves and others.

A LETTER FROM ANNMARIE O'CONNOR - GUEST EDITOR OF THIS SATURDAY'S WEEKEND

Annmarie O'Connor. Picture: Miki Barlok
Poor. One word. One syllable. No messing.

The title of this book says it all. On the front cover, a young girl climbs a brick wall.

Not tall enough yet to reach the top; you cant see her face, but you can feel her curiosity. Shes bright, like her yellow dress.

I want to know more about this child, so I buy a copy of the book and start reading it later that morning. I reach the last page by early evening. Its all I can think about.

Author Katriona OSullivan, academic, educator and activist, pins you by the collar with her truth.

Her early exposure to abuse, addiction, and neglect; being pregnant and homeless at 15  these hit hard.

Still, what shines through are seemingly small but significant moments.

'Poor' by Katriona O'Sullivan. Annmarie OConnor writes: 'The impact 'Poor' has had on our cultural narrative speaks volumes, sitting at number one for 72 weeks on the Irish paperback charts...'

Acts of kindness and empathy that stop a young girl from slipping, that help her see over the wall and stand 10 toes down as an agent of change.

Numbers dont lie.

The impact Poor has had on our cultural narrative speaks volumes, sitting at number one for 72 weeks on the Irish paperback charts, according to retailer Easons.

In 2025 alone, the award-winning book has been translated into five languages and made its world premiere at The Gate for the Dublin Theatre Festival, adapted by Sonya Kelly.

For OSullivan, Poor is not just a memoir, but a social document, she tells me as we chat on Zoom.

Raised in Hillfields  a deprived inner-city area of Coventry  OSullivan has first-hand experience of poverty.

Born to Irish parents who struggled with heroin addiction; from a young age, she witnessed her fathers overdose, experienced sexual violence, and often went hungry or smelled of urine, with school being one of the few places she could find food and care.

She could have fallen through the cracks of a broken system had it not been for a handful of people whose belief pulled her out of the trenches.

There are a few moments in my life, she writes, when I could have been lost for good, pivotal moments that could have gone either way.

Katriona O'Sullivan. Picture: Brid O'Donovan

'Question inequality'

A former school leaver and now lecturer of digital skills in the Department of Psychology at Maynooth University, OSullivans ability to capture the destabilising effects of deprivation from different vantage points in her life is what makes this narrative so compelling.

I want people to really question inequality when they read Poor, she asserts, to think about the kids and what we turn into, and how were let down.

This social document, although in service of something larger, requires immense vulnerability. As a writer, Im keen to understand how she protects her peace.

If you know me, you would know that Ive been through stuff, so Ive always felt that it wasnt something that I was hiding, she explains, this just gave me the ability to contextualise myself.

Passionate and to-the-point, what you see is what you get with OSullivan. She doesnt wear a mask.

I think we are showing ourselves, even when were trying to hide ourselves  especially when were trying to hide ourselves. So true.

Transparency aside, she points out that as someone who pushes past her emotional limits, she knew that as soon as I said yes [to writing the book], I needed to be in therapy, giving herself the caveat that I could stop [writing] at any time and I didnt have to release it, all the way up to the last day.

In the same way self-awareness allows her narrative to unfold, it also keeps the reader engaged with its core message in an expert balance of realism and hope, allowing light to suffuse the cracks  a harbinger for better things to come.

I think I knew somewhere, if it was all dark it might make you turn away. [...], she remarks. But the truth of my life is that even in the darkest moments, there was so much brightness, too.

Katriona O'Sullivan. Picture: Brid O'Donovan.

One of those places was school. OSullivan self-describes as not being well-behaved, but hunger and trauma will do that.

She was smart. She wanted to play. But to classmates she was the nitty kid.

One morning, her primary school teacher, Mrs Arkinson, gave her clean underwear and taught her how to brush her hair and teeth, restoring autonomy and dignity.

That moment in the book, particularly, is really sad, she admits, but also, there was such empowerment for me.

Likewise, OSullivans secondary school English teacher, Mr Pickering, encouraged her, a then pregnant teen, to sit her GCSE exam.

He believed in her academic potential. Most of all, he reduced the distance between educator and student by sharing his story (left school early, worked in a mine, attended Open University) and his humanity.

OSullivans teachers remind us that what we say and do matters.

All the adults who actually saw past how I presented to the world and invested in me despite what I was like at times, she says, they provided a different soundtrack to the one that was being played to me over and over again, which was, Im no good. Nobodys ever going to love you. Youre failing. Youre not very clever.

We could be, and should be, that adult for someone. In fact, sometimes we are and dont even know it.

The community worker in Dublin who guided OSullivan toward therapy and training schemes.

The friend who encouraged her to apply to the Trinity access programme while she was working as a cleaner.

More than unassuming exchanges, these are powerful flashpoints where clarity meets intuition and life changes in unexpected ways.

Katriona O'Sullivan. Picture: Brid O'Donovan.

Addressing the issues

Some things, though, havent changed.

Thirteen years after graduating with a doctorate in psychology, issues of access and opportunity in the education system persist.

Societal tropes like the success story and buzzwords like resilience individualise excellence, maintains OSullivan, promoting the idea that hard work is enough, with little consideration for cultural capital or external factors at play.

While acknowledging her own strength derived from hardship, she emphasises that similar experiences have broken many others.

Then theres the not-so-easy task of staying grounded in her advocacy work.

This stuff hurts me at times, she reveals. Me, Im lucky that Im really loved. I have a beautiful marriage and a wonderful husband, and we work really hard to stay connected with each other, and so I have a great support in him, and he has in me.

I also think that Im really grateful. And people get shocked when I say that. Im grateful for my poverty. Im grateful for my privilege. To be heard is a gift for a child  I just felt so unseen, like nobody noticed what was happening to me, or us. So, its such a gift to be heard.

With OSullivans book, Hungry, due out next year, I think of the phrase on the beam coined by her friend Audrey in Poor.

A metaphor that represents flow state, intuition, or being in ones power, I ask what meaning it holds for her today.

I always imagine that theres a light that shines from my feet all the way up out of my head, you know? She smiles.

Theres this brightness that comes with all of us, and sometimes there can just be things that block the light and make it difficult for us to shine.

And her greatest source of light? OSullivan gets emotional, naming her eldest son, John, born when she was homeless and living in a hostel.

Despite the fact that I found it really hard to be a parent. I think he gave me a drive that I didnt have  to always try and be better, irrespective of how many times I failed.

She shares that with John, now a father himself, and her having a grandson, Axel, the cycle is completely broken.

All the work, all the struggle to get better, to drag myself forward has actually changed the future of my family, which is, I think, all I ever really wanted  to be able to love and be loved, and love him particularly.

Love.

One word. One syllable. No messing.
A 17-year-old Somali boy has been remanded in custody, charged with the murder of Ukrainian youth Vadym Davydenko at an emergency Tusla residential care unit in north Dublin.

Vadym, also aged 17, was fatally stabbed during an incident at about 11am on Wednesday at a 24-hour facility in an apartment building in Donaghmede. He had been placed there with other young people separated from their families and seeking international protection.

The teenager, who had recently graduated from high school in Kyiv, arrived in Ireland about three days before he was killed.

Gardai and emergency services responded to a call for assistance at the premises.

Despite paramedics efforts, the boy  who would have turned 18 in November  was pronounced dead at the scene. A senior investigating officer was appointed to lead the inquiry, and an incident room was established at Coolock Garda Station.

The accused was hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries before being arrested and charged with murder on Friday.

The teenager, who cannot be named because he is a minor and legally entitled to anonymity, appeared before Judge Treasa Kelly at Dublin District Court on Saturday evening.

Detective Sergeant Mark Quill told the court that the youth was charged at 3.38pm at Clontarf Garda Station.

Barefoot and wearing a black sweater and grey tracksuit bottoms, the teenager sat beside seven gardai in helmets and protective gear.

He listened to the proceedings with the help of an interpreter, did not address the court, and mumbled during the brief hearing.

Detective Sergeant Quill told Judge Kelly that the boy made no reply when charged in the presence of his social worker and interpreter. The court heard that the teen received a copy of the charge, which was explained to him.

Defence solicitor Andrew Walsh confirmed that a Tusla social worker and a court-appointed guardian ad litem attended the hearing as responsible adults for the boy. The Children Act requires a parent or guardian to be present at a juveniles criminal proceedings.

Mr Walsh said the teenager should appear in person rather than by videolink.

Detective Sergeant Quill confirmed a place was available in the juvenile detention centre.

Mr Walsh was granted an order for his client to receive urgent psychiatric and medical attention in custody and for a Somali interpreter to be present at his next hearing.

The District Court does not have jurisdiction to consider bail in murder cases, which must be heard in the High Court. Therefore, Judge Kelly remanded the accused in custody to the Oberstown Children Detention Campus in Dublin.

The boy has not yet indicated a plea and will appear again before the Childrens Court on Tuesday.

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, confirmed the facility is a 24-hour residential unit providing care for young people seeking international protection. A female staff member who tried to intervene sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital, while other residents and staff fled the scene.

The Embassy of Ukraine in Ireland confirmed it is making arrangements for the repatriation of Vadym Davydenkos body to Ukraine. A Garda family liaison officer has been assigned to assist.
Fionn Ottos nightmare might have ended very differently were it not for the team who rescued him as he lay trapped in a ravine for seven hours following a horrific fall.

Yet, rather than focus on the trauma of that night, the 19-year-olds family are opting instead to relive its happy ending by paying tribute to the Dingle Coast and Cliff Rescue (DCCR) team who formed part of the mission to save Fionn in November of last year.

Less than a year on from the ordeal, the family, who hail from Glasheen in Cork, are all finding ways to demonstrate their gratitude to the team.

Fionns grandmother Mary Morrissey recently raised a total of 3800 for the DCCR with a book about her life titled The Wanderers Way.

In the meantime his brother Roan, who was with Fionn at the time of the accident, is preparing to participate in a full Ironman in Cozumel, Mexico, next month to mark his 18th birthday.

His hope is to generate a further 10,000 for the same cause. It follows a year of mixed emotions for the family, particularly Fionn who faced a six-month long recovery.

The Dingle Coast Guard and Rescue R115 were dispatched to the scene near Pedlars Lake on November 16, 2024, after being alerted to the dangerous situation in which Fionn found himself.

However, it had to abandon the mission for a period due to what was described at the time as a low cloud base. The helicopter returned later at 9.40pm.

Fionn was eventually rescued and transported to Kerry University Hospital at around 10.50pm. Dingle Coast and Cliff Rescue, who the family raised funds for, assisted with the operation which was one of the most complex missions the volunteers had ever seen.

The teenager had to undergo six-hour emergency surgery after being winched more than 200 metres to safety on a stretcher.

Day of the fall

He recalls how he had been hiking with his brother Roan and their friend Oran Dennehy when he fell while on a path through An Chonair located on Corca Dhuibhne.

We had just been surfing and were driving back. I can just remember spotting this mountain and saying "this looks climbable".

"We stopped the car and I got out. I went up the mountain but not the designated way. Looking back it was a stupid idea. I stepped on what I thought was grass but it had rock underneath.

"I slipped down this mountain, onto this rock ledge. There was a 30-metre drop so I was fairly lucky that I landed there. As soon as I landed I heard my bones break and I was screaming for like a minute.

"I realised, however, that nobody was nearby. I was just looking down at my break. When I lifted my leg up it just flopped down because the two bones were completely broken.

"I must have been lying there for an hour when my brother came and found me. He was trying to ring emergency services but dropped the phone so it cracked and broke.

"Oran had very little battery left but miraculously we managed to make the call to emergency services."

He said it was strange  and he is not sure if it was the shock of what he was going through  but it didnt occur to him the danger that he was in.

"All I could think about was chicken wings. Understandably, thats where my mind went because I was so hungry.

The enormity of what happened only hit me after the operation when I was told that I would be out of action for between six and nine months.

"The experience has definitely grounded me. I used to not think about these things as much. Im still wild, but at the same time Im more grounded. You wont be finding me climbing up a mountain by myself again.

Roan, who was just 16 when the accident happened, reflected on their experiences. I could hear Fionns voice crack as he cried out in desperation so I knew he wasnt messing," he said.

"I kept thinking that I would have to watch him fall to his death. It was quite tough. Even while waiting for him I was wondering if he was still sliding off the cliff. The uncertainty of it was torture."

He said when he realised his older brother was okay, it was a huge relief.

"I could never have imagined something like this ever happening to us but it did," he said. "I couldnt believe that we were the ones this was happening to. The months after really matured me.

Fionn and I have always been super close but this has made me so much more grateful for him. We are the best of friends and I really dont know what I would do without him.

Their mum Jo recalled how Fionn had to undergo surgery to avoid losing his leg to compartment syndrome, a condition that results in the restriction of blood flow and tissue function.

With the compartment syndrome, the muscles start expanding so when he got to the hospital they had to make these footlong incisions on either side of a shin to allow the muscles to be released, Jo recalled.

Their grandmother  Jos mum  Mary Morrissey said she thanks her lucky stars that Fionn survived the ordeal.

Mary Morrissey with her grandson, Fionn. 'We are two of a kind, as they say in poker,' says Mary. Picture: Jim Coughlan

We are two of a kind, as they say in poker, she said of herself and Fionn. But that goes for me and all my grandchildren. I have eight grandchildren and they are all very special to me.

Mary said she remains forever grateful to the team who helped Fionn on the night of his accident. She also believes that faith played a part in his triumph over adversity.

I have very strong faith, she told the Irish Examiner. Its not just God who is looking out for us. The people who came before us are taking care of us too. Prayer is very important too.
This is the reluctant election. The contest to become the next president of the country has been one full of departures, non-entry, doubts and questions.

Bar some earth-shattering development, Catherine Connolly will be elected next weekend. If ever there was an election to deliver a coup de grace of the unexpected this is it, but that remains highly unlikely.

The bigger question, at this stage of the game, is what does the election say about the political firmament and the country at large?

Firstly though, Ms Connolly deserves major credit. Few gave her a realistic chance when she threw her hat in the ring ahead of all other candidates.

Initially, she only had the support of the smaller parties on the left. Of those, senior figures in both Labour and the Greens publicly declared they could not back her because her politics was too far left.

Eventually, Sinn Fein came on board after reluctantly concluding that they could not win with an internal candidate who wasnt Mary Lou McDonald, and she was not running. Their endorsement was, as McDonald declared at the time, a gamechanger.

Heather Humphreys (left) and Catherine Connolly (right) with RTE presenter David McCullagh ahead of a debate on RTE Radio One last Sunday.

Fine Gael did what the party does best  conducted a poor election campaign. They were robbed of their best candidate Mairead McGuinness who had to pull out for health reasons.

At that point, the party could have taken a good look at others, like MEP Sean Kelly. Instead the honchos decided with undue haste that Heather Humphreys was the way to go.

Ms Humphreys' candidacy was a blast from the past. She had retired from politics, and was now running for an office that had once been a retirement home for politicians.

Her public persona exudes warmth and competence, but thats not enough to be president. And then to really put the kibosh in the Fine Gael campaign, Ivan Yates stepped forward with instructions to his former party to smear and smear widely, morning, noon and night.

Connollys campaign could not have asked for a more telling intervention.

The three presidential candidates last month, from left, Independent candidate Catherine Connolly, Heather Humphreys of Fine Gael and Jim Gavin of Fianna Fail at the first televised debate. Micheal Martin made an error with his partys candidate. Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Micheal Martin made an error with his partys candidate, Jim Gavin. On paper Gavin had much going for him. Once out on the pitch he appeared to possess two left feet. If his past with an out-of-pocket tenant hadnt reared up he might have gone on to act as sweeper to Humphreys, gifting her transfers to put her over the line.

None of that was to be. Now, barring that referenced earthquake, Catherine Connolly will be Irelands tenth president. She is way to the left of the electorate in general but is astute and imbued with the kind of resilience that comes with experience in politics.

It will be entirely up to her how she handles the office, whether she can leave behind her instinctive anti-EU, anti-American politics and conduct herself as a tribune of the people at large rather than a representative of a small far-left cohort.

In different hands controversies like her trip to Syria, the employment of a woman convicted of offences related to potential political violence, comparing Germany to the Nazis and viewing the EU repeatedly as representing something called the military industrial complex would have been fatal.

Connolly handled it all with quiet competence and confidence, never apologising or even regretting.

In another election, with more or better rivals, that kind of stuff would still have caused her major problems. But the brave make their own luck and she had the courage to put her name forward when her candidacy represented a long shot.

Where she really succeeded was in conveying authenticity. When faced with awkward questions, she didnt apologise but doubled down. This is who I am, she said, not who I am supposed to project myself as in order to maximise appeal across an aggregate of voters.

That authenticity, or at least the appearance of it, represents the zeitgeist in politics right now. Donald Trump has it. So have most of the anti-establishment strongmen (and Georgia Meloni) who have come to the fore in recent years, usually through the vehicle of right-wing populism.

What this presidential election has highlighted is that unlike in other countries the anti-establishment sentiment here can be found in not inconsiderable numbers at both ends of the political spectrum.

Connolly represents the left cohort. On the right, the figure of Maria Steen emerged. Her failure to get nominated for the election was down to poor campaigning, not least the candidates late entry into the race.

Her supporters have attempted to project the failure as some anti-democratic blocking by the main parties. Their reaction is straight out of the MAGA playbook, screaming of entitlement and grievance.

They demanded a nomination process that would have been tailormade to suit their candidates wants and needs. And when things didnt turn out as they wanted they attempted to undermine a democratic election, calling for votes to be spoiled.

If Maria Steen had shown even a modicum of Connollys nous and resilience she would have made it to the starting blocks.

If Steen had shown even a modicum of Connollys nous and resilience she would have made it to the starting blocks. And thereafter the bookies would have had short odds on her winning.

To that extent, the election has highlighted the dual nature of the anti-establishment sentiment out there. On the left Connollys expected victory will be hailed as presenting a compass towards an 'Anybody But Fianna Fail-Fine Gael' government.

This new dawn includes the caveat that all those claiming to be left and anti-establishment will coalesce with Fianna Fail in particular if post-election arithmetic so dictates. The only exception to this is People Before Profit, the outfit that probably most closely echoes Connollys politics.

On the right, the broad religious, ethno-nationalist cohort has now finally identified a potential figurehead who could lead them towards the promised land of electoral inroads. Maria Steen, even in her fleeting public appearances, slipped neatly into the template that has succeeded abroad.

She is articulate, intelligent, photogenic and apparently wealthy, all front of house elements for the political personas of the relatively new brand of leaders surfing the zeitgeist.

What she hasnt shown is any real interest in executive politics. Its one thing to rush forward at a late hour and declare youd like to be president. The hard slog of building a party or movement and attempting to attract voters is a completely different ballgame.

To that extent, the anti-establishment cohort gathering on the right appear to be condemned to wandering the desert, while their kindred spirits on the left will at least have a figurehead in the Aras.

That is of course barring fates greasy hand intervening with some form of a political earthquake in the next seven days. Should she do it as now expected, Ms Connolly and her team can congratulate themselves on an unlikely victory.

The smart money says she will turn out to be an interesting bunch of presidents.
UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- China welcomes the adoption of a Security Council resolution for the renewal of the Haiti sanctions regime targeting Haitian gangs, said a Chinese envoy on Friday.

In an explanation after the vote, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said the sanctions regime is a key measure to contain violent crimes and improve the security situation in Haiti.

Through the efforts of China and other council members, Friday's resolution requests UN member states to take effective measures to strengthen border control, prevent trafficking of weapons, support the Haitian authorities in stepping up the oversight of weapons and ammunition, and report the progress in terms of implementation to the Sanctions Committee and its Panel of Experts, he noted.

"We hope that all parties, and in particular the main source country of the illegal weapons and ammunition in Haiti, will implement the above-mentioned measures with concrete actions," said Fu.

At the same time, it is regrettable that the resolution fails to formulate, as requested by Security Council members, more detailed and verifiable provisions on how the external security force and Haitian authorities will strengthen the regulatory work with regard to weapons and ammunition, he said. "We call on the parties concerned to be responsible to the people of Haiti and to the international community and to implement the sanctions with the most rigorous standards."

The sanctions regime is only one of the tools to respond to the crises in Haiti. Resolving the multiple crises in Haiti calls for an integrated approach and ultimately depends on Haiti's own efforts. All political parties and factions in Haiti must strengthen unity, show responsibility, effectively advance the Haitian-led and Haitian-owned political process, and truly dedicate themselves to the country's stability and development, he said.

China stands ready to continue working with the international community and play a constructive role in helping Haiti emerge from the crises and achieve independence and self-reliance at an early date, he said.

The Security Council on Friday adopted Resolution 2794 to extend the Haiti sanctions regime, which includes an arms embargo, and travel ban and assets freeze measures, for one year from the date of the adoption of this resolution. 
The military wing of Hamas has said it will hand over the remains of another Israeli hostage late on Friday.

The Qassam Brigades did not say whose remains will be handed over or where it will happen.
The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to allow the deployment of National Guard troops in the Chicago area, escalating Donald Trumps conflict with Democratic governors over using the military on US soil.

The emergency appeal came after a judge prevented, for at least two weeks, the deployment of Guard members from Illinois and Texas to assist immigration enforcement.
The International Red Cross has received the remains of another hostage to be returned to Israel from Gaza, the Israeli military said.

The army added in a statement that the coffin of a hostage was on the way to Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip.
Thousands of people are expected to gather across America for No Kings demonstrations against the direction of the country under Donald Trump.

The presidents Republican Party has called the protests Hate America rallies.

This is the third mass mobilisation since Mr Trumps return to the White House and it is expected to be the largest.

It comes against the backdrop of a US government shutdown that has not only closed federal programmes and services, but is testing the core balance of power as an aggressive executive confronts congress and the courts in ways that organisers warn are a slide towards authoritarianism.

Mr Trump himself is away from Washington at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.

Trump wants to DOUBLE Argentina's bailout to billion to save his political ally.



Yet he is doing nothing to prevent 15 million Americans from losing their health care and 20 million from seeing a doubling in their premiums.



Is this what Trump means by America first?  Sen. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) October 15, 2025

They say theyre referring to me as a king. Im not a king, Mr Trump said in a Fox News interview that aired before he departed for a one million-dollars-per-plate Maga Inc fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago.

Protests are expected nearby on Saturday.

While large crowds attended protests earlier this year against Elon Musks cuts in spring, then to counter Mr Trumps military parade in June, organisers say this demonstration is building a more unified opposition movement.

Top Democrats such as senate leader Chuck Schumer and Independent senator Bernie Sanders are joining in what organisers view as an antidote to Mr Trumps actions, from the administrations clampdown on free speech to its military-style immigration raids.

There is no greater threat to an authoritarian regime than patriotic people-power, said Ezra Levin, a co-founder of Indivisible, which is among the key organisers.

As Republicans and the White House dismiss the protests as a rally of radicals, Mr Levin said their own sign-up numbers are growing.

Mr Trump is currently at his Mar-a-Lago resort (AP)

More than 2,600 rallies are planned in cities large and small, organised by hundreds of coalition partners. They said rallies are being planned within a one-hour drive for most Americans.

Overseas, a few hundred Americans already gathered in Madrid to chant slogans and hold signs at a protest organized by Democrats Abroad, with similar rallies planned in other major European cities.

Republicans have sought to portray participants in Saturdays rallies as far outside the mainstream of American politics, and a main reason for the prolonged government shutdown, now in its 18th day.

From the White House to Capitol Hill, Republican leaders disparaged the rallygoers as communists and Marxists.

They say Democratic leaders, including Mr Schumer, are beholden to the far-left flank and willing to keep the government shut down to appease those liberal forces.

Now we know Saturdays events are actually funded by Soros, and sponsored by the Communist Party USA, among other far Left and communist groups.



How could there any more appropriate nickname than the Hate America Rally? https://t.co/bqxrTR1b1k  Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) October 17, 2025

I encourage you to watch  we call it the Hate America rally  that will happen Saturday, said House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Lets see who shows up for that, Mr Johnson added, listing groups including antifa types, people who hate capitalism and Marxists in full display.

Democrats have refused to vote on legislation that would reopen the government as they demand funding for health care. Republicans say they are willing to discuss the issue later, only after the government reopens.

But for many Democrats, the government closure is also a way to stand up to Mr Trump, and try to push the presidency back to its place in the US system as a co-equal branch of government.

In a Facebook post, Mr Sanders of Vermont, himself a former presidential contender, said, Its a love America rally.

Its a rally of millions of people all over this country who believe in our Constitution, who believe in American freedom and are not going to let you and Donald Trump turn this country into an authoritarian society.
Ukrainians shared their disappointment on Saturday that the US may not provide Kyiv with long-range Tomahawk missiles after a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump.

Mr Zelenskyy met with Mr Trump at the White House on Friday, after the US leader signalled that Washington could provide Ukraine with the long-range missiles Kyiv believes will help bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.

Yet Mr Zelenskyy left empty-handed  an outcome that dismayed, but did not surprise, many in the streets of the Ukrainian capital, who maintained their determination to end Russias three-and-a-half-year invasion of their country.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

One Ukrainian military serviceman, Roman Vynnychenko, told The Associated Press that he believed the prospect of Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine was a political game.

Ukraine wont get those missiles, he said.

Mr Vynnychenko said Ukraine still needed to procure new weapons with or without American help, particularly as Russian drones and missiles continued to hit civilian infrastructure.

Every day, civilians and soldiers die, buildings collapse, our streets and cities are being destroyed, Mr Vynnychenko said.

Russia invaded its smaller neighbour in February 2022, sparking a three-and-a-half-year conflict that has become a grinding war of attrition across a 1,250-kilometre (780-mile) frontline in Ukraines east and south.

Mr Trumps frustration with the conflict has surfaced repeatedly in the nine months since he returned to office. In recent weeks, he had shown growing impatience with Mr Putin and expressed greater openness to helping Ukraine win the war, including with the sale of Tomahawks.

But the US leaders tone shifted again after he held a lengthy phone call with Mr Putin on Thursday and announced that he planned to meet with the Russian leader in Budapest, Hungary, in the coming weeks.

President Donald Trump appeared to change his tune after a phone call with Russias Vladimir Putin (Alex Brandon/AP)

The talks raise new hopes that diplomatic progress could be made to end the war. But after multiple failed starts, Ukrainians are reluctant to believe that a significant breakthrough will take place soon.

Victoria Khramtsova, a psychologist, told the AP: To tell you the truth, I look at the news, but nowadays I read only the headlines. And even those make me sad.

We have been at war for more than three years. We just want peace.

In the meantime, Russia continued its aerial bombardment of Ukraine, launching three missiles and 164 drones overnight, Ukraines Air Force said on Saturday.

It said that Ukrainian forces shot down 136 of the drones.

Two people were injured after Russian drones targeted a gas station in the Zarichny district of Sumy in northeast Ukraine, local officials said.

They were two women aged 51 and 53, according to regional Governor Oleh Hryhorov.

Elsewhere, work has begun to repair the damaged power supply to Ukraines Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the head of the UNs nuclear watchdog announced.

The repairs are hoped to end a precarious four-week outage that left it dependent on backup generators.

Work continues to repair the damaged power supply to Zaporizhzhias power plant (Leo Correa/AP)

Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said Russian and Ukrainian forces established special ceasefire zones for repairs to be safely carried out.

Mr Grossi hailed the restoration of off-site power as crucial for nuclear safety and security.

Both sides engaged constructively with the IAEA to enable the complex repair plan to proceed, he said in a statement.

Work is due to be carried out in two phases, first on the Ferosplavna-1 power line, then on the Dniprovska power line, the IAEA said.

As long as this devastating conflict goes on, nuclear safety and security remains under severe threat. Today, we had some rare positive news to report, but we are far from being out of the woods yet

He also said that it was the 42nd time since the start of Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022 that power lines to the plant had to be restored.

The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europes largest nuclear power station, has been operating on diesel backup generators since September 23, when its last remaining external power line was severed in attacks that Russia and Ukraine each blamed on the other.

The plant is in an area under Russian control since early in Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine and is not in service, but it needs reliable power to cool its six shutdown reactors and spent fuel, to avoid any catastrophic nuclear incidents.

Mr Grossi said Saturday that emergency diesel generators were designed to be the last line of defence to help nuclear power plants cool their reactors, but that their use was now an all too common occurrence.

As long as this devastating conflict goes on, nuclear safety and security remain under severe threat. Today, we had some rare positive news to report, but we are far from being out of the woods yet, he said.
Country

United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
TEHRAN, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry said Saturday that its nuclear program should be treated in the same manner as that of any non-nuclear-weapon state party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), with the expiration of a United Nations (UN) resolution limiting its nuclear power.

The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), ended on Saturday, and all its provisions, including restrictions related to Iran's peaceful nuclear program and associated mechanisms, "must be considered terminated," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The ministry also said that the principal objective of addressing Iran's nuclear file at the Security Council was to ensure the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, a goal that has been fully achieved. Consequently, the Iranian nuclear issue must be removed from the council's non-proliferation agenda, the statement added.

Calling Resolution 2231 and the JCPOA a major multilateral diplomatic achievement, the ministry criticized the United States for its irresponsible withdrawal in 2018.

The statement said that attempts to restore the terminated Security Council resolutions lack any legal or logical basis and were undertaken merely in obedience to the United States. 
NEW DELHI, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- At least eight people were killed and 28 others injured, 15 of them critically, on Saturday after a pickup vehicle carrying them skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, the state broadcaster All India Radio said.

The accident took place near Chandsaili Ghat of Nandurbar district in Maharashtra.

After the accident, police and disaster response forces rushed to the spot to carry out rescue work. The injured were moved to the nearby hospitals.

According to police, the victims were identified as Hindu devotees returning home from a pilgrimage at a local shrine.

Preliminary investigations revealed the accident took place when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a sharp curve.

Police have registered a case and ordered an investigation into the accident. 
( Tomdispatch.com )  Earlier this month, President Donald Trump threatened to unleash the armed forces on more American cities during a rambling address to top military brass. He told the hundreds of generals and admirals gathered to hear him that some of them would be called upon to take a primary role at a time when his administration has launched occupations of American cities, deployed tens of thousands of troops across the United States, created a framework for targeting domestic enemies, cast his political rivals as subhuman, and asserted his right to wage secret war and summarily execute those he deems terrorists.

Trump used that bizarre speech to take aim at cities he claimed are run by the radical left Democrats, including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. Were going to straighten them out one by one. And this is going to be a major part for some of the people in this room, he said. Thats a war too. Its a war from within. He then added: We should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military.

Trump has, of course, already deployed the armed forces inside the United States in an unprecedented fashion during the first year of his second term in office. As September began, a federal judge found that his decision to occupy Los Angeles with members of Californias National Guard  under so-called Title 10 or federalized status  against the wishes of California Governor Gavin Newsom was illegal. But just weeks later, Trump followed up by ordering the military occupation of Portland, Oregon, over Governor Tina Koteks objections.

I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists, Trump wrote on Truth Social late last month. And he authoriz[ed] Full Force, if necessary.

When a different federal judge blocked him from deploying Oregon National Guardsmen to the city, he ordered in Guard members from California and Texas. That judge then promptly blocked his effort to circumvent her order, citing the lack of a legal basis for sending troops into Portland. In response, Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act  an 1807 law that grants the president emergency powers to deploy troops on U.S. soil  to get around the court rulings blocking his military occupation efforts. I think thats all insurrection, really criminal insurrection, he claimed, in confused remarks from the Oval Office.

Experts say that his increasing use of the armed forces within the United States represents an extraordinary violation of the Posse Comitatus Act. That bedrock nineteenth-century law banning the use of federal troops to execute domestic law enforcement has long been seen as fundamental to Americas democratic tradition. However, the presidents deployments continue to nudge this country ever closer to becoming a genuine police state. They come amid a raft of other Trump administration authoritarian measures designed to undermine the Constitution and weaken democracy. Those include attacks on birthright citizenship and free speech, as well as the exercise of expansive unilateral powers like deporting people without due process and rolling back energy regulations, citing wartime and emergency powers.

A Presidential Police Force

U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled last month that Trumps deployment of federal troops to Los Angeles, which began in June, was illegal and harkened back to Britains use of soldiers for law enforcement purposes in colonial America. He warned that Trump clearly intends to transform the National Guard into a presidential police force.

Congress spoke clearly in 1878 when it passed the Posse Comitatus Act, prohibiting the use of the U.S. military to execute domestic law, Breyer wrote in his 52-page opinion. Nearly 140 years later, Defendants  President Trump, Secretary of Defense Hegseth, and the Department of Defense  deployed the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles, ostensibly to quell a rebellion and ensure that federal immigration law was enforced Yet there was no rebellion, nor was civilian law enforcement unable to respond to the protests and enforce the law.

The judge ruled that the Pentagon had systematically used armed soldiers to perform police functions in California in violation of Posse Comitatus and planned to do so elsewhere in America. As he put it, President Trump and Secretary Hegseth have stated their intention to call National Guard troops into federal service in other cities across the country thus creating a national police force with the President as its chief.

In the face of that scathing opinion, the president has nonetheless ramped up his urban military occupations, while threatening to launch yet more of them. Now were in Memphis and were going to Chicago, Trump told a large crowd of sailors in Norfolk, Virginia, during a celebration of the Navys 250th anniversary earlier this month. And so we send in the National Guard, we send in whatevers necessary. People dont care.

As October began, Trump had already deployed an unprecedented roughly 35,000 federal troops within the United States, according to my reporting at The Intercept. Those forces, drawn from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and National Guard, have been or will soon be deployed under Title 10 authority, or federal control, in at least seven states  Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, New Mexico, Oregon, and Texas  to aid and enforce the Trump administrations anti-immigrant agenda, while further militarizing America. Other Guardsmen, being sent to cities across the country ranging from Memphis to New Orleans, are serving under Title 32 status, which means they will officially be under state control, a measure Trump uses in states with Republican governors.

National Guard forces deployed to Washington, D.C. as part of Trumps federal takeover of the district in August are operating under the same Title 32 status. But with no governor to report to, the D.C. National Guards chain of command runs from its commanding general directly to the secretary of the Army, then to Pete Hegseth, and finally to Trump himself.

In September, a long-threatened occupation of Chicago began with an ICE operation targeting immigrants in that city, dubbed Midway Blitz. A month later, the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago sued Trump, seeking to block the imminent deployment of federalized Illinois and Texas National Guard troops to that city. A federal judge in Chicago blocked the deployment of troops in Chicago for at least two weeks. The Justice Department appealed but an appeals court ruled Saturday that while the troops can remain there under federal control, they cant be deployed.

They are not conducting missions right now, a Northern Command spokesperson told TomDispatch on Tuesday, admitting that she didnt know exactly what the troops were doing.

The president has also threatened to deploy National Guard troops to Baltimore, New York City, Oakland, Saint Louis, San Francisco, and Seattle.

When military troops police civilians, we have an intolerable threat to individual liberty and the foundational values of this country, said Hina Shamsi, director of the American Civil Liberties Unions National Security Project. President Trump may want to normalize armed forces in our cities, but no matter what uniform they wear, federal agents and military troops are bound by the Constitution and have to respect our rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of speech, and due process. State and local leaders must stay strong and take all lawful measures to protect residents against this cruel intimidation tactic.

Living in a Dream World

Trumps Portland order drew pushback from Oregons Democratic lawmakers, local leaders, and outside experts, who said there was no need for federal troops to be deployed to the city. There is no national security threat in Portland, Governor Kotek announced on social media. Our communities are safe and calm. Independent reporting corroborated her assessment.

After Kotek conveyed that to Trump in a phone call, the president seemed to briefly question whether he had been misled about an antifa siege there and the city being war-ravaged. As he recounted, I spoke to the governor, but I said, Well, wait a minute, am I watching things on television that are different from whats happening? My people tell me different.

Days later, despite countless reports that there was neither a war nor a siege underway in Portland, Trump posted on social media that Kotek was living in a Dream World and returned to peddling lies about the city. Portland is a NEVER-ENDING DISASTER. Many people have been badly hurt and even killed. It is run like a Third World Country, he wrote on TruthSocial. Were only going in because, as American Patriots, WE HAVE NO CHOICE. LAW AND ORDER MUST PREVAIL IN OUR CITIES, AND EVERYWHERE ELSE!

Judge Karin Immergut of the U.S. District Court in Oregon issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from sending 200 Oregonian National Guard troops for a 60-day deployment in Portland. As she concluded in her opinion, she expected a trial court to agree with the states contention that the president had exceeded his constitutional authority.

Trump immediately took aim at her  despite the fact that he had appointed her to office during his first term  saying that she ought to be ashamed of herself. He then claimed, without any basis, that Portland was burning to the ground. Trump then made further hyperbolic claims about the city and threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act. Portland is on fire. Portlands been on fire for years, he said, describing the situation as all insurrection.

The same Northern Command spokesperson told TomDispatch on Tuesday that the federalized troops in Oregon were also in a holding pattern. They are on standby, she said.

The presidents Portland order followed a series of authoritarian actions that have pushed the nation ever closer to becoming a genuine police state. In August, reports emerged that the Pentagon was planning to create a Domestic Civil Disturbance Quick Reaction Force that would include two groups of 300 National Guard troops to be kept on standby at military bases in Alabama and Arizona for rapid deployment across the country. (That proposed force would also reportedly operate under Title 32.)

The Pentagon refused to offer further details about the initiative. The Department of Defense is a planning organization and routinely reviews how the department would respond to a variety of contingencies across the globe, said a defense official, speaking at the time on the condition of anonymity. We will not discuss these plans through leaked documents, pre-decisional or otherwise.

Earlier this month, Trump signed an executive order claiming to designate antifa  a loose-knit anti-fascist movement  as a domestic terror organization. He also issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 7, which directs the Justice Department and elements of the Intelligence Community and national security establishment to target anti-fascism movements and domestic terrorist organizations. Such enemies, according to the president, not only espouse anti-Americanism and support for the overthrow of the United States Government, but also are typified by advocacy of opinions protected by the First Amendment, including anti-capitalism, anti-Christianity, and hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on family, religion, and morality.

After referring to the war from within during his address to the militarys top officers, he cast his political rivals as subhuman and claimed that they needed to be dealt with. We have to take care of this little gnat thats on our shoulder called the Democrats, he told the sailors during the Navys 250th anniversary celebration.

The Trump administration has also admitted that its waging a secret war against undisclosed enemies without the consent of Congress. According to a confidential notice from the Department of War sent to lawmakers, the president has unilaterally decided that the United States is engaged in a declared state of non-international armed conflict with designated terrorist organizations or DTOs. It described three people killed by U.S. commandos on what was claimed to be a boat carrying drugs in the Caribbean last month as unlawful combatants, as if they were soldiers on a battlefield. And that was a significant departure from standard practice in the long-running U.S. war on drugs, in which law enforcement, not the U.S. military, arrests suspected drug dealers rather than summarily executing them.

As Brian Finucane, a former State Department lawyer and a specialist in counterterrorism issues, as well as the laws of war, pointed out, the White Houses claims that Trump has the authority to use lethal force against anyone he decides is a member of a DTO is extraordinarily dangerous and destabilizing. As he put it: Because theres no articulated limiting principles, the President could simply use this prerogative to kill any people he labels as terrorists, like antifa. He could use it at home in the United States.

Police State USA

The Trump administrations military occupations of American cities, its deployment of tens of thousands of troops across the United States, its emerging framework for designating and targeting domestic enemies, its dehumanization of its political foes, and its assertion that the president has the right to wage secret war and summarily execute those he deems terrorists have left this country on the precipice of authoritarian rule.

With Trump attempting to fashion a presidential police force of armed soldiers for domestic deployment, while claiming the right to kill anyone he deems a terrorist, the threat to the rule of law in the United States is not just profound but historically unprecedented.

Copyright 2025 Nick Turse

Tomdispatch.com
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  The terms of the Trump ceasefire in Gaza required Israeli authorities to allow 600 trucks of food and medical aid into the Strip daily, in a full court press by the United Nations and NGOs to flood the zone with nutrition after the Israeli blockade provoked famine in parts of Gaza. The Israelis are only allowing 300 trucks a day in. Lorenzo Tondo, William Christouin and Seham Tantesh at The Guardian note that even 600 would not have been enough, but 300 is totally inadequate to the vast needs of half-starving civilians. Half of the people in Gaza are children, many of them emaciated and some of them suffering from severe malnutrition.

At the same time, the World Health Organization is warning of an ongoing and serious outbreak of infectious diseases in Gaza, where Israel destroyed the public health infrastructure with hundreds of attacks on hospitals that it dishonestly accused of being Hamas HQs. The large number of war-wounded are especially vulnerable to these diseases.

WHO reported in early October that of there are 42,000 persons among the 167,376 war-wounded in Gaza with permanent disabilities, with children making up over 10,000 of them.

PBS reports on the tens of thousands of children killed by Israeli troops in Gaza, and the 10,000 permanently disabled:

Please enable JavaScript play-sharp-fill



Embed Copy and paste this HTML code into your webpage to embed.

War leaves Gazas children with deep physical wounds and lasting trauma

Heres a snippet:

LEILA MOLANA-ALLEN (voice-over):

No sight, no speech, no sound. Four-year-old Nayel (ph) has had all his senses stolen by an airstrikeand its getting worse. In May, Nayel and his six-year-old brother were playing in the dusty pathways of Gazas Nuseirat refugee camp when an Israeli strike hit the tent next to them. HANI ABU SHALABI, Father of Injured Child (through translator):

They were playing around me when the missiles suddenly hit us and shattered all our dreams and beautiful moments we once had in our life. LEILA MOLANA-ALLEN (voice-over):

Mohamed was killed instantly. Pieces of shrapnel lodged deep in Nayels brain, causing brain damage that has stolen his vision, his hearing, and his speech. With barely any food or access to clean waterIsrael has mostly blocked the delivery of eggs since earlier this springhes suffering from severe malnutrition. The filthy conditions in the hospital mean he has now caught meningitis too. Unable to chew or move, what food they can get him comes through a feeding tube. His tiny body cant hold out much longer. HANI ABU SHALABI (through translator):

Before the war, Nayel was one of the most active children. He loved to play a lot, and we used to go to the beach together. Hes in pain right nowsilently in painand cries without tears. The doctors here told us they dont know what to do anymore. LEILA MOLANA-ALLEN (voice-over):

Nayels only chance is to be evacuated from Gaza for specialist treatment. Without it, he will die soon. He has the travel permit and foreign surgeons desperate to help him. But the Israeli authorities wont let him cross the border.

One index of how bad the public health situation is can be seen in reports of dozens of cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. A deadly auto-immune disease, it strikes people with viral and bacterial infections. The means to treat it were depleted at the few functioning medical centers in Gaza last summer, so victims have just be suffering and dying ever since. Uncontrolled outbreaks of meningitis, diarrhea and respiratory diseases are also being reported by WHO.

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)

The Israeli military still occupies 55% of Gaza, so it isnt much of a ceasefire. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said this week:

Israeli forces have redeployed from certain areas while maintaining control of more than 50% of Gaza, including almost all of Rafah and large parts of Khan Younis, Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun, as well as parts of Gaza City. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are moving back to the areas from which they were displaced, including to areas in close proximity to the remaining Israeli ground forces. On the morning of 14 October, Israeli military reportedly fired on Palestinians attempting to return to their homes in Ash Shujaiya, eastern Gaza City, killing three. Later that day, the Israeli military stated its forces shot and killed individuals in northern Gaza who crossed the withdrawal line after ignoring Israeli warning.

The Israeli troops under the increasingly beleaguered international law of war cant just shoot down civilians for straying over an imaginary line that only the Israelis can see.

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.

On Wednesday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that in the first five days of the ceasefire, 390,000 Palestinians hit the road, mainly moving from southern to northern Gaza.

Embed from Getty Images

Crowds and vehicles fill a coastal road as displaced Palestinians travel north in the Gaza Strip on October 11, 2025. Many residents have begun moving back to their neighborhoods following the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by Abdelrahman Rashad / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by ABDELRAHMAN RASHAD/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

OCHA quoted the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher on what needs to be done in Gaza over the next two months to achieve an effective humanitarian response:

*Massive amounts of food aid need to be delivered to the some 2 million people of Gaza.

*Medical care needs to be restored.

*Water networks need to be restored for drinking water and sanitation.

*Shelters need to be set up to help people get through the cold, rainy winter. Over 80% of domiciles are damaged or destroyed and people are sleeping rough or under rickety rubble that could collapse on them.

*Children need to be put back into school after two years of no classes.

*Sustained entry of at least 1.9 million litres of fuel weekly

*Resumption of cooking gas

*Opening of multiple relief corridors supported by functional crossings equipped with additional scanners

*Security guarantees to enable the collection of supplies from crossings

*Restoration of basic infrastructure

*Protection of humanitarian workers

*Rapid and unimpeded passage of aid across Gaza

*Adequate funding

*Facilitation of NGO access, including ensuring that NGOs are not de-registered: The UN cannot operate effectively without its partners.



File Photo of Gaza, Feb 18, 2025, by Mohammed Ibrahim on Unsplash

Moreover, 61 million tons of debris, much of it toxic or riddled with unexploded ordnance, need to be removed. Thats the equivalent of more than 30 million automobiles. That is all the automobiles registered in California, Texas, Ohio and Florida combined.

Even assuming that the Israelis do not fall upon the Palestinian civilians of Gaza again with bombardments and drone strikes, hundreds of thousands of them will likely die of injuries, disease, exposure and other lingering effects of the total war that was waged on them.
By John Strawson, University of East London

(The Conversation)  Now a ceasefire has come into effect in Gaza, Israels long-serving prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, faces the dilemma of how to campaign ahead of the next national elections. These elections must be held, at the latest, in one years time.

In a meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem on October 13, both Netanyahu and opposition leader Yair Lapid made speeches that seemed to open the election campaign. Netanyahu chose to cast himself as war victor, while Lapid emphasised the liberal values contained in Israels declaration of independence.

Donald Trump also addressed Israeli lawmakers at the Knesset and, in his speech, paid many compliments to Netanyahu. He even directed a request to Israels president, Isaac Herzog, to pardon Netanyahu over longstanding fraud and bribery charges  something Herzog has already suggested.

But the US president also issued Netanyahu with a warning that Israel could not fight the world. Netanyahu has received a lesson in big power politics over the past month that will not have been welcomed.

It came after his miscalculation in attacking Qatar on September 9, where Hamas representatives were discussing the possibility of a plan to end the war in Gaza. Netanyahu was called to the White House and made to apologise to the Qatari government.

He was then pressured into signing up to Trumps 20-point peace plan, which includes a realistic pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood. This is something Netanyahu has long opposed and puts him in a difficult position with his electoral base, which is vociferously against a Palestinian state.

The question now is can Netanyahu turn Trumps plan to his advantage and win the next election?

Some commentators, such as Middle Eastern affairs expert Shira Efron, think Netanyahu has not realised that the Gaza deal represents a defeat for his government. Efron says the agreement contradicts what Netanyahu has sold Israelis for two years: the promise of total victory and the destruction of Hamas.

However, I think this underestimates a politician who has made a career out of turning obstacles into opportunities. His first election as Israels prime minister in 1996, for example, came despite trailing his rival Shimon Peres by a substantial margin in opinion polls at the start of the election campaign.

He has also learned to build coalitions with figures on the left, like former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak, the centre like Benny Gantz and, of course, with the far-right politicians Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir.

His speech in the Knesset during Trumps visit was vintage Netanyahu. He spun the peace deal, which he was forced to sign, into a massive victory for Israels war aims in Gaza. Only weeks before he had been saying that Hamas could only be crushed by conquering Gaza City.

It is true that the living hostages have now been freed. But, in deploying 7,000 armed men to control areas in Gaza vacated by Israeli forces, Hamas hardly seems destroyed. Netanyahu has nonetheless convinced himself  and will now try to convince the electorate  that he has led Israel to total victory.

Prospects of success

Opinion polls since the October 7 Hamas attacks in 2023 have not made good reading for Netanyahu. However, despite this disaster taking place on his watch, Netanyahus polling has never been disastrous.

Current polls suggest that, if elections were held today, his Likud party would be the biggest single party in the Knesset. However, his ruling coalition would be unlikely to return to power. The same polling gives the Netanyahu bloc 51 seats compared to 55 for the opposition, with the balance held by Arab parties.

The opposition bloc ranges from the right, led by former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, to the dovish Democrats. They are united in opposition to Netanyahus style of government and his judicial reforms, but they have not yet found a convincing narrative of what they stand for.

Whereas Netanyahu unites his bloc, the opposition is divided between several strong personalities. The leaders that make up this so-called change bloc  Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Lieberman, Benny Gantz, Yair Lapid and Yair Golan  all think they should be Israels next prime minister.

But unlike the last election in 2022, where these parties fought as divided incumbents after a short period in office, they have begun coordinating well in advance of the elections.

The election will be held in the wake of the still palpable trauma after October 7 and exhaustion from two years of war fought on many fronts. Despite this, Israels civil society remains healthy.

This has been best exemplified by the Hostages and Missing Family Forum, a body that has not only campaigned publicly for the hostages return but also provided vital services to the families and released hostages. The big question will be the effect of such movements on the way Israelis vote.



File Photo. President Donald Trump hosts a bilateral dinner for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Monday, July 7, 2025, in the Blue Room. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok). Public Domain. Via Picryl.

Much, of course, will also depend on how Trumps peace plan develops on the ground. If the US and its allies can deploy an international stabilisation force and create a semblance of a governing authority in Gaza to take over from Hamas, then calm may be maintained. This could boost Netanyahus reelection chances if he can spin it as a win for Israel.

Looming over the plan is the decommissioning of Hamas  not just guns and rockets but also dismantling its network of tunnels beneath Gaza. This process is unlikely to be smooth. It is possible that Trumps plan will still allow Netanyahu some more opportunities to demonstrate military prowess ahead of the election. This might help mobilise support for his coalition, particularly among the far right.

Since the start of the war in Gaza, the Israeli prime minister has compared himself to Winston Churchill, Britains leader during the second world war. Churchill did indeed win the war, but went on to lose elections in 1945. Netanyahu will be working hard to prove that part of the comparison wrong.

John Strawson, Emeritus Professor of Law, University of East London

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
GAZA, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Gaza-based health authorities said Saturday that Israel handed over the bodies of 15 Palestinians to Gaza through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as part of the prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.

The transfer brings to 135 the total number of bodies returned from Israel, the health authorities said in a press statement.

The authorities confirmed that their medical teams continue to handle the bodies in accordance with approved medical procedures and protocols before handing them over to the families.

The health and forensic authorities in Gaza are responsible for identifying the remains, and the ICRC is providing technical guidance when necessary, according to the statement.

The Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when a surprise attack by Hamas-led militants on southern Israel killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. The ensuing Israeli offensive in Gaza has killed 67,967 people and injured another 170,179, according to Gaza's health authorities.

A ceasefire, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye, and the United States, went into effect on Oct. 10. Its first phase includes the exchange of prisoners and detainees, the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, and partial withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Israel, under the agreement, has received all remaining 20 living hostages and 10 out of the 28 bodies that Hamas is obliged to return. 
Myanmar's ruling junta said Saturday that it had recaptured a town on a trade highway to China from an ethnic armed group in the country's war-wracked north.

Following a 16-day operation, "on 16 October, Tatmadaw reoccupied Hsipaw completely," the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said, referring to the military by its Burmese name.

Northern Shan state has been rocked by fighting since June 2024 when an alliance of ethnic armed groups renewed an offensive against the military along the highway to China's Yunnan province.

The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) captured the last remaining military base in the town of Hsipaw in October that year after weeks of fighting.

Hsipaw is normally home to around 20,000 people and sits on a highway from Myanmar's second city Mandalay to the China border, along which hundreds of millions of dollars of trade travels annually.

There were 28 clashes and "engagements" in the two weeks leading up to Hsipaw's recapture, the GNLM said, with the military "seizing 13 dead bodies of terrorists", referring to members of the anti-junta TNLA.

"The military council is committing war crimes against innocent civilians ... whether by manpower, heavy weapons, drones or airstrikes," read a statement Friday by the TNLA's Department of News and Information channel on Telegram, adding that 29 people had been killed since the junta began its latest offensive.

Myanmar's ruling junta has been fighting a myriad of ethnic armed groups and "People's Defense Forces" opposed to its rule since it seized power in a February 2021 coup, ending a brief experiment with democracy.

Since the coup, the TNLA -- one of Myanmar's most powerful ethnic armed groups -- has strengthened its control of a swathe of Shan territory, seizing around a dozen key towns and the country's main ruby-mining hub.

Fighting between the TNLA and the military caused widespread destruction in Shan state's Kyaukme township -- another key town on the trade route from Mandalay to the Chinese border -- as the junta retook control of it in early October.
This photo taken on Oct. 18, 2025 shows South Korean online scam suspects getting out of a bus at the Techo International Airport in Kandal province, Cambodia. Cambodia deported 64 South Korean online scam suspects, including five women, to their birth country on Friday night, said a news release from Cambodia's Ad-Hoc Committee to Combat Online Scams on Saturday. (Agence Kampuchea Presse/Handout via Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia deported 64 South Korean online scam suspects, including five women, to their birth country on Friday night, said a news release from Cambodia's Ad-Hoc Committee to Combat Online Scams on Saturday.

The suspects were expelled from the kingdom through the Techo International Airport in southern Kandal province, the news release said, adding that the group would face legal action in South Korea.

"They were deported to their birth country after the authorities found that they were involved in online fraud," the news release said.

It was not the first time the Southeast Asian country sent South Korean nationals back to their home country, the news release said, adding that in the recent past, the kingdom also deported 180 South Korean nationals.

Cambodia has launched an unprecedented nationwide crackdown on cyber scam networks, aiming at maintaining and protecting security, public order, and social safety.

According to Cambodia's Ad-Hoc Committee to Combat Online Scams, the kingdom had arrested a total of 3,455 online scam suspects in 20 nationalities in nearly four months. 

South Korean online scam suspects are escorted onto a plane at the Techo International Airport in Kandal province, Cambodia on Oct. 18, 2025. Cambodia deported 64 South Korean online scam suspects, including five women, to their birth country on Friday night, said a news release from Cambodia's Ad-Hoc Committee to Combat Online Scams on Saturday. (Agence Kampuchea Presse/Handout via Xinhua)

South Korean online scam suspects are escorted onto a plane at the Techo International Airport in Kandal province, Cambodia on Oct. 18, 2025. Cambodia deported 64 South Korean online scam suspects, including five women, to their birth country on Friday night, said a news release from Cambodia's Ad-Hoc Committee to Combat Online Scams on Saturday. (Agence Kampuchea Presse/Handout via Xinhua)
ROME, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Italian cabinet on Friday passed the new budget bill for 2026, including tax cuts and other measures worth 18.7 billion euros (21.8 billion U.S. dollars) in total.

The package would allocate 8 billion euros for businesses, and 1.6 billion euros to support families and boost the national birth rate, according to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

It also includes a tax cut for middle-income households worth around 9 billion euros over the next three years, as well as a modest increase in benefits for working mothers, from 40 to 60 euros per month.

An additional 2.4 billion euros will be allocated to the public health system, adding to a 5-billion-euro fund already set aside for health investments. The new funding will be used to provide a pay rise to nurses in 2026, hire 6,300 new medical staff and 1,000 doctors, and boost cancer screening programmes.

The budget set Italy's public deficit at 2.8 percent of GDP for 2026, which would bring Italy in line with the EU's fiscal rules that impose a 3-percent deficit-to-GDP threshold.

The budget bill will have to be discussed and approved by both chambers of parliament before the end of the year. (1 euro = 1.17 U.S. dollars) 
Tirlan has announced its grain pricing for Harvest 2025, confirming a headline price of 190 per tonne for green feed barley and 200/t for green feed wheat, including the Trading Bonus.



In addition to base prices, Tirlan will pay out over 3 million in premiums for quality and value added grains.

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These include specialist crops such as Gluten-Free Oats, Malting Barley, Winter Cassia Barley and HEAR (High Erucic Acid Rapeseed), which offer farmers enhanced returns above base feed grain prices.

John Murphy, Chairperson of Tirlan, commented: The 2025 harvest saw significant growth in Tirlans grain intake to almost 223,000 tonnes, an increase of 45,000 tonnes compared to last year.

Great credit is due to everyone in the supply chain for managing what was a very concentrated harvest this year.

As the largest purchaser of native Irish grains, Tirlan uses home-produced crops in its GAIN Animal Feed range.

John Murphy urged dairy and beef farmers to consider the challenges facing Irish grain producers when making feed purchasing decisions.

Irish livestock farmers depend on tillage farmers for high-quality native grain and straw.

Supporting them by choosing rations from feed mills that utilise locally produced grain is in all our interests.

Trading Bonus Scheme

Tirlans Trading Bonus Scheme remains in place for 2025, offering up to 10/t for all eligible grain supplied, subject to minimum tillage input criteria.

John Murphy added: The Trading Bonus is a recognition by our Co-op of the loyalty of our tillage farmers.

For 2025, it has also been extended to non-shareholders in light of the difficult market conditions and rising input costs.

Grain Strategy and Premium Crops

John Murphy acknowledged the current pressure on Irish grain growers, including elevated input costs and subdued global market prices.

He reaffirmed Tirlans commitment to regular engagement with its Grain Advisory Group, tillage farmer members, the IFA Grain Committee, and the Irish Grain Growers Group.

Tirlans grain strategy continues to focus on developing markets for premium crops.

John Kealy, Head of Grains at Tirlan, said: In 2025, around 45% of our green grain intake qualified for premium crop payments.

By working closely with our growers, were ensuring these crops deliver additional returns, especially in challenging market conditions.
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Fifty-five pilgrims from across the Diocese of Ossory travelled from Kilkenny to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal earlier this month as part of the annual Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage.

The pilgrimage took place from October 8 to 15 and was led by Fr Willie Purcell, who was making his 30th visit to the Marian shrine. He was joined by Fr Roderick Whearty.

During the week, the group took part in a full programme of liturgies, processions, and devotions. Mass was celebrated in several significant locations, including the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, where the three visionaries  St Jacinta, St Francisco, and Sr Lucia  are buried; the Parish Church of Fatima, where they were baptised; and the Capelinha (Chapel of the Apparitions), the site of the apparitions of Our Lady in 1917.

READ MORE - WHAT'S ON IN KILKENNY

The Ossory pilgrims were again honoured to lead the English-speaking Mass at the Chapel of the Apparitions, a highlight of the visit for the group.

It is always a privilege to return to Fatima with pilgrims from Ossory, said Fr Purcell. Each visit deepens our faith and reminds us of the message of peace, hope, and prayer that Our Lady shared with the world.

Bishop Niall Coll sent his blessings to the pilgrims and assured them of his prayers during their time in Fatima. The pilgrimage was organised by Manning Travel / Worldchoice, who coordinated all travel and accommodation arrangements.
Iraqi students pose for a group photo during the graduation ceremony of the first batch of Iraqi students under the Zhenhua Oil Scholarship Program at Southwest Petroleum University in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 27, 2025. (Xinhua)

BAGHDAD, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- "There is an Arabic proverb that says, 'Seek knowledge, even if you have to go as far as China.' I feel truly honored to have the opportunity to study in China," said Iraqi engineer Mahdi Salah with excitement.

On Friday, Mahdi and 14 other Iraqi students boarded a flight to China, marking the start of their study journey under the ZhenHua Oil Scholarship Program.

Launched in 2022, the program is jointly carried out by Chinese company ZhenHua Oil and Iraqi Oil Ministry, aiming to select young talents from Iraq's petroleum sector to pursue advanced studies in China each year. So far, a total of 54 Iraqi students have gone to China to pursue master's or doctoral degrees in fields such as petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, and geology.

In September, China's Southwest Petroleum University issued admission letters to the fourth batch of Iraqi students under the program.

Mahdi, a drilling engineer, recalled his excitement upon receiving the letter. "It was a remarkable day for my academic and professional life," he said, adding that "China has become a global leader in oil and gas development. Its universities provide excellent research and academic environments. I will work hard to improve my expertise and contribute to Iraq's energy development in the future."

Another student, Mustafa Ghazi, a petrochemical engineer, is equally eager about his upcoming academic journey to China.

"Iraq is rich in oil and gas resources. Studying in China will allow me to learn cutting-edge technologies and mature industrial practices in the petrochemical field," he said.

For Mustafa, his stay in China will not only be an academic pursuit but also a journey of cultural discovery.

"China and Iraq are both ancient civilizations," he added. "I will take this valuable opportunity to deepen my understanding of Chinese culture while pursuing my studies."

In June, the first batch of Iraqi students sponsored by the ZhenHua Oil Scholarship Program graduated from Chinese universities and returned to their posts in Iraq.

Yin Licheng, general manager assistant of Chinese EBS Petroleum Company, said the graduates have become "backbone professionals in various departments and messengers of Chinese culture at the frontlines of China-Iraq cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative."

Among them, Ali Maher, a petroleum exploration and development engineer, shared his study experience and insights into Chinese culture in a lecture at the EBS Oilfield in Iraq, which drew great interest from his Iraqi colleagues.

"My study experience in China has benefited me for life," Ali said. "I'm proud that I can help more Iraqis learn about China."

Aya Emad, now an engineer at the EBS oilfield's digital and intelligent oilfield department, said that building a smart oilfield is the future of energy development.

"Although my current work is quite different from my major, I believe that with courage and a willingness to learn, progress will surely follow," she said.

The scholarship program has been highly recognized by the Iraqi side. Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani spoke highly of the ZhenHua Oil Scholarship Program, expressing hope to continue cooperation to cultivate more talents for the future of Iraq's energy industry.

Ma Cheng, general manager assistant of ZhenHua Oil, said the young Iraqis studying in China are growing into skilled engineers who understand, appreciate, and love China.

"Their growth represents a stronger and brighter future for China-Iraq energy cooperation," Ma said. 

Ali Maher, one of the first batch of Iraqi students under the Zhenhua Oil Scholarship Program, shares his study experience and insights into Chinese culture in a lecture at the EBS Oilfield in Iraq, Oct. 13, 2025. (Xinhua)

Ali Maher (L), one of the first batch of Iraqi students under the Zhenhua Oil Scholarship Program, shares his study experience in China with Mahdi Salah, who is about to study in China, at the EBS Oilfield in Iraq, Oct. 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Duan Minfu)

Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani (7th L, front) meets with representatives of Iraqi students under the Zhenhua Oil Scholarship Program in Baghdad, Iraq, Oct. 13, 2025. (Xinhua)
WUHAN, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- An international academic seminar marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN) opened on Saturday in Wuhan, the capital of central China's Hubei Province, highlighting United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758.

The two-day event, "The 80th Anniversary of the United Nations: World Order, International Law and the Future of Multilateralism," is co-hosted by Wuhan University in China and Benha University in Egypt.

Foreign attendees, including Miguel de Serpa Soares, former UN under-secretary-general for legal affairs and UN legal counsel, held in their speeches that commemorating the 80th anniversary of the UN requires a firm commitment to upholding the outcomes of victory in World War II and the post-war international order. They called for continued support for the UN to play a central role in international affairs, and for the joint practice of true multilateralism.

Addressing the event, Zhao Shitong, deputy director of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, and Zhu Kongjun, Party chief of Wuhan University, both emphasized that Taiwan's return to China constituted an integral outcome of victory in World War II and the post-war international order.

They said that any attempt to distort or challenge UNGA Resolution 2758 not only undermines China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also challenges the authority of the UN and the post-war world order.

They expressed the hope that the international community could fully understand and support the Chinese government and Chinese people in opposing "Taiwan independence," and in advancing the just cause of national reunification.

Two books, "Restoration of the Lawful Rights of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations: Text, Documents and Materials" and "Collections of Legal Studies on United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758," were unveiled at the seminar, showcasing the latest academic research results from Chinese scholars of international law.

On Oct. 25, 1971, the 26th session of the UNGA adopted Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority, which reaffirmed that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and there is no such thing as "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan."

The event gathered approximately 150 attendees from nearly 20 countries, including Egypt, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, as well as international institutions such as the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization. 
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TEHRAN, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday called on Afghanistan and Pakistan to exercise self-restraint, stop clashes, and resolve differences through dialogue.

He made the remarks during a phone call with Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, expressing concern over recent developments in the region and border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

Araghchi stressed that continued tensions between the two Muslim countries would lead to more casualties and compromise the entire region's stability, voicing Iran's readiness to help de-escalate tensions and facilitate "constructive" dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Afghanistan's foreign minister, for his part, said the country prefers the path of dialogue and peace over military conflicts.

The two sides also highlighted the importance of improving bilateral relations, ensuring security along the Iran-Afghanistan border, and preventing foreign interference in the regional countries' internal affairs. They called for continued dialogue and enhanced coordination to promote peace and stability in the region, according to the statement.

The clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan erupted after the Taliban launched "retaliatory" attacks last week against Pakistani soldiers along the shared border, following explosions in Afghan territory on Oct. 9, which the Taliban-run defense authorities attributed to Pakistan.

Pakistan did not claim responsibility for the blasts, but accused the Taliban of giving refuge to members of the Pakistani Taliban, "who attack Pakistan."

Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday issued separate statements announcing a ceasefire after days of cross-border exchanges of fire. 
Chinese vice premier holds video call with U.S. treasury secretary, trade representative on economic issues

Xinhua) 10:44, October 18, 2025

BEIJING, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also Chinese lead person for China-U.S. economic and trade affairs, held a video call on Saturday with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on bilateral important economic issues.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Kou Jie)
MANILA, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- A suspected rebel was killed in a clash with Philippine troops in Bulacan province, north of Manila, a military report said Saturday.

The report said troops were responding to reports about the presence of armed men in a village when they clashed with the band of 20 New People's Army (NPA) rebels on Friday afternoon in Norzagaray.

As the soldiers approached the target area, they were reportedly met with gunfire, resulting in a 10-minute firefight. The insurgents fled in the middle of fighting, leaving behind their dead comrade, one M14 rifle, and some jungle packs.

No soldier was either killed or wounded in the clash. NPA rebels have been fighting government troops since 1969.

Military data showed that the NPA's personnel strength has declined since its peak of around 25,000 armed members in the 1980s.

Despite its dwindling fighters, the NPA continues to launch small-scale attacks in the countryside. 
Sarah Slater

An American woman allegedly raped by a Dublin firefighter, who was in Boston as part of St Patricks Day celebrations, went home, changed her clothes, put them in a bag, and brought them to a nearby hospital immediately after the incident, a court has been told on the second day of evidence.

Terence Crosbie (38) from Dublin, has been in custody for 18 months and is accused of raping an American woman at the Omni Parker House hotel in downtown Boston after celebrating at the Black Rose bar on March 14th, 2024.

He is pleading not guilty in his second trial.

Last June his court hearing, which ended in a mistrial was tho that Mr Crosbie, 38, from Dublin was in the American city with work colleagues as part of the St Patricks Day celebrations on March 14th, last year.

It is alleged that on March 15th last year, Crosbie raped the now 29-year-old woman at the hotel.

Mr Crosbie had flown to Boston from Ireland on the same day of the alleged incident with colleagues and that he was scheduled to leave the following Tuesday, March 18th.

Mr Crosbie was sharing a hotel room with a fellow firefighter, whom the victim said she had consensual sex with after meeting earlier in the Black Rose pub. They subsequently fell asleep in separate beds.

The victim alleged that she woke in the early hours of the following day to another man sexually assaulting her, and identifying him to police as the defendant.

Taking the stand for a second day, the alleged victim testified to a text message she sent at 2.18 am saying that she woke up and a guy was inside me.

She walked home and then changed her clothes, put her worn clothes in a bag, and went to the hospital. At the Emergency Room (ER), she consented to an evidence collection kit and met with nurses and doctors.

Her blood was drawn and she was prescribed medications, including Vyvanse and a medication for depression/anxiety.

The woman arrived at the emergency department just after 3am and was discharged seven hours later at 10am.

The alleged victim met with police at the hospital and then again on March 16th last year, where she identified a photo of Liam OBrien as the man she had consensual sex with.

Under cross-examination, she acknowledged having a 0.135 blood alcohol content hours after the incident, and admitted being under the influence of alcohol but maintained she was coherent.

The alleged victim admitted she did not remember Liams name until the police told her and maintained that nobody else was in the hotel room when she and Mr OBrien arrived.

Dr Lindsay Walsh, ER doctor/treating physician, Mass General Brigham Hospital, confirmed there was a small vaginal laceration that didnt bleed but acknowledged defenses statement that such lacerations could result from consensual sexual activity or other innocuous activities.

Opening statements were heard in Suffolk Superior Court on Thursday afternoon according to NBC Boston News and Court TV.

Prosecution attorney Daniela Mendes detailed the events of the day and night in question and argued that the alleged victim was clinically sober despite having alcoholic drinks throughout the day.

Attorney Patrick Garrity gave the defenses opening statement arguing the alleged victim never identified Mr Crosbie as the attacker, despite claiming the lights were on in the room and that she got a good look at the suspect which points to reasonable doubt.

Mr Crosbie has been in custody on a $50,000 bail at the Suffolk County Jail since his arrest.

The trial continues and is expected to last for five days
A file photo of Chen Ning Yang. Renowned physicist Chen Ning Yang, a Nobel laureate and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, died in Beijing on Saturday at 103, according to Tsinghua University. (Tsinghua University/Handout via Xinhua)

BEIJING, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Grief and heartfelt tributes flooded China's social media as the world learned of the passing on Saturday of renowned physicist Chen Ning Yang, Nobel laureate and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

One of the greatest physicists of the 20th century, Yang has been revered as a role model by generations of Chinese scientists, with his achievements greatly boosting national confidence as the country pushes for national rejuvenation and scientific development.

Chinese netizens expressed deep sorrow online, wishing Yang peaceful rest and honoring his contributions. "He is a giant in science who proves that the Chinese are not inferior in frontier science," one comment read. Another netizen wrote: "Yang serves as an academic bridge connecting Chinese and Western civilizations."

According to an obituary from Tsinghua University, Yang died in Beijing on Saturday at age 103. It said Yang was "one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century, having made revolutionary contributions to the development of modern physics."

The obituary noted that Yang had achieved numerous breakthroughs in particle physics, quantum field theory, statistical physics and condensed matter physics -- "profoundly shaping the development of these disciplines."

Yang was born in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, in 1922, when China was mired in warlord warfare, poverty and imperialist encroachment. After earning a master's degree from Tsinghua University in the 1940s, he went to the United States to pursue further academic studies and subsequently held teaching positions.

Yang is best known for his work on the so-called parity laws together with Tsung-Dao Lee, which proved that the law of parity conservation, once considered an absolute law in physics, could be violated in weak interactions. For this groundbreaking work, they were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1957.

The Yang-Mills gauge theory, which he proposed with Robert Mills, laid the foundation for the subsequent Standard Model of particle physics. It is regarded as one of the cornerstones of modern physics -- and one of the most important achievements of physics in the 20th century.

Shi Yigong, a renowned biophysicist and academician of the CAS, once said in an article that the achievements of Yang and Lee have inspired many generations of Chinese youth to respect science and strive for greatness, thus helping generate many prominent figures in fundamental research.

In retrospect, Yang himself also said his greatest contribution might be to "boost the confidence of the Chinese."

In 1999, Yang assumed the position of professor at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Before this appointment, he had been named Honorary Director of the university's newly established Center for Advanced Study (now named the Institute for Advanced Study) in 1997.

"Since returning to China, Yang had regarded nurturing China's brightest minds as his foremost mission -- the endeavor to which he has devoted more time and energy than any other," noted Zhu Bangfen, a condensed matter physicist, academician of the CAS and professor at Tsinghua, who shared a close relationship with Yang.

To staff and students at Tsinghua University, this renowned scientist was always energetic, humble and composed, with a clear mind. Students would sometimes see him on campus and share photos of these encounters on social media.

Even at the age of 82, Yang stepped up to the podium to teach general physics to freshmen.

"He was a highly respected scientific master with a broad vision and no prejudice. He always offered selfless support and encouragement to young scholars," said Wang Xiaoyun, a cryptography expert and professor at the Institute for Advanced Study at Tsinghua University.

"What Mr. Yang has expected most is that more Chinese will participate in world-class research and help solve real problems in China using our own technologies," Wang said.

Yang devoted "immense effort" to advancing fundamental disciplines like physics and cultivating talents at Tsinghua, thereby "making tremendous contributions" that greatly impacted the reform and development of Chinese higher education, according to the obituary. It also mentioned him as "the pioneer in building the bridge of academic exchange between China and the United States."

Yang's century-long journey, from a young physics student at Tsinghua University, to a Nobel-winning scientist and then to a dedicated educator back in his homeland -- also mirrors modern China's trajectory from the depths of crisis in modern times to the path of great rejuvenation.

His hometown, Hefei, now houses several national labs and large scientific facilities, including the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), the "artificial sun" that tests the prospects of harnessing nuclear fusion for electricity generation.

People in Hefei also expressed their admiration for Yang and drew inspiration from his patriotism.

"In his later years, Yang resolutely returned to China to contribute to its scientific development. His devotion to science and love of his motherland will be passed on to the younger generation of scientists," said Kuang Guangli, academic director of the High Magnetic Field Laboratory of the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science under the CAS.

At the age of 99, Yang donated his personal collection -- comprising more than 2,000 books, manuscripts and letters, to Tsinghua University.

"What I hope will stay in Tsinghua's archives is not just my scientific work, but the whole truth of who Chen Ning Yang is," he said. 
By David Young, PA

Extending voting rights in Irish presidential elections to citizens living in Northern Ireland would be overstepping the mark, Stormonts deputy First Minister has warned.

Emma Little-Pengelly said the difference between political reality and political aspiration had to be recognised, as she stressed that Northern Irelands head of state was the King.

Sinn Fein First Minister Michelle ONeill offered an opposing view to her DUP counterpart as Stormonts co-leaders were asked about the issue at a press conference following the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in Dublin.

(left to right) Tanaiste Simon Harris, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle ONeill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly after the meeting of the North South Ministerial Council. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA.

Ms ONeill said it was a huge democratic deficit that she, as an Irish citizen, could run to be president of Ireland but yet could not vote in the elections, as she lives north of the border.

In 2013, a constitutional convention in the Republic of Ireland recommended extending the voting franchise to Irish citizens living outside the state.

Such a move would require a referendum on amending Irelands constitution.

A vote was due to take place in 2019 but was postponed amid the turbulent political context of post-Brexit negotiations focused on the Irish border.

Sinn Fein has been pressing the Irish government to push ahead with the issue but there has been no fresh commitment for a referendum.

Ms Little-Pengelly made clear her opposition to the prospect of the move as she addressed the question following the NSMC meeting on Friday.

In relation to presidential voting rights, Northern Ireland has a head of state, and that head of state reflects the political reality, she said.

Its the difference between a political reality and a political aspiration.

And I think we need to be very careful not to overstep into that mark, which is around the delicate equilibrium of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, recognising the legitimacy and aspiration, but the difference between aspiration and political reality, in that Northern Ireland remains entirely within the United Kingdom and that is the first and key principle of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, and that should be reflected and respected.

First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle ONeill. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA.

Ms ONeill offered a contrary perspective.

In terms of the presidential voting rights, thats a huge democratic deficit, obviously, she said.

I, as an Irish citizen living in the north, could stand for the position, but cannot vote in that election.

So thats a democratic deficit that I think that we all want to see corrected, and we need to see that done at pace.

We shouldnt have another presidential election where were left out.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin told reporters that a lot of work has to be done in relation to any move to extend voting rights.

It would have to be consistent with the ethos of the Good Friday Agreement, the whole parity of esteem issue, and also creating opportunities for people to participate in an election such as the presidency, he said.

But it would involve a constitutional amendment. It would require that, but therell be a lot of significant work in respect of it.

Tanaiste Simon Harris said he agreed with Mr Martins comments on the issue.
By Bairbre Holmes, PA

Heather Humphreys has accused her rival for the Aras, Catherine Connolly, of using the language of Nigel Farage.

In a speech on the EU, delivered to her supporters in central Dublin on Friday, she said: The other candidate in this race spoke the language of Nigel Farage when she accused those of us who wanted to warn of the dangers of Brexit, of Project Fear, and concluded the British people had not been fooled.

It showed bad judgment then, and even poorer judgment now.

Project Fear was a label given by pro-Brexit campaigners to some of the arguments of those who advocated for the UK to remain in the EU during the 2016 referendum.

Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys speaking to supporters in central Dublin. Photo: PA/Bairbre Holmes.

In the speech she also reiterated criticism of Ms Connollys attitudes towards Irelands allies when discussing the countrys presidency of the Council of the EU, which it is due to hold from July to December next year.

She said 40 European leaders are expected to visit Ireland for the largest head of government and state meeting ever held here and said she certainly wont be insulting them.

During previous media appearances Ms Humphreys has claimed Catherine Connolly insulted some of Irelands allies, in particular when Ms Connolly made comments comparing Germanys current military build-up with its militarisation under the Nazis in the 1930s.

Ms Connolly previously described the allegations as scurrilous.

Later the Fine Gael candidate appeared on RTEs Six One News where she was challenged by Sharon Tobin that many people, especially conservative voters, dont feel there is a candidate that represents their views in this election.

Ms Humphreys responded saying: Well, I would represent everybody if I am president and Im asking people to put their trust in me.

Im saying to them, Im a middle ground person. Im a centre, a centrist.

I am pro-European, and I wont let this country down.

Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys and Fianna FAil minister Darragh OBrien campaigning in Howth, Dublin (PA/Bairbre Holmes)

She also spent some time on Friday out and about campaigning in Howth Harbour in north Dublin where she sampled some chips from Leo Burdocks, the iconic fish and chip shop.She was joined by Fianna Fails Darragh OBrien TD who said he is supporting her in a personal capacity.

The minister said he believes Heather is the best person for the job, adding his daughter is a massive fan.

Asked if he would vote for Jim Gavin, his partys candidate whose name remains on the ballot, despite withdrawing from the race, Mr OBrien said whats happened has happened and weve moved on from that.
A STUNNING collection of superbly sharp photographs from the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Constantinople (Istanbul) taken by local lensman Liam Healion over several years of holidaying was launched in Mountmellick Library on Tuesday 7 October.

The unblemished presentation of The Shutterbugs Photographic Exhibition by the Mountmellick artiste who is a Licentiateship of the Irish Photographic federation (LIPF) is on display in two rooms of the librarys three-roomed art gallery with the third being used as a reception and will remain on show during opening hours until the end of October.

Talking to the Laois Nationalist about his latest exhibition which has become an annual event in his local library over the last few years, Liam said: I have been to Istanbul five times, and the most recent time was last year. About six months ago I went into Bryan Fergus in his Fuji shop in Portlaoise and I said to him that I thought that I had enough photographs for this year's exhibition. He looked at me and said: what are you talking about? you have enough photographs for two exhibitions! Bryan does all of my printing and I thought about what he said. I didnt go on a holiday this year but last year I went to Istanbul. In 2020 the Hagia Sophia was converted back to a mosque having been a museum from 1935 to 2020. Visitors like us could walk out on the floor and wander all around the ground floor and the balconies but now we are confined to the balcony.

So, I thought right! I have a lot of photographs that I took from the ground floor before then that cant be taken again. Jokingly I said to somebody that they must be priceless to see the different angles from the ground floor. I also thought that I have something that is a little bit unique here which is why I went down the road of displaying photographs of the Hagia Sophia.

The building started off in 537AD as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral serving as the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople for almost a thousand years. The building was constructed by Constantine  a Roman Emperor and seemingly it took close to a decade to complete. The display also features historic information and dates via a timeline of the Hagia Sophia from over the centuries.

The second room of Mountmellick Library art gallery is taken up with equally stunning photographs of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. Liam said that both buildings are as close together as the two ends of Croke Park are.

Speaking about the Sultan Ahmed Mosque photographs Liam Said: Again the photographs show a timeline. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque was built around 1670. Pointing out several of his amazing photographs which he took at nighttime Liam said: What you cant see in the outdoor photographs is the scaffolding that is behind the trees. For about ten years they put a huge effort into protecting that building because every so often it gets a shaking from earthquakes. Having been built when it was built the foundations werent great. When asked what the secret is to capture such sharp and intriguing photographs like the unmanipulated images in his show, Liam said: You need to use a tripod and you need a long exposure of maybe six, eight or ten seconds because it was dark. If you have your camera on a tripod everything will be rock-steady and pin-sharp.

If you were to get a magnifying glass and go up to those photographs all of the detail is there whereas if you are hand holding a camera its very difficult even with the best of them. Even the slightest bit of handshake will show when you enlarge the photographs. I do no additional work whatsoever with my photographs like photoshop or anything else. I bring them to Bryan Fergus and if a tiny tweak in contrast or sharpness is required, he looks after that. Following the event and keeping in with his tradition, Liam invited everyone who attended the launch to Notions Cafe in the Square in Mountmellick for tea, coffee and delicious coffee cakes and brownies.
A WOMAN charged with stealing 461 worth of goods from a branch of Dunnes Stores was last week convicted and fined when she appeared before Carlow District Court. Claudia Veresan was fined 400 for stealing the goods from Dunnes Stores, Graiguecullen on 27 July this year. Sergeant Peter Smyth told Judge Geraldine Carthy that the defendant left the shop without paying on that date.

Solicitor Tash Van Eeden said that all the goods were recovered by the shop and that Ms Veresan (40), who is Romanian, had 460 in court which she could pay into the court poor box and so avoid a conviction.

Judge Carthy didnt allow the submission and instead convicted and fined Ms Veresan of Island Road, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
The discovery of the bald eagle nest was immediately reported to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program. AP

Archaeologists searching for traces of a Revolutionary War-era fort in Stroudsburg have made an unexpected discovery that could affect major highway expansion plans  a bald eagle nest located along the Interstate 80 corridor.

The large nest, believed to belong to a bald eagle, was found during excavations on private property where researchers were investigating the possible site of the original Fort Hamilton.

Federal guidelines require a 660-foot buffer zone around active bald eagle nests that restricts construction activity to protect the federally protected species.

Early review indicates the buffer zone may extend into Stroud Township and overlap with Phase 1 of the Federal Highway Administration and PennDOTs I-80 expansion project plans, according to a news release from Pennsylvania state Rep. Tarah Probst.

The discovery was immediately reported to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, which coordinates with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. A state official has confirmed the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has been informed of the eagles location, though there has not yet been a formal response from federal authorities.

The archaeological team had originally been investigating the true location of Fort Hamilton, a French and Indian War-era fort built under the direction of Benjamin Franklin. For decades, it was believed to be located near Main Street and the Monroe County Historical Association. However, no artifacts were uncovered during excavations connected with MCHAs new facility.

A Library of Congress map suggested the forts position may have been closer to the current I-80 corridor, prompting the ongoing excavation that unexpectedly revealed the eagles nest.

Stroudsburgs natural and historic treasures are part of what make our community so unique, Probst said. The discovery of a bald eagles nest alongside the potential site of Fort Hamilton underscores the need for responsible stewardship before we make irreversible changes to the landscape.

Danny Younger, a local archaeologist involved with the dig, called the find remarkable.

This is an extraordinary find, Younger said. We set out to learn more about Fort Hamilton, but instead we encountered a living symbol of American freedom. Its rare that archaeology and wildlife conservation intersect so directly. Both deserve thoughtful protection.

The implications for the I-80 expansion remain under review, but local conservation advocates stress the importance of protecting both Pennsylvanias natural heritage and its historic sites.

Probst said anyone with additional concerns about the I-80 project should contact her staffer Jessica Smith at 570-420-2850, ext. 1 or jsmith@pahouse.net.

Generative AI was used to organize and structure information for this story, based on data provided by the office of Pennsylvania state Rep. Tarah Probst. It was reviewed and edited by lehighvalleylive.com staff.
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.

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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/.
Sometimes you forget the simple joy of achieving a feat for the first time ever but there is not danger of that for Donal Casey as his first words absolutely captured the essence of what it means to Leitrim Gaels to contest their first ever Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC Final next Sunday.

I swear to God, it absolutely means the world, is the apt answer that captures both what it means for Donal and Leitrim Gaels, It's a full year of slogging and it's just great to finally get over the line and get into the final now.

But Donal is thinking more of the club stalwarts who have battled for the Gaels for so long rather than any personal achievements: It's not even myself, it's the Aidan Flynn's of the world that are here, what, 15 years playing and they're finally getting here. They're the men that we look to, so it means absolutely everything.

One of Leitrims, let alone the Gaels, outstanding players, Donal typically plays it down, preferring to emphasise the efforts so many are putting into a team effort. Asked what it meant for him to reach a final after an almost year long battle with injury, Donal said It is big but again, I'm just one person amongst, what, 50 lads, do you know what I mean?

Everyone else is doing their own, they have their own journeys and I've had my journey and thankfully I'm here and able to play and help out. When you see David Bruen coming home, the effort that he's put in, away from the pitch, away in Australia, it's huge. We do it for our club, we do it for our family. We're all great together, we're a tight bunch of lads and it's great to have everyone home now for the final.

PERFORMING ON THE DAY IS WHAT MATTERS TO LEITRIM GAELS' AIDAN FLYNN

Dealing with the excitement of a County Final is a novel experience for the Gaels but Donal stresses it is up to each player to do with as they see fit but to be ready on the training field: I think you take it in your stride, absolutely. You have to enjoy it too but I said to lads coming in here today, there's a lot of noise, there's a lot of pressure, just enjoy it.

If you don't enjoy it, what's the point? Do you know what I mean? All this, the two weeks build up now, just enjoy it and take it as it is. But when it comes to training, we switch off and come back in as a group.

The excitement is great. That's what the supporters, family & friends deserve - a bit of excitement. We haven't had this before, this time of year. Normally we're dead and buried and finished, so to have this is excellent. But again, as a team, we stick together and we do what we have to do.

The constant message from the Gaels has been the group but it is hard to get away from the impact of the Jones brothers on a club who had never reached a Senior Final before and while Donal acknowledges the impact the Fermanagh trio have made, he says it doesnt matter to the team: Sure, we're used to noise and it makes no difference to us what people say or what people think.

It's the same thing - we go out every day, it makes no odds what people's opinions are, it doesn't matter to the team. The lads have brought experience and a level of professionalism and everyone else has come up to that level. We'll take anyone in with open arms and they've brought the team up to a different level this year and hopefully that'll allow us to move forward.

The defender also credits a different mentality within the Gaels set-up this year: There was a different feeling this year, there was a different mentality within the team. We knew we were getting there, we set out our goals and we hit them the whole way through. Ballinamore are brilliant but there's four or five outfits there that are top class outfits and on a day, anyone can win it. But for us, we just stay focused on ourselves.

As for the final, Donal has a simple outlook - finals are there for winning! Absolutely, number one - that's the most important thing of the least important things. Everything will be finished after Sunday, we can relax, put the feet up. We knew we'd get to the final, now it's just about giving that extra 5% and getting over the line and hopefully we'll bring the Fenagh Cup home.
ISLAMABAD, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- A high-level Pakistani delegation will hold discussions with representatives of Afghanistan in Doha to address ongoing issues between the two sides, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

The ministry said that the Pakistani delegation, led by the country's Minister of Defense Khawaja Asif, will seek measures aimed at ending cross-border terrorism and restoring stability along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

The ministry also expressed appreciation for Qatar's mediation efforts and said Islamabad hopes the discussions would contribute to broader regional peace and security.

Tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border have risen recently following cross-border firing and militant activities. 
A group of John McGahern fans from Kansas visited Drumshanbo last week as part of a growing wave of literary tourism inspired by the acclaimed film That They May Face the Rising Sun  and actor Philip Dolan believes this is just the beginning.

The Knockcroghery native, who starred as Jamesie in the adaptation of McGaherns celebrated novel, accepted the Excellence in Film Award on behalf of the production at the Kansas City Irish Festival in August. The festival, which attracts more than 25,000 people, launched the new film award this year, with Dolan presenting talks on McGaherns work to packed audiences.

Its a huge event and theres a real appetite among American audiences to know more about McGahern and the landscapes that inspired his writing, Dolan said. People kept asking me, Where can we see that scenery? Thats where the idea for a themed McGahern tour started.

The visit by a Kansas tour group to Drumshanbo followed Dolans festival appearance, and he hopes it will grow into something much bigger. This is just the beginning, he explained. The idea is to offer a three-day McGahern-themed experience  visiting places like Ballinamore, where McGahern went to school, the former Garda barracks in Cootehall, and the filming locations near Clonbur and Cong. Even though the film wasnt shot in Leitrim, the spirit of McGaherns world is here.

Dolan, who spent 45 years working in the oil industry across Africa, the Middle East and Canada before unexpectedly finding himself cast in the film, says the project has given him a new sense of purpose in his late seventies. I never set out to be an actor, he laughed. I was reading one of my short stories in a pub when the director, Pat Collins, happened to be there. He was looking for someone to play Jamesie and came back with the casting director a few days later. I read for the part and an hour later they rang to say it was mine.

The film, which won Best Irish Film at the Dublin International Film Festival last year, has screened in Ireland, Australia and New York  though Dolan admits its international release wasnt always well promoted. Still, its reception abroad has shown him the untapped potential for cultural tourism linked to McGaherns work.

I think theres huge opportunity here, he said. Like how The Quiet Man made Cong famous, this film could do the same for Leitrim and Roscommon. We just need to build on it. Even the first Kansas group was only 16 people  but thats how it starts.

Dolan is now in early talks with local hotels about developing packages for McGahern-themed itineraries and is also working on a series of radio adaptations of McGaherns short stories, including The Recruiting Officer, Wheels, and The Country Funeral.

At nearly 80, Im proof you can start something new at any age, he added. Once youve your health  and a good agent (his wife)" he jokes  "theres no limit to what you can do.

READ MORE Mullooly calls for overhaul of outdated River Shannon laws

Phillip Dolan from Knockcroghery with Rosemary Stipe from Irish Treasures Tours are pictured at The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo with the Excellence in Film Award he received at the Kansas City Irish Festival for That they may face the rising sun which he starred in. Pic  Gerry Faughnan
There were no investigations into the illegal short-term lets in Leitrim , it was reported this week with Cllr James Gilmartin saying that with a homeless crisis ongoing, the situation needs to be dealt with urgently.

He told the Leitrim Observer: "It is a bit concerning. The report was done over three years so Sligo had 14 and Donegal had 18 so around five or six a year; it's not massive numbers but at the same time, when there is a housing crisis going on, it's really important that all houses that should be available are available. You shouldn't have an illegal Airbnb. If something was given planning for a particular reason, than that's what it should be used for. I've no issue with people having short-term lets if that's the road they want to go down but they need to bring it through the proper channels."

He added: "While it may not seem like a lot of properties, if you had ten extra houses in the whole of Leitrim, that would solve many people's problems by bringing those houses into the rental market. I want to stress that it's not about not letting people into using their properties however they see fit just as long as they are playing by the rules. If you are leasing a property, it should go through the proper channels and regulations because you can have health and safety issues as well because you have to have a certain standard in these houses and certain requirements."

READ MORE: Iarnrod Eireann to be asked for timeline on long-sought works at Leitrim train station

Over the past five years, property owners within a Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) have had to secure planning permission to provide short-term or holiday letting.

1,600 investigations were opened, with only 50 applications to seek permission having been made this year.







He added: "A revenue stream is lost out on by people not paying their tax and it's doubly having a negative effect on those doing the thing rightly because they're having to charge less if they want to compete with these people or more."

In the majority of cases, property owners have received enforcement notices threatening legal action if they did not comply.

Cllr Gilmartin commented: "They got letters where they were cautioned but it should be escalated if they are repeat offenders."






The news that the Health Service Executive could face a loss of up to 7m due to its dealings with a medical devices company that provided respiratory technology during the Covid-19 pandemic was described as "a shocking waste of public money and a clear sign of failure in financial management at the top of the HSE" by a Leitrim councillor this week.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was told that the HSE bought respiratory products from the company, spending around 15m between 2020 and 2024.

However, the purchases were not compliant with its procurement process.

The company in question later went into liquidation, meaning there was "no hope" of the HSE recovering losses of between 5m and 7m, Chief Executive Bernard Gloster told PAC.

READ MORE: Short notice cuts at civic amenity site in Leitrim sparks criticism



Cllr Fallon said that the incident "exposes deep failures in financial control and oversight within the HSE and the Department of Health, and he echoed Sinn Fein Health Spokesperson David Cullinanes call for full accountability and answers from Minister for Health."



Speaking to the Leitrim Observer Cllr Fallon said: The HSE paid a supplier 723,000 twice and admits there is no hope of recovering millions more. That is crazy; its unacceptable. There appears to have been a complete failure of the most basic checks and balances. How can an organisation of this scale not know what it received or how payments were made? This is public money, and it demands accountability. The Minister for Health must explain how these losses occurred and what action will be taken to hold those responsible to account.



He concluded: "This cannot be brushed off as a Covid-era error. It shows deep, ongoing weaknesses in how the HSE manages contracts and payments. People are tired of hearing about waste in the HSE. They want answers and accountability - not excuses. There must be consequences for failures on this scale. Imagine what tenth of this money could do in a county like ours."
Visitors learn about vegetables and fruits during the 3rd Hainan International Tropical Food Supply Chain Expo 2025 in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 17, 2025. The three-day expo opened here on Thursday, attracting the participation of many Chinese and foreign brands. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

Exhibitors introduce seafood products to visitors during the 3rd Hainan International Tropical Food Supply Chain Expo 2025 in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 17, 2025. The three-day expo opened here on Thursday, attracting the participation of many Chinese and foreign brands. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

Exhibitors introduce Ethiopian coffee products to visitors during the 3rd Hainan International Tropical Food Supply Chain Expo 2025 in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 17, 2025. The three-day expo opened here on Thursday, attracting the participation of many Chinese and foreign brands. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

People visit the 3rd Hainan International Tropical Food Supply Chain Expo 2025 in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 17, 2025. The three-day expo opened here on Thursday, attracting the participation of many Chinese and foreign brands. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

This photo taken on Oct. 17, 2025 shows tropical fruits at the 3rd Hainan International Tropical Food Supply Chain Expo 2025 in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province. The three-day expo opened here on Thursday, attracting the participation of many Chinese and foreign brands. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)
MEDICAL technologies firm Stryker is opening a training centre of excellence at its facility in Raheen.

The facility will be used to train its staff with the skills needed in a changing work environment.

Its been developed with the support of IDA Ireland, and the training programme will take three years to complete.

The building in Raheen will play host to upskilling and reskilling programmes.

READ MORE: End of an era as Limerick hospital building ceases operating after almost 200 years

It is hoped it will ensure Stryker's employees are ready to lead through change and continue delivering healthcare

solutions.

Enterprise Minister Peter Burke said: The expansion of the training centre of excellence model to Limerick is a powerful endorsement of the regions talent and strategic importance to the life sciences sector. This initiative will empower employees with futureready skills in areas such as digitalisation, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing, ensuring Ireland remains at the forefront of global MedTech innovation."

The minister said its not just an investment in facilities, its an investment in people and in Ireland's future as a global

leader in healthcare technology.

IDA Ireland chief executive Michael Lohan added: IDA Ireland is thrilled to support the rollout of Strykers training centre of excellence model to additional sites in Ireland. The initiative highlights Strykers forward-thinking approach to talent development and is a strong example of how MedTech companies are embracing workforce transformation to stay ahead of industry change.

Kevin OKeeffe, site lead at Stryker Limerick, added: The introduction of the training of excellence model at our Limerick site is a significant development for Stryker and for the Limerick team. It will bring a structured and future-focused approach to developing our people, empowering employees to take ownership of their skillset and allow them to contribute meaningfully to Strykers mission to make healthcare better. Were proud to be a part of this."
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday, but ruled out a U.S.-Russia-Ukraine summit in the near future.

Speaking alongside Zelensky before their talks, Trump said his planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary would be only a "double meeting," citing "a lot of bad blood" between Moscow and Kiev.

Asked about providing U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, a focal point of Washington's tactics on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Trump said the United States also needs the weapons itself, warning that transferring them to Ukraine could trigger "big escalation" of the conflict.

"We'd much rather have them not need Tomahawks. Would much rather have the war be over," Trump said.

"We want Tomahawks also. We don't want to be giving away things that we need to protect our country," he added.

When asked whether Ukraine would need to trade land for peace, Trump replied: "You never know."

Zelensky said there is momentum to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict following the Gaza ceasefire, but he accused Moscow of refusing to return to negotiations and urged Washington to keep pressure on Russia.

"President Trump has a big chance now to finish this war," said Zelensky, stressing that having security guarantees is the "most important thing for people in Ukraine."

"NATO is the best, but weapon is very important. Allies on our side is very important," Zelensky said.

He added that American energy companies are ready to help Ukraine following recent Russian attacks on his country's energy infrastructure.

It was Zelensky's third visit to the White House during Trump's second term. The meeting came one day after Trump's lengthy phone call with Putin.

Trump and Putin last met in August in Alaska for talks on Ukraine, but no agreement was reached, and ceasefire negotiations remain deadlocked. 
A NEW group has been set up to campaign against plans to build a massive new solar farm along the Limerick-Kerry border.

Irish solar developer Circal is planning the project, 80% of which will take place on land in the Kingdom, the remainder across the border in Limerick.

If it proceeds, it will be known as the Tarmon Solar Farm, and will be built in the Limerick townlands of Ballycullane, Ballygoughlin and Kilmurry.

READ MORE: Im going to stay: Mother in Limerick fights against forced relocation of 200 Ipas residents

On the Kerry side, it will include East Shanaway, West Shanaway, Tarmon East, Tarmonhill, Leitrim East, and Barraougeen.

The firm has said it will have the ability to power almost 40,000 homes each year.

Now, two of the communities impacted have come together and say they are doing what they can to block development.

Tarbert/Glin Says No held a meeting last week, which drew 70 people, who were all encouraged to register their opposition to the proposal by the closing date for objections on Friday, October 24.

Above: Aoibhin and Caoimhe Holly and Rosaleigh and Layla-Jayne Pledge, Tarbert

Jerry Scanlon, a spokesperson for the group said: The biggest part of this is the sheer size of it. We have an awful lot of Infrastructure on our doorstep. Just in the parish of Tarbert alone, we have a power plant, two battery storage plants. We are home to the national iron reserve tank farm for the reserve of oil and diesel for the country. We have generating farms, wind farms, sub-power stations, and a cable between Tarbert and Moneypoint.

Below: Anne McGrath, Katie McSweeney and Donie McGrath, Glin

Mr Scanlon questioned why the existing five sub-stations in the area will not be used for development.

It begs the question - they are on about carbon footprint reduction and this being green energy. But what is the carbon footprint on building yet another energy substation, he asked.

He insisted he is not opposed to solar farms outright.

I think they are needed to meet our 2030 targets. But there is a very fine line these companies need to tread between a viable project and then the community and the people who live there. This company appears to be going to get as much land as they can. There appears to be no thought given to the community, and those who live in the community, he said.

A spokesperson for Circal said the firm held a comprehensive public consultation on the plans.

This, they said, involved direct and indirect engagement with hundreds of local residents as well as a public meeting.

Once operational, the project intends to supply up to 120MWac of installed solar capacity or 174,000 megawatt hours provided to the national grid each year. Thats equivalent to the energy needs of 40,000 households, per year, they said.

Circal added that Tarmon Solar Farm will not just bring a clean and renewable energy source but will also bring benefits both to society and the environment, including a Community Benefit Fund to a value of 7.1m approximately over the lifetime of the scheme.



Since the solar farm project straddles two counties, there are two separate planning applications with Kerry and Limerick councils respectively.
LIMERICK indie-rockers Dylan Flynn and The Dead Poets return with their most emotional track to date, their new single Turn The Page.

The track was released on Wednesday, October 15, and is the final single being released off their upcoming EP, 'I've Been Living Life The Wrong Way, which will be released on Friday, November 7.

Known for their raw, emotionally-driven sound, the band continues to carve out a unique space in the Irish music scene.

READ MORE: Imelda May set to captivate Limerick with intimate 2026 show

With elements of Americana now mixing in with their indie-rock roots, Turn The Page showcases the bands evolving sound.

The track explores the difficult theme of watching a parent age, with frontman Dylan Flynn saying, No one ever wants to think about their parents passing, but it's an inevitability. Even though this song is deeply sad and tough for me to sing, it's one I'm really proud of.

Recorded in their small home studio in Limerick City, the single was self-produced alongside longtime collaborator Mike Gavin (Windings).

Mike also mixed and co-produced, while Richard Dowling (Foo Fighters, Villagers) mastered it.

The release follows a massive year for the band, which saw them sell out venues across Ireland and the UK and rake in over 2 million streams globally. With coverage from BBC, RTE 2FM and Radio X, Dylan Flynn and The Dead Poets have become one of Irelands most exciting rising acts.

Their biggest headline tour to date kicks off this November, with shows nearly close to selling out.
An anomaly: In the Factiva database of published news sources, 16,785 articles since 1980 have drawn a connection between artificial intelligence and the apocalypse or Armageddon. Until the investor Peter Thiel began giving talks last month around San Francisco, the Antichrist hardly figured.

Now that has changed, though I doubt Mr. Thiel would get past the door of the copyright office if he tried to coin the linkage. For one thing, humanity seems to have had a genetic disposition to fear the death of itself, different from our fear of our individual deaths, for as long as humanity has existed. Our literature and other traditions tell us we have longed for but also feared a secular savior powerful enough to put these fears at bay.

Causing spasms in the media, Mr. Thiels lectures reportedly included passing reference to Greta Thunberg. Who is Ms. Thunberg except she who would save us from climate apocalypse?

Elon Musks name apparently came up during a Q&A. Who is Mr. Musk except he who would rescue us from planetary doom?

If doubts about one-worldism surface in Mr. Thiels talks, consider words sometimes attributed to a U.S. presidential aide in 1947, which could have been spoken by any highly reputed AI doomer last week: We were not arguing for a world government; we were arguing for a world that could survive." This came as the Truman administration had just been shouted down by domestic and foreign opposition to a short-lived attempt to hand control of atomic weapons to the United Nations.

Mr. Thiel aptly summons an age-old debate. To simplify, he sees more apocalyptic risk to humanity from those who would stop AI than from those who promote it. In a long essay in the religion journal First Things, he and colleague Sam Wolfe work through literary treatment of the false secular savior from Francis Bacon (1626) to the recent Japanese manga epic. One they might have cited but didnt: 1907s The Lord of the World," by an Anglican-turned Catholic priest, Robert Hugh Benson.

This early example of dystopian science fiction concerns a senator from Vermont who appears mysteriously on the world stage in the early 21st century, just as a final and apocalyptic war looms between Europe and an Asian empire. To assure universal peace and brotherhood, he orders up a compassionate euthanasia of clingers who refuse to give up their old beliefs and threaten the new religion of man worshiping man.

In overtly religious works, when the Antichrist vouchsafes temporal comfort, it usually comes at the expense of mans eternal salvation. Now the Antichrist may be a stalking horse for a different question: what it means, in some genetically stable sense, to be human.

Here I have to confess to being dismissive of the most common version of AI doom, in which superintelligent machines do away with humanity. Whatever apocalypse ends up getting us, it will likely be one we didnt recognize and prepare for, not one we did. In the meantime, if we dont fully understand whats going on inside todays large language models, thats all the more reason to observe their behavior closely.

The other version of AI doom is more interesting. In one sense, after all, humans are already doomed. We already knew apocalypse lay in our future. The average mammalian species, not to mention the average primate species, lasts about one million to three million years, and most didnt need an Armageddon-scale trauma to usher them out of the fossil record.

The odds, as of this morning, that humans will be around in 100, 1,000 or 10,000 years arent bulletproof. Whatever the risk of AI, its quite possible, in present value terms, its risk is dwarfed by the risk to humanitys longevity of not developing AI. In the next 50,000 years or so, after all, human civilization is going to have to survive an ice age.

The interesting version of the AI apocalypse is one in which humans do away with themselvesdecide to become machines. This is the version that led to a famously snippy poolside moment between Mr. Musk and Google founder Larry Page (Mr. Musk opposed becoming machines).

A technologist, libertarian and self-professed Christian, Mr. Thiel makes easy bait for commentators of a certain algorithimic ilk. Hes the overempowered tech billionaire using Bible nuttery to advance his deregulatory agenda.

His argument, though, is longstanding: The biggest threat to human longevity would be stopping technology. Stagnation is death. And it may be nearer than we think.

Of course, 2,000 years ago people used different language and symbols to get at the core truths of humanitys jeopardy-filled existence. Im not sure theres anything terribly strange about trying to learn from them.
By Karen Freifeld

Oct 18 - U.S.-based electronic components distributor Arrow Electronics said on Saturday the U.S. government was reversing trade restrictions placed on Arrow's China-based affiliates for facilitating the sale of U.S. components found in weaponized drones used by Iran-backed groups like the Houthis.

Arrow Electronics Trading Co and another Arrow entity with six aliases in Hong Kong were added to the Commerce Department's Entity List on October 8 in a Federal Register posting.

Licenses are required to export goods and technology to companies on the list and are likely to be denied. Firms are placed on the list over U.S. national security or foreign policy interests.

On October 8, Commerce said that drones operated by Iran-backed groups and their debris recovered in the Middle East since 2017 had U.S. components traced to sales tied to these Arrow-related entities.

Arrow said on Saturday the Commerce Department told it the department would soon publish the reversal in the U.S. Federal Register and sent a letter Friday removing the restrictions in the meantime.

"We have received official communication from the U.S. Commerce Department," Arrow spokesman John Hourigan said in an email. "Arrow is authorized to resume shipping to and from these entities under the same conditions that applied prior to October 8."

Asked about the matter, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security said in an email: "BIS is committed to ensuring that export restrictions are appropriately targeted to protect national security."

Hourigan said the company operates in compliance with all laws and regulations. Centennial, Colorado-based Arrow Electronics had global 2024 sales of $28 billion.

Hourigan said that Arrow Electronics Co. Ltd, which he described as a subsidiary when it was added to the Entity List, was not actually affiliated with Arrow Electronics.

However, the six aliases tied to the Hong Kong company in the Federal Register posting are affiliated with Arrow and, the company said, would be removed from the Entity List.
Arrow Electronics Inc. said its affiliates will be dropped from a US Commerce Department sanctions list, sparing the Colorado-based chip distributors subsidiaries from a possible ban on purchases of American technologies.

The removals came less than two weeks after the Bureau of Industry and Security put a handful of companies it said were tied to Arrow on its so-called entity list for allegedly helping Iranian proxies buy American technology. At the time, Arrow said its units were in full compliance with US regulations and that it was discussing the listings with the Commerce Department.

Arrow spokesperson John Hourigan said a Bureau of Industry and Security official notified the company Friday that its affiliates would be removed from the list. One of the units named in the original notice, Arrow Electronics Co., Ltd., is actually not connected to the company and appears to be a copycat using a similar name, Hourigan said.

The bureau has authorized Arrow to resume transactions with all of its affiliates ahead of the publication of the removal in the Federal Register, Hourigan said.

In a letter, seen by Bloomberg News, the BIS said Arrow has permission to export, reexport or transfer quantities no greater than 110% of the items transferred during the 120-period prior to the entity listing. That temporary authorization is valid until Feb. 14 or a publication of the entity removal in the the Federal Register, the letter says.

The BIS remains committed to ensuring that export restrictions are appropriately targeted to protect national security, a spokesperson for the agency said in a statement. The company declined to comment on the details of the letter.

Several of this months entity list additions  including the now-removed Arrow affiliates  were tied to the discovery of US-origin electronic components in scraps of unmanned aircraft systems operated by Iranian proxies since 2017. The components were found after scrutiny of drone wreckage recovered by nations in the Gulf and Middle East regions, according to the initial blacklisting notice.

Its rare to see US-based firms on the entity list. The US weighed restrictions on Arrow as early as 2020 when an Asian subsidiary was suspected of providing technology to foreign military forces. Arrow said back then that description was an error and the subsidiary was not engaged in military activities.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Mumbai: Emirates NBD is set to acquire a majority stake in RBL Bank Limited for $3 billion or 26,850 crore, marking the largest ever foreign direct investment and equity fundraise in the Indian banking sector. The news comes barely five months after RBI granted in-principle approval to the Dubai bank to establish a wholly owned subsidiary in India.

It will also mark the largest fundraise via preferential issuance by a listed company, and the first acquisition of majority interest in a profitable Indian bank by a foreign bank, the company said in a joint release. It added that the proposed transaction underscores ENBDs long-term commitment to the Indian market, and long-term confidence in Indias fast-growing financial sector.

This partnership secures a robust and globally respected anchor shareholder, providing a strong capital base for our future, RBL Bank managing director and chief executive officer R Subramaniakumar said in the release.

Subject to regulatory and other approvals, Emirates NBD will be designated as the promoter of the domestic bank if and when the transaction is completed. Accordingly, it will also have the right to nominate directors to the board of the bank.

Also Read | RBL-Emirates deal shows RBI is warming up to foreign capital

Cap on voting rights Mint reported on 13 October that Dubai's Emirates NBD Bank PJSC was in talks to buy a controlling stake in Indian private lender RBL Bank Ltd for over $1 billion. However, even if it approves the Emirates-RBL deal, RBI is likely to cap the voting rights of the Dubai entity at 26% due to regulatory requirements", the report said, quoting two people aware of the matter.

An RBI circular in January 2023 said no bank shareholder can exercise voting rights above 26%. Normally, non-promoters individuals or non-financial institutionscan buy up to 10% in a bank, while financial institutions can buy up to 15%. However, RBI may also permit higher shareholding on a case-to-case basis", it said in the circular cited above.

RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra told CNBC TV18 in July that the central bank had not yet received any case where a foreign bank wants to own 26% in Indian banks. As per the FDI policy, the foreign banks are allowed up to 74%. Foreign banks can certainly have 26% stake in an Indian bank," he told the channel.

There have been very few cases of foreign banks acquiring Indian lenders. Apart from the recent acquisition of 24% stake in Yes Bank by Japan-based Sumitomo Group, RBI had allowed the takeover of struggling Lakshmi Vilas Bank with the local unit of Singapores largest lender DBS Bank in November 2020. In 2018, Fairfax India, the local unit of Canada's Fairfax, acquired a 51% stake in CSB Bank Ltd, then called the Catholic Syrian Bank (CSB). Currently, it holds 40% in the bank.

RBI allows foreign banks to operate either as a branch, or a wholly-owned subsidiary of the parent. All except twoDBS Bank India and SBM Bank Indiaoperate as branches. The central bank prefers foreign banks operating subsidiaries rather than branches in India by allowing local units of these banks more operational flexibility than branches.

Deal details The proposed investment will be made via a preferential issue of up to 60% of the share capital of the bank, including a mandatory open offer for the purchase of up to 26% stake from the public shareholders of RBL Bank, as per Sebi regulations. The bank will issue 95,90,45,636 shares to the UAE-based investor at 280, lower than Fridays closing price of 299.70 on the NSE.

After the proposed preferential issue, India branches of Emirates NBD will be merged with those of the domestic lender, as required by RBI.

The transaction brings together ENBDs strong capital base and regional franchise with RBL Banks established presence and extensive distribution across India, the release said. The capital infusion will strengthen RBL Banks balance sheet, enhance its Tier-1 capital ratio, and provide long-term growth capital, enabling the bank to deepen its deposit franchise and expand its branch network.

An enhanced presence in India for ENBD, through a well-established business like RBL Bank, would further complement ENBDs service to customers operating throughout the MENATSA region. We envisage to support Indian businesses, trade, projects, and other opportunities throughout the region leveraging our network, Shayne Nelson, Group CEO of Emirates NBD was quoted as saying.

RBL Bank chairman Chandan Sinha said that the bank will be able to capitalise on Emirates NBDs strong credit rating and its established relationships with companies, banks, and financial institutions across India.

Also Read | A suitor from the Middle East for India's RBL Bank

Ernst & Young LLP (EY) - Investment Banking, J.P. Morgan and NeoStrat Advisors advised Emirates NBD on the deal. Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co was the legal advisor for ENBD and AZB & Partners for RBL Bank.

M&A impact In India, Emirates NBD had a loan book of 6,568.2 crore as of 31 March 2025, according to its latest available annual report, up from 4,641.6 crore in FY24. Parent Emirates NBDs total assets stood at $296 billion as of 30 June with a loan book of $155 billion. The lender reported profit after tax of $6.2 billion for calendar year 2024.

Late evening on Saturday, RBL Bank, as a part of its Q2 results, reported that its net advances crossed 1 lakh crore during the quarter ended 30 September, rising 14% on year and 6% on quarter. Net profit for Q2 FY26 was 179 crore, 20% lower on year and 11% lower sequentiallywhich the bank attributed to a 44 crore marked-to-market hit on the value of unlisted equities of the bank.

The capital infusion from Emirates NBD will result in a three-fold jump in the local lenders net worth from 15,356 crore as of September-end to over 42,000 crore, as per an investor presentation on the proposed deal. Total capital adequacy was 15.0% as of 30 September 2025, lower than 15.6% a quarter ago. Common equity tier-I capital ratio was 13.5%, also lower than 14.0% in the previous quarter.

Founded as Ratnakar Bank Ltd in 1943 in Maharashtra's Kolhapur, RBL had 1,911 total touchpoints as of the end of September, of which 564 are bank branches and 1,347 are business correspondent branches which in turn include 283 banking outlets.

A September 2025 ratings release by Care Ratings shows that the bank has a portfolio comprising Corporate & Institutional Banking (C&IB), Credit Cards, Commercial Banking (CB), Business Loans and Micro Loans, while also expanding into newer secured products such as housing loans, loans against property (LAP), rural vehicle finance. In Q2 of FY26, RBL Bank recorded a y-o-y growth of 10% in the retail segment and 22% in the wholesale segment.

The transaction will build on RBL Banks strong foundation of a diversified retail engine, granular deposits, and prudent risk management; enable accelerated expansion in branches, digital platforms, and customer engagement; and create capacity to invest in brand, technology, and product innovation for sustained profitability and scale. It will also enable an improvement in the banks credit rating, lower cost of funds, and help strengthen the balance sheet, the presentation said.
IndiGo, the countrys largest airline by market share, has placed orders for the purchase of 30 more wide-body aircraft from Airbus.

The carrier signed a contract with the European aircraft maker to convert 30 purchase rights for the Airbus A350-900 into firm orders. The move will effectively double its wide-body order to 60 aircraft, the company said in a statement on Friday.

Deliveries are expected 2027 onwards, as the airline looks to expand its presence on international routes. Overall, IndiGos existing fleet consists of more than 400 aircraft.

IndiGo and Airbus had already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for these additional 30 aircraft earlier in June 2025.

Further, IndiGo has entered into an agreement with Rolls-Royce to power this upcoming A350 fleet with Trent XWB-84 engines.

IndiGo doubles its wide-body order from 30 to 60 Airbus A350-900 aircraft," the Gurgaon based carrier said in a statement.

The carrier had placed an initial order of 30 Airbus A350-900 aircraft in April 2024, marking its first widebody purchase. The airline had also retained purchase rights for another 70 Airbus A350 family aircraft for future requirements. Of that, 30 are being exercised now. IndiGo will be left with purchase rights for 40 more wide-body aircraft.

Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, said the purchases go towards expanding its international footprint.

As a part of its international route expansion plans; IndiGo has launched Manchester, and Amsterdam recently, followed by flights to Copenhagen, London and Athens with its fleet of temporarily damp-leased Boeing 787-9 and soon to be inducted Airbus A321XLR aircraft.

Long-haul growth

In addition, IndiGo is also strengthening its network across Asia. The arrival of the Airbus A350 aircraft will further extend its capabilities and open new routes to the Americas and other long-haul destinations.

The conversion of this MoU into a firm order for 30 additional A350-900s is a testament to our confidence in the future of Indian aviation. These aircraft, as they join our fleet in the years to come, will play a pivotal role in enabling IndiGo expand its reach, connect India with more destinations across the globe, and offer new international travel opportunities," Elbers said.

The A350-900 aircraft (wide bodies) will be powered by Rolls-Royces Trent XWB engine, known for their fuel efficiency.

In June 2023, IndiGo had also announced placing a firm order for 500 Airbus A320 aircraft. This will provide the airline a further steady stream of deliveries between 2030 and 2035. This 500 aircraft order was IndiGos largest order, and also the largest-ever single aircraft purchase by any airline with Airbus.

The stock of Interglobe Aviation, the parent company of IndiGo, closed at 5,848.40, down 0.5%, on the BSE on Friday. The announcement came after market hours.

Rising demand for international travel

To be sure, India is today the worlds third-largest aviation market, reflecting the countrys rapid economic growth, rising disposable incomes, and expanding middle class.

Passenger traffic has surged in recent years, driven by increased domestic connectivity, the proliferation of low-cost carriers, and the growing popularity of air travel among first-time flyers.

The governments focus on improving airport infrastructure through initiatives like UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) and modernizing major airports has further boosted accessibility and efficiency. With a young, tech-savvy population and rising business travel, Indias aviation sector is expected to maintain robust growth, positioning it as a key engine of economic activity and international connectivity in the coming decade.

IndiGo's acquisition of new wide-body aircraft comes at a time when India is expanding its network of international airports to cater to boost connectivity and meet rising demand for foreign travel.

Notable projects include Noida International Airport (Jewar), Navi Mumbai International Airport, and Amravati Airport in Maharashtra. Some greenfield airports are also in the pipeline, aimed at improving regional access.
(Bloomberg) -- Mubadala Capital is exploring an acquisition of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc., according to people familiar with the matter.

The asset management arm of Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment Co. has been working on a potential deal for the billboard operator, the people said, asking not to be identified because the matter is private.

Clear Channel Outdoor shares rose 9.5% Friday, giving the company a market value of $773 million. The company has about $6.4 billion in debt, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Deliberations are ongoing and Mubadala Capital may decide not to pursue a transaction, the people said.

Representatives for Mubadala Capital and Clear Channel declined to comment.

The news comes as Clear Channel Outdoor is under pressure from activist investor Anson Funds Management to sell itself, Bloomberg News previously reported.

For Mubadala Capital, the potential take-private is the latest sign of its global ambitions. The firm has a sprawling global portfolio but isnt a major player in US media investments.

Earlier this year, Mubadala Capital sold a minority stake in itself to TWG Global, an investment firm led by Guggenheim Partners founder Mark Walter and financier Thomas Tull. That came after the asset manager snapped up Canadian mutual fund manager CI Financial Corp. in one of the largest privatizations by an Abu Dhabi entity.

Dealmaking in outdoor has been heating up lately. An investor group led by I Squared Capital has been planning a bid for German media group Stroer SE & Co.s core advertising business, which could value the operations at 3.5 billion ($4.1 billion), Bloomberg News has reported. Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway Inc. has become a shareholder in Clear Channel rival Lamar Advertising, a filing in August showed.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
(Bloomberg) -- Oracle Corp. fell the most in almost nine months after giving its long-range financial outlook, suggesting investors anticipated a bigger boost from its investment in AI infrastructure.

Oracle has inked multibillion-dollar deals to develop data centers to power artificial intelligence work for customers like OpenAI, Meta Platforms Inc. and Elon Musks xAI. Last month, the company said the cloud infrastructure business would produce $144 billion in sales by fiscal 2030. On Thursday, Oracle said overall annual revenue would total $225 billion by then.

The main question is how quickly Oracle can supply the data centers needed to capitalize on all this demand, wrote Brad Sills, an analyst at Bank of America. This is due to supply constraints across land, buildings, energy and GPUs, he wrote.

The shares fell as much as 8.2% Friday in New York, the steepest intraday decline since Jan. 27. The stock had gained 88% this year through Thursdays close.

While these AI cloud bookings have boosted the companys valuation, investors have expressed concern about the profitability of the effort. Oracle tried to address that issue during its analyst day Thursday in Las Vegas.

An infrastructure project for AI that generates $60 billion in total revenue over six years, for example, would have a gross margin of 35%, the company said during a presentation. Gross margin represents the percentage of revenue remaining after the cost of producing goods and services.

The margin profile on this example is illustrative of even the very largest customers, co-Chief Executive Officer Clay Magouyrk said while speaking with analysts.

The disclosure can help quell concerns about lower profitability, wrote Anurag Rana, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. The Information reported last week that some of Oracles AI cloud arrangements recently had a 14% margin. Given that this business is still in its infancy, its highly likely that profit will improve over the next few years, Rana wrote.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Mumbai: The deal between private sector lender RBL Bank and Dubais Emirates NBD Bank PJSC highlights a growing ease at India's central bank to allow foreign banks to invest in local financial institutions.

On Saturday, RBL Bank said that Emirates NBD will acquire up to 60% of it for 26,850 crore. It will require approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), among others.

Mint reported on 13 October that the two were in talks with Emirates NBD Bank planning to buy a controlling stake in RBL Bank, citing two people with direct knowledge of the discussions.

The deal comes just weeks after Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp bought 24.2% in Yes Bank in two transactions. Mint had reported in August that the Yes Bank-SMBC deal may pave the way for similar cross-border investments in the banking sector.

While Indias foreign direct investment regulations allow overseas investors to purchase up to 74% in banks, RBI regulations restrict ownership by a single foreign investor at 15%. The regulator has relaxed these norms in certain instances but voting rights remain capped at 26%.

Also Read | A suitor from the Middle East for India's RBL Bank

A senior consultant who also advises financial companies on such transactions said that there is a change in stance at the central bank, with the regulator now warming up to the idea of more foreign capital in banking.

The regulator understands that local banks need capital to bolster their balance sheets and allowing foreign capital will help," the consultant said asking to be not identified. It is Indias mid-sized private sector banks that could be targets of acquisitions in future."

The RBI wants strategic investors who will stay invested for at least a decade or two and not those looking for a quick exit, the consultant added.

Regulatory ease-up

Recent statements by RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra show that the central bank is keener on such stake sales than its stated position earlier. Malhotra told CNBC TV18 in July that the central bank had not yet received any case where a foreign bank wants to own 26% in Indian banks.

As per the FDI policy, the foreign banks are allowed up to 74%. Foreign banks can certainly have 26% stake in an Indian bank," he told the channel.

Banking sector experts also see this deal as a resurgence of foreign banks in India in some sense, given that the deal comes at a time foreign lenders are letting go of their businesses in India.

This signals the second coming of foreign banks in India, once plagued with restrictions around branch expansions," said Ashvin Parekh, managing partner of Ashvin Parekh Advisory Services LLP, provider of business and transaction advice to financial sector companies.

Beyond capital, foreign banks will bring robust risk management practices and new technology, Parekh said. According to him, earlier, all foreign capital was considered to be a no-no from the RBI point of view but central bank is slowly warming up to the idea.

Now, gradually the banking industry itself has matured a lot and in that backdrop, RBI feels, on a selective basis, more confident in approving such stake sales," he said.

Also Read | FM asks rural banks to step up credit to leverage consumption boost

Case by case approvals

There have been very few cases of foreign banks acquiring Indian lenders. But in September, Sumitomo bought a 20% stake in Yes Bank and signed an agreement with CA Basque Investments, a company affiliated with The Carlyle Group Inc., to acquire an additional 4.2%.

The central bank seized Yes Bank in March 2020 after its financial position deteriorated, and supervised its acquisition by a clutch of banks led by State Bank of India.

Earlier in November 2020, RBI had seized the struggling Lakshmi Vilas Bank and forced its merger with the local unit of Singapores largest lender DBS Bank. That was the first time the central bank had tapped a bank with a foreign parent to backstop an Indian lender.

Still, some believe that India's banking regulatory position has not changed in spirit and intent.

The RBI has always been open about foreign investment as long as it stays within the prescribed regulatory limit. What RBI is more concerned about is the source of such capital, and country of origin," said Vivek Iyer, partner and financial services risk advisory leader, Grant Thornton Bharat.

The regulator, said Iyer, knows that these institutions will bring in money to bolster the capital ratios of the target banks and strengthen their balance sheets.

More competition

Iyer said that since RBI is also open to small finance banks becoming universal banks, there will be more competition in the market for existing banks, who would need growth capital to pivot themselves in a competitive market.

In August, AU Small Finance Bank won the central bank's 'in-principle' approval to upgrade to a universal bank, becoming the first lender to secure a full-fledged banking licence in 10 years.

That said, capping the voting rights at 26% is to say that one can bring in capital but decision making would be limited, which is an outcome of a policy that keeps national interest at the centre," added Iyer.

The announcement of the RBL-Emirates NBD Bank deal comes barely five months after RBI granted in-principle approval to the Dubai bank to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary in India.

India allows foreign banks to operate either as a branch or a wholly-owned subsidiary of the parent. All except two  DBS Bank India and SBM Bank India  work as branches. A local unit gives more flexibility to the bank than a branch. The central bank prefers foreign banks operating subsidiaries rather than branches in India.

Also Read | Will a booming private credit market in India hurt if banks dive into it?
TEHRAN, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Saturday that all United Nations Security Council resolutions and restrictions on its nuclear program are no longer legally binding as of Saturday.

He made the remarks in a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Vassily A. Nebenzia, Security Council's president for October, as a 10-year nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and Resolution 2231 that endorses it expired on Saturday, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

Araghchi said after Oct. 18, all provisions of the resolution 2231 and the preceding sanctions resolutions should automatically terminate with no continuing legal effect.

Iran signed the JCPOA with six world powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States -- in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear program in return for the removal of sanctions, including those of the UN. The United States, however, pulled out of the JCPOA in May 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to scale back its commitments under the deal.

In late August, France, Britain and Germany, collectively known as the E3, triggered the "snapback" mechanism, leading to the reimposition of UN sanctions on Iran.

The sanctions include an embargo on conventional arms sales, restrictions on ballistic missile tests, asset freezes against key figures involved in Iran's nuclear and missile activities, financial and banking limitations, and prohibitions on uranium enrichment or reprocessing.

Araghchi described the E3's invoke of the snapback mechanism "clear abuse of process and contrary to both the letter and spirit of Resolution 2231 and the JCPOA."

Araghchi highlighted Iran's record of "constructive engagement, including its numerous rounds of consultations with the European participants and even negotiations with the United States," saying it demonstrated the country's "consistent commitment to diplomacy." 
The GST rate cuts implemented last month have given a strong boost to demand for goods and services and investment sentiment in the country, aiding the governments efforts to make the country more prosperous, union cabinet ministers said on Saturday at a press briefing about GST reforms.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Information and Broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed confidence that businesses have reduced prices and that sales of goods have seen a sharp increase after the rate cuts.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that since 22 September, when the GST reforms comprising tax rate cuts, correction of inverted duty structure and simplification of procedures were rolled out, the government has been closely monitoring price trends of 54 daily-use items that the government wants to make sure are available at a lower price to consumers.

Not in one case, has the benefit of tax reduction not been passed on to consumers, Sitharaman said, expressing satisfaction at the pass-through of GST rate cuts into the prices of goods and services.

The minister added that there are, however, one or two items, like certain varieties of high-end cement from one or two brands, where the extent of price reduction due to the tax rate cut has not matched expectations because of the disparity in the tax applicable on the finished goods and on raw materials.

We are convinced that GST rate reduction is actually reaching the common man, Sitharaman said, referring to the list of 54 items being monitored.

The minister said, quoting auto sales figures, that the sector has been very vocal in its commitment to pass on the benefit of a tax rate cut to consumers as well as the increase in sales that businesses have witnessed. Sitharaman also said that in several cases, price reduction has been more than expected in view of the tax rate cut.

Commerce minister Piyush Goyal said the next-generation GST reform has lifted the spirits among people and in the markets. Giving indirect tax relief to the tune of 2.5 trillion was beyond everyones imagination, and it will have multiplier effects on investment, trade and industry, Goyal said.

Also Read | FM asks rural banks to step up credit to leverage consumption boost

Household consumption to add extra  20 trillion in FY26' Ashwini Vaishnaw said that in FY25, household consumption accounted for 202 trillion while investments in plant, machinery and factories were about 98 trillion, out of the 330 trillion gross domestic output in nominal terms. This year, household consumption will have a significant increase and is expected to grow quite likely by over 10%. That would be an increase of 20 trillion crores in household consumption this year.

Vaishnaw said that the increase in demand for electronic goods is having a positive impact on electronics manufacturing. It is rapidly expanding, and today it is giving employment to 25 lakh persons directly, Vaishnaw said.

The festive and wedding season turnover is pegged to exceed 7 lakh crore, marking Indias biggest spending spree in years, said a person informed about discussions in the government on condition of not being named.

Also Read | GST rate cuts to benefit farmers: Sitharaman

Digital payments jumped tenfold overnight from 1.18 lakh crore on 21 September to 11.31 lakh crore on 22 September, as shoppers rushed to take advantage of GST savings. In cities like Delhi, festive sales are estimated at 75,000 crore, while Ahmedabads cotton fabric demand is up nearly 10% after GST cuts on garments under 2,500, said the person.

The governments economic decisions have not just reduced costs, theyve revived the festive economy, boosted local supply chains, and empowered made-in-India products to dominate markets again, added the person.
India-US BTA: Commerce minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday, asserted that talks regarding the proposed India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement are progressing in a cordial manner, and that there is 'no agreement until interests of the nation - India's farmers, India's fishermen, India's MSME sector are fully addressed.'

I believe the talks are progressing in a very cordial atmosphere and I have said many times that free trade agreements or trade talks are never based on deadlines. There is no agreement unless we fully address the interests of the nation - India's farmers, India's fishermen, India's MSME sector. The talks are progressing very well. The talks are ongoing and we will definitely inform you when we reach a decision, said Goyal.

The Indian official team, headed by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, was in Washington this week to hold trade talks with their US counterparts.

India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement In February this year, leaders of India and the US directed officials to negotiate a proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA)  which aims to boost bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030 from the current USD 191 billion.

They have fixed a deadline to conclude the first tranche of the pact by October-November 2025. So far, five rounds of negotiations have been completed. Last month, Goyal led an official delegation to New York for trade talks.

The talks  as part of the proposed India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA)  comes as India navigates 50% tariffs slapped by Trump on India  along with the latest 100 per cent levy on branded and patented pharmaceutical products.

Trump tariffs Trump imposed a total of 50% tariffs on all goods imported from India, on top of the pre-existing 10% baseline import duty on any good imported into the Western nation.

Before the additional tariffs, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all Indian goods imported into the United States, one day ahead of his initial 1 August 2025 deadline. The second round of tariffs, a 25% import duty, was imposed on India via an executive order dated 6 August 2025. These additional tariffs came into effect from 27 September 2025.

On October 1, Trump announced a 100% tariff on any branded, patented pharmaceutical product, along with 25-50% tariffs on kitchen cabinets, upholstery, among other items.

India-US ties The US remained India's largest trading partner for the fourth consecutive year as of 2024-25, with bilateral trade valued at USD 131.84 billion.
India's gold reserves hit a record high as it crossed the $100 billion mark for the first time in history, the latest foreign exchange reserves data of the Reserve Bank of India showed on Friday.

The rise in India's gold reserves came amid a global rally in gold prices despite the central bank slowed its purchases rapidly this year.

The gold holdings of India rose by $3.595 billion in the week through October 10, logging at $102.365 billion, as per the latest RBI data.

In contrast, the overall foreign exchange reserves of the country. declined $2.18 billion to $697.784 billion.

The gold reserves of India is the highest since 1996-97, traders said, with the share of gold in India's total reserves climbing to 14.7 per cent.

India's gold reserves hit a record high as it crossed the $100 billion mark

Why did India's gold reserves cross the $100 billion mark? Over the past decade, India saw its gold share in foreign exchange reserves almost double from less than 7 per cent to nearly 15 per cent. This reflects both steady central bank accumulation and a surge in global bullion prices.

The ramping up of the gold share has led to the crossing of the $100 billion milestone, despite the RBI markedly slowed down its gold purchases this year.

For the first nine month of 2025, the central bank has purchased gold only in four of them, according to data from the World Gold Council. That compares to a near-monthly additions in 2024,

Cumulative buying from January to September stood at just 4 tons, markedly lower than 50 tons in the same period a year earlier.

The share of gold in India's foreign exchange reserves has increased significantly, largely driven by valuation gains from the rising gold price, said Kavita Chacko, research head for India at the World Gold Council.

Gold prices have rallied rapidly this year, surging about 65 per cent since the beginning of 2025, powered by a potent mix of macroeconomic, institutional and psychological drivers.

Heightened geopolitical risks, de-dollarisation, and pressures of sanctions have prompted global central banks to accumulate gold in order to diversify their reserves away from the US dollar.

India is the world's second-largest consumer of gold and relies on imports to meet demand. Buying gold is deeply rooted in Indian culture, driven by tradition and its role as both an investment and a status symbol.

Also Read | Gold gets a helping hand from dollars slip

Forex reserves down by $2 billion India's forex reserves dropped by $2.176 billion to $697.784 billion during the week ended October 10, according to RBI data on Friday.

In the previous reporting week, the overall kitty had decreased by $276 million to $699.96 billion.

For the week ended October 10, foreign currency assets, a major component of the reserves, decreased by $5.605 billion to $572.103 billion, the data showed.

Also Read | India ramps up gold reserves faster than peers

Expressed in dollar terms, the foreign currency assets include the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US units like the euro, pound and yen held in the foreign exchange reserves.
New Delhi, Oct 18 (PTI) Can a film age like fine wine, mellow and satiny smooth, be recalled wistfully whenever you think of romance, yet sit uneasily with contemporary times? Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is that contradiction  a much loved film cast in a conservative-patriarchal mould but one still finding takers in this age of swipe right and swipe left.

Come fall in love" was the tagline of the Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol starrer that released 30 years ago on October 20, 1995. And people did. They still do, some rekindling an old romance and others perhaps starting one.

The love story, about two London-bred youngsters who fall in love but wont get married until they get parental consent, marked the directorial debut of Aditya Chopra. Unfolding in lush Swiss meadows and snow-capped mountains and moving to Punjabs mustard fields, it went on to become one of the greatest hits of Indian cinema and is still being screened in Mumbais Maratha Mandir.

Out of sync in the age of dating apps like Tinder, Bumble and Hinge, the story centres around Raj, a carefree, rich boy who falls in love with Simran when they meet on a European holiday.

Simran is enjoying the last bit of teen freedom before she travels to Punjab to marry a man she has never met and one her strict father Chaudhary Baldev Singh has chosen for her. Lovelorn Raj follows her there with the promise to win over her father.

Couples, young and old, come to the theatre even today to watch the romance, sepia tinted maybe but still fresh and gentle, said Manoj Desai, executive director of Maratha Mandir.

On weekdays, about 70 to 100 people come to watch the movie in the 11:30 am show. On weekends, the number goes up to 200-300, according to Desai.

The ticket prices for the movie are 50 for balcony seat and 30 for dress circle.

According to film historian SMM Ausaja, DDLJ, as the film came to be known, struck a chord at the time because there was a saturation of David Dhawan-Govinda comedies.

"It was a landmark film in terms of romance, music, brilliant dialogues, iconic scenes including the train sequence. Performances were top class, and had a crackling onscreen chemistry of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. No film has been able to recreate this kind of magic in the romantic space," Ausaja told PTI.

The enduring love story, set against close knit families, boisterous patriarchs and nostalgia for mera desh, is coded in the memory of cinema-lovers.

With an ensemble cast that included Farida Jalal, Amrish Puri, Anupam Kher and Parmeet Sethi, its the perfect melange of songs, dialogues, costumes and scenes, quoted endlessly for three decades and counting.

Its songs "Tujhe dekha to ye jaana sanam", "Mehndi laga ke rakhna", "Ruk jaa...", "Mere khwabo mein...", "Ho gaya hai tujhko to pyaar sajna" live on. So do the dialogues  you may or may not have seen the film but you are likely to remember Bade bade deshon mein, aisi baatein hoti rahti hain Senorita...", the "Palat" moment when Raj wills Simran to turn around and of course the "Jaa Simran ja, jee le apni zindagi", the final acceptance from the crusty father to his daughter.

Aditya Chopra wrote the film with Javed Siddiqui while Manmohan Singh served as the cinematographer and Jatin Pandit and Lalit Pandit composed the music for it. The film was edited by Keshav Naidu. The team couldn't have come together better,

DDLJ, like Sholay, came at the right time, said Ausaja.

"That film triggered the so-called NRI movies. It happens once in a lifetime. The film cemented Shah Rukhs status as a top movie star. It was like what Deewar was for Amitabh Bachchan. The way family values were celebrated it worked big time with people across all demographics," the historian said.

The film has legions of fans in every walk of life and directors down the years have doffed their hats to various moments from the film, including the famous train scene when Raj stretches his hand out to Simran, to pull her into a tight embrace  their happily ever after.

According to Hitesh Kewalya, director of same-sex love story "Shubh Mangal Zyada Savdhan", referencing "DDLJ" made his film more relatable to the people.

"When the time came to write 'Shubh Mangal Zyada Savdhan', I was thinking about all the classic love stories that we have seen in our Hindi cinema. And it came naturally to me that if I have to tell a love story about two men who love each other, then DDLJ would be the reference point of that, he said.

Every scene and prop in the movie -- the brown jacket in the 'palat' scene, the mandolin and the cowbell that Simran hangs outside her London home for Raj to find before she leaves for Punjab -- has a little story.

The jacket was a favourite of Aditya Chopra. The first time director wanted to use the mandolin as he was a big Raj Kapoor fan and the cowbell, though bought in Switzerland, was a way to honour Yash Chopra's Punjabi roots.

Kajol, just 21 when she played arguably most famous role of the rebellious yet traditional NRI reconciled to marrying a stranger, doesnt believe the magic can be recreated.

"I think that if today you had to make a film, you would have to make it like 'DDLJ', but it will never be 'DDLJ'. It will have to be different. And once you change people, the atmosphere, you will have to adapt the story to the current times, society and thought processes. And that changes the entire language of the film. So you will have to create your own magic," she told PTI recently.
Mumbai, Oct 18 (PTI) Federal Bank on Saturday reported a 9.51 per cent decline in its September quarter consolidated net profit at 991.94 crore as

provisions surged.

The private sector lender had reported a net profit of 1,096.25 crore for the year-ago period.

The core net interest income rose 5.4 per cent to 2,495 crore on the back of a 6.23 per cent growth in its loan book and a 0.06 per cent compression in the net interest margin year-on-year at 3.06 per cent.

A senior bank official said the lender is aiming to grow the book by 10-12 per cent in the second half of the fiscal, which will be higher than the 7.6 per cent in H1 and lead to a credit growth of under 10 per cent for FY26 even if the upper end of the aim for the latter half is met. This will be lower than the 12.14 per cent for FY25.

Managing director and chief executive K V S Manian told reporters that demand for corporate loans, which form a sizable chunk because of the high number, is still weak and hoped that the increase in consumer demand due to measures like the GST cuts by government prompts corporates to initiate capacity additions.

Retail will be the focus area from a loan growth perspective for the bank, he said. However, Manian also said that the bank will be cautious on the microfinance loans and personal loans segment.

The bank wishes to be profitable in the loan growth efforts, he said, adding that it cannot push hard on the home loans front due to the lower yields because of aggressive posturing by competition. The home loans de-grew 1 per cent during the quarter, he added.

The other income for the bank rose by 12.26 per cent to 1,082 crore.

Manian said the deposit growth for the quarter stood at 7.36 per cent, and added that Federal Bank will be focusing on increasing the share of the low-cost current and saving account balances going forward.

From an asset quality perspective, the fresh slippages came at 579 crore, up from 428 crore in the year-ago period, and the slippage ratio also increased to 0.94 per cent from 0.79 per cent a year ago.

The bank management said that the slippages are lower than the 658 crore in the quarter-ago period, and added that it has also been able to contain the slippage ratio under 1 per cent. The gross non-performing assets ratio for the lender improved to 1.83 per cent from 1.91 per cent at the end of the preceding quarter and 2.09 per cent on-year.

The overall provisions for the bank jumped to 397.44 crore from 196.14 crore in the year-ago period, which hurt the profit growth the most.

Manian explained that the bank undertook a change in the provision policies on the unsecured loan exposures in the December quarter of last year, and hence, the provision numbers are not comparable.
Chinas Communist Party likes to crow about its efforts to protect the public from scammers. Hundreds of thousands of them have been arrested in a sweeping crackdown this decade on rackets that are conducted online and by phone. But Chinese leaders also worry about another kind of swindle: one that primarily targets the powerful. In recent years, senior officials have often been exposed as dupes of political scammers. State media says that the problem is rife.

Under Mao, calling someone a political scammer was a way of insulting a rival. The term referred to someone who was feigning loyalty to the chairman. In recent years the label has been revived with a different meaning. It is now used to describe con artists who pretend that they are politically well-connected in order to make money. They often promise that they can help gullible officials get promoted, in exchange for some combination of gifts, favours or cash. Cases are said to surge when the party conducts its five-yearly leadership shake-upsa process that involves hundreds of thousands of jobs being shuffled at every level. China will enter such a period next year in the build-up to the partys 21st congress, which is likely to be held in the autumn of 2027.

According to state media the party chief, Xi Jinping, first mentioned political swindlers publicly in 2023 when he demanded a severe strike against them. The partys anti-graft agency described the scammers as rampant, calling them parasites on the chain of corruption. That year the party introduced a new rule threatening punishment not just of the scammers but of the officials they hoodwink. One cannot be conned by a swindlerthe thinking goesunless one has been trying to gain a more senior job, or other benefits, by underhand means.

But some officials are clearly not getting the message. On October 9th a former chief of the partys Organisation Department in the eastern city of Anqing was expelled from the party for various offences, including making friends with political scammers. He would have been a useful friend to make: the job he used to hold controls local appointments.

The people who have been targeted by scammers even include a few who are close to the very top. One example is Fu Zhenghua, a former justice minister who had also served as Chinas second highest-ranking police official. He was given a suspended death sentence in 2022 for corruption. Mr Fus offences allegedly include conducting years-long relationships with political scammers. One of these crooks was a retired police officer who had falsely claimed to have connections who would be able to advance Mr Fus career. Another was masquerading as a senior adviser to Chinese leaders. And according to state media, both of the fraudsters used the reputations they had themselves gained from being seen as chums with Mr Fu to facilitate their own business deals.

Stories such as this hint at the insecurity of senior cadres as they try to navigate a murky political system where cultivating good guanxi, or personal relations, is seen as vital for success. In May Wang Yilin, a former boss of China National Petroleum Corporation, a state-owned energy firm, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for accepting millions of dollars in bribes. Some of the money was in return for jobs he secured for others. He was also alleged to have been taken in by a scammer who claimed to have inside knowledge of Mr Wangs own likely promotions.

Mr Xis battle against the con men is part of his relentless war against all forms of corruption; so far millions of officials have been punished. But this has created new opportunities for the scammers. State media say that fraudsters are banking big sums by promising frightened officials that they will use their purported connections to get graft-busters off their backs. Some leading cadresregard political scammers as a comfort and a lifeline, wrote two Chinese scholars in an academic journal in August. Some scammers end up so well connected that they come to wield genuine political clout.
In a corner of their ramshackle tent in southern Gaza, Ghaidaa Qudaih and her family keep a baby stroller and three backpacks filled with clothes, diapers, milk and other necessities close at hand. They need them in case they have to run for their lives, as they have 11 times over the past two years.

Each time, it has been a struggle," said Qudaih, a 29-year-old vegetable farmer. Sometimes hope came to us, and sometimes we lost it."

View Full Image Farah, the daughter of Ghaidaa Qudaih.

For now, hope has returned. A cease-fire between Israel and Hamas appears to be holding, Israel has pulled back its military forces and Hamas has released all the remaining living Israeli hostages. Tens of thousands of Gazans are on the move, many heading back to their homes. Qudaih and her family pray their 12th move in two years will be their last.

Maybe next week well be able to go back," Qudaih said from Al Mawasi, an overcrowded tent city along the beach in the southern Gaza Strip.

Nearly two million Palestinians, roughly 90% of Gazas population in Gaza, have fled their homes during the warmany of them multiple timesaccording to the United Nations. Qudaih, her husband, Abd al-Rahman al-Shawwaf, also 29, and their nearly 3-year-old daughter Farah are among those now planning to rebuild their lives now that the fighting has stopped. They know that Hamas militants are back on the streets to assert control, and they know there are significant obstacles to President Trumps 20-point plan to end the war. They have seen cease-fires come and go.

Weve gotten our hopes up many times before, that wed finally go home, that the bloodshed would stop," said Shawwaf.

Perhaps this time, just maybe, it will be different.

Return from Egypt

On the day Hamas attacked Israel two years ago, Qudaih was in Egypt. She and three other Gazans had launched a project in 2020 called Green Girls" to grow vegetables to generate income and empower a new generation of Palestinian women. Qudaih was in Egypt to learn new farming methods and business techniques to bolster their successful project.

After all the effort my partners and I put in, and after we achieved everything we dreamed of, suddenly it all disappeared and evaporated," said Qudaih.

By summer, the family was on the move again. Prices of food and medicines had soared, costing 15 times more than before the war. Sometimes, a friend or relative overseas would send money. But the money traders exploited them, charging commissions as high as 45% to withdraw the cash.

In early June, Shawwaf was approaching a food distribution point when live gunfire pierced the air. He and other men crawled into a large crater left by a missile or artillery shell. A bullet struck the head of a young man near him. He was killed instantly, said Shawwaf.

He kept moving toward the aid point but couldnt get any food. The crowds were too massive. He left angry, especially at the armed men in the front who carried large sacks.

They take flour, sugar, oil, tahini, and then they go and sell them to the starving people at astronomical prices!" he later wrote on Facebook. They are of us and among us, our own flesh and blood. But they sold their conscience."

Now the nights are turning colder in Al Mawasi. Farah sleeps on a thin blanket. They lack warm clothes, winter blankets and mattresses.

Their family house is still standing, though badly damaged. They will need to repair collapsed walls and the plumbing. When they return, they will have to stay in a tent for at least a month, said Qudaih.

More than anything, they want to stop running and start a new chapter, especially for their daughter. Their backpacks are ready. But they wont be taking their baby stroller. After two long years, its damaged beyond repair.

Whats happening now feels like our last hope, that maybe the war will finally end, that well return to the life we had before, or maybe even something better," said Qudaih. Its the only hope we have left in times like these."
Prosecutors didnt give the name of the dissident, but Vladimir Osechkin, a Russian national, identified himself as the target of this plot in a phone interview on Friday. Osechkin heads Gulagu.net, a human-rights organization that came to prominence exposing corruption and torture in Russian prisons and now helps opponents of President Vladimir Putins government leave Russia.

They hired professional mercenary killers," he said from Biarritz, in southwestern France, adding that the Russian state has been trying to kill him for years.

French authorities said the four men, aged between 26 and 38, were taken into police custody on Monday. On Thursday, prosecutors pressed preliminary charges against them for participating in a terrorist criminal conspiracy, with the intent to prepare one or more crimes against individuals.

Thousands of Russians have left their homeland since Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and commenced a crackdown on opposition activists inside the country, passing laws that barred most forms of dissent and criminalized criticism of the war.

Many of those who have left have set up precarious new lives in Europe, often struggling to find work and living in perpetual fear of becoming targets of the Russian state. In March 2024, Leonid Volkov, a close aide of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, was attacked outside his home in Vilnius, Lithuania. He blamed the Russian government for targeting him because of his work exposing corruption.

The new arrests in France come as President Trump prepares to meet Putin for talks on ending the war in Ukraine. The two leaders agreed during a phone call this week to hold a meeting in Budapest, at a date yet to be announced. Trump is meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday at the White House.

Osechkin sought political asylum in France after leaving Russia under pressure from the Kremlin over his activism exposing abuse in Russias prisons. He has since published videos of torture in Russias penitentiary system and collected accounts from prison guards Russian military deserters who are now giving testimony to international courts. He now lives under protection from the French government.

Osechkin has also facilitated the flight from Russia of active servicemen who refused to fight, publicizing their cases and sometimes helping organize accommodation and legal representation for them in European countries.

In 2022, Osechkin told police he had been the target of an assassination attempt at his home, after receiving death threats. Local prosecutors opened an investigation but said they found no evidence at the time of an assassination attempt. Osechkin said prosecutors played down the threat because media attention to the case was preventing him from living a normal life.

In a YouTube broadcast on Thursday, Osechkin said he regularly received information about Russian assassination attempts planned for him.

He said the most recent warnings were about plans to shoot him during a recording of one of his regular livestreams on YouTube, after the alleged assassins had scoped out his location in the south of France.

This was supposed to happen live on air, as theatrically as possible," he said to his one million followers on the video-sharing platform. To sow fear among those who deal with investigations exposing the crimes of the Putin regime."
President Trump in recent weeks has exempted dozens of products from his so-called reciprocal tariffs and offered to carve out hundreds more goods from farm products to airplane parts when countries strike trade deals with the U.S.

The offer to exempt more products from tariffs reflects a growing sentiment among administration officials that the U.S. should lower levies on goods that it doesnt domestically produce, say people familiar with administration planning. That notion has been emerging over time" within the administration, said Everett Eissenstat, deputy director of the National Economic Council in Trumps first term. There is definitely that recognition."

The move comes ahead of a Supreme Court hearing in early November on the reciprocal tariffsa case that could force the administration to pay back many of the levies if it loses in court. The White House, Commerce Department and U.S. Trade Representatives office didnt respond to requests for comment.

The shift on the reciprocal tariffs reflects the Trump teams desire to hedge its bets should the court strike down its broad levies, according to people familiar with the administrations thinking. At the same time, Trumps team is expanding its use of tariffs based on more established legal authority: Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Trump has already deployed that law to underpin tariffs on metals and automobiles, and this month announced a new tranche of duties aimed at heavy trucks, pharmaceuticals and furniture.

On Friday, Trump unveiled his latest action under Section 232, imposing 25% tariffs on trucks and truck parts, as well as 10% tariffs on buses, effective Nov. 1. As part of that action, Trump also expanded a tariff relief program for automakers, allowing them to apply for credits to partially offset the cost of tariffs on car and truck parts until 2030, instead of 2027.

Last month, Trump issued new exemptions for products from gold to LED lights and certain minerals, chemicals and metal products via a list called Annex II" that includes many products that are or will be covered by the Section 232 levies.

He also previewed hundreds of potential exemptions to come in the future: The order includes a list of products that could receive zero tariffs under trade agreements with foreign nations that are being negotiated by Trumps team. That list, dubbed Annex III," is aimed at products that cannot be grown, mined, or naturally produced in the United States," the order states, such as certain agricultural products; aircraft and aircraft parts; and non-patented articles for use in pharmaceutical applications."

The September order also allows new authority to the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representatives office to grant tariff exemptions themselves, without Trump himself issuing executive orders mandating the new carve-outs.

The move will help streamline tariff policy, a White House official said, so the administration doesnt need to issue an executive order for every group of exemptions as it implements over a dozen trade deals Trump has announced, or arrives at new pacts.

The administration has already struck trade pacts with several trading partners, including major economies like Japan and the European Union. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told Senate Republicans at a lunch meeting this week that more deals are on the way, said Sen. John Kennedy (R., La.), who was in attendance.

For months, administration officials led by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had insisted there would be no exemptions, no exceptions" from Trumps so-called reciprocal duties, originally announced in April. Lutnick has softened his stance publicly, saying in a late July television appearance that if you grow something and we dont grow it, that can come in for zero."

Some protectionist Trump allies say the ramp-up in the so-called Section 232 tariffs will ultimately do more to bring manufacturing back to the U.S.

It doesnt make sense to impose tariffs on products the U.S. doesnt have the capability to produce," said Nick Iacovella, executive vice president at the Coalition for a Prosperous America, a protectionist group that advises the administration on trade. Section 232 is the most effective tool."

The Consumer Brands Association, which represents major food manufacturers, sent a letter to the Trump administration in March, urging officials to grant exemptions for goods like coffee, oats, cocoa, spices, tropical fruits and tin mill steel, used for food cans.

Many such goods are included in Annex III and potentially eligible for exemptions from countries that enter trade agreements with the U.S.

Candy giant Hershey said in May that it was engaging with the U.S. government" to seek an exemption for cocoa. Duties on the commodity have added to problems for the Pennsylvania chocolatier, which also has been grappling with high prices for its core ingredient, and the company said it was using every lever at its disposal to get cocoa tariffs changed.

Some food companies have said they would raise prices to help offset rising costs from tariffs.

Others are trying to hold the line. Seafood company Chicken of the Sea, owned by Thai Union Group, said it is working to keep a lid on prices for its core canned-tuna products, despite tariffs on the fish. Its very price sensitive," said Chicken of the Sea President Andy Mecs.

Certain tuna products are among the goods now potentially eligible for tariff exemptions. Mecs said that exceptions for foods like tuna are particularly important as the Trump administration pushes its Make America Healthy Again" agenda.

There are a lot of healthy food products that are largely imported," he said.
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has asked rural banks to leverage the consumption boost from lower goods and services tax rates to boost credit in semi-urban and rural areas.

The rationalisation of GST rates has opened new opportunities in rural areas due to an increase in consumption, an indication of more bank funding, Sitharaman said, while chairing a meeting to review the business performance of the Karnataka Grameena Bank (KaGB) at Ballari on October 16.

the rural banks should leverage this opportunity to cater to the credit requirement in semi-urban and rural areas," Sitharaman said during the meeting, where she also assessed key indicators including credit growth, non-performing assets, performance under financial inclusion and implementation of government-sponsored schemes of KaGB.

Also Read | Indian Railways racing towards a high-speed future

The meeting was also attended by M Nagaraju, secretary, department of financial services (DFS); Shaji K.V., chairman Nabard; executive director of Canara Bank and other senior officials from the DFS, ministry of finance.

Expanding credit

The finance minister advised KaGB to increase its share in ground-level agriculture credit disbursement with special focus on emerging areas of the economy.

Sitharaman also directed all stakeholders to take necessary steps to realise the potential of allied agriculture activities in the region. KaGB and its sponsor Canara Bank were specially directed to work with state government departments to increase credit disbursement to micro, small and medium enterprises and allied sectors.

Sitharaman said that development financial institutions and government departments meet the capital requirements of some farmer-producer organisations (FPOs), while banks should fulfil the working capital requirements.

Also Read | Centre to link highway awards to returns, based on FASTag data

She said rural banks should upgrade their products and services according to the convenience and demand of FPOs. This will enable both banks and FPOs to leverage their resources for mutual benefit and sustainable growth of the rural economy.

Many companies are moving their services like data centres from tier-1 to tier 2 & 3 cities, and rural banks should focus on such emerging areas to improve their financial health, she said. KaGB shall focus on its business operations to make the bank profitable and overcome the challenges faced by stressed assets, the minister said. KaGB was also advised to enhance operational efficiency by improving asset quality, adopting new technology and strengthening customer service delivery.

Strengthening outreach

Sitharaman advised KaGB and its sponsor bank to engage with respective committees at the panchayat and district levels to improve the screening process of applications received under government-sponsored schemes such as PM-Vishwakarma and Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME).

Sitharaman also urged KaGB to spread its presence in the Kalyan Karnataka region by opening new branches wherever the presence of banking outlets is inadequate.

Also Read | Japan's JICA to boost ties with the private sector to fund urban infra in India

During the meeting, Nagaraju highlighted that the integration of systems and processes has been completed post-amalgamation and suggested creating a medium-term business plan for KaGB and its review by the sponsor bank for long-term sustainability.

Citing the potential in agro processing and MSME in the region, he urged KaGB to partner with Nabard for value creation by farmers in agriculture and allied sectors. He appreciated KaGB for its remarkable progress in Atal Pension Yojana and suggested improving its performance under other financial inclusion schemes such as PMJJBY, PMSBY & PMJDY. He also suggested a future roadmap to partner withpublic sector banks by providing banking services in the areas which is unserved/underserved. He emphasized the need for staff integration and skill upgradation of employees post-amalgamation.
JERUSALEM, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) received from the Red Cross a coffin of an unidentified Israeli hostage held in Gaza, the IDF said early Saturday in a statement.

In a post on X, the IDF said that the coffin, escorted by IDF troops, crossed the border into Israel on its way to the National Institute for Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv for identification procedures.

The IDF urged the public "to act with sensitivity and wait for official identification, which will first be communicated to the families of the deceased hostages."

This was the 10th body of an Israeli hostage that Hamas has handed over this week, out of 28 bodies it is obliged to return under the first phase of the Gaza peace plan.

Hamas on Monday released 20 live Israeli hostages who had been held in Gaza for two years. 
Planemaker Boeing Co. has been granted approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Friday to increase its 737 MAX production rate. The FAA eased an unprecedented cap, allowing the planemaker to raise output to 42 planes per month, up from the 38-plane restriction imposed in January last year.

This move is seen as a major step in Boeings effort to restore financial stability and address the intense scrutiny over its manufacturing quality.

The 38-plane ceiling was imposed following a mid-air emergency in January 2024. The incident involved an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 where a door plug, missing four critical bolts, blew out of the fuselage at 16,000 feet.

Also Read | United Airlines planes collide on ground at OHare Airport in Chicago

The FAA probe into the near-catastrophe revealed widespread production safety and quality lapses across Boeings operations.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford confirmed the decision to Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg on Friday, according to Reuters, saying the planemaker is ready to handle the higher volume.

The American aviation regulator said on Friday its safety inspectors "conducted extensive reviews of Boeing's production lines to ensure that this small production rate increase will be done safely."

View full Image Livemint

Boeing said it appreciated "the work by our team, our suppliers and the FAA to ensure we are prepared to increase production with safety and quality at the forefront."

Financial Impact Increasing deliveries of the popular single-aisle aircraft is crucial for restoring the companys finances after years of crises and disruptions left it heavily indebted and losing money.

Boeing currently holds $53 billion in debt, a stark contrast to the approximately $12 billion in 2018. The production hike would allow the company to cut this debt and leverage its substantial inventory.

Boeing has $11 billion in raw materials stockpileda buffer built against persistent supply chain bottlenecks, according to its second quarter results filing.

Regulatory Scrutiny Boeing continues to face significant regulatory and legal fallout from the January incident.

Last month, the FAA proposed a $3.1 million penalty against the planemaker for a series of safety violations.

Also Read | What we know about the American Airlines emergency evacuation in Denver

The FAA found hundreds of quality system violations at the companys 737 factory in Renton, Washington, as well as at the 737 fuselage factory operated by subcontractor Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, Kansas, between September 2023 and February 2024.

Furthermore, the Alaska Airlines emergency prompted the US Justice Department, under then-US President Joe Biden, to open a formal criminal investigation into the matter.
Gold price and silver price in your city on October 18: Gold rate today is on a high, despite some pullback on October 17 after United States President Donald Trump hinted that his additional 100 per cent tariffs on China would be unsustainable.

Gold prices fell by over 2 per cent on October 17 after hitting a record high above $4,300 per ounce. Spot gold was down 2.6 per cent at $4,211.48 per ounce at 01:38 p.m. ET (1738 GMT), after scaling an all-time high of $4,378.69 earlier in the session. And US gold futures for December delivery settled 2.1 per cent lower at $4,213.30.

As India celebrates Dhanteras today, here's a look at how much gold costs in your city. Notably, since today is a Saturday, all trading is closed till Monday (October 20).

Gold, Silver are safe haven investments Overall, experts feel that gold and silver are safe haven bets that investors can make to safeguard their portfolios in these volatile markets and with increased risk aversion.

Over the past 20 years, gold prices have skyrocketed by an impressive 1,200 per cent from 7,638 in 2005 to over 1,00,000 in 2025 (till June), and delivered positive returns in 16 of these years. Year-to-date (YTD), gold prices have risen 31 per cent, with consistent record highs solidifying its position among 2025s top-performing asset classes and a reliable hedge.

Further, silver has also proved resilient. Prices have held firmly above the 1 lakh/kg mark for the past few months. Over the past 20 years (2005-2025), the shiny metal has gained a solid 668.84 per cent.

Check today gold rate, silver price  October 18 The MCX gold index was at 1,27,320/10 gm at 8 am on October 18, the official website showed. Meanwhile, MCX silver prices were at 1,57,300/kg, it showed.

Further, 24-carat gold was priced at 1,27,320/10 gm, according to data on the Indian Bullion Association (IBA) at 8 am on October 18. Further, 22-carat gold was priced at 1,16,710/10 gms. Silver prices today are at 1,57,300/kg (Silver 999 Fine), as per the IBA website.

So, check here gold rate today in Pune, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai. Notably, for retail customers, jewellers may add making charges, taxes and GST to the bill, which could hike the final price for you.

Gold and Silver Prices in Mumbai  October 18  Gold bullion rates in Mumbai 1,27,320/10 gm.

 MCX Gold rate in Mumbai  1,27,320/10 gm.

 Silver bullion rate in Mumbai 1,57,300/kg.

 MCX Silver 999 rate in Mumbai  1,57,300kg.

Gold and Silver Prices in Pune  October 18  Gold bullion rates in Pune 1,27,320/10 gm.

 MCX Gold rate today Pune  1,27,320/10 gm.

 Silver bullion rate in Pune 1,57,300/kg.

 MCX Silver rate today Pune  1,57,300kg.

Gold and Silver Prices in Delhi  October 18  Gold bullion rates in New Delhi 1,27,100/10 gm.

 MCX Gold rate in New Delhi  1,27,320/10 gm.

 Silver bullion rate in New Delhi 1,57,030/kg.

 MCX Silver 999 rate in New Delhi  1,57,300/kg.

Also Read | RBI gold reserves cross $100 billion mark for first time amid price rally

Gold and Silver Prices in Kolkata  October 18  Gold bullion rates in Kolkata 1,27,150/10 gm.

 MCX Gold rate in Kolkata  1,27,320/10 gm.

 Silver bullion rate in Kolkata 1,57,090/kg.

 MCX Silver 999 rate in Kolkata  1,57,300/kg.

Gold and Silver Prices in Ahmedabad  October 18  Gold bullion rates in Ahmedabad 1,27,490/10 gm.

 MCX Gold rate today Ahmedabad  1,27,320/10 gm.

 Silver bullion rate in Ahmedabad 1,57,510/kg.

 MCX Silver 999 rate in Ahmedabad  1,57,300kg.

Gold and Silver Prices in Bengaluru  October 18  Gold bullion rates in Bengaluru 1,27,420/10 gm.

 MCX today gold rate Bangalore  1,27,320/10 gm.

 Silver bullion rate in Bengaluru 1,57,420/kg.

 MCX Silver 999 rate in Bengaluru  1,57,300/kg.

Also Read | Is the Indian stock market closed on Monday for Diwali 2025?

Gold and Silver Prices in Hyderabad  October 18  Gold bullion rates in Hyderabad 1,27,520/10 gm.

 MCX Gold rate in Hyderabad  1,27,320/10 gm.

 Silver bullion rate in Hyderabad 1,57,550/kg.

 MCX Silver 999 rate in Hyderabad  1,57,300/kg.

Gold and Silver Prices in Chennai  October 18  Gold bullion rates in Chennai 1,27,690/10 gm.

 MCX Gold rate in Chennai  1,27,320/10 gm.

 Silver bullion rate in Chennai 1,57,760/kg.

 MCX Silver 999 rate in Chennai  1,57,300/kg.

Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
Q2 results today, on October 18: Banking majors HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Punjab National Bank and other companies such as UTI Asset Management and UltraTech Cement are among at least 27 companies scheduled to release their earnings report on Saturday, October 18.

Overall, around 100 companies are listed to announce their Q2FY26 results during this week. Investors are keenly watching these for corporate announcements, forward looking statements, revenue outlooks, and share prices, to make calculated investment decisions.

Q2 results today: Saturday  October 18, 2025 At least 27 companies are set to release their Q2 earnings on Saturday, October 18. These include heavyweights such as HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, PNB, and UltraTech Cement.

The full list of firms releasing their earnings today include, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, UltraTech Cement, Punjab National Bank, IDBI Bank, Yes Bank, IDFC First Bank, IndusInd Bank, Federal Bank, RBL Bank, UTI Asset Management Company, Jaiprakash Power Ventures, Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Can Fin Homes, AGI Greenpac, Avantel, SML Isuzu, Anand Rathi Share & Stock Brokers, Jaro Institute Of Technology Management And Research, Sejal Glass.

HDFC Bank preview: Stock close to lifetime high HDFC Bank stock continued its upward movement, peaking for the fourth straight session on October 17. The rally comes ahead of today's September quarter (Q2) results. Shares of India's largest private sector lender gained 1.47 per cent to 1,009  very close to its July record high of 1,018.85.

Dalal Street experts feel that the earnings report would show a muted performance, but added that any surprise on the margins front, could propel HDFC Bank's stock to remain high. It may also boost the overall market sentiment.

Strong results from banking majors such as HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank can provide fundamental support to the market. Muhurat trading and festive cheer may further add to the bullish sentiment, felt VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, at Geojit Investments.

Also Read | RBI gold reserves cross $100 billion mark for first time amid price rally

Stock market overview: Trading holidays in October The Indian stock market continued the upbeat trend for the third straight session on October 17 as the Bank Nifty index climbed to a new lifetime high of 57,830.20.

Ahead of Dhanteras, the bulls took the Nifty 50 index up 124 points higher at 25,709, while the BSE Sensex ended 484 points higher at 83,952.

Among sectors, the capital market and reality indices outperformed. Capital market gained 5 per cent while reality was up 4 per cent. But, Media and IT indices saw the biggest dips  media was down by 2.40 per cent and IT by 1.80 per cent.

The BSE and NSE have listed October 21 as a holiday for the stock markets for Diwali Laxmi Pujan, and October 22 for Diwali Balipratipada. The Indian stock market will remain open on Monday (October 20) next week.

Further, the Muhurat trading session this year will take place from 1.45 pm to 2.45 pm on October 21. This is different from the usual practise of having the special trading session in the evening.

Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, not Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
Reliance Industries Q2 results 2025: Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Industries (RIL) on Friday, October 17, reported a 16 per cent year-on-year (YoY) rise in consolidated profit after tax (PAT) at 22,146 crore for the July-September quarter of the current financial year (Q2FY26). The company's PAT was 19,101 crore in the same quarter of the previous year. However, Reliance's net profit attributable to owners of the company rose 9.7 per cent YoY to 18,165 crore from 16,563 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year. Profit after tax and the share of profit of associates and JVs rose 14.3 per cent YoY to 22,092 crore in Q2FY26 from 19,323 crore in Q2FY25. This has put the Reliance share price in focus on Monday.

Ahead of the Reliance Industries Q2 results 2025, the Reliance share price has been on an uptrend for the last two straight sessions. RIL share price has risen from 1374 to 1419 per share on the NSE. After the announcement of strong Reliance Industries Q2 results 2025, stock market experts are predicting a gap-up opening on Monday. They also believe in further extension of this gap-up opening. They said that Reliance Industries Limited has delivered a robust performance in the second quarter of FY26, which has set the platform for RIL share price to climb up to 1500 apiece levels in the near-term.

Reliance Industries Q2 results review Speaking on the Reliance Q2 results 2025, Seema Srivastava, Senior Research Analyst at SMC Global Securities, said, "Reliance Industries Limited has delivered a robust performance in the second quarter of FY26, with a 9.9% year-over-year increase in gross revenue to 283,548 crore ($31.9 billion). The company's diversified portfolio, including Jio Platforms Limited (JPL), Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL), and Oil to Chemicals (O2C), has contributed to this growth. JPL revenue increased by 14.9% year-over-year, driven by industry-leading subscriber growth, sustained improvement in Average Revenue Per User (ARPU), and the continued ramp-up of digital service offerings. RRVL revenue grew by 18% year-over-year, with significant growth across consumption baskets, particularly in grocery and fashion, which delivered market-leading performances with 23% and 22% growth, respectively."

"EBITDA increased by 14.6% year-over-year to 50,367 crore ($5.7 billion), reflecting agile business operations and a strong focus on domestic markets. The company's Oil and Gas segment, however, saw a 2.6% year-over-year decline in revenue, primarily due to the natural decline of production in KGD6 and lower condensate price realisation. Despite challenges, Reliance remains optimistic, with Mukesh D Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, highlighting the company's technology leadership, innovative solutions, and commitment to delivering benefits to all Indians. The company's new growth engines, including new energy, media, and consumer brands, are expected to build on Reliance's legacy of creating industry leaders, focusing on technology and innovation to provide Indian consumers with the right products and services at the right price. With a strong balance sheet and continued investment in growth areas, Reliance is poised for sustained growth and success," Seema added.

The SMC Global Securities expert said that RIL's capital expenditure for the quarter was 40,010 crore ($4.5 billion), mainly towards investments in O2C capacity expansion, Jio Telecom network, digital services, retail footprint, and new energy giga factories.

On how she looks at the Reliance Industries Q2 results, Seema Srivastava of SMC Global Securities, said, "Overall, Reliance's Q2FY26 results demonstrate its resilience and adaptability in a dynamic market environment. By leveraging its integrated assets, strong brand portfolio, and focus on innovation, Reliance is well-positioned to navigate future challenges and capitalise on emerging opportunities, driving long-term value for its stakeholders."

Reliance share price target Expecting upside in Reliance share price, Ganesh Dongre, Senior Manager of Technical Research at Anand Rathi, said, "Reliance Industries Ltd has recently demonstrated a significant trendline breakout pattern on the daily chart, surpassing the crucial 1,380 to 1,400 price range. This breakout, which is also evident on the weekly chart, highlights a strong shift in market structure and reflects robust bullish sentiment. The price action suggests renewed buying interest and momentum, signalling the potential for further upside movement. In the short term, technical indicators such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI) are showing notable strength, reinforcing the positive outlook."

On the outlook of the Reliance share price, Ganesh Dongre said, "Given this technical setup, traders and investors may consider adopting a 'buy on dips' approach, particularly near the 1,380 level, which now serves as a strong support zone. This area provides an attractive entry point with a favourable riskreward ratio for medium- to long-term investors. Positions can be held or accumulated with a stop loss placed at 1,340, while targeting an upside potential towards 1,480 to 1,500."

Reliance Industries Q2 results 2025 Reliance Industries Ltd outlined clear plans for its new-energy venturesseen as the following growth engines for Indias most valuable companyeven as its oil exploration business emerged as a weak link in an otherwise strong September quarter. Reliance will begin operations at its first solar cell production line in Jamnagar this month. In contrast, its solar energy plants at Kutch will start generating power from the first half of 2026-27, the company said in an investor presentation on Friday.

It did not provide a further update on its new-energy giga-complex at Jamnagar. The project is touted to be the world's largest single-location clean energy complex that will turn sand into solar modules and use the clean power from these modules to generate green hydrogen and run data centres.

Key Takeaways Reliance Industries reported a 16% YoY increase in consolidated profit, reflecting strong performance across its diversified portfolio.

Analysts anticipate the share price could rise to 1500, indicating bullish market sentiment.

The company is investing heavily in new energy initiatives, positioning itself as a leader in clean energy solutions.
Tata Motors shares have been under sell-off pressure throughout October 2025. From the effective date for Tata Motors' share demerger to the Tata Motors demerger record date, the auto major ended lower on all sessions. After the Tata Motors demerger record date, Tata Motors' share price has slipped from 660.75 apiece on the NSE to 396.50 per share, logging a 40% dip in the stock after the record date for the composite scheme of the Indian auto major. This might have put doubt into the minds of Tata Motors shareholders, whether the demerger is a loss-making affair for them, or whether there would be some benefit from this corporate move.

According to stock market experts, Tata Motors' demerger is a composite scheme in which Tata Motors Ltd will be divided into two separate business entities: Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles (TMLCV) and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV). The beneficiary Tata Motors shareholders will be awarded one share of the Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, which is expected to list on the Indian bourses in November 2025. After this demerger scheme, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles will have 37.10% of the Tata Motors business while Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles will have the remaining 62.90% of the Tata Motors business. They said that the 40% dip in Tata Motors shares after the demerger record date is noticeable, and it shouldn't worry beneficiary Tata Motors shareholders. They predicted a last laugh for the beneficiary Tata Motors shareholders as Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles shares may list around the 300 to 470 range, delivering a decent premium to Tata Motors demerger beneficiaries.

Tata Motors share demerger On why Tata Motors' share price crash after the Tata Motors demerger record date won't impact much on a beneficiary's portfolio, Khushi Mistry, Research Analyst at Bonanza, said, "The 1:1 demerger will create two focused entities, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles (TMLCV) and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV). TMLCV will enter the market as Indias largest commercial vehicle (CV) manufacturer with a 37.1% market share."

Highlighting the fundamentals of two separate entities post-Tata Motors demerger, the Bonanza expert said, In Q1FY26, the CV segment sustained a healthy double-digit EBITDA margin of 12.2%, even as revenue declined, supported by continued operational efficiencies. It will also benefit from the 3.8 billion Iveco acquisition, making it the worlds fourth-largest truck manufacturer (above 6 tonnes). The domestic CV industry is expected to grow 35% in FY26, supported by infrastructure and e-commerce demand. The TMPV segment will incorporate passenger vehicle (PV) business, electric vehicles (EV), and Jaguar Land Rover operations. The domestic PV segment is expected to grow 810% in H2FY26, aided by new launches, strong SUV positioning, and rising EV and CNG demand, which form 45% of its PV segment revenue.

Tata Motors Demerger Details (AI Image)

Reward or Trap Pointing towards the indicative notional value of the composite scheme, Seema Srivastava, Senior Research Analyst at SMC Global Securities, said, "After the demerger, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles (CV) business will trade independently, allowing investors to value it purely on its own financial strength, earnings visibility, and sector-specific prospects rather than being clubbed with the passenger vehicle and JLR segments. The indicative notional value of around 260 to 270 per share for the CV arm is derived from the residual value of Tata Motors pre-demerger stock price, implying a solid standalone base for listing."

On the expected Tata Motors Commercial Vehicle share listing, Seema Srivastava said, "The actual listing price, however, is expected to be higher than the notional value, potentially in the 300 to 470 range, as markets anticipate improving momentum in commercial vehicle demand led by a revival in infrastructure spending, road development, construction, and logistics activity."

Hence, Tata Motors' share price crash after the Tata Motors share demerger should not be a worry for the beneficiary shareholders, as Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles' share listing is expected to take place at a substantial premium.
FRENCH GASTRONOMY

Odette, Singapore, comes to India and is serving special meals at Oberoi Hotels and Resorts in Bengaluru and Mumbai. The three Michelin-starred modern French restaurant, housed within the National Gallery, Singapore, is helmed by Chef Julien Royer. Named after his grandmother Odette, the restaurant is known for its focus on seasonality, terroir and artisanal produce. The menu being served in India will feature dishes such as mangrove crab with nashi pear and Kristal caviar and Late Harvest comprising grapes, sauternes and aloe vera. At Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, Bengaluru, 18-19 October, and Mumbai 23-24 October, 7pm onwards.

Artwork by Myanmar-based artist ChuuNyuWein

PEOPLE'S MOVEMENTS

The Fearless Foundation for the Arts is hosting a new show, Art of Liberation, in the Capital. Curated by artist Shilo Shiv Suleman, the exhibition brings together artists, activists and other cultural practitioners from South Asia. With Myna Mukherjee as the curatorial advisor and Tara Lal as the co-host, Art of Liberation features works that emerge from the heart of peoples movements. It includes women artists from Nepal, Afghanistan, Iran, Myanmar and India. The show will also feature performances and words by Aamir Aziz, Delhi Sultanate, and others. The show is on view at Travancore Palace, New Delhi, till 21 October, 10am-8pm daily.

A still from the film, 'Margarita with a Straw'.

MATTERS OF THE MIND

Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), and National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) are together organising a day-long film festival called Screening the Mind. The festival features six films  in Marathi, Kannada and Hindi  that tackle different angles of mental health. They includes Khidki that explores the loneliness of ageing, Dhoosar that looks at the impact of Alzheimers, Enso, a tender story of grief. The event concludes with Shonali Boses acclaimed film, Margarita with a Straw. The curated showcase is a precursor to Manotsava  the National Mental Health Festival being held early next month. At Bangalore International Centre, Bengaluru, 19 October, 11am-7pm. Entry is free.

Promotional poster for Cha Party Vol. 1

BONDING OVER MATCHA

It's going to be a day of conversations, community, design, music and matcha at the Cha Party Vol. 1, a day-long event being hosted by Freedom Tree, a Bengaluru-based retail design brand, and Ela Matcha on Sunday. The programme has been designed to flow as one continuous experience where guests can explore multiple workshops such as the Kintsugi Workshop by Khushi Khated, hands-on printing with Panic Press and the Board Games Corner by The Board Game Company. The evening schedule features a live music set by Sakre. Powering the event are signature matcha drinks put together by The Ela Matcha Bar. At Freedom Tree, Indiranagar 1st Stage, Bengaluru, 19 October, 12pm-7.30pm. To register, DM @ela.matcha or @freedomtreehome on Instagram.

Also Read | Brunches, gourmet hampers and everything you need for a delicious Diwali
When top chef Ajit Bangera says  theres nothing authentic about food"  you are compelled to sit up and take note. As someone with over five decades of experience in the Indian culinary landscape, he clarifies, Authenticity is what you create, and theres no end to what you can create in food." Bangera, along with Ashish Thadani, CEO of the Chennai-based Tiam Foods, opened the 54-seater restaurant Firo last month to offer what he calls reimagined" Indian cuisine.

Firo is Bangeras first venture post his retirement two years ago from ITC Chola, where he set up the iconic Avartana, recognised as Indias foremost modern south Indian restaurant. For the record, he also launched Colombos ITC Ratnadipa. It brings to Chennai a fine-dining experience that spotlights Indian food in a modern avatar, which, according to Bangera, has been lacking for a long time." Thadani echoes the thought. There hasnt been a contemporary Indian restaurant that reimagines our food, honours tradition, but presents it through a creative lens in the city," he adds. The launch also brings to the fore Bangeras creativity in a standalone restaurant in Chennai, a first for the chef who started his career with Taj in the 1980s before joining ITC. I often told [the] chef that when he retired, we needed to create something together," remembers Thadani, who owns the cycling-themed spot Ciclo Cafe in Chennai and Puducherry (opened earlier this year in a 100-year-old restored French villa that was also the location for some of the scenes in the film Life of Pi).

The Mangalorean chef was inspired by his mothers cooking early in life. I dont want diners walking into the restaurant for just good food. Thats a given. But theyre walking in to experience a memorable event with the best taste and presentation. And thats why food flavours, taste, and presentation are something that Ive learnt from my childhood days," says Bangera. His hack, if we may use the terminology, to create good food is simple: To know good food, you must eat good food." To that effect, by his own admission, he tries to eat in the homes of locals.

One would probably expect the chef to give us a structured routine that keeps him inspired, but like most creative geniuses, its really in the mundane that a eureka moment creates a dish. My thinking process is simple. To come up with a dish, its got to keep churning in the mind, and then its about elements coming together," says Bangera, adding, I dont take any pre-existing recipe and fine tune it. I like to build it from scratch." With Firo, the collective idea is to create food from the heart that exudes flavours of nostalgia even as the presentation is chic and novel. The duo also brought in chef Abhishek Mody from Bangkok, who has previously worked in Tapori, a regional Indian restaurant that found a mention in the Michelin Guide 2025.

View Full Image A dish at Firo.

At Firo, Bangera wished to serve tapas-style food so that diners could order and sample more", and came up with 60 inventive dishes. There are dosa tacos, and ice-cream chaat, a rather glamorous take on the humble dahi bhalla. A true chaat, after all, must capture that perfect balance of sweet, spicy, tangy, and savoury notes to keep the palate intrigued and craving for more. We bring a refreshing twist and a subtle umami depth to this timeless favourite," informs Thadani. The yoghurt is turned into an ice cream thats served with a spinach crisp on the side, along with a tangy coriander-beetroot chutney, combining a plethora of sweet, savoury, and cold elements. Theres also the innovative ghee ice cream that accompanies a semolina pudding with jaggery sauce. It took over 50 trials before we could get it right," says Bangera, explaining how he wanted to strike the balance between semolina and the perfect ratio of ghee to milk, ensuring that the richness was achieved without the feeling of any greasy residue on the palate. Another dish that has already become a hit is one inspired by idli filled with shitake mushrooms and prawns balchao. Theres a Bengal gram flour dish of the Gujarati dhokli, only, in this case presented as ravioli stuffed with figs. There is also a dessert that combines raspberry jelly, chocolate, and dehydrated pineapple with a hint of jasmine.

Firos innovative use of local ingredients, spices, and produce extends to its cocktail programme, which uses kokum, jaggery, and even nannari root (known for its Ayurvedic properties of healing). Terra Twist, for instance, is a whisky-forward drink that combines the spirit with spiced jaggery syrup and edible camphor, all of which promise a whiff of nostalgia.

It seems Chennai has a new address to offer the same superlative food experience by a chef who knows his food.

Abhilasha Ojha is a Delhi-based art and culture writer.
This evening, the British Museum will host its inaugural Ball to coincide with the closing weekend of Frieze London and its exhibition, Ancient India: Living Traditions, which explores the connections between Hindu, Jain and Buddhist art. The invitation-only fundraising night at the museum, home to many Indian artifactsmost of which were taken during colonial rulehas been dubbed Londons answer to the Met Gala, a glittering convergence of art, philanthropy and culture. The Balls theme is Pink, inspired by the exhibition, and its playing out during the Diwali seasonthe idea of such an event would have been improbable five years ago.

A few weeks ago, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was in India with a large trade mission of about 125 CEOs, including the British Fashion Councils Laura Weir, who, in the summer, hosted an event for the Indian diaspora. This is a very different London to the one I grew up in, where it was clear that my clothes, my festivities and my culture were not welcome. While the UK may not have declared Diwali a school holiday as some states in America have, London is a fashion capital thats looking at Diwali in a new light.

Also Read | Celebration of traditional craft does not need a viral moment

Harrods, one of the worlds biggest luxury department stores, has had special offers and events since 10 September to mark Diwali. These include a Diwali Beauty Masterclass with Indias Kama Ayurveda; a Meet the Author with chef Chet Sharma and hosted by chef Ravneet Gill; and a partnership with British-Indian artist Natasha Kumar, whose work blends Indian heritage with contemporary elegance. The celebration runs till 20 October, the day of Diwali, when the iconic Knightsbridge stores facade will light up, a first in the brands 120-year history.

Other brands arent far behind: Rahul Mishra hosted a Diwali celebration in London on 15 October in partnership with Johnnie Walker Blue Label, while Cartier held its third Diwali party at The Dorchester on 17 October. The Cartier party has become part of Londons high-society calendar, with guests planning what to wear for this night months in advance. Very different to London when I was a young fashion journalist, when I felt that I missed out on the festivities and get-togethers back home in India.

Sarah Myler, chief brand and reputation officer at Harrods, says, Diwalis worldwide visibility reflects the strength of Indias economic and cultural influence globally, as well as the way international communities are embracing different festivals as part of a shared cultural exchange."

Of course, its important to remember that the Indian community today has the purchasing power that they perhaps didnt when I was young. The UK is home to more than two million people of Indian origin, making it the countrys single largest ethnic minority group. While the UK is home to many immigrant communities, this has also been a summer of large marches and riots against immigration and asylum seekers, and overt displays of racism.
We are in the last lap of the year, a time when festivities and parties start popping up with more frequency on our calendars. Everyone's in the mood to socialise at this time, and dressing up becomes a decadent ritual Going by the current trend of shimmer and sequins dominating fashion's palette, Lounge's round up for the week spotlights big, blingy accessories that can add a dollop of drama and glamour to any party  whether its an intimate gathering of close friends or a big Bollywood-themed bash.

DOLL UP

Worried that you're probably overdressed for a Diwali party? Drop your angst and adopt the more is more philosophy instead. Top off your Diwali look with a maang tikka. This design from Maisara made with silver foiled kundan is elegant with the pearls and stones adding just enough heft to it. It's versatile and will pair well with a sari, a lehenga set or even a desi-inspired jumpsuit. Available on Maisara.in; 6,300.

View Full Image The Jaipur Watch Company Majestic Elephant Ring Watch

GRAND TRUNK

Craftsmanship meets innovation in this ring watch designed by Jaipur Watch Company's founder, Gaurav Mehta. The highlight of this objet d'art is the elephant sitting on the lid which is crafted with intricate green enamel work and decked with polki diamonds set on 18k gold. That's not all. The delicate lid opens to a mother-of-pearl dial watch beneath, which makes this all the more covetable. Available on Jaipur.watch; 11.21 lakh.

Also Read | Your shopping guide to Diwali-coded fashion

View Full Image Gold Jewelled Embroidered Heavy Belt

DOUBLE BELT

A heavily-stacked belt is a must-have accessory that can uplift an outfit from passable" to bold" in an instant. You cannot go wrong with an embroidered belt like this design from label Nikita Mhaisalkar. Made from tulle fabric in an aged gold tone, the heavy belt is decorated with precious stones that have been embroidered by hand. You could wear it with a short dress to add an element of spunk but it would look just as good on a delicately embroidered georgette or lace sari. Available on Nikitamhaisalkar.com; 36,915.

View Full Image The Baghbazar Necklace

ROYAL GREEN

Stride into a party like you own it in this Baghbazar necklace from Sabyasachi's Bengal Royale collection. Crafted in gold with 130.24 carats of emeralds, a solitary 26.23 yellow sapphire and old mine and brilliant cut diamonds, this one's sheer poetry in gem stones. Available on Sabyasachi.com; Price on request.

Also Read | A Diwali make-up guide inspired by runway trends

View Full Image Torani Surkh Inza Pankha

FEEL THE BREEZE

Drama queen much? If you want to make a quirky statement at a party, flaunt an unexpected accessory. Like this Surkh Inza pankha from Torani which would help you stay cool even as you enjoy all the attention coming your way. Crafted from jeni silk fabric in a regal red hue, the pankha is accentuated with intricate hand and dori embroidery and would look good with a sharara set or a intricately-embroidered lehenga set. Available on Torani.in; 20,500.

View Full Image Cropped Bejewelled Jacket

EXTRA SHINE

if desi grunge is a look you don't mind going in for, pick an over-embellished denim jacket. We love this cropped Philipp Plein denim jacket for its brooch detail and the silver bejewelled straps that scream rebel with a fondness for shiny stones. Available on Farfetch.com; 2.84 lakh.

View Full Image Tarun Tahiliani Accessories Byzantium Bag

SET IN STONE

Investing in a clutch or handbag that's overly done up with stones and crystals is never a bad idea. Especially in a country like ours where weddings and festivals require you to shine like a chandelier. This made-to-order octagonal clutch from Tarun Tahiliani Accessories checks all boxes for a tasteful yet bejewelled bag. Inspired by the ancient Byzantine empire, it is crafted from brass hardware and silk dupion and adorned with multi-coloured crystals. Available on Taruntahiliani.com; 51,400.

View Full Image Kurt Geiger Kensington Jewel Flat Sandals

COLOUR WHEEL

We are partial to footwear that's adorned with elements like tassels or stones. This season's collection from British brand Kurt Geiger won our hearts because its colourful and done up in eye-catching stone work. If dancing is on the agenda, slide into these flat sandals. Made from a blue metallic fabric, they feature a brass eagle head and colourful stones in a diamond pattern. Available on Global.kurtgeiger.com; 13,000.

Also Read | From florals to bling, trends that dominated Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI
The Union government is planning a sequel to the Golden Quadrilateral network of national highways, introducing high-speed expressways linking Indias major economic centres, two officials said.

New expressways would be developed along the East-West and North-South corridors and the Golden Quadrilateral highway networks in 5-7 years to create a seamless grid connecting major cities, they said.

High-speed expressways are typically access-controlled, ensuring uninterrupted traffic between cities by keeping out slow-moving vehicles and limiting entry and exit points.

Also Read | Why India wants private money to build and run highways again

The new expressways are meant to offer commuters and freight carriers high-speed alternatives to crowded national highways as well as help reduce the countrys high logistics costs, one of the two officials said.

The North-South and East-West corridors were launched in 1998, and the Golden Quadrilateral highways project in 2001, as part of the National Highways Development Project, creating an economic corridor through major cities and towns across the country.

The plan mirrors the existing Golden Quadrilateral and the East-West and North-South highway corridors All planned high-speed corridors [will be] either parallel to these networks or supplement them," the second official said. The existing highway network is severely congested and choked."

The officials, who declined to be identified, did not disclose the planned length of the proposed new high-speed expressways or the investment.

The ministry of road transport and highways has already awarded 9,000 km of expressway projects and plans to award another 10,000 km of high-speed highway projects during 2025-26 and 2026-27. The new expressways, which will be part of these projects, will link key economic centres falling some distance off the Golden Quadrilateral network, the officials said.

The initial investment for these projects, which will be part of the governments Vision 2047 plan, is still being worked out, according to the officials. The cost of constructing expressways typically exceeds 40 crore per km, depending on the terrain and land costs.

The highways ministry did not reply to Mints queries.

Also Read | Bonanza for investors as new road builders may get to toll old ones too

The Golden Quadrilateral and the North-South and East-West highway corridors currently measure about 13,500 km. Vision 2047 refers to the governments ambition to transform India into a developed nation by the time the country celebrates its 100th year of Independence.

Next-gen infrastructure

Experts said the governments focus on developing complex projects such as expressways marks a decisive shift toward building next-generation transport infrastructure.

The plan to construct 20,00025,000 km of expressways over the next five yearscreating a Golden Quadrilateral and East-West/North-South grid of high-speed corridorscan be transformative if executed well," said Jagannarayan Padmanabhan, senior director and global head, consulting, Crisil Intelligence.

High-speed corridors significantly enhance logistics efficiency by cutting travel time, improving reliability and reducing [Indias] logistics costscurrently among the highest globally at 1112% of GDP," he added. Such corridors will not only boost freight movement and industrial competitiveness but also catalyse the development of economic clusters, logistics parks and new urban centres along these routes."

Highlighting the need for new high-speed expressways across the country, Kuljit Singh, partner and national infrastructure leader, EY India, noted that the average speed of vehicles in India tends to be slow as existing highways are exposed to local traffic, congestion, and design constraints. The Golden Quadrilateral of normal highways was initiated in the early 2000s, and, hence, due to increase in traffic over the years there is a need to have new highways."

Also Read | Centre overhauls highways construction bid process

According to an estimate by Bhavik Damodar, partner, Deloitte India, the cost of building the initial network of 17,000 km of new high-speed expressways by 2033 would be about 11 trillion.

... The plan could be made feasible through a mix of smart financing strategies. The government can leverage public-private partnerships (hybrid annuity and build-operate-transfer models), budget allocations, and international funding to spread out the financial burden," said Damodar.

The Golden Quadrilateral has already demonstrated how such infrastructure can drive growth and connectivity, and expanding this network will build on that success by linking more parts of the country," he added.
CAIRO/GAZA, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip will reopen on Monday to allow Palestinians residing in Egypt who wish to return to Gaza to pass, the Palestinian Embassy in Cairo announced on Saturday.

The embassy urged Palestinians wishing to return to register their personal information, adding that it will contact applicants to inform them of the gathering points and travel schedules to the Rafah crossing.

Palestinian sources told Xinhua that the Rafah crossing will reopen in both directions, with priority given to those wounded in the war and to holders of Egyptian passports inside Gaza.

"Around 50 injured Palestinians, along with their companions, will be allowed to leave daily in the first stage, while the mechanism will gradually expand to include other categories of travelers," the sources added.

The sources explained that the Palestinian embassy in Egypt will also coordinate the return procedures of Palestinians from Cairo and abroad to the Gaza Strip in cooperation with Egyptian authorities and international parties.

They also noted that the Israeli army will redeploy around the crossing, positioning itself about one kilometer away in all directions.

The move comes as part of ongoing coordination between Egypt and the Palestinian Authority following the Gaza ceasefire that took effect on Oct. 10, following two years of war between Israel and Hamas, mediated by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye.

According to Gaza's health authorities, Israel's military campaign has killed 68,116 Palestinians and injured 170,200 others since Oct. 7, 2023. Despite the ceasefire, 27 people have been killed and 143 injured in Gaza since Oct. 11, they said in an update on Saturday. 
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in New Delhi around the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium area continued to be in the 'poor' category, as the national capital gears up for the upcoming Diwali weekend, with the festival of lights being celebrated on Monday.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI was measured at 254 at 8 am.

The AQI is classified into six categories: Good (050), Satisfactory (51100), Moderately Polluted (101200), Poor (201300), Very Poor (301400), and Severe (401500).

Delhi Air Quality Poor Ahead of Diwali.

Delhi's air quality remained in the 'poor' category for the fifth consecutive day on Saturday, as the city continued to reel under rising pollution levels.

On Friday, among the neighbouring NCR cities, Ghaziabad recorded a 'very poor' AQI of 306, the worst in the country. Noida (278) and Gurugram (266) also registered 'poor' air quality, while Faridabad (105) remained in the moderate range.

Also Read | Delhi AQI inches closer to poor category ahead of winter

Ghaziabad had the most polluted air in India on Friday, while Noida, Gurugram and Delhi, all part of the Delhi-NCR cluster, featured among the country's top 10 most polluted cities at different positions.

Out of the 38 monitoring stations in the capital, five reported air quality in the 'very poor' category on Friday.

Supreme Court allows green crackers On Wednesday, the Supreme Court approved the use and sale of green crackers, which are considered less harmful than conventional fireworks. A bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai permitted green crackers from 18 to 21 October, restricting their use to 6 am7 am and 6 pm10 pm on these days.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in Delhi-NCR activated Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) as the AQI hovered between 201 and 300. Under this stage, 27 preventive measures must be strictly implemented across the NCR, including the use of anti-smog guns, water sprinkling, and dust control in road construction, repair, and maintenance activities, according to PTI.

Delhis first cloud seeding trial likely after Diwali

Delhi's much-anticipated first trial of artificial rain through cloud seeding will be held after Diwali, once the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) gives a green light, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa had said on Friday.

During a media briefing on Wednesday, Sirsa said that pilots have already completed trial flights over the area where the cloud seeding operation is planned.

The aircraft have been fully equipped for the process and the crew is trained and familiar with the region, he added.

Also Read | CAQM invokes actions under Stage I of GRAP as Delhi-NCR air quality deteriorates

"The entire setup is ready  from permissions to pilot training. The aircraft are fitted with cloud seeding equipment, and pilots have flown over the target areas to prepare. Now, we are just waiting for the IMD's approval," he said.
Delhi: A massive inferno engulfed the Brahmaputra Apartments on BD Marg in Delhi  residential flats allotted to Members of Parliament (MP). Visuals from the scene showed thick smoke and soot covering parts of the MP flats as firefighters battled the blaze and worked to bring it under control.

At least 14 fire tenders were rushed to the spot, and firefighters are currently working to extinguish the blaze, as per news agency reports.

Brahmaputra Apartments is a residential complex for Rajya Sabha MPs on Bishambhar Das Marg in the capital.

What is the extent of damage? The Delhi Fire Service personnel said that the stilt floor of the Brahmaputra Apartments mostly suffered damages, while the upper floors of the complex were affected externally.

"So far, the damage is mostly on the stilt floor, and the upper floors are damaged externally. The fire has been brought under control, but our work is still ongoing... There is no casualty report yet..." ADO Delhi Fire Service, Bhupender told reporters.

The Delhi Fire Service ADO also said that upon receiving the news of the blaze  14 fire tenders were rushed to the spot, including a turntable ladder (TTL)  as the apartment is a high-rise building.

Residents injured One of the residents of the Brahmaputra Apartments  who lives in the third floor of the multi-storied building  said his wife and children sustained burn injuries. They are currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital, reported ANI.

New Delhi: Flames rise after a fire broke out at Brahmaputra Apartments, in New Delhi, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (PTI Photo/Karma Bhutia)(PTI10_18_2025_000051B)

My dog was stuck inside. My daughter is about to be married in a matter of months, and all the jewellery, gold, and clothes we had bought are also inside, ANI quoted the resident, Vinod as saying.

What caused the fire? The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.
Former Uttarakhand chief minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat survived a road accident on Saturday near Kankaerkheda while travelling from Delhi to Dehradun.

As per social media, the incident occurred near the MIT College on the Meerut-Delhi-Dehradun highway.

Rawat himself took to social media later and said, I am okay. The car has definitely suffered damages.

In Delhi, Rawat paid his last respects to Uday Soni, husband of senior Congress leader Ambika Soni, who passed away today.

The former Uttarakhand CM also shared the same from his official Facebook page.

Rawat had also announced on X that he would come on a Facebook Live from his official page in order to speak to his followers about his conversation with people from Uttarakhand who were selling products from the state and promoting its cuisine in the national capital.

Rawat said in his X post, "As my age advances, the scope of my concerns regarding certain issues deepens. The first concern is about promoting the marketing of Uttarakhand's small and large #products and #cuisines, and the second concern is about preserving our language-dialect, culture, and crafts. During my stay in Delhi, I met some of my brothers and sisters who have taken up the responsibility of promoting, propagating, and selling Uttarakhandi products and cuisines in Delhi and the NCR region. However, the area of culture, crafts, language-dialect is still not encouraging."

"Today, that is, on date-18 October, at 7:45 PM, I will share the details of the conversation that took place among brothers and sisters in Delhi with all of you on my #facebooklive," he had said.
The capital city experienced another day of massive, bumper-to-bumper traffic jams in key areas as Delhiites flocked to marketplaces to celebrate the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras on Saturday, October 18.

Social media was once again flooded with netizens complaining of the never-ending traffic and congestion throughout the day.

Many shared pictures of vehicles crawling or standing still near Connaught Place, Rajpath, ITO, and key roads leading to Chandni Chowk, Karol Bagh, and Khan Market.

Surging crowds spilt onto nearby roads in markets across Delhi, including Chandni Chowk, Lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Nagar, and Karol Bagh. Traffic gridlocks stretched for kilometres, and travel times doubled as vehicles crawled through narrow lanes.

Heavy traffic at Andrews Ganj Ring Road

Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory for Chandni Chowk and nearby markets from October 18 to 21 in view of the heavy festive rush expected during the period.

Traffic advisory According to the advisory, a large number of visitors are expected to visit the area, resulting in heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Special arrangements have been made to ensure smooth traffic flow, pedestrian safety and public convenience.

Traffic restrictions will remain in effect from 2 pm to 10 pm from October 18 to 21.

Also Read | DK Shivakumar slams Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw over criticism of Bengaluru infra

Delhi Traffic Police to act on social media complaints promptly The Delhi Traffic Police has directed its officers to actively monitor social media platforms and respond promptly to public complaints related to traffic congestion, signal malfunctions and vehicle breakdowns, officials said on Saturday.

It has been observed that a significant number of complaints regarding traffic congestion, malfunctioning of traffic signals, and breakdown of vehicles are being reported on the social media platform X, Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic Management, Zone-II) Ajay Chaudhry said in the order.

The initiative, he said, aims to strengthen the visibility and public trust in Delhi Traffic Police through faster grievance redressal on social media.

The order stated that the concerned traffic inspectors must respond to tagged complaints with a GPS-tagged photograph showing compliance.

The officers have been asked to monitor responses and ensure timely action in their respective jurisdictions, it added.

Also Read | AQI stays in poor category for fifth day as Delhi prepares for Diwali

Delhi air quality remains poor for 5th straight day

Delhi's air quality continued to deteriorate on Saturday, remaining in the "poor" category for the fifth consecutive day, with nine monitoring stations falling in the red zone of the "very poor" category as pollution levels spiked ahead of Diwali.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the national capital recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 268 at 4 pm, placing it in the "poor" category.

Within the NCR region, Ghaziabad recorded a "very poor" AQI of 324, while Noida and Gurugram remained in the "poor" category with AQIs of 298 and 258, respectively.

Out of the 38 monitoring stations in the capital, nine reported air quality in the "very poor" category, with some locations inching towards the "severe zone.

Anand Vihar recorded the highest AQI at 389, followed by Wazirpur (351), Bawana (309), Jahangirpuri (310), Okhla (303), Vivek Vihar (306), Dwarka (310), and Siri Fort (307), according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Residents of several villages in Maharashtra on Friday staged a protest, expressing anguish over the administrations apathy and the deteriorating condition of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway (NH-48), which is riddled with potholes and causes severe traffic snarls. More than 100 of them wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting a nod to die by suicide as their ordeal is insufferable".

Residents of Sasunavghar, Maljipada, Sasupada, Bobat Pada, and Patharpada stated that a journey which used to take just an hour, over the last two months, reportedly turned into a five- to six-hour nightmare.

Sushant Patil, an activist from a local NGO leading the protests told Hindustan Times, Dying would be better than living like this."

The ordeal is insufferable. Children in the villages have missed their exams, and people have missed their flights. Medical emergencies are also a matter of serious concern, as the nearest hospital is in Mira Road. Usually, you could reach the hospital in 20 minutes, but now it is also taking more than three hours, he said.

He mentioned that the protest would not stop until authorities take concrete action, saying, We want the authorities to hear us and take action. For years, our prayers and cries have been falling on deaf ears, he said. The lives of people living in these villages completely depend on NH-48.

What did the letter say? The residents stated that their daily lives have been disrupted because of the alleged carelessness by the project director of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), including other officials. The letter, seen by HT, stated, Despite submitting multiple representations, no concrete action has been taken. We therefore strongly demand that disciplinary action be taken against these officials.

The residents alleged that the authorities have entirely disregarded a recent order issued by the Mira-Bhayander and Vasai-Virar (MBVV) police department, banning the transit of large vehicles past Chinchoti Naka between October 11 and 14 because of continuous paving and maintenance activities in the Gaimukh Ghat region along Ghodbunder Road in Thane.

Also Read | Over 500 students stuck in traffic jam on Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway

The letter stated, As a result, a large number of heavy vehicles entered the highway, causing massive traffic jams and paralysing daily life in the Naigaon-Chinchoti region.

We urge the government to address these demands immediately. If the administration continues to remain inactive, we citizens will be left with no option but to seek permission to die by suicide in protest against this gross negligence, the letter added.

Also Read | Ahmedabad recommended as host city for Commonwealth Games 2030

HT tried reaching out to the NHAI project director but received no response.
Restrictions have been imposed in Kargil Town following concerns over potential disturbances to public order, according to an official release citing the Senior Superintendent of Police.

District Magistrate in Kargil, IAS Rakesh Kumar issued prohibitory orders which came into force "with immediate effect and shall remain operational until further orders.

What does the order say? No unauthorised processions, rallies, public marches, or demonstrations of any type are permitted. Additionally, the use of loudspeakers, sound amplification devices, or vehicle-mounted public address systems is prohibited unless prior written approval is obtained from the competent authority. Furthermore, individuals are barred from making any public statements, speeches, or declarations, whether oral, written, or shared via electronic or social media that could disrupt peace, incite hostility, or lead to a breach of law and order. Lastly, gatherings of five or more people for purposes that may jeopardise public tranquility are strictly forbidden.

It added, Any violation of this order shall be liable for penal action under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 and other applicable laws.

Leh situation after September 24 protests Meanwhile, the authorities on Friday reimposed restrictions in Leh district of Ladakh just two days after authorities lifted restrictions there, which had been in place for 22 days following violent clashes during protests on September 24. These protests, demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule Status, resulted in four deaths and 90 injuries.

The restrictions were reinstated due to the Leh Apex Bodys (LAB) call for a two-hour silent march and a three-hour blackout across Ladakh on October 18. This was intended to show solidarity with the families of those who died in the violence, as well as the critically injured.

The protest also aimed to highlight the delay in releasing detained youth, according to a statement from the LAB.

Also Read | Ladakh violence: Restrictions in Leh lifted 22 days after four killed in protest

On September 24, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS in Leh, banning gatherings of five or more people.

Officials stated that no incidents of violence had been reported since then.

An order issued by District Magistrate Romil Singh Donk said, According to a report received from the Leh SSP today, there is an apprehension of disturbance to public peace and tranquillity, danger to human life and a possibility of a law and order problem within the jurisdiction of Leh tehsil.

Also Read | Leh reopens days after deadly clashes; violence inquiry to conclude in 4 weeks

Donk stated that he was convinced immediate preventive and remedial actions were necessary to ensure public order and peace. Therefore, in exercise of powers conferred under Section 163 of the BNSS, I hereby direct that assembly of five or more persons shall remain prohibited within the jurisdiction of Leh tehsil, the order said.

Also Read | MHA orders probe into Sep 24 violence in Leh by retired SC judge

The order further noted that no procession, rally or march shall be carried out without prior written approval of the competent authority". It also added, No one shall use vehicle-mounted or other loudspeakers without prior permission from the competent authority. Additionally, Donk said that individuals must not make statements that could disrupt public tranquillity or cause a law and order issue. As notice cannot be served individually, this order is being passed ex-parte, the official added, warning that violations would result in punitive measures.

On Tuesday, the LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) declared a new round of protests to press their demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule.

The Centre on Friday took a step toward addressing a major demand of the protestors by announcing a judicial inquiry, led by a retired Supreme Court judge, into the violent events of September 24.
With the Bihar Assembly elections right around the corner, it is time to look back on how the House performed in the past five years.

As per a report by the Association of Democratic Reforms, the Bihar Assembly sat for an average of 29 days per year between November 2020 and July 2025. There were 146 sittings across a span of 265 days in these five years.

During this period, a total of 146 sittings were held, with the longest sessions being the 2nd and the 5th ones, each of which had 22 sittings.

Sessions and sittings of 17th Bihar Assembly.

The sittings went on for a total of 265 days.

Who asked most questions? Arun Shankar Prasad, the BJP MLA from Khajauli constituency, asked the most questions, 275, during the 17th Bihar Assembly.

Following him is the Congress' Manohar Singh Prasad, who is the lawmaker from the Scheduled Tribe-reserved seat of Manihari. Prasad asked 231 questions.

The next two MLAs on the list, Mukesh Kumar Yadav, Bajpatti MLA of the RJD (230) and Ajay Kumar, Bibhutipur MLA from the CPI(M), asked 231 and 230 questions, respectively.

MLAs who asked the highest number of questions in the 17th Bihar Assembly.

In an analysis of the party-wise average number of questions asked, it was revealed that the AIMIM, which has just one MLA in Bihar, leads the pack with 168 questions.

On the other hand, the BJP's average questions asked by its 82 MLAs, comes to 86, while the same for Congress (17 MLAs) comes to 136.

Party-wise average number of questions asked in 17th Bihar Assembly.

The CPI(ML)L's average questions asked by their 13 lawmakers was 158.

Which topics dominated the questions? Among the top categories of questions asked, Rural works, Education, and Health dominated the discourse. While 3,055 questions related to rural works were asked by the Bihar lawmakers, 2,795 questions were regarding Education, with 2,248 questions were related to Health.

Top 10 category-wise questions asked in 17th Bihar Assembly.

Bills tabled and passed 99 bills were tabled in the 17th Bihar Assembly, and all of them were passed on the same day they were introduced.

The 2nd session of the Bihar assembly was the busiest, with 14 Bills being passed during the same.

How many MLAs switched parties? 17 MLAs changed parties during the 17th Bihar Assembly, with seven of them switching to the BJP from various opposition parties.
As many as 28 students, including Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) president Nitish Kumar, vice president Manisha, and general secretary Munteha Fatima, were detained and brought to Kapashera Police Station following a scuffle with the police earlier on Saturday, October 18, evening over the registration of an FIR against the ABVP.

A protest by Left-leaning student groups at JNU, demanding the registration of an FIR against ABVP over alleged violence, turned tense as students accused Delhi Police of a brutal assault, while police said protesters broke barricades, abused the cops and also manhandled them during the protest.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Amit Goel has said that around 70-80 students gathered at the JNU West Gate around 6 pm and broke police barricades, manhandled personnel, and obstructed traffic on Nelson Mandela Marg.

Amit Goel also said that six police personnel were injured in the attack and the students were detained to prevent any untoward incident. A total of 28 students, including JNUSU office bearers, were detained to prevent any untoward incident, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) said.

JUNSU President Nitish Kumar has, meanwhile, claimed that police had beaten up the students. Also Read | Clash breaks out at JNU over Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam's depiction as Ravan on Dussehra

JNUSU president Nitish Kumar says, When general body meeting began over JNUSU elections, counsellor Rajat was beaten up by ABVP goons. We resisted to ensure that things go on peacefully. But it didn't happen, and we adjourned the meeting at 6 am. As soon as we stepped out, ABVP goons kept us as hostages for 2 hours and hurled casteist slurs at us...We called up Delhi Police. SHO Balbir Singh reached there but didn't intervene. We were beaten up. I was thrashed too, my kurta was torn. We resisted and came out somehow.

We registered a police complaint but no FIR has been registered. So, we were marching to Vasant Kunj PS demanding an FIR but Police put up barricades and stopped us. Police beat up students. My clothes are torn, my mobile phone is stolen and my slippers are broken. We demand that an FIR be registered. Our detention here is illegal, he told ANI.

Meanwhile, the All India Students' Association (AISA) said in a statement that the JNUSU president and several students were brutally beaten up. JNUSU president and other students were brutalised by Delhi Police while demanding FIR against ABVP's violence across School GBMs, AISA said.

The Students' Federation of India (SFI) also alleged that the police pulled female students by their hair and manhandled them, including by male personnel. It said SPS councillor Abhishek was brutally beaten and taken to hospital.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) has denied all allegations.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday praised Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for delivering round-the-clock maintenance support to the Indian Air Force's fighter fleet at key frontline bases during Operation Sindoor, calling the aerospace giant the backbone of Indias defence sector.

His remarks came during the inauguration of two new manufacturing units at HAL's production hub in Nashik, one dedicated to the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A and another for the HTT-40 trainer aircraft.

In our security history, there have been only a few instances when the entire system has truly been tested simultaneously. Operation Sindoor was one such mission, Singh said.

The HAL provided support at various operational sites 24 hours a day during the operation. It ensured the Indian Air Force's operational readiness by carrying out prompt maintenance on fighter jets and helicopters, he said.

In his remarks, the defence minister also noted the HAL's integration of BrahMos missiles into Sukhoi-30 MKI jets and said the weapons destroyed many terrorist hideouts during Operation Sindoor.

While underlining the importance of self-reliance in defence to meet future security challenges, Singh said India is looking at taking domestic defence production to 100 per cent as dependence on foreign military supplies creates "strategic vulnerability.

"Now India is doing 65 per cent manufacturing on its own soil. Very soon, we will take our domestic manufacturing to 100 per cent as well," he said.

The new production facility for Tejas MK1A will help HAL produce at least 24 LCAs annually.

HAL's Chairman and Managing Director DK Sunil termed the successful operationalisation of the LCA Mk1A and HTT-40 production from Nashik as a testament to the aerospace major's capacity for expansion.

"The HAL's Nashik division's capacity to produce indigenous advanced fighters in addition to Sukhoi-30MKI has added momentum to our production efforts to meet delivery timelines."

The defence minister said the HAL's Nashik team performed the "crucial task" of installing the BrahMos missile on the Sukhoi-30 MKI jets, which destroyed terrorist hideouts during the operation.

This proved that when it comes to national security, we can make our own equipment and protect ourselves with it, he said.

Singh also witnessed a maiden flight by a Tejas LCA Mk1A manufactured at the Nashik facility.

In his address, Singh described the flight of the aircraft as a shining symbol of India's growing self-reliance in defence.

Highlighting the transformation of the defence sector in the last decade, he asserted that India which once imported 65-70 per cent of critical military hardware, is now manufacturing 65 per cent of the equipment on its own soil.

The defence minister also lauded HAL's Nashik facility for playing a pivotal role in taking India's defence manufacturing capabilities to "newer heights" for over six decades.

From manufacturing and overhauling fighter jets such as MiG-21 and MiG-27 to becoming the production hub of Sukhoi-30MKIs, this campus has become a glowing symbol of India's self-reliance in the defence sector, he said.

Singh also pointed out that the ongoing construction of the LCA Tejas and HTT-40 aircraft is also the result of collaboration between various industry partners of the country.

"This collaboration is proof that if the government, industries, and academia work together, no challenge is too big," he said, acknowledging the trust placed by the Indian Air Force in aircraft such as Tejas and HTT-40.

"When we came to power in 2014, we realised that without self-reliance, we can never be truly secure. In the beginning, we faced numerous challenges, the biggest being 'limited defence preparedness' and 'import dependency'," he said.

"Everything was limited to government enterprises, and the private sector had no significant participation in the production ecosystem. In addition, there was not enough focus on defence planning, advanced technology, and innovation," he said.

Also Read | IAF chief BIG reveal: India downed 5 Pakistani fighter jets in Op Sindoor

Singh said this forced the government to depend on other countries for critical equipment and cutting-edge systems, which increased costs and created strategic vulnerabilities.

This challenge encouraged us to move forward in the direction of new thinking and reforms. The results are visible today. We not only reduced import dependency, but also strengthened our commitment to indigenisation, he said.

This proved that when it comes to national security, we can make our own equipment and protect ourselves with it.

"Whatever we used to buy from abroad, we are now manufacturing it domestically, be it fighter aircraft, missiles, engines and electronic warfare systems," Singh said.

(With inputs from PTI)
To mark the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras, the first of the five days of the Diwali festivities, a large number of people gathered at the Saryu Ghat in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya to perform the evening aarti.

Only the monks and devotees who had valid ID cards, issued by the UP government, were allowed to access the ghats.

In the video, the Saryu Ghat can be seen packed with pujaris and devotees, who performed the Dhanteras aarti together in the evening, creating a mesmerising visual.

Watch the spectacular aarti visual here:

What time is the Shubh Muhurat for Dhanteras Puja 2025? According to the Drik Panchang, the puja muhurat will begin at 07:15 PM and end at 08:19 PM.

Who is worshipped on Dhanteras? On Dhanteras, devotees worship Lord Dhanvantari, the god of health and Ayurveda, and Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Some people also light lamps in honour of Lord Yama, the god of death, to ward off untimely misfortune.

Why is Dhanteras celebrated? Dhanteras, also known as Dhantrayodashi, signifies the beginning of prosperity and good health. It is believed that worshipping Goddess Lakshmi on this day brings wealth and fortune, while honouring Lord Dhanvantari ensures good health and longevity.

Ayodhya gears up for Deepotsav 2025 Ayodhya is readying itself for this year's Deepotsav, with 2.8 million lamps set to illuminate 56 ghats, creating a spectacular visual along the Saryu River, as per an official statement.

Approximately 33,000 volunteers, including students, teachers, and residents, are working tirelessly to decorate the ghats.

A major attraction this year will be a 32-foot-tall Pushpak Viman at Ram Ki Paidi, showcasing scenes from the Ramayana and giving visitors a vivid experience of the epic.

View full Image A chariot carrying idols of Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, Lord Lakshman and Lord Hanuman with other deities is seen during preparations for the ninth edition of the Deepotsav, amid the Diwali festivities, in Ayodhya ( PTI Photo )

Adding to the festive spirit, Saint Diwakaracharya Ji Maharaj called Diwali a special festival and urged people to adopt Swadeshi products this Diwali.
CAIRO, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- China's five-year plans have long been instrumental in coping with challenges and driving progress across all sectors, Amer Tamam, vice editor-in-chief of Egypt's state-run Akhbar newspaper, has said.

The year 2025 marks the final stage of the 14th Five-Year Plan, which has shifted the country's focus toward high-quality development, he told Xinhua in a recent interview, saying high-quality development has also boosted the reputation of Chinese exports, particularly electric vehicles.

China, he said, has been committed to economic growth, technological innovation, environmental protection and social welfare, and these efforts have improved people's wellbeing at home and delivered benefits to a host of countries.

Despite global turbulence, Tamam noted, China has consistently maintained an annual economic growth rate of about 5 percent, demonstrating its commitment to strategic planning and resilience, saying that with China contributing about 30 percent of global economic growth, the country remains a cornerstone of stability in an uncertain world.

China has proposed and advanced the Belt and Road Initiative, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and, most recently, the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), said Tamam, deeming these initiatives as embedded in China's long-term planning to achieve comprehensive domestic development while sharing benefits with other countries.

He regards the GGI as crucial to amplifying the voices of developing countries.

To back good global governance, Tamam called for such efforts as concrete development projects, trade exchanges, infrastructure and green economy initiatives that serve mutual interests.

Meanwhile, he said, countries participating in Belt and Road cooperation have already reaped tangible benefits in infrastructure, trade and investment, depicting Egypt as a prime example of "win-win" cooperation with China in projects related to the green economy, infrastructure and construction.

Tamam described China's development in the past five years as "diversified, innovative and open," and predicted that the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan will continue to prioritize such fields as technological innovation, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and carbon reduction.

"China's development model is unique because it is by the people and for the people," Tamam said, referring to the model as an inspiring example by transforming its human capital into a driver of growth. Shared characteristics and political understandings among countries of the Global South, he argued, make it easier for developing nations to learn from China's experience. 
The ruling Congress in Telangana on Friday extended its support to the bandh called by the Telangana Backwards Class Joint Action Committee (BC JAC) on October 18 to protest the High Courts stay on a government order providing 42 per cent reservation for BCs in local body elections.

The BJP and BRS have also announced their support for the bandh.

I appeal to everyone  the general public and all communities  to participate in the BC bandh on October 18, which is being organised across the state against the BJP, said Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka in a statement, PTI reported.

What's open and what's closed today? Most schools and colleges are already closed for the Diwali holidays, so there is unlikely to be any significant disruption to education.

However, all government offices will remain operational.

Public transport services, such as RTC buses, may operate on a reduced schedule, so travellers are advised to confirm timings before making plans. Hospitals and other emergency services will continue to function as normal.

Shops and markets in central Hyderabad will remain closed.

Meanwhile, Telangana Director General of Police B Shivadhar Reddy appealed to all organisations to observe the bandh peacefully and avoid causing inconvenience to the public.

He warned that strict action would be taken against anyone indulging in unlawful or disruptive activities in the name of the bandh.

Why is the Bandh taking place? The Telangana High Court, on October 9, issued an interim stay on the government order providing 42 per cent reservation for BCs in local body polls.

He urged Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay, along with State BJP President R Ramachander Rao, to take the initiative to arrange meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President to seek approval for the BC Bill.

BC JAC Chairman and BJP Rajya Sabha member R Krishnaiah had earlier sought support from all political parties and civil society organisations for the bandh.

Telangana to decide on 42 pc BC quota issue in Oct 23 Cabinet meet Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Friday said the state government is sincere and committed to ensuring 42 per cent reservation for Backward Classes, and the issue will be discussed in the October 23 Cabinet meeting, after getting Supreme Courts judgment copy.
In a significant development in the bid to bring back fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, a court in Antwerp, Belgium, on Friday dismissed his appeal against extradition.

According to officials cited by PTI, the ruling marks a major step forward for India in its efforts to secure Choksi's return.

In September, the Court of Appeals in Antwerp heard the appeal of Choksi, who was arrested in that country on April 11 on the basis of an extradition request sent by the CBI, they said.

Also Read | CBI recovers 2.62 crore in cash from premises of NHICDL executive director

The Court of Appeals in Antwerp, Belgium, issued a preliminary judgment today, rejecting Mehul Choksi's appeal against extradition. This is a win and the first step towards his extradition. He may now appeal against this order before the Belgian Supreme Court in the next 15 days, an official told PTI on condition of anonymity.

What did the court say? The court order gave a major jolt to the fugitive businessman wanted for a 13,000 crore bank fraud in the Punjab National Bank, orchestrated in collusion with his nephew Nirav Modi, who is also facing extradition proceedings and is presently lodged in a London prison.

Of the total 13,000 crore, Choksi alone siphoned off 6,400 crore, the CBI alleged in its chargesheet.

Also Read | Mehul Choksi likely to face extradition proceedings in Belgian court

The Antwerp court held that Choksi's arrest by the Belgian authorities on India's request was valid, officials in the know of the development said.

The order has come as a strong validation for India's case seeking his extradition, with Choksi having the option of appealing against the decision in the Supreme Court in Belgium, they said.

Choksi's arrest Choksi (66) has been in a prison in Antwerp since his arrest in April, with his multiple bail petitions rejected after they were effectively countered by the Belgian Prosecution, which was aided by the CBI since April this year.

"The order has come in our favour. The court has termed his arrest by the Belgian authorities on India's request valid. The first legal step in getting him extradited is now clear," a senior official said.

Belgian prosecutors were aided by Indian officials from the external affairs ministry and the CBI in putting forth strong arguments on Choksi's alleged role in orchestrating one of the biggest scams in the state-run Punjab National Bank in collusion with his nephew Nirav Modi.

The Union home ministry informed the Belgian authorities through a September 4 communique that the personal living space for each inmate in Barack No. 12 is in line with and fully meets the minimum space requirement of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) of Europe.

CBI invokes UNTOC The CBI also invoked United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in its extradition request.

At least two open-ended arrest warrants, issued by a special court in Mumbai in 2018 and 2021, were shared by the Indian agencies with their Belgian counterparts as part of the extradition request, sources told PTI.

Choksi had fled to Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbean, days before the scam was detected, where he had taken citizenship.

The sources told PTI he continues to remain an Indian citizen as he has not renounced his Indian citizenship, a mandatory requirement under the law.

After he was stopped in Belgium, the CBI, the external affairs ministry, and the home ministry swung into action to get him extradited to India to face the law.

Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi are wanted for swindling 13,000 crore through fraudulent letters of undertaking (LoUs) in connivance with some bank officials at PNB's Brady House branch in Mumbai, the officials said.
Over 200 passengers remained stranded in Italy as Air India's Dreamliner aircraft faced a technical issue at the Milan airport on Friday, forcing the airline to cancel its flight to Delhi.

The airline said that flight AI138 from Milan to Delhi on October 17 was cancelled due to an extended technical requirement on the aircraft scheduled to operate the flight.

Air India confirmed that alternative arrangements are being made to fly the affected passengers.

Based on seat availability with Air India and other airlines, passengers have been rebooked on alternative flights on or after October 20, said the airline.

All affected passengers have been provided hotel accommodations; however, due to limited availability, accommodations were arranged outside the immediate vicinity of the airport.

Also Read | China Eastern Airlines to resume Shanghai-Delhi flights from November 9

The airline regretted the inconvenience caused to the passengers and said it continues to provide all necessary ground assistance, including meals, to all affected passengers.

Also Read | No More Delays? SpiceJet Receives 3 New Aircraft To Start Huge Winter Expansion

Similar Cancellations The latest incident follows similar cancellations earlier in the year. On August 3, two Air India services were grounded for comparable reasons:

 Flight AI349 (Singapore to Chennai) was cancelled due to a maintenance requirement identified prior to departure that needed additional rectification time.

 Flight AI500 (Bhubaneswar to Delhi) was called off due to a technical issue that caused high cabin temperature on the ground before take-off.

Air India flight from Delhi delayed Air Indias scheduled evening flight from Delhi to Dhaka faced significant delays on Saturday after a massive fire erupted at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in the Bangladesh capital, forcing authorities to suspend all flight operations.

The disruption began Saturday afternoon when a catastrophic blaze broke out at the airport's expansive cargo complex, sending thick, black smoke billowing over the airfield. Due to the proximity and intensity of the firewhich was reportedly fueled by highly flammable goods including chemicals, fabrics, and machinery stored in the cargo villageairport authorities made the immediate decision to close the facility to all incoming and outgoing air traffic.

Air India confirmed that its evening service, flight AI237 (Delhi-Dhaka), was grounded due to the closure of the destination airport. The airline also noted that the subsequent return flight, AI238 (Dhaka-Delhi), would face a corresponding delayed departure.
Bengalurus infamous traffic woes are once again making headlines, following a Reddit post that detailed a harrowing experience of a man who was stuck for over 1.5 hours while driving an eight-month pregnant wife to a routine checkup. The frustrated user, posting under the handle r/bangalore, shared that it took him 1.5 hours to cover a miserable 7 km stretch on HAL Road near Varthur on Friday. He expressed concern over the severe road congestion, saying he was terrified by the thought of what would happen if his pregnant wife went into labour during the gridlock?

What if this was a real emergency? Detailing the ordeal, the user wrote: The picture says it all. 1.5 hours to cover a miserable 7 km on HAL Road near Varthur this evening. I was taking my 8-month pregnant wife for a routine checkup, and the entire time I was gripped with a terrifying thought: What if this was a real emergency? What if she was in labour right now? The sheer helplessness is suffocating. You're just a sitting duck, trapped in a metal box, watching the clock tick by. We pay insane road taxes for this privilege. I genuinely believe this city is doomed. The infrastructure has completely collapsed, and it feels like there's no way out. What a nightmare.

The post, which has since gone viral, was shared with the caption: 1.5 hours, 7 km, and an 8-month pregnant wife. Is Bangalore liveable anymore?

View full Image Bengaluru man stuck 1.5 hours for 7 km with pregnant wife, shares ordeal on Reddit. ( Reddit )

Internet reacts to the post The Reddit post triggered a flood of comments from users who shared similar frustrations.

One user commented: Bro, I think you should temporarily shift to a nearby hospital because this could have been an emergency.

Another wrote: Ambulances have to travel two ways in similar traffic.

A third asked: Whats your plan B if some emergency happens?

Also Read | Bengaluru B Pharma student killed after rejecting stalkers advances

One more user shared a personal experience:

Happened with me yesterday. I left the office at 6:00 PM in a cab. Around 6:30, my wife called and said she wasnt feeling well. Sitting helpless in traffic, unable to do anything, each minute felt like a year. Fortunately, friends took her to a nearby doctor. It took me another two and a half hours to finally reach home. That 3-hour ride made me realise how helpless it feels when someone at home needs you, and you just cant get there in time because of the traffic.

Bengalurus Traffic is a global challenge: DK Shivakumar Amid growing public outrage, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar recently said that traffic congestion is a global and national challenge, citing London and Delhi as examples.

He claimed that Bengalurus traffic issue is gaining more attention because of the vibrancy of traditional and social media in the state. Speaking at a panel discussion on GBA: Transformative Vision for Bengaluru organised by B.PAC and Mount Carmel College, Shivakumar said he has moved heaven and earth to fix issues like garbage management, which he alleged are affected by a big garbage mafia.

Even in London, people have to travel three hours if they dont go by public transport. Even in Delhi, it takes 1.5 hours to reach Parliament from the airport. But Bengaluru is making more noise than Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad, he said, according to PTI.
Chilling details have started to surface in the gruesome murder of a sanitation worker by his girlfriend's son. The teenager, from Staten Island in New York State, allegedly beheading his mothers live-in boyfriend, Anthony Casalaspro, and placed the victims brains in a blender, according to police sources. The incident was reported from a family home in West Brighton of Staten Island.

Investigators said 19-year-old Damien Hurstel used a spoon to scoop out the victims remains following the killing. Authorities are still working to determine his motive, as the shocking details emerged from the crime scene.

The picture from the crime scene, obtained by New York Post, showed the 45-year-old victims body with a plastic soup ladle placed on his torso and his severed head lying nearby, a spoon protruding from it.

He was having a real difficult time separating fantasy from reality. He wasn't sure what really happened, said his lawyer Mark Fonte. Also Read | UK woman plots with ex-Royal Marine lover to kill husband for 1.47 crore insurance payout, fakes armed break-in

When the boy was asked why he thought he was in the hospital after the murder, he said he thought he had been in a fight. He told his lawyer, I think I might have fought two other people in there. I remember punching one in the face but Im not really sure that happened. I dont know if thats like something Im imagining, or if it really happened.

After the incident, when his sister arrived at their home from school, the accused reportedly told his sister to go to your room.

Ignoring the warnings, the girl followed the bloodstains across the floor and discovered her mothers boyfriends body in the bathtub.

He then asked her, Do you want mother to live?

Are you gonna hurt mom?" asked his sister after seeing her blood-soaked brother.

Do you want her to live?" she was asked by her brother, the accused.

Yes, please, she told her brother.

She then asked the accused if she could leave the bathroom. Taking the opportunity, she ran outside, hid in the bushes and called her mother who rushed to the Cary Avenue home as NYPD officers worked at the scene.
US President Donald Trump commuted the prison sentence of former Representative George Santos, who was convicted of fraud and identity theft, ordering his immediate release.

What did George Santos do? Santos, expelled from Congress after a short and controversial term, admitted to exaggerating fundraising totals and fabricating donor identities to gain the Republican Party's financial backing for the 2022 election.

That year, he was elected as a Republican to represent parts of New York City and its eastern suburbs, Reuters reported.

Also Read | White House joins Bluesky and immediately trolls Trump opponents

During his campaign, Santos falsely claimed he attended New York University, worked at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, and that his grandparents had fled the Nazis during World War II.

He was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison in April of this year and began his sentence in July.

Trump commutes Santos On Friday, Trump said Santos had been "horribly mistreated" in prison.

"George Santos was somewhat of a 'rogue,' but there are many rogues throughout our country who aren't forced to serve seven years in prison," Trump said on Truth Social. Therefore, I just signed a commutation, releasing George Santos from prison IMMEDIATELY, he added.

Santos spent the majority of his 11-month term in Congress embroiled in scandal, alienated by his colleagues, and the subject of ridicule from late-night comedians after it came to light that he had invented several aspects of his personal background, Reuters reported.

Earlier this week, he published what he called a passionate plea to President Trump, praising him and asking for the opportunity to return to my family, my friends, and my community.

He acknowledged making mistakes and said he had faced consequences and was taking full responsibility.

Who is George Santos? The 37-year-old former representative from New York began serving his prison sentence in July, following his conviction in April to seven years and three months for stealing the identities of campaign donors and misusing their credit cards, among other offences.

A congressional ethics investigation uncovered that he had spent the stolen funds on Botox treatments, the OnlyFans adult site, luxury Italian goods, and vacations to places like the Hamptons and Las Vegas.

Santos's bizarre biographical fabrications included claiming to have worked for Goldman Sachs, being Jewish and having been a college volleyball star.

He was expelled from the House in 2023, one year after he was elected to office, becoming only the third person to be ejected as a US lawmaker since the Civil War, a rebuke previously reserved for traitors and convicted criminals.
United States President Donald Trump shared a video of an American military strike on a suspected drug-carrying vessel in the Caribbean, as he also confirmed that the two survivors from the vessel would be repatriated to Ecuador and Colombia, their home countries, for detention and prosecution. The military rescued the pair after striking a submersible vessel Thursday, October 16, in what was at least the sixth such attack since early September.

In a post on Truth Social, Donald Trump called the destruction of the drug vessel by American missiles his honour, as he claimed that it was loaded with fentanyl and other narcotics.

It was my great honor to destroy a very large DRUG-CARRYING SUBMARINE that was navigating towards the United States on a well known narcotrafficking transit route. U.S. Intelligence confirmed this vessel was loaded up with mostly Fentanyl, and other illegal narcotics," Donald Trump said.

He continued that there were four known narcoterrorists on board the vessel. The Republican president said two people onboard were killed.

Two of the terrorists were killed. At least 25,000 Americans would die if I allowed this submarine to come ashore. The two surviving terrorists are being returned to their Countries of origin, Ecuador and Colombia, for detention and prosecution, he said.

The US President further added: No US Forces were harmed in this strike. Under my watch, the United States of America will not tolerate narcoterrorists trafficking illegal drugs, by land or by sea.

The strike, which Trump had announced on Friday, October 17, was the latest in an unprecedented US military campaign that he says is aimed at choking the flow of drugs from Latin America to the United States. Also Read | Is CIA conducting covert operations inside Venezuela? Trump says looking at land for further strikes

At least six vessels, most of them speedboats, have been targeted by US strikes in the Caribbean since September, with Venezuela alleged to be the origin of some of them. Washington has claimed its campaign is delivering a decisive blow to drug trafficking, but has yet to provide evidence that the at least 27 people killed were actually drug smugglers.

Meanwhile, the United States Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago has urged Americans to avoid US government facilities in the twin-island nation. The advisory comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Venezuela following deadly US strikes in Caribbean waters targeting suspected drug traffickers.
People across Washington and the United States have started to gather to participate in the No Kings demonstrations against President Donald Trump's policies on immigration, education and more  protests that the Republican parties have termed as Hate America rallies. This is also the third mass mobilisation protest since Donald Trump returned to power.

The protests also come at a time when most federal programs and services are shut due to a government shutdown after a deadlock between the Democrats and the Republicans.

Apart from criticising Trump's policies, the demonstrators are also frustrated at the criticism of their reasons for the protests.

In Bethesda, Maryland, one demonstrator held a sign reading, Nothing is more patriotic than protesting. In Washington, DC, Brian Reymann carried a large American flag and said being called a terrorist all week by Republicans was despicable, AP reported.

This is America. I disagree with their politics, but I dont believe that they dont love this country. I believe they are misguided. I think they are power hungry. The vilification of others that this country has adopted right now  it's sad, its pathetic and its terrifying, Reymann said.

The organisers expect more than 2500 No Kings rallies in cities large and small. Not just the US, some protests are also happening outside the country. Some hundred protesters gathered outside the US embassy in London. Some more are protesting in Madrid and Barcelona.

By Saturday morning in Northern Virginia, many protesters were walking on overpasses across roads heading into Washington, DC, and several hundred people gathered in the circle near Arlington National Cemetery, near where Trump is considering building an arch across the bridge from the Lincoln Memorial.

US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, on Friday echoed a common refrain among the GOP on the No Kings protests.

Addressing a press conference, Mike Johnson said, Tomorrow the Democrat leaders are going to join for a big party out on the National Mall. Theyre going to descend on our Capitol for their much anticipated, so-called No Kings rally. We refer to it by its more accurate description: The hate America rally.
The officials of the United States administration are quietly discussing a possible meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The meeting is possibly being planned during Donald Trump's upcoming Asia visit, CNN reported citing sources familiar with the matter.

In August, after hosting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House for the first time, Donald Trump signaled interest in meeting Kim Jong Un.

Officials have not begun logistical arrangements or direct communications with Pyongyang, and prior outreach from Trump earlier this year was reportedly rejected by North Korea, the report added.

Earlier, Seoul has also said that a meeting between the United States and North Korea on the sidelines cannot be ruled out.

Trump has also said he hopes to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un again, possibly this year, while Pyongyang has said Kim is open to future talks under certain circumstances. Also Read | I hold fond memories of Donald Trump: North Korea's Kim Jong Un open to talks only if US discards

Trump and Kim Jong Un have met three times when the US President was serving his first term, but did not sign on an agreement on North Korea's nuclear programme.

The APEC Summit Donald Trump is expected to arrive in South Korea on October 29 for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. In a statement, South Korea's presidential office said that the US President would be arriving on the 29th.

US officials maintain that Trump may meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, which runs until November 1.

During the APEC Summit, Trump is also likely to meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.

Last week, Trump threatened to scrap a planned meeting with Xi at the forum, in retaliation for Beijing imposing export curbs on rare-earth technologies.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, however, told CNBC on Wednesday that Trump still planned to meet Xi.

Donald Trump said on Friday, October 17, that his proposed 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese imports would not be sustainable, as he hoped that ties with the country would be fine when he meets President Xi Jinping in South Korea in two weeks.

The US President also blamed China for the latest setback in trade talks, citing Beijings move to tighten control over its rare earth exports.

I think we're going to be fine with China, but we have to have a fair deal. It's got to be fair, Donald Trump said.
United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that he and Chinese Vice President He Lifeng have conducted detailed discussions on US-China trade, according to a Reuters report.

Speaking to reporters on October 17, Bessent said, Vice Premier He Lifeng and I engaged in frank and detailed discussions regarding trade between the United States and China.

He added that the talks are not over. We will meet in person next week to continue our discussions, Bessent said.

Donald Trump calls new 100% tariffs on China unsustainable This comes as US President Donald Trump in an interview on October 17 said his proposed 100 per cent additional tariff on Chinese imports would not be sustainable. He blamed China for the latest blow in trade talks due to limits on rare-earth exports.

Asked whether such a high tariff was sustainable and what that might do to the US economy, Trump replied, It's not sustainable, but that's what the number is.

"They forced me to do that," he told Fox Business Network.

Last week, Donald Trump said he would impose an additional 100 per cent tariffs on China, and limit any and all critical software exports from November 1.

Trump-Xi meeting to continue as scheduled In another interview with Fox Business Network on October 16, Donald Trunp also confirmed he would meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in two weeks in South Korea.

I think we're going to be fine with China, but we have to have a fair deal. It's got to be fair, he said.

WTO Chief concerned about US-US-China trade tensions WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has urged the US and China to de-escalate trade tensions, stating that the body is extremely concerned.

Speaking to Reuters she warned that both of the world's two largest economies cutting ties could reduce global economic output by 7 per cent in the long term.
ADEN, Yemen, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- A Cameroon-flagged oil tanker caught fire in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen's coast on Saturday after being struck by a projectile, a Yemeni official told Xinhua.

A source from Yemen's government coast guard confirmed that all 26 crew members were safely evacuated from the burning vessel.

"The situation is under control, and rescue efforts continue," the source said, adding that an investigation has been launched into the attack.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said in a statement on social media platform X that it had received reports of a vessel struck by an unknown projectile about 116 nautical miles east of the Yemeni port city of Aden, which subsequently caught fire.

The Gulf of Aden is a key maritime corridor linking the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. In recent months, the waterway and the neighboring Red Sea have witnessed repeated attacks on commercial shipping, attributed to the Houthis, who say their operations are aimed at pressuring Israel and its allies in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict. 
The US Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago cautioned Americans on Saturday to stay away from American government facilities on the twin-island nation.

It was an unusual warning that came as tensions grow between the United States and Venezuela over deadly U.S. strikes in Caribbean waters targeting suspected drug traffickers.

Venezuela is located just miles away from Trinidad, where people in one community are mourning the disappearance of two local fishermen believed killed in a U.S. strike on Tuesday.

The alert is based on threats directed at American citizens in the Caribbean nation, with U.S. authorities saying it could be linked to ongoing tensions in the region, Trinidad and Tobagos minister of homeland security, Roger Alexander, told The Associated Press.

Authorities in Trinidad and Tobago have responded to the threats by implementing security measures to deal with any situations that may arise, Alexander said.

However, local authorities declined to share specific details about the reported threats.

With six strikes killing at least 28 people since early September, the tense situation in the region was mentioned by U.S. officials in a briefing with authorities in Trinidad and Tobago, Alexander said.

Also Read | United Airlines planes collide on ground at OHare Airport in Chicago

Following the most recent attack, the U.S. government took survivors into custody, after the military struck a suspected drug-carrying vessel in the Caribbean, officials said Friday.
On the day several political parties of Bangladesh came together to sign a new political charter heralded by the chief advisor of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus. clashes broke out in several parts of Dhaka, with protestors claiming that the concerns of those who removed Sheikh Hasina from power were not addressed by the same.

Protests took place outside Bangladesh's national parliament building, after which tear gas and stun grenades had to be used to disperse the crowd, news agency Associated Press reported. Check out images from the protest here:

Protesters set fire to a kiosk outside Bangladesh's national parliament complex in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)

Protesters run away from the police outside Bangladesh's national parliament complex in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)

The protestors also entered the parliament building by scaling its main gate before the gathering for the ceremonial signing took place, Bangladeshi news portal bdnews24.com reported.

Some protestors even sat on chairs reserved for guests and began chanting slogans, as per the report.

What are the contents of the charter? How many parties have signed it? The charter, which is being called the 'July National Charter' after the public uprising that took place in the country in July 2024, provides a roadmap for amendments to the constitution of the nation, legal changes, and new laws.

A new clause was added to the charter on Friday in response to the demands laid out by the protestors.

The latest addition pledges justice to the victims of torture, killings, and disappearances that occurred during the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League's rule, as well as for those killed during the uprising in July-August 2024.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, headed by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and eight like-minded parties signed the charter, as well as sixteen others, including smaller Islamist parties.

Jamaat-e-Islami, which is the largest Islamist party of the country, was initially not sure about signing the document, but later agreed. Four leftist parties and the recently formed student-led National Citizen Party (NCP), did not sign the charter.

"The signing of the July Charter by a few political parties does not constitute national unity," NCP convener Nahid Islam was quoted by Reuters as saying.

Questions on charter A prominent Bangladeshi jurist, Swadhin Malik, has raised an alarm regarding the charter. He said that even if the parties reached a consensus regarding the charter, the situation its implementation would create would be weird since it would supersede the authority of the Constitution of the country.
US President Donald Trump on Friday claimed he loves solving wars and further voiced confidence in resolving the ongoing conflicts involving Pakistan and Afghanistan, calling it an easy one to end.

During a bilateral lunch with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House, Trump spoke on the current conflict involving Pakistan and Afghanistan, suggesting it could be resolved quickly under his leadership.

"I love solving wars... You know why? I like stopping people from being killed, and I've saved millions and millions of lives," he stated.

Trump claimed credit for defusing tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations, India and Pakistan. I solved eight wars. Go to Rwanda and the Congo, talk about India and Pakistan... Look at all of the wars that we solved, Trump said.

Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for helping to ease tensions between India and Pakistan, arguing that trade and tariffs played a key role in the U.S. preventing further conflict.

However, India has consistently rejected these claims, reaffirming its long-held stance that all issues with Pakistan, including those concerning Jammu and Kashmir, must be resolved bilaterally, without third-party involvement.

Watch the video here:

Turning to the ongoing war in Ukraine with Moscow, Trump expressed confidence in his ability to broker peace. This will be number nine... We are going to have success with this (Ukraine) war, he said.

Pakistan violates the ceasefire with airstrikes in Afghanistan Pakistan carried out air strikes inside Afghanistan late Friday, killing at least 10 people and breaking a ceasefire that had briefly calmed tensions along the border, Afghan officials told AFP.

The 48-hour truce had halted nearly a week of intense border clashes that left dozens of soldiers and civilians dead on both sides.

Pakistan's state-run media on Friday night reported that a high-level Pakistani delegation will travel to Qatar for talks with Afghanistan on Saturday. Pakistan TV gave no further details, however, AP reported.

In Islamabad, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan earlier told reporters that he was not in a position to share any information about possible talks with Afghanistan, and that the ministry would issue a statement when any such talks happen.

Ali said Islamabad wants Kabul to keep anyone from using Afghan soil for attacks inside Pakistan and that Pakistans recent strikes were only aimed at targeting militant hideouts.

"Pakistan has broken the ceasefire and bombed three locations in Paktika" province, a senior Taliban official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. Afghanistan will retaliate.

View full Image Mourners read the holy Quran while sitting around the grave of a paramilitary personnel of the Frontier Corps (FC) who was killed during the Afghanistan-Pakistan border clashes, in Kohat on October 17, 2025. A ceasefire along the frontier between Afghanistan and Pakistan was holding on October 16, officials on both sides said, after dozens of troops and civilians were killed in cross-border clashes. (Photo by Syed Basit / AFP) ( AFP )

At the core of the tensions are security concerns, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of sheltering militant groups, particularly the TTP, also known as the Pakistani Taliban, an allegation Kabul firmly denies.

The recent clashes between the two countries were the deadliest since 2021, when the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan following the collapse of the Western-backed government as US and NATO forces withdrew after 20 years of war.

On Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was informed that Pakistan had sent back 1.4 million Afghans under a phased plan that began in 2023, according to a government statement. It cited Sharif as saying that only Afghans with valid Pakistani visas would be allowed to stay in the country, AP reported.
The next round of US-China trade talks is expected to take place next week, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Vice Premier He Lifeng tasked with negotiating to de-escalate new tensions between the world's two largest economies.

Meanwhile, according to a report by The New York Times, over the last few days, Chinese state media have been posting an old video of Mao Zedong issuing one of his most famous battle cries. For as long as they want to fight, he shouts from behind a row of microphones, we will fight!

In a 1953 speech, China's former leader was referring to the United States, its adversary in the Korean War.

Watch the video here:

According to a report by the New York Times, China's propaganda apparatus ramped up this week, encouraging citizens with messages of strength and patriotism.

However, state media and officials have refrained from using harsher rhetoric, indicating that Chinese leadership is still keeping the door open for potential reconciliation with the United States.

Also Read | Chinese President Xi Jinping becomes first Chinese leader since Mao Zedong to

They dont want to box themselves in, said Dali Yang, a professor at the University of Chicago who researches Chinese politics. He said that years of hawkish wolf warrior diplomacy had taught Chinas leaders the dangers of fanning nationalism, as reported by the NYT.

Sometimes, when public sentiment was so mobilised, it was hard for the authorities to de-escalate, and sometimes, in the process, that made them look bad, he said.

How Mao Zedong saw America? Mao had complex and often critical views of the United States. In his 1949 article On the Peoples Democratic Dictatorship, Mao indirectly criticised the US as part of the imperialist camp opposing the Chinese revolution, accusing it of supporting the Kuomintang (Nationalist) government against the Communist Party during the Chinese Civil War.

He further called US imperialism a paper tiger. He stated, "The atom bomb is a paper tiger which the US reactionaries use to scare people. It looks terrible, but in fact it isn't.

Donald Trump-Xi Jinping While visiting Washington, Chinese officials sought to calm concerns over their sudden escalation of rare earth export restrictions, aiming to ease international backlash as trade talks with the US continue.

Bloomberg reported that recent developments in the escalating trade dispute include US threats to implement 100 per cent tariffs in retaliation for China's newly imposed export controls on rare earth minerals.

In addition, both nations have introduced new port fees, China has imposed sanctions on American shipping subsidiaries, and the U.S. is weighing a potential ban on imports of Chinese cooking oil, Bloomberg reported.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent spoke with Vice Premier He Lifeng on Friday evening, and the two are set to meet in Malaysia next week to lay the groundwork for an upcoming leaders summit.

Trump also voiced optimism that ongoing talks with Chinese officials could lead to an agreement to ease trade tensions.

I think things have de-escalated, Bessent said Friday during a White House event. I am confident that President Trump, because of his relationship with President Xi, will be able to get things back on a good course.
A massive fire broke out at a section of the Cargo Village of Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday, leading to the suspension of all flights. The usually clear blue expanse of sky over the airport was shrouded in thick black smoke as flames continued to rage.

Officials said the blaze began near near Gate 8 around 2:30 pm. A total of 36 units were at work to douse the flames, a personnel from the fire service  Talha Bin Jashim said, The Daily Star reported.

Multiple netizens also took to X to post videos of the inferno, with many of them stating that firefighting teams are currently at the spot.

How the fire spread? According to several Bangladeshi media outlets, the incident occurred around 2:30 pm when the airports cargo village  which is used for storing imported goods  caught fire. The executive director of the airport, Md Masudul Hasan Masud, reportedly confirmed the situation, stating that emergency measures were underway, as per several Bangladeshi media.

Also Read | Air China flight diverted after battery in carry-on luggage catches fire

Bangladesh Fire Service, two fire units from the Bangladesh Air Force, and the Bangladesh Civil Aviation are currently working to extinguish the fire.

Which flights have been affected? Following the fire, all flights to and from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport were temporarily suspended. As per local media reports, several inbound flights were diverted to other airports such as the Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram and Osmani International Airport in Sylhet.

Also Read | Father of slain AI pilot moves SC for independent probe

An IndiGo flight from Dhaka to Chennai was diverted to Kolkata  while another flight of Biman Bangladesh was cancelled.

When will ops resume? According to The Daily Star, the airfield at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka will remain closed until 6:00 pm, as per the public relations officer at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram.

The deadly fire comes days after the Bangladesh Air Force jet crash that left at least 27 people dead.

Bangladesh jet crash In July, an F-7 BGI fighter jet of the Bangladesh Air Force crashed directly onto the campus of Milestone School & College in Dhaka's Uttara locality  while classes were in full swing.

The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Towkir Islam Sagar, was on his first solo fighter mission when the aircraft went down at 1:06 pm local time, just moments after take-off. Though he was rushed to hospital, Towkir Islam Sagar succumbed to his injuries.
The British military has said that a ship caught fire on Saturday in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Yemen after being struck by a projectile.

One report has also suggested that the crew was preparing to abandon the vessel after the fire, as per Associated Press. A search and rescue operation is underway.

A vessel has been hit by an unknown projectile, resulting with a fire, the UKMTO said, as per AP, adding, "Authorities are investigating.

Also Read | How the Houthis rattled the US Navyand transformed maritime war

The ship has been described as a Cameroon-flagged tanker en route from Sohar, Oman, to Djibouti by maritime security firm Ambrey.

Details about the ship Details about the ship appeared to correspond to the Falcon, a Cameroon-flagged tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas. A New York-based pressure group, United Against Nuclear Iran, had earlier flagged this ship as one operating as part of Iran's ghost fleet of ships which transport petroleum products from the country despite international sanctions.

Who are the Houthis? Why are they attacking ships in the Red Sea corridor? The Houthis are a Zaydi Islamist group that grew to prominence in Yemen in the 1990s. Their name comes from the al-Houthi family, who are its leaders.

The Houthis gained international prominence during the Israel-Hamas war over their attacks on shipping and Israel, which they said were aimed at forcing Israel to stop fighting. Since the ceasefire began on Oct. 10, no attacks have been claimed by the rebel group.

The Houthis' attacks on ships has resulted in the death of at least nine mariners, while four vessels have sunk. Their constant attacks have affected world trade, since goods worth around $1 trillion passed through the Red Sea corridor each year before the war. Their latest attack was the utch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht on Sept. 29, in which one crew member on board was killed and another was wounded.

Also Read | Trump says Israeli forces will re-enter Gaza if Hamas breaks ceasefire

Meanwhile, the Houthis have increasingly threatened Saudi Arabia and taken dozens of workers at United Nations agencies and other aid groups as prisoners, alleging without evidence they were spies  something fiercely denied by the world body and others.

Houthis' Chief of staff dead An Israeli aistrike which targetted the top leaders of Houthi rebels, which was launched in August, has resulted in the death of the chief of staff of its military.

The death of Maj. Gen. Muhammad Abdul Karim al-Ghamari, who was sanctioned by the United Nations for his role in Yemen's decade-long war, was acknowledged by the Houthis.

Both Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the death of al-Ghamari, which Katz saying that he has now joined "his fellow members of the axis of evil in the depths of hell".

The strike, that took place on August 28, had killed the Houthi Prime Minister, Ahmed al-Rahawi, along with a few others. As per AP, analysts suggested that al-Ghamari might have been wounded in a different attack.
Democratic candidate for Mayor in New York, Zohran Mamdani, was seen with an Imam, who has historical ties as an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. The picture also raises questions about Zohran Mamdani's associations during his campaign in the Mayoral race since his son has also allegedly been linked to running a camp accused of promoting extremist activities for children.

The picture showed the Democratic nominee for the Mayoral race grinning alongside Imam Siraj Wahhaj and City Councilmember Yusef Abdus Salaam. The photo was taken at Siraj Wahhajs Bed-Stuy mosque during Jummah (Friday) prayers.

Zohran Mamdani also shared a post on X which read, Today at Masjid At-Taqwa, I had the pleasure of meeting with Imam Siraj Wahhaj, one of the nations foremost Muslim leaders and a pillar of the Bed-Stuy community for nearly half a century. I was also joined by CM @dr_yusefsalaam of Harlem.

A beautiful Jummah, Mamdani said.

According to the reports, Zohran Mamdani attended a campaign event at Masjid At-Taqwa on Fulton Street, organized in collaboration with the activist group Black Muslims Now.

Who is Siraj Wahhaj? Siraj Wahhaj is 75-year-old African-American Imam of Al-Taqwa mosque in Brooklyn, New York and also a leader of the Muslim Alliance in North America.

During the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, his name surfaced as an unindicted co-conspirator.

In August 2018, three of Wahhajs children were charged with terrorism and felony child abuse. During that time, Wahhaj had said that the children had severed ties with their family.

He had also claimed that it was him who had provided a tip to the police.

Meanwhile, Zohran Mamdani and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo debated their positions on Israel, experience in government and how they would handle President Donald Trump in a two-hour televised debate Thursday night.

Andrew Cuomo repeatedly attacked Mamdani for his age and inexperience in city government.

On his resume it says he interned for his mother. This is not a job for a first timer. Any day you could have a hurricane, you could have, God forbid, a 9/11, a health pandemic. If you dont know what youre doing people will die, Cuomo said.
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Lets be honest, nothing beats the joy of planning long weekends, imagining yourself by the sea with a coconut in hand. But for folks like 28-year-old Suyash from Bengaluru, the Goa dream has officially faded. A trip to Thailand costs the sameand the beaches are better! he laughs. Return flights to Krabi were 17,000, while flights to Goa demanded 9,000 and nearly triple the stay cost. So, Thailand won hands down.

Hes not alone. Bidya, a communications professional, ditched her annual Goa trip for Sri Lanka this year. Theres barely any cost difference, and international travel is so easy now, she says. With visa-free entries and aggregator taxis abroad, beach getaways in Southeast Asia suddenly feel more welcomingand cheaperthan our beloved Goa.

Once a magnet for both desi and foreign tourists, Goas tourism scene is looking a little overcooked. Hotel prices have shot up, taxis are notorious for their mafia rates, and the charm of spontaneous shack-hopping has dimmed under high costs and overcrowding.

Meanwhile, the supply of villas, homestays, and Airbnbs has exploded post-pandemicespecially from Delhi and Mumbai investorsdriving up property prices and changing the vibe. Locals grumble about outsiders ruining the Goan experience, while YouTubers now rave more about Bali and Krabi than Baga or Calangute.

But alls not lost. Panajis buzzing with posh cafes, microbreweries, and a growing tribe of people whove made Goa home for good. Maybe Goa isnt dyingits just evolving. The crowds may thin, but for those who still love its laid-back rhythm, susegad (that Goan chill) is alive and well. Read Soumya Gupta's detailed report for elaborate insights into what the new generation now thinks of Goa as a vacation destination.

On to the best of Mints journalism from this week: Is Indias capex boom realor just a mirage? The governments capital spending is off to a roaring start this fiscal: 4.32 trillion spent in just five months, or 39% of the annual target! But nearly 15% of that came from one-off transfers to FCI and BSNL, which dont really create new assets. So, is the growth real or inflated? Once these outliers are stripped out, actual spending growth slips to around 22%healthy, but less dazzling. States have helped sustain the momentum, with a 78% jump in transfers and robust spending on defence, roads, and railways. Yet, the private sector remains on the sidelines, wary amid global uncertainties.

How HCLTech is winning the AI race Who said IT was slowing down? HCLTech just proved otherwiseclocking its best Q2 in five years and becoming the first Indian tech giant to officially book AI revenue. The company pulled in $100 million from AI alone, part of its $3.64 billion top linewell above analyst expectations. While rivals such as TCS are splurging on data centres, HCLTech is taking a smarter route: building IP-driven AI platforms that actually earn. With profits up 8% and margins improving to 17.4%, its quietly scripting a comeback.

Talent we have, giants we dont  yet What will it take for India to create homegrown consulting giants that rival the Big Four: EY, PwC, Deloitte, and KPMG? The government is finally asking that question. Despite Indias massive talent pool powering global firms from behind the scenes, domestic players remain small, scattered, and constrained by regulations. With 1,800+ global capability centres thriving here, why cant Indias own multi-service powerhouses emerge? As AI reshapes consulting, will Indian firms seize this moment to innovateor stay in the shadows of foreign majors?

Will Amazon get its way in India? Can Amazon and Flipkart finally stock and sell their own goods in India? Thats what US trade negotiators are pushing fora change that could rewrite the rules of Indias $325 billion e-commerce story. Currently, foreign-funded platforms cant hold inventory, unlike Indian players such as Nykaa or BigBasket. The US argues for a level playing field, but Indian traders fear it could crush local competition and violate FDI norms. With trade talks on pause amid a US shutdown, the question is: will India bend?

Bira 91s bitter battle brews Is the fizz finally running out for Bira 91? Investors in the craft beer maker are reportedly losing patience with founder-CEO Ankur Jain, pushing for his exit as losses mount and salaries remain unpaid. Big names like Peak XV, Sofina, and Japans Kirin are said to have linked fresh funding to Jains resignation. While Jain insists hes doubling down to fix the company, insiders say executionnot ambitionis the real buzzkill.

Why Trumps tariffs have not crippled the global economy yet Six months after US President Donald Trumps liberation day tariffs sparked fears of a global recession, the world economy seems to be doing just fine. The IMF now expects global growth at 3% in 2025, slightly higher than Aprils forecast, while the WTO says global trade grew nearly 5% by volume in the first half of the year. The doomsday predictions fizzled out as most countries avoided retaliatory tariffs, many struck new deals with the US, and actual duties were lower than the headline rates. Strong demand from emerging markets, AI-driven investments, and early import surges also kept growth steady. Can the world economy withstand another shock?

Googles $15-billion AI hub puts Andhra Pradesh on the data map Googles plan to invest $15 billion in an AI data-centre complex in Visakhapatnam marks Indias biggest single tech infrastructure bet yetand a major push to anchor the global AI race closer to home. The facility will power Googles Gemini platform and strengthen Indias AI backbone while promising 180,000 high-value jobs in Andhra Pradesh. Similar large-scale commitments from Microsoft and Amazon signal how AIs insatiable data needs are transforming state industrial policies, job markets, and energy use. Analysts say the new wave of hyperscale data centres could offset the IT sectors hiring slump, upskill engineers, and boost local providers valuationseven as the industry confronts surging power demand and the pressure to go green.

Bihar election: Can the state afford the freebies it has promised? As Bihar heads to polls in November, political parties are flooding Indias poorest state with cash promises. From free electricity and pensions to unemployment doles and government jobs for every household, freebies are being handed out and promised for the future. But behind the populism lies a fiscal crisis. Bihars finances are already under strain, with its FY24 deficit at 4.2% of GSDP and FY25 likely to exceed 9%, far above the budgeted 3%. Despite robust GDP growth, Bihars per capita income remains the lowest in India, driving mass migration and joblessness. Experts warn that these pre-election freebies, costing up to 3% of GDP, could crowd out essential spending on jobs and infrastructure.

Bitcoins billion-dollar pizza and the question haunting Indian investors On 22 May 2010, Laszlo Hanyecz traded 10,000 Bitcoins for two pizzas. What was worth $40 then is worth $1.2 billion today. That meal marked Bitcoins first real-world transaction and a defining moment in financial history. Fifteen years later, the worlds most divisive asset has gone from internet joke to digital gold. Despite occasional crashes and regulatory pushback, Bitcoin has outperformed gold and equities in seven of the past nine years and remains up nearly 90% this year. With the US creating a Bitcoin reserve and central banks warming up to crypto, the question for Indian investors is no longer if Bitcoin matters, but whether they can afford to keep ignoring it.

Infosys fares better than expected, steers clear from big-bang AI announcements Infosys beat expectations in Q2 with $5.08 billion revenue, up 2.7% sequentially and 3.8% year-on-year, driven by banking and finance demand, and raised its FY26 revenue guidance to 2-3% in constant currency, while cautioning on global macro risks. Wipro posted weaker results at $2.6 billion, with minimal growth and lower profitability, projecting up to 1.5% growth next quarter. Among top IT firms, HCLTech led with 2.8% sequential growth, TCS saw its weakest quarter in six years, and the sector remains clouded by macro uncertainty and muted tech spending, even as AI initiatives expand across Infosys, Wipro, and HCLTech.

That's all for this week. I hope you have a pleasant weekend!

If you have feedback, want to discuss food, movies and shows, or have anything else to say about our journalism, write to me at shravani.sinha@livemint.com or reply to this email. You can also write to feedback@livemint.com.

Best,

Shravani Sinha
Climate Change and You is a fortnightly newsletter written by Bibek Bhattacharya and Sayantan Bera. Subscribe to the newsletter to get it directly in your inbox.

Dear reader,

It is a rare occasion when I can begin this newsletter with some good news, so here goes. About a week ago, news broke that renewable sources, such as solar and wind, generated more electricity than coal for the first time ever. Climate and energy think tank Embers report found that electricity from solar and wind not only kept pace with the growth in global energy demand but also outpaced it by a further 9%.

Global electricity demand increased by 2.6% to 369 terawatt-hours (TWh) during the first six months of the year, surpassing the same period in 2024, said the report. The bulk of this rise came from the four biggest greenhouse gas emitters:

-China 198TWh (54%)

-USA 76TWh (21%)

-India 12TWh (3.3%)

-EU 9TWh (2.4%)

View Full Image Renewables surpassed coal in the first half of 2025. (Courtesy Ember)

Meanwhile, solar- and wind-generated electricity came to 403 TWh. The report states that solar-power generation alone accounted for 83% of this increase in electricity demand. In absolute terms, solars global share of electricity generation rose to 8.8%, more than doubling since 2021. The share of fossil fuels decreased slightly, by -0.3% from 2024, with coal falling by -0.6%. It isnt a lot, and certainly not anywhere close to what is required, but this was a historic moment nonetheless.

STATE OF THE CLIMATE

View Full Image Bleached and dead coral around Lizard Island in the Great Barrier Reef. (AFP)

Coral reefs hit tipping point

While clean-energy victories should be celebrated, we shouldnt lose sight of the fact that the climate crisis is accelerating way faster than our feeble efforts can keep up. A study published in the journal Nature on 1 October shows that rising heat due to carbon dioxide and methane is reaching critical levels, enough to completely change four vital parts of the Earth's systems that support life on the planet: the Amazon rainforest, Greenland ice sheets, South American monsoon, and Atlantic Ocean currents. The study says any or all of them may abruptly transition to alternative stable states", which means that once they tip over from the states that they have been in for millions of years, it will be difficult to support lifeor at least human life as we know iton the planet.

A separate study, the Global Tipping Points Report 2025, suggests that one vital component of the Earth system, coral reefs, may have already tipped over into long-term decline. The study is the work of 160 scientists from 23 countries and led by the University of Exeter, and states that warm water reefs are unlikely to recover from the heat bleaching events that have affected 80% of them since January 2023, unless we act urgently to end greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and bring the global mean temperature down to 1-1.2 degrees Celsius of heating. The world is currently at about 1.4 degrees Celsius hotter than pre-industrial levels, and, at present rates, will permanently overshoot the 1.5 degrees safety mark within a decade.

View Full Image Vital Earth systems are headed for catastrophic tipping points. (Courtesy Global Tipping Points Report)

The report also states that other global systems, like the west Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, are melting at an alarming rate and are perilously close" to their tipping points. As is the Amazon rainforest, buffeted by deforestation and rising heat, which may tip over into dying.

THE NEWS IN BRIEF

-Following US President Donald Trumps disingenuous claim of climate change being a con job, Mint called on Indian policymakers to keep global climate action as a guiding light.

-Staying with Trumps outrageous anti-science stance, heres an excellent rebuttal from Bloombergs Mark Gongloff.

-Climate scientists have always been at pains to point out that the story of climate change is also the story of our relationship with water. In this opinion piece for Mint, journalist Soumya Sarkar writes about how Indias growth depends on a predictable water supply, but this resource is becoming increasingly scarce.

CLIMATE CHANGE TRACKER

View Full Image An elephant herd is stranded in the Mahanadi River in Odisha. (PTI)

The climate crisis is disrupting animal migrations

Despite our human-centric worldview, it is important to understand how our continued use of fossil fuels is changing the lives of animals all around us for the worse. A report from earlier this month examines the various ways in which animal migration patterns are being disrupted by an increasingly warmer planet.

The report from the Convention of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) follows a workshop where over 70 international experts found that animals across the board are facing altered ranges and shrinking habitats. This is happening in a variety of ways: be it shorebird nesting times in Alaska being misaligned with their food source of seasonal insects, or land-use changes throwing Indian elephants off course, or Himalayan species being forced into smaller and smaller niches as the mountains get hot, or whales being forced to take dangerous detours while migrating. Our actions are playing havoc on the animals we share the planet with.

PRIME NUMBER

View Full Image Global capitals like Delhi have become 25% hotter than they were 30 years ago. (RAJ K RAJ /HT PHOTO)

25

The largest capital cities in the world are now experiencing 25% more hot days than they did in the 1990s. The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) analysed heating patterns in 43 of the most populous capitals. Between 1993 and 2024, the number of hot days (with temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius) has sharply increased. The number of total hot days experienced by the 43 cities in 2024 cumulatively amounted to 1,612 days, up from 1,058 days in 1994.

Also Read | Why humanitys disconnection from nature is accelerating the climate crisis

Baghdad and New Delhi experienced the biggest rise, on average, of 33 and 29 days, respectively. Delhi now experiences nearly 160 days of high heat. However, this is a growing phenomenon, even in cities that have never experienced such heat. European capitals like Rome and Madrid have seen an increase in 13 and 22 hot days, respectively. A capital like Seoul, which had never experienced such daily highs before, now sees an average of 6 days of high heat.

BOOK OF THE MONTH

View Full Image The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler.

The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler

One of the great geniuses of human beings is our ability to tell stories, and when faced with such a critical timean intersection of climate change, artificial intelligence, absolute corporate power, and the slow death of global institutionsit is stories that show the way to possible futures for mankind, both the wonders and the horrors. Ray Naylers 2022 novelset in the near future, where many of the things I mentioned above have come to passis both a cautionary tale and one of hope.

Naylers premise is simple: When human civilisation has lost its way, how will it react when we finally meet aliens? These aliens will not be from another planet far away, but will be one of our neighbours from the animal kingdom, developing consciousness and starting to tell stories of their own. The Mountain in the Sea is both a thriller and a profound meditation on the nature of consciousness. This is a novel that you just cant miss.

Thats it for this edition of Climate Change and You, dear reader. Sayantan Bera will be back in a fortnight with the next instalment.
The number of days the last 20 surviving hostages spent in captivity before their release on 13 October, as part of the US President Donald Trump-brokered 20-point Gaza peace deal between Israel and Hamas.

In exchange, Israel freed 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,718 detainees from Gaza, withdrew from certain parts of the war-ravaged city, and agreed to facilitate the arrival of much-needed humanitarian aid to the enclaves starving population.

Hamas had also promised to return the bodies of the dead hostages, but has managed to hand over only nine out of 28 since Monday.

The delay risks reigniting tensions, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatening to limit promised aid supplies to Gaza.

However, two senior Trump advisers said plans were underway to demilitarize the strip and establish a new transitional government.

Meanwhile, Trump arrived in the Jewish nation just in time to declare that the long and painful nightmare" was finally over for both Israelis and Palestinians. He received a warm welcomeunlike his predecessor, Joe Biden, who visited in October 2023.

Addressing Israeli parliamentarians, Trump said the ceasefire marked a very exciting time for Israel and the Middle East" and that Israel had achieved all it could by force of arms". It was time, he added, to transform those efforts into peace and prosperity.

At the Egyptian seaside resort of Sharm El-Sheikh, Trump took a figurative victory lap, boasting that the hastily convened summit of Arab and European leaders had brought together representatives from almost three dozen countries. These people all came in on 20 minutes notice," Trump later told reporters. (Ultimate power flex, is it?)

During a photo session with each of the leaders, Trump posed enthusiastically with a thumbs-up sign, occasionally encouraging other dignitaries to do the same. The stage on which they stood was appropriately adorned with the words PEACE 2025.

Theres no doubt the region deserves peace after two years of painful turmoil. There have been losses on both sidesapproximately 1,200 Israelis and more than 67,000 Palestinians. But will the region be able to bury this torturous period in history and move on?

Some scars run deep. More importantly, there are growing fears that Netanyahu may now turn his attention to what he considers unfinished businessIran.

Trump reportedly asked Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Netanyahu, who has been accused of corruption. Will that happen? And if it does, will Netanyahu be content knowing Israel is now the top military power in the regionor will he take the fight to the Islamic Republic?

Too many variables here to predict how things will pan out.

The summit was called to underwrite peace in the Middle East, but, as he often does, Trump made it about himselfcreating plenty of meme-worthy moments. For starters, there was his praise for Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. In the middle of his onstage remarks thanking leaders for attending, he introduced Meloni as a beautiful young woman".

And, of course, he had to give it his signature touchmake it annoyingly awkward.

If you use the word beautiful in the US about a woman, thats the end of your political career. But Ill take my chances," he said. Then, looking around for Meloni, who was standing behind him, he added: You dont mind being called beautiful, right? Because you are."

Keep in mind, Meloni was the only woman among the roughly 30 world leaders gathered there.

And then, out of nowhere, he trained his guns on Norway. What happened, Norway? What happened? Wheres Norway?" he asked, scanning the crowd before spotting the Norwegian representative in front.

Passive aggression toward Norwegian authorities for overlooking the peace dealmaker in this years Nobel race?

Next, he elevated Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to the position of President". Hang onit only gets more condescending. When Carney sarcastically thanked him, saying, Im glad you upgraded me," Trumps riposte was, Oh, did I? At least I didnt say governor."

Recall: he had once labelled Carneys predecessor, Justin Trudeau, the governor" of the Great State of Canada", repeatedly calling the country the 51st US state".

And then came another in-your-face jibe: I know a lot of people dont agree with me, but I am the only one that matters."

Indeed, the truest word on the state of the world today.

There's another opportunity for Trump to stake a claim to the Nobel Peace Prize.

After Pakistan targeted Kabul and Paktika province last week, there was another exchange between Pakistani forces and Taliban in Kandahara significant escalation of hostilities between the former allies. The two have agreed to a ceasefire, but theres no telling if it will last.

Remember, Pakistan was the main backer of the Taliban when the ragtag group emerged from Kandahar in 1994. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were the three countries that recognized the Taliban government in Kabul in 1996.

In 2001, when the group was ousted from Afghanistan, many Taliban leaders took shelter in the Pakistani cities of Quetta and Peshawar, where they regrouped in 2004 with support from Pakistans military spy agency, the ISI. In 2021, when the Taliban retook Kabul, then ISI chief Faiz Hameed was one of the first foreigners to land in Afghanistan, while most officials and nationals of many other countries were fleeing the nation.

The source of current tensions is Islamabads belief that Kabul hasnt curbed the Pakistani Taliban group or the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The Taliban government has denied this, but that hasnt helped.

Pakistan is also not comfortable with the Talibans growing closeness to India. The Taliban foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, made an unusual six-day-long visit to India last weekthe first ever by a Taliban leader. And India treated him as a state guest.

Buoyed by his Israel-Hamas ceasefire success, Trump now appears to be refocusing his energy and attention on ending the Russia-Ukraine war. He has said he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary, though a date has yet to be set.

He spoke with his Russian counterpart on Thursdaya call he described as very productive". It came ahead of a Friday meeting at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to enable Ukrainian forces to strike deeper into Russian territory, arguing that such capabilities would pressure Putin to take Trumps calls for direct negotiations more seriously.

The last time Trump met Putin was in August, in Alaska. Hopes of a peace deal that flickered after that meeting quickly faded. What are the chances this timeanyone placing bets?

Elizabeth Roche is an associate professor at O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana.
Trump meets Zelensky, rules out trilateral summit

Xinhua) 14:47, October 18, 2025

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday, but ruled out a U.S.-Russia-Ukraine summit in the near future.

Speaking alongside Zelensky before their talks, Trump said his planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary would be only a "double meeting," citing "a lot of bad blood" between Moscow and Kiev.

Asked about providing U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles, a focal point of Washington's tactics on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Trump said the United States also needs the weapons itself, warning that transferring them to Ukraine could trigger "big escalation" of the conflict.

"We'd much rather have them not need Tomahawks. Would much rather have the war be over," Trump said.

"We want Tomahawks also. We don't want to be giving away things that we need to protect our country," he added.

When asked whether Ukraine would need to trade land for peace, Trump replied: "You never know."

Zelensky said there is momentum to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict following the Gaza ceasefire, but he accused Moscow of refusing to return to negotiations and urged Washington to keep pressure on Russia.

"President Trump has a big chance now to finish this war," said Zelensky, stressing that having security guarantees is the "most important thing for people in Ukraine."

"NATO is the best, but weapon is very important. Allies on our side is very important," Zelensky said.

He added that American energy companies are ready to help Ukraine following recent Russian attacks on his country's energy infrastructure.

It was Zelensky's third visit to the White House during Trump's second term. The meeting came one day after Trump's lengthy phone call with Putin.

Trump and Putin last met in August in Alaska for talks on Ukraine, but no agreement was reached, and ceasefire negotiations remain deadlocked.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Kou Jie)
This photo taken on Oct. 17, 2025 shows the opening ceremony of the 2025 Tongzhou Global Development Forum in Beijing, capital of China. (Renmin University of China/Handout via Xinhua)

BEIJING, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Experts at a global development forum said that all countries should seek to bridge differences and pursue the greatest common denominator of development.

Themed "Coexistence in Harmony: The Foundation and Order of Global Development," the Tongzhou Global Development Forum 2025 has brought together more than 500 attendees from over 40 countries around the world.

The event that wrapped up Saturday was hosted by the Renmin University of China (RUC) and co-organized by the government of Beijing's Tongzhou District.

Fifteen parallel sessions were held during the forum, spotlighting common challenges and hotspot issues such as artificial intelligence, global capital markets, digital finance, energy security and food security.

Jin Xin, assistant minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, told the forum that tackling development challenges is the foremost task for the international community as it faces historic global shifts.

"On the path to development and prosperity, no country should be left behind," Jin said.

Conflicts in the world are threatening the prosperity, so collaboration in many areas is vital, said Joerg Kukies, former German finance minister, adding that the progress that has been achieved so far is not sufficient.

A report was also released at the event, further elaborating on the Comprehensive Development Goals (CDGs) -- a comprehensive development strategy for people and society through 2050 proposed by RUC in 2024.

The CDGs are "for the people, by the people, and their achievements are shared among the people," according to the report.

"Even at the highest levels of policymaking, governments must ensure that the needs of their communities and citizens are always prioritized," Phumla Williams, a researcher at South Africa's National School of Government, said during a roundtable discussion on the report.

Liu Qing, executive dean of RUC's National Academy of Development and Strategy, explained that the CDGs have drawn wisdom from China's new development philosophy, four global initiatives on development, security, civilization and governance, as well as its successful development experience in various fields, including poverty alleviation, industrialization and green transition.

"The CDGs present a long-term vision for global development up to 2050," Liu said, stressing the need for forward-looking development plans.

Forum attendees also voiced their anticipations for the upcoming fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, during which the country's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) will be discussed.

"China's Five-Year Plan is an extremely useful tool to ensure policy consistency and bring greater certainty to a turbulent world," said Ekaterina Antonova, deputy director of the China Studies Center at St. Petersburg State University of Economics of Russia. 
Before Prakash Tandon, corporate leadership in India passed from father to son, much like a royal succession, a mark of the hereditary privilege of founding families and their descendants.

Tandon helped birth an alternative universe. Across three decades and three institutionsHindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), Punjab National Bank (PNB), and State Trading Corporation of India Ltdhe pioneered the then-radical notion that professional competence, not family connection, could open paths to the top.

The lineage he established at HUL turned it into India's CEO factory", eventually producing executives who commanded the parent multinational itself. The methodologies he introduced at PNB transformed Indian banking from a relationship-driven institution to one based on systematic analysis.

Also Read | Robert Clive: The conman whose plunder built the British India Empire

In doing so, this consummate professional, whose career spanned multiple companies, industries, and roles, engineered a quiet management revolution in the country by proving that merit could trump patrimonythat management could be a profession rather than an inheritance.

The story goes that on his final day at HUL in 1968, he made the short trip to the Backbay Reclamation headquarters of the multinational in Mumbai, as he had always done, chauffeured in the company car. When the farewell concluded, he descended to the parking lot, dismissed the waiting driver with a friendly wave, slipped into his modest Fiat, and left. It was quintessential Tandon, a man who'd scaled India's corporate summit yet wore his achievements as lightly as the half-sleeve shirts he preferred.

Professional competence

Born in 1911 to a civil engineer's family in Punjab, Tandon left for the UK in 1929 to pursue chartered accountancy at Manchester University at a time when qualified Indian CAs were very few. He returned in 1937 with his credentials and a Swedish wife, a pairing that would have scandalized pre-independence Punjab society.

In his first job with Unilever in Bombay, he was assigned to advertising despite his accounting qualification and was given a compensation package below that of his British peers. Rather than railing against the inequity, Tandon simply outperformed everyone. By 1951, he'd become Unilever's inaugural Indian director, a first among multinationals in the country. A decade later, he assumed the company's chairmanship, overseeing a transformation in which a majority of the managers were now Indian.

What Tandon inaugurated at HUL extended far beyond Indianization. The lineage he established produced executives like Harish Manwani, who ascended to become Unilever's global chief operating officer, and Nitin Paranjpe, who led the Indian arm before taking on global roles at the parent company. The wheel had come full circle. Indians trained at HUL now led the parent multinational itself.

Also Read | How the Amul girl became a cultural icon for India

But Tandon's most transformative work came after leaving HUL. At PNB in the early 1970s, he imported multinational efficiency into India's drowsy public sector. Having witnessed Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Programme through his involvement with IIM Ahmedabad as a founding board member, he instituted similar training at PNB, introducing principles that seemed radical in government banking: continuous recruitment, open-door management, systematic decision-making.

His dictum that the essence of management is distinguishing the relevant from the irrelevant" became gospel for a generation of executives.

In 1974, the Reserve Bank of India constituted a committee under Tandon to examine working capital financing. The resulting framework established credit assessment methodologies based on current assets, margins, and inventory norms that remain foundational to Indian banking. The Tandon Committee report transformed lending from a relationship-driven process to a financial analysis-driven system.

Those who knew him recall a voracious reader whose interests spanned ancient history, Urdu poetry, and classical literature. A small red leather diary emerged whenever interesting information surfaced. He inhabited a modest government flat in Vasant Kunj, piloted his ageing Fiat personally, and never exploited his position for privilege.

Management revolution

His autobiographical trilogy, Punjabi Century, Beyond Punjab and Return to Punjab, captured three turbulent generations from the 1857 uprising through Independence. His later Banking Century traced finance's evolution across civilizations, demonstrating the intellectual breadth he brought everywhere.

When Tandon died in 2004 at the age of 93, he left behind a template for leading with competence, integrity, and unpretentious dignity. The scores of professional Indian managers who followed all walked paths Tandon had cleared. Even those who built their own enterprises did so by establishing professional management structures rather than dynastic succession. When Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai assumed leadership of Microsoft and Google, and when Leena Nair became Chanel's global CEO, they stood on foundations laid by Tandon generations earlier.

Also Read | Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay: The fiery architect of social enterprise in India

In transforming how Indian business conceived of corporate leadership, Tandon helped engineer a quiet management revolution. Corporate India's man for all seasons had become its man for the ages.

For more such stories, read The Enterprising Indian: Stories From India Inc News.
Demonstrators across the US turned out for what organizers said would be more than 2,600 No Kings protests across the US to express their opposition to President Donald Trumps agenda.

Saturdays mass protests followed similar No Kings protests on June 14, timed to offset the military parade Trump hosted the same day in Washington for the 250th anniversary of the US Army and his birthday. Organizers estimated that 4 million to 6 million people attended the June demonstrations.

I have been really scared for our democracy, really scared for my immigrant neighbors, for people in my community who rely on health care access and SN benefits, people are losing their rights, my trans friends are afraid for their lives, said Stephen Kenny, 26, a policy analyst from Bethesda, Maryland, who attended the protest in Washington, DC. This felt like the least I should do.

In Washington, the protest stage was next to the US Labor Department, whose facade is partly covered with a big banner displaying Trumps face. One protester, Connor ODonnell, 33, shared his concern that such banners are more common on authoritarian states.

Im a proud resident of DC, I dont want to see the military weaponized against Democratic cities to squash dissent, and I am feeling energized and proud that we still have the ability to come here to protest, ODonnell said, as he held a sign portraying Trump dressed as the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. As Im speaking to you, Im looking at a banner of Trumps face hanging on a federal building next to an American flag, and countries dont necessarily realize that theyre slipping into authoritarianism until it actually happens.

During Shutdown

The US government has been shut down for 18 days as Senate Democrats and Republicans remain dug in over extending health care subsidies, a roadblock to a spending bill that would reopen the government.

I would hope that the senators from the GOP would wake up and stop kissing Trumps ring and do what theyre supposed to do and manage the country, said Michelle Farrell, 51, a federal contractor who came from the Maryland suburbs to Washington.

Trump, who is spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, earlier dismissed the protests and said he isnt a king. White House protocol chief Monica Crowley responded Saturday with a post on X showing an AI-generated video of Trump on a White House balcony dressed in full royal regalia and sporting a crown.

The protesters showed public opposition to Trumps push to send National Guard troops to US cities, his immigration raids and his cuts to foreign aid and domestic programs favored by Democrats.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Welcome, and congratulations. Youve lived long enough to see the age of flying carsprivately owned, solo-piloted aircraft, free to operate in unrestricted airspace, much as automobiles can take to the open road. And theyre all electric. I knew youd be thrilled.

Here in the future, we call them ultralight eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles). Of course, they dont much resemble the levitating Studebakers and auto-gyrating Chevys foretold in pulp science fiction. The Pivotal BlackFlythe first series-produced ultralight eVTOL to reach the consumer market (2023)doesnt even have wheels. It takes off and lands on its curved keel. Its also amphibious, behavior highly atypical in cars.

Dont be afraid. Try the VR simulator. The two joysticks accommodate righties or lefties, but you only use one to fly. The rocker switch on top pushes/pulls for climb/descend. The joystick controls speed and turn/bank angle. The trigger switches between flight modes: Hover and Cruise. In Hover mode, the joystick provides fine-grained yaw control, allowing the BlackFly to execute its surreal pirouette.

View Full Image The author gets ready for liftoff. The Pivotal BlackFly aircraft has a pilot weight limit of 200 pounds; an updated version, the Helix, offers slightly more capacity (220 pounds). Flight time is limited to 20 minutes. (Kelsey McClellan for WSJ)

To take off, simply hold the toggle switch forward. The props turn slowly in unisoncalibrating, calibratingthen spool furiously, a squadron of lawn mowers on deck. The machine vaults into the air, nose-first, throwing you on your back, looking at the sky. It will just hang like that until you push the joystick forward. Remember to keep that thumb going up.

Around 100 feet, pilots transition to Cruise mode. Click the trigger and the BlackFly noses down, bringing the pilot to a position more like a gaming chair than an ejection seat. As the wings begin to generate lift, the rotors pace slackens. The droning drops an octave. You can let go of the joystick if you like. The BlackFly goes where its pointed. Feel free to move about the cabin.

In other words, its easy. What makes the BlackFly disruptively like an automobile isnt the range (20 minutes) or top speed (55 knots, per FAA rules). Its the accessibility. By virtue of its human-factors engineering and flight-control automation, the BlackFly can be mastered by almost anyone with a few days training, roughly comparable to the requirements for a drivers license. Nor is age any barrier. The crafts joystick controller is practically instinctive to game-trained teenagers. The oldest BlackFly-certified pilot is 88.

View Full Image The Pivotal BlackFlys automated avionics and joystick controller make it easy to fly, with a number of control laws baked into the software to prevent loss of control. (Kelsey McClellan for WSJ)

Take me, for example. Ive got a heart stent and an artificial hip. I dont see as well as I used to. Future me is kind of a wreck, actually. But because the BlackFly qualifies as an ultralight aircraft (254 pounds, or less), the FAA doesnt require pilots to pass any kind of medical test. Hell, even the DMV requires an eye test now and then.

I am not a pilot nor do I aspire to be one. My interest dates back to my time living in Los Angeles. We had a house at the top of Mount Washington where, on a clear day, I could see the downtown skyscrapers surrounding my officefive minutes, as the crow flies. In a car, the same trip represented an hour or more of hell.

Around the same time, Marcus Leng was building the car of my dreams in his basement. In 2011, the Canadian entrepreneur and flying enthusiast tested his first boxy prototype, reaching an altitude of 10 feet. By 2014, Google emeritus Larry Page had added Lengs startup to his growing portfolio of eVTOL investments. That same year, the company moved to Palo Alto, Calif., and by 2021, the series-production prototype was ready. At that years EAA AirAdventure, in Oshkosh, Wis., the BlackFly debuted to a gobsmacked planet.

View Full Image The Pivotal BlackFly is an all-electric, vertical-takeoff/landing (eVTOL) vehicle, with a single-seat, carbon-composite airframe and eight electric rotors/props. Unlike tilt-rotor eVTOLs, the Pivotals rotors are fixed; the vehicle itself tilts during takeoff and landing. (Kelsey McClellan for WSJ)

What sorcery is this? In the emerging taxonomy of eVTOLs, the BlackFly is known as a tilt-aircraft design. Unlike tilt-rotor designs, the rotors here are fixed; the BlackFly takes off and lands propulsively by rotation of the entire craft. These aerodynamics account for the BlackFlys slightly mad landing dance: sweeping dramatically to a tailstand, turning slowly into the wind, then lowering itself onto its rocker-shaped bottom, amid a cloud of blown-away spectators.

A branding reboot in 2023 changed the company name from Opener to Pivotal. Production of the BlackFly ended late last year; Pivotal is now taking orders for an upgraded version called the Helix, with a sticker price of $190,000.

Most eVTOLs startups in the newslike Joby Aviationare developing autonomously controlled air taxis, with or without backup pilots on board. Analysts studying advanced air mobility (AAM) see autonomous ride-sharing machines facing huge public resistance. The no-pilot idea really rattles people.

Yet in some ways, Pivotals technology is even more audacious, in that it puts a human pilotpotentially a squirmy, Earth-hugging rookie like mesquarely into the control loop of a flying machine. With great respect and catered lunches provided, Pivotal requires buyers to complete a ground school at their offices in Palo Alto. Trainees wear VR headsets and sit in motor-driven rocking chairs that approximate the rearing-horse verticality of landing or taking off.

In VR, as in real life, the BlackFly practically flies itself; the pilot only points it in the desired direction. The flight controllers guidance/navigation/control (GNC) software maintains stability and attitude by manipulating differences in thrust among the eight rotors, much like a typical camera drone. These thrust differentials are coordinated with dual flaps on the trailing edges of the stubby wings.

Hear those props? The way they speed and slow, roar and snore, constantly balancing thrust to counteract changing winds? Should the BlackFly turn into a strong tailwind, for example, the rpm of all eight props will slow rather dramatically in order to maintain constant air speed. For an instant it sounds like you are going to fall out of the sky. The BlackFly flies on, straight and level. In an airplane or helicopter, youd be handling that workload for yourself.

To ensure safe handling, the GNC bakes in a number of control laws that constrain responses to inputsits impossible to stall the BlackFly, for instance, or put one into an unrecoverable spin. Such self-protective algorithms would be familiar to anyone who has piloted a camera drone.

Still, owners must be prepared in case the automated systems fail. What if you lose GPS-assisted ground lock and/or the ground-sensing radar, requiring you to freehand the landing? What if you fly into a flock of ducks and lose a prop due to birdstrikeor a shot from an irate duck hunter? In dire emergencies, pilots may resort to the mortar-propelled parachute, designed to lower the craft safely to the ground, baby and all.

Pivotals peppermint-scented training room became my personal Vietnam. I am plagued by motion sickness, of which the most pernicious variety is sim sickness." My first attempt to master the simulator was in August. After three hellish days in a drooling, Dramamine-induced coma, I failed my check ride.

I returned to Palo Alto in early September, with new eyeglasses, a prescription for the anti-emetic Zofran and a surplus-store flight suit. Four days later, I was approved to fly the real thing. Call sign: Upchuck Yeager.

I promise you wont feel any of that in the real thing," said Sabrina Alesna, one of four of the licensed pilot instructors it took to get me in the air. She was right.

I arrived the next morning at an agricultural estate near Watsonville, Calif., where Pivotal does many of its customer checkout flights. A two-story hangar and grassy runway are situated among 400 acres of cultivated fields and grow houses owned by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. As the morning marine layer burned off it revealed miles of dreamy California coastline, with sand cliffs tumbling to the shore.

Having spent hours flying over its virtual simulacrum, I knew the place well. I was especially wary of the big tree at the edge of the cliffs.

The support crew unloaded two machines from their Wells Cargo trailers. That way one could charge while the other flew. A BlackFly painted in EMS livery waited for me in the silvery grass. After the walk-around inspection, I fastened my chin strap and hoisted myself into the bare-carbon cockpit. As she had done many times in the simulator, Alesna walked me through the preflight checklist. Youre cleared for takeoff," I heard her say. And off I flew, tickety-boo.

As cool as it would be to land on the roof of your office like George Jetson, federal regulations forbid ultralights and experimental aircraft from overflying populated areascities, suburbs, highway corridors, etc. Nor can they fly at night or in bad weather. These restrictions effectively rule out widespread adoption of eVTOLs for urban commuting. While Pivotals technology is bursting with practical possibilities, the BlackFly itself cannot be but a toya glorious, wonderful toy.

And, like any toyat least any that flyyou could potentially hurt yourself, if you put your mind to it. What the FAA calls uncontrolled airspace is hardly free of conflict. In fact, I found my time in the air pretty freaking dynamic, what with the flocks of stupid birds and the trees and the Navy helicopter roaring down the beach at 200 knots. I had to keep my head on a swivel.

View Full Image Pivotal flight instructor Sabrina Alesna talks the author through the preflight checklist. To keep the weight of the radio from counting against the vehicle maximum of 254 pounds, pilots strap the radio to themselves. (Kelsey McClellan for WSJ)

Question: Is an eVTOL that just about any idiot can fly necessarily a good thing? What happens when bucks-up barnstormers start crashing into each other off Point Dume or over Burning Man?

To an amazing degree, the FAA relies on ultralight pilots judgment and sense of self preservation. However, the rule book warns that if ultralights start to become a problem for the public, the FAA is ready to bring down the flyswatter.
Daylight Saving Time: On Sunday, 2 November 2025, the clocks will be set one hour back at 2 am in most of the US, marking the end of Daylight Saving Time (DST). This is a signal to return to the standard time and give Americans one hour of extra sleep. This ritual is followed every year when clocks are adjusted in spring and fall.

When did DST start this year? Daylight Saving Time began on March 9, 2025, moving clocks forward one hour to make better use of daylight during spring and summer.

Will DST end permanently? Despite the Sunshine Protection Act passed by the Senate in 2022, DST is not yet permanent, the Courier Journal reported. President Donald Trump called the change very popular but noted it remains a 50-50 issue, requiring Congressional approval. Until then, the clock changes will continue twice a year, as per the Courier Journal.

States and territories that dont observe DST Hawaii and most of Arizona do not follow DST. The US territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands also skip the time change. States can opt out under federal law, but cannot permanently stay on daylight time without Congresss approval, as per today.

Why 2 am is the chosen time The 2 am timing is historical. Railroads preferred it because trains were not running at that hour on Sundays, minimising disruptions across the country, Courier Journal.

A brief history of DST in the US Daylight Saving Time (DST) started during World War I, and the major purpose was to save energy. Later, it was stopped after the war, but began again during World War II.

DST was repealed again after the war. The rules were made the same everywhere by the Uniform Time Act of 1966. The law was later changed to make DST last from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, as per Today.

FAQs 1. When does Daylight Saving Time end in 2025? DST ends on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at 2 am, when clocks are set back one hour.

2. Which states dont observe Daylight Saving Time? Hawaii and most of Arizona do not follow DST. US territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands also skip the time change.
Senior federal prosecutor Elizabeth Yusi, who resisted President Donald Trumps push to bring charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, was fired. Yusi, who led major criminal cases in the Norfolk office of the US Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, was dismissed on Friday evening along with her deputy, Kristin Bird. The decision came after Yusi reportedly pushed back against Trumps calls to indict James, telling colleagues there was no probable cause to support the charges.

Who is Elizabeth Yusi? Yusis dismissal marks a sudden end to her distinguished 18-year career at the Justice Department. A University of Virginia alumna with a law degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law, Yusi began her career as a case manager at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, before joining major law firms including Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP and Squire Patton Boggs.

She joined the United States DOJ in 2007 as a trial attorney and later became an Assistant US Attorney in 2010, as per her LinkedIn profile. In Norfolk, she specialized in federal law.

Clash with Trump-appointed US Attorney Elizabeth Yusi and Kristin Birds dismissal came amid tension within the Eastern District of Virginia, one of the countrys most influential US attorneys' offices. Newly appointed US Attorney Lindsey Halligan, a Trump loyalist, reportedly moved forward with an indictment against Letitia James despite opposition from career prosecutors, including Yusi, the NYT reported.

As per the report, a grand jury on October 9 charged James with two counts of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution, stating that she misrepresented the use of a Norfolk home as a secondary residence to secure better loan terms. However, James has denied wrongdoing, calling the prosecution a political weaponization of the Justice Department.

Wider turmoil in the Eastern District Since Halligan's appointment, the Eastern District of Virginia has seen a flurry of dismissals. Erik S. Siebert, who was Halligan's predecessor, resigned after being urged to avoid cases against James Comey, the former FBI director. Halligan then later obtained an indictment against Comey for lying to Congress and obstruction of proceedings. Other senior officials have also resigned or been dismissed under political pressure, including Maya Song, the former first assistant US attorney, and Michael Ben'Ary, who was a prosecutor in a national security unit, stated the NYT report.

The office of the Justice Department did not share a response to Yusi's termination.

FAQs Q: Who is Elizabeth Yusi? A: Elizabeth Yusi is a veteran federal prosecutor who spent 18 years with the Department of Justice, most recently serving as the top criminal prosecutor in Norfolk, Virginia.

Q: Why was Elizabeth Yusi fired? A: She was dismissed after refusing to bring fraud charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, citing a lack of probable cause.
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HANGZHOU, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The 3rd Liangzhu Forum opened in Hangzhou, capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province on Saturday, with the theme "Revitalization of Civilization: Cultural Heritage and Human Culture Diversity."

The forum has attracted over 300 participants from more than 60 countries and regions, including heads of cultural heritage protection and management institutions, museum directors, archaeologists and historians.

"We need to ensure culture is fully recognized and resourced in global policy frameworks. Let us join our efforts when the culture becomes not a missing link, but the guiding light of sustainable development," Shahbaz Khan, director and representative to the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, said in a speech at the opening ceremony.

The year 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of China's accession to the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and the 20th anniversary of the adoption of UNESCO's Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. Events like the Liangzhu Forum are hailed by participants as crucial platforms for fostering global cooperation and revitalizing ancient civilizations.

"These forums allow us to learn from other countries' experiences and engage with different ideas," said Maria Guadalupe Espinosa Rodriguez, director of the Chichen Itza archaeological site in Mexico. "All these insights can then be applied to our local heritage projects -- helping us to explore more diversified models for development."

"China makes clear that civilizations and their cultures are not only preserved in history," said Zurab Pololikashvili, secretary general of UN Tourism, adding that cultures which generate jobs, inheritance, festivals and creative industries -- can be kept alive by craftsman, artists and communities.

This year's event includes one main forum, four sub-forums and six supporting activities. The four sub-forums will explore topics including the wisdom of ancient civilizations, archaeological site protection, museum innovation and world cultural heritage preservation.

During the forum, cultural activities such as the Liangzhu cultural and creative products market and a concert by Chinese and U.S. symphony orchestras will be held.

First discovered in 1936 in the lower reaches of China's longest river, the Yangtze, the Liangzhu ruins gained world heritage status in 2019. To date, more than 350 Liangzhu Culture sites have been discovered, bearing witness to the existence of Chinese civilization since over 5,000 years ago.

On Friday, a group of participants visited the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City. Egyptian writer Mansoura Mohammed Elsayed EzEldin experienced the VR project during the visit and shared her reflections.

"This visual journey made me feel as if I were seeing everything about the Liangzhu civilization with my own eyes -- reminding me of the similarities between the Liangzhu civilization and ancient Egyptian civilization," she stated.

Herbert Francis Makoye, from Tanzania, also joined the tour. "This immersive experience felt incredibly real, as if I were witnessing with my own eyes the construction process of the ancient city. VR technology not only vividly preserves historical memory, but also safeguards the cultural heritage and pride of local people. It makes us realize that protecting Liangzhu means protecting our culture, faith and nation."

Makoye was also deeply impressed by the risk warning segment at the end of the project, noting that: "It reminds us of where we came from, what is happening now, and what we must do. This design instills practical educational significance into the ancient civilization."

Initiated in 2023, the Liangzhu Forum, co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the National Cultural Heritage Administration and the People's Government of Zhejiang Province, invites Chinese and foreign archaeologists, cultural experts and artists to engage in exchanges regarding cultural research and extended academic discussions. 
A motorist who was caught driving for a fifth time without insurance has been sentenced to two months in prison and disqualified from driving for six years.

Martin O'Donovan of Happy Days House, Oranmore, Galway pleaded guilty at Longford District Court last week to driving without insurance, driving without a licence while disqualified, giving a false name to Gardai and driving without an NCT or NCT cert.

At a previous hearing, details were heard about how the defendant, who worked in the motor trade sector, was stopped and detected by officers at Tinnynaire, Edgeworthstown on March 25, 2023.

Sgt Mark Mahon, prosecuting, said the defendant initially failed to disclose his real name when he was asked and instead he gave a false name of Martin O'Donoghue.

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Judge Brendan O'Reilly said last Tuesday he had reviewed the case and he had noted the defendant's admission and the guilty plea, however, he stated he had to also take his previous record into account.

Judge O'Reilly said in relation to the charges two of them in particular namely driving without insurance and driving without a licence while disqualified, required an appropriate sanction.

"He fails to understand the seriousness of driving without insurance and he has had the benefit of suspended sentences."

Mr O'Donovan asked to address Judge O'Reilly and he said he deeply regretted his actions.

"I am awful sorry and I apologise deeply, I have not driven in the past year and I am just trying to get my licence back and provide for my family."

Judge O'Reilly said he understood that but he asked how long Mr O'Donovan had been involved and working in the motor trade.

"The road traffic requirement to be insured is there since 1961," he added.

Also read: Fundraiser in memory of late Longford man continues to receive donations

The defendant, who stated he had subsequently 'lost his job' , said he has worked in the motor sector for 30 years said he was in difficult circumstances.

"My livelihood is gone and I am suffering the consequences now and I am deeply sorry for my actions," he said. "I have not driven in over a year and my wife here drives me around."

Solicitor Tony McDonnell, defending, said Mr O'Donovan's wife has a good public sector job and she is looking after her husband all of the time.

"All these offences occurred at a time when he was homeless.

"He is on the straight and narrow since then as far as his driving is concerned."

"He ensures me he will never drive again and he is just looking for a chance."

However, Judge O'Reilly, who addressed the defendant, insisted he was suffering through his own actions as well.

"The court has given you chances before and I have no doubt you told other colleagues of mine that too."

Judge O'Reilly noted Mr O'Donovan had four previous convictions for driving without insurance.

Garda Sergeant Mark Mahon, prosecuting, informed Judge O'Reilly the defendant had received a three month prison sentence, which was suspended for two years on January 18, 2023 and that had now been triggered.

The court heard the defendant, who had been in Garda custody for two weeks, was due to appear at Galway District Court on Wednesday, October 1 in connection with that matter.

Sgt Mahon said Mr O'Donovan also received a four month prison sentence on April 8 last for driving without insurance.

Judge O'Reilly decided to impose a two month prison sentence, a six year driving ban and a 400 fine with 12-months to pay for the no insurance and driving without a licence offences with the remaining offences taken into consideration.

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To mark National Tree Day, sponsored by Glennon Brothers, Pat Glennon, assisted by pupils from the Green Schools committee of St Joseph's National School in Longford town planted a Scots Pine to mark the important day.

Glennon Brothers National Tree Day 2025 took place on Thursday, October 2 and as part of the annual initiative from the Tree Council of Ireland, primary schools nationwide are invited to claim one of 2,000 free Scots Pine saplings to plant.

This years theme Building a better future connects classroom learning with real-world forestry and the built environment, highlighting how sustainably grown, Irish-sourced timber supports modern methods of construction, reduces embodied carbon, and stores carbon for the lifespan of a building and beyond.

Pat Glennon, Joint Managing Director, Glennon Brothers, said as a family business rooted in Irish forestry, they were proud to partner with the Tree Council of Ireland for National Tree Day.

"Our message is simple, Irish timber for Irish homes, from forest to front door.

Mike Glennon, Joint Managing Director, Glennon Brothers, added: Timber has a pivotal role in Irelands housing delivery and decarbonisation journey, particularly where homegrown timber is specified.

"Using locally grown timber stores carbon in the built environment and reduces reliance on imported materials.

"National Tree Day is a great way to bring that story to life for the next generation.

Cormac Downey, President, Tree Council of Ireland, commented:

National Tree Day gives children, teachers, and families a hands-on way to learn about trees and biodiversity. With the support of Glennon Brothers, schools nationwide can access free saplings and ready-to-use classroom resources that turn learning into meaningful climate action.

Schools can claim one of 2,000 free Scots Pine saplings now at treeday.ie, where they will also find curriculum-friendly lesson plans, nature activities.

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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.

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. T

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.

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.

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A uranium enrichment facility at an unspecified site in Iran. (Tasnim)

Mahmoud Reza Aghamiri, the president of Irans Shahid Beheshti University and one of the Islamic Republics prominent nuclear scientists, offered a rare glimpse into Tehrans calculus behind weaponization.

During an October 16 interview, he stated that the regime has the capability and capacity to build a nuclear bomb and added that Supreme Leader Ali Khameneis religious declaration [against nuclear weapons] can change. When asked whether Iranian officials and nuclear scientists had ever considered building a nuclear weapon, he replied, Certainly, explaining that the idea had crossed the minds of all scientists.

Aghamiri also said that if the Islamic Republic were ever to pursue a nuclear bomb, it could do so in the best possible way, emphasizing that the most important part of this process is enrichment. The issue of uranium enrichment and centrifuge capacity has indeed been the central impasse in the five rounds of TehranWashington negotiations in May, with both sides defining it as the ultimate red line.

Designated by the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Switzerland for nuclear proliferation, Shahid Beheshti University has researched optimal centrifuge-cascade parameters, electrodialysis for extracting uranium from wastewater, criticality calculations for explosive compression of uranium spheres, and neutron generation, measurement, and transport modeling.

Aghamiris comments echo those of other regime officials from the past week, including Ali Shamkhani, the former head of Irans Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics. Reflecting on his 1990s tenure as defense minister, Shamkhani said in an October 12 interview that if he could go back in time, he would build a nuclear bomb.

Having survived an Israeli assassination attempt on June 13, Shamkhaniwho also previously served as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and now advises the supreme leader on the Expediency Councilplays a key role in USIran nuclear talks. He also revealed that he had formed a circle of nuclear experts during his tenure as defense minister, most of whom were eliminated during the recent 12-day war with Israel.

Despite Shamkhanis claim that the Islamic Republic was not pursuing a nuclear bomb in the early 1990s, evidence suggests otherwise. Abdul Qadeer Khan, the father of Pakistans nuclear program, wrote that in the late 1980s, Shamkhani traveled to Islamabad seeking nuclear weapons. Pakistan refused to sell bombs but reportedly provided Iran with centrifuge parts, bomb blueprints, and a list of global suppliersforming the basis of the regimes uranium-enrichment program.

Following the Israeli and American strikes against the regimes nuclear sites, the fate of Irans enriched uranium remains an enigma. As of mid-May 2025, Irans stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60 percent stood at roughly 408.6 kilograms. Following Israeli airstrikes, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that our enriched uranium is buried under the rubble of bombed nuclear facilities, suggesting that it had been destroyed. However, satellite imagery and intelligence leaks suggest that much of the highly enriched uranium may have been relocated from Irans Fordow site before the strikes. Around the same time, Iran informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on June 13 that it was taking special measures to protect nuclear materials.

Tehrans use of doublespeak remains central to its strategy toward the West, alternating between hinting at weaponization and insisting that Khameneis decree forbids it, only to later suggest that the decree could change. The same ambiguity surrounds the fate of its enriched uranium, a calculated uncertainty meant to cloud Washingtons judgment. The question of ambition speaks to intent, while the uranium reflects capability. And in the regimes case, capability has often bred intent.

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.
HAVANA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Cubans gathered Friday in Havana to express solidarity with Venezuela and reject what they called growing U.S. interference in the South American country.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel led the rally, held along a main avenue in the Vedado district before the equestrian statue of Simon Bolivar. The event brought together representatives of left-wing parties, delegates from several countries attending the Third International Meeting of Theoretical Publications of Left-Wing Parties and Movements, as well as local residents.

Roberto Morales, secretary of organization of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, condemned what he called U.S. "interventionist plans" against Venezuela and highlighted the collection of more than 4.3 million Cuban signatures in solidarity with the Venezuelan people.

"We defend Venezuela from here and through every social mission our country maintains in that sister nation," Morales said, calling for "respectful dialogue and unity instead of exclusion."

Participants waved Venezuelan flags and held banners denouncing the U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean, describing it as a direct threat to the region's sovereignty.

"These threats against Venezuela are also threats against all of Latin America," said Omar Olivares, a 57-year-old Havana resident who joined the demonstration early in the morning.

Diaz-Canel reaffirmed Cuba's support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, writing on social media platform X: "At a time when the empire and its reckless leader authorize CIA covert operations against Venezuela, we express our solidarity with that brotherly people and especially with President Nicolas Maduro."

Last week, Cuba's Foreign Ministry issued a statement rejecting what it called U.S. "pretexts" for potential military action against Venezuela and urged the international community to rally in opposition. 
BOSTON  The No Kings movement  touted by national organizers as a peaceful national day of action and mass mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration  brought thousands to the Boston Common Saturday.

Follow along below throughout the three-hour event, which highlights speakers and talks to protesters throughout the Boston Common.

3:13 p.m.  Official programming wraps up

Rahsaan Hall concluded the event saying, This is not the end, it is the beginning.

As you leave, go in peace, he said, then calling upon a term Trump has used to describe Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. ... if this is the radical left, lets show them how we do ... how we move in radical love.

By 3:15 p.m., the crowds had begun to thin, with many protesters filtering out of the common into the rest of downtown Boston. The main stage was empty, but a row of tables set up by various organizations was still packed.

Boston Police confirmed to MassLive there were no arrests at the protest.

2:51 p.m.  Moulton met with boos; slammed for comments about trans youth

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton  who is challenging incumbent Sen. Ed Markey in next years Democratic primary for one of Massachusetts two Senate seats  was met with boos.

Here in America, power belongs to the people, Mouton said. ... Just to remind the rest of the country, corrupt kings are cowards.

But some in the crowd did not forget about Moultons comments to The New York Times last year about transgender athletes.

Democrats spend way too much time trying not to offend anyone rather than being brutally honest about the challenges many Americans face, Moulton told the newspaper in November 2024. I have two little girls, I dont want them getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athlete, but as a Democrat Im supposed to be afraid to say that.

You sold out trans kids! [Expletive] you! Christina Knowles, a trans rights activist and lobbyist, yelled from the crowd Saturday. You dont belong here, Seth Moulton, you traitor! Trans kids matter.

2:48 p.m.  Pressley tired of people with heart full of hate

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley said, The only way to beat a dictator is with defiance.

Pressley said shes tired of people who carry a mouthful of scriptures but a heart full of hate.

Youre here because youre tired, but we draw strength from one another.

2:44 p.m.  Kings build ballrooms

U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark said Massachusetts has been fighting kings for more than 250 years.

Patiots support free and fair elections and when patriots elect a congresswoman from Arizona, we swear her in, Clark said, referring to Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva.

Patriots support communities, Clark said. Kings build ballrooms.

Clark was referring to Donald Trumps construction of a $200 million White House ballroom.

2:40 p.m.  ACLU of Mass.: Dissent is patriotic

Carol Rose, the executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts, said dissent is patriotic. She touted the many lawsuits the ACLU has filed, including one that helped free Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk from ICE custody.

Authoritarians attack cities and town because they make America great and Boston is the greatest city in the world.

2:35 p.m.  Labor union weighs in

Kevin Brousseau, secretary-treasurer of the Massachusetts American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, said the labor movement knows a little something about standing up to bullies.

A bully seeks to silence those who disagree, Brousseau said. Look around, sisters and brothers. Do we look scared?

The crowd screamed, No!

With attacks on federal employees, Donald Trump has engaged in the largest act of union busting in American history, Brousseau said.

We are on the right side of history, he said. Keep using our voices today and every day."

2:25 p.m.  What the heck is that lobster?

John Hoyer, 63, of Lynn, was one of several people who wore inflatable suits to the protest.

Hoyer opted for a lobster, but chickens, unicorns and frogs could be seen through the park. He said he picked the lobster because of its connection to the region.

He explained the costumes were an effort to counter the narrative that the protesters were violent. Using humor is a major way to fight an authoritarian regime, he said.

The huge crowd filling the common, Hoyer said, makes my heart soar.

Laura Simpson, 52, of Cambridge, left and Tommy Savage, 31, of Boston were some of the very few counter-protesters on Boston Common Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 during the "No Kings" protest. (Charlie McKenna/MassLive)

2:15 p.m.  They just dont like Trump - counter-protesters weigh in

Laura Simpson, 52, of Cambridge was one of a very few people at the rally who supports Trump.

Simpson, who wore a MAGA hat, walked around Boston Common with three other Trump supporters. The protesters, she said, were crying like little babies every day.

We love our president, she said. These people are cooked.

Simpson denounced both Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Mass. Gov. Maura Healey, calling Wu a communist, adding Healey was even worse.

This isnt grassroots, added Tommy Savage, 31, of Boston.

Shawn Nelson, 47, of Boston, who wore a vest with the American flag on it, urged the protesters to go home. They have no clue what theyre talking about, he said. They just dont like Trump.

2:15 p.m.  Ed Markey: Mass. does not believe in dictators

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., said It is important to be here together in this moment because it is a moment that demands truth, truth about hate, truth about greed.

Markey slammed the U.S. Supreme Courts handling of immigration enforcement, for giving a green light to racial profiling in our country.

Here in Massachusetts .. we do not believe in dictators, Markey said. ... we are the revolutionaries ... thats why Donald Trump has declared war on us, war on Massachusetts.

Donald Trump does not want to make America great again; he wants to make America hate again, Markey said.

Markey said Massachusetts people stand up for what is right.

We do not coronate  we liberate. We do not agonize  we organize," Markey said. " ... No kings. Not here. Not ever."

2:09 p.m.  Elizabeth Warren: Donald Trump is a bully

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts said Boston know there are no throne or kings in America, and have known it since 1776 when its people kicked King Georges army out of the city.

Donald Trump is not a king, Warren said. Donald Trump is a bully.

They claim a No Kings rally is anti-American, Warren said. They are wrong. ... It is deeply American. It is patriotism. Standing up to a wannabe dictator, that is patriotism.

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, tells the crowd at the "No Kings" protest on the Boston Common, "Donald Trump is not a king. Donald Trump is a bully" on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (John L. Micek/MassLive)

2 p.m.  The Rev. Mariama White-Hammond speaks

The Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, founder of the New Roots African Methodist Episcopal Church in Dorchester, told the crowd the people have pushed back for hundreds of years against the lie of leaders claiming to fix problems if we just trust them.

White-Hammond dismissed the idea that this was a Hate America rally.

We are standing in the tradition of the best this country has always been.

1:42 p.m.  Attorney General Andrea Campbell calls for action

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell takes the stage. In America, we dont have kings, we have the people.

Campbell, touting funding she has helped to save, said she has filed 40 lawsuits against the Trump administration and 40 times we looked them in the eyes and said, Not on our watch.

Campbell, met with cheering from a fired-up crowd, said, they will keep on coming and we will keep on fighting ... If they come for Massachusetts, I say, bring it on.

When we march, when we organize, when we vote, Campbell said, we win.

Campbell called for leadership and action, saying that in Massachusetts we dont back down  we are just getting started!

Jonah Philibert, 30, of Foxborough, walks around the No Kings protest on stilts in order to create a spectacle on the Boston Common on Saturday, Oct. 18 2025. Charlie McKenna/MassLive

1:40 p.m.  Stiltwalker calls attention to issues

Jonah Philibert said he wore stilts to create a spectacle and draw attention to the protest.

This is the sort of thing that needs as much attention as possible, he said. This isnt the first and it wont be the last.

Being out in the community is heartening, he said. It can feel very isolating watching the news at home, Philibert explained.

He joked he had a great view of the increasingly large crowds on the common.

1:15 p.m.  TPS immigrants have held this country together

Angela Palma, a daughter to immigrants and a member of the Massachusetts TPS [temporary protected status] Committee, called on Congress to protect thousands with temporary protected status.

These immigrants have held this country together during natural disasters, pandemics and labor shortages, Palma said.

They deserve permanent status, said said, having given the country the best years of their lives.

1 p.m.  Immigration, climate change policies motivate activism

Many organizations set up tables on the common to distribute flyers and spread their message. Among them was Massachusetts Peace Action, which advocates for peaceful U.S. foreign policy actions.

Joseph Hunt, 82, was walking around the park handing out fliers on behalf of the organization.

This is democracy in action, he said, recalling Bostons revolutionary history. This is what matters.

The common remained calm around 1 p.m.  chants rang out occasionally but mostly, protesters milled about carrying signs.

Several people ran into coworkers or friends, including Bob Keener, 69, of Needham. Keener said he ran into an old coworker he hadnt seen in 20 years on Saturday.

The 69-year-old carried an American flag on his shoulder. While Needham is hosting its own demonstration on Saturday, Keener opted for the larger crowd in Boston. It was important, he said, to show just how many people opposed what he called the Trump regime.

Keener pointed to two specific actions the administration was taking that made his blood boil: the ramped up immigration enforcement and the rolling back of climate change policies. He specifically cited the viciousness of unlawful deportations.

12:50 p.m.  Its OK to heckle

Rahsaan Hall, CEO of Urban League of Eastern Mass. and the events emcee, highlighted a moment during Boston Mayor Michelle Wus speech when she was heckled.

We have protests in the middle of a peaceful protest, Hall said. This is what democracy looks like. Its not nice. Its disruptive.

12:46 p.m.  Boston Mayor Michelle Wu takes the stage

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu tells the crowd in Boston, every day is no kings day and that Massachusetts has kicked out a king and wed do it again.

Wu  who has been in President Donald Trumps sights as what he describes as a radical left leader of a sanctuary state  said Trump mistakes cruelty for greatness ... these are the tools of a tyrant desperate for the respect he will never earn.

12:45 p.m.  This is not the America we envisioned

Virginia Pratt, 68, of Jamaica Plain, said she came out to protest due to the administrations widespread funding cuts on education and to denounce what she saw as growing authoritarianism.

This is not the America we envisioned, she said.

Pratt attended with Eileen Kurkoski, of Newton. Kurkoski said the message is strong.

I have hope, Kurkoski said.

12:15 p.m.  Donna Summer on the common in spirit

The Good Trouble, a brass band from Somerville, warmed up the crowd. One song included a reworked version of Boston legend Donna Summers song She Works Hard for the Money, which became We Work Hard for Our Neighbors.

Tiffany Glaiser, 49, of Westborough, far right, brought her two kids, Violet, far left, and Gunner, center, to Boston for the Saturday protest, Oct. 18. 2025. (Photo by Charlie McKenna/MassLive)

12:05 p.m.  Mom, teens say youth should pay attention

Tiffany Glaiser, 49, brought her two kids with her to the protest. A resident of Westborough, Glasier said she feared the country was heading to a dictatorship.

I cant believe this is whats going on, she said.

Glasier said her children, ages 16 and 14, wanted to attend, and said she believed it was more important for them to be out protesting than for her.

The protest was a way to make sure people who may not follow politics understood what was going on, she said.

Its scary, Glasier said.

Violet Shimer, 16, said she hoped people her age would pay attention to the protests. Still, she expected mostly older people to make up the crowd.

Gunner Shimer, 14, who is trans, said they feared losing their rights.

Just let people be, Shimer said.

12:03 p.m.  Thousands gather ahead of noon start

Even before the protests scheduled start time, several thousand had gathered on Boston Common on a sunny fall morning.

Protesters carried signs denouncing the Trump administration and fascism, with many opting for simple signs declaring resist and no kings.

It was a relatively festive and tranquil scene Saturday around noon, with music emanating from various places in the park. A speaker near The Embrace statue blared [expletive] Donald Trump.

Among those on the common Saturday was Laurie Langelo, who wore a Scooby Doo costume. The 62-year-old said the costume was an effort to keep things light.

I dont think I look like a terrorist, Langelo quipped, a reference to rhetoric from the Trump administration denouncing the protesters.

The administration is no longer following the rules, she said.

Its illegal thing after illegal thing, Langelo said.

Protesters gather on Boston Common at the "No Kings" protest on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by John L. Micek/MassLive)

What is No Kings?

The organizers behind No Kings have asked people to publicly stand together against the abuses of power, cruelty, and corruption, specifically targeting President Donald Trump.

Whether youre outraged by attacks on civil rights, skyrocketing costs, abductions and disappearances, the gutting of essential services, or the assault on free speech, this moment is for you. Whether youve been in the fight for years or youre just fed up and ready to take action, this moment is for you, the website states.

Earlier this year, protests were held across the country on June 14, coinciding with Trumps birthday and a military parade planned in the nations capital.

More than 100 rallies across Massachusetts included people carrying signs, wearing costumes and identifying themselves as members of everything from the Sisters of Saint Joseph to the American Legion, Mass Senior Action Council and the Young Feminist Party.

This is the end of the beginning, said Ron Bucchino, of Agawam, who attended Northamptons June event. We are going to be out here for a longtime. We are going to be out here for months. We are going to be out here for years.

Heres where to find an event near you.

Safety

The organization is stressing nonviolent action and no civil disobedience for Saturday.

It has asked people to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Plus, weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to the events.

Peacekeepers might be used to help direct crowds and de-escalate conflicts, which are trained volunteers.

MassLive editor Nicole Simmons contributed to this report.
SPRINGFIELD  Democrats are firm in their resolve to protect tax credits in the Affordable Care Act as the government shutdown heads toward its fourth week.

U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal said higher bills for health insurance  costs the tax credits are meant to counteract for working Americans making too much money for Medicaid that will end the impasse.

The premium notices are going out, Neal, D-Springfield, said in an interview Friday. Between now and November, those higher bills will go out.

U.S. Representative Richard E. Neal commemorates the 90th anniversary of Social Security at the Springfield Social Security Administration on Bond Street. According to Neal, over 1.3 million people in the Bay State receive social security. August 15, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

Neals office estimates that in the 1st District, cuts will mean higher premiums for 29,000 residents, with more than a 185% increase for a 60-year-old couple making $85,000 a year.

Neal said Democrats have no interest in a one-year fix, if one is offered by Republicans.

That gets them through the next election, he said.

Itll be President Donald Trump who will decide when Republican lawmakers are ready to make a deal and end the government shutdown now in its third week, he said.

Trump holds sway over the Republicans, Neal said. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., probably has more leeway than House Speaker Mike Johnson, Neal said.

Neal said Friday that he and his fellow Democrats have been in D.C. this week, ready to make a deal. A higher number of Republicans were not in town.

Johnson, of Louisiana, faces dissension in his own Republican caucus which can vote to remove him.

Thune yesterday said Trump is ready to weigh in and sit down with the Democrats or whomever, once the government opens up.

Thune said hed also be willing to talk, but only after the shutdown ends.

I am willing to sit down with Democrats, Thune posted on social media Friday.

Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that Democrats must first vote to reopen the government, then we can have serious conversations about health care.

The shutdown means 8,744 federal workers in the 1st District are either working without pay or are furloughed. And cuts to WIC and SNAP will mean 23,816 residents in the district will lose access to affordable food.

Federal agencies are also not responding to congressional offices of both parties, Neal said.

About half the IRS staff have been furloughed and it is no longer taking congressional inquiries

And at the Small Business Administration, about 30% of staff are furloughed and Neals office has received out-of- office emails to our inquiries.

Associated Press reports were included.
The historic turret clock on the Masonic Building at 113-115 State Street at the apex of State and Main Streets in Springfield was restored. A lighting ceremony was held on Friday evening, October 18, 2025. (Dave Roback photo) Dave Roback

SPRINGFIELD  The hour has come to celebrate the restoration the historic turret clock on the Masonic Building at 113-115 State St.

Springfield officials, developer McCaffery Interests, the Springfield Redevelopment Authority, Consigli Construction Co., Inc., and About Time Restorations LLC, teamed up to bring this historic and significant clock back to life and telling time. The city hosted a light-up ceremony Friday.

The historic turret clock on the Masonic Building at 113-115 State Street at the apex of State and Main Streets in Springfield was restored. A lighting ceremony was held on Friday evening, October 18, 2025. Ed Woodbury of McCaffery Interests, Inc. speaks at the event. McCaffery is slated to restore four historic buildings at the intersection of State and Main. (Dave Roback photo) Dave Roback

McCaffery Interests, a Chicago-based developer, is spearheading the $70-million Main Street Development stretching south from State Street across Main Street from MGM.

The clock has had a role in formulating the Citys cultural identity and its majestic return will serve a catalyst for public engagement around all the redevelopment activities that are advancing in the State & Main Historic District, Mayor Dominic J. Sarno said in a statement.

The historic turret clock on the Masonic Building at 113-115 State Street at the apex of State and Main Streets in Springfield was restored. A lighting ceremony was held on Friday evening, October 18, 2025. (Dave Roback photo) Dave Roback

Constructed in 1893 by F. R. Richmond as the Masonic Building in the Richardsonian Romanesque Style, the Clock Tower building is described as an icon of the Springfield skyline.
The crowd for Saturdays No Kings protest was still filtering onto the West Springfield Town Green as Frank Ferreira helped set up a large sign protesting the presidency of Donald Trump.

Weve got to stop him, Ferreira, of Chicopee, said. Were here to show that there is an opposition. Were here. Millions of people.

Organizer Ron Stillman passed out Know Your Rights cards and printed No Kings bandannas in the events signature yellow. Hed gotten about 377 online registrations by Saturday morning. But by the time the 11 a.m. rally and standout began, people lined all sides of the busy intersection where Elm and Union streets cross the parallel Park Street and Park Avenue.

Trump got 48% of the vote in West Springfield in 2024, nearly edging out the Democratic ticket led by Kamala Harris.

More than 2,600 No Kings Day rallies and events were planned across the county, including at the National Mall in Washington, the Boston Common, Westfield, West Springfield, Springfield, Ludlow, Amherst and Holyoke. In Ludlow, a crowd ringed Memorial Park for the event. In Northampton, crowds once again filled Pulaski Park as they for No Kings protests did in June.

In West Springfield, Paul Piotrowski recalled his days protesting the Vietnam War just outside the gates of whats now Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee.

Were seeing the same militarization now, he said.

Saturdays events came after months of stepped-up immigration enforcement, budget cuts targeted at Democratic states like in Massachusetts and most recently a government shutdown now entering its fourth week.

Tracy Stancill, of West Springfield, at the NO KINGS protest on West Springfield's Town Common on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Leon Nguyen Photo) Leon Nguyen

Norene Pease, of Easthampton, wore a Revolutionary-style three-corned hat to the No Kings event in Springfield at the corner of Boston Road and Parker Street.

Its time we stop the insanity, she said., I dont feel safe as a gay woman.

Nearby, protesters carried signs decrying aggressive tactics by immigration enforcement.

I dont want to be next. she said.

Lori Tisdell, a member of Rise Up Western Massachusetts Indivisible, estimated there were more than 1,000 people on Boston Road Saturday afternoon.

The Boston Road intersection is one of the busiest places in Western Massachusetts on Saturday afternoon with shoppers hurriedly out doing errands.

We thought it would be better to focus here than in super-liberal Northampton, she said. We want to reach more people.

Including Trump supporters?

Yes. Come talk to us, she said. Hear what we have to say about whats going on with our country.

It was mostly car-horn honks of appreciation or recognition at West Springfield or Springfield Saturday.

The Springfield crowd cheered the city police car as it cruised the intersection a few times flashing its lights and chirping its siren.

In West Springfield, one pickup driver shouted Vote Trump and a few passersby yelled about weirdos.

McKenna Kelly, clad in an inflatable chicken costume, danced a do-si-do at the West Springfield rally with a friend in an inflatable unicorn suit.

McKenna Kelly and her friend the unicorn at the NO KINGS protest on West Springfield's Town Common on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Leon Nguyen Photo) Leon Nguyen

Its to show that the protest is all done in good spirits, Kelly, of Indian Orchard, said. Not the hate you might have heard about.

And the inflatables are in solidarity with protesters in Portland, Oregon and elsewhere whove adopted them, said her rainbow-tailed unicorn friend.

Tracy Stancill of West Springfield bought his George Washington costume for the protest.

The original No Kings guy, he said.

Dave Beturnes hat identified him as a Marine veteran of Vietnam. He said he doesnt like what he sees in the country right now.

I was tired of sitting home and getting angry about it, the Hampden resident said. I wanted to come out and do something about it.
Lawyers for Civil Rights is calling for a state investigation to determine if local police unlawfully facilitated a federal immigration arrest after a 13-year-old boy was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Everett earlier this month.

Lawyers for Civil Rights announced the call for an investigation on Friday, arguing that the incident may constitute a violation of state laws, including the landmark 2017 Supreme Judicial Court decision, Lunn v. Commonwealth which limits local law enforcements authority to hold a person solely on the basis of a federal immigration detainer.

The organization sent a group letter to Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and Secretary for Public Safety and Security Terrence Reidy urging the Commonwealth to take steps in protecting youth in custody and restore public trust in law enforcement.

The investigation concerns the arrest of a 13-year-old Everett boy, who was transferred to a juvenile facility in Virginia after the Department of Homeland Security claimed he had a gun and knife when he was initially detained. The citys mayor, Carlo DeMaria, however, said at a press conference Oct. 14 that the boy did not have a gun.

DeMaria also told reporters the citys police department was not the one that notified immigration authorities, according to WCVB-5.

This chilling incident exposes what may be a dangerous breakdown in legal protections for immigrants in our state  and the fact that it involves a child makes it even more alarming, Jillian Lenson, a senior staff attorney at Lawyers for Civil Rights, said in a statement.

In addition to the investigation, the group outlined several broader demands for the state, including to:

Issue updated guidance and mandatory training for all state and local law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with Massachusetts law, strictly limiting entanglement with federal immigration enforcement

Establish an independent state-level oversight body or task force to monitor compliance with state law and constitutional protections

Actively refer law enforcement officers with repeated violations of state law to the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commissions Office of Police Accountability and Decertification

Provide adequate compensation and support to affected families whose rights have been violated.

Local and state officials have a responsibility to protect children, not funnel them into federal immigration detention, staff attorney at Lawyers for Civil Rights Brooke Simone said in a statement. This kind of conduct destroys public trust and strikes fear in entire communities. In Massachusetts, its not just wrong  its unlawful."

Neither the Department of Homeland Security nor the Everett Police Department immediately responded to MassLives request for comment Saturday.
A woman displays a "No Kings" sign as she participates in a pro-democracy, anti-Trump protest outside the US embassy at the Pariser Platz square in Berlin, Germany Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

By Lisa Mascaro, Safiyah Riddle and Kevin Freking

WASHINGTON  Protesting the direction of the country under President Donald Trump, people gathered Saturday in the nations capital and communities across the U.S. for No Kings  demonstrations  what the presidents Republican Party is calling Hate America rallies.

This is the third mass mobilization since Trumps return to the White House and comes against the backdrop of a government shutdown that not only has closed federal programs and services, but is testing the core balance of power as an aggressive executive confronts Congress and the courts in ways that organizers warn are a slide toward American authoritarianism.

Trump himself is away from Washington at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.

They say theyre referring to me as a king. Im not a king, Trump said in a Fox News interview airing early Friday, before he departed for a $1 million-per-plate MAGA Inc. super PAC fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago. Protests are expected nearby Saturday.

More than 2,600 rallies are planned Saturday in cities large and small, organized by hundreds of coalition partners. Bostons is slated to start at 12 p.m.

A growing opposition movement

While the earlier protests this year  against Elon Musks cuts in spring, then to counter Trumps military parade in June  drew crowds, organizers say this one is building a more unified opposition movement.

Top Democrats such as Senate Leader Chuck Schumer and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders are joining in what organizers view as an antidote to Trumps actions, from the administrations clampdown on free speech to its military-style immigration raids.

There is no greater threat to an authoritarian regime than patriotic people-power, said Ezra Levin, a co-founder of Indivisible, among the key organizers.

As Republicans and the White House dismiss the protests as a rally of radicals, Levin said their own sign-up numbers are growing. Organizers said rallies are being planned within a one-hour drive for most Americans.

Rallies were held in major European cities, where gatherings of a few hundred Americans chanted slogans and held signs and U.S. flags.

Crooks and conmen and fears of police response

Retired family doctor Terence McCormally was heading to Arlington National Cemetery to join up with others Saturday morning and walk across the Memorial Bridge that enters Washington directly in front of the Lincoln Memorial. He thought the protests would be peaceful but said the recent deployment of the National Guard makes him more leery about the police than he used to be.

I really dont like the crooks and conmen and religious zealots who are trying to use the country for personal gain, McCormally said, while they are killing and hurting millions of people with bombs.

Republicans denounce Hate America rallies

Republicans have sought to portray participants in Saturdays rallies as far outside the mainstream of American politics, and a main reason for the prolonged government shutdown, now in its 18th day.

From the White House to Capitol Hill, GOP leaders disparaged the rallygoers as communists and Marxists.

They say Democratic leaders, including Schumer, are beholden to the far-left flank and willing to keep the government shut down to appease those liberal forces.

I encourage you to watch  we call it the Hate America rally  that will happen Saturday, said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.

Lets see who shows up for that, Johnson said, listing groups including antifa types, people who hate capitalism and Marxists in full display.

In a Facebook post, former presidential contender Sanders said, Its a love America rally.

Its a rally of millions of people all over this country who believe in our Constitution, who believe in American freedom and, he said, pointing at the GOP leadership, are not going to let you and Donald Trump turn this country into an authoritarian society.

Democrats try to regain their footing

Democrats have refused to vote on legislation that would reopen the government as they demand funding for health care. Republicans say they are willing to discuss the issue later, only after the government reopens.

But for many Democrats, the government closure is also a way to stand up to Trump, and try to push the presidency back to its place in the U.S. system as a co-equal branch of government.

The situation is a potential turnaround from just six months ago, when Democrats and their allies were divided and despondent, unsure about how best to respond to Trumps return to the White House. Schumer in particular was berated by his party for allowing an earlier government funding bill to sail through the Senate without using it to challenge Trump.

In April, the national march against Trump and Elon Musk had 1,300 registered locations. In June, for the first No Kings day, there were 2,100 registered locations.

What we are seeing from the Democrats is some spine, Levin said. The worst thing the Democrats could do right now is surrender.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he wasnt sure if he would join the rallygoers Saturday, but he took issue with the Republicans characterization of the events.

Whats hateful is what happened on January 6th, he said, referring to the 2021 Capitol attack, as Trumps supporters stormed the building to protest Joe Bidens election victory. What youll see this weekend is what patriotism looks like.

Riddle reported from Montgomery, Alabama. Associated Press writer Chris Megerian contributed.
LONDON, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- During the fourth London International Screen Dance Festival held from Thursday to Friday at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, Chinese entries attracted great attention among professionals.

Festival Director and independent British choreographer Charles Linehan appreciated the works presented by Chinese dancers. Noting that submissions from China have become a regular part of the festival, he said, "The Chinese works have excellent rhythm, choreography, and design, with very high standards in animation and production."

"As artists, it's important to recognize and respect the creativity of others -- wherever it comes from. If a work is good, it deserves to be seen," Linehan said.

The London International Screen Dance Festival, launched in 2019, received 325 submissions from around the world for its fourth edition this year. Among 32 films selected for screening, five entries are from China.

"Huanma (Calling the Horse) Paper-Cutting" is one of them. Inspired by one of Sichuan Province's provincial-level intangible cultural heritage items, the "Huanma (Calling the Horse) Paper-Cutting" film was created by Yi Xiao, a student from Sichuan Normal University.

The film integrates folk paper-cutting, dance, and moving image, which also features elements of Chinese opera, including Peking Opera music. It applies contemporary visual language to retell the legend of Zhang Fei, a famed general from the Three Kingdoms period (220-280 A.D.) of China.

Grace, a Trinity Laban graduate, said she was impressed by the sophistication of Chinese dancers. "I was very surprised that it was a student piece," she said. "There are so many Chinese contemporary dancers in London, especially at Laban. They're really outstanding."

Grace added that Chinese works at international art festivals demonstrate not only cultural diversity but also the growing strength of Chinese contemporary dance on the global stage.

Minghao Li, assistant director of the festival, is a graduate of the Shenyang Conservatory of Music in Chinese classical dance. This is his first time joining the organizing team. "I find it very meaningful," he said.

He said the medium of film can bring China's intangible cultural heritage to London, showcasing audiences around the world the richness of traditional Chinese art. "Every year, many Chinese artists and students are selected. I hope my participation can help more Chinese people learn about and engage with such international events," he added. 
ABIDJAN, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The government of Cote d'Ivoire on Friday announced a two-month temporary ban on all public gatherings and demonstrations organized by political parties or groups across the country.

According to a decree issued on Friday by Minister of Interior and Security Vagondo Diomande and Minister of State and Minister of Defense Tene Birahima Ouattara, the measure, effective immediately, aims to maintain public order and safeguard national security during the electoral period.

The decree stipulates that only demonstrations directly related to the Oct. 25 presidential election process will be permitted, while all other public political gatherings remain strictly prohibited, warning that violators will face prosecution.

Implementation of the ban has been entrusted to senior officials within the territorial administration, the Gendarmerie and the National Police.

The official campaign period for the upcoming presidential election began on Oct. 10 and will end on Oct. 23.

Incumbent President Alassane Ouattara, 83, representing the Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace, is running against four challengers: former First Lady Simone Ehivet Gbagbo, 76, candidate of the Movement of Capable Generations; Jean-Louis Billon, 60, candidate of the Democratic Congress; Ahoua Don Mello, 67, an independent candidate; and Henriette Lagou Adjoua, 66, candidate for the Group of Political Partners for Peace. 
Efforts by some encouraging the U.S. Air Force Academy to posthumously honor former conservative commentator and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk were rejected on Friday, according to the nonprofit membership organization Academy's Association of Graduates (AOG).

Kirk was fatally shot in the neck September 10 while speaking to about 3,000 attendees at Utah Valley University during a Turning Point USA event. The assassination spawned both massive outpourings of support as well as dissention, based largely on political views.

"We are grateful to all who have taken the time to reach out by phone and email, and to those who attended todays meeting in person, to share their views," the AOG said Friday in a statement. "The AOG Board, serving as the governing body of the Association, took the thoughtful feedback received into account.

"The Honorary Member and honorary degree motions concerning Mr. Kirk were withdrawn."

The AOG said that several hundred Air Force Academy graduates, parents and family members had contacted the association since Wednesday to share perspectives on two motions included among others during the Oct. 17 Board of Directors meeting.

One of the motions recommended that the U.S. Air Force Academy seek the authority to posthumously award an honorary degree to Kirk, who was serving as a presidential appointee to the Academy Board of Visitors at the time of his death.

Another motion sought to recognize Mr. Kirk as an Honorary Member of the Association of Graduates.

Both motions were introduced by individual members of the board.

Another Vote

The motions were reportedly introduced by Lt. Gen. Rod Bishop, a retire Air Force veteran, according to another Air Force veteran, Marty France.

"[Kirk] has no long record of service to USAFA," France wrote on his Substack on Oct. 16. "What he does have is long record of racist and sexist statements, though. These are well-documented on thousands of sites and not worth rehashing. Probably the most galling to USAFA graduates, though, are his comments about seeing a black pilot in the cockpit of an airliner. 'If I see a Black pilot, Im gonna be like, Boy, I hope hes qualified.'

"Thats a funny statement coming from someone who had no qualifications to be a member of the USAFA Board of Visitorsoverseeing an institution that has probably produced more qualified pilots, of all races, than any other school in the nation. His comments about women, and other minorities, Muslims, and the LGBTQ+ communities are just as badand well-documented."

France told Military.com that bylaws stipulate that someone can only be nominated twice for votes.

"They may try again, but I'm confident they'll lose," he said.
Former National Security Advisor John Bolton turned himself into federal authorities to face charges alleging that he mishandled some of Americas most sensitive national security documents.



The 76-year-old former Trump adviser left his Maryland home early Friday morning and appeared later in the day in federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland, where he pleaded not guilty to all 18 counts outlined in a newly unsealed 26-page indictment. Both Trump and former President Joe Biden have faced similar criticisms for possessing such documents, with the former previously being charged and then having said charges expunged.



Prosecutors accuse Bolton of willfully retaining national defense information, including materials marked "TOP SECRET/Sensitive Compartmented Information," in violation of the Espionage Act. The indictment alleges that after leaving the White House in 2019, Bolton kept classified briefing papers and handwritten notes containing intelligence about U.S. military and diplomatic operations.



Investigators say the documents found at his Maryland residence contained details about U.S. contingency plans and intelligence assessments involving Iran, North Korea, and other sensitive matters.

Turning Himself In

Federal sources told Military.com that Boltons surrender was coordinated through his attorney, Abbe Lowell.

The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Maryland confirmed the indictment but declined further comment, citing the ongoing case.

Boltons appearance in court marks a dramatic moment for a veteran foreign policy figure who once pushed aggressive strategies against U.S. adversaries from inside the West Wing.

What The Indictment Alleges

The indictment states that Bolton kept at least four classified documents and failed to return them to government custody despite repeated requests.

Some of the information was allegedly found in drafts of his 2020 memoir, The Room Where It Happened, which was published after legal disputes with the White House.

If convicted, Bolton could face up to 10 years in prison and substantial fines under the Espionage Act.

A senior defense official told Military.com the case reinforces that classification laws apply to everyone, regardless of position or politics.

Inside Todays Court Appearance

Bolton entered his plea before a federal magistrate and was released on bond pending trial. Prosecutors did not request detention but are seeking standard conditions limiting travel and access to classified information while the case proceeds.

Court officials said security was tight and media access limited as Bolton made his first public appearance since the charges were announced.




President Trump says he wants to end the war in Ukraine  and hes turning up the diplomacy. At the White House, he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, pledging to push for peace but holding back on sending Tomahawk missiles.

We had a very good meeting, Trump said in the East Room. We talked about peace, about how to stop the killing, and about how we can get this thing done quickly.

Zelensky thanked Trump for what he called a chance to bring peace back to Ukraine, adding, With your help, we can stop this war. He said Ukraine remains in urgent need of air defense and energy support as winter approaches, but that he came to Washington to talk about peace, not just weapons.

Farkas: Every Day Putin Stalls, Ukrainians Die

Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director of the McCain Institute and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, Eurasia, and the Western Balkans, told Military.com she met with Zelensky shortly after his White House session and sees progress but also danger.

The relationship between the two presidents has clearly become warmer and productive, she said. But Im worried President Trump is giving President Putin way too much opportunity to drag out the calendar. Every day that he is not forced to face reality, Ukrainians are dying.

Zelensky, for his part, said Ukraine is ready to negotiate in any format, one on one or with mediators, as long as it brings peace. He emphasized that NATO membership remains a goal, but right now, we need strong security guarantees.

Tomahawks and the Debate Over Ending the War

Trump said he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for more than two hours the day before the meeting and believes both sides want to end the war. He said he plans to host Zelensky and Putin for follow-up talks in Hungary with Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

When asked whether he would send Tomahawk missiles, Trump said, We have incredible weapons. We have the best. But the best thing we can do is end this war. Thats what Im focused on.

Farkas cautioned that withholding weapons could prolong the conflict. The best way to end the war is to give those weapons, she said. Russian refineries and depots have already been struck and degraded substantially. Theres a breaking point coming.



She argued that sustained strikes on fuel and logistics networks are key to forcing Russia to negotiate seriously. If long-range attacks continue, not just Tomahawks but other systems as well, Putin will be forced to talk, she said. So far, what were seeing is fake diplomacy. Hes just stalling for time.

Zelensky backed that view, telling reporters that every missile that defends our cities shortens this war. Every delay costs us lives.

What Drives U.S. Decision-Making

Farkas, who served in the Pentagon during the Obama administration, said U.S. decisions on lethal aid often come down to politics, not stockpiles. We have plenty of Tomahawks, she said. Its a political decision.

Trump pushed back on suggestions that hes hesitant, saying, Im not afraid to make decisions. But I make smart ones. Were looking at every option.

Farkas said the U.S. has to balance escalation risks while trusting Ukraine to use advanced weapons responsibly. Ukraine has been fighting since 2014, she said. They know the rules of war. Thats why theyve shared target lists with the U.S., to show theyre focused on legitimate military objectives.

Inside Trumps Thinking

Asked to interpret Trumps hesitation, Farkas said his long-standing desire to maintain friendly relations with Russia likely plays a role.

Hes made it clear he wants to be on good terms with Putin, she said. Sometimes he talks about the war as an obstacle to his own objectives. He understands now that its more complicated, but Im not sure hes internalized whats really at stake.

Trump, however, insisted that diplomacy is his strongest weapon. Im the one who can bring these guys together, he said. Were talking peace, not war.

Why Ukraine Still Matters

Farkas warned that the stakes reach far beyond Ukraines borders. This is not a European war. This is a global war, she said. Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea are all in this together. If Putin prevails, China will take its chance, and Taiwan could be next.

Zelensky echoed that sentiment, saying, If Ukraine falls, the next war will not be in Europe alone.

Farkas added that Putins ambitions stretch beyond Ukraine itself. He wants to rewind the international order back to pre-World War Two, she said. He wants to restore spheres of influence and recreate the Russian Empire.

She warned that abandoning the post-war order would open the door to chaos. The world agreed you can keep your borders if you respect basic human rights, she said. Thats what kept us safe for decades. If we give that up, we risk losing far more than Ukraine.

Trump repeated his goal. We want it ended, he said. So many people have died in this war, and were going to get it ended.




BANGKOK, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Thailand Space Expo 2025 kicked off here on Thursday, bringing together space agencies, enterprises and experts from around the world to showcase the latest achievements in space and geoinformation technologies. One of the highlights of this year's event is the cooperation between China and Thailand in the space sector.

In his opening remarks, Pakorn Apaphant, executive director of Geo-informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), emphasized that the expo has become an important platform to promote international space cooperation, focusing on introducing advanced technologies and experiences from world-leading space nations, and promoting growth of the space industry in the aspects of economy, policy, and innovation.

A workshop on "Bridging Horizons of Satellite Remote Sensing Applications: China Southeast Asia Collaboration" was held at ICONSIAM in Bangkok on Friday. Li Deren, an academician of both the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) from Wuhan University, delivered a keynote speech on the topic of "Aero Spatio-temporal Intelligence for Sustainable Development Goals." He shared China's latest progress in communication satellites, optical and radar remote sensing satellites, and the application of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System.

In an interview with Xinhua, Li said China's fast-growing commercial space industry has made major contributions in urban management, land monitoring and disaster warning, helping Thailand and neighboring countries enhance disaster prevention and mitigation capacity.

Phee Choosri, deputy executive director of GISTDA, told Xinhua that China and Thailand have cooperated in the space field for many years and will further deepen collaboration in intelligent remote sensing, satellite engineering and talent cultivation to advance regional space development.

GalaxySpace, a Chinese commercial space firm, is a regular participant in the Thailand Space Expo. Huang Heping, general manager of international business development at the company, said that more Thai clients are seeking closer cooperation with Chinese space enterprises, especially in satellite communication services and satellite internet.

Earlier this year, GalaxySpace signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with True Corporation, a major Thai telecommunications operator, to advance satellite network projects. It tested a broadband communication network in Thailand based on a low-Earth-orbit satellite internet constellation named "Little Spider Web" in mid-2024.

Chang Zhengyong, CEO of JT Space, a Chinese commercial aerospace company that participated in the expo for the first time, said Thailand serves as a key starting point for the company's expansion into Southeast Asian. He hoped the expo would foster stronger regional partnerships and enable Chinese commercial satellites to better serve local development needs.

Organized by GISTDA, the three-day Thailand Space Expo is one of Southeast Asia's influential space technology events, featuring over 100 exhibitors from around the world. 
Phytophthora root rot is a destructive disease can infect any conifer species grown as Christmas trees, such as firs, spruces, and pines. However, noble fir, Fraser fir, and white fir are the most susceptible species among trees commonly grown in Michigan and surrounding states. Pratima Devkota

EAST LANSING, MI  Agricultural researchers want to determine where across Michigan two types of root rot are killing Christmas trees  a major crop commodity in the state.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently awarded a small specialty crop block grant to the Michigan Christmas Tree Association so that Michigan State University scientists can study both Armillaria and Phytophthora root rot. One is a type of fungus and the other a disease, respectively; both can infect and harm conifer tree plantations.

The $89,444 federal grant is expected to cover costs for scientists to develop a baseline understanding about where in Michigan those two types of root rot are harming Christmas trees. They will map and take samples of the known infestations.

Well know what species are prevalent in Michigan, said Pratima Devkota, plant, soil and microbial researcher at MSU.

Well have a collection of cultures. So, that will be our first step in doing more research.

Related: Possible EPA rule change could rekindle more prescribed fire in Michigan forestry

Phytophthora root rot is a soil-borne disease and often appears in patches across Christmas tree plantations. The disease spreads through saturated soils and often appears in low-lying, poorly drained, and compacted soils, Devkota said.

Trees affected by Armillaria root rot may die suddenly or more commonly, trees appear stressed for one to two years before slowly dying from the fungal attack, she said.

Trees that die from root rot resemble trees harmed during droughts.

Various Christmas trees showing decline and mortality due to Armillaria root rot. Mortality occurs in random patches across the plantation. Pratima Devkota

Amy Start, executive director of the Michigan Christmas Tree Association, said the group is grateful for the federal funding to study these root rot problems. She called it a matter of great importance to Christmas tree farms statewide.

Undergraduate students at MSU will help Devkota conduct a survey of Christmas tree plantations across Michigan, starting with those already known to have root rot problems.

Well try to understand the farm history, the species of Christmas tree they planted in those farms, the soil condition, soil pH, soil moisture, irrigation practices. And then well bring those samples back to lab, she said.

Future research that would be useful could involve screening all cultures against various Christmas tree species grown across Michigan, Devkota said.

Related: 68-foot spruce from U.P. town selected to be Michigans Christmas tree

There are about 10 species of Christmas trees that are primarily grown across Michigan. Those most susceptible to root rot are noble fir, white fir and Fraser fir, though any type of conifer plantation can become infected.

There are about 37,000 acres across Michigan in commercial Christmas tree production, according to the Michigan Ag Council.

Michigan ranks third in the nation in the number of Christmas trees harvested for the holiday season, annually supplying about 2 million fresh trees to the national market. Only Oregon and North Carolina cultivate more.

The Michigan Farm Bureau recently reported the agencys expectations for the 2025 holiday season include steady demand for and the consistent supply of Christmas trees from Michigan growers.
The award-winning documentary and a Q&A with the Muskegon chef is coming to The Frauenthal Center for Performing Arts for one night only.

10h ago
The body of a 36-year-old Florida man has recovered from Lake Huron this week after a small boat capsized somewhere along Iosco County. An investigation initially began six miles offshore near Alabaster Township on Wednesday, Oct. 15. (MLive file photo) MLive.com file photo

ALABASTER TOWNSHIP, MI  The body of a 36-year-old Florida man has been recovered from Lake Huron after a small boat capsized somewhere along Iosco County.

Initial calls reported a missing boater in neighboring Arenac County before 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, prompting multiple agencies to respond. According to a news release on Friday from the county sheriffs office, an investigation began six miles offshore near Alabaster Township.

At the time, the 36-year-old man had been observed in the water near the capsized boat, police said. Crews from Arenac County and the U.S. Coast Guard responded to the area along the county line to begin search and rescue operations.

Soon after, police said it was determined to have occurred in Iosco waters.

By around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Tawas City Dive Team, Oscoda Township Underwater Rescue and Recovery Team and other agencies responded to an area off Dyer Road.

Police said the Florida man may have been attempting to return from shore to a 40-foot cabin cruiser in a small aluminum boat when the occupant of the cruiser saw the smaller vessel overturn and partially sink. The cruiser witness quickly lost sight of him.

No life jackets or flotation devices were utilized or available to the 36-year-old, police said, and an on-water search operation was suspended Wednesday after five hours without success.

Michigan State Police Marine Services resumed the search on Thursday, Oct. 16.

The man was found by MSP using marine sonar at around 1:30 p.m. Thursday about a half mile from the initial call site, police said. His name was not being released until next of kin was located and notified.
Consumers Energy works to restore power on Thursday morning, Aug. 12, 2021 in Flushing after a wave of strong storms ravaged neighborhoods in parts of Genesee County. (Jake May | MLive.com) Jake May

JACKSON, MI  Consumers Energy is sending out 200 crews to help its thousands of utility customers brace for potential power outages amid expected storms this weekend.

A line of heavy rain and thunderstorms is expected to hit lower Michigan starting in the morning Sunday, Oct. 19, according to the National Weather Service, and will spur varying levels of precipitation across the state. MLive chief meteorologist Mark Torregrossa called it this seasons first significant fall rain system.

On Friday, Consumers announced itd stage line-worker crews in Grand Rapids, Jackson and Mount Pleasant to be close to the potentially harder-hit areas, according to a news release.

We want our friends and neighbors to know well be prepared in case this one-two punch of stormy weather causes damage or knocks out power in the next few days, Greg Salisbury, Consumers Energys president of electric distribution, said in a statement.

Were closely watching the weather forecast and are making sure our crews are in the best position to restore power to our customers who count on us.

Consumers line workers are expected to be prepared to work overnight to restore power if outages occur. According to the utility company, crews can work as long as 16 hours at a time.

Michigan residents are encouraged to prepare for the possible severe weather by:

Charging all electronic devices

Readying an emergency kit that includes flashlights and extra batteries, water, canned food and blankets

Unplugging sensitive electronics like televisions, computers and printers

Turning power strips off

For more information or track outages, visit ConsumersEnergy.com/OutageCenter.
YPSILANTI, MI  It started on the sidewalks, and then, they took to the streets.

There were close to 100 No Kings demonstrations on Saturday, Oct. 18, that erupted in chants, cheers and honking horns  at times, laden with expletives and ire  in communities across Michigan in a nationally coordinated day of protest against President Donald Trump. Another was held earlier this year.

In Ypsilanti, where hundreds of participants initially packed Riverside Park, long processions of marchers split in different directions through town, each circling part of Huron, Cross and River streets and Michigan Avenue.

But while one kept to the sidewalk  with a mix of families and adult marchers  another left the sidewalk that was as organized on message as it was at stopping oncoming traffic.

Whose streets? a few protestors called at the front in-street march. The procession replied, Our streets!

Ypsilanti protestors marched on a variety of issues.

There were signs to protect education and Social Security, support for a free Palestine and broad calls that criticized a perceived power-grab from Trump and his administration. Poking fun at recent claims from Trump and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., one protesters sign read, Tylenol is my super power.

Ann Arbor resident Sharon Quinn said it was great to see people from so many walks of life and of all ages.

They use their precious time to come out and speak for the freedoms that we all deserve that are currently in danger, she said. For me, the lack of due process in the Trump administration, (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) just pulling people off the streets and not giving any fair trials. ICE is really scary for that reason.

Quinn also pointed to the Trump administrations defiance of federal court orders, use of executive orders and rolling back of environment protections as other big concerns.

The revolutionary vibe and scrutiny of Trump were characteristics shared at other Michigan protests Saturday.

Thousands of protesters showed up for No Kings events in West Michigan communities like Grand Rapids. In Kalamazoo, one organizer said they clocked a headcount of 8,500 people.

Grand Rapids saw a mile-and-a-half long march that capped off two different rallies. Like in Ypsilanti, where pre-protest events were geared toward sign-making and kids, some Grand Rapids protesters also began at a community festival with face-painting, sign-making and live music. The events speakers talked for about an hour, primarily about immigration policy, and as marchers made their way through downtown, two dozen West Michigan clergy members at one point stopped traffic to pray.

59 1 / 59 Thousands march through Downtown Grand Rapids for No Kings protest

Ann Arbor protesters took turns holding up signs in coordinated strides across the street at traffic signals but never entirely took to the streets near Veterans Memorial Park.

However, their message was the same  preserve rights and save democracy.

Keshava Demerath-Shanti, a senior at the University of Michigan, walked behind a line of protesters in Ann Arbor Saturday morning. He said he was concerned about the erosion of the rule of law and what it meant for Americans at large, as well as political discourse.

Many of the protesters, he said, likely disagreed about Palestine and the recent Israeli-Hamas war. But most of them, he said, likely agreed unlawfulness of deporting immigrants, separating families and sending people to foreign prisons.

Right now, were at a moment where were losing the right to disagree in a democratic manner, and I think thats something that sort of goes above all other issues that could possibly be facing society, Demerath-Shanti said.

When you cant peacefully advocate for something, he said it creates an environment where theres just a higher likelihood of violence when we go down this authoritarian route.

Ann Arbor protesters Phyllis Herzig and Susan Fisher said they hadnt expected needing to protest at this stage in their lives.

Both the age of 84, they stood waving signs to passing cars and recalled periods of political turmoil around the world. The parallels were eerie, they said.

That awful feeling of not being able to protect the country for our grandchildren is Herzig said.

Fisher chimed in, Everything is so appalling.

They talked about healthcare access and the U.S. being a country built by immigrants. Fisher said it was scary to think the U.S. wasnt even a year into Trumps second term.

People walk across the intersection during a No Kings protest located at and around Veterans Memorial Park, 2150 Jackson Ave. on Saturday, October. 18, 2025. Abra Richardson | MLive.com

Everything that I believed in in this country, even with its faults, is just going away, she said. Because we have a three-legged stool to protect democracy, and two of them are not doing their jobs. One has been totally co-opted by politics and the other, people have just falling in on themselves or whatever fear of retaliation (they have) from the executive branch.

As she marched in Ypsilanti, Quinn was also critical of the lack of pushback from other U.S. lawmakers, particularly in the GOP, in Washington D.C. and said it feels like an over-reliance on keeping favor with the president.

It feels like so much of Congress is not willing to think for themselves because theyre afraid to disagree with Trump, she said. Its really terrifying that way that any Republican who wants a political career is like, We have to do whatever he says.

Ypsilantis No Kings protest was bigger in scale than Ann Arbors and may have drawn in more people who didnt live there.

Kris Phelps came from Novi to march, draped in a Mexican flag. He isnt Mexican himself, but he said hed plenty of friends who were.

He differed from a lot of his fellow marchers over where he falls on the scale of partisan politics, he said, but he doesnt think the people in power are working for us.

With the government shutdown for over two weeks  and for the second time under Trump  Phelps said its seemed like a lot of self-serving leaders in power.

Im a moderate, and I dont really have a home politically. (But) Im not OK with a whole bunch of different things, he said. What set me off early in the previous Trump administration was the disparaging comments toward immigrants, Hispanics.  And I support immigration and friends with a lot people from various cultures. Thats really why Im here.
Alison Davis Rabosky, Director of the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, poses in the museums Herpetology archives at the University of Michigans Research Museums Center, 3600 Varsity Drive in Ann Arbor on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com

ANN ARBOR, MI  University of Michigan Professor Alison Davis Rabosky is not afraid to touch dead caecilians with her bare hands.

At the UM Museum of Zoology, she pulled the snake-like amphibian, from a jar and explained endless rows of preserved animal specimens.

The collection is filled with rodent bones, hare carcasses, beetles on sticks, porcupine quills and penguin skeletons, among others, like a scene from a scientific-fiction dinosaur movie.

She is also now the director of the collection, containing about 15 million animal specimens.

Davis Rabosky, 45, received the news earlier this year that she would lead the museum, and she officially took on the role in July.

Its a huge service job, Davis Rabosky said. Its a big decision to step in and be a leader of that.

The UM Museum of Zoology is one of the largest university-affiliated collections in the world and includes several extinct creatures. As part of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UM and non-UM researchers can use the specimens in their studies.

She is the second female director since the unit joined the department in 2010. Priscilla Tucker, professor emerita and curator emerita at UM, was the director from 2014 to 2017 and served as the interim director in 2019.

This year marks the first time the museum of zoology and the herbarium, under the same department, have two concurrent female directors since the two units merged with the department in 2010.

Thais Vasconcelos, a department professor and naturalist, is the first female director of the UM Herbarium.

RELATED: Childhood walks inspired University of Michigan naturalist. Now she oversees 17M plant specimens

Nate Sanders, chair of the UM Department of Ecology and Environmental Biology, said it has been great working with Davis Rabosky and Vasconcelos because of their world-class status and visions in their respective units.

They both realize and really promote the idea that museums and herbaria are not just collections of dead materials, Sanders explained. They are tools for research both into the past and into the future.

He first met Davis Rabosky during his UM job application process in 2019.

Sanders said one of his proudest moments as department chair was when he delivered the news to Vasconcelos and Davis Rabosky about their new jobs.

These world-class collections are in incredible hands, Sanders said.

Davis Rabosky recognizes women are underrepresented in museum programs but said such institutions have become more welcoming and inclusive for people of all identities.

She models her leadership on Tucker and said she works a lot with Vasconcelos.

Their current projects include a biodiversity exploration initiative to run new collection expeditions and the launch of a biodiversity scholars program to provide more research opportunities to undergraduates.

Davis Rabosky grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, and was a dinosaur nut as a child, but she did not always know she wanted to enter academia.

The only scientists I knew were medical professionals, I had no idea that museums like this existed, Davis Rabosky said. I thought if you loved science, you should be a medical doctor, so I went to undergrad pre-med.

She changed course in college when she learned she could pursue a career in biodiversity science.

Davis Rabosky went to her first museum in 2007, and her life changed. I was like, this is the greatest place in the world, and I want to work in museums for the rest of my life.

She obtained her bachelors degree in biology in 2002 from Pomona College in Claremont, California, and her doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2009.

Davis Rabosky first joined the UM faculty in 2012, and worked as a professor in the department of ecology and evolutionary biology and as a museum curator for amphibians and reptiles.

People embraced me from the beginning, so the environment here was great, Davis Rabosky said. Michigan did a really great job of giving me just enough support to explore it on my own.

Her research focuses on the evolution of coloration in reptiles.

She knew if an opportunity to lead a museum came to her, she would accept it.

Maybe that offer will only come once in a career and so I had decided maybe five years ago that if anybody ever asked, I was going to say yes, she said.

Its something that had been a dream for a while that this was the one thing I could do in my work to make the world a better place.

She called the UM collection the greatest scientific instrument that money could never buy because you cant go back in time and recollect specimens from 200 years ago.

Her new job is really scary because she is responsible for the science and new collections underway today but also centuries of work and history, she said.

41 1 / 41 University of Michigans Zoology Museum and Herbarium at Research Museums Center

Davis Rabosky said her job requires her to have a clear museum vision, organize staff members, structure educational opportunities for students and promote the collection.

She described her leadership style as one where she enjoys being present and engaged and visible for everybody who works on the team.

Building personal relationships is a really important part of operating something thats on this scale, Davis Rabosky said. Being a good manager means you help everybody bring their best to work every day and to support that vision.

Davis Rabosky explained a university museum is different from an independent museum because university curators have to select and organize collections while instructing students. UM is special because the institution has a mission to serve Michigan residents.

In addition to her academic and director duties, Davis Rabosky is a mother of two children. She maintains her routine by balancing her energy, not her time, and filling her toolbox with all her skills when she enters difficult situations.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page.
Thais Vasconcelos, Director of the University of Michigan Herbarium, poses at the University of Michigans Research Museums Center, 3600 Varsity Drive in Ann Arbor on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com

ANN ARBOR, MI  Thais Vasconcelos early interest in plants stems from her childhood in Brazil.

I used to love to go out and about and walk in the middle of nature since I was a little kid, and when it was time to decide on a career, I knew that I wanted to be a naturalist, she said.

Vasconcelos, 36, is now in charge of a collection of over 1.7 million plant specimens as the director of the University of Michigan Herbarium.

I was happy that the department recognized my passion for seeing our collections grow and be used and be studied by a broader audience, the professor of ecology and evolutionary biology from Brasilia, Brazil, said.

Having officially started her role in July, Vasconcelos is the first female director of the herbarium. She said its about time a woman led the unit.

Since we are half of the population, I hope that eventually we become half of the leadership positions as well, Vasconcelos said.

The UM Herbarium, one of the largest university herbaria in the country, is a collection of dried plant and fungi specimens from around the world. It is part of the UM Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and UM and non-UM researchers to use its specimens for new studies.

This year marks the first time the herbarium and museum of zoology, also under the department of ecology and evolutionary biology, have two concurrent female directors since the two units merged with the department in 2010.

Alison Davis Rabosky, also a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, is the new director of the UM Museum of Zoology.

RELATED: A University of Michigan dinosaur nut is now in charge of 15M animal specimens

Nate Sanders, chair of the department, said Vasconcelos and Davis Rabosky have grand visions for their respective units.

Both are not only world-class scientists but have exceptional experience and ideas about how museums and herbaria can function and benefit society, Sanders said.

Sanders, who met Vasconcelos during her hiring process in 2021, said both Vasconcelos and Davis Rabosky are incredibly energetic and knowledgeable.

It was obvious that these two humans would be the best two to serve as directors of the museum of zoology and the herbarium and I hope these appointments help propel their careers just like they will propel the future of these collections, Sanders said.

Vasconcelos said being a woman in a leadership role has challenges and its also rewarding. She recognizes the obstacles that women in academia face but believes she is in a very supportive environment at UM.

Her childhood adventures fuel her passion for plant research today.

I fell in love with seeing all the different shapes of plants and all the different possibilities of research that you have in the herbarium, Vasconcelos said.

She obtained her bachelors and masters degrees from Universidade de Brasilia in 2011 and 2013, respectively, and her doctorate degree in systematics and evolutionary biology from University College London in 2017.

Vasconcelos joined the UM faculty in 2022, and her current research looks into how and why plants adapt to different environments. She said she extracts DNA from the herbarium specimens to understand relationships between plant species.

Its a very intellectually stimulating environment, Vasconcelos said. All of my colleagues are great and Im so happy with the herbarium because the herbarium is really state of the art.

She described it as her baby and is proud to call herself its director at academic conferences.

Now that she leads the collection, Vasconcelos wants researchers to reimagine the way that they use herbarium specimens in their research and students to celebrate it.

We want to show that to the students and help them to understand how the herbarium can be connected to their career goals and to their education, Vasconcelos said.

41 1 / 41 University of Michigans Zoology Museum and Herbarium at Research Museums Center

During a visit to the herbarium, Vasconcelos shared several specimens from the collection, including a cordyceps, alliums and valerian roots.

Cabinets are filled with stacks of dried leaves. Some have interesting smells, like gym socks or onions.

Upon closer inspection of a fruit from the Brazil nut family, an image of the the iconic face-in-the-door scene from the 1980 film The Shining sat at the bottom.

The herbarium is now digitizing its collections so all the information is online and freely available to everyone. she said.

There is a lot more to do, however. A little more than half the collections are digitized, Vasconcelos said.

She views her eight-person team as a big family and wants to see how we can leverage everyones strengths to achieve our goals as a director.

Vasconcelos also wishes to spread excitement about the herbarium to more UM students, as well as herbarium teams around the world.

The UM herbarium is free and open to all residents but a visit appointment must be scheduled in advance.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page.
Pictured is 83-year-old Denise Mullen. An endangered missing advisory has been issued by the Michigan State Police. (Photo/MSP) Michigan State Police

GROSSE POINTE PARK, MI -Michigan State Police are searching for Denise Mullen, an 83-year-old woman with dementia.

She was last seen around 3:20 p.m. on Oct. 18 in the 700 Block of Gran Marais, Grosse Pointe Park, police said.

Mullen told her caregiver she wanted to go to her other family home in Erie, PA.

She then left in a blue 2021 Acura with Pennsylvania registration FN004. Her cellphone is off, she has not driven in a year, and the family has not been in contact with her, according to police.

The 83-year-old was last seen wearing a light teal blue jacket and black pants. She has blonde hair and blue eyes, weighs about 145 pounds and is 58.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to call 911 or the Grosse Pointe Park Department of Public Safety at (313) 822-7400.
MOSCOW, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Three Russians were killed Saturday in separate Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia's Belgorod region and Kherson region, said local authorities.

Russia's Belgorod region was attacked by 149 Ukrainian drones, leaving one person dead and nine others injured over the past 24 hours, said Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.

On the same day, in the Kherson region, a couple was killed in an overnight Ukrainian drone attack, according to local authorities. 
LENAWEE COUNTY, MI - Law enforcement successfully confiscated multiple varieties of narcotics from the 100 block of South Main Street in Adrian earlier this week on Oct. 15.

One suspect was arrested on multiple outstanding misdemeanor and felony warrants, including absconding from probation, according to police.

A second suspect, who is currently on parole, sustained significant injuries after jumping from a rooftop in an attempt to evade capture. He was transported to Toledo Hospital to seek medical treatment for his injuries, police said.

The Region of Irish Hills Narcotics Office (RHINO) detectives will work closely with the Lenawee County Prosecutors Office to pursue felony charges against two suspects for possession with intent to deliver narcotics, delivery of narcotics and maintaining a drug house.

The investigation remains ongoing, and RHINO encourages the community to contribute any information regarding narcotics activity in the area.

RHINO expresses its gratitude to the community and its law enforcement colleagues for their support.

The Lenawee County Sheriffs Office, Adrian Police Department and Adrian Fire Department played key roles in the operation, according to the news release.

Together, we can continue to make our neighborhoods safer, said MSP Detective Lieutenant Sean Street.

Those with information can contact the RHINO office at (517) 265-5787 or MSP-RHINO@michigan.gov. There is an option to remain anonymous.
ANN ARBOR, MI  If you asked participants in Saturdays No Kings protests what brought them out, many found it difficult to name a single issue thats irked them since President Donald Trump returned to office.

Thats because there were many  concerns often ranging from immigration arrests and the potential loss of healthcare subsidies to what they saw as the erosion of due process and rise of authoritarianism.

But almost as varied as their motivation was how they expressed it.

Thousands of anti-Trump demonstrators filled sidewalks and took to the streets in No Kings protests across Michigan Saturday, Oct. 18, to rally and stump on the issues.

They carried American flags and giant protest signs, wore vibrant hats and inflated animal costumes, and kept rhythm for chants to the drumming beat on overturned buckets  all of it ubiquitous in aim and scored by the honking horns of passing cars.

Mark Padilla and Quinn D. pose in their inflatable costumes during a No Kings protest located at and around Veterans Memorial Park, 2150 Jackson Ave. on Saturday, October. 18, 2025. Abra Richardson | MLive.com

The connotation was serious, while the medium was often camaraderie and fun. Chelsea resident Angie Venegas and two friends dressed as chickens  she in an inflated getup, and they in more comfy onesie alternatives.

If Im honest, I wanted to do a frog, but they didnt have any luck. And then, I thought, Well, were supposed to do yellow for a color of unity, and I saw this one, Venegas said, referring to the now-viral imagery of inflatable frogs dancing in protest close to federal officials in Portland, Oregon.

She and friends Nicki Pyne and Kristin Schutter, a Milford resident, were taking a break from the crowded demonstration near Jackson Avenue and North Maple Road, where hundreds had gathered around Ann Arbors Veterans Memorial Park.

The thing is I saw this when I was scrolling through (online), and Im like, Oh my God, thats ridiculous, Venegas added. Which Im like, Yeah, this whole thing is f---ing ridiculous. The whole administration is ridiculous.

Im like, Thats what Im going to do. They want to call us terrorists. They want to say that were horrible people  violent, whatever.

Pyne, of Ann Arbor, chimed in with a pun, Were angry chicks, but were not violent.

Thousands of No Kings protests were being held around the country, including several dozen in Michigan as part of a day of action from the national organization Indivisible.

Saturdays events followed the first No Kings protests last June.

In Ann Arbor, other protesters armored themselves in different ways for Saturdays event  in some cases literally.

Jeff Skevington, who drove up from Milan, said he must have been stopped for photos 100 different times halfway through the local protest because of he was dressed as a knight with the full regalia.

The ensemble included chainmail, gloves and a metal helmet he had to de-glove to unhitch and expose his face.

Well, I have the knights outfit. The No Kings (title) inspire some people to think about monarchy and the Middle Ages, and I thought, Why not? Skevington said. I belong to a medieval re-enactment group. We have pretend kings already, and theyre already a problem. So, the No Kings was a great idea for a series of protests.

It encompasses a lot of the problems of monarchy and dictatorship.
Luke Martin, 10, has non-verbal autism and received a heart transplant last year. His mother, Laura Martin, has created an inclusive Halloween event in Flint so those with special needs can celebrate. (Photo provided by Laura Martin) (Photo provided by Laura Martin)

FLINT, MI - This Halloween, 10-year-old Luke Martin will dress up as Bluey, his favorite cartoon character  a show he watched endlessly from his hospital bed last fall as he waited for a new heart.

Luke, who was born with a congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome, was rushed to the emergency room on Oct. 1 of last year after his face swelled and his eyes shut. Doctors told his mother, Laura Martin, he was in heart failure.

Just days before the annual Inclusive Halloween party she organizes at the University of Michigan-Flint, Luke was placed on the heart transplant list. On Nov. 8, he received a lifesaving transplant.

Now Luke, who has nonverbal autism, is thriving in fifth grade at Elmer A. Knopf Learning Center  and hes ready to celebrate Halloween again.

I think about Lukes donor all the time and I am so thankful that he has a chance to experience Halloween this year, Laura Martin said. I think its one of the best and biggest gifts you can give to someone. I was always an organ donor, but it never affected me personally. Now that it has, I want everyone to know that life is a precious gift.

Laura Martin, who works at UM-Flint, started the Inclusive Halloween event in 2019 after an experience that left her son feeling excluded.

He had a difficult time because he wasnt able to say trick- or-treat, she said of a 2018 Halloween event. The volunteers at the event werent accommodating to him.

Determined to create a more welcoming experience, she asked her supervisor if she could start a Halloween event where children and adults with disabilities could feel included.

The first year drew about 400 attendees and 200 volunteers. After a pandemic pause, the event returned in 2022, and last year it welcomed more than 1,200 community members.

Its the biggest community event we hold at U of M-Flint right now, Laura Martin said.

This years Inclusive Halloween will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Riverfront Conference Center, 1 Riverfront Plaza.

The event will include two indoor trick-or-treat rooms  one designed as a cheerful, non-scary space  along with Michigan therapy dogs, live music, free food, arts and crafts, a costume closet, and a calm room where kids can take a break.

No one will be judged, Laura Martin said. Theres a lot of people in the Flint community that struggle with disabilities, and they should be included too.

To register for the event, click here.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Thousands of Grand Rapids protestors who marched through downtown streets on Saturday were led by a coalition of two dozen West Michigan clergy members, who held hands up to stop oncoming traffic and at one point knelt in the street to pray.

The mile-and-a-half march capped off two different Grand Rapids rallies, part of a third round of No Kings demonstrations held Saturday, Oct. 18 against Trump and his administrations policies.

They were part of a day of nationwide protests, with around 100 locations in Michigan and over a dozen held in West Michigan.

Prior to taking her position at the front of the march, Rev. Greta Jo Seidohl, a Unitarian Universalist with the All Souls Community Church of West Michigan, spoke with MLive about organizing clergy members under the name West Michigan Clergy Action.

We cant let those who would tell us that we are not beloved, steal our religious language, she said. I believe in a God that loves me and loves my neighbor and loves my trans neighbor and my Black neighbor and my immigrant neighbor.

Rev. Greta Jo Seidohl prays with the two dozen clergy members she helped organize for the No Kings protest on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at Rosa Parks Circle in Downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. Chloe Trofatter | MLive.com

That is important for us to declare loudly and proudly, and not let them steal our God, not let them steal our faith, not let them steal our language and not let them steal our country, Seidohl said.

She said the several dozen West Michigan clergy members wanted to lead the rally to use our positions and our voices and our bodies to stand in solidarity with our neighbors, and to do for the least of these what we would do for our own beloved.

Seidohl was joined during the march by a wide variety of attendees. Some protestors held American flags and signs that read power back to the people and No ICE - just like my whiskey. Others wore inflatable animal suits and colonial three-cornered hats. Retired teachers and college students were joined by young families with children in tow.

Attendees who spoke with MLive said it was also a range of issues that brought them together, from immigration arrests and federal funding cuts to what they felt were examples of rights at risk.

Many who arrived downtown first attended a community festival in Northeast Grand Rapids Riverside Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

After 1, they flooded into downtowns Rosa Parks Circle, packing onto sidewalks to listen to several speakers and lining Monroe Avenue.

Thor DePew, a 54-year-old from Wyoming who wore bald eagle onesie pajamas and held up an American flag along Monroe Avenue, said he showed up to remind Michiganders that youre not alone.

Were standing for those who are too afraid to be here, he said, adding that thinking about his kids and their future was also a motivator.

Ahead of the nationwide No Kings protest, some Republicans affiliated with Trump, like Speaker Mike Johnson, slammed the scheduled protests. Johnson nicknamed the event scheduled in D.C. as the hate America rally.

There did not appear to be counter protestors in downtown Grand Rapids, though at least one group organized a counter protest and voter registration event held in Bay City, WNEM TV5 reported.

Other No Kings events held on Saturday included in Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Bay City, Lansing and Detroit.

Tabby Dawson, an organizer with the Progressive Student Union at Grand Valley State University (GVSU), spoke before hundreds in Rosa Parks Circle about the importance of protesting.

We protest to show the few that we are the many, Dawson said. We protest to build community.

Dawson, along with members of several Grand Rapids immigration advocacy groups, spoke for about an hour - mainly about Trump administration immigration policies. Dawson said some students are advocating for sanctuary campus status for GVSU.

The rally wrapped up around 2 p.m., and protestors flooded onto Monroe Avenue NW, marching north towards Michigan Street and circling back on Ottawa Avenue NW. They wound through the city, stopping traffic along West Fulton Street before returning to Rosa Parks Circle.

Early in the march, photos captured and shared with MLive/The Grand Rapids Press showed several protestors struck by a vehicle attempting to enter a parking garage near Calder Plaza.

Several protesters are struck by a vehicle near Calder Plaza during a "No Kings" march in Grand Rapids on October 18th, 2025. Benjamin Christenson

Later in the march, while on Ottawa Avenue, Pastor Ricardo Angarita knelt among clergy members in the middle of the road to pray.

Pastor Ricardo Angarita prays with the two dozen clergy members organized for the No Kings march through Downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Danielle James | MLive.com

In addition to attendees with speakers and bull-horn chants - this is what democracy looks like - the hour-long march was punctuated with near constant car horns.

The same could be said about the community festival held earlier in the day at Riverside Park, where several hundred attendees held signs along Monroe Avenue, listened to live music and made signs at several booths.

Patty Neva and her daughter Rachel Neva attended the event put on by Indivisible GR.

Patty, 81, a retired teacher, said shed been protesting since the Democratic Convention in Chicago on Aug. 28, 1968, when police clashed with anti-war protestors marching along the citys own Michigan Avenue.

I was living in Marquette at that time, she said, and drove all the way down to Chicago just to protest the presence of police there at a Democratic event happening. Then the police came in and it was not good.

She and other protestors slept on the floor of a nearby church, returning the next day to protest again.

Its just a shame that we still have to be here after all those years, she said.

Patty and her daughter Rachel, 51, a communications professional and writer, both said seeing their community members in northeast Grand Rapids show up brings hope.

Democracy is a participatory process, Rachel said. Its not set in stone. And if we dont keep showing up to things like this and being in touch with our legislators, that can disappear. Weve already seen some things erode, freedoms erode that we thought were set in stone. So it is important to show up and be here and let everybody know its not set in stone.

Christina Scholten, 21, a GVSU social work major, said she attended the festival because shes sick of feeling like I dont have any power.

She pointed to immigration enforcement activity in Chicago, along with federal funding cuts, as among the issues that called her to protest.

As she knelt in the grass to color in signs with two others, she said the Grand Rapids event marks her first protest.

I love seeing all the different ages, Scholten said. I didnt really know what to expect, but Im happy to see kids, and Im happy to see people from the elderly population. Its very heartwarming.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A dedication ceremony was held Friday at the Grand Rapids Public Museum to showcase its riverfront improvements and a new outdoor classroom, as part of the celebrations commemorating the citys 175-year anniversary.

A little girl, wavy hair tied back in a pink scrunchie, climbed on the steps of the museums new classroom with her dad as city and county officials mingled around her.

Betty, this classrooms for you, Linsey Gleason, board chair of the museum, said.

The multi-level space lining the edge of the Grand River is estimated to be complete in early 2026.

With enough room to seat over 50 students and soon-to-be surrounded by exhibits detailing the areas natural history, the space creates an immersive educational experience that the museum specializes in, GRPM President and CEO Dale Robertson said.

This is more than just a construction project, said Ben Green, the chair of the Kent County Board of Directors. Its an investment in how we as a community tell our story.

Various parts of the museum have been under construction since 2024 as part of a $50 million renovation project aimed at increasing accessibility and learning opportunities along the river and within the Van Andel Museum Center and Community Archives and Research Center.

In additional to seeing the educational space, those in attendance Friday, Oct. 17 saw a plaque unveiling honoring the citys175-year anniversary that is being celebrated throughout 2025.

The museum is located at 272 Pearl St. See the full gallery above or click here.
The Michigan Association of County Clerks has voted unanimously to oppose a potential ballot measure that would change how voters in the state pick their candidates. (MLive file photo) Jake May | MLive.com

The Michigan Association of County Clerks has voted unanimously to oppose a potential ballot measure that would change how voters in the state pick their candidates.

The association in a resolution approved Oct. 13 warned against the potential 2026 ballot measure aimed at implementing ranked choice voting in the state, arguing the voting method would reduce ballot clarity and voter understanding, increase election costs, delay reporting of results and lower election integrity.

Michigan voters are used to knowing who won an election in a timely manner, so its incredibly important that were able to report accurate, unofficial results on election night, Kent County Clerk Lisa Posthumus Lyons said.

Determining a winner will take drastically longer under ranked-choice voting. Delayed results erode the publics trust by fueling uncertainty and misinformation.

Ranked choice voting allows voters to rank candidate choices on ballots in order of preference. The lowest vote-getters are eliminated and those votes are then transferred to voters next choice. That process continues until theres a winner with at least 50% of the votes.

Proponents, like ballot committee Rank MI Vote, say its a more democratic way of voting. Rather than splitting votes among like-minded candidates, election outcomes better reflect the values of a majority of voters.

Rank MI Vote is in the process of collecting 446,198 valid signatures to get the ranked choice voting constitutional amendment on the November 2026 ballot.

If passed, Michigan voters would be able to rank candidates for most federal and statewide elections, according to Rank MI Vote. That would include presidential elections and the race for governor, secretary of state and attorney general, among others.

The Michigan Association of County Clerks (MACC) resolution notes it is rare for the organization to take formal positions on statewide ballot initiatives, acknowledging that voters are the final authority.

However, the resolution states that the ranked choice voting proposal directly and substantially alters the administration of elections by placing new and complex responsibilities on clerks and their teams. The resolution claims research and real-world experience of ranked choice voting shows the system results in voter confusion and ballot-marking errors.

Ballot exhaustion  when a voters choice no longer counts because all of their ranked candidates have been eliminated  occurs at significant rates, leaving some voters without representation in the final results, the resolution states.

But Rank MI Vote says the current system provides poor representation, incentivizes divisive tactics and pushes voters to vote for the candidate they feel is most viable, not the candidate they want. The group also pushed back on claims that results are delayed by ranked choice voting.

Ranked Choice Voting is the change we need to give more choice and more voice to Michiganders, and lower the temperature in our politics to promote greater civility, collaboration and consensus, said Rank MI Vote Executive Director Pat Zabawa. Ranked Choice Voting is tested, proven and used for 14 million U.S. voters in 23 states, including for some or all voters in federal and state elections in eight states. Thousands of clerks across the U.S. have flawlessly implemented this voting method, some for well over a decade, with the vast majority reporting that it was simple and straightforward for officials and voters.

Rank MI Vote officials say while the current system favors special interests, Super Political Action Committees and partisan elites, ranked choice voting would improve representation and make politics more civil.

Five Michigan cities have already passed ranked choice voting reforms: Ann Arbor, Royal Oak, East Lansing, Kalamazoo and Ferndale.

The city of Ferndale was the first to vote to adopt ranked choice voting in 2004, but is still waiting for the opportunity to implement it, MLive previously reported. Current Michigan election laws dont allow local municipalities to use the ranked choice system. The constitutional amendment would change that.
Priya Sachdev commends meal drive feeding 2 Lakh children on Sunjay Kapurs birth anniversary, says 'For his soul's peace...'

Priya Kapur posts as 2 Lakh children get feeded on her birth anniversary

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Saif Ali Khan's sister Saba Pataudi slams online troll for commenting on her relationship with Kareena Kapoor: "Doosro ko khush karna mujhe..."

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The two survivors from the latest U.S. boat strike in the Caribbean are being held on a U.S. Navy ship, multiple U.S. media outlets reported Friday, citing officials.

The U.S. military hit a suspected drug boat, in its sixth known attack of the kind, in the southern Caribbean on Thursday, killing one and leaving two others alive, said the reports.

It is unclear what the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is going to do with the survivors being detained, said the reports.

The Trump administration has not confirmed the attack.

Since September, Washington has announced five strikes that sank vessels identified by the United States as drug-trafficking boats in international waters near Venezuela, killing a total of 27 people on board. Thursday's strike was the first with survivors, according to the reports.

On Oct. 2, the White House informed the U.S. Congress that the United States is engaged in a "non-international armed conflict" with drug cartels designated as terrorist groups, without naming them.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has repeatedly condemned Washington's actions as attempts to overthrow his government and expand the U.S. military influence in Latin America. 
Salman Khan lauds Shah Rukh Khans success story; SRK says, 'I am also from a film family Salman and Aamir's is my family'

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The organs were retrieved at the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital in Gyeonggi Provincethe same hospital where she was born.

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Who is Mohit Yadav? The new shark on Shark Tank India Season 5

Who is the new judge in Shark Tank season 5

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The company has pivoted to the north and west for capacity expansionq

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Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years.

Meghna Mittal Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. 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

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Credit card in your first job: Smart move or risky choice?

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Silver falls more than 6% as precious metals retreat after rally

Silver set fresh all-time highs this week, approaching $54.50 an ounce on Friday before tumbling in a rally that looks to have gone too fast too soon.

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Around 300 employees impacted at Zepto amid cost efficiency drive at the quick commerce company

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Assembly bypoll: NC offers to back Cong in Nagrota, name candidate for Budgam in 2 days

Assembly bypoll: NC offers to back Cong in Nagrota, name candidate for Budgam in 2 days

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Key Points

Energy Transfer expects to increase its payout by 3% to 5% per year.

Healthpeak Properties offers a high-yielding monthly dividend.

Verizon recently extended its dividend growth streak to 19 years in a row.

10 stocks we like better than Energy Transfer 

The S&P 500 currently has a paltry dividend yield of 1.2%. That's near its record low. As a result, it's getting harder to find stocks offering attractive yields.

However, higher dividend yields are still available. Energy Transfer (NYSE: ET), Healthpeak Properties (NYSE: DOC), and Verizon (NYSE: VZ) each offer yields between 6.8% and 8%, with the trio's average yield at 7.2%. Here's why these three stand out as top choices for income-seeking investors in October.

Image source: Getty Images.

Energy Transfer

Energy Transfer has the highest yield of this trio at 8%. The master limited partnership (MLP) backs that big-time payout with very stable cash flows. About 90% of the energy midstream company's earnings come from fee-based sources, such as government-regulated rate structures and long-term, fixed-rate contracts. The company produced nearly $4.3 billion of distributable cash flow during the first half of this year, easily covering the roughly $2.3 billion it distributed to investors. That allowed the MLP to retain $2 billion to reinvest in expansion projects.

The MLP expects to fund $5 billion of growth capital projects this year. It can easily bridge the gap between its surplus cash and capital needs with its strong investment-grade balance sheet. Energy Transfer ended the second quarter with its leverage ratio in the lower half of its 4.0-4.5 times target, putting it in its best financial shape in history.

The company's growth capital projects will add to its cash flows over the next few years. Energy Transfer also has the financial flexibility to make acquisitions as opportunities arise. Growth investments support the company's plan to increase its high-yielding payout by 3% to 5% each year.

Healthpeak Properties

Next is Healthpeak Properties, which currently boasts a 6.8% yield. This real estate investment trust (REIT) pays its dividend monthly, making it ideal for those seeking a recurring passive income stream.

The REIT owns a diversified portfolio of healthcare properties, including medical office buildings, lab space, and senior housing communities. It leases these properties to high-quality healthcare companies under long-term contracts, most of which feature annual rental escalation clauses. These leases provide the REIT with a stable and steadily rising income stream.
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Rajnath Singh warns Pakistan as first batch of Lucknow-built BrahMos missiles flagged off: Every inch of its territory now within reach

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I like a good masala dosa, South is my favourite part of India: Salesforce's Marc Benioff to Google's Sundar Pichai

I like a good masala dosa, South is my favourite part of India: Salesforce's Marc Benioff to Google's Sundar Pichai

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Paid holiday in Bihar on voting days; employers contravening provision can be fined: EC

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Prashant Kishor draws praise from Rajya Sabha deputy chairman ahead of Bihar polls: He may get some seats

Polling for Bihar Assembly elections will take place on November 6 and 11. The results will be announced on November 14

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According to the government, the legislation aimed to 'modernise Greek labour laws' and reflect current employment conditions.

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Indonesian man hands over cheating wife to lover, accepts cow, cash and copper vessel as settlement

Following the ritual, village chief Safrudin confirmed that the marriage between SRH and NS had been formally dissolved.

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Dhanteras 2025: JioMart, Tanishq, Blinkit and 8 other platforms to buy authentic gold or silver online

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Afghanistan-Pakistan News Live: Afghanistan reserves right to respond, says Taliban ahead of Peace talks

Meanwhile, ahead of peace talks in Doha between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Taliban government has warned that it reserves the right to respond to cross-border attacks, even as its forces have been instructed to avoid new military operations to protect the credibility of its negotiating team.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid reiterated Afghanistans commitment to a peaceful settlement but accused Islamabad of provoking recent hostilities.

In a series of posts on X, he said a high-level delegation, led by Defense Minister Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, had departed for Doha to hold discussions with Pakistani officials.

Mujahid condemned recent Pakistani airstrikes on civilian areas in Paktika province, calling them a violation of Afghanistans sovereignty.

Last night, Pakistani forces conducted airstrikes on residential areas in Paktika, resulting in civilian casualties. These repeated acts are provocative and appear aimed at prolonging the conflict, he said.
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.

Tamal Nandi

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Can Putin travel to Hungary for Trump summit despite ICC arrest warrant?

Can the Russian leader travel to Hungary despite an ICC warrant?

Pragya Trivedi

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Earlier, Trump had claimed that PM Modi told him that India will stop purchasing oil from Russia.

Rewati Karan

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Gaza's Rafah border crossing to reopen on Monday, Palestinian embassy in Egypt says

Pragya Trivedi

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'Go by battle line': Trump asks Ukraine-Russia to end war following Zelenskiy meet | What we know so far

Trump said he was hesitant to tap into the US supply, a turnabout after days of suggesting he was seriously weighing sending the missiles to help Ukraine beat back Russia's invasion. (Image: Reuters)

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'Maduro doesn't want to f*** around with US': Trump on Venezuelan President 'offering everything' to secure deal

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World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit set for November

Xinhua) 15:25, October 18, 2025

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit will take place in East China's Zhejiang Province from Nov. 6 to 9, with a focus on building a community with a shared future in cyberspace, according to its organizers.

To mark the 10th anniversary of the concept of this community, the event will include a symposium on the topic. Additionally, leaders of cutting-edge technology enterprises will hold dialogues centered on frontier AI development and key technological innovation highlights.

The summit will also feature 24 parallel forums, covering topics such as the Global Development Initiative, the digital economy and data governance.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Kou Jie)
SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Asian financial stocks dropped on Friday, with the worst declines in Japan, following a rout in U.S. regional banking shares on worries about mounting risks and credit quality.

The banking sector's exposure in two recent U.S. auto bankruptcies rekindled concerns about lending standards more than two years after Silicon Valley Bank's failure, when high rates drove paper losses on its bonds.

Shares of Japanese banks and insurers sank on Friday, with Tokio Marine, Mizuho and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group all down nearly 3%.

That came after the U.S. regional banking index slumped 6% on Thursday as two small banks disclosed separate issues.

Zions Bancorporation said it would take a $50 million loss on two commercial and industrial loans from its California unit, while Western Alliance disclosed it had initiated a lawsuit alleging fraud by Cantor Group V, LLC.

Analysts said while the issues were unlikely to pose systemic risks, they would weigh on near-term sentiment.

"While meaty, the size of the bad loans in and of itself is unlikely to pose risks to the overall system," said Kyle Rodda, senior financial analyst at Capital.com.

Rodda said the underlying cause of both the issues was lax lending standards and fraud, which has spurred fears that such behaviour is endemic and could lead to further defaults.

Other financial stocks in Asia were also under pressure, with Singapore's DBS Bank down nearly 1%, while Australian insurer QBE fell 9%.

The recent bankruptcies of U.S. auto parts supplier First Brands and car dealership Tricolor have put a spotlight on the risk controls of banks and the opaque credit market, where complex loans have made it harder to gauge participants' exposure.

The twin collapses last month have forced some debt investors to cut exposure to certain sectors over concerns about weakness in consumer and auto lending.

(Reporting by Ankur Banerjee in Singapore, additional reporting by Kevin Buckland in Tokyo and Stella Qiu in Sydney; Editing by Sonali Paul)
Pragya Trivedi

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'No Kings' anti-Trump protests, millions to rally across US: Key points and participants

Pragya Trivedi

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Portugal bans Burqas and Niqabs in public: Fines up to 4,000 for offenders

Pragya Trivedi

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Russia hands over secret JFK assassination to US with map for 'Trump-Putin tunnel'

Rewati Karan

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Ship catches fire after projectile strike off Yemen coast in Gulf of Aden, says British military

Ship on fire after being struck off the coast of Yemen in Gulf of Aden, British military says

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'They have tremendous bad blood but we'll get it done': Trump on ending Russia-Ukraine war

Speaking during a bilateral lunch with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, Trump said he believed progress toward ending the war was still possible.

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Three Indians dead, five missing after boat capsizes off Mozambiques Beira port

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TrumpKim Jong Un meeting on cards during US President's Asia tour next month: report

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Trump says 'Maduro doesnt want to f*** around' with US amid rising tensions with Venezuela

Trump says Maduro doesnt want to mess around with US

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The market feels a little unhinged at this point.

AI fever continues to draw in first-time investors by the millions, with bubble chatter everywhere, as some stocks rally one week and plummet the next. In many ways, volatility has become the backdrop.

In moments like this, its perhaps ideal for investors to look for an anchor, and maybe no one fits that description better than the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett.

Warren Buffett, through his investing behemoth in Berkshire Hathaway, has spent decades turning panic into patience, which ultimately culminated in performance.

Over his long tenure, hes effectively compounded shareholder wealth at roughly 20% a year, a pace that leaves the S&P 500 in the rearview.

Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful, Buffett likes to say. That may seem simple until you test it out in a market that continues to swing hard.

Thats why a telling shift out of Bank of America is getting attention.

The bank isnt waving a flag or naming names this time, but its tone has changed, and the subtext will probably sound a lot familiar to Buffetts fans.

Bank of America says value stocks may be poised for a rebound amid Fed rate cuts, following a Warren Buffet-style approach.NICHOLAS ROBERTS/Getty Images

Bank of America steers investors back to value stocks, in true Buffet fashion

In a market thats run red hot on AI and momentum trades, Bank of America urges investors to cool it, effectively taking a page from Warren Buffetts playbook.

In its latest Small/Mid Cap Factors report, the nations second-largest lender advised investors to focus on value stocks, as the market is showing signs of froth.

More Warren Buffett:

The bank said small-cap value strategies lagged in Q3 but are likely to rebound on the back of multiple signals that the backdrop is moving in the right direction.

The U.S. Regime Indicator recently moved to Recovery, the phase during which Value was the most consistent leader within small caps, analysts wrote. They added: Value has recently begun to outperform in mid caps, even as growth stocks continue pushing higher.

Related: Jamie Dimon drops surprising take on AI stocks

According to BofA, small-cap gains havent really come from the typical high-quality growth names, which lagged in September and in Q3. This is why the bank feels the rally in weaker stocks is likely running out of steam.

Thats classic Buffett territory, where the focus is on durable businesses that come with a sensible price tag, when everyone else is chasing heat.
Zelensky came to Washington after weeks of calls for Tomahawks, hoping to capitalize on Trump's growing frustration with Putin after a summit in Alaska failed to produce a breakthrough.

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Who is Prince Andrew? Once Queen Elizabeth's 'favourite son', brought down by Epstein allegations

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The trend erupted after videos surfaced online showing Taliban fighters parading captured Pakistani tanks and waving trousers allegedly left behind by fleeing Pakistani soldiers.

Deblina Halder

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Pakistans most recent military embarrassment comes even as its top commander warns India of devastating retaliation.

Deblina Halder

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Bank of America just threw cold water on Intel's (INTC) recent rally, downgrading the stock to Underperform with a $34 price target. That implies roughly 8% downside from current levels after INTC stock surged nearly 85% in 2025.

The analysts believe Intel has climbed too far, too fast. While the company's balance sheet has improved and its foundry business shows external partnership potential, BofA thinks the recent $80 billion jump in market cap more than reflects these positives.

More News from Barchart

www.barchart.com

Intel lacks a discernible AI portfolio or strategy at a time when AI is driving the semiconductor industry. Its server CPU business is uncompetitive against rivals like AMD (AMD). Additionally, Intel now has less flexibility to divest its loss-making manufacturing operations than it did before recent government involvement.

INTC stock got a boost after the Trump administration took a stake in August and Intel announced a manufacturing partnership with Nvidia (NVDA) last month. Speculation about potential deals with Apple (AAPL) and AMD fueled further gains. But BofA argues these expectations have become detached from reality.

Intel dropped over 4% on Tuesday following the downgrade, making it one of the S&P 500's ($SPX) biggest decliners. Most analysts remain neutral on the tech stock, waiting for concrete evidence that Intel's foundry business can attract sustained customer commitments.

The average analyst price target sits near BofA's $34 forecast, suggesting limited upside ahead.

Is Intel Stock a Good Buy Right Now?

Intel closed one of the most dramatic quarters in its history from a capital perspective. It secured $5.7 billion from the U.S. government in exchange for a 10% equity stake, raised $2 billion from SoftBank (SFTBY), sold nearly $1 billion of Mobileye (MBLY) shares, and expects another $3.5 billion from closing the Altera sale.

Intel also announced a historic partnership with Nvidia to jointly develop x86 CPUs. The Nvidia collaboration addresses two major market gaps for Intel. First, it brings x86 into Nvidia's NVLink ecosystem for AI supercomputers, creating rack-scale systems previously only available with Nvidia's ARM-based Grace chips. Second, it fuses Intel x86 CPUs with Nvidia GPU chiplets for consumer PCs, targeting 150 million laptops sold annually, where Intel currently has limited presence.
By Alun John and Ankur Banerjee

SINGAPORE/LONDON (Reuters) -Shares in global financial stocks dropped on Friday following a rout in U.S. regional banking shares on worries about mounting risks and credit quality.

The banking sector's exposure in two recent U.S. auto bankruptcies rekindled concerns about lending standards more than two years after Silicon Valley Bank's failure, when high rates drove paper losses on its bonds.

A selloff that started on Wall Street gathered pace in Asia and Europe on Friday, casting a spotlight on a surge in stock markets in what some analysts say may have created a bubble.

European banks fell 2.5% in early trade, with Deutsche Bank (DB) falling 4% and Barclays (BCS) down over 2%, while Societe Generale (GLE.PA) slid 4.6%.

Citigroup (C,TRVC) shares fell 1% and 3% in Frankfurt, albeit in thin trading, JPMorgan shares tumbled 3%.

The SPDR S&P regional banking ETF dropped 2.4% in premarket trading, a day after its steepest one-day selloff in six months. Zions Bancorp shares slid 1.7%.

Japanese banks and insurers also sunk, with Tokio Marine, Mizuho and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group all down nearly 3%, and Australian insurer QBE off 9%.

SOURCE OF WORRY

The U.S. regional banking index slumped 6% on Thursday as two small banks disclosed separate issues.

Zions Bancorporation said it would take a $50 million loss on two commercial and industrial loans from its California unit, while Western Alliance disclosed it had initiated a lawsuit alleging fraud by Cantor Group V, LLC.

"What we see in the banks selling off overnight in the U.S. is that Asia wakes up to it, Europe wakes up to it and so it spreads," James Rossiter, head of global macro strategy at TD Securities.

Wall Street analysts drew parallels from Zions' disclosure with the recent collapse of auto parts maker First Brands, which exposed gaps in lenders' oversight and raised questions about credit market transparency.

They also pointed to JPMorgan Chase (JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon's comments this week about anxiety in the credit market following the bankruptcies of First Brands and subprime lender Tricolor.

The collapse of those lenders has focused attention on risks in private credit, a booming but less regulated market where companies have borrowed heavily in recent years.

"When you see one cockroach, there are probably more, and so everyone should be forewarned," Dimon said.

Investors are also trying to assess whether we are seeing the early stages of a 2023-style event, when Silicon Valley bank's woes sparked a global banking stocks rout.
Durov: France at the forefront of eliminating PRIVACY in messaging apps

France is leading a push for legislation that would require the scanning of all encrypted communications, including private, end-to-end encrypted messages, under the pretense of fighting crimes like child sexual abuse material.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov is a vocal critic, labeling the EU's "Chat Control" law as authoritarian and a "Trojan horse" that uses the fight against crime as a pretext to dismantle digital privacy and monitor citizens.

Durov is personally facing legal pressure in France, where he was arrested and charged with complicity in various offenses, which he describes as a "Kafkaesque" and politically-driven effort to force his compliance with censorship demands.

The proposed law would effectively end private messaging by forcing tech companies to install backdoors in encryption, enabling unchecked government surveillance and stripping citizens of fundamental rights.

Durov warns that this sets a dangerous global precedent for censorship, which could lead to platforms like Telegram being banned in other countries, eliminating a key tool for independent news and activism.

France is at the forefront of eliminating privacy in messaging apps  with officials in the country supporting a new proposal to scan all encrypted communications, Telegram founder Pavel Durov has revealed.

The Russian-born tech billionaire took to X to share this revelation, accusing French authorities of using legal intimidation to force compliance with mass censorship demands. Durov, known for his staunch defense of free speech and encryption, also warned that the European Union's proposed Chat Control law is a Trojan horse for authoritarianism under the guise of fighting crime.

The controversy centers on Paris' aggressive push for legislation that would require messaging platforms to scan all encrypted communications  including end-to-end encrypted messages  ostensibly to detect child sexual abuse material. But Durov and privacy advocates argue the law would effectively dismantle digital privacy, enabling governments to monitor citizens private conversations while exempting officials and law enforcement from scrutiny.

"France led the push for this authoritarian law," Telegram told its French users in a blunt message, which Durov reposted on X. "Such measures are supposed to 'fight crime,' but their real target is regular people." The Telegram founder named French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez and his predecessor Bruno Retailleau as key supporters.

Durov's legal troubles in France began last year when he was arrested and charged with complicity in illegal transactions, facilitating pornographic content distribution and narcotics-related offenses  accusations he dismisses as absurd and politically driven. During an appearance on "The Lex Fridman Podcast" early this month, Durov described the investigation as "Kafkaesque." He also alleged that French intelligence pressured him to suppress conservative voices during elections in Moldova and Romania.

Why the Chat Control law spells the end of free speech

The timing of France's support for the Chat Control law coincides with broader EU efforts to enforce digital control under laws like the Digital Services Act and AI Act, which Durov warns are paving the way for centralized information dominance. Despite Germany's last-minute opposition delaying the Chat Control vote, the threat remains.

If passed, the Chat Control law would force tech companies to install backdoors in encryption, rendering private messaging obsolete. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine warns that the Chat Control law and similar proposals would "enable unchecked government surveillance, eroding constitutional rights to privacy and due process while fostering a climate of fear and control. They also empower corporations and agencies to exploit personal data without warrants, stripping citizens of fundamental freedoms under the guise of security."

"Every dictator in the world justifies taking away your rights with very reasonable-sounding justifications," Durov told Fridman. "People lose their right to such a fundamental thing as privacy."

The Telegram founder likewise criticized the use of investigative judges  figures who act as both prosecutors and adjudicators  creating a rigged process where appeals are delayed indefinitely. "The investigation itself should have never been started," he said, accusing French authorities of manipulating the judiciary to silence dissent.

Beyond Europe, Durov warned that Western censorship sets a dangerous global precedent. Russia, for instance, is reportedly preparing to ban Telegram in favor of the MAX state-controlled app  which would eliminate one of the last independent news sources for Russians. "It would be a huge mistake to ban a tool like Telegram in any country," Durov commented, noting its role in business, media and activism.

Despite mounting pressure, Telegram remains financially independent through premium subscriptions. This, Durov argues, proves that tech platforms can thrive without harvesting user data. The company's embrace of blockchain further safeguards digital identities, making it impossible for governments to seize usernames.

As Europe teeters between democracy and digital authoritarianism, Durov's warning is clear. Once freedoms are surrendered, they rarely return.

Watch Telegram founder Pavel Durov disclosing to Lex Fridman how French intelligence agents pressured him to censor the opposition in Moldova in this clip.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

X.com

ReclaimTheNet.org

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Former National Security Advisor John Bolton INDICTED over mishandling of classified documents

John Bolton, President Trump's former national security advisor, was indicted on 18 counts related to mishandling classified documents  including transmitting Top Secret intelligence via personal email and storing sensitive materials at his Maryland home.

Prosecutors claim Bolton shared classified details (foreign operations, informant networks) with family members, joking in messages, while Iranian-linked hackers potentially accessed his unsecured emails.

Bolton's legal team argues the charges are politically motivated retaliation by Trump allies, citing prior FBI clearance of the documents as "personal diaries." FBI Director Kash Patel and AG Pam Bondi emphasized "no one is above the law."

Critics highlight disparities in DOJ enforcement, comparing Bolton's prosecution to Hillary Clinton's 2015 email scandal and Biden's classified document retention  neither of which resulted in indictments.

The case fuels debates over institutional bias, digital-era espionage risks and partisan tensions, with Trump allies framing Bolton's indictment as karma for his anti-Trump memoir and impeachment testimony.

John Bolton, who served as national security advisor during President Donald Trump's first term, has been indicted on charges of mishandling classified documents.

A federal grand jury in Maryland returned the indictment on Thursday, Oct. 16. The 76-year-old Bolton was charged with eight counts of transmitting and ten counts of unlawfully retaining national defense information (NDI), some classified as Top Secret.

The case prosecuted by career national security attorneys alleges Bolton  a longtime Republican foreign policy hawk turned vocal Trump critic  shared sensitive intelligence via personal email and messaging apps while storing documents at his Bethesda, Maryland home. These include details on foreign adversaries, covert operations, and informant networks.

The indictment paints a damning picture: Bolton allegedly sent diary-like notes containing classified material to family members, even joking in one exchange, "None of which we talk about." Prosecutors claim Iranian-linked hackers accessed his emails, potentially compromising U.S. secrets.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel declared Boltons actions a breach of federal law, emphasizing that "anyone who threatens our national security will be held accountable." Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed Patel's remarks, reiterating that "no one is above the law."

Yet Bolton's legal team led by attorney Abbe Lowell dismissed the charges as politically motivated. The former official's lawyers argued that the documents were unclassified personal diaries shared only with immediate family and reviewed by the FBI as early as 2021. Bolton himself framed the charges as retribution, noting that his indictment forms part of Trump's "intensive effort [to] intimidate his opponents."

Classified docs drama: Globalist hawk Bolton under fire

The case arrives amid heightened scrutiny of the Department of Justice's (DOJ) handling of classified materials, particularly involving high-profile political figures. Critics note the stark contrast between Bolton's prosecution and the lack of indictments against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for her private email server or former President Joe Biden for retaining classified documents from his vice presidency.

Historical context underscores the tension. Bolton, a Reagan-era DOJ official and United Nations ambassador during the second Bush administration, was a polarizing figure long before his turbulent tenure as Trump's national security adviser.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, "Trump criticized John Bolton for being a warmonger who loved unnecessary conflict, mocking his extreme hawkishness before firing him within months. He saw Bolton as an embodiment of the globalist interventionism he opposed, despite initially hiring him."

His 2020 memoir "The Room Where It Happened" infuriated Trump by detailing alleged quid-pro-quo pressure on Ukraine  a narrative Democrats later weaponized in impeachment proceedings. The White House initially sought to block the book's publication, citing classified leaks, foreshadowing the current legal battle.

Legal experts debate whether Bolton's actions  sharing sensitive details with family  constitute criminality or mere carelessness common among officials accustomed to handling secrets. But the indictment's reliance on diary entries raises questions: If Bolton's musings were truly classified, why weren't they flagged during pre-publication reviews? Conversely, if they contained operational intelligence, why weren't safeguards enforced earlier?

The case also highlights evolving threats in the digital age: Bolton's alleged use of personal accounts mirrors past scandals but gains urgency amid rising cyber-espionage. Prosecutors suggest Iranian hackers exploited his lax security, a scenario echoing 2015's breach of Clinton's emails by Russian operatives. Yet no charges followed that incident, fueling perceptions of a two-tiered justice system.

As Bolton prepares for trial, the proceedings may test public faith in institutions already strained by partisan divisions. Meanwhile, Trump's allies frame Bolton's downfall as karma for his betrayal.

Watch Clayton and Natali Morris of "Redacted News" discussing the Democrats coming to the aid of and defending John Bolton.

This video is from the Son of the Republic channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

Justice.gov

APNews.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Bob Lebow exposes Americas broken system in Health Care Meltdown

Despite spending $4.3 trillion annually (17 percent of GDP), the U.S. lags behind other developed nations in life expectancy, infant mortality and accessibility, while medical debt remains a leading cause of bankruptcy.

The "cherry-picking" business model prioritizes profits over care, avoiding high-risk patients and leaving millions underinsured  forcing reliance on costly emergency services.

Lebow refutes false narratives, including: America provides the "best healthcare." Specialized care excels but preventive and basic care fail. He also disproves that "universal care is unaffordable" because countries like Canada and Germany cover everyone at half the U.S. cost. Lastly, he denies "reform means socialism" as hybrid models (e.g., Medicare) already exist and outperform corporate-driven systems.

Lebow proposes the following reforms  single-payer alternatives (Medicare-for-All) to cut $265 billion in administrative waste, price transparency to prevent price gouging and preventive care that focuses on reducing chronic disease costs.

The book urges grassroots activism, warning that without systemic change, the U.S. system will collapse under inefficiency and greed.

In a nation that spends more on healthcare per capita than any other developed country, millions of Americans still face financial ruin, delayed treatments and outright denial of care. Why does the U.S. lag in life expectancy and infant mortality while drowning in medical debt? Who benefits from a system that prioritizes profits over patients?

These are the urgent questions physician and healthcare advocate Dr. Bob Lebow confronts in his groundbreaking book, "Health Care Meltdown: Confronting the Myths and Fixing Our Failing System." Published amid rising public frustration, Lebow's work dismantles the myths perpetuated by insurers, lobbyists and politicians while offering a roadmap toward equitable reform.

The U.S. healthcare system is a paradox: It excels in advanced medical technology yet fails to deliver basic care to vast segments of its population. Despite spending nearly $4.3 trillion annually  roughly 17 percent of GDP  Americans experience worse health outcomes than peers in nations with universal systems. Lebow highlights startling statistics:

Infant mortality rates in the U.S. exceed those of Canada, the U.K. and Japan.

Medical debt is the second-leading cause of personal bankruptcy.

Forty-five percent of insured adults avoid care due to costs, risking preventable complications.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the U.S. has a rate of 6.9 deaths per 1,000 births, compared to Canada's 5.3, the U.K.'s 4.2 and Japan's 2.1. This disparity is significant and highlights the need for a critical examination of the factors contributing to this trend, particularly in light of the financial incentives that drive medical practices in the United States.

At the heart of Lebow's critique is the insurance industry's "cherry-picking" business model, which maximizes profits by enrolling healthy patients while avoiding the sick. "Insurers aren't in the business of healthcarethey're in the business of risk management," he argues. This practice leaves millions underinsured or priced out entirely, forcing them into emergency rooms for primary care  a costly last resort that strains public resources.

One harrowing case study involves "Gwen" (a pseudonym), a middle-class mother who postponed a clinic visit due to cost. By the time she sought help for worsening symptoms, her condition required emergency surgery.

"Delayed care isn't just tragic it's economically irrational," Lebow notes. "A $6 copay today can become a $60,000 hospital bill tomorrow."

Lebow dismantles pervasive falsehoods, including:

"America has the best healthcare" : While the U.S. leads in specialized treatments, its preventive care and accessibility rank among the worst in wealthy nations.

: While the U.S. leads in specialized treatments, its preventive care and accessibility rank among the worst in wealthy nations. "Universal care is unaffordable" : Countries like Canada and Germany cover all citizens at half the per-capita cost of the U.S. system.

: Countries like Canada and Germany cover all citizens at half the per-capita cost of the U.S. system. "Reform means socialism": Lebow counters that public-private hybrid models already exist (e.g., Medicare) and are more efficient than for-profit insurance.

Lebow's solutions emphasize cooperation over competition:

Single-payer alternatives : A Medicare-for-All framework could reduce administrative waste (estimated at $265 billion annually).

: A Medicare-for-All framework could reduce administrative waste (estimated at $265 billion annually). Price transparency : Mandating real-cost disclosures would empower patients and curb price gouging.

: Mandating real-cost disclosures would empower patients and curb price gouging. Preventive focus: Shifting resources toward early intervention could save billions in chronic disease management.

"Health Care Meltdown" is more than an indictment  it's a manifesto for change. Lebow urges readers to reject apathy and lobby for policies that prioritize human need over corporate greed.

"The status quo is unsustainable," he warns. "Either we fix this system or it will collapse under its own weight."

Learn more about "Health Care Meltdown" by watching the video below.

This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Los Angeles declares emergency over ICE raids as tensions escalate

Los Angeles County declares emergency (4 1 vote) in response to ICE raids, enacting an eviction moratorium, financial aid and state assistancemeasures typically reserved for natural disasters. This follows violent protests, vandalism and arrests of 113 individuals with prior convictions.

ICE crackdown escalates after Supreme Court greenlights enforcement, targeting workplaces, bus stops and homes. UC Merced researchers report a 3.1 percent statewide employment drop as undocumented workers avoid job sites.

Molotov cocktails were thrown at officers, businesses looted and federal buildings vandalized. Mayor Karen Bass imposes an 8 p.m. curfew, while Gov. Newsom sues to block Trump ' s National Guard/Marine deployment, calling it an "abuse of power."

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath defends the emergency declaration, citing ICE-induced "climate of fear," while Supervisor Kathryn Barger warns it invites lawsuits. Landlords oppose the eviction moratorium, fearing financial strain post-COVID rent freezes.

ICE condemns L.A. ' s defiance, calling sanctuary policies illegal. With relentless Trump-era enforcement (but increasing non-criminal arrests) and nationwide protests planned, the battle over immigration enforcement remains unresolved. Downtown L.A. remains a flashpoint in America ' s immigration debate.

Los Angeles County declared a local state of emergency on Oct. 14 in response to a surge in federal immigration enforcement actions, marking an unprecedented escalation in the clash between California's sanctuary policies and the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

The 41 vote by the Board of Supervisors allows the county to enact an eviction moratorium for renters impacted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, mobilize financial relief and seek state aidmeasures typically reserved for natural disasters. The move comes after months of escalating ICE raids, workplace detentions and violent protests that have left businesses vandalized, officers injured and immigrant communities in fear.

"Since early 2024, ICE agents have conducted large-scale operations across Southern California, targeting workplaces, bus stops and residential areas," BrightU.AI's Enoch notes. A September U.S. Supreme Court ruling cleared the way for continued enforcement, rejecting claims of racial profiling. Researchers at UC Merced documented a 3.1 percent drop in statewide employment following initial sweeps, attributing it to workers avoiding job sites over fears of detention.

Los Angeles, home to an estimated 800,000 to one million undocumented immigrants, has long resisted federal immigration policies. But the recent raidsincluding arrests of 113 individuals with prior convictionsignited protests that spiraled into looting and vandalism. Mayor Karen Bass imposed an 8 p.m. curfew after Molotov cocktails were thrown at officers and businesses were ransacked. Meanwhile, Gov. Gavin Newsom sued to block National Guard and Marine deployments authorized by President Donald Trump, calling the move an "abuse of power."

Local leaders clash over response

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, who co-authored the emergency declaration, argued that ICE tactics have "created a climate of fear," disrupting schools, hospitals and workplaces.

"We will not stand by while fear and chaos spread," she said.

But Supervisor Kathryn Barger, the lone dissenting vote, warned the declaration could invite lawsuits and fail to meet legal emergency criteria.

Landlord advocates, including the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles, criticized the proposed eviction moratorium, arguing it unfairly burdens property owners still recovering from COVID-era rent freezes.

"Small landlords are already struggling," said CEO Daniel Yukelson, noting stricter tenant screening may worsen the housing crisis.

Broader implications and legal battles

The emergency declaration sets the stage for a constitutional showdown over local vs. federal authority. ICE spokesperson Emily Covington blasted the move, stating: "The only state of emergency is the one the residents of Los Angeles face after electing officials who give a middle finger to the law."

The Biden administration has largely continued Trump-era enforcement priorities, though arrests of non-criminal migrants have risen, per ABC News analysis. Meanwhile, researchers warn that prolonged instability could deepen economic fallout, with families skipping work and holidays to avoid detection.

As Los Angeles grapples with the fallout of ICE raids and civil unrest, the emergency declaration underscores a deepening divide over immigration policy. While local leaders frame the crisis as a humanitarian emergency, federal authorities insist enforcement is necessary to uphold the rule of law. With protests planned nationwide and legal challenges looming, the battle over sanctuary citiesand who bears the costshows no signs of resolution. For now, the streets of downtown L.A. remain a flashpoint in Americas ongoing immigration debate.

Watch the video below where Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem talks about cartels and terror groups targeting ICE agents.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

SupremeCourt.gov

FoxNews.com

ABCNews.Go.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Supreme Court REJECTS Alex Jones appeal, upholds $1.4 billion Sandy Hook defamation judgment

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Alex Jones' appeal, upholding the $1.4 billion defamation judgment against him for claiming that the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting was a hoax.

Jones was found liable for defamation and infliction of emotional distress after spreading conspiracy theories that the massacre (which killed 20 children and six educators) was staged by crisis actors. Victims' families testified to years of harassment fueled by his claims.

Jones filed for bankruptcy in 2022, and Infowars' parent company, Free Speech Systems, was liquidated. A Texas court is handling the liquidation after irregularities in an auction where The Onion initially won Infowars' assets. Jones also faces a separate $49 million judgment in Texas for failing to comply with court orders.

Jones claims the lawsuits are a CIA-backed attack to silence him, but courts ruled his refusal to comply with discovery orders justified the penalties. His legal team argued the judgment would "chill independent journalism," but judges dismissed this reasoning.

Despite financial ruin, Jones continues broadcasting, framing the case as political persecution. The ruling reinforces legal consequences for spreading harmful disinformation, while Jones' supporters see it as an assault on dissent.

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from conservative commentator Alex Jones, leaving intact a staggering $1.4 billion defamation judgment against him for falsely claiming the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax.

The decision, issued without comment or dissent on Tuesday, Oct. 14, marks the latest legal defeat for Jones, who has long argued that the case was politically motivated to silence his dissenting voice. Jones, the founder of InfoWars, was found liable for defamation and infliction of emotional distress after repeatedly asserting that the massacre  which claimed the lives of 20 first-graders and six educators  was staged by crisis actors as part of a government-backed gun control agenda.

As explained by BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting  also known as the Sandy Hook massacre  was a tragic incident that occurred on December 14, 2012, in Newtown, Connecticut. Relatives of the victims testified that they endured years of harassment, including death threats and strangers appearing at their homes, fueled by Jones' conspiracy theories.

"The Supreme Court has properly rejected Alex Jones' latest desperate attempt to avoid accountability for the harm he has caused," said Christopher Mattei, an attorney representing the Sandy Hook families. "We look forward to enforcing the jury's historic verdict and making Jones and InfoWars pay for what they have done."

The Connecticut case originated after a judge issued a rare default judgment against Jones in 2021 for repeatedly failing to comply with court orders to produce evidence. A jury later awarded 964 million in compensatory damages, and a judge added 473 million in punitive damages, bringing the total to $1.4 billion  an amount Jones' attorneys called "a financial death penalty."

During a broadcast following the Supreme Court's decision, Jones dismissed the notion that he could ever pay the judgment, mocking the valuation of his studio equipment at $304,000. "It's all about torturing me. It's all about harassing me. It's about harassing my family. It's about getting me off the air," he said, urging listeners to support Infowars by purchasing merchandise.

Lawsuits against Jones a coordinated attack on free speech

Jones has repeatedly framed the lawsuits as a coordinated attack on free speech, alleging that the Central Intelligence Agency recruited Sandy Hook families to target him. His legal team argued in court filings that the judgment would "chill the reporting of news" and lead to "self-censoring fear of suits" among independent media outlets. However, courts have rejected these claims, emphasizing Jones' repeated refusal to comply with discovery orders.

The financial fallout has been severe. Jones filed for bankruptcy in 2022, and Free Speech Systems, InfoWars' parent company, was forced into liquidation. In November 2023, satirical news outlet The Onion emerged as the winning bidder in an auction for InfoWars' assets, though the sale was later voided by a bankruptcy judge due to irregularities in the bidding process. The liquidation proceedings have since moved to a Texas state court, where Jones is fighting to prevent the sale of his personal property.

Separately, Jones faces a $49 million judgment in Texas for failing to turn over documents in a related defamation case brought by the parents of another Sandy Hook victim. His attorneys have maintained that the plaintiffs "have no possible hope of collecting" the full amount, given his financial situation.

The Supreme Court's refusal to intervene leaves Jones with dwindling legal options, though he remains defiant. "I said no, they will not do it because of politics," he told his audience, predicting the court's rejection.

The case has become a flashpoint in debates over free speech, media accountability and the consequences of spreading conspiracy theories. While Jones insists he was merely questioning inconsistencies in the official narrative, courts have ruled that his rhetoric crossed into defamation, causing measurable harm to grieving families.

As the legal battles continue, the Sandy Hook families remain determined to hold Jones accountable. Meanwhile, InfoWars persists online, with Jones vowing to keep broadcasting despite the financial and legal pressures mounting against him.

Watch this video about the Sandy Hook shooting hoax and the Alex Jones trial.

This video is from the 2Circles channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

BrightU.ai

APnews.com

ABCnews.go.com

Brighteon.com
Washington: Hamas isnt violating ceasefire deal, group continues to search for bodies under rubble

The U.S. is forcefully rejecting Israeli claims that Hamas violated the ceasefire by not immediately returning all deceased hostages, arguing the delay is due to the practical impossibility of recovering bodies from under Gaza's vast rubble.

The core of the disagreement is that Hamas released all living Israeli hostages as required, but has so far returned only nine out of 28 confirmed deceased captives.

U.S. officials describe the recovery effort as a complex and dangerous task, severely hampered by apocalyptic levels of destruction, unexploded ordnance and a lack of heavy machinery.

To facilitate the process, the U.S. is considering paying rewards for information and is forming an international stabilization force for Gaza, while Turkey has offered expert assistance.

The U.S. position aims to protect the fragile ceasefire from collapsing over this issue, framing the delay as a consequence of the war's devastation rather than a breach of faith  though the successful retrieval of the remaining bodies is a prerequisite for advancing to later stages of the agreement, including disarmament.

In a critical test of a fragile ceasefire, the U.S. is forcefully pushing back against Israeli claims that Hamas has violated the agreement, arguing that the Palestinian group cannot be expected to instantly recover all Israeli hostage remains from beneath the apocalyptic levels of rubble in Gaza.

The disagreement emerged after Hamas released all living Israeli hostages as required by the ceasefire, but returned only nine out of 28 confirmed deceased captives. Israeli officials contended this constituted a violation, but senior advisers to U.S. President Donald Trump immediately refuted that characterization.

"We've heard a lot of people saying, well, you know, Hamas violated the deal because not all the bodies have been returned," one adviser told reporters. "I think the understanding we had with them was we get all the live hostages out, which they did."

A second official emphasized the practical impossibilities, stating that in the initial 72-hour ceasefire period, "it would have been almost impossible for Hamas to mobilize, even if they knew where all the 28 bodies were, to mobilize and get them home." The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed a mechanism is in place for intelligence sharing and continued recovery efforts.

Senior U.S. officials have described the recovery efforts as a complex and dangerous undertaking hampered by unexploded ordnance and vast destruction. As Washington works to sustain the truce, it has begun forming an international stabilization force for Gaza. Moreover, the second advisor has disclosed that the U.S. is considering paying rewards to Palestinians to help locate bodies.

The scale of the challenge is monumental. The second U.S. adviser graphically compared the scene in Gaza to the aftermath of a major disaster. "On top of all that debris is a lot of unexploded ordinance, and presumably, under that  there are many bodies," they noted.

Stalled by rubble: The mission to retrieve bodies in Gaza

This assessment aligns with reports of approximately 10,000 Palestinians missing and presumed dead under the rubble from the two-year conflict. Hamas' armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, stated it had "fulfilled its commitment by handing over all living Israeli prisoners and the corpses it could access." The brigades admitted that retrieving the rest "requires extensive efforts and special equipment.

BrightU.AI's Enoch engine also notes that "recovering bodies from Gaza's rubble is severely hindered by the lack of heavy digging machinery and the extensive destruction from Israeli strikes. The Gaza civil defense agency warns it could take years to retrieve all remains unless immediate access to proper equipment is granted."

Trump himself acknowledged the grim reality, telling reporters that Hamas was "absolutely" searching. "They're digging. They're actually digging. There are areas where they're digging, and they're finding a lot of bodies. Then they have to separate the bodies. You wouldn't believe this," he said, describing it as a "gruesome process."

The second U.S. official also mentioned that Turkey, with its experience in disaster response from earthquakes, has offered to send experts to assist  though diplomatic tensions with Israel could complicate such assistance. "No one in Gaza will be forced to leave," the second official added, signaling a commitment to a post-conflict governance structure.

As the painstaking work continues, the U.S. position serves to insulate the ceasefire from collapsing over the hostage remains issue, framing the delayed returns as an expected consequence of the war's devastation rather than a breach of faith. The successful retrieval of the remaining bodies has become a prerequisite for advancing the agreement to its next stages, which include the pivotal and contentious goal of disarmament in Gaza.

Trump says Hamas is now digging to find the bodies of the deceased hostages. Watch this video.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

News.Antiwar.com

MSN.com

BrightU.ai

TRTWorld.com

Brighteon.com
Zelenskys high-stakes White House visit: Tomahawks, Trump and Putins shadow diplomacy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with President Trump to push for U.S.-made Tomahawk missiles amid escalating Russian strikes.

Trump signals openness to peace talks with Putin, potentially meeting in Budapest, raising concerns about Ukraines leverage.

Russia warns that supplying Tomahawks would mark a dangerous escalation, while Kyiv argues they are critical for defense.

The U.S. weighs military aid against diplomatic efforts as Ukraine faces severe energy infrastructure attacks ahead of winter.

Trump is brokering Middle East peace while navigating Ukraines demands and Putins tactical diplomacy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington on Friday, Oct. 17, for a high-stakes meeting with President Donald Trump, seeking advanced Tomahawk missiles to counter Russias relentless attacks. But the visit comes at a precarious moment: Trump is simultaneously pursuing direct talks with Vladimir Putin, leaving Kyiv caught between military necessity and geopolitical maneuvering.

The White House confirmed the Oval Office meeting just hours after Trump described a very productive call with Putin, where the two leaders discussed potential peace negotiationspossibly in Budapest within weeks. While Zelensky insists Ukraine needs long-range strike capabilities to defend its energy grid and pressure Moscow, Trumps hesitation reflects a broader strategic dilemma: How far should the U.S. go in a war with no end in sight?

Tomahawks: A game-changer or a provocation?

At the heart of Zelenskys request are Tomahawk cruise missiles, capable of striking targets over 1,000 miles awaydeep inside Russian territory. Such a transfer would mark a significant escalation, one Moscow has warned would trigger a new stage of conflict. Trump acknowledged discussing the weapons with Putin, quipping that the Russian leader didnt like the idea.

Analysts suggest Putins sudden openness to talks may be a tactic to delay U.S. arms shipments. It does seem that Putins outreach is perhaps designed to thwart the potential transfer of Tomahawks to Ukraine, said Max Bergmann of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. It strikes me as a stalling tactic.

For Ukraine, the missiles are not just symbolic but tactical. Russian strikes have destroyed nearly 60% of the countrys gas production this month, leaving millions vulnerable as winter approaches. Zelenskys government is now scrambling to secure emergency LNG imports from the U.S. to offset the damage.

Trumps deal-making calculus

Trump, fresh from brokering a Middle East ceasefire, has framed Ukraine as his next diplomatic challenge. Yet his approachfloating Tomahawks as both a threat and a bargaining chipreveals a transactional style that unnerves European allies.

If this war doesnt get settled, I may send Tomahawks, Trump told reporters, adding that he prefers a negotiated solution. His potential summit with Putin, preceded by Secretary of State Marco Rubios talks with Russian officials, suggests a pivot toward direct diplomacyone that could sideline Kyivs demands.

The shadow of escalation

Russias latest barrage270 drones and 10 missiles targeting energy facilitiesunderscores the urgency of Zelenskys appeal. But with U.S. attention divided between Ukraine, Israel and domestic political fatigue, the White House faces mounting pressure to reassess its commitments.

Trumps ambivalence mirrors a broader Republican shift: skepticism over blank-check aid and a growing emphasis on Europe sharing the burden. Meanwhile, Ukraines ambassador to the U.S., Olga Stefanishyna, highlighted bilateral deals on critical minerals and energy as a fallback, signaling Kyivs need to diversify its partnerships.

A fork in the road for U.S.-Ukraine strategy

As Zelensky departs Washington, the path forward remains uncertain. Will the U.S. greenlight Tomahawks, risking a Russian backlash, or will Trumps outreach to Putin lead to a negotiated pauseone that leaves Ukraine vulnerable to frozen conflict and territorial losses?

The answer may hinge on Trumps self-described art of the deal. But for Zelensky, the stakes are existential: survival hinges on weapons todayand diplomatic leverage tomorrow. With Putin watching and Washingtons patience waning, Ukraines fate hangs in the balance.

Sources for this article include:

YourNews.com

TruthSocial.com

NBCnews.com
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Plastic is ubiquitous in the modern world, and it's notorious for taking a long time to completely break down in the environment - if it ever does.

But even without breaking down completely, plastic can shed tiny particles - called nanoplastics because of their extremely small size - that scientists are just now starting to consider in long-term health studies.

One of those scientists is Dr. Wei Xu, an associate professor in the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences' Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology. Xu's current work is focused on what happens when nanoplastics interact with seawater, where they can pick up some curious hitchhikers in the form of chemicals and organic components.

When particles are released into the environment, they can interact with a lot of different materials that modify their surfaces, possibly including proteins, chemicals, and toxins. Most people are concerned with what happens when you accidentally ingest nanoplastics, but our work looks at how they might be getting into the body through the skin and what they might be bringing with them." Dr. Wei Xu, associate professor, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences' Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology

As they demonstrated in a recent publication, Xu and his team have discovered that nanoplastics with environmental coatings can sneak past some of the skin's defenses at the microscopic level.

"We found that particles with the environmental coating accumulated in certain areas inside the cell and seemed successful at avoiding its 'garbage disposal' system, which might try to kill or expel them," Xu said. "It's like they're wearing camouflage that allows them to stay inside the cell longer."

While the long-term health consequences of nanoplastics in the body are still being studied, Xu's research highlights the importance of the skin as a target for nanoplastics and the ability of the environment to alter particles before they're absorbed by the body.

"While the nanoplastics themselves are a health concern, we also want to better understand these environmental coatings and what those may do once inside the body," Xu said.

Tiny beads, big discoveries

To understand how nanoplastics affected by the environment enter the skin, Xu and his team created their own nanoplastic beads augmented by ocean water.

"There are vendors that produce nanoplastic particles for scientific research, but these particles have never been out in the environment," Xu said. "So, before we conducted the toxicity assessment, we used water collected from the ocean off the coast of Corpus Christi."

After letting the particles interact with the seawater for one to two weeks, Xu and his team were able to analyze the particles' environmental coatings to see what kind of changes occurred. Then, they tested how the particles make their way inside cultured skin cells.

"We had conducted previous research using plain nanoplastic beads that showed how they induce a reaction from skin cells," Xu said. "It was significant seeing how the beads with environmental coatings were better able to avoid the attack by the immune system."

Tackling a complex problem

Xu's research on the skin and environmental effects of particles is helping scientists understand that some of the trickiest problems in toxicology are even more complex than they had previously realized.

"In our research, we had to focus on a specific type of environmental coating, so we looked at proteins," Xu said. "But what about those from algal blooms or other toxins? What happens when there are floods and water mixes with other contaminants? We haven't had the chance to explore how these things intersect yet."

Even if researchers do find solutions to preventing absorption of nanoplastics with certain kinds of environmental coatings, there's no guarantee that those will continue to work.

"What if the environment is totally changed in 10 or 20 years and there are different coatings on the particles? We may have to keep coming up with new strategies to control them," Xu said.

The first step, according to Xu, is for there to be better standardization for research on nanoplastic particles, which he hopes his research will help drive forward.

"I've had students look at publications on the same particle and find different results because other researchers aren't required to consider environmental coatings," he said. "We need better consistency for the long term."

Another step is to fully analyze all the coating types that Xu and his team found in their study of seawater.

"We've already had people ask us about other types of coatings besides proteins," he said. "It will be a lot of work, but it's critical if we're to understand the full scope of the problem."
Delhi: One injured as school bus hits car, e-rickshaw under flyover in Narela

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 21:00 IST

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New Delhi, Oct 18 (PTI) One person was injured after a school bus collided with a car and an e-rickshaw under a flyover near a Shani temple on GT Road towards Narela on Saturday, police said.

The accident was reported at 10:27 am, when the bus affiliated to the Jain Mandir School in Budhpur hit a car and an e-rickshaw, DCP (Outernorth) Hareshwar Swami said in a statement.

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The driver of the e-rickshaw, Sintu Kumar (34), a resident of Anand Vihar, sustained injuries in the accident. He was first taken to the SRHC Hospital in Narela from where he was referred to the LNJP Hospital for further treatment, the officer said.

Police said the bus driver fled the scene after the collision.

No school children were on board at the time of the accident," the DCP said.

Efforts are underway to record the statement of the injured e-rickshaw driver.

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Appropriate legal action will be initiated based on his statement," the officer said.

The vehicles involved in the accident have been seized for further investigation, he added. PTI SSJ ARI

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First Published: October 18, 2025, 21:00 IST

News agency-feeds Delhi: One injured as school bus hits car, e-rickshaw under flyover in Narela

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Delhi Police steps up security, holds flag marches for Dhanteras, Diwali

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 21:15 IST

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New Delhi, Oct 18 (PTI) Delhi Police on Saturday stepped up security across the city for Dhanteras and the upcoming Diwali festival, with focus on safeguarding residents and ensuring smooth movement in the crowded areas and commercial hubs of the capital.

According to a statement, multi-layered security arrangements have been put in place at the key markets, crowded spaces, and high-footfall commercial areas.

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Adequate deployment of police personnel and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been made across all the districts of the national capital, the statement said.

Delhi Traffic Police has also ramped up deployment to manage heavy vehicular movement, ensure pedestrian safety, and facilitate public convenience.

Authorities have issued traffic advisories detailing restrictions, diversions, designated parking locations, and other instructions, urging the public to follow traffic rules, use public transport, and avoid personal vehicles where possible.

Flag marches have been conducted in the high-footfall areas to showcase preparedness and instill confidence among the residents, the statement said.

A joint flag march by Delhi Police and CAPF personnel was held in the busy Chandni Chowk market on Saturday.

Foot patrolling is being carried out across the districts to maintain law and order and enhance police visibility, which, officials said, acts as a deterrent against criminal activities, according to the statement.

Anti-sabotage checks are also being conducted at crowded market places, railway stations, and inter-state bus terminals with the support of bomb detection teams and dog squads.

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To manage crowd movement, the statement said, special arrangements have been made in coordination with market associations, including setting up machans and public announcements advising citizens to remain vigilant and alert.

These measures are aimed at ensuring a safe and secure festive season for the residents, while maintaining smooth traffic flow and preventing potential security incidents, Delhi Police said. PTI SSJ ARI

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First Published: October 18, 2025, 21:15 IST

News agency-feeds Delhi Police steps up security, holds flag marches for Dhanteras, Diwali

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Fire breaks out at Dhaka international airport, flight operations suspended

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 17:45 IST

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Dhaka, Oct 18 (PTI) A massive fire broke out on Saturday at the cargo complex of the international airport in Bangladeshs capital, forcing authorities to suspend all flight operations as thick black smoke engulfed the area.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

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Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) said the blaze broke out in the afternoon at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, prompting the deployment of over two dozen firefighting units, with additional teams rushing to the scene.

We received the information at 2:30 pm and immediately dispatched our units to join the ones deployed at the airport," Fire Service spokesman Talha Bin Zasim said.

Thirty-six firefighting units are engaged in the operation, he said.

CAAB officials said the Air Forces fire units also joined the rescue campaign.

Landings and takeoffs of all aircraft have been suspended until further notice. All our aircraft are confirmed safe," a CAAB spokesperson said.

At least nine flights of different airlines scheduled to land in Dhaka were diverted to Shah Amanat International Airport in southeastern Chattogram and Osmani International Airport in northeastern Sylhet. Eight of them landed in Chattogram and one in Sylhet.

According to local media reports, chemicals stored in the cargo zone posed a major challenge for firefighters.

Eyewitnesses said personnel from the army, air force, navy, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) joined the firefighting and rescue efforts.

They described the fire as a major one, with thick smoke covering a large part of the airport and surrounding areas.

This is the third major incident of fire in Bangladesh within a span of five days.

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An eight-storey factory building at the Chittagong Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) was completely destroyed in a massive fire on Thursday. There were no casualties.

On Tuesday, 16 workers were killed and several others were injured in a fire that broke out at a four-storey garment factory and a chemical warehouse in Dhaka. PTI AR SCY SCY

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First Published: October 18, 2025, 17:45 IST

News agency-feeds Fire breaks out at Dhaka international airport, flight operations suspended

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This past week, Monitoring Analytics, the independent market monitor for PJM Interconnection, filed a brief with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission arguing that the federal regulator should reject a recently signed transmission agreement between Pennsylvania utility PECO Energy and Amazon's ( AMZN ) Data Services division.

While it is unclear whether utilities had begun to spend money building out connections for those projects, it is evidence of the potential threat that TD Cowen analysts attributed to an oversupply of the computers that power AI technology.

Microsoft ( MSFT ), one of the largest data center developers in the country, decided in March to walk away from proposed data center projects in the US and Europe with a combined 2-gigawatt load, according to Bloomberg.

AI has pushed a bevy of tech companies into deals with utilities across the country, but some cracks have started to show in these best-laid plans as the AI boom rapidly evolves.

Should demand ultimately fall short of estimates, utilities can be stuck with stranded assets generating no revenue. Their options then are to find a way to pass that cost  which averages around $102 per kilowatt, or $102 million for a 1-gigawatt load  on to ratepayers or write down the loss themselves.

When a utility receives a power load request, such as from a tech company looking for, say, 2 gigawatts for a new data center, the utility spends millions buying the equipment, materials, and hiring the personnel to make it happen.

But the speed-at-all-costs approach has its risks. "What are the long-term business models? How much compute will those services actually require? [There's] just huge amounts of uncertainty about that whole space," Pierpont said.

"Many of the [grid connection requests] appear to be from a developer that is proposing data centers in multiple utility service territories looking for, 'Where can I connect the fastest? Where can I get a deal?'" said Brendan Pierpont, director of electricity modeling at the research firm Energy Innovation.

But should some of the marquee deals Big Tech giants are signing not materialize, utility companies and their customers could be stuck footing the bill.

After a decade of largely flat electricity needs, somewhere around 50 gigawatts of new power capacity  or enough to run roughly 40 million homes  will be required in the US to sustain the AI boom, according to Goldman Sachs.

AI models and the data centers filled with chips to power them require an enormous amount of power. And the industry is scrambling to keep pace.

La historia continua

PJM is the largest electricity transmission operator in the country, serving more than 65 million people across 13 East Coast and mid-Atlantic states.

Monitoring Analytics' brief argues that unless the operator can prove the massive load request from Amazon won't impact reliability and cost for PJM ratepayers, the transmission deal should not be allowed to go through.

Electricity costs on the rise

While the long-term demand picture from AI data centers might be murky, what's clear is the pressure these projects are putting on the US electrical grid today.

The increased energy load of data center development is already showing up in Americans' electric bills.

The average utility payment for electricity and gas rose by 3.6% year over year in the third quarter as the heightened demand from the AI build-up pushed prices upward.

"The impact runs through the spending on enhancements to the transmission and distribution grid required for data center buildouts, which is incorporated into the tariffs of all the ratepayers (residential, commercial and industrial) on the system," Bank of America senior economist David Tinsley wrote in a recent note.

"How will the growth in electricity demand impact consumer bills from here? In BofA Global Researchs view, there is likely further upside ahead," Tinsley added.

"[BofA research analysts] point to the fact that electricity supply is still struggling to catch up with the rapid increases in demand because of the capital intensity and regulatory requirements around building more generation and transmission capacity."

Natural gas parallels

The explosion in AI development is similar to the natural gas boom at the turn of the century, experts told Yahoo Finance.

Throughout the 20th century, most electricity in the US came from vertically integrated, government-regulated utilities that controlled everything from generation to distribution and billing.

In the 1990s, many states began to restructure their electric industries, allowing non-regulated companies to both generate and buy power, and then sell it to both utilities and end consumers directly.

At the same time, technology in natural gas extraction was rapidly advancing, the shale boom was just starting, and turbines became easier and faster to build. Companies rushed in, eager to make money building gas plants and then selling the energy on the market. Between 1999 and 2003, 175 gigawatts of capacity was built, according to Power Research Group, but the demand never caught up. Companies like Calpine Corporation and Energy Future Holdings, which had poured money into building natural gas plants and pipelines, went under.

"It was hot and [turbines] were scarce, and companies paid a lot of money to get those orders, and then the load didn't materialize, and a few of the companies went bankrupt," Rob Gramlich, the president of energy consulting firm Grid Strategies, said. "This industry has trouble when there are changes in forecast."

For utilities today, however, this increased demand is being greeted as good news.

On Duke Energy's (DUK) second quarter earnings call, president and CEO Harry Sideris highlighted an investment announcement of $10 billion from Amazon Web Services to build a data center campus in North Carolina.

"I'm proud to say that our team played an integral role in making this happen," Sideris told analysts. "Our team continues to build on their track record of success, moving at pace with our customers to deliver what they need when they need it."

Southern Company (SO) president and CEO Christopher Womack said much of the same on Southern's last earnings call, highlighting that the company's load pipeline from data centers and large manufacturers "remains well above 50 gigawatts of potential incremental load by the mid-2030s with project commitments totaling 10 gigawatts" and "ongoing advanced discussions for even more interest from large load customers in all of our electric service territories."

In other words, requests for power from large industrial customers like AI data center developers are only picking up.

The speed at which utilities are working to source the equipment they need for new connections is evident at industrial giants like GE Vernova (GEV), Powell Industries (POWL), and Eaton Corporation (ETN), the manufacturers of the equipment utilities need to order.

Demand for data centers in GE Vernova's electrification division brought in nearly $500 million in orders in the first half of 2025 compared to $600 million in all of 2024, CEO Scott Strazik said on a recent earnings call. Bank of America (BAC) is projecting the company will report 7 gigawatts of turbine orders in the third quarter, compared to 5.1 gigawatts in the second quarter, according to a recent note.

GE Vernova stock has gained over 80% this year, one of the best performers in the S&P 500.

Because demand is hot and supply is constrained, Grid Strategies' Gramlich said, suppliers can up their prices, creating another potential problem for utilities trying to recoup the costs of these buildouts down the road.

"Those huge premiums that utilities are paying for that equipment could end up being something they regret if the load doesn't materialize," Gramlich said. "Since all new electrical equipment is really scarce and expensive, those marginal additions to connect up new loads are adding a lot of cost. Somebody is going to have to pay for that."

Some utilities leaders have begun to consider what's realistic and what's not, Pierpont said.

Calvin Butler, the president and CEO of Chicago-based utility Exelon Corporation (EXC), which serves much of Illinois, took a measured tone on a recent earnings call when an analyst asked about data center demand.

"You'll see more of those announcements coming in [on data center deals]," Butler said on the call. "But doing it the right way, with reliability in mind," or without compromising power stability or cost for other ratepayers, "is key."

Going 'behind the meter'

Part of the solution to meeting this near-term power demand is on-site, or "behind-the-meter," generation, largely with renewable energy sources.

Apple (AAPL), for example, built a solar array to partially power a data center in North Carolina. Amazon Web Services recently contracted AEP Ohio to install a series of on-site fuel cells that will provide direct power to two proposed data centers in central Ohio.

But as AEP Ohio noted in its announcement of the AWS deal, the fuel cells are intended to "provide the energy that allows these data centers to begin operations quickly, while the electric grid grows to support their needs." In other words, these are stopgap measures until grid infrastructure is built.

Meta (META) has contracted Entergy Corporation (ETR) to build three natural gas turbines that could provide power to its planned $10 billion data center in Richland Parish, La.  one of the largest of such projects in the country  but it has also applied for connection to the larger grid.

We work closely with utilities and grid operators to plan for future growth," Amazon said in a statement to Yahoo Finance. "Where we require specific infrastructure to meet our needs (such as new substations), we work to make sure that were covering those costs and that they arent being passed on to other ratepayers."

Meta and Apple did not respond to requests for comment.

Key for the utilities is trying to find ways to pass the risk on to the companies asking for the power, Energy Innovations' Pierpont told Yahoo Finance. If a utility begins to prep for a major load request and then the client drops out, the thinking goes, the financial consequence should fall on the developer, not the utility.

That dynamic is on display at national electric utility American Electric Power (AEP). The utility has already signed on 24 gigawatts of incremental load to its system by 2030, "all backed by signed customer agreements, protecting us from changes in usage-driven volatility," AEP president and CEO Bill Fehrman said on a recent earnings call. AEP's customers include Amazon Web Services and Google (GOOG).

The COL4 AI-ready data center is located on a seven-acre campus at the convergence point of long-haul fiber and regional carrier fiber networks on July 24, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Eli Hiller/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)  The Washington Post via Getty Images

AEP's backlog of demand, however, has reached 190 gigawatts. Not only is that "five times our current system," Fehrman said, but it's equal to nearly 15% of the entire US power grid, according to data from the Edison Electric Institute.

"Helping accelerate economic growth while also making sure we are paying for the infrastructure and electricity required to serve our operations is critical for Google," Google said in a statement to Yahoo Finance. "We have and will continue to work closely with utility partners, generation owners and developers, and grid operators to plan and develop energy solutions that benefit the grid and all who use it."

In October 2024, the AEP division covering Ohio, where Columbus has quickly become a data center hub, sent a request to the state's utility regulator with a series of conditions.

First, require new data center customers to pay for at least 85% of the energy they sign up to use, even if they never end up using it; second, make them pay an exit fee for terminating a previously planned contract; and third, compel them to prove that they are financially strong enough to meet those requirements.

In July 2025, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, the state's grid regulator, approved the proposal.

The plan, called a tariff in the utilities industry, worked. Only two months later, in September, AEP Ohio cut its data center load demand forecast by more than half.

"It helps [utilities] see who is willing to put money behind [these projects]," Pierpont told Yahoo Finance.

Assistance is also coming from the federal government. After pausing or canceling a litany of grants handed out by the Department of Energy at the tail end of the Biden administration, the Trump administration's DOE approved Thursday a $1.6 billion loan to AEP that will fund efforts by the utility to rebuild more than 5,000 miles of power transmission cables throughout the mid-Atlantic region as AEP stares down a slew of connection requests from new Big Tech clients like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft (MSFT).

Microsoft declined to comment.

AEP, Fehrman said in a statement on the grant, is experiencing growth in energy demand that has not been seen in a generation."

Jake Conley is a breaking news reporter covering US equities for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on X at @byjakeconley or email him at jake.conley@yahooinc.com.

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Telangana CM warns officials against neglect in implementing govt schemes

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 19:00 IST

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Hyderabad, Oct 18 (PTI) Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Saturday warned Principal Secretaries, Secretaries and Heads of Departments (HoDs) of all departments against a neglectful attitude" in implementing the government schemes and development works.

The Chief minister reminded the officials that dereliction of duty will not be tolerated, an official release said.

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Reddy held a special meeting with the CMO secretaries and Chief secretary Ramakrishna Rao at his residence today, expressing dissatisfaction with some officials found under-performing and failing to change their functioning style even after two years of the Congress government in power in the state.

Directing the officials to shed laziness, CM Revanth Reddy emphasised that the top officials should perform their duties in line with the governments goals by coordinating with other departments, the release said.

Reddy cautioned against making independent decisions that could tarnish the governments reputation, stressing that they should strive for the development of the state as well as the wellbeing of all people. Instructing the officials to actively ensure that the scheme benefits reached the people , the chief minister ordered Ramakrishna Rao to seek regular reports from all the secretaries of all the departments and review the progress of the works.

Reviewing the status of the central funds, CM Revanth Reddy instructed the secretaries of all departments to immediately take action to secure the release of pending central grants and funds under centrally sponsored schemes.

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The CM stressed that priority should be given to those schemes in which the state share is already paid and awaiting the release of pending central funds .

The Chief Minister also ordered the Chief Secretary and CMO officials to submit reports to him every week on the departments under their jurisdiction and he will review the progress, the release added. PTI GDK ROH

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First Published: October 18, 2025, 19:00 IST

News agency-feeds Telangana CM warns officials against neglect in implementing govt schemes

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Dhanteras 2025: Gold Buying Kicks Off, Record Prices May Hit Volumes By 15%

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 15:37 IST

Dhanteras, the most auspicious day in the Hindu calendar for buying items ranging from precious metals to utensils, is being celebrated over two days until 1.45 pm on Sunday.

Gold prices have surged 65 per cent to Rs 1,34,800 per 10 grams of 24 karat, inclusive of all taxes, in the national capital, compared with Rs 81,400 on Dhanteras last year.

Gold and silver buying on the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras kicked off on Saturday with jewellers expecting higher footfalls, though record high prices of the yellow metal could dampen demand by 15 per cent in volume terms compared with a year earlier.

Dhanteras, the most auspicious day in the Hindu calendar for buying items ranging from precious metals to utensils, is being celebrated over two days until 1.45 pm on Sunday, with jewellers expecting more footfalls in both online and offline stores.

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Gold prices have surged 65 per cent to Rs 1,34,800 per 10 grams of 24 karat, inclusive of all taxes, in the national capital, compared with Rs 81,400 on Dhanteras last year, which was celebrated on October 29, 2024.

Silver prices are currently at Rs 1,77,000 per kilogram.

We are expecting the momentum to pick up after the muhurat time. Since the festival falls on a weekend we have geared up for a robust Dhanteras," All India Gem And Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) Chairman Rajesh Rokde told PTI.

GJC expects gold sales to increase by 40-45 per cent in value terms on a year-on-year basis, he said.

Suvankar Sen, Managing Director and chief executive of Senco Gold and Diamonds, said high prices will affect sale volumes by 12-15 per cent, but in value terms there will be growth of 20-25 per cent on Dhanteras.

While some consumers are still buying gold jewellery even at high rates, many are shifting towards silver buying, especially bullion.

Saiyam Mehra, former chairman of GJC, said volume-wise, gold jewellery sales are expected to witness a decline of 10 per cent on Dhanteras.

He said silver prices surged due to scarcity of the white metal since last month because of a ban on imports of jewellery, though silver prices have now started seeing a correction.

Sachin Jain, regional CEO for India at the World Gold Council, said Dhanteras and Diwali are the top gold-buying occasions in India.

Despite gold prices reaching multiple historic highs through 2025, witnessing an approximate 51.2 per cent year-to-date increase in rupee prices by end-September, consumer sentiment and demand for the yellow metal have been positive," he said.

Retailers, who had been cautious about their inventories in recent months, are now well-stocked and optimistic, with seasonal and wedding-related demand further fuelling purchases, suggesting a vibrant festive season for gold sales.

Consumer buying is expected to be strong across various gold purchases, from higher caratage gold jewellery to investment products like digital gold, coins and ETFs.

This positive outlook is strongly supported by India registering positive gold ETF flows of USD 902 million in September, along with overall gold imports reaching a nine-month high in August 2025," Jain said, adding that gold demand is expected to continue through the Diwali period and until the end of the year due to the wedding season.

Kam Jewelry Managing Director Colin Shah said while demand dynamics are likely to remain consistent, consumer preferences are rapidly shifting toward lightweight jewellery.

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The festive season is expected to see a significant surge in demand for jewellery in the 9 to 18 carat segment.  we foresee a festive surge of 18-20 per cent in overall sales," Shah said.

India is the worlds second-largest gold consumer and one of the largest importers globally, after China.

First Published: October 18, 2025, 15:37 IST

News business economy Dhanteras 2025: Gold Buying Kicks Off, Record Prices May Hit Volumes By 15%

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Midwest IPO Allotment In Focus: GMP Falls; A Step-By-Step Guide To Check Allotment Status Online

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Last Updated: October 20, 2025, 10:17 IST

The Midwest IPO allotment will be finalised in the evening on Monday, October 20. The allotment status can be checked online by following these steps:

Midwest IPO Allotment Status.

Midwest IPO Allotment Today: The initial public offering (IPO) of quartz processor Midwest, which closed on Friday, has received a strong 92.36x subscription, garnering bids for 27,40,31,674 shares as against the 29,67,136 shares on offer. Focus now is on allotment, which is expected to be finalised on Monday, October 20. Once finalised, investors will receive bank debit messages. They can also check the Midwest IPO allotment status on the websites of the BSE and the NSE, as well as on the portal of registrar Kfin Technologies.

The IPOs retail category received a 25.52x subscription, while the NII (non-institutional investor) quota has received a 176.57x subscription. The QIB category received a 146.99x subscription.

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The Rs 451-crore mainboard IPO was opened for public subscription on October 15.

Midwest IPO Allotment Status

The Midwest IPO allotment will be finalised in the evening on Monday, October 20. The allotment status can be checked online by following these steps:

1) Go to the official BSE website via the URL  https://www.bseindia.com/investors/appli_check.aspx.

2) Under Issue Type, select Equity.

3) Under Issue Name, select Midwest Ltd in the dropbox.

4) Enter your application number, or the Permanent Account Number (PAN). Those who want to check their allotment status via PAN can select the Permanent Account Number option.

5) Then, click on the I am not a robot to verify yourself and hit the Search option.

Your share application status will appear on your screen.

On Kfin Technologies Portal

You can also visit directly on the registrar Kfin Technologies portal  https://ipostatus.kfintech.com/ and check the Midwest IPO allotment status.

On NSEs Website

The allotment status can also be checked on the NSEs website at https://www.nseindia.com/invest/check-trades-bids-verify-ipo-bids.

Midwest IPO Listing Date

The Midwest IPO listing is scheduled to take place on October 24 on both the BSE and the NSE.

Midwest IPO GMP Today

According to market observers, unlisted shares of Midwest Ltd have fallen to Rs 1,165 apiece in the grey market, compared with the upper IPO price of Rs 1,065. It means a grey market premium (GMP) of 9.39%, indicating mild listing gains for investors as of now.

The GMP had stood at nearly 13% on the last day of bidding on Friday morning.

The GMP is based on market sentiments and keeps changing. Grey market premium indicates investors readiness to pay more than the issue price.

The IPO will be listed on both the BSE and the NSE on October 24.

Midwest IPO Price & Lot Size

The price band of the IPO has been fixed in the range of Rs 1,014 to Rs 1,065 apiece. The lot size for the issue was 14. It means a retail investor needed to apply for a minimum 14 shares (a lot) and in multiple thereof. The minimum investment required is Rs 14,910, on the upper price of the IPO.

Midwest IPO: Analysts Recommendations

Brokerage notes on the Midwest Granite IPO paint a mixed picture, with some analysts recommending investors to subscribe while others urge caution due to valuation concerns.

Ventura Securities has granted a Subscribe rating to the IPO, pointing to the companys robust global presence across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The brokerage said Midwests granite sales volumes have grown steadily, from 91,875 cubic meters in FY23 to 108,892 cubic meters in FY25, and expects the company to maintain its leadership in the processed stone and granite markets.

BP Equities has also given a Subscribe rating, highlighting Midwests healthy financial performance and growth prospects. The brokerage noted that the company has delivered strong CAGR growth between FY23 and FY25 and is well-positioned to benefit from industry expansion, premium product offerings, and upcoming capacity additions. At a valuation of 27 times FY25 earnings, BP Equities believes the issue offers reasonable long-term potential.

Arihant Capital Markets, however, has advised investors to Avoid the issue, citing steep valuations compared to peers. While acknowledging Midwests market leadership in the Black Galaxy Granite segment and its diversification into quartz and diamond wire manufacturing, the brokerage said the stock looks significantly overvalued despite its strong fundamentals.

Meanwhile, SBI Securities has taken a Neutral stance. It noted that Midwest, Indias largest producer and exporter of Black Galaxy Granite, has posted impressive growth with revenue, EBITDA, and adjusted PAT rising at CAGRs of 11.6%, 38.5%, and 40.5%, respectively, between FY23 and FY25. However, with the IPO priced at a premium valuation, 35.8x FY25 P/E and 22.4x EV/EBITDA, the brokerage prefers to watch the companys post-listing performance before taking a firm view.

Midwest IPO: More Details

The Rs 451-crore IPO is a combination of a fresh issue of shares worth Rs 250 crore and an offer-for-sale (OFS) of Rs 201 crore.

Of the fresh issue, Rs 130.3 crore will go towards Phase II expansion of its quartz facility under subsidiary Midwest Neostone, Rs 25.7 crore for electric dump trucks, and Rs 3.2 crore for solar energy integration at select mines.

Additionally, Rs 56.2 crore will be used to repay borrowings, with the remainder earmarked for general corporate purposes.

Midwest Ltd has said it has mobilised Rs 135 crore from anchor investors, just a day before its initial share-sale opening for public subscription.

As of June 2025, the companys consolidated borrowings stood at Rs 270.1 crore.

With over four decades in the natural stone industry, the company has expanded beyond granite into quartz processing through its Phase I plant, catering to the engineered stone and solar glass segments. It is further diversifying into heavy mineral sands exploration as well as the processing of rare earth elements.

Telangana-based Midwest operates 16 granite mines across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, producing premium Black Galaxy found exclusively in a single village in Andhra Pradesh and Absolute Black granite, both widely used in global real estate projects.

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For FY2025, net profit stood at Rs 133.3 crore, while revenue was Rs 626.2 crore.

Midwest is expected to make its stock market debut on October 24.

About the Author Mohammad Haris Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalis... Read More

First Published: October 18, 2025, 08:18 IST

News business ipo Midwest IPO Allotment In Focus: GMP Falls; A Step-By-Step Guide To Check Allotment Status Online

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GSTR-3B Due Date: CA Body Urges Govt To Extend October 20 Deadline Due To Diwali Holiday

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 10:48 IST

GSTR-3B Due Date Extension: BCAS says the days leading up to October 19, a Sunday and part of the main Diwali festivities, are typically observed as public holidays across India.

As per the existing schedule, the GSTR-3B filing deadline falls on October 20, 2025, which coincides with the Diwali holiday.

GSTR-3B Due Date Extension News: The Bombay Chartered Accountant Society (BCAS) has urged the finance ministry to extend the due date for filing GSTR-3B returns for September 2025, citing a clash between the statutory compliance deadline and the Diwali holiday.

As per the existing schedule, the GSTR-3B filing deadline falls on October 20, 2025, which coincides with the Diwali holiday. BCAS pointed out that the days leading up to October 19, a Sunday and part of the main Diwali festivities, are typically observed as public holidays across India. This overlap, the society noted, leaves little time for professionals, accountants, and company staff to complete crucial filing processes.

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In its representation dated October 8, 2025, BCAS said the shortened compliance window could make it difficult for taxpayers to meet statutory obligations on time. The society highlighted that preparation of Form GSTR-3B involves detailed reconciliation, verification of Input Tax Credit (ITC), and fund arrangements for tax payments  all of which require active coordination among teams that are unavailable during the festive week.

Therefore, as a significant step towards ease of doing business, it is earnestly requested that the due date for filing GSTR-3B of September 2025 be extended. Granting this essential administrative relief will enable registered persons and tax practitioners to complete the necessary compliance procedures following the conclusion of the festival period, ensuring accurate and complete return filing and promoting adherence to the provisions of the CGST Act without penalising taxpayers for unavoidable circumstances," BCAS said in its submission.

The society added that the festival-related holidays would hinder access to staff, support services, and banking facilities needed for return finalisation. It also clarified that Nil GSTR-3B returns  permitted only when there are no outward or inward supplies or liabilities for a given period  would not apply to most regular taxpayers for September, reinforcing the need for an operational compliance window beyond the Diwali holidays.

BCAS concluded that a short-term extension of the filing deadline would ease administrative pressure, prevent inadvertent non-compliance, and support the governments broader goal of improving the ease of doing business.

What Is The Late Fees For GSTR-3B?

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Late filing of GSTR-3B attracts a statutory late fee under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework. As per current rules, taxpayers who miss the due date are liable to pay Rs 50 per day (Rs 25 each for CGST and SGST) until the return is filed. However, if there is no tax liability for the month (i.e., a Nil return), the late fee is reduced to Rs 20 per day (Rs 10 each for CGST and SGST).

The late fee is calculated from the day after the due date until the actual filing date, subject to a maximum cap of Rs 5,000. In addition to the late fee, interest at 18% per annum is also charged on the outstanding tax amount for the delay period.

About the Author Mohammad Haris Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalis... Read More

First Published: October 18, 2025, 10:48 IST

News business tax GSTR-3B Due Date: CA Body Urges Govt To Extend October 20 Deadline Due To Diwali Holiday

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Dying Would Be Better: Fed Up With Traffic, Mumbai Highway Residents Write To PM Modi

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 18:20 IST

Over 100 Naigaon-Chinchoti-Vasai residents wrote to PM Modi seeking permission to die by suicide, protesting NH-48 traffic jams and poor road conditions affecting daily life.

Stranded students stand near a pavement amid a traffic jam on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway at Vasai, in Palghar district, Maharashtra, early Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. (PTI)

Frustrated and deeply distressed by unending traffic jams and dilapidated road conditions on the MumbaiAhmedabad National Highway, over 100 residents from the Naigaon-Chinchoti-Vasai area have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking permission to die by suicide.

In protest, residents of villages such as Sasunavghar, Maljipada, Sasupada, Bobat Pada and Patharpada in the Naigaon-Chinchoti-Vasai belt gathered on the highway itself, stating that what used to be a one-hour commute has stretched into five or six hours, putting their livelihoods, education, health, and daily lives under severe strain.

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Locals say that worsening potholes, unregulated traffic, and poor road management have turned their everyday travel into an ordeal.

As per media reports, large groups gathered at the Sasoonghar post office to mail their letters to the Prime Minister on Thursday. The letters, described as a cry of despair," demand urgent attention to the worsening traffic situation.

Dying would be better than living like this," Sushant Patil, an activist with a local NGO spearheading the protests, said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

The ordeal is insufferable. Children in the villages have missed their exams, and people have missed their flights. Medical emergencies are also a matter of serious concern, as the nearest hospital is in Mira Road. Usually, you could reach the hospital in 20 minutes, but now it is also taking more than three hours," he said.

In a letter to PM Modi, the residents claimed that their daily life has been affected due to the alleged negligence of the project director of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and other officials.

The protesters further blamed the worsening traffic on the pothole-ridden highway and poor traffic management by the authorities.

They said that they have repeatedly appealed to authorities and organised protests, but no concrete steps have been taken to ease their troubles. We have written in our letter why we are forced to die by suicide," a citizen said.

Stressing that the lives of people living in these villages completely depend on the NH-48, Patil said that the residents would continue to protest until action is taken.

The residents in their letter demanded, We urge the government to address these demands immediately. If the administration continues to remain inactive, we citizens will be left with no option but to seek permission to die by suicide in protest against this gross negligence."

Linking Maharashtra and Gujarat, NH-48 serves as a vital economic lifeline, cutting across Mumbai, Thane, and Pune. Yet, even as other parts of the country witness rapid completion of expressways, tunnels, and metro projects, this crucial highway continues to frustrate daily commuters.

For residents of Vasai-Virar, NH-48 is the only viable route to Mumbai. Alternatives such as the Ro-Ro ferry service are frequently overcrowded, with queues stretching to 100125 vehicles, forcing commuters to add at least five extra hours to their journey. Elderly residents, who cannot depend on train travel, rely entirely on this heavily congested highway.

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway Traffic Woes

Earlier this week, traffic congestion on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway left thousands of commuters and truck drivers stranded for hours amid mounting frustration.

From ambulances stuck in long queues to passengers missing flights and trains, the disruption has exposed the highways chronic infrastructure problems.

The massive gridlock, stretching across several kilometres near Vasai and Palghar, was reportedly triggered by ongoing road repair work and the diversion of heavy vehicles.

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A total of 12 buses carrying students from classes 5 to 10 of different schools, as well as some college students from Thane and Mumbai, were stuck in the jam from around 5:30 pm on Tuesday until early Wednesday morning.

The children, returning from a school picnic near Virar, reportedly spent several hours without food or water. By evening, many were exhausted, hungry, and anxious, while worried parents anxiously awaited updates on their safety.

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More

First Published: October 18, 2025, 18:20 IST

News mumbai-news Dying Would Be Better: Fed Up With Traffic, Mumbai Highway Residents Write To PM Modi

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Travis Scott Concert In Delhi Today: Traffic Curbs Announced Around JLN Stadium | Check Roads To Avoid

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 11:02 IST

Travis Scotts music concert at JLN Stadium prompts Delhi Traffic Police to enforce diversions and restrictions on October 18 to 19 due to expected heavy turnout.

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A traffic police official manages traffic in Delhi. (Image: PTI/File)

Ahead of American rapper Travis Scotts two-day concert at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium starting today, the Delhi Traffic Police have announced traffic restrictions and diversions in the national capital.

The music concert, part of Scotts Circus Maximus World Tour, is scheduled for October 18 and 19 between 6 pm and 10 pm. Traffic movement in the city is likely to be impacted, with an expected footfall of 50,000 to 60,000 spectators on both days.

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The traffic police issued a detailed advisory on Friday, cautioning commuters of possible congestion.

TRAFFIC ADVISORYIn connection with Circus Maximus World Tour" live concert by Travis Scott at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on 18th & 19th October 2025  Entry Gates: 2, 6, 8, 13, 14 & 21 (Gates 1 & 10 reserved for emergency) Parking: Sewa Nagar Bus Depot, Sunheri Pulla Bus pic.twitter.com/Q2yBQIRyJp  Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) October 17, 2025

To manage the heavy traffic and ensure public convenience, detailed arrangements have been put in place around JLN Stadium and adjoining roads, according to the advisory. Restrictions will remain in effect from 4 pm to 10 pm on both days.

As per the advisory post on X, commuters are urged to avoid B P Marg, Lodhi Road, and surrounding routes during event hours.

Diversions And Restrictions

Several key diversions have been put in place to ensure smooth flow of traffic. Check details here:

Traffic from B P Marg will be diverted towards Meharchand Market, while vehicles from Lodhi Road will not be allowed beyond Pragati Vihar red light.

Vehicles from 5th Avenue Road must take a U-turn near Dhobi Ghat, and those arriving from INA and Thyagraj Stadium cannot access the JLN Service Road near Gate No. 5.

No vehicle movement will be permitted from 4th Avenue and Gurjar Chowk towards Barapullah and the JLN Service Road during the concert hours.

Left turns towards the SCOPE Complex from Lala Lajpat Rai Marg and Jangpura Metro T-point will be restricted, with vehicles directed towards Lodhi Flyover.

Curbs For Heavy Vehicles

Heavy vehicles will be barred between the JLN Stadium Red Light and B P Marg from 4 pm to 11 pm on both days.

Spectators can enter the venue through Gates 2, 6, 8, 13, 14, and 21, while Gates 1 and 10 are reserved for emergencies, the advisory stated.

Parking And Entry Gates

Meanwhile, designated parking will be available at the Sewa Nagar and Sunheri Pulla bus depots. Roadside parking near the stadium is strictly prohibited, and violators vehicles will be towed.

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Emergency vehicles will have free passage but are advised to avoid B P Marg and Lodhi Road to prevent delays. The traffic police advised commuters travelling to airports, railway stations, or hospitals to head early and take alternate routes.

The advisory added that adequate signage and personnel will be deployed to guide motorists, and urged the public to use public transport and comply with directions from traffic officials.

About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More

First Published: October 18, 2025, 11:02 IST

News new-delhi-news Travis Scott Concert In Delhi Today: Traffic Curbs Announced Around JLN Stadium | Check Roads To Avoid

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From MBBS To IAS: Meet Dheeraj Kumar Singh, Who Cleared UPSC In First Attempt

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 12:08 IST

After completing his MBBS and MD degrees, Dheeraj Kumar Singh began preparing for UPSC, even turning down a high-paying job with a monthly salary in lakhs for this oppourtunity.

IAS Dheeraj Kumar Singh pursued an MBBS degree from Banaras Hindu University (BHU). (Photo: File/Dhrishti IAS)

The UPSC exam is regarded as one of the toughest exams not only in India but also globally. Successfully passing this exam can lead to prestigious government jobs such as IAS, IPS, IFS, or IRS. IAS officer Dheeraj Kumar Singh is among the few candidates who cleared the UPSC exam on his first attempt.

After completing his MBBS and MD degrees, he began preparing for the Civil Services exam, even turning down a high-paying job with a monthly salary in lakhs for this opportunity.

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Singh was a brilliant student who received his early education in Hindi medium. After excelling in his 12th grade board exams, he pursued an MBBS degree from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and later completed his MD degree from the same institution.

Singh hails from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. His mother lived in the village while his father worked in another city. Due to his mothers ill health, he had to return to his village mid-course. Despite requesting officials to transfer his father to his hometown, no one listened. This led him to decide to join the civil service.

Singhs family faced financial struggles. When he informed his family about his decision to take the UPSC exam, everyone opposed him. However, he remained resolute. He even turned down a job offer worth Rs 5 lakh per month to pursue a career in civil service.

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Dheeraj Kumar Singh had promised himself that he would only give himself one chance at the UPSC exam. He was determined that if he failed on his first attempt, he would focus on his medical career. His hard work paid off, and he became an IAS officer by securing the 64th rank in the 2019 UPSC CSE exam.

He scored 853 marks in the mains exam and 154 in the interview round. Overall, he scored 1007 marks. Currently, Singh is serving as the Joint Secretary to Government, Department of Personnel (A-1), Rajasthan, Jaipur.

About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, ... Read More

First Published: October 18, 2025, 12:04 IST

News education-career From MBBS To IAS: Meet Dheeraj Kumar Singh, Who Cleared UPSC In First Attempt

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Schools To Be Responsible For Any Out Of Syllabus Questions In 10th Exam: WBBSE

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 18:50 IST

WB 10th Board Exam 2026: The board has instructed that each school must email their test questions to the board office at the end of the test.

The WB board has specified that subject-based teachers within each school will create the test questions. (Representative/File Photo)

The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) has declared that no controversial questions can be included in the secondary school test. The board has announced that if any controversial questions appear in the 2026 secondary school exam, the headmaster of the concerned school will be held accountable. This new directive has sparked controversy.

Commenting on this directive, Supriyo Panja, the headmaster of a school in Kolkata told News18 Bangla that the subject teachers will prepare the questions, which will be sent to the printer in a sealed envelope and then distributed to students confidentially. If headmasters review all questions, it might jeopardise confidentiality.

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Several headmasters have mentioned that they have clearly instructed subject teachers during a meeting that no questions outside the syllabus should be asked. Therefore, the subject teachers must be cautious while setting questions.

Jadavpur Vidyapeeth Principal Partha Pratim Vaidya remarked that the board has warned principals through this directive. However, those framing questions should also be cautious to avoid unnecessary debates. All parties must remain vigilant to prevent controversies.

The board has specified that subject-based teachers within each school will create the test questions. Schools must compile their questions independently and are prohibited from purchasing them through any external organisation or agency.

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Soudipa Das, editor of the Collegium of Assistant Headmasters and Assistant Headmistresses, stated that the Academic Council should supervise everything from preparing questions to printing. However, in most cases, the school head controls everything, so their responsibility cannot be overlooked.

The board has instructed that each school must email their test questions to the board office at the end of the test. An official from the WB Board said that if any school fails to follow this rule, action will be taken against it. The deadline for accepting secondary test exams is between November 3 and 13.

About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, ... Read More

First Published: October 18, 2025, 18:36 IST

News education-career Schools To Be Responsible For Any Out Of Syllabus Questions In 10th Exam: WBBSE

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'Clashes In Mahagathbandhan': Chirag Paswan Meets Amit Shah, Jabs Oppn Over 'Confusion'

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 13:07 IST

Chirag Paswan predicts historic NDA victory in Bihar, citing unity after meeting Amit Shah. He praises PM Modi's focus on Bihar and criticizes RJD and Congress for past failures.

Revealing details about his meeting with Amit Shah, he said that the "strategy to win historic seats was discussed." (Image: PTI/file)

As the poll battle intensifies in Bihar, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan predicted a historic victory" for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), highlighting internal clashes within the Mahagathbandhan alliance.

The LJP leaders remarks came after he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is on a visit to poll-bound Bihar.

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Dismissing reports of internal friction in NDA, Paswan said, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is on a visit to Bihar. It is the strength of our alliance that we walking hand-in-hand towards a historical victory to build a Viksit Bharat envisioned by PM Modi."

#WATCH | Patna, Bihar | On his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister Chirag Paswan says, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is on a visit to Bihar. It is the strength of our alliance that we walking hand-in-hand towards a historical victory to build a Viksit pic.twitter.com/Ewh1Knl4lG ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2025

He also hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for visiting the state 11 times after coming to power for the third consecutive time, which he said reflects his priority" towards Bihar.

The PM has visited Bihar 11 times in the last one year after forming the government, this shows his priority is towards Bihar," he added.

Revealing details about his meeting with Amit Shah, he said that the strategy to win historic seats was discussed."

He asserted that there was complete unity within the alliance, saying, NDA has respected all 5 of its allies and completed the negotiation. The nominations of all 243 candidates are clear. The names of all 243 candidates are clear. There is no confusion like the Mahagathbandhan We have already started our campaign when the Mahagathbandhan is trying to cancel out each others claims," Paswan said.

The LJP leader also took a jibe at the Mahagathbandhan alliance in Bihar over its internal rift.

Describing them as a confused alliance," he claimed, There are head-to-head clashes going on Mahagathbandhan. Candidates have filed nominations against the candidates of their own alliance"

Criticising the opposition, Paswan accused the RJD and Congress of destroying Bihars law and order during their tenure, news agency ANI reported.

The situation in Bihar during the 1990s is no secret. Murder, kidnapping, looting, and robbery were at their peak A perception of Bihar had been created, which stopped people from investing in Bihar. Able-bodied people of Bihar began to migrate RJD and Congress ruined Bihar. This is the difference between the two alliances. One alliance promotes and protects crime, which is the mahagathbandhan, while our NDA alliance works only for development."

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Paswan said the NDAs goal was a complete sweep in the elections. Our aim would be to have a 100% strike rate We discussed how we will avoid every false narrative and focus only on the narrative of development"

On Friday, Amit Shah had said the NDA would transform Bihar into an industrial hub" if re-elected. Addressing an event in Patna, he said, Now its time for Bihar 3.0 We will make Bihar an industrial hub The youth of Bihar have the highest intelligence in the whole world. Bihar may have a shortage of land, but we can introduce projects that require more mental work and less land."

About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More

First Published: October 18, 2025, 13:07 IST

News elections 'Clashes In Mahagathbandhan': Chirag Paswan Meets Amit Shah, Jabs Oppn Over 'Confusion'

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Minor Error, Will Be Resolved: Chirag Paswan After Seema Singhs Poll Nomination Rejected

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 21:18 IST

Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) faces a setback as Seema Singh's Madhaura nomination is rejected. Chirag Paswan seeks Election Commission redressal.

Seema Singh, 35, is a popular Bhojpuri actress, Model, and TV presenter. (File)

In a big setback to Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), the nomination of Bhojpuri actress and partys candidate from Madhaura, Seema Singh, has been rejected by poll body authorities ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections.

Addressing the concern, party president and Union Minister Chirag Paswan said that the LJP (RV) has formally submitted a representation to the Election Commission seeking redressal.

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We have submitted our representation to the Election Commission. I believe this issue has arisen due to a minor oversight, and I am hopeful that it will be resolved in the coming few days," Paswan said as quoted by news agency IANS.

Patna, Bihar: On the rejection of LJP (RV) candidate Seema Singhs nomination, Union Minister Chirag Paswan says, We have submitted our representation to the Election Commission. I believe this issue has arisen due to a minor oversight, and I am hopeful that it will be resolved pic.twitter.com/9Xr2wx6UEn IANS (@ians_india) October 18, 2025

According to a Live Hindustan report, the returning officer cancelled her nomination due to discrepancies in her documents.

A total of four nominations, including Seema Singhs, were rejected due to technical errors found during scrutiny. Along with Singh, the papers of independent candidates Altaf Alam Raju and Vishal Kumar, as well as BSPs Aditya Kumar, were also dismissed, the report added.

Who Is Seema Singh?

Seema Singh, 35, is a popular Bhojpuri actress, Model, and TV presenter, known as Helen. Seema Singh married Businessman Saurav Kumar Singh in March 2019. They have a son, Shivaay. Seema Singh joined Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) in the presence of Chirag Paswan in 2023.

During her nomination, she submitted detailed information about her educational qualifications and assets. In her affidavit, she declared her educational qualification as having passed ninth grade, the report added.

Bihar Polls 2025

Polling for the Bihar elections 2025 will take place on November 6 and 11. The results will be announced on November 14. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

In the seat-sharing arrangement within the NDA, the BJP and JD(U) will be contesting 101 seats each, while the Lok Janshakti Party (headed by Ram Vilas) will contest 29 seats. The Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) will contest six seats each.

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More

First Published: October 18, 2025, 21:18 IST

News elections Minor Error, Will Be Resolved: Chirag Paswan After Seema Singhs Poll Nomination Rejected

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South Koreas Financial Intelligence Unit has approved Binances majority stake acquisition of GOPAX, ending a regulatory impasse that had stifled its return to the Korean market for over two years.

The approval allows Binance to take majority control of GOPAX, restart operations in Korea, honor repayment pledges to users, and position itself to compete with dominant local exchanges.

The decision was confirmed on Wednesday and first disclosed on Thursday through local press outlet MK.

On Thursday, GOPAX announced that its board change report had been accepted by regulators, calling it a part of the process of enhancing management stability and meeting necessary regulatory requirements, according to a translation of the post.

GOPAX added that it is closely working with Binance, its major shareholder, to continue operating with greater prudence and responsibility and help resolve issues with users affected by the collapse of its GOFi lending product linked to Genesis Global Capital. Binance announced its investment in GOPAX in 2023.

Decrypt reached out to Binance, the Financial Services Commission, the Korea Financial Intelligence Unit, and GOPAX for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

Binance Offers Another $400M to Traders After Crypto Crash Triggers Record Liquidations

The move reopens a key Asian market that Binance left in 2021 after tighter enforcement of real-name banking and anti-money-laundering rules.

GOPAXs request for leadership changes had been pending since March 2023, delayed amid concerns over Binances compliance history and the criminal conviction of its founder, Changpeng Zhao.

Zhao had served a four-month sentence handed down last year for money laundering violations, part of a $4.3 billion settlement with the U.S. DOJ that restructured Binances governance.

Binances entry to Korea brings its liquidity, technology, and cost advantages, but faces a market dominated by two local exchanges. Upbit holds roughly 72%, while Bithumb accounts for around 24%, according to a late 2024 report from Kaiko Research.

Analysts said the decision marks regulatory closure rather than market disruption, with structural limits likely to constrain Binances immediate impact.

The approval is structurally about GOPAX's major shareholder change review, not Binance's independent market entry, Ryan Yoon, senior analyst at Seoul-based crypto and digital asset analytics firm Tiger Research, told Decrypt.

Korean regulators assessed whether Binance meets fitness standards for controlling a licensed exchange, and the two-year process suggests past issues were remediated within regulatory requirements, he added.
Government Shutdown Crisis Deepens: US Supreme Court To Run Out Of Money, Heres What It Means

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 08:57 IST

As the US shutdown nears the end of its third week, the judiciary is the next to be hit. Here's how America's top court plans to function without funding

The US Supreme Court is about to run out of money, and federal courts across the country are close behind. (REUTERS)

The United States government shutdown has already triggered widespread disruptions, from frozen paychecks to stalled services. But now, the financial paralysis is knocking on the doors of the highest court in the land. The US Supreme Court is about to run out of money, and federal courts across the country are close behind.

As the political gridlock stretched into its 17th day, the judiciary, an institution constitutionally designed to function independently, is being forced to brace for impact.

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The situation is no longer hypothetical. According to Patricia McCabe, the public information officer for the Supreme Court, The Supreme Court expects to run out of funding on October 18." She told The Hill that once that happens, the iconic building will be closed to the public until further notice," even though the building will remain open for official business."

The move signals a significant escalation of the crisis, one that is now not just administrative but constitutional.

What Will The Supreme Court Do When The Money Runs Out?

Despite the impending freeze, the court does not plan to go quiet. As McCabe explained to The Hill, The Supreme Court will continue to conduct essential work such as hearing oral arguments, issuing orders and opinions, processing case filings, and providing police and building support needed for those operations."

These activities are being categorised as essential functions under federal law, which allows certain operations to continue even during a funding lapse.

In other words, the business of justice will continue at the top, but only the bare minimum. Tours will stop, public access will be barred, and the administrative wheels that keep the Supreme Court functioning smoothly will slow down dramatically. The justices themselves, however, will not stop working.

Why Does A Shutdown Affect The Judiciary At All? Isnt It Independent?

This is where the complexity of the US system comes into play. Although the judiciary is independent in terms of decision-making, its functioning, like most arms of the federal government, is still dependent on Congressional appropriations. Every year, Congress must pass funding bills that allocate money to federal agencies, including the courts. If it fails to do so, either fully or partially, the result is a government shutdown.

This current shutdown began on October 1, as Democrats and Republicans failed to agree on a new spending bill. Democrats have repeatedly blocked the House GOP proposal, primarily because it does not extend healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, which are set to expire at the end of the year. With no agreement in sight, various government branches, including the judiciary, are being forced to find ways to keep functioning without money.

What Happens To Federal Courts Across The US?

While the Supreme Court will run out of funding by October 18, the rest of the federal judiciary is expected to hit that wall by October 20.

The Administrative Office of the US Courts said in a statement that federal courts are likely to exhaust their remaining funds by Monday. Once that happens, they will no longer be able to maintain full, paid operation".

Judges, however, are not going anywhere. As the office clarified, Federal judges will continue to serve, in accordance with the Constitution, but court staff may only perform certain excepted activities permitted under the Anti-Deficiency Act." This 19th-century law prohibits federal agencies from incurring obligations in excess of appropriated funds, with exceptions only for activities deemed essential.

Those excepted" activities include tasks necessary to perform constitutional functions, ensure the safety of human life, and protect property. All other operations will be put on hold. Crucially, this and all other excepted work is to be performed without pay," the statement added. Staff members not performing excepted duties will be placed on furlough.

Will Court Cases Be Delayed Or Cancelled?

That depends on the district. According to The Hill, how each court proceeds from Monday will vary across the 94 federal judicial districts in the United States. While some cases will be allowed to continue on schedule, others will likely be postponed. Staffing resources, or the lack thereof, will also be a deciding factor.

Federal courts will still be able to carry out some limited functions using leftover court fee balances and non-appropriated funds, but these will not last long. The Administrative Office noted that any such limited operations would likely be conducted over the weekend, just before the funding dries up.

Public electronic systems, such as the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER), will remain online, allowing filings to continue for now. Jury programmes will also continue operating, and jurors are expected to follow court instructions as directed.

Is This Shutdown Really That Historic?

Yes, and its getting worse. The ongoing shutdown has now reached 17 days, making it the third-longest in US history. If it stretches to Monday, it will surpass the 1978 shutdown under President Jimmy Carter. If it continues until October 22, it will surpass the 1995 standoff between House Speaker Newt Gingrich and President Bill Clinton, which lasted 21 days.

The longest shutdown in US history occurred between December 22, 2018, and January 25, 2019, during President Donald Trumps first term. That one lasted 35 days and ended only after Trump dropped his demand for border wall funding in exchange for reopening the government.

Will The Shutdown End Soon?

The short answer: not much, at least not yet. The House has been out of session since September 19 and has no plans to return until the shutdown is resolved. House Speaker Mike Johnson has cancelled votes repeatedly since late September.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said the Senate will reconvene on Monday, October 20. A vote is expected later that day on a new funding measure. If passed, the government shutdown could end once the bill is signed by President Trump. But if it fails, the crisis will drag on into its third full week.

In the meantime, Thune is also expected to bring up a bill to ensure that excepted" federal workers, including court staff and military personnel, will receive pay during the shutdown. These are not employees that you want to go home," said Republican Representative Mike Rogers of Alabama, referring specifically to workers at the agency responsible for the US nuclear arsenal, which is planning to furlough 80 per cent of its staff due to the funding shortfall.

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So, How Bad Can It Get For The Courts?

Very bad, if the shutdown continues past Monday. Courts will still be expected to perform their constitutional duties, but the machinery supporting them  clerks, administrative staff, security, maintenance  will be functioning under severe constraints. While judges are constitutionally mandated to remain on the bench, the rest of the judiciary will be operating in legal triage mode.

About the Author Karishma Jain Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follo... Read More

First Published: October 18, 2025, 08:45 IST

News explainers Government Shutdown Crisis Deepens: US Supreme Court To Run Out Of Money, Heres What It Means

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Pigeons Belong In Mumbai: Why PETA Is Facing Backlash For This Campaign

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 16:39 IST

PETA India faced online backlash for urging Mumbaikars to welcome pigeons in their lives and bring the starvation of the birds to an end.

PETA India faced the heat over a campaign that urged Mumbaikars to co-exist with the birds as pigeons, according to them, belonged to the city.

PETA Indias (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) recent outing in Mumbai has been met with severe pushback by the online community. In a video uploaded on October 18, the animal rights organisation urged the Mumbaikars to treat pigeons with equality because they were one of us". To hit the message home, volunteers of PETA India turned into pigeons" as they wandered around the city in their custom-made pigeon heads.

Sharing the video of their campaign on X, the organisation wrote: Mumbais skies wouldnt be the same without pigeons. With feeding bans, these gentle birds face starvation. Human Mumbaikars turned into pigeons" to remind everyone pigeons belong here too."

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What was intended to be a harmless protest for pigeons to coexist in Mumbai peacefully turned into a humiliation ritual for the organisation.

 Mumbais skies wouldnt be the same without pigeons.With feeding bans, these gentle birds face starvation. Human Mumbaikars turned into pigeons" to remind everyone pigeons belong here too. Join us in urging Honble CM @Dev_Fadnavis to stop starving pigeons with pic.twitter.com/x7vCrOurmP  PETA India (@PetaIndia) October 10, 2025

The Outrage

Responding in strong words opposing PETAs message to support the co-existence of the birds, an X user wrote: someone should file a case against @PetaIndia for violating right to have a healthy life under Article 21. Pigeon feeding is responsible for lungs disease. These clowns at Peta are there for performative activism (sic)."

Pigeons can transmit diseases like cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, and psittacosis through exposure to their droppings," added another.

The discussion moved over to Reddit, and the community expressed that PETAs campaign was harmful and that the dangerous birds had to be kept at bay for the safety of residents of the city.

If science says pegions are bad, invasive & banning pegion feeding would help all ecosystem including pegions themselves by reducing their suffering, pegion feeding should be banned."

PETAs Response

PETA responded to the social media backlash and stated that the risk of disease transmission from pigeons to humans was very low".

Fears around pigeon-related health risks are exaggerated. An RTI response from Mumbais three largest civic hospitals shows that only 0.3% of respiratory illness cases in 2024 were linked to pigeon exposure. International research also demonstrates that the risk of disease transmission from pigeons to humans is very low, even for people who are in close and regular contact with them. And pigeons are naturally resistant to bird flu," the organisations official X handle wrote.

Also Read: Are Pigeons Making You Sick? Why Mumbai Is Closing All 51 Kabootar Khanas

Nevertheless, to address concerns while safeguarding pigeons and the tradition of feeding by Jains and other compassionate persons, PETA India has proposed three other practical steps to the government: designating specific feeding times and hubs at kabutarkhanas, ensuring regular cleaning and sanitation at these sites, and installing multilingual messages educating the public on proper feeding practices and the minimal health risks posed by pigeons," PETA India further wrote.

Why Are Pigeons Dangerous?

They may seem harmless, but pigeon droppings can carry dangerous fungi, such as Aspergillus, which, when inhaled, may lead to Histoplasmosis and conditions like Bird Breeders Lung, also known as Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis. This immune reaction inflames the lungs interstitium, vital for oxygen transfer, potentially causing severe respiratory issues. If not addressed early, the condition can progress to irreversible lung fibrosis, significantly impairing breathing. However, prompt diagnosis within six weeks of symptoms appearing often allows for effective treatment and reversal, highlighting the importance of recognizing the hidden dangers posed by pigeon droppings to safeguard long-term lung health.

Pigeon droppings additionally carry uric acid that can corrode metal, damage buildings and statues. Furthermore, pigeon nests in ventilation systems can enable the growth of mold, making it unhygienic for people in residential areas and the general public in commercial buildings.

Also Read: Can Feeding Pigeons Regularly Harm Your Lungs? Tips To Protect Yourself

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Users on X added context under PETA Indias pigeon campaign post in the form of a community note.

Pigeon droppings are hazardous. A 0.3% case rate would still mean 3000 in a million which is a high number. Moreover even if the number is less, it doesnt mean it isnt hazardous. All lives are precious."

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

First Published: October 18, 2025, 16:37 IST

News explainers Pigeons Belong In Mumbai: Why PETA Is Facing Backlash For This Campaign

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Sex Abuse Allegations, Epstein Ties, And A Royal Fall: What Brought Down Prince Andrew?

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 14:00 IST

Haunted by a settled rape lawsuit, tainted by ties to Jeffrey Epstein and stripped of titles, heres how the Duke of York became the monarchys biggest liability

Andrew said the move came after talks with King Charles III, the reigning monarch and head of state. (Image: AP/File)

After years of scandal and relentless public scrutiny, Prince Andrew has now given up the use of all his remaining royal titles and honours, including Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, and Knight of the Garter.

Once hailed as Queen Elizabeths favourite son, he has become the most disgraced figure in the British monarchy. At the heart of his downfall lies a sexual abuse allegation from Virginia Giuffre, a known victim of Jeffrey Epsteins trafficking network, which Andrew denied but later settled in court.

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From royal privilege to reputational collapse, his journey reflects a slow-motion implosion that continues to unfold.

ALSO READ | The Woman Who Took On Jeffrey Epstein: Why Virginia Giuffres Story Refuses To Fade

The Making And Unmaking Of A Prince

Born in 1960, Andrew is the second son and third child of Queen Elizabeth II and the younger brother of King Charles III. As a senior royal, he enjoyed decades of public visibility and ceremonial honour.

He served for 22 years in the Royal Navy, where he flew helicopters in the 1982 Falklands War, and was later appointed the United Kingdoms Special Representative for International Trade and Investment.

But despite this image of loyalty and service, Andrews privileged life has unravelled under the weight of scandal. For years, he maintained a close friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, a US financier later convicted of sex offences involving minors. That association became central to the princes downfall when a survivor of Epsteins trafficking network, Virginia Giuffre, accused Andrew of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager.

Though Andrew denied the allegations, the case shook the foundations of the British royal family. What followed was not just a retreat from public life, but a systematic removal of the very honours, titles, and responsibilities that once defined his identity.

What Was The Allegation Against Prince Andrew?

Virginia Giuffre, an American woman who said she was trafficked by Epstein and his associates from the age of 16, first publicly alleged in 2015 that she had been forced to have sex with Prince Andrew. These claims appeared in court documents filed as part of a case involving Epstein in Florida. While Andrew was not a party to that case, the allegations received global attention and were strongly denied by Buckingham Palace.

Years later, in August 2021, Giuffre formally filed a civil lawsuit in the United States accusing Prince Andrew of sexually abusing her on multiple occasions when she was under 18. She alleged that she was coerced into sex with the royal at properties owned or controlled by Epstein or his associates. Andrew has consistently denied ever meeting her.

In a BBC interview in 2019, Andrew attempted to refute the claims. I have no recollection of ever meeting Ms Giuffre," he said. He also tried to distance himself from Epstein by insisting that their friendship had been misrepresented. I never have really partied," Andrew told the BBC. I was single for quite a long time in the early 80s, but then after I got married, I was very happy, and Ive never really felt the need to go and party, and certainly going to Jeffreys was not about partying."

The interview, intended as damage control, instead became a PR disaster. His bizarre defences, including the claim that a medical condition prevented him from sweating and that he was at a pizza restaurant with his daughter on the night in question, drew widespread ridicule. He was also criticised for failing to express sympathy for Epsteins victims and for not distancing himself sooner.

In February 2022, a settlement was reached. According to a letter filed with the US district court, Andrew agreed to pay an undisclosed sum to Giuffre. The agreement included no admission of guilt. I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein," Andrew said in a later statement, announcing his withdrawal from royal duties.

Stripped Of Titles, Cut Off By The Crown

The repercussions were swift. In 2022, the late Queen Elizabeth II stripped Andrew of all his honorary military titles and royal patronages. He was also told to stop using His Royal Highness" in any official capacity, though he technically retains it by birth.

Charities and institutions that once listed him as a patron cut ties. Even his own entrepreneurship initiative removed his name.

For a time, he remained the Duke of York, a title traditionally held by senior male royals. But on Friday, Prince Andrew voluntarily relinquished his remaining titles, including Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Killyleagh. He also gave up his membership in the Order of the Garter, Britains most prestigious order of knighthood.

His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, simultaneously lost the title of Duchess of York. Their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, retained their royal status.

Why Now? The Avalanche Of Bad Press That Pushed The Palace

Andrews decision to shed his final titles came just before the release of Giuffres posthumous memoir. Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025, and the upcoming book reportedly includes new details about her experiences, once again casting a harsh spotlight on the prince.

Adding to the pressure was the publication of a previously undisclosed email contradicting Andrews claims about when he ended contact with Epstein. BBC reported that the email had been partially published earlier in the year but was now generating far more scrutiny. A royal insider told the outlet that the revelations had created fault lines" in Andrews public account.

Palace insiders told the BBC that the monarchy had reached a tipping point." With King Charles and Queen Camilla preparing for a state visit to the Vatican, Buckingham Palace reportedly feared that Andrews continued presence in headlines would overshadow the royal agenda.

The Cost Of A Quiet Exile

Though officially removed from royal duties, Prince Andrew still resides at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, a 30-room mansion leased from the Crown Estate. The lease, granted in 2003, runs until 2078.

According to the BBC, Andrew is believed to have stopped receiving money from the Sovereign Grant, the monarchys public funding source, in 2019, when he stepped down as a working royal. It remains unclear whether he later received private funds from the late Queen Elizabeth II or King Charles. However, royal sources have told the BBC that King Charles ended any remaining financial support in 2024.

What Next For The Disgraced Prince?

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Prince Andrew remains a prince by birth but has no official role, no public platform, and no foreseeable path back into the Royal Familys inner circle. He has been excluded from royal appearances, including the familys annual Christmas gathering at Sandringham. His days of ceremonial uniforms, balcony waves, and public speeches are long behind him.

Yet the story is not over. The full release of Giuffres memoir, continued scrutiny by US lawmakers, and the possibility of more Epstein-related disclosures could keep Andrew in the headlines for months, or even years, to come.

About the Author Karishma Jain Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follo... Read More

First Published: October 18, 2025, 13:53 IST

News explainers Sex Abuse Allegations, Epstein Ties, And A Royal Fall: What Brought Down Prince Andrew?

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Bengaluru College Students Murder Probe Reveals Accused Planned Attack After Marriage Refusal

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 09:31 IST

The 20-year-old victim, Yamini Priya, a B.Pharm student, was fatally stabbed multiple times in the throat and face by a man who was pressuring her for marriage

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Prime accused Vignesh (left) and Harish (right), who allegedly assisted in the logistics, are in police custody. (News18)

The probe into the horrific daylight murder of a college student in Bengalurus Srirampura has culminated with the arrest of two individuals, with police calling the crime a pre-planned attack following the victims refusal to a marriage proposal.

The 20-year-old victim, Yamini Priya, a B.Pharm student, was fatally stabbed multiple times in the throat and face in the Srirampura police station limits on Wednesday.

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Speaking to the media, DCP (North Division) BS Nemegowda confirmed the arrests and detailed the initial findings of the investigation.

Srirampura police were successful in tracking down the accused. The 20-year-old young woman was a B.Pharm student," said Nemegowda. He identified the main accused as Vignesh @ Sanjay, who was allegedly forcing her for marriage.

The police statement indicated the motive was rejection. When she refused, he murdered her by stabbing her with a knife on her neck and face."

Vignesh and a second accused, Harish, who allegedly assisted in the logistics, were apprehended in Soladevanahalli. We have taken Vignesh and Harish, who dropped and picked him up, into custody," the DCP said, clarifying that Vignesh alone committed the act". However, he added, Harish cooperated in the murder. Both accused are being interrogated."

The police are also probing the past relationship and activities of the victim and the accused. We are investigating the creation of a WhatsApp group. Whether they were in love or not needs to be ascertained," the DCP added. Police also revealed that Vignesh had been previously warned after the victim had filed a complaint against him, where police had taken an undertaking. Officials also noted that Vignesh was unemployed, while Harish worked in a fabric shop, and the knife used in the crime was purchased from a store. Vignesh also had a previous case against him in 2022 for allegedly posing as a BBMP Marshal to extort money.

Three special teams were formed for the manhunt, which led to the arrest of the accused after an intensive search overnight. Vignesh is currently being interrogated by the Srirampura police.

He Should Be Hanged

The victims family, still reeling from the tragedy, expressed their pain and anger, directly accusing the system for failing their daughter after her prior complaint.

Yamini Priyas mother, Varalakshmi, expressed her fury, demanding the harshest penalty. He should be killed in an encounter," she said. We had filed a complaint before. He should not be let off."

Varalakshmi, explaining why they did not press charges further earlier, said: When we complained first, they let him go. We remained silent thinking his parents were good people. But we didnt know he would do this." She confirmed that the accuseds family had approached them for marriage last April, but her daughter had refused.

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His family came and asked to marry her, but my daughter did not like him," she said. If she had liked him, I would have given her in marriage. What can be done if she doesnt like him?"

The grieving mother lamented her daughters silence, believing the college student feared for her education. My daughter never told us anything [about the stalking]. She did not tell us, fearing we might stop her from studying," Varalakshmi said, urging everyone not to trust anyone even the boy next door". She concluded her emotional plea with a demand for capital punishment: He must be hanged."

About the Author Harish Upadhya Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and R... Read More

First Published: October 18, 2025, 09:31 IST

News india Bengaluru College Students Murder Probe Reveals Accused Planned Attack After Marriage Refusal

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China Eastern Airlines To Resume DelhiShanghai Flights From November 9

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 19:31 IST

This development comes only a few months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed ways to improve trade ties in August during the SCO meet.

News18

In a step towards strengthening India-China ties, Chinese Eastern Airlines is set to launch direct flights between Delhi and Shanghai next month, November. The new route will further enhance connectivity between India and one of Asias biggest business hubs.

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According to the airline, the service will operate every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, offering passengers convenient travel options between the two major cities. The flight from Shanghai Pudong International Airport will take off at 12:50 PM local time and reach Delhi at 5:45 PM (local time).

On the return leg, the aircraft will depart from Delhi at 7:55 PM and land in Shanghai at 4:10 AM the following day.

Indigo Launches Direct Flights Between Kolkata And Guangzhou

The DelhiShanghai service comes shortly after IndiGo announced daily flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou, which are scheduled to begin on 26 October.

PM Modi At SCO Meet

This development comes only a few months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed ways to improve trade ties in August during SCO meet.

We are committed to progressing our relations based on mutual respect, trust and sensitivities," Modi said during the meeting on the sidelines of the summit, according to a video posted on his official X account.

He said an atmosphere of peace and stability" has been created on their disputed Himalayan border and that cooperation between the two nations was linked to the interests of 2.8 billion people of the worlds two most populous countries.

Notably, this was Prime Minister Narendra Modis first visit to China in seven years. Both the leaders also agreed that India and China are development partners, not rivals.

Ties between the nations were ruptured by the 2020 clash, in which 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers died in hand-to-hand combat, following which the Himalayan border was heavily militarised by both sides.

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About the Author Anushka Vats Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can ... Read More

First Published: October 18, 2025, 19:23 IST

News india China Eastern Airlines To Resume DelhiShanghai Flights From November 9

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'He Stared, Smirked At Me': DUSU Joint Secretary Deepika Jha On Why She Slapped Professor

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 12:04 IST

Deepika Jha has said that she slapped the professor at Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar College after he verbally abused her and behaved inappropriately, including staring and smirking.

DUSU Joint Secretary Deepika Jha slaps professor (Video screengrab/Social Media)

Deepika Jha, Joint Secretary of the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) and member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), has claimed that she slapped the faculty member at Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar College as she was provoked by his alleged verbal abuse and inappropriate behaviour.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Jha said, During the interaction, when I told him that I saw him smoking in public and that does not leave a good impression on students, he verbally abused me."

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Jha added that the professor had been staring" at her and smirking" despite her expressing discomfort.

It was only after his verbal abuse that I slapped him, which I acknowledge I should not have done," she told HT.

A controversy erupted when Jha visited the college on October 16 to address complaints raised by students against the teacher, Sujit Kumar.

She alleged that Kumar threatened" her and used abusive language" inside the principals office and claimed he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.

His repeated threats, constant staring, and indecent remarks made it quite evident that the said professor had once again come to the college under the influence of alcohol. In that moment of distress and anger, I reacted impulsively, for which I sincerely express regret," Jha said.

A video of the incident surfaced online, showing a teacher being surrounded and assaulted inside the principals office in the presence of police.

Following the incident, protests erupted at Delhi Universitys North Campus, as two major Left-affiliated student organisations, Students Federation of India (SFI) and All India Students Association (AISA), condemned the assault.

SFI called it a direct attack on the dignity and sanctity of educational spaces" and alleged a growing pattern of intimidation and aggression by ABVP members," demanding an impartial and time-bound inquiry.

AISA staged a protest outside the DUSU office, demanding Jhas resignation and disciplinary action.

AISA DU president Saavy said, This attack is not just on one professor but on the very idea of a university where teachers and students can think and dissent freely."

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Delhi University has since formed an inquiry committee to investigate the matter.

ALSO READ | Girls Have Many Boyfriends: Student Says Delhi College Staff Told Her To Bathe, Change After Rape

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: October 18, 2025, 11:43 IST

News india 'He Stared, Smirked At Me': DUSU Joint Secretary Deepika Jha On Why She Slapped Professor

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Diwali 2025: Himachal Village Shrouded In Darkness Due To Centuries-Old Satis Curse

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 19:27 IST

According to local tradition, the village has avoided festive celebrations of the festival of lights ever since a woman immolated herself on her husbands funeral pyre

Representative Image

For yet another year, the residents of Sammoo village in Himachal Pradeshs Hamirpur district will refrain from celebrating Diwali, a practice rooted in the centuries-old belief of satis curse".

According to local tradition, the village has avoided festive celebrations of the festival of lights" ever since a woman immolated herself on her husbands funeral pyre and, in her final moments, cursed the village, vowing that it would never celebrate Diwali again.

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Ever since that incident, Sammoo observes a subdued Diwali," said Veena Devi, deputy to the village head, on Saturday.

People light only a few diyas, but bursting crackers or holding lavish festivities is strictly avoided. The villagers believe that breaking this tradition invites calamity."

Located around 25 kilometres from the district headquarters, Sammoos silence on Diwali stands in stark contrast to the celebrations across the rest of the region.

Elderly villager Thakur Bidhi Chand recounted the origins of the curse: Centuries ago, a pregnant woman was preparing for Diwali when her husbands body  he was a soldier in the local kings army  was brought home. Overcome with grief, she leapt into his pyre."

Before dying, she declared that the village would never celebrate Diwali again. Whenever someone tried, misfortune struck  someone would die or some disaster would occur."

Over the years, the villagers have made several attempts to lift the curse through havans and elaborate rituals, but without success.

Three years ago, we organised a grand yajna, hoping the curse would end," said another villager, Vijay Kumar.

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But nothing changed. People still prefer to stay indoors on Diwali."

For Sammoos residents, the day that brings light and festivity to the rest of India continues to pass in quiet darkness, a reminder of a tragic legend that time has yet to erase.

Location : Himachal Pradesh, India, India

First Published: October 18, 2025, 19:27 IST

News india Diwali 2025: Himachal Village Shrouded In Darkness Due To Centuries-Old Satis Curse

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Hindu Identity At Risk If Caste Assertion Persists, Says Madhya Pradesh High Court

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 15:59 IST

Citing other incidents, including a shoe being thrown at the Chief Justice of India, the court said these were further examples of caste issues gaining dangerous prominence.

Madhya Pradesh High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has sharply criticised the growing number of caste-based violence and discrimination cases in the state, calling them shocking" and warning that unchecked caste divisions could one day erase the collective Hindu identity.

The observation came from a Bench of Justices Atul Sreedharan and Pradeep Mittal on 14 October, while the court took suo motu cognisance of an incident in Damoh district.

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On 11 October, a man from the OBC community was allegedly humiliated by upper-caste villagers and forced to wash another mans feet for sharing an AI-generated meme. A video of the incident went viral, prompting the courts intervention.

Expressing deep concern over the recurring pattern of caste-based humiliation, the court said, Repeated instances of caste-related violence and discriminative actions in the state are shocking."

The judges also issued strong directions to the police and local administration to invoke the National Security Act (NSA) against everyone visible in the video.

This is the same state where a person of the general category urinated on the head of a tribal person, and to placate whom, the then chief minister washed the feet of the victim. Caste identities are on the rise. Every community, frequently and shamelessly flaunts its caste identity to the detriment of the entire Hindu Society," the court remarked.

The Bench noted that the tendency of individuals and groups to assert caste identity had become deeply ingrained in society.

Each caste has become vociferous and ultra-conscious of its caste identity and leaves no measure unturned to demonstrate its/her pride of belonging to a particular caste," it said, adding that the victims in such cases were often the least literate and most impoverished economically."

Citing other incidents, including a shoe being thrown at the Chief Justice of India and the suicide of a senior police officer in Haryana, the court said these were further examples of caste issues gaining dangerous prominence.

The judges observed that social media and public discourse have increasingly shifted from shared religious identity to caste-based divisions.

Persons refer to themselves as Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, each asserting their independent identity. At this stage, if things are unchecked, within a century and a half, the people who call themselves Hindus will cease to exist, fighting amongst themselves," the court warned.

While the court acknowledged that directing the police to use the NSA was an unusual step, it justified the move due to the urgency of the situation.

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If action is not taken urgently and immediately, situations may lead to violence, where police action thereafter would become ineffective with public order being disturbed," it said.

The Damoh police have since invoked the NSA against the accused.

About the Author Anushka Vats Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can ... Read More

Location : Madhya Pradesh, India, India

First Published: October 18, 2025, 15:59 IST

News india Hindu Identity At Risk If Caste Assertion Persists, Says Madhya Pradesh High Court

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'Each Inch Of Pakistan Within BrahMos Range': Rajnath Singh Flags Off First Lucknow-Made Missiles

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 19:41 IST

Rajnath Singh warned Pakistan that every inch of its land is within the reach of BrahMos, calling 'Operation Sindoor' just a trailer" of India's action against terrorism.

A file photo of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (PTI)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that Operation Sindoor was just a trailer" of Indias action against terrorism, and warned Pakistan that every inch of its land is within the reach of the BrahMos missile.

Speaking at the flagging-off ceremony of the first batch of BrahMos missiles manufactured at the BrahMos Aerospace unit in Lucknow, the Defence Minister said the operation was a turning point that displayed Indias growing defence prowess.

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Operation Sindoor has proven that victory is no longer just an incident for us, but a habit," he said.

Every inch of Pakistans land is within the reach of BrahMos. What happened in Operation Sindoor was just a trailer, but that trailer alone made Pakistan realise that if India can give birth to Pakistan, then when the time comes, it can also Now, I dont need to tell you further, you all are wise," the Defence Minister said in a stern warning to the neighbouring country.

Singh also said that the practical demonstration of the BrahMos missile during the operation has proven that our enemies will not be spared."

The Defence Minister emphasised that the BrahMos missile is not just a weapon system but a symbol of Indias growing indigenous capabilities."

Highlighting its cutting-edge technology, he said, BrahMos combines speed, accuracy and power, making it one of the worlds best systems. Today, it has become the backbone of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force."

The Defence Minister lauded Lucknows transformation into a defence manufacturing hub, noting that it is now one of six nodes of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor.

Just a few years ago, could anyone have imagined that the countrys most modern missiles would be prepared from Lucknow? Today, this is no dream but a reality," he said.

Singh also called for strengthening small industries to ensure that India no longer depends on foreign suppliers for spare parts.

Singh, along with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, flagged off the first batch of BrahMos missiles manufactured at the BrahMos Aerospace unit here on Saturday.

According to an official statement, this is not only a milestone for the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC) but will also provide a new energy to Indias resolve to achieve self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

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BrahMos Aerospace, the manufacturer of the BrahMos supersonic missile system, has successfully produced the first batch of the missile system from its new integration and test facility in Sarojini Nagar, Lucknow, the statement said.

The event was attended by Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, and several senior officials.

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: October 18, 2025, 12:37 IST

News india 'Each Inch Of Pakistan Within BrahMos Range': Rajnath Singh Flags Off First Lucknow-Made Missiles

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Rajnath Singh, Yogi Adityanath Flag Off First Batch Of BrahMos Missiles Manufactured In Lucknow

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 12:21 IST

Rajnath Singh and Yogi Adityanath flagged off the first batch of BrahMos missiles manufactured at the Lucknow facility under the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission.

Rajnath Singh, Yogi Adityanath flag off first batch of BrahMos missiles in Lucknow (Photo: ANI)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath flagged off the first batch of BrahMos missiles in Lucknow on Saturday, under the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission.

The fresh batch of BrahMos missiles was manufactured at the BrahMos Aerospace unit in the city, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier.

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According to an official statement, this is not only a milestone for the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC) but will also provide a new energy to Indias resolve to achieve self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and UP CM Yogi Adityanath flag off the first batch of BrahMos missiles produced at the BrahMos Aerospace unit in Lucknow. pic.twitter.com/2F09XlfCTN ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2025

BrahMos Aerospace, the manufacturer of the BrahMos supersonic missile system, has successfully produced the first batch of the missile system from its new integration and test facility in Sarojini Nagar, Lucknow, the statement mentioned.

This state-of-the-art unit, which was inaugurated on May 11, 2025, houses all modern facilities for missile integration, testing and final quality checks.

Following its successful testing, the missiles have been prepared for deployment by the Indian armed forces.

VIDEO | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) and UP CM Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) witness a demonstration of BrahMos virtual strike through SU-30 at the BrahMos Aerospace unit in Lucknows Sarojini Nagar.(Full video available on PTI Videos - pic.twitter.com/FySNZkNWfR  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 18, 2025

BrahMos, designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and NPO Mashinostroyeniya, a Russian defence company, made a significant impact on Pakistans military infrastructure during Indias Operation Sindoor, following the ghastly Pahalgam terror attack.

The missiles were used to hit Pakistani air bases and Army cantonments all along its length and breadth during the four-day conflict.

The BrahMos caused further damage to Pakistani air bases, and hence, the Pakistan Army tried to retaliate, protecting the terrorists and their infrastructure.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had praised the performance of the indigenous weapon systems in the conflict, saying, During Operation Sindoor, the world saw the capabilities of our indigenous weapons."

Our Air Defence Systems, missiles, and drones have proved the strength of Atmanirbhar Bharat, especially the BrahMos missiles," the Prime Minister had said.

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Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi and various officials were present on the occasion in Lucknow on Saturday.

ALSO READ | Fatah-IV Missile Test: Has Pakistan Developed Its Own BrahMos Capable Of Beating The S-400?

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: October 18, 2025, 12:19 IST

News india Rajnath Singh, Yogi Adityanath Flag Off First Batch Of BrahMos Missiles Manufactured In Lucknow

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The U.S.-listed crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) bled money Thursday, snapping a two-week streak of consistent inflows.

The 11 bitcoin (BTC) ETFs registered a net outflow of $536.4 million as investors pulled out $56.8 million from ether ETFs.

Data curated by SoSoValue shows BlackRocks iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) saw $29 million in outflows on the day, while Fidelitys FBTC lost $132 million. Grayscales converted GBTC product shed $67 million, with smaller issuers such as Bitwise and VanEck also recording redemptions.

The reversal caps a volatile fortnight that saw bitcoin tumble from its $126,000 highs amid leveraged liquidations, structural problems with Binance's data feeds, and renewed U.S.China trade tensions.

Analysts at Citi said the drawdown revealed bitcoins growing equity sensitivity. At the same time, Glassnode described the sell-off as a necessary reset following one of the largest futures deleveraging events on record.

Unchaineds latest report adds that ETF options activity has reshaped how flows behave, turning what was once a steady source of demand into a mechanism that now tracks shifts in market sentiment.

Despite the volatility, Citi reiterated its year-end target of $133,000 for bitcoin, citing resilient ETF participation despite the pullback, a target that prediction markets tend to agree with.
'Self-Reliant India Does Not Stay Silent, It Gives Befitting Response': PM Modi

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 08:54 IST

PM Modi asserted that India had overcome several challenges in the last 11 years and was in no mood to stop, adding that it is still the fastest-growing economy.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi (PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined the countrys shift towards Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence, saying that a self-reliant India does not remain silent, but responds befittingly through surgical strikes, as seen in Operation Sindoor against Pakistan.

Speaking at the NDTV World Summit at the Bharat Mandapam, PM Modi asserted that India was in no mood to stop at a time of several roadblocks in the world. He highlighted that before coming to power in 2014, there were raging doubts on how India would overcome several issues like terrorism, women safety and policy paralysis, but India has managed to overcome every challenge in the last 11 years.

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Now, the self-reliant India does not stay silent, it gives a befitting response through surgical strikes, airstrikes and Operation Sindoor," he said on terrorism. India launched precise airstrikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in April, neutralising over 100 terrorists.

During Covid-19, when everyone was thinking about how this country will save itself, India proved every assumption wrong. We defeated the challenge and became the fastest-growing economy," he was quoted as saying in the event.

Immediately after the pandemic, the PM recalled, the world faced major conflicts as seen in Ukraine, which once again raised fears of impacting Indias economic growth. However, India remained the fastest-growing major economy with an average growth of 7.8% in the last three years, he added.

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Indias exports have also gone up. Last year, Indias agricultural exports were Rs 4.8 lakh crore. Amid uncertain ratings for several other countries, S&P has upgraded Indias credit rating after 17 years Just a few days ago, Google also announced it will invest $15 billion in Indias AI space," he stressed.

UK PM Keir Starmer came to India with his biggest delegation. It showed that the world sees opportunity in India. The world sees India as a responsible partner," he added. These investments are helping make India the nerve centre of global investment. The edge of the unknown is the gateway of opportunity for India."

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More

First Published: October 18, 2025, 08:54 IST

News india 'Self-Reliant India Does Not Stay Silent, It Gives Befitting Response': PM Modi

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Supreme Court Quashes NRI Arrest, Cautions Agencies Against Hasty Detention At Airports

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Last Updated: October 19, 2025, 03:43 IST

The traveller was arrested for allegedly carrying a deer horn in violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

Invoking its extraordinary powers under Articles 136 and 142 of the Constitution, the SC declared the arrest and the FIR 'unlawful' and 'a gross abuse of the process of the court'. File pic/PTI

In a significant judgment safeguarding the rights of international travellers, the Supreme Court of India quashed the arrest and subsequent criminal proceedings against an Italy-based Non-Resident Indian (NRI), Rocky Abraham, who had been detained at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in January. The traveller was arrested for allegedly carrying a deer horn in violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The incident began when airport officials, upon finding a horn in the NRIs baggage as he was transiting from the International to the Domestic Terminal, promptly registered an FIR under various sections of the Act, leading to Abrahams immediate arrest. The NRI, who was traveling to Kochi for a vacation and to undergo knee surgery, was subsequently incarcerated in Tihar Jail for 14 days. He was eventually granted bail but under onerous conditions, including a prohibition on leaving the country, which jeopardised his employment abroad.

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The turning point came with a forensic report from the Wildlife Institute of India, which conclusively established that the seized article was a reindeer horn (Rangifer tarandus), not a deer horn from a protected species. Critically, reindeer are not listed under any of the protected schedules of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, meaning the possession was not a legal offence.

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Invoking its extraordinary powers under Articles 136 and 142 of the Constitution, a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta declared the arrest and the FIR unlawful" and a gross abuse of the process of the court". The SC delivered a stern caution to enforcement agencies: This court feels an imminent need to require the jurisdictional agencies concerned, handling affairs at the international airports, to sensitise their officers in the prevailing laws before taking the drastic step of detention and arrest of an international traveller."

The court emphasised that such ill-advised actions tend to bring the reputation of the country to disrepute in the international fora, in addition to bringing the conduct of the concerned officers into breach of the human rights guarantees". The Supreme Court also granted the petitioner the liberty to seek damages against the concerned authorities for the ordeal he suffered.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

First Published: October 19, 2025, 03:43 IST

News india Supreme Court Quashes NRI Arrest, Cautions Agencies Against Hasty Detention At Airports

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Telangana Court Sentences Tuition Teacher To 10 Years For Raping 12-Year-Old Student

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 10:54 IST

A tuition teacher was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined Rs 5,000 for raping a 12-year-old in Hyderguda, Telangana.

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16-Year-Old Dalit Girl Gang-Raped. (File for representation)

A 60-year-old tuition teacher has been sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 5,000 by a special court in Ranga Reddy district, Telangana, for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl attending his classes.

The victim is a resident of Hyderguda in Rajendranagar Mandal. She was raped by the teacher in December 2017.

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According to the victims mother, her daughter, then a 7th grade student, had been attending tuition classes at the residence of Dronamraju Subramanyeshwar Rao, who lived in the same apartment complex as her.

Next morning the mother returned and immediately filed a complaint at the Rajendranagar Police Station.

Based on the complaint, a case was registered under Section 376(2)(f)(i) of the IPC, Section 5(o) read with Section 6 of the POCSO Act, 2012, and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act.

The investigation was initially conducted by Inspector V. Umender and later overseen by Assistant Commissioner of Police K. Ashok Chakravarthy, who gathered key evidence and submitted the charge sheet.

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After thorough examination, the special courts Judge P. Anjaneyulu pronounced the verdict, sentencing the accused to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment, imposing a fine of Rs 5,000, and awarded a compensation of Rs 3 lakh to the victim, NDTV reported.

The police, in a press release said that the conviction marked a strong stance by the judiciary and law enforcement against crimes targeting children, reinforcing the importance of swift and effective justice under the POCSO Act.

Location : Telangana, India, India

First Published: October 18, 2025, 10:54 IST

News india Telangana Court Sentences Tuition Teacher To 10 Years For Raping 12-Year-Old Student

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Telangana Shuts Down Over 42% Reservation Protests; Shops, Petrol Pump Vandalised In Hyderabad

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 19:31 IST

Telangana BC JAC led a statewide bandh protesting High Court's stay on 42 percent quota in local polls, with, BJP, Congress, and BRS joining.

Leaders of various political parties and BC organisations held dharnas in front of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation bus depots preventing vehicles from coming out. (Representational)

A statewide bandh called by Telangana Backwards Class Joint Action Committee (BC JAC) to protest against High Courts stay order on the 42% quota to Backward Classes in local body polls was observed in Telangana on Saturday, with major political parties, including the Congress, BJP, and BRS, supporting the agitation.

Normal life came to a standstill as businesses, educational institutions, and public transport were shut down throughout the state. Barring emergency and essential services, all the sectors were shut down.

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R Krishnaiah, Chairman of Backward Communities Joint Action Committee and BJP Rajya Sabha member, had earlier sought support from all political parties and civil society organisations for the bandh.

Leaders of various political parties and backward classes organisations held dharnas in front of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation bus depots, preventing vehicles from coming out.

Who All Participated?

Telangana Congress leaders, ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs and party workers participated in protests, the party said.

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president B Mahesh Kumar Goud, who joined the protests, said people peacefully and voluntarily observed the bandh.

Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar, Vakiti Srihari, Seethakka, Konda Surekha and party MP Anil Yadav participated in the bandh in Hyderabad, while Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao participated in Sattupalli.

Opposition BRS leaders and former ministers Talasani Srinivas Yadav, V Srinivas Goud and Gangula Kamalakar, and party cadres took part in protests. They raised slogans demanding the implementation of 42 per cent reservation for the Backward Classes.

BJP Lok Sabha member Etala Rajender participated in the bandh at Jubilee Bus Station here.

Telangana Jagruthi founder, Kalvakuntla Kavitha, who also held dharna told reporters that it was the governments failure to convince the courts to rule in favour of reservations.

Whether it is the Congress party or BJP, stop misleading BCs. Even if elections (local body) are not held immediately, nothing will happen. First ensure reservations for BCs," she said.

Vandalism In Hyderabad

During the protests, a few organisation workers attacked and vandalised a petrol pump, and tore attacked shops in the vicinity.

A senior official of TGRTC said some disruption of services was witnessed during the early hours at bus stations and depots.

In Barkatpura, around 9.30 am, a group of leaders attacked a petrol pump, smashing glass panels and damaging display units. They also targeted a showroom in Nallakunta and a tiffin centre nearby, pelting stones and forcing the businesses to close for several hours.

Why This Protest?

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The bandh was announced after the Supreme Court refused to stay High Courts verdict on Telangana governments proposed order to provide reservation to the backward classes in municipalities and panchayats.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More

First Published: October 18, 2025, 19:30 IST

News india Telangana Shuts Down Over 42% Reservation Protests; Shops, Petrol Pump Vandalised In Hyderabad

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Uttarakhand To Amend Civil Code Rules: How It Affects Live-In Couples

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 21:20 IST

One of the key proposed amendments seeks to limit the scope of data sharing between the registrar and the local police.

News18

The Uttarakhand government has informed the High Court that certain provisions under the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) rules are being modified to bring more clarity and flexibility to the law.

In a 78-page affidavit filed on October 15, Advocate General S.N. Babulkar submitted the details before a division bench comprising Chief Justice G. Narendra and Justice Subhash Upadhyay. The affidavit explained that the proposed amendments mainly relate to Rule 380 of the Registrars Office, which outlines the conditions under which a live-in relationship cannot be registered.

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According to the states submission, a live-in relationship will not be eligible for registration in cases where:

The partners are related to each other within a prohibited degree,

Either or both individuals are already married or involved in another cohabiting relationship, or

One of the partners is a minor.

The affidavit stated that the proposed changes are aimed at streamlining the process of registering and terminating live-in relationships while ensuring transparency and efficiency in how information is shared with the police. It also focuses on improving the appeal mechanism for individuals whose applications for registration are rejected.

One of the key proposed amendments seeks to limit the scope of data sharing between the registrar and the local police. The affidavit clarified that this exchange of information would now be done only for record-keeping purposes, to ensure privacy and prevent unnecessary disclosure of personal details.

Another important change concerns the mandatory use of Aadhaar as proof of identity in various UCC-related registration and declaration procedures. The government has now proposed to introduce flexibility in this rule by allowing the use of alternative identification documents if the applicant cannot provide Aadhaarparticularly in cases where the person is not the primary applicant.

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Additionally, the state has proposed to extend the appeal period for applicants whose declarations of cohabitation are rejected. Under the new provision, the time limit to challenge the registrars decision will increase from 30 days to 45 days from the date of receiving the rejection order.

The affidavit emphasised that these amendments are designed to make the law more practical and inclusive while maintaining the objectives of the Uniform Civil Code.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

Location : Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal), India, India

First Published: October 18, 2025, 21:19 IST

News india Uttarakhand To Amend Civil Code Rules: How It Affects Live-In Couples

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When Cobra Met Its Match: Snake Enters Home, Rocky The Dog Saves Family In Kerala

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 11:49 IST

In Alappuzha, Rocky the pet dog bravely killed a cobra to protect the owner. Rocky is recovering well after treatment.

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The unique blend of beautiful nature and a high number of snakes makes the state distinctive. (News18 Telugu)

In a startling encounter in Keralas Alappuzha, a cobra slithered into a house only to face an unexpected adversary, Rocky, the familys brave pet dog. The dramatic standoff unfolded as the snake tried to navigate the home, but Rocky quickly stepped in, protecting his family from potential danger.

The cobra slithered into the yard at the house of Subash Krishna in Alappuzha around 1.30 pm on Tuesday.

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While Krishna was away working in the Middle East, his wife was at home when their pet dog, Rocky, stepped in to protect her from the intruding cobra. A fierce struggle broke out, and Rocky successfully killed the snake.

When Krishnas wife came out to the yard after hearing the commotion, she saw the serpent lying dead and noticed Rocky had suffered a bite, NDTV reported.

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After this, she rushed Rocky to a veterinary doctor after which he was referred to several hospitals. A team led by veterinary surgeon Dr. Bipin Prakash successfully treated Rocky, and the dog is now recovering well.

After hearing about Rockys bravery from his wife, Krishna also rushed back to Kerala and is now by his side.

Location : Alappuzha, India, India

First Published: October 18, 2025, 11:49 IST

News india When Cobra Met Its Match: Snake Enters Home, Rocky The Dog Saves Family In Kerala

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Happy Dhanteras 2025: Top 50 Wishes, Quotes, Images, Greetings, Status And More To Share On First Day Of Diwali

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 06:33 IST

Dhanteras 2025 Wishes Images Quotes: Celebrate the first day of Diwali with these wishes, quotes and images. Perfect to share on WhatsApp, Instagram, or with family and friends.

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Diwali 2025: This year Dhanteras will be celebrated on October 18. (Image: Shutterstock)

Dhanteras Wishes Images Quotes 2025: Dhanteras, also known as Dhantrayodashi, is an important part of the Hindu festival calendar as it marks the build-up towards the widely celebrated Diwali. On Dhanteras, people express devotion towards Lord Dhanvantari, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera. Arriving on the 13th lunar day of the Krishna Paksha, the auspicious day is being celebrated this year in Indian households today, on Saturday, October 18.

ALSO READ: Dhanteras 2025: Date, Time, Puja Muhurat And Importance

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Indians traditionally mark Dhanteras as the best occasion to purchase precious metal assets such as gold and silver, believing that it will bring them wealth, prosperity, good fortune and happiness in life. Additionally, people buy brooms on Dhanteras, considering it a symbol to remove all the negative energy from their homes.

Here are some beautiful wishes, images, greeting and quotes that you can share with your siblings, friends, family, relatives and colleagues.

ALSO READ: Diwali 2025 Calendar: When Is Diwali, Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, Lakshmi Pujan, Govardhan Puja And Bhai Dooj?

Happy Dhanteras Wishes, Quotes, Status To Share

May Goddess Lakshmi and Dhan Kuber Ji bestow strength and opportunities upon you and your family for a prosperous and joyful life. Happy Dhanteras 2025!

On Dhanteras, create beautiful rangolis, and illuminate diyas in anticipation of the divine blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and Dhan Kuber Maharaj.

Gods blessing may come as a surprise. How much you receive depends on how much your heart can believe. May you be blessed beyond what you expect. Shubh Dhanteras.

ALSO READ: Dhanteras 2025: Things To Buy And Avoid This Diwali

Diyas glow for hours, Sun glows for a day, but my wishes for you are going to glow forever. Have a happy and blessed Dhanteras!

On this auspicious festival of Dhanteras, may your life shimmer with silver; shine with gold and dazzle like diamonds! Happy Dhanteras!

Good Health, abundant wealth and unimaginable prosperity are the things I wish for you this Dhanteras. May Goddess Lakshmi bless you with all these things this festive season!

May the festivities of Dhanteras be full of great enthusiasm and brightness for you. Warm wishes on Dhanteras 2025.

ALSO READ: Diwali 2025: Amavasya Tithi And City-Wise Lakshmi Puja Timings

On the auspicious day of Dhanteras Puja, purchase precious metals gold, platinum or silver, in the form of jewellery, coins or utensils, for good luck. Happy Dhanteras.

Just like the sparkle of gold and silver, I wish your days glow forever. Here is wishing you a glowing Dhanteras 2025.

On Dhanteras, lets celebrate the wealth of love and togetherness!

May Goddess Lakshmi and Dhan Kuber Maharaj shower you and your family with good health, wealth, and fortune. Shubh Dhanteras.

May the shimmering Diya bring happiness and prosperity to your life. Wishing you a very happy and prosperous Dhanteras.

ALSO READ: Diwali 2025 Vastu Tips: Things To Keep Away From Home For Goddess Lakshmis Blessings

On Dhanteras, may your pockets be heavy and your heart be light.

Sending you warm greetings on this auspicious occasion which marks the beginning of a new year full of celebrations. Shubh Dhanteras.

Wishing that Maa Laxmi is always there to bless every endeavour of your life and help you write new success stories. A very Happy Dhanteras to you.

May you be showered with health, wealth and happiness on this auspicious occasion. Happy Dhanteras to you and your family.

Happy Dhanteras to you and your family! May Goddess Lakshmi always stay in your heart and help you to lead a happy and peaceful life.

May your life be full of happiness and harmony with enough wealth to give you all comforts. Shubh Dhanteras!

We extend our best wishes to you and your family for a wonderful, cheerful Dhanteras this festive season.

If theres a will, prosperity cant be far behind. Happy Dhanteras.

Prosperity is the best protector of principle. Shubh Dhanteras.

Clean your home, draw rangolis and light up diyas in anticipation of Goddess Lakshmi.

Dhanteras ka ye shubh din aaya, sabake liye naee khushiyaan laaya, Lakshmi, Ganesh viraaje aapake ghar mein, aur aapake parivaar par sada rahe khushiyon ki chhaaya!

ALSO READ: Happy Dhanteras 2025: Dhantrayodashi Wishes, Images, Quotes, WhatsApp Status To Share

Wish you a Happy Dhanteras with cheerfulness, wealth, and prosperity. May your life be embellished with blessings!

On this auspicious occasion, may Lord Dhanvantari bless you with good health and abundant wealth. Happy Dhanteras.

May the light of Dhanteras illuminate your lives towards success and happy times.

Wish this Dhanteras light up new dreams, fresh hopes, undiscovered avenues, and different perspectives. Happy Dhanteras.

May bountiful fortune be bestowed on you and your family and may you receive divine blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber now and forever.

Prosperity is good, happiness is better, and health is the best.

As sure as the spring will follow the winter, prosperity and economic growth will follow the recession.

Dilo mein khushiyaan, ghar mein sukh ka vaas ho, heere motee sa aapaka taaj ho, mite dooriyaan, sab aapake paas ho, aisa Dhanteras aapaka yeh saal ho.

Good health, great riches, and boundless happiness  may all of this be yours this Dhanteras.

Wishing you a pot filled with prosperity and happiness on Dhanteras! Celebrate with glee!

On the sacred day of Dhanteras, may your life overflow with good health, money and endless happiness.

May the blessings of Dhanvantari and Lakshmi bring you success. May you be happy on Dhanteras with prosperity!

Happy Dhanteras! Wishing you the brightest Dhanteras ever, filled with joy and abundance.

As you light the diyas this Dhanteras, may your life shine brightly with health and prosperity.

May the blessings of Dhanteras wish to light up the path to prosperity and good health. Enjoy the festivities.

On this Dhanteras, I wish that all your money and success dreams come true.

May good fortune and health fill your Dhanteras and the days ahead.

May prosperity and joy pour over your life as this festival of wealth starts. Happy Dhanteras.

This Dhanteras, may your heart be as full as your bank account! Wish you wealth and happiness.

May prosperity and joy pour over your life as this festival of wealth starts. Happy Dhanteras!

May the blessings of Dhanteras wish to light up the path to prosperity and good health.

Dhanteras is here! May your home be filled with laughter, love, and wealth.

Sending you warm wishes this Dhanteras! May good health and abundant wealth stay with you!

Celebrate this Dhanteras with joy and gratitude with prosperity entering your life this Dhanteras! Wishing you success in all your endeavours. It will be fruitful.

May the bright light of Dhanteras guide you towards a prosperous tomorrow.

On this auspicious day, may you be prosperous in every venture that comes your way, Happy Dhanteras!

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Dhanteras is here! May your home be filled with laughter, love, and wealth.

As you light the diyas this Dhanteras, may your life shine brightly with health and prosperity!

About the Author Nibandh Vinod Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with nearly three decades of experience, known for his in-depth coverage of events and festivals, as well as his expertise in SEO-driven content at News18.com. A... Read More

First Published: October 18, 2025, 06:33 IST

News lifestyle events Happy Dhanteras 2025: Top 50 Wishes, Quotes, Images, Greetings, Status And More To Share On First Day Of Diwali
Beating Against All Odds: How Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Is Saving Indias Youngest Hearts

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 19, 2025, 00:49 IST

With advances in pediatric cardiac care, even the tiniest newborns with complex heart defects are getting a second chance at life, thanks to modern medicine, extraordinary doctors.

With timely diagnosis, innovative procedures, and coordinated specialist care, children once considered too fragile now have the chance to recover, grow, and lead healthy lives.

Across India, many newborns and infants face serious heart conditions within hours or days of birth. Advances in pediatric cardiology and neonatal care, however, are rewriting what once used to be bleak outcomes. With timely diagnosis, innovative procedures, and coordinated specialist care, children once considered too fragile now have the chance to recover, grow, and lead healthy lives.

Dr. Neville Solomon, Head of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Apollo Childrens Hospital, Chennai, shares all you need to know:

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The Silent Burden of Congenital Heart Disease in India

Every year, 2.5 to 3 lakh children in India are born with congenital heart disease (CHD), a structural problem with the heart present from birth. This could mean a hole in the heart, blood vessels connected in the wrong way, or valves that dont form properly. Without treatment, nearly half of them do not survive their first birthday. The challenge is even greater in rural India, where specialized pediatric cardiology services are scarce.

But things are changing. With better antenatal (before birth) scans, more cases are now detected during pregnancy. Programs like the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), a Government of India initiative have enabled widespread screening of newborns and school-going children. This means conditions that would once have gone unnoticed until it was too late are now being picked up early.

Cardiologists across India also run peripheral outreach clinics, bringing diagnosis and follow-up care closer to small towns and villages. This steady, system-wide effort is making a difference. Fifteen years ago, a single screening camp would identify nearly 500 children with untreated CHD. Today, the number has dropped to around 10 per camp, a sign that the hidden backlog of undiagnosed cases is finally being addressed.

Stories That Prove Whats Possible

One newborn with coarctation of the aorta, a dangerously narrow major artery that limits blood flow to the body was rushed to the operating room within hours of birth. Without timely intervention, the childs organs would have been starved of blood supply.

Another baby, just two hours after delivery, underwent complex open-heart surgery to correct obstructive total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC). In this condition, the pulmonary veins that should carry oxygen-rich blood to the left side of the heart connect to the right side instead, creating a blockage and leading to severe breathing distress. A complex surgery within hours gave that child a chance at life.

A premature baby weighing just 1.6 kg had transposition of the great arteries (TGA) where the major vessels carrying blood from the heart were switched. This caused blood to circulate the wrong way, oxygen-poor blood to the body, and oxygen-rich blood back to the lungs. A high-risk arterial switch operation was performed successfully, against all odds and the baby survived.

Perhaps the most gripping of the medical miracles was a two-month-old with Anomalous Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery (ALCAPA), where the hearts main pumping muscle was receiving blood from the wrong vessel. The baby collapsed at home with a heart attack. He required emergency surgery and 42 days of intensive support, including ECMO, a machine that temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs. A year later, he returned to the hospital for a follow-up, smiling and thriving, his heart completely recovered.

These extraordinary recoveries would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of specialists like Dr. C.S. Muthukumaran and his team of expert pediatric cardiologists.

Healing Without Scars

Not every child with a heart defect needs open-heart surgery today, catheter-based interventions are transforming outcomes.

For a seven-year-old boy born with a single lung and one functioning heart chamber, instead of a risky second surgery, Dr. Muthukumarans team performed a pioneering percutaneous Fontan procedure, recreating the effect of surgery through a catheter without opening the chest. His oxygen levels rose instantly from 70% to 90%, the bluish tinge on his lips vanished, and for the first time, he could run, play, and laugh freely returning home with a new chance at life.

Medical Advances That Change Lives

In the last two decades, pediatric cardiac care in India has been transformed:

Catheter-based interventions now replace many traditional surgeries, allowing babies to go home within 24 hours.

Surgeons now focus on the most complex cases, once thought inoperable with excellent outcomes.

In adults with congenital heart disease, robotic and minimally invasive techniques are increasingly being used.

While pediatric transplants remain rare, they are available when all else fails.

And through it all, affordability has remained central. Nearly 65% of children treated at Apollo come from underprivileged families, supported by government schemes, NGOs, charitable organizations (including the Apollo Foundations SACHi initiative), and crowdfunding platforms.

A Future Full of Hope

The message for parents is clear: congenital heart disease is not a death sentence. With modern technology, expertise, and robust government and private healthcare systems working together, even the tiniest babies weighing less than 2 kg can survive complex heart surgeries with excellent long-term outcomes.

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Parents, do not be afraid," says Dr. Neville Solomon. Whether its a newborn just hours old or a child with a rare and complex condition, we can give them a chance at life."

Behind every statistic is a story, a childs second chance and a familys heartbeat restored.

About the Author Swati Chaturvedi Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she's a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in N... Read More

First Published: October 19, 2025, 00:49 IST

News lifestyle health-and-fitness Beating Against All Odds: How Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Is Saving Indias Youngest Hearts
Diwali Safety 101: Ophthalmologists On Preventing Firework-Related Eye Injuries

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 10:03 IST

Fireworks pose serious risks to eye health, especially for children. Eye experts warn that hospitals see a surge in preventable firecracker-related injuries every Diwali.

Fireworks pose serious risks to eye health, especially for children. (Image: Canva)

As the festive season of lights begins, homes across India glow with diyas, laughter, and fireworks. For children, Diwali often means excitement with the crackle of sparklers, the bursts of colour in the sky, and the magic of celebration. But while fireworks bring joy, they can also pose serious risks, especially to one of the most delicate organs  the eyes. Eye specialists caution that every year, hospitals see a surge in preventable injuries caused by unsafe handling of firecrackers, often affecting children the most.

When Festivity Turns Risky

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Dr. Rasika Thakur, Cornea and Phaco-Refractive Surgeon at Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital, Kalyan, highlights the hidden dangers of festive fireworks. Every year, eye hospitals see a rise in firecracker injuries, many affecting children. Even a small sparkler or a bursting cracker can cause burns, corneal injuries, or even permanent vision loss if it comes too close to the eyes," she warns.

She adds that most of these accidents are preventable with simple precautions. Always supervise children when fireworks are being lit, maintain a safe distance, and use protective glasses if possible. Never let children pick up used or unexploded crackers, and if an eye injury occurs, rush to the nearest eye hospital immediately," advises Dr. Thakur.

What Parents Often Miss

Supporting this, Dr. Kalpana R, Senior Consultant, Ophthalmology, SIMS Hospital, Chennai, points out that curiosity often leads to accidents. Children are naturally drawn to the colourful and joyful appeal of fireworks. But sparklers, usually considered harmless, can cause severe injuries when they come into contact with the skin or eyes," she says.

She stresses that awareness and quick action can make all the difference. Wearing goggles can significantly reduce the risk of eye injuries. Remind children not to touch their eyes or face until they have cleaned their hands properly. And never use tap or soap water on an eye wound. Seek medical attention right away," she advises.

Both experts emphasise that the key lies in supervision and preparedness. Fireworks should only be lit in open spaces, far from flammable materials, and always under adult guidance.

Celebrate Safely, Shine Brightly

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Diwali is meant to illuminate lives, and not darken them with preventable injuries. A few seconds of carelessness can lead to lifelong consequences, but a few minutes of caution can ensure that the sparkle stays in the skies, not in the eyes.

This festive season, let your celebrations glow responsibly. Keep protective gear handy, supervise children closely, and prioritise safety over spectacle. After all, the true spirit of Diwali shines brightest when every light, including the sparkle in your childs eyes, stays safe and radiant.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: October 18, 2025, 10:03 IST

News lifestyle health-and-fitness Diwali Safety 101: Ophthalmologists On Preventing Firework-Related Eye Injuries
Doctors Share Key Tips To Protect Elderly Family Members From Diwali Smoke And Noise

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 10:27 IST

Older adults with diabetes, hypertension, or respiratory issues need extra care during Diwali. With these simple adjustments, you can make celebrations safer and more comfortable.

Supervise seniors with diyas and avoid fire hazards.

Diwali may be a festival of lights and laughter, but for many senior citizens, it can also bring challenges that dim the joy  from increased pollution and loud firecrackers to disrupted routines. Older adults, especially those with chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or respiratory issues, are more vulnerable during this season. Creating a Diwali thats both festive and gentle for them begins with small, thoughtful changes at home that ensure safety, comfort, and inclusion for every generation.

Protecting Senior Citizens From Smoke And Pollution

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Firecracker smoke, dust, and rising pollution levels are among the biggest health risks for older adults during Diwali. The mix of smoke, noise, and people that accompany Diwali can be overwhelming for several senior citizens," explains Dr. Aniket Mule, Consultant Internal Medicine, KIMS Hospitals, Thane. He recommends simple precautions like keeping windows closed during peak firecracker hours, using air purifiers wherever possible, and celebrating indoors to reduce exposure. Even keeping senior citizens well-hydrated helps ease dryness in the throat and respiratory passages," he adds.

Dr. Rituja Ugalmugle, Internal Medicine, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, agrees that air pollution can worsen respiratory and cardiac conditions. Older adults should remain inside during peak firecracker hours, and their windows should be closed. Those with asthma or heart issues should keep their inhaler or emergency medication accessible at all times," she advises. Families with air purifiers should run them through the evening to maintain clean indoor air.

Prioritising Routine, Nutrition, And Rest

Festive excitement often disrupts meal and medication schedules, and it can have real consequences for seniors. Families should provide older adults with regular meal times, hydration, and medications on a timely schedule," says Dr. Ugalmugle. She suggests swapping sugary mithai with diabetes-friendly sweets made using dates, nuts, or natural sweeteners so seniors can enjoy the celebrations without health risks. Maintaining consistency with sleep and rest also helps prevent fatigue during the festivities.

Fire And Festivity Safety

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Diwali lights and diyas may bring warmth and beauty to homes, but they also come with fire hazards. Soft lighting and diyas can evoke a festive ambience without the health impacts of loud firecrackers. Place diyas and candles away from curtains, and supervise older adults if they are lighting lamps or crackers. Even if its a minor burn, rinse it under cool running water and seek medical attention promptly," notes Dr. Mule. Dr. Ugalmugle.

Creating a joyful Diwali for senior citizens doesnt mean toning down the spirit. It means elevating it with care. Gentle activities like home decor, pujas, or shared meals allow older adults to participate meaningfully without strain. By adapting celebrations to their comfort, families ensure that Diwali remains what its truly meant to be  a festival of light, love, and togetherness for every generation.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: October 18, 2025, 10:27 IST

News lifestyle health-and-fitness Doctors Share Key Tips To Protect Elderly Family Members From Diwali Smoke And Noise
BNY Mellon is exploring the development of stablecoin infrastructure but has not committed to launching its own token, executives said during the companys recent earnings discussion on Thursday.

The bank, one of the worlds largest custodians, has brought forward several blockchain-related investments in 2025  including those that would support real-world asset settlement and tokenized payments. Executives linked that acceleration to a more constructive regulatory environment and improved market conditions.

With the change in administration, and everything going on in the digital asset space, weve brought forward some of our investments that previously might have fallen below the line, said Dermot McDonogh, BNYs chief financial officer.

When asked whether BNY Mellon plans to issue its own stablecoin, CEO Robin Vince declined to give a definitive answer but said the banks strategy is centered on supporting the broader ecosystem rather than launching a branded token.

A BNY-branded stablecoin would likely serve institutional use cases, such as settling tokenized assets or facilitating intraday liquidity. But for now, the bank appears to be focused on building flexible infrastructure rather than launching a product.

Were in the infrastructure, capital markets enablement business, Vince said during the call. We partner with stablecoins. We enable other peoples stablecoins, and thats really the heart of our strategy.

The bank already provides services to some of the largest stablecoin issuers, offering custody, collateral management, settlement, and other back-end infrastructure.

He added that many companies may want to use stablecoins internally without building their own technology stacks, creating demand for infrastructure providers like BNY Mellon. While he left open the possibility of developing systems right up to the point of issuing a BNY-branded stablecoin, he emphasized that the firm is more likely to power other stablecoins behind the scenes.

Well remain agile, Vince said, adding, I think the sweet spot is enabling the ecosystem  connecting cash, collateral, mobility and infrastructure  rather than issuing something ourselves.

Separately, the company said it has reallocated approximately $500 million in cost savings this year toward growth initiatives  including digital assets and artificial intelligence. The efficiency gains came from internal streamlining and were redeployed without significantly expanding the companys expense base.

McDonogh noted that BNY Mellons Board, which met earlier this week, has been asking whether the company is investing enough across the board given stronger market conditions. The boards interest wasnt specific to digital assets but reflects a broader push to position the firm for long-term growth.
Manoj Bajpayee Makes A Rare Appearance With Family At Mumbai Airport

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 18:58 IST

Manoj Bajpayee recently dropped his wife and daughter off at the Mumbai airport.

Manoj Bajpayee posed with his family, flaunting his latest hairstyle. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

Manoj Bajpayee recently made a rare appearance at the Mumbai airport alongside his wife, Shabana Raza, and their daughter, Ava Nayla. The actor was reportedly dropping off his loved ones while the emotional moment was captured by the shutterbugs stationed over there. Besides this, it was his new hairstyle that caught much attention.

In a video posted on Instagram, Manoj Bajpayee was seen posing for the paparazzi with his wife, Shabana Raza, and their daughter, Ava Nayla, at the entrance of the Mumbai airport. Dressed in casual attire, which included a beige-hued shirt and a pair of denim pants, the actor also melted many hearts with his emotional hug to his family.

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Watch the video here:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bollywood Bubble (@bollywoodbubble)

Manoj Bajpayees New Look For His Casual Appearance

Additionally, he was seen flaunting his new hairstyle, which he styled with a hairband. Finally, a pair of black sunglasses, a white chic watch, and chappals finished off his charm.

On the other hand, Shabana looked stunning in a blue tank top layered with a white jacket. She teamed it with a pair of striped, loose-fitted pants, chic accessories, and a travel-friendly arm candy. Her daughter picked a hoodie, a black skirt, and sneakers for the trip.

After seeing off Shabana and Ava, the actor walked towards his car, without pausing for a moment to click selfies with the fans present at the airport premises.

Manoj Bajpayee Embarked On The Family Man Season 3 Shoot

Last month, the 56-year-old actor celebrated the 6th anniversary of the spy action thriller The Family Man. He shared the update of the 3rd season by posting a series of images from the first season, which premiered in 2018, on Instagram.

Alongside the post, he wrote, 6 years since #TheFamilyMan Season 1 dropped and became a cult classic. Season 3? Bas samajh lo, operation underway"

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manoj Bajpayee (@bajpayee.manoj)

Directors Raj and DK also confirmed the filming of the upcoming season with a joint post on their official Instagram handle. From one clapboard to three The Family Man has been multitasking. And so are we :). Thank you for all the love, as you binged, laughed, memed and argued. You made #TheFamilyMan your own!" read their note.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Raj & DK (@rajanddk)

Manoj Bajpayees Recent Works

The National Award-winning actor was last seen as Inspector Zende in the Netflix series of the same name. Next, he has a lineup of projects in his pipeline. He will be seen in a series titled Police Station Mein Bhoot, followed by his return as Srikant Tiwari in The Family Man Season 3. Then, he will appear in the film Masoom: The New Generation directed by Shekhar Kapur, which will serve as a sequel to his 1983 classic, Masoom.

First Published: October 18, 2025, 18:58 IST

News movies bollywood Manoj Bajpayee Makes A Rare Appearance With Family At Mumbai Airport
Mom-To-Be Parineeti Chopra Flies To Delhi, Expected To Deliver First Child Soon: Report

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 15:26 IST

Parineeti Chopra has reportedly flown to Delhi ahead of her delivery. The actress and husband Raghav Chadha are expecting their first child soon, as per reports.

Parineeti Chopra was last seen in Amar Singh Chamkila. Photo Credits: Instagram)

Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha are expecting their first child together, and it looks like the actress is all set to deliver soon. With just a few days left before her due date, Parineeti has reportedly jetted off to Delhi to stay at Raghavs residence.

According to a report by Pinkvilla, while the exact delivery date remains unknown, the actresss move to Delhi suggests she is preparing to welcome her little bundle of joy with husband Raghav Chadha.

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Parineeti and Raghavs Pregnancy announcement

Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha officially announced their pregnancy on August 25, 2025. The couple shared an adorable Instagram post featuring a cake decorated with the equation 1 + 1 = 3" and tiny footprints  a sweet symbol of their growing family. It was followed by a video of pregnant Parineeti taking a walk in a park, holding husband Raghav Chadhas hand.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by @parineetichopra

Soon after the announcement, celebrities flooded the comments section with congratulatory messages. Sonam Kapoor, mother to three-year-old Vayu, wrote, Congratulations darling." Huma Qureshi, Rakul Preet Singh, and Bhumi Pednekar also sent their best wishes. Nimrat Kaur commented, Stay blessed, many many congratulations!!!" while Neha Dhupia, mother of two, wrote, Congratulations welcome to the best hood." Kiara Advani, Janhvi Kapoor, and others liked the post.

When Raghav Hinted at Parineetis Pregnancy

The couple recently appeared on The Kapil Sharma Show, where Kapil shared a personal story about how his mother immediately started talking about grandkids after his marriage. He jokingly advised the newlyweds to plan early or be ready for family pressure. Seizing the moment, Raghav playfully said, Denge, aapko denge good news jaldi denge (Well give you good news soon)," leaving Parineeti surprised.

Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadhas Love Story

Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadhas romance has been in the spotlight since their engagement on May 13, 2023, in New Delhi, which was attended by close family members and political leaders like Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann. The couple tied the knot on September 24, 2023, in a grand ceremony at The Leela Palace, Udaipur, following a series of intimate pre-wedding festivities.

On the work front, Parineeti Chopra was last seen in Imtiaz Alis Amar Singh Chamkila alongside Diljit Dosanjh.

First Published: October 18, 2025, 15:26 IST

News movies bollywood Mom-To-Be Parineeti Chopra Flies To Delhi, Expected To Deliver First Child Soon: Report
British Band Blue Set To Make India Sing One Love This December: Know Details

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 18:17 IST

Blues confirmed India tour sets the stage for a December packed with nostalgia, melodies and festive vibes.

The band will kick off their India tour on December 11. (Photo Credit: X)

British pop sensation Blue is set to bring their chart-topping hits to India this December. The iconic boy band, famous for early-2000s hits like All Rise, One Love and Guilty, has announced the India leg of their 25th Anniversary World Tour, with concerts planned in Shillong, Gangtok and Bengaluru.

The band made the announcement through their official Instagram handle, exciting fans across the country. Lets keep the momentum alive! Were excited to announce that weve added even more NEW DATES to our 25th Anniversary Tour! Were heading to India this December and returning to Germany and Italy in November 2026. Tickets for India and Italy are on sale now!!! Tickets for Germany in November 2026 will go on sale on Tuesday 28th October at 10:00 AM local time," the post read.

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Official Blue (@officialblue)

The announcement sparked a frenzy among fans, with social media abuzz over Blues long-awaited live performances in India.

Tour To Kick Off In Shillong On December 11

The India leg of Blues 25th Anniversary World Tour will begin in Shillong on December 11. The city nearly hosted the band in 2023, but the concert was cancelled due to production challenges. This time, the plan is firmly set, and excitement across the Northeast is palpable. Known as the Rock Capital of India," Shillong promises a perfect start to Blues Indian journey.

Blue To Perform In Gangtok For The First Time

Following Shillong, Blue will perform in Gangtok at Paljor Stadium on December 13. This concert is historic, marking Sikkims first-ever international performance, coinciding with the states 50th year of statehood. The event will celebrate music, culture and tourism, blending global and local talent.

Adding to the thrill, Blue will share the stage with K-pop sensation Everglow, creating a rare and electrifying crossover experience for Indian fans.

Bengaluru To Host The Grand Finale On December 14

The tour will conclude in Bengaluru on December 14 with Blue Christmas at Phoenix Marketcity. Known for its vibrant international music scene, Bengaluru will host the grand finale, offering fans nostalgia, melody and festive cheer.

Legendary Band With A Global Legacy

Formed in London in 2000, Blue consists of Simon Webbe, Duncan James, Antony Costa and Lee Ryan. Over two decades, the quartet has sold over 15 million albums worldwide and collaborated with legendary artists such as Elton John and Stevie Wonder.

With their soulful vocals and catchy pop hooks, Blue defined an era of early-2000s pop music. Their return for a milestone world tour has reignited excitement among fans across generations.

About the Author Kashvi Raj Singh Kashvi Raj Singh is a Sub Editor at News18. She extensively covers Bollywood, Hollywood and television. She not only keeps an eye out for interesting news angles but also often writes social commentar... Read More

First Published: October 18, 2025, 18:17 IST

News movies hollywood British Band Blue Set To Make India Sing One Love This December: Know Details
Finepoint | From Deoband To Bagram, India Has Flipped The Taliban Script On Pakistan

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 15:14 IST

Pakistan wanted a loyal Taliban but got a defiant one, leaving it blindsided with a two-front squeeze from India and Afghanistan and a crumbling idea of strategic depth

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Indias engagement with a Taliban-led Kabul at this scale not only yields immense strategic leverage but helps it maintain eyes and ears on the ground and undercut Pakistans influence. (News18)

Meanwhile, Pakistan is caught in a nightmare situation, receiving not just a bloody nose from the Taliban, but a very real two-front scenario with the Taliban-led Afghanistan becoming a sworn enemy of Islamabad. This is one of the most ground-breaking events for Indias strategic posture and a bitter irony for Pakistan.

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As Pakistan launches cross-border strikes and drone attacks on Afghan soil, Delhi and Kabul find themselves aligned against a shared adversary. Afghanistan has promised to continue standing with India against terror, and not harming Indian interests from its soil. It has also invited India for reconstruction efforts after the earthquake, and India has also offered to help with Afghan refugees that were expelled by Pakistan. India, meanwhile, stood with Kabul against US President Donald Trumps Bagram plans.

Heres what Talibans foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said while in New Delhi: During the 20-year struggle against the US occupation, there were many ups and downs, but not once did we give a statement against India."

The irony is hard to miss. The same group that once burned Indian flags and sheltered anti-India terrorists is now hosting Indian diplomats, inviting Indian firms to mine on Afghan soil, and talking about standing with India against terror.

What was once Islamabads proxy is now New Delhis potential partner. In fact, the level of engagement with this Taliban official was unprecedented during his India visit. He met S Jaishankar, the external affairs minister. He met Afghan Hindus and Sikhs to discuss their religious properties. He met Indian journalists twicefirst in a men-only session that drew backlash, then again with women reporters included. This indicated the sincerity of the two sides to accommodate each others positions. Clearly, whatever is brewing between India and Afghanistans new regime cannot be torpedoed by cultural differences.

Message From Deoband

The Taliban leader visited Deoband in Uttar Pradesh to engage with the Darul Uloom Deoband. This has been read in many ways and rightly criticised, but think of why this was really allowed by Indian authorities, despite the optics. Strategically, this was the Talibans message to Pakistan. By engaging with Indias Deobandis, the Taliban was going back to its ideological roots, and separating itself from Pakistans version of the Taliban ideology which mixed the Pakistani states interests with the Talibans Islamic ideology. That means the Taliban no longer leans towards protecting Pakistans interests, or allowing its leaders to influence Talibans Islamic and political decisions.

This is a complicated slippery slope and messy even, but when youre dealing with this part of the world, its reassuring that Indian strategists know how to decode their ways and speak in their language.

For Pakistan, which once believed it would dominate post-US Afghanistan, this is a bitter irony. The script has been flipped, and in this complex chessboard of regional politics, India appears to be several moves ahead.

Plot Twist For Pakistan And The Bagram Blowback

Pakistan did not see this coming at all. It believed that it could use Afghanistan for strategic depth against India, and at the same time strike Afghanistan at will, use its air force against a regime that does not have a mature military, and control or influence the Talibans decisions. Pakistan took the fight to the air, but Taliban brought it back down to the ground with guerilla warfare, its strongest suit, and hunted down Pakistani soldiers. In simple words, Pakistan wanted a pliant Taliban, but it got a ferociously independent one.

While cosying up to the United States and offering itself up for rare earth mining, oil drilling and other investments, Pakistan may have even believed that it could play another nasty geopolitical game, one that could keep it relevant for a few more decades in the regionand that was the Bagram game.

You see, the Trump administration has a newfound desire to take back the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan. US forces withdrew from this airbase just as they withdrew from all of Afghanistan, when the Taliban drove them out in 2021. At the time, Pakistan celebrated the ouster of the Americans and sided with the Taliban, and this was after it aided Americas war on terror" against Taliban which lasted two decades. Now, it was Pakistan that was one of the parties responsible for propping up the Taliban in the 1990s. Then it backed the USAs war against Taliban in lieu of military aid, political support and what not at the start of the 21st century. But while it backed the Americans against the Taliban, it also aided the Taliban and other terror groups like al-Qaeda against the Americans, who did nothing about it because they needed Pakistan as a conduit for logistics, as well as for intelligence and reconnaissance. Pakistans military industrial complex thrived through the years leveraging its importance in the war.

The Taliban knows that no matter what Pakistan says in UN statements, Pakistan is likely to seek out dangerous strategies with Bagram in focusto cash in on its geographical position. The recent Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul reaffirm Talibans scepticism about Pakistan.

Afghanistan vs Pakistan: Bones of Contention

All the tall talk of inviting the US to dig out Pakistans supposed troves of mineral wealth will only remain talk as long as there are active insurgencies in Pakistan. And in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, there are indeed active insurgencies led by the TTP (the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) and the BLA (Balochistan Liberation Army). Chinas CPEC investment is in deep trouble, and its a glaring reminder that an investment in Pakistan is a highly risky one.

These provinces, KPK and Balochistan, share the border with Afghanistan, and the Taliban does not recognise this border. The 2,600-km-long Durand Line, drawn in 1893 by the British, ran through Pashtun lands, which ultimately led to Pakistan inheriting a large chunk of Pashtun lands. Pashtun is the dominant ethnicity in Afghanistan and no Afghan regime has ever accepted this line, and the Pashtun Taliban obviously has no respect for it either.

When the Taliban took over Kabul, the celebrations in Pakistan were quickly cut short by frequent clashes at the border between the Pakistan army and Taliban fighters. In the last four years, attacks by the TTP, the so-called bad Taliban" have grown, and the conflict between Pashtuns and the Pakistani state is exploding. Pakistan has been conducting airstrikes on its own territory, including civilian settlements. Just three weeks ago, about 30 people, including women and children, were killed in KPK in airstrikes aimed to take on the TTP. Just as Pakistan was dealing with the backlash, it decided to conduct strikes inside Afghanistan, accusing it of sheltering the TTP. Meanwhile, the Taliban accuses Pakistan of supporting ISIS-K against it. A long list of grievances is building up on both sides but the essential problem is one: Pakistan wants to control the Taliban, but the Taliban has other plans.

Two-Front War And Strategic Depth: A Rug Pull for Pakistan

Recent events are a rug pull for Pakistan. It has a two-front war scenario in its hands, having entered conflicts with both India and Afghanistan within months. Plus, the question of strategic depth ringing loud in Islamabad. What happens if India marches in? For decades, Pakistans military dreamt of strategic depth"a friendly Kabul that could serve as a rear base in case of war with India. But geography is cruel: Pakistan is narrow, and its key assets are vulnerable to Indian attack. From Rawalpindi to Sargodha, all were struck by India in Operation Sindoor, so the example of India striking deep inside Pakistan is right here in 2025.

All in all, Indias engagement with a Taliban-led Kabul at this scale is strategically unchartered territory, but one that can change geopolitical realities significantly in the region. It not only yields immense strategic leverage, it helps India maintain eyes and ears on the ground, undercut Pakistans influence, and protect its infrastructure projects and security interests.

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More importantly, it helps position India as a responsible power: one that talks to all sides, delivers humanitarian aid, and still defends its national interests. India is also prepared for this. With the Chabahar port and land transport infrastructure leading up to Afghanistan through Iran, it can materially sustain this strategic alignment with landlocked Afghanistan.

Pakistan, on the other hand, is trapped in its own contradictions. Having built its Afghan policy on terror proxies and paranoia, its now confronted by a Taliban that no longer obeys and an India that no longer hesitates.

About the Author Shubhangi Sharma Shubhangi Sharma is News Editor - Special Projects at News18. She covers foreign affairs and geopolitics, and also keeps a close watch on the national pulse of India.

First Published: October 18, 2025, 15:14 IST

News opinion Finepoint | From Deoband To Bagram, India Has Flipped The Taliban Script On Pakistan

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Opinion | Mamata Banerjee Is Wrong: Women Stepping Out Isnt The Problem, State Apathy Is

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 16:35 IST

Victim-blaming in gang rape cases is a secondary violence, one that silences survivors and emboldens assailants

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee | File Image/PTI

In the wake of the horrific gang rape of a 23-year-old MBBS student from Odisha at a private medical college in Durgapur on October 10, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees response has once again laid bare a troubling pattern of deflection and denial.

Speaking to reporters at Kolkata airport on October 12, she questioned how the victim could have come out at 12:30 at night" from her hostel, urging female boarders, especially those from outside the state to follow hostel rules and not venture out late at night". She added that girls should not be allowed to go outside at night" and must protect themselves", while shifting some blame to the institution for inadequate campus security. These words, delivered in the shadow of unspeakable trauma, echo a societal reflex that prioritises restricting womens mobility over confronting the predators who prey on them.

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But lets set the record straight: the incident did not unfold at midnight. According to the police complaint filed by the victims father and corroborated by timelines from the investigation, the student left the campus around 8.30pm with a male friend for dinner, returning by 9.29pm before being assaulted near the college premises.

Banerjees factual inaccuracy underscores a deeper failurenot just of empathy, but of accountability. As the states chief minister and home minister, she wields the authority to ensure womens safety around the clock, yet her rhetoric reinforces the very chains that bind half the population. Women canand mustgo out at any time. The onus is not on them to shrink their lives to fit a dangerous world, but on society to teach boys restraint and on the state to enforce it. Our Constitution, in Articles 14, 15, and 21, guarantees equality, non-discrimination, and the right to life with dignity for all citizenswithout qualifiers for gender or hour. There is no clause exempting the police from protecting women after dark; to suggest otherwise is to abdicate the states fundamental duty.

This is not mere rhetoric; its a betrayal of the compassionate leadership Bengal deserves. The victim, a bright young doctor-in-training far from home Odisha, trusted the system enough to pursue her dreams in Durgapur. Instead, she encountered its voids: a private college with lax security, a police response that arrested three suspects only after the fact, and a leader who, rather than vowing ironclad reforms, implied her evening outing invited peril. Imagine the survivors isolation, compounded by public shaming from the highest office. Victim-blaming in gang rape cases is a secondary violence, one that silences survivors and emboldens assailants. It whispers to every woman: Your freedom is conditional; step wrong, and its your fault." We must reject this with the tenderness it deniesacknowledging the profound courage it takes to report such horror, and the lifelong scars it leaves. Compassion demands we center the survivors healing, not excuses for her attackers.

Banerjees lapse is especially galling because it isnt isolated. As home minister, she oversees a force that too often arrives too late, if at all. In Durgapur, arrests followed public outcry, but preventionthrough visible patrols, well-lit campuses, and swift institutional accountabilityremains elusive. Private colleges like the one in question must be mandated to fortify security, but thats the states regulatory hammer to wield, not a shield for its own shortcomings. Boys and men, meanwhile, roam unchecked at night, their impulses unchecked by education or fear of consequence. Why not curfews for them? Why not mandatory sensitisation in schools, workplaces, and villages to dismantle the entitlement that views women as prey? Societys first instinct should be to civilise the perpetrators, not confine the innocent.

This pattern of victim-shaming has haunted Banerjees tenure, eroding trust in a state that prides itself on progressive ideals. Recall the 2012 Park Street rape case, where an Anglo-Indian woman was brutally assaulted in a moving car by five men. Instead of condemning the violence, Banerjee dismissed it as a fabricated story". The survivor, Suzette Jordan, faced not just physical trauma but public scorn, dying years later from unrelated causes amid lingering stigma.

In the 2013 Kamduni gang rape and murder of a 20-year-old college student, Banerjees surprise visit to the village turned chaotic. Facing grieving protesters, she snapped, telling them to shut up" and accusing them of indulging in politics," while claiming the accused were opposition-linkeddismissive of the familys raw anguish and the polices initial inaction.

Then, in the 2022 Hanskhali case, a 14-year-old girl was allegedly raped and killed at a TMC leaders sons birthday party. Banerjee speculated publicly about a love affair", questioning if it was actual rape" or pregnancy-related, and chided the family for not filing a complaint sooner or allowing a post-mortemremarks decried as insensitive and prejudicial before any full probe. In each instance, the reflex was denial, deflection, doubtacts that compound survivors dread and deter justice.

Politics amplifies this rot. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) routinely lambasts BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh for womens atrocities, sending delegations to spotlight cases like the 2023 Hathras gang rape or the 2024 Unnao assault, framing them as emblematic of failed governance." Yet when horrors unfold in Bengal, the response is silence or subversion. No TMC minister or leader visited the Durgapur survivor in hospital; instead, Banerjees words isolated her further.

This hypocrisy peaks in cases laced with party ties. The 2024 RG Kar Medical College rape-murder of a trainee doctor exposed a chilling nexus: former principal Sandip Ghosh, arrested for evidence tampering and financial graft, allegedly conspired with Tala police stations officer-in-charge Abhijit Mondal to hush up the crime, including hasty post-mortems and pressure on the family. Ghosh, reinstated briefly post-incident despite scrutiny, embodies institutional rot under TMC watch.

Even more damning is the June 2025 South Calcutta Law College gang rape, where a 24-year-old first-year student was assaulted in the guard room by three men, including Manojit Mishraknown as Mango Da." Mishra, a 31-year-old alumnus and self-proclaimed TMC Chhatra Parishad unit president since 2017, wielded unchecked power despite a litany of priors: at least seven FIRs for vandalism, assault (including stabbing a student in 2016), and molestation, many lodged but unacted upon.

Suspended from the college in 2016 for leading a mob attack, he was mysteriously reinstated, then hired as contractual clerical staff by the governing bodyheaded by a TMC MLA. Students describe a reign of terror: Mishra molested freshmen, disrupted events with drunken rages, and intimidated faculty, his TMC badge a shield against accountability. One survivor of his earlier harassment fled classes for months; another relocated after assault. Police CCTV confirmed the June assault, with DNA linking Mishra, yet his protection until arrest raises questions: Whom was TMC shielding? A predator in party colours, or a symptom of patronage over justice?

Patriarchys grip is insidious, infecting even women in power. It manifests in knee-jerk denials: She provoked it," It was consensual," Why was she out?"reactions that transcend class, community, or caste, as seen from elite colleges to rural alleys. In Sandeshkhali, tribal women alleged systemic sexual exploitation by TMC leaders.

Background offers no buffer; perpetrators span all divides. Societys impulse? Lock away the girlscurtail hostels, night shifts, freedomswhile men prowl unchecked. This isnt protection; its punishment for existing.

The way out demands unflinching enforcement: Strict laws like the 2013 anti-rape amendments, but with teethfast-track courts, zero tolerance for evidence tampering, and sensitisation at every level. Villages need womens collectives; offices, gender audits; schools, curricula that humanise girls as equals.

No more photo-ops or delegation tours; real sensitisation, from rural panchayats to urban precincts, to uproot the entitlement breeding these monsters. Bengal has strong history of feminism which the leaders must revisit, But only if leaders like Banerjee choose accountability over alibis.

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To the Durgapur survivor, and countless others: Your night out was not a mistake; it was a right. We see your pain, honour your voice, and vow to build a state where no woman whispers her steps in fear. The fault is never yoursits the systems, and its time to fix it.

The author teaches journalism at St Xaviers College (autonomous), Kolkata. His handle on X is @sayantan_gh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: October 18, 2025, 16:35 IST

News opinion Opinion | Mamata Banerjee Is Wrong: Women Stepping Out Isnt The Problem, State Apathy Is

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Opinion | Pakistan's Betrayal: How Army, Govt Exposed Hypocrisy With Crackdown On Pro-Palestine Rally

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 09:19 IST

The crackdown reflects the moral bankruptcy of Pakistan's ruling elite that weaponises religion & resistance rhetoric, but abandons both when power and profit are at stake

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Pakistanis are awakening to the reality that their government and military care little about justice in Palestine or at home. (AFP)

Pakistan has long claimed to be the self-proclaimed defender of the Muslim Ummah", repeatedly thumping its chest about solidarity with Palestine and condemning Israeli aggression. Yet, when ordinary citizens attempted to demonstrate that solidarity on the streets of Lahore, they were met not with support, but with batons, arrests, and a chilling show of state repression. The crackdown on a peaceful pro-Palestine rally ordered by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs government and executed by General Asim Munirs military-backed establishment has torn away the mask of hypocrisy that Islamabad has worn for decades.

A Government That Fears Its Own People

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The rally in Lahore was not an armed insurgency, nor a violent protest. It was a peaceful demonstration by ordinary citizens, students, activists, and religious groups who came together to express solidarity with the besieged people of Gaza. Yet the government, clearly threatened by the sight of citizens uniting for a cause beyond domestic politics, responded with brute force. Riot police were deployed, protesters were detained, and slogans for Palestinian liberation were met with lathi charges and tear gas.

Such authoritarian overreach exposes a deep insecurity within Pakistans power structure. The Sharif government, already struggling with economic collapse and political legitimacy, seems more terrified of its own citizens exercising their constitutional right to protest than of Israels war crimes. It is a textbook tactic of weak governments: crush public dissent at home while issuing hollow condemnations abroad.

Perhaps, the most glaring hypocrisy lies with Pakistans military establishment. For decades, the Army has portrayed itself as the guardian" of the Islamic world, a bastion of resistance against Western imperialism. Yet when its own people rallied for a cause the Army claims to champion, it unleashed state violence instead.

General Asim Munirs silence on the crackdown speaks volumes. It confirms what critics have long argued: that the Pakistan Armys support for Palestine is nothing more than performative rhetoric, a convenient foreign policy slogan to distract from its undemocratic control at home. The same establishment that issues fiery speeches at the United Nations about Palestinian rights cannot tolerate peaceful solidarity marches on its own soil.

There is another, more cynical explanation behind the crackdown. In recent months, Pakistans leadership has been quietly seeking rapprochement with the United States and Gulf monarchies, many of whom are either aligned with Israel or have normalised relations with it. Pakistans newfound pragmatism appears to prioritise aid packages, IMF loans, and military deals over the moral imperative of supporting oppressed people.

By silencing pro-Palestine voices, Islamabad signals to Washington and Riyadh that it is responsible" and controllable". In other words, the crackdown is not just an attack on free speech; it is a message to foreign capitals that Pakistan will no longer let its streets dictate its foreign policy.

Betrayal Of The People & Of Palestine

The most tragic aspect of this episode is the betrayal it represents not just of Pakistans own citizens, but of the Palestinian people themselves. For decades, Palestinians have looked to the Muslim world for solidarity. When even peaceful rallies in one of the Muslim worlds largest countries are crushed, it sends a demoralising message: that slogans of brotherhood" and solidarity" are mere words, easily discarded when they clash with state interests.

The crackdown in Lahore is more than an isolated incident. It is a mirror reflecting the deep moral bankruptcy of Pakistans ruling elitea clique that weaponises religion and resistance rhetoric for domestic consumption, but abandons both when power and profit are at stake.

The baton charges in Lahore may disperse the crowds, but they cannot silence the truth. Pakistanis are awakening to the reality that their government and military care little about justice in Palestine or at home. They will remember who stood with the oppressed and who ordered their arrest. And history will not be kind to those who chose cowardice and hypocrisy over courage and conviction.

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If Pakistan truly wishes to stand with Palestine, it must start by respecting those within its own borders who dare to speak out for Gaza. Until then, its words of solidarity will remain empty and its silence in the face of injustice will echo louder than any speech at the UN.

The author is the National Chairman of the Muslim Students Organisation of India. He writes on a wide range of issues, including, Sufism, public policy, geopolitics and information warfare. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

Location : Lahore, Pakistan

First Published: October 18, 2025, 09:19 IST

News opinion Opinion | Pakistan's Betrayal: How Army, Govt Exposed Hypocrisy With Crackdown On Pro-Palestine Rally

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Opinion | Tamil Nadu, Dravidian Cult And The Role Of Missionaries

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 14:16 IST

Tamil Nadu is a survivor of two cultural holocausts, both of which are intertwined

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The phenomenon of an entirely homegrown Tamil evangelist like Paul Dhinakaran has not only become normalised but aspirational. (Facebook)

The ancient hill shrine of Sholingur still upholds its sanctity as one of the 108 Divyadeshams and is the home of the sacred Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple atop its peak.

As we ascend the steep steps, were confronted with a melee of monkeys, whose population perhaps rivals the human inhabitants of the town. Their greedy focus is steadfast on the offerings of fruit and coconuts that the devotees take with them. Woe begone if the devotees attention weans for even a fraction of a second. The term pressure tactics" acquires a wholly new meaning on those steps.

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And so it happened right before me.

A local woman was mobbed by quite a large bunch of these avaricious apes who climbed all over her and even after they took her bag away, they refused to clamber back to their places. They took their time inspecting it, strewing its contents all over the place. They didnt scratch or hurt her in the least.

On her part, she spoke to them, addressing them as if they were family: Narasimha! Anjaneya! Return my bag! Now! The temple will close," she said as she kept climbing. At a bend, three or four monkeys ran up behind her and flung her bag in front of her. Its fruity contents had been cleaned out and all that remained were some flowers, a garland and money. She picked it up, rearranged the flowers, and scolded them in mock anger, Narasimha, if you do this again, Ill beat you, Narasimha!"

Then she paused, looked at them, did a small Namaskaram and continued to climb.

Im sure youve also seen something similar.

This incident occurred less than two years ago and to my mind, it counts as a sign of hope and optimism. Its significance lies in the fact that it is among countless such living proofs of an innocent and deeply evocative Bhakti intrinsic to the Tamil people. If this sounds unbelievable or exaggerated, lets look at the negative evidence that proves this reality.

Tamil Nadu is a survivor of two cultural holocausts, both of which are intertwined. The first germinated the second and continues to feed off and fatten on the second. The first quite obviously is the ongoing Christian missionary incursions, which originated about three centuries ago.

Although the Christian Church as a political lobby wields enormous clout today, we need to place it in the proper historical context. Despite more than three centuries of unremitting effort, the success rate of the project of Christianising the whole of Tamil Nadu is truly pitiable.

Almost since its inception, the evangelical apparatus has relied on fraud and deception to gain converts. As an Abrahamic cult, it could never convince the Tamil Hindu society that Christianity was a valid spiritual path based on the strength of its independent merit.

Fast forward to the recent widespread phenomena which continues to justly outrage the Hindus in Tamil Nadu: Jesus Sahasranama, Jesus Gayatri Mantra and building Dhvajasthambhas before churches in a calculated mimicking of Hindu temples.

What do these things show?

In blunt language, these are the latest manifestations of the perfidy at the core of the conversion project. Until recently, the missionary machinery hadnt dared to attempt such subversive tactics but is now brazening it out. The fact that the Church had long ago accepted spiritual and civilisational defeat at the hands of Sanatana Dharma is evident. But because its political and financial clout has grown to alarming levels, it has declared open war.

This meretricious facet of evangelism also has a fairly long history in Tamil Nadu.

In the initial years, the Catholic Church, especially, succeeded in gaining a fair number of converts because of the aforementioned innocent Bhakti embedded in the DNA of the Tamil people. When Robert De Nobili donned his deceptive cloak and pretended to be a Roman Brahmin," it didnt take long for the Hindu society to defrock him. Frustrated, he quickly abandoned the perfidy and innovated. Instead of attempting to convert Brahmins, he now targeted the proverbial lower sections for en masse conversions.

That was when he and his missionary cohorts discovered that the Bhakti-DNA in the Tamil people could be altered without their knowledge. He decided to divert their devotion towards Christ using subterfuge as the weapon of choice.

When we cut to Bishop Robert Caldwell, his bogus work on Dravidian grammar" came eminently in handy. This marked the well-known beginning of Tamil linguistic chauvinism working in tandem with the Dravidian separatist political ideology. When this lethal mix was inflicted upon the trusting and simple Tamil Hindu masses, it crafted a deadlier narrative that equated Jesus and Mary with Hindu Deities. This undeniably led to impressive successes.

One of the best methods to verify first-hand, this missionary sabotage is to read the Bible in Indian languages. The religious verbiage used is directly lifted from Sanskrit texts: for example, there is no Christian equivalent for terms such as Paramatma, Deva Putra (i.e. Jesus), Deva Mata (Mary), Prabhu, etc. These Bibles and related Christian literature are used to first lure and then heighten the devotion of Hindu converts to Christianity. But this is a discussion for another day.

It is precisely this pre-existing tradition of unsullied and innocent Bhakti that the Church continues to use as seed capital.

However, in a post-globalised India, the Evangelical project has shed even the pretence of Christian piety" (a polite term for fundamentalism), and has emerged naked as a multinational corporation whose charter is religious conquest.

The phenomenon of an entirely homegrown Tamil evangelist like Paul Dhinakaran has not only become normalised but aspirational. As of 2023, his net worth was estimated in the range of Rs 5,000 crore, which exceeds that of several top-ranking businessmen in the US.

All this wealth earned" by hawking the message" of Christ to unsuspecting Tamil Hindus.

Needless, there are hundreds of Paul Dhinkarans at various levels in the Evangelical food chain across India. Kerala perhaps represents the starkest case with pastors owning entire hills not to mention the infrequent eruptions of cases of paedophilia and rapes of nuns.

Comparatively speaking, the missionary apparatus has not taken over Tamil Nadu on this scale. The reason is, once again, the same: the Bhakti tradition in the Hindu community remains rather strong. For the longest time, this reality was deliberately suppressed in Tamil public discourse by a combination of ideologues and powerful sections of its media, which is almost wholly in the grip of the DMK.

But over the last fifteen years or so, that grip has been steadily bypassed.

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(To be continued)

The author is the founder and chief editor, The Dharma Dispatch. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: October 18, 2025, 14:15 IST

News opinion Opinion | Tamil Nadu, Dravidian Cult And The Role Of Missionaries

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Opinion | Unstringing The Garland: How Politics Distorted The Tamil-Sanskrit Bond

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 19:48 IST

When one considers that the very word Dravida itself comes from Sanskrit, it becomes clear that Sanskrit is deeply embedded in Tamil too

The DMK is known for its uncompromising and hardline stand on language. (Representational image/PTI)

It was widely reported in the news last week that Tamil Nadu is planning to introduce a bill banning the Hindi language. According to these reports, the proposed bill aims to do this by prohibiting Hindi hoardings, songs, and films. No immediate comments were issued by the Tamil Nadu government either confirming or denying the news. Amid concerns raised by experts that such a bill would be unconstitutional, senior DMK leader Mr TKS Elangovan stated that the party is against the imposition of Hindi and would not do anything unconstitutional  a remark many interpreted as a defence of the proposed bill. The Tamil Nadu BJP, which does not have a strong presence in the states political arena, strongly condemned the bill, calling it stupid" and absurd".

The government later dismissed reports about an anti-Hindi bill. The secretary of the legislative assembly stated that no proposal for such a bill had been received. Many accounts, however, claimed that the denial came only after backlash against the proposal reached the national stage. Some media outlets suggested that, following widespread criticism, an urgent meeting with legal experts was convened to discuss the proposed legislation, and it was during this meeting that the decision to stall the bill was made. Others speculated that the upcoming Bihar elections may have played a role in shelving the bill, as an anti-Hindi proposal by a member of the INDIA bloc could be used by the NDA as a tool to attack the Mahagathbandhan.

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To ban a language is a foolish move  one that is not only impractical but also, by all chances, would not stand in court. The impracticality and absurdity are such that, had the reports been about any other political party planning such a bill, they would have been instantly dismissed as a silly prank or a false rumour, a piece of fake news, without anyone bothering to examine the details. But coming from the DMK, nobody doubted the reports. Given DMKs fervour when it comes to linguistic issues, the idea of such a bill sounded prima facie credible.

The DMK is known for its uncompromising and hardline stand on language. It was the DMK that replaced the Indian currency symbol with the Tamil script in its budget documents a few months ago. The party has also been at loggerheads with the central government over the National Education Policy and has consistently maintained that it will not implement the three-language policy prescribed by the NEP.

The DMKs real contention is not with Hindi itself. The party believes that the imposition of Hindi is a means to introduce and promote Sanskrit. Back in February, Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to his party cadres: We will oppose Hindi imposition. Hindi is the mask, Sanskrit is the hidden face." This sentiment is not a recent one. A few years ago, it was Dayanidhi Maran who said in the Lok Sabha that the government does nothing for a classical language like Tamil but spends money on a dead language like Sanskrit. As the statement shows, the DMKs hardline position on language often stems from its disdain for Sanskrit.

On closer examination, one can see that this disdain for Sanskrit is itself rooted in an underlying anti-Brahmin sentiment. Political Dravidianism defines itself apophatically  by what it is not. It positions itself in opposition to Aryanness or Brahminness. What is interesting here is the fact that such an idea was not initially formulated by Tamils, or even by Indians. The theory was first articulated by European missionaries in the nineteenth century. In her seminal work, The Politics of Cultural Nationalism in South India, Marguerite Ross Barnett observes:

The roots of the concept non-Brahmin are intrinsically tied to the idea of the cultural unity and integrity of South India based on a Dravidian past. Paradoxically, this Dravidian-ness was first postulated by Europeans. [] [Rev. Robert] Caldwell developed the theory that Sanskrit has been brought to South India originally by Aryan Brahman colonists, and with it a peculiar type of Hinduism, which embodied the worship of idols."

Thus, the anti-Hindi sentiment, historically, is complex and carries with it strong cultural biases originally propagated by European missionaries. In any case, such disregard, or hostility, towards Sanskrit is both undeserved and misguided. It is foolish to be hostile towards other languages in the name of preserving" ones own.

No man is an island," wrote John Donne four centuries ago. The line is true not just of men, but of language and culture as well. No language is, or can be, free from the influences of other languages. No language can exist in isolation without interacting with and learning from other languages. Just as with culture or race, there is no such thing as linguistic purity. Interactions make languages deeper and richer, and this is especially evident in the case of Tamil and Sanskrit.

Both these languages have always interacted in the past, and that interaction was mutually beneficial; it helped both languages grow. At a time when Tamil was interacting with Sanskrit, linguists and poets saw these languages as beads of the same garland that connected cultures and traditions. Anantapuravarnanam, a medieval poem written in the Manipravaalam style  a literary tradition that blends Sanskrit with Dravidian languages  illustrates this well. The unknown poet, before turning to the subject, states in the work:

tamil samskrtamentulla / sumanassukal kontoru

intamala totukkinren / pundarikaksa pujayai

Meaning: I weave a garland of verse, stringing together Tamil and Sanskrit as its fragrant flowers, to lay at the feet of the Lotus-Eyed Lord in worship.

The line is even more relevant, considering that it comes from a time when linguistic chauvinism was unknown. This was not an attempt to please either Tamilians or Sanskritists; it was a wholly natural statement, a deeply poetic utterance.

How would one create a pure Tamil culture, untouched by Sanskrit? Would it be by erasing the contributions of the past poets, saints, and scholars of Tamil Nadu to the Sanskrit tradition? To exclude Sanskrit, and the exemplary Sanskrit scholars of Tamil Nadu, from Tamil language or culture would not make Tamil richer; it would, in fact, make it poorer. To claim that the scholars and learned men of Tamil Nadu mastered only the Tamil language is an affront to their legacy, and only someone with a very limited understanding of Tamils great culture and history would say such a thing.

Though regional identities have always been diverse, the South Indian languages share a common ancestry: the Proto-Dravidian language. Old Tamil, the language of Sangam literature, was a descendant of Proto-Dravidian. It later evolved into Middle Tamil, from which languages like Malayalam developed much later. Tamil was not a culture confined to present-day Tamil Nadu; rather, it was expansive and encompassed other parts of South India as well. It was within this rich cultural milieu  not within the political borders of present-day Tamil Nadu  that many of the most influential figures of the Tamil tradition were born. Cilappatikaram, the classic Tamil epic, was not composed in what is now Tamil Nadu. Some historians believe that Ilango Adigal wrote his magnum opus in Mathilakam, near present-day Thrissur in Kerala. Indeed, numerous distinguished poets and writers, from several Sangam-era authors to later literary figures, hailed from regions beyond the current borders of Tamil Nadu.

This Old Tamil culture produced many towering figures who later became globally recognised scholars. Remove Sanskrit from Tamil, and its greatness would undoubtedly diminish. The great Hindu philosophers Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Madhvacarya, and Yamunacarya belonged to this South Indian milieu, rooted in a vibrant Tamil cultural tradition, and were among the most illustrious Sanskrit scholars. Dandin, the grammarian and poet who authored the highly influential treatise Kaavyadarsha, one of the most important works on poetics and the work that outlines the principles of composing a Sanskrit Mahakavya, was also a Tamilian. Nagarjuna and Dharmakirti, the eminent Buddhist philosophers whose surviving treatises are in Sanskrit were also born in southern India. The renowned sceptic Jayarashi Bhatta, Prativadi Bhayankaram Acharya (who composed the mellifluous Venkatesha Suprabhatam), and the distinguished Nyaya scholar Annambhatta all produced enduring Sanskrit works that have stood the test of time, and they flourished within the Tamil intellectual tradition. The great Saivite scholar Appayya Dikshita, the poet Nilakantha Dikshita, and the philosopher-poet Sadasiva Brahmendra were all from Tamil Nadu.

As one can see, the rich tradition of scholarship was not confined to Hindu religious systems alone. There were Buddhists, Nyaya scholars, sceptics, aestheticists, and poets who chose Sanskrit as their medium of expression. To dismiss or erase their contributions in an attempt to construct a notion of a pure" Tamil culture would be profoundly short-sighted. Puritans and those who regard Sanskrit as a dead language are not only speaking from a limited understanding of Tamil cultural history but are also undermining the greatness of Tamil.

Languages evolve constantly. Proto-Dravidian branched into several languages, including Old Tamil. Old Tamil later developed into Middle Tamil. From Middle Tamil, Malayalam diverged. In other words, Malayalam is related to Middle Tamil in the same way that Modern Tamil is related to Middle Tamil. Since Malayalam and Modern Tamil descend from the same ancestor, its clearer to say neither is inherently older" than the other; each is a modern stage of its lineage. The point is that the term oldest language", which is prevalent in Tamil political discourse, is problematic. The roots of all modern languages trace back to the earliest forms of human speech, and language itself, as a human faculty, is ancient.

Kaavyadarsha, the authoritative treatise on Sanskrit poetics, was authored by a Tamilian  a reminder that Tamil is present within Sanskrit. When one considers that the very word Dravida itself comes from Sanskrit, it becomes clear that Sanskrit is deeply embedded in Tamil too. There is, therefore, no question of one language being imposed upon the other; they are already profoundly intertwined.

Yet why this squabble? These petty fights? This constant complaint about language imposition? A verse from Tirumantiram, an ancient Tamil poetic work, might shed some light on this. The verse goes:

Marathai maraithathu maamara yaanai / Marathilmarainthathu maamara yaanai

Parathai maraithathu paarmuthal pootham / Parathilmarainthathu paarmuthal pootham

Meaning: When you look at a wooden sculpture of an elephant, the wood is hidden  you see only the elephant. But if you examine it as a piece of wood, the elephant disappears; you see only a block of wood, not an elephant. The poet goes on to say that when you look at The Elements, you do not see the Lord who resides beyond them  the Lord disappears. And when you behold the Lord, The Elements themselves fade from view.

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To paraphrase it, or interpret it in the context of our discussion, we could say this: those who use a language and its history as a political weapon cannot truly appreciate the greatness of that language. And those who do appreciate the greatness of a language and its history would never use it as a political weapon.

Prajesh is a commentator with a research degree in philosophy from the University of Sheffield, focusing on the intersections of culture, history, and politics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

About the Author Prajesh Panikkar Prajesh is a commentator with a research degree in philosophy from the University of Sheffield, focusing on the intersections of culture, history, and politics.

First Published: October 18, 2025, 19:48 IST

News opinion Opinion | Unstringing The Garland: How Politics Distorted The Tamil-Sanskrit Bond

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 13:12 IST

1 / 7 Students aspiring to a successful career in law have two options for pursuing an LLB: a five-year integrated LLB course or a three-year LLB course. The question that often arises is which option is better for advancing one's career. Today, let's discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both three-year and five-year LLB courses. (Representative image/File) + Follow us On Google

2 / 7 Admission to the five-year integrated LLB, which includes courses such as BA LLB, BBA LLB, etc., is available after completing 12th grade. On the other hand, the three-year LLB course is available after graduation. (Representative image/File)

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3 / 7 The integrated LLB spans five years, combining the bachelor's and LLB degrees, thus eliminating the need to complete two separate undergraduate degrees. The main advantage of the integrated LLB is that students start learning about law immediately after 12th grade, maintaining a consistent focus on their legal career. This course allows students to combine law with various subjects, including BA LLB, BBA LLB, BCom LLB, BSc LLB, BA LLB (Hons), BBA LLB (Hons), BCom LLB (Hons), BSc LLB (Hons), and more. (Representative/Getty Images)

4 / 7 Students in an integrated LLB benefit from early exposure to courtroom practice through moot courts, research submissions, and mock trial courts incorporated into the curriculum. They also gain valuable experience through internships with top law firms, corporations, and NGOs. (Representative image/File)

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5 / 7 For those opting for the three-year LLB course, graduation in any field such as BA, BSc, BCom, or BTech is a prerequisite. This course is ideal for individuals who decide to pursue a legal career after completing their undergraduate studies. The three-year LLB provides a viable option for students who make this career decision post-graduation. (Representative/Getty Images)

6 / 7 Registration for CLAT 2026 began on August 1, 2025 and will conclude on October 31, 2025. Eligible and interested candidates can apply for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) for admission to LLB courses by visiting the official website at consortiumofnlus.ac.in. (Representative/Getty Images)

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 14:57 IST

1 / 7 Even after decades, the memories of school and college days remain vivid. This is exemplified by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya's visit to India. Amid her busy schedule, she took time to visit Hindu College at Delhi University, where she had studied 31 years ago. The visit made her emotional as she reminisced about her college days. (Photo: @Dr_HariniA/ X) + Follow us On Google

2 / 7 Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is on her first official trip to India since taking office in November 21, 2024. Her visit was not only about high-level bilateral talks but also had a personal and emotional dimension, reflecting her strong educational ties with India. As an educationist and social worker, Dr. Amarasuriya has a deep connection to India, having completed her early college education there. (Instagram/ @hariniamarasuriya)

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3 / 7 She studied at Hindu College, Delhi University, earning a bachelor's degree in sociology 31 years ago. During her visit, she revisited the college, met with current students and teachers, and even sat on the wooden bench where she once took notes. (Photo: @Dr_HariniA/ X)

4 / 7 Dr. Amarasuriya, Sri Lanka's 16th and third female Prime Minister, boasts an impressive educational background, some of it linked to India. At 54, she transitioned from academia to politics, with her educational journey spanning Colombo, Delhi, and Edinburgh. (Instagram/ @hariniamarasuriya)

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5 / 7 Dr. Amarasuriya's early college education in India, particularly in sociology at the prestigious Hindu College, Delhi University, was crucial in shaping her academic and social perspectives. She studied BA in Sociology from the year 1991 to 1994. (Instagram/ @hariniamarasuriya)

6 / 7 After completing her undergraduate studies, she pursued higher education in the UK, earning a PhD from the University of Edinburgh in Social Anthropology, demonstrating her extensive knowledge and deep understanding of social issues. (Instagram/ @hariniamarasuriya)

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Imagine how stressful this situation would be: Natalies boss called her into the office recently and gave her some bad news. Thankfully, it was not a layoff, but it was something almost as stressful  and potentially financially devastating.

Her boss said the payroll department had made errors over the past several months, and in total, theyd overpaid by about $7,000 over the course of a year.

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Natalie was shocked. Since she works two jobs, she hadnt noticed the incremental overpayments, and she admitted she hadnt been reviewing her bank statements every month.

Her boss then gave her even more disconcerting news: He said Natalie can either pay all the money back, or work for free until she makes up the hours. Natalie was shocked. She lives paycheck to paycheck, and she cant afford a lump-sum payment of $7,000. Her boss didnt seem to think a repayment plan would be possible.

Natalie didnt know what to do. She wasnt sure if her boss could legally compel her to work for free, or even to pay the money back at all.

Can your employer legally claw back money?

Federal and state laws allow employers to garnish (automatically reduce) workers wages if there has been an overpayment. However, there are also rules about how much an employer can take.

Under the U.S. Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA), there are restrictions on the weekly amount that can be deducted from your pay. If the amount of weekly disposable earnings (the amount after legally required deductions like taxes and Social Security) are more than $290, a maximum of 25% can be deducted. If your disposable earnings are less than $217.50 (or 30 hours of work at the federal minimum wage of $7.25), nothing can be deducted. For disposable earnings more than $217.50 but less than $290 (40 hours at $7.25), your employer can garnish the amount above $217.50 (1).

State laws will also impact how and when an employer can garnish wages after overpayment. In most states, an overpayment is classified as a wage advance, and employers do not need permission from the employee to make deductions.

If state law differs from federal law on wage garnishment, the CCPA states that whichever law results in less money being garnished will be applied (2).
Last Updated: October 17, 2025, 17:47 IST

1 / 12 Raj Kapoor, the Showman of Indian cinema, needs no introduction. His legendary status stems from his influential filmmaking, which masterfully blended social themes, romance and music along with his signature Chaplin-inspired persona of a simple, relatable tramp. + Follow us On Google

2 / 12 Despite being one of the best and most successful actors of his time, did you know that there was one actress who did not like Raj Kapoor?

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3 / 12 Although the actress is no longer with us today, her memories still live on in peoples hearts. She was a dominant figure in Bengali cinema from the 1950s to the 1970s, and starred opposite actor Uttam Kumar in numerous classic romantic melodramas. Any guesses?

4 / 12 No? We are talking about actress Suchitra Sen, who was the first Indian actress to win an international acting award, taking home the Silver Prize for Best Actress at the Moscow International Film Festival for her role in Saat Pake Bandha.

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5 / 12 Belonging to a simple Bengali Family, Sen got married to Dibanath Sen, son of industrialist Adinath Sen, at the age of 15 and with his support, she entered the film industry.

6 / 12 She marked her acting debut with the 1953 Bengali drama film, Saat Number Kayedi, which turned out to be a hit, and there was no looking back for the actress.

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7 / 12 Suchitra made her Hindi film debut with Devdas, which turned out to be a major hit. She went on to work extensively in both Hindi and Bengali cinema, becoming so busy with her career that it eventually led to strain in her personal life, with her husband leaving her.

8 / 12 At a point in her career, the actress began demanding higher fees than some major stars. She also rejected films from prominent actors and directors, like Raj Kapoor, whom she never liked as a person.

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9 / 12 Suchitra Sen reportedly turned down the opportunity to work with Raj Kapoor because she was put off by his personality and his overly dramatic, "filmi" manner of approaching her for a role.

10 / 12 According to the book Amar Bondhu Suchitra Sen, Raj Kapoor once approached the actress to offer her a role in his film. However, as soon as she sat down, Kapoor reportedly knelt at her feet and presented her with a bouquet of roses. The gesture, which he may have intended as charming, left Sen uncomfortable; she found it "overly dramatic and insincere".

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11 / 12 As a result, the actress refused to work with Raj Kapoor in that project and never collaborated with him in her entire career.
A Familiar Face, A Flexible Future: Amit Shah & BJP's Calibrated Endorsement Of Nitish Kumar

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 17:47 IST

Nitish's Kurmi support base and administrative reputation remain relevant in Bihars complex caste and governance landscape

Shahs carefully worded remarks appeared to balance respect for Nitishs role with a subtle readiness for a post-election recalibration, should circumstances require. (File photo: X/NitishKumar)

When Union Home Minister Amit Shah stood in Bihar and declared that the NDA would contest the Assembly election under Nitish Kumars leadershipbut that the decision on the Chief Minister would be taken after the polls by the elected MLAshe wasnt just stating a procedural fact. His comment marked a strategic signal from the BJP, underscoring both support for the current alliance and a degree of political flexibility.

Publicly, Shahs statement was wrapped in deference We are contesting under Nitishjis leadership." Yet, the caveat that the CM would be chosen post-election introduced a note of ambiguity. It reminded both allies and voters that the formal decision rests with the NDA legislature party, which is numerically dominated by the BJP.

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At one level, it was a message to the JD(U)a reminder of evolving dynamics within the alliance. At another, observers say, it reflected the BJPs desire to keep its options open in case of any unforeseen developments related to leadership.

JD(U)s nervous assertiveness

The Janata Dal (United) responded quickly. Spokesperson Neeraj Kumar asked, When the elections are being fought under Nitish, how can anyone else become CM?" Senior leader Sanjay Kumar Jha reassured that all is well in the NDA". Neeraj Kumars emphatic phrasingChandra tare, Surya tare, tare sakal sansar; Mukhya Mantri ki kursi se na tare Nitish Kumar"underscored the partys confidence in Nitishs centrality, even as it hinted at deeper concerns.

JD(U) leaders also pointed to past precedence. Speaking to News18, senior JD(U) leader KC Tyagi said, The election will be fought under the leadership of Nitish Kumar. Amit Shah Ji has said that he has been made CM in spite of having lower numbers. Hence, its clear, even if we have lower numbers, Nitish Kumar Ji will remain CM. He (Amit Shah) hasnt said for once that anyone apart from Nitish Kumar will become Chief Minister."

Opposition senses a crack

Opposition parties, particularly the RJD and Congress, seized upon Shahs comments. The BJP has virtually taken control of the JD(U)," said RJD spokesperson Chitranjan Gagan, who added that Nitish now appears to be a CM on borrowed time".

The opposition, looking to revive its momentum under the INDIA bloc, saw the remarks as a potential faultline within the NDA. They also accused the BJP of deflecting from issues like unemployment and economic stagnation by focusing on themes like infiltration and jungle raj". The RJD is positioning Tejashwi Yadavs youth and energy as a contrast to Nitishs long tenure.

BJPs clarification, and its calculation

Sensing that the opposition might exploit the ambiguity, the BJP released video clips of Shahs full speech, reiterating that Nitish remains the NDAs leader in Bihar. However, even in clarification, the phrasing kept the procedural caveat intact  that elected MLAs will choose the CM after the election.

For the BJP, Nitish remains a key figure  a long-time ally, a familiar administrative face, and a counter to RJDs caste-driven appeal. His presence helps retain the NDAs core vote base and adds continuity to the alliances governance narrative in Bihar.

Why the tightrope matters

Nitish Kumars age and long political career have become part of the broader discourse around succession and future leadership. Shahs carefully worded remarks appeared to balance respect for Nitishs role with a subtle readiness for a post-election recalibration, should circumstances require.

The BJPs Bihar strategy is shaped by two key considerations:

Retaining the NDAs traditional vote base by continuing with Nitish as the leader for now.

Simultaneously reinforcing the BJPs organisational presence in the state to strengthen its long-term prospects.

This was evident in Shahs assertion that the NDA would register its biggest victory in 20 years"a formulation that frames the anticipated success as a collective effort while reinforcing the BJPs central role in the alliance machinery.

The road ahead

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For now, observers say, the BJP continues to stand by Nitish Kumar. His Kurmi support base and administrative reputation remain relevant in Bihars complex caste and governance landscape. Shahs phrasingthat MLAs will decide"remains aligned with constitutional norms but also reflects the political fluidity that could emerge post-election.

In Bihars political theatre, Shahs statement served as a reminder of evolving equationsand of the quiet recalibrations that can follow even the most deferential declarations.

About the Author Anindya Banerjee Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep ... Read More

First Published: October 18, 2025, 17:44 IST

News politics A Familiar Face, A Flexible Future: Amit Shah & BJP's Calibrated Endorsement Of Nitish Kumar

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'Bihar Is Saved': BJP Slams 'Arrogant' Mahagathbandhan As JMM Breaks Ranks Over Seat-Sharing

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 21:30 IST

While the NDA has already finalised its seat-sharing arrangement, the opposition remains stuck in intense negotiations

A total of 121 out of 243 seats will go to the polls in the first phase on November 6. (File photo: X/yadavtejashwi)

The fissures within the oppositions Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) in Bihar have widened, offering the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a significant political weapon ahead of the assembly elections. The latest developmentthe Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) announcing its decision to break away from the alliance in Biharprompted a fierce attack from the BJP, which labelled the disunity as a failure of leadership.

BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya was quick to seize on the rift, posting a sharp critique on social media. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has released the list of its candidates in Bihar and also announced that it is no longer a part of the Mahagathbandhan. Not only this, the party also said that the alliance in Jharkhand will be reconsidered after the Bihar elections. The arrogance of Rahul [Gandhi] and Tejashwi [Yadav] is the real reason for the collapse of the Mahagathbandhan. Bihar is saved," he wrote on X.

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Malviyas pointed remarks encapsulate the BJPs narrative: that the ego" of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress party leaders is causing the oppositions coalition to crumble even before the contest.

The Oppositions Seat-Sharing Deadlock

The JMMs decision to contest the Bihar polls independently on a small number of seats, after failing to secure a satisfactory allocation, is merely the latest symptom of the deeper seat-sharing chaos plaguing the Mahagathbandhan. While the NDA has already finalised its seat-sharing arrangement, the opposition remains stuck in intense negotiations, even as nominations for the first phase of polling have closed.

RJD vs. Congress: The central deadlock revolves around the number of seats for the Congress. While the RJD, the dominant partner, is reportedly firm on offering around 58 seats, the Congress is adamant about contesting more than 60, ideally 65, citing its status as a national party. The poor strike rate of the Congress in the 2020 elections (winning only 19 of 70 seats) has fueled the RJDs reluctance to concede a higher number.

The Left and VIP: While the RJD has issued symbols to a substantial number of its candidates, the allocation for smaller allies remains highly contentious. The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, a crucial partner that performed well in 2020, is reportedly seeking a proportionate number of seats. Similarly, Mukesh Sahnis Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) is said to be uneasy as its share is being squeezed, reportedly being offered only around a dozen seats.

Intra-Alliance Clashes: In a visible sign of disarray, the alliance has seen friendly fire, with candidates from different Mahagathbandhan parties filing nominations against each other in multiple constituencies, including in high-stakes seats like Bachhwara and Rajapakar. Although alliance leaders dismiss these as temporary overlaps to be resolved during the withdrawal period, they underscore the last-minute confusion.

NDA Gets Ammo

In stark contrast, the BJP-led NDA projected a united front, quickly announcing a formal seat-sharing pact with the JD(U) (101 seats each), LJP (Ram Vilas), RLM, and HAM. The BJP is aggressively leveraging the Mahagathbandhans public disarray, mocking it as a mere Lathbandhan" (an alliance of chaos), thereby shifting the public narrative to focus on opposition infighting rather than the NDAs own internal tensions.

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The JMMs walkout thus provides the BJP with a powerful tool to question the credibility and coherence of the oppositions challenge in the run-up to the polls.

Bihar will vote in two phases, on November 6 and 11, with counting scheduled for November 14.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

First Published: October 18, 2025, 21:30 IST

News politics 'Bihar Is Saved': BJP Slams 'Arrogant' Mahagathbandhan As JMM Breaks Ranks Over Seat-Sharing

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Diwali Reunion Sparks Alliance Speculation As Thackeray Clan Comes Together To Celebrate

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 09:48 IST

Uddhav and his family took part in 'Deepotsav', an annual event organised by the MNS, at central Mumbai's Shivaji Park on Friday.

Uddhav and Raj Thackeray's families seen together at the 'Deepotsav' event in Mumbai's Shivaji Park. (Credit: Instagram)

The families of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) supremo Raj Thackeray reunited on Friday for a Diwali event, which fuelled the buzz around their political alliance in Maharashtra ahead of the Mumbai civic polls.

Uddhav and his family took part in Deepotsav, an annual event organised by the MNS, at central Mumbais Shivaji Park. The event was symbolic as both Uddhav and Raj Thackeray arrived at the venue in the same car in full media glare.

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Uddhavs son Aaditya and Rajs son Amit arrived in another car, while Uddhavs younger son Tejas and Rajs younger daughter Urvashi were seen in the rear seat of the vehicle. Uddhav Thackerays wife, Rashmi and Rajs spouse, Sharmila, arrived in another car to take part in the event.

Todays Diwali is special. The unity of Marathi manoos and its light will bring happiness in everyones lives," Uddhav said at the event.

Amit Thackeray shared pictures of the event on Instagram, saying, Moment of happiness, festival of relationships. Happy Diwali to all from Thackeray family!"

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amit Thackeray (@amitrajthackeray)

This was the seventh time  third in October  that the Thackeray cousins have met since July 5. The two leaders attended the naamkaran" ceremony of Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Rauts grandchild in Mumbai previously.

Later, in an unannounced development, Raj drove to Uddhavs residence, Matoshree, and held a closed-door meeting with his brother. According to sources, the meeting, which lasted for nearly 40 minutes, was entirely private and confidential. No prior schedule had been made public, and the visit came as a complete surpriseeven to senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders.

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The meetings between Raj and Uddhav have become more frequent after their joint July 5 victory" rally to celebrate the Maharashtra governments rollback of its contentious orders on the three-language formula for students of classes 1 to 5 amid charges of imposition of Hindi in the state dominated by Marathi speakers.

Although Raj quit the undivided Shiv Sena in 2005, blaming Uddhav for his exit, the drubbing of their parties in the 2024 assembly polls appears to have pushed the rivals to improve ties. Both parties have dropped enough hints of forging an alliance for the upcoming polls to local bodies, including the BMC, although they are yet to announce a formal tie-up.

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More

First Published: October 18, 2025, 09:48 IST

News politics Diwali Reunion Sparks Alliance Speculation As Thackeray Clan Comes Together To Celebrate

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God, Grit & The Government: The Power Tussle Between Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar

Written By :

News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 13:05 IST

As the half-way deadline of November approaches, the Congress in Karnataka is slowly finding itself split between the two power centres it tried so hard to balance in 2023

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The Siddaramaiah-Shivakumar dynamic has become the Congress greatest balancing act. (PTI)

The whispers about a change in leadership in Karnataka are no longer whispers. They are loud, persistent, and politically loaded. Several Congress MLAs have openly stated that Siddaramaiah must soon hand over the reins to Shivakumara statement that has once again brought to the surface the long-running undercurrent within the Congress government over the question of succession.

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When Shivakumar visited the Hasanamba Temple this week, his words reignited the buzz. Only I and God know when I will become chief minister," he said with a smilea line that was as much a tease as it was a declaration. It was his way of signalling that the wait continues, but perhaps not indefinitely.

If the divine appeals are theatrical, theyre also deeply symbolic of how far his loyalists are willing to go.

Rizwan Pasha, vice-president of the Bengaluru South District Youth Congress, offered prayers at Mecca holding up a photograph of Shivakumar and his brother, MP DK Suresh. Both leaders are like my two eyes," he declared in a video from the holy shrine.

Back home, Congress MLA Dr HD Ranganath, who is also a relative of Shivakumar, undertook a nine-day Navratri fast with one specific wish that Shivakumar becomes Karnatakas chief minister by the end of 2025.

But these overt acts of devotion are only one part of the larger story.

The Congress in Karnataka is slowly finding itself split between the two power centres it tried so hard to balance in 2023Siddaramaiah, the old warhorse of AHINDA politics, and Shivakumar, the combative organiser who helped deliver victory for the party.

The so-called 2.5-year formula"an alleged understanding between the two camps that Siddaramaiah would serve half the term before passing the batonis like a ghost that refuses to leave Vidhana Soudha.

Siddaramaiah, meanwhile, continues to play the statesman. No one can become chief minister without the support of legislators and the blessings of the high command," he reminded reporters in a media interaction in Bagalkote. He pointedly emphasised that both factors mattereda subtle but firm message to his ambitious deputy as well.

Shivakumar, for his part, insists that the decision lies solely with the high command, though his supporters seem convinced that the countdown has begun.

The political theatre reached another level recently when Shivakumar launched his biography A Symbol of Loyalty: DK Shivakumar, written by journalist KM Raghu.

In the speech he made at the event, Shivakumar revealed how the BJP had once offered him the post of deputy chief minister during the 2019 political crisisan offer he claims to have turned down in favour of going to jail. I prefer jail to becoming deputy chief minister," he said.

Calling himself the party loyalist who never strayed even when power was within reach was an unmistakable message to his rivals, his high command, and perhaps even to the sitting CM.

The BJP, never one to miss a political opening, quickly turned this into a taunt. Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka dubbed Shivakumars remarks his message to the Congress high command" and hinted at a November Revolution"referring to speculation that the Congress government could see a leadership change when it completes its halfway mark next month.

Inside the Congress, the dissent is both disciplined and defiant.

Supporters of Shivakumar and MLAs like HA Iqbal Hussain and HC Balakrishna have repeatedly stated that Shivakumar deserves a chance to lead", citing his organisational grit, fundraising muscle, and the fact that his Mekedatu Yatra helped energise the Congress base when it needed it most.

Hussain even went so far as to reveal that the leadership transition was decided in Delhi in 2023 itself, in the presence of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge. His comments earned him a sharp notice from the KPCC chiefShivakumar himself.

Discipline is important. Siddaramaiah is the chief minister and we all should strengthen his hands," Shivakumar said, attempting to strike a note of unity even as his own camp fans the flames. But the political message between the lines is clearthe clock is ticking, and the calls for change are getting louder.

The Congress high command, however, has shown no signs of rushing into any change. AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala had spent the months firefighting, urging MLAs to stop making public statements and focus on governance instead. But in Karnataka, politics often has a way of eclipsing governance.

The Siddaramaiah-Shivakumar dynamic has become the Congress greatest balancing actone built on mutual dependence and simmering competition.

Siddaramaiah needs Shivakumars organisational strength and Vokkaliga support base to keep the BJP and JD(S) at bay in southern Karnataka. Shivakumar, on the other hand, needs Siddaramaiahs stature and backing from AHINDA communities to hold the government together. Its an alliance stitched in necessity but strained by ambition.

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As Novemberthe so-called halfway mark approaches, the will-he-wont-he" suspense over Shivakumars elevation will only grow. His supporters, from temples to mosques, seem to be running a parallel campaign of faith and fervour.

Whether their prayers will be answered or not depends less on gods and more on the Congress high command in Delhi, which alone holds the keys to the political throne in Karnataka. Until then, every temple visit, every fast, and every fiery remark will keep this political see-saw swingingone side anchored in loyalty, the other in power.

About the Author Rohini Swamy Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18s digital platform. She has previously wor... Read More

First Published: October 18, 2025, 13:05 IST

News politics God, Grit & The Government: The Power Tussle Between Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar

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J&K Rajya Sabha Polls: Decoding The National Conference-Congress Alliance Conundrum

Written By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 16:43 IST

The uncertainty in the NC-led coalition also offers BJP unexpected opportunities---all hinging on coalition discipline, independent MLAs, and possible abstentions

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The 2025 Rajya Sabha elections in J&K have once again opened a profound rift between NC and Congress and a deep mistrust. (PTI)

The NC-led coalition emerged from the 2024 assembly elections, with NC holding 41 seats, Congress six, CPI(M) one, and support from five independents, giving them a comfortable majority in the 88-member assembly over the BJPs 28 seats. The Omar Abdullah-led government formed a limited cabinet and offered no position to its pre-poll ally, the Congress. The NC was able to dispel the Oppositions allegations that it would form a government with the BJP after the polls by entering a pre-poll alliance with the Grand Old Party. The Congresss performance was dismal, and in some seats, friendly contests" even took place after negotiations failed during the assembly elections.

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Now in the Rajya Sabha, initial seat-sharing talks promised Congress a safe" Rajya Sabha seat, which party leaders claim was reneged upon when NC announced its own candidates for all four seats, leaving Congress only the weak fourth seat to contest.

Congress leadership, including J&K PCC chief Tariq Hamid Karra, expressed deep dissatisfaction, citing breach of trust as NC unilaterally declared candidates, prompting Congress to opt out of the elections altogether rather than contest an unsafe" seat likely lost to BJP manoeuvring.

National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah had met senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi over seat-sharing for the Rajya Sabha elections with the discussions also involving Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and chief minister Omar Abdullah. But the talks spiralled into a deadlock.

The dispute has deeply strained the NC-Congress alliance. Although the Congress is furious, it lacks the numbers to damage its INDIA bloc partner in any meaningful way under the current political scenario.

This schism has played into BJPs hands, as any abstention or withdrawal of Congress support weakens NCs position in the assembly and makes BJP victories on contested seats more plausible through potential horse trading and support from abstaining MLAs.

To win in the J&K assembly, a candidate needs 45 votes for the first two Rajya Sabha seats, and 30 votes for the third and fourth seats, each. The NC and its coalition, with roughly 53 pledged MLAs, should in theory, secure three of the four seats. BJP, with 28 votes, is short even for a single seat unless it can secure cross-votes or abstentions.

After Congress withdrew, NC named its spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar as the fourth candidate, showing their intention to contest all seats independently.

Independents, PDP (3), AAP (1), and Peoples Conference (1) together hold few seats but could be crucial in closely fought seats if NC-Congress differences persist.

Peoples Conference chairman and MLA Sajad Gani Lone, a fierce critique of Omar Abdullah, has already announced that his party would abstain from voting in the elections.

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Mehbooba Muftis proposal to condition PDPs Rajya Sabha support on the National Conference backing her Land Rights and Regularisation of Daily Wagers Bills also seems well crafted. Economically, regularisation would cost between Rs 5,000-Rs 6,000 crore annually, which neither the current government nor Mehbooba Muftis administration during 2015-18 could afford. Since 1980, only three private member bills have ever been passed in the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly.

The 2025 Rajya Sabha elections in J&K have once again opened a profound rift between NC and Congress and a deep mistrust. This introduces uncertainty into the NC-led coalition and offers BJP unexpected opportunitiesall hinging on coalition discipline, independent MLAs, and possible abstentions.

About the Author Ieshan Wani Ieshan Wani, senior correspondent, CNN-News18, has over eight years of experience in reporting, producing and editing news for broadcast, digital and print platforms. His reporting has mostly been fro... Read More

Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India, India

First Published: October 18, 2025, 16:43 IST

News politics J&K Rajya Sabha Polls: Decoding The National Conference-Congress Alliance Conundrum

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Yogi Adityanath Accuses Congress, SP Of Following British Policy Of Divide And Rule

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 09:25 IST

Yogi Adityanath accused Congress and Samajwadi Party of divide and rule, praised Vallabhbhai Patel, and announced unity events for National Unity Day and Constitution Day.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. (File/PTI)

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday accused the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, of following the British policy of divide and rule, saying the BJPs resolution is Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat.

Launching a scathing attack at the opposition, CM yogi said, The Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the INDI coalition members are still following the divide and rule policy of the British. These parties are working to divide the society based on caste, creed and religion so that the unity and integrity of the nation are weakened."

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When the country was on the verge of achieving Independence, the British plotted to divide India into many parts. They didnt want India to be united, but the Iron Man (Vallabhbhai Patel), with his amazing vision and strong will, strengthened national unity by merging 563 princely states into the Republic of India," he added.

He was saying that during a state-level workshop organised at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan to kickstart the campaign for the 150th birth anniversary of Vallabhbhai Patel.

The chief minister said that India looks united from north to south and from east to west due to Sardar Patels efforts.

Therefore, to show gratitude to him, October 31 is celebrated as National Unity Day every year for the last 11 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said.

The BJP and the Central and state governments are working to realise Sardar Patels dream of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat", he added.

He said that at a time when the opposition is doing politics to divide the society, it is the responsibility of the BJP to convey the message of unity to every village and every assembly.

The chief minister said that on October 31, a Run for Unity will be organised in the entire state, to be followed by an Ekta Padayatra from November 1-26.

Retired soldiers, organisations affiliated to the BJP, NSS, NCC, and scout guides will be part of the yatra, which will stop every 2 km to convey the message of unity, the chief minister said.

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The Constitution Day will be celebrated on November 26, which will be an opportunity to express gratitude to B R Ambedkar", he said adding that five youths from each district will be sent to Delhi, from where they will join a march in Gujarat from November 26 to December 6.

(With inputs from PTI)

First Published: October 18, 2025, 09:25 IST

News politics Yogi Adityanath Accuses Congress, SP Of Following British Policy Of Divide And Rule

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'Afghanistan Reserves Right To Respond': Taliban Warns Pakistan Ahead Of Doha Peace Talks

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 14:12 IST

Taliban said Afghanistan reserves right to respond after Pakistani airstrikes killed civilians in Paktika. Peace talks in Doha will take place later in the day.

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Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid (Image: AP/File)

Ahead of peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan in Doha on Saturday, following days of fierce border clashes, the Taliban government has warned that Kabul reserves the right to respond," but its forces have been ordered not to undertake new military operations to maintain the dignity of its negotiating team.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Afghanistan remains committed to a peaceful settlement but blamed Islamabad for recent hostilities for carrying out repeated crimes."

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In a series of posts on X, Mujahid wrote, As previously agreed, negotiations with the Pakistani side are scheduled to take place today in Doha. In this regard, a high-level delegation of the Islamic Emirate, led by the Honorable Minister of Defense, Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, has departed for Doha."

Condemning the airstrikes, Mujahid claimed that airstrikes by Pakistani military forces on civilian areas in Paktika province are a violation of Afghanistans sovereignty."

However, last night, Pakistani military forces once again conducted airstrikes on civilian areas in Paktika, resulting in the martyrdom and injury of a number of civilians. The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns, in the harshest terms, the repeated crimes of the Pakistani forces and the violation of Afghanistans sovereignty. Such acts are deemed provocative and are viewed as deliberate attempts to prolong the conflict," he further wrote.

He added, While the Islamic Emirate reserves the right to respond to these violations, in order to maintain the dignity and integrity of its negotiating team, its forces have been instructed to refrain from undertaking new military operations at this time. We reiterate that Afghanistan remains committed to a peaceful resolution and regional stability. However, the ongoing incidents are entirely the result of aggression by the Pakistani side."

According to Tolo News, a Pakistani delegation led by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and intelligence chief Asim Malik has arrived in Doha for the talks.

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Local officials in Kandahar reported that around 20,000 families have fled Spin Boldak amid intense clashes, with many seeking refuge in desert areas lacking basic necessities.

Tolo News also said that at least six people, including two children, were killed and seven others injured in Pakistani airstrikes on Paktika province, which hit residential areas in Argun and Barmal districts, violating the recent ceasefire.

About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More

Location : Kabul, Afghanistan

First Published: October 18, 2025, 14:12 IST

News world 'Afghanistan Reserves Right To Respond': Taliban Warns Pakistan Ahead Of Doha Peace Talks

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All Afghans In Pakistan Must Return Home, Kabul Acting As 'Proxy' Of New Delhi: Khawaja Asif

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 08:26 IST

Asif suggested all Afghans in Pakistan to return home, accusing Kabul of conspiring with India and TTP.He warned of strong response amid renewed border tensions and terror attacks.

Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif (Image: AP/file)

Amid escalating hostilities between Kabul and Islamabad, Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday stated that all Afghans living in his country must head back to their homeland, declaring that the era of old relations with its neighbour is over.

The Pakistani Defence Minister emphasized that the nations land and resources belong to 250 million Pakistanis and not Afghans.

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All Afghans residing on Pakistani soil must return to their homeland; they now have their own government, their own caliphate in Kabul," Asif said in a post on social media.

Our land and resources belong to 250 million Pakistanis," the Pakistani Minister added.

His remarks came amid heightened tensions between the two neighbours as a 48-hour ceasefire expired at 6 pm local time. Reports suggested the truce was extended, with both sides expected to meet in Doha to seek a resolution. However, the Taliban accused Islamabad of conducting airstrikes in several districts of Afghanistans Paktika province, claiming the truce had been broken," according to news agency AFP.

Pakistan can no longer afford to maintain relations with Kabul as it did in the past," the post further read.

Asif said Pakistan had shown patience for years" but received no positive response from Kabul, claiming that Islamabad had sent 836 protest notes and 13 demarches over repeated cross-border terror incidents.

There will no longer be protest notes or appeals for peace; no delegations will go to Kabul," the Pakistani Minister warned. Wherever the source of terrorism lies, it will have to pay a heavy price," he further wrote.

He accused the Taliban government of acting as a proxy of India" and conspiring against Pakistan with New Delhi and the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The rulers of Kabul, who are now sitting in Indias lap and conspiring against Pakistan, were once under our protection, hiding on our land," he remarked.

Reaffirming Pakistans readiness to defend itself, Asif warned that any aggression from across the border would be met with a firm response.

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He also highlighted Pakistans human and security toll since the Talibans 2021 takeover, noting that the country has faced 10,347 terror attacks that claimed 3,844 lives, including those of civilians and security personnel.

He concluded his post saying, Self-respecting nations do not thrive on foreign land and resources."

About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More

Location : Islamabad, Pakistan

First Published: October 18, 2025, 08:26 IST

News world All Afghans In Pakistan Must Return Home, Kabul Acting As 'Proxy' Of New Delhi: Khawaja Asif

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Can Putin, Who Faces International Arrest Warrant, Enter Hungary To Meet Trump?

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 19:58 IST

Putin is wanted under an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court on charges of illegally deporting children from Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (AP Photo)

In the coming weeks, a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin would take place in Hungary. However, the twist is that there is an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Putin. This makes the travel arrangements for the Russian President tricky.

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Trump announced the second meeting this year with Putin on Thursday to end the Ukraine war. I believe great progress was made with todays telephone conversation," he wrote on Truth Social after his call with the Russian leader, adding that he hoped the Budapest summit would end the inglorious war."

The selection of Budapest raised buzz. However, Hungarys Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto on Friday assured that Hungary will ensure that the summit scheduled in Budapest between the two leaders take place without any obstacles. He said Putin can enter the country and return home afterwards.

We will ensure that he enters Hungary, has successful negotiations here, and then returns home," Szijjarto was quoted as saying by Reuters.

There is no need for any kind of consultation with anyone, we are a sovereign country here. We will receive (Putin) with respect, host him, and provide the conditions for him to negotiate with the American president."

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The European Union welcomed Putins meeting with Trump and added that Russian President was under an asset freeze but not a travel ban by the bloc.

Interestingly, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has maintained warm relations with Moscow. However, Hungarys relations with Ukraine are tense. Zelenskiy said Hungarian drones had crossed into Ukraine last month. To this, Orban retorted that Ukraine was not a sovereign state.

Location : Hungary

First Published: October 18, 2025, 19:58 IST

News world Can Putin, Who Faces International Arrest Warrant, Enter Hungary To Meet Trump?

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China slams Japan's negative moves related to Yasukuni Shrine

Xinhua) 15:35, October 18, 2025

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- China is firmly against Japan's latest negative moves related to the Yasukuni Shrine and has lodged serious protests, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday.

Lin made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's "masakaki" offering to the shrine in his name as the prime minister, and Liberal Democratic Party head Sanae Takaichi's monetary offering using her own funds.

Lin said that the Yasukuni Shrine is a spiritual tool and symbol of Japanese militarists responsible for the war of aggression, which honors 14 convicted Class-A war criminals with grave responsibilities for the war crimes committed during that war of aggression.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Lin pointed out that viewing and treating history correctly is an important prerequisite for Japan's post-war return to the international community, the political foundation of Japan's relations with neighboring countries, and more importantly, a yardstick for Japan's commitment to peaceful development.

"We urge Japan to face squarely and reflect on its history of aggression, be prudent on historical issues such as the Yasukuni Shrine, make a clean break with militarism, stick to the path of peaceful development, and earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community through real actions," Lin said.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Kou Jie)
Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ) is included among the 12 Best Nuclear Power Dividend Stocks to Buy Now.

Cameco Corporation (CCJ) Hits a Fresh High Amid Price Target Update

Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ) is one of the largest global providers of uranium fuel to power the ongoing nuclear energy renaissance. The company has a licensed capacity of more than 30 million pounds of uranium concentrates annually, backed by more than 457 million pounds of proven and probable mineral reserves.

Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ) shot up to its all-time high this week after Raymond James recently raised the stocks price target from C$118 to C$130, while keeping an Outperform rating on its shares. As of the writing of this piece, the share price of CCJ has surged by more than 78% since the beginning of 2025.

With nuclear energy back in the spotlight, uranium prices are up by around 25% since March. The nuclear fuel received a significant push, especially after a recent statement by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright that the country is looking to boost its strategic uranium reserves to buffer against Russian supplies.

Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ) also remains committed to its shareholders and has never missed a dividend payment since its IPO in 1991.

While we acknowledge the potential of CCJ 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 Best Nuclear Power Stocks to Buy According to Analysts and 12 Best LNG Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds.

Disclosure: None.
China Expels Nine Top Military Commanders In Major Anti-Corruption Purge

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 23:19 IST

He Weidong, who was the vice-chair of the Central Military Commission, is the most senior official expelled from the ruling Communist Party and the military.

China Expels Nine Top Military Commanders (File/Reuters)

In a major crackdown on corruption, the Chinese government has expelled the second-highestranking general and eight other senior officials. He Weidong, who was the vice-chair of the powerful Central Military Commission, is the most senior official expelled from the ruling Communist Party and the military. The action has been taken on suspicion of serious misconduct linked to corruption, the Defence Ministry said on Friday.

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Defence Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang, in a statement, said the nine officials are suspected of extremely serious crimes involving exceptionally large sums of money.

List Of Expelled Chinese Generals

He Weidong  Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission and Politburo member

Miao Hua  Former head of the CMCs Political Work Department

Wang Xiubin  Executive Deputy Director, Joint Operations Command Centre

He Hongjun  Deputy head of the CMCs Political Work Department

Qin Shutong  Political Commissar of the PLA Army

Lin Xiangyang  Former Commander, Eastern Theatre Command

Yuan Huazhi  Political Commissar of the PLA Navy

Wang Houbin  Former Commander, Rocket Force

Wang Chunning  Former Commander, Peoples Armed Police

In an editorial published on Saturday, military mouthpiece PLA Daily said that the expelled generals are accountable to the chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC).

President Xi Jinping chairs the CMC as supreme commander of the Chinese armed forces.

They have seriously damaged the political ecology of the army and dealt a serious blow to the foundation of the political ideology that forged unity and advancement of the army," an excerpt from the editorial in PLA Daily read.

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They have done enormous damage to the party, defence and military, as well as the image of senior military cadres," the editorial added.

Location : China

First Published: October 18, 2025, 23:19 IST

News world China Expels Nine Top Military Commanders In Major Anti-Corruption Purge

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Choose Between Peace And Chaos: Pakistan Army Chief Warns Afghanistan Over Cross-Border Attacks

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 15:00 IST

Asim Munir warned Afghanistan to act against terrorists using its soil after Pakistan's air strikes, amid rising tensions and talks in Doha over Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan attacks.

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Pakistan's Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir (Photo: AP)

Army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Saturday warned Afghanistan to choose between peace and chaos as he asked Kabul to take firm and immediate action against terrorists using Afghan soil to launch attacks inside Pakistan.

His statement came amidst Pakistan launching fresh air strikes targeting terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan late Friday, hours after Islamabad and Kabul extended their two-day ceasefire that had temporarily halted hostilities between the two sides.

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The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) said, Choose between peace and chaos," referring to Afghanistan while addressing a graduation ceremony of passing out army cadets at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul at Abbottabad in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

He said that the Taliban regime should act decisively against militants operating from its soil for terrorist activities in Pakistan. All proxies using Afghan soil would be met with a response to raise them to dust, Munir warned.

Fridays strikes by Pakistan followed a gun-and-bomb attack by terrorists at a military installation in North Waziristan, claimed by the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The fresh strikes came as representatives from both countries prepared to meet in Doha, where the Qatari government is expected to push for mediation.

Islamabad has consistently urged the Taliban government to prevent terrorist groups from using Afghan territory for cross-border attacks. Kabul, however, denies these allegations, insisting that Afghan soil is not being used against any neighboring country.

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Tensions between the two neighbors escalated after repeated terrorist attacks by the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), allegedly launched from Afghan soil, including a recent strike in Orakzai district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that killed 11 military personnel, among them a Lieutenant Colonel and a Major.

(With inputs from PTI)

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

Location : Islamabad, Pakistan

First Published: October 18, 2025, 14:54 IST

News world Choose Between Peace And Chaos: Pakistan Army Chief Warns Afghanistan Over Cross-Border Attacks

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Confusion Over Rafah Crossing: Israel Says Closed, Palestinian Embassy Says Opening Monday

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 23:08 IST

Israeli PM says Rafah crossing will stay closed until further notice, despite WHO and Palestinian Embassy in Cairo announcing its reopening for Gaza aid and returnees.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (AFP file photo)

Hours after both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Palestinian Embassy in Cairo announced that Rafah crossing, the crossing between Egypt and Gaza border, would reopen on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday announced that it would remain closed until further notice".

The crossings opening will be considered based on the manner in which Hamas fulfils its part in returning the deceased hostages and implementing the agreed-upon framework," Netanyahus office said in a statement.

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This came almost a week after a US-brokered ceasefire and hostage deal was signed between Israel and Hamas.

The Rafah crossing had been closed since May 2024. The reopening of the crossing will allow Palestinians residing in Egypt to return to Gaza.

According to Reuters, the crossing was shut to aid after Israeli forces seized the Gaza side in May 2024, but was briefly reopened in early 2025 during a short-lived ceasefire between the two sides.

Although Gaza has four more border crossings, they are with Israel, and only Rafah links the territory with another neighbouring country  Egypt.

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According to Associated Press, Palestinians and aid workers are eagerly awaiting the reopening of the Rafah border crossing, which is the Gaza Strips lifeline for food and other aid and its only gateway to the outside world that wasnt controlled by Israel before the war.

United Nations aid chief Tom Fletcher said Thursday that he was headed to the crossing and hoped to see the route full of trucks, as part of a massive surge of aid following the peace deal."

Location : Israel

First Published: October 18, 2025, 22:53 IST

News world Confusion Over Rafah Crossing: Israel Says Closed, Palestinian Embassy Says Opening Monday

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Delhi-Bound Air India Flight Grounded In Italy, Hundreds Returning For Diwali Stranded

Curated By : &

News18.com

Last Updated: October 19, 2025, 15:00 IST

Since Diwali falls on October 20, many passengers now face the prospect of celebrating the festival away from home.

Air India | Representative Image

Hundreds of passengers travelling to India from Italy for Diwali were left stranded on Friday after Air India cancelled its MilanDelhi flight due to a technical issue.

The sudden breakdown of the flight left many unsure if they would make it home before the festival.

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In a statement, the airline said flight AI138, scheduled to depart from Milan on October 17, was cancelled owing to an extended technical requirement" on the aircraft meant to operate the route.

The decision was taken prioritising the safety of all passengers and crew," an Air India spokesperson said.

In a later statement, the airline said, Air India will operate an additional flight from Milan to Delhi today, 19 October, to accommodate passengers of flight AI138, which was cancelled on 17 October due to a technical issue. Flight AI138D will depart from Milan at 1900 hrs (local time) and arrive in Delhi on the morning of 20 October."

#ImportantUpdateAir India will operate an additional flight from Milan to Delhi today, 19 October, to accommodate passengers of flight AI138, which was cancelled on 17 October due to a technical issue. Flight AI138D will depart from Milan at 1900 hrs (local time) and arrive in  Air India (@airindia) October 19, 2025

The airline confirmed that all affected passengers were provided with hotel accommodation, though some were housed outside the airports immediate vicinity due to limited availability.

Passengers have been rebooked on alternate flights on or after October 20, 2025, depending on seat availability with Air India and partner airlines," the spokesperson added.

Since Diwali falls on October 20, many passengers now face the prospect of celebrating the festival away from home.

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The airline said it had made special arrangements for one passenger whose Schengen visa was set to expire on Monday, rebooking them on another airlines flight a day earlier.

Air India continues to provide all necessary ground support, including meals, to the affected passengers. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused and reaffirm our commitment to passenger safety and comfort," the spokesperson said.

About the Author Ronit Singh Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (De... Read More

Location : Italy

First Published: October 18, 2025, 21:49 IST

News world Delhi-Bound Air India Flight Grounded In Italy, Hundreds Returning For Diwali Stranded

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'We Too Need Tomahawks': Trump Holds Back On Missile Sale To Kyiv During Talks With Zelenskyy

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 08:26 IST

Donald Trump met Zelenskyy at the White House but declined to commit to supplying long-range missiles to Kyiv. Both leaders discussed peace efforts amid the Russia-Ukraine war.

Donald Trump with Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Photo: X/@ZelenskyyUa)

Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for talks at the White House on Friday, but signalled that he is not ready to sell long-range cruise missile Tomahawk to Kyiv, which the Ukrainians say they desperately need.

The two leaders also went behind closed doors, where they also discussed a call the previous day between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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I think President Zelenskyy wants it done, and I think President Putin wants it done. Now all they have to do is get along a little bit," Trump told reporters.

Zelenskyy, however, noted how difficult it has been to try to secure a ceasefire.

We want this. Putin doesnt want (it)," he remarked.

The Ukrainian President also told Trump that Ukraine has thousands of drones ready for an offensive against Russian targets, but needs American missiles.

We dont have Tomahawks, thats why we need Tomahawks," he said, to which Trump responded, Wed much rather have them not need Tomahawks."

Later, Trump reiterated that he wants the United States to hold onto its weaponry.

We want Tomahawks also. We dont want to be giving away things that we need to protect our country," he said.

Following the meeting, which Zelenskyy described as productive, he told reporters he did not want to talk about long-range missiles, saying the US did not want escalation, and that he was realistic" about his chance of getting them.

The Ukrainian President, who spoke by phone with European leaders after the meeting, said he was counting on Trump to pressure Putin to stop this war."

When asked about Trumps comments, Zelenskyy told reporters, President (Trump) is right, and we have to stop where we are. This is important, to stop where we are, and then to speak."

TRUMP RULES OUT IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE

Following his talks with Zelenskyy for more than two hours, Trump implored both Ukraine and Russia to stop the war immediately," even if it means Ukraine conceding territory.

You stop at the battle line, and both sides should go home, go to their families," Trump told reporters on his way to his home in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Stop the killing. And that should be it. Stop right now at the battle line. I told that to President Zelenskiy. I told it to President Putin," the US President said.

However, the US President ruled out an immediate ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

The White House and Kremlin leaders pointed to areas of agreement during their three hours of talks in Alaska, but offered no breakthrough on a ceasefire in the conflict that has left tens of thousands dead and caused widespread destruction in Ukraine.

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A great and very successful day in Alaska!," Trump proclaimed on his Truth Social platform hours after touching down in Washington.

ALSO READ | Trump Again Makes Crude Claim, Says India To Stop Buying Russian Oil

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: October 18, 2025, 08:15 IST

News world 'We Too Need Tomahawks': Trump Holds Back On Missile Sale To Kyiv During Talks With Zelenskyy

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'I Understand Pakistan Attacked': Trump Says Afghanistan Conflict 'Easy One' For Him To Solve

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 09:58 IST

Donald Trump called the ongoing Afghanistan-Pakistan conflict "an easy one" for him to resolve, saying he takes pride in saving lives and preventing wars.

A file photo of US President Donald Trump (AP)

Donald Trump on Saturday weighed in on the ongoing AfghanistanPakistan conflict, claiming it would be an easy one" for him to resolve.

This is pretty much the last one, although I do understand that Pakistan attacked or there is an attack going on with Afghanistan," Trump said while talking to reporters.

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Thats an easy one for me to solve if I have to solve it. In the meantime, I have to run the USA, but I love solving wars," he added.

The US President further said he takes pride in preventing loss of life.

You know why? I like stopping people from being killed, and Ive saved millions and millions of lives, and I think were going to have success with this war," Trump remarked.

His comments come as Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to extend their 48-hour ceasefire following days of deadly cross-border clashes that have killed dozens and wounded hundreds.

Talks between delegations from both nations were held in Doha, with mediation support from Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Despite the truce extension, Reuters quoted a police spokesperson as saying that Pakistan conducted airstrikes in Barmal and Urgun districts of Afghanistan.

Hours before the truce, a deadly suicide attack near the Afghan border had killed seven Pakistani soldiers and injured 13 others.

According to Reuters, Pakistani security officials said militants attacked a military camp in North Waziristan district, with one attacker ramming an explosive-laden vehicle into the boundary wall and two others attempting to storm the facility before being shot dead.

Six militants were killed in the assault, a statement from the office of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif mentioned.

Later in the day, Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told Ariana News, a Pashto-language local television news channel, that Kabul had instructed its forces to maintain a ceasefire as long as Pakistan refrained from any attack.

Once allies, Islamabad and Kabul are engaged in fierce ground fighting.

Militant violence in Pakistan has been a major irritant in its relationship with the Afghan Taliban, which returned to power in Kabul after the departure of US-led forces in 2021.

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The latest conflict between the two countries was triggered after Islamabad demanded that Kabul rein in militants who had stepped up attacks in Pakistan, saying they operated from havens in Afghanistan.

ALSO READ | Stop The War Immediately: Trump To Russia, Ukraine After Meeting Zelenskyy At White House

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: October 18, 2025, 07:42 IST

News world 'I Understand Pakistan Attacked': Trump Says Afghanistan Conflict 'Easy One' For Him To Solve

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Fire Incidents Being Probed, Sabotage Evidence Will Be Dealt Swiftly: Bangladesh Interim Govt

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 20:59 IST

Bangladesh Interim Government addresses Dhaka and Chattogram fire incidents, pledging thorough investigations and swift action against sabotage if any.

The interim governments response came after at least three major fire incidents were reported in Dhaka and Chattogram. (X)

Bangladesh Fire Incidents: The Interim Government of Bangladesh on Saturday reacted to several fire incidents in Dhaka and Chattogram, saying that security services are investigating the incidents thoroughly. It also warned that any evidence of sabotage or arson would be met with a swift and decisive response.

The interim government is aware of public concern regarding some major fires in several locations across the country. We wish to assure all citizens that the security services are investigating each incident thoroughly and protecting lives and property with utmost vigilance," interim governments Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus said in a statement.

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It further said that a swift, determined action will follow any credible finding of sabotage or arson.

Let us be clear: if these fires prove to be acts of sabotage, and their aim is to sow panic and division, theyll succeed only if we allow fear to overtake our reason and our resolve."

Noting that Bangladesh has faced many challenges before, the interim government said, Together we will face any threats to our new democracy with unity, calm and determination. We have nothing to fear but fear itself."

Fire Incidents In Bangladesh

The interim governments response came after at least three major fire incidents were reported in Dhaka and Chattogram, with the latest occurring at Dhakas Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport today, prompting the suspension of flight operations.

According to local media, the incident took place around 2:15 pm near Gate No. 8 when the airports cargo village, where imported goods are stored, caught fire

Thirty-seven firefighting units have been rushed to douse the blaze, with six additional units on their way. Members of the Bangladesh Army, Air Force, and two platoons of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have also joined the efforts.

Flight operations at the airport have been suspended since the fire erupted, HSIA Executive Director SM Ragib Samad told BSS.

Earlier this week, a massive fire in the Shialbari area of the Rupnagar residential zone in Mirpur killed 16 people after a garment factory and an adjacent chemical warehouse caught fire, Bangladeshs TBS reported.

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Meanwhile, in Chattogram, a fire at a factory in the Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) on Thursday took 17 hours and 25 firefighting units to bring under control.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More

Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: October 18, 2025, 20:56 IST

News world Fire Incidents Being Probed, Sabotage Evidence Will Be Dealt Swiftly: Bangladesh Interim Govt

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Fled To US After October 7 Attack, Obtained Visa: How Hamas Fighter Landed In FBI Net

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 12:12 IST

The FBI arrested Al-Muhtadi for allegedly joining the Hamas-led October 7 attack against Israel and lying on his US visa application.

Al-Muhtadi was arrested by FBI on October 16. (Image: Reuters/File)

The FBI has arrested a 33-year-old man, a native of Gaza currently living in Louisiana, for allegedly taking part in the Hamas-led assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, and later lying about his background to fraudulently secure a US visa, according to the US Justice Department.

After hiding out in the United States, this monster has been found and charged with participating in the atrocities of October 7  the single deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust," Attorney General Pamela Bondi said.

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While nothing can fully heal the scars left by Hamass brutal attack, this Departments Joint Task Force October 7 is dedicated to finding and prosecuting those responsible for that horrific day, including the murder of dozens of American citizens. We will continue to stand by Jewish Americans and Jewish people around the world against anti-Semitism and terrorism in all its forms," she added.

According to an FBI criminal complaint, Mahmoud Amin Yaqub Al-Muhtadi armed himself and led a group from Gaza into southern Israel during the attack that left more than 1,200 people dead. Hamas fighters also abducted over 250 individuals, including several American citizens.

The complaint alleged that Al-Muhtadi, who was arrested on October 16, is a member of the Gaza-based military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

On his US visa application, Al-Muhtadi denied involvement in terrorism and was granted permanent residency in 2024. According to US Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection records, the alleged Hamas fighter entered the US on September 12, 2024.

He faces potential charges of visa fraud and conspiracy to support a foreign terrorist organisation.

Records indicate that a person matching his name and age is being held at St. Martin Parish Correctional Center near Lafayette, Louisiana, and was scheduled to appear in federal court on Friday, news agency AP reported.

The FBI alleges Al-Muhtadis social media and email accounts showed years of association with a Hamas-linked paramilitary group, including weapons training. On the morning of October 7, 2023, after Hamas commander Mohammed Deif urged the masses" to join in, Al-Muhtadi told associates to get ready" and bring the rifles," adding, there is kidnapping, and its a game, which will be a good one."

Investigators say his phone later utilised a cell tower located near Kfar Aza, one of the Israeli villages attacked that day.

Al-Muhtadi lived in Tulsa through May but by early June had relocated to Lafayette, where he worked for a local restaurant, AP reported, citing FBI.

The AP report further mentioned that an unidentified FBI agent repeatedly met him in Lafayette from July to September this year.

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An associate warned Al-Muhtadi to avoid contacting the group or posting pro-Hamas content as he was under U.S. surveillance, but the FBI says he replied that he could post anything, even photos of Hamas leaders, without consequence.

Al-Muhtadis presence in the US was discovered by the Joint Task Force October 7 (JTF 10-7). Established in February 2025 by Attorney General Bondi, JTF 10-7 was created to spearhead the Justice Departments ongoing probe into the perpetrators of the 2023 terrorist attack on Israel, in which approximately 1,200 people were murdered by Hamas, including 49 US citizens, and approximately 250 additional people were abducted by Hamas, including 8 US citizens.

About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: October 18, 2025, 12:12 IST

News world Fled To US After October 7 Attack, Obtained Visa: How Hamas Fighter Landed In FBI Net

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Gaza War Will End Only After Ending Of Phase 2 Of Ceasefire Deal, Disarming Of Hamas: Netanyahu

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Last Updated: October 19, 2025, 01:24 IST

Netanyahu says Gaza war will end after ceasefire phase two ends, including Hamas disarmament; Rafah crossing reopening depends on Hamas returning deceased hostages.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. (AFP photo)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday announced that the Gaza war will end only after phase two of ceasefire deal completes, including disarming of Hamas.

Meanwhile, The Times of Israel quoted a US officials as saying that the White House was considering sending US Vice President JD Vance to Israel on Monday to hold meetings with top Israeli officials on implementing the next phases of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

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This comes hours after Israel announced that the Rafah crossing, between Egypt and Gaza border, would remain closed until further notice".

The crossings opening will be considered based on the manner in which Hamas fulfils its part in returning the deceased hostages and implementing the agreed-upon framework," Netanyahus office said in a statement.

Earlier both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Palestinian Embassy in Cairo announced that Rafah crossing will reopen on Monday.

The Rafah crossing had been closed since May 2024. The reopening of the crossing will allow Palestinians residing in Egypt to return to Gaza.

According to Reuters, the crossing was shut to aid after Israeli forces seized the Gaza side in May 2024, but was briefly reopened in early 2025 during a short-lived ceasefire between the two sides.

Israel on Friday received the remains of another hostage from Gaza, the Prime Ministers Office said, following a handover by Hamas. The militant group has been using bulldozers to recover bodies from the rubble in the war-torn enclave as part of efforts to uphold the ceasefire.

The transfer of hostages remains, mandated under the ceasefire agreement, has been a major point of contention, alongside aid deliveries, the reopening of Gazas border crossings, and reconstruction plans, all part of an internationally supported effort to end two years of devastating conflict in the region.

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While much focus has been on the handover of hostages remains, Hamas has urged mediators to increase the flow of aid into Gaza, expedite the opening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt and start reconstruction.

It has also said work should start immediately to set up a committee of Palestinian independents who will run Gaza and called for Israeli troops to continue pulling back from agreed-upon areas.

Location : Israel

First Published: October 19, 2025, 01:20 IST

News world Gaza War Will End Only After Ending Of Phase 2 Of Ceasefire Deal, Disarming Of Hamas: Netanyahu

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Massive Fire Breaks Out At Dhaka Airport, Flight Operations Suspended

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 17:19 IST

Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority, the Fire Service, and two fire units of the Bangladesh Air Force have been working to douse the fire.

Flights suspended at Dhaka airport after major cargo terminal fire. (PTI)

A massive fire broke out at the cargo terminal of Dhakas Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday, prompting authorities to suspend all flight operations at the airport.

According to local media, the incident took place around 2:15 pm near Gate No. 8 when the airports cargo village, where imported goods are stored, caught fire.

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VIDEO | Dhaka, Bangladesh: A fire broke out at a section of the Cargo Village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport this afternoon. More details awaited.#Dhaka #AirportFire #HazratShahjalal(Full video available on PTI Videos  https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/flGkHso2xq  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 18, 2025

Biman Bangladesh spokesperson Kawser Mahmud said teams from the airport fire department, the Bangladesh Air Force fire unit, and other agencies responded to contain the blaze.

Fire Service spokesman Talha Bin Zasim said nine firefighting units were initially deployed to control the fire, with fifteen more heading to the scene soon after, bdnews reported.

Confirming the incident, HSIA Executive Director SM Ragib Samad told BSS, The fire broke out at the cargo area of the airport, and all relevant fire units are working to bring the blaze under control."

He added that flight operations have been temporarily suspended due to the fire.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority, the Fire Service, and two Air Force firefighting units were working jointly to douse the blaze. The Navy has also joined the operation to bring the situation under control.

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Authorities said there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More

Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: October 18, 2025, 17:18 IST

News world Massive Fire Breaks Out At Dhaka Airport, Flight Operations Suspended

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Canadian auto workers labour union Unifor has voiced strong opposition to Stellantis plan to massively ramp-up manufacturing production in the US, to the detriment of output plans for Stellantis facilities in Canada.

Stellantis has announced plans to invest $13 billion to expand production in the US, including the shift of Jeep production slated for the Brampton Assembly Plant to an Illinois plant. That move follows pressure from the Trump administration in the US on the global auto industry to invest more in the US or face higher tariffs on imports.

In Illinois, the company intends to invest more than $600m to reopen the Belvidere Assembly Plant to broaden the Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Compass production for the US market. Initial production is expected in 2027, the company said.

The retooling of Stellantis' Canadian Brampton Assembly Plant was paused in February, following the announcement of a 25% tariff on Canadian-made vehicles imported into the US.

Earlier this week, Canadas Industry Minister Melanie Joly sent a letter to Stellantis chief executive Antonio Filosa stating that the company had previously committed to maintaining its Canadian footprint, including at Brampton, in return for significant public funding.

I am writing following calls yesterday with the Government of Canada and Stellantis to express my extreme concern with Stellantis investment plans in Canada and to demand that the company respect its obligations flowing from billions of dollars of financial support extended to you over decades, the letter posted on her X (formerly Twitter) account read.

Unifor is also voicing strong concern and opposition to the Stellantis plans for North America manufacturing.

Canadian auto jobs are being sacrificed on the Trump altar, said Unifor National President Lana Payne. We need the federal government to use Canadas leverage now to fight for our auto jobs. Stellantis cannot be allowed to renege on its commitments to Canadian workers, and governments cannot stand by while our jobs are shifted to the United States. Saving Brampton Assembly must now be this countrys top priority, sending a strong message to any corporation thinking they can take the same egregious actions.

Stellantis made a commitment to Brampton autoworkers, to our federal and provincial governments, to our communities, and to this country, said Vito Beato, Vice Chair of the Unifor-Stellantis bargaining committee and President of Unifor Local 1285, representing workers at Brampton Assembly Plant. We intend to hold Stellantis to everything it promised.
Millions To Join Second Wave Of No Kings Anti-Trump Protests: Top Points

Curated By :

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 17:16 IST

More than 2,500 rallies are set to take place across all 50 states on Saturday, roughly 450 more than the previous round

US President Donald Trump. (Image: X/@WhiteHouse)

As President Donald Trump celebrated his birthday in Washington, DC this June, honoured with a military parade, a 21-gun salute, and supporters singing Happy Birthday", an estimated five million Americans marched nationwide to protest his administrations policies.

Now, with the government shutdown dragging on and Trumps renewed call to deploy National Guard troops in US cities, organisers of the No Kings" movement are preparing for a second, larger wave of demonstrations.

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More than 2,500 rallies are set to take place across all 50 states on Saturday, roughly 450 more than the previous round. Organisers say the protests aim to challenge what they call the presidents growing authoritarian" tendencies.

Republican leaders have denounced the planned demonstrations, with House Speaker Mike Johnson claiming, without evidence, that the rallies have worsened the shutdown. Some GOP figures have gone further, branding the gatherings anti-American."

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No King Movement: Top Points

The No Kings" movement has expanded since its first round of rallies in June, which followed the turbulent start to Trumps second term marked by a wave of controversial executive actions.

Early orders targeted birthright citizenship, transgender protections, student activism, and diversity programmes in federal agencies, sparking nationwide criticism.

Tensions escalated after Trump federalised the California National Guard in Los Angeles, overriding Gov. Gavin Newsoms objections, a move legal scholars called an unprecedented assertion of presidential power.

Critics say ICE raids have intensified across several states, driven by pressure to meet arrest quotas, often prompting local resistance and community protests.

The White House has reportedly pushed the Justice Department to investigate political rivals, including James Comey and Letitia James, while suing The New York Times and temporarily suspending Jimmy Kimmel Live! over critical coverage.

The administration has attempted to send troops into Democrat-led cities such as Washington, DC, Chicago, Memphis, and Portland, drawing legal challenges and fierce opposition from local authorities.

GOP leaders  including Sen. Roger Marshall  have cautioned that professional agitators" might join the protests, while Speaker Johnson suggested potential involvement of pro-Hamas" and Antifa" groups.

Protest leaders insist demonstrations will remain peaceful, describing them as a counterpoint to the administrations show of force."

Concerns over escalation: Some Republican officials predict the government could again deploy troops if protests grow.

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: October 18, 2025, 17:16 IST

News world Millions To Join Second Wave Of No Kings Anti-Trump Protests: Top Points

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Nepals Gen Z Announces Plans To Form Political Party Ahead Of 2026 Elections

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 23:21 IST

Nepals Gen Z group, led by Miraj Dhungana, unveils plans for a new political party, setting conditions for 2026 elections and demanding reforms.

The Nepal protests left over 50 dead. (File photo: X)

In a significant announcement, Nepals youth-led Gen Z group on Saturday announced its plans to form a political party, while clarifying that it would only participate in next years general elections if certain bottom-line" conditions are fulfilled.

The youth-led group, which led massive protests against corruption and a government ban on social media sites in the neighboring Himalayan nation, played a crucial role in the ouster of the K P Sharma Oli-led government.

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While addressing a press conference, Gen Z group leader Miraj Dhungana unveiled the agenda, emphasising that the new party aims to consolidate Gen Z voices across Nepal, news agency PTI reported.

Elections in the Himalayan nation are slated to take place on March 5, 2026.

Dhungana stressed that electoral participation will remain conditional on the government meeting specific demands, including the introduction of a directly elected executive system and extending voting rights to Nepali citizens living abroad, the report said.

While disclosing their agenda, Dhungana underscored the formation of a citizen-led investigation committee for corruption control and the adoption of a clear policy on economic transformation.

We will continue to fight for good governance, transparency, and accountability. The sacrifices of Gen-Z youths must not be wasted," he said, appealing for collective commitment from all stakeholders in nation-building.

He added that they are currently collecting suggestions for an appropriate name for the new party.

Stating that the Himalayan nations economic development has stagnated due to the increasing exodus of Nepali youths going abroad for employment, he said that the past governments should be held responsible for addressing such pressing issues.

Talking about his groups position on economic matters, he stressed the need for boosting domestic production.

We are surrounded by two highly populated neighbouring countries having a combined population of three billion, we need to focus our attention on increasing our production targeting the neighbouring markets," he said as quoted by the news agency.

He also urged the interim government to immediately initiate the process of reopening closed industries and creating new jobs. He also underscored the need to develop and promote the tourism sector.

He also urged the interim government to immediately initiate the process of reopening closed industries and creating new jobs. He also underscored the need to develop and promote the tourism sector.

Fresh elections to the House of Representatives have been scheduled for March 5, next year. The election date was announced by President Ramchandra Paudel while forming an interim government led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki on September 12.

GEN Z Protests

Nepals political landscape was thrown into unprecedented turmoil last month, as Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned in the face of a furious and violent youth-led uprising.

The protests led by students appeared to reflect the growing public anger with the Oli dispensation over a range of issues, including a ban on social media and alleged inaction against corruption.

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The unrest reached a boiling point with deadly clashes on September 8, when security forces response to the protests resulted in at least 19 fatalities. This sparked even greater outrage among demonstrators, predominantly from the digitally native Gen Z" demographic.

The violence continued even after Olis resignation, with protesters setting fire to the Parliament, the Presidents office, the prime ministers residence, government buildings, party offices and homes of senior leaders.

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More

Location : Kathmandu, Nepal

First Published: October 18, 2025, 23:21 IST

News world Nepals Gen Z Announces Plans To Form Political Party Ahead Of 2026 Elections

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'No Space For War But...': Stung By Afghan Conflict, Asim Munir Again Turns To Anti-India Rhetoric

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 19:12 IST

Pakistans Chief of Army Staff asserted that Pakistans battle-hardened military, sharpened by two decades of fighting, would not hesitate to respond to any provocations

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Some believe that Field Marshal Munir, rather than focusing on civilian safety, is more invested in protecting the Armys institutional power. (AFP)

Pakistans Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, has delivered a strong message aimed at India and Afghanistan, warning that any future hostility would be met with a forceful and decisive" response from Pakistans militaryone that would go well beyond the expectations" of its adversaries.

Speaking at a passing-out parade at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), Kakul, Munir celebrated what he described as Pakistans clear victory against a numerically superior adversary", referring to India. He accused New Delhi of hegemonic ambitions, strategic blindness, and politicising terrorism through staged evidence and evasion of neutral investigations.

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There is no space for war in a nuclearised environment," Munir said, asserting that Pakistans battle-hardened military, sharpened by two decades of fighting, would not hesitate to respond to any provocations.

However, Munirs speech went beyond conventional rhetoric as he directly accused Afghanistan of being used as a launchpad by India-backed proxies to carry out terror attacks on Pakistani soil.

We are aware of hostile intelligence designs operating from Afghan territory," Munir said, signalling a shift toward blaming regional instability on external actors rather than internal failures.

However, top intelligence sources, speaking to CNN-News18, expressed skepticism over Munirs claims, saying blaming India and Afghanistan serves as a convenient distraction from Pakistans own security lapses, especially in the wake of economic turmoil, insurgency in Balochistan, and its waning influence in Afghanistan post-US withdrawal.

If Pakistan genuinely seeks regional stability, why is it escalating rhetoric against neighbours instead of addressing failures at home?" a source asked.

Munirs assertion of a recent victory" over India drew mixed reactions. While the Army chief claimed this had earned Pakistan respect from the international community", sources pointed out that no independent verification has been offered and that the Pakistani establishment has often exaggerated military gains for internal legitimacy.

Some also noted the irony in Munirs celebration of a victory while simultaneously issuing threats of escalation, including a not-so-veiled warning about Pakistans missile capabilities and nuclear deterrent.

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When a nuclear-armed general uses such language, the international community must ask: Who is he really protecting? This rhetoric threatens regional peace," the source added.

The sources also raised concerns over the increasingly hawkish tone of Pakistans military leadership. Some believe that Field Marshal Munir, rather than focusing on civilian safety, is more invested in protecting the Armys institutional power, particularly as criticism grows over Pakistans handling of militancy and economic decay.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

Location : Islamabad, Pakistan

First Published: October 18, 2025, 16:22 IST

News world 'No Space For War But...': Stung By Afghan Conflict, Asim Munir Again Turns To Anti-India Rhetoric

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NYC Now Has 'Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Marg Way', A Historic First Outside India

Curated By :

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Last Updated: October 19, 2025, 01:02 IST

This marks the first known location outside of India to be named after the Ninth Guru of Sikhism

The co-named intersection holds immense local and global significance. Image/Instagram

In a monumental display of recognition for the Sikh community, the intersection of 114th Street and 101st Avenue in Richmond Hill, Queens, New York City, has been officially co-named Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Marg Way". This dedication is a historic first," as it marks the first known location outside of India to be named after the Ninth Guru of Sikhism.

The co-named intersection holds immense local and global significance. It is home to the renowned Gurdwara Baba Makhan Shah Lubana, a central hub for the thriving Sikh population in South Richmond Hill, an area often affectionately referred to as Little Punjab". The locations spiritual importance makes it a fitting tribute to the Guru revered as the Protector of Faith".

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New York City Councilmember Lynn Schulman, who introduced the legislation for the co-naming, praised the move, emphasizing the Gurus timeless legacy. During the City Council hearing, Schulman highlighted Guru Tegh Bahadurs role as a poet, philosopher, and warrior" whose life was a supreme sacrifice for religious freedom, human rights, and justice. His teachings of compassion and unwavering stand for the dignity of all people continue to inspire generations.

The street sign is more than just a ceremonial marker; it is a profound symbol of the Sikh communitys deep cultural roots and civic contributions to New York City. The dedication ceremony drew a large crowd of community leaders, residents, and officials, including Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar, who championed the cause, cementing the visibility and respect for Sikh heritage within the citys diverse landscape.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

First Published: October 19, 2025, 01:02 IST

News world NYC Now Has 'Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Marg Way', A Historic First Outside India

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Sensational Developments To Come: Nirav Modi Says In London Court Over Extradition Case

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 22:34 IST

Nirav Modi, jailed in London since 2019 over the Rs 6498 crore PNB fraud, claims sensational developments ahead of his UK extradition hearing set for November.

Despite Nirav Modi's legal team pulling every trick in the book, citing health issues, delays in proceedings, and time already served, his arguments failed to move the British court. File image

Nirav Modi Case: Fugitive businessman Nirav Modi, who has been in prison in London for nearly six years, has told a UK court that there would be sensational developments" when his Indian extradition case on fraud and money laundering charges reopens for a hearing next month.

The 54-year-old fugitive diamantaire, who is facing charges related to the Rs 6,498 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud, made the remark during a separate legal proceeding, involving an over USD 8 million unpaid Bank of India debt, at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

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They (Bank of India) refer to my extradition Im still here. There will be some sensational developments, and I have never used these words before," Nirav said during a pre-trial review hearing, as reported by news agency PTI.

Defending himself as a Litigant in Person", Nirav read from copious handwritten notes as he addressed the judge. Dressed in a worn-out white t-shirt and pink track pants, Nirav spoke in mumbled tones about struggles with his eyesight and lengthy delays over access to a computer behind bars, which he stressed made any trial unfair and imbalanced.

I understand this is an adversarial process and they (Bank of India) can say anything against me. But they keep on making assumptions; I would say, spend one day in prison there needs to be some basic common sense," he added.

He further said that he was extremely hopeful" of either being discharged or granted bail after the court agreed to accept new evidence despite a high bar" in such matters.

However, High Court Judge Simon Tinkler turned down Niravs application for a stay on the proceedings on the grounds of technical and medical constraints in prison, which is set to proceed to a trial scheduled in January 2026.

The judge also acknowledged that while medical issues could impact Niravs participation in the trial, reasonable adjustments, including access to a computer and hard copies of legal documents, would be made. Prison authorities have indicated that a computer will be made available to him within a week.

Meanwhile, the UKs Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed that Modi has formally lodged an application to reopen his extradition appeal. Indian authorities have already submitted their response, and a hearing is scheduled towards the end of November. The development marks a significant turn in a case that had seemed to reach a dead end after the UK Home Office ordered his extradition.

Nirav has been behind bars in London since his arrest in March 2019 and has made several bail attempts, which have all been rejected on the grounds of him posing a flight risk  most recently in May this year.

Charges Against Nirav Modi

Nirav Modi had fled India in January 2018, weeks before the PNB scam surfaced and has been in a UK jail since March 2019.

The diamond merchant along with his uncle has been accused of siphoning off over Rs 13,000 crore from the PNB using fraudulent letters of undertaking and foreign letters of credit.

Officials at PNBs Brady House branch in Mumbai issued letters of undertaking (LoUs) and foreign letters of credit (FLCs) to their firms without any sanctioned limit or cash margin and without making entries in the banks central system to evade any scrutiny in case of a default.

Based on the LoUs issued by the PNB, money was lent by the SBI, Mauritius; Allahabad Bank, Hong Kong; Axis Bank, Hong Kong; Bank of India, Antwerp; Canara Bank, Mamana; and SBI, Frankfurt.

Since the accused companies did not repay the amount availed against the said fraudulent LoUs and FLCs, PNB made the payments, including the overdue interest, to the overseas banks, which advanced buyers credit and discounted the bills against the fraudulent LoUs and FLCs issued by the PNB, the CBI alleged.

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Nirav Modi was declared a fugitive economic offender by a Mumbai court in 2020 and the court had ordered confiscation of his assets.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More

Location : London, United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: October 18, 2025, 22:34 IST

News world Sensational Developments To Come: Nirav Modi Says In London Court Over Extradition Case

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'Stop The War Immediately': Trump To Russia, Ukraine After Meeting Zelenskyy At White House

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 07:27 IST

Donald Trump met Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday, after which he asked Russia and Ukraine to "stop the war immediately".

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US President Donald Trump greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outside the West Wing of the White House on October 17. (Reuters photo)

US President Donald Trump met Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after which he implored both Ukraine and Russia to stop the war immediately," even if it means Ukraine conceding territory.

You stop at the battle line, and both sides should go home, go to their families. Stop the killing. And that should be it. Stop right now at the battle line. I told that to President Zelenskyy. I told it to President Putin," Trump told reporters on his way home in West Palm Beach, Florida.

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I think President Zelenskyy wants it done, and I think President Putin wants it done. Now all they have to do is get along a little bit," he added. However, Zelenskyy noted how difficult it has been to try and secure a ceasefire, placing the blame on Russias unwillingness for peace.

.@POTUS: Stop at the battle line and both sides should go home, go to their families, stop the killing, and that should be it. Stop right now at the battle line. I told that to President Zelensky. I told it to President Putin." pic.twitter.com/hjjXIx6egj Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 17, 2025

Over two hours of a pointed conversation with the President of the United States @POTUS that can really help bring this war closer to an end. We discussed all key issues  our positions on the battlefield, long-range capabilities and air defence, and, of course, diplomatic prospects," Zelenskyy said after the meeting.

Russia must end the aggression it started and continues to deliberately prolong. We count on the United States pressure," he added.

Setback For Zelenskyys Plans To Acquire US Missiles

Trump, who recently said Ukraine could take back all its territory, changed his tune after agreeing to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for a new summit in Hungary and appeared cool on Ukraines hopes to acquire Tomahawk missiles.

The meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine was very interesting, and cordial, but I told him, as I likewise strongly suggested to President Putin, that it is time to stop the killing, and make a DEAL! Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by War and Guts. They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide! No more shooting, no more Death, no more vast and unsustainable sums of money spent," he said on Truth Social.

While Trump did not rule out providing the long-range missiles to Ukraine, his focus appeared more on stopping the war. When Zelenskyy stressed the need for Tomahawks, Trump said, Wed much rather have them not need Tomahawks."

We want Tomahawks also. We dont want to be giving away things that we need to protect our country," he later said.

Zelenskyy came to Washington after weeks of calls for Tomahawks, hoping to capitalise on Trumps growing frustration with Putin after a summit in Alaska failed to produce a breakthrough. However, he left empty-handed as Trump sought a fresh diplomatic breakthrough after signing a peace deal for Gaza last week.

Zelenskyy had said that Russia was afraid" of the Tomahawk missiles, but did not discuss the issue of the long-range missiles after the meeting, saying the US did not want escalation and he was realistic" about his chance of getting them.

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The Ukrainian President also congratulated Trump on his recent Middle East peace deal in Gaza and said he hoped he would do the same for Ukraine. I hope that President Trump can manage it," he said.

(with inputs from agencies)

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: October 18, 2025, 06:53 IST

News world 'Stop The War Immediately': Trump To Russia, Ukraine After Meeting Zelenskyy At White House

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Thousands Participate In 'No King' Protests Against Trump Across US, Europe, Canada

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Last Updated: October 19, 2025, 04:10 IST

Thousands protested Trumps policies in US cities, Canada, and Europe, with leaders like Chuck Schumer and Bernie Sanders joining.

Huge crowds protested across the United States to vent their anger over President Donald Trump's hardline policies at "No Kings" rallies. (AFP/X)

Thousands of people on Saturday gathered across several cities in US such as New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles, in Canada and across Europe to protest against US President Donald Trumps policies.

In New York, Beth Zasloff, a freelance writer and editor, was quoted by BBC as saying that she feels outraged and distressed at what she called a move toward fascism and an authoritarian government" happening in the Trump administration.

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New York Citys iconic Times Square, streets and subway entrances were densely packed with people holding up signs with slogans like, Democracy not Monarchy" and The Constitution is not optional".

According to BBC, the group stated that non-violence is a core principle of No Kings events and urged all participants to de-escalate potential altercations.

The protests were joined by several political leaders as well.

According to BBC, Senate Minority Leader and New York Democrat Chuck Schumer also joined in the protest.

We have no dictators in America. And we wont allow Trump to keep eroding our democracy," he wrote on X. He also shared photos of himself holding up a sign that read fix the health care crisis".

In Washington DC, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders said: Were not here because we hate America, were here because we love America."

CNN quoted one of the protesters, retired government worker Peggy Cole of Flint, Michigan, as saying that she feels its a scary time," citing President Donald Trumps rhetoric toward Democrats, arguing that he should be a president for all Americans.

It seems to me, (Trump is) taking our government, our democracy, and dismantling it piece by piece, slowly, but surely. If we sit by and dont do anything about it," Cole said.

I think our democracy is at risk, and I think that thats extremely distressing, and thats why were here," Elizabeth Nee, 25, from Maryland, told CNN.

In Los Angeles, a crowd of people were seen with American flags and signs saying we are the Constitution."

CNN reported people dressed in an array of colorful costumes, from fictional characters like Cookie Monster and unicorns to sharks, a frog and a dinosaur.

Since returning to the White House, Trump has embraced an expansive view of presidential power, using executive orders to block funding approved by Congress and dismantle parts of the federal government, to introduce sweeping tariffs on other countries, and to deploy national guard troops to cities despite objections by state governors, BBC reported.

Trump defended his actions as necessary to rebuild a country in crisis and dismissed claims hes a dictator or fascist as hysterical.

Massimo Mascoli, a 68-year-old retired electronic engineer and resident of New Jersey who grew up in Italy, said: I am the nephew of an Italian hero that deserted the Mussolini army and joined the resistance. He was tortured and killed by the fascists, and after 80 years, I didnt expect to find fascism again in the United States."

We cannot count on the Supreme Court, we cannot count on the government. We cannot count on the Congress. We have all the legislative, the executive and judiciary that are all against the American people right now. So we are fighting," he added.

The No King" protests were also held throughout in Europe and Canada.

In Toronto, demonstrators near the US consulate general waved signs including Hands off Canada".

Ahead of the protests, Trumps supporters had accused the protesters of being linked with the far-left Antifa movement, and condemned what they called the hate America rally".

Meanwhile, in an interview with Fox News, Trump said: A king! This is not an act. You know  theyre referring to me as a king. Im not a king."

According to BBC, Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Thursday activated the states National Guard ahead of a protest scheduled in Austin, the states capital.

He said the troops would be needed due to the planned antifa-linked demonstration".

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Criticising the move, Democrats denounced the move, including the states top Democrat Gene Wu said: Sending armed soldiers to suppress peaceful protests is what kings and dictators do  and Greg Abbott just proved hes one of them."

Like Texas, Virginias Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin has also ordered the state National Guard to be activated.

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: October 19, 2025, 04:10 IST

News world Thousands Participate In 'No King' Protests Against Trump Across US, Europe, Canada

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'He Looks Beautiful, Very Stylish': Trump Approves Of Zelenskyy's Jacket In White House | Watch

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 11:38 IST

Zelenskyy wore the same black, suit-style jacket during his meeting with Donald Trump at the White House, earning him praise from the US President.

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US President Donald Trump greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outside the West Wing of the White House on October 17. (Reuters photo)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met US President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday, where he wore almost the same black, suit-style jacket and shirt after a fashion lesson at the Oval Office earlier this year.

Trump praised Zelenskyys suit as the Ukrainian President arrived at the White House for the third time since August to hold talks over the ongoing war. I think he looks beautiful in his jacket. Its beautiful. I hope people notice  its actually very stylish. I like it," Trump said as he welcomed Zelenskyy.

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Trump gives Zelenskys jacket a thumbs upVery stylish I like it Zelensky, unsure of himself: YEAH? https://t.co/F27PgzjISz pic.twitter.com/irWBkaQyVi  RT (@RT_com) October 17, 2025

The suit largely resembled the same attire Zelenskyy wore the last time he met Trump, marking a notable shift from Zelenskyys usual military attire. During his August visit, Trump praised the Ukrainian Presidents attire, saying, I dont believe it I love it!"

In February, Trump had teased him for wearing a black sweater, joking, Oh look, hes all dressed up today!" That Oval Office encounter descended into a shouting match, during which Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly berated Zelenskyy, partly over his choice of clothes. A right-wing reporter also criticised him for not wearing a suit, to which Zelenskyy responded that he would wear one once the war in Ukraine was over.

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Since the February row, Zelenskyy has opted for more formal attire at key events, including at the Vatican and during other NATO meetings. Some European allies have also reportedly advised him on how to better manage his evolving relationship with Trump.

During the meeting on Friday, Trump focused on ending the war in Ukraine, but signalled that he is not ready to sell long-range cruise missile Tomahawk to Kyiv, which the Ukrainians say they desperately need. Following his talks with Zelenskyy for more than two hours, Trump implored both Ukraine and Russia to stop the war immediately," even if it means Ukraine conceding territory.

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: October 18, 2025, 11:38 IST

News world 'He Looks Beautiful, Very Stylish': Trump Approves Of Zelenskyy's Jacket In White House | Watch

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Trump Commutes Former Congressman George Santoss Prison Sentence, Orders Immediate Release

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 17:26 IST

Santoss brief tenure in Congress was marked by controversy, isolation from his colleagues, and constant media scrutiny.

Santos was elected in 2022 to represent parts of New York City (Reuters image)

US President Donald Trump has commuted the prison sentence of George Santos, the disgraced ex-Congressman from New York who was serving more than seven years for fraud and identity theft. The decision, announced on Friday, orders Santoss immediate release from federal custody.

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Santos, who was expelled from Congress after a short but scandal-filled term, had pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including inflating fundraising totals and falsifying donor information to gain Republican Party support during the 2022 election campaign. Despite his criminal record, Trump described Santos as having been horribly mistreated" and said his punishment was excessive.

George Santos was somewhat of a rogue, but there are many rogues throughout our country who arent forced to serve seven years in prison," Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social. Therefore, I just signed a commutation, releasing George Santos from prison IMMEDIATELY."

The former Congressman was sentenced in April 2025 to 87 months in federal prison and began serving his term in July. His release comes just months into that sentence.

Santoss political rise and fall drew national attention. He was elected in 2022 to represent parts of New York City and Long Island as a Republican. However, soon after taking office, reports surfaced that much of his personal and professional background had been fabricated. Santos falsely claimed to have studied at New York University, worked at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, and said his grandparents had fled the Nazis during World War II  all of which were later proven untrue.

His brief tenure in Congress was marked by controversy, isolation from his colleagues, and constant media scrutiny. Comedians and commentators turned him into a symbol of political deceit.

Earlier this week, Santos released what he called a passionate plea" to President Trump, praising him and asking for clemency. In the message, he admitted to making mistakes and said he had taken full responsibility for his actions while expressing hope for a chance to rebuild his life.

Trumps decision is part of his wider use of clemency powers since returning to office. The U.S. Constitution allows the president to issue pardons or commute sentences for federal crimes.

Since beginning his second term, Trump has granted several high-profile clemencies. On his first day back in office, he pardoned about 1,500 people charged in the January 6 Capitol riot. He has also extended clemency to figures from both political parties, including former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, ex-Representative Michael Grimm, and former Connecticut Governor John Rowland.

With Santoss release, Trump again demonstrated his willingness to intervene in politically charged cases, drawing both praise and criticism across the political spectrum.

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(With inputs from Reuters)

About the Author Anushka Vats Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can ... Read More

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: October 18, 2025, 17:26 IST

News world Trump Commutes Former Congressman George Santoss Prison Sentence, Orders Immediate Release

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Trump Says Maduro Doesn't Want To F**k Around' With US Amid Tensions With Venezuela

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 17:37 IST

The comments were made during a joint press appearance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House

US President Donald Trump | Image: File

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro does not want to mess around" with the United States, as tensions continue to mount between Washington and Caracas following a US military strike in the Caribbean.

Trumps remarks came a day after Reuters reported that the US Navy was holding two survivors on board a ship after a strike on a suspected Venezuelan drug vessel killed two others.

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The attack was part of what Trump has described as an ongoing campaign against a narcoterrorist" threat allegedly linked to the Maduro government.

Asked by reporters about claims that Maduro had offered everything," including Venezuelas natural resources, in a bid to strike a deal with the United States, Trump replied: Hes offered everything. Youre right. You know why? Because he doesnt want to mess around with the United States."

The comments were made during a joint press appearance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House.

The exchange came amid reports of a U.S military buildup in the Caribbean, including the deployment of guided missile destroyers, F-35 fighter jets, a nuclear submarine, and an estimated 6,500 troops, underscoring Washingtons growing pressure on Maduros government.

The Venezuelan government has not commented publicly on Trumps latest statements.

However, officials in Caracas have previously dismissed reports that senior figures were negotiating Maduros removal from power.

Vice President Delcy Rodriguez on Thursday posted a selfie with Maduro on Telegram, calling those spreading such reports liars."

On Wednesday, Trump confirmed he had authorised the CIA to carry out covert operations inside Venezuela, fuelling speculation in Caracas that Washington is pursuing regime change efforts.

Maduro has repeatedly denied involvement in drug trafficking, accusing the United States of fabricating evidence as a pretext for intervention. He condemned the recent US strikes as violations of Venezuelas sovereignty and international law.

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During his remarks, Trump also referred to this years Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who was honoured last week.

I didnt get a Nobel Prize. Somebody got it, a very nice woman, very nice," Trump said. I dont know her, but she was very generous. I dont care about all that. I just care about saving lives."

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: October 18, 2025, 17:37 IST

News world Trump Says Maduro Doesn't Want To F**k Around' With US Amid Tensions With Venezuela

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(Reuters) -Spain's Cellnex said on Friday that it has signed a put option agreement to sell all its 99.99% share capital in Towerlink France to Vauban Infra Fibre for 391 million euros ($458 million).

The deal, made through the French subsidiary of Europe's largest mobile phone tower operator, will be fully paid in cash on the closing date of the transaction.

In September, Reuters reported - citing people familiar with the matter - that Cellnex was discussing with advisers a potential sale of its data center business in France to focus on its core business as it shifts strategy from acquisitions to bolstering its finances.

Towerlink France is the company responsible for Cellnex's main data center operations in France.

Earlier this year, Cellnex sold its Austrian business for an enterprise value of 803 million euros and its Irish unit for 971 million euros.

($1 = 0.8538 euros)

(Reporting by Joao Manuel Mauricio in GdanskEditing by Tomasz Janowski)
Trump To Meet North Korea's Kim Jong Un During Upcoming Asia Visit: Report

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 20:03 IST

This would be the fourth time that two leaders would likely meet, and the first in Trumps second term.

US President Donald Trump may meet Kim Jong Un during his Asia visit. (File)

US President Donald Trump is expected to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his upcoming Asia visit, CNN reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

As per the report, Trump administration officials are privately discussing a potential meeting between the two leaders. However, there is no confirmation yet on whether the meeting will ultimately take place.

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However, officials have not yet done any of the serious logistical planning they would need to do to arrange such a visit, or any direct communications with Pyongyang, the report added.

Trumps initial outreach to Kim earlier this year also went unanswered as North Korea declined to accept the letter, the report said.

The White House, however, remains far more focused on preparing a meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the trip, though officials have left the door open" to a meeting with Kim, it added.

In August this year, the US President expressed interest in meeting the North Korean leader after hosting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House for the first time. Id like to meet Kim Jong Un this year," Trump had said.

This would be the fourth time that two leaders would likely meet, and the first in Trumps second term. The two leaders last met in the Korean demilitarised zone in June 2019, and that meeting was arranged less than 48 hours after Trump tweeted an invitation.

Meanwhile, South Koreas top envoy to the United States said Friday that there is no indication yet that US President and North Korean leader will meet on the occasion of the APEC summit.

Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha made the remarks during a parliamentary audit at the South Korean mission to the UN in New York, amid lingering speculation that Trump could seek reengagement with Kim when he visits South Korea for the APEC Summit.

President Trump has said he is open to dialogue, and North Korea has also shown an indication (leaning toward dialogue). But there is no sign yet that something will materialize on the occasion of the APEC (summit)," Kang said during the audit session of the National Assemblys Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee.

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Trump will travel to Asia later this month to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Malaysia and an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: October 18, 2025, 20:03 IST

News world Trump To Meet North Korea's Kim Jong Un During Upcoming Asia Visit: Report

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UK's Prince Andrew Gives Up Duke Of York Title Over Alleged Links To Jeffrey Epstein

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Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 08:43 IST

Prince Andrew announced he would stop using his Duke of York title. He will remain a prince but will no longer hold the title granted by his late late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

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Andrew said the move came after talks with King Charles III, the reigning monarch and head of state. (Image: AP/File)

Britains Prince Andrew on Friday announced he would give up using his title of Duke of York following pressure from his brother, King Charles III, after new disclosures emerged about his connection to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Prince Andrew (65) has faced growing pressure over his association with Jeffrey Epstein, with increasing calls for Buckingham Palace to act. The decision marks a significant step back for the prince, who will also give up his membership of the Order of the Garter, Britains oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry.

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In a personal statement, Andrew said he continued to vigorously deny the accusations against me." He added, In discussion with the King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family," the BBC reported.

I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life. With His Majestys agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me," the statement further read.

The decision was made after consulting Prince William, the Prince of Wales, as well as the King. Andrew will remain a prince but will no longer hold the title of Duke of York, which was granted by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

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The move further reduces his already limited royal role. He previously stopped using the His Royal Highness" style and no longer took part in official engagements.

Prince Andrew, who has faced a series of scandals in recent years  including a court settlement with Virginia Giuffre and scrutiny over his finances  is expected to continue living at Royal Lodge in Windsor, where he holds a private lease until 2078.

About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More

Location : London, United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: October 18, 2025, 08:43 IST

News world UK's Prince Andrew Gives Up Duke Of York Title Over Alleged Links To Jeffrey Epstein

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Will Release 2 Survivors of Caribbean Boat Strike To Their Home Countries, Says Trump

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Last Updated: October 19, 2025, 03:05 IST

Trump announced two survivors of a US strike on a drug submarine in the Caribbean will be returned to Ecuador and Colombia for prosecution after two others were killed.

US President Donald Trump. (Image: X/@WhiteHouse)

The US will be releasing the two survivors of Thursdays military strike on a suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean to their home nations  Ecuador and Colombia, President Donald Trump said on Saturday.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: It was my great honor to destroy a very large DRUG-CARRYING SUBMARINE that was navigating towards the United States on a well known narcotrafficking transit route. U.S. Intelligence confirmed this vessel was loaded up with mostly Fentanyl, and other illegal narcotics."

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He further said: There were four known narcoterrorists on board the vessel. Two of the terrorists were killed. At least 25,000 Americans would die if I allowed this submarine to come ashore. The two surviving terrorists are being returned to their Countries of origin, Ecuador and Colombia, for detention and prosecution."

No U.S. Forces were harmed in this strike. Under my watch, the United States of America will not tolerate narcoterrorists trafficking illegal drugs, by land or by sea," he added. He also shared a video of the strike.

The US military had detained the survivors after the strike Thursday, marking the first time the Trump administrations campaign targeting drug traffickers has resulted in the US holding prisoners, CNN reported.

Thursdays strike was the sixth attack on a boat that was allegedly involved in drug trafficking.

In recent months, the US has deployed military to the Caribbean as part of the administrations effort to drive down drug flow into the US.

The Trump-led administration has argued that the President has broad authorities under Article II of the Constitution to conduct the strikes against narco-terrorists".

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CNN quoted Brian Finucane, a former State Department lawyer who specialises in war powers issues, as saying that the situation was potentially going to set up a legal and policy dilemma for the administration because it was unclear under what legal authority the US military can hold the prisoners.

CNN quoted one of the sources as saying that he legally dubious situation is why the administration was considering releasing the individuals from US military custody.

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: October 19, 2025, 03:05 IST

News world Will Release 2 Survivors of Caribbean Boat Strike To Their Home Countries, Says Trump

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Will UK Introduce Aadhaar For British Citizens? Here's What PM Starmer Is Planning

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 14:41 IST

Keir Starmer recently praised the Aadhaar ID Card system as a "massive success" during his recent India visit, saying it could be a model for the UK's digital ID scheme.

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British PM Keir Starmer recently praised India's Aadhaar card system.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently visited India, where he praised the Aadhaar ID Card system as a massive success" and said it could serve as a reference point for Britains planned digital identity programme, called the Brit Card", prompting a range of opinions.

During his two-day trip to Mumbai, Starmer met with key figures, including Infosys co-founder and UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani. He said a digital ID system like that of Indias can be rolled out in the United Kingdom as a voluntary measure that can be applied to school applications, mortgages and driving licences.

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The Aadhaar system was introduced in India over 15 years ago to almost all of its 1.4 billion citizens. While Aadhaar collects biometric data to provide welfare and services, the Brit Card is aimed at curbing illegal migration, even as it faces opposition over privacy concerns.

What Is UKs Digital ID Scheme?

Last month, Starmer announced that digital identity cards will be mandatory to work in the country as part of efforts to tackle illegal migration. Digital IDs will become a mandatory method for verifying the right to work in the UK by the end of the current parliamentary term, which is expected to conclude by 2029 at the latest, according to the BBC.

The proposal comes against the backdrop of Britains long-running struggle with irregular migration. In recent years, thousands of people have attempted to enter the country in small boats across the Channel, the narrow stretch of sea that separates southern England from northern France.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Starmer said he hoped digital IDs, which have plummeted in popularity since his announcement, would regain public confidence because of the convenience they could provide, reported The Guardian. I dont know how many times the rest of you have had to look in the bottom drawer for three bills when you want to get your kids into school or apply for this or apply for that, drives me to frustration," he said.

Will UK Follow The Aadhaar Route?

Although the Aadhaar system has seen its share of controversies over data protection and service outreach, it is considered a success as it is believed to have saved the Indian economy crores in administrative and corruption costs. Hence, Starmer said Indias experience would offer valuable lessons for the UK as it develops its own digital ID framework.

However, there have been concerns that the Brit Card might resemble the Aadhaar too much. However, government sources told The Guardian that there was no intention to copy the system, but to examine the way it was used and implemented, handling 80 million transactions a day.

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A UK government official said the British digital ID would not include biometric data and would prioritise inclusivity and data protection." The system is expected to be focused only on employment, aimed primarily at deterring illegal working.

The far-right Reform UK has dismissed it as ineffective against small boat crossings. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said a mandatory scheme requires a proper national debate," warning about costs and burdens for law-abiding citizens. The Liberal Democrats have pledged to fight the plan, branding it bureaucratic and expensive.

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More

Location : London, United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: October 18, 2025, 14:41 IST

News world Will UK Introduce Aadhaar For British Citizens? Here's What PM Starmer Is Planning

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Woman Returns 2,400 Year-Old Relic To Greece 50 Years After Stealing It. Here's Why

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 18, 2025, 22:22 IST

The woman  who hails from Germany  took a piece of a limestone column from a building in Ancient Olympia in the 1960s.

Woman Returns 2,400 Year-Old Relic To Greece (Photo: X)

A German woman recently returned the top of an ancient Greek column that she stole over 50 years ago. The 2,400-year-old artefact was stolen from the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Greeces Ministry of Culture dubbed the womans decision as an act of sensitivity and courage."

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As per the details shared by the ministry, the woman stole a 9inch by 13inch piece of limestone column from the Leonidaion, a building in Ancient Olympia, in the 1960s during a visit to the area.

In an official repatriation ceremony held on October 10, the woman returned the artefact.

What Motivated Her?

As per the ministry, the woman was motivated to return the relic after she heard of the other relics being returned. She was inspired by the universitys recent restitution of looted antiquities. She contacted the University of Munster in her home country so that they could help facilitate the return.

Greeces Ministry of Culture shared a post on social media and said, Motivated by the recent return of important antiquities from the University of Muenster to their countries of origin, she decided to hand it over to the university, with whose valuable contribution it returned to Greece and Ancient Olympia", the ministry said, hailing the sensitivity and courage" of the woman.

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Culture Secretary General Georgios Didaskalos said, This act proves that culture and history know no borders but require cooperation, responsibility, and mutual respect. Every such return is an act of restoring justice and at the same time a bridge of friendship between peoples."

The return marks the third major artefact the University of Munster in Germany has sent back to Greece in recent years.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

Location : Greece

First Published: October 18, 2025, 22:22 IST

News world Woman Returns 2,400 Year-Old Relic To Greece 50 Years After Stealing It. Here's Why

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Michael Moriarty | Disney Experiences

The Walt Disney Company named Michael Moriarty as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Disney Experiences, which oversees theme parks, resorts and cruise ships. Since December 2020, Moriarty has been president and managing director of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Moriarty has held various leadership roles during his nearly two decades at Disney, including his time as CFO at Walt Disney Imagineering and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, and finance leadership roles at Walt Disney World Resort. Moriarty succeeds Kevin Lansberry, who is retiring after a 39-year career with Disney.

Christopher DelOrefice | Ulta Beauty

Christopher DelOrefice was appointed finance chief of Ulta Beauty. DelOrefice joins the company from medical technology company Becton Dickinson, where he has been executive VP and CFO since September 2021. He previously spent over 20 years at Johnson & Johnson in various finance leadership roles, including as chief financial officer of North America Hospital Medical Devices. Earlier in his career, he held leadership positions at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, AET Films and Ametek. Chris Lialios will continue as interim CFO until DelOrefice starts his new role at the retailer on Dec. 5. Lialios, the companys SVP and controller, stepped in as interim chief financial officer in June following the departure of Paula Oyibo.

Ricky Khetarpaul | Liquid Death

Liquid Death, a beverage company that has become known for its unconventional marketing, hired Ricky Khetarpaul as chief financial officer. Khetarpaul was most recently CFO of kombucha tea maker Health-Ade. Earlier roles include head of global FP&A and sales finance at Sabra Dipping Company, senior director of FP&A at Walgreens Boots Alliance and CFO of North America at Lavazza. He also spent over eight years at PepsiCo, where he led reporting, forecasting and planning for a beverage portfolio exceeding $5 billion in revenue. Khetarpaul succeeds Karim Sadik-Khan, who took on the role in June 2024. Sadik-Khan left Liquid Death in April 2025 to become the finance chief of beverage company Spindrift.

Andre Ramos | TD Bank

Andre Ramos was named U.S. chief financial officer of TD Bank, effective Dec. 1. Ramos joins the bank from JPMorgan Chase, where he has spent 11 years in business CFO roles, most recently as consumer banking CFO. He previously worked at American Express for over 10 years, most recently as vice president of product strategy finance. Ramos earlier held senior leadership positions in finance, treasury and pricing at JPMorgan Chase, HSBC and Citi.


Vice-President and Zanu PF second secretary, Constantino Chiwenga, yesterday bravely rode a barrage of hostilities at the partys annual peoples conference in Mutare, calling out corruption as a vice that has affected Zimbabwe.

Chiwenga has been under attack for constantly calling out corruption in the country, denouncing and identifying several individuals he labelled zvigananda accusing them of feeding off the trough while the majority of Zimbabweans were suffering.

The former army general reportedly produced a dossier to the Zanu PF politburo identifying several individuals as being corrupt and calling for their immediate arrest.

He has, however, faced hostilities in recent weeks, including an attack from the partys national secretary for legal affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi in a rebuttal document presented to the politburo on Wednesday this week.

Party national spokesperson and presidential aspirant Christopher Mutsvangwa also upped the ante in the attack against Chiwenga during a presser held at the part headquarters in Harare on Thursday this week.

However, citing the conferences theme this year Attainment of Vision 2030 Through Economic Empowerment and Value Addition, the Vice-President said it captures the central task before the party to build a people-centred economy that empowers every Zimbabwean. He said this should also ensure that the national wealth benefits all, not just a privileged few.

Economic empowerment must be genuine  equipping all our people with the means to produce, innovate and own their destiny. That is the essence of Vision 2030 and that is the essence of revolutionary continuity, Chiwenga said.

We must always remember that we are not the alpha and the omega of Zimbabwes journey.

Ours is to carry forward the torch passed to us by those who gave everything without expectation of reward.

Some of them, like the late General Josiah Magama Tongogara knew they may not see a liberated Zimbabwe, but still fought. They fought for the future, not for themselves. Vision 2030, therefore, must be understood in the same light  as a party and national covenant, not a personal pursuit.

He said Zanu PF stood where it is today, because it has travelled a long, demanding journey of vision, unity, sacrifice, love and singleness of purpose.

Chiwenga said holding the conference in Manicaland was profoundly symbolic as Mutare occupied a sacred place in the liberation story of our country.

It was a crucial gateway, through which thousands of our brave sons and daughters crossed into Mozambique to wage the struggle for our independence, he said.

Through these mountains and valleys, they slipped across the border  young, determined and full of conviction into bases such as Chimoio, Nyadzonia and Tembwe in Mozambique.

Those who crossed through Botswana and the Zambezi Valley, went to Mukushi and Freedom Camp in Zambia among others, and in all respective camps, the price of freedom was paid in full measure.

Before they even fired a single shot, many endured the harshest of conditions such as disease, attacks by wild animals, hunger and starvation.

He said Zimbabwes fallen heroes had perished not in battle, but in hope  believing that their sacrifices would purchase a just, dignified and prosperous Zimbabwe for all.

Those camps in Mozambique and Zambia were not just military outposts.

They were altars of sacrifice  places where pain, courage, and faith fused into the spirit of liberation. The cries of those who fell still echo across these hills, he said.

Their blood speaks from the soil, reminding us that our freedom was not inherited  it was earned with suffering, sealed in blood and consecrated by unwavering conviction.

Today, as we gather on this sacred ground, we are summoned by that same spirit, the spirit of endurance, honesty, unity and service.

The fallen are watching us. Their blood demands integrity. Their voices cry out against corruption, laziness and moral decay.

Chiwenga said the liberation struggle was a collective mission in which the masses, that is, the people, youths, traditional leaders and children who all played a decisive role.

Guerrilla warfare was peoples warfare. Every home was either a base, a place to eat or a where clothes were sewn; every family was part of the revolution.

That bond between the party and the people must remain unbroken.

The same unity and singleness of purpose that drove our liberation struggle must now be the moral compass guiding us into the future.

We must continue to move forward as one party, one people, one destiny  bound by a shared vision. Newsday
President Trump said Friday he had commuted the sentence of former Rep. George Santos, who is serving more than seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to fraud and identity theft charges. The New York Republican was sentenced in April after admitting last year to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of 11 peopleincluding his own family membersto make donations to his campaign. Santos became just the sixth member of the US House to be expelled by his colleagues. "I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY," Trump posted on his social media platform, the AP reports.

Santos reported to Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, in southern New Jersey, on July 25 and is being housed in a minimum security prison camp with fewer than 50 inmates. Santos had appealed to the Trump administration to intercede within hours of receiving his sentence, insisting in social media posts and interviews that it was overly harsh and politically motivated. A former colleague, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, also urged Trump to commute his sentence, saying in a letter sent just days into his prison bid that the punishment was "a grave injustice" and a product of judicial overreach.

The judge in Santos' case had agreed with federal prosecutors that a stiffer sentence was warranted because Santos didn't seem remorseful, despite what he and his lawyers claimed. The commutation is Trump's latest high-profile act of clemency for former Republican politicians since retaking the White House in January. In May, he pardoned former US Rep. Michael Grimm, a New York Republican who in 2014 pleaded guilty to underreporting wages and revenue at a restaurant he ran in Manhattan. He also pardoned former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, whose career was upended by a corruption scandal and two federal prison stints. Santos was charged in 2023 with stealing from donors and his campaign, fraudulently collecting unemployment benefits and lying to Congress about his wealth. Within months, he was expelled from the House.
The Trump administration has decided to return the two survivors of an American attack in the Caribbean this week, who are now in US custody, to their home countries rather than prosecute them or hold them in military detentioneither of which would have raised legal issues. The pair, who are from Colombia and Ecuador, were rescued from the water after the strike by helicopter and taken to the nearby USS Iwo Jima, the New York Times reports. President Trump posted Saturday that they are being sent home "for detention and prosecution," per the AP .

The survivor of a US strike on a submersible vessel that the Trump administration says was transporting drugs in the Caribbean has been released by authorities in Ecuador. Prosecutors said they had no evidence that Andres Fernando Tufino committed a crime in the South American nation, a government official said Monday. Tufino, who officials said was found to be in good health after medical evaluations, was repatriated by the US over the weekend. A Colombian citizen who survived the attack also was repatriated and remains hospitalized in his home country, the AP reports.

The men were not seriously injured and are to be repatriated this weekend, per the Washington Post. "It was my great honor to destroy a very large drug-carrying submarine that was navigating towards the United States on a well known narcotrafficking transit route," Trump's post said. "US Intelligence confirmed this vessel was loaded up with mostly Fentanyl, and other illegal narcotics." The administration has defended its strikes in the area by arguing that the US is engaged in an "armed conflict" with Latin American drug cartels linked to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

It's not clear why the US decided to repatriate the men, especially if they're "unlawful combatants," as the administration has called its targets. No US official or the embassies of Colombia and Ecuador would say. The decision is in keeping with the Coast Guard practice of turning over people detained outside the US thought to be traffickers, the Times points out. The strike Thursday on the semi-submersible was the sixth in the Caribbean Sea acknowledged by the administration since Sept. 2. The death toll from the first five attacks is 27; officials have said two more were killed Thursday, though the government hasn't confirmed that.
President Trump set disgraced former lawmaker George Santos free on Friday with a cheery, "Good luck George, have a great life!" After Trump's posted announcement, Joseph Murray, a lawyer for Santos, said, "God bless President Donald J Trump," per the BBC. The reaction to the commutation of Santos' sentence in New York, among his former constituents and colleagues, leaned more toward bitter, the New York Times reports. A sampling:

"Donald Trump is trying to put his political enemies in jail while he frees George Santos for the unconscionable crimes he committed."Robert Zimmerman, a Democrat who lost to Santos in the 2022 congressional race
TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The American University of Bahrain (AUBH) joined the Kingdom in celebrating Bahraini Engineers Day, observed annually on the fifteenth of October, in recognition of the vital role engineers play in driving national progress and development.

The celebration reflected AUBHs acknowledgment of the immense contributions of Bahraini engineers to nation building, infrastructure advancement, and industry innovation. he University emphasized that this occasion serves as a tribute to the creativity, and technical expertise that Bahraini engineers bring to both local and global arenas.

On this occasion, Dr. Wafa Almansoori, Interim President & Provost of AUBH, stated: At AUBH, we take immense pride in our Bahraini engineers, whose vision and determination continue to shape the future of our nation. The College of Engineering and Computing stands as the Universitys largest and most dynamic college, reflecting the growing demand for skilled professionals who can lead innovation across multiple industries. We remain committed to equipping our students with the knowledge, creativity, and technological skills required to excel in an ever-evolving world.
Platforms like Acorns can make investing early easy  even if youre a newbie investor  by investing the extra change on any purchase you make.

That said, its never too late to get started, and small amounts invested early can turn into big numbers once compounding does the heavy lifting.

But most people probably dont understand how to invest at the age of 11.

The power of compound interest only really starts to show up once youve been in the market for some time, or once youve reached a significant milestone  like the $100,000 benchmark Munger is often cited for emphasizing. (3)

That extra time contributes to the most potent part of investing: compounding.

Start young  the younger, the better. Buffett invested for the first time at age 11, which allowed for more decades in the market compared to the average investor.

While Berkshire Hathaways operations might be complex, Buffetts investing tenets are very simple.

While Mungers net worth reached $2.5 billion before his death, Buffetts wealth currently sits at $148.3 billion  almost double what it was back in 2019 when Munger was asked about the disparity.

Heres how the Oracle of Omaha got his start, where his wealth stands today and what it could mean for your portfolio.

As the vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway for 45 years until his death in 2023, Munger was second in command at Buffetts investing empire.

His quick wit also made an appearance, immediately adding, Why was Albert Einstein poorer than I was?

I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement  what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)

Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake  heres what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP

Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100  and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how

Well, he got an earlier start, hes probably a little smarter, he works harder  there are not a lot of reasons, Munger laughed.

In spite of being partners for so long, why is Warren so much richer than you? the audience member asked, referring to Warren Buffetts $82.5 billion net worth (1) compared to Mungers $1.6 billion (2) at the time.

Charlie Munger wasnt known for mincing words, and that was never more true than in 2019, when at the Daily Journal Annual Meeting, he received a pointed question about his wealth that made the crowd laugh.

Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below.

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This is how it works: If you purchase a snack for $5.30, Acorns will round up the price to $6.00 and invest the 70-cent difference. Throughout the year, all this extra change on your daily purchases can snowball into a sizable investment, with zero work on your end.

Sign up today and get a $20 bonus investment when you set up a recurring monthly deposit.

Buffett also believes its essential to find undervalued smaller companies to invest in, as he initially built his wealth on small-caps like furniture and candy stores.

I probably would be focusing on smaller companies because I would be working with smaller sums and theres more chance that something is overlooked in that arena, he said during a 1999 shareholder meeting. (4)

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)

While his strategy is proven to work, its not always easy to keep up with the ever-changing market. If your 9-to-5 doesnt revolve around monitoring the stock market, you might feel overwhelmed trying to find that next undervalued business to invest in.

Moby helps make this process easier by finding these companies and consolidating all the research for you in one place.

The platform lets you make smarter financial decisions by providing tailored, data-driven insights on various companies. It can help you navigate these complex markets and make informed investing decisions.

All this info is then wrapped up in three weekly hand-picked investment opportunities, delivered straight to you.

Mobys technology can also integrate seamlessly with many of your favorite financial tools, providing accurate recommendations, analysis and financial planning assistance.. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try before you buy.

Buffett also believes in the importance of investing within your circle of competence  meaning sticking to that which you already know and understand. The majority of his wealth comes from two areas he is exceptionally competent in: financial services and consumer goods.

If you want to expand your own circle of competency, it might be worth working with an advisor whose expertise is in a different area than your own.

If youre not sure where to find a qualified advisor, consider Advisor.com. All you have to do is answer a few quick questions and provide your ZIP code to be matched with the best potential advisors for your needs.

Book a no-obligation call with your favorite picks to find the right advisor for you today.

How Charlie Munger reached billionaire status

While Mungers wealth never came close to Buffetts $100+ billions, he was still a billionaire, which is a level of wealth reserved for the privileged few.

His early success came from focusing on real estate, where he earned his first million, before he ever began investing in the stock market. (5)

Real estate investing can feel overwhelming. Being a landlord is not for the faint of heart, but that doesnt mean you cant tap into Mungers strategy and use real estate to grow your wealth.

If youre interested in investing in real estate, but not ready for the commitment of managing a property on your own, Arrived can help you enter the market.

Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived lets you invest in shares of vacation and rental properties, creating a passive income stream that avoids midnight maintenance calls and burst pipes.

To get started, just browse their selection of properties, all vetted for appreciation and income generation potential. Once you choose a property, you can start investing with as little as $100 to see if Arrived is right for you.

Arrived also offers a secondary market for selling your shares with a full rollout of properties slated for November. This can give you more flexibility to move money around, especially when compared to managing a mortgage.

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Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

Forbes (1), (2); Yahoo Finance (3); YouTube (4); Andrew Faber (5)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 17, 2025 /CNW/ - The global trade landscape is rapidly changing. In the face of this upheaval, Canada's new government is focused on transforming our economy from one that is reliant on a single trade partner to one that is stronger and more resilient to global shocks. To that end, a core mission of the government is to diversify and strengthen Canada's trade partnerships.

Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced that he will travel to Malaysia, Singapore, and the Republic of Korea, from October 24 to November 1, 2025, to deepen trade relationships in the Indo-Pacific region, shore up defence partnerships, and unlock new opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses.

In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Prime Minister will attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. The ASEAN region is a major global market of over 677 million people and an economy of over $5 trillion. The Prime Minister will focus on advancing significant new export opportunities for Canadian industries, from agriculture and energy to innovation and technology. While in Malaysia, Prime Minister Carney will meet with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, and key business leaders to strengthen economic ties between Canada and Malaysia.

In Singapore, the Prime Minister will meet the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lawrence Wong, and senior business leaders to deepen the Canada-Singapore partnership in trade, energy, and technology. Canada's growing partnership with Singapore, supported by the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), is already delivering benefits to Canadian exporters. The Prime Minister's visit will accelerate efforts to remove trade barriers and attract investment, with the aim of increasing Canadian market access in Southeast Asia.

The Prime Minister will then travel to Gyeongju, Korea, to participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting. APEC economies account for over 60% of global GDP and nearly half of all global merchandise trade  making this relationship invaluable for Canada's economic growth. While in Korea, the Prime Minister will meet with the President of Korea, Lee Jae Myung, international counterparts, and senior business leaders to deepen trade in agriculture, energy, defence, and critical minerals.

In a world of rapid change, Canada's new government is focused on what we can control. We are growing a strong economy  one that is built on the solid foundation of thriving Canadian workers, strong Canadian industries, and bolstered by diverse international trade partners.

Quote

"The Indo-Pacific is the world's fastest-growing economic region, presenting major opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses. Our new government is laser-focused on expanding trade in the region  opening doors to new markets, investors, and customers for Canada."

-- The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada

Quick facts

This will mark Prime Minister Carney's first official visit to the Indo-Pacific region.

The Indo-Pacific region is Canada's second-largest regional trading partner, with annual two-way merchandise trade valued at $261 billion in 2024.

As of 2023, APEC's 21 member economies were responsible for more than 60% of world GDP, accounted for around 50% of world merchandise trade, and were home to nearly 37% of the world's population.

APEC is a key merchandise trade partner for Canada. Canada's trade with APEC was a significant source of growth in 2024, valued at $1.3 trillion.

In 2024, the 10 ASEAN member states represented the fifth-largest economy in the world and the third-largest population in the world.

As a group, ASEAN represented Canada's fourth-largest merchandise trade partner, with annual two-way trade valued at $42.3 billion in 2024.

In September, Canada announced a new trade agreement with Indonesia  Canada's first-ever bilateral trade agreement with an ASEAN country. This agreement will either reduce or fully eliminate tariffs on over 95% of current Canadian exports to Indonesia.

Also in September, Canada and Mexico launched a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to deepen ties between our two countries in trade, environmental conservation, development of long-term infrastructure, and bilateral security to disrupt transnational organised crime, drug and human trafficking, money laundering, and cybercrime.

In June, Canada announced the New EU-Canada Strategic Partnership of the Future to create more economic opportunities and long-term prosperity for workers, businesses, and citizens in both Canada and the European Union.

Associated links

This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca

SOURCE Prime Minister's Office

PMO Media Relations: [email protected]
Taiwan, South Korea and China have critically low fertility rates below 1.0. Japan is also very low (1.15) and has had low fertility for longer. By 2070, the countries could halve their current populations.

A fertility rebound could avert 30-70% of projected population losses by 2100. This might stabilizing societies at near-current sizesbut only if enacted now, before the cohort cliff (shrinking fertile women) deepens.

Chinas TFR remains a contentious topic, with official figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) hovering around or slightly above 1.0. Independent researchers like Yi Fuxiana demographer at the University of Wisconsin-Madisonargue that data has been historically inflated due to incentives during the one-child policy era (ocal officials overreporting births to meet quotas). Leaked internal estimates and alternative proxies (BCG vaccinations, marriage registrations) support Yis view that actual births are 10-20% lower than reported, pushing TFR below 1.0 to 0.9 or 0.8.

It might be possible to increase fertility rate to replacement (2.1) in 10-15 years with 3-4% GDP investment.

The list of options below is likely not enough. Likely 10-25% of GDP would be needed to be invested with far larger financial incentives equal to the average per capita income in the country for the first 6-12 years. This is worthwhile because with half the population in 2070, the countries will be destined to have about half the GDP.

Years 1-3 [Quick Wins, +0.1-0.3 TFR]  Free IVF (invitro fertilization and egg freezing for all under-35s and even under-40s. This could add 10-15% births as seen in Israel. Include a $2K/month allowances.

Japans Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), reports the total number of live births in 2024 was 686,061 (TFR 1.15). This marked a record low, representing a 5.7% decline (or 41,227 fewer births) from 2023s 727,288. 2025 is on track for 665,000. Japan would need to get to 1.18 million or 1.2 million to get to TFR 2.1 population stabilization.

IVF and egg freezing are increasingly popular in Japan, fueled by subsidies (half of costs covered) and low fertility awareness. However, uptake lags behind Europe due to cultural stigma and work pressures. Overall, assisted reproductive tech (ART) usage climbed 3-5% YoY in 2025, per IMARC Group, but only ~10% of infertile couples access it due to costs/stigma. In 2023 in Japan, a record 85,048 babies were born via assisted reproductive technology (ART), including IVF, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and frozen embryo transfers (FET). Doubling this level with free or payments beyond free would help.

Years 1-7 (Structural, +0.2-0.4 TFR)

Universal childcare and shared 12-month leave. 4-day work weeks (OECD: +0.15 TFR). South Korea: Marriage age drops 2 years, stabilizing cohorts.

Years 1-10 (Tech/Cultural, to 2.1)

Ectogenesis pilots (2030 rollout) + media campaigns (counter eco-anxiety). Taiwan: NDC integrates with cross-strait migration incentives.

Annual audits and some increased immigration as a bridge. Many asian countries like Japan have an anti-immigration culture.
If youre invested in AI, you might want to pay attention.

Bill Smead, founder of Smead Capital Management, says the market frenzy around AI has all the signs of a bubble, driven by the momentum of stocks like Nvidia.

Must Read

Were in the crazy stage, Smead told Business Insider, comparing todays market to the eve of the dot-com crash in late 1999. (1)

He points to valuations he feels are untethered from reality.

Since early 2023, Nvidias value has jumped twelvefold to $4.4 trillion, while Palantir has skyrocketed twenty-eight-fold to $420 billion.

Meanwhile, AI firm CoreWeaves valuation just hit $60-billion on just $1.2 billion in quarterly revenue.

Were bumping up against history real hard now, he warns, especially worried about many Americans have household wealth tied to Big Tech.

Heres what you should know to avoid taking a hit.

Massively overcapitalized stocks

Smead said AI firms potential success is overcapitalized and predicted that when this thing breaks, stocks could trade at a fraction of current prices.

That would have a domino effect in U.S. equity markets that are already heavily weighted in the technology sector. Reuters notes that the sectors value makes up 34% of the S&P 500, higher than the peak concentration in March 2000. (2)

Read more: Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US  with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in great wealth. How to get in now

Smead says AI stocks could see a 40% drop in value daily as occurred in the dot-com bust.

That is going to be spooky, he said.

He and other market observers are concerned about another development that harkens back to the dot-com bubble: increasing ties between major players. Case in point? Nvidias plan to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI.

When companies invest in one another and share customers, it creates circular financing  a self-reinforcing feedback loop.

Paulo Carvao, a senior fellow who researches AI policy at the Harvard Kennedy School told Bloomberg that the same thing happened in the late 1990s. At that time, he said, startups made circular deals around advertising and cross-selling. (3)
USDAs September outlook already penciled in lower U.S. soybean exports for the current marketing year. The forecast is 1.69 billion bushels, down from 1.8 billion bushels in June. The agency has cut the season-average farm price forecast to $10.10 per bushel, down from $10.25 in June. As of October 14, soybean futures have hovered around $10 per bushel.

Adding insult to injury, buyers in China have also purchased at least 10 cargoes of soybeans from Argentina, according to Reuters. [3] The cash-strapped nation dropped its export taxes to boost the competitiveness of its beans on the world market. Argentina is currently in talks with the U.S. for a $20 billion lifeline to stabilize the Argentine peso and keep its free market leader Javier Milei in office. The move is a deliberate stick in the eye to U.S. politicians.

U.S. farmers who spent years trying to recover market share after Trumps first trade war in 2018 are finding that China has shifted much of its business to South America as Brazils exports of soybeans have jumped 7.5% this marketing year. Citing traders, Reuters said Chinas 23% tariff on U.S. soy adds roughly $2 per bushel, whereas earlier U.S. soybeans were about 80 cents to 90 cents a bushel cheaper than Brazilian soybeans.

Reuters reports that for the first time in more than 20 years, Chinese importers have not yet bought soybeans from the autumn U.S. harvest, and its costing farmers billions of dollars in sales. [1] Last year, the U.S. exported nearly 27 million metric tons to the Asian country, and from January to July this year shipments totaled 16.57 million tons. [2] Dan Basse, president of AgResource Co in Chicago, told Reuters that if China stays out of the U.S. market until mid-November, exporters could forfeit 14 to 16 million tons in sales.

This, of course, is reportedly having a disastrous impact on American farmers and the ripple effect could hurt consumers and the economy as a whole.

During the trade war this spring, China settled on reciprocal tariffs on American agricultural products, which erased the previous price advantage enjoyed by U.S. farmers, and incentivized Chinese importers to find cheaper alternatives.

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U.S. soybean farmers headed into harvest season facing a problem possibly more daunting than a drought or a tornado. China, the top global buyer of soybeans, has moved away from American beans in the heart of the selling season.

Story continues

Farmers are reportedly trying to expand the domestic market, including in the renewable diesel market that uses soybeans to make fuel, and by looking for buyers beyond China. Mexico, the EU and Southeast Asia are options, but no market is large enough to replace China quickly.

For farmers who are already highly leveraged in debt, that means more bankruptcies and less spending on updating or replacing equipment. In August, the American Soybean Association sent a letter to President Trump saying, Soybean farmers are under extreme financial stress. Prices continue to drop and at the same time our farmers are paying significantly more for inputs and equipment. U.S. soybean farmers cannot survive a prolonged trade dispute with our largest customer.

You might think lower soybean prices would translate into lower food costs, as soybeans are used primarily for animal feed and cooking oil. However, the cost of farm inputs only accounts for 15.9 cents of every dollar of the cost of food at the grocery store. Most of what you pay for groceries covers processing, transportation, packaging and retail.

Read more: Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US  with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in great wealth. How to get in now

The larger implication for the economy is a potential recession in the Midwest, which ships its soybeans through the Pacific Northwest by means of railcars that load the beans onto ships that used to sail to China. Economic indicators still show strength, as unemployment stood at 1.9% in South Dakota, 2.5% in North Dakota, 3.1% in Wisconsin, 3.6% in Minnesota and 3.8% in Iowa in August. But as the farming foundation continues to be pressured by government policy, stress may creep into other sectors along with a climb in consumer delinquencies.

Iowa's soybean market is around $5.8 billion a year, and this year's disruptions could cost the state nearly $200 million if they drag on, according to model research published in July by ISU, reported Axios. [4]

The article points out that falling soybean exports has economic ripple effects beyond Iowa fields. It could affect manufacturing companies like John Deere and Vermeer and other industries like insurance and logistics that are closely linked with agriculture.

How to ride out unpredictable food prices

U.S. trade policy has been particularly volatile this year. A trade deal with China could happen, and if it does, farmers may benefit. But the price of some staples may continue to climb, and U.S. tariffs and immigration policies are partly to blame.

Yale Universitys Budget Lab considered all U.S. tariffs and foreign retaliation implemented in 2025 through September 26, and said they would result in food prices rising 2.4% in the short-run and staying 2.2% higher in the long-run. [5]

Unfortunately, consumers should not expect a quick break in grocery bills. Its important in an environment of rising prices to watch the unit price on every shelf tag and buy the option that delivers the most for each ounce or pound. You may also need to trade down to store brands when the quality fits your needs. If beef continues to spike, shift your protein mix toward poultry, beans and eggs so your meals stay balanced and your bills stay affordable.

Buy cooking oil when it is on promotion and choose a size you will use before it spoils, then store it in a cool, dark place to preserve freshness. Its also helpful to keep a simple notebook or app on your phone and record the best prices so you recognize a real deal. As you build a small pantry buffer with staples, you may be able to skip a week when prices jump.

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Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

Reuters (1); Reuters (2); Reuters (3); Axios (4); The Budget Lab (5)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Bloom Energy Corporation (NYSE:BE) is one of the Hottest Large-Cap Stocks to Buy Now. On October 13, Tim Moore from Clear Street raised the firms price target on Bloom Energy Corporation (NYSE:BE) from $37 to $43, while maintaining a Hold rating on the stock.

The increased price target follows the companys announcement of a strategic AI infrastructure partnership with Brookfield on October 13. The partnership is worth $5 billion to build AI factories that are capable of meeting the growing demand for artificial intelligence.

The analyst noted that this marks the first solely AI-dedicated investment strategy by Brookfield. Moreover, Moore sees this as a major catalyst for Bloom Energy Corporation (NYSE:BE) as he expects the company to become the preferred onsite power provider due to this new partnership.

Bloom Energy Corporation (NYSE:BE) engages in stationary fuel cell generation that generates clean and reliable electricity.

While we acknowledge the potential of BE 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.
Kim Raff / Bloomberg / Getty Images Zions Bancorp stock fell 13% after it said it would write off $50 million of loans compromised by alleged fraud.

Key Takeaways

Regional bank stocks slumped on Thursday after Zions Bancorp said it would write off loans to two borrowers it accused of fraud.

Zions' write-off added to mounting concerns about lax lending standards and undisclosed entanglements among non-bank financial institutions, with which banks have dramatically increased their business in recent years.

The recent bankruptcies of auto parts maker First Brands and subprime auto lender Tricolor have Wall Street worried that more credit-related losses are on the horizon.

Regional bank stocks tumbled on Thursday after Zions Bancorp said it would write off fraudulent loans made to two borrowers, adding to investors fears about lending standards and stress in credit markets.

Zions Bancorp (ZION) on Thursday said it had recently identified what it believes to be apparent misrepresentations and contractual defaults by two borrowers. As a result, it plans to write off $50 million of the $60 million outstanding on the affected loans.

Shares of Zions dropped 13% on Thursday, leading regional banks lower. The KBW Regional Banking Index fell 6%.

Why This Is Important To You

After the banking crisis of 2023, in which mid-sized lenders like Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank collapsed, bank investors are especially attuned to distress in the loan portfolios of regional lenders. Small losses at one lender can be a warning of similar losses elsewhere, the accumulation of which can put stress on the broader financial system.

Recent Bankruptcies Have Been Red Flags

The recent bankruptcies of two companies in the auto sectorcar dealer Tricolor and auto parts maker First Brandshave cast a spotlight on potential credit market risks. Tricolor is alleged to have fraudulently pledged risky subprime loan portfolios to multiple creditors, while First Brands was allegedly borrowing against invoices to mask the true size of its debt.

Regional lender Fifth Third Bancorp (FTB), in a regulatory filing in early September, said it would take a $170 million charge related to the collapse of subprime auto lender Tricolor. JPMorganChase (JPM) also wrote off $170 million in Tricolor-related loans in the third quarter. And Raistone, which facilitates short-term business loans, has said $2.3 billion has simply vanished as a result of First Brands failure.

The dual bankruptcies have some on Wall Street worried that more credit losses are in the offing. I probably shouldnt say this, but when you see one cockroach, there are probably more, said JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon on Tuesday following the release of a better-than-expected earnings report from the banking giant.
A man who admitted that he killed his ex-girlfriend in the parking lot of a Burlington County car wash was sentenced last week to 21 years in state prison, authorities said Friday.

Antonio Burke, 38, of Palmyra, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in September, according to a statement from the Burlington County Prosecutors Office.

Police were called to a self-service car wash on Filmore Street in Palmyra around 10:45 p.m. on April 18, 2022, for a report of an unconscious woman who was bleeding, according to the prosecutors office.

Officers discovered Alicia Stilley, 28, of Cinnaminson, shot near her vehicle in the parking lot, investigators said. She died from a gunshot wound to her upper chest, an autopsy revealed.

Burke was identified as a suspect and taken into custody a week later at a home in Dallas, Texas, the office said.
Photo by Stephanie Loder - For Times of Trenton

EmPATH, which stands for Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing, provides specialized care for patients experiencing mental or behavioral health crises outside of traditional emergency rooms. Photo by Stephanie Loder - For Times of Trenton

A $4 million state grant will help Jefferson Hospital in Cherry Hill establish a specialized mental health crisis unit.

A state Department of Health grant was presented Oct. 3 by the Camden County Board of Commissioners and representatives from the 6th Legislative District in South Jersey.

The funding will help implement the EmPATH model of care and also support the construction of a 4,000-square-foot facility adjacent to the hospitals existing Emergency Department.

EmPATH, which stands for Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment and Healing, provides specialized care for patients experiencing mental or behavioral health crises outside of traditional emergency rooms.

The EmPATH model allows mental health specialists to evaluate patients in crisis situations while coordinating with other mental health, behavioral health and addiction services.

The award makes Jefferson the first healthcare system in southern New Jersey to implement the innovative care model, according to a statement from county officials.
The wildly popular animated musical film KPop Demon Hunters is returning to theaters.

The most-watched original title in Netflix history, KPop Demon Hunters premiered on the streaming platform in June. A sing-along version of the film was then released in theaters in August. Just a couple of months later, KPop Demon Hunters is returning to the big screen for a Halloween sing-along event.

The KPop Demon Hunters sing-along will be available in all major U.S. theatrical chains  AMC, Regal, and Cinemark  as well as other select theaters. Tickets are on sale now for the limited event, which runs from Friday, Oct. 31, through Sunday, Nov. 2. Fans are invited to come dressed as their favorite character from the film.

KPop Demon Hunters follows Huntr/x, a K-pop girl group who lead double lives as demon hunters. Their musical rivals, boy band the Saja boys, are secretly demons.

Arden Cho (Rumi), May Hong (Mira), and Ji-young Yoo (Zoey) lead the voice cast as the members of Huntr/x. Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami provided the singing voices of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, respectively.

Lost alum Yunjin Kim voices the role of Celine, a former demon hunter and K-pop idol who raised Rumi after her moms death. Broadway star Lea Salonga provided Celines singing voice.

READ MORE: Netflixs Top 10 movies list: This new release beat out KPop Demon Hunters for top spot

The theatrical return proves that fans cant get enough of KPop Demon Hunters and its catchy music. Maggie Kang, who cowrote, co-directed, and created the story of the film, thinks theres room for a sequel.

Theres definitely more we can do with these characters in this world, Kang told the BBC earlier this month.And whatever it will be, it will be a story that deserves to be a sequel, and it will be something that we want to see.

As for the films early Oscars buzz  it has a chance at both Best Animated Film and Best Original Song  Kangs co-director Chris Appelhans told the BBC, We tried to do something new and it was really hard, and I think were really proud of how it came out. If people are going to reward that, that would be awesome.

KPop Demon Hunters is available to stream on Netflix.
A onetime aide to former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was sentenced Friday to 10 years in state prison after being convicted of endangering the welfare of a child, authorities said.

Kevin Tomafsky, 43, of Washington Township, was arrested on Dec. 14, 2022, after a search warrant was executed at his home and investigators found images of child sexual abuse and exploitation on his devices, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutors Office.

Detectives determined that Tomafsky caused some of those images to be made and transmitted to him via the internet, the office said in a statement.

No other details about the case were shared by the office.

Tomafsky, who worked in the governors office from 2010 to 2012, must serve five years in prison before he is eligible for parole, the office said. As of part of his sentence, he will be placed on parole supervision for life and must register as a sex offender upon release.
The N.J. Department of Health is warning of interruptions to SNAP and WIC benefits amid the federal government shutdown. (AP Photo/Allison Dinner, File) AP

The New Jersey Department of Health is warning that the ongoing federal government shutdown could compromise access to the states Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) next month.

The public health department is deeply concerned about interruptions to full and on-time benefit payments in November if the funding lapse continues, according to Jeff Brown, its acting commissioner. The shutdown stretched into its 19th day on Saturday, with no end in sight to the stalemate.

This could make it harder for families across New Jersey to buy the food they need, Brown said in a press release on Friday, adding, Federal uncertainty is also placing significant strain and anxiety on local partners who serve as lifelines for nourishing foods in New Jersey communities.

An alert on the N.J. SNAP website also indicates that SNAP benefits may not be available on time.

It is unclear if SNAP benefits loaded on your Families First EBT card prior to October 31, 2025 will be able to be used after November 1, 2025, the alert reads.

The warning from the New Jersey Department of Health comes as U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced earlier this week that SNAP is expected to run out of money in about two weeks, leaving around 42 million Americans at risk of losing their benefits.

Youre talking about millions and millions of vulnerable families, of hungry families, that are not going to have access to these programs because of this shutdown, Rollins told reporters on Thursday.

More than 800,000 New Jersey residents rely on SNAP every month, according to Brown. The program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services, provides food assistance to low-income families. Approximately 165,000 women and children up to five years old utilize the states WIC program for wholesome food and nutrition and breastfeeding education.

In the press release, Brown said 2026 fiscal year funds for benefits have not yet been appropriated. Meanwhile, cuts to benefits from SNAP will vary by state under President Donald Trumps sprawling tax bill passed earlier this summer. More than 22 million households, including 400,000 in New Jersey, could lose some or all of their benefits, a preliminary analysis found.

It remains unclear whether the Trump administration will step in to fund SNAP benefits. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier this month that $300 million in tariff revenue will be supplied to WIC.

Information for SNAP can be found at NJSNAP.gov and on social media platforms for the N.J. Department of Human Services. For WIC, residents can check for updated notices at NJ.gov/health and on the N.J. Department of Healths social media channels.
Several high-profile Democrats and Republicans are heading to New Jersey to stump for the candidates. NJ Advance Media photo illustration | Photos by Ed Murray

In an election drawing nationwide attention, both candidates vying to become New Jerseys next governor are bringing in national figures to boost their campaigns.

Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli are spending the final weeks campaigning alongside high-profile politicians to convince voters they are the best choice.

Sherrill plans to appear this weekend with a pair of Democratic governors: Michigans Gretchen Whitmer at a campaign event Saturday and with Marylands Wes Moore, that states first Black governor, at another event Sunday.

Last weekend, Sherrill campaigned with U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, a former presidential candidate, and former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, who runs a national think tank on gun policy. Former U.S. Secretary of State and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton headlined a small fundraiser for Sherrill in Manhattan this past week.

Former President Barack Obama also endorsed Sherrill in video ad.

Ciattarelli, meanwhile, campaigned this week with former Republican presidential candidate and current Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

Last weekend, Ciattarelli campaigned with several MAGA influencers during a rally in Wildwood, as well as U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler of New York, who built his reputation by winning in a swing district that former President Joe Biden carried by 10 points.

Axios reported that President Donald Trump and his allies will pour resources into the race in its final weeks to boost Ciattarelli, including the president holding telephone rallies. Trump is not expected to appear in person in the state.

Sherrill and Ciattarelli are leaning on national figures as the race becomes a referendum on Americas political temperature in the wake of Trumps election. Its one of only two gubernatorial elections in the country this November, along with Virginia.

Several polls have said the race is close. But a Fairleigh Dickinson University poll released Friday found Sherrill leads Ciattarelli by 7 percentage points, with less than three weeks to go to Election Day.

The survey found Sherrill ahead of Ciattarelli 52% to 45%.

New Jersey has traditionally been a blue state, but voter turnout has been a consistent concern for Democrats in the state and nationwide. New Jersey still has more Democratic voters, but Republicans have been registering more people.

Since 2021, Democrats have lost 51,000 voters overall, while Republicans have gained 163,800. The GOP gained voters in 20 of New Jerseys 21 counties, and the number of Democrats shrank in 14 counties over the last four years.

Both Sherrill and Ciattarelli are running to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy. Election Day in Nov. 4.
Authorities are saying little about the incident at a Rutgers fraternity house that left a student critically injured. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Editors Note: An earlier version of this story had incorrect information about who owns the property. The story was updated on Oct. 20 to reflect that its owned by Alpha Sigma Phi.

A parent of a Rutgers University student who lived at the fraternity house where a 19-year-old was critically injured says the tragedy was rooted in years of housing neglect  not hazing, as some have speculated.

However, the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office says its investigating the matter and has not yet determined what had unfolded.

The parent, who asked not to be named to protect her sons privacy, described a chaotic and traumatic night at the off-campus residence at 106 College Ave.

In an interview with NJ Advance Media, she said her son and other fraternity brothers were gathered at the house when a student was electrocuted after coming into contact with exposed wiring in the basement.

My son feels awful for this, she said. All of the boys do.

According to her account, a group of students were listening to music in the dark when the incident occurred.

The injured student either leaned back or stepped into live wires, according to the mother.

Another student who attempted to pull him away was also shocked, she said.

The fraternity members initially called 911 but, fearing a delay, drove the injured student to the hospital themselves, she added. This, however, contradicts a statement issued earlier by the prosecutors office, which said the student was found unresponsive at the scene and transported to the hospital.

The mother said she didnt learn what had happened until the next morning  after her son and roughly two dozen other fraternity members were taken to the police station and held overnight.

Their phones were confiscated, she added, and her son has since been using borrowed devices to contact her.

She emphasized that, while pledges were present, she does not believe hazing was involved.

Instead, she pointed to longstanding concerns about the houses condition.

That house has been in disrepair for years, she said.

Inspection records obtained by NJ Advance Media confirm that the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity house at 106 College Ave. had been plagued by serious safety violations.

The property  managed by CLVEN, the national housing arm of Alpha Sigma Phi  was formally declared uninhabitable just days after the incident, following a string of failed inspections and a $10,000 fine issued earlier this year.

In September, just weeks before the incident, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs rescinded the propertys certificate of inspection.

A follow-up report found at least 19 violations still open, including obstructed exits, non-functioning fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and areas inspectors were unable to access.

The student who was injured has not yet been publicly identified.

The incident has prompted investigations by police and Rutgers, and the fraternity has been suspended.

The national organization said it is conducting its own investigation and pledged to permanently expel any member found to have participated in hazing.

There has been no official report of hazing at the frat house. Rutgers officials and the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office have not commented further since initial reports of the incident.

Requests for comment from Alpha Sigma Phi and CLVEN were not immediately returned.

Despite fraternity members being barred from living in the house since the incident, the parent said she received a rent reminder for the upcoming month and that no one has offered her son permanent alternative housing.

This house has concerned me, she said. Ive tried to get him to look for other housing because it was clearly unsafe. What happened couldve happened to anyone.
Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) is included among the 10 Best Beaten Down Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now.

DA Davidson Cuts Target Price to $108, Keeps Buy Rating on Target Corporation (TGT)

Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash

On October 13, DA Davidson cut its price target on Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) from $115 to $108 but maintained a Buy rating on the stock. The firm also added Target to its Stampede List, noting that an Equity/Debt Recapitalization could act as a potential catalyst. According to the firm, the companys shares have fallen roughly 65% from their pandemic-era peak and are down over 34% so far this year.

DA Davidson suggested that under a leveraged buyout scenario, buyers would need to achieve an annual EBITDA increase of 2.8% over the next five years to deliver a 25% internal rate of return. While Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) continues to face fundamental challenges, the firm noted that margins appear to be stabilizing, and management guidance points toward a gradual improvement.

Consumers continue to struggle with elevated prices, tighter budgets, and growing uncertainty tied to shifting tariff policies and a slowing US economy. These conditions have weighed heavily on Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT), contributing to softer sales performance.

Even so, Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) dividend remains a key source of stability, providing steady returns for shareholders amid a difficult retail environment. The company has been growing its dividends for 54 consecutive years and currently offers a quarterly dividend of $1.14 per share. As of October 16, the stock has a dividend yield of 5.06%.

While we acknowledge the potential of TGT 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 Dividend Stocks That Have Raised Payouts for 20+ Years and 12 Must-Buy Dividend Stocks to Invest in

Disclosure: None.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 11F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 11F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.
After A&Es Homicide Squad New Orleans faced criticism for giving camera crews intimate access to active homicide scenesand ignited a dispute between Project NOLA and the NOPD over the use of the formers crime scene footagea proposed ordinance could ban reality TV shows featuring first responders from filming in New Orleans.
Zimbabwe's ruling party says upgraded Zimbabwe-China ties bring tangible benefits

Xinhua) 15:36, October 18, 2025

HARARE, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF party has hailed the upgraded Zimbabwe-China as it is bringing tangible benefits to the African country.

Party Spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa said Thursday at a press conference in Harare, the country's capital, that Zimbabwe's time-honored friendship with China keeps getting edified, bringing tangible benefits to the Zimbabwean people and the economy.

"The good thing about Chinese investment in Zimbabwe now is that their private companies are coming in to invest and produce goods in Zimbabwe," Mutsvangwa said.

"We are harnessing our friendship with China because now we have upgraded our relationship to an all-weather community with a shared future," he said, adding that Zimbabwe's economic recovery and progress are being driven largely by Chinese investment.

Mutsvangwa thanked China for standing with Zimbabwe in calling for the removal of Western sanctions on the country, noting that China's support, among other nations, strengthened Zimbabwe to forge ahead through difficulties.

"So if somebody had not stood with us, it would have been very difficult to overcome our challenges, but the Chinese were there with us and we are very grateful," he said, adding that the bilateral relationship is precious.

China and Zimbabwe established diplomatic relations in 1980. In September, the two countries announced upgrading their relations to an all-weather community with a shared future.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Kou Jie)
Disney (DIS) stock is down just over 1% this year and is underperforming the market by a wide margin. While the stock eked out a 23% gain in 2024, which was in line with the S&P 500 Index ($SPX), it underperformed the broader market in the previous three years.

The underperformance has been frustrating, to say the least, especially as there has been a marked turnaround at the company since Bob Iger returned as CEO in November 2022 and embarked on a transformation plan. The turnaround is evident in the companys streaming business, which posted an operating profit of $346 million in the most recent quarter. For context, that segment posted an operating loss of almost $1.5 billion in fiscal Q4 2022, which was the last full quarter under former CEO Bob Chapek. However, despite the streaming turnaround, Disney has failed to win over Wall Street, and the stock has continued its underperformance.

More News from Barchart

www,barchart.com

Why Is Disney Stock Falling?

Disney is battling several issues, including low tourist arrivals in the U.S. as President Donald Trumps immigration policies have deterred many would-be theme park attendees. On the domestic front, while Disney has tried to allay fears about the health of the U.S. consumer, markets are concerned about a slowdown in spending, which could take a toll on traffic at the companys theme parks. Then there are lingering concerns over Disneys linear TV business, which continues to be in a structural decline.

The company has also ruffled feathers on both sides of the political divide, leading to calls for boycotts.

DIS Stock Forecast

Sell-side analysts are meanwhile quite upbeat on Disney, and it has a consensus rating of Strong Buy from the 28 analysts polled by Barchart. The stocks mean target price is $136.38, which is over 22% higher than the Oct. 15 closing price.

www.barchart.com

Should You Buy Disney Stock?

I find Disney stock a buy for the following reasons:

Streaming Business Continues to Do Well: While Disneys streaming business has turned profitable, its margins are still on the lower side, and the company expects to eventually post double-digit margins like Netflixs (NFLX). While that target might seem a bit lofty given where things stand today, there is a lot of room for Disney to improve that segments margins, especially as it scales up ad sales on the ad-supported tier. It is also increasing the prices for its streaming service, effective Oct. 21, which should further bolster that segments profitability.
Six young artists from Devon, including two 12-year-olds from Pilton Community College in Barnstaple, have been recognised for their creativity in this years Devon CPRE Best Young Landscape Artist Competition.

Judges Penny Mills, Devon CPREs Director, and Exeter-based professional landscape painter Kath Hadden said the six winning entries stood out for their distinctive approaches and personal connection to the landscape.

The artworks capture a range of Devon scenes, with one reflecting current threats to the countryside and farming, and another, Kath noted, evoking the work of celebrated British contemporary artist Kurt Jackson through its depiction of light on the sea.

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In the 711 age category, the winner was 9-year-old Arabella Durman from Tiverton, who presented a unique view of the countryside seen between a horses ears. Runners up were 7-year-old Constance Passera from Beaworthy, who drew Brentor on Dartmoor, described as her all-time favourite place in the world, and 10-year-old Josiah Wort from Bideford, whose oil pastel depiction of Shelstone Tor in Dartmoor, titled Wild Camp on Dartmoor, impressed the judges.

For the 1217 age group, the winner was 12-year-old Poppy Fellows from Pilton Community College, whose painting of Hartlands coast was praised for its vibrant use of colour. Runners up were 17-year-old Jessica Horton from Roborough, Plymouth, whose pen and ink drawing of Firestone Bay in South Devon was described as very accomplished, and 12-year-old Seth Davies, also from Pilton, with his watercolour of the North Devon Coast Path featuring a cheeky fox.

Winners receive 100 each, with runners up awarded 25. Their work will be on display at the Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton from today until Saturday 8 November.

Penny Mills said, Its always a delight to open my post in the runup to the competition deadline. Every time we hold this competition, the works submitted are wonderfully varied, both in the choice of landscapes and the media used to depict them. Kath and I were in complete agreement this year over the work that really stood out and resonated with us, so there was no need for our usual lengthy discussions about the winners. Congratulations to them all.

Kath Hadden also provided personal feedback for each artist. She said, All three of the 711 Category had a strong sense of place and very personal connections to the landscape.

She wrote:

Many congratulations, Arabella. I loved your drawing - I kept going back to look at it and finding more and more to see. Its a clever idea to show what you can see between the horses ears. You have also created an important narrative, telling the story of British farming.

Congratulations, Constance, on a beautiful drawing of Brentor - a lovely composition. I love the church on the hill and the animals.

Josiahs oil pastel piece takes me straight to Dartmoor. I love the way he has drawn the heavy rocks of Shelstone Tor, and the small orange tent tucked in the shelter of the Tor.

Poppys landscape painting of Hartland in North Devon immediately struck me. An exceptional piece of work showing great use of colour. I particularly love the way Poppy has captured the light on the water, reminiscent of Kurt Jackson. Congratulations, Poppy.

Jessicas pen and watercolour of Firestone Bay captures the area beautifully. Lovely perspective and I particularly love the pebbles in the foreground."

Seths watercolour of a North Devon Coast Path makes me immediately want to walk through that gate to find out what lies beyond. I love the cheeky fox sitting under the tree, and the contrast between the rugged coastpath and the more managed area within the dry stone wall.
Berkshire Hathaway, with Warren Buffett still at the helm, announced on Oct. 2 its acquisition of OxyChem, Occidental Petroleums chemical business, for $9.7 billion in cash.

Throughout his lifetime, Buffett has stood by the tenets of value investing  seeking out companies with stock prices that are lower than the intrinsic value of the business.

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According to Lawrence Cunningham, a corporate director who has written multiple books on Berkshire Hathaway, this deal fits well into the companys playbook. He told Business Insider (BI) it displays three of the hallmarks of a Buffett deal: simplicity, durability and mutual benefit. (1) Occidental has accumulated debt in recent years. Berkshire owns a one-quarter stake in Occidental, so the deal secures the conglomerate a new business while helping Occidental pay off debts and strengthen operations.

A win-win, analyst Brett Gardner told BI.

Some of Buffetts followers are wondering if this is the Oracle of Omahas last deal before he steps down as CEO of Berkshire at the end of the year  the cherry on top of a long, fruitful career. But others, like Gardner, wonder if Buffett still has time for a surprise or two before he steps down.

Is this Buffett's last deal?

Buffett may be preparing to hand over control of Berkshires day-to-day operations to his successor, Greg Abel, but the 95-year-old wont be left completely out of the loop. Hes staying on as chairman of the board.

So, while its unknown what lies ahead as the year winds down, it appears that Buffett still has his wits about him. Even after Abels transition to the CEO position, the pair may continue to collaborate.

Read more: Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US  with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in great wealth. How to get in now

Greg isn't going to let the best capital allocator of all time sit on the sidelines if opportunities pop up, Gardner said. Even if Abel has final say on business decisions, that doesnt mean [Buffett] cant be useful.

Eagle-eyed observers might note, however, that Abel, not Buffett, is the Berkshire executive quoted in the press release announcing the companys acquisition of OxyChem, underlining the possibility this could be Berkshires last big deal under Buffett. (2)
A popular restaurant in Tullamore has reopened after a massive 2million refurbishment.

McDonalds Ireland has reopened its Tullamore restaurant in Offaly following a major refurbishment project worth over 2 million. Located on the Church Road in Tullamore, it originally opened in 1998.

The significant investment in the new-look restaurant is set to create an additional 20 jobs over the coming months, bringing the total number of employees at the restaurant to more than 95 employees.

The refurbishment forms part of McDonalds newest restaurant upgrade programme, which is seeing the brand shake up the way its stores across the UK and Ireland operate.

McDonald's says the upgraded restaurant design has been developed to reflect the variety in ordering methods, as well as to keep pace with customer expectations now and in the future.

Upgrades to the restaurant at Tullamore include a new kitchen design with a bigger order assembly area helping to deliver a faster and more efficient experience for customers and crew. The refurb also welcomes a remodelled dining area, refurbished customers toilets and an expanded drive-thru lane to accommodate additional orders during busy periods.

A new kitchen design will see a bigger order assembly area that will allow extra capacity for the crew to undertake more orders and serve more quickly than ever before. Improvements have also been made to the crew member room to create a more relaxing and comfortable space for employees.

The Tullamore McDonalds is owned and operated by Franchisee Sean Quirke who also manages several McDonalds restaurants across Tipperary, Laois, Kildare and Dublin.

Commenting on the reopening, Sean Quirke said: Were thrilled to welcome customers back to our newly refurbished Tullamore restaurant. Following an intensive almost six weeks of transforming our restaurant. We are excited for our loyal guests to experience the upgrades firsthand. The enhancements to McDonalds Church Road, Tullamore are designed to deliver a faster, more seamless and more convenient experience for everyone who walks through our doors.

The McDonalds restaurant in Tullamore is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 23.00
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:

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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

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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.

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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.
Beyond the Internet: 5 DARPA Secrets That Will Change Humanity Forever

Every time you use your phones GPS, search online, or benefit from voice recognition, you are interacting with a world built by a ghost. Even the stealth technology that defines modern warfare and the microscopic systems (MEMS) that deploy your car's airbags trace their origins not to Silicon Valley, but to the ambitions of a single, secretive U.S. government agency: The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA.

For decades, this organization has operated in the shadows, quietly engineering the future. Our deep-dive reporting reveals a pattern of influence that has moved methodically from the external networks you use to read this article to the internal frontiers of human biology and consciousness. We've uncovered five key realities about DARPA that expose its profound and often unsettling role in shaping our past, present, and future.

If DARPA created the world we know today, what world is it building for tomorrow?

1. The Internet Was a Battlefield Before It Was Your Browser

The internet began in the 1960s as a DARPA project called ARPANET. Created in the shadow of the Cold War and in response to the Russian Sputnik launch, its stated purpose was optimistic: to serve as a means of global resource sharing. It was a tool to connect researchers, fostering collaboration.

That idyllic vision is now a historical artifact. The Department of Defense (DoD), DARPA's parent organization, has openly re-defined the internet as "a battlefield." This is not a metaphor. It means the global network is now an active theater of operations where the DoD pursues daily cyberwarfare. In this new reality, the DoD openly uses social media as collectors of personal data as well. The original dream of open resource sharing has been completely eclipsed by a new paradigm of state surveillance and perpetual digital conflict.

2. DARPA is Moving from Networking Computers to Networking Brains

Having conquered the digital world, DARPA has turned its focus inward to the human brain. The agencys Next-Generation Nonsurgical Neurotechnology (N3) program is funding the development of Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) with the explicit goal of enhancing "battlefield success."

One of the leading companies in this field is the Australian firm Synchron, which received $10 million in crucial seed money from DARPA and is now also backed by tech billionaires Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates. While the technology promises to help individuals with paralysis, its military applications are the primary driver. DARPA envisions soldiers flying swarms of drones with their thoughts, but the research goes further. N3 developers are working on technology to "use the system to transmit images from' the visual cortex of one person to that of another."

The scale of this shift is not lost on its proponents. As OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, a key figure in the AI and BCI space, has stated, this technology represents a historic turning point.

"I think it will be the most significant technological transformation in human history. I think it will eclipse the agricultural revolution and the industrial revolution, the Internet revolution all put together."

3. The Pentagon, Not Big Pharma, Ran the COVID "Warp Speed" Playbook

The official story of the COVID-19 pandemic response is a carefully constructed myth that omits its primary engine: the Pentagon. While the public was told that pharmaceutical giants were racing to create a vaccine, a defense agency was already years ahead. In January 2017, shortly after Donald J. Trump's presidential inauguration, DARPA launched its Pandemic Prevention Platform (P3), a program with the audacious goal of being able to take any new virus and deliver a treatment in under 60 days.

When COVID-19 emerged, P3 was ready. Working with partners like AbCellera and Eli Lilly, DARPA was instrumental in the rapid development of a monoclonal antibody solution, LY-CoV555, as a "stop-gap measure" to protect people while a vaccine was developed. The timeline was stunning: a blood sample from a surviving patient was obtained on February 25, 2020, and by June 1, the companies announced a viable therapeutic. The fact that a defense agency, not a public health organization, was the hidden prime mover fundamentally changes our understanding of the pandemic response.

4. Presidents and Insiders Warned Us This Was Coming

Concerns about an unelected, permanent national security state are not conspiracy theories; they are firsthand accounts from the highest levels of power. For over 60 years, presidents and high-level insiders have been sounding the alarm.

The most famous warning came from President Dwight D. Eisenhower in his 1961 farewell address, when the five-star general told the American public to "Beware the Military-Industrial-Complex (MIC)." Even President Harry Truman, who created the CIA, wrote an op-ed one month after JFK's assassination expressing his regret, stating the agency was "casting a shadow over our historic position."

More recently, Mike Lofgren, a Republican Congressional staff member for 28 years, defined this apparatus from the inside as a "hybrid of corporate America and the national security state." These warnings are describing the very system this article is exposing. In case there was any doubt about DARPAs role, one inside analysis put it bluntly: "I would say that DARPA is the driver of the military industrial complex."

5. Your Own Mind is the Final Frontier

The final frontier for this apparatus is not outer space, but inner space: the human mind. The convergence of AI, BCI, and the national security state now presents the ultimate threat. The controversial appointment of Paul M. Nakasone, a retired US Army general and former head of the National Security Agency (NSA), to the board of directors of OpenAI sent shockwaves through the privacy community.

The synergy became terrifyingly clear with the subsequent announcement that the DARPA-funded company Synchron plans to upload OpenAI's ChatGPT directly to its mind-reading brain implant. An intelligence agency's former chief will now have oversight of an AI that is being directly integrated into a mind-reading device that the Pentagon's research arm funded into existence.

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden summed up the danger in a stark public warning.

"They've gone full mask-off: do not ever trust @OpenAI or its products (ChatGPT etc). There is only one reason for appointing an @NSAGov Director to your board. This is a willful, calculated betrayal of the rights of every person on Earth."

Conclusion: Who Guards the Guardians?

From the invisible networks that carry our data to the biological code that defines our health and the neural pathways that form our thoughts, a single, shadowy agency has been a hidden hand shaping our world. DARPA operates at the bleeding edge of science, making secret decisions with profound consequences for every person on the planet. Its innovations are remaking what it means to be human.

As DARPA continues to innovate in the shadows, pursuing technologies with the power to control populations and redefine reality, one question remains unanswered: Who holds it accountable for the future it is building for all of us?
More than 120 million people have been displaced from their homes due to war, climate change, political instability and oppression in the past few years, a figure that has doubled in the last decade. Millions more are living in vulnerable situations as stateless individuals, frequently unable to exercise even their most basic rights.

The population of displaced persons is larger than that of more than 220 countries and dependent territories. In other words, only 12 countries in the world have a population larger than 120 million people. As the UN High Commissioner for Refugees explains, one out of every 67 people on Earth is displaced from their homes. More than 20 people are forced to flee every minute of every day according to the International Rescue Committee. These figures do not even account for the day-to-day oppression that millions, if not billions, face but who are unable or reluctant to leave to seek a safe haven.

Most refugees in the world are either internally displaced in or are fleeing from the following countries: Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Myanmar, Palestine, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen.

As violence, war, and climate destruction affect more countries and regions of the world, the growing numbers of refugees and migrants could put a strain on social systems. National governments have responded to immigration flows in different ways, some limiting immigrants from entering their claimed territories and others welcoming newcomers. Just five countries -- Iran, Turkey, Colombia, Germany, and Uganda -- have welcomed almost 40% of the world's refugees and others fleeing persecution and war.

The nation-state system has created the refugee and stateless person, as well as the severe problems associated with being considered outside the law or without legal status. All human beings are legal and have rights that should be respected wherever they live. Yet, due to violations of their human rights frequently perpetuated by or ignored by national governments, thousands of people flee their homes and countries every day trying to find safety, stability, and asylum.

By dividing up the world into 200 or so different countries, we have created in and out groups, with some achieving dignity, acceptance, inclusion, and rights fulfillment, and others being treated as less than human, unable to meet their basic daily needs. This disparity of treatment destabilizes society.

Why should our fellow humans have to flee to have their rights and basic needs upheld? Why are millions stuck in refugee camps with inadequate food, housing, healthcare, education, and opportunity?

To have the kind of world in which the rights reaffirmed in various declarations and treaties such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights are fully met, we should all be able to claim, and then exercise, our rights no matter where we happen to live on the planet. Human rights and duties are not bound by territory; they are not dependent upon the nation-state in which one happens to be born or where one happens to live.

Human rights are innate and inalienable; we are born with them, and we cannot give them up. We have them simply by being human.

What if we were to claim a citizenship that inherently affirms our rights wherever we find ourselves on planet Earth?

If everyone had citizenship everywhere, statelessness would no longer exist, and only natural disasters would forcibly displace people. With world citizenship, if we do not like where we live, if we do not like the politics or the rulers, then we could choose to live somewhere else, rather than being forced to flee for our safety and livelihood.

World citizenship, as a valid and legal citizenship beyond any other status that someone may carry, would ensure that everyone has at least one citizenship that, in its inclusiveness, upholds our concomitant rights and duties.

Requiring all governments to respect world citizenship status legally is the next step, a step that will support millions of displaced persons, by ensuring that governments will begin to fulfill their obligations to respect refugees, stateless and displaced persons' innate and inalienable rights. To promote respect for this highest citizenship status, global institutions of law, such as a World Court of Human Rights and a World Parliament of the people, must be established.

World citizenship, as the highest level of allegiance, empowers us to focus on equity, justice, sustainability, unity, and harmony with each other and the Earth.

As long as we, the people of the world, allow the nation-state system to maintain the arbitrary and exclusive borders that divide humans from one another, immigration will continue to be viewed as a problem rather than as an educational, economic, political, and social opportunity. When we respect each other, our rights and duties, as world citizens, the entire earth will be a sanctuary of peace and safety for all.

David Gallup is a human rights attorney, President of World Service Authority, Convenor of the World Court of Human Rights Coalition, and a Board Member of Citizens for Global Solutions Education Fund.


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No Kings rallies were held internationally on Sat Oct. 18.

Reuters stated that more than2,600 rallies were planned across the U.S., and millions of people were expected to turn out by day-end.

According to wiki, approximately 200 organizations partnered for the October 18 protests, including 50501 and Indivisible groups, as well as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the American Federation of Teachers, Common Defense, the Human Rights Campaign, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), the League of Conservation Voters, MoveOn, Public Citizen, United We Dream, and Working Families Power.

Euronews stated that protests in Europe in solidarity with the U.S. movement took place in several major cities, including Berlin, Paris, Lisbon, Madrid, Rome, and more. Several social media posts noted that at least 18 countries were joining the No Kings demonstrations

Bernie Sanders spoke to the crowd in Washington DC:

According to Jane Harper writing for the Virginian-Pilot, "Thousands who came out to protest President Donald Trump and his administration at a No Kings rally held in Virginia Beach's Town Center were dispersed by law enforcement earlier than the protest was scheduled to conclude. Virginia Beach Police Department officers asked protesters to leave about an hour and half early because the crowds size." On Friday, Virginia's governor, Republican Glen Youngkin authorized members of the National Guard to be placed in state active duty status ahead of the many rallies planned in the commonwealth.

If you attended an event and have photos, please post in the comments!
Ever since Chicagos Robert Prevost became Pope Leo XIV, I've held back from judging the direction of his papacy. When people asked what I thought, I'd say, I'm slow to comment. He hasn't yet tipped his hand.

Now, with the publication of the apostolic exhortation Dilexi Te, the cards are finally on the table. Though written by Pope Francis before his death, Pope Leo has fully endorsed and expanded it embracing it as co-author and carrying forward its message with enthusiasm.

As a liberation theologian, I find this development deeply encouraging. Dilexi Te is a clear affirmation of liberation theology (LT) which I define as reflection on the following of Christ from the viewpoint of the poor and oppressed, committed to escaping their poverty and oppression.

This essay will (1) review what liberation theology is, (2) explain why it so threatens Christian fundamentalists, and (3) show how Dilexi Te embodies its spirit.

Liberation theology reflects on Christian faith through the lived experiences of the poor and oppressed. Unlike Christian fundamentalism, it aligns with modern biblical scholarship while remaining accessible to ordinary people, many of them illiterate.

Following the Second Vatican Council (1962-'65), liberation theology swept across the Global South especially Latin America where the Church turned decisively toward the poor. Small Bible study groups became the heart of parish life. Reading Scripture together, peasants and workers discovered their own struggles mirrored in those of the Hebrews oppressed by Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Greek, and Roman empires.

Most powerfully, they recognized themselves in Jesus of Nazareth: not white, but brown-skinned; not privileged, but working-class; the son of an unwed teenage mother, homeless at birth, a political refugee in Egypt, a friend of prostitutes and outcasts. He was marginalized by his religious community and executed by imperial authorities as a supposed terrorist.

Such readings of Scripture awakened the poor to the causes of their oppression and infuriated the empires profiting from it. The United States, long dominant over its former colonies, perceived liberation theology as a national security threat.

What followed was, in Noam Chomskys words, the first religious war of the twenty-first century: a U.S.-backed campaign against the Latin American Church. Thousands of priests, nuns, catechists, union organizers, teachers, and social workers were murdered in Argentina, Brazil, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and elsewhere during the 1960s, '70s, and '80s.

Simultaneously, Washington funded fundamentalist televangelists such as Jimmy Swaggart, Jim and Tammy Bakker and later, figures like Charlie Kirk to counter liberation theology with "old-time religion." Their broadcasts, bankrolled by U.S. dollars, saturated Latin Americas barrios, favelas, and poblaciones.

Unlike liberation theology, fundamentalism endorsed empire, patriarchy, white supremacy, and xenophobia. It rejected modern biblical scholarship especially the historical studies that, ironically, reached many of the same conclusions as liberation theology.

For a time, these tactics succeeded. The CIA and U.S. military even boasted of having defeated liberation theology. Christianity, in the public imagination, came to mean not liberation but obedience focused on heaven and hell, nationalism, and protection of the imperial status quo.

That narrative began to change with the rise of Pope Francis and, now, Pope Leo XIV. Both come from Latin America, where liberation theology was born anew. Pope Leo's Peru, in fact, is the homeland of Gustavo Gutierrez, the movement's founder.

Francis, an Argentinian, initially distrusted liberation theology because of its use of Marxist social analysis. But over time, he came to embrace its core insight: God's preferential option for the poor. He restored theologians like Gutierrez silenced under Pope Benedict XVI to full standing within the Church.

As Joseph Ratzinger, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Benedict had authored a cautious 1984 critique, Instruction on Certain Aspects of the Theology of Liberation. Even then, he conceded that the biblical God does indeed side with the poor acknowledging that this preference is central to the Judeo-Christian tradition.

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Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR) is included among the 12 Best Nuclear Power Dividend Stocks to Buy Now.

Entergy Corporation (ETR) Price Target Raised by BMO Capital

Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR) is an integrated energy company that provides electricity to 3 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The company also owns, operates, and supports a fleet of five reactors in the United States with a generation capacity of approximately 5 GW. With a renewed global spotlight on nuclear energy, the utility is looking to expand its nuclear power output by upgrading its existing plants across the country.

Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR) garnered increased investor attention this week after BMO Capital raised the stocks price target from $96 to $104, while keeping an Outperform rating on its shares. The analyst expects the company to feature a constructive plan in its Q3 results, including load growth, investment opportunities, rate base, financing, etc.

Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR) hit an all-time high last week after it was announced that the utility will power Googles planned $4 billion technology investment in Arkansas. The facility will be powered by Entergys existing portfolio and transmission grid, further bolstered by a new 600 MW solar project and backed by a 350 MW battery storage system located in Jefferson County.

As of the writing of this piece, Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR) boasts an annual dividend yield of 2.48%.

While we acknowledge the potential of ETR 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 Best Nuclear Power Stocks to Buy According to Analysts and 12 Best LNG Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds.

Disclosure: None.
Liam Spahnle-Bailey died Sunday, April 27, 2025, after a stray bullet him him while he was sleeping in his father's Gresham apartment. Courtesy of Gresham Police Department

Police on Friday arrested another suspect in the shooting death of a 13-year-old in Gresham.

U.S Marshals, Beaverton police and Washington County Sheriffs deputies tracked down Xavier Hirsch, 20, at a residence in Beaverton and arrested him on a warrant, according to court records and the Gresham Police Department.

Hirsch faces charges of second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and unlawful use of a weapon for his involvement in the April 27 killing of 13-year-old Liam Spahnle-Bailey while the boy slept in his familys Gresham apartment, police and court records say.

Two other people  Anthony Hunter Jr., 21, and Terrell Coy, 17  were also indicted on second-degree murder charges, and police caught Hunter Sept. 9. Coy remains at large, and the U.S. Marshals service is offering a reward of $5,000 for information leading to his arrest.

Spahnle-Bailey was sleeping on an air mattress in the living room of his apartment at the Eleven Pines complex on Southwest 11th Street, near Powell Boulevard and Southeast 182nd Street, when gunfire pierced the walls of his room, police said.

One of the bullets hit Spahnle-Bailey, and he died from his injuries hours later.

Police ask anyone with information to contact the Gresham Police tip line at 503-618-2719 or 888-989-3505. Information can also be emailed to investigators via at Martin.Daly@GreshamOregon.gov or Lindsay.Friderich@GreshamOregon.gov.
The measles virus was detected in routine wastewater testing in Marion County in early October, according to the Oregon Health Authority. Pictured is an undated from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the skin of a patient after three days with measles rash. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Traces of the measles virus were found in a wastewater sample collected earlier this month from a Marion County treatment facility, state health officials announced Friday.

The virus was detected during routine wastewater sampling on Oct. 6, according to the Oregon Health Authority. The detection suggests that at least one person had measles in the area, health officials said.

A single positive water sample does not show whether there is ongoing risk to the community and that its possible that a person with measles was just traveling in the area, health officials said.

Dr. Howard Chiou, medical director for communicable disease and immunizations at the Oregon Health Authority, said wastewater surveillance works like a ping on a radar. It can pick up low levels of a virus moving through a community or signal the start of a larger outbreak, he said.

Chiou said this early warning helps health care providers prepare and remind patients to protect themselves by staying up to date on their measles vaccinations.

While most Oregonians have been vaccinated, health officials said the virus poses a serious risk to those who are not, especially pregnant people, infants under 1 year old and those with weakened immune systems.

Measles is a respiratory disease that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Its notoriously contagious  nine out of 10 unvaccinated people near someone with measles can become infected, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Measles typically starts with symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. A few days later, a characteristic red rash breaks out, usually starting on the face and spreading downward.

The disease can also lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling and, in rare cases, death. According to the CDC, there have been three confirmed measles-related deaths in the U.S. this year.

Oregon health officials have confirmed only one case of measles so far this year  an unvaccinated adult from Multnomah County who tested positive in June after returning from an overseas trip. Last year, the state recorded 31 confirmed cases.

Across the U.S., the CDC has confirmed 1,573 measles this year. Thats already more than four times the number of confirmed cases last year.

Most cases are linked to outbreaks  defined as three or more connected infections  and nearly 90% of the people who got sick were either unvaccinated or didnt know their vaccination status. So far, there have been 44 measles outbreaks in 41 states this year, according to the CDCs latest data.
For more than an hour Wednesday, several armed ICE officers repeatedly shouted the name of a man from the outside of a Gresham apartment.

Maricruz Andres, 24, and her 3-month-old baby were inside, along with her stepfather and brother. None of them recognized the name that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were yelling, she said.

The family didnt come out. But the officers finally came in, pushing through the apartments locked door and then busting into the bedroom where Andres and the others had taken refuge.

The babys wail could be heard in the background on a video that Andres took as the officers arrested the two men, leading them out of the room with their hands on their heads.

The agents displayed no warrant, Andres said. They had rifles drawn when they opened the rooms door, the video showed.

Lawyers for immigrants, immigrant advocacy groups and volunteers who help people seek resources and legal assistance all said the Trump administrations immigration crackdown appears to have intensified recently in Oregon, especially in the last week as protests have continued to gain national attention at the ICE field office in South Portland.

In the last two months, according to interviews, police reports, court records and videos shared with The Oregonian/OregonLive, immigration agents have pulled a group of Latino high school students out of a car at gunpoint twice in one day in Hillsboro, arrested four Latino construction workers at a job site in Gresham and kept a Latino man on the ground in the middle of a Portland street for nearly two minutes with an agent on top while the man screamed in Spanish that he couldnt breathe.

Thats in addition to mistakenly arresting a U.S. citizen  another Latino man  outside his worksite earlier this month in a case the newsroom previously reported.

Some residents also have confronted agents or documented ICE actions in their neighborhoods. In Hillsboro, a video posted on social media showed neighbors blocking their street as a black ICE minivan drives onto a sidewalk to get around them.

Volunteers with the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition, which helps monitor ICE arrests in Oregon, noted a dramatic increase in the calls to its hotline, going from about 20 to 40 a month last year to now about 700 a month, including reports of arrests, suspected ICE sightings and requests for know-your-rights information.

They also said ICE officers have changed their strategy recently, moving to make arrests later in the day with more officers showing up at stores, other businesses and public spaces where they expect to find people of color.

This past Monday, ICE agents parked at the entrance to Wood Middle School in Wilsonville but moved when school officials asked them to park elsewhere. Agents were doing surveillance of the general area, school officials said they were told.

On Thursday, a large white bus that transports people to the regional immigration detention center in Tacoma was seen pulling into Portlands ICE compound.

A federal lawsuit filed this week by immigration lawyers alleges ICE agents have deliberately kept lawyers away from people detained at ICE field offices in Oregon and said enforcement has notably risen in Hillsboro, Eugene and Woodburn.

The stakes for Oregonians caught up in this unlawful dragnet are high, the lawsuit reads.

Some of those arrested may not only be rapidly transferred outside of Oregon, but they can be moved quickly to countries such as South Sudan, Eswatini, El Salvador or Libya, where theyve never been before, according to the suit. Lawyers didnt list any examples of Oregonians sent to a different country other than their native nation, but such removals have happened nationally.

U.S. Homeland Security officials have declined multiple requests for the number of arrests made by immigration officers in the Portland metro area and Oregon at large, so most groups that track detentions rely on word of mouth, videos and anecdotes.

The federal officials also have declined to answer questions about the immigration status of most of the people whose arrests or stops end up on social media or otherwise make it into public view.

Tricia McLaughlin, a Homeland Security spokesperson, said only that the Trump administration is on track nationwide to deport 600,000 people by the end of the presidents first year in office. Agency officers have arrested more than 457,000 people since January and another 1.6 million people have voluntarily left the U.S., she said.

The Immigration Enforcement Dashboard, an independent project formed to provide information about the Trump crackdown, has counted at least 306 people arrested in Oregon from January through July but has published no recent data.

Gresham apartment

Police, police, get up, hands up, hands up, ICE agents shouted as they piled into the apartment bedroom where Andres was with her family.

An agent then shouted in Spanish, Come here, come here, while another agent added, Come outside with your hands up. Come outside. Dont move. Hands up. Come outside, come outside, turnaround, turnaround.

They arrested her younger brother, Napoleon Andres Magana, and her stepfather, Arturo Garcia Cabrera, Andres said. Neither was the man that agents were seeking, she said.

Everything was very ugly and it was an injustice, Andres said. It made me angry and sad that they treated us like that because we are not criminals.

The agents didnt ask the men for identification, she said. Both men are now being held at the ICE detention center in Tacoma, she said.

They just grabbed them and took them, she said.

Andres and the men are from Michoacan, Mexico, and are trying to gain legal status, she said.

A senior Homeland Security official on Friday confirmed that the agents werent looking for either Andres Magana and Garcia Cabrera that day. The official didnt clearly address why the two were arrested, other than referring to them as aliens from Mexico.

The officers were conducting an operation in Gresham to target a violent man from Mexico who had been previously deported and whose criminal history included assault and harassment, said the official, who did not give a name.

The man had fled on foot after ramming into a postal vehicle and dashed into an apartment  and the agents believed it was the apartment where Andres and her family lived, the official said in an email. The man escaped and remains at-large, the official said.

Andres said the door to their apartment was locked and she saw no one in the apartment except her family.

Teenagers stopped twice

Two weeks ago on the morning Oct. 3, a group of baristas at a Dutch Bros Coffee in Hillsboro took shelter in a restroom when about 10 masked immigration agents stopped a black Mazda at the drive thru at gunpoint.

Washington County Sheriffs Office deputies and Hillsboro police responded to the scene on Southwest Oak Street. According to the dispatcher, Subjects in a white van and white truck exited their vehicles and pointed guns at the customers at the drive thru window.

Hillsboro police Officer Griffen Stevens said in his police report that the agents also had a police dog.

The report described the driver as a 17-year-old and the passengers as teenagers but redacted their names.

One of the teens told Stevens that the Dutch Bros encounter was the second time that day that the same agents had stopped the car, according to the report.

Two hours earlier around 8:10 a.m. or 8:20 a.m., the truck and van damaged the Mazdas back bumper when the agents stopped the teens car near Su Casa Super Mercado in Hillsboro.

The 17-year-old said the agents pointed guns at them, flashed a badge and asked him and his passengers for their IDs, and took pictures of them, according to the police report. After the incident he went home to tell his mother and went to school.

Another one of the teens told officers that the agents at Dutch Bros did the same thing as earlier, pointed their guns at them, asked for identification and took photos of them, the police report said.

The teen, who said he felt scared, said they were told by the agents that they were looking for a homicide/immigrant suspect.

Police later confirmed that the officers who stopped the teens were with ICE, according to the report.

The report didnt specify the teens legal status. Immigration officials declined to comment on the case.

At a worksite

Immigration authorities last Saturday made what appears to be the first arrests at a worksite in Oregon.

Federal agents detained four construction workers at their job in Gresham, leaving the workers cars abandoned at the site.

State Rep. Ricki Ruiz, D-Gresham, talked to workers family members and confirmed their arrests, saying immigration officers had a warrant for one worker who had a deportation order and ended up detaining three other workers with him.

They let a fifth worker go at the site because he had proof of his legal status, the lawmaker said.

Ruiz said one worker indicated seeing an SUV following them from a Home Depot store in Troutdale to the construction site.

Once they got to the worksite, two SUVs pulled up, and with about six or seven agents, began  interrogating the construction workers about documentation, Ruiz said.

Immigration officials declined to comment on what happened.

On a Portland street

On Sept. 11, a motorist shot a video of ICE agents arresting Victor Jose Brito Vallejo on a Northeast Portland street.

Brito Vallejo pleaded for air as one agent lay on top of him and three other kneeling agents held him down. In the video, Brito Vallejo didnt appear to be resisting.

I cant breathe, he told the agents in Spanish five different times.

Immigration officials declined to comment on Brito Vallejos case.

His wife, who asked not to be named given her legal status, could be heard on the video screaming, Help me, help me as she sat in the car in the middle of the street near the intersection of Northeast Clackamas Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

The two were on a DoorDash delivery run at the time, she said.

The 34-year-old mother of three said her family fled Venezuela in 2023 because her husband was facing persecution. The couple and their children had only been in Portland for about five months after moving here from New York, she said.

New York is a sanctuary state, but they came here because Oregon is a sanctuary state where they believed they would have more protections, she said.

After her husbands arrest, she and her children  ages 15, 12 and 8  moved out of their place and lived in their car for about three weeks. Theyre now staying in someones basement, but her children havent gone to school for nearly a month, she said.

I have a lot of fear, she said.

People getting involved

Elizabeth Cox, the Portland resident who filmed Brito Vallejos arrest, said she was driving home from a doctors appointment when she saw multiple vehicles on the street. Her instincts told her to turnaround.

It didnt seem normal. You could see it was unmarked cars, she said. I could see as I was driving past that someone was being pulled out of a car.

Cox said she decided to film the episode because shes heard that the most helpful thing to do if you encounter ICE arrests is to record them so the people involved have it for their lawyers.

I just wish that I had gotten the entire event on film because the act of pulling him out of his car as I was driving by did feel just incredibly violent, she said.

In Hillsboro earlier this week, several videos posted on social media showed a group of neighbors blocking two ICE vehicles with cars on the street. One video showed an ICE minivan driving erratically onto the sidewalk and driving through a narrow space to get by.

Another video from a different angle showed several people walking toward an ICE agent as he walked backward to his car in the middle of the street, with several people yelling at him to leave. Word had spread through social media about the presence of ICE officers in the area.

Elizabeth Aguilera, director of communications for Adelante Mujeres, which helps Latino women, confirmed the residents encounter Tuesday with ICE officers near Hillsboro Airport and said agents apparently arrested no one.

The power of community was felt at the scene because neighbors and legal observers were present but did not interfere  they asked for a warrant from the ICE agents, filmed the incident, and called the PIRC (Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition) hotline, she said. The situation was tense, but the community members stayed on the scene until the agents left.

The observers passed out so-called Know Your Rights red cards to community members in case ICE agents returned, she said.

There has been a gradual increase in ICE activity in Washington County in recent months, but today was the busiest day of ICE activity in Hillsboro we have seen this year, she said.
Gov. Tina Kotek signs a landmark bill to limit spending in Oregon politics while surrounded by lawmakers, good government advocates and business entities on April 3, 2024. More than a year later, efforts by the Secretary of States Office to carry out the law have stalled. Carlos Fuentes / The Oregonian/OregonLive

When Oregon legislators approved limits on political contributions last spring, they promised theyd soon move beyond the basics of the law and deliver needed clarifications and improvements on how it would work.

But more than a year into that process, efforts by the Secretary of States Office to limit the role of money in politics have stalled, despite Oregonians strong support for such restrictions. Progress has been impeded by vague guidance from lawmakers and insufficient funding, raising the odds of a bungled rollout that could leave massive loopholes in Oregons campaign finance system.

Lawmakers reluctantly looked to restrict money in politics in 2024 only after realizing that two competing ballot initiatives to cap campaign contributions were likely to make the ballot. That prompted them to pass their own hastily crafted version instead.

They gave the Secretary of States Office more than two years to hash out details of the sweeping campaign finance law before several of its most significant provisions were to take effect in January 2027.

But officials in that office and elsewhere now say they face huge hurdles that could delay implementing the limits for years.

The challenges with (the law) can be boiled down to this: We need more guidance to get this right, and time is short, Secretary of State Tobias Read told lawmakers in June. Unfortunately, the choice now is between getting this done fast or getting this done right.

Reads office is now months into a rulemaking process to determine how the law will be interpreted and enforced. While his staffers have resolved some weaknesses surfaced by groups closely watching the law, they say some of the most significant flaws can only be addressed by lawmakers taking action.

Meanwhile, some advocates for campaign finance reform have criticized the rulemaking process itself, saying that Reads office has ignored some of their efforts to strengthen the law and close loopholes in it.

The Legislature is not scheduled to come back into session until February. And theres no guarantee that lawmakers will make substantial changes to the law or provide more funding to the Secretary of States Office during that five-week period.

They might instead decide to delay the new limits by several years, a move they briefly considered during this years session before receiving intense backlash from good government groups.

Oregons absence of campaign finance limits, rare among U.S. states, has meant that massive amounts of money have flowed to political candidates. For example, Read, a Democrat, raised nearly $1 million last year while running for secretary of state. Rep. Christine Drazan of Canby, a Republican who proposed the delay in setting contribution limits this year, raised more than $22 million during the 2022 gubernatorial race that saw a record $70 million in spending.

At its heart, the 2024 law would limit individuals from giving more than $3,300 directly to a campaign for governor or other statewide office, such as attorney general, per election. Under the current system, Nike co-founder Phil Knight gave $3.75 million to independent candidate for governor Betsy Johnson in 2022, then when she was trailing in polls, he gave $1.5 million to Drazan.

The law also would limit groups like unions that collect small donations from their members from giving more than $10 per contributing member to statewide candidates, which could limit large Oregon unions to less than $500,000 per election. In 2022, labor union SEIU gave Democrat Tina Kotek $3.1 million toward her winning bid for governor

Oregonians have long expressed support for restrictions on political spending. In 2020, voters with 78% approval passed Measure 107 to amend the state constitution to allow such limits, paving the way for last years law. Delaying those limits beyond January 2027, campaign finance reform advocates say, would be an affront to voters.

I hope that the people who tried to move that (delay) forward were sufficiently embarrassed by being called out, said Kate Titus, executive director of public interest group Common Cause Oregon. I think you could make a case that small adjustments to the timeline might be helpful for one reason or another, but thats not what that was. That was trying to delay this off the clock.

Flawed bill

Officials and interested parties agree that Oregons campaign finance laws must be improved. But they disagree on what those changes should be or who is allowed to make them.

As written, the law will limit contributions from and between individuals, corporations, labor unions, political parties and other groups to various degrees. It also requires the Secretary of States Office to overhaul the states cumbersome campaign finance tracking system and replace it with a modernized dashboard that tracks more data.

Additionally, the law includes provisions to increase the transparency of who is giving significant contributions and paying for political ads.

This spring, Reads office convened a six-member advisory committee to provide feedback on the law and a preliminary set of proposed rule changes. The group included lobbyists from three labor unions, one business group lobbyist, one campaign finance reform advocate and one campaign treasurer.

The committee and staff with the Secretary of States Office quickly uncovered numerous ambiguities, inconsistencies and areas of concern in the law, Deputy Secretary of State Michael Kaplan told lawmakers in June.

For example, the law as written would impose fines on individuals who give money to two different political groups that are established, managed, financed or controlled by the same person or group of people.

Committee members have raised concerns that this vaguely worded provision could both allow wealthy groups to raise funds through multiple organizations and also result in fines on individuals who unknowingly give to groups or campaigns who share at least one manager or funder.

The Secretary of States Office received hundreds of pieces of written feedback and released a revised set of rules in September. Those proposed rules contain several substantial changes, such as an increase to how much campaigns can accept in in-kind contributions and additional disclosure requirements for groups that spend large amounts on candidates independent of their campaigns.

However, close observers say the updated rules are not much better than the earlier ones. For instance, a large coalition of industry groups that said the initial rules would be overly confusing and burdensome said the new rules have similar weaknesses.

The new rules include some modest improvements from the prior drafts but remain problematic in many of the same respects, Preston Mann, director of external affairs for business advocacy group Oregon Business & Industry, said in a statement.

The Secretary of States Office says it is aware that the law is rife with ambiguous language, unclear guidance on how to enforce the rules and inconsistent terminology. To effectively implement the law, a spokesperson for the agency said it will need a significant financial boost and further direction from lawmakers.

For example, committee members have raised concerns that donors personal information, including phone numbers and dates of birth, could be made public via the new disclosure provisions. Tess Seger, spokesperson for the secretary of state, said the agency has proposed some safeguards to prevent this, but only the Legislature could make a catch-all fix.

Weve been clear that we need additional clarity and resources from the Legislature to do this well, Seger said in a statement. If the Legislature cant provide the clarity and resources, then they will put the future of campaign finance reform at risk.

Some advocates say the secretary of state could make substantial improvements to the law without help from the Legislature. They assert that two years is more than enough time to figure out the details of the law and implement it.

Dan Meek, a longtime campaign finance reform advocate who helped negotiate last years bill, said the Secretary of States Office has ignored his extensive feedback on the proposed rules this year.

This is already a very detailed law, Meek said. The secretary of state could implement it well, but the proposed rules dont do that.

Seger said Meeks comments have been considered in the rulemaking process. If the agency didnt make a recommended change, it was because the idea was not supported by the text of (the law) as written, she said.

Jessica Miller, the president of Financial Peace Bookkeeping and only campaign treasurer included on the advisory committee, said the Secretary of States Office formed the committee under the guise of acting on its members recommendations but ultimately failed to address most of their key concerns.

They ignored us, Miller said of the staff in the secretary of states Elections Division. We now have no choice but to take legal and legislative action to block the ... rule changes.

Legislative action

Lawmakers have few realistic options to keep the implementation on course, some close observers say.

They could work closely with the Secretary of States Office to address concerns, give the agency more money to carry out the laws provisions on time and negotiate with involved groups on various rules.

But that would require significant time, effort and money. And its unclear if Democrats, who control both legislative chambers, will make an effort to prioritize campaign finance during the short session in which they are expecting mostly to cut agency budgets.

Its still not out of the question that lawmakers will opt to delay the limits by several years during their February session. When Read floated the idea earlier this year, some members of the House Rules Committee from both parties appeared supportive. They quickly dropped the idea, however, after receiving criticism from campaign finance reform advocates.

At the time, Read pointed out that Oregon has a weak track record of rolling out large technology-linked systems, such as the states massive failure to launch the online health exchange Cover Oregon about a decade ago. Allowing more time to implement this ambitious law, he said, would help the state avoid a similar catastrophe.

A spokesperson for House Speaker Julie Fahey, a Eugene Democrat whose office led the negotiations over last years law, did not respond to a request for comment.

A spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama, a Portland Democrat, said he wants to ensure that the voices of the people come first, not monied interests, in implementing the law. But she didnt say whether Jama would support a delay.

Stakeholders are mixed on what lawmakers should do. While proponents of campaign finance reform are adamant that the Secretary of States Office does not need more time to effectively establish the limits, other groups say they want the rollout to be smooth, even if that might mean a delay.

We want to just make sure that everyone is aware of what these changes will mean ... because it is a really complicated system, said Lamar Wise, political director for Oregon AFSCME, a major statewide union that has historically been a top donor to Democrats.

Members of the public can submit feedback on the proposed rules to the Secretary of States Elections Division through Nov. 21. The short legislative session is scheduled to begin Feb. 2.
Vincent Green-Hite crochets during protests outside the ICE facility in South Portland on Oct. 16, 2025. Samantha Swindler/ The Oregonian

In true Portland fashion, a group of knitters and crocheters gathered outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in South Portland on Thursday to protest the best way they knew how  with yarn.

Im just a self-proclaimed yarn punk, said crocheter Vincent Green-Hite, and I think crafting is one of the most punk things you can be doing right now.

Green-Hite, who has a sizable Instagram following for his fiber art, set up a small folding table with yarns and crochet hooks alongside other protesters across from the ICE building. He was offering free crochet lessons for anyone interested.

I know many generations have used crochet and knitting as a tool for resistance, he said. I figured since I already teach classes, been doing it for years, I may as well come out and to show anyone how to do it. Crochet, knitting, all fiber arts are for anybody. And so is the city of Portland.

Green-Hite himself was working on a crocheted frog scarf, inspired by the protesters in inflatable frog costumes who call themselves the Portland Frog Brigade.

The frogs have done a great job of showing the world that its just silly to call Portland a violent place, he said. Its a weird city, a really creative one, and one for the crafts. So, were just out here displaying our First Amendment right to just craft in peace.

He was pleasantly surprised to find a group of knitters also at the protest site, who joined him around the table.

Knitting has been a staple of Portland protest movements. (Remember the pink pussy hats?)

Later this month, a group called Common Cause Oregon will host a Knitting In protest from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 25 at the corner of Southwest Park Avenue and Mill Street during the Portland Farmers Market. Participants are encouraged to bring a camping chair and a knitting (or other craft) project to protest the Trump administrations plan to deploy federal troops in Portland.

Other knitting groups are getting involved in protests.

A group of knitters outside the ICE facility on Thursday morning. Courtesy of Michele Lee Bernstein

Earlier on Thursday, Michele Lee Bernstein, who runs the PDX Knitterati website and social media accounts, was among a group of about eight knitters protesting outside the ICE building. The women brought folding lawn chairs and knitting projects, and propped up a sign that quoted the Book of Exodus: And if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will send a plague of frogs.

My aim for the protest is to show that our beautiful city of Portland is not burning to the ground, is not war-ravaged, and is not out of control, Lee Bernstein said. We dont need a federalized National Guard to come in. Peaceful protest is a constitutional right, and that is what we are doing.

She said she knitted from about 9:30 a.m. to noon, and spoke with several tourists who were curious about what was going on in the protest block that has drawn national attention.

I spoke with people from New York City, Nebraska, Florida, Colorado, she said. They were all very supportive of our craftivism.

Knitters and crocheters joined the protests. Samantha Swindler/ The Oregonian

Courtney Dowell showed up around 4:30 p.m. Thursday with four other knitting friends. They stood across the street from the ICE building, joining Green-Hite. Dowell was knitting a hat with the words Knitters Against ICE across it.

We have such a big, lovely knitting community in Portland, thats how a lot of my friends know each other, and we thought you need to have a fun protesting, and thats how we have fun, she said. Also, I think it makes fascists look stupid.

The knitters stayed until about 6:30 p.m. and left as it got dark.

People knit and crochet as protests continue outside the ICE facility in South Portland on Oct. 16, 2025. Samantha Swindler/ The Oregonian

Conflicts between protesters and federal officers are more likely to occur after sunset. Thats when officers emerge from the building and into the street to allow vehicles to come or go from the facility. (Vehicles pass without this added security during the day.) Some protesters get close to officers to yell at or film them.

Shortly after 7 p.m. Thursday, officers broke from their standard formation to rush into the crowd and detain someone. In the process, officers crashed into Green-Hites table of crochet supplies. Skeins of partially unraveled yarn were left scattered in the dirt.

Green-Hite was fine, though. Other protesters helped pick up the yarn, reset the table, and he continued to crochet.

Art is political, always, inherently, and this is just another way to show it, he said. I cant wait to see how other people are creative with their resistance.
Tens of thousands of people gathered in Portland on Saturday as part of the "No Kings" demonstrations that were being held across the country to protest President Donald Trumps aggressive exercise of executive power.

Demonstrations were held in more than 50 cities across Oregon. The one starting at Portlands Tom McCall Waterfront Park was the largest, and Portland officers who were monitoring said it attracted at least 40,000 people.

It began with speeches and continued with a march of about 2 miles through downtown and across the Hawthorne and Morrison bridges.

Thousands of people, including people playing drums and other percussion instruments, started at the Oregon Convention Center and marched across the lower deck of the Steel Bridge before noon to the waterfront rally, while another group marched across the Hawthorne Bridge and a third came from Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Portland police warned at about 11:20 a.m. that traffic would impacted in all these areas for a bit.

At about 12:20 p.m., police announced they were closing the Morrison Bridge. At about 1 p.m., they closed the Hawthorne Bridge.

Several thousand people, many in inflatable costumes, were gathered at Tom McCall Waterfront Park by noon.

Multiple Portland city councilors took the stage prior to the march to condemn the federal governments actions and encourage Portlanders to continue protesting peacefully. We need advocates like you to play the outside game, said Angelita Morillo, whose district includes inner Southeast Portland. What we are seeing in this moment is unprecedented in terms of horrors, but its also unprecedented in terms of unity.

Dressed in matching banana suits, members of the Unpresidented Brass Band  who had a musician detained by federal agents Sunday outside of the ICE building in South Portland  were among the protesters on the waterfront. Band director Miles Thompson, 43, said that they were meeting up with the Portland Frog Brigade.

Well be frogs and bananas, and Im like over the moon. This is awesome, he said.

Mary Bycroft, who said she has lived in Portland for more than 40 years, attended Saturdays protest because of what she described as an infringement of rights by the federal government.

I am honestly shocked and frightened by whats happening to our country, she said of Trumps effort to slash federal programs and take legal actions against his political enemies.

Bycroft said recent efforts by the White House to deploy federal troops into Portland have relied on a false narrative about the city, which she described as amazing, uplifting and beautiful.

Honestly, its ridiculous that anybody would believe the lies, saying this is a hell hole, Bycroft said. Its a wonderful city. I love living here.

Sisters Berenice and Perla Arias, ages 17 and 14, were dressed as SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star. We are protesting for the future. We are the next generation. We got the inflatables to keep Portland weird and make Trump look like a fool, Berenice Arias said.

The crowd began marching down Southwest Pine Street at about 1 p.m.

A group of about a dozen counter-protesters at the front of the march chanting various pro-Trump slogans were met by a crowd chanting Dont take the bait, in response.

River Montijo of the Portland Raging Grannies, who have been attending a lot of recent protests, said she was happy with the turnout but was concerned that some people stayed home because of the negative national press coverage of Portland. Portland knows how to do these things with love and joy. Were not gonna let them pull us into hatred, she said.

Drag queen Saint Syndrome, also known as the Piano Queen, performed on the waterfront before joining the march by riding in a convertible dressed as Lady Justice. I hope to get Portland some great visibility. I know all eyes are on us and I would love for the world to see that we are having fun and joyfully standing up against an authoritarianism, she said.

At about 2:15 p.m., the front of the march was crossing the Morrison Bridge and began arriving back at the waterfront, but many people will still on the Hawthorne Bridge on their way to the east side of the route.

At about 3:30 p.m., police said the tail end of the march had made it to Southeast Grand Avenue and they were reopening the Hawthorne Bridge to traffic.

The protests come against the backdrop of a government shutdown in its 18th day that not only has closed federal programs and services, but is testing the core balance of power as an aggressive executive confronts Congress and the courts in ways that organizers warn are a slide toward American authoritarianism.

Hundreds gather in Strongsville, Ohio, for the No Kings rally, Oct. 18, 2025. John Kuntz, cleveland.com

Demonstrators packed places like New York Citys Times Square, the historic Boston Commons, Chicagos Grant Park, Washington, D.C., and hundreds of smaller public spaces. Some of them showed up in inflatable frog costumes, which have emerged as a sign of resistance in Portland.

They say theyre referring to me as a king. Im not a king, Trump said in a Fox News interview airing early Friday, before he departed for a $1 million-per-plate MAGA Inc. super PAC fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago on Friday. Protests were expected nearby Saturday.

Oregonian/OregonLive reporter Julia Silverman and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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CCN is at the EBC 2025 in Barcelona. | Credit: Albert Llop/NurPhoto via Getty Image

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Startups and well-established firms are more confident than ever in cryptos long-term future.

The crypto and blockchain industry is bustling, and institutional players are the big draw at this years European Blockchain Conference (EBC) in Barcelona.

Judging from conversations with young degens wearing crypto-branded t-shirts and hoodies, and those adorned in suits and ties, it seems that European institutions are eager to catch up with the U.S., and sentiment remains bullish despite the market downturn.

Suits, Ties, and Degens

On Oct. 16, I had the privilege of attending the EBC and brushing shoulders with some of the brightest thinkers and innovators in Web3.

Taking the main stage, we had the likes of OKX, GoMining, BitPanda, Deutsche Borse Group, and Standard Chartered discussing 2025s incredible wave of institutional adoption, unraveling global and European regulations, as well as crypto wallets, mining, and custody solutions.

Under these key topics, speakers explored the appeal of institutional DeFi, the untapped cryptos institutional lending market, real-world asset tokenization, and examined whether financial institutions are adopting crypto solutions.

Speaking with OKX Europes CEO, Erald Ghoos, he told me that institutional investors drove this years bull run.

Yet, he notes that European markets are still playing catch-up with the U.S., but this is changing as MiCA continues to come into force and institutional investors and their risk departments feel more comfortable depositing into crypto.

Beyond the Hype

The venue was surprisingly busy, which made it tricky to find a seat and get writing at times, but fortunately, there were enough faces, old and young, who were eager to share their views.

Many were quick to point out that the unexpected market dip earlier this month had presented some challenges in the short term, catching many off guard, but it hadnt deterred their long-term view.

Theres a sense that things are different this time around, and this is largely thanks to crypto and blockchain firms not only finding real-world use cases, but actually delivering on them.

As I strolled the venue floor, I noticed a common theme of real-world asset (RWA) tokenization solutions and platforms for gold, silver, and even diamonds, something I couldnt have imagined when I began writing in crypto back in 2017.

The post European Blockchain Convention Day 1: Institutional Appeal is Everything appeared first on ccn.com.
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By Hyunjoo Jin and Brenda Goh

SEOUL/SHANGHAI (Reuters) -Micron plans to stop supplying server chips to data centres in China after the business failed to recover from a 2023 government ban on its products in critical Chinese infrastructure, two people briefed on the decision said.

Micron was the first U.S. chipmaker to be targeted by Beijing - a move that was seen as retaliatory for a series of curbs by Washington aimed at impeding tech progress by China's semiconductor industry.

Shares of the chipmaker were down about 1%.

Since then, both Nvidia and Intel chips have similarly fielded accusations from Chinese authorities and an industry group of posing security risks, though there has not been any regulatory action.

LENOVO TO REMAIN A CUSTOMER

Micron will continue to sell to two Chinese customers that have significant data centre operations outside China, one of which is laptop maker Lenovo, the people said.

The U.S. company, which made $3.4 billion or 12% of its total revenue from mainland China in its last business year, will also continue to sell chips to auto and mobile phone sector customers in the world's second-largest economy, one person said.

Asked about the exit from its China data centre business, Micron said in a statement to Reuters that the division had been impacted by the ban, and it abides by applicable regulations where it does business.

Lenovo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"Micron will look for customers outside of China in other parts of Asia, Europe and Latin America," said Jacob Bourne, analyst at Emarketer.

"China is a critical market, however, we're seeing data center expansion globally fueled by AI demand, and so Micron is betting that it will be able to make up for lost business in other markets," he added.

U.S.-Sino trade tensions and tech rivalry have only escalated since 2018, when U.S. President Donald Trump began imposing tariffs on Chinese goods during his first term. That same year, Washington ramped up accusations against Chinese tech giant Huawei, accusing it of representing a national security risk, imposing sanctions a year later.

Huawei has denied those charges. Nvidia and Intel have also denied charges that their products pose risks to Chinese national security. Micron also said in 2023, before the conclusion of China's probe, that it stood by the security of its products.

Currently, the U.S. has sanctioned hundreds of Chinese entities. China, which is more reliant on imported tech, has taken far fewer regulatory actions.

LOSING OUT ON CHINA'S AI BOOM
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A high school student from Pennsylvania has reportedly died from bacterial meningitis a few months before graduation, sparking concern among locals.

The victim was identified as 18-year-old Ryan Duffy, a senior at Neshaminy High School in Langhorne. Reports revealed that the teenage boy contracted Streptococcus Pneumoniae Meningitis last week.

Teenage Student Dies From Bacterial Meningitis

He was then transported to a hospital and treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) before losing his life on Tuesday. The announcement was made in a letter sent to parents by the Neshaminy School District.

The teenage student's obituary detailed his love for his school and family. It read that he was an amazing young man who would be missed by everyone who knows him. He was said to have been excited to go on the Senior Cruise, attend Prom, participate in his fourth gym night, and graduate.

It added that Ryan loved every type of game, including electronic and board games, and organized and played them with his family and friends. The case comes as the Neshaminy School District is using enhanced cleaning protocols at Neshaminy High School, according to ABC News.

However, officials argued that the teenage high school student's form of meningitis was not typically contagious. The letter noted that this type of meningitis does not typically spread through casual contact between individuals.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that while this type of meningitis is spread through droplets released when coughing, sneezing, or talking, it is not highly contagious.

The Severity of the Illness

Bacterial meningitis is characterized by the inflammation of the protective lining of a person's brain and spinal cord, caused by a bacterial infection. The CDC said that the best way to prevent getting infected with Streptococcus Pneumoniae is to get vaccinated, the Independent reported.

A parent from nearby Bensalem said that these old diseases have already been around for years, and they are still affecting people. They found it hard to believe, noting that it just "doesn't make sense."

The teenage student's peers were also shocked by the sudden death of their friend. Senior Vee Pyanova said, "Not only was I surprised, I was really scared." They questioned how they were any different than the student who went to high school with them.

A family medicine physician, Dr. Delana Wardlow, said that some of the common symptoms of the illness that struck Ryan are high fever, severe headache, sensitivity to light, excessive nausea, and vomiting, as per 6ABC.
Eric Dane opens up about ALS and the first symptom he experienced. Axelle | Bauer-Griffin | FilmMagic

Actor Eric Dane has opened up about his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and is revealing the one symptom  the very first one  he experienced, but didnt think much of at the time it happened.

The former Greys Anatomy star, 52, revealed this important fact to Diane Sawyer in a new interview on Good Morning America Monday.

I started experiencing some weakness in my right hand, and I didnt really think anything of it at the time, Dane explained.

I thought maybe I had been texting too much, or my hand was fatigued, he added. But a few weeks later, I noticed it had gotten a little worse.

So I went and saw a hand specialist, who sent me to another hand specialist. I went and saw a neurologist, and the neurologist sent me to another neurologist, who said, This is way above my pay grade, he continued.

It took nine months for Dane to find out what was really going on, but thats when the Euphoria actor was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly referred to as ALS or Lou Gehrigs disease.

During the interview with Sawyer, Dane revealed his sobering reality  his right hand has completely stopped working, which leaves him with one functioning arm. He also noted that his left arm is going and feels like he only has a few more months of function in that arm.

And now hes worried about his legs.

ALS, which is a degenerative neurological disorder, is a condition where symptoms worsen over time, according to the National Institutes of Health.

The NIH notes that ALS causes motor neurons, a type of nerve cell in the brain and spinal cord, to deteriorate, causing the muscles to weaken and eventually leads to paralysis. This takes away a persons ability to move, speak, or even breathe.

There is currently no cure.

Dane, a father of two teenaged daughters, first publicly revealed to People in an exclusive interview that he had been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrigs disease, in April.

I have been diagnosed with ALS, he shared at the time. I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.
Walking has many benefits, ranging from the physical to the mental.

Which is why citizens of this one city in Pennsylvania might be proud to learn their home is one of the most walkable in the United States.

According to a study conducted and published by StorageCafe, Pittsburgh is the number three most walkable city in the nation. In fact, the Steel City ranked in first when it came to Northeastern cities.

This Mid-Atlantic city has a strong legacy of dense neighborhoods that are walkable, while its public transit system is ranked 16th among the countrys top 180 largest cities, the report says of Pittsburgh. Almost a quarter of workers commute without using a car.

But Pittsburgh also has a well-developed network of retail and services, which means that locals can easily go shopping, dining out, or taking their kids to school without getting behind the wheel. The city is doubling down in policies meant to ensure safety for pedestrians and cyclists, lowering speed limits on numerous streets and installing raised crosswalks within pedestrian-heavy areas. Events like OpenStreets PGH, held multiple times each year, regularly draw tens of thousands of residents and help them imagine an even more walkable environment.

StorageCafe managed to figure this all out by looking at these aforementioned 180 cities and assessing them on what they call a Car-Free Friendliness Index. This index incorporated metrics such as Commute time; Access to work without a car; and Pedestrian & pedalcyclist fatalities per 100,000 residents, among others.

Joining Pittsburgh in the top three most walkable cities were Miami, Florida, in second and Minneapolis, Minnesota, in first.

Minneapolis tops the list as the nations best walk-and-ride city  a distinction that reflects both its forward-thinking policies and its determination to reimagine urban life in a region long shaped by sprawl and a deeply ingrained car culture, the report reads. The city has taken deliberate steps to make its streets safer and more inviting for pedestrians and cyclists, lowering speed limits on most residential roads to 20 miles per hour  a change that not only improves safety but also discourages unnecessary car use.

For cyclists, Minneapolis is nothing short of a haven. It boasts the highest bike score among large U.S. cities  and impressive 83 out of 100  supported by nearly 100 miles of dedicated bike lanes and another 100 miles of off-street bikeways and trails. During the pandemic, the city launched an ambitious open-streets experiment, closing more than 18 miles of road to car traffic  the second-largest such initiative worldwide. Far from being a temporary measure, this effort has inspired long-term planning aimed at cutting car dependency even further.
President Donald Trump speaks before a lunch with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP

WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump on Friday called on Kyiv and Moscow to stop where they are and end their brutal war following a lengthy White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Trumps frustration with the conflict has surfaced repeatedly in the nine months since he returned to office, but with his latest comments he edged back in the direction of pressing Ukraine to give up on retaking land it has lost to Russia.

Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by War and Guts, Trump said in a Truth Social post not long after hosting Zelenskyy and his team for more than two hours of talks. They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide!

Later, soon after arriving in Florida, where hes spending the weekend, Trump urged both sides to stop the war immediately and implied that Moscow keep territory its taken from Kyiv.

You go by the battle line wherever it is  otherwise its too complicated, Trump told reporters. You stop at the battle line and both sides should go home, go to their families, stop the killing, and that should be it.

The comments amounted to another shift in position on the war by Trump. In recent weeks, he had shown growing impatience with Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed greater openness to helping Ukraine win the war.

After meeting with Zelenskyy in New York on the sidelines of the annual U.N. General Assembly last month, Trump even said he believed the Ukrainians could win back all the the territory they had lost to Russia since Putin launched the February 2022 invasion. That was a dramatic shift for Trump, who had previously insisted that Kyiv would have to concede land lost to Russia to end the war.

Zelenskyy after Fridays meeting said it was time for a ceasefire and negotiations. He sidestepped directly answering a question about Trump nudging Ukraine to give up land.

The president is right we have to stop where we are, and then to speak, Zelenskyy said when asked by reporters about Trumps social media post, which he hadnt seen.

Trump tone on the war shifted after he held a lengthy phone call with Putin on Thursday and announced that he planned to meet with the Russian leader in Budapest, Hungary, in the coming weeks.

The president also signaled to Zelenskyy on Friday that hes leaning against selling him long-range Tomahawk missiles, weaponry that the Ukrainians believe could be a game changer in helping prod Putin to the negotiating table.

Zelenskyy at the start of the White House talks said he had a proposition in which Ukraine could provide the United States with its advanced drones, while Washington would sell Kyiv the Tomahawk cruise missiles.

But Trump said he was hesitant to tap into the U.S. supply, a turnabout after days of suggesting he was seriously weighing sending the missiles to help Ukraine beat back Russias invasion.

I have an obligation also to make sure that were completely stocked up as a country, because you never know whats going to happen in war and peace, Trump said. Wed much rather have them not need Tomahawks. Wed much rather have the war be over to be honest.

In an interview with Kirsten Welker of NBCs Meet the Press, Zelenskyy suggested the door was not closed.

Its good that President Trump didnt say no, but for today, didnt say yes, he said.

Zelenskyy also said we need Tomahawks because its very difficult just to operate only with Ukrainian drones.

Trumps latest rhetoric on Tomahawks was certainly disappointing to the Ukrainians. In recent days, Trump had shown an openness to selling Ukraine the Tomahawks, even as Putin warned that such a move would further strain the U.S.-Russian relationship.

But following Thursdays call with Putin, Trump began downplaying the prospects of Ukraine getting the missiles, which have a range of about 995 miles (1,600 kilometers.)

Zelenskyy had been seeking the Tomahawks, which would allow Ukrainian forces to strike deep into Russian territory and target key military sites, energy facilities and critical infrastructure. Zelenskyy has argued that the potential for such strikes would help compel Putin to take Trumps calls for direct negotiations to end the war more seriously.

Putin warned Trump during the call that supplying Kyiv with the Tomahawks wont change the situation on the battlefield, but would cause substantial damage to the relationship between our countries, according to Yuri Ushakov, Putins foreign policy adviser.

It was the fifth face-to-face meeting for Trump and Zelenskyy since the Republican returned to office in January,

The president said Friday it was to be determined if Zelenskyy would be involved in the upcoming talks in Hungary  suggesting a double meeting with the warring countries leaders was likely the most workable option for productive negotiations.

These two leaders do not like each other, and we want to make it comfortable for everybody, Trump added.

But Zelenskyy told reporters that the animus toward Putin is not about feelings.

They attacked us, so they are an enemy for us. They dont intend to stop, Zelenskyy added. So they are an enemy. It is not about someone just hating someone else. Although, undoubtedly, we hate the enemy. Undoubtedly.

Trump, going back to his 2024 campaign, insisted he would quickly end the war, but his peace efforts appeared to stall following a diplomatic blitz in August, when he held a summit with Putin in Alaska and a White House meeting with Zelenskyy and European allies.

Trump emerged from those meetings certain he was on track to arranging direct talks between Zelenskyy and Putin. But the Russian leader hasnt shown any interest in meeting with Zelenskyy and Moscow has only intensified its bombardment of Ukraine.

Asked Friday if he was concerned that Putin was stringing him along, Trump acknowledged it was a possibility but said he was confident he could handle the Russian leader.

Ive been played all my life by the best of them, and I came out really well, Trump said. He added, I think Im pretty good at this stuff.
Phuong Truong, executive director of the International Service Center in Harrisburg, will be honored at this year's fifth-annual Peace & Justice in PA Awards. The ISC has helped tides of refugees over the years resettle in the Harrisburg area. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

The themes of peace, tolerance and humanitarian compassion take center stage Tuesday as PA Media Group hosts the fifth-annual Peace & Justice in PA Awards.

This year, the awards underscore the work of individuals and organizations that dedicate themselves to helping refugees, immigrants and people facing untold harships and emergencies.

The organizations being honored are: Church World Service (CWS) in Lancaster and Harrisburg, and the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition (PIC).

The individual award recognizing the extraordinary efforts of one person to advocate for refugees and immigrants will be given to Phuong Truong, executive director of the International Service Center.

PennLive Editorial Page Editor Joyce Davis writes that he will be honored for his profound trust in American ideals and his dedicated leadership in helping thousands of refugees settle in Central Pennsylvania for almost five decades.

Over the years, Truong has worked with ever-changing tides of refugees, most recently Afghan and Haitian refugees who were caught in geopolitical conflicts and extreme poverty

Truong has for years given sound guidance and assistance to refugees, something he is familiar with as a Vietnamese refugee himself. He was forced to flee his country in 1967. Truong has led the International Service Center since its founding in 1976.

The keynote address will be delivered by Sarah Towle, author of Crossing the Line: Finding America in the Borderlands.

Sarah Towle, award-winning author of "Crossing the line: Finding America in the border lands," will be the keynote speaker at the Peace & Justice in PA event, scheduled for Oct. 21 in Kulkarni Theatre at Penn State Harrisburg. Submitted photo

Based in London, Towle is an educator, researcher and human rights advocate who has documented the experiences of immigrants and refugees, including the process of deportation, which she describes as mean, cruel, and inhumane to people simply trying to survive.

The awards will be presented at the 2025 Peace and Justice in PA forum that will be held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the Kulkarni Theatre on the campus of Penn State Harrisburg. The event is open to the public.

It is being held in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC), the states civil rights enforcement agency, led by Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter, who will provide a report on efforts to protect Pennsylvanians from discrimination and extremist violence.

The event showcases and recognizes individuals and groups that are working in their communities to combat racism and discrimination.

CWS and the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition (PIC) are focused on helping people in Pennsylvania. Over the years, they have helped refugees negotiate the trauma of leaving their native lands and starting a new life in the U.S.

Church World Service Lancaster has welcomed thousands of people from around the world for more than 35 years. The Harrisburg office opened in 2022 specifically to help new Afghan refugees in our region. The organization works with faith groups, nonprofits and government agencies to help new immigrants find housing, schools, jobs, medical care and to understand Pennsylvanias unique culture and people.

Tickets to the event are available here; the event will also be live-streamed on PennLives YouTube account.
By Chris Palmer and Jeff Gammage, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

PHILADELPHIA  A federal judge on Friday ordered Meta  the parent company of Facebook and Instagram  not to comply with a request by the Department of Homeland Security seeking information about the operators of MontCo Community Watch, a grassroots organization behind a pair of anonymous social media accounts that track local ICE activity.

The order, issued late Friday by U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter H. Kang, was a quick response to a lawsuit filed on behalf of the Montgomery County group, in which its lawyers said DHS had taken unlawful steps to try to unmask the people behind it.

In the lawsuit, filed in federal court in California this week, lawyers for the group said DHS actions amount to a clear First Amendment violation, and that the groups operators and associates are being targeted by the federal government for doing nothing more than exercising their rights to free speech and free association.

Kang, the judge, did not say in his order whether he endorsed that position. But he said Meta should not produce any documents or information in response to DHS request without a court order while the case proceeds before him.

The effort by DHS began last month, the lawsuit said, when the agency sent two administrative summonses to Meta seeking usernames, phone numbers, IP addresses, and other identifying information for those with connections to the groups pages. The stated purpose of the summonses, the lawsuit said, was for DHS to investigate potential customs violations involving merchandise sales.

But the groups pages on Facebook and Instagram do not offer anything for sale, the lawsuit said, and even if they did, DHS requests sought information wildly outside the scope of such an investigation.

The groups members are in immediate danger of having their personal information shared with DHS, and therefore in danger of being targeted for harassment, detention, and persecution, the lawsuit said. It asked a federal judge to quash the summonses and prevent Meta from turning over the information.

The lawsuit was filed Thursday in Californias northern district court, where Meta is headquartered.

DHS did not respond to a request for comment Friday.

Stephen Loney, a supervising attorney with the ACLU of Pennsylvania and one of the lawyers handling the case, called the situation a pretty appalling abuse of process, and abuse of the governments power against the little guy, who is just trying to protect their community and let people know whats going on.

Loney said Meta could have pushed back against the governments request by declining to comply without a court order. Instead, it shifted the onus to its account-holders, leaving it to them to figure out the situation and file complex court motions.

The implication is the government could be using its power against a wider swath of people or organizations  and the tech companies may be providing little to no resistance.

Only God, DHS and Meta know how many of these nonpublic, anonymous posters are having their information revealed to the government, Loney said. Were up against all the resources of the federal government, and all the resources of Meta.

The suit comes as tech companies in recent weeks have granted other requests by President Donald Trumps administration to take down or limit content regarding ICE operations.

Earlier this week Meta agreed to shut down a Facebook page that allowed users to share information about ICE agents in Chicago. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the page was putting agents at risk in the field.

Several weeks before that, Apple and Google agreed to grant another request from Bondis Justice Department to remove apps that allowed users to track and share the locations of ICE agents across the country.
Charlie Javice, the entrepreneur who was convicted earlier this year for defrauding JPMorgan Chase out of $175 million, was recently sentenced to seven years in prison.

The founder of a student financial aid startup called Frank, Javice sold her company to JPMorgan Chase in the summer of 2021. At the time, it was believed Frank had more than four million customers, and around 300 bankers at JPMorgan Chase vetted the purchase before it was finalized. (1)

Must Read

However, Javice was convicted on charges of conspiracy, bank fraud and wire fraud after she was caught falsifying records in order to boost her customer base. In reality, Frank had fewer than 300,000 customers. (2)

Javices lawyers argued that her sentence should be as little as 18 months, claiming that a major bank like JPMorgan Chase could easily afford to lose $175 million, and that 300 analysts had approved the sale without raising red flags.

The sale, according to Javices lawyers, pitted a 28-year-old versus 300 investment bankers from the largest bank in the world. However, U.S. District Court Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein had little mercy for Javice, even if she managed to con hundreds of bankers.

"Whether you outsmart someone who is indifferent or someone who is careful, it's the conduct," said Judge Hellerstein. "Fraud remains a fraud, whether you outsmart someone who is smart or someone who is a fool."

How Javice pulled it off

Before completing the sale, Javice had spreadsheets that contained details on Franks alleged four million customers. These spreadsheets reportedly included falsified phone numbers, home and email addresses, personal financial data and Social Security numbers.

As Business Insider reports, JPMorgan Chase asked for access to the spreadsheets before completing the purchase, but Javice had issues with the banks request and didnt agree to deliver them. Javice reportedly cited privacy concerns over sharing the personal data of Franks users. (1)

But that didnt stop JPMorgan Chase from finalizing the purchase. One year after the bank spent $175 million to acquire Frank, analysts at JPMorgan Chase finally discovered that Javices data had been falsified.
Millions of Americans are gathering across the country Saturday to take part in No Kings protests, including at the Pennsylvania Capitol.

Harrisburgs protest, one of more than 2,700 taking place across the United States, was organized by 50501 Harrisburg, a group that has coordinated 10 protests in Harrisburg since February.

Crowds were already filling the steps before the 11 a.m. start time, and people were walking around the city on their way to join them.

Third Street is closed around the Capitol because of the event, and demonstrators are filling the street as well as the steps.

Harrisburg organizer T.J. Demetriou said he thinks this is the biggest protest the local group has put together. He said the last brought in 5,000, and he believes there are 6,000 attending today.

As is the trend at No King rallies, several people in Harrisburg are dressed in costumes. Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Madison Montag, PennLive.com) Madison Montag, PennLive.com

When we get these big coalition events, like No Kings, where we have support from other groups, it goes from hundreds to thousands, and its incredible, Demetriou said. As a veteran thats all about free speech, to see the steps full. You see it spilling out into the lawn. They got to shut down the streets for this. Like, thats incredible for me to see.

As is the trend at such rallies, people in Harrisburg are dressed in costumes that include frogs, unicorns, dinosaurs, eagles, Ben Franklin  and even a rubber chicken.

The peaceful demonstrations are designed to push back against the Trump administration, according to organizers.

The state Capitol in Harrisburg is among the meeting places for No Kings rallies in central Pennsylvania and across the nation, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Madison Montag, PennLive.com) Madison Montag, PennLive.com

Signs carried by people in Harrisburg include: Hands off education; Love your neighbors; We (heart) immigrants; Not paid to be here; Let freedom ring; and The only American King we want is Burger King.

A "No Kings" rally at the state Capitol in Harrisburg Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Signs carried by people in Harrisburg include: The only American King we want is Burger King. (Madison Montag, PennLive.com) Madison Montag, PennLive.com

No Kings rallies are uniting millions of Americans in nonviolent and lawful protest against President Trumps authoritarian actions and power grabs. From rural towns to city blocks, millions will gather for a peaceful demonstration to stand together in the belief that America belongs to its people, not to kings, a statement from No Kings said.

Building on the momentum of the June 14 day of action, which drew more than 5 million people across all 50 states, the October 18 mobilization is the next chapter in this growing movement. Together, millions will send a clear and unmistakable message: we are a nation of equals, and our country will not be ruled by fear or force, the statement said.

A number of No Kings protests are being held in central Pennsylvania Saturday, including in Carlisle, Hershey, York and Lancaster.

A No Kings rally is held at the Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Madison Montag, PennLive.com) Madison Montag, PennLive.com

Demetriou said there is work being done behind the scenes for future protests.

You do it once and everyone forgets about it. It has to be counter to what the administration is doing, Demetriou said. Every time theres something new, we need to keep coming out. People are angry. Theyre upset about whats happening.

Protests across central Pa. this year have been peaceful. In California and Virginia, two people who opposed the protests were arrested after they drove vehicles into crowds of protesters.

We are united once again to remind the world: America has No Kings and the power belongs to the people, the movements statement said.

The presidents Republican Party is calling them Hate America rallies. It comes against the backdrop of a government shutdown that not only has closed federal programs and services, but is testing the core balance of power as organizers warn of a slide toward American authoritarianism.

Trump himself is away from Washington at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.

This is a breaking news story and has been updated with details on what is happening in Harrisburg. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Gov. Josh Shapiro on Friday weighed in on his views on the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Speaking with syndicated radio show host Charlamagne tha God, Shapiro stressed that the Palestinian people in Gaza need food and aid. Screenshot

In an hour-long interview with syndicated radio personality Charlamagne tha God, Gov. Josh Shapiro on Friday opened up about the Israeli-Gaza ceasefire and the prospect of a lasting peace in the region.

During a conversation on The Breakfast Club, an iHeart Radio syndicated program with 6 million subscribers, Charlamagne asked the governor if he credited President Donald Trump for the ceasefire.

I gave him credit for getting the hostages home, Shapiro said. I think what I also said is hes got a hell of a lot of work to do on what I think is being called phase two. And phase two is arguably the most important piece of this.

Experts are calling Trumps role decisive, but they caution that the ceasefire is not a peace agreement. Trumps 20-point plan calls for the Gaza Strip to be demilitarised, secured and governed by a committee including Palestinians.

The fragile accord has already been tested with Israel accusing Hamas of not abiding by the agreement and confirmed reports of Hamas executing Palestinian rivals.

Shapiro steered the conversation to what must happen next in Gaza and the region.

Now that the hostages are home and the war has stopped, the violence has stopped, you gotta feed these folks in Gaza, you gotta make sure that they get the humanitarian aid that they so desperately need, Shapiro said.

He stressed that Arab nations must pony up and begin to rebuild Gaza.

At the same time, Hamas has to be disarmed, Shapiro said. They cannot continue to be in power.... And youve got to get aid in there and youve got to get the rebuilding process started.

One of six Jewish governors in the country, Shapiro was asked if he defended Israel clearly because youre Jewish?

No, not because Im Jewish, Shapiro said. Because I think first off, I love Israel. I think it is a wonderful country with a rich heritage. I think it is an incredible melting pot of people, Jewish and non-Jewish. I also think it is vitally important to our national security. It is important to have stability in the region.

During the conflict, sparked by the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas, Palestinians have suffered a staggering death toll and human suffering.

A United Nations commission in September found reasonable grounds to conclude that Israel had committed genocide on the Palestinian population of Gaza.

At least 64,964 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then, according to the Gaza health ministry. On the Israeli side, about 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage in the 2023 attack. Hundreds of soldiers have been killed.

Shapiro stressed that he has profound differences with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and has been outspoken about it.

The only way youre going to have peace and stability in the region for a long time is if youre a kid growing up in the Palestinian areas and you believe youve got a future, Shapiro said. You got a future because of the job you want, because the education youre getting....When people have hope and they believe that they can have a brighter future, they dont turn to terrorism. They dont turn to hate.

Netanyahu has rebuffed the idea of a two-state solution and last month moved forward with a settlement expansion plan in the occupied West Bank.

Shapiro reiterated the need for a path for both Palestinians and Israelis.

Weve got to get on a path where Palestinians can live their lives with dignity, where Israelis can live their lives with dignity and safety, and where everybody in the region feels like they have an opportunity, he said.
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Its the middle of October, which could only mean one thing. Its time to welcome the holiday spirit, snuggling up with some hot chocolate and a Hallmark movie.

A Royal Montana Christmas, a new original Hallmark movie premiering Saturday, October 18 at 8 p.m. stars Fiona Gubelmann and Warren Christie.

The movie follows Princess Victoria of Zelarnia who is overwhelmed by her royal duties and looking for a change. Looking to decompress in the days leading up to Christmas, she decides to take a vacation to Peaceful Pines Ranch in Montana.

For Hallmark fans who have cut the traditional cable cord and are opting for a streaming service, you can stream A Royal Montana Christmas live on Philo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Check out a sneak peak of the new holiday below:

More about the movie

According to Hallmarks official synopsis, Overwhelmed by her royal duties during the Christmas season, Princess Victoria of Zelarnia is ready for a change of pace. Looking to decompress in the days leading up to Christmas, she decides to take a vacation to Peaceful Pines Ranch in Montana where she celebrated Christmas as a child with her late father. Upon arrival, she meets her dashing guide Huntley Blaylock who presents her and the other guests at the ranch with a rustic experience that is far from the royal treatment.

Unaware of her status as a princess, Huntley puts Victoria through the rigors of a Montana ranch experience. Victoria also plans to help Huntley revive the ranchs Christmas Holly-Day Dance. As the two start to fall for each other, things get complicated when Huntley discovers Victoria is a princess. As Christmas approaches and her time at the ranch comes to an end, Victoria must decide if she should return to her royal life or stay in Montana with Huntley and the ranch she has grown so fond of.

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General Motors and partner Posco Future M have suspended the second phase of work on their joint venture battery materials plant in Quebec amid tepid consumer demand for electric vehicles and North American policy decisions that have undercut growth in the segment.

The Ultium CAM plant being commissioned in Becancour remains on track to start producing cathode active material for EV batteries next year, but the team will not immediately proceed with an expansion project, as originally planned.

In light of evolving market dynamics, GM and our partners will pause the second phase of the project, GM Canada spokesperson Marie Binette said in a email.

The move was first reported by Radio-Canada.

Sign up for the Automotive News Canada Daily to get the top news of the day in your inbox each business weekday afternoon.

GM and South Korea-based Posco started construction on the Cdn $600 million plant in 2022. A year later, they announced plans to broaden the scope of the project to include an integrated battery precursor materials plant, taking the value of the investment to over US $1 billion.

The suspension of the second phase has also disrupted plans for a nickel sulfate plant in Becancour, a city midway between Montreal and Quebec City.

In late 2022, GM signed a nickel supply agreement with Vale Base Metals. The mining giant confirmed Oct 16 that it had cancelled plans for the feedstock plant, expected to cost Cdn $325 million. The company had proceeded through numerous planning steps, but had not started construction.

While GM will not need nickel sulphate in Quebec at this time, Vale spokesperson Stuart Weinberg said the company will continue to work on supplying Canadian nickel to GM.

The dual blow is the latest in a series of setbacks for Quebec, which has attracted a number of big-ticket battery supply chain investments over the past four years.

For instance, in late 2024, Ford Motor Co. backed away from a joint-venture battery materials plant, also in Becancour. Its key partners originally planned to forge ahead with construction, but work on the Cdn $1.2-billion project was paused this June.

Nearby Montreal, meantime, was expected to host a Northvolt battery-cell manufacturing plant. The Cdn $7-billion project was put in jeopardy early this year as the Sweden-based company moved through bankruptcy proceedings. The Quebec government officially pulled the plug on the project in September.

Quebec Economy Minister Christine Frechette said the latest setbacks in Becancour are part of a global slowdown in the development of the battery supply chain. She said many battery projects are still underway in the province, and she hopes the GM project will be relaunched in the future.
Teri Errico Griffis is the senior business reporter and assistant editor at The Post and Courier, focusing on retail and real estate. An award-winning journalist, she previously worked as a Southeast commerce reporter for the Journal of Commerce and a reporter for the Charleston Regional Business Journal where she covered all facets of business in the Charleston region. Raised in Connecticut and New York, she has called South Carolina home since 2012.
Quick Response and Courts Reporter

Alan Hovorka is a breaking news and courts reporter for The Post & Courier. After graduating from Ball State University in Indiana, he spent five years covering government and education in central Wisconsin before coming to the Lowcountry.
KinderCare Learning Companies Inc. (NYSE:KLC) is one of the best young stocks with huge upside potential. On October 10, UBS lowered the firms price target on KinderCare Learning to $10 from $11 and kept a Buy rating on the shares. The sentiment was posted ahead of the companys Q3 2025 earnings report as the firm does not expect a material narrative shift coming out of Q3. Additionally, Wall Street estimates for the quarter seem achievable without a major change in enrollment trajectory.

Goldman Sachs Downgrades KinderCare Learning (KLC) to Neutral with $6 PT, Cites Declining Occupancy, Slowing Growth

On October 15, Goldman Sachs analyst George Tong also downgraded KinderCare Learning to Neutral from Buy with a price target of $6, down from $20. Goldman Sachs believes that the stocks upside will be limited due to declining child care center occupancy rates and slowing revenue growth. The companys occupancy declines are due to local market dynamics rather than a single factor.

KinderCare Learning Companies Inc. (NYSE:KLC) provides early childhood education and care services in the US. The company operates community-based early childhood education centers under the KCLC brand, and community-based early child care and education schools under the Creme School brand.

While we acknowledge the potential of KLC 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.
Okomu Oil Palm intends to pay a special cash reward to shareholders any moment from now, after its net profit for the first nine months of the year surged more than twofold to N60.3 billion, its second interim dividend this year.

The board approved the payout as part of its resolutions at a meeting on Thursday, a regulatory filing at the Nigerian Exchange on Friday stated, marking a breakaway from the tradition of paying one interim dividend annually.

The company has been prioritising dividend payment over retaining most of its earnings lately, choosing immediate shareholder value improvement over taking the long view.

Its first dividend for the year, announced after its half-year result, totalled N28.6 billion at N30 per share, with payout ratio, the portion of net profit that is allocated to paying dividend, as high as 60.2.

Management continues to reaffirm its commitment to self-funded operations, relying on operating cash flows to meet obligations and gradually unwinding existing borrowings, highlighting the companys robust cash-generating capacity, investment bank CardinalStone, said in a research note in August.

This has also fuelled a consistent dividend-paying policy, it added.

The financial report of the Edo State-based company for the review period, released on Friday, showed turnover expanded by 67.3 per cent to N103.9 billion, compared to the same period of last year.

In a way, that substantial growth in top line helped cushion the blow, which a sharp slide in finance income would have had on net profit as it fell to N317 million from N8.2 billion.

Local sales alone accounted for about nine-tenths of the revenue of the agro-processor, whose products includes crude palm oil, palm kernel, palm kernel oil and rubber among others. Exports contributed the rest, valued at N19.1 billion, compared to N16 billion a year ago.

The dramatic increase in after-tax profit owed its debt in part to an effective cost management. That, perhaps, is most noticeable in the proportion of cost of sales to revenue, which dropped to 35.6 per cent from 42.9. Finance costs also fell to N2.3 billion from N8.7 billion, boosting profit.

Last month, Edo State Forestry Commission disclosed that it had commenced a reforestation initiative with Okomu Oil towards planting more than 3,000 forest trees in the Ovia South West Local Government.

The climate action push plans to help expand the scope of the states forest cover, with Okomu Oil saying it has dedicated around 3,000 hectares of its concession as protected forest areas towards that course.

Pre-tax profit enlarged by 106.7 per cent to N84.1 billion, while profit after tax jumped to N60.3 billion from N28.3 billion, implying a 112.9 per cent increase.

Net profit margin, a performance indicator that shows how much of revenue that has been turned into profit, stood at 34.7 per cent, up from 27.3.
Despite her marriage to controversial actor Yul Edochie remaining a subject of public debate, Judy Austin has offered advice to married women.

Judy, who shot into the limelight after Edochie introduced her as his second wife, has since been embroiled in several controversies.

From her husbands ongoing divorce battle with his estranged wife, May, to accusations from her ex-husband, Emmanuel Obasi, who claimed she denied him access to their two children.

Yet, despite being at the centre of one of Nollywoods most talked-about marital controversies, Judy urged women to stand their ground in marriage.

In a viral Facebook clip on Friday, the actress emphasised the importance of self-assurance and resilience in sustaining a marriage.

The mother of five said: If you do not stand your ground, if you do not raise your voice, if you do not let your husband know that your word is final in the house, youre a loose woman. Youre a miserable woman. Youre this and that, if your man said this and you accept it like that, oh God. Some people are so daft and dont know anything. Please come and listen to good advice.

No matter how small the man is or how tall or poor or rich? Im going to make one thing very clear. Im going to state one thing. If your marriage is not working, you dont have any business calling yourself husband and wife. If you know that in your marriage, youre thinking of killing yourself, and your significant other does not even send, then you dont want to die. My sister, find your way.

Walk away

Furthermore, Judy stressed that marriage should never be treated as a do-or-die affair, urging women to walk away from abusive relationships.

She added that men are big babies, noting that only women with the right mindset and understanding know how to make them feel valued and loved.

Marriage is not a do-or-die affair, but if you want to marry regardless of how wrong he is. Your manner of approach matters. You need to understand youre talking to your husband, like I said, if you dont want to marry the man, go, but if you want to marry him, marry him. Make your own. Many women will always complain that their husband did this or that year in, year out. Excuse me, enough of the complaints. You cannot complain every day of your life.

If you continue to play the same tune, you will continue to have the same down (dance) steps. If you feel like your home is not working or youre always having issues with your husband, my sister, change your style. Let me tell you another thing: all men are big babies. You need to know how to make them feel like one around you. The majority of you ladies will go to church and turn to mumu to their pastors, said Judy.
Seyi Tinubu, the son of Nigerias president Bola Tinubu, has clarified claims of donating N20 million to Nollywood actress Sarah Martins to support her charity initiative.

Mr Tinubu, 40, said, via his Instagram Story on Friday, that the funds did not come from his personal account.

He wrote: I have been informed that some friends of mine, moved by compassion, raised funds to support a young woman who had an encounter with the law over an environmental violation.

Their intention, I believe, was to help her secure a proper space to run her business, not to undermine the law. I appreciate their kindness and concern.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Ms Martins announced in a video posted on her Instagram page on Friday that Mr Tinubu gave her some money, N20 million, to expand her charitable outreach.

She disclosed this a day after being apprehended by the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC/KAI) for allegedly violating environmental laws.

In the video, Ms Martins noted that the gesture would relieve families struggling to afford their next meal.

Violation of laws

Earlier, this newspaper reported that the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said that Ms Martins breached objective four of the LAGESC/KAI Law on street vending, which prohibits the sale or preparation of food on roads or pavements.

READ ALSO: inDrive reinstates driver after false robbery allegation

Mr Tinubu said he would never support any act violating Lagos law and order.

That said, I must emphasise that while their hearts were in the right place, I do not support any act that violates the laws of Lagos State. Lagos thrives on order, and Nigerias strength depends on our collective respect for law and order.

Empathy and patriotism must always go together. We can support people in need, but we must do so responsibly, uplifting lives while keeping faith with the rules and values that bind us as a community, said Mr Tinubu.
Buruli ulcer is a chronic but often neglected skin disease that leaves patients with painful scars, severe disfigurement, and, in some cases, lifelong disability.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies Buruli ulcer as one of 17 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) affecting more than 120 million people in 72 countries, including Nigeria.

The infection, caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, primarily attacks the skin, deeper soft tissues, and sometimes the bones. If left untreated, it can lead to severe disabilities and permanent disfigurement.

In Nigeria, the disease continues to affect rural communities. The country recorded 698 suspected cases of Buruli ulcers in 2024. In September, more than 50 cases and eight deaths were confirmed in Malabu, Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Explaining the disease, a UK-based infectious disease expert and virologist, Solomon Chollom, said Buruli ulcer is caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, a bacterium in the same family as tuberculosis and leprosy but with distinct behaviour.

It most often begins with a lump, swelling, or hard spot on the skin that is painless and confused with an insect bite or boil, Mr Chollom explained. The skin then sloughs and forms a deep ulcer with wide, undermined borders.

Where it thrives

The expert explained that scientists have yet to determine exactly how Mycobacterium ulcerans is transmitted, but one thing is certain, it survives and multiplies best in slow-moving or stagnant water such as ponds, swamps, irrigation ditches, and riverbanks

Residents living near these bodies of water, farmers working near them, and fishermen fishing in them are at increased risk of exposure, particularly if they have open cuts or skin abrasions, he said.

In Nigeria, most reported cases occur in rural, riverine villages, and the states with high numbers of Buruli ulcer cases include Ogun, Oyo, Anambra, Imo, Delta, and Cross River.

Mr Chollom noted that women and children have been predominantly affected, likely because they are exposed to water all the time for domestic use or agriculture.

He stressed that Buruli ulcer is non-infectious, meaning it cannot spread from person to person through touch or handshake, but poor hygiene, inadequate wound care, and working barefoot on farms can increase exposure.

Late diagnosis

According to Mr Chollom, the infection begins painlessly, so many people ignore early warning signs.

Early diagnosis is what makes the difference between a small wound that heals and a big ulcer that leaves life marks, he said. Anyone with a lump or swelling that doesnt improve after two weeks should see a doctor.

The most reliable way to confirm the disease is through a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test that detects Mycobacterium ulcerans DNA in the wound. Unfortunately, only a few reference laboratories in Nigeria can perform this test, and they are far from the rural areas where most cases occur.

Public ignorance is another problem, Mr Chollom added. Swelling is often blamed on witchcraft or snakebite, so patients first go to traditional healers. By the time they reach a hospital, the ulcers are large and septic.

He added that health workers limited experience with the disease also leads to misdiagnosis, further delaying treatment.

Diseases severity, treatment

Buruli ulcer may not kill as many people as malaria or tuberculosis, but its long-term effects can be devastating.

Death from Buruli ulcer is not as common, but its disability, disfigurement, and psychological trauma can destroy livelihoods and social self-esteem, Mr Chollom warned.

He described the most tragic part as the silent suffering of survivors who bear scars and stigma that need not have been.

If detected early, Buruli ulcer is curable. WHO recommends an eight-week course of two oral antibiotics, rifampicin and clarithromycin, which kill the bacteria and stop further tissue destruction.

In the past, surgery was routinely required to remove dead tissue, but nowadays antibiotics alone can be effective, Mr Chollom said. Large ulcers may still need wound management, skin grafting, or physiotherapy to prevent loss of movement.

Mr Chollom identified low awareness, limited diagnostic capacity, and poor surveillance as the main barriers to controlling the disease.

He said that due to poverty, many rural residents cannot afford transport, or the hospital stays needed for treatment. Cultural beliefs also delay care.

Some still believe ulcers are spiritual problems, not medical ones, he noted.

Disease prevention

There is currently no vaccine against Buruli ulcer, but prevention is simple and community based.

Mr Chollom advised that people living near swamps or rivers wear protective boots and clothing while farming or fishing, avoid bathing in muddy water when they have cuts, and treat wounds promptly.

He said Nigeria needs more health education, early case-finding, and laboratory support in endemic areas.

Buruli ulcer is also teachable in leprosy and tuberculosis programmes by public health workers because these two diseases tend to occur together in afflicted populations, he noted.
New reports have hinted at the establishment of a $1 billion Ethereum (ETH) treasury, marking the entry of another firm into the corporate accumulation trend. The founder of the Huobi exchange, Li Lin, who doubles as the chairman of Avenir Capital, is making this move in collaboration with some top investors in Asia.

Huobi Founder Partners With Top Investors

Bloomberg reported that Lin is mulling the launch of a $1 billion ETH treasury. Should it pull through, this initiative would be one of the largest accumulators of ETH.

Lins family office intends to collaborate with Fenbushi Capital co-founder Shen Bo, HashKey Group Chief Executive Officer Xiao Feng, and Meitu founder Cai Wensheng to achieve this feat.

As a team, these investors came up with a digital asset trust with a strong focus on Ethereum accumulation. So far, the group has secured $1 billion in commitments towards the accumulation strategy. Of this fund, $200 million is from Lin through his Avenir Capital, the Hong Kongbased investment group that is focused on bridging Traditional Finance (TradFi) and digital assets.

Also, $500 million was pledged by multiple Asian institutional investors who have shown a willingness to invest in this venture. Most of these investors, including HongShan Capital Group, already perceive this initiative as a venture that holds prospects to rank as one of the largest private accumulations of the worlds top altcoin.

Corporate Ethereum Treasury Among Crypto Firms

Meanwhile, BitMine Immersion Technologies boasts of the largest Ethereum treasury. As of August 18, it announced that it has 1.52 million ETH, currently worth approximately $5.89 billion. Noteworthy, 1 unit of Ethereum is trading at $3,876.21 with a 2.09% increase within the last 24 hours.

BitMine recently purchased 202,037 ETH tokens, taking advantage of the decline in prices, and now holds over 3 million ETH. This represents 2.5% of the total supply of the altcoin. The second-largest Ethereum holder is SharpLink Gaming with more than 728,804 ETH. As of today, this bag has now grown to 840,124 ETH.

Like Huobi, many more companies are launching their Ethereum treasuries.

Read original story Huobi Founder Eyes $1,000,000,000 Ethereum Treasury Firm by Godfrey Benjamin at Coinspeaker.com
Nigerias dependence on imported medicines has dropped from 70 to 60 per cent, according to the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mojisola Adeyeye.

Mrs Adeyeye said the reduction showcases gradual progress in the countrys efforts to promote local manufacturing and reduce reliance on imported drugs.

The professor spoke in Lagos on Thursday at the 2025 Investiture and Public Lecture of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, where she called for more collaboration in building national capacity for innovation, manufacturing, and health security.

The event, which also featured the investiture of 14 new Fellows of the Academy, brought together pharmacists, policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders to discuss the role of pharmaceutical innovation in nation-building.

Nigeria far behind target

As of 2021, NAFDAC had announced a goal of reducing drug importation from 70 to 30 per cent by 2025 through increased local production.

While the country is still far from achieving that target, recent policies and regulatory reforms have contributed to some of the gains.

The agency has implemented a set of initiatives designed to stimulate local manufacturing and raise production quality to global standards.

One key initiative is the 5plus5 regulatory scheme, which grants companies a final five-year renewal to import medicines that can be produced locally.

At the end of that period, they must either establish local factories or partner with existing Nigerian producers.

From that initiative, she disclosed in 2024 that more than 30 per cent of new companies in Nigeria are a result of the5plus5 because many importers started building their own companies or partnering with local manufacturers through contract manufacturing.

NAFDAC has also expanded the import ceiling list, the number of essential medicines that can no longer be imported because they can now be made domestically, from nine to 36.

Rebuilding NAFDAC

Mrs Adeyeye said her first years in office were spent rebuilding the agencys systems and workforce to restore credibility and align operations with international standards.

When I joined in 2017, I met an agency with almost nothing. We had to wash our brains, to retrain ourselves to know our customers, document our processes, and work with standard operating procedures, she said.

In 2022, NAFDAC achieved the World Health Organisations Maturity Level 3 certification, a benchmark for regulatory strength and reliability, and successfully retained it during reevaluation last year.

We became the first country in Africa to achieve and sustain Maturity Level 3 reevaluation successfully. That is nation building, she said.

Local innovation

The NAFDAC boss said deliberate regulatory policies and support systems have improved the quality and competitiveness of locally produced medicines.

Under her leadership, she said Nigeria now has two WHO-prequalified medicine manufacturers and its first WHO-prequalified medical device company.

Before now, we had none. Today, we have prequalified medical devices and two prequalified medicine producers, proof that God did not create us differently. We can do it, she said.

She added that the agency also developed a track-and-trace system used to monitor vaccines, narcotics, and newborn health commodities, making Nigeria the first in Africa and the second in the world to deploy such a tool nationwide.

We used it to track all our vaccines during the pandemic. Were now using it for narcotics and newborn health commodities, she said.

Linking academia, industry

Mrs Adeyeye said NAFDAC is linking universities with industry to strengthen research and innovation.

Through partnerships with institutions such as the University of Lagos and the Federal University of Technology, Minna, staff can now pursue postgraduate studies while working full-time.

Without academia, we cannot do research and development, she said.

Our staff now earn masters and PhD degrees while serving full-time, thats part of nation building.

She urged professionals, manufacturers, and investors to see themselves as nation builders and to collaborate in expanding Nigerias pharmaceutical capacity.

Local innovation, nation building

In his keynote address, Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings, Wale Oyedeji, said innovation and collaboration are essential to repositioning Nigerias pharmaceutical industry.

Pharmaceutical innovation is many things, it is science, yes, but it is also business, governance, and above all, nation building, Mr Oyedeji said.

He warned that Nigerias continued dependence on imported medicines, poor investment in research, and the migration of skilled professionals were undermining growth.

He urged pharmacists, researchers, and financiers to collaborate, invest in research and development, and adapt to new technologies such as artificial intelligence and data analytics.

We must challenge practitioners to devote more than 0.2 per cent to R&D, focusing on what we have locally, he said. India looked within and transformed its healthcare system. We can do even better.

President and Chairman, Governing Council, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Lere Baale, said the Academys mission is to advance pharmaceutical science, ethics, and service to humanity.

Mr Baale said pharmacy remains central to national progress through its contribution to health security, industrial growth, and policy development.

He said the Academy is working to reposition Nigeria as a continental pharmaceutical innovation hub through research, biotechnology, digital health, and partnerships linking academia, government, and industry.

Public perception defines professional destiny, he said. We are redefining pharmacy beyond the image of dispensing medicines to that of leadership in innovation, policy, and healthcare transformation.
The 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) Report says Nigerias Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has declined from 5.3 children per woman in 2018 to 4.8 in 2024, marking a major demographic shift over the past five years.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja at the launch of the report.

Mr Salako said the decline reflects gradual gains in access to and use of family planning services nationwide.

Modern contraceptive use among currently married women increased modestly to 15 per cent in 2023 from 12 per cent in 2018, while satisfied demand for family planning rose to 37 per cent, he said.

He noted that although the improvements were encouraging, they remained below the levels required to drive rapid social and economic progress.

According to him, antenatal coverage currently stands at 63 per cent, skilled birth attendance at 46 per cent, while postnatal coverage within two days after delivery rose from 38 per cent in 2018 to 42 per cent in 2024.

Mr Salako said the under-five mortality rate had dropped significantly from 132 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 110 per 1,000 in 2024, while neonatal mortality remained nearly stagnant, moving from 39 to 41 per 1,000 live births within the same period.

More efforts are required to reduce neonatal deaths, which account for about 40 to 45 per cent of under-five mortality, he added.

The minister said the findings highlight urgent gaps requiring coordinated responses, adding that the ministry had already begun translating them into policy reforms.

He said initiatives such as the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Initiative and the Nigerian Child Survivor Act (20232025) were designed to address context-specific challenges through coordinated interventions.

This is being done with better health investment targeting improved coordination, a more efficient planning system, stronger community involvement, and building partnerships.

However, the utilisation of the 2024 NDHS report to strengthen the health system and drive measurable improvements is the responsibility of all stakeholders, he said.

Mr Salako added that the data would also guide sub-national governments to identify geographical areas requiring urgent intervention.

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Kwarra, said the NDHS remains a vital instrument for understanding population trends, child and maternal health, nutrition, malaria, HIV, and other development indicators.

Since its inception in 1990, the NDHS has been a central pillar in Nigerias demographic data architecture, Mr Kwarra said.

The 2024 edition continues this legacy, providing fresh insights at a time when the need for reliable evidence to guide policy has never been greater.

He said the survey was implemented by the NPC with oversight from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and support from development partners.

READ ALSO: Vice President Shettima to attend national MSME clinic in Katsina

He added that the success of the exercise demonstrated the power of institutional collaboration and reaffirmed that data is not merely a technical output but a public good that empowers evidence-based governance.

World Bank Senior Health Specialist, Ritgak Tilly-Gyado, said the data would support the Banks analytical work and policy modelling in key areas such as health, education, and nutrition.

Ms Tilly-Gyado said the NDHS provides critical data points that help us understand what has worked and where further support to the Nigerian government is most needed.

The 2024 NDHS, the sixth in the series since 1999, was designed to provide reliable data for monitoring population and health indicators in Nigeria.

Its pre-data collection phase ran from August 2022 to November 2023, covering tool development, training, recruitment, pre-testing, and logistics, while fieldwork was conducted across 42,000 households nationwide between 1 December 2023 and 5 May 2024.

(NAN)
When US Senator Ted Cruz rose on the Senate floor of the 119th US Congress in Washington earlier this month to introduce a Bill, S.2747also known as the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025Nigerias name appeared repeatedly, grimly, and prominently. The Texas Republicans bill seeks to compel the United States government to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act, citing what he described as the worlds deadliest persecution of Christians.

In an 11 September press release, the Republican senator for the State of Texas said he wants the bill to move forward expeditiously. The statement lays out the basis, stating, Religious persecution and violence against Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria is endemic, driven in significant part by Islamist jihadism and institutionalized sharia law in large parts of the country.

The move reopens a fraught diplomatic conversation between Abuja and Washington, one that began over a decade ago when US policy first openly linked Nigerias security failings to religious persecution. Now, with Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress and President Donald Trump back in office, the political and security implications for Nigeria are far greater.

What Senator Ted Cruzs Bill Says

Mr Cruzs legislationofficially titled S.2747  Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025builds directly on House Resolution 594, a companion motion in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and which, as of 8 October 2025, is co-sponsored by 18 Republican Party lawmakers. Previously, House Resolution H.Res.82led by Congressman Chris Smith, explicitly names Nigeria:

Whereas, in Nigeria

(1) thousands of Christians are targeted and killed for their faith every year, such as in the attack on Palm Sunday, 2025, that left at least 50 Christians dead, and the attack on Yelewata, Benue State, in June 2025, that left at least 200 Christians dead; and

(2) the number of Christians killed in Nigeria is vastly more than the number of Christians killed in all other countries combined.

The bill cites data from Open Doors World Watch List 2025, stating that More than 380m Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith, and that Nigeria continues to account for the majority of global faith-based killings. According to Open Doors 2024 data, 82 per cent of the 4,998 Christians killed worldwide in 2023 were Nigerian.

Also referenced in the bills fact sheet are findings by Vatican News and Genocide Watch, showing that between 2009 and 2023 over 52,000 Christiansand at least 34,000 moderate Muslimswere killed in faith-based attacks led by Islamist extremists in Nigeria, while about five million people were displaced.

At a recent hearing before the US House Subcommittee on Africa, Nigerian faith leaders and diaspora witnesses delivered written testimonies describing entire rural communities in Plateau, Benue, and Southern Kaduna states as living under nightly siege. Representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Intersociety, a civil rights group, said attacks by non-state armed actors are often dismissed as banditry but, under US law, meet the Title 22 definition of terrorismacts of violence against non-combatants for ideological or political ends.

From Bill to Law: The Road Ahead

For readers unfamiliar with US legislative mechanics, a bill like Mr Cruzs follows a structured path:

Introduction in the Senate by a member (here, Mr Cruz). Referral to a committeein this case, the Senate Foreign Relations Committeefor review, debate, and possible amendment. Full Senate vote once it clears committee. Companion approval by the House of Representatives. Reconciliation of both versions into one final text. Submission to the President for signature or veto.

If the president signs it, the measure becomes federal law. If he vetoes it, Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both houses.

Given the alignment between Mr Cruzs campaign and Mr Trumps foreign policy commitments, analysts in Washington see this bill as having a high probability of passage. The Senate now counts 52 Republican seats, with the House holding a similarly conservative majoritysimply put, Republicans have most seats.

Trumps Likely Position: Alignment on Faith and Security

President Trump has long framed the protection of Christians globally as a moral priority. In his campaign and subsequent inauguration briefing, Mr Trump reaffirmed his administrations stance to be on the side of persecuted Christians wherever they are, including in Africa. At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the American leader said, Together, let us defend free speech and free expression. Let us protect religious liberty, including for the most persecuted religion on the planet today  its called Christianity. Key elements of his speech were published on the White House website on 23 September 2025. This suggests he would almost certainly sign Mr Cruzs bill if it reaches his desk.

On his X (formerly Twitter) account, Mr Cruz said, Officials in Nigeria are ignoring and even facilitating the mass murder of Christians by Islamist jihadists. This signals that U.S. religious freedom advocacy will increase.

The Terror Group Context: Key Historical Markers

The policy debate cannot be separated from Nigerias formal terrorist designationsby the United States over the past decade:

Both designations legally oblige the US to monitor financing, training, or travel related to these groups. The Global Terrorism Trends and Analysis Center (GTTAC) found that Nigeria accounted for 17 per cent of all terrorism events that occurred across more than one day in 2022the highest share of any single country. The report added that the upward trend in 2023, marked by a 34 per cent increase in terror deaths, was driven by intensifying clashes between Boko Haram and ISIS-WA.

Nigerias Reality, Data, and Testimony

The Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA) observed in a 2023 report that attacks on Christian-majority areas cause displacement and insecurity.

According to a 12 March 2025 press release by US Representative Chris Smith (NJ-04), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, there was a congressional hearing on religious freedom violations in Nigeria. The statement said, Genocide Watch has called Nigeria a killing field of defenseless Christians.

Testifying at the House hearing, entitled Conflict and Persecution in Nigeria: The Case for a CPC Designation, were witnesses, including the Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria, Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, and Oge Onubogu, who was at the time the director of the Africa Programme at The Wilson Center. In testimony before US lawmakers, Mr Anagbe said, A long-term, Islamic agenda to homogenize the population has been implemented, over several presidencies, through a strategy to reduce and eventually eliminate the Christian identity of half of the population.

This strategy includes both violent and non-violent actions, such as the exclusion of Christians from positions of power, the abduction of Church members, the raping of women, the killing and expulsion of Christians, the destruction of churches and farmlands of Christian farmers, followed by the occupation of such lands by Fulani herders. All of this takes place without government interference or reprisals.

Local Nigerian groups reinforced these assertions. Intersocietys 2023 report documented 1,041 faith-related killings in the first 100 days of that year and over 5,000 in 2022. Their report argued that most victims are rural Christians identified by their faith, not random victims of banditry.

The Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) report of October 2025 noted that religious persecution in northern and central Nigeria remains widespread, systematic, and largely unpunished.

These testimonies have been central to shaping the approach now reflected in Mr Cruzs and Smiths Congressional advocacy.

Interpreting the Bill Through an International Security Lens

A PREMIUM TIMES analysis of the security situation in Nigeria shows that the state fails to protect its citizens amidst a proliferation of armed groups in five of the six geopolitical zones of the country. The armed groups all have diverse interests, and the majority of the victims, overall, can be said to be Muslims.

The Nigerian government has also debunked Mr Cruzs claim, with the Nigerian presidents office saying, While Nigeria, like many countries, has faced security challenges, including acts of terrorism perpetrated by criminals, couching the situation as a deliberate, systematic attack on Christians is inaccurate and harmful.

It oversimplifies a complex, security environment and plays into the hands of terrorists and criminals who seek to divide Nigerians along religious or ethnic lines. Muslims, Christians, and even those who do not identify with any religion have suffered at their hands, it said.

However, from an international security perspective, it can be argued that the issue is as much about state capacity as ideology. Nigerias inability to secure its citizens in the countrys northwest and central zones has allowed terrorism [under the U.S. Congress legal definition in Title 22 code] to redefine violence along religious lines. Under the US Title 22 standard, such acts qualify as terrorism, not mere local criminality.

Scholars describe this as a phenomenon of state de-legitimation through non-state coercion. In simpler terms, when the government cannot control violent non-state actors, international actors begin to frame its crisis as a global security threat, justifying foreign legislative or diplomatic interventions. The Cruz bill represents precisely such a step.

Possible Consequences If the Bill Passes

If enacted, Mr Cruzs bill would require the State Department to reimpose consequences and restrict certain defence and economic cooperation programmes with Nigeria until credible progress is shown in preventing anti-Christian killings. This could affect security assistance, visa privileges for senior officials, and Nigerias access to some US training and counterterrorism funds.

Diplomatic relations may face a fresh strain. Nigeria was first listed as a Country of Particular Concern in 2020, during President Trumps first term in office, and then delisted in 2021. Reinstatement in 2025 would symbolise Americas loss of confidence in Abujas authority over its internal non-state, armed group violence.

Moreover, the labeling of Nigeria as a CPC may carry reputational damage beyond Washington. It could shape EU or UK humanitarian funding assessments and embolden advocacy groups at the UN Human Rights Council to push for an international inquirya move Nigerian diplomats have historically resisted.

A Defining Crossroads

Whether or not Mr Cruzs bill ultimately becomes law, it brings new attention to Nigerias internal, irregular armed violenceand places it under a foreign moral microscope. For a country seeking international investment and security cooperation, being named in the same breath as religious persecution and mass killings is damaging enough.

The deeper lesson, international security experts say, is that uncontained non-state violence becomes globalised. When local tragedies are left to fester, more powerful countries may begin to legislate over them.

In Washingtons eyes, the battle for Nigerias Christians has become not just a human rights concern, but a question of international terrorismand the Trump Administrations American faith-based conscience.

Pearl Matibe is a Washington, D.C.-based geopolitical analyst and correspondent with expertise in foreign policy and international security, regularly covering the U.S. Congress, U.S. Department of War, U.S Department of State, and White House. Follow her on Twitter: @PearlMatibe.
The Defence Headquarters, on Thursday, confirmed the capture of a notorious terror kingpin in Imo State, Nigerias South-east.

The terror kingpin, Ifeanyi Eze, is popularly known as Gentle De Yahoo.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Markus kangye, announced this during a weekly press briefing in Abuja.

PREMIUM TIMES obtained a video clip and text of the press briefing.

Capture

At the briefing, Mr Kangye, a major general, said troops of Operation UDO KA of the Nigerian Army captured Mr Eze during an operation in the south-eastern state between eight and 13 October 2025.

The official said Mr Eze is a suspected commander of a terrorist group, the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed militant wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

He added that he had been on the troops wanted list alongside eight other criminals in Owerri West and Mbaitoli LGAs of Imo as well as in Izzi and Ohaukwu LGAs of Ebonyi State.

Additionally, a female IPOB/ESN collaborator who also was believed to be one of their logistics suppliers was arrested in Umunneochi LGA of Abia State, he said.

Mr Kangye said, during an operation on 13 October, three children who were biological children of another wanted IPOB/ESN leader, Maduabuchi Nwankwo otherwise known as Emergency, were found in the custody of the female IPOB collaborator.

It was further revealed that the terrorist leader is also her relation, he said.

Several arms, ammunition and a vehicle were recovered from the suspects during the operations, according to the military authorities.

Background

Mr Eze, who claims to be a Biafra agitator, has been linked to growing attacks in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, including the recent murder of three of his fighters in the area.

The terror kingpin is a commander of Biafra Liberation Army in Okigwe which was established by Simon Ekpa, another controversial Biafra agitator and leader of Autopilot, a faction of IPOB.

IPOB is a group leading agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants carved out from the South-east and some parts of the South-south Nigeria.

Mr Ekpa was recently jailed for terrorism in Finland, a North European country.

Meanwhile, PREMIUM TIMES reported in September that Mr Eze and his were feared killed when Nigerian troops raided their hideout in Aku-Ihube, a community in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.

Military sources had told this newspaper at the time that it was unclear if Mr Eze was among those killed during the operation.

Like other states in Nigerias South-east, security has deteriorated in Imo State with frequent attacks by armed persons in recent times.

Attacks by gunmen who claim to be agitating for Biafra and other criminals in the South-east have combined to worsen insecurity in the region.

The Nigerian government has repeatedly accused IPOB of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region.

But the IPOB faction led by Nnamdi Kanu has consistently denied its involvement in the attacks.
Madagascar has sworn in military leader Michael Randrianirina as its new president, days after a military coup that ended weeks of widespread youth-led protests in the Indian Ocean nation.

He replaces ousted President Andry Rajoelina, who fled the country and was later impeached following demonstrations against worsening economic conditions and governance failures.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Constitutional Court in the capital, Antananarivo, where a large crowd gathered, including protest leaders, military officers, and foreign diplomats.

The inauguration, however, defied the African Union (AU), which suspended Madagascars membership in response to the military seizure of power.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the youth-led demonstrations over crippling water and power shortages had turned violent, leaving at least 22 people dead and more than 100 injured, according to the United Nations.

Today marks a historic turning point for our country, Mr Randrianirina declared in his inaugural speech, AL Jazeera reports. With a people united by the desire for change and a deep love for their homeland, we open a new chapter in our nations history.

The new president pledged to collaborate with civil society and political actors to draft a new constitution and electoral laws to guide fresh elections and referendums. He also praised the youth movement for its role in the uprising that brought down the previous administration.

We are committed to breaking with the past, he said. Our mission is to reform Madagascars administrative, socio-economic, and political systems for the benefit of all.

Following the takeover, the military dissolved most state institutions except the National Assembly.

Despite mounting criticism from international organisations, including the United Nations, Mr Randrianirina denied staging a coup, citing the Constitutional Courts endorsement of his presidency as evidence of legitimacy.

READ ALSO: Coup in Madagascar after Gen Z protests forced President to flee

Supporters of the deposed president have rejected the courts ruling as unconstitutional, warning it could deepen the political instability in the former French colony.

Media reports said Mr Rajoelina was evacuated on Sunday aboard a French military aircraft to the French island of Reunion before travelling to Dubai.

Madagascar now joins a growing list of former French colonies that have experienced military rule since 2020, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon, and Guinea.

This is the third military-led transition in Madagascar since independence from France in 1960, following coups in 1972 and 2009. Despite its wealth of natural resources and biodiversity, the country remains one of the poorest in the world, with about 80 per cent of its 32 million citizens living in poverty, according to the World Bank.

Mr Rajoelinas flight into exile makes him the third Malagasy leader to do so after being ousted, following Didier Ratsiraka in 2002 and Marc Ravalomanana in 2009.
The Kano State Government has filed criminal charges at the State High Court against former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and his children, over the Dala Inland Dry Port Limited ownership scandal.

PREMIUM TIMES exposed how Mr Ganduje secretly transferred the state governments 20 per cent stake in the facility to private hands, making his children co-owners of the company before awarding a contract worth more than N4 billion to provide infrastructure for the project.

The transfer ended Kano States shareholding in the project, while Mr Gandujes children and aide, Abubakar Bawuro, became directors and shareholders.

Mr Ganduje, who was the governor between 2015 and 2023, is scheduled to appear before the state high court on 19 November, alongside his three children and Mr Bawuro to face a ten-count charge of criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, breach of trust, and conflict of interest.

Others charged by the state government include former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Hassan Bello, and Mr Gandujes family lawyer, Adamu Aliyu-Sanda.

The state government accused the defendants of conspiring to fraudulently transfer 80 per cent of the shares of Dala Inland Dry Port, including the states 20 per cent equity, to private ownership under the fictitious name City Green Enterprise.

The prosecution also alleged that the defendants diverted over 4.49 billion of Kano State funds to execute infrastructure projects such as a double carriageway, electricity, and perimeter fencing at the dry port for their personal and family benefit.

The defendants also faced charges of abuse of office and conflict of interest, as it was alleged that they leveraged their official roles to redirect public resources for personal benefit, thereby violating financial and constitutional regulations.

The prosecution has assembled several key witnesses, including government officials who were allegedly manipulated to sign documents that perfected fraudulent transactions from the state government to the Dala Inland Dry Port Limited.

What Premium Times investigation exposed

When Dala Inland Dry Port Limited was incorporated on 8 December 2003, its only directors were the founder, Ahmad Rabiu, and his son, Rabiu Ahmad Rabiu.

Two years later, at an extraordinary general meeting on 19 January 2005, the board was expanded with the appointment of four new directors: Abdulaziz Haladu, Anwar Isyaku-Rabiu, Diepreye George, and Abdullahi Kwaru.

Records obtained by this newspaper show that on 5 March 2020, Mr Gandujes three children and his longtime associate, Abubakar Bawuro, replaced Mr Rabius son and all other directors elected in 2005 as board members of the company.

Minutes of the companys Annual General Meeting (AGM), held on 5 March 2020, at its Zaria Road office in Kano, confirmed the appointment of Abdulaziz Abdullahi Umar, Umar Abdullahi Umar, and Muhammad Abdullahi Umarall children of Mr Ganduje alongside Mr Bawuro as new directors of Dala Inland Dry Port Limited.

It was also at the meeting that the state government was removed as a co-owner of the dry port and the Ganduje children were appointed, not just as directors, but also as shareholders with five million shares each.

According to its ordinary resolution, the meeting was attended by all the shareholders, and it was unanimously resolved that Abdulaziz Abdullah Umar, Umar Abdullahi Umar, and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar the three children of Mr Ganduje be allotted five million shares each, each being 20 per cent of the total 25 million shares of the company.

Mr Rabiu and Mr Bawuro were also each allotted 20 per cent, creating a new ownership structure of five equal shareholders, each with 20 per cent of the companys shares.

This structure edged out the Kano State Government from the ownership of the company.

The state government said due process was not followed in the divestment process, accusing Mr Ganduje of using his office to undermine the state.
Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are responsible for about half of Nigerias GDP and employ more than 84 per cent of its workforce, Jumoke Oduwole, the minister of industry, trade and investment, disclosed in Abuja on Friday.

Ms Oduwole, who stood in for Vice President Kashim Shettima at the launch of Moniepoints 2025 Edition of the Nigerian Informal Economy Report, said the figures reflect the strength and dynamism of Nigerian entrepreneurs, who continue to sustain the economy in the face of structural challenges.

Nigeria is home to over 39 million micro, small and medium sized enterprises, and they account for about 96 per cent of all businesses, she said.

From market traders and artisans to small service providers and young digital entrepreneurs, millions of Nigerians power commerce daily, often in ways that remain unseen yet indispensable to our economy.

She described the informal sector as the heart of Nigerias story of resilience, creativity and enterprise, crediting small business owners, artisans and digital entrepreneurs for keeping trade and services alive in the country.

Ms Oduwole lauded Moniepoint for spotlighting evolving trends in the informal economy through its new report, saying such insights are crucial for evidence-based policymaking.

The minister remarked that the Nigerian government is determined to create an enabling environment for MSMEs to thrive by improving access to finance, simplifying registration and compliance processes, and equipping entrepreneurs with necessary tools to scale.

She also highlighted a couple of trade-related incentives under the African Continental Free Trade Area, designed to boost market access for Nigerian businesses.

Among these are gazetted tax concessions for trading goods to enable duty-free access across Africa, and the launch of the Adegboye Export Corridor with Uganda Air, which is targeting 13 Southern and Eastern African countries.

The export corridor, she said, offers discounted cargo rates, which reduce air freight costs by as much as 75 per cent, affording Nigerian exporters a faster means of connecting with regional markets.

The African Continental Free Trade Area is no longer a concept. Its the real and unfolding marketplace of 1.4 billion people, and this is the time to ask how you can serve that regional market, she said.

Key findings

The report highlights the resilience and fragility of Nigerias informal sector, revealing that while 65 per cent of informal businesses recorded revenue growth in the past year, rising costs meant that only 47 per cent reported higher profit.

While cash remains the dominant mode of payment by customers in the sector, about half of business owners prefer to pay suppliers through bank transfers.

Moniepoint identified limited access to finance, weak business structures, low digital adoption and poor infrastructure as the key challenges retarding growth.

It noted that an improved financial literacy and a wider access to affordable digital tools can help improve productivity.

The report found that despite the harsh economic climate, many informal businesses have managed to survive, relying on mobile transactions and community-based savings networks to stay afloat. Moniepoint urged policymakers and financial institutions to support these entrepreneurs with targeted interventions that can guarantee their long-term stability and contributions to the Nigerian economy.
The Nigerian military authorities have set up a panel to investigate about 20 officers detained over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.

Sahara Reporters newspaper broke the news that 16 officers, including a brigadier general and a colonel, were arrested in late September following intelligence that they were holding secret meetings and expressing discontent with the administration.

The report is true, a military source familiar with the matter said to PREMIUM TIMES after the report. More have been picked up since the initial arrests.

The source said the officers allegedly planned a bloody pustch in which some top government officials were marked for assassination.

The alleged coup plotters had tentatively picked a date for the coup and were continuing consultations when the plot leaked.

The coup plot caused panic in government after it was leaked because the military high command had repeatedly assured the government of the militarys loyalty to the administration and civil authorities, the officer told our newspaper.

Out of that panic, the government cancelled the National Independence Day parade on October 1, because it was a military ceremony and they did not want to take any risk.

An investigative panel, the source added, has been constituted by the military to probe what authorities describe as indiscipline and breach of service regulations.

The membership of the investigative panel is unclear at this point. Still, our sources said the three arms of the military (army, air force and navy), the police and the State Security Service are well represented in the body.

One source said the panel has been meeting for the past week but declined to disclose the committees sitting venues.

Investigation

Although the Defence Headquarters did not directly confirm a coup plot, its spokesperson, Tukur Gusau, a brigadier-general, said on 4 October, sixteen officers were being investigated for indiscipline and breach of service regulations.

However, other military insiders confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that the arrests were tied to the alleged plan to depose the Tinubu administration.

The intelligence pointed to plans to destabilise the government, one official said. Some officers were reportedly holding meetings to discuss a possible takeover.

The development came a year after Nigerians, protesting growing economic hardship, called for a military takeover. It also occurred shortly before a military coup rocked Madagascar, making it the ninth coup detat in Africa since 2020.

Security concerns and cancelled parades

Apart from the Guard of Honour at the airport, there have been no major parades since the alleged plot was uncovered, another officer said.

The suspects are being held at an undisclosed military installation in Abuja.

Prior discontent

According to Defence spokesperson, Mr Gusau, preliminary findings indicated that the detained officers grievances stemmed from career stagnation and failure in promotion examinations.

Mr Gusau has not responded to an SMS sent to him, seeking his comments about the alleged coup plot.

However, in the 4 October statement, he stated, Upon completion of investigation, indicted officers will face the full military disciplinary process in accordance with established procedures to ensure accountability and preserve professionalism within the Armed Forces.
Top intelligence sources have provided insights into how some military officers accused of alleged coup plot planned to overthrow President Bola Tinubu and disrupt Nigerias democracy.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported how about 20 officers were arrested and detained for allegedly planning to stage the coup.

A top military source familiar with the development told this newspaper that the development caused tension in government, forcing the presidency to cancel the National Independence Day parade usually done on 1 October.

However, an investigative panel has been set up to probe the officers involved.

25th October

According to insider accounts, the suspected coup planners scheduled 25 October to strike.

That was the tentative date, the source said. If things did not work out that day, they will continue plotting.

The Independence Day parade would have been observed, according to our sources.

The parade could have been held since the arrests were made before 01 October, but the government did not want to take risk since it was a military ceremony, another officer said.

There are no clear details about the identities of the officers involved yet.

Tinubu, Shettima , others targeted for assasination

According to people with knowledge of the matter, key officials allegedly targeted for assasination include President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.

There are other people targeted, one source said. But those are the key targets.

They also planned to arrest top military officers, including the service chiefs, he continued. They did not want to kill them.

The suspected coup planners wanted to assassinate these officials simultaneously. They were targeting the day that all of them would be in the country. Wherever they were, they would be assassinated, he added.

Our sources said the plotters worked with informants in the Presidential Villa and around those marked for elimination.

They have people in the villa that monitor movements of these officials, he said. They wanted to kill them at the same time and install a military government.

Neither the presidency nor the military has commented about this development, but the plot created tension both in government and the military.

READ ALSO: Nigeria begins probe of military officers detained for alleged coup plot

In a statement dated 4 October, the Defence Headquarters spokesperson Tukur Gusau, a brigadier-general, said the arrested officers were being investigated for indiscipline and breach of service regulations.

Mr Gusau added that preliminary findings indicated that the officers grievances stemmed from career stagnation and failure in promotion examinations.
Intuit has joined forces with accounting firm Aprio to support the growth of mid-market businesses, leveraging their respective AI-driven Enterprise Suite and advisory services.

The partnership will evolve to include AI-powered solutions and services aimed at addressing the needs of larger accounting firms and their clientele.

The joint services provided by Intuit and Aprio will offer customised customer experiences and insights tailored to specific industries, with a focus on sectors such as construction, healthcare, and technology.

Intuit's Enterprise Suite is designed to support the growth of more complex mid-market businesses by providing an AI-powered ERP solution that consolidates multiple business functions into one platform.

This suite includes capabilities for reporting, financial management, payments, project profitability, payroll, HR, and marketing.

Intuit executive vice-president and mid-market general manager Ashley Still said: Accountants are our most strategic partners, and were excited that Aprio is the first business advisory and accounting partner to join forces with us to serve growing, mid-market businesses.

We look forward to working with Aprio as they redefine the accounting profession, transforming client experiences with the adoption of next-generation technologies to better serve the thousands of businesses that rely on their acumen and advisory services to grow.

Businesses that choose to implement Intuit Enterprise Suite via Aprio will receive support, including onboarding and a personalised client experience.

Additionally, current QuickBooks users considering an upgrade will receive assistance from Aprio's certified ProAdvisors and Intuit Enterprise Suite experts.

In the coming 12 to 24 months, Aprio and Intuit plan to explore further opportunities to support Intuit customers, with the intention of expanding the partnership to include advisory and growth-focused solutions.

Aprio Technology Advisory Services managing director Jordan Fladell stated: Many of our clients, including those already using QuickBooks, are growing in complexity and need a modern ERP solution that has a familiar user interface and provides a seamless migration on a tech stack they trust.

This collaboration enables Aprio and Intuit to help mid-market leaders simplify their systems, make data-driven decisions, and scale.

"Intuit partners with Aprio for mid-market accounting firms " was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand.




In its first official reaction since news broke of an alleged coup plot against the Bola Tinubu administration, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says the cancellation of some ceremonies to mark this years Independence Anniversary is not linked to the alleged coup.

Although the statement did not categorically deny that some officers were involved in an alleged coup plot, it said an ongoing investigation involving 16 arrested officers is a routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism is maintained within the ranks.

The military said it had constituted an investigative panel to investigate the officers and the finding of the panel would be made public.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that about 20 military officers have been arrested after military authorities became aware of their alleged coup plan. The arrest started with 16 officers in late September.

Sahara Reporters first broke the story of the alleged coup and military sources confirmed to this newspaper that there was indeed an alleged coup plot and that those arrested were arrested because of the plot.

In its statement, the DHQ focussed on the Sahara Reporters report that said the 1 October Independence Day parade was cancelled because of the alleged coup plot.

According to the statement, the decision to cancel the Independence Day parade was to allow President Tinubu attend a strategic bilateral meeting outside the country and for members of the AFN to sustain the momentum on the fight against terrorism, insurgency and banditry.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to categorically state that the claims by the said publication are entirely false and mischievous, the statement read. The cancellation was purely administrative and has nothing to do with any alleged coup attempt.

The Defence Headquarters urged Nigerians to disregard what it called falsehoods peddled by enemies of the nation, reaffirming the loyalty of the Armed Forces to the Constitution and the Federal Government under the leadership of President Tinubu.

Read the full DHQ statement below.

PRESS RELEASE

DHQ NEVER MENTIONED ANY COUP ATTEMPT

1. The attention of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has been drawn to a false and misleading report by an online publication insinuating that the cancellation of activities marking Nigerias 65th Independence Anniversary was linked to an alleged attempted military coup. The report also made spurious references to the recent DHQ press release announcing the arrest of sixteen officers currently under investigation for professional misconduct.

2. The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) wishes to categorically state that the claims by the said publication are entirely false, malicious, and intended to cause unnecessary tension and distrust among the populace. The decision regarding the cancellellation of 65th independence anniversary parade was to allow Mr President attend a strategic bilateral meeting outside the country and for members of the AFN to sustain the momentum on the fight against terrorism, insurgency and banditry.

READ ALSO: How suspected officers allegedly planned to hit top Nigerian officials Sources

3. Furthermore, the DHQ wishes to reassure Nigerians that the ongoing investigation involving the sixteen officers is a routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism is maintained within the ranks. An investigative panel has been duly constituted, and its findings would be made public.

4. The DHQ calls on all peace loving citizens to continue to provide necessary support to the security agents. The FG, the legislature and the judiciary are working closely for the safety, development and well being of the nation. Democracy is forever.

5. The DHQ urges members of the public to disregard the falsehood being circulated by the purveyors of misinformation and enemies of our nation. The Armed Forces of Nigeria remains firmly loyal to the Constitution and the Federal government under the leadership of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Signed:

TUKUR GUSAU

Brigadier General

Director Defence Information, Abuja

18 October 2025
Businessman and former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank, Tunde Ayeni, has accused Gail Fajembola, the managing director of GIF Energy Resources Ltd, of launching a malicious blackmail campaign against him to divert public attention from the criminal charges she is currently facing before the Federal High Court in Lagos.

In a detailed statement titled An Act of Blackmail, Mr Ayeni said Ms Fajembola had been spreading false and malicious information about him across social media platforms and WhatsApp groups, while threatening to circulate further fabricated materials intended to damage his reputation.

These actions have not come as a surprise, particularly in view of recent developments and the criminal charges she is currently facing before the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, Mr Ayeni said.

Recounting the genesis of his dispute with Ms Fajembola, Mr Ayeni said their relationship deteriorated after what he described as an act of compassion.

According to him, Ms Fajembola approached him several years ago, seeking assistance over her accommodation difficulties.

In good faith and as an act of compassion, I instructed the management of one of the companies in which I have an interest  Olutoyl Estate Development & Services Ltd  to provide her a rent-free apartment at one of our properties in Banana Island, he explained.

The arrangement, Mr Ayeni said, was meant to be temporary until she secured her own accommodation. However, he alleged that Ms Fajembola refused to vacate the apartment and instead began subletting it to third parties as far back as 2019.

I was shocked to discover that she had illegally leased the apartment to third parties and had been collecting rent from them annually without authorisation, he said. She even represented to tenants that the property was owned by her company, GIF Energy Resources Ltd.

Mr Ayeni further alleged that, to sustain the deception, Ms Fajembola forged lease documents, falsified ownership records, and collected rent through her company, defrauding unsuspecting tenants and converting the proceeds for personal use.

Following these discoveries, he said he petitioned the police, leading to an investigation and the eventual arrest of Ms Fajembola in June 2025 after she allegedly evaded multiple invitations.

She and her company, GIF Energy Resources Ltd, are now facing a six-count charge before the Federal High Court in Lagos under Charge No: FHC/L/973C/2025  Inspector General of Police v. Gail Fajembola & GIF Energy Resources Ltd.

The charges include fraud, obtaining by false pretence, forgery, falsification of documents, criminal impersonation, cheating, and fraudulent conversion.

Ayeni alleges campaign of distraction

Mr Ayeni dismissed Ms Fajembolas recent public attacks as a campaign of hostility and distraction designed to divert attention from the weight of the criminal case against her.

Her actions are purely malicious and intended to divert attention from her ongoing criminal prosecution and the clear evidence of her fraudulent conversion of rental proceeds belonging to my company, he said.

He urged the public to disregard any defamatory materials being circulated by Ms Fajembola or her associates, insisting he remains confident that justice will be served accordingly.

Ms Fajembola could not be reached to comment for this story. When contacted, Akinlabi Apara, of BA Law LLP, counsel to Ms Fajembola and her company, declined to comment, saying he would discuss with his clients and revert. Mr Aparas feedback is still being awaited.

However, in a separate case she instituted against the Nigeria Police Force and Mr Ayeni, Ms Fajembola presented a different account of events. In that suit, she alleged harassment, unlawful detention, and abuse of process by the police, claiming the actions against her were instigated by Ayeni over a private business dispute.

The matter is still pending before the courts.
Ride-hailing platform inDrive Nigeria has reinstated one of its drivers, James Oluwatosin, who had earlier been denied access to his account in the wake a robbery allegation made against him by a passenger.

inDrive unblocked the drivers account after pressures from users across social media platforms, challenging its decision to restrict the driver from using the app without investigating the matter.

Announcing the reinstatement of Mr. Oluwatosins account as a verified inDrive driver on Friday in an Instagram post, the company stated that its decision to reverse the drivers suspension followed an investigation that cleared him of the accusation.

Our team immediately reached out to both parties to clarify the situation. Following the initial review, we found no inconsistencies in the drivers version of events and decided to keep the account active, inDrive said.

Later we were able to carefully review her statement. We found no clear evidence supporting the accusations against the driver. According to her account, the driver stopped in a secluded area to fix a headlight, which made her feel alarmed, the company added.

The company advised the public to always consider drivers online ratings before choosing rides as they often reflects accurate information about them.

inDrive acknowledged Mr Oluwatosins dedication over his three years with the company as he already had a 4.83 rating at the time of the allegations.

Based on the outcome of our review, we did not find confirmation of any misconduct by the driver, inDrive stated.

Backstory

A passenger using inDrive Nigeria wrote a post on X (formerly Twitter) via her account, @Big_Itohan, on Wednesday, where she alleged that Mr Oluwatosin connived with robbers to attack her and her friend during a trip to Amukoko in Lagos.

She claimed the driver pretended his car was faulty, after which the robbers emerged and carried out the robbery.

Following her post, several other posts appeared on X, warning people to avoid his service.

If you order a ride and you see him, please cancel. Hell pretend something is wrong with his car and park so his gang can rob you, she said in one of the posts.

All of his door handles except the drivers side are broken. You cant get out. I literally had to climb out through the drivers side while he was pretending to fix the light and was on a call, the passenger added.

Since then, the post has gone viral, sparking reactions across Facebook, X, WhatsApp, and other social media platforms.

Drivers response

Hours later, Mr Oluwatosin, denied the allegations, describing them as false and fabricated. He maintained that no robbery occurred during the trip.

According to him, his car developed a fault around Onipanu in Lagos and, while attempting to fix it, some unidentified touts approached and demanded money. He said he refused to pay them, but the passenger chose to negotiate with the men, eventually transferring some cash to them.

My car broke down on Sunday night, and I called a rewire to fix it. While we were there, some area boys approached us and demanded money. I asked them to let me finish repairing the car first. When I was done, they said I had to pay N20,000, which I refused.

I dont know them and have never met them before. The passenger got out of the car and insisted on talking to them, trying to negotiate so they wouldnt rob us, he added.

The driver further expressed his displeasure at inDrives effort in blocking his account, despite his decent record with the company.

Reactions

Netizens across social media platforms argued that the inDrive driver has been unfairly maligned, with his reputation severely damaged. Some pointed to Mr Oluwatosins consistently high rating as a proof that it is unlikely he had conspired in any robbery.

Dear inDrive. I was in a class of over 500 students with my friends when we saw the false allegation tweet against Mr James Oluwatosin Ogunsanwo by one female passenger and they all vowed to halt your patronage until you restore the innocent mans job and protect his dignity, said Omo Akin (@GuyMr0), an X user, in a post.

On Thursday morning, the Lagos State Police Command, through its public relations officer, Abimbola Adebisi, announced it had waded in to resolve the matter. Ms Adebisi urged all parties to present their statements further for investigation.

The Lagos State Police Command is aware of the widely circulated post and is inviting the concerned parties to come forward. The parties may reach out to me via call or WhatsApp on 09055390070 for a direct link-up, she said.

Late Thursday, inDrive replied to the passengers X post, saying its investigation revealed that the driver is consistent in his account of the story.
Immediate-past Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, Babatunde Mohammed, has dumped the party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Mr Mohammed, who served as the Speaker of the state House of Assembly between 2009 and 2011 as a PDP member, said his former party has become hopeless, hence his resolve to opt out.

The politician said he had paid his due in his former party with his membership dating back to 2002.

Mr Mohammed said when others including leaders of the PDP in the state defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the past, he chose to remain in the PDP on account of his loyalty to the party.

Even though the reasons I dumped the PDP were personal, I have been in the PDP for the past 22 years. When PDP leaders in the state left for APC, I remained in PDP. I didnt leave like others did.

There is no hope again in the PDP

As I speak to you, Im now in ADC. I have joined ADC. Like I said earlier, the reasons why I dumped the PDP remain personal. There is no hope in the PDP again. But you can be rest assured that I have left for the ADC, which is now my party, the former Kwara Speaker said.

In the letter dated October 15th, 2025 and addressed to the PDP Chairman of Agunjin Ward, Ifelodun Local Government Area, Mr Mohammed said, This is to officially inform you that I have resigned my membership of PDP from Wednesday 15th October 2025.

I joined PDP in 2002 precisely 23 years ago without leaving the party even for a day. But the reason for my resignation is purely personal.

I sincerely thank the leadership of the party, the stakeholders and members for their support and co-operation, most especially, when I served as the State Chairman of the party.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State has endorsed President Bola Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Ododo for reelection in 2027.

The endorsement came during a rally in Lokoja on Saturday, which party leaders described as the mother of all political gatherings in the state.

The event, chaired by Smart Adeyemi, a former senator, drew a large crowd of supporters and top APC figures, including former governor Yahaya Bello, who moved the motion for President Tinubus endorsement.

Mr Bello, who led the state from 2016 to 2024, currently faces corruption charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Speaking at the rally, Mr Bello said the Kogi APC was united behind the presidents leadership and the state governors administration, citing what he called Tinubus record of sacrifice and mentorship in Nigerias democratic journey.

Today we are here for a single purpose  to endorse our father and leader, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, for re-election in 2027, Mr Bello said.

He has laid his life for democracy in Nigeria, remained consistent in his belief in national progress, and mentored a generation of democrats like us. Above all, Tinubu was created with a special grace of God, and no one can fight that grace and succeed.

The motion for Governor Ododos endorsement was also moved by Mr Bello and seconded by the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Aliyu Yusuf.

Party leaders, including state APC chairman Abdullahi Bello, House of Representatives member Halims Abdullahi, former national women leader Salamatu Baiwa, and former Speaker Prince Matthew Kolawole, also backed the dual endorsements.

In his remarks, Mr Adeyemi described the rally as a show of unity and readiness for 2027, saying the APC in Kogi has a structure that can win elections at all levels.

We are gathered to endorse our performing president and governor because the people of Kogi have spoken in one voice, he said.

The opposition has nothing to offer Nigeria, while President Tinubu and Governor Ododo are building for the future  creating jobs, driving economic diversification, and promoting social security.

Accepting the endorsement, Governor Ododo thanked President Tinubu for what he called a template of good governance that his administration is replicating at the state level.

Under my leadership, Kogi State is replicating the good work of President Tinubu, he said.

That is why we say the president does not need to campaign in Kogi. The infrastructural development we are delivering already speaks for him.

Governor Ododo assured the party faithful that he would continue to align his administrations policies with the federal governments development priorities, promising not to betray the trust placed in him by Kogi citizens.

The rally signalled what party insiders described as an early show of political coordination by the Kogi APC, months before the formal campaign season begins.
Nigerias minister of communications and digital economy, Bosun Tijani, has said that developing an artificial intelligence (AI)-skilled civil service is essential to scaling up productivity and service delivery across government agencies.

Mr Tijani made the statement on Thursday at the launch of a Google-backed AI training programme for public servants, held in partnership with Apolitical, a global learning platform for government officials.

The initiative aims to equip government workers with the proficiency required to apply AI responsibly and effectively in the public sector.

We see Artificial Intelligence as a major driver of productivity across our key sectors. We have been putting resources into ensuring that we can support our civil servants and our public service in a manner that AI can become something that is native to them, the minister said at the event held in Abuja.

The programme, titled: Government AI Campus is implemented in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

A research by Apolitical shows that even though 72 per cent of government leaders globally are running AI pilots, more than half of them lack a comprehensive strategy for adoption. The organisation estimates that every dollar invested in AI has the potential to add more than eight dollars to the economy, highlighting the importance of building AI literacy within the public service.

The programme is targeting Nigerian public servants across ministries, departments and agencies as part of Googles broader commitment to train one million government workers globally on AI skills.

The idea is to draw the government workers from different countries including Nigeria, Brazil, Kenya, and Ghana, while admitting as many interested Nigerian participants as possible.

Participants will have access to online training covering AI fundamentals, leadership and implementation, expert-led events, tools and frameworks that can help them apply AI knowledge within their roles.

They will also receive training that encompasses AI fundamentals, leadership applications and practical tools, which will help integrate AI in policy and service delivery.

Olumide Balogun, Googles West Africa Director, said the partnership reflects the companys belief that investing in people is critical to Nigerias digital transformation.

Championing Nigerias digital transformation means investing in the people who shape its future, he said.

By working hand-in-hand with public sector leaders and practitioners, we are not only providing technical resources but sharing knowledge that empowers them to deliver better, more efficient government services.

The vice president of Apolitical, Chris Ferguson, described the initiative as a pioneering effort to strengthen governance and build confidence among public servants by adopting new technologies.

Structured training is the cornerstone for successful AI adoption in government, he said.

This initiative is a pioneering effort that will equip Nigerian public servants with the capabilities to lead the digital transformation with confidence and foresight.

According to Adewolu Adene, Googles government affairs manager for West Africa, the training aligns with Nigerias national AI strategy and is structured to achieve AI literacy across all the levels of government.

He went further to say that Googles objective is to make technology accessible not only to the private sector but also to policymakers.

Bringing the Apolitical Government AI Campus to Nigeria is part of Googles efforts to expand AI adoption and digital skills across the country. A similar initiative by the company, called the 3 Million Technical Talent programme, is being implemented in collaboration with the Nigerian Government and aims to strengthen the countrys digital workforce.
The 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Tonye Cole, has threatened to sue the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, over the ministers alleged defamatory statements against him.

Mr Cole said Mr Wike risks being sued if he fails to retract the remarks made on a live television programme last month, pay him N20 billion compensation, and meet other demands with seven days.

In a letter written to Mr Wike by his lawyer on 8 October, sighted by this newspaper, Mr Tonye alleged that the FCT Minister made some defamatory remarks against him when he appeared on a Channels Television Programme Politics Today anchored by Seun Okinbaloye on 18 September.

Mr Tonye, through his lawyer, Jibrin Okutepa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), in the letter, alleged that Mr Wike, during the live broadcast, made damaging, malicious and unfounded defamatory statements against him.

According to the businessman and politician, Mr Wike described him as a thief, accused him of stealing state resources, and claimed he was a conduit pipe with Sahara.

Sahara Group is an energy conglomerate co-founded by Mr Cole, an ally of Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers, whom Mr Wike succeeded in 2015. Messrs Wike and Amaechi, once political allies, no longer see eye-to-eye politically and otherwise.

The letter further said that Mr Wike specifically accused Mr Cole of selling Rivers State gas for $308 million, alleging that he was directly responsible for crippling the resources of Rivers State.

According to the letter, bearing the ministers offices acknowledgment marking dated 9 October, Mr Cole said the alleged defamatory words, broadcast live to millions and widely circulated online, depicted him as a thief, a dishonest and fraudulent person, an economic saboteur, and a morally bankrupt man, calculated to expose him to public obloquy, hatred, ridicule, and contempt.

Mr Cole denied the allegations, saying that he has never been indicted, convicted, or found guilty of any crime relating to the matters raised or any matter at all.

The demands

According to Mr Coles lawyer, to mitigate the colossal damage already caused by Mr Wikes allegations through the broadcast, the politician made some demands, namely:

That Mr Wike should make an immediate retraction of the defamatory statements in writing.

That Mr Wike should cause the retraction to be broadcast with equal prominence on Channels Television and published in at least three national newspapers.

That the FCT minister should make an unreserved public apology to be broadcast with equal prominence on Channels Television and published in at least three national newspapers.

Mr Cole also demanded a payment of N20 billion as compensation.

The letter also demanded a written undertaking from Mr Wike to desist forthwith from any further defamatory publications against Mr Cole.

It warned that Mr Cole has given Mr Okutepa unequivocal instruction to file a suit against Mr Wike should he refuse, fail and or neglect to comply fully with the demands within the specified 14-day period.

When contacted, the ministers spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, said Mr Wike stood by what he said about Mr Cole in the broadcast.
Nollywood actress Sarah Martins has said that Seyi Tinubu, son of Nigerias president Bola Tinubu, has given her N20 million to support her charity initiative.

This comes a day after the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC/KAI) apprehended her for allegedly violating environmental laws.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the actress was apprehended on Thursday during a charity cooking outreach in the Admiralty area of Lekki Phase 1.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stated that Ms Martins breached objective four of the LAGESC/KAI Law on street vending, which prohibits the sale or preparation of food on roads or pavements.

In a video posted on her Instagram page on Friday, Ms Martins revealed that Mr Tinubu rewarded her financially and encouraged her to expand her charitable initiative.

A woman featured in the video was seen presenting an envelope containing N20 million to Ms Martins, explaining that Mr Tinubu admired the actresss humanitarian efforts and wanted her to secure a proper shop for public safety and sustainability.

He said you will be able to get a shop with this, where you can continue to harness your cooking skills and scale your production. He also said that when you get a shop, hell be responsible for equipping it with suitable industrial equipment. So this is just for you to get the shop.

This is just to support what you do. This is to encourage you to pursue your passion. He watches you, follows you, and sees all that you do. And this is to encourage you to come to the big lane. The development needs a reputation, she noted.

Disgrace to grace

Ms Martins said the gesture extended to her would go a long way towards putting smiles on the faces of street children.

She said: From disgrace to grace. From the office of the President, our philanthropic youth leader, Mr Seyi Tinubu, just supported my NGO with N20 million. Nigerians, please help me say thank you to him. He didnt only give me N20 million. He also promised to take my free food charity outreach to the next level on behalf of the Golden Heart Foundation. I am beyond grateful, sir. And my beautiful Queen, Dr Bea, thank you for everything. We are in this together.

Forward ever! Cheers to the next level. I am short of words. I am literally speechless. God bless you. God will surely continue to water every area of your life. You will go, succeed, and excel where others go and fail. Thank you for teaming up with me to continually put smiles on the faces of the vulnerable and homeless people through this.

The actress explained that her decision to cook on the streets was driven by a desire to bring smiles to the faces of families who wake up each day uncertain of their next meal.

She said, I just love humanity, so I feel like the best way I can help Nigeria support what the government is already doing is to put smiles on the faces of the people constantly, those who wake up without having hope of where their next meal will come from.

So I said, let me be the hope for them, like someone waking up and knowing there is food somewhere for them to eat for free. That was the intention behind my motive. And for you to key into this.

The Imo-born actress began acting in 2004 but gained recognition for her charitable street cooking initiative.

Shes known for movies like The Widows, Dangerous Mad Man, The Gods Are Wise, Family Lies, and Feast of the Spirits, among others.
The Senate, on Friday, waded into the ongoing crisis between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the federal government which had resulted in a two-week warning strike.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Muntari Dandutse, made this known after a meeting with the union at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

Mr Dandutse, while acknowledging the concerns and frustrations that led to the action, assured that the committee would take the issues raised by ASUU seriously.

This is because we recognise the critical role that our universities play in shaping the future of our nation and we are committed to ensuring that they receive the support they need to thrive.

We are not in support of any academic strike; we are not in support of any threat by the executives. We are here as those who are elected to oversight you and ensure that you work effectively and efficiently.

If you look at the situation in Nigeria, it has been a long issue and a prolonged issue of ASUU strike.

We need to address it holistically and it will do us well at the end of the process. So we want you to understand that we are all here to be accountable, the senator said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that after a closed-door session, Mr Dandutse said that the committee resolved to convey its position to the Ministry of Education and National Universities Commission (NUC).

This is for a negotiation as soon as possible so that we can resolve this lingering problem.

The Senate committee also agreed to interface with the Minister of FCT to resolve the issue of University of Abujas land which was taken from them.

Also, other needs will be studied and appropriate steps will be taken to ensure amicable resolution, he said.

Earlier, the ASUU President, Christopher Piwuna, a professor, said that the union was currently on a two-week warning strike.

Unfortunately, the journey that led us to where we are today did not start with this executive, he said.

The ASUU president said that the key issue in the draft agreement was that of sustainable funding for tertiary institutions.

Others are: condition of service, autonomy and academic freedom in Nigerian universities as well as other issues that concern the governance of the institutions, he said

Mr Piwuna also called on the Senate to intervene in the land belonging to University of Abuja but which the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had allegedly revoked.

We need to deal with this problem. In spite of the several calls and releases by our union, our branch in University of Abuja, the minister is still determined to go ahead and take the land of the university, he said.

The ASUU president urged the Senate to pay more attention to the budgetary allocation to the education sector to better the lot of the institutions.

Deputy Senate President speaks

In an interview with journalists. the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, said that the upper chamber would do everything possible to resolve the lingering crisis as soon as possible.

Education, as I always said, is the bedrock of every society. And we cannot afford to leave our children, who are mostly in the public universities, to stay at home, he stated.

Mr Barau noted that President Bola Tinubu, at all times, was willing to make sure that whatever constitute an impediment to the countrys education system, was resolved as soon as possible.

The president, Im sure, is working round the clock to make sure that this matter is resolved, he said.

(NAN)
The chairperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, on Friday, called for a shared vision and unity of citizens against corruption in Nigeria.

Mr Olukoyede made the call during the presentation of three books authored by Umar Yakubu, the Executive Director of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, in Abuja.

The event, which took place at the Shehu YarAdua Centre in Abuja, served as a platform for deliberation on solutions to corruption in Nigeria, a recurring theme in the books.

We do the same thing that we condemned before we became part of them. This is a major problem we are facing in Nigeria. Foreigners are not the ones destroying our system, it is us.

Your brothers and your sisters are in government. You know, one way or the other, someone in the system. We encourage ourselves to do the wrong thing. When an investigation file is opened, you need to see the avalanche of telephone calls, Mr Olukoyede said.

He urged Nigerians to rise up and form ourselves into pressure groups  responsible and responsive pressure groups  not those who go out and collect money behind and call themselves activists.

The EFCC chair said the responsible and responsive pressure groups must agree to sign an undertaking and a bond, that if your brother or sister commits financial crime, you will not be in a position to help or to support.

So on note, I want us to look inwards. Not upwards. Dont look at people and begin to condemn them. Look at yourself, and let us agree to do the right thing, the EFCC chair said.

The books authored by Mr Yakubu include, Nigeria Reimagined: Anchoring a Future on Integrity, which was published by Premium Times Books, the publishing arm of Premium Times Group.

The two other books, published by Safari Books Ltd, are The Shadow State: Public Sector Corruption in Nigeria: Causes, Consequences, and Reforms, and Shielding the Heartland: Rethinking Nigerias Border Security.

Shedding light on the motivation for the trilogy, Mr Yakubu said he was provoked by the state of Nigeria.

The chairperson of the occasion, Ibrahim Gambari, a professor and former Minister of External Affairs, noted that the books are not merely literary works but represent calls to action and provide pathways to Nigerias future.

Similarly, Angela Nworgu, chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch, said the books are a comprehensive, diagnostic, and prescriptive analysis of issues facing the country.

Reviews

Nigeria Reimagined, Anchoring a Future on Integrity

Reviewing the book, Nigeria Reimagined: Anchoring a Future on Integrity, Mr Gambari, who was Chief of Staff to then-President Muhammadu Buhari, said it provides a competitive vision for a new Nigeria.

He described the book as a powerful antidote to the cynicism that often dominates our conversation about Nigerias future, which should not be seen as a mere dream, but an achievable reality.

He added that the book challegnes Nigerians to embrace good values, while calling for imagining leaders as servants of the people for the restoration of public trust and good governance.

Contributing to the review, Shehu Abdullahi, former ambassador and professor of criminology and security studies, lauded the 268-page book, published by Premium Times Books, for being a captivating mixed grill of lamentations and solutions.

He said the lamentations are germane, conveying the frustration of Mr Umar regarding how Nigeria has been destroyed by Nigerians themselves, especially those who have the privilege to serve in leadership positions.

The Shadow State: Public Sector Corruption in Nigeria: Causes, Consequences, and Reform

In his review of the 376-page primer, The Shadow State: Public Sector Corruption in Nigeria: Causes, Consequences, and Reform, Mr Abdullahi recommended the work to scholars, academics, policy makers, and the general public.

The reviewer noted that the book analyses corruption in Nigeria and sends a message that corruption is a global scourge that has undermined progress, and if not tackled head-on, will kill Nigeria.

Discussing further on this, a lawyer, Bala Sanda, corruption causes a disconnect between the structure of governance and the populace.

Mr Sanda said corruption impedes primary allegiance to the government, leading to apathy toward public sector theft.

Shielding the Heartland: Rethinking Nigerias Border Security

Taking the audience through the third book, Shielding the Heartland: Rethinking Nigerias Border Security, a former Comptroller General of the Nigerian immigration service, Muhammed Babandede, criticised its recommendation for the creation of a new agency for border control.

Mr Babandede rather suggested reinventing the existing agencies.

Also commenting on the book, Ugoji Eboju, stressed the importance of a shared sense of nationhood where the weakest person is protected. Mr Eboju said such a person is more likely to side with the country than to side with the evil outsider.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, while presenting the book to the public, lauded it for its recommendations.

What I like about these books is that he comes up with bold recommendations, whether you agree with them you disagree with them, Mr Tuggar said. They show that hes not just writing about what has transpired, or simply criticising because theres a tendency to be overcritical about the government, about governance, about corruption, and so forth. But hes coming up with very profound recommendations, which for policymakers and policy implementers is very useful.

Prominent dignitaries who graced the event, included the Emir of Zazzau and former Ambassador to Thailand, Nuhu Bamali; Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSME, Temitope Adekunle-Johnson; chairperson of Arewa Consultative Forum, Bashir Dalhatu; chairperson of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Abdullahi Bello, and Director General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dasuki Arabi.
China expresses condolences over passing of former Japanese PM Tomiichi Murayama

Xinhua) 15:39, October 18, 2025

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- China expresses deep condolences over the passing of former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, and extends sincere sympathies to his family, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday, adding that Mr. Murayama will always be remembered as a contributor to the China-Japan friendship.

Murayama, who served as leader of Japan in the mid-1990s, passed away on Friday at the age of 101.

Lin said at a press briefing that Murayama was an old friend of the Chinese people and had been committed to the friendship between China and Japan over the years.

During a visit to China in May 1995, then Prime Minister Murayama visited Lugou Bridge in Beijing and the adjacent Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, where he wrote "Face up to history and pray for friendship and ever-lasting peace between Japan and China" in a visitor's book.

On Aug. 15 of the same year, which marked the 50th anniversary of Japan's announcement of its unconditional surrender in the war, Murayama issued a statement on Japan's historical issues, making a profound reflection on Japan's colonial rule and aggression, and expressing apologies to the countries that had been victims of the war, said the spokesperson.

As a politician with a strong sense of justice, Murayama's contributions to promoting friendship between China and Japan will be forever remembered, Lin said.

Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, Lin said that Murayama's 1995 statement represents a solemn declaration and commitment from the Japanese government to the people of relevant countries in Asia and the international community on its history of aggression and colonial rule, and that the statement needs to be honored in good faith.

China hopes Japan will face up to and reflect on its history of aggression, adhere to a path of peaceful development, win the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community through concrete action, and work with China to promote the development of a constructive, stable China-Japan relationship that meets the requirements of the new era, Lin said.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Kou Jie)
American restaurant company Jack in the Box has reached a definitive agreement to sell its wholly owned subsidiary Del Taco Holdings to Yadav Enterprises for $115m in cash.

Del Taco Holdings operates and franchises more than 550 outlets.

The deal will complete by January 2026.

Jack in the Box plans to use the net cash proceeds, after taxes and transaction costs, to pay down debt within its securitisation structure.

The sale follows a strategic review initiated in April 2025, and aligns with the companys Jack on Track plan announced the same month.

Jack in the Box acquired Del Taco for $575m in 2022, aiming to leverage the Mexican food chains strong drive-through presence.

However, a slowdown in demand has resulted in challenging quarters for Jack in the Box, with stiff competition and value wars in the fast-food industry affecting its performance.

The divestiture is part of the companys plans to simplify the business and move to a more asset-light model.

Jack in the Box CEO Lance Tucker stated: This divestiture is an important step in returning to simplicity, and we look forward to focusing on our core Jack in the Box brand.

After a robust process, we are confident we have entered into a transaction with the right steward for Del Taco in its next chapter of evolution. We wish Del Taco success as they enter this next chapter.

BofA Securities acted as Jack in the Boxs exclusive financial adviser, while Sullivan & Cromwell provided legal counsel.

Yadav Enterprises representation was led by general counsel Steven M Kries, with advisory support provided by Baker Tilly.

Jack in the Box intends to provide fiscal 2026 guidance and updates to other aspects of the Jack on Track plan alongside its earnings release on 19 November 2025.

"Jack in the Box to divest Del Taco to Yadav Enterprises for $115m" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand.




The International Criminal Court (ICC) has rejected Israels request for leave to appeal a July decision that upheld the validity of arrest warrants issued against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories.

In a decision released by ICC Pre-Trial Chamber, the judges ruled that Israels request did not meet the legal requirements under Article 82(1)(d) of the Rome Statute, which allows a party to appeal a decision only if the issue significantly affects the fairness or outcome of the proceedings and if its immediate resolution would materially advance the case.

Israel had sought permission to appeal the chambers 16 July decision rejecting its request to withdraw or suspend the arrest warrants and to halt the prosecutors investigation into crimes allegedly committed in Gaza and the West Bank.

The ICC found that Israels proposed appeal did not arise from the earlier decision itself but rather repeated arguments already decided by the court in previous rulings.

The issue identified by Israel does not arise from the impugned decision but rather from the earlier Article 19(2) decision, which Israel has already appealed, the chamber said.

Israel is not entitled to re-submit the same issue for a second time to the Appeals Chamber, simply because it disagrees with how the Appeals Chamber dealt with it the first time.

Background

The latest decision marks another setback in Israels campaign to challenge the ICCs jurisdiction over the Situation in the State of Palestine.

PREMIUM TIMES reported the court first confirmed in February 2021 that it had territorial jurisdiction over crimes allegedly committed in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, areas occupied by Israel since 1967 on the basis that Palestine is a State Party to the Rome Statute.

Following that ruling, the ICC Prosecutor formally opened an investigation in March 2021 into alleged crimes committed in the occupied territories since 13 June 2014.

On 20 May 2024, the prosecutor announced that he had filed applications for arrest warrants against five individuals, including Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant, citing evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Israels military operations in Gaza.

Israel, which is not a member of the ICC, immediately challenged the courts jurisdiction, arguing that the court has no authority over its nationals or actions taken in self-defense.

The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber dismissed Israels initial jurisdictional challenge in November 2024 as premature, a decision Israel appealed.

The Appeals Chamber in April 2025 partly agreed with Israel, finding that the lower chamber had not sufficiently reasoned its decision and sent the matter back for reconsideration, but without suspending the warrants.

Israel later asked the ICC to declare the warrants void and to suspend the ongoing investigation, arguing that the earlier appeal ruling invalidated the legal basis for the arrest orders.

The court refused, maintaining that the reversal of one procedural decision did not affect the substance of the warrants.

Courts Latest Ruling

In rejecting Israels latest request for leave to appeal, the judges said the countrys arguments simply repeated earlier points about the courts jurisdiction and timing of the warrants.

They also explained that the Appeals Chambers earlier reversal did not affect the warrants, which were issued independently.

The Request does not identify an issue related to the reasoning in the impugned decision, the chamber wrote. Indeed, the issue identified by Israel does not arise from the impugned decision, but rather from the Article 19(2) decision, which Israel has already appealed.

The Appeals Chamber declined to address the issue of timing in its judgment, although this was one of the central points of contention in Israels appeal, the ruling said. It is for the Pre-Trial Chamber to determine the applicable legal basis for addressing Israels Jurisdiction Challenge at the present stage of proceedings.

Finding that Israels arguments did not significantly affect the fair and expeditious conduct of the proceedings or the outcome of the trial, the chamber concluded that there was no need to consider whether the other conditions of Article 82(1)(d) have been met.

Having found that Israels proposed issue did not meet the test for appeal, the ICC dismissed the request outright, effectively leaving the warrants in place and allowing the prosecutors investigation to continue.

READ ALSO: Hamas releases all remaining 20 Israeli hostages

The ruling reinforces the ICCs jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed in the occupied Palestinian territories and underscores the courts refusal to bow to political or state-level pressure.

While Israel maintains that the ICC has no authority over its actions, the courts decision means the warrants for Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant remain valid, though their enforcement depends on cooperation from ICC member states.

The case continues as one of the most politically sensitive in the ICCs history, with potential implications for international justice, the conduct of war, and accountability for state leaders.
Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Afe Babalola, on Saturday, expressed deep concern over Nigerias growing debt burden, warning that the countrys economic reputation is deteriorating and discouraging foreign investment.

Mr Babalola, therefore, called for urgent reforms and responsible fiscal management to restore economic stability, investor confidence, and sustainable development in Nigeria.

He stated this in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, during the 2025 International Conference on Leadership, Governance, Sustainable Change and Wealth Creation (2.0), jointly hosted by ABUAD, Nigeria, Trinity Western University (TWU), Vancouver, Canada, & African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (CrntreLSD).

Speaking at a conference themed Shaping Transformational Leaders for a Changing World: Tackling Insecurity, Governance and Development, the elder statesman described the theme of the event as most appropriate at this time of our development, noting that the nations financial situation had become alarming.

The legal icon lamented that the countrys worsening debt profile was undermining investor confidence, adding that the local financial sector is also feeling the strain, citing bank complaints that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been unable to honour government promissory notes.

The theme of this Conference is most appropriate at this time of our development. The record shows that Nigeria, as of today, is a big debtor country. Nigerias total public debt is put at N152.4 trillion or $99.7 99.7billion, Mr Babalola said.

Consequently, most business companies from other countries do not want to invest in this debtor country. As I am talking to you now, I know as a fact that our banks are complaining that the Central Bank is not honouring Promissory Notes issued by the government on the allegation that the federal government is in debt and cannot pay the Central Bank.

The main function of a government is contained in Section 14 of the Constitution. To avoid doubt, it reads as follows: The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice.

It is hereby, accordingly, declared that: Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority;

The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. The participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this constitution.

In his lecture titled: Transformational Leadership in an Insecure and Disruptive Era: Building Ethical, Resilient and Impactful Leaders for Africa, a development expert and founding Executive Director of African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (CentreLSD), Otive Igbuzor, identified transformational leadership as a major tool necessary to combat bad governance, corruption, unemployment, gender inequality and environmental degradation in Nigeria and Africa at large.

Mr Igbuzor noted that Nigeria and Africa require a new generation of leaders who can challenge conventional approaches and promote innovations, he explained that transformational leadership will enable the government to reward merit, integrity and innovation rather than mediocrity and patronage.

The expert added that Nigeria must be guided by the imperatives of ethical leadership, innovative education, institutional Integrity, Inclusive governance and continental collaboration, calling on the federal government to institutionalise leadership training across schools and universities in ensuring that leadership formation becomes as essential as literacy.

In her address, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Smaranda Olarinde, a professor, noted that the conference was timely, as it emphasises the vital importance of international, regional and public-private partnership in tackling the underlying challenges such as insecurity, hunger, poverty, infrastructural decay and economic uncertainties.
The federal government has charged a senator, Peter Nwebonyi, with making defamatory and inciting statements against his colleague, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, during a series of television appearances and social media posts in March.

The charges, filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, were brought by the Federal Ministry of Justice with Mr Nwebonyi named as the sole defendant.

The prosecution, led by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions, charged Mr Nwebonyi under Sections 391 and 392 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the FCT, which criminalise defamation and the publication of false statements intended to harm anothers reputation.

The five counts accused the Ebonyi North Central senator of intentionally making false and damaging remarks between 3 and 26 March 2025 on various TV programmes and online platforms, knowing the statements would injure the reputation of Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.

According to court filings seen by PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday, the case followed an investigation by the Nigeria Police Force, which established a prima facie case of defamation and incitement against the lawmaker.

An internal memo dated 5 May from the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit to the IGP stated that the investigation began after a petition submitted by Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan and her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, through their lawyer, Aja N. Aja.

The petition accused Mr Nwebonyi, who serves as Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, of cyberstalking and character assassination through televised interviews and online comments.

According to the Head of the Unit, Akin Fakorede, the lawmaker embarked on a campaign of calumny against Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan after she raised a motion of privilege at a Senate plenary session that generated controversy earlier in March.

When she reportedly refused to retract her statement, the petition alleged that the Senate leadership deployed Mr Nwebonyi to denigrate her person through repeated media attacks.

Police reports said Mr Nwebonyi appeared on several television stations  including Arise TV, Channels Television, TVC News, and News Central  between 3 and 26 March, where he allegedly made comments describing Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan as a habitual accuser of men of sexual harassment, an gold digger, and a serial blackmailer.

He also allegedly accused her of manipulating her husband into marriage and claimed her union was a product of blackmail.

Police said these remarks, along with a WhatsApp post on the Arise TV Guest Forum group referring to her as Madam sexual harassment accuser, were malicious and defamatory.

The report said the statements caused psychological distress and public humiliation to the complainant and her husband.

The police named Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan and her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, who are the nominal complainants, as potential prosecution witnesses. Other proposed prosecution witnesses are Joseph Agboola, the investigative police officer; and any other witnesses that the prosecution deems relevant.

Findings

Police found that while Mr Nwebonyi was initially delegated by Senate leadership to respond to journalists following Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghans public allegation of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio on 28 February, his subsequent comments went beyond official explanation and amounted to personal defamation.

Investigation has established a prima facie case of defamation of character and incitement against Senator Peter Nwebonyi, the police memo stated.

It is therefore recommended that the case file be forwarded to the Legal and Prosecution Section for vetting and advice.

The file was subsequently transmitted to the Federal Ministry of Justice, which prepared the criminal information now before the FCT High Court.

The charges

According to the charge sheet signed by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions, on 11 September, the prosecution accused Mr Nwebonyi of intentionally making false and damaging statements contrary to Sections 391 and 392 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the FCT.

In count one, the prosecution alleged that on 3 March, while appearing on Arise TVs NewsDay, Mr Nwebonyi described Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan as a habitual accuser of men of sexual harassment and made other comments about her marital history  remarks the prosecution said were calculated to injure her reputation.

In count two, the complainant alleged that on 6 March, during Channels Televisions Sunrise Daily programme, he called her an old digger, a habitual liar, and a habitual blackmailer, knowing such words would harm her standing.

Also, the prosecution alleged in another count that on 9 March, while on TVC News Politics on Sunday, he again referred to her as a known blackmailer who uses her gender as a weapon, adding, This person shouldnt be in the Senate; she belongs somewhere else.

In count five, the complainant stated that on 26 March, during a News Central interview, he described her as a serial blackmailer who blackmailed many prominent Nigerians and alleged that her marriage was under duress and a product of blackmail.

Lastly, the prosecution alleged that within the same period, he posted a message on the Arise TV Guest Forum WhatsApp group calling her Madam sexual harassment accuser, an act intended to expose her to ridicule and public hatred.

The prosecution said all five acts contravened Section 391 of the Penal Code and are punishable under Section 392.

Background

The criminal charge against Mr Nwebonyi stems from events that followed a public dispute between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio earlier in the year.

In late February, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, who recently returned from six months suspension from the Senate, accused Mr Akpabio of making sexual advances toward her during her earlier political career, including while hosting her at a residence in Abuja.

The claim, which she raised on the Senate floor and later restated in media interviews, led to a Senate Ethics Committee hearing and a six-month suspension for alleged misconduct.

The Senate maintained that her suspension was unrelated to the sexual harassment claim, but critics said the decision reflected institutional hostility toward whistleblowers and gender bias in Nigerian politics.

The fallout from that controversy divided lawmakers and drew national attention to sexual harassment and accountability within public institutions.

It also triggered multiple defamation suits between Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan and the family of the Senate President.

Mrs Akpabios wife, Unoma, filed separate civil actions against the Kogi lawmaker for alleged defamation and violation of her dignity. At the same time, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan countered with a N100 billion suit against the Akpabios, alleging a smear campaign.

Mr Nwebonyi, who represents Ebonyi North Senatorial District and serves as Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, was among those who publicly criticised Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghans conduct in the aftermath of the allegations.

Meanwhile, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan was charged some months ago by the federal government with criminal defamation and cyberstalking in two separate cases. She was accused in the two cases of defaming Mr Akpabio and former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.
Troops of the Nigerian Army 2 Division and Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMA, have rescued 24 kidnapped victims, including four Chinese nationals, during coordinated operations in Kogi and Kwara states.

The army said the victims, who included 14 men, five women, one infant, and the four Chinese expatriates, were rescued in joint operations carried out on Friday, 17 October 2025, by troops of the 12 Brigade, Lokoja, and 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin.

A statement issued on Saturday by Polycarp Okoye, a lieutenant-colonel and the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, said some of the victims had been held captive by bandits for over four months before being freed.

The victims were abducted from different locations across Kwara and Kogi states. The bandits were forced to release them following intensified offensive operations by the troops, Mr Okoye said.

He added that the rescue followed sustained efforts by the army to eliminate bandits and other criminal elements operating in the two states and their surrounding areas.

According to the statement, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Chinedu Nnebeife, a major-general who coordinated the operations, ensured the rescued victims were given medical attention and relief materials to aid their recovery.

The rescued victims were immediately evacuated to a military medical facility for treatment. Most of them, who were physically weak and unable to walk unaided due to extreme exhaustion, are responding to treatment and will be reunited with their families upon full recovery, the statement added.

Mr Nnebeife sympathised with the victims and reiterated the armys commitment to sustaining the ongoing onslaught against banditry and kidnapping in the region.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Army deploys troops to tackle kidnappers hiding in Kwara forests

He also commended the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for providing continuous air support throughout the operation, as well as other security agencies for their collaboration in tackling insecurity in the North-central zone.

The GOC praised the troops for their professionalism and urged them to maintain the momentum of the operation to restore lasting peace and security across Kwara, Kogi, and adjoining states under the divisions area of responsibility.

Mr Nnebeife assured the public that the Nigerian Army would continue to intensify its operations to ensure that there will be no hiding place for bandits and other criminal elements.
An Abuja-based lawyer, Myson Nejo, has petitioned President Bola Tinubu, accusing Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adewole, of shielding a suspect in an oil bunkering case while targeting him and his client for arrest.

The petition, dated 17 October and copied to the Minister of Police Affairs, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and the Police Service Commission, claims that Mr Adewole protected Jide Afolabi, Managing Director of Nathern Energy Products and Allied Services Ltd, from prosecution for alleged crude oil theft.

PREMIUM TIMES obtained a copy of the petition and supporting annexures on Saturday.

But Mr Adewole denied any wrongdoing in response to our request for his comments on Saturday.

According to the petition, the case began in 2023 when Mr Afolabis company chartered the tugboat M/V Aya Oba Olori II, owned by Dandy Oluwayemi of Atis-Das Nigeria Ltd, to transport crude oil later discovered to have been illegally obtained.

While the tigboat and crew were arrested, Mr Nejo said Mr Afolabi went into hiding, leaving Mr Oluwayemi to face trial at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt. Efforts to trace Mr Afolabi reportedly failed for two years, until May, when he resurfaced at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Port Harcourt, to negotiate compensation with Atis-Das Nigeria Ltd.

Mr Nejo said he alerted the Rivers State Police, leading to Mr Afolabis one-day detention at Eneka Divisional Police Station.

During interrogation, Mr Afolabi allegedly admitted liability and signed a memorandum of understanding to pay N40 million in compensation.

However, Mr Nejo claimed that Commissioner Adewole intervened, ordered Mr Afolabis release, and subsequently took action against him and his client. Meanwhile, the tugboat crew and Atis-Das Nigeria Ltd remained charged before the Federal High Court.

Alleged retaliation

Following Mr Afolabis release, Mr Nejo said he and his client were accused by the Rivers State Police of kidnapping and receiving proceeds of crime, resulting in detention by the X-Squad Unit.

He also alleged that the police obtained an ex parte court order freezing his bank account, despite Mr Afolabi admitting liability and agreeing to compensation.

It is shocking that the same Jide Afolabi, who admitted his role in bunkering and entered into a written agreement to pay N40 million, has found refuge under the Commissioner of Police, while I, a legal practitioner who assisted the police, am now being framed for kidnapping, Mr Nejo stated.

He said previous complaints to the IGP went unanswered, prompting him to escalate the matter to the President.

Documentary evidence

In the petition, Mr Nejo attached several documents, including the memorandum of understanding signed by Mr Afolabi.

He also cited Mr Afolabis fundamental rights suit confirming a N10 million payment into Mr Nejos account, as well as the ex parte orders obtained to freeze his account.

Mr Nejo argued that the Commissioner of Police came after him despite being aware of all the documents showing Mr Afolabis admission of involvement in oil theft and payment of compensation.

Prayers to the president

Mr Nejo urged President Tinubu to direct Mr Adewole to produce Mr Afolabi before the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, under charge number FHC/PHC/215C/2024, or to mandate the IGP to take over and review the case.

He also called for the withdrawal of the ex parte order obtained in suit number FHC/PH/MISC/489/2025, describing the allegations against him as trumped-up charges.

I respectfully pray that CP Olugbenga Adewole be ordered to produce Jide Afolabi before the court to stand trial, and that the Inspector-General of Police should take over and review the facts to ensure justice is done, Mr Nejo wrote.

Oil theft in Rivers State

The petition comes amid renewed federal efforts to combat oil theft in Rivers State and the Niger Delta, where illegal refining and pipeline vandalism remain widespread.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) recently reported 149 oil theft incidents in one week across the region.

In December 2024, the federal government launched Operation Delta Sanity, supported by the Navy and Air Force, to dismantle illegal refining sites and secure the Trans-Niger Pipeline, one of the most vandalised pipelines in Rivers State.

Police response

PREMIUM TIMES contacted Commissioner of Police Adewole via call, text, and WhatsApp on Saturday.

In his response, Mr Adewole described the complaints against him as blackmail.

Please I dont investigate cases, I only supervise when needed. Please tell your complaint to ask the officer investigating his case or link you with his IPO to brief you on any matter of concern pls. This is just cheap blackmail and defamation of my character and person. Thanks for reaching out, stay blessed pls, he replied via a text message.

Earlier, Rivers State Police Command spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko answered a call but declined to comment.
A former secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Owerri branch, Chinedu Agu, accused of defaming Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, has spent 25 days in prison custody as of Saturday, 18 October.

This followed the refusal of the Federal High Court in Owerri to grant him bail on Thursday, 16 October, after his lawyers fresh application for bail.

Mr Agus lawyer, Stanley Imo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, disclosed this to PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday.

Mr Imo told our reporter that a judge of the Federal High Court, Chituru Wigwe-Oreh, denied the uncontested bail application for Mr Agu, a lawyer.

He said the judge claimed there was no formal charge before her court; therefore, the incarcerated lawyer would have to wait until the police formally charged him.

What we know is that its only the Federal High Court that has jurisdiction over this cybercrime matter. So even if the police decide to charge him in the next ten years, he would still be in prison.

Previous bail

This newspaper earlier reported that the Federal High Court had granted bail to Mr Agu on 25 September.

Mr Imo said that all the bail conditions were perfected, but they could not secure Mr Agus release from the correctional facility.

He later explained that the bail granted to the lawyer by the Federal High Court was directed to the police in Imo, and not to the correctional facility.

Mr Imo said the Federal High Court ordered the police to release Mr Agu, unaware that a Magistrate Court in Owerri also ordered the lawyers remand in prison.

The police arraigned Mr Agu before a magistrate on 25 September. He was charged with criminal defamation, incitement, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that Mr Agu was remanded in the Owerri correctional facility after the Chief Magistrate, Obinna Njemanze, declined jurisdiction to try the matter. He adjourned the case to 29 October.

Background

Mr Agu was arrested and detained on 23 September, after meeting with the police for a second time in one week over the alleged defamation.

He was released on bail on the first police invitation on 17 September.

Mr Agu said his arrest and detention followed a petition allegedly filed by the Imo State Ministry of Information against him.

He said that his consistent calls for Governor Uzodimma to appoint the most qualified person as acting chief judge of Imo State and his other criticisms of the governor were the main reasons the administration was after him.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has approved the planned #FreeNnamdiKanu protest but barred demonstrators from marching to or assembling near sensitive government sites, including Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.

Delivering the ruling on Friday, the judge, M. G. Umar, according to a Certified True Copy (CTC) shared by Sahara Reporters on Saturday, said the decision followed an ex parte motion filed by the Nigerian government through the Nigeria Police Force.

The suit named the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the applicant and Omoyele Sowore, Sahara Reporters Ltd, Sahara Reporters Media Foundation, Take It Back Movement (TIB), and Unknown Persons as the respondents.

The government sought an interim order to restrict protesters from accessing sensitive zones within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Police officer Bassey Ibithan, attached to the Directorate of Legal Services at Force Headquarters, stated in an affidavit that allowing protesters near these areas could pose a threat to national security.

Mr Umar granted the interim order while emphasising that the right to peaceful assembly remains protected as long as demonstrators avoid prohibited zones.

The court directed that respondents, including Mr Sowore and the listed organisations, be served with the order immediately and appear for a hearing on Monday, 20 October, to respond to the governments motion.

The Respondents are hereby restrained in the interim from protesting in the following areas: Aso Rock Villa, or anywhere close to Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way, pending the hearing of the motion on notice, the court document reads.

Police speak

Ahead of Mondays protest, the Nigeria Police Force issued a nationwide security alert on Saturday.

In a statement, police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin urged all groups to adhere strictly to the court order.

The Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its commitment to upholding the rule of law and maintaining public peace in accordance with constitutional provisions. All groups, whether in support of or opposed to the ongoing agitation for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, are expected to comply strictly with the provisions of the court order, he said.

The statement warned that individuals or groups who use the protest to incite violence, carry weapons, vandalise property or engage in other unlawful acts would face arrest and prosecution.

It added that the police would rely on digital evidence in investigating and prosecuting offenders.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, directed the FCT Commissioner of Police and other commands to ensure strict enforcement of the court order, maintain strategic deployments and protect lives and property.

Sowore reacts

Mr Sowore, who has been central to the planning and mobilisation for the protest, reacted to the police statement on Saturday, describing the demonstration as sacrosanct.

Posting on his Facebook page, he wrote:

Im glad to see that the Nigeria Police Force have finally shown some respect for the constitutional right to freedom of assembly and protest.

He, however, criticised what he called the polices double standards in handling protests for and against Mr Kanu.

Suppose a court order truly exists restricting protests around Aso Rock Villa. In that case, it begs the question: why hasnt the same police force obtained a similar order against those protesting freely for three consecutive days, opposing Nnamdi Kanus release?

The hypocrisy is glaring. The double standards are undeniable.

Our legal team of 115 lawyers will challenge any alleged court order the moment we are served on Monday. But let it be known that nothing can stop this mass movement.

October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow remains sacrosanct.

Background

The #FreeNnamdiKanu movement seeks the release of Mr Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been detained by the State Security Service (SSS) since June 2021, while he faces terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Mr Kanu is facing charges over his separatist activities blamed for killings and violence in the South-east where wants to declare independence for a sovereign Biafra State.

The #FreeNnamdiKanu movement has drawn national attention, gaining support from civil society groups and political figures, while also attracting criticism for perceived disruptions to legal proceedings.

Mr Sowore, a Nigerian activist and journalist, has been involved in multiple political movements, including the #RevolutionNow protests of 2019, which led to his arrest on charges of treasonable felony and money laundering.

His continued activism has made him a prominent voice in Nigerian civil society.
The recent commendation by the US Mission in Nigeria, widely amplified by local media outlets like The PUNCH, TVC News, The Cable, and ThisDay, is not just a nod of approval, it is a validation that the world is watching, and that Nigeria is capable of producing models of reform that inspire global confidence.

In 2016, shortly after launching the Corruption, not In My Country project, we, in the organisation that I was Founder and President then, Institute for Service Excellence and Good Governance, agreed that the convener of the project, Mr Akin Fadeyi, deserved an award and we presented him with one for the very unique work he was leading. Little did we know at the time that the project would one day become globally recognised, even while the seeds of greatness were evident in that body of work.

Every once in a while, an idea emerges that does not merely challenge a system but stirs the conscience of a people. For me, that is what the Akin Fadeyi Foundation (AFF) represents  a vision borne, not out of convenience or privilege, but deep conviction that to rebuild a nation, one must first rebuild its values. Founded in 2016 by Mr Fadeyi, a writer, communicator, and social reformer of extraordinary courage, AFF is not just an organisation, it is a movement. It is proof that even in a country weighed down by corruption, civic apathy, and moral fatigue, transformation is possible when conviction meets creativity.

When Mr Fadeyi began this journey, he didnt wait for funding, applause, or validation. He invested his own resources, acquiring professional production equipment, mobilising some of Nigerias finest actors, and writing every single script himself. Each story was carefully crafted with humour, realism, and relatable behavioural insight, to help citizens see themselves not as helpless victims, but as active participants in either the problem or the solution. The result was the iconic Corruption Not In My Country campaign, comprising 33 high-quality advocacy drama messages produced in one bold sweep. Nigeria has witnessed talk shops, it has hosted community discourse and various anti-corruption initiatives, but the creativity of messaging curated with the Corruption Not in My Country campaign has been an unprecedented feat in Nigerias civic space.

Soon, it became more than a campaign; it was a compelling awakening. It was pervasive across homes, offices, and it spread widely on social media. Nigerians laughed, argued, and reflected as they recognised fragments of their own choices and moral faux pas in that public advocacy citizens engagement campaign. Over time, the series grew to more than 100 episodes, reaching over 60 million Nigerians and 80 million Africans on the platforms of TVC, NTA, Channels TV, in its partnership with the Police, and later on CNN. It redefined what advocacy could look like  not lectures or finger-pointing, but a series of storytelling that touches the soul.

No wonder the campaign earned international recognition and support from the European Union, UNDP, UNODC, MacArthur Foundation led by Dr Kole Shettima in Nigeria and, most recently, a resounding commendation from the US Mission in Nigeria, which commended its impact on transparency and accountability. This recognition, announced on the X (Twitter platform) on the 2nd of September, stated as follows:

Shout-out to @AFFoundationngs Corruption Not In My Country campaign promoting transparency and accountability  a reminder that the fight against corruption starts with every Nigerian, and together, citizens must demand better, do better, and build a nation where integrity thrives.

Considering how subtle the language of diplomacy can be, there is no louder endorsement than this United States Governments recognition and this, commendably, speaks to the missions consular and promotion of diplomatic and bilateral responsibility. It was simply telling the Nigerian government that right within your populace is a patriot who commands the capacity for mobilising citizens to do right and remain steadfastly patriotic. The US Mission was to equally complement the founder of Calendly, Tope Awobona, a few weeks later. Effectively, this simply connotes that Akin Fadeyi has secured his place amongst the shapers of our world in the delivering of impact and solution-driven initiatives.

From Media to Movement: Changing Systems

But AFF did not stop at awareness. It evolved into a catalyst for institutional change. In 2017, the Foundation entered into a historic partnership with the Nigerian Police Force, inaugurated at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. The then Inspector General of Police publicly called on Nigerians to blow the whistle on corruption within the Force; an unprecedented moment in Nigerias anti-corruption history. Akin Fadeyi scaled up his campaign into strategic collaborations in a bold quest to strengthen Nigerias institutional capacity for transparency and accountability.

Among AFFs most compassionate efforts is the Be Safe Project, which educates students on digital safety, sextortion, gender-based violence, and civic awareness. Over 2,000 students have been directly trained, and countless others indirectly impacted as participants cascade the lessons in their schools.

In 2019, the Akin Fadeyi Foundation again broke new grounds by launching the FlagIt App, a civic-tech tool supported by the MacArthur Foundation. The app empowers citizens to report corruption, gender-based violence, and injustice, safely and anonymously, giving ordinary Nigerians a voice in the accountability process.

Beyond reporting corruption, the app has facilitated the arrest and prosecution of cyberbullies and helped rescue vulnerable children from online grooming across Nigeria. With over 5,000 downloads, FlagIt App has become a bridge between civic outrage and institutional response, proof that technology can serve justice in practical, life-saving ways.

In collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), AFF has, across the geopolitical zones of the federation, trained over 2,200 senior officers and cadets on ethics, accountability and service delivery. This was complemented by the radio series, Make We Sama Corruption, which has aired over 200 episodes, sparking national dialogue on everyday corruption. The FRSCs erstwhile Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi would later publicly endorse the FlagIt App on the 30th of January, 2021, urging Nigerians to use it to hold officers accountable. Few civic organisations can claim such institutional trust.

Championing Inclusion: Women and Youth at the Forefront

To strengthen the voice of women, the Foundation launched the What Women Can Do competition, a gender galvanising initiative showcasing womens leadership in governance and accountability. Six brilliant winners from across Nigeria presented gender-driven anti-corruption proposals, underscoring the place of integrity in leadership and the pivotal roles of women in governance to achieve this. That same year, the Put On Your Thinking Cap campaign challenged citizens to question the integrity of political candidates before voting. Through humour and sharp storytelling, it reached over 156,000 people online, inspiring civic reflection during the election cycle.

Among AFFs most compassionate efforts is the Be Safe Project, which educates students on digital safety, sextortion, gender-based violence, and civic awareness. Over 2,000 students have been directly trained, and countless others indirectly impacted as participants cascade the lessons in their schools.

The Akin Fadeyi Foundation (AFF) doesnt just advocate for justice, it pursues it. Beyond campaigns and public enlightenment, AFF steps into the lives of those failed by the system and helps them find redress. A powerful example, at the Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), was how the AFF exposed and helped dismantle a dangerous cyberbullying and sextortion cartel targeting young female students. Through the FlagIt App, suicide-prone victims were able to report their abuse anonymously, leading to the identification, arrest, and prosecution of the perpetrators. This breakthrough not only brought justice to survivors but also demonstrated how technology can protect the vulnerable and restore faith in accountability systems.

Another example of AFFs pursuit of justice is its ongoing intervention for Mrs Esther Osaghae, the widow of Fidelis Osaghae, who was tragically and suspiciously murdered in Auchi, Edo State on the 29th of July 2024. When the bereaved widow reported this tragic event on the FlagIt App, with deep compassion and a firm sense of duty, AFF collaborated with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and the Women Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), petitioned the authorities, demanding an investigation and the arrest of the masterminds behind the crime. The Foundations persistence underscores its belief that justice delayed is justice denied, and that widows, the vulnerable, and the voiceless deserve to be heard and protected. This feeds from AFFs intervention at different times, dragging arbitrary police conduct to human rights commissions, or rescuing unsuspecting women from the devious jugulars of blackmailers.

Earlier this year when Akin Fadeyi hosted development work leaders to honour his mentor, Dr Kole Shettima on his newly launched project, iMPACT SERIES, Publisher of the PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Dapo Olorunyomi, described Akin Fadeyi as a guy who is notorious for the doing of great things. There is no doubt that Akin is already cooking something else that will not only consolidate on his wins, but also take the nation further by storm.

Through these interventions, AFF proves that advocacy must go beyond lip-service, and it must act. Whether standing beside a grieving widow and her baby or shielding a young woman from digital predators, the Foundation continues to affirm that justice is not an abstract ideal, but a moral duty.

From its earliest advocacy dramas to its current fusion of civic tech, media engagement, and institutional partnerships, the Akin Fadeyi Foundation has built a body of work that transcends the typical NGO narrative. Its impact is tangible, its vision unwavering, and its message universal: that behavioural change is the true revolution Nigeria needs.

AFF has proven that reform is not the sole preserve of government. It begins in the mind, in the home, in the marketplace, in the small daily choices we make between integrity and convenience. Through humour, empathy, and consistency, the Foundation has ignited conversations that are shifting national consciousness, one citizen at a time.

The recent commendation by the US Mission in Nigeria, widely amplified by local media outlets like The PUNCH, TVC News, The Cable, and ThisDay, is not just a nod of approval, it is a validation that the world is watching, and that Nigeria is capable of producing models of reform that inspire global confidence.

Earlier this year when Akin Fadeyi hosted development work leaders to honour his mentor, Dr Kole Shettima on his newly launched project, iMPACT SERIES, Publisher of the PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Dapo Olorunyomi, described Akin Fadeyi as a guy who is notorious for the doing of great things. There is no doubt that Akin is already cooking something else that will not only consolidate on his wins, but also take the nation further by storm.

As one who has followed their journey, I see AFF as more than an organisation, I see it as a movement of moral imagination. A reminder that every Nigerian, regardless of status or background, has a role to play in the slow but steady reorientation of our nations soul.

In a time when cynicism is easy and hope is scarce, the Akin Fadeyi Foundation stands as proof that integrity can still inspire change, and that when communication meets conviction, a new Nigeria is possible. This, to me, is the essence of the Foundations impact which Akin Fadeyi embodies; that citizens changed mindset is not theoretical, but deeply human and very practical.

Tope Fasua is the special adviser to the President on Economic Matters.
According to the young panellists at the event, initially there was a problem with internet-based digital tools because the poor have limited access due to the cost of the appliances, internet access, and the cost of data. Today, cheap appliances have been developed and they do not require internet access because the contents are already stored in the pens and books. Thanks to the Tunani Initiative, Maryam Ibrahim and Alhassan Pereira Ibrahim for drawing attention to a pathway that could greatly advance education attainment in Nigeria.

Tunani Initiative, is a start-up of thinking young people seeking solutions to Nigerias numerous challenges. To celebrate the 2025 World Literacy Day last month, they organised an event to seek solutions to Nigerias shame of having the highest percentage of out-of-school children in the world. It was a good idea because I believe that the greatest challenge facing Nigeria today is that of rebuilding a high-quality educational system that encourages the development of knowledge, skills, civic education and critical thinking for our young ones who are living in a society tearing at the seams. Quality education could be the pathway that would lead to the rebuilding of confidence in a future that would provide jobs, opportunities and progress for the majority.

It was the late statesman, Ahmed Joda, who drew our attention to the national pledge made by Nigeria in 1973. That year, the Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, called a Government Retreat and asked for one policy recommendation that would ensure Nigeria would never again run the risk of another civil war. The outcome was the announcement of a national pledge that every Nigerian child born from the end of the civil war  that is, January 1970  would be guaranteed free, high-quality and compulsory primary education. Subsequently, we extended the promise from primary to basic education  that is, nine years of free and high-quality education for all Nigerian children. All governments were to ensure that each year, sufficient resources are made available to ensure that every child is in school. Nigerian governments abdicated this pledge and allowed the public education sector to collapse.

Each year, Nigeria graduates millions of children from the 65,000 public primary schools in the country. The assumption is that they have passed their exams, so they are sent to junior secondary schools and the government appears pleased that it has met the constitutional provision of providing quality education to all Nigerians. Everybody knows its a lie because the entire elite class in the country send their own children to private, and not public, schools. The reality is that Nigeria has abandoned any serious commitment to public primary schools for four decades and today most of them are factories for the reproduction of illiteracy and ignorance. We have been paying a heavy price for our irresponsibility, as demonstrated by the growth of violent extremism, mass kidnapping and armed banditry, activated for the most part by young, uneducated and marginalised youths.

The Tunani event on promoting literacy in the digital age took place, appropriately, in Abujas main bookshop  Rovingheights, which has a large collection on history, politics, economics, biographies and faith. The learnings I came out with, however, from my children who organised the event, is that the time has come for us to move from paper to digital books. We now have digital tools which have the ability to accelerate learning and make the entire society  both those in and out of school, literate and numerate in a few years.

It was my good friend, Bolaji Abdullahi, who first exposed our collective lie that we are educating the children of the masses. As commissioner of Education in Kwara State, he decided to test the level of competence of primary school teachers in 2007. He organised a scheme to administer primary four examinations on the 19,000 teachers in public primary schools in the state and the results were shocking. Only 75 out of the 19,000 teachers passed with the required 80 per cent competence threshold. Each year, the students pass but their teachers are incapable of passing the same exams. My good friend, Kayode Fayemi, lost his first attempt to get a second term in the gubernatorial election in Ekiti State partly because his political enemies spread the story that he was planning to run competency tests for teachers in the state if he won the second term election. The political question posed was how dare him think that only competent teachers should teach in public schools? The teachers ganged up and mobilised to stop him from winning, they did not want to take the risk of their ignorance being exposed.

The Tunani event on promoting literacy in the digital age took place, appropriately, in Abujas main bookshop  Rovingheights, which has a large collection on history, politics, economics, biographies and faith. The learnings I came out with, however, from my children who organised the event, is that the time has come for us to move from paper to digital books. We now have digital tools which have the ability to accelerate learning and make the entire society  both those in and out of school, literate and numerate in a few years.

There is an important innovation currently supported by the African Union and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) based on the use of digital pens and books. These tools enable the provision of high quality, learner-centred education for all, irrespective of literacy level, location or language at a fraction of the cost of conventional educational approaches. When the pen touches the text or pictures in the book, it voices out texts lined up to a corresponding audio, which is accompanied by interactive games, quizzes and multi-language translations.

The Federal Ministry of Education estimates that 50 per cent of in-school children are not learning because they cannot read or write. Around 84 per cent of children in the lowest economic quartile cannot read at all. Of course, Nigeria has the largest number of out-of-school children in the world, with recent estimates by UNICEF of over 13.2 million children not going to school. We now have the means to address this crisis in a fast and relatively cheap manner.

These programmes are already in use in Abuja and Lagos for accelerated and effective learning  literacy, numeracy, health, languages and so on. In fact, the books have been designed to help semi-skilled or unskilled teachers teach, while guiding the children to learn at the same time. These formatted talking books work in the language that the user understands, thereby solving both the quality and language barrier challenges that undermine learning in Nigeria. The interesting thing about the technology is that the use of the Hausa to English book, for example, would simultaneously allow a Hausa speaking child to quickly learn English, while using the tool to improve his or her Hausa as well. These talking books follow the national curriculum and they do not need the Internet to function.

These digital tools can help address the challenges with basic education in Nigeria, especially in public primary schools and the large number of out-of-school children. The Federal Ministry of Education estimates that 50 per cent of in-school children are not learning because they cannot read or write. Around 84 per cent of children in the lowest economic quartile cannot read at all. Of course, Nigeria has the largest number of out-of-school children in the world, with recent estimates by UNICEF of over 13.2 million children not going to school. We now have the means to address this crisis in a fast and relatively cheap manner.

According to the young panellists at the event, initially there was a problem with internet-based digital tools because the poor have limited access due to the cost of the appliances, internet access, and the cost of data. Today, cheap appliances have been developed and they do not require internet access because the contents are already stored in the pens and books. Thanks to the Tunani Initiative, Maryam Ibrahim and Alhassan Pereira Ibrahim for drawing attention to a pathway that could greatly advance education attainment in Nigeria.

A professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development, and Chair of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES.
In our society, even middle-class comfort feels like a crime. Here, the idea that every hardworking person deserves a holiday sounds like fantasy. We have built a system whereby only those in the good books of the powerful can enjoy the simplest pleasures. Vacations, decent homes and good schools have become privileges, instead of rights that honest work should earn.

Whatever you think of Western societies, one thing is clear: They have built systems whereby people can speak freely without the fear of losing their livelihoods or offending the powerful. In those societies, you can disagree with your leaders, criticise government policy, or express your views on national issues, and nobody will blacklist you or call your employer to threaten your job. That is the difference between a society that has developed and one that has not. Sometimes I do not believe in the term, developing society. You are either developed or you are not. Development is not about skyscrapers or luxury cars. It is about whether people can live freely and hold their heads high without the fear of punishment for simply being themselves.

In our part of the world, that freedom does not exist. Ordinary people must constantly seek the approval of the powerful to live decently. To get a good job, you often need someones recommendation. To travel abroad with your family, you may need to beg for a favour. To rise in your career, you must often please people whose only qualification is that they are close to power. In such a society, fear becomes the currency of survival. In developed societies, the story is different. There, hard work speaks louder than connections. In many parts of Europe, it is part of the culture for families to travel during summer holidays. It is normal, not extraordinary, to take time off to rest and see the world. Teachers, factory workers, cleaners, and office clerks all make plans to travel. Nobody thinks they are trying to show off. It is simply life.

In our society, even middle-class comfort feels like a crime. Here, the idea that every hardworking person deserves a holiday sounds like fantasy. We have built a system whereby only those in the good books of the powerful can enjoy the simplest pleasures. Vacations, decent homes and good schools have become privileges, instead of rights that honest work should earn. In Nigeria, for instance, one might need to become a Vice Chancellor of a public university before being able to afford a family trip to Europe. Before reaching that office, it may have been impossible. Once the office is gone, that possibility vanishes too. That is how fragile comfort is in a system that does not reward merit.

many Nigerians abroad, like Mustapha, are afraid to post pictures of their homes or family lives online. They know what will follow. Someone back home will accuse them of showing off. Someone will say they are trying to intimidate others. They hide their happiness because they understand the resentment that poverty breeds. Our people back home, crushed by hardship and years of frustration, often see another persons comfort as an insult.

Contrast that with Professor Farooq Kperogi in the United States. He is not a vice chancellor, nor does he aspire to be one. But he can travel to anywhere in the world with his family whenever he wishes. He does not need anyones approval or favour to do so. He works, he earns, and he lives. That is what true freedom looks like. People like Kperogi understood early that they did not have the temperament to tolerate nonsense, so they built lives where no one could threaten their livelihoods.

Take another example. Mustapha Abubakar, a government worker and researcher in the United States, lives in a house that a Nigerian minister earning only legitimate income could never afford. His comfort is not the product of privilege but of a fair system. But many Nigerians abroad, like Mustapha, are afraid to post pictures of their homes or family lives online. They know what will follow. Someone back home will accuse them of showing off. Someone will say they are trying to intimidate others. They hide their happiness because they understand the resentment that poverty breeds. Our people back home, crushed by hardship and years of frustration, often see another persons comfort as an insult. They mistake the normal life of others for arrogance. Out of insecurity, they accuse those who live decently of trying to make them feel small.

It is one of the most tragic things about our society. Even when our people leave poverty behind physically, they cannot escape its psychological weight. The poverty of the material life has become joined with the poverty of thought. The result is a mindset that punishes success and mocks decency. Some Nigerians in the diaspora cannot even enjoy peace in America or Europe because they are still haunted by the accusations of envy and suspicion from back home. They cannot simply live their lives without the fear of judgment. Western societies, on the other hand, have built an order whereby nobody can intimidate you simply because they have money or power. There, knowledge and hard work command respect. You can be a bus driver, or a professor, and you still have dignity. Nobody looks down on you for earning your living. Nobody can threaten your job for speaking your mind. Nobody can humiliate you because you lack political connection.

In the West, people are not necessarily happier because they are richer. They are happier because they are freer. They can criticise their leaders without fear, plan their lives without begging for permission, and enjoy the fruits of their work without shame. They do not need to pretend to like people they secretly despise just to survive. Until we build a country where people can live without fear of losing everything for speaking honestly, we will keep mistaking privilege for progress.

In our society, dignity has been replaced by dependence. Merit means little. Hard work rarely pays. What matters is who you know and how well you can flatter them. Those who gain favour from politicians grow rich and powerful, then distribute crumbs to others, while pretending to be generous. They build followership by feeding peoples desperation. They use wealth to create fear and loyalty, not inspiration. That is why many Nigerians worship those who oppress them. They call them leaders, celebrate their birthdays, and defend their crimes on social media. The more corrupt they are, the more people rally around them. Poverty has stripped many of the courage to think independently. People have been taught to believe that their survival depends on staying close to the powerful.

Meanwhile, in the societies we like to criticise, ordinary citizens live with quiet dignity. A nurse in Finland or a schoolteacher in Canada can travel abroad every year with their families without anyone accusing them of showing off. They do not need to bribe anyone for promotions. They do not need to flatter governors or ministers to keep their jobs. Their lives are predictable because their systems work. The tragedy is not that Nigeria lacks resources. It is that we have built a country where fear replaces fairness, and where peoples worth depends on who likes them. We have turned power into a weapon of intimidation, instead of service. Those who hold it use it to control, while those below live in the constant anxiety of losing what little they have. That is not development, but a social imprisonment disguised as normal life.

In the West, people are not necessarily happier because they are richer. They are happier because they are freer. They can criticise their leaders without fear, plan their lives without begging for permission, and enjoy the fruits of their work without shame. They do not need to pretend to like people they secretly despise just to survive. Until we build a country where people can live without fear of losing everything for speaking honestly, we will keep mistaking privilege for progress. A nation that fears its own freedom will never truly develop.
This story was originally published on Healthcare Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Healthcare Dive newsletter.

Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health will reduce its workforce by 1% in the face of growing financial pressures.

The cuts will impact between 600 and 700 of its 65,000 employees, the system told Healthcare Dive on Friday. The company has not specified what roles will be impacted.

Jefferson Health, which operates a health plan and 32 hospitals across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, cited growing headwinds as the reason for the layoffs.

Like many organizations in healthcare and higher education, we are facing significant financial headwinds, said CEO Dr. Joseph Cacchione in a statement. To sustain our mission and continue serving our communities, we must take thoughtful, strategic actions to align our operations for the future. While these decisions are never easy, they are necessary to ensure Jefferson remains strong and able to invest in expanding access to care, advancing innovation and supporting those who rely on us most.

Fitch Ratings revised Jeffersons outlook rating from stable to negative earlier this week, citing pressure on Jeffersons operations and its limited ability to improve reimbursement rates from payers.

The system reported a $196 million operating loss for its fiscal year 2025, a decrease from its $1.3 million operating profit in 2024.

In an interview with the Philadelphia Business Journal last month, Cacchione blamed the systems financial struggles on problems facing its insurance business, including higher-than-expected utilization among its Medicaid population and rising costs associated with GLP-1s. The executive said the health system would have to make hard decisions over the next three years to reverse losses, which could include layoffs.

Jefferson has already cut headcount this year. In March, the health system let go 171 employees from Jefferson locations and about 100 workers from its Lehigh Valley Health Network facilities. The systems merged in 2024.

In 2023, Jefferson collapsed its five operating divisions into three  cutting an unspecified number of jobs in the process  in an effort to cut costs, according to report from the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Providers nationwide are shedding workers in response to operational pressures. Providence, NewYork-Presbyterian Health System, the University of New Mexico Hospital, Penn Medicine, Yale New Haven Health, Mass General Brigham and Memorial Sloan Kettering are among the systems that have made changes to their teams in recent months, often citing concerns about growing financial challenges.
The contempt of some African immigrants and the resentment it elicits among African Americans both spring from the same poisoned source. One was enslaved; the other colonised. Yet, both were conditioned to doubt their humanity. As Malcolm X asserted, the ultimate triumph of oppression is not physical domination but psychological colonisation, wherein the oppressed perceive themselves through the lens of their oppressors.

In this magnificent world we inhabit, the Black man is reminiscent of that child with profound autism, whose mother grows uneasy whenever he throws a tantrum in public. To shield herself from humiliation, she might sequester him in a group home, out of sight and out of mind. Little consideration is given to the possibility that her poor choices during pregnancy may have contributed to his condition. Yet, this is not a tale of mothers or of autism. It is neither a lamentation for justice nor a plea for reparations. It is, rather, a story we must tell.

In the early 20th century, in the segregated heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma, there thrived a community that defied every stereotype of incapacity. It was called Greenwood, though history immortalises it as Black Wall Street. At a time when Jim Crow laws choked every pathway to advancement for freed African slaves, Greenwood soared. It was an oasis of ambition, dignity, and enterprise.

The district boasted banks, hotels, theatres, law offices, and busy stores owned and operated by African Americans who refused to be defined by oppression. It was said that a dollar circulated within the community thirty-six times before leaving it, a level of economic self-sufficiency that seems like a fairy tale today.

Then, in 1921, that success became its undoing. White mobs, backed by local authorities, descended upon Greenwood in a wave of destruction now known as the Tulsa Race Massacre. Within two days, they razed the district to ashes. Airplanes dropped incendiary bombs on Black businesses and homes. Hundreds perished, thousands were displaced. In the aftermath, no one was prosecuted. Insurance claims were denied. Greenwood wasnt merely destroyed; it was erased, punished for daring to dream.

That tragedy was not an isolated episode but part of a broader pattern, a deliberate effort to push the narrative that Blacks just cant do it, that we are not good enough. The same psychology that incinerated Greenwood reverberated across the Atlantic, in Haiti.

When enslaved Africans in the French colony of Saint-Domingue, modern day Haiti, rose up and crushed Napoleons army, they did more than win freedom. They shattered the myth of White supremacy and proved that the oppressed could break their chains. Yet, Haitis revolution did not remain contained; it ignited a conflagration that spread across Latin America. When Simon Bolivar, the Venezuelan liberator, fled in defeat, Haitis President Alexandre Petion welcomed him, not merely as a guest, but as a comrade in struggle.

Petion gave him money, weapons, soldiers, ships, and even a printing press to fuel his cause. There was just one condition: Wherever Bolivar triumphed, slavery must be abolished. Bolivar agreed and honoured this covenant. The indelible mark of Haiti endures on the liberation maps that stretches from Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru to Bolivia.

most African immigrants to the United States originate from societies where race is not the primary axis of identity. Class, ethnicity, or religion may carry greater weight. Upon entering America, they confront centuries-old racial hierarchy that quietly relegates Blackness to the lowest tier. Over time, some internalise this hierarchy, perceiving themselves as different or, worse, superior to African Americans. They embrace pernicious stereotypes portraying Black Americans as indolent or uneducated

Yet, for this moral courage, Haiti was compelled to endure immense suffering. France, humiliated by its defeat, imposed a ruinous indemnity, equating to billions in todays currency, as the price of freedom. The United States, apprehensive that Haitis triumph might inspire its own enslaved population, diplomatically and economically ostracised the nascent nation.

Starved of investment and shackled by debt, Haiti endured over a century of poverty, exploitation, and foreign intervention, including US occupation. Today, it remains the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. And so the story repeats itself, from Tulsa to Port-au-Prince, from plantations to prisons. The punishment of Black success is an enduring motif.

In contemporary America, statistics reveal that approximately three in four White children reside in two-parent households, compared with two in five Black children. Single-parent households, overwhelmingly led by women, are far more prevalent among Black families. Empirical evidence consistently demonstrates that children raised in stable two-parent homes achieve higher incomes, superior educational outcomes, and diminished risks of poverty or incarceration.

But it wasnt always this way. A few generations prior, despite segregation and adversity, Black families were among Americas most stable. Marital cohesion was high, communities were tightly knit, and values were anchored in faith, resilience, and mutual support. What changed were not morals but circumstances: a perfect storm of systemic racism, mass incarceration, the war on drugs that disproportionately targeted Black people, and economic displacement that stripped Black men from homes and communities.

The affluent White kid who used powdered cocaine got a slap on the wrist. The impoverished Black kid who smoked crack cocaine faced penalties a hundred times harsher. This sentencing gap led to the mass incarceration of Black men and women, devastating families and communities for generations. What once symbolised resilience now mirrors broken systems. This is not a story of moral failure but of social engineering, a society that lashes its Black child with a thorned whip and then wonders why he cries.

I recount these stories not to dwell on despair but to affirm that Black decline has never stemmed from a paucity of talent or ambition. The ingenuity that built Greenwood and the audacity that birthed Haiti remain undiminished. Yet, perhaps our most insidious adversary today is internalised racism, the subtle venom that turns us against ourselves.

You see, most African immigrants to the United States originate from societies where race is not the primary axis of identity. Class, ethnicity, or religion may carry greater weight. Upon entering America, they confront centuries-old racial hierarchy that quietly relegates Blackness to the lowest tier. Over time, some internalise this hierarchy, perceiving themselves as different or, worse, superior to African Americans. They embrace pernicious stereotypes portraying Black Americans as indolent or uneducated, reliant on welfare, a manifestation of internalised oppression, the insidious adoption of the oppressors worldview.

Internalised racism is the quiet annihilator of Black unity, a subtle toxin that converts shared struggle into mutual suspicion. This disunity exacts an economic toll, for wealth, like power, circulates through trust and collaboration. Whereas Jewish communities transformed shared suffering into solidarity, building dense networks of wealth, education, and opportunity, Black communities often fracture along lines of origin, skin tone, or class. Rivalry and distrust corrode the cohesion essential to collective progress.

The contempt of some African immigrants and the resentment it elicits among African Americans both spring from the same poisoned source. One was enslaved; the other colonised. Yet, both were conditioned to doubt their humanity. As Malcolm X asserted, the ultimate triumph of oppression is not physical domination but psychological colonisation, wherein the oppressed perceive themselves through the lens of their oppressors.

Internalised racism is the quiet annihilator of Black unity, a subtle toxin that converts shared struggle into mutual suspicion. This disunity exacts an economic toll, for wealth, like power, circulates through trust and collaboration. Whereas Jewish communities transformed shared suffering into solidarity, building dense networks of wealth, education, and opportunity, Black communities often fracture along lines of origin, skin tone, or class. Rivalry and distrust corrode the cohesion essential to collective progress.

Thus, when an African immigrant declares, I am not like those Black Americans, or when a Black American doubts their own value, both are echoing centuries of racial conditioning.

I write this piece for two reasons. First, this week marks the anniversary of my book Black Grit, White Knuckles: The Philosophy of Black Renaissance, which addresses these very issues. Second, I recently encountered a viral video of a White American pastor denouncing Black culture as evil and bestial, words too vile to reproduce. Yet, his rhetoric compelled me to ask: What does he mean by Black culture? And how, if at all, is it distinct from the broader human cultural heritage?

From the ancient city of Timbuktu to the golden empire of Mansa Musa, from the storied kingdoms of West and South Africa to Arthur Gurleys Greenwood in America, Black culture, if it can be said to exist apart from the broader tapestry of human achievement, has never been one of shame. Ours is a heritage that built civilisations, exchanged ideas, and envisioned the world in colour long before its worth was recognised.

Yet, millions of our children today, navigate a world that treats them as expendable, uncertain of the fate of the warriors and architects who once dominated the ancestral savannas. I recount these stories not from nostalgia, but because you and your children deserve to know.

Osmund Agbo is a medical doctor and author. His works include Black Grit, White Knuckles: The Philosophy of Black Renaissance and a fiction work titled The Velvet Court: Courtesan Chronicles. His latest works, Pray, Let the Shaman Die and Maam, I Do Not Come to You for Love, have just been released. He can be reached@ [email protected]
To rebuild the bridge between Ameen and Amen is not an act of idealism; it is an act of national survival. Our shared values  mercy, justice, charity, truth  are the only real foundation upon which peace can stand. Nigerias history and the worlds experience both prove that faith can coexist with reason, that belief can live beside difference, and that religion, when uncorrupted, remains humanitys greatest unifying force.

The non-existing gulf that divides us.

There are probably no two religions more closely aligned than Islam and Christianity. Both spring from the same Abrahamic roots; they share prophets, moral codes, and rituals  and even end their prayers with words so alike they are nearly indistinguishable: Ameen and Amen. Yet, over the centuries, humanity has managed to turn this almost imperceptible difference into an unbridgeable divide. Religion, the great moral compass of civilisations, has too often been repurposed as a weapon. Whenever power is threatened or legitimacy questioned, it becomes the easiest tool to redirect anger and maintain control. Sometimes its ideology  communism or capitalism. Sometimes its race or tribe. Too often, it is religion.

We are living through such a moment again. Across the world  and increasingly in Nigeria  religion is being invoked not to heal but to inflame; not to build community but to consolidate control. It is being wielded not against injustice, but to distract from it. The result is a dangerous illusion  one that makes neighbours into enemies and turns righteous anger away from those who hoard power and wealth.

A Shared Legacy of Light

History offers countless reminders that Islam and Christianity need not be adversaries. In Andalusia, between the 8th and 15th centuries  Jews, Christians, and Muslims lived side-by-side in what historians call La Convivencia, a golden era of coexistence. Cordoba and Granada became centres of learning where Christian monks translated Arabic texts, Muslim scholars preserved Greek philosophy, and Jewish physicians served in royal courts. Their cooperation gave the world advances in medicine, mathematics, architecture, and philosophy  the very foundation of Europes Renaissance.

Closer to home, the same harmony once defined much of Nigerias social fabric. In countless towns, church bells and mosque calls echoed through the same morning air. Families intermarried, neighbours celebrated each others festivals, and faith was a matter of devotion, not division. In Yoruba heartlands, Muslims joined Christmas celebrations, and Christians attended Eid feasts without fear or suspicion. That ordinary coexistence was not a miracle  it was proof that our humanity precedes our creed.

Healing the fracture between Ameen and Amen will not come from new laws or committees alone. It must draw on what has always held Nigerians together  the deep, local traditions of mutual aid, kinship, and hospitality that pre-date both colonial government and modern bureaucracy.

The Manufactured Divide

Yet today, a new narrative seeks to erase that memory. We are told to see one another as irreconcilably different  to interpret every conflict in the North as a holy war rather than what it is: a struggle between the haves and the have-nots, a conflict between criminals and citizens, a war between insurgents and the state.

Nigerias Christians, numbering over 100 million, are not a persecuted minority. Nor are Nigerias Muslims a privileged elite. Both communities are home to millions of citizens denied dignity, security, and opportunity. Both bleed from the same wounds of inequality and corruption. But when inequality grows too glaring, the powerful know exactly what to do  they invent an enemy. They whisper that the other tribe or faith is the problem. They turn hunger into hate, and shared deprivation into sectarian suspicion. It is a playbook as old as empire: Keep the people divided so they never confront the real architects of their suffering.

Rebuilding Trust Beyond the State

Healing the fracture between Ameen and Amen will not come from new laws or committees alone. It must draw on what has always held Nigerians together  the deep, local traditions of mutual aid, kinship, and hospitality that pre-date both colonial government and modern bureaucracy.

In many communities, trust is built not through policy but through practice, through the shared labour of harvest, the exchange of wedding invitations, the care of one anothers children during festivals, the quiet mourning of a neighbours loss, regardless of faith. These are the cultural arteries through which peace once flowed  and can again. To rebuild them, communities should revive age-grade systems, community councils, and traditional reconciliation rituals that have long served as neutral grounds where differences were resolved before they became crises. At the same time, states should institutionalise Joint Religious Councils composed of respected Christian and Muslim leaders who can speak with authority and unity when propaganda begins to spread. Their voices must be proactive, not reactive  issuing factual, compassionate statements before lies harden into hatred. These councils should work hand-in-hand with local traditional rulers, womens groups, youth networks, and media professionals to ensure that the truth always has a microphone as loud as the rumour.

The tragedy is not that Ameen and Amen sound different. It is that those who profit from our division have made us forget that they mean the same thing  so be it, a prayer of submission to the divine. If both faiths can agree that only God is sovereign, then neither should accept the rule of fear or hatred crafted by men.

Rebuilding trust also requires visible acts of solidarity: Interfaith volunteer corps rebuilding schools and hospitals together; youth exchange programmes in which Christian and Muslim students spend time in each others communities; joint visits to historic interfaith sites to remind us that coexistence once flourished. The goal is not to erase difference, but to make it irrelevant to our capacity for kindness.

Bridging the Non-Existing Gap

The tragedy is not that Ameen and Amen sound different. It is that those who profit from our division have made us forget that they mean the same thing  so be it, a prayer of submission to the divine. If both faiths can agree that only God is sovereign, then neither should accept the rule of fear or hatred crafted by men.

To rebuild the bridge between Ameen and Amen is not an act of idealism; it is an act of national survival. Our shared values  mercy, justice, charity, truth  are the only real foundation upon which peace can stand. Nigerias history and the worlds experience both prove that faith can coexist with reason, that belief can live beside difference, and that religion, when uncorrupted, remains humanitys greatest unifying force.

The world does not need another holy war; it needs human understanding.

Between Ameen and Amen lies no real gap  only the silence where peace could begin.

Abubakar Suleiman is an economist and a banker with over 25 years experience in consulting and financial services.
In commemoration of the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child, the Igbo-Eze South Local Government, in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady, Enugu State and Custoscare Foundation, on Friday, 17 October 2025, hosted a transformative programme, with the theme The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls in the Frontlines of Crisis.

The event, held with the participation of young girls from different secondary schools across Igbo-Eze South, underscores the commitment of the First Lady of Enugu State, Nkechinyere Mbah, to advancing the rights, voices and potentials of the girl child in Enugu State.

Represented by her Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Chidimma Egonu, a lawyer, Mrs Mbah, whose passion for nurturing the potentials of young girls continues to shape progressive conversations across the state, emphasised the need for collective action in empowering the young girls to become active agents of change.

Every girl has a unique voice and an irreplaceable role in building the society we desire. Our duty as leaders, parents and mentors is to ensure that no girl is left behind, no dream is stifled and no ambition is diminished, Mrs Mbah said.

Breaking stereotypes, building capacity

In her opening address, the wife of the Chairman of Igbo-Eze South, Ugo-Ferdinand Empress Zikora, reaffirmed her commitment to complementing the vision of the Enugu State First Lady in creating an enabling environment for girls to thrive intellectually and socially.

The event featured a rich blend of inspirational talks and interactive sessions aimed at empowering the girl child to overcome societal stereotypes and embrace leadership roles with confidence and purpose.

The Managing Director of Custoscare Foundation, Egodi Blessing, delivered a session on Breaking Stereotypes and Building Capacity.

She inspired the students with stories of resilience and urged them to rise above limiting narratives and channel their energy towards productive ventures that would contribute to their growth.

In a deeply reflective session, Ego Aja, Member 3, ENSUBEB, addressed the growing menace of social vices among young people. She urged them to stay focused, uphold moral discipline and embrace education and creativity as tools for societal development. She maintained that greatness is not defined by gender, but by courage and purpose.

Sex education, health hygiene

A nurse, Blessing Ngwu, sensitised participants on Sex Education and Health Hygiene, while Prisca Okeke, Special Assistant on Youths and Students Affairs to Governor Mbah, led a session on leadership, self-belief and responsibility.

Adding to the inspiring lineup, the Zonal Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Enugu Zonal Command, represented by Olayi Judith, head of the Public Enlightenment Unit, led a deeply educative session on child trafficking and trafficking in persons.

She sensitised the students on the dangers of human trafficking, early warning signs and the importance of vigilance within their communities. She drew attention to the need for collective responsibility in protecting children and vulnerable persons from exploitation, aligning with global efforts to safeguard the dignity and future of every child.

The celebration was also laced with fun, creativity and competition, as the students participated in spoken-word performances, singing, dancing and inter-school debates, all centred around the theme of the girl child as a beacon of hope and transformation.

These activities not only showcased the talents of the girls but also deepened their understanding of self-expression and confidence in public engagement.

In keeping with the days message of care and empowerment, essential items such as sanitary pads, writing materials, and toiletries were distributed to the participants. In addition, cash prizes were awarded to outstanding students who excelled in the various competitions and skill exhibitions, reinforcing the value of excellence and hard work.

Other dignitaries at the event included the Secretary to Igbo-Eze South Local Government, Zacchaeus Ukwueze ; the Education Secretary of Igbo-Eze South, Ugwu JudeMary; and the Chief of Staff to the Chairman of Igbo-Eze South, Odo Anthony.

The event also highlighted strong institutional collaboration, with Nigerian Breweries, NAPTIP, JRB Group, Doxer Moms and Babies and the Ugo-Ferdinand Foundation partnering to make the day a remarkable success.

The International Day of the Girl Child celebration in Igbo-Eze South thus became not only a call to action but also a reaffirmation of faith in the capacity of young girls to lead, inspire and transform society; one step, one dream and one vision at a time.
The Adamawa State Agency for the Control of AIDS (ADSACA) has reported 8,850 new HIV infections in the state between 2022 and 2025.

Abdullahi Adamu, Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the agency, disclosed this on Thursday in Yola during a media interactive session on the states HIV/AIDS response.

Mr Adamu said the meeting was aimed at strengthening collaboration with the media to boost public awareness and encourage behavioural change in HIV prevention.

According to him, surveillance data show a steady rise in new HIV infections across the state in the last three years.

In 2022, we recorded over 2,700 new infections; in 2023, more than 2,500; in 2024, 2,227; and between January and June 2025, we have already recorded 1,423 new infections, he said.

He expressed concern over the rising trend despite the availability of preventive measures, stressing the need for a review of existing strategies.

He said the state must restrategise and adopt new approaches that will deepen public awareness and promote preventive practices.

We have preventive options such as abstinence, consistent condom use and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), but many people are not using them effectively, he said.

Mr Adamu added that people living with HIV who adhere strictly to their medication cannot transmit the virus and can live healthy, productive lives.

He revealed that over 40,000 people living with HIV are currently receiving treatment in Adamawa, with about 93 per cent achieving viral suppression.

He, however, noted that 400 HIV-related deaths were recorded in 2024.

Mr Adamu also called on pregnant women to register for antenatal care, stressing that prevention of mother-to-child transmission is critical to reducing new infections.

In 2024, 509 pregnant women who registered for antenatal care were enrolled on HIV treatment, out of which 180 were new infections, he said.

Without antenatal care and hospital delivery, some of these mothers could have unknowingly transmitted the virus to their babies.

He said the state government had procured over 40,000 HIV testing kits and urged residents to take advantage of free testing services available at health facilities and community testing centres.

Also speaking, John Tobias, North-East Zonal Coordinator of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), urged Nigerians to take ownership of the HIV response to ensure sustainability.

Mr Tobias noted that a recent stop-work order issued by the United States government in February affected donor-supported interventions, limiting Nigerias capacity to provide treatment and care.

This is a wake-up call for us to take responsibility for our own health and reduce dependence on donor support, he said.

He described the 1,423 new infections recorded in Adamawa in the first half of 2025 as avoidable, adding that effective treatment remains a key prevention strategy.

If everyone living with HIV is identified and placed on treatment, there will be no opportunity for transmission, he said.

We must scale up our efforts and work towards ending new HIV infections by 2030.

He urged journalists to take active roles in sensitising the public and promoting positive behavioural change to end the epidemic. (NAN)
A prosecution witness has narrated before the Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State, how a cleric, Jonas Katung, allegedly lured him and several others into an investment scheme that cost them millions of naira.

The witness, Fasaki Jacob, 68, a retired civil servant, testified on Thursday before the trial judge, Sharon Ishaya, in the ongoing trial of Mr Katung and Okewole Dayo, who are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly defrauding investors through Fadama Multi-purpose Cooperative Society.

A statement by the EFCCs spokesperson, Dele Oyewake, on Friday, said the defendants are facing 23 counts of obtaining money to the tune of N178.9 million (N178,885,000) under false pretence.

Led in evidence by EFCC lawyer Ibrahim Buba, Mr Jacob said he was convinced to invest in the cooperative after watching one of Mr Katungs televised sermons on Plateau Radio and Television (PRTV).

The message he delivered that day made me believe that Fadama Multi-purpose Cooperative Society was real, the witness told the court.

Mr Jacob said he later visited the clerics Maranata Church located at No. 10 Miyangu Street, Jos, where Mr Katung encouraged him to invest in what was presented as a faith-based cooperative.

At the cooperatives secretariat, he met the first defendant, Mr Dayo, who instructed that all payments should be made through the cooperatives bank account.

He said he deposited N1 million at Dadin Kowa Microfinance Bank in Jos and received an official receipt.

In June 2011, he added N200,000, bringing his total investment to N1.2 million.

According to Mr Jacob, investors were promised 10 per cent monthly returns, with payments recorded on small investment cards. But interest payments stopped in 2012.

At one point, Bishop Katung appeared on PRTV and promised that investors would be paid the following week, but nothing came out of it, Mr Jacob testified.

When payments stopped entirely, investors confronted the cooperatives management and demanded refunds. Mr Jacob said tensions grew to the point that police were called in to prevent angry investors from attacking Mr Dayo.

The police asked us to nominate some representatives to meet them at the headquarters. I was among those selected, he said.

He told the court that when the police could not resolve the matter, it was referred to the EFCC for investigation.

The witness recalled that both defendants made statements at the EFCC and later attended a reconciliation meeting with investors, where Mr Katung promised to sell a property owned by the cooperative to refund investors.

He gave us a copy of a land document and said we could help find a buyer. But when the property was eventually sold, we didnt get any money, Mr Jacob added.

A payment receipt issued to the witness was tendered and admitted in evidence as Exhibit F.

Under cross-examination by defence lawyer C.I. Nwogbo, representing Mr Dayo, the witness confirmed that he made a statement to the EFCC in 2012 and affirmed its accuracy.

He, however, clarified that Mr Dayo was not part of the television broadcast that influenced his investment decision.

Responding to questions from G.G. Achi, lawyer to Mr Katung, Mr Jacob said he had known the cleric before investing but maintained that the televised sermon influenced his decision.

Ms Ishaya discharged the witness and adjourned the case till 10 and 11 December, for continuation of trial.

Background

The EFCC had on 29 May, re-arraigned Messrs Katung and Dayo before the Federal High Court in Jos on a 23-count bordering on conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence involving N178 million.

According to the EFCC, the defendants used Fadama Multi-purpose Cooperative Society to lure hundreds of investors  many of them church members and civil servants  with promises of 10 percent monthly returns.

Investigations revealed that the funds were allegedly diverted to personal and proxy accounts and used to acquire properties in Jos and Kaduna.

PREMIUM TIMES also reported that the cooperative leveraged church sermons and television programmes to attract unsuspecting investors who believed the scheme was faith-driven.

The case adds to a growing list of faith-linked investment scams under investigation by the anti-graft agency across Nigeria.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has again falsely claimed that he was the victim, not the beneficiary, of the 2019 election fraud in the Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial election.

I was cheated in 2019 election, Mr Akpabio said during plenary on Thursday while speaking on the plan to amend Nigerias election laws.

PREMIUM TIMES has done several reports on how the convicted university professor, Peter Ogban, rigged the 2019 senatorial election for Mr Akpabio, who was seeking a second term. Mr Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom, was the APC candidate in the election.

In March 2021, a State High Court in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom, found Mr Ogban, a professor of Soil Science at the University of Calabar, and a returning officer in the district election, guilty of fraudulent manipulation of election results, publishing and announcing of false results in two local government areas  Oruk Anam and Etim Ekpo. He was prosecuted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

The court sentenced him to three years imprisonment.

Shortly after the court jailed Mr Ogban, Mr Akpabio, who was then minister of Niger Delta Affairs, disowned the professor and said the judgement vindicated him (Akpabio).

He (Akpabio) is vindicated that the perpetrators of the electoral fraud are being brought to justice; at last, the chickens are coming home to roost, Mr Akpabios spokesperson, Anietie Ekong, had said in a statement in Abuja.

Mr Akpabio said at the time that the jailed professor joined then-INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini, to deny him victory in the election.

For the avoidance of doubt Ogban never announced Akpabio as the winner of any election; instead, he cancelled his lawful votes and announced his opponent as the winner of the manipulated election.

It is the height of mischief for anyone to say that a man who arbitrarily cancelled lawfully collated votes of the APC and announced PDP winner of the election was working for Akpabio.

In due time, we believe all the conspirators will be brought to justice as Ogban, either through the judiciary or divine intervention, Mr Akpabio said.

About four years later, Mr Akpabio has backtracked, claiming that the disgraced professor was a victim, not a perpetrator.

They prosecuted the wrong person, the Senate president said at Thursdays plenary, a statement that appears targeted at Mr Igini, the former resident electoral commissioner in Akwa Ibom.

He also restated his claim that the election was rigged against him.

The same INEC resident electoral commissioner (Mr Igini), working with some cohorts, changed the story and said the man was trying to assist Senator Godswill Akpabio. If the man was trying to assist Senator Godswill Akpabio, how come they burnt my votes in my local government? How come I was not announced as the winner? he said.

How the professor was nailed

Before his conviction and sentencing, Mr Ogban, in one of the court sessions, told the court how the district election results were falsified in Oruk Anam and Etim Ekpo local government areas to give the APC an unfair advantage over its main rival, the PDP.

For instance, some 5,000 fake votes were added to the APCs score in Oruk Anam in the election.

During cross-examination by the prosecution counsel, Mr Ogban admitted that the votes he entered for both the APC and the PDP in the two local government areas were not taken from results collated at the constituency.

As his defence, he said the votes he entered were read out to him by the local government areas returning officers.

However, two INEC witnesses  John Enoidem and Itemobong Ekaidem  contradicted the professors claim.

The witnesses, university lecturers and collation officers in the two local government areas, told the court that what Mr Ogban entered as scores for APC and PDP were not what they presented to him.

Here is how the Guardian newspaper captured the court session where the two INEC witnesses were cross-examined: In their testimonies, they said the results they collated at the council level, which were presented to Ogban, differed from the results he finally declared.

For the Oruk Anam Council result, Enoidem noted that while his result showed that the APC scored 10,534 votes and the PDP 25,123 votes, the accused declared that the APC polled 15,534, while PDP got 20,123 votes.

He, thereby, reduced PDPs votes by 5,000 and increased APC score by the same number of ballots. Ekaidem added that while the results for Etim Ekpo Council showed that APC scored 2,671 votes and PDP got 6,603, the result Ogban finally declared showed that APC scored 5,671 votes compared to PDPs 3,306, amounting to a difference of 3,000 in favour of the former.

Mr Ogbans defence that the fraudulent votes he entered for Mr Akpabio in the election were read out to him would later attract a rebuke from the Court of Appeal, Calabar, on 30 April.

The rank of university professor is not one easily attainable and is certainly not a rank attained by fools, the Court of Appeal said in its judgement affirming the 25 March 2021 conviction and three years imprisonment of the professor by the Akwa Ibom State High Court.

Meanwhile, the professor is free instead of serving his prison term.

Before the Akwa Ibom High Court sentenced him, Mr Ogban pleaded for mercy. He told the judge he had learnt his lesson.

When next I am given a responsibility, I will be extra careful. All that glitters is not gold. Everyone is a persona. The way they look is not the way they are. I will be very careful in dealing with people, he had said before the court.

What we know about the election

The 2019 election was Mr Akpabios toughest political battle to date  he lost his bid to return to the Senate, failed to unseat his successor, Governor Udom Emmanuel, with whom he fell out, failed to get the APC to win a single seat at the National Assembly, and could not get President Muhammadu Buhari to win in Akwa Ibom.

During the district election, Mr Akpabios challenger, a former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom, Chris Ekpenyong of the PDP, was leading with a wide margin, until the APC began to scramble for suspicious votes, which they could use to change the election course.

INEC, at some point, suspended the announcement of the election results in Essien Udim Local Government Area, where Mr Akpabio hails from.

If we accept the results from the local government area, Akpabios votes will overshoot that of Chris Ekpenyong, an official of INEC told PREMIUM TIMES at that time.

There are issues in the results which are yet to be resolved, the official had said.

The elections in the area were marred by pockets of violence.

I have records of presiding officers who were speaking to me in low tones because of where they were and what was going on. God gave the returning officer wisdom, and today he is alive, the resident electoral commissioner, Mr Igini, had said, when he told journalists and representatives of political parties why the commission could not announce the results from Essien Udim.

INEC later conducted a rerun election in the area, as ordered by the Court of Appeal, Calabar. But Mr Akpabio backed out of it, leaving the PDP to win easily, even though the election was still characterised by violence, including INEC officials being held hostage in Mr Akpabios ward.
The Students Union Government (SUG) of Adekunle Ajasin University has accused the Ondo State Governor of insensitivity following his alleged failure to address the issues relating to the strike by the institutions academic staff union.

The SUG said this in a statement jointly signed by its President, Salami Akeem; General Secretary, Jamiu Abiodun; and Public Relations Officer, Ajidagba Mosadoluwa, on Friday.

The AAU lecturers have been on strike for several weeks over unpaid salaries and other entitlements.

The state government says it has approved an improved subvention that would cater to the demands of the lecturers.

However, the lecturers have refused to return to work, claiming that they have yet to receive the payments.

A government committee had submitted a recommendation raising the subvention to all the tertiary institutions owned by the state government.

Although it has been several weeks since the announcement of a raised subvention was made, the lecturers say they have not seen the payments.

Stating that the strike by the lecturers had shut down academic activities at the university, the students body described the governors silence and irresponsiveness as a direct affront to the students.

It is a blunt betrayal and gross symbol of nonchalance towards the welfare of the Nigerian students, which has earned his administration a highly profiled humiliation to Nigerian students, especially students of AAUA, the statement said.

The students also gave the governor seven days to resolve all the issues affecting the lecturers so that the school could be reopened for academic activities.

The union praises the university staff for their compassion and recognises them as builders of excellence.

They have consistently worked to advance AAUA and create an optimal learning environment, despite the challenges posed by the Ondo State Government regarding salary payments and subventions, which could have improved the institutions welfare experience.

Martin Luther King said, Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Hence, the union is summoning the attention of the executive governor to the fact that AAUA, being the premier state university in the Sunshine State, is as old as hormo sapiens and in no course should it be treated like somewhere that never existed.

It is good to note that paying the staff members salaries is a duty and an absolute reward borne out of agreement and not a privilege.

In light of the concerns, the Students Union body, being the vibrant voice of the students in establishing uninterrupted academic activities, has placed a strong demand before the governor to address the ongoing internal industrial action within 7 days or experience the fierce wrath of the Nigerian students.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, said the state government has already taken steps to address all the concerns of the lecturers and the institution, promising that very soon all the challenges would be taken care of.

During the week, lecturers at public universities across Nigeria began a two-week strike over issues of welfare and poor funding of the universities.

This followed the failure of ASUU and the federal government to reach an agreement after several meetings.

ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, described the decision as inevitable due to what he said was the governments failure to meet its demands.
The Lagos State High Court in Ikoyi has heard a fundamental rights suit filed by businesswoman Monehin Abiola against the Nigerian police and two others over her alleged unlawful arrest and detention following the reported disappearance of $1 million from a clients safe deposit vault.

The judge, O.A. Ipaye, heard the case on 2 October and adjourned the matter to 19 November for judgement.

At the hearing, Ms Abiola, who until recently was the marketing manager at Bulwark Vault and Safes Deposit Limited in Lagos, filed her fundamental rights enforcement suit through her lawyer, Charles Adeogun-Phillips.

She said she was arrested and detained by officers of the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, between 2 and 5 July, following a petition dated 21 May 2024, by a lawyer, Abimbola Adewole, acting on behalf of Omotayo and Bashir Fakorede.

The petition accused her of stealing $1 million from a total of $1.5 million in cash allegedly kept by the Fakoredes inside two travel bags placed in the companys custody.

Mr Adeogun-Phillips, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), told the court that his client, who had worked with Bulwark Vaults since January 2011, maintained an unblemished service record.

He emphasised that she had no access to the contents of clients safe deposit boxes, which could not be opened without the renter being present and using two sets of keys simultaneously.

Mr Adeogun-Phillips told the court that the companys policy prohibited storing cash in its vaults, in line with the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004.

He said despite this, Mrs Fakorede allegedly deposited two travel bags containing $1.5 million in a safe deposit box, later claiming that $1 million was missing.

He added that only the couple and their daughter had access to the box, and that Ms Abiola only became aware of the alleged cash after Mr Fakorede contacted her via WhatsAppmore than 24 hours after his wife had removed the bags.

Mr Adeogun-Phillips further argued that the police acted at the behest of wealthy individuals without reasonable suspicion or lawful justification.

He said Ms Abiola was detained for five days under deplorable and unhygienic conditions.

Citing the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the lawyer argued that the police action violated Sections 35(1)(c) and 41(1) of the Nigerian Constitution.

Mr Adeogun-Phillips described the police conduct as a flagrant abuse of state power, alleging that they acted on behalf of the Fakoredes, who had openly admitted to holding $1.5 million in cash outside the banking system, in violation of money laundering and foreign exchange laws.

He criticised the police for turning a blind eye to such a serious breach while deploying state resources to pursue his client. Who walks around with $1.5 million in cash? Where in the world does that happen outside the banking system? he asked.

He urged the court to award N70 million in damagesN20 million for unlawful detention and N50 million for violation of her rightsarguing that compensation is mandatory once a breach of fundamental rights has been established.

The police must not be used as personal instruments of intimidation by the wealthy. The rights of every citizenrich or poormust be protected under the law, he said.

He alleged that the Fakoredes were motivated by a desire to evade the law requiring the declaration of cash exceeding $10,000 to the Nigerian Customs Service, and that they used their influence to involve the police rather than pursue proper legal channels.

Quoting the late judge, Niki Tobi in Onagoruwa v. IGP (1993), he noted, The naira is no longer a stable and enduring currency it floats in the money market adversely, adding that the current exchange rate further supported the claimed amount as both fair compensation and an effective deterrent.

Respondents deny allegations, defend police action

In their counter-affidavit and written address, the lawyer to the second and third respondents, A.B. Munirudeen, denied all allegations and urged the court to dismiss the application.

He argued that his firm, acting on instructions of the Fakoredes merely reported a suspected theft to the policean act within their constitutional right and civic dutyand that the suit lacked merit.

The Applicant has not presented any scintilla of evidence indicating a violation of her rights. The reliefs sought are aimed at restraining the police from performing their lawful duties, Mr Munirudeen submitted.

Citing Supreme Court and Court of Appeal authorities, including Abdulhamid v. Akar (2006) and Fajemirokun v. Commercial Bank (Nig.) Ltd (2009), the respondents said citizens are duty-bound to report crimes and cannot be held liable for subsequent police actions.

They described the case as a gagging suit intended to obstruct lawful investigation into the missing funds and urged the court to dismiss it as frivolous, vexatious, and oppressive.

Police insist arrest was lawful

The lawyer to the police, M.A. Animashaun, also opposed the application, insisting that the applicants arrest and questioning were lawful and conducted in accordance with the Constitution.

The Applicant was arrested on a valid complaint made by her employer regarding alleged diversion of company funds, he told the court. She was granted administrative bail pending further investigation and was never detained beyond a reasonable time.

He argued that there was no credible evidence of torture or prolonged detention, noting that the applicants affidavit contained contradictions and lacked corroboration by medical reports or witnesses.

The claim for N70 million in damages is speculative and unsupported by proof of actual loss. The law does not permit damages based on imagination, Mr Animashaun said.

Police outline investigation findings

Meanwhile, the Anti-Fraud Section, FCID Alagbon, detailed its investigative process in a counter-affidavit.

In the counter-affidavit, Bamishile Olufemi of the Anti-Fraud Section, FCID Alagbon, wrote that the investigation began after receiving a petition dated 21 May 2024, and a referral from Force Headquarters dated 24 May 2024.

Mr Olufemi, who is a chief superintendent of police, stated that Mr and Mrs Fakorede had deposited two boxes containing $1.5 million$1 million in one and $500,000 in the otherunder an agreement requiring the use of both the companys and clients keys for access.

On 12 May 2024, Mrs Fakorede allegedly discovered the content of one box empty after she had removed it from the vault and opened it with a Bulwark staff member present.

The police said the vault company cannot claim ignorance of the boxes contents, as it was responsible for monitoring access.

The police obtained search and arrest warrants from the Chief Magistrate Court 1, Igbosere, before conducting searches at Ms Abiolas office and residence.

They denied allegations of unlawful detention.

Ms Abiola said she was unlawfully detained between 2 and 5 July. But the police said they granted her bail the same day she reported at FCID, Alagbon, and that her fundamental rights had not been violated by a lawful investigation.

Mr Olufemi further disclosed that a duplicate case file had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), whose legal advice dated 6 January established a prima facie case of conspiracy, stealing, and unlawful interference with property against Ms Abiola and others.

The police urged the court to dismiss the application as an abuse of process aimed at halting criminal prosecution.

CCTV saga

Court documents show that in May 2024, Mr Fakorede petitioned the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, FCID Alagbon, over the alleged theft of $1 million from the vault operated by Bulwark Vaults and Safes Deposit Limited in Ikoyi.

In the petition, signed by Mr Adewole, Mr Fakorede said his wife discovered that one of the two bags of hard currency he deposited had been emptied when she went to retrieve them on 12 May 2024.

He said the company failed to provide full CCTV footage of the vault, claiming recordings between July 2023 and January 2024 were unavailable.

He accused the firm of handling the incident lackadaisically and urged the police to investigate and prosecute those responsible.

Following an application by Mr Adeogun-Phillips, the judge ordered that the CCTV footage tendered by the applicantsaid to show Mrs Fakorede retrieving two holdall bags allegedly containing $1.5 million from the vault on 12 May 2024be played in open court.

The video recording was admitted by the court as an exhibit.

Bulwark Vault and Safes Deposit Limited, the company at the centre of the dispute, was launched in Lagos to provide secure storage for valuables such as documents, certificates, jewellery, and other precious possessions.
The Lagos State Governer, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, with support from the French Development Agency (AFD), European Union (EU), and European Investment Bank (EIB) has launched the Omi Eko project.

This project includes unveiling 25 new ferry terminals and electric-powered vessels to alleviate traffic across Lagos.

The government unveiled the Omi Eko project on Friday, which is expected to feature 75 electric-powered vessels and 20 upgraded jetties and terminals by 2030, at the Five Cowries Terminal in Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Omi Eko

The Omi Eko project, which means Lagos Water, aims to develop mass public inland waterways transportation on Lagos Lagoon. It is implemented by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and will run from 2024 to 2030.

It aims to develop 15 priority ferry routes. The project encompasses 140 km of ferry routes, 25 ferry terminals and jetties, and the electric charging infrastructure to power e-vessels.

It also aims to cover over 75 electric-power vessels and the future procurement of Intelligent Transport Systems. The Omi Eko project investment cost EUR 410 million and was financed by Lagos State Government, the European Union, and the French Authority.

Omi Eko project

Speaking at the Omi Eko project unveiling, Mr Sanwo-Olu said the project reflects his governments efforts to transform Lagos residents livelihoods, which is part of the states blueprint for sustainable urban mobility.

This project is not merely about infrastructure; it is about transformation, the transformation of lives, livelihoods, and Lagos itself. It speaks to who we are as a people, bold in ambition, relentless in innovation, and united by a shared determination to build a Lagos that works for all.

And because safety is the backbone of sustainability, we have increased the number of our waterways security personnel from just 40 officers to over 100 well-trained men and women currently patrolling and protecting our corridors.

This initiative is a blueprint for sustainable urban mobility, combining technology, design, and environmental stewardship to create a transport network that is efficient, inclusive, and green, Mr Sanwo-Olu said.

In a similar vein, the General Manager of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), who doubles as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Blue Economy, Damilola Emmanuel, stated that the Omi Eko project is the largest inland waterways investment in Africa.

Mr Emmanuel also hailed former Governor Babatunde Fashola for establishing LASWA, noting that the agency was later expanded under Governor Sanwo-Olu, who, he said, has brought life to the master plan and turned the vision into reality.

The LASWA boss acknowledged the international partnership and support of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Union (EU), the Lagos State House of Assembly, Civil Service, and LASWA staff for realising the vision.

This is no longer a dream  we are living the dream. As Lagos learns to move with its waters, it will discover the rhythms of its prosperity. The journey has just begun, and the future of Lagos lies in harnessing the blue economy for shared progress, Mr Emmanuel said.

Support, partners

Speaking at the event, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, explained that the project received EU support because it falls within the AbidjanLagos transport corridor, a key component of the Global Gateway Strategy.

Mr Mignot also expressed his optimism that Omi Eko will ensure a greener society, more inclusive and resilient urban mobility, and a perfect means of transportation for the Lagos residents.

Africa is home to some of the fastest-growing cities, presenting challenges and opportunities for transport systems, with Lagos being a prime example. Scaling existing small-scale public transport networks to create more efficient and sustainable large-scale systems will improve accessibility and mobility with concrete impacts on the daily lives of millions of urban dwellers in Lagos State.

Sustainability is essential to the global gateways transport objectives for Africa, with investments tailored to reduce the negative impacts of transport on health, the environment and climate change.

This is the promise Omi Eko offers to promote greener, more inclusive, and more resilient urban mobility in Lagos. Each year, CO2 emissions drop by 41,000 tons, and 25 million passengers will save, on average, three hours of travel time on the commuter trip at peak hours. We can anticipate that the project will become the perfect means of transportation in Lagos in the long term, the European Union Ambassador said.

In his remarks, the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noel Barrot, said the French support for the Omi Eko project stems from the partnership between Nigeria and France.

He added, This Omi Eko and the unique electric ferries will thrive amid rising sea levels and suppress carbon emissions.

Transport committee

Meanwhile, Temitope Adewale, Chairperson of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Transport, explained that the Omi Eko project was initiated in response to growing traffic congestion in the state.

He added that the initiative would help ease Lagos traffic woes and provide residents with efficient alternative transportation options.

With Lagoss rapidly growing population and increasing traffic challenges, innovative solutions are not optional but essential. The Omi Eko Project, a strategic investment in leveraging natural waterways, offers hope.

It creates efficient, reliable commuter alternatives, significantly improving travel times across our waterfront communities, Mr Adewale said.

In his speech at the unveiling, the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the launch of Omi Eko comes with other benefits, such as a greener society, job creation, and community empowerment.

The Omi Eko Project represents not only infrastructure but innovation in motion. It is an integral component of the Lagos State Integrated Transport Policy, which envisions a seamless, multimodal network linking our roads, rails, and waterways under one efficient, accessible system.

It is not just about ferry operations; it is about empowering communities, creating jobs, easing congestion, and reducing our carbon footprint. It is the embodiment of a Green Lagos, one that balances progress with preservation, the transport commissioner said.
NEW YORK, Oct. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Brunello Cucinelli S.p.A. ("Brunello Cucinelli" or the "Company") (OTCMKTS: BCUCY). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Brunello Cucinelli and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

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.

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.

CONTACT:

Danielle Peyton

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

646-581-9980 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is one of Ray Dalios latest top stock positions. On October 7, a Los Angeles jury ordered Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) to pay $966 million to the family of a California woman who died from mesothelioma. This was after the jury found the companys talc-based baby powder caused the womans cancer. The victim, Mae Moore, died in 2021 after developing mesothelioma, a rare cancer associated with asbestos exposure. The jury awarded $16 million in compensatory damages and $950 million in punitive damages to the family.

Jury Orders Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) to Pay $966M in Talc Verdict

Copyright: moovstock / 123RF Stock Photo

This ruling is one of the largest single-user verdicts in the ongoing talc litigation against Johnson & Johnson. The company has faced tens of thousands of lawsuits in the US. over its talc products. However, the company has stated it will appeal the verdict, terming it egregious and unconstitutional. It also claimed that the plaintiffs case relied on junk science.

The US Supreme Court has previously held that punitive damages should not generally exceed nine times the amount of compensatory damages. So, the awarded sum could be reduced on appeal.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is a diversified healthcare company. It operates through three main segments: Innovative Medicine, MedTech, and Consumer Health. Its products range from pharmaceuticals and medical devices to widely recognized consumer brands.

While we acknowledge the potential of JNJ 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: Michael Burry Stock Portfolio: 6 Stocks to Buy and 11 Most Undervalued Financial Stocks to Buy According to Wall Street Analysts.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until November 18, 2025 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against KBR, Inc. (NYSE: KBR), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between May 6, 2025 and June 19, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

Get Help

KBR investors should visit us at https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-kbr-1 or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

KBR and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On June 19, 2025, HomeSafe Alliance ("HomeSafe"), a KBR joint venture in which KBR has a 72% economic interest, disclosed that it received "a notice from the U.S. Department of Defense's Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) terminating the Global Household Goods Contract, which HomeSafe won in 2021 to transform the military move system for the benefit of service members and their families."

On this news, the price of KBR's shares fell $3.85 per share, or 7.29%, to close at $48.93 on June 20, 2025. On June 23, 2025, the next trading day, KBR stock fell a further $1.30, or 2.65%, to close at $47.63 on June 23, 2025.

The case is Norrman v. KBR, Inc., et al., No. 25-cv-04464.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP is investigating a data breach that led to unauthorized access to the sensitive information of individuals affiliated with PeopleGuru, Inc., ("PeopleGuru") a Florida-based software company that provides human capital management solutions for mid-market organizations.

On July 9, 2025, PeopleGuru learned that an unauthorized actor gained access to certain network systems between July 6, 2025, and July 9, 2025. According to the Maine Office of the Attorney General data breach portal, 756 Maine residents were affected.

DATA BREACH ALERT: PeopleGuru, Inc. If your data was impacted by this incident, you may be entitled to money damages. Post this

Although the breach occurred in July 2025, PeopleGuru did not begin notifying affected individuals until on or around October 16, 2025, which may have violated state and federal laws. The following information may have been compromised in the breach: names, Social Security numbers, financial account information, dates of birth, passport numbers, driver's license numbers, medical information, and health insurance information.

If your personal information was impacted by this incident, you may be at risk of identity theft and other serious violations of your privacy. As a result, you may be entitled to money damages and an injunction requiring changes to PeopleGuru's cybersecurity practices.

If you received notification of this data breach or are affiliated with PeopleGuru and wish to obtain additional information about your legal rights, please contact us today or visit our website at https://www.classactionlawyers.com/peopleguru .

About Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP

Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe represents shareholders, employees, and consumers in class actions against corporate defendants, as well as shareholders in derivative actions against their officers and directors. The firm is based in San Francisco, and with the help of co-counsel, litigates cases nationwide.

Contact

Sonum Dixit

Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP

[email protected]

Tel: 415-299-8207

SOURCE Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until December 8, 2025 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against WPP plc (NYSE: WPP), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the 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.

Get Help

WPP investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-wpp/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

WPP and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On July 9, 2025, the Company published a trading update for the first half of 2025, disclosing that it had allegedly "seen a deterioration in performance as Q2 has progressed" due to both "continued macro uncertainty weighing on client spend and weaker net new business than originally anticipated," as well as "some distraction to the business" as a result of the continued restructuring of WPP Media a.k.a. GroupM. The Company further disclosed that its CEO "will retire from the Board and as CEO on 31 December 2025."

On this news, the price of 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 ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler
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
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during afternoon trading on October 14, 2025. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Regional bank stocks plunged late in the day on Thursday amid concerns about credit quality.

Zions Bancorp and Western Alliance Bancorp sank after updates on their lending businesses.

The drop comes as commentators raise concerns about credit quality amid recent high-profile bankruptcies.

Regional bank shares were slammed on Thursday as investors fled the sector after two major players gave concerning updates on their lending businesses.

Zions Bancorp fell as much as 13% to $46.85 after disclosing a $50 million charge-off for a loan underwritten by its wholly-owned subsidiary, San Diego-based California Bank & Trust.

Western Alliance Bancorp plunged 11% to $69.87 after it revealed it was suing a borrower for fraud.

The turmoil weighed on the broader sector, with the SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF down 7%. Major indexes turned lower after being up for much of the session, with the Dow losing close to 400 points late in the day.

The 10-year Treasury yield tumbled seven basis points to 3.97%, it's lowest level in 2025.

Jefferies, meanwhile, also dropped on credit concerns. Shares of the investment bank dropped 10% to $49.12 on concerns about exposure to bankrupt auto parts supplier First Brands.

All of this comes at a time when credit concerns across markets are mounting in the wake of the boom in private credit. The more opaque nature of private lending has led to fears that enormous sums of debt are being taken on by companies with lower creditworthiness.

The high-profile collapse of First Brands and subprime auto lender Tricolor Holdings have been in the spotlight recently. Speaking about the recent issues in private credit, JPMorgan boss Jamie Dimon said that there were probably more "cockroaches" lurking in the sector this week.

"The reality is that even though these exposures may be 'well-contained' and have a 'limited financial impact,' this is an industry where investors  especially those that are new to this sector  tend to 'sell first and ask questions later,' especially when it comes to elevated credit concerns," wrote Anthony Elian, a JPMorgan banking analyst in a Thursday note to investors.

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Daniel Wiessner

(Reuters) -The largest U.S. business lobbying group filed a lawsuit on Thursday challenging President Donald Trump's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers.

The lawsuit by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which says it represents 300,000 businesses, is the group's first against the Trump administration since the Republican president took office for a second term in January.

The Chamber says in the lawsuit that Trump's September proclamation imposing the fee on new H-1B visa applications was beyond his powers and would disrupt the complex visa system created by Congress.

HIGHER COSTS OR FEWER WORKERS

The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty fields, and technology companies in particular rely heavily on workers who receive H-1B visas. The program offers 65,000 visas annually, with another 20,000 visas for workers with advanced degrees, approved for three to six years.

The fee would force businesses that rely on the H-1B program to choose between dramatically increasing their labor costs or hiring fewer highly-skilled workers, the Chamber said.

"Many members of the U.S. Chamber are bracing for the need to scale back or entirely walk away from the H-1B program, to the detriment of their investors, customers, and their own existing employees," the group said in the lawsuit filed in Washington, D.C., federal court.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The H-1B fee is being challenged in at least one other lawsuit filed this month by unions, employers, and religious groups in a California federal court.

WORKER REPLACEMENT OR SHORTAGE SOLUTION?

Critics of H-1Bs and other work visa programs say they are often used to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor. But business groups and major companies have said H-1Bs are a critical means of addressing a shortage of qualified American workers.

Employers who sponsor H-1B workers currently typically pay between $2,000 and $5,000 in fees, depending on the size of the company and other factors. The Chamber, in its lawsuit, said most H-1B petitions cost less than $3,600.

Trump's order bars new H-1B recipients from entering the United States unless the employer sponsoring their visa has made an additional $100,000 payment. The fee will first apply to H-1B applicants selected in an annual lottery that takes place in March.

Trump in his unprecedented order invoked his power under federal immigration law to restrict the entry of certain foreign nationals that would be detrimental to the interests of the United States. He said the "large-scale replacement of American workers" through the H-1B program threatens the country's economic and national security.
Marsh McLennan reported net income attributable to the company of $747m in the third quarter of 2025 (Q3 2025), which remained unchanged from the same period the previous year.

Diluted net income per share also remained stable at $1.51.

The insurers investment income saw a substantial increase, climbing to $15m in the quarter from just $1m in the same period last year.

Operating income grew by 6% to $1.17bn in the quarter, while consolidated revenue increased to $6.4bn, up 11% compared with Q3 2024.

Revenue for the Risk & Insurance Services division rose by 13% to $3.9bn, with Marsh contributing $3.4bn, a 16% increase.

Guy Carpenter's revenue for the quarter was $398m, marking a 5% rise.

The Consulting division also reported growth, with a 9% increase in revenue to $2.5bn.

During Q3 2025, Marsh McLennan continued its stock repurchase programme, buying back around 1.9 million shares for $400m.

For the nine-month period ending 30 September 2025, the company's consolidated revenue was $20.4bn, an 11% increase, with operating income reaching $5bn, a 7% rise from the previous year.

Net income attributable to the company for the first nine months of 2025 was $3.33bn, as against $3.27bn in 2024.

Earlier this week, Marsh McLennan revealed plans for a rebranding strategy, which will see the company operate under the name Marsh, starting in January 2026.

This move is designed to foster innovation and efficiency, with a focus on operational excellence and the integration of data, AI and analytics.

Following a transition period, all four of the company's business divisions will adopt the Marsh brand by 2027. Additionally, the company's stock ticker on the New York Stock Exchange will change from 'MMC' to 'MRSH' in January 2026.

"Marsh McLennan reports steady net income in Q3 2025 " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand.




Venture Global Inc. (NYSE:VG) is one of the best young stocks with huge upside potential. On October 10, Mizuho analyst Gabriel Moreen downgraded Venture Global to Neutral from Outperform with a price target of $12, which was downgraded from $17. Moreen believes that the arbitration ruling that Venture breached its contract with BP by not declaring the Commercial Operation Date at CP1 on time was a negative surprise.

On October 9, BP won its arbitration case against Venture Global. The dispute centered on Venture Globals failure to deliver LNG under a long-term contract that was scheduled to begin in late 2022. In a regulatory filing, Venture Global confirmed that the International Chamber of Commerce International Court of Arbitration ruled it had breached its obligations to declare that commercial operations had begun at its Calcasieu Pass plant on time and to act as a reasonable operator.

Mizuho Downgrades Venture Global (VG) to Neutral After Losing BP Contract Breach Arbitration Case

The ruling was a setback for Venture Global, as it directly contrasts with a decision in August where the company prevailed against Shell in a similar complaint.

Venture Global Inc. (NYSE:VG) develops, constructs, and produces natural gas liquefaction and export projects near the US Gulf Coast in Louisiana.

While we acknowledge the potential of VG 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.
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

In his early days as a real estate investor, Mike Zuber started to establish a set of criteria for the types of properties he'd consider buying. Among other things, he wanted single-family homes, with three to four bedrooms, in specific zip codes in Fresno, California. By sticking to that list, he told Business Insider, he was able to scale to more than 100 cash-flowing units, which allowed both him and his wife to quit their full-time jobs.

This strategy, known as the "buy box" strategy, has allowed many new investors to gain a foothold in the industry and grow their portfolios.

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"Most new investors are all over the map, Zuber told BI. The first step any new investor needs to do is focus. If youre going to be a buy-and-hold investor in a new area, get a buy box and make it hyper-focused.

There are several steps experts suggest taking when beginning to define your buy box. The first is to drive through various neighborhoods, attend open houses, and look at as many existing rental properties as you can. This will allow you to get a feel for the area, as well as the demand and type of resident you're likely to attract.

Next, they suggest doing your research. Looking into the area's plans for infrastructure, employment growth, and community growth can help determine the potential future value of your home, they told BI. So spending a few hours digging up a city or county's 10-year strategic growth plan is well worth your time.

Trending: This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to become a landlord in just 10 minutes, with minimum investments as low as $100.

Being a bit more rigorous about it can really pay dividends, Grant Sabatier, a financially independent real estate investor with properties in New York City, told BI. "Thats what I did: I was laser focused on a five-block by four-block radius for a six-month period and then knew immediately when there was a deal that was perfect based on my criteria.

The more you know your buy box, the better your chances are at finding a great deal, Zuber told BI. You cant be casual. It has to be purposeful and intentional.

For Zuber, a great deal is one that has high cash-on-return, or the annual return he makes on a property in relation to how much he spends on that property over the course of a year.
New offering empowers employers with 2 to 99 employees to compare traditional group plans, HRAs, PEOs, and cash benefit alternativesall through a single, unbiased advisor.

SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- LegUp Health, a Utah-based software-enabled health insurance service known for simplifying coverage for individuals and families, today announced the expansion of its services to help small businesses with 2 to 99 employees explore, compare, and manage their health insurance options in one place.

For years, small employers have faced a fragmented and confusing benefits marketplace. Between traditional group plans, health savings account (HSA) plans, professional employer organizations (PEOs), and newer "give employees money" approaches, it's been difficult for businesses to know what's best for their team and budget. LegUp Health's expanded offering brings all these options under one roof, giving employers expert guidance and clear recommendationswithout commissions or pressure.

"Small business owners are overwhelmed by the complexity of health insuranceand frankly, the industry hasn't served them well," said J.D. Cleary, General Manager of LegUp Health. "Our mission is to change that. We're the first service built to help small employers see every option side by sidefrom traditional group insurance to alternatives like PEOs and individual coverage stipend modelsso they can make informed, confident decisions for their teams."

With this launch, LegUp Health now supports both individual consumers and employers in navigating the full range of health insurance options. Employers can use LegUp Health to:

Compare group plans, HRAs, PEOs, and stipend-based approaches

Get personalized guidance from a licensed advisor

Manage renewals and employee communications with ease

Stay compliant while offering competitive benefits

LegUp Health's approach is designed to save small employers time, money, and frustrationwhether they choose to offer traditional group coverage or opt for a modern, employee-choice model.

"We believe every employer deserves a clear, unbiased guide through the chaos of health insurance," added Cleary. "That's what LegUp Health delivers."

About LegUp Health

LegUp Health helps individuals and small businesses navigate their health insurance options in one simple, transparent place. Based in Utah, LegUp Health combines modern technology with licensed, human advisors to make health insurance easier to understand and manage. Whether you're a consumer buying coverage on your own or an employer exploring benefits for your team, LegUp Health provides the clarity and support you need to make confident decisions. For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit www.leguphealth.com.

Media Contact

Rick Lindquist, LegUp Health, LLC, 1 (435) 800-1018, [email protected], www.leguphealth.com

SOURCE LegUp Health, LLC
The journalist examines her relationships with her mother, her Chinese mother-in-law, and her adopted daughter in the memoir The Year of the Water Horse.

What inspired you to write this book?

I was already writing about adopting our daughter from my husbands ancestral region of China, where his mother was forced to abandon her firstborn daughter during the civil war. The symmetry between their stories, one child taken from a land where the other had been left behind, felt almost too poetic. I realized I had to put my own story alongside it. I needed to embrace how clumsy I would be as a white woman trying to convey these pieces of my Chinese mother-in-laws story; it gave me permission to dig into my feelings about loss and survival.

How did you start braiding the two stories together?

I asked what this journey of adoption did for me. What did it make me think about motherhood, my siblings, my mom and dad? When I brought my own narrative into it, things started to connect. I didnt know my daughter and the child my mother-in-law left behind were the same astrological sign, separated by 60 years, for example. I was also connecting my feelings about abandonment and loss with what my mother and my mother-in-law were telling me about their lives. It was like putting the sands of my entire life into this colander, sifting,

and seeing what comes out and what stays behind.

Did you find it difficult to dig into the darker moments of your early life?

I didnt. What I found difficult was making it all make sense. As a journalist, you are never the story, but in a memoir, you have to be, and I had to learn to let myself go there. That was the revelatory part to me: figuring out how to shape this narrative as the primary person it was happening to.

What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

Its a story about survival: what we endure, how we endure it, and what it does to us, good and bad. Encountering my mother-in-laws story allowed me to evolve and forgive my own mother for many things, to learn that so rarely is something entirely one persons fault. In the end, this is not a memoir about one thing. The common threadin the life that Ive lived so far, the life that my mother-in-law lived, and that the other women in the book livedis enduring, while allowing ourselves to have joy, presence, and agency.
The reporters Miracle Children exposes abuses at T.M. Landry, a Louisiana prep school once widely acclaimed for helping Black students get into elite colleges.

What motivated you to expand your 2018 New York Times investigation of T.M. Landry into a book?



Green: Our job as newspaper reporters was to distill it to the scandal: children were being abused. But there were also huge implications for the higher education system and society writ large that we were only able to touch on. And so many families had risked so much to tell their stories. Their journeys needed more space.

Benner: In a newspaper article, its almost impossible not to just lump people together as representatives of a larger point. We wanted to give them their individuality back, because part of what was happening at T.M. Landry was that their identities were being erased for a set of cultural touchpoints and stereotypes that T.M. Landry thought would appeal to college admissions officials.

What do you think T.M. Landrys mistreatment of Black students and deception of top-tier college admissions reveal about the U.S. education system?



Green: It reveals that there has been this very contractual, transactional relationship between educational institutions and families in this country who dont have the means to buy their way into the gates of opportunity. We expect Black children to trade their dignity for opportunity.



Benner: Everybody is forced to use everything they have in this very cutthroat game, whether its using wealth like the Varsity Blues scandal or, like at T.M. Landry, students being asked to trade in their dignity because what they had was their race.

Did anything in your research surprise you?



Benner: So much. Feeder schools [high schools given preference by college admissions officials] were really interesting to learn more about. I remember when I got to college, I noticed that a large portion of my classmates had all seemingly come from 10 different schools. It struck me even then that there was this completely separate educational economy that catered to these folks.



Green: Learning how much of what we revered about education and reform was so detrimental. Like affirmative actionthe very roots of it being to benefit white men. That was a discovery that readers will be taken aback by. With this book, its like, you think you know, but you have no idea.

What do you hope readers take away from the book?



Benner: I hope people who influence how we create a workforce are encouraged to find ways to get people economic opportunities without going to college. As long as you get one shot and that shot is college, everyone is perversely incentivized to game the system.



Green: Its very important to me that people come away understanding that Black children dont have to be broken to be valuable.
We recently published 10 Stocks Crash Harder than Wall Street. MP Materials Corp. (NYSE:MP) is one of the worst performers on Wednesday.

MP Materials snapped a four-day winning streak on Wednesday, losing 8.92 percent to close at $89.85 apiece as investors resorted to profit-taking following the previous days surge.

In just the past four trading days, shares of MP Materials Corp. (NYSE:MP) have jumped by as much as 42 percent. Month-to-date, it was up by 34 percent.

The previous days rally was due to a recent trade spat between the US and China amid the latters new export curbs on rare earth imports that sparked fears of global supplies. However, the tensions benefited US rare earth producers, including MP Materials Corp. (NYSE:MP), on investor expectations that consumers would look elsewhere to secure supply.

MP Materials Corp. (NYSE:MP) recently clinched a partnership with the US government through the Department of Defense, with the latter acquiring a 15 percent stake in the company for $400 million.

MP Materials (MP) Ends 4-Day Run, Loses 8.9% on Profit-Taking

Copyright: epstock / 123RF Stock Photo

The transaction covered the purchase of preferred shares, in addition to warrants convertible to $30.03 per share for 10 years, that would allow the government to purchase additional common stock.

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Savvy readers know better than to get hung up on apparent connections between an authors biography and her published work. But then theres the case of Kristi DeMeester, the horror novelist celebrated for her urgent stories of mothers and daughters caught up in snake-handling cults, purity culture blood rituals, literal witch hunts, and the persistent, generation-crossing terror of surviving as a woman in America.

Born in 1984 in Kennesaw, Ga., DeMeesterwhose third novel, Dark Sisters, arrives in December from St. Martinsspent her formative years in a Georgia Pentecostal church that forbade jeans and secular music and convinced her that literal demons prowled the Earth. Later, her teenage rebellion involved the kind of unapologetic horror novels that provoke, scandalize, and awaken the mind and flesh to new possibilities. This started after her parents divorce shocked the community and landed DeMeester, whod just turned 11, in a new world: public school. That meant new freedoms, but not a full reprieve from societys zeal to police what girls know.

First, there was the librarian who refused to let DeMeester, who was in fifth grade at the time, check out Interview with the Vampire. She said that a young lady shouldnt read books like thisso, I stuck it under my shirt, and I walked my happy butt out, DeMeester says over Zoom from her home in tiny Dallas, Ga., the town where she grew up, married a local boy, became a mother, taught English for 13 years, and reassured local parents she was not a bad influence despite landing short stories in Ellen Datlows Best Horror of the Year anthologies and a host of other collections and magazines.

DeMeesters first novel, Beneath, and a collection of stories, Everything Thats Underneath, were both published by small indie presses and hit shelves in 2017, while 2022s Such a Pretty Smile was issued by St. Martins. All of which allowed her to become that rarest of things: a full-time author, a dream she never really expected to come true, says she doesnt expect to be permanent, and credits to the luck and privilege of having a robust family support system.

But back to raising hell. In eighth grade, DeMeester again had an Anne Rice problem. I got in trouble for reading out loud the section of Memnoch the Devil where Lestat gets blood from another source, from a woman, she says. Thats the most delicate way I can put it. Not from her artery or vein but, you know, another way. I got called into the principals office.

Dark Sisters is very much a novel of young ladies facing the limits of what is expected of themand of older women so inhibited in their own precarious positions that they struggle to guide, warn, and protect those young ladies. It even includes a sneaky little tribute to that Memnoch the Devil scene, but DeMeesters horror is sensual in a different way, intensely attuned to what Caroline, teen protagonist of Such a Pretty Smile, thinks of as the inherent trepidation that came as a result of being wrapped in girl flesh. Powering that novel about a mother and daughter who cant quite open up to each other regarding the horrors they face is a shared sensation of a deep, inherent wrong (Carolines words).

The girls and women of Dark Sisters likewise sense the danger of simply existing in their world. DeMeester shares with Joyce Carol Oates, another of her favorite authors, the ability to immerse readers in minds unraveling into mania, in selves straining to hold it together despite their intimate understanding that their world is vicious.

In Dark Sisters, DeMeester conjures three different eras of a Georgia town ruled by a wealthy local sect and haunted by a curse. In the 17th century, healer Anne Bolton spirits her daughter away from Hawthorne Springs and the pious patriarchs who burn women as witches. In the 1950s, good Christian wife Mary Shephard discovers new freedom in a forbidden romance with a Hawthorne Springs shopkeeper named Sharon. And in 2007, preachers daughter Camilla Burson faces a very Americanand pointedly bougiedystopia, where disobedient girls and wives get sent to The Retreat for reeducation and daughters pledge, in a secretive ceremony at a Purity Ball, to preserve their virginity until marriage.

Haunting these tightly bound, briskly paced narratives are the Dark Sisters, witchy, white-eyed spirits joined by a shared braid and appearing, according to Hawthorne Springs hellfire preacher, to young ladies who make allowances for sin. DeMeester also weaves in a mystery illness, creepy rituals, terror of temptation and conformity, and a gnarled old tree that has seen its share of death. Readers will see their share, tooDark Sisters pulses with blood, impalings, sinister schemes, and jolting reveals.

The novel is thematically rich and intricately plotted, but DeMeester is adamant that, in terms of genre, its simply horror. Im not a fan of the term literary horror,  she says, because that implies some kind of snobbery or exclusivity.

With a boisterous laugh and a warmly outre sense of humorshe sells homemade candles though an Etsy store named Scent of HellDeMeester is anything but snobbish. In my masters program, you just didnt write genre, she recalls. But now were seeing a lot more freedom. I like that horror is now allowed into these elevated spaces where writers who are writing literary also have the freedom to go genre.

DeMeester also relishes new freedoms within horror itself. I love the fact that we are getting genre-blending horror a lot more frequently, and that horror can dip into things like fabulism, she says. I would love to see us not automatically lump everything by women into pink horror as a subgenre.

She makes it clear that she respects the booming subgenrewhich romance and horror author Wendy Dalrymple has said takes back all of the real-life horrors that we who identify as femme experience just living our everyday life and shoves it back in your faceand its authors. She just prefers to see things with a broader scope.

DeMeesters publisher, St. Martins, seems to agree. Standing apart from the recent tide of pink-tinted horror covers, Dark Sisters and Such a Pretty Smile come sleeved in blood red.

I love working on books like Dark Sisters, because they use horror to explain real-world fears so well, says Alexandra Sehulster, DeMeesters editor. Sehulster notes that, across centuries, DeMeesters women are all fighting the same demons, grappling with the same questions and fears, adding, What I also love is that Dark Sisters comes with a deep sense of hope. Its never too late to right a wrong, to recognize an injustice, to love someone new, to redefine yourself and what youre willing to fight for.

DeMeesters fight continues as she works on a new book and looks to uncover hard truths. Like her characters, shes been raised never to let the facade of cheerful placidity crack. That is how I have navigated my entire life, she says. You dont show anything youre feeling. Its inappropriate to be anything but joyful or compliant or sweet, so everything that I have struggled with internally is always hidden. You put on the happy face and just keep going.

Then, with a smile no one could doubt, she speaks the dark truth: Ive been screaming inside my entire life and told not to.
If the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair proved anything, its that publishers love a good mystery. The hottest topic at the fair wasnt a buzzy title or the impact of AI; it was discussion about why Charlie Redmayne abruptly departed as head of HarperCollins UK one week prior. Rumors and speculation ranged widely and wildly, but by the close of the fair, which ran October 1519, the truth had not been uncovered.

Gossip, though, was a mere distraction from other headline-making news. German minister of state for culture Wolfram Weimer opened the event with a speech that charged that AI could rip the world of literature to pieces and accused AI companies of digital colonization, organized robbery, and reducing entire cultures to suppliers of raw materials. The speech prompted Richard Grennell, former U.S. ambassador to Germany and a Trump ally, to post on X that Weimers speech was a massive attack on the entire U.S. digital industry with the goal of destroying it in Europe.

The ministers concern about the health of the literary world is not unwarranted. Early in the fair, Enrico Turrin of the Federation of European Publishers shared the results of a recent survey showing that 52.9% of Europeans ages 65 and over reported they had not read a book in the past year, compared to just 39.8% for those ages 1629. Among those who dont read, 51.3% said they had no interest in reading books, while 21% blamed lack of time.

Dire pronouncements about AI notwithstanding, the technology was all over Frankfurt. Rickard Lundberg, CEO of Aniara, a Stockholm-based AI company that offers automated translations, said he felt publishing was becoming more accustomed to the new tech. Now companies are judging AI based on assessments of the quality of the product it produces, he noted.

Peter Schiffer, CEO and publisher of Pennsylvania-based Schiffer Publishing, concurred. This was the first fair where I had someone tell me to go ahead and use AI to translate my book,  he said. He observed that while this years fair felt more lightly trafficked than previous years, his schedule of meetings was just as packed. It has been a tough year, but theres creativity out there and people are finding new ways to sell books.

This year, the fair started to admit the public at 10 a.m. on Friday rather than Saturday, meaning only two days were dedicated exclusively to the trade. The change prompted several European publishers to travel home late Thursday, with some Americans leaving Friday morning.

Next year, even bigger changes are coming, with the fair moving all exhibitors to higher floors of the exhibition center, leaving the ground floors dedicated to event stages and open spaces to serve the public. This move will make it more convenient for publishers, because all the higher floors are connected by walkways, said Christian Ebert, head of strategic marketing and sales at the fair. Publishers wont have to interact with the public at all if they dont want.

It wasnt clear what Frankfurts organizers have in mind for how the public will interactor not interactwith publishers next year, and publishers were extremely displeased with the plans. This is the BEA-ification of Frankfurt, one said. Others said they would have to reconsider whether exhibiting was worth the added logistical challenge of relocating. Furthermore, the LitAg, the rights center for agents, will move yet again, shifting from Hall 6 to Hall 4.

 This was the first fair where I had someone tell me to go ahead and use AI to translate my book, 

But Ebert rebuffed the suggestion that the fair was prioritizing the public over professionals. International professionals are a key constituency for us, and we have always balanced our responsibility to them and our responsibility to the German publishers and the public, he said. It is estimated that fees from overseas professionals and publishers account for two-thirds of the fairs revenue.

Overall, literary agent Markus Hoffmann of Regal Hoffmann & Associates summarized the mood of this years fair best: Despite what is happening in the worldthe populist right-wing politics, the wars, and everything elsewere all in this together, he said. We all love books, we all love publishing. And were all still here.

The fair concluded with the annual handover of the country guest of honor. The Philippines was this year's guest of honor and the Czech Republic will serve in that role in 2026. It plans to present the countrys literature and culture under the motto Czechia: a Country on the Coast.





Attendance Up over 2024

According to figures released after the fair closed Oct. 19, the number of professional attendees as well as the general public both had slight gains over 2024 with more members of the public attending the fair than trade attendees. As of the last afternoon of the fair, 118,000 trade visitors made this year's trip, up about 3% over last year, while the number of public visitors increased 4%, to 120,000.

Overall, 4,350 exhibitors were present in the exhibition halls this year, up from 4,300 in 2024. The Literary Agents & Scouts Center (LitAg) and the Publishers Rights Centre (PRC) sold a combined 591 tables, two fewer than 2024..

We can look back on five successful and intense days, said Juergen Boos, director of Frankfurter Buchmesse in a statement. Frankfurter Buchmesse remains on course for growth."

This story has been updated.
At the 114th National Council of Teachers of English annual convention in Denver, November 2023, educators from around the country will gather to celebrate, inform, and uplift each other. In the articles that follow, NCTE executive director Emily Kirkpatrick discusses some conference highlights, we talk with six of the weekends featured speakers, and we explore the findings of an NCTE survey of most-used texts in secondary classrooms.

Read more from our NCTE 2025 Show Guide.

An Educators Field of Dreams

NCTEs annual convention aims to deliver a respite from stressful times with connection, fresh insights, and learning opportunities.

Teachers Want More Than the Same Old Books

A recent NCTE survey shows educators overwhelmingly value inclusive literaturebut need help getting it into classrooms.

Program Picks and Ticketed Events

The lineup of more than 1,000 educational sessions will provide educators with best practices as they explore such issues as banned books, AI, literacy, and writing instruction.

The Power of Story: Q & As with Featured Speakers

Care Bear: PW Talks with Katherine Applegate

Tossed to the Winds: PW Talks with Angeline Boulley

Storm Chasing: PW Talks with Jason Chin

The Wolf in Sheeps Clothing: PW Talks with Tiffany D. Jackson

Cultivating Agency: PW Talks with Robin Wall Kimmerer
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is right that Russia needs to feel more pressure to negotiate constructively, but it doesnt have to be Tomahawks. The goal should be pressure that helps shape the negotiation while preserving the dealmaking space and can be escalated gradually, avoiding key qualitative decision points that are more likely to trigger a Russian response.

The Trump Administrations strategy is based around lowering the political pressure against Russia while sustaining the military pressure and thus incentivizing both Russia and Ukraine to make compromises. During ceasefire discussions, many of which I participated in, Russia has never accepted an end to the war that abandons its core goal of isolating Ukraine from the West. As Secretary of State Marco Rubio has pointed out, additional direct coercive measure risks placing the U.S. in an explicitly adversarial relationship towards Russia and abandoning that space. This is a key condition of pressure options that the material benefit of the pressure on Russia not be outweighed by the political cost. There are certainly situations where the latter is irrelevant, but in a limited war, absent a decisive defeat of either side, some affirmative action by the Russians will be necessary to reach an agreement in the end. That will be easier if the U.S. does not message that this is a zero-sum game.

The fundamental problem, however, is that Moscow still believes time is on its side. Its forces are advancing in Donetsk, incrementally, and Ukraine faces a lingering manpower problem. Should Russia not succeed in winning the war on the battlefield, the number of dead may succeed in neutering Ukraine as a nation. Worse, given different threat perceptions, aerial escalation against Ukraine and its neighbors fractures NATO and imperils the U.S. security link to the continent. It thus has no incentive to compromise.

Giving Tomahawk attack missiles to Ukraine, as President Zelensky is currently asking, might be worthwhile by increasing the cost of the war and making it more visible for average Russians. But this is a marginal cost, likely to take a long time to shape Russian decision-making. Ukraine has also already has used long-range drones that can strike deep inside of Russia. Its not clear the added capacity would be determinative. There is also some risk of escalation, though further escalation against the West by Moscow is fraught and it is almost fully escalated in Ukraine already.

At the very least, this should be supplemented by indirect pressure, worsening Russias strategic situation without open bilateral confrontation. Some of this is already being done. Partially due to Administration policy, the price of oil has declined by nearly 20 percent since Trump took office. Russia relies on fossil fuel revenue for up to half of its revenues. Trump has also revived his pressure on NATO to increase its defense spending. As a result, all 32 allies reached the 2 percent threshold in 2025 and almost all committed to 5 percent for the future.

The Tomahawk issue reflects the diminishing returns of what might be called vertical escalation: that is, escalating the intensity of the war in a defined context. Russians negotiate best when they can narrow the field of negotiation to a distinct set of issues where they have an advantage. Ukraine is one such issue. They negotiate worst when they are strategically surprised by expanding the issue set, as with the Star Wars missile defense program under Ronald Reagan.

More valuable than vertical escalation would be horizontal escalation, another type of pressure with low political cost: that is, linking Ukraine to other issues  particularly security issues  in the U.S.-Russia bilateral relationship. A tacit linkage between a Ukraine ceasefire to Russian security equities in other theaters, like the Middle East, is something that Russia has repeatedly signaled it wants.

The U.S. is in a strong position in the Middle East after repairing ties with Syria and striking the Iranian nuclear program. If Russia continues pressuring Ukraine, Washington could increase its pressure on its remaining Middle Eastern interests or link a cessation to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Reestablishing ties with the Taliban and returning to Bagram fits directly into this circuitous strategy. Few things make Russia more uneasy than a foreign presence in Central Asia, which has been a weak spot in the Russian orbit since Soviet times. The administrations opening to Belarus is also a diplomatic probe against a Putin ally and an opportunity to provide an object example of Trumps goodwill.

The entry of North Korea into the Ukraine war also presents an opportunity to expand balancing against Russia and China both by beginning NATO accession process for Russian-proximate Asian countries like Japan. Given its clear link to European security and Europes vocal support for Ukraines entry into NATO, Europeans would hardly be able to object. And for the President, this would have the collateral benefit of reducing the EUs ability to triangulate with Beijing in trade negotiations.

The U.S. can still get a ceasefire that safeguards its vital national interests. But it must shape the ground for a settlement.

Dr. Andrew L. Peek was twice the Senior Director for European and Russian affairs on the National Security Council.
After issuing notices to hotels across the country for allegedly underpaying goods and services tax (GST) on restaurant services, the revenue department has now widened its scrutiny by seeking information from online travel platforms.

Image used for representational purpose only. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters

The aim, according to sources, is to see if hotels are correctly declaring the taxable value of bookings made through these portals and whether GST should be paid on the amount paid by customers through these platforms or only on the amount received by hotels after deducting the platforms commission.

Sources said officers in charge of central GST (CGST) had written to the platforms, seeking the booking-level data, including customer payments, commissions retained, and the amount remitted to hotels.

The department is analysing whether hotels have underpaid tax by leaving out the commission from their turnover.

An email, seeking comments, sent to the finance ministry remained unanswered till the time of going to press.

In one case, the anti-evasion wing of the Pune unit of the GST collection structure sought booking details from an online travel intermediary for a Maharashtra-based hotel.

The letter, reviewed by Business Standard, asked for an explanation on the difference between the amount paid by guests and that remitted to the hotel.

In its written reply, the intermediary said the booking amount shown on the customers voucher included its commission, tax, and other charges.

After deducting the commission and statutory deductions such as tax deducted at source (TDS) and tax collected at source (TCS), the remaining amount is transferred to the hotel as settlement for the stay.

The firm said GST on its own commission was paid separately.

The tax department has also asked for similar booking data for earlier years, starting from 2019-20, to check if the same valuation method was used, according to sources.

Tax experts say the issue arises because these transactions involve three parties  the hotel, the online travel agent (OTA), and the customer.

For example, if a guest pays Rs 8,500 for a hotel room through an OTA, and the OTA keeps Rs 1,500 as commission before paying Rs 7,000 to the hotel, the question is whether GST should be on Rs 8,500 or Rs 7,000.

The law is clear that GST applies only on the amount received by the hotel for its service, said Abhishek A Rastogi, founder, Rastogi Chambers.

If tax is charged on the total, part of which is already taxed as the OTAs commission, it will lead to double taxation.

Section 15 of the Central GST Act says the value of supply is the amount actually received or payable for the service.

"So, the hotels consideration is the amount it gets from the OTA, not what the customer pays in total, Rastogi added.

The rate structure also adds confusion. Rooms priced below Rs 7,500 attract 5 per cent GST, while those above Rs 7,500 attract 18 per cent.

If the department counts the customer payment, the same room may fall into a higher tax slab even though the hotel earns less.

Experts say the government should clarify how the value of hotel bookings should be calculated when online intermediaries are involved.

Without clarity, both hotels and travel portals could end up being taxed on the same value, creating legal disputes and hurting ease of doing business, Rastogi stated.
'The BJP will win comfortably if the Congress and AAP fight separately -- though not with 162 seats.'

'But if they form an alliance, it will become a major problem for the BJP. That's precisely why this expansion is happening now.'

IMAGE: Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Governor Acharya Devvrat at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Gujarat ministry in Gandhinagar, October 17, 2025. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

Senior Gujarat journalist Bhargav Parikh tells Prasanna D Zore/Rediff that the Bharatiya Janata Party's ministry expansion reveals vulnerability -- using ministerial insecurity as a compliance tool to deflect anti-incumbency before elections.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's ministry expansion/reshuffle on Friday, October 17, 2025, adding 19 fresh faces as ministers to take the total from 16 to 27 (six from the earlier ministry have been retained), follows a well-worn BJP strategy deployed since 2005, according to Mr. Parikh.

The reshuffle, executed nearly two-and-a-half years before the next assembly elections, mirrors a pattern established during Narendra Modi's tenure as Gujarat chief minister -- changing ministerial faces to deflect anti-incumbency sentiment.

Mr. Parikh argues that after 28 years of uninterrupted BJP rule, Gujarat faces significant challenges: Farmer distress, student unrest, unemployment, and reservation disputes.

The expansion, he suggests, is less about governance and more about political management -- distributing power among 162 MLAs while maintaining central control from Delhi.

The reshuffle has given prominence to Saurashtra region, which remains crucial for the BJP's electoral fortunes, with eight to nine ministers from the electorally crucial region.

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi's elevation at 40 reflects his command over western Gujarat, particularly Surat, which proved decisive in 2017 when the BJP's seat count dropped to 99, Mr. Parikh reckons.

With anti-BJP votes consolidating around the Congress (27.8%) and AAP (12.92%) in the 2022 assembly election, Mr. Parikh believes the BJP's 28 year dominance in Gujarat faces its strongest test yet -- unless the Opposition remains divided.

As someone who has observed Gujarat politics from close quarters, how do you view this ministry reshuffle? What does it reveal about the BJP's current political position in Gujarat?

This is a continuation of a well-established pattern. Ministry reshuffles have been happening every two-and-a-half years in Gujarat since 2005, typically before general elections, assembly elections or local body polls.

Even during Narendra Modi's tenure as chief minister, this was standard practice. The first major expansion happened in June 2005 after the BJP lost six municipal corporation seats. That was also when Gordhan Zadaphia refused to take the oath -- the first major internal revolt within the Gujarat BJP.

Before the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Modi expanded his ministry in 2008. Before the 2012 assembly elections, another expansion in 2011. Before 2014, six new ministers were inducted in 2013. This is not new; it's the BJP's established formula for Gujarat.

Does this indicate anti-incumbency sentiment in Gujarat?

Obviously, there's anti-incumbency. You've been in power for 28 years -- how can there not be?

Farmers are unhappy, students are agitated, unemployment is a massive problem. These aren't minor issues. The anti-incumbency is real and visible on the ground.

If the issues remain constant -- farmers, students, jobs -- how does merely changing ministerial faces help the BJP win elections repeatedly?

It's clever political management. They tell voters: 'You have a problem with a particular minister, not with us. We're removing him. Look at Modi -- you don't have any problem with Modi, right?'

It's what scholars call the 'no-repeat theory.' They're essentially hoodwinking voters by shifting blame to individual ministers while projecting Modi as above the fray.

Does this reshuffle represent continuity of the BJP's Gujarat model, or does it hint at insecurity?

The BJP isn't insecure in the conventional sense -- they have 162 MLAs, the highest number since Independence when you account for independents who've joined them after the result. But managing 162 MLAs is extremely difficult.

Everyone has aspirations. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel was running the government with just 16 ministers when the rules allow 27. That's untenable.

The same situation occurred in 1985 under Madhavsinh Solanki, who had 149 MLAs. Everyone wanted positions; when they didn't get them, revolts erupted. History is repeating itself.

Could we see a revolt within the Gujarat BJP given these massive numbers?

Where would they go? Look at why Congress MLAs keep joining the BJP -- it's not just about money. I know many Congress leaders with substantial personal wealth. The real issue is age and opportunity. Many are approaching 60-61. If they wait for the Congress to win, they'll be 65 before getting power -- and that's far from certain.

It's human nature. The same applies here. About 30% of those switching parties are driven by the desire to be in power during their active political years.

What's significant about the composition of the new 27-member ministry?

Caste remains crucial -- they've balanced it with eight OBCs, three SCs, and four STs. But the real story is Saurashtra. The BJP has consolidated power there with eight to nine ministers from the region.

Saurashtra has emerged as critical for the BJP -- it was their easy route to Gandhinagar. In the new ministry, nearly one-third are from Saurashtra, even though the chief minister is from Ahmedabad.

To what extent is this exercise about Modi-Shah centralising authority versus preparing a second line of leadership?

They are not preparing a second line -- that's the biggest problem. They need people who will say 'yes,' nothing else. They need yes men.

If they wanted strong second-rung leadership, they could have elevated leaders like Dileep Sanghani or others with genuine grassroots support. It's about compliance, not capability.

How does this reflect Modi-Shah's control over Gujarat?

Understand the economics first. Which states are India's money bags? Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh. These are the states with resources. Every party needs control over these states -- the Congress did too when they were in power.

Gujarat is too valuable to leave to autonomous regional leadership.

Is this reshuffle a sign of the BJP weakness in Gujarat?

It's a response to anti-incumbency -- that itself indicates vulnerability. They are not continuing ministers for full five-year terms. Very few are carried through. This creates constant insecurity.

When your boss constantly threatens to fire you, you become a yes man. Same principle applies here.

The message the BJP sent in 2021-2022 by changing entire ministries including chief ministers in four states has percolated everywhere: Nobody knows if they'll be in the cabinet tomorrow, or remain a minister, or even be an MLA after five years. That sword of uncertainty keeps everyone compliant.

Will this sword hang over the new ministers too?

Absolutely. For the next two years, if they do 'something fishy,' they'll be kicked out citing health issues or other reasons. The insecurity is institutional.

What's significant about Harsh Sanghavi's rise to deputy chief minister at just 40?

IMAGE: Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi is sworn in Gandhinagar, October 17, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

This isn't unprecedented. Narhari Amin was similarly young as deputy CM in 1993-1994. When Harsh Sanghavi became home minister, he was 36; Amin was 38.

Sanghavi has won three consecutive terms.

In 2017, if he hadn't performed exceptionally, the BJP might have lost power in Gujarat. They were stuck at 99 seats -- the victory came from Surat and surrounding areas where Sanghavi has strong command. He's being rewarded for delivering when it mattered most.

Do you see Harsh Sanghavi as the next chief ministerial face?

I don't think so. Nobody can predict the BJP's next move -- that's their operational model.

AAP is making inroads in Gujarat. How do you assess their urban middle-class appeal?

The AAP's emergence as a strong political force in Gujarat is a big myth. Look at the data carefully. In the last election, AAP contested 171 seats and lost deposits in over 100. They have a strong presence in only 30-35 seats, mostly in Saurashtra and Surat.

Why Surat? Because large numbers from Saurashtra have migrated there. The same applies to Ahmedabad. Saurashtra connectivity is the formula for success in Gujarat politics -- control Saurashtra, and you win in Surat and make gains in Ahmedabad.

Who is the BJP more afraid of -- AAP or the Congress?

AAP is targeting the 35-36 core BJP seats, which were previously Congress seats. That's why the BJP won't repeat its 162-seat performance. Its numbers will decline, and everyone will say the system is weakening.

But look at the arithmetic: In 2017, anti-BJP votes totalled 41.7% (Congress' vote share), and the BJP won just 99 seats.

In 2022, anti-BJP votes were Congress (27.8%) plus AAP (12.92%) plus others, totalling approximately 41.3% -- almost the same percentage. But this time, vote division gave the BJP 156 seats.

The BJP is not popular; there's a huge anti-BJP vote in Gujarat but the Opposition is divided.

Are Congress votes loyal Congress votes or anti-BJP votes?

They are loyal Congress votes. If AAP had genuine mass appeal, why would they lose deposits in over 100 out of 171 contested seats? That's simple logic.

If AAP wins 15 to 17 out of their target 35 seats, they'll have real bargaining power. They know how to engage with rural populations, how to mobilise in villages -- that's their strength and the Congress' weakness. That's why the Congress vote bank is gradually shifting to AAP.

What's the BJP's ideal scenario for 2027?

The BJP will win comfortably if the Congress and AAP fight separately -- though not with 162 seats. But if they form an alliance, it will become a major problem for the BJP. That's precisely why this expansion is happening now.

It's simple political logic -- prepare early, manage anti-incumbency, and hope the Opposition remains fragmented.

So the BJP is on shaky ground in Gujarat?

Yes, to the extent that they are having to deploy these tactics to counter anti-incumbency after 28 years.

The anti-incumbency is real, it's visible, and it's forcing BJP to constantly reshuffle and manage perceptions. They have been doing this since 2005.

The ground reality shows strain, even if the electoral outcomes haven't reflected it yet -- primarily because the Opposition remains divided.

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff
'The BJP's top leadership realised that their cadres are not happy with them, so they changed the ministers and got in new faces.'

IMAGE: Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi takes the oath during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Gujarat ministry in Gandhinagar, October 17, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

In a major political shake-up ahead of the upcoming local body elections in Gujarat, the Bharatiya Janat Party on Friday, October 17, 2025, dropped several ministers and inducted new faces in an apparent bid to tackle growing anti-incumbency.

The reshuffle, which saw underperforming ministers removed, is being viewed as a strategic move by the BJP to reset its image and neutralise public anger.

Devanshi Joshi, editor, Jamawat Media, tell Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff this is part of the BJP's long-tested model of 'course correction' before elections, where unpopular leaders are replaced to create a sense of responsiveness among voters.

What is the reason for the ministers being dropped and the appointment of new ones in Gujarat?

This was expected for very long, as this is the strategy of the BJP whenever they see anti-incumbency developing in the state, they change the narrative to pro-incumbency.

So, if the people of Gujarat are not happy with certain ministers and they feel that a minister needs to be kicked out, the BJP does it. The anger is then diverted and people start living in hope.

Ministers linked to corruption or controversy are out. People are then happy to see new faces in the ministry.

This time also they have managed well by distributing portfolios across various regions of Gujarat in a balanced manner.

Is it the same strategy the BJP adopted when it replaced Vijay Rupani as chief minister a year before the 2022 assembly elections which then led to a landslide victory for the BJP?

This time they have not changed Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

At that point of time they did not repeat a single member of Rupani's cabinet; this time they have not touched some cabinet members. The strategy is not the same, but the intention is almost the same.

The BJP has 162 out of 182 MLAs in Gujarat. And yet it feels insecure of winning the assembly elections in 2027. What is the BJP afraid of?

The BJP is an expert at ground management and taking feedback (from the public). And it is not that the people of Gujarat love the BJP, as they keep a check and balance on the BJP.

What the BJP does is that it does not allow the Opposition parties to highlight any issue that shows it in a bad light.

In the Visavadar bypolls the BJP lost to the Aam Aadmi Party's Gopal Italia in spite of mobilising its party might.

The BJP makes it a point that their party workers never get complacent and when they face defeat, they pull up their socks immediately.

And when they change leaders at the top, it is then obvious their supporters will come to the Gujarat assembly, which makes them feel important.

The BJP at this moment feels that after Gopal Italia's victory the Patidar community (Patels) is changing their mood considering their huge presence at AAP rallies. Therefore, the BJP wants to stop the disease of defeat before it spreads to other constituencies.

Do parties like AAP and the Congress have the power and means to take on the BJP?

If they fight with conviction, then surely they will win.

Gujarat is not a tough state for Opposition parties to win. They can easily win the state as there are so many issues against the BJP which has been ruling the state for 30 years now.

But the problem with the Opposition parties is that they do not oppose the BJP with consistency.

Opposition parties get active against the BJP only during elections.

There needs to be consistency in their efforts to displace the BJP electorally in Gujarat.

Rahul Gandhi has started coming to Gujarat regularly. You cannot ignore the Congress in Gujarat.

But the fact is, it is only the BJP that can defeat the BJP in Gujarat.

The BJP's top leadership realised that their cadres are not happy with them and are searching for options, so they changed the ministers and got in new faces.

A phrase that scared the BJP in Gujarat was 'Visavadarwadi kar denge'. It means they will turn every assembly seat of Gujarat into Visavadar where the AAP candidate or the Opposition candidate will win.

This line 'Visavadarwadi kar denge' became active in the BJP's WhatsApp group. Every BJP MLA in Gujarat was being threatened by people stating that they better start delivering on the ground, otherwise they too will end up losing their seat like in Visavadar.

But what about the BJP ministers who are sacked? Don't they rebel?

These leaders have no standing among the public. They only shine under the sun of the BJP and PM Modi's leadership.

Leaders like Purshottam Solanki have their own power and their own vote bank. The BJP cannot touch a leader like him. He never visits the office but still he delivers for the BJP on the ground because of his personal popularity.

The BJP never touches leaders who are bigger than the BJP, only smaller leaders. These leaders are nothing without the BJP symbol. They cannot dare to rebel.

Is there any election coming up soon?

There are panchayat elections and Ahmedabad, Surat municipal elections are also going to be conducted soon.

Do the people of Gujarat feel the BJP has failed in governance?

Three issues, and the topmost among them is the roads of Gujarat.

Earlier Gujarat was known for its good roads but now there is so much corruption that the roads do not stay in good shape for even six months after construction.

The situation is so bad that wherever you go in Gujarat there is always work in progress going on.

Last year, the situation was so bad that the people of Gujarat started putting up the BJP flag on potholes.

Home Minister Amit Shah, who is a very active member of Parliament from Gandhinagar, has reprimanded local BJP leaders and the administration that they cannot get away with such shoddy construction of roads.

The second issue is that of farmers, who are not getting the right price for their produce.

In almost every market yard of Gujarat, farmers were protesting. The Botad violence was very bad. Gujarat had never witnessed such farmers violence in its recent history as even policemen got injured.

Farmers of Gujarat started warning the BJP that if they do not get the right price for their produce or if the government does not buy their produce like groundnuts, they will witness a Botad across Gujarat.

Thirdly, there is unemployment.
Residents of Zehri tehsil in Khuzdar district have accused the Pakistani military of carrying out indiscriminate air and drone strikes that have killed civilians, including women and children, amid a siege that has continued for over a month.

IMAGE: Smoke billows from the Afghanistan side following exchanges of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces, as seen from the border crossing in Chaman, Balochistan province, Pakistan, on October 15, 2025. Photograph: Saeed Ali Achakzai/Reuters

The strikes have devastated several villages, leaving families trapped without food, water, or medical aid under an indefinite curfew, as reported by The Balochistan Post.

According to The Balochistan Post, a grieving father can be seen mourning beside the bodies of his children, killed on October 5 when army helicopters bombed the Moola area as families were returning from a funeral.

"Six people were martyred, four of them children," he said.

"What crime did they commit? Were they hiding in the mountains?" The man dismissed official claims that militants were targeted, asserting that all victims were civilians.

The ongoing operation involves tanks, artillery, drones, and helicopter gunships, and more than a dozen civilians have been killed so far.

The Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB) reported that the siege began in early September after clashes between Baloch fighters and government forces.

In response, the military launched widespread raids, blocked roads, and severed communications, isolating entire communities.

HRCB stated that these 'retaliatory' strikes have disproportionately affected civilians.

It documented multiple attacks: a September 15 airstrike that killed three villagers, a September 17 drone attack that killed four people, including two women and an October 1 strike near cotton fields that claimed four more lives.

Thousands of residents reportedly remain trapped as hospitals struggle to cope and farmlands lie destroyed.

Former Balochistan Chief Minister Akhtar Mengal condemned the actions as 'state cruelty' and urged authorities to lift the curfew and halt military aggression.

Sabiha Baloch of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee called the siege a 'blatant violation of international law', as reported by The Balochistan Post.

The BYC and Baloch Students Organisation-Azad accused Pakistan of committing 'systematic genocide' against the Baloch people, while political groups urged global intervention.

Rights groups warn that Zehri's ordeal reflects a worsening pattern of repression and unchecked military violence across Balochistan, as reported by The Balochistan Post.
Heaps of burnt voter records were found near former Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Subhash Guttedar's residence in Kalaburagi district on Saturday as the SIT intensified its probe into alleged 'vote theft' in the Aland assembly segment during the 2023 assembly elections.

Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Photo

Guttedar said there was nothing suspicious about the burnt voter records, blaming his housekeeping staff.

"As part of the cleanliness drive ahead of the festival, our staff threw it outside and burnt it. If we had some malicious intention, then we would have preferred burning it away from our house. Why would anyone do it in front of the house? There were no ulterior motives behind it," he told reporters in Kalaburagi on Saturday.

The SIT had on Friday raided several locations linked to Guttedar, his sons, and a chartered accountant, sources said.

The SIT was formed after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged large-scale 'vote theft'.

To support his claim, he cited the Aland constituency during the 2023 Karnataka assembly elections.

The Congress has alleged that fraudulent phone calls were made on behalf of some genuine voters to delete 'Congress voters' from the rolls.

Congress leaders claimed that the timely detection of the fraud led to the victory of their candidate B R Patil, and the defeat of the BJP candidate, Subhash Guttedar.
China expels 9 senior officials, former officials from CPC, military

Xinhua) 15:40, October 18, 2025

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Friday said that He Weidong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and Miao Hua, a CMC member, have been expelled from the CPC and military service.

Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said that seven former senior military officials have also been expelled from the CPC and military.

Approved by the CPC Central Committee and the CMC, the CMC's disciplinary and supervisory authority launched investigations into the nine individuals, according to Zhang.

The investigations found that the individuals had seriously violated Party discipline and are suspected of major duty-related crimes. Their violations involved exceptionally large amounts of money, and are of extremely serious nature and with extremely negative impacts, the spokesperson said.

The cases related to their suspected crimes will be transferred to military prosecution authorities for legal review and prosecution, Zhang said.

Of the nine individuals, actions to expel eight from the CPC will be confirmed by the CPC Central Committee when it convenes a plenary session, Zhang said.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Kou Jie)
By Che Pan and Brenda Goh

BEIJING (Reuters) -Nexperia said on Sunday that its employees in China still have access to company platforms and are receiving salaries as usual, a day after its China unit asserted that it had the right to operate independently of the Dutch parent.

"We are aware of a message circulated by individuals at Nexperia China falsely claiming that Nexperia and the Dutch government have abandoned the Chinese market and that the factory is now operating under a new entity," the Dutch chipmaker told Reuters.

The company said any statements about salaries not being paid are "factually incorrect and misleading."

On Saturday, Nexperia's China unit said it complies with Chinese laws and has the right to operate independently, a day after the Netherlands said talks had begun to try to ease tensions over export controls.

A notice on its official WeChat account said all of its employees continue to work under the unit's instructions, and may reject any "external instructions" not approved by its Chinese legal representative.

It said salaries and bonuses will continue to be paid out by Nexperia China, not Nexperia Netherlands.

Amid the United States and China trade tensions, the Dutch government took control of Nexperia on September 30 and removed its Chinese CEO, Zhang Xuezheng.

The Dutch government cited the possible transfer of technology to Nexperia's Chinese parent company, Wingtech. Nexperia makes chips for carmakers and for consumer electronics.

Days later, China's commerce ministry on October 4 blocked Nexperia from exporting chips from China.

"This situation has arisen from the unauthorised actions of our former CEO Wing Zhang (Xuezheng), who has been formally suspended by a competent court...and has no authority to represent Nexperia," the Dutch chipmaker said.

Nexperia has reported Zhang's actions to Dutch authorities and said it remains committed to employees and customers in China. Nexperia did not specify what unauthorised actions its former CEO had taken.

Wingtech and Nexperia China did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The dispute has raised fears in the global automotive and electronic industries of possible chip shortages that could disrupt production.

Nexperia's chips, though not technically sophisticated, are widely used in high volumes.

Its biggest manufacturing site is in Hamburg, Germany, but according to two sources briefed on the matter, more than 70% of Nexperia's chips are shipped back to China to be packaged in Dongguan, a manufacturing hub in China's southern Guangdong province.
As many as 210 Maoist cadres, including one central committee member, laid down their arms before authorities in Chhattisgarh's Jagdalpur on Friday, making it the "largest mass surrender" in the history of anti-Maoist operations in the state, officials said.

IMAGE: The surrendered Maoists with their weapons in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, October 17, 2025. Photograph: Courtesy Vishnu Deo Sai on X

These Maoists carried a collective bounty of Rs 9.18 crore, they said.

With this, a total of 238 Maoists have quit the path of violence and joined the mainstream in the state in the last three days as 28 others had surrendered on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed the development, saying it was a historic day not only for Bastar but for Chhattisgarh and the entire nation. The state is now moving towards a new era of peace, trust, and development, he said.

According to officials, Friday's mass surrender -- the largest so far in the state -- marks a decisive turning point in the government's ongoing campaign to eliminate Left-Wing Extremism.

All the cadres, who surrendered before the police and paramilitary officials at the Police Lines in Jagdalpur, the headquarters of the Bastar district, were formally welcomed into the mainstream by tribal community leaders and priests who greeted them with red roses, symbolising love, peace and a new beginning.

The surrendered Maoists handed over 153 weapons, including 19 AK-47 rifles, 17 Self-Loading Rifles, 23 INSAS rifles, an INSAS LMG (light machine gun), thirty six .303 rifle, four Carbine and 11 Barrel Grenade Launcher (BGL), a police official said.

The surrendered cadres, senior police and paramilitary officials and tribal community leaders later posed for photographs. The banner behind the stage read 'Poona Margem - Punarwas se Punarjeevan - Maoist cadres rejoining the mainstream'.

Poona Margem (rehabilitation for social integration) is an initiative launched by Bastar Range police for Naxalites.

Addressing a press conference later, CM Sai said 210 brothers and sisters, who were "misguided and detached from society", rejoined the mainstream, showing faith in the Constitution, the path of non-violence as shown by Mahatma Gandhi and the state's rehabilitation policy.

The surrendered cadres include top leaders as well as lower-rung members, he said.

Sai emphasised that the state government's Naxalite Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy 2025, along with the "Niyad Nella Nar Yojana" and "Poona Margem - Punarvas se Punarjeevan", embody a call for trust and transformation.

"Because of these initiatives, people in the erstwhile Maoist strongholds are now laying down their arms and embracing the government's pledge of trust and development," he said.

Reaffirming his government's commitment, Sai said, "This moment symbolises the foundation of a peaceful future for Chhattisgarh. Our government is fully committed to rehabilitating the surrendered cadres and ensuring a dignified and bright future for them."

He reiterated the BJP's double-engine government's resolve to make Chhattisgarh completely free of Naxalism.

"Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, this pledge is being fulfilled. Chhattisgarh is now moving towards a new era of peace, trust, and development," CM Sai said.

The state's surrender and rehabilitation policy has multiple provisions, including financial assistance, land benefits, benefits in the new Industrial policy, and livelihood opportunities, he added.

Deputy CM Vijay Sharma, who also holds the home portfolio, said the members of the entire Maad division of Maoists and various formations of North Bastar Division are among those who laid down arms.

With this, North-West Bastar has completely got rid of the menace, he added.

It was demanded (by the surrendered Naxalites) that the ban on the Moolvasi Bachao Manch (an Adivasi rights organisation) should be lifted, and the CM has decided that the ban will remain in force till October 30 and will not be extended further, he said.

There has never been, nor will there be any compulsion for rehabilitated individuals (Naxalites) to join the DRG (District Reserve Guard - a unit of state police). Out of the total DRG strength, only about 10 per cent of members are former cadres, he said.

The government also addressed concerns raised regarding Maoist cadres and supporters currently imprisoned. The central leadership had previously clarified it, and the CM had also decided, Sharma said.

"What we should do is that if those in jails want to change their status from arrested to rehabilitated, then that will happen..," he said.

Senior Maoist leaders who surrendered include Rupesh alias Satish, a central committee member; Bhaskar alias Rajman Mandavi, Ranita, Raju Salam, Dhannu Vetti alias Santu - all four Dandakaranya special zonal committee members, and Ratan Elam, a regional committee member, officials said.

Talking to a local reporter on Thursday while coming out of the forest to lay down arms, Maoist leader Rupesh said they were just putting down weapons but will continue to struggle for the people's cause.

He said a few of their demands have been considered (by the government).

The demands which have been considered included lifting the ban on organisations working for tribal rights, such as the Moolvasi Bachao Manch, the government should make efforts to release Maoists who are in jail and Maoists quitting weapons should not be recruited into the DRG, he said.

"We are not surrendering. We have quit weapons and continue to work for the people through social movements, without arms," he said.
The authorities on Friday reimposed restrictions in Leh district of Ladakh over apprehensions of disturbance to public peace and tranquillity and the possibility of a law and order breakdown in the area.

IMAGE: Security personnel patrolling after prohibitory orders remain enforced following the recent violence in the area in Leh, September 30, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

The move comes barely two days after the authorities lifted the restrictions in Leh, 22 days after they were first imposed following violent clashes during protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule Status that left four persons dead and 90 injured on September 24.

The restrictions were reimposed in view of the Leh Apex Body's call for a two-hour silent march and a three-hour blackout across Ladakh on October 18 to express solidarity with the families of the four persons who lost their lives in last month's violence, as well as those critically injured.

The demonstration is also meant to protest the delay in the release of detained youth, the LAB said in a statement.

The district administration on September 24 promulgated prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in Leh, banning the assembly of five or more persons.

No incidents of violence had been reported since then, officials said.

According to a report received from the Leh SSP today, there is an apprehension of disturbance to public peace and tranquillity, danger to human life and a possibility of a law and order problem within the jurisdiction of Leh tehsil, an order issued by District Magistrate Romil Singh Donk said.

Donk said he was satisfied that immediate preventive and remedial measures were necessary to maintain public order and tranquillity.

Therefore, in exercise of powers conferred under Section 163 of the BNSS, I hereby direct that assembly of five or more persons shall remain prohibited within the jurisdiction of Leh tehsil, Donk said in the order.

It added that no procession, rally or march shall be carried out without prior written approval of the competent authority".

"No one shall use vehicle-mounted or other loudspeakers without prior permission from the competent authority, it said.

Donk also said that no one shall make statements that might disturb public tranquillity or lead to a law and order problem.

As notice cannot be served individually, this order is being passed ex-parte, the official said, adding that any violation would invite punitive action.

On Tuesday, the LAB and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) announced fresh protests in support of their demand for statehood and safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

On Friday, the Centre moved to address a key demand of the protesting groups by announcing a judicial inquiry headed by a retired Supreme Court judge into the violent clashes of September 24.



The police detained climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, a key face of the protests, under the National Security Act on September 26, for allegedly inciting the violence. Wangchuk is presently lodged at the Jodhpur jail.
Amid escalating hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan, United States President Donald Trump claimed that the conflict between the two countries will be an 'easy' one for him to solve, 'if' he had to solve it.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump speaks to the press as he arrives at Palm Beach International Airport, in West Palm Beach, Florida, on October 17, 2025. Photograph: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

While speaking to the media during a bilateral lunch with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Friday, Trump said, "I do understand Pakistan attacked or there is an attack going on with Afghanistan, that's an easy one for me to solve if I have to solve that."

Trump once again claimed to have saved millions of lives while assuring that he will have 'success' in resolving the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"I like stopping people from being killed. I have saved millions and millions of lives, and I think we are going to have success with this war," the US President said.

Pakistan launched fresh air strikes targeting terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan, casting a shadow over the expected talks in Doha amid a fragile ceasefire that had temporarily halted hostilities between the two sides.

The strikes followed a gun-and-bomb attack by terrorists at a military installation in North Waziristan, and just hours after Islamabad and Kabul extended their two-day ceasefire, the Dawn reported on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Trump has once again expressed dismay at not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize despite resolving eight wars .

"You know we resolved eight others, it's funny how people say this, if you get this one...every time I do one, they forget about that one. I solved eight wars," Trump said

"Every time I solve one, they say if you solve the next one, you are going to get the Nobel prize," Trump added.

However, the US President was quick to add that he did not do it for the Nobel while claiming that he does not know Maria Corina Machado, the Nobel Peace Prize winner for 2025, without naming her.

"I did not get the Nobel prize. Somebody got it was a very nice woman, very nice, I don't know who she is, but she was very generous, so I don't care about all that stuff, I just care about saving lives," Trump said.
The government is going to bring a regulation on deepfakes soon that will take help of technology for efficient implementation, Union electronics and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Saturday.

IMAGE: Union electronics and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo

Speaking at the NDTV World Summit, the minister said that chips are key for building AI infrastructure and two semiconductor units, CG Semi and Kaynes, have started production in the country.

Vaishnaw said that there are six Ai models getting developed in the country, out of which two will use around 120 billion parameters and will be free from biases like western models have.

He said that AI in several cases is being used in a positive way and for fun that must be encouraged, but there is need to save the society from the significant harms which can be caused by using deepfakes where one's voice and face can be presented to give out a message which is absolutely disconnected with the person.

"It's your right to make sure that your face and your voice should not be used in a harmful way for society. That's the thought process by which we are approaching this topic. And we will very soon bring out regulations on the deepfakes," Vaishnaw said.

He said the government is taking a techno-legal approach for building the framework.

"We believe that the world of AI cannot be regulated simply by passing a law. There has to be a technical solution to it. So that technical solution plus a regulation combined with it is going to be more effective than, let's say, the European Union where they simply focus on regulating things. Our bias is more towards innovation. As a country and as a government, we are focused more on innovation," Vaishnaw said.

The Ministry of Electronics and IT had earlier in March 2024 issued an advisory to curb potential harm from AI, especially deepfake under IT Rules 2021.

The minister said that the government's approach is to encourage innovation in AI, which involves several building blocks from AI compute infrastructure to building indigenous chipsets.

He said that the government has made available 38,000 GPUs (graphics processing units) for AI development and Google has also committed USD 15 billion for setting up a major AI hub.

"We are inviting other large players to come and set up the computer facility in India. Once we have the computer, then the ability to do good research and the ability to develop AI applications will significantly increase. So Google has come with a $15 billion investment. I think Meta is also working on another investment," Vaishnaw said.

Google recently made a commitment to invest USD 15 billion in Visakhapatnam over a period of next five years.
Glimpses of Indian Army personnel celebrating Diwali along the Line of Control in the Akhnoor sector, on the outskirts of Jammu.

IMAGE: Soldiers burn firecrackers and offer sweets to each other as they celebrate Diwali, here and below. Photographs: ANI Photo

IMAGE: Soldiers burn firecrackers as they celebrate Diwali, here and below.

IMAGE: Diyas on the LOC fence, here and below.

IMAGE: Soldiers light up the spirit of Diwali with song and cheer along the Line of Control.

IMAGE: Vigilant soldiers along the international border.

IMAGE: Indian Army personnel on high alert along the international border.

Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff
Former Rajya Sabha MP Sabir Ali, who was expelled from the Janata Dal-United 11 years ago for praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was on Saturday named the party's candidate from Amour assembly seat in Bihar.

IMAGE: Sabir Ali re-joined JD-U on Saturday. Photograph: Courtesy @Jduonline/X

The Nitish Kumar-led party made the sudden announcement through a statement, dropping Saba Zafar, the runner-up in the 2020 assembly polls, who was named the candidate for the seat two days ago.

Ali re-joined the party in Purnea district, where Amour is situated, in the presence of the CM's confidante Leshi Singh, a state minister who seeks to retain the adjoining Dhamdaha for the fourth time in a row.

It was not known why the party dropped Zafar, who had won the seat in 2010 on the symbol of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Ali, who started off as a Rajya Sabha MP of late Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party, enjoyed his second consecutive term in the Upper House on a JD-U ticket, but ran afoul of Kumar in 2014 by praising Modi, whose national prominence had driven the Bihar CM to call off the alliance with the BJP.

Subsequently, Ali joined the BJP, but was expelled after some senior party leaders alleged that he had links with Yasin Bhatkal, an Indian Mujahideen terrorist.

He was re-inducted in 2015 and made general secretary of the BJP minority cell six years later.

Ali, who is likely to file his nomination papers on Monday, would try to wrest the seat from Akhtarul Iman, the lone MLA in Bihar of Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi's All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen.
The state Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday lashed out at Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge over the removal of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's publicity material in Chittapur taluk in Kalaburagi district ahead of a major event but the Congress leader alleged the saffron organisation had not taken permission for the programme.

IMAGE: Swayamsevaks take part in a march past during the centenary celebrations of the RSS in Bengaluru. Photograph: ANI Photo

The RSS had scheduled its 'Patha Sanchalana,' a route march seen as its show of strength and came at a time when the Congress government has decided to implement rules on holding of events in public places and government spaces.

The move is seen as one aimed apparently at checking the RSS, with Kharge himself flagging the need for such restrictions with the chief minister a few days ago.

On Saturday, RSS flags, flex, banners and posters in Chittapur Taluk were removed. Kharge, the IT/BT minister, represents the Chittapur Assembly constituency.

The minister had recently written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asking him to ban RSS activities in government institutions and public premises and prohibit the government officers and employees from taking part in its activities.

The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday decided to prohibit private organisations from holding any event in government schools and colleges and public places without prior permission of the authorities.

Flaying Kharge, BJP leader R Ashoka posted on X, 'Is Chittapur in India or is it the Republic of the Kharge family.'

Responding, Kharge asked, 'Have (RSS) they taken permission for it.'

He said he was also fined for putting up posters and banners without permission from the authorities.

"The information I have is that they (RSS) have just given intimation about their event but they have not taken permission. Is the RSS flag the national flag of India. They are putting a flag illegally and are blaming us for it," he added.

He claimed that a BJP functionary threatened him saying that RSS volunteers are 'fanatics' who will enter his house and beat him up.

"I am going to lodge a complaint with the Director General of Police," Kharge said.

As tension mounted in Kalaburagi, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he has no information about the matter and would get details soon.

He clarified that one has to take permission for holding events.

According to him, the rule of seeking permission for organising events at public places was brought in by the then BJP CM Jagadish Shettar (in 2013), while the Congress government has repeated it.

Siddaramaiah wondered why there was no protest when Jagadish Shettar brought the rule.

"Our target is not at all RSS. It's about any organisation," the chief minister clarified.

When asked if the BJP was doing politics, Siddaramaiah said, "BJP always does politics. What else they can do apart from it. They never work for poor people. They just do politics."

He rule out any disturbance to law and order saying there are police to look into it.

Ashoka, the state Leader of Opposition said permission letter was obtained from the municipality for the RSS 'Patha Sanchalana' and Advertisement tax was paid to the municipality for putting up banners and flags, and a receipt has been obtained.

'Despite all this, you have removed the saffron banners and flags in the dead of night, Minister @PriyankKharge sir. Do you think you are the Nizam of Chittapur or a Razakar,' he said, attacking the Congress leader.
In a sharp escalation of rhetoric, Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Saturday warned India of a 'decisive response' to even a minor provocation, saying there is no space for war in a 'nuclearised environment'.

IMAGE: Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir. Photograph: Inter-Services Public Relations/Handout via Reuters

Munir was addressing a graduation ceremony of passing out army cadets at the premier Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul at Abbottabad in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

"I advise and firmly caution India's military leadership that there is no space for war in a nuclearised environment," he said.

"We will never be intimidated, not coerced by rhetoric and will respond decisively to even a minor provocation without any qualms," the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) said.

Referring to the recent military conflict between India and Pakistan, Munir claimed that his country's armed forces had demonstrated 'remarkable professionalism' and 'far-reaching capabilities' by 'neutralising' all threats and emerged 'victorious' against a 'numerically superior adversary'.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.

India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes, following direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two militaries.

Munir also alleged India of using terrorism as a weapon to destabilise Pakistan, saying a handful of terrorists cannot harm Pakistan and warned that all 'proxies' using Afghan soil would be 'raised to dust', in an apparent reference to Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The Army chief also urged India to settle 'core issues' as per international norms, an apparent reference to the Kashmir dispute, while reiterating Pakistan's commitment to provide 'moral and diplomatic support' to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Describing Pakistan as a peace-loving country, Munir said it enjoyed strong relations with major powers, including the US and China.

At the ceremony, cadets from several friendly countries, including Malaysia, Nepal, Palestine, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Yemen, Mali, Maldives and Nigeria, also graduated.

Munir congratulated them and lauded the PMA's role as a 'cornerstone of military excellence and international camaraderie'.
Britain's Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III, has relinquished the title of Duke of York and all other royal honours after a 'discussion' with the monarch, amid 'continued accusations' around his association with American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

IMAGE: Britain's Prince Andrew speaks with King Charles as they leave Westminster Cathedral at the end of the Requiem Mass, on the day of the funeral of Britain's Katharine, Duchess of Kent, in London, on September 16, 2025. Photograph: Toby Melville/File Photo/Reuters

The scandal-hit 65-year-old had already stopped using the 'His Royal Highness (HRH)' title, having stepped back as a working royal earlier.

On Friday, he announced that all his other titles will also become inactive, even as he continued to 'vigorously' deny all accusations against him.

As a son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, he will retain the title of 'Prince' in accordance with Letters Patent issued in 1917 by King George V, which were updated by his mother in 2012.

'In discussion with the King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty [Charles] and the royal family,' Prince Andrew said in a statement issued by Buckingham Palace.

'I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.

'With His Majesty's agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me,' he said.

Andrew's ex-wife and close friend, Sarah Ferguson, will also no longer use her title of the Duchess of York, but the titles of their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie, remain unaffected.

The decision comes amid renewed pressure on Andrew over reports of his relationship with the convicted paedophile financier Epstein and also links with an alleged Chinese spy.

A memoir entitled Nobody's Girl by Virginia Giuffre, who had sued the senior royal back in August 2021 over an alleged sexual assault and died in April, is expected to throw up further allegations when it is released posthumously next week.

Prince Andrew, meanwhile, is expected to continue staying at the Royal Lodge in Windsor as part of a private tenancy from the King's Crown Estate until 2078.

Following his announcement, Andrew will also give up his knighthood as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) and his Garter role as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

While he will technically retain the dukedom, which can only be removed by an Act of Parliament, it will become inactive and not in use by any member of the royal family.
IMAGE: The Tejas Mark 1A takes off during its maiden flight at HAL Nashik, October 17, 2025. All photographs: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

India's indigenous fighter jet programme reached a key milestone on Friday, October 17, 2025, as the Tejas Mk1A made its maiden flight at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's Nashik facility.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the event, which also saw the launch of HAL's third Light Combat Aircraft production line.

The Tejas Mk1A, a 4.5-generation multirole fighter with advanced radar, electronic warfare systems, and 64% indigenous content is expected to replace the phased-out MiG-21s and strengthen the Indian Air Force's fleet.

HAL has already begun assembling ten aircraft, with engine supplies from General Electric helping to accelerate production.

IMAGE: The Tejas Mark 1A receives a water canon salute after its maiden flight.

IMAGE: The Tejas Mark 1A after its maiden flight.

IMAGE: Technicians work on the Tejas Mark 1A before the flight.

IMAGE: The Tejas Mark 1A up close.

IMAGE: An Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI multirole fighter, a HAL Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) and the Tejas Mark 1A perform a fly-past during the Tejas' maiden flight at HAL Nashik.

IMAGE: A policeman walks past a poster of the Tejas Mark 1A.

Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff
Sometimes it can be easier to say nothing at all.

This week, stablecoin giant Tether announced a $250,000 donation to OpenSats to support Bitcoin developersonly for one of the worlds best-known programmers (and Bitcoin maximalists) to publicly chastise the size of the gift.

Twitter co-founder and Square CEO Jack Dorsey lampooned the donation Thursday on X, shortly after it was touted by Tethers CEO, Paolo Ardoino.

Why only $250K? Dorsey replied curtly to Ardoino.

Tether is one of the crypto industrys most profitable companies. The USDT issuer, which posted a $13 billion profit last year, is reportedly seeking a $500 billion valuation in talks with potential investors.

Tether said its donation to OpenSats, which funds the development of free and open-source Bitcoin software, will support the nonprofits operations and grant-making efforts.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey: Bitcoin whitepaper is poetry

A representative for the company did not respond to Decrypts request for comment on Dorseys comment, which Ardoino did not respond publicly to.

Shortly after the comment was made, however, another X user pressed Dorsey on his own financial commitment to the cause of protecting Bitcoin developers, questioning how much he had donated.

The entrepreneur immediately shot back: Over $21 million. You?

Indeed, OpenSats received a $21 million donation from Dorseys Start Small initiative in 2024. The tech billionaire has been an outspoken advocate for decentralized technology and censorship resistance for years, and one of the most famous Bitcoin backers around.

But even Dorsey was not without his detractors. Udi Wertheimer, creator of popular Bitcoin Ordinals project Taproots Wizards, at first took Dorseys side in the scufflebut then turned on the Twitter inventor.

No one should go into a pissing match with Jack when it comes to funding open-source Bitcoin development, Wertheimer said.

Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP Bleed as Traders Weigh End of 4-Year Cycle

The Bitcoiner went on, though, to lambast Dorsey for his investments in Ocean, a Bitcoin mining pool that previously caught heat for discouraging the processing of non-financial transactions on the Bitcoin blockchain, including the creation of NFT-like Ordinals.

You should subtract from that number whatever the size of your Ocean investment was, Wertheimer said of Dorseys philanthropic contributions. Sadly, that capital is being actively deployed to slow down development.

Alas, on Crypto Twitter, nobodys perfect.
US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) expressed optimism about the possibility of brokering a "long-lasting" peace between Russia and Ukraine, despite acknowledging the deep personal animosity between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a major obstacle to negotiations.

IMAGE: Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the joint press conference with US President Donald John Trump in Alaska, August 15, 2025. Photograph: Reuters

During a bilateral lunch with the Ukrainian President in the White House, Trump reiterated his confidence in facilitating an end to the ongoing war.

"They (President Zelenskyy and President Putin) don't like each other. I say that in front of President Zelenskyy, but I say it in front of President Putin, too. They have tremendous bad blood. It really is holding up, I think, a settlement. I think we're going to get it done," the US President said.

He emphasised the importance of a lasting solution, referring to his administration's efforts in brokering normalisation agreements in the Middle East, particularly the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

"And we have to make it long-lasting, as I said in the Middle East, everlasting. The Middle East is a much more complicated situation. We had 59 countries involved, and every one of them agreed. Most people didn't think that was doable. This is going to be something I really believe that's going to get done. I had a very good talk yesterday with President Putin. I think he wants to get it done," he added.

Trump's meeting with Zelenskyy came following the US President's hour-long telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. He also said that the two leaders will meet in Hungary in the coming few weeks.

Trump further showed his reluctance to sell the Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine during his meeting with Zelenskyy, days after he warned his Russian counterpart of supplying Kyiv with the missiles if Putin did not settle the conflict.

"I have an obligation also, though, to make sure that we're completely stocked up as a country... We're going to be talking about Tomahawks, and we'd much rather have them (Ukraine) not need Tomahawks. We'd much rather have the war be over," Trump stated.

Earlier on Sunday, Trump stated that he was mulling over sending the US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv, as per reports in several local media.

"I might have to speak to Russia, to be honest with you, about Tomahawks," the US President told reporters on board Air Force One enroute to West Asia.

He added that he's going to send Kyiv Tomahawks if the Ukraine conflict "is not going to get settled," Russian news agency TASS reported.
US President Donald Trump reiterated that India will not be buying oil from Russia, saying that New Delhi has already de-escalated and more or less stopped its oil purchases from Moscow

IMAGE: US President Donald J Trump speaks at a dinner he hosted for Republican senators at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, February 7, 2025. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

While speaking to the media during a bilateral lunch with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Friday, Trump said India will not be buying oil from Russia, they have already de-escalated and they have more or less stopped.

They are pulling back. They have bought about 38 per cent of the oil, and they won't be doing it anymore, Trump said while replying to a question.

India on Thursday said it is "broad-basing and diversifying" its sourcing of energy to meet market conditions, hours after US President Donald Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that New Delhi will stop procuring Russian crude oil.

Washington has been maintaining that India is helping Putin to finance the war through its purchase of Russian crude oil.

The relations between New Delhi and Washington have been reeling under severe stress after Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50 per cent, including a 25 per cent additional duty for India's purchase of Russian crude oil.

India described the US action as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable".

Meanwhile, Trump has once again repeated his claims about resolving the war between India and Pakistan, adding that Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif has said, "I have saved millions of lives."

"The Prime Minister of Pakistan said I saved millions of lives by interceding, you look at Pakistan and India as an example that would have been a bad one for two nuclear nations," the US President said.

Since May 10, when Trump announced on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire after a long night of talks mediated by Washington, he has repeated his claim dozens of times that he helped settle the conflict between India and Pakistan.

India has consistently maintained that the understanding on cessation of hostilities with Pakistan was reached following direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two militaries.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.

India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
For both polishing unit operators and diamond merchants, the US is still the biggest export destination: Three in every 10 diamonds polished in India end up in American stores.

IMAGE: Craftsmen at the Lab Grown Diamonds unit in Surat. Photograph: ANI Photo

In Surat, 37-year-old Anant Patel currently earns more in a single day ferrying passengers in his cab through the city's tangled traffic than others do shaping diamonds, once considered too exorbitant.

Patel knows the grind of diamond polishing well -- he once sat hunched over a table under harsh lights, coaxing brilliance from rough stones.

But he counts himself lucky for having walked away years ago. Now, as the weight of high US tariffs bears down on India's diamond capital, the future of the trade looks clouded.

His peers remain in the storm's eye, facing uncertainty over pay as demand for diamonds falters.

Operators of polishing units are drawing up cost-cutting plans after Diwali, battered by a collapse of more than 40 per cent in demand since the US slapped 50 per cent tariffs on Indian exports in August.

Salaries, they warn, may reduce by Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 a month, around 10 to 20 per cent of income for each worker.

"There is no other option than cutting monthly payouts," says a diamond polishing unit owner, who employs 50 people.

"We are already scaling down operations with so little work. We will not fire skilled workers since rehiring them is a major challenge."

Surat is the world's diamond finishing hub, where over nine in 10 stones are polished by nearly 800,000 artisans across around 5,000 units.

For both polishing unit operators and diamond merchants, the US is still the biggest export destination: Three in every 10 diamonds polished in India end up in American stores.

Following the double tariff whammy in August, the average effective American levy on gems and jewellery has climbed to 55 per cent.

For Indian gems and jewellery, base MFN rate ranges from 0 per cent to 7 per cent, depending on the specific item.

Gold eclipses diamonds

The domestic market cannot plug the gap, say merchants, as pricing pressures mount.

For Gauravbhai Patwa, who is running diamond operations for three decades, this is the "worst-ever" downturn. He has just secured an order for a necklace worth Rs 3.5 lakh.

"The necklace has Rs 2.5 lakh in gold, Rs 15,000 in labour, and only Rs 35,000 worth of diamonds," he says.

"You can't change gold prices. Labour charges are fixed. Even if I take a 100 per cent mark-up on diamonds, I could make just Rs 17,000."

This underscores the imbalance: Gold now outweighs diamonds.

Gold itself is on a tear: 10 grams of 24-carat currently cost around Rs 1.20 lakh. That volatility squeezes margins further.

"In Surat, you cannot mark up diamonds by 100 per cent because every second person deals in diamonds, offering a competitive price. Also, when the pricing quote was delivered to the client, gold was at Rs 110,000. Today, the same is over Rs 117,000. The profit goes down due to volatility in prices," he explains. (This report was filed before gold prices further increased.)

According to another operator, he crafted a gold ring studded with lab-grown diamonds. The price of diamonds was just Rs 910, the lowest he has seen in decades.

"It's like giving diamonds away for free, with costs covered only by gold and labour," he sighs.

Looking elsewhere

Exports tell a stark story. India's gems and diamonds brought in $28.67 billion globally in FY25, down 11 per cent from $32.29 billion a year earlier.

US demand alone slipped 6 per cent to $9.24 billion. The UAE and Hong Kong markets too shrank by 3 per cent and 32 per cent, respectively.

"The US is the main market. The high tariff is not sustainable," says Dinesh Navadia, chairman of the Indian Diamond Institute.

"Even if we try to absorb some of the tariff costs, liquidity is tight everywhere."

Yet Navadia sees a glimmer of hope: Lab-grown diamonds.

"It is a good thing that lab grown diamonds have entered the market, which can help the industry," he explains, adding, polishing lab-grown diamonds requires the same skill as natural stones.

"Demand for lab-grown diamonds has been increasing in India and that's why workers are not complaining that they aren't getting any jobs."

"Turnover is not as good as with natural stones," he concedes.

The industry is now exploring newer markets in the Gulf, Europe, and China. And for now, workers still have jobs but the question is how long Surat can keep its sparkle.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Two people, a man and a woman, have been arrested on suspicion of the racially aggravated rape of a British Sikh woman in Oldbury, in the West Midlands region of England last month.

Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: Pixabay.com

West Midlands Police said on Friday that the arrests were made in connection with a second rape of a woman in her 30s at Halesowen in the same county on Thursday night, which is not being treated as racially aggravated.

The pair were later additionally arrested in connection with the attack on the British Sikh woman in her 20s who reported being sexually assaulted at Tame Road in Oldbury, Sandwell, on September 9.

'A 49-year-old man and a 65-year-old woman from Sandwell were arrested this morning on suspicion of rape,' the police said in a statement on Friday.

'We were called at around 7pm (local time Thursday) after a woman in her 30s reported she has been attacked in Hurst Green Park. This incident is not being treated as racially aggravated. The man and woman have this afternoon (Friday) subsequently been arrested in connection with a rape on Tame Road, Oldbury on Tuesday, September 9. They remain in custody for questioning,' the statement said.

The sexual assault last month, involving two white male attackers who allegedly told the victim 'you don't belong in this country, get out', had sent shockwaves across the community.

United Kingdom's crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers offered up 20,000 pounds as reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the racially aggravated rape.

British Sikh organisations also came together on social media to offer a financial reward of 10,000 pounds for any footage which could lead to the conviction of the perpetrators behind the attack.

The incident went on to be raised in the UK Parliament, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood leading condemnation of the attack.

"The horror of a sexual assault motivated by race or ethnicity is absolutely appalling. I am sure that the whole House will join me in condemning such crimes in the strongest possible terms. This government will not stand for any incitement to racial hatred or violence," she said at the time.
Vice President J D Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance departed Joint Base Andrews and aboard Air Force Two, heading to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, where he will attend a ceremony commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps.

The 250th anniversary marks a rare milestone, emphasising the Marine Corps' continuity from the Revolutionary War to modern conflicts.

Vance will deliver remarks honoring the Corps' legacy, its role in American defence and global security, and the sacrifices of Marines past and present.

The trip underscores the Trump administration's effort to reaffirm ties with the armed forces, particularly the Marine Corps, which has long held a distinct place in US military culture and public esteem.

IMAGE: US Vice President J D Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, their children and Usha's parents Professors Lakshmi Chilukuri and Radhakrishna Chilukuri arrive at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California, October 17, 2025. All photographs: Oliver Contreras/Pool via/Reuters

IMAGE: Usha and J D about to board Air Force Two at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, October 17, 2025, here and below.

IMAGE: J D waves as he boards Air Force Two.

IMAGE: J D carries daughter Mirabel as he and elder son Ewan step off Air Force Two on arrival at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California.

Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff
Shares of the health-care conglomerate have slumped 29.4% on a year-to-date (YTD) basis. UNH stock plunged earlier this year after the company first cut and then suspended its full-year earnings guidance. Further weighing on the stock were reports of a Department of Justice investigation into the companys billing practices and the sudden resignation of its CEO. However, UNH stock has staged a solid rebound since early August, supported by Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway taking a new stake in the company and stronger-than-expected 2026 Star Ratings.

Founded in 1974, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated is a health and well-being company that provides a diverse range of health insurance and healthcare services. The company is organized into two primary divisions: UnitedHealthcare and Optum. UnitedHealthcare provides health insurance plans, whereas Optum delivers health care services and technology. The company has established a formidable competitive moat by combining these segments, forming a powerful, self-reinforcing ecosystem that is transforming how healthcare is delivered and managed. Its market cap currently stands at $326 billion.

Still, investors may be asking the right question: Does Optums continued growth necessarily translate into good news for UnitedHealths stock? Lets take a closer look at how the latest deal fits into the broader investment picture and what it could mean for UNH stock moving forward.

Optum has become much more than a supporting arm to UnitedHealths insurance business. It now represents a dynamic ecosystem of data analytics, pharmacy benefit management, and care delivery that helps reduce costs and improve patient outcomes. By bringing more physician groups under its umbrella, UnitedHealth gains greater control over the entire healthcare journeyfrom insurance coverage to treatment and prescription managementgiving it a competitive edge that few rivals can replicate.

UnitedHealth Group (UNH) is quietly strengthening one of its key growth enginesits Optum division. The company reportedly acquired a Massachusetts-based medical practice, further expanding Optums nationwide network of clinics and physician groups. The move underscores UnitedHealths continued push into direct patient care, a segment that sits at the heart of its integrated healthcare model.

Story continues

www.barchart.com

Despite Recent Setbacks, Optum Remains Central to UnitedHealths Growth Story

Optum includes a group of fast-growing businessesOptum Rx, Optum Insight, and Optum Healththat specialize in pharmacy benefit management, data analytics and technology, and direct patient care, respectively. Its important to understand that Optum is far more than just a supplement to the UnitedHealthcare segment. It serves as a synergistic partner, utilizing data from the insurance business to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes.

Optum Healths network of clinics and physician groups enables the company to directly oversee and coordinate patient care. Optum Insights technology delivers analytical tools that identify efficiencies and best practices, while Optum Rx uses technology and integrated pharmacy benefit solutions to reduce costs, improve patient outcomes, and streamline the pharmacy experience. With that, this integrated model creates a powerful competitive advantage that pure-play insurers can scarcely replicate.

In the second quarter, Optums revenue rose 7% year-over-year (YoY) to $67.2 billion, beating expectations by $100 million. Optums total revenue growth was driven mainly by Optum Rx, partially offset by weaker performance at Optum Health. Meanwhile, Optums earnings from operations fell 21% YoY to $3.1 billion, as Optum Health saw a massive 67% YoY earnings drop, which the company attributed to increased care activity, pricing errors, and Medicare funding cuts. In a July call with analysts, UnitedHealth executives stated that Optum Healths 2025 earnings were $6.6 billion below expectations. Until this year, Optum Health had been UnitedHealths fastest-growing profit driver.

Looking ahead, management projects Optums full-year revenue to range between $266 billion and $267.5 billion, with Optum Healths rates expected to fall 4% YoY. Overall at Optum Health, while we expect continued pressure for the rest of this year, we anticipate meaningful improvement in our operations and with earnings growth in 2026, albeit with a longer path to recovery in our value-based care business, CEO Dr. Patrick Conway said on the call. With that, despite near-term challenges, the company remains strategically focused on Optum as a strong growth driver.

UnitedHealth to Acquire Medical Group, Signaling Optum Keeps Growing

Management has executed a clear and disciplined strategy aimed at advancing and expanding UnitedHealths integrated model. The company consistently invests in technology and strategically acquires assets that strengthen the Optum platform, further expanding its competitive edge. And the latest developments clearly confirm that point.

Last week, Bloomberg reported that UnitedHealth Group plans to acquire a 45-physician medical practice in Massachusetts. The companys Atrius Health affiliate has agreed to acquire Acton Medical Associates, PC, a primary care group based in the Boston area, according to a notice posted by a Massachusetts regulator. The deal underscores UnitedHealths ongoing expansion into primary care and physician groups.

Meanwhile, physician groups fall under UnitedHealth Groups sprawling Optum Health division. Over the past decade, Optum Health has acquired numerous previously independent medical practices, both large and small. Although that part of the companys business faced challenges this year, the latest move clearly indicates that management is on track to drive a turnaround and return to earnings growth next year.

Last month, Morgan Stanley analysts met with UnitedHealth Groups top executives, including CEO Stephen Hemsley. They noted that they came away from those discussions more optimistic about the outlook, as management demonstrated strong confidence in the turnaround. When it comes to Optum, management plans to strengthen the business partly by stabilizing and refocusing its value-based care platform on its original purpose, the analyst wrote.

All Eyes on UnitedHealth Groups Q3 Results

UnitedHealth Group is set to report its Q3 financial results on Oct. 28. Analysts tracking the company predict a 60.04% YoY drop in its third-quarter EPS to $2.86. At the same time, Wall Street expects UNHs revenue to grow 12.21% YoY to $113.13 billion in Q3.

Several Wall Street analysts have become more bullish on UnitedHealth Group ahead of its Q3 earnings release. Bernstein analyst Lance Wilkes recently raised his price target on UNH stock to $433 from $379 while maintaining an Outperform rating. The analyst anticipates that the companys Q3 results will meet or slightly beat Wall Street expectations. He also said that UNH could raise its 2026 earnings outlook either during the Q3 call or in December.

KeyBanc analyst Matthew Gillmor also lifted his price target on UNH stock to $400 from $350 and reaffirmed an Overweight rating, noting that investor sentiment is finally recovering after a sluggish start to the year. The analyst believes that improved execution over the next 1218 months could drive additional upside.

What Do Analysts Expect for UNH Stock?

Despite UNHs underperformance this year, Wall Street analysts remain mostly bullish on the stock, as evidenced by its consensus Moderate Buy rating. Among the 26 analysts covering the stock, 16 assign a Strong Buy rating, two a Moderate Buy, seven recommend holding, and one gives it a Strong Sell rating. Notably, UNH stock currently trades just slightly above its average price target but still presents solid upside potential to the Street-high target of $440.

Putting it all together, I believe the recent deal to acquire the medical group is a positive development for UNH, as it clearly shows that management continues to expand UnitedHealths integrated model. I will closely follow the companys Q3 results and earnings call for managements commentary on Optum, particularly the Optum Health division. I was bullish on UNH before Berkshire Hathaways stake announcement and doubled down afterward, expecting the stock to eventually return to its April highs within the next 13 years.

www.barchart.com

On the date of publication, Oleksandr Pylypenko had a position in: UNH. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy came to Washington hoping to get a commitment on new weapons, but instead met an American president newly intent on brokering a peace deal to end the more than three-year war in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy left his October 17 meeting with US President Donald Trump without receiving much-sought Tomahawk cruise missiles. He now finds himself preparing for a new phase of US-led diplomacy as American and Russian officials lay the groundwork for a potential agreement at an upcoming summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest.

Let both claim Victory, let History decide! Trump wrote on social media after his meeting with Zelenskyy, saying he had told both leaders this week that it is time to stop the killing, and make a DEAL!

After the meeting, which Zelenskyy described as productive, the Ukrainian president spoke by phone with European leaders -- including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Finlands president, and the prime ministers of Britain, Italy, Norway, and Poland -- and said he was counting on Trump to pressure Putin "to stop this war.

The European leaders reaffirmed their support for Kyiv on the call and said that they will continue work on developing a peace plan for Ukraine, as well as options to increase pressure on Moscow through sanctions and the use of frozen Russian state assets.

Divided Over Trump: Hope And Distrust In Kyivs Street Reactions by RFE/RL No media source currently available 0:00 0:01:23 0:00

The most important thing now is to protect as many lives as possible, ensure security for Ukraine, and strengthen us all in Europe. This is precisely what we are working towards," Zelenskyy later said about the call on his Telegram channel.

But analysts and Ukrainian lawmakers told RFE/RL that the lack of a commitment on Tomahawk missiles, another summit between Putin and Trump, and the US presidents apparent softening rhetoric towards Putin after spending weeks threatening sanctions and potential weapons deliveries has raised anxiety levels in Kyiv.

While Volodymyr Dubovyk, associate professor of international relations at Odesa University, told RFE/RL that Trumps softening tone towards Ukraine compared to earlier meetings with Zelenskyy this year reflects a positive dynamic, others do not share his optimism.

I am surprised to hear that my colleagues have high hopes for this season of negotiations, Solomiia Bobrovska, a Ukrainian lawmaker who sits on the parliaments National Security Committee, told RFE/RL, referring to the White House meeting and a summit slated for the coming weeks in Budapest.

If we can shift Trump's complacency for Russia even a millimeter away and closer towards Ukraine, then that is will be good, she added.

From Tomahawks To A Summit In Hungary

A similar unease is shared by Oleksandr Sushko, the executive director of the Kyiv-based International Renaissance Foundation.

Trump appears to be only partially on [Ukraines] side, he told RFE/RL. Therefore, it is very important to remain sober and restrained here.

In the weeks leading up to his meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump had mused about sending Kyiv Tomahawk missiles as he appeared to sour on Putin over his refusal to negotiate a deal to end the war.

A key reason for Zelenskyy's hastily organized trip to Washington was the possibility of Ukraine receiving the missiles, which are capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 2,500 kilometers.

But an October 16 phone call between Putin and Trump, which occurred while the Ukrainian president was in transit to the United States, changed that with a future meeting between the two leaders set for the coming weeks in the Hungarian capital.

At a press conference after his White House meeting, Zelenskyy was asked about the missiles and what he had been told by US officials.

We want [them] very much we need them, he said. Nobody canceled this dialogue, this topic.

Later, Trump reiterated that he wants the United States to hold on to its weaponry. "We want Tomahawks also. We don't want to be giving away things that we need to protect our country," he said.

Zelenskyy also said he is open to bilateral or trilateral talks to end the war.

I dont rule out that [long-range weapons] will be used someday, but [they] will definitely not be used in the coming weeks," Viktor Shlinchak, chairman of the board of the Institute of World Politics, told RFE/RL.

All Eyes On Budapest

Trumps decision to organize another high-profile summit with Putin has somewhat changed the calculus for Kyiv, Heorhiy Chizhov, head of the Kyiv-based Center for Promoting Reforms, told RFE/RL.

[Trump] thinks he can win, that he can get Putin to the negotiating table, Chizhov said.

Asked by a reporter on October 17 if he thinks Putin is trying to buy time, Trump replied that he has been played all his life by the best of them, but said he thinks Putin wants to make a deal.

According to Russian foreign-policy advisor Yury Ushakov, Putin had warned Trump that allowing Ukraine to purchase the Tomahawks wont change the situation on the battlefield but would cause substantial damage to the relationship between our countries.

US officials are reportedly planning more lower-level meetings with their Russian counterparts than had taken place ahead of the Alaska meeting between Trump and Putin in August.

The American side will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio instead of special envoy Steve Witkoff, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Trump has so far been cautious about ratcheting up pressure on Putin, but his administration also expanded intelligence sharing with Ukraine to help it strike targets inside Russia and imposed steep tariffs on one of Moscows top trading partners, India, over its purchases of Russian oil.

In early October, the Trump administration also sanctioned Serbias largest oil and gas supplier, which is majority-owned by Russian state energy giant Gazprom.

Russian officials also appear to be preparing their own offerings to present to the US side in talks.

Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, revived the idea of building a tunnel under the Bering Sea to connect Russia and the United States though Alaska and suggested that Elon Musks Boring Company build it.
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Dive Brief:

Southeastern convenience retailer Parkers Kitchen plans to open between 20 and 25 c-stores annually over the next five years, Tom Rutledge, the companys senior director of construction, said during a panel discussion on Wednesday at the NACS Show in Chicago.

The expansion will focus on Parkers core markets of Georgia and South Carolina, notably in Augusta, Savannah, Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Columbia, Rutledge said. He added that these plans also include Florida, a state that Parkers has been preparing to enter for the past few years.

If these new growth plans come to fruition, Parkers could reach as many as 229 convenience stores  far beyond its current 104 locations  by the end of the decade, further cementing itself as a significant competitive threat in the Southeast.

Dive Insight:

Savannah-based Parkers has been squarely focused on new store growth ever since revealing plans to double its store count two years ago. At the time, Parkers had 76 stores in its network, and said it hoped to open 75 more by 2027.

The retailer appears to be expanding those ambitions with its latest strategy. If its plans are fully realized, Parkers would not only become a major force in the Southeast, but one of the 50 largest c-store chains in the U.S. by store count.

We want to continue on a growth path, Rutledge said during the panel discussion. I think everybody here wants to know that your growth is going to take you to the next level.

Georgia and South Carolina have been Parkers core markets for decades, but Florida is a new challenge filled with competitors. The retailers first location in the state has been in development in Jacksonville for the past two years, and the Jacksonville Daily Record reported last month that Parkers is looking to open up to 10 sites in the northeast part of state.



The revamped growth plans come during a transitional period for Parkers, which introduced a new top executive for the first time in company history earlier this year. Parkers named Brandon Hofmann, who had been president since 2021, its new CEO, replacing founder and then-CEO Greg Parker, who shifted into a chairman role. Late last month, Parkers promoted CFO John Rudolfs co-CEO alongside Hofmann to leverage the strengths of its leadership, the company said at the time.
A former Russian diplomat linked to a sanctions-evasion scandal involving one of the FBIs top former counter-intelligence agents and a notorious Russian oligarch was sentenced to two months in jail on charges of lying to US law enforcement.

Sergei Shestakovs sentencing closes a chapter in a case that both embarrassed the FBI and also shone a new spotlight on Oleg Deripaska, a Kremlin-connected billionaire who has long been on the FBIs radar screen.

In final court filings, US prosecutors argued that Shestakov, 71, who worked as an authorized federal court interpreter after gaining US citizenship in 2013, was aware it was a crime to lie to FBI agents investigating Charles McGonigal.

At the time of retirement in 2018, McGonigal was a top official at the FBIs New York offices, overseeing counterintelligence investigations into Russian spies and oligarchs, among other things.

At the October 16 hearing, US District Court Judge Jed Rakoff ordered Shestakov to serve two months in jail, two years of supervised release, and to pay a $100 fine -- a sentence lighter than the already lenient request that prosecutors had asked for. His sentence will start in February.

Shestakovs defense lawyer, Rita Glavin, had asked that he be sentenced to time served, meaning that he would only serve the brief time spent in federal custody in 2023 before being released on bail.

Glavin did not respond to RFE/RL's request for comment.

An e-mail sent to the Manhattan federal prosecutor's office handling the case received an automated response, saying public affairs operations had been suspended due to the US government shutdown.

At the center of the case are conversations that Shestakov had with Yevgeny Fokin, also a former Russian diplomat whom Shestakov called an old friend from decades back.

Fokin, a top executive with Deripaska's main holding company En+, was put under FBI surveillance beginning in July 2019, according to court records, and his electronic devices seized and searched as he entered the United States in August 2021.

His US visa was revoked the following year at the behest of the FBI, which said he was affiliated with the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service.

In court papers, US prosecutors have also alleged Fokin was an "unindicted co-conspirator" to Shestakov and McGonigal.

Deripaska, who had his own visa blocked by the FBI in the 2000s, was sanctioned by the US Treasury Department in April 2018 for his ties to the Kremlin. He was indicted in 2022 for allegedly plotting to arrange for his pregnant girlfriend to give birth in the United States so the child would be a US citizen.

According to court filings, McGonigal was introduced to Fokin by Shestakov. McGonigal later went on to investigate another Russian oligarch who was a rival and competitor of Deripaska, as well as receive payments through a Cyprus company.

During the trial, defense lawyers claimed the work had been done on behalf of En+, not Deripaska, and cited testimony from Fokin. McGonigal also secured an internship for Fokins daughter at the New York Police Department.

At a November 21, 2021, meeting with FBI agents, Shestakov downplayed his relationship and McGonigals relationship with Fokin. Agents then seized his cell phone.

A week later, Shestakov filed as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, disclosing his work for Fokin and En+.

In January 2023, Shestakov was arrested at his Connecticut home, charged with five counts including lying about his relationship with Fokin, both to the FBI agents as well as on the Foreign Agents Act registration.

This past June, after the Justice Department dropped four of the counts against him, he pleaded guilty.

Among those submitting letters to the court on behalf of Shestakov was Vladimir Gusinsky, a former Russian oligarch who employed both him and Fokin for years at his media company, Media Most.

Gusinsky, who also lived in Connecticut, has himself drawn scrutiny from the FBI, who have questioned him about his relationship with both men, as well as Deripaska. Gusinsky has not been charged with any wrongdoing.

McGonigal was sentenced to more than years in prison in December 2023 after pleading guilty after pleading guilty to money laundering and sanctions evasion charges.

In her pre-sentencing motion, Glavin partially portrayed Shestakov as a victim in the case.



His sense of fear, suspicion of the agents, and misplaced sense of loyalty overtook doing the right thing and being completely honest, she wrote. He will also be forever tied to a corrupt FBI Agent Charles McGonigal and he will live under a cloud of suspicion that he was a Russian spy (he was not) and a traitor.

McGonigal was also under scrutiny for his work for an Albanian-American businessman named Agron Nezaj. In February 2024, McGonigal was sentenced to more than two years in prison for receiving a $225,000 bribe.
The last time Saidazam Rahmonovs family saw him alive was when he was at Dushanbe International Airport in early October.

A week later, members of Tajikistans security services handed his family the 29-year-olds body, which bore signs of beating and torture, including electric shocks and broken bones.

That is according to Rahmonovs family members and friends, who spoke to RFE/RL on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.

Rahmonov had returned to his native Tajikistan from Germany, where he had lived since 2019, to renew his visa. But when he arrived at Dushanbe airport on October 6 to take a flight to Moscow, Rahmonov was detained.

A pious Muslim, Rahmonov was accused by his interrogators of religious extremism and of planning a terrorist attack, said sources close to his family.

His family said Rahmonov, who got married in Germany, was not a member of any religious or political party or group. They said he lived a quiet life and worked as a hotel worker in a small German town.

Rahmonovs death comes amid a brutal crackdown on signs of Islam in Tajikistan. The staunchly secular and democratic government of President Emomali Rahmon has suppressed Islamic political and religious groups and any outward signs of religiosity, including beards.

Central Asias poorest country, Tajikistan has grappled with Islamic extremism in recent years. But critics say the authorities have severely restricted the practice of Islam without addressing the causes of radicalization.

Rahmonovs death has also put the spotlight on what rights groups say is systematic torture and ill-treatment in detention centers in Tajikistan.

'Officers Got Suspicious Of His Big Beard'

Rahmonovs family first became concerned when he did not arrive in Moscow on his scheduled flight. He had planned a brief trip to attend a friends wedding in the Russian capital before returning to Dushanbe.

In June, Rahmonov had arrived in Tajikistan to obtain documents that he needed to extend his visa in Germany, a process that can take months.

His relatives in Dushanbe got worried and contacted the police, security services, and other government agencies, but did not get any answers, said a friend of Rahmonov.

At the airport, security officers got suspicious of his big beard and took him to a security room, where they checked his mobile phone and found several videos with religious content, the friend added.

While Rahmonov was being held in detention, members of the security services raided his home in Dushanbe and interrogated his family members, sources close to the family said.

The security services told the family that Rahmonov was an extremist and had been in contact with terrorists and planned a terrorist act in Tajikistan, a source close to the family said.

On October 13, Rahmonovs family received his body and were told that he had committed suicide during his detention. His family rejects the official cause of his death.

RFE/RL contacted the Tajik authorities for comment but did not receive any response.

Rahmonovs wife told RFE/RL that the couple led a quiet life in Frankenberg, a town in western Germany.

The woman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Rahmonov had told German immigration authorities that he faced security risks if traveled to Tajikistan. But the German authorities were adamant that Rahmonov had to apply for an extension to his visa from Tajikistan, she said.
Afghanistan and Pakistan began peace talks on October 18 in the Qatari capital of Doha after border clashes and attacks raised fears of an all-out war between the two countries.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban-led government's spokesman, quoted Afghan Prime Minister Hassan Akhund as saying the discussions were under way. Akhund held talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Mujahid said on X.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also spoken with the Malaysian prime minister, who appears to be acting as a mediator. He "emphasized the need to resolve the issue through diplomatic means," according to Mujahid.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said the talks aimed to "end cross-border terrorism against Pakistan emanating from Afghanistan and restore peace and stability along the Pak-Afghan border."

Pakistan urges the Afghan Taliban authorities to honor their commitments to the international community and address Pakistans "legitimate security concerns by taking verifiable action against terrorist entities."

Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to extend their 48-hour truce late on October 17 for the duration of the Doha talks as they aim to resolve the worst violence between the two countries since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in 2021.

Kabul had earlier accused Islamabad of violating the cease-fire, which briefly put a stop to nearly a week of cross-border clashes that killed dozens of troops and civilians on both sides.

Seven Pakistani soldiers were also killed that day in a suicide attack near the Afghan border. A militant outfit previously affiliated with the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) extremist group claimed responsibility.

The air strikes and clashes between the one-time allies came after Pakistan demanded that the de-facto Taliban government rein in militants who have carried out attacks from what they said were staging grounds inside Afghanistan.

The Taliban denied giving haven to militants to attack Pakistan and in turn accused the Pakistani military of spreading misinformation about Afghanistan, provoking border tensions, and sheltering militants linked to the Islamic State.

Islamabad has denied the claims.
US President Donald Trump gave no indication that the United States would provide Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, saying after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House that the warring sides should stop where they are on the battlefield.

Trump said on social media that Ukraine and Russia would be able to both claim Victory and let History decide.

He wrote the post en route to his private home in Florida, telling reporters when he landed that Ukraine and Russia should "stop right now" where the front line is.

"Go by the battle line wherever it is or else it gets too complicated," he added.

Trump said earlier that his talks with Zelenskyy were "very interesting, and cordial, but said he told him and Russian President Vladimir Putin that it is time to stop the killing, and make a DEAL!"

Zelenskyy arrived for his the third meeting at the White House this year prepared to discuss a potential arms deal in which Ukraine would provide US military production with drone technologies in return for Tomahawks.

In a press conference after their meeting, Zelenskyy confirmed that he and Trump discussed Tomahawks and Ukrainian drones, but neither shared any details on the potential deal after their meeting.

Asked if he felt optimistic about the chances of the United States giving Tomahawks -- a prospect that Moscow has said would create a new stage of escalation and damage US-Russia relations -- Zelenskyy said, "I'm realistic."

He said he and Trump decided not to not to talk about it because nobody wants -- I mean, the United States doesn't want  escalation."

While Trump repeatedly said he believes Putin wants to end the war, Zelenskyy remained skeptical and called for more pressure on the Russian leader.

Zelenskyy later briefed his European partners, who pledged to step up support for Ukraine and encouraged Russia to enter serious negotiations.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other European leaders welcomed the "close trans-Atlantic cooperation" and stressed the urgency of efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.

"Ukraine now needs a peace plan," Merz said after the call.

Zelenskyy confirmed that he had spoken with the European leaders, saying on X that Ukraine's national security advisers will discuss the next steps with the Europeans and coordinate Ukraine's positions.

Zelenskyy came to Washington hoping that momentum following Trumps diplomatic success in the war in Gaza combined with his growing frustration with Putin would produce a breakthrough.

But he left with little to show as Trump repeatedly said he believed Putin "wants to end the war" and told journalists he hoped the conflict would end "without thinking about Tomahawks.

Diplomatic talks on ending Russia's invasion have stalled since Trump and Putin held a summit in Alaska in August, which many analysts said only bought time for Russia. Trump is now looking ahead to another meeting with Putin in the coming weeks in Budapest.

Trump announced the meeting on October 16 after a two-and-a-half-hour phone call with Putin at the Kremlin leaders request.

While Trump has kept dialogue open with Putin, he has been criticized for changing his position on sanctions and other steps against Moscow following calls with the Russian president.

The Kremlin said on October 17 that "many questions" needed resolving before Putin and Trump could meet, including who would be on each negotiating team.

But it brushed off suggestions Putin would have difficulty flying over European airspace despite an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him for alleged war crimes.

Hungary said it would ensure Putin could enter the country and "hold successful talks" with the United States.

With reporting by AFP
US President Donald Trump welcomed Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on October 17. Zelenskyy suggested a potential deal in which Ukraine would provide the United States with drone technology in return for its long-range Tomahawk missiles, but Trump did not make any concrete offers to provide the military aid Ukraine is seeking.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

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Being able to retire comfortably is a top concern for many older Americans. A recent AARP survey found that 61% of Americans aged 50+ are worried that they will not have enough savings when they retire.

Social Security, a cornerstone of American retirement ideals, was a central election issue for voters in the recent election, when Donald Trump proclaimed, Seniors should not pay taxes on Social Security on Truth Social.

Must Read

However, those taxes currently help fund the program's revenue and are crucial for retiree payouts. Removing them would create a significant shortfall, potentially affecting the program's long-term sustainability. The U.S. Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB) estimates Trump's plans would lead to a 33% cut in benefits by 2035.

Whatever happens during the second Trump administration, Americans will be looking to strengthen their retirement savings to ensure they can comfortably bounce back if the country's retiree safety net starts to unravel.

Preparing for Social Securitys uncertain future

A recent analysis from the CRFB estimated that if Trumps proposal was implemented, Social Securitys funds would run out by 2031.

Preparing for any changes to Social Security is a smart move. And with the average monthly SSA payout standing at just $1,862 and the possibility of a further cut, youll want to look for other ways to secure your financial future.

But where to start?

With Advisor.com, you can find the best financial advisor for your needs  both in terms of what they can offer your finances, and what theyll charge to work for you.

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A 72-year-old woman who was dragged to the ground when her car was stolen in 2023 has told Roscommon Circuit Court that she prays every day for the man who did it.

Patrick Harty (52), of Rossmanagher, Sixmilebridge, County Clare, appeared before Judge Kenneth Connolly, who heard evidence of two separate incidents involving the unauthorised taking of vehicles, two counts of driving without a licence and one count of dangerous driving.

Mr Harty, who is serving a prison sentence with an expiry date of April 2028, received a consecutive three-year sentence for the offences before the court.

Detective Garda David McDonnell told the court how, on November 4th, 2023, the woman, who was 70 at the time, had parked her red Volkswagen Fox at the Lidl car park in Castlerea, at approximately 5 p.m. before going in to buy groceries.

When she returned, she placed the groceries in the car, got in and began to drive towards the exit. It was then that Mr Harty flagged her down, telling her she had a flat tyre.

When the woman exited the vehicle to check the wheels, Mr Harty got into the car and started to drive away. The woman grabbed the handle of the door but was dragged to the ground.

In a victim impact statement read out in court, by state prosecutor Sean OQuigley BL, the woman said she had told the ambulance crew that, on a scale of one to ten, her pain levels were at ten after the incident. She was hospitalised and treated.

I later found out my arm was fractured. I had an awful lot of bruises and the skin on the palm of my left hand was all torn, she said, adding that she couldnt use a knife and fork for some time after the incident.

Since then, I always lock my car when I get in. I bought that car new. It had sentimental value as I brought my late mother lots of places in that car. I pray for the man who did this every day. God loves him, she concluded.

Mr Harty was charged with unauthorised taking of a vehicle, driving without a licence and dangerous driving in relation to that incident.

The womans car was recovered a number of months later in Northern Ireland. Her handbag was found by a member of the public near the Mayo border, with her purse and medication missing.

An earlier incident, on September 28th, 2023, was the subject of two other charges on the indictment - a second unauthorised taking of a vehicle, and a second count of driving without a licence.

Detective Garda McDonnell told the court that, on that date, the injured party, a male, left the keys in the ignition of his Nissan Almera in Castlerea, while he went into the shop. CCTV footage showed Mr Harty in the doorway of a hotel as the car parked up, followed by the accused getting into the car and driving it away.

The car was left in Ballinasloe and removed to Galway where a forensic investigation took place. The owner of the car chose not to furnish a victim impact statement to the court.

Of his 233 previous convictions, a total of 74 were for theft-related crimes, three for burglary, and 18 for unauthorised taking of vehicles Patrick Reynolds BL, defending, told the court that his client is currently serving a prison sentence and is due for release in April 2028.

The court has the power to extend that, but that is, to an extent, the easy option. It is essentially throwing away the key, he said, requesting the judge consider a sentence structured to give him another chance.

These crimes were very unpleasant and immensely unpalatable, Judge Connolly stated, noting that the counts relating to the theft of the Nissan Almera might well have been opportunistic as Mr Harty was heavily intoxicated.

But the second incident was premeditated and executed without compassion. He stalked the vehicle, waited for the owner to come back, viewed the owner and knew he was dealing with a female of slightly advanced years and a slight frame, he said.

He waited again until she was exiting and approached the car. It is magnificently magnanimous and charitable that she should say I pray for the man who did this every day. And maybe he does need some prayers as hes had a difficult life with alcohol.

He noted the previous convictions for unauthorised taking of a vehicle, and a myriad of others as further aggravating factors in the case, and set a headline sentence of four years and eight months in respect of the unauthorised taking of the womans car, marking all other charges as taken into consideration.

However, he took into consideration a number of mitigating factors, including a guilty plea, some limited cooperation with gardai, a well-written apology, and the fact he had an offer of 2,000 in compensation.

After mitigation, he reduced the sentence to one of three years and six months, making it consecutive to the expiration of the sentence Mr Harty is currently serving.

Finally, taking into account the totality principle, he further reduced the sentence to three years, suspending the final six months for two years on the condition that Mr Harty abstain entirely from alcohol and intoxicants. He also disqualified him from driving for a period of ten years.

*Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.
The Bracelet of Princess Marie of Edinburgh

Queen Marie of Romania was born on October 29, 1875 in Kent, England.

The Bracelet of Queen Marie of Edinburgh

Ion Puican, 18.10.2025, 14:24

Queen Marie of Romania came from a royal family with deep roots in European history. Her father, Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, was the son of Queen Victoria of Great Britain, and her mother, Maria Alexandrovna, was the daughter of Tsar Alexander II of Russia. Marie spent her childhood in the elegant atmosphere of the Eastwell Park residence, a world of British tradition, education, and refinement.

At the end of 1892, at just 17 years old, she married the Crown Prince of Romania, Ferdinand I. It was the beginning of a new life and a bond that would change history. Over time, Maria identified herself deeply with the Romanian people. She became not only the queen of a country, but also one of its most beloved figures  a symbol of courage, beauty and devotion. Through her elegance, diplomacy and strength, Queen Maria managed to bring two worlds closer  Romania and Great Britain  and unite them through culture, faith and love for the country. But before she was queen, she was a dreamy child, who wore a jewel full of symbols on her hand, namely, the gold bracelet given to her by her parents, a reminder of a royal childhood.

Historian Diana Mandache with Romanias National Museum of History tells us about Princess Marie of Edinburghs bracelet: The bracelet of Princess Marie of Edinburgh is one of the most valuable pieces of heritage that belonged to Queen Marie of Romania. It was included in the collectionof the Romanias National Museum of History in 1973. It was first a piece of private property, later confiscated by the communists (in 1948). So in 1973 it was included in the collection of Romanias National Museum of History and was only put into light after the fall of communism, after the redevelopment of the Historical Heritage exhibition, in the 1990s. It was exhibited alongside other golden pieces or heritage pieces that belonged to Queen Marie, in the Treasury Room.

The gold bracelet is manufactured in Victorian style, decorated with painted medallions. Diana Mandache: The Victorian style of royal jewelry and in this case, of the jewelry of Princess Marie of Edinburgh, is obvious through the technique and the monograms used. In this case, they are the initials of the first names of the children of the Dukes of Edinburgh couple. And the fonts are specific to the Victorian style. Then, the medallions that contain biographical data, date of birth, as well as painted portraits of family members, in this case the children of Edinburgh, are specific to the Victorian era. 

The bracelet is part of the jewelry collection of Queen Marie of Romania. Queen Marie was famous for her elegance and refinement. Her jewelry collection includes spectacular pieces, inherited, received as gift or specially commissioned, each carrying a story about her taste, personality and connections with the great royal houses of Europe. Historian Diana Mandache gives us more information about these royal jewels: Queen Maries jewels had their own symbolism when they were commissioned by her as Princess of Edinburgh, as Crown Princess of Romania or as Queen of Romania. Otherwise, they reflected the style of the era, whether we are talking about the Victorian style, Art Nouveau or, later, Art Deco. This Victorian era jewel reflects the taste of the era, of Queen Victoria and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. It is part of the later collection of Queen Marie of Romania. Her passion for jewelry was a form of expressing cultural identity. Many Art Nouveau jewelry, many Art Deco jewelry represent her in a particular way. The Victorian era is linked, within her jewelry collection, strictly to her childhood and the first part of her adolescence. From my point of view, Queen Marie was a supporter of art in Romania and beyond.

Diana Mandache, told us about the childhood of Queen Marie of Romania, a childhood from which we have the collectors item represented by the gold bracelet from the Museums treasury: The jewelry of the Princess of Edinburghs childhood bore the genealogical imprint, reminiscent of her illustrious grandparents Queen Victoria of Great Britain or Tsar Alexander II of Russia. The ornaments of the children of the royal family were not simple jewelry. They usually represented dynastic symbols, except for those that depicted classical religious signs or floral motifs adopted by Queen Victoria during her childhood. Royal attributes such as the rose, that is, the rose of England, the oak, the power of the monarch and the lily of the valley, also reflect the purity of age. Gradually, as she entered adolescence, Marias jewelry would also express her new status as Crown Princess of Romania. I believe that this bracelet of Queen Marie contributes to understanding the complex personality, but also the era in which Queen Marie of Romania lived during her childhood in Britain.

Today, Princess Maries bracelet is no longer just a piece of jewelry. It remains a rare testament to the Victorian elegance and family ties that shaped the personality of one of Romanias most beloved queens. (EE)
Animest 20

At the anniversary edition of the Animest International Film Festival, animation lovers were invited to delve into the dark and mesmerizing art of the Quay brothers, the visionaries who redefined stop-motion animation

Animest 20

Corina Sabau, 18.10.2025, 12:20

At the anniversary edition of the Animest International Film Festival, animation lovers were invited to delve into the dark and mesmerizing art of the Quay brothers, the visionaries who redefined stop-motion animation. Stephen and Timothy Quay, some of the most influential and visionary directors in the history of animation, internationally renowned for their surreal and dark style, were special guests at the 20th edition of the Animest International Animation Film Festival, hosted by Bucharest in early October. The Romanian Competition at this years Animest brought to the fore a selection of 15 short films, reflecting the creativity of local directors.

From intimate portraits and explorations of identity to forays into surreal worlds and personal histories, the films tackle universal themes, with animation becoming a medium for expressing inner struggles, social criticism, or reflections on Romanias recent history. This stylistic and narrative variety highlights the evolution of Romanian animated film, demonstrating filmmakers ability to use complex genres, techniques, and subjects. Travel through 89 animated stories from around the world in the Animest 20 international competition. That was the organizers invitation, who deliberately chose Travel as the theme for this anniversary edition. Mihai Mitrica, co-founder of Animest and artistic director of the festival told us:

Thats right, the theme of the 20th edition is not random. For us, as organizers, it has been and continues to be a journey. In 2006, it came to fruition for the first time, in a first edition, which for us was spectacular in terms of the number of spectators who came to a fairly niche festival, as animation is not a very popular genre. This year marks 20 years of celebrating this genre of the film industry, namely animated film. And we are happy that in these 20 years we have somehow managed to educate the public a little and convince them that animated films are not just for children, as was said before we started Animest. I remember that in the first editions we had at most two or three Romanian films in the program. I am referring to new, contemporary productions, not archive ones, because there was this studio, Anima Film, which produced quite a lot. Whats more, we also had animation for export, series, and author films. Unfortunately, with the death of the famous filmmaker Ion Popescu-Gopo, the studio began to decline and collapsed in the 1990s. That was ground zero, so to speak, from which we started all over again. But lately, we are happy that UNATC  the National University of Theatre and Cinematography I.L. Caragiale in Bucharest has established a separate animation department, and there are many young talents arising. There are also more and more productions supported by the National Center for Cinematography, and all of this somehow justifies this optimism that has been around for years. Returning briefly to the Romanian competition, this year we received a record number of approximately 70 short films from all over the country. This is all the more encouraging as they are not only films by animation graduates from Bucharest or Cluj. So we have reasons to be optimistic, and things can get even better.

Now a tradition, Animests annual retrospective dedicated to countries with a strong presence on the international animation film scene brought South Korean cinema to the fore at its 20th edition. During the Animest 20 anniversary edition, the audience had the opportunity to travel through 26 stories, organized into three programs of Korean short films: a selection dedicated to children, I Can Do It, and a retrospective of contemporary Korean animation in two parts: History of History and Space in Space. Mihai Mitrica told us before the festival:

As regards the festival program and the other new films we are bringing this year, we chose Little Amelie or the Character of Rain for the festival opening. It is a film about the childhood of Belgian writer Amelie Nothomb, which she spent in Japan. The film also won the Audience Award at the Annecy International Animation Festival, and we are premiering it with the help of Independenta Film. We are also keeping all our special Trippy Animation Night events. This section is curated by our friend from the Netherlands, Michael Helmerhost, who has prepared a series of extravagant night screenings. We also have Animusic Night, a night of animated music videos, a night with lots of music. Creepy Animation Night and Erotica will also be there, a special program designed later, which is again curated by an artist and dear friend of ours from Slovakia, Jakub Spevak, artistic director of Fest Ancathe largest event in Slovakia dedicated to animated film. But what I want to say is that this edition is not about the number of films, about how many guests we have, but rather it offers us a chance to reconnect with all the people who have worked for the festival and with our audience, who have been with us for 20 years and whom we warmly welcome back to this anniversary edition.

Starting this year, the Minimest section has expanded beyond the duration of the festival through a series of initiatives aimed at bringing animation closer to children. These include the Minimest Club, a space dedicated to children, where they have the opportunity to participate in special activities and explore the fascinating world of animation. (MI)
October 18, 2025 UPDATE (2)

A roundup of local and world news

October 18, 2025 UPDATE (2)

Newsroom, 18.10.2025, 20:00

GOVERNMENT  The Bucharest governments priority is to secure funds for already contracted investments and pay off the states overdue debts, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan told Radio Romania in an interview. He added that among the top priorities right now are also improving the collection of budget revenues and reducing public spending. The Prime Minister said that, by the end of the month, the ruling coalition will also identify a solution for lower costs in the administration, through a reform for which the government will seek Parliaments vote of confidence. Ilie Bolojan claims there will be no need for further austerity measures next year.

EXPLOSION  A person injured in Fridays explosion in an apartment building in Bucharest, with extensive burns and multiple traumas, was transported on Saturday morning to a hospital in Austria for specialized treatment. The patient was transported onboard a SMURD plane of the General Inspectorate of Aviation. The patient was permanently monitored by the medical team during the trip  the Department for Emergency Situations reports. The Floreasca Emergency Clinical Hospital announced that two of the three injured people who were hospitalized there are recovering after the emergency surgeries they underwent. We recall that three people died in the blast.

LECTURESHIP  A Romanian Language Lectureship has been established at the prestigious University of Cambridge, within the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics (MMLL), a project funded by the Romanian Government. This new lectureship will offer free Romanian language classes (beginner and intermediate level), as well as a program of cultural events dedicated to promoting the Romanian language and culture in the British academic environment. Classes are open to all members of the University and are based on an accessible and interactive format. The University of Cambridge becomes the second university in the United Kingdom to host a Romanian language lectureship, alongside University of Oxford, where the lectureship was founded in 2012.

DRUGS  Approximately 22 kilograms of cannabis, allegedly introduced onboard an Athens  Bucharest flight, were discovered in the troller of an Albanian citizen, following a sting operation organized by the Romanian police, under the coordination of the Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT). The drug, packed in 49 vacuum bags, was hidden in checked luggage, the individual being investigated being caught red-handed. The man was detained for the crimes of international trafficking of high-risk drugs and trafficking. The individual now risks being placed on pre-trial arrest for 30 days.

TOURISM Romania has registered a decrease in the total number of tourists this year. According to statistics, during the summer season, some 4.3 million Romanian tourists traveled to the country, compared to 4.6 million in 2024. According to travel experts, the main reasons behind this decrease are the drop in the value of vacation vouchers and the increase in VAT. (VP)
Sept. 28

Steven Pedregon, 35, of Texas, was arrested for aggravated DWI/DUI (refused testing), leaving the scene of an accident, open container, no driver's license, no insurance and no registration at an unspecified address.

Clarence Padilla, 66, of Rio Rancho, was arrested for aggravated DWI/DUI (refused testing), leaving the scene of an accident and open container at Good to Go on NM 528.

Christopher Gale, 37, of Albuquerque, was arrested for DWI, leaving the scene of an accident and driving while license revoked at an unspecified address.

Sept. 30

Dillon White, 29, of Rio Rancho, was arrested for battery against a household member at a redacted address.

Zacharie Watteyne, 25, of Albuquerque, was arrested for aggravated DWI and open container at an unspecified address.

Oct. 1

Robert Townsend, 20, of San Felipe Pueblo, was arrested for DWI, reckless driving and open container near Terraza Drive.

Jaynie Garcia-Bowes, 29, of Rio Rancho, was arrested for aggravated DWI/DUI (refused testing), careless driving, no proof of insurance, failure to register or title vehicle and two counts of DWI with a minor in the vehicle at an unspecified address.

Ad

Johansen Begay, 32, of Rio Rancho, was arrested for battery against a household member, criminal damage to the property of a household member at Presbyterian Rust Medical Center.

Oct. 2

Kory Schancer, 45, of Albuquerque, was arrested for DWI, careless driving, DWI with a minor in the vehicle and speeding at an unspecified address.

Oct. 3

Lexi Lazar, 42, of Santa Fe, was arrested for DWI, failure to obey traffic control devices, failure to register or title a vehicle as required and no proof of insurance at an unspecified address.

Bianca Lueras, 48, Rio Rancho, was arrested for three counts of battery upon a peace officer, aggravated DWI/DUI (refused testing), reckless driving, following too closely and evading arrest at an unspecified address.

Emily Pinzon, 23, of Albuquerque, was arrested for criminal damage to property of a household member at an unspecified address.

Eric Olguin, 30, of Rio Rancho, was arrested for aggravated DWI/DUI (refused testing) and careless driving at an unspecified address.

Amanda Nickels, 37, of Albuquerque, was arrested for aggravated DWI and careless driving on Southern Boulevard.

Oct. 4

Guadalupe Sanchez, 30, of Rio Rancho, was arrested for DWI at an unspecified address.
After perfecting the Compact SUV space, Hyundai is stepping up its game in the Sub 4m SUV space with a new Venue, set to launch on 4th of November 2025. A similar strategy that has crowned Creta, will be implemented with 2006 Venue SUV. Which will be all about packaging and equipment on offer.

Also, design will play a big role here too. As launch is nearing, there have been multiple spy shot instances, shedding light on how this vehicle might look. Then there are AI generated images from sparewheelofficial are based on spy shots that give us a glimpse of what Hyundai is trying to hide. Lets take a closer look.

2026 Hyundai Venue SUV Rendered

Recently, 2026 Hyundai Venue SUV was spied undisguised in South Korea. This was the first time this B Segment SUV was spied without any camouflage, showing us all of its design changes over the current model sold in India. This is a major design overhaul with extensive sheet metal changes and not a mere facelift.

We get a new fascia with vertically stacked LED headlight setup along with a large LED DRL signature. This DRL design somehow reminds of the mathematical symbol of Sigma. Hyundai logo has been moved to the bonnet, which is of clamshell type and gets pronounced and muscular appeal.

There seems to be an LED light bar connecting both DRL elements as well. Side profile shows a major redesign too, featuring a glass quarter panel instead of one thick opaque C Pillar area of current model. Hyundai seems to be using contrasting colours to further accentuate this part. Also notable at the sides, is a new design for alloy wheels.

Interestingly, door frames around window area are not blackened, which may be a conscious choice, or will be blackened for India-spec model. Rear gets connected LED tail lights with bold VENUE lettering, new and stylish rear bumpers along with a large spoiler.

Interior overhaul

Where Hyundai Venue needed a major overhaul was on the inside. Hyundai doesnt seem to be disappointing in that regard as we can see a new dashboard and steering wheel. We get dual 12.3-inch curvilinear screens (one for infotainment and other for instrumentation). Hyundai has confirmed Level-2 ADAS with 2026 Venue too, which is a major commitment to safety in Sub 4m SUV space.

Powertrains are likely to be carried over. Were talking about a 1.2L 4-cyl NA Petrol engine, a 1.0L 3-cyl Turbo Petrol engine and a 1.5L 4-cyl Turbo Diesel engine. There will be an N Line version of 2026 Venue as well, promising more panache with throatier exhaust, sportier ride, sharper steering and braking along with sportier design elements.

Source
Online alcohol marketplace Provi has resolved its federal antitrust case against Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits, bringing an end to litigation it filed in 2022.

Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits and Provi have reached a resolution in the litigation between our two organisations, the companies said in a joint statement on Wednesday (15 October).

As part of the settlement, Provis digital platform is now an approved channel for placing orders from Southern Glazers distribution portfolio.

Provi, a US online alcohol wholesaler, lodged its suit in March 2022 in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, against Southern Glazers and Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC). The complaint advanced to court in May last year.

The group had alleged that the two distributors had made unlawful efforts to violate competition regulations.

Provi accused both businesses of having worked to maintain or enhance their respective monopoly power in online alcoholic drinks markets, with regard to search and display advertising on online alcohol marketplaces, and data analytics services in certain states.

Southern Glazers and RNDC were also accused of blocking and rejecting wine and spirits orders customers who decided to communicate through Provi, as conspiring to boycott the company by forcing or coercing retailers not to use it.

Claims were also brought up against Southern specifically, that said the group allegedly forced retailers to use its own e-commerce marketplace by requiring all online sales to come through its own online marketplace.

Provi reached a separate settlement with RNDC in July, which both parties described at the time as "a mutually satisfactory resolution".

As part of the settlement, both sides said they were "developing an integration" to enable retailers to place orders through Provi's online marketplace.

In a statement at the time, Bob Hendrickson, president and CEO of RNDC said: This agreement reflects our continued focus on smart, practical innovation that enhances how we serve the industry. By partnering with Provi, we will give customers more flexibility in how they work with us, while maintaining the reliability and consistency they expect from RNDC.

The integration was expected to be rolled out later this year.

Taylor Katzman, Founder and CEO of Provi added: Provi and RNDC are committed to improving the beverage alcohol space while supporting the evolving needs of retailers and their distributor partners - within the framework of the three-tier system. This strategic relationship brings us closer to building a more efficient and connected industry.
Mainstream luxury car segment in India have been limited to a few brands. These include the German trio  Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi, along with the Swedish Volvo, Italian Maserati, British Jaguar and Land Rover, among others. Absentees include Alfa Romeo, Infinity, Acura, Cadillac, Lincoln, Genesis and others.

Hyundai has just confirmed that the company will launch Genesis luxury car brand in India. We are looking at a timeline of around 2027. The best thing about this development is that Genesis luxury cars to be launched in India, will also be locally assembled via the CKD route to strike a compelling price tag. Lets take a closer look.

Genesis Luxury Car Brand

Hailing from South Korea, we have Genesis luxury car brand. It falls under the corporate umbrella of Hyundai Motor Group. Genesis is known to strike the right balance between luxury and price, something which is highly likely to work in a cost conscious market like India. This development was announced in an investor presentation.

With Genesis, Hyundai aims to wage a war on the luxury brands currently operating in India. Genesis India launch is a part of an expansion strategy in key automotive markets. In the past eight years, Genesis has achieved million unit cumulative sales including models like G70, G80 and G90 sedans, GV70 and GV80 ICE SUVs and GV60 EV and GV70 EV.

Initially, Hyundai Genesis might adopt a CKD route with vehicles being brought into the country as CKD kits and then locally assembling them here. The company might adopt a complete local manufacturing as well, depending on supply chain and local vendors. The company is promising Elevated Luxury for Indian consumers with Genesis brand.

What to expect?

While the company has not revealed which vehicles will launch in India, one can speculate. Genesis portfolio for India is highly likely to include GV80 SUV, which was spotted in India on multiple occasions and Hyundai has also trademarked GV80 and GV80 Coupe in the country as well, suggesting launch intentions.

However, the best-selling luxury in India is not an SUV, but the Mercedes-Benz E-Class executive sedan. Hyundai is likely to consider launching a similarly-sized Genesis G80 luxury sedan in India and even the full-size G90 luxury sedan. More details are likely to come out of Hyundai camp in the coming days.
Ripple Labs is moving ahead with plans to raise at least $1b for a new digital asset treasury (DAT), aiming to expand its XRP holdings and cement its position as a major player in the tokens ecosystem.

Bloomberg reported Friday that the funds will be raised through a special purpose acquisition company structure, with Ripple contributing part of its own XRP. The treasury would become one of the largest corporate vehicles focused on XRP accumulation.

Digital asset treasuries, or DATs, have become a growing trend among public companies seeking to diversify corporate reserves into cryptocurrencies.

Over 200 of these entities now collectively hold more than $464b in digital assets, signaling a broad institutional shift toward crypto as an alternative balance-sheet asset.

Ripples $1B Bet Signals a Shift From Survival to Strategy in the Post-Selloff Era

Ripples initiative comes despite fragile market conditions following a wave of liquidations that wiped out some $19b in leveraged positions. Its decision to press forward suggests confidence in XRPs long-term utility across payments and liquidity solutions.

Separately, Ripple agreed to acquire treasury management software provider GTreasury for $1b. The deal, announced Thursday, will give Ripple access to tools used by large corporates to manage tokenized deposits and stablecoins.

The acquisition also strengthens Ripples relationships with finance chiefs looking to integrate digital assets into treasury operations, bridging traditional finance and blockchain infrastructure.

Ripple Eyes Institutional Adoption, Positioning XRP Beside Bitcoin in Corporate Treasuries

In July, Ripple held about 4.74b XRP in its wallets, valued near $11b at current prices. Another 35.9b coins remain locked in on-ledger escrow, set to release gradually each month.

If successful, Ripples DAT would mark a milestone for XRP. While Bitcoin dominates corporate treasuries, XRP has yet to see similar institutional accumulation. Ripples move could reshape that narrative.

Japans SBI Holdings is one of the few major institutions to use XRP within its internal treasury operations, leveraging it for cross-border liquidity.

Other companies have followed suit with smaller funds, but none rival the scale Ripple now envisions. Its initiative could make XRP one of the first altcoins to achieve meaningful corporate treasury adoption.

Bold Treasury Bid Challenges the Notion That Crypto Reserves Are Losing Steam

The effort comes as investors debate the sustainability of digital-asset treasuries. Shares in crypto-heavy firms such as Michael Saylors Strategy and Japans Metaplanet have slipped amid volatility. Yet Ripples expansion signals that some players remain undeterred by short-term swings.
By Gianluca Lo Nostro and Elisa Anzolin

(Reuters) -Shares in Ray-Ban maker EssilorLuxottica rose 14% to hit an all-time high on Friday, adding nearly $20 billion in market value as investor enthusiasm for its AI-powered Ray-Ban Meta glasses gathered momentum.

The Paris-listed group, founded by late Italian entrepreneur Leonardo Del Vecchio and a possible contender in the race to buy fashion group Armani, reported on Thursday third-quarter sales growth of 11.7% from a year ago to 6.9 billion euros ($8.1 billion).

The results beat expectations and marked the company's best quarterly performance ever amid strong demand for wearable products such as the smart glasses it has been developing with Meta since before the pandemic.

Even though the smart glasses business has until now accounted for only a fraction of EssilorLuxottica's total revenue, it has become a focal point for analysts and investors, as well as a catalyst for the company's investments.

Barclays analysts have predicted smart glasses could become the most disruptive innovation since mobile phones, forecasting 60 million units sold globally by 2035.

The AI-powered glasses contributed over four percentage points to sales growth, said Chief Financial Officer Stefano Grassi, with demand prompting EssilorLuxottica to accelerate production capacity plans for the glasses ahead of schedule.

"The exponential growth of wearables provided an extra-boost to the top line performance," the company said in a statement on Thursday.

SHARES POST BIGGEST DAILY RISE SINCE 2008

EssilorLuxottica's shares were up 13.8% by 1400GMT, the biggest daily gain since 2008, lifting the company's market capitalisation to 126.5 billion euros.

The move drove the European luxury benchmark Stoxx Europe Luxury 10 up over 7% on the week, the index's biggest weekly gain since January.

The latest Ray-Ban Meta models, priced from $379 to $799 for a new flagship version with built-in display, are currently sold in limited physical stores with expansion to Canada, France, Italy and Britain planned for early 2026.

The emerging success of Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses has reignited a long dead category of eyewear computers as Google and Microsoft had previously abandoned the market.

By marrying upgraded cameras and generative AI features with Ray-Ban's designs, Meta has lured big tech rivals back into the market. Google and Samsung are working on glasses based on the Android XR platform. Apple is reportedly working on smart glasses.

J.P. Morgan analysts said in a note to investors the smart glasses were now a "material growth driver" while the company's core business remained resilient.
A team of ornithologists from the National University of Singapore, Birdtour Asia Ltd., and the University of Queensland has described a new and cryptic species of the hawk-cuckoo genus Hierococcyx from Borneo, a large island shared by the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, the Indonesian state of Kalimantan, and the sultanate Brunei.

Hierococcyx is a small genus of birds within the cuckoo family Cuculidae.

First established in 1845, the genus currently includes nine scientifically recognized species.

Commonly known as hawk-cuckoos, they can be found in South, Southeast, and East Asia.

Within the hawk-cuckoos of the genus Hierococcyx, two tropical and subtropical Asian species form a close-knit pair, said lead author Dr. Frank Rheindt from the National University of Singapore and his colleagues.

They are variably merged into one species or recognized as two monotypic species: the large hawk-cuckoo (Hierococcyx sparverioides) and the Bocks hawk-cuckoo or dark hawk-cuckoo (Hierococcyx bocki).

These hawk-cuckoos are found in forests from the Himalaya and China to South-East Asia.

Hierococcyx sparverioides is the more widespread taxon, breeding widely across montane tropical, subtropical and even temperate mainland Asia and wintering to the south.

Hierococcyx bocki ranges in the montane forests of Sundaland.

Historically, species delimitation in Hierococcyx cuckoos, as in most other birds, has been guided by plumage differences, they noted.

Yet there is only subtle plumage variation across these two species.

Since the 1990s, the taxonomy of many tropical and subtropical bird species complexes has undergone a revolution with increasing insights into the importance of bioacoustic characters for species delimitation.

Species limits within numerous tropical and subtropical Asian bird species complexes have been re-drawn on the basis of bioacoustic evidence.

In their new study, Dr. Rheindt and co-authors aimed to investigate the taxonomy of the Hierococcyx sparverioidesHierococcyx bocki pair and to uncover evidence for cryptic species.

To do this, they used an integrative approach based on bioacoustic, plumage and morphometric data.

They analyzed a total of 107 sound recordings of these two species obtained from online sound libraries.

They also assessed plumage differences and morphometric traits measured on the basis of a series of museum specimens.

Their analysis unearthed a distinct, hitherto unnamed population of Hierococcyx bocki residing on Borneo that can be separated from other populations chiefly by its unique three-syllabled main song.

Given the importance of vocalizations in cuckoo taxonomy, they described this population as a new species to science: Hierococcyx tiganada.

The new species from Borneo closely resembles its sister species Hierococcyx bocki from Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia, the researchers said.

The two are almost identical visually, but adults of the new species have a slightly grayer mantle, especially the upper mantle towards the crown, leading to a distinct lack of contrast between a gray crown and more brownish back that is apparent in Hierococcyx bocki.

The best distinguishing feature between the two species is the structure of their brainfever song  always three-syllabled in the new species and two-syllabled in Hierococcyx bocki.

Hierococcyx sparverioides differs from the new species in the same characters that set it apart from Hierococcyx bocki, they added.

Hierococcyx sparverioides also has a two-syllabled brainfever song.

In addition, adult Hierococcyx sparverioides has a larger body size, is less dark-gray in front of the eye, has a browner mantle less contrasting with the crown, and exhibits distinct dark-rufous streaking on a whitish background on the upper breast (solid rufous with no streaking in the new species).

According to the scientists, Hierococcyx tiganada inhabits montane rainforests above 1,000 m elevation.

Despite the alarming conservation status of many South-East Asian birds which rely on rainforest habitat, Hierococcyx tiganada is probably not threatened, they said.

While Borneos lowland rainforests have suffered considerable loss over the last three decades, much of the montane forest in the heart of Borneo survives thanks to its remoteness and inaccessibility to logging companies and other extractive industries.

Hierococcyx tiganada is relatively well known from three general locations in Sabah and one in Sarawak.

There are extremely few records from Kalimantan, and the species appears to be genuinely absent from the Meratus Mountains in South Kalimantan.

However, the species is probably ubiquitous over vast areas of montane northern Borneo, often near the border between Kalimantan, Sarawak and Sabah, and the lack of widespread records likely reflects poor observer coverage away from well-established birdwatching areas.

Hierococcyx tiganada is the first Hierococcyx species to be described in the 20th/21st centuries.

This discovery highlights the continuing importance of bioacoustic research in biodiversity discovery and further elevates the biogeographic importance of Borneo, the authors concluded.

Their paper will be published in the Journal of Asian Ornithology.

_____

Frank E. Rheindt et al. 2025. A new and cryptic species of hawk-cuckoo (genus Hierococcyx) from Borneo. Journal of Asian Ornithology 41: 34-43
The worlds biggest oilfield services provider, SLB (NYSE: SLB), on Friday reported higher-than-expected earnings for the third quarter as revenue from its North American business jumped by 17% from the second quarter and by 14% from a year earlier.

SLB booked adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.69 for the third quarter, lower than the second quarter of 2025 and the third quarter of 2024, but beating the analyst consensus estimate of $0.66 in the Wall Street Journal.

North American revenue jumped for the third quarter of 2025, also thanks to two months of contribution from the acquisition of the ChampionX businesses, SLB said in a statement. The ChampionX businesses contributed revenue of $579 million to SLB, consisting of $387 million in North America and $171 million in the international markets.

But pro forma revenue, assuming that ChampionX was acquired on January 1, 2024, showed that North America revenue would have dropped by 5%, on the back of the divestiture of the APS project in Canada, coupled with a sharp decline in U.S. land drilling activity, partially offset by growth in data center solutions, SLB said.

While SLBs reported North American revenue rose by double digits to $1.93 billion, international revenue was flat quarter-on-quarter and dropped by 7% year-over-year.

Yet, SLB sees international revenue as the key driver of solid results going forward.

Looking ahead, it is more likely that the international markets will lead an activity rebound when supply and demand rebalance, supported by sustained investment for oil capacity, gas expansion projects and a constructive outlook for deepwater, SLBs chief executive officer Olivier Le Peuch said.

International markets  while facing challenges in some regions  are demonstrating resilience, with several countries across the Middle East and Asia continuing to show robust growth, the executive added.

Looking ahead, we expect OPEC+ production releases to support investment across many countries where SLB is well established.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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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.
Czech writer Ivan Klima, "whose survival of two totalitarian regimes--one Nazi, the other communist--made him one of Eastern Europe's most perceptive distillers of the human condition under authoritarianism," died October 4 at age 94, the New York Times reported. The author of more than 40 books, Klima was deeply affected by his incarceration as a boy, from 1941 to 1945, by the Nazis at Terezin concentration camp north of Prague. He lived with the daily prospect of being transported to Auschwitz.



The Times noted, however, that his writing "dwelled most heavily on the communist era, including the aftermath of the Prague Spring in 1968, a period of relative freedom when he and other intellectuals supported the reformist efforts of the leader Alexander Dubcek, who hoped to create a 'Socialism with a human face' in Czechoslovakia. Their optimism was thwarted when the Soviets sent an estimated 750,000 Warsaw Pact troops to suppress the Prague reforms later that year."



After graduating from Charles University in Prague in 1956, Klima worked at a publishing house for five years. His first novel, An Hour of Silence, was published in 1963. He was editor of Literarni Noviny, the leading publication of the liberal communist intellectuals, from 1964 to 1967, when he switched to Literarni List.



In 1967, he "greeted the annual assembly of the Czechoslovak Literary Association with the words 'respected friends,' rather than the customary 'comrades,' as he called for elimination of censorship," the Times wrote. Two months later, he was expelled from the Party and barred from publishing, a ban that lasted until 1989.



After Klima returned to Prague in 1970 from a sabbatical in the U.S., he became a publisher of underground texts, smuggling some to Western publishers. He also organized a clandestine literary salon, attended by other dissident writers, including playwright and future president Vaclav Havel. As a dissident, Klima had to take menial jobs, an experience he later turned into the story collection My Golden Trades. Some of the stories were published in "samizdat" copies and circulated in Prague.



After the fall of the Communist regime in 1989, Klima "depicted the lives of those who had obediently served the dictatorship, only to find themselves adrift and lost amid the newfound freedoms of a newly democratic country," the Times noted. His books My Merry Mornings and Love and Garbage were rushed into print and sold more than 100,000 copies each. Judge on Trial, completed in 1986 and distributed underground, was not published until 1991. His work has since been translated into dozens of languages and is available from Vintage.



"Ivan Klima is one of the greatest Czech writers and, having experienced concentration camps and the communist period, is a walking symbol of what our country endured in this century," said Jiri Pehe, director of New York University in Prague. "He was more than a literary figure, he played a crucial role in publishing banned works and challenging the communist regime."



Journalist and author Paul Berman, writing for the Times, described Klima's two-volume memoir, My Crazy Century, as having "a bellowing anger at what has happened to many millions of people, himself included, victims of the serial horrors that used to be known, and maybe still are known, as totalitarianism."
Stellar Lumens (XLM) experienced pronounced volatility during the 23-hour trading session ending Oct. 16, moving within a 5% range between $0.32 and $0.33. After early weakness, institutional buying helped the token rebound toward midday, with volumes signaling renewed corporate participation.

The momentum faded late in the session, as XLM fell from $0.33 to just under $0.32 in the final hour of trading, erasing earlier gains. The decline marked a key break below established support levels, highlighting the markets sensitivity to shifting liquidity conditions.

Institutionally, Stellars ecosystem advanced as WisdomTree launched Europes first physically backed Stellar Lumens ETP, trading across Swiss SIX and Euronext exchanges. The move enhances regulated exposure to XLM, underscoring growing institutional interest despite near-term volatility.

Meanwhile, competitive pressures are mounting in the digital payments space. New entrants like Digitap are leveraging streamlined compliance models to challenge incumbents such as Stellar and Ripple, reshaping the enterprise blockchain payments landscape.

XLM/USD (TradingView)

Market Structure Analysis Indicates Institutional Activity

Stellar maintained trading within a $0.02 band, representing a 5% differential between session highs of $0.33 and lows of $0.32

The cryptocurrency demonstrated recovery capacity following a decline to $0.32 at 09:00 on October 16

Upward momentum reached peak levels at $0.33 during midday trading, supported by substantial volume of 73.74 million units during the initial rebound

Price support materialized around the $0.32 level, where consistent buying interest emerged

Resistance established near $0.33, with the asset concluding the period at $0.33

Trading volume patterns indicated heightened institutional engagement during critical price movements, notably a 0.97 million unit surge at 13:31-13:32

Session conclusion marked by diminished volume activity, suggesting potential liquidity constraints and confirming breakdown below established support parameters

Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The NYPD is introducing a new Domestic Violence Unit dedicated to enhancing case investigations and officer training. The announcement of the largest unit of its kind in the U.S. was made by Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch on Thursday amid Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The introduction of this unit comes as domestic violence incidents continue to rise across the country. According to a release by Adams office, since the COVID-19 pandemic, almost 40% of felony assaults in New York City are related to domestic violence.

This unit will consist of approximately 450 domestic violence investigators who will devote their full efforts to preventing and investigating domestic violence cases, all while developing firm relationships with survivors. The efforts from this unit will span all five boroughs with a full roll-out slated for the week of Oct. 19.

To protect survivors and deliver justice, @NYPDPC and @NYCMayor announced yesterday the largest-in-the-nation Domestic Violence Unit.



450 dedicated investigators within the Detective Bureau focused on prevention, safety, and justice.#DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth pic.twitter.com/BoPeEV0HaE  NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) October 17, 2025

For the first time in more than 30 years, the NYPD is making fundamental changes to how we respond to, investigate, and follow-through on domestic violence cases, said Tisch. Domestic violence is as devastating as it is pervasive, and these complex cases require specialized training, skills, and investigators who will approach them with the care and compassion they demand. This is a survivor-centric, trauma-informed approach that is focused on survivor safety, taking violent predators out of our communities, and preventing the next incident before its too late.

The Domestic Violence Unit was developed using input gathered from internal and external focus groups, the current roster of officers assigned to domestic violence cases, survivors of domestic violence, and numerous outside agencies and organizations.

As part of this unit, domestic violence officers and detectives will be reassigned from the Patrol Services Bureau and Housing Bureau to the Detective Bureau, where they will see domestic violence investigations through from beginning to end. This effectively streamlines casework and benefits survivors with consistent support. Prior to the implementation of this unit, precinct and housing officers  as well as detectives from local precinct squads  were assigned to domestic violence cases, resulting in duplication of work, as noted by Adams office.

In developing training for the new unit, the NYPD coordinated with survivors and domestic violence organizations. Previously, officers often received single-day training in survivor interaction, child abuse, human trafficking and elder abuse investigations. In this new unit, the training consists of a mandatory two-day, in-person training and additional virtual sessions, in order to further develop investigative skills, peer support and interrogation techniques.

Two new roles are also being introduced by the NYPD in an effort to support training and best practices: domestic violence counsel and domestic violence director of prevention and intervention.

The counsels will be assigned to work with district attorneys across the city to meet the needs of survivors and develop strong cases and prosecutions. The directors will formalize and evolve training programs for officers who interact with both survivors and offenders.

The NYPD will also establish Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Investigation Card (I-Card) Teams. These teams, comprised of eight sergeants and 40 detectives and police officers, will have the mission of locating and apprehending domestic violence suspects.

The domestic violence unit will be overseen by Deputy Chief John Corbisiero, a 40-year veteran of the NYPD who has served as commanding officer of Brooklyns 90th Precinct, Narcotics Borough Queens South and the Chief of Departments Domestic Violence Unit. He will report directly to Citywide Investigations, led by Assistant Chief Michael Baldassano under Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.

Public safety is not limited to our streets and subways, it extends to our homes, too, where we have seen violence against women, domestic violence, and gender-based violence continue to cause pain. Domestic violence rips peoples lives apart, and we have a sacred duty to protect survivors of domestic and gender-based violence, Adams said. With the creation of the NYPDs Domestic Violence Unit, we are going to make survivors feel safer in their homes. This new investigative unit will handle the entire domestic violence process for victims, which means more resources to help victims and more cops to bring abusers to justice. New Yorkers can rest assured knowing the full force of the law is coming after those who perpetrate these crimes.
See which restaurants have made the list and continue on with the prestigious Michelin designation of Bib Gourmand.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The Michelin Guide announced this week its newest additions to the New York City restaurant scene. Once again, Staten Island didnt make the cut. Thirteen restaurants across the five boroughs earned a coveted spot on the guides Recommended list, joining two in Chicago and eight in Washington, D.C. But none of the newcomers hail from Staten Island.

The announcement, posted on guide.michelin.com, highlights culinary creativity and diversity across the city. These Recommended restaurants are marked as New on both the site and app, giving food lovers a chance to explore them before Michelins annual Bib Gourmand and Star awards ceremony on Nov. 18, this year in Philadelphia.

Staten Island is home to almost 1,100 eateries but only four have a Michelin acknowledgment. Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel

What Staten Island brings to the table

While Staten Island didnt land any fresh mentions this time, the borough still shines with four Michelin-recognized eateries in the 2025 guidetwo with Bib Gourmand honors and two listed as Selected Restaurants for their good cooking.

Enoteca Maria has made its mark in global cooking, a concept with rotating nonnas of different cultures. Originally it started with Italian nonnas from different regions of Italy. Staff-Shot

Enoteca Maria  27 Hyatt St., St. George, 718-447-2777; enotecamaria.com A cozy eatery celebrated for its rotating lineup of grandmothersNonnaswho craft authentic dishes from their home countries. Owner Joe Scaravella even inspired the film Nonnas, a tribute to this one-of-a-kind dining experience. While reservations have eased since the movies debut, calling ahead is still a smart move if you want a seat.

Sagara Food City is takeout only. This is "deviled" shrimp dish with delecatible rice.

Sagara Food City  98 Victory Blvd., Tompkinsville, 718-285-4556; Facebook: Sagara Food City  A take-out-only Sri Lankan spot known for its bold flavors and personal touch. Owners Sagara and Anuradha Hewabajgamage prepare daily specials, bake fresh bread in-house, and serve deviled dishes that can be customized for spice level.

Hoppers are a crepe with a depression meant for a fried egg. They are a Sri Lankan delicacy available at Lakruwana in Stapleton, the first Ceylonese eatery in New York City, originally in Midtown. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)

Lakruwana  668 Bay St., Stapleton, 347-857-6619; lakruwanarestaurant.com  A sit-down Sri Lankan restaurant offering table service and a weekend buffet under $15a perfect introduction to the islands rich Ceylonese cuisine.

Seppe has distinct pizza and a modest menu with other Italian dishes, all distinctly curated and delightful.

Seppe  17 Navy Pier Ct., Stapleton, 718-273-7733; seppepizza.com  A stylish neighborhood spot serving wood-fired pizzas, house-made pastas, and Italian classics with a modern twist. Known for its cozy vibe and craft cocktails, Seppe is a go-to for casual dining with flair.

Whats next for Staten Island?

The Bib Gourmand distinction, introduced in 1997, celebrates restaurants serving exceptionally good food at moderate prices. Its separate from Michelins star system, which awards up to three stars for culinary excellencea rare honor in any city.

Vinum has been absorbed into Don Cheech with its charcuterie and wild game dishes. Silvestri

Staten Islands Michelin story has seen changes: VINUM, a former Bib Gourmand pick, closed its Stapleton location and merged its menu with Don Cheechs in Rosebank. Meanwhile, Ayats Brooklyn outpost earned a spot in the 2025 guide, though its Dongan Hills location did not.

For the most up-to-date Michelin listings, visit guide.michelin.com or download the app.
APRIL 14, 2024: Hon. Edwina Martin, Richmond County Public Administrator, presents the first-place Live Your Dream award to Damaris Morales, as Stacie Koutras looks on. (Advance/SILive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos) Advance/SILive.com | Dr. Gracelyn Santos

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Soroptimist International of Staten Island has announced that applications are now open for the Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for women.

The grant program is earmarked for women who are the primary earners in their families and need financial support to continue their education, job, or training.

Applications are now open and can be submitted online at soroptimistsi.org/live-your-dream. The deadline to apply is Nov. 15.

Local recipients will then become eligible to compete at the regional level through the Soroptimist North Atlantic Region, where they may receive up to $5,000 in additional funding.

Research has confirmed that access to education and training helps build womens confidence, improves their quality of life, and ultimately, uplifts communities, said Soroptimist International of Staten Island President Tina Bilcher-Murphy.

We are pleased to once again offer this vital assistance and invite all women seeking to enhance their financial goals through continuing education to apply for our Live Your Dream Award, she added.

Soroptimist International of Staten Island will provide local cash awards to selected applicants. The program culminates in three finalists each receiving $10,000 awards.

The generous grant is designed to offset education-related expenses such as tuition, books, childcare, transportation or other training costs.

Tina Bilcher Murphy, left, president of Soroptimist International Staten Island and Angie DePompo Seff, chairperson of their 2025 awards gala. (Courtesy/Italian DePompo Cantone) Courtesy/Italian DePompo Cantone

About Live Your Dream

Each year, the Live Your Dream Award distributes more than $2.8 million in education grants to women who serve as heads of household and are in financial need.

The direct financial support stipend helps women who are independently responsible achieve their educational and career goals, added Bilcher-Murphy. We believe in empowering women to turn challenges into opportunities and dreams into reality.

Since the program began in 1972, Soroptimist has awarded over $35 million, helping tens of thousands of women build better lives for themselves and their families.

A study conducted by The Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania found that the award program significantly improves the recipients quality of life, builds confidence and self-determination, and often inspires them to give back to others.

The programs impact, the study notes, extends beyond individual recipients and contributes to stronger communities, nations and global progress.

About Soroptimist International of Staten Island

Founded in 1955, Soroptimist International of Staten Island is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas, a global volunteer organization that empowers women and girls through access to education and training.

The organization is a registered 501(c)(3) and depends on charitable donations to fund its programs.

Soroptimist also supports LiveYourDream.org, an online community offering real-world volunteer opportunities in support of women and girls.

For more information about Soroptimist International of Staten Island or the Live Your Dream Award, visit www.soroptimistsi.org.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Along the 8.5-mile span that is Staten Islands Arthur Kill Road, youll find strips of bustling businesses, clusters of homes, and acres of unbothered natural land. Its a hub of restaurants and strip-malls, a two-lane thoroughfare that slices through 12 towns and winds past landmarked burial grounds, an historic mansion, a storied German eatery and an ice-skating rink before eventually passing underneath a small span of the Outerbridge Crossing.

The road is bordered by bridle paths and a 265-acre nature preserve, where butterfly habitats and bird colonies thrive. But Arthur Kills character is far from pristine: The remote wilderness has often been disturbed by illegal dumping, and most recently it has been scarred by excessive amounts of car storage and burgeoning battery energy storage sites.

And now, a large portion of the undeveloped land is marked as an area for industrial development.

The Advance/SILive.com has identified and recently reported on four massive projects along the strip, each within miles of each other and in different phases of completion. If development progresses according to plan, Arthur Kill Road will soon be home to two major warehouses, a Department of Transportation construction management site and a 16-acre truck freight facility.

Arthur Kill Road is becoming a poster child for overdevelopment, Councilmember Frank Morano, a Republican who represents the South Shore, previously told the Advance/SILive.com. There is no real thought on infrastructure and a total lack of planning.

Heres a closer look at each of these projects:

1 Nassau Place, Richmond Valley

A massive industrial warehouse project is rising at the corner of Arthur Kill Road and Nassau Place in Richmond Valley, and developers said the facility  which will be a home base for the storage of manufactured goods  is slated to open before years end.

The project broke ground in June 2024 and offers 331,700 square feet of divisible warehouse space with 60 loading docks and two drive-in doors.

According to New York City Planning documents, the project was disapproved by Community Board 3 in October 2022, but approved by the City Planning Commission later that same year.

Arthur Kill Road is becoming a poster child for overdevelopment. There is no real thought on infrastructure and a total lack of planning.  Councilmember Frank Morano

The warehouse is being designed to accommodate up to three tenants, noted the zoning application. The Proposed Development, a high-cube warehouse, would be used for the storage and/or consolidation of manufactured goods prior to their distribution to retail locations or other warehouses.

In other words, the goods received and distributed from the facility would move in bulk from business to business, rather than as individually packaged products from businesses to individual consumers, the document noted.

Cushman & Wakefield, a real estate services firm that has started to market leases for the still under-construction space, is marketing the property as such:

Within [a] 50-mile drive, you can reach many of New Jersey and New Yorks core regional submarkets, airports, and freight ports. Also, convenient access to the northeast corridor, stretching from Boston to Virginia.

2807 Arthur Kill Rd., Rossville

Another large industrial warehouse has been erected at 2807 Arthur Kill Rd. in Rossville, located just 2.7 miles away from 1 Nassau Place. The new facility adds approximately 136,346 square feet of storage space and 29 loading docks to the busy thoroughfare.

The property, located across the street from Lowes Home Improvement store, is owned and operated by John Russo, who said the first floor has already been leased and will serve as storage space for DJ equipment. The ground level is still available and being marketed as a prime location near bridges, airports, ports and container terminals.

2730 Arthur Kill Rd., Rossville

The NYC Department of Transportation is seeking to acquire approximately five acres of land along Arthur Kill Road in Rossville to support its Sidewalk Inspections Management, or SIM, construction crews.

A land use application filed with NYC Department of Planning stated that the agency is proposing 81,000 square feet for the storage space, which will house vehicles, trucks, equipment and materials. The proposed development, located in the former Pathmark shopping plaza at 2730 Arthur Kill Rd., would also include a 64,117-square-foot designated meeting space for staff, according to the application.

Agency vehicles proposed for storage on site include: 26 pick-up trucks; nine sedans; 15 rack trucks; six cement trucks; 35 haul trucks; 17 dump trucks; a silo truck; five backhoes; and four Bobcat utility vehicles, the document noted. Other parking would be used for trailers of varying sizes and specialty equipment storage. Additionally, close to 5,000 square feet of space would be used for material  including stone, sand, and compost  and debris storage.

NYC DOTs SIM Citywide Concrete unit is a vital NYC DOT operation, crucial for the safe movement of pedestrians throughout New York City, the agency noted in a project description that was submitted within the land use application. This unit is responsible for sidewalk repairs and pedestrian ramp, traffic median, and pedestrian safety island installations throughout the five boroughs.

This proposed site is located just across the street from the warehouse detailed above at 2807 Arthur Kill Rd.

4400 Arthur Kill Rd., Charleston

A 16-acre trucking terminal designed to accommodate 184 tractor-trailers is being proposed for a long, winding curve of Arthur Kill Road in Charleston.

According to a business plan submitted by the sites developer, Arthur Englewood LLC, the site will provide short-term and long-term parking for businesses with established trade and trucking routes as well as safe and legal parking for related vendors and independent truckers.

A small-footprint building will also be constructed on site containing restrooms and vending machines.

Residents, business owners and elected officials recently packed a Community Board 3 meeting to voice concerns about the projects traffic, safety, and environmental impact.

One of the main issues debated by those in attendance was the developers unauthorized removal of 500 trees. According to documents, the NYC Department of Buildings issued a stop-work order due to the violation.

But despite the widespread opposition and DOB violations, the project is still in motion. A truck terminal is permitted under the sites M1-1 commercial zoning, and only one discretionary approval from the City Planning Commission is needed to move forward.

The Project Area is currently a vacant, underutilized parcel, and its development will promote economic growth by introducing commercial uses compatible with the surrounding area, according to the land use proposal filed with City Planning.

Community Board 3 voted against the project and submitted letters opposing the facility. However, CB3s role is purely advisory; the City Planning Commission will hold a final vote during an upcoming public meeting, the date of which has yet to be determined.

This story is part of series investigating the rapid industrial development of Arthur Kill Road. Do you live, work or operate a business near one of these facilities? Contact Jessica Jones-Gorman at jgorman@siadvance.com to voice your concerns or discuss community impact.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Firefighters in the FDNY who died of post-9/11 illnesses were officially honored on a nationwide level during a special tribute ceremony Saturday on Staten Island.

Hundreds of family and members of the FDNY gathered to honor 176 FDNY firefighters who died of post-9/11 illnesses who were officially added to the National Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

The solemn memorial tribute was hosted by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, in partnership with the FDNY, at the College of Staten Island, Willowbrook.

Until now, these firefighters who died of post-9/11 illnesses were not formally recognized at the memorial in Maryland. The special ceremony Saturday ensures their names are etched alongside their fellow fallen heroes. It also means the families of these firefighters are now eligible for support services provided by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

Youre here to remember the men and women of the FDNY whose lives were taken not on one single day, but in the slow aftermath of Sept. 11  claimed by the invisible, long-term wounds inflicted during the rescue recovery effort at the World Trade Center, said Salvatore Cassano, former FDNY fire commissioner and retired chief of department, in his keynote speech.

Each family was gifted with an American flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol and at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial. Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Annalise Knudson) (Advance/SILive.com | Annalise Knudson)

Cassano said the world watched in horror as the country was attacked on 9/11, but the world also witnessed unmatched bravery of the FDNY. As others ran from danger, they ran toward it, and continued that work in the days, weeks and months that followed.

They continued their vision  not for glory, but for duty, said Cassano. They searched through rubble. They worked countless hours. They carried hope on their shoulders, but the air was toxic and though rescue and recovery workers gave everything in service, many of them would pay later the ultimate price, fighting a different kind of battle long after the smoke had cleared.

The foundation elected to honor New York City by memorializing its own on city soil, which is why the ceremony was held on Staten Island. The plaques bearing the heroes names will be added to the Maryland memorials Wall of Honor next week.

We gather here in Staten Island, in the city of New York, over 200 miles from the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland. We are grateful to the foundation for their efforts to bring the spirit, honor and respect of the memorial to us here today. From the beginning, they recognized the importance of bringing this service to New York, said Mark Guerra, FDNY first deputy commissioner. Organizing an event like this is no small feat, and they have done so with care and reverence. Always know that both the FDNY and the foundation are committed to you, the loved ones of our fallen firefighters. Were here when you need us, whenever that moment comes. Thank you for being here today and for all the love and support you gave my fellow firefighters, my brothers when they needed it the most.

Brothers Jimmy, Tommy, Chris and Mark Mandala  all originally from Staten Island  attended the service on Saturday for their father, Vincent Mandala.

Mandala, who served in FDNY Division 11, died in May 2022 after he got sick three years earlier from a post-9/11 related illness.

Its nice that theyre having it here, Jimmy Mandala said about the ceremony. We have families and kids of our own, so not having to travel made it a lot easier for us to get here. FDNY does a great job with this. Everything top-notch. Its really nice and nice to see guys who worked with him, hear stories about him. Its nice that they still recognize him all these years later.

FDNY firefighters who died of post-9/11 illnesses were honored during a solemn memorial tribute at the College of Staten Island, Willowbrook, held by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and FDNY. The service officially adds the names of 176 FDNY firefighters to the National Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Annalise Knudson) (Advance/SILive.com | Annalise Knudson)

Going forward, those lost to 9/11-related illnesses will continue being added to the memorial every May.

The event was attended by families of victims and FDNY members representing the companies of each victim. Those members presented each family with an American flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol and at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial.

The members we honor today are heroes, said FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker. Each being honored represents a life of service, families lost, and our departments enduring grief. I am pleased to see so many families here today. Your presence reminds us how important it is that we always remember your loved ones. You are their living legacies, reminding us of their hard work, their dedication and their love for this city and our department. So too does their legacy live on in every firehouse in this city, every time the tones go off and every time a life is saved. Thank you for sharing them with us and for supporting their mission to protect and serve.

Luminary bags were decorated by eighth-grade students at Egbert Intermediate School (I.S. 2), Midland Beach, under the guidance of art teacher Suzanne Berkovitz.

The FDNY Ceremonial Unit and Honor Guard, and Pipes and Drums participated in Saturdays event.

More than a dozen New York City-area landmarks, including One World Trade, Macys and Moynihan Train Hall, will be illuminated red on Saturday evening in honor of the event.

On Sunday, the foundation will wrap up the weekend with its annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb & Run/Walk at Icahn Stadium on Randalls Island.
Trump urges Russia, Ukraine to "stop where they are" to end conflict

Xinhua) 15:47, October 18, 2025

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday urged Russia and Ukraine to "stop where they are" to end their conflict lasting more than three and a half years.

Shortly after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday, Trump said on social media that he "strongly suggested" Russia and Ukraine make a deal and stop the conflict.

"It is time to stop the killing, and make a DEAL!" Trump said on Truth Social. "Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by War and Guts."

"They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide!" he said.

Before his meeting with Zelensky, which he described as "very interesting and cordial," Trump ruled out a U.S.-Russia-Ukraine summit in the near future and played down prospects of supplying Tomahawk missiles to Kiev.

One day earlier, Trump held a lengthy phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing it as "very productive."

Following the phone call, Trump announced he would meet Putin in Hungary for more talks on ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Trump and Putin met in the U.S. state of Alaska in August, but no deal was reached, and ceasefire negotiations remain deadlocked.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Kou Jie)
Earnings season has kicked off, and investors are cheering the strength of the AI trade on Thursday.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing raised its AI spending guidance and reported strong growth.

The strong results have helped traders push past renewed fears of the trade war amid the latest tensions.

Earnings season has kicked off, and investors are parsing results to see if their favorite trade can keep going strong into year-end.

Luckily, Wall Street got a firm signal that the AI trade is still alive and well on Thursday, with one of the biggest names in semiconductors reporting stellar results for the third quarter. Stocks jumped in morning trading, with chip stocks broadly in focus for investors.

Here's where major indexes stood shortly after the 9:30 a.m. ET opening bell on Thursday:

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company raised its full-year guidance and revealed a bullish outlook for AI spending as it reported $33.10 billion in Q3 revenue, a 40.8% year-over-year increase and a 10% jump from the previous quarter. Compared to Q2, Q3 results showed a 6.0% revenue bump and a 13.6% increase in net income.

Executives at the company weren't shy about where they see the latest strength coming from, pointing specifically to massive demand from AI. CEO C.C. Wei said on the earnings call that the company is convinced that "the AI megatrend is strengthening."

Other chip stocks jumped on the news of the strong results, with Nvidia and Broadcom both up 1%.

TSMC's results also importantly helped investors shrug off their other big fear this week, which is that the trade war will once again become an overhang for the market.

This week saw a new flare-up of tariff worries as the White House insisted it would take a tough stance on China in light of its latest moves to restrict flows of rare earth materials.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent delivers remarks on "Game Plan for US Investment" at the IMF/World Bank annual meetings at CNBC Invest in America Forum, in Washington, DC, on October 15, 2025. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that investors should not count on the administration to change its position on trade to boost a flailing stock market. The so-called TACO trade was already on display this week after Donald Trump calmed nerves with a post on Sunday, after last Friday's tough talk on China tariffs sent stocks plummeting.

Meanwhile, TSMC wasn't the only tech update that boosted investors' spirits.

Foxconn, known for producing key components for Apple, recently revealed that its chairman met with representatives from OpenAI and has plans to meet with Nvidia in the near future.
A homeowner in Jackson Township, N.J., says hes getting death threats for his politically-themed Halloween decorations  with one person going as far as threatening to burn his house down.

The decorations adorning the house on Frank Applegate Road include a chain-linked fence, labeled Alligator Alcatraz.

The makeshift immigrant detention center was given the nickname by Trump officials for its remote location in the Florida Everglades. Humanitarian advocates have criticized the facility, which began housing detainees over summer, on claims of unsanitary conditions.

Some of the characters seen in the Alcatraz Halloween scene are wearing sombreros and are pictured hanging by their necks. In another part of the display, a vehicle labeled ICE appears to be running over a dummy and is surrounded by skeletons wearing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement uniforms. One is also meant to be Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Joe, the homeowner asked not to fully identify himself, said hes proudly expressed his support of the president by hanging Trump-themed flags and merchandise in his yard, which is viewable from the street.

I love what hes (Trump) is doing for the country, Joe said. Hes for America.

In past holidays, Joe made a display depicting former President Joe Biden tripping on the stairs to Air Force One.

Dozens of people have driven by Joes home to see the decorations, which have gone viral on social media. Some enjoy them, while others shout expletives at the family passing by, Joe said. In the last two days, one woman confronted Joe and his family, prompting them to contact township police.

I think its ridiculous that theyre going out of proportion like this, said Joe.

So far, township officials have not received any formal complaints from other residents, newly sworn-in Mayor Jennifer Kuhn said, suggesting that some signs with profanity be removed or covered.

My thing was there are kids, and the profanity out in front...I think is a little bit much, but thats my personal opinion, said Kuhn, who recently took over as mayor after the townships long-time leader resigned.

Jackson Township police did not return a request for comment.

Despite the disdain, the politically influenced decorations wont be taken down, Joe said.

Im actually going to add more, he said.

This years display appears to have gone viral after a woman driving by stopped to film, posting the video to TikTok. In it, Joe appears to be sitting outside as the woman, who is seen parking her car several feet from the home, shouts questions of, What do you do for a living? You think this is normal?

Joe invites anyone to stop by to observe his weeks worth of work, regardless of what public officials they support, he said.

Everybodys got their political differences, and were supposed to talk about it, Joe said. Thats what this country has lost.
Mayor Ernie Troiano said he talked with Splash Zone owner Andy Weiner about turning the location at 3500 Boardwalk into a hotel.

A longtime Jersey Shore boardwalk waterpark has permanently closed and the future of the property in a prime location could include a major redevelopment project, officials said.

The owner of Splash Zone in Wildwood recently told local news site Wildwood Video Archive that the waterpark would not reopen next season after 26 years in business.

Mayor Ernie Troiano told NJ Advance Media he has talked with Splash Zone owner Andy Weiner about turning the location at 3500 Boardwalk into a hotel.

Andy is good people and his familys been on the the boardwalk for over 100 years, Troiano said. He asked me what I thought. I said we are in dire need of hotel rooms.

Weiner could not be reached for comment.

The location is directly across the boardwalk from one of the amusement piers run by Moreys Piers and Beachfront Water Parks.

Troiano said the local economy thrives on tourism and more hotel rooms are needed.

The success of Wildwood has always been based on turnover, the mayor said. People come and they stay and they spend their money.

He said more people own homes in the resort than in previous years.

Instead of a hotel room, we have homes, he said. They are more stationary as opposed to transient.

Troiano said he suggested the hotel idea to Weiner.

I said, personally, Im looking at big high rise hotel and something that is on prime location location like that. There is nothing like it, he said.

Troiano is no stranger to hotels and motels. He credited his family with building half to three quarters of the motels in town.

But we dont build motels anymore, he said. They say the money isnt in it. I dont know if its necessarily true.

The mayor also said the boardwalk location would be perfect for a hotel.

I would love to rent a hotel room on the boardwalk and watch people walk up and down, he said. It would be like having a hotel room in Disneyland right at the park.

Troiano said he has spoken with developer Eustace Mita, the owner of the ICONA properties, a hotel brand.

Mita recently had a proposed hotel turned down in Ocean City. He also proposed a hotel recently in Cape May with similar results.

I told him (Mita) that he got shot down in Ocean City and shot down in Cape May, but Wildwoods got its arms open, Troiano said.

Mita could not be reached for comment.

Troiano credited Weiner with providing decades of family fun at the waterpark.

He said Ive worked my entire life and its time to retire, Troiano said. I told him his business has been a shining star on the boardwalk and he has been an excellent businessman. Wed like to see him prosper.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued several recalls in the past week. AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File

Several popular food items and tens of thousands of household appliances were recalled last week, with some countertop appliances at risk of severely burning their users.

Heres a look at various recalls that have been issued in the past week.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has updated the risk level for six million eggs that were recently recalled.

The agency classified some recently recalled egg products sold by Black Sheep Egg Company under the category of a high-risk Class I recall.

According to the FDA, this is the highest possible risk category of a recall classified by the agency and means there is a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

Black Sheep Egg Company initiated a recall last month because environmental samples collected at the egg processing facility were positive for salmonella.

Affected products include 12- and 18-count cartons of Free Range Large Grade A Brown Eggs with best by dates from Aug. 22 through Oct. 31, under the Black Sheep Egg Company brand. The recalled products include UPC codes 860010568507 and 860010568538.

The FDA is issuing an alert to recommend that consumers, retailers, and distributors do not eat, sell, or serve the recalled eggs.

It was classified on Oct. 14 as a Class I recall.

Salmonella illness usually occurs within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Symptoms usually last four to seven days and include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, according to the FDA.

Children younger than five, the older people, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections, the agency stated.

A popular frozen food item is being recalled due to undeclared shrimp, which is a known allergen, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Tai Foong USA of Seattle, Washington, is recalling its 10-ounce packages of Fusia Asian Inspirations Veggie Spring Rolls. These products were distributed exclusively to ALDI stores nationwide.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that Shrimp Spring Rolls may have been mistakenly packaged in boxes labeled as Veggie Spring Rolls.

Shrimp is a common allergen that can cause serious or life-threatening reactions in individuals with shellfish allergies. Symptoms may include hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and anaphylaxis. People with shellfish allergies should not consume this product and are advised to seek medical attention if they experience any adverse reactions.

The recalled spring rolls are identified by UPC code 4099100222258, and have a Best Before date of May, 17 2027 printed on the back panel of the retail box.

No other Fusia Asian Inspirations products are affected by this recall.

Consumers who have purchased this product should discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Retailers are being asked to remove the product from shelves and destroy any remaining inventory.

At this time, no confirmed allergic reactions or illnesses have been reported in connection with this issue.

The recall is conducted in cooperation with ALDI and the FDA and the cause of the labeling error is under investigation.

Consumers with questions can contact Tai Foong USA at (206) 883-2317, Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., or by email at bcox@northernchef.com.

A popular small appliance sold at Aldi is under recall for a potential burn risk, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Tempo USA recalled about 46,660 Ambiano Electric Pressure Cookers, sold exclusively at Aldi retail stores nationwide. The pressure-cooker lid can be opened before sufficient steam pressure has been released, causing hot contents to escape and posing a risk of burn injuries to consumers.

There have been 11 reports of incidents, in which contents were expelled under pressure, including eight reports of severe burn injuries, according to recall documents.

Customers should immediately stop using the recalled pressure cookers and contact Tempo or Aldi for a refund. Consumers can either return the fully intact pressure cooker to any Aldi retail location for a full refund or submit a photo of the pressure cooker with the unplugged power cord cut and a photo showing the model number and date code via email to Tempo at serviceusa@tempo.org.

The recall involves all Ambiano electric pressure cookers with model numbers 93550, 969775, and 98527. They were sold as either six-quart or eight-quart capacity, with the brand name Ambiano appearing on the front of each unit.

The products were sold between January 2016 and December 2019 for about $40.

Costco has announced a recall of a popular frozen food item due to the potential presence of pieces of wood.

Due to an abundance of caution, and at the request of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foster Farms Honey Crunchy Jumbo Corn Dogs in a 28-count box are under recall, according to the recall notice posted by Costco.

The product was recalled due to the potential presence of pieces of wooden stick within the batter portion of the products.

The items were sold at Costco from March 14, 2025, through Oct. 4, 2025. The affected products have plant code P-6137B, with several expiration dates, including Dec. 19, 2026; March 26, 2026; May 21, 2026; May 31, 2026; June 18, 2026; and June 30, 2026.

Consumers are urged to check if they have the items in their freezer.

Do not consume any products that may be a part of this recall. Return it to your local Costco for a full refund.

Consumers with questions or concerns can contact Foster Farms Consumer Affairs at 1-800-338-8051, or email info@fosterfarms.com.
Snapple is bringing back its iconic glass bottles for a limited time, like the ones shown in this 2007 photo. SL

Snapple is bringing back its iconic glass bottles  but only for a limited time and in one city.

Starting this week, Snapple revealed to Today.com that it would bring back the glass bottles with the classic pop cap and Snapple fact.

The company told the media outlet that it made the choice to bring back the glass bottles in response to a demand for nostalgia.

The glass bottles will only be available in the New York City area at select retailers and local bodegas for $3.99 each, while supplies last, according to Today.com.

The decision to focus on New York City pays homage to Snapples birthplace in Brooklyn, a company spokesperson told Today.com.

Several flavors will be available in glass bottles  Snapple Apple, Kiwi Strawberry, Peach Tea, Zero Sugar Peach Tea and Lemon Tea.

Snapple ditched the glass bottles in 2017 and instead packages its drinks in a plastic bottle. The phase-out of the glass bottle was completed in 2021.
I have instituted what I think is a life-saving technique. Its called potato days. These are days when you do little or absolutely nothing of a productive nature.

On potato days we dont go food shopping. We dont do the laundry. We dont clean the house. I dont write a column or record a podcast episode. We binge watch episodes of Duster or The Gilmore Girls or Project Runway. We stay in bed late. We open the windows and let the air and sunshine in. We have a late breakfast that borders on lunch. Or maybe just one meal at around 4 p.m.

Following the pandemic, people began to question the nature and necessity of productivity. I kept seeing memes that encouraged me to forgo the 40 hour work week, to step back from burnout, to de-emphasize productivity. I felt like writing back that Joan and I were already doing that because we had retired. It is a natural curve to ease into doing less when you retire. Of course, if you still have a family to feed and bills to pay, maybe forgoing the 40 hour work week isnt such a good idea. And, by the way, amid current cries of socialism creeping into American politics, might I remind you that Communists and unions fought for and secured a 40 hour work week for their members, down from the 80 to 110 hour, six day a week work week that was the norm. Unions and the labor movement also fought for and won better pay, vacation time, safer conditions and better work-life balance. So, dont cry to me about socialism now. Without unions, we all would have been unable to leave with all the doors locked as in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, which claimed the lives of 146 workers. Thankfully, weve come a long way since 1911. Many people today can afford shorter hours and can even work most days from home, a necessity during the pandemic thats still in place today.

But, perhaps productivity of the kind we grew up with was over-emphasized. Im reminded of Jesus Sermon On The Mount (recorded in Matthew 6:25-34 or Luke 12: 22-32):

Behold the birds of heaven, that they neither sow nor reapand your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not ye of much more value than they?Consider the lilies of the fieldthey toil not, neither do they spinBut, if G-d doth so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?and which of you, by being anxious, can add one cubit unto the measure of his life?

Prior to the pandemic, we placed quite a high value on productivity as a culture. From Henry Fords assembly lines to the latest product from Apple, pushing the envelope became our national obsession. Maybe we learned something from that horrible plague that took so many from us and robbed us of so many things. Maybe we learned how to treasure our time and seek a better work/life balance. Many workers, disgusted with low pay and no health insurance, walked away from their jobs seeking better employment, even if it meant earning a little less. We soon discovered who the very essential workers were, and it wasnt only the brave doctors, nurses and medical teams we saluted every night by banging pots and pans. It wasnt only the police and firemen who kept us safe. It was the teachers who taught our children, the service staff who cooked and brought us our food, the mailmen, the crossing guards, the people delivering food to our local supermarkets. All of us, in ways large and small, were essential. Because nobody makes it through life alone. We always get by with a lot of help from our friends and even people we dont know.

Am I saying we should totally abandon work and live in the field and eat wild berries and grass? No. Some work must go on to keep us all safe, well fed and protected.

Perhaps Im only speaking to my age group here but we no longer need to produce something of value every single day of our lives.

At our age, some days are made to be potato days. Nothing sought, nothing created. Time to relax, to breathe, to let life flow on within you and without you.

Youre probably thinking But, Im not sure how much time I have left. I hear you, and I agree. I stared down a long road recently and, seeing its end, recognized a very apt metaphor for where I find myself these days: contemplating a foreseeable future. Im not scared. I dont even believe this is where the road ends, necessarily, but I do contemplate what it means not to be here anymore, to be among the absent friends mentioned during toasts, to pop up in somebodys feed on Facebook, to stir someones memory by a song or a movie or a book that we shared.

Thats why potato days are precious to me. Because, while I might not physically be accomplishing anything, they give me a chance to ruminate, to plan, to think through a next step, next project, next event. They allow me the space I need to plot all the angles, see it from as many sides as I can, to consider all possibilities, even the impossible ones. I may not be stirring from my bed or my couch or that love seat in the kitchen, but my mind is traveling on, going where perhaps I will never go. Its an exciting adventure. One that I would encourage you to take.

Dont be concerned about time lost. Time preparing is never lost. Self care should always come first. And there will always be a tomorrow. And when there no longer is, we will have used up our time as wisely as we know how.

Hold those magnificent grey heads high! At ease!

Comments may be submitted to Talk To The Old Guy on Facebook.
President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP

President Donald Trump is facing mockery online after he expanded on his repeated claim about ending several wars.

During a press conference on Thursday, Trump discussed his recent productive phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, after he announced that he and the Russian leader will meet in Budapest, Hungary, to discuss how to bring an end to the over three-year war in Ukraine. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said earlier that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other High Level Advisors will first meet next week to discuss a summit.

It comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to visit Trump at the White House on Friday. Zelenskyy is expected to ask for more long-range weapons to capable of striking deeper inside Russia.

Thats all Ive done my whole life. Ive made deals. I know about deals, I do it well, Trump told reporters.

He continued: I dont think any president has ever ended a war, frankly. One war.

Trump went on to say that he has stopped eight wars since he began his second term  a figure that has been debunked several times.

Did Bush ever end...? Do you think Biden ended a war? Biden started wars, cause he was stupid, Trump claimed. But, do you think Biden ended any wars? No. I dont know of anybody that ended wars.

Trump added that Ive ended eight of them, and its going to be nine, referring to Russia and Ukraine, before noting that he will probably be meeting with Putin over the next two weeks.

Several social media users immediately pointed out that Trump had appeared to forget about Woodrow Wilson and Harry Truman, among other former presidents, who ended wars during their time in office.

One popular X account joked: I feel like we are all living in a giant mental hospital with him.

This is such a funny and insane thing to say, another user said.

Someone else wrote, Yeah, well, since we are just saying s--- now, I ended nine.

ABCs Jimmy Kimmel also poked fun about his remarks during his late-night show Thursday night: No president, nobody, has ever ended a war other than him. All the other wars ended mysteriously, by themselves... and that kids is why its so important to never learn anything. It damages your self esteem.

Liberal influencer JoJoFromJerz asked, How long before he says he invented gravity.

While speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump repeated his argument: To the best of my knowledge, weve never had a president that solved one war. Not one war... a lot of them start the wars, but they dont solve the wars. They dont settle them.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., and the GOP leadership talk to reporters about their positions on funding the government as the shutdown reaches the third week without a solution in sight, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. AP

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) slammed Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.) for not working for her constituents  but there is one major issue holding her back.

Grijalva won her special election in Arizona last month to replace her late father, former Rep. Raul Grijalva. Since then, Johnson has declined to swear her into Congress, demanding that Senate Democrats reopen the government before he swears her into the lower chamber.

Despite Johnson delaying her swearing-in ceremony, the Louisiana Republican accused her of orchestrating a political stunt during an interview with CNNs Jake Tapper on Thursday.

She should be working for her constituents. I dont know what shes doing. I keep seeing their political stunt videos and theyre knocking on the door and shes not there. She should be in her office, he said.

She should be working or in the district for her constituents. Shes already hired 16 staffers. She should be taking constituent calls. She should be directing and helping them navigate the crisis that her colleagues here have created for her constituents.

Were happy to administer the oath. Were going to do it as soon as we get back, but we got to get the lights on first. We got to make sure that our troops are being paid and our Border Patrol agents down in Arizona are being paid before we go through the ceremony of administering this oath, he added.

Mike Johnson: "Let me say this right now though, Jake. Rep. Grijalva should be working for her constituents right now. I don't know what she's doing. I keep seeing their political stunt videos. She should be in her office. She should be working or in the district for her pic.twitter.com/ZPAdu3alVq  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 16, 2025

Social media users immediately criticized Johnson, noting that Grijalva cannot work for her constituents because she has not yet been sworn into Congress.

MeidasTouch wrote on social media platform X: She cant work for her constituents because you wont swear her into her job. My god these people.

Dean Baker, a senior economist at Center for Economic and Policy Research, said Johnson sees his job as protecting Donald Trump. He has so much contempt for democracy, he cant even say the word democratic.

Another user said Johnson is the one stopping her from doing her job.

Hes refused to swear her in to Congress for three weeks (and counting).Hes the one who needs to do HIS job, the user wrote on X.

Another social media user responded to Johnsons comments on X: Excuse me? Shes yet to be sworn in.

U.S. Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) mocked Johnson by using his own phrase against him. Earlier this week, Johnson took a dig at Grijalva by saying bless her heart when asked about criticism regarding her not being sworn in.

Bless his heart He doesnt know how it works around here," Kim wrote on X.

Bless his heart He doesn't know how it works around here. https://t.co/mn9XySt6Fs  Andy Kim (@AndyKimNJ) October 17, 2025

Democrats have accused Johnson of delaying Grijalvas swearing in ceremony to avoid a vote on releasing the files related to Jeffrey Epsteins sex trafficking case. Johnson has denied the accusations, and said that he will swear her in when the House returns to its legislative session.

However, Johnson can swear in a member of Congress during a pro forma session.

Lawmakers who win special elections generally take the oath of office on days in which legislative business is conducted, and they are welcomed with warm applause from members on both sides of the aisle. They give a short speech as family and friends watch from the galleries.

Yet there is precedent for doing it differently. On April 2, Johnson swore in Republican Reps. Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine, both of Florida, less than 24 hours after they won their special elections, during a pro forma session.

Johnson says the circumstances were unique because the House had unexpectedly gone out of session that day. Patronis and Fine had already arranged for their families, friends and supporters to be in Washington.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., waits for a video interview at the Georgia Republican Convention in Dalton, Ga., Saturday, June 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy) AP

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has once again criticized a major decision made by President Donald Trump.

Greene has emerged as an outspoken critic within the Republican Party in recent weeks, blasting GOP leadership for its lack of a plan to address rising health care costs and condemning her colleagues messaging around the government shutdown. On Thursday, she targeted the Trump administration for working to send $40 billion in aid to Argentina to help its collapsing currency.

Greene, a staunch advocate for the Make America Great Again movement, questioned whether sending aid to Argentina was America First. Trump officials have denied allegations that the aid is a bailout for the country, with the president saying on Tuesday that the aid is just helping a great philosophy take over a great country.

Americans are getting decimated with high cost of living and skyrocketing insurance costs. Many of them have zero savings and some are maxing out credit cards to survive, Greene wrote on X.

Tell me how its America First to bailout a foreign country with $20 or even $40 BILLION taxpayer dollars, she added.

Americans are getting decimated with high cost of living and skyrocketing insurance costs.



Many of them have zero savings and some are maxing out credit cards to survive.



Tell me how its America First to bailout a foreign country with $20 or even $40 BILLION taxpayer dollars.  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) October 16, 2025

The federal government shut down on Oct. 1 after Democrats opposed any GOP legislation that does not extend health care subsidies that are expiring by the end of the year. Without extending those subsidies, Democrats have warned that health care premiums can skyrocket for millions of Americans.

Greene sounded the alarm on rising health costs last week as Democrats urge Republicans to extend those subsidies.

But Im going to go against everyone on this issue because when the tax credits expire this year my own adult childrens insurance premiums for 2026 are going to DOUBLE, along with all the wonderful families and hard-working people in my district, she wrote on social media platform X.

She also accused Republican leadership of not having a plan to help Americans with their health care premium costs.

And Im absolutely disgusted that health insurance premiums will DOUBLE if the tax credits expire this year, she said.

Not a single Republican in leadership talked to us about this or has given us a plan to help Americans deal with their health insurance premiums DOUBLING!!! she added.
President Donald Trump greets Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto 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. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool) AP

CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins questioned Eric Trump about an exchange between his father and another world leader picked up by a hot mic at the Gaza summit.

During their interview on The Source" Thursday, CNN aired Reuters video clip of a brief conversation between President Donald Trump and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the Gaza summit in Egypt. The two appeared to be talking business as Subianto asked Donald Trump to meet his son Eric, who is the executive vice president of the Trump Organization.

Can I meet Eric? Subianto asked.

Ill have Eric call, Donald Trump responded. Should I do that? Hes such a good boy. Ill have Eric call.

The two leaders also discussed looking for a better place, though it was unclear what they were referring to. The Trump Organization has two major projects in Indonesia, one located in Bali and the other in Lido.

A live microphone captured Indonesian President Prabowo asking Donald Trump if he could meet his son Eric, an executive vice president of the Trump Organization.



'I'll have Eric call. Should I do that? He's such a good boy,' Trump said https://t.co/RKPjoD1cKi pic.twitter.com/SEtTKMaVMj  Reuters (@Reuters) October 14, 2025

After the clip ended, Eric Trump said he was glad the president acknowledges Im a good boy; I am a good boy.

Eric Trump said he has not yet met or spoken with Subianto but was honored that the Indonesian president requested a call.

Theyre probably two of the most consequential real estate projects in the region that started before my fathers first presidency, Eric Trump told Collins Thursday. So Im honored that he knows about it. Ive never met the president of Indonesia, but it doesnt surprise me given the magnitude and prominence of those projects that he knows what Im doing over there.

White House officials have said the presidents assets are held in a family-controlled trust and that he will have no role in the familys business activities while in office. Eric and Donald Trump Jr. currently oversee the day-to-day operations, according to the organization.

I think theres a huge wall, Eric Trump said. Theres so much of a wall that the guys never met me. The guy asked to meet me because he has never met me. I think that indicates theres a pretty damn big wall right there.
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AI is not a hype cycle. It is a productivity event on the scale of railroads, electricity, and the internet. Quite frankly, each of those moments redefined the nature of work, not just the beneficiaries. In the 1800s, railroads connected regional markets and crushed transportation costs, turning isolated economies into national ones. In the 1900s, electricity reduced factory production by more than 70%, multiplying output without multiplying labor. By the 1990s, the internet compressed distribution costs to near zero, allowing a single idea to scale globally overnight. AIs equivalent is the compression of knowledge work. A research report that once took ten hours now takes two. A customer service queue that needed five humans now needs one. That is not a theme; it is a structural margin transformation. Microsofts Copilot and OpenAI integrations are the early signs of what happens when productivity turns into pricing power. Investors who continue to pursue top-line growth are misdirecting their attention. The real compounding will occur in operating leverage, where every dollar of new output costs less to produce. History shows that markets dont reward speculation for long, but they always re-price efficiency when it scales. Investors forget that progress never looks cheap in real time.

The real culprit is anchoring bias. Investors cling to the last paradigm as if it were permanent. They benchmark against the past, not realizing that technology resets the baseline each time. The same way electricity rewrote industrial costs, AI is rewriting productivity and pricing power. The problem isnt that AI valuations are inflated; its that investors are still comparing a new world to an obsolete one.

Investors hate what they cant model. When the inputs break their spreadsheets, they label the output irrational. In 1995, most of Wall Street dismissed (AMZN), (INTC) , and (CSCO) as hype because they didnt fit the valuation screens of the day. The numbers didnt make sense under an old framework, so the reaction was to reject the new one. This is the reflex of every cycle: call it a bubble until it becomes too big to ignore.

Every market cycle finds a new obsession that skeptics rush to call a bubble. If you look at history, it happened with railroads in the 1800s, with electricity in the early 1900s, with the internet in the 1990s, and again with smartphones in the 2000s. Each time, the same pattern played out. The crowd dismissed structural change as speculation until it rewired the entire economy. The truth is simple but often ignored. When technology reshapes cost, behavior, and productivity, it isnt speculation. It is revaluation. Artificial intelligence sits at that same moment now. What many call a bubble is really a repricing of productivity and margin potential across every major industry. The mistake is believing that this situation is merely about hype. It is about structure. Smart investors know how technology changes economic mechanics, not how it trades on any given week. Those who learn from the past will recognize this shift early.

Story continues

The Real Signal: Capital Expenditure And Infrastructure Buildout

The internet bubble of 2000 was built on consumer speculation, domain names, ad clicks, and companies with no revenue model. The AI movement is the opposite. It is driven by enterprise capital expenditure in chips, data centers, and energy infrastructure. Nvidia, Broadcom, and Super Micro are not memes; they are the railroads of the new economy. Each dollar invested in their capacity lays groundwork for decades of digital throughput. Over the next five years, more than $1 trillion will be spent building data centers alone. This is not mere speculation; it is the deployment of real capital for enduring benefits. In the late 1990s, infrastructure followed the mania. Today, infrastructure is the mania. That distinction matters. Its how you separate speculation from secular investment. One burns out when sentiment shifts. The other compounds quietly beneath it.

The Blind Spot Of Traditional Value Screens

Classic value investors hunt for cheap earnings, but innovation hides value by depressing short-term margins. In 2004, Amazon traded at 300 times earnings. Most value managers passed because the numbers looked absurd. Since then, the stock is up more than 180 times. What they missed wasnt the valuation, it was the cost curve. Amazon was in the investment phase, building the infrastructure that would later turn into unstoppable cash flow. AI is at the same stage today. Companies like Alphabet spent billions on data centers and machine learning years before those costs paid off. Those early losses became the backbone of one of the most profitable business models ever built. P/E ratios are misleading when they prioritize cost over value. Value investors misprice innovation not because they lack discipline, but because they measure the future with tools designed for the past.

The Real Winners: Structural Integrators

The next phase of AI leadership will not come from startups chasing buzzwords but from incumbents that embed it into their operating DNA. (NOW) is a quiet standout. Now Assist and Pro Plus tools automate workflows across IT, HR, and finance, creating margin expansion and contract stickiness, the essence of recurring leverage. (UNH), through Optum, is applying AI to claims detection, fraud reduction, and predictive care management, structurally lowering medical loss ratios and strengthening underwriting accuracy. The risk here is regulatory oversight, not technological execution. (AMZN) , via AWS, remains the infrastructure layer of the movement. Bedrock and Agents successfully monetize the "AI picks and shovels" trade, generating value each time a model undergoes training or deployment. (GE) is a textbook example of structural alpha in the industrial economy, using predictive maintenance and digital twins to transform service economics and asset uptime. And (MSFT) is the benchmark integrator; its Copilot suite has turned AI from a cost center into a pricing lever, embedding intelligence into the worlds most used productivity tools. The takeaway is simple: dont chase AI headlines. Own the companies that make it invisible, profitable, and structural.

What Markets Get Wrong

Markets almost always misprice time horizons. They chase the story that moves next quarters earnings instead of the structure that shapes the next decade. That is what happened with the cloud. In 2014, most analysts valued Amazon Web Services at zero. It generated 70% of Amazon's overall profits in just five years. The market was not wrong about Amazons ambition. It was wrong about timing. AI sits at the same inflection point today. The infrastructure buildout hides inside capital expenditure, invisible in near-term profit and loss, but its impact compounds beneath the surface. Data centers, chips, and workflow automation are not trends. They are foundations for multi-year margin expansion. Investors who wait for clarity will miss the compounding. Those who understand structure will see it early. Patience and structural insight always beat reaction and valuation screens.

The Investors Playbook

Step one is to stop asking if this is a bubble and start asking where efficiency compounds. Every major shift begins with skepticism and ends with scale. Step two is to separate speculation from structure. The trick is to follow where capital is being deployed, not where commentary is loudest. Step three is to look for industries built on repetitive, data-heavy workflows such as insurance, logistics, healthcare, manufacturing, and finance. These are the sectors where AI will quietly rewire margins. Step four is to focus on companies embedding AI to lower unit costs or raise switching costs, not those selling a story about AI exposure. Real adoption happens behind the scenes, not in headlines. Step five is to extend your time horizon. Structural reratings take years, not months. The investors who understand that efficiency compounds just like capital will be the ones collecting the real alpha when the noise fades.

The Edge Perspective

Ive been around for a long time and seen a lot. Every major technology cycle begins with disbelief because the market cannot model exponential change. Railroads, oil, electricity, semiconductors, and the internet all looked like bubbles before they rewired the world. The investors who understood structure before sentiment built fortunes while others argued over valuation. AI is that moment again. The opportunity is not in predicting hype but in owning the mechanics of transformation. Structural alpha does not live in ratios or short-term screens. It lives in the quiet compounding that happens when efficiency, capital, and time align. That is where my company, The Edge has always focused, before the crowd sees it.

On the date of publication, Jim Osman 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
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RecipesIndian Three Indian-inspired sweets for Diwali (featuring this spin on caramel slice) You dont have to officially celebrate Diwali to get behind the Festival of Lights. These treats may be the start of your own delicious new tradition. Justin Narayan October 19, 2025 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

This recipe features in the most popular recipes of October 2025 collection. See all stories .

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is an ancient Indian festival that celebrates light triumphing over darkness, and it has become a tradition that everyone can get behind. This year, Diwalis main celebrations fall on Monday, October 20. Growing up in a Christian family, we didnt officially celebrate it, but the energy of our Indian community and close friends meant we were always part of the festivities. It was a time filled with joyful chaos, like so many family get-togethers. Mum was always busy in the kitchen, making sweets to take to someones house. Wed spend the days touring the suburbs, visiting friends and family, eating and celebrating at every stop. MasterChef winner Justin Narayan. Rob Palmer There would be different people and food at each stop, but one thing was always there: mithai, or Indian sweets. By the end of the tour, wed have a wild collection  Im talking six to 10 different kinds  including classics such as barfi, jalebi, gulab jamun and lakri mithai.

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Today, when I go to a Diwali celebration, the guest list is more diverse. My friends and cousins bring partners from other cultures, and non-Indian neighbours drop in. It makes me think that in the future, Diwali might become a shared holiday for everyone, a bit like Christmas. The next few recipes are all about celebrating the flavours of India in a way that is accessible, fun and, if youre like me, full of nostalgia. Whether youre bringing a dish to a Diwali party or hosting your own, youll have a few sweet treats up your sleeve. This warmly spiced barfi, or milk fudge, taps into the pistachio trend. Steve Brown; STYLING Emma Knowles Pistachio barfi

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If youve never tried it, barfi is a melt-in-your-mouth spiced milk fudge. The kind I grew up with at Diwali celebrations was an Indo-Fijian style: crumbly and warmly spiced with nutmeg and cardamom. This recipe isnt groundbreaking; I simply wanted to create something using pistachios after seeing pistachio spreads pop up everywhere. INGREDIENTS 60g caster sugar

20g ghee, plus extra for greasing

150g pistachio paste

90g milk

180g skim milk powder

 tsp ground cardamom

 tsp nutmeg, grated

30-40g salted pistachios, shelled and roughly chopped METHOD Grease and line a 20cm x 20cm square baking tin with baking paper. In a pan over low heat, combine the caster sugar, ghee, pistachio paste and milk. Stir until the mixture is smooth and uniform. While stirring, add the milk powder, cardamom and nutmeg. Continue stirring until the mixture thickens and comes together into a soft, dough-like texture. Transfer the mixture into the greased baking tin. Press down gently to flatten the mixture, then sprinkle with the pistachios. Let it cool at room temperature for 1-2 hours until its firm enough to slice. Cut into squares  you should get about 20 pieces  then allow it to cool completely before serving.

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Makes about 20 squares Two food traditions unite in this barfi-spiced chocolate caramel slice. Steve Brown; STYLING Emma Knowles Barfi-spiced chocolate caramel slice Growing up as a first-generation Australian, I juggled two food cultures: the vibrant flavours of my Indian heritage and the familiar Australian bakery treats. Now, as an adult, I find that cooking is a way to explore and celebrate that dual identity. So, combining the comforting feel of a caramel slice with the unique flavours of barfi felt like a natural, delicious progression.

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INGREDIENTS Base 200g unsalted butter

 tsp vanilla essence

270g plain flour

70g desiccated coconut

190g brown sugar

pinch of salt Caramel 200g unsalted butter

190g brown sugar

2 x 385g cans condensed milk

 tsp salt

1 tsp cardamom powder (4g)

 tsp grated nutmeg (3g)

1 tsp vanilla extract

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Chocolate topping 200g milk chocolate

150g dark chocolate

15g unsalted butter

20g salted pistachios, shelled and roughly chopped METHOD To make the base, preheat the oven to 180C fan-forced (200C conventional). Line a 34cm  24cm baking tray with baking paper. Melt the butter in a small pan on the stove or in short bursts in a microwave. Place the melted butter in a mixing bowl with the vanilla, then add the flour, coconut, sugar and salt, mixing until well combined. Place the mixture into the tray, spreading evenly and flattening using the back of a spoon or the base of a glass. Place the tray in the oven and bake until lightly golden, about 15 minutes. Set aside. To make the caramel, melt the butter and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, and stir until bubbling. Add the condensed milk, salt, cardamom, nutmeg and vanilla and stir constantly until golden and just starting to bubble. Pour the mixture over the base, spread evenly, and bake for 15 minutes. Remove it from the oven and let it cool completely. To make the chocolate topping, place the chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl or in the top of a double boiler over boiling water, and heat until melted. Spread the melted chocolate over the caramel layer. Sprinkle over the pistachios. Chill for four hours or overnight until set. To serve, remove the slice from the tray, place it on a chopping board and trim the edges using a sharp, hot knife. Wipe the knife on a clean, damp cloth between cuts. Lightly mark the squares (or fingers) by scoring through the chocolate layer. Then cut the slice into even pieces. Makes about 15 pieces

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Magic happens when Indias rasmalai milk dumpling meets Mexicos tres leches. Steve Brown; STYLING Emma Knowles Rasmalai tres leches Ive long held a theory that theres a strong, and perhaps surprising, connection between Indian and Mexican cultures. Consider the bold use of chillies, the clear parallels between chutney and salsa, and even the prevalence of magnificent moustaches  the links are everywhere. This theory was solidified the first time I tasted tres leches cake. The texture and flavour immediately transported me back to my first experience with rasmalai, a spongy dumpling soaked in sweetened milk infused with saffron and cardamom. At its core, they are the same concept. Thats why I love the idea of this rasmalai-inspired cake. It makes the vibrant flavours of Indian sweets feel more accessible, especially for those who might be more comfortable baking a cake than poaching a milk dumpling. And for an even easier shortcut, you can simply use a store-bought sponge cake and start the recipe from the soaking step.

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INGREDIENTS Sponge cake 1-2 tsp unsalted butter to grease the tray

5 eggs

200g caster sugar

100ml full-cream milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

200g plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

 tsp of salt Rasmali leches soaking liquid 385g can condensed milk

385 can evaporated milk

150ml milk

5-6 green cardamom pods

pinch of saffron

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Cream topping 300ml thickened cream

1 tbsp icing sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp cardamom powder

30g pistachios, roughly chopped METHOD Preheat oven to 180C fan-forced (200C conventional). Grease a 34cm x 24cm cake tin with the unsalted butter. Separate five eggs, placing the whites in one bowl and the yolks in another. Using a stand mixer or whisk, beat the egg whites until frothy, then gradually add about half of the sugar, whisking as you go, until you have stiff, white peaks. Add the remaining sugar to bowl with the yolks and beat until pale and the mixture has doubled in size. Add the milk and vanilla extract, and beat or whisk until combined. Combine the plain flour, baking powder and salt, and, using a sieve, add them to the egg yolk mixture. Whisk or beat on low until the mixture is just combined. Using a spatula, fold the whisked egg whites into the batter. Start by mixing it quickly but then become more gentle until just combined. Gently pour the batter into the prepared cake tin, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 25-30 minutes. Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely. Lazy people start here: For the leches-style soaking liquid, place all the soaking ingredients into a small saucepan over a medium heat, stirring to combine. Just before it comes to a simmer (about 90C), remove the pan from the heat, and let it cool for an hour. Then strain and set aside. Using a fork or skewer, poke as many holes as you can across the top of the cake. Pour about half of the soaking mixture over the cake, ensuring its evenly distributed, and let it sit for 10 minutes. Pour the remaining mixture over the top, then place the cake in the fridge overnight (a minimum of a few hours will work if youre short on time). To serve, place thickened cream, icing sugar and vanilla into a mixing bowl and whisk until you have soft peaks. Spread the cream over the cake and top with an even dusting of cardamom and pistachios. To serve, slice into 8 and place onto a rimmed plate or bowl with any extra soaking liquid. Serves 8 Related Article This Sizzler-inspired cheese toast is one of the greatest things in the world

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A clothing class divide greater than the gap between silk and polyester was on show at The Everest at Royal Randwick Racecourse, becoming more noticeable as the day progressed and inhibitions loosened along with spaghetti straps.

In the members areas there were flashes of elegance, structure and tailoring that vigorously nodded to formal racewear traditions. On the lawns and in the queues for drinks and monogrammed green caps from the TAB, anything goes.

Real Housewives of Sydney star Krissy Marsh, in a white Lillian Khallouf mini dress drawing inspiration from Dolce & Gabbana, was concerned for racegoers in flimsier creations.

Krissy Marsh in a Lillian Khallouf mini-dress and Embellish Atelier hat at The Everest. Credit: Getty Images

Youve got to be careful not to have any boobs coming out or anything too much, Marsh said before the first pop of a champagne cork. Towards the end of the day, after a few champagnes, anything can pop out.
There have also been vigorous Australian critics of Mullally. Bishop Peter Hayward, Commissary for the Archbishop of Sydney, said that while the office of the Archbishop of Canterbury once held a symbolic leadership role in the global Anglican Communion, orthodox Anglicans must now look to other leaders. Loading Dr Mark D. Thompson, the head of Sydneys arch-conservative training ground for priests, Moore College, wrote that the Church of Englands leadership continued its tragic slide into irrelevance with Mullallys rise. If we leave aside the provocative appointment of a woman, he wrote, which is disturbing enough in itself [to people who believe women should complement and support men], Mullallys record  demonstrates how unfit she is for this role. Could it be, though, that Mullally may mark a sign of relevance, instead, in a world where women are still fighting for basic rights, where empathy is derided as weakness and compassion as woke, leading to headlines like Loathe Thy Neighbour, which seems a pretty solid perversion of the original? Mullally once told a magazine: There are great commonalities between nursing and being a priest. Its all about people, and sitting with people during the most difficult times in their lives. Who could argue with that?

She also says: Washing feet has shaped my Christian vocation as a nurse, then a priest, then a bishop. In the apparent chaos which surrounds us, in the midst of such profound global uncertainty, the possibility of healing lies in acts of kindness and love. At a time of pugilistic militarism, populations decimated by bombs, algorithms thrilling to snark, this is a welcome contrast, returning to Christianitys more radical roots of service. But the whole fracas has made me think about how much of the opposition to women becoming priests, or having any authority in the Anglican Church, is rooted in the argument that people must resist the influence of an ungodly world, of an ungodly feminism, of worldliness or a secular society where, I dunno, women supposedly rule. But it has always been clear that the dominant culture is, and pretty much always has been, patriarchy, a world where men dominate parliaments, courtrooms and boardrooms, along with pulpits. What is truly countercultural is pushing back on the silencing, diminishing and stifling of women because they are women. Mullallys time as Archbishop of Canterbury is likely to be difficult, dogged by rejection and criticism of her leadership, some of which may be valid. (Abuse survivors, for example, believe she has been too defensive of the institution.) But the church would be wise to support her. Lets not forget that all the while, female priests, bishops and archbishops around the world just carry on and do their work, steadfastly ignoring those who refuse to value, honour or listen to them.

In Adelaide, the Right Rev Sophie Relf-Christopher said she delighted with millions of Christians around the world at Mullallys appointment. Loading It may be bewildering to most people outside the church that it has taken so many hundreds of years for this natural step to occur, she said, but for those men and women inside the church seeking to address the significant problem of worldly and divisive patriarchy inside the church of God, this is a relief. The institutional church does its best work when it stands in solidarity with those with less power, and it is hard to imagine how it might continue to credibly undertake that work with men alone leading the way. In a world where theo bros of the hard right are arguing women shouldnt vote, when domestic violence is dismissed by the American president as a little fight with the wife, when kindness is slammed as feminine cliche, a female-led church can be a strong rejoinder. The first woman to be made bishop in the American Episcopal Church, Barbara Harris, was ordered to wear a bulletproof vest to her consecration in 1989. She refused, saying: I thought, if some idiot is going to shoot me, what better place to go than at an altar?
Tennessee-based regional bank First Horizon (FHN) reported its Q3 2025 results yesterday, before the markets opened. While they were reasonably strong, they weren't enough for investors, causing FHN stock to decline nearly 10% on the day.

The price drop could have been an example of the adage, Buy the rumor, sell the news. Alternatively, it might have been due to the fear-mongering by JPMorgan & Chase (JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon, whose comments about cockroaches generated considerable controversy.

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Whatever the reasons, it was a blow for long-time First Horizon shareholders, erasing 75% of their gains in 2025. On the plus side, theyre still up 98% over the past five years, more than double the performance of the iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF (IAT).

In yesterdays options trading, FHNs volume was 173,468, the second-highest daily volume in 2025, 5.8 times the 30-day average.

As a result of the increased activity, the regional banks stock had 11 unusually active options yesterday  eight calls and three puts  with two in the top 12.

Whether youre bullish or bearish on its stock,

First Horizons unusual options activity reveals three standout trades.

FHN Income Strategy

Im going to reach outside my comfort zone on this one, opting for a Stock Repair strategy, also known as a Covered Ratio Spread. Its not something Ive recommended before. Theres a first time for everything.

In this situation, you already own 200 shares of First Horizon stock. Well say you bought them on Dec. 31, 2024, at the days low of $20.04.

Based on yesterdays closing price, youre sitting on a slight loss over eight months. You use this strategy to recover some or all of your original $4,008 investment, and if possible, some of the profits lost from yesterdays trading. You are unwilling to buy more shares.

The strategy combines a Covered Call and a Bull Call Spread. You want to buy one ATM (at the money) call and sell two calls with a higher strike price.

Of the eight calls from yesterdays unusual options activity, three had expiration dates of around 90.

In this example, you would buy one long $21 call expiring on January 16, 2026, and sell two short $22 or $28 calls.
Those early years were both exhilarating and eye-opening. I lived first in a dingy hotel, then in a magical Montmartre apartment, working as a chef, a film extra, in a bar, as a cinema usherette, even as a hat model. I learned French by immersion, studied theatre at Cours Florent  becoming their first Australian graduate  and was a genius at life on a shoestring. When my student visa ended, I returned home, determined to live as boldly in Melbourne as I had in Paris. In 1996, I met Tom [Alberts, the artist]. We fell in love, and shared a dream of Europe. Over the years, we tested the waters  his Rome residency, my time painting in Venice  but it wasnt until 2019 that everything aligned. We had just finished post-production on our film, The Big Kitty, when we found an apartment in Paris fifth arrondissement. It felt fated. Four months later, COVID shut down the city. Those months were hard, we were isolated from family, unable to return to Australia, but they also deepened our bond with Paris. Now, life here feels endlessly rich. I love stepping onto our balcony to water the plants, mornings at museums, browsing the wares of the bouquinistes [booksellers] along the Seine, and aperitifs on hot evenings with friends. I love that my Parisian friends correct my French, that loyalty is fierce once you are accepted. There are magic moments, too, Pierre Cardin turning up at one of my exhibitions, our film being screened at Cannes, bumping into Charlotte Rampling at the Velib stand. Still, I miss home: our St Kilda studio, summer cocktails on the beach, my brothers poolside gatherings, Christmas parties with friends. But Paris exceeds every expectation. Each day feels like stepping onto a stage; I am exactly where Im meant to be. Nothing prepared me for the winters: Nicole Hedman, 52

I never planned to move to Sweden. At the time, I was a principal dancer with The Australian Ballet and was invited to guest with the Royal Swedish Ballet in Stockholm. That month turned out to be life-changing. Stockholm was beautiful in September and I had time to explore. I met Joel, who would become my husband. I had other guest appearances in Oslo and Copenhagen, but I chose to return to Stockholm, spend more time with him, and see what unfolded. Twenty years later, we have three children: Maya, 19, Ella, 17, and Flynn, 14. Nicole Hedman, a dancer with the Australian Ballet, went as a guest to Sweden and never moved back. The move was never deliberate. I thought Id take six months off dancing, but the Swedish Ballet asked me to keep performing. Stockholm quickly became part of my life. Looking back, I realise my family history may have influenced how natural it felt to stay. My mother and grandmother are Hungarian, and I grew up with a strong sense of our European heritage. When I first arrived in Stockholm, I remember stepping off the plane and thinking, This feels familiar. I could live here.

Stockholm is an extraordinary city to raise children; its safe, clean, and well-organised. The architecture and history give it genuine character. And being in Europe means opportunities for travel; my daughters think nothing of taking the train to Copenhagen for the weekend. But the challenges are real. Nothing prepared me for the winters. I was naive about the darkness and cold, minus 18 degrees felt surreal after a life in the sun. In those early years, I battled seasonal depression and often returned home to Australia once or twice a year to recover. The culture, too, needed some adjusting to. Swedes are warm once you know them, but more reserved than Australians. Learning Swedish was essential to feeling part of the community, and Im proud I mastered the language in my 30s. What I miss most is the beach and the open-heartedness of Australians. At home, strangers smile and say good morning. And I miss my family. Still, I feel lucky. Europe has given me an extraordinary life and career. But every time I return to Australia, the sun, the sea, and the easy warmth of home remind me where my heart truly belongs. Life carries the magic that pulled us in: Susannah Cameron, 43

When we left Melbourne for a tiny village of 500 people near Vaison-la-Romaine in Provence, in 2015, we launched an online boutique selling French antiques worldwide. We named it Chez Pluie after my father, Rain  pluie means rain in French. My husband, Hugh, puppy Frankie, and I moved to Europe to shake up our daily lives, chasing a dream of lavender fields and relaxed lunches under plane trees. Ten years later, we have not only a successful business and an enriching life, but a wonderful family. Susannah Cameron moved to a tiny village in Provence with her husband to shake up our lives. We arrived as strangers. Our French was clumsy, our corporate careers had been left on pause, and our families were oceans away. But our neighbours didnt hesitate. They folded us into their lives with the warmth of kin. Over the years, this mix of French, Dutch, Belgian, Scottish and German friends became more than acquaintances  they became our lifeline. We now rely on each other the way families do: babysitting pets, cooking meals when someone is unwell, and raising glasses to celebrate birthdays. Traditions are shared, and our support for each other comes naturally. These bonds have made Provence feel not just like a place to live, but like home.
Joanna Lumley is best known for playing Patsy Stone in the TV series and movie adaptations of Absolutely Fabulous. In discussing the important men in her life, the 79-year-old talks about her experiences with men while working as a model in the 60s, her ties to both King Charles and Barry Humphries, and her secret to a lasting marriage.

Joanna Lumley, at last months London Fashion Week: [In the 60s], men treated us pretty flippantly  particularly if you were pretty, you were treated as kind of worthless. Credit: Getty Images

My father, James, was born in Lahore, which is now in Pakistan. He trained to be a soldier in Sandhurst, England, but returned to India and joined a Gurkha regiment, which was the Indian army. He was a great dreamer, immensely philosophical, and a great reader and historian. He was fabulously funny and the best company you could ever find. He told me never to give up when things get hard, which Ive tried to do.

I was 11 when I went to St Marys Anglican Convent boarding school. Our nuns were wonderful, but they became cross if you met boys from the town. The boys would come up to the boundaries of the school and teach us to shoot air guns. We were very young in those days, very innocent.

My first celebrity crush was Dirk Bogarde. I saw him in [the 1956 film] The Spanish Gardener and thought he was unbelievably beautiful. Much later, when I started to write for newspapers, I interviewed him and we became friends. I used to take him pots of my mother Beatrices marmalade. He was an extraordinary man and a brilliant screen actor, very delicate and nuanced.
The air is filled with the scent of sun-baked stone, fresh espresso and the sweet perfume of jasmine. Vespas dart through cobbled streets and a thousand conversations fill ancient piazzas. But away from the crowds and the iconic sights that youve seen a thousand times, a new energy is taking hold in Rome. One that positions style and luxury at its forefront.

Rome is no longer just a place to see, its a place to be seen. Credit: Getty Images

For more than 2500 years, Rome has held an irresistible lure for travellers, and so it continues to this day. But while most visitors will stick to the standard tick list  such as the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Vatican  for those who yearn for a Roman holiday that blends grandeur with a new wave of contemporary luxury, the city has evolved to accommodate. Its no longer just a place to see, its a place to be seen, with a vibrant new scene that proves La Dolce Vita is very much alive and well.

And leading the charge is Soho House Rome. Tucked away in San Lorenzo  a gritty, artistic quarter that is a world apart from the Rome of marble statues and tourist crowds  the latest outlet for the renowned private club and hotel has already become a hangout for the citys bright young things.

True to its creative ethos, the space is packed with artwork (the Soho House art collection is one of the largest private collections of its kind) with an emphasis on pieces from local-based artists. However, its the rooftop pool and bar that are the undeniable heart of the hotel. Here, you can spend hours soaking in the sophisticated buzz, watching the citys stylish set mingle over expertly crafted cocktails and dishes at the in-house rooftop restaurant, Cecconis Terrazza. Top tip: the wood-fired pizzas and their version of the classic Roman pasta dish, cacio e pepe, are must-trys.
Sydneys first ever public playground, which became one of the very first childcare centres, will close by the end of the year as the city faces becoming a city without grandchildren.

Parents at KU Lance childcare at Millers Point were told the more than 120-year-old centre would close at the end of the year, with the provider unable to keep operations going due to so few enrolments.

Tendayi Chivunga and her kids, Arnja and Ruslan, are devastated over the impending closure of KU Lance. Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong

The centre, which has a 39-child capacity, has experienced a 30 per cent fall in enrolments in the past year alone.

On some days just six children attend.
Less than two years after NSW Productivity Commissioner Peter Achterstraat said Sydney could be the city with no grandchildren, it must seem like a foregone conclusion in some parts of town.

At Davidson, on the northern beaches, the Herald reported last month that Kambora Public School would shut its doors at the end of this year due to declining enrolments. Fewer young families moving into the area and stagnant housing growth were among the reasons given for the Education Department decision.

That followed the local Catholic diocese schools board re-evaluating its school placement on the northern beaches. With a jurisdiction stretching north of the city, Catholic Schools Broken Bay has chosen to merge St Cecilias Primary at Balgowlah with St Kierans Manly Vale as it focuses on meeting exploding demand for schools on the Central Coast, where priced-out Sydneysiders have flocked in recent years.

And, as Jessica McSweeney reports in todays Sun-Herald, the inner-city suburb of Millers Points long-standing childcare centre will close this year after its operator found it to be no longer viable. The KU Lance centre sometimes has just six children in attendance  well short of its 39-child capacity. Locals say, after public housing was cleared out, Millers Point streets were increasingly overtaken by short-term rental accommodation, the once working-class area financially unreachable for families.

Children have become increasingly scarce in some parts of the city as births fall by 20 per cent or more in the eastern suburbs, north shore, northern beaches and inner west.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Were shining a spotlight on Brisbane people and businesses making noise on social media. See all 5 stories . On a Sunday morning at New Farm Park, Keisha Love is busily prepping to host a fortnightly free Pilates class. By 7.15am the park is full of chattering participants setting up their yoga mats. Love came up with the idea after noticing an influx of social-run clubs popping up across the city. Keisha Love started Pil Lattes because she wanted to bring together a community of like-minded individuals. Credit: Silk Lens Studio She was intrigued by the concept, but not so keen on the running element  and so her Pilates social club was born. The name is a play on the words Pilates and lattes, two things that Brisbaners love, she explains. I just thought Pil Lattes was a fun name.

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Love apologises for being awkward on camera during our interview. But 15 minutes later she greets a crowd of almost 300 enthusiasts with confidence, with any awkwardness melting away. Loves day job is teaching Pilates, cycle and ballet barre at TotalFusion. Before moving into the world of fitness instructing, Love was a dancer  and says it feels like a natural progression. I love a stage, a group energy. Pil Lattes is on every fortnight at New Farm Park. Credit: Ange Lewis Photography At New Farm Park, the Pilates mat workout is humbling. (When it gets too much, this journalist takes the opportunity to have a break and capture content.)

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The size of the class  and its synchronised movement in the green space against the stunning Brisbane skyline  is a sight to behold. Passersby marvel at the hundreds of people working out together, some probably mentally signing up for the next class. Hundreds gather for the fortnightly Pil Lattes gathering. Credit: Neesha Sinnya From passion project to fortnightly tradition The tradition started five months ago, after Love posted about it on TikTok. When I first started I really thought Id be dragging along my friends and my family each week to build up that hype for it, she says. But a post just went viral on TikTok and I got quite a bit of traction from the get-go.

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It really solidified for me that its a want and a need for Brisbane and something people would really enjoy. What Love described as her passion project almost immediately garnered a fan base of like-minded people seeking connection. Her first video on the Pil Lattes TikTok page has been watched more than 14,800 times. In a follow-up post, Love admits the response blew her away. When I kept seeing all those registrations rolling in, I had a mini-panic at one point, like, Oh my god, this is so many people, she says in the video. Now Love usually hosts about 200 participants, with as many as 500 showing up bright and early for the Sunday morning class.

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Many people ask why the classes are free, when regular mat Pilates classes at gyms in the New Farm area can be $25 or more. Pil Lattes members start their Sunday mornings right with a fitness session in the sunshine. Credit: Silk Lens Studio Thats where Loves ethos of accessible fitness comes into play. Its about removing barriers for entry, creating a space thats welcoming for everyone, she says. Whats next for Pil Lattes? Love wants the club to continue to grow, and even to become a destination for people visiting Brisbane. I think that we could hit a Guinness world record one day, she says. Id love to fill out Suncorp Stadium for a huge Pilates event.

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The normally bustling intersection of Queensberry and Errol streets in North Melbourne was shut down on Saturday, giving way to a different sort of traffic: billycarts.

Dozens of them, some no more than a few planks of wood and cord while others expertly engineered, careened through a hay bale-lined racetrack during the fourth annual Queensberry Cup.

Children race in the fifth annual Queensberry Cup. Credit: Joe Armao

This year the field was filled with the usually eclectic mix of vehicles, including a reptilian low rider and Mattel-pink Barbie car. But most eye-catching of all was the aerodynamic carbohydrate cart dubbed The Flying Potato.

Ariel Valent, the events organiser and director of North Melbournes neighbourhood house The Centre, said the billycart was a bit of an equaliser.
Instead, it was shelved, wasting $5.3 million in taxpayer funds. The project was dumped because the alternate CAD software was unviable, according to a summary on the Victorian government IT dashboard. Triple Zero Victoria provided a different explanation: most of the works were successfully completed, but some components were discontinued because they would be superseded by a new CAD project. Well before Wednesdays CAD outage, staff were raising grave concerns about the geriatric technology system underpinning emergency call taking in Victoria. The old CAD is due to be replaced, and work is under way on the Next Generation CAD project.

Triple Zero Victoria insists the work is on track, within budget, and its delivery timeframes have not changed. Loading But unions and staff members say the planned rollout has been delayed at least six months. And a leaked presentation indicates the new CAD was scheduled to be deployed in October next year. A recent memo to staff says a new refined  project schedule was conditionally endorsed last month, pushing the transition to the new system to mid 2027. The project has been worded quite cleverly so that its still on track, but they have informed AV [Ambulance Victoria] that there will be a six-month delay, said Victorian Ambulance Union secretary Danny Hill.

Hill said he had also been advised that recent redundancies at Triple Zero Victoria had affected the team working on the Next Generation CAD, and the training staff who would have been pivotal in rolling out the system. It would seem to me quite counterintuitive, he said. According to Triple Zero Victoria, no operational training staff dedicated to the Next Generation CAD digital transformation program have been made redundant. Concerns over the rollout of the new system coincided with support for leaders falling below that recorded around the time of catastrophic call answering delays during the pandemic. In August, in an email to staff referencing her organisations People Matters survey  a staff questionnaire Victorian public service departments complete  then-chief executive Debra Abbott wrote perceptions of senior leaders have declined to levels below what was seen in 2022. Thirty-three people died following Triple Zero delays or lengthy ambulance waits in 2021 and 2022. Most ambulance calls should be answered within five seconds; instead, people waited up to 76 minutes. A review found that the service had not been adequately funded by the state government to meet the forecast surge in demand.

Recently, the agency has received WorkSafe provisional improvement notices over unresolved workplace health and safety issues. One of the notices related to a failure to train staff on what advice to give callers trapped in a burning building  an issue Triple Zero Victoria now says its working on with an agency partner. Loading Call takers have two options. They can either just say to someone, OK, good luck and hang up the phone, or they could try and fumble their way through giving some sort of advice that theyre not trained to give, said one Triple Zero call taker who is not authorised to speak publicly. At the end of this month, Triple Zero will also appear at the Fair Work Commission over a dispute with the Communication Workers Union (CWU), to settle a squabble over whether staff must wear uniforms on Friday and Saturday nights or are permitted to wear casual clothing. After the union launched action at the Fair Work Commission to force Triple Zero to allow members to dress casually on weekend nights, the agency hired law firm Landers & Rogers to fight back.

CWU assistant secretary John Ellery said he was concerned that the agency was wasting Victorian taxpayers money on external lawyers to overturn the longstanding practice, instead of focusing on providing a proper service to Victorians. Asked about the cost and nature of the dispute, Triple Zero Victoria said the agency had not launched the proceedings, and that because it was the subject of an upcoming hearing it would be inappropriate to comment further. Loading This weeks CAD blackout caused minutes-long delays for some Victorians trying to call for an ambulance or police. Triple Zero Victoria has yet to provide details on how long callers waited to get through, as the agency says data is not yet available.

Triple Zero calls from the community continued to be taken throughout the incident, and emergency responders continued to be dispatched, a Triple Zero Victoria spokeswoman said. Its not just during the high-profile crashes that the CAD system proves unreliable, said Hill, from the ambulance union. There are regular glitches, or it freezes, or there might be a function that doesnt work effectively. I found out just the other day that there was a period of time a couple of weeks back, where they [the dispatchers] couldnt right-click if they hovered over an ambulance. One senior Triple Zero Victoria staff member described the current CAD as like the unstable building block game Jenga. Its been put together over 30 years. Different bits and pieces have been pulled out and put in. So its very unstable.
A quarter of Optus 10.7 million Australian mobile customers have considered leaving the network because of its handling of last months Triple Zero outage, which was linked to the deaths of three people after more than 600 emergency calls failed.

The findings show the potential commercial damage to the telecommunications giant from the outage, which followed a critical outage of its entire network in late 2023 and a major hack the year before that left the Singapore-owned company with sluggish growth.

A quarter of Optus customers polled by this masthead said the outage had made them consider leaving the telco. Credit: Eamon Gallagher

Optus handling of the 13-hour Triple Zero outage on September 18 was heavily criticised in the weeks that followed. The telco raised the alarm only after the incident was over, sending alerts to an incorrect email address at the Department of Communications as well as understating the severity of the crisis.

Despite the opposition launching a political attack on Communications Minister Anika Wells for her response to the outage after she highlighted she was fresh to the role and travelled to New York amid continuing disruptions to Optus network, voters were evenly split on the governments handling of the matter.
A spokeswoman for Scully said, all meetings are disclosed as required on a quarterly basis and published on the Premiers Department website. The minister and Mr Iemma have not discussed any projects relating to his work as a principal of Iemma Patterson Premier Advisory Group (IPPA), noting Mr Iemma is registered as a third-party lobbyist, the spokeswoman said. The April 2024 meeting with Scully has previously been made public via ministerial diary disclosures introduced by Mike Baird in 2014 to increase transparency over government dealings with lobbyists. A James Packer-backed developer wants to knock down The Chimes in Potts Point and replace it with upmarket apartments. Credit: Louise Kennerley In a two-word description, the disclosure listed the meeting as being about planning matters.

It has been the subject of criticism from the Coalition because Iemma was not listed as a lobbyist. Other meetings with Scully and Minns have also not listed him as a lobbyist. The government says it did not need to because Iemma was not representing a client. In a parliamentary hearing, Scully defended that decision because people can have multiple roles in life. He was a former premier when he was there, he said during budget estimates last year. The emails show Iemma requested the meeting with Scully to discuss the axing of the Greater Sydney Commission, which had been responsible for setting the citys strategic planning decisions, late in 2023. As a former GSC commissioner for southern Sydney, Iemma wanted to share with you some of my experiences and had some advice about its strategic planning functions.

I believe this can be of assistance to you and the department in navigating the way forward post the changes announced at the end of last year, he wrote. But the Herald can reveal that it took place against the backdrop of a flurry of correspondence from Iemma and his company on behalf of his clients. Among the documents is evidence of Iemmas successful effort to help a controversial James Packer-backed development in Potts Point win a carve out from a City of Sydney plan to block developments that led to an overall loss of housing. An artists impression of an earlier proposal for the Chimes site, which sought to replace 80 apartments. Credit: City of Sydney planning portal Developer Time and Place plans to knock down The Chimes building of 80 one-bedroom and studio apartments on Macleay Street to construct a nine-storey tower of about 34 apartments, including an allocation of affordable housing.

The development has drawn the ire of some residents due to the loss of relatively affordable housing in the inner-city suburb. Backlash was significant enough that in September 2023, City of Sydney Greens councillor Sylvie Ellsmore drafted a proposal to block new developments that resulted in a 15 per cent reduction in existing housing. The council took the first step towards adopting the plan in December, despite opposition from Time and Place and the developer lobby. But the dwelling retention proposal still needed sign-off from the state government, and, frustrated by the councils decision to introduce new rules while its development was already under assessment, Time and Place hired Iemma as a lobbyist in March 2024. It was the beginning of a year-long effort to make Time and Places development exempt from the new dwelling retention rule.

In April 2024, Iemma secured a meeting with planning officials through Scullys deputy chief of staff, Gino Mandarino. Two months later, in June, the department issued a gateway determination  essentially a checkpoint for a planning proposal  that instructed the council to insert whats known as a savings provision, essentially a legal carve-out for certain types of developments, including those already in train. It also made the state government, not the council, the final decision-maker over the proposal. But the developer was unhappy with the wording of the savings provision eventually inserted by the council, and Iemma continued to lobby Scullys office on its behalf. A second meeting with the department was held in November, and in December, Urbis wrote to the government to complain that the council had not listened to its strong grounds for why the proposal should be excluded from this policy change. NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully has met a number of times with former premier Morris Iemma. Credit: Steven Siewert

After Iemma held a third meeting with planning officials in February this year, Mandarino asked the department for an update and was told they were investigating how to frame a savings provision to strike the right balance between what the developer wanted and the intent of the councils changes. When Mandarino asked whether the developer was satisfied with these discussions, the official said they would have liked more certainty [but] if anything its in T&Ps interest for this process to drag out, as it will allow their development application to have progressed further. Later the same month, Mandarino met Iemma himself. Ahead of the meeting, the department informed him that it was working on a draft wording which would align to the outcome sought by Time and Place. Iemma and his wife, fellow IPPA employee Santina Raiti, continued to press Mandarino for updates in April and May. On May 21, the department official wrote to Mandarino to tell him the LEP wording had been finalised and would be published the following week.

I just gave Santina a call to let her know, which she was fine with, he wrote. Loading You are a scholar and gentleman, Mandarino replied. Ellsmore, the Greens councillor who moved the dwelling retention policy, was furious at Iemmas involvement as a lobbyist in the Time and Place development. It is outrageous if developers paid the former premier to get access ... to win more favourable treatment for their development than they could get through council, she said.

It is especially outrageous  to green-light the destruction of affordable homes, so luxury apartments can be built instead. Time and Place, however, argues that City of Sydneys decision to introduce the policy while the project was already in train (the developer and the council were involved in a Land and Environment Court case over the project when the policy was introduced) forced it to get help. It was seeking procedural fairness, not special treatment, a spokesman for the developer said. The spokesman said the citys dwelling retention policy changed the planning framework midstream and created uncertainty for projects already under assessment. Time & Places subsequent engagement with the Department of Planning focused on our view that the project should continue to be assessed under the correct, lawful rules that applied when it commenced, he said. The engagement of IPPA and Morris Iemmas advice was sought by us to ensure we did things the right way  and complied with regulations while speaking to the appropriate people through the proper channels.

There is no suggestion that lobbying rules have been breached by Iemma, the government or Time and Place. The developer ultimately lodged an application to have its project assessed as a state significant one. But it raises fresh questions over how the government manages Iemmas twin role as both a lobbyist and a senior Labor figure. Iemma enjoys close relationships with senior figures in the government, and has often been described as a mentor to Minns. He also helped with the premiers local re-election campaign in 2023, and both of his sons have worked for the premier since Labor returned to government. The government also appointed Iemma as chair of Venues NSW in 2023, although he later pulled out of the role, citing poor health. A spokeswoman for Scully said that any inquiries from Iemma to the ministers office are referred to the department for response or updates.

All assessment outcomes recommended to the minister for approval were determined by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure through its standard assessment processes, the spokeswoman said. Loading But the Time and Place development is just one of many the documents show Iemma and his firm lobbying Scullys office over. Under current rules, many are not required to be, and are never, made public. The February meeting with Mandarino over the Time and Place development was never made public because ministerial staff are not subject to disclosure requirements.
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Bitcoin is too risky to be included in investors portfolios, U.K.s biggest retail investment platform says.

Bitcoin has experienced several periods of extreme losses and is a highly volatile investment  much riskier than stocks or bonds, $225 billion asset manager Hargreaves Lansdown said last week. The HL [Hargreaves Lansdown] Investment view is that bitcoin is not an asset class, and we do not think cryptocurrency has characteristics that mean it should be included in portfolios for growth or income and shouldnt be relied upon to help clients meet their financial goals.

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Hargreaves Lansdown added that, in its view, cryptocurrencies have no intrinsic value.

Hargreaves Lansdowns statement came as the Financial Conduct Authority last week overturned a nearly six-year ban on the retail trading of spot cryptocurrency exchange-traded notes. While competitors like Interactive Investor and Saxo have largely opened their doors to cryptocurrency ETNs, HL said it will take the remaining months of the year to craft the client journey and appropriateness assessment, before offering cryptocurrency ETN trading to appropriate clients.

Meanwhile, under FCA rules, retail investors will be limited to Bitcoin- and Ethereum-based products on U.K. exchanges, such as the London Stock Exchange, Hargreaves Lansdown said. Investors may also be limited to allocating only up to 10% of their portfolio in cryptocurrency ETNs.

Trending: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it?

Hargreaves Lansdowns statement aligns with sentiments from JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon.

Im not personally a believer in Bitcoin itself, but youre the customerI dont like to tell customers what they can and cant do with their money, Dimon told CNBC in August.

Still, the prevailing trend suggests that institutions are increasingly embracing cryptocurrencies. Among the prominent institutional backers of cryptocurrencies is the worlds largest asset manager, BlackRock (NYSE:BLK).

There is a role for crypto in the same way there is a role for gold, that is, its an alternative, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink told CBS' "60 Minutes" in an interview aired on Sunday, while walking back 2017 remarks that Bitcoin was an index of money laundering.
The incident has sparked calls from the Victorian Liberal opposition for the state to import Queenslands broadened police search powers.

Crisafullis government campaigned heavily on the promises to address a youth crime crisis in the state amid several high-profile stabbings. It was forced to correct data this week that had exaggerated a drop in crime victim numbers.

Senior Queensland government figures have also repeatedly criticised their Victorian counterparts over issues from GST carve-ups to support for pill testing  for which Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie this week labelled them commies.

What they said

During a question-and-answer session at Fridays event, Crisafulli was asked about attracting big business from interstate in preparation for the 2032 Olympics. He said there could be a financial incentive to bring workers north.
Loading Amazing, and my other special horse, Private Eye, became my most winningest horse today, getting his 14th win [the Moonga Stakes at Caulfield]. They have been two incredible horses over the past couple of seasons and this horse is a long way from being finished. Theres plenty of wins to come. Pride was looking to features at Flemington next for Ceolwulf, who took his career earnings past $9 million. The victory was Prides third major on the Everest program over the past three years after Think About It won the showpiece in 2023 and Ceolwulfs victory last year. He hoped the run would lead to more chances to expand his operation.

I worked 54 this morning. Pride said. Im looking to expand. I cant get any more boxes, but when I do, were growing the right way. I want to get to about 70, 75. I can handle that easily. Im very much a hands-on trainer. Its out of sight, out of mind for me  I cant have horses in another state or another location. They need to be there with me watching them. Heathcote keeps Queenslands hot streak going Rob Heathcote has a jar on his office desk containing two bone chips that were removed from Rothfires legs, which serves to remind him every day just how lucky he is to have the eight-year-old still racing. Piloted by Zac Purton, Rothfire overcame a difficult barrier to take out the $2 million group 3 Sydney Stakes  and Heathcote said it was close to the best win of his career.

Rob Heathcote after Rothfires Sydney Stakes victory. Credit: Getty Images Buffering became a household name a decade ago when he won all over the country, as well as Dubai, and that remains at the top of the list for Heathcote. But I tell you what, this goes close [to topping that], Heathcote said. This horse, to defy veterinary science, I have two bone chips that were taken out of his sesamoids on my desk, and I look at them every time we put a saddle on him. It means so much to get him through the wars. Now here he is, winning a biggie. Rothfire has mixed it with the best throughout his career, and was still able to recapture his best form after having the bone chips removed after the 2020 Golden Rose.

The win for Queensland-based Heathcote continued the Sunshine States dream sporting run this spring, on the back of the Brisbane Broncos and Lionss respective triumphs in the NRL, NRLW and AFL. Bugger the cockroaches, a smiling Heathcote said. Zac Purton (pink and black silks) boots home Rothfire to win the Sydney Stakes. Credit: Getty Images Purton only picked up the ride when Nash Rawiller, who steered the horse last start in the Manikato but was unavailable on Saturday because of commitments down south  recommended he take the ride. Cronin runner beaten like a Gong in Silver Eagle

Parramatta Eels legend Mick Cronin passed on the chance to join the Newtown Jets, but remained friends with John Singleton, and was even roped into the ownership of one of Singos horses that ran at Randwick on Saturday. The aptly-named Gerringong, Cronins home town, finished ninth in the Silver Eagle behind Linebacker, the race favourite who was way too good for his rivals, and right on track for a crack at the Golden Eagle in a fortnight. Because of Cronins honesty when it came to leaving the Eels for the Jets all those years ago, he said Singleton had never forgotten it. For those who do not know the story, Singleton flew Cronin from Gerringong to Henson Park to sell him the Jets dream. Weve caught up a couple of times every year since, and I often tell Singo had I gone to the Jets, he probably wouldnt be talking to me now, Cronin said. Ive always been a punter. I had a horse called Noble Connection, he won about 19 races. Its a bit of fun. Fit for a Queen

Paul Messara has the late Queen Elizabeth to thank for paving the way for Clear Thinking to enter his stable. Clear Thinking won The Kosciusko when the seas parted at the top of the straight for her and jockey Tyler Schiller and they powered away to beat Gallant Star, the ever-reliable gelding part-owned by Test spinner Kerry OKeeffe, with Chidiac third. Arrowfield Studs Jon Freyer later confirmed they had bought the mare after the Queens passing in 2022, when the royal stud wanted to reduce its racing portfolio. Clear Thinking, with Tyler Schiller aboard, wins The Kosciuszko. Credit: Getty Images She was recuperating from an injury, we were offered her and we bought her, Freyer said. We essentially bought her for breeding purposes, but it was the wrong time of year [for breeding], and Paul grabbed her out of the paddock one day, not realising we had bought her as a broodmare, put her into work, and realised she went alright.

Clear Thinking has now won five of her seven starts, and Messara was convinced she could measure up in group 1 company, especially if conditions suited, and there was a wet track. Zac Lloyd rode Clear Thinking at her last two starts in the autumn but jumped on to Gallant Star. Too rude A Racing NSW official suggested Channel Seven cameras head to the public area to film a few vox-pops with young racegoers early in the day. But the official said none of the content could be shown on air because of the foul language and revealing dresses being worn. One young female patron in a mini-skirt even attempted the splits. Perfect five for Waller

Chris Waller trained the first five runners home in the St Leger Stakes  an impressive feat, but still one short as his first six across the line in the Chelmsford Stakes back in 2014. Of the quintet, only More Felons  which was always going to be one-paced late because they went so slow early  will push on to the Melbourne Cup. Zac Lloyd boots home Travolta to win the St Leger Stakes. Credit: Getty Images Waller was quick to point out James McDonald had been given the pick of the stables rides, but opted for William Haggas import Sam Hawkens, who strolled along in front, but gave little at the top of the straight. Everest Day consolation for Smith

Idle Flyer powered past favourite Perfumist to win the Angst Stakes, providing Warwick Farm trainer Matthew Smith with a nice Everest Day consolation prize. In a perfect world, Smith would have been saddling up Headwall in the Everest, only for his stable star to go amiss, and require a second three-month stint on the sidelines. Loading Headwall looked ready for a decent spring when he resumed with an excellent win in the Concorde Stakes. As for Idle Flyer, Smith said the Golden Eagle could be a nice option next start.
London: A painful moment at a cathedral last month said everything about the case for exiling Prince Andrew from the royal family and shielding the monarchy from his scandals.

Andrew, standing on the steps of Westminster Cathedral, spoke to Prince William as they attended the funeral of the Duchess of Kent. The cameras were on them. And William acted as if his uncle was not there.

Prince Andrew (left) pictured with the royal family at the Duchess of Kents funeral in London last month. Credit: AP

The heir to the throne made his feelings clear in the cringeworthy image of the family on the cathedral steps. He wanted Andrew out of the picture. And King Charles has made it so.

The King has acted carefully to protect the royal firm despite the family pain. He has shunned his own brother by making sure he loses most of the royal titles that give him status. In doing so, he has helped his son.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Justice, together with the National Reporting Center (NRC), joins the European Union and its Member States in recognizing EU Anti-Trafficking Day, an annual call to action to confront and eliminate human trafficking in all its forms.

Human trafficking remains one of the worlds most pervasive, organized, and subversive crimes, affecting millions worldwide. This day highlights progress in prevention, prosecution, and protection, while emphasizing that combating trafficking requires vigilance, coordination, and sustained international collaboration.

Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling noted that Sint Maartens geographic and economic landscape creates both opportunities and responsibilities in this global effort.

Trafficking does not respect borders. Our connection to the wider Kingdom and the EU makes cooperation not just strategic, but essential, stated Minister Tackling. Each partner within the Kingdom carries a shared duty to detect, prevent, and dismantle trafficking networks while ensuring protection and justice for survivors.

At the national level, the National Reporting Center (NRC) serves as Sint Maartens official reporting point for victims and witnesses of human trafficking and human smuggling. The NRC provides advice, coordinates protection, and ensures that signs of exploitation reach the appropriate authorities. Working with both public and private partners, the NRC helps make Sint Maarten an increasingly unattractive environment for traffickers and smugglers.

Sint Maarten stands firmly committed to eliminating human trafficking and smuggling from our society. These crimes demand a coordinated response from every corner of our community, said National Coordinator Erling Hoeve. Following consecutive Tier Three rankings by the U.S. Department of State, we have set a clear goal: to achieve Tier 2 Watchlist status within two years through a barrier-model approach focused on prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership.

The NRC provides a safe and confidential space for individuals to speak out against trafficking and smuggling, helping to bring perpetrators to justice while expanding the safety network for those in need. Its work continues to strengthen institutional coordination, improve expertise, and promote ethical practices across all sectors.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the NRC, launched the See Something, Say Something campaign to empower residents and frontline workers to recognize and report potential cases of trafficking. This initiative complements the NRCs mission and reinforces the Governments commitment to prevention, protection, and accountability.

Through continued collaboration among the NRC, law enforcement, local and regional partners, and international organizations, Sint Maarten remains aligned with the broader anti-trafficking objectives of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the European Union.

The public is encouraged to learn more about human trafficking, how to recognize the signs, and how to take action by visiting www.nrc.sx. Anyone who suspects a potential case can report anonymously by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling the NRCs 24/7 Hotline at 9300. Every report, no matter how small, can help save a life and bring those responsible to justice.
Africa to co-host Square Kilometre Array

'Time machine'

The SKA in Africa

Why the Northern Cape?

MeerKAT: world-class SKA precursor

MeerKAT: scientific programmes

MeerKAT-SKA collaboration

Connectivity boost for SALT, SKA

Skills development and training

It will be capable of probing the edges of our universe. It will search for gravitational waves, predicted but never detected. It will be a virtual time machine, enabling scientists to explore the origins of galaxies, stars and planets. And South Africans are at the heart of its development. South Africa, allied with eight other African countries, is competing against Australia (allied with New Zealand) to host the 1.5-billion Square Kilometre Array (SKA), an instrument 50-100 times more sensitive and 10 000 times faster than any radio imaging telescope yet built.The international science funding agencies and governments involved in the international SKA consortium are due to announce the winning bidder in 2012, with construction likely to start in 2016 and take place in phases over several years, with completion by about 2022. More than 70 institutes in 20 countries, together with industry partners, are participating in the scientific and technical design of the SKA telescope, which will be located either in Australia and New Zealand or in southern Africa extending to the Indian Ocean Islands. The design, construction and operation of the telescope will have a potentially massive impact on skills development in science, engineering and associated industries, not only in the host countries but in all project partner countries. The SKA project will drive technology development in antennas, fibre networks, signal processing, and software and computing, with spin-off innovations in these areas set to benefit other systems that process large volumes of data.At between 50 to 100 times more sensitive than any existing radio telescope, the SKA will be able to probe the edges of our universe, and help us to answer fundamental questions about the laws of nature and physics, including the study of so-called "dark energy" and "dark matter". It will subject Einstein's theory of general relativity to its most stringent tests yet, and will search for gravitational waves, which have been predicted but never detected. It will be a powerful virtual time machine, enabling scientists to "go back in time" to explore the origins of the first galaxies, stars and planets. If there is life somewhere else in the Milky Way galaxy, the SKA will help us find it. According to the South African SKA project office, the operations and maintenance of a large telescope normally cost about 10% of the capital costs per year, meaning the international SKA consortium would be spending approximately 100-million to 150-million a year on operating and maintaining the telescope. "It is expected that a significant portion of the capital, operations and maintenance costs would be spent in the host country," says SKA South Africa's Kim de Boer.The completed telescope will comprise around 3 000 antennas with a combined collecting area of roughly one square kilometre. South Africa plans to locate the core of these in the Karoo region of the Northern Cape  an arid, remote area blessed with exceptionally clear skies and minimal radio interference  with outlying stations in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia. The major component of the SKA telescope receptor will be an extensive array of approximately 3 000 antennas, half of which will be concentrated within a five kilometre diameter of the central region, with the rest distributed up to 3 000km from this central concentration. These antennas will be 12-15 metre diameter dishes. South Africa plans to locate the core of these in the arid Karoo region of the country's Northern Cape province  an arid, remote area blessed with exceptionally clear skies and minimal radio interference  with outlying stations in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia. Added together, the combined collecting area of these antennas will be roughly one square kilometre. The antennas would be connected via a super-fast data communications network to an extremely large and powerful computer in the Northern Cape, and the telescope would be controlled and operated remotely from Cape Town, where the operations and science centre would be located. De Boer says the SKA will be one of the largest scientific research facilities in the world and, if awarded to South Africa, would consolidate the southern African region as a major international hub for astronomy and cutting-edge technology. It would attract the best scientists and engineers to work in Africa, and would provide unrivalled opportunities for scientists and engineers from African countries to work on cutting-edge research and collaborate in joint projects with the top universities in the world.The Karoo region of South Africa's Northern Cape province is ideal for radio astronomy, because it is remote and sparsely populated, with a very dry climate. There is minimal radio frequency interference from man-made sources such as cellular phones and broadcast transmitters, which is crucial for radio astronomy, as radio interference would "blind" the telescope. In 2007, South Africa's Parliament passed the Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act, which declares the Northern Cape an "astronomy advantage area", giving the Minister of Science and Technology powers to protect the area from future radio interference. An area of 12.5-million hectares around the proposed core of the SKA will be protected as a radio astronomy reserve, with regulations controlling the generation and transmission of interfering radio signals in and around the area around.South Africa is no newcomer to major league astronomy. The Northern Cape is already home to one of the world's largest telescopes, the Southern African Large Telescope or SALT. South Africa also works closely with neighbour Nambia on the HESS gamma ray telescope, and is currently building an 80-dish precursor instrument for the SKA, the Karoo Array Telescope (also known as the MeerKAT). Regardless of whether South Africa wins the SKA bid, the MeerKAT will be a powerful scientific instrument in its own right, comprising 80 dishes each 13.5-metres in diameter. It is being built adjacent to the site proposed for the SKA, in a radio astronomy reserve near the small town of Carnarvon in the Northern Cape, where it is due to be commissioned in 2014/15. An engineering test bed of seven dishes, called the KAT-7, is already complete. In the process of building the MeerKAT, South African engineers are already working on some of the SKA's technological building blocks  such as a prototype dish antenna that combines new materials with innovative design processes to meet the SKA's exacting precision, durability and cost criteria.The MeerKAT will be the most sensitive centimetre-wavelength radio telescope in the Southern Hemisphere, and astronomers from around the world are already queuing up to use it. Following an October 2009 invitation for applications for telescope time to perform large survey projects, 21 proposals involving more than 500 astronomers from around the world  including 59 from Africa  were received. A committee made up of local and international experts rated the proposals on the basis of their scientific merit, technical feasibility, the resources each group was prepared to bring to the project, and the extent to which the MeerKAT had a unique role to play in the proposed projects. In total, more than 43 000 hours of observation time have been allocated, of which nearly 8 000 hours were allocated to a proposal to test Einstein's theory of relativity and investigate the physics of enigmatic neutron stars as part of a radio pulsar timing survey. In addition, 5 000 hours will be dedicated jointly to two proposals requiring an ultra-deep survey of neutral hydrogen gas in the early universe. The objectives of these studies coincide with those of the first phase of the SKA telescope itself, confirming the MeerKAT's status as a SKA precursor instrument.According to the local SKA project office, the MeerKAT's scientific programme will be a mixture of "blind" and "directed" surveys conducted by large project teams, and smaller experiments designed by individual principal investigators or small teams. These teams and principal investigators will be international in their composition, and will include participants from Africa. The MeerKAT scientists are fully embedded in the international SKA project, participating in technical committees and working groups set up by the SKA project development office. Bilateral agreements have been established with key institutions involved in the international SKA consortium, including the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, the University of California at Berkeley and Caltech, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) of the USA, the national radio astronomy centre in India, and thee radio astronomy institutes in Italy. In South Africa, the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory and the South African Astronomical Observatory are participating in the MeerKAT project, while researchers and students at many universities in South Africa and the rest of Africa are also actively participating. The local SKA project's head office is in Rosebank, Johannesburg, while the MeerKAT engineering office is in Pinelands, Cape Town. The Department of Science and Technology is funding the SKA project via the National Research Foundation.In October 2010, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) announced that it would be installing a R100-million ultra-high speed broadband link between the Northern Cape sites of both the Square Kilometre Array and the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) and the SA National Research Network backbone in Cape Town. The ultra-high speed link will enable local and international researchers to process data from SALT and the KAT-7/MeerKAT in near real time, and significantly boost South Africa's bid to host the SKA. The installation of the new link will demonstrate "that South Africa can provide the bandwidth needed to fulfil the requirements of the full SKA, and will serve as a significant boost to the South African SKA bid," said Department of Science and Technology chief director Daniel Adams. National Research Foundation CEO Albert van Jaarsveld said the development paved the way for international collaborators to actively make use of the facilities that will be provided by the two telescope sites. "Furthermore, the broadband link demonstrates our ability to invest heavily in scientific infrastructure in support of our desire to win the SKA bid."The SKA South Africa project, including the MeerKAT telescope, is one of the biggest science and engineering projects in South Africa. It thus represents an unrivalled opportunity for the development of very high-level science and technology expertise  paving the way for Africa to contribute significantly to the global knowledge economy and global technology trade. These technologies include very fast grid computing, very fast data transport, data storage, wireless engineering, digital electronics, image processing and software development. In 2005, the South African SKA project initiated a targeted "Youth into Science and Engineering Programme" to develop highly skilled young scientists and engineers. "The young people supported by this programme will serve South Africa, and our African partner countries, in the future in key areas of economic development in addition to their participation in 'blue skies' scientific research," says Kim de Boer. The programme offers comprehensive bursaries to students in engineering, mathematics, physics and astronomy at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Bursary holders also benefit from regular workshops and conferences where they interact with the world's leading astronomers.
Trump says Venezuela's Maduro offered 'everything' to ease tensions



San Cristobal, Venezuela, Oct 18 (AFP) Oct 18, 2025



US President Donald Trump said Friday that Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro had offered major concessions to ease tensions with Washington and confirmed a new strike on a drug-smuggling vessel, which reportedly left survivors.

Washington accuses Maduro of heading a drug cartel and has deployed significant military assets -- including stealth warplanes and seven US Navy ships -- as part of what it says are counter-narcotics efforts in the region.

Maduro, an authoritarian socialist who is widely accused of stealing elections last year, claims Washington is plotting regime change.

Asked at the White House about reports that Caracas had floated de-escalation plans, Trump was scathing.

"He has offered everything, you're right. You know why? Because he doesn't want to fuck around with the United States," he said.

Venezuela's vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, on Thursday denied a Miami Herald report that she had negotiated with Washington on a plan to oust Maduro.

Venezuela is the alleged origin of some of the vessels, at least six of which have been targeted and mostly involving speedboats, in an unprecedented campaign of US strikes in the Caribbean since September.

The latest attack left survivors on board, media outlets including CBS and NBC reported, citing unidentified US officials.

US media later reported Friday the two survivors were in the custody of the US Navy, with no further details available on their conditions or circumstances.

Trump said the target was a "drug-carrying submarine built specifically for the transportation of massive amounts of drugs."

Semi-submersibles built in clandestine jungle shipyards have for years been used to ferry cocaine from South America, particularly Colombia, to Central America or Mexico, usually via the Pacific Ocean.

Washington says its Caribbean campaign is dealing a decisive blow to drug trafficking, but it has provided no evidence that the people killed -- at least 27 so far -- were drug smugglers.

Experts say such summary killings are illegal even if they target confirmed narcotics traffickers.

The US campaign has drawn in some of Venezuela's neighbors.

Police in Trinidad and Tobago, located off the coast of Venezuela, is investigating whether two of its citizens were killed in a strike on Wednesday.

And Colombian President Gustavo Petro says he believes Colombians have also died in the attacks.

A defiant Trump this week announced plans to ramp up operations against Venezuela, fuelling speculation that his administration aims to topple Maduro.

Trump indicated he had authorized covert CIA operations against Venezuela and was considering strikes on land targets.

Earlier this week, in a show of force, US-based B-52 bombers circled over the Caribbean off Venezuela's coast for several hours, data from tracking website Flightradar24 showed.

Venezuela has deployed 17,000 troops to Tachira state, which borders Colombia, in response to the US threats.

Venezuelan forces are also stationed in southern Amazonas state, which borders both Colombia and Brazil, and multiple coastal areas.

While Trump weighs whether to expand US military action from the sea onto land, the admiral overseeing the naval strikes in the Caribbean announced he will step down.

The head of US Southern Command gave no reason for retiring just a year into his tenure, which follows multiple top US military officers being dismissed in recent months.

burs-cb/jgc/mlm
Idea of German 'draft lottery' sparks govt row



Berlin, Oct 18 (AFP) Oct 18, 2025



Germany is seeking to boost military recruitment to deter a hostile Russia, but a proposed "draft lottery" has sparked a row in the ruling coalition and unsettled many young people.

The flashpoint issue of bringing back any form of military conscription has rattled the government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative CDU/CSU bloc and the centre-left Social Democrats of Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.

Merz -- citing dangerous tensions between NATO and Russia and doubts about future US security commitment to Europe -- has pledged to build up the continent's "strongest conventional army" and tasked Pistorius with attracting new troops.

So far the Bundeswehr armed forces have banked on a volunteer drive, backed by a social media blitz to polish its image in a country whose dark history has left many citizens distrustful of all things military.

So Pistorius was not amused when the conservatives, several days ago, urged that the more coercive option of a possible "draft lottery" be included in legislation now taking shape in parliament.

The minister rejected the idea as a "lazy compromise", leading CDU lawmaker Norbert Roettgen to fume that Pistorius had "torpedoed an important bill".

Roettgen argued that including conscription provisions in the law now -- instead of putting off a decision into the future -- was an important matter of transparency.

But others, too, voiced concern that any suggestion of bringing back conscription, suspended since 2011, would only hamper the campaign to make Germans love their armed forces again.

A draft lottery suggests that someone "gets the short end of the stick", said Patrick Sensburg, who leads the Reservist Association of the Deutsche Bundeswehr, in comments to Politico.



- 'Like playing lottery' -



Many German citizens -- especially males around 18 and their parents -- have followed the debate with growing alarm.

"It's like playing the lottery, whether you're lucky or not," Stefan Brunnecke, a school director and father of two boys, told AFP.

"I don't think very much of that."

Leonhardt Roitsche, a 21-year-old student, said he felt politicians are making major decisions about the lives of young people without really taking their views into account.

"I understand that we need a capable military," he said. "But I don't think that a year of military service for 18-year-olds is necessarily the right solution."

Ginga Eischler, an 80-year-old pensioner, was far more outspoken in her criticism.

"I find it unbelievable that anyone could even come up with such an idea," she said.

"Young men are supposed to draw lots to decide whether they will be murdered or murder someone themselves? No, that's not acceptable. Not at all!"



- 40,000 recruits a year -



During the Cold War, which split Germany in two, large armies on both sides of the Iron Curtain relied heavily on conscription to fill the active ranks and create large military reserves.

In the years after the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall, Germany scaled back its armed forces and troop numbers.

After it suspended conscription in 2011 under then-chancellor Angela Merkel, it opted instead for a smaller professional military geared for rapid foreign deployments instead of grinding wars of attrition.

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 upended the situation and has led Germany to massively step up defence spending.

Plans call for 40,000 new recruits each year by 2031, a far cry from the roughly 15,000 expected to enlist this year.

At the heart of Germany's plan now is to make service more attractive with higher pay and better benefits.

The new military service legislation championed by Pistorius already includes a return of mandatory fitness screenings for 18-year-old men from next year.

But the current draft law would require another vote in parliament before bringing back any form of compulsory military service.



- 'Massive infringement' -



Rafael Loss, a fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, views the debate over conscription as premature.

He said building up the infrastructure for selecting and training recruits would take years, and that rushing the effort could reduce combat readiness in the short term.

He also voiced concern that the draft lottery debate could "negatively taint the whole effort".

Patrick Keller of the German Council on Foreign Relations welcomed the current recruitment drive but also voiced doubts that it will be enough, given Germany's ageing population and tight labour market.

Keller said that mandatory service can "break down the gap between the military and society" by exposing people to life in the armed forces.

"I think it's good that we're having this debate and that we're openly talking about this issue," he said, "because compulsory service is always a massive infringement on the freedom of the individual."
Pope Leo visits 'school of peace' sailing the Mediterranean



Ostia, Italy, Oct 18 (AFP) Oct 18, 2025



Arm in arm, young people of different faiths perform the dabke, an Arabic folk dance, in the Italian port of Ostia, elated by a visit from Pope Leo XIV.

Behind them is the Bel Espoir, a schooner vessel on which the youths -- whether from Libya and Egypt or France and Bosnia -- have been sailing the Mediterranean to promote peace.

"For me especially it means a lot that the pope believes in the project and he wants to come and meet us," Jesus Marro, a 30-year-old Spaniard, told AFP.

"He believes in peace and building bridges together."

Since March, the ship, built in 1944 and recently restored, has welcomed some 200 young people aged 19 to 35 from different cultures and religions, making voyages across various points of the Mediterranean.

The current trip began in Naples and was headed to Marseille, the eighth and final stop.

Hailing from all parts of the Mediterranean and involved in community projects in their home countries, the youth onboard say they see the voyage as an opportunity to promote dialogue in the face of what they called a worrying rise of conflict.

On Friday afternoon, during a visit to the three-masted ship docked at the port of Ostia outside Rome, the US pope sought to encourage them to listen in "a world that is increasingly prone to violence, hatred and separation".

Greeted by singing, the head of the Catholic Church came aboard, inspected the cabins and shared pastries in the boat's small dining room.

"Today's world needs signs and testimonies that give hope more than words," he said in an impromptu speech in English on the main deck.



- 'Life is short' -



While sailing, the participants, who include Muslims, Orthodox Christians, Catholics and those without religion, help with chores such as cooking, cleaning and night shifts, providing a feeling of closeness.

Christina Hilana, a 27-year-old Palestinian from a village near Ramallah in the West Bank called the experience "very moving".

"These two years have been very painful, and leaving my country in this situation has not been easy at all," said the young woman wearing a black and white keffiyeh headdress and a gold cross around her neck.

Fatima Al-Wardi, a 30-year-old Iraqi Muslim who runs a humanitarian project in Baghdad, had never seen the sea before the voyage.

"I wasn't ready, I'm afraid of water, I can't swim, but life is short and when you get a chance, you have to take it," she said.

"Iraq has seen the American army, then civil war between Sunnis and Shiites, and now there's ISIS. We've been through many incessant conflicts, but we still need peace because we believe in humanity," she said.



- 'School of Peace' -



The project's co-organiser, Catholic priest Alexis Leproux from Marseille, said every day the youth exchange views on topics as varied as the environment, economy, role of women, education and cultural dialogue.

It is about "building a culture of encounter as an alternative to the culture of conflict and rivalry, and that can be learned", he said.

Back on land, participants continue the experience during seminars and workshops in the cities they visit as part of the Catholic Church's 2025 edition of "Mediterranean Encounters".

Al-Wardi from Baghdad shared a passage from the Koran she said had left an impression.

"'Go out, explore people. I created you all so that you could get to know each other... You just have to step outside your comfort zone'."
Two wounded in attack on office of Iraqi parliamentary candidate



Baghdad, Oct 18 (AFP) Oct 18, 2025



Armed gunmen opened fire early Saturday on the office of an Iraqi parliamentary candidate south of Baghdad, wounding two bodyguards, a security source said.

The attack on Sunni Muslim politician Muthanna al-Azzawi's office comes days after a bomb killed another candidate in the November 11 elections for the Shiite-majority parliament.

The gunmen fled after the attack in Yusufiyah, 25 kilometres (16 miles) south of the capital, the source told AFP.

Azzawi is a member of the Baghdad provincial council and belongs to the "Azem Alliance", a centrist Sunni coalition led by Muthanna al-Samarrai.

The candidate "firmly condemned the cowardly attack", saying: "These acts will not stop us from continuing to serve our people."

"The attackers will be punished for their actions sooner or later," Azzawi added on his Facebook page.

A bomb killed fellow Baghdad provincial council member and election candidate Safaa al-Mashhadani on Wednesday when it exploded under his car north of the city.

It also wounded three of his bodyguards.

Mashhadani was running with the Sovereignty Alliance, one of Iraq's largest Sunni Muslim coalitions, led by businessman Khamis al-Khanjar and parliament speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani.

The coalition condemned the "cowardly crime", calling it "an extension of the approach of exclusion, targeting and treachery pursued by the forces of uncontrolled weapons and terrorism, all of which seek to silence free national voices".

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered an investigation into the attack on Mashhadani and called for the perpetrators' arrests.

The majority of Iraq's 329 lawmakers represent Shiite parties aligned with neighbouring Iran.

The upcoming elections are the sixth since the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, which toppled longtime ruler Saddam Hussein.

In Iraq, the role of prime minister traditionally goes to a Shiite and the presidency to a Kurd, while the speaker of parliament is usually Sunni.
Venezuela says defenses against US deployment now ready



Caracas, Oct 18 (AFP) Oct 18, 2025



With US warships deployed off Venezuela's coast, President Nicolas Maduro said Saturday a plan to defend against what he called American threats is now complete.

Washington accuses Maduro of heading a drug cartel and has deployed significant military assets -- including stealth warplanes and several US Navy ships -- as part of what it says are counter-narcotics efforts in the Caribbean.

Maduro, an authoritarian socialist who is widely accused of stealing elections last year, says Washington is plotting regime change.

Trump has indicated that he authorized covert CIA operations against Venezuela, without offering specifics.

Maduro has responded to the big US military operation by ordering exercises around the country and positions soldiers at the borders.

"Today we have completed all the country's integrated defense zones," Maduro said in a recording released on Telegram.

He also announced a new military exercise he called Independence 200.

Many such exercises are carried out at night and do not conclude with new, permanent positioning of military forces.

State TV aired footage of soldiers leaving barracks.

Police, civil protection staff and civilian militia members have also taken part in Venezuela's exercises amid tensions with the United States.

US forces in the Caribbean have now attacked at least six vessels that Washington said were taking drugs from the Venezuela toward the United States, killing at least 27 people.
US beauty retailer Ulta Beauty has named Christopher DelOrefice as its next chief financial officer (CFO), effective from 5 December 2025.

Chris Lialios will continue to serve as interim CFO until DelOrefice assumes the position.

DelOrefice joins from Becton Dickinson & Company, where he has served as executive vice-president and CFO since September 2021.

Before joining Becton Dickinson, he spent more than 20 years at Johnson & Johnson in progressively more senior financial leadership roles.

His positions included vice-president of investor relations, vice-president of finance and CFO for North America hospital medical devices, and vice-president of finance and CFO for North America consumer.

Earlier in his career, DelOrefice worked in accounting, financial reporting, global audit and supply chain finance at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, AET Films and Ametek.

He serves on the board of directors of ResMed and chairs the companys audit committee.

Ulta Beauty president and CEO Kecia Steelman stated: We are thrilled to welcome Chris to the Ulta Beauty family. Chris brings deep financial expertise and a proven track record of delivering leading financial performance and building high performing, engaged teams across global organisations.

With demonstrated experience leading core finance functions, global operations, strategy, corporate development and enterprise transformation for public companies, Chris will be a great partner to our team as we continue to execute our Ulta Beauty Unleashed strategy and deliver long-term value for all our stakeholders.

I believe in the growth opportunity ahead for Ulta Beauty, and I look forward to working with Kecia and the team to drive long-term, sustainable profitable growth and shareholder value.

Ulta Beauty, established in 1990, operates 1,500 stores across the US and offers products and services spanning cosmetics, skincare, fragrance, haircare, wellness and salon treatments.

"Ulta Beauty names Christopher DelOrefice as new CFO " was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




Nigeria denies officers arrested over coup plot



Abuja, Oct 18 (AFP) Oct 18, 2025



Nigerian authorities on Saturday denied that more than a dozen officers had been arrested over a coup plot, pushing back on local media reports.

The west African country has seen several military takeovers in its history and spent much of the 20th century under junta rule since its independence from Britain.

A fresh coup would turn back the clock on more than a quarter century of civilian rule.

"The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) wishes to categorically state that the claims by the said publication are entirely false," said a statement from Tukur Gusau, director of defence information, without specifying which outlet he meant.

But Sahara Reporters, an online publication, and Premium Times, based in the capital Abuja, both said Saturday that at least 16 officers were planning to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.

The military had announced earlier this month that 16 officers had been arrested over "issues of indiscipline".

The two media outlets, citing defence sources, reported that the arrests were in fact linked to a coup plot.

The military is fighting a long-running insurgency against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province in the northeast.

While the violence has waned since its peak a decade ago, attacks continue -- including deadly assaults on military bases -- seemingly with no end in sight.

Analysts have warned of a rise in jihadist violence this year, while troops have at times reported unpaid wages and poor conditions.

The military is stretched thin on other fronts as well, including fighting armed gangs known as "bandits" in the northwest and separatists in the southeast.

Earlier this month, the army announced that "a routine military exercise has resulted in the arrest of sixteen officers over issues of indiscipline and breach of service regulations".

The statement added: "Investigations have revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations, among other issues."

In Saturday's statement, Gusau said the investigation was "a routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism is maintained within the ranks".
The story of Oscar Wilde after his trial for gross indecency in 1895 and his subsequent imprisonment in Reading Gaol was, said George Bernard Shaw, comedy rather than tragedy, given the heros invincible spirit. Certainly there was an element of farce about his after-life following his exile from England. Yet the other victims of the drama, for whom the whole thing was truly tragic, were his unfortunate wife, Constance, and his two sons, Cyril and Vyvyan. Their names were given to the protagonists in Wildes immortal essay, The Decay of Lying, but at the time they were little boys with whom their father loved playing. After the trial, his wife and sons bore the brunt of his infamy. Constance and Wilde were kept apart by her family and friends and even Wildes friends managed to alienate the couple by misrepresenting his wishes about her estate. She was never allowed to follow her instinct for reconciliation, and by the time she did offer, he had already set off for Naples with Lord Alfred Douglas.
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I think its so important for the world to know how much of a hero she was, but how much is still left that the stone is still left unturned to some degree, he said.
Her family told the Mail on Sunday that the latest revelations expose the lengths to which those implicated try to discredit and defame survivors. The truth will surface and there will be no shadows in which they can hide.
"The solutions are to invest in our green industries. The solutions are indeed in our communities to reject these huge infrastructure projects to make multi-millionaires and billionaires and corporates more money and to instead invest in our communities."
Over all this celebration there presides the large, triumphal figure of Donald Trump, writes Melanie McDonagh. He came down from the presidential plane in Israel holding his fist aloft in a gesture of triumph. And you know what? He deserves it. He deserves his ovation from the Israeli parliament, too. Because its true what they say: without him, there would have been no deal. You dont have to agree with all his political programme  and lots of us will have issues with parts of it  to give credit where its due: he set out to be a peacemaker, and he has succeeded. Well done, Donald Trump. And for those who cant quite forgive him for winning the presidential election, ask yourselves this: how likely is it that Kamala Harris would have pulled off this deal, that it would have been her coming down from that plane with that gesture of triumph? Unlikely, Id say. This is the beginning of the beginning of a peace but its still a great day.
The weaponry found on the vessel was consistent with the weapons used by the Houthi rebels against military and cargo ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden following the October 7 attacks, the US Department of Justice said.
Insurance companies make money when its 70 degrees and sunny, with a catastrophe-light season padding Travelers profits in the most recent quarter. The insurers net income jumped 50% in the three months through September compared to the same time last year, and its annual profits are up 30% so far this year.

The companys revenue only rose 5%, however, and premiums increased by just 1%. Instead, Travelers earnings benefited from saving money on claim payouts: Catastrophe losses of $402 million tallied up to less than half of the $939 million it doled out last year, when Hurricane Helene and other severe storms caused serious damage.

Travelers stock dipped this week, continuing an insurance-industry stock rout that kicked off Wednesday after Progressives weaker-than-expected earnings. Insurers including Allstate, Chubb and Marsh McLennan saw their stock fall, too, as investors grew concerned about slowing growth in the sector.

SUBSCRIBE: Receive more of our free The Daily Upside newsletter. READ ALSO: Qualcomm Makes a Play for AI Chip Market Dominated by Nvidia, AMD and Keurig Dr Peppers Shares Fizz Amid Private Equity Cash Infusion

Eye of the Storm

The third quarter of the year, from July to September, is typically the most expensive time of year for insurers because of monsoons, hurricanes and fires. But this season was less catastrophic than usual, with global economic losses of $50 billion and insured losses of $15 billion, the lowest totals in nearly 20 years. Compare that with $193 billion in average third-quarter economic losses for the past decade. Annual losses are also trending 37% below their 10-year average.

The quiet summer gives insurance companies a breather to save up for future natural disasters, which experts are sure are on their way:

Insurance companies have adapted to the increasing frequency of natural disasters and found ways to pass the costs on to consumers. Property insurers reported record profits last year as they increased premiums and withdrew from the most disaster-prone areas. Homeowners insurance premiums rose 10% last year and more than 20% in some states, while the average cost of car insurance climbed 26%.

At the same time, insurers have pulled out of the highest-risk areas, with Allstate, State Farm and others limiting coverage in fire- and flood-prone states like California and Florida.

Cloudy Forecast: With rising prices and limited options, people could be shopping around for cheaper plans or opting for state-owned insurance plans of last resort. Insurers have declined to renew millions of plans in high-risk areas, where its difficult to make a profit. But if natural disasters become as common as scientists predict, insurers may find themselves with fewer and fewer customers. And those customers, meanwhile, are left with few options to protect themselves financially.

This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive delivering razor sharp analysis and perspective on all things finance, economics, and markets, subscribe to our free The Daily Upside newsletter.
Thousands of protesters march through downtown Austin for the No Kings rally, Oct. 18, 2025. The rally against President Donald Trump and his policies included speakers, a march from the Texas State Capitol to Auditorium Shores and live music and occurred in conjunction with others across the country. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

5:08 p.m.: The event has wrapped up with no arrests reported, the Austin Police Department said in a statement on X.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the No Kings March today. The rally remained peaceful, with no arrests reported. Were grateful to our community and event organizers for coming together to make sure voices were heard safely and respectfully. Great job ATX!

++++++++++++ pic.twitter.com/ZS8TurFzgW  Austin Police Department (@Austin_Police) October 18, 2025

4:48 p.m.: Beto O'Rourke has joined the party  after saying hello to attendees, he headed up to the stage steps.

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Elijah B. leads chants near the front of the rally as thousands march through downtown Austin for the No Kings protest, Oct. 18, 2025. The rally against President Donald Trump and his policies included speakers, a march from the Texas State Capitol to Auditorium Shores and live music and occurred in conjunction with others across the country. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

The former U.S. Representative's appearance at the protest was a surprise.

He is slated to speak soon.

4 p.m.: Although Texas Gov. Greg Abbott promised to send the National Guard to the "No Kings" protest in Austin, there are none in sight at Auditorium Shores. Multiple politicians will take the stage at the protest, including Jose Chito Vela, Austins district 4 city councilman, and Dan Weber, a Texas Democrat whos running for the House of Representatives in 2026.

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The Saturday afternoon heat is scorching, and Auditorium Shores provides little shade. After enjoying a bit of live music, the crowd cheers as a speaker performs a live reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Sarah Harrison brought her young son to the protest  he is still in diapers. "This is about his future," Harrison said. "it couldn't be more important."

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Seniors are showing up in droves. Advocacy groups like Third Act, Raging Grannies, the Gray Panthers and the Texas Alliance for Retired Americans are hosting active tents.

Theyre calling their corner of the park the wisdom village.

Protesters crossing the First Street bridge are reflected in the sunglasses of a protester watching the crowd go by as thousands march through downtown Austin for the No Kings rally, Oct. 18, 2025. The rally against President Donald Trump and his policies included speakers, a march from the Texas State Capitol to Auditorium Shores and live music and occurred in conjunction with others across the country. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

Jan Lance, 73, is representing the Texas Alliance for Retired Americans, and she said the organization is especially concerned about the future of the Affordable Care Act.

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Seniors have to be engaged, she said. When we advocate for senior issues, we, in the end, advocate for our family's issues.

Lance has two grandchildren, and she said they inspire her to try to do everything I can to try to make a better world for them.

Just two tents down, 74-year-old Judy Gradford said she and other Raging Grannies are personally outraged. At their tent, the Grannies are strumming guitars.

We're very concerned about what's happening to immigrants, were very concerned about what's happening to communities of color, what's happening at universities, what's happening all over this country, where people are being attacked and trying to be silenced, Gradford said.

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Gradford said she has eight grandchildren ranging in age from the late twenties to just four years old.

3:15 p.m.: The crowd at Auditorium Shores so far is peaceful, with attendees dressed for a day in the sun. Many brought their families. Law enforcement is present, but many are standing by without intervening.

Melody Tremallo leads thousands of protesters through downtown Austin for the No Kings rally, Oct. 18, 2025. The rally against President Donald Trump and his policies included speakers, a march from the Texas State Capitol to Auditorium Shores and live music and occurred in conjunction with others across the country. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

Many attendees at the protest wear blow-up costumes such as Pokemon, dinosaurs and unicorns. Just a few weeks ago, at a protest in Portland, Ore., a video showed a law enforcement officer seemingly clogging a blow-up frog costume's air vent with pepper spray.

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Social media videos showed state troopers at the ready on Congress Avenue.

3 p.m.: The march has begun from the Texas Capitol to Auditorium Shores for Saturday's "No Kings" protest.

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A woman wearing an Uncle Sam hat is one of three musicians leading a chorus in the march. "The people united will never be divided," the crowd chants in unison. "Release the files," they continue.

It's impossible to ignore how many people are carrying American flags, some tiny and some very large. Three full-sized flags wave high above protesters' heads in one section of the march.

Onlookers are lined up along every Congress Avenue sidewalk, many cheering along as they stand in the shade.

Social media posts showed the growing crowd before the march down Congress.

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The cadets at West Point have to take an oath  they have an honor code that says I will not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do, said Charlie Arnone, a 51-year-old U.S. Navy veteran attending the protest. Im personally offended that our commander-in-chief cant abide by the simplest code we require of candidates.

Representatives from various organizing groups like Hands Off Central Texas and the Communications Workers of America union spoke in front of the crowd before the march to Auditorium Shores began. Other speakers included U.S. representatives Lloyd Doggett and Greg Casar as well as Texas Rep. Gina Hinojosa, who just announced her candidacy for the Texas governor's race.

"There's a lot of talk about Trump, and rightfully so, but his tactics started right here in Texas," Hinojosa said.

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During the speeches, a man collapsed on the lawn and was promptly attended to by medics. The high temperature in Austin on Saturday is 93 degrees, with sunny conditions expected.

2:30 p.m.: Several thousand people have gathered at the Capitol and more continue to stream into all gates to the the Capitol grounds. Attendees span from small children on their parents' shoulders to elderly people with mobility issues. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers are checking bags at entrances to the grounds, requiring people to dump water bottles and disallowing personal protective equipment like goggles or helmets. Many people trying to enter the grounds with American flags are being told told to snap the pole of the flag or they will not be allowed in.

The Austin event is part of a nationwide day of protests against President Donald Trump's administration.

We dont want an authoritarian, said Paula Beard, 70, who came to the protest with her friend, Jeanne Graves. And the way the immigration situation has been handled there are no words for it.

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Earlier: Tens of thousands of people are expected to gather Saturday at the Texas Capitol for "No Kings" protest.

The "No Kings" protest is part of a nationwide day of demonstrations against what organizers describe as growing authoritarianism and threats to democracy.

According to organizers, the protest will start with opening remarks at the Capitol grounds followed by a march to Auditorium Shores, where a rally and performances will take place from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

Gov. Greg Abbott has again ordered state troopers and Texas National Guard soldiers to Austin ahead of the protest, calling the planned demonstrations Antifa-linked despite their sponsorship by groups like the ACLU, League of Women Voters and Sierra Club.

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Protesters demonstrate against President Trump at the No Kings protest at the Capitol in Austin, Saturday, June 14, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

A No Kings protest is set to take place in Austin on Saturday, part of a nationwide day of demonstrations against what organizers describe as growing authoritarianism and threats to democracy. The Austin rally  expected to draw tens of thousands  will begin at 2 p.m. at the Texas Capitol before a march to Auditorium Shores for speeches, music and coalition tabling.

Gov. Greg Abbott has again ordered state troopers and Texas National Guard soldiers to Austin ahead of the protest, calling the planned demonstrations Antifa-linked despite their sponsorship by groups like the ACLU, League of Women Voters and Sierra Club.

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Abbott said the deployment was meant to deter violence and destruction, though similar protests in June  when he sent 5,000 Guard members and 2,000 DPS officers, roughly one-fifth of the states military force  were largely peaceful and saw few arrests.

The No Kings Day protest returns to Congress Avenue near the intersection with 9th Street in downtown Austin on Saturday. Here, the protest was temporarily stopped from proceeding to the J.J. Pickle Federal Building by State Troopers and the Austin Police Department. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

What does 'No Kings' mean?

The No Kings Day of Action is organized nationally by Indivisible, a network of progressive groups formed in opposition to the Trump administration, and supported locally by Hands Off Central Texas  a coalition-building organization that helps connect people to labor unions, nonprofits and community organizations.

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The rallys theme  In America, we dont put up with would-be kings  is meant as a rebuke to what organizers call chaos, corruption and cruelty in state and national politics. The local event will feature more than 50 community organizations and union chapters, including the League of Women Voters, AFSCME, and the Texas Civil Rights Project.

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Sophia Mirto, president of Hands Off Central Texas, who organized the protest, said the movement is about protecting democratic freedoms amid growing fear and apathy.

The very moment that an American is afraid to use their constitutionally guaranteed civil rights is the moment where our democracy is at risk, she said.

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'No Kings' protest in Austin schedule

Saturdays protest will follow this schedule:

2:00 p.m.  Assemble at the Texas Capitol for opening remarks

2:30 p.m.  March to Auditorium Shores

3:005:30 p.m.  Rally and performances at Auditorium Shores, with tables, food trucks and volunteer signups

Speakers include U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Austin City Council Member Chito Vela, veteran Greg Stoker, and Mirto. Local artists such as Guy Forsyth, Robert Ozn and the Austin Raging Grannies will perform.

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Protesters march the streets of Austin after the No Kings Day, protest at the Texas Capitol on Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Austin. Thousands gathered to decry the Trump administration as part of a nationwide protest. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

DPS, Texas National Guard on standby

Abbotts office said the Department of Public Safetys Homeland Security Division is monitoring protests statewide and coordinating with local police to arrest anyone who engages in violence or property damage.

The governor framed the deployment as a precaution to protect public safety, saying Texas will use all necessary resources to deter criminal activity during the demonstrations.

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While Abbott said the protests were linked to Antifa  a group recently designated a domestic terror group by the Trump administration  he did not provide evidence connecting the rally to the group. Organizers have rejected that claim, describing the event as permitted, nonviolent and coordinated with local agencies.

Mirto called the state police deployment unnecessary and wasteful.

Its always disappointing to see frivolous tax expenditures from the governor when Texans need public transportation, expanded health care, affordable housing, and aid after Julys devastating floods, she said. Spending tax money on extra policing for a nonviolent First Amendment protest is a concerning use of our tax dollars.

The groups website calls the deployment unrequested and urges the National Guard to focus on disaster response, not monitoring civic events.

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Organizers said No Kings is a nonviolent movement whose participants are trained in de-escalation. They said the expected DPS and Austin police presence should protect demonstrators rights, not intimidate them.

Protester Andres Teran gives a flower to an Austin police officer during the No Kings protest against President Trump in downtown Austin, Saturday, June 14, 2025. Jay Janner, Austin American-Statesman

Can you get fired for attending a 'No Kings' protest?

As the No Kings rally approaches, some Texans are asking: Could my boss fire me for showing up?

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Online discussions show growing concern among government workers after Gov. Greg Abbotts call for heightened security around the event.

Public employees  including teachers, city workers and state staff  have limited First Amendment protections. They can attend protests on their own time if acting as private citizens, but those rights dont cover actions that disrupt government operations or violate workplace policies.

Most can legally join peaceful demonstrations off the clock, though they risk discipline if participation interferes with their job duties or breaches workplace conduct rules.

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For organizers like Mirto, that fear itself signals whats at stake.

The very moment that an American is afraid to use their constitutionally guaranteed civil rights is the moment where our democracy is at risk, Mirto said. The fact that people are afraid of speaking out against the government tells us that we are no longer living in a free country.

Carmen Vazquez, from Dallas, holds up a Mexican flag during the No Kings Day, protest at the Texas Capitol on Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Austin. Thousands gathered to decry the Trump administration as part of a nationwide protest. Aaron E. Martinez / American Statesman

Mirto said the rally is a permitted, nonpartisan and nonviolent event meant to connect residents with civic and community groups, not incite confrontation. She urged anyone who feels pressured or threatened by an employer over their participation to contact the ACLU, which provides free legal guidance on protest and First Amendment rights.

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For private-sector workers, Texas at-will employment law means employers can generally fire staff for any reason, as long as it doesnt violate anti-discrimination or whistleblower protections. No state law shields political activity outside of work, so most private employees could be disciplined for attending a protest their employer opposes  though such actions are rare and often draw public backlash.

Legal experts note that the First Amendment protects individuals from government limits on speech, not from actions by private employers. As the ACLU explains, The First Amendment protects you from government censorship, but not from censorship by private organizations or individuals. The national ACLU adds: While the First Amendment applies only to state action, the values that animate our right to free speech and free association apply to all of us, regardless of where we work.

Organizers say that fear shouldnt keep people from exercising their rights.

Its very much now or never on using your First Amendment rights, Mirto said. If were not loud enough and organized enough now, I shudder to imagine a country where people lost their rights because they were too afraid to use them.

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Hands Off Central Texas also notes that those who cant or prefer not to attend in person can still participate by donating, volunteering, or joining post-event organizing drives.

What to expect at the 'No Kings' protest in Austin

Organizers say the Austin No Kings rally will be large but orderly, with tens of thousands expected between the Capitol and Auditorium Shores. Participants are encouraged to prepare for long hours outdoors and large, festival-sized crowds.

Austin Police mounted officers do crowd control at the No Kings protest in downtown Austin, Saturday, June 14, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Attendees are advised to hydrate the day before and bring water, snacks, cash, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. They should also set a meeting spot with friends in case cell service drops  which organizers say is likely in a crowd this size.

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The protest is permitted by both the Texas State Preservation Board and the Austin Parks Department, with volunteer medics, legal observers and de-escalation monitors on site.

Organizers say No Kings is a nonviolent movement, and weapons are prohibited  even those otherwise legal.

They also cautioned attendees about heightened immigration enforcement risk on Capitol grounds, which fall under Department of Public Safety jurisdiction. Those concerned are urged to join the event directly at Auditorium Shores.

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Future organizing events
E-pollbook coordinator Shelton Charles tests equipment at the Travis County Elections Department headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, ahead of the election. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

With the November election just around the corner, Travis County officials are hard at work preparing for the state and local contests. Across warehouses and offices, election staff are testing voting machines, finalizing ballots and training hundreds of seasonal workers to keep polling sites running smoothly.

This year, that work comes as the Texas Secretary of States Office faces scrutiny over voter registration complaints. The state has been fielding reports from Texans who say they submitted registration forms that never appeared on voter rolls, raising concerns about backlogs and communication delays within the states election management system.

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Despite the statewide issues, Travis County is ensuring its voting hubs are ready before early voting begins Monday.

Who are the people behind election operation?

Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado looks at an election supplies carrier at the Travis County Elections Department headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, ahead of the election. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

For most voters, election season begins with early voting and ends when polls close. For Travis County, it lasts for months  machines must be tested, workers trained and procedures adjusted to meet changing laws.

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Call center technician Keith Rogers works at the Travis County Elections Department headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, ahead of the election. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado looks at the ballot counting device in the ballot programming room at the Travis County Elections Department headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, ahead of the election. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Operations Manager Katonya Williams prepares ballot scanners at the Travis County Elections Department headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, ahead of the election. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado shows an Oath of Assistance form at the Travis County Elections Department headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, ahead of the election. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman The hand delivery box is equipped with a fire extinguisher at the Travis County Elections Department headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, ahead of the election. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado shows a mail-in ballot at the Travis County Elections Department headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, ahead of the election. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Locks on an election supplies carrier at the Travis County Elections Department headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, ahead of the election. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Traffic cones at the Travis County Elections Department headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, ahead of the election. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado leads a tour of the Travis County Elections Department headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, ahead of the election. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Voting signs at the Travis County Elections Department headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, ahead of the election. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman The hand delivery box at the Travis County Elections Department headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, ahead of the election. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado shows ballot stock at the Travis County Elections Department headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, ahead of the election. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman A ballot scanner in the ballot programming room at the Travis County Elections Department headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, ahead of the election. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Voting equipment technician Angela Smith moves tables to a polling place at the Travis County Elections Department headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, ahead of the election. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Travis County election technicians, left to right, Angela Smith, John Luke and Daniel Boyer set up voting machines at a polling place at the Travis County Clerk Office in Austin Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman A polling place at the Travis County Clerk Office is prepared by election technicians on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado shows the hand delivery box at the Travis County Elections Department headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, ahead of the election. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado leads a tour of the Travis County Elections Department headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, ahead of the election. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

We are running anywhere from two to seven elections per year, said Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado. It doesnt stop.

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Limon-Mercado expects about a 20-25% turnout among Travis Countys 900,000 voters, a sizable crowd to manage over two weeks.

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Behind the scenes, a small army makes it all happen.

The county recruits seasonal workers for its call center, warehouses and polling sites. This year, Limon-Mercado estimated that the county will hire and train about 1,200 of them.

Elections dont just happen  theyre the result of months of planning, strict procedures, and the dedication of hundreds of people who care deeply about our democracy, Limon-Mercado said.

Limon-Mercado described the Elections Office call center as "the heartbeat of the election." Staff members undergo a weeklong training on election law, state rules and computer systems to help voters with registration, precinct lookup and other tasks. They serve both voters and election judges, working from poll open to close each day.

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During a uniform election, the call center team fields nearly 10,000 calls on average.

Election judges supervise poll sites, resolve disputes and verify voter identities. When ballots need to be reviewed  for instance, if a voter makes a stray mark or the scanner cant read a selection  a pair of bipartisan judges handles the adjudication and determines the voters intent. The two appointed judges, one Democrat and one Republican, also jointly oversee other procedures such as breaking seals, closing machines and signing off on reports.

Hundreds of workers staff early voting and Election Day sites, checking IDs and helping voters.

Drivers deliver machines and supplies to more than 150 polling places, and technicians are on call to fix equipment issues. Separate teams handle mail-in ballot applications and returned ballots.

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What safeguards are in place to protect voting process?

Voting signs at the Travis County Elections Department headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, ahead of the election. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Limon-Mercado emphasized that hundreds of safeguards are in place to secure the voting process. State and federal laws require strict chain-of-custody and quality assurance standards.

This year, a new safeguard has been added: ePollBook Logic and Accuracy testing for voter check-in. Testing has long covered ballots and equipment, but now also includes voter check-in to prevent technical problems.

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The Secretary of State regularly sends trainers out to observe our processes, both in preparations and in administering the election and central count, Limon-Mercado said. All of our areas that have ballot materials in them are under camera and live streamed as soon as we receive the first ballot in the building.

In the ballot programming room at county elections headquarters, the central count is conducted by "air-gapped" machines and computers  meaning theyve never been connected to the internet, which eliminates the threat of remote hacking or interference.

After voting, results are sent to headquarters via secure, pretested media sticks. Sealed locks control access to the machines at headquarters.

This equipment cannot even be turned on without these seals being broken, and can actually only be turned on for certain legal functions, Limon-Mercado said. The equipment is not even capable of being turned on and used without certain staff and appointees present.

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Concern over Texas voter registration delays

Travis County election technician John Luke sets up voting machines at a polling place at the Travis County Clerk Office in Austin Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Statewide, complaints about registration delays have raised alarm.

A group of Travis County lawmakers is urging the Texas Secretary of States Office to fix mounting problems in the voter registration database, warning that technical failures are creating backlogs just weeks before the Nov. 4 election.

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In a letter Thursday, state Rep. Vikki Goodwin and five other Austin-area Democrats said the states Texas Election Administration Management system, or TEAM, has prevented counties from processing new voter registrations in a timely and accurate manner. Counties including Tarrant, Travis, Bexar and San Patricio have reported cases of addresses failing to update, precinct information disappearing and entire records vanishing, the lawmakers said.

The complaints follow a statewide overhaul of the TEAM system this summer that caused widespread registration delays. The upgrade, intended to streamline election data and reduce reliance on private vendors, instead caused technical glitches, mismatched addresses and software slowdowns, the representatives said. In some counties, tens of thousands of voter applications piled up unprocessed in September, prompting emergency overtime and manual verification efforts.

State officials say theyre fixing the issues, but local administrators warn delays could force some voters to cast provisional ballots  or risk not being counted at all.

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Among our improvements to better serve a growing Austin, the Statesman has been featuring more local commentaries and more letters from readers, plus we're launching a weekly newsletter to keep the community conversation going. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

A healthy opinion section is a mirror of its community: curious, diverse, sometimes contentious, always engaged. Since March  when I took the reins of the Opinion section, and new ownership by Hearst Newspapers brought fresh investment in the Austin American-Statesman  weve been working to enhance this space as a forum for local voices and honest debate.

Im excited to share some of the improvements weve made  and to invite you to be part of whats next.

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New faces on the Editorial Board

After an extensive search, we welcomed a new editorial writer last month: Cody Copeland, who brings an accountability journalism perspective from his work at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Before that, he spent eight years in Mexico City, where he covered political prisoners, migrant communities and legal reform. If you read his recent column on the security robot patrolling North Austin, youve seen his journalistic blend of healthy skepticism, reporting rigor and humanity.

The Statesman Editorial Board now includes Cody, our publisher Mark Medici and me. Together, were committed to helping readers make sense of Austin and Texas through informed, fair-minded debate.

Informing voters

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One of our most visible responsibilities is offering recommendations for voters. Our Editorial Board spent weeks researching the items on the Nov. 4 ballot  and debating among ourselves  to provide our perspectives on these measures, including Austin's Proposition Q, state tax breaks, defendants access to bail and investment in Alzheimers research. Whatever your conclusions, please make sure to participate at the polls. An informed electorate strengthens the community we serve.

More space for readers voices

You told us you wanted more letters to the editor, and we listened. For the past few months, weve been publishing letters twice a week, up from Sundays only. The result: more voices, more timely exchanges and a livelier community conversation.

Were also devoting more space to distinctive local commentary, from the heartbreaking call for accountability from the parents of a girl who died at Camp Mystic to compelling op-eds from University of Texas professors about the direction of our states flagship university. Thats the kind of local insight we aim to surface  voices that challenge, inform and enrich Austins civic dialogue.

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And weve revived the Statesmans Two Views feature, pairing opposing perspectives on local topics such as the future of the Austin Convention Center site and the planned cap and stitch project on Interstate 35. These packages epitomize what an opinion section should do best: serve as a forum for debate, broadening understanding through honest exchange.

Collaborating beyond Austin

This summer, we partnered with the San Antonio Express-News Editorial Board for a deeply reported series of editorials after the devastating Hill Country floods over the Fourth of July weekend. By combining reporting resources and regional expertise, we advocated for affected families and pushed for long-term policies to protect Texans from future storms. It was among our most important work this year.

Join us  and join the conversation

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We're committed to improving the civic conversation, which is why weve launched The Austin Angle, a new weekly newsletter delivering our latest opinion pieces, endorsements and standout local commentaries straight to your inbox. The first edition went out this week. I hope youll sign up so you dont miss hearing from some of the best voices in our community.

Scan the QR code to sign up for The Austin Angle newsletter, featuring weekly commentaries from the Statesman Opinion section. Austin American-Statesman

And please add your own: Send your letters to the editor (150 words) to letters@statesman.com, and your guest commentary submissions (625 words) to views@statesman.com.

In the months ahead, well keep expanding this dialogue  welcoming more voices and more perspectives that move Austin forward. The Opinion section belongs to all of us. Pull up a chair. Tell us what matters. Lets keep talking about the Austin were building together.

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Students for a Democratic Society lead the crowd in chants at an Oct. 13 protest at the University of Texas, opposing the Trump administration's efforts to use federal funding to entice universities to adopt certain policies. Several readers raised concerns about UT's path as politics reshape higher education. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Unraveling UT pride

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I could feel all the concerns the writer laid out. My own pride as a member of the faculty and administrators has diminished.

I joined the University of Texas in 1973. I was always proud to wear my UTEXAS AUSTIN tags at conferences all over the country and the world. When I retired at full faculty level in 2014, I still felt proud to say, "Yes, Im with UT Austin.

However, since around 2024, UT pride as a high-level university has fallen. Those of us who worked so hard to be a member of this great institution are now starting to lose our pride because of the path the government, administration and institution has taken.

There are other institutions that are pushing back against these paths. I hope that those of us who once loved the University of Texas will continue to work on the original purpose of the institution and turn it back into one of the best universities again.

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Marilla D. Svinicki, The Hills

Long term damage

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As a parent of two daughters who graduated from the University of Texas, where they received an excellent education among a diverse student body, it is very upsetting to see UT being destroyed by right-wing attacks on higher education.

As the commentaries indicate, the changes made to UT will cause irreparable harm to a previously well-respected university. Excellent faculty will undoubtedly be leaving, recruitment of quality faculty will be impossible, high level administrators (not political hacks) will show no interest, and high-achieving students will shun UT.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has ruined public higher education in Florida and of course Gov. Greg Abbott needs to show he is just as tough as DeSantis.

Don't let UT be destroyed.

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Arnold Ross, Austin

Parents and students gather outside Austin school district headquarters on Oct. 9 to protest the proposal to close 13 schools. A reader argues the state government created the conditions that are squeezing local school districts. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Reaction to funding grab

Many parents in Austin are frustrated by Austin Independent School Districts proposed boundary changes that would move their children from the schools they were originally zoned  schools theyd been excited to attend, or even schools that drew their family to move to that neighborhood.

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I share that angst. These decisions affect my children, my neighborhood, the schools and teachers we love.

But before we direct all that anger and energy solely at AISD, I hope we are all pausing to zoom out. This isnt just a boundary issue. Its the local result of years of state-level disinvestment in public education.

Texas hasnt meaningfully increased per-student funding in years. The district also loses hundreds of millions annually through recapture, sending local dollars back to the state. And, the new voucher law, pushed forcefully by our governor, allows public funds to flow to private schools, further draining the system.

AISD didnt create these conditions. Its reacting to them.

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How we vote doesnt always affect us immediately, but when it finally does, its a chance to reflect with empathy on all the times someone else bore the cost, or someone elses family was impacted.

If we want stability for our children and communities, we must hold our leaders accountable and vote for those who strengthen public education, not dismantle it.

Our schools deserve more than outrage after the fact. They deserve foresight and commitment before the damage is done.

Nora OLeary, Austin

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Members of the Texas National Guard arrive Oct. 7 in Illinois. A reader argues the troops are necessary to protect ICE agents and address crime in Chicago. Brian Cassella/TNS

Yes, troops are needed

I am writing to complain about the obvious bias in this piece about Texas National Guard troops being sent to other states. Chicago and Portland need help to protect our ICE agents, who are under attack, and to try to lower the crime rates in Chicago, which had 573 murders last year. One is too many!

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The editorial said Gov. Greg Abbott "is misusing dedicated troops as political pawns." No: He's trying to lower crime and save lives because the mayors and governors of these two areas won't do their jobs. Most states with common sense would be thanking Abbott and President Donald Trump for helping bring law and order.

The editorial also argued that Texans would be outraged if the governors of Illinois or Oregon sent their National Guard troops here over Abbott's objections. First of all, Abbott takes care of crime in his own state and doesn't need help. But if he did, he would welcome help. It's common sense.

A federal judge has blocked Trump on almost everything he does, and Trump keeps winning because he's doing the right thing.

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It's not over in Gaza

While Im thankful for the return of the remaining hostages, I continue to pray for the release of the deceased. May they rest in peace and may those who mourn find comfort.

I ask for continued and urgent prayers. I believe this is an even more dangerous time for those trapped in Gaza and what is left of the West Bank.

To watch President Donald Trump's fete by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's regime must sicken all of us.

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Trump stood before the Knesset and called for the charges alleging war crimes to be dropped. But Netanyahu must be held accountable.

Trump, who has been openly complicit and is also waging war on Americans who resist him, must also be held to account for his actions.

This isn't over.

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Christina OHearne, Austin
The $3 calls Vol/OI ratio was 3.64. Thats not double-digits, but its still considered unusually active. The first thing I notice is that 99% of the trades were for 10 contracts or more, with five accounting for 89% of the trades of 10 contracts or more.

However, before I do that, lets consider yesterdays 2,000 call option contracts traded for the $3 call.

Although Tilrays (TLRY) options volume yesterday was reasonable at 148,312, nearly 10% of its open interest, the Nov. 14 $3 call was the only unusually active option on the day. Therefore, Ill have to find a suitable lower-priced put expiring in the middle of next month.

The long strangle involves simultaneously buying a long call and long put OTM (out of the money) with the put strike price lower than the call. They expire on the same date.

By no means is the cannabis and alcoholic beverage producer a sure thing, but yesterdays Nov. 14 $3 call sets up for potential profits from a long strangle.

Breaking it down, calls outpaced puts, 754 to 434, a reasonably bullish indicator. The highest Vol/OI ratio was Teladocs (TDOC) Nov. 21 $12 call, with volume of 36,982, 53.06 times the open interest.

To change things up, I altered my screening criteria. In addition to the change in the Vol/OI ratio minimum, I excluded any options with open interests of less than 500 and option volume greater than 250. I maintained the 7-day DTE (days to expiration) minimum.

In yesterdays unusual options activity, there were 1,188 call and put options with Vol/OI (volume-to-open-interest) ratios of 1.0 or higher.

With numerous other investor concerns, including the ongoing federal government shutdown, the major indexes all declined yesterday. Early Friday morning, long before the markets opened for trading, the S&P 500 futures were down 1.2%. As I write this, about an hour from the opening, theyve recovered about half those losses.

Thursday wasnt a good day for regional banks Zions Bancorp (ZION) and Western Alliance Bancorp (WAL), as both admitted to being victims of suspected fraud related to loans to troubled property funds. Their stocks dropped 13% and 10% respectively, on the news.

Story Continues

When the premiums are in the millions, youre looking at bigger fish. Furthermore, the price was right. All of these 10+ trades were for $0.06, just 3.96% of the $1.51 share price.

Of the potential puts (less than $3) expiring on Nov. 14, there are four under $3. However, to execute the long strangle, you need some volume, so Ill go with the $1.50 put and the $0.29 ask price.

Between the $0.06 ask price for the call and $0.29 ask price for the put, the net debit is $0.35 or 23.1% of the $1.5141 share price. On the one hand, thats a relatively high percentage. On the other hand, its only $35 per long strangle.

With the long strangle, you want the share price to move significantly in either direction above the upside breakeven price of $3.35 [$3.00 strike price + $0.35 net debit] or below the downside breakeven price of $1.15 [$1.50 strike price - $0.35 net debit].

You profit if the stock rises by 121.3% [($3.35 upper breakeven - $1.5141 share price) / $1.5141] or more, or falls by 24.04% or more [($1.15 lower breakeven - $1.5141 share price) / $1.5141].

The expected move, up or down, is 27.49%. The downside is where youll be more likely to profit. That said, it recently got a significant raise in its target price from Roth Capital Partners to $2, so you never know.

Whats Up With Palantir?

Ive been very bullish about Palantir (PLTR) for over two years. In May 2023, I discussed three of the AI stocks best unusually active options.

I dont think theres any question that Palantir is heading in the right direction. However, if Karp [Palantir CEO] is only marginally correct about its AIP opportunities, the profits will come in waves. A profitable Palantir is a scary proposition, I wrote.

I said then, and Ill say it now, Palantir is a long-term buy.

In yesterdays unusual options activity, it had plenty of calls and puts with Vol/OI ratios over 1.0. Of all of them, a call and put with an Oct. 31 expiry stand out--and they just happen to set up for a long strangle.

The net debit is $4.13, or a low 2.3% of Palantirs closing price of $178.12 from Thursday. The upper break-even is $201.63 [$197.50 strike price + $4.13 net debit], while $148.37 [$152.50 strike price - $4.13 net debit] is the lower break-even.

To make money on this bet, youll need the share price to move 13.2% on the upside and 16.7% on the downside. The expected move is 7.82%, so youll have your work cut out for you.

Based on todays trading for the $157.50 put (2 strike intervals higher), your profit probability is likely around 20%, perhaps lower than that.

That said, the Barchart Technical Opinion for Palantir is a Strong Buy in the near term. It reports its quarterly results on November 3 after the market closes and after the options expire.

Is Amer Sports a $20 or $40 Stock?

My most recent commentary about Amer Sports was on Sept. 25. I discussed the sporting goods companys unusually active Oct. 17 $35 call option.

Interestingly, while AS stock is up 163% from its January 2024 IPO price of $13, it has declined 16% in the past month, suggesting that investors believe its August 25 all-time high of $42.36 marked a market top, I wrote.

Amers stock has lost another 11% in the three weeks since. Halfway between $20 and $40, investors are wondering if the gains from the January 2024 IPO are overdone.

In my article, I admitted that I was mildly bearish, taking a shine to the bear call spread with a short $30 call and long $35 call. It expires today. You would have made a maximum profit of $300 if AS stock were below $30. As I write this, its share price is $30.55, so you would have made a profit, just not the maximum, but close.

In yesterdays trading, Amer had one unusually active option, the Nov. 21 $40 call, with a Vol/OI ratio of 8.74. Heres how it looks today.

Im looking for a put expiring on Nov. 21, with a strike price lower than $40.

Amers expected move is 14.05%, which means its unlikely to break through the upper breakeven price of $40.35. Your best bet for the long puts shown is the $35 strike with a 42.01% profit probability. The share price only needs to fall by 3.72% to break even.

Id go with the long $40 call and long $35.00 put. The net debit is $5.85. The breakeven point on the downside is $29.15, which is 4.9% lower than its current share price. Its achievable.

On the date of publication, Will Ashworth 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
By Manya Saini, Arasu Kannagi Basil and Ateev Bhandari

(Reuters) -U.S. bank stocks, including Zions Bancorporation, Jefferies, and Western Alliance, fell sharply on Thursday as investors grew uneasy about risk in the sector, which has been shaken by exposure to two auto bankruptcies.

Zions sank 12% after disclosing it would take a $50 million loss in the third quarter on two commercial and industrial loans from its California division. Western Alliance's stock slumped almost 11% after the bank separately disclosed it had initiated a lawsuit alleging fraud by Cantor Group V, LLC. Investment bank Jefferies, which held an investor day on Thursday, plunged 9%. The firm has disclosed exposure to bankrupt auto parts maker First Brands, and its stock has fallen by more than one-fifth since First Brands' bankruptcy announcement.

"It shows you can't take credit quality for granted, and poor performing credit quality at one bank can drag down the group quite fast," said Stephen Biggar, a banking analyst at Argus Research.

JEFFERIES LEFT 'QUESTIONS UNANSWERED'

Jefferies' investor day was closed to the press. Morgan Stanley analyst Ryan Kenny said in a note that Jefferies' investor day was positive on the core business, "but left some questions unanswered on what exactly went wrong with First Brands and whether or not JEF could have mitigated risk in advance."

Jefferies did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. Zions did not respond to a request for comment.

"It appears that investors are electing to sell first and ask questions later regarding Jefferies, a selloff that soon threatens to be overdone," said Sean Dunlop, bank analyst at Morningstar Research, in a note

The situations shook the broader market, with the regional banking index dropping 5.8% and the S&P 500 losing nearly 1%.

Wall Street analysts drew parallels from Zions' disclosure with the collapse of auto parts maker First Brands, which exposed gaps in lenders' oversight and raised questions about credit market transparency.

Brokerages pointed to JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon's comments this week about anxiety in the credit market following the bankruptcies of First Brands and subprime lender Tricolor.

As major global lenders file unsecured claims, the issue has become a key test of transparency and management in the rapidly expanding private credit market.

JPMorgan wrote off $170 million in the third quarter related to the Tricolor bankruptcy and said it was reviewing its controls.

"When you see one cockroach, there are probably more, and so everyone should be forewarned," Dimon said.
Photo by BeInCrypto

This year, Vietnam is experiencing substantial credit growth. The country's central bank actively encourages this trend through supportive, low-interest-rate policies.

Given Vietnam's top global digital asset market status, experts anticipate these favorable conditions will fuel the sector. Increased investment flexibility and a growing risk appetite are expected to boost liquidity in crypto significantly.

Central Bank Boosts Credit Target

Authorities in Vietnam have demonstrated a sustained policy focus on stimulating the economy through favorable monetary conditions for consumers.

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) recently raised the credit limit for commercial banks and directed them to reduce lending rates. This move was partially taken to meet the ambitious national gross domestic product expansion goals.

Earlier this month, the central bank announced it expects credit to increase by 19% to 20% this year. This aggressive push has already resulted in significant growth.

Officials from the SBV have explicitly acknowledged that this liquidity injection will influence the flow of capital into riskier assets.

The countrys digital assets market is poised to benefit significantly under this environment.

The Nation's Digital Assets Momentum

Vietnam is one of the worlds fastest-growing digital assets hubs. The country consistently ranks among the top globally for grassroots crypto adoption. Today, a significant percentage of its population owns digital assets or trades crypto.

The proactive development of a legal framework strongly supports the industrys rising momentum. In a landmark move, Vietnam's National Assembly approved the Law on Digital Technology Industry in June, formally recognizing digital assets as a type of property.

To bolster this shift, the government launched a five-year pilot program to create a regulated digital asset market. The country's demographics partly drive this policy move, as high crypto adoption among Vietnam's young, tech-savvy population heavily powers the industry.
Adversary intelligence officials target American soldiers on popular internet platforms such as LinkedIn, Indeed and Reddit, hoping to find individuals who will share military secrets that could be beneficial in a future conflict, Army intelligence officials said at the Association of the U.S. Army conference in Washington. (Adam Lowe/U.S. Army)



WASHINGTON  U.S. soldiers in 2025 are more likely to face the enemy online than on the battlefield, as American troops are targeted daily by foreign intelligence officers seeking details on weaponry and tactics, top Army officials warned this week.

Adversary intelligence officials target American soldiers on popular internet platforms such as LinkedIn, Indeed and Reddit, hoping to find individuals who will share military secrets that could be beneficial in a future conflict, Army intelligence officials said Wednesday at the Association of the U.S. Army conference in Washington.

The primary illicit actors represent Americas top foes, such as China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, who have increasingly been found working together to seek the latest American secrets, said Lt. Gen. Tony Hale, the Armys intelligence director.

The adversary is collecting on us every day, no matter where we are, Hale said. Theyre trying to connect virtually with service members, with family members, with Department of War and Department of Army [civilian] employees and with contractors to gain that advantage that they believe will help them win the next fight.

To counter the increasing enemy online activity, the Army has reorganized its counterintelligence community in recent years, standing up Army Counterintelligence Command in 2021 to oversee its 3,000 civilian and uniformed agents, the general said. Those agents have conducted more than 600 national security investigations  including more than 200 currently open cases  since 2021, leading to the arrests of 25 soldiers and former soldiers suspected of espionage.

And the workload is getting larger every year, Hale said.

That led Congress last year to grant the Armys civilian counterintelligence agents new authorities meant to bolster their ability to disrupt foreign intelligence operations aimed at soldiers and Army civilians, Hale said. Those new authorities grant civilian agents the power to conduct searches, execute warrants and make arrests outside of Army posts, where most troops and service civilians live, the general said. He expects his civilian counterintelligence agents to begin using those new off-base authorities by the end of 2025.

Scott Grobatt, the Army counterintelligence special agent in charge for the northeastern region, said soldiers can become entangled with adversary intelligence officials both intentionally and unwittingly. Some are motivated by money provided in exchange for secrets, and others may be tricked into taking fake secondary jobs writing articles that could reveal useful information to foes, he said.

Leaders from the squad up through battalion-size units must be plugged in with their troops to identify when something seems amiss, including potential enemy spying activities, said Grobatt, who served as an infantryman before entering the Army intelligence community.

Theres one thing I know after 36 years in the Army, that is problems are identified and solved through the leadership chain, he said. Squad leaders and team leaders, when youre in the barracks and you hear someone talking about, I just got a job to write a white paper about that new piece of technology sitting in the motor pool.  Intervene, have a conversation, call the [local] counterintelligence agent so we can talk to them.

Army Counterintelligence Command has uncovered several recent cases of soldiers willingly engaging in espionage. A Fort Bliss, Texas-based soldier, Spc. Taylor Lee, was charged in August with the attempted transmission of national defense information to a foreign adversary and attempted export of controlled technical data without a license.

Lee, 22, had sought to provide Russia with sensitive information about the M1A2 Abrams main battle tank, according to the Justice Department.

Last year, Army Sgt. Korbein Schultz, an intelligence analyst from Fort Campbell, Ky., pleaded guilty to six counts of transmitting classified information to a foreign government. Officials charged Schultz provided a Chinese agent protected information about his unit, about several weapons systems and aircraft, and on U.S. military lessons learned about the Ukraine-Russia war with applications to Taiwans defense, in exchange for about $42,000. The 25-year-old received a seven-year prison sentence in April.

Army officials warned that adversary intelligence officers were likely present this week at the AUSA conference in Washington, where two massive trade room floors sported the latest weapons technology from top American and allied firms. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)



Hale and Grobatt warned that adversary intelligence officers were likely even present this week at the AUSA conference, where two massive trade room floors sported the latest weapons technology from top American and allied firms. Army Counterintelligence Command flooded the conference with dozens of agents, Grobatt said.

They are here to copy, steal, mimic, reverse-engineer our next generation-lethality that will save our soldiers lives and win our wars, the special agent said.

Hale said those efforts showed why Army Counterintelligence Command is among the busiest units in the service.

These guys are the only ones that are engaged with the enemy every freaking day, the general said. It can be a scary story when you talk about counterintelligence and what the adversaries capabilities are, but  I would put this team up against any of our adversaries, and well get after it.
A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper with Marine Light Helicopter Attack Squadron (HMLA) 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, flies over Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Sept. 28, 2025. (Jackson Rush/U.S. Marine Corps)



One pilot was killed in a late Thursday crash of an AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter in Southern California, the Marine Corps said Friday. A second crew member was injured.

The helicopter from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, experienced an aviation mishap during routine operations near Imperial Gables, Calif., the Marines said in a statement.

The two pilots were transported to separate hospitals. The first pilot was transported to Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley, Calif., and is confirmed dead. The second pilot was transported to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, Calif., and is in stable condition.

Maj. Gen. James B. Wellons, the commanding general of 3rd MAW, based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, north of San Diego, issued a statement on the death.

It is with profound sadness that I share the loss of a Marine from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and the Gunfighters while conducting a training flight in support of the Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, Wellons said in the statement. This Marine made the ultimate sacrifice, and we are forever grateful for his selfless commitment and willingness to go into harms way. To the family, friends and loved ones of our fallen Marine, we send our deepest condolences and offer our unwavering support during this time of grief.

The Gunfighters are based at MCAS Camp Pendleton.

Identification will be made 24 hours after the next of kin are notified of the accident. The identity of the injured pilot has not yet been disclosed.

Imperial Gables is a sparsely populated desert community about 135 miles east of San Diego in Imperial County, Calif. Its 50 miles northwest of Yuma, Ariz., and 45 miles north of Mexicali, Mexico.

The 3rd MAW headquarters said in a statement that the helicopter was not involved in recent U.S. military activity along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The AH-1Z was only conducting a training flight in support of the Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, the wing said in response to questions from Stars and Stripes.

The Marines website describes the course as a premier training program conducted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona.

Live fire exercises for the course are sometimes held at the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range in California, just northwest of Yuma. The 495,000-acre range is managed by MCAS Yuma.

This is the second fatal crash involving a 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing helicopter since the beginning of 2024.

Three pilots and two crew chiefs were killed Feb. 6, 2024, aboard a CH-53E Super Stallion that crashed during a late-night flight near Pine Valley, Calif.

The helicopter was with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16 of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, based at Miramar. The Super Stallion was returning from Creech Air Force Base, Nev., when the helicopter crashed. An investigation found the pilot failed to avoid the mountainous terrain, likely due to poor visibility.
Tugboats assist the aircraft carrier USS George Washington as it returns to Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, on Oct. 18, 2025. (Alex Wilson/Stars and Stripes)



YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan  The aircraft carrier USS George Washington returned unexpectedly to its homeport Saturday morning, less than three weeks after resuming its annual patrol and just ahead of President Donald Trumps confirmed visit to Japan.

The ship sailed through Tokyo Bay and moored at its usual berth with little fanfare. The only public notice came through the Navys standard communication to the city of Yokosuka.

In rare fashion, the carrier arrived with at least a portion of its air wing still aboard  Carrier Air Wing 5 typically departs the ship for Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni during port calls in Yokosuka.

The George Washington was last in port on Sept. 30 after wrapping a month-long mid-deployment break.

U.S. 7th Fleet spokesman Cmdr. Matthew Comer acknowledged a request for comment Saturday on whether the carriers sudden return is tied to Trumps visit, but did not immediately provide a response.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed on Oct. 15 during CNBCs Invest in America Forum that Trump will attend the Association of Southeast Asia Nations, or ASEAN, summit in Malaysia, make a presidential visit to Japan, and then travel to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, summit.

U.S. and Japanese officials are expected to visit Yokosuka and tour the George Washington, the Japan Times reported Oct. 11, citing unnamed government sources.

Trump is expected to be accompanied by Japans new prime minister  a post still vacant amid political turmoil  and address sailors aboard the carrier to underscore the U.S.-Japan alliance, the report said.

Kyodo News, also citing unnamed government sources, reported Thursday that Trumps three-day visit to Japan is set to begin Oct. 27.

While Bessent did not provide exact dates, Reuters reported Tuesday that the president is expected to be in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26, citing Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan. The Chosun Daily in South Korea reported Friday that Trump is expected to arrive in Seoul on Oct. 29 and remain until Oct. 30 and may meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump last visited Yokosuka in May 2019 when he hosted a Memorial Day rally aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp and spoke to about 1,000 service members. He also toured the Japanese helicopter carrier JS Kaga alongside then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Ahead of that visit, the White House requested that a guided-missile destroyer partly named for the late Sen. John McCain, whom Trump frequently criticized publicly, be kept out of sight, NBC News reported in June 2019. The Navy later acknowledged the request was made but clarified that it was not granted.
(Tribune News Service)  Cubas 94-year-old ruler Raul Castro, who is officially retired, reappeared this week to preside over a rare national defense council meeting and reassert that he is Cubas ruler amid Havanas increasing fears over chances of a U.S.-provoked regime change in Venezuela.

Looming heavily over the meeting, which took place on Wednesday but was not disclosed until Thursday, was the massive U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean and the possibility of an end to the Nicolas Maduro regime in Venezuela, which would leave the Cuban government without its closest ally in the region.

In what was likely an effort to reassure both local and international audiences that there is no power vacuum at this critical juncture, the ruling Communist Partys newspaper, Granma, dispensed with any formalities and plainly said Castro was in charge of leading the country.

The meeting at the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces was presided over by Army General Raul Castro Ruz, chief at the head of the revolution, and President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, Granma said. Seated between the two was Castros grandson, Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, who is believed to have influence in the country as Castros right hand and personal security chief.

The Cuban Constitution says the president, who is also the head of the Council of State, should be the one presiding over the national defense council, which is the countrys governing body in cases of war and states of emergency. Castro has no formal official role since he handed the top party position as first secretary to Diaz-Canel in 2021.

There were no details of what was discussed. The report said the councils members gathered for planning and decision approvals.

After rumors that he had been hospitalized, Castro appeared in a Communist Party event earlier this month. Even in retirement Castro continues to be the ultimate ruler of Cuba. But the governments public acknowledgement on state media sends a message not just about his health, but also about the internal power dynamics at a time of great uncertainty.

Cuban authorities have signaled increasing concern over the buildup of U.S. military forces in the Caribbean in a counternarcotics operation that seems to be also aimed at putting pressure on Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro to step down. Maduro remained in power after the Venezuelan people chose an opposition candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, in the presidential election in July 2024. He has also been indicted in the United States on charges of narcotics trafficking.

For Cuba, the survival of a friendly government in Venezuela is crucial. Cuban leaders found in Hugo Chavez, and later in Maduro key political allies who kept the island afloat with subsidized oil.

And Cuban personnel could be at the center of any action against the South American country, where thousands of Cuban doctors are working, and Cuban intelligence agents are believed to be providing counsel and security to Maduro.

Cuban personnel are also spread throughout the power structures in Venezuela, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said in a recent interview with U.S. government outlet Marti Noticias.

It was a total surrender of national sovereignty, said Machado, who received the Nobel Peace Prize last week. Cuban agents infiltrated our intelligence agencies, the armed forces, identity agencies and key ministries. Venezuela continues to give oil to Cuba, which resells it while the Cuban people live in darkness.

Ive always said: its the same fight. As soon as we liberate Venezuela, well continue for the freedom of Cuba and Nicaragua, she added.

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump confirmed that he has allowed the CIA to conduct cover operations in Venezuela, and he said U.S. forces were also looking at carrying out land operations. U.S. assets in the Caribbean Sea and Puerto Rico  including around 10,000 troops, at least 10 ships, a nuclear-powered attack submarine, F-35 fighter jets, B-52 bombers, reconnaissance aircraft, Reaper drones and helicopters are one of the largest military deployments in the Western Hemisphere in recent decades.

Cubas Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued four statements condemning the U.S. military operation since it was announced in August. But Cuban officials have spoken cautiously, promising solidarity and support to Venezuela in vague terms.

At a time when the empire and its misguided leader approve covert CIA operations against #Venezuela, we express our solidarity with that sister nation and, especially, with its President Nicolas Maduro, Diaz-Canel said Thursday. Today, #Cuba remembers more than ever the words of #Marti: Give me ,Venezuela, something to serve, she has a son in me, and of #Fidel: We must give everything for Venezuela.

On Friday morning, Diaz-Canel, other Cuban senior officials, and Pedro Infante Aparicio, the head of the Venezuelan National Assembly under Maduros control, held a rally in Havana to reaffirm Cubas revolutionary brotherhood with Venezuela, Cuban state media reported.

2025 Miami Herald.

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Basic cadets from the class of 2028 arrive at the U.S. Air Force Academy for inprocessing on June 26, 2024, in Colorado Springs, Colo. A board of an organization of U.S. Air Force Academy graduates did not vote on whether to bestow slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk with an honorary degree and honorary membership in the academys alumni association after both motions were withdrawn. (Trevor Cokley/U.S. Air Force)



A board of an organization of U.S. Air Force Academy graduates ended up not voting Friday on whether to bestow slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk with an honorary degree and honorary membership in the academys alumni association after both motions were withdrawn.

The measures, introduced by a board member, were removed from the boards meeting agenda, the Association of Graduates said in a statement late Friday, based on feedback from people affiliated with the academy on the idea of recognizing Kirk.

Since Wednesday, several hundred Air Force Academy graduates, parents and family members contacted the association to share their perspectives on the two motions, the statement said.

The board, which serves as the associations governing body, took the thoughtful feedback received into account, the statement continued, and withdrew the motions concerning Kirk.

We are grateful to all who have taken the time to reach out by phone and email, and to those who attended the meeting to share their views.

Retired Lt. Gen. Rod Bishop, a 1974 academy graduate who was elected to the board of directors earlier this year, had proposed the motions to honor Kirk, according to the meeting agenda.

Kirk was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.

Faith, family, so much love for our country and the vision of our Founding Fathers  Charlie had it all, Bishop said in an online post.

Kirk had attended his first Board of Visitors meeting in August, after President Donald Trump appointed him to the group, which advises the academy on curriculum, facilities, academics, student morale and other issues.

But some graduates who spoke out against recognizing Kirk said the move was politically motivated, and argued that Kirk had not done enough for the academy to be included in a group for which only 47 have been chosen for membership since 1981.

Im very heartened and impressed by the huge demonstration of loyalty by the graduates to the concept of an apolitical, nonpartisan military, said retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Marty France, an academy graduate, former board member and former head of the schools astronautics department.

France was among those who had spoken out against the motions.

Even some grads who voted for Trump and were Charlie Kirk fans sent messages against these motions to the board of directors, he said late Friday.
Alaska Air National Guard aircrew flying a C-17 Globemaster III, assigned to the 176th Wing, arrive at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, with 62 evacuated residents from western Alaska, Oct. 17, 2025. The C-17 aircrew transported the displaced Alaskans from Bethel to JBER during recover operations following the devastating Typhoon Halong that struck the states west coast. (Alejandro Pena/Alaska National Guard)



BETHEL, Alaska (Tribune News Service)  Major evacuation operations for scores of Yukon-Kuskokwim village residents displaced by a devastating storm last weekend began to wind down Friday as officials shifted attention to damage assessments and repairing villages so some evacuees could begin to filter home before winter.

Evacuations earlier in the week were one of the largest airlifts in the states history.

About 70 residents of Tuntutuliak, Kipnuk and Kwigillingok who were seeking shelter while their villages recovered from damage inflicted by the remnants of Typhoon Halong over the weekend arrived in Bethel on Friday in three separate flights of Alaska National Guard helicopters. The evacuees were slated to fly to Anchorage aboard a massive C-17 military aircraft or planned to stay with friends or family in Bethel or other communities in the region, according to officials.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who flew to Bethel on Friday morning and boarded a Black Hawk helicopter to tour Kwigillingok and Kipnuk, said agencies and relief organizations had moved from the rescue phase to the process of providing care for residents in shelters and beginning to make damaged villages and homes livable again.

Were going to move quickly, he said, to get these folks back up on their feet and running.

Among those evacuated from their villages Friday were about two dozen people and at least three dogs from Kwigillingok.

Lucy Martin said she was among the last evacuees from the village because she helped coordinate evacuation efforts.

I had to make sure everyone got out, she said.

Martin said she plans to stay in Bethel with family and would like to return home hopefully before winter.

That could be possible, Dunleavy said Friday.

Alaska Air National Guard aircrew flying a C-17 Globemaster III, assigned to the 176th Wing, arrive at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, with 62 evacuated residents from western Alaska, Oct. 17, 2025. (Alejandro Pena/Alaska National Guard)



Dunleavy said he believed that some people who fled their damaged villages for shelters could potentially return before harsh winter sets in.

Kwigillingok was in much better shape than he expected, though Kipnuk is in rough shape, Dunleavy said.

Alaskas U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski also flew to Bethel, where she greeted and spoke with evacuees as they arrived at the National Guard hangar. She later boarded a Chinook helicopter to tour some of the devastated communities on Friday.

Hundreds of residents from Kipnuk and Kwigillingok  Yupik villages with about 1,100 residents combined that were the hardest hit by the catastrophic storm  had been airlifted to Anchorage on Wednesday and Thursday as they faced challenging living conditions in their villages. The major evacuation operation included several Alaska National Guard helicopters and a C-17 Globemaster III military transport plane.

The storms hurricane-force winds and record tidal-surge flooding swamped large swaths of the Yukon-Kuskokwim region, forcing more than 1,000 from their homes. Many villages have reported damage to infrastructure, like power and water systems, and wrecked or damaged homes.

Fridays airlifts marked the end of major evacuation operations, said Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management spokesman Jeremy Zidek. Shelter operations in Bethel would also begin to wind down, he said.

More than 570 people were flown to Anchorage during the three-day evacuation effort, according to a Friday Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management update.

Alaska Air National Guard aircrew flying a C-17 Globemaster III, assigned to the 176th Wing, arrive at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, with 62 evacuated residents from western Alaska, Oct. 17, 2025. (Alejandro Pena/Alaska National Guard)

Alaska Air National Guard aircrew flying a C-17 Globemaster III, assigned to the 176th Wing, arrive at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, with 62 evacuated residents from western Alaska, Oct. 17, 2025. (Alejandro Pena/Alaska National Guard)



The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp. would continue to facilitate evacuations of people who decided they wanted to seek shelter outside of their communities after Friday, Zidek said.

Dunleavy said disaster relief officials would soon begin visiting other villages affected by the storm to assess the damage and determine community needs, and what can be fixed before winter.

Some have stayed in Kipnuk to begin fixing damaged homes or infrastructure, Dunleavy said, adding that he was impressed with the positive attitudes of those who remained. The school, he added, avoided major damage.

Martin, the Kwigillingok resident, said some have stayed behind to continue search and rescue efforts and begin repair work.

Shes not worried about them, Martin said.

They are conditioned for it, she said.

Alaska Air National Guard rescue personnel, assigned to the 176th Wing, conduct search and rescue operations over Kipnuk, Alaska following the devastating Typhoon Halong, Oct. 12, 2025. (Alejandro Pena/Alaska National Guard)



 2025 the Alaska Dispatch News (Anchorage, Alaska).

Visit www.adn.com.

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Australias Westpac has announced a substantial pre-tax restructuring charge of A$273m ($177m) in the second half (H2) of the fiscal year 2025 (FY25).

This restructuring charge relates to the targeted productivity initiatives under its Fit for Growth programme.

Westpac said its Fit for Growth programme delivered modest benefits this financial year, with overall productivity gains expected to cover the programmes costs.

The bank expects the programme to yield benefits over the subsequent two financial years.

Westpac, which is one of the leading banking and financial services institutions in the country, stated that the related restructuring expense will not be classified as a notable item in the banks financial statements.

The bank said in a statement that the expense will be recorded as an operating cost over the six-month period and will not affect the groups net profit after tax or alter the composition of line items.

The bank also said that its reported net profit after tax for FY25 will be reduced by A$56m due to notable items associated with solely to hedging, which are expected to reverse over time. This compares with a A$123m hit in the previous fiscal year.

It has scheduled the release of its full-year financial results on 3 November 2025.

Meanwhile, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has stated that Westpac has fulfilled the requirements of a multi-year risk transformation programme.

As a result, APRA will withdraw the additional A$500m capital add-on applied to the bank.

Westpac stated that the removal of this capital add-on would boost its common equity tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio by an estimated 17 basis points, indicating a reduction in risk-weighted assets amounting to A$6.25bn.

After an APRA investigation in 2020, Westpac entered into a Court-Enforceable Undertaking (CEU) with APRA in December of the same year, committing to fix prudential weaknesses in its culture, governance, and accountability and to address their root causes.

Consequently, Westpac launched the Customer Outcomes and Risk Excellence (CORE) Program as well as appointed an independent reviewer.

Before this, APRA had made a pre-emptive imposition of a A$500m capital add-on to Westpac in July 2019, followed by an additional $500m in December 2019.

As APRA advanced its supervisory programme, it removed the first $500m add-on in July 2024, acknowledging Westpacs progress. APRA stated the remaining add-on would stay in place until Westpac completed its transition activities and APRA conducted further validation to confirm the sustainability of improvements in prudent risk management practices and outcomes.
Capt. Charles Graham Gibson Jr. is honored with family present during a military ceremony at Fort Custer National Cemetary in Augusta, Mich. on Thursday, October 16, 2025. The U.S. Army captain went missing in action in 1950 during the Korean War and was identified 75 years later. (Isaac Ritchey/mlive.com via TNS)



DETROIT, MI (Tribune News Service)  The wheels of Delta Airlines flight 733 touched the tarmac of Detroit Metro Airport Saturday, Oct. 11, at 12:51 p.m., the moment Capt. Charles Graham Gibson Jr. came home, more than 75 years after his death in battle.

Its unclear when he previously departed Michigan, where  while he was alive  he lived with his wife and child. He last left them behind sometime before Dec. 11, 1950, the day the U.S. Army declared its captain missing in action along Koreas Chosin Reservoir.

When his remains arrived in a metal casket Saturday, his spouse and son werent waiting for him. They died decades earlier, uncertain exactly what happened to the 28-year-old soldier last seen alive fighting in one of the 20th centurys most brutal and historically-referenced military battles.

But Capt. Gibson wasnt alone during his final flight home last week. A military escort, Army Capt. Jacob Manweiler, ensured the old soldiers body made safe passage from Hawaii to Detroit. Manweiler represented one of more than 100 U.S. military-affiliated officials estimated to be involved in solving the generations-spanning mystery of Capt. Gibsons death as well as the mission to bury him in the state he called home.

And Capt. Gibson wasnt without family when that mission was accomplished Thursday, Oct. 16, at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Kalamazoo County. There, his descendants gathered for the military funeral honors ceremony that preceded his caskets interment in the hallowed space, where thousands of other Michigan soldiers rest in valor.

Inside the casket was a portion of a left ulna bone, recovered from North Korean authorities seven years ago and identified by American scientists as Capt. Gibsons remains six months ago.

Some hope telling the story of the captains long journey back from a Korean battlefield to Michigan soil renews a dialogue for families of U.S. military veterans still missing in action. Its a dialogue that underlines a message:

No matter how long it takes, the search doesnt end until the soldier returns.

Capt. Charles Graham Gibson Jr. is honored with family present during a military ceremony at Fort Custer National Cemetary in Augusta, Mich. on Thursday, October 16, 2025. The Army captain went missing in action in 1950 during the Korean War and was identified 75 years later. (Isaac Ritchey/mlive.com via TNS)



Its a mantra followed by officials such as Tamela Faulkner, an identification case manager with the Armys Past Conflict Repatriations Branch that helped Capt. Gibsons return.

This means a great deal to the family, Faulkner said, and those of us who have worked to bring him home.

Their fathers keepers

Melissa Wallace never met Capt. Gibson, her grandfather. And her father, Charles Michael Gibson, who died in 2006, was two months shy of turning 2 years old when Capt. Gibson was declared missing in the Korean War in 1950.

My dad never knew his dad, but finding out what happened was important to him his entire life, said Wallace, the first-born of Capt. Gibsons five grandchildren. My dad didnt live to see that closure. It was like his own private obsession.

Her father during his adult life wrote letters to every U.S. president. Those letters urged intensifying the search for the body of Capt. Gibson, declared dead absent evidence suggesting otherwise by the U.S. Department of War on Dec. 31, 1953, three years after the soldier went missing in battle.

While Wallace and her family didnt realize it at the time, a significant milestone in that search was reached Aug. 1, 2018. Thats when President Donald Trumps administration negotiated with North Korean officials for the release of 55 boxes of human remains recovered decades earlier from Sinhung-ri, a village east of the Chosin Reservoir  a man-made lake in northeast Korea  where Capt. Gibson was last reported alive.

In part using biological data collected from two of his relatives, scientists at the U.S. Department of Wars Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency lab in Hawaii on March 17, 2025, identified a portion of an arm bone in one of those boxes as a match for the DNA signature of Capt. Gibsons family.

Military officials notified Wallace and other members of that family, eventually providing them an in-person briefing as well as a booklet describing the events leading both to his death and the discovery of his remains.

I learned more about him from my meeting with the Army than I ever heard from my family, because, you know, it was too painful for my grandmother to talk about, Wallace said.

Capt. Charles Graham Gibson Jr. is honored with family present during a military ceremony at Fort Custer National Cemetary in Augusta, Mich. on Thursday, October 16, 2025. The Army captain went missing in action in 1950 during the Korean War and was identified 75 years later. (Isaac Ritchey/mlive.com via TNS)



The Midland resident was among the family members present Thursday for the burial of Capt. Gibson, who served for nine years in the Army and survived tours in World War IIs Pacific and European campaigns. Many of the captains other modern descendants traveled to this weeks memorial service from where they live on the southeastern corner of the state, near the Grand Rapids region.

The ceremony they witnessed at Fort Custer National Cemetery, in fact, was the captains first and only funeral service, Wallace said. Her grandmother, Dorothy Jean Gibson, never remarried and was so devastated by the loss of her husband that she never organized a memorial for him.

I wish she could have been here for this, Wallace said of her grandmother, who lived in the Saginaw home she and Capt. Gibson purchased until the day she died in 1998.

Wallace said she wants the story of Capt. Gibsons 75-year journey home to offer optimism for other families of military members who never returned from battle.

I want this to reenergize people to keep looking, to keep asking questions, Wallace said, to offer some hope that other families may still be reunited with their lost loved ones.

The Chosin

Some of what Wallace and her family learned this year about Capt. Gibsons life in part was captured in the Armys report via clippings of 1950s-era Saginaw News articles reporting about his status as missing and, later, his declared death.

Saginaw Natives Husband Missing, read the earliest of the clippings about the Houston-born soldier, a member of the 48th Field Artillery Battalion at the time.

A later article detailed how the soldier met and married his wife in Germany while she was stationed there as a member of the Womens Army Corps, an American non-combat military unit established during World War II. The family later moved to a home in the Cathedral District of his wifes hometown of Saginaw, where they lived when Capt. Gibson was deployed to the conflict in Korea.

Another news clipping detailed how Wallaces grandmother in 1951, between the time of Capt. Gibsons missing-in-action status and his declared death, accepted her husbands Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement against the enemy.

The Army files included an official military portrait of Capt. Gibson from his time serving in World War II, when he was a sergeant. Its the only image Wallace has ever seen of her grandfather.

Other than the ears, I look exactly like him, Wallace said of the grainy, black-and-white photo from the 1940s. I tweeze my eyebrows and look feminine, but yeah, he looks like me.

The Army report provided to Wallace and her family also included a detailed timeline of the conflict and specific military maneuvers that preceded the death of Capt. Gibson, beginning with June 30, 1950, the day President Harry Truman authorized sending ground troops to Korea. A United Nations-gathered military coalition joined American soldiers, with Capt. Gibsons infantry division entering Korea by fall.

It was late November 1950 when the files entries grew more specific in detail, describing the frenzied 17-day battle for positioning alongside the frozen Chosin Reservoir.

On Nov. 28, 1950, Capt. Gibson and his 48th Field Artillery Battalion joined the Armys effort to create a north-facing perimeter after the Chinese military  which entered the conflict in alliance with Korean forces  launched an attack at 1 a.m., the report read.

Increasingly precarious with limited artillery support and no reinforcements, the file stated. CPVF (Chinese Peoples Volunteer Forces) would attack in the darkness and retreat during daylight hours. Platoon leaders told to hold the position at all costs.

The report described how, during the first week of the battle, enemy roadblocks separated Capt. Gibsons battalion from other military units. The chaos of gunfire and mortar bombardments at times kept soldiers fighting up to 80 consecutive hours.

Capt. Charles Graham Gibson Jr. is honored with family present during a military ceremony at Fort Custer National Cemetary in Augusta, Mich. on Thursday, October 16, 2025. (Isaac Ritchey/mlive.com via TNS)



By Dec. 1, 1950, American troops withdrew from an area of intensifying warfare and all KIA were left behind to allow living to make it out, the report read. Numbers were so low (commanding officers) consolidate all remaining into one unit.

By the next day, from the 3,000 soldiers assigned when the battle began, only 385 were fit for duty, the report stated.

Its unclear if Capt. Gibson was among the 385 fit soldiers counted that day. After the reference to his missions launch on Nov. 28, his name did not appear again in the timeline until Dec. 11, 1950.

Army reports Capt. Gibson as MIA, that entry read.

The Army really pieced together what happened in the final months of my grandfathers life, and the conflict, Wallace said of the file provided to her family. And that was unexpected closure, because all I knew before that was, he went to Korea and he was killed.

As she eventually discovered, the final battle of Capt. Gibsons life did not happen during some obscure stretch of combat in the three-year-long military conflict against Korea. Historians often reference that deadly 17-day clash in the winter of 1950 as The Battle of Chosin Reservoir and its combatants as The Chosin Few. The battles brutality became the subject of dozens of books, documentaries and dramatized films.

Over a thousand U.S. marines and soldiers were killed during the Chosin Reservoir Campaign and thousands more were wounded in battle or incapacitated by cold weather, read a report on the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency website. Many men were buried where they fell, and due to the cold weather and the retreat of UN Forces from the area, hundreds of fallen marines and soldiers were unable to be immediately recovered.

Capt. Gibson has left that battlefield behind him now. And the arrival to his new destination was timed this week with purpose by the family awaiting him there.

The date Capt. Gibson was buried  Oct. 16  also was the date of his birth. If he had survived the years, the captain would have turned 103 the day his remains came to rest in the state he once called home.

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Forensic anthropologists with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency review the contents of cases containing the possible remains of service members lost in the Korean War during a unilateral transfer in Wonsan, North Korea, in July 2018. (David J. Marshall/U.S. Army)



MUSKEGON MI (Tribune News)  The remains of a U.S. soldier killed in the Korean War were flown back to Michigan by his great-nephew, a commercial pilot, in an emotional event.

American Airlines Capt. Casey Brouhard was at the helm of a Wednesday, Oct. 15, flight from Dallas to Grand Rapids that carried the remains of Pfc. Harold B. Dulyea.

To be the lead on this flight and to take one of my family members home after 75 years, its once in a lifetime, once in a career, Brouhard said about the honor in a video provided by American Airlines.

He was emotional as he spoke.

Dulyea was 23 years old and a private first class serving in F Company of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.

His company was sent to help rescue units cut off from other American troops during the Battle of Yongdong in July 1950.

Related: A brutal battle separated a Michigan soldier from his family for 75 years. Science brought him home.

While advancing up a hill and during intense enemy fire, several small groups of soldiers were separated from the unit.

Dulyea was taken prisoner and forced to march north to Seoul before joining a convoy headed to Pyongyang.

On Oct. 10 near Suan, allied forces for South Korea bombed the convoy, not knowing that American soldiers were in the group.

Its believed Dulyea died at that time and was buried along the roadside.

When the war ended, American personnel recovered remains from near Suan, but no remains could be identified as Dulyea at that time.

Eventually, all of the unidentified Korean war remains were transferred to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii.

Then in 2013, a set of remains were disinterred and sent to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency lab for analysis.

After several years, using lab work and other evidence, Dulyeas remains were positively identified earlier this year on May 30.

Brouhard, his great nephew, was able to speak to passengers on the plane intercom about his great uncle and noted that his father, Larre Brouhard, was on the flight to escort the remains.

He asked passengers to be cognizant of the sacrifices of soldiers and their families.

I would like every one of you, this morning, if you could please, to think about family and our military  we still have many missing in the past wars  and about honor, he said.

Dulyea is expected to be buried Friday, Oct. 17, in a service with full military honors at Fort Custer National Cemetery near Battle Creek.

2025 Advance Local Media LLC.

Visit mlive.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Thai PM pledges to enhance all-round cooperation with China

Xinhua) 15:52, October 18, 2025

Thai Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul (C, R) meets with Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Zhang Jianwei in Bangkok, Thailand, Oct. 17, 2025. Anutin said Friday that the new government will strengthen all-round cooperation with China. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)

BANGKOK, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Thai Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul said Friday that the new government will strengthen all-round cooperation with China.

Anutin made the remarks during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Zhang Jianwei.

The prime minister commended the development of Thailand-China relations, noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. He said the new government will work to further advance bilateral relations and consolidate friendship between the two peoples.

Zhang said that China stands ready to work with Thailand to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, enhance multilateral coordination, and achieve new progress in building a community with a shared future between China and Thailand.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Kou Jie)
There are disadvantages. Most Medicare Advantage plans require prior authorization as a condition for coverage of services, a restriction only rarely required in traditional Medicare.

Plus, they often have very low or even no premium costs.

More than half of eligible beneficiaries have enrolled in Medicare Advantage since 2023, according to KFF. A big sweetener is the perks not included in traditional Medicare, such as drug coverage (Part D), eyeglasses, dental coverage, gym memberships, and reimbursements for  believe it or not  bowling balls and pickleball paddles.

Case in point: UnitedHealthcare and Johns Hopkins Medicine ended their network contract in August. That means that most Johns Hopkins facilities and providers are now out of network for patients with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans. If your Johns Hopkins Medicine hospital doesnt participate with a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can use out-of-network benefits if your plan has them, according to the healthcare providers website .

Some insurers are deemphasizing or even pulling out of certain geographic markets," Philip Moeller, a Medicare and Social Security expert, who writes the Aging in America newsletter, told Yahoo Finance. "Variations among plan premiums, co-pays, and annual deductibles are unusually large, leading to large differences in out-of-pocket costs among plans."

However, for 2026, some insurers are jettisoning plans, hospital systems, and doctors, paring back benefits and ramping up out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles.

Medicare Advantage is an alternative health insurance program to traditional Medicare for those 65 and older. The plans are run by private insurance companies such as UnitedHealthcare and Humana and have been soaring in popularity.

In September, you received your Annual Notice of Change letters spelling out changes in coverage and costs that will be effective next year. The open enrollment period runs through Dec. 7. During this time, those who are enrolled can make modifications to their coverage, which goes into effect on Jan. 1. You can switch between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change Medicare Advantage plans, and add or switch your Part D prescription drug plan . And possibly add or change to a new Medigap policy.

What that means: This is not the year to skip reviewing your coverage during open enrollment, which kicked off this week.

Millions of seniors with Medicare Advantage plans can expect slimmed-down benefits, loftier premiums, and a reduced selection of options in 2026 plans.

Story Continues

Unlike original Medicare, depending on the Advantage plan, youre limited to a specific network of doctors and other healthcare providers, and those networks are often in flux from year to year.

Its not unusual to be referred to a specialist who is not part of your Medicare Advantage plan network. In those cases, you need prior authorization to make an appointment, or simply be prepared to pony up and pay the bill out of pocket.

Here are the 2026 Medicare Advantage plan changes you need to know.

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Mistake watch

Lets start with getting accurate information.

Medicares online searchable Plan Finder on the Medicare.gov site allows you to review Medicare Advantage plan options. Every fall before open enrollment, Medicare loads all of the private plan data into this tool, including Part D drug plans, private Medicare Advantage plans, and even the Medigap plans, which are run by the states.

New Medicare reporting rules for MA plans will allow consumers to see more details about the plans supplemental benefits and, for the first time, the names of doctors, hospitals, and others in the plans medical provider networks, Moeller said.

In the past, to get that information, you had to go to each plans website or call each company or your doctors to see if they were part of the plan.

Thats super, in theory. Insurers provider directories have contained many mistakes in the past, and there have already been accounts of mistakes in the new publicly accessible directories, Moeller said.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website states that due to the government shutdown, "updates to information on this website may be limited or delayed."

CMS has flagged consumers and has a plan to address the bad information. If you make your 2026 MA plan selection on directory information that turns out to be wrong, you can change your choice during the first three months of the year.

To be safe, enrollees should call their preferred health providers to confirm they will be authorized to treat you next year, Moeller said. Also, call health insurers to confirm details of any 2026 plans before enrolling.

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Fewer plans and doctors

Across all Medicare Advantage plans for individual enrollment, including those with and without prescription drug coverage, the average Medicare beneficiary has the option to choose among 39 plans in 2026, compared to 42 options in 2025, per KFF.

But that slightly lower number of options belies the larger trend.

More than a million Medicare Advantage enrollees may lose their current plans next year because the plans are being shuttered due to higher medical costs and outpatient care.

Expect this shrinkage to continue.

If you do nothing when you receive the notice, youll be enrolled in a replacement plan, but theres no guarantee your favorite doctors will be on it. If the company is leaving the market altogether, you would have to sign up for a new Medicare Advantage plan if you want to stay in Medicare Advantage or switch to traditional Medicare for next year.

Higher costs

To cut their costs, Medicare insurers might be pushing yours up.

Although many seniors focus on no-premium Medicare Advantage plans, the real priority should be total healthcare costs, Jae Oh, author of "Maximize Your Medicare," told Yahoo Finance.

The key factor, beyond premiums, is the annual out-of-pocket maximum  the point at which the insurer covers 100% of remaining costs.

$0-premium plans still exist, but the era of the truly 'no-cost' plan is fading, he said. Some insurers are now adding health or drug deductibles, making it harder for beneficiaries to compare options.

The average monthly plan premium across all MA plans, which includes MA plans that provide prescription drug coverage and MA Special Needs Plans (SNPs), is estimated by CMS to decrease from $16.40 in 2025 to $14.00 in 2026.

That said, thats the average. Some Medicare Advantage companies are charging more than that and increasing the maximum out-of-pocket cost in many of their plans. This figure is supposed to represent the total amount you could pay toward your care over the year, in the form of co-payments and other charges. It is a vital number to watch.

The government provides an upper limit, but insurers offer plans with a range of caps. In 2026, Medicare Advantage plans cant exceed $9,250 for in-network services or $14,750 for combined in- and out-of-network services.

Reduced perks

For 2026, experts say that some Medicare Advantage plans are shaving their dental and vision coverage, for example, and raising co-pays to see specialists. If you signed up for a gym membership through a Medicare Advantage plan, it may not be available next year.

Supplemental benefits, such as dental, vision, and gym memberships, should be taken into consideration, but only after ensuring that the plan will provide affordable medical coverage and access to the doctors, hospitals, and medications that the person needs, Louise Norris, health policy analyst for medicareresources.org, said.

She said its critical to review the plan's rules for things like prior authorization and step therapy, where a plan requires you to try a lower-cost prescription drug that treats a given condition before stepping up to a similar-acting but more expensive drug if the lower-cost medication has failed to treat the patient's condition.

Sadly, one other change coming in 2026 is that many of those enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, who have chronic illnesses and limited incomes, may no longer be eligible for an array of extra benefits when a pilot project is cut off next year due to high costs.

The Medicare Advantage Value-Based Insurance Design Model, with 62 plan sponsors participating in 2025, provided benefits, such as less pricey prescription drug costs, food assistance, rides to medical appointments, and support to help manage chronic health conditions to over 7 million beneficiaries. It was aimed at low-income beneficiaries  those dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and who qualify for Medicares Extra Help program, which lowers prescription drug prices.

Have a question about retirement? Personal finances? Anything career-related? Click here to drop Kerry Hannon a note.

Where to get help

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program network (SHIP) provides one-on-one counseling in every state. You can find your local SHIP here.

The Medicare Rights Center offers a free consumer helpline: 800-333-4114. You can also contact Medicare directly at 800-633-4227 to find Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans in your area and to enroll directly.

Medicares online searchable Plan Finder on the Medicare.gov site allows you to review Medicare plan options.

The National Council on Aging has a free helpline (1-800-794-6559) to assist you in navigating Medicare.

If you have a limited income, you might be eligible for Medicares Extra Help, which covers Part D premiums and deductibles and caps drug costs.

Kerry Hannon is a Senior Columnist at Yahoo Finance. She is a career and retirement strategist and the author of 14 books, including the forthcoming "Retirement Bites: A Gen X Guide to Securing Your Financial Future," "In Control at 50+: How to Succeed in the New World of Work," and "Never Too Old to Get Rich." Follow her on Bluesky.

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Key Points

The Ark Autonomous Technology and Robotics ETF is an actively managed ETF led by Cathie Wood.

Unlike most other artificial intelligence (AI) ETFs, the Ark Autonomous Technology and Robotics ETF isn't highly concentrated in the largest AI stocks.

The ETF has handily beaten the "Magnificent Seven" in 2025, and could keep outperforming.

10 stocks we like better than Ark ETF Trust - Ark Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most transformative technologies in history, and as such, is full of investment opportunities. But choosing individual AI stocks can be tricky.

Fortunately, there are several artificial intelligence ETFs that allow investors to get exposure to AI without the homework involved with creating a portfolio manually. But there's one that stands out from the pack, and it's the Ark Autonomous Technology and Robotics ETF (NYSEMKT: ARKQ).

Here's a rundown of what this ETF invests in, why it's different from all the other AI ETFs in the market, and why it could deliver big gains over the next several years.

Image source: Getty Images.

Meet the Ark Autonomous Technology and Robotics ETF

As mentioned, there are several major artificial intelligence ETFs you can choose from. However, most are index funds that are weighted heavily toward the largest megacap AI stocks like Nvidia and Microsoft.

The Ark Autonomous Technology and Robotics ETF does things a little differently. For one thing, it's an actively managed fund. That means fund managers (in this case, notable tech investor Cathie Wood) are hand-selecting stocks with the goal of beating a benchmark index. And the recent success is impressive -- the ETF has delivered more than triple the total return of the "Magnificent Seven" so far in 2025.

Additionally, while most AI ETFs are focused on the industry's biggest players, that is not the case here. Aside from the top holding, Tesla, most of the top holdings of the Ark Autonomous Technology and Robotics ETF are companies that are largely under the radar, such as Kratos Defense & Security, Archer Aviation, and Teradyne. Nvidia is in the portfolio, but it isn't even in the top 10 in this ETF's 36-stock portfolio.

The Ark Autonomous Technology and Robotics ETF has a 0.75% expense ratio. This is the fund's management fee that is reflected in the performance over time, and essentially means that if you invest $10,000 in the ETF, you're effectively paying $75 in management fees annually.

This might sound high -- and it is, compared with something like an S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) index fund. But it's par for the course for a specialized ETF like this, and in fact, it is cheaper than the fees charged by some of the most popular artificial intelligence index funds that simply aim to match a benchmark.
Canandaigua, N.Y.  A Geneva man was found guilty of 81 counts in connection with a narcotics and firearms indictment in Ontario County Supreme Court, prosecutors said Friday.

A jury convicted Ronnie Boswell, also known as Spaz, following a long-term investigation into his distribution of fentanyl pills, firearms and high-capacity magazines, said Acting District Attorney Kelly C. Wolford in a news release.

Police recovered 14 firearms  five of which were illegal assault weapons  along with 13 high-capacity magazines, about 2,600 fentanyl pills and various ammunition.

Boswell was found guilty on the following charges:

First-degree criminal sale of a firearm

Second-degree conspiracy

Fourth-degree conspiracy

Five counts of second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance

Ten counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance

Six counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon

21 counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon

27 counts of third-degree criminal sale of a firearm

Three counts of second-degree attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance

Six counts of third-degree attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance

The case was tried before Ontario County Supreme Court Justice Victoria M. Argento and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Peter Van Dellon and Timothy Boucher.

The investigation began as a quality-of-life complaint in Geneva after there were reports of open-air drug transactions, Wolford said. It quickly expanded into a multi-agency operation involving the Geneva Police Department, Ontario County Sheriffs Office, New York State Police, Canandaigua Police Department, Seneca County Sheriffs Office, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and the district attorneys office.

Boswell will be sentenced on Jan. 8 and faces more than 150 years in prison for these convictions.
Oswego, N.Y.  A 41-year-old man was fatally stabbed early Friday morning in Oswego, and two people have been charged with his murder, police said.

Around 3:30 a.m., Oswego police responded to a stabbing at 71 W. Albany St., according to a news release from the Oswego Police Department.

When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from a stab wound to the chest.

The victim, Kevin Fatcheric, of Oswego, was taken by emergency medical personnel to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse where he was pronounced dead, police said.

Police arrested Scott Sullivan, 24, of Fulton, and Rebecca Manchester, 44, of Oswego.

Sullivan was charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault and two counts of first-degree robbery.

Manchester was charged with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and two counts of first-degree robbery, police said.

Both were arraigned in Oswego County Court, police said.

Police said they are trying to determine what the relationship was among the suspects and Fatcheric. They are also trying to figure out what led up to the stabbing, according to Oswego Police Captain Bryan Thompson.

Police ask anyone with information about the case to contact them at (315) 342-8120.
Utica, N.Y.  An Oneida County jury was dismissed for the weekend after failing to reach a verdict in the trial of three former corrections officers accused of killing an inmate last winter.

After a second full day of deliberations, the jury appears to be hung up on what elements are required to prove second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter.

Before being dismissed Friday, they requested to hear the legal definition of those charges for the third time.

The three guards  Mathew Galliher, Nicholas Kieffer and David Kingsley  are accused of showing depraved indifference toward Robert L. Brooks life when a group of guards beat him on the night of Dec. 9, 2024, at Marcy Correctional Facility.

All three men face charges of second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter. Kieffer and Galliher also face a second-degree gang assault charge. Kieffer is the only one charged with filing a false report.

The videos of the brutal assault inside the prisons infirmary were the last thing the jury saw Friday before they were dismissed for the weekend. The trial started Oct. 6, two weeks ago.

Galliher, Kieffer and Kingsley are just three of the 10 people indicted in the case.

A fourth guard, Michael Fisher, is set to go to trial on his own in January. Hes charged with second-degree manslaughter. Six other former guards have all pleaded guilty.

The jury was read the definitions of each charge during the jury instructions after the closing arguments. They deliberated for just 20 minutes Wednesday before being dismissed for the day.

On Thursday, the jury requested to hear definitions of every charge again.

On Friday, the jurors focused their requests on the evidence itself before once again asking for the definitions of the homicide charges.

The evidence they requested to see included body-worn camera footage, testimony, a state prison policy and a use-of-force memo related to Kingsley.

Their last note Friday included a request to review all the body-worn camera footage showing Brooks in the infirmary, where he suffered the fatal blows.

The defense attorneys for the men on trial stressed to the jury in their closing statements that their clients had minimal involvement in the assault. They argued the men should not be held responsible for the actions of others, including their supervisors.

The body camera footage is possibly the most crucial evidence in the trial.

Axon body cameras captured the beating from multiple angles. Four guards present had their cameras on but did not activate them to start recording. Unbeknownst to them, 30 minutes of video was passively recorded without audio.

The footage shows guards brutally punching, kicking and restraining Brooks.

The jury also asked Friday morning for a readback of testimony from Robert Kessler, a former guard who pleaded guilty to his involvement in the beating and agreed to testify against the other officers.

After the lunch break, the jury quickly requested two exhibits.

They asked for the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision policy on the duty to intervene, which was a hot topic in closing arguments.

The policy requires officers to step in when they see excessive force. The defense has stressed the policy is not a state law and can not be used to assign criminal liability.

Special prosecutor William Fitzpatrick told the jury they can use the policy to assess the officers intent and states of mind.

The jury also asked to see the use-of-force memo relating to David Kingsley. This memo is a document created by DOCCS staff following any use-of-force. The memo outlines who was involved and how the event unfolded.

If found guilty, the officers face a maximum of 25 years to life in prison.
JoAnne Sharman had just set up her tent with paintings at the Keuka Arts Festival in Penn Yan, New York, when a woman glanced at her diptych, a two-piece painting. Sharman painted coral on it to make people feel as if they are looking down at the sea.

Let me think about it, the woman said. Are you here tomorrow?

Dont let it be the painting you almost bought, Sharman said. Be happy, spend the money, and you will always love it.

And the woman bought that art for her office.

Sharman said she sells her art by overcoming objections, a sales skill she used to teach others when she was a store manager at the Corning Museum of Glass.

It means not taking no for an answer too quickly, and being confident in ones artwork and talking with customers to make them feel comfortable asking questions.

Theres as much sales skill needed as art skills, she said.

Sharman became a full-time paint-based artist in December 2024 after retiring from the Corning Museum of Glass. Turning 60, Sharman said she is not a sitter, and now she sometimes spends an entire day painting in her Auburn, New York studio.

JoAnne Sharman shows one of her pouring acrylic paintings in her house in Auburn, New York, on Monday, August 4, 2025. Sharman became a full-time artist in December 2024 after retirement. (Photo by Zora Ma) Zora Ma

Sharman has over 35 years of experience in high-end commission sales, including jewelry, furniture, interior design and the glass museum.

As a store manager at the museum, Sharman said she gained a solid understanding of glass art by watching demonstrations and taking classes in glassblowing.

In any form, its fluid, she said. You have to turn it and spin it and manipulate it because its like working with honey.

The fluid nature of glass inspired Sharman to start pouring acrylic paintings and build a studio to express her passion for fluid art.

Sharman pours colors onto a flat canvas, allows them to move around, and then manipulates the colors in layers.

I love the spontaneity of it, she said. Let the paint dictate what comes next.

Terri Wise, a close friend of the artist, said retiring helped Sharman to flourish in her work.

Wise said she remembered in the 90s, Sharman would go to flea markets to find old furniture, paint it, and give it new life. Sharman talked with Wise about many ideas for her artwork.

The universe heard her calling, so it gave it back to her so she could be an artist, Wise said.

Sharman is a creative person in the arts and in business, Wise said. She said when she worked for Sharman during the Christmas season at Littman Jewelers, Sharman once set up a wedding venue in the store to attract customers to buy wedding jewelry and engagement rings.

She would always create fun atmospheres to bring in the people, Wise said.

Sharman said she planned to use a bubble machine at the art shows in Florida last winter to match her bubble-themed paintings, but the paintings didnt sell well because they were too small. So, she went back home and rearranged the work for the rest of the shows.

And man, we got back, and we hit the West Coast and just did very well, she said.

Steve Donigan, Sharmans boyfriend, said he helped with the logistics when they traveled to Florida for Sharmans art shows. Im her laborer, he said.

Sharman said people really connect when they watch her paint on-site.

People asked questions while she painted, and she involved them in a whole conversation about when to deliver and where to place the painting in their homes by utilizing her interior design expertise, according to Donigan.

I think she builds relationships with people that way, he said. The shows are what sells them.

When Sharman sells her artwork, she often applies the sales strategies she used to teach people.

Sharman decided to implement a new return policy to overcome objections. If someone hesitated, she would say, Nope, take it home. Ill even bring it to you. See how it looks in the room. And if you dont like it, bring it back to me tomorrow.

So, I think that I have to go back to being a student also, you know, and the teacher listening to my own lessons, Sharman said.

There is a profound gap between people attending the art shows and those buying the art, said Sharman. She thinks artists dont make enough money, so many cant stay long in the industry, and she hopes other artists can learn the sales side of art and develop basic sales skills.

While she could convince people to buy her art, she could not convince them to love it, Sharman said. When her work sells, Sharman feels a sense of validation.

When you know your work has a home that someone has bought and will enjoy themselves, she said. Its just a cool feeling.

More information about JoAnne Sharmans studio and her artwork can be found at the website of her label, Lady Loo Art at ladylooart.com/about.
People across the U.S. will gather in the nations capital and in communities nationwide today for No Kings demonstrations in protest of the direction the country is taking under President Donald Trump. Or what the presidents Republican Party is calling Hate America rallies.

This marks the third mass mobilization since Trumps return to the White House, and it is anticipated to be the largest one yet. According to CNN, over 2,500 demonstrations are scheduled to take place today, which is approximately 450 more than were planned in June.

For those local to the area, a No Kings protest will be held from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. today along Erie Boulevard East in DeWitt.

Trump is currently at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida, away from Washington. They say theyre referring to me as a king. Im not a king, Trump said in a Fox News interview airing early Friday, before heading to a $1 million-per-plate MAGA Inc. super PAC fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago, where protests are expected to occur today nearby.

While earlier protests this yearagainst Elon Musks cuts in the spring and the first No Kings protest in June, which addressed Trumps military paradedrew crowds, organizers believe this one is fostering a more unified opposition movement. Prominent Democrats, including Senate Leader Chuck Schumer and Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, are participating in what organizers view as a response to Trumps actions, such as the administrations restrictions on free speech and its military-style immigration raids.

Republicans have attempted to portray participants in Saturdays rallies as being far outside the mainstream of American politics, claiming this is a primary reason for the ongoing government shutdown, which is now in its 18th day. GOP leaders from the White House to Capitol Hill have derided the rallygoers as communists and Marxists.

For many Democrats, the government shutdown is also viewed as a means to confront Trump and efforts to restore the presidencys status as a co-equal branch of government.

In a Facebook post, Sanders of Vermont, himself a former presidential contender, said, Its a love America rally.

Its a rally of millions of people all over this country who believe in our Constitution, who believe in American freedom and, he said, pointing at the GOP leadership, are not going to let you and Donald Trump turn this country into an authoritarian society, he said.

You can learn more about the No Kings movement here.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
LONDON  Prince Andrew said Friday he is giving up his royal title of the Duke of York and other honors after his friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein returned to the headlines.

The younger brother of King Charles III said he and the royal family had decided the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family, Prince Andrew said in a statement released by Buckingham Palace.

It comes as excerpts have been published of an upcoming posthumous memoir from Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who has alleged she was trafficked by Epstein and had sex with Andrew when she was 17.

Andrew, 65, stepped down from public life in 2019, but denied wrongdoing.

In a statement Friday, he said: With His Majestys agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.

Giuffre died by suicide in April at the age of 41. In the memoir, she details alleged encounters with Prince Andrew, who she sued in 2021, claiming that they had sex when she was 17. Andrew denied her claims and said he didnt recall having met her.

Andrew, once second in line to the British throne, has long been a source of tabloid fodder because of his links to Epstein, other questionable characters and money woes.

His attempt to refute Giuffres allegations backfired during a November 2019 BBC interview. Viewers saw a prince who proffered curious rebuttals  such as disputing Giuffres recollection of sweaty dancing by saying he was medically incapable of perspiring  and showed no empathy for the women who said Epstein abused them.

Within days of the interview, Andrew stepped down from his royal duties. Giuffre sued him and the case was settled in 2022 for an undisclosed sum. A statement filed in court said that the prince acknowledged Epstein was a sex trafficker and Giuffre was an established victim of abuse.

As well as no longer being known as the Duke of York, Andrew will also give up other titles: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

He will remain a prince, which he has been entitled to since birth.
Key Points

D-Wave Quantum stock fell 11.5% on Thursday despite no negative news from the company.

The stock had gained 4,390% over the previous 52 weeks and closed Wednesday at an all-time high.

Profit-taking after such massive gains is natural, especially at these unsustainable valuation levels.

10 stocks we like better than D-Wave Quantum 

Shares of D-Wave Quantum (NYSE: QBTS) took a tumble on Thursday, falling as much as 11.5% by 12:50 p.m. ET. The company didn't do anything wrong today -- investors simply took some profits off the table after a string of price surges. After all, D-Wave closed Wednesday's trading session at an all-time high, having gained 4,390% in the previous 52 weeks.

Image source: Getty Images.

Why D-Wave has been on such a tear lately

D-Wave has gone from strength to strength recently, business-wise. Its quantum computing peers presented large capital investments and significant technology advances in September, driving the whole quantum industry higher last month.

On top of that surge, D-Wave won an innovation award from Fast Company this week, swiftly followed by a large system sale to a European quantum research veteran named Swiss Quantum Technology SA. Both events pushed D-Wave's stock even higher. It's no surprise to see some profit-taking at this lofty plateau, on a fairly quiet day.

The sky-high price tag is giving me vertigo

The profit conversion moves make even more sense when you put D-Wave's soaring stock in context. Despite the rash of good news, this company is deeply unprofitable and its stock trades at 628 times trailing sales today. It makes market darlings like Palantir Technologies and Nvidia look affordable at 122 and 27 times sales, respectively.

I thought D-Wave looked incredibly expensive six months ago, and the stock has gained 533% since then. The quantum computing euphoria looks a bit mistimed, as none of the leading industry experts are likely to make money in the next several years.

So if you're a D-Wave stock owner who isn't selling these days, I can only applaud your fortitude from Wall Street's sidelines. And I'm still not buying your shares, since the unsustainable valuation seems destined for a sharp correction.

Should you buy stock in D-Wave Quantum right now?

Before you buy stock in D-Wave Quantum, 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 D-Wave Quantum wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Key Points

Shares of Invitation Homes slumped in the second half of 2025 even as the market rallied.

The REIT's dividend yield is now over 4%, an attractive level for such a resilient income stream.

This landlord still has lots of growth ahead.

10 stocks we like better than Invitation Homes 

The stock market has been in rally mode in the second half of this year. The S&P 500 is up by almost 14% over the last 12 months and seems to be hitting new all-time highs almost every day. That rally has driven the index's average dividend yield down to 1.2%, near its record low. As a result, there are fewer stocks trading at bargain levels and fewer higher-yielding dividend stocks.

However, the market isn't without some compelling value-driven income opportunities. Shares of Invitation Homes (NYSE: INVH) are down more than 16% over the past year and about 20% from their 52-week high. That slump has helped drive the yield of the real estate investment trust (REIT) up to 4.1%. That combination of value and yield was too compelling to resist, especially given its healthy growth profile. That's why I recently bought more shares of this high-quality residential REIT.

Resilient rental income

Invitation Homes is a leading owner and manager of single-family rental properties. It owns interests in nearly 93,000 homes and manages over 17,000 additional properties for other investors. It focuses on 16 core housing markets, predominantly in the Sun Belt and on the West Coast, benefiting from those regions' above-average population and job growth.

Consistent demand for housing has allowed the company's rental property portfolio to generate resilient and steadily rising rental income. Its focus on high-demand properties (single-family homes) in strong housing markets has driven above-average same-store net operating income growth. Since its initial public offering in 2017, Invitation Homes has delivered more than 60% net operating income growth, nearly double the national average for multifamily properties during that period (36.7%).

Invitation Homes' portfolio maintains strong occupancy rates (over 97% this year). Meanwhile, it has raised its rents at a healthy rate (over 4% blended lease rate growth in the second quarter). This provides the REIT with durable cash flow to pay dividends. It will distribute around 72% of its adjusted funds from operations (FFO) this year as dividends, which is a conservative ratio. That provides it with a nice cushion, allowing it to retain cash to invest in new income-generating rental properties.
Suspect Albanian waste shipment sampled for analysis: prosecutors



Durres, Albania, Oct 17 (AFP) Oct 17, 2025



Experts in Albania have begun taking samples from a shipment of waste that was returned to the country months ago over claims it contained toxic chemicals, prosecutors said Friday.

The waste left Albania in July 2024 in more than a hundred containers, bound for Thailand, which ended up rejecting the shipment.

Albanian customs documents indicated the shipment contained iron oxide, a legal export -- but the environmental group Basel Action Network (BAN) cited a whistleblower as saying it contained electric arc furnace dust, a toxic byproduct of steelmaking.

"Experts, in the presence of prosecutors, have been collecting samples from the impounded containers for a week" in the Albanian port of Durres, the prosecutor's office in the city told AFP on Friday.

"Everything is done according to a very rigorous protocol and under strict supervision," it said, adding that the samples would be sent to a laboratory in Italy.

The Durres prosecutors said they have opened an investigation into suspected smuggling and abuse of office in cooperation with the European Anti-Fraud Office.

It had requested several public institutions to make their laboratories and experts available for analyses as early as November 2024.

"It is difficult to understand why the prosecutors' office took so long to have the waste sampled and analysed," said BAN founder Jim Puckett, warning that the toxic material could have leaked or been tampered with.

"In any case, we can hope for an accurate result and progress on this case."

Environmental NGOs complain that industrial waste is often shipped by Western countries to be processed in Asia and Africa, in a global trade that they estimate may be worth up to $82 billion a year.
US sinks international deal on decarbonising ships



London, Oct 17 (AFP) Oct 17, 2025



An international vote to approve cutting maritime emissions was delayed by a year Friday in a victory for the United States, which opposes the carbon-cutting plan.

The London-based International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations body that governs shipping, voted in April for a global pricing system to help curb greenhouse gases.

But a vote Friday on whether to formally approve the deal was delayed until next year after US President Donald Trump threatened sanctions against countries backing the plan.

Increased divisions, notably between oil-producing nations and non-oil producers, emerged this week at meetings leading up to Friday's vote.

Delegates instead voted on a hastily arranged resolution to postpone proceedings, which passed by 57 votes to 49.

Trump had said Thursday that the proposed global carbon tax on shipping was a "scam", after the United States withdrew from IMO negotiations in April.

A Russian delegate described the proceedings as "chaos" as he addressed the plenary Friday after talks had lasted into the early hours.

Russia had joined major oil producers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in voting against the carbon-reduction measure in April, saying it would harm the economy and food security.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, representing 176 member states, said Friday that he hoped there would be no repeat of how the week's discussions had gone.

"It doesn't help your organisation, it doesn't help yourself," he told delegates.

A European Union source told AFP that "many countries have changed their minds under pressure from the United States.

A spokesman for UN chief Antonio Guterres called it "a missed opportunity for member states to place the shipping sector on a clear, credible path towards net zero emissions".

The International Chamber of Shipping, representing more than 80 percent of the world's fleet, also expressed disappointment.

"Industry needs clarity to be able to make the investments needed to decarbonise the maritime sector," its Secretary General Thomas Kazakos said in a statement.



- Trump 'outraged' -



Since returning to power in January, Trump has reversed Washington's course on climate change and encouraged fossil fuel use by deregulation.

"I am outraged that the International Maritime Organization is voting in London this week to pass a global Carbon Tax," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Thursday.

"The United States will NOT stand for this Global Green New Scam Tax on Shipping," he added, telling countries to vote against it.

Washington threatened to impose sanctions, visa restrictions and port levies on those supporting the Net Zero Framework (NZF), the first global carbon-pricing system.

Major oil-producer Saudi Arabia also called for Friday's vote to be postponed.

"We agree with the United States that it's important that these conversations are brought to light," a Saudi representative said.

Ahead of this week's London gathering, a majority 63 IMO members that in April voted for the plan had been expected to maintain their support and to be joined by others to formally approve the NZF.

Argentina, which in April abstained from the vote, now opposes the deal.

Leading up to Friday's decision, China, the EU, Brazil, Britain and several other members of the IMO reaffirmed their support.

The NZF requires ships to progressively reduce carbon emissions from 2028 or face financial penalties.

Shipping accounts for nearly three percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the IMO.

The plan would charge ships for emissions exceeding a certain threshold, with proceeds used to reward low-emission vessels and support countries vulnerable to climate change.

If the global emissions pricing system were adopted, it would become difficult to evade, even for the United States.

IMO conventions allow signatories to inspect foreign ships during stopovers and even detain non-compliant vessels.

burs-pml/js/rlp
Dozens arrested in Tunisia anti-pollution protests: activists



Tunis, Oct 18 (AFP) Oct 18, 2025



Police in Gabes, Tunisia have arrested dozens of people in demonstrations against a chemical factory which locals blame for pollution and a range of health issues, a local campaign group and a lawyer said Saturday.

Thousands have rallied in the southern coastal city in recent days calling for the closure of a phosphate processing plant, which they say is behind a rise in gas poisonings and other pollution-related health problems.

"The arrests targeted night protesters," said Mehdi Talmoudi, a lawyer and member of the local branch of the Tunisian Bar Association.

"While daytime demonstrations have been largely peaceful, those at night have seen occasional clashes with security forces and burning tyres," he told AFP.

Talmoudi said the exact number of arrests was not known.

But Khayreddine Debaya, coordinator of the local campaign group Stop Pollution, said "over 100 people were taken into custody" by early Saturday.

"Police arrested more than 70 people just last night, and more by dawn," he said. "Some were taken from their homes."

Other Tunisian activists on social media have also condemned "a wave of arrests".

Locals in Gabes have held several rallies urging the closure of the factory, which processes phosphate to make fertilisers.

They say it has recently been releasing more toxic gases and radioactive waste into the sea.

Authorities earlier this year said they would ramp up production at the plant, despite a 2017 promise to gradually shut it down.

Early on Saturday, the Tunisian presidency said President Kais Saied had summoned parliament speaker Brahim Bouderbala and the head of the second parliamentary chamber, Imed Derbali, to discuss "the environmental situation" in Gabes, among other issues.

Saied said "work was underway to find urgent solutions to pollution".

Saied has vowed to revive the phosphate sector, long hindered by unrest and underinvestment, calling it a "pillar of the national economy".

Taking advantage of rising world fertiliser prices, Tunisia now wants the plant's output to increase more than fourfold by 2030, from less than three million tonnes a year to 14 million tonnes.
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John Cusack spoke out against President Donald Trump at the No Kings protest in Chicago today, saying the citys message to his administration is: Go to hell!

The 59-year-old High Fidelity and Say Anything star is a longtime resident of the city.

In an interview with CNN at the rally, Cusack claimed that Trump misunderstands Chicago. The president has asked the Supreme Court for permission to send troops into the city, arguing they are needed to protect federal border and immigration officials. Officials in the city insist they are not needed.

Whats interesting is that he doesnt understand that all the labor rights around the world came from this town, this place, said Cusack So if he thinks this place is going to be a fascist hub  no chance!

Addressing the president directly, Cusack continued: No, you cant put troops on our streets. You cant create enough chaos to invoke the Insurrection Act so you can stay in power. We all know what your plan is.

open image in gallery John Cusack speaking at a rally for teachers in Chicago in September 2019 ( Scott Heins/Getty Images )

The protest in Chicago is just one of the massive rallies underway across the country as millions turn out for the second No Kings protests against President Trumps administration.

With the government shutdown in its third week, demonstrators are participating in protests in more than 2,500 locations across the United States  and some abroad  on Saturday to stand up to what organizers called Trumps authoritarian power grabs.

In June, over 5 million people turned out for the first No Kings protests. Organizers predict Saturdays demonstrations could draw even larger crowds.

There is no greater threat to an authoritarian regime than patriotic people-power, Ezra Levin, a co-founder of Indivisible, one of the organizers, said.

open image in gallery Participants in the 'No Kings' rally in Chicago ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery Trump is angling to send National Guard troops into Chicago ( Getty Images )

Ahead of the marches this week, the president insisted he was not a king. Meanwhile, some administration officials and Congressional Republicans labeled the demonstrations Hate America rallies and blamed Antifa for being behind the protests. In reality, a coalition of civil rights and advocacy groups organized the demonstrations.

Several figures in the Trump administration have dismissed the protests.

Marked safe from kings in DC, since there arent any here, Harmeet Dhillon, the U.S. assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division, wrote on X.

Hollywood star Cusack has consistently used his voice to speak out on political issues throughout his career.

In 2023, he spoke out about unfair wages for actors as the performers union went on strike. The greed is almost a legendary comic trope, he wrote on X, claiming that Fox used creative accounting to make it appear that Say Anything lost millions of dollars.

I thought wow, I almost bankrupted Fox! (not really), Cusack continued. The film cost about 13 million to make  and money spent to release was minimal at the time. 30 years in  that film lost millions every year! A neat accounting trick dont ya think?
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Kylie Jenner has opened up about her plans for a potential pop music career after featuring on new single Fourth Strike.

The 28-year-old beauty moguls vocals feature on the song by pop duo Terror Jr, and she is credited as King Kylie. The song was branded embarassing on social media.

In an interview posted to her YouTube account, Jenner said: This is my dream, even since I came out of the womb, I wanted to be a pop star but I just never had the confidence.

She continued: Im going to be 30 soon and I just dont want to look back on life and have any regrets and this is something Ive always wanted to try.

She added with a laugh: But, you know, I dont think Im like Adele or anything. I always wanted to try and see if I can do it.

Kylie Jenner, photographed in Rome in May 2025, made her music debut with the single 'Fourth Strike' ( Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images )

Asked if she plans to release further new music in the future, Jenner responded: I hope so. I would love to try. I dont want it to end. And I think, why not? I think we should try. Lets like, make an album.

Terror Jrs new single is a continuation of their song Three Strikes, which was featured in an ad campaign for Kylie Cosmetics lip glosses nearly 10 years ago.

Jenner can be heard on the bridge singing the lyrics: I just wanna tell you, I'm sorry / Touch me, baby, tell me I'm your baby / Write your name all over my body.

She then whispers at the end of the track: King Kylie.

Unfortunately for the reality star, fans were not overly supportive of her foray into music, with one writing on X: How embarrassing king autotune.

Oh baby stick to the lip kits, another advised, while a third agreed: Oh great, just what the world needed Kylie Jenner thinking shes a pop star now . Someone please tell her vocal range doesnt mean whispering over autotune in a makeup ad.

Kylie Jenner making music is the biggest recession indicator. nobody asked for that s***, someone else said as another added: Somebody take the mic away from Kylie Jenner.

Jenner celebrated the songs release with an Instagram post of images from the recording studio  as well as a video of her daughter, Stormi, seven, singing along  and a heartfelt caption about what led her to this moment.

There was a little rumor 10 years ago that i was the one actually singing on 3 strikes, she wrote. It wasnt me (wish it was) so i had the idea to come together for fourth strike and it would actually be ME FEATURED!

Jenner went on to thank Terror Jr for making another perfect song, adding that she was soooooo nervous but so grateful.
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Larry Lamb, the star of Gavin & Stacey, has revealed that his initial audition for the role of Mick Shipman was far from successful.

The actor admitted that director Christine Gernon harboured doubts, meaning the popular BBC series could have taken a very different turn.

Despite the shaky start, Lamb, 78, was recalled for a second audition.

It was then that advice from his then-partner, actress Clare Burt, proved instrumental.

Channeling her guidance, Lamb managed to impress Gernon, ultimately securing the part of Mick  father to Mathew Hornes Gavin and husband to Alison Steadmans Pam  in what has become one of the nations most cherished sitcoms.

open image in gallery Larry Lamb with Alison Steadman at the launch for his book, All Wrapped Up

I did it and she said, why are you doing that? Why are you acting that character?, Lamb said of Burt.

This characters you, just be you, you have gone in there and you have lost the job basically because you are pretending to be somebody who is not you.

She said they are a really happy, upper-working class family, very representative of working Britain.

They have a great life together, they absolutely love each other, and they have a lot of great sex  just be that person.

So I went in, and I was that person and I got the gig because thats what hes like, he is me and Im him.

Lamb was speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival at an event alongside his son George to promote his debut novel, All Wrapped Up.

He said for his second Gavin And Stacey audition, he recorded scenes with Steadman.

open image in gallery Larry Lamb attends a BBC launch event for Gavin and Stacey: The Finale, at Ham Yard Hotel in London in 2024 ( Ian West/PA Wire )

They were looking for the chemistry between the two of us that was going to have to work, he said.

All of a sudden I was in this thing which has become what it is now. It literally changed my life and changed all their lives.

Lamb said that after the first series of Gavin And Stacey, he had not yet been given a contract for a second series and was offered the role of villain Archie Mitchell in EastEnders.

They got to the point where Gavin And Stacey was going on, and that caused all sorts of hoo-ha because they had to do what they never do, and I could do both, Lamb said.

The boss of the BBC, her name was Jay Hunt, she knew they had a bit of gold in Gavin And Stacey so as far as she was concerned EastEnders will cope.

I was really fortunate because there was a time years before, if that had happened, you would have to make a choice, one or the other.

Gavin And Stacey spanned three series between 2007 and 2010, following the lives of Essex-born Gavin and his Welsh wife Stacey and their friends and family.

It then returned for a Christmas special in 2019 and a finale last Christmas.

The final episode saw Neil Smithy Smith, played by co-writer James Corden, finally decide to marry Vanessa Nessa Jenkins, played by fellow co-writer Ruth Jones, after leaving Sonia (Laura Aikman) at the altar.

One of Lambs scenes in the last episode, where Smithy asks for his opinion before deciding not to marry Sonia, was nominated for the 2025 Bafta memorable moment award.
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US TV star Jimmy Fallon was treated to some Highlands hospitality during his holiday in Royal Deeside.

The actor had been touring the grounds of Balmoral Castle this week when one of the soldiers recognised him and invited him to their barracks.

The chance encounter led to the Kings royal guards inviting The Tonight Shows host into their officers mess for dinner in Ballater, Aberdeenshire.

Fallon was greeted with kilts and bagpipes by soldiers from the 5th Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland (5Scots) and signed the visitors book at Victoria Barracks in the village  a longstanding tradition for guests of honour.

The evening began with a formal welcome to the camp by the commanding officer, second in command and company sergeant major.

He then saw a small ceremonial guard of soldiers rehearsing for the Kings departure.

open image in gallery Jimmy Fallon and soldiers from 5 Scots during his visit to Victoria Barracks, Ballater ( 5 Scots/PA )

Fallon was then shown some of the equipment the soldiers use before the formal dinner, where he was served a traditional Scottish starter  a venison Scotch egg rather than the usual sausage.

He also heard a short talk by Lieutenant Samoilys on the regimental colours.

Major Thomas Blair, commanding officer of 5Scots, said: What started as a chance meeting near Balmoral turned into a brilliant evening.

Its not every day you get to meet a Hollywood A-lister, and we were delighted to welcome him to Scotland  in true Scots style.

Pictures taken by the regiment show a kilted Fallon sitting around the dinner table in the officers mess, as well as his signature in the visitors book.

open image in gallery Fallon's signature in the visitor book at Victoria Barracks ( 5 Scots/PA )

Within 5Scots, Balaklava company has a number of ceremonial roles in Scotland and forms the royal guard at Balmoral.

The infantry company welcomed the King to Balmoral when he arrived for his summer residence earlier this year.

Fallon rose to fame as a cast member on the comedy sketch series Saturday Night Live before becoming the host of a late-night talk show.

The creator of Saturday Night Live, Lorne Michaels, hopes to bring a version of the show to the UK on Sky.

Fallon recently offered some advice to up-and-coming comedians who may star on the UK show.

He told Deadline: Dont think about the next move, or if you are going to be a movie star from this.

Dont treat it as a launching pad, treat it as the end game.
By Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -New Zealand Finance Minister Nicola Willis said regional and bilateral trading relationships will continue to strengthen against the backdrop of the worsening U.S.-China trade war, as small countries like hers adjust to a new reality and hold fast to priorities such as fighting climate change.

Willis said in an interview on Thursday that New Zealand was keenly aware of rising geopolitical and economic risks, but her discussions at the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank this week showed the enduring strength of the international institutions and trade deals among other countries.

New Zealand has strong trading ties under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, a free trade deal between 11 member countries, including Canada, Japan and Britain, she said, with the European Union having also expressed interest in linking up. A separate trade deal with the United Arab Emirates was also promising, she said.

"All of those trade relationships are very strong, and the message that we're having from our partners is that they wish to continue to build on them and expand them, rather than go the other way," she told Reuters. "We ... are cautious and nervous about anyone backsliding on agreements, but we're not seeing signs of that happening."

IMF and global trade officials this week highlighted uncertainty and risks linked to a new escalation in the U.S.-China trade war, but pointed to continued resilience in global trade, noting that only three countries - the U.S., China and Canada - had jacked up tariff rates in recent months, with some 72% of trade flows still adhering to existing rules.

Willis said New Zealand also remained committed to its emission reduction commitments under the Paris climate accord, and did not expect U.S. President Donald Trump's withdrawal of the U.S. from the accord to derail her country's efforts.

"We consider the risk and threat of more extreme climatic events as something that we need to prepare for and adapt to, both for ourselves, but particularly for our Pacific family, small island states who are particularly vulnerable to significant climatic events," Willis said.

She said consumers around the world, including in the U.S., would continue to be interested in the emissions profile of countries like New Zealand, creating a commercial and trade imperative for continued climate action.

Existing trade agreements, such as New Zealand's trade deal with the EU, also required continued adherence to climate commitments, Willis said.
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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.
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Atlanta police say they found the body of Nnakai Pratt, a six-month-old boy wrapped in a trash bag, dead from blunt force trauma to the head. His father initially claimed the baby was kidnapped during an armed robbery.

Both parents were denied bail on Friday and remained in jail after they were charged in the death of their son.

Antonio Pearce, the babys father, told Clayton County police on Sunday that Nnakai was taken while sitting in his car seat by two armed men who also stole $6,500 in cash and 3 pounds of marijuana.

The kidnapping was alleged to have happened in an apartment that Pearce said he was using as a stash house in Riverdale, about 11 miles south of Atlanta.

open image in gallery Nnakai's body was found in the backyard of a house on Tuesday ( MattGush via iStock )

But late Tuesday, police found Nnakai's body in the backyard of a house, just on the other side of a fence from the apartment complex.

Clayton County Detective Chieyenne Reynolds told reporters Friday that officers never believed Pearce's story.

"He was caught in a lot of lies throughout his interview process," Reynolds said, saying witness statements and evidence from Pearce's phone led police to the child's body. Police also say Pearce asked another man to hide a backpack with guns and drugs.

Police haven't said when or where Nnakai died or why Pearce might have killed him.

Police arrested Pearce on Sunday, charging him with marijuana possession and traffic offenses. They later added a false statements charge. Wednesday, they charged Pearce with Nnakai's murder, concealing a death, tampering with evidence, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, cruelty to a child and falsely reporting a crime. They added a family violence charge on Thursday.

Police have also arrested Nnakai's mother, Necolette Pratt, charging her with child cruelty, concealing a death, obstruction of an officer, false statements and being a party to a crime. A warrant for her arrest says she told investigators that Pearce had previously shaken the baby, local news outlets report. The warrant states investigators also found Pratt's story inconsistent.

No lawyers are listed for Pearce or Pratt in court records.

The infant was a twin, and his surviving sister has been placed in the custody of child welfare authorities.

More details could come out next month during preliminary hearings for the parents.
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New grisly details have emerged in the horrific Staten Island killing in which a 19-year-old allegedly beheaded his mothers live-in boyfriend earlier this month.

Police say Damien Hurstel confessed to stabbing and decapitating 45-year-old Anthony Casalaspro, inside the familys Cary Avenue home in West Brighton on October 6.

Hurstel allegedly scooped out the victims brains with a spoon and dumped them in a blender, according to chilling new reports obtained by the New York Post. Its unclear what the teen intended to do with the matter.

A disturbing crime scene photo obtained by The Post showed Casalaspros body with a plastic soup ladle placed on the torso  and his severed head lying nearby with a spoon next to it.

Hurstel, who was arrested at the scene that day, was silent as he was led out of the house by police, according to neighbors who spoke to The Independent at the scene.

open image in gallery Neighbors of Damien Hurstel, who is accused of decapitating his moms boyfriend, said he looked relieved as he was taken away by police ( Mike Bedigan/ The Independent )

Honestly he looked like was free from whatever was happening, said Jennifer Diaz. He looked relieved. He was very calm  like he was there but he wasnt there.

The teen has been charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, and weapons possession, and was recently moved from a hospital to solitary confinement at Rikers Island.

On Friday, Hurstels attorney, Mark Fonte, met with him at Rikers ahead of a court appearance in Richmond County Supreme Court.

It was chilling, Fonte told The Post. He was having a real difficult time separating fantasy from reality. He wasnt sure what really happened.

Fonte said the teen appeared confused about his own arrest and hospitalization.

I think I might have fought two other people in there, Fonte recalled Hurstel saying. I remember punching one in the face but Im not really sure that happened. I dont know if thats like something Im imagining, or if it really happened.

Hurstels mother, Alicia Zayas, 39, described to The Post the horrifying moment her 16-year-old daughter stumbled upon the bloody scene in the bathroom, and the chilling words her son said afterward.

open image in gallery Hurstel allegedly scooped out the victims brains with a spoon and dumped them in a blender, according to chilling new reports ( Mike Bedigan/ The Independent )

She said, Are you gonna hurt mom? Zayas recalled her daughter, Bri, asking Hurstel.

And he said, Do you want her to live?

When Bri pleaded for her mothers life, she was allowed to leave  and she immediately ran outside to call Zayas and warn her.

Zayas said her son had struggled with mental illness for years, beginning around age 13, when he started hallucinating and drawing disturbing images of what he saw. He was prescribed antipsychotic medication, which she said helped stabilize him for a time. But once he turned 18, Zayas said, she was shut out of his medical decisions, and his condition began to spiral.

In January, Richmond University Medical Center allegedly changed Hurstels medication without notifying Zayas, she claimed, and that her son deteriorated quickly after that.

Hurstel has entered a not guilty by reason of insanity plea.
Manchester also became known for the unusually polite way in which he treated those he encountered during his robberies. The Los Angeles Times reported that he would sometimes lock staff in the walk-in freezer, making sure to alert the police later so they would be rescued. Employees also recalled his courteousness, often saying please, thank you and encouraging them to get their coats before coaxing them into the freezer. Caught in the act Manchester was caught and arrested in May 2000 after robbing a McDonalds in North Carolina, per The Charlotte Observer. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison. But after just four years, he broke out.

He escaped from Brown Creek Correctional Institution in June 2004 by reportedly hanging onto the underside of a delivery vehicle. He sought safety and concealment in a Toys R Us in Charlotte, where he remained for a few months. According to TIME, Manchester used baby monitors to track others whereabouts during the daytime. The toy store turned out to be an ideal space for a fugitive  he survived on baby food and kept himself fit by exercising on the bikes in-store. Church, aliases, and pushing his luck After evading Toys R Us employees and the police for months, Manchester began to build confidence  and cabin fever.

Loading Around November 2004, he ventured into the town, even attending Mass at a local church under the alias John Zorn. This is where he met single mother Leigh Wainscott (played by Dunst in the film), whom he later began dating. Notably, the film shows the pair meeting at the toy store rather than at church. Wainscott has since said she had no idea about Manchesters criminal activity at the time, and he had told her he worked for the government. In January 2005, Wainscott was questioned by police while at work, per The Charlotte Observer. The officers showed her a photo of a man she knew to be John Zorn; however, they informed her it was, in fact, Manchester  an escaped convict on the Americas Most Wanted website. Once past the shock, Wainscott agreed to help the authorities capture Manchester by setting up a trap for him on her birthday. Since Manchester was going to pick Wainscott up at her home, the police were able to wait for him there. Other officers also tracked his car after Wainscott called him to ask what time he would arrive, trailing him even as he made a quick detour to pick up flowers at a grocery store.

Channing Tatum as Jeffrey Manchester and Kirsten Dunst as Leigh Wainscott in Roofman. Credit: Paramount Pictures Once he arrived at Wainscotts home, he was arrested and surrendered to the police relatively peacefully, according to local news. Since then, Manchester has been incarcerated at Central Prison in North Carolina. Hes expected to be released in 2036, at which time he will be 65. Roofman on the big screen Cianfrance, who is known for directing deeply immersive films such as Blue Valentine and The Place Beyond the Pines, was drawn to Manchesters crazy story, noting how unbelievable some of his actions sounded.

Loading To make it as realistic as possible, Cianfrance interviewed several people involved in the case, even giving some of them roles in the film (for example, Wainscott plays a crossing guard and Dunst is interrogated by the police officers who interviewed Wainscott). Cianfrance also reached out to Manchester in prison. The director estimates that he spoke with him more than 100 times, thus gaining an understanding of Manchesters motives and mistakes, and turning the film into a comic yet tender examination of misguided materialism. Jeff wrote a crazy movie for himself, and he lived it, Cianfrance says. What made me ultimately understand what the movie was that Jeff  he was just trying to figure out how to be a dad. He was doing it all for family. Tatum also spoke frequently with Manchester and says they bonded by talking about their children and their hopes for the future.
Prabhjeet Gill has dreamt of becoming a paramedic since he was eight years old.

The first-year Monash University paramedicine student is also a member of Victorias Sikh community. He has a beard and does not cut his hair, for religious reasons.

Monash University paramedicine student Prabhjeet Gill says he was left shocked after raising his religious needs for an Ambulance Victoria mask-fitting test ahead of mandatory placement. Credit: Joe Armao

Because of this, Gill decided to book an Ambulance Victoria mask-fitting test well ahead of his courses mandatory on-the-job training, due to occur in January. Ambulance Victoria requires men to be clean-shaven for these tests, so there is a seal between their skin and personalised protective equipment.

Paramedics use special masks and respirators while treating infectious patients, or when entering a site with dust and dangerous particles.
A double-fronted Victorian house in Seddon has sold for $945,000 in post-auction negotiations, after passing in at $860,000 on Saturday morning.

The three-bedroom, one-bathroom home at 215 Buckley Street had been listed with a price guide of $890,000 to $950,000, with the reserve set at $945,000.

Walking distance from cafes, shops and the train station, the property is also zoned for Footscray Primary and Footscray High schools.

The property was one of 1122 scheduled to go to auction in Melbourne this week. By evening, Domain Group recorded a preliminary auction clearance rate of 72.7 per cent from 802 reported results throughout the week, while 78 auctions were withdrawn. Withdrawn auctions are counted as unsold properties when calculating the clearance rate.
Findlays great-great-great grandfather John Denner, a 22-year-old blacksmith from Bristol, had been one of the youngest convicts aboard the Cyprus, and was serving a life sentence in Van Diemens Land for stealing wine at the time of the mutiny. Its extraordinary to actually be here and to know that these are the people who are also descendants of this encounter, Findlay says. Tasmanian convict descendant Julie Findlay (centre) and her family pictured with descendants of the samurai who repelled the Cyprus. Credit: Fred Mery Seeing John Denner come to life, that has been the best bit. A puppet show performed by local Tokushima artists recreated the encounter and expulsion of the Cyprus for the descendants of those involved in the encounter. Back then, the convicts had offered the samurai an alcoholic drink as an attempted peace offering, but the samurai refused, according to one manuscript account.

When we all waved our hands, each of them took a drink, tapped their head, appeared to feel good, and passed it to the next, until they had drunk it all, the manuscript recorded. In a tribute to changed times, boxes of Tasmanian Lark whisky proved the perfect gift for the samurai descendants, while the Findlays received a handwoven Noren (traditional Japanese cloth) dyed in the indigo hue famous to the Tokushima area. What was really an unexpected meeting at that time and then forgotten about has now become a symbol of curiosity, of resilience and now connection, or reconnection between our countries, Australian consul-general in Osaka Margaret Bowen said at the event. Organised by Australian journalist Tim Stone and his Japanese partner, Aya Hatano, both of whom have researched the Cyprus and tracked down some of the descendants, the event was attended by three samurai families, and 83-year-old Hayami Hiroyuki was among the relatives.

His ancestor, high-ranking samurai Hayami Zenzaemon, led the military charge to chase away the Cyprus from its last moored position, about 600 metres off the coast of the tiny island of Tebajima. He was acting on the orders of the isolationist edict of ruling Shogunate (government), which required all foreign ships to be repelled. At that time, Japan was under the sakoku [closed-country] policy, says Hayami, whose family has preserved their delicate paper manuscript for generations. An illustration of the Cyprus drawn by Hamaguchi Makita in 1830. Credit: Tokushima Prefectural Archives In the years that followed, Japan underwent great change during the closing days of the Edo period. It is unimaginable to think that, in this present age, we can now freely engage and interact with Australia  something our ancestors could never have foreseen. In total, there are eight manuscripts recording the events from the samurai perspective, which reveal that locals initially took pity on the convicts and gave them rice and water. One of the manuscripts, owned by the Hirota family, depicts what appears to be a boomerang  an object the samurai saw in the possession of the convicts but could not describe and so they drew it instead.

The mutiny of the Cyprus was infamous across the British Empire at the time, with ships dispatched throughout the realm to find the convicts and bring them to trial. A number of them were eventually captured in China, including the mercurial Swallow, who was known to be loose with the truth. Swallows trial testimony about the encounter in Japan languished without corroboration until 2017, when The Guardian Australia published the findings of Nick Russell, a Japan-based British amateur historian, who began researching Tokushimas maritime history after buying a holiday cottage on Tebajima. The manuscript of samurai Hirota Kanzaemon recorded what appears to be a boomerang that was among the convicts possessions. Credit: Fred Mery Something as mundane as a Google search led Russell to digitised records of the samurai manuscripts, which he translated to English, uncovering in the process what was almost certainly an account of the Cyprus passage to Japan. As for Denner, it has been lost to history exactly what role he played in the mutiny, Findlay says.

He either played a very minor role, as in he wasnt part of it at all  his confession was that he was downstairs in the boat  but other confessions and other documents say that he held a musket, she says. What is known is that Denner escaped the hangmans noose, as did Swallow, whose beguiling testimony captivated a London court, but not enough to avoid his being dispatched back to the colony. Amateur historian Nick Russell on Tebajima island, off which the Cyprus was anchored in 1830. Credit: Fred Mery Two other convicts werent so lucky, and became the last men to be executed for piracy in England. Another was hanged back in Hobart, while Denner spent the rest of his life in Tasmania, where he eventually secured his freedom, married and had two daughters. Three men disappeared completely in China, never to be heard from again. For Stone, who grew up in Tasmania surrounded by convict history, researching the Cyprus has become an eight-year obsession since learning of Russells findings. It is one that has taken him across the globe, helped by government grants and the Churchill research fellowship, poring over archives and family records, retracing the Cyprus journey, and hunting for its final resting place on the seabed somewhere off Hong Kong.
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 The geopolitical contours of the 21st century are still in flux but the broad outline is already clearly visible. America remains the dominant global power of our age, but it is no longer undisputed master in a unipolar world  as it was, if only briefly, after the end of the Cold War. The rise of China has seen to that. But the challenge is not from China alone. Rival centres of power are emerging, which broadly share Chinas desire to undermine American hegemony, to cut the US down to size, indeed to replace the rules-based system, largely designed by America with British help, which has predominated since the end of World War II, with one more conducive to their own interests. We saw the embryo of what is, in effect, a rival Chinese-led coalition last month, when President Xi Jinping held the largest summit to date of his Shanghai Co-operation Organisation. Besides President Vladimir Putin and the usual crowd of Central Asian despots, attendees included, most significantly of all, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and leaders representing Iran, Pakistan, Egypt, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Narendra Modi with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping before the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation summit. Credit: Getty So not just a gathering of dictators but of dictators and self-styled elected strongmen from countries, like India and Turkey, supposed to be on the democratic side of the ledger. United not by a common ideology, as in the days of Soviet communism, but by complementary grievances against a status quo in which the US still broadly predominates. An axis of autocracy run by autocrats of various shades aiming to challenge America and its allies and rewrite the global rules and power structures more in their favour. Partly thanks to recent American indifference, even complicity  but also to Europes relentless decline, economically and militarily  the autocratic alliance is gaining in strength while the democracies grow weak and divided. And they dont just meet in Shanghai to chew the cud. They are already waging war  in Europe.

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The ongoing invasion of Ukraine is regularly cast as a Russian-Ukrainian conflict. But it is so much more than that. As the West half-heartedly helps Ukraine to resist  if never by enough to help it win  the axis of autocracy is at full tilt. The Russian drones which, along with cruise missiles, increasingly attack Ukrainian apartment buildings at night come courtesy of Iran. At first, Iran supplied them direct. Now Russia mass produces updated versions of the Iranian Shahad-136 itself, by the tens of thousands, under licence. China supplies Russia with the finance and machine tools to rearm after so much of its military machine has been churned up in the Ukrainian meat grinder. China has also supplied plenty of dual use equipment and even taken helpful stakes in Russian military industries. Iranian drones have smashed into Ukrainian homes. Credit: Getty China doesnt want Russia to lose in Ukraine because it wants US attention divided between Europe and Asia, when America doesnt really have the resources to deal with the challenges of both continents properly. Revenues from oil and gas continue to fund Putins war and the buyers are China and India which, despite Western sanctions, continue to buy billions of dollars worth of Russian fossil fuels. China has imported more than $300 billion worth of Russian fossil fuels since dictator Putin invaded Ukraine three-and-a-half years ago. India now imports so much Russian crude that it has become the biggest supplier of refined oil to Europe, overtaking Saudi Arabia last year.

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Around 40 per cent of the ammo Russia fires at Ukraine comes from North Korea, which is also building a drone factory for the Kremlin. And perhaps most remarkable of all, over 12,000 North Korean troops were deployed to help Russian efforts to snuff out a European democracy. It was a breathtaking development. If perhaps not an entirely successful venture. Apparently the North Korean grunts discovered pornography while on manoeuvres with Russian IT, which rather distracted them from their war-fighting duties. Sometimes the defence of democracy comes in mysterious forms. Filling up in Mumbai. A decline in Russian oil exports to Europe has been largely offset by shipments rerouted to customers such as China, India and Turkey. Credit: AP Even so, the autocratic axis which Ukraine faces serves to illustrate the seminal if sad geopolitical trend of the 21st century to date: contrary to all our hopes at the end of the last century, the 21st century has not seen the much-predicted triumph of liberal democracy. On the contrary. Far from it being the end of history, the story of this century so far  and were now a quarter of the way through it  has been the rise of the autocrats. This has been their century. The march of the autocrats has been facilitated by the disarray of the democracies, the weakness of the Biden administration, the unreliability and unpredictability of Trumps America, the failure of the European democracies to rearm despite a plethora of clear and present dangers, and the cavalier loss of the global south, like South Africa and Brazil, perhaps even India, which now find China  which offers stability, reliability and money, better soul mates than the democracies. How has it come to this?

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Its a fools mission to try to construct from the accumulated grievances and whimsical narcissism that guide Donald Trump, a coherent, overarching strategy. By and large he just makes it up as he goes along, as the self-harming farce over on-off, on again, off again, on again tariffs this year has illustrated. In so far as there is a Trump worldview  not one he has ever articulated but which can be divined from his actions and words  it is scarily similar to the dystopian world of George Orwells seminal novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, in which the globe is dominated by three powerful blocs of the Oceania, Eurasia, and East Asia. So far as Donald Trump has a worldview, it seems to echo a version of the world in George Orwells dystopian novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four. Credit: AP Trump, probably unintentionally, is carving up the world in much the same way. He is unconcerned at the prospect of a Russian-dominated Europe, which he sees as Europes problem not Americas. He does not see Russia as a threat to the US. He sees Russia as a regional superpower not a global one. And the region is Europe. The fate of Americas allies, or perhaps we should start saying former allies, does not seem to trouble him. Trump does not like Europe and wants to rid America of its needy, clinging ways. Ukraine has dragged America back to Europe as it was in full pivot to the Pacific, where Washington policymakers, Democrat and Republican, have long seen Americas 21st century geopolitical challenges. Ditto the Middle East where, again, Trump sees no long-term American interests. But, again, events have conspired to draw America back in, given the atrocities of October 7. As Israel swept all before it in the aftermath of that barbarity, the geopolitics of the region were redrawn. Trump, who likes success, jumped on the Israeli bandwagon to put Iran in its place.

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It worked. In all that followed he saw an opportunity for peace, and to his everlasting credit, he grabbed it. But for Trump peace, if that is what materialises, is a prelude to exit. When the Middle East was Americas petrol station and Soviet Russia was in expansionist mode, the region was of immense geopolitical significance to America. Not in TrumpWorld. As the president never tires of telling us, the US is now self-sufficient in fossil fuels  indeed a net exporter of oil and gas. So no longer dependent on the Middle East for energy. Which diminishes its importance in Trumps eye. Loading If it has an enduring significance for him its because the Middle East  or more accurately the Gulf  has what Trump covets most: loads of surplus dosh. He largely regards and treats the Middle East as his very own ATM, to which he goes for money and gifts. For Trump, the Middle East along with Europe, are so 20th century. So if the screws have to be put on Ukraine to facilitate a peace of sorts while demanding nothing of the Kremlin  then so be it. And that is, exactly, what has been happening. Anything to bring hostilities to an end  and start the draw-down of US involvement in Europe. So far, Putin has not proved as obliging as Trump hoped  largely because Putin still thinks he can win in Ukraine. Nor is Trump too exercised with a China-dominated East Pacific Rim. Which does not bode well for Taiwan and brings Australia problems of its own.

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London: The company building nuclear power plants for the AUKUS fleet has taken on critics of the $368 billion pact by outlining plans to double the size of key facilities to meet the deadline for the new submarines.

Rolls-Royce declared it was confident the submarines would be built for Britain and Australia despite public doubts about the vast project and a review by the Pentagon for US President Donald Trump.

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend a ceremony at the Pentagon to commemorate the September 11 attacks. Credit: AP

The comments come as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prepares to meet Trump in the White House on Monday to talk about the AUKUS terms, discuss broader defence spending and negotiate stronger ties on critical minerals.

Rolls-Royce future programs director Rich Palmer said he was 100 per cent sure the submarines would be delivered because of the amount of work now being done to deliver components within the next few years.
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 Washington: Kim Beazley, the former Labor leader, defence minister and ambassador to the US, urged Anthony Albanese not to rush to secure a meeting with US President Donald Trump, at least until the fate of AUKUS was known. But if they invite you, you have to go, Beazley says. They obviously felt bad about it, he said of the failed attempts for the two men to meet. Albanese arrives in Washington with the AUKUS defence pact still under a cloud but confident the $368 billion agreement will proceed as planned. He also comes armed with a goodie bag of critical minerals, new defence spending and superannuation money intended to satiate the US presidents desires. What have we got to offer? Shitloads, says Beazley. This is Albaneses seventh trip to the US as prime minister, and his sixth interaction with Trump  if you count last months handshake and selfie at the United Nations in New York. The wait for a face-to-face encounter  and the pure politics of Albanese being of the centre-left and Trump a right-wing Republican  has brewed a narrative from some commentators (and the opposition) that Australia is on the back foot, losing favour in Washington and fearful of what might transpire in the Oval Office.

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Beazley says thats wrong. I dont think hes scared about meeting Trump at all, he says. Albo is a developed Albo. Hes been there now quite a while. Hes very self-confident. Nonetheless, there have been nerves in Washington this week that exceed the usual level of carefulness from Australias embassy and its ambassador, former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd. On Thursday, Rudd hosted a full-day AUKUS summit at the embassy, with a packed speakers list that included Rudd, five members of the US Congress, Australias Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy, Defence Department secretary Greg Moriarty and British Prime Minister Keir Starmers special adviser on AUKUS, Steven Lovegrove, among many others. Presented by the American Australian Association, the summit and its entire agenda were advertised online. But unlike the equivalent event last year  which was not held at the embassy  the media was not allowed inside, not even for the keynote addresses. US sources indicated they were disappointed by that. Kevin Rudd, Australias ambassador to the US, on stage at the Institute of International Finance in Washington this week. Credit: Bloomberg Journalists were likewise not permitted at another event Conroy attended with defence industry figures and members of Congress the previous evening. And Australian media were not told Rudd would be speaking on stage at the Institute of International Finances annual conference in Washington. Conroy and Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who was visiting for a financial summit, did hold press conferences while in town. And it is common for the embassy to hold private functions. But the degree of secrecy regarding events in Washington this week has frustrated Australian correspondents in the lead-up to the prime ministers meeting with Trump.

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Publicly, the government is projecting confidence about the encounter. It is convinced the AUKUS defence pact will survive Trumps America First review, and knows it has a compelling offer to make on critical minerals at a time when the US is desperate to find alternative suppliers to China. Privately, though, some are anxious about what could happen when Albanese comes face to face with the highly transactional, notoriously impulsive Trump. Avoiding a Zelensky moment, or the humiliation of South Africas Cyril Ramaphosa, is a top priority. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump during their heated Oval Office meeting in February. Credit: Bloomberg Trump shows South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stories about white farmers who were victims of crime. Credit: AP Anthony Albanese would like to have a meeting that affirms the importance of the alliance, and get out of the Oval Office without any fireworks, says Charles Edel, Australia chair at the bipartisan Centre for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington. Thats clearly what everyones gunning for. But thats not guaranteed, Edel says, noting Trump has happily bullied his close ally and neighbour, Canada. I think that we can say that Donald Trump has, generally speaking, a warm set of feelings toward Australia  he generally thinks of Australia as a good ally. That doesnt necessarily translate into his desire to have a positive meeting no matter what.

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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney meets Trump in the Oval Office in May. Credit: AP On the sensitive topic of defence spending, Albanese can make the case that Australia is already lifting expenditure and making key investments that benefit the US, including $12 billion for the Henderson shipyard and this weeks announcement about co-production of guided missiles. But will that be enough for Trump, who likes to talk about the headline figure of defence spending as a share of gross domestic product? The US has been forthright that it wants Australia to increase expenditure to 3.5 per cent from 2 per cent (or 2.8 per cent, Conroy says, if using a NATO formula to measure it). [Albanese] has been pretty consistent in saying he doesnt think GDP is a useful metric, Edel says. That is not, however, how the Trump administration talks about things. Thats not what Trump and [Secretary of War] Pete Hegseth have discussed in terms of what theyre looking for allies to contribute. Its unclear if that will be sufficient. Beazley, who says he has advised Albanese about how to talk to Trump about critical minerals, said Australia should count its billions of dollars in investments and subsidies for critical minerals as defence spending. If we do that, he said, we look totally different in terms of spending as a share of GDP. Kim Beazley, now the chairman of the Australian War Memorial, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in February. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Albaneses task, says Beazley, is to get the Americans to concentrate on Australia  rather than, say, Greenland  as a potential and indeed preferred source of critical minerals. Australias strength lies not just in having three dozen of the 50 critical minerals the US needs, but in being able to mine them, process them and supply them fairly and reliably.

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Theres nothing less rare than rare earths, Beazley says. If you went out in my backyard with a shovel, youd probably find some. They pop up everywhere. What we need to start to practise is statecraft ... The Western world doesnt do it any more. We basically let the market take care. The market is not necessarily good strategically. Loading Even though Albanese and Trump have had four productive and by all accounts friendly phone calls, Australias friends in Washington are relieved the face-to-face meeting is finally happening. They know Trump is an old-school businessman who likes to meet people in the flesh, look them in the eye and make a judgment. Trump can be contradictory. He loves flattery and to be credited for his successes. But he abhors weakness in other leaders. It is clear that Albanese would be best served by an assertive, rather than sycophantic, approach. A week ago in Egypt, Trump made this clear when praising Turkeys hardline right-wing leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan. I like the tough people better than I like the soft, easy ones, he said. I dont know what the hell it is, its a personality problem, I suspect. Republican congressman Michael McCaul, who co-chairs the Friends of Australia Caucus in Congress and sits on the House foreign relations committee, says he was encouraged that Trump was meeting Albanese and hoped they would discuss ways to make AUKUS strong, successful and enduring.

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Antwerp court clearsChoksis extradition





NEW DELHI :

A COURT in Antwerp on Friday cleared the extradition of fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, noting that his arrest by the Belgian authorities on Indias request was valid, officials in the know of the development said. The order has come as a strong validation for Indias case seeking his extradition, with Choksi having the option of appealing against the decision in a superior court in Belgium, they said. The order has come in our favour. The court has termed his arrest by the Belgian authorities on Indias request valid.

The first legal step in getting him extradited is now clear, a senior official said. Belgian prosecutors were aided by Indian officials from theExternal Affairs Ministry and theCBI in putting forthstrong arguments onChoksis allegedcrime in orchestrating a Rs 13,000 crorescam in the PunjabNational Bank in collusion with hisnephew Nirav Modi. The prosecutorstold the court that heremains a flight risk and cannotbe released from prison, the officials said. After hearing the Belgian prosecutors and Choksis defencelawyers during the hearings inmid-September, the court concluded that his arrest was valid. Choksi (66) was arrested inBelgiumonApril11on thebasis of the extraditionrequest sentby theCBI, they said.His bail applications have been rejected by different courts in that country.

India has also assured the Belgian authorities that if extradited, Choksi would be housed in Barrack No. 12 at the Arthur Road jail in Mumbai, with no chance of overcrowding or solitary confinement, as atleast one more economic offender is expected tobehousedinhiscell. The Union Home Ministry informed the Belgian authorities througha September4communique that the personal living space for each inmate in Barack No. 12 is in line with and fully meets the minimum space requirement of the Committee for thePrevention ofTorture and Inhuman or Degrading TreatmentorPunishment (CPT) of Europe. Choksi had fled to Antigua and Barbuda in the Carribbean where he had taken citizenship.Afterhewasstopped inBelgium, theCBI, theEAM,and the Home Ministry swung into action to get him extradited to India to face the law.
ED attaches Rs 2,385 cr crypto assets in OctaFX Ponzi scam





NEW DELHI :

CRYPTOCURRENCY worth Rs 2,385 crore has been attached under the anti-money laundering law and the Spanish mastermind of the alleged multicrore OctaFX Ponzi scam has been arrested in that country, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Friday. The case pertains to a fraud where several investors are alleged to have been duped on the false promise of high returns through the OctaFX forex trading platform. A provisional order has been issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to attach cryptocurrencies worth Rs 2,385 crore in connection with the ongoing investigation against the unauthorised forex trading platform OctaFX.

The alleged mastermind of the fraud -- Pavel Prozorov -- has been arrested from Spain by the local police authorities, based on his involvement in cybercrimes affecting multiple countries, the agency said in a statement. A total of Rs 2,681 crore worth assets, including 19 immovable properties and a luxury yacht in Spain owned by Prozorov, have been attached by the ED in this case till now. OctaFX, as per the ED, systematically duped Indian investors of Rs 1,875 crore between July 2022-April 2023, generating profits of around Rs 800 crore, through a multi-country operation. The company operated from 2019-2024 and the total profits from India are estimated to exceed Rs 5,000 crore, much of which has been illicitly transferred overseas, it said. OctaFX presented itself as an online forex trading platform for currency, commodities and crypto trading without RBIpermission.

The initial investors receivedsmall profits to build trust, as isgenerally seen in a typical Ponzi scheme, it said. The ED probe found thatOctaFX operated through a distributed global networkdesigned to evade regulatoryscrutiny and it layered illicit funds across jurisdictions. handledby entitiesin theBritish Virgin Islands (BVI), some entities and persons based in Spain hosted servers and back-office operations, entities in Estonia managed payment gateways, those in Georgia provided technicalsupport andanentitylocatedinCyprus served as theholding company for the Indian entity. Some entities based in Dubai oversaw Indian operations via Russian promoters and persons inSingapore facilitated theexport of bogus services to launder funds abroad, as per the ED.
IAF Chief Singh visits Solar Industries facility at Bazargaon





Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, PVSM, AVSM, reviewing the facilities at Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited on Friday. Chairman of the Solar Industries Satyanarayan Nuwal; CEO and MD Manish Nuwal; and others also are seen.

Business Reporter :

Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, PVSM, AVSM, on Friday visited the facility of Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), a subsidiary of Solar Industries India Limited, at Bazargaon on Amravati Road. Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command Air Marshal Vijay Kumar Garg; Chairman of the Solar Industries Satyanarayan Nuwal; Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Manish Nuwal; and other senior officers of the company were present on the occasion. During the visit, Air Chief Marshal reviewed various manufacturing units of the company including rockets and missiles; chaff and flair facility; composite materials manufacturing facility for unmanned aerial vehicle and MALE class air frames and structures; and 1.3 km-long runway for MALE class testing.

Apart from this, the CAS also visited the product gallery located in the company premise wherein SDAL has showcased its products like Pinaka rocket system, air-bombs, mines, grenades, military explosives, anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), Nagastra 1 & 2 loiter munitions, and many more. The visit has gained significance as SDAL has, in the recent past, emerged as a key supplier of ammunition to the Indian armed forces by leveraging its expertise in high-energy explosives. It is important to note that the Air Chief Marshal visited the SDAL soon after the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the company. Earlier on March 31, Prime Minister Modi had inaugurated the Loitering Munition Test Range at SDAL in presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Modi had unveiled the plaque to mark the inauguration of the new runway facility for development and testing of unmanned aerial systems.

Located at a distance of about 35 km from the city, the newly constructed airstrip and testing range represent a leap forward in Indias capabilities for UAV development and munitions testing. On the other hand, SDAL is aggressively expanding its facility and focusing on drone related technologies and systems. The private player is also eyeing to dominate the rapidly growing demand for weaponised drones.
Over 1,250 file nominations for 1st phase





PATNA :

ELECTION fever gripped Bihar on Friday as the filing of nomination papers for the first phase of Assembly polls concluded, with the ruling NDA projecting a resolute campaign in sharp contrast to the disarray seen in the Opposition INDIA bloc. According to the Election Commission, more than 1,250 candidates filed their papers for the 121 seats which go to polls on November 6, and the number was likely to go up as data was still flowing in from districts. In at least half-a-dozen constituencies, more than one INDIA bloc candidate has filed nomination papers and these seats may end up witnessing friendly fights among the constituents unless one of the nominees pulls out by October 20. The alliance comprising RJD, Congress, three Left parties and former State Minister Mukesh Sahanis Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) has still not been able to declare how many seats were being contested by which party and confusion seemed to prevail among them with regard to the constituencies, too.

The Congress agreed to let RJD leader Rishi Mishra fight on its symbol from the Jale seat, but the domineering regional ally failed to reciprocate with a similar gesture in Lalganj where Shivani Shukla, daughter of local don-turned-politician Munna Shukla, filed her nomination papers despite Aditya Kumar Raja, fielded by the grand old party, having entered the fray. An RJD-Congress face-off seems on the cards in adjoining Vaishali as well, besides in Kahalgaon.

The Congress may end up fighting against CPI candidates in at least three seats  Bachhwara, Rajapakar and Rosera. Although the VIP has stayed in the coalition, notwithstanding speculations that Sahani was not happy with the deal offered by the RJD, it may end up fighting against Lalu Prasads party in Tarapur and Gaura Bauram. Sahani, whose party had won four seats in 2020, though he lost his own, has opted to stay away from the contest himself this time, and when journalists broached the subject with him, he asserted it is not that I want to enter Rajya Sabha. I want the INDIA bloc to form the next Government with me as the Deputy Chief Minister. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, the INDIA blocs de facto chief ministerial candidate, is seeking a third consecutive term from Raghopur. Other prominent leaders whose fate will be sealed in the first phase of polls include deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary (Tarapur) and Vijay Kumar Sinha (Lakhisarai), both from the BJP, besides ministers Mangal Pandey (BJP) and Vijay Kumar Chaudhary (JDU).
Over 210 Maoists surrender in Jagdalpur





Our Correspondent :

JAGDALPUR

This is the largest mass surrender in the history of anti-Naxal ops in Chhattisgarh With this, a total of 288 Naxalites have quit the path of violence in the State in last three days

A MAJOR breakthrough in the fight against Naxalism has taken place in Chhattisgarhs Bastar division, as over 210 Maoists from the Dandakaranya region laid down their arms and embraced the mainstream, marking what officials have hailed as a decisive turning point in the States decades-long struggle with Left-Wing Extremism. The event, organised at Jagdalpur Police Lines, was part of the State Governments comprehensive anti-Naxal policy and the Poona Margeyam - From Rehabilitation to Rejuvenation programme. Notably, this is the first instance in the region where such a large contingent of senior Maoist cadres, including a Central Committee member, four Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) members, 21 Divisional Committee members, and several prominent leaders, surrendered together.

With this, a total of 288 Naxalites have quit the path of violence and joined the mainstream in the State in the last three days as 78 others had surrendered on Wednesday. In a symbolic gesture marking the end of an era of violence, the surrendered rebels handed over 153 sophisticated weapons, including AK-47s, SLRs, INSAS rifles and LMGs. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sais multi-pronged anti-Naxal strategy emphasising peace, dialogue, and development laid the foundation for what officials described as an era of trust, security, and development in Bastar. The coordinated efforts of the police, security forces, administration, social organisations, and vigilant citizens were credited with transforming the atmosphere from one of violence and fear to dialogue and hope.

Addressing a press conference later, CM Sai said 210 brothers and sisters who were misguided and detached from society rejoined the mainstream today, showing faith in the Constitution, the path of non-violence as shown by Mahatma Gandhi, and the States rehabilitation policy. At the ceremony, surrendered cadres, among them high-profile Maoists like CCM RupeshaliasSatishandDKSZC memberBhaskar aliasRajman Mandavi,werewelcomedwith the traditional Manjhi-Chaliki ritual.

They were honoured withcopiesof theConstitution andredroses,symbolising their faith in democracy and commitment to a peaceful, dignified future. Rupesh, who has been described as the intelligence chief of the Maoist military wing and a notorious bombmaker (full name Takkalappalli Vasudeva Rao, aged 59), arrivedwith his comrades at the Bijapur police headquarters on Thursday evening for an initial surrender. Rupeshs defection, along with others like woman commander Ranita from the Maad division, represents a major disruption to the Maoist command structure in the region. Director General of Police Arun Dev Gautam, addressing the gathering as Chief guest, underscored that Poona Margeyam is not just about moving away from Naxalism, but about giving life a new direction. He urged the surrendered Maoists to become ambassadors of peace and development in the region.
Record surrender of 210 Naxals marks historic day





Our Correspondent

Jagdalpur

The largest-ever group of Naxalites in Chhattisgarh laid down arms and joined the mainstream on Friday under States rehabilitation initiative titled Poona Margeyam  From Rehabilitation to New Life. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai attended the programme and described it as not only a momentous day for Bastar but for the entire State and Nation. A total of 210 Naxalites surrendered, choosing peace and the Governments policy of rehabilitation inspired by Mahatma Gandhis principles of non-violence. Those who had gone astray and drifted away from society are now beginning a new life, CM Sai said, extending his best wishes to those who surrendered. Addressing a press conference, the Chief Minister remarked, It was heartbreaking that those killing and dying in this conflict were our own people.

Therefore, both the Central and State Governments decided to work together to find a lasting solution. Upon forming the Government, he learned that 77 per cent of Naxal activities were concentrated in Chhattisgarh, with the remaining 23 per cent spread across neighboring states. The Government, he said, resolved to completely eradicate Naxalism. CM Sai informed that, under the guidance of the Home Minister, the State studied successful rehabilitation policies in other parts of India and adopted an effective strategy.

The Governments appeal urged Naxal members to surrender and reconnect with the developmental mainstream. Never before have we seen such a large number of people returning to join the path of progress, he added. The rehabilitation policy, along with the states new industrial policy, has opened up numerous opportunities for livelihood and welfare. Many former Naxalites have received housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, employment, and land for agriculture. Highlighting the regions transformation, CM Sai said that Bastar once cut off from development due to Naxal insurgency is now witnessing visible progress. Today, Bastar has roads, electricity, and education. The region is moving towards growth, he asserted.
Resolve to use indigenous products form foundation of self-reliant India





Staff Reporter :

Senior BJP leaders vow to use indigenous products during Karyakarta Sammelan

When we use and consume goods made in our own country, we truly strengthen our trade and economy. The mantra of Swadeshi and Vocal for Local is essential for economic empowerment and the resolve to use indigenous products form the foundation of a self-reliant India, said BJP District President Ratnesh Sonkar while addressing Karyakarta Sammelan under Atmanirbhar Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan held in East and Cantt Assembly constituencies. Organised by Bharatiya Janata Party Mahanagar unit, the Sammelan were attended by MLA Ashok Rohani, MLA Abhilash Pandey, campaign convener Dr Jitendra Jamdar and a large number of senior party leaders and workers.

The programme for East Assembly was held at Ghamapur Community Hall, while for Cantt Assembly, it convened at Sindhi Dharamshala, Ranjhi. Addressing the gathering, Sonkar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is determined to transform India into a developed nation by 2047. To achieve the vision, every citizen must first become self-reliant by preferring Indian-made goods. He appealed to people to make this Diwali a celebration of Swadeshi by purchasing only locally made products, ensuring that the countrys wealth remains within the country. Addressing the Sammelan in Cantt Assembly, MLA Ashok Rohani said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India is steadily moving towards strength and self-sufficiency.

He said since 2014, Modi ji has emphasised the importance of Swadeshi. Today, his call for Har Ghar Swadeshi-Ghar Ghar Swadeshi must reach every household to make India strong and developed. Dr Jitendra Jamdar, district convener of the campaign, explained that Vocal for Local means adopting and promoting locally produced goods to benefit regional industries, agriculture and small enterprises. MLA Abhilash Pandey added that BJPs core agenda is a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) and every citizen must actively contribute to the vision of a self-reliant, progressive nation.
Swadeshi is a powerful means of self-reliance





Cabinet Minister, Sampatiya Uike along with MP, Faggan Singh Kulaste addressing media person regarding the Self-Reliant India Resolution Campaign.

Our Correspondent :

MANDLA

Cabinet Minister Sampatiya Uike was addressing a press conference organised by Mandla BJP office on the Self-Reliant India Resolution Campaign

To fulfill the pledge of a developed India by 2047, given by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party Mandla organised a press conference at the District BJP office under the Self-Reliant India Resolution Campaign. Cabinet Minister, Sampatiya Uikey, MP, Faggan Singh Kulaste, BJP District President, Prafull Mishra, District Panchayat President, Sanjay Kushram, BJP District Vice President, Jaydutt Jha, and District General Secretary, Naresh Chandraul graced the event. Addressing the press conference on this occasion, Cabinet Minister, Sampatiya Uike said that, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has pledged to make the country a developed India by 2047, and the only way to achieve this goal is to build a self-reliant India. Swadeshi is a powerful means to achieve self-reliance. Every home is Swadeshi, every person is Swadeshithis is our mantra and our strength.

She said that Swadeshi is not just an economic concept, but a symbol of our culture, soul, and identity. When our farmers, artisans, small traders, and industrialists adopt Swadeshi, they not only express respect for the country but also make a significant contribution to building a self-reliant India. Uikey explained that central government initiatives like Make in India, Start-up India, and Digital India are the culmination of this vision, leading the country towards a developed India. Member of Parliament, Faggan Singh Kulaste said, Self-reliant India is not a slogan, but a commitment to nation-building. We must abandon the competition for foreign goods and connect with our own products and our soil. Swadeshi is our self-respect and is the foundation of a self-reliant India.

He said that Indias Swadeshi tradition is not a new idea. In the early 20th century, the Swadeshi movement, in protest against the partition of Bengal, gave the country a message of unity and self-respect. Prime Minister, Modi is carrying forward this ideology in a modern form. Kulaste said that Indias strength, culture, and industrial efficiency are the foundation of a self-reliant India. He said that the message of Vocal for Local should reach every citizen so that every person, every village and every home in India can become a symbol of self-reliance. At the end of the program, District BJP President, Prafull Mishra said that Mandla district is also moving rapidly towards self-reliance. Party workers are active at every level to provide market for local products and employment opportunities to the youth. The program was conducted by District Vice President, Jaidutt Jha and District General Secretary, Naresh Chandraul expressed his gratitude. In the end, all the guests present resolved that in the times to come, the spirit of self-reliant India, Swadeshi India will be spread to every person.
Tracking Diwali celebration -- Telugu people Ariselu frying in ghee, Puranpoli stacked neatly on banana leaves





By Simran Shrivastava :

Telugu homes in Nagpur celebrate Diwali beginning with Dhanteras, the festivals first day, with making Muggulu, which are designs in rice flour and coloured powders. They take shape on thresholds, while strings of mango leaves sway gently above doorways. Tiny diyas flicker along the edges of the rangoli. Small purchases of silver and utensils promise wealth, and new clothes lie ready.

Aroma of oil and sandalwood

By dawn on the second day, Naraka Chaturdashi, homes are filled with the earthy aroma of oil and sandalwood. Families rise before sunrise to perform Abhyanga Snana, a ritual oil bath believed to cleanse body and spirit. According to Telugu tradition, Narakasura terrorised the world until Krishna, with his consort Satyabhama, destroyed him at dawn and liberated people from fear, narrated N Nageswara Rao, executive committee member, Andhra Association and a resident of Nagpur.

The stories of Lord Rama returning to Ayodhya also pulse through these homes. Lord Ramas return, when every home was lit to welcome him. Both Ram and Krishna stories remind us that darkness never wins, explained Rajyalakshmi Rambhatla, a resident of Nagpur.

Laying fruits, coins sweets, and flowers

The third day, Amavasya night, is the peak of celebration: Diwali. Every window and doorway bursts into light. Lamps line courtyards in precise rows. Families perform Lakshmi Puja, laying fruits, sweets, flowers, and coins before the goddess, while soft chants fill the home. In business households, Chopda Pujan is done: old ledgers are closed, new ones opened, and a symbolic fresh start is made for the year ahead. We

prepare these sweets and offer them to the gods before sharing with family, shared Rajyalakshmi Rambhatla.

In kitchens, the festival begins to smell like a small

universe of smells and sounds: ariselu frying in ghee,

puranpoli stacked neatly on banana leaves, and vada, laddoo, and chakli cooling on brass plates.

Women kneel before representations of snakes

On the fourth day, Nagula Chavithi, women kneel before representations of snakes, offering milk, rice flour, and turmeric, as they seek blessings for the familys safety.

The final day, Bhai Dooj, is a celebration of bonds. Sisters perform a tilak ceremony

for their brothers and pray

for their long life, while

brothers offer gifts and

blessings in return," expressed N Nageswara Rao.
We must revive spirit of self-reliance by adopting, promoting Swadeshi products





Staff Reporter :

PWD Minister Rakesh Singh appealed to citizens to make the Diwali a Swadeshi Diwali by purchasing only Indian-made goods. Every product we buy should reflect the hard work of our people and the fragrance of our soil

Bharatiya Janata Party has on Friday organised a grand convention under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan in West Assembly constituency. Addressing a huge gathering of party leaders, workers and general public, State Public Works Department Minister Rakesh Singh said that India was once the most self-reliant nation in the world, contributing nearly one-third to the global GDP. Foreign invasions and post independence policies weakened our indigenous base, but today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the countrymen must revive the spirit of self-reliance by adopting and promoting Swadeshi products. Highlighting Indias rich economic past, Singh said that till the 12th century, India contributed 33 percent to the worlds GDP, which dropped after colonial exploitation and restrictive policies. Even during the British arrival, India held 25 percent of global GDP, but later exports were blocked and self-reliance was undermined.

Citing Indias progress during the pandemic, Singh said that when the world was struggling with COVID-19, Prime Minister Modi transformed the crisis into an opportunity. He called upon the nation to produce essential goods domestically, which resulted in India becoming a manufacturing hub for defence, automobiles, medical and agricultural equipment. Today, we are not only self-reliant but also exporters to the world, he added.

The PWD Minister appealed to citizens to make the Diwali a Swadeshi Diwali by purchasing only Indian-made goods. Every product we buy should reflect the hard work of our people and the fragrance of our soil, he said. District President Ratnesh Sonkar reiterated the commitment towards making India a fully developed nation by 2047, urging everyone to strengthen the economy through Swadeshi purchases. Dr. Jitendra Jamdar informed that the campaign, launched on Deendayal Upadhyaya Jayanti on September 25, will continue till December 25, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Mayor Jagat Bahadur Singh, District Convenor Dr. Jitendra Jamdar, senior leaders Rajkumar Mehta and others were also present on the occasion.


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Although he hails from a corporate backgroundhaving worked for 29 years with companies like Nivea, Beiersdorf and Procter & GambleNeil George always had a love for art and started collecting it from 2005. He is also a photographer specialising in street and portrait photography. Now, he has an enviable collection of masters like F.N. Souza, M.F. Husain and Anjolie Ela Menon. He collects everything from paintings to rare photographs and manuscripts.

Ela Menon, for example, is known for her work in masonite, but George has a chair of hers which he got from a private collector in Bengaluru. It is part of a very rare set of five chairs she created, on which are painted movie stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth and Shilpa Shetty. Today, more than 200 pieces from Georges personal collection are exhibited at One Kochi, Indias first art district that he built on 1.5 acres of land six minutes away from the Kochi International Airport.

I have travelled extensively and was inspired by the art districts of many cities, like Jordaan in Amsterdam and Soho in London, says George. Many times, they are fish markets and meat packing districts by day which are taken over by DJs, tattoo artists and eateries at night.

One Kochi is designed as a space where heritage, luxury and art meet. George started building it in November 2022. To design it, he visited every major historical property in and around Kochi, taking in the tile roofs, the foliage, the arches, the swimming pools. The final design is inspired by a handful of buildings primarily in Fort Kochi, including the Durbar Hall, Brunton Boatyard, Old Harbour Hotel and David Hall.

We got the name One Kochi, because this is the first address of Kochi as it is situated right next to the airport, says George. It is supposed to be the gateway to Gods Own Country. When people come to Kochi, this should be their first point of call.

The art block, consisting of a Central Gallery and two smaller galleries called Masters and Viewing Galleries, is called Gallerie AD 1498, the year Vasco Da Gama landed in Calicut, which, George believes, was a turning point in the cultural history of Kerala. His arrival changed everythingfrom religion and language to art and food. In the middle of the Central Gallery is a large mural by artist Preeti Chellappan, in which she depicts the arrival of Da Gama in the palace of the Zamorin. There is also a 15-minute AI installation recreating Da Gamas journey. George calls it the worlds first AI documentary in Malayalam.

Next to the art block is the hotel block consisting of six luxury suites, each of which has been designed by an artistThe Silent Grove by Smruthi Garg, The Mural Art Studio by Suresh Muthukulam and Roy John, The Suite of Inlaid Anecdotes by George Martin P.J., The Modernist Studio by Subodh Kerkar and Suite 1972 by George himself. There is also a speciality restaurant, a swimming pool designed around a lagoon, and a club lounge called One In A Million. Its called that because there are 34 million Malayalis around the world and Ive given club membership to 34 of them, one for every million, says George. These are 34 Malayalis picked by me who are making a difference to the cultural landscape of Kerala, whether in architecture, music or art. Other than these 34, anyone else interested must pay to access the club.

George has taken a broad view of art, not restricting it to paintings or photographs. He has sourced some unique pieces, like a Dutch bench from Fort Kochi. All the furniture is handmade by local artisans. He wanted to somehow retain an old house near the property that they had to demolish, so he got an artist from Ahmedabad to recreate it through an artwork using a million glass tiles. They have cut almost no trees in the property; some are more than half a century old. They have also planted a lot of teak and frangipani trees. George would collect rare saplings from the countries he visited and plant it there. There are trees from Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, he says. Thats why you will see that each one has a different colour and style.

The art district is all set to open with a bang on October 17 and 18, with two days of art, music, food and culture, and performances by bands like 13AD and Jatayu. One Kochi, it seems, is an idea whose time has come.
The Indian stock market will remain operational on Monday, October 20, when most of the country celebrates Diwali, providing relief to investors seeking to make pre-festive trading moves.

Both the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) have clarified that regular trading will continue throughout Monday, with closures scheduled for October 21 and 22.

According to the official holiday calendars published by NSE and BSE, the exchanges will be closed on Tuesday, October 21, for Diwali Laxmi Pujan, and Wednesday, October 22, for Diwali Balipratipada.

This schedule reflects the regional variations in Diwali celebrations, with some parts of India observing the main festivities on October 21 rather than October 20.

Muhurat Trading session in the afternoon

In a departure from tradition, this year's auspicious Muhurat Trading session will take place during the afternoon hours on Tuesday, October 21, from 1.45 pm to 2.45 pm.

On the auspicious occasion of Diwali Muhurat trading, key dignitaries from The Sabarmati Report movie - Shri Vikrant Massey, Su. Shri. Riddhi Dogra, Su. Shri. Raashii Khanna - rang the @NSEIndia bell along with our MD & CEO, Shri @ashishchauhan, his wife Dr. Sonal Chauhan, and pic.twitter.com/gBZacHNbyp  NSE India (@NSEIndia) November 1, 2024

Typically conducted in the evening between 6 pm and 7 pm, the timing shift represents a significant change in the decades-old practice.

The Muhurat Trading session marks the beginning of Samvat 2082, the Hindu calendar year that commences on Diwali.

This one-hour window allows investors and traders to participate in ceremonial trading, which is considered highly auspicious for initiating new financial ventures and attracting prosperity throughout the year.

From the official NSE circular on Diwali Muhurat Trading 2025 | NSE

The special session will include a pre-market phase from 1.30 pm to 1.45 pm, with block deal sessions beginning at 1.15 pm.

However, it is important to note that stocks purchased on Monday, October 20, cannot be sold during the Muhurat Trading hours on Tuesday due to settlement cycles.

Complete 2025 holiday schedule

For 2025, both NSE and BSE will observe 14 trading holidays in the equity, equity derivatives, and securities lending segments.

In October alone, three holidays have been designated: October 2 for Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra, October 21 for Diwali Laxmi Pujan (with Muhurat Trading), and October 22 for Diwali Balipratipada.

Following the Diwali break, only two trading holidays remain for 2025November 5 for Prakash Gurpurb Sri Guru Nanak Dev and December 25 for Christmas.

This week, the Nifty 50 index gained 2 per cent while the BSE Sensex climbed 2.1 per cent since it opened on Monday.

Investors planning their Diwali trading strategies can access the complete holiday calendar on the official BSE website at bseindia.com under the 'Trading Holidays' section, or on the NSE website at nseindia.com | This story is for informational purposes only. Investors are advised to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
While Operation Sindoor has demonstrated to the world the capabilities of India's indigenous defence systems, it has also been helping India to improve its weapon systemsin a rather unexpected way.

The discovery of an unexploded export variant of China's PL-15E long-range beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), developed by the China Airborne Missile Academy (CAMA), in a field near Hoshiarpur of Punjab has helped Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to make India's Astra Mark-2 programme better by incorporating the advanced features of the China-made missile, according to a Hindustan Times report.

ALSO READ: Operation Sindoor was just a trailer; with BrahMos, habitual winners India can strike Pakistans every inch: Defence minister

The missile was found exploded as it reportedly did not have a self-destruct mechanism.

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is the first and only confirmed operator of the PL-15E in the operational context. The missile that was found by the Indian side could have been fired from a Pakistan Air Force JF-17 or J-10C fighter.

While DRDO officials haven't divulged any details of the analysis of the missile, which was submitted to the defence ministry, sources have been quoted as saying by the HT that several superior features of the missile were identified by the scientists, including a miniature active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, and an advanced propellant that can maintain speeds exceeding 5 Mach, besides highly developed anti-jamming capabilities.

READ MORE: LCA Tejas Mk1A flies high; but can HAL meet deadlines and deliver the fighter jets on time?

The DRDO is reportedly planning to incorporate into the Astra missile development programme the various advanced features of the Chinese-origin missile to make India's weapon system more deadly.

This development comes amid reports that Pakistan is planning to procure from China the advanced ultra-long-range air-to-air missile PL-17.
The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A, which took to the skies for the first time at the Nashik facility of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on Friday, is a very capable platform, assured HAL chief test pilot (fixed wing) Group Captain K.K. Venugopal (Retd).

Group Captain Venugopal, who piloted the Tejas Mk1A sortie, was quoted as saying that the 4.5-generation fighter jet is a unique aircraft with all the new-generation technology.

"The radar is new generation, the avionics is very capable, the Astra missile is integrated. We will also be adding standoff weapons," NDTV quoted him as saying, adding that all these make the fighter jet a very capable platform.

ALSO READ: LCA Tejas Mk1A flies high; but can HAL meet deadlines and deliver the fighter jets on time?

Group Captain Venugopal hopes that, as the MiG-21 has been phased out, the IAF will have close to 220 Tejas fighter jets in the future and that this will become the mainstay of the force.

Speaking about the capabilities of Tejas, HAL Chairman and Managing Director D.K. Sunil said, "In terms of the kind of electronics, avionics that the Tejas has, it is a 4.5 generation aircraft. It has got a very capable Azer radar, EW suite, missiles and so on. It is a very advanced aircraft."

Further, he said several countries have shown interest in the aircraft, although discussions are in the preliminary stages. "We are discussing, and today it's at a very preliminary stage. Still, the kind of interest shown is very heartening because they feel it is a very capable aircraft. We are also showcasing to them what our capabilities are, what additions we can make" he added.
VIDEO | Every inch of Pakistani territory is now within the reach of our BrahMos. What happened in Operation Sindoor was just a trailer. But that trailer itself made Pakistan realise that if India can give birth to it I think you all understand what I mean to say, " says pic.twitter.com/JvQzPcNgen  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 18, 2025

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said every inch of Pakistan's territory lies within the range of Indias BrahMos missiles, and what happened during Operation Sindoor was just a trailer. Victory has become a habit for India and the country will continue to strengthen further, Singh said. The 'Raksha Mantri' was speaking in Uttar Pradesh after the first batch of the missiles manufactured at the BrahMos Aerospace unit was flagged off.

The unit completed its first production run in just five months, setting a new record for India's defence manufacturing sector. The unit, located in Sarojini Nagar, Lucknow, aims to produce 80 to 100 BrahMos missiles per year.

First batch of #BrahMos Cruise Missiles to be delivered from the new #Lucknow facility tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/hBUHG4zU3x  News IADN (@NewsIADN) October 17, 2025

Calling BrahMos the backbone of the Indian Armed Forces, Singh said, "BrahMos is no longer just a missile, but a symbol of India's growing indigenous military capability. Its combination of a conventional warhead, advanced guidance system, and supersonic speed makes it one of the best missiles in the world."

ALSO READ | BrahMos-NG supersonic cruise missile to be tested next year

BrahMos has become a key pillar of India's armed forces and has strengthened the country's belief that it can turn its dreams into reality, Rajnath Singh said after he and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath flagged off the first batch of the missiles. The flagging off is not only a milestone for the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC) but will also provide a new energy to India's resolve to achieve self-reliance in defence manufacturing, an official statement released on Saturday said.

ALSO READ | After BrahMos missiles strike fear in Pakistan, India to load up Navy, Air Force with more of them

This state-of-the-art BrahMos Aerospace unit, which was inaugurated on May 11, houses all modern facilities for missile integration, testing and final quality checks. After successful testing, the missiles are prepared for deployment by the Indian armed forces.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi and various officials were present on the occasion.

Partnerships sealed, cofirms Rajnath Singh

The Defence Minister confirmed that the BrahMos team has signed contracts worth approximately Rs 4,000 crore with two countries in the last one month. He stated that, in the coming years, experts from many countries will visit Lucknow, making the city a centre of knowledge and a leader in defence technology.

Rajnath Singh said that India stands at a point where it is strengthening its security and demonstrating to the world that it is a credible partner in defence and technology. He stressed that achievements such as the BrahMos have proved that Made-in-India is no longer a slogan, but a global brand.

"Whether it's the export of the BrahMos to the Philippines or cooperation with other countries in the future, India is now playing the role of a giver, not just a taker. This is the true identity of a Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the vision with which Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government began its journey in 2014."
Serious, open-minded cineastes eagerly awaited the release of Sandhya Suri's critically acclaimed Santosh on the big screen earlier this year, but were informed that the film isn't likely to see the light of day due to censorship woes. Recently, the announcement of its Oct. 17 streaming premiere on the Lionsgate Play platform meant one thing: No major OTT platforms from India were willing to take it up, due to its evidently controversial subject matter. However, even Lionsgate Play, which is an add-on subscription on Prime Video, has reportedly acted strangely and halted its release at the last minute.

In an interaction with Deadline, Suri called it "a real shame," adding, "The objections I had to cuts for the theatrical release remain my objections for a streaming release. The streamers dont need, by law, to have censorship status to show films. But perhaps this is about an environment in which streamers take on certain objections of their own accord for a harmonious universe.

Interestingly, the film has been doing the rounds on pirated channels for a while. Suri, who hopes for legitimate screening of the uncut version of the film in India, is aware of this because she has been receiving feedback from many people. It was announced and now were un-announcing, so a lot more people are going to watch it in some other form, she added.

Inspired by a real-life incident

Santosh, which was the UKs entry for the Best International Feature category at the 97th Academy Awards, stars Shahana Goswami as a widowed police constable who gets her late husband's job, revolves around the investigation of a Dalit girl's rape and murder. Suri was reportedly inspired by the aftermath of the 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape case.

In a statement to Cannes when the film premiered there in the Un Certain Regard section last year, Suri said, "For a long time, I had been searching for a meaningful way to talk about violence against women. I was in India researching and working with various NGOs when I came across an image. There were nationwide protests following the Nirbhaya gang rape case, and this was an image from Delhi of a huge crowd of angry female protestors, faces contorted with rage, and a line of female police officers, forcing them back. One of them had such an enigmatic expression. I was fascinated by her. To explore this violence and her power within it felt exciting.
As the opposition Grand Alliance is still grappling with the seat-sharing crisis in Bihar, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi urged the parties not to repeat the mistakes made in Maharashtra over seat allocation and candidate selection.

Chaturvedi also urged the Mahagathbandhan to declare RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, whom she described as a popular candidate, as the chief ministerial nominee.

"The mistakes made in the Maharashtra elections, including not declaring the chief ministerial candidate, as well as disputes among the three alliance partners over seat allocation and candidate selection, should not be repeated in Bihar. Tejashwi Yadav is a very popular candidate, she said.

#WATCH | Delhi: On CM face of the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi says, "...The mistakes made in the Maharashtra elections, including not declaring the chief ministerial candidate, as well as disputes among the three alliance partners over seat pic.twitter.com/SnrNbXM04B  ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2025

Lavishing praise on Yadav, Chaturvedi said he is in a neck-to-neck fight with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and other so-called aspirants of chief ministership and has done a phenomenal job when he was the deputy chief minister.

So it is time that as part of the INDIA Alliance and in the spirit of it, which we came around that we should all support the party which is stronger and he would be supported, would be helped, and he would be declared as the chief ministerial candidate, she said.

The Sena (UBT) MPs word of caution came as a seat-sharing formula continued to elude the opposition bloc, with many of the parties fielding candidates against one another in several constituencies.

The Congress released its first list of 48 candidates on Thursday night, even before a consensus was reached in the alliance. The list included partys sitting MLAs, including state unit chief Rajesh Ram from Kutumba seat and CLP leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan from Kadwa.

In the 2020 polls, the Congress had contested 70 seats and won only 19.

The Bihar assembly polls will be held on November 6 and 11, and the counting of votes will take place on November 14.
The Election Commission of India has announced a paid holiday for employed electors on the two polling days for the Bihar Assembly elections and warned the employers of a penalty if they contravene this legal provision and deduct the wages of their staff.

"As per section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, every person employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking, or any other establishment, and entitled to vote at an election to the House of the People or to the Legislative Assembly of a State/UT, shall be granted a paid holiday on the day of poll," the Commission said in a circular.

No deduction of wages shall be made on account of such a paid holiday. Any employer who contravenes these provisions shall be liable to a fine. All daily wage and casual workers are also entitled to a paid holiday on the day of the poll, said the circular issued by Deputy Director, ECI, P. Pawan.

Bihar Elections and bye-elections 2025: Paid Holiday on Polling Day



Read more: https://t.co/Aak8zqLUGi pic.twitter.com/KLjyZOZeH3  Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) October 18, 2025

The Commission directed the state government to issue necessary instructions to those concerned for strict compliance with these provisions and to ensure that all electors are able to exercise their franchise freely and conveniently.

It also clarified that electors, including casual and daily wage workers, who are working or employed in industrial or commercial establishments located outside their constituency but are registered as voters in a constituency going to polls, will also be entitled to the benefit of a paid holiday on the day of the election to enable them to cast their vote.

The Bihar assembly polls will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, and the counting of votes will take place on November 14.
As the nomination process for the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections ended on Friday, the ruling NDA camp executed its candidate selection with good coordination, while the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) finds itself mired in confusion and internal tussles over seat-sharing.

Despite days of negotiations, uncertainty continues within the RJD-led Grand Alliance, with several key alliesCongress, Left parties and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP)fielding candidates against one another in nearly a dozen constituencies. This friendly fight may turn costly for the alliance, which is eyeing to form a government, if the nominations are not withdrawn by October 20.

According to sources, seats which may witness direct contests between partners of the alliance included Warsaliganj, Sikandra, Tarapur, Bachhwara, Lalganj, Rajapakar, and Vaishali. Both the RJD and the Congress have refused to budge on their claims on several of these constituencies, leading to an open rebellion at the local level.

While at some level it may be seen as a pressure tactic by the parties to convince their partners to leave the seat for them, it also shows a lack of coordination in the alliance. This has already invited a barrage of jibes from senior NDA leaders who claimed the grand alliance has come undone.

If the candidates do not withdraw in time, the Grand Alliance risks splitting its vote base, potentially handing over an advantage to the NDA in several close contests.

The prime reason for the disagreement in the opposition camp is RJDs calculations that Congresss record of winning seats has not been very good, which had dented its chances to form the government in 2020. The Congress, on the other hand, is keen to expand its base and build its organisation. The party thus has been aggressive in pushing its case as it did in Delhi and Haryana, where it rejected calls for alliances, though the results had been disastrous for it.

The discord is also reflected in the scenes at the headquarters of these parties. The BJP, after witnessing protests for the first two days of seat allocation, has got into the poll mode with a series of meetings taking place between the leaders and polling material loaded in mini trucks dispatched to the different regions of the state. On the other hand, ticket hopefuls are still crowded the RJD and Congress headquarters even as leaders avoided coming there.

While the opposition struggles to resolve its internal equations, the NDA alliance, comprising the BJP, JD(U), LJP (R), HAM, and RLM, has completed its candidate selection with relative ease. These parties have announced their full lists, balancing caste, regional, and gender representation.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) has given special emphasis to the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) and women candidates, while the BJP has retained most of its sitting MLAs, barring 17. The NDA has fielded only five Muslim candidatesfour by JD(U) and one by LJP(R)apparently knowing the community would mostly side with the grand alliance.

The nomination process is still on for phase 2, and the last date of withdrawals is October 23. Only then does the real picture of key contests emerge. Despite its successful joint vote adhikar yatra led by Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, it remains to be seen whether the grand alliance will be able to repair its fractures and put up a united fight.
Union minister Chirag Paswan on Saturday thanked both the BJP and the JD(U) for showing a big heart to his Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) in the seat-sharing arrangement of the National Democratic Alliance.

The LJP (RV) was given 29 seats in the upcoming elections, despite not having a single MLA in the outgoing assembly. The BJP and the JD(U) will contest 101 seats each, while the other two allies Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) led by Upendra Kushwaha and the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) led by Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhihave been allocated six seats each.

"We were not fighting for a particular number of seats as such. We only wanted to contest from those places where we had a strong presence. I am thankful to the BJP and the JD(U). Both have shown a big heart in the NDA seat-sharing arrangement," said the Hajipur MP.

Chirag, who met Amit Shah in Patna, said the NDA would achieve "a historic victory" in the elections to build a Vikasit Bharat envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Union Home Minister Amit Shah is on a visit to Bihar. It is the strength of our alliance that we are walking hand-in-hand towards a historical victory to build a Viksit Bharat envisioned by PM Modi. The PM has visited Bihar 11 times in the last year after forming the government, which shows his priority is towards Bihar. In the meeting with Amit Shah today, the strategy to win historic seats was discussed," said the LJP (RV) chief.

Chirag also took a swipe at the opposition bloc, saying that the parties in the Grand Alliance were fielding candidates against each other after failing to reach a consensus on seat-sharing.

"There is no clarity on whether Tejashwi Yadav is the face or not. Candidates of the RJD, Congress and the Left are going to fight against each other. The NDA, on the other hand, is all set for a historic victory under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said.

The Bihar assembly polls will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, and the counting of votes will take place on November 14.
A six-member committee has been constituted by the Delhi University administration to probe the alleged assault of a faculty member at the Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar College by the Delhi University Students Union Joint Secretary Deepika Jha on Thursday.

Jha is part of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarti Parishad (ABVP) and was elected to the Joint Secretary post in the college union in September.

The committee will be chaired by Professor Neeta Sehgal from the Department of Zoology, and DU vice chancellor Yogesh Singh will direct the panel to submit a report within two weeks.

DUSU Joint secretary Deepika Jha slaps Delhi University professor in presence of Police



She's now trying to get away with an apology



Reverse Genders and Imagine the uproar. NCW would have taken cognizance, FIR would have been filedpic.twitter.com/MTRiZk97Cr  Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj (@DeepikaBhardwaj) October 17, 2025

The incident is said to have occurred inside the office of the Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar College Principal during a disciplinary meeting on Thursday. A 32-second video had surfaced online that allegedly showed Jha slapping senior faculty member Professor Sujit Kumar of the Department of Commerce. Kumar is seen seated on the sofa with the other people. As the discussion escalated, Jha stood and allegedly slapped Kumar. The incident had taken place in the presence of the Delhi police. A female officer is seen interveneing and taking Jha away, seating her and someone else pushes Kumar back to his seat.

The disciplinary meeting was called by Sujit Kumar to discuss a recent incident of violence, which involved ABVP members allegedly assaulting other students, according to the Democratic Teachers Front.

The incident was widely condemned by university teachers and student organisations. The Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) held a protest on the north campus on Friday.

What Deepika Jha said

Jha admitted to slapping Kumar and said that it was in response to verbal abuse and inappropriate behavior. She said, During the interaction, when I told him that I saw him smoking in public and that does not leave a good impression on students, he verbally abused me, while speaking to HT.

She also said that he was staring at her and smirking even after she expressed discomfort and slapped him only after his verbal abuse. She acknowledged that she shouldn't have done it.

On Friday, the student released an apology video and said that Kumar had threatened and stared at her in front of the police and was on substances. After seeing all this, I felt angry and raised my hand. I regret the incident and I apologise to the teachers community. It was not my intention to hurt anyones sentiments, she added.

What Professor Sujit Kumar said

Professor Sujit Kumar, however, made a different claim. He said that ABVP members had barged in during the meeting uninvited. The confrontation, according to him, took place after a student allegedly attacked the elected college president, who was from the NSUI.

Our college students do not vote for the DUSU but have a college student council. Three posts on that council were unopposed and occupied by ABVP members. A student from the NSUI had won the president post, he said

At Delhi University, where a professor was assaulted by ABVP DUSU Joint Secretary Deepika Jha, students are now raising their voices against this growing culture of violence.



Today, NSUI Delhi organised a strong protest demonstration on campus  demanding accountability, pic.twitter.com/VA4v4ioRyY  NSUI (@nsui) October 17, 2025

He further added, About a month ago, this same NSUI kid was beaten up by ABVP members because he wanted to contest for the post. We got a video of the same, and I suspended three students affiliated to the ABVP till September 30. Now, on Wednesday, during the event, one of the students who had been suspended beat up the NSUI student in front of me and other committee members.

Kuar said that he was pressured to resign after ABVP members supported the students involved the scuffle. After that, a student named Deepika came and slapped me, as captured in the video clip, he said while speaking to ANI.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday ruled out the possibility of allying with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmirs statehood and asserted that the controversial Public Safety Act (PSA) would be revoked once full statehood is restored to the Union Territory.

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar to mark one year of his government, Omar said his administration is committed to implementing pledges made in the National Conference(NC) manifesto.

VIDEO | Srinagar: J&K CM Omar Abdullah says, We still have 23 days to finalise the names (for the bypolls), and we will announce candidates in 2448 hours. We have formally approached Congress, stating that we are ready to leave the Nagrota (Assembly seat) for them, despite pic.twitter.com/nPlcXdtfdI  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 18, 2025

Omar called the linking of the restoration of statehood by the Centre to the Pahalgam attack as injustice to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The elected government was not responsible for that incident and those involved were not from J&K, he said. To connect statehood with Pahalgam is unfair.

The chief minister said the Union government had promised in Parliament and before the Supreme Court that statehood would follow delimitation and elections.

Two promises have been fulfilleddelimitation and electionsbut the third, statehood, remains pending, he said. We hope it will also be honoured soon.

He dismissed speculation about joining hands with the BJP to secure statehood.

If the restoration of statehood depends on the BJP coming to power, then the party should be honest and say so, he said. The BJP never mentioned in its manifesto, Parliament or before the Supreme Court that statehood is contingent upon their rule in J&K.

He said an alliance with them is out of the question. We are still suffering from the aftermath of the PDP-BJP alliance of 2015, and I will not repeat that mistake, he said.

About coming good on the election manifesto, he said there are some hurdles in their way, but all promises will be fulfilled in five years.

On the contentious issue of smart meter installation, the chief minister clarified that his party had never promised to remove them.

We had promised 200 free electricity units, which can only be ensured through smart meters, he said. Without them, it would be impossible to assess the actual power load of consumers.

He said the smart meters had helped improve supply and reduce bills, particularly for low-income households.

The CM also said that his government would revoke the Public Safety Act once Jammu and Kashmir regains statehood.

We will not wait for an Assembly session; the law will be repealed through an ordinance, he said. The security and law and order currently lie under the jurisdiction of the Lieutenant Governor.

Omar said the government would revisit the issue of cabinet expansions after the upcoming byelections in Budgam and Nagrota.

As a Union Territory, we have an artificially limited number of ministers, which affects regional representation, he said. I dont believe only ministers can work for their constituencies. Once byelections are held, we will consider expansion.

About making the report on rationalisation of reservation public, Omar said it cannot be done unless approved by the Lieutenant Governor. He said their goal is the empowerment of the people.
A massive fire broke out at the multi-storey Brahmaputra Apartments on the Dr Bishambhar Das Marg in Delhi on Saturday. The apartments are a residential complex for the Rajya Sabha members of the parliament. Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from the building as residents rushed to safety.

VIDEO | Delhi: A fire broke out at Brahmaputra Apartments in the Gole Market area. Firefighting operations are underway. More details are awaited.#Delhi #FireIncident #GoleMarket



(Source - Third party)



(Full video available on PTI Videos  https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/KvLyYjpQHf  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 18, 2025

The Delhi Fire Service was alerted at about 1:20 pm, and at least six fire tenders were deployed to the site.

The fire reportedly started on one of the upper floors of the apartment complex, but the exact cause is unknown.

#WATCH | A fire broke out at Brahmaputra Apartments in New Delhi. Six vehicles have been dispatched to the spot. Efforts are underway to put out the fire. https://t.co/QfqJWbteUi pic.twitter.com/0RY9JOzGbq  ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2025

Firefighters are currently actively working to bring the fire under control.

One resident who lived on the third floor said that his wife and children sustained injuries and that they are undergoing treatment to news agency ANI.

"At 1.22 PM, we received a call reporting a fire at Brahmaputra Apartments, located near Pandit Pant Marg. We immediately dispatched 14 vehicles, including TTL, as this is a high-rise building. So far, the damage is mostly on the stilt floor, and the upper floors are damaged externally. The fire has been brought under control, but our work is still ongoing. There is no casualty report yet," Delhi Fire Service ADO told ANI.

One eyewitness said I live in the adjacent flat and rushed here when I got the news. Fire officers didnt let us enter. It is being said that 23 children are injured. The fire brigade reached late, even though this area is home to MPs and is a posh locality."

Brahmaputra Apartments, inaugurated in 2020 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, serves as a residence for several Rajya Sabha MPs.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has instructed its functionaries, members, and volunteers not to celebrate Diwali this year in light of the Karur tragedy, according to Tamil media reports.

"As a tribute to our loved ones who departed from us due to the unexpected incident in Karur, we request that no one on behalf of the association should celebrate Diwali this year... On the instructions of TVK leader Vijay, please avoid Diwali celebrations," the translation of a statement reportedly released by TVK general secretary N Anand read on Saturday.

Lets honour their memory and stand together in silence and respect, the party later said in a post on X.

On September 27, a stampede at a TVK public meeting in Karur, addressed by Vijay, claimed the lives of 41 people, including women and children. Actor-politician Vijay is yet to visit the families of the victims and survivors.

A few days after the incident, Vijay's campaign vehicle, cars, etc. were worshipped at the Panayur office on the occasion of Ayudha Puja. This move was widely criticised as the vehicle that was at the tragedy site was also among those surrendered for the Puja. The decision to curtail Diwali celebrations is a precaution to avoid further backlash.

Karur tragedy and TVK

According to police, the rally saw a turnout of 27,000nearly three times the expected 10,000 participantsand Vijay reached the venue seven hours late.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Tamil Nadu Police is investigating the stampede and has arrested TVK Karur district secretary Mathiyazhagan for his alleged failure to enforce safety measures and control the crowd.

Vijays team, meanwhile, has moved the Supreme Court, demanding an independent investigation by a retired judge. The top court is scheduled to pronounce its order on October 13.

On Friday, the apex court, while reserving its orders, had questioned the Madras High Court for constituting a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the stampede and wondered how it had proceeded with the matter.
A Central Crime Station (CCS) constable was stabbed to death by a thief while he was being taken to the police station in Telangana on Friday night.

Police sources said that Constable E Pramod, 42, had gone to Hashmi Colony with CCS SI Bhimrao to apprehend Riyaz, 24, who was accused of stealing a motorcycle around 8:30 and 9 PM. After Riiyaz was caught, he was made to sit on a motorcycle between Pramod and his brother-in-law, who had accompanied them. The sub-inspector who went with them was trailing behind them on another bike.

As they neared Vinayaknagar, five kilometers away, Riyaz pulled out a knife and attacked the Constable, stabbing him in the chest. The SI had tried to intervene but was injured on the finger.

The incident occurred in public.

Some reports say that two unidentified men then arrived on the scene and helped Riyaz escape.

Many autorikshaw drivers were unwilling to take the injured officers to the hospital.

The duo was rushed to the Nizammabad Government General Hospital GHH after CCS SI Vitthal reached the area. However, Constable Pramod was declared dead.

Director General of Police (DGP) B Shivadhar Reddy directed Nizamabad Police Commissioner P Sai Chaitanya to form special teams to arrest the accused.

According to Chaitanya, Riyad was caught two months ago by the police but came out on bail. He was later suspected of being involved in a motorcycle theft, and Pramod and the SI were tasked with picking him up. Our team was unaware that he was carrying a weapon and started shifting him to the police station, Chaitanya said.

Riyaz had previously been involved in multiple snatching and theft cases, according to police. He is currently absconding.

The DGP also asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Multi Zone-I, S Chandrashekhar Reddy, to visit Nizamabad and monitor the situation.



A murder case has been registered, and further investigations are ongoing.

With inputs from PTI
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), on Saturday, announced that it will contest the upcoming Bihar assembly polls independently after the opposition alliance Mahagathbandhan, which includes the Congress and the RJD, failed to seal an agreement with the party over seat sharing.

The party had earlier asked the INDIA bloc to decide on seat sharing for the Bihar polls by October 14 or else the JMM would take its own decision.

The party will contest six assembly seatsChakai, Dhamdaha, Katoria (ST), Manihari (ST), Jamui and PirpaintiJMM general secretary and spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya said. These seats will go to the polls in the second phase on November 11.

He observed that the situation everywhere is different and sought to know why the Congress is contesting against the RJD in some seats, and the CPI against VIP.

Bhattacharya had, on October 12, said the party would take its own decision on the Bihar assembly elections if a "respectful" number of seats were not allocated to the party by INDIA bloc by October 14.

The move comes even as the BJP had claimed that there is an internal tug of war within the opposition alliance.

On Friday, JMM leader Sudivya Kumar Sonu said he has informed RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav about the seats the party is keen to contest in the Bihar assembly polls.

Earlier, the JMM had issued an ultimatum to the alliance, demanding 12 seats. JMM was keen to contest a few seats in districts along the border between Bihar and Jharkhand.

Sonu said he discussed the issue during a recent meeting in Patna, highlighting the potential advantages the INDIA bloc would gain from JMM's participation, particularly in terms of vote consolidation.

Reacting to JMM going to polls alone, BJP leader Pratul Shah Deo said, "The way Jharkhand Mukti Morcha stood at Bihars crossroads begging for one or two seats reminds me of the Hindi blockbuster song Besharmi Ki Height".
Hamas has signalled its intent to reassert security control in Gaza during the ceasefire.

Doha-based senior Hamas leader Mohammed Nazzal told Reuters that the groups refusal to disarm and its recent public executions were necessary wartime measures against alleged criminals.

His remarks point clearly to the considerable obstacles facing the United States and its regional partners as they attempt to implement the Trump Plan.

Hamas versus the Trump Plan

That 20-point plan calls for disarming Hamas, removing it from Gazas administrative structures, and setting up an internationally backed transitional authority. Yet, Hamas has moved quickly to reassert itself across the 47 per cent of Gaza now accessible to the population.

With no viable alternative government proposed and the Palestinian Authority excluded, Hamas seems to be filling the vacuum. It has rebranded its fighters as 'Gaza Security Forces', deployed them in civilian dress, and resumed control of key urban areas vacated by Israeli forces. Israeli attempts to promote rival militias have so far failed to provide an effective alternative.

Hamas has already launched a campaign to eliminate rivals and reassert dominance. Armed raids and executions in areas such as Deir Al Balah and Gaza City reflect an organised effort to neutralise any groups that challenged its rule during the conflict.

These developments are clearly against the Trump Plan, which rules out any role for Hamas in governancewhether direct or indirect.

Hamas officials have spoken of stepping back from governance, but their actions tell a different story. New governors have been appointed to administer urban areas, and the group has resumed traffic management and other basic services. On social media, it has portrayed recent clashes with rival clans as law enforcement operations aimed at restoring order and punishing collaboration with Israel.

Hamas current strategy is also driven in part by the financial crisis the group is facing. Its main sources of revenue, such as taxes and border fees, were gone during the two years of war. Post-war humanitarian aid and reconstruction could help Hamas raise much needed revenue. The group is well known for diverting aid and levying informal taxes; these measures are likely to restart soon.

Support from Iran

A key source of support for Hamas could be Iran, despite its recent military defeat and ongoing domestic instability.

Reports from Israel suggest that there have been recent attempts to smuggle weapons for Hamas. There are shipments in Sudan, some reports say, that are meant to be smuggled into Gaza. Israeli security forces have intercepted several shipments in recent months.

While Hamas military strength has been significantly degraded with the loss of thousands of fighters and senior commanders, the group has shown signs of long-term planning. Local leadership is still in place, as they avoided direct confrontation with Israeli forces when it became strategically disadvantageous. They also have access to a significant stockpile of weapons.

Israeli officials remain sceptical of the groups intentions, particularly as prisoner exchanges could result in the release of future leaders, as in the case of Yahya Sinwar.

Egypt has reported that Hamas has only agreed to freeze its weapons, not surrender them. Israeli leaders, in response, have made it clear that a full military withdrawal from Gaza is contingent upon disarmament.

Nearly a week after the ceasefire, it has become clear that Hamas remains embedded in Gazas political and security landscape. Unless the stakeholders of the Trump Plan manage to set up new governance and security mechanisms without delay, Hamas will likely continue to function as the de facto authority in Gaza and return to its past dominance, undermining hopes for a lasting resolution to the conflict.
Irans Foreign Ministry announced that the country is no longer bound by restrictions on its nuclear programme as the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement has expired. The statement said that "all of the provisions (of the deal), including the restrictions on the Iranian nuclear programme and the related mechanisms, are considered terminated."

Abbas Araghchi, Irans foreign minister, said that the country had implemented the JCPOA in good faith and with full precision while the United States grossly violated international law by withdrawing in 2018 and reimposing unilateral sanctions.

At the recent NAM Ministerial Summit in Kampala, more than 120 nations joined Iran in recognizing reality:



UN Security Council Resolution 2231 expires tomorrow 18 October, thereby terminating all past UNSC restrictions against Iran and removing Iran from the Security Council's  Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) October 17, 2025

He also told the UN that the Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the deal, has ended, reported Iran International.

The 2015 JCPOA, known as Irans nuclear deal, had put a cap on the countrys nuclear activity, most notably preventing it from enriching its large uranium stockpiles for about 15 years. It was signed into effect between Iran, China, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It went into effect in January 2016, and Iran was required to reduce its stockpile of uranium by 98 per cent.

The US left the deal in 2018 during President Donald Trump's term. Many of the countries that signed had warned that Tehran was stepping up its nuclear programme since then.

Most of the talks to revive the agreement had failed, and the latest 12-day war between Iran and Israel had ended the prospect for new talks.

Iran had refused to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the body that also had oversight of the JCPOA after the conflict.

The deals termination was set exactly ten years after it went into effect.

Britain, France, and Germany had notified the United Nations Security Council of Irans violation of the nuclear deal. The UN then reimposed the snapback sanctions, which had been lifted under the deal. The snapback provision allows the rapid reimposition of all UN sanctions if the country is found violating the deal commitments.

Araghchi said that the three European signatories failed to meet their obligations and instead imposed additional unlawful measures. He called the snapback sanctions on the country unilateral and arbitrary.

The three countries announced last week that they are trying to restart talks aimed at a "comprehensive, durable and verifiable agreement."

Tehran has denied multiple claims by the West and Israel, which accused the country of trying to acquire nuclear weapons and have said that its programme has been energy and civil-focused.
A Palestinian illegal immigrant, who was arrested in the US, was among the terrorists who invaded Israel on October 7, 2023.

Who is Mahmoud al-Muhtadi?

Mahmoud Amin Ya'qub al-Muhtadi, 33, is a member of a terrorist group named the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which is an offshoot of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. He is also a member of its military wing, the National Resistance Brigades, which has carried out several terror attacks, including the 1974 Ma'alot massacre, according to FBI.

FBI filed criminal charges partially based on information provided by Israel.

Early in the morning on October 7, 2023, Hamas leader Muhammed Deif called on "the masses" to join them and kill Israelis. "Everyone who has a rifle, take it out, as now is the time. And whoever doesnt have a rifle, take out your machete, your axe, your hatchet," Deif said back then.

Muhtadi learnt about the attack at 6.34 am from social media soon after the invasion started. By 8.12 am, he reportedly gathered a group of armed men to join the Hamas's Nukhba unit, which led the invasion in 2023. By 9.33 am, his team crossed the Israeli border. Israel has recorded the evidence of Muhtadi's mobile phone being connected to a service tower near Kibbutz Kfar Aza.

Muhtadi, who lied on his visa application to gain entry into the US, was living in Lafayette, Louisiana, since September 2024. He was arrested two weeks ago and has been lodged in a local prison.
US President Donald Trump reiterated that India would stop buying oil from Russia, and claimed that New Delhi had already reduced imports, while stressing his plan to end the Ukraine war through diplomacy and tariffs.

"India will not be buying oil from Russia," Trump said. "They have already de-escalated." The US president made the remarks at the White House during his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while emphasising on his plan to end the Ukraine war through diplomacy and tariffs.

.@POTUS: "India is not going to be buying Russian oil anymore, and Hungary is sort of stuck because they have one pipeline... and they're inland  they don't have sea... but India will not be buying oil from Russia." pic.twitter.com/KXpUBejIvU  Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 17, 2025

Earlier this week, Trump had claimed that, in a phone conversation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him that India would stop buying Russian oil. US believes that the import of Russian crude oil is helping fund Russias war against Ukraine.

However, the Ministry of External Affairs later dismissed Trumps claims, saying that there was no phone conversation between the two leaders. "On the question of whether there was a conversation or a telephone call between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump, I am not aware of any conversation yesterday between the two leaders," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said during the press conference.

Russia remains Indias primary crude oil supplier, accounting for approximately one-third of its total oil imports.

Trump, however, defended Hungary for continuing its import of Russian crude oil. "Hungary is sort of stuck because they have one pipeline that's been there for years and years and years. They're inland  they don't have sea. It's very hard for them to get oil. I understand it." He said that Hungary has already begun reducing its oil imports from Russia. This shift in Trump's stance coincides with an upcoming high-stakes meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest within the next two weeks.

Enough blood has been shed...

Earlier, Trump called for an immediate end to the brutal war between Kyiv and Moscow, following the meeting at the White House with Zelenskyy.

"Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by War and Guts," Trump posted on Truth Social shortly after his two-hour talks with Zelenskyy. He added, "They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide!"

His recent remarks suggest that Moscow keep the territory it has seized from Kyiv. This indicates yet another shift in Trumps stance, who had, in recent weeks, shown growing impatience with Putin and expressed willingness to help Ukraine win the war. Last month, after meeting Zelenskyy at the UN General Assembly in New York, Trump had suggested that Ukraine could reclaim all territory lost since Russia's February 2022 invasion. Though earlier, he had insisted Kyiv would need to concede land to end the war.

Whether Trumps stance changed post the phone call he had with Putin on Thursday, is open to speculation. And theres also the meeting between the two leaders in Budapest.

Zelenskyy, after Friday's meeting, avoided a direct answer to questions on Trump's push for Ukraine to surrender land, and instead said that it was time for a ceasefire and negotiations.
A massive fire broke out at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) on Saturday afternoon, which has led to flight operations being suspended for the time being.

VIDEO | Dhaka, Bangladesh: A fire broke out at a section of the Cargo Village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport this afternoon. More details awaited.#Dhaka #AirportFire #HazratShahjalal



(Full video available on PTI Videos  https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/flGkHso2xq  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 18, 2025

The incident took place at the cargo terminal of the airport just after 2 PM, a Dhaka Tribune report said, citing Biman Bangladesh Airlines spokesperson Kawser Mahmud. However, the cause of the fire is not yet known.

Teams from the airport's fire department, in addition to the Bangladesh Air Force's fire unit and other agencies, were promptly rushed to the terminal.

According to Bangladesh's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Bangladesh Navy and two Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) platoons have also joined more than 30 firefighting units at the airport trying to bring the blaze under control, a Daily Star report said.

"All our aircraft are confirmed safe. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops," a spokesperson for HSIA said, as per the report.

As a result, Batik Air's OD-163 flight from Dhaka to Kuala Lumpur and IndiGo's 6E-1116 from Dhaka to Mumbai have been stalled on the runway for the time being, as per a Business Standard report.

A number of inbound flights were affected too.

A Dhaka-bound IndiGo flight from Delhi was redirected to Kolkata, while three other flightsan Air Arabia flight from Sharjah, a US-Bangla Airlines flight from Bangkok, and a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from Saidpurlanded in Bangladesh's Chattogram, instead of Dhaka.

The airfield at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka will remain closed until 6:00 PM today, said Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil, a public relations officer at the Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram.
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Like it or not, the news boss is starting strong with a continued push to clean up the property tax hot mess that inspired an uprising against former Exec Frank White.

Here's the most important part of today's presser . . .

The changes retroactively place a cap of a 15 percent increase on commercial properties whose values rose by more than 15 percent in 2025 compared to 2024.



Jackson County records show the average commercial property increased by 24 percent in 2025.



Alongside LeVotas action, the county legislature will introduce a resolution at Mondays meeting codifying the County Executives approach.



This is how we send a clear message that Jackson County is now open for business, said Chair of the Legislature DaRon McGee.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Lots of items to catch up on in this compilation as we check police action, ALLEGED misdeeds and legal consequences . . .

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Kansas City mom, son recovering after head-on crash, man charged with DWI A Kansas City mom and her son were badly injured after an alleged drunk driver hit their car head-on late last month in Clay County.

Second brother set for plea on charges in shooting at North Kansas City High School Police have said that 54 shell casings were found at the scene of the shooting on the campus of North Kansas City High School last year.

Investigation underway after Clay County inmate dies 6 days after suicide attempt An investigation is underway after a Clay County Detention Center Inmate died six days after attempting suicide in his cell.

Independence man alleged to have fired shots out passenger window after verbal spat at McDonald's Ellis Teter is charged in Jackson County with one count of armed criminal action and one count of unlawful use of a weapon following a shooting in May 2024.

Police in Cass County warn parents after stranger approaches children twice in a week The Drexel, Missouri Police Department is warning families to stay alert after two encounters involving a man asking children

Ex-Marion police chief says he's not guilty in text message case tied to newspaper raid His lawyer argued that it was legally impossible for his instructions to a witness to be withholding information because he was the lead investigator in the case and had copies of the text messages on his own phone.

Kansas City woman arrested again after leading police on chase with child in back seat A Kansas City woman has now been accused of leading police on a chase twice in the last seven months.

Missouri AG files felony fraud charges against contractor for uncompleted repairs The Missouri Attorney General has filed charges against a contractor for allegedly defrauding customers in Jackson County.

KCK man charged with murder after man dies following aggravated battery Tilghman Jr. is currently in custody at the Wyandotte County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

Former KC firefighter pleads guilty to assaulting co-worker at station last year Brian Taylor, who had been with Kansas City Fire Department since 2006 before leaving the job in July, pleaded guilty Friday to assaulting a co-worker.

Man sentenced for killing 6-year-old boy in Kansas City, Kansas A man who was convicted of killing a 6-year-old boy who was playing outside in Kansas City, Kansas, has been sentenced.

Man, 78, dies from injuries in September assault in Kansas City, Kansas A Kansas City, Kansas, man has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the beating death of a 78-year-old man in September.

Sugar Creek man raises concerns about emergency response through town One man blames inaction and poor city infrastructure for having to wait too long for an ambulance. FOX4 Problem Solvers goes to Independence to see what they're doing about it.

Jackson County promised a crackdown on domestic violence in 2025. Is it working? Prosecutors said they have filed charges in about 70% of domestic assault cases that they have reviewed in 2025, up from about 54% in 2024.

Still no answers 20 years after woman found stabbed to death in Independence On Oct. 16, 2005, Lakota Renville was found stabbed to death near Pitcher Road and Blue Ridge Cutoff in Independence, MO.

Overland Park Police Department to launch real time crime monitoring center with QuikTrip partnership The Overland Park Police Department will open a state-of-the-art real time crime center equipped with advanced surveillance technology designed to monitor and help stop criminal activity.

SILVER Alert issued for missing 68-year-old Kansas City woman with dementia The Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) has issued a SILVER Alert for a 68-year-old woman with dementia.

New Overland Park police hub aims for faster & smarter responses ahead of World Cup A new surveillance hub is meant to improve police responses in Overland Park.

Developing . . .
The topic of the day again . . . Thousands of Kansas City residents will participate in a mass protest against Prez Trump that has dominated political headlines this week.

What we notice that might not matter . . .

This time around we're seeing a separate protest in JoCo and even some nearby cities setting up their own events.

Here are the basics as we're welcome to just about any comment and look forward to more nuanced perspectives from either side . . . We tried to mix up the news link offerings this time around . . . Let's start with the basics . . .

"This summer, organizers said more than 5 million people participated in No Kings protests against President Trump. Organizers say they expect an even bigger turnout this time around."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Biggest US labor unions fuel No Kings protests against Trump: 'You need a voice to have freedom' More than 2,600 events are planned across the US to dissent against Trump's policies. Organizer James Phipps, 75, says: 'Protest is all I've done all my life'

Anti-Israel radicals from 'global intifada' movement join 'No Kings' protests Anti-Israel groups are joining Saturday's 'No Kings' protests across the U.S., raising questions about George Soros-funded nonprofits potentially violating tax laws.

No Kings protests across US cause states to activate National Guard Texas and Virginia governors have troops on standby amid nationwide protests against President Donald Trump.

"I'm not a king," Trump says ahead of nationwide No Kings protests "They're referring to me as a king. I'm not a king," Trump said.

LIST: 'No Kings' protest rallies planned in Kansas City area on Saturday More nationwide 'No Kings' protests are planned for Saturday, with at least a dozen in the Kansas City metro area.

What is 'No Kings' and where are protests happening around Kansas City? Large crowds are coming together Saturday in Missouri and Kansas and across the country to peacefully protest what organizers call a fight against "corruption" and "dictatorship."

Developing . . .
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. The Azerbaijani Army launched a counter-offensive operation, later called the "Iron Fist", on September 27, 2020, in response to the large-scale provocation of the Armenian armed forces along the frontline.

The 44-day second Karabakh war ended with the liberation of Azerbaijans territories from nearly 30-year Armenian occupation and the restoration of territorial integrity.

On October 18, 2020, First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva has made a post on her official Instagram page.

Trend presents the post:

"Another victory of the Azerbaijani Army! The city of Fuzuli and several villages of the Fuzuli district are liberated from the occupation. During long years, many of our fellow citizens were longing for their native Land! So many of our compatriots have been dreaming to see their native lands again even for one time. Today, our Army that liberates the ancient Azerbaijani lands, makes dreams of millions of Azerbaijanis come true. This is the triumphant justice! This is because those are our native lands, land of our forefathers. I pray for the life and health of every Azerbaijani soldier and officer. May Almighty Lord bless our Army, our People, our Motherland and the President! Karabakh is Azerbaijan!"
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. The challenges arising from climate change and environmental degradation are increasing, said Shahriyar Hajiyev First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United Nations at the meeting on "Promotion and Protection of Human Rights" of the Third Committee of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, Trend reports.

"Challenges arising from climate change and environmental degradation are increasing, negatively impacting billions of people worldwide and their broad range of human rights.

The decisions adopted at COP29 under Azerbaijans Presidency will strengthen the international communitys response through their implementation. In particular, the Baku Finance Goal aims to mobilise at least 300 billion USD annually by 2035 for developing countries, and its implementation is of utmost importance in this context.

Effective action by the international community is necessary to address human rights challenges arising from climate change, such as displacement, poverty, food scarcity and hunger, and water shortages.

Azerbaijan has submitted its fourth Voluntary National Review, on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2024, outlining the measures taken, among others, to combat climate change and environmental degradation. These measures are aimed at providing a sustainable socio-economic development for the population and their well-being. The realisation of related human rights, in particular the rights to health, food, housing and water, depends on a sustainable environment and effective policies in this field," said Hajiyev.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. As Astana prepares for the state visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Kazinform News Agency shares an exclusive interview with His Excellency. During the conversation, President Ilham Aliyev spoke about his view of bilateral cooperation with Kazakhstan, as well as ongoing partnerships in trade, energy, culture, and the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

Trend presents the interview.

- Your Excellency, your state visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan is expected very soon. How would you characterize the current level of political relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, and what are your expectations for the upcoming visit?

 The political relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan today are distinguished by a high degree of strength and mutual trust. Over the past decades, based on the historical bonds of brotherhood, friendship, and mutual support, as well as on the solid foundation of our shared Turkic identity, similar cultural traditions, and spiritual values of our peoples, we have built relations of genuine strategic and allied partnership.

Undoubtedly, an important factor contributing to the strengthening of bilateral cooperation is the active and constructive dialogue conducted at the highest level, which gives new impetus to the comprehensive deepening of interstate ties in all areas.

Over the past three years, this will be my seventh visit to the brotherly country. I am pleased to observe dynamic development and new achievements during each visit to Kazakhstan. These accomplishments reflect the purposeful and well-calibrated state policy carried out under the leadership of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev. I am particularly impressed by the successful implementation of reforms aimed at modernizing the country and diversifying its economy. I would like to congratulate the entire brotherly nation of Kazakhstan on these results. During the same period, President Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev has visited Azerbaijan six times. All this demonstrates our mutual commitment to developing comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction between our countries. Furthermore, regular contacts allow us to promptly address pressing issues on the agenda and coordinate positions on key areas of cooperation.

Taking this opportunity, I would like once again to express my gratitude to brotherly Kazakhstan for the construction of the Kurmangazy Childrens Creativity Center in the liberated city of Fuzuli. This center has become an important cultural and educational institution, currently providing education to about 100 children.

Over the years, we have developed a solid contractual and legal framework  about 170 documents  and established mechanisms for productive interaction in political, trade, economic, investment, cultural, humanitarian, and other spheres. I would particularly like to note the significance of the Treaty on Strategic Partnership and Allied Relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, the 20th anniversary of which we celebrated this year. This document laid a reliable foundation for the development of AzerbaijaniKazakh cooperation in various fields, and over the years, collaboration between our countries has significantly expanded in all directions.

It is also worth emphasizing the importance of the Supreme Interstate Council, whose first meeting took place last year during the state visit of the President of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan. During the upcoming second meeting in Astana, further prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation and steps to elevate AzerbaijaniKazakh relations to a new level will be discussed.

Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan also cooperate effectively in multilateral formats, particularly within international and regional organizations, including the United Nations (UN), the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), among others. Our countries support each other in the international arena, sharing common positions on many issues.

- How has trade and economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan developed in recent years?

 The scope of trade and economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is very broad. We are pleased to note the steady growth of trade and economic interaction. Both countries are consistently implementing joint initiatives, expanding cooperation across various sectors of the economy. This progress has been made possible thanks to a purposeful state policy, active dialogue between business representatives, and our shared commitment to developing mutually beneficial and partnership-based relations.

To date, about 250 commercial entities with Kazakh capital are registered in Azerbaijan, which confirms the high level of trust in the investment climate and creates a strong foundation for further expansion of economic cooperation.

Positive dynamics are also clearly visible in the field of mutual trade. In 2024, the volume of trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $470 million, and in the period from January to August 2025 it reached $547 million, exceeding the same period of the previous year by more than threefold. This growth is due to the effective use of the Middle Corridors potential and the systematic modernization of transport and logistics infrastructure.

At the same time, investment cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is also strengthening: Azerbaijani investments in Kazakhstans economy have reached $225 million, while Kazakh investments in Azerbaijan total $136 million. These figures demonstrate both sides mutual interest in long-term partnership and sustainable development.

- How would you assess the level of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in the transport and logistics and oil and gas sectors, as well as in the field of green energy? What is the significance of the Middle Corridor for both countries? What steps are taken to improve the efficiency of transportation through the ports of Aktau and Alat?

 Transport and logistics cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is a strategically important direction that opens new opportunities for economic growth and the integration of regional markets. The continuous development of infrastructure and expansion of tariff and logistical advantages create favorable conditions for increasing the volume of freight transport and further strengthening bilateral relations.

Today, this area of cooperation demonstrates significant progress. The volume of transit shipments between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in 2024 exceeded 3.5 million tons, which is 20% higher than the previous period. The Middle Corridor plays a key role in ensuring stable and efficient connectivity between the two countries.

In 2022, in the city of Aktau, the Roadmap for 20222027 on the Development and Operation of the Middle Corridor was signed, covering the territories of Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan. The document provides for the synchronized development of the transport and logistics infrastructure of the three countries, optimization of operations, attraction of additional cargo flow, implementation of a unified tariff policy, development of a network of logistics centers, and resolution of other key issues.

One significant infrastructure project is the construction of submarine fiber-optic communication lines along the bottom of the Caspian Sea between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. The construction contract was signed in March 2025 in Baku, with completion planned for the end of 2026, which will strengthen digital integration.

In the oil and gas sector, a general agreement on the transit of Kazakh oil with a volume of 1.5 million tons per year via the AktauCeyhan route has been signed between SOCAR and the National Company KazMunayGas. In 2024, an agreement was signed on the phased increase of transit volumes and reduction of tariffs.

To enhance transportation efficiency through the ports of Aktau and Alat, measures are being implemented to modernize infrastructure, renew rolling stock, and more  all of which will strengthen the position of the Middle Corridor as a key transit route between Europe and Asia.

In industrial cooperation, an important area is also partnership in the shipbuilding industry.

The development of green energy occupies an important place on the bilateral agenda. In 2024, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan signed a series of strategic agreements and memorandums aimed at integrating energy systems and promoting renewable energy sources. These initiatives reflect the shared commitment of our states to sustainable development and the transition to environmentally clean technologies.

- How do you assess the role of the Organization of Turkic States in strengthening ties between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan?

 The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) plays a key role in strengthening the brotherly ties between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan and serves as an effective platform for deepening political dialogue, expanding economic relations, and developing humanitarian cooperation.

Founded in 2009 on the ancient Azerbaijani land of Nakhchivan, the Organization of Turkic States has made a great contribution to strengthening cooperation and enhancing solidarity among Turkic peoples and countries. Last year, the first informal Summit was held in Shusha, and recently, the 12th Summit of the OTS Heads of State took place in Gabala. During these high-level meetings, key issues of cooperation among our countries within the organization were productively discussed, and declarations were signed to strengthen the OTS, consolidate the Turkic world, and enhance its political, economic, and military potential, turning it into a center of power on the global stage.

In the cultural, humanitarian, and educational spheres, cooperation between our countries within the OTS is systematic and progressive. Joint initiatives cover a wide range of areas  from organizing festivals, exhibitions, literary evenings, and conferences to active collaboration among academic and educational institutions.

Within the framework of the OTS, the International Turkic Academy operates successfully, playing an important role in research and strengthening scientific and educational ties. We also cooperate closely within TURKSOY, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA), and other international organizations, which once again testifies to the high level of trust between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

I would like to especially emphasize the historical significance of the First Turkological Congress, held in Baku in 1926. This event became an important milestone in the development of Turkic science, culture, and unity. Next year will mark the 100th anniversary of this remarkable forum, and the jubilee of the First Turkological Congress is planned to be solemnly celebrated within the framework of the OTS.

- How closely do our countries cooperate in the cultural and humanitarian spheres?

 As I have stated earlier, our peoples are united by centuries-old history, culture, religion, and common values. The development of cultural ties plays an important role in bringing our peoples closer together and strengthening brotherly bonds.

In 2023, the Days of Kazakh Culture were held in Azerbaijan, and in 2024, the Days of Azerbaijani Culture took place in Kazakhstan. Such events reflect the dynamic development of creative cooperation between our peoples and contribute to the mutual enrichment of the cultural traditions of both countries.

I would like to note with satisfaction the publication in Azerbaijani of the collection of stories Night Shot by Kemel Tokayev, one of the most outstanding figures who made a great contribution to the development of Kazakh literature.

In 2023, an international conference dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Kemel Tokayev and the 115th anniversary of Mir Jalal Pashayev was also held in Baku.

- The issue of the Caspian Seas shallowing is becoming increasingly urgent. How are Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan coordinating their actions on this matter?

 Today, unfortunately, the Caspian Sea is facing a number of serious environmental challenges. One of the most pressing problems is the shallowing  the rapid decline in the water level  which poses both ecological and economic threats. At the Sixth Caspian Summit, held in 2022, I raised the issue of ecological imbalance in the Caspian Sea. Unfortunately, since then, the situation has only worsened. The water level in the Caspian Sea is rapidly declining, and the reasons for this lie not only in climate change.

In this situation, it is extremely important for all Caspian littoral states to establish close cooperation, actively exchange scientific information, and develop coordinated measures to mitigate the consequences.

The drop in the Caspian Seas water level and the resulting environmental changes threaten biodiversity and the sustainability of the ecosystem, requiring coordinated actions to protect nature and restore ecological balance.

In addition, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and other Caspian states can and should actively promote initiatives for the protection of the Caspian Sea at regional and international platforms. Amid growing transnational environmental risks, the Caspian Sea is no longer merely a body of water but has become a symbol of our shared responsibility and the necessity for united action.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. Transport and logistics cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is a strategically important direction that opens new opportunities for economic growth and the integration of regional markets, said President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in an exclusive interview with Kazinform News Agency ahead of his state visit to Kazakhstan, Trend reports.

"The continuous development of infrastructure and expansion of tariff and logistical advantages create favorable conditions for increasing the volume of freight transport and further strengthening bilateral relations.

Today, this area of cooperation demonstrates significant progress. The volume of transit shipments between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in 2024 exceeded 3.5 million tons, which is 20% higher than the previous period. The Middle Corridor plays a key role in ensuring stable and efficient connectivity between the two countries," the head of state said.

President Ilham Aliyev noted that, in 2022, in the city of Aktau, the Roadmap for 20222027 on the Development and Operation of the Middle Corridor was signed, covering the territories of Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan.

"The document provides for the synchronized development of the transport and logistics infrastructure of the three countries, optimization of operations, attraction of additional cargo flow, implementation of a unified tariff policy, development of a network of logistics centers, and resolution of other key issues.

One significant infrastructure project is the construction of submarine fiber-optic communication lines along the bottom of the Caspian Sea between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. The construction contract was signed in March 2025 in Baku, with completion planned for the end of 2026, which will strengthen digital integration," the head of state added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. The Middle Corridor plays a key role in ensuring stable and efficient connectivity between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, said President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in an exclusive interview with Kazinform News Agency ahead of his state visit to Kazakhstan, Trend reports.

"The volume of transit shipments between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in 2024 exceeded 3.5 million tons, which is 20% higher than the previous period. The Middle Corridor plays a key role in ensuring stable and efficient connectivity between the two countries.

In 2022, in the city of Aktau, the Roadmap for 20222027 on the Development and Operation of the Middle Corridor was signed, covering the territories of Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan. The document provides for the synchronized development of the transport and logistics infrastructure of the three countries, optimization of operations, attraction of additional cargo flow, implementation of a unified tariff policy, development of a network of logistics centers, and resolution of other key issues," President Ilham Aliyev said.

The head of state noted that one significant infrastructure project is the construction of submarine fiber-optic communication lines along the bottom of the Caspian Sea between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

"The construction contract was signed in March 2025 in Baku, with completion planned for the end of 2026, which will strengthen digital integration," President Ilham Aliyev added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, Hikmet Hajiyev, shared a post on his official X page regarding the visit of First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva to the Vatican, Trend reports.

Hajiyev stated that the First Vice Presidents productive meetings, including her meeting with Pope Leo XIV, clearly demonstrate Azerbaijans commitment to interfaith understanding and intercultural dialogue.

"The visit of the First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, to the Vatican; her intense, productive meetings; and especially her audience with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the countrys support for the restoration of Catholic Christian heritage, and its long-term cooperation in this field vividly demonstrate Azerbaijans commitment to interfaith understanding and dialogue among religions, cultures, and civilizations. This visit is also a bright example of Azerbaijans cultural and humanitarian diplomacy.

Azerbaijana secular nation with a Muslim-majority population, rich Islamic traditions, and a long history of peaceful coexistence among Muslims, Christians, Jews, and representatives of other faithsstands today as a shining example of inclusivity, tolerance, and multicultural harmony.

Proud of its strong record in womens empowerment transforming the entire South Caucasus region into a space of peace and stability, Azerbaijan continues to advance a positive global agenda focused on peace, dialogue, and cooperation," the post reads.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 19. The Azerbaijani Army launched a counter-offensive operation, later called the "Iron Fist", on September 27, 2020, in response to the large-scale provocation of the Armenian armed forces along the frontline, Trend reports.

The erupted 44-day Second Karabakh War ended with the liberation of Azerbaijans territories from nearly 30-year Armenian occupation.

Trend presents the chronicle of the 23-rd day of the second Karabakh war:

- President Ilham Aliyev has received a delegation led by the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Mustafa Sentop.

- President Ilham Aliyev gave a video interview to the Russian TASS news agency.

- President Ilham Aliyev shared a publication on Twitter about Armenia's heavy artillery shelling of settlements in violation of the humanitarian ceasefire.

- President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Chief of the State Border Service of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Elchin Guliyev on raising the Azerbaijani flag on the Khudafarin bridge.

- President Ilham Aliyev shared a publication on Twitter about the liberation of several villages in the Jabrayil district.

- The Armenian military equipment and weapons were destroyed. The list of the destroyed equipment has been announced.

- A high-ranking official of an Armenian Armed Forces battalion was killed.

- As a result of the shelling of the Tartar district by the Armenian Armed Forces, the owner of the house was seriously injured.

- Armenia shelled Azerbaijani positions on the state border.

- The Azerbaijani army has seized a certain amount of military equipment abandoned by Armenian troops.

- Armenians opened fire on the film crew of the Azerbaijani AzTV channel in Aghdam, injuring one journalist.

- The Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan has released a video of a war trophies seized from Armenian troops in the direction of Jabrayil and Fuzuli.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. Every nation has days in its history that reshape its destiny and determine its future path, and for Azerbaijan, one of these significant days is October 18the Restoration of Independence Day, political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend.

Garayev noted that on this day, the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Azerbaijan adopted the Constitutional Act On the State Independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan, fulfilling the nations aspirations for freedom and establishing the legal basis for the restoration of national statehood.

Restoring independence was not merely a political event but also a national and moral revival. The formation of Azerbaijan as an independent state was not easy. In the early 1990s, political instability, economic hardships, and Armenias aggression created a tense situation, he said.

He noted that with the return of National Leader Heydar Aliyev to power in 1993, stability and statehood principles were restored in the country.

Through strong state-building, independent foreign policy, and economic reforms, Azerbaijan preserved its sovereignty and embarked on a path of development, he added.

Garayev emphasized that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has further strengthened its independence and become one of the worlds respected states.

The historic victory in Karabakh in 2020 represented a real triumph of our independence. Independence is not only a political status of the state but also the freedom of the nations spirit and the expression of national identity. This freedom was not easily wonit came at the cost of hundreds of martyrs and the sacrifices of thousands. Today, as citizens of independent Azerbaijan, we must protect these values, develop our homeland, and elevate its name globally. This day is not just a historical eventit is a symbol of our pride, determination, and love of freedom. Restoration of Independence Day reminds us to reflect on our past, value our state, safeguard it, and pass it on to future generations, Garayev said.

He articulated that since the year 1991, the Azerbaijani populace has commemorated this occasion as a triumphant entity that has reestablished its sovereign territorial coherence.



In this context, it is imperative that pivotal milestones in our national narrative, especially those commemorating the attainment and reinstatement of sovereignty, are articulated with precision in alignment with their intrinsic value and importance, the analyst concluded.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. Ramiz Mehdiyev has been relieved of his membership in the Security Council of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree.

Mehdiyev was included in the Security Council by the Presidential decree dated October 23, 2019.

The Sabail District Court of Baku has made a decision in the criminal case against Mehdiyev.

The court granted the petition regarding 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.

He 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. A parliamentary delegation led by Speaker of the Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova have arrived in the town of Geneva of the Swiss Confederation with the purpose of taking part in the 151st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Trend reports, citing the Azerbaijani parliament.

The Speaker of the Milli Majlis was welcomed at the international airport of Geneva by Azerbaijans Ambassador to Switzerland Fuad Isgandarov, our countrys Permanent Representative at the UN Office in Geneva Galib Israfilov and other officials.

The visit itinerary includes Sahiba Gafarovas speech at the 151st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union as well as a number of meetings she will have with Heads of Delegations of the Participating Countries.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. On October 18, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov held a meeting with delegation led by the Commander of the U.S. Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, Trend reports, citing the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

Delegation commenced the visit with tribute to the memory of Martyrs in the Alley of Martyrs.

Welcoming the guests, the Minister of Defense informed them about the successful reforms in the Azerbaijan Army under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Ilham Aliyev.

Colonel General Z.Hasanov expressed his satisfaction with the measures implemented in various areas of bilateral cooperation and existing relations.

Admiral Brad Cooper, in his turn, expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality shown, emphasizing the benefits of mutual visits for further strengthening our relations. Thanking for the contribution of the Azerbaijan Army servicemen to the "Resolute Support" non-combat mission in Afghanistan, the guest drew attention to the need to develop cooperation.

In conclusion, new perspectives for military cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States were discussed.
25 teams to showcase their cybersecurity and AI skills over two days

The CyberCell Hackathon, jointly organized by Azercell Telecom and Baku Engineering University (BMU), will be held on October 1819, 2025, uniting young talents in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. The two-day competition aims to enhance participants digital competencies, provide opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios, and foster teamwork capabilities.

During the competition, participants will work on Red Team (attack) and Blue Team (defense) scenarios to identify cybersecurity vulnerabilities and develop innovative solutions for detecting, responding to, and preventing cyberattacks. Teams will also employ AI-powered tools to design solutions for anomaly detection, log analysis, and threat forecasting.

The CyberCell Hackathon received nearly 200 applications. Following a rigorous selection process, 25 teams from the countrys leading universities, including Azerbaijan State University of Economics, ADA University, Baku Higher Oil School, Baku Engineering University, Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, the French-Azerbaijani University, the Academy of the State Customs Committee, Azerbaijan Cooperation University, Khazar University, and Azerbaijan Technical University, earned the right to compete.

The top-performing team will be awarded a cash prize of 4,000 AZN, while the second and third place winners will receive 3,000 AZN and 2,000 AZN, respectively.

Azercell wishes all hackathon participants success!
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. The operation to tow the Neptune jackup rig to the offshore area where it will operate - the Umid platform - began with the participation of vessels of ASCO, one of the AZCON Holding companies, today, Trend reports.

ASCO's Mardakan, Zira, and Andoga vessels are actively engaged in the towing operation, contributing their specialized capabilities in maritime logistics and support.



It is pertinent to highlight that the Neptune jackup rig was successfully transported to Azerbaijan from the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea, facilitated by ASCO vessels, in June of the current year for subsequent modification operations. The execution of that operation involved the collaborative engagement of the Hovsan, Hovsan-2, SOCAR-1, Andoga, Shuvalan, and Mardakan vessels.

The Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Joint-Stock Company (ASCO) merged the countrys main fleets, the Azerbaijan State Caspian Sea Shipping Company and the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republics Caspian Sea Oil Fleet. The Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping CJSC has two shipyards and offshore support and commercial fleets. The merchant fleet has 51 ships: 20 tankers, 12 ferries, 16 dry cargo, 1 Ro-Ro, and 2 Ro-Pax. By integrating maritime fleets, the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping CJSC takes on high-level responsibilities.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. Estonia will officially join the European Unions Nuclear Alliance on October 20 during a meeting in Luxembourg, Trend reports.

The move marks a significant step toward the countrys goal of developing nuclear energy and actively participating in shaping the future of nuclear power policy within the EU.

The forthcoming Energy Sector Development Plan sets nuclear energy as one of our key ambitions. Considering this, the Nuclear Alliance is the right platform to discuss lessons learned, sectoral developments, and the safe advancement of nuclear energy together with other member states, said Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt.

Until now, Estonia has participated in the alliances discussions as an observer, sharing the belief that nuclear energy has a vital role to play in a clean, secure, and independent European energy system.

Led by the Ministry of Climate, Estonia has established a National Nuclear Energy Steering Group to coordinate preparations for introducing nuclear power across different government sectors. The draft Nuclear Energy Act is expected to be submitted to the Government of the Republic in the spring of 2026, with plans to establish an independent nuclear regulator by early 2027.

One of the key issues in adopting the Nuclear Energy Act will be supporting the development of expertise among Estonian companies and research institutions. I believe the Nuclear Alliance will help us move closer to understanding what kind of specialists we need and how they can contribute to our ambitions, Minister Sutt added.

The Nuclear Alliance (NA) is a voluntary cooperation format created to strengthen the role of nuclear energy in Europes energy system. Nearly 20 European countries are part of the alliance, including Belgium, Finland, France, Poland, Sweden, and Romania.

Estonia will also continue its full membership in the EUs Renewable Energy Cooperation platform, reaffirming its commitment to a balanced and sustainable energy future.
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Iran's non-oil exports to Turkmenistan gain ground in 6M2025

Irans non-oil exports to Turkmenistan rose 32.7% in value and 15.7% in volume in the first half of the Iranian year. Exports reached $318 million, including agricultural and industrial products. Total bilateral trade grew 27.9% in value to $323 million.

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Romania ramping up its oil imports from Azerbaijan in 9M2025

Romania increased its oil imports from Azerbaijan to around $430 million in the first nine months of the year, with shipments totaling about 780,000 tons.

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Azerbaijan tracks public, private and individual shares in foreign trade through 9M2025

From January to September 2025, Azerbaijan imported $16.7 billion in goods, including 30.3% from the state sector, 59.84% from the commercial sector, and 9.58% from individuals. The private sector generated $10.2 billion, while the public sector provided $8.3 billion. The public sector contributed 44.61 percent to $18.6 billion in exports. Exports were $18.6 billion and imports $16.7 billion, increasing Azerbaijan's trade turnover to $35.3 billion. The surplus dropped 2.8 to $1.83 billion from the previous fiscal year.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. Close cooperation between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan plays a key role in shaping a new transport and logistics framework across Eurasia, Kazakh political analyst Aman Mambetali told Trend.

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are bound by centuries-old ties of brotherhood and spiritual and cultural unity. Since regaining independence, both countries have served as key centers of the Turkic world and active members of the Organization of Turkic States, viewing Turkic cooperation as an important part of foreign policy and a tool for strengthening regional stability, he said.

Mambetali noted that over more than 30 years of diplomatic relations, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have steadily developed a dialogue based on mutual respect, trust, and support, elevating their ties to the level of strategic partnership.

The uniqueness of Kazakh-Azerbaijani relations lies in their multi-layered naturefrom political and economic to humanitarian and cultural. Economic cooperation is reinforced by stronger ties in education, science, and media, while public and cultural diplomacy creates a solid social foundation for further convergence, he explained.

According to him, the Azerbaijani diaspora in Kazakhstan, which comes in at around 155,000 people (according to 20212025 data), steps up to play an important role in bilateral relations.

The analyst added that the diaspora actively participates in the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, promotes intercultural dialogue, and contributes to the development of humanitarian ties. This foundation fosters mutual understanding between the societies of both countries and encourages exchanges in education, media, and the arts.

He further articulated that Kazakhstan has consistently endorsed Azerbaijans sovereignty and territorial integrity.



Mambetali highlighted that the prevailing dynamics of trade relations between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan exhibit favorable trajectories across all sectors.



From his perspective, the trajectory of trade turnover is poised for sustained growth, given the substantial synergy potential that persists.

He stressed that Kazakhstan acts as a 'gateway' to Central Asia, while Azerbaijan is the same for the South Caucasus, which boosts their strategic role in the region.

Economic cooperation between the countries shows steady growth. In the first half of 2025, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan reached $331.7 million, nearly 40 percent more than in the same period of 2024. Of that, Kazakhstans exports totaled $281.6 million, and imports from Azerbaijan were around $50 million.

According to Azerbaijans Ministry of Economy, shipments from Kazakhstan rose nearly fivefold to $448 million from January through July 2025. Azerbaijan consistently ranks among Kazakhstans top 10 trading partners in the region, he also said.

Mambetali highlighted that Kazakhstan mainly exports metals, grain, petroleum products, and chemicals, while Azerbaijan supplies electronics, equipment, and food products. In the long term, both sides aim to increase trade turnover to $1 billion, which they consider an achievable goal.

In todays global geopolitical turbulence, a new transport and logistics framework is emerging across Eurasia. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijans close and mutually beneficial cooperation plays a central role in this process. The countries have a special place in the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) linking Asia and Europe.

This route is becoming one of the most promising global logistics directions: goods from Kazakhstan are delivered via the Caspian Sea through the ports of Aktau and Kuryk to Azerbaijan, then move through Georgia and Turkiye to Europe, he mentioned.

Mambetali further articulated that both sides are actively developing port infrastructure, container terminals, and logistics hubs, while simplifying administrative and customs procedures. At the same time, digital solutions are being implementedincluding electronic document flow, which shortens cargo processing times and improves route efficiency.

Active cooperation between the two countries opens up new opportunities to enhance Kazakhstans transit potential and its emergence as one of the regions major transport hubs. According to Kazakhstans Ministry of Transport, transit cargo volume through the country could grow fivefold by 2029up to one million tons. This growth will be driven by the development of road transport, modernization of border checkpoints, infrastructure upgrades, and expanded cooperation with neighboring states, the analyst said.

According to him, cooperation goes beyond just moving the goods; it also includes pouring resources into fresh roads, transport hubs, logistics setups, and sprucing up customs processes.

The world is unstable and constantly changing, at an ever-accelerating pace. It's precisely during this period, thanks to the political will and initiative of our leaders, that new geopolitical opportunities are opening upparticularly as Kazakh-Azerbaijani relations shift toward multi-vector cooperation and development in areas such as innovation and digital technologies, alongside traditional fields.

Both countries view digitalization not just as a tool for economic modernization but also as a key to boosting global competitiveness. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan share similar strategic priorities: AI development, digital ecosystems, cybersecurity, and the expansion of e-government services, Mambetali said.

He pointed out that joint panels are regularly held at major international tech platforms, such as the Digital Bridge Forum in Astana or the Bakutel exhibition in Baku, where ministry officials, IT companies, and startups from both countries discuss technological integration and knowledge exchange.

These events have already become a magnet for investors and innovation teams from the Turkic world, contributing to the creation of a unified digital space for Turkic-speaking countries, Mambetali clarified.

He also added that a key step was the signing of memoranda of cooperation between the digital development ministries of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, covering joint work on cloud technologies, analytical platforms, digital government services, and the creation of a network of incubators and accelerators to support IT startups. The cooperation also includes specialist exchange, joint hackathons, and data center infrastructure development.

Modern Kazakh-Azerbaijani relations are based on personal trust and mutual respect between Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Ilham Aliyev. This gives bilateral cooperation both stability and momentum, Mambetali noted.

He also quoted President Tokayev's statement that 'the strong foundation of partnership between the two countries is built on centuries-old brotherly ties and mutual support on the international stage.'

The analyst underscored that the synergistic rapport between the leaders facilitates enhanced mutual comprehension across a broad spectrum of issues.



A pivotal benchmark was the 2022 ratification of the Joint Declaration aimed at fortifying strategic relations and enhancing allied collaboration, which catalyzed a novel phase in bilateral engagements, Mambetali articulated.



The analyst posits that this catalyzed the establishment of the High Intergovernmental Council, alongside the formation of Business and Expert Councils, thereby facilitating synergistic collaboration. In the preceding 18-month period, approximately 40 bilateral agreements have been executed, underscoring a significant degree of political alignment.

President Tokayev noted that since 2020, trade turnover between the two countries has increased nearly fivefoldfrom $109 million to $529 million. Joint projects in transport, energy, and agriculture give this cooperation a practical dimension. A symbol of brotherhood is the Kurmanghazy Children's Creativity Center in Fuzuli, built by Kazakhstan as a gift to the Azerbaijani people, Mambetali concluded.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) has released the official exchange rates for foreign currencies as of October 18, Trend reports.

According to the rates announced by the CBI, the value of 18 currencies went up, while 26 currencies dropped compared to October 16.

The official rate for $1 is 575,133 rials, while one euro is valued at 671,331 rials. On October 16, the euro was priced at 669,396 rials.

Currency Rial on October 18 Rial on October 16 1 US dollar USD 575,133 575,237 1 British pound GBP 771,855 770,420 1 Swiss franc CHF 726,130 721,569 1 Swedish krona SEK 60,985 60,681 1 Norwegian krone NOK 57,156 56,958 1 Danish krone DKK 89,881 89,636 1 Indian rupee INR 6,535 6,537 1 UAE Dirham AED 156,605 156,634 1 Kuwaiti dinar KWD 1,881,081 1,878,619 100 Pakistani rupees PKR 203,742 203,809 100 Japanese yen JPY 382,518 380,397 1 Hong Kong dollar HKD 74,041 73,993 1 Omani rial OMR 1,494,754 1,495,400 1 Canadian dollar CAD 409,427 409,837 1 New Zealand dollar NZD 329,025 329,196 1 South African rand ZAR 33,082 33,183 1 Turkish lira TRY 13,708 13,746 1 Russian ruble RUB 7,079 7,348 1 Qatari riyal QAR 158,004 158,032 100 Iraqi dinars IQD 43,900 43,914 1 Syrian pound SYP 44 44 1 Australian dollar AUD 372,998 374,612 1 Saudi riyal SAR 153,369 153,397 1 Bahraini dinar BHD 1,529,609 1,529,886 1 Singapore dollar SGD 444,002 443,814 100 Bangladeshi takas BDT 472,227 472,642 10 Sri Lankan rupees LKR 18,994 19,002 1 Myanmar kyat MMK 274 274 100 Nepalese rupees NPR 408,236 408,346 1 Libyan dinar LYD 105,917 105,784 1 Chinese yuan CNY 80,701 80,695 100 Thai baht THB 1,753,628 1,765,403 1 Malaysian ringgit MYR 136,094 136,130 1,000 South Korean won KRW 404,343 404,171 1 Jordanian dinar JOD 811,189 811,336 1 euro EUR 671,331 669,396 100 Kazakh tenge KZT 106,948 106,785 1 Georgian lari GEL 212,621 212,421 1,000 Indonesian rupiahs IDR 34,747 34,639 1 Afghan afghani AFN 8,648 8,652 1 Belarusian ruble BYN 168,901 168,914 1 Azerbaijani manat AZN 338,313 338,375 100 Philippine pesos PHP 989,657 988,474 1 Tajik somoni TJS 62,328 62,551 1 Turkmen manat TMT 164,398 164,379 Venezuelan bolivar VES 2,851 2,915

The CBI adopted the SANA system for currency exchange offices, where one euro costs 846,282 rials and $1 costs 725,015 rials.

NIMA represents a strategic framework for the monetization of a designated fraction of foreign currency accrued through export activities.

The price of one euro in this system amounted to 821,633 rials, and the price of $1 totaled 703,898 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.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 18. Uzbekistan will sign an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the European Union next week, Trend reports, citing the Office of the President of Uzbekistan.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced this during his address to members and veterans of Uzbekistans trade unions. He emphasized that, along with strengthening cooperation in foreign policy and security and combating corruption and terrorism, the new agreement will further enhance investment, trade, and economic ties between Uzbekistan and European countries.

The head of state also noted that Uzbek cotton has been officially removed from the blacklist of many leading global brands after the Cotton Campaign organization fully lifted its previous ban on the country. Moreover, the European Union has granted Uzbekistan access to the GSP+ system, allowing domestic producers to export goods to European markets on preferential terms. As a result, 26 new markets have opened for Uzbek products, and exports to Europe have increased fivefold, reaching $1.5 billion.

In the past, such figures seemed beyond our reach. Today, this progress continues with confidence. It is gratifying that our nations achievements are being recognized internationally, President Mirziyoyev said.

Uzbekistan is among the few countries participating in the UN initiative Global Accelerator for Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions and is an active member of the International Labour Organizations Global Coalition for Social Justice. Last year, Uzbekistan was elected to the ILO Governing Bodyclear evidence of growing international respect and trust in the country.

Uzbekistan is earning greater recognition and confidence worldwide, and the number of our friends and partners continues to grow, the president noted.

In the preceding octet of years, the nation has successfully garnered $130 billion in capital influx, initiated a plethora of novel ventures, and generated millions of enduring employment opportunities.



We have catalyzed expansive avenues for the private sector and optimized occupational environments for individuals committed to their professional endeavors. Consequently, the per capita income metric has ascended to $3,500, articulated Mirziyoyev.



He also emphasized the significant role of labor federations, which consolidate nearly 8 million affiliates and continue to be the preeminent public entity in the nation.



We have established a comprehensive framework to facilitate the autonomous and self-sustaining operations of labor unions in Uzbekistan and will steadfastly uphold these foundational tenets, the president asserted.



He emphasized that the administration will persist in safeguarding the prerogative to autonomously congregate within labor unions and to mitigate any encroachment on their operational dynamics.



The unwavering commitment of our labor organizations in advocating for the entitlements of the workforce warrants distinct acknowledgment, he stated.

In recent years, trade unions have protected the legal rights of about 500,000 employees, securing 267 billion soums (around $21 million) in compensation in their favor. Additionally, 1,000 workers injured in workplace accidents received a total of 35 billion soums (approximately $2.8 million) in compensation, while 13,000 unlawfully dismissed employees were reinstated to their jobs.

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Photo: The Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 18. Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan Ilzat Kasimov held a meeting with Wang Shanhua, Director General of the Jiangsu Provincial Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT Jiangsu) of the Peoples Republic of China, to discuss the establishment of new manufacturing enterprises and the development of digital infrastructure, Trend reports.

During the talks, the parties discussed proposals to create a special industrial zone in Uzbekistan with the participation of Jiangsu-based enterprises, compile a list of Chinese companies interested in cooperation, establish a joint working group, and organize investment meetings.

They also agreed to hold a series of road show events in 2026 in both Uzbekistan and Jiangsu Province to promote mutual investment opportunities and strengthen business-to-business ties.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to actively implement joint projects and fully leverage the existing potential to deepen economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and China.

Bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and China continues to grow dynamically. In the previous fiscal year, trade turnover exceeded $14 billion, representing a 23 percent increase since the beginning of 2025. This steady expansion underscores the strengthening partnership and Chinas role as one of Uzbekistans most important and reliable economic partners.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, October 18. President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of Staff of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan Galymzhan Koishybayev discussed the strengthening of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, Trend reports via Turkmen MFA.

During the meeting, President Berdimuhamedov warmly welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan and conveyed his best wishes to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. He noted that Turkmenistan attaches great importance to expanding its partnership with Kazakhstan, emphasizing that bilateral relations continue to develop in political, diplomatic, trade, economic, and cultural spheres.

The parties emphasized that the nexus of trade and economic synergy constitutes a pivotal element in the Turkmen-Kazakh bilateral framework. Promising domains for collaboration encompass digital transformation, infrastructural enhancement, innovation ecosystems, sustainable economic frameworks, and ecological stewardship.



Focus was strategically directed towards the enhancement of cultural and humanitarian linkages. In this context, the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Kazakh Commission on Economic, Scientific, Technical, and Cultural Cooperation emerged as a pivotal framework for advancing collaborative initiatives and executing bilateral accords.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. The Heads of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) met under the 2025 Chairship of the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) to review progress on collective actions and define priority areas for future work, Trend reports.

According to the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), the meeting highlighted strengthened cooperation among MDBs throughout 2025, building on the momentum created by their 2024 Viewpoint Note. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to working as a unified system to achieve greater impact and scale in global development.

Key achievements since the previous meeting in Paris on 28 June 2025 include a joint report to the G20 on the implementation of the G20 Roadmap for Better, Bigger, and More Effective MDBs, outlining advances in lending capacity, private capital mobilization, operational collaboration, and results measurement.

MDBs also released the first MDB Comparison Report, prepared by the Global Risk and Finance Forum (GRaFF), to improve transparency and comparability of financial positions. In addition, GRaFF published a note summarizing engagement with credit rating agencies to better communicate MDBs robust financial models and asset quality.

Another milestone was the launch of the inaugural Joint Annual MDB Water Security Financing Report at the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Sevilla, alongside the publication of Social Infrastructure in Focus: The Role of Multilateral Development Banks, highlighting the collective contribution of MDBs to investment in health, education, housing, and water.

Ongoing work includes mobilizing private capital through new risk-sharing models, expanding financial innovation, and scaling up initiatives such as Mission 300. The Heads also discussed MDBs readiness to support countries ahead of COP30 in Belem, Brazil, later this year.

Following the meeting, the Heads exchanged views with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi on developments in civil nuclear energy.

The Chairship of the Heads of MDBs Group will pass from the CEB to the Asian Development Bank in December 2025. The Heads expressed appreciation to CEB Governor Carlo Monticelli for his leadership and commitment during his tenure.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. The Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Republic of Croatia, Elma Kovacevic-Bajtal, met with the Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds of the Republic of Croatia, Natasa Mikus Zigman, Trend reports.

During the meeting, the friendly relations between the two countries were reaffirmed, along with a mutual commitment to further strengthen and enhance cooperation.

Ambassador Kovacevic-Bajtal expressed gratitude to the Croatian government for its continuous support of Bosnia and Herzegovinas EU integration process. The discussions focused on common challenges, successful cooperation in implementing cross-border projects financed through national and EU funds, and Croatias support for Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path toward full EU membership.

The need for Bosnia and Herzegovina to participate in approved projectsmost of which involve cross-border cooperationwas emphasized, as well as inclusion in future projects that will be approved after the adoption of the 2026 budget.

Minister Mikus Zigman stressed that the Republic of Croatia will continue supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina on its European path. Bosnia and Herzegovina is already involved in a trilateral project with Croatia and Montenegro addressing modern climate challenges caused by droughts, fires, and visible climate change. The minister informed Ambassador Kovacevic-Bajtal about the implementation status of strategic projects financed through the Interreg CroatiaBosnia and HerzegovinaMontenegro program, as well as the currently open second call within this program, which invites partners from Bosnia and Herzegovina to participate in project implementation.

It was noted that on October 1, 2025, the second public call for the Interreg VIA IPA Cross-Border Cooperation program was launched. This program funds the development of business models, products, services, and processes, promotes innovation, and supports the creation of new business solutions. The call strengthens cross-border cooperation among enterprises from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Montenegro, and eligible applicants include businesses from border areas such as the Una-Sana Canton and other regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Danube Region Transnational Cooperation Project operates under the EUs European Territorial Cooperation program and brings together countries of the Danube Region, as well as five non-EU states, including Bosnia and Herzegovina. The program runs from 2021 to 2027, with a total budget of approximately 220 million euros. The third thematic call for project proposals is currently open until December 15, 2025, with a total project value of 27.3 million euros. Details of the call are published on the ministrys website.

During the meeting, it was emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovinas path toward EU membership must be reflected in the strengthening of institutional capacities for project implementation. In this regard, both sides agreed to exchange knowledge and experience and provide technical support to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the process of EU negotiations and accession.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Mariam Kvrivishvili met with Leslie Berman Lam, Country Director of the Asian Development Banks (ADB) Resident Mission in Georgia, to discuss key areas of cooperation between the government and the bank, Trend reports.

The meeting focused on current and future projects in the fields of energy, civil aviation, tourism, and other priority sectors. Particular attention was given to updating Georgias energy sector development strategy and exploring opportunities for ADBs involvement, including in hydropower and other sustainable energy initiatives.

The parties also discussed cooperation in tourism and civil aviation. The minister noted the ongoing tender for the feasibility study of a new Tbilisi airport in Vaziani, as well as the preparation of the Tourism Development Strategy 2035, which outlines the countrys vision and roadmap for the sectors growth.

Another key topic was ADBs support for Georgias railway transport projects, which play a crucial role in strengthening the countrys connectivity and regional trade links.

The discussions also touched upon the upcoming Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, marking its fifth edition on October 2223. The ADB, a long-standing partner of the forum since its inception, will be represented this year by Vice President Yingming Yang.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. Oil and gas exploration is currently underway near Azerbaijans border and in Irans northwestern Ardabil province, Mohyeddin Jafari, Head of the Exploration Department at the National Iranian Oil Company, told local media, Trend reports.

Jafari noted that both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) surveys are being conducted.

He pointed out that, given Azerbaijans existing oil production and reservoirs, there is growing optimism about discovering new fields in Ardabil.

The company rep added that exploration activities are ongoing in 26 Iranian provinces, including Khuzestan, Fars, Ardabil, North Khorasan, South Khorasan, Razavi Khorasan, Kermanshah, Ilam, and Bushehr.

Irans total hydrocarbon reserves are estimated at 1.2 trillion barrels, of which around 340 billion barrels can be extracted with current technology. The country is currently able to exploit roughly 30% of its reserves, leaving 70% untapped underground.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. Iran is interested in conducting oil and gas exploration operations in other countries, Mohyeddin Jafari, head of the Exploration Directorate at the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), told reporters, Trend reports.

Jafari noted that currently, Iran does not have any active exploration projects abroad. However, it has programs for training in neighboring countries. Given Iran's know-how in exploration, last year saw the ball rolling with training sessions for geologists and engineers in Tajikistan.

Jafari added that in a recent meeting between Afghanistan's Minister of Energy and Iran's Oil Minister, Afghanistan requested training for exploration activities. Talks are on the horizon, and Iran is set to roll up its sleeves to offer training services to these nations.

Currently, Iran has 74 active oil fields and 22 gas fields. Of these, 37 are operated by the National Iranian South Oil Company, 14 by the Iranian Central Oil Fields Company, five by the Arvandan Oil and Gas Production Company, and 18 by the Iranian Offshore Oil Company. As for gas, five fields are located in the territory of the National Iranian South Oil Company, 13 in the Iranian Central Oil Fields Company, one in the Pars Oil and Gas Company, and three in the Iranian Offshore Oil Company.

Irans total hydrocarbon reserves are estimated at 1.2 trillion barrels. With existing equipment and technology, about 340 billion barrels can be extracted, meaning that only around 30 percent of reserves are recoverable, while the remaining 70 percent remains untapped underground.

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In the quiet moments of illness, I witness love and loss unfold.

I usually place the beds of relatively sick patients closest to my workstation. While I can monitor all the patients, except for a few female beds behind curtains, this arrangement helps me keep a closer eye on those who are more ill, particularly those receiving chemotherapy.

Directly in front of my counter lies a 50-year-old gentleman recently diagnosed with primary CNS lymphoma. I admitted him a few days ago with altered consciousness, left-sided paralysis, and several neurological deficits. He is unable to speak or swallow, cannot change posture, and is mostly drowsy.

Before falling ill, he was a businessman who earned a decent living. As the sole breadwinner of his family, he supported three young children, all studying at different top universities in the capital. His earnings ensured the family lived comfortably, with good food and fine clothes.

Three months ago, he developed personality changes. At first, he was misdiagnosed with clinical depression. Later, scans revealed brain lesions. A top neurosurgeon performed the biopsy, and the cost of MRIs, CT scans, PET scans and hospital stay reached nearly 1.5 million PKR. Complications after the biopsy meant a prolonged stay in a private hospital, further increasing expenses. Health care in Pakistan is cripplingly expensive, especially in the private sector.

Within weeks, the familys finances began collapsing. With tuition fees, utility bills, and no second income, they were overwhelmed. Eventually, they had no choice but to come to our hospital, where they could benefit from a government-funded patient support program. Here, their admission costs were minimal, and chemotherapy was almost free.

On their first day, when they wheeled him in on a stretcher, the wife and son looked around uneasily. Their appearance set them apart, elegant clothes, graceful demeanour, but their expressions betrayed disappointment. This was not the environment they were used to.

I took them aside, reviewed their reports, examined the patient, and explained his condition, treatment and possible side effects in detail. The wife was somewhat hesitant to admit him here and had reservations. She asked, Where will the chemotherapy take place?

In this ward, I replied.

In these conditions? Her disgust was clear.

She pressed further, Are there any other options?

Yes, there is a private ward upstairs. But I would not recommend it there. I want him under my supervision. If a reaction occurs, it may be difficult for the staff to manage. Our nurses here are highly experienced with chemotherapy.

They still inquired about charges, but soon realised they could not afford a private room. Though reluctant, they accepted treatment here because they were out of options.

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We began with steroids, which improved him slightly. He refused a nasogastric tube, so he survived on a few spoonfuls of food daily with aspiration precautions supplemented by IV nutrition. Later, chemotherapy started. His consciousness fluctuated; some days, he managed to whisper a few words. His family, initially uneasy with the environment, grew more accepting. His children visited in the evenings, while an attendant stayed during the day.

I often notice him while doing paperwork. A few days back, I saw his youngest son resting his head on his fathers chest, while the patient, half asleep, gently stroked his sons hair with his one working arm. It broke my heart.

One evening, when his friends visited, he cried silently. His wife told me that he was always the liveliest person among them. How painful it must be for him to feel so helpless in front of those with whom he once shared laughter, meals and his best moments of life, both in terms of finances and physical health.

After seeing him, I cannot help but reflect on how cancer patients are left without support when they fall sick or go through difficult times, especially when they have nothing material to offer in return. Even those who initially want to help eventually begin prioritising their own well-being, finances, and families. That is just how life is, I suppose. This man once received treatment at the best private hospitals in the city, even for minor ailments. He was the life of every gathering, enjoyed his hobbies freely, and ensured his children studied at top universities in the capital. Yet now, at the moment he needs others the most, all he got was a single visit from friends.

Every day, when I speak to him in the morning, the only word I catch is Ghar, home. His voice is so weak I must lean closer to hear. I reassure him daily, Just eat two more spoons, and then I will send you home. Just two more spoons. But inside, it breaks me, he is younger than my father.

His family surrounds me with questions every day. I try my best to be patient; I know their struggle. At first, they admitted him here only because no other hospital had a bed. But after his first cycle, they told me, We want to continue here. Your care is much better. That felt like an accomplishment.

When my consultant came for rounds, he asked about the familys plans for further treatment and whether they were exploring other options. I explained that they were not considering any other alternatives. He did not say much in response, but I caught a faint smile on his face, which earned him a quick, disapproproving side-eye from me. He knows, as I do, that patients who come to our hospital, even those we refer elsewhere because of limited beds, often return. They come back for the same level of care they experience here and are hesitant to seek treatment anywhere else.

I often feel overwhelmed, and there are days when my consultant becomes the target of my frustration. He, however, remains calm. He tells me, You are doing a great job. We are helping many patients who have nowhere else to go, and this is a great accomplishment. Do not give up. His encouragement makes me proud, though I often reflect on the bitter irony: Health care has become unaffordable for so many. Even families with decent means are drained by the lengthy cancer treatment. They often come to us after undergoing expensive surgeries, biopsies, prolonged hospital stays, costly imaging, and numerous blood tests during the diagnosis phase. By the time they receive their diagnosis, they often have little money left to afford cancer treatment like radiation or chemotherapy.

Government hospitals, overcrowded and resource-limited, are still doing commendable work. Doctors are overworked, managing dozens of patients every day and collecting funds for medications that are either unavailable or not covered by the Sehat card. Despite the challenges, they continue to persevere.

To be honest, doctors and nurses working in these setups do not earn much, mostly just prayers, but even then, they face criticism when patients cannot get beds.

We are exhausted beyond imagination, but we try to remain patient each day. Thankfully, our families, colleagues, and seniors are supportive; otherwise, we might have collapsed long ago. Many days, I feel impatient and on the verge of tears; I can be irritable and complain, but my consultant always provides support. He never dismisses my concerns as invalid.

My parents are also very supportive. They do not pressure me to socialise or make me meet their guests. They do not expect anything from me when I get home and never scold me if I decline to do something. They see how hard I try to answer every call, respond to each message, and reach out to patients for admission if I suspect they are not doing well. They appreciate my efforts very lovingly.

What keeps me going are those prayers. Patients pray for my parents, my family, or even my future children. They call me their angel, hug me and proudly introduce me to their family members, saying, This is our doctor, such a nice doctor. That love carries me forward, even on the hardest days. Their love encourages me to keep going every single day.

Some days, I wonder how long I can continue. But then, I remind myself of a poem I read in childhood by Emily Dickinson.

If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain;

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.

Dedicated to all cancer patients who are resilient and courageous beyond imagination, and to all the supportive caregivers who do their best to show kindness in a world that is not always kind to them.

Damane Zehra is a radiation oncology resident in Pakistan.
Azerbaijan's real estate deal investments boom in 9M2025

Azerbaijan invested 6.4 billion manat ($3.7 billion) in real estate transactions from fixed capital funds during the first nine months of 2025. This represents a 2.6-fold increase, or 3.9 million manat ($2.3 million), compared to the same period in 2024.

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Iran reports decline in its airports' passenger throughput

Passenger traffic through Iranian airports fell by 16 percent in the first half of the current Iranian year, with 1.87 million travelers compared to 2.23 million in the same period last year.

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, October 18. A meeting took place in Bishkek between the leadership of the Uzbek-Kyrgyz Development Fund (UKDF) and Bai-Tushum Bank, where the sides discussed expansion of economic cooperation, Trend reports via the UKDF.

UKDF Chairman Aziz Aaliev outlined the Funds activities and highlighted its readiness to collaborate with commercial banks to finance priority projects and support entrepreneurship.

Bai-Tushum Bank Chairman Manas Zhakypov spoke about the banks development, its stable financial position, and the adoption of modern technologies to expand client access to banking services.

The two sides confirmed their intention to strengthen partnership and develop long-term cooperation.

Founded in 2022, the priority task of the Funds activities is to finance investment projects aimed at implementing joint ventures in the fields of agriculture and industry, as well as transport and logistics. The implementation of these projects will contribute to the development of industrial cooperation and the creation of interconnected value chains between Uzbek and Kyrgyz producers through the use of the competitive advantages of the economies of the two countries.

Bai-Tushum Bank is a leading financial institution in Kyrgyzstan that evolved from a non-profit microcredit agency to a universal bank with a full banking license. Its core business is to provide financing to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those in agricultural and trading activities, while also serving a broad range of retail clients. The bank was the first microfinance institution in Kyrgyzstan to receive a full banking license and is the first in Central Asia to have done so.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 18. Uzbekistan, in collaboration with the World Bank, organized a two-day workshop on the authorization process for carbon trading projects, Trend reports.

The event aimed to strengthen the capacity of civil servants from relevant ministries and agencies involved in authorizing carbon trading projects, as well as members of the Advisory Working Group on Carbon Trading.

World Bank experts delivered detailed presentations on the procedures for implementing carbon trading projects under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, emphasizing the role of the National Designated Authority. The discussions covered authorization processes based on cooperative approaches and international mechanisms for transferring carbon units generated as mitigation outcomes.

Participants were also introduced to updated reporting requirements, new rules and procedures under Article 6.4, and the latest developments in international carbon markets, including CORSIA and revised authorization guidelines.

In addition, the workshop examined strategies for mobilizing carbon market financing to advance Uzbekistans transition to a green economy.

This initiative marks an important step toward building a transparent and efficient carbon market in Uzbekistan, deepening international cooperation, and accelerating the countrys shift to a sustainable, low-carbon development model.

Earlier, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, highlighting that Uzbekistans portfolio of joint projects now exceeds $14 billion. Additionally, the opening of a regional World Bank office in Tashkent has further strengthened the countrys partnership with the organization.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. The price of Azerbaijans Azeri Light crude at Italys Augusta port, on a CIF basis, took a dip of $0.98, or 1.55 percent, on October 17 from the previous level, landing at $62.17 per barrel, a source in the oil market told Trend.

At Turkiyes Ceyhan port, the FOB price of Azeri Light crude went down by $1.16, or 1.9 percent, to $60.25 per barrel.

The price of URALS crude decreased by $0.84, or 1.68 percent, to $49.07 per barrel, while Brent Dated crude from the North Sea fell by $0.87, or 1.41 percent, to $60.91 per barrel.

Azerbaijans 2025 state budget is based on an average oil price of $70 per barrel.

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Azerbaijan restores RON-98 gasoline supply from Georgia

Azerbaijan imported 83,400 tons of RON-95 gasoline worth $70.45 million in the first eight months of 2025, up 1.8 times in volume and 58.4% in value. In the same period, it exported 4,200 tons worth $2.8 million to Georgia.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 18. Kazakhstan exported 48.643 million tons of crude oil and raw petroleum products derived from bituminous minerals in JanuaryAugust 2025, which is 1.8 percent more compared to 47.777 million tons exported in the same period of 2024.

According to data obtained by Trend from the Bureau of National Statistics of Kazakhstan, During the reporting period, the aggregate valuation of crude oil exports reached $25.841 billion, reflecting a decrement of 11.3 percent compared to the $29.118 billion documented in the JanuaryAugust 2024 timeframe.



Kazakhstan facilitated the export of 228,800 metric tons of crude oil to CIS jurisdictions, generating a revenue stream of $102.347 million. Outbound shipments to non-CIS jurisdictions totaled 48.4 million metric tons, with a valuation of $25.739 billion.



The aggregate foreign trade volume for the period spanning January to August 2025 registered at $90.248 billion, reflecting a nominal contraction of 2.1 percent relative to the corresponding timeframe in 2024.



The export figures for Kazakhstan during the specified timeframe totaled $50.188 billion, reflecting a decline of 5.7 percent, whereas the import volume reached $40.060 billion, indicating an increase of 2.8 percent in nominal terms.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 18. Secretary General Ambassador of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA) Ramil Hasan has suggested annual informal meetings of speakers of Turkic parliaments during a meeting with Kazakhstans TURKPA Chairman-in-Office, Chairman of the Mazhilis (lower house) of the countrys Parliament, Yerlan Koshanov, Trend reports via TURKPA.

According to Hasan, this will accelerate the joint activities of parliaments under the leadership of the speakers.

He shared proposals for further developing TURKPAs agenda, including the organization of meetings of committees dealing with health, defense, and foreign relations issues in Kazakhstan within the current chairmanship; the establishment of a new mechanism of cooperation between the ministries of foreign affairs and the parliaments of Turkic states; and the importance of establishing a new format of cooperation between the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) and TURKPA.

He also emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts in advancing the shared interests of member countries on various interparliamentary platforms.

Meanwhile, Koshanov extended his congratulations to Hasan on the commencement of his tenure as Secretary General of TURKPA, emphasizing his professional background and valuable contribution to Turkic cooperation throughout his career.

The speaker reaffirmed Kazakhstans commitment to promoting solidarity and deeper cooperation among Turkic states, noting the important role of parliaments in fostering unity within the Turkic world.

In his capacity as Chairman-in-Office of TURKPA, Koshanov highlighted several directions for the Assemblys future work, including the enhancement of its core legal framework, organization of committee meetings in Astana, and activities dedicated to the centenary of the First Turkological Congress to be held in Azerbaijan.

Koshanov welcomed and expressed his full support for the proposals put forward by the Secretary General.

During the meeting, the parties also exchanged views on the outcomes of the recent 12th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States held in Gabala on 7 October of the current year. The Speaker underlined that the discussions of the Heads of State at the Summit once again demonstrated the high level of mutual understanding among Turkic nations and set new priorities for strengthening regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

The Secretary General also expressed his sincere hope to welcome Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan into the close family of TURKPA soon. The sides reaffirmed their readiness to continue constructive cooperation focused on the new stage.

The Secretary General was accompanied by Deputy Secretaries General Talgat Aduov, Muhammet Alper Hayali, and Secretary of Commission Aynura Abutalibova.

The Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA) was founded through an agreement signed by the Heads of Parliaments of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkiye on November 21, 2008, at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, Turkiye. On September 29, 2009, the inaugural plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States, previously referred to as the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic-Speaking Countries, convened in Baku, the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Rules of Procedure of TURKPA, the Regulations of the Secretariat, and the Baku Declaration were ratified during the Plenary Session. The TURKPA Secretariat will be permanently situated in Baku.

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Kazakhstan stepping up its coal mining efforts

Photo: he Agency for Protection and Development of Competition of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstans coal mining sector demonstrated solid growth in the first nine months of 2025, both in terms of production volume and value.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. The United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution No. 2231, which contained provisions related to Irans nuclear program and associated mechanisms, has officially expired as of October 18, 2025, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) stated, Trend reports.

The resolution, adopted on July 20, 2015, by the UN Security Council, pertained to Irans peaceful nuclear program.

The MFA emphasized that with the expiration of the resolution, Irans nuclear program should be removed from the UN Security Councils list of issues under the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons framework. From now on, it should be treated as a peaceful nuclear program, similar to those of other non-nuclear-weapon states party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

The statement further noted that the inclusion of Irans nuclear program on the Security Councils agenda was intended solely to ensure that it remained peaceful and non-military in nature, a goal that has now been fully achieved. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has never reported any evidence contradicting this reality, the statement read, adding that despite pressure from the European trio and the United States on the agency, there has been no proof of Iran violating its safeguard commitments.

The MFA also took the gloves off, pointing fingers at the European Union (EU) and the U.S. for dropping the ball on their promises to lift sanctions under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), even though Iran fulfilled its obligations.

Iran declares that the European trio (the UK, France, and Germany) have unlawfully misused the JCPOAs dispute resolution mechanism in an attempt to revive expired UN resolutions. Their actions have no legal standing and do not affect the validity of Resolution 2231, the statement said.

The ministry added that two permanent members of the UN Security Council disagreed with this unlawful move by the European trio and the U.S. In a joint letter to the UN Secretary-General, Iran, China, and Russia underscored that the Security Council had not authorized the Secretariat to take any steps toward reinstating the repealed resolutions against Iran.

Considering these points, Iran calls on the UN Secretary-General, in accordance with Article 100 of the UN Charter, to immediately correct the misleading information published on the UN website regarding the alleged reactivation of expired resolutions against Iran and to prevent further legal misunderstanding related to the Security Councils functions, the statement concluded.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. Iran has urged all member states of the United Nations (UN) to acknowledge that the six resolutions previously adopted by the UN Security Council against Iran have been annulled, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement, Trend reports.

The ministry urged all UN member states to hold their horses and steer clear of bringing back resolutions numbered 1696, 1737, 1747, 1803, 1835, and 1929, now that Resolution 2231 has run its course, which had been adopted by the UN Security Council with regard to Irans nuclear program.

The statement also expressed Tehrans gratitude to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) for acknowledging the expiration of Resolution 2231 in the declaration of its 19th Meeting of Foreign Ministers held in Uganda, and to the members of the Friends of the UN Charter group in New York for maintaining a consistent position on the issue.

Iran reaffirms its commitment to diplomacy and emphasizes its legitimate rights and interests in all fields, including the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, the statement noted.

On September 26, the UN Security Council held a meeting on the initial text of a resolution submitted by Russia and China to extend the validity of Resolution 2231 and prevent the activation of the snapback mechanism. At the meeting, four countries voted in favor of the resolution, nine countries voted against it, and two countries abstained. Thus, as of September 28, the UN Security Council resolutions against Iran have been reinstated.

On July 20, 2015, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2231. This resolution led to the repeal of six previous resolutions against Iran and the lifting of extensive sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program.

According to Articles 36 and 37 of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, various stages are initiated upon a complaint by one of the states participating in the plan regarding a violation of the plan by another party. If these stages do not lead to a resolution, the complaining country may raise the issue with the UN Security Council. If Iran's complaint is filed and accepted by the UN Security Council, international sanctions against Iran may be reinstated. In addition, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action authorizes members of the UN Security Council to take military action against Iran.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 18. Any deviation from United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 2231 cannot create legal obligations for member states, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi stated in a letter addressed to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the UN Security Council, Trend reports.

Araghchi emphasized that the voting record of the Security Council and the clearly expressed positions of member states demonstrate that the notification to trigger the snapback mechanism lacks any legal foundation.

Therefore, any claim regarding the reinstatement of expired resolutions is baseless, has no legal validity, and does not impose any implementation obligation, he said.

The Iranian Foreign Minister further noted that Resolution 2231 does not authorize the UN Secretary-General or the Secretariat to determine the reapplication of expired resolutions. He made it clear that any such move would be stepping outside the lines drawn by the UN Charter and the framework of Resolution 2231.

Thus, any efforts by subgroups such as the so-called sanctions committee or panel of experts to restore expired resolutions have no legal basis. No member state, the UN Secretariat, or any official can take lawful action in this regard without an explicit decision from the Security Council, Araghchi added.

On September 26, the UN Security Council held a meeting on the initial text of a resolution submitted by Russia and China to extend the validity of Resolution 2231 and prevent the activation of the snapback mechanism. At the meeting, four countries voted in favor of the resolution, nine countries voted against it, and two countries abstained. Thus, as of September 28, the UN Security Council resolutions against Iran have been reinstated.

On July 20, 2015, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2231. This resolution led to the repeal of six previous resolutions against Iran and the lifting of extensive sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program.

According to Articles 36 and 37 of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, various stages are initiated upon a complaint by one of the states participating in the plan regarding a violation of the plan by another party. If these stages do not lead to a resolution, the complaining country may raise the issue with the UN Security Council. If Iran's complaint is filed and accepted by the UN Security Council, international sanctions against Iran may be reinstated. In addition, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action authorizes members of the UN Security Council to take military action against Iran.

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Researcher helps examine puzzling Arctic Ocean ice fog

A type of cloud that forms low near Alaskas northern coast and over the Arctic Ocean lasts far longer than scientific understanding says it should.

Photo by Bryan Whitten

Associate research professor Carl Schmitt with the cloud particle imager he developed.

Associate research professor Carl Schmitt is helping a federally funded research team figure out why its happening.

The work is important to a variety of interests, including forecasting, shipping, defense and local communities.

These clouds exist for three or four or five days, where theory suggests they might last just an hour or two, Schmitt said.

Schmitt is with the Alaska Climate Research Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute. He recently received Office of Naval Research funding to participate in the Navys Fog and Turbulence Interactions in the Marine Atmosphere project, or FATIMA.

FATIMAs goal is to increase understanding of fog in marine environments, especially fog that forms over shallow seas and shelves and ice fog that forms in extremely cold conditions. The five-year project began in 2021 and is led by the University of Notre Dame, with participation by the University of Minnesota, University of Utah, Naval Postgraduate School and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Schmitt and the ice particle sampler he developed will be joining the FATIMA team and its instruments at the U.S. Department of Energy atmospheric research station near Utqiagvik for three weeks starting in mid-November.

The research target is a type of Arctic cloud known as mixed-phase, one that contains both ice crystals and liquid water droplets.

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement user facility

Mixed-phase clouds float near Utqiagvik on Alaskas North Slope during the Mixed-Phase Arctic Cloud Experiment field campaign in September 2004.

Why it matters

Arctic mixed-phase clouds and the surface influence each other in a feedback loop: The surface supplies the heat and moisture that sustain the clouds, while the clouds trap infrared radiation and warm the surface.

Ice fog occurs 2025% of the time during high-latitude cold seasons, according to FATIMAs principal investigator, Harindra Joseph Fernando, engineering and geosciences professor at the University of Notre Dame.

An understanding of the interaction between ice-nucleation aerosols, droplets, ice crystals and turbulent frigid air is imperative in quantifying conditions for ice-fog formation, Fernando said.

In addition to posing challenges for shipping and travel, Arctic ice fog can interfere with military operations.

Fernando wrote in the FATIMA funding proposal that ice fog can sharply reduce the effectiveness of the Navys high-energy laser defense systems in polar regions. A laser beam striking the ice particles triggers a process that can cause the particles to absorb almost all of the lasers energy.

Ice crystals can also damage the heat shields on supersonic and hypersonic vehicles, Fernando writes.

The science

Scientists dont fully understand how mixed-phase clouds persist as long as they do in the Arctic.

Typically, mixed-phase clouds occur when a liquid droplet cloud forms in a below-freezing environment. Ice particles can either form within the droplet cloud or fall into the liquid cloud from above, and they tend to grow while liquid droplets evaporate. That happens because water vapor sticks more easily to ice than liquid when the temperature is below freezing.

Photo by Bryan Whitten

Ice particles land on an exposed portion of a small oil-coated glass disc and are rotated in front of the camera. The automated system detects particles as small as 5 microns.

The Arctic has far fewer aerosols in the air that lead to the formation of ice particles  ice nuclei  than in southerly regions. In those regions, there are enough ice particles that the liquid droplets evaporate completely.

The whole process should lead to the collapse of the cloud, Schmitt said.

But not in the Arctic. The clouds hang around.

Ice nuclei seem to be extremely rare in the clean environment up in the North, Schmitt said. There are sufficient ice particles to change the character of the clouds but insufficient ice particles to cause the cloud to dissipate completely like they do farther south.

Where these ice particles are coming from is still somewhat of a mystery, he said.

Schmitts imager may help solve that mystery. Heres how it works: Ice particles land on an exposed portion of a small rotating oil-coated glass disc. Particles stick to the oil and are rotated in front of the camera, which makes an image and stores it. The automated system detects particles as small as 5 microns.

Secrets of the ice

Schmitt has been interested in ice crystals for many years. In them he sees something deeper, much like a master painters art might reveal more than a photograph would of the same subject.

When you look at a Monet painting, youre looking at different sizes  brush strokes, objects, color blocks  but you see similar relationships. Thats what you get with ice crystals.

Large ice crystals can be made of smaller crystals that seem to be stuck together randomly, but how do you explain that randomness? he said. Thats always been something thats intrigued me about ice particles.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, Schmitt said.

We need to take into account the variability, that fractal nature of things, and put that into our models, he said.

ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Carl Schmitt, cgschmitt@alaska.edu

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Examining The Destruction of Palestinian Education

This essay examines the destruction of Palestinian education as a deliberate strategy  not the byproduct of war, but a sustained assault on the right to learn, remember, and rebuild

Saturday October 18, 2025 5:13 PM , Rima Najjar

Authors Note

This essay examines the destruction of Palestinian education as a deliberate strategy  not the byproduct of war, but a sustained assault on the right to learn, remember, and rebuild. In Gaza, this takes the form of physical annihilation: schools bombed, universities flattened, and entire generations cut off from classrooms.

In the West Bank, the assault is slower but no less calculated  carried out through arrests, campus raids, visa denials, and the isolation of universities from global academic life. Drawing on historical precedent and lived testimony, the essay argues that what is unfolding is not just a humanitarian crisis, but a political project: to sever a people from the knowledge, continuity, and collective future they have fought to preserve.

1. A Generation Without Classrooms

When U.S. General Curtis LeMay threatened to bomb them back to the Stone Age during the Vietnam War, the world recoiled at the brutality of the statement  even if the bombs fell anyway. The phrase became shorthand for military excess, for the fantasy of erasing a peoples future through firepower. But what Israel is doing in Gaza today is more insidious. It has dismantled the very systems that allow a society to regenerate. Israels campaign is not a return to the Stone Age. It is a campaign to prevent the future.

By targeting schools, killing teachers, blocking textbooks, and severing Gaza from its educated diaspora, Israel is not merely waging war  it is implementing a coherent strategy: to cut off Palestinians from the tools of memory, growth, and self-determination. The world condemned LeMays rhetoric. It must now confront the reality of its repetition  this time, not as threat, but as policy.

As of October 2025, UNICEF reports that 95% of Gazas schools have been damaged or destroyed, leaving 658,000 children out of school for nearly two years. Many of these children are not only displaced but orphaned: Save the Children estimates tens of thousands have lost one or both parents in the bombardments, creating what aid workers call a generation of orphans without classrooms.

A growing body of evidence from UN commissions, human rights organizations, and academic observers confirms that Israels destruction of Gazas education system is deliberate. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry declared in June 2025 that Israeli attacks on schools, universities, libraries, and cultural sites amount to war crimes and the crime against humanity of extermination.

Scholars have described this as scholasticide: the systematic targeting of education to eliminate the conditions for Palestinian continuity. From the assassination of professors to the looting of archives and the bombing of technical institutes, the pattern is clear. As one report from the Arab Center put it, Israels campaign seeks to punish the Gaza Strip by depriving it of the means to educate its inhabitants and prepare them for the future. This is not the collateral damage of war  it is the architecture of erasure.

Israels motivations are not hidden. In 2016, thenEducation Minister Naftali Bennett declared, We should stop apologizing. We are fighting an enemy  not an education system. The message is chillingly clear: the suppression of education is not incidental  it is deliberate, a mechanism of domination. When schools are treated as extensions of the enemy, their destruction becomes not a tragedy, but a tactic. This is not the fog of war. It is the clarity of policy.

2. Trauma Without End

This trauma is not singular, it is cumulative. Isael has displaced Palestinian families multiple times, severing children from teachers, peers, and any sense of continuity. Psychologists working with UNICEF warn that prolonged displacement and the absence of structured learning have left children with acute anxiety, nightmares, and difficulty concentrating. Classrooms, once spaces of stability, have become sites of grief  where children remember classmates killed in airstrikes.

3. A Baseline of Ruin

This devastation did not begin in 2023. Today, Israel is building on a decade of systematic destruction, with one of the most formative ruptures occurring during Israels 2014 military offensive  ironically named Operation Protective Edge. The logic of protecting Israelis by obliterating their enemies in biblical style  leaving no cow, no child, no archive  is a theology of domination masquerading as security policy. It evokes the ancient command to annihilate Amalek or Canaan, where protection meant total erasure: not just of combatants, but of memory, lineage, and livelihood. In this frame, the enemy is not merely dangerous, it is existential, contaminating, unredeemable. And so the response is not containment, but purification.

This is the true meaning of being bombed back to the Stone Age: not a return to primitive tools, but the ritual elimination of continuity itself. Not rubble as aftermath, but as method.

That summer of 2014, over 500 children were killed, more than 3,000 injured, and 258 schools damaged or destroyed, including 26 UNRWA schools used as shelters.

The psychological toll was immediate. Children exhibited signs of PTSD: bedwetting, mutism, panic at the sound of drones. One girl, Nirmeen, whose home was destroyed in 2014, was still living in her fathers workshop five years later. Her story, documented by UNICEF, was emblematic of a generation forced to grow up in the rubble of their childhoods.

By 2019, nearly one million children in Gaza were affected by deteriorating conditions. There were not enough safe play areas, trained counselors, or intact classrooms to offer even the illusion of normalcy.

4. A System That Never Recovered

In Gaza, the education system never truly recovered. Makeshift repairs and temporary learning spaces could not restore the safety and continuity schools once provided. Children returned to classrooms with shattered windows, bullet-pocked walls, and empty desks where friends once sat. The trauma of 2014 became the baseline, not the exception. Every subsequent escalation  2018, 2021, 2023  deepened the wound.

So when we hear today that children suffer from acute anxiety, nightmares, and difficulty concentrating, we are not hearing something new. We are hearing the same alarm, sounded again and again, each time with the same words  because the world has refused to act.

This is not the first time education has been weaponized in war. In Bosnia, libraries were shelled and the University of Sarajevo besieged. In Afghanistan, the Taliban banned girls education. In Syria, schools became battlefields. But Gazas case is unique in its continuity: the repeated destruction of schools and universities, year after year, for decades. Not a single rupture, but a sustained campaign  a pedagogy of erasure.

5. The Erasure of Two Generations

To speak of Gazas lost generation is already devastating  but the phrase is too narrow. What is unfolding is the erasure of two generations: the children denied classrooms, and the educators killed or displaced who would have taught them.

As of mid-2025, the Palestinian Ministry of Education reported that over 400 teachers and school staff had been killed since the war began. UNRWA has described the death toll among its staff as unprecedented in the agencys history. With so many educators gone, even emergency tent schools struggle to function.

Meanwhile, Palestinians from the diaspora  doctors, engineers, teachers  are denied entry by Israeli authorities. Professionals with foreign passports have been repeatedly blocked at Rafah and Erez crossings, separating Gaza from the very expertise it needs. As one UNRWA official told The Guardian, We are watching a deliberate severing of Gaza from its own educated diaspora.

6. The Occupations Daily Siege on Learning

Even when there is no war, Israel blocks textbooks from entering Gaza as part of its broader policy of controlling the flow of goods and information into the territory. Since the blockade began in 2007, educational materials  especially those produced by the Palestinian Authority  have been subject to scrutiny and frequent denial.

Israeli authorities routinely cite incitement and antisemitism in Palestinian textbooks as justification for these restrictions. But these accusations are not neutral assessments  they reflect a settler-colonial framework that seeks to delegitimize Palestinian historical memory and modes of resistance. Independent reviews, including a 2021 EU-funded study, found that the vast majority of textbooks met international standards, with only isolated instances of bias  many of which were later revised. What Israel deems problematic often includes references to the Nakba, depictions of resistance, or the absence of Israeli statehood on maps  elements that reflect Palestinian lived experience rather than incitement.

The blockade of educational materials, then, is less about content and more about control: a calculated effort to sever the transmission of collective memory, suppress national consciousness, and discipline the imagination of a besieged generation.

In the West Bank, Israel targets education through a matrix of control that criminalizes movement, censors knowledge, and punishes intellectual life.

Students are routinely arrested at checkpoints  detained without charge under administrative detention, often for carrying books or attending student union meetings.

Israeli forces have stormed Birzeit University multiple times, abducting students from classrooms and dormitories under the pretext of security.

In East Jerusalem, Palestinian schools are pressured to adopt Israeli curricula that erase Palestinian history. Those that resist face defunding or closure.

Even reaching school becomes a daily ordeal. The Qalandia checkpoint, separating Al-Ram from Jerusalem, functions as an obstacle course. Children endure hours-long waits and invasive searches. Teachers commuting from the Israeli side to West Bank schools face similar barriers. These are not logistical mishaps  they are engineered disruptions, calibrated to exhaust and demoralize.

7. The Architecture of Complicity: Israeli Universities and the Manufacture of Occupation

If the occupation treats Palestinian education as a threat to be neutralized, Israeli academia helps design the blueprint. The siege on learning is not only enforced through checkpoints and border policies  it is theorized, technologized, and legitimized within Israeli universities themselves.

Palestinian universities are denied the ability to function as global institutions. They are cut off from the academic lifeblood of visiting scholars, joint research, and pedagogical exchange. Even scholars with formal teaching contracts are routinely denied work visas  because Israel refuses to recognize Palestinian universities as legitimate employers. Faculty are forced to enter on tourist permits, conceal the purpose of their visit, and lie at the border for fear of being turned away.

These permits last only three months, after which scholars must exit and re-enter to renew them  a precarious, exhausting cycle that disrupts teaching and research. Some are denied re-entry altogether, leaving students mid-semester without instructors. Legal challenges brought by Birzeit University and human rights organizations such as Adalah and Al-Haq have documented the arbitrary and discriminatory nature of these restrictions, which function as a bureaucratic chokehold on Palestinian intellectual life.

Israeli universities face no such barriers. While Palestinian institutions are isolated and undermined, Israeli universities enjoy uninterrupted access to international faculty, research funding, and global academic networks. This asymmetry is not incidental  it is strategic. It fragments Palestinian intellectual continuity, severs intergenerational transmission of knowledge, and renders education a site of fear rather than freedom. Whether through bombs or bureaucracy, Israels policy treats Palestinian classrooms not as spaces to protect, but as sites to dismantle.

And this siege is not merely mirrored in Israeli universities  it is manufactured by them. Institutions such as Hebrew University, Tel Aviv University, and the Technion are not neutral spaces of inquiry. They are deeply embedded in the machinery of occupation. As documented by scholars like Maya Wind, Israeli academia supplies the research, technologies, and legal doctrines that sustain military control over Palestinians. From biometric surveillance and drone development to land confiscation frameworks and psychological warfare models, Israeli universities produce the intellectual infrastructure of apartheid.

This is why the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), launched in 2004, targets institutions  not individuals. PACBI argues that all major Israeli universities are complicit in the denial of Palestinian rights, either through direct collaboration with the military or through silence and normalization. The boycott is not symbolic  it is strategic. It seeks to isolate the institutions that manufacture occupation, just as Palestinian universities are isolated by it.

The asymmetry is stark. While Palestinian scholars are denied visas, arrested at checkpoints, and cut off from global networks, Israeli universities host international conferences, secure research grants, and export technologies used to surveil and suppress. The same system that blocks ink and paper in Gaza funds drone research in Haifa.

To boycott is not to abandon academic freedom  it is to defend it. As PACBI and allied scholars insist, academic freedom cannot exist in a context where one peoples knowledge is criminalized and anothers is weaponized. The call to boycott is a call to restore integrity  to refuse complicity, and to stand with those whose classrooms have been turned to rubble.

8. The Catastrophe of a Generation Without Schooling

The stakes of Gazas educational collapse are not abstract. History offers a chilling record of what happens when societies lose a generation of schooling  and the consequences are never temporary.

In apartheid South Africa, the Bantu Education Act deliberately undereducated Black South Africans, designing a curriculum to limit literacy, suppress critical thinking, and entrench labor exploitation. The result was a generational ceiling on wages, mobility, and political participation  a legacy that persists decades after formal apartheid ended.

In Cambodia, the Khmer Rouges annihilation of teachers, intellectuals, and school infrastructure created a vacuum so severe that the country lacked doctors, engineers, and administrators for more than a decade. Entire sectors collapsed, and the rebuilding of institutional memory took generations.

In Afghanistan, the Talibans bans on girls education depressed GDP, reduced household incomes, and worsened health outcomes across generations. The denial of schooling became a multiplier of poverty and gender inequality, with effects that rippled far beyond the classroom.

In Bosnia, the fragmentation of schooling along ethnic lines entrenched division and slowed reconciliation. Education became a tool of separation rather than healing, cementing post-war fractures into the next generation.

The pattern is consistent: when education is dismantled, the damage is social, economic, and cultural. Communities lose not only immediate learning but also the capacity to reproduce knowledge, sustain cultural continuity, and generate mobility. The effects last for decades  often a full generation or more.

Gaza is now being pushed into that same abyss  except this time, the erasure is deliberate, systematic, and unfolding in real time. Schools have been bombed, teachers killed, students displaced. Textbooks are blocked, internet access severed, and entire cohorts denied the right to learn. This is not collateral damage  it is a policy of intellectual annihilation, calibrated to fracture the future before it can be imagined.

9. Media Narratives and Their Gaps

Mainstream reporting, while vital, often illustrates both the power and limits of witnessing. CNNs coverage of 13-year-old Farah brings the crisis to life: My school had everything  now we sit on rubble. The report cites that 95% of Gazas educational facilities have been partially or completely destroyed since October 2023, and documents the heroic improvisation of children and teachers in tents and makeshift classrooms.

Yet even as CNN humanizes the crisis, it stops short of analysis. The destruction is framed as an outcome of war, not as the culmination of a decades-long policy of educational strangulation. Questions about why reconstruction has been blocked for years, why basic materials like ink and paper are treated as dual use, and why movement of students and faculty is restricted are largely unexamined.

The term dual use refers to items that could theoretically serve both civilian and military purposes. In Gaza, this designation has been used to block the entry of educational supplies  including textbooks, lab equipment, ink cartridges, and even paper  on the grounds that they might be repurposed for militant activity. The result is a bureaucratic siege, where the tools of learning are treated as threats, and the act of rebuilding a classroom becomes a security risk.

The CNN report also softens accountability by quoting military claims without critical scrutiny. This gap between reportage and historical reality sustains impunity. Humanitarian framing elicits sympathy but not outrage; it documents survival without interrogating structural intent. Farahs ruined notebook, vivid as it is, demands more than empathy  it demands indictment.

10. A History of Palestinian Education

The assault on Palestinian education today cannot be understood in isolation. It is the latest chapter in a long and contested history  one in which learning has been both a site of colonial control and a strategy of collective survival. From Ottoman-era kuttab to missionary schools, from British-imposed disparities to clandestine classrooms in refugee camps, Palestinians have fought to preserve and expand access to knowledge under every regime of domination. What follows is not just chronology, it is a record of resilience, rupture, and the enduring belief that education is a form of liberation.

Ottoman Foundations: Palestinian education has long been both a site of struggle and a tool of resistance. Under Ottoman rule (15171917), schooling was limited, mostly religious, and unevenly distributed. Quranic schools (kuttab) provided basic literacy, but access to secular or scientific knowledge was rare. Even so, families fostered informal learning, preserving literacy, historical memory, and civic consciousness under constrained conditions.

Palestinian education has long been both a site of struggle and a tool of resistance. Under Ottoman rule (15171917), schooling was limited, mostly religious, and unevenly distributed. Quranic schools (kuttab) provided basic literacy, but access to secular or scientific knowledge was rare. Even so, families fostered informal learning, preserving literacy, historical memory, and civic consciousness under constrained conditions. Missionary Schools and Cultural Division: In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Christian missionary schools introduced modern curricula, foreign languages, and technical skills to Palestine. Institutions such as St. Georges School and the Schneller Orphanage School cultivated a new educated class, blending moral instruction with modern pedagogy. Graduates became teachers, professionals, and community leaders, laying the groundwork for a burgeoning Palestinian intelligentsia.



But this system also introduced a cultural fault line. Missionary schools, often funded and staffed by European churches, disproportionately served Palestinian Christians and offered pathways to study abroad  particularly in Britain, France, and Germany. These students gained fluency in Western languages, access to foreign universities, and exposure to liberal arts and scientific disciplines.



Meanwhile, Palestinian Muslims were largely embedded in a different educational ecosystem: kuttab, local madrasas, and Ottoman-administered institutions that emphasized religious instruction and classical Arabic literacy. These schools preserved cultural continuity and civic consciousness but lacked the international reach and resources of missionary institutions. The result was the emergence of two educational cultures  one Western-facing and transnational, the other locally rooted and communally sustained.



This division did not fracture Palestinian society, but it did shape its intellectual landscape. It created uneven access to global networks, differentiated pedagogical traditions, and distinct modes of political engagement. These legacies would later influence everything from leadership structures in exile to the composition of resistance movements. Education, even in its formative stages, was never neutral  it was a terrain of opportunity, exclusion, and ideological formation.

The British Mandate and Educational Disparities: During the British Mandate (19171948), educational opportunities in Palestine expanded, but they were shaped by stark disparities. The British colonial administration tightly controlled Arab education, treating it as a tool for pacification rather than empowerment. Government-run Arab schools were underfunded, overcrowded, and subject to rigid oversight. Curricula emphasized basic literacy and vocational training, deliberately avoiding subjects that might foster political consciousness or national identity. By 1946, fewer than 30% of Palestinian Arab children were enrolled in school, and the number of Arab secondary schools remained severely limited.



In contrast, Jewish education flourished with relative autonomy. The Zionist community was permitted to develop its own Hebrew-language school system, including kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, and teacher training colleges. These institutions were managed by the Jewish Agency and other Zionist bodies, which received substantial funding and political support. Jewish schools taught a wide range of subjects  science, literature, philosophy  and cultivated a nationalist ethos aligned with the goals of state-building. By the 1940s, Jewish students had access to a robust and ideologically coherent educational infrastructure, including the Technion and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

In contrast, Jewish education flourished with relative autonomy. The Zionist community was permitted to develop its own Hebrew-language school system, including kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, and teacher training colleges. These institutions were managed by the Jewish Agency and other Zionist bodies, which received substantial funding and political support. Jewish schools taught a wide range of subjects  science, literature, philosophy  and cultivated a nationalist ethos aligned with the goals of state-building. By the 1940s, Jewish students had access to a robust and ideologically coherent educational infrastructure, including the Technion and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Palestinian Educational Initiative and Resilience: Palestinian families responded to these inequities with remarkable initiative. In cities like Jerusalem, Jaffa, and Nablus, they established private schools that taught Arabic, English, and French, blending classical instruction with modern subjects. Rural communities built village schools and hired local scholars to teach. Civic organizations such as the Arab Higher Committee supported educational efforts, viewing schooling as essential to national development and resistance.



Institutions like the Arab College in Jerusalem, founded in 1930, trained a generation of Palestinian educators who became cultural stewards and community leaders. Literacy rates among Palestinians rose steadily, and by the 1940s, a growing number were entering professions in law, medicine, engineering, and journalism. Intellectual salons and newspapers flourished, and education became a quiet form of defiance  an assertion of dignity under colonial constraint.



This asymmetry in educational policy laid the groundwork for future disparities. While Jewish institutions were preparing for statehood, Palestinian schools were struggling to survive. The legacy of this imbalance continues to shape the educational landscape of the region today.

Palestinian families responded to these inequities with remarkable initiative. In cities like Jerusalem, Jaffa, and Nablus, they established private schools that taught Arabic, English, and French, blending classical instruction with modern subjects. Rural communities built village schools and hired local scholars to teach. Civic organizations such as the Arab Higher Committee supported educational efforts, viewing schooling as essential to national development and resistance. Institutions like the Arab College in Jerusalem, founded in 1930, trained a generation of Palestinian educators who became cultural stewards and community leaders. Literacy rates among Palestinians rose steadily, and by the 1940s, a growing number were entering professions in law, medicine, engineering, and journalism. Intellectual salons and newspapers flourished, and education became a quiet form of defiance  an assertion of dignity under colonial constraint. This asymmetry in educational policy laid the groundwork for future disparities. While Jewish institutions were preparing for statehood, Palestinian schools were struggling to survive. The legacy of this imbalance continues to shape the educational landscape of the region today. Nakba and the Rebuilding of Educational Life: The 1948 Nakba and subsequent Israeli occupation shattered Palestinian educational infrastructure, displacing hundreds of thousands and severing institutional memory. Schools were destroyed, teachers exiled, and entire communities forced into exile or military rule. Yet Palestinians responded not with silence, but with a fierce commitment to rebuild intellectual life from the ground up.



In refugee camps across Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Gaza, clandestine schools emerged in tents, mosques, and community centers. Volunteers  often without formal training  taught literacy, history, and arithmetic using salvaged materials and oral transmission. These makeshift classrooms became sites of cultural preservation and resistance, where children learned not only to read and write, but to remember.

By the 1970s and 1980s, despite ongoing displacement and occupation, Palestinians had some of the highest literacy rates in the Arab world. University enrollment surged, and institutions such as Birzeit, An-Najah, and Al-Quds became engines of professional and intellectual formation. These universities offered degrees in medicine, engineering, law, and the humanities  producing generations of scholars, activists, and professionals who would shape Palestinian civil society and global advocacy.

During the First Intifada (19871993), Israel responded to mass mobilization by shutting down nearly all Palestinian schools and universities, claiming they were centers of unrest. In response, Palestinians organized underground classrooms in homes, garages, and courtyards, coordinated by popular committees. Teachers taught by candlelight, students sat on floor mats, and lessons were passed hand-to-hand. These clandestine schools were repeatedly raided and banned, yet they persisted  a testament to the refusal to surrender the right to learn.

The Second Intifada (20002005) brought renewed devastation. Israeli incursions into cities like Ramallah and Nablus damaged university campuses, destroyed libraries, and killed or arrested students and faculty. Curfews and closures made regular schooling nearly impossible, and checkpoints turned daily commutes into hours-long ordeals. Yet Palestinian educators adapted: remote learning, mobile classrooms, and community tutoring networks kept education alive amid siege. Universities became not only places of study, but hubs of documentation, resistance, and survival.

Across decades of displacement, military rule, and siege, Palestinians have rebuilt educational life again and again  not as a luxury, but as a form of cultural continuity and political defiance. The classroom, whether formal or improvised, remains a sacred space: a place to remember, to imagine, and to resist erasure.

11. The War on the Inheritance of Exile

This long history of striving makes Gazas educational collapse not just tragic  but catastrophic. Two generations of children now face systematic erasure, deprived of the inheritance Palestinians fought to protect under Ottomans, missionaries, colonial rulers, and occupation authorities. The destruction is not merely physical  it is an assault on the Palestinian project of self-realization through education.

The Nakba of 1948 uprooted more than 750,000 Palestinians, severing land, livelihood, and institutional memory. In its aftermath, education became the only inheritance families could pass on. Parents who had lost everything insisted their children carry books into tents, convinced that knowledge was the one asset that could not be confiscated.

As historian Anne Irfan writes, Palestinians became known as the worlds best educated refugees. The results were transformative: in Jordan, they became the backbone of the civil service; in Kuwait, they helped modernize the state; across the Gulf, they staffed ministries, built infrastructure, and founded universities. Education turned exile into contribution.

Even in camps where employment and citizenship were denied, schooling remained a ladder out of poverty and a symbol of defiance. A child bent over a book in a tent became an emblem of continuity. Those with access to education outside the camps prospered further  proof that learning could reconfigure displacement into dignity.

Education in exile was never just about literacy. It was a strategy of survival, a form of resistance, and a blueprint for rebuilding a shattered nation. That is precisely what makes the present obliteration of Gazas schools so devastating: the very tool Palestinians once used to transform dispossession is now being systematically denied.

In Gaza today, Israel has already dismantled the conditions necessary for education to exist. It has bombed schools, universities, libraries, and kindergartens. It has killed teachers, displaced students, and destroyed the physical infrastructure of learning. Textbooks are blocked at the border, internet access severed, and electricity cut for days at a time. Entire campuses lie in ruins, their lecture halls reduced to ash. Students who survived the airstrikes now live with amputated limbs, unable to walk to school even if one still stood. The siege has not disrupted education  it has annihilated it.

This assault is compounded by the collapse of healthcare, the starvation of civilians, and the destruction of roads and sanitation. Gazas children are not only denied the right to learn  they are denied the right to heal, to move, to grow. The obliteration of schools is not collateral damage. It is the fulfillment of a policy objective: to fracture Palestinian continuity, to sever the miracle of survival, and to ensure that exile is no longer a beginning but a dead end.

The Palestinian diaspora  if not the world  must not let that happen. The war on education is a war on memory, on mobility, on meaning. It is a war on the future itself. And it demands a response equal to its scale: a refusal to forget, a refusal to surrender, and a refusal to let the inheritance of exile be buried beneath the rubble.

[The writer, Rima Najjar, is a Palestinian whose fathers side of the family comes from the forcibly depopulated village of Lifta on the western outskirts of Jerusalem and whose mothers side of the family is from Ijzim, south of Haifa. She is an activist, researcher, and retired professor of English literature, Al-Quds University, occupied West Bank. The above article has been originally published by Medium . Except the title, ummid.com has not changed the original article.]

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Erasmus founder Corradi advocated for cultural, social and academic exchanges among European students, on her return to Rome from US in 1969.

Sofia Corradi, the Italian professor of educational sciences and inventor of the Erasmus student exchange programme in the European Union, died in Rome on Friday night aged 91.

Her family announced the news on Saturday, describing her as a woman "of great energy and intellectual and emotional generosity."

Born in Rome in 1934, Corradi became known as 'Mamma Erasmus' for her ground-breaking idea of promoting cultural, social and academic exchanges between European students.

Corradi studied law at La Sapienza in the 1960s before furthering her studies at Colombia University in the US thanks to a Fulbright scholarship.

She conceived the Erasmus idea on her return to Rome, in 1969, after her Master's degree from abroad was not recognised in Italy.

Subsequently, in her role as scientific consultant for the permanent conference of Italian university rectors, Corradi promoted her idea within the academic and institutional spheres.

After a long battle, the Erasmus programme was inaugurated within the EU in 1987 and is now considered the most important educational community experience in the world.

In addition to promoting learning in all its many forms, the programme promotes "cooperation, quality, inclusion and equity, excellence, creativity and innovation."

Since its creation, more than 16 million students have availed of the Erasmus programme, named after the 15th-century Dutch philosopher and theologian Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam.

The scheme has also had a profound cultural impact, representing for many European students their first time living and studying in another country.

With Brexit, the UK government decided to no longer participate in Erasmus, meaning that UK students lost access to the Erasmus programme and EU students lost access to UK universities under the European-wide scheme.

In 2016, Italy's president Sergio Mattarella appointed Corradi a Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in recognition of her "outstanding" contribution to education in creating the Erasmus programme.
Halloween Disco

Ferrybank AFC will host a Halloween Disco on Tuesday, October 29, from 7pm to 9pm at The Rhu Glenn. The event is open to children aged 10 to 14, with an entry fee of 10. A tuck shop will be available on the night. Tickets can be purchased from Sweet & Brew Coffee Unit, Denise Mullally at 087 9436731, or Claire Smith Baldwin at 083 0544449. Everyone is invited to come along for a spooky and fun-filled evening.

Sympathies

It is with sadness that we record the passing of Sean Hennessy, late of Bishopsgrove, Ferrybank, formerly of Sallypark, and late of the FAS Training Centre, who passed away on Sunday, October 12. Sean made a significant contribution to the Bishopsgrove community and the Dominican Church. He was a dedicated instructor, examiner, and Life Governor of Water Safety Ireland. Predeceased by his beloved wife Noreen (nee: Desmond) and daughter-in-law Maria, he is sadly missed by his sons Desmond and Sean, daughters Margaret and Catriona, sons-in-law Michael and Finbar, grandchildren Megan, Mark and his wife Dervla, Ellen, Eve, Ciara, Lucy, Amie and Harry, together with his extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends. Reposing took place at Thompsons Funeral Home, Barrack Street, Waterford, on Tuesday. Sean was received for a blessing into St. Saviours (Dominican) Church, Bridge Street, immediately following reposal. Requiem Mass was celebrated on Wednesday morning in St. Saviours (Dominican) Church, Bridge Street, followed by burial in St. Killians Cemetery, Ferrybank.

Confident With Smartphone

If youd like to feel more confident using your smartphone, Ferrybank Library is hosting friendly, hands-on sessions to help you get the most from your device. The two-day sessions will take place on Thursday, October 23 and Friday, October 24. Morning sessions will run from 10.30am and 1pm and afternoon sessions from 1pm to 3pm. Booking is required. To reserve your place, call 051 897200 or email Ferrybank@kilkennylibrary.ie.

'Indiana Stones'

David Keohan, known as the 'Indiana Stone Lifter', is a celebrated Irish stone lifter and historian dedicated to reviving the ancient tradition of stone lifting. Hailing from Powerscourt, Dunmore Road, Keohan has spent years researching, locating, and lifting historic stones once used to prove strength and manhood in Celtic culture. His project, The Indiana Stones, documents his efforts to rediscover and restore these legendary lifting stones, preserving an important part of Irelands physical and cultural heritage. Through demonstrations, storytelling, and collaboration with local communities, Keohan connects modern audiences with the ancient spirit of strength and identity. His passion and scholarship have made him a leading figure in the revival of traditional stone lifting worldwide. He is the son of Dave and Christine (nee: Fleming) and grandson of the late Nell and Andy Fleming (1948 All Ireland winner), Marymount. David works at the paint counter in Morriss DIY, is married to Breda, and they have two sons, Ryan and Connor and a daughter, Caoimhe and reside in Grange Manor.

Walk For Solas

St. Marys Boys National School raised over 550 in its annual charity walk at Ferrybank GAA grounds, held in memory of Margaret Browne, the schools late secretary, who passed away in 2016. The event supports the Solas Cancer Foundation, with pupils, staff, and families coming together to honour Margarets legacy of kindness and community spirit.

Halloween

With Halloween just days away, Gardai have issued a reminder that the sale, possession, and use of all fireworks is illegal without a license. Anyone caught breaking these laws could face a fine of up to 10,000 and/or five years in prison. The same punishment also applies to those who aim lit pyrotechnics towards a person or property. Gardai are urging parents to warn children of the dangers of fireworks and are asking the public to report the illegal use or sale of pyrotechnics to their local Garda station or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111. Halloween is an enjoyable time of year for many; however, it can evoke negative feelings and fears for some older or vulnerable people. Consider spending the evening with this person and be available to answer the door to keep them safe, and do not leave the person alone on Halloween. If possible, arrange for someone to be with them between 4pm and 10pm, or take them to a community event or a family members home and return home after dusk.

Social Night Out

Ferrybank GAA Club will host its eagerly awaited social night out on Saturday, November 15, at the Tower Hotel, Waterford. The event promises to be a fun-filled and memorable evening, celebrating the achievements of players and members with the clubs Annual Awards presentations. Guests can look forward to lively music from The Strokes band, followed by an energetic DJ set to keep the celebrations going late into the night. Tickets, priced at 30, are now available and can be purchased from Martin (097 2811604), Kevin (087 9018469), Gillian (087 2414305), Robbie (085 2074288), or Niamh (083 8547293).

Slieverue ARA

Join Slievrue Active Retirement Association on Wednesday, October 22, in St. Marys Parish Hall for our regular activities, Chair Yoga at 11.30am, followed by Bingo at 12.50pm. Please note that the 20 deposit for our Christmas Lunch (taking place on December 18) must be paid on October 22. As always, we warmly welcome new members, both male and female. Remember, were conveniently located on the bus route with suitable times for travel.
Politicians in Waterford have called for fairer democratic practice when it comes to fees associated with medical certs for postal votes.

Currently, anyone who is voting by postal vote due to a medical condition can be charged a fee by a medical professional for confirmation that travelling to a polling station is not feasible.

Cllr Jason Murphy said effectively what is happening is "the most vulnerable people in our society are being charged for the right to vote in our democracy".

He added that he is aware of doctors across the city and county who are charging people for their letter of confirmation.

People with disabilities are paying for their democratic right. That is a practice we should stop immediately."

Cllr Murphys comments were supported by Mayor of the city and county Cllr Seamus Ryan.

I totally agree with you and now is the time to be raising that, he said.

Ireland's electoral watchdog, An Coimisiun Toghchain has previously voiced strong recommendation to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage that a waiver of all fees associated with medical certification for postal votes come into effect before the upcoming presidential election.

Speaking earlier this year, Art OLeary, Chief Executive of An Coimisiun Toghchain stated: Ahead of presidential elections, and all future elections it is vital we take each poll as an opportunity to learn and improve upon voting processes and practices. We are pleased that there were some observable improvements at polling stations since our visits during previous electoral events in March and June.

However it is simply unjustifiable that some voters should have to pay to get access to their vote."

(Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme)
A man has been given a suspended sentence for an attack on his wife in their home.

The man, who was in his 40s and required the aid of an interpreter, was before Waterford District Court on one charge of assault causing harm to his wife in their home on January 1, 2025.

The arresting garda told the court that they received a report on January 6, 2025, from the injured party that she had been assaulted by her husband.

She said he had grabbed her by the throat and had thrown her on the couch.

Gardai arrested the man and took pictures of the injured partys injuries, which were provided to the court.

The man had no previous convictions.

The solicitor for the defendant said that this was an isolated incident from a man with no history of domestic violence.

The solicitor said their client pleaded guilty and accepted responsibility for the incident.

The solicitor said the man was of otherwise good character and was under a lot of stress at the time.

He had since left the family home and had followed all of the court's instructions.

The court was also told that the couple had since reconciled.

The injured party was temporarily out of the jurisdiction at the time of the sentencing and did not wish to provide a victim impact statement.

Judge Kevin Staunton said their reconciliation was encouraging, but the pictures before him were not and were somewhat concerning.

The judge sentenced the man to four months in prison but suspended it for 12 months on the condition that he attend the MEND domestic violence programme and follow all of the instructions of the probation service.

Clearly, if there is a repeat of this behaviour, he will serve a custodial sentence, said Judge Staunton.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.
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Exclusive NationalDiagnosing Murder Australian court ruling in shaken baby case was ignorant and embarrassing Michael Bachelard and Ruby Schwartz October 18, 2025  2:05am 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 international researcher whose work helped cast doubt over the scientific evidence for shaken baby syndrome has described an Australian courts precedent-setting judgment as ignorant and embarrassing. Professor Anders Eriksson, one of the authors of an influential 2016 study by the Swedish health technology agency, told the Diagnosing Murder podcast the study found the evidence for a diagnosis that has imprisoned hundreds of Australians was very weak. Anders Eriksson, a retired professor of forensic medicine at the University of Umea in Sweden. He gave evidence in a landmark appeal court hearing in Victoria. Forty researchers examined more than 3000 pieces of scientific literature in multiple languages for the 2016 study by the Swedish government agency (SBU). Their two-year review found the orthodox diagnosis  that a so-called triad of injuries points to child abuse  could not be scientifically confirmed. When Eriksson and two other Scandinavian experts gave evidence in a Victorian Court of Appeal case in 2021, the majority judges dismissed their testimony as being of little assistance. The appeal had been brought by a young man, Jesse Vinaccia, who is serving an 8-year sentence for child homicide after being found guilty of shaking his girlfriends baby to death.

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Justices Terry Forrest and Karin Emerton found: The SBU Report is radical in its approach and conclusions  It seeks to set aside decades of study  and the widespread acceptance that [shaken baby syndrome] may cause the constellation of clinical features known as the triad. Even if the evidence of the Scandinavian witnesses represents a respectable body of scientific opinion, which we doubt, it would do no more than stand against another respectable body of scientific opinion. Jesse Vinaccia (right) was jailed over the death of baby Kaleb Baylis-Clarke. Responding for the first time to the critique, Eriksson told the podcasts second episode, released today: Who are these legal advisers, or judges? Who are they to tell us what science should do? I mean, its off the wall. They are not qualified [as scientists]. Period. Its embarrassing  ignorant and embarrassing. Eriksson, now a retired professor and former member of the National Board of Forensic Medicine in Sweden, told Diagnosing Murder that the SBU was one of the worlds oldest and most respected health technology agencies.

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Its review found most of the studies that purported to support the shaken baby theory were based on circular reasoning  the cases studied were only there because they had already been diagnosed as victims of abuse. This made the findings a self-fulfilling prophecy, Eriksson said. In Sweden, prosecutions for the syndrome, which is now often called abusive, or inflicted, head trauma, had virtually stopped, he said. Robert Roberson, whose execution in Texas was recently postponed over questions about shaken baby science. AP The [Swedish] Supreme Court said that to convict someone for shaking a baby, the medical findings are not enough  theyre not reliable enough, he said. They would need other forms of evidence, such as witnesses, to prove the abuse. Questions have also been consistently raised in courts in the United States. Last week, a Texas appeal court halted the execution of Robert Roberson, who had been convicted of shaking his daughter to death in 2002. The court found the conviction might conflict with the states junk science law.

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However, in Australia, data compiled and reviewed by the podcast shows hundreds of parents have lost their children or been imprisoned over the past three decades based on the diagnosis. The 2021 Victorian Appeal Court case was the first time the diagnosis itself  as opposed to simply an individual case  had been challenged. Appeal court decisions help settle legal precedents. Norman Guthkelch, a pediatric neurosurgeon who first identified shaken baby syndrome but later reversed his view. Diagnosing Murder also tells the story today of how the man who first theorised about a link between shaking and brain injury, British neurosurgeon Norman Guthkelch, later reversed his position. Arizona Innocence Project lawyer Carrie Sperling told the podcast she had brought Guthkelch into a case of a young father convicted of murder in 2011. After the British doctor examined the case, he wrote in his expert report: I wouldnt hang a cat on the evidence of shaking as presented.

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His flip did not change the minds of the syndromes proponents. Instead, says Sperling, they dismissed him as being senile  a lonely old man who got taken advantage of by lying defence attorneys. The podcast interviews one of the first people globally to question the research base for shaken baby syndrome, Sydney physician, Mark Donohoe. He first identified the circular reasoning problem in a paper in 2003. Donohoe told Diagnosing Murder he also had been shot down, adding that medicine was too often based on the voice of authority, not scientific inquiry. We know that it takes 50 years to get a good idea in [to medicine] and 100 years to get a bad idea out, Donohoe said. Thats just the nature of our being a conservative medical community.

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When Eriksson and Scandinavian co-authors published their findings, they were quickly dismissed. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in the United Kingdom issued a consensus statement that accused them of excluding nearly all of the available learning, posing a clinically irrelevant question, conducting an inadequate literature search and designing their research poorly. The majority judges in Vinaccias case quoted the statement. The 16-week-old baby in that case, Kaleb Baylis-Clarke, was born small and unwell. In the lead-up to his death, his head had swollen at a concerning rate, according to one doctor, from the third percentile to the 85th percentile. There was no claim that this was the result of abuse. Kaleb spent three days being treated in hospital for vomiting, drowsiness and the swollen head, before being sent home. Three days later, Vinaccia says he found Kaleb floppy and unresponsive one morning in his cot. Kaleb had no bruises and no fractures, and his head was even bigger.

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Vinaccia told police he had picked Kaleb up with a bit of force the night before his death, and to have put him down in his cot pretty rough. The prosecution expert at the appeal acknowledged these actions could not have caused his injuries, so he must have been violently shaken. Related Article Investigation

Diagnosing Murder This man just had his baby-shaking execution halted because his conviction might be based on junk science Vinaccias lawyers argued Kalebs existing medical issues were a more likely reason for his death. The majority judges found the prosecution case cogent and reliable. The third, minority, judge, former Victorian solicitor-general Kristen Walker, disagreed. She found Vinaccia had been the victim of a substantial miscarriage of justice and he should be immediately released. Vinaccia will be released from prison later this month after serving his full sentence. The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.

CORRECTION An early version of this story incorrectly referred to Victoria Appeal Court Justice Jack Forrest
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Editorial NationalCybersecurity Cost of complacency: We must compel corporations to take data protection seriously The Age's View October 18, 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

As our lives have become increasingly digitised, we routinely allow businesses to have our personal information and track our online activity. It now seems almost equally routine to read that the safeguards major corporations place around this data have been breached, whether it is the result of malicious hackers (Optus, Qantas), errors in data handling (Telstra) or employees abusing their access to private information (American Express). These breaches have the potential to affect millions of Australians. And they are part of a growing trend. Abigail Bradshaw, the director-general of the Australian Signals Directorate, said recently that the agency had responded to 1200 cybersecurity incidents in the latest financial year  up 11 per cent  and notified critical infrastructure entities about potential malicious activity affecting their networks 190 times, more than double the figure for the previous year. More could be done to protect Australians from data breaches. Bloomberg But the sanctions companies face for failing to protect data suggest that the threat is one were prepared to live with, an accepted price of doing business online. This month, in a first for this country, the pathology services provider Australian Clinical Labs was ordered by the Federal Court to pay $5.8 million in penalties over a data breach that exposed the personal information of 223,000 people. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) hailed the decision as an important turning point in the enforcement of privacy law  in line with the expectations of the public and the powers given to the OAIC by parliament.

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This week, our investigative reporter Charlotte Grieve has turned the spotlight on another OAIC investigation, involving financial giant American Express. While that investigation is still to be concluded, we are entitled to ask whether a penalty in the low millions of dollars is likely to change behaviour at a company with net income in the billions. This masthead has often reported on the increasing sophistication and scale of cybercrime, a problem the rise of artificial intelligence is only going to exacerbate. But the American Express case also suggests that some of the lapses are as simple as a failure to track all employee logins within an organisation, which surely belongs in the category of Online Security 101. Loading Grieves reporting on the American Express case also raises questions over whether the OAIC is doing enough to reassure those making complaints, with its investigation so far taking two years and the complainant saying that the OAIC cited a lack of resources in its decision not to investigate whether there had been a notifiable data breach, which might have justified stronger penalties. While the OAIC has been strengthened, and there is at long last a tort for invasions of privacy, this masthead believes more could be done.

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It is now possible for both corporations and criminals to aggregate massive amounts of information about our activities and preferences with a view to monetising them, in what some people call surveillance capitalism. A sinister example was on display this week, when it became clear that public figures including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had had their contact information published online. As Tom Sulston, head of policy at lobby group Digital Rights Watch, pointed out: The worst thing thats probably going to happen to [Albanese] ... is hell get a few prank calls, and then hell have to get a new phone number ... but if youre someone whos getting out of domestic violence, your address is leaked, that could be literally fatal. The latest headlines may soon be forgotten, and the problem of data protection may return to ticking away in the background. But with surveys showing nearly half of Australians have had notification of a data breach involving their information, and victims of cybercrime each losing an average $33,000 last year, can we really afford complacency? Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
The October 18 Edition

As we were putting this edition together I realised a beautiful thread had emerged  that of family experiences. Megan Gilmour and her daughter, Mia, are the subjects of this weeks Two of Us column. They went through the harrowing experience of Megans son, Darcy, being diagnosed with cancer at age 10. Megan and Mia, who was just 13 when her brother fell ill, describe how the illness impacted, but ultimately strengthened, their mother-daughter relationship. For our cover story, Konrad Marshall spoke with jockey Michelle Payne about becoming the first  and only  female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup. Marshall charts how influential Paynes close-knit family has been on her life and how she handled the aftermath of making history. Elsewhere, Jordan Baker details Antonia Marrans role in continuing the groundbreaking work of her late father, Antony Kidman, in adolescent and youth mental health. Its a lovely illustration of generational change and renewal within a family. Melissa Stevens, editor
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Exclusive PoliticsFederalPolitical donations Canva co-founder and Greens donor add to Climate 200 fundraising heft Natassia Chrysanthos October 18, 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

Key points Climate 200 boosted its election fundraising in 2025, backed by prominent business figures including Canvas billionaire co-founder Cliff Obrecht.

The group tripled its total donor base to 33,000 people, distributing $10.9 million to 35 independent campaigns.

The fundraising vehicle received $5 million between seven key contributors, with three separate $1 million donations.

Canvas billionaire co-founder, the family charity linked to Australias 7-Eleven empire, and a tech entrepreneur who also supports the Greens were among Climate 200s new top backers as it built up its fundraising heft ahead of this years federal election. The fundraising vehicle for community independents, which was founded by Simon Holmes a Court in 2019, tripled its number of donors to 33,000 people and received $5 million split between seven key contributors as it expanded to back 35 candidates at the May poll. Top Climate 200 donors: Marcus Catsaras, Deborah Barlow, Cliff Obrecht, Scott Farquhar and Robert Keldoulis. Climate 200 did not disclose how much it received in donations altogether, but it said it had distributed $10.9 million to independent campaigns this year. It received at least three $1 million donations, from Keldoulis Investments, New Regime PL and Fairground Investments. Share trader Robert Keldoulis, through his investment firm, has been a prominent donor to Climate 200. But new additions to the groups top donors in the 2024-25 financial year were New Regime PL, led by West Australian tech entrepreneur and activist Norman Pater, and Fairground Investments, a rebrand of the Barlow Impact Group, which was the family charity of 7-Eleven co-founders Beverley and Douglas Barlow.

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Pater, who founded the Carbon Farming Foundation and is also a prominent donor to the Greens in WA, told this masthead he was proud to be one of 33,000 donors helping to elect more community independents. Related Article Opinion

Australia votes Our electoral system works. Two changes would make it better Michael Yabsley Former NSW minister The major parties continue to fail the integrity test and collude with fossil fuel giants, approving new projects at the expense of the environment and regular Australians, he said. Fairground Investments, now led by Deborah Barlow, told the ABC earlier this year that the charity had contacted Climate 200 because of the inaction of the major parties on climate change. We went via Climate 200 rather than direct funding to the independents because Climate 200 have collected the data and research as to which candidates are most likely to be successful.

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Keldoulis said he saw his donations as philanthropic, not political. I expect nothing in return, just a better outcome for society, he said. Climate 200 supports independent candidates that match its stated values  on climate, integrity and equality  by providing them with funding, as well as campaign, data and communications support as they challenge major party incumbents. It also received contributions of $500,000 each from Canva co-founder and chief operating officer Cliff Obrecht, trader and climate investor Marcus Catsaras, the LB Conservation Trust and Atlassian co-founder Scott Farquhar. Atlassian founder Scott Farquhar. Alex Ellinghausen Obrecht, the only one on that list to have donated to Climate 200 for the first time, also made a $250,000 personal donation to the Labor Party.

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Catsaras and Farquhar had made donations of $1 million or more in previous years. LB Conservation Trust  which is registered to a $16 million South Yarra penthouse belonging to Lisa Barlow, another member of 7-Elevens Australian dynasty  has also donated to the Greens. Related Article Australia votes Package teal: The independent movement, three years on The donors are named in a list of major contributors supplied to this masthead by Climate 200, but the list is not exhaustive. The full list of donors over the disclosure threshold for the 2024-25 financial year will be published on Monday by the Australian Electoral Commission. Before the 2022 election, when it helped drive six Liberal MPs out of the lower house, Climate 200 raised $13 million from 11,200 donors. This year, it said the number of donors had tripled to 33,000. Half of its donors were from outside inner-metropolitan areas, where independent candidates are most successful, and 93 per cent of donors gave $500 or less.

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They will not be included in the public donations register, as they fall under the $16,900 disclosure threshold, but they include people like Joy Nason, a resident of Sydneys northern beaches, who gives $20 a month. Related Article Opinion

Political donations Can the teals resist this $90m party invitation? David Crowe Europe correspondent Nason said her experience being raised in conservative Christian group the Exclusive Brethren  whose campaigning assistance to the Coalition during the election campaign was exclusively detailed by this masthead  had motivated her political involvement through Climate 200. Seeing so many women stand up in parliament and speak for their communities feels vindicating when throughout my formative years. I was taught that women meant nothing and had to take second place, she said. Climate 200-backed independent MPs all held their seats at the election, except Zoe Daniel in Goldstein, who lost the inner Melbourne seat to her predecessor, Liberal MP and frontbencher Tim Wilson.

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Climate 200 had also liked the chances of independent campaigns in Bradfield, Wannon, Cowper and Calare, but only the blue-ribbon seat of Bradfield in Sydneys northern suburbs fell, when new MP Nicolette Boele won by 26 votes against Liberal challenger Gisele Kapterian after a weeks-long recount. Climate 200-backed independents also came close in two Labor-held seats: Bean in the ACT, and Fremantle in WA. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
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Reviews & adviceHotel reviews Ultimate island stay leaves nothing to be desired  except more time Riley Wilson 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 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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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.
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Analysis WorldEuropeTrump diplomacy With Zelensky meeting, Trump makes clear his role in this conflict Michael Koziol Updated October 18, 2025  9:36am ,first published October 18, 2025  6:29am 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 196 View all comments

Washington: Buoyed by the ceasefire in Gaza, Donald Trump believes more than ever in his unique ability to strike peace deals and end wars. Of course, in the case of Russias war on Ukraine  the conflict he once boasted he could resolve in 24 hours  a ceasefire has eluded him for nine months and counting. Meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Saturday (AEDT), Trump returned to his mantra that peace was not far away and that both sides, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, wanted to make a deal. Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. AP I think were making great progress, he said. Things are coming along pretty well. Are they? We are now two months on from the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska that was supposed to deliver at least a ceasefire. But the fighting has only intensified since then.

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All year, Ukraine and Europe (and many in Congress) have tried to get the United States to increase pressure on Putin. At this White House meeting  the third between Trump and Zelensky  Ukraine was seeking to obtain Tomahawk long-range missiles from the US that could strike targets deep into Russian territory. That would certainly be one way to turn up the heat on Putin. Zelensky seemed to propose a kind of trade, suggesting Ukraine could supply the US with thousands of drones in exchange for the powerful missiles. We need Tomahawks, he said at the lunch meeting. Loading Trump was reluctant. Not only might the US need the missiles itself, he said, but selling them to Ukraine would represent a significant escalation in the conflict. Hopefully they wont need it, hopefully well be able to get the war over without thinking about Tomahawks. I think were fairly close to that, Trump said.

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Later, at a press conference in a park opposite the White House, Zelensky said both leaders agreed not to talk publicly about long-range missiles because the United States doesnt want escalation. And in a Truth Social post, Trump described the meeting as interesting and cordial, but said it was time to strike a deal and stop fighting: They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide! Volodymyr Zelensky speaks to reporters in a Washington park after his meeting with Trump. AP Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses an energy forum in Moscow on Thursday. AP There are different ways of looking at this. On one hand: less than a week ago as he flew to Israel, Trump was threatening to give Ukraine the missiles, saying it was appropriate to discuss it. A few days later  and a day before he met Zelensky  Putin gets in his ear and the two men agree to meet in Hungary. Then, rather than agreeing to give Ukraine the Tomahawks, Trump appears to cool on the idea. On the face of it, it seems that Putin bought himself more time  again.

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When it comes to Russia and China, he [Trump] gets an itch in his eye, and he constantly blinks, Rahm Emanuel, a former chief-of-staff to Barack Obama, told CNN. Tomahawks with Russia, tariffs with China. Related Article Analysis

Russia-Ukraine war Donald Trump has already set his sights on the next calamity On the other hand, looks can be deceiving. Trump has not ruled out sending Ukraine the missiles. His threats from earlier in the week were not entirely empty: as The Washington Posts editorial board noted, [they] had a clear effect: Putin initiated Thursdays call. Trump says that during the two-hour call, he threatened Putin directly, albeit lightheartedly. I did actually say, Would you mind if I gave a couple of thousand Tomahawks to your opposition? He didnt like the idea.

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It may not be the type of pressure campaign some advocates want to see, but it is an escalation of pressure nonetheless. Trump is playing the role of impartial mediator. He does not care about the history or the principles at stake. According to new reporting by The Financial Times, at the Alaska summit in August, Trump grew restless when Putin went on a rambling historical discursion spanning medieval princes such as Rurik of Novgorod and Yaroslav the Wise  part of his treatise on why Russia and Ukraine are one nation. The Financial Times reported that Trump raised his voice several times and even threatened to leave, citing multiple sources briefed on the talks. Ultimately, a planned working lunch was cancelled, and at a short joint news conference, the men took no questions. Trump needs the Budapest summit to be better. He suggested on Friday that it might be a double meeting, where he would see Putin and Zelensky separately.

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On October 17, First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican.

First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva expressed her pleasure at meeting Cardinal Pietro Parolin again and congratulated the Catholic world on the occasion of the Jubilee Year.

She thanked the Secretary of State for his participation in the COP29 event held in Azerbaijan in November last year and hailed the dynamic expansion of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Holy See in recent years.

Emphasizing that Azerbaijan embodies the values of religious tolerance and multiculturalism as both state policy and a societal norm, Mehriban Aliyeva spoke about the work carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation within the framework of cooperation with the Holy See. She noted the great potential for further developing bilateral relations. Speaking about the relations with the Catholic community in Azerbaijan, the First Vice-President said: The issue raised during the Secretary of State's visit to Azerbaijan in November last yearthe construction of a second Catholic Church in our countryhas found a positive resolution. A positive decision on this matter has already been made by President Ilham Aliyev, and construction of the second Catholic Church in the capital will begin in the near future. Mehriban Aliyeva underlined that Cardinal Pietro Parolin is regarded in Azerbaijan as a close friend of the country and its people and expressed gratitude for his contributions to the successful and steady development of bilateral cooperation.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin expressed his honor at seeing First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva again and conveyed his deep appreciation to the Azerbaijani state and personally to President Ilham Aliyev for efforts in strengthening relations with the Holy See. He described his meeting with President Ilham Aliyev during his visit to Azerbaijan at COP29 as a gesture of respect toward the Vatican. Highlighting the projects implemented with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Cardinal praised the cooperation and the exemplary relations between the state and the Catholic community in Azerbaijan. The construction of a second Catholic Church in Baku is a highly commendable development, and for that, we are grateful to Azerbaijan. This is yet another manifestation of the care and respect shown to all religions in your country. Azerbaijan serves as an example for many countries in this regard, he said.

The Cardinal also noted that the awarding of Bishop Vladimir Fekete, Apostolic Prefect of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan, with the Friendship Order by President Ilham Aliyev is another sign of respect toward the Holy See.

Pietro Parolin congratulated Azerbaijan on the signing of the Joint Declaration by Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the United States on August 8 in Washington and on the initialing of the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He reaffirmed the Vaticans unequivocal support for peace in the region.

Expressing her gratitude to Cardinal Pietro Parolin for his congratulations, First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva highly valued the outcomes of the Washington Summit, emphasizing that the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia remain committed to the peace agenda and expressing hope for the establishment of lasting peace in the region.

Photo credit: Vatican Media

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Community groups in Ballina have been praised for hosting a series of successful events in the summer.

In a presentation to councillors at last week's meeting of Ballina Municipal District, senior council official Declan Turnbull said it had been a busy and productive summer with a host of excellent events held in the town. A delegation from Ballina also travelled to Wexford for the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in August, with a view to learning more about the event ahead of a possible bid to host it in Ballina in the coming years.

Mr Turnbull said the Dragon Boat Regatta at Ballina Quay in August was another great success for the area that brought people from all over the region and he understood it would now be an annual event. Ballina also performed very well in The Irish Times Green Towns competition, being shortlisted in the final 13, resulting in a lot of publicity in The Irish Times for a few weeks.

So fair play to the local groups working on it and also the council staff. It is good to know we are there or thereabouts in relation to green towning," he said in his monthly report.

As for council services in Ballina, he noted that the motor tax continues to be very busy, attracting a lot of people into the office and is a very busy section for our staff to keep on top of".

Cllr Annie May Reape agreed that the Dragon Boat group has gone from strength to strength.

"They have the Dragon Chorus Choir now as well. I think it has gone even bigger for them than they expected, she said.

Cllr Michael Loftus also extended congratulations to the organisers of the Dragon Boat weekend, saying: It was great for people in the Ballina area. The Western Dive Rally in Kilcummin was on the same weekend and that brought 200 people from all over Ireland who came to enjoy the diving we have in North Mayo. We generated about 750,000 for the community through this event between accommodation, food, petrol, etc, which was a big boost to the local economy. That was always what we intended when we sank the MV Shingle in Killala Bay - to bring money back into the community.

Cllr John OHara said the Dragon Boat Regatta was a first for Ballina, adding: It is great to see something new, and like anything, once it comes in it is a place to go and a new hobby for people to get involved in.

He said he was part of the delegation that travelled to the Wexford Fleadh Cheoil and many useful talks were had over the weekend with those involved in organising it, adding: It is a fantastic event and the amount of people there was phenomenal. But it is a big undertaking and you have have to be able to close down traffic routes around the town to stage it.

Mayo Co Council's Director of Services Catherine McConnell clarified that a report on the visit to the Wexford Fleadh will be delivered to councillors in due course.
Overhanging trees along roadsides are now as big an issue as overgrown hedges, a local councillor has claimed.

Fine Gael Cllr Jarlath Munnelly raised the matter at last week's meeting of Ballina Municipal District when he called on Mayo Co Council to hire a machine to cut overhanging trees on roads in the district.

Its not just about hedge-cutting anymore because there are an awful lot of overhanging trees. On the way to Killala there are trees all planted by Mayo Co Council, they dont belong to landowners but it always falls back on them to cut them. We are getting all these calls about the trees and the matter wont be addressed with the hedge-cutting programme. We need something more substantial to manage it.

Cllr John OHara, who works for the ESB, added: We saw with the power outages recently that it was all down to timber. There is no one addressing the timber problem. It is above in Dublin this matter should be addressed, because they are giving permission for trees all over the place and then they are creating these problems, so it is no good blaming the ESB or the council.

Cllr Michael Loftus said: It is embarrassing to read that a local businessman in the Castlebar area had to employ a machine to clear trees in certain areas because his buses were getting damaged. Where is the council's tree cutting policy?

Cllr Annie May Reape said she understood that a stock-take on all dangerous trees was to be made after Storm Eowyn in January, but "a lot of dangerous trees were hanging down after the storm of last week".

Ballina municipal engineer Orla Bourke told the meeting that the council is currently undertaking a countywide dangerous tree survey and has written to landowners to cut down any overhanging trees on their lands. She also suggested that the councillors might "consider providing a 5,000 fund each [from their discretionary funding] for tree-cutting each year".

Cllr Loftus said an extra 250,000 from last years council budget went to tree-cutting and highlighted Abbeytown in Crossmolina as an area where there were problems with dangerous trees, while Cllr Annie May Reape said councillors already allocate some of their own funding to the cause.
Have you noticed how in recent years Halloween has become as big a deal as Christmas? For some people it is certainly the bigger festival of the two, which is a big change from the days of my youth. How has it come about and what does it mean?

The celebration of Halloween is everywhere around you. It has been for weeks now and seems to start earlier each year. The build up to it certainly feels like Christmas of old. Everywhere you look, you can see the signs. Every window display and every shop you go into is full of it.

When I was a kid in the west, Halloween was certainly a thing. It was marked for sure, no doubt about it. But it was very different in size and scale. On the evening of the 31st you would have ducking and trying to eat apples on a string and all that. There was a bit of trick or treating and dressing up, but that was mainly for townies.

When you became a teenager there would be the scary movie, often of that dreadful slasher kind. So Halloween wasnt nothing, and it was certainly fun, but it wasnt exactly the most anticipated event of the year, and certainly not the most intensely celebrated.

That was always Christmas, and Halloween paled in significance compared to it. Christmas was what you longed for, a festival that unfurled slowly. Halloween was just a night that came and went with a slice of brack and without any great fuss.

Now, Halloween is a rolling pageant, an outburst of energy and creativity. The costumes for example have become ever more elaborate. On October 31st, and for days before, the country becomes an enormous Hollywood film set. Ghosts and ghouls, witches and monsters are all around us.

The blood and gore is playfully presented but does not leave much to the imagination. If you were doing a time and motion study, the make up artistry work alone must take up thousands of hours across the country. Young people are planning Halloween parties that would allow for degrees in event management and design to be awarded. The Late Late Show might be missing a trick here. They have embraced Country and Western, and with considerable success. The Toy Show is of course their most winning formula. Surely a Halloween special would prove a treat?

Less pleasantly, in urban areas, the sounds of fire crackers and fireworks of one kind or another generate a cacophony. And they start a whole month before Halloween. That those things are dangerous and expensive appears to be no impediment whatsoever to their use.

But what is most striking is how much people revel in the whole thing. There is an energy and excitement to Halloween that crosses the generations. This I think is a notable contrast to how Christmas is experienced nowadays. With the religious meaning of the Christmas season increasingly drained out of it, adults now love Christmas for two reasons: it is a break from the daily grind and a chance to catch up with people you like but do not often see; and secondly, and perhaps most especially, because of how it enraptures children. That is the Christmas magic. But Halloween enraptures adults as much - and possibly more  than children. Look at the grown ups at Halloween  they are wild for it.

Why? What is behind that? There are three interlinked things I think.

First, a festival that celebrates the dark at this time of year is of course well placed to appeal to people. The human imagination is fascinated by the terrifying, and tales of blood and gore have always attracted listeners, readers and viewers. And Halloween makes the terrifying safe, by making it playful. It is therefore just good fun, and there is nothing in the world wrong with a bit of fun.

But there is more to it than that in 2025 Ireland surely? This is a country which in one generation has seen its uniform and tightly codified spirituality collapse. That old world, represented by the solid buildings and firm doctrines of Roman Catholicism, has been replaced now by a spirituality which is essentially will-o'-the-wisp. You will hear an awful lot of vague stuff over the next couple of weeks about how Halloween speaks to us deeply from the past about how our ancestors engaged with the spiritual dimensions of their existence etc etc. You can take all that with the pinch of salt it deserves.

There is a certain irony that a faith based system like Christianity spent its early centuries trying to drive out - or incorporate - many of the superstitions which are now coming back into fashion in the light of Christianitys decline. But of course Christians have always relied  often imperfectly it is true  on reason and rationality as well as faith to explain their understanding of the world and what comes after it. There isnt a lot of reason involved in much of what passes for spirituality in Ireland in 2025.

People believe in all sorts of stuff now, much of which is just plain old fashioned piseogs, repackaged for the 21st century and for the age of social media. Halloween and everything associated with it grows like anything in that kind of - essentially pagan - soil. That is why traditional and deeply committed Christians are so suspicious of - and even a bit hostile to  the increasing popularity of Halloween. Amidst all the fun, they can see well what is driving it.

And thirdly, commercialism and capitalism is adept at adopting to the change in attitudes. Halloween is the most perfect commercial opportunity. If you are selling stuff, you can knock yourself out in your efforts at this time of year: and, when it involves Halloween, you dont have to listen to the pious talk you hear about commercialising Christmas.

And so put a lot of piseog nonsense and credit cards and peoples natural desire to have some fun into the pot, and as you stir that cauldron, you can explain much of why Halloween is now so popular. And if that makes me a curmudgeonly old killjoy to your ears, all I can say is boo to you.
A pub quiz in Ballaghaderreen is now thought to be the longest running weekly quiz in the world.

A year ago on the 40th anniversary of the quiz, Spells Bar in Ballaghaderreen threw out the question - Have we the longest running weekly quiz in Ireland?'

It soon became apparent that Spells' Tuesday night quiz was easily the longest running in Ireland. Then through national and international media, the question became - Have we the longest running weekly quiz in the world?

Now one year on as the quiz turns 41 years old, nobody has ever come back from any corner of the planet with a longer running quiz. A music quiz was identified in Bedford, England that began in 1991, has changed venue a few times over the years but still continues. However, its seven years younger than Ballaghaderreens quiz which started in Spells back in 1984.

Spells was then Spelmans and owned by Noel and Mae Spelman who sold the bar to Neil Sheridan in 2003 when it started to become well known as a traditional music pub but also retained the weekly quiz every Tuesday. There are still a few founding members from 41 years ago who attend on a regular basis. Ironically, this weekly quiz has now become a quiz question itself.

Spells Bar will celebrate the 41st birthday on Tuesday next, October 21, commencing at 9pm.
Egypts general government gross debt is forecast to decline steadily through 2030, reaching its lowest level since 2016, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In its latest Fiscal Monitor report released on Wednesday, October 15, the IMF projected Egypts debt-to-GDP ratio to fall from 90.9 percent in the 2023/2024 fiscal year to 87 percent in 2025/2026, continuing downwards to 72.5 percent by 2029/2030.

Although the figures are slightly higher than previous estimates, they align with Egypts Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy, which envisions a progressive reduction in the debt ratio through prudent fiscal planning and policy execution.

The IMF attributed this positive trajectory to the governments recently launched Narrative for Economic Development, an initiative that outlines a new model for sustainable growth through 2030.

The strategy, led by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, focuses on stabilising the macroeconomic environment, reducing borrowing, and stimulating domestic production. Despite these encouraging projections, the report highlighted Egypts rising external financing needs, expected to peak at $30.4 billion before easing to $27.5 billion, alongside an expanding financing gap projected at $8.2 billion for FY2025/2026. These pressures, the IMF warned, stem largely from regional instability and global economic headwinds.

In addition to Egypts fiscal outlook, the report underscored broader global debt concerns. It cautioned that worldwide public debt could surpass 100 percent of GDP by 2029, its highest level since 1948, and might surge to 123 percent in a downside scenario.

The IMF urged governments to spend smarter, not more, emphasising efficiency in public spending as a critical tool for driving inclusive growth. Redirecting even one percent of GDP from administrative costs to infrastructure or education, it said, could significantly boost economic output and reduce inequality. The Fund further recommended reforms in pensions, healthcare, and wage policies to sustain long-term fiscal health.

Ultimately, the IMFs message was clear: while Egypts fiscal discipline is beginning to yield results, sustained reforms and efficiency-oriented governance remain essential. As global debt pressures intensify, the Fund stressed the need for nationsparticularly emerging markets like Egyptto build fiscal buffers and strengthen institutional frameworks. By prioritising transparency, accountability, and smart spending, Egypt stands poised not only to stabilise its debt but also to position itself as a resilient economy capable of weathering global and regional shocks.
The United Nations has sounded an urgent warning over the deepening humanitarian disaster in Sudan, where escalating violence and a worsening cholera outbreak continue to devastate civilians in Darfur.

Updated on Thursday, October 16, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, is under siege from all directions, with residents facing severe shortages of food and water.

Markets have nearly emptied, prices for limited goods have soared, and humanitarian access remains gravely restricted. Earthen barriers and roadblocks have cut off supplies, while community kitchensonce a vital lifeline for many familiesare now being forced to close. Insecurity has also displaced families in other regions, including the Blue Nile State, where almost 200 residents recently fled their homes amid renewed fighting.

The cholera situation in Darfur has reached alarming levels, with Sudans Health Ministry recording over 3,400 deaths and nearly 122,000 suspected cases since July 2024. Infection rates are rising rapidly across all five Darfur states, and fatality rates are now well above emergency thresholds, according to Dujarric. He warned that the UNs humanitarian appeal of $4.2 billion for Sudan is currently less than 27% funded, leaving millions without essential relief. The UN has therefore appealed to all parties in the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and urged the global community to provide immediate support to stem the crisis.
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.

Asia

India: Telangana medical college contract workers demand unpaid wages

Telangana United Medical and Health Employees Union members from the Super Specialty Centre of Kakatiya Medical College in Warangal demonstrated outside the college on Monday to demand payment of six months outstanding wages for contract medical workers. Demonstrators included nurses, lab technicians, pharmacists, theatre assistants and data entry operators.

Protesters told the media that although they had worked for more than five years, their wages had not been paid for the last six months. Other demands were for Provident Fund, Employee State Insurance, paid maternity leave, permanent jobs and equal pay for equal work.

Nagaland public sector workers strike for promotions

Thousands of public sector workers held a state-wide three-day strike on October 14 to demand the induction of state services employees into Nagaland Civil Services (NCS). The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), an umbrella organisation of several government employees unions, such as State Services Employees, Service Doctors, Secretariat Service Employees, Finance and Accounts Service and Engineering Services, said there were vacant positions in the NCS but they were not being filled by state services employees.

Workers also demanded that only state civil services employees be advanced into the Indian Administrative Services (IAS). They accused the government of nepotism by admitting non-state-government employees into the IAS.

Delhi Municipal Corporation multitasked workers continue strike

Around 5,200 multitasked workers and mosquito-breed checkers from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi are continuing strike action begun on October 3. They have been rallying outside the corporation headquarters. The workers, who are demanding streamlined leave procedures and permanent jobs for precarious employees, decided to continue the strike, saying the corporation continued to turn a blind eye to their concerns.

Maharashtra power distribution workers strike against privatisation

Workers from Maharashtras three power distribution utilitiesMahavitaran, Mahapareshan and Mahanirmitiheld a three-day strike starting on October 9 in defiance of the governments invocation of the draconian Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act (MESMA), which made the strike illegal.

Workers want the power utilities to remain in government hands and not be sold off to the Adani Group and Reliancs. Other demands included permanent jobs, higher pay and state pension scheme and the filling of vacant posts.

The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) management cancelled all leave and threatened striking workers that they would face disciplinary action. Media reported that Nagpur city was seriously affected by the strike.

The union, Rajya Vidyut Karmachari Abhiyante Adhikari Kruti Samittee, called an end to the strike after 36 hours, following talks with senior MSEDCL officials. There was no report of what assurances were given.

Assam tea workers demand better wages and facilities

Tribal tea workers in Assam held a protest for better wages and facilities on October 8. Thousands of workers from across the state participated, demanding wages and tribal status so they are eligible for land rights and other remunerations in the state. The poorly paid tea workers, who are one of the most oppressed sections of the working class in the state, were demanding land rights which were an election promise of the current ruling BJP government.

Bangladesh: Non-government secondary school teachers resume protests

Thousands of non-government secondary school teachers under the Monthly Payment Order (MPO) scheme have resumed their indefinite demonstration on Saturday over long-pending demands. MPO schools receive financial support from the federal government, which covers teachers basic salaries.

Teachers want the nationalisation of MPO schools and an end to the disparity with government education institutions. Other demands include payment of a medical allowance of 1,500 taka ($US12.24), a 75 percent festival bonus and an increase of the current house rent allowance from 1,000 taka to 3,000 taka. The government offered to increase house rent to 1,500 taka, which was rejected.

The teachers current monthly gross salary is 14,000 taka ($US115), including 1,000 taka in house rent, and 500 taka in medical allowance. They only receive 50 percent of the basic festival allowance.

The teachers have held repeated protests over their demands. In February, they held a sit-in protest for 22 days in Dhaka and in May went on strike in different districts. Records for 2023 show that 396,368 teachers and 136,036 other employees are MPO-registered in 28,655 non-government post-primary-level educational institutions.

On Friday, teachers demonstrating at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka began an indefinite hunger protest. A spokesman for the teachers declared, We will not leave this place until our demands are meteven if it costs our lives. Teachers vowed that classes would continue to be suspended until their demands are won.

Bangladesh: Kader Synthetic Fibres workers strike for timely wage payments

Kader Synthetic Fibres factory workers in the Konabari BSCIC Industrial City, stopped work on Monday and protested outside the factory gate. Their demands include an attendance bonus and timely payment of salaries. Police were deployed, and said they were trying to discuss with the factory authorities to solve the issues.

Workers want salaries paid between the 7th and 10th of each month, approval of medical leave by a doctor rather than factory officials, and continuation of attendance bonuses during medical leave. Another demand was that no employee be terminated without a valid reason, and if dismissal is necessary they should receive an additional salary of three months and 13 days, along with resignation benefits.

Australia

Aurizon Bulk Central workers in South Australia strike for higher pay

About 30 members of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) from Aurizon Bulk Central in South Australia walked off for 24 hours on October 10 after overwhelmingly rejecting the companys latest pay offer. Workers said the offer failed to address cost-of-living pressures and working conditions.

AMWU members voted on September 19 to approve future industrial action that could include 18 work bans and work stoppages from 30 minutes to 48 hours.

Aurizon Bulk Central provides general freight rail haulage and port services, and operates the 2,200-kilometre Tarcoola (northern South Australia)-to-Darwin railway line. AMWU members maintain trains, wagons and other heavy equipment at multiple sites.

South Australian public sector workers strike for better wages

On Wednesday, over 2,000 South Australian public sector workers stopped work and rallied outside state parliament in Adelaide to protest low wages and demand a pay increase. Public Service Association (PSA) members, including pathology workers, Service SA employees, prison officers, sheriffs and TAFE administration staff, demanded a 20 percent pay rise over 18 months.

After 12 months of ongoing negotiations, the state Labor government has only offered a pay increase of only 3 percent over three years. Workers want compensation for six years of low union-government pay deals that delivered only a 6 percent increase. Housing rents have increased by over 50 percent over the same period. Strikers said there would be more industrial action if a better offer is not tabled.

ANZ bank workers in Melbourne protest job cuts

Ove 40 ANZ bank workers held a lunchtime rally outside the companys headquarters in Melbourne on Tuesday to protest the managements restructuring plan to axe 3,500 jobs and a further 1,000 managed service contractors by September 2026. The $110 billion bank wants the job cuts to deliver an estimated $800 million in cost savings. Workers complained that they only learned that their jobs were gone through news alerts on their phones.

The rally was organised by the Financial Sector Union (FSU) which has not proposed any concrete industrial action involving all bank workers and is calling for no forced redundancies and for consultation on current and any future job cuts.

In the six months to March 31, ANZ delivered net profits of $3.64 billion, a 16 percent lift over the prior period, while revenues jumped 5 percent to nearly $11 billion.

Sydney Metro workers demand better pay and conditions

Over 300 members of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) and Professionals Australia (PA) began low-level industrial action against Sydney Metro on Friday. Customer service attendants, signaling, control centre, and white-collar workers are in dispute with management over wages and conditions and safety concerns in its proposed new enterprise agreement. The previous agreement expired in August.

Negotiations began ten months ago but broke down in early October after Metro declared that bargaining was over. The RTBU wants wage rise parity with other workers in the rail industry for frontline workers, seating at Metro stations, and a retrofit of Metro trains to accommodate safe space staff cabins.

Although 97 percent of workers voted for future strike action of up to 72 hours, the RTBU has only called limited action, including members wearing union and/or industrial campaign material, distributing union material, and attaching union material to trains. The union says campaign will run indefinitely.

Cancer research workers at Tasmanias Royal Hobart Hospital protest budget cut

On Monday, about a dozen workers at Tasmanias Royal Hobart Hospital Clinical Trial Unit (CTU) stopped work and protested outside the hospital in opposition to the Rockliff state Liberal governments plans to cut funding to the unit by a massive 58 percent.

The workers are represented by the Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), who say the funding and staff cuts will severely reduce access to potentially lifesaving cancer research and treatments for patients who have exhausted conventional options. The unions say the cuts will worsen the current excessive workloads imposed on CTU nursing and ancillary workers.

Neither union has called for a statewide campaign by their members to support the CTU workers. Instead, they have announced they will have a conciliation meeting with the Department of Health in the employer-friendly Tasmanian Industrial Relations Commission.
Electricity workers protesting outside CEB head office in Colombo, July 22, 2025

Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) trade union leaders in Sri Lanka announced on Monday that they were suspending month-long protest actions against the restructuring of the crucial state-owned company following a meeting with Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody.

A complete halt to industrial action will be declared, the unions said, once the minister issues a written assurance to address 24 demands previously submitted by the unions.

Engineers Union Executive Committee member Dhanushka Parakramasinghe praised the minister for being constructive and positive, claiming he showed a genuine commitment to resolving the issues amicably.

While Parakramasinghe told the media that the unions expected a written assurance soon, nothing has been released by the minister. In effect, the union bureaucracy has suspended the industrial action without securing any concrete concessions.

Many CEB workers voiced their anger about the decision, telling World Socialist Web Site reporters that they first heard about it in the media and pointing out that there had been no consultation with rank-and-file union members.

Since early September, some 20,000 CEB workers have maintained a work-to-rule campaign. On September 17, they began a two-day sick-leave protest with powerful demonstrations outside the CEB head office in Colombo.

These actions, and the threat of future escalations, were called by the Joint Alliance of CEB Trade Unions (JACEBTU), which represents 25 unions. The aim was not to develop a unified national campaign against the restructure of the company by President Dissanayakes Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)/ National Peoples Power (NPP) government, but to dissipate workers anger.

The action was in response to the Sri Lankan governments decision to split the CEB into four companies as part of the broader cost-cutting and privatisation program demanded by the International Monetary Fund in exchange for a $3 billion bailout loan agreed to in 2023.

Under this dealendorsed by former President Wickremesinghe and now being accelerated by Dissanayakes JVP/NPP administrationmore than 400 state-owned enterprises will be restructured. This includes the closure of unviable institutions and the commercialisation or privatisation of others, resulting in the destruction of tens of thousands of jobs.

CEB employees have been told to either join the new companies or accept a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS). In response, the union bureaucracy, fearful of the rising demands for action by its members, drafted 24 demands which they claimed would safeguard their rights.

This included protection of trade union rights guaranteed under the Labour Act, transparent transfer procedures, resolving employment disputes through the Labour Director-General, replacing the Power Sector Reforms Secretariat director general, clear assignment letters outlining duties and job security, and a VRS formula proposed by the unions.

The ministers assuranceslike numerous others made by current and previous Sri Lankan governmentsare a ploy that the union leaderships regularly use to shut down industrial action.

On September 15, Jayakody declared that CEB employees unwilling to accept restructuring should resign, warning that no one can disrupt the governments plan. On September 24, President Dissanayake imposed Essential Services Regulations on the CEB, banning all industrial action.

Desperate to avoid an open political and industrial confrontation with the government, the JACEBTU leadership quickly dropped their previous threats to strike.

Even if the unions 24 demands are met, this will not address the fundamental issues confronting CEB employees. The CEB restructuring is designed to cut costs, increase profitability and prepare the CEB and other SOEs for privatisation.

IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka Evan Papageorgiou made this clear last week, telling the media that the international bank was paying close attention to the unbundling of CEB and the evolution the energy sector will undergo in 2026 and beyond.

The CEB or its successor companies should not incur financial losses, he declared. In other words, jobs, pensions and other benefits must be cut.

CEB workers must recognise that the union leaderships have led them into a dead end. What is posed is the necessity to organise independently and fight back.

The union leaderships defend capitalism and openly support the IMF program. As Sri Lanka Freedom Employees Union Secretary Priyantha Prabhath told WSWS reporters: We are still a poor country, [but] we are moving forward with assistance from the IMF. Large power projects require foreign investment.

Workers now being compelled to join the new electricity companies will soon face attacks on their jobs, wages and working conditions. To fight this, they must reject the Dissanayake governments IMF austerity program in its entirety and unite with other state-owned enterprise workers coming under attack.

CEB union members should demand an immediate mass meeting to discuss the implications of restructuring and develop a plan of action. While the pro-IMF union bureaucracy will try to prevent genuine democratic debate, electricity workers must respond with their own program.

This means organising independently of the union leadership and all the parliamentary political parties by forming action committees in every workplace. Only through such committees can workers democratically discuss and develop a genuine industrial and political campaign to defend their jobs and basic rights.

The betrayal by CEB union bureaucracies is a lesson for the entire working class. CEB workers must unite with those in other sectorsbanks, railways, telecommunications, transport, universities, health, education, plantations, and the private sectorto fight for workers control over production and services and a socialist program.

This must include the nationalisation of the major corporations, banks and plantations under democratic workers control, and the bringing to power of a workers and peasants government to implement such measures.

In defending their basic rights, Sri Lankan workers not only confront the Dissanayake government but the IMF and global finance capital. Their struggle needs to be developed as part of a united international movement of the working class. Independent workers action committees in Sri Lanka should link up with their brothers and sisters in the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees.

The Socialist Equality Party is the only party advancing this program. We call on CEB employees and workers and youth who want to fight for this perspective to join the SEP.
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Participants in the "No Kings" demonstration Southwest Detroit

On Saturday, millions of people will participate in an estimated 2,700 protests in every major city in the United States, under the framework of No Kings. The last protests, held in June, attracted between 5 and 11 million people, and the turnout at the second round is expected to be even larger.

The demonstrations reflect growing mass opposition to the Trump administrations assault on democratic rights and its conspiracy to establish a fascistic dictatorship; outrage over the ongoing genocide in Gaza; anger at the mass deportations of immigrants; and resistance to the mass firing of federal workers and the destruction of jobs and social programs, including Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

The demonstrations draw inspiration from the democratic traditions of the American Revolution, whose anti-monarchical spirit is embodied in the slogan No Kings. Many participants in the last protests connected Trumps efforts to overturn the principles of that revolutionto trample on equality, liberty and the rights of the peoplewith his campaign to dismantle public education, destroy public health, and place all of society under the oligarchy.

One issue that is not motivating masses of people is the demand for an escalation of imperialist war. But this is the central concern of the Democratic Party.

The Democrats in fact agree with large portions of Trumps economic policies and have systematically enabled Trumps attack on the working class. Every faction of the ruling elite insists that social programs be gutted, wages reduced, and public spending slashed in order to expand corporate profits. The Democrats therefore view the mass opposition to Trump with profound unease and hostility.

On the eve of the demonstrations, the editorial board of the New York Times, the principal mouthpiece of the Democratic Party, issued a statement calling for war against Russia, under the headline, Russia Wont Stop Until NATO Acts.

The Times does not publish editorials every day. Indeed, the last editorial was published one week ago, on October 10. Its decision to issue this call to war on the very day before what could be the largest single-day protest in US history was deliberate. It is meant to signal the Democratic Partys overriding priorities.

In its editorial, the Times declares that European leaders should make clear that Russian aggression against NATO countries risks a forceful response, including the shooting down of drones  and potentially of Russian fighter planes that enter NATO airspace.

In relation to Trump, the Times writes hopefully that he has authorized more intelligence sharing with Kyiv to heighten the effectiveness of its attacks, including those on Russian oil and gas facilities, and that he is considering allowing Ukraine to use Tomahawk missiles to strike deep inside Russia.

Expressing the outlook of the Democratic Party and sections of the military-intelligence apparatus, the Times goes on to express concern over Trumps long record of coziness with Putin and whether he will prosecute the war against Russia with sufficient aggression.

All these actions, the Times states, bring risks, including the dangers of escalation  [but] the only way to contain him [Putin] is with resolute strength.

The Times does not elaborate that the risks it blithely acknowledges are those of a nuclear war between the worlds two leading nuclear powers, which would mean the annihilation of human civilization.

The priority of the Democrats is also reflected in the efforts of the organizations officially sponsoring the No Kings protests, including Democratic Party-aligned groups such as Indivisible, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and other union bureaucracies. Yellow has been proclaimed the official color of the protests, presented on the No Kings website as a signal of resistance and national self-determination amid invasion in Ukraine.

The bloodbath in Ukraine is the largest war in Europe since the Second World War. This imperialist proxy war, instigated and fueled by the United States and NATO, has already killed and maimed more than 1 million Russians and Ukrainians. Ukrainian youth, seized off the streets and conscripted by a corrupt, US-backed regime, are being sent to die in a 21st century hellscape. The effort by the Democrats to besmirch mass opposition to Trump by promoting this murderous enterprise must be rejected with contempt.

From the 2016 election onward, the Democrats centered their critique of Trump not on his attacks on democratic rights but on his perceived unreliability in prosecuting American imperialisms global interests and, in particular, on the conflict with Russia.

The Democrats first impeachment of Trump in 2019 was not over his crimes against the Constitution but his hesitation in sending weapons to Ukraine. The Biden administration, which came to power calling for a strong Republican Party, made the escalation of global war its central priority, first by instigating the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine and then by financing and backing Israels genocidal war in Gaza.

Since Trumps return to power, the Democrats have said as little as possible about his consolidation of dictatorial power. The major Democratic leaders have remained silent on Trumps threats to invoke the Insurrection Act and impose military rule even when White House officials have denounced Democrats themselves as domestic extremists.

The Democrats have now lined up to praise Trump for his fraudulent ceasefire in Gaza, which is nothing less than the consolidation of imperialist-Zionist domination atop the bones of tens of thousands of murdered Palestinians. They have reacted positively to Trumps meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and indications that the administration will supply Kyiv with longer-range missiles for strikes deep into Russia. Not a single leading Democrat has spoken out against the mounting preparations for war against Venezuela or the illegal killings of Venezuelan fishermen in the Caribbean.

There is little doubt that sections of the Democratic Party are counseling Trump that an escalation of warwith Russia, China or another targetwould provide the necessary framework for national unity at home and the suppression of opposition from the left.

Those participating in the No Kings demonstrations must repudiate the filthy, pro-war politics of the Democratic Party. The Democrats speak not for the millions who have taken to the streets but for Wall Street and the Pentagon. A particularly foul role is played by figures such as Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who promote the lie that opposition to Trumps dictatorship can be waged through the Democratic Party.

In its October 15 statement, No Kings, No Nazi Fuhrers! Mobilize the Working Class Against Trumps Dictatorship!, the Socialist Equality Party explained that the fight against dictatorship requires a clear political program and concrete demands.

At the forefront stands the demand for the removal of the Trump administration from power and the dismantling of its fascistic apparatus. This must be joined with the demand for the withdrawal of all troops from American cities and an end to the militarization of public life; the abolition of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security and an end to the persecution and deportation of immigrant workers; the termination of all US threats and acts of aggression against Venezuela and other countries; the defense of free speech and all democratic rights; and an end to mass layoffs, social cuts and the destruction of living standards.

Every one of these demands, which express the needs and interests of the vast majority of the population, stands in direct conflict not only with the fascistic agenda of the Trump administration but also with the Democratic Party. Both represent the capitalist oligarchy, which demands that society be subordinated entirely to profit, war and repression.

To oppose Trumps dictatorship and the descent into fascism, therefore, requires the independent political mobilization of the immense power of the working class, united across all industries, regions and national borders. The working class must build its own movement against capitalism, the oligarchy and all their political representatives.
In a ruling with far-reaching implications for free speech, Australias highest court this week upheld federal government powers to deny visas to political figures by asserting that their proposed visit to the country could incite discord in the Australian community or in a segment of that community.

High Court of Australia

The seven members of the High Court unanimously rejected a constitutional challenge to the Albanese Labor governments use of this incite discord clause in the Migration Acts character test to refuse a visa to far-right US commentator Candace Owens.

While directed, in the first instance, against a provocative right-wing agitator, the case sets a precedent for wider exploitation, particularly against socialist and other left-wing visitors.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke originally refused Owens visa application in October 2024, declaring that her planned national speaking tour would incite discord and not be in the national interest.

In his official statement, Burke said that because of her previous statements, ranging from Nazi Holocaust denial to claims that Muslims started slavery, Owens visit could lead to increased hostility and violent or radical action that would have the potential to galvanise discord.

Owens reactionary viewsantisemitic, Islamophobic, anti-vaccination and anti-gaymade her an easy target for the Labor government to establish a broader precedent for political visa bans.

Significantly, the government also responded to lobbying from Zionist groups, which demanded the ban because Owens had criticised the Israeli genocide in Gaza from an antisemitic standpoint. One such group, the Anti-Defamation Commission, hailed Burkes ban as a victory for truth.

Lawyers for Owens challenged the ban on two grounds. The first was that Burke had interpreted the incite discord power in the Migration Act too broadly. The second was that the power itself was invalid as a violation of the implied freedom of political communication under the countrys 1901 Constitution.

By dismissing these arguments, the judges gave the green light to a sweeping application of the power to refuse visas and to another gutting of the supposed freedom of political communication.

Several judges went further, declaring that aliens, that is, non-Australian citizens, had no rights under the Constitution and that citizens had no rights to directly hear their views.

In the lead joint judgment, Chief Justice Stephen Gageler and justices Michelle Gordon and Robert Beech-Jones said the word discord was a broad term capable of carrying multiple meanings. These could range from debate and disagreement to more serious risks such as war or strife.

They backed Burkes wide interpretation that the term at least extended to a risk that the person would stir up dissension or strife in the Australian community, or a segment of that community, of a kind that involves harm to that community or segment.

Segment could mean any group of people that claimed to be threatened by a political visit.

The judges also insisted that incite in this context did not require any intention or mental element. It was possible to incite public outrage without intending to do so. So, the risk could be, regardless of a visa applicants intention, that other people, or a group of people, could be outraged.

Then the judges stated: No more precise elucidation of inciting discord is necessary to decide this case. In other words, they left the door open for arbitrary visa bans.

In making this sweeping interpretation, the judges took note of the history of the incite discord provision. It was originally inserted into the Migration Act in 1992 by the Keating Labor government. It replaced an earlier, narrower regulation that permitted visas to be barred if there was a risk of activities disruptive to, or violence threatening harm to, the Australian community or a group within the Australian community.

That amendment highlighted Labors role over decades, in collaboration with the Liberal-National Coalition, in seeking to fuel anti-foreigner and nationalist sentiment to increase restrictions on free speech.

Gageler, Gordon and Beech-Jones reiterated earlier judgments of the High Court that the implied constitutional freedom of political communication was not a personal right. It was not unlimited and is not absolute.

The three judges admitted that there was an obvious and not insubstantial restriction on political communication in preventing a persons entry to Australia because of what they will or may say on political matters.

They conceded that the ban impeded the freedom of members of the Australian community to communicate (an element of which is the freedom to communicate in person).

Nevertheless, they ruled that the ban was justified because it served the legitimate end of seeking to protect the Australian community from harmful dissension or strife on political matters.

Moreover, the ban was compatible with and reasonably appropriate to the preservation of the integrity of the political system prescribed by the Constitution, in which the parliament has a wide power to determine who should be allowed into the country.

On the bench of seven judges, others were more vehement. They rejected any right of an alien to enter Australia and insisted that no visa ban could be a violation of the freedom of political communication, even if it restricted the liberty of citizens to hear political views.

Justice James Edelman, for example, declared: [N]o alien has a liberty to enter Australia and no member of Australian society has a liberty to hear an alien speak in person, or a liberty to engage with an alien in person, if the alien has not been permitted entry to Australia.

Since the Gaza genocide began, the Labor government has refused visas to several Israeli personalities, in an attempt to contain public opposition to Labors complicity in the mass killing, while denying or cancelling visas for Palestinians trying to flee the ethnic cleansing.

That underscores the real content of the visa bans, directed against both the victims and opponents of the worsening imperialist barbarism in the Middle East and internationally.

The High Court ruling is a further evisceration of the implied freedom of political communication, which the court has previously gutted by allowing bans on many fronts, including protests, anti-war messages and the distribution of leaflets in public places, and backing media gags on workers and prisoners on parole.

The judiciarys record is a warning against relying on the courts, a central institution of the capitalist state apparatus, to defend democracy.

Together with the Labor governments visa bans, the latest ruling is part of an escalating assault on basic democratic rights, under conditions of genocide, war preparations, intensifying social inequality, climate change disaster and Labors deepening partnership with the militarist and dictatorial Trump regime.

Most recently, the New South Wales Court of Appeal, that states highest court, declared that unprecedented contempt of court chargespotentially carrying indefinite terms of imprisonmentcould be laid against anyone who defied the courts prohibition of a planned march to the Sydney Opera House to oppose the continuing genocide in Gaza.

Under the Albanese government, the Australian Federal Police has now set up unprecedented National Security Investigations (NSI) teams to target groups and individuals allegedly causing harm to Australias social fabric and cohesion.

In July, on the first business day of parliament after retaining office at the May 3 election, the Labor government introduced legislation to make permanent and significantly expand ASIOs compulsory interrogation powers, going beyond alleged terrorism dangers to cover sabotage, promoting communal violence, damaging military facilities and threatening border security.

As this extension indicates, the Labor government is trying to suppress the opposition to its role in the Gaza genocide, its commitment to AUKUS and other US war plans against China, and its detention and removal of refugees and ex-immigration detainees to Nauru.
Mass demonstrations likely largest protest in US history

Tens of thousands gather in New York City against dictatorship, October 18, 2025.

Millions of people across the United States and around the world took to the streets on Saturday in the largest coordinated protest against dictatorship and fascism in decades. Under the slogan No Kings, demonstrators denounced Donald Trumps authoritarian drive and the bipartisan assault on democratic rights, demanding an end to dictatorship, police repression, and state persecution of immigrants and workers.

The scale, breadth, and character of Saturdays protests exposed the fascistic lies and slanders promoted for weeks by Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, White House aide Stephen Miller, and other Republican Party operatives, who sought to depict the demonstrations as violent conspiracies organized by and comprised of Hamas, antifa terrorists, illegal aliens, and criminals. In reality, the protests were peaceful, multigenerational, and deeply rooted in the working class. Children, retirees, and parents made up a significant share of the crowds, while many younger workers were unable to attend because they were working on Saturday.

The composition and character of the protests bore no resemblance to the caricature promoted by the Trump administration and Republican media.

Across the country, protesters carried handmade signs declaring No Kings in America, Defend Democracy: Its Time for a General Strike!, Abolish ICE Gestapo, and We Are Not Subjects. The massive turnout showed that the effort to intimidate the population with police raids, fascist rhetoric, and even military deployments had failed, and in many cases backfired, drawing even larger crowds into the streets.

A protester in Los Angeles carries a sign calling for a general strike.

The protests reached an enormous scale in the countrys largest urban centers. In New York City, more than 100,000 people participated across all five boroughs. The New York Police Department, which deployed large numbers of officers and erected barriers around key intersections, acknowledged that there were zero protest-related arrests, a direct refutation of Trumps claims of riots and terrorist mobs.

In San Diego, tens of thousands converged along the waterfront and surrounding streets, with aerial images and videos showing a sea of people stretching for blocks. Organizers estimated the crowd approached 100,000, making it one of the largest demonstrations in the citys history.

Tens of thousands protest against fascism and dictatorship in San Diego, California, October 18, 2025.

Chicago saw 250,000 or more march through the city center in a dense, multiblock procession. Austin, Texas, where Republican Governor Greg Abbott deployed the National Guard in a failed attempt to suppress turnout, was home to another massive protest, with crowd sizes estimated at between 50,000 and 70,000.

Thousands of people rallied in Detroit for the "No Kings" protest, October 18, 2025.

In Detroit, protesters told the World Socialist Web Site that Trumps attacks on democratic rights and the Constitution reminded them of Nazi Germany... things didnt happen overnight, but one day they woke up and they were in the middle of a war.

In Portland, Oregon, 30,00050,000 demonstrators filled the downtown streets and greenways, while Charlotte, North Carolina saw 10,00020,000 rally in one of the largest protests in the South. Denvers demonstration outside the state capitol drew 10,00020,000, while marches in Dallas and Houston each brought out 5,00010,000. In Jacksonville, Florida, thousands rallied outside the courthouse.

Socialist Equality Party members and campaigners distributed leaflets calling for the mobilization of the working class against dictatorship.

Some of the thousands of people who rallied against fascism in Jacksonville, Florida, October 18, 2025

One of the most striking features of the day was the scale of participation far beyond the major metropolitan centers. Demonstrations in mid-sized and small cities drew thousands, while even rural towns saw their largest anti-Trump protests ever.

A veteran at the Detroit "No Kings" protest holds a sign that reads: "I didn't serve my country just to live under a Nazi regime."

In Rockland, Maine, around 1,700 peopleover four percent of the entire population of Knox Countyjoined a march, a per-capita turnout higher than in New York City or Chicago. Some 2,000 rallied in Petoskey, Michigan, with several hundred people filling major intersections, while Keene, New Hampshire; Bozeman, Montana; and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania had hundreds to over 1,000 in attendance.

In Pahrump, Nevada, roughly 200 people turned out in what locals described as the largest anti-Trump protest in the towns history. Nye County, where Pahrump is located, is considered a Republican stronghold.

Some of roughly 200 "No Kings" protesters who peacefully demonstrated against fascism and dictatorship in Pahrump, Nevada, October 18, 2025

Protesters reported that a man brandished a firearm near the Pahrump demonstration while police refused to intervene, and authorities forced demonstrators off a public sidewalk at noon despite a lawful permit. The event nonetheless proceeded and marked an unprecedented mobilization in the rural town.

A protester holds a handmade sign at the "No Kings" protest in Pahrump, Nevada that reads, "If you stand for nothing, what'll you fall for?" and "Liberty and Justice and Freedom for All."

The breadth of the movementreaching from the largest cities to small towns and rural countiesshattered the narrative promoted by the fascist right that opposition to Trumps dictatorship is limited to liberal enclaves. The protests geographic spread revealed a movement that is both national in scope and deeply rooted in the working class.

The magnitude of the protests point to a significant development of political consciousness. Placards calling for a general strike were visible in multiple cities, and Socialist Equality Party campaigners reported strong interest in a revolutionary socialist perspective throughout the country. Many demonstrators expressed the view that the struggle against dictatorship cannot be separated from the fight against capitalism and social inequality.

The No Kings protests revealed the emergence of a mass social movement in the United States, one that is increasingly conscious of the connection between authoritarian rule, capitalist exploitation, and the bipartisan assault on democratic rights.

No Kings protests across Europe began in the morning, US time, as thousands marched in London, Madrid, Berlin, Stockholm, Rome, and Paris. Smaller demonstrations took place in Bristol, Southampton, Barcelona, Malaga, Seville, Amsterdam, Brussels, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Florence, Nice, Toulouse, and Lyon. Protesters held signs opposing dictatorship, fascism, police raids, and the illegal detention of immigrants.

Hundreds of protesters gather outside the US Embassy in London.

A protester in London told the WSWS: Im here to support the Indivisible London organization, and to stand up against the authoritarian regime in the United States for all the anti-constitutional things that theyre doing on behalf of Trumps executive orders. These included illegal deportation arrests by ICE of immigrants and actual American citizens, green card holders, people that are there legally, and yet are still being detained illegally.

Protesters outside the US Embassy in London hold up their homemade placards. The placard held by the man (centre) reads: "I stand with Portland and Chicago--People before tax cuts! Save Medicare and Medicaid--Put I.C.E on ice--Ask me about Alligator Alcatraz--No Tyrants! No Kings! Democracy for all--Now and Forever"

He was also demonstrating against violations of our right to protest, our First Amendment rights, the silencing of our media. He added:

There are just so many things that this regime is doing that are really anti-American, anti-democracy, and I think that if we as Americans and as global citizens dont stand up against it, were going to really pay dearly for our rights. America has always been a leader in democracy and a safeguard for democracy globally, and now to see it turning is very frightening, and I think people around the world should be concerned about that. You cant hold the political and military power that the United States does and become an authoritarian government. Its just too scary, in my opinion.

Asked about the role of the Democratic Party, he said:

I think a lot of people are feeling that the Democratic Party has not been strong enough The other party that has the money and has the influence and the power, other than the one in government or in power right now in the government, is the Democratic Party. And I think many Americans are feeling like theyre just not being strong enough.

A demonstrator in France at a "No Kings" rally holds a sign that reads, "Courage is contagious. Join the resistance," October 18, 2025.

Glenn, a US citizen living part of the year in Paris, told the WSWS: Its very scary to see what is occurring now, Trump is trying to mimic the things that brought Hitler to power. The slogans and the efforts that Hitler used are reappearing today, not only among Young Republicans but in the White House, with Stephen Miller. Im sure there is much more hidden away.

Protester in France carries a sign that reads "America, let's do 1789 France."

He added, What we are doing here is just the beginning of the people expressing their desires. He called for criminal charges against leading officials of the Trump administration.

One protester in New Jersey told the World Socialist Web Site, A lot of our problems come from the United States imperialism and colonialism around the world that is now coming home to roost here... The number one thing that needs to be dismantled is US imperialism.

Tens of thousands rally in defense of immigrants in Los Angeles: We are nation of workers and a nation of immigrants

Tens of thousands of workers, youth, and students filled downtown Los Angeles on Saturday to protest against the authoritarian policies of the Trump administration. The No Kings protest, part of a nationwide day of action, drew an estimated 100,000 participants throughout the city, converging at Gloria Molina Grand Park and surrounding streets.

Rallies were coordinated across Southern California  in Orange County, San Diego, and the Inland Empire  as part of the 50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement initiative. The event was co-organized by a coalition including SEIU Local 721, Black Lives Matter GrassrootsLos Angeles, the Working Families Party, and the California Teachers Association. Protesters denounced immigration raids, attacks on civil liberties, the genocide in Gaza, environmental destruction, and the rise of dictatorship in the United States.

Thousands marched in defense of immigrants and democratic rights in Los Angeles for the October 18, 2025 "No Kings" protest. One of the signs reads, "Nobody has to pay me, I hate fascists for free."

The political character of the demonstrations was authentically peaceful, democratic, and oppositional. Participants expressed deep hostility to Trumps fascistic policies and to the broader assault on democratic rights in the United States. But this genuine sentiment of resistance stood in stark contrast to the efforts of Democratic Party politicians and union officials, who sought to contain and redirect it into the dead end of official politics. From the stage, these forces promoted Proposition 50, a gerrymandering measure on the November 4 ballot, as a supposed defense of democracy. In reality, Prop 50 suspends Californias independent redistricting commission, representing yet another attack on democratic rights disguised as retaliation against gerrymandering by Texas Republicans.

A section of the crowd at the Los Angeles "No Kings" protest, October 18, 2025

The grave dangers posed by the Trump administrations drive toward dictatorship were underscored only miles from Saturdays protest. According to a California Highway Patrol report, a 155-millimeter artillery shell fired during a live-fire demonstration for the Marine Corps 250th anniversary at Camp Pendleton prematurely detonated, scattering shrapnel onto Interstate 5 and striking vehicles assigned to Vice President JD Vances protective detail. One officer reported hearing what sounded like pebbles hitting his motorcycle, while another described a two-inch fragment striking the hood of a patrol car and leaving a dent. Additional fragments were found scattered across the roadway.

That such an incident could occur on one of the busiest highways in the United States  during an event involving the vice president  highlights the reckless militarism of the Trump administration and the danger it poses to the population. It follows weeks of open threats from Trump, Stephen Miller, and other fascist officials to invoke the Insurrection Act and use the armed forces against domestic political opponents. In this context, the protest in Los Angeles was not only an expression of opposition to attacks on immigrants and democratic rights, but part of a broader resistance to a regime preparing violent repression at home and war abroad.

Socialist Equality Party campaigners spoke to dozens of workers, students, and youth throughout the demonstration and distributed thousands of statements calling for the building of a mass movement of the working class to bring down the Trump government. Many participants expressed growing support for the idea that the struggle had to go beyond protest alone.

One protester told the World Socialist Web Site: We need a general strike. Thats the only thing that will make them listen. We cant vote fascism out  we have to shut the country down until this government is gone. Another demonstrator, a warehouse worker from East Los Angeles, said, They want us divided, scared, blaming immigrants. But we are a nation of workers and a nation of immigrants. We make everything run, and we have the power to stop it.

Over 10,000 protest in Oakland, California: We need to show our power

In a rally far exceeding those that had taken place earlier this year, over 10,000 people gathered in downtown Oakland to protest the Trump administrations fascist conspiracy to abrogate constitutional rule in the United States.

The protest was peaceful and politically very heterogeneous. On the one hand, thousands of people sought answers to the question: What is to be done to stop Trumps dictatorship? On the other, Democratic Party establishment figures, including Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, trade union officials, and some stage performers attempted to redirect the burgeoning protest movement into politically impotent channels.

The WSWS/SEP team set up a canopy with a literature table. As was the case with earlier No Kings protests, the WSWS/SEP team was the only group with a literature table and the only political tendency that called for a mass working class movement to organize a general strike and remove Trump from office. This attracted the attention of many protest attendees, with some going on to purchase copies of the publications on display at the table.

In discussions with WSWS/SEP representatives, many protesters showed interest in the Trotskyist and internationalist perspective of the SEP, while sharing their own concerns, questions, and beliefs. Some protesters expressed concern that those who had mistakenly supported Trump and his allies, including the Netanyahu regime in Israel, might become subject, eventually, to retaliation. SEP representatives explained that compromise with the fascists and the tiny oligarchy they serve is impossible, and that the cause of domestic and international peace can be achieved only through their forceful removal by a mass, working class movement.

One protester told the WSWS, I think that we need to fight. We need to resist. And we need to show our power, where the majority is.

The protester agreed that the Democratic Party was complicit in the Trump administrations dictatorial program. I don't believe that the Democratic Party has done anything. The reason we are here is because they haven't done anything to oppose it. So that, to me, is really where the problem lies. I think that we need to rebuild from the bottom up.

The protester also agreed that the working class should be the force to remove the Trump administration from power.

Thousands join protests against Trumps Operation Dictatorship in major Canadian cities

Several thousand people joined protests Saturday in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, and other major Canadian cities to oppose Trumps ongoing plot to impose a presidential dictatorship on the American people.

A part of the protest outside the US consulate building in Toronto, Canada

In a concession to the establishments promotion of the British monarchyan anti-democratic institution that symbolizes militarism, inherited wealth and anti-egalitarianismthe protest organizers in Democrats Abroad dropped the No Kings slogan used for the mass mobilization across the United States in favour of No Tyrants.

Socialist Equality Party (SEP) members and supporters intervened in Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal, distributing copies of the SEP (US) statement No Kings, No Nazi Fuhrers! Mobilize the working class against Trumps dictatorship! and the World Socialist Web Site article: In White House meeting, Canadas Carney lauds Americas would-be fuhrer as Trump accelerates operation dictatorship.

About 400 people joined the rally opposite the US Consulate in Toronto. There was great interest in the Marxist literature on sale at an SEP table. The SEP was the only left-wing organization to intervene in the demonstrations, which is indicative of the myopic nationalist politics that prevails among the organizations of the middle-class pseudo-left and their hostility to uniting the struggles of American and Canadian workers.

David, an American expatriate from New York, declared, I think fascism has to be stopped in all of its ugly forms, and right now the US government is under a fascist siege. Its 100 to 200 very evil, mostly men who want to take over the world, and theyre doing a damned good job, and they want to suppress whats left of the working class and the ordinary citizens.

Danielle explained that she moved [from the US to Canada] for my daughters safety. Holding a sign that read, Hate never made a nation great, Danielle told the WSWS, Trump doesnt care about trans people. He cares about what can further his cause, enrich him. Making people afraid of trans people, othering them, making them less than human gets him money and votes.

The Democratic Party is just as complicit as the Republicans in creating the environment that we have in America right now, she added.

When asked about the interests Trump represents, Danielle declared, Trump works to enrich Trump. The people who enrich Trump are the same people who put Trump in office. They are the billionaires, the very, very wealthy class. Those are the ones he works for.

When asked how fascism can be stopped in the US, Danielle responded, I honestly fear that weve crossed the Rubicon, to the point where there will not be progress without a massive revolution. I think that people need to remain loud and keep fighting. Show up to the rallies but dont stop there.

A young woman participating in the rally at Parliament Hill in Ottawa told WSWS reporters, I think whats going on in the world is mentalits going to break my brain. I am from the Toronto area and we came here for something else so I didnt expect to see this today, but I think its great.

Another young demonstrator said, Theres a slide to the far right. Its happening across the world and undermining democracy in general. If you look at David Sacks, Peter Thielguys like that who use their crazy insane wealth to take over the American media nowthey basically hijacked the system using their money. There has to be a wake-up for people to understand whats going on.

There was a striking lack of political perspective at all three rallies. In Toronto, there were several chants of Elbows up, a reference to how hockey players go into the corners ready for a fight. The slogan was promoted by the trade union bureaucracy, corporate media, and political establishment to stoke foul Canadian nationalism. None of the so-called progressive organizations promoting the fraudulent Team Canada response to Trump, from the Canadian Labour Congress and New Democratic Party to the Green Party, participated in Saturdays protests, let alone appealed to working people or youth to join them.

The labour bureaucracys Canadian nationalist flag-waving and agitation for trade war measures, whose brunt will be borne by US workers, serves to protect the interests of Canadas capitalist elite, which is eager to reach an accommodation with the would-be dictator so that its interests as a junior imperialist partner of Wall Street and Washington are recognized within a Trump-led Fortress North America.

The Team Canada narrative covers over the fact that the class struggle within Canada is rapidly intensifying, prompting the federal Liberal government to all but abrogate the right to strike and work with big business to ram through sweeping attacks on working conditions and public services. Mark Carneys Liberals, like the entire political establishment, are pursuing Trump-style attacks on the working class and want to destroy what remains of its democratic and social rights to pay for war and the enrichment of the wealthy oligarchy.

SEP members insisted that the only way to oppose Trump and everything he represents, including war, dictatorship, and savage attacks on public services and worker rights, is for workers in Canada to unify with their colleagues in the US, Mexico and internationally on the basis of a socialist and revolutionary program. Only by overthrowing capitalism, the root cause of the financial oligarchys domination over political and economic life, can the turn to fascism and dictatorship in all countries be stopped.

Over 100,000 march throughout New York City in No Kings protests

New York City saw several demonstrations throughout its five boroughs Saturday, as part of the worldwide protests. The main demonstration was a march down Broadway and 7th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, while thousands others demonstrated in the outer boroughs and surrounding areas. While official figures estimate that 100,000 demonstrators turned out for the Manhattan event, several commentators have estimated the number to be slightly higher.

A section of the massive New York City "No Kings" protest

While dozens of organizations, including labor unions, political factions, nonprofits and various advocacy groups, sent delegates to the march, the character of the main demonstration was unmistakably popular. Protesters  many of them young people in their teens, twenties and thirties from diverse backgrounds  showed up as individuals and small groups, brandishing hand-painted banners, signs and artwork with slogans largely centered on Trumps attacks on democracy.



Several anti-Gaza genocide contingents were prominent in the march, garnering widespread support against the US-Israeli policy of mass murder of the Palestinian population. While a small handful of protestors expressed opposition to the presence of pro-Palestinian delegations at a primarily anti-Trump rally, these sentiments represented a tiny minority.



A separate feeder march in lower Manhattan was organized jointly by the New York City Central Labor Council (NYCCLC) and the American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). The NYCCLC is the highest federative body of AFL-CIO-affiliated unions throughout New York City and includes unions and locals from all sectors of industry, including transit, logistics, education, technology, healthcare, social services, construction, manufacturing, retail, legal services, hospitality, cleaning and maintenance, arts and culture.

It was evident that the union apparatus was well aware of the social powder-keg on which it sits, and had taken steps to demobilize and isolate its workers from the main demonstration. While the total membership of the NYCCLC is 1.3 million  making it the largest such federation in the entire US  a mere 8,000 demonstrators turned out for the NYCCLC-AFL-CIO march, not even a half percent of the membership. New York City workers reported to the WSWS that they had not even heard about a march from their union representatives. The landing page for the union events website preemptively warned, NOTE: this will be a march, not a rally!



Members of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP), International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) and supporters distributed thousands of copies of the SEP statement No Kings! No Nazi Fuhrers! Mobilize the working class against Trumps dictatorship! and sold dozens of copies of the recent Mehring Books pamphlet Trumps Fascist Conspiracy and How to Fight It: A Socialist Strategy. March participants spoke with IYSSE and SEP members on fundamental questions of capitalisms inability to maintain reforms, the breakdown of democratic forms of rule, and the role of the international working class in opposing the drive to dictatorship.

Many demonstrators who took literature from SEP & IYSSE members had read the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) and were aware of how its perspective differed vastly from that of all major publications. Some even indicated an awareness of how the WSWS differed from other nominally socialist publications.

The question of the role of New York City mayoral forerunner Zohran Mamdani came up frequently in discussions between SEP and IYSSE members and demonstrators, with several expressing disillusionment. I volunteered for Mamdanis campaign, and I will not be doing that anymore, one protestor told an SEP member. He continued, I totally agree that Mamdani is walking a thin tightrope by trying to promote illusions that capitalism can be reformed. It cannot.

90,000 rally against fascism in Seattle, Washington

Organizers of the No Kings protest in Seattle estimate that 90,000 people took part, eclipsing the previous demonstrations held this year against the Trump administration in the Puget Sound.

Attendees at the Seattle "No Kings" protest stop by the Socialist Equality Party tent, October 18, 2025.

Numerous signs spoke to many of the most pressing political issues facing the working class. One noted, Every Billionaire is Complicit, and another stated, Immigrants are Americans. Several called out the fascist character of the Trump administration, with signs calling for everyone to Fight Fascism, to ones saying Make Orwell Fiction Again, to the very blunt F*** those Fascists. One sign said, Hey Congress, History Will Remember You Were Complicit and Cowardly.

Supporters of the Socialist Equality Party passed out more than 1,500 copies of the statement, No Kings, No Nazi Fuhrers! Mobilize the working class against Trumps dictatorship! When asked their thoughts on the need to turn to the working class in the fight against dictatorship and break politically with the Democratic Party, many responded, Exactly what you said.

One protester said, Im against Trump and everything his administration stands for. I think due process is an important part of our rights as citizens of the world, let alone the United States. He should be removed from office.

When asked about mobilizing the working class to remove Trump, he said, I think it could be effective. We have power in numbers. We have power in affecting the economy with our buying power and our working hours. So there is definitely power in the people.

The protester also commented on the deployment of troops to Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Portland, Chicago and Memphis, saying, Thats unacceptable. Its against the Constitution of the United States of America. Its not an option to police the cities with troops, National Guard or otherwise. Its similar to fascism and its not correct.

Another demonstrator spoke on the role of the Democratic Party in the Trump administrations ongoing social counterrevolution. He said:

Theyre rolling on their backs to coexist with the Republicans. They are complicit in keeping horrible systems in place so that they campaign on the promises of disrupting those systems. And its just a cycle of every single election. Its like Well fight for the people. Well bring rights. Well make sure that everyone is able to afford to live, afford healthcare, and then they dont actually do anything in order to fight.

Thousands protest at the Indiana Statehouse against fascism and dictatorship

A section of the "No Kings" protest in Indianapolis, with the statue of George Washington visible in front of the Statehouse

Thousands of demonstrators rallied on the south lawn of the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis on Saturday, joining the No Kings protests across the country. Participants arrived early and brought handmade signs denouncing the would-be dictator Donald Trump as well as Republican leaders in the state of Indiana.

The crowd of thousands converged from several points across the downtown area and assembled at the Statehouse before noon, when the official program of speeches, songs, and chants were delivered from the platform on the south steps of the capitol building.

Protesters at the "No Kings" rally in Indianapolis, Indiana, October 18, 2025

Teachers, health care workers, young factory workers, students and retirees came to express their anger and determination to stop the imposition of a fascist dictatorship by the Trump administration.

A young worker, Owen, said he came to the rally to oppose the Trump administration and the conditions in the US, which are going rapidly downhill. He said democracy is at a standstill because of the control of society by the billionaires.

Owen

Speaking of the ICE attacks on immigrants, Owen said, I physically got sick watching the news about the immigrants being taken off the streets, taken from court houses, taken from their families, taken from farms while working. I think its sickening, absolutely sickening.

However, the speakers, who included various representatives of the local Democratic Party, preachers and pseudo-left activists, presented no program to the assembled crowd as to how the criminal actions of the Trump regime could be stopped.

Democratic Indiana State Senator Andrea Hunley referred to a power grab by Republican officials in the form of gerrymandering and budget cuts. Hunley told participants to keep showing up and making their voices heard, but she covered up the plans of Trump to establish a police state by mobilizing federal troops across the US and invoking the Insurrection Act against the population.

Representatives of the Socialist Equality Party set up a literature table with a banner calling on those in attendance to join the SEP and take up the fight for the mobilization of the working class in a political struggle against fascism and its source, the capitalist system. Attendees enthusiastically took copies of the SEP statement, bought literature and signed up to get involved.

Part of the "No Kings" protest in Indianapolis, Indiana, October 18, 2025

Workers and young people were attracted to the campaign for socialist revolution and no one attempted to refute the SEPs assertion that the Democratic Party was facilitating the rise of fascism and a political movement of the working class was required.

One young person who came to the SEP table said:

I think, in general, that the two party system that America is functioning on is inherently flawed. It creates this idea among the voters that there's only two choices... Were coming to grips with this neo-Nazi nationalist party under Trump. He has encouraged violence. Thats become the platform that he stands on. For the Democrats to still think that we can reason with something like that is a denial of reality.

When asked about the need to mobilize the working class against the capitalist system, he said:

I think that's the only way that any lasting and sustainable change is going to happen. The working class has always been the majority. We have the numbers to make the stand to make a change. It's just that theyve done a great job of oppressing us through wage theft and withholding health care, making that a privilege rather than a right, making housing, food, and water a privilege rather than a right... I think that organization is the only way that any lasting change is going to be implemented.

After the rally, the protesters marched around the Statehouse several times chanting, No Kings, No Fascism, and Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho, Donald Trump has got to go, before concluding the event.

Huge Chicago protest against Trumps dictatorship and immigration gestapo draws more than 200,000

More than 200,000 marched on Saturday in downtown Chicago to oppose the Trump administrations sweeping attacks on democratic and social rights. In other areas of the city and in suburbs and towns in the metro area and across the state, many thousands more gathered, including in Joliet, Aurora, Elgin, Rockford and Bloomington.

A defiant mood dominated, and many signs indicated deep hostility to the super-rich and autocracy, while referring to the revolutionary traditions of the United States and France. As in the last No Kings protest, many voiced their anger at having to fight and defeat fascism once again, as their grandparents and great-grandparents had done.

A child at the Chicago protest holds a sign that reads: "No fascists, no billionaires, no kings."

Supporters of the Socialist Equality Party spoke with hundreds of attendees in downtown Chicago and distributed thousands of copies of the statement No Kings, No Nazi Fuhrers! Mobilize the working class against Trumps dictatorship! The statement made the case that to end the fascist threat, the working class had to bring an end to capitalism and establish a socialist society.

A young woman at the Chicago protest holds an SEP placard.

One young woman was excited to find a political party denouncing capitalism and discussed the connection between Trumps dictatorial ambitions and the interests of the oligarchy. She said, We are showing them these are rights that cannot be taken away.

Tim said, I was looking for you guys, and I finally found you! I read the World Socialist Web Site every day. I want to know more about getting involved.

Tim

Another woman approached to say, Thank you for being here. I drove here from South Carolina. It was hard to decide which city to go to for this, but eventually it was clear I had to be in Chicago for No Kings.

The march grew to hundreds of thousands through the afternoon, concluding in the early evening. Some demonstrators went to the Broadview Detention Facility, where they were met with force by the Illinois State Police.

5,000 demonstrate at Williamsburg, Virginia No Kings event

A section of the protest in Williamsburg, Virginia, October 18, 2025

Several cities in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia had No Kings protests on Saturday, including Virginia Beach, Newport News, Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Williamsburg. Organizers estimated that the crowd at Virginia Beach Town Center reached 3,000.

This mobilization took place despite Republican Governor Glen Youngkins threat to use the National Guard against demonstrations.

A Socialist Equality Party team distributed 200 copies of the statement No Kings, No Nazi Fuhrers! Mobilize the working class against Trumps dictatorship! at the Williamsburg James City-County Court Complex.

Demonstrators covered the roadside at the busy intersection of Monticello Avenue and Courthouse Street, as well as the entrance to the Court Complex itself.

A protester in Virginia holds a sign that reads, "We are all antifa. (If you're not you're the problem.)"

Those in attendance included students and staff from the College of William and Mary and Christopher Newport University, federal government employees and retirees, and others. The SEP teams literature table attracted dozens of participants, many of whom purchased pamphlets, books and placards calling for mobilizing the working class for a general strike.

Over 100,000 gather in Boston for No Kings protest

In Boston, over 100,000 demonstrators converged on the Boston Common in one of hundreds of protests across New England. This immense social movement reflects a genuine and deep-seated hostility to the attacks on democratic rights, the deployment of federal agents in cities, and the moves toward a presidential dictatorship. While this mass mobilization is rooted in legitimate anger, the Democratic Party and its political supporters are seeking to contain it within the confines of their bankrupt, pro-capitalist perspective.

This was not lost on those attending the protest. SEP supporters campaigning with a literature table at the Park Street subway station met virtually no one who supported the Democratic Party. Workers were more interested in perusing the SEPs literature display, with the many pamphlets and books from Mehring Books including titles such as Fascism: What It Is and How to Fight It by Leon Trotsky, Socialism against Oligarchy, Fascism and War and The CIA Democrats, in addition to the new pamphlet, Trumps Fascist Conspiracy and How to Fight It: A Socialist Strategy.

Many of those discussing with campaigners purchased literature and signed up for the WSWS Newsletter, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, and newsletters from different rank-and-file committees of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC).

The political leadership and official messaging of the Boston rally demonstrated its domination by the Democratic Party establishment. The main stage was a platform for prominent Democrats, including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, who worked to channel the opposition along safe, nationalist lines.

Warren explicitly framed the protest in purely patriotic terms, declaring, Thousands of people protesting for what they believe in. That is deeply American. That is patriotism. She attempted thereby to obscure the fundamental class antagonisms at the root of the political crisis and unite the population behind the existing state structure.

Mayor Wu invoked Bostons revolutionary history, declaring, We stand here today to tell the Trump administration that when it comes to our freedoms, when it comes to our families, Boston doesnt back down. Wu was loudly heckled by protesters, who called out that she was a liar and for hire. Many others began to leave the event as the speeches began.

The primary organizing groupsthe unions, the American Civil Liberties Union and organizations like Planned Parenthoodfunctioned as the institutional forces responsible for subordinating opposition to the Democrats. This tight control by the Democratic Party establishment raised the question whether the protests forma rally carefully cordoned off on the Boston Common, unlike in other cities such as Chicago where protesters marched through the streets, taking up their own sloganswas deliberately designed by organizers as a passive spectacle.

Thousands rally in Pittsburgh: It is time the people stand up to fight this

Young protesters in Pittsburgh hold signs in support of democracy and against the rule of the kings and the oligarchy.

More than 25,000 people converged on downtown Pittsburgh on Saturday at the City County Building to protest against the Trump administration.

Thousands of people carried homemade signs expressing their opposition to Trumps policies, including illegally deporting immigrants and violating due process. Many signs denounced sending the military into American cities.

I'm here because I fear I wont get another chance, said Rachel, who was joined by her friends at the protest. This government is trying to take away all our rights. People who have protested over Gaza have been forced from their jobs, arrested, and deported.

In one breath he jokes about the people being the enemy and the need for the military to go into the cities, but this is no joke, it is really happening.

Im very disappointed in the Democrats. They dont want to stand up to him. I thought John Fetterman was going to be different, but now he is siding with Trump on everything. We need a new party. The working people have to stand for ourselves.

Some of the protesters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the "No Kings" rally, October 18, 2025

Our son lives in Chicago, explained another couple that had come to the protest. People are terrified there about what is going on. ICE is tearing apart families. The parents at one daycare center have organized a rotation in which one parent is there every day just to gather together the kids in case there is a raid. One parent stays on guard to warn the others if ICE shows up at the center.

Throughout the city children are staying home from school for fear of ICE. People are supposed to have due process, but instead masked men are disappearing men, women, and children from the streets of this city.

It is time the people stand up to fight this. That is why were here.

Attendees at the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania protest hold a Socialist Equality Party placard: "No Kings! No Fuhrers! No Capitalism!"

The demonstration in Pittsburgh was one of hundreds throughout the state, with large demonstrations taking place in Philadelphia and Harrisburg. Smaller protests took place outside every county government building and in small communities throughout the state.

Over 1,500 rally against dictatorship in Petoskey, Michigan: To be American is to be Antifa  Freedom means fighting fascism

A section of the Petoskey, Michigan "No Kings" rally, October 18, 2025

Some 1,500-2,000 people rallied in Petoskey, Michigan on Saturday to protest against the Trump administration. Countless handmade signs targeted fascism, dictatorship and the attacks on immigrants and the Constitution. Petoskey has a population of only 5,800, with Emmet County home to 33,000 people.

"No Kings" rally in Petosky, Michigan, October 18, 2025

The crowd was noisy, loud and angry, although peaceful. Protesters gathered in Bayfront Park, on the shore of Little Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan. A speaker from Indivisible briefly addressed the crowd, promising that no elected officials were present, to considerable cheers. Then the demonstrators marched to a major intersection, lining US 31 on both sides. To a large extent, there was support from passing cars, with honking and passengers waving. It was a raucous, spirited event.

A demonstrator at the Petoskey protest holds a sign that reads, "De ICE America!"

Socialist Equality Party members and supporters handed out leaflets and spoke to a few of the participants.

A retired worker, Shelley, commented: We cant let him stay in power. Kelly, another retired worker, said, We need more young people to fight him.

Kristin, one of those young people, from North Central Michigan College in Petoskey, said: Hes promoting a lot of bad things. Its more than just Trump. Its our generation that will have to do the fighting. Young people have been attacked for denouncing the genocide. Trumps ceasefire [in Gaza] is meaningless.

Kristin

Clare, a graduate of the University of Michigan Flint, said: The Democrats are rolling over. The genocide is the result of both the Democrats and Republicans. I consider myself a world citizen. There should be no borders.

A group of local young people, Travis, Elizabeth and Sophia, said, We are all for a general strike to get rid of this government.

Thea, in green, was one of several college students to attend the protest.

Thea, from Cheboygan, Michigan and one of a number of Northwestern University medical students, said: As great as this is, protest is not enough. Neither will the Democratic Party do it. We need economic power like a general strike. What RFK is doing in medicine is really bad.

There were also demonstrations in the northern part of Michigans Lower Peninsula in Boyne City, Cheboygan, Rogers City, Alpena, Bellaire, Gaylord, Gladwin, Charlevoix, Elk Rapids, Traverse City (thousands there), Suttons Bay, Ludington, Pentwater, Cadillac and elsewhere.

Over 100,000 rally in Washington, D.C. against fascism

A section of the "No Kings" protest in Washington, D.C., October 18, 2025

According to estimates, up to 200,000 people attended the No Kings protest in Washington, D.C. Saturday afternoon. The protest, held on Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest near the United States Capitol building, featured several prominent Democratic Party-aligned politicians, most notably Senator Bernie Sanders and Connecticut Representative Chris Murphy.

Sanders, who was announced as the events headliner only at the last minute, clearly expressed the nervousness of Democratic Party leaders in the face of a massive upsurge of hostility to Trump, breaking from his previous practice of not mentioning Trump as a threat to democracy but citing a litany of his abuses. He ended this speech, however, with an appeal to the Republican Party to embrace bipartisanship and negotiate with congressional Democrats in order to save American healthcare.

The majority of signs declared opposition to Trump and fascism and expressed the anti-monarchy theme of the event. A large section also expressed disgust with the Democratic Party for its participation in the Israeli governments genocide of the Palestinian people. A massive Palestinian flag could be seen within the crowd. Police presence was heavy, despite the peaceful and festive character of the protest. Several snipers were spotted on the roof of the East Building of the National Gallery of Art.

Snipers on the roof of the National Gallery of Art during the "No Kings" protest in Washington, D.C., October 18, 2025

The event was organized by various Democratic Party-affiliated protest groups. Nearly a half-dozen smaller protests occurred throughout the city and inner suburbs before converging at the main rally point.

Washington continues to be ravaged by a government shutdown, now in its third week. The nearby Smithsonian Institution was shut down as a result. Thousands of federal workers were among those in attendance.

SEP members and supporters intervened in the protest, distributing thousands of statements published by the party in the days leading up to the event.

Larry Porter, a leading member of the Socialist Equality Party, spoke to the crowd, urging participants not to place their faith in the Democrats, who have collaborated with Trump.

Trump serves todays billionaires, the tech barons, bankers and corporate magnates, who seek dictatorship as a means to preserve their privilege, said Porter. The SEP leader recalled that only last month the Democrats in Congress voted by 90 percent for a resolution for Charlie Kirk, even though Kirk was an open racist, an antisemite, and an opponent of the interests of the working class.

Bill Mertz, a member of the Socialist Equality Party, emphasized the role of the working class in the fight against fascism. He told the crowd:

Workers have been battered by ever-increasing prices and lower standards of living across the whole economy. Trump, a longtime conman, scam artist, and unscrupulous swindler could disappear today and it would not change the situation, for he is but a representative of a class.

Mertz made scathing remarks about the trade union bureaucracy, noting that it has collaborated with Trumps trade war, which has impoverished workers and divided American workers from their counterparts in Europe, China, Latin America and beyond. He cited the unions betrayal of the 2022 railroad workers struggle, in which they colluded with the Biden administration, allowing it to overturn their right to strike. The Trump administration has continued to serve the railroad operators, even consulting with the Union Pacific CEO about which cities should be targeted for deployment of federal troops to suppress workers struggles.

No Kings, No Nazi Fuhrers! Mobilize the working class against Trumps dictatorship!

This statement by the Socialist Equality Party was published prior to the demonstrations.

More than 2,500 No Kings protests are being held on October 18 throughout the US, in every major city and many smaller towns, as well as in other countries. The Socialist Equality Party supports these demonstrations and calls for the broadest possible participation. The last No Kings demonstrations, on June 14, attracted upwards of 10 million people in what is believed to have been the largest single-day political protest in American history.

These demonstrations are taking place under conditions of a mounting conspiracy by the Trump administration to establish a presidential dictatorship. In the days leading up to October 18, administration officials and leading Republicans denounced the protests as a hate America rally, branded demonstrators as terrorists and threatened to launch investigations against those organizing them. The White House is also preparing to invoke the Insurrection Act, which would give Trump sweeping powers to deploy the military throughout the United States under his direct command.

National Guard troops have already been deployed to major American cities, including Washington D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland and Memphis. In Chicago, the third-largest city in the country, residents face daily assaults by a combination of police, ICE and Department of Homeland Security agents, while National Guard forces have arrived in preparation for further action.

Thousands of people gathered in Baltimore for the "No Kings" protest, June 14, 2025.

The language coming from the White House is the language of civil war. Trump has called for the military to be used against the enemy within. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has described even the Democratic Party as a domestic extremist organization. Trump has opened up the White House to neo-Nazis, Christian nationalists and far-right propagandists, who are openly plotting the abolition of democratic rights.

What is unfolding is not a temporary aberration or a passing episode. There will be no return to normal. With the Trump administration, the American ruling class is breaking with constitutional forms of rule.

The decisive question is: What is to be done? How can Trumps coup be defeated?

Read more.

As millions march in No Kings protests against dictatorship, Democrats focus on escalating the war in Ukraine

This statement by the Socialist Equality Party was published prior to the demonstrations.

On Saturday, millions of people will participate in an estimated 2,700 protests in every major city in the United States, under the framework of No Kings. The last protests, held in June, attracted between 5 and 11 million people, and the turnout at the second round is expected to be even larger.

The demonstrations reflect growing mass opposition to the Trump administrations assault on democratic rights and its conspiracy to establish a fascistic dictatorship; outrage over the ongoing genocide in Gaza; anger at the mass deportations of immigrants; and resistance to the mass firing of federal workers and the destruction of jobs and social programs, including Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

The demonstrations draw inspiration from the democratic traditions of the American Revolution, whose anti-monarchical spirit is embodied in the slogan No Kings. Many participants in the last protests connected Trumps efforts to overturn the principles of that revolutionto trample on equality, liberty and the rights of the peoplewith his campaign to dismantle public education, destroy public health, and place all of society under the oligarchy.

One issue that is not motivating masses of people is the demand for an escalation of imperialist war. But this is the central concern of the Democratic Party.

The Democrats in fact agree with large portions of Trumps economic policies and have systematically enabled Trumps attack on the working class. Every faction of the ruling elite insists that social programs be gutted, wages reduced, and public spending slashed in order to expand corporate profits. The Democrats therefore view the mass opposition to Trump with profound unease and hostility.

On the eve of the demonstrations, the editorial board of the New York Times, the principal mouthpiece of the Democratic Party, issued a statement calling for war against Russia, under the headline, Russia Wont Stop Until NATO Acts.

The Times does not publish editorials every day. Indeed, the last editorial was published one week ago, on October 10. Its decision to issue this call to war on the very day before what could be the largest single-day protest in US history was deliberate. It is meant to signal the Democratic Partys overriding priorities.

In its editorial, the Times declares that European leaders should make clear that Russian aggression against NATO countries risks a forceful response, including the shooting down of drones  and potentially of Russian fighter planes that enter NATO airspace.

In relation to Trump, the Times writes hopefully that he has authorized more intelligence sharing with Kyiv to heighten the effectiveness of its attacks, including those on Russian oil and gas facilities, and that he is considering allowing Ukraine to use Tomahawk missiles to strike deep inside Russia.

Expressing the outlook of the Democratic Party and sections of the military-intelligence apparatus, the Times goes on to express concern over Trumps long record of coziness with Putin and whether he will prosecute the war against Russia with sufficient aggression.

All these actions, the Times states, bring risks, including the dangers of escalation  [but] the only way to contain him [Putin] is with resolute strength.

The Times does not elaborate that the risks it blithely acknowledges are those of a nuclear war between the worlds two leading nuclear powers, which would mean the annihilation of human civilization.

The priority of the Democrats is also reflected in the efforts of the organizations officially sponsoring the No Kings protests, including Democratic Party-aligned groups such as Indivisible, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and other union bureaucracies. Yellow has been proclaimed the official color of the protests, presented on the No Kings website as a signal of resistance and national self-determination amid invasion in Ukraine.

The bloodbath in Ukraine is the largest war in Europe since the Second World War. This imperialist proxy war, instigated and fueled by the United States and NATO, has already killed and maimed more than 1 million Russians and Ukrainians. Ukrainian youth, seized off the streets and conscripted by a corrupt, US-backed regime, are being sent to die in a 21st century hellscape. The effort by the Democrats to besmirch mass opposition to Trump by promoting this murderous enterprise must be rejected with contempt.

Read more.
Trade between Turkiye and Africa reached a record $37 billion in 2024, with Ankara targeting $40 billion by 2025, according to Trade Minister Omer Bolat.

Speaking at the 5th Turkiye-Africa Business and Economic Forum on Thursday in Istanbul, Bolat highlighted the growing strength of economic and diplomatic ties between Turkiye and African nations despite global economic headwinds and protectionist trade policies.

He noted that Turkish contractors have executed over 2,000 development projects worth nearly $100 billion across the continent, significantly contributing to Africas infrastructure and economic transformation. Bolat also underscored Turkiyes win-win approach, which prioritises equitable and mutually beneficial partnerships across trade, investment, and culture.

The two-day forum, organised by Turkiyes Foreign Economic Relations Board in collaboration with the African Union, brought together thousands of delegates, including six Turkish ministers and nearly 3,000 African business leaders. Discussions are centred on building resilient trade networks in sectors such as energy, mining, food security, logistics, civil aviation, and digital manufacturing.

Bolat commended Turkish Airlines for connecting Africa to the world through 62 destinations in over 40 countries, while Turkish aid agencies, including TIKA, continue to spearhead cultural and humanitarian projects across the continent. The event reaffirmed Turkiyes ambition to deepen its presence in Africa as a strategic trade partner and development ally.
John Bolton [AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin]

On Thursday, a federal grand jury in Maryland indicted John Bolton, Donald Trumps national security adviser for 18 months of his first term, on 18 counts of mishandling national defense information. Bolton was arraigned on Friday and pleaded not guilty on all counts.

If convicted, Bolton could receive a 10-year prison sentence on each count.

Trump publicly demanded Boltons indictment, part of a Justice Department campaign to indict and jail opponents of Trump within the state apparatus and political establishment. Bolton is the third such person to be indicted over the past three weeks, the other two being former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

These indictments mark a significant further step in Trumps drive to establish a presidential dictatorship. With the support of the corporate oligarchy, he is seeking to consolidate a personalist regime to take on and smash the resistance of the working class with an unprecedented and violent assault on democratic and social rights.

Trumps top White House aide, Stephen Miller, has called the Democratic Party a domestic extremist organization, and Trump officials have identified popular opposition to his administration with antifa terrorism.

At Trumps urging, federal prosecutors have opened up investigations of other targets, including former CIA Director John Brennan, former FBI Director Christopher Wray, Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook and Democratic Senator Adam Schiff. On Wednesday, he pointed to other people he thought should be prosecuted, including Jack Smith, the former special counsel who indicted him twice.

Responding to the indictment of Bolton on Thursday, Attorney General Pam Bondi said, Anyone who abuses a position of power and jeopardizes our national security will be held accountable. No one is above the law. This is doubly cynical given the fact that Trump was indicted two years ago under the same law, the Espionage Act of 1917, used to indict Bolton.

Federal authorities found 13,000 government documents at Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate, over 300 of which were classified. When Trump refused to turn over all of the classified documents, the FBI carried out a court-authorized search and found 102 additional classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. A pro-Trump judge dismissed the case.

Bolton, a right-wing warmonger, is known as an architect of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He has held top posts at the State and Justice Departments and was US ambassador to the UN as well as national security adviser. During his time as national security adviser, from April 2018 to September 2019, he clashed with Trump over Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Russia and Venezuela, generally pushing an even more militaristic and bellicose line than that of the president.

Since his dismissal by Trump, the two have been bitter enemies. Bolton has called Trump unfit for office. The White House tried to block the publication in 2020 of Boltons tell-all memoir of his time in the Trump White House, titled The Room Where It Happened. In it, Bolton called Trump erratic and a stunningly uninformed leader. Trump called for Boltons prosecution, claiming he published classified information.

This past August, the FBI carried out highly publicized searches of Boltons home in Bethesda, Maryland, and his office in downtown Washington D.C. Agents were shown carting off Boltons computers, phones and reams of documents.

It is necessary to place the indictment of Bolton within the broader political context of Trumps escalating assault on democratic rights and the drive to dictatorship. The indictment comes two days before mass anti-Trump demonstrations across the US under the rubric of No Kings. The Republican Party has denounced the protests as Hate America Day, calling it a conspiracy of pro-Hamas, antifa terrorists. The Democrats, as usual, have said virtually nothing about the protests, refusing to defend or mobilize support for them. That includes so-called progressives like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Trump ally and fellow fascist, announced on social media on Thursday that he had directed the Department of Public Safety and the National Guard to surge forces into Austin ahead of the Antifa-linked protest, adding that Texas would not tolerate chaos.

In Virginia, Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin ordered the National Guard to be on active duty during Saturdays protests across the state.

In Chicago, the Trump administration is ignoring court orders and unleashing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) thugs to carry out violent attacks on peaceful protesters seeking to defend immigrants facing mass raids and deportations. These attacks, including assaults on journalists and observers, using tear gas, pepper balls and flash-bang grenades, are calculated to create clashes that will be used as the pretext for invoking the Insurrection Act, which gives Trump the authority to deploy active-duty troops in cities across the country.

Also on Thursday, federal prosecutors unsealed terrorism charges against two men accused of attacking an immigration detention center outside Dallas on July 4, claiming they were part of a heavily armed cell of antifa. The indictment against Cameron Arnold and Zachary Evetts marks the first time that terrorism charges have been filed against people said to be associated with antifa.

This is a major step in implementing Trumps executive order signed last month designating antifawhich stands for anti-fascist and does not even exist as an organizationas a domestic terrorist organization. This signals an unconstitutional crackdown against all those who oppose the Trump administrations fascist policies.

The indictment of Arnold and Evetts calls antifa a militant enterprise made up of networks of individuals and small groups, primarily ascribing to a revolutionary anarchist or autonomous Marxist ideology.

The New York Times account points to the far-reaching significance of the use of the term enterprise. Citing Thomas E. Brzozowski, the former counsel for domestic terrorism in the Justice Departments national security division, the Times writes: Enterprise investigations allow the federal authorities to deeply scrutinize the structure, finances, membership and goals of targeted groups or organizations.

It quotes Brzozowski as saying, Thats what happens when you open such a broad investigation into what is essentially an idea.
The New South Wales (NSW) Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that far-reaching anti-protest laws passed by the states Labor government earlier this year are invalid, because they breach the implied right to freedom of political communication in Australias Constitution.

The judgement is a marker of how far governments have gone in their assault on basic democratic rights over the past two years. While supporting Israels genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, they have cracked down on mass opposition, imposing restrictions on civil liberties even deeper than those instituted over the preceding two decades of the bogus war on terror.

The ruling is also notable, given how limited are the protections of democratic rights in Australia. The countrys reactionary 1901 Constitution does not include a Bill of Rights as in the US and there is no explicit protection of key civil liberties such as freedom of political speech and expression.

The Supreme Court nevertheless found that NSW anti-protest laws impermissibly burdens the implied constitutional freedom of communication on government or political matters.

The legislation was passed in the form of amendments to existing protest laws in February. It provided for the prohibition of protests in or near a place of worship. Pushed through parliament by the Labor government of Premier Chris Minns, with the support of the Liberal opposition, the protest amendments were passed in conjunction with new hate speech laws.

The hate speech laws, paralleling federal legislation passed at the same time, are aimed not at antisemitism as purported but at outlawing strident condemnation of Zionism. The protest provisions were transparently aimed at creating the conditions to shut down regular, mass pro-Palestinian rallies and to abolish the right to public demonstration altogether.

The pretext was a sham. There have not been pro-Palestinian or other protests targeting religious institutions, Jewish or otherwise. The handful of occasions on which there has been discussion of protests at such institutions, it has been because they have been hosting political, not religious events, including ones legitimising Israels war crimes.

The apparent catalyst for the legislation was a protest outside a Synagogue, called because it was holding an event at which a representative of the Israel Defence Forces was the featured speaker.

The challenge to the laws was brought by Josh Lees, a representative of the Palestine Action Group which has organised scores of protests against the genocide, often weekly, for the past 24 months. Those protests have not included a single instance of antisemitic or other racial prejudice and have been notable by the participation of prominent anti-Zionist Jews.

Lees lawyers centrally raised the vague and far-reaching character of the legislation, noting that the phrase in or near a place of worship placed virtually no limits on the invocation of the law by police and governments to shut down protests.

Pro-Palestinian protesters in Sydneys Town Hall Square. St. Andrews Cathedral is visible in the background.

They presented a map of common protest locations in the Sydney central business district, which made clear that virtually all of them are near places of worship. There is a church next to Sydney Town Hall, where rallies are frequently held. There is one across the street from Hyde Park, where the majority of anti-genocide protests have occurred.

Lawyers representing the state government had sought to claim that, when read in conjunction with other provisions covering the police, the in or near clause would be given a more restricted meaning.

But Supreme Court Justice Anna Mitchelmore stated that the law is directed at protest activity, removing a limitation on police giving directions in relation to an apparently genuine demonstration or protest.

Protests and procession routes in areas of civic significance will likely place protesters in close physical proximity to places of worship, Mitchelmore noted. The legislation could potentially be deployed, even in the event that the protests were not targeted at or in anyway related to those places of worship, meaning that the marginal burden it imposed goes further than the constitutionally valid baseline in a meaningful way.

The ruling was a limited one, essentially accepting the premise of a ban on protests directed at places of worship, even if they were holding political events and that was the motivation of the demonstration.

The responses nevertheless showed that the judgement was something of a setback to the protracted push to outlaw pro-Palestinian protests.

Premier Minns labelled the ruling as disappointing, and it is possible that the government will appeal. The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, a frothingly pro-Zionist organisation, hysterically claimed that the judgement meant the city centre would remain a no go zone for Jews when protests were held. That line effaces the Jewish identity of significant layers who participate in the demonstrations.

The broader premise of the crackdown, that there has been an eruption of antisemitism associated with opposition to the Israeli war crimes, was further exposed at a NSW parliamentary inquiry on October 10.

The NSW Police admitted that their official record of antisemitic incidents, which has repeatedly been invoked by the state government, is false.

Dozens of incidents are included that are not antisemitic but are legitimate protest and political activities opposing the assault on Gaza. Incidents where Zionists attacked pro-Palestinian activists are inexplicably on the list, as are random criminal events with no connection to racial bigotry.

Taken together, the Supreme Court judgement and the police admission expose a frontal assault on the population, combining lying propaganda and the passage of unconstitutional and therefore essentially illegal legislation.

Just as the NSW government must have known that the figures on antisemitic incidents were inaccurate, so too was it aware that its anti-protest legislation would likely not pass Constitutional muster.

The Guardian reported after the court verdict that the introduction of the legislation had caused internal friction within the Labor government at the time. Labor MP Anthony DAdam had reportedly moved a motion to redraft the bill so that the obstruction was limited to instances where a protest was directed at a place of worship.

Labor MP Stephen Lawrence and another Labor MP, Cameron Murphy, had warned that without this limitation, the law could be found unconstitutional.

Figures such as DAdam and Lawrence have postured as critics of Labors complicity in the genocide. But they have maintained party-room solidarity, passing Labors legislation even when it is transparently aimed at repressing the pro-Palestinian movement. The Guardian recount paints these figures as little more than loyal advisors to Minns, warning him that if he goes too far, the government will come up against the law and the courts.

Any conception that democratic rights can be defended exclusively through the courts was refuted earlier this month, when the NSW Court of Appeals banned a planned pro-Palestinian protest to the Sydney Opera House that was to mark two years of the genocide.

The Court upheld spurious evidence from the NSW Police that the protest could not be held safely due to the numbers that would attend. It went further than previous rulings, declaring that anyone who defied its prohibition could be found in contempt of court, the penalties for which include indefinite imprisonment.

The anti-protest offensive underscores the reality that the eruption of imperialist war, of which the genocide is a particularly horrific manifestation, is incompatible with democracy.

The federal Labor government, having backed Israel politically, diplomatically and materially throughout the war crimes, has hailed Trumps so-called peace plan, which provides for a permanent Israeli occupation of Gaza and the subjugation of the Palestinian people to out and out neo-colonial domination.
US President Donald Trump meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the White House Oval Office, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci]

Stellantis decision to move production of the Jeep Compass from Brampton, Ontario, to Belvidere, Illinois, has brought into sharp relief the widening economic fallout from the trade war between the United States and Canada that US President Donald Trump launched earlier this year.

The announcement means the loss of roughly 3,000 jobs at one of Canadas key auto assembly plants and reflects how the new tariff regime is accelerating the reordering of North American manufacturing at the expense of the working class across the continent.

What Stellantis calls a strategic realignment is part of a broader process in which tariffs on vehicles and auto parts are pushing production and investment south of the border. Thanks to the imposition by the United Auto Workers (UAW) of one round of concessions after another over the past 40 years, the jobs being transferred to the US will be characterized by ruthless exploitation, low wages, and a total lack of job security. As shown by the shocking death in April 2025 of Ronald Adams Sr. at Stellantiss Dundee Engine Plant, the automaker and the Trump administration have no concern about the conditions facing US workers, let alone those left jobless in other countries.

Canadian auto parts suppliers have reported layoffs and idlings as costs climb and market access narrows. These cutbacks across the supplier industry, on top of the Stellantis announcement, underscore how deeply Canadas economy depends on integrated continental supply chains now being reshaped by protectionist measures designed to concentrate production inside the United States.

In seeking to reshore manufacturing, the Trump administration is not simply working to boost inward investment and economic growth. A key motivation for its America First tariffs, as frankly stated in US Commerce Department documents, is rebuilding Americas military-industrial base in preparation for waging war around the world.

The impact of Trumps trade war extends well beyond auto production, with the US now imposing tariffs on a raft of Canadian economic sectors, accounting for well over $100 billion in annual exports to the US. These include 50 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum, 35 percent on semi-finished copper products and 35 percent on all exports not in compliance with USMCA, the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.

In northern Ontario, the impending closure of the Kapuskasing paper mill, threatening more than 2,500 direct and indirect jobs, has been linked by industry analysts and local officials to the 25 percent US tariff on pulp and paper products. The plants shutdown will devastate a region already struggling with declining employment and population loss.

Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, the regions main employer, is expected to begin layoffs soon despite a $500 million loan from the federal and provincial governments as it accelerates the shutdown of its blast furnace and coke ovens and moves to electric arc furnace steelmaking due to the pressure of tariffs which have effectively cut off the US market.

In the forestry sector, the Trump administrations new duties of 45 percent on softwood lumber and 25 percent on furniture and cabinetry have forced mills in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec to scale back or suspend operations. The sectors long-running dispute with Washington over softwood lumber exports has deepened into a crisis that provincial governments admit they cannot offset.

Canadas manufacturing workforce has contracted sharply since the summer, particularly in steel, aluminum, and machinery, as orders from the United States decline and domestic producers face higher input costs. While the September job report shows that 28,000 jobs were added to the manufacturing sector last month, this didnt even cut in half the 58,000 jobs lost since January. The national unemployment rate meanwhile remains stuck at 7.1 percent and is even higher in Ontario, the center of auto production and manufacturing, at 7.9 percent.

The response from the Liberal government in Ottawa has been to treat the economic crisis sparked by the trade war as an opportunity to accelerate long-planned restructuring in favour of big business and finance capital. This has been combined with a deafening silence on Trumps Operation Dictatorship in the United States, a silence driven by a desire on the part of Canadas financial elite to reach an accommodation with the would-be dictator in the White House. What the Canadian ruling class desires above all is recognition of its economic and geopolitical interests as a junior partner of American imperialism in a Fortress North America, which it believes would permit Ottawa to cash in on the loot produced by US-led aggression and war against its main rivals around the globe.

To this end, Canadas ruling class wants to inflict Trump-style attacks on the working class at home, including the gutting of public services and the abrogation of worker rights.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, the former governor of the Banks of Canada and England, addressing the US Council on Foreign Relations in New York in September, described Trumps tariffs and threats as a favor to Canadas capitalist elite. He noted they needed the rupture to push through changes in policy that would have been politically difficult or impossible under normal conditions.

Carneys remarks make clear that the Liberal government sees the trade war and Trumps annexation threats as providing political cover for imposing policies long sought by the Canadian ruling classmassive increases in military expenditure, greater flexibility in labour markets, streamlined environmental and industrial regulation, and further corporate tax cuts. Carney has declared that his budget will be one of austerity and investment, meaning the slashing of funding for social programs and scientific research which benefit the working class, in order to funnel tens of billions into the military and corporate coffers.

Responding to complaints from Bank of Montreal CEO Darryl White that Canadas corporate tax regime is uncompetitive, Carney declared Thursday that his government is well aware of what the relative tax rates are on investment; he then vowed, we will make sure they are competitive in the (November 5 federal) budget.

Behind pledges of assistance for laid-off workers, Ottawas actual measuresshort-term retraining funds and corporate tax creditssignal acceptance that much of Canadas traditional industrial base will be decimated by an extended trade war.

The governments focus is on implementing the agenda of the corporate elite, increasing worker exploitation so as to maintain investor confidence, and rearmament so as to ensure the Canadian ruling class has a seat at the table in the imperialist redivision of the world. With the support of the trade unions, Ottawa plans to manage the social consequences of deindustrialization, not prevent it.

In this collaboration, the key role of suppressing all working class opposition to the class-war onslaught will fall to the likes of Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske and Unifor (the former Canadian Auto Workers), which has a long and despicable record of working with the Liberal government to uphold the interests of corporate Canada.

Carneys candour before an audience of the American foreign policy elite revealed the essential continuity between Canadian and US policy: both aim to increase the profitability of North American capitalism through wage restraint, the evisceration of public services, the right to strike, environmental and workplace regulations and the contractualization and gig-ification of work. Canadian imperialism aims to remain a junior partner of American imperialism, if possible, comfortably within Trumps walls. This is exemplified by Carneys repeated groveling visits to the White House even as the US president continues to threaten to make Canada the 51st state.

Canadas union bureaucracy has responded to the Stellantis announcement and related job cuts with a renewed outburst of Canadian nationalism and appeals to the Carney government. Unifor, which represents the Brampton Stellantis workers, has denounced the companys decision as a blow to Canadian jobs and demanded government intervention to protect domestic production. Yet such rhetoric conceals more than it explains. By portraying the issue as one of national betrayal rather than the outcome of corporate and geopolitical interests operating across borders, the unions channel legitimate anger into the dead end of Team Canada and divide workers from their brothers and sisters in the United States and beyond.

Unifors Brampton-based Local 1285s endorsement of Ontario Premier Doug Fords Progressive Conservatives in last Februarys provincial election typifies how the unions nationalism leads to accommodation to the pro-business right wing and the false notion that Canadian workers can defend themselves by aligning with one faction of the ruling elite against another.

These developments pose critical questions for working people. The destruction of jobs at Stellantis, the devastation in forestry and steel, and the wider economic impact are not isolated national problems but expressions of a global process in which the ruling classes of every country are seeking to offload the crisis of capitalism onto their competitors and their own populations. Trade war is a key tool of imperialism, fought through tariffs and subsidies, instead of tanks, warplanes, and nuclear weapons, but driven by the same underlying struggle for markets, profits, and geopolitical advantage.

To oppose this, Canadian workers must reject the nationalist framework advanced by both the government and the unions. The real allies of Bramptons autoworkers are not the politicians in Ottawa or Queens Park but the workers in Belvidere, Detroit, Toluca and Saltillo facing the same pressures under the same corporate management. The same is true for forestry, steel and paper workers on both sides of the border. The means to resist lies in uniting workers struggles across national lines, establishing rank-and-file committees in every workplace, school and community, and linking them through the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees.

Only by building such independent organizations can workers begin to coordinate action against the global corporations and governments that serve them, and to advance their own common interestsfor secure employment, decent living standards and the rational use of resourcesacross North America and internationally. The alternative is to remain trapped within a nationalist politics that offers workers nothing but managed decline, deeper exploitation, austerity and war.

The lesson that workers must draw from the Stellantis announcement and the tariff crisis now gripping Canada is that the working class can defend its future only by organizing and fighting together, across all borders. This fight is first and foremost political, because it must directly confront the questions of which class will rule society and in whose interests will socioeconomic and budget decisions be made.

The only genuine basis to unify workers internationally in a counteroffensive against capitalist austerity and war is a revolutionary socialist perspective committed to the fight for workers power. This is the program fought for by the Socialist Equality Party in Canada in the closest unity with our American co-thinkers and comrades in the Socialist Equality Party (US).
On October 15, CNN hosted a 90-minute town hall with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez devoted to boosting the Democratic Party amid a government shutdown now entering its third week. The discussion served above all to conceal the advanced preparations for dictatorship underway in the United States.

Senator Bernie Sanders and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on CNN, October 15, 2025. [Photo: CNN]

Nearly every question focused on what Democrats and Republicans were doing to reopen the government. Neither CNN host Kaitlan Collins nor the two politicians uttered a word about Trumps repeated threats to invoke the Insurrection Act and impose martial law. The words fascism, national guard, Chicago, ICE, impeachment, or dictatorship were never spoken.

Throughout the event, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez touted their bipartisan credentials and their readiness to work with Republicans to reopen and fund Trumps government.

A viewer unaware of current events would not know that heavily armed Border Patrol Tactical Units recently tear-gassed a Chicago neighborhood after federal agents deliberately caused a car accident at an intersection. Nor would they know that Blackhawk helicopters and assault rifle- and chainsaw-wielding immigration police stormed a South Side apartment complex, forcing citizens and immigrants alike  including naked children  into the street in handcuffs.

In response to the first of many questions about reopening the government, Ocasio-Cortez urged viewers to put pressure on Republican Speaker Mike Johnson to pick up the phone. What is normal is to negotiate, come to a compromise, pass the bill, she said. The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member did not specify any conditions for reopening the government, deferring entirely to party leadership: We need to make sure, as a member of the party, we put negotiations in the hands of our partys leadership. With Hakeem Jeffries, if he says its no, its no.

Later, Ocasio-Cortez likened the shutdown to a team sport. Echoing Barack Obamas infamous description of the 2016 election as an intramural scrimmage, she emphasized the need for both parties to come to something we can agree with and reopen the government with Trump and his fascist cabal still in power. Negotiations are all about a back and forth, she said. And so, this is a team sport.

Both politicians repeatedly expressed willingness to collaborate with the most reactionary sections of the Republican Party without raising any demands to halt troop deployments to major cities or stop militarized raids that are trampling workers democratic rights. Responding to questions about the US military murdering people in the Caribbean Sea and a possible invasion of Venezuela, Sanders said he was very concerned, but proposed no action to stop the illegal operations.

The overriding theme of the event was bipartisanship. Asked which Republicans he would work with to pass a continuing resolution, Sanders replied, Great question, I can mention a number of them. There are some decent honest Republicans. The first name he cited was none other than QAnon proponent and Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene:

I never thought that I would say this but you have someone like Marjorie Taylor Greene saying, You know what, I was elected by my constituents, thats who I am beholden to, not the president of the United States. So there are good Republicans out there and if Trump would leave them alone for five minutes and not threaten them with a primary if they stood up and did the right thing, I think we can make progress.

Greene is an outright fascist who supported Trumps January 6 coup attempt and has repeatedly threatened to murder political opponents. She is a close ally of far-right militias and antisemites, and in 2022 addressed the inaugural America First Political Action Conference organized by neo-Nazi Nick Fuentes, calling on her audience to stop the Democrats, who are the Communist Party of the United States of America. She led the push to pass the fascistic Laken Riley Act, which vastly expanded the powers of the immigration police. Democrats joined Republicans in passing it during the first month of Trumps second administration.

Ocasio-Cortez likewise touted her readiness to work across the aisle with her Republican colleagues, citing her joint bill with Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis to expand maternal health and reauthorize the Healthy Start program. In terms of bipartisan legislation on healthcare, Im more than open to doing that, she said. But its not just about talking the talk  we got to walk the walk.

More than halfway through the event, Collins asked whether Trump deserved credit for the fraudulent ceasefire in Gaza. Both Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, leading campaigners for Bidens aborted 2024 reelection bid, sought to whitewash their support for Israel and their role in suppressing the mass anti-genocide movement, blaming both Trump and Joe Biden for the slaughter. Sanders boasted that he and Ocasio-Cortez spent a long time with President Biden trying to make the case for limiting US arms to Israel.

Ocasio-Cortez claimed, Ive given President Biden hell about this. When or where this hell was given was not elaborated. Perhaps it was in-between numerous television and podcast appearances where she praised Bidens leadership amid the bombardment of Gaza, or when she urged her supporters to be adults about the situation and support the war criminal. Maybe it was after Biden dropped out of the race and Ocasio-Cortez endorsed his handpicked successor, Kamala the most lethal fighting force in the world Harris, the same Harris who Ocasio-Cortez falsely claimed at the 2024 Democratic National Convention was working tirelessly for a ceasefire.

In an attempt to reestablish credibility with workers and youth who oppose the genocide and the complicity of both big business parties, Sanders said, The United States essentially funded this war In other words, the United States has been from day one, under Biden, under Trump, in the driver seat.

But he drew no conclusions from this damning admission, one that indicts both parties, including himself, and the entire political system of American capitalism.

In a revealing moment near the end of the broadcast, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez praised DSA member Zohran Mamdani and called on other Democrats to back his campaign, in the name of party unity.

Ocasio-Cortez, who presented herself as an outsider when she first campaigned for the House in 2018, no longer pretends to be anything other than a loyal Democratic Party soldier. She said:

I believe in endorsing the nominee of the party after the primary has resolved itself. I endorsed Bernie in 2020 when he ran against President Biden. President Biden won that nomination and we all had to come together and do the work of supporting our partys nominee in order to make sure that we win. And so I do worry about the example it sets when our leaders do not support the party nominee, because in the future we will need folks to rally around the presidential nominee. And if that nominee is more moderate, or if that nominee is more progressive, we are setting the precedent of not endorsing the nominee unless we agree with them. I worry about what example that sets. So I have made myself very clear about that.

Sanders openly presented Mamdanis campaign, like his own misnamed Fighting Oligarchy tour, as a means of channeling popular anger over decades of Democratic betrayals back into the party and electoral politics:

He said:

No great secret, got a Democratic Party that is in the doldrums right now, everybody acknowledges that. You got a candidate in New York City, Zohran Mamdani, the guy is running an extraordinary campaign. This should be the kind of candidate that Democrats want in every state in the country.

He continued:

Of course, Alexandria is right, he is the Democratic nominee, how do you not support the Democratic guy? But more importantly... hes a great candidate... he should be the model.

Warning against the growth of genuine socialist and anti-capitalist sentiment, Sanders added:

We got political problems in this country, people are giving up on the political process. He is giving people excitement, getting them involved. I would like to see that take place in 50 states in this country.

This, of course, is about a candidate who has devoted the bulk of his campaign to reassuring the financial oligarchy, the party tops and the police that he poses no threat to the capitalist status quo.

Though the Trump administration has declared war on antifa and vowed to use the war on terror model against its political opponents  including groups tied to the Democratic Party such as the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)  neither Sanders nor DSA member Ocasio-Cortez mentioned the issue.

At the end of the event, Sanders briefly referenced the No Kings demonstration, noting that House Speaker Mike Johnson had called it a Hate America rally. Sanders insisted it was a Love America event before pivoting back to health care subsidies. He made no call for people to turn out for the nationwide anti-Trump and anti-dictatorship protests.

Both politicians made fleeting references to authoritarianism, but neither proposed any action to oppose it. This silence is deliberate. It reflects the Democratic Partys conscious strategy of downplaying the danger of dictatorship and chloroforming the population as the capitalist crisis deepens and the Trump regime prepares for mass repression.

The two progressives, like the Democratic Party as a whole, represent the same financial oligarchy that controls Trump and the Republicans. The critical conclusion that flows from this is the need for the working class and youth to break from the Democratic Party and the two-party system and build a mass independent movement to bring down Trump and replace him with a workers government based on socialist policies, beginning with the expropriation of the oligarchy and transformation of the banks and corporations into public utilities under democratic workers control.
Professor Thomas Alter, a historian of labor and the American left, has been fired by Texas State University for political speech. The move is not only an attack on Alters rights as a tenured faculty member, a worker, and a citizen, it is an assault on freedom of speech and political organization, and the right to education of college students.

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) denounces Alters removal, demands his immediate reinstatement, and calls for an independent inquiry into the actions of Texas State President Kelly Damphousse.

Damphousses decision was delivered to Alter and his attorneys on Monday. It invokes Texas State University System Rules and Regulations, Chapter V, paragraph 4.53, declaring to Alter that your last date of employment with Texas State University will be October 13, 2025.

The letter states that Alter is subject to summary dismissal for what the university deems serious professional or personal misconduct. But the letter does not even make an effort to describe professional misconduct of any sort. Rather, it denounces Alters political speech, specifically his advocacy for socialism.

Dr. Tom Alter [Photo: GoFundMe - Kim Gasper-Rabuck]

Alters dismissal is based on remarks he delivered at a gathering called the Revolutionary Socialism Conference, an on-line event that took place on September 7, 2025. In his comments, Alter addressed issues of political organization, criticized the capitalist status quo, discussed his interpretations of the American left, and spoke about his views on the need to build a revolutionary socialist party. When questioned by attendees about his teaching role, Alter described his work with education majors and spoke about Texas States long-standing involvement in training public school educators.

On September 10, without prior warning or any opportunity for Alter to respond, Texas State University summarily terminated him via email. He was immediately locked out of his university email and denied access to all campus systems, separating him from his students and abruptly halting his classes and ongoing academic responsibilities. Alters firing cut him off not only from his salary, but also from university-provided health insurance for his family.

All of this was done without any hearing or investigation, in clear violation of basic due process and the protections that tenure is supposed to guarantee. Alter was given no chance to communicate with his students and colleagues. For days, he did not know if or how he would be able to defend himself against the allegations.

It was only after Alter filed a lawsuit and obtained a temporary restraining order from a Hays County judge that he was briefly reinstatedthough still barred from teachingpending a hearing. Even then, the process that followed remained under the tight control of the university president and provost, culminating in a second termination after a brief and highly orchestrated meeting, with no real recourse or transparency granted to Alter or his legal counsel.

Alters removal was centrally orchestrated by Karlyn Borysenko, a fascist provocateur and Fox News commentator who declared recently that Hitler went to heaven and Jews chose their own deaths in the Holocaust. Borysenko surreptitiously recorded Alters remarks as part of her campaign to infiltrate left-wing political events under false pretenses and destroy the lives of targeted individuals.

Despite the illegitimate and potentially illegal origins of the recordings and the openly fascist agenda of the source, the university administration treated the supposed complaint as credible and proceeded to act upon it, ignoring procedural norms, tenure rights, and basic freedom of speech in the process.

Alter is the author of Toward a Cooperative Commonwealth: The Transplanted Roots of Farmer-Labor Radicalism in Texas, published by University of Illinois Press in 2022. The book examines the evolution of agrarian radicalism in Texas, following three generations of German immigrants to illuminate how farmer-labor alliances, rooted in transnational radical ideas, shaped working class politics, political protest movements, and economic reform. Alter is esteemed among his students and colleagues alike for his dedication to teaching and mentorship. His courses regularly draw strong enrollments and enthusiastic engagement. Alter was awarded tenure in September 2025.

Book cover, Toward a Cooperative Commonwealth, by Thomas Alter [Photo: University of Illinois Press]

The universitys letter sent to Dr. Alter on October 13 upholding his firing makes clear that its concern is not with the conduct of teaching or scholarship, but the content and political character of Alters speech. The letter attributes misconduct to the fact that Alter promoted a vision for the recruitment of Americans into a Revolutionary Socialist Party with the stated goal of overthrowing the United States government.

The entire premise rests on criteria that can be wielded against anyone who opposes the policies of the American government, policies that currently include support for Israels genocide of the Palestinians, summary assassination of people on boats in the Caribbean at the direction of the American president, and the deployment of the military in American cities in violation of the Constitution. Indeed, what shapes the universitys judgment is Alters opposition to, in his own words, the most bloodthirsty, profit-driven, mad organization in the history of the worldthat of the US government.

The letter declares that Alters advocacy of socialism is a violation of Texas States academic neutrality. But Texas State, like nearly every American university, accepts and encourages overtly partisan activity by faculty and students on behalf of Democratic and Republican causes.

Damphousses unabashed hypocrisy is all the more glaring in his condemnation of Alters alleged goal of overthrowing the United States government. The Republican Party orchestrated efforts on January 6, 2021 to overturn the results of the presidential electionan actual attempt to topple the government. This was backed by 147 congressional Republicans who voted to object to the electoral count after the Capitol riot, and was subsequently defended or minimized by much of the partys leadership, as well as that of the Democratic Party. No doubt it would be possible to locate many statements by Texas State University Republicans justifying the attempted coup, but Damphousse took no action against them.

As for Damphousses invocation of the potential disruption of university operations, the destruction of university property, and acts of violence on university campuses across our country, this is entirely speculative and untethered to anything in Dr. Alters record or actions.

The universitys letter in fact reveals just how tenuous its justification truly is. Its authors concede that while this type of activism in itself, if undertaken on your own personal time and without reference to your role as an associate professor at Texas State University, likely would not constitute serious misconduct, they nonetheless assert that Alters remarks implicate Texas State, its students and employees, and safety on campus during a time when tensions on campuses across the country, including at Texas State, are high.

The point is unmistakable: the university will quash speech that criticizes fundamental aspects of US societyimperialism, state violence, capitalism and social inequality. Perhaps Damphousse has special concern for the last category. His salary totaled $815,000 for the 2024-2025 academic year, roughly 10 times the pay of a tenured professor and nearly 30 times that of the approximately 500 food, custodial, and maintenance workers at Texas State.

Texas State President Kelly Dampousse, whose annual salary is $815,000. [Photo: Texas State University ]

The final lines of the Damphousse letter threaten not only Alters livelihood, but the future of open debate and academic inquiry on campus:

Your comments, taken as a whole, go beyond speaking on a topic of academic interest or advocating, in your personal capacity, for a particular political agenda. The totality of your actions and your subsequent explanation for such actions reflect a serious lapse of judgment which has affected the trust placed in you by this university. For these reasons, I find that you remain subject to summary dismissal.

Dr. Alter has every rightmorally, legally, and academicallyto freely express his political viewpoints. The recognition that the United States is a world leader in imperialist violence is not a radical or irresponsible claim, but a sober analysis supported by overwhelming evidence and abundant scholarship.

The core justification for tenure is to allow precisely for intellectual engagement shielded from administrative reprisals. The firing of Alter makes a mockery of those protections. The process by which this determination was reacheda hearing at which Alters attorney presented materials but received little substantive recognition, and a rapid, summary decisionunderscores the predetermined nature of the administrations approach.

Alters firing has drawn strong condemnation of Texas State Universitys actions from students, faculty, and historians across the country and beyond. Supporters have raised over $47,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to assist with Alters legal expenses and ongoing living costs during his fight for reinstatement. Petitions demanding that Texas State University reverse its decision and restore Alter to his post have collectively garnered hundreds of signatures.

Graduate students in the Texas State History Department issued a statement denouncing the dismissal for undermining both the universitys own commitment to academic freedom and the values that are foundational to higher education. The Texas State University student newspaper, the University Star, noted the cases chilling effect on free speech and the warnings it sends to other faculty: What is at stake is not simply one job or the reputation of one scholar, but the rights and freedoms of all those who work and learn at public universities.

The Organization of American Historians, the American Historical Association, the Labor and Working Class History Association, and the Canadian Committee on Labour History have all condemned the firing and described it as a violation of fundamental professional standards and due process and an attack on the discipline of history itself.

The determined campaign to reinstate Professor Alter and defend academic freedom at Texas State University now stands as a critical test for students, educators, and all defenders of democratic rights. The International Youth and Students for Social Equality reiterates its demand for Alters immediate reinstatement and a full, independent inquiry into the actions of President Damphousse and the university administration. Attacks on scholars, campus speech, and student organizations must be met with the broadest opposition across campuses nationwide and internationally.

Students at Texas State and beyond must draw the necessary conclusions from this precedent. It is not only one professor, but the right to dissent and the future of critical thought that are at stake. We encourage all students who want to fight back against censorship and political victimization to join the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE). The IYSSE fights to unite students and youth in the struggle against war, authoritarianism, and social inequality, advancing the perspective that only the independent political mobilization of youth and the working class, organized on socialist principles, can defend and extend our most basic rights.
The New South Wales (NSW) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) deliberately suppressed for almost four years a study showing lead poisoning of children in Broken Hill as a result of nearby mining operations.

The cover-up was unearthed by a Mudgee farmer who is currently campaigning against a proposed mine near her town. She discovered, including through Freedom of Information requests, internal EPA emails showing that the studys release was delayed to protect the mining corporations.

One of the emails, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporations (ABC) 7:30, expressed concern the studys recommendations would be unpalatable to the mining companies. Others, sent in 2023, said the 20182019 study had not been published due to discomfort among the mining companies over what might be expected of them, and stated that they would prefer we didnt publish it.

The study was finally published in October 2023. An email from August of that year pointed to the EPA trying to slip the report into the public domain without attracting public or media attention. It said: When we say release [the study], we mean quietly load it onto the LeadSmart website and not tell anyone.

The study was conducted by Professor Mark Taylor, then at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Macquarie University. Titled, The Environmental Lead Risks at Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia: Sources, Exposures and Forward Solutions, it exposed widespread elevated blood lead levels in Broken Hill children.

The study examined the blood of children across the predominantly working-class town, which has a population of just over 17,500 people. 24,000 blood samples taken from children under 5 years old were examined, along with 10,000 soil samples from almost 2,000 Broken Hill properties and 186 household samples of indoor and ceiling dust.

Broken Hill slag heap [Photo by New Matilda / CC BY 2.0

The 150-year-old Line of Lode underground mine, containing silver, lead and zinc, cuts a swathe through Broken Hill. Towering over the town is a mound of mining slaga by-product of lead production. This slag heap releases toxic dust over the town on an ongoing basis.

Children are particularly susceptible to ingestion of the dust, in part due to their play activities on the ground where the dust settles. Their bodies are also more prone to absorption of lead than adults, and their developing brains more sensitive to its harmful effects.

The study found that 49 percent of non-Indigenous and 76 percent of Indigenous children under the age of five who were tested had blood lead readings above the Australian intervention guideline of 5 micrograms per decilitre (g/dL), itself higher than the US Centres for Disease Control guideline of 3.5g/dL. Children living in other regions, who are not exposed to significant lead in the environment, have on average just 1g/dL.

Professor Taylors study found only around 30 percent of children in Broken Hill were able to keep their blood Pb [lead] at or below 5g/dL in the first three years of their life.

Children who lived closest to the Line of Lode, as well as Aboriginal children, have a higher likelihood of presenting with elevated blood Pb. The majority of children with blood Pb above 5g/dL, however, neither reside in the high-risk area or are Aboriginal.

That is, the study found that all children in Broken Hill under the age of three, regardless of their proximity to the mine, faced a high risk of elevated lead levels in their blood.

The report noted other possible contributing factors, including naturally occurring lead in soil, and the historical use of lead paint, but emphasised that the main source of the lead poisoning was from previous and ongoing mining operations. It referred to another study, covering the years 19902015, which showed that over a 25-year period blood Pb responds with near unit elasticity to ore production.

In other words, the amount of lead detected in childrens blood was directly proportional to the number of tonnes of lead ore produced by the mine.

Lead poisoning can lead to developmental issues in children including delayed growth, learning and speech difficulties, and symptoms associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). According to the US Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, some neurological effects of lead exposure in children may be irreversible.

In adults, lead poisoning can lead to kidney damage, reproductive problems including miscarriage, stillbirth and low sperm count, cardiovascular risk and anaemia. The World Health Organisation stated in 2018 that there is no known level of Pb exposure that is considered to be safe.

Once ingested, lead is not completely expelled by the body and accumulates in teeth and bones in adults. It can be released into the bloodstream from these reservoirs through breakages and other bone or tooth trauma, as well as osteoporosis. In children, it accumulates in the brain, liver and kidneys, with less containment in the bones and teeth because they are still in the developmental growth stage.

The first account of lead poisoning in Broken Hill was published in 1892, only seven years after the mine opened. But it wasnt until almost a hundred years later, in 1991, that child blood lead and contamination of air, soil and dust were first screened. That means that generations of workers and their families suffered the effects of lead poisoning over that 100-year period despite the high presence of lead being known by authorities and mining companies.

The EPAs cover-up of Taylors study was aimed at protecting the vast profits of mining corporations and avoiding the necessity for the state government to implement even the limited mitigation measures called for by the report.

The study recommended that infants, now tested at 6 months old, be first tested at 3 months; that families at risk be relocated away from the mine; that well-sealed housing be built to replace old houses; and for a formal trigger valuea reading level that prompts reporting to the Resources Regulator NSW and other government bodiesto be placed on lead levels in dust. It also called for soil remediation in parks, schools, day care centres, kindergartens and residences.

Other recommendations include providing high efficiency particulate (HEPA) air filters in each home to mitigate at least some of the dust, and access to portable soil and dust testing units for residents.

The reality is that, even now that the report has belatedly been brought to the surface, the state government is unlikely to implement most or all of its recommendations. This has been demonstrated with one report, inquiry or royal commission after another calling for reforms to improve worker safety, human health, or environmental protections, in the mining industry and more broadly.

The poisoning of Broken Hill children is far from the only example of mining companies and government agencies working together to cover up safety issues.

Earlier this month, the Sydney Morning Herald revealed documents including a previously unreleased NSW Health report showing that more than 7,000 people in the states Far West recorded blood lead levels over the reporting threshold between 2010 and 2019.

While only 2,000 of these records showed an occupation, 77 percent of those that did worked in the mining industry. One mining contractor recorded a blood lead level of 80.9g/dL16 times the reportable limit.

The documents also included correspondence from a public health officer in the region who wrote, according to the Herald, that most mines insisted they send lead notification letters to the companies, rather than the workers themselves, due to fear and anxiety caused if we send out letters directly to employees.

That is, the mining companies are seeking to cover up the lead poisoning of workers, not just from the broader public, but even from the affected workers themselves.

This, like the decades-long poisoning of children in Broken Hill, is a stark expression of the nature of the capitalist system, in which rapacious profits are pursued without care or consideration for the health and lives of workers and their families.

The subordination of human health and the environment to the interests of the corporate elite is only possible because of the complicity of the state authorities, including the EPA and NSW Health, acting in accordance with the pro-business agenda of governments, Labor and Liberal-National alike.
More than 30,000 people have signed an online petition opposing what they call is a dangerous plan that threatens to open Sanjay Gandhi National Parks Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) for real estate and commercial development.

The signature campaign came as the deadline for public objections to the Draft Zonal Master Plan (DZMP) ended on Friday.

The ESZ serves as a crucial protective buffer around SGNP, safeguarding Mumbais biodiversity. It is home to leopards, deer and more than 250 bird species. Activists, environmentalists and residents warn that the draft plan undermines this protection by allowing large-scale development in the green zone.

The ESZ was meant to act as a shield, not a shortcut for builders, an activist associated with the campaign said. The plan is flawed and unscientific; it will irreversibly damage critical habitats and displace tribal communities who have lived here for centuries.

Local residents and tribal leaders have expressed anger at the lack of consultation. Our padas have existed here for generations  the forest is our home and livelihood. But the plan treats us like encroachers, a tribal representative from Aarey said.

Environmentalists have also criticised the draft for failing to align with conservation goals, such as restoring degraded forest patches or regulating pollution from nearby industries.

Petition gains ground

The SaveSGNP petition calls on the state government and the BMC to withdraw the draft plan and redraft it through transparent, scientific and community-led processes.

Following citizens protests, the BMC had informally extended the objection deadline from October 9 to October 17, after activists pointed out that the official advertisement inviting objections was published late.

Spread over 103 square kilometre, SGNP remains one of Asias most unique urban forests. Experts warn that compromising its buffer zone will worsen flooding, raise temperatures and threaten Mumbais already fragile ecological balance.

This is not just about leopards or trees, its about Mumbais survival, a conservationist said. Once the buffer is gone, theres no going back.


Brigitte Bardot has fans breathing a sigh of relief.

On Friday, October 17, Bardots office revealed to the French news agency AFP that the former French movie star had recently undergone a minor surgery and was now recovering at her home in Saint-Tropez, southern France. The office added that the surgery went well. Bardot, 91, thanked the staff and doctors at the Saint-Jean Private Hospital in Toulon and confirmed that she was resting comfortably at home.

RELATED: Bob Dylans First Song Was a Teenage Love Letter to This French Bombshell

French outlet Var-Matin initially reported on Thursday, October 16, that Bardot had been hospitalized for three weeks and underwent surgery related to what it called a serious illness. The outlet noted that while she was expected to be released, her condition remained worrying.

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The new update from her office reassured fans that the legendary actress is on the mend. Bardot, who became an international icon in the 1950s and 1960s through films like And God Created Woman and Contempt, has largely lived out of the public eye for decades. Known for her signature beauty and free-spirited roles that defined an era of French cinema, she retired from acting in 1973. Since then, Bardot has dedicated her life to animal rights activism.

John van Hasselt/Corbis via Getty Images

In recent years, Bardot has continued to live quietly with her husband, Bernard dOrmale, at their villa in Saint-Tropez, the coastal town where she famously helped put the French Riviera on the map. While she occasionally releases public statements through her foundation, she rarely makes public appearances, which makes any health-related news about her closely watched by fans around the world.

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For now, her team says she is resting and recovering in good spirits. The message of gratitude to her doctors and the assurance that she is home have brought relief to many who feared the worst when reports of her hospitalization first surfaced.

This story was originally reported by Parade on Oct 17, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
NEED TO KNOW

Aaron Phypers was arrested on Friday, Oct. 17, on a felony warrant while in the middle of a hearing with ex-wife Denise Richards regarding her restraining order against him, and his lawyer tells PEOPLE he expects Phypers to "be exonerated"

Phypers is facing four criminal charges by the State of California for two counts of injuring a spouse, cohabitant, fiance, boyfriend, girlfriend or child's parent; and two counts of dissuading a witness by force or threat

Richards previously accused Phypers of physically abusing her throughout their marriage, but he has denied those allegations

Aaron Phypers has been arrested.

Phypers, 53, was removed from a Los Angeles courtroom and taken into custody on Friday, Oct. 17, two days after the State of California filed a felony warrant against him. The arrest occurred during a break at a hearing regarding ex-wife Denise Richards' restraining order against him.

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"I have not seen the criminal complaint yet, however, based upon the little that I have been told, it appears to be the same allegations we're already fighting and I think proving to be false in the domestic violence case," Phypers' lawyer Michael Finley tells PEOPLE. "So, we expect it to also be proven false and for him to be exonerated."

The judge in that case granted Richards, 54, a continuance of her temporary restraining order until Nov. 7 before resting for the day.

According to records obtained by PEOPLE, an 8-page criminal complaint was filed against Phypers on Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Van Nuys Courthouse.

Phypers is facing criminal charges, including two counts of injuring a spouse, cohabitant, fiance, boyfriend, girlfriend or child's parent; and two counts of dissuading a witness by force or threat. Three of the alleged incidents underlying the charged offenses took place on Jan 17, 2022, and one on May 3, 2022, per records.

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"When a criminal case is filed the evidence has not been fully laid out and considered," says Finley. "Criminal cases get filed all the time, and they get beaten. Just because a case is filed doesn't mean its going to succeed. I personally believe Aaron, and I don't believe Denise or her witnesses. We're feeling pretty confident that we have shown that her allegations are false in the domestic violence case in the divorce court."

Phypers was booked into the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station near Malibu, Calif., shortly after 5 p.m. on Oct. 17 and is currently being held on $200,000 bail.

John Lamparski/Getty Aaron Phypers and Denise Richards Aaron Phypers and Denise Richards

Earlier this month, Richards stated while on the stand that her estranged husband caused me at least three concussions throughout their marriage from physical abuse. She further claimed that she learned of them because Phypers allegedly used equipment at his wellness center on her various times after she complained about headaches, not feeling good and feeling nauseous.

Richards said in court that one concussion resulted from an incident on Jan. 17, 2022, while another happened sometime between March and May 2022. During that time, Phypers allegedly gave her a black eye after he slammed me up against the concrete wall and my head hit it while in the carport at his wellness center.

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The third concussion  which Richards claimed was also detected on the equipment at Phypers facility  allegedly occurred after an argument at a Chicago hotel in April 2025, during which she claimed he was squeezing my head so hard and he picked my head up. She testified that it felt like he was crushing my skull.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum also alleged on the stand that her ex "would often threaten to throw me through the windows and off balconies of hotels. She tearfully claimed: "Hes almost killed me so many damn times."

Arnold Jerocki/Getty Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

When Phypers, who filed for divorce from Richards in July after more than six years of marriage, later took the stand on Oct. 8, he denied all of Richards abuse claims.

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I never physically harmed Denise Richards I never threatened to harm her I did not threaten to kill anybody," he said.

He further claimed that previous testimony from a neighbor and his cousin in Richards' favor was all "made up." Phypers added: "A lot of people like to be close to the stars. Theyll do things for them."

Phypers also denied that he caused Richards multiple concussions and said he did not use equipment from his wellness center to check her for a concussion as claimed during her testimony.



-- Additional reporting by Brianne Tracy.

Read the original article on People
A 55-year-old man claiming to be a scientist from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has been arrested in a joint operation conducted by central agencies and the Mumbai Police Crime Branch on Friday.

According to top sources, the accused forged BARC documents and possessed a fake ID. The sources further indicated that the fake ID card was so meticulously crafted that it was virtually indistinguishable from a genuine one. The accused currently remains in the custody of the Crime Branch, where central agencies are interrogating him.

The Central Intelligence Unit (CIU) of the Crime Branch, in collaboration with central agencies, arrested the accused, identified as Akhtar Hussain Qutbuddin Ahmed. Ahmed was produced in court on Friday and subsequently remanded to three days of police custody. Several central investigation agencies are currently questioning Ahmed, with teams of officers stationed at the Mumbai Police Commissioners office at Crawford Market for the interrogation.

The matter concerns national security. We are verifying a lot of details in this matter, an officer said.

The sources said that the fake ID of the accused bore a striking resemblance to a real BARC scientists identification. Furthermore, he forged several documents in the name of BARC. He also generated fake certificates and had dealings with private operators using these fraudulent documents.

The central agencies are investigating whether the accused sold secret information to individuals or entities based abroad.

A police officer noted, We have come to know that the accused made several foreign trips in the past few years. There are several suspicions surrounding his foreign trips.

According to sources, the central agencies had been monitoring Ahmeds movements. They received a specific tip-off about the accused and shared this information with the Crime Branch.

Ahmed was deported from Dubai to Mumbai in 2004. At the time, the Dubai Police said he was attempting to sell Indian nuclear secrets to Arab diplomats. Following his detention at Sahar Airport in Mumbai, Ahmed was handed over to central intelligence agencies for an extensive four-day interrogation. The Dubai authorities publicly claimed that Ahmed had been under surveillance and that he had asserted that his brother was a nuclear scientist who had delivered a lecture in the UAE, suggesting a link to Indias national security and BARC. However, subsequent investigations by Indian intelligence agencies failed to corroborate the allegations of him having access to or attempting to sell genuine nuclear secrets, and background checks did not reveal any criminal history related to national security.

Following his release in 2004, the case took a dramatic turn when the Mumbai Police re-arrested him on charges of forgery and cheating. These charges were supported by evidence collected during the initial interrogation, including him allegedly misusing the title Captain, possessing a fake driving licence, and forging his wife Razias educational documents, specifically her BA (honours) degree from Ranchi University.

Crucially, a forged BARC identity card was also recovered, issued in the name of one of his brothers, even though this brother was not a BARC employee.

Furthermore, Ahmed allegedly created a handwritten, haphazard biodata claiming that one of his brothers worked as a coordinator for BARCs statistic nuclear group in 1995 and was associated with the 1998 underground nuclear test  claims that his family vehemently denied. His brother, in a petition to the Bombay High Court, maintained that none of his siblings were scientists and that Akhtar was detained on trumped-up charges.

Ultimately, the 2004 case shifted from one of nuclear espionage to one of common forgery and fraud, strongly suggesting that Ahmeds actions were likely a sophisticated attempt to con individuals into believing he had access to sensitive information for personal gain, rather than an actual breach of Indias national security.


Originally appeared on E! Online

Who will be the new Duke of York?

King Charles IIIs brother Prince Andrew announced Oct. 17 that he would no longer be using his royal titles, including Duke of York, due to the continued accusations against him related to his association with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. However, a royal expert explained that the moniker isn't immediately bestowed upon someone else.

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Its possible that in the future someone may be granted Andrews now former titles, Sharon Carpenter exclusively told E! News. But under current rules, a dukedom follows male-line succession. Andrew doesnt have a son and it wont be passed to his daughters.

She added, It would likely revert to the Crown when he dies and at that point the monarch could regrant the title to someone else.

Sharon also noted that while the former Duke of York will stop using that title and others in any official capacity, the move is actually largely symbolic for now.

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Removing his dukedom officially would legally require an act of Parliament and would be more complex than this immediate action, she continued. For Andrew to be legally stripped of his dukedom before his death, it would require statutory actiona vote by Parliament.

In addition to Andrews loss of titles, his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson will also lose her Duchess of York title. However, the pairs daughters Princess Beatrice, 37, and Princess Eugenie, 35, will retain their official titles, which are both "Her Royal Highness Princess."

While Prince Andrewwho will retain the title of Prince, as he is the son of the late Queen Elizabeth IIhad stepped back from public life in 2019, he is now expected to be absent from nearly all engagements associated with the Royal family.

Paul Grover/Shutterstock

His day-to-day life will look a lot like it has since 2019, but at this point it is highly doubtful we will see him publicly with any senior member of the royal family for the foreseeable future, Sharon explained. Expect his absence this Christmas during the walk to St. Mary Magdalene Church and for many Christmases to come.

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Plus, the royal expert shared that Andrews update is being seen as the nail in the coffin and closes the door permanently on any hopes he may have had to one day return to royal life.

Though Andrew has accepted his new status, he reaffirmed his denial of all sexual abuse allegations lodged against him.

"As I have said previously," he wrote in his announcement, "I vigorously deny the accusations against me."

For more news from royals around the world, keep reading

Prince Andrew to Stop Using Duke of York Title

King Charles III's youngest brother Prince Andrew confirmed October 17 that he will no longer be using his title Duke of York, due the the continued controversy over his friendship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. "In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family, Andrew said in the statement released by Buckingham Palace. I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life. Andrew continued, "With His Majestys agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me."





King Charles III and Prince William Make Rare Appearance Together

The monarch and his eldest son stepped out in October 2025 for the Countdown to COP30 event at London's Natural History Museum. The pair posed outside of the museum, before heading inside to meet with government leaders and advocates working to combat climate change. The event preceded the COP30 World Leaders Summit in Belem, Brazil, in November, which Prince William is set to attend on his father's behalf.





Sarah Ferguson Dropped From Charity for Epstein Email

In September 2025, the Duchess of York was dropped as a patron to Julia's House for a resurfaced 2011 email to Jeffrey Epstein in which she called him a friend. Following the information shared this weekend on the Duchess of Yorks correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein, Julias House has taken the decision that it would be inappropriate for her to continue as a patron of the charity, the charity wrote in a statement per The Guardian. We have advised the Duchess of York of this decision and thank her for her past support. A spokesperson for Ferguson said the virtual correspondence was written after a threat made to her by Epstein.





Prince Harry and King Charles III Reunite

For the first time in 19 months, the Duke of Sussex was seen arriving by car to Clarence Housethe Kings London residenceto seemingly meet with his father before heading to another engagement in the city. While Harry pulled into the residence around 5:20 p.m. local time on Sept. 10, Charles returned to the home just hours before.

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Peter Phillips Announces Engagement

The son of Princess Anne and her ex-husband Mark Phillips shared that he was engaged to his girlfriend Harriet Sperling on Aug. 1 after more than a year of dating. "Both families were informed jointly of the announcement," the couple's spokesperson said in a statement to Hello! at the time, "and were delighted with the wonderful news of their engagement."





Queen Camilla Makes History with New Royal Title

One day before her 78th birthday, the royal received the title of Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom from the Royal Navy. Camilla is the first woman to hold the honorary title, which can only be appointed by the sovereignin this case, her husband King Charles IIIon the nomination of the First Sea Lord, who is currently Sir Gwyn Jenkins.





Kate Middleton Pulls Out of Royal Ascot

The Princess of Wales pulled out of a planned appearance at the Royal Ascot hours before she was set to return to the annual horse race alongside, Kensington Palace confirmed to NBC News. According to the palace, Kate was disappointed to have to miss the event but is still figuring out the right balance for herself when it comes to completing public engagements following her cancer battle.





Prince Harry Loses Appeal to Dismiss Decision in His Security Protection Case

Over one year after the High Court denied additional security protection through the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, Prince Harrys legal fight ended when the courts dismissed the case May 2. His and Meghan Markles security was lessened after they stepped back as working members of the royal family in 2021 and moved to the United States. However, in the years that followed, Harry had requested security while visiting the U.K. The Duke of Sussex told the BBC May 2 that he was devastated about losing his legal battle. He emphasized, I cant see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point.

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Prince Harry and King Charles III Are Not Speaking

Harry told the BBC May 2 that his father King Charles III wont speak to him because of this security stuff, but added that it would be nice to reconcile. The Duke of Sussex, who shares kids Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet with Meghan, said that he would love to reconnect with his family. But the ball is in his dads court. I cant see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the U.K. at this point, he said. Its really quite sad that I wont be able to show my children my homeland. There is a lot of control and ability in my fathers hands, ultimately this whole thing could be resolved through him, Harry added. Not necessarily by intervening but by stepping aside and allowing the experts to do what is necessary and to carry on. Despite the years of conflict, hes waving the white flag in hopes of reconciliation. He added, Life is precious, I dont know how much longer my father has.





King Charles III Shares Insight Into His Cancer Diagnosis

Over one year after King Charles shared his cancer diagnosis, he wrote April 29 that his health journey and cancer treatment are experiences that bring into sharp focus the very best of humanity." "Each diagnosis, each new case, will be a daunting and at times frightening experience for those individuals and their loved ones," Charles wrote in the booklet for the reception to provide resources for those with cancer. But as one among those statistics myself, I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity." He also thanked healthcare workers who helped him amid his journey, adding, It has certainly given me an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work undertaken by the remarkable organisations and individuals gathered here this evening, many of whom I have known, visited and supported over the years.





Prince William and Kate Middletons Family Skips Royal Familys Easter Service

Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis did not attend the royal familys annual Easter service at St George's Chapel in Windsor April 20. While King Charles III and Queen Camilla celebrated with the rest of the royal family, William and Kate decided to spend the weekend at their Norfolk country home with their kids, multiple outlets reported. Their absence marked the second Easter they skipped, with the 2024 holiday taking place a week after the Princess of Wales announced her cancer diagnosis.





Royal Aide Who Accused Meghan Markle Of Bullying Receives a Promotion

Jason Knauf was announced as the new CEO of Prince Williams organization, The Earthshot Prize, April 15. He shared a statement on the website that he was looking forward to working with our exceptional team and incredible Earthshot community to advance our mission of urgent optimism for our planet. His promotion came nearly seven years after he made a complaint against Meghan Markle, accusing her of bullying two personal assistants and seeking to undermine a third staff member. A spokesperson for the Sussexes denied the allegations and told The Times that the rumors were part of a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation. Buckingham Palace investigated the allegations and the case was wrapped up in 2022 without any findings made public.

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Prince George Makes His First Public Appearance of 2025

William and Kates eldest son George attended a soccer match in Paris alongside his dad April 7. The father-son duo were all smiles at the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final game as the Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa FC faced off at the Parc des Princes stadium.





Former Bodyguard to Prince Harry and Prince William Dies

Graham Crakerwho acted as a bodyguard for the royal family, including Prince Harry and Prince Williamdied at the age of 77 in April. Craker was notably with the boys when they learned their mother, Princess Diana, had died and he participated in her funeral services. On the latter, Craker told The New York Post in 2017, "I was standing at the rear of the hearse and William looked up and acknowledged me. I looked toward him and nodded. William was comforted that I was with his mum on her final journey.





The Duke and Duchess of Westminster Expecting Their First Baby

Hugh Grosvenor, who is King Charles IIIs godson, and his wife Olivia Grosvenor announced March 12 that she is pregnant with their first baby. The duchess is expecting a baby in the summer, a spokesperson told The Telegraph. The couple are delighted with the news and are very much looking forward to starting a family together.





Luxembourg's Prince Fredrik Dies at 22

Prince Frederikthe son of Prince Robert and his wife Princess Juliedied March 1 at 22 years old after a battle with PolG mitochondrial disease, a rare genetic disorder. "Frederik knows that he is my Superhero, as he is to all of our family, and to so very many good friends and now in great part thanks to his PolG Foundation, to so very many people the world over," Robert said in a statement. "Part of his superpower was his ability to inspire and to lead by example."

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Prince Harry Reaches Settlement in U.K. Tabloids Lawsuit

The Duke of Sussex reached a settlement with News Group Newspaperswhich is responsible for The Sun as well as the now defunct News of the Worldon Jan. 22 after suing the organization in 2019 over alleged unlawful actions on the part of journalists and private investigators working for the newspapers to obtain information on the royal family. The deal included the company paying "substantial damages," as well as issuing a "full and unequivocal apology" to Harry and public acknowledgement of "the extensive coverage and serious intrusion into his private life as well as the private life of Diana, Princess of Wales, per NBC News.





Kate Middleton Is in Remission After Finishing Chemotherapy for Cancer

The Princess of Wales announced on Jan. 14 that she's in remission after complete cancer treatments. "It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focused on recovery," she wrote in a message on X, formerly Twitter, Jan. 14. "As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal." "I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead," she continued. "There is much to look forward to."





Meghan Markle's Longtime Dog Guy Dies

The Duchess of Sussex mourned the death of her beloved rescue beagle, who she adopted in 2015 before meeting husband Prince Harry. She wrote on Instagram Jan. 7, "I have cried too many tears to count - the type of tears that make you get in the shower with the absurd hope that the running water on your face will somehow make you not feel them, or pretend theyre not there. But they are. And thats okay too." "Thank you for so many years of unconditional love, my sweet Guy," Meghan added. "You filled my life in ways youll never know."





Prince William Mourns Death of Former Nanny's Stepson

Edward "Ed" Pettiferstepson of Prince William and Prince Harry's former nanny Alexandra Pettifer, also known as Tiggy Legge-Bourkewas one of the victims of the New Year's Day terrorist attack in New Orleans. "Catherine and I have been shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Ed Pettifer," William said in a message posted on Kate Middleton's Instagram Stories Jan. 4. "Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack."

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Meghan Markle Rejoins Instagram to Reveal New Netflix Show

The Suits alumwho shut down her personal social media accounts shortly before her 2018 wedding to Prince Harrydebuted a solo Instagram page on Jan. 1. A day later, she announced a new Netflix series titled With Love, Meghan, which "reimagines the genre of lifestyle programming, blending practical how-tos and candid conversation with friends, new and old," according to a press release.





Kate Middleton, Prince William and Kids Attend Wimbledon

Kate and William stepped out for a rare outing with kids Prince George and Princess Charlotte in honor of Wimbledon in June 2025. "A pleasure to be back in SW19 for the finals of this years @wimbledon Championships this weekend," the family wrote in an Instagram post at the time. "Congratulations again to @iga.swiatek and @janniksin on your wins! And a huge thank you to everybody involved in making the tournament so special."



For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Joe Manganiello is engaged to Caitlin OConnor!

The couple announced their engagement on Friday, sharing a snap from the summer proposal on Instagram.

In the photo, the two smiled down at the camera while OConnor flaunted her ring.





June 24th, 2025



, they captioned the joint post.

Joe Manganiello is off the market. Instagram/caitlin_oconnor

The actor and his girlfriend of two years, Caitlin OConnor, are engaged. caitlin_oconnor/Instagram

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The night before, the actor had also let the news slip when he introduced his partner of two years as his fiancee at the San Diego Film Festival on Thursday night, per TMZ.

While accepting the Career Spotlight Award, Manganiello thanked his soon-to-be wife for her love and support.

Sources also confirmed their engagement to the outlet, saying the duo are excited about their next chapter.

The pair first sparked engagement rumors in June when OConnor was spotted wearing her ring while dining at Le Naumachie restaurant in Taormina, Italy.

The couple have been together for two years. caitlin_oconnor/Instagram

The two sparked romance rumors in June when OConnor was spotted with a ring. BACKGRID

They debuted their relationship in December 2023. BACKGRID

The True Blood actor and OConnor were first linked in September 2023, with reports surfacing that they were casually dating.

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The couple debuted their relationship by stepping out for the Children of Armenia Fund Gala at Cipriani in New York City that December.

Shortly after moving in together in February 2024, they went Instagram official and have been going strong ever since.

Manganiellos relationship with OConnor began less than two months after he filed for divorce from Sofia Vergara.

Manganiello moved on with OConnor less than two months after filing for divorce from Sofia Vergara. joemanganiello/Instagram

The former couple had been married for seven years. Joe Manganiello/ Instagram

The exes confirmed their divorce in a statement to Page Six that read, As two people that love and care for one another very much, we politely ask for respect of our privacy at this time as we navigate this new phase of our lives.

Page Six was the first one to reveal the former couples separation after seven years of marriage, with a source telling us the topic of children was a huge factor in their split.

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An insider close to Manganiello claimed he always wanted to be a dad and those feelings only intensified throughout the years, while Vergara  who welcomed son Manolo when she was 19  did not share the same interest.

Additionally, we heard the Modern Family actress felt Manganiello was an unsupportive partner.

A source told us they split because Manganiello wanted to have children, while Vergara did not. WireImage

Vergaras friends also thought Manganiello was an unsupportive partner. REUTERS

Following their split, Vergaras friend told us, Sofias living her best life. Shes spending time with her friends after being stifled in a relationship with a largely unsupportive partner.

Sofia was always there to take care of Joe, while his career was never what it was when they met, the pal added. I think hes been threatened by her success and joie de vivre.

After calling it quits with Manganiello, the Colombian bombshell moved on briefly with Justin Saliman. She also sparked romance rumors with Lewis Hamilton, Tom Brady and, most recently, Douglas Chabbott.
Kanye West has reportedly sold his $14 million ranch back to its original owner after years of neglect, which saw the property decay into a shadow of itself.

The "Donda" rapper's real estate portfolio has significantly tumbled after his stripped bare Malibu mansion, his burned down church, and Calabasas ranch hit the market.

Kanye West has also taken a hit in his finances following his split from Kim Kardashian in 2022, as well as a series of antisemitic rants that saw him yanked off several lucrative deals.

Kanye West Sells Off $14M Wyoming Ranch To Original Owners

Lisa OConnor/AFF-USA.com / MEGA

West has sold his sprawling 6,713-acre Bighorn Mountain Ranch in Wyoming, returning the $14 million property to the Flitner family, its original owners, after years of neglect had left it depleted.

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The family first sold it to the "Carnival" rapper in 2019, and ever since then, the ranch has appeared on and off the market. Initially, he envisioned Bighorn Mountain as a secluded spot where he could pursue several creative ventures and retreat from the ever-buzzing celebrity lifestyle.

However, owners Greg and Pam Flitner noticed it had been placed up for sale again in September, so they made a move to reclaim the ranch, which has been in their family line for more than five generations.

According to Cowboy State Daily, a record of sale for the land was notarized by West's wife, Bianca Censori. Although it remains largely intact, the family noted that the property had fallen into ruins following years of neglect.

"Unlike Monster Ranch, he did not knock down any of the buildings," Pam told the news outlet, revealing that neighbors were puzzled as to why West did little work on it.

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"I think his original intent for the Mountain Ranch might have been somewhere that his family could go and be away from the rest of the world," she added.

The Owners Are Happy The Rapper Didn't Destroy The Ranch's Historic Landmarks

Ron Sachs - CNP / MEGA

Bighorn Mountain Ranch boasts a five-bedroom, four-bathroom log home, a cookhouse cabin, and other luxury amenities. It is surrounded by natural forest lands, open meadows, abundant wildlife, and grassy plains.

According to the news outlet, it served as West's "therapy ranch" during his divorce from his ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, and was also the place where he created his "Donda" album.

When the owners noticed it had been placed on the market again in September, they thought it was a mistake since it was listed privately. They expressed joy at seeing that West hadn't destroyed any of its historic landmarks.

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"A big chunk of the ranch sold when the mountain sold," Pam said. "We had to do some real adjustments, and we just weren't able, at the time, to buy it back, even if we would have wanted to. So, luckily, by the grace of God, you know, six years later, we are in a different position."

Kanye West Has Placed Other Properties On The Market As He Faces Rumors Of Financial Struggles

Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA

West's real estate portfolio doesn't seem to be what it used to be after a couple of his other properties hit the market.

Amid rumors of financial problems, the "Vultures 1" rapper listed his fire-damaged church for $1.5 million, the same price it was bought for in 2023, per The Sun.

The property, which went up in flames in October 2024, was described online as a "rare opportunity to purchase a 29,364 square foot flat lot" in a prime area of the valley.

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He also placed his Calabasas ranch on the market, demanding a $2.95 million fee. Reports suggested he was strapped for cash and faces over $60,000 in unpaid property taxes tied to his Calabasas home, which was given to him following the conclusion of his divorce from Kim Kardashian in 2022.

Meanwhile, it remains unclear if these properties have been taken off the market. West and Censori have hardly stayed in any of their properties as they continue to globetrot, spending a fortune on hotels.

The Rapper Was Recently Called Out By His Ex-Wife

MEGA

The father-of-four raised eyebrows recently when his ex-wife appeared on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast to reveal the "final straw" that broke their "toxic" marriage.

The exes got married in 2014 and enjoyed an 8-year marriage before splitting in 2022. They share children, North, Psalm, Saint, and Chicago.

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At the time, West publicly struggled with his mental health and would periodically pick fights with the reality TV star's family.

"There was just a lot of things that I wouldn't deal with," she said. "I didn't like the feeling of someone talking bad about my kids, grandmother, aunts  all of those feelings. If someone feels that way, then we shouldn't be together."

Kim Kardashian Said Kanye West Would Give Away Their Luxury Cars When He's Having 'An Episode'

MEGA

Kardashian, during her appearance on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, further noted how West would act out erratically, especially with their properties.

She noted that "not feeling safe emotionally and financially" was a big reason why she moved for divorce, detailing an incident where she "[came] home and [they] would have five Lamborghinis."

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However, when West was having "an episode," they'll all "be gone," given away to his friends and associates.

"You never know what you're going to get when you wake up, and that's a really unsettling feeling," the SKIMS founder said. "Lack of stability was a big thing."
From jewelry and podcasts to caviar and bath bombs, Meredith Marks has found success in a wide range of fields. And it seems her adult children have taken notes.

While speaking to The Daily Dish last month, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City mom provided a quick update on her three kids and their respective business moves. Meredith confirmed that her middle child, 26-year-old Brooks Marks, was still working in the fashion industry and was gearing up for a major release.

Meredith Marks teases what's next for Brooks Marks' fashion brand

Brooks is launching his collection, Meredith said. I have seen the samples. It looks amazing. I am very, very excited. I cant wait to get my first pieces.

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Brooks debuted his eponymous fashion brand about six years ago, dropping a range of elevated tracksuits. The New York University alum showcased the pieces at 2019s Park City Fashion Week and has since expanded his offerings with the Universal Panel Pants.

Meredith Marks and Brooks Marks attend Vulture Festival 2021

RELATED: Meredith Marks Reveals a Shocking Unaired Moment From the RHOSLC RV Trip (EXCLUSIVE)

Related: Brooks Marks Reveals New Details on Next Gen NYC Drama & a Major "Misconception" (EXCLUSIVE)

The Next Gen NYC cast member spoke about his business ventures in a June interview with The Daily Dish, admitting he struggled to juggle the fashion brand and his work with Ford Models.

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I feel like, truly, I had such a difficult time balancing all of it, and everyone is gonna get to see the ups and downs of that and where it stands now, he explained before the Next Gen NYC series premiere. "I feel like I was learning how to navigate that with my clothing brand, Brooks Marks, the work I do at Meredith Marks, and pursuing my modeling career on top of it.

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Meredith Marks shares an update on her son Reid Marks' real estate career

Meredith Marks posing with, husband, Seth Marks, son, Reid Marks, daughter, Chloe Marks, and, son, Brooks Marks.

Merediths eldest son, 28-year-old Reid Marks, is also living in New York City and making moves in the real estate game.

Hes buying more properties and renovating them and renting them out in a college town, Meredith said.

According to his LinkedIn, Reid studied economics and finance at the University of Michigan, where he was also president of the Michigan Ross Real Estate Fund. After earning his bachelors degree, Reid founded Havenly Ventures, a real estate investment firm specializing in student housing.

RELATED: See Meredith Marks' "Triggering" Text Firing Brooks Marks: "Fuming Over This" (PHOTO)

Meredith Marks' daughter, Chloe Marks, joins her company

Meredith Marks and, daughter, Chloe Marks posing together.

Related: Meredith Marks Sets the Record Straight on Her Marriage Ahead of Season 6 (EXCLUSIVE)

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Merediths youngest child, 24-year-old daughter Chloe Brooks, graduated from the University of Colorado-Boulder in 2023 with a bachelors degree in business. She went on to land a merchandising internship with Fendi and is now working for her moms namesake company.

Chloe is working with me, and she has some interesting things in the works that Im not allowed to talk about right now, Meredith said. But stay tuned. Very exciting.

Meredith shares her three kids with her husband of nearly 30 years, Seth Marks. Get the latest on the couples marriage.
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Rhode Island native Aria Mia Loberti is an actress, activist, and now, childrens book author.

Loberti is from Johnston and attended the University of Rhode Island. She made her acting debut back in 2023 when she starred in the limited series All the Light We Cannot See on Netflix. The show was an adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Anthony Doerr.

Throughout her journey from college to acting, Loberti has had her guide dog Ingrid by her side.

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In an exclusive interview with 12 News, Loberti shared more about her most recent project, authoring the childrens book I Am Ingrid which will be released on Oct. 21.

Ingrid knows she is fabulous. She flies around the world with her person, Aria. Working as a team, they navigate everything from college classes and ancient ruins to movie sets and red carpets. And Ingrid never goes anywhere without her string of pearls, the books description reads. But before Ingrid was the best guide dog there ever was, she was just a small, black puppy with very big paws.

RELATED: Rhode Island native, who is blind, stars in new Netflix series

Ingrid sat beside Loberti in the 12 News studio throughout the interview, wearing her pearls and her harness.

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Not only does [the book] teach kids and kids at heart to follow their dreams and find what makes their heart sing, but it also obviously educates people about the beauty of working dogs, Loberti explained.

She also talked about how the representation featured in the story makes it unique.

Whats really special about this is there have been so few pieces of mainstream mediawhether its books or TV or whatnotthat have been able to represent the blind or low-vision community or have been able to represent guide dogs or service animals, Loberti said. And really reach a big audience, so Im really really grateful that this is.

Loberti recently regained partial vision through the use of new contact lenses, and while she cant see color, she is able to navigate without Ingrids help. While Ingrid will remain with Aria, she will soon be able to retire.

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Watch the full interview with Loberti and Ingrid in the video above.

Ingrid (left), Will Gilbert (center) and Aria Mia Loberti (right) sat down to discus Lobertis new book, I Am Ingrid. (WPRI-TV)

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Prince Andrew lead

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Just for a moment lets look at it from his perspective. In his private life, Prince Andrew has done little more than his priapic forbear King Edward VII. In fact, in his view, hes the victim of a honeytrap pulled by a young woman whose lifetime of ills can fairly be ascribed to another man, not him.

Andrew paid off Virginia Giuffre in time-honoured royal fashion and that should be the end of the matter  why should his manly urges be exposed to the public gaze? After all hes served his country, and as recently as Friday night showed his continued loyalty in voicing his support for his brother, the King.

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Andrews loaded statement (his last ever, we assume, released on his behalf by Buckingham Palace) was that he vigorously denies the accusations against him. For good measure he tossed away his royal dukedom and retreated from his position as Knight of the Garter  that, surely, should be enough?

King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward at Queen Elizabeths funeral - Yui Mok/AFP/Getty

Now, Andrew and his former wife Sarah Ferguson, who remains his housemate, will be turning to the big question: what next?

It was Fergie herself who recently declared  in comments that were interpreted as an attack on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex  that exiles from the Royal family cant have it both ways. You cant sit on the fence and keep one foot in and one foot out. Youre either in or out.

But then dont cry about not being invited to weddings, she said in 2023. You chose to leave, now go and live it  and be it.

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Such an approach might prove tricky if Fergie and her former husband are to remain at Royal Lodge, the house on the Windsor estate over whose possession Andrew scored a pyrrhic victory over his brother recently. There he is inextricably, physically, linked to the family who have finally cast him out, destined for a life of paparazzi shots of him behind the wheel of a Range Rover or riding on horseback around the estate.

He is, however, 65, healthy and fit. If he follows in his fathers footsteps he has at least another 30 years of life ahead. Notoriously unmotivated (except perhaps by the sight of an attractive woman), he needs now to devise a plan.

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson at the Royal Ascot in 2019 - Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

The obvious solution is to make a fresh start.

There are few openings going for an ex-duke here in Britain, but what about abroad?

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It seems inevitable that Andrew will, consciously or unconsciously, take inspiration from his great-uncle  the Duke of Windsor  who similarly fooled himself with the notion that hed done no harm to the Crown, and found peace and contentment in exile. He and the former Wallis Simpson set up home in Paris and found a new celebrity in the post-war years among a group yet to be labelled Eurotrash. They were happy  treated like royalty and behaving like it  only now there were no responsibilities, lots of invitations. Endless parties.

Could Andrew and Fergie follow suit? After all, theres nothing to keep the ex-duchess here  ditched by many of her charities and now persona non grata in the publishing world, her income streams have evaporated. Fergie also has expensive tastes  so much so that Paris might present a problem, given the temptation of the eye-wateringly dear shops on the Boulevard Saint-Germain.

The Duchess and Duke of Windsor in the drawing room of their Paris home in 1964 - Horst P. Horst/Conde Nast/Getty

So maybe America. From a distance Harry and Meghans lifestyle in Montecito looks enviable and, with a greedy media, could allow Andrew to take pot-shots at the monarchy from afar, just like his nephew.

The difficulty for these royal castaways is that America is too small a country for two exiled, disgraced princes. The Duchess of Sussex is hard at work with her celebrity status and conveyor belt of promotional ideas, but theres a growing feeling shes giving little back in return for her quasi-royal status. Nonetheless, the spotlight remains on her.

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Though the ex-Duchess of York was there before her, arriving in America after her 1986 marriage and allowing her then financial advisor John Bryan (also her lover) to size up what the US could do to bolster her bank balance. Her much-fanfared weight problems encouraged Weight Watchers to pay her millions of dollars as their ambassador and as a consequence a bewildering array of charitable causes, too numerous to contemplate, gave her the platform to promote her commercial life.

But Fergie has, alas for her, abdicated her romantic image as the bad-girl princess to the younger, slimmer Meghan, and a re-entry to American society may prove less appealing.

So where else? According to Andrews biographer Andrew Lownie, he retains the use of a fully-staffed palace in Abu Dhabi, the gift of the UAEs ruling House of Nahyan, for his personal use whenever he wants it. Trouble is, the temperature rarely goes below 75F (24C) and in summer rises to 118F (56C), and the social life is, well, a desert. So hed be unlikely to make his base there.

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson with a newborn Princess Eugenie outside Portland Hospital; March 1990 - Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty

So it comes down to Switzerland  the place Fergie calls home. A passionate skier in her day, she worked as a chalet girl in her teenage years and at the age of 23 started a four-year relationship with Paddy McNally, a multi-millionaire motor racing manager 22 years her senior with a home in Verbier, the creme de la creme of Swiss ski resorts.

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The relationship floundered when McNally refused to marry her. Bruised, Fergie returned to Britain and very soon became engaged to Andrew, but her love of the country never faded, and in 2016 she applied to become an official resident of Valais, the canton in which Verbier sits. In an interview last year she said that she and McNally, who is still believed to have property in Switzerland, remain best friends.

Since my first visit, I regularly returned for holidays to Verbier, Fergie said in 2016. My family has followed me over the years. We feel free and happy, we feel at home. Theres a sense of welcome. The people of Valais take the time to listen to you, support you if necessary.

In 2014, almost 20 years after their divorce, Fergie and Andrew purchased a 13m property in Verbier, apparently to use as a nest egg for daughters Beatrice and Eugenie; Andrew had celebrated his 53rd birthday at the Chalet Helora and was so taken by the seven-bedroom property he and Fergie put in a joint offer.

But as with many of Fergies business ventures, the deal ran into difficulties. Isabelle de Rouvre, a French socialite who sold the Yorks the chalet, later sued them over an outstanding 6.7m debt and it also emerged that a separate business debt was owed to a Swiss couple. Andrew finally sold the chalet in December 2022.

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson with Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie during a ski outing in Verbier, Switzerland; 1998 - Neil Munns/PA

But given the extraordinary influence of Fergie in their curious relationship, Switzerland would appear to be the obvious solution. And finding the money for a suitable property would present no problem, as the couple has a handy chunk of equity in their lease on Royal Lodge which could be exchanged for a generous dollop of cash  King Charles, in the circumstances, probably being inclined to help them on their way. In Switzerland, they could embark on their own, perhaps slightly more modest, version of the Duke and Duchess of Windsors life after the firm.

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Lake Geneva, with its suitably dodgy mix of uber-rich and shady residents, is a short hop away but offers a different lifestyle, and the ex-Yorks could find themselves a flat there.

Whatever choice they make, life will never be the same again  exile is exile.

There is, in not-so distant history, another British-born prince forced to give up his Garter  a man who yearned for his homeland but was never allowed to return. If things had gone differently Queen Victorias favourite grandson Charles Edward would have become Duke of Albany in England and lived happily ever after. Instead, he was plucked from Eton at the age of 15 and sent to Germany where he was anointed Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

At the outbreak of World War I, Charles Edward, honorary colonel of the Seaforth Highlanders, wanted to fight for the British. But Kaiser Wilhelm leant on him, reminding him of his adopted German responsibilities, and so the prince fought on the German side. In 1915, his name was removed from the register of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. He compounded his distance from the family which nurtured him by joining the Nazi Party and serving with feigned enthusiasm in the German Army in World War II.

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Its chilly out there when you quit the royal mother-ship. And while Andrew would surely reject a comparison to Napoleon, as the Duchess of Windsor, a fellow royal castaway, bitterly observed when she and her husband were deployed to the Bahamas in 1940: This is our Elba.

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The week before her new memoir hits shelves, Malala Yousafzai greeted me in her Manhattan hotel lobby with the easy calm of someone whos lived a dozen lives before 28. Around us, the space buzzed with business travelers and rolling suitcases, but she was easy companywarm, thoughtful, quick to laugh.

In her new book, Finding My Way , Yousafzai sheds the halo thats long surrounded her name. She writes about Oxford nights and essay crises, friendship and therapy, panic attacks and romance. Part coming-of-age memoir, part reclamation, its a portrait of a woman who has learned that courage isnt just about defying extremists, but also about allowing yourself to be ordinary.



We discussed these topics, and more, at length when we sat down to talk earlier this week. This is our conversation.

To start us off, a big-picture question: When readers finish the book, what do you hope they understand about youbeyond the tidy, tragic version of your story the world often repeats?

I hope that when people read this book, they will know me more. I was still in a coma when people first read headlines about me, defined as a brave and courageous girl after I was attacked by the Taliban at 15. I felt that I had to sort of internalize that saintly image.

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And theres this wrong understandingthat when you become an activist, you're not supposed to have friends or a normal life. But in the years since, I have grown and learned so much in my time at school and college, and Im sharing a bit of that. Im sharing more of myself with peopletalking about my love life, friendship, activism, mental health. So this is a reintroduction of me, and I hope that people will enjoy reading my story.

I dont want to stick to the way people introduce mewith a past story.

Malala Yousafzai during an interview in London, July 12, 2024. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate spoke with AFP about Pakistans policy toward undocumented Afghans. | Credit: Getty Images

You write about wanting to blend in at Oxfordclothes, clubs, choosing not to lead every conversation. What felt like the first undeniably normal choice you made for yourself there?

The college principal sent me an email before I joined, saying he wanted to announce to all the students that I would be coming and that people should respect my privacy. I saw the email, and I freaked out. I responded, Please do not do that. Because the same thing had happened when I joined a new school in the U.K. I was so new to the culture and the country, and I felt that the students were introduced to me as this person in the public eye. So a lot of the kids were just confused and nervous about how they were supposed to treat me.

At college, I just wanted to be introduced as any other student. And thats what happened. Im so glad he didnt send out the email. And to be honest, people wanted to see me as a normal studentwhy would they want to be reminded of who I was outside of college? Im here to learn and grow and find out more about myself. I dont want to stick to the way people introduce mewith a past story.

You write that the sisterhood you felt with your new friends at uni felt like going to a foreign country but knowing the language. What did Cora, Hen, Yasmin, and Anisa each teach you that no classroom at Oxford could?

In my case, Id had so little exposure to be with people my age. So at college, I wanted friends more than anything. They created a space of comfort for me where I could be myself. Usually, I had to think twice before I said anything. I thought everything I said was like a press statement or a quote. But with friends, you can be yourself. You can make mistakes, you can say the wrong thing, and they can help you correct it or understand another perspective. You can be silly. You can talk about serious issues, your past, your present concerns, thoughts, boys, astrology, crushes, essay crises.

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I also wanted to be this rebellious student who was doing more than what I had imagined I would; so getting into trouble, breaking some rules, climbing the rooftop, or getting back into college at 3:00 a.m. And I remember every week, when I would get closer to my essay deadline, I would just freak out because I would have so much work left. But when I would look back and think about how I had spent my week with friends who had given me memorable experiences, I would not take that back for a second.

You really wrestle with the idea of marriage in the bookboth as a feminist and as a young woman whos in love. And then you decide to marry Asser. What ultimately changed your mind?

It was a cringe topic for me. I thought it was boring. I had also seen girls who were married off when they were children, or they were forced into marriages. They lost their future. And its not just a problem limited to one part of the world. Women have to make more compromises in many communities. So I was like, why would I want to lose something by deciding to marry a person ?

And for me, I had worked so hard for my right to have a futureto be able to complete my education and advocate for other girls. I felt that I was doing a disservice to my cause if I decided to marry. You feel like you have failed or turned out to be the enemy. So I said, Im not ready to take on too many fights in the world. Im going to focus on girls education and on me. Even that is a big missionto make it a reality in our lifetime.

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If I hadnt fallen in love, I would have not considered marriage at all. But in the end, I decided to marry because I understood that its about mutual agreement between two people who want to spend the rest of their lives together. Thats the most important thing. I looked at Asser and I reflected on who he was as a person. I spent some time with him, and I saw through his actions that he is a kind, compassionate, respectful person. Hes loving and caringand hes good looking.

Sometimes people dont expect me to be romantic. But I am a very romantic person.

Malala Yousafzai and husband Asser Malik attend the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, March 12, 2023. | Credit: Getty Images

Which passage were you most nervous to include?

I was nervous about different people for different chapters in the book. I was worried how my mom would react to the parts where I have shared her story for the first time. But I know my mom stands by her opinions, and she would understand where I was coming from. My message in the book is that I am becoming friends with my mom, and I understand where her resilience and strength come from. But I also understand why shes more protective and more concerned at timesbecause she has seen a lot worse happen to women and girls in her lifetime, and she just wants to protect her daughter.

I was a bit worried about including dating Asser, because I knew that would be taken out of context. I was a bit worried if my parents would be surprised by some of those dinnersnow we would call it a date. Sometimes people dont expect me to be romantic. But I am a very romantic person.

Theres also the other side of your lifethe global stage, where youre still fighting for girls education. After the Talibans takeover of Afghanistan, you describe calling world leaders. Most never responded, but many of the women did. Why do you think that was?

When I reflect on it, I think the women leaders knew what oppression by an extremist, patriarchal group would look like for women. I think women could relate to it more. They understood what it means for women and girls to not have the right to education, the right to work. I think the men leaders just did not understand the significance of it. They could not relate to the problem as muchprobably. I still think about it. I still think about it and try to find what could explain why the leaders, especially men leaders, did not do enough.

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And even now, its been four and a half years, theyre still not doing enough. The Talibanwho are the perpetratorshave been given a second chance and are repeatedly given more chances, while Afghan women are told to wait and to make compromises on their future. My hope is that things change for Afghan women . They have suffered so much. Afghan girls have not seen their classrooms for four and a half years. We cannot live in a world where girls are banned from education and it is a crime for a girl to be learning.

We have to be a collective voice to protect a girls right to education and to have our own future.

Malala Yousafzai attends the Girls Education in Muslim Communities Summit in Islamabad, January 11, 2025. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate said she was overwhelmed to return to her native Pakistan for the event. | Credit: Getty Images

Whats one boundary or habit you want young women to borrow from this book?

When I think about my younger self, I look up to her for her courage and bravery. But at the same time, I feel sorry for her because she thought that she was emotionally so strongbut that wasnt the case. And now, when I look at my life, I have experienced immense love, immense joy, but also breakdowns, and pain and grief and sadness as well. And no matter how difficult it was, I am truly grateful for growing into womanhood

When I went through my own mental health challenges PTSD, panic attacks, anxietyI thought I had failed, that I couldnt live up to the idea of being brave. But getting therapy and normalizing it taught me. So to young people who are doubting themselves, who are worried about their strength, resilience, or self-esteemI know that these emotions feel hard and difficult to process, but they are part of your growth. Sometimes the journey can be hard and difficult, but all of these experiences can help us grow into a more beautiful, truer version of ourselves.

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Thats why it meant so much to see the girls at my school in Shangla [the school she founded in her hometown in Pakistan] have their own counselors officea place to talk, cry, laugh, dance, and let their emotions out. It reminded me how powerful it is when young girls are taught early that their feelings matter, and that taking care of your mind is part of strength too.

After revisiting so many personal and political chapters of your life, Is there anything that didnt make it onto the page that you still want people to hear from you directly?

Ive been reflecting on my activism, which I have done for more than a decade and a half now. And to me, the most powerful way is working together. Thats why the way I do my work now is by becoming an ally and supporter of other women activists around the world.

Im supporting Afghan women activists, and I think about whats happening in the world and how it affects girls education directly. So whether its the situation of girls schools being bombed in Gaza, or girls being banned in Afghanistan, or girls facing challenges in Nigeria or Pakistanwe have to be there with them. We have to support the local education activists who are doing the real work on the ground. And we have to be a collective voice to protect a girls right to education and to have our own future.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Malala Yousafzais new memoir, Finding My Way, is out October 21.

Cover of Malala Yousafzais memoir Finding My Way. The author sits against a watercolor-style landscape wearing a pink headscarf and sweater with her hand resting under her chin.



Malala Yousafzais new memoir, Finding My Way, is out October 21.
NEED TO KNOW

Paris Fury admitted she wouldnt be comfortable becoming a grandmother before reaching her 40s

Her daughter, Venezuela Paris, whom she shares with husband Tyson Fury, got engaged to Noah Price during her 16th birthday party last month

I couldn't be an old-looking granny. I will have to be the youngest looking granny ever, the mom of seven said

Paris Fury doesn't want to become a grandmother anytime soon.

Three weeks after her eldest daughter Venezuela Fury, whom she shares with husband Tyson Fury, got engaged to Noah Price at her 16th birthday party, Paris, 35, told the Daily Mail she "wouldn't be comfortable calling herself a grandma just yet.

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I will smile, but I really don't think I'm ready to become a granny, the At Home with the Furys star said. I couldn't be an old-looking granny. I will have to be the youngest-looking granny ever.

While Paris herself was only 19 when she married the professional boxer in November 2008, she told the outlet she wanted her teen daughter to prioritize having time to grow as your own person before taking on the responsibilities of motherhood.

Paris Fury/Instagram Noah Price proposes to Venezuela Fury Noah Price proposes to Venezuela Fury

I install into her, Venezuela, enjoy your life, travel, see places, even if it's them together, the mom of seven explained, adding, "Although I don't believe there is anything more fulfilling than motherhood."

"I grew up being a mother, and I have said many times I wouldn't change anything," Paris continued. "But I do think once you have children, you have to think of them first. You are no longer putting yourself first. You have other people to care for, so for that moment, it's good to wait a while.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

As for how Paris reacted when her daughter got engaged at just 16 years old? While she admitted that she was in shock, the How Does She Do It? The Kids, Tyson & Me author made it clear that she will thoroughly support the couple's decision.

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She is growing up. It's come a lot sooner than I ever expected, Paris said of her daughter.

Added the mom: Venezuela is only young, she's only 16 and she is engaged, but we are really happy for her, and it's her choice in life.

It is a lovely moment, that's what I'm saying to her, enjoy this moment, enjoy where you are, she continued. I am really proud of her. I have said to Venezuela she has been shown different avenues in life and been offered different opportunities, and this is what she has chosen.

Paris Fury/Instagram From left: Paris Fury, Tyson Fury, Noah Price, Venezuela Fury From left: Paris Fury, Tyson Fury, Noah Price, Venezuela Fury

While others have been more critical of the teenagers decision after she shared the big news on social media, Paris could see that her daughter has been nothing but confident in herself and what she is doing.

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She isn't lost, she isn't a teenager saying she doesn't know what to do in life or what I want to be, she knows what she wants to do, she emphasized to the Daily Mail. She is like me but in other ways, she's like her dad because she's a determined person."

Read the original article on People
Keith Urbans guitarist Maggie Baugh did not join him on stage in Nashville amid his divorce from Nicole Kidman.

Urban, 57, closed out his High and Alive tour at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee on Friday, October 17. Meanwhile, Baugh, 25, took to Instagram the same evening to share that she was in a different state altogether.

In a short clip shared via her Instagram Story, Baugh posed in red top, black mini skirt and matching hat in what appeared to be a backstage dressing room, prior to her own performance in Carmel, Indiana.

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Indiana! See you guys soon, she wrote via the post.

Urbans High and Alive World tour kicked off earlier this year, with Baugh serving as the country stars guitarist and occasional violinist. The duo first collaborated back in 2024, when Urban asked Baugh to perform with him at the CMT awards. She later joined his band full time.

When news broke in September that Kidman had filed for divorce from Urban after nearly 20 years of marriage, footage of Urbans past concerts began to resurface online of Urban and Baugh on stage together. The videos  which featured Urban changing the lyrics to his song The Fighter, which is about Kidman, while pointing at Baugh and giving her a shout out  sparked speculation that there was something romantic going on between them.

Why Isnt Guitarist Maggie Baugh on Keith Urbans Tour After Affair Rumors?

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Neither Urban or Baugh have spoken out about the allegations, but Baughs father addressed the affair rumors via his Facebook page last month. NO. Just No, he wrote in response to someone claiming that Baugh contributed to Urban and Kidmans divorce. (Kidman officially cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split, per documents obtained by Us Weekly. She also was granted primary residential parent of their two daughters, Sunday, 17, and Faith, 14.)

Urban, for his part, has since removed The Fighter from his setlist. Baugh has also been missing from Urbans tour band since Kidman filed for divorce, as the guitarist is busy with her solo career. (Natalie Stovall has taken her place in the primary position.)

(Photo courtesy of Maggie Baugh/Instagram)

Baugh currently has multiple shows of her own scheduled throughout October and November across the country and recently announced her new song, The Devil Wins, which she released on October 10.

I dont know what the hell I believe in / I dont know how to heal my soul, Baugh croons in the country track, which deals with the struggle of fighting feelings in tempting situations. Or how to fight this feeling and its a damn good place to go / No matter how close I get to burning the edge / Tempting as it is, I wont let the Devil win.

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TMZ reported earlier this month that there were no plans for Baugh to return to Urbans tour due to logistics in scheduling. Urban was also forced to cancel his Greenville, South Carolina, show on Thursday, October 16, due to illness after being advised by a doctor to focus on his health.

The Bon Secours Wellness Arena released a statement on their website on Thursday, telling fans, Urban has been advised by his longtime laryngologist Dr. Gaelyn Garrett, from the Vanderbilt Voice Center, to cancel his performance in Greenville, SC at Bon Secours Wellness Arena due to laryngitis which began earlier this week. (Per the Mayo Clinic, Laryngitis is a type of inflammation that affects the voice box which can become inflamed from overuse, irritation or infection.)

Guitarist Maggie Baugh Skips Keith Urbans 1st Concert Since Nicole Kidman Divorce

The venue noted that anyone who purchased tickets through Ticketmaster would have refunds issued immediately.

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Urban also shared a personal apology via the venues website.

Hey Greenville, Im so SO sorry to have to cancel the show . I know all the logistics it takes to get to a concert these days and Ive never taken any of that, or any of YOU for granted, Urban said in a statement. Im looking forward to getting back there when we can!!!!!
PASADENA, Calif. (AP)  Paul Telfer of Days of Our Lives and Nancy Lee Grahn of General Hospital won lead acting honors at the Daytime Emmys on Friday, with ABC's General Hospital claiming six trophies in the major categories, including drama series.

Sir David Attenborough broke Dick Van Dykes record for oldest Daytime Emmy winner, taking the trophy for daytime personality, non-daily as host of Netflixs Secret Lives of Orangutans.

Attenborough, who is 99, wasnt on hand. The Brits career as a writer, host and narrator spans eight decades.

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Van Dyke was 98 when he won as guest performer in a daytime drama series for Days of Our Lives in 2024.

Telfer, a 45-year-old native of Scotland, plays Xander Kiriakis on Peacock's Days of Our Lives, which he first joined in 2015.

My mom always loved soaps and she loved villains, he said. She's been gone for over 20 years, and so to win this on a soap opera playing the villain is really amazing. Thanks, Mom.

Grahn earned her third career trophy at the 52nd annual awards, having played Alexis Davis on General Hospital since 1996. She regularly uses her platform to speak out on political matters, and she carried a silver clutch that she had hand-lettered with the words Democracy dies in silence.

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Our democracy is worth fighting for, the people in it are worth caring about, and whether you have a platform or not, now is the time, guys, to show up, stand up, speak up for human decency, for democracy, she said, shouting, Stand up! multiple times to the audience.

Jonathan Jackson of General Hospital and first-time nominee Susan Walters of The Young and the Restless won supporting acting honors.

Jackson accepted the trophy for playing Lucky Spencer, a role he originated in 1993 and has played on and off ever since.

General Hospital also claimed trophies for Alley Mills as guest performer in a daytime drama and its writing and directing teams.

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It was Mills' second career win for playing Heather Webber. The 74-year-old, who first won in 2023, is best known as the mom on The Wonder Years.

We're living in really dark times right now. Everything's crazy, Mills told the audience at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. We just got to keep our spirits high.

Walters plays Diane Jenkins on CBS' Y&R, which she has appeared in during three different stints.

Im so happy that I won so I can thank my husband of 40 years, she said, singling out Linden Ashby, who has appeared on the same show and lost to Mills in the guest actor category.

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Drew Barrymore claimed her first win as daytime talk series host for her eponymous New York-based show. She beat out Kelly Clarkson, Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa, Jenna Bush Hager and Hoda Kotb, and Jennifer Hudson. Live With Kelly and Mark won daytime talk series.

Lisa Yamada of CBS' The Bold and the Beautiful won the emerging talent category, which replaced the younger actor and actress awards. The 23-year-old plays murderous Luna Nozawa.

Acting has been my dream since I gained consciousness, and my dreams are coming true right now, Yamada said, her voice choked with emotion. I'm ugly crying.

The night's most exuberant winner was Kardea Brown, honored as culinary host for the Food Network's Delicious Miss Brown, which has aired for 10 seasons. The show also won for culinary instructional series.

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Is this real? Brown said, mascara-stained tears streaming down her face. These are tears of joy. As a young Black woman from Charleston, South Carolina, nobody would have ever thought that this would be possible, but I know one person that did. That's God.

Journalist Deborah Norville received the career achievement award. She left Inside Edition in May after 30 years as anchor to become host of The Perfect Line game show.
In a startling display of tardy and perfunctory civic action, Zoru Bathena, an environment activist, who had filed complaints about illegal dumping of debris on the under-construction Girgaon Chowpatty gallery area on September 20, 2021, has received a response from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) four years later, which stated that there was no dumping on the chowpatty.

The BMC was building a viewing gallery at the Girgaon Chowpatty. During that time, there was debris dumped on the site. The gallery was on a pillar, so there was no need to dump debris. As I saw debris dumped on the site, I filed a complaint, said Bathena.

The BMC is too kind. We complained about illegal dumping on Chowpatty in 2021, and they replied in 2025, stating that at present, nothing is found in the dump. They have also reassured us that they will take regular action against illegal dumping and encroachment. Bathena received a letter from the BMC on September 29, 2025. The letter, sent by the Assistant Engineer of the D Ward, states that the timeline mentioned in the complaint is September 20, 2021, when the construction of the viewing deck was in progress. The permission from the Mumbai Port Trust, NOC of the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee, and permission from the Environment Ministry were received for the work.

The construction of the viewing deck was completed in April 2022, and at present, nothing is found dumped at Swarajbhoomi Girgaon Chowpatty. Hence, the letter stated, as far as the current scenario is concerned, no action is warranted and that actions are taken regularly on illegal dumping and encroachment by the body.

A senior official of the ward said the complaint was forwarded to the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority.

The work was not illegal. The MCZMA suggested that we give a reply to the complainant, said the official.

The BMC constructed a viewing gallery on the old stormwater drain at Girgaon Chowpatty, and the gallery was opened to the public in 2022.

The cost of the project is Rs 3.5 crores, and around 150 people can stand on the gallery at a time.


Ed Gein spent the remainder of his life in Wisconsin psychiatric hospitals after confessing to a pair of murders in 1957, but did he commit another homicide while in a hospital?

The Netflix series "Monster: The Ed Gein Story" depicts Gein, played by Charlie Hunnam, having a fatal encounter with a nurse at one of the psychiatric hospitals where he is being held.

Did that really happen, or is it another fictional departure from Gein's story in the series?

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Here's what to know.

What Happens Between Ed Gein and a Nurse in 'Monster'?

In the seventh of the show's eight episodes, Gein is shown crossdressing in women's lingerie while in a psychiatric hospital.

Charlie Hunnam as Ed Gein in "Monster: The Ed Gein Story." (Netflix)

A new head nurse named Roz Mahoney, played by Linda Reiter, tells Gein on her first day that there will no more crossdressing. Gein's life inspired the crossdressing Norman Bates, played by Anthony Perkins, in the horror classic "Psycho."

"You, sir, are the most notorious killer since Jack the Ripper, so I intend to treat you like that," Mahoney says. "You will be escorted by staff wherever you go."

She also labels him "clever" instead of "crazy" and calls him a "liar" when he says he would never hurt her.

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Gein later is shown violently killing Mahoney with a chainsaw. Gein was never known to use one on the two women he confessed to killing, but he has been cited as an inspiration for iconic horror character Leatherface in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre."

However, following the murder scene with the nurse, Gein is showing waking up and realizing Mahoney is alive.

Her murder was just a violent hallucination, which causes Gein to suffer a breakdown.

Gein is diagnosed with schizophrenia and put on medication under Mahoney.

Did Ed Gein Actually Kill a Nurse at a Psychiatric Hospital?

No, Gein was confined to Central State Hospital for the Criminally Insane in Wisconsin and then later Mendota State Hospital in the same state. He was 51 years old when he admitted to his crimes and lived the next 26 years in the two hospitals.

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Gein pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity after being charged with first-degree murder.

It's true that Gein was diagnosed with schizophrenia and endured hallucinations, according to a letter issued on Dec. 19, 1957, by officials at Central State Hospital after they questioned Gein.

"It was determined that Mr. Gein has been suffering from a schizophrenic process for an undetermined number of years and that this schizophrenic process is made apparent by what is delusional thinking," the report stated.

"He stated that his activities were the result of some outside force acting upon him, and that he had been chosen as an instrument of God to carry out activities which were ordained to happen," the report continued. "There have been at least several incidents of olfactory, auditory and perhaps visual hallucinations in the last 12 years."

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The letter recommended Gein be committed to Central State Hospital as "insane."

No incidents were reported during Gein's stay in multiple psychiatric institutions. He died in 1984 at 77 years old while living in Mendota Mental Health Institute.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
General Hospital spoilers for Monday, October 20, 2025, feature courtroom chaos as Nina and Willows arraignment takes a shocking turn. Meanwhile, Michael makes a bold statement.

Key Takeaways

Willow and Ninas arraignment takes a shocking turn when chaos erupts in the courtroom.

Michaels daring move sends shockwaves through Port Charles and raises questions about his true motives.

Emotions run high as family ties, loyalty, and justice collide in unexpected ways.

Next on General Hospital

Courtroom Chaos

Nina (Cynthia Watros) and Willow Katelyn MacMullen) were the first persons of interest in Drews shooting to get arrested. On Monday, look for Nina and Willows arraignment to take a shocking turn.

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While whatever happens is shocking, is it really surprising to find out that chaos is about to erupt in the courtroom? Knowing Nina, she will probably fall on her sword and take the blame for the entire thing just to let Willow go free. She wants her daughter free and clear to be with her kids, and this is a way to make that happen.

But if this isnt the case, who is about to bring the drama? Maybe Drew (Cameron Mathison) finds a way to keep Willow from going to trial. He could direct the polices attention towards Michael or Curtis (Donnell Turner).

Bold Statement

Michael (Rory Gibson) may very well be involved in whatever happens in the courtroom. Although he might feel its wiser to stay away from the fray.

This is Dark Michael, however, and he is up to something. According to the weekly teasers, Michael makes a bold statement. Whats he about to do?

Mystery Solved?

Meanwhile, Jordan (Tanisha Harper) puts the pieces together. Hopefully, this means she figures out Sidwells part in this whole madness  that he was the one to dispose of Judge Heron (Tessa Auberjonois) and that he now has Drew under his thumb. Jordan has been undercover for so long. Has she gotten close to finding anything about Sidwells crimes in Port Charles?

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If the pieces dont involve Sidwell (Carlo Rota), then they may very well involve Portia (Brook Kerr), Curtis, Isaiah (Sawandi Wilson), and a certain pregnancy. What mystery is Jordan about to solve?

Goodbyes and Welcomes

Elsewhere, Carly (Laura Wright) gives Jack (Chris McKenna) an out. This is an interesting spoiler because why would Carly give Jack an out when youd think shed be kicking him to the curb after learning he recruited her daughter for the WSB?

Finally, Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) hosts a party to welcome Ronnie (Erika Slezak) to Port Charles. If Tracy (Jane Elliot) attends, then Brook Lynn might also need to act as mediator or referee. Before the shindig starts, she might want to figure out ways to keep Ronnie and Tracy apart, because Tracy has been anything but welcoming since Ronnie arrived in Port Charles.

READ NEXT

This story was originally reported on Soap Hub on October 17, 2025. Add Soap Hub as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
PITTSBURGH  As Jeremy Renner sits alongside his new costar Edie Falco on the set of "Mayor of Kingstown," (Season 4 premieres Oct. 26, new episodes stream every Sunday on Paramount+) he immediately realizes he's in unfamiliar territory. The two are in the middle of a cell block in Western Penitentiary, a former prison that was in use until 2017, that he's never seen before. "Kingstown" has filmed on location at the penitentiary since Season 2.

"This is a pleasant setting, isn't it?" the actor, 54, jokes as he looks around. He then sounds like his character, former inmate and current "Kingstown" fixer Mike McLusky: "F------ bleak."

Dull, marine green-colored tiles, a few of which are missing near Renner's feet, cover the floor. A couple of built-in tables with attached stools sit in the common area. The cell doors, stairs and railings are all steel and an equally washed out teal, with visible paint chipping. The cells are equally bland, unless of course you allow your imagination to think about what these walls may have seen.

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The only noticeable color in the room comes from the black and red checkers board painted on one table and the white and red "No Smoking" sign that hangs towards the front of the room by the guard's station.

"You don't have to do much to bring to life the bleakness of this," Falco, 62, adds. "But what makes me want to watch a show that may be bleak is that every character has at their center the same desire, which is to find a way to get through the day, to be happy, to take care of their loved ones."

Renner and Falco (who plays Anchor Bay's new warden, Nina Hobbs) say their characters have a full season in the fictional town of Kingstown, Michigan, to feel each other out. Speaking on set exclusively to USA TODAY, the actors also explain how they've personally persevered to get to, of all places, an empty prison on the banks of the Ohio River.

Jeremy Renner struggled to return to 'Kingstown' after his accident

Renner's journey back to "Mayor of Kingstown" is well documented. The actor was seriously injured in a snowplow accident on New Year's Day 2023 near his home in Nevada. Crushed under a 14,000-pound snowplow, he suffered more than 30 broken bones and a collapsed lung. The actor "could see my eye with my other eye," he told Diane Sawyer in an interview 10 months after the accident.

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In January of 2024, Renner returned to work on "Kingstown" to film Season 3. Initially it did not go well.

"I almost got sent home by the doctors on the first episode," Renner recalls. "I fell asleep in the middle of a take."

As Falco responds, "Lord have mercy," Renner explains he had the blood levels "of a dead man."

Taking on Season 4 "was just quite a difference of strength and vitality," Renner continues. "Personality starts to come out this season versus last season, just trying to ..."

"Get through the f------ day," Falco says to complete his sentence. "You would've been forgiven for walking away from this thing completely. It's really astonishing that you're here."

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Renner liked the idea of getting back to work and varying his schedule following rehab. But he still wanted to prioritize his recovery. He says the cast and crew were fully supportive, altering the schedule to allow Renner ample time for rest.

Taylor Handley, who plays Renner's younger brother (Lt. Kyle McLusky), knew that the actor could handle the challenge. But recalling the first episode of Season 3, Handley is still astonished at how Renner performed.

"We had this incredible scene together," Handley recalls, speaking after he just filmed an intense prison scene for Season 4 himself. "I was anticipating the scene going one way, and then Renner comes out and he takes the scene and completely elevates it. Renner always brings his A game. I would just say this season, he's just unstoppable."

For Hugh Dillon, the show's cocreator and series regular (Lt. Ian Ferguson), having Renner for Season 3 was a "godsend." He says Renner helps to bring a "velocity" to Season 4, in which the void from the Russians' exit is filled with a new set of outsiders.

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"He added a couple of really pivotal things," Dillon says, careful not to give any spoilers. "He's got a great BS detector."

Renner believes that his openness comes from his new perspective on life: One step and one breath at a time.

"I can just move forward to the next moment and enjoy where I'm at right now," he says. "And with that comes a lot of fortitude, a lot of confidence, a lot of real openness and love."

Edie Falco recalls breast cancer scare: 'I was one of the very lucky ones'

Falco, an Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress for her roles on "The Sopranos" and "Nurse Jackie," is working with Renner for the first time. The two first met during a taping of NBC's "The Tonight Show" in 2015. In "Kingstown," not only is Falco's prison a place where McLusky handles business, for the start of Season 4, it's also holding his brother Kyle. In the final moments of Season 3, Kyle was arrested by authorities after he shot a fellow SWAT officer who was holding a civilian hostage.

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Falco says that her character is confident, in part from spending her entire life working in the prison system.

"In a perfect world, she'll be able to also stick to her moral compass, but that's not an imperative," Falco says before previewing Hobbs' dilemna with McLusky. "I think she's known for getting done what is asked of her, and I don't know that she's come against such a complicated, worthy adversary before who really is presenting situations she hasn't been confronted with before."

In real life, Falco has also shown courage in the face of adversity. The actress was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003. According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime.

"It's almost like a rite of passage for many of my friends at this point," Falco says of the cancer. "I also know people who would come to me, 'Oh, I was just diagnosed,' and I would say, 'Just go through the treatments, do all the right things. It'll be just a little blip in your life.' And then those people are gone.

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"I was one of the very, very, very, very lucky ones. And that's something you carry with you, whether or not you want to, every day. There's a reason I'm still here and I'm going to continue to show up to the best of my ability."

The 'Mayor of Kingstown' set is as influential as any other character

The Western Penitentiary dates back to the Civil War, and it looks the part. Narrow staircases connect dimly lit floors. Watchtowers perched on wooden platforms and brick walls look over the entire area. The abundance of chainlink fencing, barbed wire and rusted metal would even make the most hardened Steel City native blush (Pittsburgh gained that nickname for its history of steel production).

A typical reply from Uber drivers when reaching the destination is, "I've never dropped anyone off here before." Nestled next to the Ohio River, the penitentiary is subject to weather that can change in an instant. You can experience a few seasons over the course of a few hours.

"You act different, you perform different, the show has a different look," Dillon says of the location. "Even the steel bars outside or the fencing, you have to acclimate yourself."

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Tony Award-winning actress Laura Benanti, who joins the cast as a new correctional officer, says filming in a prison takes getting used to. "It's kind of like Vegas because there's no windows, so you never know what time it is," she says. "There's something about that that's so disorienting."

Benanti then starts to tell a story about her first day on set, but quickly stops herself. She almost spoiled a scene. That wouldn't have gone well with anyone, including the warden and the mayor.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Mayor of Kingstown' Season 4 returns with Jeremy Renner, Edie Falco




Who knew classic TV stars had a taste for authentic Mexican cuisine? Three iconic faces stopped by a San Antonio restaurant this weekend, posing for photos and leaving fans buzzing.

The trio Fonzie, Ralph, and Potsie from the Happy Days sitcom were spotted dining at Guajillo's  The Shortcut to Mexico while in town for their appearance at Comic Con. The restaurant shared a photo of actors Henry Winkler, Don Most, and Anson Williams alongside co-owner Michelle Barajas on Facebook on Saturday, October 18.

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Co-owner Carlos Barajas told MySA the group enjoyed a flavor-packed dinner, ordering a mix of the restaurant's offerings, including Cochinita Pibil, Chile Relleno, Tacos de Bistec with Cheese, Filete de Pescado al Ajillo, and Bisteces en Chile Pasilla.

The stars also left a signed menu with messages reading "thank you" and "awesome food," complimenting the chef and staff.

The Happy Days trio left a signed menu at San Antonio's Guajillo's while in town for Comic Con weekend, Friday, October 17, through Sunday, October 19, 2025. (Courtesy of Guajillo's - The Shortcut to Mexico )





Located at 1001 NW Loop 1604, Guajillo's serves a wide range of Mexican classics and local favorites, from Al Pastor and Bistec tacos to traditional dishes like chilaquiles and mole. The restaurant offers weekly lunch and dinner specials starting at $10.50, with drinks such as margaritas priced from $3.50, according to Barajas.

The trio may be just the start of celebrity sightings across the Alamo City, as the annual Comic Con celebrates pop culture, comics, and the many fandoms that come with it. Other stars in town include Anthony Starr and Cameron Crovetti from The Boys, Jamie Campbell Bower from Stranger Things, Christopher Mintz-Plasse from Superbad, and Luis Guzman from Netflix's Wednesday, according to the event website.

This article originally published at Legendary 'Happy Days' cast makes surprise stop in San Antonio.
A $2,000 monthly budget gives retirees just $24,000 a year for housing, energy, food, clothing, transportation, healthcare and all the other various expenses of daily life. Its not a lot, but according to the artificial intelligence (AI) bot Perplexity, it can be enough to live on  depending on where you retire.

The AI search platform, which cited sources such as Forbes, 401(k) Specialist and SeniorLiving, said, You can retire on $2,000 a month in various affordable locations both within the United States and internationally.

Check Out: 25 Cities Where You Can Retire in Great Weather for $2,000 a Month

Read Next: Warren Buffett: 10 Things Poor People Waste Money On

How Does an International Retirement Sound?

According to Perplexitys analysis, retirees willing to settle abroad have the best shot of living comfortably on a $2,000 monthly budget.

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Specifically, the platform recommends Chiang Mai, Thailand, which it says can provide very inexpensive living with apartments costing $150 to $500 per month, excellent healthcare and vibrant city life.

However, it warns those prone to homesickness that the city is far from home and [a] support structure.

If Thailand is too exotic, remote and unfamiliar, Perplexity recommends the following countries instead (though you may run into similar problems living anywhere internationally):

Costa Rica

Portugal

Panama

Slovenia

Italy

Mexico

Greece

See More: 12 Ways To Travel in Retirement Without Blowing Your Savings

The US and Its Territories Are Limited, but You Have Options

For those who arent looking to pull up stakes and start over in a foreign country, Perplexity recommends the following cities.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

One-bedroom apartments range from $600 to $900, Perplexity said. Being a U.S. territory means access to U.S. services, though healthcare infrastructure can be a concern.

Claremont, New Hampshire

A small, affordable city with rent around $950 and good proximity to larger cities.

El Paso, Texas

Moderate city living with one-bedroom apartments around $850, but watch out for rising costs.

Tallahassee, Florida

The most economical retirement destination in the U.S., with average monthly expenses below $1,000 for renters and good recreational opportunities.

Other US-Based Alternatives

If none of those cities suit you, Perplexity recommends:

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Parma Heights, Ohio

Uniontown, Pennsylvania

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Freeport, Illinois

Lincoln, Nebraska

Perplexity concluded, These places offer a mix of lower housing costs, affordable living and access to amenities suitable for retirees living on a $2,000 monthly budget. The best choice depends on preferences like climate, proximity to family, healthcare needs and lifestyle.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I Asked Perplexity Where To Retire on $2,000 a Month: Heres What It Said
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  What do Costa Rica, Croatia, Colorado and Connecticut all have in common?

Besides all starting with C they all earned a spot on Skyscanners newly released Travel Trends 2026 report as the Top 10 Trending Travel Destinations for American travelers.

MAP: Connecticut Pizza Trail highlights pizzerias across state

The full list includes:

Limon, Costa Rica Jaipur, India Bodrum, Turkiye Madeira, Portugal Vail, Colorado Zadar, Croatia Olbia, Sardinia New Haven, Connecticut (+39%) Bilbao, Spain Mykonos, Greece

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A global travel search engine, Skyscanner helps people find and compare deals on flights, hotels, and car rentals. To create this list, they analyzed flight searches from January to June.

They said these 10 destinations saw the biggest year-over-year search surges.

For New Haven, that surge was 39 percent.

New Haven claims Guinness World Record for largest pizza party

Its one thing to make headlines  its another to positively impact how people see our state,

Governor Ned Lamont said in a statement.

State officials say their Pizza Capital of the US campaign contributed to the increase in interest, earning nearly 16 billion media impressions, helping with the 22 percent surge in day trips from New York City to New Haven, and more.

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Our pizza might have started the conversation, but now the whole world wants a slice of what Connecticuts serving. When travelers start searching for New Haven alongside getaways like Costa Rica and Mykonos, you know youve captured something uniquely special, he continued.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
If you haven't loaded up on Halloween candy, you better find some change under the couch because the clock is ticking on the holiday, and no one wants to be the house giving out breath mints.

Halloween is coming, and we are here to guide you to the best season ever. Check back often as we continue to update you on Halloween events, costumes and candy, trick or treat hours and much more.

Don't love Halloween? We've tucked a few feel-good stories in here to help with those cozy fall vibes.

A piece from the movie 'Frankenstein' is on display during the exhibition 'Guillermo del Toro, At Home with My Monsters' - a collection of personal items and some that he used in his movies - in Guadalajara, State of Jalisco, Mexico, on May 29, 2019. (

Frankensteins monster is a Halloween icon that's tall, dark and ransoms the hearts of his fans, in hopes that they'll pay him lots of attention.

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But under the creature's fresh-to-death appearance lies a deeper conversation about what it means to be a monster in America and in other cultures around the world, a local monster expert says.

Persephone Braham, a professor of Spanish and Latin American Studies at the University of Delaware, specializes in the cultural history of monsters. Her research focuses on how European colonizers used monstrous imagery to justify the enslavement and exploitation of Indigenous and African peoples.

She explores these themes in her book "From Amazons to Zombies: Monsters in Latin America."

Participants in costumes parade along Rehoboth Avenue during the 35th annual Sea Witch Festival in Rehoboth Beach on October 25, 2025.

Some Delaware towns have odd rules tied to Halloween.

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Witches or wanna-be-witches be warned: Casting magic spells in Millsboro is illegal under town code.

The town's code contains what might be among the weirdest spooky-season rules aimed at the supernatural. It explicitly bars the exercise or "pretend" exercise of the art of conjuration, fortune-telling, palmistry or "dealing with spirits."

The rules also explicitly bar the practice of "witchcraft" and divination, which Oxford Dictionary defines as seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means.

It also bars the inspection of leaves, a form of divination that gives us the common saying of "reading the tea leaves." The law also bars the inspection of crystal balls.

A young boy joined the crowd that converged on Rehoboth Saturday to watch the annual Sea Witch Festival Parade. Officials estimated more than 100,000 spectators were crowded along Rehoboth Avenue for the event.

Halloween night is generally when most people are going to be out.

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So, leave a light on, buy some candy and be generous to all the kids dressed up for the occasion.

Halloween lands on a Friday night this year, meaning there could be crazier drivers.

Be on the lookout for kids in dark costumes in streets and sidewalks, and stay off of the road if you can. Parents and children should be aware of their surroundings while trick-or-treating. Children should stay on the sidewalk and use crosswalks to cross the street.

Participants in costumes parade along Rehoboth Avenue during the 35th annual Sea Witch Festival in Rehoboth Beach on October 25, 2025.

You know what's scarier than all the Halloween movies and "Friday the 13th" movies combined?

Your child the morning after Halloween.

Between the lack of sleep, the desire to eat more chocolate, and the letdown after the holiday, it's like your sweet darlings removed their costumes and put on their cranky pants.

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While children won't have to wake up for school in the morning, you're going to have to deal with your kids all day. So here are some hints to help your kids get the rest they need to avoid the day after horrors.

Participants in costumes parade along Rehoboth Avenue during the 35th annual Sea Witch Festival in Rehoboth Beach on October 25, 2025.

Check out the highlights of this annual event which helped transform what ''beach season'' means in Delaware with photos by Jason Minto on Oct. 25.

Halloween candy trick-or-treating

Don't be ashamed; every parent has done it.

You take your child out trick-or-treating, and then for safety reasons, go through the child's candy and scope out your cut.

Call it "the mommy or daddy tax" or whatever, but every parent "steals" candy from their kids.

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The website littlesleepies.com studied what parents do with their children's Halloween candy. The site consulted Google Trends to determine the search volume for each candy from Oct. 1 to 31, 2024, and calculated the average search popularity per capita for each candy. The site also surveyed 1,050 parents nationwide. Among them, 34% were men and 64% were women. Additionally, 10% were baby boomers, 35% were Gen X, 52% were millennials, and 3% were Gen Z.

Remember when you were trick-or-treating and some house, with the best of intentions, gave you a popcorn ball, Three Musketeers or Mounds bar?

You don't want to be that house. That's the house that ends up getting toilet paper in trees or worse. You want to be the house with good candy. So what should you get?

The website APT2B.com investigated the question, analyzing Google Trends data of 40 popular candy bars for just October from the past five years. They compared the search interest for each candy head-to-head to find the most popular ones in every state and used search interest as an indicator of popularity for this study.

1990: Hildegard Marvel, resident of Kentmere Home of Merciful Rest, poses with fellow witches Catherine Hall (left) and Lauren Fritchel of Wilmington Friends School.

Not everyone is a huge fan of the amputated limbs, strands of entrails and zombie babies that pop up in yards and elsewhere this time of year.

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This Halloween season, here are some family-friendly events you and your kids can check out in the First State that shouldn't give you nightmares.

Costume displays in Spirit Halloween in Dover, in the former Jo Ann Fabrics store on Route 13 North near Kohl's, on Oct. 1, 2025.

Halloween is Friday, Oct. 31, and roughly 13 million people  or 51% of all adults who will partake in Halloween activities, according to industry watcher Toybook  will dress in some form of Halloween costume.

But if you are having trouble selecting a proper Halloween costume, here's the list of this year's top Halloween outfits for adults, children and even pets.

Spirit Halloween in Bear is in the former Rite Aid site at the corner of Routes 40 and 72.

When a store goes out of business, it leaves a hole  a grave if you will  in a shopping center that can take a long time to fill.

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But not so with several stores that recently went out of business in Delaware, as Spirit Halloween has swept in to breathe new life into these zombies.

Rite Aid, Jo Ann Fabrics and Forever 21 are among the chains lost in 2025 from which Spirit Halloween has snatched a former location, along with a long-closed Sears and Kmart  remember those?

Often, the skeletons of those old businesses like the outline of the signs and the characteristic colors can be seen under the skin of the new seasonal home for costumes and decorations. With over 1,500 locations across North America this year, Spirit Halloweens iconic orange banners cover ghosts of stores past.

Krispy Kreme announced four spooky new doughnuts coming for Halloween in 2025.

Halloween is Friday, Oct. 31, meaning you only have a few weeks left to enjoy spooky-themed doughnuts. And with more than 70% of all adults participating in Halloween to some degree  which also means erick-or-treating and eating Halloween treats, according to data aggregator Statista  you may want to get these Halloween doughnuts before they're gone.

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Here are just a few of the Halloween-themed doughnuts you can pick up this season.

The annual Sea Witch Parade was held in downtown Rehoboth Beach on Oct. 31, 2022. The festival brings thousands of visitors to the area for a weekend of Halloween activities.

These days, Halloween at the Delaware beaches is nearly as much fun as summertime.

You can show off your costume  or your dog's  at several spooky events, all of which happen a stone's throw from Atlantic Ocean beaches.

Get your calendars out: Here are the major Halloween events to plan for this year.

Steve Motter (foreground) and Lindsey Motter go out for Halloween on October 31, 1994.

Families around the county are being faced with the same question  what are you going to be for Halloween?

Chicco, maker of child seats and strollers, did a study to find out the most popular traditional Halloween costume in each state.

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Chicco analyzed Google Trends data for 35 well-known, classic costumes over the past 12 months and compared search interests across the country to see which costume stood out in each state. For this study, search interest served as the measure of popularity.

McDonald's "Boo Buckets" will return on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

When your children go out to trick-or-treat this Halloween, they're going to need something to hold the gluttonous amounts of candy they'll receive.

Children are flocking to get special buckets from various sources. Even though they don't hold huge amounts, they are really popular.

Here's a look at Halloween buckets and where to get them.

Now that fall's chill has arrive, it's time for backyard fire pits and weekend campfires.

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If your bakyard is too small to hold a fire pit, find a friend.

But first, (there's always something) you need to be aware of the dangers fires pose and what to do to avoid a disaster  nearly 9 out of 10 wildfires nationwide are caused by humans according to smokeybear.com.

Keeping that in mind, here is a guide to fall fire safety that will help you know how to safely roast marshmallows and sing around a campfire, how to properly extinguish a bonfire or firepit and even how to treat burn injuries.

Dunkin' Signature Candy Bar Latte balances to flavor of espresso with the sweetness of candy. Here it's paired with a Halloween Strawberry frosted doughnut.

It's Halloween season and there's one thing that gets young and old excited at Halloween  candy.

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Sure, some people may say pumpkin spice, but that is overdone. Who doesn't like a Snickers bar, Take 5 or Reese's Peanut Butter Cup?

Dunkin' is riding the candy wave with its newest creation, a Signature Candy Bar Latte in its Halloween menu.

Now that fall has officially arrived, it seems fitting to talk about pumpkin spice.

Haters are going to hate, and while pumpkin spice is certainly polarizing, those that embrace the blend of spices that flavor pumpkin pie  usually cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and sometimes allspice - enjoy it in everything from cookies to hot beverages

It's spooky season.

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And while the classic Halloween outing of "trick or treat" may come to mind, with millions of tiny goblins and gools door-knocking for candy across the country, there also will be a few, more mobile options in Delaware.

That is, the "Trunk or Treat."

The event style is likely familiar, with organizers decorating several cars or their trunks in Halloween flare, while children and families stop car-by-car for candy and other goodies. Many credit the set-up as a bit safer and more controlled than walking house-by-house, or more convenient for rural areas with homes spread far apart.

David Miller, of the Delaware Theater Company, at the Opera Delaware Studio's haunted house on October 21, 1991.

Time travel with us back to the '90s and check out how Delaware celebrated Halloween way back then - it's longer ago than you think!

Brandywine zoo hosted its annual Boo at the Zoo event Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Wilmington.

Some people aren't fans of being traumatized during spooky season in Delaware.

Sleeping with every light on the house gets old and it can unnecessarily run up that electric bill. And nobody has time for that.

This Halloween season, here are some family-friendly events you and your kids can check out in the First State that shouldn't give you nightmares.

Rehoboth Beach's 33rd annual Sea Witch Festival Costume Parade was held in Rehoboth Beach on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, with great weather that brought thousands of people to town to see the ghosts, goblins and any other creature imaginable.

Rehoboth Beach's Sea Witch Festival named one of nation's 10BEST by USA TODAYPortrait of Shannon Marvel McNaughtShannon Marvel McNaughtDelaware News Journal

Rehoboth Beach may be "The Nation's Summer Capital," but its hugely popular Sea Witch Festival has been named one of the nation's Best Fall Festivals in the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers Choice Awards.

The Sea Witch took fourth place, behind only the third-place Jack Pine Glass Pumpkin Festival in Laurelville, Ohio, second-place Fall for Greenville festival in Greenville, South Carolina, and first-place West Side Nut Club Festival in Evansville, Indiana. You can view the full list here.

All of the fall festivals on the 10BEST list were nominated by an expert panel and voted on by USATODAY readers. Here's what they had to say about the the Delaware beaches' premiere fall event.

Costumed bar hoppers were out in droves for the Halloween Loop Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017.

You know how it goes: you got so wrapped up in picking out pumpkins or putting up decorations, you forgot to pick out a Halloween costume.

If youre one of those people, youre not alone. Whether it be because of your busy schedule or your spontaneous nature, searching for a fun or unique costume at the 11th hour is pretty common.

Rest assured, you dont always need to plan months ahead of time or spend a ton of money to make a stand-out costume. In some cases, all you need is a mask, some accessories, maybe some make-up and your own wardrobe.

Bowl of Halloween candy corn.

Walk into Target, Walmart and most grocery stores and you'll see a plethora of Halloween candy.

Whether you're stocking up for Halloween or stocking up with full knowledge that this candy will be eaten before Halloween, the question becomes which candy should you buy?

Everyone has their personal favorite like Snickers, M&Ms or Take 5, but what it the most popular candy in Delaware?

The website APT2B.com investigated the question, analyzing Google Trends data of 40 popular candy bars for just the month of October from the past five years. They compared the search interest for each candy head-to-head to find the most popular ones in every state and used search interest as an indicator of popularity for this study.

It'll soon be Halloween, and you can get in on the spooky fun by picking up one of three Halloween-themed Stanley cups and matching straws at Target stores in Delaware.

Here's what the Halloween-styled Stanley cups look like, and when you'll be able to buy them at Target.

Sometimes it's good to break things up a bit to enjoy something a little longer.

Such is the case with Dunkin' unveiling its fall menu with two waves of Dunkin' goodness.

Here's a look at the Dunkin fall menu and Halloween.

Pumpkins for sale at T.W. Smith & Sons in Bridgeville.

If youre looking for some fall fun with friends, u-pick offerings are the perfect activity.

Not only is it a great way to get some seasonal photoshoots in, but you also can cross some items off your shopping list while youre at it.

Whether you want to fill your kitchen with farm-fresh produce or decorate your home for the holidays, there are plenty of ways to support Delaware businesses and plan an outdoor adventure through u-pick activities.

Throughout the year, farms across the state offer u-pick fruits and vegetables, as well as pick-your-own pumpkins and Christmas trees.

McDonald's will begin offering its Happy Meal Boo Buckets starting Oct. 15 at participating McDonalds restaurants nationwide.

According to the Instagram account Snackolator, McDonald's has confirmed that Boo Buckets will be making their return this October.

Boo Buckets are plastic buckets McDonald's gives out with its Happy Meals during October. Children use the buckets to collect their candy booty on Halloween.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware Halloween guide 2025 for a spooky and fun holiday
The name can say a lot about what special treats await on a particular scenic byway. Take the 10-state all-American Great River Road, an odyssey up the Mississippi that lives up to its moniker with an abundance of charming waterside towns and vintage riverboat excursions. Then there are the snow-topped summits of Mount Lassen and Shasta along the breathtaking Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway in California. New Mexico, meanwhile, has a driving route with such a tantalizing title that it should have any dedicated road tripper reaching for the steering gloves  Welcome to the Enchanted Circle.

Looping a ring around the bald tops of Wheeler Peak  the highest mountain in the whole state, no less  the popular byway clocks up 84 miles in all. Its ends connect amid the enchanting UNESCO sites of Taos, offering access to a chain link of four separate state highways that breeze through prehistoric geological formations, artsy highland villages, and rivers teeming with fish. The route is undeniably jaw-dropping all year round, but hits a real zenith come the fall, when it lays claim to some of the finest color-changing woodlands in this corner of the USA.

Taos does have its own airport (the Taos Regional Airport), but it's a bijou landing pad that only really serves a few regional carriers. To hitch a mainstream commercial flight, hire some wheels, and head over to join the Enchanted Circle, you're better off driving the nigh on 2.5 hours up from the Albuquerque International Sunport. That has oodles of connections coming in from across the USA, plus a dedicated car rental center.

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Read more: The Rick Steves-Approved Checklist To Always Do Before Vacation

The natural wonders of the Enchanted Circle

A hiking sign under Mount Wheeler, New Mexico - Roschetzkyistockphoto/Getty Images

Check the map. See where Highway 38 wiggles through Red River on the north side of the Enchanted Circle, and where Route 64 passes through Valle Escondido on its south side? Those are the two arms of the byway that cross the vast Sangre de Cristo Mountains, a sub-range of the Rockies that extends through Colorado and northern New Mexico. You'd be right in thinking that those sections are a dream come true for lovers of the great outdoors.

Perhaps the most obvious place to swap the asphalt for a hiking path is deep in the heart of the circle, at the Taos Ski Valley. That's the gateway to the most trodden path up to the top of Wheeler Peak: the Williams Lake Trail. It's no mean feat  think 8.2 miles and nearly 3,000 feet in elevation gain across scree-covered ridges where the route switchbacks steeply. The reward? How about views that encompass distant deserts, emerald woodlands, and craggy peaks alike?

Lower down, you'll skirt the sides of the Red River for 12 miles as you move between Questa and the namesake town of Red River itself. It's speckled with locations where you can sling the line and go in search of brook trout, smallmouth bass, and even salmon! Meanwhile, the glistening waters of Eagle Nest Lake sit amid their own state park along the eastern side of the byway. Go there for more fishing, waterside campgrounds, and boating opportunities galore.

Tempting towns along the Enchanted Circle

A vintage truck filled with flowers and flags in Red River, New Mexico - J. Michael Jones/Getty Images

Between gasps at the glorious vistas of valleys and mountain massifs, thigh-busting hikes, and fishing stops, be ready to explore some wonderful towns along the route of the Enchanted Circle. Many folks will begin (and end) their trip in Taos, where the incredible Taos Pueblo showcases homes that have been inhabited for over a millennium  it's not for nothing that it's now a prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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North of that, you'll whiz through the town of Red River. It oscillates between ski hub by winter and hiking mecca by summer, but always offers up a dose of hearty New Mexican mountain charm. Just drop into Shotgun Willie's, sat on the corner of Main Street and Pioneer, to get your taste of that. It's a classic Americana diner with more than 30 years' pedigree, serving up biscuit and gravy breakfasts before BBQ brisket for lunch.

Then comes Eagle Nest. It's been a frontier town, a nest of gamblers and gunslingers, and an outpost for cowboys in its time. These days, it's famed as a gateway to the legendary Enchanted Circle itself, but also for its fishing, old-school saloons, and cowboy outfitters. Yehaa!

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Read the original article on Islands.
I lived in New York for eight years, but moving to Colombia felt like a breath of fresh air.

My dollar stretches further in South America.

I've moved internationally before, and the decision came easily to me.

When I first moved to New York in 2017, I drank the Kool-Aid: work hard, play hard. I had just finished university and another journalism internship in Vienna, and flew across the Atlantic with one suitcase and my resume in hand. It felt like a scene from a movie.

For eight years, I lived a Sex and the City lifestyle on a budget: strutting down the streets in high heels, heading to my first corporate job with fire and hope in my heart. I left for a scrappy PR agency, of which I'm now the Vice President. I also kept writing  not at a chic desk facing the window like Carrie Bradshaw, but in bed. My first apartment didn't have a living room.

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I enjoyed living in NYC for eight years.

The author realized she was ready for a new adventure after she returned from living with her family for five months. Courtesy of Cornelia Holzbauer

Over time, I upgraded: from sharing a tiny apartment in Manhattan with difficult people to a larger place in Brooklyn with great roommates. From a bachelor's degree to a master's. From casual sex to celibacy. From undiagnosed to clarity about my mental health.

And I realized: I was craving stability. But New York, for all its glory, couldn't provide that for me. Friendships sometimes felt hollow since I came from a different culture. Dating felt like trying to catch fish with my bare hands. The money I made went straight to rent, food, and the occasional festival.

When I first moved there at 22, I thought the world was my oyster. At 30, it still is.

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After living with my family for five months, I realized I wanted to move to a new place.

The author has a storage unit in Upper Manhattan. Courtesy of Cornelia Holzbauer

In January, after five months in Europe living with my family, the city suddenly felt wrong. I stopped going out on weekends. Other than the gym, I barely left my apartment. That "New York or nowhere" slogan started to feel like brainwashing. My mentor once called New York "a playground for 24-year-olds," and I started to think he was right. I was aging out of it  or my previous lifestyle.

Timing was on my side. My lease in East Harlem was up in March. My boss was supportive, some colleagues had already been working remotely, and client meetings had been online since the start of the pandemic. Plus, travel is great for writing.

So I set off to Argentina on a whim. Six weeks later, I was hiking Machu Picchu. In June, I landed in Medellin  a city the nomad community calls paradise.

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Colombia is beautiful, and I've made lovely friends here, too.

The author with her friend Jenni in Medellin. Courtesy of Cornelia Holzbauer

As the cab from the airport turned a corner to reveal the valley, the mountains, and a soft fog blanketing it in the late-afternoon sun, I understood why. The visual evoked the same emotions as the New York skyline.

"Paradise" goes beyond the city's beauty: I made local friends immediately, who don't speak English, and thus helped me become fluent in Spanish within five months of learning it. We play beach volleyball on Sundays, followed by a barbecue dinner. Expats and locals merge in a very NYC way. I've replaced the subway with Uber Moto, and as we speed past cars and trees, I can barely remember what sweating on the train felt like.

I also save money here.

The author had a solo picnic in McCarren Park in Brooklyn the week before moving. Courtesy of Cornelia Holzbauer

That first Airbnb was in Laureles, and in July, I moved to another one in Ciudad del Rio, Poblado. I've continued to stay in Airbnbs. I like not signing a lease; it gives me freedom and independence, and I like having a turnkey apartment.

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Right now, I'm staying in a large studio in a luxury building with a pool and spa, and paying maybe 15% of what I would be paying for similar accommodations in New York. In Colombia, I buy high-quality groceries and rarely spend more than $50 a week. I can get coffee and a pastry for less than $5.

Being back in New York as a visitor confirmed my decision.

The author stayed in Greenpoint while visiting New York in August. Courtesy of Cornelia Holzbauer

I did go back to New York for three weeks in August  to see my friends and storage unit. Being back as a quasi-visitor felt exciting. But I also felt the same subtle panic I had grown accustomed to living there, only worse, after feeling transformed by five months in South America.

My weekly grocery haul was now $150, thanks to tariffs. The subway ride to Manhattan, squished between commuters, felt endless. My attempt to visit the dentist failed  I had already hit my insurance max for the year.

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I'm proud of myself for moving.

The author (left) saw her friend Andrea on her first day back in Colombia. Courtesy of Cornelia Holzbauer

When my redeye back to Medellin took off, I breathed a sigh of relief. And I was proud: of lugging 260 pounds of luggage down from my fifth-floor walk-up. Of making a decision for a calmer life.

The next morning, after coffee at my favorite spot, I called my mom in Germany: "I'm home."

My Medellin friends welcomed me with flowers and chicharron. New York will always be a home I can return to. But life in Colombia feels like a rebirth  I'm drinking the LATAM Kool-Aid now.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Some of America's most scenic natural beauty can be found inside its national parks, but with so many to choose from, it can be hard to pick which park to visit for your next vacation. However, there's one national park known as the Crown of the Continent -- Glacier National Park in Montana. The majestic landscapes were sculpted by glaciers, and visitors who come are in awe of the dramatic terrain. Those who hop on a flight to Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) and make the 30-minute drive to this esteemed park will be excited to find over 700 miles of trails, interesting geologic formations, stromatolite fossils, an abundance of flora and fauna, and epic lakes with beautiful, cascading waterfalls. While Tripadvisor ranks Virginia Falls as the best waterfall in Glacier National Park, there's another set of waterfalls that are stunning in their own right  the ones that can be seen from Avalanche Lake.

These waterfalls, fed by Sperry Glacier, are a magnificent sight for those making the journey out into the Montana wilderness. One Tripadvisor reviewer described his trek to Avalanche Lake and said there were nine people in his group, ranging from 1 to 70 years old. He said, "We started before 7 a.m. and took three hours to complete." The out-and-back hike is 2.3 miles each way, and AllTrails classifies this as a moderate hike.

Read more: The Pros And Cons Of A Rick Steves Tour, According To Past Participants

How to view the stunning waterfalls at Avalanche Lake

Sign pointing to trails near Avalanche Lake - Brandy Jo Hastings / Static Media

Visitors can certainly make the trek to Avalanche Lake and see the waterfalls on their own. The Avalanche Lake trailhead starts at the same spot as the Trail of the Cedars, which is a shorter hike that's less than a mile long, but impressive in its own right. If you want to get the most out of your trip though, you may want to book a guided hike with the official education partner of Glacier National Park  Glacier Institute. In a park that consists of over 1 million acres and more than 1,500 square miles, those visiting for the first time will want to get a lay of the land to ensure they experience all the cool things they've traveled to see. This 501(c)(3) non-profit group offers a variety of guided hikes and tours  including one that will take you to see the waterfalls at Avalanche Lake.

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This Google reviewer shared her feedback on her hike with Glacier Institute and said, "We had a fantastic day hiking to Avalanche Lake with Mark F. as our guide. He was very informative of all that we were seeing and the history of the area." She also added one important tip: "Recommend planning a day with this organization early in your visit so you will have the knowledge, history, and advice to help you fully appreciate and enjoy the rest of your visit."

What to know when visiting Glacier National Park

Two people facing the waterfalls - kkeveryday82 / Instagram

The Avalanche Lake trail is a popular one, so you may want to arrive at the trailhead early to try to grab a parking spot. It is located along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which is an experience in itself and gives you some amazing scenery along the drive. This is another perk of a tour with Glacier Institute  as this Tripadvisor reviewer shared, "Normally if you self-drive, you spend a lot of your time in the car, looking for parking, and not taking in the scenery. With them driving, you don't have to stress about any of that."

Even if you're going to see the waterfalls at Avalanche Lake, you'll quickly find there's so much more to see within this fascinating park, and you'll want to plan ample time there when you visit. You can camp inside the park, but for those who don't want to rough it, you have multiple lodging options, such as the Apgar Village Lodge, Village Inn Motel, and Many Glacier Hotel. Those up for an adventure who don't mind making a trek to get to their overnight accommodations may want to check out Sperry Chalet, a hike-in lodge inside Glacier National Park. Many visitors also opt to stay in one of the nearby towns, such as Whitefish  a charming destination with a storybook downtown.

Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter and add us as a preferred search source for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets.

Read the original article on Islands.
The second meeting of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Supreme Interstate Council will be held in Astana, said President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in an exclusive interview with Kazinform News Agency ahead of his state visit to Kazakhstan, Azernews reports.

"It is also worth emphasizing the importance of the Supreme Interstate Council, whose first meeting took place last year during the state visit of the President of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan. During the upcoming second meeting in Astana, further prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation and steps to elevate AzerbaijaniKazakh relations to a new level will be discussed," said President Ilham Aliyev.
After what he called a productive call with the leader of Russia, President Donald Trump said the two would soon meet in Budapest to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine. The apparently warm interaction raised the stakes for the scheduled lunch meeting with Ukraines president on Friday.

President Volodymyr Zelensky is in Washington seeking to shore up US support to force Putin to negotiate an end to the war and is urging Washington to sell Ukraine Tomahawk missiles that would strike deep into Russian territory.

The threat of the Tomahawks appeared to have spurred the Kremlin into action by setting up a phone call after weeks of describing any possible sale of the missiles to Ukraine a provocation. After the call with Putin, Trump expressed scepticism about a Tomahawk deal with Ukraine, saying we need Tomahawks for the United States of America, too.

Zelensky, hours before his meeting with Trump, tweeted from the US that despite the call nothing has changed for Russia  it is still terrorising life in Ukraine, pointing to the swarm of Russian drones that struck his hometown of Kryvyi Rih overnight. Russia is trying to leave this part of Europe an island of peril and torment for human life. Its crucial not to let that happen.

Trump and Putin will meet in Hungary to see if we can bring this inglorious War, between Russia and Ukraine, to an end, Trump wrote on Truth Social. I believe great progress was made with todays telephone conversation. Trump is seeking another diplomatic breakthrough days after brokering a deal between Israel and Hamas.

Trump has long courted Putin even as he has faulted him for not ending the war. The president in August rolled out a red carpet for Putin in Anchorage, where the two joked and sat for hours of discussions. Russian attacks on Ukraine have increased since, and Trump has become increasingly critical of the Russian leader in recent weeks. Thursdays discussion was an opportunity for Putin to regain the initiative and promote Russian narratives before Zelenskys visit on Friday.

A pattern has emerged in Putins conversations with Trump, in which the Russian leader has used them to deflect pressure to halt attacks on Ukraine. Already he has convinced Trump that there was no need for a ceasefire to allow peace talks to go ahead and resisted calls for a meeting with Zelensky.

Despite the eight phone calls between Trump and Putin since the inauguration discussing an end to the conflict, there has been no slackening of the Russian assault on Ukraine, leading critics to say the moves are just to buy time to let the war continue.

I dont know about you, but it feels to me like were being served tomorrows again  while really, were just being led by the nose, said Valeriy Chaly, a former Ukrainian ambassador to the US, in a comment on social media.

Putin has offered little in return so far, sticking to his demands that Ukraine must be demilitarised and neutral, as he fights on to force Kyiv back into Moscows sphere of political influence.

The Kremlin signalled on Thursday that it was leveraging trade to incentivise Trumps cooperation, a tactic Putin has used as a way to attack a president who likes to brag about how much money he is bringing back to the United States through deals with other countries. Russian leaders have sought to lure Trump with promises of billions in American investments in Russias energy industry.

One of the American presidents main points was that ending the conflict in Ukraine would open up enormous  I emphasise, enormous  prospects for developing economic cooperation between the US and Russia, Putin adviser Yuri Ushakov said after the call.

Treading cautiously

US energy companies, mindful of moments in Russias post-Soviet history when their investments in the country have been frozen or seized, have been cautious about the prospect of resuming business there even if sanctions are lifted.

Putin on Thursday also sought to convince Trump that Russia had the upper hand on the battlefield, Ushakov said, with the Russians mindful that the US leader is often attentive to fellow leaders assessments of battlefield situations.

That played to Ukraines advantage when Trump gave Zelensky a sympathetic ear last month at the United Nations, as the Ukrainians laid out their case for why Russia was losing. Shortly afterward, Trump declared his belief that Ukraine could beat Russia militarily by expelling it from Ukrainian territory  a major shift in rhetoric.

Putin on Thursday said the opposite.

Russian armed forces fully control the strategic initiative along the entire line of contact. Under these circumstances, the Kyiv regime is resorting to terrorist methods, striking civilian targets and energy infrastructure, to which we are forced to respond accordingly, Ushakov said, complaining about Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries that have taxed energy production.

Ukraines commander, Gen Oleksandr Syrsky, pushed back against the Russian assertions on Friday, saying that the Kremlins objectives in the war have been constantly foiled. I can state with confidence: Ukrainian warriors have ceased the enemys spring-summer offensive campaign and continue to disrupt the Kremlins further plans.

Both sides are dug in, and neither has made significant territorial gains over the last year, as the rise of drone warfare has upended traditional military strategy.

The Budapest meeting between Trump and Putin will take place within two weeks or so, Trump said on Thursday. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is the most Russia-friendly leader in the European Union.

We have a problem. They dont get along too well, those two. And its sometimes tough to have meetings. So we may do something where were separate. Separate but equal. Well meet and talk, Trump said. This is a terrible relationship the two of them have.

Trump will dispatch Secretary of State Marco Rubio to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov next week to lay the groundwork, he said.

The president said on the campaign trail last year that he could broker peace in Ukraine in 24 hours. The continued hostilities have frustrated him as he has made progress in Gaza and boasted that he has averted conflicts elsewhere. But the ceasefire deal in the Middle East this month appears to have bolstered Trumps confidence that he can end the war.


The goal is reduce the number of young people considered disconnected.

The young people of Hartford recently got a boost to the tune of $1.2 million to support education and employment programming through Hartford Opportunity Youth Collaborative.

The funding comes from several sources, including the city of Hartford, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the United Way of Central and Northeastern CT, and the Aspen Institute. The Nutmeg Foundation has also been a significant funding partner supporting the Hartford Career Navigation System coordination.

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The goal of the program is to reduce the number of disconnected Harford youth by half in the next five years. The recent funding includes support for the first paid director of the collaborative.

According to a 2023 Dalio Education report, more than half  53 percent  of Hartford students are at-risk of exiting high school without graduating, a spokesman said.

CT at risk: Uncovering what young people say is keeping them back

The HOYC is chaired by Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam and made up of leaders in education, youth development, and workforce development.

The long-term objective is decreasing the number of disconnected young people by over 50 percent over the next five years.

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The city of Hartford has allocated $751,000.

This is an incredible moment for Hartford, one that reaffirms our unwavering commitment to every young person in our city, said Arulampalam.

This investment from the city and our foundational partners is more than just fundingits a decisive commitment to solving Connecticuts opportunity youth crisis right here in our capital city. Together, we are working to ensure that every young person in Hartford has the chance to thrive and lead.

The Hartford Foundation is providing a $300,000 grant to support a new HOYC director staff position for a two-year period.

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Through a series of inclusive conversations with stakeholders across sectorsnonprofits, city agencies, philanthropy, and community voicesa new framework emerged, said Hartford Foundation Senior Community Impact Officer Joel Hicks-Rivera.

This reimagined structure is designed to be more responsive, coordinated, and centered on the needs and aspirations of Hartfords youth. Backed by the mayor and a coalition of committed partners, this initiative reflects a shared vision: that every young person in Hartford should have access to a youth workforce system that is built for themone that is equitable, empowering, and aligned with their potential.

The United Way of Central and Northeastern CT is providing approximately $100,000 in flexible funding to support HOYC operations.

United Way is proud to invest in the Hartford Opportunity Youth Collaborative to further advance our shared goal of reducing the number of at-risk and disconnected young people in Hartford by half over the next five years, said Eric Harrison, president and CEO, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, in a statement.

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Our mission is to mobilize our community to end poverty, and this is a great example of what it looks like when partners across sectors come together to create a measurable impact for young adults.

The Aspen Institute committed $90,000 to support HOYCs inclusion in the Everyone Counts Initiative (data sharing infrastructure) and the Belonging Meaning Wellbeing and Purpose initiative, which will include youth leadership supports and professional development resources for HOYC members and their staff, according to the statement. HOYC has also been a member of the Aspen Opportunity Youth Forum for the past decade.
A male suspect was arrested Friday night after a 53-year-old man was fatally wounded during a domestic altercation that turned physical in the Bucktown neighborhood, Chicago police said.

Shortly after 10:35 p.m., officers responded to a call of a person shot in the 2000 block of North Leavitt Street. Police determined a 53-year-old man was involved in a domestic dispute when it turned physical and a male suspect pulled out a firearm and fired shots at the victim inside the residence, police said.

The victim suffered multiple wounds to the body, and was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

The gunman remained on the scene and was placed into custody. Charges are pending while detectives investigate the fatal shooting.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Detectives are investigating a deadly shooting that allegedly occurred during an argument over a pedicab ride in downtown Nashville early Saturday morning.

Officers responded to the incident shortly before 2:30 a.m. on Rep. John Lewis Way between Broadway and Demonbreun Street.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, two pedicabs were transporting a group of people visiting from Memphis back to their hotel when an argument began between a driver and one of their passengers. Both drivers stopped their pedicabs outside of Bridgestone Arena, and the other driver  identified as a 21-year-old man  told all of the passengers to exit the pedicabs.

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A physical altercation followed, during which the 21-year-old driver claimed he was punched in the back of the head by one of the passengers. He told authorities that another passenger  Adrian Rivas-Romo, 23  approached him quickly, so he pulled out a gun and fired.

Rivas-Romo was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center after suffering a gunshot wound to the head, where he later died from his injuries.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

The 21-year-old was arrested at the scene after he called 911 and identified himself to officers as the shooter. The gun was also recovered and taken by investigators.

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MNPD said the self-defense claim is under investigation, and detectives are working with the District Attorneys Office to determine if charges will be brought against the shooter.

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This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

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DENVER (KDVR)  Highway 58 will remain closed Friday night as police investigators are on scene of a deadly crash involving four vehicles between Macintyre Street and Interstate 70.

The Wheat Ridge Police Department said that at about 8 p.m. that it was investigating the multi-vehicle crash and said that one person had been killed in the crash.

2 dead in fiery head-on crash, US 287 remains closed in Larimer County: CSP

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The agency also noted that it had closed the eastbound lanes of Highway 58 as of 8 p.m., and the lanes remained closed as of about 10:15 p.m. on Friday.

The department said that the initial investigation revealed that there were four vehicles involved and three people were taken to the hospital, in addition to the fatality. Among the three people hospitalized was the suspect.

Wheat Ridge police said the suspect was in police custody as of about 10 p.m.

As of Friday night, it was unclear if there were contributing factors to the crash, such as speed, impairment or adverse conditions.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  One person was seriously injured after a motorcycle crash in Northeast El Paso, according to the El Paso Fire Department.

The call came in shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16, near U.S. 54 and Spur 601.

Courtesy of Fitfam.

According to El Paso Fire, one person was transported with serious injuries (code 3).

The scene was turned over to the El Paso Police Department.

The Texas Department of Transportation said the right two lanes of U.S. 54 North is closed and clearing time is until further notice.

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This is a developing story and will update you once we learn more.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
This story has been updated to correct the entity following up on the incident.

Ten people were injured, including one critically, after a balcony fell about 20 feet from a Cincinnati apartment building on Oct. 17, according to city fire officials.

Just before 10 p.m., officials were dispatched to the collapse of an 8-by-12-foot balcony in the 200 block of Stetson Street near the University of Cincinnati in the city's Corryville neighborhood. Fire personnel said it collapsed from the weight of too many people.

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Some of the 10 were UC students, according to fire department spokesperson Lindsay Haegele.

The person who answered the door of the damaged unit the morning of Oct. 18 declined to discuss the collapse.

Owner said balcony had undergone repairs

Hezekiel Eskinder, who goes by Zeke, owns the Stetson Street property where the balcony fell, he confirmed to The Enquirer.

Eskinder said he was thankful that no one had died. He said he purchased the unit when his son was going to medical school and began renting it once during his son's residency. He said he's had about four generations of tenants at this point.

He said the balcony had been repaired about two years ago.

Management company sends email

An email from Dayton-based Eclipse Community Management, which manages condominium and homeowners associations, said management was aware of the balcony collapse.

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"We want to assure you that the situation is being addressed with the highest priority," the letter to residents read.

The building, made of a combination of townhomes and condos, had its water service shut off the morning of Oct. 18 due to issues with a pipe, according to an email obtained by the Enquirer. Two neighbors said they saw a lot of water run down a back street shortly after the balcony collapse.

The 10 injured were brought to three Cincinnati hospitals by the fire department, Haegele said. Other injured people may have driven themselves.

What happened?

Residents described a large crowd partying in a small road earlier in the night. One neighbor guessed he saw about 40 to 50 people gathered on the street sometime before the collapse.

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Many of the people were students celebrating the passing of an exam, Enquirer media partner Fox19 reported.

Empty cans of alcoholic seltzers and a cigarette carton littered the floor beside the fallen balcony. A bit further from the wreckage was a leather purse, jacket and a small pair of brown heeled boots next to a broken and bloody plastic chair.

The crowd stuck around for a long time after the collapse, one neighbor said, as people waited for updates on the status of their friends.

The affected building is adjacent to UC's campus. It's half a mile away from the university's hospital, where Haegele said the majority of those injured were hospitalized.

The collapsed balcony on Stetson Street in Cincinnati, Oct. 18, 2025

What happens next?

The email obtained by the Enquirer said a contractor and city official would visit the property the afternoon of Oct. 18.

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Asked if Cincinnati police are investigating, department spokesperson Lt. Jonathan Cunningham said police provided perimeter control. He said the Cincinnati Fire Department is handling the incident.

Haegele said the Cincinnati Fire Department is no longer involved because medical transports have been completed and the city's division of buildings and inspections has been notified.

The University of Cincinnati is trying to identify the students involved and is offering affected students counseling and housing assistance, according to spokesperson M.B. Reilly.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 10 hospitalized after balcony collapse. What we know
NEED TO KNOW

Lydia Kaiser, the 12-year-old girl who was injured while protecting another student in the Minneapolis Catholic Church shooting on Aug. 27, has spoken out

It makes me angry, but I dont want to let the shooter win, the young girl said of the tragedy

Lydia is back in school and said she plans to do everything I can to enjoy my 8th grade year

Lydia Kaiser, a 12-year-old girl who was among the dozen plus people injured in the Minneapolis Catholic Church shooting that killed two others, is speaking out.

Nearly two months after the Aug. 27 tragedy, Lydia expressed her gratitude for the continued outpouring of support in an Oct. 16 update on a GoFundMe page set up to aid her recovery.

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"Im doing ok, the child wrote. Ive been allowed to return to school which is great because I missed my friends and it was hard to miss out on so much.

GoFundMe A photo of Lydia Kaiser provided from her family on GoFundMe. A photo of Lydia Kaiser provided from her family on GoFundMe.

Still, Lydia  who was injured while protecting a younger student during a mass at Annunciation Catholic Church, and later transported to the hospital in very serious condition  said she continues to cope with the lasting effects of the day.

I still cant play sports, but Ive been cheering on my friends and running the scoreboard, she explained. I get tired more than usual but Im not really getting headaches like I used to.

Lydias family shared updated photos of her on the GoFundMe page. In the snapshots, the 12-year-old could be seen sporting short hair on the left side of her head, where she was injured in the shooting and hospital staff later performed surgery.

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My hair is starting to grow back and it looks fuzzy where they shaved it off for my surgery, she wrote. I hope it grows back before I start high school. I dont think it will grow that fast though.



GoFundMe A photo of 12-year-old Lydia Kaiser from GoFundMe. A photo of 12-year-old Lydia Kaiser from GoFundMe.

Elsewhere in her update, the eighth grader acknowledged the deaths of Fletcher Merkel, 8, and Harper Moyski, 10, who were killed in the attack that was carried out by Robin Westman, 23. (Westman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.)

Im so sad for Harpers sister and Fletchers siblings, Lydia said. Sometimes I think Im going to wake up from a dream even though I know what happened is real. Its so hard to believe I actually got shot, and other kids did too.

It makes me angry, but I dont want to let the shooter win, she added.

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The preteen also said this school year will be her last at Annunciation. She described it as a place that is like my home and my family," and she plans "to do everything I can to enjoy my 8th grade year.

Thank you so much for your prayers and for all your love and support, she concluded her message on the GoFundMe, which has raised over $423,000 so far.

Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Law enforcement officers around Annunciation Church in Minneapolis, Minn. Law enforcement officers around Annunciation Church in Minneapolis, Minn.

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Lydia was one of the students that Rep. Ilhan Omar, who represents Minnesotas 5th Congressional District, initially highlighted in a statement on X after the attack.

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She said Lydia, whose father is a gym teacher at the school, was in the intensive care unit following the shooting and was headed "in the right direction."

A total of 18 people  including 15 children  were injured in the attack.



Read the original article on People




Starting next year, some California high school students will automatically be accepted to a California State University campus under a new state admissions program.

The CSU Direct Admissions Program will streamline the application process for the 16 participating CSU campuses. Available to high school students statewide, it builds on a CSU partnership with Riverside County announced last year through which eligible public school students were offered admission to the system before they applied.

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"We've seen that be kind of a transformational process through this Riverside County pilot," April Grommo, assistant vice chancellor for the system's strategic enrollment management, told SFGATE. "So we're excited to be able to move this statewide and really provide clear and supportive paths for students to be able to earn their CSU degree."

Though the program will be effective Jan. 1, the first students to participate will be applicants for the fall 2027 semester. The CSU schools not on the list are some of the system's most highly competitive campuses: San Jose State, San Diego State, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Long Beach.

The way it works is that high school districts will automatically load students' data through a platform called College.edu, Grommo said. Then, high school seniors who meet the CSU's requirements will be notified that they are automatically admitted to the 16 participating CSU campuses. (The CSU lists the general requirements on its website.)

From there, students will need to fill out a few questions on the official CSU application and select which of the 16 campuses they want to formally apply to.

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"Let's just say they decide to apply to three campuses. They already know that they're admitted to 16, so they could pick three of those 16," Grommo said. "[Or] they could pick one of them and then maybe they apply to one of the campuses like San Diego State or San Jose or Long Beach, who is not participating in the program. But that's the student's choice."

There are some limitations, as some highly competitive majors may have additional admissions requirements, according to the CSU webpage. There is no enrollment cap for first-time freshmen at the 16 universities, but certain majors, such as nursing, may have a maximum, Grommo said.

Breanne Boyle, a college adviser at her own company, BB College Prep, and the past president of the Western Association for College Admission Counseling, told SFGATE that the program will be particularly beneficial for underserved students with limited resources.

She said the traditional application process, where students manually enter the high school classes they attended and the grades they received, can be a "barrier to entry" for students who feel they might not be accepted. She believes the program will encourage students who otherwise might not apply.

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"To me, that is amazing and excellent, because it's specifically helping students who will be the most likely to not fill out an application for all those reasons, right? So it's such an opportunity," she added.

The Direct Admissions Program was created through Senate Bill 640, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct 6. Sponsored by state Sen. Christopher Cabaldon, a Democrat who represents a swath of Northern California stretching from Sonoma County to Sacramento, SB 640 won unanimous approval from both houses of the Legislature.

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This article originally published at 16 CSUs are offering a direct admissions program to California high school students.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  A family is questioning what happened to their 18-year-old son while he was in the custody of the Oklahoma County Jail, which sent him to the hospital with a traumatic brain injury.

Antonio Hendricks spent 19 hours at the county jail; now hes in a coma fighting for his life while his family is still searching for answers.

Clovia Long, Hendricks mother, told News 4, My primary question is what happened to my son and who did it?

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According to court documents, Hendricks was pulled over for improper lane use near SE 44th and Sunnylane.

Oklahoma City police officers ended up arresting Hendricks after finding a gun in his waistband, and they say he didnt have a valid drivers license.

News 4 obtained the body cam footage from police, showing the moments officers took Hendricks into custody. In the footage, he appears to be walking and speaking normally.

El Reno officer hit by car and critically injured, driver arrested

Hendricks was taken to the county jail and booked at 7:15 pm on Oct. 10.

Long says the family paid Hendrickss bond that evening. The jail had told us that its they can have 24 to 48 hours to process him out, she said.

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The next time his mother saw him, he was in a coma.

Antonio is heavily sedated, placed in a coma. Um, hes doing better. They didnt find any more bleeds in the brain, but he still has a long way to go, Long said.

How he ended up with his injuries remains a mystery, but his family is desperate for answers.

The Oklahoma City Police Department says their records indicate Hendricks had no injuries or medical needs when they took him to jail.

The spokesman for the jail, Mark Opgrande, says Hendricks was officially released from their custody at 2:25 pm on Oct. 11.

Less than 30 minutes later, Hendricks was unresponsive in a hospital bed.

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I was told by the physicians here at St. Anthonys that Antonio was transported via EMSA and that it was the jail that called and released him to EMSA, Long said.

Jail officials have provided little information on the case, telling us, An individual who was recently booked into our facility was transported to the hospital upon release.

Opgrande says the jail is currently conducting an internal investigation.

Long says Hendricks family has been left in the dark. No mother wants to see their child lying in bed with tubes in their throat. My baby cant speak to me. As of right now, I cant even touch him. I cant kiss him because they dont want him agitated to cause him any further complications. So Im just stuck here. Im wondering, what may be my sons outcome?

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
A 19-year-old Rutgers University student is in critical condition after something happened at a fraternity house. The fraternity says if any hazing is involved there will be consequences.

People who live inside the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity house at Rutgers University spent Friday packing up their belongings and finding some place else to live following a city order.

Residents were also tight lipped about an investigation into what happened that left a teenager in the hospital.

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Officials with the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office say police rushed to a home on College Avenue in New Brunswick a little after midnight on Wednesday for an unresponsive 19-year-old student.

"There was like, five cop cars, like all around this place. There's two ambulances. Two stretchers going in and out of the house," said another student.

The 19-year-old was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in critical condition.

A source close to the investigation says the person someone came into contact with electricity, suffering a serious burn injury or shock.

While the university and police have not confirmed its hazing nor have they given specific details about who is involved In the investigation, the national chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi says it put the chapter on an interim suspension and is conducting its own investigation.

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A statement reads in part, "If it is determined by the Fraternity, the University or law enforcement that the undergraduate members hazed that evening, the chapter will be closed."

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DENVER (KDVR)  Two people are dead after a crash on U.S. 287 in Larimer County on Friday night that closed the highway, according to the Colorado State Patrol.

CSP said that troopers responded to the crash, involving a 2018 Honda Accord and a 1987 Chevrolet Suburban, at about 6:18 p.m. The agency also said that about three minutes before the crash, someone called 911 and reported the Honda as a possible drunk driver.

Rollover crash involving 8 vehicles closed eastbound Arapahoe Road in Aurora Friday

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The crash was located on U.S. 287 at Red Mountain Road, about 11 miles from the Wyoming state line and 18 miles north of Laporte.

CSP said that the Chevrolet had been traveling south on U.S. 287 at milepost 372 when the Honda traveled from the northbound lane into the southbound lane. The Chevrolets driver tried to avoid the crash and hit a guardrail before being hit head-on by the Honda.

Both vehicles were engulfed in flames and both drivers were trapped inside their vehicles, CSP reported. Their identities will be released by the Larimer County Coroners Office once both drivers next of kin have been identified.

By 6:36 p.m., CSP had closed the highway in both directions for the two-vehicle crash and was asking motorists to choose alternate routes and expect delays in the area.

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The agency also said that the investigation is still active and as of 7:40 p.m., it does not have an estimated time for the roadway to reopen. CSPs vehicular crimes unit is leading the investigation.

The area has proven deadly in the past as well: In February 2024, three University of Wyoming swimmers were killed in a single-vehicle crash.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
CHICAGO (WGN)  Two people were killed and three others were injured in a crash Friday night on the citys South Side.

Chicago police said the crash happened at around 9:30 p.m. in the 7500 block of South Vincennes Avenue, in Greater Grand Crossing.

According to police, a 37-year-old woman was driving west in a grey Buick sedan when she tried to make a left turn to go south but failed to yield at the intersection, crashing into a black Dodge that was traveling east.

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United Airlines jets collide on OHare tarmac

Police said the Dodge had five people inside: a 15-year-old girl, an 18-year-old woman, a 20-year-old man, a 25-year-old woman, and the driver, a 26-year-old man.

The 18-year-old woman, later identified by the Cook County Medical Examiners Office as April Valencia, and the 20-year-old man, later identified as Matthew Cuadra, were taken to University of Chicago Hospital, where they died.

Meanwhile, police say the 15-year-old girl, the 25-year-old woman and the 26-year-old driver suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

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A parked grey Mercedes sedan that was unoccupied was also hit as a result of the crash.

The woman who was driving the Buick was issued a citation for failure to yield during a left turn.

Detectives are continuing their investigation, and no other information was released.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
CHICAGO (WGN)  Chicago police are investigating after two women were critically injured in two shootings just a few blocks apart in Little Italy.

Police said the shootings happened at around 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11.

A 52-year-old woman was at a gathering in a backyard located in the 1300 block of West Washburne Avenue when two armed men approached and fired shots before running off. The woman was shot in the right leg and arm and was treated by CPD officers at the scene before paramedics with the Chicago Fire Department arrived and took over. The woman was later taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, according to investigators.

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Woman shot, killed while getting off private bus on South Side

While at the scene, police said the officers were notified of another person who had been shot in the 1300 block of West Hastings Street just a few blocks away.

The officers went to that address and found a 42-year-old woman who was hit in the buttocks by gunfire. Police said the woman was standing outside when she heard gunshots a couple of blocks away and felt pain.

It is unclear if the shootings are connected in any way.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

CFD paramedics arrived and tended to the woman before taking her Stroger Hospital in critical condition.

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No arrests have been made and Area Three Detectives are investigating.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Three culinary arts students at El Paso Community College received scholarships from The Womans Department of the El Paso Chamber of Commerce.

The 100-year-old organization is dedicated to spurring community involvement and leadership in women.

Members of the Womens Department of the El Paso Chamber pose with EPCC culinary scholarship recipients Thursday.

Celia Morales, left, Sandra Miller, center, and Linda Lugo with Jesus Lugo, Culinary Program Coordinator Thursday.

EPCC Culinary Arts students Linda Lugo, Celia Morales, and Sandra Miller were awarded $1,000 scholarships each by the Womans Department.

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We do try to support our community as much as we can, Womans Department of the El Paso Chamber Chairman Director Jackie Morgan Tomko said. We donated lots of silver trays to the Culinary Arts department as well, so we just love supporting this program.

Its a huge blessing for me, Ive been through a lot of hardships in my life, a lot of ups and downs to get here, EPCC Culinary Arts student Linda Lugo said. And being in this program has definitely put me exactly where I feel I need to be, and more than anything else, Im grateful, humble and also very much blessed for this scholarship.

The Womans Department of the El Paso Chamber of Commerce is a long-standing civic and community organization, founded in 1924, that focuses on community involvement and leadership for women. It is a historic organization that works to promote womens involvement in civic duty, business, and the community through various events and initiatives.

For more on the El Paso Culinary Arts Program, click here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Pallet after pallet of pork is was being unloaded at Feeding South Dakota in Sioux Falls Friday morning.

All the boxes add up to about 35,000 pounds of hams.

Each ham is about 17-20 pounds.

What you can find at the KELOLAND Living Arts and Crafts Show

Feeding South Dakota Chief Development Officer, Megan Kjose, says the donation comes at a wonderful time.

Were just so thrilled, Kjose said.

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Earlier this year, Feeding South Dakota lost 1.5 million pounds of food previously funded by the USDA.

Donations like this are so incredible so we can continue and sustain this work, Kjose said.

The nonprofit has also seen a downturn in food donations.

This gift of tens of thousands of pounds of pork comes from the South Dakota Farmers Union.

With grocery prices the way they are right now, it is making it more difficult to feed the families, so thats what were hoping this will help us do, South Dakota Farmers Union Executive Director Karla Hofhenke said.

This food will be distributed to Feeding South Dakotas partner agencies such as pantries and hot meal sites.

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We want to turn them quickly and make sure that, especially now, whether folks are looking at, Are we looking to pay rent or grocery bills, medicine or grocery bills, that these are getting in the hands of those that need it most, Kjose said.

For ways to find food in your area, click here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
UPDATE: As of 3:54 p.m. on Saturday, Caltrans announced on social media that Interstate 5 has reopened following a military event that took place at Camp Pendleton earlier in the day.

A part of the 5 Freeway was shut down for an event at Camp Pendleton being attended by Vice President JD Vance on Saturday, despite reports earlier this week indicating it wouldnt be closed.

California Highway Patrol officials announced Saturday morning at 6 a.m. that the closure would be in effect from Basilone Road  an off-ramp that accesses Camp Pendleton  and Harbor Drive in Oceanside.

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The event is a military celebration marking the United States Marine Corps 250th birthday. Included in the festivities is a live-fire amphibious capabilities demonstration at Red Beach, according to a USMC media statement. Vice President Vance is also slated to speak.

The capabilities demonstration will feature integrated Navy and Marine Corps operations across air, land and sea, the statement reads.

The statement also indicated no public highways or transportation routes [would be] closed, but Caltrans told KTLA on Thursday that they were informed of a potential plan to close the freeway despite their cautioning against it.

The department of transportation issued a statement just before 8 a.m. Saturday clarifying details on the shutdown.

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Due to safety concerns, a section of Interstate 5 will be closed Saturday due to a White House-directed military event at Camp Pendleton involving live ammunition being discharged over the freeway, Caltrans said. Because of the event and closure, drivers should expect delays on Interstate 5 and other state routes throughout Southern California before, during and after the event.

In addition to the freeway, local train services will also be impacted by the celebration.

Caltrans provided the following detour routes for drivers who need to get through the area:

San Diego County: Drivers needing to go north through San Diego County will have to take State Route 15 . Those west of SR-15 along the 5 Freeway corridor are advised to use State Route 94, State Route 52, State Route 56 or State Route 78 to the northbound 15 Freeway

L.A. County: Drivers needing to go north from San Diego County to L.A. County are advised to take the northbound 15 Freeway to westbound State Route 91 . Drivers going south from L.A. County to San Diego County should take eastbound State Route 91 to the southbound 15 Freeway

Orange County: To get to O.C. from San Diego County, drivers should take the northbound 15 Freeway to westbound State Route 91 and then southbound State Route 55 . Need to go the other way? Take northbound State Route 55 to eastbound State Route 91 to the southbound 15 Freeway

Riverside County: Travelers to and from RivCo are advised to take the 15 Freeway and State Route 91

FILE  The entrance to Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton is seen on Sept. 22, 2015, in Oceanside, Calif.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom was quick to criticize federal leaders for their decision to shut down the critical stretch of 5 Freeway between Orange County and North San Diego County, calling the event a vanity parade in a social media post on Wednesday.

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PUT ASIDE YOUR VANITY PARADE AND PAY OUR TROOPS INSTEAD, he said.

Late Friday night, he doubled down on the criticism.

This is a profoundly absurd show of force that could put Californians directly in harms way, Newsom said of the plan to fire live artillery over the freeway. Flying live rounds over a busy highway without coordination between state, federal, and local partners isnt just wrong  its dangerous.

The event will take place as thousands are expected to gather for No Kings rallies across the country, including in Southern California.

Man with blowtorch, gasoline allegedly tries to set fire to O.C. McDonalds

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JD Vance has several ties to the Marine Corps and the San Diego area, as he served as a combat correspondent in the Marines for four years and was deployed to Iraq. In addition, Vances wife, Usha, grew up in the community of Rancho Penasquitos, and her family is deep rooted in the San Diego academic community; her mother, Lakshmi Chilukuri, is the provost of Sixth College at the University of California-San Diego while her father, Krish Chilukuri, is an aerospace engineer and lecturer at San Diego State University.

Camp Pendleton is one of the Marine Corps most important training bases, having trained hundreds of thousands of Marines since its establishment in 1942. The base remains a vital hub for amphibious and expeditionary training and operations.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  A section of Interstate 5 will be temporarily closed Saturday afternoon due to a controversial live-fire military demonstration at Camp Pendleton, prompting some concerns from state officials over public safety.

The FOX 5/KUSI video above explains why Vice President Vance is visiting Camp Pendleton in October 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom issued a sharp statement Saturday morning, blasting the federal governments decision to move forward with the event, which involves live artillery fire in close proximity to the heavily trafficked I-5 freeway.

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The President is putting his ego over responsibility with this disregard for public safety, said Newsom. Firing live rounds over a busy highway isnt just wrong  its dangerous.

JD Vances ties to San Diego explained ahead of Camp Pendleton visit

The state was first alerted to the planned event between Oct. 17-18, which includes live-fire exercises near I-5 and even signage warning drivers of: Overhead fire in progress. According to officials, a practice round was observed Friday by state personnel near the freeway. Early Saturday morning, the federal government confirmed that live fire activity is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, according to the governor.

As a result, the California Highway Patrol has ordered a temporary closure of a section of I-5 near Camp Pendleton during the exercise, citing extreme life safety risk and the potential for dangerous driver distraction due to unexpected loud explosions.

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In addition to the freeway closure, train service between Orange and San Diego counties has also been canceled for Saturday, following federal direction.

The I-5 freeway is a critical economic corridor for Southern California, with thousands of travelers daily. Drivers are being urged to avoid the area, plan alternate routes, and expect delays on I-5 and surrounding highways throughout Saturday.

The live-fire military demonstration is part of a celebration marking the Marine Corps 250th Anniversary, an event that will be attended by Vice President JD Vance.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Two people are facing charges after dozens of dogs were rescued from a Georgia home.

Kenneth Mark Berrin and Debra Jo Green were arrested earlier this week after Bulloch County deputies searched their Statesboro home.

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WJCL reported that deputies rescued 50 dogs from the home. One of the dogs had died and several others had been injured.

Investigators say the homes flooring was covered in feces, and the animals were living in unsanitary and unsafe conditions.

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Berrin and Green were both arrested and charged with cruelty to animals. The district attorneys office will determine the number of charges each of them will face.

Several of the dogs are being transported to the Atlanta Humane Society for treatment.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalized over 600 new citizens in El Paso, including those who are serving in the military.

The naturalization ceremony was held on Thursday, Oct. 16, at the El Paso County Coliseum, located at 4100 E. Paisano Dr.

During the service, some individuals were acknowledged, including the oldest recipients of citizenship and five members of the U.S. military.

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Small U.S. flags were waved through the crowd during the singing of America the Beautiful after officially being pronounced as citizens of the United States.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
For decades, the colossal Taftan volcano of eastern Iran appeared a lifeless piece of history. It towered nearly 13,000 feet above the desert landscape, standing proud and still. But in 2023, something remarkable did happenits summit started rising. Over a span of ten months, satellite imagery showed the summit had risen some 3.5 inches, and it hasnt returned since.

Scientists say this bulge, seen from July 2023 to May 2024, is a clear sign that Taftan is not extinct after all. It may even be on the way to drawing breath again.

A Subtle Signal from the Depths

The finding was reported by a team led by volcanologist Pablo Gonzalez at Spains Institute of Natural Products and Agrobiology (IPNA-CSIC). Using data from the European Space Agencys Sentinel-1 satellite, Gonzalez and PhD student Mohammadhossein Mohammadnia spotted the slow risea change subtle enough to go unnoticed by the naked eye but powerful enough to change the volcanos summit.

A simplified geological map of Taftan volcano indicating the active summit fumarole areas highlighted as irregular red polygons. (CREDIT: Geophysical Research Letters)

Their study, which appeared in Geophysical Research Letters, found that the movement was not from rainfall or earthquakes. Instead, the movement originated deep within the volcano, somewhere between 1,600 and 2,000 feet beneath the summit. That is where gases and hot fluids are apparently building pressure within the hydrothermal system of the volcano, or maybe a small bubble of magma has migrated upward.

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It must let it out somehow someday, either explosively or silently, Gonzalez said in an interview with Live Science. He emphasized theres no indication of an imminent eruption but Taftan needs more attention.

The Volcano That Wouldnt Sleep

Volcanoes are considered extinct if they have not erupted during the Holocene erathe last 11,700 years. Taftan was once considered to fall into that bracket, its last recorded eruption dating back more than 700,000 years. But new signs suggest otherwise.

People began to experience sulfurous odors and smoky fog rising from the crater since 2023. The gas smell was reported as so strong that it reached the city of Khash, which is about 50 kilometers away. These events prompted researchers to look at satellite images once again and to confirm the ground deformation.

(a, b) Velocity maps showing vertical and horizontal displacement from InSAR, (c) Taftan volcano magmatic system idealization. Black arrows indicate displacement rates along the XX topographic profile. (CREDIT: Geophysical Research Letters)

Taftans summit is punctuated with fumarolesgas vents releasing substances like water vapor, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide. Sulfur dioxide release of approximately 20 tons daily was recorded by the team during the uplift stage, a remarkable increase which points towards higher pressure underground. Two additional intense gas bursts on 16 and 28 May 2024 suggested an additional increase in the internal plumbing system of the volcano.

Capturing the Grounds Secret Movement

High-precision monitoring of such slow and small movements requires a great deal of accuracy. Scientists used a new analytical approach called a common-mode filter, cancelling out noise in the atmosphere to provide cleaner satellite readings. By using this technique on Sentinel-1 radar data, they were able to detect surface motions of a couple of millimeters.

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Over over ten months, the ground directly beneath Taftans summit bulged upwards as the flanks sloped gently outwardtypical behavior for gas or hot fluid injection beneath. What was unusual in this finding is that uplift has not tapered off. While such episodes persist for only a brief period and ease within weeks, this one continues unremittingly, implying sustained pressurizing.

Previous research employing similar techniques had similarly witnessed a fleeting summit bulge at Taftan years agoa phenomenon that grew approximately 4 centimeters high and did not last longer than a few weeks before it dissipated. The newly developed, sustained deformation indicates the volcanos underlying systems are in no way stable.

Spatio-temporal deformation at Taftan volcano. Ascending and descending velocity maps (July 2023June 2024) highlight fumarole areas in black, showing deformation (a, b), Yang model predictions (c, d), and residuals (e, f). (CREDIT: Geophysical Research Letters)

A Living Volcano Above a Shifting Earth

Taftan sits on top of the Makran subduction zone, where the Arabian Plate is sliding beneath the Eurasian Plate. This slow collision, grinding, drives volcanism and earthquakes in Iran and southern Pakistan. Burial of oceanic crust allows release of fluids that melt the mantle above, forming magma feeding volcanoes like Taftan.

Even if magma doesnt come to the surface, heat flow and movement of gases can reshape the landscape above. Our results indicate that Taftan is more active than it was previously believed to be, wrote the study authors. The event, they continue, serves to call into question the entire Makran volcanic arc, where other peaks may quietly be active as well.

A Wake-Up Call for Monitoring

Differing from better-known US or Japanese volcanoes, Taftan lacks any ground-based monitoring equipment or an observatory. Remoteness of the region, mountainous landscape, and security concerns make fieldwork challenging. Hence, satellite technology has been such a valuable resource.

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Satellite radar gives us eyes where its too hazardous or out of reach to go, Gonzalez said. By cross-referencing repeat photos from different orbits, scientists can see when the ground is moving upward, downward, or tiltingmost of the time before they can see it with their eyes..

Gonzalez made it clear the objective is not to alarm local populations but to encourage investment in regional surveillance networks. This study doesnt want to create alarm for the people, he said. Its an alarm for local authorities to invest some money to explore this.

Time series analysis of volcanic deformation at three locations: eastern flank (a), summit (b), and western flank (c), following the application of a Common Mode Filtering. (CREDIT: Geophysical Research Letters)

Understanding Taftans Risks

For the time being, Taftan does not pose an imminent threat, but its revival cant be dismissed. If tension keeps mounting, the volcano might one day unleash that energymaybe in the form of minor steam-powered explosions or larger blasts.

Local communities such as Khash in Iran and Pakistan border town Taftan can have ashfall, poor air, or contaminated water if that happens. More explosive eruptions would jeopardize crops and buildings by lava or pyroclastic flows.

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However, most scientists see todays exercise as a healthy reminder that Earths systems are vital and in constant flux. A volcano might lie dormant for centuries and then grumble softly beneath the ground before anybody knows anything about it.

Practical Implications of the Research

The Taftan results demonstrate the power of satellite radar in observing volcanoes around the worldespecially where there is little or no ground monitoring. Remote sensing can detect subtle ground movements long before they are apparent, providing advance warning of ground movement.

By making these methods more precise, scientists can make more accurate predictions of when volcanoes will stir, which could save lives and assets. The research also overturns long-held assumptions about what volcanoes are extinct. Taftans gradual uplift makes us remember that extinct doesnt always equal sleeping.

More broadly, the research improves global efforts to chart hidden geothermal systems, which could in the future be employed to generate clean energy. Watching how fluids and heat travel beneath the surface also improves understanding of earthquakes, mountain construction, and the inner workings of the Earth.

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Research findings are available online in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

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Rios Pacheco felt compelled to talk about the importance of water after leading a Native American ceremony to dedicate Liberty Parks Seven Canyon Refuge in Salt Lake City.

We need to let our children know water doesnt come from the tap, said Pacheco, a member of Utahs Northwestern Band of Shoshone. Water isnt something that is just given to us.

Thats essentially the message of the new park feature, which transforms the old Seven Canyons Fountain into a thought-provoking representation of the Salt Lake Valleys water system rather than a physical representation of it.

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Salt Lake City unveiled the reimagined art feature on Thursday, five years after allocating a little more than $850,000 in capital improvement funds toward a new use for the old fountain. The new feature seeks to be a gathering place, teaching space and an area for residents to think about how water shapes lives, said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall.

It may not be an outright fountain anymore, but still flows with light and sound and touch, she said. Its a place that asks us to think about water  not as something that we use, but as something that we are connected to and that we cannot live without.

Reimagining the fountain

The Seven Canyons Fountain was a gift to the city from O.C. Tanner Company, which donated it in 1993. It replicated the seven creeks that flow into the Salt Lake Valley from the canyons east of it. While it was a popular splash pad, the city was forced to shut off the water in 2017 amid health and safety concerns brought up by the county.

City officials determined that it would cost millions of dollars to repair, and it would have also consumed tens of thousands of gallons of water daily, Mendenhall explained. Yet, given the features popularity, the city decided in 2023 that it would be replaced with a dry art feature, with one of the pieces original artists, Stephen Goldsmith, hired alongside the landscape architecture firm ArcSitio to reimagine it into something new.

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The new piece aimed to provide a new lens that addresses sustainability, creativity and stewardship, says Kim Shelley, director of the Salt Lake City Department of Parks and Public Lands. It highlights the need to conserve water and other water challenges that have emerged across the West since the fountain debuted.

Utah and others in the region have suffered through a series of droughts since 2000, referred to as a megadrought. Researchers determined that the regional drought is the worst in 1,200 years. Thats led to concerns about water supply, while bodies of water like the Great Salt Lake dipped to an all-time low level in 2022.

Whats new

New elements were installed to add different ways for people to engage with it. Those who attended Thursdays ceremony were given filled water bottles to pour into a new shishi-odoshi system, which is a Japanese rock water fountain feature that helps replicate how precipitation fills the countys creeks. The dry creeks lead to a spiral at the northwestern edge of the piece that represents the Great Salt Lake.

A person pours water into a shishi-odoshi Japanese rock water fountain feature included in Liberty Park's Seven Canyon Refuge on Thursday. | Carter Williams, KSL.com

Cast bronze repairs, which city officials say are inspired by the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery, were included to evoke resilience and healing, according to the city.

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More than a dozen bronze people perches are also scattered throughout the area with QR codes that lead people to the bird calls of native birds, along with a sonogram of that bird call etched into the piece. It seeks to celebrate the over 180 bird species that one may find in the park, in addition to the Tracy Aviary inside the park, said Felicia Baca, director of the Salt Lake City Arts Council.

A sonogram of a spotted sandpiper bird call is etched into a bronze "people perch" within the Liberty Park's Seven Canyon Refuge. | Carter Williams, KSL.com

Some of the citys history is also included, as a depiction of Salt Lake Citys historic streetcar lines  originally powered by creek water  is included as a symbol of the connection between transportation and hydrology in recent times.

There are also granite tiles with Indigenous imagery etched in that celebrate the areas long Native American history, while the Native American names of the seven creeks were also added.

These features ask us to think about what kind of repairs do we want to make with other places, with the environment and people  and even ourselves, Baca said. This project really exemplifies what can emerge when we combine public art, environmental education and equity-driven design.
MAGA Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has issued a stark warning to President Donald Trump amid their high-profile divorce. The Georgia Republican told CBS News that she is starting to feel very sorry for the 79-year-old, saying that his attacks on her reflect poorly on him. The great schism began when Greene, 50, broke with him on the cost-of-living crisis, which Trump insists is a hoax, and the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)  An MTA subway conductor is being honored for taking action after noticing a teenager on an A train with a gun in his waistband on Oct. 10.

The conductor mentioned that he was off-duty but wearing his MTA uniform as he was heading home in the morning.

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Two guys got on, they were rolling up weed, the conductor told PIX11 News.

Another man wearing a ski mask got on the train, at which point the two men started throwing gang signs, he recalled.

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The conductor continued to monitor the situation, at which point he noticed a gun. He said he looked around the subway platforms at 59th Street for help. I know thats a police station hub. Im looking and no police. We get to Times Square, no police.

The train arrived at the 34th Street station, where the conductor said he was getting off. He said thats when he found police officers across the platform and indicated to the conductor to stop the train.

Thats when an NYPD lieutenant approached the two men and asked them to get off the train. One took off running. The 17-year-old with the gun allegedly put up a fight.

He was resisting; he didnt want to go to jail at that point. He kept reaching inside his waistband trying to get his gun, the conductor told PIX11 News.

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The conductor assisted the officer, telling PIX11 News he grabbed the teenagers hand and told him not to fight back. He gave his hands up, and the officer was able to put him in cuffs.

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I was nervous. Ive never been in a situation like that before. I was just trying to get home to my kids. I was really shaken, but I knew I was doing the right thing because a lot of people could have gotten hurt on that train.

NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow sent PIX11 News the following statement:

Transit workers are out there every day making sure riders get to their destination safely and efficiently, and we value their service and dedication. We applaud the quick actions of this conductor who went above and beyond to alert police and protect others on board.

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Police say the teen had a criminal record, including violent crime.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Approximately 8,000 people participated in Nashville's No Kings protest of Trump administration policies on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) Photograph by John Partipilo/ Tennessee Lookout 2025

Thousands of Tennesseans rallied, marched and protested Trump administration policies in more than 33 Tennessee towns and cities representing all three of the states grand division, including Memphis, where National Guard troops and agents from a federal task force have descended on the city.

The events were part of Saturdays national No Kings day of protest, the second since President Donald Trump took office in January. A coalition of progressive and labor groups organizing the national day of action say the demonstrations are in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration, which they have doubled down on since June.

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In Chattanooga, the crowd size was estimated at around 3,000 and in Nashville, at 8,000, but protests werent limited to Tennessees large cities, as small towns like Tazewell and Pikeville in East Tennessee and Union City in West Tennessee held events.

Grandson of immigrants worries about economy, due process

Mike Ondek of Nashville wore an inflatable chicken suit to attend the capital citys protest, held on the grounds of the Tennessee Capitol. His parents immigrated to the U.S. from Slovakia and he said hes concerned about the Trump administrations immigration policies, deployment of National Guard troops to U.S. cities and a lack of due process for those being deported.

But the economy was also on his mind.

I dont like whats going on and Im supposed to be retiring this year and I have no idea whats going on with Medicaid, the economy, Ondek said. I lost so much last time the economy tanked with my 401(k) and built it back up but theres so much uncertainty.

Mike Ondek of Nashville says he has concerns about a Trump economy. (Photo: Anita Wadhwani/Tennesee Lookout)

Immigrant ancestors, fears for the future spur Nashville turnout

Many attendees of the Nashville No Kings event said they were motivated to protest by their fears of fascism, referring to ancestors who fought for the U.S. and worries about the world their children and grandchildren will inherit.

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John Kelty, 65, of Nashville said he is haunted by the ghost of an ancestor, also named John Kelty, who fought with George Washington during the Revolutionary War.

Its a lot easier to start this up now than for our grandchildren to have to face this when they grow up, Kelty said, noting he also had seven uncles who fought against fascist regimes in World War II. We are at the beginning of a fascist takeover.

Friends Mike Minggia and Crow Lee Belcher expressed similar sentiments.

Iris Spragens, 7, with her parents and sister, said she wishes Dolly Parton were president. (Photo: Anita Wadhwani/Tennessee Lookout)

(Republicans) love to say our country is divided, said Belcher, a U.S. Army veteran and artist This administration is doing everything it can to divide us. Theyre not hiding their intentions, so were not going to hide either.

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The three branches of government arent working, Minggia said, adding that he fears the U.S. is heading towards fascism. The Republican government has capitulated to what Donald Trump wants.

Claire Meneely and John Spragens attended the event with their daughter, Iris, 7, who held a sign featuring icon Dolly Parton.

We dont want Trump to be king because he can be mean to a lot of immigrants and he kicks out a lot of immigrants, said Iris, who said she wished Parton were president. I think (Parton) would make this a better place.

Retired physician Clay MacConnell, who attended with his wife, Wendy, said he is deeply concerned about Trumps cuts to the nations science and health care infrastructure, including the Centers for Disease Control.

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Im here for our grandchildren to protect their future, because the way its going, Im scared, MacConnell said. Im scared the education that my grandchildren are getting wont be the real history.

Wendy MacConnell had thoughts about the Trump administrations portrayal of No Kings day.

Theyre trying to whitewash this to make it seem like America doesnt want this  but look around, look around at all these people, she said.

Tennessee Highway Patrol arrests 71-year-old protester in Monroe County

An East Tennessee woman was arrested Saturday during a No Kings protest and booked into the Monroe County Justice Center.

Anna M. Grabowski, 71, of Ten Mile, was charged with obstructing a highway/passage and failure to obey a law enforcement officer, a Monroe County Sheriffs deputy confirmed. Bond was set at $5,000: friends and supporters of Grabowski raised money to pay her bond and she was released from jail at 6:30 p.m.

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Wesley Kile, one of the approximately 40 people participating in the No Kings protest, said he, Grabowski and two other people were protesting at the same location  on the shoulder of the road adjacent to a bridge  earlier in the month and were told by a Highway Patrol officer, a Monroe County Sheriffs deputy and a Sweetwater police officer they were allowed to be there.

Anna M. Grabowski, embraced by a friend after her release from the Monroe County Justice Center. (Photo: Wesley Kile)

Grabowski ran as a Democrat for the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2024 and 2016, losing both times to incumbent Republican Rep. Dan Howell of Cleveland.

No other arrests have been reported from the 33 No Kings events across the state.

In Memphis, a peaceful protest as federal task force continues to make arrests

One day after Shelby County officials, including Mayor Lee Harris, and state lawmakers from Memphis filed suit against Gov. Bill Lee over what they allege is unconstitutional deployment of Tennessee National Guard troops to Memphis, an estimated 7,000 gathered at Poplar and Highland Park.

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Memphis has become a focus of Trump administration law enforcement activities and is one of three cities in the nation  Chicago and Portland are the others  with National Guard troops deployed to allegedly deter crime.

Memphis protesters held American flags as well as more traditional protest signs. (Photo: Karen Pulfer Focht/Tennessee Lookout)

A woman with gray hair and a young girl hold up signs.

Amid an occupation by a federal law enforcement task force, Memphis and Shelby County residents protested actions by the Trump administration. (Photo: Karen Pulfer Focht/Tennessee Lookout)

Three women hold signs.

A group of women were among the approximately 7,000 protesters at Memphis's No Kings event. (Photo: Karen Pulfer Focht for Tennessee Lookout)

Thousands packed into a Midtown Memphis park on Oct. 18, 2025, as part of nationwide protests. (Photo: Karen Pulfer Focht for Tennessee Lookout)

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Fight for the Constitution, inflatable costumes and singing in Nashville

A spirit of joyful resistance permeated Nashvilles No Kings event, which drew thousands to the lawn of the Tennessee Capitol.

Taking a page from Portland, Oregon protesters who have gone viral for their inflatable costumes, dozens attending the Nashville rally dressed as unicorns, frogs, bees and chickens. After listening to speakers, the crowd went on the move, marching down nearby Bicentennial Mall to Jefferson Street, singing and chanting.

Luke Holly holds aloft a protest sign outside the Tennessee Capitol on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

"I think everybody's (at the protest) out to fight for the Constitution," said Crow Lee Belcher, right, with Mike Minggia. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

Wendy MacConnell, second from right, with her husband, Dr. Clay MacConnell. "Trump is making so that being mean is acceptable," said Wendy MacConnell. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

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Around 7,000 people were estimated to have attended the Nashville No Kings event. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) Photograph by John Partipilo/ Tennessee Lookout 2025

Peggy Zukas, with sign, and three friends who took a page from Portland, Oregon protesters who have gone viral for wearing inflatable suits. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

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A group of activists on Saturday occupied the iconic Bierpinsel tower in western Berlin, which has stood vacant for years, to protest against empty properties and property speculation in the German capital.

Police reports said several people had illegally entered the Bierpinsel, a red futuristic tower in the Steglitz district of Berlin, using force. Police had to use special tools to gain entry as the activists had restricted access to the tower.

"We arrested a total of 15 masked individuals in and around the building," the police wrote on X in the evening. Identifying the offenders took some time because some of the activists had stuck tape over their fingertips.

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By the evening, the police had cleared the area and the owner had secured the building.

The Bierpinsel, built in the 1970s, is a round block which stands almost 50 metres high on top of a tower.

When designing the building, architects Ralf Schuler and Ursulina Schuler-Witte - who are known for other futuristic creations including Berlin's ICC conference centre - wanted the building to recall a tree.

However, with its round form, it reminded Berliners of a shaving brush, earning it the nickname Bierpinsel, which literally translates as beer brush in a nod to the building's use as a bar.

At various points, the Bierpinsel, a listed building since 2017, has also housed restaurants, cafes and even a disco. But it has stood empty and unused for many years.

'Bierpinsel for everyone'

The activists distributed leaflets reading "Bierpinsel for everyone," and called for the building to have a communal use.

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In a statement, the organizers said the occupation was intended to end property speculation around the building and push authorities to instead create a community centre.

The group said a collective was willing to realize these plans.
DENVER (KDVR)  Theres a new scam in town, and this time, its focused on Adams County residents and the development of a new solar installation near Byers.

The Adams County Sheriffs Office said Friday that individuals are impersonating representatives of Silicon Ranch, an independent power producer and renewable energy company, which is building a 150-megawatt solar farm about 10 miles northeast of Byers in Adams County.

What is jugging? Police in Colorado say this crime trend is on the rise

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The sheriffs office said that the scammers are attempting to collect residents personal information and are requesting payments related to the solar energy project. The agency said that residents should be aware that:

Silicon Ranch is the sole owner and developer of the solar farm property

No other consultants or renewable energy companies are involved

There are no third parties authorized to request payments, contract work or collect personal information for this project

There are no active construction activities at the Silicon Ranch Byers property

If you are contacted by someone claiming to be a Silicon Ranch representative or a Silicon Ranch Byers project representative who asks for money, documents or contracting arrangements, the sheriffs office says you should not engage and immediately report the matter to the Adams County Sheriffs Office.

Silicon Ranch has reported this matter to local law enforcement and the FBI to protect our community and the integrity of the project, the sheriffs office said on Facebook.

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Questions or requests to confirm communications can be directed to Silicon Ranch at hanna.nordin@siliconranch.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Advocates worry about lack of special education oversight after federal firings

AUSTIN (Nexstar)  Advocates and former education officials are concerned about the future of special education in Texas following a Trump administration decision to cut staff in the special education office of the Department of Education.

The firings happened last week amid the government shutdown, but a federal judge has temporarily blocked the layoffs as a court battle between unions and the federal government ensues.

Margaret Spellings, the former secretary of education in the George W. Bush administration, said the development is very worrisome for states that rely on federal colleagues to help them comply with federal law and better serve kids with special needs.

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I think its really sad and disappointing for students all across this country, Spellings said. She described the Office of Special Education Programs within the DOE as the last line of defense for special education parents. The office helps administer funds to state education agencies and acts as a watchdog for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The federal law requires a free, appropriate public education for all students regardless of their disability. Spellings estimates 14% of the student population in Texas is diagnosed as special education.

The DOE had to intervene in Texas in 2018 after an investigation found the Texas Education Agency (TEA) had unofficially set a cap on the percentage of students in special education programs, incentivizing school districts for denying services to kids who should have been eligible for them.

Steven Aleman, the senior policy specialist for Disability Rights Texas, said the corrective action helped the state improve its diagnosis of students in special education. However, Aleman adds, its always important to have that federal watchdog there available to us if theres ever any slippage or regression.

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The TEA also has a specialized office within the agency responsible for meeting the requirements under the IDEA. Parents can report special education complaints with the TEA if they believe there is a violation in state or federal law, but Aleman wonders if the agency will have the capacity to take on the oversight role solely without as much federal support.

We, of course, do have confidence that the Texas Education Agency does want to do the right thing, Aleman explained. The question now is will they have the capacity and ability if theres more pressure on them because of the reductions at the federal level.

Nexstar reached out to the TEA with questions about its staff dedicated to special education and if it has been given any guidance from the federal level about how to proceed following the cuts. A spokesperson said it is working on our request.

Aleman also questions what will happen with the federal funding aspect of the program.

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There is a requirement that the state submit an application for that money so if theres no one there at the Department of Education to receive that application to approve it, then that complicates, of course, the federal aid, Aleman said.

Current Secretary of Education Linda McMahon took to social media this week to quell any concerns about the recent layoffs.

Two weeks in, millions of American students are still going to school, teachers are getting paid, and schools are operating as normal. It confirms what the President has said: the federal Department of Education is unnecessary, and we should return education to the states, McMahon wrote on her X account. She went on to say that no funding was impacted by the latest cuts.

Gloria Rodriguez personally understands the importance of an oversight when it comes to special education. Her 12-year-old daughter is diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy, known as Dravet syndrome, that is characterized by multiple forms of seizures per day.

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Rodriguez said her daughter is non-verbal and has cognitive delays. She will need care and help for all of her activities of daily living for the rest of her life, she explained.

When it was time for her daughter to start elementary school at a district with more than 47,000 students, Rodriguez said diagnosticians came to the home to perform testing. She did not do well, Rodriguez explained. It was determined that her daughter would be safest if she were homebound due to the number of seizures and hospital visits she was having.

So back in the early days, my primary focus was her health and I didnt think a whole lot about what the schools decisions were, Rodriguez explained. In the beginning, she says the district told her it did not have the funding to hire an aide who could provide physical therapy services at the campus. Instead, a teacher would come to her house twice a week for two hours a day to work with her daughter. A speech therapist would also come for 30 minutes every month, Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez admits early on in her childs education career, she was not informed on the rights she and her daughter had. But when she started reading more pamphlets the school passed out, Rodriguez discovered she did have the right to have her daughter tested to see if she needed additional services. After spending some of her own money to get testing done, it was determined her daughter needed more services, but again, she says the school district told her there was not enough funding to meet those needs.

Gloria Rodriguezs daughter in her home (Photo courtesy: Gloria Rodriguez).

It was not until Rodriguez said she went directly to the school board did she actually see results. She said a school employee pulled her to the side following her action and told her eight other students were now getting the same services that her daughter needed and was not getting.

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So there was a gap in communication somewhere between school staff, the superintendents offices, and the school board, because the school board had no idea that this was even a problem, Rodriguez explained.

Now her daughter, who is in the seventh grade, spends three days at home and now gets to be on campus the other two days to work on her physical and occupational therapy. She is worried the federal cuts could lead to more stories like hers.

Its so important that parents be educated on their rights, and we need someone to help us do that, Rodriguez said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Oct. 18The Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce has hired a new executive director with almost two decades of leadership in communications, digital marketing, media production and business development.

Valerie Lockhart started in the position Oct. 6 and has already jumped into the role with both feet as she prepares for the organization's annual meeting on Tuesday.

Lockhart said she is excited to bring her background in communications, technology and training to the chamber.

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"My goal is to make sure our members receive real, measurable value, whether that's through marketing support, educational opportunities or new ways to connect and collaborate. I'm looking forward to visiting businesses across Freeborn County to learn what support they are needing most."

Lockhart moved to Hartland 2 1/2 years ago after living in Minneapolis her whole life.

"I was really looking for a change of pace," she said. "It's so nice to be in a place where people are friendly, it's quiet, there's so much beautiful nature. I just fell in love with this area."

Lockhart has a background in small business and in supporting businesses and entrepreneurs.

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"When I moved to town and saw this opportunity come up, it felt like a really good fit," she said. "It hits on all my passions."

She said for the last 12 years she has led nonprofit MN Women in Tech and has also spent 10 years leading the nonprofit MN Tech Network. She also teaches digital communications and AI courses for the University of Minnesota, helping professionals adapt to today's fast-evolving digital landscape.

Fifteen years ago she started her own company called Ninja Media, a marketing firm that helps entrepreneurs and nonprofits tell their stories via video, the web and social media.

In her new position for two weeks, she said she and the board are looking at how they can build new engagement for members and make sure the value of the chamber is what it needs to be.

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"The most important thing to me is I'm excited to meet people and connect with them," she said. "If there's things businesses need that they're not getting, if there's advocacy stuff we can do, that's the kind of stuff I can dig into or that we want to know about."

In addition, with how things are changing every day in business, she wants the chamber to be a source of information and support for business owners. She gave the example of being able to educate businesses on the new Minnesota Paid Leave law that goes into effect in January.

Lockhart joins new administrative assistant Belinda Alkula, who moved to Albert Lea with her husband last December from Colorado. Alkula said in the 27 years she has been married, she and her husband moved 17 times.

"Every time we moved, one of the first things we did was join the chamber of commerce, so we could quickly connect to our new hometown," said Alkula, who started in her role in early September.

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She said she considers it a privilege to work at the chamber and is happy to use her administrative skills to do what she can to help area businesses thrive.

The women will formally introduce themselves at the chamber banquet Tuesday night at Wedgewood Cove.

"I believe in the power of local business," Lockhart said. "Our entrepreneurs and employers are the heartbeat of this community. The chamber's role is to champion their success, and we're ready to do just that."
By Asif Shahzad

KABUL/ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -A high-level delegation from Afghanistan left for peace talks with Pakistan on Saturday in Doha, an Afghan government spokesperson said, after the countries extended a ceasefire to their fierce border clashes.

"As promised, negotiations with the Pakistani side will take place today in Doha," Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement, adding that the Kabul team was led by Defence Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob.

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A Pakistani delegation was already in the Qatari capital on Friday for the talks and was to be joined by more senior officials, three government and security officials told Reuters.

The government in Islamabad has not confirmed its participation in the talks. Pakistan's defence and foreign ministries did not respond to requests for a comment.

Pakistan and Afghanistan on Friday extended the 48-hour truce for the duration of the Doha talks, sources said, as they seek to resolve the clashes that killed dozens and wounded hundreds over the past week in the worst violence between the two South Asian nations since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in 2021.

The fierce ground fighting between the onetime allies and Pakistani airstrikes across their contested 2,600-km (1,600-mile) frontier were triggered after Islamabad demanded that Kabul rein in militants who had stepped up attacks in Pakistan, saying they operated from havens in Afghanistan.

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Militant violence in Pakistan has been a major irritant in its relationship with the Afghan Taliban. On Friday, a suicide attack near the Afghan border killed seven Pakistani soldiers and wounded 13, security officials said.

"The Afghan regime must rein in the proxies who have sanctuaries in Afghanistan and are using Afghan soil to perpetrate heinous attacks inside Pakistan," the Pakistan Army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, said on Saturday, addressing a graduation ceremony of cadets.

The Afghan government's spokesperson said Pakistan had conducted airstrikes in Afghanistan hours after the ceasefire was extended.

He condemned the strikes, saying Kabul reserved the right to respond but that Afghan fighters had been directed to refrain from retaliating to maintain the status of and respect for its negotiating team.

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The Pakistani military did not respond to a request for a comment on the airstrikes.

(Reporting by Mohammad Yunus Yawar in Kabul and Asif Shahzad in Islamabad; Writing by Asif Shahzad; Editing by William Mallard)
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB)  A Panama City Beach woman was arrested Thursday morning after she allegedly rammed her vehicle into an Indiana family driving a low-speed vehicle.

According to court documents, shortly before 1 a.m., a 35-year-old woman and her two sons, aged 7 and 14, were traveling on Front Beach Road when they decided to pull off the side of the road to let traffic pass.

Officers reported that 34-year-old Teresa Justice Cierra Reeves was behind the family when they pulled over. She allegedly got out of her vehicle and began to act aggressively and belligerently with them.

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The family then started to drive away when Reeves allegedly began to chase them and strike their LSV multiple times.

Officers said the family had called 911 while driving onto L.C. Hilton Jr. Drive when Reeves rammed the LSV again, causing the tag plate holder to break.

The chase continued to Pier Park Drive until Reeves allegedly struck a business pole. The family fled to a nearby parking lot behind Margaritaville.

Reeves was charged with two counts of aggravated child abuse, aggravated battery, resisting an officer without violence, DUI 1st offense, and driving under the influence with property damage.

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A board of U.S. Air Force Academy graduates that was expected to vote Friday on whether to extend an honorary degree and honorary membership into the academys alumni association to slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk withdrew both of the motions.

In a statement late Friday, the Association of Graduates, which serves as the academys nonprofit alumni group, said its board of directors dropped the motions after hearing the past two days from several hundred Air Force Academy graduates, parents and other family members about the idea to recognize Kirk.

The board met in Colorado Springs on Friday afternoon to consider the measures.

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We are grateful to all who have taken the time to reach out by phone and email, and to those who attended todays meeting in person, to share their views, the Association of Graduates said in its statement shared with Military Times. The AOG Board, serving as the governing body of the Association, took the thoughtful feedback received into account. The Honorary Member and honorary degree motions concerning Mr. Kirk were withdrawn.

Air Force Academy alumni board to vote on honoring Charlie Kirk

According to the meeting agenda, the motions to honor Kirk were proposed by retired Lt. Gen. Rod Bishop, who was elected to the board of directors earlier this year. In making the recommendation, Bishop noted Kirks faith, family, so much love for our country and the vision of our Founding Fathers.

President Donald Trump appointed Kirk in March to join the academys Board of Visitors, a group that meets several times a year to provide advice on issues including curriculum, student morale and academic methods.

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Kirk, co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, attended one Board of Visitors meeting Aug. 7 before he was assassinated at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.

Some academy graduates spoke out publicly against the notion to honor Kirk with a posthumous degree and alumni membership. Retired Brig. Gen. Marty France, a former board member with the alumni group and the former head of the academys Department of Astronautics, told Military Times that people previously inducted as honorary members each served USAFA for decades.

Whatever service [Kirk] provided to USAFA does not rise anywhere near what we should require as a minimum before even considering him for such mention, France added.
Takeaways

 Alabama Power recommends HVAC checkups, thermostat adjustments and sealing leaks before winter.

 Income-eligible families can apply for Home Forward Grants for energy efficiency upgrades.

 Customers can use free tools like Bill Explainer, Rate Advisor, and My Power Usage to manage energy costs.

 Proactive preparation can lead to lower power bills and improved comfort during cold weather.

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ANNISTON  With cooler weather on the horizon, Alabama Power is urging customers to take steps now to prepare their homes for the winter months and improve energy efficiency.

The company said taking a proactive approach to winterizing homes could lead to noticeable savings on power bills when temperatures drop.

Appliance and equipment checkups

Alabama Power recommends having a qualified technician perform checkups on electric appliances and heating systems, including cleaning coils, registers and vents, changing filters, and ensuring ventilation areas are clear. Customers should also keep outdoor units free of shrubbery and debris that can cause heat pumps to work harder.

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Equipment that needs to be repaired frequently can increase your energy costs and do a poor job of keeping your home comfortable, said a news release from the compant. Alabama Power suggests having HVAC systems checked twice a year  before summer and winter seasons  to maintain efficiency and ensure a smooth transition between cooling and heating.

Thermostat adjustments

Lowering the thermostat a few degrees from its normal setting can also make a difference, the release said.

Each degree of adjustment on your thermostat is equal to approximately 3-5% in savings, Alabama Power noted. Installing programmable or smart thermostats can help automatically adjust temperatures and cut energy costs.

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Insulation and sealing drafts

Customers are encouraged to check weather stripping around doors and windows, reapply caulk or stripping as needed, and add insulation to attics or open spaces exposed to outside temperatures.

For customers needing assistance, the Alabama Business Charitable Trusts Home Forward Grants provide up to $6,500 for energy efficiency improvements to income-eligible families. Details on eligibility and applications are available at AlabamaPower.com/PaymentAssistance.

Tools for energy management

Alabama Power offers several free tools and resources to help customers manage energy use, including the Bill Explainer, Rate Advisor, Alabama Power mobile app, Home Energy Reports and My Power Usage.

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The Bill Explainer tool helps customers break down their electric bill  section by section  using simple language to show how their usage adds up, the company said. The Rate Advisor tool matches customers with rate plans that best fit their needs after answering questions about energy habits.

The Alabama Power mobile app allows customers to monitor usage, manage accounts, and set alerts. Through the Home Energy Report, customers receive monthly emails with detailed breakdowns of energy use and personalized recommendations for savings. The My Power Usage tool offers real-time tracking and budgeting features.

More information on preparing for winter power bills and accessing free tools can be found at AlabamaPower.com/Winter.

For media inquiries, Alabama Powers media relations team can be reached at 205-257-4155.
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  One person is dead and another is seriously hurt after an altercation led to a shooting at a bar, according to the Chesterfield County Sheriffs Office.

The shooting happened early Saturday morning in the parking lot of Sandtrap Social Club on Hwy 52 South in Cheraw. Investigators believe two people were shooting at each other following an altercation from earlier in the night.

Lancaster man accused of holding 4 people captive in his basement now facing murder and sex crime charges: Police

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Deputies said one person was killed and the other was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.

SLED is still investigating the shooting. Anyone with information or video footage from the area is urged to contact CCSO at 843-623-2101 or 843-287-0235.

This is a Developing Story . Check back for updates

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A family is grieving after a pregnant teenager was murdered last Sunday in Madison.

Metro police said the girls boyfriend is responsible.

As he sits in jail, loved ones came together to remember the victim and her unborn child.

Amya Finney, a senior at Madison Academy, was preparing for the future, but shell never get the chance to walk across the graduation stage.

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She was someone who cared for others and was never afraid to speak for others or voice her opinion on a matter, classmate Rocco Mitchell said.

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Finney was two months pregnant and was murdered.

Metro police said her boyfriend, Amare Ramey, shot and killed her at a home in Madison during an argument.

We spoke with her classmates at Madison Academy, who said they didnt know Ramey.

I didnt really believe it at the time because she had just texted me that morning asking about an English project that we had, classmate Chloe Campbell said.

She always had a smile on her face, classmate Gaby Grooms said. I did gymnastics on our schools team with her, so I saw her on a daily basis.

Police said Ramey turned himself in and is charged with two counts of homicide: one for Finneys death and one for her unborn childs death.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Violence never solves any issue, Madison Academy School Board member Jonathan Grooms said. We are called on by God to treat everyone with kindness, humility and grace.

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Its a tough lesson for Finneys friends, just teenagers themselves, but they said theyre going to get through this together.

While this murder comes as a shock to so many, Metro police said Ramey has a violent criminal record.

Finneys friends have set up a GoFundMe to help her family.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
The Civil War was fought between northern and southern states primarily to abolish slavery. Now President Donald Trump wants is sending National Guard troops to blue states to aid law enforcement agencies.

In place of slavery, our president is using illegal immigration as the foundation of another civil war. I myself am a naturalized citizen and served in the Army during the Vietnam years during which time I thought serving in the military was patriotic.

Now our troops are being deployed against the will of a great number of the citizens who object to the strong-arm tactics used against people who have been in this country for five years and more without committing any crime other than not following through the immigration process. Our immigration system hasnt been properly enforced for over 10 years and now he wants to fix it by mass deportations without any sort of consideration.

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Its unfortunate that the same fervor for the law isnt being used to flush out the wealthy and influential people involved with Jeffrey Epstein!

Karl Dorfner, West Allis

Opinion: Are we headed toward another Civil War?

Immigration debate centers on rule of law in America

Is immigration a division in the land or a view centered on the rule of law?

The primary cause for angst today was the Biden administration opening the border to foreign nations without proper vetting. We love to spout that we are a country built on the rule of law. The past four years have a shamble of that idiom.

It begs the question which law due we follow? The one codified in the countrys legal statutes or the one followed by many states and municipalities which totally disregards the codified statute?

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Unless we as legal citizens adhere to the rule of this country, we will have a very dismal future.

Fred Camacho, Wisconsin Rapids

Letters: Developer's plan would fit better in Lake Geneva, not Bay View

Opinion: Dont let Kirk or Minnesota shootings tell you how to think about politics

Tips for getting your letter to the editor published

Here are some tips to get your views shared with your friends, family, neighbors and across our state:

Please include your name, street address and daytime phone.

Generally, we limit letters to 200 words.

Cite sources of where you found information or the article that prompted your letter.

Be civil and constructive, especially when criticizing.

Avoid ad hominem attacks, take issue with a position, not a person.

We cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions.

We don't publish poetry, anonymous or open letters.

Each writer is limited to one published letter every two months.

All letters are subject to editing.

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Write: Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 330 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 500, Milwaukee, WI, 53202. Fax: (414)-223-5444. E-mail: jsedit@jrn.com or submit using the form that can be found on the on the bottom of this page.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Immigration debate fuels fears for future of our nation | Opinion
A Harford County day care is teaching American Sign Language, or ASL, to its students as young as 6 weeks old to help them communicate and develop empathy for others.

The Learning Experience, a Bel Air day care, has been using this program since its opening six years ago, and incorporates the language throughout the day. It cares for children ranging from 6 weeks old to 6 years old and is part of a larger franchise that has day cares across the country.

Melissa Vandergriff, who has been a program leader for three years and works with the infant classes, said she has seen reduced meltdowns as her students are now able to communicate their needs before they can speak.

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We all have feelings, we all want to be heard and we use sign language to give another way of saying this is what I need, this is what I want, Vandergriff said.

On Friday morning, Vandergriff gathered her students around her in a circle to tell the story of Gibby Gibbon, an animated monkey who was born deaf and uses a cochlear implant, an electronic device that can be surgically implanted to allow deaf or hard-of-hearing people the ability to hear. She shook a rattle to grab the infants attention and show how the monkey can hear with the magic of the hearing device. Six infants watched Vandergriff as she sang and signed The Itsy Bitsy Spider, while the infants made signs, too, with their little hands.

Sign language allows us to connect with people within our community, and anything that brings us together is definitely promoted here, Vandergriff said.

Over her three years at the daycare, Vandergriff has seen her former infants return to her classroom as pre-schoolers and continue to use sign language to communicate with the infants in her care. Many parents are also interested in continuing the ASL lessons at home, Vandergriff said.

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Some of the words or phrases the children learn at the daycare are:

Milk

Dad

Mom

Please

Thank You

More

Bottle

All done

The school keeps parents up to date with lessons via a calendar that describes the word of the month along with instructions on how to sign the word if parents want to continue the practice at home. Each age group has a different word each month, assistant director of operations Sarah List said.

List has been with the daycare since it opened six years ago, and has seen how the focus on ASL at infancy has built a strong foundation as they continue through the program, she said. She also has three children who attend the program.

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For my family, a big focus is manners, so seeing my children use their manners along with sign language is huge, List said.

All of the educators at The Learning Experience have a background in early childhood education, but are not necessarily trained in ASL. The curriculum accounts for this and gives explicit instructions on how to incorporate ASL within the classroom.

Students learn 12-50 age-appropriate signs throughout their time at the center. Bottle, more and all done are used throughout the infant classes, Vandergriff said.

Rachel Duncan, director of family engagement and operations at the daycare, describes children below the age of five as sponges.

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ASL is just like learning a foreign language. It teaches cognitive development and reasoning skills, and it also opens up different parts of the brain, Duncan said.

Have a news tip? Contact Ela Jalil at ejalil@baltsun.com




It was supposed to be a good week for Marc Benioff. The Salesforce CEO would be joined by tens of thousands of his software's devotees descending on San Francisco for his beloved Dreamforce conference. There would be performances by popular comedians and a charity concert by Metallica at Chase Center benefiting the children's hospital bearing his name.

But rather than having his place as a great benefactor of the city celebrated, by Friday, the CEO of San Francisco's largest private employer found himself criticized so heavily that he retracted comments he made to the New York Times in support of sending the National Guard to the city.

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"Having listened closely to my fellow San Franciscans and our local officials, and after the largest and safest Dreamforce in our history, I do not believe the National Guard is needed to address safety in San Francisco," he wrote on X. "My earlier comment came from an abundance of caution around the event, and I sincerely apologize for the concern it caused."

Benioff did not respond to requests for comment from the Chronicle on Friday.

The reversal came only after Benioff had been deserted by a close friend, upbraided by a parade of local leaders and blasted by rank-and-file Salesforce employees over the comment, which they said represented a betrayal of the company's professed values. The capitulation is the first time a tech leader's public support of President Donald Trump and his controversial policies, embodied by the phalanx of familiar faces that attended his inauguration in January, backfired so spectacularly.

Mark Zuckerberg of Meta, Jeff Bezos of Amazon and Sundar Pichai of Google were among the tech luminaries who joined Tesla's Elon Musk at President Donald Trump's inauguration in January. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/Getty Images)





Laurene Powell Jobs, one of the world's preeminent philanthropists, had excoriated Benioff for his remarks earlier in the day.

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"When wealth becomes a substitute for participation, giving is reduced to performance art - proof of virtue, a way to appear magnanimous while still demanding ownership," she wrote in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece. "That's the quiet corruption corroding modern philanthropy: the ability to give as a license to impose one's will. It's a kind of moral laundering, where so-called benevolence masks self-interest."

Benioff is one of San Francisco's top philanthropists. His family and Salesforce have given more than $1 billion to Bay Area causes, and he has supported local measures to fund public schools and statewide measures to fund children's hospitals and end the death penalty. He has identified himself as a "compassionate capitalist."

But his relationship with San Francisco, critics say, has grown more tenuous. He conceded to the San Francisco Standard that he does not live in the city and has called Hawaii home "on and off for decades."

On a call from his private plane en route to Dreamforce, Benioff told the Times he supports Trump. "I think he's doing a great job," he said. He complained that he needed to hire private police for Dreamforce and that the National Guard could help reduce crime in the city. "We don't have enough cops, so if they can be cops, I'm all for it," he said. Any attempt to use troops for law enforcement would violate federal law.

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The suggestion sparked immediate backlash from Bay Area progressives and put local politicians in a defensive posture. Just as lanyard-wearing Dreamforce attendees arrived downtown, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and District Attorney Brooke Jenkins held a news conference, insisting that troops would be unwarranted and unwelcome. They touted increases in police spending coinciding with a decline in crime.

Ron Conway, a close friend of Benioff's for decades, announced he was stepping down from the board of the Salesforce Foundation on Thursday. He told the Times their values no longer aligned.

Venture capitalist Ron Conway, left, speaks with Salesforce founder and CEO Marc Benioff before the grand opening of Salesforce Tower in San Francisco in 2018. (Mercury News/MediaNews Group/Getty Images)





In an open letter published online, a group of Salesforce workers, alumni and community members said Benioff's latest positions represent "a troubling hypocrisy." More than 180 people had signed on to the letter as of Friday evening.

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But Benioff's remarks were cheered by conservatives who over the years have denigrated the city and inaccurately portrayed it as rife with violence.

Elon Musk quickly backed Benioff's initial National Guard comments. "It's the only solution at this point," Musk wrote Sunday on X, the social media platform he owns. "Nothing else has or will work."

David Sacks, the conservative venture capitalist who is Trump's AI and crypto czar and who spoke with Benioff as a "very special guest" Tuesday at Dreamforce, cheered on the CEO's rightward turn in a post on X Thursday. "If the Democrats don't want you, we would be happy for you to join our team. Cancel culture is over, and we are the inclusive party," he wrote.

Trump, too, took notice. He appeared to reference Benioff's National Guard remarks when he spoke to reporters Tuesday in the Oval Office, saying "we have great support in San Francisco" for sending troops to the city, and urged FBI Director Kash Patel to make San Francisco "next" in line for an invasion.

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Over the past two decades, Benioff has given money to politicians and causes on both sides of the aisle, but most of his larger and more recent donations have been to Democratic Party committees. He donated to Democrats Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris in their statewide campaigns.

Last April, he was seen having dinner in San Francisco with former President Barack Obama.

In a lengthy news release Wednesday, Newsom, who is close to Benioff, did not name the CEO or criticize him directly, but provided an extensive rundown of crime statistics showing San Francisco's progress in improving public safety.

As backlash mounted, Benioff pledged that Salesforce would invest $15 billion in San Francisco over the next five years.

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Many others in the political and philanthropic worlds declined to speak on the record about Benioff, fearful that he might end his financial donations.

Perhaps most telling was Lurie's Instagram feed. Almost daily, Lurie posts videos of his interactions with local merchants or at local events, almost always in the name of talking up San Francisco's "comeback." He didn't post anything about Dreamforce as it was taking place.

Thousands listen to Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff give the keynote address Tuesday during the Dreamforce conference at Moscone Center in San Francisco. (Jessica Christian/S.F. Chronicle)





At the news conference denouncing Benioff's comments, Lurie said he'd spoken with Benioff recently but declined to provide any details. Politically, Lurie is likely to fear alienating Benioff, whose support he will need to pass upcoming ballot measures funding public transit in the city.

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Benioff's rough week came during a critical time for Salesforce, which like most companies faces competition from AI startups seeking to peel away its customers, so much so that the overwhelming theme of Dreamforce was to tout the company's new AI capabilities. Salesforce stock is down by more than a third since reaching a 52-week high 10 months ago and was down 1% on the day Friday.

A few weeks ago, Salesforce announced a new line of business, Missionforce, to garner more revenue from defense, intelligence and aerospace agencies, following other tech companies that have been criticized by employees for doing much the same thing. And the New York Times reported Thursday on Salesforce's efforts to help the Trump administration bolster Immigration and Customs Enforcement's capabilities as it seeks to deport millions of immigrants. Those efforts have so far ensnared hundreds of U.S. citizens, including in California.

Salesforce is also seeking regulatory approval for its proposed $8 billion acquisition of Informatica, an AI-powered cloud data management company that it bought last May.

"If you look at that (stock) drop, it is dropped by a third, a third," said former San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin, who said he has met Benioff a few times. "Now you don't have to be an AI computer to know that Salesforce has not been able to get into the AI space as aggressively and quickly as they touted that they were going to. My guess is that at some point Benioff said Holy s-, I need to get my snout now into Donald Trump's trough,' and the best way to do that is what every prime minister all around the world figured out, Tim Cook figured out: show up and kiss his ass and give him a golden ipad and then at a minimum he won't hurt you and at a maximum give you the keys to a defense contract kingdom. That's what I think happened."

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This is not the first time Benioff has complained publicly about crime in the city. He continues to repeat the false assertion that San Francisco has "defunded" the police and has said the city needs 1,000 more officers. But a Chronicle analysis in 2022 found San Francisco is one of the most highly policed cities in California, according to FBI data.

In 2023, he threatened to relocate Dreamforce to Las Vegas over concerns about drug use, crime and homelessness.

But last year Benioff committed Dreamforce to San Francisco for another three years, some much needed good news for the city's convention business, which has dropped since the pandemic.

"He has been a tremendous benefactor of philanthropic causes in San Francisco, especially in regard to health care. What he and Salesforce are doing in that regard is extremely important to the well-being of the city," said Advance SF President Wade Rose, who has spent recent years working to turn the city's flailing image around.

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Rose acknowledged that problems persist but called federal intervention "unnecessary."

"Statistics, which the mayor continues to point to and people in San Francisco are experiencing, demonstrate that we are in a better place in regard to public safety than we have been in decades. That is important to recognize as well," Rose said. "The trend is solid.  We have to be careful not to do anything that would get in the way of the city's recovery from the pandemic."

Late Friday afternoon, hours after Benioff's reversal, Lurie also changed his tune. "Dreamforce brought more than 45,000 people into San Francisco, and it was a public safety success," he wrote on X. "This didn't happen by accident - it happened because of our planning and partnership across our public safety and city departments that made sure San Francisco shined."

Harsha Devulapalli contributed to this report.

This article originally published at Benioff apologizes amid criticism, reverses course on National Guard.
TALLAHASSEE  A grand jury convened in Tallahassee this week for at least two days of testimony relating to the Hope Florida Foundation, the embattled charity created by Gov. Ron DeSantis administration.

The grand jury could issue criminal indictments and get answers to crucial questions in a scandal that has dominated state politics this year.

Lawmakers have alleged that the DeSantis administration took $10 million from a state Medicaid legal settlement and funneled it through the foundation for political purposes: defeating a recreational marijuana ballot initiative.

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DeSantis and his top officials have denied wrongdoing, but they also havent answered key questions about how everything went down.

Whose idea was it?

No one has taken responsibility for directing Medicaid contractor Centene to give $10 million of a $67 million legal settlement to the Hope Florida Foundation and routing the money to nonprofits, which gave nearly all of it to a political committee.

Records show the idea of a donation first appeared in settlement talks with Centene in September last year, two years after lawyers first approached Florida officials about a $67 million settlement with the company.

The Agency for Health Care Administrations general counsel rewrote a settlement draft to include a donation to the foundation and sent it to the agencys then-secretary, Jason Weida. The change was per our discussion, the general counsel wrote. Weida is now DeSantis chief of staff.

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The change came a day after agency officials were scheduled to meet with the governors office, records show.

DeSantis then-chief of staff, James Uthmeier, was involved in nearly every step. He was in the early settlement talks with Centene, records show. (He said he was not involved in the later talks.)

Uthmeier, who is now Floridas attorney general, also oversaw DeSantis campaign against Amendment 3 on recreational marijuana. After the Centene settlement was finalized, he told the executive director of one of the nonprofits to ask the Hope Florida Foundation for the money, according to Republican Rep. Alex Andrade. He led the House committee that investigated the transactions this year.

That nonprofit then gave nearly all the money to a political committee, controlled by Uthmeier, created to fight Amendment 3.

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The executive director has said Uthmeier did not tell her what to do with the money, but she has not disputed that Uthmeier told her to apply for it.

How involved were the DeSantises?

Hope Florida was first lady Casey DeSantis key initiative. The Hope Florida Foundation was created to support it.

Records show that both Uthmeier and DeSantis deputy chief of staff, Katie Strickland, who also served as Casey DeSantis chief of staff, were included in early settlement talks.

Caseys name is on the ceremonial checks the charity gives churches and nonprofits.

But neither DeSantis has said what their involvement was in the diversion of the $10 million  or whether they were aware of it.

What was the $10 million ultimately spent on?

The basics are known.

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The $10 million from Centene was directed to the Hope Florida Foundation. The foundation sent $5 million each to two politically connected nonprofits. Those nonprofits each sent a total of $4.75 million over several days to Keep Florida Clean, the political committee controlled by Uthmeier.

From there, things get murkier.

Keep Florida Clean gave $8.5 million to the Republican Party of Florida, which was working to defeat the amendment, and another $1.1 million to DeSantis political committee, the Florida Freedom Fund.

Neither the party nor DeSantis has said what the money was spent on.

However, by far the Florida GOPs biggest expenditures during the period  $46 million  were for media ad buys with one company known to be running ads against Amendment 3 and Amendment 4, which would have protected abortion access. Payments to that company accounted for nearly two-thirds of the partys expenses during the period.

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DeSantis hasnt said whether the money from the Medicaid settlement ended up in his political account.

What, if anything, was illegal?

Its not known what charges the state grand jury is considering, or who is being investigated. But Medicaid funds are highly regulated and owed to state and federal taxpayers.

In May, four former federal prosecutors told the Times/Herald there were eight different federal charges, from theft of government funds to money laundering, that could be investigated.

A local grand jury would investigate violations of Florida, not federal, law, however.

State Rep. Alex Andrade, the Pensacola Republican who investigated the transactions, has said Uthmeier and the attorney for the foundation, Jeff Aaron, engaged in a conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud.

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Florida has criminal statutes against money laundering, theft, and conspiracy, each of which can be felonies carrying sentences of years in prison.

Who is talking with the grand jury?

Only Andrade has confirmed that he spoke with the grand jury. He said he met with them for about two hours on Tuesday, but couldnt divulge what was asked or what he said.

But other people linked to the Hope Florida Foundation were also seen at the courthouse this week.

The former president of the foundation, Joshua Hay, left the courthouse Wednesday.

Hay was on the board when it gave away half of the $10 million to a nonprofit overseen by the Florida Chamber of Commerce. He signed off on giving the other $5 million to the St. Petersburg-based nonprofit Save Our Society from Drugs.

The executive director of that nonprofit, Amy Ronshausen, entered and left the courthouse with a lawyer on Tuesday.

Neither would comment on why they were there.
If Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ends up finding the cause of autism, convincing parents vaccinating their kids is optional and turning conservatives into advocates of using government to combat chronic disease, he can thank Jeffrey Tucker.

In founding the Brownstone Institute, Tucker, a 61-year-old libertarian activist who brought leading opponents of Covid lockdowns into the health secretarys orbit, has carved out a splinter faction thats promoting Kennedy and his Make America Healthy Again movement from the right.

MAHA is a genuinely new intellectual and political force, Tucker told POLITICO in explaining why hes joined Kennedys following. They break through all the taboos. They are so brave.

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If it werent for Tucker, the Great Barrington Declaration, the manifesto that spurred a movement against lockdowns, would never have been written. Two of its authors, recruited by Tucker, are now top Kennedy advisers.

Opposition to lockdowns and mask mandates prompted Tucker in 2020 to bring then-Stanford professor Jay Bhattacharya, now the director of the National Institutes of Health, and former Harvard professor Martin Kulldorff, now the chair of Kennedys outside vaccine advisory committee, to western Massachusetts. He convinced them there to draft the anti-lockdown treatise that would become the rights declaration of independence from the public health experts. It called for the end of lockdowns and focused protection for elderly people. Nearly a million people have signed it.

A fellow critic of the Covid response, Kennedy in 2023 cited a Brownstone article by Tucker on how the declaration came to be alongside a photo of Bhattacharya and Kulldorff and their co-signer, Oxford epidemiologist Sunetra Gupta. In a social media post, Kennedy promised that, as president, hed appoint brave dissident scientists like these to his administration. Kennedy had not yet dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed Donald Trump.

Kennedy did not respond to requests for comment.

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Tucker founded Brownstone months after the declaration, following his resignation from his previous job amid sexual harassment allegations. Since Trump teamed up with Kennedy last year, Tucker has used the think tank to convince opponents of big government that they should find common cause with the MAHA movement and a health secretary known for allying with trial lawyers and demonizing industry.

MAGA meets MAHA meets libertarianism meets the Great Barrington Declaration meets the Brownstone Institute  this interconnected movement has now adopted animus towards vaccination almost at its core, and that's not something one used to see on the right, said Gavin Yamey, director of Duke Universitys Center for Policy Impact in Global Health.

Bhattacharya, who was a senior scholar at Brownstone after publishing the Great Barrington Declaration, told POLITICO hes a fan. Brownstone is a think tank that publishes articles from authors with many different points of view who often disagree with one another, he said. I benefit greatly from learning how different smart people think, and the work of the Brownstone Institute contributes well to that end. Kulldorff, who was also a senior scholar at Brownstone, declined to comment.

Other Brownstone authors now working for Kennedy include Robert Malone, part of a group reviewing the Covid vaccine for Kulldorffs advisory committee; Vinay Prasad, the top vaccine regulator at the Food and Drug Administration; and Catherine Stein, the newest vaccine committee member.

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Kennedy shared Tuckers opposition to lockdowns and mask and vaccine mandates during the pandemic and now Tucker has come to share his view that pharmaceutical companies and food and chemical manufacturers are poisoning Americans. At Brownstone, Tucker is building a movement of Covid contrarians and libertarians  many of whom would have once seen Kennedys take on American industry as a radical attack on capitalism  to align with Kennedys anti-corporate base on the left.

The tyranny Tucker saw in public health guidance during the pandemic is still his motivation. These forces are still out there. We are standing against them, he said.

The Great Barrington Declaration

Tucker welcomed POLITICO into his apartment in West Hartford, Connecticut, last month. A portrait of King Charles III when he was prince hangs beside the entrance door to the one-bedroom unit, furnished with antiques.

Tucker dresses like a king out of uniform. He wears a sharply pressed blue pinstripe suit, cufflinks and a bow tie. The rubber bracelet on his arm that says I wont be locked down again is the only accoutrement that doesnt match the ensemble.

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Tucker spent much of the time discussing the lockdowns and their aftermath.

A prolific writer and self-professed anarcho-capitalist, Tucker has published 10 books and writes a daily column for The Epoch Times, a conservative publication.

Prior to Brownstone, his jobs included working for former Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), an icon among libertarians and father of Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul; editing at libertarian Lew Rockwells Mises Institute; promoting cryptocurrencies; founding a libertarian social network; and, until sexual harassment allegations triggered an internal investigation , working as editorial director at the American Institute for Economic Research, a libertarian think tank that hosted the drafters of the Great Barrington Declaration on its campus in the Berkshires town that gave the declaration its name.

Hes produced so much content over the course of his professional career  Nobody really paid all that much attention to it until the Great Barrington Declaration, said Julia Tucker, Jeffreys daughter, who has been estranged from him for more than five years over what she described as very toxic and manipulative behavior.

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Tucker did not respond to requests for comment about his relationship with his daughter.



In August 2020, in the depths of the pandemic, Tucker, then at AIER, reached out on what was then Twitter to Kulldorff, then a prolific anti-lockdown voice on the social network, and invited him to visit.

Kulldorff arrived the following weekend, along with a few other lockdown critics Tucker had invited. They spent what Tucker later called an  emotional weekend  touring cideries and lamenting lockdowns. Days later, Kulldorff wrote back, persuading AIER to host a conference in early October with leading journalists and scientists, including Bhattacharya and Gupta.

The idea was simple, but in the fall of 2020, it was also a provocation. If you are interested in learning more from some high-level scientists, in a private event in the Berkshires, I could issue you an invitation, Tucker wrote on Sept. 19 in an email to a Wall Street Journal reporter. Let me know, he added, if you want to know more.

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The reporter didnt. Nor did other large outlets. In the end, conservative editor John Tamny, independent writer David Zweig, and a freelancer for The BMJ, a British medical journal, attended. Few of Tuckers fellow dissidents showed up. Calling it a conference would have been a stretch. Maybe 15 people, Tucker recalled. In the end, I had to ask the greenkeepers and the cook to attend.

Yet the group felt something had to come of it. The idea: a short text by Gupta, Kulldorff, and Bhattacharya explaining their vision for managing the pandemic. The trio drafted the statement. Tucker edited. Too much I believe and We believe. I made the text sharper, he said.

Current lockdown policies are producing devastating effects on short and long-term public health, the declaration said. The results (to name a few) include lower childhood vaccination rates, worsening cardiovascular disease outcomes, fewer cancer screenings and deteriorating mental health  leading to greater excess mortality in years to come.

Ultimately, nearly a million people signed, among them scientists and doctors including Cody Meissner, then a professor of pediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine who now advises Kennedy on vaccine policy. In an email to the official leading the Covid response for Trump, Anthony Fauci, then-NIH Director Francis Collins referred to the declarations authors as fringe epidemiologists and promised "a quick and devastating published take down.

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The authors were attacked by many public health experts, who said their theory of herd immunity would cost many lives, but leading Republican critics of the pandemic response further amplified their message. Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis brought Bhattacharya, Kulldorff, Gupta and White House adviser Scott Atlas to the state Capitol in Tallahassee for a roundtable. After YouTube pulled the video , the sense of solidarity among the dissidents grew. Bhattacharya and Kulldorff would later serve on DeSantis public health integrity committee, along with other Brownstone affiliates.

Seven months after publishing the declaration, after Ann Grochmal, a colleague at AIER accused him of sexual harassment, Tucker quit and founded Brownstone. AIER settled a lawsuit with Grochmal earlier this year, according to Massachusetts court records . AIER also settled an earlier sexual harassment suit involving Tucker, according to a deposition of Tucker in the Grochmal suit. The earlier case involved a woman named Alexandra Hudson.

Tuckers motion to dismiss Grochmals suit was denied. In his court filing in response to the complaint , Tucker denied the allegations.

In her lawsuit , Grochmal alleged Tucker pressured female colleagues to drink and model fur coats, inappropriately touched female employees, including pulling an intern into his bedroom while wearing only boxers, and publicly discussed the many women he was involved with at work and the prior sexual harassment settlement.

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Three people who did work for AIER at the time told POLITICO theyd experienced or witnessed similar behavior from Tucker. Two former colleagues including a senior leader at Tuckers prior employer, the Foundation for Economic Education, another libertarian think tank, told POLITICO that Tucker was fired following sexual harassment allegations. These individuals were granted anonymity because they feared professional retaliation or to disclose confidential workplace information.

He would serve copious amounts of very strong alcohol and make comments about sex acts, women's bodies, said Tricia Beck-Peter, who worked with Tucker at FEE and AIER and was told to wear furs at the Great Barrington campus.

The lawsuit and settlements involving Tucker have not been previously reported. In her complaint, Grochmal alleged that Tucker would tell AIER employees about previous sexual harassment allegations, calling the women who had accused him tramps who wanted money. Grochmal also alleged that Tucker pressured her and other women to wear furs, with Tucker telling Grochmal in February 2021, Wear this fur, youll be beautiful.

In his motion to dismiss Grochmals case, Tucker said his behavior did not constitute sexual harassment. The isolated remarks are just that, innocuous isolated remarks that occurred over a one-year period, and which would not offend the reasonable person, his attorney, Andrew Schneiderman, wrote in April 2023 on Tuckers behalf.

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Tucker did not respond to requests for comment about the sexual harassment allegations.



Since its inception, Brownstone has published around 3,500 articles and 20 books, with more than a dozen of them dealing with the Covid pandemic. Early fellows included Paul Alexander, a former Trump health and human services adviser, and David Gortler, a former Trump senior FDA adviser. Charles Eisenstein, Kennedys former speechwriter, has also written for Brownstone and spoke at a dinner hosted by Brownstone last year.

POLITICO interviewed more than a dozen fellows and contributing authors for Brownstone. Several likened the institute to a sanctuary in its initial years, where they could share perspectives on policies after being rejected by other outlets or silenced in their jobs.

A year after its founding, Brownstone organized the Norfolk Group in the Connecticut town of that name. Bhattacharya, Kulldorff, and now-FDA Commissioner Marty Makary were among the authors of an 80-page document the group released in February 2023 calling on Congress to investigate the pandemic. A House subcommittee tasked with examining the Covid response soon after held a hearing with Bhattacharya, Kulldorff, and Makary, then a professor of surgery at Johns Hopkins, as witnesses. The subcommittees final report in December 2024 cited the Norfolk document.

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While Brownstone has broadened its coverage to issues like economics, media, and education, its focus remains public health. A POLITICO analysis of Brownstones articles in July, August and September found that roughly three quarters dealt with matters related to public health, and over half of all the articles mentioned the Covid pandemic or vaccines. The vast majority of them buck health authorities and criticize modern medicine, including numerous pieces questioning the safety and efficacy of Covid vaccines, as well as mRNA technology and the RSV and HPV vaccines.

Much of the work Tucker has promoted on the Brownstone website and across a fragmented media ecosystem of Substack newsletters and social media platforms was first published by other outlets.

According to Tucker, Brownstone now has around 17,000 donors. The organization reported revenue of $2.57 million last year, up 5 percent from the year before and 44 percent from two years prior. The institute is now sponsoring and soliciting donations for a movie about Bhattacharya written by author and establishment critic Walter Kirn.

It feels like the ultimate vindication, said Rav Arora, a Brownstone contributing author who co-created the Illusion of Consensus podcast with Bhattacharya.

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Theres a sense of poetic justice, added Aaron Kheriaty, a Brownstone senior counselor. Brownstones evolved from a community of dissidents against whatever the establishment was doing to now something that, if it's not establishment, is having more considerable influence on the medical and public health and public policy establishment.

A retreat in Virginia

In September, Brownstone supporters gathered to consider their alliance with Kennedy three hours from Washington where the Blue Ridge Mountains rise at the farm of Joel Salatin.

Its not the sort of place conservatives used to frequent. Salatin is a minor celebrity for the non-industrial practices he employs at his Polyface Farms. Hes featured in the book The Omnivore's Dilemma, which made the case that modern farming practices have made people less healthy, and the documentary films Food, Inc., which criticized the corporate food industry, and The Lunatic Farmer, which linked Salatins methods to his belief in God.

Thirty years ago, 80 percent of the visitors here at our farm were lefty, greeny, Earth-loving, tree-hugger liberal, environmental wackies. Today, 80 percent of our visitors are conservative, faith-based, right-sided, wackos, Salatin, wearing his trademark cowboy hat, said in his address to Brownstone attendees. Salatin declined to be interviewed.

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The anti-vaccine group Kennedy founded, Childrens Health Defense, and the Heritage Foundation, the conservative think tank that has influenced Trump with its Project 2025 proposals, were among the co-sponsors of the sold-out retreat to Reclaim Your Independence. It drew a capacity crowd of 400.

Childrens Health Defense President Mary Holland and Malone were there, along with other top voices in the medical freedom movement that share their distrust of pharmaceutical companies and health experts and believe individuals should not be pressured by them.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), a libertarian known for bucking his party leaders, living off the grid and drinking raw milk, told the crowd he had visited the farm previously with Rand Paul.

This is where MAHA started like half a century ago, he said, indicating he thought Salatin had pioneered the ideas Kennedy has brought to the fore.



Brownstone contributors noted that the group is emblematic of a broader political realignment, as a branch of the libertarian movement and conservative critics of the Covid response break off to align with Kennedy and environmentalist populists on the left.

In an essay for Brownstone, Tucker explained why odd bedfellows have come together to support Kennedy and Trump.

These new alliances have not only shattered right and left, as traditionally understood, but reshaped the structural basis of political activism for the duration. It turns out that medical freedom, food freedom, free speech, political freedom, and peace all go together. Who knew? he wrote.

Tucker has likened Trumps second inauguration to American Bastille day and described the alliance of MAGA, MAHA and Elon Musk as the fulfillment of decades of cultivation of disparate groups of dissidents. Musk, the tech billionaire owner of Tesla, SpaceX and X, led a cost-cutting push early in Trumps second term through an unofficial Department of Government Efficiency.

For Tucker, who in 2015 likened the expansion of state power he expected would come with Trump to "fascism, its been an epiphany. For libertarians, its a major break in the movement.

What youre seeing now among libertarians is a debate over what is the best way to respect our fellow human beings: If the government does a lot less in public health or if the government does absolutely nothing, said Michael Cannon, director of health policy studies at the Cato Institute, Washingtons longtime libertarian think tank.

Cannon has argued that government investments in developing the Covid vaccine and closing businesses and schools early in the pandemic, when no vaccines were available, aligned with libertarian principles.

You will get people claiming that they are libertarians and then say that the government should do nothing in the area of public health. I don't think that's what libertarian political philosophy concludes, he added.

Catos not on board with Kennedy and his anti-corporate MAHA strategy. After the White House released a Kennedy-endorsed report that called out food production practices, chemicals, and overmedicalization as likely causes of chronic disease, Cato said it threatened to turn  personal choices into government mandates .

Some Brownstone contributors share that fear. Tucker does not. He declared the report a  great beginning .

Students of libertarianism say thats not very libertarian.

If you're a libertarian who believes MAHA, you're not a libertarian, you're a populist, said Lyle Burgoon, a bioethicist and president of the Center for Truth in Science, a nonprofit that studies issues related to justice and science. The minute you're mandating something or trying to force someone into a choice that they don't want, that's against the whole idea of libertarianism.

Since becoming health secretary in February, Kennedy has begun to overhaul the countrys policies around vaccines and food.

On food, hes pressured manufacturers to stop using dyes and said he will end a regulatory standard that has allowed them to change their recipes without government oversight.

Last month, Kulldorffs panel of outside vaccine advisers recommended that Kennedy change the vaccine schedule by taking off the market a combined shot for measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox and ending the recommendation that Americans receive an annual Covid shot. The decision followed an announcement earlier this year that the government would no longer recommend the Covid vaccine for healthy people, including children and pregnant women.

On Sept. 24, Retsef Levi, the MIT professor whos leading a review of the Covid vaccine for Kulldorffs panel, spoke at a sold-out dinner hosted by Brownstone in Connecticut. Levi in August gave a former Brownstone fellow the scoop about the Covid shot review. A few weeks later, Toby Rogers, a Brownstone fellow, testified at a Senate subcommittee hearing led by Republican Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson. Rogers promoted the debunked theory that vaccines cause autism.

Malone and Bhattacharya are invited speakers at an annual Brownstone gala at the end of October in Salt Lake City where Bhattacharya will be given a prize.

Promoting Kennedys goals is now Brownstones mission. The poisoning of the American body and mind is our major beat, Tucker said on a recent podcast .

Its also defending Kennedy.

Following Kennedys tense appearance before the Senate Finance Committee last month, where both Republicans and Democrats grilled him for restricting vaccine access and about the firing of then-CDC Director Susan Monarez, Tucker told followers on X what they should do: Stand up for Robert F. Kennedy Jr!!!

Lauren Gardner contributed to this story.

Tim Rohn is a global reporter at Axel Springer and head of investigations for WELT, POLITICO Germany and Business Insider Germany.
Oct. 18Mayor Suzanne LaFrance, with the support of the Anchorage Assembly, declared a civil emergency Friday in response to the hundreds of evacuees arriving in Anchorage from the devastated Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region in Western Alaska.

"This disaster highlights the essential role Anchorage plays as a logistics and resource hub for all of Alaska," LaFrance said. "It is critical for the municipality to respond to the state's request for assistance. The people of Western Alaska need all of us as a state, as one community, to pull together."

According to the state, up to 1,600 evacuees may arrive in Anchorage, LaFrance said Friday afternoon. At least 570 people from roughly 15 villages had arrived in the city over the previous two days, many sheltering at the Alaska Airlines Center and the Egan Center downtown. The city has offered the recreation center facilities in Spenard and Fairview if more sheltering space is needed.

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During a special meeting, Assembly members voted to temporarily expand the municipality's definition of a civil emergency to include state or federally declared disasters. As the Anchorage code was written, civil emergencies usually apply only to those within the municipality borders.

LaFrance said this proclamation will allow the municipality to act "more quickly and more nimbly." It allows the city to reallocate resources and deploy staff as necessary to support disaster relief efforts. It also makes it easier for Anchorage to receive reimbursement from the state and federal government, she said. The proclamation became effective immediately.

The Anchorage proclamation was made in conjunction with the emergency declaration from Gov. Mike Dunleavy. On Thursday, Dunleavy asked President Donald Trump to declare a federal major disaster for the state in response to the storm damage in Western Alaska. The request, which was awaiting the president's approval as of Saturday afternoon, would allow additional funding and assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Anchorage considers what's ahead for evacuees

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Local and regional organizations have stepped in to make sure the basic needs of evacuees are met. The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and Southcentral Foundation will provide medical and social services on site at shelters, April Kyle, president and CEO of Southcentral Foundation, told reporters Friday.

The Anchorage School District also plans to streamline its registration process for more than 100 displaced students and enroll them together in clusters, said Superintendent Jharrett Bryantt.

"We want to welcome these students with open arms into our doors, and we understand that this is the time to ensure that our responses are trauma informed, meaning that we want to keep these communities together," he said.

The Alaska Community Foundation has collected more than $1.4 million through the Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund this week, said chair and former CEO of the Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. Tom Barrett. The foundation plans to start distributing money through community leaders as soon as next week, he said Friday.

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Now that many evacuees have sought emergency shelter in Anchorage, city, state and tribal leaders are beginning to consider what comes next as many of the displaced may stay through the winter. Some state lawmakers wrote in a letter to the governor on Thursday that the Alaska Airlines Center, which is being offered as a congregate housing option, is "not a long-term solution."

The Anchorage Office of Emergency Management is working with tourism operators, apartment owners and other community groups to find ways to move residents out of mass shelters, Municipal Manager Becky Windt Pearson said during the press conference Friday.

"Our emergency operations team is playing a role in collecting those resources around the next step for hotels and something more stable beyond emergency shelter. We don't want people to be in emergency shelters any longer than is necessary," LaFrance said.

Emotional testimony at City Hall

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City Hall was standing-room-only at the Assembly meeting. Some wore pins that said, "We Stand with the YK."

State Rep. Nellie Unangiq Jimmie, who is from Toksook Bay, thanked officials at the meeting on behalf of the Y-K Delta and shared stories of neighbors fighting the wind and high waters of Typhoon Halong.

"In our culture, we are taught not to ask for assistance or any help. But I am here today to be that voice for my community and my district (and say) that we do, and we thank you for your help," she said.

Related stories:

Gov. Dunleavy requests federal disaster declaration after Western Alaska storm

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A village in ruins: 'I don't see Kipnuk anymore'

'How we're going to live': Western Alaska residents airlifted to Anchorage face uncertainty

Anchorage preparing to house more than 1,000 Western Alaska storm evacuees across 4 shelters

EPA defends canceling coastal erosion grant to hard-hit Kipnuk

Officials for years knew about flood risks in rural Alaska. The recent storm illustrated how little they have to show for it.

At least 15 Yukon-Kuskokwim region villages suffered 'substantial damage' in storm

Volunteers are evacuating pets from a flooded Western Alaska village, 1 plane at a time
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Prince Andrew's relationship with an alleged Chinese spy continues to spark concern over the U.K.'s national security.

Keep reading for the details

MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more top news

MEGA TheMegaAgency.com

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Prince Andrew, who previously was a U.K. trade envoy, and Cai Qi conducted meetings throughout 2018 and 2019, where they were reportedly working on "jointly building a golden era in China-UK relations."

MEGA TheMegaAgency.com

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It was reported that Prince Andrew snapped a photo with Cai Qi, who was accused of being a "spymaster" looking to obtain information on Westminster.

MI5 director general Ken McCallum addressed the case's collapse at the organization's headquarters. "Of course, I am frustrated when opportunities to prosecute national security threatening activity are not followed through, for whatever reason," he said.

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA TheMegaAgency.com

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"I would invite everyone to not miss the fact that this was a strong disruption in the interest of the U.K.'s national security," Ken McCallum continued.

Mirrorpix / MEGA TheMegaAgency.com

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Prince Andrew's questionable relationships with alleged spies first became public concern when it was revealed he had ties to Yang Tengbo.

While Tengbo called the reports of him being a secret agent "entirely untrue," their business dealings continue to leave a stain on Andrew's reputation.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Four Oregon legislators are questioning federal officials decision to send helicopters to Portland.

Reps. Suzanne Bonamici and Maxine Dexter joined Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley in asking the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Secretary Kristi Noem why DHS has continued to fly helicopters over the Rose City, whether the agency plans to minimize the noise, when the aircraft will leave and more.

How is the Pacific Northwest affected by the federal government shutdown?

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The letter penned on Oct. 14 states that residents have seen the helicopters daily, for several hours a day, since at least Sept. 27. On that day and the day after, lawmakers claimed that the Port of Portland received more than 40 complaints related to the noise  more than four times the amount of complaints the Port received during the entirety of the previous fiscal year.

Our offices have received a significant number of calls from constituents who are angered and stressed by the persistent noise, by the frequent disruptions from the helicopters, and by what they perceive as misuse of government resources, Bonamici, Dexter, Wyden and Merkley wrote. Constituents report that the disruptions from the helicopters have rattled buildings, interrupted their workdays, and kept them awake at night. Portland residents are understandably confused and frustrated by the ongoing presence of the helicopters.

The hourly cost of flying the helicopters over Portland, whether they are owned and operated by the DHS and what other missions the aircraft has been used for are among the other questions that Oregon legislators posed to Secretary Noem.

Portlands ICE land use violation process now on pause, disputed by landowner

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State leaders said the helicopters have contributed to the escalation of disturbances near the local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, where several demonstrations have taken place in recent months. Additionally, KOIN 6 has reported that the helicopters have also frequented the inner-Southeast Brooklyn neighborhood.

Legislators have asked that DHS respond to their inquiries by Oct. 20.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Prosecutors are dropping yet another case in which they claimed a Washington, D.C., resident had assaulted a federal agent during President Donald Trumps crime crackdown, the latest in a string of embarrassing walkbacks by Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for D.C.

Mark Bigelow was arrested in August for allegedly having an open container of alcohol in the back of a van. Police claimed he resisted arrest and struck a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent while being taken into custody.

Politics: Top Pentagon Spokesman Jumps Into The Your Mom Childish Response Game

With Pirros office eager to hype Trumps federal takeover of policing in the city, prosecutors initially charged Bigelow with felony assault of a federal agent, which can carry a prison term of up to eight years. It was one of many cases in which prosecutors appeared to be overcharging D.C. residents with serious crimes just to send a message about Trumps takeover.

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Pirros office later reduced the charge to a misdemeanor, likely after it became clear prosecutors would not prevail in a felony case. But now prosecutors are seeking to drop the misdemeanor charge as well.

In a filing on Friday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Seidel asked the judge to dismiss the case with prejudice, meaning the case would be thrown out and no new charges would be brought against Bigelow. Dismissal, Seidel wrote, would serve the interests of justice.

Elizabeth Mullin, an attorney for Bigelow, told HuffPost in an email that her client was satisfied with the outcome.

This was the only just result in this case, and we are pleased that the U.S. Attorneys Office reached the same conclusion, Mullin said.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, speaks during a news conference with President Donald Trump in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington. Alex Brandon via Associated Press

Pirros office has earned rebukes from judges at the federal court in D.C. for pursuing felony cases that went nowhere, then switching gears and pursuing misdemeanor charges. In several cases, grand juries have declined to return indictments  an awkward defeat for prosecutors, since they largely control the grand jury process.

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Defense attorneys have blasted several cases as a colossal waste of time and court resources, as well as a gross injustice: Many defendants ended up spending days in the city jail only to have their cases tossed.

Politics: Mike Johnson Praises Trump Poop Video, Craps On 'No Kings' Protesters

Pirro, in turn, has lashed out at a D.C. judge and even at the jurors themselves.

The decision to drop the Bigelow case comes after Pirros office suffered an embarrassing loss in a similar case that went to a jury trial.

Prosecutors had accused D.C. resident Sidney Reid of striking an FBI agent during an altercation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. Reid, like many locals who oppose Trumps deportation campaign, had been filming the officers while they detained a man whod just been released from the D.C. jail.

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Pirros office tried and failed three times to get a D.C. grand jury to return a felony indictment against Reid for assaulting a federal agent. They ended up pursuing a misdemeanor case against her, but couldnt even win on the lesser charge.

Politics: D.C. Man Accused Of Spitting At National Guard Sees Felony Case Dismissed

Reid was acquitted Thursday after a three-day jury trial. She said in a statement through her attorneys that her case showed this administration and their peons are not able to invoke fear in all citizens.

I feel sorry for the prosecutors really, who must be burdened by Trumps irrational and unfounded hatred for his fellow man, Reid went on. Knowing that I can stand in front of 12 of my fellow citizens and be found not guilty for standing up for basic human rights makes me feel like, despite the scary times we live in, we have hope for the future.

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The right to protest has defined the United States of America since its founding. Its protest that led to the nations founding in the first place, and its protest that lies at the heart of the Constitutions First Amendment.

It sure seems like Donald Trump isnt a big fan of any of this, as he repeatedly suggests that media outlets who report on him should be prosecuted, and as his administration takes steps to crack down on nonprofit organizations and others who demonstrate against him. Trump put it bluntly last week while signing an executive order aimed at punishing anyone who chooses to protest by burning an American flag.

We took the freedom of speech away, the president said.

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This weekend, millions of Americans are expected to take to the streets across the nation to protest this increasingly oppressive administration. It will be the second widespread demonstration this year by the No Kings movement, the first coming on June 14, the same day the president held a military parade in Washington, D.C., on his birthday. Republicans have cast No Kings protesters as antifa extremists and anti-American terrorists  but few things are more patriotic than exercising ones right to free speech to protest authoritarian rule.

[We] want to be out there carefully, peacefully speaking our minds, Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, one of the organizations participating in the protest, told Rolling Stone this week. The one thing we cannot be in this moment is cowed by what [Trump] is threatening, and we wont be bullied into fear and silence in this moment.

Music has been an integral part of protests movements across generations, the present one being no exception. We released our Top 100 Protest Songs of All-Time earlier this year  chronicling how artists from Woody Guthrie to Public Enemy have inspired millions to stand up for their rights  and ahead of this weekends No Kings demonstrations weve put together a playlist fit for the moment, filled with anti-authoritarian anthems in which some of our favorite artists put their foot down and give an emphatic middle finger to the idea of a king.

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By Brad Brooks

(Reuters) -Crowds massed across the U.S. for more than 2,600 planned "No Kings" protests on Saturday against what participants view as President Donald Trump's autocratic tendencies and anti-democratic actions.

Millions of people were expected to turn out by day's end for rallies in major cities, small towns and even some foreign capitals, according to organizers.

The turnout, which built on the first "No Kings" protests in June, reflected frustration among participants over administration moves including criminal prosecutions of the president's perceived political enemies, nationwide immigration raids and the sending of federal troops into U.S. cities.

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There is nothing more American than saying,We dont have kings and exercising our right to peacefully protest, said Leah Greenberg, co-founder of Indivisible, a progressive organization that is the main organizer of the "No Kings" marches.

In Washington, D.C., demonstrators filled the street as they marched toward the U.S. Capitol, chanting and carrying signs, U.S. flags and balloons. Many people -- and their dogs -- wore costumes in a peaceful, carnival-style atmosphere.

Four marchers dressed in prison stripes and large caricature heads of Trump and other officials displayed a sign saying "Impeach Trump Again."

Protester Aliston Elliot, wearing a Statue of Liberty headpiece and holding a "No Wannabe Dictators" sign, said: "We want to show our support for democracy and for fighting (for) what is right. I'm against the overreach of power."

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Events in New York City, Boston, Chicago and Atlanta also drew large crowds. In downtown Houston, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Daniel Aboyte Gamez, 30, joined a few hundred other protesters.

"I don't understand what's going on in this nation right now," said Gamez, who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. "As a Marine Corps vet, I understand that the United States was founded upon action against tyrants, against kings."

Since Trump took office 10 months ago, his administration has ramped up immigration enforcement, moved to slash the federal workforce and cut funding to elite universities over such campus flashpoints as pro-Palestinian protests against Israel's war in Gaza, ethnic and racial diversity and transgender athletes.

Residents in some major cities have seen National Guard troops sent in by the president, who argues they are needed to protect immigration agents and to help combat crime.

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TRUMP SAYS HE IS NOT A KING

Trump has said very little about Saturdays protests. But in an interview with Fox Business aired on Friday he said that theyre referring to me as a king -- Im not a king.

More than 300 grassroots groups helped organize Saturdays marches, Greenberg said. The American Civil Liberties Union said it has given legal training to tens of thousands of people who will act as marshals at the various marches, and those people were also trained in de-escalation. No Kings ads and information have blanketed social media to drive turnout.

Senator Bernie Sanders, a progressive independent, and U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive Democrat, have backed the marches along with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who lost the 2016 presidential election to Trump.

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Senior Democratic lawmakers also voiced support for the movement.

"Todays No Kings rallies are an affirmation of what America is all about. We are a democracy," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on X.

U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries added separately, "Peaceful protest against an out of control President is the American way."

In June, 2,000-plus No Kings protests took place, mostly peacefully, on the same day that Trump celebrated his 79th birthday and held a military parade in Washington.

REPUBLICANS CLAIM PROTESTS ARE ANTI-AMERICAN

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, on Friday echoed a common refrain among his party, labeling the "No Kings" protests "the hate America rally."

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Other Republicans have blasted Democrats and marches like "No Kings" as motivating people to carry out political violence, especially in the wake of the September assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk, a close confidant of Trump and key members of his administration.

Dana Fisher, a professor at American University in Washington, D.C., and the author of several books on American activism, forecast that Saturday could see the largest protest turnout in modern U.S. history.

She expected that over 3 million people would take part based on registrations and participation in the June events.

Fisher said the protests were not going to change Trumps policies. But it might embolden elected officials at all levels who are in opposition to Trump.

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The first of Saturday's rallies were overseas with a couple of hundred protesters at the U.S. Embassy in London, and more demonstrations in Madrid and Barcelona.

(Reporting by Brad Brooks, AJ Vicens and David Shephardson; editing by Marguerita Choy and Cynthia Osterman)
Gubernatorial hopeful Katie Porter said Friday that she mishandled a recent television news interview that called her temperament into question, but explained she felt the reporter's questioning implied she should cater to President Trump's supporters.

Porter, an outspoken Democrat and former U.S. House representative from Orange County, said that she was "pushing back on" the reporter's implication that she needed to be more temperate politically.

"I think Trump is hurting Californians," said Porter, speaking at the UC Student and Policy Center in Sacramento. "I am not going to sell out our values as a state for some short-term political gain to try and appease people who are still standing and still supporting what this president is doing as he is trampling on our Constitution."

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Porter came under criticism last week for snapping at a CBS reporter and threatening to end the interview. A second video has since emerged of Porter cursing at a young staffer who walked behind her during a video conference in 2021.

Porter, who was speaking as part of the policy center's California Leaders Speaker Series, said she apologized "in real time" to her staffer.

"It was inappropriate," she said. "I could have done better in that situation and I know that. I really want my staff to understand that I value them."

After the videos emerged, several of Porters rivals criticized her behavior, including former state Controller Betty Yee, who said she should drop out of the race.

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Marisa Lagos, a correspondent with KQED radio who moderated Friday's discussion, asked if Porter felt any of the blowback was unfair, especially given Trump's mannerisms.

Trump has a long history of belittling or targeting journalists, continually accusing them of being the "enemy of the people" and, during his 2016 presidential campaign, mocking the appearance of a reporter who has a congenital joint condition.

"Let me just say, Donald Trump should not be anyone's standard for anything," Porter said. "From how to use self-tanner to how to deal with the press, that is not the benchmark."

Porter said she would work to demonstrate throughout the rest of her campaign that she has the right judgment to serve as governor.

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"I think we all know that those were short videos that were clipped, there is always a larger context, but the reality is every second of every minute I am responsible for thinking about how to lead California and do my best," she said.

Throughout the discussion Friday, Porter also shared her support for Proposition 50, a ballot measure that would change congressional district boundaries and likely shift five more seats to Democrats in the U.S House of Representatives. The measure, which will be on the Nov. 4 statewide ballot, was drafted to counteract a redistricting plan in Texas intended to give Republicans more seats.

Lagos asked Porter how she would respond to residents who fear they're being disenfranchised, especially those from rural areas.

Porter said she grew up in a rural area and wanted rural Californians to feel heard. But she said California was approaching redistricting in a different way than Texas by giving residents the opportunity to vote on it.

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"It's a question being put to each Californian about what they want to do in this political moment," she said. "Circumstances were one way, and we had one policy, but the world has changed  in light of that, what do you as a Californian want to do about that?"

During a question-and-answer round at Friday's event, a student referenced legislation on antisemitism and asked for Porter's thoughts on whether criticizing Israel counted as antisemitism.

Porter said it was a complex issue but that criticizing Israel was not automatically antisemitic.

"There are plenty of people in Israel who criticize Israeli policy," she said. "There are plenty of people around the world who don't like Donald Trump and criticize (the United States) all the time. There is a right to criticize policy."

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  When 19-year-old Aria Carter felt a small lump in her breast in the spring of 2023, she didnt think much of it. Months later, a burning sensation in the same area pushed her to get checked  a decision that doctors say may have saved her life.

She went to her OBGYN, who then ordered an ultrasound, which led to specialists who recommended the removal of the tumor. After surgery, the results came back positive for breast cancer  a diagnosis Carter admits she never expected at her age.

I read it on my chart and I thought, Oh, okay, I have cancer, she said. But I was in denial.

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Make It Make Sense: Breast cancer awareness

Carter, who was completing her prerequisites for nursing school at the time, said the diagnosis felt surreal until her doctor explained what treatment would mean  chemotherapy, surgery, and the loss of her hair and breasts.

They said, Youre going to go through chemo, youre going to lose your hair, youre going to lose your breast, Carter recalled. Thats when it really hit me.

Doctors later discovered Carter carries the BRCA-2 gene mutation  a genetic marker that greatly increases the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.

It really is important to be aware of your family history, said Dr. Daniela Ochoa, a surgical oncologist who treated Carter. The BRCA gene can be linked to breast, ovarian, and even other cancers as well.

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After learning of her daughters diagnosis, Carters parents underwent genetic testing.

My mother and father both did the genetic testing for it and turns out my mother had it her whole entire life without knowing, Carter said.

Her mothers results allowed the family to take preventative steps  and gave new meaning to Arias fight.

Since her diagnosis, Carter has completed five months of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and 25 rounds of radiation. Her ongoing treatment includes a monthly Lupron injection that suppresses hormones to prevent recurrence  a side effect that has put her body into early menopause.

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I get a shot called Lupron that puts my ovaries into menopause, Carter said. So I just say I have the body of a 40- or 50-year-old woman right now.

Last September, Carter rang the bell after finishing radiation  marking nearly one year cancer-free. Today, she uses her experience to raise awareness on social media, encouraging others to take symptoms seriously and advocate for their health.

I post on TikTok about my story and just tell everyone  early detection is key, she said. You know your body best.

CARTI patient talks recovery in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month continues, Carter says she hopes her journey reminds others that cancer doesnt discriminate by age  and that listening to your body can save your life.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Hollywood star and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger laid out his plan for saving democracy on Friday nights episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, and it involves Democrats and Republicans working togethersomething even Maher seemed skeptical of seeing happen anytime soon.

Speaking to Maher, The Terminator star, who served as governor of California from 2003 to 2011, explained his plan, which consists of three parts. What I suggest is to have a proposal like the Save Democracy Act, where we go and make Election Day a holiday so that everyone has time to go out and go to the election, the 78-year-old icon began. Maher noted that Democrats already support the idea of making Election Day a national holiday.

Schwarzenegger continued laying out his plan, telling Maher, The second point is you have to have fair redistricting. You have to have an independent redistricting commission in each state all over the United States.

Schwarzenegger served as governor of California from 2003 to 2011. / David McNew / David McNew/Getty Images

A key component of Schwarzeneggers legacy as governor of California was the creation of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, which current Governor Gavin Newsom has sought to override with Prop 50, a measure designed to combat Republican gerrymandering in states like Texas and Missouri.

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Finally, Schwarzenegger said, You have a voter ID, so then when you go and vote, people should know that you are that person.

The point of his proposal, he explained, was that there was something that the Republicans like, and theres something that the Democrats like so that the parties could get together and solve this problem.

Schwarzenegger criticized current California governor Gavin Newsom's proposed Prop 50 which would redraw California's electoral maps to be more favorable to Democrats. / Mario Tama/Getty Images

Schwarzenegger also took the time during his interview with Maher to criticize Newsoms efforts to redraw Californias electoral maps to combat Republican gerrymandering in other states, repeating MAGA talking points while doing so.

I think that Prop 50 is a big scam," said Schwarzenegger. It says that we should fight Trump because hes a threat to democracy. But in the meantime, they want to go and tear up the Constitution in California, get rid of the independent commission that draws the district lines and take the power away from the people and give it back to the politicians. How does this help democracy, imitating what Texas is doing? It doesnt make any sense, Schwarzenegger asked.

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He went on to argue that both red and blue states already engage in gerrymandering to their advantage, referencing states out there that have 40 percent Republicans and only have like 20 percent of representation in Congress.

Earlier on Friday, Vice President JD Vance made the same point in a post on social media, writing on X, New Englands six states vote about 40 percent Republican, and have literally zero Republican representatives in Congress.

This is really something. New England's six states vote about 40 percent Republican, and have literally zero republican representatives in Congress. https://t.co/1DgmOvaFl6  JD Vance (@JDVance) October 18, 2025

Former President Barack Obama, meanwhile, has expressed support for Newsoms efforts, agreeing with Schwarzenegger that over the long term, we shouldnt have political gerrymandering in America, just a fair fight between Republicans and Democrats based on whos got better ideas.

But since Texas is taking direction from a partisan White House and gerrymandering in the middle of a decade to try and maintain the House despite their unpopular policies, I have tremendous respect for how Governor Newsom has approached this, he wrote on X in August.
Arnold Schwarzenegger shared his two cents on Governor Gavin Newsoms Prop 50 measure on Real Time With Bill Maher Friday evening, where he slammed the political move as a big scam.

The actor, who served as the 38th Governor of California between 2003 and 2011, made it clear he wasnt a fan of Newsoms measure, which will authorize temporary changes to the states congressional district maps  directly combating similar action being done in Texas.

While Newsom has touted Prop 50 as a way to stop President Donald Trump and the Republican party from being able to rig the next election, Schwarzenegger accused it as evidence of unethical gerrymandering in todays politics.

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Do you know who I want to win? The people, he said. The people have to win. See, Im a Republican, but Im not a Republican hack. Im not a political hack. I dont serve the party, I always serve the people. The people are first.

As he went on, Schwarzenegger warned voters against ripping away the power that the people in California have and giving it back to the politicians via Prop 50.

He added: We fought that for too long. Lets not do that. Lets be a good example. Let the Democrats outperform the Republicans, and therefore, because of their performance, win and get the House back.

Schwarzenegger later shared how hed go about saving democracy, including a suggestion to make Election Day a holiday, independent Redistricting Commissions being in every state and the implementation of a voter ID. Per The Terminator star, these are all strategies utilized in Europe.

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We have to go talk to each other, rather than hating each other, he continued. Because, thats what the people want and thats what the people need.

Watch a highlight from his appearance above.

The post Arnold Schwarzenegger Tells Bill Maher Point Blank He Thinks Prop 50 Is a Big Scam appeared first on TheWrap.
(FOX40.COM)  A man has been arrested in connection with a 1998 homicide, the Turlock Police Department announced Thursday.

According to police, on June 2, 1998, Alma Peralta and another person were shot around the 600 block on Angelus Street. Peralta, who was 19, died.

The shooting occurred after a personal dispute with a man named Jose Luis Villa, now 58, turned violent, police said.

A warrant for Villas arrest was issued in 2011, but he eluded arrest while living in Mexico.

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The Turlock Police Department said it learned new information earlier this month that linked Villa to an address in the area.

Police arrested Villa on Oct. 13 after conducting a traffic stop and he was booked into jail on murder and attempted murder charges.

This arrest represents the unwavering dedication of our officers, dispatchers, analysts, and investigators who worked together to bring closure to a case that has spanned nearly three decades, the department said on social media. The Turlock Police Department remains committed to seeking justice for victims and their families, no matter how much time has passed.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.
When Jonise Louis found a lump in her breast at 35, she initially was optimistic that it would be early stage breast cancer that could be treated quickly.

She soon realized that wasnt the case. She was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

A week later, she learned she was pregnant. That threw a complete curveball, the Lauderhill resident and mother of two told the Miami Herald. I was thinking, would I even be able to keep my baby and go through treatment?

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The double whammy came in September 2020, during the height of the pandemic. Still, she persisted: She sought out community among women who were in similar position and came across nonprofit Hope for Two, a network of women who are pregnant and also have a cancer diagnosis, that connected her to an OB-GYN, a peer-mentor who was also pregnant and had cancer, and other resources to guide her through the process.

Little Haiti Cultural Center director Dasha Saintremy (left), Magdala Charles (center) and Jonise Louis at the opening night of the exhibit La Couronne Des Fleurs, which also honors those affected by breast cancer.

Now, the married mother of two  who gave birth to a son she calls her Chemo baby more than four years ago  makes it her mission to encourage other Black women to get their mammograms and genetic testing. You are your biggest advocate. You know your body more than anyone else, she said.

Louis shared her story with an intimate audience last Friday at the debut of an art exhibit called La Couronne Des Fleurs by Haitian American artist Magdala Charles at the Little Haiti Cultural Center. It is the first exhibit curated by LHCC director Dasha Saintremy, and is intended to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month and women affected by the disease. The exhibit is open through Nov. 22. The center is holding a Pink and Paint initiative to coincide with the exhibit on Saturday.

In this untitled piece, Magdala Charles portrays a faceless woman wearing a flower crown atop her head with an amputated breast. The Breast Cancer Awareness Month pin is interwoven in the flower crown. Charles work is a part of an exhibit, La Couronne Des Fleurs at the Little Haiti Cultural Center. It runs through November 22.

Louis said illnesses such as breast cancer arent spoken about among Haitian immigrants, and not doing so could have harmful effects. Louis said she didnt know her great aunt had stage 4 metastatic breast cancer until she died. In Haitian families, we dont talk about illness, she said. Its always, pray about it or take a natural remedy. Because of that, when someone has cancer in the family, we dont always know. If these conversations were happening, I could have taken preventive measures.

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African-American women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have a 40 percent mortality rate, the highest month of any U.S. racial or ethnic group, according to nonprofit Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, which works to eliminate toxic chemicals and other environmental exposures that lead to breast cancer. The mortality rate for Black women diagnosed with breast cancer is 42 percent higher than that of white women.

Research has indicated that women in Haiti develop breast cancer earlier and had worse outcomes. In Haiti, breast cancer was one of the most common cancers among women, and ranked No. 3 among cancer deaths, according to 2022 data from the Global Cancer Observatory.

In this piece entitled Majaste, Magdala Charles portrays a faceless woman wearing a flower crown atop her head a deep mauve dress with a singular breast exposed. Her work is a part of an exhibit, La Couronne Des Fleurs at the Little Haiti Cultural Center. It runs through November 22.

Charles said she became more aware of breast cancer after moving to the United States. Raised in Brooklyn, Charles attended Clara Barton High School for Health Professions, a vocational high school which also has a nursing program. Breast Cancer Awareness Month was part of the curriculum and in their studies they learned about breast cancer, testing and prevention.

Charles has had several loved ones affected by breast cancer, which is why her exhibit is dedicated to those who have battled the disease. The untitled crowning piece features a faceless woman with a flower crown and a single mastectomy, in a tribute to women affected by breast cancer. The piece is being auctioned to raise money for Metavivor, a nonprofit organization that focuses on research for stage 4 metastatic cancer.

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Battling and overcoming breast cancer is something that should be recognized, Charles said. The woman in my painting has her breast amputated but wears a crown. Its my way of saying she deserves her flowers.

This piece, Voloptuous, by Magdala Charles features a full-figured woman and is included in the exhibit, La Couronne Des Fleurs at the Little Haiti Cultural Center. The exhibit runs through November 22.

Louis said she hopes her advocacy and Charles exhibit encourages more Black women, especially Haitian women, to discuss their health and take proactive steps.

Know your family history, she said. Be your biggest advocate. If something doesnt feel right, push for answers. Dont be afraid to talk about it, and dont wait until its too late.

If you go:

What: La Couronne Des Fleurs by Magdala Charles

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When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; through Nov. 22. Pink and Paint event is at 4 p.m. Saturday

Where: Little Haiti Cultural Complex, 212 Northeast 59th Terrace Miami, FL 33137

Cost: Free

Info: https://www.eventbrite.com
Chesapeake Bay oyster farmers still rely on technologies their great-great-grandparents invented, including dropping a bamboo pole to the seabed to feel for good locations to seed young oysters, often called spat.

But a project underway at the University of Marylands A. James Clark School of Engineering aims to change that with the aid of artificial intelligence, or AI. The final product will shed light and sound on the hidden sea floor by tapping AI to combine murky underwater video with cryptic sonar, which uses sound, rather than light, to detect objects underwater. The universitys AI system returns detailed information on the quality of the seabed and the growth and maturity of oysters. Researchers say it can even measure their size and distinguish between live and dead oysters.

The current status of oyster farming is still using technology that dates back to the 19th century, said Miao Yu, professor of engineering and principal investigator on the oyster project. When they dredge, they dont know the condition of their oyster beds or the seabed conditions.

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While sport and commercial fishermen have used sonar for decades to find fish and large objects like shipwrecks, identifying oysters on the sea floor requires new tools, Yu said.

As she spoke, doctoral students Michael Xu and William Chen launched a remotely operated submersible robot to the bottom of the universitys Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory tank. In time, the sonar screen resolved into a hazy image of a group of oyster shells spelling the schools signature M on the tank floor. This image was easier to see than natural oyster beds, Yu said, since they were arranged into a recognizable symbol.

If you look at raw sonar images, she said, it wont tell you anything. With AI, this project will train a model to classify images weve collected and provide an index or label indicating whether this represents a good substrate for spat or to measure the dimensions of the oysters.

Their work is part of a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture intended to advance the state of sustainable shellfish farming. Yu and her team, along with researchers from universities in Washington State and Florida, are developing a system to monitor oyster beds remotely in a systematic pattern. Once complete, oyster farmers will be able to tap into an app on their phone for GPS-guided directions to the most mature oyster beds within their lease or to ideal locations to seed new oysters. That way, Yu said, individual farmers wont bear the cost of sophisticated AI and sonar systems.

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Artificial intelligence is becoming a dominant force in technology development.

In 2024, U.S. private investment in AI grew to $109.1 billion, according to Stanford Universitys 2025 AI Index Report. The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) projects the global AI market will grow to $4.8 trillion by 2033, representing nearly a third of all technology development.

Oysters themselves are big business in Maryland, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources report on oyster restoration sanctuaries released in August. Oyster restoration projects have boosted the industry from 116,000 bushels worth $3.5 million annually before 2010, to more than 475,000 bushels, worth about $18 million since 2020.

A keystone species, oysters improve the bays environment by filtering water and providing habitat for fish and other aquatic life. The Department of Natural Resources maintains oyster restoration sanctuaries for conservation purposes, with a subset open for lease to oyster farmers. These sanctuaries are intended to allow oysters to grow undisturbed in recognition of their ecological benefits.

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Even as oyster sanctuaries help improve the health of the bay, professor Yu said the AI-driven mapping of oyster beds will someday help oyster farmers work their leased sanctuary tracts more efficiently. It should help optimize the conservation sanctuaries as well.

Have a news tip? Contact Karl Hille at 443-900-7891 or khille@baltsun.com.
(Reuters) -Pfizer and Japanese firm Astellas' drug Padcev, combined with Merck's Keytruda, lowered the risk of tumor recurrence, progression or death in patients suffering from a type of bladder cancer, the companies said on Saturday.

The late-stage trial studied patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) who were ineligible for or declined chemotherapy with the commonly used cancer drug, cisplatin, and were given the combination before and after surgery.

The combination therapy showed improvement in event-free survival - which measures how long a patient remains free from disease recurrence and other complications - with a 60% reduction in the risk of tumor recurrence, progression or death for patients compared to surgery alone. It also improved overall survival, with a 50% reduction in the risk of death.

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The ability of the combination to reduce the risk of death by half in this setting was a remarkable advancement for patients who have limited treatment options and often face poor prognoses, said Pfizer's Chief Oncology Officer Jeff Legos.

An estimated 74.7% of patients treated with the combination were event-free at two years, compared to 39.4% who received surgery only, the companies said.

Bladder cancer is the ninth most common cancer worldwide. MIBC, which represents 30% of all bladder cancers, is a type of cancer that grows into the muscle layer of the bladder wall.

Merck's top-selling drug Keytruda helps the body's own immune system fend off cancer by blocking a protein called PD-1, while Padcev, an antibody-drug conjugate, targets specific cancer cells without damaging healthy ones.

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The combination is not currently approved to be given before and after surgery in cisplatin-ineligible patients with MIBC.

The companies said the results would be discussed with global health authorities for potential regulatory filings.

(Reporting by Sriparna Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Pooja Desai)
Looming billions of light years away, astronomers have spotted an enormous double-ring structure  itself hundreds of thousands of light years across  that glows spectacularly in radio wavelengths. And, tantalizingly, they cant fully explain its origins.

The discovery, documented in a new study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, is the latest example of a class of enigmatic cosmic objects called Odd Radio Circles, of which only a handful have ever been found since they were first discovered just six years ago. And its only the second found to comprise two rings.

ORCs are believed to be made up of magnetized plasma. Distinguishable only in radio light, theyre found encircling a galaxy at their center, and are often dozens of times the diameter of the entire Milky Way. Yet, despite their unignorable scale, we still dont know what causes them to form, intriguing astronomers who believe that they could be echoes of catastrophes that shook the cosmos billions of years ago.

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ORCs are among the most bizarre and beautiful cosmic structures weve ever seen  and they may hold vital clues about how galaxies and black holes co-evolve, hand-in-hand, study lead author Ananda Hota, an assistant professor at the University of Mumbais department of atomic energys Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences, told CNN.

This latest ORC, referred to by the name of the galaxy it was found in, RAD J131346.9+500320, may provide major clues. Residing some 7.5 billion light years from Earth, the double-ringed ORC sits in a packed area of space called a galaxy cluster, formed from multiple galaxies that are gravitationally bound to each other and are all in relatively close proximity.

This suggests that the ORCs might be shaped by interactions between surrounding plasma and a galaxys jet, a highly energetic stream of particles produced by a supermassive black hole that occupies the center of a galaxy. In such a scenario, the black hole jet created the magnetized clouds of plasma, which were later blasted by some enormous explosion near the galactic center. That re-energized the plasma clouds, Hota told CNN, making them glow anew as radio rings.

These discoveries show that ORCs and radio rings are not isolated curiosities  they are part of a broader family of exotic plasma structures shaped by black hole jets, winds, and their environments, said coauthor Pratik Dabhade, assistant professor in the astrophysics division of the National Centre For Nuclear Research in Warsaw, Poland, in a statement.

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The ORCs are part of what astronomers are calling an entire low-surface brightness universe of objects that were once hidden from view that are now being uncovered by the latest generation of powerful radio telescopes. Some other discoveries found lurking in this secret realm include a supernova remnant so perfectly round that it defies explanation, and moribund stellar objects called Wolf-Rayet stars that burn and shine so intensely that they only survive for a cosmic blink of the eye.

More on astrophysics: Scientists Intrigued by Black Hole That Fell Into Star, Then Ate It From the Inside
CATLETTSBURG Boyd County grand jurors indicted two attempted murder suspects earlier this week.

Gary E. Willis, 54, of Grayson, and Coriina L. Kouns, 46, of Ashland, were indicted on attempted murder charges. Each is in the Boyd County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond.

Kouns faces three counts of attempted murder and a first-degree arson charge. Court records indicate she allegedly set fire to a house with occupants inside.

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Willis faces the following charges: attempted murder, first-degree fleeing/evading, first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer (five counts), second-offense meth possession, drug paraphernalia buy/possess, first-degree criminal mischief (three counts), resisting arrest, reckless driving, first-offense operating motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance, operating on a suspended/revoked license, leaving the scene of an accident/failure to render aid or assistance and first-degree persistent felony offender.

An indictment is not necessarily an indication of guilt. A grand jury found enough evidence to continue felony prosecution.

The above and following individuals are innocent until proven guilty:

 Melvin A. Gonzalez, 22, of Smithfield (in Henry County), was indicted on these charges: third-degree sodomy, first-degree sexual abuse, use of a minor in a sexual performance and possession/viewing of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor between ages 12 and 18 (six counts). Gonzalez is in the Boyd County Detention Center on a $200,000 bond.

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 Theodoric Cochrum, 52, of Ashland, was indicted on a charge of promoting contraband, first degree (fentanyl, carfentanil or derivative).

 Cory A. Hatcher-Kinsel, 37, of South Point, Ohio, was indicted on a charge of failure to comply with sex offender registration (second offense).
AURORA, Mo.  A man from Aurora was sentenced in court today, Oct. 17, a little over two years after he drove intoxicated and caused the death of another.

According to court dockets, Jarod Jay Lueders, born in 1984, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for one count of driving while intoxicated  death of another, a class C felony, in Lawrence County Circuit Court.

Court documents say the two-vehicle wreck occurred on July 6, 2023, on U.S. Highway 60 near Verona.

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A Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) investigation revealed Lueders was traveling east on U.S. 60 when he crossed the center of the roadway in his Ford truck and struck the front of a vehicle driven by 82-year-old Mance Wilkerson, head-on.

Wilkerson died from his injuries sustained in the crash on July 9, 2023.

MSHP investigators found an empty shooter bottle of American Honey inside Lueders truck.

Court documents also say MSHP investigators also smelled a strong odor of intoxicants from Lueders after the crash. His preliminary breath tester indicated he had a blood alcohol content over .08%.

Read previous Ozarks First coverage here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
Oct. 17Taking a bull elk is something military veteran Kendall Roche, of Austin, has wanted to do his entire life.

While Roche served in the U.S. Air Force for six years then the U.S. Army for another seven years, harvesting a bull elk at Hay Creek Ranch was "the most exciting experience I've ever had in my life."

Roche was chosen for the 19th Annual Minnesota Elk Breeders Association elk hunt, at Hay Creek Ranch in Tenstrike, Minnesota with his son Joseph.

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They arrived at the ranch on Aug. 25 and spent time with their guide and got the feel for what to expect.

Roche said that sharing this experience with his son was priceless.

"I haven't spent time with my son like this in 20 years so that was so special to us," Roche said. "You did that."

Prior to the hunt, Roche had been dealing with PTSD from his time in the military along with other personal difficulties that had been dragging him down, but he said this experience changed him.

"From that day until now, a load came off my shoulders. I don't know how to explain it," he said. "I feel recovered emotionally; I feel so much healthier."

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Hay Creek Ranch took care of quartering the bull and got the meat to the processor. He also left the head there as well for mounting.

Roche served in many capacities while in the military, from jet engine maintenance to infantry and intelligence, he traveled extensively serving both Germany and the effort in the Persian Gulf supporting the United States in some of the most memorable world military events of his lifetime. But this service came at a cost, including from hearing loss from jet aircraft maintenance to multiple ankle, knee and hip surgeries and multilevel spine fusions.

Roche has endured ongoing pain and challenges, yet he continues to face life with determination and pride in the service he gave his country.

"Not all of us have the same story or the same injuries, but we that were in support positions also did what of our country asked of us. I'd do it again in a heartbeat," Roche said. "What you are doing for us is remarkable. I am so thankful and grateful."

In the meantime, he is gearing up to soon become the next commander of the American Legion Honor Guard and has enjoyed serving the legion in its activities over many years.
FRANKFURT/BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Austria said on Saturday that it would agree to the European Union's latest sanctions package against Russia, in an about-face of its earlier stance and removing a key hurdle ahead of a vote early next week.

EU foreign ministers are due to convene on Monday in Luxembourg when they hope to finalise the bloc's 19th sanctions package against Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.

Reuters reported earlier this month the passage of the package was deadlocked because Austria was demanding that the EU unfreeze some Russian assets to compensate Austria's Raiffeisen Bank International for penalties imposed by Russia.

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But other EU governments would not go along. The package needs unanimous support from the EU's 27 member states.

"Austria supports continued pressure on Russia and will approve the 19th package of sanctions on Monday," the country's foreign ministry said in a statement.

The sanctions package includes an array of energy and financial measures, including a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas from January 1, 2027, bringing forward the date from January 1, 2028.

Slovakia has also voiced reservations about it, but four EU diplomats said the European Commission was expected to issue a letter on Monday that should address Slovakia's concerns.

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Neither Slovakia's foreign ministry nor the Commission immediately responded to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Tom Sims and Julia Payne; Additional reporting by Michael Kahn in Prague; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
Austria has dropped its opposition to the European Unions latest sanctions package against Russia, clearing the way for the bloc to move forward with its 19th round of restrictive measures. EU foreign ministers are expected to finalize the package at a meeting in Luxembourg on Oct. 20.

Vienna had previously held up the sanctions over a demand that the EU compensate Austrias Raiffeisen Bank International for losses inflicted by Russian penalties. Other member states rejected the request, leaving the package deadlocked until Austrias reversal this week.

"Austria supports continued pressure on Russia and will approve the 19th package of sanctions on Monday," the Austrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, according to Reuters.

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The new measures include additional energy and financial restrictions, most notably moving up a planned ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports to Jan. 1, 2027, a year earlier than originally proposed.

Slovakia had also voiced reservations, but according to four EU diplomats cited by Reuters, the European Commission is expected to issue a letter addressing Bratislavas concerns ahead of the final vote.

Read also: Russia keeps hitting Ukraines training centers  and Ukraine doesnt have an answer

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Austria announced on Saturday 18 October that it would agree to the adoption of a new package of sanctions against Russia, removing one of the key obstacles to voting early next week.

Source: Reuters, as reported by European Pravda

Details: EU foreign ministers are set to meet on Monday in Luxembourg, where they hope to finalise the 19th package of sanctions against Russia.

It was reported that the adoption of the package had reached an impasse because Austria demanded that the EU lift sanctions on some Russian assets to compensate Raiffeisen Bank International for fines imposed by Russia.

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However, other EU governments have not agreed with this. The sanctions package requires the unanimous support of all 27 EU member states.

"Austria supports continued pressure on Russia and will approve the 19th package of sanctions on Monday," Reuters reported, citing a statement from the Austrian Foreign Ministry.

Slovakia has also expressed reservations on this issue, but four EU diplomats said the European Commission is expected to release a letter on Monday that should address Slovakia's concerns.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Brazilian wildlife authorities made a massive bust recently, arresting 45 people and saving hundreds of exotic animals in the process.

What's happening?

According to El Paso Inc., Brazilian authorities rescued hundreds of animals in a mid-September bust, including toucans, macaws, tortoises, monkeys, and a python. The bust didn't stop with animals; over 1,000 law enforcement officials took part in the bust across Rio de Janeiro, which was "the largest operation in Brazil's history to combat the trafficking of wild animals, weapons, and ammunition," according to a police statement on the operation.

The gang had operated for decades and was allegedly responsible for the mass hunting of wild animals for trafficking. According to the report, one part of the gang specialized in hunting, drugging, and trafficking monkeys.

Why is animal trafficking important?

The trafficking of wild animals is incredibly dangerous, both for the animals and those purchasing them. For the people who buy trafficked animals, they often find themselves caring for animals that they are wholly unqualified to handle, leading to injury or worse.

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But trafficking takes a much, much heavier toll on wildlife. They are seldom well cared-for during their capture and transit, and are frequently stressed, injured, or even killed in the process.

"Animal trafficking is not just cruel  it's a death sentence. Many animals die before even reaching the market, which shows the sheer brutality of this trade," Bernardo Rossi, state secretary of environment and sustainability, said in a statement.

On top of that, removing these animals from their native ecosystems disrupts those ecosystems in profound ways, which can lead to serious unforeseen consequences.

What's being done about trafficking?

The good news is, most countries around the world are taking a hard line when it comes to illegal trafficking of animals.

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Countries like India have been cracking down on the poaching and trafficking of wildlife, while Spain recently made a sizable bust of their own in the Canary Islands. Even INTERPOL has gotten into the mix, coordinating one of the largest busts of all time across multiple countries back in March.

Ultimately, it's clear that the world is taking animal trafficking seriously and is fighting hard to stop the practice before more animals are hurt by it.

Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

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NEED TO KNOW

A baby gorilla born at the Cincinnati Zoo on Sept. 20 has finally been given a name

The moniker "means community/village in Lingala, one of the languages spoken in the region where western lowland gorillas live," according to the animal establishment

Zoo attendees celebrated the newborn gorilla's name for having "so much meaning and history"

The Cincinnati Zoo has finally given one of its newest additions a name.

The animal establishment announced in a Facebook post on Oct. 13 that a baby gorilla born on Sept. 20 has been named Mboka Jo.

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Mboka, the Cincinnati Zoo said, "means community/village in Lingala, one of the languages spoken in the region where western lowland gorillas live."

"This is a nod to all the people who came together to help Gladys when she was a baby, supported her when she had a broken arm last year, and throughout her pregnancy," the social media post continued.

The middle name Jo, meanwhile, was added by zoo workers to honor Jomo, the foster father of Gladys.

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.

Cincinnati Zoo Mboka Jo and Gladys. Mboka Jo and Gladys.

In the comments section of the post, Cincinnati Zoo fans and attendees celebrated the newborn's moniker.

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"Its a beautiful name and a wonderful remembrance of Jomo," one wrote, as another said, "So excited he has a perfect tribute and name now."

Added one more zoo goer: "I love that the name has so much meaning and history."

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

A follow-up post shared by the Cincinnati Zoo on Oct. 16 showed the mother-baby pair together in their exhibit.

"Mboka Jo is almost a month old. Hes strong and alert, and Gladys is being a wonderful mother," the post's caption read.



Read the original article on People
A babysitter was arrested at her south Georgia home earlier this week after being accused of poisoning the toddler she watches.

According to court documents, Anna Adamo is charged with aggravated child abuse, attempted murder and adulterating food or drink charges.

Warrants say she poisoned the 11-month-old boy with antifreeze in February.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

It says the child was taken to three different Florida hospitals that required CPR and life support.

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Investigators found a bottle of antifreeze in Adamos garage that was missing nearly three cups of fluid, which they say is not enough for normal car maintenance.

TRENDING STORIES:

In 2014, Adamo was accused of poisoning another child.

When investigators asked her about that incident, she brushed it off, claiming that it was medically found to be a disease.

She is currently out on a $600,000 bond.

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Enrique Tarrio attended Miamis second No Kings protest  like he did in June  livestreaming his interactions with protestors on social media, as organizers repeatedly told the crowd not to engage with him.

The former leader of the Proud Boys was handed the longest sentence of anyone involved in the January 6 Capitol riots  sentenced to 22 years in prison for seditious conspiracy for his role in organizing the attack, though he was not in D.C. in person. He has since been pardoned by Donald Trump and lives in Miami.

Miamis second No Kings protest took place on Saturday by the Torch of Friendship in downtown. Organizers estimated about 4,000 participants were at the Miami protest, among them Tarrio and Broward Proud Boys member Barry Ramey.

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Walk away from the agitator, organizers told the crowd using megaphones. Please do not engage with any outside agitators. National and local organizers of the No Kings protests held safety trainings in the lead-up to Saturdays rallies.

I support all these people, especially her with the bullhorn, said Tarrio.

These protestors are 100 percent expressing the same rights as during January 6, said Ramey, who was livestreaming Tarrios interactions with the crowd.

One attendee said to his young daughter as Tarrio passed by, There goes the bad guy.

They called me the bad guy! Tarrio said. Were in Miami, doesnt he know what that means! referencing Scarface.

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During his hour-and-a-half long livestream at the protest, he started shouting at a protester asking why he was there. You dont believe in free speech? he said. Welcome to free speech!

Its important to remember that free speech goes both ways. We urge everyone to stay focused on the event, practice joyful resistance and allow our safety team to handle any potential disruption, one of the events speakers Garrett Colon had told the crowd earlier in the day.

People surrounding the two Proud Boys yelled pedophile defender.

Tarro lit up a cigarette as people yelled, loser, loser and fascist. Two officers from the city of Miami Police Department came into the crowd.

Very peaceful crowd, said Sergeant K. Williams, from the City of Miami Police, who escorted the two Proud Boys members out of the protest.
Oct. 18BAGLEY  The Lake Agassiz Regional Library system invites youth ages 5 and up to an art event from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Bagley Public Library, 79 Spencer Ave. SW.

Students will celebrate the art of Yayoi Kusama, a Japanese artist who has been creating for over 80 years and has been called "The Princess of Polka Dots."

"Youth participants will discover Kusama's unique artistic style and create pumpkin art using their favorite shapes," a release said.

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The program is free of charge and materials are provided.

Lake Agassiz Regional Library is a consolidated public library system comprising 13 branch libraries and nine LINK Sites serving the residents of seven counties in northwest Minnesota. For more information, call

(218) 233-3757

or visit

www.larl.org.
Barack Obama has remained relatively silent as President Donald Trump has systematically attacked Americas multiracial democracy  and the former presidents legacy.

One can only imagine how this must all feel for Obama, not to mention the near superhuman strength and discipline it requires for him to maintain his composure and adhere to the informal rule that American presidents generally do not publicly criticize their successors.

Obama, as I have written, occupies a singular place in American culture in history. As the countrys first Black president, he bears a heavier burden than others in being forced to hide his feelings, and particularly his anger.

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But Trumps escalating threats to American democracy, which have included threats to invade and occupy Democratic-led cities like Chicago  Obamas hometown  and to invoke the Insurrection Act, have compelled the former president to speak out. Unfortunately, it may be far too late. American democracy is rapidly collapsing.

In a surprise appearance last week on the final episode of comedian Marc Marons WTF podcast, Obama warned that Americas democracy is in peril, even as he insisted that it is still possible to organize and resist. Were not at the stage where you have to be like Nelson Mandela and be in a 10-by-12 jail cell for 27 years and break rocks, he said.

But he was clear-eyed about what has happened in the last nine months since Trump returned to office. [T]here 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, he said.I dont think theyve been destroyed, but theyve been damaged and [the administration has] been systematic about it.

Obama called out elite institutions  such as law firms, colleges and universities, and businesses  for capitulating to Trumps power grab, and he was blunt in his alarm that Trumps plans to deploy the military in blue cities across the country are an authoritarian move. 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.

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Fox News and right-wing media, he said, are partners in Trumps bid for autocracy, even as they claim to embrace the Constitution and freedom. 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 Gov. [Greg] Abbott says. Im going to kind of take over law enforcement, because I think things are out of control, it is mind-boggling to me how Fox News would have responded.

This is a very different tone from Obamas first conversation with Maron in 2015, when he was more hopeful.

But Barack Obama is no longer the same man, and the United States is no longer the same country.

In a recent discussion in London with young pro-democracy leaders from Hungary and Poland, Obama showed that he is done being quiet about Trumps threats to democracy in America and around the world. Were seeing politicians target civil society, undermine freedom of the press, weaponize the justice system, he said. And no one is being spared. Even countries that thought they were immune from wholesale assaults on democracy now understand that were all part of one struggle.

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As the crisis worsens, Obama is feeling more pressure and obligation to speak out about Trumps abuses. Although the president has threatened Obama with charges of treason and prison, or worse, Obama knows he is likely safe from any real danger of arrest or other punishments for these non-existent crimes. But as a patriot, as the countrys first Black president and the child of the Black Freedom Struggle and civil rights movement, he knows he has a unique moral obligation to speak truth to power  especially as one of the most powerful and popular people in the country.

A new poll from Marquette University shows that 42% of Americans view Trump favorably. The same poll shows that a much higher percentage, 57%, have positive feelings toward Obama. Other polls have consistently shown that he continues to be the most popular of all the living presidents.

Its important to remember that Obama is also a constitutional law scholar. He can clearly see and understand the existential, unprecedented peril facing the country from the erosion of its democracy and civil society.

Want more sharp takes on politics? Sign up for our free newsletter, Standing Room Only, written by Amanda Marcotte, now also a weekly show on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

And then there is the serious matter of a rudderless Democratic Party that, nearly a year after the presidential election, lacks a unified message and strong national leadership.

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NBC News recently reported how practical necessity has drawn Obama back into the national spotlight following talks with trusted friends and advisers over how and when to weigh in about Trumps policies and behavior. According to one confidante, [Obama] picks and chooses his spots wisely You wont see him shadowing this president. He didnt do it the first four years. There was a lot of crazy then. More crazy now. Hes not going to be a president who spends his time throwing shade on another president, but hell certainly lean in when he sees injustices.

In such a fraught and dangerous period, the pro-democracy movement needs new leaders from a younger generation. But it also needs the leadership of established public voices like Obama. It remains an open question if the former president will be able to mobilize fence-sitters and politically disengaged people to rally in defense of democracy and freedom  and such expectations are too much to ask of one man or leader. As we witnessed with former Vice President Kamala Harris failed presidential campaign, celebrity politics will not slow down Trumpism, nor will it quell the rising authoritarian tide. Like other successful pro-democracy movements, the beating heart of resistance will be everyday people.

During an event earlier this year at Hamilton College, Obama felt comfortable enough to drop the mask and signal how Trumps authoritarian project is fueled by white racism and racial animus. In conversation with sociologist and Hamilton College President Stephen Tepper, Obama, ever the master rhetorician, said:

Imagine if I had done any of this. I just want to be clear about this. Imagine if I had pulled Fox News credentials from the White House press corps. Youre laughing, but this is whats happening. Imagine if I had said to law firms that were representing parties that were upset with policies my administration had initiated, that you will not be allowed into government buildings. We will punish you economically for dissenting from the Affordable Care Act or the Iran deal. We will ferret out students who protest against my policies. Its unimaginable that the same parties that are silent now would have tolerated behavior like that from me, or a whole bunch of my predecessors.

The audience laughed and clapped because they understood the absurdity of racism, the color line, the double standards and the higher expectations unfairly placed on Black and brown people in America, and around the world.

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Social scientists and other experts have repeatedly shown that racism is closely connected to authoritarian values and hostility to democracy.

Barack Obama, both the man and the symbol, is the personification of these white racial fears and anxieties. Donald Trump harnessed that animus  along with his personal obsession with Americas first Black president  to propel himself to the White House not once, but twice.

This is the damage that the irrational hatred of one Black man has done to our country in such a short amount of time.

The post Barack Obama tries to rally Americans to defend their democracy appeared first on Salon.com.
JOHANNESBURG (AP)  Weeks of nationwide Gen Z protests in Madagascar sparked by power and water shortages escalated and led to a military coup that forced President Andry Rajoelina into exile. Army officer Col. Michael Randrianirina has been sworn in as the new leader of the Indian Ocean nation.

The colonel is not the first in history to rise from the barracks to the presidential palace.

Here are five other famous military leaders who followed a similar trajectory:

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Myanmar  Min Aung Hlaing

After decades of a gradual, deliberate ascent through the Myanmar military, Min Aung Hlaing was appointed joint chief of staff of the army, navy, and air force, the militarys third-highest position, in 2010. A year later, he was appointed commander-in-chief and would spend the next decade consolidating his power and influence.

Facing mandatory retirement in July 2021, Min Aung Hlaing seized power through a military coup in February that year, declaring a state of emergency, transferring all state power to himself and establishing a military government, the State Administration Council (SAC). Since then he has ruled Myanmar under various titles. The military government has announced plans to hold a general election by years end.

Uganda  Idi Amin

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Idi Amin began his military career as a cook and served in the British colonial army. After Uganda's 1962 independence, he rose quickly through its military ranks under President Milton Obotes guidance to become commander of the army. In January 1971, Obote was in Singapore for a Commonwealth summit when Amin took control in a military coup. Obote fled to neighboring Tanzania after the coup, which was the result of the two mens growing political and personal animosity.

Ugandans initially welcomed Amins rise to power, as he promised to release political prisoners and restore democracy. However, his regime rapidly descended into a brutal dictatorship characterized by violence and human rights abuses.

Amin was himself overthrown in April 1979 by an invasion force composed of the Tanzanian military and Ugandan rebels.

Turkey  Kenan Evren

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Kenan Evren began his military career as an officer from a military academy, rising through the ranks over several decades until he reached the highest rank of general, serving as the chief of the general staff. He led a military coup in Turkey in September 1980 after months of violence between left-wing and right-wing militants that nearly brought the country to civil war.

The leader of the coup took over the presidency and then rewrote the constitution to guarantee the militarys political power. The military dissolved Parliament and ruled through a National Security Council, which Evren was the head of, effectively running the country as a dictator.

His period of sole military rule ended when he formally assumed the title of the seventh president of Turkey in November 1982, after a new constitution was approved by referendum, and he served until November 1989.

In 2012, he was put on trial for leading the coup and later sentenced to life imprisonment for crimes against the state.

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Ghana  Jerry Rawlings

Jerry Rawlings rose to power through two military coups, first in June 1979 and then in December 1981, before transitioning to a democratically elected president.

Rawlings, a pilot in the Ghanaian Air Force, became well-known for the successful first coup he led. He briefly held the position of ruler of Ghana before ceding it.

In a second coup in 1981, he toppled the civilian government and commanded the Provisional National Defense Council military dictatorship in the early 1990s. Following the drafting of a new constitution in 1992, he was democratically elected as president and held office for two four-year terms, from January 1993 to January 2001.

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His legacy is complex, with both praise for his economic reforms and criticism for human rights abuses, including arbitrary detentions and forced disappearances.

Chile  Augusto Pinochet

Augusto Pinochet was a career military officer who had risen through the ranks and was appointed commander-in-chief of the army by Chile President Salvador Allende in August 1973. The following month, Allende, the democratically elected socialist president, was overthrown in a bloody military coup led by Pinochet. The military surrounded and bombed the presidential palace, La Moneda, where Allende remained until his death by suicide.

In the aftermath, the military imposed a junta where Pinochet emerged to establish himself as its single head before instituting a cruel, 17-year dictatorship. Until 1990, Chileans lived in a period marked by systematic human rights abuses and the implementation of radical free-market economic policies.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Baton Rouge General (BRG) is adding a personal touch to preventive care. The hospital is hosting its annual Mammos & More event, turning what can feel like a routine screening into something empowering and even fun.

Dr. Everett Bonner, a surgical breast oncologist at BRG, said breast cancer can affect anyone, even those without a known family history.

The event, happening Saturday, offers 3D mammograms and clinical breast exams to women who havent been screened in the past year. While screenings typically begin at age 40, Bonner said some women should start earlier.

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Womans Hospital doctors share information for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

For women who are at high-risk, greater than 20% lifetime risk, they should start mammograms around age 30. Depending on their breast density, they may also need ultrasounds or MRIs, he explained.

But the event is about creating a comfortable environment.

This is just kind of a way to take off that edge a bit, make them a little more relaxed. You know, a very friendly, fun atmosphere. Well have some music, food and drinks, Bonner added.

Organizers hope that by removing some of the fear and stigma surrounding mammograms, more women will prioritize their health.

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Early detection saves lives, Bonner said. If you can catch breast cancer at stage one or stage two, you have a high 98 to 99 percent survival rate.

The Mammos & More event runs from 9 a.m. to noon at Baton Rouge General. Registration is $25, and no insurance is required. Sign up here.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A Baton Rouge man with a long criminal history was arrested this week following a narcotics investigation by the Baton Rouge Police Departments Special Investigations Unit.

According to BRPD, Rodrigus Holmes, 50, was taken into custody on Wednesday, Oct. 15, by detectives and the departments Special Response Team (SWAT) after investigators executed multiple search warrants.

During the searches, officers reportedly seized cocaine, crack cocaine, a large amount of cash, a 9mm handgun, and a .25 caliber handgun.

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Holmes now faces several charges, including:

Possession with intent to distribute Schedule II (Cocaine)

Illegal carrying of a firearm with a controlled dangerous substance

Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

Possession of drug paraphernalia

Police said Holmes has an extensive criminal history, with more than 20 arrests dating back to 1994. His previous charges include armed robbery, aggravated battery, multiple drug offenses, burglary, theft, domestic abuse battery, and cruelty to animals, among others.

At the time of his arrest, police said Holmes was on supervised probation for a prior narcotics violation.

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In many ways, at least at this moment, Israel is far more ready than it was on October 7 to defend against invasion. But in some ways, little has changed, and in other ways Israel is more vulnerable.

Two years after October 7, is the IDF really ready enough to prevent a future invasion?

First of all, the answer depends on the front. Israel shares borders with Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, the West Bank, Jordan, and Egypt, and the danger of invasion probably corresponds to that order.

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For now, Israel is unlikely to be invaded from any of these borders, because it is still on the attack and has security zones versus Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza which it did not have before October 7.

But it may not always have those security zones. There are already serious negotiations going on about IDF withdrawals from its five positions in Lebanon and its nine positions in Syria, even if it does not seem that either withdrawal would happen all that soon.

Likewise, it seems fantastical to talk about Hamas invading Israel at a time when over 130,000 reservists have been called up and five IDF divisions are invading Gaza City and other parts of Gaza.

IDF soldiers prepare their weapons on a tank at a temporary army base opposite the Jabalya refugee camp in the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. (credit: RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS)

But whether in three months, six months, or later, Israels longest war will eventually end, and then the real game will begin: will Israel stay ready or let its guard down again?

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Having been briefed by a number of top defense sources over the course of the war, including in recent weeks, The Jerusalem Post can state that in many ways, at least at this moment, Israel is far more ready than it was on October 7 to defend against invasion.

However, in some ways little has changed. And, paradoxically, in some ways Israel is arguably more vulnerable.

Where has the IDF improved?

First, IDF mandatory service and reservist fighters  for at least the next five to 10 years  will be the most battle hardened, experienced, and ready-to-fight-on-short-notice soldiers Israel has ever had. Simply put: they have fought more and in more varied scenarios than Israels soldiers used to fight.

But most of the questions relate to IDF intelligence.

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With IDF intelligence, there have been at least four major improvements based on lessons learned from October 7.

Unit 504 in Gaza

One of the most glaring failures of October 7 was that the IDF had zero human spies in Gaza. The Shin Bet had some, but also not many. It had been more than a decade since the Shin Bet took over full human spying responsibility in Gaza, and the military had disbanded its Unit 504 spy services in the south.

This left the IDF over-reliant on technological spying, which can sometimes be effective but cannot necessarily take the true temperature of an adversarys actions and intentions, as much as it can pick up specific known objective electronic signs regarding an adversary.

Since the start of the war, a very large Unit 504 spy service was reestablished in Gaza, and plans are for it to remain in place even once the war ends. This should at least give a better chance for the IDF to pick up on future Hamas invasion plans compared to the capabilities it had on October 7.

New war-warning brigade

Sometime after Maj.-Gen. Shlomi Binder took over Military Intelligence from Maj.-Gen. (res.) Aharon Haliva in August 2024, he established a full-fledged brigade of officers to focus specifically on providing warnings of potential wars.

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One of the reasons that IDF intelligence ignored all of the warning signs about Hamas wanting to invade Israel was that no one in IDF intelligence had the specific role to insist on an official warning and that the warning be taken seriously by all top political and defense officials. This was on top of the general conception (normative framework) problem in which the whole Israeli political and defense establishment could not imagine Hamas invading, because it was convinced Hamas was deterred.

When a few lower-ranked intelligence officers tried to sound the warning, they were ignored by their mid-level supervisors, and the warning either never got to higher-up officials or was so diluted by the time it got to them that they did not take it seriously.

Binder concluded that it was insufficient to have even a small number of warners in IDF intelligence, and that only by having a full brigade of hundreds of officers focused on the mission, including a brigadier-general-level commander, would the warnings be taken seriously and make it through the IDFs massive bureaucracy to the top.

Incidentally, Binder has also created a new mechanism for lower-ranked officers to anonymously send him information which their submanagers are ignoring.

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Although Binder has said that at least one of these pieces of information led to a major change in approach which saved lives, it is doubtful that, in the long run, top IDF intelligence officials will take this format seriously. This is because, most of the time, lower-ranking officers are, in fact, less knowledgeable than their superiors.

In other words, just because, on one rare occasion, a lower-ranked officer saw a grave danger that everyone more experienced missed does not mean that a majority of lower-ranked officers warnings are useful.

Red team brigade

As mentioned, one of the problems leading IDF intelligence to disregard Hamas invading as a scenario to plan for was the groupthink which infected most Israelis. One of the quick fixes to this issue, even before Binder took over, was to strengthen IDF intelligence red teams (in Hebrew: ipcha mistabra). These teams sole job is to point out potential errors and downsides in whatever strategies and tactics the IDF is about to pick.

Binder did elevate the red teams also to brigade level, meaning including hundreds of officers and a senior commander. But various top former Israeli intelligence officials have said that, culturally, this department will never be taken all that seriously.

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Put simply, large institutions need paradigms to map out their work and plan their budgets, and they cannot second-guess those paradigms all that often.

Some of these officials believe this department will rarely amount to much in helping avoid major errors like an invasion, but they harbor higher hopes for the new IDF war-warning brigade.

SOLDIERS ARE seen near a military helicopter at Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon after the Hamas invasion of October 7. (credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS)

Learning more about Islamic radicalism and Arabic

One of the astonishing revelations of the probes into IDF intelligences October 7 failures was that it had, in recent years, started to reduce the number of Arabic-speakers and experts in Arab and Islamic religion.

Cyber-spying and cyberattacks were all the rage, and new artificial intelligence tools could be used to relatively quickly translate Arabic messages for non-Arabic-speakers. So why waste resources on old-fashioned intelligence when more resources could be poured into cutting-edge technologies which would bring greater value?

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This era of IDF intelligence managers had lost sight of the fact that technology can be fooled or outwitted systematically in ways that human foreign culture and language experts can see through and diagnose.

IDF intelligence is trying to fill the empty seats of Arabic-speakers and experts, a dearth left over from the pre-October 7 era. Training such people cannot be done overnight.

As long as there is no invasion in the next year or so, and as long as IDF intelligence sticks to restoring the old-fashioned Arabic-speakers and experts, this problem should now be properly addressed. But watch out for these experts to be cut back again in five or 10 years. It is harder sometimes to express in technical data the benefits their work reaps versus the more easily quantified benefits from technological tools.

BESIDES THE four positive trends, there are at least three negative trends which the Post has encountered from a mix of briefings and visits to forward bases in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.

Big question marks  lookouts

There are huge question marks about whether the IDF has improved at all regarding taking its mostly female low-ranking border lookouts seriously.

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Notoriously, many female lookouts who repeatedly warned of potential Hamas invasion problems and who were ignored leading into October 7, were then killed and taken hostage.

In response, the IDF has provided some greater security to those female lookouts and has publicly said it will take them more seriously in the future.

However, when the Post approached the IDF to learn more about how these lookouts are being taken more seriously, the military seemed to promise a readiness to provide a briefing, and then declined to provide any information, despite repeated attempts.

This, along with the IDFs documented history of ignoring lower-ranked soldiers in favor of higher-ranked ones and fancier technological tools, suggests that this may still remain a blind spot for the military.

Not enough troops on the border, overreliance on technology

If you visit almost any of Israels borders, you will notice a distinct lack of troops on the ground.

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One of the largest lessons of October 7 was supposed to be that relying on technological sensors, drones, and periodic patrols is insufficient. If there are hundreds of meters or even a couple kilometers of the border which are guarded only by a fence and technology, a patient enemy could figure out ways to take out the sensors and avoid the patrols to easily penetrate through the wall.

In mid-August, around 15 Hamas fighters managed to penetrate an Israeli forward army base in Khan Yunis in Gaza, wounding soldiers and spending significant amounts of time inside the base before they were killed or forced out.

An investigation revealed that though there were a small number of IDF guards on rotating watch duty for parts of the base, there was at least one side of the base which was only protected by sensors, drones, and periodic patrols. Hamas took out the sensors, timed its moves to avoid the drones and patrols, and penetrated the base without firing a shot.

By some luck, the soldiers inside were only wounded and not killed.

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The Post was not surprised, because this is still how all of Israels borders are being run.

Top officials still say that it is impossible to cover the whole border with soldiers.

Maybe. But maybe not.

Or even if the whole border cannot be covered with a soldier every 10 meters, maybe it can be covered with a soldier every 100 meters or 500 meters, so that there is no blind spot where there is not a human watching. And even once there are guards, if the guards see zero threats for weeks or months at a time, how awake and attentive will they really be on the one random day down the road when a real invasion comes out of nowhere?

This is a continued glaring systematic blind spot for the IDF, where the philosophical approach to border security remains unchanged in many ways from the past, and the main difference is forward security zones and having the various enemies on the run. But when the war ends  and it will end someday  and if and when Israel needs to give up portions of its security zones, or even if it does not, having insufficient soldiers on the border after October 7 is unconscionable.

A new inflated feeling of supremacy

One of the largest problems before October 7 was the IDFs feeling of comparative supremacy toward Hamas.

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October 7 cured that feeling  but, remarkably, only for a short time.

After the IDF clobbered Hamas in northern Gaza in fall 2023 and certainly by the time Hamass other strongest forces in Khan Yunis had been routed in early 2024, the military no longer took Hamas seriously.

Since August 2024, Hamas has not even had an ability to gather large forces to fight the IDF. In May of this year, the IDF celebrated one of its largest victories in about a year  beating a measly 30 Hamas fighters in Beit Hanun who had been fighting as a coordinated guerrilla force.

How and why should the IDF take Hamas seriously if 95% of its already much reduced remaining fighters basically spend all of their time hiding?

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And so, paradoxically, the IDF now has an even greater superiority complex regarding Hamas than it did before October 7.

Once the war is over and Hamas bides its time quietly to allow Israel to get used to a new round of calm tranquility, this will leave the IDF more open than ever to groupthink that Hamas cannot present a threat  and to being surprised when it does again.

In all, Israel is in a much better place to defend itself from invasion than it was two years ago. But considering how traumatic Hamass October 7 massacre was, Israel may still be far less prepared than one would have expected.




Marc Benioff's newly public support for President Donald Trump isn't just gum-flapping. Salesforce, the CEO's gigantic San Francisco company, has reportedly been lobbying Immigration and Customs Enforcement to try and win a contract - and use artificial intelligence to help ICE dramatically expand its violent crackdown.

It's a revelation that comes amid a wave of attention on Benioff, who recanted his recently espoused support for sending the National Guard into San Francisco in a post to X on Friday. He wrote that he no longer supports it: "My earlier comment came from an abundance of caution around the [Dreamforce] event, and I sincerely apologize for the concern it caused."

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The New York Times, on Thursday, published leaks that Salesforce did not contest. The documentation shows a multi-pronged effort by the company to aid ICE in conducting the raids, abductions and deportations that have become the cornerstone of Trump's anti-immigration campaign. A Salesforce memo to the agency, sent Aug. 26, reportedly described it as an "ideal platform" to help ICE meet its "talent acquisition" goal: "nearly triple its work force by hiring 10,000 new officers and agents expeditiously."

In the same memo, Salesforce pledged that it could help ICE, "identify, engage and acquire the talent profile proven to drive ICE mission success, and in turn, administration priorities," the Times reported. Chatting in an ICE-focused internal Slack channel about the pitch, a Salesforce employee reportedly wrote that the document was "out the door," and got a chorus of praise: fire emojis, an "amazing" and an, "I wish you the best of luck with this one!"

It isn't clear what the contract would be worth, or whether Salesforce is on track to win it. Neither the company nor the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, responded to SFGATE's request for comment. But the Times also reported that Salesforce has brainstormed ideas about how the company's artificial intelligence agents could help the agency vet tips and aid investigations, and that it has a spreadsheet of possible ICE contracts, dubbed "opportunities." The spreadsheet reportedly listed some contracts with ICE that are already completed.

While the Times pointed out that Salesforce worked with the agency during the Obama and Biden administrations, and that it works with other government departments, the attempt to serve ICE's rapid expansion comes amid a new directive for the agency. Trump and the Republican-led Congress, this summer, gave ICE an additional $30 billion for arrest and deportation efforts - including hiring - and $45 billion for detentions. The flood of cash comes as Trump and other administration officials pressure ICE to make far more arrests, including with a daily quota. As of a September story from the Guardian, the agency had already detained or deported more than 44,000 immigrants.

Federal law enforcement agents confront demonstrators outside of an immigrant processing center on September 27, 2025 in Broadview, Illinois. They were protesting a recent surge in ICE apprehensions in the Chicago area. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)





The upending of American life has rippled outward across families, communities and industries as ICE turns aggression into a week-to-week norm. The stories are grim and abundant: the worker who fell during an ICE raid in Southern California and later died, the Chicago-area pastor shot with a pepper spray ball, three deaths in ICE custody in 12 days and a Mexican immigrant shot and killed during a traffic stop. An expansion of ICE's workforce, with Salesforce's aid or without, would enable raids across a much broader swath of the country.

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Benioff, who owns Time magazine, told the New York Times last week that he had not closely followed news about immigration raids, in an interview where he also said, "I fully support the president. I think he's doing a great job."

Unsurprisingly, the perspective landed him in hot water. Ron Conway, a famed Silicon Valley venture capitalist, has reportedly left the nonprofit Salesforce Foundation's board because of Benioff's call, in that Times interview, for National Guard troops to act as San Francisco police. Conway wrote, per reports, that he was "shocked and disappointed" by the comments and "by [Benioff's] willful ignorance and detachment from the impacts of the ICE immigration raids of families with NO criminal record."

Laurene Powell Jobs also sounded off against Benioff in a Thursday op-ed published by the Wall Street Journal. The philanthropist and investor skewered the CEO's boasts about his donations to the city, and accused him of giving to get "a license to impose one's will. It's a kind of moral laundering, where so-called benevolence masks self-interest."

The backlash appears to have gotten through, as Benioff's Friday apology on X, a day after the company's 2025 Dreamforce conference ended, depicted a chastised CEO. He wrote: "Having listened closely to my fellow San Franciscans and our local officials, and after the largest and safest Dreamforce in our history, I do not believe the National Guard is needed to address safety in San Francisco."

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Benioff, in years past, has been a well-known contributor to progressive causes, including a tax on San Francisco corporations to contribute to funding for homelessness services. He's also been a major advocate of "business as a platform for change," touting donations and his company's policy of pledging 1% of worker time toward equity and sustainability.

But with his statements to the Times and the outlet's ICE reporting, that public image quickly evaporated. Benioff's original National Guard comments prompted a wave of irritation from local officials, who sought to balance Salesforce's economic benefits to the city with the unpopular idea of outside troops, which Trump supported at a press conference on Wednesday. There's no doubt that Benioff's update on X brought a sigh of relief.

San Francisco Supervisor Shamann Walton, who represents District 10, said in a statement to SFGATE on Friday, before Benioff's apology: "I think it is sad that someone who once held progressive values, supported our SFUSD schools and fought to address homelessness, has now become someone who supports tyranny and has become a voice for bashing our beautiful city."

Work at Salesforce or another Bay Area tech company and want to talk? Contact tech reporter Stephen Council securely at stephen.council@sfgate.com or on Signal at 628-204-5452.

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This article originally published at Benioff apologizes for much-despised National Guard comments.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) delivered a damning speech Saturday in Washington, D.C., in support of the nationwide No Kings protests against President Donald Trump, and named several other billionaires he said have hijacked Americas economy and political system.

The progressive icon began by noting the U.S. was founded in inherent opposition to authoritarian rule, and that the nations first president George Washington called it an experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people when he was sworn in.

Politics: Crowds Turn Out Against Would-Be Autocrat Trump Just Blocks From His Seat Of Power

Sanders slammed Trump for putting this experiment in danger, citing his deployment of U.S. troops across the country and disregard for due process, but said the problem isnt just one mans greed, one mans corruption or one mans contempt for the Constitution.

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This is about a handful of the wealthiest people on Earth who in their insatiable greed have hijacked our economy and our political system in order to enrich themselves at the expense of working families throughout this country, Sanders continued.

He clarified, Yeah, I am talking about Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg and the other multibillionaires who were sitting right behind Trump when he was inaugurated. Remember that? The very same billionaires who funded his campaign, who have bestowed gifts upon him and who have seen huge increases in their wealth and power since Trump took office.

Sanders has excoriated these billionaires for profiting alongside Trump before. He recently held a nationwide Fighting Oligarchy tour alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), and has repeatedly warned that the U.S. is increasingly becoming one under Trump.

Politics: Marjorie Taylor Greene Brutally Warns Republicans Theyll Lose The House

Musk donated some $250 million to help reelect Trump last year, only to become head of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, which gutted key agencies and public institutions, including those who were regulating or investigating his companies.

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Amazons Bezos and Metas Zuckerberg both publicly criticized Trump during his first administration, but curiously changed course after his reelection. Amazon donated $1 million to Trumps inaugural fund, after Zuckerberg met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago.

All three of the billionaires Sanders, as well as Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Cook, attended Trumps inauguration. The latter recently visited Trump at the Oval Office and presented him with a gift after announcing a lucrative deal.

Today, we expect there are more people on the streets in more communities all across our country than ever before in American history.



This is not the end. This is just the beginning. https://t.co/1Lkea3yBs7  Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) October 18, 2025

Sanders went on to slam the GOPs big, beautiful bill for slashing Medicaid for millions of Americans while Trumps loyal tech CEOs are pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into artificial intelligence  warning it will decimate tens of millions of jobs within a decade.

Sanders further excoriated Musk for being on his way to becoming a trillionaire while all of this is happening, and once again decried that the richest country in the history of the world appears to be actively destroying its already lacking healthcare system.

Politics: Bernie Sanders Blasts Elon Musk For Helping Tank Budget Deal

Before leaving, he pleaded with the GOP to help end the ongoing government shutdown.

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So today, right now, I say to my Republican colleagues, come back from your month-long vacation, Sanders said. Start negotiating and do not allow the American health care system to be destroyed. End this shutdown.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
More than 2,500 No Kings protests against the Trump administration kicked off across the United States (and in several European capitals) on Saturday, with millions of people expected to march at rallies attended by politicians, celebrities, media figures and other speakers.

Today as millions of Americans rally across this country for No Kings Day:



I proudly marched side-by-side with labor unions and so many more of our fellow citizens in NYC.



We have no dictators in America. And we wont allow Trump to keep eroding our democracy. pic.twitter.com/i0MZU6JI0k  Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) October 18, 2025

Senator Chuck Schumer joined crowds in New York. Today as millions of Americans rally across this country for No Kings Day, he wrote on X, I proudly marched side-by-side with labor unions and so many more of our fellow citizens in NYC. We have no dictators in America. And we wont allow Trump to keep eroding our democracy.

While speaking to at least 10,000 people, many of whom were chanting USA! USA! as he began, in Chicago, the citys Mayor Brandon Johnson insisted of the Trump administration, They have decided that they want a rematch of the civil war. We are here to stand firm and stand committed that we will not bend, we will not bow, we will not cower, we will not submit. We do not want troops in our city.

Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock addressed crowds of over 10,000 people in Atlanta. As the pastor of Doctor Kings church, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Dr King said we will have to repent in this generation, not only for the violent actions and vitriolic words of the bad people, but because of the appalling silence and indifference of the good people, he said.

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I heard an American president stand up the other day and say to generals, in our military, that weve got to stand up, he said, against the enemy within. Listen to me. I dont care what your politics are today. I mean that. If you are an American citizen, you should be deeply concerned. And I know you are. Thats why youre gathered here today. We should all be deeply concerned about an American president who stood in front of our military and said that the real concern is the enemy within.

Warnock also spoke to local news about the citys history and the Civil Rights movement. The city is the cradle of the era, he explained.

Attendees in Washington, D.C., were joined by a host of speakers including journalist Mehdi Hasan and Bill Nye, both of whom issued warnings against fascism in the United States  and also moments of hope. As Hasan put it, I have faith that America can defeat this fascist threat, this authoritarian mania, this mega cult and save our freedoms.

Earlier in his speech, Hasan extended an olive branch to members of the Republican Party who may feel disillusioned with the current administration. And you know, they say we dont reach out to the other side, we dont reach out to conservatives or Republicans, that were in an echo chamber, he said. Well, let me say to every Republican and conservative watching, arent you the ones who said no more big government, no tyranny in America? So if you believe that, what are you doing defending masked federal agents in unmarked cars, bundling people off of the streets, including American citizens, and disappearing them? How are you okay with that? And if youre not okay with it, then come over to our side.

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Hasan clarified that our side is the small-d Democrats, not the big D Democrats, not the Democratic Party, those of us who are from all parties and none, but those of us who care about saving America so that we can get to our 250th birthday and still be free when we reach 250 years.

Come over to our side. The side of no crowns, no thrones, no kings. The side of freedom, of liberty, of the Constitution, the First Amendment, the Fourth Amendment, the Fourteenth Amendment, the Twenty-Second Amendment, which says two terms means two terms, he added.

Nye, who remains best known for his popular science TV series Bill Nye the Science Guy, also spoke in the nations capital.

In a rousing speech, Nye evoked the very history that birthed the United States. Our government is based on ideas embodied in a constitution among other remarkable features that guarantees our freedom to speak as were doing here today, Nye said. Rather than doing one monarchs bidding, we have agreed to form a democracy, to work together, and to follow the laws that derive from it. No thrones, no crowns, no kings.

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Nye returned to that history later in his deliverance. In 1776, our ancestors had had enough. They declared independence from a king by means of a document stored safely right over there on Constitution Avenue in the National Archives. Although it was conceived 249 years ago, the Declaration of Independence describes a train of abuses connected with an absolute authority, a king with absolute power. No thrones. No crowns. No kings, he said.

Their king had refused to honor the law. Their king had refused to let lawmakers be elected. The king had made court judges dependent on his will. They cited the king sending quote swarms of officers to harass our people. Their language referred to quote cruelty and faithlessness scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous of ages. Their king was trying to quote render the military independent and superior to civil power. Our founders even censured King George for cutting off trade with all parts of the world. Did these actions sound familiar?

Sanders also referenced the history of the United States while issuing warnings against a president who claims that peaceful protests in Portland, Oregon, or Chicago, Illinois is an insurrection and calls in the U.S. military and who soothes and intimidates the media, who wants no criticism of him and his policies, and who undermines the First Amendment of our Constitution, the very foundation of American democracy.

Sanders later lashed out against Trump allies Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg and the other multi-billionaires who were sitting right behind Trump when he was inaugurated.

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Yes, I am talking about the insanity of one person, Mr. Musk, owning more wealth than the bottom 52% of American households. I am talking about the incredible injustice of the top 1% in America, now owning more wealth than the bottom 93%, Sanders said. I am talking about the richest people in America becoming much, much richer, while 60% of our people live paycheck to paycheck, struggling every day to pay their rented mortgages, pay for childcare and education, pay for their healthcare, and pay for their health care.

The post Bernie Sanders, Mehdi Hasan, Brandon Johnson and More Give Fiery Speeches at No Kings Rallies: America Can Defeat This Fascist Threat | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
By Doina Chiacu and Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Friday he expects to meet next week with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Malaysia to try to forestall an escalation of U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods that President Donald Trump said was unsustainable.

Bessent made the announcement during a White House cabinet meeting and later confirmed plans for a meeting after a call with He on Friday evening. Bessent said on X the two officials "engaged in frank and detailed discussions regarding trade between the United States and China."

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"We will meet in-person next week to continue our discussions," Bessent wrote.

China state news agency Xinhua reported that He and Bessent had "candid, in-depth, and constructive discussions on major issues in bilateral economic and trade relations" in a video call, and agreed to a new round of trade talks as soon as possible.

The two officials previously met in four European cities over six months to hammer out a tariff truce that brought duties down from triple-digit levels for each country. That agreement expires on November 10.

A meeting in Malaysia would shift the venue to a Southeast Asian exporter that trades heavily with both China and the U.S. and whose goods are now subject to a 19% duty imposed by Trump. Malaysia also faces a threatened 100% U.S. tariff on its semiconductors and derivative electronics devices under a national security trade review.

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Trump earlier on Friday blamed Beijing for the latest impasse, a dispute over China's sweeping new export restrictions on rare-earth minerals and magnets. He has threatened an additional 100% tariff on Chinese imports starting on November 1 unless Beijing scraps the restrictions.

Asked whether such a high tariff was sustainable and what that might do to the U.S. economy, Trump replied: "It's not sustainable, but that's what the number is."

"They forced me to do that," he said in an interview with Fox Business Network that was broadcast on Friday.

Trump also has threatened to impose new U.S. export controls that would halt supplies of "any and all critical software."

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The new trade actions were Trump's reaction to China dramatically expanding its export controls on rare-earth elements. China dominates the market for such elements, which are essential to tech manufacturing.

Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Wednesday blasted the restrictions as a threat to global supply chains.

Trump also confirmed he would meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in two weeks in South Korea and expressed admiration for the Chinese leader.

"I think we're going to be fine with China, but we have to have a fair deal. It's got to be fair," Trump said on FBN's "Mornings with Maria," which was taped on Thursday.

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Later, as he was preparing to have lunch at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to discuss efforts to end its war with Russia, Trump said: "China wants to talk, and we like talking to China."

The softening in tone and affirmation of his intent to meet with Xi helped stem Wall Street's early losses on Friday. Major U.S. stock indexes, which have been rattled over the last week by Trump's abrupt re-imposition of steep levies on Chinese imports and by credit worries among regional banks, were up in afternoon trading.

WTO URGES DE-ESCALATION OF TRADE SPATS

The head of the World Trade Organization urged the U.S. and China to de-escalate trade tensions, warning that a decoupling by the world's two largest economies could reduce global economic output by 7% over the longer term.

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WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told Reuters in an interview the global trade body was extremely concerned about the latest spike in U.S.-China trade tensions and had spoken with officials from both countries to encourage more dialogue.

But tensions continued to run high, even as Trump and Xi prepared to meet.

Bessent took aim at China's state-driven economic practices in a statement to the IMF's steering committee on Friday, urging the IMF and World Bank to take a tougher stance on China's external and internal imbalances and industrial policies that U.S. officials say have helped China build up excess manufacturing capacity that is flooding the world with cheap goods.

And China's Commerce Ministry on Friday accused the U.S. of undermining the rules-based multilateral trading system since the Trump administration took office in 2025, vowing to intensify its use of dispute settlement actions at the WTO.

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It also urged the U.S. to roll back measures that breach non-discrimination rules and align its industrial and security policies with WTO obligations.

Bessent earlier in the week had accused one of He's top aides of being "unhinged" in recent interactions with U.S. trade negotiators. China said on Friday that Bessent's remarks "seriously distort the facts."

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu, Andrea Shalal, Susan Heavey and David Lawder; Editing by William Maclean, Paul Simao, Andrea Ricci and Tom Hogue)
In some cases, food recalls materialize out of an abundance of caution, and few people become ill. Yet, at other times, when products are being pulled from the market en masse, or fast food recalls that affect millions, it's a serious issue that stays in the news cycles for weeks. Contaminated produce is often found to be the culprit, which was the case with a major coleslaw recall that rocked grocery store shelves and put dozens of people in the hospital.

In 2021, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development randomly tested a Fresh Express salad mix and detected the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria responsible for causing Listeriosis. When Fresh Express discovered that its Streamwood, Illinois, food manufacturing facility was the source of the tainted salad mix, it stopped all operations pending a sanitation review at that location. It issued a voluntary recall of leafy greens and prepackaged coleslaw salads. Unfortunately, the recall occurred too late to keep some folks from consuming the contaminated coleslaw, among other products, and 10 people from eight different states had to be hospitalized with complications stemming from Listeriosis. Sadly, one person also perished after eating one of the tainted ready-to-eat meals.

Most individuals only experience mild symptoms such as fever and muscle aches after contracting Listeriosis. However, for folks with compromised immune systems, like those who are pregnant or undergoing cancer treatment, Listeriosis can be severe, even resulting in death. Fresh Express's recall effort covered a large swath of the country, but it wasn't issued soon enough to save the one person who lost their life.

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Read more: 1980s Food Fads That Should Stay In The Past

Nearly half the country experienced the recall

Bag of Marketside Tri-Color Coleslaw - FDA

Fresh Express took the discovery of Listeria monocytogenes extremely seriously. Two Canadian provinces and 19 states saw Fresh Express products pulled from the shelves during the recall effort. The coleslaw it recalled was sold through various brands, including Little Salad Bar, Signature Farms, Giant Eagle, and Marketside, but coleslaw wasn't the sole focus of the recall. All in all, over 200 products, mostly salad mixes containing leafy greens, were removed from retail locations, and Fresh Express postponed future deliveries indefinitely until the issue was resolved.

When proper food safety measures are practiced, such as keeping cold food cold and hot food hot, bacteria generally do not survive. Yet, Listeria monocytogenes is especially problematic because it can endure cooler temperatures. Even if someone put contaminated ready-to-eat coleslaw in the freezer (which is not recommended for preserving quality), Listeria can still be present in the food. The Fresh Express fiasco serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that you can never be 100% certain the food you buy from the grocery store is completely safe. It's worth keeping an eye out for recalls to avoid an unexpected trip to the hospital, or worse.

For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter and add us as a preferred search source. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more!

Read the original article on The Takeout.
Bill Nye, former host of educational series Bill Nye the Science Guy, took the stage at Washington, D.C.s No Kings rally Saturday to warn those peacefully protesting President Donald Trump that we are confronting the possible end to our republic.

How did we get here? Nye asked the crowd.

It hasnt been one instance of abuse of the power of executive order by this president. It hasnt been just one twist in a court ruling. Instead, it has been years in the making, enabled by this president. A group of confederates has worked together to undo many of our traditions and understandings of fairness and of citizens rights.

Bill Nye, left, said at a "No Kings" rally that "we are confronting the possible end to our republic." Getty Images

The nationwide anti-Trump rallies have drawn outrage from Republicans, with conservatives painting the demonstrations as hate-America rallies and linking them to antifa and Hamas.

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Nye told demonstrators that their presence at the rally sends a message to lawmakers, telling them they must stop the abuses of this petulant president and his circle of sycophants.

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This president and his associates cannot tolerate dissent, Nye said. To them, our free speech is frightening.

During the presidents second term, he has threatened ABC with another lawsuit after the network brought Trump-critic Jimmy Kimmels show back from suspension and filed a $15 billion dollar defamation lawsuit against the New York Times for an article he was not pleased with.

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This week, the Pentagon required journalists to sign a pledge agreeing to new restrictions on their reporting or turn in their access badges. Nearly all newsrooms refused to sign, leaving the in-house press corps reduced.

Nye went on to say that while the U.S. has been one of the worlds leading nations in science for decades, Trump and his cabinet members have failed to accept scientific facts and promote the progress of science, instead suppressing science to the detriment of our health, wellbeing, and international competitiveness.

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Over the summer, the Government Accountability Office, a congressional watchdog agency, alleged that the Trump administration illegally withheld $8 billion in funding to the National Institutes of Health. Scientists have also criticized the Trump administrations climate report, calling it just plain wrong.

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It is a formula for failure, Nye said.

Watch Nyes whole speech below.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
Bill Nye warned No Kings protesters they are facing a possible end of our republic thanks to President Donald Trump and his group of confederates.

Nye was one of the speakers at a Washington, D.C. No Kings rally. The former host of the educational series Bill Nye the Science Guy received big applause from the crowd when he was introduced at the anti-Trump event, and he went on to accuse the current administration of not accepting scientific fact.

We are confronting the possible end to our republic, Nye told the crowd.

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He continued:

We are here to tell our lawmakers that whats going on in our government is wrong. They must stop the abuses of this petulant president and his circle of sycophants. No thrones. No crowns. No kings. This president and his associates cannot tolerate dissent. To them, our free speech is frightening. They are arresting people and denying due process in courts. Theyve tried to silence television hosts. Theyre trying to fire our indict civil servants, prosecutors, judges, even their own cabinet members. But in this land, these sorts of actions are not new. In 1776, our ancestors had had enough.

Nye went on to compare Trump to King George III, whom the founding fathers fought against during the American Revolution.

He said:

Although it was conceived 249 years ago, the Declaration of Independence describes a train of abuses connected with an absolute authority, a king with absolute power. No thrones! No crowns! No kings@ Their king had refused to honor the law. Their king has refused to let lawmakers be elected. The king had made court judges dependent on his will. They cited the king sending, quote, swarms of officers to harass our people. Their language referred to, quote, cruelty and faithlessness scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous of ages. Their king was trying to, quote, render the military independent and superior to civil power. Our founders even censured King George for cutting off trade with all parts of the world. Did these actions sound familiar?

Nye claimed Trump and his administration fail to accept scientific facts and referred to some on the presidents side as confederates destroying American traditions.

He argued:

Contrary to Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, they do not promote the progress of science. They suppress it to the detriment of our health, well-being, and international competitiveness. It is a formula for failure. How did we get here? It hasnt been one instance of abuse of the power of executive order by this president. It hasnt been just one twist in a court ruling. Instead, it has been years in the making. Enabled by this President, a group of confederates has worked together to undo many of our traditions and understandings of fairness and of citizens rights. And theyve done this through an odd legal tactic to overwhelm our court system with legal game after legal game.

Watch above via CSPAN.

The post Bill Nye Tells No Kings Rally They Are Facing Possible End of Our Republic Thanks To Trumps Confederates first appeared on Mediaite.
Bill OReilly blasted new press restrictions at the Pentagon, using his own background to break down why the policy is the opposite of freedom of the press.

On his No Spin News podcast on Friday, OReilly joined others in the press in protesting Department of Defense Pete Hegseths new rule requiring press outlets to sign an agreement and limiting their reporting freedom. President Donald Trump previously expressed some skepticism about the policy, but threw out his support earlier this week.

I know on social media, some MAGA people are going, ah, thats right, Hegseths right. Lets make all the press agencies that cover the Pentagon sign a paper that they will not report anything that happens in the Pentagon unless they get permission from Pete Hegsath. Are you kidding me? OReilly said.

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The former Fox News reporter then called back to his time as a reporter with ABC in which he covered a story involving the Pentagon.

OReilly recalled:

Let me make it real personal. In 1988, I was working for ABC News. And I was given very, very heavyweight assignments. One of them was the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, which was a big Pentagon expenditure. Remember, the Pentagon spends almost a trillion dollars a year, discretionary. That means they spend it on whatever they want. Almost a trillion. Bradley Fighting Vehicle, they would spend enormous money on. They were triple billing. There were corrupt people inside the Pentagon triple billing. That means they were paying three times as much to build that vehicle as they should have. I put it on the air. I got the story. It was an award winner. One of the most proud stories Ive ever done. Didnt get anybodys permission to do it. Pentagon hated it. Hated it. Went after me and everything like that.

OReilly earned a National Headliner Award for his exposes on the funding of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

Fox News, NBC, ABC, CNN, NPR, Associated Press, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and others have all rejected Hegseths requirement banning journalists from soliciting or obtaining any information that is not pre-approved by the Pentagon.

OReilly argued the massive amount in discretionary funding that the Pentagon has access to requires independent reporting and using sources, something Hegseths new restrictions work against.

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I know you have to do independent reporting, particularly when you have a trillion dollars of discretionary spending, he said. Hegg says he doesnt want that. He wants everybody to, nah, you dont do anything unless I sign off on it. No, thats not freedom of press.

Watch above via No Spin News.

The post Bill OReilly Eviscerates Hegseth and Trumps Pentagon Press Crackdown: Are You Kidding Me? first appeared on Mediaite.
A new study may finally change how amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is diagnosed. Scientists from UCLA Health and the University of Queensland developed a blood test that can spot signs of the disease using snippets of DNA in the blood.

This simple, painless technique could allow patients to be diagnosed with ALS earlier, track its progression, and rule out other neurological diseasesall without agonizing tests.

Shattering ALS with Cell-Free DNA

Cells perish daily and release bits of DNA into the bloodstream. These fragments, or cfDNA, carry chemical signatures revealing from which tissues they came from. By analyzing these fragile chemical fingerprints so-called DNA methylation patterns researchers can tell whether the DNA is from muscle, brain, or other tissue.

Overview of epigenetic cfDNA biomarker development approach. (CREDIT: Genome Medicine)

That information is essential in ALS, a motor neuron-wasting neurodegenerative disorder leading to muscle paralysis and weakness. Because ALS affects more than one tissue and not just the nervous system, cfDNA analysis gives us a singular window into whats happening in the body as a whole.

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But to screen the entire genome for these methylation patterns would be expensive and time-consuming. So, the scientists developed a focused approach. They targeted nearly 5,000 tissue-informative markers, or TIMsspecial points in DNA where methylation patterns differ by tissue. By tracking only these points of interest, the scientists could figure out which tissues were spilling pieces of DNA into the blood and match them up with patterns of disease activity.

Testing the Blood-Based Biomarker

Scientists analyzed cfDNA from 192 participants in two large groups. One was researched at the University of Queensland in Australia and the other at the University of California, San Francisco. Both groups included ALS and primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) patients, as well as healthy controls and individuals with other neurological diseases.

They found ALS patients to have much higher levels of cfDNA than control participants. In the Australian population, ALS patients presented with an average of about 125 picograms per milliliter of cfDNAa fully two-fold amount in normal individuals. The results were remarkably similar for the American population. The increased levels of cfDNA reflect higher cell death, most likely due to breakdown of nerve and muscle tissue.

Cohort demographic and clinical characteristics. For the UQ (n = 43) and UCSF (n = 42) ALS patients. (CREDIT: Genome Medicine)

When scientists investigated methylation patterns, they identified ALS patients as having elevated cfDNA from skeletal muscle and even heart tissue. That finding is what clinicians long suspected: ALS is a multisystem disorder involving more than just motor neurons.

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The group also observed something incredible in one control sample. One of the healthy subjects had abnormally high muscle cfDNA and ultimately was discovered to have a genetic mutation associated with ALS. That discovery suggests the test may be able to even diagnose the disease before symptoms appear.

Teaching Machines to Recognize ALS

To further the analysis, researchers turned to artificial intelligence. They built predictive models using an artificial learning method called elastic net regression. The models combined DNA methylation data, read depth, and patient variables such as sex and age.

The results were dramatic. Within the same cohort, the models were able to differentiate ALS patients from controls with up to 99% accuracy. Even when a model was trained in one nation but tested on data from the other, accuracy was highat around 90%.

What is especially surprising is that even raw patterns of DNA fragmentation, without taking methylation data into account, were adequate to predict disease status. That suggests physical properties of cfDNA fragments themselves bear diagnostic information.

The panel was designed to capture both hypomethylated TIMs, which were CpG sites that were less methylated in a tissue of interest relative to other tissues. (CREDIT: Genome Medicine)

Among the DNA regions that were noted were the regions that are linked to two genes: SHISA5, a regulator of programmed cell death, and XRCC6, a gene involved in DNA repair. Both were already linked to aging and ALS pathology, adding more biological relevance to the test.

Predicting Disease Severity

Aside from diagnosis, the cfDNA test also compared to the rate at which the disease was advancing. By measuring methylation and fragmentation levels, scientists forecasted patients lung capacity and ALS Functional Rating Scale scoresthe established benchmarks of motor deterioration. Forecasts matched overwhelmingly with actual data.

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ALS patients also displayed epigenetic agingtheir DNA was older than their actual age. That hastened biological aging was also linked with faster disease advancement. The connection sheds new light on how ALS disrupts cellular well-being in several systems.

Lead researcher Dr. Christa Caggiano, a postdoctoral scientist at UCLA Healths Department of Neurology, explained that the finding could transform diagnosis and tracking of ALS by physicians. There is a strong need for an ALS biomarker to diagnose patients sooner, to support clinical trials, and to track disease progression, she said. Our research demonstrates cell-free DNA with a machine learning model as a potential solution to satisfy this need..

A Window on the Entire Body

Traditional ALS biomarkers like neurofilament light chain can indicate nerve injury but are not definitive because they also rise with other neurological diseases. The cfDNA test, however, reflects a number of tissue typesnerve, muscle, immune, and even cardiacproviding a greater panorama on the scope of the disease.

Capture panel performance on cfDNA data. The starting cfDNA concentration of ALS patients and controls for each cohort, where each point represents one individual. (CREDIT: Genome Medicine)

Caggiano explained that this is one of the tests main strengths. Our model was not only able to distinguish between ALS patients and controls, but also between patients with other neurological disorders, she said. Thats a critical shortcoming current biomarkers cant overcome.

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The research, co-led by Dr. Noah Zaitlen of UCLA and Dr. Fleur Garton at the University of Queensland, is now being taken to bigger, more diverse clinical trials to validate the method.

Practical Implications of the Research

If confirmed, this simple blood test would revolutionize ALS treatment. Diagnoses would arrive earlier, preempting invasive testing and waiting for confirmation. Doctors could monitor disease progression in real-time, fine-tuning treatment more precisely. The test might even enable identification of presymptomatic carriers with genetic risk factors, opening the door to earlier intervention that could delay the onset of disease.

Apart from ALS, this approach could be applied to other neurodegenerative illnesses where early detection is paramount.

By deciphering cfDNA signals from multiple tissues, researchers can ultimately track the health of the nervous system via an uncomplicated blood testbringing personalized neurology closer to fruition.

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Research findings are available online in the journal Genome Medicine.

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BLUEFIELD  Bluefield officials are once again promoting youth entrepreneurship ahead of the approaching holiday season.

The Bluefield Economic Development Authority is putting out an early call for area youth with a passion for business or making their own things, according to BEDA Executive Director Sam Wolford.

Wolford said BEDA is seeking youthful entrepreneurs ages 18 and under to participate in a Small Business Saturday Pop-Up Shop that is returning to Bluefield next month. The event coincides with Small Business Saturday, which will be held this year on Saturday, Nov. 29.

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Wolford said the youth pop-up shop will be held at the Craft Memorial Library in downtown Bluefield from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Small Business Saturday.

We would love to see every young person who is a maker and would like to have some space to test out their products to participate, Wolford said. Anyone who is 18 and under. Hopefully we will have some future entrepreneurs and future business leaders to come out of it.

Wolford said the pop-up shops are a way for area youth to showcase their talents and home-made products.

It is an opportunity to really test the waters while you are young and see if you have that entrepreneurial spirt, Wolford said. Since it is a pop-up event, no permits or fees are required.

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During past pop-up shop events, Wolford said area youth have sold everything from jewelry and crafts to bracelets, necklaces and art.

Faith Blackwell, also with the BEDA office, said the purpose of the event is to help cultivate and encourage entrepreneurship within the communities younger generations.

They are able to set up a table with whatever products they have or create to sell to the community, Blackwell said. The last two years our participants have sold out by noon, so its been very successful so far. This is a free event and does not require a business license.

In addition to seeking youth entrepreneurs, BEDA also is launching a Home for the Holidays campaign, which encourages area residents to shop and dine in the city limits during the holiday season.

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BEDA created a hand drawn my Bluefield themed large postcard for the campaign that will be used by area businesses.

So basically we came up with the theme this year for shopping and buying as Home for the Holidays, Blackwell said. Each year we make a sign as part of our social media and marketing. Businesses can register and take a photo with the sign, and then keep it and put it in their window.

The Home for the Holiday campaign offers several benefits for participating small businesses, including:

 A cost-shared marketing co-op. Blackwell said the marketing co-op helps to boost a local businesses visibility for the holidays with participating businesses being featured in the Daily Telegraph, as well as on television, radio and social media. She said businesses must be open on Small Business Saturday to participate. The deadline to register for the campaign is November 1st.

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 A free social media campaign. Blackwell said BEDA is offering a free Shop and Dine at Home for the Holidays campaign with the hand-drawn Home for the Holidays postcard sign for photos that will be shared on BEDAs social media. She said the sign is theirs to keep, and all businesses are welcome to participate, whether they are open on Small Business Saturday or not. The deadline to register for the social media campaign is November 17th.

 A raffle sponsorship. Blackwell said shoppers who make a purchase or dine at one of the businesses who opt into the co-op the day of Small Business Saturday can enter to win various prizes such as Chick-fil-a for a year (52 digital gift cards), Visa Gift cards ($100, $75 and $50) and a goody basket put together by various local businesses. She said citizens can visit BEDAs website the day of to find the list of businesses they can enter at. The website page will be live around mid November.

Small Business Saturday falls on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving every year. It is a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which feature big box retail and e-commerce stores respectively. By contrast, Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize brick-and-mortar businesses that are small and locally owned in Bluefield, according to BEDA.

Small Business Saturday is a registered trademark of American Express and started in 2010.

Wolford said the city of Bluefield has been participating in Small Business Saturday for 11 years now.

Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com




Although Southwest Airlines is moving forward with hitting the kill button on one of its distinguishing features, the airline still plans to do things slightly differently from its competitors.

On May 28, Southwest got rid of its beloved two free checked bag policy. Up next on the chopping block is its open seating policy. Beginning Jan. 27. 2026, Southwest Airlines will ditch its cattle-call style boarding method and move to assigned seating. But the airline is adopting a modified version of the WILMA method, which loosely translates to "window-middle-aisle," the Wall Street Journal first reported. The process is faster than the typical back-to-front method used by most American carriers, but the airline will still give priority to certain flyers.

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"If queuing isn't good, boarding isn't good," Lisa Hingson, managing director of innovation, told the Wall Street Journal. "So we spent a lot of time studying queuing."

Southwest will divide its passengers into groups 1 through 8, plus a priority boarding group. Passengers who purchased priority boarding, which will cost more, will board first. Passengers with premium seats that have extra legroom, another change the airline is introducing, will be in either Group 1 or Group 2. Other flyers with boarding perks include passengers with active military status, passengers with frequent-flier status and credit card holders. Basic economy flyers will be last in the queue.

After the priority boarding groups, passengers who chose window seats will board, followed by middle seats, then aisle seats. Passengers who booked aisle seats may be in danger of losing out on overhead bin space. It's a problem that passengers on other airlines face, and one they'll confront even more on Southwest without the airline's previously offered perk of two free checked bags.

Passengers in the current boarding group and the pending boarding group will line up side-by-side to combat "gate lice" and speed up the process, the WSJ said.



Also, unlike other airlines, Southwest Airlines tickets will include the boarding group number, the seat number and whether the seat is a window, middle or aisle seat.

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"Since we're moving away from boarding positions, we wanted to be very clear about the difference between a boarding position and a seat," Hingson told WSJ.

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ST. MARYS  A newly-installed boardwalk at the Dr. Elizabeth Yahl Kuffner Nature Preserve, located just north of St. Marys on County Road 66A, was dedicated Friday by officials with the Heritage Trails Park District. The grandson of the preserves namesake said his grandmother would have been delighted.

The preserve contains nearly 16 acres of woodland donated to Auglaize County by Kuffners descendants in 2012. It serves as one of the largest properties in the Heritage Trails network of properties. According to P.J. Fought, executive director of the park district, relatives of John and Alma Kuffner made possible the construction of a boardwalk through the woodlands, making the preserve accessible to even more people than previously had enjoyed the location. Members of the Kuffner and Hartung families were represented at Fridays ribbon-cutting.

A visionary and naturalist

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Dr. Elizabeth Yahl Kuffner was born in 1905 in St. Marys. She graduated from St. Marys High School and the Fort Wayne Business College, then attended George Washington School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. She graduated in 1937 with a degree in medicine and returned to St. Marys in 1938 to open a medical/surgical practice.

Kuffner served as a medical director for the West Virginia Ordnance Works during World War II and was the first woman ever to be promoted to the rank of major in the U.S. Army. After leaving the military she returned to St. Marys and practiced medicine for 47 years.

Her grandson, Kurt Kuffner, addressed the crowd on behalf of himself and his two siblings and said the boardwalk concept was hatched early this year. Construction began in August and was completed in a little over a month.

My grandmother loved nature. She passed that on to my dad, who passed it on to us kids. She would have been absolutely thrilled with this project, Kurt Kuffner said.

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More additions coming

Fought called the new boardwalk and tree-identification signage placed throughout the woodlands a huge event for Auglaize County.

Its been a real community effort and Heritage Trails can now bring the community together thanks to the teamwork and generosity of the people involved.

New benches and an information kiosk will also be installed at the preserve, located at 14840 County Road 66A, St. Marys, in the near future, Fought said.
PANDORA Pandora-Gilboa reading intervention and enrichment teacher Stephanie Myers said the idea for a book vending machine came from her nephews and the one they had at their school.

Pandora-Gilboa Elementary students can earn tokens for good behavior and being named Rocket of the Month to spend on books in the machine, thanks to an Innovation Grant from the Ohio Education Association Education Foundation, something Myers applied for to get more books in the hands of students.

I wanted to start book clubs in the elementary at first, Myers said. Kids dont read for pleasure as often as they should and there are just so many benefits to it.

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Myers quickly found the grant and started with a little free library in the front of the school for people to exchange books their children have outgrown.

From there, she added a vending machine with an outer space theme, the Pandora Rocket logo and the slogan Reading Takes You Places.

My nephews had one at their school and I thought it was a great idea, she said. They were telling me how excited they were about it and so I looked into it a little bit more. I put it in with our grant to tie in our programs and the social-emotional learning aspect of things.

The two Blast Off Book Clubs meet once a month with no assignments or questions to be answered, just an art project to take the stress away from reading.

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The vending machine is already paying off.

We got it right before meet-the-teacher night, so it was lit up and piqued the kids interest right away, Myers said. Any kid whose behavior has gone above and beyond what we expect in the classroom or at recess will earn a token from librarians, lunch ladies, staff and custodians.

The machine even talks to a student who inserts a token.

Just the excitement of what books theyre going to pick is really fun, Myers added. Youll see kids in the hallway look out and say what book they want next. Some of them will ask for more Dog Man books and theyre really excited to earn them and take them home.

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Myers said the idea would not have been possible without the support of Superintendent Jeff Wise and Principal Jodi Schroeder.

The grant covered part of the cost of the machine and when I went to (Wise), he was totally on board with covering the rest of it, she said. He has worked with the guidance counselors to get the budget to fill the books so theyre always in the machine and we dont have to worry about where the next round is coming from.

For anyone interested in getting their own book clubs or vending machine started in their school, Myers had simple advice.

Look for grants that are available, she said. And also just talk to your administrators because they might know of grants. Ive been able to do a lot of very unique things at my school or in my classroom because of grants and I just go look for them.

For more information on the Ohio Education Association, visit bit.ly/48vbRA4.

Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.
By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Maayan Lubell

CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain closed until further notice, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday, adding its reopening will depend on Hamas handing over bodies of deceased hostages as the two sides continued to trade blame over ceasefire violations.

Netanyahu's statement came shortly after the Palestinian embassy in Egypt announced that the Rafah crossing, the main gateway for Gazans to leave and enter the enclave, would reopen on Monday for entry into Gaza.

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Netanyahu's government and Hamas have been trading blame over violations of the U.S.-mediated ceasefire for days. Late Saturday in Washington, the State Department said it had received "credible reports" indicating Hamas would violate the pact.

"Should Hamas proceed with this attack, measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire," the department said in a statement, without providing further details.

Trump had said he would consider allowing Israeli forces to resume fighting in Gaza if Hamas fails to uphold its end of the ceasefire deal that he brokered.

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for additional information.

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Hamas also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

DISPUTE OVER AID, RETURN OF BODIES

Hamas, in a statement late on Saturday, said Netanyahu's decision "constitutes a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement and a repudiation of the commitments he made to the mediators and guarantor parties."

It also said the continued closure of the Rafah crossing would prevent the entry of equipment needed to search for and locate more hostage bodies under the rubble, and would thus delay the recovery and handover of the remains.

Israel said it received two more bodies late Saturday, meaning 12 out of 28 bodies have been handed over under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage deal agreed between Israel and Hamas last week.

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The war has caused a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, with nearly all inhabitants driven from their homes, a global hunger monitor confirming famine and health authorities overwhelmed.

The dispute over the return of bodies, and shipment of life-saving humanitarian aid, underlines the fragility of the ceasefire and still has the potential to upset the deal along with other major issues that are included in U.S. President Donald Trump's 20-point plan to end the war.

As part of the deal, Hamas released all 20 living Israeli hostages it had been holding for two years, in return for almost 2,000 Palestinian detainees and convicted prisoners jailed in Israel.

FORMIDABLE OBSTACLES TO PEACE

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But Israel says that Hamas has been too slow to hand over bodies of deceased hostages it still holds. The militant group says that locating some of the bodies amid the vast destruction in Gaza will take time.

The deal requires Israel to return 360 bodies of Palestinian militants for the deceased Israeli hostages and so far it has handed over 15 bodies in return for each Israeli body it has received.

Rafah has largely been shut since May 2024. The ceasefire deal also includes the ramping up of aid into the enclave, where hundreds of thousands of people were determined in August to be affected by famine, according to the IPC global hunger monitor.

After cutting off all supplies for 11 weeks in March, Israel increased aid into Gaza in July, scaling it up further since the ceasefire.

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Around 560 metric tons of food had entered Gaza per day on average since the U.S.-brokered truce, but this was still well below the scale of need, according to the U.N. World Food Programme.

Formidable obstacles to Trump's plan to end the war still remain. Key questions of Hamas disarming and how Gaza will be governed, the make-up of an international "stabilization force" and moves towards the creation of a Palestinian state have yet to be resolved.

(Reporting by Nidal Al-Mughrabi, additional reporting by Ahmed Tolba and Hatem Maher and Menna Alaa El-Din, and Daphne Psaledakis; Writing by Maayan Lubell, Alex Dziadosz, Hatem Maher and Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Diane Craft and Nick Zieminski)
SARAJEVO (Reuters) -The parliament of Bosnia's Serb Republic appointed Ana Trisic Babic as an interim president on Saturday, acknowledging officially for the first time that former President Milorad Dodik is stepping aside after a state court banned him from politics.

Trisic Babic, Dodik's close ally, will hold the position for one month until new presidential elections are held in the Serb Republic on November 23.

The parliament also annulled a series of separatist laws that were passed over the past year after Dodik had been indicted for defying decisions of the international envoy and the constitutional court.

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Dodik, a pro-Russian nationalist who wants the Serb Republic to secede and join Serbia, had so far refused to step down and continued to perform duties and travel abroad in the capacity of president. He is appealing the state court's verdict at the constitutional court.

Dodik said that despite the parliament vote on Saturday, the Serb Republic will not change its policies, with secession remaining his ultimate goal. But he had to make the move in coordination with foreign partners, Dodik said.

The U.S. State Department welcomed Saturday's move, saying it was the result of U.S.-led efforts "to defuse the crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina."

"The United States welcomes todays Republika Srpska National Assembly (RSNA) action that affirms stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It will also chart a course for constructive partnership with the United States based on mutual interests, economic potential, and shared prosperity," State Department Senior Bureau Official for European and Eurasian Affairs Brendan Hanrahan said in a statement to Reuters.

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The U.S. Treasury Department said on Friday it had removed four Dodik allies from a sanctions list, in a move praised by Dodik who has been campaigning to get U.S. sanctions against himself lifted.

He has been sanctioned by the U.S. and Britain for obstructing the terms of the Dayton peace deal that ended Bosnia's war in the 1990s, as well as by several European countries that say his separatist policies endanger peace and stability in Bosnia.

(Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic; Additional reporting by Daphne Psaledakis in Washington; Writing by Renee Maltezou, Editing by Franklin Paul and Sergio Non)
BOSTON  The No Kings movement  touted by national organizers as a peaceful national day of action and mass mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration  brought thousands to the Boston Common Saturday.

Follow along below throughout the three-hour event, which highlights speakers and talks to protesters throughout the Boston Common.

3:13 p.m.  Official programming wraps up

Rahsaan Hall concluded the event saying, This is not the end, it is the beginning.

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As you leave, go in peace, he said, then calling upon a term Trump has used to describe Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. ... if this is the radical left, lets show them how we do ... how we move in radical love.

By 3:15 p.m., the crowds had begun to thin, with many protesters filtering out of the common into the rest of downtown Boston. The main stage was empty, but a row of tables set up by various organizations was still packed.

Boston Police confirmed to MassLive there were no arrests at the protest.

2:51 p.m.  Moulton met with boos; slammed for comments about trans youth

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton  who is challenging incumbent Sen. Ed Markey in next years Democratic primary for one of Massachusetts two Senate seats  was met with boos.

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Here in America, power belongs to the people, Mouton said. ... Just to remind the rest of the country, corrupt kings are cowards.

But some in the crowd did not forget about Moultons comments to The New York Times last year about transgender athletes.

Democrats spend way too much time trying not to offend anyone rather than being brutally honest about the challenges many Americans face, Moulton told the newspaper in November 2024. I have two little girls, I dont want them getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athlete, but as a Democrat Im supposed to be afraid to say that.

You sold out trans kids! [Expletive] you! Christina Knowles, a trans rights activist and lobbyist, yelled from the crowd Saturday. You dont belong here, Seth Moulton, you traitor! Trans kids matter.

2:48 p.m.  Pressley tired of people with heart full of hate

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley said, The only way to beat a dictator is with defiance.

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Pressley said shes tired of people who carry a mouthful of scriptures but a heart full of hate.

Youre here because youre tired, but we draw strength from one another.

2:44 p.m.  Kings build ballrooms

U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark said Massachusetts has been fighting kings for more than 250 years.

Patiots support free and fair elections and when patriots elect a congresswoman from Arizona, we swear her in, Clark said, referring to Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva.

Patriots support communities, Clark said. Kings build ballrooms.

Clark was referring to Donald Trumps construction of a $200 million White House ballroom.

2:40 p.m.  ACLU of Mass.: Dissent is patriotic

Carol Rose, the executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts, said dissent is patriotic. She touted the many lawsuits the ACLU has filed, including one that helped free Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk from ICE custody.

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Authoritarians attack cities and town because they make America great and Boston is the greatest city in the world.

2:35 p.m.  Labor union weighs in

Kevin Brousseau, secretary-treasurer of the Massachusetts American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, said the labor movement knows a little something about standing up to bullies.

A bully seeks to silence those who disagree, Brousseau said. Look around, sisters and brothers. Do we look scared?

The crowd screamed, No!

With attacks on federal employees, Donald Trump has engaged in the largest act of union busting in American history, Brousseau said.

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We are on the right side of history, he said. Keep using our voices today and every day."

2:25 p.m.  What the heck is that lobster?

John Hoyer, 63, of Lynn, was one of several people who wore inflatable suits to the protest.

Hoyer opted for a lobster, but chickens, unicorns and frogs could be seen through the park. He said he picked the lobster because of its connection to the region.

He explained the costumes were an effort to counter the narrative that the protesters were violent. Using humor is a major way to fight an authoritarian regime, he said.

The huge crowd filling the common, Hoyer said, makes my heart soar.

2:15 p.m.  They just dont like Trump - counter-protesters weigh in

Laura Simpson, 52, of Cambridge was one of a very few people at the rally who supports Trump.

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Simpson, who wore a MAGA hat, walked around Boston Common with three other Trump supporters. The protesters, she said, were crying like little babies every day.

We love our president, she said. These people are cooked.

Simpson denounced both Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Mass. Gov. Maura Healey, calling Wu a communist, adding Healey was even worse.

This isnt grassroots, added Tommy Savage, 31, of Boston.

Shawn Nelson, 47, of Boston, who wore a vest with the American flag on it, urged the protesters to go home. They have no clue what theyre talking about, he said. They just dont like Trump.

2:15 p.m.  Ed Markey: Mass. does not believe in dictators

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., said It is important to be here together in this moment because it is a moment that demands truth, truth about hate, truth about greed.

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Markey slammed the U.S. Supreme Courts handling of immigration enforcement, for giving a green light to racial profiling in our country.

Here in Massachusetts .. we do not believe in dictators, Markey said. ... we are the revolutionaries ... thats why Donald Trump has declared war on us, war on Massachusetts.

Donald Trump does not want to make America great again; he wants to make America hate again, Markey said.

Markey said Massachusetts people stand up for what is right.

We do not coronate  we liberate. We do not agonize  we organize," Markey said. " ... No kings. Not here. Not ever."

2:09 p.m.  Elizabeth Warren: Donald Trump is a bully

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts said Boston know there are no throne or kings in America, and have known it since 1776 when its people kicked King Georges army out of the city.

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Donald Trump is not a king, Warren said. Donald Trump is a bully.

They claim a No Kings rally is anti-American, Warren said. They are wrong. ... It is deeply American. It is patriotism. Standing up to a wannabe dictator, that is patriotism.

2 p.m.  The Rev. Mariama White-Hammond speaks

The Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, founder of the New Roots African Methodist Episcopal Church in Dorchester, told the crowd the people have pushed back for hundreds of years against the lie of leaders claiming to fix problems if we just trust them.

White-Hammond dismissed the idea that this was a Hate America rally.

We are standing in the tradition of the best this country has always been.

1:42 p.m.  Attorney General Andrea Campbell calls for action

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell takes the stage. In America, we dont have kings, we have the people.

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Campbell, touting funding she has helped to save, said she has filed 40 lawsuits against the Trump administration and 40 times we looked them in the eyes and said, Not on our watch.

Campbell, met with cheering from a fired-up crowd, said, they will keep on coming and we will keep on fighting ... If they come for Massachusetts, I say, bring it on.

When we march, when we organize, when we vote, Campbell said, we win.

Campbell called for leadership and action, saying that in Massachusetts we dont back down  we are just getting started!

1:40 p.m.  Stiltwalker calls attention to issues

Jonah Philibert said he wore stilts to create a spectacle and draw attention to the protest.

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This is the sort of thing that needs as much attention as possible, he said. This isnt the first and it wont be the last.

Being out in the community is heartening, he said. It can feel very isolating watching the news at home, Philibert explained.

He joked he had a great view of the increasingly large crowds on the common.

1:15 p.m.  TPS immigrants have held this country together

Angela Palma, a daughter to immigrants and a member of the Massachusetts TPS [temporary protected status] Committee, called on Congress to protect thousands with temporary protected status.

These immigrants have held this country together during natural disasters, pandemics and labor shortages, Palma said.

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They deserve permanent status, said said, having given the country the best years of their lives.

1 p.m.  Immigration, climate change policies motivate activism

Many organizations set up tables on the common to distribute flyers and spread their message. Among them was Massachusetts Peace Action, which advocates for peaceful U.S. foreign policy actions.

Joseph Hunt, 82, was walking around the park handing out fliers on behalf of the organization.

This is democracy in action, he said, recalling Bostons revolutionary history. This is what matters.

The common remained calm around 1 p.m.  chants rang out occasionally but mostly, protesters milled about carrying signs.

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Several people ran into coworkers or friends, including Bob Keener, 69, of Needham. Keener said he ran into an old coworker he hadnt seen in 20 years on Saturday.

The 69-year-old carried an American flag on his shoulder. While Needham is hosting its own demonstration on Saturday, Keener opted for the larger crowd in Boston. It was important, he said, to show just how many people opposed what he called the Trump regime.

Keener pointed to two specific actions the administration was taking that made his blood boil: the ramped up immigration enforcement and the rolling back of climate change policies. He specifically cited the viciousness of unlawful deportations.

12:50 p.m.  Its OK to heckle

Rahsaan Hall, CEO of Urban League of Eastern Mass. and the events emcee, highlighted a moment during Boston Mayor Michelle Wus speech when she was heckled.

We have protests in the middle of a peaceful protest, Hall said. This is what democracy looks like. Its not nice. Its disruptive.

12:46 p.m.  Boston Mayor Michelle Wu takes the stage

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu tells the crowd in Boston, every day is no kings day and that Massachusetts has kicked out a king and wed do it again.

Wu  who has been in President Donald Trumps sights as what he describes as a radical left leader of a sanctuary state  said Trump mistakes cruelty for greatness ... these are the tools of a tyrant desperate for the respect he will never earn.

12:45 p.m.  This is not the America we envisioned

Virginia Pratt, 68, of Jamaica Plain, said she came out to protest due to the administrations widespread funding cuts on education and to denounce what she saw as growing authoritarianism.

This is not the America we envisioned, she said.

Pratt attended with Eileen Kurkoski, of Newton. Kurkoski said the message is strong.

I have hope, Kurkoski said.

12:15 p.m.  Donna Summer on the common in spirit

The Good Trouble, a brass band from Somerville, warmed up the crowd. One song included a reworked version of Boston legend Donna Summers song She Works Hard for the Money, which became We Work Hard for Our Neighbors.

12:05 p.m.  Mom, teens say youth should pay attention

Tiffany Glaiser, 49, brought her two kids with her to the protest. A resident of Westborough, Glasier said she feared the country was heading to a dictatorship.

I cant believe this is whats going on, she said.

Glasier said her children, ages 16 and 14, wanted to attend, and said she believed it was more important for them to be out protesting than for her.

The protest was a way to make sure people who may not follow politics understood what was going on, she said.

Its scary, Glasier said.

Violet Shimer, 16, said she hoped people her age would pay attention to the protests. Still, she expected mostly older people to make up the crowd.

Gunner Shimer, 14, who is trans, said they feared losing their rights.

Just let people be, Shimer said.

12:03 p.m.  Thousands gather ahead of noon start

Even before the protests scheduled start time, several thousand had gathered on Boston Common on a sunny fall morning.

Protesters carried signs denouncing the Trump administration and fascism, with many opting for simple signs declaring resist and no kings.

It was a relatively festive and tranquil scene Saturday around noon, with music emanating from various places in the park. A speaker near The Embrace statue blared [expletive] Donald Trump.

Among those on the common Saturday was Laurie Langelo, who wore a Scooby Doo costume. The 62-year-old said the costume was an effort to keep things light.

I dont think I look like a terrorist, Langelo quipped, a reference to rhetoric from the Trump administration denouncing the protesters.

The administration is no longer following the rules, she said.

Its illegal thing after illegal thing, Langelo said.

What is No Kings?

The organizers behind No Kings have asked people to publicly stand together against the abuses of power, cruelty, and corruption, specifically targeting President Donald Trump.

Whether youre outraged by attacks on civil rights, skyrocketing costs, abductions and disappearances, the gutting of essential services, or the assault on free speech, this moment is for you. Whether youve been in the fight for years or youre just fed up and ready to take action, this moment is for you, the website states.

Earlier this year, protests were held across the country on June 14, coinciding with Trumps birthday and a military parade planned in the nations capital.

More than 100 rallies across Massachusetts included people carrying signs, wearing costumes and identifying themselves as members of everything from the Sisters of Saint Joseph to the American Legion, Mass Senior Action Council and the Young Feminist Party.

This is the end of the beginning, said Ron Bucchino, of Agawam, who attended Northamptons June event. We are going to be out here for a longtime. We are going to be out here for months. We are going to be out here for years.

Heres where to find an event near you.

Safety

The organization is stressing nonviolent action and no civil disobedience for Saturday.

It has asked people to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Plus, weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to the events.

Peacekeepers might be used to help direct crowds and de-escalate conflicts, which are trained volunteers.

MassLive editor Nicole Simmons contributed to this report.

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The official opening ceremony of the administrative office of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Holy See took place on October 17.

First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican, attended the event.

Azerbaijans Ambassador to the Holy See Ilgar Mukhtarov briefed the participants on the newly opened administrative office, located on Via della Conciliazione  the main avenue leading to St. Peter's Basilica, in close proximity to the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican. The street also hosts official institutions of the Vatican, as well as administrative offices of several embassies accredited to the Holy See.

It was highlighted that relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Holy See have been steadily developing in recent years in a spirit of mutual respect, interest, and fruitful cooperation, with collaboration deepening and diversifying across various fields.

Following the ceremony, First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva and Cardinal Pietro Parolin exchanged views over tea on bilateral relations, the international agenda, and other matters of mutual interest.

Given that the Holy See serves as the spiritual and ideological center for more than a billion Catholics worldwide, the activities of Azerbaijan's diplomatic mission hold particular significance for promoting the countrys realities to the global community.

In 2021, President Ilham Aliyev signed the law on the official establishment of the Embassy of Azerbaijan to the Holy See. In 2022, Ilgar Mukhtarov was appointed as Azerbaijans first resident ambassador to the Holy See.




Aridai Castaneda was just finishing up her shift at McDonalds on the corner of Wells and Adams streets Friday afternoon when a crowd of teenagers began fighting inside, she said.

Fights inside the Loop restaurant werent unusual, she said, but it was the first time one ended in gunshots.

Outside, about a block away from the Quincy CTA Station, a 14-year-old boy was wounded in the leg, according to Chicago police.

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An unknown gunman opened fire toward the teen, who was standing in the 100 block of South Wells Street around 4:20 p.m., police said. The teen was transported to Lurie Childrens Hospital in stable condition, police said.

Castaneda said the fighting inside the McDonalds started at about 3:40 p.m. We hit the panic button, she recalled. It was a lot, like a huge crowd of kids just fighting inside.

The crowd moved outside but lingered nearby, she said. By 4:05 p.m., Castaneda had finished her shift and walked out to start heading back home when she passed by a group of teens lingering near the restaurant. Farther up Wells, she could see three people fighting.

It was two against one, she said. One was on the ground, the other two were beating on him. One was stomping on him, the other was punching him. And then after that, thats when I heard the gunshots.

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Castaneda turned and ran back inside the McDonalds. About half an hour later, she remained at the restaurant where yellow police tape was strung across Wells, blocking off the crime scene. A small crowd of onlookers gathered at the northeast and northwest corners of Wells and Adams as officers surveyed the area. The restaurants glass-door entrance off Wells was shattered.

Fights are a regular occurrence at the restaurant, Castaneda said.

Theyre always doing it. Its a daily thing, she said. Theyre always here and were always calling the police because theyre so disrespectful.

Today was bad, she added.

No one was in custody as of Friday evening as Belmont area detectives investigated, police said.

tkenny@chicagotribune.com
A Baltimore Police officer was struck by a vehicle Saturday morning along the route of the Baltimore Running Festival has been released from the hospital.

The officer has been release[d] from the hospital. He suffered a minor skull fracture and other injuries, a spokesperson for the Baltimore Police Department said Sunday.

The officer was hit at the intersection of Whitelock and McCulloh streets at about 9:43 a.m., Baltimore Police spokesperson Chakia Fennoy wrote in an email. The officer was taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center for precautionary measures, she said.

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Though the suspect vehicle initially fled the scene, police tracked the suspect to the 2400 block of West Cold Spring Lane, where they arrested a 42-year-old woman.

The suspect is now in the Central Booking Intake Facility, where Fennoy said she will be charged accordingly.

Have a news tip? Contact Racquel Bazos at rbazos@baltsun.com, 443-813-0770 or on X as @rzbworks.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  Bradley University cut the ribbon to the Glen and Polly Barton Clinic for Fitness and Function, giving free health services to people with chronic neurological disorders.

Polly Barton, and in honor of her late husband Glen, donated $1 million to the university to open the clinic.

The generosity of Glen and Polly Barton and so many others in our community has given us resources beyond measure. We now have a space thats not only equipped with the latest technology and tools but also designed for greater accessibility and comfort, said Dr. Melissa Peterson, chairperson for the Department of Physical Therapy.

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The building is located in Campustown, on the edge of the universitys campus. It will offer free physical therapy and other health services to uninsured or underinsured individuals with chronic neurological disorders.

Not only with this clinic be beneficial for patients, but will give students the chance to interact with real patients outside of their required clinical hours.

Outside of doing clinic work, even our undergraduate students get involved early, supporting our group fitness classes as early as sophomore year. This experience gives them better insight into potential career paths, exposes them to the importance of service and helps them develop essential communication skills, Peterson said.

This clinic is more than a facility. Its a living, breathing example of what happens when education, compassion, and community come together.

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One family, whose daughter attends the clinic, is extremely thankful for all they are doing for their family.

Being a part of this wonderful program has meant so much to Cara. The physical therapy sessions give her a purpose, a place to go where people are ready to encourage and help her move, exercise and strengthen her body that just never fully recovered after accident, said Elvessa Seivert, mother of Cara Seivert, a patient with the clinic.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
By Michael Holden

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's Prince Andrew said on Friday he would give up using his title of Duke of York following years of criticism about his behaviour and connections to the late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The reputation of Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles and second son of the late Queen Elizabeth, has taken a battering in recent years, most notably because of his links to Epstein.

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A court ruling last year also revealed that the British government believed one of his close business associates was a Chinese spy. Andrew at the time said he had stopped all contact with the businessman.

ANDREW SAYS HE IS PUTTING COUNTRY FIRST

In a statement on Friday, Andrew said "the continued accusations about me" distracted from the work of his elder brother King Charles and the wider work of the British royal family.

"I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life," Andrew said.

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"With His Majestys agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use the title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me."

His decision to give up his titles was taken following discussion with senior royals. The king was glad about the outcome, according to a royal source.

Andrew, 65, the eighth-in-line to the throne, was once regarded as a dashing naval officer and served in the military during the Falklands War with Argentina in the early 1980s.

But he was forced to step down from a roving UK trade ambassador role in 2011, before quitting all royal duties in 2019 and then was stripped of his military links and royal patronages in 2022 amid allegations of sexual misconduct which he has always denied.

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That year, he settled a lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre, who died in April, which accused him of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager. Andrew has always denied her account, which has returned to prominence in the last week with the release of her memoir.

In her book, she said "entitled" Andrew believed it was his birthright to have sex with her, according to extracts published by the Guardian newspaper.

"Things are simply not going away," royal biographer Robert Hardman told BBC TV. "And I think the palace has decided, and Prince Andrew has agreed, that there really has to be a further separation.

"He wants to look as if he's proactive and try and regain some dignity out of this."

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BRITONS SUPPORT STRIPPING ANDREW OF TITLES

According to a recent poll by YouGov, 67% of Britons supported stripping Andrew of his remaining royal titles, with 13% opposing the move. A separate survey found only 5% of respondents had a favourable view of him.

Andrew, who had already given up being called "His Royal Highness", still remains a prince and will continue to live in Royal Lodge, a large property on the estate surrounding Windsor Castle, a historic royal palace to the west of London.

However, he will no longer attend the annual royal Christmas get-togethers at Sandringham, the royal home in eastern England.

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His daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie will be unaffected, but his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson will also no longer be known as the Duchess of York.

In September, several charities cut their links to her after she described Epstein as a "supreme friend" in an email three years after he had pleaded guilty in 2008 to a state prostitution charge in Florida and agreed to register as a sex offender.

In addition to the ties to Epstein that dogged him, Andrew's business relations have also proved problematic.

Last December, court documents revealed that a Chinese businessman who had been authorised to act on Andrew's behalf to seek investors in China had been banned from Britain on national security grounds.

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The documents revealed the businessman, who the British government believed to be a spy, had been invited to Andrew's birthday party.

The British royal family has seen its working numbers diminish in the last few years, with the king's younger son Prince Harry and his wife Meghan having also stepped down from official duties.

While Andrew's title will be inactive rather than taken away, historian Anthony Seldon told the BBC that the last time a senior royal was stripped of a dukedom was more than 100 years ago.

"Looking historically, this is a very, very significant step," Seldon said.

(Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Chris Reese and Deepa Babington)
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  A Cameroonian-flagged ship caught fire Saturday in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen after possibly being struck by a projectile, officials said, with at least one mariner missing and another still likely aboard the burning tanker after the rest of the crew abandoned the vessel.

U.K. and European Union officials offered differing opinions about what sparked the blaze on the Falcon, with the British suggesting a projectile hit it, while the EU said that it appeared to be an accident. They warned ships in the area that the vessel could explode, because it was fully loaded with liquefied petroleum gas.

The incident comes as Yemens Houthi rebels have been attacking ships through the Red Sea corridor. However, the rebels didn't immediately claim to have been involved, though it can take them hours or even days to do so.

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The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, or UKMTO, center issued an alert about the Falcon, describing the incident as taking place around 210 kilometers (130 miles) east of Aden.

A vessel has been hit by an unknown projectile, resulting with a fire, the UKMTO said. Authorities are investigating.

The EU's Operation Aspides, which has been patrolling the area, said that the Falcon's crew of 26 was all Indian except for one Ukrainian. The Greek frigate HS Spetsai was nearby the Falcon, while the French also sent an aircraft overhead, the EU operation said.

Initial indications suggest that 15% of the ship is on fire and the fire was caused by an accident, the EU naval force said, without elaborating.

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The Falcon previously had been identified by United Against Nuclear Iran, a New York-based pressure group, as operating allegedly in an Iranian ghost fleet of ships moving their oil products in the high seas despite international sanctions. The ship's owners and operators, listed as being in India, couldn't be immediately reached for comment.

The Israeli military said that it was aware of the strike on the ship, but that it didn't carry out any operation in the area.

The Houthis have gained international prominence during the Israel-Hamas war over their attacks on shipping and Israel, which they said were aimed at forcing Israel to stop fighting. Since the ceasefire began on Oct. 10, no attacks have been claimed by the rebel group.

The Houthi campaign against shipping has killed at least nine mariners and seen four ships sunk. It upended shipping in the Red Sea, through which about $1 trillion of goods passed each year before the war. The rebels most recent attack hit the Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht on Sept. 29, killing one crew member on board and wounding another.

Meanwhile, the Houthis have increasingly threatened Saudi Arabia and taken dozens of workers at U.N. agencies and other aid groups as prisoners, alleging without evidence they were spies  something fiercely denied by the world body and others.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA) will host its annual Brothers Day celebration on Saturday at Tower Square in downtown Springfield.

Springfield Public Schools offer free meals to all students

The annual event, themed Strengthening Our Community, One Brother at a Time, aims to uplift and celebrate the strength, resilience, and well-being of men throughout the city.

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Attendees can expect an afternoon of community connection, health awareness, and family-friendly fun. According to MOCHA, guests can enjoy refreshments provided by Ionas Catering and White Lion Brewing Company, as well as games, music, and a variety of prizes including two refurbished Windows 11 laptops donated by Springfield.community and several bicycles.

This event, powered by the MOCHA program, is a chance to celebrate the men who build our city while also helping ensure their continued well-being, said Lamont Scott, Project Director at MOCHA. This event is a fantastic opportunity for men to connect, reaffirm positive attitudes, uplift each other, and discuss important health issues.

The celebration underscores MOCHAs ongoing mission to promote health equity, mental wellness, and mutual support among men of color through community-based outreach and empowerment programs.

Those interested in supporting future community initiatives like Brothers Day can learn how to donate or repurpose unwanted technology by visiting their website.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Download the 22News Plus app on your TV to watch live-streaming newscasts and video on demand.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and this Saturday local businesses are raising money and awareness for the Breast Cancer Network of WNY and Hope Chest.

When the odds are one in eight women will be diagnosed, it really hits home for a lot of folks. So its really nice to see the community come together, said Rachel Wallmeyer, program director for the Breast Cancer Network of WNY.

Heart of Hertel businesses hold first Bra Crawl in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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This is the second year of the Bra Crawl, where local businesses decorate a bra and have it on display. People can vote for their favorite, and businesses have special deals and events and donate towards the two organizations during Shoptober on Oct. 18.

I think its a great way to have people out walking in their neighborhoods and learning about the businesses and then giving back as well, said Susan Morreale, co-owner of Her Story, Her Sanctuary and Her Kitchen.

Morreale is an 18-year breast cancer survivor and lost her sister to the disease.

I am very passionate about supporting women and supporting during this time of the month but really all year long, so really the two organizations that I love are Breast Cancer Network of WNY and Hope Chest, said Morreale. I love that they work local with all the women in the community whether they are newly diagnosed or living with breast cancer. And its just very important for me to have people know that its OK, you can live with the disease and be able to be supported and know that youre not alone on the journey.

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The Bra Crawl started last year on Hertel Avenue in Buffalo with around 30 businesses, and now is also in the Village of Williamsville, Village of East Aurora, and the Elmwood Village in Buffalo. Around 80 businesses are participating this year.

One of the businesses that got involved with the Bra Crawl this year is Ashleys Lingerie and Swimwear.

Being a bra store and working with women day to day, month to month over time, just all different stages of life of our female customers, we see this, we hear it, we experience it. We all know somebody, we all suffered with someone that has been diagnosed or is going through it, said Ashley Doll, the owner of Ashleys Lingerie and Swimwear.

During the month of October, for each bra they sell they are donating a portion of the proceeds towards Breast Cancer Network of WNY and Hope Chest. Theyre also collecting old bras and they will be donating them to Bra Recyclers.

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Businesses that are participating in the Bra Crawl will be having deals, promotions, or donating proceeds raised during Shoptober on Oct. 18. To learn more about the participating businesses, visit Her Storys website here.

Latest Local News

Hope Winter is a reporter and multimedia journalist who has been part of the News 4 team since 2021. See more of her work here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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TALLADEGA COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT)  A Calhoun County woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash Saturday morning, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Alexandria resident Sonia Stoddard, 60, was fatally injured when the Nissan Rogue she was operating hit a Jeep Patriot head-on. The crash happened around 6:35 a.m. on Alabama Highway 21 near Garrison Lane, which is northeast of Talladega.

McDonalds customer shot during fight over being denied service: Florida deputies

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Stoddard died at the scene. The driver of the Jeep and a passenger in the Rogue were airlifted to UAB Hospital. The ALEA did not state their conditions.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Gridlock reigned Saturday on one of California's most vital freeways after state officials closed a 17-mile stretch of Interstate 5 in response to a pre-planned event in which live-fire artillery rounds were shot over the freeway at Camp Pendleton.

The full closure of the main route between Los Angeles and San Diego was brief, but it caused massive traffic jams across San Diego and Orange counties. Exits from the freeway onto surface streets were clogged. Many motorists were forced to take a jammed Interstate 15. The inland detour swelled drive times from L.A. to San Diego to well over three hours as of Saturday afternoon. That was an hourlong delay over typical conditions. By 5 p.m., traffic was finally getting back to normal and much of Interstate 5 was moving at normal speeds.

The closure marked another clash between the Trump administration and Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.

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Newsom criticized the White House for failing to coordinate or share safety information ahead of the Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebration, which featured Vice President JD Vance.

"It is not safe for people to drive on a major freeway at high speeds directly under LIVE MUNITIONS," his office wrote on X. "White House not communicating, endangering the public, and then trying to blame the Governor for doing the right thing  keeping people out of harms way  yet another day living in Trumps authoritarian America," the post said.

Administration officials said the Camp Pendleton event was perfectly safe and that a freeway closure was not needed.

"Gavin Newsom wants people to think this exercise is dangerous," said William Martin, the communications director for Vance, in a statement.

Military helicopters fly over Camp Pendleton during a temporary closure of Interstate 5 on Saturday. (Jonathan Alcorn / For The Times)

Oceansides assistant police chief John McKean said that while the full closure lasted only a little over an hour, the California Highway Patrol planned to conduct a traffic break when the ammunition fired.

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"It's not like they're going to get hit by explosives or anything like that, it's just loud booms, and it may frighten [drivers] when the rounds are going to go off, because it's going to be going off for about a good 15 or 20 minutes," McKean said.

Midmorning on Saturday, the southbound 5 Freeway ground to a halt about half a mile ahead of the El Camino Real exit, the second-to-last exit before the previously announced interstate closure.

The previous three freeway exits  Avenida Palizada, Avenida Pico and Avenida Vista Hermosa  all had flashing freeways signs warning of the impending closure.

Motorists who were brave or foolish enough to venture beyond Avenida Palizada endured a minimum of 30 minutes trying to exit the freeway.

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San Clemente City Councilmember Mark Enmeier said that the freeway closure came completely out of the blue and that he found out about it just as many residents did on Saturday morning when the Orange County Sheriff's Department announced it publicly on Instagram.

There was no coordination with any local officials on this whatsoever, Enmeier said. Or if there was, he said, I was not informed of it.

Interstate 5 was closed temporarily Saturday after military officials confirmed live-fire artillery rounds would be shot over the freeway. (Jonathan Alcorn / For The Times)

The midmorning closure stretched from Harbor Drive in Oceanside to Basilone Road near San Onofre.

Some vehicles on the interstate illegally made nearly 90-degree turns on the freeway heading southbound to break through the bottleneck by exiting the vacant El Camino Real onramp for about 15 minutes. A California Highway Patrol officer eventually rode up the ramp and shut off access.

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McKean told The Times he's been in meetings with Camp Pendleton officials about the celebration for the last month. The closure of the interstate "came up overnight from Governor Newsom's office."

In a statement to The Times, the city of Oceanside said it was notified of the interstate closure at 7:30 a.m. via a California Highway Patrol update.

"Marine Corps was not even aware that [the interstate] was going to be closed, this was something from Sacramento to Cal Trans to CHP," McKean said.

The assistant police chief has lived in the Oceanside area since 1996 and said this is the first time "any training other than fires that I can remember closing down the I-5, this is not a normal thing."

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McKean also said he has spent 20 years in the Marine Corps and "I've had artillery shot over me plenty of times," but he said, "it can be a distraction for drivers, for sure, and I think Governor is doing it in abundance of caution."

The governors office said it was informed earlier in the week that the White House was considering closing the freeway and when no order materialized by Wednesday, state officials began weighing whether to do so themselves. Driving that decision, they said, were safety concerns about reports that live ordnance would be fired over the freeway and onto the base.

Newsom's office said Thursday it was told no live fire would go over the freeway, only to be informed Friday that the military event organizers asked the California Department of Transportation for a sign along the I-5 that read "Overhead fire in progress."

Earlier Saturday morning, the state was told that live rounds were scheduled to be shot over the freeway around 1:30 p.m, prompting California Highway Patrol officials to recommend the freeway closure because of the potential safety risk and likelihood it would distract drivers.

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In San Clemente, Saturdays brunch specials at the SC Cafe included mimosas, Bloody Marys and beers along with avocado toast, eggs Benedict and breakfast burritos.

Nearly every table at the corner eatery right off the 5 Freeway was filled with local and seasonal European tourists.

Yet business was a a bit slow that day, according to the staff and cafe owner Joey Abi-Loutfi, due in part to the freeway shutdown.

I heard about the traffic from the news a day earlier and wasnt exactly sure what to think, Abi-Loutfi said. Thats the give and take of owning a restaurant right next to a freeway ramp.

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Abi-Loutfi said traffic and slowdowns have been a boon to his business in the past.

Jackknifed big rigs translated into frustrated drivers pulling over and grabbing a bite at the 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily establishment.

People will wait out the traffic with some food, said Abi-Loutfi, whos owned the eatery for 27 years.

Abi-Loutfi said hes not thrilled about this shutdown, though, aside from slower-than-usual business, due to the governments show of force in firing off weapons.

What a great use of funding, he said with a sarcasm thicker than his restaurants chunky salsa.

A cyclist manuvers around safety cones signalling that Interstate 5 freeway is closed on Saturday. (Jonathan Alcorn / For The Times)

Saturday's closure brought a deepening strain between California and the Trump administration  which has been escalating in recent months after the White House deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles to clamp down on protests, ramped up immigration raids and pressured California universities to comply with his agenda.

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To Enmeier, the live-ammunition event is a "show of force on behalf of a few individuals more than likely intentionally timed to this day of widespread protest. Plus, he said the freeway closure is a source of needless financial strain.

Not only are we paying as a taxpayer for these shows of force, we're also losing money, Enmeier said. I mean, this is a major arterial road, and there's no other way down to San Diego from Orange County without taking an hour-and-a-half detour.

The Marine Corps said in a statement that Saturday's event would be a "historic Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration, showcasing the strength and unity of the Navy-Marine Corps team and ensuring we remain ready to defend the Homeland and our Nation's interests abroad."

A spokesperson for the Marines said artillery was shot from Red Beach into designated ranges on Friday evening as part of a dress rehearsal.

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"M777 artillery pieces have historically been fired during routine training from land-based artillery firing points west of the I-5 into impact areas east of the interstate within existing safety protocols and without the need to close the route," the statement said. "This is an established and safe practice.

The event took about an hours and involved nine warships as well as helicopters launching an "attack on a beach near the 5, which brought cheers from the estimate 15,000 in attendance, according to the San Diego Union Tribune.

Standing here, you can feel the weight of that history, the generations upon generations, upon Americans who cut their teeth at this base, boarding ships and carrying the American flag. But thats exactly what Marines do, Vance said.

"From these mountains and this water, Marines have deployed to every major fight in the last century. From island hopping across the Pacific to Helmand Province and beyond," he added.

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The military show of force coincides with "No Kings" rallies and marches across the state Saturday challenging President Trump and what critics say is government overreach. Dozens of protests are scheduled Saturday across Southern California, with more than 2,700 demonstrations expected across the country.

During "No Kings" protests in June, Trump held a military parade in Washington, D.C., which included a 21-gun salute, to celebrate the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary.

"Using our military to intimidate people you disagree with isnt strength  its reckless, its disrespectful, and its beneath the office he holds," Newsom said in a statement. "Law and order? This is chaos and confusion.

The Marine Corps said in a statement to The Times on Thursday that a detailed risk assessment was conducted and no highways or transportation routes will be closed" for the event titled Sea to Shore  A Review of Amphibious Strength."

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Capt. Gregory Dreibelbis of the I Marine Expeditionary Force said that no ordnance will be fired from a U.S. Navy ship during the event, but Marines will fire high explosive rounds from artillery known as M777 Howitzers into designated ranges with all safety precautions in place. Simulated explosives and visual effects will also be used, he said.

The Trump administration previously had plans for a major celebration next month for the 250th anniversary of the Navy and Marines, which would have included an air and sea show  with the Blue Angels and parading warships  to be attended by Trump, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Plans to host that show in San Diego have been called off, the paper reported.

Camp Pendleton is a 125,000-acre base in northwestern San Diego County that has been critical in preparing troops for amphibious missions since World War II thanks to its miles of beach and coastal hills. The U.S. Department of Defense is considering making a portion of the base available for development or lease.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The leader of a labor union in Southern California who was arrested while protesting an immigration raid earlier this year will have his felony obstruction charge reduced to a misdemeanor, court records show.

David Huerta had been charged with obstruction, resistance or opposition to a federal officer - a class A felony, according to a Friday filing by Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli in federal court.

However, prosecutors filed a proposed order Saturday seeking dismissal without prejudice of the original felony charge of conspiracy to impede an officer.

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The Associated Press sent an email Saturday seeking comment from the U.S. Attorney's office.

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said in a statement Friday that Huerta was simply observing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement workplace raid to ensure workers were being treated fairly and was unfairly arrested and charged.

"This is a gross abuse of power by an administration hell-bent on punishing its perceived enemies and attacking immigrants, the statement said.

Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union California, was arrested on June 6 while protesting outside a business in Los Angeles where federal agents were investigating suspected immigration violations.

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A crowd of people gathered outside yelling at the officers. Huerta sat down in front of a vehicular gate and encouraged others to walk in circles to try to prevent law enforcement from going in or out, a special agent for Homeland Security Investigations, which is part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, wrote in an earlier federal court filing.

An officer told Huerta to leave, then put his hands on Huerta to move him out of the way of a vehicle, the agent wrote. Huerta pushed back and the officer pushed Huerta to the ground and arrested him, according to the filing. Huerta was injured during the arrest and was hospitalized as a result, the union said.

Huerta was later released from federal custody on a $50,000 bond.

Huerta's union represents hundreds of thousands of janitors, security officers and other workers across California. His arrest became a rallying cry for immigrant advocates across the country as they called for his release and an end to President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. SEIU officials protested in Washington, D.C., in support of Huerta's release.

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other Democratic leaders denounced the arrest. Newsom wrote in a statement then that Huerta is a "respected leader, a patriot, and an advocate for working people."

Abbe David Lowell and Marilyn Bednarski, Huerta's attorneys, said in a statement that they will seek "the speediest trial" to vindicate him.

"In the four months that have passed since David's arrest. it has become even clearer there were no grounds for charging him and certainly none for the way he was treated," they wrote. "This case is not a good-faith pursuit of justice but a bald act of retaliation, designed to silence dissent and punish opposition. It reflects the Trump Administration's continued weaponization of prosecutorial power against its perceived opponents."

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This story is reported by South Dakota News Watch, a non-profit news organization. Find more in-depth reporting at www.sdnewswatch.org.

Editors note: This story originally published in June 2025 has been updated at the end.

MITCHELL, S.D.  The snows blowing sideways, the heavy stuff. Its one of the few winter storms this year and it happens to fall on the first days of March, calving season.

I arrive at Steve Eastons farm in Hanson County in southeastern South Dakota, prepared, wearing long underwear, snow pants, ski mask. What I was not prepared for was finding Steve, in a T-shirt and jeans sitting at his kitchen table.

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You look like youre dressed for bad weather, Steve smiles.

He has no plans to go outside today. And he doesnt need to. From where he sits, he has a crystal-clear view of those cows that are close to labor on a TV divided into eight smaller screens, one for each camera.

Steve Easton checks on his pregnant cows using a camera system in rural Hanson County, S.D., on March 4, 2025. (Photo: Megan Luther/ South Dakota News Watch)

One screen shows a cow standing, sometimes slightly swaying looking uncomfortable. Is she due soon? Steve pulls out his smartphone and opens an app connected to the cameras. On the phone, you can actually enlarge it. He zooms in on the ear tag. The number confirms shes the one thats due any day now.

I was shocked: That is insane.

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The last brush I had with calving was in the early 90s at a friends ranch, where every two hours they rode a four-wheeler through the pasture to check on cows.

Record low cattle numbers

I had intended to write about hard-working, down-to-earth South Dakotans. Lately, any national news about our state dealt with politics. South Dakotas more than that. Its calving season, so I searched for a rancher.

But Steves calving cameras blew me away  and led me on another journey to understand how science and technology have made calving more efficient. Read: saving money.

The number of cattle in the U.S. today is at a record low, numbers not seen since 1951, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Over the years, historic drought conditions left little food for cows in the pasture and forced producers to sell their herds.

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In 2024, Americans ate around 59 pounds of beef on average, up from the year before, according to the USDA. Short supply and strong demand mean a higher price. Add a recent temporary ban on importing beef from Mexico due to a parasite and USDA estimates that beef prices will hit new highs in 2026.

Ranchers are looking for efficiency: How to consistently produce the best beef that consumers want. In South Dakota, its big business with four times as many cattle as humans.

The cost of raising cattle for beef is an investment. Depending on feed costs and operation size, producers can spend hundreds to thousands raising a single animal before it goes to slaughter, confirms Erin DeHaan, South Dakota State University professor and extension beef specialist.

Too expensive to just cross their fingers and pray that it all works out.

A family affair

Easton calves part-time. In search of a larger, full-time calving operation, I traveled just 10 miles from the North Dakota border near Leola to a fourth-generation ranch with around 1,000 head of cattle. Turning off the gravel road, I pass under a 16-foot tall wooden archway with a large sign Erdmann Ranch hanging from the top.

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A red tractor-trailer is backed up to the cattle corral. A handful of Erdmann family members are loading up their Black Angus heifers  each weighing around 1,100 pounds. These are year-old cows that have yet to get pregnant.

Hupt! Here we go girls, commands the matriarch, Anne Jo Erdmann. Anne pronounced Annie, or just call her AJ. One of my boys gives me crap. He goes, Mom, youre a 56-year-old grandma. You dont need to use initials anymore.

But AJ is easier than people repeatedly misspelling Anne Jo. It pisses me off.

Shes easy to spot with her purple snow pants and hot pink hoodie poking through her winter coat.

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Shes joined by her son, husband, his brother, nephew and his wife. They use various commands to get the heifers to move. Haaww! Lets go ladies. Theres a lot of whistling and counting. They need to fit 58 on this load.

The heifers stomp and moo in protest. The Erdmanns use a cattle prod and paddle to get them moving as they funnel through, single file, up the ramp and into the back of the two-story trailer.

Anne Jo Erdmann, far right, stands with her family after loading heifers onto a tractor-trailer near Leola, S.D., on April 26, 2025. (Photo: Megan Luther/ South Dakota News Watch)

In the corral, Anne Jo endearingly calls out Hey, Lovey. Does she call all heifers by that name? No  Lovey, or No. 463, is special.

She looks the same as the others with her jet-black hide. But Loveys calm demeanor makes her stand out as they are loaded onto the tractor-trailer. Lovey came from a very planned pregnancy, an investment aided by technology that started before she was even a twinkle in a bulls eye.

The other AI

Whether Loveys life will be a success has been tested for generations by trial and error.

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Were kind of rigorous. Were kind of picky, says Anne Jo.

The Erdmanns prefer cows with structurally correct feet and legs, features that indicate a long lifespan. Angus can live up to 10-15 years. They want cows with nice round udders and good teeth and temperament, indicators of being a nurturing mama.

All those features are held by another cow, Queen of Wetonka, named after the tiny town of 16, south of Leola. When a cow has a name, shes a prize, a nice pet deserving of special treatment.

Queen of Wetonka has been with the Erdmanns for years and already had birthed three calves by 2023 when they were ready to breed her again. They will use the other AI  artificial insemination.

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But first they have to choose a bull.

The bull: By the numbers

Its a family research effort. Anne Jo, her husband, Dan, their son, Royce, and his Uncle Joe all flip through glossy magazines with high-quality profile photos of bulls, complete with bios and stats. Like a dating profile but with more accurate information.

They search online profiles and talk to other ranchers about their favorite bulls.

Anne Jo is also a sperm dealer. She sells and delivers straws of bull semen to customers. She got an alert about a young bull out of Montana named Spectrum. We liked his numbers. We liked his pedigree, Anne Jo says.

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One look at his profile page and you can see why. His photo, taken by a professional photographer, shows a side profile of pure black Spectrum standing in fresh hay. This literal stud was born on Valentines Day in 2020.

This picture of Spectrum from Sitz Angus Ranch in Montana accompanies his profile with his statistics for those shopping for semen on Genexs website. (Submitted photo: Kate Roberts)

His bio speaks for itself: He is the perfect combination of Cow Sense & Science and will raise the bar for nearly every measurable trait.

Below Spectrums auspicious birthday is his scrotal circumference: 40 cm, or about 16 inches. The science behind the size shows positive correlation with his daughters maturing early and allowing them to become pregnant sooner. And typically, the bigger the size, the greater the sperm count, which increases the likelihood of pregnancy.

But there is such a thing as too big. Its a sign of an injury or a growth, both red flags for fertility.

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If you click on Spectrums extended online profile, more than 100 different numbers pop up. The stats show everything from his offsprings average birth weight to how his daughters perform as first-time moms to the marbling score of his offsprings beef.

It also shows the accuracy of those stats: The more offspring, the greater likelihood a future calf will follow Spectrum results. Hes fathered more than a thousand.

While those stats configure into Erdmanns decision, what matters most is temperament. We dont want anything thats got any kind of a wonky, snarky temperament, says Anne Jo.

And theres a stat for that. Spectrums docile score shows his offspring are more calm compared to others.

Diversify to increase success

But numbers arent everything. Both Anne Jo and Steve Easton tell me some producers have been known to fudge their stats, hiking up the value of their bulls.

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Thats why we dont hop in, hog wild, and breed all of our heifers to just one brand new bull. Weve seen the next Wonder Bull umpteen times, Anne Jo says.

The Erdmanns diversify, choosing multiple bulls semen. Beyond the numbers, they also do their own social networking: asking around and finding out how offspring behaved for other ranchers.

Spectrum fit the bull bill, so the Erdmanns purchased several straws of his semen and inseminated around 20 cows, including Queen of Wetonka in 2023.

To check for a viable pregnancy, they hire a traveling veterinarian from Missouri. With a portable ultrasound machine, he takes just seconds to check if a cow is expecting. The ultrasound image projects on special eye glasses he wears, saving time and effort lugging around a screen.

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Spectrums semen took and the Queen is indeed pregnant and will be for nine months.

When Queen is close to giving birth, shes moved into one of the barns with cameras to watch over her labor.

Cameras were a game-changer

This technology was a turning point on the Erdmann ranch. Royce, representing the fourth and youngest generation, tried for years to persuade his dad to add cameras to the farming operation.

Nope. We dont need it, Royce remembers Dans repeated reply.

Royce, a board member on the South Dakota Angus Association, heard from other ranchers loving their cameras, wishing theyd installed them sooner. So Royce called the company himself and ordered a camera system at his own expense.

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They installed it. And he said it was stupid, Royce says.

It didnt take long for his dad to jump on board.

The cameras mean freedom. Now they can run into town and still check the status of calving on their smartphones, which they can also do from the comfort of bed. It also allows pregnant cows to labor in peace, without disruption.

The technology also saves lives, Steve Easton attests. The eight cameras, which cost him around $2,500, enables him to quickly spot a calf in trouble, such as having its cord wrapped around the neck, being born in the gestational sac or rejected by its mama.

So if you save one calf, it pays for itself in a year, Steve says.

But theres something worth even more than money.

Our time is so valuable, and I dont think many of us put a dollar value to our time or even to our health, to tell you the truth, says Robin Salverson, a cow/calf field specialist with South Dakota State University Extension.

No. 463

Queen of Wetonka, a veteran mama, had an uneventful labor and gave birth to a healthy female calf, No. 463, on March 6, 2024. Anne Jo rattles off the calfs numbers like its her own Social Security number. A true heir of her parents, this calf appears to be calm.

In every herd, the Erdmanns take two heifers with nice temperaments they can easily break. The nice ones tend to lead the herd and make it easier to corral them.

The chosen ones are brought to fairs to be shown. Calf No. 463 shows promise. Shes just so appreciative of being scratched and brushed and washed and loved. And so we just named her Lovey, Anne Jo says.

Anne Jo Erdmanns daughter Brianna Schwarzrock gets ready to show Lovey at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron, S.D. in August 2024. (Submitted photo: Erdmann family)

Loveys a pet, a sweetheart, who loves to lick. She licks your jeans. Shell lick your arm.

And she shows well, placing second in her class, reserve calf champ at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron.

But any ranchers goal is to turn a heifer into a cow that successfully carries a healthy calf. And once they reach a year old, heifers are ready to be bred.

Helping nature along

The weather is starting to turn on the Erdmann ranch, the April winds picking up and its starting to spit. The Erdmanns are on their last load and have a herd in the cattle corral.

Loveys easy for Anne Jo to spot. While they all look alike, completely black, Anne Jo knows her prized pet. Loveys the one with kind, hazel eyes that wiggles her way up to the front of the herd.

With Lovey and the other heifers loaded, the tractor-trailer heads 25 miles south to her mothers namesake, Wetonka, the south ranch. There Lovey shares 80 acres of pasture with 39 other heifers.

By mid-May, Lovey and the other heifers in the herd are ovulating. On a Friday, the Erdmanns remove their intrauterine device, or IUD, birth control and give each one a hormone shot to get their cycles in sync.

Just days later, on a rainy and cold Monday, the Erdmann family gathers to insert straws of semen into the heifers one by one. Anne Jo also discovers her purple snow pants arent waterproof. I got wet all the way down to the skin. Man, we were so cold on Monday.

Lovey is inseminated with a new bull Erdmanns want to test out. A young guy named Grindstone from North Platte, Nebraska.

Three weeks later, theyll release the cleanup bulls into the pasture to impregnate any heifer whose AI didnt take.

When the veterinarian does ultrasounds in August, he can usually spot the typical 2-pound difference between an AI calf and a cleanup calf conceived three weeks later, which helps identify the father.

Cows must carry their weight

If Loveys pregnant and all goes well, with her easy temperament and natural maternal instincts, she can reasonably stay on the Erdmann ranch for years as a breeder.

So hopefully, shes able to level up and accept the challenge that we set in front of her, Anne Jo says.

They are picky. You have to be when your livelihood is on the line. If Lovey isnt pregnant, she goes to town, sold for slaughter.

Theyve done it before. There was Barbara. Barbara was the nicest heifer. Just loved her, Anne Jo says. You can hear a little sadness in her voice.

But ranching is a business. And thats where tough love comes into play, she says.

Why would you keep a heifer thats not paying her way? Do you want those kind of genetics kept in your herd?

Lovey alive is more valuable to the Erdmanns. She helps lead the herd and could possibly produce several calm offspring like herself. But if this pregnancy doesnt take, prices are high for beef this year and are expected to continue to climb in 2026. But just like any market, theres uncertainty.

We dont have crystal balls. We pray a lot, Anne Jo says.

And thats something technology just cant do.

Editors note, Oct. 17, 2025: Lovey and her mother, Queen of Wetonka are both pregnant. They are back home grazing at the Erdmann Ranch. Queen is due in March and Lovey is expected to give birth in April.

This story was produced by South Dakota News Watch, an independent, nonprofit organization. Read more stories and donate at sdnewswatch.org and sign up for an email to get stories when theyre published. Contact Megan Luther at megan.luther@sdnewswatch.org.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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EBENSBURG, Pa.  In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Cambria County America 250 essay contest has been announced for area students.

The contest, which is is sponsored by the Cambria County America 250 committee, invites students to reflect on the significance of that milestone in American history. Its also an opportunity for them to explore themes of freedom, democracy and the enduring legacy of the Declaration of Independence.

We need to increase the literacy level in terms of civic literacy and make sure that people understand how the three branches of government work and what the Constitution really means in different ways of thinking about it, so we need to learn more about our country, said Jerry Zahorchak, essay contest facilitator.

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The contest features categories for students in fourth through eighth grades and ninth through 12th grades.

Students in middle school can choose one of the following themes:

 What does the Declaration of Independence mean to me today?

 Who is a hero of the American Revolution and why should we remember them?

 Why is it important to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence?

Students in high school can choose one of the following themes:

 How did the Declaration of Independence shape the foundation of the United States?

 In what ways can young people today uphold the values of the Declaration of Independence?

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 What lessons from the Declaration of Independence are most relevant in America today?

We want them to consider Cambria County and our local history, Zahorchak said.

The word limit for middle school essays is 300 to 500 words, and 500 to 750 words for students in high school.

Essays must be original, typed in 12-point font and double-spaced. The cover page must include the students name, grade level, school name and contract information.

They are to be submitted to the schools by Feb. 12. Schools will determine the top three essays in each category to be judged.

A panel of three judges will determine the winners.

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Judges want to see critically thought through essays with a creative approach to presenting them, Zahorchak said.

We want them to have a good holistic look at writing with good grammar and mechanics, and clarity of the ideas that flow from one idea to the next.

For middle school, the first-place winner will receive $300, second place is $200 and third place is $100.

High school winners will receive $1,500 for first place, $1,000 for second place and $500 for third place.

Winners will be notified by March 31.

They will be invited to read their essays at a celebration event July 4 at the Cambria County Courthouse in Ebensburg.

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I hope students get the feel that this is ours; we fought hard to establish this country to give us freedom to make our own rules and be creative, Zahorchak said. I want them to get inspired.

A selection of essays will be published in The Tribune-Democrat.
(Reuters) -A Cameroon-flagged tanker issued a distress call on Saturday after an explosion onboard as it passed about 60 nautical miles south of Yemen's Ahwar, British maritime security firm Ambrey said.

The cause of the explosion was unclear.

Ambrey said it was aware of radio communications indicating the crew intended to abandon ship and that a search and rescue operation was underway.

The vessel was travelling from Oman's Sohar Port to Djibouti, Ambrey added.

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It said the tanker was not believed to be linked to the target profile of Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis.

They have launched numerous attacks on vessels in the Red Sea since 2023, targeting ships they deem linked to Israel in what they describe as solidarity with Palestinians over Israel's war on Gaza.

The attacks have disrupted trade flows through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, one of the world's busiest shipping routes.

(Reporting by Enas Alashray and Muhammad Al Gebaly; Editing by Jan Harvey and Barbara Lewis)
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Capital Area Food Bank is holding additional food distributions to help impacted federal workers and contractors.

The distributions will consist of boxes filled with shelf-stable pantry items and some fresh produce to help during the government shutdown.

Stretch Your Dollar with DMV chefs Shutdown Suppers

The distributions will begin the week of Oct. 20. To receive a box, workers just need to show their government ID.

These are dates, times and locations of the distributions:

Tuesdays from noon to 2 p.m.:

No Limits Outreach Ministries: 7721 Barlowe Rd, Hyattsville, Md.

Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.:

So What Else: 6116 Executive Blvd, North Bethesda, Md.

Fridays:

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: United Community: 7511 Fordson Rd, Alexandria, Va.

11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Urban Outreach: 5343 C St SE, Washington, D.C.

Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.:

LindaBen Foundation: 10739 Tucker St Beltsville, Md.

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Additional food distributions are available among Capital Area Food Banks partner network, which can be found here.

Anyone with questions about food assistance or the distributions is encouraged to call the Hunger Lifeline at (202) 644-9807.

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Surat (Gujarat) [India], October 18: In a proud moment for India, the World Records Community - India has officially recognized Rahul Kadvabhai Chosla from Surat, Gujarat, for achieving two world records in the traditional art of wooden stick spinning. The certifications mark a remarkable addition to India's record history and highlight the growing global recognition of indigenous skills and disciplines.

Chosla achieved:- 184 spins using both hands (two 5.5 ft, 1.5 kg sticks)- 111 spins using a single hand (one 5.5 ft, 1.5 kg stick)

Both record attempts were verified by the World Records Community under the supervision of Yashwant Raut, South Asia Head and Senior Adjudicator, during an official certification ceremony held in Surat. The event was graced by IPS Anupam Singh Gehlot, Police Commissioner of Surat, who congratulated the young achiever for his dedication and precision.

Speaking on the occasion, Yashwant Raut said,

"Rahul Chosla's achievement reflects the intersection of India's cultural heritage and modern excellence. The World Records Community is proud to certify these dual records as a testament to skill, perseverance, and cultural pride."

Hailing from Kim village in Surat district, Chosla began learning the art form at a young age, inspired by the traditional practices of the Bharwad community. His recognition at the global level now brings immense pride to both Gujarat and India.

The World Records Community, under the regional leadership of Yashwant Raut, continues to identify and honor extraordinary talents across South Asia, motivating individuals to pursue excellence in diverse domains.

About the World Records CommunityThe World Records Community is an international record-certifying authority headquartered in the United States. It is dedicated to acknowledging exceptional human achievements worldwide. Guided by Yashwant Raut (South Asia Head) and Dr. Mukul Soni (Editor-in-Chief), the organization promotes innovation, culture, and performance through verified and transparent record validation.

HIGHEST NUMBER OF WOODEN STICK SPINS IN ONE MINUTE USING BOTH HANDS. https://www.worldrecords.community/the-human-story/highest-number-of-wooden-stick-spins-in-one-minute-using-both-hands/

HIGHEST NUMBER OF WOODEN STICK SPINS IN ONE MINUTE USING A SINGLE HAND. https://www.worldrecords.community/the-human-story/highest-number-of-wooden-stick-spins-in-one-minute-using-a-single-hand/

(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.)
A post made on Snapchat has resulted in a Cass County teenager going into community corrections. The teenager told police in an initial interview that she never meant to harm anyone.

Aria Wooden, a 19-year-old from rural Galveston, was sentenced to four years in the Indiana Department of Correction during a hearing held Sept. 25 in Cass County Circuit Court.

Two of those years can be spent with the Cass/Pulaski County Community Corrections, and the other two can be suspended to probation.

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Wooden has already accrued 129 days with the DOC and has 43 days of good time credit.

Community Corrections accepted her into the program and Wooden was evaluated as a low risk.

The sentencing came after she agreed to plead guilty to a level 5 felony charge of Intimidation. As part of the plea deal, the state dropped an additional level 6 felony charge of Intimidation.

Both charges stemmed from a photo Wooden posted to her private Snapchat story in May with the caption ok so im shooting the school up. with you first b-.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation received a tip about the post and was able to obtain the Galveston address it was posted from via Snapchats geolocation information. FBI Special Agent Nathan Strange then reached out to the Cass County Sheriffs Office to let local law enforcement know about the threat, according to court documents.

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Stopping by Woodens home, members of the Sheriffs Office were greeted by Woodens parents, who explained their daughter had left the house about half an hour earlier.

Woodens parents also explained their daughter had been expelled from school, and her younger brother told officers she had been arguing with her ex-boyfriend, a Kokomo High School student, earlier in the day.

Wooden returned to home shortly after being contacted by her parents and, according to court documents, told officers the threats were not meant to harm anybody in any way and that she had posted it out of anger from a situation that happened.

According to court documents, Wooden also told the officers her ex-boyfriend hadnt seen the post and that she deleted it. Later, after she was taken into custody and brought to the Cass County Jail, she consented for officers to search her iPhone.

The no contact order that was issued for Woodens case will remain as part of her conditions of probation.

She will also have to pay $689 in fees and a $30 monthly fee for probation.
The Catholic Church in England and Wales has criticised Labours private school raid for disrupting the lives of children.

In a rare public intervention, the Church rebuked the Government for targeting its schools, which it said charged below average fees and accepted a larger number of bursary pupils.

The Catholic Education Service, which represents the Bishops national education policy, blamed the VAT levy for unsettling children whose parents can no longer afford the fees or whose school has closed as a result of the tax raid.

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It said children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) were particularly at risk because parents were more likely to send their children to faith schools because of the lower fees and pastoral care.

The Telegraphs analysis of 50 private school closures, which cited VAT as a reason for shutting down, shows 20pc were Catholic institutions. This is more than double the proportion of Catholic schools nationally.

Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, who is herself a practising Catholic, was warned that smaller faith schools would be particularly vulnerable to the education tax.

Internal documents, shared in the High Court judgment, show ministers were told these schools cater for middle-income families who are more price sensitive to a 20pc increase in fees.

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It added because of their smaller size, staff wages make up a larger proportion of their spending and these costs cannot be reclaimed, unlike capital expenditure.

Paul Barber, director of the Catholic Education Service, told The Telegraph: Most Catholic independent schools are small, with fewer than 400 pupils. They have historically been run as inclusively as possible, as charities, charging lower fees, and offering a greater quantity of higher value bursaries than elsewhere.

But the combination of the pandemic, VAT on fees, business tax, rising costs, as well as declining birth rates means the number of these schools in England has reduced by almost a third in the past six years, from 116 in 2019 to just 79 today.

He added: These schools also provide for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send), many without local authority-funded education, health and care plans (EHCPs). They will have had their education disrupted as a result of displacement, either because their parents were unable to afford the VAT-induced increase to fees, or because of their school closing.

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The Telegraph is aware of 10 Catholic independent schools that have blamed Labours education tax for their closure. Collectively, they educated more than 2,000 children.

Among the closures was St Josephs Preparatory School, in Stoke-on-Trent, which shut on December 31 last year, one day before the VAT policy came into effect.

It taught 80 children between the ages of 3 and 12 and charged up to 3,415 per term, around half the cost of the average private school.

St Josephs former headmistress Roisin Maguire previously told The Telegraph the policy had priced out working class families from private education.

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She said: Id love to have taken Bridget Phillipson into St Josephs and said this is a school with one of the lowest fees; these parents are the people who work extra shifts at the hospital to afford this because their child has high needs.

A senior Conservative MP, who is Catholic, said: I dislike the whole policy. Regardless of who you are and whether you have a faith or not, taxing education is just a bad idea. Almost nobody else in the world does it.

There is no doubt that some faiths stand to lose more than the average non-faith school. Small Jewish, Muslim and Christian schools are all in that bracket.

And when one of these old schools closes, I dont think anybody really entertains the expectation that they will be back at some point cutting the ribbon again.

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Ms Phillipson attended St Robert of Newminster Catholic School in Sunderland before attending the University of Oxford.

While she routinely visits Catholic state schools, the education secretary has never visited a Catholic private school as part of her decision not to visit any independent schools.

Describing her faith, she previously said: For me, being Catholic has always been about a wider sense of social justice, social action, the value and worth of every individual, the right of everyone to be treated with dignity and respect.

But Im not the worlds best Catholic. I part company on issues around abortion, contraception all that stuff.

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.
Indiana Daily Student

The turmoil at The Indiana Daily Student began on Tuesday, when director of student media Jim Rodenbush, an adviser to the Indiana Daily Student, was fired by the dean of the Media School.

Though the dean said in a letter that the firing was due to a lack of leadership and inability to work in alignment with the universitys direction, Rodenbush said he had no doubt that he was removed because he refused to comply with the schools push to stop students from reporting news content.

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Rodenbush, who has served as director since 2018, said in interviews that he began receiving pressure from the administration to stop student publication of news in August this year. He communicated these wishes to student writers and editors but refused to take part in the censorship himself.

Any type of attempt on my end to censor or manipulate any content from a student media outlet is literally against the law, Rodenbush told IDS staff during their Oct. 9 meeting. This is First Amendment stuff.

Student editors released a defiant piece, accusing the university of infringing on their editorial independence and of unlawful censorship.

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS: Our student media director refused to censor the Indiana Daily Student. IU fired him. https://t.co/iFxA02nbs8  Indiana Daily Student (@idsnews) October 14, 2025

The letter directly tied Rodenbushs firing to his refusal to censor students, including a quote from the schools Student Press Law Center that read: If the abrupt ousting of the student media director was related to his refusal to participate in such censorship, the message is clear: IU no longer welcomes a free student press. The Media School must reverse course immediately, before more damage is done to its reputation and to its students rights.

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The following day, the university told students they were no long allowed to release the papers planned print edition and could publish future issues solely online.

The students did, in fact, publish a digital paper. The headline: CENSORED.

This is not about print. This is about a breach of editorial independence, reads the subheading.

The backlash from students over Rodenbushs firing and the cessation of print publications has been widespread. The universitys Student Publications Alumni Association Board send a letter to the Media School dean, writing that any attempt to dictate coverage  and any retribution in the form of stopping publication  is a violation not only of the norms of free press that underpin democratic society, but of I.U.s own agreements with generations of student journalists, including the current editors.

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The schools chancellor, David Reingold, released a emailed statement claiming that the university has not and will not interfere with their editorial judgment.

To be clear, the campus decision concerns the medium of distribution, not editorial content, he said. All editorial decisions have and will continue to rest solely with the leadership of IDS and all IU student media. We uphold the right of student journalists to pursue stories freely and without interference.

The post CENSORED: Defiant Students Publish Digital Newspaper After University Bans Print Publication first appeared on Mediaite.
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WMBD)  Many Peoria and Bloomington residents were part of two of the more than 2,600 different No Kings protests against President Donald Trump nationwide.

In Peoria, more than a thousand people lined the sidewalks of War Memorial by Peoria Stadium. Some dressed up in costumes such as frogs or chickens, with the majority of people carrying signs denouncing the current President.

The line stretched for about a half mile down, starting just past the corner of War Memorial and Peoria Avenue.

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In Bloomington, more than 1,000 people crowded the courtyard of the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, and lined the sidewalk facing North East Street, as cars drove by and honked at the gathering of people, many of whom also held signs.

John Houser, a Farmer City resident who has traveled with his wife to both major Bloomington rallies, carried two flags on a pole over his back: One an American flag, the other shared the same colors but read in all capital letters, No kings in America, since 1776.

He said he wont be intimidated, and that he wants to show up for his family who served this country.

I had an uncle who was killed in World War II, and he didnt die for Trump to take over, Houser said. This is not what the country is supposed to be.

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Veterans honored at Goodwill of Central Illinois resource fair

Knight and Susan Wells are retired Bloomington residents, and lifelong republicans. They said they cant believe what has happened to the republican party, saying its not what the republicans stand for, even saying, enough is enough.

I think the current administration is to blame, Knight said. Theyre sending a very, very bad message to the American people.

Susan expressed her disdain for the Trump administrations decision to get rid of the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the recent decision to give Argentina $40 billion in aid.

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Knight cited the mass layoffs of government workers across the country over the past year as one of the reasons he is upset with the current Commander In Chief and his cabinet.

I hope that the American people will continue to show their support for democracy, not for authoritarianism, not for a president that just does whatever he wants without guardrails, Knight said. I hope the American people stand up and say, This is not what we want.'

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
MARION, Ohio (WCMH)  The mother of a 6-month-old baby mauled to death by a dog received the maximum sentence Friday.

Alyssa Smith was sentenced to three years in prison by the Marion County Court of Common Pleas for child endangering. In April 2024, Smiths child was fatally mauled by her boyfriends Pitbull.

According to the Marion County Prosecutors Office, Smith allegedly left the infant alone and unsupervised with another young child and the dog. Prosecutors said this allowed the aggressive dog to fatally attack the infant.

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Fifth measles case confirmed in central Ohio

This sentence holds a mother accountable for failing her infant in the most tragic way, Marion County Prosecutor Raymond Grogan said in a statement. Smiths actions in ignoring the dogs history showed a pattern of irresponsibility that cost baby Royal his life.

Smiths boyfriend, Blake Bates, recently pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for his involvement in the incident and is currently awaiting sentencing.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
State Sen. Scott Wiener is a strategic and effective legislator who rarely lets emotion make his decisions  much like Nancy Pelosi, whose congressional seat he would like to take.

It has been a wide-open secret for years that Wiener wanted to make a run for federal office when or if Pelosi retired, but he's also been deferential to the elder stateswoman of California politics and has made it equally clear that he would wait his turn in the brutal and parochial machine of San Francisco politics.

Until now.

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The San Francisco Standard broke the news Thursday that Wiener is running on the 2026 ballot, though he has yet to formally announce.

It is news that shocked even those deep in the dog-eat-dog world of S.F. politics and ignited the inevitable news cycle about whether Pelosi (who was instrumental in removing President Biden from the 2024 race for age-related issues) is being Bidened herself. It also ensures a contentious race that will be nationally watched by both MAGA and the progressive left, both of which take issue with Wiener.

Oh, the drama.

Take it for what you will, but a few months after having hip replacement surgery, Pelosi is (literally) back in her stiletto heels and raising beaucoup dollars for Proposition 50, the ballot initiative meant to gerrymander California voting maps to counteract a GOP cheat-fest in Texas.

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Yes, she's 85, but she's no Joe. She is also, however, no spring chicken. So the national debate on whether Democrats need not just fresh but younger candidates has officially landed in the City by the Bay, though Wiener remains both practical and polite enough to not frame it that way.

He'll leave that to the journalists, who have hounded Pelosi for months to announce whether she will seek another term, a question she has declined to directly answer. Instead, her team has focused on the looming election for Proposition 50 and said any announcement on her future has to wait after the ballots are counted.

Read more: Sen. Scott Wiener to run for congressional seat held by Rep. Nancy Pelosi

To be fair to Pelosi, she's gone all-in to both fundraise and campaign for the redistricting effort, and its passage is essential to Democrats having even a shot at winning back any power in the midterms.

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If Prop. 50 fails, there is no non-miracle path, except perhaps an unexpected blue wave, through which Democrats can retake a chamber. So Nov. 4 isn't an arbitrary date. It will determine if there is any possibility of checking Trump's power grab, and preserving democracy. Personally, I don't fault Pelosi for being engaged in that fight.

To also be fair to Wiener, his decision to announce now was probably driven more by money and political momentum than by Pelosi's age.

That's because Pelosi already has a challenger  the ultra-wealthy progressive Saikat Chakrabarti, a startup millionaire who served as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's campaign manager during her first upset win for Congress in 2018. Chakrabarti has long been an antagonist to Pelosi, and recently announced his candidacy, positioning himself as a disrupter.

In 2019, before the House impeached Trump over his questionable actions involving Ukraine, Chakrabarti tweeted, "Pelosi claims we cant focus on impeachment because its a distraction from kitchen table issues. But Id challenge you to find voters that can name a single thing House Democrats have done for their kitchen table this year. What is this legislative mastermind doing?"

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Chakrabarti, who was born the year before Pelosi was first elected to Congress in 1987, has self-funded his campaign with $700,000 and has the financial ability to spend much more. Wiener, in his on-the-down-low shadow campaign, has raised a bit over $1 million, not nearly enough. The primary will be in June and it will be expensive.

Though we have yet to reach Halloween, a stroll down the aisles of any big box store can tell you that Christmas is nigh, a season when fundraising becomes harder  putting pressure on Wiener to raise money as quickly as possible before the winter freeze.

Add to that pressure the fact that Chakrabarti has political skills and growing popularity. He was the tech architect behind a successful push to activate volunteers for both AOC and Bernie Sanders.

An internal poll released a few months ago (and any internal poll must be viewed skeptically) showed Chakrabarti drawing 34% of voters to Pelosi's 47%. His numbers increased as voters learned more about him  a few have even compared him to New York's socialist wonder-kid Zohran Mamdani, currently running for mayor against Andrew Cuomo.

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The problem with that is that Wiener is not Cuomo. He's a progressive himself, and one with an established track record of getting stuff done, often progressive stuff.

I've watched him for years push ambitious agendas through the statehouse, including bills where I would have bet against him.

Most recently, he wrote the state's ban on cops, including ICE, wearing masks. Although the feds have said they will ignore the new law, recently signed by Newsom, and it will almost certainly end up in court, it is a worthy message to send about secret police in America.

Wiener also this term passed a controversial housing bill that will increase density around transit hubs, and spearheaded a bill to regulate artificial intelligence.

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Read more: Who is running for California governor in 2026? Meet the candidates

In past terms, he has successfully forced insurance companies to cover mental health the same way they cover physical health; pushed large companies to disclose their climate impact; and been one of the major proponents of "YIMBY" policies that make it easier to build housing.

He has also passed numerous laws protecting immigrant and LGBTQ+ rights, which has made him a favorite target of the far right. He has received death threats on a regular basis for years, including one from an anti-vaxxer who was convicted on seven counts in 2022 after threatening Wiener and being found in possession of weapons. Wiener doesn't have Pelosi's charisma, but he has receipts for getting the job done and handling the vicious vitriol of modern politics.

Unlike Chakrabarti, Wiener has also been a part of San Francisco's insular community for decades, and has his own base of support  though he is considered a moderate to Chakrabarti's progressiveness. This is where San Francisco gets wonderfully weird. In nearly any other place, Wiener would be solidly left. But some of his constituents view him as too developer-friendly for his housing policies and have criticized his past policies around expanding conservatorships for mentally ill people.

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But still, a recent poll done by EMC research but not released publicly found that 61% of likely primary voters have a favorable opinion of Wiener. That vastly outpaces the 21% that said the same about Chakrabarti or even the 21% who liked Pelosi's daughter, Christine Pelosi, who has also been mentioned as a possible successor.

Which is all to say that Wiener is in a now-or-never moment. He has popularity but needs momentum and cash. The Democratic Party is in a mess, and the old rules are out the window, even in San Francisco.

So waiting for Pelosi had become a little bit like waiting for Godot, a self-imposed limbo that was more likely to lead to frustration than victory.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Takeaways

 The partnerships mark the first between the center and regional public school systems.

 Programs will provide immersive, space-themed STEM experiences aligned with classroom instruction.

 School leaders say the initiative supports workforce readiness and regional economic growth.

RAINBOW CITY  The Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama has announced new partnerships with Etowah County Schools, Gadsden City Schools and Attalla City Schools  the first formal collaborations between the center and public school systems in the region.

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The agreements, formalized through signed memoranda of understanding, establish a shared effort to expand Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education opportunities for students across Etowah County.

With the relationships established by the superintendents of the three school systems, leaders can begin planning how middle school students will participate in the centers immersive, space-themed, hands-on STEM programs. The experiences are designed to complement classroom learning by providing real-world applications of science and engineering principles while fostering problem-solving, teamwork, communication and critical thinking skills.

The partnerships with Etowah County Schools, Gadsden City Schools and Attalla City Schools represent a major milestone in our mission to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators, said Dr. Farrah Hayes, executive director of the Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama. By working hand-in-hand with our local school systems, we can connect classroom instruction to meaningful, applied STEM experiences that prepare students for the high-tech workforce of tomorrow.

Etowah County Schools is thrilled to be part of this regional STEM initiative, said Dr. Alan Cosby, superintendent of Etowah County Schools. Our partnership with the Challenger Learning Center will provide students with a new way to connect and apply STEM concepts, said Keith Blackwell, superintendent of Gadsden City Schools.

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This partnership reflects a shared goal of building a strong and sustainable STEM pipeline that supports economic growth and workforce readiness across Northeast Alabama, said Jeff Colegrove, superintendent of Attalla City Schools.

The center aims to work collaboratively with teachers across the three systems to transform how middle school students engage with STEM subjects. Through dynamic, scenario-based simulations and a junior micro-credential program, students become active participants in their learning. These experiences are designed to spark curiosity and strengthen collaboration, communication and decision-making skills.

Currently, 33 Challenger Learning Centers operate in 27 states and three countries. Each centers curriculum, written by NASA and aligned with state science and math standards, provides realistic space-mission simulations that reinforce classroom instruction.

Organizers said the partnerships are also focused on ensuring equitable access for all students and encouraging diversity in future career fields. The goal is to inspire young learners to see themselves as future innovators, engineers, healthcare workers, pilots and other professionals in the modern workforce.




Despite earlier statements to the contrary, officials announced plans to close a massive chunk of Interstate 5 in Southern California through Camp Pendleton on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 18. The closure, which will likely snarl traffic for hours as commuters, locals and tourists navigate a 30-mile detour through the Inland Empire and rural San Diego County, is set to pinch off the busy but narrow freeway connection between greater San Diego, the state's second-largest city, and Orange County to the north.

The surprise closure by the state comes just days after federal officials announced the opposite, saying, "No public highways or transportation routes will be closed," in a news release from the Marines at Camp Pendleton on Wednesday.

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The closure is part of a planned military celebration at the large Marine Corps base north of San Diego, dubbed "America's Marines 250: From Sea to Shore - A Review of Amphibious Strength." The event is planned to involve the firing of live munitions, per a statement from Gov. Gavin Newsom Saturday, and comes the same day as a nationwide series of No Kings protests against the Trump administration.



"The President is putting his ego over responsibility with this disregard for public safety," reads the statement from Newsom's office. "Firing live rounds over a busy highway isn't just wrong - it's dangerous. Using our military to intimidate people you disagree with isn't strength - it's reckless, it's disrespectful, and it's beneath the office he holds. Law and order? This is chaos and confusion."

The California Highway Patrol further confirmed the closure, which will see the entire 17-plus-mile stretch from Harbor Drive in Oceanside to Basilone Road to the north closed between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Amtrak's busy commuter rail line, known as the Pacific Surfliner, which connects from San Diego all the way to San Luis Obispo, is also slated to be closed along this same stretch of coastline.

"The Marine Corps did not request the closure of the I-5," Camp Pendleton officials said in a statement emailed to SFGATE. "We appreciate the public's patience as Marines and Sailors conduct realistic training during today's historic Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration, showcasing the strength and unity of the Navy-Marine Corps team and ensuring we remain ready to defend the Homeland and our Nation's interests abroad."

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This article originally published at 'Chaos': Live-fire military event surprise to close key California freeway.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Charlotte business is remaining confident while facing a new challenge.

You dream it, we do it. Theres nothing we cant do here, said Todd Mercer, co-owner of Forest Kitchen Design, a high-end cabinetry business in Charlotte and Greenville, South Carolina.

Mercer and his business partner, Joel Linn, design kitchen cabinets for homes using imported wood from Germany, Italy, and Canada.

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Theyre working to maintain that promise to customers despite a newly imposed tariff from the Trump administration on imported kitchen cabinets, vanities, lumber, timber, and certain upholstered furniture ranging from 10% to 50%.

The interior of Forests Charlotte building.

That is definitely a challenge. We are still trying to figure out how to handle that. Obviously, like its dilemmas of like a client signed off at this price. We need to try and honor that price. We can proudly say we have never passed on the tariff to anyone, but now that is really becoming part of the fabric of what were dealing with, Mercer said.

President Donald Trump added a 10% tariff on softwood lumber and timber imports, and a 25% tariff on imported kitchen cabinets and vanities will double to 50% on Jan. 1. Additionally, a 25% tariff on upholstered wooden furniture will increase to 30%, unless new trade agreements are reached.

US blocks a global fee on shipping emissions as international meeting ends without new regulations

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Mercer says it could drastically change what the consumer wants for their home. He says thats a conversation they have with the client.

A kitchen here that youre looking behind me can range anywhere from $60,000 to $90,000 plus, depending on the finishes, Mercer explained. We do have some very sleek, expensive finishes like this allure of bronze, which is the actual aluminum finish. Its applied to the door as well as these stained veneers. Things like finger channels are a little bit more expensive, but within the same design, you can really change the price based off of what you pick.

A Goldman Sachs report says consumers would eventually absorb about 55% of the added costs by the end of the year.

Were very upfront and transparent about it. If we sell a job and we have a tariff on it and then the tariff goes away, that will obviously go back to the homeowner, Mercer said.

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In a statement sent to Queen City News from the National Association of Homebuilders Chairman Buddy Hughes, officials say:

The U.S. Commerce Departments action to impose new tariffs on all timber, lumber, kitchen cabinet and furniture imports will create additional headwinds for an already challenged housing market by further raising construction and renovation costs. Imposing these tariffs under a national security pretext ignores the importance housing plays to the physical and economic security of all Americans. To bring stability to the housing market, the administration needs to seek fair, equitable deals with Americas trading partners that quickly roll back tariffs on building materials.

Our business is not built on sustaining these kinds of bills that were getting hit with on the back end. Luckily, we do have the ability because we have multiple trading partners, we do have the ability to pivot. So weve had conversations with some of our American manufacturers, like, hey, like if we get hit with this, are you able to produce this at a similar cost? But we do we do try to come up with alternatives for worst-case scenarios.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
VMPL New Delhi [India], October 18: Diwali, the festival of lights, is not just about diyas and sweets -- it's about celebrating togetherness, love, and gratitude. Every year, we look for the perfect gift that reflects our emotions and strengthens our bonds with family and friends. While traditional sweets and dry fruits remain evergreen choices, unique and thoughtful gifts can make your loved ones feel extra special. From eco-friendly hampers to personalized keepsakes and modern tech surprises, this Diwali, light up hearts with something truly meaningful. 1 Create the perfect gift - the Magnolia Bakery way! Now available every day in-store, our customisable gift hampers let you build your dream dessert box from your favourite Magnolia Bakery treats. Here's how it works: 1) Pick Your Hamper Box - Beautifully packed and ready to gift - 250 (excl. GST) only for the box 2) Choose Any 5 Treats - Product rates extra as applicable Fill your hamper with any 5 items of your choice from our curated selection*: * Mini Banana Pudding * Cheesecakes (individual size) * Icebox Bars (like Blueberry Jumbories, Cookies & Cream Bars) * Blueberry Hand Pies * Brownies * Cookies *Note: Larger items like Tres Leches and Large Banana Pudding are not eligible due to size restrictions. Make Your Own Hamper at Magnolia Bakery Mumbai Product Details - Gift Hamper Box with which can fit any 5 products of your liking Everything at Magnolia Bakery is handmade fresh daily with love and the finest ingredients. Availability: In-store at all Magnolia Bakery locations across Mumbai Follow us on Instagram @magnoliabakery.india for the latest updates, exclusive offers, and behind-the-scenes sweetness. LOCATIONS: * Bandra: No. F/862, CTS, Maqba Heights, Pali Rd, Bandra West, Mumbai - 400050 * Worli: Dr, GM Bhosale Marg, opp. Mahindra Tower, B Wing, Altimus, Worli, Mumbai - 400018 2. Puraveda by Reliance Retail: The Perfect Ayurvedic Beauty Gift This DiwaliCelebrate the Festival of Lights with Holistic Wellness & Timeless Rituals This Diwali, gift the essence of ancient Indian wellness blended with cutting-edge science through Puraveda, the progressive Ayurveda beauty brand launched by Reliance Retail's omni-channel beauty destination, Tira. Puraveda's thoughtfully crafted collection offers over 50 products across four distinct ranges, making it the ideal gift for loved ones seeking mindful self-care and radiant beauty. Puraveda blends India's Ayurvedic heritage with modern innovation to offer an intentional, effective, and cruelty-free beauty experience. This Diwali, celebrate holistic beauty as a meaningful ritual that nourishes the body, mind, and spirit. Puraveda's Four Signature Ranges for Diwali Gifting * Dhara: Deep nourishment and restoration powered by Sandalwood, D-Panthenol, and Lavender. This range is perfect for those seeking to replenish and revive their hair and skin with nature's calming touch. * Niyama: Designed to encourage mindful rituals, with luxurious ingredients like Kumkumadi, Squalane, and Vetiver. Ideal for elevating self-care routines with potent Ayurvedic hero ingredients and modern actives. * Sama: Fostering harmony and calm, Sama features Indian Rose, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), and Hibiscus to soothe and balance the skin and senses--a thoughtful gift for stress relief and inner wellness. * Urja: Energising and revitalising, this range combines Mogra, BHA, and Mulethi to infuse vitality and a radiant glow, making it an uplifting choice for fresh starts and joyful celebrations. Each range offers a selection of skincare, haircare, and body care products, crafted to elevate daily rituals into moments of indulgence and well-being. Puraveda's exquisite collection is available at all Tira stores and on tirabeauty.com. Choose from curated gift sets or build personalized hampers with favorites from each Ayurvedic range to delight family, friends, and colleagues with wellness that endures beyond the festivities. Price Range: INR 700 - INR 3500 Direct Link: https://www.tirabeauty.com/products/?q=puraveda 3. Celebrate the Festival of Lights with Le Pure's Exquisite Diwali Gifting Hampers - Crafted in India. Revered by the world. This Diwali, make your gifting truly memorable with Le Pure, India's homegrown luxury chocolate brand that blends the art of European craftsmanship with the warmth of Indian tradition. Founded in 2015 by Vibha Jhunjhunwala, a passionate chocolatier trained under masters across the USA, Europe, and India, Le Pure has redefined chocolate gifting in India with its signature creations, from single-origin bars and pralines to couture hampers that celebrate indulgence. Le Pure's Diwali 2025 collection captures the essence of the festival of lights through meticulously curated hampers. Each creation pairs the richness of fine chocolate with symbolic elements of Diwali, making them ideal for families, friends, colleagues, and corporate gifting. Abundance Hamper - https://lepure.in/products/abundance-hamper-premium-diwali-gift-hamper An opulent assortment that embodies festive richness - featuring chocolates, dragees, flavored nuts, and dates, alongside the Tola Gold Bar and Happy Diwali Bar. The perfect choice for premium corporate or family gifting. Price: INR 2549 With its thoughtful balance of tradition and modern indulgence, Le Pure's Diwali Collection offers gifting solutions that stand out in luxury, design, and taste. From symbolic gold bar chocolates to couture hampers, each creation is designed to be more than just a gift - it's an experience. IG: https://www.instagram.com/lepurechocolatier?igsh=MTY0OG1hazMweHp6MQ== Availability: Le Pure's Diwali hampers are available online at lepure.in and can be customized for corporate or bulk gifting. For bulk orders or special customisations, please contact +91 8181865865 Advance Notice: * Mumbai deliveries: 24-48 hours * Other regions: 48-72 hours * Weekend orders: Dispatched on Monday * For same-day Mumbai orders, please contact +91 8181865865 4. Trinket Necklace by House of Quadri: The Trinket Necklace by House of Quadri is a delicate yet modern jewel, crafted with a refined mix of 1/3 ct diamonds in round, emerald, and pear cuts. Effortlessly versatile, it adds just the right touch of sparkle to your everyday style or light evening outings. Available in three gold tones and customizable with your choice of diamond shapes, this piece is designed to be as individual as you are--timeless, elegant, and uniquely yours. Price - Rs 116,000 Website - https://houseofquadri.com/products/emra-trinket-necklace 5 . Purple Cotton, Silk Embroidery, Gul Print Kurta Palazzo Set With Potli Bag on Aza Fashions This festive-ready set is a perfect Diwali gift, blending elegance with vibrant charm. The purple Russian cotton silk kurta showcases an all-over Gul bloom print with mirror highlights, a mandarin collar, flared sleeves, and an asymmetrical hemline. It pairs beautifully with a mustard yellow palazzo featuring coordinating prints and mirror work, along with a matching potli bag and inner slip. Crafted in rich cotton-silk fabric, this four-piece ensemble is ideal for sangeet, mehendi, and festive celebrations. Price: 9,748 Link: https://www.azafashions.com/products/surkh-syahi-gul-print-kurta-palazzo-set-with-potli-bag/624722 6. Hunt Cocktail Shirt from Terra Luna Celebrate Diwali in style with the Hunt Cocktail Shirt from Terra Luna, a refined choice that blends sustainability with modern sophistication. Crafted from 100% organic khadi cotton, this smart-fit shirt is hand-spun and handwoven by skilled artisans in Amreli, Gujarat. Produced on non-electric spinning wheels and looms, it carries a proud zero carbon footprint. Sustainable gifts like artisanal clothing, eco-friendly decor, reusable serveware, or organic wellness hampers make the festival of lights even more meaningful. Price: 5,499 Link: https://www.terralunaindia.com/products/hunt 7. The Botanist's Story by Pooja Chauhan - Festive Bouquet Scarlet - A bold and striking mix of crimson roses, chrysanthemums, red berries, carnations, and sunset safari blooms -- softened with ferns, eucalyptus, and orchids. For the one who's fiercely protective and endlessly loving Price: 10,000 onwards Link - https://www.instagram.com/thebotanistsstory/?hl=en 8. Nida Cosmetics - Luxurious Gifting for the Festive Season This Diwali, make your celebrations extra special with Nida Cosmetics, a women-led brand that redefines self-care. Known for products crafted with love and care, the brand offers lip balms, lip oils, scrubs, body care essentials, and scented candles--perfect for thoughtful festive gifting. Each product is handmade, gentle on the skin, and free from harsh chemicals, ensuring a safe yet indulgent experience. Nida Cosmetics combines wellness and elegance, making it an ideal choice for Diwali hampers and unique presents that your loved ones will cherish. Celebrate this festive season with gifts that truly glow. Instagram: nidacosmetics_official Choosing the right Diwali gift isn't about how expensive it is -- it's about the thought, care, and emotion behind it. Whether it's a handcrafted piece, a wellness gift, or a customized token of love, your effort will surely bring a smile to your loved ones' faces. This Diwali, let your gifts spread not just light, but also joy, love, and positivity. After all, the best gifts are those that come from the heart. 1. Why do we give gifts on Diwali?Giving gifts during Diwali symbolizes love, prosperity, and good fortune. It's a traditional way to strengthen relationships, express gratitude, and share happiness with family, friends, and colleagues. The act of gifting represents spreading light and positivity during the festival. 2. What are some unique Diwali gift ideas for 2025?In 2025, trending Diwali gift ideas include personalized hampers, eco-friendly diyas, luxury candles, smart home gadgets, handmade decor, and sustainable sweets. These modern gifts combine tradition with creativity and sustainability. 3. What are the best budget-friendly Diwali gifts?If you're on a budget, consider gifting customized mugs, organic tea boxes, festive candles, handmade soaps, or small potted plants. These items are affordable, thoughtful, and perfect for spreading festive cheer. 4. Which eco-friendly Diwali gifts are most popular?Eco-friendly Diwali gifts like plantable seed diyas, bamboo decor, organic skincare kits, reusable gift boxes, and jute hampers are becoming very popular. They promote sustainability while keeping the festive spirit alive. 5. What are good Diwali gift ideas for family members?For family members, choose wellness hampers or premium dry fruits. For siblings, consider tech gadgets or festive outfits. Grandparents appreciate traditional gifts like silver coins, diyas, or spiritual idols -- thoughtful and culturally meaningful choices. 6. What are unique Diwali gifts for friends?Gift your friends personalized accessories, handmade sweets, smart wearables, wellness kits, or quirky home decor items. Choose something that reflects their personality and strengthens your friendship. 7. What are thoughtful Diwali gift ideas for employees or colleagues?Corporate Diwali gifts can include branded merchandise, premium chocolates, eco-friendly stationery, personalized diaries, or digital gift cards. These convey appreciation and promote team spirit. As Diwali approaches, our hearts naturally turn toward the people who make our lives brighter -- our family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones. The act of gifting during Diwali goes far beyond a simple exchange of items; it's an expression of gratitude, love, and appreciation. In the hustle of daily life, these moments allow us to pause and acknowledge those who stand by us through every joy and challenge. (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.)
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  A Michigan woman said she used ChatGPT to win $100,000 in the Powerball, the Michigan Lottery announced Thursday.

Tammy Carvey, 45, won the Sept. 6 drawing to win $50,000, but her prize was doubled in the Power Play.

Michigan Lottery

I only play Powerball when the jackpot gets up there and the jackpot was over $1 billion so I bought a ticket, Carvey told the Lottery. I asked ChatGPT for a set of Powerball numbers and those are the numbers I played on my ticket.

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When I checked the winning numbers, I saw I matched four white balls and the Powerball and knew I had to have won something. Google told me it was a $50,000 prize, so thats what I thought Id won. It wasnt until I logged into my Michigan Lottery account that I realized I added the Power Play to my ticket and actually won $100,000! My husband and I were in total disbelief.

Carvey told the Michigan Lottery she intends on paying off her home and saving the rest of her winnings.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
In an impassioned discussion with the ABC7 I-Team after she was handcuffed by federal agents at Humboldt Park Hospital, Chicago Alderperson Jesse Fuentes said patients, regardless of immigration status, must feel safe at healthcare institutions.

Chicago-area hospital administrators are speaking out as new legislation is proposed to help medical facilities respond to immigration operations.

Ald. Fuentes was handcuffed by federal agents during an immigration operation and led to a waiting vehicle after asking those still unidentified agents if they had a warrant for an injured suspect brought by them to Humboldt Park Hospital.

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"The second those handcuffs hit my wrist. I was extremely nervous for what was going to happen next," Ald. Fuentes told the I-Team. "What trumped up charges would they try to attach."

Fuentes was later released without being charged. But as community members rushed to the hospital for support, federal agents unleashed tear gas.

The 26th Ward alderperson says the incident highlights a growing concern of spaces once considered safe from immigration enforcement are now targets.

Chicago Ald. Jessie Fuentes spoke out after being handcuffed by immigration agents at a hospital in Humboldt Park.

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Community Health, down the street from her office, is on soft lockdown to protect patient privacy in hopes of eliminating some of the fear created by the incident for those seeking care.

The I-Team has confirmed immigration agents have appeared at Rush Oak Park Hospital, Loyola Medicine in Maywood, and Humboldt Park Hospital among others during the course of operations. They say they have law enforcement engagement protocols in place.

"Privacy and the rights of patients when they enter a healthcare institution. All of these policies that we have in place, have been violated," said Jose Sanchez, Humboldt Park Health President and CEO.

Sanchez tells the I-Team immigration agents never identified themselves to hospital staff and followed the patient, their suspect, into the emergency room where he was receiving treatment, which is a violation of federal privacy law.

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"People do have rights, and we will continue to exercise our practices of welcoming everyone in our community," said Sanchez. "We are not rejecting anybody, regardless of ethnicity, background, status and the country you have a health condition, come to us. We're going to treat you, perhaps, if I need to be arrested because of my values, then I let it be."

RELATED | Chicago federal intervention: Tracking surge in immigration enforcement operations | Live updates

Both Sanchez and Fuentes say they are supportive of legislation to protect hospitals from immigration enforcement on the premises. Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights plans to introduce protective legislation in Springfield. Earlier this week, a similar bill was introduced.

"Our utmost the goal with this legislation is to protect patient privacy and their ability to be able to access needed health care," said Luvia Quinones, Senior Director of Health Policy, ICIRR.

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Alderperson Fuentes says she is reviewing her legal options ahead of a potential lawsuit against ICE.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in a statement to the I-Team in part, "Fuentes was escorted out in handcuffs but never placed under arrest. Once agents removed her from the area, she was free to go. The tear gas was deployed after multiple warnings when agents were, according to them, boxed in by vehicles."
The widespread use of drones on the frontline has radically altered the nature of modern battlefield wounds, with most of them now caused by shrapnel.

Source: Kostiantyn Humeniuk, chief surgeon of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Colonel of the Medical Service at a press conference at Ukrinform, a Ukrainian news agency

Quote: "As of today, around 81.3% of all wounds are caused by shrapnel, while only about 18.7% are gunshot wounds.

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Wounds are almost always multiple, affecting several anatomical areas  the abdomen, chest, limbs and head. It is now extremely rare to see isolated wounds to a single body part."

Details: He added that lower limbs are the most commonly injured area.

The body armour used by Ukraine's defence forces remains reliable, Humeniuk said, though it does have weak spots  particularly at the sides, above the plate and below it.

He noted that during the Anti-Terrorist Operation and Joint Forces Operation [the combat action against Russian military forces and pro-Russian separatists in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts from 2014], military surgeons had not observed such a high proportion of shrapnel-related injuries.

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Quote: "The nature of modern combat wounds has changed completely. The extensive tissue damage we now encounter is a direct result of the use of contemporary drones and demonstrates just how severe today's battlefield wounds are."

Background: It was reported earlier about a pair of combat medics who are helping to ease the evacuation of wounded soldiers.

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China and Canada are showing a readiness to mend mutual ties as both nations tackle strained relations with the US, marking a shift by Ottawa that analysts have described as "pragmatic".

Beijing was willing to restart dialogue and exchanges "at all levels" and rebuild trust with Ottawa, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said as he met Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand during her two-day trip to China.

Friday's meeting in Beijing came just over a week after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited US President Donald Trump in Washington, as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to manage strained relations amid escalating trade tensions.

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"China is willing to work with Canada to ... restart dialogue and exchanges at all levels, advance the settlement of each other's legitimate concerns ... and bring China-Canada relations onto the track of sound, stable and sustainable development at an early date," Wang said.

He added that Beijing was willing to rebuild trust and advance the process of improving bilateral relations "in the spirit of looking forward".

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney meets Chinese Premier Li Qiang (not in picture) on the margins of the UN General Assembly, in New York on September 23. Photo: AP alt=Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney meets Chinese Premier Li Qiang (not in picture) on the margins of the UN General Assembly, in New York on September 23. Photo: AP>

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The two countries shared broad space for cooperation and could "fully become partners", Wang continued, calling Anand's visit a "fresh start" for their ties.

Anand's trip was the first to China by a Canadian foreign minister since Trump returned to the White House. Beijing was the final stop of her Indo-Pacific tour, following visits to India and Singapore.

Last month, Carney met Chinese Premier Li Qiang on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The Canadian leader later hinted at a possible meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.

Anand on Friday said Carney placed "high importance" on cooperation with China and was committed to "recalibrating Canada-China relations", according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

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"The current momentum for improving bilateral relations is positive and has made encouraging progress," she reportedly said, expressing hope that both sides would elevate their strategic partnership.

According to a social media post by the Canadian foreign ministry, the ministers discussed agricultural sectors including canola, as well as electrical vehicles and "how Canada and China can work together constructively".

The talks came amid ongoing trade tensions, with China imposing tariffs and anti-dumping duties on Canadian canola in retaliation for tariffs on Chinese EVs.

Analysts said Canada's diplomatic moves signalled a pragmatic shift in its China policy as both sides contend with policy headwinds from Washington.

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Jia Wang, a senior fellow and former deputy director of the China Institute at the University of Alberta, said he believed Anand's visit to Beijing was building momentum ahead of a possible Carney-Xi meeting.

"While it's too early to call it an 'upgrade' in bilateral relations, these engagements reflect a shared interest in re-establishing constructive communication and identifying areas of pragmatic cooperation," Wang said.

Thomas Liu, a research fellow at the Institute for Peace and Diplomacy, a Toronto-based think tank, said "the majority of Canadians want to have more diversified trade relations and more opportunities".

"If that is what Canadians want, Ottawa has a responsibility to respond, and so far, it deserves some applause for doing just that," Liu said.

Since Donald Trump returned as US president in January, Canada and China have faced policy challenges with America, including higher tariffs. Photo: EPA alt=Since Donald Trump returned as US president in January, Canada and China have faced policy challenges with America, including higher tariffs. Photo: EPA>

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Trump's second presidency has seen Canada face serious economic and diplomatic challenges from the US, its top trade partner.

Washington's tariffs on a wide range of Canadian products have prompted Carney to pursue negotiations to ease trade tensions. In August, the Canadian leader said Ottawa would drop some retaliatory tariffs after Washington granted some exemptions.

Beyond the economy, Trump has stirred tensions by repeatedly describing northern neighbour Canada as America's "51st state".

Earlier this month, the US government bought a stake in two Canadian critical mineral companies. The move has raised national security alarms in Ottawa regarding foreign government involvement in strategic resources.

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China, meanwhile, has also faced considerable hostility from the US. This month, Trump threatened to impose an additional 100 per cent tariff on Chinese goods in retaliation for Beijing's recent curbs on rare earth exports and higher shipping fees.

Given the fraught circumstances, now is a "ripe time" for Canada to mend its relations with China, according to Josef Gregory Mahoney, a professor of politics and international relations at East China Normal University in Shanghai.

"Previously, Ottawa embraced policies that increasingly dovetailed with those of Washington, targeting China and the Chinese people, asserting they were acting in the best interests of national security," Mahoney said.

He noted that "Canada has increasingly found itself at risk from various forms of US aggression, as Asia seems to be moving ahead together."

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However, even if Canada moved closer to China, Beijing was likely to stay cautious about its potentially transactional approach to policy, Mahoney said.

"We might see improved trade ties, [but] we can expect reversals should Ottawa continue to flirt with China's red lines," he said, adding that it was not yet clear whether Ottawa was "shifting tactics in a self-serving way".

China-Canada tensions date back to Trump's 2017-2021 first presidency, when relations were largely frozen amid Canada's accusations that China had breached its national security through hacking and espionage activities and that it posed a threat to the Western alliance.

Ties hit their lowest point in 2018, when Huawei Technologies' chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, was arrested in Vancouver, Canada, under a US extradition warrant. The arrest caused high-level bilateral engagement to remain suspended for years.

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In 2022, during the Group of 20 summit in Bali, Xi confronted Justin Trudeau, then Canada's prime minister, over what the Chinese leader said were leaks of their private discussions to the media. The encounter took place after Trudeau reportedly accused China of interfering in Canadian politics.

During the current Trump administration, Ottawa has taken steps that Beijing views as provocative, including sending a Canadian naval frigate through the Taiwan Strait in February. The sailing drew a sharp rebuke from Beijing.

Last year, Canada imposed a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese EVs and a 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium, mirroring Washington's policy.

The moves prompted Beijing to retaliate with additional 100 per cent tariffs on several Canadian agricultural products. followed in August by preliminary anti-dumping duties on imports of Canadian canola.

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Wang at the University of Alberta said while differences such as on security and human rights would continue to exist, China and Canada needed to "reestablish a basic level of trust" through talks, including at the highest levels of government.

Liu of the Institute for Peace and Diplomacy said Ottawa could take a cue from Washington, by maintaining "high-level communication" and "sustained dialogue" with Beijing while addressing their differences.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
China signaled Sunday that it would not back down in the face of a 100% tariff threat from US President Donald Trump, urging the US to resolve differences through negotiations instead of threats.

Chinas stance is consistent, the Commerce Ministry said in a statement posted online. We do not want a tariff war but we are not afraid of one.

The response came two days after Trump threatened to increase the tax on imports from China by 1 November in response to new Chinese restrictions on the export of rare earths, a key ingredient for many consumer and military products.

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Frequently resorting to the threat of high tariffs is not the correct way to get along with China, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said in its online post, which was presented as a series of answers from an unnamed spokesperson to questions from unspecified media outlets.

If the US side obstinately insists on its practice, China will be sure to resolutely take corresponding measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, the post said.

The exchange threatens to derail a possible meeting between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping and end a truce in a tariff war in which new tariffs from both sides briefly topped 100% in April.

Trump has placed tariffs on imports from many US trading partners this year, seeking to win concessions in return for tariff reductions. China has been one of the few countries that hasn't backed down, relying on its economic clout.

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Both sides accuse the other of violating the spirit of the truce by imposing new restrictions on trade.

Trump said China is becoming very hostile and that its holding the world captive by restricting access to rare earth metals and magnets.

Chinas new regulations require foreign companies to get special approval to export items that contain even small traces of rare earths elements sourced from China. These critical minerals are needed in a broad range of products, from jet engines, radar systems and electric vehicles to consumer electronics including laptops and phones.

China accounts for nearly 70% of the worlds rare earths mining and controls roughly 90% of global rare earths processing. Access to the material is a key point of contention in trade talks between Washington and Beijing.

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The ministry post said that export licenses would be granted for legitimate civilian uses, noting that the minerals also have military applications.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry post said that the US has introduced several new restrictions in recent weeks, including expanding the number of Chinese companies subject to US export controls.

It also said that the US is ignoring Chinese concerns by going forward with new port fees on Chinese ships that take effect Tuesday. China announced Friday that it would impose port fees on American ships in response.
We are under cyber siege. The number of highly significant cyber-attacks  those affecting government, essential services and key sectors of the economy  surged by half over the past year, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) revealed in its annual review this week.

These onslaughts have hit iconic British brands including Jaguar Land Rover, the Co-op and M&S, exposing vulnerabilities in our national infrastructure and costing hundreds of millions in lost revenue. UK business suffered more than eight million cyber crimes last year, according to the most recent government survey.

While large-scale cyber attacks attract news and media coverage, the everyday technology we increasingly take for granted such as mobile phones, cars, air traffic control, home internet routers and electronic lighting are also increasingly vulnerable.

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This technology is rarely spoken about as a risk because it is dispersed throughout society, not centralised into one company or organisation.

Yet that dispersal is the very thing that make this technology so vulnerable to the possibility of a rolling attack hitting a multitude of targets throughout communities. Most of the components used are manufactured in China, although their exact origin can be difficult to trace.

The Coalition on Secure Technology, the cross-party campaign dedicated to raising awareness of this issue, believes it is time for the UK to confront the reality of Chinas growing dominance in communications technology, particularly in the realm of cellular internet of things modules (CIMs).

These modules, which enable devices to connect to mobile networks, are embedded in everything from smart meters and industrial machinery to healthcare systems and transport infrastructure. If compromised, they could be used to disrupt services, manipulate data or even shut down critical operations.

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At Westminster, a political storm is raging over the collapse of a high-profile espionage trial involving two British men accused of spying for China. This raises complex questions. Is China a threat or an opportunity? It is both, but on the finely-tuned scales of international relations, where does the balance lie? What is the specific nature of the threat?

On one hand, successive governments have resisted calls to officially label China an adversary. On the other, Britains own cybersecurity agency is sounding the alarm about Beijings aggressive digital tactics, branding the communist regime a highly sophisticated and capable threat actor targeting the UK across multiple sectors.

China is a huge market opportunity for the UK but its mass export of cheap goods and lack of commitment to fair competition also make the country a massive threat to our economic wellbeing and the future of fair global trade.

We urgently need a national debate about this apparent contradiction in our approach to the technological risks posed by the Peoples Republic of China. It is a discussion I think the British people would welcome and would lead to better outcomes.

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Last year, the NCSC and its allies overseas exposed a covert network operated by a China-linked company known as Flax Typhoon.

The firm managed a network of internet-connected devices infected with malware to conduct coordinated cyber attacks. This so-called botnet linked 260,000 compromised devices around the world.

Chinas grip on the communications technology market is tightening. Chinese companies, including Huawei and Hikvision, have long been accused of producing technology that poses national security risks.

Hikvision has argued that it is categorically false to label the company a national security threat, while Huawei has always denied it is a security risk.

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While the UK Government has taken steps to limit Huaweis role in 5G infrastructure, it has yet to address the broader threat posed by Chinese-made technology in other parts of our communications system.

Contrast this with the US, where the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the government agency that regulates communications, is taking decisive action. Earlier this month, FCC chairman Brendan Carr announced new rules to close loopholes that have allowed insecure Chinese components to remain in circulation.

These rules will prohibit the import and sale of previously authorised devices and component parts linked to foreign adversaries. The FCC is also seeking to expand its equipment security prohibitions to cover a wider class of devices and strengthen enforcement against unlawful marketing.

Summing up the situation, Carr said: For years, we have known that devices produced by Huawei, Hikvision, and other Covered List entities threaten Americas national security. The UK needs to adopt a similarly robust approach.

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The row about Chinese espionage should serve as a wake-up call. It is no longer credible to downplay the threat posed by Beijing when our own cybersecurity experts are warning of its sophistication and reach. The collapse of the trial should not be seen as a reason to retreat from scrutiny; it should be a catalyst for action.

The UK Government should follow the US lead by expanding restrictions on Chinese-made communications equipment, including previously authorised models and embedded components.

We need our own covered list of companies and other organisations suspected of being under the control or influence of foreign adversaries whose products are barred from sensitive networks.

We also need to debate how to increase investment in alternative technology developed domestically or by our allies to reduce reliance on Chinese components in critical infrastructure.

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The stakes are high. As Richard Horne, the NCSC chief executive, has warned, businesses must be prepared for the moment their screens go blank. Could you run your payroll systems? Or keep your machinery working? Or stock your shelves? he asked.

Many businesses and other organisations will be unable to answer that question. That uncertainty is a vulnerability.

Cyber threats are not theoretical; they are striking now and escalating. The Government must respond with clarity and conviction.

That means recognising China as a strategic threat in the digital domain and introducing robust measures to protect our communications networks, our businesses and our public services.

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The time for ambiguity over our relationship with China is over. Action to tackle the technological threat is needed now.

Graeme Downie is Labour MP for Dunfermline and Dollar and chairman of the Coalition on Secure Technology

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BEIJING (AP)  Chinese Nobel Prize-winning physicist Chen Ning Yang, one of the most influential scientists in modern physics, died in Beijing on Saturday. He was 103.

The prestigious Tsinghua University, where he studied and served as a professor, said in a statement that Yang died of an illness, without sharing further details.

Professor Yang is one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century, having made revolutionary contributions to the development of modern physics," the statement said, praising his contribution to Chinas scientific and educational developments.

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Yang won the Nobel Prize in 1957 with Tsung-Dao Lee for their investigation of the so-called parity laws that led to important discoveries regarding the elementary particles, according to the Nobel Prize website. They were the first Chinese-born Nobel Prize winners in physics.

In his speech at the Nobel Banquet at the time, he said he was as proud of his Chinese heritage as he was devoted to modern science, a part of human civilization of Western origin.

I am heavy with an awareness of the fact that I am in more than one sense a product of both the Chinese and Western cultures, in harmony and in conflict, according to his speech, shared on the Nobel Prize website.

Yang, also known as Frank or Franklin, was also famous for his YangMills theory developed with American physicist Robert Mills.

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Born in 1922, Yang was brought up surrounded by the Tsinghua campus, where his father was a math professor, the website said. After finishing his undergraduate degree, he obtained his masters degree from Tsinghua.

He enrolled in the University of Chicago in the United States to pursue a doctorate in 1946 and was strongly influenced by Italian-American physicist Enrico Fermi, who had won the same Nobel Prize in 1938, the website said. He later became a professor at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.

In 1986, he became a distinguished Professor-at-large at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, to which he generously donated many of his awards and articles, including the Nobel Prize. Starting from 1999, he served as a professor at Tsinghua.

According to a 2017 report by China's official news agency Xinhua, Yang obtained American citizenship. He said at the time it was a painful decision, one that his father had not forgiven him for. He renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2015, saying it was a beautiful country that gave him good opportunities in studying science, the report said.

The Nobel Prize website said Yang had three children.




If you asked me to name my favorite local city, I would say Cohoes - although I request permission to reassess once the wonderful LePage's Market closes at year's end.

To me, Cohoes feels familiar and comfortable, in part because I've spent a lot of time in the mill cities of northern New England. It shares the problems and struggles of those cities, but also their strengths. Plus, Cohoes has islands. And waterfalls!

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The city's potential is obviously enormous, but Cohoes gets in its own way. An example: The August move by the Zoning Board of Appeals to block the construction of an apartment building with ground-floor retail on Remsen Street near the Cohoes Music Hall.

The decision was incredibly shortsighted and also, let me add, downright goofy.

Consider that the 25-unit building proposed by Pine Hills Properties would be a handsome brick structure that fits with the historic character of the downtown street. It would bring renters and vitality to a district that, on many days and nights, is too quiet. It would add to the tax base, and, if all of that isn't enough, replace a squat, metal, prefab building that doesn't belong on the city's highest-profile street.

The project was considered so unquestionably beneficial that it received a $2.25 million grant from the state as part of the city's application for Downtown Revitalization Initiative money.

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But the Zoning Board, in all its wisdom, said no - an arbitrary and irrational decision, as Pine Hills convincingly argues in a lawsuit newly filed in state Supreme Court. For good measure, the lawsuit adds the word "capricious," noting that the board grants the needed variances to some larger buildings, but rejects others for reasons that aren't clear.

In truth, such decisions should never have been placed in the board's hands. But Cohoes has a (bad) law on its books that limits multifamily buildings citywide to just 10 measly units. Thus, larger apartment projects require variances from the Zoning Board.

Mayor Bill Keeler told me he's no fan of the law, which he attributed to backlash created by the large residential buildings on Van Schaick Island along the Hudson River. Those buildings, the Democrat said, are seen by many residents as draining resources while adding little to the city's tax base and vitality.

Even if we accept that view, it doesn't mean the law should include the downtown, where buildings of more than 10 units are entirely appropriate and desperately needed. And it certainly doesn't mean the Zoning Board, whose members are appointed by the mayor on staggered, five-year terms, should be rejecting beneficial projects.

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"The folks who are now on the board have kind of taken an antigrowth approach, particularly with apartments," Keeler said. "Developers are asking if Cohoes is antigrowth, because they are having a tough time getting their projects through."

Before rejecting the Pine Hills building by a 3-to-2 vote, the Zoning Board's members debated its potential impact on parking and traffic, according to minutes of the meeting, along with the developer's financially driven desire to increase the planned number of building units from 18 to 25.

Board members also raised concerns about downtown becoming too dense, the hassles that would accompany construction, and the potential impact of a four-story building on the character of downtown, where, I'll note, there are already many significantly bigger buildings. Ugh. The discussion seems so  retrograde.

Newsflash: You can not have a flourishing downtown without density, including residential density, which puts people on the streets and provides customers for businesses.

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Newsflash: You can not have a flourishing downtown without parking difficulties, which are a natural by-product of success. Dead and dull downtowns are easy places to park, and the weird desire to keep them that way kills progress.

Newsflash: Downtown is where a city should be generating its highest level of property tax revenue, per acre, and when you reject a multimillion-dollar building in favor of a low-value structure, you are, in effect, forcing homeowners to pay more.

Newsflash: Cohoes, the Capital Region and the whole darn state of New York need more housing. Yet this kind of knee-jerk NIMBYism is making life too hard and expensive, and all but forcing people to move to states where construction isn't reflexively and idiotically seen as a problem.

Keeler stressed that his administration is pro-growth and fully supportive of the Pine Hills Properties project, despite the Zoning Board's obstructionism. (My word, not his.) The mayor also said he's hopeful a compromise can be achieved that makes the lawsuit moot, adding that "a conversation needs to be had" about repealing the 10-unit restriction.

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So, stay tuned. In the meantime, pay a visit to LePage's, which has the well-worn warmth and local character that's vanishing even in Cohoes. The city will be poorer, spiritually, when it goes.

This article originally published at Churchill: Why is Cohoes shooting itself in the foot?.
Among the hundreds gathered on Cincinnati's riverfront to protest President Donald Trump on Oct. 18 was Kean Babcock, a 29-year-old Navy veteran.

Babcock, who lives in near the University of Cincinnati, said he came to the city's 'No Kings' demonstration because he took an oath to the Constitution when he first started serving the military, and that oath doesn't expire.

I look around and I see that there's a bunch of my neighbors, a bunch of my fellow Americans, that need our help," he said. "They're being persecuted, they're being kidnapped, you know, they're being repressed.

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Babcock's concerns were shared by many in the crowd at Smale Riverfront Park, who gathered from the Roebling Bridge to Paycor Stadium. Some wore inflatable unicorn and dinosaur costumes. Others were draped in LGBTQ+ pride flags. Amid upbeat music, families milled with their dogs and kids whizzed by on scooters.

What are the 'No Kings' protests?

The demonstrations were organized by multiple activist groups including Indivisible, 50501, and the American Civil Liberties Union to protest "authoritarian attacks on our freedoms," according to a news release. Cincinnati's demonstration was one of 2,000 local protests and rallies planned across the country.

Social media posts also showed dozens of protesters at events in Clermont County's Eastgate Mall, in Mason and in Florence, among other places.

Cincinnati protest featured costumes, singing and a freed detainee

Many of the protesters wore yellow. One sign depicted Trump melting and read: Global warming isnt fake news. Another with a bald eagle read: Liberty forever. Fascism never.

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Speakers included Nan Whaley, the CEO of Planned Parenthood in Southwest Ohio, and Ayman Soliman, a former Cincinnati Children's Hospital chaplain who was detained at the Butler County Jail by federal immigration officials after his asylum status was revoked,

Soliman was greeted with loud cheering and applause. He thanked the crowd and said he is free because people decided to speak up.

Some Cincinnati 'No Kings' protestors brought their dogs or wore inflatable costumes to the event.

'I'm terrified' for nation, protesters says

Mike Birk, 37,of Cincinnati's Pleasant Ridge neighborhood, said he came to protest because he's concerned for the future of his three children.

Birk said he didn't vote for Trump but his father did and it ended their relationship.

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"I don't understand how people could see that man and think it'd be worth it. I hate the people who claim to be Christian and Republicans. He's the least Christ-like person I've ever seen," Birk said.

Nancy McDermott, a 73-year-old from Highland Heights in Northern Kentucky, said she feels the country is in serious trouble.I find that the president is taking advantage of loopholes in either the Constitution or the privileges of the president, she said. Jason Davis, a 54-year-old from Cincinnati's Westwood neighborhood, said he got recertified in Red Cross first aid training ahead of the protest because he wants to take care of people.We're about halfway through Project 2025, and I'm terrified, he said. As long as we show up, we've got hope, so we've got to show up.

Protesters push back on Antifa narrative

Katie Grieshop, an organizer with 50501 Cincinnati, laughed at claims from Trump and other GOP leaders that protesters are paid activists or members of Antifa.I think that's hilarious. This is grassroots. Everybody volunteers their time, and they pay out of pocket for things like printing flyers and providing water for people at the protest, she said. This comes from pride of country and a sense of duty to each other. And Antifa is a boogeyman he uses.

Jack Parlin, a 24-year-old who lives in Clifton, agreed. He said he found the Antifa rhetoric around the protests interesting.

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"Antifa is antifascism. It's an ideology, it's an idea. It's not a group of people, and I think it's quite telling when people, when people say that antifascism is un-American," he said.

Regional politics reporter Erin Glynn can be reached at eglynn@enquirer.com or @eringlynn on Bluesky.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnatians gathered in costumes, pride flags for 'No Kings' protest
NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 18: The sixth edition of the world's largest annual fintech conference, the Global Fintech Fest 2025 (GFF 2025), was held in Mumbai October 7-9. More than 400 sessions where visionaries from India and over 100 countries shared their insights. Also instituted under GFF 2025 were the Global Fintech Awards (GFA) 2025. The awards, announced at a gala on October 8, at Jio World Centre, Mumbai, honoured and celebrated the exceptional achievements of trailblazers of the fintech ecosystem. The two main fields in which the GFA 2025 were given aware were Excellence in Banking Tech, and Excellence in FinTech. Among the key winners were, Ms. Upasana Taku, Co-founder & CFO, MobiKwik, the Fintech Person of the Year - Female, and Mr. Yashish Dahiya, Chairman, PB Fintech, the Fintech Person of the Year - Male, while. Yubi was named the Fintech Startup of the Year, and IDFC FIRST Bank stood out under the Excellence in Banking Tech category, winning accolades for its Green Banking Initiative and Digital Transformation Program of the Year. Global Fintech Awards 2025: Winners' List The 2025 edition marked the introduction of a Special Jury ensuring diverse industry perspectives and comprehensive evaluation. The Special Jury members were Mr. V. Vaidyanathan, MD & CEO, IDFC FIRST Bank (JURY CHAIR); Mr. Amrish Rau, CEO Pine Labs; Mr. Gopal Srinivasan, Chairman and MD, TVS Capital Funds; Mr. Rajiv Anand, MD & CEO, IndusInd Bank; Mr. Sameer Nigam, Founder & CEO, PhonePe; Mr. Sandeep Ghosh Group Country Manager India and South Asia, Visa; Mr. M N Srinivasu, Co-Founder & Director, BillDesk, and Mr. Sudipta Roy, MD & CEO, L&T Finance. The GFA 2025 Jury comprised 30 renowned industry-leaders. Together, these panels reinforced the Global Fintech Awards as a benchmark for excellence, inclusion, and innovation in the financial technology landscape. For more information on GFF 2025 please visit: www.globalfintechfest.com. The Payments Council of India (PCI) was formed under the aegis of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (PCI) in the year 2013 catering to the needs of the digital payment industry. The Council was formed inter-alia to represent the various non-banking payment industry players, and to address and help resolve various industry-level issues and barriers that require discussion and action. The council works with its 180+ members, encompassing over 90% of the industry to promote payments industry growth and to support our national goals of 'Cashless Society' and 'Growth of Financial Inclusion' which is also the Vision Shared by the RBI and the Government of India. PCI represents the complete digital payments ecosystem of India through its various committees representing different sectors. Established in 2018, the Fintech Convergence Council (FCC) is an industry body representing the collective voice of fintech companies in India. Since its inception, FCC has evolved into a leading platform with a diverse membership of over 200 fintech entities across key segments including digital lending, wealth, insurance, digital financial services, RegTech, and credit bureaus. FCC's core mission is to address sector-specific challenges and provide a unified platform for dialogue within the broader BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) ecosystem. The council actively engages with regulators and policymakers to help shape progressive policy frameworks and promote a balanced approach to innovation and compliance. In addition to policy advocacy, FCC also focuses on knowledge sharing, strengthening consumer education, and promoting responsible finance through awareness-building initiatives on customer protection, digital literacy, and best practices in fintech. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Central Texas police departments, including the city of Austin, were granted nearly $600,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice Community Policing Development Microgrants program, according to U.S. Senator John Cornyns (R-Texas) office.

The program looks for solutions to combat crime, increase officer recruitment and retention efforts, and highlight the positive impact of law enforcement in communities.

Texans loyalties lie with our brave men and women in law enforcement, and they deserve to have every tool at their disposal to ensure our communities are safe and secure, Cornyn said.

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Heres a breakdown of the amount awarded to the departments, per the release.

City of Austin  $175,000

City of College Station  $174,540

Killeen Independent School District Police  $76,213

Texas Department of Public Safety  $174,071

Cornyn said, in part, I look forward to seeing how these much-needed resources that I helped to secure will empower law enforcement to fight crime and improve public safety for communities across the Lone Star State.

KXAN reached out to the city of Austin for a statement on how the city plans to use these funds. We will add that statement when we receive it.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
A Claremore nonprofit flooded out of its facility in June has received $150,000 from a settlement it reached with the city.

Claremore City Council approved the terms of the settlement with domestic abuse nonprofit Safenet Services during its Oct. 6 meeting. According to the settlement documents, the city and Safenet's attorneys signed the agreement Sept. 23. The council members discussed the settlement with the city's attorney, Adam Heavin, in a closed executive session that lasted about 25 minutes.

A backed-up sewer line deluged Safenet's main facility in raw sewage June 6. That forced Safenet to evacuate its offices and domestic abuse shelter guests from the building on Dupont Street. Since July, the nonprofit has been leasing the old Higgins law office from Rogers County for $1,000 a month.

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Per the terms of the settlement, the city paid Safenet $150,000. Safenet committed to purchasing and installing a backflow prevention device at its Dupont Street facility, and it also agreed to release the city and the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group from any liability for the flooding.

"Releasor [Safenet] agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Releasees [city and OMAG], regardless of whether such interests or causes of action are in Releasor's legal or equitable control, from any and all claims related to the sewer backup on June 6, 2025," the settlement agreement reads.

Jody Moore, Safenet's executive director, said in early October that Safenet needs to raise about $500,000 to restore its Dupont Street facility, outfit its temporary office and pay insurance. Moore said people can give at safenetservices.org.

Also at its Oct. 6 meeting, the council allowed Claremore Economic Development to apply for a grant to construct a lagoon system at Claremore Regional Airport.

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Meggie Froman-Knight, executive director of Claremore Economic Development, said a Rural Economic Action Plan grant from the state would max out at $100,000. Froman-Knight said the city would need to find other sources to supplement the grant, as it will cost anywhere from $1.1 to $1.9 million to build a lagoon at the airport.

Claremore Mayor Debbie Long asked why the airport needs a larger lagoon; Froman-Knight said the airport doesn't have one. Instead, residential septic lines service 98 buildings at the airport, and Froman-Knight said adding more buildings would run afoul of state environmental regulations.

"This grant reduces the burden, if awarded, of the funding it takes to achieve a lagoon system," Froman-Knight said. "Currently we cannot add another building at that airport until we address the lagoon, and so it is a significant barrier to its future journey."

The council voted unanimously to allow Claremore Economic Development to pursue the grant.

"Wow," Long said. "Sounds like it's desperately needed."
Oct. 17Day after day, for the past nine years, Brandi Breeden has been caring for the community's children. As the founder of Clothe Our Kids of North Alabama, she has collected hundreds of thousands of clothing items, washed, dried and folded pants, shorts and shirts, searched stores for sales on shoes and delivered bags of wardrobes to area schools.

"When I started Clothe Our Kids, I had no clue what I was getting into. I just saw a need in the schools. I thought we would be helping some kids. Never did I imagine it would grow into what it has become," the 36-year-old Breeden said.

What it has become is a crucial outreach ministry.

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"I have tried to put on paper what it would cost to replace their service," Susan Roberts, executive director of PACT, an abuse-prevention nonprofit, said. "I can't begin to do that. I can't fathom what it would cost, not just from the emotional benefit it gives to children and their families, but also from the financial perspective of what it would cost to replace it for us that need the service."

Last month, Clothe Our Kids of North Alabama, which operates under the First Priority of Greater Decatur umbrella, distributed its 10,000th bag of clothing. That equals 70,000 tops, 40,000 bottoms, 60,000 pairs of socks, 60,000 pairs of underwear, 10,000 coats, 10,000 hygiene kits and 10,000 pairs of shoes.

"It's always such a mixed feeling when you hit really big numbers. On the one hand you are so grateful that you are able to do it and that the community supports you and supports these kids. On the other hand, it's so sad we are seeing the numbers grow every year and realizing it is not something that is going to go down. It is just going to continue to rise," Breeden said.

Larry Franks, director of First Priority of Greater Decatur, credited Breeden for the organization's success.

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"Clothe Our Kids was Brandi's vision. It all started with her heart and a passion to help students. If you look at her progression, every time she was obedient to do what the Lord was asking her to do, he increased her territory," Franks said. "Brandi grew this into what it has become and has taken care of so many of the children in our community. Just imagine how difficult it is to walk away from that."

Recently, Breeden stepped down from her position as director of Clothe Our Kids of North Alabama in order to homeschool her children.

"Being home with my family was the right decision. While it is the hardest decision ever, I feel a peace about it," Breeden said. "My prayer is the next director is someone who has a passion and a heart for it like I have."

A reception for Breeden takes place Friday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at 4511 U.S. 31 South in Decatur.

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Breeden's passion and heart for children led to the founding of Clothe Our Kids of North Alabama  which provides a week's worth of clothes and hygiene kits to children, newborn to 12th grade, in Morgan and Lawrence counties  in 2016.

In the first three years, the nonprofit outgrew its first five locations  Breeden's garage, a church classroom, a portable classroom at Priceville Junior High, the third floor of a Decatur church and the building shared with First Priority of Greater Decatur.

Breeden realized the extent of the need for the organization after Clothe Our Kids of North Alabama outgrew its first two locations in six months.

"I knew there was a need, but I didn't realize how big of a need it was until we kept outgrowing these spaces. I realized then that there were a lot more students than I thought that had clothing insecurity," Breeden said.

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Clothe Our Kids, which became connected with First Priority, a student-led and student-organized ministry, in January 2019, currently resides in a 5,500-square-foot building on U.S. 31 South.

"Brandi's vision and passion have really grown to meet such a need in this community," Roberts said. "The attitude and passion of not just Brandi, but all the people at Clothe Our Kids, is so touching. They go above and beyond to meet any need that comes up."

To protect the privacy of the recipients, Clothe Our Kids responds to requests from school officials, CASA of North Alabama, Sav-A-Life Pregnancy Center, PACT and Department of Human Resources, and delivers the clothing in plain, opaque, unmarked bags.

All Breeden and her team of volunteers know about the recipient is the gender, sizes, grade and, if included, the colors or styles the child will not wear. They also know whether the need is urgent or not.

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While Breeden may not know their names, she knows some of the children's stories.

There was the boy who went to school with dog feces and urine on his clothes.

"He was getting made fun of at school. We were able to step in and provide clothing and a storage tub for him to store his clothes in," Breeden said.

There are the mothers who, fleeing abusive relationships, leave only with their children.

"When they are leaving those situations, they are not worried about grabbing all their kids' clothes. They are coming with nothing at all. We are able to step in and provide for them," Breeden said.

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There are also house fires that destroy a family's belongings, parents who have lost jobs and families struggling to pay their bills.

"When we really started to see the need shoot up was during COVID and we had a lot of job loss. Now, prices are just getting so high. For families who are struggling to pay their bills on time, it is just too hard to afford extra things like new clothes. The rising prices have put a strain on a lot of families," Breeden said.

Roberts has seen the impact of Clothe Our Kids firsthand.

Last year, PACT, which serves 712 households in Title 1 schools in Morgan County and Decatur City, received 1,024 clothing assists from Clothe Our Kids of North Alabama.

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"What Clothes Our Kids does is help the students from an emotional and mental health perspective. The new clothes make them feel good about themselves. It also alleviates the stress and guilt felt by the parents who, sometimes, with how expensive living has become, have to decide between buying a new pair of shoes or getting groceries or getting gas," Roberts said.

First Priority of Greater Decatur Is currently searching for a new director to lead Clothe Our Kids of North Alabama.

"It's not just any person that can do this job. We need someone passionate about Clothe Our Kids, which meets the physical needs of students, and First Priority, which meets the spiritual needs of students. It will take a unique person well connected with the community, the schools and who understands the nonprofit world," Franks said.

Kayla Kretzer, who worked under Breeden for many years, currently is overseeing the ministry.

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"I pray that Clothe Our Kids continues to meet the needs of the community and continues to put kids first," Breeden said. "I've always said we don't look at the situation. We don't look at what the parents are doing. We just know kids have a need and we are going to be there to meet that need. I pray the ministry continues to give the kids the best they can so that they feel confident and loved."

 cgodbey@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2441.
CNN Correspondent Julia Vargas Jones reported she was seeing a lot of Mexican and Mexican-American flags at the No Kings rally in Los Angeles on Saturday  symbolizing, she said, that attendees were proud of their ethnic heritage but also wanted to protest President Donald Trumps authoritarian government.

Vargas Jones shared her insight as rally-goers with American flags and Mexican flags walked behind her during a live shot on CNN Newsroom on Saturday afternoon. She pointed out to anchor Jessica Dean there was an attendee with a half-Mexican, half-American flag and another with a half-Ecuadoran, half-American flag walking by.

A lot of people here are saying that they are so proud of their heritage  whatever it is, from whatever country from Latin America they are [from]  but that they are also very much proud Americans, that this is an exercise in patriotism, Jessica, Vargas Jones said. Theyre saying they are coming out here today to defend American democracy from what they see is an authoritarian government.

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The flags were mixed among the witty signs and funny costumes that many attendees brought to the LA No Kings rally, Vargas Jones added.

And speaking of funny costumes, MSNBC reporter Jacob Soboroff interviewed a woman in a bear outfit and a man in a unicorn outfit at the same rally a little earlier in the day.

Were here peacefully protesting, looking as ridiculous as we can, just so maybe we appeal to the president. Because he is a ridiculous leader that is normalizing abuse of power, and we cannot stand and act like nothing is happening, the man in the unicorn costume told MSNBC.

Vargas Jones, during her live hit on CNN, said event organizers expected 100,000 people to show up in LA, but that so far, she had only seen a fraction of that number.

You can watch her report above, via CNN.jes

The post CNN Reporter Sees A Lot of Mexican and Mexican-American Flags at LA No Kings Rally first appeared on Mediaite.
CASS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  A Colorado man was killed in a motorcycle crash in Franklin County on Wednesday, according to a fatal crash report.

The report from Arkansas State Police said that Christopher Maurer, 41, of Parker, Colo., was traveling on State Highway 23 near State Highway 215 around 11:55 a.m. when he was making a right turn on his motorcycle and lost control.

Head-on crash on Highway 64 leaves 1 dead, 1 injured

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Maurers motorcycle then flipped over, and he was ejected before hitting a tree.

The report said Maurer was taken to a nearby hospital but did not survive the crash.

Conditions were clear and dry at the time of the crash, according to the report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
Sarah Turner had an idea in late-June to do a pop-up in her Tacoma yard for vintage curators such as herself. The pop-upwhich was supposed to be a one-time eventhad a huge showing, with people asking, Where can we find you next?

Turner, who has lived in the city for the last decade and is a Washington local, is the founder of The Tacoma Flea, a curated vintage market in Pierce County that has amassed thousands of followers online.

So I have been a vintage seller and worked in this space for the last five years or so, off and on. I started in furniture actually, and then ended up taking a break because it just got to be a little bit too much work trying to manage my regular job and doing that on the side, Turner told The News Tribune.

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After Turner came back to the vintage-selling space, she focused more on small houseware and clothes. To kick off her return, she decided to do the pop-up in her backyard on July 29 and invited a few other vintage vendors.

And people really, really loved it, she said.  So I kind of decided at that point to take the momentum from having people excited about it and having our community be interested in it. And it kind of grew from there. It just organically snowballed.

Turner said after the second market she had in her front yard, she decided to create a vintage flea market.

Again, it was really just one market at a time. And then once we outgrew my yard after three markets, we collaborated with other local businesses, she said. We partnered with small businesses in the area who were willing to kind of host us as we grew and evolved.

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Social media helped get the word out about The Tacoma Flea, with videos on platforms such as TikTok gaining thousands or even hundreds of thousands of views.

Ive never been a huge social-media person. Thats not something that Ive ever been super interested in, but I really did try to utilize it for this market, because half the battle in doing these events is just having people know that you exist, and its not the easiest thing, she said. I do feel like a part of why Ive had success on socials is because I am just so genuinely passionate about what Im doing, and I think that authenticity really attracts people.

The Tacoma Flea now has a fixed location at the Waterfront Market in Ruston where vendors will be in a 10,000-square-foot space once a month for a weekend. Each day there are 40 vendors who rotate over the course of two days. There are vendors who bring in different kinds of items to repurpose from housewares to clothing and even vintage art.

The Tacoma Flea grew from a yard pop-up into a curated vintage market at the Waterfront Market in Ruston.

Turner said she also invites artists and creators who work outside the vintage space. The market tries to bring in bakers who provide homemade fresh baked goods, and they usually have a coffee cart pop-up.

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One of the vintage-selling vendors, Kylie Spencer, owner of Brass Cactus Vintage, told The News Tribune that she was shocked to see crowds of people during the Oct. 4 market. There were people who came from all over the state.

There was a line to get in. I dont think Tacoma had seen, like, that kind of an outpouring of support like that in a while for, like, a new market, and I think thats mainly because Sarah has been so transparent and good on social media that she met so many people that way and was able to communicate what the market is about, Spencer said.

Spencer has been a vintage seller of clothing that goes up to the 90s. She sells the clothing she curates through eBay or Etsy.

Its hard work. Like a lot of people think that vintage sellers are just, they go to the thrift store, and they find something, and they mark it up, and resellers kind of get a bad reputation for that, Spencer said. But a true vintage seller really looks for items. Theres the sustainability side of it where a lot of us are super passionate about the amount of clothes that end up in landfill.

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She said that The Tacoma Flea being a curated vintage market has filled a hole for her and a lot of vintage sellers.

Kylie Spencer, pictured at The Tacoma Fleas October event in Ruston, curates and sells vintage clothing.

Online sales, they do OK in waves, around the holiday season and stuff like that, but its been really hard to sustain a small business or be successful at it without kind of your local, in-person sales, Spencer said. And I think thats why, I mean speaking personally, that last market really saved my business this year.

Upcoming events

Turner said the market is partnering with Organically Grown Muscle on South Tacoma Way from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 26 for an event.

We will have some fun extra things happening. Well have a Halloween photo backdrop. We will have trick-or-treating available for the kids who come, and that will be a 20-vendor vintage market, she said.

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The Tacoma Flea will be at the Waterfront Market in Ruston on Nov. 22 and Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Turner added that the parking is free outside the market.

Im just really happy to be able to share our love of vintage with the vintage lovers of the Tacoma, Seattle area, Turner said. And its been really fun, and I want to keep pouring into this event and being able to build it up into something that is long-lasting in our city.

Uniquely is a series from The News Tribune that covers the moments, landmarks and personalities that define what makes living in Western Washington so special.
The Rogers County Commissioners will decide Monday whether to allow a zoning change several neighbors came to oppose.

During their Tuesday meeting, the commissioners considered whether to rezone a parcel along South Highway 169 near Oologah to allow its owner, Ron Mitchell, to house an RV and boat storage business. The 18.35-acre parcel is zoned residential single-family along the highway and agricultural along South 4064 Road, the parcel's western boundary. Mitchell asked the commissioners to rezone the four acres with highway frontage to commercial central service district and keep the remaining 14.35 acres agricultural.

District 1 Commissioner Dan DeLozier and District 3 Commissioner Ron Burrows tabled voting on the change until next week. District 2 Commissioner and Chairman Steve Hendrix, in whose district the parcel falls, was absent Tuesday.

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The Rogers County Planning Commission had voted 5-0 to approve the change. Mitchell, speaking at Tuesday's meeting, thanked the commission for their nod.

"There's a lot of commercial businesses right there on 169," Mitchell said. "... Most of the housing is off the highway. Some of those businesses that are there are pretty cluttered, and that's not our intent. We're not going to operate that way. We're just trying to get a business started there."

Mark Keys, who lives south of Mitchell along 4064 Road, said the neighborhood was organized with covenants that prohibit "noxious businesses." Keys said the commissioners had rejected the same sort of zoning change from residential single-family to commercial central service district in 2012.

"There's nothing that's changed," Keys said. "There's really no reason we need to start putting noxious business at the front of our neighborhood."

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Another neighbor, Stan Baker, said he lives just to the west of the parcel and would lose his backyard if Mitchell opens his storage business. He said he hoped Mitchell would build a privacy fence; Mitchell said he'd plan to fence off the four acres on all sides and only allow business access off Highway 169.

Brittany Senters, deputy director of the Rogers County Planning Commission, said neither she nor Mitchell knew of any covenants governing the neighborhood on 4064 Road. Senters said she looked into the commissioners' past actions on the parcel and found they had indeed rejected the change in 2012, though this was because the applicant had intended to store vehicles outside and sell them.

DeLozier suggested tabling the item so he and the commissioners could "look at this covenant deal."

The commissioners also submitted a request to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to extend the grant powering the Rogers County Technical Training Program.

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Claremore Economic Development started the technical training program in 2023. It has awarded $434,752 in scholarships to 235 mostly low-income students to study at Rogers State University or Northeast Tech tuition-free.

Andy Armstrong, who manages grants for Rogers County, said the commissioners could receive up to $60,000 in additional funds if the commerce department extends the grant from Dec. 31, 2025 to March 31, 2026.

Also at Tuesday's meeting, the commissioners approved changes to the membership of the Rogers County Board of Adjustment. The adjustment board considers variances and special exceptions to the rules laid out in Rogers County's zoning ordinances.

Senters told the commissioners Todd Springer, who has served on the board 18 years, had elected to step down so he could deal with family circumstances. The commissioners appointed Julie Hays, a real estate agent for Nail Realty Group, to complete his expiring term and pick up the following three-year term, beginning Jan. 1.

"Julie lives in my district," DeLozier said. "I've known her for quite some time. She's very good at what she does, and I want to thank her."
BOSTON (WWLP)  The Joint Committee on Revenue is in charge of analyzing all things government money, and they issue recommendations on state and local taxes.

Massachusetts fire officials offer tips for safe and fun Halloween

In a brief Friday meeting, committee members heard from testifiers on a range of bills that propose changes to the tax code.

One such bill would create a renewable heating standard by requiring companies to reduce their carbon usage, funding transition to clean energy, and providing tax credits to individuals and companies who are investing in renewable heat.

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One testifier says investing in renewable projects is beneficial to more than just the environment.

At the same time, they drive local job creation, infrastructure investment, and economic development in the communities in which these projects are built, said Yanni Psareas, the manager of state legislative affairs at the Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas.

Another initiative before the committee is giving cities and towns the power to add a tax surcharge to certain existing taxes.

This surcharge would raise money for local and regional transportation projects, and it must first be approved by the residents of affected municipalities via ballot question.

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Here in Massachusetts, were essentially operating with one hand tied behind our backs, unable to make these local contributions to projects that we deem are of primary importance, said Lizzi Weyant, the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.

Two or more cities and towns would be able to team up on these projects in the case of transportation initiatives that would affect multiple areas.

Under recently passed joint rules, the House and Senate have until early December to release recommendations on these bills, with the option for a brief extension.

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WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Download the 22News Plus app on your TV to watch live-streaming newscasts and video on demand.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  More than 2,000 people walked the two-mile route from Truist Field Saturday morning to raise money to end Alzheimers.

The Alzheimers Association  Western Carolina Chapter hosted the annual event in Charlotte. Queen City News Anchor Julian Sadur and Chief Meteorologist Tara Lane co-emceed the walk.

Participants carried flowers, representing those impacted by the disease.

(Courtesy of the Alzheimers Association) (Courtesy of the Alzheimers Association) (Courtesy of the Alzheimers Association) (Courtesy of the Alzheimers Association) (Courtesy of the Alzheimers Association) (Courtesy of the Alzheimers Association)

As of 3 p.m., $805,000 has been raised of the organizations $875,000 goal. Money raised from the walk funds research, risk reduction, and early detection, as well as providing care and support for all impacted by Alzheimers and dementia.

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Donations can be made on the Walk to End Alzheimers website. Donations will be accepted through the end of the year.

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WALK TO END ALZHEIMERS

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PNN New Delhi [India], October 18: Transform Schools, one of India's leading organisations focused on improving learning and life skills for secondary school students, organised The Pivot 2025 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The pivot brought together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and funders to collaborate on collective actions. Themed as "Learn, Shift, Act.", The Pivot 2025 enabled attendees to learn from emerging education trends, evidence of revolutionary learning, and create valuable partnerships across programmes and policies. The event was in line with Transform's goal to redefine education for secondary students in India via redefining mindsets, systems, and investments. As an organisation focused on secondary school outcomes, Transform Schools works with government and government-aided school systems. Through their innovative programs, the organisation aims to ensure that students not only attend school as a requirement but also thrive in their careers and lives. Their mission focuses on achieving measurable outcomes that drive positive change in students, teachers, schools, and education systems. "I am extremely proud of the Transform Schools team, our Board, and Advisors for making The Pivot 2025 possible," said Pankaj Vinayak Sharma, Co-Founder of Transform Schools. He added, "Few organisations have the courage, technical rigour, and strong government partnerships required to measure what truly matters in education. By sharing our findings openly, we invite scrutiny and accountability -- not relying solely on our intent or contribution to system change, but on specific, measurable outcomes. We aim to continue this year after year, using evidence to reflect, rethink, and strengthen our efforts. A special thanks to our Principal Investigators, Research Advisors, and consultants who have supported us in shaping and transforming the lives of millions of children through our programmes." The Pivot 2025 presented new findings from Transform Schools' data-centric research and evaluations. The findings highlighted what works to improve learning, strengthen teaching, retain students, and deliver fair outcomes on a larger scale. The event featured four key research tracks: 1. Making School Years Count - Evidence from ClassroomsFindings from the Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of the Transform Learning programme in Odisha and Karnataka showed improved learning, adaptability, and positive impacts on digital learning, STEM interest, gender equality, and life skills. Talking about the program, Dr. Jason Kerwin, Associate Professor at the University of Washington and Principal Investigator on the RCT, said, "Our study, 'When Given Discretion Teachers Did Not Shirk,' found that the Utkarsh programme improved student learning by about 0.1 standard deviations--around 58% more than the control group. 2. What Drives Teaching and Learning - Predictive Models of PerformanceInsights from predictive analytics based on Transform Learning assessment data and UDISE school information identified key indicators of student performance and guided data-driven interventions. 3. Staying in School - Retention and Dropout DynamicsEvidence from the Back-to-School programme in Hyderabad showed that the VIRAM (Vulnerability Reduction Assessment Management) tool was used to identify students at risk of dropping out and support them through community programs and digital learning tools. 4. Gender, Power, and Transformation - Voices of ChangeFindings from the PARity Appreciative Inquiry and Learning Equaliser qualitative studies examined how gender-focused interventions enhance knowledge, agency, and life skills along with academic success. Prof. Sandra Sequeira, Professor of Economics at the School of Public Policy, London School of Economics, said, "Transform Schools has shown a remarkable commitment to being guided by the best evidence of what works to improve educational outcomes in secondary schools. Few education organisations are as systematic and rigorous about learning from both success and transition. The next step is to shape the long-run impact story documenting how findings are informing systems more broadly, not just projects, and to continue to be a forceful example of how research and evidence can drive policy and practice. Through The Pivot, Transform Schools shows its commitment to improving secondary education research in India. By using evidence, collaboration, and giving transparent access to knowledge, the organisation aims to help education systems understand what works best, for whom, and in what situations. About Transform SchoolsTransform Schools is a mission-driven organisation dedicated to ensuring adolescents in India's government and government-aided schools thrive through better learning, agency, wellbeing, and life opportunities. Their programmes and research aim to strengthen teaching and learning, promote inclusive schools, and support governments in integrating effective models into policies and budgets. Founded in 2019, the organisation provides evidence-driven and impactful educational solutions to bridge the learning gap in India's secondary schools. To date, the organisation has reached 10.6 million children in 8 states. The organisation works to support the capacities of Teachers, Head Teachers, and system actors to co-create and pilot impactful secondary education models, enabling large-scale government adoption and systemic change. (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.)
MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX)  On Friday, Community Hospital announced that it was among 39 hospitals recognized by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) for efforts to promote and support breastfeeding through the Colorado Hospital Lactation Collaborative. With the recognition, Community Hospital was awarded the Colorado Celebrate 6 Award of Breastfeeding Excellence.

The award honors hospitals on a biennial basis for implementing at least six of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiatives Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, which are evidence-based policies that aim to improve breastfeeding success and maternal and infant health outcomes.

We are committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for our mothers and their babies, said the Director of The Birth Place at Community Hospital, Ami Hanson. Our collaboration with CDPHE empowers us to provide the highest standard of evidence-based breastfeeding care.

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Through the Colorado Hospital Lactation Collaborative, a state initiative aimed at reducing the rates of death and disease from chronic illness, CDPHE provides free training and resources to assist hospitals in pursuing the Baby-Friendly designation and implementing policies.

The hospitals awarded this year demonstrate their dedication to supporting Colorado families to breastfeed. With over 90 percent of Colorado families choosing to start breastfeeding their children each year, such supportive policies and practices are essential, said Stacy Miller, breastfeeding specialist at CDPHE and facilitator of the Colorado Hospital Lactation Collaborative.

For more information about Community Hospital, visit yourcommunityhospital.com.

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Inflatable animal costumes, protest signs and yellow outfits filled the streets across South Florida Saturday during a second round of nationwide No Kings rallies  the same weekend President Donald Trump will be at Mar-a-Lago for a $1 million-a-plate MAGA Inc. fundraiser.

There are at least 80 rallies planned across Florida, of the more than 2,700 scheduled nationwide, according to organizers.

Heres whats happening in South Florida:

Perspectives from veteran, parent in Bayside Park

At Bayfront Park in downtown Miami, hundreds of protesters began to gather early Saturday morning to stand up against what they call an authoritarian regime. A crowd made up primarily of middle-aged residents held handmade signs with slogans such as The United States needs rules not rulers, and WE ARE ALL IMMIGRANTS.

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One 82-year-old protester, who identified himself only as Ed, was dressed as Uncle Sam. The last time I marched was in 1966 against the Vietnam War, said the coast guard veteran and retired ophthalmologist who lives in Coral Gables.

I think were in a worse place. Ed, who declined to use his full name because his son works for the U.S. government, said that he began to worry when President Trump started not listening to the court decisions.

Ed of Coral Gables dresses as Uncle Sam at the Miami-Torch of Friendship in downtown Miami during the No Kings anti-Trump protests taking place nationwide and all across South Florida, on Saturday October 18, 2025.

Some children were at the Miami protest with their parents, including four-year-old Ellie MacLaren, who was sitting on the grass near the Torch of Friendship flipping through a picture book of dragons and castles and placing dragon stickers on the pages. Her mother, Caitlin MacLaren, is a nurse and South Miami resident.

We want our kids to live in a safe country where they can speak their opinions freely and their rights are protected, said the mother of two.

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We are concerned about the crumbling education system, reproductive rights being taken away, freedom of speech being taken away. We are here to fight for their future, said MacLaren.

-Clara-Sophia Daly

Take a look at some of the signs protesters waved at the No Kings protest in Miami

Music set a celebratory mood in Miami

As attendees gathered at Bayside Park, Bad Bunny was blasting from the loudspeakers next to a sign that read, BAD BUNNY 2026  MAKE PERREO GREAT AGAIN.

Organizers eventually turned the music down for a slate of planned speeches and programming, including from local Democrats, prompting a, more Bad Bunny! from the crowd.

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Jordan Levin, a city of Miami resident, organized an ad-hoc choir to sing at the protest today. She created her own rendition of the Woody Guthrie song All You Fascists Bound to Lose, and taught it to the crowd during the days program.

Earlier in the day, the group also formed a circle under the shade of trees in the park singing Bob Marleys Get Up, Stand Up.

-Clara-Sophia Daly

Roadside protests in Hollywood

By 10:30 a.m., hundreds of people had filled Young Circle Park in Downtown Hollywood, signs in hand and many proudly displaying the theme No Kings.

Lined up along the roadway, they faced passing cars that honked in support, each beep met with a wave of cheers from the crowd. Organizers and volunteers moved through the park, helping coordinate the growing turnout. Amid the sea of handmade signs, American flags waved brightly in the morning sun.

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-Milena Malaver

Inflatable animal costumes are the hot protest symbol

At Bayfront Park, Stevie Gomez, 29, spoke to the Miami Herald from inside an inflatable elephant costume, which she said she wore to show that the protests are peaceful.

Gomez, whose family immigrated to the United States, said she finds it terrible to see how they are treating immigrants.

The elephant signifies a really good memory. They may be thinking they are getting away with what they are doing, but we will never forget, she said.

A protester dressed in an inflatable baby Trump costume poses with another protester holding a sign with an old image of Jeffrey Epstein hanging out with Donald Trump.

In Hollywood, Claudia Schultz, 73, wanted to make sure shed been seen. The lifelong Fort Lauderdale resident stood out amongst the large crowd in a pink inflatable pig costume, that she bought just for Saturdays protest. They want us to be violent, she said. You cant get any less violent than this. For Schultz, this was her way of standing up to a presidential administration she said is destroying our nation.

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-Clara-Sophia Daly and Milena Malaver

Claudia Schultz, 73, a lifelong resident of Fort Lauderdale wear a pig costume during the No Kings protest at Young Circle Park in Hollywood. They want us to be violent, she said. You cant get any less violent than this.

Healthcare workers speak out in Hollywood

Zoraida Rivera Hidalgo spent 30 years working as a physician in Hollywood and said shes watched the healthcare system deteriorate over time. Once an independent voter, shes now a registered Democrat and has seen more and more people lose their insurance, including her three adult sons.

At the event, she held up her own version of a MAGA sign  Morons Are Governing America  and wore a shiny paper crown that read No Kings. Shes concerned about repeals to the Affordable Care Act, calling it unthinkable.

Another attendee, Talia Adderly, 26, was sporting her SEIU Healthcare Florida Local 1991 shirt  the union representing nurses, physicians, doctors, and healthcare professionals across the Jackson Health System. She said that management recently told them the public hospital, which depends heavily on Medicare and Medicaid funding, is at risk of losing millions.

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We just dont want that falling on the backs of our nurses, our doctors [and] our social workers, said Adderly, who serves as a spokesperson for the union. We dont want these big tax breaks that only fund billionaires.

-Milena Malaver

Local officials, organizers join the cause

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said she came to the protest in Hollywood to support her constituents effort to fight back against Trumps administration which she called authoritarian and unconstitutional.

Wasserman Schultz criticized what she described as a Republican forced government shutdown and warned of rising health care costs if Congress fails to extend the Affordable Care Acts enhanced premium tax credits, which would affect hundreds of thousands of people in her district. There are people in our community came from other countries where there was authoritarian rule, and a number of them said to me, they know what its like to live under an autocracy where the people had no say, and they dont want to see this country go that way, she said.

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Miami-Dade school board member Joe Geller and former U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia joined the protests in Miami. Whistleblower Alexander Vindman, a witness in Trumps first impeachment whos also reportedly eyeing a U.S. Senate run, took to the stage to address the crowd at Bayfront Park.

Every politician who rubber-stamps Trumps actions, who refuses to represent Floridians and the American people, is complicit, Vindman told the protesters. They are illegitimate. And they will be swept away  one by one  in every election to come.

Local organizers from Go Vote Miami, Beyond the Bars, Educated We Stand and the League of Women Voters also gave speeches.

-Milena Malaver and Clara-Sophia Daly

Far-right Proud Boys verbally spar with protesters

Enrique Tarrio again attended Miamis No Kings protest  like he did in June  livestreaming his interactions with protesters on social media, as organizers repeatedly told the crowd not to engage with him. The former leader of the Proud Boys was handed the longest sentence of anyone involved in the January 6 Capitol riots  sentenced to 22 years in prison for seditious conspiracy for his role in organizing the attack, though he was not in D.C. in person. He has since been pardoned by Donald Trump and lives in Miami.

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Walk away from the agitator, organizers told the crowd using megaphones. Please do not engage with any outside agitators. National and local organizers of the No Kings protests held safety trainings in the lead-up to Saturdays rallies.

I support all these people, especially her with the bullhorn, said Tarrio.

These protesters are 100 percent expressing the same rights as during January 6, said Barry Ramey, a Proud Boys member from Broward who was livestreaming Tarrios interactions with the crowd.

People surrounding them yelled pedophile defender. He lit up a cigarette as people yelled, loser, loser and fascist. Two officers from the city of Miami Police Department came into the crowd.

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Very peaceful crowd, said Sergeant K. Williams, from the City of Miami Police, who escorted the two Proud Boys members out of the protest.

-Clara-Sophia Daly

Beachfront protests in Ft. Lauderdale

As diners enjoyed their meals at the beachfront restaurants lining A1A in Fort Lauderdale Beach, their attention drifted toward the scene unfolding just in front on them. Hundreds of protesters lined both sides of the roadway, their chants and cheers carrying over the sound of the surf. Waving signs high, the crowd erupted each time a car passed, their energy pressing against the metal barricades that held them back from spilling onto the roadway.

-Milena Malaver

Faith leaders join the protests

Various faith leaders and religious groups joined the national day of action, according to organizers at Interfaith Alliance, a national interfaith advocacy group. Leading up to the peaceful protest, organizers encouraged pastors to wear religious garb and invite their congregants to bring signs and wear yellow (the protests official color).

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Faith leaders joined the peaceful protest at over 90 No Kings events throughout the state, said Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president & CEO of Interfaith Alliance. We know that this moment is part of a broader awakening of civic activism in support of democracy, Raushenbush told the Miami Herald. People of faith are helping to lead that surge, showing moral courage by peacefully standing up for the civil rights and dignity of every person. In Coral Gables, Pastor Laurie Hafner organized a bus to the Torch of Friendship for members of her congregation who wanted to participate in the rally.

This rally carries on the legacy of people of faith who have used non-violent protest to stand up to authoritarianism and attacks on civil rights throughout our countrys history, Hafner wrote in a recent newsletter to members of the Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ. This is our moment to stand together on this sacred tradition and to advocate for freedom, justice, and the dignity of every person.

-Lauren Costantino

Planning behind the protests

Miami organizers said the June protest had close to 3,000 people, and they expected even more this Saturday.

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[Protesters] know, if nothing else, this is a good first step to be in a community of people who want to stand up and speak out and protect our democracy, said Cindy Lerner, one of the Miami No Kings organizers. Were hoping were going to have probably closer to 5,000 people.

Other rallies are scheduled in Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Coral Springs and Florida City throughout the day.

National organizers encouraged attendees to wear yellow as a sign of collective strength in the face of oppression, and focus on community and joy during Saturdays events  encouraging humorous signs and costumes, like the viral inflatable frog outfit worn by protesters in Portland and Chicago in recent weeks.

We are pushing back against authoritarianism through community and joy, an email to attendees across the country said Friday. Remember that we are not only protesting an authoritarian power grab, we are building the community we need to resist for years to come.

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A White House spokesperson said, Who cares? when asked about Floridas protests. Gov. Ron DeSantis has previously chided the events, telling Florida drivers ahead of Junes protests that they wont be at fault if they hit protesters if they feel threatened under Floridas anti-riot law. The governors office said in a statement Friday, DeSantis has clearly stated his position on violence and disorder.

Both national and local organizers of the No Kings protests have held safety training on how to de-escalate if there are any outside antagonizers, according to Lerner.

Protesters are likely to carry signs on a range of issues, but the overriding message, according to national organizers is against the abuses of power, cruelty, and corruption.

I find it very therapeutic to go to these protests, Lerner said. Its people who care deeply about protecting our democracy, protecting our freedom of speech and want to make sure that the country is what it was founded to be.
CHICAGO (WGN)  The scarecrows outside Mission Possible resale shop in Chicagos North Center neighborhood could not scare off a burglar.

I got an alert from my phone at home from my security company and it said motion was detected so they called the police, owner Janet Cullen said.

Cullen says it was just before midnight Sunday. When she and police arrived, her door was smashed.

Im a person of faith so in the moment I said either I can have a pity party, or I can be grateful, so I tried to think of things I was grateful for, including they didnt ransack the store, we didnt have any money in the store, Cullen said.

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Surveillance video shows a man in a light-colored ball cap going straight for the register, but he left with nothing. It appears he may have headed several blocks down North Lincoln Ave to Zulu Cat and Dog Grooming.

Jackie Jockell has been working her magic at Zulu since 2007.

I got a call from CPD at 12:30 at night, she said.

Jockell also woke up to the news of a break-in. Her surveillance video shows a man in a similar light-colored ball cap digging through her register.

Its very disappointing. Normally this neighborhood is very safe, and we just dont expect thats going to be happening here, Jockell said.

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Though the burglar left Mission Possible empty-handed, the $1,200 in damage to the door was enough to cause real financial strain on the new business that hasnt yet turned a profit.

But Cullen says she quickly found light in the dark. A customer offered to pay for the repairs.

It would have set us back, but it did not, Cullen said. September was a slow month for us, so we were behind on the rent. Someone else offered to pay so it caught us up with that.

Business in the days since has boomed at the shop, which will donate some of its future profits to its mission: trauma-informed, faith-based counseling.

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We were already at a deficit so to have people step up, it just encourages me to keep going, Cullen said.

Chicago police say no one is in custody for either break-in. If detectives connect the incidents, they will issue a community alert.

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PRINCETON, WV (WVNS)  Conn-Weld Industries, a company specializing in the production of vibrating screens and parts in Princeton, is celebrating fifty years of supplying the mining industry among several others with their machinery.

Spikes Chimney Sweep comes to Raleigh County

Founded in 1975, Conn-Weld has grown exponentially over the years, adding new buildings to their facility and more importantly new jobs to southern West Virginia.

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Conn-Weld President, Marvin Woodie and former NASA engineer and author, Homer Hickam, said they have plans for the 100th anniversary of Conn-Weld.

So, hopefully, well have products that are used to mine. Different materials all over not only on this Earth, but in different places in the universe. Thats inspiring to me, said Woodie.

Well be mining the moon and the asteroid belt, theres no question about that. These guys are going to be involved with that. Right now, what theyre doing just for here on Earth is amazing. Their product is all over the world and in demand all over the world because what they make is not easy to make. Here in southern West Virginia is the perfect place to make it because of our background in mining over the last century, said Hickam.

Woodie said hes proud to have been with Conn-Weld for 40 years and hopes the company will continue to grow and provide jobs and economic opportunities to southern West Virginia in the years to come.

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Hickam said its good to see a company so focused on giving southern West Virginia a chance to develop in so many great ways.

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The mother of an 11-year-old girl whose remains were found in a container in New Britain this month admitted to police she "stopped feeding" the child in the weeks before she died, according to search warrants obtained by investigators.

The child's aunt told Farmington police she knew the girl "was going to die" and she had witnessed "patterns of abuse" in the weeks before the child is believed to have died, the warrants said.

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The documents describe what police believe happened leading up to the death of Jacqueline "Mimi" Torres-Garcia, who is only identified in the documents by her birth date.

After the discovery of her remains, the girl's mother, Karla Garcia, told New Britain police she was about to do a "podcast" about what happened to her daughter when she came under suspicion in the death.

Police discovered the child's remains in a container that had been dumped on an abandoned property on Clark Street in New Britain on Oct. 8, the warrants said. She was in an "advanced state" of decomposition when she was found, police said. According to the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, there were no signs of recent trauma or injuries to her body that would have contributed to her death, the warrants said.

Farmington police obtained the warrants to search the cellphones of Karla Garcia and her sister, Jackelyn Garcia, for the period between June 21, 2024 and Oct. 12, 2025, the documents said.

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The two women and Karla Garcia's boyfriend, Jonatan Nanita, have been charged in the child's death. Police said last week they believe Jacqueline died in the fall of 2024.

Farmington police made the arrests because the family was living in that town where they believe the abuse occurred.

During an interview with a Farmington investigator, Karla Garcia said she told her sister the child died on Sept. 19, 2024, the warrants said. While speaking with New Britain police, Karla Garcia said Nanita had taken the child's body somewhere downstairs in the apartment they had rented, but the odor of the decaying remains was "so strong" they had to leave the Farmington residence and stay with friends or in a hotel, the warrants said.

Before her death, Karla Garcia said she would restrain the 11-year-old with "zip ties" when "she was acting badly," the documents said. She later told Farmington police she and Nanita used zip ties on the girl and withheld food from her, the warrants said.

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Jacqueline's mother also said she had taken notes on her cellphone for the podcast, the search warrants said.

Jackelyn Garcia told New Britain police she had lived with the child, Karla Garcia and Nanita on and off from June to August 2024, the warrants said.

During that time, Jackelyn Garcia said she witnessed abuse and neglect, including Jacqueline being confined in a corner of a room, being restrained with zip ties and not being fed, according to the search warrants.

The 11-year-old ran away at least twice, Jackelyn Garcia told police, according to the warrants, but was found by a relative and then restrained with zip ties. She also captured a photo of the child tied up and on the floor on "pee pads" that she sent to Karla Garcia, the warrants said.

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Authorities are now piecing together what happened, including uncovering what appeared to be an elaborate scheme to keep the death a secret.

Officials from the state Department of Children and Families said Friday they believe Karla Garcia had another child pose as her daughter during a virtual wellness check earlier this year after she is believed to have already been killed.

Karla Garcia had told the agency, which was investigating a complaint involving Jacqueline's younger sibling, that the 11-year-old was being homeschooled in another state and she could only speak to case workers virtually, the agency said.

New Britain school officials said Jacqueline was withdrawn from school by her mother in August 2024 and Karla Garcia submitted an intent-to-homeschool form on the same day.

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Farmington and New Britain police said they believe the child died weeks later.

This article originally published at Connecticut mom admitted she 'stopped feeding' child weeks before she died, warrants show.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  News 8 is your local election headquarters for Connecticuts Nov. 4, 2025, municipal general election.

Below, youll find everything you need to know before you cast your ballot. Sample ballots are available on Connecticuts Secretary of States website.

 Key dates

 Am I eligible to vote?

Connecticut residents are eligible to vote if they turn 18 on or before Election Day and are U.S. citizens. If a person has been convicted of a felony, they must also have completed confinement.

 Am I registered to vote?

Use the states online voter lookup tool to check your current voter registration status.

 How do I register to vote?

Those eligible to vote can either register online at the states voter registration portal or download a paper form in English or Spanish and mail it to their towns registrar of voters office. The deadline to register is Oct. 20.

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For applications mailed in, the application must be postmarked or received by that date.

 Early Voting | What is it? When is it?

Anyone eligible to vote in the general election can vote during the early voting period.

Early voting begins 14 days before the general election, on Oct. 20, and runs through Nov. 2, including weekends.

Oct. 20 through Nov. 2: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

October 28 and 30: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Click here for early voting locations.

 Are polling locations the same on Election Day as during early voting?

No. Early voting locations are likely different from regular polling locations.

To find out where to cast a ballot on Election Day, registered voters can visit the Secretary of States voter registration lookup and polling place locator here.

 Is same-day registration available?

In Connecticut, same-day voter registration is available. On Election Day, it is not available at your polling place but at a designated location in each town.

 What time are the polls open?

On Election Day, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you are in line at 8 p.m., stay in line; you can still vote.

 Do I need to bring an ID to vote?

You will be asked to provide a government-issued ID, a different ID with your name and photo, or a document like a utility bill or checkbook with your name and address. If you cannot provide any of these, you will be asked to sign an affidavit instead.

 Can I vote by using an absentee ballot?

In Connecticut, you are only allowed to vote by mail for one of the following reasons:

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Youre an active member of the U.S. military;

You will be out of town on Election Day;

You will be serving as an election official at a different polling location;

You cant vote for religious reasons that day or

Sickness or a physical disability will prevent you from making it to the polls on Election Day.

 How do I get an absentee ballot?

Visit myvote.ct.gov/getmyab to request your online absentee ballot. Return it to your town clerk.

 What if I am a student?

If you are a college student living away from home, you can vote in one of two ways:

Either complete an absentee ballot for the election in your hometown or

Register to vote in your college town

 Election Day Hotline

Anyone encountering problems on Election Day should call the Election Day Hotline at 1-866-733-2463 or email elections@ct.gov.

Download the News 8 mobile app to get breaking news and weather alerts.

Watch News 8 on WTNH.com or with the free WTNH News 8 TV app.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Come spring, veterans looking for temporary housing will be able to find it in Youngstown in what were shipping containers. The future housing development is being built right now.

At the intersection of Hillman Street and Warren Avenue on Youngstowns South Side, 14 shipping containers have now been put in place for what will eventually be Veterans Haven. The shipping containers will be temporary housing for homeless veterans and veterans looking to transition from military life to civilian life. All of this was paid for with $1.2 million that was raised through various places.

The Veterans Administration, Mahoning County commissioners and the city of Youngstown have put money into the project, along with American Rescue Plan funds.

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There will be a bedroom and a bathroom in each shipping container, and the plan is to have veterans stay in the new community for around nine months, no longer than that, before they can find them some type of permanent housing.

The inspiration for the project came from First Ward Councilman Julius Oliver. Brandy Parker, with Access Family Services, says when its all done, you wont even know that theyre shipping containers.

Thats going to actually going to be camouflaged to look just like some of the homes here. Itll be a beautiful facility. Theres going to be decorations, landscaping, Parker said.

The first concept of putting shipping containers for use on the corners of Warren and Hillman probably came up in like 2018, 2017, said .It takes quite some time. So, this is a perfect example of how something can be planned, things can change, and then another project comes along that also fits the vision, Oliver said.

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There are still three corners left here at Hillman and Warren, and the plan is to eventually use shipping containers and build single-family homes on these corners that would be available for anyone to buy in Youngstown.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Converting old cranberry bogs into wetlands- State says program helps farmers and the environment

The cranberry industry in Massachusetts is undergoing significant changes as financial challenges make it difficult to renovate aging bogs.

A state program is helping farmers retire some of their land and restore it to its original wetland state.

The restoration efforts aim to support the cranberry industry by focusing on higher-producing bogs while reclaiming land for ecological benefits.

Edgewood Bogs in Carver, Massachusetts, has decided to take 27 acres of their cranberry bogs offline and convert them back to native wetlands.

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This property here was a little distressed. It needed to be rebuilt which is stripping off the old vine, putting new sand down, and new irrigation which is costly, explained Jarrod Rhodes whose family has run Edgewood Bogs for 72 years.

The decision comes as the cranberry market faces a glut, depressing prices and causing some bog owners to reconsider their investments.

That was the goal, to be more efficient and focusing energy on higher producing bogs, added Rhodes.

Eric Ford from the states Division of Ecological Restoration explained, Theres a lot of land coming out of production. A lot of this land was formerly wetland habitat before bogs were constructed.

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The Eel River Project in Plymouth was the first restoration effort under the states project.

Since then, about 500 acres of former bogs and 10 miles of stream have been restored.

Restored wetlands offer recreational opportunities such as hunting, fishing, birding, and walking, while also playing a crucial role in climate resiliency.

Wetlands are excellent at absorbing heavy rain and preventing run off that can cause catastrophic flooding.

Melissa De Viviero is the project manager for the Carver project. She hopes future visitors will enjoy increased diversity in restored wetland by seeing more native plants and wildlife.

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Eric Ford mentioned the state hopes to reclaim another thousand acres and ten more miles of stream over the next decade.

The average cost to restore a bog is about three million dollars, funded by a combination of local, state, and federal government grants.

So far, Ford said there has been no disruption in the funds received from Washington for these projects.

The program isnt about replacing the cranberry industry. Its about helping it survive  and thrive.

I think its a tradition and history and it was a native crop, said Rhodes, reflecting on the cranberry harvesting tradition in southeastern Massachusetts.

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This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  The Baton Rouge Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that left a 22-year-old man dead outside a McDonalds on Airline Highway.

Officers said the shooting happened around 11:15 a.m. Saturday in the 6900 block of Airline Highway. The victim, identified as Sedrick Taylor, was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to BRPD, evidence suggests Taylor was shot and killed during a narcotics transaction. The investigation remains ongoing.

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Anyone with information is asked to contact the Violent Crimes Unit at (225) 389-4869 or Capital Region Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867.

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 Louisiana First News.
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday expressed confidence that India will see positive growth in exports this fiscal despite the uncertainties in global trade. Addressing a joint press conference in national capital on impact of rate rationalisation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Union Minister said despite all these uncertainties, export has grown by about six per cent or seven per cent overall, "and even in merchandise, we have seen a good story of India in the first six months." "There is resilience, there is confidence, there is demand for our goods and services across the world, and India will continue on this growth trajectory," the Union Minister said. According to the official data released on October 15, India's merchandise export in September was up 6.75 per cent at USD 36.38 billion compared to USD 34.08 billion on a year-on-year (YoY) basis. However, merchandise imports increased by 16.7 per cent to USD 68.53 billion, compared to USD 58.74 billion on a year-over-year basis, according to the data. On a monthly basis, with the estimated services data, India's trade deficit (merchandise and services combined) widened to USD 16.61 billion in September 2025, compared to USD 8.60 billion in the same month last year. On the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) negotiations, Goyal said that talks are going on with the US in a cordial environment. The United States has imposed 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods. Speaking at the same press conference, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified that the GST reforms were brought not because of the tariff wars but to ease the common people. "This has been in the works for one-and-a-half years. Who had thought of any tariff war at that time, and several groups of ministers were working on this for one-and-a-half years, and several groups of these GOMs met again, post the Government of India's package, which was sent to the GST Council So these are discussed at various levels at various times. So nowhere close to the tariff war. This had to happen. This was waiting to happen for quite some time. It has happened now." (ANI)
Oct. 17MORGANTOWN  The Monongalia County Commission is making a dramatic change in the way it offers health insurance to its employees.

In successive votes Friday, the body unanimously approved the cancellation of its group health insurance through Highmark WV in favor of an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement, or ICHRA, through Take Command Health.

The switch will take effect on Dec. 31.

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The commissioners explained the move will decouple the county's overall spend on insurance from its group history, which is driving steep increases year over year. Embedded within the group plan concept is the inevitability that a small percentage of plan members will push costs up for everyone.

According to information presented in June, Blue Cross /Blue Shield paid out 23 % more than it collected in premiums from the county's group plan in the most recently completed cycle. As a result, the company informed the commission that renewal of the plan would come with a 34.8 % increase.

That number was ultimately negotiated down to a 20.48 % increase by bumping up deductibles and co-insurance costs on the employee end  some of which was absorbed by the county. Overall, the change represented a $1.1 million cost increase, bringing the county's total insurance spend to $6 million in a $43.6 million budget (13.7 %).

That percentage, the commissioners noted, will inevitably become unsustainableand sooner rather than later.

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Through the ICHRA setup, the commission will provide each employee an allowance based on age, insured family and other factors. The employee will then work individually with an advisor through Take Command Health to shop from available plans  currently 37 offered by Blue Cross, The Health Plan and CareSource.

The bottom line, Commissioner Sean Sikora said, is that the overwhelming majority of county employees will be able to use the allowance provided to get the same insurance they have now for less money, if that's what they choose.

"So based off the model that we used  and the model we picked was the plan that was closest to what we had with the previous plan year that just ended  based on that model, of our 265 employees, 250 of them would see lower premiums or no premiums at all with the same essential coverage, " Sikora said. "So that is an overall benefit to our employees. They can go in, and rather than someone paying a premium that's based off the group penalty, they can go in and pick a premium that's based off of their circumstances and what they want to do ... The allowances are all right there. You pick the premium, you know what your allowances are and you know where you're going to be at that moment."

He went on to say that if every employee upgraded to a premium "Cadillac plan " with zero deductible, roughly a quarter of the county's employees (64) would still pay less than they're currently paying, "and 51 of that 64 would pay zero."

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Not everyone is convinced.

County resident Mindy Holcomb said she thinks the commission is "gaslighting " the public about what she believes is a disastrous decision.

"What you're doing, if people can't afford the insurance on the [Affordable Care Act ] plan given the stipend that they would receive through this ICHRA plan, they're either going to be priced out of insurance totally or forced to choose a plan that does not meet their needs or their family's needs, " she said. "And as someone who has had insurance that was less than stellar and had to pay as much as her mortgage for insulin for a year, I know what that's like. I know what it's like to have to choose between food, housing and medication."

While Holcomb said she's not a county employee, or related to a county employee, her comments were applauded by a small number of individuals attending the meeting.

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The commissioners said the resistance, while not unexpected, is based on uninformed rumors, disinformation and intentional misinformation pushed by a "very tiny vocal minority."

Commission President Jeff Arnett noted the commissioners are subject to the same insurance options provided to all county employees.

He later explained that while the county's employees were central to the decision-making process, the commission is also answerable to every resident of Monongalia County.

"To assume that we don't do what we can in the best interest of the employees, I think it's misguided. I think, as Sean mentioned earlier, our history with the changes in the plans we've made each time ended up being a positive over what it was before, " Arnett said. "The idea that whatever the increase is has to be absorbed and just paid for 100 % is not sustainable. Based on the increases that we were seeing each year, and projected out for the next five years, it was very probable that within a five-year period over 25 % of our overall budget would have been paid for health insurance. It's just not a sustainable model, and it would never have an end."
A South Carolina couple has been stuck in limbo as its insurance company has refused to pay for needed repairs following a catastrophic storm, according to Greenville News.

What's happening?

Marisa and Stu Wells have had their Greenville home since 2022. That house took a beating from Hurricane Helene in September 2024, as a nearby tree crashed into the roof and pushed the wall out of its framing.

The Wells hired a contractor who estimated the cost of the damage to be $139,000. The Wells submitted the estimate to their insurance provider, Travelers, which provided $10,000 a month later and committed another $5,000 once construction started.

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"We were like, what is this?" Stu Wells said, per Greenville News. "At fifteen grand  I can't even get a contractor out."

Over the course of a year, the couple brought in new contractors and legal support to get the coverage they're owed. Worse still, these insurance delays caused the damage to spread. The dislodged wall was creating new cracks.

"This could have been resolved months ago and all this other damage wouldn't have even happened," Marisa Wells said, per Greenville News. "Here we are almost a year later and we're still dealing with this  living in a house that's broken."

Why is home insurance important?

The insurance industry is in a state of crisis due to increasingly destructive weather events exacerbated by atmospheric pollution. Homeowners are either having their premiums increased or having their insurance coverage pulled altogether.

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Meanwhile, the insurance industry has been dealing with increasing losses. The Senate Budget Committee has said these forces could cause a housing crisis akin to the one in 2008.

The toll on the Wells has spread beyond dollar signs.

"It's not just what happened when the tree hit, it's the emotional stress and fear that's tied into it," Stu Wells said, per Greenville News. "The reality of it is, you're thinking that you're getting that protection and you're not. You think that they're going to have a sense of urgency and they didn't."

What's being done about housing insurance?

The Wells have involved an umpire in their case who would set a final figure that the insurance company is legally required to pay out. They're still waiting on that final judgment.

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"You can't move on," Stu Wells said. "You want to close a chapter and be able to move onto the next segment of your life."

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ST. LOUIS  The federal courts have released courtroom audio, revealing the judges own words when he ordered St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery to be locked up.

This as yet another twist played out in another federal case facing Montgomery.

He faces both a criminal charge and a civil lawsuit for reportedly handcuffing a jail employee. In the civil case, hes automatically appointed a lawyer from City Hall.

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That just changed after a court conference on Friday.

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They feel that they cant be defending him in one case and suing him in another case, Attorney Joseph Neill told FOX 2.

Neill is the lawyer for jail commissioner Tammy Ross-the employee handcuffed for refusing the sheriffs office access to a rape victim. A judge allowed a city hall lawyer to step down from representing Montgomery in the civil lawsuit over that incident.

The city counselor filed a motion to withdraw in light of the fact they were apprised by Sheriff Montgomerys office there was a conflict, Neill said.

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The sheriffs office unsuccessfully sued to stop a new board bill that increased city halls control of the sheriff. Sheriffs Office lawyer David Mason will now represent Montgomery, with no additional pay on Masons current $15,000 a year salary.

Ill. recovers $65M in stolen vehicles in major operation

Montgomery continues to be the talk around town, including at city hall on Friday, where 7th Ward Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier said, Im just sad that as a city, unfortunately, were talking about something else again besides the people and their needs.

We also now have audio, released by the federal courts from Tuesdays lock-up of the sheriff.

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What happened with his burner phone, I just dont know how to stop that from happening again, judge John Bodenhausen said. I just am having a real hard time with the fact that after I released him on bond, he went out and got another phone and started contacting these people.

Bodenhausen remanded the St. Louis Sheriff into federal custody saying, Quite frankly, I believe its unlikely he would abide by these conditions. Hes been extremely cagey with pretrial from the beginning.

The courts are now considering Montgomerys appeal.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Toward the end of the summer and the start of the school year, COVID-19 cases were high across the country, with lots of people dealing with fatigue, congestion, headache, sore throat, and other bothersome symptoms.

Morsa Images / Getty Images

This is all part of the predictable COVID pattern, but what about cases now?

COVID has a summer peak, and then it wanes a little bit, and then ... what it has been doing is picking up again around Thanksgiving and Christmas, as people start gathering, said Dr. Jill Foster, a professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

At the moment, were in a lull from COVID-19, Foster said. This may feel like a breath of fresh air for those afraid of catching the virus, but this doesnt mean COVID cases arent around at all.

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According to Suruchi Sood, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, there are some Centers for Disease Control COVID tracking delays partly because of the government shutdown. But from the data that is available and anecdotally in her own practice, We dont seem to be seeing, thankfully, yet, an uptick of COVID.

COVID tracking data isnt as detailed or accurate as it was earlier in the pandemic because of a variety of factors, including less testing and funding changes. However, between what doctors who spoke to HuffPost are observing in their clinics  along with the data available  it does appear that we are beyond the late-summer, early fall peak.

We may not have another peak this year, but my guess is that itll pick back up again when people start gathering, staying indoors more, being in close proximity to each other, Foster said.

While COVID-19 may be low, there appears to be one illness thats increasing right now.

Related: Plastic Surgeons Revealed Which Procedures Are So Dangerous They'd Never Get Themselves, And I'm Stunned

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Related: Medical Professionals Are Sharing "Mundane" Things That Actually Make So Many People Sick

You may be surprised to hear that COVID-19 cases are dipping, especially if youre one of the many people fighting congestion and a sore throat this week.

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If we look at our own data from Northeast Ohio ... if we looked at this most recent week from our data, and this is specimens that are collected in our lab, the SARS-CoV-2 activity continued to decline from its summer peak, said Dr. Steven Gordon, the chairman of the Department of Infectious Disease at the Cleveland Clinic.

At the Cleveland Clinic, COVID positivity rate was 5% last week, he noted.

What is higher up, and has been for the past few weeks, is the rhinovirus, which causes the traditional cold, as well as other enterovirus [which also cause cold symptoms]  and those are at 20% positivity, Gordon said.

While Gordon is specifically referring to cases in Northeast Ohio, his findings align with the CDC data thats available, which shows cases of rhinovirus and enterovirus were increasing as of the end of September.

There are steps you can take to stay healthy this fall.

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Related: My Doctor Looked At My Vagina And Said 3 Shocking Words. It Started Me On A Life-Changing Journey.

As we head into virus season, nows the time to think about the steps you can take to stay healthy this fall and winter, Gordon said.

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Wed rather prevent, obviously, than treat, said Gordon. The best protection against the flu is the flu shot, and its still recommended for anyone greater than six months of age, he added.

The best way to prevent a severe COVID-19 infection and hospitalization is by getting the COVID shot, too.

Now that we have COVID vaccination available and influenza vaccination available, it takes several weeks for us to develop immunity, so now is a really great time to get vaccinated, Sood said.

COVID vaccination is still a safe and effective way to reduce how sick you get. There was a study that just came out ... showing that in the VA [Veterans] Health Systems, that even in this last season, COVID-19 vaccination reduced hospitalizations, deaths and ER visits in the VA population, Sood explained.

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You can get your flu shot and COVID shot at the same time, and theyre available at pharmacies throughout the country. Its best to talk to your doctor or local pharmacy about COVID shot eligibility in your area.

Its also important to take care of your health overall by exercising and eating nutritious meals, Sood said. This can help protect you from respiratory viruses. Washing your hands is also a good way to stay well.

Another thing people can do is stay away from people that are sick, said Foster.

If youre at the airport and notice someone is coughing and sneezing near you, get up and move. Or if youre the one sneezing and coughing, stay home or wear a mask if you have to be around other people.

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Thats part of good citizenship, of trying to protect other people, Foster said.

At-home COVID-19 (or flu) tests are also important tools for respiratory virus season. If you test positive, stay away from other people and let your doctor know to see if youre eligible for certain medications.

Olena Domanytska / Getty Images

Related: Medical Professionals Are Calling Out The Biggest "Health Misconceptions" People Still Believe (But Really Shouldn't)

I think weve sort of lost that sense of community a little bit ... what I do impacts others, Foster said.

You never know if the person youre sitting next to at a restaurant or passing by at the office has a problem with their immune system. You might be giving them a death sentence when what you needed to do was either stay home or at least wear a mask when you went out in public. And thats not that hard to do, Foster said.

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While COVID-19 cases arent high right now, that can change at any moment, which makes it important to take steps to stop the spread of the virus and to protect those around you.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.

Also in Goodful: My Best Friend And I Stopped Talking For 5 Years. Then I Learned The Surprising Truth About Why She Cut Me Off.

Also in Goodful: "My Husband Was Shocked": Women Are Sharing The Everyday Routines And Practices They Do In Private That Have Men Incredibly Baffled

Also in Goodful: Medical Professionals Are Calling Out The Biggest "Mistakes" People Make All The Time While Trying To Improve Their Health

Read it on BuzzFeed.com




When Gina Mason moved into her apartment at Avistar on the Boulevard, the thermostat was so old she could never tell what temperature it was set at.

"It was a big guessing game," Mason said.

She moved from California to San Antonio around September 2024. Her first few months were "a nightmare," she said, as she tried to adjust to the Texas heat with an outdated thermostat in a building with faulty insulation. Her air conditioner couldn't keep up.

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That is until the Northwest Side apartment complex was weatherized through CPS Energy's Casa Verde program. A new thermostat was installed, and her attic was insulated better. Some air-conditioning units in her complex were serviced, but hers was fine.

This year, even during the sweltering summer, Mason didn't sweat. "I didn't even realize I was in menopause because the heat hasn't been affecting me so bad."

STAYING HOT: South Texas afternoon temps will climb into the 80s today. How long will that last?

"A couple times, I got cold in the summer," Mason said.

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Her bills for her two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment dropped along with the temperature - despite living in an upstairs unit "where we get everybody's heat," she said.

Mason said that last year, her bill was "getting too close to $200." Last month, it was around $120.

Apartment manager Erika Alcoser points out the door seals that were installed as part of weatherization efforts in a vacant unit at the Wurzbach Manor Apartments. The work was done through Casa Verde's pilot program that focused on apartment units. (Blaine Young/Blaine Young for the San Antonio)





CPS began weatherizing homes in 2008 through its Casa Verde program. The program traditionally focused on servicing single-family homes, as well as commercial and industrial units.

In 2022, CPS invested $350 million on the Sustainable Tomorrow Energy Plan. The goal was to reduce emissions and eliminate barriers to its programs, such as Casa Verde, while harnessing innovation and demand management to create energy savings - and to cut customers' bills.

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RELATED: CPS Energy says efficiency program is ahead of goals, but trustee thinks money could be better spent

The utility celebrated the weatherization of 30,000 homes in 2023. The program's success spurred the utility to find ways to expand its services to a group of customers that wasn't able to tap those energy-saving incentives - apartment residents, said Jonathan Tijerina, VP of corporate development.

"Three years ago, the feedback from our community, our elected officials, our stakeholders was very clear - we needed to make sure we were offering programs that could reach a wide range of our community," Tijerina said.

That led to the creation of a pilot program specifically targeting apartment residents.

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This year, 856 apartments have been weatherized through the CPS program, with more than 5,000 units waiting for service in the pipeline. The utility's goal is to weatherize 16,000 homes and 20,000 multifamily units by the end of July 2027, Tijerina said.

Apartment manager Erika Alcoser points out the new digital thermostat in her unit that was installed as part of the weatherization efforts at the Wurzbach Manor Apartments. This year, 856 apartments have been weatherized through CPS' Casa Verde program. (Blaine Young/Blaine Young for the San Antonio)





Weatherizing an apartment can be as simple as changing the lighting to power-reducing LED bulbs or adding Wi-Fi thermostats to a home. In certain apartments, it can include attic installations and air-conditioning tune-ups.

"This translates, on average, to probably around $150 to $180 range in customer savings per year, per unit," Tijerina said.

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RELATED: Smart Solutions, an energy-reducing electrical company, scores Top Workplace spot

CPS collaborates with eight local trade groups who work with management teams to offer weatherization services. The trade groups negotiate with the property management team to come up with a price based on the work being done and the CPS rebate available. CPS' role is to help facilitate the process.

Tijerina said the utility has paid $600,000 in incentives for the work done so far this year, which comes out to about $700 per unit. He explained that how much it costs to weatherize an apartment varies, depending on what needs to be done to make the apartment more energy efficient.

The apartment program so far has produced an energy savings of about two-thirds of a megawatt, enough to power 166 homes during peak energy usage.

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For Erika Alcoser, a resident and property manager of Wurzbach Apartments, the weatherization has helped the property regulate residents' energy usage.

Apartment manager Erika Alcoser poses for a photo in front of Wurzbach Manor Apartments, which took part in the Casa Verde program to make its units more energy efficient. (Blaine Young/Blaine Young for the San Antonio)





"There's a language barrier," Alcoser said. "A lot of my tenants don't speak English, that's not their first language. A lot of them were compromising or messing up our thermostats."

READ MORE: Casa Verde weatherization program expands to include home repairs

With the new smart thermostats, the temperature cannot drop below 70 degrees, Alcoser said.

The work done through the program has her apartment "feel a little cooler" even though the complex's energy usage has gone down, she said.

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Tijerina sees the weatherization program as the foot in the door for properties to invest in more energy-saving programs and initiatives.

"When you talk about weatherization in particular, that really is the first big step in working towards all the additional measures that you may want to do in the future," Tijerina said. "It doesn't make sense to put a brand-new A/C unit on a building if you still have air leaks."

Every unit weatherized takes the utility one more step toward its goal of reducing energy demand by 410 megawatts, enough to power 102,500 homes, by the end of July 2027.

Mason already is reaping the program's benefits with a more comfortable apartment and lower bills.

"I can't wait to see how it does in winter," Mason said.

This article originally published at CPS expands its energy-savings program to include apartment residents.
Part of a building on the city's Southwest Side was cordoned off by tape after a wall collapsed Friday afternoon.

Chopper 7 was over the corner of 63rd and South Albany Avenue in Chicago Lawn, where damage could be seen on the exteriors walls of a building.

A Chicago Fire Department spokesperson said construction was being done on the building, and a support wall was damaged or removed.

There were no reports of injuries, but crews were working to see if the structure was in danger of further collapse.

SEE ALSO | Grain bin collapses in Iroquois County, Illinois, dramatic video shows

No further information was immediately available.
By Brad Brooks

(Reuters) -The first of what "No Kings" organizers expect to be more than 2,600 protest events began Saturday in the United States and other countries, a mass mobilization against President Donald Trumps policies on immigration, education and security that organizers say are pushing the country toward autocracy.

The protests  big and little, in cities, suburbs and small towns across the U.S.  follow mass demonstrations in June and reflect the frustration of opponents of an agenda that Trump has rolled out with unprecedented speed since taking office in January.

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Saturday's rallies started outside the U.S., with a couple of hundred protesters gathering outside the U.S. embassy in London, and roughly hundreds more holding demonstrations in Madrid and Barcelona.

By Saturday morning in Northern Virginia, many protesters were walking on overpasses across roads heading into Washington, D.C., and several hundred people gathered in the circle near Arlington National Cemetery, near where Trump is considering building an arch across the bridge from the Lincoln Memorial.

Since Trump took office 10 months ago, his administration has ramped up immigration enforcement, moved to slash the federal workforce and cut funding to elite universities over issues including pro-Palestinian protests against Israel's war in Gaza, campus diversity and transgender policies.

Residents in some major cities have seen National Guard troops sent in by the president, who argues they are needed to protect immigration agents and to help combat crime.

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There is nothing more American than saying we dont have kings and exercising our right to peacefully protest, said Leah Greenberg, co-founder of Indivisible, a progressive organization that is the main organizer of the No Kings marches.

Trump has said very little about Saturdays protests. But in an interview with Fox Business aired on Friday he said that theyre referring to me as a king -- Im not a king.

More than 300 grassroots groups helped organize Saturdays marches, Greenberg said. The American Civil Liberties Union said it has given legal training to tens of thousands of people who will act as marshals at the various marches, and those people were also trained in de-escalation. No Kings ads and information have blanketed social media to drive turnout.

Senator Bernie Sanders, a progressive independent, and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive Democrat, have backed the marches along with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who lost the 2016 presidential election to Trump. An array of celebrities also has backed the movement.

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In June, over 2,000 No Kings protests took place, mostly peacefully, on the same day that Trump celebrated his 79th birthday and held a military parade in Washington.

REPUBLICANS CLAIM PROTESTS ARE ANTI-AMERICAN

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, on Friday echoed a common refrain among the GOP on the No Kings protests.

Tomorrow the Democrat leaders are going to join for a big party out on the National Mall, Johnson said at a press conference on Friday. Theyre going to descend on our Capitol for their much anticipated, so-called No Kings rally. We refer to it by its more accurate description: The hate America rally.

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Other Republicans have blasted Democrats and marches like No Kings as motivating people to carry out political violence, especially in the wake of the September assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk, a close confidant of Trump and key members of his administration.

Dana Fisher, a professor at American University in Washington, D.C., and the author of several books on American activism, forecast that Saturday could see the largest protest turnout in modern U.S. history - she expected that over 3 million people would participate, based on registrations and participation in the June events.

The main point of this day of action is to create a sense of collective identity amongst all the people who are feeling like they are being persecuted or are anxious due to the Trump administration and its policies, Fisher said. Its not going to change Trumps policies. But it might embolden elected officials at all levels who are in opposition to Trump.

(Reporting by Brad Brooks, AJ Vicens and David Shephardson; editing by Donna Bryson, Alistair Bell, Sergio Non and Marguerita Choy)
When a Connecticut mayor took a walk with his family to a local ice cream parlor over the summer, he ran into something he had not seen before.

Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam said he ran into the new president of Trinity College, Dan Lugo, and his wife, TinaMarie, who also had gone to Capital Ice Cream in the city.

I think he has hit the ground running to engrain himself in the fabric of the community, Arulampalam said of Lugo, and about seeing the new president out and about in the city. He has large shoes to fill. He has been a burst of energy, a really innovative thinker.

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The ice cream visit was in July, on what Arulampalam said was one of Lugos first weekends in the city. Arulampalams reference to the large shoes was to former Trinity College president, Joanne Berger-Sweeney, who was its 22nd leader, served for nearly 11 years in the post, and was well known for strengthening the schools relationship with the city.

Lugo came to Hartford from Queens University of Charlotte, where he had been president since 2019. Before that, he served in leadership roles at Colby College, Franklin & Marshall College, and Carleton College.

Lugo will be inaugurated as the 23rd president of Trinity College on Saturday, Oct. 18. The ceremony will be livestreamed.

Lugo, a first-generation college graduate who grew up on Long Island, also earned his law degree from the University of Minnesota School of Law, and has worked as an attorney, but his career track changed because he wanted to do something that provided more public good, and significant impact in the world, he said.

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Ive always been one to  support and empower others, he said. I needed something more for impacting society.

That is part of what led him to choose Trinity, he said.

Im betting on Hartford; there is a lot of good going on, Lugo said, noting Trinity as the gold standard for American education, which will continue.

In part that choice also come from the outstanding liberal arts education and high level of academic and research standards Trinity has in place for faculty and students, Lugo said.

Our commitment to that is unshakeable, he said. We are never changing that model.

Lugo said Trinity students are passionate about learning and the college seeks those who are incredibly curious, are intellectual risk takers who will be ethical leaders making a positive impact, change agents for the better.

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Curious, creative and motivated lifelong learners, he said, students who can connect their education to the real world.

Lugo said that, since he grew up in the Northeast, coming to Hartford and Connecticut was a return to the familiar and that he had always been impressed with Trinity from afar, including for its deep scholarly research, amazing faculty and students involved in the creation of knowledge.

He said there are many opportunities for him and the college to become involved in the fabric of the city, including with neighborhood groups, hospitals and other organizations.

The college has an alumni base of about 30,000, Lugo said.

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Trinity is so excited for this moment, he said. The energy at Trinity is fantastic.

Arulampalam said Lugo has already shown his interest and commitment to the city. For example, Lugo inquired about the citys proposed $90 million applied artificial intelligence center targeted for the North Crossing redevelopment where a long-abandoned, data processing center near Dunkin Park.

As soon as he came in, he had read about it, and asked how (Trinity) could play a role, and was interested in his students getting the best training, the mayor said.

Lugo understands the significance of the proposed project, mutual growth and of expanding for the future of the workforce, Arulampalam said. He thinks really innovatively, there are a variety of ideas he is bringing.

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He really is trying to understand the community, Arulampalam said. I have seen him at a ton of community events  looking for way to engage.

While he was at Queens University, Lugo had worked to deepen its connection with the local community of Charlotte, as well as develop new multidisciplinary academic programs, and to create an integrated approach to diversity, equity and inclusion that begins on campus and extends into the local community, according to Trinity.

Lugo said he thinks Hartford can be a true college town though there is more to do.

Trinity has been at the table for decades, he said. I think Hartford is on the upswing, we dont want to miss this moment.

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Lisa Bisaccia, chair of both the Trinity Presidential Search Committee and the Board of Trustees, has noted Lugo brings with him a wealth of expertise and years of academic leadership that will serve Trinity well as we enter our third century.

Lugo also served as vice president and dean of admissions and financial aid at Franklin & Marshall from 2011 to 2015, a time in which it saw a 45% increase in applications and a more academically talented and diverse class, according to Trinity.

According to Trinity, among its commitments in Hartford have been:

It has partnered for 27 years to act as host for DreamCamp, a summer program for more than 300 local youth.

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Trinity, in 2024, added the Bicentennial-Hartford Scholarship and the Bisaccia Family Scholarship to a host of scholarships for local youth to attend Trinity.

The college supports the Boys and Girls Club of Hartford; Berger-Sweeney received their Jan-Gee McCollam Champion of Young Women Award this month.

Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy, Trinitys neighborhood magnet school, has programs at the college and is under the Center for Hartford Engagement and Research, which has faculty, staff and student community engagement programs.

Trinity sponsors a neighborhood child care center, which has grown into a valuable resource for working families in the community.

Also, cultural events draw thousands such as SambaFest, Cinestudio, and the Hip Hop Festival.
The far-left union representing professors at the City University of New York are illegally using a taxpayer-funded, government email system to promote socialist NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdanis campaign, The Post has learned.

At least two chapter leaders repping CUNYs Professional Staff Congress recently fired off email blasts using CUNY email addresses to solicit faculty and other staff at Manhattan Community College and Kingsborough Community College to volunteer helping Mamdanis campaign.

The general election is on November 4th. If you are interested in becoming involved in the election, weekly Central Labor Council phonebanks for Mamdani are hosted in person at the PSC, Wednesdays 6-8pm, wrote Kathleen Offenholley, a mathematics professor and union chapter chair at Manhattan Community College in a Sept. 3 email blast to campus faculty.

NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani (center) stands with members of the Professional Staff Congress, a union representing faculty at the City University of New York that has endorsed him. Professional Staff Congress/CUNY/ Facebook

The email also included links on how sign up to assist making phone calls for Mamdanis campaign and help the PSCs push to get the silver-spoon socialist pol elected mayor.

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Thousands of CUNY students have (yet!) to register, the email adds. We strongly encourage you to share these links with students.

Our ranked-choice strategy allowed the PSC to be one of the earliest unions to support Zohran Mamdani for Mayor and helped to defeat Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary, says PSC President James Davis in a statement also attached in the email blast.

Kathleen Offenholley, a mathematics professor and union chapter chair at Manhattan Community College, fired off email blasts using CUNY email addresses to solicit faculty members to volunteer helping Mamdanis campaign. Borough of Manhattan Community College

Most NYC unions have now endorsed Mamdani, and it is now even more important that PSC members work to get him elected in November.

Under city and state law and CUNY rules, it is illegal for government employees to use such government resources  including email accounts  for political campaign purposes. Violators could face misdemeanor charges and fines of up to $10,000 per offense.

Mamdani hanging out with Professional Staff Congress members while campaigning. Professional Staff Congress/CUNY/ Facebook

Another mass email distributed by Offenholley on Oct. 9 reminded members that phone banks to help Mamdanis campaign run by CUNY workers are continuing every Thursday and Friday, and it also included a link offering additional information on how to voluntarily help the campaign.

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Michael Spear, an assistant history professor and union chapter vice chair at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn, also sent out a mass email Oct. 9 that  while not mentioning Mamdani by name  provided links also guiding members how to volunteer for union-run phone banks assisting Mamdani.

Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa said its completely inappropriate for CUNY faculty tied to the union to use official university emails to electioneer for Zohran Mamdani.

New Yorkers expect educators at a publicly funded institution to focus on students, not politics, he said.

CUNY has become a breeding ground for political radicalization, and this episode is not a one-off. Its baked into the culture, so there must be consequences for electioneering on city time, city dime, and city email, and the governor and mayor must investigate.

Michael Spear, an assistant history professor and union chapter vice chair at Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn, is also under fire for using CUNYs email system to push Mamdanis campaign. PSCCUNYCommunication/ Youtube

Kingsborough Community College in located in the predominately conservative Jewish neighborhood of Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn. Dennis A. Clark

NYC Councilman Robert Holden (D-Queens), a former graphics-design professor at CUNYs New York City College of Technology, said hes disgusted, but not surprised, to see faculty using taxpayer-funded emails to push politics.

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The union and CUNY have let this radical culture fester for years; its time to clean house and get back to educating, not indoctrinating, added Holden a former PSC-CUNY member for 40-plus years and a past delegate.

The 30,000-member union has endorsed the socialist Queens assemblyman in the mayoral race and, like Mamdani, has a long history of pushing a pro-Palestine, anti-Israel agenda and other far-left causes.

The PSC came under fire in January after passing a controversial resolution supporting a boycott of Israel  a movement that Mamdani has backed for years.

However, the boycott, divest and sanction resolution, which focused on cutting off union reserves from the Jewish State and urging the teachers pension system including professors to do the same, was repealed a month later  after some members cited voting irregularities.

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In 2023, the union was accused of sending out emails using antisemitic language to members to promoting anti-Israel rallies, but it denied the allegations.

Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa said its completely inappropriate for CUNY faculty tied to the union to use official university emails to electioneer for Zohran Mamdani. AFP via Getty Images

Offenholley, Spear and Mamdanis campaign did not return messages.

The PSC tried to brush aside the criticism, saying in a statement it typically sends out newsletters and other messages to its members about a variety of topics  including elections  and occasionally members inadvertently forward a message using their work email.

These are union members communicating about union issues to their colleagues on an internal listserv, said PSC spokesperson Fran Clark.

Its a non-issue. Anti-union MAGA allies who want to undermine union rights and CUNY are grasping at straws.
The crime thriller 'Search: The Naina Murder Case' has grabbed viewers' attention since its release on JioHotstar on October 10. The show stars actor Konkona Sensharma as ACP Sanyukta Das, a tough and experienced homicide officer who leads the investigation into a young woman's mysterious death. In a recent interview with ANI, Konkona spoke about how much she enjoyed playing this intense role. She said she has always been a fan of "true crime" and "crime fiction," and that made her connect instantly with her character. "I had a lot of fun because I really love true crime. Not just true crime, but also crime fiction and crime series, I love all of them. I have watched a lot of them. And I really liked this character. From the beginning, I noticed how ACP Sanyukta Das was presented. We showed her domestic life, her professional life, and the balance between both, as a mother, as an ACP, as a wife juggling all of this. It was very interesting for me," said the actress. Director Rohan Sippy, who helmed the series, also spoke about the importance of keeping the storytelling relevant for today's audience. When asked how he adapts to modern viewers, Rohan said, "It's necessary because they are watching both fiction and true crime. In fact, in one interrogation, Konkona's character almost asks, 'Are you a fan of true crime?' So we also acknowledge that if there is any weakness in the plot, people will catch it immediately. But like I said, the writers need to know if the audience is liking it and if they are unable to guess which direction the suspicion will go in." Search: The Naina Murder Case follows the story of Naina, a young woman whose life takes a dark turn after she disappears following a party. Days later, her body is found in a forest, which leads to a shocking murder investigation. What initially seems like an assault case soon unravels into something far more complex, as the police uncover secrets about Naina's personal life, strained relationships, and mysterious friends. (ANI)
Utah Sen. John Curtis greets a participant at his annual Conservative Climate Summit at the University of Utah on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Evan Dernberger/Sen. John Curtis' office)

Congress cant agree on how to reopen the federal government, but Utah Sen. John Curtis believes his colleagues are not too far apart to approve his bipartisan-backed plan changing up wildfire management.

I think the odds are very, very high, Curtis, a Republican, told reporters Friday when asked about the chances of the fire proposal reaching final passage.

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The bill was a focus of Curtis annual Conservative Climate Summit. The Friday event came just three weeks after President Donald Trump called climate change a con job at the United Nations and as the administration plans to keep coal-fired power plants running to meet energy demands.

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Curtis said he does not agree with the demonization of fossil fuels and believes the nations energy demands require multiple types of generation.

Asked about the cancellation of $7.5 billion in clean energy projects, Curtis said, I have concerns.

He said hes not familiar with each project, but Ill come back to this: We need every electron we can get.

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Over a video feed on Friday, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright also addressed the canceled projects in a speech to attendees of the climate summit.

A lot of the stopping of funding of projects were working on right now have really been mutual decisions with the original applicants for them, that I think were counting on government support to continue on, you know, subsidized purchases of things that didnt, that wouldnt exist without subsidies, Wright said. We need things that will fly on their own.

The National Resources Defense Council has said the projects were crucial for manufacturing and grid upgrades, and ending support for them will stall American innovation and competitiveness, raising costs for consumers, and further cementing our reliance on dirty fossil fuels.

Utah Sen. John Curtis speaks at his annual Conservative Climate Summit at the University of Utah on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Evan Dernberger/Sen. John Curtis office)

Some Republicans in Congress have shifted away from focusing on climate change, but Curtis said hes still winning over support from those in his party who attend the yearly event.

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Some of them come, and they fold their arms like that, and theyre very suspicious. And then by the end of the day, they go, I get it, he said, and they realize that its been a mistake for Republicans to not be engaged, because we do, we care deeply about the Earth.

Curtis is sponsoring the bipartisan fire legislation along with Sens. Alex Padilla of California and John Hickenlooper of Colorado, both Democrats, and fellow Republican Tim Sheehy of Montana.

The wide-ranging bill would set up a Wildfire Intelligence Center, require evaluations of fireshed areas, and boost forest restoration funds, among other changes. Several environmental groups oppose the measure, saying it would open millions of acres of federal land to logging without allowing for scientific review or community input first.

In its fourth year, the event brought together representatives from the energy industry, government and environmental groups, with conversations focused on emerging technology, the permitting process, employing local workers in new projects, and finding ways for industry and government to work together. Curtis said attendance topped 600.

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Part of the event focused on the future of the future of conservative climate policy  something Curtis said absolutely has a place in todays world.

Look at the turnout today, he said. I would say absolutely, of course.

Utah Sen. John Curtis speaks to reporters at his annual Conservative Climate Summit at the University of Utah on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Evan Dernberger/Sen. John Curtis office)

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The federal government shutdown has clobbered Washington  and dramatically amped up the split-screen effect thats been in place since Donald Trumps second inauguration.

On the one hand, theres a president determined to leave a bigger physical mark on the District of Columbia than any chief executive since Franklin Roosevelt. Trump has railed against graffiti, non-functioning fountains, and unattractive federal architecture, all stuff the blue citys locals might appreciate coming from anyone else. This summer, he asked Congress for $2 billion to spruce up a national capital that should be the envy of the world, as the White House put it when it took over the Metropolitan Police Department in August.

On the other hand, theres the Trump effect on the actual economy of the Washington area. Even before the shutdown and the presidents push for new layoffs, the numbers were cataclysmic. The Districts chief financial officer has estimated that a fifth of the 200,000 federal jobs in the city will go away. There are similarly grim projections for federal contracting. The housing market was already softening, pre-shutdown. The unemployment rate was up nine times as much as the rest of the country. And now the closure of the Smithsonian and the cancellation of routine federal meetings is battering the hospitality industry.

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In an almost too-perfect irony, word that the administration might defy the law requiring it to pay furloughed feds leaked the very same week that photos appeared of an Oval Office mock-up of the vast triumphal arch that the president aims to build right across the Potomac from the Lincoln Memorial to celebrate Americas 250th birthday.

As an economic matter, the question is tricky: Can you have a shiny, crime-free city full of head-turning new memorials if youve just taken a jackhammer to that city's major industries? In most places where the top employers have undergone similar tumult  Detroit when the auto industry fell, say  it hasnt exactly led to a golden era of tourism, safety, and beauty.

Consider the Metro system, where Trump has deployed the National Guard. Agree with the deployment or not, its an indication that the health of the subway is important. Now, since the shutdown began, Metro spokeswoman Christine Detz told me this week, overall ridership is down 7 percent and taps from federal employees are down 24 percent. (Metro is able to track federal ridership because of a program where feds can get Metro fare taken from their paychecks.) Given that the system relies on fees from riders, the loss of all those fares is a lot more important than a few dozen guardsmen pacing up and down the platforms.

But even if the shutdown ended tomorrow, the uncertainty about job security and mass firings wont end, nor will the economic effects from nine months of shocks to the workforce.

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People are missing paychecks, said Yesim Sayin of the D.C. Policy Center. Its one thing when you say, OK Im gonna miss a couple of paychecks but Ill catch up because of the law requiring back pay. Its another when you dont know, or when you wonder if youre going to get a red slip. People will reduce their consumption. Which, in turn, slashes the tax revenues meant to pay for safe streets and clean parks. (The city agency that releases revenue data says they wont have shutdown-related numbers until next month.)

As a political matter, the question may be even tougher: If Washington needs a robust federal workforce in order to remain a healthy, functional region, does it have any allies in that quest?

The Republicans clearly are not. Beyond the Trump administration moves to radically slash the workforce  which have yet to fully show up in unemployment data, since the fork-in-the-road departures didnt officially leave the payroll until this month  the GOP has also long championed efforts to relocate vast sectors of the government to other parts of the country, part of a concerted effort to move workers away from the high costs and liberal milieu of the D.C. area.

But if most Democrats have stood with the city on matters of self-rule, the shutdown shows the limits of counting on them to keep the citys biggest employer open for its own sake.

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The party opted for the confrontation that caused the shutdown, knowing full well that the collateral damage would fall disproportionately on the D.C. area. Notably, the all-blue congressional delegation from the surrounding Maryland and Virginia suburbs  whose residents actually have a vote, and are about as likely to be federal employees  hasnt broken with the party over the shutdown. Nor has D.C.s elected leadership been loudly demanding an off-ramp in the name of the local job market.

In fact, America has always had an uncomfortable relationship with the idea that Washington is recession-resistant. Even other wealthy regions go through boom-bust dramas (like Silicon Valley) or face decades of decline (like the Rust Belt). Unlike those other places, the capital area has no experience with having to entirely reinvent its economy, with all the years of pain that entails.

Historically, Democrats like the former West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd have been just as eager as Republicans to see some of those Beltway-based jobs get sent their way. And D.C., famously, doesnt get a vote in the matter. That lack of representation is even more pronounced this year as nonvoting Congressional Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, who once proved adept at skillfully playing a lousy hand on Capitol Hill, struggles with age-related issues.

The case that people like her could be making, Brookings Institution fellow Tracy Hadden Loh told me, is actually not one that depends on begging the feds to keep jobs in place in order to prop up the municipality.

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Theres this critique out there that the DMV is too dependent on the federal government, said Loh, who leads a project that compiles real-time economic data on the region. You could also make the opposite argument -- that the federal government is dependent on having a stable, low crime, highly educated well run region to exist in, and that they pay no property taxes to get that.

For years, Washingtons local leadership has talked up schemes to move beyond the federal government: It was going to go big into tourism, or sports, or education; late last month, Mayor Muriel Bowser was talking up her growth agenda that included plans to spur tech industry startups.

 We already knew coming out COVID, we didn't think that the federal government was going to come back into the office, said Nina Albert, the citys deputy mayor for economic development. So we had to think about pivoting. Locals may not like to admit it, but the robustness of that workforce would also be an issue even if Trump hadnt been elected. With an average age of nearly 50, its well older than the national average; federal workers also do a lot of the sorts of jobs that are likely to be disrupted by AI.

Unfortunately for Washingtons would-be pivoters, the shutdown shows how tenuous some of those ambitions are: Hospitality has been hammered by the closure (and prior Trump-era bad vibes). Efforts to lure far-flung universities satellite campuses will be hampered by the freezing of the government that those schools students want to study (not to mention the national climate of cuts to university budgets). And a lot of local tech firms, when you scratch beneath the surface, are in Washington because they want to have Uncle Sam as a customer, harder work when the purchaser is on furlough.

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Loh told me shes not entirely gloom and doom: the Beltway is home to one of the countrys best-educated workforces. The market wont let that go to waste  even if the chaos facing federal employees is slowing the annual inflow of talented young graduates into the capital.

But the thing about big, long-term municipal transformations is that they take decades and leave huge amounts of collateral damage. In the short term, its tough to turn yourself into a Trumpian destination while also trying to figure out where everyone is going to work. And its harder still when youre short of friends to help you ride out the storm.
(The Center Square)  Thousands of people marched in Washington, D.C., on Saturday as part of the second No Kings Day, protesting President Donald Trump.

Organizers of the event anticipated thousands of events to be held across the country, with millions of demonstrators protesting what they perceive as authoritarian policies by the Trump administration.

The organizers encouraged participants to wear yellow to represent unity; however, some marchers went as far as wearing inflatable costumes that have become emblematic outside ICE facilities, particularly in Portland, where there has been a crackdown on Antifa violence.

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The protesters in D.C. remained peaceful as they gathered in the National Mall and marched up Constitution Avenue toward the White House.

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., addressed the rally-goers, criticizing the billionaire class, singling out Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg  all three were present at Trumps inauguration in January.

The very same billionaires who funded [Trumps] campaign, who bestowed gifts upon him, and who have seen huge increases in their wealth and power since Trump took office, Sanders told the crowd.

The president and his administration appear to be brushing off the protests. Trump departed the White House on Friday afternoon for his home in Florida, while Vice President JD Vance is participating in a celebratory event marking the 250th birthday of the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, north of San Diego, on Saturday.

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The first No Kings Day protests were held on June 14, which coincided with the Armys 250th birthday and the president's 79th birthday. A military parade was held in D.C.

The president has rebuffed the claims from his critics, saying that he is not a king.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has been more critical of the events, describing them as a hate America rally, warning that it would draw groups like Antifa.

In preparation, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin activated the National Guard to stand by in response in case the protests take a violent turn.

With planned protests across the country this weekend, including in Virginia, I wasnt to be clear that Virginians have a fundamental right to free speech and peaceful assembly, but that right does not include the destruction of property, looting, vandalism, disruption of traffic, or violence of any kindfor which there will be zero tolerance, the governor wrote on social media. We are coordinating closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement and I have authorized members of the National Guard to be placed in state active duty status to ensure the Guard will be ready to respond alongside our substantially increased police presence to help keep Virginians safe.

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The district has had an increased law enforcement presence, in addition to the National Guard, since Trump declared a crime emergency in D.C. in August.

Parts of D.C. are already seeing increased security measures around the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund as Saturday marks the last day of their annual meetings.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson is pressing City Council to reconsider a $25 million offer from federal immigration authorities that Police Chief Daniel Comeaux rejected  a move that highlights how Dallas continues to fall short of the voter-mandated police staffing and pay standards set by Proposition U.

Comeauxs decision to decline participation in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements 287(g) program has now prompted a formal directive from the mayor, who instructed key council leaders to meet with ICE officials and evaluate whether the deal could help Dallas boost its police ranks without raising costs.

Mayor: Decision Shouldnt Be Made Alone

In a memo sent Friday, Johnson directed the chairs of the Public Safety and Government Efficiency committees  Council Members Cara Mendelsohn and Maxie Johnson  to convene a joint meeting with ICE representatives and Police Chief Daniel Comeaux to discuss the merits of the 287(g) program, as first reported by The Dallas Morning News.

Clearly, participation in ICEs Task Force Model could provide significant financial benefits to the city, Johnson wrote. Dallas might be forfeiting significant direct financial benefits by declining ICEs offer, he added. Decisions on matters like this  especially one involving $25 million of public funds  should be made by elected policymakers after receiving public input, he said, according to WFAA.

Johnson said the program could act as a force multiplier, providing a path for the Dallas Police Department to deploy additional resources to reduce violent crime at lower cost to taxpayers.

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He also cited Senate Bill 8, a new state law requiring Texas counties with jails to establish 287(g) partnerships with federal immigration authorities by 2026. While the law applies to county sheriffs rather than city police departments, Johnson pointed to it as evidence of growing statewide cooperation with ICE.

Comeaux Defends Rejection

Comeaux, a former federal agent, said during an October 14 Community Police Oversight Board meeting that he immediately turned down ICEs offer.

We were contacted by the federal government  and we were offered $25 million to be a part of 287(g), Comeaux told the board. We said, Absolutely not, no. That was me who said that, turned it down.

He stressed that Dallas officers do not engage in immigration enforcement and will not begin doing so.

We have had no officers going out with ICE agents to make immigration arrests, Comeaux said. We dont have the authority to do that, nor will we do that.

What the ICE Agreement Does

According to the Department of Homeland Securitys 287(g) Task Force Model Memorandum of Agreement, local officers deputized under the program may perform certain functions of an immigration officer under the direction and supervision of ICE.

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These include the authority to interrogate and arrest individuals for suspected immigration violations, serve and execute immigration warrants, and prepare charging documents such as Notices to Appear.

The agreement specifies that participating law-enforcement agencies are responsible for their own personnel expenses  including salaries, benefits, and local operations  while ICE covers training, supervision, and travel for instruction. It also states that deputized officers act under color of federal authority and must follow federal civil-rights and complaint-review procedures.

Context: Staffing, Budget, and State Mandates

Johnsons directive comes as Dallas continues to operate below the staffing and pay standards required by Proposition U  the voter-approved charter amendment mandating at least 4,000 officers and competitive compensation among the top five North Texas departments.

As previously detailed by The Dallas Express, the citys FY 2026 budget projects just 3,424 sworn officers  576 short of the charter-mandated minimum. That same budget placed Dallas base starting police pay 12th among area departments, well below the top-five benchmark voters required.

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Johnsons push follows months of public concern over delayed emergency-response times and ongoing recruitment struggles that continue to strain existing officers.

Council Reaction Highlights Divide Over Priorities

The mayors proposal exposed familiar divisions within the City Council over law-enforcement funding and public-safety priorities.

Council Member Jaime Resendez called the 287(g) partnership a politically charged topic, while Council Member Adam Bazaldua  who publicly urged residents to vote against Proposition U in 2024  again voiced opposition, dismissing the plan as an attempt to get attention from the [Trump] administration and other political leaders.

Their opposition came despite continuing data showing the Dallas Police Department remains hundreds of officers below voter-mandated levels, with emergency-response times still exceeding city targets.

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While Johnson framed the ICE offer as a financial tool to bolster police ranks without raising taxes, critics offered no clear alternative for how the city might meet its Prop U obligations.

What Comes Next

Johnsons directive to Mendelsohn and Maxie Johnson sets up the first formal discussion between City Hall, ICE, and the Dallas Police Department since Comeauxs rejection of the federal offer. A date for the joint committee meeting has not yet been announced.

Whether the City Council reopens talks with ICE could determine whether Dallas finally meets its Prop U requirements  or continues to fall behind its suburban neighbors in staffing, pay, and public-safety performance.
UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11)  Since the 1930s, there have been air shafts on the ground in Riverside Park, each covered with a heavy metal grate, every dozen or so yards, for some 30 blocks.

In the last few days, those grates have had metal signs attached to them reading Danger and warning about the risks of standing on the grates. The fact that those signs have suddenly appeared is raising concerns that the danger being warned about could be far more than just a word of caution.

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I noticed the signs, said Anita Bergman, a frequent parkgoer who was in Riverside Park walking her dog. I wondered if maybe something happened that we werent

aware of, she continued, or if there is a reason for this.

The airshafts that the grates cover provide ventilation for an Amtrak rail tunnel that runs underneath Riverside Park. The design dates back nearly a century to when urban planner Robert Moses directed efforts to cover the west side rail lines with the parkland.

Henry Frazier, who was also walking his dog in Riverside Park, said that the Upper West Side has been his home for all of his 67 years. He called the new developments off-putting.

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I grew up around here, and they never had signs, he said. And Ive been into the tunnels also, when I was a kid.

We have never seen signs like that, he continued. So were wondering why.

Bergman echoed Fraziers comment, which was apparently on the minds of many people PIX11 News encountered in the park.

What is the danger? she asked, And if there was a danger, like why wasnt there a sign before?

Make PIX11 your preferred source on Google: Heres how

Its a question that PIX11 News posed to the New York City Parks Department.

It had posted other signs in the park, regarding a related issue, that Riverside Park visitor Ryan Hu mentioned.

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When Im walking, I dont really think about whats underneath, he said, like the sidewalk Im walking on.

He spoke while walking on the busy park promenade thats next to the grates and air shafts. The promenade is built right on top of the railroad tracks, and the walkway is buckled and collapsing in spots, where steel girders below the pavement are showing strain in holding the walkway up over the trains underneath.

The citys parks department has posted its own signs explaining why it has installed heavy concrete barriers on the most severely compromised part of the promenade to prevent vehicles from riding on top of it.

Regarding the Danger signs, though, the parks department directed questions to Amtrak. For its part, the rail corporation said, in a statement:

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We have been placing these warning signs on all of the Riverside Park gratings as a precautionary measure to discourage parkgoers from standing and or jumping on them. While the current condition of the gratings remains safe, having large groups congregate and jump on them could create an unsafe, hazardous condition.

Regarding structural issues on the promenade over the railroad tracks, the parks departments signs say that both immediate repairs and longer-term rehabilitation are funded.

The parks department did not divulge the extent to which theyre funded, or when repairs and other structural improvements will happen.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Oct. 18 (UPI) -- On this day in history:

In 1776, the border between Maryland and Pennsylvania was established. Dubbed the "Mason-Dixon" line, it became the unofficial boundary between North and South.

In 1851, Moby-Dick by Herman Melville was published. A small band of Herman Melville devotees orated their way through the 135-chapter opus, which took 22 hours and 38 minutes to complete.

In 1867, the United States completed its purchase of Alaska for $7.2 million, taking possession of the territory from Russia. It would be 92 years before Alaska was admitted to the Union.

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In 1898, the United States took control of Puerto Rico one year after Spain had granted self-rule to the Caribbean nation.

The first image of the far side of the moon was taken by the Soviet spacecraft, Luna 3, on October 7, 1959, and transmitted back to earth on October 18. File Photo courtesy of NASA

File Photo by Monika Graff/UPI

In 1922, the British Broadcasting Corp. was established.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto speaks with the watchful eye of security during an election rally in Rawalpindi on December 27, 2007. On October 18, Bhutto returned home after eight years in exile. A suicide bomber killed more than 140 people in her convoy. UPI File Photo

In 1931, Thomas Alva Edison, one of the most prolific inventors in history, died in West Orange, N.J., at the age of 84.

In 1959, the Soviet Union announced that Luna 3, an unmanned space vehicle, had taken the first pictures of the far side of the moon. In 1987, a former Mexican spy claimed his intelligence unit stole the Soviet satellite while it was on tour in Mexico in 1959, providing the United States with valuable intelligence.

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In 1974, the jury in the Watergate cover-up trial heard a tape recording in which U.S. President Richard Nixon told aide John Dean to try to stop the Watergate burglary investigation before it implicated White House personnel.

File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

In 1991, Israel and the Soviet Union agreed to renew full diplomatic relations for the first time since 1967.

In 2002, North Korea revealed it was working on a secret nuclear weapons program. U.S. intelligence officials concluded critical equipment for it came from Pakistan.

In 2007, former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto returned home after eight years in exile to triumphant fanfare that gave way to panic when a suicide bomber killed more than 140 people in her convoy. She wasn't hurt in that attack but was assassinated on Dec. 27 of that year in Rawalpindi.

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In 2011, Gilad Shalit, a 25-year-old Israeli soldier kidnapped by the militant Palestinian group Hamas in a high-profile incident, was freed after being held for more than five years. His release came in exchange for 1,000 Palestinians who had spent years in Israeli jails.

In 2024, the electric grid on the island of Cuba went entirely offline after the failure of a major power plant east of Havana. Power returned four days later. The outage was one of several blackouts from 2024 to 2025 amid an economic crisis.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  D.C. police arrested four people accused of assaulting workers at a business in Southeast D.C. on Wednesday.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said that on Oct. 15, around 9:55 p.m., two victims were walking behind a cafe in the 500 block of 8th St. SE when a vehicle with the four individuals almost hit them.

MPD said that those individuals got into an argument.

Officer hospitalized after being assaulted by man during Arlington arrest

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After the argument, the suspects went to the front of the building and started to attack a third victim. The first two victims tried to defend the third, but the suspects started to attack all three of them.

MPD said that the suspects threatened to kill and injure the victims during the attack.

On Friday, MPD arrested 28-year-old Deonya Green of Northeast, 35-year-old Delonte Davis of Southeast, 32-year-old Javon Thomason of Southeast and 38-year-old Travis Warren of Southeast. All four are facing charges of assault with significant bodily injury and threats to kidnap or injure.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  The 2023 death of 6-month-old Liam Rye garnered significant community support, but with new updates in 2025, community members are raising their concerns with WSAV.

In October 2025, two years after the incident, the 6-month-olds father, Landon Rye, was charged with murder. Now, some community members said they are angry after finding out the story they were initially told by Liams mother was false.

It all started in a Facebook group created to be a safe space for mothers around the world called Mama Drama.

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On Sept. 4, Madison Kid, known as Madison Rye at the time, posted in the group asking members for prayers and support for her 6-month-old son, Liam, who was on life support.

As a mom, Im seeing this child on a ventilator, Mariah Monet, creator of the Facebook group Mama Drama said. Hes tiny. It caused a lot of emotions for myself and a lot of other moms in the group.

Claxton elementary teacher, paraprofessional arrested in child abuse investigation

Madison told the group that Liam fell off the bed while co-sleeping with her, causing him to have extreme brain swelling. She also reportedly told Mariah that doctors decided there was nothing they could do, so Liam was taken off life support on Sept. 5th, 2023.

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Mariah told WSAV she decided to help a grieving mother by raising over $5,000 for the Rye family to properly bury Liam.

She said she noticed inconsistencies in Madisons story of how the child was injured and later found out she spent that money on a birthday party for her other child and

She says he rolled off the bed, then she said he hit his head on an object, said Monet. Then she says she was at Taco Bell getting breakfast, and she gets a call from Landon that he rolled off the bed its not adding up.

Other members started asking the same questions after a Facebook post of Madison selling Liams toys appeared, and she created a GoFundMe asking for $100,000 for funeral costs.

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She later told Mariah the money would be used for lawyer fees after the coroner ruled the infants death as suspicious.

A LOOK BACK: No arrest made for man indicted in death of son

Shes like basically the detective on the case is really mean to her, and that the hospital, the detectives that they all think that her or her husband did something to baby Liam, said Monet. Now it takes on a whole new energy because not only are you asking me to do something illegal by sharing a go, fund me that says its for your sons funeral, when really youre trying to get money for lawyer fees because its not the story you gave us, which is your son fell off of bed.

Landon was arrested on Oct. 2 and is charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, family violence, and cruelty to children.

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Madison has not been charged in connection to the case.

WSAV will continue to follow this story and bring you more information as it becomes available.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
Oct. 17The Decatur Police Department will host its annual Fall Festival on Oct. 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Fort Decatur, 610 Fourth Ave. S.E.

The free community event will feature Trunk or Treat, games and food. Families are invited to attend in costume and enjoy Halloween activities in a safe environment.

During the festival, The BamaLee Foundation will accept donations for its annual toy drive, benefiting Heroes and Helpers.
Actor-filmmaker Rishab Shetty paid a visit to the world's oldest temple, the Mundeshwari Temple in Bihar, on Saturday morning. The actor's visit comes soon after the success of his recent film 'Kantara: Chapter 1,' which continues to roar in theatres across the country. The film has been receiving applause from both moviegoers and critics and has been running successfully in cinemas ever since its release. During his visit to the temple, Rishab offered prayers and performed the coronation ritual for Maa Mundeshwari. He spent time at the ancient temple and expressed gratitude for the overwhelming response to his film. Recently, the actor shared a powerful behind-the-scenes glimpse from the film's making, giving fans an idea of the dedication and pain that went into its stunning climax sequence. Taking to his Instagram account on Monday, Shetty posted a series of pictures from the set, revealing that he shot the film's high-octane finale while struggling with a "swollen leg" and "an exhausted body." "Time for climax shooting... swollen leg, body rested. Today, crores of people have seen it and liked it. It is only possible with the blessings of the powers we believe in. Thanks to all of you who watched the movie and expressed your opinions," he posted. 'Kantara: Chapter 1' revolves around the origins of Daiva worship in Tulunadu, tracing its roots back to the fourth-century Kadamba dynasty. Shetty plays Berme, the protector of the Kantara forest and its tribal communities. The film also stars Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, and Jayaram in key roles. The story follows the struggle between a royal family trying to seize control from the Daivas and the tribals who resist their rule. The supporting cast includes Rakesh Poojari, Hariprashanth MG, Deepak Rai Panaje, Shaneel Gautham, and Naveen Bondel. Produced by Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda under the Hombale Films banner, the film has been released in multiple languages. (ANI)
Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travels weekly newsletter. Get news about destinations, plus the latest in aviation, food and drink, and where to stay.

In our roundup of travel stories this week: the seven-foot monster that stalked West Virginia, the Roman tunnel where a hated emperor nearly met his end, and the enormous bunker city built by Nazis in central Europe.

Polands Nazi labyrinth

The countryside around the little Polish village of Pniewo looks serene, with its yellow crops and patches of forest, but beneath the surface lies a sprawling 20-mile maze of tunnels, shafts, underground railway stations and combat facilities.

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This is the Ostwall, a fortified subterranean complex built by the Nazis and abandoned in 1945. In the 1980s and 90s, a subculture known as the Bunker People took over the tunnels, hosting unauthorized and often dangerous events here, from raves to weddings. Today, bats are its inhabitants, some 40,000 of them taking refuge in the darkness.

In the 21st century, its been given new life as a dark tourism destination, with 19 miles of tunnels open to explore in the Miedzyrzecz Fortified Region Museum. Read more here.

Romes murder-plot tunnel and Londons Cold War spy maze

Simona Murrone/Archaeological Park of the Colosseum

In Italy, a 2,000-year-old tunnel once used by Roman emperors to slip unseen into the Colosseum will open to the public this month. The 180-foot Passage of Commodus takes its name from Emperor Commodus, who you may remember as the conniving meanie portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix in Gladiator. Experts believe he once survived an assassination attempt here. He would later meet his end being strangled by a champion wrestler.

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Fans of secret underground complexes will have much to celebrate when The London Tunnels opens in the UK capital, with a speculative date of 2028. This mile-long series of chambers was built to shelter citizens in World War II, before becoming the home of Britains Special Operations Executive, an offshoot of MI6 and the real-life inspiration for James Bonds Q Branch. Its undergoing a $149 million transformation in hopes of becoming the citys grandest new tourist attraction. CNN went down below for a sneak preview earlier this year.

Turkeys ghost town and Iraqs lost city

Just over a century ago, Kayakoy in southwest Turkey was a bustling town of more than 10,000 people. Abandoned by its occupants and haunted by the past, its now a ghost town, a physical reminder of darker times following the Greco-Turkish war.

Its crumbling buildings swallowed by greenery are starkly beautiful and deeply eerie, even more so as the cooler seasons creep in and sea mists descend. Todays visitors pay a three-euro fee to wander its uneven lanes and alleyways. Heres what CNN discovered on its visit.

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Babylon, in modern Iraq, meanwhile, was the jewel of Mesopotamia and one of the most important cities in antiquity. Today, its ancient ruins are a site in distress, its paths overgrown and facilities scarce. But when the late afternoon sun hangs heavy over Hillah, its steps and statues bathed in heat and light, visitors still feel that they are standing in the footprints of kings.

Americas most haunted

The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in West Virginia looks like the asylum of nightmares and for many, it was. But it started out as a place of compassion whose massive overcrowding led to desperate measures by doctors and staff. Daily and nightly tours now offer visitors its complex history, along with an occasional paranormal scare.

Many former asylums are now macabre tourist attractions, whose treatment of their subject matter can range from the sensitive to the sensationalist. CNN delved deeper into the surprisingly hopeful history of asylum tourism in America.

In case you missed it

A monster shut down schools in this riverside town in 1967.

Residents still want answers.

How funerals became New Orleans most joyful street parties.

Brass music is in the citys DNA.

The surprising origin of Chicagos infamous rat hole.

The public got this one wrong.

Shes 94 and dresses in clothes from a bygone era.

Now strangers search for the woman known as the last queen.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Let me be frank: The President of the United States is out of his mind, and nobodys doing a goddamned thing about it. What do I mean? Any number of red flags, really, but in particular right now its the latest five hundred words of blithering lunacy he shared on his bitcoin mining operation social media site Tuesday night. They are not the words of a man elected to lead the worlds most powerful nation. They are, instead, those of a malevolent Don Quixote tilting at a cancer-causing, bird-kill
Bostons No Kings protest drew crowds of thousands to Boston Common Saturday for what was a peaceful demonstration against the Trump administration, with protesters calling out what they saw as a worrying authoritarian trend for the country.

Over the course of about four hours, protesters filled the common, many carrying signs or wearing shirts denouncing the administration. Attendees came from Boston and around the state, with residents of Bridgewater, Lynn and Westborough all making the trek.

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Some protesters gathered near a stage to hear the days speaking program and listen to live music, while others simply milled about the park. Among the most crowded areas was a row of tables set up by various organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, Homes for All Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

The days speaking program was headlined by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, but featured surprise appearances from many other prominent political voices, including the states two U.S senators and three members of its congressional delegation.

Boston Police maintained a visible presence on the common, but stayed out of the crowds. The department did not make any arrests during the protest, a spokesman confirmed to MassLive Saturday afternoon.

A surprising number of those who gathered Saturday did so in costume, including John Hoyer, 63, of Lynn, who dressed as an inflatable lobster.

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He explained the costumes were an effort to counter the narrative that the protesters were violent. Using humor is a major way to fight an authoritarian regime, he said.

The huge crowd filling the common, Hoyer said, makes my heart soar.

That was a common sentiment among protesters, who seemed to relish the opportunity to be surrounded by those who felt similarly to them.

Jessica Millet, 45, came from Bridgewater to see the crowds in the states largest city. Silence or sitting out the protest was not an option, she said.

That implies were OK with it, said Millet, who carried an American flag with her.

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Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell called for leadership and action, telling the fired-up crowd that Massachusetts doesnt back down.

We are just getting started! she proclaimed.

While the crowd trended older, some parents brought their children, ranging from infants to teenagers.

Tiffany Glasier, 49, of Westborough, attended with her two children, Violet and Gunner Shimer, who are 16 and 14, respectively.

Gunner Shimer, who is trans, said they feared losing their rights.

Its crazy, Shimer said. Just let people be.

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley said shes tired of people who carry a mouthful of scriptures but a heart full of hate.

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Many of the politicians who spoke recounted Bostons revolutionary history.

Wu told the crowd, in Boston, every day is no kings day

Massachusetts has kicked out a king before, she noted, adding and wed do it again.

Joseph Hunt, 82, who was passing out flyers on behalf of Massachusetts Peace Action, which advocates for peaceful U.S. foreign policy actions, similarly recalled the citys role as a revolutionary hotspot.

This is democracy in action, he said. This is what matters.

Many protesters carried signs denouncing the administrations immigration crackdown, including many that mocked Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, which has detained thousands of people across the country since Trumps election.

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Bob Keener, 69, of Needham, said the administrations unlawful deportations made his blood boil.

Virginia Pratt, 68, of Jamaica Plain, similarly pointed to ICE raids as a major concern.

This is not the America we envisioned, she said.

At one point, a crowd gathered around Soldiers and Sailors Monument began chanting, No ICE, no fear, immigrants are welcome here as a brass band played.

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey called out the U.S. Supreme Court for giving a green light to racial profiling in our country.

There was no organized group of counter-protesters at the event, but a handful of Trump supporters still made their way to the event.

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Laura Simpson, 52, of Cambridge, who wore a hat bearing Trumps Make America Great Again slogan, said those who opposed the president were crying like little babies every day.

We love our president, she said.

Shawn Nelson, 47, of Boston, who wore a vest with the American flag on it, urged the protesters to go home. They have no clue what theyre talking about, he said.

While most of those who gathered did so because of a distaste for the countrys direction under Trump, the mood was not dour.

Eileen Kurkoski, of Newton, who, like Pratt, is a member of the Womens International League for Peace and Freedom, said she believed the message coming from those gathered Saturday afternoon was strong.

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I have hope, she said.

Perhaps no single member of the crowd embodied the festive atmosphere more than Jonah Philibert.

The 30-year-old from Foxborough walked around the park on stilts Saturday afternoon, which he said was an effort to create a spectacle.

This is the sort of thing that needs as much attention as possible, he said. This isnt the first and it wont be the last.

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From a man dressed in an inflatable squirrel costume shouting Trump is nuts! to a handmade sign that read Proud anti-fascist, organizers estimated more than 1,000 people marched and chanted through downtown Valparaiso Saturday for a No Kings protest.

The No Kings protest in Valparaiso was part of roughly 2,500 similar demonstrations against the Trump administration planned across the country and globe.

Participants, many of whom took part in a similar, smaller protest in June, said the larger crowd and higher energy could be attributed to the growing displeasure over the actions of President Donald Trump in the ensuing months, including an immigration crackdown, tariffs and climbing prices, and attacks on Trumps perceived enemies.

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Increasing concerns about our democracy and whats at stake transcend political affiliation, and I think were at a juncture I havent seen in my lifetime, said Valparaiso attorney Don Evans, who attended the protest with his wife, Kathy.

He participated in the June No Kings protest in Michigan City but said Saturdays event had more urgency.

The undermining of key institutions of democracy has progressed and is very disturbing, he said, noting the gutting of healthcare, the shutdown of the U.S. Agency for International Developments assistance around the globe, and Trumps use of the Attorney Generals Office against his perceived enemies.

Attempts by the Trump administration to equate demonstrations with terrorism, Evans said, are particularly disturbing, and incongruent with our Constitutions founding principles.

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The large crowd could be attributed to the growing number of people since Junes protest who oppose the Trump administrations actions, Deb McLeod, one of the protests organizers, said.

We have more Republicans, we have more veterans, we have more conservatives. We have more people who realize we have no due process, she said. We are so much stronger now than we were then.

The protests in the Chicago area were expected to draw significant crowds as pushback against the presidents recent immigration crackdown in the Chicago area, Operation Midway Blitz, which includes Lake County in Indiana, and a bid to federalize National Guard troops.

Northwest Indiana has seen a surge of immigration arrests in recent weeks as part of that action, pushing the leaders of local communities, including Hammond, Gary and East Chicago, to publicly declare that immigration authorities are not welcome to use city property as staging areas.

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Protesters in Valparaiso started in front of City Hall on Lincolnway with call and response chants of Show me what democracy looks like and This is what democracy looks like. Many people carried No Kings signs provided by organizers.

With a contingent of Valparaiso Police officers and Porter County Sheriffs Department deputies on hand, the large crowd followed police instructions to cross streets only in the crosswalk when they had the light to do so.

The protesters headed east to the front of the Porter County Courthouse, where the bulk of the crowd congregated, and then looped around the courthouse square and back to City Hall.

Many passing drivers honked in support of the protest, generating cheers and whoops, though at least one driver shouted Go, Trump! and another waved Trump and Confederate flags from his pickup truck.

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A handful of people also gathered in support of Trump, including Ted Coules, who wore a black T-shirt that said Support ICE and walked through the crowd, recording his interactions with protesters.

Coules, who grew up in Valparaiso, said he was not with a particular group and was not affiliated with another man wearing a black T-shirt with the message Wokeness breeds weakness, though they had similar microphone setups and appeared to be doing the same thing.

I just wanted to come out here today and have a conversation and determine the veracity of their conclusions based on whats going on in the world, Coules said.

Inflatable costumes of all sorts, from dinosaurs to lobsters, also dotted the crowd. One woman, who lives in Valparaiso but declined to give her name, wore a Tyrannosaurus rex costume. Though shes been to other protests, this was her first one as a dinosaur.

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Protesters in Portland, Oregon, who have been sporting similar outfits, inspired her costume because the getups make violence (against protesters) look ridiculous, and it is.

She is concerned about the economy and tariffs, Trumps ongoing executive orders, and the militarization of immigration authorities. Our country was founded on immigration. This is a Gestapo tactic, she said.

Even the Orville Redenbacher statue, sitting on a park bench in Central Park Plaza, seemed to take part, with a sign that said Resisting kings since 1776 hanging off of his leg.

Alan Spaeth and his husband Eddie passed out yellow No Kings flags with rainbow markings. The two live in Chicago, where Alan owns a small business, and have a place in Beverly Shores but decided their presence would have more impact in Valparaiso than it would at Chicagos No Kings protest.

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I grew up in rural Michigan and this is where people need to speak up, Alan Spaeth said of smaller communities.

Pat DaVaney of Liberty Township said Saturdays protest was the biggest rally in Valparaiso since she started attending them earlier this year.

I think its everything hes taking away from people, she said of Trump. Hes gone after the economy, hes gone after immigrants. Hes gone rogue. Every day you think hes reached his limit and he comes up with something else, and now its no vaccines for kids.

alavalley@chicagotribune.com
NEED TO KNOW

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has shared new updates surronding the disappearance of Kada Scott

Scott was last seen leaving work on the night of Oct. 4 after allegedly being harassed via phone calls for days

Suspect Keon King was arrested on Oct. 15 in connection with Scotts disappearance

New details have surfaced in the case of Kada Scott, a 23-year-old Pennsylvania woman who vanished after allegedly being harassed.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner revealed new information about the case in a press conference on Friday, Oct. 17, two days after Keon King was arrested in connection with Scotts disappearance.

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In the conference, which was livestreamed by NBC 10 Philadelphia, Krasner said that other alleged victims of King, 21, have come forward to authorities since his arrest. He was taken into custody on Wednesday, Oct. 15, the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) previously confirmed to PEOPLE.

After calling the community effort to assist investigators with the case unprecedented, the district attorney said, We even have some information about additional victims of this defendant from incidents that never resulted in an arrest.

"I think part of what is happening here, and its good news, is that young people are seeing themselves in Kada, Krasner continued. Older people see their kids, and they would like to know that everyone is doing everything they can, no matter how perfectly or imperfectly, but theyre doing everything to try to deal with this horrific situation.

GoFundMe Kada Scott Kada Scott

King was previously charged in an unrelated case with kidnapping and strangulation earlier this year, but those charges were withdrawn when the alleged victim did not appear in court. In the press conference, Krasner addressed this, citing the cash bail system as the primary issue that led to the withdrawal.

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He claimed the district attorneys office requested around $1 million bail for King for the initial kidnapping case, but it was set at less. Keon King had access to a lot of money, Krasner said, adding that King posted the bail almost immediately.

"That victim is more likely to walk in the door of the courthouse and testify if that victim knows that the defendant cant walk out right behind her if hes locked up," he explained. "Well, he wasnt locked up here."

Krasner also urged any other potential victims of King  or anyone with information on Scott's whereabouts  to come forward, and stressed the multiagency effort to find the missing woman.

I want to make sure that we are keeping the public update, and I want to make sure that people understand that the FBI, the Philadelphia Police Department, the D.A.s office, other law enforcement partners are working 24/7 on this case and are doing everything we can with the remarkable, unusual, extraordinary support and help coming from the public to address the situation we all face, he said.

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Scott was last seen leaving an assisted living facility where she worked on the night of Oct. 4, police previously alleged. Authorities alleged she was receiving harassing phone calls in the days leading up to her disappearance.

Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski previously declined to comment on whether King is linked to the alleged harassing phone calls.

Philadelphia Police Department Keon King's mugshot Keon King's mugshot

King was the last person in contact with [Scott] when her cell phone and social media activities dropped, Toczylowski said in an Oct. 15 press conference, which was livestreamed by 6 ABC. Authorities also released photos of a vehicle of interest, with Toczylowski stating investigators believe King is connected to the vehicle, and that Scott may have been in that vehicle.

As for the previous kidnapping and strangulation case, in which charges were withdrawn, Toczylowski said investigators believe these alleged offenses are a "pattern" of King's and said authorities are refiling those charges.

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.

Scott's family has set up a GoFundMe to raise funds for "credible information that leads directly to Kadas safe recovery."

We just want her home safe, her family wrote in the fundraiser.

Read the original article on People
NEED TO KNOW

Prosecutors are sharing more details about model Maleesa Mooney's murder and the connection she had with her alleged killer, Magnus Humphrey

Mooney's friend testified at a court hearing that although the pair had only been romantically involved for a few days, Humphrey had become "obsessive"

When Mooney was found dead in her Los Angeles apartment on Sept. 12, 2023, she was two months pregnant

Prosecutors are sharing more details about Maleesa Mooney's murder  and the connection she had with her alleged killer.

During a Los Angeles court hearing on Thursday, Oct. 16, prosecutors claimed that Magnus Humphrey, 43, and Mooney, 31, were involved romantically for five days before her September 2023 death, the Los Angeles Times reported.

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Attorneys said the two were introduced by Humphrey's estranged brother. Mooney's friend, Kiersten Dossett, testified at the hearing that although the pair had only known each other for a few days, Humphrey had become "obsessive."



"Thats my girl, thats my woman," Humphrey would say about Mooney, her friend testified, adding that in the five days they were together, they rarely were "more than one foot apart." Humphrey also made comments about marrying the model, who attended a family barbecue with him.

Hennepin County Sheriffs Office Magnus Humphrey Magnus Humphrey

Also at the hearing, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) forensic analysts and detectives testified that Mooney's body was found in a refrigerator. She was bound with electrical cords and fabric from a dress, and a piece of clothing was shoved three inches into her mouth, per the Times.

Additional evidence presented in court on Thursday showed that Mooney had clumps of hair torn from her head, as well as bruising on her body that suggested she had been whipped and beaten.

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Brice Hunt, a medical examiner with the Los Angeles County coroner's office, said that Mooney's cause of death was "homicidal violence," probably caused by asphyxiation. Investigators have not said whether Mooney was alive when she was placed in the refrigerator.

Deputy District Attorney Antonella Nistorescu said during the hearing that the murder was "a cold, calculated, premeditated act of violence," the Times reported.

No motive has been suggested, but Nistorescu said that Mooney and Humphrey may have had a dispute over money.

Humphrey's public defender, Michael Lambrose, argued that the case against his client is "thin," stating that no one witnessed the killing and no one who knew the two witnessed any aggression from Humphrey toward Mooney.

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.

Additionally, Lambrose argued that the DNA evidence showed that Humphrey was at the crime scene and that he had had sex with Mooney, but didn't prove he murdered her.

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"All of the evidence we have to his mental state is that he cared very deeply about this person  that they talked about getting married," Lambrose said, per the Times.



By the end of Thursday's hearing, a judge ruled that there was enough evidence for Humphrey to stand trial for the torture and murder of Mooney. The Times reported that Humphrey is eligible for the death penalty, but the Los Angeles district attorney's office has not made a decision about whether they will pursue it.

AP Photo/John Antczak A street-side memorial for Maleesa Mooney in downtown Los Angeles in 2023 A street-side memorial for Maleesa Mooney in downtown Los Angeles in 2023

The LAPD said in a previous news release that officers responded to a welfare check for Mooney at her L.A. apartment on Sept. 12, 2023, at approximately 3:54 p.m. local time. When officers arrived on the scene and searched Mooneys apartment, they found the 31-year-old dead inside.

She had been beaten and bound before being stuffed into her own refrigerator, according to an autopsy.

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The model was last seen on video surveillance at her apartment on Sept. 6. Law enforcement officials entered the residence on Sept. 12 after the models mother requested a welfare check.

According to the victims sister, Jourdin Pauline, Mooney was two months pregnant.

The LAPD said in a news release in February 2024 that detectives had identified Humphrey, from Hopkins, Minn., as a suspect in Mooneys death.

Humphrey was arrested at his home on a separate, unrelated federal warrant for narcotics charges and extradited to California.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



Read the original article on People
Police detain a protestor as people gather to stage a rally in front of the ICE building after the recent dismantling of the facility's security fence in Broadview, Illinois, Chicago, United States on October 17, 2025. Credit - Jacek BoczarskiAnadolu

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is facing questions from lawmakers over the shooting of a U.S. citizen by Border Patrol agents in Chicago after a criminal complaint filed against the victim differed from the agency's initial description of events.

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat representing Connecticut, has written to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem asking for her to correct the public record and release all bodycam footage of the incident, claiming that "the evidence appears to contradict" the official account.

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"As you know, when the government misrepresents or lies about events involving the safety and wellbeing of federal law enforcement, it erodes public trust, making their jobs much harder," he said in the letter.

Read More: Military-Style ICE Raid On Chicago Apartment Building Shows Escalation in Trumps Crackdown

Murphy accused the DHS and the Trump administration of omitting facts in some cases, and in other cases, they are straight up lying in order to support their narrative that these Democratic-led cities and states are war zones.

This isn't information. It's propaganda, he said in a video posted to social media.

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Marimar Martinez, a 30-year-old U.S. citizen, was shot multiple times by a federal agent after the DHS alleged she was involved in ramming the car of Border Patrol agents in Chicago earlier this month. Her attorneys and the DHSand even different bodies within the U.S. governmenthave conflicting depictions of who is at fault for the escalation prior to the shots fired.

Just hours after Martinez was shot, the DHS released a statement from Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin that said that federal agents were rammed by vehicles and boxed in by 10 cars. The statement also alleged that one of the people who boxed in the agents, who it later identified as Martinez, was armed with a semi-automatic weapon. After the collision of cars, agents exited the vehicle and fired five times at Martinezshots that McLaughlin said were defensive shots.

Law enforcement was forced to deploy their weapons and fired defensive shots at an armed US citizen who drove herself to the hospital to get care for wounds, the statement released on Oct. 4 said. The statement also says that Martinez had already been named in a Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) intelligence bulletin for doxing ICE agents on the internet

Murphy noted, however, that the criminal complaint filed against Martinez the next day tells a different story. The complaint, written by FBI Special Agent Caitlin Malone, said that only two cars rammed federal agent vehicles, rather than the overwhelming 10. There is no mention of her brandishing a weapon, as the original DHS statement implied, nor any firearms at all on Martinez.

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Police audio later confirmed that Martinez had a concealed carry permit for a weapon that stayed inside her purse throughout the incident, according to Fox Chicago.

Senator Murphy said the incident is part of a pattern of behavior from DHS wherein the agency publishes misleading information in an attempt to justify violent incidents.

So the DHS statement which they rush out three hours after the shooting to try to justify what happened. It's just filled with misleading and false claims, and it's really disturbing because it's becoming their standard practice, Murphy said in the video posted to social media.

DHS did not respond to a request for comment from TIME.

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Murphy also attempted to debunk the DHS claims that Chicago police abandoned federal agents after the ramming incident by showing videos of Chicago police officers on scene after Martinez was shot, and clips of officers wiping their eyes after being affected by teargas deployed by agents.

Martinez has been indicted by a grand jury and has pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against her, including assaulting, resisting, and impeding officers. Her attorneys claim that it was federal agents who swerved into Martinez, rather than the other way around.

Christopher Parente, an attorney representing Martinez, said he had seen bodycam footage from the incident that will prove her innocence, and that it even contradicts the claims that she directly threatened agents with her vehicle.

He's driving with one hand, and he turns it to the left, Parente told CNN anchor Omar Jimenez of the content in the bodycam footage. In my experience, when you turn your wheel to the left, your car goes to the left, which is where her car was.

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Read More: Push Back Against Tyranny: Chicago and Illinois Fight Trumps Intensifying Crackdown

Parente says he usually would not speak to the media until after the trial was over, but he is attempting to combat what he says is misinformation regarding Martinezs case.

The public needs to see this is not what they've been sold by the government, he continued. This is not a domestic terrorist. This is a 30-year-old Montessori School teacher with no criminal history who's never done anything close to what they're saying.

According to a Chicago-Sun Times report, her attorney also said the body camera footage shows an agent holding an assault rifle prior to shooting Martinez, saying, Do something b- - - -h.

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During a court hearing last week, U.S. federal attorneys revealed that one of the key pieces of evidence had been relocated 1,000 miles from the court. The federal vehicle that the government says Martinez rammed is now in Maine, rather than Chicago, Assistant US Attorney Aaron Bond said.

I think you need to get the car back, US District Court Judge Georgia Alexakis ordered Bond, according to CNN. Its a reasonable request. Theres only so much you can tell from photos.

In his letter, Murphy calls on the DHS to investigate potential excessive use of force and to release evidence into their claim that they looked into Martinez prior to the incident.

He also questions how conservative activist Laura Loomer seemingly received photographs of Martinezs car, which she posted on social media and claimed that a DHS Source provided her. Loomer perpetuated the now-debunked belief that Martinez drove herself to the hospital following being shot by DHS officers. Murphy calls on Noem to describe whether DHS is investigating the leak of alleged criminal evidence to Ms. Loomer. 

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Murphys calls for an investigation come as the Trump Administrations use of immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency agents and escalated immigration enforcement in Chicago come under heavy fire. Democratic leadership in Chicago and Illinois is fighting back heavily against Trumps federal agents in the city, with Mayor Brandon Johnson creating ICE-free zones to limit where federal authorities can operate.

Chicago residents are also fighting back with protests across the city, including regular demonstrations outside of an ICE facility in the suburb of Broadview.

More than 1,000 arrests have been made across Illinois in Operation Midway Blitz, according to DHS, which has included detaining and arresting people in military-style raids with tactics that Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said should never be used on children in a functioning democracy.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Democrats in Congress on Saturday criticized the Trump administration's decision to buy two Gulfstream G700 jets for $172 million during the ongoing government shutdown that are to be used by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other senior leaders.

The U.S. Coast Guard entered into a sole-source contract on Friday, according to a government contracting website. The jets will be used for the Coast Guards Long Range Command Control fleet of aircraft.

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DHS said in a statement late Friday that the new jets are needed because it currently relies on a Gulfstream CG-101 G550 jet that is over 20 years old, outside of the aircrafts service life "and well beyond operational usage hours for a corporate aircraft."

The department said it would not allow the federal shutdown "to slow down this process" of replacing the jet, but Democrats want to know where the money is coming from.

"Your first priority should be to organize, train and equip a Coast Guard that is strong enough to meet today's mission requirements. Instead, it appears your first priority is your own comfort," Democratic Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Lauren Underwood wrote in a letter to Noem.

This week, DHS said it would pay more than 70,000 sworn police officers, including TSA air marshals but not the 50,000 TSA security personnel that operate airport checkpoints.

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Representative Bennie Thompson, the top Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee, called for a probe of the purchase. "Such spending is blatantly immoral  and probably illegal  and Congress must investigate," Thompson said in a statement on Saturday.

Thompson said Congress rejected a DHS request for a $50 million jet earlier this year. He noted Coast Guard service members are using some mission-critical aircraft dating back to the 1980s.

Bloomberg Government first reported the planned purchases earlier.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by Diane Craft)
Discarded cup at sheriffs office connects Conyers man to 5 decades-old rape cases

A cup left inside the Rockdale County Sheriffs Office last year linked a Conyers man to five rapes in New York, according to investigators.

I didnt do this! I didnt do none of this! shouted Michael Benjamin as detectives arrested him.

Benjamin was convicted of attempted rape in 1991 in New York, according to sex offender registry records.

Because of that, he had to register as a sex offender for life.

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He moved to Georgia, and over the past 10 years, records show he has been showing up for the required check-ins and photographs.

Then, in May 2024, Rockdale County deputies grabbed a cup he drank out of during a visit and submitted it for DNA analysis.

TRENDING STORIES:

New technology matched the DNA on the cup to five rape cases in Queens County, New York, from 1995 to 1997.

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In the 1995 case, a woman said a man broke into her home through a window while she slept, pulled a sheet over her head, raped and robbed her.

In 1996, a second woman said a man broke into her home while she slept, covered her head with a jacket, and raped her.

Again, that year, a third woman said a man attacked her as she walked into her front door and threatened to kill her child and husband if she did not comply.

In 1997, two more women said someone raped and robbed them at gunpoint on the same day.

My client vigorously, vehemently, and vociferously denied these allegations, said Defense Attorney Jospeh Amsel.

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Records show Benjamin has lived in Douglasville, Georgia, and, most recently, in Conyers.

Neighbors there were not ready to talk publicly. Some were surprised. Some were not.

Benjamin has asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation where Benjamin worked while living in the state.

Benjamin has not been charged with any crimes in Georgia.

One man told Channel 2s Courtney Francisco that Benjamin broke into the gate outside his home for an unknown reason. He did not report it to police.
Bollywood actor Salman Khan extended warm Diwali greetings at the Kalina airport, following his return to Mumbai on Friday. The actor was given a rousing welcome by the eager paparazzi who were seen calling out his name and even sharing 'Happy Diwali' wishes. In response to the shoutout, Salman obliged the media by waving his hand toward them and folding his hands in gratitude. At one point, the actor also greeted them by wishing "Happy Diwali." Before heading towards his car, Salman came to the front and posed for the media for one final time. Around the same time, Shah Rukh Khan also arrived at the Kalina Aiport. The actor refrained from making an appearance for the media as he was escorted to the car amid heavy security and umbrellas to guard from the cameras. Earlier this week, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Aamir Khan marked an epic reunion with popular YouTube star MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson). The superstars also attended the grand Joy Forum 2025, where they shared deep admiration for each other. At the event, Salman said, "Aamir Khan comes from a film background, and so do I. But this man, Shah Rukh Khan, doesn't," to which the 'Jawan' star responded, "Sorry for interrupting, I also come from a film background, Salman Khan's family is my family." Voicing the admiration that he shares for Aamir and Salman, Shah Rukh said, "I look up to Salman Khan and Aamir Khan. Look at me, I'm still looking up to Salman. I look up to them because of the kinds of ups and downs they've faced, and the work they've done, starting from scratch and working their way up to this. These people are aspirational and inspirational, and somewhere I feel really thankful that I have the opportunity to sit on the same stage." On the work front, Salman will be seen donning the Indian Army uniform in Apoorva Lakhia's directorial 'Battle of Galwan', which is based on the Galwan Valley clashes at the India-China border in 2020. At the same time, Salman continues to host the popular reality show 'Bigg Boss 19.' (ANI)
The suitcase is one of those old-fashioned ones, brown leather with a cream-coloured fabric lining. Stickers from faraway places on the exterior. Shiny brass clasps to fasten it and hold its secrets inside. For decades, its contents were safely contained, kept out of sight by the man to whom they, and the case, belonged.

For decades, the contents of Peter Eastons suitcase were a mystery to his family - Thomas Duffield

Peter Easton was a straight-laced man. He worked in PR, got married and had three children, before standing (unsuccessfully) as a Liberal candidate for Parliament in the mid-1970s. He lived in London and in his downtime enjoyed car rallies and military marching music.

As a father, perhaps he was a little remote at times. Often busy with work, out of the house or holed up in his home office. He was quite reticent as a person, says his youngest child, Antony Easton. Very square and conservative, my dad.

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Antony knew a little about his fathers past, but not much.

He kept it to himself, says Antony. And when youre young youre not going to ask intelligent questions about it, youre going to ask basic questions, and he gave me some basic answers.

It wasnt until Peter died in 2009 that Antony, now 61, delved into the suitcase and learnt the truth about his father. Its mysterious contents proved to be the start of a trail that would take him on an extraordinary journey into his familys past. One that would reveal who his ancestors were and how they had lost a colossal fortune when forced to flee Nazi Germany.

Following his fathers death, Antony used the documents he found to trace a line back to the turn of the 20th century - Thomas Duffield

A new BBC Radio 4 series, The House at Number 48, follows Antony as he uncovers the story, tracing a line from the contents of the suitcase back to the turn of the 20th century. Piecing back together the fragments of a shattered history, he discovers his relatives lives that were erased, and how much else their descendants lost to the Holocaust.

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Sitting at the dining table in his sunlit west London mews house, surrounded by stylish framed pictures and books stacked in artful piles, Antony tells The Telegraph what happened when he opened that unassuming-looking brown case.

It was 16 years ago and Peter, at 85, had ended his days in the New Forest port town of Lymington.

After he died, I remember I went into his apartment, a small apartment, and I saw my dads suitcase on top of a cupboard, says Antony. I opened it up and realised hed divided everything up into decades. He sort of left a little roadmap. I dont know who he did it for. If you dont want people to find stuff out, chuck it out. But I think he realised how precious some of those things were.

Antony admits that as a child, he had peeked in the case and was intrigued by the little he had seen. But he sensed back then that he wasnt supposed to be snooping. Now, he started combing through its contents in earnest. They included everything from postcards, aeroplane tickets and medals to handwritten journals, German banknotes and old German paperwork. Internal pockets held detailed notebooks, photographs and envelopes bearing Peters handwriting.

I opened it up and realised hed divided everything up into decades, says Antony - Thomas Duffield

Among his possessions, there was also a family tree dating back to 1710. It had two names at the top and 100 at the bottom, all scratchily penned in German.

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It amounted to a record of Peters life and how he had come to Britain. It was also, as Antony suggests, quite possibly a message from beyond the grave. Antony had to find out more and began to dig into the secrets contained in the suitcase.

Initially, the language barrier was a problem. Antony didnt speak German, and so didnt understand a lot of what he was looking at. Growing up in 1960s and 1970s London, he hadnt dwelled too much on his fathers past. Im an English kid, as he says.

A public schoolboy with a love of punk rock, he had sat his A-levels, gone to art school, entered the advertising industry and found success working for Saatchi & Saatchi.

Both sides of his family were Jewish, but Antonys upbringing was not a religious one. His father didnt go to synagogue. If he had a German accent, it wasnt a strong one.

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On the face of it, Peter had left his German identity behind when he fled his country as a child, along with his parents and sister. When he volunteered to join the British Army in 1942, he adopted the surname of Easton after being advised against fighting for the Allies with his original German one. He took his new surname from the Scottish village that an Army comrade was born in.

In fact, hed been born Peter Eisner and, as Antony would discover, had belonged to one of pre-war Germanys pre-eminent Jewish industrialist families.

A birth certificate showed that Antonys father had been born Peter Rudolf Hans Eisner  not Peter Easton  on August 17, 1924 in Charlottenburg, Berlin - Thomas Duffield

In the documents Antony discovered after his father died, one name kept recurring  Hahnsche Werke  but he didnt know to what it referred. Fortuitously, at around this time, his childhood au pair happened to get in touch when she heard of Peters death. She was Swiss-German and so could speak the language. Although she had terminal cancer and was abroad, she visited Antony in London. When he told her about his fathers German paperwork that had fallen into his hands, she offered to help him translate it and find out what she could.

In the final weeks of her life, she came across an image of a painting. It depicted the inside of a steelworks owned by Hahnsche Werke. The name of the man who commissioned the painting was Heinrich Eisner. Documents suggest that he was Antonys great-grandfather. He was also co-owner of the Hahnsche Werke steel business.

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The [image of the] painting turned up and became a little bit of a cornerstone of understanding, says Antony.

It served as his first step towards understanding the enormity of his familys company. Further research turned up his great-grandfather Heinrichs 1918 newspaper obituaries, which he found in the Leo Baeck Institute archives of German-speaking Jewish history. Antony was astounded.

They were literally obituaries to die for, he says. They said, As long as Berlin exists, this mans name will be venerated. His life was full of joy and philanthropy.

From 1900 to 1915, Heinrich had been head of Berlins Jewish chamber of commerce, the obituaries revealed. He was the senior non-religious Jewish person in Berlin, says Antony.

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At the turn of the 20th century, the Eisners would have been multibillionaires in todays money. Yet Antony had known nothing about Heinrich, the man behind it all.

There was a real dissonance between this guy and what Id grown up with, he says.

But, as he points out, a lot happened between his great-grandfathers death and 1945. By the time Peter returned from the Army, his own father, Rudolf, had died at age 58 after an illness.

So all that story is gone, the whole lot is gone, says Antony, trying to make sense of how it was that hed known so little about his illustrious great-grandfather.

A sheet of visa/passport photographs of Peters father, Rudolf Eisner, aged 50, taken in 1938 in Prague when he was trying to leave continental Europe - Thomas Duffield

With the help of a researcher, Antonys investigation led him to a map of the company that Heinrich co-owned, and which, when he died, had passed to Rudolf and his brother, Paul. It revealed that they had owned 30 sites across Europe. Antony has been told it was probably the biggest mining and steel concern in Germany, probably worth about $1bn.

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It was a massive company, he says. The Eisners had owned around half of it, the Hahn family the other half.

But this wasnt the Eisners only financial interest in Germany. Before the Second World War, they had also owned land and multiple properties, including a 25-block apartment in Berlin, a large villa and a townhouse.

They were all stolen from them, says Antony.

In this respect, their story mirrors those of so many Holocaust victims and survivors. Where it differs is in the scale of what was stolen.

After the Nazis came to power in Germany in 1933, like many other Jewish families, the Eisners didnt immediately flee the danger. They thought, and no doubt hoped, that they might be able to stay. Despite escalating persecution of Jews  whose businesses were officially boycotted, whose rights were stripped and who were rapidly being forced out of public life  Antonys grandfather Rudolf was still there in 1937. He was trying to save himself, says Antony.

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In this endeavour, he seemed to have a saviour. His name, Martin Hartig, popped up repeatedly in a guest book that Peter had kept from his familys country estate outside Berlin.

My warmest thanks for the continued friendship, says one entry from Hartig before the war.

Wondering who this man could be, and why his name kept appearing in the guest book, Antony did some more digging. He found a clue in some German archives, where Hartig was described as an economist and tax adviser. Unlike the Eisners, Hartig wasnt Jewish.

The question Antony had was whether this man had truly been trying to help his family navigate the dangers and difficulties of running a large business as Jews in Nazi Germany  or whether there was something altogether darker going on.

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Obviously there are lots and lots of warnings through the 1930s, so people like Hartig turn up and say, I can help you, you say, OK, says Antony.

Peter Easton, left, then a Liberal Party candidate for Shoreham and Steyning, with party leader David Steel outside the Houses of Parliament in 1976 - Thomas Duffield

By February 1938, as the Nazi chokehold on Jewish life tightened, Rudolf and his wife, Hildegard (Antonys paternal grandmother) finally realised they would have to leave Berlin; to leave their country behind. To do so, they had to pay a flight tax levelled at those leaving Germany. The tax had been introduced in 1931, before Adolf Hitler was chancellor, but with large numbers of Jews trying to escape, the Nazis increased it to punitive levels. The Eisners would have had to empty their bank accounts to pay the vast sum, says Antony.

Records found in Peters suitcase showed that the family took a train out of Germany and arrived in Prague, where they moved into an apartment in the centre. Once out of the country, their business was sold at a fire-sale price and removed from their ownership.

Although they still had their properties, this was not for long. Back in Germany, the Gestapo were busy seizing the homes of Jewish families who had fled. Hartig showed up in Prague and, says Antony, his family gave him power of attorney over everything, all their assets. He then transferred the properties to himself, which meant they could no longer be seized by the Nazis.

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The problem was he never gave them back. And the Eisners still werent safe.

On March 15 1939, just days after they had given Hartig power of attorney, Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia. The family had to run again.

They took a train to Warsaw and, as a baggage tag kept by Peter shows, travelled onwards to Copenhagen. From here they caught one of the last ships to leave mainland Europe for Britain, on July 6 1939. Some of their relatives would die in Czechoslovakias Theresienstadt concentration camp.

Like tens of thousands of other European Jews, they found refuge in Britain.

Not immediately, however. Rudolf was initially interned as an enemy alien on the Isle of Man, along with other Germans, Jewish and non-Jewish alike. Antony believes his grandfather got out in around 1942, though he says the timeline isnt clear.

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He died in London in their apartment, but Im not entirely sure how long he was there for, Antony says.

In a later letter to Rudolfs sister, who had moved to California by then, Hildegard wrote that in London, her late husband had spent the unhappiest days of his life. You can understand why, says Antony. Everything was lost.

Peter, aged eight, in 1932, when the family were still living in Berlin - Thomas Duffield

Peter was in his mid-teens when he came to Britain with his parents. He started school in Highgate, north London, just as the war broke out.

Hes a German kid, probably didnt have much English, and he ended up at a British public school, which must have been very hard for him, says Antony.

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He was evacuated while still in his teens, before joining the Army, and gradually left behind his old life and, to some extent, identity.

When he died, in the eulogy I said, This is for two people: a German kid and a British adult, says Antony. I think thats why he didnt really go on about his past. You talk to people from that generation, to survivors, and people just wanted to move on.

It was a common response to the trauma. To bury it, not speak of it. To try to move on with life in a new country. How could there even be words, after all, to grapple with such horror?

Peter didnt see himself as a Holocaust survivor, says his son, who believes that there were things his father didnt know and didnt want to know.

From left: Peters sister Helens confirmation certificate; Rudolf and Hildegards wedding certificate; Helens birth certificate - Thomas Duffield

I read that its the third generation after trauma that can look at the trauma, and I can do this, says Antony. My dad could look at it a little bit, but he didnt want to. He wanted to get on with his life. My grandmother was broken by it, destroyed by it utterly.

There were  are  reparations available for those whose lives, or whose families lives, were destroyed. Hildegard received a payout in around 1950 that represented a fraction of what the Eisners had lost. If the family had been properly compensated, it would have been a sum in the billions in todays money, Antony understands.

The Jewish Claims Conference, founded in 1951, secures compensation for Holocaust survivors around the world. In the mid-1990s, Peter had some help with pursuing a claim.

They finally paid out two years ago, says Antony. My dad has been dead for 16 years.

Again, the sum paid out is believed to be far below the true value of what Peter should have inherited.

Antony is continuing the fight for compensation today. He is trying to recover the paintings that were taken from his family. Recovering their money and property is very difficult, he says.

The statute of limitations has passed for restitutions of property in West Germany, so families who lost homes in that region cant make a claim for them now. But investigating any avenues that do remain open has become something of a mission for Antony, a thing that he can do for his family. The motivation is to get a sense of justice, he says.

His pursuit of the truth took him to Germany, where one of his familys properties  the house at number 48 in Berlin  remains in the Hartig family.

Accompanied by a BBC production team, Antony met Hartigs elderly daughter and some of Hartigs other descendants. He discovered that, in the daughters eyes, her father was a hero who saved this Jewish family from the Nazis. Antony didnt have the heart to suggest to her otherwise.

A handwritten recipe book that was started by Antonys grandmother Hildegard in 1916 and left behind when she escaped Berlin with her family - Thomas Duffield

It was not exactly a historical reckoning, but he did leave with something more tangible: a 100-page cookbook that the Hartig family handed to him, full of recipes in Hildegards handwriting. It had remained in the property after Antonys grandparents fled, and when the Hartigs moved in they kept it and even added their own recipes. Leafing through the book, which he now keeps in his London home, Antony can hardly believe it.

It has been a long and complex process, excavating the past and learning the truth about his family and what they lost. Its a process that has consumed him and is ongoing. But its been a positive journey, he feels; one that has enabled him to lay down a marker and state that this happened, that these people lived.

I wanted to rehabilitate [them], he says. So I feel like Ive done a good thing. This is about normal people. They were successful people but theyre normal people. They had families and parents My aim really was to bring these people back to life.

The History Podcast: The House at Number 48 is available now on BBC Sounds and will air on Radio 4 from Oct 20

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Former San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus retired with full pension and benefits on Tuesday just hours after the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to remove her from office following multiple investigations within the past year.

Corpus retired "under duress" so she could retain health benefits for herself and her children, according to ABC7 News reporter Danny Noyes. He posted on X, saying she texted him: "I will be okay! They don't deserve me."

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Supervisor David Canepa confirmed the validity of Corpus' retirement, explaining to KTVU-TV that under county protocol, Corpus will receive her pension, which reportedly includes 90% of her paycheck and benefits upon retirement.

"No, we're not going to fight her on it," he told the outlet. "But this is something that's kind of new to me. I'll be quite frank with you. I was not aware. I thought that once we had taken action that was it. That being said, I ended up finding out earlier in the day that she is allowed to retire. We don't want to be discriminatory to the sheriff. And so, she's entitled to her retirement pay and benefits."



Corpus, who has served San Mateo County for 30 years, leaves office following her removal under Measure A, a county charter amendment that was recently passed in March by 84% of voters. The amendment authorizes supervisors to oust an elected sheriff for cause. All five members of the Board of Supervisors voted in favor of her removal on Tuesday.

"You may remove me from office, but you will not erase the truth," Corpus said during the hearing. "This isn't about accountability, it's about control."

The decision followed a 10-day public evidentiary hearing in August that was overseen by retired Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge James Emerson, who served as the independent hearing officer after Corpus appealed the board's June 24 decision.

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This article originally published at Disgraced Bay Area sheriff uses ultimate loophole to get 90% of salary for life.
Disgraced former U.S. Representative George Santos was released from federal prison late Friday evening after President Donald Trump commuted his lengthy sentence for fraud and identity theft.

His legal team has asked for privacy, decrying how he endured a "traumatic experience" in the 3 months he was behind bars.

After Donald Trump told George Santos to "have a great life," some criticized the move, saying it is "not justice" for the lying politician to serve just a few months of his long sentence.

George Santos' Lawyer Demands Privacy For Him

Rod Lamkey - CNP / MEGA

George Santos is out of prison just barely three months after he began serving his 87-month sentence for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

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The 37-year-old politician has Donald Trump to thank for his freedom, as the president announced in a social media post on Friday that he had signed his commutation.

The move has prompted the former congressman's legal team to request privacy for the client, saying he's "decompressing" from the "traumatic experience" of spending time in solitary confinement, per the New York Post.

"Now is not a good time, I just got here, I'm meeting with him, and we just want to let him decompress a little bit," Santos' lawyer Joseph Murray said in a phone conversation when pressed for his client's whereabouts.

"He was released last night. Let's give him  let's respect his and his family's privacy and let them decompress a little. It's a traumatic experience as you can imagine," Murray added before hanging up the call.

George Santos' Lawyer Thanks Donald Trump, Calls Him The 'Greatest President' In History

CNP / MEGA

Santos was sentenced in April by United States District Judge Joanna Seybert after pleading guilty to the charges he had been investigated for in August 2024.

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Findings revealed he lied about graduating from Baruch College, nor was he a standout player on Manhattan College's volleyball team as he claimed.

As part of the sentence, Santos was ordered to pay $373,749.97 in restitution to his victims, but due to the terms of his commutation, he no longer needs to.

The order, signed by the President on Friday, secured his immediate release from FCI Fairton, a medium security prison in Fairfield Township, New Jersey, where he'd been held.

"God bless President Donald J Trump, the greatest President in U.S. history!" Murray wrote in a note posted on Santos' X [former Twitter] account.

Donald Trump Tells George Santos To Have A 'Great Life'

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Trump defended his decision to commute Santos' prison sentence, saying his crime isn't worth the punishment.

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"George Santos was somewhat of a 'rogue,' but there are many rogues throughout our Country that aren't forced to serve seven years in prison," the president posted on his social media platform.

He continued, "At least Santos had the courage, conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!"

The billionaire politician then announced that he had "just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY."

"Good luck, George, have a great life!" Trump added.

Donald Trump's Decision To Pardon The Disgraced Former Rep Drew Negative Reactions From Republicans

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Since Trump's shock move, critics have argued that the commutation undermines the judicial process, particularly given Santos's admission of guilt to defrauding donors and lying to Congress.

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Republican Andrew Garbarino, who sits on the House Ethics Committee, said it is "not justice" for him to be pardoned in such a manner that saw him serve just three months for his crimes.

Republican Nick LaLota, who represents a swing district in New York, also expressed similar feelings about Trump's move, emphasizing the gravity of Santos' crimes.

LaLota stated that Santos "didn't merely lie - he stole millions, defrauded an election."

George Santos' Letter To Donald Trump, Begging For His Freedom

Rod Lamkey / CNP/ MEGA

The release follows a public appeal from Santos just days prior, where he published a letter to President Trump asking for clemency and an opportunity to "return to my family, my friends, and my community."

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In the letter, he described the living conditions inside the penitentiary as "unlike anything most Americans could ever comprehend."

"Today, I am asking you respectfully, earnestly, and directly for your understanding and compassion," he continued, describing himself as a "lifelong Republican and a proud believer in your America First vision" who "never wavered" when it came to supporting the president.

He then explained that since August, he'd been living in "complete isolation inside the Special Housing Unit" of the prison because of a death threat he faced.

Aaron Schwartz - Pool via CNP / MEGA

"Life in SHU is unlike anything most Americans could ever comprehend," Santos stated. "I am locked inside a small steel cage twenty-four hours a day. My only contact with the outside world is a brief phone call to my family  once every thirty days."

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He admitted that he knew he made mistakes and said he took "full responsibility for my actions."

"But no man, no matter his flaws, deserves to be lost in the system, forgotten and unseen, enduring punishment far beyond what justice requires," he wrote.

"Mr. President, I have nowhere else to turn," the ex-congressman penned. "With the deepest respect and gratitude, I thank you for taking the time to hear my plea."
Welcome back to Mickey Visit Disneyland This Week! Each week at Mickey Visit, we share key happenings and dates for the week you might have missed completely. We have all of the essential dates for your visit. See our last Mickey Visit Disneyland This Week here. This is your resource for everything happening at Disneyland the week of October 13, 2025. This week we have news about a little-known holiday offering, mid-week closures of two rides, big changes to a Disneyland restaurant, and more.

See our recent news update on all of the big changes from last week that you missed at the parks and the recent news about the Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment reopening date.

READ MORE  Here's a Secret Way to Skip the Line For This Hidden Gem Attraction at Disney California Adventure

Important Disneyland Dates This Week

Downtown Disney Halloween movies

Disneyland ticket prices increased last week. However, our travel partner, Get Away Today, gets to keep the old lower prices, plus our exclusive Mickey Visit discount on multi-day tickets for a limited time as part of their agreement with Disney. You can save up to $111 per ticket for travel any time next year if you purchase your tickets by next Monday, October 20, 2025. See details to save on tickets here.

We have now debuted a new AI search feature on Mickey Visit. The AI search provides instant Disney planning help by combing through all of our Mickey Visit articles to find you the most helpful information and also by pulling in licensed content from top publishers across the web to fill gaps. The best part is that every answer cites all sources of the information so that you can dig deeper into your search. We're the first Disney-related site to launch something like this. Please try it out and let me know what you think. Check out the new AI search on Mickey Visit >

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Overhaul of Magic Key Terrace! Over at Disney California Adventure, the Magic Key Terrace has rolled out a brand-new menu that will remain available through Spring 2026. This refreshed lineup features an array of savory and flavorful dishes for Magic Key holders and their guests.

While only Magic Key holders can book reservations, they are welcome to bring along nonMagic Key guests to enjoy the experience. Advance reservations are highly recommended, walk up spots may be possible too! See shot of the food below. Stay tuned on our Mickey Visit newsletter for our review very soon. We tried this today.

disneyland new restaurant magic key terrace

Reservations for the Disneyland Home for the Holidays Guided Tour are now available! This two-hour guided seasonal experience takes guests through some of the park's most magical holiday traditions. The tour includes reserved viewing for A Christmas Fantasy Parade, Lightning Lane access for Haunted Mansion Holiday, a holiday time treat, and a special collectible keepsake. Guests can book this experience directly on the official Disneyland website or app for the dates of 11/14  1/7!

Haunted Mansion is this week's feature at Movie Nights at Downtown Disney Presented by M&M'S! Catch it on October 15 at 7 PM at the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage & Lawn. These events have become very popular. The Halloweentown screening last week was packed.

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Reservations open for Trader Sam's Holiday Mixology Seminar on October 16th. The offer returns on November 17 and November 19, 2025. The event takes place three times in the afternoon and costs $179 pre-tax and gratuity. See Disneyland page here.

Trader Sam's bar interior Disneyland

Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes and Sailing Ship Columbia will both be closed from October 13th to 16th and from October 20th to the 23rd. These weekday closures are scheduled throughout October. Make sure you stay up to date on all of the current and upcoming Disneyland ride closures and Disneyland October closures.

READ MORE  Secret Target in Disneyland's Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters Gives You 50,000 Points

Holiday merch has started arriving in Downtown Disney and select park stores! You can see a photo update of what we have spotted in the parks here. More items will continue to arrive. Last year, the full holiday merchandise set was available on October 29.

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Snow was spotted on the castle today at Disneyland. Even though it's only mid-October, the first signs of winter have already appeared at Disneyland. Overnight, snow blanketed Sleeping Beauty Castle, marking the start of the park's transformation into the holidays. Over the coming weeks, more snow caps and festive decor will be added throughout the parks in preparation for the official Disneyland holiday season, which kicks off on November 14. You can see the snow in the lead image of the article.

Disneyland rides ranked Columbia

Show your same-day Oogie Boogie Bash ticket at Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio in Downtown Disney and get 10% off lunch (11 AM3 PM) on event days! This is a good deal to take advantage of at this top Downtown Disney restaurant.

Oogie Boogie Bash will close Disney California Adventure early at 6 pm on Tuesday, October 14, Thursday, October 16, and Sunday, October 19. See all Disneyland early closure dates for the rest of the year here. If you're headed to the event this year, see our Oogie Boogie Bash 2025 strategy and itinerary. Oogie Boogie Bash tickets are sold out for all party dates.

Guests should be prepared for heavier-than-usual crowds this week. Over the weekend, Lightning Lane Multi Pass sold out at park opening, a clear sign that demand is high. With many schools on fall break, expect busy walkways and longer wait times. Planning ahead will be essential.

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Thank you to Bridget @CaliforniaDisneyBliss on Instagram for the help with this weekly update.

Read More Disney Planning Advice

For the best resource and helpful information for planning your Disney trip, make sure to subscribe to our FREE Deals newsletter. We'll provide you with helpful planning information, exclusive Disney deals, and access to the lowest-priced Disney tickets anywhere

The post Disneyland Restaurant Overhaul Debuts, Trader Sam's Holiday Offerings, Mid-Week Ride Closures, and More This Week' appeared first on Mickey Visit - Disney News & Planning Tips.
Oct. 18Minnesota hunters went two for four during the state's elk hunt in northeast Kittson County.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources offered four tags in Zone 30  the Caribou Township area in northeast Kittson County  for this year's season: Two either-sex tags for Season A (Sept. 13-21) and two antlerless-only tags for Season B (Sept. 27-Oct. 5.).

According to Kelsie LaSharr, elk coordinator for the Minnesota DNR, both hunters with either-sex tags shot bulls  one 6x6 and one 3x3. Neither hunter with either-sex licenses filled their tags, she said.

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Meanwhile, the Red Lake DNR offered 20 tags  10 bull tags and 10 cow tags  for this year's northwest tribal hunt, which began in mid-September. According to Jay Huseby, tribal biologist for the Red Lake DNR, the bull harvest was capped at five elk, and all of those tags have been filled. "Some really nice animals," he said.

Meanwhile, two of the 10 hunters with cow tags have filled their licenses, "and they really had to work for them," Huseby said.

As with bulls, the tribal cow elk harvest is capped at five, so three tags remain unfilled.

The tribal elk hunt continues through the end of December.
PLATTSBURGH  The doctor who performed Jahfari Josephs autopsy after his body was found in February took the stand to begin day seven of the Timothy Timmons murder trial Friday.

Dr. Michael Sikirica, of Glens Falls Hospital, made the trip to Clinton County Court before Judge Keith Bruno Friday to testify on Josephs cause of death, which was ruled a homicide by gunshot wound.

Timmons is accused of shooting and killing Joseph at his ex-wife Kelly Timmons residence at 646 Fuller Road in Peru on the night of Dec. 29, 2024.

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Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie asked Sikirica questions about the autopsy he performed on Joseph Feb. 15, 2025.

Sikirica revealed the body was brought to Glens Falls Hospital on Feb. 14, but due to Josephs body being frozen, he had to wait for it to thaw before the autopsy could be completed.

Josephs body had been found buried in the snow down a steep embankment in the town of Franklin in Franklin County Feb. 13. Chad Nichols testified in court this week that he put the body in this location in the early morning hours of Jan. 1, 2025 after Timothy Timmons instructed him to move the body.

Sikirica said Josephs face upon arrival had displayed post-mortem scavenging from some type of animal in the area where his body was dumped/ Sikirica said Josephs body was in a location where coyotes and wildlife are present.

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Sikirica said there was also what appeared to be a whitish, yellowish residue on several areas of Josephs body. He said it appeared to be residue from a fire extinguisher. Sikirica said Joseph also had wood chips on his body.

Sikirica said during the autopsy, he found two gunshot wounds: one in his hand and one in chest. The gunshot wound to the chest was fatal, he said. The gunshot wound to his hand was superficial, he said.

Sikirica said during the autopsy, a projectile was removed from Josephs body. He said it could have been from a .22 caliber revolver round.

Sikirica said the projectile fired into Josephs chest struck four major organs: his heart, left lung, kidney and spleen. In a cross-examination from defense attorney Bryan Kennelly, Sikirica said small calibers dont typically produce those injuries, but they can.

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Sikirica said the injuries from the bullet would have likely killed Joseph within five minutes. He said the only scenario where Joseph might have survived the gunshot wound would be if he was in an emergency room or trauma center when he was shot.

There were pressure markings on Josephs knees that indicated he was against a hard surface for awhile post mortem, Sikirica said. Additionally, Joseph had no clothes on at the time of his death.

Sikirica also said Joseph sustained a laceration and abrasion to his scalp. Asked by Wylie if the head injury could have been sustained from a fall out of a window, Sikirica said it was consistent with a fall.

Sikirica said there was fluid in Josephs neck and larynx that was consistent with injuries from a fall as well.

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Friend of the Timmons family, Jerry Furnia, testified in court earlier this week that he witnessed Joseph fall from the second story bathroom window on the night of Dec. 29, 2024. Furnia said he did not see any blood.

Sikirica said most of Josephs injuries resulted in significant internal bleeding and would not have been visible externally. He said the hand wound would have bled more noticeably externally.

A toxicology report also showed Joseph has traces of cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine in his system when he died, Sikirica said. He said these substances did not result in Josephs death.

Pictures of Josephs autopsy were shown in court Friday. The wounds to Josephs face, the two gunshot wounds and when he was cut open for the autopsy were all shown to the courtroom.

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Following Sikiricas testimony, New York State Police Investigator Brett Smith was on the witness stand for most of the afternoon Friday.

Smith was one of the many investigators who went to the 646 Fuller Road house to document the scene with pictures but he was considered the primary documenter. Smith said his investigation began in the upstairs bathroom of the home, where it was believed Joseph was shot. Smith said there were blood samples taken from several different areas inside the bathroom, including on the sheetrock, vanity and around the window.

Smith said blood was also found on the exterior part of the window and on the exterior siding of the house. Smith said there were multiple bullet holes found in the bathroom as well. Some of the bullet holes extended into the ceiling of the garage, which is directly located underneath the bathroom, he said.

Additionally, a bullet or projectile was also found in the insulation of the garage ceiling, Smith said. Smith said he was familiar with firearms and said the projectile found in the ceiling was consistent with a .22 caliber bullet.

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Inside the garage, an unfired .22 caliber bullet was also found, Smith said. In total, there was evidence of seven projectiles, he said. A garbage bag with blood and what appeared to be yellowish fire extinguisher residue was also found in the garage, Smith said. He said they took samples of the blood and sent it out for processing.

Outside the house, Smith said the investigation continued. He said he found an outdoor firepit with burnt items inside of it. The items included a burnt door hinge and locking mechanism. Smith said a burnt door handle was found just outside the firepit. Smith testified the bathroom door from the upstairs bathroom had been missing and he said while he was inside the house, he found a note indicating plans to replace it as well.

The investigation into Josephs death continued through 2025. Smith said he and other investigators returned to the site of where Josephs body was found on Route 26 in the town of Franklin in Franklin County in May.

Smith said the purpose of investigators returning to the area was to see if any other evidence could be seen after the snow in the area melted. Smith said upon their return, they found two pieces of charred firewood and a semi-translucent shower curtain near where Josephs body had been found.

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Smith said their investigation also continued in an area of I-87 northbound just south of the exit 38 overpass in Plattsburgh. He said they searched that area after being told a barrel of a gun was thrown out of the window in that location. Smith said they found a piece of a .22 revolver in that area.

He said the barrel of the gun was heavily corroded and rusted when they found it.

Defense attorney Brian Barrett cross-examined Smith and his testimony to close out court Friday.

Returning to discussion of the scene at Fuller Road, Barrett also said blood found at the scene that was concluded to be Josephs, on the bathroom counter and window, as well as on the exterior of the building and on plastic bags in the garage.

Brett also stated a lot, of fire extinguisher residue was observed in the house and was sent to the forensic center in Albany for testing.

Court will resume Monday at 9:15 a.m.
Donald Trump may not be on the ballot in the falls biggest political races, but both sides are counting on him to help them win.

A year after winning back the White House, Republicans are racing to motivate voters who love the president and Democrats are rallying those who dont, as the races for governor in New Jersey and Virginia play out as an early referendum on Trumps second term.

If you get a flat tire on the way home today, shes going to blame President Trump, said Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican nominee in New Jersey, drawing laughs as he takes aim at his Democratic rival, Rep. Mikie Sherrill. Theres nothing she wont blame on the president.

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Facing a fierce fight, Sherrill is quick to invoke Trump in a different way, telling supporters: That tariff plan? Its a world-wide extortion scheme so that the Trump family can make billions of dollars. That is not creating opportunity for anyone in New Jersey.

New Jersey and Virginia are the only two states in the country that hold gubernatorial elections the year after a presidential campaign. The races could provide an early glimpse at the mood of the electorate, particularly toward the presidents party, but also as a test of enthusiasm as Democrats scramble to rebuild.

The White House is keeping a close eye on both contests, yet Trump has only made a formal endorsement in New Jersey. He is poised to record messages on behalf of Ciattarelli and hold telephone rallies for his campaign, both of which are intended to specifically remind Trump voters about the urgency of the Nov. 4 contest.

Were deploying his help in very strategic ways, said Ciattarelli, who is seeking to walk a careful line of tapping into forces of the MAGA movement, while trying to dampen criticism of being too aligned with Trump. This race is about New Jersey. Its not about the president.

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In Virginia, the government shutdown hangs over the race, with hundreds of thousands of federal workers, active-duty military and government contractors living in the state. The contest between former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, a Republican, is seen as less competitive, which is among the reasons that aides to Trump say he has kept more of a distance.

Republican Jack Ciattarelli, left, and Democrat Mikie Sherrill participate in the final debate in the New Jersey governor's race, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, on October 8. - Heather Khalifa/AP

New Jersey gains

Its far from certain how successful attempts to insert Trump into the race will be  or whether they could backfire on Democrats. He made significant gains in both states last fall, but his improvement was particularly notable in New Jersey, where Trump lost by 6 points after a punishing 16-point defeat in 2020.

Sherrill and Spanberger, who were among the Democrats elected to Congress in 2018 during the first midterm election of Trumps presidency, are relying less on arguments of protecting democracy and more on the tangible impacts of Trumps policies in his second term.

When the president said from the Oval Office this week that he terminated the Gateway tunnel, a $16 billion commuter rail between New Jersey and New York, as retribution to Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer, Sherrill seized on the moment. She said New Jersey would lose tens of thousands of jobs and residents would suffer because of Trumps actions.

A worker walks near train cars at a construction site for the Gateway Program Hudson Tunnel Project in New York, on October 3. - Michael Nagle/Bloomberg/Getty Images

We see an out of control president, just at his whim, saying hes going to cancel it, Sherrill told reporters Thursday. We are going to stand up and fight for that.

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Less than three weeks before the election, the presidents words injected a fresh headache into the race for Ciattarelli and set the table for a real-world test of his embrace of Trump. He said he supported the a critical infrastructure project, adding New Jersey needed a new governor who had a good relationship and when necessary, disagree with Trump.

The Trump effect is on full display in dueling campaign ads, where Sherill repeatedly calls her rival Jack Ciattarelli, the Trump of Trenton. Ciattarelli fires back, saying: New Jerseys a mess and all Mikie Sherrill wants to talk about is President Trump. Come on.

Its also playing out on the debate stage when candidates were asked to grade Trumps performance. Ciattarelli gave him an A, saying: I think hes right about everything hes doing. Sherrill blasted her opponent and his support of Trump, declaring: Id give him an F.

Virginia gubernatorial candidates Abigail Spanberger, left, and Winsome Earle-Sears participate in a debate on October 9. - Scott Wertz/Nexstar

Banking on that voters remorse

For Republicans, its yet another test of how many Trump voters will cast ballots in elections in which his name is not on the ballot. The outcome could provide important lessons for both parties heading into the 2026 midterm elections, with control of Congress on the line.

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With early voting well underway in New Jersey and Virginia, conversations with voters suggest an exhaustion factor with Trump. Yet, for many, its unclear whether the president will be a deciding factor in a race driven by economic concerns like affordability and a call for change.

Sherrill is seeking to replace New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, who has been in office for eight years. Not since 1961 have Democrats won three consecutive elections as governor.

This is not Trumps race, its Jacks race, said Kathy Mueller Rohan, a voter from Morris County, New Jersey, which Trump narrowly carried last fall after losing it by about 4 points in 2020. I dont think he needs Trump to win.

But she believes the president could be helpful, particularly in places where he gained ground. New Jersey is among the states that saw some of the biggest swings toward Republicans in his third presidential election, particularly in non-white communities, which is one of the reasons Democrats have been sounding the alarm about the Sherrill-Ciattarelli race.

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Quite frankly were concerned Donald Trump won Passaic County in last years election, so we have our work cut out for us, said Mayor Andre Sayegh of Paterson, who supports Sherrill. Were being very aggressive in attempting to organize and motivate voters turned off by Trump.

The shift towards Trump in Passaic County, home to a large Hispanic community, is one of many painful snapshots of the last election that has not been forgotten by Democrats. Its a county that Joe Biden won by more than 16 points in 2020 and Trump won by nearly 3 points in 2024.

Sayegh, whose office walls are decorated with pictures of John F. Kennedy, said cultural issues have driven many voters in his area away from the Democratic Party. He believes this election is an opportunity for Democrats to rebuild and, perhaps, rebrand.

Its not a year ago  now hes in! Sayegh said, reflecting on the first year of Trumps second term. People, quite frankly, may have voters remorse. Were banking on that voters remorse.

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NEED TO KNOW

President Donald Trump has commuted the prison sentence of former New York Rep. George Santos

Santos was convicted in 2024 on nearly two dozen charges of fraud and aggravated identity theft

Trump announced the pardon in a post to Truth Social, offering a single line of well-wishes for Santos: Good luck George, have a great life!



President Donald Trump has commuted the prison sentence of George Santos, the former New York congressman convicted of multiple fraud charges.

Trump announced that he just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY, in a post to his account on Truth Social on Oct. 17. The post also included a lengthy missive in which Trump compares Santos to Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal.

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George Santos was somewhat of a "rogue," but there are many rogues throughout our Country that aren't forced to serve seven years in prison, Trump began the post. I started to think about George when the subject of Democrat Senator Richard 'Da Nang Dick' Blumenthal came up again.

According to CNN, Trump called for a federal investigation into Blumenthal in July, alleging that the Connecticut senator lied about his service in the Vietnam War. Blumenthal denied Trumps claims, telling the outlet that Trumps allegations were completely deceptive and distorted.

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His War Hero status, and even minimal service in our Military, was totally and completely MADE UP, Trump continued. This is far worse than what George Santos did, and at least Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!

Also in his post, Trump alleged that Santos has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time, and by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated.

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Trump ended the post with a single line of well wishes for Santos: Good luck George, have a great life!

We never gave up on him," Santos' attorney Robert Fantone said in a statement to PEOPLE. "And now it looks like Georges sentence is fair and commensurate with the nature and severity of conduct.





Santos was convicted in August 2024 on 23 counts of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He was later sentenced to seven years in prison, with federal prosecutors seeking a longer prison sentence due to his belligerent, attention-seeking behavior. He was indicted on the charges in 2023, and shortly thereafter, expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives in response to the indictment.

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He was later sentenced to seven years in prison.

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Santos has also been accused of lying about his past, and making unwanted sexual advances toward a prospective staffer.

The disgraced congressman reported to a New Jersey federal prison on July 25, sharing a dramatic farewell message for his supporters on X the night before beginning his sentence.

"Well, darlings The curtain falls, the spotlight dims, and the rhinestones are packed, Santos wrote. From the halls of Congress to the chaos of cable news, what a ride its been! Was it messy? Always. Glamorous? Occasionally. Honest? I tried most days.

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Because Santos sentence was commuted, he will be released from prison but his convictions will remain on his record. According to the United States Department of Justice, a commutation of sentence does not change the fact of conviction, imply innocence, or remove civil disabilities that apply to the convicted person as a result of the criminal conviction.

Read the original article on People
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President Donald Trump posted to Truth Social on Saturday about the fate of two survivors of a drug carrying submarine that was sunk by U.S. airstrikes in the Caribbean earlier this week.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. Coast Guard rescued the survivors on Thursday and transferred them to the USS Iwo Jima for medical treatment.

It was my great honor to destroy a very large DRUG-CARRYING SUBMARINE that was navigating towards the United States on a well known narcotrafficking transit route, Trump wrote on Saturday, along with a video of the strike.

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He continued:

U.S. Intelligence confirmed this vessel was loaded up with mostly Fentanyl, and other illegal narcotics. There were four known narcoterrorists on board the vessel. Two of the terrorists were killed. At least 25,000 Americans would die if I allowed this submarine to come ashore. The two surviving terrorists are being returned to their Countries of origin, Ecuador and Colombia, for detention and prosecution. No U.S. Forces were harmed in this strike. Under my watch, the United States of America will not tolerate narcoterrorists trafficking illegal drugs, by land or by sea. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

This was the sixth known air strike against alleged drug runners and the first time any survivors have been reported. A total of 27 people have been killed so far in the Trump administrations offensive against what they say are Venezuelan drug gangs transporting drugs from Latin America to the U.S.

The New York Times reported that Venezuela plays essentially no role in the production or smuggling of fentanyl. The drug is almost entirely made in Mexico with chemicals imported from countries in Asia, including China, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Justice Department and the Congressional Research Service.

This week, Trump said he authorized the CIA to take covert action in Venezuela, while also hinting that land strikes inside Venezuela could also be conducted, the Wall Street Journal reported.

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We have a lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela, and a lot of the Venezuelan drugs come in through the sea, Trump told reporters. So, you get to see that, but were going to stop them by land also.

The post Donald Trump Says Survivors of US Airstrike on DRUG CARRYING SUBMARINE Will Be Returned to Their Countries of Origin first appeared on Mediaite.
Dozens of people have been injured at a memorial event in Kenyas western city of Kisumu as huge crowds gathered to view the body of revered former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, local media reported.

The injuries occurred on Saturday at Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium despite authorities deploying military units, police and aerial surveillance to prevent a recurrence of deadly and chaotic incidents that marked earlier memorial proceedings on Thursday and Friday.

Kenya Red Cross teams treated people who fainted from fatigue and distress, evacuating casualties as crowds surged inside the venue.

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Odingas body was being transported through Kisumu to his ancestral home in nearby Bondo for burial on Sunday, drawing tens of thousands throughout the region.

The additional precautions were put in place after violence and chaos killed at least five people during memorial proceedings for the 80-year-old opposition leader and statesman, who collapsed during a morning walk in Indias Kerala state on Wednesday.

In a post on X, Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyongo praised Raila Odinga for his lifelong dedication Kenyans, noting that thousands had thronged Jomo Kenyatta Stadium-Mamboleo to honor him.

Siaya County Governor James Orengo urged restraint as arrangements progressed for transporting Odingas body to his ancestral home in Bondo, approximately 60km (40 miles) west of Kisumu, where the latest disruptions had occurred.

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I really entreat members of the public and the community in general to maintain the peace during this period, Orengo told local media.

Thursdays initial viewing descended into bloodshed when security forces fired weapons and tear gas into crowds surging towards a pavilion where Odingas coffin had been placed, killing at least three people at a Nairobi stadium.





A day later, panic swept through mourners exiting Fridays state funeral service at a separate venue in the capital, triggering a crowd crush that killed two more and sent 163 to medical care.

Huge turnout has characterised every stage of the mourning period since Odingas body returned home on Thursday, with supporters walking nearly 30km (20 miles) from Nairobis airport to escort his remains.

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Fridays state ceremony drew tens of thousands who sang, danced and waved handkerchiefs as they celebrated a figure many affectionately called Baba  the Swahili word for father.





Dignitaries including President William Ruto and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended the service, where Odingas relatives pleaded for peaceful proceedings.

His brother Oburu told mourners: Raila should not be teargassed in death. He has been teargassed enough when he was alive.

Former United States President Barack Obama, whose father was Kenyan, honoured Odinga as a true champion of democracy who endured decades of struggle and sacrifice for the broader cause of freedom and self-governance in Kenya, in a post on X.

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Obama noted that Odinga was willing to choose the path of peaceful reconciliation without compromising his core values.

Odinga never became president despite five attempts spanning three decades, but shaped Kenyas democratic evolution more profoundly than many who held that office and has led to an outpouring of grief nationally and across Africa.

He spearheaded the countrys return to multiparty politics in the 1990s and drove the passage of a landmark 2010 constitution that distributed authority away from centralised executive power.
German flag carrier Lufthansa plans to scale back its domestic flight operations as part of efforts to cope with soaring operational costs, mounting taxes, and rising airport fees, Azernews reports, citing Germanys media outlets.

Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr told local media that expenses have doubled since 2019, prompting the airline to cancel approximately 100 domestic flights per week next summer. He warned that further reductions would be inevitable if local costs are not brought under control.

Spohr noted that certain routes  including MunichMunster/Osnabruck and MunichDresden  are particularly at risk, as operations on these lines have become unprofitable.

While international travel has largely recovered to pre-pandemic levels, domestic routes in Germany continue to lag behind. Business travel, in particular, remains significantly lower than before 2020. Lufthansa attributes this ongoing decline to the widespread shift toward videoconferencing, which has reduced the need for in-person meetings.
Ayodhya is readying itself for this year's Deepotsav, with 2.8 million lamps set to illuminate 56 ghats, creating a spectacular visual along the Sarayu River, as per an official statement. Approximately 33,000 volunteers, including students, teachers, and residents, are working tirelessly to decorate the ghats. A major attraction this year will be a 32-foot-tall Pushpak Viman at Ram Ki Paidi, showcasing scenes from the Ramayana and giving visitors a vivid experience of the epic. Authorities have implemented strict measures. Volunteers are provided ID cards and special T-shirts, and access to the ghats is only allowed with proper identification. Food safety teams are also actively monitoring the festival areas. The festival promises to offer a remarkable blend of culture and devotion, attracting both locals and tourists to witness Ayodhya in its festive glory. Meanwhile, locals and saints here in Ayodhya are encouraging everyone to adopt Swadeshi goods this Diwali festival. Speaking to ANI, Mahamandaleshwar Vishnu Das Ji Maharaj said the morning rituals began with lamps and mantras, as devotees prepared for Diwali in Ayodhya. "We performed puja in the Bhamaro following Swasti mantras and sacred rules. First, we placed a lamp for Lord Ram, followed by one for the Saryu, considered the elder sister of Ram in the scriptures. Lamps were also placed for Hanuman Ji, Mata Adi Shakti Maa Bhagwati Sita Ji, and the entire Ram Darbar. This marks the beginning of lamp laying on the banks of the Saryu, heralding a historic Diwali celebration in Ayodhya," Mahamandaleshwar said. Adding to the festive spirit, Saint Diwakaracharya Ji Maharaj called Diwali a special festival and urged people to adopt Swadeshi products this Diwali. "Not only the saints but also the common people of Ayodhya, people across India, are actively participating in this festival, contributing selflessly in the service of Lord Ram. Shri Ram has been seated in the grand Ram Temple after 500 years, and we have brought earthen lamps from local potters while making all necessary arrangements. This Diwali promises to be truly remarkable," he told ANI. (ANI)
KISUMU (Reuters) -Dozens of mourners were injured on Saturday at a memorial service for Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga as crowds swelled, with some in critical condition taken to a nearby hospital, a Kenyan Red Cross official told Reuters.

A Reuters witness saw injured people receiving treatment at the scene in the city of Kisumu in western Kenya, the political heartland of Odinga's Luo tribe. The Standard newspaper had said on X that hundreds had been injured.

Two people were killed and more than 160 others were injured at Odinga's state funeral in Nairobi on Friday, aid group Doctors Without Borders said.

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Odinga, a major figure for decades in Kenyan politics who was once a political prisoner and ran unsuccessfully for president five times, died on Wednesday aged 80 in India, where he had been receiving medical treatment.

He commanded a passionate following in the East African nation and a public viewing of his body on Thursday turned deadly when officers opened fire to disperse huge crowds after they breached a gate at a stadium hosting the ceremony. Three people were killed, according to the police.

His body was flown from Nairobi to Kisumu on Saturday for a final public viewing.

Large crowds of people could be seen crying, waving Kenyan flags and at one point pushing one another in a scuffle at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu.

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A road procession had been planned from Kisumu to his Bondo homestead, but following the incident, his body will instead be flown to Bondo, the Standard newspaper said.

(Reporting by Humphrey Malalo in Nairobi and Monicah Mwangi in Kisumu; Writing by Portia Crowe; Editing by Jan Harvey and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
Demonstrators stand in a silent protest of U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan during his address to the Alaska Federation of Natives conference on Oct. 17, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

Dozens stood in a silent protest of Alaska U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan during his address on Friday to the Alaska Federation of Natives.

Several demonstrators stood and turned their backs to the senator as he spoke, and some held signs reading Medicaid matters and Public radio saves lives.

Protesters hold signs silently demonstrating in opposition to US Sen. Dan Sullivan during his speech to the Alaska Federation of Natives on Oct. 17, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

Sullivan did not acknowledge the protesters or stop speaking during a roughly half hour of remarks to the ballroom of attendees. The three-day conference in Anchorage is the largest representative gathering of Native peoples in the state, drawing roughly 6,000 people each year.

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Protesters stood on behalf of a variety of issues. Some were residents of the community of Ambler, some advocates and supporters, all opposing the proposed Ambler Road, a 211-mile road to a mining district, recently advanced by the Trump administration with the support of Sullivan.

Crossing hundreds of streams, it will affect everything, said Teresa Clarke, executive director of the Yukon River Inter-tribal Watershed Council, a coalition representing 74 tribes and First Nations from Canada, opposing the proposed development, saying it risks environmental degradation.

Were already affected by extreme weather events, as weve realized this past week, and those types of events will probably speed up more extreme events and then degradation, melting of more permafrost, it will affect the animals, and everything, she said, referring to severe storms that have devastated coastal communities.

A group of protesters silently stand with their backs turned to Republican US Sen. Dan Sullivan during his speech to the Alaska Federation of Natives conference. Some demonstrated against the Ambler Road mining access project, while separately others stood to protect Medicaid and public media, facing massive cuts in federal funding. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

Following the event, Amanda Coyne, a spokesperson for Sullivan, responded to the protest repeating the senators positions on Medicaid and public radio, and saying Senator Sullivan welcomes respectful debate. He listens to all Alaskans on Ambler.

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Aubrey Wieber, executive director of the non-profit advocacy group 907 Initiative, criticized Sullivans refusal to hold public events or town halls this year after his support of the Trump administration.

Well, this is the only public event hes done all year, and the public has been routinely, repeatedly asking him to show up and hear from constituents, Wieber said. And hes pretty quick to go to a private event with donors, you know, something thats maybe $500 a plate, but hes not coming and talking to Alaskans. And so this is one of the very few opportunities that we had to voice our opinions.

Wieber was among those who stood to protest Sullivans support of the One Big Beautiful Bill, the Trump administrations landmark legislation advancing the conservative blueprint for government known as Project 2025 that passed this summer. It included tax cuts as well as cuts to social services like Medicaid and funding for public media.

US Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, addresses the Alaska Federation of Natives conference on Oct. 17, 2025, where dozens stood in a silent protest during his remarks (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

The simple fact of the matter, standing up here and saying nobodys getting cut from Medicaid is a lie, because you cannot take a trillion dollars from the federal Medicaid budget, give those to millionaires and billionaires in the form of tax cuts and then open up this $50 billion rural health care fund. You know, one of those numbers is much bigger than the other, he said.

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Wieber said the proposed cuts to Medicaid  and health insurance premium tax credits being bitterly debated during the federal government shutdown  will hurt Alaskans and the health care system, and he urged the senator to support funding and re-opening the federal government.

Listen to Alaskans. Do whats right for Alaskans, he said. Stop being a yes man for party bosses and stand up for your constituents.

Correction: This story has been updated to correctly spell Aubrey Wieber and Amanda Coynes names.
DENVER (KDVR)  A driver is in critical condition following a shooting on southbound Interstate 225 in Aurora early Saturday.

The Aurora Police Department told Fox31 that it received a call at 1:14 a.m. of a vehicle that had driven into the barrier along southbound I-225, near 6th Avenue.

2 dead in fiery head-on crash, US 287 remains closed in Larimer County: CSP

Officers who arrived noticed the driver was suffering from gunshot wounds, at which point the driver was transfered to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, APD said.

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The incident shutdown southbound I-225 between 6th Avenue and Alameda Avenue for several hours, however police said the interstate was back open as of 6:20 a.m.

APD said it is investigating what may have caused the shooting but that there is no indication it was the result of a road rage situation.

Anyone who was near the area of the incident at around 1:15 a.m. is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
New Mexico businessman Duke Rodriguez is challenging Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams line-item vetoes of a budget bill, alleging in a state Supreme Court petition they were unconstitutional, violated the separation of powers and should be thrown out.

Rodriguez  a former Cabinet secretary and president and CEO of the Ultra Health cannabis firm who is considering seeking the Republican nomination for governor  filed the civil complaint this week against Lujan Grisham and the New Mexico Compilation Commission Advisory Committee, which publishes the official state laws.

The governor vetoed several items in the budget bill the Legislature passed during the special session, which was designed to address federal funding cuts impacting New Mexicans.

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In a letter earlier this month, Lujan Grisham referred to the vetoed items as a few minor provisions that unduly constrain the Executive Departments ability to assist New Mexicans.

But in an interview, Rodriguez argued the vetoes were a big issue that everyone should have been alerted to, and no one seemed to have paid attention to.

Someone clearly had to accept the responsibility for raising the issue of what really happened during this special session, he said, referring to what prompted him to file the suit.

Rodriguez urges the Supreme Court to invalidate those vetoes because each of them distorts legislative intent and is therefore an unconstitutional attempt by the Executive to substitute her policy-making judgment for that of the peoples elected representatives, his petition states.

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The lawsuit asks the court to compel the compilation committee to publish the Legislatures version of House Bill 1 without the governors vetoes to safeguard the balance of power between the Legislative and Executive branches of state government when it comes to the appropriation of public money.

Line-item veto power should be a negative power, Rodriguez argues in the petition, to remove but not create new laws.

The budget bill passed by the Legislature limited certain funding to specific fiscal years, and the governor removed some of the limitations on when appropriations must be spent.

In one section, the governor removed provisions establishing a time limit for expending $5.5 million appropriated to the Department of Finance and Administration and $429,000 appropriated to the Indian Affairs Department for public radio and educational television. Originally, the legislation required those funds be expended in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The governor also removed a provision stating any balance at the end of fiscal year 2027 be returned to the general fund.

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Similarly, she removed a requirement that any balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2026 from an appropriation to New Mexico State University be returned to the general fund.

In so doing, the Governor has taken it upon herself to rewrite the law to her liking by granting executive agencies and institutions of higher education the discretion to spend the appropriated funds in any fiscal year, the lawsuit states.

In another section, the Legislatures bill appropriated millions of dollars to the Health Care Authority to maintain the minimum federal supplemental nutrition assistance program benefit for various groups.

The governor removed the phrase minimum federal so the appropriation instead would maintain the supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits.

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The lawsuit argues that tweak destroys the Legislatures conditions and limitations on the use of the funds.

As a result, the Governor may attempt to use funds appropriated by the Legislature to provide SNAP benefits that exceed the federal minimum  in direct contravention of legislative intent, the lawsuit states.

Michael Coleman, a spokesperson for the governor, said Friday afternoon, Mr. Rodriguez was not present for discussions with lawmakers about the budget, but he appears to be claiming knowledge of the legislative intent of these appropriations. This assertion is preposterous.

The appropriations bill passed with bipartisan support  49-13 in the House and 34-3 in the Senate, Coleman added.

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With this lawsuit, Mr. Rodriguez is advocating to take food off the tables of New Mexican families that need it most, he said.

Rodriguez said in response that by Colemans logic, the Supreme Court could never discern legislative intent, because they were not in the room when it happened, adding, That is not how our state constitution works.

Jacob Candelaria, Rodriguezs lawyer, said hes hopeful the Supreme Court will act quickly and render a decision before Thanksgiving, which is incredibly important so the compilation commission knows which version of the bill to publish.

The why of this case is because ordinary New Mexicans who actually are interested, concerned and care about the rule of law in this state, he said, cannot rely on the Democratic leadership of the Legislature to set aside their political tribalism and do what needs to be done, and to hold the executive accountable.

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Rodriguez confirmed he is still weighing a bid for governor, and hopes to decide by mid-November.

The lawsuit, though, is not a partisan issue, he said.

This is an issue of principle, he said.  These are precedent-setting decisions that would certainly impact not just these bills, but bills in the future, and certainly the role the governor plays the next administration.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  Weeks away from the states promise to bring free, universal child care to New Mexico families, some providers are asking the state to pump the brakes. Last week, dozens filled an auditorium and 500 people joined virtually for a public comment hearing on the states plan to bring universal child care on November 1, 2025. Additionally, 127 written comments were submitted.

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Barbara Luna Tedrow owns five child care centers in Farmington and is the policy chair for the New Mexico Early Childhood Association. She applauds universal child care and pieces of the initiative, like removing work requirements for grandparents raising grandchildren. But she has other concerns.

Those are some really great aspects, and we want to celebrate those things. On the flip side, they are using this opportunity to change some aspects in regards to the regulation aspects we truly believe dont have anything to do with universal childcare, said Tedrow.

She specifically mentioned concerns about a proposal to raise minimum wage for workers to $18-$21 an hour. What happens to the lead teacher who has an associates degree, who is now making $21? You obviously have to bump their pay, she said, saying its too costly.

But, the Early Childhood Education and Care Department Cabinet Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky said this is a misconception around wages.

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There are no mandates around hourly wages. There is an option for providers if they want to opt in to being open 10 hours and being entry-level care, and paying education staff $18 an hour, they can get what they call an enhanced rate. But our standard rate is a 5% increase over what they are currently receiving. So, they can continue business as usual, continue operations, and receive a revenue increase, said Secretary Groginsky. Many providers want to do that because theyre already open 10 hours and theyre already paying their wages at that level, so theyre ready and were excited to support that.

Secretary Groginsky also said another misconception she noticed at the town hall surrounded federal laws on providing services to children with disabilities.

Public or private business, youre required to follow federal laws surrounding providing services to children with disabilities. And so those took us by surprise, she said. Theyre turning away the providers who are going to come in and help their educators support their children with disabilities. So, what I took away from that is that our department has more to do in terms of educating programs and helping them work more closely with our FIT (family, infant, toddler) provider.

Speakers at the town hall also expressed concern about uncertain funding to sustain the states proposed plan. Right now, the initiative is funded for a short time, but state lawmakers still need to approve $120 million in their January session to keep universal childcare up and running. New Mexico also estimates that an additional 5,000 early childhood professionals are needed to fully achieve a universal system. Some providers said it is simply too risky to opt in.

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I cannot run a business on good intentions, one provider said at the town hall.

Without the legislature giving her more money in January, how are we going to claw back the accessibility or the wages? So, as business owners I dont know if I want to take that chance. I might just wait to see what happens with the session to see if we get funded, said Tedrow.

Secretary Groginsky said the state is receiving a lot of positive feedback and shared some in a press release following the public comment hearing.

Initiatives like this are why New Mexico leads the nation in early childhood. This expansion is delivering on what weve worked hard to build together, said Angela Garcia, president of Full Circle, an advocacy group focused on early childhood education and childhood wellbeing in southern New Mexico. Universal access and improved funding reflect what my families and workforce want and deserve. As universal child care expands, Im hopeful ECECD will continue to prioritize quality and invest in the educators who make it all possible.

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But Secretary Groginsky acknowledges not all providers will be ready to opt in right away. KRQE News 13 asked if ECECD is concerned about parents having to move their children to get access to the free childcare if their regular provider does not opt in.

l we dont want to see families have to move from the childcare provider that they love and their child is attached to that teacher, so these are some of the market forces that we will pay close attention to, said Secretary Groginsky. She said they will try to work with such businesses to offer other types of support.

Other concerns brought up by providers included ECECD overreaching into private businesses to implement the plan. Tedrow and others are asking for a pause on rolling out the plan in November.

The math doesnt add up for the majority of us. Its not the opposite with a few of us saying we cant do it a few of us can. And thats not the way this should be done, said Tedrow.

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There will be no pause. There will be changes, most likely, to the proposed rule-making because of the public comment we received, said Secretary Groginsky. We need to lean into this because its what New Mexico families need, its what our business community needs, its what our economy needs.

ECECD said it is reviewing all of the feedback and will publish its response and possible changes to the proposals on Thursday. The department is also going on a road tour across the state to talk with providers and parents on the initiative. The department is encouraging people to check their website for updates on the proposal changes and events to learn more about the plan.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI)  Community leaders celebrated the opening of a new early education center in Fall River with a ribbon cutting on Friday.

People Incorporated, a social services organization, announced the opening of its 21,000-square-foot facility, which will accommodate up to 214 infants, toddlers and preschoolers between the ages of 6 weeks and 6 years old. The new location replaces the agencys current building on Locust Street.

According to its website, the center serves as the flagship location of People Incorporateds Childrens Services Division, with a primary goal of supporting families in promoting their childs optimal development.

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The facility features two designated wings for separate age groups, along with a courtyard and playground to integrate indoor and outdoor learning. Care will be provided year-round from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with meals and snacks included.

The center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Its curriculum will follow NAEYC and Massachusetts Department of Early Education & Care standards, policies, and best practices.

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Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.

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Oct. 17POLK COUNTY, Minn.  An East Grand Forks man's third-degree narcotics sale charge was dismissed Thursday, Oct. 16, as part of a plea agreement across three felony cases.

Terimal Dion Singleton, 52, pleaded guilty to two felony charges related to firearm and drug possession, and one misdemeanor for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an illegal drug.

Singleton was sentenced to five years with the Minnesota Department of Corrections in St. Cloud. He has credit for 259 days served.

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In the case that was dismissed, he was

accused of selling four suspected fentanyl pills to a confidential informant

for $120 in August of 2023, according to court documents.

If Singleton had been convicted, he would have faced up to 20 years in prison, though state sentencing guidelines recommend between 21 and 68 months, depending on a defendant's criminal history.
Love Library at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is shown in the spring. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

Five years ago, on the second floor of Teachers College Hall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, my wife and I took turns rocking our 1-year-old son while we pored over our laptops. My doctoral studies in the Department of Educational Administration were in full swing.

Amid the chaos of dissertation drafts and grant proposals, Educational Administration faculty didnt just teach  they became family. Without them, I wouldnt have had the support to graduate and become a professor of educational leadership at North Dakota State University.

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Yet Nebraskas Educational Administration department  the only Ph.D.-granting educational leadership program in the state  faces dire cuts that would hurt not just Ph.D. students, but also schools and students throughout the state.

On Sept. 12, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Rodney Bennett announced a $27.5 million budget cut to address a $21 million deficit, plus $6.5 million in proactive cuts. This proposal would eliminate the Educational Administration Department entirely, resulting in the loss of 17 faculty and staff positions and the termination of key doctoral programs, including the Ph.D./Ed.D. in educational studies and the Ed.D. in educational administration.

Cutting the department accounts for $1.95 million of those savings. But it would come at a great cost. The department serves over 300 graduate students each year, delivering thousands of credit hours of instruction last academic year alone. It has strong retention and completion rates that outpace broader higher ed trends. These hours net the university $383 per credit hour from in-state students  a sizable contribution to UNL, in addition to grants that faculty obtain.

Alums like me  a lifelong Husker and four-time alum  fan out across Nebraska and beyond. Many serve in leadership roles for their school districts as principals and superintendents. Others pursue careers in higher education as faculty, impacting policy and research.

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One such person, a close friend and recent graduate of the program, is a rural principal in Nebraska. When we talked about the department being closed, he explained that the biggest issue he saw would be the lack of understanding of the importance of research in driving practice in schools. Many school practices rely on experience rather than new ideas. Strong research programs help schools use more innovative approaches that better prepare students for careers.

Zoom out, and the ripple effects worsen. The U.S. faces a dire shortage of school leaders. Qualified principals can boost student achievement by up to 25%, reduce teacher turnover in high-need areas and champion policies that break down barriers for students to ensure everyone can succeed.

In Nebraskas rural areas, where districts already struggle to attract talent, the Educational Administration Department has been a homegrown solution, producing leaders who understand Cornhusker State realities from small school mergers to choice in curricula. Without the department, students will lose out on leaders who learned how to make difficult choices and enhance the lives of students and teachers.

To be clear, budgets often involve difficult decisions. Over the past five years, UNL has already trimmed $75 million from its budget amid stagnant state funding and enrollment pressures. But targeting the Educational Administration Department is a quick fix that will backfire. Its metrics, vibrant enrollment and high-impact research demonstrate its value to taxpayers and the community.

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Rather than cut the department, the budget committee might explore other alternatives in the plan, such as using some of the projected $17.25 million saved from administrative reorganizations and voluntary resignations to maintain the Educational Administration Department, leaving a surplus of $15.35 million.

Nebraska deserves the opportunity for every aspiring educator to enroll in a program that has high standards and high involvement. If the goal is to increase tuition revenue and state appropriations, cutting a department as pivotal as this one wont work.

Even the threat of eliminating the department is detrimental to future success, as future students are significantly less likely to enroll in a program they believe might be eliminated.

Moreover, as a land-grant, flagship university, UNLs mandate is to enhance Nebraskas public good, with a focus on education at the forefront. Seen in that light, maintaining the Educational Administration Department is mission-critical.

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Erasing the department that trains leaders and educators sends the wrong message: When times get tight, we turn our backs on the very systems that help hold our communities together.

Cailen OShea is an assistant professor of educational leadership and Challey faculty fellow at North Dakota State University.

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The Ministry of Railways has achieved significant progress under the ongoing Special Campaign 5.0, initiated by the Government of India to institutionalise Swachhata in Government offices and disposal of pending matters. At the midpoint of the campaign, from 2.10.2025 to 31.10.2025, the Ministry of Railways has achieved notable progress and is well on track to reach its target. So far, a total of 29,921 cleanliness campaigns have been conducted at railway stations, offices, and other Railway premises. The Ministry has also generated 2235 crore in revenue through the disposal of scrap material and freed up approximately 1.45 lakh square feet of office space, promoting more efficient use of infrastructure. In the railways, scrap is being used to create attractive models, turning waste into wealth. Special attention is being given to the disposal of e-waste, which is being accounted for separately. As part of administrative reforms, more than 50,000 files have been reviewed, resulting in the closure or removal of 20,277 files. So far, 1.37 lakh public grievances have been disposed of during the ongoing campaign, reflecting prompt and citizen-centric service delivery. Further strengthening public engagement, the Ministry has organised more than 400 Amrit Samvad interactions at various railway stations, fostering direct communication with passengers. These achievements at the midpoint of Special Campaign 5.0 are a testament to the dedication of railway personnel across zones and divisions. The Ministry of Railways remains committed to sustaining this momentum throughout the entire campaign. (ANI)
Charter school operators are bigfooting their way into public K-12 classrooms across Florida, with plans to grab taxpayer-funded buildings and other amenities. No one should be rolling out the welcome mat

A new law passed earlier this year greatly expands Floridas Schools Of Hope program, which lets charter-school operators move into underused public-school classrooms while still qualifying as charter schools. That law took effect on July 31, and the march is on: Miami-based Mater Academy has put Broward County on notice that it plans on moving into 27 public school campuses. In Orange County, another provider has set its sights on a region in the northwest corner of the county. In its application, it described plans to move onto the campuses of two as-yet-unidentified schools, and expand from there.

Is it hope or nope?

This is about more than free space. Once a charter is in a public school, the Department of Education requires districts to pick up the tab for charter school expenses, including transportation, gyms, school safety, cafeterias, nursing and more.

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Legislation expanding the ability of charter schools to take underused public school space reached the governors desk through a political sleight of hand, tucked inside Senate Bill 2510, a budget-related bill.

Theres something deeply cynical about Florida charter schools siphoning students from public schools, then rapaciously demanding to set up shop in the same schools emptied classrooms. And it only gets worse when the performance of these Hope schools often lags behind the schools they are trying to rescue. For example, the company that wants to move into Orange County  known as KIPP TEAM & Family  already operates four charters in Jacksonville. Two of them recieved a D grade in the states annual assesment of school quality. That puts them in the bottom 4% of schools in the state. The other two schools were graded B and C. In its application to Orange County, KIPP did not mention the Jacksonville schools at all  but boasted about rising test scores at a KIPP school in Miamis Liberty City rhat earned a C for the past three years, but received an F in 2021.

Curious.

The Orange County School Board approved the KIPP application Sept. 30. They had no choice, says School Board Member Stephanie Vanos: Districts that reject School of Hope applications could lose critical state funding. We have to let them squat rent-free. And local officials expect to see more, she said.

Dealing schoolrooms in the backrooms

Politically connected companies worked behind the scenes in Tallahassee to secure this new arrangement, says independent reporter Jason Garcia whose site, Seeking Rents, dove into the late-session machinations. The result is a boon to multimillion-dollar private education businesses and a slap in the face to taxpayers who pay to enrich education, not corporations.

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Lawmakers first authorized charter schools in the 1990s, hoping to develop new teaching methods that could be shared with public schools. Charters operate under more restrictions than the private schools that accept state-funded vouchers, but can still hire uncertified teachers and deviate in other ways from the standards expected of public schools.

Schools Without Rules: An Orlando Sentinel Investigation

Funded by taxpayers, the schools are nonprofits, but the businesses running them arent. Today, many schools are lucrative revenue streams for those businesses. Among them is Academica, a Miami-based powerhouse reaping millions from deals to operate charter schools, including Mater Academy.

Academica and other companies showered lawmakers with more than $13 million in campaign contributions beginning in 1998, Integrity Florida found.

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Charter school interests spent millions more on lobbyists. But charters have more than money. They have political friends, too.

Empire-building with our money

The original 2017 Schools of Hope law provided millions in incentives to charter schools. It was spearheaded by former state Education Commissioner Manny Diaz when he was a Miami-Dade state lawmaker while also drawing a paycheck from a charter college.

New College president Richard Corcoran pushed for charter school expansion as House speaker. His wife founded a charter school, and his brother was a charter school lobbyist. And U.S. Rep Byron Donalds, a frontrunner in the governors race, is married to charter school businesswoman Erika Donalds, whose income from her charter school company was not fully disclosed for months.

Garcia reported that this years charter legislation was influenced, if not written, by lobbyists for billionaire donor and charter school backer Ken Griffin and New Yorks Success Academy charter school.

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But this legislation does much more than allow charter schools to take over parts of public schools.

It allows charter schools to drop certain troublesome students, as Success Academy was criticized for doing in New York. Keeping only high achievers can create a better overall academic ranking. Schools of Hope government money is available to charter school chains that operate near persistently low performing public schools.

The new law broadens that definition, creating opportunities for more charters to sweep in.

Florida DOE board Vice Chair Esther Byrd isnt swayed by opponents of charter expansion, or the relocation into public schools. Schools of Hope wouldnt be necessary if our public school system had done its job along the way, she told a critic.

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In fact, Schools of Hope would not be necessary if a succession of governors and legislators had done their jobs. Siphoning money from public schools to pay big businesses running charter schools, for instance, might not have been necessary if charter schools had been held to their mission of sharing innovative educational practices with public schools instead of trying to supplant them.

Instead, Tallahassee has for years washed its hands of the hard work of real reform in favor of handing off public education to private interests.

It is done under the banner of parental rights. But allowing charter schools to muscle into public schools on the taxpayers dime is not the work of legislators expanding choice. Its one more example of politicians abdicating responsibility.

The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board includes Executive Editor Roger Simmons, Opinion Editor Krys Fluker and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. The Sun Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Executive Editor Gretchen Day-Bryant, Editorial Page Editor Steve Bousquet, Deputy Editorial Page Editor Dan Sweeney and editorial writers Pat Beall and Martin Dyckman. Send letters to insight@orlandosentinel.com.
Republican leaders this week were confronted with a shocking report on the Politico web magazine. It seems members of something called the Young Republican National Federation, thinking their toxic musings were safely encased in a chat room accessible only to them, let their worst thoughts fly.

"They referred to Black people as monkeys and the watermelon people,' and mused about putting their political opponents in gas chambers," the Daily Beast reported Oct. 16. "They talked about raping their enemies and driving them to suicide, and lauded Republicans who they believed support slavery."

There really is no way to sugarcoat this kind of rhetoric. While Vice President J.D. Vance unfortunately offered a lame "boys will be boys" statement, others in the GOP have been less inclined to forgive and forget. "All Republicans, including myself, 100 percent denounced that," Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., was quoted as saying in The Hill online newspaper. "It's a serious situation. There's no room in the Republican Party for that at all."

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The Hill described the Young Republican National Federation as "the GOP's 15,000-member political organization for Republicans between 18 and 40 years old." The group "condemned the chat and called for the immediate resignations of all those involved."

Some members of the group reportedly have been fired from their political jobs, and the participants comprise a tiny fraction of the group's membership  about a dozen members participated in the chat.

Mr. Vance objected to the suggestion that young people who joke in the manner described in the chat deserve to be canceled. He also resorted in "whataboutism," saying he wouldn't rush to condemn the Young Republican leaders when Jay Jones, who wished death on a political rival and his family, remained as the Democratic candidate for attorney general in Virginia. "The reality is that kids do stupid things, especially young boys," Mr. Vance said during an appearance on the Charlie Kirk Show, which has continued since the conservative activist was assassinated Sept. 10. "They tell edgy, offensive jokes. That's what kids do. And I really don't want us to grow up in a country where a kid telling a stupid joke  telling a very offensive, stupid joke  is cause to ruin their lives."

What we have here, in addition to grounds for partisan snarling and honest dismay, is a teachable moment.

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Anyone who uses email, or engages in any other type of online conversation, should exhibit restraint when angered. That usually means declining to pull the trigger on an angry message. Wait an hour, maybe two hours, tone down the message, and send it.

Charles C.W. Cooke, who writes for National Review magazine, offered some priceless advice to people who use email, engage with others in chat rooms, or otherwise participate in social media. "I have developed a strategy to avoid being caught saying that I hate all cops, am a communist, or believe that all white, rural Americans are racist idiots," he wrote Oct. 16. "My strategy is that I don't say those things in the first place.  The technique is actually quite simple. In some circumstances, it involves me not placing my hands on a keyboard and typing those sentiments out; in others, it involves not saying them aloud. When practiced concurrently with another useful strategy  not believing any of those things in the first place  it is almost foolproof."

Mr. Vance, and presumably others, are inclined to forgive the Young Republican leaders who participated in the chat. "To err is human," wrote poet Alexander Pope, "to forgive divine." But forgiveness is something that must be earned, not given freely, and the Young Republican leaders who said such awful things  and who soiled their own brand with cruel and stupid invective  have a lot of earning to do.

This article originally published at Editorial: Young Republicans' cruel invective.
Turkey, Indonesia, and Azerbaijan are expected, alongside Egypt, to be the main contributors of troops inside the Gaza Strip, the Guardian reported.

Egypt is expected to lead the international stabilization force within Gaza, the Guardian reported on Saturday, citing diplomats familiar with the matter.

This comes as a European and US-backed UN Security Council motion works to prep the international force to be robust enough to control Gazas security.

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Turkey, Indonesia, and Azerbaijan are expected, alongside Egypt, to be the main contributors of troops inside the Gaza Strip. Cairo is being consulted on whether or not the operation should be fully UN-led.

Egypt could lead Gaza stabilization force

European and US troops are not expected to be involved on the ground. However, the UK has sent advisers to the US advisory cell in southern Israel.

The Guardian reported that the USs plan for the Palestinian enclave would mirror that of peacekeeping forces in Haiti. The US reportedly wishes for UN backing without a full UN armed force.

The UK is pushing for the final outcome to be a Palestinian state, which must eventually include East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and act as a single entity.
It has emerged that eleven fuel storage tanks were completely destroyed in two Ukrainian strikes on an oil refinery in the Russian-occupied city of Feodosiia on 7 and 13 October.

Source: Radio Liberty's Russian Service, citing satellite imagery

Details: Radio Liberty's Russian Service released before-and-after satellite photos showing the extent of the damage.

The journalists also note that several damaged tanks are unlikely to be repaired.

Background: On the night of 12-13 October, explosions were heard in Feodosiia after Ukrainian drones attacked a local oil depot.

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Elon Musk's The Boring Company has made an important move toward building its next loop transit project in Nashville, Tennessee, with a significant land purchase in the city.

According to Teslarati, the company purchased its first chunk of land for its Music City Loop project, just under 1 acre of land previously owned by Iglesia Mana de Cielo Church.

BORING NEWS: The Boring Company, via its Nevada LLC FJ Pads subsidiary, has acquired 0.84 acres at 200 Jupiter Drive in Nashville, Tennessee, for $937,812.



According to the Davidson County Register of Deeds, the purchase was made on September 23rd. The site hosts Iglesia Mana de pic.twitter.com/4YsjUmgLoe  S.E. Robinson, Jr. (@SERobinsonJr) September 30, 2025

The site, located less than half a mile from Nashville International Airport, has led to speculation that it will be the staging ground for the start of the loop construction process.

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Musk and Boring's loop concept is an interesting and controversial approach to mass transit. At its essence, it is an underground highway in which traffic travels in one direction, allowing for high-speed travel between destinations. Musk's loop systems, led by one in Las Vegas, are being set up exclusively for a fleet of Tesla vehicles operating as a taxi service, complete with drivers. In other words, a loop of this type is envisioned as a relatively high-speed, zero-pollution transit system that can allow for quick local trips along a specified route.

However, the concept isn't without controversy. Musk's ultimate goal is to create a pressurized tube transit system that is self-sustaining and contains pods that float through their tubes without touching the sides or any road or track. However, as Vaclav Smil of Massachusetts Institute of Technology explained, a number of logistical hurdles still exist before such a system could ever be implemented.

On top of that, Musk's singular completed loop in Las Vegas has been a lightning rod of controversy. ProPublica detailed that the Vegas loop was being built with little oversight and had numerous violations of state and federal regulations, drawing criticism from skeptics. It currently ferries fewer passengers than many public transit systems.

Ultimately, though, Tennessee is optimistic about the project, which, when completed, will run 9.5 miles one way from the airport to downtown Nashville, according to Nashville Scene.

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"By leveraging the innovation of private companies like The Boring Company, we're exploring possibilities we couldn't achieve on our own as a state. This potential partnership represents the kind of forward-thinking, fiscally responsible approach that will define the future of transportation in Tennessee," Gov. Bill Lee said about the project, per Teslarati.

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Oct. 17PINE ISLAND, Minn.  The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy has filed a suit against the city of Pine Island and developer Ryan Companies US, Inc., over the alternative urban areawide review (AUAR) for Project Skyway, a technology development proposal in Pine Island.

The lawsuit, filed on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Goodhue County District Court, asks the court to reverse the city's approval of the AUAR  an environmental assessment that sets a framework for potential development at the site.

The lawsuit further asks the court to require the city to conduct further environmental analysis up to or including an EIS (environmental impact statement), "and stop the city of Pine Island from issuing any permits or approvals or making any other final decision for any development in the AUAR geographic area until an adequate environmental review is complete."

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The suit also asks the court to enjoin the city from taking any action that might prejudice any ultimate decision on the proposed project until it completes adequate environmental review.

MCEA, in filing the lawsuit, alleges three key claims. First, that the AUAR did not address a specific-enough project to determine environmental impact of what the organization believes will be a large-scale data center development. Second, the lawsuit claims that the AUAR process is insufficient, and and a more stringent EIS should be required. Finally, that Ryan Companies has offered insufficient mitigation plans for environmental impact of whatever will be built at the site.

"Environmental review is the public's only opportunity to understand and weigh in on the ways a development could impact their community and quality of life before it moves forward; it can't do that if nearly all the relevant details of the proposed project are absent from the process," said Abigail Hencheck, staff attorney for MCEA. "Our state law requires transparency and our communities deserve better."

The MCEA alleges that data centers use massive amounts of electricity, water and metals, and if all the data centers currently proposed across Minnesota were built, they would use as much electricity as every home in Minnesota.

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In the past, Ryan Companies has noted that until a specific development proposal is made for the site  an end user that plans to build a specific kind of facility  there is no way to offer details more specific than have been outlined in the AUAR, which serves as a framework for the kinds of projects that can be developed at the site.

Peter Fitzgerald, vice president of Real Estate Development for Ryan Companies, said, "We believe Pine Island residents want to decide for themselves the merits and benefits to the community stemming from this project.

"Small towns across Minnesota are looking for economic development often found through commercial development including clear value to schools," Fitzgerald added. "Whether this project leans long term towards traditional industrial or data centers, we don't have a 20-year crystal ball to predict how this site will ultimately take shape."

The AUAR did include a 30-day public comment period that ended on April 17, 2025. Ryan Companies received and addressed comments during that period from one local resident, the MCEA, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

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The Minnesota Environmental Quality Board notes that AUARs are a hybrid between an environmental assessment worksheet and an EIS, and that "responsible governmental units (RGU) can use an AUAR as a planning tool to understand how different development scenarios will affect the environment of their community before the development occurs."

Project Skyway has two separate development scenarios, and the ultimate scenario will depend on what companies choose to develop a project within the project site.

Fitzgerald said MCEA is trying to impose its will on Pine Island from afar.

"That said, we believe it's highly inappropriate to question a process that has been in effect in our great state since the 1970s and strongly disagree with legal interference from advocates out of Saint Paul in this great community," Fitzgerald said. "In fact, we believe it inappropriately interrupts the democratic process of small towns like Pine Island. We won't tell the community what they should and shouldn't support, MCEA should not either."

No hearing dates have been set for the lawsuit as of Friday, Oct. 17, 2025.
The European Union considers it an insult that US President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin have planned a meeting in the Hungarian capital, Budapest.

Source: Spanish newspaper El Pais, as reported by European Pravda

Details: El Pais reported that the planned Trump-Putin meeting in Budapest puts the heads of the EU and NATO institutions "in an awkward and unpleasant position", as Putin and Trump intend to discuss the Russo-Ukrainian war in an EU country, but without the participation of the EU itself.

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In addition, the newspaper states that if EU leaders do not want to anger Trump, they will be forced to issue Putin special permits to fly through their airspace or force him to take a longer route.

"The location has been chosen carefully because it could benefit Russia by deepening divisions within the EU over the Kremlin. It could also do a big favour for [Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor] Orban, who faces elections in his country next year," said an unnamed European diplomat.

In public statements, EU leaders say that a Trump-Putin meeting would be beneficial if it helped to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

However, in private conversations, several sources have described it as a "political nightmare" for the EU.

Background:

Trump spoke with Putin on 16 October for the first time in nearly two months. Following the conversation, he announced plans for a meeting in Budapest, which would be Putin's first appearance in an EU capital since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The visit would require Russian aircraft to cross the airspace of other EU member states.

Trump said after the call that Putin did not like the idea of the US providing Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles, adding that he believes that now "it may not be perfect timing" to impose secondary sanctions aimed at reducing Russia's energy revenues.

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A National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court has sentenced two more accused in the Visakhapatnam Navy espionage case, taking the total convictions so far to four, a statement from the central agency said. The special court at Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) has sentenced Mohammad Haroon Haji Abdul Rehman Lakdawala of Mumbai (Maharashtra) to simple imprisonment (SI) of five and a half years under each of sections 17 and 18 of UA(P) Act. https://x.com/NIA_India/status/1979203325032829377?t=G1_wZWI9BxzTFl8mFX19EQ&s=08 Imran Yakub Gileti of Godhra (Gujarat) has been sentenced to 6 years of SI for each of the same offences. The accused have also been imposed a fine of Rs 5000 each, and will have to undergo an additional one-year simple imprisonment in the event of default in payment of the fine, the statement said. The case pertains to spying activities conducted at vital installations and Indian Navy establishments by foreign spies/agents operating in the country. Lakdawala was arrested by the NIA in May 2020 and Gileti in September 2020, in case No. RC-05/2019/NIA/HYD. They were nabbed from their respective home states, the statement added. The two accused were found to be agents of foreign intelligence agencies and involved in espionage activities in India, threatening the country's unity, integrity, security and sovereignty. The men were in regular contact with the Pakistani spies/agents through WhatsApp. Further, as per NIA's statement, both had relatives in Pakistan and had come in contact with Pakistani intelligence agencies during visits to the neighbouring country, investigations had revealed. They were engaged in illegal clothes and other multiple businesses with Pakistan through unlawful channels, and the money derived from these businesses was used to fund espionage activities in India. The accused had deposited various amounts into the accounts of accused Navy personnel through online money transfer Points of Sale (PoS) and other banking channels from Mumbai and Godhra on the directions of Pak agents. NIA, which took over the investigation from Counter Intelligence Police Station, Intelligence Department, Andhra Pradesh Police, Vijayawada, in December 2019, had arrested a total of 15 accused, including 11 Navy personnel, over the course of the investigation. In June 2020, the agency had chargesheeted 14 accused, followed by a supplementary chargesheet against an accused in March 2021. Further investigation and trial in the case continue. (ANI)
Donald Trumps coup in ending Israels war against Hamas has triggered soul-searching in European capitals.

In Brussels, there is recognition that the EU was, at best, a peripheral player and not the geopolitical powerbroker it dreams of becoming.

The view in the Israeli government is less forgiving. It sees Emmanuel Macrons decision in July to recognise Palestine, with his theatrical speech at the UN, as the moment Europe made itself irrelevant.

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Israels patience with the French president and European allies such as Britain had finally run out.

Sir Keir Starmer claims recognising Palestine paved the way for the Trump-brokered ceasefire. French officials say the same thing.

Israeli sources give that short shrift. The government believes the offer of recognition delayed the ceasefire by three months by emboldening and rewarding Hamas.

There is disbelief that Europeans think it is possible to negotiate with Hamas through concessions and not by strength. There are also accusations that Mr Macrons motivation in recognising Palestine had more to do with distracting from his mounting domestic political troubles than peace.

Credit: Emmanuel Macron via X

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Mr Macrons intervention was a game-changer. Spain and Ireland had recognised Palestine the year before but they were outliers.

Paris is one of the two most influential countries in the EU, and it triggered a string of similar moves across the bloc and beyond, including in the UK.

Ursula von Der Leyen, the European Commission (EC) president, has begged divided EU governments to suspend trade with Israel and sanction extremist ministers of Benjamin Netanyahus government.

Its a sharp contrast from her pro-Israel stance two years earlier. The German EU chief was one of the first leaders to travel to Israel after the Oct 7 terror attacks and was criticised for her full-throated defence of Israels right to defend itself.

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The Israeli prime minister warned that his country would prepare for autarky rather than give in to threats by the EU to suspend a string of trade benefits.

No wonder Israelis gave Mr Trump a heros welcome and its politicians wondered why those European leaders accusing them of genocide were silent as Hamas executed rivals in the streets of Gaza.

As President Trump closed in on his Gaza peace deal, Europe saw its influence wane - Yoan Valat/AFP

European diplomats are now left confronting the wreckage of relations with Israel. The Telegraph understands Israel will look to get relations back on track but bitterness is sure to linger.

It has not been an unmitigated disaster. European and Arab states have rallied behind a British blueprint to revive the Middle East peace process and save the two state solution. Elements of the Foreign Office drafted strategy are part of the peace plan for Gaza.

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The question now is what role will the EU play in Mr Trumps peace plan. Some envoys are resigned to the fact that it will be limited to financing the reconstruction.

Insiders often argue that Brussels has an Achilles heel in the fact that it wants to be relevant on the world stage.

And this hunger for relevance means that outside actors, such as Mr Trump, can dangle the prospect of involvement in order to have the bloc dancing to their tune.

The one area most expect the EU and its member states to contribute is picking up the tab for the reconstruction work in Gaza.

Anand Menon, director of the UK in a Changing Europe, said: I think theres very little doubt that Europe will get lumbered with a significant portion of the bill.

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A European source told the Telegraph there were no illusions that Mr Trump would attempt to shift the financial burden on to Europe after brokering the peace deal.

Brussels will not shun what a majority of its member states see as a key responsibility. But there are already internal discussions over how to avoid being forced to pick up the entire bill for the reconstruction of war-ravaged Gaza, which some estimates have put at upwards of 50bn.

The EU would find it very hard to mobilise that level of funds while also attempting to prop up Ukraines armed resistance against the Russian invasion.

The Telegraph understands that member states have already insisted that any reconstruction deal must ensure the bloc is a player and not just a payer.

President Trump is expected to push Europe into funding reconstruction work in Gaza - Yoan Valat/Shutterstock

There are also tentative conversations over when to pull the trigger on starting any building work because of fears that the peace deal will not hold.

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Brussels would need guarantees hardwired into Mr Trumps peace deal that it would not be left out of pocket if Israel restarted its campaign to destroy Hamas, a source said.

There are also delicate discussions in Brussels over whether to maintain the threat of sanctions as part of a carrot and stick approach to maintaining the delicate peace.

Because EU sanctions require unanimity, these plans are unlikely to see the light of day because of divisions among deadlocked member states.

Germany and others have said the EC should withdraw its plans to sever trade and research ties with the Jewish state.

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Without them as leverage, it really does leave Brussels with little influence and only able to stump up the money for reconstruction.

Rebuilding Gaza is expected to cost tens of billions of pounds, with the EU likely to pay a big chunk of the bill - Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters

Israel has its reservations about more huge sums being funnelled to a Palestinian Authority it views as having blood on its hands, the Telegraph understands.

In negotiations to come, it will push to ensure investment in the region will also pay for de-radicalisation and safeguards to ensure money does not end up in the hands of terrorists.

Mr Macron has long called on Europe to build an ability to act independently of Washington and punch its geopolitical weight. That looks more like a pipe dream than ever.

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Europe is struggling to have a say on Ukraines future, as Mr Trump negotiates directly with Putin.

After sealing his ceasefire, Mr Trump was in Jerusalem, taking in the adulation of the Knesset and claiming the limelight centre-stage.

Hundreds of miles away, over the border in Egypt, Europes leaders waited patiently for their turn to pay tribute to Trump when he came to join them on the sidelines.

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Following high-level talks between Ukrainian and U.S. officials in Washington this week, European leaders are renewing calls for a peace plan to end Russia's invasion, after an apparent shift in U.S. support for Kyiv.

"Following his meeting with President (Donald) Trump, we have coordinated and will accompany the next steps. What Ukraine needs now is a peace plan," Merz wrote on X.

Merz also reportedly said that the meeting had not gone as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had hoped, according to German media outlet n-tv.

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The statements come after an intense week of diplomacy culminating in a planned bilateral meeting between U.S. President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the failure of a Ukrainian delegation to clinch U.S. approval to purchase Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The Ukrainian team had been hoping to capitalize on improved relations. President Trump has grown increasingly frustrated in recent months by Putins refusal to end the war against Ukraine.

The delivery of Tomahawks, which can strike targets between 1,600 and 2,500 kilometers (1,0001,600 miles) away, would dramatically alter Ukraine's long-range strike capability.

Using domestically manufactured drones, Ukraine has conducted repeated long-range strikes on Russian oil refineries in a bid to put economic pressure on the Kremlin.

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But before the closed-door meeting started, Trump told reporters that the U.S. needed to maintain its own supply of the missiles. He did, however, signal openness to a weapons deal with Kyiv that could involve U.S.-made missiles and Ukrainian drones.

Russia has repeatedly warned that the U.S. supply of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine would represent a new stage of escalation.

The meeting  the sixth since Trump's return to office  came one day after a phone call between Trump and Putin, culminating in a planned summit in Budapest in the next two weeks.

Several European leaders held a conference call with Zelensky after the closed-door meeting, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

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According to an Axios source who was on the call, Starmer suggested teaming up with the U.S. to shape a Ukraine peace plan inspired by Trumps Gaza proposal.

NATO chief Mark Rutte then pushed for European security advisers to hold a rapid follow-up meeting over the weekend, Axios reported.

Read also: Trump says he hopes to end war without Tomahawks in latest meeting with Zelensky

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Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has emphasised how important it is for Europe to show solidarity with Ukraine after the meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Source: Tusk on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: After meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy spoke with EU leaders, the NATO secretary general and key European partners in the Coalition of the Willing.

"After President Zelenskyy's talks yesterday in the White House and with European leaders, one thing is absolutely clear: Europe's solidarity with Ukraine against Russia's aggression is today more important than ever before," Tusk stressed.

Background:

It was reported after the meeting that Trump did not agree to provide Tomahawk missiles and that the conversation had been quite tense. However, Zelenskyy said the matter is not completely closed, despite Trump's current position.

Following the meeting, Trump reiterated that Ukraine and Russia "need to negotiate" an end to the war.

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At the corner of Randolph and Fairview avenues in St. Paul on Saturday afternoon, throngs of people lined the streets, spilling into the intersection holding American flags and signs like the one that read, This sign is not big enough for all the reasons Im out here, as part of the No Kings protests across the nation.

A steady cacophony of honking horns from motorists passing through the intersection was accompanied by cheers from people who gathered to protest the Trump administration. People beat on drums and toddlers banged on kitchen pans with utensils.

No crowd estimates were given by organizers but demonstrators lined the streets for blocks.

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Some people dressed head-to-toe in costumes; others wore capes and crowns. Some, like Sarah Wilmers 11-year-old son, let his sign do the talking: Kids Against Kings.

Wilmer and Sarah Kathol, who brought her 8-year-old son, said that it was important for them to bring their children to Saturdays rally.

We came to show that were sick of the situation and were ready to show up, Wilmer said.

Bringing her son shows him that he can do something about it and be a part of the voice of the people saying, Were sick of this,' Kathol said.

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My son has been learning more about whats going on and has been feeling a lot of anxiety about it, Kathol said. I feel like this is a way to be doing something about it and that he will remember in the future.

While many people cited different reasons for attending the rallies, there were some common themes.

Wilmer and Kathol, both of St. Paul, said that attending helped them feel less alone and created solidarity with likeminded people.

Wilmer and Kathol were some of the thousands who gathered across Minnesota on Saturday to protest the administration of President Donald Trump as part of the second round of No Kings protests this year. Nationwide, organizers expected millions to turn out for the demonstrations.

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In addition to two St. Paul rallies, people gathered at the Commons, a park in downtown Minneapolis near U.S. Bank Stadium, and along U.S. 61 in White Bear Lake. Other rallies were held across the state, including in Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud, Fargo-Moorhead, International Falls and other communities.

A St. Paul woman who went by the name Lee said she was there for many reasons, including trying to protect and keep Social Security benefits, Medicare benefits, ObamaCare and education funding.

Im a retired teacher and I think its horrible taking money away from education and the special-needs children and services, its just horrible, she said. We have to protest. Im 75 years old; the last time I protested, I was 17 (against) the Vietnam War and for rights for African Americans. Its just horrible that Ive got to be out here now protesting for my rights as a citizen. We want no kings in America. Last time there was a king was 1776 and thats why we had a revolution.

Weve just got to stop them, Lee said. We cant have this anymore. Weve got to put (Trump) out of office and all the people that are with him.

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The mood at the St. Paul intersection was joyful and hopeful, with most people smiling and cheering.

Everybody is frustrated with the lack of leadership on both sides, said John Osborn of St. Paul. But the result of that is who we have in office now, who is beyond our worst expectations, and so we have to stand up against it. I dont know where were going to go from here. But this is the first step, is standing up against it.

He said that the first No Kings rally was very emotional for him because he was filled with concern, but that Saturdays rally had a different feeling.

There is more optimism, he said. Theres more unity. There are more people coming together. People are feeling that positive energy of coming together, so thats heartening to feel. You look around and see everyone is smiling.

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Joanne Terry of St. Paul said that it seemed like at least 10 times as many people had turned out Saturday than had turned out for the first rally in June.

She and Jen Keating, also of St. Paul, came together to protest the Trump administration because of the (federal government) shutdown and because were all just getting really tired of all our independent rights being removed, people being persecuted and people not getting the services that our taxes are paying for, she said.

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Keating agreed. Every day I wake up and it hits me what is actually happening and that it is so unconstitutional. Its so great to gather with all these people and know Im not alone, Keating said.

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We the people do have the power, Terry said. And when we believe it, we can make a difference. We do have to speak out and do something to stop this.

Organizers expected millions to attend more than 2,600 events planned in all 50 states. Demonstrators packed New York Citys Times Square, Boston Common, Chicagos Grant Park and hundreds of smaller public spaces in what the Republican Party has called Hate America rallies.

The first No Kings rallies across the country were held in June. About 25,000 people attended the first rally at the state Capitol in St. Paul on June 14, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. Organizers with Indivisible claimed 80,000 attended.
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD)  The bronze star medal is awarded to service members for heroic or meritorious service in a combat Zone. It is a big deal, especially for Lt. Bill Kruke.

A 99-year-old World War II veteran was presented Thursday with the United States fourth-highest individual military award. News 2 headed to Summerville for this special ceremony.

A special honor and one that has been a long time coming from William Bill Kruke.

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I almost cried, I almost cried when I heard that, Kruke said. What else is there to say?

There is plenty to say when it comes to Bill Kruke, the World War II veteran, who was surrounded by his wife, family, and friends at the village of Summerville when he was presented with the fourth-highest individual military award.

Lt. Kruke is being awarded the Bronze Star. This prestigious recognition is a testament to his exceptional service, unwavering courage, and steadfast dedication during his Army service in the Second World War, the presenter said.

Officials recognized his individual acts of heroism in Europe during the war, his bravery and selflessness, calling his courage under fire a reflection of the highest ideals of the US Army.

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We as a nation are just grateful for veterans like Lt. William Kruke, who, as a private, did something very impressive in taking care of one of his comrades, Col. Tim Meadors, US Army. Being able to come back and recognize that 70 years later is extremely precious, but also speaks to how important it is for us to recognize our veterans and not forget those who have fought so hard for our freedoms.

Kruke joined the Army three days after the landings in Normandy in June of 1944. He was assigned as a combat infantryman in the 10th Armored Division.

Kruke explained that this type of gratitude is not needed but certainly appreciated. He also served in the Korean conflict.

There are enough people back home who care; it means a lot, Kruke said.

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On Thursday, Kruke was recognized not only for his valor but for a lifetime of strength, integrity, and love of God and country.

Since being home, Kruke has been very active in the community with a career in engineering and serving as the former vice president of Meals on Wheels.

Congratulations to Bill Kruke!

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
As the chants of No Kings echoed through downtown Miami on Saturday, former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was livestreaming from the middle of the crowd.

Miamis second No Kings protest drew an estimated 4,000 attendees, according to organizers.

Among them was Tarrio, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in the January 6 Capitol attack before he was pardoned by Donald Trump on his first day in office. Tarrio also attended counter protests at first No Kings demonstrations in June.

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Organizers repeatedly warned demonstrators not to engage, The Miami Herald reported.

Walk away from the agitator, they said through megaphones. Please do not engage with any outside agitators.

Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, pictured at a rally organized by the Proud Boys in Portland, Oregon, showed up in Miami at a No Kings rally October 18

Tarrio, who lives in Miami, smiled into his camera and said: I support all these people, especially her with the bullhorn.

Tarrio was among four members of the far-right gang convicted of seditious conspiracy and other crimes for their role in the Capitol attack, fueled by Trumps ongoing false claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him.

Tarrio was not in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021, but prosecutors argued that he helped organize members of the group, which breached barricades and broke windows into the halls of Congress,and then bragged about their actions on social media and in group chat messages that were later shared with jurors.

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Broward Proud Boys member Barry Ramey joined Tarrio as they livestreamed their way through the crowd Saturday.

These protesters are 100 percent expressing the same rights as during January 6, Ramey said.

At one point, Tarrio confronted a protester who questioned his presence.

You dont believe in free speech? he said. Welcome to free speech!

As Tarrio and Ramey continued through the crowd, some attendees shouted pedophile defender, loser, and fascist.

Lords of War - News Brief - IVE FROM NO KINGS. Miami. Boston https://t.co/LPhG7EBouR  Enrique Tarrio (@NobleOne) October 18, 2025

Tarrio lit a cigarette as two Miami police officers approached.

Miami Police Sergeant K. Williams reportedly exclaimed very peaceful crowd as he escorted Tarrio and Ramey out of the area.

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Tarrio, who led the far-right group from 2018 to 2021, received the longest prison sentence among any convicted Capitol rioter.

But Tarrio was among more than 1,500 other defendants charged in connection with the attack who received pardons and commutations from Trump on his first day in office.

More than 7 million people participated in demonstrations against the Trump administration Saturday, with more than 2,000 cities and towns across the country joining a second round of No Kings rallies after massive protests in June.
By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump's administration is moving to send the two survivors of a Thursday strike in the Caribbean to a different country rather than seek long-term military detention for them, four U.S. officials told Reuters on Saturday.

The U.S. military staged a helicopter rescue for the survivors on Thursday after the strike on their semi-submersible vessel, suspected of trafficking illegal narcotics. The strike killed the other two crew members on board, sources told Reuters on Friday.

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The U.S. military flew the survivors to a U.S. Navy warship in the Caribbean, where they were detained until at least Friday evening. It was not clear if they had already been flown off the ship.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; editing by Diane Craft)
By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump's administration is moving to send the two survivors of a Thursday strike in the Caribbean to a different country rather than seek long-term military detention for them, four U.S. officials told Reuters on Saturday.

Reuters could not definitively establish the nationalities of the two detainees. One of the officials said it was possible that one of them was Colombian, but did not offer that information with certainty.

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The U.S. military staged a helicopter rescue for the survivors on Thursday after the strike on their semi-submersible vessel, suspected of trafficking illegal narcotics. The strike killed the other two crew members on board, sources told Reuters on Friday.

The U.S. military flew the survivors to a U.S. Navy warship in the Caribbean, where they were detained until at least Friday evening. It was not clear if they had already been flown off the ship as of Saturday morning.

The U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expected the survivors to eventually be sent to their home countries. It was unclear what conditions might exist surrounding such a transfer, including whether they would be detained.

The decision to send the survivors home means that the U.S. military will not have to grapple with thorny legal issues surrounding military detention for suspected drug traffickers, whose alleged crimes do not fall neatly under the laws of war, legal experts say.

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Speaking on Friday, Trump told reporters that the strike was against "a drug-carrying submarine built specifically for the transportation of massive amounts of drugs."

He did not comment on how many were killed or survived the strike.

The Pentagon has offered no details on the attack so far and did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; editing by Diane Craft and Nick Zieminski)
By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump's administration is moving to send the two survivors of a Thursday strike in the Caribbean overseas rather than seek long-term military detention for them, four U.S. officials and a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Saturday.

The source, who like the U.S. officials spoke on condition of anonymity, said the survivors were being sent to Colombia and Ecuador.

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The U.S. military staged a helicopter rescue for the survivors on Thursday after the strike on their semi-submersible vessel, suspected of trafficking illegal narcotics. The strike killed the other two crew members on board, sources told Reuters on Friday.

The U.S. military flew the survivors to a U.S. Navy warship in the Caribbean, where they were detained until at least Friday evening. It was not clear if they had already been flown off the ship as of Saturday morning.

The U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expected the survivors to eventually be sent to their home countries.

The decision to send the survivors home means that the U.S. military will not have to grapple with thorny legal issues surrounding military detention for suspected drug traffickers, whose alleged crimes do not fall neatly under the laws of war, legal experts say.

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Speaking on Friday, Trump told reporters that the strike was against "a drug-carrying submarine built specifically for the transportation of massive amounts of drugs."

He did not comment on how many were killed or survived the strike.

The Pentagon has offered no details on the attack so far and did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Trump administration has said the previous strikes killed 27 people, raising alarms among some legal experts and Democratic lawmakers, who question whether they adhere to the laws of war.

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The strikes come against the backdrop of a U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean that includes guided missile destroyers, F-35 fighter jets, a nuclear submarine and around 6,500 troops as Trump escalates a standoff with the Venezuelan government.

On Wednesday, Trump disclosed he had authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela, adding to speculation in Caracas that the United States is attempting to topple Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Maduro has denied any connection to drug smuggling and denounced the U.S. boat strikes as a pretext for regime change, portraying them as violations of sovereignty and international law.

In a letter this week to the United Nations' 15-member Security Council, seen by Reuters, Venezuela's U.N. Ambassador Samuel Moncada asked for a U.N. determination that the U.S. strikes off its coast are illegal and to issue a statement backing Venezuela's sovereignty.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; editing by Diane Craft and Nick Zieminski)
The Border Security Force (BSF) has heightened vigilance along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir's Arnia Sector ahead of the Deepawali celebrations. Night patrolling has been intensified to ensure round-the-clock security in the border areas. Despite the festive season, BSF personnel remain fully alert and committed to safeguarding the nation. A BSF official said that the force is fully prepared to respond to any security challenges and ensure that citizens can celebrate Diwali without fear. Speaking to ANI about the celebrations at the border, a BSF member said, "The message to the public is to celebrate Diwali joyfully with their families, assured that the BSF is vigilant and ready to respond strongly to any threats. The BSF extends Diwali greetings to all citizens and reassures them that there is no need to worry as long as the BSF is guarding the borders." Another BSF personnel assured that they are vigilant and ready to respond strongly to any threats. "The message to the public is to enjoy the festivities with their loved ones, assured that the BSF is vigilant and ready to respond strongly to any threats. The BSF is committed to providing security so that citizens can celebrate Diwali without fear. A BSF member mentions that despite being away from their families, they consider the BSF their family and celebrate Diwali together, just as they would at home," the BSF personnel at the International Border told ANI. The BSF extended heartfelt Deepawali greetings to all citizens, reaffirming that there is no cause for worry as the force continues to guard the borders vigilantly. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the people on the occasion of Dhanteras on Saturday. "Heartfelt Dhanteras greetings to all my family members in the country. On this sacred occasion, I pray for everyone's happiness, prosperity, and good health. May Lord Dhanvantari bestow his abundant blessings upon all," PM Modi posted on X. Dhanteras is dedicated to worshipping Siddhi Vinayak, another name for Lord Ganesha, the Goddess of wealth, Mahalakshmi and Kuber, the God of wealth and prosperity. It is deemed an auspicious day to make new purchases. Dhanvantari, who is also worshipped on the occasion of Dhanteras, is considered the god of Ayurveda and is believed to have imparted lessons in medical practice to rid mankind of ailments. The first day of Diwali commenced on Monday with Dhanteras marking the beginning of festivities. The day is observed on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the Vikram Sambat Hindu calendar month of Aaswayuja in the Amaavasyanta Luni-Solar Calendar. (ANI)
A Montana creek has completely dried up, according to KPAX, leaving behind crayfish skeletons and threatening an entire generation of fish and invertebrates. Radd Icenoggle, a Lolo resident with a background in wildlife biology, has documented the alarming transformation of Lolo Creek as drought conditions intensified this year.

The stretch between Highway 93 and the Bitterroot River has turned into a dusty creek bed. Icenoggle fears the kind of ecological damage that goes well beyond the immediate area, warning that "this is kind of the canary in the coal mine" for drought impacts throughout the region.

What's happening?

Lolo Creek normally experiences low flows during August and September, but this year's drought pushed the waterway past its breaking point. The creek bed went completely dry, stranding fish and other aquatic creatures.

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Icenoggle has walked the dried creek bed with his camera, capturing the reality of the situation. "This whole section of stream, maybe there's an entire generation of fish lost, invertebrates lost," he told MTN News. The crayfish skeleton he initially observed has since disappeared, highlighting the ecosystem collapse in affected areas.

Why is this drought important?

Rising global temperatures and shifting long-term weather patterns deplete water supplies, making droughts more frequent and severe. Scientists agree that human activity is ramping up extreme weather events, making them more powerful and dangerous to communities across the world.

The creek's disappearance threatens the wider ecosystem in several ways. Fish must search for new habitats or perish, while the loss of cooling water affects downstream temperatures in the Bitterroot River. The compressed dry cycle also suggests an unnatural pattern that could spread to other vital waterways.

"Well, now, where do those fish go, you know, are they traveling, trying to find another stream? Is it just tough luck?" Icenoggle wondered, per KPAX.

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Droughts also increase wildfire risk and agricultural losses, compounding the challenges communities face.

What's being done about Montana's drought?

Members of the Lolo community have rescued river creatures by the bucket when possible, though Icenoggle acknowledged the limited impact of these individual efforts. He advocates for collective action instead, urging the community to readdress how it uses the watershed.

Understanding critical climate issues helps communities prepare for future challenges, and everyday actions can help reduce the pollution that drives temperature increases. Switching to electric vehicles cuts down on harmful carbon pollution, and installing solar panels reduces our reliance on dirty energy sources. Trying to reduce water waste during drought conditions preserves precious resources for ecosystems and communities alike.

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.




Hawaii officials are encouraging residents to help them stop the spread of one of the world's most invasive species.

What's happening?

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources has launched Stop the Ant Month statewide, in an effort to stop all ants from spreading across the state.

To stop the spread, Big Island Now reported, DLNR officials have asked residents from all islands to collect and submit ants from their properties. In particular, officials worry about little fire ants, which cause painful stings.

"There are no native ants in Hawai'i, and invasive ants like little fire ants can have major adverse impacts on ecosystems, agriculture, and human and animal health," DLNR Chair Dawn Chang said in a release. "We need to aggressively detect and treat fire ant colonies; we rely on residents across Hawai'i to be our partners in reporting fire ant populations."

Why are little fire ants important?

The "little" in these ants' name accurately describes their size but woefully underestimates their impact.

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These orange ants are only about one-sixteenth of an inch long, or about half the size of a sesame seed. But just like other invasive species, little fire ants can spread quickly and take over their new surroundings.

Supercolonies can contain millions of little fire ants, and their stings can create welts that last for weeks. If they sting pets in their eyes, the injuries could lead to blindness.

Little fire ants are native to South America, but given Hawaii's reliance on imports, it's relatively easy for them to end up in shipping containers headed for the state.

According to the DLNR, the Big Island of Hawaii currently has a widespread outbreak of little fire ants, and Maui, Oahu, and Kauai all have moderate outbreaks. No little fire ants have been detected on the islands of Lanai or Molokai.

What's being done about little fire ants?

When found early, DLNR says it can easily eradicate little fire ant colonies. That's why public reporting is crucial.

How concerned are you about the plastic waste in our oceans? Extremely I'm pretty concerned A little Not much Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

The state set up a website that allows residents to request a collection kit and to report any ants found on their property. Collection sites are also set up on islands across the state.

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Although the focus is on little fire ants, officials also encourage residents to collect and report other types of ants, as that could alert the state to new species that have not previously been found in Hawaii.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
(The Center Square)  With the battle over extending pandemic-era Affordable Care Act subsidies raging in Congress, organizations across the political spectrum are highlighting the political pros and costly cons of making a temporary policy permanent.

The health care conflict is the cause of the ongoing government shutdown, which has lasted since Oct.1 after Senate Democrats first voted down Republicans seven-week funding stopgap.

The House-passed bill has failed in the upper chamber 10 times now, with Democrats refusing to fold unless Republican leaders agree to permanently extend the enhanced Obamacare Premium Tax Credits.

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But the Cato Institute, a Libertarian think tank, highlights how cementing the expanded PTC would cost $488 billion over the next 10 years alone.

It also points out that health insurers profit the most from the expansion, since the subsidy is paid directly to insurance companies  who have logged massive profits even as premiums continue to rise  instead of Americans.

The Economic Policy Innovation Center, a conservative think tank, opposes a permanent extension as well, particularly since the temporary expansion removed the eligibility income cap, allowing people earning more than $500,000 annually to qualify for the credit.

The Biden COVID Credits do not actually reduce premiums, they just shift added costs to the taxpayer, EPICs Director of Budget Policy Matthew Dickerson wrote.

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Other organizations argue that allowing the subsidies to sunset as scheduled will have devastating impacts on millions of Americans.

Researchers at the left-leaning Urban Institute recently estimated that 7.3 million people currently enrolled on the ACA marketplaces would choose not to enroll in 2026 if the enhanced PTC expires and Obamacare subsidies return to pre-pandemic levels.

Of that number, 4.8 million could become uninsured, researchers predicted. The smaller pool, coupled with the loss of the enhanced subsidies, would increase premiums by 114%, amounting to hundreds or even thousands of dollars more per month.

The Urban Institute also estimates that failing to renew the credits could result in up to 340,000 jobs lost across the country, assuming that businesses and health care providers reduce their workforces due to the loss of income.

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That income loss would cause state and local tax revenues to decrease by $2.5 billion, researchers found.

Unless Congress acts quickly to extend the enhanced marketplace premium tax credits, there will be serious consequences, they wrote.

Congressional Democrats demand a guarantee that Republicans will help pass a bill to extend the enhanced Obamacare PTC before they vote to reopen the government. The shutdown will last at least 20 days as lawmakers headed home for the weekend, inching closer to the record of 35 days.
Ambrey said the tanker was not believed to be linked to the target profile of Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis.

A Cameroon-flagged tanker issued a distress call on Saturday after an explosion onboard as it passed about 60 nautical miles south of Yemen's Ahwar, British maritime security firm Ambrey said.

The cause of the explosion was unclear.

Ambrey said it was aware of radio communications indicating the crew intended to abandon ship and that a search and rescue operation was underway.

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The vessel was travelling from Oman's Sohar Port to Djibouti, Ambrey added.

Tanker not linked to Houthi target profile

It said the tanker was not believed to be linked to the target profile of Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis.

Protesters, predominantly Houthi supporters, attend a pro-Palestinian rally one day after Israeli airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen September 26, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/KHALED ABDULLAH)

They have launched numerous attacks on vessels in the Red Sea since 2023, targeting ships they deem linked to Israel in what they describe as solidarity with Palestinians over Israel's war in Gaza.

The attacks have disrupted trade flows through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, one of the world's busiest shipping routes.




In the three weeks since her low-key pocket of San Francisco was dubbed one of the "coolest" neighborhoods on Earth, Heather World has fielded some variation of the same question from fellow Glen Park residents: What does "cool" mean?

Few locals doubt that this tiny enclave along the city's San Miguel hills is quirky, quaint, even a tad whimsical. But, cool? Some residents consider that an odd descriptor for a neighborhood with zero Michelin-starred restaurants, minimal nightlife and little name recognition. Unlike the more-bougie Noe Valley to the north, Glen Park remains an enigma to many Bay Area natives and a virtual non-factor to most tourists.

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"Cool' is not the first adjective that comes to mind when locals talk about this place," said World, president of Glen Park's neighborhood association.

Perhaps that's the point. At a time when few "hidden gems" remain undiscovered for long, this leafy village near Twin Peaks has done the borderline impossible: stay under the radar in a world-renowned city despite the neighborhood's unique combination of family owned shops, rugged greenery and a bevy of public transportation options.

A view of the San Francisco skyline from Billy Goat Hill in the Glen Park neighborhood. Time Out recently named Glen Park among the coolest neighborhoods in the country. (Yalonda M. James/S.F. Chronicle)





Some of Glen Park's roughly 8,000 residents refer to their beloved burg as a "time capsule." With brightly colored Victorians, a library branch and even a popular greasy-spoon diner, it looks much like it did three decades ago.

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"Being cool' is essentially about not being showy," said Renee Berger, who has overseen several major mural projects throughout the neighborhood. "Over all these years, it has remained very unassuming and authentic. It still feels like a small town plopped down in the middle of the big city."

Such modesty is now being tested. This past spring, Olivia Wilde chose to film her upcoming movie, "The Invite," starring herself and Seth Rogen, in the neighborhood.

Then there's Glen Park being named the 35th-best neighborhood in the world by London-based travel publication Time Out last month, including a top-five area in the entire United States and the "coolest" neighborhood in all of California. In the article's immediate afterglow, Reddit commenters raved about Glen Park's 70-acre swath of city-owned wilderness, its independent bookstore that transforms into an intimate concert venue at night, and the neighborhood's easy access to BART, Muni bus lines and Interstate 280.

While surveying all that hype, many residents felt a mix of pride and apprehension. Though it was validating to see strangers tout their unheralded neighborhood online, they also wondered: What happens when a place locals long considered one of the Bay Area's "best-kept secrets" is no longer so secret?

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"I do kind of worry about it getting too well-known," said Sean Kelly, co-owner of Glen Park Station, the neighborhood's only dive bar.

Sean Kelly, right, owner of Glen Park Station, converses with customer Tommy Reyes inside the Glen Park bar in San Francisco on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. Time Out recently named Glen Park among the coolest neighborhoods in the country. (Yalonda M. James/S.F. Chronicle)





Unlike some of San Francisco's swankier neighborhoods, Glen Park has no high-rise apartment complexes or $30 burgers. And, even though it isn't immune from skyrocketing housing prices, community leaders say that moneyed newcomers have yet to tarnish the area's tight-knit feel.

Neighbors organize monthly trash pickups, commission large-scale paintings of local history and wildlife, and host block parties that draw hundreds of people. Still, with San Francisco's median household income now around $150,000, the threat of hyper-gentrification looms larger than ever.

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Some longtime residents have already had to leave because of spiking rents.

"For a couple of decades now, San Francisco's story has been a familiar one: Whenever word gets out about an area, the vibe tends to change," said Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, whose district includes Glen Park. "But if any area can withstand this level of attention, it's probably a neighborhood with as much community involvement as that one."

The only two other San Francisco districts to ever make Time Out's "coolest" neighborhood rankings were Dogpatch (No. 36 in 2022) and the Richmond District (No. 27 in 2023), both of which are among the city's buzziest areas. As for Glen Park? If not for its eponymous - and brutalist - BART station, even some of the city's diehards might not be aware it exists.

Erika Mailman wants that to change. An Oakland-based author who moonlights as Time Out's California contributor, she had to recommend three San Francisco enclaves to the editorial panel putting together the "coolest" neighborhood rankings.

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Though she doesn't recall the two other areas she suggested, she knows why she included Glen Park: When she started dating her now-husband, he lived there. Mailman quickly fell in love with the neighborhood's rare blend of urban convenience and rural tranquility.

(From left to right): Ethan Philion, bass, Devin Drobka, drummer, and Max Bessesen, alto and soprano sax, of the Love Call Trio, perform jazz at Bird & Beckett Books & Records in Glen Park. (Yalonda M. James/S.F. Chronicle)





In the years since, she has cherished hiking the greenbelt that leads from the small commercial center to Glen Canyon Park. Visitors can take selfies in front of a sweeping San Francisco skyline, picnic along Islais Creek and spot hawks hunting overhead.

"I was really excited it made the cut because I've always felt it was very underrated," Mailman said. "It's boring when you read a feature that just talks about the same areas over and over. We all know what San Francisco's most famous neighborhoods are. Glen Park deserves its moment."

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It has certainly been a long time coming. In 2014, more than a century after San Franciscans first settled there in the wake of the 1906 earthquake, Evelyn Rose founded the Glen Park Neighborhoods History Project to document a past she calls "among the most robust in the entire city."

Perhaps nobody has been more instrumental in preserving Glen Park than the three young mothers nicknamed the "Gum Tree Girls," who banded together in the early 1970s to stop a freeway from cutting through the neighborhood and damaging the canyon. The women's portraits are part of a sprawling mural Berger helped commission, which starts at the end of Burnside Avenue, then snakes up a hill to connect with Bosworth Street.

It's just one aspect of Glen Park's charm. The area's commercial corridor, a two-block stretch around Diamond and Chenery streets known as The Village, has a pet-food shop called Critter Fritters, several longstanding cafes and the aptly named Cheese Boutique. In addition to selling delicious baguette sandwiches for just under $10, it has more than 100 varieties of cheese from around the world.

At Bird and Beckett Books and Records, owner Eric Whittington, who lives in the building, pushes the rolling bookshelves to the back most evenings so he can host jazz concerts and poetry readings. A short walk away, at the 99-year-old Glen Park Station bar, construction workers and tech executives mingle over cold pints of Guinness and cheap cocktails.

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They're more than just acquaintances. When several Glen Park Station regulars organized a bar crawl to New York City in 2019, 32 people tagged along.

Longtime Glen Park resident Renee Berger stands for a portrait near the Burnside Mural and Steps. She said the neighborhood "still feels like a small town plopped down in the middle of the big city." (Jessica Christian/S.F. Chronicle)





"We're like the neighborhood's living room," said Kelly, who has noticed an uptick in sales since the Time Out article. "All different types of people get along here. With how much tech is changing the city, that's even more special than it used to be."

Aside from a stint at nearby City College of San Francisco, Kelly, 37, has never left his childhood neighborhood.

After learning in 2021 that Glen Park Station's longtime owner was about to retire, he partnered with one of the bartenders, scrounged up as much money as he could and beat out a slew of other bidders to buy his favorite local establishment. For as long as he could remember, that bar was where he and his relatives had relaxed after hard days of work, celebrated birthdays and watched 49ers and Giants games.

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Kelly's goal as co-owner is simple: Don't let it change too much. And, for the most part, he has the same hope for the rest of the neighborhood.

"Maybe tourists might be more likely to book an Airbnb here, or at least check Glen Park out," Kelly said. "But as far as the neighborhood changing in any fundamental way, I'm not concerned. If that was going to happen, it would have already happened. After all, it's not like housing costs can get much worse."

According to Realtor.com, Glen Park's median home listing price is around $1.6 million, about $300,000 above the Bay Area's median price. The teachers, police officers and former nonprofit employees who've lived in the neighborhood for decades often chuckle when they see seven-figure prices on local house listings.

A realtor for his day job, Kelly recently listed a modest two-bedroom, one-bathroom house on the border of Glen Park and Noe Valley for $1.3 million. It sold for $900,000 over the listed price. All cash.

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"Things tend to be underrated until they're overrated," Berger said. "But as long as I'm here, I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure this community never loses its soul."

This article originally published at This S.F. neighborhood remains one of the region's best-kept secrets. But the secret is getting out.
Did Alexander Turbanov, an Israeli man who was held prisoner by Hamas, make a statement sympathizing with his captors upon his release? No, that's not true: This made-up quote went viral on Feb. 15, 2025 and resurfaced in Oct. 2025. The man in question is not named Turbanov, his name is Alexander Troufanov. The quote attributed to Troufanov was posted on X by social media influencer Khaled Safi, who clarified in a follow-up post that he wrote these words "on his behalf".

The made-up quote appeared in a post (archived here) published on Facebook on Feb. 16, 2025 by the page Towards Understanding Islam. The post begins:

A MUST READ!! Today, the Israeli prisoner Alexander Turbanov, who was released, made a statement that shocked the occupying Israel: "Your kindness has been engraved in my conscience forever. During the 498 days I lived among you, despite the aggression and crimes you endured, I learned the true meaning of manhood, pure heroism, and respect for humanity and values.

This is what the post looked like on Facebook at the time of writing:

Image source: Lead Stories screenshot from facebook.com/share/p/1Chr9PtU8c.

Alexander Turbanov is not the name of the hostage who was released on Feb. 15, 2025. A photo of the exchange ceremony for the three hostages appears in a US News & World Report article (archived here) titled, "Israel and Hamas Complete Their Latest Exchange as Ceasefire's First Phase Has Just 2 Weeks Left". Troufanov is pictured wearing a red hoodie. The photo caption reads:

Israeli hostages Iair Horn, 46, left, Sagui Dekel Chen, 36, center left, and Alexander Troufanov, 29, right, are escorted by Hamas and islamic Jihad fighters as they are handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Image source: Lead Stories screenshot from usnews.com/news/world/articles/2025-02-14/hamas-is-set-to-free-3-more-israeli-hostages-after-dispute-threatened-to-reignite-war-in-gaza.

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On Feb. 15, 2025 Khaled Safi @KhaledSafi made a post (archived here) on X in Arabic (pictured below left). The post included an 8-second video clip showing Troufanov in the same setting as the photo above- escorted by two armed fighters. Although not identical, the auto-translation of Safi's post to English (pictured below right) follows the structure and sentiment of the quote included in the Facebook post.

Your beauty is etched in my conscience, for during the 498 days I lived among you, I learned the true meaning of manhood, pure heroism, and respect for humanity and values, despite the aggression and crimes you were subjected to.

You were the besieged yet free, while I was the captive, and you were the guardians of my life. You cared for me like a compassionate father cares for his children, preserving my health, dignity, and elegance. You did not allow hunger or humiliation to touch me, even though I was in the hands of men fighting for their land and their stolen rights, against the government of my country, which perpetrates the most heinous genocide against a besieged people.

Image source: Lead Stories screenshot from x.com/KhaledSafi/status/1890679402943393905.

Many people replied to Safi asking for clarification. He responded on Feb. 15, 2025 (archived here):

Notice and clarification: These are not the words of the captive, but rather I wrote them on his behalf, describing his condition, his gratitude, his thanks, and his bowing to the men of the resistance.

Image source: Lead Stories screenshot from x.com/KhaledSafi/status/1890820463833612646.

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Claim:

U.S. President Donald Trump's October 2025 ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza was the "exact deal" brokered by former President Joe Biden.

Rating:

Rating: False

Context:

In January 2025, Biden announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a ceasefire and hostage-exchange deal. Israel broke the agreement with surprise airstrikes about two months later.

An online rumor alleged that U.S. President Donald Trump's October 2025 ceasefire agreement to end the war in Gaza was the "exact deal" former President Joe Biden brokered before leaving office.

Biden proposed a ceasefire deal in May 2024 that Israel and Hamas did not publicly agree to. Months later, in January 2025, he announced that Israel and Hamas did agree on a plan, one that used the "exact framework" of his May 2024 proposal. Biden's plan fell apart in March, after its first stage.

While Biden and Trump's deals shared similarities, they differed in how quickly Hamas and Israel had to swap captives. Under Trump's plan, Hamas released all remaining Israeli hostages within a week, in exchange for 1,700 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel without charge and 250 convicted prisoners. Biden's plan, in contrast, involved releasing captives in stages.

Other differences included Trump's proposal that Hamas would not have any role in Gaza's governance, nor the region's approach to redevelopment. Similarities included guidance on Israel's withdrawal and the directive that the country must immediately allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Even if Trump had used Biden's "exact deal," implying that Trump replicated Biden's plan ignores an ever-evolving political landscape affecting the ceasefire.

As of this writing, Hamas and Israel have agreed only to the first phase of Trump's deal, and negotiations over terms to end the war continue. It is not clear just how much the final version of Trump's framework might differ from Biden's or will be similar to it.

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On Oct. 8, 2025, Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza.

The agreement came two years after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, in which the militant group killed 1,200 people and captured 251 hostages. Israel's ensuing offensive killed more than 67,000 Palestinians and displaced an estimated 90% of Gaza's population in what a United Nations commission declared a genocide.

Following the ceasefire announcement, a rumor spread online that Trump used a deal brokered by former President Joe Biden to try to stop the fighting. Some claims referenced a May 2024 proposal by Biden, while others claimed Trump's plan matched a ceasefire agreement that Israel and Hamas signed in January 2025 under Biden's presidency. Keith Edwards, a Democratic strategist, made the claim on X, writing:

Joe Biden had a peace deal in place, and then Netanyahu and Trump met in Mar-a-Lago and decided that keeping the war going would benefit them both. Ten months later, they're signing the exact deal Biden brokered.

Other posts on X, Facebook, Reddit and Bluesky spread similar claims.

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While Trump's plan had similarities with Biden's ceasefire plans, they were not the same. Namely, Biden and Trump's plans differed in how quickly the hostages would be released. Furthermore, the implication that Trump stole Biden's proposal fails to consider how circumstances, both on the ground in Gaza and politically across the globe, have changed over months.

As such, we have rated this claim false.

Furthermore, while Trump did meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago in July 2024, as some social media posts claimed, there was no evidence the two leaders agreed on extending the war for their mutual benefit during that conversation. Netanyahu's visit with Trump had "widely been viewed as an effort to mend ties with Trump before the November 5 election," according to Al Jazeera.

Timeline of events

Biden first announced a ceasefire proposal in May 2024. He characterized it as an offer from Israel, but neither Hamas nor Israel publicly agreed to it at that time. Critics and journalists said the proposal was essentially the same as one suggested by Egypt and Qatar in April and endorsed by Hamas.

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Then, on Jan. 16, 2025  after Trump won the presidency but before Biden left office  Biden announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a ceasefire and hostage-exchange deal.

"This  this is the ceasefire agreement I introduced last spring," Biden said in his announcement, referencing his initial May 2024 proposal. "Today, Hamas and Israel have agreed to that ceasefire agreement and the whole  ending the war."

The peace lasted until March, when Israel broke the ceasefire agreement through surprise airstrikes that, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, killed more than 400 Palestinians.

At the time, families of hostages, critics of the Israeli prime minister and journalists said Netanyahu restarted the war to prolong his political survival, an allegation the prime minister rejected as "malicious and also false." Some analysts also said Netanyahu violated the ceasefire because he thought he could get a better deal with Trump in the White House.

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Netanyahu's office claimed the March strikes happened because Hamas refused Israel's demand to release half of the remaining hostages as a precondition for continuing the ceasefire deal as planned. (Hamas reportedly called on Israel to adhere to the original ceasefire plan as signed.)

Over the spring and summer, Israel continued to bombard Gaza, killing more than 15,000 Palestinians, according to U.N. reports compiling Gaza Ministry of Health data.

Then, on Sept. 29, Trump announced a new ceasefire plan alongside Netanyahu. In an Oct. 3 Truth Social post, Trump gave Hamas an Oct. 5 deadline to agree to the deal's terms or face "all HELL."

On Oct. 8, Trump announced Israel and Hamas had "signed off" on the first phase of his deal.

A major difference between Trump's and Biden's deals

In short, the biggest difference between Biden's and Trump's ceasefire deals was the timeline for swapping captives.

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Under Trump's deal (archived), published in full on the White House's X account and in news outlets, including the New York Times, Hamas released 20 remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for 1,700 detainees from Gaza who Israel had detained without charge, reportedly in abusive conditions. Israel also released 250 convicted prisoners, many of whom had affiliations with Hamas or Hamas' rival, Fatah, a secular Palestinian political party.

Hamas freed the last group of living hostages on Oct. 13, less than a week after Trump's ceasefire deal announcement.

In contrast, Biden's plan called for the captives' release over a longer span of time. He said in January that his proposal included "the release of a number of hostages held by Hamas, including women and elderly and the wounded" in a first phase lasting six weeks. In exchange, Israel would "release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners."

Biden never publicly released the full text of his May 2024 proposal, nor the framework that he described as a ceasefire deal in January 2025. However, The Times of Israel reportedly obtained copies of both plans. A Congressional Research Service information page by Middle East specialists called the Times of Israel's report a "reputed text." Furthermore, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution endorsing Biden's May 2024 proposal, and the information in that endorsement aligned with the reported copies of the former president's deal.

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Biden said his January 2025 proposal was "the exact framework" as the May 2024 plan, and that the previous plan "laid out the precise contours" of the later one.

As such, using the May 2024 text (archived), Biden's plan reportedly involved a detailed step-by-step release of captives. For example, the deal directed Hamas to release three Israeli female civilian hostages on Day 1, four additional female hostages on Day 7 and then three more detainees every seven days.

In other words, unlike Trump's deal, Hamas did not have to release all hostages immediately under Biden's plan. The former president's plan called for releasing remaining hostages during its second phase and the remains of hostages who had died in the third.

How similar were the deals overall?

Following Trump's announcement of a ceasefire deal in October 2025, former secretary of state Antony Blinken, who worked under Biden, wrote on X (archived) that Trump "adopted and built on the plan the Biden Administration developed." As Blinken suggested, Trump and Biden's plans had similarities  but they were not the exact same.

A timeline comparing U.S. President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden's ceasefire deals. Biden's deal involves three phases over 12 weeks, as opposed to Trump's plan, which involved immediate release of the hostages and then plans after their release and return.

(Snopes illustration)

Notably, the proposals diverted in their approach to timing Israel's withdrawal from Gaza. Trump's plan also addressed specifics regarding Hamas' future in the region, the transition of governance and the United States' role in redeveloping the enclave.

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For example, both plans necessitated Israeli military presence along Gaza's border initially, but Trump's plan stated the military would remain there until Gaza is "secure from any resurgent terror threat" (it was unclear who would make that call). Trump's plan also involved Israel progressively handing over control of Gaza to a body made up of the U.S. and "Arab and international partners."

Both plans called for immediate, unobstructed aid into Gaza and cooperation with the U.N. and other agencies. Trump's deal directly referred to Biden's proposed aid metrics  such as 600 trucks of aid per day, 200,000 tents, etc.  as well as guidance on transportation and the flow of goods through the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

The third phase of Biden's proposal required a "reconstruction" period of three to five years, calling for the building of homes, civilian facilities and other infrastructure. Trump's plan focused on the "redevelopment" of Gaza that, according to the proposal, would consider "many thoughtful investment proposals and exciting development ideas."

Regarding governance, Trump's framework required "Hamas and other factions" to relinquish any direct or indirect role in governing Gaza and decommission all weapons using an international buyback program. (Hamas, as of this writing, had not agreed to those terms.) In Hamas' place, Trump proposed a transitional government of "apolitical" Palestinians with relevant expertise under the supervision of a "Board of Peace" chaired by himself. He also called for training "vetted Palestinian police forces" in Gaza as a "long-term internal security solution."

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Biden's plan did not include any details regarding the future governance of Gaza, only that a number of countries and organizations including Egypt, Qatar and the U.N. would supervise reconstruction.

How did the political climate change since Biden's plan?

Even if Trump had used Biden's "exact deal," suggesting that Trump repurposed or stole Biden's blueprint for himself ignores an evolving global political landscape in the backdrop of negotiations.

In July, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, the foremost authority on global food security, declared the "worst case scenario" of famine was unfolding in Gaza.

Human-rights groups such as Amnesty International concluded that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza before Biden's ceasefire agreement in January. After that, between the release of Biden's and Trump's deals, a growing chorus of politicians and organizations declared Israel's actions in Gaza a genocide, including a United Nations commission, the International Association of Genocide Scholars and two prominent Israeli human-rights groups.

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Global protest over the Isreali military's actions in Gaza escalated; the world watched as Israel arrested hundreds of civilians from more than 44 nations on a Gaza-bound flotilla, including climate activist Greta Thunberg.

In September 2025, many U.S. allies, including the U.K., France, Canada and Australia, announced they recognized a Palestinian state. (Trump's plan recognized the Palestinian "aspiration" for statehood.)

In the United States, public views toward Israel's military actions in Gaza steadily shifted toward disapproval, according to a Pew Research survey. The poll found 39% of Americans felt in September 2025 that Israel "is going too far in its military operation against Hamas," up from 31% in September 2024.

Furthermore, analysts suggested that Trump, with strong support from his base at home and high popularity in Israel, may have had more flexibility in his dealmaking than Biden. Experts also pointed to Trump's history of business with the Middle East and close ties to Gulf leaders as reasons he might have secured his deal in October 2025.

What's next?

As previously stated, Israel violated Biden's ceasefire deal before its second phase.

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Hamas and Israel have agreed only to the first phase of Trump's plan. As of this writing, it was impossible to say whether the ceasefire would hold.

Just days after Israel and Hamas signed Trump's agreement, Israel accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire by failing to return the hostages' bodies. Hamas accused Israel of breaking the ceasefire by killing 24 people and Israel has reportedly limited aid into Gaza.

In sum, the major difference between the two plans was the pace of releasing captives. And while both plans touched on redevelopment options and a transitional government for the region, Biden's proposal included less details.

That said, Trump's plan might change as negotiations continue, making it difficult to conclude, exactly, how much the plans overlap.

Sources:

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@realDonaldTrump. "Hamas Has Been a Ruthless and Violent Threat, for Many Years, in the Middle East! They Have Killed (and Made Lives Unbearably Miserable), Culminating with the October 7th MASSACRE, in Israel, Babies, Woman, Children, Old People, and Many Young Men and Women, Boys and Girls, Getting Ready to Celebrate Their Future Lives Together. As Retribution for the October 7th Attack on Civilization, More than 25,000 Hamas 'Soldiers' Have Already Been Killed. Most of the Rest Are Surrounded and MILITARILY TRAPPED, Just Waiting for Me to Give the Word, 'GO,' for Their Lives to Be Quickly Extinguished. As for the Rest, We Know Where and Who You Are, and You Will Be Hunted Down, and Killed. I Am Asking That All Innocent Palestinians Immediately Leave This Area of Potentially Great Future Death for Safer Parts of Gaza. Everyone Will Be Well Cared for by T." Truth Social, 3 Oct. 2025, truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115310630808491399.

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"Remarks by President Biden on Reaching a Ceasefire and Hostage Deal | the White House." The White House, 20 Jan. 2025, bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2025/01/19/remarks-by-president-biden-on-reaching-a-ceasefire-and-hostage-deal/.

"Remarks by President Biden on the Middle East | the White House." The White House, 31 May 2024, bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/05/31/remarks-by-president-biden-on-the-middle-east-2/.

"Reported Impact Snapshot | Gaza Strip (7 October 2025) | United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - Occupied Palestinian Territory." United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - Occupied Palestinian Territory, 7 Oct. 2025, www.ochaopt.org/content/reported-impact-snapshot-gaza-strip-7-october-2025.

"Resolution 2735." Un.org, 10 June 2024, docs.un.org/en/s/RES/2735(2024).

Reuters. "LIVE: Hamas Releases Israeli Hostages." YouTube, 13 Oct. 2025, www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hfugBVGGj8. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

Shakir, Omar. "Why Does Israel Have so Many Palestinians in Detention and Available to Swap? | Human Rights Watch." Human Rights Watch, 29 Nov. 2023, www.hrw.org/news/2023/11/29/why-does-israel-have-so-many-palestinians-detention-and-available-swap.

Sharp, Jeremy M., and Jim Zanotti. "Israel-Hamas Cease-Fire in Gaza." Congress.gov, 17 Jan. 2025, www.congress.gov/crs-product/IN12487.

Shinego, Wes. "Biden Announces Ceasefire Deal between Hamas, Israel in Farewell Address." War.gov, 16 Jan. 2025, www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/article/4032622/biden-announces-ceasefire-deal-between-hamas-israel-in-farewell-address/.

"Statement from President Joe Biden | the White House." The White House, 15 Jan. 2025, bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/15/statement-from-president-joe-biden-14/.

Tantesh, Seham, and William Christou. "'Cruellest Forms of Torture': Freed Palestinians Describe Horrors of Israeli Jail." The Guardian, The Guardian, 14 Oct. 2025, www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/14/freed-palestinians-describe-horrors-of-israeli-jail.

Taylor, Adam. "Why News Outlets and the U.N. Rely on Gaza's Health Ministry for Death Tolls." Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2023, www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/24/gaza-death-toll-palestinian-health-ministry/.

"The Latest | Netanyahu Says He Will Only Accept a Partial Cease-Fire Deal That Would Not End the War." AP News, 24 June 2024, apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-mideast-latest-06-24-2024-02725bcefa1d1498bbb836b9a5d4a210.

"The Unfolding Genocide against the Palestinians Must Stop Immediately." International Federation for Human Rights, 12 Dec. 2023, www.fidh.org/en/region/north-africa-middle-east/israel-palestine/the-unfolding-genocide-against-the-palestinians-must-stop-immediately.

TOI Staff. "Text of the Hostage-Ceasefire Agreement Reached between Israel and Hamas." Timesofisrael.com, 16 Jan. 2025, www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-of-the-hostage-ceasefire-agreement-reached-between-israel-and-hamas/.

Tress, Luke. "'We Need Closure': Hostage Families Lead Protest Outside UN during Netanyahu Speech." Timesofisrael.com, 26 Sept. 2025, www.timesofisrael.com/we-need-closure-hostage-families-lead-protest-outside-un-during-netanyahu-speech/. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

"UN Report: Palestinian Detainees Held Arbitrarily and Secretly, Subjected to Torture and Mistreatment." OHCHR, 31 July 2024, www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/07/un-report-palestinian-detainees-held-arbitrarily-and-secretly-subjected.

UNRWA. "UNRWA Situation Report #168 on the Humanitarian Crisis in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, Including East Jerusalem | UNRWA." UNRWA, 25 Apr. 2025, www.unrwa.org/resources/reports/unrwa-situation-report-168-situation-gaza-strip-and-west-bank-including-east-jerusalem.

"UNRWA Situation Report #192 on the Humanitarian Crisis in the Gaza Strip and the Occupied West Bank, Including East Jerusalem." Https://Www.unrwa.org/, 13 Oct. 2025, www.unrwa.org/resources/reports/unrwa-situation-report-192-situation-gaza-strip-and-west-bank-including-east-jerusalem.

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Wike, Richard, et al. "U.S. Image Declines in Many Nations amid Low Confidence in Trump." Pew Research Center, 11 June 2025, www.pewresearch.org/global/2025/06/11/confidence-in-trump/.

"Without Trial: Administrative Detention of Palestinians by Israel and the Incarceration of Unlawful Combatants Law." B'Tselem, www.btselem.org/publications/summaries/200910_without_trial.

Zurcher, Anthony. "How Trump Secured a Gaza Breakthrough Which Eluded Biden." BBC News, 9 Oct. 2025, www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj3yke64vp6o.
HASKELL, Okla. (KFOR)  The biological mother of a little girl Oklahoma law enforcement says, was left outside in Februarys arctic temperatures as a form of alleged punishment is suing.

Christopher Brecht of Smolen Law in Tulsa says he filed two lawsuits on behalf of Sharla Weaver, his client, and the victims biological mother.

Were representing the mother on behalf of the child, said Brecht. You cant do that to any child, much less a foster child.

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In February, News 4 reported that Rhet Wike, a Haskell man, had taken a video that appeared to show the 9-year-old girl outside of a home wearing pajamas and no shoes, begging to be let inside. Wike said he immediately called the police after hearing the little girl and noted the child was outside for at least 10 minutes.

Andrew Fultz. Image courtesy, KJRH and Muscogee County Jail.

Kaytlin Fultz. Image courtesy, KJRH and Muscogee County Jail.

Andrew and Kaytlin Fultz, the childs foster parents, were arrested for child neglect. Kaytlin Fultz is facing her charge in Muscogee Creek Nation court since shes a tribal citizen and Andrew Fultz is facing his charge in Muskogee County court. Kaytlin Fultzs jury trial is set to start October 20.

Documents say Kaytlin Fultz told police the child was only outside for a few minutes and for a time out because the girl didnt want to put shoes on.

It is heartbreaking: OSDE, state lawmakers looking into OK child seen outside in PJs in cold

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You cant do that to any child, much less a foster child, said Brecht. Theres emotional trauma that she will never like, shell never get over.

The lawsuits Brecht filed name the Fultzs and the Department of Human Services as defendants, accusing all parties of negligence. Brecht says the video evidence speaks for itself in the Fultzs case.

Like, even what they have admitted to is is negligence on its face in my mind, said Brecht.

When it comes to the Department of Human Services lawsuit, court papers say a case worker for the state visited the Fultzs home on the day of the incident and said they had no concerns for the health and well-being of the children in the home. The case worker allegedly added that the Fultzs alleged methods for discipline were likely more effective at reaching a resolution.

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The child was removed from the Fultzs home three days after the case workers visit. News 4 asked Brecht for an update on them, but he said he legally couldnt share any details.

Its not just the fact that this happened in February of this year and then nothing was done to address this issue, said Brecht. Its the fact that this issue was allowed to happen in the first place, and thats happened because of failures from the top down.

Both lawsuits ask for monetary damages from the defendants and jury trials.

A Department of Human Services spokesperson told News 4 the agency does not comment on pending litigation.

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Were hoping too that by shining light on this, that there can be institutional change within the system, within this administrative body and within this agency, said Brecht.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.




More than a dozen families celebrated LGBTQ History Month on Saturday morning at Discovery Green at the city's fourth Families with Pride festival.

Hosted by City Council Member Abbie Kamin in partnership with the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, the annual event is dedicated for LGBTQIA+ families and allies.

"(Today) is really about creating a fun, safe space for LGBTQIA families and allies," Kamin said. "Days like this are more important to give families reprieve, joy and a sense of belonging that their cities stand for them."

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Activities included a band performance, a kids costume contest, magic shows and face painting. The event also had a small marketplace with various vendors and a LGBTQ+ history tent. Throughout the morning, children and parents ran around the park chasing and blowing bubbles.

"Sometimes, there has to be thought (when going to certain events)," said Josh Munoz, who came with his husband and two children from Pearland. "To just go (to an event like this) and have fellowship, hang out with other families and enjoy the day is nice."

Munoz said he came to Saturday's event to also spend time with other LGTBTQIA+ couples and families.

MONTROSE CROSSWALK PROTEST: Houston groups plan 'Don't Mess with the Texas Rainbow' protest Sunday at Montrose crosswalk

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Some families, like Suzanne Ferguson, came out to the event to support their friends and other families who are part of the LGBTQ+ community.

"We wanted to support our friends coming out there because they don't have too many LGBTQIA families to support them," Ferguson said. "It's important to have a place where you can celebrate and be who you are."

Jose Coira, who lives in the Galleria area, said he and his husband are a part of a gay dads friend group that is spread all over the Houston area. He said that events like Families with Pride gives them the opportunity to get together.

"I think, especially now, it means more (to have events like this)," Coira said. "More visibility is better."

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The event comes after Gov. Greg Abbott issued a sweeping order for Texas cities to remove "political ideologies" from their streets or risk losing Texas Department of Transportation funding. The order would include Houston's iconic rainbow crosswalk at Westheimer and Taft, which the city has said it will remove.

Kamin called Abbott's order an "illegal and unethical state overreach."

"It's imperative ... (to) stand up for everything that makes Houston great," Kamin said. "When they come with hate and bigotry, we're going to take a stand. Today is what Houston stands for."

Supporters of the crosswalk are expected to protest its removal on Sunday.

This article originally published at Families celebrate LGBTQ History Month with 'fellowship' at downtown Houston Pride event.
Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel congratulated the BJP-led state government and security forces after 208 Naxalites surrendered in Bastar. Expressing satisfaction with the surrender of Naxalites, the Congress MLA said that he is happy that the state government moved forward with the Congress "Trust-Development-Security policy" to tackle Naxalism. "I am happy today that the state government, along with the Union Home Minister Ji, has moved forward by adopting our "Trust-Development-Security' policy as before," Bhupesh Baghel said. "Today, the large-scale surrender of Naxalites in Bastar gives us all satisfaction that this national fight will soon move towards its end. We will all win together. Congratulations to the government and security forces," he added. The former Chhattisgarh CM listed his government's efforts to resolve the issue after 2018. He also acknowledged Union Home Minister Amit Shah's collaboration to take the fight as a shared national challenge. However, Baghel was critical of the previous BJP government in the state. "The BJP government (before the Congress government in 2018) in the state, which was in power for one and a half decades, was unwilling in the fight against Maoism; this was stated by the security advisor KPS Gill Sahab himself," he said. "Our government came to power in 2018, for the first time, a Naxal eradication policy was formulated, a large number of camps were opened, roads were built, school bells rang, and we entered the lairs of the Naxalites and challenged them. The Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji provided cooperation in this fight, and we took it as a shared national challenge," he added. On Friday, 208 Naxalites surrendered at an event organised in Bastar's Jagdalpur, holding the Indian Constitution as they were welcomed back into the mainstream. According to officials, the surrendered group includes 110 women and 98 men, representing various ranks of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) organisation. Among them are one Central Committee Member (CCM), four Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) members, one Regional Committee Member, 21 Divisional Committee Members (DVCMs), 61 Area Committee Members (ACMs), 98 Party Members, and 22 PLGA/RPC/other cadres. Among the top Maoist leaders who laid down arms were Rupesh alias Satish (Central Committee Member), Bhaskar alias Rajman Mandavi (DKSZC Member), Ranita (DKSZC Member), Raju Salam (DKSZC Member), Dhannu Vetti alias Santu (DKSZC Member), and Ratan Elam (Regional Committee Member). During the operation, the Maoists surrendered 153 weapons, including 19 AK-47 rifles, 17 SLR rifles, 23 INSAS rifles, one INSAS LMG, 36 .303 rifles, four carbines, 11 BGL launchers, 41 twelve-bore or single-shot guns, and one pistol. (ANI)
Dozens took to the federal courthouse in Fresno on Friday to demand the release of a Firebaugh mom they say ICE detained last week.

"She was doing everything right," Democratic Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria said about Maria Caballero. "She followed the rules. She showed up, she trusted the process."

Caballero was working to adjust her status after entering the country unlawfully without the proper documents.

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"Her appointment was abruptly interrupted by ICE agents, and she was taken away in handcuffs," Assemblywoman Soria said.

Caballero's son, Omar, is asking for his mother's release. She is the primary caretaker of a child.

"We were facing our biggest nightmare, the separation of our beloved family," Omar Almaraz said. "To say that our mom is the foundation of our family is an understatement."

Caballero is currently at the California City Detention Facility, which officials reactivated this year as President Trump's immigration crackdown plays out across the state.

RELATED: Congressman Jim Costa calls for answers from ICE on detaining Pismo's manager

"It's very lifeless. It's gray. Barbed wire everywhere. Gates everywhere. Guards everywhere," Steven Rodriguez told Action News.

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He visited his mom, Leticia, at the facility last weekend after he said ICE detained her during a Green Card interview.

They spoke over the phone with a glass barrier separating them.

"She was happy to see us, and I think that's what she wants - She wants to see us," Rodriguez said. "But she's hurting and she's missing us."

What lies ahead for Caballero and Leticia is now unclear. A notice online states that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement cannot respond to questions due to the government shutdown.

"We have not had any communication with any immigration officials," Assemblywoman Soria said.

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Republican lawmakers have told Action News that they would welcome the return of deported immigrants as long as they follow the legal process to re-enter the country.

For news updates, follow Gabe Ferris on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Syria is experiencing its worst drought in nearly four decades, and farmers say their fields are turning barren. One farmer is harvesting under half of his typical yield and is unable to afford necessities. Aid groups warn that the losses from the drought will worsen the country's already severe hunger crisis.

What's happening?

The BBC reported that farmer Maher Haddad in Hama province harvested just 190 kg (418.8 lbs) per dunum this year, compared to the 400-500 kg (881.8-1,102.3 lbs) he normally relies on, and he struggled to feed himself and his children.

Nationwide, wheat production has dropped by 40%, which led to a shortfall of 2.73 million tonnes  enough to feed 16 million people, according to the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

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To add to that, the World Food Programme says that more than 14 million Syrians are struggling to eat enough, 9.1 million are in acute hunger, and 1.3 million people are experiencing severe conditions. Pregnant women and children are increasingly malnourished, and families are borrowing money just to buy bread, while rural households are selling off livestock while also eating fewer meals.

How is extreme weather a factor?

The collapse of Syria's wheat harvests is tied directly to extreme weather. According to the BBC, rainfall has dropped by nearly 70% this year and crippled three-quarters of the country's rain-fed farmlands. Extended dry spells like this drought, or megadroughts, are becoming more frequent and more severe, which scientists link to increasing global temperatures and shifts in rainfall patterns. These weather extremes make it harder for farmers to predict planting seasons or sustain crops, especially when they lack access to reliable irrigation.

"This is the difference between families being able to stay in their communities or being forced to migrate," said Piro Tomaso Perri, FAO's senior program officer for Syria, according to the BBC. "For urban households, it means rising bread prices. For rural families, it means the collapse of their livelihoods."

The BBC report noted that Syria's cereal harvest is expected to be 60% below average this year, cutting deeply into national reserves.

What's being done about the crisis?

The World Food Programme has provided $8 million in direct aid to small farmers who lost their crops, the BBC reported, and FAO is calling for $286.7 million under its Emergency and Recovery Plan of Action for 2025-2027, according to other reports. Aid officials told the BBC that the goal is to keep farmers from abandoning their land.

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The FAO also notes that investment in irrigation projects, including solar-powered systems, is needed to help stabilize the yields, but requires time and more funding to come to fruition.

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.
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Florida father Brian Rhodes said he and his 5-year-old son lost everything after an overnight fire ravaged their Tampa home

The family's beloved 8-year-old dog, Ivey, and Rhodes mother's ashes were among the losses in the house fire

Rhodes is looking for a home now for him and his son

A Florida father and his 5-year-old son are lucky to be alive after an overnight fire ravaged through their home in Tampa.

Brian Rhodes told Fox 13 News that he and his son had not been home when the fire began, and were unaware of what was happening until they got a call from authorities at around 6 a.m.

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"It was so big (firefighters) couldnt tell me where it started," Rhodes told the outlet, adding that when he arrived fire crews were working to put out the flames, which had been coming out of the windows of the home.

You could just tell everything was gone," he added, per Fox 13 News.

When the flames were put out, Rhodes walked inside certain areas of the charred home to see if there was anything that could be salvaged.

"I lost everything, everything I owned was in this home," he told the outlet.

Firefighters later informed him that along with several items, his 8-year-old pitbull Ivey was not able to make it out. Rhodes told the outlet that Ivey was his sons best friend, adding that the dog protected him and played with him, and there were other irreplaceable items that were gone forever.

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He reportedly told his son, "your blankie youve had since you were [6-months-old] is gone. All of your shoes, your toys, your playstation" too.

While examining the ashes of his home, Rhodes also learned that another important item was missing  the ashes of his mother, Lala.

"My mom's ashes were here," he told Fox 13 News while pointing to a spot in his home. "It makes me want to cry, but I know Ive got to be strong because I know my son is watching me."

The Tampa resident said family, friends and co-workers have since reached out to help donate essential items and clothing to him and his child  all of which he said he is grateful for.

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"At one point I thought I had nobody  and then all of this happened, and I feel like I really do have people around me, he said.

As for whats next for the family, Rhodes told Fox 13 News that they are looking for a home now and focusing on rebuilding their lives together.

"Once you lose everything, you realize what really matters  and it's those two things  me and my son," he said.



Read the original article on People
A five-day-long operation led by FBI Pittsburgh as part of a nationwide FBI initiative targeting violent crime led to the arrest of 19 wanted fugitives.

Local and federal law enforcement officials worked together on the FBIs Summer Heat initiative between Oct. 6 and Oct. 10 to identify targets, collect intelligence, conduct investigative analysis, and make arrests.

Most of the 19 people taken into custody were arrested in Western Pennsylvania, but two arrests were made elsewhere  one in North Carolina and another in Kansas.

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The FBI says people taken into custody were wanted for drug trafficking, human trafficking, sexual battery of a child, rape of children, terroristic threats and firearm possession.

The agency did not identify any of the fugitives taken into custody.

Law enforcement at all levels shares the same goal: protect the communities we serve. This operation proves our commitment to that mission, said FBI Pittsburgh special agent in charge Kevin Rojek. It does not matter if youre in Western Pennsylvania, across the United States, or anywhere else in the world, the FBI and our partners will find you and will bring you to justice. We take Crushing Violent Crime to heart, and we will not stop.

One man arrested in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was wanted in Allegheny County for stalking, harassment and being physically violent against his ex-girlfriend, the FBI says.

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Another arrest, this one in Kansas City, was for a man with an outstanding federal arrest warrant on accusations that he sexually assaulted two girls in his care.

We are fortunate in western Pennsylvania to have great partnerships in law enforcement and when that cohesiveness involving our various agencies results in dangerous people being taken off the streets, that is a good day for law enforcement and for our residents, said Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin Kraus.

Law enforcement officials state this operation was the reason for SWAT responding to a home on Veronica Drive in Penn Hills on Oct. 9, to effect an arrest.

During this operation, officials also seized 3 guns, 28.8 grams of crack cocaine, 77.6 grams of heroin and fentanyl, 722.6 grams of marijuana and tens of thousands of dollars in illicit drug proceeds.

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The FBI says the amount of heroin and fentanyl seized could destroy the lives of one in 10 Pittsburghers.

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The names of more than 170 FDNY firefighters who died from 9/11 illnesses will soon be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial in Maryland, so that the ultimate sacrifice they made  from their efforts in the days and weeks after the terror attack  wont be forgotten, officials said.

The foundation marked the distinction with a solemn ceremony in Staten Island on Saturday which drew thousands of relatives, friends and colleagues of the 176 fallen firefighters.

It comes down to the fact that these men gave their lives as a result of their rescue and recovery efforts, said Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. From our perspective, they deserve to be honored just as those who died that day.

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Every firefighter who succumbs to a 9/11 illness deserves to be honored and their families deserve to be supported, he said.

Following a tradition that began when the federal memorial was constructed in 1981, the families of the fallen firefighters each received an American flag that has either been flown over the U.S. Capitol or the memorial itself, as well as a rose and a badge, organizers said.

Fifteen members of the FDNYs ceremonial unit traveled down to Maryland last month on the 9/11 anniversary to fly the flags over the memorial, then painstakingly folded them in the traditional military style so they can be given to the families, Stagnaro said.

It was a real special event, very symbolic, Stagnaro said. September 11 is usually a day where members of the fire service go to ceremonies elsewhere. So we try not to schedule anything here, but they decided to come here and fly them all on 9/11.

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FDNY First Deputy Commissioner Mark Guerra said that the 9/11 trip to Maryland was just one of many steps to make this event as poignant as possible.

A lot of thought has gone into preparing this, said Guerra, who was once executive officer of the FDNY Ceremonial Unit and was the master of ceremonies at Saturdays event, held on the College of Staten Island campus. Being a ceremonial guy myself, I always looked at anyone who died of a World Trade Center illness as a line-of-duty death.

Sometimes it takes the rest of the world to catch up with our line of thinking, he said. Its very hard to say that they didnt die a line-of-duty death.

The federal government acknowledged the important distinction in 2010 when Congress passed the James Zadroga Act, which provides health monitoring and aid to the first responders, volunteers and survivors of the Sept. 11 attacks who have come down with 9/11-related illnesses.

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As of this week, 412 FDNY firefighters and EMS members have died from a 9/11 illness linked to their time at Ground Zero.

The foundation  created in 1982 to honor firefighters, support their families and work with the nations fire departments to prevent fire-related deaths  has memorialized firefighters who died of 9/11 illness before. But since certain federal criteria must be reached before a name is authorized for the memorial, some slipped through the cracks, Stagnaro said.

When the FDNY announced that the number of 9/11 illness deaths surpassed the 343 (firefighters) that died on Sept. 11, we realized we had only honored 130 (9/11 illness deaths), the memorial head said. We immediately went to the FDNY and said we need to look at your list and compare notes.

A few FDNY 9/11 illness victims werent added because they were EMS emergency medical technicians and paramedics, not firefighters, organizers said, adding that the 176 honored on Saturday should ensure that all FDNY firefighters who died of a 9/11 illness will be included on the wall.

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Its a one-time catch-up, Stagnaro said.

A plaque with the names was unveiled at the ceremony. That plaque will then be taken to Maryland and added to the wall next week.

While there will be a ceremony at the memorial wall in May, organizers decided to do a special ceremony in New York on Saturday so that the families wouldnt have to travel.

The NFFF offered to have the event in New York City so they can get them on the wall, Guerra said. Its really coming full circle for the NFFF to recognize our members.
CHICAGO (WGN)  Fear of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids has reportedly kept locals home, causing a devastating effect on restaurants and small businesses in the Little Village neighborhood.

Some eateries say they have seen revenue plunge by up to 70 percent, painting a bleak picture for many Chicago immigrants and area restaurant owners.



We have to find a way to survive, said owner David Galecio, who added that he has seen a 60-to-70 percent drop in revenues at his Mexican restaurant, Atardecer Acapulqueno, in the 2900 block of W Cermak.

OPERATION MIDWAY BLITZ | At least 10 detained as protesters demonstrate outside Broadview ICE facility again

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Longtime customers told WGN-TV they were too afraid of ICE immigration arrests to spend time outside. So, restaurant owners are trying to lure their customers back.

We try to make them feel safe and to make ourselves feel safe in our workplace, Galecio said.

Some restaurant managers have implemented locking their doors and posting signs that warn the public of ICE, while also making it clear that federal agents are not welcome.

Other measures local restaurants have taken include cutting days and hours.

Im giving them fewer hours, Galecio lamented. And one to two days of work, so they at least have some income to take home.

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Sam Tonia, with the Illinois Restaurant Association, said restaurants in Pilsen, Little Village, Logan Square, Belmont Cragin, and other heavily Latino neighborhoods will continue to see empty storefronts along their streets if fear among the community continues.



We are also learning that a lot of team members arent coming to work, Tonia said. Upwards of 20 percent because they are just scared!



The Little Village Chamber of Commerce is launching a new campaign to support businesses and protect the community, to try to counteract the ongoing situation.

OPERATION MIDWAY BLITZ | Trump asks Supreme Court to allow deployment of National Guard to Chicago

Now more than ever, we need our friends, corporate partners, and allies to show up for Little Village, Little Villages Chamber of Commerce wrote.

Tonia added that he worries about the lasting impact on eateries across the neighborhood.

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It is hurting sales, Tonia said. Its hurting employees. It is hurting small independent restaurants.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Video shows what appears to be federal agents taking landscaping company employees into custody in Lake County, Illinois.

The company said at least one of those arrested had documents that were in order.

ABC7 blurred the face of the person being detained because it is not clear if they are charged.

ABC7 reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment but did not immediately hear back.

Further information was not immediately available.

SEE ALSO | Chicago federal intervention: Tracking surge in immigration enforcement operations | Live updates
If the federal government shutdown extends into November, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)which oversees the food stamp programwill exhaust its funding, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

This would affect approximately 42 million low-income individuals nationwide. Within Native communities, as many as 500,000 tribal citizens could lose access to food assistance.

Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning.

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Were going to run out of money in two weeks, Brooke L. Rollins, the agriculture secretary, told reporters at the White House on Thursday. So youre talking about millions and millions of vulnerable families, of hungry families that are not going to have access to these programs because of this shutdown.

The impact on Indian Country would be especially severe. Nearly one in four Native American households relies on SNAP benefits, with participation holding steady at 24%almost double the national average.

The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) is an alternative way for Native Americans to obtain food assistance when using SNAP is not readily available..

However, Federal employees overseeing the national FDPIR office have already been furloughed, halting key administrative operations. As a result, food orders to national warehouses are delayed, disrupting scheduled deliveries and impacting the program's ability to serve tribal communities.

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About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net."

Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net
Officials with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools are commenting for the first time on a viral video that was taken inside a local middle school.

Earlier this week, CMS revealed it was investigating an alleged incident at Piedmont Middle School.

ALSO READ: Lancaster County coach charged with assaulting 10-year-old student

Parents also sent Channel 9 clips of an inappropriate video showing boys in an equipment room.

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Friday night, Channel 9 learned police are now involved and a federal Title IX investigation has been launched.

Its also important to know that all the parties involved are known and are cooperating. Rumors or added speculation could cause irreparable harm and impede the CMPD and CMS Title 9 office investigations. Most importantly, its important to know CMS takes the safety and well-being of every student seriously, and these investigations are active and ongoing, said a district spokesperson.

CMS said the incident ciriculating online happened after hours during an extracurricular activity.

In a letter sent to parents on Tuesday, the schools principal said administrators are aware of the video and rumors circulating online and wanted parents to remind students taking or sharing inappropriate videos could result in consequences.

Lancaster County coach charged with assaulting 10-year-old student
A criminal carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh was gunned down by Uttar Pradesh police during an encounter in Shamli district, police said on Saturday. According to the police, the killed criminal has been identified as Nafees, who has dozens of cases registered against him. Nafees, who had remained absconding, was a resident of Kandhla in Shamli district, Uttar Pradesh. Superintendent of Police (SP) Shamli Narendra Pratap Singh said that the police spotted two miscreants on a bike last night and made attempts to stop them, after which they fired upon the personnel. He informed that a police team caught the miscreants later, in which criminal Nafees was killed in retaliatory firing. "The police officers were patrolling here last night. During this, two miscreants were spotted on a bike. As attempts were made to stop them, they fired upon the police personnel. Their vehicle number was noted and traced, after which the entire department here was alerted. The police had an encounter with the miscreants who attacked the officers. In retaliatory firing, a miscreant was seriously injured and was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead," SP Singh said. "The (deceased) criminal, Nafees, was a resident of Kandhla and had 34 criminal cases registered against him. A bounty worth Rs 1 lakh was issued in his name. Another accused who was accompanying him is absconding. We are investigating it further," he added. During the encounter, police seized a pistol and a bike, among other things. The encounter took place near Bhabisa village in the Kandhla police station area. (ANI)
For the record:

10:24 a.m. Oct. 20, 2025: An earlier version of this article and a photo caption misspelled Kae Saeterns name as Kai.



About 24 hours after President Trump declared San Francisco such a crime-ridden "mess" that he was recommending federal forces be sent to restore order, Manit Limlamai, 43, and Kae Saetern, 32, rolled their eyes at the suggestion.

The pair  both in the software industry  were with friends Thursday in Dolores Park, a vibrant green space with sweeping views of downtown, playing volleyball under a blue sky and shining autumn sun. All around them, people sat on benches with books, flew kites, played with dogs or otherwise lounged away the afternoon on blankets in the grass.

Both Limlamai and Saetern said San Francisco of course has issues, and some rougher neighborhoods  but that's any city.

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"I've lived here for 10 years and I haven't felt unsafe, and I've lived all over the city," Saetern said. "Every city has its problems, and I don't think San Francisco is any different," but "it's not a hellscape," said Limlamai, who has been in the city since 2021.

Both said Trump's suggestion that he might send in troops was more alarming than reassuring  especially, Limlamai said, on top of his recent remark that American cities should serve as "training grounds" for U.S. military forces.

"I don't think that's appropriate at all," he said. "The military is not trained to do what needs to be done in these cities."

Across San Francisco, residents, visitors and prominent local leaders expressed similar ideas  if not much sharper condemnation of any troop deployment. None shied away from the fact that San Francisco has problems, especially with homelessness. Several also mentioned a creeping urban decay, and that the city needs a bit of a polish.

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But federal troops? That was a hard no.

A range of people on Market Street in downtown San Francisco on Thursday. (Manuel Orbegozo/For The Times)

"It's just more of [Trump's] insanity," said Peter Hill, 81, as he played chess in a slightly edgier park near City Hall. Hill said using troops domestically was a fascist power play, and "a bad thing for the entire country."

"It's fascism," agreed local activist Wendy Aragon, who was hailing a cab nearby. Her Latino family has been in the country for generations, she said, but she now fears speaking Spanish on the street given that immigration agents have admitted targeting people who look or sound Latino, and troops in the city would only exacerbate those fears. "My community is under attack right now."

State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) said troop deployments to the city were "completely unnecessary" and "typical Trump: petty, vindictive retaliation."

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"He wants to attack anyone who he perceives as an enemy, and that includes cities, and so he started with L.A. and Southern California because of its large immigrant community, and then he proceeded to cities with large Black populations like Chicago, and now he's moving on to cities that are just perceived as very lefty like Portland and now San Francisco," Wiener said.

Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesperson, defended such deployments and noted crime reductions in cities, including Washington, D.C., and Memphis, where local officials  including D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat  have embraced them.

"Americas once great cities have descended into chaos and crime as a result of Democrat policies that put criminals first and law-abiding citizens last. Making America Safe Again  especially crime-ridden cities  was a key campaign promise from the President that the American people elected him to fulfill," Jackson said. "San Francisco Democrats should look at the tremendous results in DC and Memphis and listen to fellow Democrat Mayor Bowser and welcome the President in to clean up their city."

A police officer shuts the door to his car after a person was allegedly caught carrying a knife near a sign promoting an AI-powered museum exhibit in downtown San Francisco. (Manuel Orbegozo/For The Times)

A presidential 'passion'

San Francisco  a bastion of liberal politics that overwhelmingly voted against Trump in the last election  has been derided by the conservative right for generations as a great American jewel lost to destructive progressive policies.

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With its tech-heavy economy and downtown core hit hard by the pandemic and the nation's shift toward remote work, the city has had a particularly rough go in recent years, which only exacerbated its image as a city in decline. That it produced some of Trump's most prominent political opponents  including Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris  has only made it more of a punching bag.

In August, Trump suggested San Francisco needed federal intervention. "You look at what the Democrats have done to San Francisco  theyve destroyed it," he said in the Oval Office. "We'll clean that one up, too."

Then, earlier this month, to the chagrin of liberal leaders across the city, Marc Benioff, the billionaire Salesforce founder and Time magazine owner who has long been a booster of San Francisco, said in an interview with the New York Times that he supported Trump and welcomed Guard troops in the city.

"We dont have enough cops, so if they can be cops, I'm all for it," Benioff said, just as his company was preparing to open its annual Dreamforce convention in the city, complete with hundreds of private security officers.

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The U.S. Constitution generally precludes military forces from serving in police roles in the U.S.

On Friday, Benioff reversed himself and apologized for his earlier stance. "Having listened closely to my fellow San Franciscans and our local officials, and after the largest and safest Dreamforce in our history, I do not believe the National Guard is needed to address safety in San Francisco," he wrote on X.

He also apologized for "the concern" his earlier support for troops in the city had caused, and praised San Francisco's new mayor, Daniel Lurie, for bringing crime down.

Billionaire Elon Musk, the chief executive of Tesla, also called for federal intervention in the city, writing on his X platform that downtown San Francisco is "a drug zombie apocalypse" and that federal intervention was "the only solution at this point."

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Trump made his latest remarks bashing San Francisco on Wednesday, again from the Oval Office.

Trump said it was "one of our great cities 10 years ago, 15 years ago," but "now it's a mess"  and that he was recommending federal forces move into the city to make it safer. "I'm gonna be strongly recommending  at the request of government officials, which is always nice  that you start looking at San Francisco," he said to leading members of his law enforcement team.

Trump did not specify exactly what sort of deployment he meant, or which kinds of federal forces might be involved. He also didn't say which local officials had allegedly requested help  a claim Wiener called a lie.

"Every American deserves to live in a community where they're not afraid of being mugged, murdered, robbed, raped, assaulted or shot, and that's exactly what our administration is working to deliver," Trump said, before adding that sending federal forces into American cities had become "a passion" of his.

Kae Saetern, 32, was playing volleyball in Dolores Park on Thursday. Saetern said he has never felt unsafe living in neighborhoods all over the city for the last 10 years. (Manuel Orbegozo/For The Times)

Crime is down citywide

The responses from San Francisco, both to Benioff and Trump, came swiftly, ranging from calm discouragement to full-blown outrage.

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Lurie did not respond directly, but his office pointed reporters to his recent statements that crime is down 30% citywide, homicides are at a 70-year low, car break-ins are at a 22-year low and tent encampments are at their lowest number on record.

"We have a lot of work to do," Lurie said. "But I trust our local law enforcement."

San Francisco Dist. Atty. Brooke Jenkins was much more fiery, writing online that Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had turned "so-called public safety and immigration enforcement into a form of government sponsored violence against U.S. citizens, families, and ethnic groups," and that she stood ready to prosecute federal officers if they harm city residents.

Attendees exit the Dreamforce convention downtown on Thursday in San Francisco. (Manuel Orbegozo/For The Times)

"If you come to San Francisco and illegally harass our residents ... I will not hesitate to do my job and hold you accountable just like I do other violators of the law every single day," she said.

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Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco)  whose seat Wiener is reportedly going to seek  said the city "does not want or need Donald Trumps chaos" and will continue to increase public safety locally and "without the interference of a President seeking headlines."

Newsom said the use of federal troops in American cities is a "clear violation" of federal law, and that the state was prepared to challenge any such deployment to San Francisco in court, just as it challenged such deployments in Los Angeles earlier this year.

The federal appellate court that oversees California and much of the American West has so far allowed troops to remain in L.A., but is set to continue hearing arguments in the L.A. case soon.

Read more: Trump keeps name-checking the Insurrection Act. It could give him extraordinary powers

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Trump had used anti-immigration enforcement protests in L.A. as a justification to send troops there. In San Francisco, Newsom said, he lacks any justification or "pretext" whatsoever.

"There's no existing protest at a federal building. There's no operation that's being impeded. I guess it's just a 'training ground' for the President of United States," Newsom said. "It is grossly illegal, it's immoral, it's rather delusional."

Nancy DeStefanis, 76, a longtime labor and environmental activist who was at San Francisco City Hall on Thursday to complain about Golden Gate Park being shut to regular visitors for paid events, was similarly derisive of troops entering the city.

"As far as I'm concerned, and I think most San Franciscans are concerned, we don't want troops here. We don't need them," she said.

Passengers walk past a cracked window from the Civic Center BART station in downtown San Francisco. (Manuel Orbegozo/For The Times)

'An image I don't want to see'

Not far away, throngs of people wearing Dreamforce lanyards streamed in and out of the Moscone Center, heading back and forth to nearby Market Street and pouring into restaurants, coffee shops and take-out joints. The city's problems  including homelessness and associated grittiness  were apparent at the corners of the crowds, even as chipper convention ambassadors and security officers moved would-be stragglers along.

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Not everyone was keen to be identified discussing Trump or safety in the city, with some citing business reasons and others a fear of Trump retaliating against them. But lots of people had opinions.

Sanjiv, a self-described "techie" in his mid-50s, said he preferred to use only his first name because, although he is a U.S. citizen now, he emigrated from India and didn't want to stick his neck out by publicly criticizing Trump.

He called homelessness a "rampant problem" in San Francisco, but less so than in the past  and hardly something that would justify sending in military troops.

"It's absolutely ridiculous," he said. "It's not like the city's under siege."

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Claire Roeland, 30, from Austin, Texas, said she has visited San Francisco a handful of times in recent years and had "mixed" experiences. She has family who live in surrounding neighborhoods and find it completely safe, she said, but when she's in town it's "predominantly in the business district"  where it's hard not to be disheartened by the obvious suffering of people with addiction and mental illness and the grime that has accumulated in the emptied-out core.

"There's a lot of unfortunate urban decay happening, and that makes you feel more unsafe than you actually are," she said, but there isn't "any realistic need to send in federal troops."

She said she doesn't know what troops would do other than confront homeless people, and "that's an image I don't want to see."

Times staff writer Dakota Smith contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
DNA testing strongly indicates the human remains found behind a vacant school Saturday are those of missing Philadelphia woman Kada Scott, sources tell Action News.

The sources said Sunday that DNA from the remains matches Scott's parents.

The discovery was made behind a vacant school near Awbury Arboretum in Germantown, an area that was the focus of an intensive search on Wednesday.

First Deputy Commissioner John Stanford said a "very specific" anonymous tip came in over the weekend, and officers were back out at the scene around 10 a.m. Saturday.

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Sources also tell Action News they recovered surveillance video evidence linked to the case at a nearby recreation center.

The remains, which Stanford said appeared to be those of a female, were found in a shallow grave in a heavily wooded area.

Chopper 6 was over the scene Saturday after human remains were found amid the search for missing Philadelphia woman Kada Scott.

Philadelphia police and the district attorney's office hold a news conference after human remains were found Saturday amid the search for missing woman Kada Scott.

The remains were removed from the scene by late Saturday afternoon. The remains are now being handled by the medical examiner's office, which will also handle identifying the person who was found.

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Stanford said investigators have been in touch with Scott's family.

"We have been in communication with her family as to this process and in the fact that we have recovered a human being," he said.

Stanford urged the public to continue providing information related to this case by calling 215-686-TIPS (8477).

Kada Scott

Sources say police found physical evidence at the scene during Wednesday's search, including Scott's debit card and a phone case.

Police say tips had been flooding in after they announced the arrest of 21-year-old Keon King of Southwest Philadelphia, who authorities say was the last person in contact with Scott.

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King has been arrested and charged with kidnapping and other offenses in connection with Scott's disappearance.

RELATED: Chilling video surfaces amid search for missing Philadelphia woman Kada Scott

Authorities are investigating a video posted to TikTok that may be connected to the disappearance of Philadelphia woman Kada Scott.

Police are still working to determine how King and Scott knew each other, but they believe the pair came into contact in the days before the disappearance.

Before her disappearance, Scott had told people that she was being harassed, but it is unclear if King was the person allegedly harassing her.

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Scott vanished the night of Saturday, Oct. 4, after leaving her workplace, an assisted living facility in Chestnut Hill.

King is being held on $2.5 million bail.

Charges being refiled in earlier, similar case

King is also facing charges in what officials call a similar case from earlier this year in which a woman was allegedly kidnapped and strangled, but survived.

Those charges were dropped when the accuser failed to appear in court, but will now be refiled, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office said.

In the first case, the prosecutor said King kidnapped a woman from in front of her house, "threw her in her car, assaulted her and eventually let her out."

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D.A. Larry Krasner addressed the case during a news conference on Friday, saying his office could have done more.

"We could have done better in that. A really sophisticated approach to the case would have been to try to put it all in with video evidence," he said.

Latest on search for missing Philadelphia woman Kada Scott

The incident was captured partly in a viral video. Investigators say it shows King peering through and knocking on windows while a person inside yells to call the police and for him to go away.

Krasner noted King being out on bail as a reason why the victim didn't appear in court.

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"The reason they had to worry he was going to come out of the same door they went in the courthouse right after they testified against him is because he was on bail," said Krasner.

King was able to post 10% of $200,000 bail in his first kidnapping arrest.

When asked why the DA's office didn't petition for a higher bail, Krasner said it was a strategic decision not to bother judges overnight.

"You have the option of trying to do what is often a midnight or three o'clock in the morning telephonic appeal to a municipal court judge," said Krasner. "The unfortunate reality of this is that some, but not all of these judges, don't want you calling them in the middle of the night. And if you do, they lower the bail. They don't raise it, they don't leave it. They lower it. So it is always a complex, strategic decision."

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Marty O'Rourke, a spokesperson for the courts, said in response:

"With all due respect, the DA and his staff know there are assigned Municipal and Commons Pleas Court judges on call 24/7 and prepared at any hour to address emergency Court matters. In light of this truth, the DA's comments are appallingly disrespectful and a sad attempt on his part to find a scapegoat for his own failings on this matter."


ALABAMA (WHNT)  The murder of Conservative Commentator Charlie Kirk prompted mourning across the nation. In the aftermath, a former Auburn University educator saw her life change dramatically over a negative post about Kirks death.

Candice Hale is suing Auburn University and the University of Alabama, where she taught some online courses, claiming her First Amendment rights were violated. The lawsuit states that Hales dismissal was without any formal investigation, hearing, or opportunity to respond.

What President Donald Trumps IVF announcement means for Alabama

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I think theres a difference between hate speech and threatening someone, versus having an opinion, Hale said.

Hale posted a statement to Facebook following Kirks death, using language such as I will not mourn the wicked. She said the social media post resulted in the two universities terminating her position and believes she is not the only one facing this scrutiny.

I think its affecting other educators and just people in general that feel like they cant say anything if it doesnt line up with the status quo of whos in power, Hale said.

Auburn University President Christopher Roberts, who is named in one of the lawsuits, released a statement on Facebook in September announcing the termination of employees due to such posts for violating the Universitys code of conduct.

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There was a hole in the downtown: Iconic Shoals Community Theatre sign back up for good

The lawsuit posed the question: Does someones personal social media reflect on their capacity to do their job fairly?

Thats a question I think is still in flux in the United States, Mastando & Artrip Attorney Eric Artrip said. Where does the personal and professional line exist, and is it blurred to the point where everything we post on social media can then be attributed to our employer?

Artrip stated that private employers can enforce rules they see fit, but public institutions, such as the universities, cannot infringe on an employees First Amendment rights. He said it ultimately boils down to whether or not the courts find the post to be protected speech classified as public concern, or unprotected speech, such as fighting words.

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The question remains: How much does an employees social media activity impact their ability to adequately do their job? Artrip said the courts are working to define an answer to that problem.

Thats the line that has to be drawn here. Certainly, the right to free speech is not unlimited, Artrip said. The question becomes, is it a matter of public concern that the First Amendment protects, or is it hate speech and other things like this that the First Amendment does not protect?

The University of Alabama told News 19s Peyton Newman that it is aware of the lawsuit and does not comment on pending litigation. Auburn University has not responded to a request for comment.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.




If you grew up in the 20th century, it may seem like we can't already be having centennial celebrations for events from the 1920s.

When I first started writing this column in 1992, it wasn't unusual for me to talk to sources who remembered being motormen on the streetcar system that went out of service in 1933 or who remembered visiting famous nightclubs of the Prohibition era as young marrieds.

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Then came the questions from people whose parents remembered events and places from the 1920s - like the reader whose mother, then 93, remembered attending the 1929 opening of the Majestic Theater (April 4, 2014).

One of the few drawbacks of writing this column has been the loss of living I-was-there sources of information about early 20th-century San Antonio. Fortunately, some of the era's physical structures are still here to bear witness to that extravagant, exuberant era - like the Tower Life Building (covered here June 22, 2024), completed in 1929; and the Medical Arts Building, completed in 1926 and now the Emily Morgan Hotel (March 7, 2015).

S.A. HISTORY: British tea man' was First Baptist deacon

It may come as a surprise that we're now observing the centennial of the sanctuary (main worship space) at First Baptist Church. It doesn't even look that old. There are no Gothic Revival flourishes, no creepy gargoyles nor exotic themes, like the Aztec Theater (discussed here Aug. 24, 2019; thanks to a reader who remembers it from her 1940s childhood), completed in 1929 with Meso-American and Mayan Revival features.

During construction in 1925, framework for a lantern ornament is built above the dome at First Baptist Church, then addressed at 126 Fourth St. (UTSA Special Collections)





The sanctuary or auditorium of First Baptist was dedicated Oct. 11, 1925. The exterior architecture was classical "with a touch of the Spanish," says the San Antonio Light of that date. The walls of the fireproof building were of "solid brick in a concealed frame, (in a tapestry pattern) shading from reds to dark grays and browns," relieved by creamy-gray cast stone ornamentation and a red-tiled roof.

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It's an octagon-shaped building, thanks to the concerns of the building committee who wanted it to look good from every side of its corner location at Fourth and Taylor streets.

S.A. HISTORY: Central Christian's Bible class attracted hundreds of San Antonio men in 1920s

A bit off the beaten path of downtown historic sites - though the Maverick Carter House at 119 Taylor St. (first discussed here Feb. 11, 2019) is a neighbor - First Baptist could be overlooked, maybe because it hasn't changed much. Its several newer structures harmonize unobtrusively with the original sanctuary, still used for worship.

The "tabernacle" was a temporary worship space built at Fourth and Taylor streets by First Baptist for revival meetings beginning April 27, 1924, before construction of the present-day church. (First Baptist Church)





As its name implies, First Baptist's origins were with the city's earliest congregations of that denomination, which have remained downtown rather than moving out to the suburbs. There were two previous church buildings, which it outgrew during the days when downtown was most of what San Antonio was, so the congregation itself has observed some higher-numbered anniversaries than its current structure.

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A timeline of First Baptist's history melds with that of the denomination in San Antonio and include some highlights from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries:

The Oct. 11, 1925, dedication of the new First Baptist Church was given a full page of stories in the San Antonio Light, plus additional pages with ads from well-wishers. (First Baptist Church)





1858: The San Antonio River Baptist Association is formed when missionaries established the city's first Baptist congregation, at a time when San Antonio was a "raw country," split between those who attended the Catholic churches that served the old Spanish families and other immigrants, and the largely unchurched "free-wheeling, whoop-and-holler frontiersmen," as described by one Baptist historian.

1861: First Baptist Church of San Antonio is established by 13 Baptists who gathered in a room above a drugstore. Through the Civil War, the new group struggled, especially its pastor, who went unpaid for the duration, living on the proceeds of a house he sold before moving here.

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S.A. HISTORY: St. Mark's church bell was repurposed from cannon donated by Maverick family

1872: A groundbreaking ceremony, accompanied by a brass band and parade of Masons and Odd Fellows, is held for a new church building at the southeast corner of Travis and Jefferson streets, which was completed in 1878 after years of fundraising.

First Baptist's first church was this limestone building at Travis and Jefferson streets, whose cornerstone was laid in 1872. It took years of fundraising to complete the church for an 1878 dedication, 20 years after San Antonio's first Baptist congregation was founded. ( First Baptist Church)





1907: A new First Baptist is built at Fourth and Taylor streets. It was replaced by the present building and was demolished in 1938-39 to make room for an education building.

This second home for First Baptist was built in 1907. It was replaced in 1925 by the present sanctuary. The 1907 building was demolished in 1937-38 to make room for an education building. (First Baptist Church)





1924: A building permit is issued in October 1924 for a larger, new First Baptist Church building at Fourth and Taylor streets, at an estimated cost of $175,000.

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1925: The new church is dedicated Oct. 11, 1925, to a full house of members and other worshippers.

S.A. HISTORY: San Fernando Cathedral's second Kilgen organ grew to 1,800 pipes during the planning stages

1946: The Rev. Billy Graham speaks Feb. 9, 1946, to a crowd of 2,000 at a Youth for Christ rally in First Baptist Church. Graham was then an international representative of the interdenominational movement.

1948: During a Sept. 26, 1948, campaign stop, President Harry S. Truman; his wife, Bess; and their daughter, Margaret, attended a worship service with overflow crowds at First Baptist. Nearby streets were roped off to protect the family.

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1953: A 300-foot tower is installed for bells that originally were installed in 1946 in the sanctuary. When rung, they could be heard from 5 miles away. They were replaced in 2024 by a digital system with speakers in the tower.

The Wolfson House, built in 1889 for Saul Wolfson, owner of a local department store, was bought by First Baptist Church in 1982 and has been used for church ministries, such as receptions, prayer groups and an annual craft show. (First Baptist Church)





1982: First Baptist buys the historic Saul Wolfson House, built in 1889, to use for church ministries, prayer groups, receptions and an annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Show before being redeveloped as a space for mental health services.

READ MORE: Wolfson's store started in a small adobe house downtown before ending up in Dullnig Building

2002: John Hermodius Thurmond Unity Hall, named after the first pastor of First Baptist, is dedicated for use as a venue for weddings, receptions, concerts and exhibits.

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2014: The First Fine Arts Series brings concerts, art instruction and a full orchestra to services at First Baptist

2022: First Baptist hosts the reorganized San Antonio Philharmonic's concert seasons until the orchestra's 2024 move to the Scottish Rite Hall.

Ken-David Masur conducts the first performance by the San Antonio Philharmonic on Sept. 16, 2022, to a nearly full house at First Baptist Church. The orchestra stayed there for two seasons until relocating last year to Scottish Rite Hall. (San Antonio Express-News file photo)





The church centennial will be celebrated Oct. 26. Both the 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. services will be open to the public. In addition, there will be a collection of 1920s Model T cars, evoking the time of its opening, on display in the parking lot of the church, whose address is 515 McCullough Ave.

Thanks to Susan Spoon, First Baptist's historian and archivist, for sharing issues of the church's "Legacy" history publication, a trove of historical detail and insight.

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historycolumn@yahoo.com | X (formerly Twitter): @sahistorycolumn | Facebook: SanAntoniohistorycolumn

This article originally published at First Baptist Church celebrates 100th anniversary of its downtown home.




Five candidates are vying for one position on the Aldine ISD board of trustees this November, a volume of competitors that the seat's outgoing trustee said she hasn't seen before.

Next month voters in the district serving Greenspoint and areas near Bush Intercontinental Airport will have a chance to vote on three open trustee positions. With only one incumbent seeking reelection, newcomers have filled the ballot. For Position 4, five candidates are competing.

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"I was really surprised that many people were interested in that open seat," said Board Trustee Conception "Connie" Esparza, who is retiring from Position 4 after eight years. "I've never seen this many candidates run for one position, and I've been here a long time."

Esparza said she was stepping down because she believed it was time for a "generational change" in leadership.

MORE ON ALDINE: Falling birth rates, growing school choice: Why Houston's urban public schools are losing students

Those running for Esparza's seat include real estate company owner Steve Moore, pastor Samuel Cosme Jr., loan officer Judy Palmeros, business owner Jacqueline Alvarado and Veronica Sanches, deputy executive director at East Aldine Management District.

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All Aldine ISD trustee positions are at-large, so candidates can run for any seat regardless of where they live. While that could give candidates options, some newcomers opted for open seats with no incumbent.

That's why Moore filed for Position 4 and avoided running for Position 5. On the ballot there is current Board President Steve Mead - whom Moore described as a strong candidate and "somebody who's got re-elected before."

"I picked who I thought was the weaker candidate," Moore said when discussing his strategy.

Overall, Moore said he's running because he wants to provide more support to teachers through higher pay. Pulling on his background as a substitute teacher and business owner, he said he wants students to learn life skills, like a strong work ethic and time management.

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Another candidate, Sanches, said she decided to run specifically for Position 4 because she saw Esparza as a good role model and wanted to continue the longtime trustee's work.

"I chose it just because once she stepped down ... I saw that as my opportunity (for) new leadership," Sanches said. "(Esparza) was somebody that I saw, I know and (running in her seat is) something to look forward to."

Sanches, who grew up in Aldine and has a son enrolled in the district, said managing the district's budget would be one of her top priorities if elected. The district approved a budget for 2024-25 school year that is expected to run a $48.4 deficit.

Rose Avalos, who is stepping down from Position 3 after 19 years on the board, said she was also surprised by the number of candidates running in this year's election. She said that Aldine is a relatively "quiet" community when it came to engagement with the school district and its board.

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"We've even had some years where I didn't even have an opponent, and other board members may not have had any," Avalos said.

However, she said because the local election is on a smaller scale compared to races for the Texas Legislature, every single vote for the school board will make a difference.

Her words for future trustees: "It's not easy."

"It's hard because you have to make critical decisions, but you're only one of seven votes and it doesn't always go your way. But you have to accept what was decided,"Avalos said.

This article originally published at Five candidates compete in Aldine ISD's board election, with some hoping for 'generational change'.
By Ruma Paul and Harshita Meenaktshi

(Reuters) -Flights have resumed at Bangladesh's main airport in Dhaka, airport officials said, six hours after a fire in the cargo section delayed flights and halted operations on Saturday.

The first flight departed at 9:06 p.m. (1506 GMT), officials told reporters.

The fire has been completely brought under control, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism said in a statement.

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"Steps will be taken to identify the source of the fire and implement measures to prevent such incidents in the future," the ministry added.

Operations at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport were suspended after the fire broke out in the cargo section of the airport, with around 37 firefighting units working to douse the flames.

The army, navy, and air force also joined the fire service in efforts to bring the blaze under control.

Both domestic and international flights were affected.

An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Dhaka was diverted to Kolkata, and an Air Arabia flight from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates was directed to Chittagong, about 250 km (155 miles) southeast of Dhaka.

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This is the third major fire reported in Bangladesh this week. A fire on Tuesday at a garment factory and an adjacent chemical warehouse in Dhaka killed at least 16 people and injured others. On Thursday, another fire burned down a seven-storey garment factory building in an export processing zone in Chittagong.

(Reporting by Harshita Meenaktshi and Ruma Paul; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
By Ruma Paul and Harshita Meenaktshi

(Reuters) -Flights have resumed at Bangladesh's main airport in Dhaka, airport officials said, six hours after a fire in the cargo section delayed flights and halted operations on Saturday.

The first flight departed at 9.06 p.m. (1506 GMT), officials told reporters.

The fire has been completely brought under control, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism said in a statement.

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"Steps will be taken to identify the source of the fire and implement measures to prevent such incidents in the future," the ministry added.

Operations at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport were suspended after the fire broke out in the cargo section of the airport, with around 37 firefighting units working to douse the flames.

The army, navy, and air force also joined the fire service in efforts to bring the blaze under control.

Kabir Ahmed, president of the International Air Express Association of Bangladesh, said it was too early to estimate the exact losses, but that the overall impact - direct and indirect - on imports and exports could exceed $1 billion.

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Both domestic and international flights were affected.

An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Dhaka was diverted to Kolkata, and an Air Arabia flight from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates was directed to Chittagong, about 250 km (155 miles) southeast of Dhaka.

This is the third major fire reported in Bangladesh this week. A fire on Tuesday at a garment factory and an adjacent chemical warehouse in Dhaka killed at least 16 people and injured others. On Thursday, another fire burned down a seven-storey garment factory building in an export processing zone in Chittagong.

The interim government said all recent fires across the country are under thorough investigation, with security forces working to protect lives and property.

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It said any evidence of sabotage or arson would be met with a swift and decisive response and that no criminal act or provocation would be allowed to disrupt public life or the political process.

(Reporting by Harshita Meenaktshi and Ruma Paul; Editing by Sharon Singleton, Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Barbara Lewis)
By Ruma Paul and Harshita Meenaktshi

(Reuters) -All flights out of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka have been suspended following a major fire in the cargo terminal at the international airport on Saturday, airport officials said.

Thirty-six firefighting units are already working to douse the flames, said Talha Bin Zasim, an officer at the Fire Service and Civil Defence Media Cell told reporters.

Operation at the airport was postponed, airport official Masudul Hasan told reporters, adding all aircraft are safe.

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This is the third major fire reported in Bangladesh this week. A fire at a chemical warehouse on Tuesday claimed 16 lives and another fire burned down a garment factory building in an export processing zone in Chittagong port city.

(Reporting by Harshita Meenaktshi and Ruma Paul; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
MANHATTAN (KSNT)  The Flint Hills Breadbasket has seen a large increase of active military and government employees seeking help for the first time due to the government shutdown.

The Flint Hills Breadbasket is a non-profit providing food and hygiene products to community members experiencing these insecurities. Founded in 1982, the group now collects and distributes over 1 million pounds of food to those in need every year.

What happened to the Food for Peace program?

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Since Oct. 1, The Flint Hills Breadbasket says that 35% of their new families in need are active military and other government employees. This is due to the government shutdown, which began on Oct. 1, and has caused around 2 million employees to go without pay nationally, and about 750,000 to be furloughed.

The Flint Hills Breadbasket is currently accepting food, hygiene product and monetary donations. If youre interested in making a monetary donation, check out their donation page. To donate food or hygienic products, their drop off location is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and until 6 p.m. on Thursdays. The drop off location is located at 2326 Skyvue Lane, Manhattan, KS 66502.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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As the Bihar Assembly elections draw near, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said Tejashwi Yadav, a "very popular candidate" and the former deputy CM, should be declared the Mahagathbandhan's chief ministerial candidate. She also stressed that mistakes in seat allocation and candidate selection, which were seen in Maharashtra, must not be repeated in Bihar. Polling for the Bihar elections 2025 will take place on November 6 and 11. The results will be announced on November 14. On Friday, Chaturvedi told ANI, "The mistakes made in the Maharashtra elections, including not declaring the chief ministerial candidate, as well as disputes among the three alliance partners over seat allocation and candidate selection, should not be repeated in Bihar. Tejashwi Yadav is a very popular candidate." She further added, "He is almost in a neck-to-neck fight with Nitish Kumar and the various other so-called aspirants of the chief ministership. He has done a phenomenal job when he was the deputy chief minister. So it is time that as part of the INDIA Alliance and in the spirit of it, which we came around that we should all support the party which is stronger and he would be supported, would be helped, and he would be declared as the chief ministerial candidate..." Meanwhile, the Congress party released its first list of 48 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Legislative Assembly elections. According to an official statement from Thursday, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Rajesh Ram will contest from the Kutumba Assembly seat, while Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan will fight from the Kadwa constituency. Out of the total 48 candidates, 24 will be contested in the first phase of elections and 24 in the second phase. The party said that the remaining names will be announced in due course. The list, approved by the Central Election Committee (CEC), includes Jayesh Mangal Singh from Bagaha, Amit Giri from Nautan, Abhishek Ranjan from Chanpatia, Wasi Ahmed from Bettiah, Amit Kumar Singh 'Tunna' from Riga, Dr. Chandan Yadav from Khagaria, and Ajeet Kumar Sharma from Bhagalpur. (ANI)
Boaters in Fort Lauderdale will soon be able to skip the mess  and help keep the citys waterways cleaner  thanks to a new sewage pumpout vessel launching next spring.

The new boat will meet boaters in the water to empty their waste holding tanks for free, the city announced earlier this month. Instead of docking at one of Fort Lauderdales four pumpout stations to empty the waste tanks themselves, boaters will be able to request service from the pumpout vessel using the citys FixIt FTL app.

Pumping out sewage can be a dirty and difficult task, and calling a service to do it for you can be expensive, said City Manager Rickelle Williams in a statement. Were hoping that by making it easier and more convenient for boaters to empty their waste holding tanks, it will reduce the number of people discharging directly into the waterways leading to unsanitary conditions.

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A sham: Floridas longtime conservation experts question pricey 4-acre Destin purchase

City commissioners approved the purchase of the vessel at a commission meeting earlier this month using a grant the city received from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to purchase the boat through the Clean Vessel Act. Marco Aguilera, the Fort Lauderdale chief waterways officer, applied for the grant, which will cover 75 percent of eligible expenses for five years. The boat will cost about $150,000, Aguilera said.

Theres many cities and counties throughout the state, and actually throughout the country, using different programs that have purchased and operate pumpout boats, Aguilera said. In my opinion, its overdue for Fort Lauderdale to get one with the number of boats and visitors that we have.

The pumpout vessel will be a convenient way for local and transient boaters sailing in the yachting capital of the world to safely discard their sewage, he said. Once the boat is ready, Aguilera said the plan is for boaters to use the FixIt FTL app on their phones to request or schedule for the pumpout vessel to meet them.

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Aguilera said its unclear how often boaters illegally dump sewage into the water in Fort Lauderale, though pumpout vessels have been well-used in other parts of Florida. Martin Countys three pumpout vessels collect hundreds of thousands of gallons of sewage, he said. Some of that may have ended up in the water had it not been for the program, he said.

Its responsible. [Boaters] have a level of affection towards the environment, and this is probably the easiest way that they can show their commitment to the environment, Aguilera said. Its never been as easy as its going to be once we get this boat.
Sir Sadiq Khans tourism board chooses not to promote London in countries where the carbon footprint of flying to Britain is too high, The Telegraph has learned.

London & Partners, which runs Visit London, said it took air miles into consideration when prioritising [its] markets and target audiences.

The Telegraph understands the economic benefits of visitors are balanced against the carbon emissions and length of journey to reach London as part of the citys ambition to be a sustainable global destination.

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Critics described the policy as nonsensical and accused Sir Sadiq of putting his own eco-zealotry above the economy.

Around 16 million people visit London a year, with the tourism sector accounting for almost 15 per cent of the capitals GDP and 852,000 jobs, according to Oxford Economics.

Holidaymakers love London, but the capitals tourist board is apparently not targeting countries where air miles may be a concern - John Walton/PA

Susan Hall, the Conservative leader in the London Assembly, told The Telegraph: Ive never heard of anything like it in my life. It is an utter disgrace.

Ordinary Londoners and thousands of business owners will be disgusted to hear that at a time when growth is anaemic and supposedly the number one priority of this treacherous Labour government, Sadiq Khans tourism board is putting eco-zealotry above the economy.

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It comes after The Telegraph reported in September that Sir Sadiq racked up enough air miles to fly to the Moon and back in attending international climate summits and events abroad.

Analysis of his international travel expenses show that he has flown more than 73,000 miles across the past eight years, equating to more than 473,000 air miles when flying with a team of people, producing a total of 43.6 tons of carbon through 13 flights.

London & Partners was set up in 2011 and is largely funded by the mayor, receiving 12.8m in taxpayer funding this year. Sir Sadiq also appoints the chairman of the board as well as another director.

A spokesman for London & Partners said it does not restrict advertising based on the carbon footprint of visitors.

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However, The Telegraph has seen separate communication which appears to suggest otherwise, with the firm admitting privately: We do take into consideration air miles when prioritising our markets and target audiences.

A senior source familiar with its approach said: From the tourism industrys viewpoint, this is nonsensical. We all want the environment to be saved but we also have to be realistic that people need jobs and we are not in a financial position to be turning around and saying, We are not going to advertise to this group because the carbon footprint is too high.

London & Partners said it considered where tourists were travelling from among a range of factors when setting out its marketing strategy.

It suggested that visitor spend and the average length of stay were used as economic positives in support of advertising in a particular region but that this was weighed against the environmental consequences of long-haul travel.

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Ms Hall added: It appears to me as if they are happy to promote London to tourists abroad so long as they are wealthy enough.

Rich bankers in New York are welcome but if you are a middle-class family from Idaho on a budget, we dont want you.

A spokesman for London & Partners said: [We] do not restrict advertising based on the carbon footprint of visitors. Our marketing activity aims to attract visitors who deliver the greatest benefit to Londons economy while supporting the citys ambition to be a sustainable global destination.

We therefore consider a range of factors such as visitor spend, length of stay and where visitors are travelling from to ensure our campaigns result in a high return on investment.

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The recent Lets Do London campaign used this evidence-led approach and achieved the highest return on investment of any London & Partners marketing campaign to date.

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.
DES MOINES, Iowa  The USDA warns that SNAP Benefit funding will run out in November if the government shutdown continues. Food pantries are preparing for the impact.

Anne Bacon, the CEO of IMPACT Community Action Partnership, a non profit that runs a food pantry, said that if SNAP benefits run out of funding many families will need food pantries.

We see quite a few people who have SNAP already, but theres its a drop in the bucket to the number of people who are actually receiving SNAP, and so we know that if SNAP benefits stop, families will be driven into the food pantries, Bacon said.

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Bacon said an increase of people needing a food pantries services is difficult to accommodate.

I think what people dont realize is our great partners DMARC, the Food Bank of Iowa provide us with the food, but then we have to staff and put the foods on the shelves and get people directly in contact with this product. When that kind of increase of volume comes in, its extraordinarily hard on food pantries, Bacon said.

Pumping incident causes hog manure spill in Louisa County, Iowa DNR says

Scott Everhart, a SNAP Benefit Recipient, said that SNAP is important to him.

I use SNAP benefits, and they are a lifeline right now, Everhart said.

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Everhart said that he thinks he is lucky that he only has to worry about himself and that families that rely on SNAP benefits are really going to struggle.

Im fortunate to just worry about myself, but I cant imagine a single parent with four or five kids and what the stress that of the unknown that theyre going through right now, Everhart said.

Bacon hopes that if SNAP funding runs out, the State can fill in the gaps.

My greatest hope would be that the state could utilize the rainy day fund if it isnt raining now, I dont know when it will. That would be a massive help that they could lead with the cash that the state of Iowa has and wait for the government to open to cover those costs, Bacon said.

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A second court appearance is scheduled Monday for the man accused of killing Trudy Appleby. Although no remains have been located, prosecutors earlier filed murder charges against Jamison Fisher in the 29-year-old case.

Jamison Fisher (Scott County Jail)

A former prosecutor with extensive experience in these cases says this kind of case brings its own set of challenges to get a conviction.

The most significant challenge in bringing these cases to trial is marshaling all that evidence, said Tad DiBiase, a former homicide prosecutor for the U.S. Attorneys Office in Washington D.C. No-body murder cases tend to be circumstantial cases.

Trudy Appleby (photo submitted)

DiBiase has collected information on more than 600 no body cases nationwide. He says the case against Fisher will be difficult because Trudy Applebys body hasnt been located.

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In most no-body murder cases, they start off as missing persons cases and its never entirely clear whether the person is alive or not, said DiBiase.

He says the age of the case further complicates things for prosecutors.

Obviously the longer a case goes on, the more likely the person is not alive, but then you still have to question was it a suicide, was it an accidental death, was it an intentional homicide, said DiBiase. You have to have some forensic evidence, right, in order to test it. That can be a significant challenge because any forensic evidence over 30 years is certainly going to degrade. Its going to be harder to find.

DiBiase says cold cases like this usually depend on confessions to police or to friends and family, but even that evidence could prove challenging.

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The challenge with that, though, is youre talking about memories from 30 years ago, said DiBiase. Youre talking about someone maybe coming forward today and saying Yes this person told me this 30 years ago. The other problem is witnesses pass away.

Fisher remains in the Henry County Jail without bond. He is scheduled for arraignment and pretrial conferences on Oct. 20 in Henry County Court.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
A former Los Angeles Police Department officer who fatally shot an unarmed homeless man in Venice in 2015 was in custody on Friday following his arrest at Los Angeles International Airport, authorities confirmed.

Clifford Proctor, now 60, was arrested at the airport on Thursday on a felony murder warrant, according to police and jail records. He is being held on a $2 million bail.

He was arrested as he flew into LAX, and had apparently been out of the country.

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"The Los Angeles Police Department is aware of the arrest of a former LAPD officer at Los Angeles International Airport on a felony murder warrant," the LAPD said in a statement on social media Friday morning. "We will continue to support the justice system as this case proceeds and will work collaboratively with our law enforcement partners throughout the process."

Proctor fatally shot Brendon Glenn, 29, on May 5, 2015, following an apparent dispute that occurred between Glenn and a bar bouncer just steps away from the Venice Beach boardwalk.

Proctor said that, at the time, he thought Glenn was reaching for his partner's gun. LAPD investigators concluded that Glenn was on his stomach when Proctor stepped back and fired twice, hitting Glenn in the back. Glenn's death sparked a series of community protests and demands that the officer be charged with a crime.

"If anything, an ounce of hope was restored for us that justice will be brought," Glenn's sister, Brittany Glenn, told Eyewitness News. "It was almost like we hit an impasse; the train stopped dead in the tracks. So once we put Brendon to rest, we knew that there was still a missing piece, and this was the missing piece to the puzzle of, 'Well, what next in terms of the perpetrator?'"

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In April 2016, the Los Angeles Police Commission ruled the shooting was "unjustified." Then-LAPD Chief Charlie Beck wrote in a report to the commission that there was no evidence to independently show there was a "perception that a deadly threat was present." Beck had recommended that Lacey file charges against Proctor, calling the shooting a "criminal act."

The Los Angeles Times reported last year that then-District Attorney George Gascon hired a special prosecutor shortly after he took office to reopen investigations into four police shootings in which Lacey declined to file charges, including the Proctor case.

In March 2018, then-District Attorney Jackie Lacey announced that her office would not pursue any charges against Proctor, citing "insufficient evidence," even though Beck had recommended that the officer be prosecuted. The investigation was reopened by Gascon, leading to the felony murder warrant being issued a year ago.

The case went silent until Proctor arrived at LAX on Thursday night.

The family of Brendon Glenn, who was shot and killed by a Los Angeles police officer in Venice in 2015, was speaking out for the first time since reaching a settlement with the city.

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It was unclear when Proctor might appear in court. A spokesman for the District Attorney's Office told ABC7 that prosecutors were aware of reports of Proctor's arrest, but "at this time, our office is unable to comment."

The original investigation into the shooting during Lacey's administration included officer body-camera footage, surveillance videos, statements from 10 civilian eyewitnesses, DNA analysis and the "opinion of a nationally recognized use-of-force expert," Lacey said at the time.

The use-of-force expert concluded that "Proctor's actions as seen on the surveillance video were consistent with his having observed a threat posed by Glenn," according to an 83-page memorandum released at the time by the District Attorney's Office on the investigation into the shooting.

Glenn -- who was "given multiple opportunities to leave the location" and "chose to be confrontational and aggressive with civilians and the officers" -- had 18 arrests, 12 convictions and seven pending cases, along with multiple bench warrants for failure to appear in court, and toxicological testing determined that his blood contained both alcohol and marijuana at the time of the death, according to the memorandum.

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"A thorough review of the law and the evidence in this matter leads to the conclusion that there is insufficient evidence to prove that Proctor's use of deadly force in the altercation with Glenn on May 5, 2015, was not justified," according to the memorandum. The report noted that while Proctor's actions were found to violate LAPD policy, the "standard of proof used in administrative proceedings is not the standard of proof used in criminal trials."

Lacey noted that portions of the surveillance video played an important role in the decision not to file charges, and that snippets from the video were embedded into the 83-page decision to allow a "window into the evidence that we considered in this case."

LAPD Statement Regarding the Warrant Arrest of Former LAPD Officer Clifford Proctor:



The Los Angeles Police Department is aware of the arrest of a former LAPD officer at Los Angeles International Airport on a felony murder warrant.  LAPD PIO (@LAPDPIO) October 17, 2025

She said her office also considered DNA evidence that showed Glenn could not be excluded as a possible contributor to a mixed DNA sample from the holster of Proctor's partner.

Eyewitness News spoke to the Glenn family's attorney on Friday.

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"Who's the better expert than Chief Beck, at the time, who viewed that video and said there was absolutely no justification for the use of deadly force in that circumstance? You can get an expert witness to say virtually anything if you prompt them to, and in this instance, you have a person who is down on all fours, down on the ground. Officer Proctor steps away from him, backs up, and shoots him in the back. That's murder," attorney James DeSimone said.

The city of Los Angeles paid $4 million to settle wrongful-death lawsuits filed by Glenn's relatives. Proctor left the department in 2017.

City News Service contributed to this report.
A Massachusetts real estate broker was arraigned on Friday on charges stemming from the abrupt closure of his firm, which left more than $1 million in client escrow funds unaccounted for and about $500,000 in unpaid commissions owed to company agents.

Stephen Webster, 63, is charged with fiduciary embezzlement, larceny over $1,200 by single scheme, witness intimidation and publishing a false financial statement, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruzs office said in a statement.

Webster was held on $100,000 cash bail and placed on conditions of release which include relinquishing all travel documents, remaining in Massachusetts during the pendency of this case and meeting with probation services on a regular basis. The Commonwealth requested that Webster be held on a $500,000 cash bail.

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The former real estate agent was a longtime broker and principal of Success! Real Estate, Inc., which operated for decades across southeastern Massachusetts before its abrupt closure in December 2024, the district attorney said.

A months-long investigation uncovered South Shore Bank and Rockland Trust records, accounting ledgers and witness interviews indicating a pattern of systemic financial misconduct by Webster between 2023 and 2024, according to authorities.

The firms sudden closure, delivered without warning, blindsided employees, many of whom were actively engaged in pending real estate transactions where Success! was holding buyer deposits in escrow and owed substantial commission checks, the statement reads. The timing of the closure, delivered without explanation, left clients, agents, and counterparties in limbo and exposed the extent of the companys unresolved escrow obligations.

Following a preliminary investigation into the incident, a warrant was issued for Webster and he was arrested on Sept. 30 in Palm Beach County in Florida. He was brought back to Massachusetts on Thursday for his arraignment.

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Webster is next scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 13 for a pre-trial conference.

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A former Minnesota Teacher of the Year was sentenced to 14 years in prison Friday for repeatedly sexually assaulting his eighth-grade student at a Minneapolis charter school nearly a decade ago.

The victim came forward with the allegations against Harvest Best Academy teacher Abdul Jameel Wright in May 2024 when she was 21 years old. She said the assaults began in 2017, when she was 14, and occurred for nearly a year in school classrooms, his car and elsewhere in Hennepin County.

Wright, 39, of Brooklyn Park, was charged in Hennepin County District Court with first-degree criminal sexual conduct by a person in a position of authority. He opted for a court trial, and Judge Sarah West found him guilty of the charge in September.

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State sentencing guidelines called for a presumptive sentence of 12 years in prison. The prosecution asked for a 14-year, three-month sentence, which West handed down.

After incarceration, Wright will be required to register as a predatory offender and be on conditional release for 10 years.

Mr. Wright abused his authority and engaged in grossly inappropriate behavior, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement following his sentence. My thoughts are with the victim in this case, who exhibited incredible courage in providing her testimony to help secure a conviction.

Wright was named Minnesota Teacher of the Year in September 2016, becoming the first charter school teacher to receive the honor. He joined the North Minneapolis school in 2012, with a bachelors degree from Concordia University in St. Paul.

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According to court documents:

The woman reported that Wright, her former English teacher, began grooming her by singling her out. She described eating lunch with Wright in his classroom and him playing music for her.

Wright eventually started calling the girl every day and developed a relationship with her mother. He would pick the girl up for school and drop her off at home after she stayed after school to babysit his children.

The sexual contact began in January 2017 with Wright kissing and fondling her during a ride home, she reported, adding that after that he would do a little more. She said he put cushions on the floor of a classroom before the assaults, one of which happened while his children were in the next room watching a movie.

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She reported the assaults ended around the time she entered ninth grade.

The woman testified during Wrights court trial that she was in college when she began to fully understand what Wright had done to her, according to Judge Wests Sept. 19 written verdict.

As she learned about grooming in a psychology course, the document read, as she reflected on how it felt to be alone processing it, and as she experienced the stress from the experiences with Mr. Wright, she realized she needed to release it.

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The man, identified as Akhtar Hussaini, held BARC identity cards, forged documents, and several suspicious papers.

During the search, authorities recovered counterfeit BARC identity cards, forged documents, and several suspicious papers from Hussaini's possession.

According to the Mumbai Crime Branch, the fraudster is currently in custody and being interrogated to ascertain the motive behind creating the fake documents.

Further investigation is underway to determine if any larger network or criminal activity is involved.

A day earlier in another case, the Cyber Cell of the Delhi Crime Branch successfully executed a targeted operation, resulting in the arrest of 12 cybercriminals and the dismantling of well-organised cyber scam syndicates operating across multiple states.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of ACP Anil Sharma, comprising teams led by Inspector Sandeep Singh, Inspector Ashok Kumar, Inspector Shivram, and Inspector Subash.

In the first operation, the Cyber Cell, Crime Branch, Delhi, successfully arrested three accused persons and dismantled a digital arrest fraud module operating from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, police said.

The case FIR dated July 5, under sections 308/318(4)/319/340 BNS, PS Cyber South, Delhi, was registered for cheating to the tune of Rs 42.49 lakh through an elaborate digital arrest scam.

The fraudsters, posing as police officials, falsely accused the elderly victim of involvement in a money laundering case and, through fear and psychological manipulation, induced him to transfer money into multiple mule accounts traced to Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the release said. (ANI)
A US court has sentenced former Russian diplomat Sergei Shestakov to two months in prison for giving false testimony to the FBI.

Source: Radio Free Europe, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Shestakov, a former Russian diplomat, was tried in connection with the case involving senior FBI official Charles McGonigal and sanctioned Kremlin-linked oligarch Oleg Deripaska for providing false statements to the agency.

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Prosecutors argued that 71-year-old Shestakov, who became a US citizen in 2013 and worked as a certified federal court interpreter, was fully aware that making false statements to federal agents constituted a criminal offence.

US District Court Judge Jed Rakoff sentenced Shestakov to two months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and imposed a fine of US$100. He is expected to begin serving his sentence in February 2026. The ruling was more lenient than the sentence sought by prosecutors.

At the centre of the case were Shestakov's communications with another former Russian diplomat, Yevgeny Fokin, a long-time acquaintance who held a senior position in Deripaska's holding company En+.

Court documents revealed that Fokin came under FBI surveillance in July 2019. During a 2021 trip to the United States, his electronic devices were seized and searched, and his visa was later revoked following the FBI's recommendation due to his alleged ties to Russia's foreign intelligence service.

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Shestakov was found to have introduced McGonigal to Fokin. Later, in November 2021, during questioning by the FBI, Shestakov downplayed the extent of his acquaintance with Fokin and his awareness of their interactions.

He was subsequently required to register as a foreign agent and disclose his collaboration with Fokin and En+.

In January 2023, Shestakov was arrested at his home in Connecticut and charged with five counts, most of which were later dropped. He ultimately pleaded guilty to the charge of making false statements.

McGonigal himself was sentenced in December 2023 to more than four years in prison and a substantial fine over his ties to Deripaska.

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Four graduates of Joplin Schools were celebrated Thursday night with induction into the Alumni Hall of Fame for their career and community service accomplishments.

In addition, a meritorious award was given in honor of the late Jack Holden, a former teacher and announcer known for his involvement and leadership in education and the community. The street that enters the Joplin High School complex was named for Holden because of his work with students, faculty and the community.

Chosen for honors by the Joplin Schools Foundation, which oversees the recognition program, were:

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 The late Samuel Austin Allen, an 1898 graduate who obtained a degree in architecture from the University of Pennsylvania in 1902 and returned to Joplin, where he designed several landmark buildings. Those include the Joplin Schools Administration building, 825 Pearl Ave.; St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 812 S. Pearl Ave.; the United Hebrew Congregation synagogue, 702 Byers Ave.; the Olivia Apartments, 302 Moffet Ave.; the Elks Club Lodge, 320 W. Fourth St.; and the Newman Building, 602 S. Main St.

Allen obtained his architecture degree in 1902 and died at a young age in 1917 of typhoid fever.

Community historian Brad Belk spoke about Allen and accepted the award on his behalf. Allen, Belk said, was a prolific architect who learned good architecture during a tour of Europe after his college graduation. Those buildings were a life-changing experience, for the budding architect, Belk said.

 Vance Powell, a 1982 graduate of Parkwood High School, is a Nashville record producer, sound engineer and mixer who has won multiple Grammy and Country Music Association awards.

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Powell said he was encouraged to learn sound mixing by Rick Massey at the former Massey Music store, formerly located at 215 E. 20th St. He began his public career at the former Sgt. Peppers club in Galena, Kansas, and worked as a front man for several Missouri bands.

His career has taken him from living in his van with only $5 to buy food to the heights of the music industry, he told those at the induction banquet.

In 2002, he was recruited to work at Blackbird Studio in Nashville, Tennessee, known as a premier recording studio in the industry. He has produced recordings for a number of national artists in many genres of music including Martina McBride, Jars of Clay, Phish, Jack White, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, and many others. In 2016, he began working with recording artist Chris Stapleton on the album Traveler, which won a Grammy for best country album, and awards from the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music Award for album of the year.

Asked who his favorite Joplin area band is, Powell said it is Smooth Mahuti with John Moss.

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 Debi Vowels-Durham graduated from Missouri Southern State University in 1984 and first worked in economic development as president of the Miami, Oklahoma, Chamber of Commerce.,

She then moved to Sioux City, Iowa, where she took a regional approach to economic development by aligning organizations in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota for project recruitment efforts.

She was the first woman to lead the Iowa Economic Development Authority and in 2019 became director of the Iowa Finance Authority, where the Iowa governor said she brought millions of dollars into the state.

Vowels-Durham was described as a tiny woman with Herculean powers to close deals.

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She said she was encouraged to learn the industry when a Parkwood High School teacher and student advisor, Keith Zeka, offered her an independent study program in economics.

Where I am today is where I came from, she said of the community, the school district and her parents.

 Dan L. Stanley, a 1963 graduate of Joplin High School, earned a degree at Westminster College in Fulton and served in the U.S. Army before returning to Joplin to begin his business career. He took over a car dealership owned by his father, who had died, and became owner of several car dealerships. He later became a vice president at the former Mercantile Bank. His next career step was to become a financial advisor, joining the late Jim Goodnight as a partner and bringing his four sons into the business. He was associated with Edward Jones brokerages during his 32 years with that firm.

Stanley has served on many local boards including the United Way, Connect2Culture and the Joplin Schools Foundation. He also helped bring the KCU medical school to Joplin.

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Living a fulfilling life is a team sport, Stanley told the attendees of the induction ceremony.

The Joplin Schools Foundation is a nonprofit organization that uses donations to provide scholarships to high school students for their college educations.
Detroits mayoral candidates were back at it on Friday, Oct. 17, two days after a heated televised debate, sharing their visions for the city with Fox 2 Detroits Roop Raj during a forum near downtown.

The Chaldean Chamber of Commerce hosted Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield and the Rev. Solomon Kinloch, Jr. of Triumph Church for a business luncheon at the MotorCity Casino Sound Board to pitch hone their plans for Detroits future, if elected. Each candidate took turns sharing the stage with Raj, answering questions and making their case for the city's top job.

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield, left, faces off with Solomon Kinloch Jr. in a televised debate between the two remaining candidates in Detroits mayoral race on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025 at the WXYZ-TV studio in Southfield.

Martin Manna, president of the Chaldean Chamber of Commerce, said hearing from the candidates is important for the Chaldean community, given its deep roots in Detroit.

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We have a large number of business owners in the city who have been part of the city for more than a century now, so we have a stake in the future of the city. We want to make sure we can serve the residents as best we can. We need a partnership in the mayors office, Manna said.

Sheffield spoke proudly of her accomplishments on council, and whether she would build on Mayor Mike Duggans feats  including filling remaining gaps in his administration, attracting emerging industries like AI, and pointing out that the next administration will be forced to do more with fewer resources in a changing political climate.

Kinloch echoed his stump speech of Detroits "tale of two cities," highlighting that the city may be revitalizing in some areas, but not at everyones doorsteps.

Despite the two previously verbally jousting over who will best serve the city based on prior government and leadership experiences, Kinloch wanted to make it clear that  despite never holding public office  he didn't just recently show up, rather, he has been serving Detroiters as a leader of his church for years.

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Raj held individual conversations with the two, leaving less room for the candidates to debate and focused more on their own plans and professional backgrounds.

Sheffields vision

Despite fewer anticipated federal funding resources, strong support for city investment still exists through partnerships with foundations, the private sector and corporations, Sheffield said. She referred to the nearly $827-million American Rescue Plan Act money Detroit received during President Joe Biden's administration, which was used as a one-time funding resource to address various issues or build up programs that would not require continued financing. She said her main focus would be looking at ways to diversify Detroits revenue streams beyond the one-time investments.

Raj pointed out that Sheffield and Kinloch have their own messages of how they run things: Kinloch points to his executive leadership running a 40,000-member, multi-campus church; and Sheffield traces back to her initiatives on council. He asked Sheffield to point to her experiences that she ran well.

I would say I ran the cityas the City Council president. Were over a $3 billion budget. The City Council is responsible for approving the budget every year. We came from bankruptcy, $18 billion in debt, to now us moving to a point where we have 11 consecutive surpluses within our budget, and 12 balanced budgets every year, Sheffield said. Weve been very fiscally responsible and disciplined, and understanding of how we can ensure basic needs are being met, that our grass is being cut, that our trash is being picked up, and that we have officers on the street.

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Sheffield added that due to the country's changing political climate and leadership, she does not necessarily foresee getting the same amount of federal support to fund programs and initiatives, emphasizing the need for a leader to manage those challenges and lean into the business community, including support from various political parties.

Raj raised Gov. Gretchen Whitmers previous White House visits and coordination with President Donald Trumps administration,and how she faced some backlash from her fellow Democrats for reaching across the aisle. He asked Sheffield if thats an issue for her.

Sheffield said her goal is to bring resources back to the city of Detroit and to protect the residentswhile I do understand I might not like the person in office or agree with his beliefs and philosophies, I will always look at a way to find common ground to bring funding and resources to Detroit. I think that is what she (Whitmer) did in that situation.

She added that the mayors office has a staffer who works with the federal government. But said she also would step up to reach out to the White House herself, if needed.

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On the subject of Duggan, Raj asked Sheffield to highlight what his administration has done well that she needs to continue, and things she seeks to change.

Sheffield said Duggan did a phenomenal job of the overall economic growth that weve seen in Detroit, like building new manufacturing facilities, which hired Detroiters. She also pointed out Duggan's ability to reach out to the private sector to invest in the city, and boosting basic quality of life issues, such as increasing emergency response times and trash pickup.

Moving forward, theres no doubt that we have to have a neighborhood focus, that we have to have a focus on Detroiters first. That is also our small businesses and our residents being employed, being hired and being invested in, Sheffield said. We also have to address the issue of poverty and raising the incomes of our residents.

Duggan has previously rejected the two Detroits narrative  the division between the affluent versus lower-income areas of the city  in the past, emphasizing the city is for all. But, Sheffield said she has no doubt that theres a lot of areas in Detroit, in neighborhoods, that felt neglected.

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Detroit is extremely big. Its going to take time to get everywhere, Sheffield said, adding its not productive to engage in divisiveness. But, she said she wants to address blight and vacant land  proposing to use it to build more housing  and grow the citys commercial corridors to add amenities, such as grocery stores, retail, cafes and more businesses.

Part of that includes fostering a business-friendly environment by reducing barriers and eliminating red tape for new and current business owners to invest in the city and add jobs.

However, several jobs and companies have been threatened by the rise of AI, prompting Raj to ask Sheffield to address whether that concerns her for Detroits manufacturing scene.

We do want to diversify and attract emerging industries in the city of Detroit, Sheffield said. That is a big part of what I will be focusing on; whether its clean energy, whether its AI, whether its advanced manufacturing.

Kinlochs take

When Kinloch took his turn on stage, he spoke of growing up on the west side, living in poverty without running water, often leaning on his church and community to provide basic needs for his family. He started off by acknowledging Detroit has progressed, though he said officials need to do more.

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I know what it feels like in a city to be a child and a part of a family where everyone is suggesting the city is coming back, but it has not made it to your street, Kinloch said. Thats why, for the last 27 years, I used my platform, not as a pedestal to lift myself, but to lift the entire community of people.

In doing so, Kinloch said, he has a history of working with the Chaldean community, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. In recalling one example, he talked of going to Mike's Fresh Market (which is Chaldean owned) on 7 Mile and Livernois, and spending between $50,000 to $100,000 on groceries to distribute to the community "without having a $3 billion budget," referring to the city's budget.

He pointed out that officials need to confront the citys growing poverty rate among children, and residents who are struggling to find affordable housing.

That did not take place before my opponents tenure. That took place while she was seated at the table, Kinloch said.

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Raj asked Kinloch where he would respectfully place the blame, considering the complications of solving city problems, which may have involved federal, state and local leaders.

Weve all got to work in collaboration. But if youre going to take credit for the successes, youve got to bear the responsibility and burden for the losses as well, Kinloch said. I didnt just show up to Detroit, Ive been in Detroit a long time. Ive seen fighters at that tablewho understood that as strong as a mayor was, like (Mayor) Coleman Alexander Young, youve still got to have checks and balances.

After Kinloch pointed to issues burdening residents, such as floods, sewer fees and more, Raj asked him what he would do differently for the city.

The pastor said while the city demolished blighted homes using bond money, several old structures remain. And he suggests giving out more low-interest loans and grants to incentivize people to stay in the city.

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I wouldve made sure that we used the tool, like the (Detroit) Land Bank (Authority), with thousands of parcels of propertyI would just make sure its not just accessible to development, but make sure its also accessible to residents, Kinloch said.

He emphasized that inclusive staff inside city hall is the recipe for strong leadership of an inclusive city.

More: Recap: Analysis from Detroit mayoral debate between Mary Sheffield, Solomon Kinloch

You got to make sure that we deal with the administrative bureaucracy of why its so tedious and hard to do business in the city of Detroit, Kinloch said, adding he would appoint a chief development officer to grow business and ease the process of regulations for business owners.

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Raj asked Kinloch to hit harder on his plans to address the issues he sees in and out of city hall, and whether he has a team already looking into it. Kinloch repeated promises he made at his campaign kickoff, such as building 10,000 affordable housing units in the city, with Raj saying Sheffield has taken pride in working to build more affordable housing in the city.

You know were in a campaign. The reality is, my opponents desire is just to deflect what she has not done, Kinloch said. I would not have gotten in the race if what we were talking about was (already) getting done.

During the Oct. 15 debate, Sheffield and Kinloch gave different answers to whether they would allow Trump to deploy the National Guard to Detroit. Sheffield said no. Kinloch said: not in a martial law fashion, but in collaboration in order to make sure we are protecting soft spots throughout Detroit.

More: Detroit mayoral candidates brought heat, zingers to debate  but no breakthroughs

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Though he clarified on stage Friday that what he meant was that he would collaborate with federal law enforcement agencies  ATF, FBI, U.S. Marshals and the like  in ways the city already does, but not with the National Guard.

Never, never, never. Kinloch said.

Importance for Chaldean community

Manna said he has been working with city officials to try to erect a Chaldean Town marker in the city, in the 7 Mile and Woodward area, to reflect Chaldeans vibrant history in the neighborhood.

Chaldeans now primarily live in Oakland and Macomb Counties, he said, but much of the younger generation is moving to the city to soak up its vibrant renaissance. However, the chambers business community has been a main focus, especially as members continue investing in ongoing projects.

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Historically, weve always owned the independent supermarkets in the city, the convenience stores, and thats now evolved into a lot of different types of development: New hotels, new apartments, a lot of restaurants. Weve enjoyed the renaissance and want to make sure were part of the continual growth and revitalization of this great city, Manna said.

Access and communication with the city also is a priority for the chambers members. Manna is often on the frontlines of supporting the businesses and organizations within the chamber in various municipalities.

We might not always agree on the topic, or the issue, or development. But what we want most is an opportunity just so that we can learn and listen to some of the projects and development that we have in store, Manna said. Whats great for anybody whos interested in Detroit, does business or lives in the city, is you have two great candidates. Were on the right path. This is not the Detroit of yesteryear. People are all committed about collaborations, working together for the good of all of its citizens.

Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@freepress.com. Follow her: @DanaAfana.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Sheffield, Kinloch highlight Detroit visions, remaining issues
Fox News host Laura Ingraham and contributor Raymond Arroyo ruthlessly mocked the anti-Trump No Kings protest set to occur on Saturday, calling it a grievance party for people who have nothing else to do.

The two took turns poking fun at the demonstration on the Friday night edition of The Ingraham Angle.

Laura when I first heard that these things were no king protests I thought this was a RuPaul [Charles] thing, said Arroyo. You know, no kings only queens. But apparently this is anti-Trump protest. Thats really what this is.

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Arroyo highlighted some of the prominent funders of the protest, telling Ingraham that this is a grievance party of a bunch of people who are out of power and they have nothing else to do.

Unless King George and the red coats are landing on Jersey shores, said Arroyo, I dont know why you need a no kings protest at all. I dont see any things.

Ingraham agreed, calling the event illogical and without a coherent message.

The two watched a video of protesters singing outside of an ICE detention facility before jeering at their musical abilities.

Its like bad hippie karaoke, right? Its so bad, laughed Ingraham. They used to be the party that had all of the catchy slogans and the best music, but now its just off key, off message, off the reservation.

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The No Kings protest is the second one of its kind, the first occurring in June. Its website states the goals of the protest lie in uniting people across this country to fight dictatorship together.

Many prominent Republicans have also criticized the protest, with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) referring to it as the hate America rally on Wednesday in comments that drew outrage from Democrats and other supporters of the protests.

Watch above via Fox News.

The post Fox Hosts Take Turns Mocking Massive Anti-Trump No Kings Protests first appeared on Mediaite.
Five months after Democrats rallied more than 5 million people to demonstrate against President Donald Trumps authoritarian policies, Fox News host Jesse Watters is admitting that hes not so impressed with the lefts ability to gather and get their point across in a genuine way.

The Democrats, every time they do gather together, its not mostly peaceful, The Five co-host said on Friday, just ahead of the weekends anticipated new round of No Kings protests. The BLM riots, Portland, the anti-Musk protests. Every time you guys get together, someone dies or theres a lot of fires.

Watters then contrasted what he described as Democrat protests with Republican protests, reaching back almost 20 years for his preferred example: The Tea Party.

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That was a legitimate protest movement, Watters said of the movement, which began in 2007. Democrats are trying to do their little Tea Party thing. Ours was a little more organic. This seems a little more astroturfed, said Watters.

The Tea Party took its name from the American Revolutionary protest in Boston, and supported a blend of libertarian, right-wing and conservative policies in response to Barack Obamas presidential campaign and election.

While the movement appeared to be grassroots, it was, in large part, funded by Americans for Prosperity, a conservative political advocacy organization founded by billionaire David Koch.

The No Kings rallies are the second round of anti-Trump protests following the initial wave that swept the country in June. During Trumps birthday military parade, an estimated 5 million people took to the streets in more than 2,000 cities to protest the administration.

People gather during

No Kings organizers say Trump has only doubled down on his authoritarian agenda since the inaugural events. The increase in ICE raids, the targeting of political opponents like former FBI director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, and the attacks on critical media coverage are all key motives for the rallies, they say.

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GOP Sen. Roger Marshall has argued that protests will be attended by paid actors, agitators, Pro-Hamas, and Antifa members.

Well have to get the National Guard out, Marshall said about the upcoming rallies. Hopefully itll be peaceful. I doubt it.

Some 2,500 anti-Trump rallies are expected to be held across the country on Saturday, which is about 500 more cities than Junes rallies. But Watters still isnt convinced.

I dont know if this has legs, Watters said about the No Kings rallies.
Fox News Jessica Tarlov defended ICE protesters and No Kings rally demonstrators as her co-hosts mocked them for dressing in inflatable animal costumes and singing.

On Fridays The Five, the hosts covered Saturdays planned-No Kings rallies and noted that arrests were made at a protest outside of an Illinois ICE facility where demonstrators and police clashed. Chicagos ABC-7 reported that 11 arrests were made at the protest where some demonstrators could be seen singing and wearing animal costumes.

As Tarlov defended the No Kings rallies against President Donald Trump, Joey Jones jumped in to ask why liberal protesters are always dressing like furries, referring to the Illinois clashes.

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Why are they always dressed like a furry, screaming about boys and girls? Jones asked, adding they are ridiculous.

Jones and Tarlov then clashed over whether these protesters are making an intellectual argument against the administration.

It is an intellectual argument to say Kristi Noem  youre making it up about whats going on here at that ICE facility. Because Im dressed as Pikachu and posing no threat? They arrested a guy who was singing! Tarlov said.

Did you hear it? His voice was terrible, Jessica. He deserved to be locked up, Jesse Watters said as his co-hosts (except for Tarlov) laughed.

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Alright, Jesse, lets bring the intellectuality to this, she sarcastically responded.

Check out the exchange below:

JOEY JONES: The why are they always dressed like a furry, screaming about boys and girls? JESSICA TARLOV: Theyre not always. To show how ridiculous  JONES: We just showed it. Like, they are ridiculous. TARLOV: Wouldnt you rather they be in a costume from Spirit Halloween than  JONES: If they want to make some sort of intellectual argument, I dont think dressing up like a unicorn and running out there and screaming every time you hear a drum beat is an intellectual argument. TARLOV: It is an intellectual argument to say Kristi Noem  youre making it up about whats going on here at that ICE facility. Because Im dressed as Pikachu and posing no threat? They arrested a guy who was singing! JESSE WATTERS: Did you hear it? His voice was terrible, Jessica. He deserved to be locked up. TARLOV: Alright, Jesse, lets bring the intellectuality to this. WATTERS: I celebrate New Kings Day on July 4th with the rest of the normal Americans by barbecuing and lighting off fireworks. The Democrats, every time they do gather together, its not mostly peaceful. The BLM riots, Portland, the anti-Musk protests.

Watch above via Fox News.

The post Foxs Tarlov Defends Anti-ICE Protesters Against Cackling Co-Hosts first appeared on Mediaite.
Last month, buried within one of the Franklin County commissioners biweekly meetings was a discussion about roughly $30,000 in funds  a small sliver of the $11.5 million budget that the commissioners oversee.

The question at hand was whether commissioners had the authority to allocate that money, most of which was put toward their own health insurance benefits, or whether the final say went to another body, one made up of town officials from across the county.

In June, this group, the countys budget advisory committee, had voted against the change, with some bemoaning the impact of a growing county budget on their towns. The countys commission board  which recently grew from three to five members  continued to pay out the benefit stipends to commissioners anyway, and requested an opinion from the countys lawyer about the committees decision and whether funds could be shifted to cover their stipends.

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The lawyers answer, released at the September meeting, was no: attorney Gene Libby said that transferring funds to restore the health insurance stipends was inconsistent with the Legislature's intent in establishing the Budget Committee, as well as the plain language of the statute.

Effectively, Libby told commissioners that the committees cut was legal and that commissioners could not transfer money from another department or contingent funding to cover the cut.

Commissioners, who hold near total authority over county policy and staff compensation, were concerned about the opinion and what it said about the budget advisory committees role in county governance.

They are, in my view, an advisory committee, not a legislative committee, Commissioner Tom Skolfield of Weld said. And thats what theyve turned into, is a legislative committee. And we find ourselves in a bind because of it.

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The Franklin County Budget Advisory Committee was enacted by legislation in 1991. The first version of the bill did two things: it shifted responsibility for final approval of the budget from the Legislature to the commissioners; and it created the budget committee  initially a purely advisory board made up of municipal officials. A couple of weeks later, the law was amended, adding four lines that had been copied from Aroostook County.

Those four lines have governed how budgets are set in Franklin County ever since.

The system works like this: commissioners submit an itemized budget to the committee at least 60 days before June 30, the end of the fiscal year. The committee, which consists of 11 municipal officers from the county's five commissioner districts who are elected by fellow town officials, may increase, decrease or alter the estimated budget. The committee then holds a public hearing and adopts the final budget.

Commissioners can change that final budget if three out of five members vote in favor of doing so. If that happens, it then returns to the committee, which may only reject the changes by a two-thirds vote.

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Those actions are final and not subject to further action by either the county commissioners or the advisory committee, the section concludes.

During previous disagreements, the committee typically hasnt had enough votes to reach the required two-thirds majority. Even when they have  such as in 2020, when the committee opposed cuts for outside agencies  commissioners have either refused to release the contested funding or otherwise circumvented the difference.

Per the county lawyers opinion, that may not be possible this time.

'A disparate set of discontents'

The budget committee cut roughly $87,000 out of the original budget proposed by the commissioners earlier this year. This included the around $6,000 health insurance stipends that the commissioners were set to receive along with their $12,000 paycheck, as well as $6,000 that was supporting a part-time position and $700 that had been budgeted to record forums on the Sandy River watershed.

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The other cuts were absorbed by the county, in part by shifting the part-time position to be covered by a budget for the Unorganized Territory.

Richard Morton, the vice chair of the Farmington select board and a member of the budget committee, said that the eight committee members who voted for the cuts did so for different reasons: some felt that budget was too high overall, and others thought that the boards expansion should have resulted in smaller salaries for each commissioner.

One element of the proposed budget that seemed to galvanize the committee was a new salary structure for non-union employees, which multiple committee members said they couldnt understand.

It really was a disparate set of discontents that generated those eight votes, Morton said.

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He noted that he personally thought commissioners should receive the health insurance stipend, like other elected officials do, but he voted for the cuts because he thinks the county government is overstaffed.

My view was that the staff had increased significantly and they're claiming they can't do the work that's necessary but I don't find that credible, Morton said. I felt they could shoulder the load among themselves.

Commissioner Bob Carlton of Freeman Township, who serves as the board's chair, said he thought the committee had an agenda when they cut the countys budget.

They wanted to cut one department: Commissioners Office, he said. They didn't cut it a little bit  they gutted it.

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Carlton said the countys administration is essential to sustain millions of dollars in grants, including a federal program that supports substance abuse recovery programs. Reducing recidivism at the Franklin County Detention Center, Carlton argued, would make far more of a difference to the budget than anything the committee had cut.

Carlton did say that commissioners could have done a better job defending some aspects of the budget, such as the new salary structure for non-union employees, which was designed to keep their pay equitable with the union employees. But county staff had worked hard to provide information that the committee requested, he said.

I can understand their frustration. I can, Carlton said. But they didn't ask good questions.

'We dont do a very good job of telling people what we do'

The health insurance stipend amounts to 35 percent of the benefit that a full-time county employee would receive and, per the countys personnel policy, awarded to the five commissioners and the treasurer. That means a Franklin County commissioner makes more than $18,000 a year, in salary and benefits.

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Commissioner Tom Saviello of Wilton said he has been refusing the stipend since the start of the current fiscal year because he was honoring the budget process, and he hoped the other commissioners would consider doing the same.

Saviello noted that unlike a municipal budget, where executive and legislative functions are divided between the select board and voters at the town meeting, the commissioners only had the budget committee to provide the check on their fiscal decisions.

Commissioner Jeff Gilbert of Jay said that the budget committee had advisory in its name and that it was up to commissioners to serve as the executive branch of the county government. He saw the benefit stipends as one way to get younger people onto the board of commissioners. Gilbert estimated that he spent up to 20 hours a week on county business, making it a difficult position for many to fill at $12,000 per year.

Tom Skolfield does not believe the advisory committee "should have the power to set compensation while Bob Carlton noted commissioners "dont do a very good job of telling people what we do." Photo by Matt Billian.

Commissioner Fen Fowler of Farmington said he had been frustrated with the rather unfortunate reductions to commissioner benefits, and said he felt the committees cuts were largely a reaction to the salary increases for non-union staff. The explanations for those increases could have been better articulated to the committee, Fowler said.

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Sometimes the democratic process doesn't give you what you want, but that is the process, Fowler said, noting that he thought the budget process was improving.

The questions they were asking were very good, Fowler said. I learned a lot sitting in the audience.

He said that while he is taking the benefit money while the legalities are being discussed, as are most of the commissioners, he was not opposed to returning it if the opinion was that the committee cut was final.

While agreeing at the September meeting that the commissioners needed to follow the law, Skolfield disagreed with the committees cut, along with Fowler, Gilbert and Carlton.

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I don't think the advisory committee should have the power to set compensation, Skolfield wrote in an email. We will proceed within the budget that we have been allotted.

Carlton said that he worked 15 to 20 hours per week on county business, counting meetings, phone calls and travel time, particularly in his large, sparsely populated district, and he didn't believe that commissioners were overpaid.

We don't do a very good job of telling people what we do, he said.

'I don't want this to be an adversarial process'

At the September meeting, commissioners asked the county's legislative delegation to request a ruling from the attorney general's office on the question of who has the final say on the county budget.

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Theres more at stake than commissioner stipends. County officials are concerned that the legal opinion could impact their flexibility to react to new challenges or opportunities that come up throughout the year.

County Administrator Amy Bernard said that she is most concerned about potentially not having the ability to move funds within each department budget, which she said could complicate expenditures that cant be predicted during the budget process, such as paying for hearings for employees facing disciplinary action.

The chair of the budget committee, Tiffany Maiuri of the Wilton Board of Selectpersons, said that in the long run, she expects the ruling will be a positive development for the county.

We've only ever operated on four lines of statute all of these years, she said. I fully support getting some clarity.

Amy Bernard, the county administrator, and Tiffany Baker, the county's deputy county administrator and human resources director. Photo by Matt Billian.

Beyond the legal clarification, Maiuri said that she would like to see a more collaborative process between the committee and the commissioners.

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I don't want this to be an adversarial process, she said. I want it to be collaborative. I really believe want the same thing: the betterment of the citizens of Franklin County.

Franklin County is one of several in Maine that does not have a charter. Maiuri believes it would be useful to develop one and outline what processes the government should use to determine things like salary raises, expectations and evaluations, training and certification requirements.

In effect, she said, she'd like to see the county run a little more like a municipal government.

This would be a great thing not only to have the checks and balances, but to have the citizens more involved, Maiuri said.

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Carlton, meanwhile, is concerned the budget debate is a distraction from the work the county is doing on opioid abuse, flood prevention and the potential impact of the Coburn Gore border station on Route 27, and that it will limit the commissioners ability to do their jobs.

What are we here for? he asked the board at the September meeting. People elected us to do this and now were being legislated into a corner where we cant do anything.

Morton said that it was unlikely what he termed a runaway budget committee would effectively seize control of the county from commissioners.

There were eleven contentious people all trying to figure out a way to impact the budget in a positive way and not interfere with the commissioners doing their job of running the county," Morton said. I want the county to operate at the highest level possible that we can afford.
On Nov. 4, Detroiters will select a new mayor, fill two open seats on the Detroit City Council, decide whether to re-elect or replace sitting council members in another pair of competitive district races and the council's at-large seats, and choose members of the Board of Police Commissioners.

Who's running in Detroit election? Hear from candidates in their own words.

The Detroit Free Press Editorial Board endorsed candidates for mayor, the two at-large council seats and in five council district races. (Incumbents in Districts 1 and 4 are running unopposed.)

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Here's a quick guide to our picks. Follow the links for our full endorsements.

Detroit Mayor

Free Press endorsement: Mary Sheffield for Detroit mayor in Nov. 4 election

Detroit City Council, two at-large seats

Free Press endorsements: 2025 Detroit City Council

Detroit City Council District 1

Incumbent Councilman James Tate is running unopposed

Detroit City Council District 2

Detroit City Council District 3

Detroit City Council District 4

Incumbent Councilwoman Latisha Johnson is running unopposed

Detroit City Council District 5

Free Press endorsement: Why we tapped Willie Burton for Detroit City Council's District 5 seat

Detroit City Council District 6

Detroit City Council District 7

How to vote

The Detroit City Clerk's office began mailing absentee ballots to voters Sept. 25. Registered voters may mail their ballots or place them in a absentee ballot drop box. Registered voters can also cast their ballots in person at an early voting site from Oct. 25 to Nov. 2. Check your voter registration or find your polling place on the Michigan Secretary of State website, or search for ballot drop boxes and early voting place at Detroit Votes.

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Absentee ballots can still be submitted until 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Detroit Department of Elections, 2978 W Grand Blvd., or at drop boxes around the city. Voters can cast ballots at early voting sites around the city from Oct. 25 through Nov. 2.

Registered voters can also cast ballots in person Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Check your voter registration status or find your polling place on the Michigan Secretary of State website.

If you're not registered, you can register at the Detroit Department of Elections, 2978 W Grand Blvd., or the City Clerks office at 2 Woodward Ave, through Election Day.

The seven Detroit City Council districts.

Wendy Robinson, 66, of Detroit, signs in with Poll Worker Shanice Nelson, of Detroit, to cast her vote at the voting precinct at Pasteur Elementary in Detroit on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Robinsons voting precinct changed and had to go somewhere else to vote.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Free Press endorsements for Detroit mayor, city council | Opinion
TELLURIDE, Colo. (KREX)  On Thursday, the Telluride Institutes Talking Gourds Poetry Program announced Fruita resident Alicia Rebecca Meyers as the winner of the eighth Annual Cantor Prize for Poetry for her poem On the Anniversary of My Due Date, You Ask to Braid My Hair.

The Cantor Poetry Prize is awarded annually to poets from Colorado who submit a poem of any subject or poets from around the world who submit a poem about the Centennial state. In 2025, the contest saw 146 entries from 108 poets, mostly from Colorado, but had entries from across the nation and the world, such as California, New Mexico, Ohio and Tzafon, Israel.

The preliminary judge for the contest was Talking Gourds Director Art Goodtimes and the final judge was Jose Tony Alcantara.

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[Meyers] poem gifts us the pure crystal moment of the present  shining Arcturus, the hands fumbling in the hair  but also hurtles us backward to the speakers childhood and beyond to Bashos existential moment in Kyoto, while also hurtling us forward, where the once messy child is now a man, hopefully doing his own laundry, and the speaker faces a sky at once familiar and yet forever changed, said Alcantara in selecting the 2025 winner. And all of these distinct time elements play out simultaneously against the backdrop of the seemingly infinitely aged stars.

Meyers lives in Fruita, Colorado, with her husband and 11-year-old son, helping high school seniors write their college application essays. She has an MFA in Poetry from New York University, where she was a Goodwater Writing Fellow, and her poems have received awards and recognitions. As the winner of the Cantor Prize, Meyer will receive a $1,000 award.

The five finalists will receive $250 each and include:

Josie Jones of Lakewood, Colorado

Dan Rosenberg of Fruita, Colorado

Brenda Wildrick of Fort Morgan, Colorado

Joy Roulier Sawer of Denver, Colorado

Eliana Lambros of Missoula, Montana

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The Talking Gourds Poetry Program also hosts the international Annual Fischer Prize for Poetry, other awards, collaborations and partners with its local government for the San Miguel County Poet Laureate.

We are especially indebted to the late Elaine Fischer, Sheldon Cantor and the Cantor Family for their support of these awards over the years, stated the press release.

To read the winning or finalists poems for the 2025 Cantor Poetry Prize or learn more about the Talking Gourds Poetry Program, visit www.tellurideinstitute.org.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Maayan Lubell

CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain closed until further notice, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday, adding its reopening will depend on Hamas handing over bodies of deceased hostages.

Netanyahu's statement came shortly after the Palestinian embassy in Egypt announced that the Rafah crossing, the main gateway for Gazans to leave and enter the enclave, would reopen on Monday for entry into Gaza.

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Hamas said later on Saturday it will be handing over two more hostage bodies at 10 p.m. local time (1900 GMT), meaning 12 out of 28 bodies will have been handed over to Israel under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage deal agreed between Israel and Hamas last week.

ISRAEL SAYS HAMAS TOO SLOW TO RETURN BODIES

The dispute over the return of bodies underlines the fragility of the ceasefire and still has the potential to upset the deal along with other major issues that are included in U.S. president Donald Trump's 20-point plan to end the war.

As part of the deal, Hamas released all 20 living Israeli hostages it had been holding for two years, in return for almost 2,000 Palestinian detainees and convicted prisoners jailed in Israel.

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But Israel says that Hamas has been too slow to hand over bodies of deceased hostages it still holds. The militant group has so far returned 10 of 28 bodies and says that locating some of the bodies amid the vast destruction in Gaza will take time.

The deal requires Israel to return 360 bodies of Palestinian militants for the deceased Israeli hostages and so far it has handed over 15 bodies in return for each Israeli body it has received.

Rafah has largely been shut since May 2024. The ceasefire deal also includes the ramping up of aid into the enclave, where hundreds of thousands of people were determined in August to be affected by famine, according to the IPC global hunger monitor.

After cutting off all supplies for 11 weeks in March, Israel increased aid into Gaza in July, scaling it up further since the ceasefire.

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Around 560 metric tons of food had entered Gaza per day on average since the U.S.-brokered truce, but this was still well below the scale of need, according to the U.N. World Food Programme.

Formidable obstacles to Trump's plan to end the war still remain. Key questions of Hamas disarming and how Gaza will be governed, the make-up of an international "stabilization force" and moves towards the creation of a Palestinian state have yet to be resolved.

(Reporting by Nidal Al-Mughrabi, additional reporting by Ahmed Tolba and Hatem Mahe; Writing by Maayan Lubell, Alex Dziadosz and Hatem Maher; Editing by Jan Harvey and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday paid tribute to Former Union Minister and Chief Minister of both Uttarakhand and UP, Narayan Dutt Tiwari, on his birth and death anniversary. In a post on X, Dhami said, "On the birth anniversary and death anniversary of former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Narayan Dutt Tiwari Ji, countless salutations. Your contribution to the development of the state is unforgettable. Your works dedicated to public service will always continue to guide us." ND Tiwari is the only Indian politician who served as Chief Minister of two states -- Uttar Pradesh and later Uttarakhand. He was a three-time Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and held the post of Uttarakhand CM once. Tiwari also served as the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission and held several key portfolios in the Union government, including petroleum, external affairs, finance, and commerce, during the tenures of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. From 2007 to 2009, he served as the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, resigning later due to health and personal reasons. He began his political career with the Congress, serving in both state and central governments. In 2017, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), marking the final chapter of his long political journey. Tiwari passed away on October 18, 2018, on his 93rd birthday. Earlier in the day, Uttarakhand CM Dhami also extended greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of Dhanteras. In a post on X, Dhami said, "Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the residents of the state on the auspicious festival of Dhanteras. I pray to Lord Dhanvantari that this festival brings happiness, prosperity, and well-being into all your lives, and that the light of health and auspiciousness always remains illuminated in everyone's life." Dhanteras is dedicated to worshipping Siddhi Vinayak, another name for Lord Ganesha, the Goddess of wealth, Mahalakshmi and Kuber, the God of wealth and prosperity. It is deemed an auspicious day to make new purchases. (ANI)
"Its reopening will be considered based on how Hamas fulfills its part in returning the hostages remains and implementing the agreed-upon framework," the Prime Minister's Office explained.

Gaza's Rafah border crossing with Egypt will not be reopened on Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Saturday shortly after the Palestinian embassy in Egypt said it would be.

"Its reopening will be considered based on how Hamas fulfills its part in returning the hostages remains and implementing the agreed-upon framework," the Prime Minister's Office explained.

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The Hostages and Missing Families Forum welcomed Netanyahu's decision. "However, the government of Israel must not rely on the mediators. It must take a firm stance toward Hamas, demand the return of all 18 hostages without exception, and use every lever at its disposal."

The forum urged the goverment to declare it will not continue implementing the agreement until all the killed hostages are returned to Israel.

The crossing, which has been largely closed since May 2024, would allow Palestinians residing in Egypt to return to Gaza, the embassy said.

Trucks carrying humanitarian aid line up near the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Rafah, Egypt, August 13, 2025. (credit: Stringer/Reuters)

Since the US-brokered halt to two years of devastating war, around 560 metric tons of food have entered the Gaza Strip per day on average  still well below the scale of need, according to the UN World Food Programme.

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The crossing was shut to aid after Israeli forces seized the Gaza side in May 2024, but was briefly reopened in early 2025 during a short-lived ceasefire between the two sides.

Israel announced in late July that it was expanding measures to let more aid into Gaza. But Gaza's side of the Rafah crossing remained closed, meaning shipments were routed through the Israeli crossing of Kerem Shalom, about 3 km (2 miles) to the south.

Aid workers and truck drivers complained that they faced a host of obstacles at Kerem Shalom, ranging from rejections for minor packing and paperwork issues to short hours at the Israeli crossing, meaning they could only bring in a fraction of the aid that was needed.

Israel denies that it has limited aid to the enclave.

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The reopening announcement of the border crossing separating Gaza and Egypt comes shortly after a report by The Guardian said that Cairo is expected to lead the international stabilization force within Gaza.

COGAT said on Thursday that preparations are ongoing with Egypt to open the crossing.

Other initiatives taken by Egypt on Gaza

Cairo has also proposed the deployment of 10,000 Palestinian security personnel in Gaza as part of the second phase of US President Donald Trumps Middle East peace plan, The Wall Street Journal said in late August.

Egyptian teams are said to be assisting in recovering the remains of Israeli hostages inside Gaza, a Tuesday report by Qatars Al Araby TV said.

The Media Line Staff and Amir Bohbot contributed to this report.
Each day that goes by is a day that Hamas has to reconstitute itself and assert control.

Hamas is demonstrating its ability to organize itself again as it continues to reassert itself in Gaza.

This is significant because it was unclear at first if the terrorist organization would be able to quickly regain control of Gaza once the war had ended, or rather, if the enclave would descend into chaos instead.

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What has been happening so far is evidence that Hamas is still well-organized.

This means that the clock is ticking in Gaza.

Each day that trickles by is one where Hamas has the ability to reconstitute itself, regaining its control. This terrorist organization uses various methods to do that, such as executions and other mafia-like coercion methods.

Every day brings more evidence of this through videos and accounts from Gaza. For instance, clips are showing Hamas murdering so-called dissidents and calling people in for interrogations.

Palestinian terrorists stand guard on the day that hostages held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, are handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as part of a ceasefire and hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Str (credit: REUTERS/Ramadan Abed)

There is little evidence that people are resisting Hamass rule. In fact, they seem resigned to it. They appear to accept that this is what their futures will hold.

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However, the Palestinians do not appear to be celebrating either. This is important because it illustrates that Hamas is neither able to galvanize major street demonstrations in its favor nor push people into defiance.

Uncertainty among Palestinians in Gaza

Gazas population consists of around two million people, half of them minors. This is a young society, where most of the populace has been displaced several times during the war. Many are traumatized. They may wonder if a relatively peaceful situation will ever return. This uncertainty hangs over Gaza like a dark cloud.

The international community is now exploring how to implement aspects of US President Donald Trump's peace plan.

This third week in October will be crucial. Hamas is expected to hand over more bodies of hostages. If it continues to appear sincere in the eyes of the US and the international community, it will gain more time to its advantage.
Former Congressman George Santos was released from prison late Friday night, just hours after he reportedly learned that his sentence had been commuted by watching the news.

The New York Republican was on a computer when inmates started yelling Hey  youre on TV,' according to Long Islands South Shore Press, for whom Santos wrote multiple essays during his brief time behind bars.

Santos ignored it, since hes on the news all the time, the outlet reported Saturday. Thirty minutes later, he read the crawl at the bottom of the screen: Santos Sentence Commuted.'

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Less than five hours later, Santos was a free man, walking out of FCI Fairton in New Jersey, to his waiting family outside. Joseph Murray, one of his attorneys, confirmed he was released around 11 p.m.

Around that same time, Murray also shared a statement on social media, praising President Trump for his decision to commute the sentence and declaring him the greatest president in U.S. history!

The statement also thanked Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene  who fought like a lion on Georges behalf  as well as what he called the greatest DOJ team ever assembled.

President Trump is absolutely right when he says that the U.S. is back! the statement continued. As a retired NYPD police officer having experienced first hand the typical government dysfunction and red-tape, I am absolutely amazed to see how functional, efficient and cooperatively this administration works together to get the job done, especially with their legislative counterparts.

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Santos was ordered to serve more than seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty last year to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He was sentenced in April after he admitted to lying about his life to deceive donors and stealing the identities of 11 people  including members of his own family  to fill his campaign coffers.

The 37-year-old reported to prison on July 25, meaning he served less than three months of his 87-month sentence. He was also cleared from paying any further fines or restitution, according to a copy of Trumps order posted on social media by Justice Department Pardon Attorney Ed Martin.

As part of his guilty plea, Santos had agreed to pay restitution of $373,750 and forfeiture of $205,003.

During his time behind bars, Santos penned 10 separate essays for the South Shore Press, mostly bemoaning the conditions of his minimum-security prison camp, which he described as hell on earth.

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In mid-September, he claimed that hed been forced into solitary confinement after receiving an unspecified death threat.

Well, here at FCI Fairton, they have a funny way of protecting you, Santos wrote, complaining that hed been moved into an extremely dirty 15-by-17-foot cell with no ventilation and limited ice-cold showers.

In his latest missive, he pleaded directly to President Trump, citing his loyalty to the MAGA agenda.

Sir, I appeal to your sense of justice and humanity  the same qualities that have inspired millions of Americans to believe in you, read the open letter to the president.

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Four days later, Trump announced that hed just signed a commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY.

Santos was somewhat of a rogue, but there are many rogues throughout our Country that arent forced to serve seven years in prison, Trump posted on his social media platform Friday night.

The decision was celebrated by Greene, who spent months pushing for Santos to be freed, claiming hed been unfairly punished for his crimes. However, not all fellow conservatives cheered the commutation.

Rep. Nick LaLota, a Republican who represents New Yorks 1st Congressional District on Long Island, wrote on social media that Santos didnt merely lie  he stole millions, defrauded an election, and his crimes (for which he pled guilty) warrant more than a three-month sentence.

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He should devote the rest of his life to demonstrating remorse and making restitution to those he wronged, LaLota said.

The commutation of Santos sentence is just the latest in a string of acts of clemency for former Republican politicians since Trump returned to power in January.

In late May, he pardoned former New York Rep. Michael Grimm, a Republican who pleaded guilty in 2014 to underreporting wages and revenue at a restaurant he ran in Manhattan. He also pardoned former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, who was forced out of office in a 2004 corruption scandal and served two stints in federal prison.

With News Wire Services
Authorities in Switzerland have arrested the husband of a former finalist for Miss Switzerland, alleging that he strangled her to death before dismembering her and blending her body parts. Kristina Joksimovic was killed during the February of 2024, according to the BBC. Police referred to the 38-year-old beauty queen by her initials in court documents,
President Donald Trump said Friday evening he has signed a commutation releasing scandal-plagued former congressman George Santos from prison "immediately."

Santos, 37, was less than three months into serving a seven-year sentence at Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, in Cumberland County, New Jersey, after being convicted of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

The ex-lawmaker was released from prison just before 11 p.m. on Friday night and was picked up by his family, according to a statement from his lawyer, Joe Murray.

RELATED | Disgraced former US Rep. George Santos reports to prison to begin serving his 7-year fraud sentence

"Once they arrived, (Santos) walked right out and hopped into their car and drove home," Murray said.

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In a social media post, Trump said Santos, whom he called "somewhat of a 'rogue,'" had the "Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!"

"George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated. Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life!" Trump said.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, which successfully prosecuted Santos, had no comment.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: George Santos reports to prison to begin serving 7-year fraud sentence

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According to the clemency grant, a photo of which was posted on X by U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin, Trump granted Santos an "immediate commutation of his entire sentence to time served with no further fines, restitution, probation, supervised release, or other conditions."

An attorney for Santos told ABC News while en route to the federal prison that they expect he will be released Friday night but are waiting for official word.

The attorney said that Martin and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche were extremely helpful in getting the commutation across the finish line, and noted that several members of Congress, including Republican Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert and Tim Burchett, were very aggressive in campaigning for his release.

Santos pleaded guilty to a series of fraud crimes and was sentenced in April to 87 months in prison -- the maximum he faced -- and two years of supervised release.

SEE ALSO | George Santos says he's 'accepted full responsibility' for crimes before sentencing

The commutation comes days after the South Shore Press published a "passionate plea" from Santos to Trump, in which he expressed his support and asked that the president "allow me the opportunity to return to my family, my friends, and my community."

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"During my short tenure in Congress, I stood firmly behind your agenda -- 100% of the time," Santos wrote in the letter, published Monday. "I championed policies that strengthened our economy, defended our borders, and restored America's standing on the world stage. I did it proudly, Sir, because I believed -- and still believe -- in the mission you set out to accomplish for the American people."

Santos said in the letter that he was being held in "complete isolation" following an alleged death threat.

"Mr. President, I have nowhere else to turn. You have always been a man of second chances, a leader who believes in redemption and renewal. I am asking you now, from the depths of my heart, to extend that same belief to me," he wrote.

READ MORE | Ex-US Rep. George Santos sentenced to over 7 years in prison for fraud and identity theft

Rep. Greene, who had recently called on Trump to commute Santos' sentence, thanked the president for doing so on Friday, saying on X that the former congressman was "unfairly treated and put in solitary confinement, which is torture!!"

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Santos pleaded guilty in August 2024, in which he admitted to claiming relatives had made contributions to his campaign when, in fact, they had not. Santos conceded he was trying to meet the fundraising threshold to qualify for financial help from the National Republican Congressional Committee.

He also stipulated that he committed other fraud, including charging donor credit cards without authorization and convincing donors to give money by falsely stating the money would be used for TV ads. He also stipulated he stole public money by applying for and receiving unemployment benefits during the pandemic to which he was not entitled.

As part of his plea deal, he agreed to pay nearly $600,000 in restitution and forfeiture.

Santos was expelled from Congress in December 2023, just under a year after assuming office to represent New York's 3rd Congressional District.

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His expulsion from Congress followed accusations of ethics violations and other wrongdoing in a scathing report by the House Ethics Committee that claimed he was a fabulist and fraudster who used the prestige of political office to bilk tens of thousands of dollars out of other people.

Several New York House Republicans -- who led the charge to expel George Santos from the House -- criticized Trump's commutation.

"George Santos didn't merely lie -- he stole millions, defrauded an election, and his crimes (for which he pled guilty) warrant more than a three-month sentence. He should devote the rest of his life to demonstrating remorse and making restitution to those he wronged," New York GOP Rep. Nick LaLota, who represents a district on Long Island, said in a post on X.

New York GOP Rep. Andrew Garbarino, who is the current chair of the Homeland Security Committee and sat on the committee that investigated Santos, said in a statement that "less than three months" in prison is "not justice."

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Several House Democrats also condemned Trump's move.

"Donald Trump has time to free serial fraudster George Santos from prison. But he can't be bothered to address the Republican healthcare crisis crushing working class Americans. The extremists are insulting you every single day," House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a post on X.

ABC News' Lalee Ibssa, Jon Haworth, Lauren Peller, Aaron Katersky and Rachel Scott contributed to this report.
JACKSON, Mich. (WLNS)  A Halloween-season ghost tour is doubling as a fundraiser for downtown Jackson, and organizers say its drawing brave visitors to a historic site.

In partnership with the Downtown Development Authority, Central Michigan Paranormal Investigators (CMPI) has returned to the Commercial Exchange Building with guided tours that use K2 meters and REM pods to detect unusual activity.

Sean Graney/WLNS

I thought it was a real person. Thats how solid she looked, said CMPI founder and lead investigator Rusty Jones, recalling an encounter a decade ago. Jones says he first witnessed spirit activity in the buildings front stairwell: I actually saw a full-body spirit going from the first to the second floor. Weve had doors open; weve heard people walking above us.

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DDA Executive Director Beth Kuiper said tickets are reduced this year to $10 to make the event more accessible for families. She said proceeds will be reinvested in downtown preservation and community assets.

What we do is we take the funds from events and then we shift them around so that every single demographic has something to do, and we can highlight our businessesrestaurants, retailers, service industries, Kuiper said.

Kuiper encourages residents to join what she called a one-of-a-kind spooky adventure. Its the experiences that we continue to go back to. We just want to provide something interestingwhether youre a family or a nightlife goersomething for everyone, she said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Toll lanesor Choice Lanes could be coming to Interstate 24 between Nashville and Murfreesboro, giving drivers the opportunity to pay to get through traffic quicker.

But some residents in Glencliff are concerned about how that plan will impact their side of town.

Neighborhood News: Stories impacting your community | Read More

If the Choice Lanes are built, Glencliff residents would feel the impact in a big way. Thats why the neighborhood wants to get ahead of the project to know exactly what would happen.

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On Wednesday, Oct. 22, the Glencliff Neighborhood Group is hosting a community meeting with a representative from the Tennessee Department of Transportation to talk through everyones questions and concerns.

Resident Alexa Little said part of the proposal includes building a new interchange at Thompson Lane and Briley Parkway on I-24, which will create more traffic near Glencliffs only grocery store.

Wrongful death lawsuit filed on behalf of AES explosion victims 9-year-old

Theres a lot going on in Nashville. Its really easy to not know when something is going on, she told News 2. This would be massive for our district just because of that interchange. Im sure we dont have any say in what happens; we just want to make sure that the community understands what theyre trying to do.

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The meting is set for next Wednesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Dozen Bakery on Grandview Avenue.

Do you have news happening in your neighborhood? Let us know by sending an email to neighborhoodnews@wkrn.com.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Q: Dear Rabbi Gellman, several weeks ago, you had a column in

our Patriot News in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Lilith. I accidentally threw out the paper without cutting that article out. Several times I have tried to access it, but I cannot remember the date and also tried to Google your column on Lilith, to no avail. Could you please send me that column or run it again in the newspaper? Thank you from a long loyal reader.  (From G in Harrisburg, Pa.

A: Lesson one: dont throw out my columns! Lesson 2: Longtime loyal readers deserve the chance to ask for a favor. Lesson 3: I wanted to rewrite the column anyway, so here it is:

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Q: In Genesis 1 and 2 of the Bible there are two different versions of the story. Chapter 1 seems to say that God created humans, both male and female, at the same time. However, Chapter 2 has man being created first, then woman created out of mans bone and flesh. What are your thoughts about these two very different versions?  (From B in Annville, PA)

A: The main difference, as you also rightly observe, seems to be the status of women. In chapter one both man and woman (unnamed) are made in the image of God out of red earth. In chapter two the man, now named Adam, is made by God directly and the woman, named Eve, was also made by God but in a derivative way. She was created out of his rib.

Some have complained that the account in Chapter 2 seems to indicate that men are more holy than women because they were made directly by God. I understand and sympathize with this complaint, but I dont think it is valid. Both of them were created directly by God; one from red earth and one from a rib. The Bible emphasizes the common holiness of men and women in the verse, Male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:27). One could in fact argue that the creation of Eve from Adams rib is just an elaboration of how God created the first people with equal holiness. However, there is no doubt that we have two different and apparently conflicting stories in Genesis about the creation of the first people by God.

Academic scholars of the Bible who are not troubled by contradictions in the text the way religious scholars are simply explain the contradiction by saying that these were two stories written by two different editors/authors of the Bible. One is the J source and the other is the E source. They are so named by their different preferences as to the name of God (Yahweh) or (Elohim). The final editor of the Bible whom academic scholars call P (the priestly source) did not want to wipe out either story so they were both included, even though they contradicted each other.

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Religious scholars who wrote midrashim (stories about the stories in the Bible) invented a bizarre story to reconcile the differences. It is the story of Lilith.

According to this midrash which was finally codified in the 10th century, Genesis 1 and 2 are actually the stories of the creation of two different women. The woman created in Chapter 1 was named Lilith. She had long red hair (from the red earth) and was made to be the full equal of man by God. Unfortunately, the first man had problems accepting the equality of the sexes and so he would constantly argue with Lilith who had to constantly assert her equal status. Eventually their bickering became so intense that Lilith flew away from Adam (oh, I forgot to tell you  Lilith had wings).

God was upset with Adam and sent three angels, Senoi, Sansenoi and Semangeloff (I think they now have a law firm in Manhattan) to try to convince Lilith to return to Adam and tried to convince Adam not to be such a chauvinist. Sadly, they failed in their mission and so God was forced to try another way. God created a second woman named Eve out of Adams rib. Adam falls in love with Eve whom he identifies as bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh. Lilith remains a witch-like figure who seduces men and kills babies. Lilith also became a kind of symbol for religious feminism among women and men who try to this day to emancipate the biblical text from its patriarchal roots while also sanctifying the gender differences that religious folk do not want to fully erase.

The Legend of Lilith is psychologically complex and reveals how the effort to create spiritual harmony between the sexes was begun at the very beginning. and it all began with your question about Genesis Chapter 1 and Chapter 2.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A Gonzales couple is facing charges after deputies said they took nearly $187,000 for a home construction project that was never completed.

According to the Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office, Angel Lambert, 37, and William Lambert III, 43, were arrested and charged with residential contractor fraud, forgery, obstruction of justice, and theft over $25,000.

Deputies began investigating in June after a victim reported paying the couple for work that had not started as of April. Detectives later learned the Lamberts were not licensed contractors and had hired unlicensed workers before abandoning the project.

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The sheriffs office said the couple falsified documents and gave them to detectives during the investigation. Both were arrested and booked into the Ascension Parish Jail.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
LJP(Ram Vilas) MP Shambhavi Choudhary on Saturday took a jibe at Mahagathbandhan on the "quagmire" over the seat sharing for the Bihar assembly polls. Speaking with ANI, Shambhavi Choudhary said that "NDA has already won half the battle" because of the opposition's "lack of clarity and unity" "Mahagathbandhan seems to be stuck in a quagmire. NDA has already won half of the election because the Mahagathbandhan still don't have any clarity. This shows that a party that can't sort out issues within its own alliance, how it will raise Bihar's issues," she said. Shambhavi Choudhary exuded confidence that the NDA will form a "strong" government in Bihar. "So, there's no doubt that the NDA will form a strong government... The NDA is united, and when it comes to seat-sharing or any other alliance, the top leadership sits together and resolves any confusion. No, there was never any roadblock in the NDA. Everyone may have their own personal aspirations. We dealt with it in time, and today we stand before the opposition as a strong front for Bihar." Unlike NDA, Mahagathbandhan has not shared any official seat-sharing arrangement but they have fielded their candidates for the election. Congress has released its list of 48 candidates. VIP chief Mukesh Sahani has also announced party candidates on X and RJD unofficially distributed to party symbol to its candidates. Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi appealed Mahagathbandhan to declare Tejashwi Yadav as the chief ministerial candidate and to not repeat the mistakes made by Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the Maharashtra Assembly election last year. She also stressed that mistakes in seat allocation and candidate selection, which were seen in Maharashtra, must not be repeated in Bihar. On Friday, Chaturvedi told ANI, "The mistakes made in the Maharashtra elections, including not declaring the chief ministerial candidate, as well as disputes among the three alliance partners over seat allocation and candidate selection, should not be repeated in Bihar. Tejashwi Yadav is a very popular candidate." She further added, "He is almost in a neck-to-neck fight with Nitish Kumar and the various other so-called aspirants of the chief ministership. He has done a phenomenal job when he was the deputy chief minister. So it is time that as part of the INDIA Alliance and in the spirit of it, which we came around that we should all support the party which is stronger and he would be supported, would be helped, and he would be declared as the chief ministerial candidate..." Polling for the Bihar elections 2025 will take place on November 6 and 11. The results will be announced on November 14. (ANI)
President Donald Trump and his allies have spent weeks painstakingly trying to manufacture an image of an irredeemably violent American left.

This despite a series of rulings from judges, including several Republican-appointed ones, saying the image being painted is a mirage. And its despite hard data showing that, even as left-wing violence has increased this year, it still pales to decades of right-wing violence.

But ahead of the No Kings rallies across the country on Saturday, the GOPs effort has taken a rather stunning turn.

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The Trump team and its allies suggested that the rallies, which are likely to draw millions of people, will essentially be chock full of antifa, terrorist sympathizers and even terrorists themselves.

Its baseless and ugly, yes. But its also highly suspect strategically.

The GOP rhetoric surrounding this and the Democratic base more broadly has grown remarkably pitched.

House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has called them hate America rallies and said its all the pro-Hamas wing and, you know, the antifa people.

A member of his leadership team, Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota, described the rallies as being held by the terrorist wing of the party.

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Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas predicted that paid protesters and agitators would require calling in the National Guard.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the No Kings protests were part of antifa. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent predicted they would feature the most unhinged in the Democratic Party.

Others have stepped up their rhetoric about the left in other contexts.

Attorney General Pam Bondi suggested the fact that protesters might be provided matching signs could somehow be evidence of antifa funding. (Trumps own rallies often include people holding matching signs that were handed out, as comedian Jimmy Kimmel noted.)

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And White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt issued perhaps the most extreme comments Thursday on Fox News.

The Democrat Partys main constituency are made up of Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals, Leavitt said.

The first thing to note is that the kinds of broad brushes being employed here are exactly the kinds of broad brushes Republicans have previously decried.

Theyve spent years assailing Hillary Clinton for putting large numbers of Trump supporters in what she called a basket of deplorables. Even less than a year ago, they were seemingly apoplectic about President Joe Biden arguably calling some Trump supporters garbage.

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Leavitt herself cast the latter episode as proof that Biden and Kamala Harris despise the tens of millions of Americans who support Trump.

The comments also come even as Republicans after Charlie Kirks assassination sought to link the coarsening of our rhetoric  things like calling Trump a fascist  to political violence.

Charlie Kirk appears at a Utah Valley University speaking event in Orem, Utah, on September 10. - Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Reuters

Does that not also apply to calling wide swaths of the electorate terrorist sympathizers? The administration has now moved from decrying those broad brushes to embracing them.

But even beyond that, its a weird strategy.

These arent the first No Kings rallies, after all. They were also held across the country back in June, and they were overwhelmingly peaceful. The scenes were largely full of very normal-looking, liberal Americans speaking their minds.

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Fox News this week managed to find five incidents of violence and/or arrests from the June rallies  rallies which, again, drew millions.

But two of them were actually alleged attacks against the protesters, with people allegedly targeting them with motor vehicles. In another case in Florida, 2 of 3 people arrested were counter-protesters. A fourth example was a deadly shooting by a peacekeeper who apparently feared someone was about to carry out a mass shooting. (As of last month, it wasnt clear that either the peacekeeper or the other man would even face charges.)

Anything can happen on Saturday, but the scenes could also provide a rather rapid counterpoint to the alternate reality the GOP is attempting to paint.

Democratic politicians like California Gov. Gavin Newsom and many others this week have made a point to emphasize these comments reinforce the need to keep the proceedings peaceful. Some have warned those assembled not to give the administration any scenes that might give it pretexts for Trumps militarization of the homeland.

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Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona said Trump is trying to incite violence as a justification just for more control.

If anything, the scenes in Portland, Oregon, in recent weeks suggest such messages are being received.

Protesters there have taken to wearing costumes and otherwise engaging in light-hearted forms of protest. Their efforts appear aimed at betraying the ridiculousness of Trumps decision to send in the National Guard. A Trump-appointed judge has said the administrations claims of violence in Portland  which Trump has labeled war ravaged  are untethered to the facts.

To this point, Trumps argument that the left is unusually violent doesnt appear to have penetrated American public opinion.

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A Marquette University Law School poll last month showed Americans are about evenly split on whether left-wing violence or right-wing violence was a bigger problem. And a CBS News-YouGov poll this month actually showed significantly more Americans called the Republican Party extreme (59%) as said the same about the Democratic Party (46%).

The stakes here are huge. To the extent Trump can turn this into reality in Americans minds, it opens the door to all kinds of powers he craves. Thats not just when it comes to militarizing US soil, but also wielding heavy-handed tools to crack down on the political left, as hes made clear hed very much like to do.

Saturday begins a new phase in this high-stakes moment for our country.

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NEW YORK  When POLITICO approached Rep. Elise Stefanik this month with hate-filled messages from the same Young Republicans she backed and bankrolled for years, her condemnation was swift and full-throated.

Hours after the story published  and just minutes after Vice President JD Vance derided criticisms of the chat as pearl clutching  Stefanik pivoted to attacking Democrats. She derided POLITICOs story as a hit piece and those across the aisle raising alarm about it as hyperventilating.

These were not even candidates for elected office outside of internally in a young professional political organization, Stefanik wrote on X , shortly after Vances post. Meanwhile, the VA Democrat Attorney General candidate Jay Jones said he wanted to shoot his political opponent in the head and wanted their children to die in their mothers arms. Democrats have refused to condemn this violent rhetoric and refused to call for him to exit the race.

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Stefaniks shift reflects a broader dilemma Republicans across the country are now facing as theyre forced to confront a damaging situation: whether to denounce or deflect in their public messaging in response to a trove of private discussions Democrats say is proof of the GOPs long-dismissed problem with white supremacy.

At the state and local level, Republicans are largely following a different track  even if it means bitter pushback from an online faction of right-wing youth who appear ascendant .

Vermonts Republican governor and the states GOP House and Senate conferences acted in lockstep to condemn the messages and successfully pressured a state senator involved in the chat to resign. The Kansas GOP noted their state party is led by a Black woman and denounced the messages as inconsistent with their values. And New Yorks GOP and state senate minority leader decried the messages, calling on fellow Republicans involved in the chat to step down. On Friday, New Yorks state party leadership voted unanimously to disband the states Young Republicans group.

"Unlike the Democrat Party that embraces anti-Semitic rhetoric and refuses to condemn leaders who call for political violence, Republicans deliver accountability by immediately removing those who use this sort of rhetoric from the positions they hold, New York GOP chairman Ed Cox said in a statement. This incident was immediately condemned by our most senior New York Republican elected leaders.

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On the national level, Vance doubled down on his initial comments by attempting to draw more attention to texts from Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones , in which Jones talks about shooting his political opponent.

A friend shared these truly disturbing messages from a Young Republican group chat, the vice president wrote on X Thursday, sarcastically. The group's leader genuinely calls for murdering the children of his political opponents. Oh wait, actually this is from Jay Jones, the Democrat running for Attorney General in Virginia.

Rep. Mike Collins, a House Republican from Georgia, also seemed to think focusing on the Young Republicans group chat was misguided.

I don't care about some group chat, he wrote in an online post which was accompanied by a picture of Laken Riley. Riley, a Georgia nursing student, was killed by an undocumented immigrant last year, and her murder has been used by the GOP as they argue for more stringent immigration policies.

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Some members of the party have attempted to both condemn the chats and highlight violent Democratic rhetoric.

The Arizona Young Republicans, whose chairman was a member of the group chat examined by POLITICO, expressed disdain for fellow Republicans who acted swiftly to denounce the chats  but also expressed regret for the messages in the chat.

While certain voices within our own movement have been quick to condemn, many of these same individuals have overlooked or ignored deeply concerning rhetoric and actions on the political left  including public celebrations of the tragic death of Charlie Kirk and Jay Jones, calling for the death of family, the organization said . We express our sincere regret and unequivocally condemn any rhetoric that could be interpreted as sympathetic to Nazi ideology.

Vance and others in his party have long decried Democratic attempts to tie the GOP to Nazi Germany. During a speech on supporting law enforcement in North Carolina last month, he told supporters that Democrats should be blamed for political violence in this country.

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Political violence has gotten out of control in this country; weve got to stop it, he said. That starts unfortunately at the very top of the Democratic Party If you want to stop political violence, stop telling your supporters that everybody who disagrees with you is a Nazi.

In the Telegram chat obtained by POLITICO, the Young Republicans talk about how some in their party are drawn to Nazi ideology and speak about putting their opponents in gas chambers.

Some Republicans' dismissal of Democratic-led outrage over the chat comes as New York Democrats have tried to capitalize on the chats hateful content by linking GOP battleground House candidates with the Young Republicans who wrote the messages.

Joe Pinion, a former New York GOP Senate candidate who served in leadership roles in both the New York State Young Republicans and the New York Young Republican Club, said Republicans nationally should be focused on the government shutdown and that the GOP doesnt need to speak about the group chat, beyond making it clear its members dont represent the Republican Party.

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The group chat is disappointing, is disgusting, it is disheartening, but it is par for the course for Democrats to find something that they can point at and lay at the feet of their political opponents, said Pinion.

Longtime Republican strategist Susan Del Percio  who has opposed President Donald Trumps three presidential runs  said the contrasting GOP responses could have more to do with how Trump has influenced a new generation of Republicans than anything else.

Those who are new to [GOP politics] have come up in the last 8,10 years seeing what Donald Trump has done, and how he in many ways gets away with his rhetoric and his taking down of people, she said. It's lie, lie, deny. And in this case it should be: condemn everything.

When reached for comment, the White House referred POLITICO to the vice presidents statements about the chat. A spokesperson also previously rejected the notion that Trump had anything to do with the incendiary rhetoric contained in the chats.
A local Argentine governmental agency has affirmed its ban on selling vapes, calling the products detrimental to public health efforts.

As 2FIRSTS reported, the declaration was made by the Consumer Protection Agency of Argentina's Neuquen Province, which lies on the western side of the country, and at the northern end of Patagonia.

Although Argentina doesn't ban the use of vaping products, it is illegal to sell, advertise, import, or distribute them. The ban was first announced by the country's National Administration of Drugs, Foods, and Medical Devices in 2011 and reaffirmed by the Ministry of Health and Regulation in 2023.

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As the Consumer Protection Agency points out, "nicotine is a highly addictive substance," no matter if it's in cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or electronic products like vapes, and it can lead to health problems like heart disease and cancer. Because of the fruity flavors and cartoonish marketing often used with these products, they pose particular health risks to children.

Vapes bring another set of health issues with them. University of California, Davis, researchers found that disposable vapes can expose users to dangerously high levels of lead and nickel.

Disposable vapes also pose a large environmental threat. Their fumes contribute to the air pollution that has caused global temperatures to reach record-breaking heights seemingly every year. In fact, each of the 10 warmest years in recorded history has occurred within the past decade.

They're also frequently littered, which leads to more than just an eyesore when walking through public parks. E-vapes are typically made up of several components and a battery, which means they add to the growing problems of plastic pollution and e-waste.

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Because of all of these concerns, bans such as Argentina's have become more common globally. Dozens of countries have banned vapes in some capacity, and several U.S. states and cities are following suit.

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Graham Platner is trying to move on from the divisive online posts that threaten to derail his insurgent candidacy for Senate.

The Maine business owner seeking the seat now held by GOP Sen. Susan Collins released a video Friday offering a lengthy explanation and expressing regret for Reddit comments that endorsed political violence, minimized rape in the military and disparaged police.

Platner said his online views were a reflection of his mental state following his return from military service in Afghanistan, and that his views have since evolved.

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When I got back from Afghanistan in 2011, I stayed in the Army for another year. I got out in 2012. Some of the worst comments I made, the things that I'm  I think are least defensible, that I wouldn't even try to defend, come from that time, he said in the video message. When I got out, I still had the crude humor, the dark, dark feelings, the offensive language that really was a hallmark  hallmark of the infantry when I was in it.

Platners social media posts, including messages from as recently as 2021, have gained widespread media attention in recent days.

POLITICO reported Platner suggested political violence is necessary to affect social change in a 2018 post. The Washington Post reported Platner downplayed concerns about sexual assault in posts from 2013. CNN reported he labeled all White Americans in rural areas as racist and stupid in one 2020 post and said all cops are bastards in a 2021 post. The Bangor Daily News reported Platner asked why Black people dont tip in a 2013 post.

The Reddit posts were deleted prior to announcing his campaign. Platner acknowledged making the posts and has apologized for them.

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Platner said in his video statement that he stopped posting on Reddit around 2020 or 2021 when he returned to Maine.

I went from thinking that people were bad to knowing that people are good. I went from thinking that there was no hope to having nothing but hope  a hope that is rooted in the fact that it was in my community, here in Sullivan, Maine, that I got to come home and build a nice life, he said.

Platner, whos been endorsed by progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders, is hoping to defeat Senate Democrats preferred candidate Gov. Janet Mills and win the partys nomination in Democrats best opportunity to pick up a Senate seat in the midterms.

Republicans quickly dismissed Platners video apology.

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Five minutes in which Graham Platner blames HIS FELLOW SERVICEMEN for things he said, National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson Joanna Rodriguez said in a social media post.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this report misstated that Susan Collins is a GOP representative. She is a senator.




Guatemala has one of the highest rates of femicide in the world, with six deaths per 100,000 women in 2023, according to the World Bank. The risk of gender violence increases for young girls and Indigenous women, and even state-run juvenile centers aren't safe at times.

On International Women's Day in 2017, tragedy struck San Jose Pinula in the outskirts of Guatemala City when 41 girls between the ages of 13 and 17 were burned alive and 15 others were injured in a fire at a state-run "safe home" for abandoned and orphaned children. The event sparked two sisters, Lesli and Lupe Perez, who lead a youth arts collective in nearby Ciudad Peronia, into action to demand justice for the girls.

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A new documentary debuting at the Woodstock Film Festival this weekend tells the story of the sisters and their group. Directed by Coxsackie-based director Doug Anderson and his childhood friend and Emmy-winning filmmaker Vickie Curtis, "Comparsa" follows the group as it organizes a protest against gender violence with a "comparsa" - a colorful and raucous street performance featuring fire-breathing stilt walkers, giant puppets, and drums - while grappling with their own experiences with violence.

Film screening

"Comparsa" will be screened at the Woodstock Film Festival at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Orpheum Theatre in Saugerties.

Anderson said he was drawn to the story through a childhood friend who moved to Ciudad Peronia and connected with the youth arts collective. Production lasted from 2019 until 2024, Anderson said, with periodic trips to the country.

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In recent months, "Comparsa" has been making the rounds at film festivals worldwide. It won the Best International Documentary Feature Award at the Calgary International Film Festival, the Audience Award for Best Feature at the CineFest Latino Boston Film Festival and the Grand Jury Award for the International First Feature Competition at the Sheffield DocFest in the United Kingdom.

In conversation with the Times Union, Anderson discussed what he learned from spending years filming the street performance group, the power of the arts, and what it means to show the documentary at home.

This interview has been lightly edited and condensed.

When did you realize this story was documentary-worthy?

Vickie and I wanted to sink our teeth into a long-term project that would let us really connect with a person. When our childhood friend Anna (Hadingham) told us about this incredible pair of sisters who were then 18 and 19 and were rising into a position of leadership at this organization, we were really drawn to them as individuals and also as a pair of sisters. Lesli has this very outgoing, exuberant, joking personality, cracking jokes all the time, super silly and fun. Lupe is a little bit calmer, more cool and collected, but also has this incredible fire within her.

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It was on that first scouting trip that we got to know them and spend time with them. In one week of filming, we were really convinced there was a story there.

"Comparsa" directors Vickie Curtis and Doug Anderson at the Woods Hole Film Festival in July 2025. (Sarah Woodruff/Courtesy of Doug Anderson)





There are a lot of social issues and political issues that Vickie and I care about, but fundamentally, there is so much power in personal narrative as the format for a story. We wanted to get at a lot of the issues we care about and the injustice faced by the community of Ciudad Peronia, but we wanted to get at it through story and personal experience - not have it feel like homework for an audience.

How did the "Comparsa" title come about?

I first started hearing about these comparsas before I went to Guatemala, when Anna would come home and share pictures and tell stories about the work she was doing in these communities.

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The tradition of comparsas has roots in other parts of Latin America; it's not specific to Guatemala, but it has kind of reached Guatemala and taken on a new phase. A comparsa is an extravagant carnival-like street procession that has stilt walkers, drummers, elaborate costumes, gigantic puppets, fire breathing, and all kinds of fun, exuberant, spectacular elements.

In the case of this community and this organization, they're very much trying to engage youth as a means of empowerment and political expression. Every time they put on a comparsa, it's the culmination of many months of work, and it's organized around a theme and a message. The specific comparsa we feature in the film is centered on the message of ending violence against women and girls. We thought it was a very interesting contrast between this very joyful, exuberant, colorful display, paired with the very serious message behind it.

How did Lesli, Lupe and the organization react to having cameras around?

We felt so fortunate to enter this community, which is a place that is well-known within Guatemala for being dangerous, with a lot of extreme poverty and violent crime. We spent all of our time there with Lesli, Lupe and one of our cinematographers, Edgar Tuy, who is also from Ciudad Peronia. I think because we were always with someone from the community whom people knew, there was an extension of trust. Overall, we felt very welcome.

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It was also a really fun thing for these young people to feel like, "Oh, there's a documentary happening, there's a fancy camera in the room."

From left, Anna Hadingham (producer), Lesli Canela Perez (film participant, co-producer), Edgar Tuy (cinematographer), Doug Anderson (director) while filming "Comparsa" in 2024. (Courtesy of Doug Anderson)





What does it mean to you to show the film at the Woodstock Film Festival?

I sometimes have trouble talking with friends and family about my work while it's still in progress. After six years of working on this film, my friends and my community are very curious to see what it is I've been working on, so I'm very glad to bring the film home and to have people I care about see it. A few friends have seen an advanced cut, but most people are going to be experiencing it for the first time, and that's really exciting and rewarding.

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Also, we have Lesli and Lupe flying in from Guatemala to attend the festival, so they'll be participating in Q&A sessions after the two screenings. Being able to introduce Lesli and Lupe, whom I care about so much, to my family and my community is really special.

How has the documentary changed the lives of Lesli, Lupe and the organization Peronia Adolescente?

The work of Peronia Adolescente is continuing day-to-day. Leslie, Lupe and the people who are in the film are still running that organization, so we're figuring out who can come to what festival while those who stay are running the show back in Ciudad Peronia. It continues to be a challenge for them to fund their work. They have a very modest operating budget, but sources of funding, such as USAID, are going away.

"Comparsa," a new film co-directed by Coxsackie-based filmmaker Doug Anderson, is making its New York debut at the Woodstock Film Festival. (Courtesy of Doug Anderson)





There is very much a deep need there still, and we are hoping that through the film's impact campaign, which will unfold over the next year and a half, we can use the film as a way to funnel resources and attention back to Peronia Adolescente and the incredible work they're doing there.

What do you hope viewers in the Hudson Valley take away from a documentary filmed in Guatemala?

This film presents an opportunity to be transported to a part of the world that very few people have access to. It's sad how rare it is to see depictions of people from Guatemala and Central America outside the context of migration and a border narrative. I think there's inherent value in that.

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I hope that people see the value in creating spaces for young people to be creative and to express themselves. I also think that we have a lot to learn from the work that Lesli and Lupe are doing on the ground in Guatemala. I sometimes personally feel despair about the world and the state of politics in our country, but when I look at the challenges that Lesli and Lupe face in their lives, and I see the incredible joy and commitment to affecting change locally, it leaves very little room for me to stay hopeless. I feel very inspired to push forward on things that matter to me, and I'm hoping that audience members might derive similar inspiration.

This article originally published at Guatemalan sisters' fight against femicide comes to Woodstock Film Festival.
One Marine died and another was hospitalized after their helicopter crashed in a desert area of Imperial County during a training mission Thursday.

An AH-1Z Viper carrying two pilots from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, known as the "Gunfighters," crashed in an unpopulated area of Imperial Gables around 7:05 p.m., according to the U.S. Marine Corps.

The first pilot was taken to Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley, where he was pronounced dead. The second pilot was transported to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs in stable condition, officials said.

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Read more: Newsom warns of missiles over I-5, but freeway will remain open during live-fire Camp Pendleton event

Maj. Gen. James B. Wellons, the commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, expressed condolences and support to the friends and family of the fallen Marine.

It is with profound sadness that I share the loss of a Marine from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and the 'Gunfighters' while conducting a training flight in support of the Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course," he said in a statement. "This Marine made the ultimate sacrifice, and we are forever grateful for his selfless commitment and willingness to go into harms way."

The identity of the Marine is being withheld until 24 hours after his next of kin has been notified.

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HMLA-369 flies AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters, providing air support and reconnaissance for Marine forces worldwide. The squadron earned its Gunfighters nickname during the Vietnam War and has since served in major operations including Operations Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

In February 2024, five Marines died when a military helicopter crashed en route to a Marine air station in San Diego. In December 2024, a military helicopter caught fire midflight and made an emergency landing at Camp Pendleton, where all four of its crew members were able to evacuate safely.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
OXFORD  A 27-year-old Childersburg man faces multiple felony charges after allegedly firing a gun inside a tobacco shop during an attempted robbery Wednesday evening, according to Oxford police.

Terrell McCain was arrested at the scene of Charles Tobacco Outlet on Hamric Drive East after officers responded to a robbery in progress around 7:30 p.m., Deputy Chief Daniel Phipps said. When officers arrived, McCain was armed with a pistol but complied with verbal commands to drop the weapon and was detained without further incident.

Investigators determined McCain had fired one round inside the store during the robbery, leading to an attempted murder charge in addition to first-degree robbery and possession of a firearm by a person forbidden. Phipps said McCain is a convicted felon and legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.

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According to court documents, McCain was convicted of breaking into and entering a motor vehicle in Talladega County in 2019 and felony marijuana possession in Shelby County in 2023.

McCain is currently being held without bond pending an Aniahs Law hearing. The law, passed in Alabama in 2022, allows judges to deny bail to individuals accused of violent crimes if they are deemed a threat to the public.

No injuries were reported in the incident, and police said the quick response of nearby officers helped prevent further escalation.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Daily Home Editor Chris Norwood contributed to this story.
Two people were injured in a shooting outside a bar in Norwalk, and the person responsible for opening fire is being sought.

The incident happened around 11 p.m. Friday on Alondra Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Deputies found one victim on the ground outside a nearby liquor store. The second victim drove themselves to the hospital.

The gunfire shattered the glass door of the bar and also hit the pool table, narrowly missing people sitting next to it.

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When people inside the bar heard the gunshots, they ran outside and then rushed to help the victim.

"I heard multiple shots fire. I saw the glass door window just shatter... and then I heard tires scurrying away. I go outside, I see there's two people just bleeding with wounds," said witness Cesar Sosa. "It's not what I expected when I randomly said 'let's just go out tonight'."

The condition of the victims and their identities were not available.

The suspect was seen driving away in an unknown car. No arrests have been made.








Texans love their H-E-B, and there's data to prove it. A recent report revealed that the San Antonio-based grocery giant is outperforming national grocers, such as Kroger, due to its loyal customer base and the company's strategy of tailoring to local markets.

Progressive Grocer, a media brand in the grocery industry, released its report, "3 Trends Shaping the Grocery Sector Right Now," on Tuesday, October 13. The report showed that the U.S. grocery sector saw broad-based growth across all formats, which surveyed traditional grocers, like H-E-B and Kroger, value grocers, such as Winco and Aldi, and fresh-format grocers, like Sprouts and Trader Joe's.

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Traditional grocers, like H-E-B and Harris Teeter, outperformed other national supermarkets by tailoring strategies to their core geographies and demographics. However, fresh format stores, like Trader Joe's and Sprouts, are growing the fastest, driven by affluent shoppers seeking health, according to the report.

Loyal shoppers help H-E-B thrive

For H-E-B, the traditional grocer outperformed their category's modest 0.6% average year-over-year visit growth, posting impressive gains of 5.6% in 2025. Harris Teeter, a preferred grocer in large markets like Charlotte and Raleigh, also had gains of 2.8%, respectively.

"Their success demonstrates that even in a polarizing environment, there is ample room for traditional formats to thrive by deeply understanding and catering to a specific target audience," the report stated.

Among the chains analyzed, H-E-B has one of the highest shares of loyal visitors - shoppers visiting four or more times per month (38.5%). Kroger had the second-highest shares of loyal visitors at 27.6%, while Meijer had 24.8% and Food 4 Less had 15.4%.

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Progressive Grocer also linked H-E-B's success to its urban-focused strategy, as 32.6% of visitors come from major metro areas and their peripheries, especially Austin and San Antonio.

H-E-B has been opening more stores throughout Texas, especially in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. In North Texas, H-E-B has opened stores in Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Alliance, Mansfield and Melissa. H-E-B is also planning locations in Rockwall, Irving, Murphy, Mid-Cities, Forney and Denton.

This article originally published at H-E-B outranks national supermarket chains in new report.
Depending on the level of winter precipitation this next season, commuters in Payne County might need to wait for travel conditions to improve with the help of a newly christened Oklahoma Department of Transportation snowplow.

This winter, that would mean waiting on Clearapathra, Snowbegone Kenobi or The Big Snowplowski.

A ninth-grader named Toni came up with Clearapathra, one of 24 winners in ODOTs snowplow naming contest.

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ODOT announced the winners last week after 400 submissions and 2,100 votes were cast according to the release. There were three snowplows named for each of ODOTs eight field districts.

We were so impressed by the creativity and enthusiasm Oklahoma students showed in this contest, contest manager and ODOT Traffic Operations Center program manager Caitlyn Carolus said in the release. Our crews work long hours in tough winter conditions to keep highways safe for the traveling public, and this contest is a fun way to recognize their dedication while connecting students and families to the important work they do.

The names given to the snowplows will be used on the states new snowplow tracking website, OKSnowPlows.org, which is set for an Oct. 27 launch.

According to ODOT, the students whose names were selected as winners received a prize pack.

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The Farmer's Almanac predicts a mostly mild winter for Oklahoma, with only a wet panhandle. The rest of the state is dry. The three-month seasonal outlook from the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center shows most of the state leaning toward above normal temperatures from November through January. The CPC's Seasonal Prediction Outlook gives Oklahoma equal chances of being above or below normal precipitation levels.

Payne County is the eastern-most county in Field District 4, which is headquartered in Perry and includes Kay, Noble, Logan, Oklahoma, Canadian, Kingfisher, Garfield and Grant counties.

Neighboring counties to the east, Pawnee and Creek are in the northeastern Field District 8 that include Osage, Tulsa, Washington, Nowata, Rogers, Craig, Mayes, Ottawa and Delaware counties.

Just south of Payne County, Lincoln County is sorted into the central Oklahoma Field District 3 that runs all the way south to Johnston County.

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The Winners

District 1: Plowabunga  Eugene, ninth grade; Salty Susie  Brandi, fifth grade; Scoop There It Is  Josie, first grade

District 2: Lil Snow Peep  Palmer, Kindergarten; Holy Plow  Damon, sixth grade; Snowy McPlowface  Stephen, 1st grade

District 3: Sled Zeppelin  Azaria, third grade; Plowasaurus Rex  Parker, Kindergarten; Plowy McPlowface  Juno, 12th grade

District 4: Clearopathra  Toni, ninth grade; Snowbegone Kenobi  William, sixth grade; Workin Snowvertime  Trevor, 12th grade

District 5: Scoop Dog  Ameia, sixth grade; White Lightning  Cohen, sixth grade; Sleetwood Mac  Name withheld for privacy at guardians request

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District 6: Darth Blader  Ava, third grade; Ctrl Salt Delete  Marissa, 12th grade; Oh Snow You Didnt  Destini, 11th grade

District 7: Plow Chicka Plow Plow  Ayden, fifth grade; Plownado  Devi, third grade; Aint No Snow in Oklahoma  Sandra, 4th grade

District 8: Snowbi Won Kenobi  Asher, 12th grade; Betty Whiteout  Finnley, third grade; The Big Snowplowski  Catherine, kindergarten
The National Library of Azerbaijan has inaugurated a virtual exhibition and a traditional book fair titled October 18  Day of Restoration of State Independence.

Azernews reports that the virtual exhibition features books, articles, and photographs that shed light on the restoration of Azerbaijans independence, the consolidation of sovereignty, and key milestones in the countrys statehood history. Visitors can explore materials highlighting the realities of independent and sovereign Azerbaijan, as well as publications dedicated to the nations Independence Restoration Day.

The traditional exhibition, meanwhile, offers readers access to an extensive collection of books in Azerbaijani and foreign languages. These works analyze Azerbaijans historic struggle for independence, examine major political events along that journey, and illuminate the peoples enduring will for freedom. The displays also explore the foundations of state-building and the far-reaching outcomes of Azerbaijans regained independence.
A murder case of a 20-year-old girl was reported in the North Bengaluru District of Karnataka on Saturday. Police nabbed two accused in the murder case of a woman in the roadside area of Srirampura, a police official said. Speaking with the ANI, North Bengaluru Deputy Commissioner of Police BS Nemagouda said, "A murder case was reported yesterday, and immediately it was taken up. A special team was formed to nab the accused, and we arrested 2 of them today. Out of the two accused nabbed, one has a criminal history and the other is suspected of being a criminal. The accused was pushing the deceased for marriage with him, which she was refusing... One of the accused - Vighnesh had a criminal case on him previously..." "A detailed interrogation is going on and we are collecting other scientific evidence as well. We are also looking the detailed reasons why he killed her, and within 1 or 2 days we will come to the conclusion, he told ANI. Earlier, Bengaluru Police on Saturday took custody of six accused individuals and are being questioned by the police after two labourers, Amir Hussain and Mumtaz Ali Molla, lost their lives after falling from a 13th-floor balcony at the DNR Arista construction site. The incident occurred around 3:30 PM, sparking an immediate response from local authorities. A case has been registered against the contractor responsible for the construction, and the site engineers." Yesterday, around 3.30 PM, two labourers from West Bengal, Amir Hussain and Mumtaz Ali Molla, working at the DNR Arista construction site, died after falling from the 13th-floor under-construction balcony. A case has been registered at Bellandur PS and site engineers. 6 accused have been secured and are being questioned," said DCP Whitefield, Bengaluru. (ANI)
Israel identified the remains of two hostages on Sunday after Hamas handed over their bodies to the Red Cross the night before.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the bodies belonged to Ronen Engel, a father of three from Kibbutz Nir Oz, and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, a Thai agricultural worker killed at Kibbutz Be'eri. Both were believed to have been killed during Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack and their bodies were taken to Gaza. Engel's wife, Karina, and two of his three children were kidnapped and released in an earlier ceasefire in November 2023.

This undated photo shows Ronen Engel, who was abducted and brought to Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. / Credit: Hostages Family Forum via AP

Since the Gaza peace plan took effect early this week, Hamas has handed over 20 living hostages and the confirmed remains of at least 12 hostages. The remains of at least 16 Hamas-held hostages are still unaccounted for. One of the bodies released to Israel did not belong to a hostage.

This undated photo shows Sonthaya Oakkharasri, a Thai agricultural worker who was abducted and brought to Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. / Credit: Hostages Family Forum via AP

The handover of remains, along with aid deliveries into Gaza, and future governance of the devastated territory, are among key points in the ceasefire, reached on Oct. 10, meant to end two years of war.

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President Trump joined world leaders in Egypt on Monday to sign the U.S.-brokered peace plan that saw Hamas agree to release all remaining living and deceased hostages in exchange for Israel releasing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

The released Palestinians include 250 people who are serving life sentences, and about 1,700 others who had been detained and held without charges since the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel.

Hamas handed over the bodies of four confirmed hostages on Monday, another three on Tuesday, and two on Wednesday. That same day, it said that it had released all the Israeli hostage remains in Gaza that it had been able to recover. But on Friday, it returned another confirmed hostage.

And according to the Associated Press, as part of the ceasefire deal, Israel has so far returned to Gaza the bodies of at least 135 Palestinians. On Sunday, the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza said Israel returned the bodies of another 15 Palestinians.

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A senior U.S. adviser told reporters on a call Wednesday that "nobody is getting left behind," noting they believe there are still many bodies buried under the mountains of rubble across Gaza. Senior U.S. advisers said the level of destruction also makes it difficult to move around in the Palestinian territory.

Mr. 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.

Mike Waltz, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said Thursday that U.S. personnel would take part in the effort to recover the remains of hostages.

Tensions emerged over the implementation of the peace plan this weekend, with Israel and Hamas accusing each other of violating the ceasefire in recent days.

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The Israeli military said on Sunday that militants shot at troops in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, in the Israeli-controlled areas, according to the agreed-upon ceasefire lines. No injuries were reported. A senior Hamas official denied to the Associated Press that Hamas was involved.

Netanyahu's office announced Saturday that the critical southern Gaza border crossing of Rafah, which connects with Egypt, "would not be opened until further notice," saying that its opening would be dependent "on how Hamas fulfills its part in returning the abductees and implementing the agreed-upon outline."

Hamas responded by calling the move "a blatant violation of the terms of the ceasefire agreement."

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department issued a statement late Saturday saying that the U.S. had learned of a plan by Hamas to attack "Palestinian civilians."

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The U.S. said it "had informed the guarantor nations of the Gaza peace agreement of credible reports indicating an imminent ceasefire violation by Hamas against the people of Gaza."

Hamas rejected the U.S. claims on Sunday, calling them "false allegations" and accusing Israel of supporting armed groups operating in Israeli-controlled areas. Hamas urged the U.S. administration to pressure Israel to stop supporting the gangs and "providing them a safe haven."

This comes after CBS News obtained a video on Wednesday that showed armed Hamas fighters standing over Palestinians they accused of being gang members collaborating with Israel. Moments later, they execute them.

The disturbing images are part of a long pattern of punishment meted out to suspected collaborators, Israeli hostage negotiator Gershon Baskin told CBS News.

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The body of a twelfth hostage returned to Israel from Gaza has been identified Sunday as Thai national Sonthaya Oakkharasri, as the ceasefire that brought a pause to two years of destruction in the Palestinian enclave comes under strain.

A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office on Sunday said Oakkharasris remains had been identified and that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had informed his family. His was one of two bodies returned by Hamas on Saturday to Israel.

The other body was earlier identified as that of hostage Ronen Engel, according to his kibbutz, and photographs provided to CNN by his family.

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Palestinian militant group Hamas handed over the bodies of Engel and Oakkharasri to the Red Cross on Saturday, after which they were transferred to Israel for formal identification.

Kibbutz Nir Oz announces the return for burial of our beloved Ronen Engel, a spokesperson for the kibbutz said in a statement. We will always remember Ronen as a devoted family man, incurably optimistic, with a sense of humor, a joy for life, and a constant smile.

Ronen Engel - Hostages and Missing Families Forum

Oakkharasri was a Thai citizen who was taken hostage during the Hamas-led attack on Israel of October 7, 2023. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in May 2024 that Oakkharasri was presumed dead.

Engel was 54 when he was killed, and his wife Karina kidnapped along with their daughters Mika and Yuval. His wife and children were released the following month, but Engels body was not.

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The truce in Gaza appears to be largely holding as it enters its second week, but has come under pressure from the delayed return of the remaining hostage bodies from Gaza, the initially slow entry of aid into the enclave, and Israels continued deadly strikes.

The US State Department said Saturday that credible reports indicate Hamas is planning an imminent ceasefire violation against Palestinians in Gaza.

This planned attack against Palestinian civilians would constitute a direct and grave violation of the ceasefire agreement and undermine the significant progress achieved through mediation efforts, the media note said. The guarantors demand Hamas uphold its obligations under the ceasefire terms.

Should Hamas proceed with this attack, measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire, it said.

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In response, Hamas said in a statement Sunday that it reaffirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement and stresses that (Israel) continues to breach the agreement and fabricate flimsy pretexts to justify its crimes.

CNN has reached out to the White House for comment on the State Departments memo.

With the handover late on Saturday, Hamas has returned 12 of the 28 bodies of deceased hostages outlined in the ceasefire agreement with Israel, which went into effect last week. All 12 have now been formally identified.

We will not rest and we will not be silent until the last of the hostages is returned, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement on Sunday.

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Protests have ignited in Israel as frustration intensifies over the delay in returning the bodies of the remaining hostages. In Tel Avivs Hostages Square, large crowds of demonstrators gathered on Saturday, urging the government to pressure Hamas to release the bodies.

Hamas has said that it handed over all of the hostage remains that it could access and that extensive efforts and special equipment would be needed to retrieve more. Israeli intelligence has assessed that Hamas may not be able to find and return all the remaining dead hostages in Gaza.

But Israel believes that Hamas does know the locations of some of the deceased hostages it claims are missing, according to two Israeli sources familiar with the matter. Israels foreign minister has accused Hamas of trying to use the hostages bodies as leverage.

Speaking to Channel 14 on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war would end once all of the hostage bodies have been returned and Hamas is demilitarized.

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The war in Gaza will finally end when the terms of the agreement that was supposedly accepted are implemented, and this includes, first of all, Phase A - the return of all our hostages, Netanyahu said. Phase B also includes the disarmament of Hamas, or rather the disarmament of the Strip, and before that the disarmament of Hamas.

Rafah crossing and crucial aid

As the dispute continues, the Rafah crossing will remain closed until further notice, Netanyahus office said on Saturday. The crossing is a crucial link between Egypt and Gaza.

Netanyahus office said that its opening would be dependent on how Hamas fulfills its part in returning the hostages and implementing the agreed-upon outline.

Trucks carrying humanitarian aid and fuel line up at the crossing into the Gaza Strip at the Rafah border on the Egypt side, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Rafah, Egypt on Friday. - Reuters

Hamas criticized the delayed reopening of the crossing as a blatant violation of the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The group also condemned Israels strikes on Gaza.

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Despite the ceasefire, the Israeli military targeted a vehicle carrying 11 civilians, including several women and children, on Friday after it crossed a line that marks Israels control under the ceasefire agreement, Gazas Civil Defense spokesperson, Mahmoud Basal, told CNN.

After coordinating with the United Nations, the Civil Defense recovered on Saturday nine bodies, including those of four children and three women. The bodies of two other children are missing, the Civil Defense said.

The Israeli military told CNN its troops fired warning shots after a suspicious vehicle was identified crossing the yellow line  a reference to the initial Israeli withdrawal line. The military said the vehicle continued to approach the troops in a way that caused an imminent threat to them.

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to correct the characterization of the Rafah Crossing.

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Both hostages were murdered by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and their remains have been held in Gaza for over two years.

Ronen Engel and Sonthaya Oakkharasri were identified as the two hostages whose remains were returned from the Gaza Strip on Saturday night, the Prime Minister's Office confirmed on Sunday morning.

Engel was 54 years old at the time of his death, and left behind a wife, three children, and a brother.

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He will be remembered by the kibbutz as "a devoted family man, hopelessly optimistic, with a sense of humor and a joy for life."

Oakkharasri, 30, was returned to Israel after more than 740 days in captivity, Israeli officials confirmed on Sunday afternoon following forensic identification.

Oakkharasri was working on Kibbutz Beeri at the time of his abduction. He was the father a 7-year-old daughter, Kaimook. He longed to return to Thailand to be with his family and build his own farm. He was in Israel for 8 years ahead of his abduction, working as an agricultural worker in various Kibbutzim in Israels North, before heading to Kibbutz Beeri.

Though he was described as a quiet man who was focused on his work, he maintained daily contact with his mother Amorn and his young daughter. According to a statement by the Hostage Family Forum, his work contract in Israel was set to end in October 2023, and he had already been planning his return to Thailand.

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Hamas's Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades said the remains were found earlier in the day.

A Palestinian terrorist stands on a vehicle as people gather around Red Cross vehicles transporting hostages, following their handover, in the central Gaza Strip, October 13, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Stringer TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

The Gaza terrorist organization returned the remains of hostage Eliyahu Margalit to Israel on Friday night.

Israel and mediators applied pressure on the terror group to return the remains of the hostages in alignment with US President Donald Trump's agreement.

Hamas called on mediators on Friday to follow up on the implementation of the remaining provisions of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement with Israel, which ended two years of war in Gaza.

Hamas's demand comes as the group continues to delay the return of hostage remains to Israel, a condition of the first phase of the ceasefire deal.

Return of hostage remains may take time

Hamas claimed on Thursday that the return of Israeli hostages' remains may take time, as some were buried in tunnels destroyed by Israel, and others remain under the rubble of buildings that Israel bombed and destroyed, adding that the group remained committed to the Gaza agreement and keen to hand over all the remains of all hostages held in Gaza.

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The retrieval of the remaining hostages required equipment to remove rubble, which was currently unavailable due to Israels ban on entry of such tools, Hamas added.

Officials from the group have told mediators that the group had lost the remains; however, an Israeli official previously told The Jerusalem Post that Hamas knows the location of at least some of the remaining hostages.

Negotiations for the second phase of the plan have been put on hold until Hamas returns the remains.

This is a developing story.

Reuters, Joanie Margulies, and Amichai Stein contributed to this report.
MORRISTOWN, Tenn. (WATE)  More than five years after a federal civil rights lawsuit over its money bail system was filed, Hamblen County will pay more than a half million in attorney fees.

The 2020 lawsuit contended that the county regularly imposed unaffordable money bail amounts, sometimes as high as $1 million, without consideration of defendants ability to pay in a county where one in five residents lives below the poverty level. It alleged this system forced defendants to remain jailed arbitrarily while awaiting trial in a facility operating at over 170 percent capacity at significant cost to taxpayers.

State, county partners keeping Smokies open through October amid government shutdown

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It also alleged that county policies lacked procedural protections like the opportunity to present evidence and make arguments at a hearing with counsel, leaving the defendants to remain in jail for days or weeks in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions.

A federal judge ruled earlier this year that the countys practice of setting bail without the opposing side present, without providing arrestees with assistance of counsel, and other safeguards violated the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and the Sixth Amendment of the US Constitution.

The summary judgment required the implementation of several procedural reforms. The Hamblen County Sheriffs Office was prohibited from detaining an individual on an arrest warrant who was not provided the outlined procedural protections.

 See more top stories on WATE.com

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In September, a US Magistrate Judge recommended that the county pay a total of $509,193.63 to the plaintiffs for attorney and support staff time. The Hamblen County Commission voted that the county will not object to the judges recommendation on Tuesday in a special called meeting.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
NEED TO KNOW

John Wayne Gacy was a prolific serial killer who was convicted of 33 murders in 1980

The so-called "Killer Clown" said he murdered all of his victims in his Illinois home

He also buried most of his victims' bodies under his house

John Wayne Gacy's modest and unassuming ranch-style house had horrors hidden underneath it.

Neighbors in Norwood Park Township, Ill., knew Gacy as a successful contractor who dressed as "Pogo the Clown" for kids' parties and children's hospital visits and was active in local politics, even once meeting First Lady Rosalynn Carter. However, beneath the makeup, amiable veneer and his seemingly normal brickfront home lurked unbelievable darkness  and a putrid odor that ultimately did him in.

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In December 1978, Gacy confessed to kidnapping, raping and murdering dozens of boys and men, some as young as 14 years old, and hiding many of their bodies in a crawl space under the house.

In March 1980, Gacy, dubbed the "Killer Clown," was convicted of 33 murders and received the death penalty. He died by lethal injection at age 52 on May 10, 1994.

Devil In Disguise: John Wayne Gacy explores his double life, the investigation that led to his arrest and how his murders impacted the victims' families. All eight episodes of the series, in which Severance star Michael Chernus plays the serial killer, premiered on Peacock on Oct. 16.

Here is everything to know about what happened to John Wayne Gacy's house after his arrest and how police found the victims it contained.

Where did John Wayne Gacy live?

William Yates/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty John Wayne Gacy's house John Wayne Gacy's house

Gacy owned a ranch-style house at 8213 West Summerdale Ave. in Norwood Park Township, Ill., a suburb of Chicago.

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He described the interior of his house in a 1992 interview with CBS News.

"It's not a house where you live and you work 9 to 5 and come home and it's like a house where you live in," Gacy said. "The living room was a private office section, one of the bedrooms was a terrarium, the kitchen was more like a fast food kitchen."

He used the office for his contracting business, P.D.M. Construction, and often let his workers lodge there as well.

One thing Gacy left out of his description of his home was the crawl space under the house. Investigators found a trap door leading to the crawl space  which the Chicago Tribune reported was about 40 feet wide  in Gacy's garage.

What did John Wayne Gacy's house smell like?

Gacy's sister, Karen Kuzma, revealed in Investigation Discovery's Evil Lives Here that the first thing she noticed about Gacy's house was the smell.

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"There was a smell as you walked in the house and through the house," she said. "It just had this old, musty smell. The house wasn't built on a slab, [there] was dirt underneath it, and if you don't cover that, it smells."

Kuzma added that their mother didn't notice the odor at all, but that Gacy said it was "coming from the earth underneath" the house, which she recalled was only about three feet deep.

She said that later on, when Gacy was in Cook County Jail, he told her, "I should have cemented the crawl space. I don't know why I didn't cement the crawl space." Later, the smell would be part of what made authorities suspect him of murdering local honors student Robert Piest, 15, who worked at a pharmacy that Gacy visited the day he went missing.

Former Des Plaines officer Mike Albrecht recalled to NBC Chicago that when police were assigned to surveil Gacy after Piest's disappearance, the part-time clown would try to pal around with officers and invite them into his house. When one of Albrecht's partners, Bob Schultz, was in the bathroom of Gacy's home on Dec. 20, 1978, the furnace came on, bringing with it the smell of dead bodies from underneath the house.

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"That odor from the heat, from the crawl space," Albrecht recalled. "Bob said right away, 'It smelled like a morgue!' "

Where did John Wayne Gacy bury his victims?

Walter Kale/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty John Wayne Gacy's house after his arrest John Wayne Gacy's house after his arrest

Gacy was arrested on Dec. 21, 1978, and Albrecht took the killer's first statements.

"He went into detail on what he had done to Rob Piest," Albrecht recalled to NBC Chicago. "And Rob Piest and four others were thrown into the Des Plaines River because his crawl space was too crowded. He said, 'Give me a piece of paper and Ill draw a diagram for you.' Its amazing how exact that diagram was!"

Gacy told investigators that he buried 26 of his victims under the crawl space of his house, one in a trench next to his driveway, one under his garage and one under an addition he'd made to the home, according to the Chicago Tribune.

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When he ran out of room in the crawl space, Gacy began disposing of his victims' bodies off the I-55 bridge into the Des Plaines River. CBS News reported that the bodies were wrapped in plastic and covered in lime.

What happened to John Wayne Gacy's house after he went to prison?

Bettmann Archive/Getty A barren plot of land is an uncomfortable reminder of the "house of horrors" home of John Wayne Gacy that once stood there A barren plot of land is an uncomfortable reminder of the "house of horrors" home of John Wayne Gacy that once stood there

Gacy's house was demolished, and the property was razed in April 1979.

The Chicago Tribune reported that the empty lot where Gacy's house once stood became a tourist attraction for true crime fans and ghost hunters in the 1980s.

A new ranch-style home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms was built on the lot in 1986, according to Realtor.com, and the property has a different street number than it had when Gacy lived there.

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Today, a neighbor told the Chicago Tribune, it still attracts people from out of town who want a glimpse at where Gacy's horrific murders took place.

"If you've got two guys in a car, or an out-of-state plate," they said, "it's probably Gacy."

How much is John Wayne Gacy's property worth today?

Des Plaines Police Department/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty A police booking photo of American serial killer John Wayne Gacy on December 21, 1978, at the Des Plaines Police Department. A police booking photo of American serial killer John Wayne Gacy on December 21, 1978, at the Des Plaines Police Department.

Records indicate that the former Gacy property was sold in 2004 for $300,000. In July 2019, it was listed for sale at $489,000. After several price changes and re-listings, the home sold in March 2021 for $395,000.

Real estate appraiser Orell Anderson told Realtor.com that the price cuts were likely necessary because buyers "have to have an incentive [to live] in a place where a horrific event occurred."

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"When these houses come up for sale, some people buy the place thinking if they tear it down and change the address a little bit and do some cosmetic fixes, the stigma will go away," Anderson explained. "The stigma runs with the land, not the house."

Read the original article on People
Former Vice President Harris said Democrats are doing the right thing by holding firm on their demands amidst the government shutdown.



Senate Democrats have blocked a stopgap bill from advancing 10 times in an effort to extend Affordable Care Act premium subsidies.

Harris said Democrats are doing the right thing by standing up for working people and not allowing the Republicans to carry a tax cut for the wealthiest people in our country on the backs of working people in America, in an interview published Saturday by The Associated Press.

She blamed her counterparts over the federal funding lapse, which has spanned into its 18th day, as back pay for furloughed federal workers is threatened and the economy begins to feel a negative impact from the shuttering.

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The Trump administration is actively taking steps to redistribute funds to ensure the military gets paychecks during the shutdown. FBI agents and some Department of Homeland Security employees are expected to receive paychecks as well.

The Republicans control the House. They control the Senate. They control the White House, Harris told AP. They are in charge, and they are responsible for the shutdown.

Amid closures, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is preparing to bring a full-year spending bill for the Pentagon to the floor as the shutdown extends to the three-week mark.

The 2024 Democratic presidential nominee says she remains in contact with former colleagues on Capitol Hill and has spent the last month touring American cities during the promotion of her 107 Days book about her failed presidential bid.

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I am a leader of the party, she said. I take seriously that responsibility and duty that I feel.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  Former Vice President and 2024 democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has taken the stage at the Alabama Theatre.

The former Vice President arrived onstage to thunderous applause as she was introduced onstage by Charlamagne Tha God Friday evening. However, outside of the theatre, Pro-Palestinian protesters held signs criticizing Harris role in the Biden administration and its stance toward Israels war in Gaza.

While fans and supporters of Harris have consistently gathered to greet the former presidential nominee throughout her book tour, the sight of protestors has also been a persistent one.

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The first night of the book tour, in New York, was interrupted several times by protestors inside of the venue. Harris eventually directly addressed protestors following continued interruptions.

I understand your concern and how you feel  I think I do, Harris told a protester at the time. And the reality of it is where we are right now didnt have to be this way  in terms of the blank check that this president has given (to Israel).

Attendees and protesters outside of Harris book tour appearance at the Alabama Theatre. October 17, 2025 (Photo | Amy Hybels)

Harris is on a tour of 18 U.S. cities to promote her new book, 107 Days in which she provides readers with an inside look at the race for the presidency. The book, co-written by Geraldine Brooks, chronicles her time running for president before she was defeated by President Donald Trump.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
HARRISBURG, Pa (WHTM)  Anti-Trump demonstrators let their voices be known Saturday through No Kings rallies.

They were held nationwide, with several happening in the Midstate.

Demonstrators took to the streets in the Capital City, carrying signs and chanting for change.

No Kings protests against Trump bring a street party vibe to cities nationwide

Weve been out here since February, said T.J. Demetriou, a 50501 organizer. Its crazy. You know, we have some small ones in between and weve got these big ones like this. They just keep getting bigger and bigger.

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Demetriou told abc27 News, this was the biggest No Kings rally in Harrisburg yet.

People are angry, he said. They are upset about whats happening.

People  like Georgia Earp of Harrisburg.

Everybodys upset about what the president is doing, Earp said. I mean its just one thing after the other. I mean its horrible what hes doing to immigrants, its horrible what hes doing to federal workers. So much of what hes doing is illegal and corrupt.

The Pennsylvania GOP shared a statement with abc27 News on the rallies  focusing on the upcoming retention vote for Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justices.

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The Republican Party of Pennsylvania agrees that there is no place for Kings in America or Pennsylvania. That is why we are urging a NO NO NO vote on the retention of the royalty in black robes.

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But for now, rally organizers and participants are focused on opposing the presidents policies and are already planning for another rally.

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CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY)  Thirty students throughout Harrison County High Schools were divided into teams to compete in a Shark Tank-like competition.

Harrison County Schools hosted its Business Symposium on Friday, which challenged students to create a new product or service for Chick Fil A, create pitches and presentations for it and deliver those presentations to judges who are business representatives that work with the Career Tech Education program.

Each student received a $25 Amazon gift card for participation, but the winning team will be introduced at the Harrison County Chamber of Commerces The Tank event and win a $500 dollar scholarship.

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10th annual NCWV Business Summit held in Fairmont

Teams were made up of students across different schools and consisted of three adults, including a business teacher.

Geraldine Beckett, Career Tech Education liaison for Harrison County Schools, told 12 News that students have the opportunity to develop leadership skills with a competitions like this.

The winning team with MOO Meals. (WBOY image)

We dont give them enough credit, Beckett said. We see that they like the computers, they like the technology, they like the video games, but we want them to be productive with technology, and this is something where not only do they get to use technology to be productive, but they also get to use their own ideas. Their idea, that kid that never talks, their idea might be the one that actually wins the competition.

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The winning team had the idea of MOO Meals, a prepackaged version of Chick Fil A meals that can be cooked at home and ordered through the app.

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HARTFORD - A Newington man wanted for stealing a vehicle was arrested Wednesday after officers used tire-deflation devices to stop the vehicle during a brief pursuit, police said.

Hassan Khan, 30, was charged with first-degree larceny, operating a motor vehicle without permission, second-degree criminal trover and theft of a motor vehicle, according to the Hartford Police Department.

Police said the chase began when officers spotted a stolen 2023 Nissan Frontier traveling in the area of Albany Avenue and Williams Street. Police said officers tried to stop the vehicle, but the operator refused to comply.

 Stolen Motor Vehicle Arrest 



On October 15, 2025, members of the Hartford Police Street Crimes Unit observed a stolen vehicle traveling in the area of Albany Avenue and Williams Street. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the operator failed to comply, initiating a pic.twitter.com/VQBqA8uxSR - Hartford Police CT (@HartfordPolice) October 17, 2025

"Officers successfully deployed a tire-deflation device, flattening all four tires," police said. "The suspect continued to flee into East Hartford, where he was safely taken into custody by assisting East Hartford police."

This article originally published at Hartford police arrest Newington man for stealing car, fleeing from officers, police say.
Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashok, on Saturday criticised the Congress government, accusing it of "bankrupting" the state and squeezing resources to serve its "political game." R Ashok's remarks came after the Karnataka State Contractors Association threatened to go on strike over pending bills worth Rs 3,300 crore. In a post on X, R Ashok said, "Mr. @RahulGandhi, is this your so-called "Karnataka Model"? Under the corrupt and exploitative #ATMSarkara, Karnataka has gone bankrupt. Contractors are demanding 33,000 CRORE in unpaid dues from eight government departments! From irrigation to housing, from PWD to labour - every department is choking because CM @siddaramaiah and DCM @DKShivakumar have squeezed the state coffers dry to save their chairs and fund their political games." R Ashok highlighted the state government's "arrogance and silence" over several pressing issues and stated that the Congress government is for "collection, commission, and corruption. "When contractors beg for payment, the government says - "Go to court." When citizens cry about crumbling infrastructure, they respond with arrogance and silence. When business leaders speak up, they are threatened, intimidated, and insulted. And when the State collapses, they'll again blame someone else! What more proof does Karnataka need that this is not a government of the people, but a government for collection, commission, and corruption?" he said. He also questioned whether the CM is offering a share to the top leadership of Congress. "How much percentage of commission have you demanded now for clearing contractors' bills? What is the share of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in this? Do Randeep Surjewala and KC Venugopal, the high command's agents, also get a share?" Your Congress Karnataka government should be ashamed. You have made the government bankrupt -- unable to pay contractors' bills. And for the few bills that are cleared, you demand up to 80% commission. Because of your government's shameless corruption and greed for commission, all development works in the state have completely come to a halt," he added. He further demanded the resignation of the CM. "How much longer will this hypocritical rule continue, sir? Resign and save whatever little dignity you have left," he said. (ANI)
Its a grave new ranking for New York.

The Empire State is officially the most haunted state in America, a spine-chilling new study found.

Researchers from Casino.ca pinpointed the most common spots for phantom sightings by analyzing more than 1.8 million Ghosts of America records  a series of books and related websites for paranormal stories  over the past century, plus reports from social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, X and online forums.

The spookiest spot in the state is Manhattans storied Morris-Jumel Mansion, which was built in 1765 and is famous for being the boroughs oldest house. Helayne Seidman

New York racked up a hair-raising 160,198 spirit encounters  or about 81 run-ins per 10,000 residents  over the last 100 years, researchers found.

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New York seems to have the perfect mix of history and atmosphere to keep spirits lingering, said data analyst Katt Rodrigues. Its not entirely surprising given the states deep history and countless older buildings with stories of their own.

The spookiest spot in the state is Manhattans storied Morris-Jumel Mansion, which was built in 1765 and is famous for being the boroughs oldest house.

The Washington Heights property at 65 Jumel Terrace, which is now a museum, has hosted historic legends from first US president George Washington and third vice president Aaron Burr to jazz music icon Duke Ellington along with, apparently, a few guests who never left.

Paranormal Investigations NYC founder and director Dom Villella didnt see any spirits during an hours-long visit to the mansion in October 2009  but he felt them, he told The Post.

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I felt very uneasy there. You know when you walk into a room and the rooms just got a really heavy feeling to it, and the energy feels weird? Thats the Morris-Jumel Mansion. You walk in there and you just feel very uncomfortable until you leave, he said.

First US president George Washington was among the historic legends who once occupied the Morris-Jumel Mansion. IMAGO/piemags via Reuters Connec

The Washington Heights landmark has frequently been cited in paranormal cycles and is rumored by spirit seekers to house five distinct ghosts, researchers noted. AP

In my opinion, what you feel at the mansion is residual energy  its not literally haunted, its just replaying energy of people who were there over time. Structures, especially old buildings, will absorb the energies of people who spend a lot of time there, and if the conditions are perfect, it will replay it, explained Villella, who has investigated more than 1,000 buildings in Manhattan since 2003.

I think thats probably why people see images or hear voices there. And especially because of all the artifacts that [the mansion] contains, its more likely to have that residual energy replaying, he continued, and noting his electromagnetic field detectors got high readings at the mansion.

The landmark has frequently been cited in paranormal cycles and is rumored by spirit seekers to house five distinct ghosts, researchers noted.

Texas ranked second for spirit sightings, with 77 encounters per 10,000 people, followed by Louisiana (74), California (72) and Utah (65). casino.ca

Overall, nearly one in four Americans claim to have seen a ghost over the past century, with a bone-chilling 1.84 million encounters logged nationwide, or about 2,329 per 10,000 residents.

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Texas ranked second for spirit spottings, with 77 encounters per 10,000 people, followed by Louisiana (74), California (72) and Utah (65).

Ghost run-ins were hauntingly less common north of the border.

Yukon led Canada with 39 sightings per 10,000 residents, followed by British Columbia (34), Ontario (33) and Alberta (32).
The Whiteside County Health Department has brought awareness to West Nile virus cases in Illinois that have already surpassed last year's total, as reported by KWQC.

"Illinois  has confirmed 79 cases so far this year, already exceeding last year's total by 10," said Whiteside County Health Department representative Cory Law.

There has been one death due to the virus.

What's happening?

As the planet warms, environmental factors like an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather conditions, such as increased rainfall, are creating ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other insects that spread disease. As global temperatures rise, the habitats for these insects  called vectors  expand and breeding increases, so there is a higher risk of vector-borne illness in humans.

Why are vector-borne illnesses important to control?

When vectors have ideal conditions, they are free to reproduce and expand their habitats, so humans are at greater risk of contracting viruses.

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In Illinois, the West Nile virus, specifically, is mainly spread through the bite of an infected mosquito that has fed on an infected bird.

While most people who contract the virus only experience mild flu-like symptoms, vulnerable populations such as people with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems, or older adults, are at higher risk for severe illness. They may experience tremors, convulsions, coma, or even death. The Illinois resident who died of West Nile was in their 60s.

What's being done about the increased risk of vector-borne illnesses?

Illinois officials are advising locals to use EPA-registered insect repellent, wear long-sleeve shirts and pants when outside to minimize skin exposure, avoid being outside at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, and remove any standing water around their property.

In the long term, around the world, it is important that we continue to support sustainable practices to reduce pollution in order to reduce rising temperatures, so that vector-borne illness is minimized.

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.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA)  Judicial reform is becoming one of the most talkedabout issues in South Carolina.

While debates about how judges are selected have long dominated the conversation, the recent push goes far beyond that.

Lawmakers and legal experts have called for a broader overhaul of reform efforts, including oversight of magistrate appointments, as well as greater accuracy in court records and prison data systems.

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Currently in South Carolina, the process of selecting a judge is unique.

Unlike most states, where governors are tasked with appointing judges and voters elect them, South Carolina is one of two states that lets state legislature select judges.

A law that took effect in July 2025 gives the governor a limited role in some appointments, but the South Carolina General Assembly still holds the majority of the power in choosing judges.

They expanded the committee so that the governor got more power, so the legislature gave up some of their own power voluntarily, said Rhodes Bailey, a South Carolina based attorney.

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The law also includes allowances for appointing magistrate judges, who handle bail, warrants, and minor criminal cases. Many magistrates are appointed without formal legal experience.

[The magistrate position.] Thats a judicial position that is the gateway to all of these criminal prosecutions, said Gov. Henry McMaster said. It can be a devastating thing. Its heavy duty legal work.

McMaster and Attorney General Alan Wilson said judicial reform is a top priority for judicial reform.

You absolutely need to have a minimum level of experience to be able to sit in as a magistrate in a local area, whether its a law degree; it could be experience in law enforcement experience in some other capacity, Wilson said.

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Concerns regarding outdated technology and inaccuracies in court records have also been vocalized by state leaders. When data is wrong or missing, the consequences can be huge; causing incorrect releases, wrongful detentions, or missed charges.

Processing everything from fingerprints to records, he said. Put new funding and improve the technology, that way criminals are classified when they come in and out of jail.

Rep. Micah Caskey (R  Lexington) said the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting in Charleston that took place in 2015 is a prime example.

Part of the problem in the system was that information regarding pending charges against Dylann Roof had not been accurately entered into the system, Caskey said.

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Wilson said although he cant enact judicial reform himself, his office has worked for years to use cases and investigations as ideas and suggestions for lawmakers.

Give us a report with findings and recommendations that the General Assembly can use as a roadmap to do reforms to our criminal justice system, he continued.

While there is broad agreement among officials about the kinds of reforms needed from magistrate qualifications, oversight, and technology upgrades, the actual power to enact change lies with the states General Assembly.

Only lawmakers can pass bills that mandate minimum qualifications for magistrates, allocate funding for system upgrades, reform judicial selection panels and strengthen transparency and oversight.

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When millions of demonstrators took to the streets in June for "No Kings Day"  depicting President Trump as a wannabe monarch intent on violating American democratic norms  it was still fairly early in his administration.

The immigration raids in Los Angeles were just getting under way and Trump had deployed military troops to the city to clamp down on protests.

But four months later, many Americans feel Trump's threats and norm-shattering actions have only gotten more intense as protesters prepare to take part Saturday in more than 2,700 "No Kings" demonstrations scheduled across the country.

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In that period, the Trump administration has ramped up immigration raids across L.A. and Chicago and deployed National Guard troops to Washington D.C. It has also pressured universities to comply with his agenda or lose funding, fired government officials he deems insufficiently loyal and embarked on an aggressive sweep of prosecutions of political opponents.

"We're seeing an escalation, right?," said Hunter Dunn, a spokesman for 50501, one of the "No Kings" coalition's core organizing partners. "We are watching as ICE's mass deportation program is speeding up and becoming even more aggressive than it was. What happened in Los Angeles is now happening in Memphis, in D.C., in Chicago."

But the second "No Kings" protest comes with some existential questions for organizers who trying to mount a sustained protest movement. What is the most effective way to challenge Trump? And how do you make noise without playing into the president's hands?

Saturday's revival of the massive series of demonstrations  organized around the slogan "No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings"  will voice left-wing concerns that the Trump administration is embracing authoritarian tactics and unraveling U.S. democracy. But it will also include a broader range of issues, including rising prices and rollbacks of environmental protections.

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For Dunn, a 22-year-old organizer in Los Angeles County who is part of a coalition of thousands of groups, the threat Trump poses goes beyond immigration. Trump, he noted, had used the Federal Communications Commission to try to silence broadcasters he does not like, brought "spurious" charges against protesters and demonstrators outside of ICE facilities and signed a so-called "big, beautiful bill" that Dunn said had funneled trillions of dollars from the average American to billionaires who supported the Trump regime.

"We're seeing the Trump administration repeatedly try and fail to shake the pillars of democracy, and in doing so, escalate the threat level," Dunn said.

The June 14 event inspired more than five million people to rally against Trump. One test will be whether they can increase that number on Saturday.

In both Los Angeles and Chicago, Trump has tried to use protests  many of them peaceful  to claim that the streets are unsafe and in need of military troops. Trump pushed back against the underlying premise of the protest in an interview with Fox News Friday.

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"They're referring to me as a king," he said. "I'm not a king."

Protesters also face increasing attacks from Trump's allies on the right, some of whom are branding their demonstrations as anti-American.

We call it the hate America rally, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Wednesday at a news conference. Lets see who shows up for that. I bet you youll see Hamas supporters, I bet youll see Antifa types, I bet youll see the Marxists on full display, the people who dont want to stand and defend the foundational truths of this republic.

Organizers expect a broad and diverse group of Americans to attend Saturday's "No Kings" demonstrations. About 600 more events are scheduled than the 2,100 demonstrations that took place in June, and slightly more people have signed up, even though the organization is discouraging registrations.

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David S. Meyer, a professor of sociology at UC Irvine who studies social movements, said that people's opinions about the Trump administration have not changed too much since June. Rather, he argued, people felt a higher level of urgency about the danger of the Trump administration.

"What's increased is the willingness of people to take more action, to do something," he said. "I think there's a hunger for action.

Meyer said he was surprised to see key GOP leaders falling into line with Trump and pushing the idea that "No Kings" is anti-American.

"There are plenty of presidents who've encountered protests against their policies," Meyer said. "That's part of what America is all about. And usually presidents say, 'I have to represent everybody and do what I think is best for the country. And I understand that there are other Americans who disagree with me.'"

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In an attempt to broaden the scope of "No Kings," Meyer noted, organizers are appealing to Americans upset over the rising cost of living, gutting of environmental protections, sweeping overhauls of federal agencies and the government shutdown over looming healthcare cuts. These issues, Meyer argued, are connected to the theme of American democracy.

Trump doesn't consult with people who disagree with him  and the people surrounding him, and this is by design, are explicitly chosen because of their loyalty rather than their specific competencies, Meyer said. The strategy of the 'No Kings' organizers is to provide a kind of large and inclusive bucket for all the grievances to fit into and for people with all kinds of different gripes to show up.

Another reason "No Kings" touches on so many issues, Dunn said, is in response to the Republican tactic  articulated by Trump's former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon as "flooding the zone"  of overwhelming the public with a barrage of information, disinformation and controversy.

"Republicans' strategy is to worsen the economy for everyone, to worsen the cost of living for the average American... to try to weaken the American people and make it harder for them to stand up against this administration's abuses," Dunn said. "So that's why we're standing up on all those fronts, because we have to meet them at every front that they're using to harm the American people."

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The goal of "No Kings" goes beyond just getting Americans out on the streets together in solidarity against Trump. They want to connect people who are upset and frustrated with the Trump administration to local organizing groups.

"Getting involved in those groups, making those face to face connections and joining them will have a much larger impact over the next few days, the next few weeks, next few months, the next few years, than just one day of protest," Dunn said.

Going forward, Dunn said, one of the key questions facing the Trump resistance movement is how to pressure leading Democratic elected officials to get on board.

While legislators such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders and Chris Van Hollen had done a lot to resist the Trump administration, he said, he wanted to put more pressure on mainstream Democrats across the country.

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"How do we get support from what is supposed to be the opposition party?"

Dunn said he was not worried about the prospect of violence Saturday when millions take to the streets. The rallies and demonstrations that took place on the June demonstrations were overwhelmingly peaceful, he noted. Organizers put a major emphasis on de-escalation and protest safety, bringing in community and faith leaders and training tens of thousands of volunteers across the country in de-escalation. He scoffed at the idea extremists might hijack any of the demonstrations.

"The biggest threat to safety at every protest I've ever been at  unless law enforcement gets involved  is always dehydration and heat exhaustion," Dunn said.

Olivia Negron, 73, an organizer with Studio City Rising who has protested in that L.A. neighborhood every weekend since April, said she was alarmed not just by the president's rhetoric, but by the Trump administration's actions against immigrants through the courts and in the streets.

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"The president doesn't know what it is to be American," said Negron, a Latina and the child of a U.S. Navy officer. "The American dream is about inclusivity and making sure that immigrants are welcomed into the United States."

Negron, who marched against the war in Vietnam, said she felt the people in power have taken away what it means to be American and made it difficult to fly the American flag. But she said she was hopeful that the Trump administration's actions since the last "No Kings" day would push more people to protest.

"We need to turn the ship of state around and get this democracy heading in the right direction," Negron said. "Absolutely more inclusion, more equity, more diversity. Diversity is our strength and empathy is our superpower."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Actor John Cusack had a message for President Donald Trump and his masked goons on behalf of his hometown of Chicago: Go to hell!

Cusask, during a brief interview with CNN on Saturday at the No Kings rally in Chicago, blasted the president  something he has enjoyed doing frequently over the last decade. In particular, the High Fidelity star told reporter Whitney Wild he was upset about Trump sending Border Patrol and ICE agents to the city to deport illegal immigrants.

Everyone knows the score, right? The authoritarians divide and conquer and they create an other and then they pick on it, pick on the person, harass them, jail them, and thats all used as a direction so they can steal as much as they can [and] maintain power, Cusack said. We all know history. So, thats what hes doing, and we have masked goons roaming the streets, hiding their faces, abducting people.

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Cusack, in a different clip shared by CNN later, told the president to go to hell, before adding Trump was ignorant of Chicagos liberal history.

Whats interesting is that he doesnt understand that all the labor rights around the world came from this town, this place, Cusack said. So if he thinks this place is going to be a fascist hub  no chance.

This was not the first time Cusack has skewered the president. Cusack has been doing it for years on X, where he has called Trump an idiot sociopath and a deranged criminal Nazi, among other insults.

Cusack, on Saturday, also gave Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) kudos for fighting back against Trumps fascism.

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Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) have both vocally opposed the presidents use of ICE and Border Patrol agents, as well as his deployment of the National Guard to Chicago, with Pritzker recently saying the president is inciting citizens to violence against federal agents.

Cusack speaking to CNN is a bit ironic, though, when you consider he blasted the channel on Election Day 2024:

Its clear that if CNN had their way Trump would be president for life  John Cusack (@johncusack) November 6, 2024

You can watch a portion of his interview with Wild above, via CNN.

The post Go to Hell! Actor John Cusack Rages Against Trump and His Masked Goons in CNN Interview at No Kings Rally first appeared on Mediaite.




Brant Smith has been fighting to get a license to grow cannabis since the state first legalized recreational sales. He has lobbied at the legislature and argued in the press. He's worked alone and with his fellow hemp farmers to attempt to convince the state to grant him a license.

Now the Cheshire hemp farmer has filed a federal lawsuit alleging the method Connecticut uses to decide who can open cannabis cultivation operations is discriminatory and unconstitutional.

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"I think everyone has sort of had an understanding since the statutes came out in 2021 that there's something just not right, that they're a little unfair, that they're a little unequal and a little unbalanced," said Genevieve Park Taylor, the Westbrook attorney representing Smith. "Everybody gets a chance or nobody gets a chance, whether it's cantaloupes, cannabis or cabbage."

Connecticut has largely relied on a social equity council plan to decide who gets approval to open a cannabis grow or sales establishment. That plan grants preference to people who are from what's called a DIA, an area in the state that has been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs.

"For decades, the war on cannabis caused injustices and created disparities while doing little to protect public health and safety," Gov. Ned Lamont said in 2021 when signing into law the legislation that made recreational cannabis sales legal. "By signing this into law today, we are helping our state move beyond this terrible period of incarceration and injustice."

Smith, who launched a hemp farm in 2018 when federal law made nonintoxicating hemp legal to grow and sell, was not born in a DIA, though he argued his existing hemp farm put him in a good position to change his crop over to cannabis.

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"I've played by the rules and the rules have been stacked against me," he said in 2023.

In their lawsuit filed this week against Lamont, Attorney General William Tong and Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan Cafferrelli, Smith and Taylor are arguing that, under federal law, the state cannot exclude one applicant over another based on their locations.

"By favoring in-state social equity individual applicants and discriminating against all others, including out-of-state applicants, Connecticut's marijuana licensing program amounts to economic protectionism, and improperly serves to benefit only in-state economic interests in general and social equity individuals specifically," the lawsuit states.

Both the attorney general's office and the social equity council declined to comment.

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Smith's lawsuit is based on another federal case in which the Second Circuit Court of Appeals held that the New York State Cannabis Control Board violated federal law, specifically dormant commerce clause, by prioritizing in-state applicants over plaintiffs based in California.

According to that Aug. 12 ruling, "New York's prioritization of applicants with convictions under New York law is a protectionist measure that cannot stand."

Using that case as a basis, which itself is based on a similar case in Maine, Taylor is arguing that regardless of the product, "the laws have to be fair."

"By preferencing social equity applicants in the state of Connecticut above all other applicants for adult-use marijuana licenses in Connecticut, the rules are improperly discriminatory," Taylor said. "They violate the dormant commerce clause and they need to be repealed. It's either everybody or nobody."

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If Smith and Taylor are successful in their argument, their hope is Connecticut will be forced to go back and rewrite the laws and regulations that govern how licenses are awarded.

"The court has before it the question of, is Connecticut's law compliant? I would be surprised if they suggested another way to do it, but they might and, if they do, I'm sure it will be in compliance with the law," Taylor said.

This article originally published at Hemp farmer files federal suit alleging CT's cannabis laws are discriminatory.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  An Armenian dissident currently at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Henderson has filed a lawsuit against the federal government seeking his release, and claiming hes being mistreated while in custody.

The lawsuit listed seven defendants, including Acting U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Henderson Detention Center Captain of Corrections Capt. Frenk DAmico. The suits provided a window into the conditions inmates face at the Henderson Detention Center.

For fear of his safety, Vardan Gukasian and his mother fled Armenia and Russia to seek political asylum in the United States. His attorneys have tried multiple times to free their client.

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The fact that he has been required to be detained has really made this case much more difficult to defend, and as a result, weve had several court hearings, Zachary Nightingale told 8 News Now on Aug. 29.

Attorneys tell Las Vegas immigration judge that Armenian dissidents life is in danger

ICE agents arrested Gukasian on Feb. 20 of this year and he has been in custody ever since.

According to a federal lawsuit filed on Sept. 19, Gukasians attorneys alleged he has been hospitalized three times with an ongoing hypertensive crisis.

Reuven Cohen and Daniel Natal of Los Angeles and Hardeep Sull of Las Vegas are listed as his attorneys in the federal lawsuit.

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They also stated, After weeks of insufficiently addressing complaints of chest pain, blurred vision, nosebleeds, and headaches, Mr. Gukasian collapsed in his cell on June 25, 2025. Mr. Gukasian was discovered unconscious not by jail staff, but by his cellmate, who alerted HDC staff.

Gukasian only speaks Russian and Armenian.

According to his attorneys, on two occasions, Gukasian was placed in solitary confinement for five days for allegedly failing to obey staff instructions and failing to abide by a lockdown orderinstructions and orders provided in English.

They argued that it violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and ICE, in its own detention handbook, requires 24/7 language access.

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Gukasians supporters have attended his hearings, and many are concerned about the outcome of his case.

If hes deported to Armenia or another country, theyre going to kill him. Yes, theyre going to kill him, Gayane Manukyan previously told 8 News Now.

Theyre going to kill him: Armenian man, 6 months in ICE custody, asks US lawmakers for help

Acting U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah filed a response on behalf of the federal government on Sept. 29. She stated Gukasian is asking for extraordinary remedy that he has not come close to establishing he deserves.

According to Chattah, Gukasian arrived in New York City on Feb. 19, 2022, as a non-immigrant visitor for pleasure. He was supposed to leave later that year on Aug. 18.

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Chattal stated in court filings that rather than be released, Gukasian can immediately petition for a new bond hearing based on his allegedly deteriorated medical condition and seek release or modified conditions through the established administrative process.

Gukasian had a federal court hearing on Tuesday in front of a judge regarding his temporary restraining order seeking his release. A federal judge has yet to issue a decision.

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President Donald Trump said Friday evening he has signed a commutation releasing scandal-plagued former congressman George Santos from prison "immediately."

Santos, 37, was less than three months into serving a seven-year sentence in federal prison after being convicted of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

The ex-lawmaker was released from prison just before 11 p.m. on Friday night and was picked up by his family, according to a statement from his lawyer, Joe Murray.

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"Once they arrived, [Santos] walked right out and hopped into their car and drove home," Murray said.

In a social media post, Trump said Santos, whom he called "somewhat of a 'rogue,'" had the "Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!"

Howard Schnapp/Newsday RM via Getty Images - PHOTO: Former congressman George Santos leaves the Alfonse D'Amato Federal Courthouse after being sentenced, April 25, 2025, in Central Islip. New York.

"George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated. Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life!" Trump said.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, which successfully prosecuted Santos, had no comment.

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According to the clemency grant, a photo of which was posted on X by U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin, Trump granted Santos an "immediate commutation of his entire sentence to time served with no further fines, restitution, probation, supervised release, or other conditions."

An attorney for Santos told ABC News while en route to the federal prison that they expect he will be released Friday night but are waiting for official word.

The attorney said that Martin and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche were extremely helpful in getting the commutation across the finish line, and noted that several members of Congress, including Republican Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert and Tim Burchett, were very aggressive in campaigning for his release.

Scandal-plagued former congressman George Santos begins 7-year federal prison sentence

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Santos pleaded guilty to a series of fraud crimes and was sentenced in April to 87 months in prison -- the maximum he faced -- and two years of supervised release.

The commutation comes days after the South Shore Press published a "passionate plea" from Santos to Trump, in which he expressed his support and asked that the president "allow me the opportunity to return to my family, my friends, and my community."

"During my short tenure in Congress, I stood firmly behind your agenda -- 100% of the time," Santos wrote in the letter, published Monday. "I championed policies that strengthened our economy, defended our borders, and restored America's standing on the world stage. I did it proudly, Sir, because I believed -- and still believe -- in the mission you set out to accomplish for the American people."

Santos said in the letter that he was being held in "complete isolation" following an alleged death threat.

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"Mr. President, I have nowhere else to turn. You have always been a man of second chances, a leader who believes in redemption and renewal. I am asking you now, from the depths of my heart, to extend that same belief to me," he wrote.

Rep. Greene, who had recently called on Trump to commute Santos' sentence, thanked the president for doing so on Friday, saying on X that the former congressman was "unfairly treated and put in solitary confinement, which is torture!!"

Win Mcnamee/Getty Images - PHOTO: After Two Days Of Failing To Elect A Speaker, House Continues To Hold Votes

George Santos sentenced to over 7 years in federal fraud case

Santos pleaded guilty in August 2024, in which he admitted to claiming relatives had made contributions to his campaign when, in fact, they had not. Santos conceded he was trying to meet the fundraising threshold to qualify for financial help from the National Republican Congressional Committee.

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He also stipulated that he committed other fraud, including charging donor credit cards without authorization and convincing donors to give money by falsely stating the money would be used for TV ads. He also stipulated he stole public money by applying for and receiving unemployment benefits during the pandemic to which he was not entitled.

As part of his plea deal, he agreed to pay nearly $600,000 in restitution and forfeiture.

Alex Brandon/AP, FILE - PHOTO: Rep. George Santos waits for the start of a session in the House chamber in Washington, D.C., Jan. 6, 2023.

Santos was expelled from Congress in December 2023, just under a year after assuming office to represent New York's 3rd Congressional District.

His expulsion from Congress followed accusations of ethics violations and other wrongdoing in a scathing report by the House Ethics Committee that claimed he was a fabulist and fraudster who used the prestige of political office to bilk tens of thousands of dollars out of other people.

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Several New York House Republicans -- who led the charge to expel George Santos from the House -- criticized Trump's commutation.

"George Santos didn't merely lie -- he stole millions, defrauded an election, and his crimes (for which he pled guilty) warrant more than a three-month sentence. He should devote the rest of his life to demonstrating remorse and making restitution to those he wronged," New York GOP Rep. Nick LaLota, who represents a district on Long Island, said in a post on X.

New York GOP Rep. Andrew Garbarino, who is the current chair of the Homeland Security Committee and sat on the committee that investigated Santos, said in a statement that "less than three months" in prison is "not justice."

Several House Democrats also condemned Trump's move.

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Donald Trump has time to free serial fraudster George Santos from prison. But he cant be bothered to address the Republican healthcare crisis crushing working class Americans. The extremists are insulting you every single day, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a post on X.

ABC News' Lalee Ibssa, Jon Haworth, Michael O'Keefe, Lauren Peller, Aaron Katersky and Rachel Scott contributed to this report.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday witnessed a BrahMos virtual strike through the Indian Air Force's SU-30 fighter jet at the BrahMos aerospace production unit in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow. Singh also flagged off the trucks displaying the first batch of locally manufactured BrahMos missiles. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak accompanied the Defence Minister. Singh, along with Adityanath, planted a sapling in the premises of the BrahMos Aerospace unit and also inaugurated the Booster and Warhead building. On this occasion, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief Samir V Kamat and Brahmos Director General (DG) Jaiteerth R Joshi handed over the GST Bill of Brahmos Manufactured at the Lucknow unit to Singh and Adityanath. This comes months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Brahmos missiles will now be manufactured in Lucknow. Addressing a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi in August, PM Modi had commended India's air defence system, which countered Pakistani drones and missiles during the military operation. He had said, "During Operation Sindoor, the world saw the capabilities of our indigenous weapons. Our Air Defence Systems, missiles, and drones have proved the strength of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', especially the Brahmos missiles. Brahmos missiles will now be manufactured in Lucknow." BrahMos, designed by the DRDO and NPO Mashinostroyeniya, a Russian defence company, made a significant impact on Pakistan's military infrastructure during Operation Sindoor following the ghastly Pahalgam terror attack. The missiles were used in a big way to hit Pakistani air bases and Army cantonments all along its length and breadth during the four-day conflict. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the performance of the indigenous weapon systems in the conflict, saying, "During Operation Sindoor, the world saw the capabilities of our indigenous weapons. Our Air Defence Systems, missiles, and drones have proved the strength of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', especially the Brahmos missiles." In the first phase of the conflict, when India launched attacks on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan, including the terror headquarters of Jaish e Mohammed and Lashkar e Toiba in Pakistani Punjab province, the BrahMos missile was the main weapon of choice for the Indian Air Force, which hit targets with great precision. The BrahMos caused further damage to Pakistani air bases, and hence the Pakistan Army tried to retaliate, protecting the terrorists and their infrastructure. (ANI)
Pages of history features excerpts from The News Journal archives including The Morning News and The Evening Journal. See the archives at delawareonline.com.

Oct. 19, 1925, The Evening Journal

Police chief and cop who shot him are recovering

Superintendent George Black, of the Wilmington Bureau of Police, is recovering in the Homeopathic Hospital today from two bullet wounds inflicted by different weapons late Saturday night by Thomas F. Blakeley, suspended policeman, in front of the superintendents home, Delaware Avenue and Lincoln Street.

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Blakeley, who was shot in the head by a bullet from his own gun while Superintendent Black was grappling with him, also is recovering in the Delaware Hospital. He is handcuffed to a patrolman, two of whom sit at his bedside.

Blakeley is charged with assault with attempt to commit murder. Blakeley shot Superintendent Black, believing he was not getting a square deal in his hearing before the the Directors of Public Safety following charges brought against him.

Front page of The Evening Journal from Oct. 19, 1925.

More recent Wilmington news: City housing advocates challenge city's homelessness report, urge stronger action

Oct. 21, 1975, The Morning News

20 arrested, fires set in Wilmington unrest

The arrest of several Spanish-speaking residents, including a minister, triggered incidents of rock throwing, looting and burning in Wilmington last night.

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At least 20 persons were arrested in streets clouded by smoke and tear gas.

Front page of The Morning News from Oct. 21, 1975.

Police Chief John T. McCool said he heard various versions of what happened.

There will be an inquiry into the allegations of police brutality, McCool said. It will be conducted in conjunction with the city solicitors office.

Fires apparently related to the disturbances gutted Zion Lutheran Neighborhood House on North Van Buren Street about midnight and caused extensive damage to an appliance repair shop at the center of the incidents.

Police estimated about 300 persons were involved in the original protest. ...

The incident was touched off late yesterday with the arrest by Wilmington police of two men. ...

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According to McCool, police received a complaint of disorderly conduct in the area of 4th and Harrison streets. ...

A minister at Iglesia Pentecostal Church, his daughter and a girl started to interfere in the arrest, police said. They were each arrested, too, each charged with disorderly conduct and hindering a police officer  and later released on their own recognizance.

McCool said after the original arrests took place, onlookers got involved and the situation escalated. Two became four, four became eight  a domino effect.

More recent police news: Delaware State Police settle excessive force lawsuit over officer kicking man's head

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Oct. 25, 2000, The News Journal

White Clay Creek wins federal protection

A scenic stretch of the White Clay Creek watershed won permanent protection Tuesday, becoming Delawares first National Wild and Scenic River.

The formal National Park Service designation capped 16 years of conservation work by citizen and government groups in Delaware and Pennsylvania. ...

Front page of The News Journal from Oct. 25, 2000.

The bill signed Tuesday by President Bill Clinton will require special reviews for any projects involving federal aid or permits along 191 miles of the creek and its larger tributaries. The 107-square-mile region draining into the creek also becomes eligible for planning and management aid to help keep the creek free flowing and its banks unchanged.

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The federal government will purchase no land, however, and most of the plan relies on state, county or local land-use controls to protect the creek.

Clarification

In the history column in the Oct. 12 Sunday News Journal, an excerpt of a story from Oct. 15, 1985 reported on a wreck in foggy conditions involving a truck carrying liquid propane and the rescue of the driver.

However, the Oct. 15, 1985 paper had a preliminary report from Delaware State Police based on what was known immediately after the wreck.

The full report on what caused the wreck was in the next days paper, Oct. 16, 1985:

Delaware State Police said a driver pulled his tractor-trailer left onto southbound Delaware 896 from westbound Delaware 71 and into the path of the Schagrin Gas Co. truck.

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The gas truck clipped the back end of the trailer, skidded out of control and rolled into a ditch, the Oct. 16, 1985 story reported.

The driver of the tractor-trailer pleaded no contest to a charge of failing to remain stopped at a stop sign and was fined.

Reach reporter Ben Mace at rmace@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: History Oct. 19-25: police leader shot, protection for White Clay Creek
Four days after a microburst slammed Tempe, the roads were clear, but people were still digging their lives out of mud-covered homes that had been crushed by fallen trees, as Gov. Katie Hobbs issued an official emergency declaration.

Earlier in the day Oct. 17, city and federal officials said federal funding for recovery efforts for Tempe is up in the air, in part because they fear the Trump administration has politicized how it provides disaster aid.

The remnants of Hurricanes Priscilla and Raymond brought wind gusts of up to 90 mph and downed nearly 20 power lines, leaving 34,000 people without power at its peak. A preliminary damage report from the National Weather Service found that the damage covered the entire 40-square-mile city, with the most severe damage just east of the interchange of Interstate 10 and U.S. 60.

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The city said crews picked up about 70 tons of debris in the four days after the storm  about the same weight as 70 heavy-duty pickup trucks. In city parks alone, 500 trees fell. Citywide, it remains unknown how many trees were toppled.

Nearly 1,000 buildings were damaged, according to the declaration from Hobbs.

City officials rank the storm as one of the most dangerous in Tempe's history. Tempe Mayor Corey Woods said the city is "making progress" in recovery but that the road ahead is long.

"This is just the beginning of our recovery, as well as our rebuilding," he said. "It may take weeks or even months to fully restore this community."

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Woods, on Oct. 15, declared a local emergency, allowing the city access to funds and resources and to expedite cleanup.

Tempe Mayor Corey Woods speaks during a press conference on Oct. 17, 2025, days after a microburst tore through the city.

This followed Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Thomas Galvin announcing a countywide emergency due to the strong storm.

The multiple declarations from all levels of government are required as part of the process to unlock federal aid.

That funding, though, remains uncertain.

U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Arizona, said at a news conference on Oct. 17 that many cities have been left to fend for themselves.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which was established in 1979 to coordinate disaster response and preparedness, and placing the majority of the disaster relief burden on the states.

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"That's very frustrating for me because we want to make sure people get that help right away," said Stanton, who is the ranking Democrat on the House subcommittee that oversees FEMA.

Stanton added that it's not an issue about funding  and that, in fact, FEMA had plenty of reserves, noting that there has been little to no discussion in Congress about refilling the disaster aid fund. But the availability of funds is partially because the national hurricane and wildfire seasons have been quieter than usual.

U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Arizona, speaks during a press conference on Oct. 17, 2025, days after a microburst tore through Tempe.

FEMA is still operating during the ongoing government shutdown, now nearing three weeks. City officials did not express concerns over delays in FEMA funding due to the shutdown if Trump declared a federal state of emergency.

Instead, Stanton feared that politics would play a role in allocating disaster relief.

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"There's indications of delays in FEMA," he said, adding either in "the president issuing disaster declarations, delay from what typically has happened in past emergencies, delay in getting dollars out. The suggestion, unfortunately, is how has disaster management in the United States become politicized."

Housing, storage and more: Where to go for resources after microburst

Hundreds in Tempe still displaced after microburst

More than 130 residents were displaced after the storm because more than 750 homes and apartments were damaged.

Michael Kearney was among them. Instead of the fresh start he hoped for, he got chaos.

The 40-year-old school janitor bought his Tempe home just 45 days ago. The Oct. 13 microburst peeled his roof off, shattered his windows and flooded his new home.

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He recalled scrambling to get his 8-year-old son, William, away from the windows, and boarding up the doors and windows with blankets to stem the flooding. To little avail.

Kearney is now living in a hotel, which he said his insurance is paying for.

Tempe set up an emergency shelter for people like him at the Escalante Multi-Generational Center. It closed the night of Oct. 16 after city officials saw use taper off.

Some schools were closed for days because of the flooding and other damage, Tempe Councilmember and Tempe Union Board Member Berdetta Hodge said.

The city has not yet calculated the cost of the damage. In an effort to gain access to federal funds, the city began assessing damage on Oct. 15. Woods and Stanton urged residents to fill out their own damage assessment form to help estimate the cost of the damage.

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"This is not just paperwork," Stanton said. "Every single report that is filed matters. Every assessment you submit builds the case for federal assistance that can help this entire community recover."

Officials added that anyone can and should fill out the form, no matter the extent of the damage or whether they own or rent.

Kearney now has a certified GoFundMe account set up and will need to stay in the hotel until the end of November. But his main concern is for his son.

"I worry about the trauma of storms in the future, you know, like when it starts raining, when it starts thundering, monsoons," he said. "It's beyond any of our imaginations."

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Lauren De Young covers Tempe, Chandler, Maricopa County and transportation for The Republic. Reach her at lauren.deyoung@gannett.com.

What kind of storm? Did a tornado really hit Tempe?

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Hobbs declares emergency for Tempe; FEMA help in doubt
An emotionally disturbed homeless man with an extensive criminal history has been arrested for knifing a 51-year-old man in the back during an argument on a rush-hour subway train rumbling through Manhattan, police said.

Justice Jackson, 30, was apprehended Friday afternoon after he was identified as the assailant in the D train attack that happened around 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

Cops charged Jackson with assault. He was hospitalized shortly after his arrest, and his arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court was pending, officials said.

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Jackson was on the Brooklyn-bound train as it pulled into the W. Fourth St. station in Greenwich Village when he got into an argument with a 51-year-old commuter. During the fight, Jackson pulled a knife and jammed it into the mans back, cops said.

Wounded, the victim stumbled off the train when the doors opened, while his attacker remained on the subway as it headed downtown.

The victim was conscious and talking to police when EMS rushed him to Bellevue Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.

Cops managed to identify Jackson through surveillance cameras in the subway system. A Manhattan warrants squad tracked him down and took him into custody.

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Police said Jackson had been arrested about a dozen times before, and is believed to have a mental illness. Cops had been called at least 10 times to incidents in which Jackson was acting unstable, according a police source with knowledge of the case.

The early-morning attack was the fourth stabbing to happen in Manhattan since Monday, cops said. It was also the second to happen either in or right outside a Manhattan train station.

It came in the wake of an assault outside a Lower East Side subway station on Monday by an alleged assailant with an extensive criminal history.

Demitri Marshall, 32, was taken into custody around 5:30 p.m. that day, less than 12 hours after he attacked a 27-year-old man outside the East Broadway station near Canal and Essex Sts., authorities charged.

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On Tuesday, a 41-year-old man was knifed in the back on W. 49th St. and Eighth Ave. in Hells Kitchen.

The still at-large assailant slashed the victim on the left side of his back around 8:50 p.m. Tuesday. EMS rushed the injured man to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition.

In a separate incident, a 22-year-old man was stabbed in the back near the corner of E. 53rd St. and First Ave. around 12:40 a.m. Wednesday. He was rushed to Cornell Hospital and was in stable condition.

No arrests have been made in that case.

As of Oct. 12, assaults in the city were down by less than 1% for the year to date, officials said. Cops have investigated 23,397 assaults this year, 126 fewer than at this time last year, according to NYPD statistics.
A family in Studio City remains shaken after coming face-to-face with three masked intruders in a frightening encounter.

On Oct. 14, the suspects targeted the home along Klump Avenue at around 3:45 p.m. Surveillance cameras captured a dark-colored, four-door BMW sedan with tinted windows and no license plates pulling up to the house.

Three hooded, masked suspects are seen creeping up to the home and heading toward the backyard. As they enter a patio area, they peer through the glass doors and windows.

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Just as they were about to break inside, they were startled when the homeowner spotted them from a detached office in his backyard and began yelling.

The suspects pulled up in a dark-colored, four-door BMW sedan with tinted windows and no license plates on Oct. 14, 2025. (Lea Young) Three hooded, masked suspects are seen creeping up to the home and heading toward the backyard. (Lea Young) As the suspects entered a patio area, they peered through the glass doors and windows. (Lea Young) The homeowner running after the suspects after spotting them in his backyard. (Lea Young) The suspects fled the home after the homeowner foiled their plans. (Lea Young) Lea Young pointing out the location of her husbands detached office in their backyard. (KTLA)

Security video spotted the homeowner running after them while yelling out to his family to call the police, not realizing his wife and daughter had just left the home. The suspects quickly ran back out to the driveway and fled the scene.

The mans wife, Lea Young, said the incident has left her family shaken.

Its very unsettling, especially for my husband, because he was the one who was home, she told KTLAs Chris Wolfe. I had just left with my daughter, so he was the one who confronted the burglars.

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Young said she is convinced the burglars had been staking out her home and that they believed the house was empty when approached.

They were about to use a concrete block to smash through her daughters bedroom window when her husband suddenly spotted them.

My husband was right there, really close, Young said of his detached office. He came running out of his office and yelled, Hey! What are you doing? and then they just dropped the brick and ran.

She said the criminals were holding devices that appeared to be walkie-talkies or possibly Wi-Fi jammers to disable home security systems. As the suspects remain at large, some neighbors in the area are worried they might return.

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Its really scary out there, said Shari Shaw, a neighbor. I think whats really important is that homeowners get to know each other so people can keep a lookout and be aware of whats going on, so the minute something happens, we contact each other.

The police said to call if you see a car without license plates, Young said of the suspects.

Residents in the area said they plan to stay alert and hope the suspects are caught soon before the next encounter turns violent or even deadly.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Los Angeles Police Department at 1-877-527-3247.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Honda Aircraft Company has become the first manufacturer of twin-turbine very light business jets to successfully fly a HondaJet powered entirely by 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The achievement marks an aviation milestone and highlights Hondas continued push toward carbon neutrality across all transportation sectors.



The test flight, conducted in Greensboro, North Carolina, used GE-Honda HF120 engines, which were validated for full SAF operation without blending with conventional jet fuel. Until now, most business jet SAF demonstrations have used 50/50 blends. Hondas ability to operate entirely on sustainable fuel represents a step forward for small aircraft efficiency and environmental performance.





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Honda said the flight proves SAFs compatibility with smaller turbine platforms and underscores its potential to reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared with fossil-based jet fuel. The company plans to continue collaboration with regulatory and engine partners to support future certification.

From Roads to Runways

This achievement ties into Hondas broader sustainability strategy, which spans cars, motorcycles, and now aviation. While the companys automotive division is known for its efficient hybrids and growing EV lineup, its aircraft arm is proving that decarbonization extends beyond the road.



In the automotive world, Honda continues to sharpen its lineup through smart differentiation. As the Honda Passport Vs. Honda Pilot explains, even its SUVs are being tailored for efficiency and purpose. Similarly, the Honda HR-V Vs. Honda CR-V piece shows how the brand fine-tunes powertrains and space optimization, lessons that extend naturally into aircraft design.



The HondaJets Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration, for instance, maximizes aerodynamic efficiency and cabin space while lowering drag, an engineering mindset shared with its most advanced vehicles.

Hondas Broader Green Vision

SAF adoption is part of Hondas multi-pronged approach to reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. Beyond aviation, the company is focusing on hybrid refinement and EV scalability, with models like the CR-V serving as key transition points. The automakers ongoing comparison testing, including Honda CR-V vs Hyundai Tucson, shows how its efficient hybrid and plug-in variants are keeping the brand competitive in the crossover segment.



In aviation, Honda is applying similar logic, targeting meaningful gains within existing product lines rather than developing entirely new aircraft. This incremental, data-driven strategy keeps costs down while advancing sustainability at a realistic pace.

Why It Matters

For the aviation industry, Hondas successful 100% SAF flight could accelerate regulatory acceptance for light business jets and inspire other manufacturers to validate smaller turbine platforms. For Honda as a company, it reinforces a brand identity built on efficiency, innovation, and real-world application.



While many automakers are still experimenting with electrification in ground transport, Honda has now demonstrated carbon-reduction leadership above it, literally. The same engineering precision that separates its SUVs, crossovers, and hybrids is now propelling the HondaJet toward a more sustainable sky.

This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Oct 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Two men grabbed Sharabi and dragged him out barefoot. He yelled to his family, promising to return. A terrorist hit him, causing his glasses to fall to the ground. He was beaten and kicked.

The reviewer was a 17-year-old hostage for three weeks in Jordan at the hands of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in Black September 1970.

On October 7, 2023, 51-year-old Eli Sharabi was viciously wrestled by Hamas terrorists from his home in Kibbutz Beeri, from his wife, Lianne, his daughters, 16-year-old Noiya and 13-year-old Yahel, and from his life of peaceful coexistence.

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For 491 days, he was held in captivity in Gaza, starved almost throughout, beaten, and subjected to psychological abuse.

Sharabi wrote Hostage, his recounting of that harrowing experience, shortly after his release. His comportment, sustained hope, and heroic emotional strength throughout his captivity are inspiring.

Everyone must read this book to understand the cruel and inhuman treatment that the hostages suffered at Palestinian hands in the 21st century; murdered and treated as they were in the Holocaust. For anyone unable to grasp that there are those who kill and abuse Jews merely because of who they are, this book shows that this is so.

Eli Sharabi, held by Hamas terrorists and Gazans from October 7, 2023, to February 8, 2025, holds a photograph of his murdered wife and two daughters as he addresses the UN Security Council, at UN headquarters in New York City earlier this year. (credit: MIKE SEGAR / REUTERS)

Sharabis story is horrific right from the start. On Shabbat Simchat Torah in 2023, after hearing sirens, Sharabi sat with his wife and two daughters in their safe room, watching the news on television and reading incoming WhatsApps.

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They began to realize that it was not just another day of missile fire from Gaza just beyond the kibbutz fence. It was an onslaught of terrorists going house to house, shooting, battering, molesting, and killing grandparents, parents, and children, burning down the homes of people who chose not to come out.

Eleven terrorists

Eleven terrorists broke into the Sharabi home. Two men grabbed Sharabi and dragged him out barefoot. He yelled to his family, promising to return, and a terrorist hit him, causing the glasses he was wearing to fall to the ground. He was beaten, kicked in the ribs, and blindfolded.

He was laid on the floor of a car, covered with a blanket to conceal him, and taken intoGaza, where he was incarcerated in a childs room on the second floor of a house.

Still blindfolded, he was stripped down to his boxers, his hands painfully tied behind his back, and his feet tightly bound, cutting into his arms and legs. For three days, he remained in agonizing pain.

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Sharabi was kept in the home of a well-to-do, educated family, all of whom speak English. Eventually, the blindfolds and rope were removed, but he remained shackled. He was given some clothes and flip-flops but was forced to shave all the hair on his body.

On October 31, an Israeli bomb hit the building next door. Following a huge explosion, the building collapsed, shaking the house where Sharabi was imprisoned. He was quickly taken downstairs to a dirt-floored basement.

On the way down, he heard the voices of a captive Israeli mother and child on the familys television. He cried for the first time, realizing that women and children were also hostages  and wondering whether his wife and daughters were among them.

Seven weeks later

After seven weeks of captivity, a ceasefire took hold, during which some hostages were released. Not Sharabi, who was taken with another hostage,Almog Sarusi, to a mosque. There, a trap door was opened to a tunnel. Sharabi was terrified. No. No, no. Not a tunnel. But they pointed a rifle at him, and he was forced to descend into the darkness.

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He ended up in a small, tiled, fluorescent-lit space with thin mattresses on the floor. Five other hostages soon joined: Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Alon Ohel, Or Levy, and Eliya Cohen.

Their bare feet were shackled.

Three days later, Sarussi, Goldberg-Polin, and Levi were taken away, told that they were being released.

Sharabi became hopeful that he, too, would be released eventually.

But those three Israelis would not be released. They would be murdered by Hamas.

Mosque destroyed

On January 5, 2024, the mosque atop their tunnel was destroyed, collapsing onto the tunnels trapdoor. Panicked, the captors moved the hostages to the opposite end of the tunnel and up a 100-foot ladder into a reinforced Hamas structure next to a school.

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Sharabi saw the destruction all around  massive piles of steel, concrete, and glass. As they walked, he was terrified that they might be lynched by the locals as they very nearly were when first kidnapped into Gaza.

Entering a building, they were interned in a low, narrow tunnel where their space was smaller, and conditions were even worse. No mattresses; only blankets. Even their captors were upset.

With no cooking gas or supplies, they ate only biscuits brought from the other tunnel. Nearly two weeks passed before the captives were fed some dry pitas and a bit of cheese.

Ample food for captors

Previously, they had been fed two small meals a day: a fresh pita half-filled with cheese or hummus, and sometimes pasta. But in their new prison, the food supply for the hostages remained problematic, though the captors had ample food.

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Hunger set in for the hostages. The toothpaste ran out. There was no toilet paper. Soap was a rarity. Their bodies, clothes, and their living area were dirty and rank, being allowed to wash themselves off only every couple of months.

The cesspit under the toilet stopped draining. Everything spilled over. The raw sewage rose to the surface, adding to the unbearable stench.

At some point, worm colonies start to form around us... Tiny white worms multiplying in the toilet tank, in the stagnant sewage drains, by the sink, on the floor, on our toothbrushes, Sharabi writes.

Soon their food ration was reduced to only one pita or a pita and a half per day. The pleas of the starving, weak, and dizzy hostages went unanswered.

Returned to tunnels

Eight months later, they were returned to their previous tunnel, but the space available to them had been halved. The Hamas captors ate heartily from United Nations packages, while degrading the hostages, making them beg for an extra slice of pita or offering a sliver of halva if they would recite a verse from the Koran.

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Sharabi refused to play into their hands.

The hostages lived in constant fear.

One day, Sharabi writes, one of the captors smashes his phone on the ground and storms into our cell. I happen to be lying closest to the door. Before we can react, he lets loose on me, beating me senseless. Punching me. Kicking me in the ribs. I curl up, screaming in agony, trying to crawl away, my feet still shackled. He keeps kicking me... Everything hurts, especially my ribs. Some are definitely broken. Its hard to breathe.

"My body starts to shake uncontrollably... For a whole month, I can barely get up, sit, stand, or eat. I cant sleep at night because of the pain. Every breath hurts. Every movement. Every touch. Every trip to the bathroom comes at great effort and pain. Most of the time, I just lie curled up on the mattress.

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The hostages were subjected to searches that humiliated and abused them psychologically. The captors did everything imaginable to make them despair and feel truly abandoned.

Sharabi the survivor

Through it all, Sharabi never seriously considered escape. Even if he could have somehow overpowered his captors and taken their rifles, how could he have gotten back to Israel? But he never lost hope. Even as he was being taken hostage, he had told himself: There is no more regular Sharabi. From now on, Im Sharabi the survivor.

He continually thought about his wife and their daughters, recalling the fond times and imagining himself back with them. He tried to reassure his fellowhostages that they would all go home to their families.

The four adopted rituals and latched onto certain religious traditions to help keep their hopes alive.

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Daily, they tried to think of something good that had happened to them that day. They recited the morning blessings every day, made Kiddush over water every Friday night, and sang havdalah songs at the end of Shabbat. Those moments gave Sharabi strength, as they tied him to his family, his people, and his roots and revived him.

Flashback to 1970

I remember how, as a 17-year-old in September 1970, having been hijacked by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and taken off our hijacked planes in the middle of the previous night, convinced we were being taken to be shot, the Kiddush that the nine other men and I made on a Friday night over a pita had uplifted me when we were locked in a small room in a Palestinian refugee camp with only blankets on the floor.

Over time, Sharabi and the other hostages were able to sense the moods of their captors and know whom to ask for what  such as a wedge of a clementine or a kernel of popcorn  and when.

The hostages developed relationships with some of their captors, sometimes conversing with them about life, Israel, family, religion, and other topics.

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As Sharabi describes it, and as I know from my own experience, one sees a different aspect of these people who, in the end, are human beings.

However, it was not Stockholm syndrome (in which the victim develops a positive bond with the captor or abuser). I dont identify with them. I dont pity them. Im not confused about who they are or what they really want... I see only pure evil in their eyes, Sharabi writes.

He has no doubt that No matter how close we feel, if it came to it, none of them would blink before putting a bullet in our brains. At the same time, Sharabi writes, he would not hesitate to kill them if it would help get him home.

Sharabi and Levi to be released

On February 1, 2025, Sharabi and Levi were told that they would be released. They were given additional food, tracksuits, and shoes. A few days later, they were separated from the other two. Sharabi tried to reassure Alon, who was terrified of being left alone.

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They were taken to yet another unfinished tunnel, where mice and cockroaches abounded, and were ordered to dig a pit to use as a toilet. They were given two reeking mattresses but no blankets.

On February 8, they were driven to a square. Even their captors were afraid of the Gazan civilians: Though the car windows were blacked out, Sharabi and Levi were ordered to keep their hoods on and their heads down, remaining completely hidden.

Humiliating ceremony

They were led onto a stage. Masses of ecstatic Palestinians milled around and climbed on utility poles to watch the spectacle. At a humiliating send-off ceremony, the two hostages were forced to provide rehearsed responses to questions.

Following a short ride in a Red Cross car, they were turned over to the IDF. Shortly after, Sharabi learned that his wife and two daughters, the thoughts of whom had kept him going all this time, had been murdered by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7. It was then that he hit rock bottom.

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Even after this news, though, Sharabi understood that he must survive. He spent 40 minutes at their grave sites, and then told himself that it was time to go. Now, life.

The author provides only snippets of his personal history. He appears to have served in army intelligence and was a manager involved in developing theIron Dome. He suggests that his life experience gave him the skills to cope, help fellow hostages, and deal with his captors.

Sharabis straightforward, unembellished writing style enables the reader to feel his pain and his resolve. His formidable, determined, and emotionally disciplined personality can be discerned. His care for others helped his fellow hostages not to wallow in despair.

Before reviewing Sharabis book, I had watched an interview with him. He tried, as he does in Hostage, to project an upbeat attitude, but his haunted eyes told a different story.

I wish Eli Sharabi the strength and fortitude to compartmentalize so that he can move on in life and not have the pain surface too often. 

David Raab, PhD, is author of Terror in Black September: The First Eyewitness Account of the Infamous 1970 Hijackings.
Video in the player above shows KGETs previous coverage on Houchin Community Blood Bank.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Houchin Community Blood Bank is set to host three promotions for successful donors next week.

The promotions include a gift card for all O blood type donors, a Halloween pin and the chance to win two tickets to the Bakersfield College Rodeo in November.

Gift card promotion

From Oct. 19 to Oct. 25 all successful O blood donors will receive a digital gift card, according to organizers. The gift card will be emailed directly to the email address that donors have on file.

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This promotion will be available at all donor sites and blood drives.

Halloween pin

For this promotion, all successful blood, plasma and platelet donors can receive a limited-edition Halloween pin from Oct. 19 to Oct. 25.

The pin will be available at mobile blood drives and donor centers while supplies last, according to organizers.

Photo of pin provided by HCBB.

Bakersfield College Rodeo Ticket Raffle

During the promotional period, all successful donors are eligible to enter a raffle for a pair of tickets to the Bakersfield College Rodeo, according to organizers.

To participate in the raffle, donors just need to complete a digital entry form at the time of the donation. The winners will be selected the week after the promotion ends.

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To schedule an appointment, click here.

Officials said the blood bank is closed Sunday, Oct. 19, but individuals participating in mobile blood drives that day can participate in the offers.

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Indiana House Republicans are seeking student interns for the 2026 legislative session.

These paid, full-time internships are open to college students, recent graduates and students in graduate and law school, according to State Reps. Ethan Manning (R-Logansport) and Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo).

Manning said the internship is an opportunity to gain practical knowledge of state government through active participation in the legislative process.

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With the House internship program, Hoosier students are able to work closely with staff and lawmakers to see what goes on day-to-day at the Statehouse, Manning said. This is a valuable opportunity to build relationships and get exposure to state government.

VanNatter said interns will work in the Statehouse in downtown Indianapolis full time Monday through Friday during the legislative session, which starts in January and concludes in March.

Statehouse internships give students the chance to connect with professionals across many fields and experience state government up close, VanNatter said. With the application deadline coming up soon, I encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity and apply.

Positions are available in legislative operations, policy and communications.

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Interns will be paired with a staff member to work directly with an assigned group of state representatives. During this spring semester internship, students will have opportunities to interact with state legislators, state agencies and private sector organizations, as well as participate in a weekly speaker series featuring Indiana civic leaders.

Applications are available online at indianahouserepublicans.com/internship and are due by Oct. 31.
APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV)- A local veteran found a unique way to turn his and his wifes love for animals into a business that helps the environment.

At Van Acres Homestead, goats have a job to do, and they take it seriously.

We put up solar fencing and then take care of vegetation management, they will come out and eat all of the foliage and leave all the sticks and stuff behind, said Jason Van, owner of the business.

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It started as a few pets but quickly turned into a vegetation management business. We started it on our property, and we found out it did great things, and it worked outPeople asked about it, and we started it, said Van.

Before life on the homestead, Van spent 25 years serving in the Marine Corps. I left the day after Christmas, so I got my Christmas presents, opened them, and then got on a plane for San Diego, said Van.

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After years of traveling the world, he found his way back home to Wisconsin. I came back home, I have been all over the world, and everyone says they want to leave but home is where its at, said Van.

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Now he is doing a new mission.

We arent trying to be a massive company ans ship them all over the Midwest, we are just trying to do something in the local community and get people aware that you dont have to bring a machine out to cut it all down, said Van.

Van says his military experience plays a role in his business.

Just work ethic, its nonstop every day, 7 days a week, winter, they need food, they need water, they need to be taken care of, it doesnt really matter whats going on, it just needs to get done, said Van.

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Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) National General Secretary PK Kunhalikutty on Saturday condemned the hijab incident in Kerala, saying it is against the "secular attitude" of the country. Speaking with ANI, Kunhalikutty said, "It's not something that happens in Kerala. It is totally against the secular attitude. A student had to stop her education because of her attire. That is not very usual here. This is very bad." The controversy began when a class 8 student at St. Rita's School in Palluruthy, Kochi, was reportedly not allowed to attend classes wearing a hijab (headscarf), citing the institution's uniform policy. Earlier, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Kerala State secretary MV Govindan slammed Congress and the SDPI, accusing them of trying to incite unrest over the issue. "The party has a clear understanding of the issue. The problem at St. Rita's School is being exploited by the SDPI to create communal polarisation," Govindan told reporters. "Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty has taken a firm and clear stance that wearing attire is a democratic right. In Kerala, every religious community has the right to live freely and practice its faith without interference. Both the Congress and SDPI are trying to incite unrest on this matter," he added. Meanwhile, the parents of the student have decided to transfer her to another school to resolve the controversy after the management refused to allow her to attend classes wearing a hijab. Sr. Heleena Alby, Principal of the school, stated that the student would be welcomed back if the parents agreed to abide by the school's rules and regulations. On Wednesday, Minister V. Sivankutty stated that the matter should be resolved amicably at the school level, while upholding the children's constitutional rights. Speaking on the issue, Sivankutty said, "There was an issue at St. Rita's School in Ernakulam regarding students' uniforms, and a child was not allowed to enter the classroom. The action taken by the school authorities was unconstitutional. The Deputy Director of Ernakulam was assigned to investigate the incident. The Deputy Director's report stated that the school management had committed a serious mistake. Based on this, the government has issued certain directives. The child's rights cannot be denied." (ANI)
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa (KCAU)  Dordt University students were met with a pretty cool surprise on Friday morning because the Hug Me Coca-Cola machine was in the university commons for a limited time.

The Hug Me machine is one of two in the world. There are pressure sensors along both sides and in the middle of the machine that, when activated, will dispense a can of Coke.

Story continues below

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The machine, owned by Chesterman Co., only comes out a few times a year, spending most of its time at its Omaha location. Chesterman Coca-Colas marketing director talked about the reactions she sees when the machine is out and about.

Its really fun to watch the kids. Theyre always very apprehensious if its going to give them a free Coke, they think that somebody is in there dispensing it, said Marketing Director Christina Edwardson. Its full of sensors. It has sensors on the side and sensors on the front. So, if you touch it and hug it, itll give you a free Coke.

The machine is loaded at the Omaha location before its taken to its temporary location. Spending most of its time in Omaha, the Coke machine only comes out a few times a year.

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BUCKSNORT, Tenn. (WKRN)  One family has officially filed suit following the Bucksnort explosion, following the loss of their loved one, 37-year-old Jeremy Moore.

Moore is one of the 16 workers who died at Accurate Energetic Systems on Oct. 10. Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers has filed suit against AAC Investments, the parent company of AES, on behalf of Moores 9-year-old daughter and her mother.

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Our allegation for now is that the plant provided an unsafe place for these people to work, including Jeremy Moore, and that was the reason for his death, Hughes & Coleman owner and managing partner Lee L. Coleman said.

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Other victims could also file lawsuits.

Coleman said so far, his firm has identified up to eight other defendants, some of whom they plan on naming in the lawsuit at a later date.

What Ive done is reach out to a friend of mine in Texas; unfortunately Texas has lots of explosions, and lawyers there have quite a bit of experience with explosions, so we have brought in two law firms to partner with us for our clients because the expertise that theyve gathered through the years working in explosion cases will help us as we go forward finding out what happened, and holding these companies, Coleman said.

The lawsuit may take some time as law enforcement has to carefully piece together evidence from the scene. However, Coleman said he had full confidence in the sheriffs offices, TBI and ATF, currently working on the case.

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Its one thing for investigators looking at: Was this arson? Was this negligence? We have to look at it from the standpoint of what evidence will a court require to hold the defendants accountable? So, our investigation will be centered on that, Coleman explained. People ought to be able to go to work and at the end of the day come home. That didnt happen here. These explosions are rare, but it happened.

Coleman said that for this to become a class action lawsuit, typically a case would require at least 25 victims. But ultimately, he said, that decision will be left up to a judge.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

News 2 was sent the following statement on behalf of Accurate Energetic Systems CEO Wendell Stinson:

Our team at Accurate Energetic Systems is shocked and devastated following the tragic explosion and loss of 16 employees that took place on our campus on October 10, 2025. These team members are our family, our friends, our neighbors  it is impossible to comprehend. Our top priority is to support our team, their families and our community as we grieve together. The outreach weve received from thousands of neighbors, churches, businesses, organizations and even those not directly impacted by this tragedy has been overwhelming. We would especially like to thank Compassion Church in Waverly, McEwen Church of Christ, World Central Kitchen, Red Cross, Salvation Army, and the Tennessee Disaster Mental Health Strike Team  these and numerous other organizations and individuals have been a light and provided strength for all of us during this devastating time. Ours is a close and incredible community. Accurate Energetic Systems is committed to learning what caused this unprecedented tragedy, and we recognize this will be a lengthy process. Our dedication to the highest safety standards has been our constant priority for 45 years at our facilities and in our community. This is shared not just by our company leadership but by our team members and our civic and elected officials. We maintain high industry standards and have regular reviews by state and federal regulators, and we also lead our industry with significant roles within national safety organizations. That is another reason why this tragedy is so difficult to comprehend. We are assisting investigators in every way possible and will continue to do so as we all seek answers. We have asked that everyone on our team support the hundreds of responders and investigators that are doing the most difficult of jobs. Thank you to all who have reached out and provided support during this tragic time. We will continue to work with local, state and federal agencies to provide updates as we have them. We cannot comment on pending litigation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
FORT LAUDERDALE  The discovery of what appeared to be a human femur and pelvic bone might have unnerved the construction workers who unearthed them near Lake Worth Beach this month, but for Dr. Heather Walsh-Haney and her students, it was just an average Monday.

The forensic anthropologist and Florida Gulf Coast University professor is often one of the first calls officials make when they need to solve the mysteries of Floridas dead.

She travels the state with her team of staff and students, working about 200 cases a year alongside police and medical examiners, from human remains discoveries like Mondays to mass-casualty events and cold cases including the Surfside condo collapse, Hurricane Irma, the death of Brian Laundrie and the high-profile disappearance of 8-year-old Christy Luna, who disappeared over 40 years ago and has never been found.

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Beyond Florida, Walsh-Haney has investigated historic tragedies throughout the world, including the Sept. 11 attacks, the Tulsa race massacre and femicides throughout Latin America.

Ive pretty much dedicated my life to anthropology, the professor explained to the South Florida Sun Sentinel after returning from a series of expeditions, including the one in Lake Worth Beach, which she could not discuss in detail due to the active investigation.

Deputies had immediately notified the university after uncovering the bones, Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Teri Barbera had said in a news release. Walsh-Haneys team continued scouring the site for additional remains. All of the bones have been taken to the medical examiner, Barbera said, though she provided few details as to whom the bones might belong and whether they could help solve any existing cold cases.

Bones are Walsh-Haneys bread and butter. She measures, scans and X-rays skeletal remains to reconstruct who they were in life as well as  perhaps most critically  the moments leading up to their death. Officials primarily rely on Walsh-Haney when investigations involve badly decomposed or skeletal remains, services badly needed in the South Florida heat.

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In Florida, the decomposition process happens immediately, Walsh-Haney said. We have elements of remains decomposing in a matter of days, not weeks. When decomposition is so advanced that medical examiners cannot determine the bodys sex or ancestry, they call me in.

As soon as she gets the call, Walsh-Haney heads out with her team, composed of staff members, graduate students, and a few well-trained undergraduates. They have their own crime scene truck, so I can be wheels up with my team in two hours, if they discover theres a need, she explained.

Then they set to work, first to recover any additional remains, then to examine them in the medical examiners office. Walsh-Haney emphasized that medical examiners dont require her services, but having an anthropologist on hand can help them answer questions more quickly and with greater depth  such as whether remains belong to a human or an animal, or what skeletal material, like teeth, is most likely to yield DNA, which can later be used for cutting-edge investigative techniques like genetic genealogy.

Once Walsh-Haney constructs a picture approximating how a person may have looked, law enforcement can use it to query missing persons databases in hopes of identifying them. She also helps law enforcement determine what traumas the person might have suffered and whether those traumas occurred before the time of death, during or after it.

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Identifying any trauma that took place around the time of death is where things become even more important, Walsh-Haney explained. In one recent case, she examined hundreds of bone fragments to determine that an Orlando man had likely shot a woman he was dating before dismembering, burning and burying her remains.

Growing up, Walsh-Haney always wanted to work with the military or law enforcement in some capacity. Her grandfather, Walter Walsh, was a prominent FBI agent, and her own father followed in his footsteps. Meanwhile, Walsh-Haney and her mother both loved museums and history. In college, Walsh-Haney discovered that forensic anthropology merge those interests.

She has now taught at the university for over 21 years; many of her students have gone on to work at Floridas medical examiners offices and law enforcement agencies. Several of her colleagues also consult on human remains cases throughout the state, but Walsh-Haneys relative proximity to South Florida makes her one of the regions most called-upon experts.

Medical examiners in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties frequently seek her help, though she visits Duval County in the northeast corner of the state most often, given its high murder rate.

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The work comes in bursts of activity. Sometimes, like last week, Walsh-Haney and her team find themselves traveling across the state from one site to the next.

Everything happens at once, she explained. Then, stasis.

Duty  and bones  call. By next week, shell be off to another assignment.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Hundreds of El Pasoans gathered Saturday afternoon, Oct. 18 to protest against the Trump Adminisration as part of a nationwide series of gatherings that grassroots organizers are calling No Kings.

Photos by Edith Montero/KTSM

Borderland prepares for 2nd No Kings protest

El Pasoans gathered along Airway and Edgemere boulevards, holding signs that read No Kings Since 1776, No kings, no fascists, no tyrants and no hate and Kings fall! People rise.

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The protest appeared to be peaceful and drivers were honking to show their support, according to the KTSM camera crew on the scene.

Law enforcement was also out patrolling the area, making their presence felt.

This is the second No Kings protest that has been held across the country since June.

National media organizations are estimating that 2,500 No Kings protests are being held Saturday across the nation.

This time, the protests come as the federal government has been shut down as Republicans and Democrats have been locked in a dispute over funding the government since Oct. 1.

Organizers say that President Donald Trump is leading an increasingly militarized and authoritarian regime with sweeping ICE raids and troop deployments in Democrat-led states.

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Republicans, meanwhile, have criticized the protests as out of touch and some GOP members have called them anti-American.

A similar protest was scheduled for Las Cruces.

Rosa Anchondo, who attended the El Paso protest on Saturday, said she was there to stand up for our freedom, for our Constitution, which will be dissolved if we allow the Trump Administration to continue in office.

I am standing up for all the people, for my daughter, for my grandchildren, for all of America, she said. Stand up, America. Wake up, America. Your freedom is being stripped away slowly.

According to the latest polling from Emerson College, Trumps disapproval rating now stands at 48%, while his approval rating has held steady at 45%.

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The survey did show that voters are giving him credit for his handling of the Israel-Hamas war, with 47% percent saying they approve and 34% say they disapprove.

Voters are also split on whether the presidents second term is a success or failure, with 50 percent saying it has been successful and 50 percent saying it has not.

Hannah Stiverson, associate director for democracy protection at Human Rights First, said: Millions across the country will take to the streets for No Kings Day to stand up for freedom, accountability and the rule of law.

This is our moment to show that no one, not even those in power, are above the law, she wrote in an email.

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The Republican Party of New Mexico questioned whether the protesters were supporting Marxists, communism or even Hamas.

Here is a part of the statement the GOP of New Mexico sent out about the protests:

Across New Mexico, protests are being organized under the banner of No Kings, but many New Mexicans are left wondering, what exactly does this movement stand for. Are they uniting Marxists? Supporting communism, Antifa, or even Hamas? Are they calling for anarchy?

Whatever the message behind these protests may be, it stands in stark contrast to what President Donald J. Trump has been doing for this country, putting America and Americans first. For the first time in modern history, we have a president who prioritizes the people over the political elite, families over government control, and the future of our children over the agendas of Washington insiders.

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Michael Aboud, the chairman of the El Paso County Republican Party sent KTSM the following statement:

First, President Trump thanks them for making sure that he stays in office and that no kings tries to take his place.

The truth is the Democrats planned the government shutdown and the protests are intentionally coordinated with the shutdown to attack the president.

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Hundreds of No Kings protests will be happening throughout Massachusetts on Saturday.

The largest protest in the state is planned for the Boston Common where thousands are expected to attend.

According to the No Kings movements website, Saturday will mark a peaceful national day of action and mass mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration.

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Hundreds are expected to rally in more than 2,000 cities and towns across 50 states to deliver a unified message, America has no kings, according to event organizers.

Saturdays events will come after protests in June were planned to counter celebrations for President Donald Trumps 79th birthday.

What is No Kings?

No Kings specifically targets President Trump, asking protesters to rally against abuses of power, cruelty, and corruption."

The organizations website states, Whether youre outraged by attacks on civil rights, skyrocketing costs, abductions and disappearances, the gutting of essential services, or the assault on free speech, this moment is for you. Whether youve been in the fight for years or youre just fed up and ready to take action, this moment is for you.

Where in Massachusetts are protests being held?

The Boston Common protest will be the largest in the state, but other cities and towns include:

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Andover

Attleboro

Bedford

Beverly

Billerica

Boston

Bridgewater

Brockton

Canton

Danvers

Dartmouth

Fall River

Falmouth

Fitchburg

Gloucester

Hanover

Haverhill

Hingham

Lexington

Lowell

Marthas Vineyard

Medfield

Methuen

Middleborough

Milton

Nantucket

Natick

Needham

New Bedford

Newton

North Andover

Quincy

Salem

Springfield

Swampscott

Wakefield

Waltham

Wareham

Watertown

Weymouth

Winchester

Worcester

The No Kings website offers an interactive map that filters scheduled events by ZIP code or address.

To see a full list of protests in Massachusetts, visit the link here.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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As millions of people gather nationwide for No Kings protests against President Donald Trump, hundreds of people gathered in Atlanta.

Channel 2s Bryan Mims was at the Atlanta Civic Center on Saturday morning, where a large crowd gathered for a rally.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Shortly after, the crowd marched more than two miles to the Georgia State Capitol in downtown Atlanta.

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Protesters told Mims that they fear their rights are slowly eroding under President Trumps administration.

The fact that he is going after American citizens and weaponizing the DOJ against people that he just wakes and decides are his enemy that he doesnt like, hes just a petulant child that wants to be a king, Taffy Jo Mayers said.

TRENDING STORIES:

Many are also protesting U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement, and what they describe as aggressive raids.

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He wants to be a dictator. We need to say thats not OK, Susanne Keough said. Were everyday, American people; were not extremists.

Some Republican leaders have called these rallies Marxist and Communist.

At least two dozen rallies were planned around north Georgia on Saturday.

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Hunters find remains of 2 people deep in woods of Massachusetts state forest

An investigation is underway after a group of hunters discovered the remains of two people deep in the woods of a Massachusetts state forest on Saturday morning, authorities said.

The hunters were in Freetown-Fall River State Forest near Copicut Road for the opening day of pheasant hunting season when they stumbled upon a Honda Accord and located human remains nearby, according to the Fall River Police Department.

The Bristol District Attorneys Office confirmed that the discovery was the skeletal remains of two adults.

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Investigators were continuing to process the scene for evidence late Saturday afternoon.

Based on preliminary findings, all current evidence indicates that there are no outside actors involved, the police department said in a statement.

The DAs office further noted that a suicide note was located inside the vehicle.

The remains were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for autopsies.

Massachusetts State Police troopers assigned to the DAs office are assisting Fall River police with the investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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NEED TO KNOW

An elderly married couple in their 90s died in an apparent murder-suicide at a Mesa, Ariz., care facility on Oct. 16

The couple were identified as Jerome and Katharine Woolums

The case remains open, according to police

An Arizona married couple in their 90s are dead after an apparent murder-suicide.

In the early hours of Thursday, Oct. 16, police responded to an elderly group home and care facility in Mesa, Ariz., following a report of two residents who had been shot and were not breathing, the Mesa Police Department said in a news release obtained by PEOPLE. CBS affiliate KPHO was first to report the news.

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Staff at the facility  which police said is located in the 1000 block of W. Mendoza Avenue, but did not name  told police that a male resident, later identified as 92-year-old Jerome Woolums, had possibly shot himself.

When officers arrived at the group home just after 4 a.m. local time, they discovered Jerome and his wife, 93-year-old Katharine Woolums, in a bedroom together with gunshot wounds to the head, according to police.

Mesa Police Department A Mesa Police Department vehicle A Mesa Police Department vehicle

Jerome, who was found with a possible self-inflicted gunshot wound, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. He was also found holding a gun.

Meanwhile, when officers found Katharine, she had a pulse, so first responders with Mesa Fire and Medical attempted life-saving efforts and transported her to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said. The nonagenarian later died at the hospital.

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The Woolums had been married for many years and were living at the care facility to receive medical care, investigators later learned, according to the Mesa Police Department.

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The department described the fatal incident as an apparent murder-suicide, stating in a news release that "at this stage of the investigation, evidence indicates Jerome shot his wife, Katharine, before taking his own life.

It is early in the investigation, police said, noting on Oct. 18 that the case remains open, pending medical examination results.

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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.



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AUSTIN (KXAN)  The Hutto Police Department is seeking the publics help to find a 17-year-old who allegedly ran away from home earlier this week.

HPD said on social media that Adam Morton was last seen at his home on Mallard Cove in Hutto on Oct. 15 around 5 p.m.

According to police, Morton posted pictures of himself abusing prescription medication and being armed with a rifle.

Morton was seen possibly walking eastbound on US 79 going toward Taylor between Limmer Loop and Frame Switch, according to police.

Adam Morton, 17 (Hutto Police Department Photos)

Additionally, police said that Morton may be with another female runaway. Police are actively working to get more information on the female runaway.

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Police posted photos of Morton on social media and said he was last seen wearing the clothing in the photos  a black T-shirt, black and red shorts, white socks and black slides.

If anyone has any information on Mortons whereabouts, they are urged to call 911 or HPD at 512-846-2200.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has signed a slew of contracts for surveillance software in recent weeks, including facial recognition and remote hacking technology that could be used against American citizens.

The agency, which reported $1.4 billion in contract obligations in September, had previously wielded an advanced technological arm, signing technology contracts that were designed explicitly for the purpose of immigration enforcement.

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But after President Donald Trumps executive order designating Antifa a domestic terrorist organization, new surveillance purchased by ICE could now be wielded against the general population.

An exhaustive report by The Washing Post detailed the sheer volume of new technology the agency has acquired since the order was issued.

In one contract that ICE signed last month for Clearview AI facial recognition software, the agency said in a filing that it would be used to investigate assaults against law enforcement officers. Other federal contracts show ICE has been expanding its fleet of small, remote-controlled drones, which it has said it is using to film protesters. In early October, ICE also informed prospective vendors that it planned to set up a new social media monitoring hub to trawl platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp and TikTok to collect information on targets. The document identifies undocumented immigrants who have committed serious crimes as the primary focus but also deems domestic terrorism a top priority and says the contractor must be flexible [about] shifting priorities.

Other software purchased by the agency includes $4.6 million for an iris-scanning smartphone application and $2 million for tracking individuals locations without a warrant.

Im extremely concerned about how ICE will use spyware, facial recognition and other technology to further trample on the rights of Americans and anyone who Donald Trump labels as an enemy, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) told The Post.

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The agency has received a massive uptick in funding since July, when Congress passed a spending bill that allocated $170 billion to ICE.

An ICE spokesperson told the post that like other law enforcement agencies, ICE employs various forms of technology to investigate criminal activity, while respecting civil liberties and privacy.

There have been numerous reports of ICE wrongfully detaining or injuring American citizens, as the agency continues to maintain a presence in many US cities.

The post ICE Buying Millions in Spyware  Reportedly To Use On Americans first appeared on Mediaite.
As Bihar gears up for Assembly Elections, Chirag Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) on Saturday attacked the Mahagathbandhan over reports of Tejashwi Yadav as Bihar's Chief Ministerial candidate, saying even the alliance has not confirmed it. Chirag Paswan met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Patna to discuss strategies for securing key constituencies ahead of the 243-seat Bihar Assembly elections, scheduled for November 6 and 11, with counting on November 14 Speaking to reporters, Paswan added that a coalition plagued by internal clashes cannot deliver development, warning that the people will not accept such leadership ahead of the state elections. "Who says Tejashwi Yadav's name (as CM candidate) is confirmed when even the Alliance is not saying that Tejashwi is confirmed. The people will not accept them. An alliance which has so many internal clashes cannot develop Bihar," he said. Earlier today, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said Tejashwi Yadav, a "very popular candidate" and the former deputy CM, should be declared as the Mahagathbandhan's chief ministerial candidate. She also stressed that mistakes in seat allocation and candidate selection, which were seen in Maharashtra, must not be repeated in Bihar. On Friday, Chaturvedi told ANI, "The mistakes made in the Maharashtra elections, including not declaring the chief ministerial candidate, as well as disputes among the three alliance partners over seat allocation and candidate selection, should not be repeated in Bihar. Tejashwi Yadav is a very popular candidate." She further added, "He is almost in a neck-to-neck fight with Nitish Kumar and the various other so-called aspirants of the chief ministership. He has done a phenomenal job when he was the deputy chief minister. So it is time that as part of the INDIA Alliance and in the spirit of it, which we came around that we should all support the party which is stronger and he would be supported, would be helped, and he would be declared as the chief ministerial candidate..." Meanwhile, the Congress party released its first list of 48 candidates for the upcoming Bihar Legislative Assembly elections. According to an official statement from Thursday, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Rajesh Ram will contest from the Kutumba Assembly seat, while Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan will fight from the Kadwa constituency. Out of the total 48 candidates, 24 will be contested in the first phase of elections and 24 in the second phase. The party said that the remaining names will be announced in due course. The list, approved by the Central Election Committee (CEC), includes Jayesh Mangal Singh from Bagaha, Amit Giri from Nautan, Abhishek Ranjan from Chanpatia, Wasi Ahmed from Bettiah, Amit Kumar Singh 'Tunna' from Riga, Chandan Yadav from Khagaria, and Ajeet Kumar Sharma from Bhagalpur. (ANI)
CHICAGO (WGN)  A federal judge is concerned about federal agents violating her orders not to deploy tear gas and pepper spray at protesters.

The judge ordered a top ICE official to appear in court on Monday to discuss the matter, but as of Friday, the official is moving back to his old role.

In a statement to WGN-TV, a Homeland Security official said, Russell Hott is the permanent Field Office Director (FOD) for the Washington, D.C. area of responsibility, not Chicago. He served in Chicago as interim FOD and this is a planned return to his permanent office in D.C.

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Trump asks Supreme Court to allow deployment of National Guard to Chicago

The statement went on to say, Samuel Olson, permanent FOD of St. Paul and former FOD of Chicago, will now be acting as interim FOD of Chicago.

WGN-TV sat down with Olson in June shortly before he was reassigned to an ICE Field Office in Minnesota, but court documents indicate Olson may not be the one replacing Hott in the courtroom.

It appears the Department of Justice wants Customs and Border Protection Deputy Incident Commander Kyle Harvick to answer the judges questions instead.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

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The documents stated DHS determined Border Patrol was mostly involved in the incidents in question, not ICE.

Its unclear whether the personnel changes will lead to any changes in court on Monday.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
<body><p>VIDEO SHOWS: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES</p><p>STORY: Video from Gaza released early in December shows the new leader of a Palestinian militant group opposed to Hamas reviewing armed fighters under his command.</p><p>The group, known as the Popular Forces, is among those that have emerged in Israel-held parts of Gaza, eyeing a role in the enclave's future.</p><p>They are small, but have added pressure on Hamas and could complicate efforts to unify and stabilize a divided Gaza shattered by two years of brutal war.</p><p>Three Egyptian security and military sources said Israel-backed groups were increasingly active since a cease-fire took effect, and estimated they now had 1,000 fighters, adding 400 since the truce began.</p><p>But they have faced setbacks. </p><p>Just last week, the man seen at the heart of efforts to establish anti-Hamas forces - Popular Forces leader Yasser Abu Shabab - was killed. </p><p>The Popular Forces did not say who killed him. His deputy, Ghassan Duhine, has taken over and vowed to continue on the same path.</p><p>Recent footage showed Duhine alongside Hussam Alastal, leader of another group, pledging to jointly continue the fight against Hamas.</p><p>Hamas has branded such groups collaborators. </p><p>A Hamas spokesperson, Hazem Qassem, said security forces would pursue collaborators "until this phenomenon is eradicated."</p><p>But they "are protected by the occupation army in the areas where these forces are present, which makes it difficult for the security apparatuses," he said, speaking to Reuters before Abu Shabab's death.</p><p>Hamas moved swiftly against Palestinians who defied its control after the U.S.-backed ceasefire took hold, killing dozens, including some it accused of working with Israel.</p><p>The Popular Forces didn't respond to requests for comment sent via their Facebook page. It has previously denied receiving Israeli support.</p><p>In an interview with Reuters in late November, Alastal said fortunes for groups such as his were improving.</p><p>Despite Hamas accusations of collaborating with Israel, Alastal said his group was not a militia, but an administration. He said the group was present for the people, to build a new Gaza.</p><p>Nearly all Gaza's 2 million people live in Hamas-held areas. The group is reestablishing its grip and four Hamas sources said it still commands thousands of men.</p><p>But Israel still holds over half of Gaza - areas where Hamas' foes operate beyond its reach. With U.S. President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza moving slowly, there is no immediate prospect of further Israeli withdrawals.</p><p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged in June that Israel had armed anti-Hamas clans, though Israel has given little detail since then.</p><p>In response to a request for comment, an Israeli government official said: "There is no shortage of Palestinians wishing and actively fighting to free themselves of the Hamas repression and tyranny."</p><p>Israel has established what it calls the "Yellow Line," a defensive border separating Israeli-controlled areas from Hamas-held territory.</p><p>With no clarity on next steps, there is a risk of de facto partition between an inland sector controlled by Israel where few people now remain, and a sector along the coast now crowded with displaced people, much of it wasteland.</p><p>On a tour of Israeli military positions in Gaza, an army spokesperson said for now they were just keeping Hamas penned in.</p><p>"We are holding the yellow line that is the current border. And what happens next depends on the situation on the ground. Right now, Hamas is refusing to disarm. Hamas is the main blocking point of this plan moving forward. And we are currently holding the yellow line, according to the agreement, making sure Hamas doesn't cross it or violate it."</p><p>Many of the armed anti-Hamas groups operate in Israel-held areas, a fact that a Hamas spokesperson said effectively made them a part of what they called the "occupation army."</p><p>That impression may limit their role in governing Gaza.</p><p>"I don't think there is any serious future for these new groups that are associated with the Israeli occupation in Gaza."</p><p>Ghassan al-Khatib is a lecturer in international studies at Birzeit University in Ramallah. </p><p>"The reason is that the public is not at all accepting them. They are not acceptable by the public because of the cooperation and collaboration with the Israeli occupation."</p><p>Al-Khatib noted Israel had plenty of experience propping up Palestinian armed groups for short-term tactical reasons. </p><p>A U.S. official said Washington has not had any official contact with the anti-Hamas groups. They added, "Beyond Hamas having no future role, who will govern Gaza will be up to Gazans."</p></body>
Car horns blared, and American flags waved  both right-side-up and upside-down, the symbol of a nation in distress  as hundreds of demonstrators converged on the Tennessee State Capitol for a "No Kings" protest against the Trump administration.

The event was the second of its kind this year in Nashville, and one of 33 "No Kings" protests that were scheduled across Tennessee on Oct. 18. More than 2,000 other "No Kings" events were held across the country.

A protestor participates in the "No Kings" rally at the Tennessee State Capitol on Oct. 18, 2025.

Demonstrators gathered on James Robertson Parkway at 10 a.m. They continued until well past noon. Among them was Nashville organizer and former Congressional candidate Odessa Kelly.

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"They cannot steal your spirit," Kelly said, to cheers from the crowd. "You are the embodiment of the American dream. The best education we can give to our children is that we stand up for what is right. We don't bow to tyranny."

One protestor carried a giant paper Mache puppet of President Donald Trump that read "ask me about the Epstein files." Others wore inflatable costumes, dressed as bumble bees, frogs, unicorns and a even minion.

A second No Kings protest in Nashville brought hundreds to the State Capitol to protest the Trump administration on Oct. 18.

More: More 'No Kings' protests in Tennessee Oct. 18. Here are your rights

Republicans pundits and officials in Tennessee like House Republican Whip Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville, have dismissed the "No Kings" rallies as "the lunatic left parade[ing] around the country."

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"Woke up extra thankful we dumped King George #NoKings," U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville, posted on social media.

"It's really just old Democrats and Antifa doing a Trump derangement syndrome therapy march," conservative pundit Robby Starbuck posted.

Nashville resident Sara Carlson Striegel said she attended the protest because she loves America, and wants the nation's leaders to be held to their oaths to the Constitution.

"I'm a patriot. I love my country. Part of loving my country is holding it accountable when things aren't constitutional," Carlson Striegel told The Tennessean. "It's scary to think that the work that our ancestors did to fight for the beautiful experiment that is democracy is being undone in a really short amount of time."

Nashville resident Sara Carlson Streigel poses near the Tennessee State Capitol as her husband takes her photograph after participating in a "No Kings" protest on Oct. 18. Vivian Jones / The Tennessean

Carlson Streigel said she is troubled by the Trump administration's draconian immigration crackdowns, which keep legal citizens like herself in fear.

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"I'm a Latina. At this point, I'm driving around with my passport and my birth certificate, afraid that even as an American citizen, I could be detained at any moment because of the way that I look," Carlson Streigel said. "I'm a child of immigrants... It's really terrifying that we have to have a plan about what happens if I don't come home from work one day."

Renowned American author Joyce Carol Oates was also in the crowd, and described her view from the slope of Capitol Hill as "like Renoir."

Massive No Kings! rally in Nashville pic.twitter.com/GIAKqLgwma  Joyce Carol Oates (@JoyceCarolOates) October 18, 2025

Protestors were young and old, and came from all walks of life. Children ran up and down the grassy slope behind the Capitol as their families protested on James Robertson Parkway. University student groups participated including those affiliated with Indivisible Tennessee, an activist group that protests the policies of the Trump administration.

Older protestors brought lawn chairs or sat in the shade holding signs that read slogans like "when lawmakers are law breakers, there is no law."

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Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 'I'm a patriot': No Kings protest brings hundreds to State Capitol
Protestors packed the Indiana Statehouse grounds as part of the nationwide "No Kings" demonstrations against President Donald Trump and his administration's actions.

The event on Oct. 18 drew 5,000 people or more according to early estimates from state police. Attendees voiced opposition to Trump's immigration detentions, his effort to redraw Indiana's congressional boundaries to favor Republicans and what protesters view as attacks on free speech.

Immigration took center stage during the first half of the roughly two hour rally, with speakers criticizing the Trump administration's immigration raids, which have led to the detention of more than 170 U.S. citizens, according to ProPublica.

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Karla Lopez Owens of the Indiana Democratic Latino Caucus, who is also a deputy Marion County prosecutor, said her family immigrated from Mexico with nothing.

I have always felt welcome here," she said, "but things are different now."

Danielle Cooney of Live Free Indiana railed against Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal for housing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, detainees at the county jail. Earlier this year multiple Indianapolis City-County Council members criticized Forestal, a Democrat, for, in their view, actively supporting Trump's mass deportation.

Protesters also expressed anger at what they see as erosions of free speech. Suzanne Swierc, a former Ball State University employee who was fired for a critical social media post she made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk's assassination, said she is tired of hearing people say that freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences.

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Consequences should not be so detrimental that we are afraid to exercise those rights," she said.

Protesters slam Indiana redistricting push

Others took aim at the White House's pressure campaign to redraw congressional boundaries in Indiana, where Republicans control seven of nine U.S. House seats. The rally came just one day after Trump called Indiana Republican senators about mid-decade redistricting.

So far, Gov. Mike Braun has not called a special legislative session, but has said, "It probably will happen." Multiple polls have been released in recent weeks showing the move would be unpopular.

"Mid-decade redistricting is what you do when you cant win," said state Rep. Carey Hamilton, D-Indianapolis.

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State Sen. Andrea Hunley said Trump is trying to make Indiana an unwilling accomplice in his effort to rig" congressional maps.

Dictators do not act alone, she said, later adding: We do not negotiate with terrorists."

The protest drew criticism from some Republicans. "Terrorists? Seriously?" state Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, responded on social media.

Attendance eclipses previous 'No Kings' rally

Indiana State Police Sgt. Robert Johnson said no arrests had been made as of about 3 p.m. Its been a peaceful rally, he said.

He estimated somewhere around 5,000 or more people attended the rally, more than a previous "No Kings" rally in June.

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There was one tense moment near the beginning of the rally when volunteer event security officials confronted a Trump supporter with a Make America Great Again hat who they said was disrupting the rally.

Amy Kleyla, a volunteer security director with We the People United, said the man had a holstered firearm and was asked to exit because firearms are not allowed on Statehouse property, in most cases. The man left and stowed his gun in his car and then came back, she said.

"I have the right to be here, just like everybody else," the man said during a confrontation with Kleyla. It's unclear if he had the firearm during that particular interaction. "I know how to conduct myself," the man said.

The event was one of more than 2,500 demonstrations planned across the country, including in dozens of other Indiana cities such as Bloomington, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Muncie and South Bend.

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Indivisible Central Indiana took the lead in organizing the Indianapolis protest while the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, MADVoters Indiana, Women4Change Indiana, Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis and others assisted and promoted the event.

Contact IndyStar reporter Tony Cook at 317-444-6081 or tony.cook@indystar.com. Follow him on X:@IndyStarTony.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Immigration, free speech, redistricting animate 'No Kings' protest
Believe it or not, there was a time when the Supreme Courts emergency docket rulings did not regularly garner controversy; they were simply the means by which the court could consider time-sensitive legal crises, such as motions related to capital punishment. But a key feature of the Trump era is the transformation of the emergency docket into the shadow docket: unsigned rulings that have had a profound effect on the country. Beyond the fact that these rulings have a heads Trump wins, tails Democrats lose bent, they are, as Erwin Chemerinsky notes, often proffered without much in the way of jurisprudential explanation while frequently bulldozing precedent. The justices themselves may not like the term shadow docket, but they seem to relish operating in the shadows all the same.

But there is one instance in which a justice did attempt to explain himself in a recent shadow docket ruling, only for that justices reasoning to blow up nearly immediately after its first encounter with the real world: Brett Kavanaughs concurring opinion in Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo, in which the Supremes stayed a lower court ruling that was specifically impeding the Department of Homeland Security from racially profiling people for immigration stops. The larger court, as is its wont, failed to offer a ruling. But Kavanaugh opted to weigh in all the same. His reward is a heaping helping of infamy in the form of a specific secret police tactic that many have taken to calling the Kavanaugh stop.

Heres the essential background. As The New Republics Matt Ford reported after the ruling in Noem was handed down, Kavanaughs surprise concurrence went to some pains to minimize the impact of a law enforcement encounter: Importantly, reasonable suspicion means only that immigration officers may briefly stop the individual and inquire about immigration status, Kavanaugh wrote. If the person is a U.S. citizen or otherwise lawfully in the United States, that individual will be free to go after the brief encounter. Only if the person is illegally in the United States may the stop lead to further immigration proceedings.

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As Ford noted, the law enforcement encounters that formed the basis of the case itself could hardly be called brief. One of the plaintiffs in Noem testified that his attempt to show valid proof of U.S. citizenship did not make the encounter any shorter, as the agents refused to believe the validity of his California drivers license. As Justice Sonia Sotomayor recalled in her dissent, The agent said the ID was insufficient, grabbed [his] arm, escorted him to a vehicle, and drove him to a warehouse area for further questioning. None of that sounds at all like the quick interaction that Kavanaugh suggested was the theoretical norm. And in practice, the Kavanaugh stop hasnt hewed to his imagined brief encounter, either.

The quintessential components of a Kavanaugh stop involve a person detained for immigration enforcement specifically, with race a certain or likely factor in the decision behind the stopthe Fourth Amendments protections from unlawful searches and seizures be damned. Sotomayor saw a grim future in the courts decision: We should not have to live in a country where the Government can seize anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, and appears to work a low wage job.

If the news is any guide, Sotomayors fears are now reality. As the Chicago Tribune recently reported, Chicago resident Rueben Antonio Cruz, a 60-year-old man originally from El Salvador, was sitting with a friend in Rogers Park when immigration officers stopped their truck and went straight after them. What followed was a classic Kavanaugh stop: Cruz and his friend were asked for papers proving their citizenship. Cruz, who was not carrying such papers on his person, was then bundled into the agents vehicle and interrogated. Cruz was eventually let go, but not before the agents fined him $130 for not having his papers. The ordeal left Cruz angry: Its not fair because I said, lets go to my house and Ill show you my papers. Im a resident.

The Tribune notes that while federal law requires registered foreign nationals to carry proof of registration with them at all times, prior to a second Trump administration, it was rarely enforced. The detention drew the criticism of the ACLUs Ed Yohnka: America has never been a place where people need to show ones papers. Ticketing a lawful permanent residentand forcing him to appear in court and pay a fine for not carrying their papersis unnecessary and cruel. Unfortunately, its likely to become commonplace as Trumps goons, freed from legal obligations by the Supreme Court, make the Kavanaugh stop part of their daily operations.

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The possibility that Trumps ICE agents, who have effectively been given carte blanche to abuse their authority, might simply dismiss their quarrys valid proof of citizenship appears to have not occurred to Kavanaugh. But it has definitely occurred to the jabronis snatching up brown people in American cities. In a second Kavanaugh stop detailed by the Tribune, a 44-year-old Latina woman named Maria Greeley was out for a jog when she was jumped by federal agents who zip-tied her and detained her despite the fact that she carries her passport with her at all times to prove that she was born in the United States. According to the report, agents remarked that she didnt look like a Greeley, dismissed her documentation, and accused her repeatedly of lying.

One of the most obviously impeachable things about the Supreme Court is that its so frequently out of touch with the real worlda perhaps inevitable condition of giving nine people special robes and lifetime job security and then stuffing them inside a sepulchral building to stew in their own partisan juices with no one to answer to. Kavanaughs flawed reasoning may simply be the product of profound naivete. But since this all came about in a shadow docket case in which the Trump administration asked for emergency relief in the form of the permission to racially profile people, I think its hardly beyond belief to think that Kavanaugh felt compelled to try to put a good spin on a reprehensible ruling.

That Kavanaugh has to own the Kavanaugh stop is cold comfort. Who knows if its even possible to shame or humiliate Brett Kavanaugh anyway? Its very possible that transforming the United States into a country more reminiscent of Nazi Germanys Ihre Papiere bitte era is precisely the legacy that Kavanaugh sought for himself. Were the ones who are stuck with the consequences.

This article first appeared in Power Mad, a weekly TNR newsletter authored by deputy editor Jason Linkins. Sign up here.
In a Hangzhou concert hall, a thousand spectators watched as a soloist performed The Long March, a propaganda poem by Mao Zedong set to music.

The song by the Communist founding father celebrates the Red Armys 1935 retreat, a 6,000 mile cross-country trek so brutal that fewer than one in 10 soldiers survived.

As his verses, which praise the radiant faces of troops who fear not the Long March, hardship or toil, echo through the hall, the figures of two white men in traditional Chinese dress stand out.

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One, on the far left, in an embroidered white Tang jacket with blue silk thread, appears to be Christopher Berry, then 26. The second, on the far right, in black with gold dragons, bears a strong resemblance to then 23-year-old Christopher Cash, the second man at the centre of the UKs collapsed Chinese spy trial.

Credit: Hangzhou China / YouTube

It was Dec 26 2018, a year after they met while teaching. Soon after, the elder was allegedly recruited to spy for China, using the younger man as a sub-source.

Within a year, Mr Cash would leave China for England, where he completed a masters degree at the Lau China Institute at Kings College London, before joining the China Research Group, a role that allowed him into the heart of Westminster.

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Prosecutors claimed he used his access to gather intelligence for Mr Berry, who allegedly relayed it up the chain to Cai Qi, one of President Xi Jinpings closest aides.

It sounds improbable, the stuff of a spy novel, and both young men deny any wrongdoing.

Yet photographs from the time they were in Hangzhou, uncovered by The Sunday Telegraph, appear to offer a glimpse of how the scenario outlined in the Crown Prosecution Services abandoned case could have taken shape.

One image from that night shows what appears to be the two men singing and dancing in a mock boy band with colleagues, in a performance the Hangzhou Oriental Middle School described as showing grandeur, grace, and playful originality.

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Their chosen piece, Thoughts on a Still Night by Tang dynasty poet Li Bai, depicts the poet being overcome by thinking of my hometown.

Christopher Berry in the classroom - CHP

But thoughts of Britain seem far from the minds of what appears to be Mr Cash and Mr Berry as they gesture in time with the music, seemingly carefree under the stage lights.

Last month, the CPS case against the pair collapsed after the Prime Ministers deputy national security adviser, Matthew Collins, failed to classify China as a national security threat in his evidence. Under pressure to explain this failure, Sir Keir Starmer authorised publication of Mr Collinss witness statements on Wednesday.

In a striking episode detailed by Mr Collins, he describes an alleged meeting between Mr Berry and Mr Cai in July 2022.

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It is highly unlikely that one of the most senior officials in China would meet with Mr Berry unless the Chinese state considered him to be someone who could obtain valuable information, he noted.

Mr Cashs apparent reaction to this meeting is also telling. In response to Mr Berrys voice note about it, he allegedly replied: Youre in spy territory now.

Recipient of intelligence

Until now, it has been hard to see how two young men could have been drawn into this world of espionage.

But material obtained by The Telegraph suggest the roots of the behaviour alleged by the CPS may lie in 2017-19, when they taught English at Hangzhou Oriental Middle School.

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The fee-paying high school in Hangzhou, a city of 13 million situated southwest of Shanghai, offers GCSEs and A levels alongside the Chinese curriculum.

This setting may hold more significance than it appears. Mr Cai, the official the CPS alleged was the ultimate recipient of intelligence, had a link to the school: his son, Cai Erjin, worked for the municipal education bureau that oversaw it. Both would no doubt dismiss this as coincidence given the citys size and bureaucracy.

Christopher Berry (l) unveils qualifications at the Chinese school where he worked in 2017 - CHP

But the photos also make clear that Mr Cash and Mr Berry were working within an institution deeply embedded in the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) propaganda system. Since 1949, Chinese schools have been bound to the Party, and Hangzhou Oriental Middle School is no exception.

Images show teachers and students taking part in military drills and official Party trips. The school has its own CCP branch, and one 2017 post records a pilgrimage of party members among the schools staff to Jiaxings South Lake, where the partys first national congress met in 1921.

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In a post on Chinese social media, the school recounted how in front of the Oath Wall, all Party members stood solemnly in line and reaffirmed their Party membership oath..

Be brave and take action

Neither of the alleged spies appears to have taken part in such pilgrimages. But other posts on the schools online profile show Mr Berrys role in expanding its international curriculum.

In one, the school described its certification by a UK exam board as helping to uphold the great banner of Xi Jinping Thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics.

A September 2017 post showed the school partnering with exam board Edexcel to teach GCSEs and A Levels, with a photo of Mr Berry speaking at a warm and solemn ceremony.

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The schools foreign English teacher Chris encouraged students to be brave and take action in stepping out into the wider world, it read.

Another photo showed rows of pupils beneath a congratulatory banner with Mr Berry among the staff. A separate image offered readers a tour of the international department and showed Mr Berry teaching students how to write postcards.

Cash (second right) and Berry (far left) singing as part of a mock boy band - CHP

Both men appear one last time in a January 2019 update reviewing the past unforgettable year. A highlight included the school organising all teachers and students to watch a live-stream of President Xis speech.

This inspired love for the country, a sense of duty, and renewed determination to contribute to the schools next stage of development, it added.

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Luke de Pulford, executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, told The Telegraph: There is a lot to love about Chinas culture and traditions, and the CCPs canny intelligence operators have been known to make use of those things to entrap and recruit.

He added: Some exchange schemes are known to have been the focus of the Ministry of State Security interest.

Trial by media

Mr Cash, whose placement in Hangzhou was arranged by the British Council, said earlier this week that the trials collapse left him in an impossible position.

I have not had the daylight of a public trial to show my innocence and I should not have to take part in a trial by media, he told The Times.

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A source close to Mr Cash said the prosecution in the collapsed spy trial had no evidence that he had any sympathy for the CCP.

They added that evidence showed Mr Cash devoted his time at the China Research Group to exposing the security risks posed by the CCP.

He maintained that his exchanges with Mr Berry were innocent.

The Telegraph has attempted to contact Mr Berry for comment.

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Editors note: Details of the story may be disturbing to some readers.

WINCHESTER, Ky. (FOX 56)  A man and woman were killed in a Winchester shooting on Friday morning, just a day after one reportedly filed for legal protection against the other.

Chief Travis Thompson with the Winchester Police Department (WPD) told FOX 56 News that around 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17, officers responded to the 100 block of Westside Drive for reports that two people had been shot.

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Through an initial investigation, officers found that 35-year-old Ava Brantley of Winchester and 38-year-old Tyler Snowden of Irvine had been killed in the shooting. Brantleys mother had found the pair and called law enforcement.

According to police, a neighbors doorbell camera captured the sounds of gunfire.

A search warrant was reportedly filed for Snowdens truck, which was parked nearby and at his home in Irvine, where a suicide note was found.

According to Winchester investigators, Snowden allegedly shot Brantley just after 5 a.m. on Friday before turning the gun on himself.

Man sentenced for shooting that left Lexington boy blind

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WPD officers told FOX 56 that the pair had been in a romantic relationship but that on Thursday, a domestic violence order filed by Brantley had been put in place.

Joshua Bodo, who spoke to FOX 56 News at the scene of the shooting, has lived on Westside Drive for three years. He said its been a very quiet neighborhood.

I dont necessarily have concerns about the neighborhood itself, Bodo said. Its more about the people. I think just as neighbors and as a neighborhood, we have to be careful about the people that are around us.

Both bodies were taken to the Kentucky State Medical Examiners office in Frankfort for an autopsy, and the investigation into their deaths remains ongoing.

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If you or someone you know needs help, resources, or someone to talk to, you can find it at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website or by calling 1-800-273-8255 or dial 988. People are available to talk to 24/7. For more about risk factors and warning signs, visit the organizations website.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a hog-manure release into an unnamed tributary of Roff Creek in Louisa County, according to a news release from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

On Thursday, the DNR Field Office in Washington was notified by Catnip Ridge, a certified manure applicator business, of a manure spill in a road ditch near the intersection of Q Avenue and 65th Street in rural Louisa County.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources (iowadnr.gov)

Staff from the DNR Field Office in Washington responded to the incident. Further investigation showed an iron fence post went unnoticed in the tall surrounding vegetation when applicators were deploying an umbilical line. During pumping, the line wore on the fence post, causing a tear which released an unknown amount of manure to the ditch before flowing into the tributary.

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The applicator took immediate action once the tear was noticed. Crews ceased pumping, clamped the line, and placed dams in several locations to contain the manure. Catnip Ridge crews proceeded downstream to a nearby creek crossing and plugged the culvert.

Fresh water was added to the tributary because of low flow to assist in flushing the creek and pumping out the spilled manure. Initial water quality testing showed ammonia levels of 2.0 parts-per-million (ppm).

No dead fish were observed and cleanup efforts continued late into the evening.

DNR field staff revisited the site Friday morning, and found manure still moving through the affected section of the tributary. A small number of dead fish were observed. However, the plugged culvert has prevented manure from further migration downstream.

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Clean-up efforts continue, and field staff will continue to monitor the creek throughout the day. The incident remains under investigation. The department will determine if further enforcement action is warranted, the release says.

To report a release after hours, call the DNRs emergency spill line at 515-725-8694. Quick reporting can help DNR staff identify the cause of an incident. The DNR website has more information about spill reporting requirements.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Neha Mittal listed the matter for evidence after noting the submissions that the complainant, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, wishes to withdraw the appeal from the Delhi High Court.

The Rouse Avenue court has listed the matter for hearing on November 29.

During the hearing, counsel for Swamy filed an order of the Delhi High Court of October 8, 2025, wherein it was mentioned that advocate Satya Anand Sabharwal, counsel for the petitioner Subramanian Swamy, wishes to withdraw the petition.

Counsel's vakalatnama was not on the record of the High Court, and he was granted time to file the same on record. The matter is listed before the High Court on November 21.

The Patiala House court earlier had issued summons to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and others. They are on bail in this case.

This matter was transferred to the Special MP-MLA court at Rouse Avenue.

The matter is at the stage of evidence before the Rouse Avenue court.

This complaint case pertains to the allegations of giving a loan of Rs. 90 crores by the Congress to Associated Journal Limited (AJL) and the takeover of AJL's shareholding and assets by the Young Indian.

Dr. Subramanian Swamy has alleged offences of misappropriation, etc., by the summoned accused persons.

The money laundering matter linked with the National Herald is pending consideration on the summoning of the proposed accused persons. This matter is listed for hearing on October 25.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a Prosecution complaint (charge sheet) against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, Sunil Bhandari, Young Indian, M/s Dotex Merchandise Private Limited. (ANI)
More than 1,000 Iowans gathered on the grounds of the Iowa State Capitol Oct. 18, 2025, as part of the national No Kings movement. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Organizers and politicians urged the crowd of thousands gathered Saturday at the Iowa State Capitol as part of the national No Kings protest, to stay engaged and help flip Iowa seats in the 2026 election.

The Des Moines event was one of more than 2,600 nonviolent demonstrations planned nationwide, with millions of participants protesting Trump administration actions on issues from cutting funding for public health programs, deploying National Guard troops to cities and mass deportations. It was the second No Kings national protest  the first was held in June in response to Donald Trumps birthday military parade.

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At the event, state lawmakers, union organizers, immigrant advocates and teachers decried Trumps and Republicans policies. Speakers also emphasized Iowa will play a vital role in putting a check on Trumps power in the 2026 election, and encouraged Iowans to vote and stay politically engaged.

Mike Draper, founder and owner of Raygun, addressed the crowd gathered for a No Kings protest at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Mike Draper, founder and owner of Raygun, a liberal-leaning shirt and souvenir business headquartered in Des Moines, told the crowd he invited U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn to a town hall Friday, but held up an empty chair with the sign with the sign Representative Nunn to show the Iowa 3rd District representatives response. He criticized Nunn for not holding public town halls and said the Republican doesnt work for us, but for Trumps agenda.

He told the crowd that if Democrats win three seats in the U.S. House, there will be an effective check on Trumps power.

And as fate would have it, there are three competitive races in Iowa right now, Draper said. If we flip those three seats  all of which have been Democratic at some point in the last decade  Iowa alone will win the House of Representatives.

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In addition to the 3rd District, which is expected to be competitive, the congressional races for Iowas 1st and 2nd Districts are also expected to be more competitive than in previous election cycles. All four of Iowas congressional seats are currently held by Republicans.

While larger political topics like the federal government shutdown and release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein came up, some speakers said Trumps trade policies have hurt Iowa in a unique way. Aaron Lehman, president of the Iowa Farmers Union and a farmer from Polk County, said Trumps tariffs and recent federal trade policies have hurt Iowa farmers, pointing to Chinas move to buy soybeans from South American producers instead of American farmers.

Autumn Weaver, a candidate for Boone City Council, shook hands with other protesters and posed for pictures in a Marie Antoinette costume at the No Kings protest held at the Iowa State Capitol Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Im telling you, thousands and thousands of Iowa farmers are on the brink of a crisis, he said. Chaotic tariffs have devastated the markets for what we grow, and they have raised the cost of our inputs, and they have gotten us no closer to fair trade for farmers and workers.

Elena Casillas-Hoffman, a communications specialist with Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, said Trumps immigration policies are also negatively impacting Iowa. She said the only population growth Iowa has seen in recent years is because of immigrants and refugees, who are revitalizing our communities.

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Members of these Iowa communities are now being detained by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, Casillas-Hoffman said. ICE has had a presence in Iowa for years, she said, but since Trump took office, immigration authorities tactics have changed, with more individuals being detained and arrested.

We know that ICE is in six county jails. Casillas-Hoffman said.  We know that children are scared to go to school, to leave their homes. People are afraid to be a part of our community if they do not have their paperwork on them at all times. Our communities are beyond terrified, and we should not accept these conditions.

The Trump administrations immigration polices were among issues raised by protesters at the No Kings rally Oct. 18, 2025 at the Iowa State Capitol. (Photo by Joanna Schroeder for Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Some speakers also hit on more local issues, like the campaign to form a nurses union at UnityPoint hospitals in Des Moines. One of the nurses involved in the organizing effort, Gail Grimes, spoke about the effort to form a union through Teamsters Local 90  and how the scheduled unionization vote in early October was delayed indefinitely due to the federal shutdown.

We will stay strong, and we will stay resolute that the nurses of Des Moines will respond with a resounding yes when asked the most important of questions when the federal government reopens and a new election date set, she said.

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Grimes asked for protesters to support the unionization effort, linking it with the larger movement to support health care access and working Iowans.

The only way the working class can win against the tyrannical shift happening in our beloved nation is through numbers and through our solidarity, Grimes said.

Protesters came to the event dressed in costumes parodying Trump and other historical figures, carrying American and Palestinian flags, and holding up signs calling for political action.

Toby Kalage, a 19-year-old, carried a sign stating, I am not the enemy, they are. Kalage said that as a queer person of color, who recently exited the foster care system, they have been targeted by GOP policies.

Many protesters waved signs with anti-fascism messages at the No Kings protest at the Iowa Capitol on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Joanna Schroeder for Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Kalage said the protest made them feeling hopeful for Democrats chances in Iowa and nationwide in 2026 and future years.

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I came down because I wanted to be another person who was here, and having that effort made, Kalage said. And that adds up, for everyone who showed up here  Its the same for voting.

Georgia Rains Traviss, an Urbandale resident, said she was happy to have celebrated her 66th birthday at the No Kings event. She said it was important to have spaces where people can voice their disagreements and opinions without attacking others or engaging in violence.

Rains Traviss also said the event went smoothly as there were not altercations with police, military members or ICE agents, who have been present at some earlier protests in cities like Los Angeles and Chicago.

I had some friends that were like, Oh, arent you worried about (your safety) going down there? Arent you scared?' she said. But thats what they want. Theyve been building up fear, they dont want us to feel like we can come out here. I said, You know, if youre afraid, thats what they want.  The worst thing you could ever do, is not go, because thats what they want.

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Iran has said it is no longer bound by restrictions on its nuclear programme as a landmark 10-year deal between it and world powers expired, though Tehran reiterated its commitment to diplomacy.

From now on, all of the provisions [of the 2015 deal], including the restrictions on the Iranian nuclear programme and the related mechanisms are considered terminated, Irans Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Saturday, the day of the pacts expiration.

Iran firmly expresses its commitment to diplomacy, it added.

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The deals termination day was set for exactly 10 years after the adoption of resolution 2231, enshrined by the United Nations Security Council.

Officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the agreement between Iran and China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States saw the lifting of international sanctions against Iran in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear programme.

But Washington unilaterally left the deal in 2018 during President Donald Trumps first term in office and reinstated sanctions. Tehran then began stepping up its nuclear programme.

Talks to revive the agreement have failed so far, and in August, the UK, Germany and France triggered the so-called snapback process, leading to the re-imposition of the UN sanctions.

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Termination day is relatively meaningless due to snapback, Arms Control Association expert Kelsey Davenport told the AFP news agency.

Ali Vaez, the International Crisis Groups Iran project director, told AFP that while the nuclear deal had been lifeless for years, the snapback had officially buried the agreement, with its sorry fate continuing to cast a shadow over the future.

Western powers and Israel have long accused Iran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran denies.

Neither US intelligence nor the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said they found any evidence this year that Iran was pursuing atomic weapons.





Nuclear talks between Iran and world powers are currently deadlocked.

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Iran remains sceptical of the utility of engaging with the US given its history with President Trump, while Washington still seeks a maximalist deal, Vaez told AFP.

On Monday, Trump said he wanted a peace deal with Iran, but stressed the ball was in Tehrans court.

Tehran has repeatedly said it remains open to diplomacy with the US, provided Washington offers guarantees against military action during any potential talks.

The US joined Israel in striking Iran during a 12-day war in June, which hit nuclear sites, but also killed more than 1,000 Iranians, including hundreds of civilians, and caused billions of dollars in damage.

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Angered that the IAEA did not condemn the attacks and accusing the agency of double standards, President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a law in early July suspending all cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog and prompting inspectors to leave the country.

For its part, the IAEA has described its inability to verify Irans nuclear stockpile since the start of the war a matter of serious concern.

The three European powers last week announced they will seek to restart talks to find a comprehensive, durable and verifiable agreement.

Iranian top diplomat Abbas Araghchi said during an interview last week that Tehran does not see any reason to negotiate with the Europeans, given they triggered the snapback mechanism.




The IRS recently filed notices of a federal tax lien against Republican Sen. Jim Justice of West Virginia  the latest example of ongoing financial troubles that have trailed the former governor, members of his family and their network of businesses over the years.

One of the documents from the IRS  obtained by POLITICO  lists Justice and his wife, Cathy, as having a total balance of more than $8 million in unpaid assessments.

The documents represent the only instance of the IRS filing a lien against Justice personally, according to a public Greenbrier County database that goes back decades.

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A spokesperson for Justice did not respond to a request for comment.

It wasnt immediately clear why the IRS decided to move forward with the lien at this time. The IRS filed two documents. Both indicate they were prepared and signed Sept. 30, and stamped Oct. 2 by a clerk for Greenbrier County.

But according to the IRS website, generally the IRS can pursue collection of a tax liability up to 10 years from the date it was assessed. A Notice of Federal Tax Lien may be filed any time within that 10-year period.

One of the assessments from the IRS is dated Nov. 25, 2015, appearing to put the agency near the end of its 10-year window for taking action.

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The IRS, reached for comment on the lien against Justice, said that by law federal employees cannot discuss specific tax situations and referred to a general FAQ on liens on the agency's website.

A reliable ally for President Donald Trump, Justice joined the Senate in January by flipping the seat previously held by retiring Sen. Joe Manchin, a long-time Democrat-turned-Independent. The tax periods listed on the latest IRS document are 2009, 2017 and 2022, the first of which was before Justice was governor and all of which were before he announced his Senate bid.

Justice served as governor for two terms in West Virginia. During that time he faced a steady drip of news reports about the finances of his business empire and his family, which he repeatedly bristled against and repeatedly vowed that things would work out in the end.

Im super respectful and I try to answer any question, Justice told reporters during a briefing in West Virginia in 2021.

Ive told everyone that if youll tend to the business of the state of West Virginia as Im tending to the business of the state and youll just stay out of my familys personal stuff youll find the final outcomes will be exactly what Ive told you theyll be. Theyll be worked out, he added.
Oct. 18 (UPI) -- Eleven people in the same family, including seven children, died when their bus was hit by an Israeli tank shell after crossing a demarcation zone in northern Gaza, the Hamas-run civil defense said.

On Friday night, members of the Abu Shaban family were attempting to reach their home in the Al Zeitoun neighborhood east of Gaza City, the agency told The New York Times.

Mahmoud Basal, a spokesman for the emergency service, which is part of the Interior Ministry, said rescue workers had reached the scene on Saturday after coordinating their movements with the United Nations.

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"This constitutes a full-fledged crime that reveals the occupation's premeditated intent to target defenseless civilians without any justification," Hamas said in a statement.

The BBC reported this was the deadliest incident involving Israeli soldiers since the start of the cease-fire eight days ago.

Israel Defense Forces said troops fired "warning shots" at a "suspicious vehicle" that crossed into the so-called yellow zone that separates an area still occupied by Israeli forces under the terms of the truce.

"The troops fired warning shots toward the suspicious vehicle, but the vehicle continued to approach the troops in a way that caused an imminent threat to them," the military said in a statement. "The troops opened fire to remove the threat, in accordance with the agreement."

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The IDF has warned Palestinians not to enter areas in Gaza still under its control.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the military would set up visual signs showing the line to "warn Hamas terrorists and Gaza residents that any violation and attempt to cross the line will be met with fire."

The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt remains closed.

The World Health Organization said Saturday that the crossing would reopen Monday to transfer sick and wounded, Haaretz reported. Also, Gazans in Egypt would be able to return through the crossing.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu originally said the crossing would "remain closed until further notice."

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But on Saturday, the prime minister's office said the crossing will reopen based on Hamas' progress in returning hostages as part of the cease-fire.

On Friday, Hamas released the body of 75-year-old Israeli hostage Eliyahu Margalit to the Red Cross, which sent the remains to Tel Aviv for identification.

Margalit was killed at Kibbutz Nir Oz in the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

"The IDF expresses deep condolences to the family and continues to make every effort to return all the deceased hostages to their families for a proper and dignified burial," IDF posted on X.

IDF representatives informed the family of Eliyahu Margalit that he has been brought back for burial. According to the information and intelligence available to the IDF: Eliyahu Margalit, 75, was murdered by the Hamas terrorist organization on October 7th, 2023, and his body... pic.twitter.com/4blCMx5E1D Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 18, 2025

His daughter, Nili Margalit, 40, was also kidnapped on released from Hamas captivity one month later on Nov. 30.

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IDF said his death was announced on Dec. 1.

"Our beloved Eli has returned home, 742 days after he was murdered and kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz," the family said. "We thank the people of Israel and the Hostage Families Forum for their support in the long struggle for his return, and promise that we will not stop or rest until the last of the hostages is returned for burial in Israel."

On Saturday evening, the Red Cross also returned the remains of two more hostages, according to The Jerusalem Post.

The Prime Minister's Office confirmed receiving the remains, which are being transferred to the National Institute for Forensic Medicine in Abu Kabir to confirm their identities.

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Officials for the Issadin al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas said they located the bodies earlier Saturday.

If Israel confirms the bodies are those of former hostages, 12 bodies have been returned, but 16 others have not been returned.

Hamas said some of the bodies are buried under rubble.

On Monday, Hamas returned all 20 living hostages to Israel. In the deal, Israel freed 250 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and 1,718 detainees from Gaza.

Before the cease-fire, 138 hostages had been released, including during truces, while eight have been rescued by the Israeli military.

Hamas took 251 people hostage and more than 1,200 Israelis were killed. The Health Ministry said the Palestinian death toll has passed 68,000, including militants and civilians.

Elsewhere, six Palestinians were killed and 21 wounded in the past 48 hours, the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza said Saturday. Four died in an IDF airstrike, and two died after succumbing to their wounds, the ministry said.
Israeli forces have killed 11 members of a Palestinian family in Gaza, the deadliest single violation of the fragile ceasefire since it took effect eight days ago.

The attack happened on Friday evening when a tank shell was fired by Israeli forces at a civilian vehicle carrying the Abu Shaaban family in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City, according to Gazas civil defence.

Seven children and three women were among those killed when the Israeli military fired on the vehicle as the family attempted to reach their home to inspect it, civil defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said in a statement.

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They could have been warned or dealt with differently, Basal said, adding that what happened confirms that the occupation is still thirsty for blood, and insists on committing crimes against innocent civilians.

The agency said in a separate statement that its teams have managed to recover the bodies of nine people so far, in coordination with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Meanwhile, the bodies of two children remain missing, as their remains were scattered due to the intensity of the bombardment, the group added.

Hamas condemned what it called a massacre and said the family was targeted without justification. The group called on United States President Donald Trump and mediators to pressure Israel to respect the ceasefire agreement.





In that attack, Israeli soldiers opened fire on people who crossed the so-called yellow line, the demarcation to which Israels military was supposed to pull back under the ceasefire terms.

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Al Jazeeras Hind Khoudary, reporting from Gaza, said many Palestinians lack internet access and are unaware of where Israeli forces remain positioned along the so-called demarcation lines, putting families at risk.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has claimed that the yellow lines in Gaza will soon be marked out for clarity.

Israeli forces remain in control of approximately 53 percent of Gaza, Khoudary said.

As the exchange of captives for Palestinian prisoners under the provisions of the deal has continued, Israel has killed at least 38 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Media Office on Saturday, and heavily restricted the flow of desperately needed aid, including food and medical supplies.





Last week, Israeli forces killed five Palestinians in the Shujayea neighbourhood, also in Gaza City.

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Israel has continued to seal the Rafah crossing with Egypt and blocked other key border crossings, preventing large-scale aid deliveries into the famine-stricken enclave.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said on Saturday that the Rafah crossing will remain closed until further notice, shortly after the Palestinian Embassy in Egypt announced that it would reopen on Monday.

The crossings opening will be considered based on the manner in which Hamas fullfills its part in returning the deceased hostages and implementing the agreed-upon framework, Netanyahus office said in a statement on Saturday.

The United Nations warned this week that aid convoys are struggling to reach famine-hit areas, with 49 percent of people accessing less than six litres of drinking water per day  well below emergency standards.

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The World Food Programme said it has brought an average of 560 tonnes of food daily into Gaza since the ceasefire began, far below what is needed to address widespread malnutrition and prevent famine.

Hamas has said it remains committed to the ceasefire terms, including returning the remains of Israeli captives still under Gazas rubble.

The Israeli military said late on Saturday that the Red Cross has received two coffins of dead Israeli captives and they were handed over to Israeli forces for identification.





Hamas handed over the body of another captive on Friday evening, bringing the total to 10 since the truce began. Hamas has increased efforts to recover all the bodies of the captives despite little excavating machinery to fulfil the terms of the ceasefire.

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Israel has not allowed those machines into the enclave  where the bodies of thousands of Palestinians are believed to remain trapped under the debris  and has not yet permitted the entry of international experts to help retrieve the captives remains.

Reporting from Gaza City, Al Jazeeras Hani Mahmoud said by blocking heavy equipment and machinery from entering, Israel is creating a challenge for the residents of Gaza who are experienced and have the expertise to search and to dig out bodies from under the rubble with that type of equipment.

Israel has also returned the bodies of 15 Palestinians whose identities remain unknown, bringing the total number of bodies received by Palestinian authorities under the terms of the ceasefire deal to 135.

Some of the returned bodies exhibit signs of torture, including hanging and rope marks, bound hands and feet, and gunfire at close range, according to health officials in Gaza.
JERUSALEM (Reuters) -The 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.

In the days following the initial October 13 release, Hamas handed over the bodies of some of the deceased hostages it had been holding. Here are some details about the 20 living hostages released on Monday and hostages still in Gaza, all of them declared dead:

NOVA HOSTAGES

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Most of the living hostages released were abducted from the site of the Nova music festival near Kibbutz Reim in southern Israel.

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 were abducted with his wife Sharon and toddler daughters. Sharon and the girls were released in a brief November 2023 truce.

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ISRAELI SOLDIERS

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 18 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.

DECEASED

All the hostages still in Gaza were declared dead in absentia by Israeli authorities, based on forensics and intelligence.

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' 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.

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Hamas has indicated that recovering some of the bodies may take time, as not all burial sites are known. A special international task force is meant to help locate them all.

(Reporting by Pesha Magid and Maayan Lubell; Editing by David Holmes, Ros Russell and Michael Perry)
Indiana State University provost Chris Olsen will be leaving ISU to become the next president of Northern Michigan University.

He will begin his tenure at Northern Michigan on Jan. 1.

NMUs Board of Trustees announced Olsens selection in a special meeting Thursday, according to a news release from the university .

Northern Michigan University is located in Marquette in the Upper Peninsula.

With more than 20 years of higher education leadership experience, Olsen is currently the provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Indiana State, a position he has held since 2021.

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Previously, he was ISUs dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and chair of the department of history.

He will be the universitys 19th president.

I am thrilled to have the chance to lead such a great university as Northern Michigan, which has a national reputation and is focused on a mission that I believe in, Olsen said in comments emailed to the Tribune-Star.

I am forever grateful for all the opportunities Ive had over more than 26 years at Indiana State and in Terre Haute, where our children were born and raised, he said.

Ive been fortunate to have so many supporters and mentors at Indiana State, but Id like to say a special thank you to Diann McKee and Deborah Curtis, both of whom mean me so much to me, Olsen said. President Mike Godard, too, has been wonderful to work with and so much help to me since he arrived. Its great to know that Indiana State has such a bright future. Im excited to move on to this new challenge but will never forget the friends and colleagues who have made Terre Haute a special place for me and my family.

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In making the announcement, NMU Board of Trustees Vice Chair Missie Holmquist said Olsen emerged from the interview and stakeholder engagement process as the right choice to lead Northern, based in large part on his extensive background in several areas of higher education leadership and management.

Some of those areas key to Northerns future direction include strategic planning, enrollment management, student success, distance education, external relationships and philanthropy, she said. As provost at Indiana State, hes had 20 direct reports from a variety of campus entities, providing him with valuable insight on diverse functions across the university.

We are confident that his wide-ranging experience, along with his constant connection with students and collaboration with leaders across campus, the region, and the state, have prepared him well to lead Northern as its next president.

Northern Michigan is a four-year, public, comprehensive university.

For fall 2025, its enrollment is more than 7,300 undergraduate and graduate students. It offers over 170 degree programs, including 25 graduate programs, according to its website.
ITHACA, N.Y. (WETM)  An Ithaca man has been arrested on an arson charge after police said he tried to start a fire inside an apartment building on Saturday morning.

Roy R. Roberts, 46, of Ithaca, was arrested on Saturday, Oct. 18, on the charge of arson in the second degree (class B felony), as stated in a release from the Ithaca Police Department (IPD).

On Saturday, around 1:27 a.m., IPD officers were sent to an apartment building in the 100 block of East Green Street for the report of criminal mischief occurring. When officers got to the scene, they discovered that Roberts had tried to start a fire in the stairwell of a residential apartment building, the release said.

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Man arrested after theft of over $8K in power tools in Southport

Police said Roberts then went to pull the fire alarm, but was stopped before he could activate it. The incident was investigated further by police, resulting in Roberts arrest and the above-listed charge, the release stated. Further, Roberts was arraigned and sent to the Tompkins County Jail.

The Ithaca Police Department is asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any additional information to contact the agency by any of the following means:

Police dispatch: 607-272-3245

Police administration: 607-272-9973

Police tip line: 607-330-0000

Anonymous email tip address: www.cityofithaca.org/ipdtips

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The electronic clock has been ticking in the office of Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais since he was sworn in.

Counting down the days, hours, minutes and seconds left in his term, a constant reminder of the need for urgency when attending to the daily machinations of New Hampshires largest city.

As the clock nears zero, Ruais, 40, looks back on the last two years with pride  Manchester named the third best-run American city of 2025 by WalletHub; a hot housing market; the crime rate down 15%  but he admits theres more work to do.

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He hopes voters allow him to reset the clock come January.

One of the things that my parents taught me early on was that the easiest thing in the world to do is complain. Whats much harder is to roll up your sleeves and work with people to get things done, Ruais said.

And for me, I see that weve made a lot of progress in the city, but Id be the first one to say I know that we need to make more. Id rather be the person in the arena fighting for a solution, fighting to continue moving Manchester forward, than simply sitting on the sidelines and yelling at the TV screen.

A relative political unknown before becoming the first Republican mayor elected in Manchester since 2017, Ruais  a former congressional staffer to former Republican mayor and congressman Frank Guinta and an infantry officer in the New Hampshire Army National Guard  talked with a Union Leader reporter in Arms Park about his reelection campaign.

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I really feel like Manchester is at this incredible inflection point, and we have such an opportunity to grow  the promise and the potential of the city, and I think you see it here, Ruais said in the riverside park.

We have the Millyards in the background, but theyve been repurposed for housing. We have the ARMI grant thats well on its way right now, involving regenerative medicine  and this really is the nexus.

Jay Ruais

Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais speaks with a reporter at Arms Park in Manchester on Tuesday.

Youth center redevelopment

If he is reelected, Ruais said, a priority is the future of the 144-bed Sununu Youth Services Center property, the states sale of which could transform the citys North End.

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I think it really touches upon everything that the city is going to look at in the next 10 years as it pertains to housing and growth, Ruais said. Its going to touch upon our infrastructure. Its going to touch upon our school system, because if youre going to put housing up there, obviously thats going to have an impact. Its going to touch upon our pavement and our roads and the budget as it pertains to River Road.

Thats going to be a huge priority in the second term, to make sure that we get that right and work with the state to identify the right kind of development to go in there, keeping in mind the character of the community. And can we get exits 6 and 7 back on the 10-year highway plan?

Helping homelessness

Asked what he considers highlights of his current term, Ruais mentions progress made on homelessness, with over 135 homeless people housed over the last 21 months.

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I think that were a hairs breadth away right now from ending veterans homelessness in the city, and I think the work that weve done, the communication, the collaboration with different groups, gives us that road map to tackle the larger problem, Ruais said.

So in a potential second term, I would want to look at seniors and families, and how can we address this at that level, and then also individuals who have a substance use disorder. When youre addressing addiction, youre addressing homelessness.

Ruais said the issue also involves senior housing, because elderly and infirm people make up a pretty big portion of the homeless population.

Hallsville School is coming online; we deemed it surplus on the school board side  is that somewhere we can look at doing senior housing? said Ruais. Not necessarily homelessness, but preventing people from falling into homelessness and starting to deal with this like weve done with the veterans initiative  picking spots.

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How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. How do you tackle big problems like homelessness? One section at a time.

Jay Ruais

Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais speaks with a reporter at Arms Park in Manchester on Tuesday.

Schools, police and the future

Ruais challenges what his opponent calls a cut to education funding for city schools. The fiscal year 2026 budget proposal he crafted reduced the Manchester School Districts budget request by $9.5 million ($236.5 million, down from the school board request of $246 million, but $2 million above the prior years budget.)

In the two years that Ive been mayor, the school district has received an additional $11 million from the city of Manchester, Ruais said. Weve reduced the request, but we have to balance everything. We have to balance the needs of the school district, we have to balance the needs of the city. We have to balance the needs of the taxpayer and making sure were protecting the tax cap.

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So its not a cut.

Another issue that will need to be addressed next year involves the police department.

We have two police contracts that are coming up, Ruais said. Weve got to fill vacancies on the police department side. Crime is down 15% in 2024 alone, but weve hovered between 20 and 24 vacancies within the police department.

The challenge we run into is that (Manchester officers are) undercompensated when compared to our near peers and other municipalities, so they go elsewhere.

Ruais is asked about whispers that he already has plans for higher office. Any truth to the rumors?

No, Ruais says. I love being able to impact this city at a level like this. I mean, literally. We have a board of school committee meeting tonight, and we have an aldermanic meeting next Tuesday. Somebody could come up with an idea today that we could bring to the Board of Aldermen on Tuesday, seven days from today, and we can change the city. Where else can you have an impact like that?

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I love the local stuff, I love the fact that we can get things accomplished, not look through things in a partisan lens and get things done.

Its the army in me  I dont like the nonsense. I like being able to say, heres the end state, heres a goal; how do we work together to get there?

Ruais lives in Ward 7 with his wife, Veronica, and their 8-month-old daughter Brielle.

pfeely@unionleader.com
Chirag Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) on Saturday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Patna to discuss the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) preparations and strategy for the upcoming 243-seat Bihar Assembly elections Polling for the Bihar elections 2025 will take place on November 6 and 11. The results will be announced on November 14. https://x.com/iChiragPaswan/status/1979425361223127131 In a post on X, Paswan wrote, "Today, in Patna, I met with the country's Home Minister, the honorable Shri @AmitShah ji, and had detailed discussions regarding preparations for the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections and the strategy for the NDA alliance." Speaking to reporters, ahead of polls, Chirag Paswan said that it is the strength of our alliance that we are walking hand-in-hand towards a historical victory to build a Viksit Bharat envisioned by PM Modi. "Union Home Minister Amit Shah is on a visit to Bihar. It is the strength of our alliance that we are walking hand-in-hand towards a historical victory to build a Viksit Bharat envisioned by PM Modi. The PM has visited Bihar 11 times in the last year after forming the government, which shows his priority is towards Bihar. In the meeting with Amit Shah today, the strategy to win historic seats was discussed," he said. He further highlighted the ongoing head-to-head clashes within the Mahagathbandhan, noting that candidates from the same alliance have filed nominations against each other. "NDA has respected all 5 of its allies and completed the negotiation. The nominations of all 243 candidates are clear. The names of all 243 candidates are clear. There is no confusion like the Mahagathbandhan... We have already started our campaign when the Mahagathbandhan is trying to cancel out each other's claims," Paswan said. Meanwhile, reflecting on Bihar's past, Paswan told ANI that the 1990s were marked by high crime, declining investment, and mismanagement by the RJD and Congress. "The situation in Bihar during the 1990s is no secret. Murder, kidnapping, looting, and robbery were at their peak... A perception of Bihar had been created, which stopped people from investing in Bihar. Able-bodied people of Bihar began to migrate... RJD and Congress ruined Bihar. This is the difference between the two alliances. One alliance promotes and protects crime, which is the mahagathbandhan, while our NDA alliance works only for development." Paswan further added, "Our aim would be to have a 100% strike rate... We discussed how we will avoid every false narrative and focus only on the narrative of development..." On Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that if the NDA returns to power in Bihar, it will transform the state into an "industrial hub." Addressing the Intellectuals Conference in Bihar's Patna, Shah affirmed that the youth of Bihar have the highest intelligence in the whole world, and now it's time for Bihar 3.0. "Now it's time for Bihar 3.0... We will make Bihar an industrial hub... The youth of Bihar have the highest intelligence in the whole world. Bihar may have a shortage of land, but we can introduce projects that require more mental work and less land," Shah said in Patna. (ANI)
Editors Note: KOIN 6 News anchorman Jeff Gianola will retire around Thanksgiving 2025 after more than 40 years as a Portland journalist. In this series, Jeff looks back at some of the most memorable stories hes covered and shared.

This story originally aired May 24, 2019.

SILVERTON, Ore. (KOIN)  Pets can be incredible companions. They make us laugh, help us feel less alone and their unconditional love wins them special sway over our hearts.

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And sometimes, our pets do incredible things that defy all odds.

In August 1923, the Brazier family left their home in Silverton, Oregon and took a road trip east to visit relatives in Indiana.

They took their Scotch collie-English shepherd mix dog named Bobbie with them.

An undated black and white photo of Bobbie the Wonder Dog. (Oregon Historical Society)

But while stopped at a gas station in Wolcott, Indiana, Bobbie was chased off by a group of local dogs.

The family searched for Bobbie for days. They even went so far as to put up posters around town and notices in the newspaper but they never found him. Heartbroken, they returned back home to Oregon.

But they hadnt seen the last of Bobbie.

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On a February day in 1924, one of the Brazier daughters stepped out of the cafe her family owned  the Reo Lunch Restaurant  and saw something miraculous.

Bobbie was walking down Main Street.

Gus Frederick, the vice president of the Silverton Country Historical Society, said the dog was wagging its matted tail as it approached the familiar face.

He was mangy, dirty and underweight. His toenails had been worn down to almost nothing and he showed all signs of having walked the entire way home.

Against all odds, Bobbie survived. And he was home.

Eyewitness accounts stored at the Oregon Historical Society documented the emotional reunion between dog and humans as Bobbie was taken upstairs where Mr. Brazier was taking a nap.

Bobbie the Wonder Dog, undated photo (Courtesy: Oregon Historical Society) An undated black and white photo of Bobbie the Wonder Dog. (Oregon Historical Society) Bobbie the Wonder Dog in front of the Reo Lunch Restaurant in Silverton, undated (Courtesy: Oregon Historical Society) Bobbie the Wonder Dogs story caught the attention of Hollywood, undated (Oregon Historical Society) Part of the Silverton mural depicting Bobbie the Wonder Dog, 2019 (KOIN) Part of the Silverton mural depicting Bobbie the Wonder Dog, 2019 (KOIN) Part of the Silverton mural depicting Bobbie the Wonder Dog, 2019 (KOIN) Part of the Silverton mural depicting Bobbie the Wonder Dog, 2019 (KOIN) Part of the Silverton mural depicting Bobbie the Wonder Dog, 2019 (KOIN) Part of the Silverton mural depicting Bobbie the Wonder Dog, 2019 (KOIN) Part of the Silverton mural depicting Bobbie the Wonder Dog, 2019 (KOIN) Part of the Silverton mural depicting Bobbie the Wonder Dog, 2019 (KOIN) Pal, one of Bobbie the Wonder Dogs puppies, went on to be the first grand marshal of the Silverton Pet Parade. (Courtesy to KOIN) Bobbie the Wonder Dog and people of Silverton in an undated photo (Courtesy: Oregon Historical Society)

He jumped on the bed and woke him up. He thought he was dreaming, Oregon Historical Society executive director Kerry Tymchuk read from the historical account. And Bobbie was so tired and exhausted, of course, and worn down  they fed him a sirloin, a big bowl of cream, and he didnt move for 3 days.

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Bobbie had somehow managed to traverse at least 2,551 miles of plains, deserts and mountains. He would have had to swim rivers and cross the Continental Divide, all during the dead of winter.

Bobbie, it seemed, was a true wonder.

In fact, his journey home earned him the name Bobbie the Wonder Dog and his incredible story quickly spread across the country thanks to radio broadcasts and newspaper articles.

Tymchuk showed KOIN 6 News letters and telegrams from fans as far away as Australia.

Within 3 months of returning home, Bobbie starred in a silent film about his journey called The Call of the West in which he reenacted the possible adventures he had along the way.

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The movie was, of course, based on a true story but only Bobbie himself ever knew the details.

His journey was actually confirmed, Frederick said, by various witnesses who reported seeing Bobbie at campsites between Indiana and Oregon during the months that he was missing. Some people said they would give Bobbie some food and he would be on his way.

The collie mix took his stardom in stride, making appearances at various locations, including the Portland Home Show where 40,000 people came to see him and he was presented with a fancy doghouse called Bobbies Castle.

Bobbie even went on to sire a litter of 15 puppies  all of which were males  before his death in 1927.

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Newspapers around the world noted the passing of Bobbie the Wonder Dog.

Bobbie the Wonder Dog and people of Silverton in an undated photo (Courtesy: Oregon Historical Society) Bobbie the Wonder Dogs litter of 15 all-male puppies (Courtesy to KOIN) Pal, one of Bobbie the Wonder Dogs puppies, went on to be the first grand marshal of the Silverton Pet Parade. (Courtesy to KOIN) Part of the Silverton mural depicting Bobbie the Wonder Dog, 2019 (KOIN) The famous movie star dog, Rin Tin Tin.(Courtesy to KOIN) Bobbie the Wonder Dogs story caught the attention of Hollywood, undated (Oregon Historical Society) Bobbie the Wonder Dogs house at his gravesite at the Oregon Humane Societys Animal Cemetery, 2019 (KOIN) Laura Klink of the Oregon Humane Society near Bobbie the Wonder Dogs gravesite, May 18, 2019. (KOIN) Bobbie the Wonder Dogs house at his gravesite at the Oregon Humane Societys Animal Cemetery, 2019 (KOIN) The headstone of Bobbie The Wonder Dog at the Oregon Humane Societys Animal Cemetery, 2019 (KOIN)

Something marvelous roused in Bobbies brain and roused his need and guided him on the long trail as surely as Polaris guides the Mariner, Tymchuk read from accounts.

He was buried with honors at the Oregon Humane Societys Animal Cemetery and a famous movie star dog named Rin Tin Tin traveled to Oregon to lay a wreath at his grave. The doghouse Bobbie was given the year before still sits on top of his grave, surrounded by a white picket fence and trees.

Today, its impossible to know just how many people have been touched by Bobbies incredible journey. In Silverton, a giant mural next to the original Reo cafe depicting the Wonder Dogs story continues to pass the tale on to visitors who have never heard it before.

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A statue of Bobbie and a replica of his special doghouse also sit loyally in Silverton. And every year, the residents of the town pay tribute to their local legend with an annual pet parade.

Bobbies son Pal was the first grand marshall of the first pet parade in 1932.

Bobbie reminds us to never underestimate our animal companions or take for granted the lessons they teach us.

Because sometimes, they show us the true meaning of courage, family and finding the way back home, no matter what stands in the way.

Special thanks to the Crockett Family, the Oregon Historical Society, Silverton Country Historical Society and the Oregon Humane Society for their cooperation in helping tell this story.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
This is an adapted excerpt from the Oct. 15 episode of The Briefing with Jen Psaki.

Do you remember the last No Kings protest? Do you remember how big those crowds were in city after city after city? Well, now MAGA world is trying its hardest to claim that those protests were all fake, that the protesters are paid, radical extremists. Because, in their view, who else would take to the streets to protest Donald Trump right now?

But just one quick glance at the news and you can see exactly why so many Americans could have a reason to protest this administration.

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For example, on Thursday, ProPublica reported that it has counted more than 170 U.S. citizens who have been held by Trumps immigration agents  citizens who ProPublica said have been kicked, dragged and detained for days. I could see a lot of people protesting over that.

Meanwhile, Trump not only has the National Guard and federal agents occupying cities across the country, but on Wednesday, he said that the militarization weve seen so far is just the start, adding, Were going to go into other cities that were not talking about purposely. Were getting ready to go in.

I could see a lot of people being upset enough about their cities being overrun by the federal government to protest. That seems reasonable to me.

We are also, of course, more than two weeks into a government shutdown  a shutdown that Republicans refuse to end because they refuse to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies that help make health care affordable for millions of Americans.

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And while the government remains shut down and hundreds of thousands of federal workers are furloughed without pay, Trump decided to hold a lavish fundraiser at the White House on Wednesday, looking to raise $200 million from wealthy donors to build himself a ballroom. I could see people  even those who vote down-the-line Republican  protesting over that.

People could be mad about Trump weaponizing the Justice Department to go after his perceived enemies, or for how the president is using the government shutdown as an excuse to gut vital government agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Environmental Protection Agency and Housing and Urban Development. And as an excuse to try to gut the office at the Education Department that oversees special education.

All of those layoffs are likely illegal, and some  like the layoffs in special education  have already been halted by the courts. But I could see that being a reason why many people might be upset enough to protest right now.

Or maybe your groceries cost more. Maybe you have a friend or neighbor who has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Maybe you are mad that Trump and his family keep profiting off their work in government.

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The truth is, there are so many reasons to protest right now. But if you listen to Republicans, youd have to be paid to protest, youd have to be Marxist and youd have to hate America.

Other than just being massive, with estimates ranging from 4 to 6 million people, the last No Kings protest in June was notably peaceful: It was filled with grandmas, people with dogs and kids, and lots and lots of great homemade signs. It was definitely not filled with Marxist, America-hating paid protesters.

But that is what MAGA land wants you to think Saturdays protest will be like. Theyre warning that the protests could become riots, that the National Guard might be needed.

At the same time that Republicans are trying to demonize public protests against Trump in their messaging, we are learning more and more about the Trump administrations plans to use the power of the federal government to go after groups that help organize peaceful protests.

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Last week, three White House officials, four Department of Homeland Security officials and a Justice Department official told Reuters about Trumps plan to crack down on progressive groups.

As Reuters reports, The Trump administration plans to deploy Americas counter-terrorism apparatus  including the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department  as well as the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department against certain left-wing groups it accuses of funding and organizing political violence.

A White House list of what groups might fall into that category included ActBlue, a fundraising tool used by many candidates and groups in the Democratic Party, and Indivisible, one of the explicitly nonviolent groups behind the No Kings protests.

On Thursday, The Wall Street Journal revealed yet another alarming detail about this story, reporting that the Trump administration is preparing sweeping changes at the Internal Revenue Service that would allow the agency to pursue criminal inquiries into left-leaning groups more easily.

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As the Journal reports, The undertaking aims to install allies of President Trump at the IRS criminal-investigative division  to exert firmer control over the unit and weaken the involvement of IRS lawyers in criminal investigations.  Proposed changes could open the door to politically motivated probes.

The criminal investigative division of the IRS has more than 2,000 agents. Its the part of the IRS where the agents sometimes carry guns. And now its been reported that Trump wants to install an ally to oversee those agents potentially to bring politically motivated investigations.

I know we have already seen politically motivated investigations against individuals Trump perceives as his enemies, like New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey, but these would be politically motivated investigations against entire organizations that try to stand up to Trump.

The baseless justification here is that these organizations planned protests where violence occurred. So far, that has not actually been the case. Again, mass protests against Trump have been remarkably peaceful. But part of why Trump and the right are demonizing these peaceful protests, trying to make them seem violent, is to lay the groundwork to justify shutting them down.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
A Jewish film festival in Sweden has been postponed after cinemas said they could not screen the programme because of security concerns.

Organisers of the Jewish International Film Festival said that they were stonewalled by all commercial and art-house cinemas in the city.

The event was due to run in Malmo from Nov 29 to Dec 2. No cinema wants to participate, Ola Tedin, one of the organisers, told Swedens national broadcaster Sveriges Television (SVT).

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A couple of them refer to security concerns. They are worried that something might happen. I dont understand what security threat there could be with showing Jewish films.

The festival, marking 250 years of Jewish life in Sweden, was set to screen a selection of films from international directors exploring Jewish themes.

It received 160,000 kroner (12,600) in funding from the city of Malmo and 50,000 (3,900) from a regional cultural administration, according to SVT.

Outrageous that Sweden cannot protect cinema fans

Sofia Nerbrand, another of the festivals organisers, wrote on X: The Jewish film festival that we planned in Malmo must now be cancelled because no cinema dares to rent out its premises It is outrageous if Sweden cannot protect cinema-goers who are interested in Jewish film.

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Ms Nerbrand added that police had offered to stand guard outside the venue throughout the festival.

Swedens largest cinema chain, Filmstaden, said in a statement that it had decided against hosting the festival because of safety concerns back in the spring. Our priority is always to ensure a safe and positive experience for both our guests and employees, it said.

The theatre Folkets Hus, which sometimes hosts film screenings, also declined on security grounds, according to Euronews.

The arthouse cinema Panora denied that its decision to turn down the festival had anything to do with safety, telling Swedish radio channel P4 Malmohus that it lacked availability and pointing out that it had hosted several other events centred on Jewish culture in the past year.

Disaster for our society, says culture minister

Parisa Liljestrand, Swedens culture minister, described the postponement as a disaster, saying we need to think about how we want society to function.

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That one of our national minorities feels so vulnerable, and that organisers believe they cannot arrange events and cultural activities with Jewish content, is an absolute disaster for society, she added.

Simona Mohamsson, the Liberal Party leader, claimed that anti-Semitism is becoming normalised in Malmo.

If we are serious about Jews feeling safe in Sweden, we must put an end to the culture where vulnerable people are expected to step aside for their attackers. Those who praise terrorism and persecute Jews have no place in our country, she said.

In May 2025, the Swedish government adopted a 10-year national strategy to combat anti-Semitism and strengthen Jewish life across the country.

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It should be entirely normal for Jews in Sweden to wear a Star of David or a kippah openly, with joy and pride. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, Jakob Forssmed, the social affairs minister, said at the time.

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STOCKHOLM (AP)  The organizers of the Jewish International Film Festival say they were forced to postpone the event because cinemas in Malmo, Sweden, would not screen the films, with some citing safety and security concerns.

This year's Jewish International Film Festival was supposed to celebrate 250 years of Jewish life in Sweden and was scheduled to run Nov. 29 through Dec. 2, according to its website.

The organizers, in a statement posted Thursday to the festival's website, said they were stonewalled by all commercial and art-house cinemas in the city.

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They said they would pause to gather strength before starting the process of finding a venue again. They added that they had received heartwarming support in recent days.

Ola Tedin, one of the organizers, told Swedish broadcaster SVT that some of the cinemas offered safety and security concerns for their refusal because they were worried something might happen to endanger their staff or audiences.

In a statement Saturday, cinema chain Filmstaden said its decision against screening the films was made in the spring.

In this particular case, after thorough assessment, we concluded that we could not host the festival due to safety concerns, the statement said. Our priority is always to ensure a safe and positive experience for both our guests and employees.

Other cinemas, as well as the Swedish minister of culture, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday.

The film festival was founded last year.
A Jewish lawyer wearing a Star of David was arrested after police alleged the symbol had antagonised pro-Palestine protesters.

Police interview footage obtained by The Telegraph shows a detective accusing the Jewish man of openly wearing a Star of David that could cause offence.

The suspect, who was handcuffed and detained by police for almost 10 hours, told The Telegraph his arrest appeared to be an attempt by the Metropolitan Police to criminalise the wearing of a Star of David.

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He was displaying the Jewish symbol on a silver chain around his neck. The six-pointed star, measured just 2cm  less than an inch  across.

Gideon Saar, Israels minister of foreign affairs, on Saturday said: The Star of David is a symbol of Jewish identity, not provocation.

The fact that Jews are warned in central London not to display it publicly shows how rampant anti-Semitism spread through hateful pro-Palestinian marches in Britain has poisoned the streets.

This is a moral disgrace. The British authorities must act: ban anti-Semitic slogans and conduct a full institutional review.

The man, who is in his 40s, was arrested at 7pm on Aug 29 at a pro-Palestine protest outside the Israeli embassy in Kensington in central London. The lawyer insists he was acting as an independent legal observer, monitoring the event for unlawful behaviour by the protesters and to scrutinise the actions of police.

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But officers instead accused him of antagonising the crowd and being part of a counter-protest.

He was handcuffed behind his back, bundled into the back of a meat wagon and then held for questioning at Hammersmith police station, before finally being released at 4.30am the next morning.

The Star of David necklace, which police deny prompted the lawyers arrest

The Metropolitan Police deny that his arrest was prompted by the Star of David, and said the man was arrested for allegedly repeatedly breaching an order to keep opposing protest groups apart.

They claim he got very close to the pro-Palestine protesters on multiple occasions, and alleged his actions went beyond observing to provoking, leading them to designate him as actively participating as a protester, therefore binding him to conditions of the Public Order Act.

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The man has been left distraught by his treatment and baffled, having pointed out to detectives that the anti-Israel protest was organised by a group of anti-Zionist Jews, who should not be upset by the display of a Star of David.

The man, who does not wish to be named for fear of his own security, remains on police bail more than six weeks after his arrest while police continue their inquiries.

Police crossed the line

The man said: It is outrageous that police should claim wearing a Star of David somehow antagonises people. When it was first raised in the police interview, it rang alarm bells for me immediately. Police crossed the line.

They [the police] are trying to criminalise the wearing of a Star of David. They said I was antagonising and agitating pro-Palestine protesters with my Star of David. In an environment of anti-Semitism, I will not be cowed by this. I will carry on wearing it.

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Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, has come under growing criticism for allowing alleged anti-Israel marches to continue even after the murder of two Jews on Yom Kippur at a synagogue in Manchester. Police have been accused of ignoring chants that are either anti-Semitic or support terrorist groups.

The lawyer claims he has recorded up to 30 incidents of criminal behaviour by pro-Palestine protesters but insists not a single one has led to a conviction. He claims to have been personally abused on a number of occasions, including being called a Zionist baby killer.

This is one of the clearest examples of two-tier policing you will ever see, he said, Police are arguing that wearing a Star of David is antagonising to protesters while we have seen all manner of anti-Semitic slogans on placards and shouted at Jews that have gone unpunished.

The arrested man and his lawyer in the interview room at Hammersmith police station

The demonstration in August was also attended by Gill Levy, a fellow legal observer and former sergeant who served with the Metropolitan Police for 20 years, who was appalled by the arrest.

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He said: It is really shocking. I cannot see how this was proportionate or justified. It makes me distraught.

Mr Levy added: How do we get back to the point where police are protecting us [Jews] properly rather than targeting us? When I was an officer I was always thinking about the reputation of the police, and how I could ensure what I was doing did not expose the organisation to risk. This arrest beggars belief. I am part of this Jewish tribe, but I am also part of the police tribe, and for them to have let me down like this is heart-breaking.

Mr Levy, who retired on Oct 6 2023, added: Its just like our existence as Jews is now heretical. Its as if Jews should not be able to take part in civil society.

I cannot think of another identity that would cause a police officer to make an arrest. How can the symbol of Judaism have caused such antagonism that police got involved? And surely the problem is with the person who is antagonised, not with the person wearing the Star of David?

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The Star of David was being worn on a silver chain by the lawyer as he recorded the actions of the pro-Palestine crowd on two cameras.

The suspect, Mr Levy, and a third man  a Jewish KC  set up the group Society of Independent Legal Observers (Silo) earlier in the year to monitor the growing wave of pro-Palestinian protests.

The arrested man was wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a snood over his mouth to conceal his identity, amid fears of reprisals and for his own safety.

Officers detained him for a suspected breach of Section 14 of the Public Order Act. The Act allows police to impose certain conditions on protests to prevent violence or serious disruption. The man was arrested for straying outside of an area cordoned off for a counter-protest to the rally.

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The man denies any wrongdoing because he insists  as an independent legal observer  he had the right to stray outside the areas.

Interview in police custody

In footage of the interview, the man is first questioned by police at 1am in an interview room one at Hammersmith Police station. A detective constable explains he is normally attached to the robbery unit, but has been called in to deal with any excess prisoners that come in as a result of the protests. In the interview, the officer was unclear under which sub-section of the Act the lawyer was being arrested.

The arrested man then gave a lengthy, pre-prepared statement explaining his actions on the evening he was detained.

The detective then paused the interview for half an hour to allow him time to digest the very detailed account before asking questions of his own. The interview resumed at 1.50am with the detective constable asking the Jewish suspect about his political beliefs, adding: If people go to the police with a feeling you are antagonising them, shouldnt police act on that information?

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He questioned why the suspect was not wearing anything that overtly identifies you as a legal observer and accused him of approaching the pro-Palestine protesters with his camera quite close to them.

Then, having asked the arrested man if he was stoking the fire with these pro-Palestine protesters, the detective asked the accused: What necklace are you wearing?

The suspect showed him his Star of David  which was bought for him by his girlfriend while on holiday in Ibiza  before his lawyer interrupted, telling the detective: I am concerned about this question about the Star of David.

The officer asked: Why are you concerned? before the interview was halted so the lawyer and his client could discuss the line of questioning.

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At 2.13am the questioning resumed. The defence lawyer told the detective he was concerned about you raising my clients religion and wearing a sign in relation to that which I dont think is appropriate.

Then the lawyer asked the detective if he knew what IJAN stands for in reference to the anti-Israel group that had organised the protest. The International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN) describes itself as part of the worldwide movement against Zionist militarism and repression.

The group had begun its protests in the wake of the Oct 7 Hamas attack with regular Friday night protests outside the Israeli ambassadors home in Swiss Cottage, which is also home to a large number of Jews. These were later moved to outside the Israeli embassy in Kensington.

The detective explained to the accused that he had had to familiarise myself with it [IJAN] because I wasnt at the start of the interview but correct me if Im wrong. Its the International Jewish Solidarity Network.

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They then corrected him, before adding: In any event the pro-Palestinian protest was organised by a Jewish organisation. And the Magen David [Hebrew for Star of David] is a sign of being Jewish. So Im not sure what your point is  bearing in mind the protest was organised by a Jewish organisation.

The detective constable insisted my line of questioning first and foremost is not to offend, adding: Its not to discriminate. I want to have that on record. I am not asking that question to cause you any offence. However, if we had proceeded with my line of questioning, the officers have noted in their statements that they believed because the Star of David was out and present to people they felt that was antagonising the situation further.

The lawyer replied: With respect, that is appalling and shows a complete ignorance on behalf of those officers because if they were familiar with the fact IJAN were organising the protest then they would recognise that how could a Magen David cause offence?

He went on: Notwithstanding the fact we shouldnt be in a situation where people cant walk around wearing a sign of their religion.

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At that point, the detective reiterated that he did not believe any officer had acted with a view to causing offence, adding: I dont know what you are referring to, a mogga dovid.

The lawyer explained that also meant Star of David to which the officer replied: Sorry I havent heard that, adding: We are not talking about [the accused] walking about with a Star of David chain on his neck in an open forum in public generally.

We are talking about a very niche environment where tensions are high, where two sides are coming together, have adverse opinions, have adverse views.

We are not talking about [the accuseds] human rights in terms of what he is wearing in a public forum.

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We are talking about a hostile environment where pro-Palestinian protesters are obviously objecting to what is happening in Israel and Gaza. Thats what I want to say on that I dont want this to become a political debate in an interview.

People take part in a Palestine solidarity campaign near the Israeli embassy in Kensington - PA /Alamy

The lawyer for the arrested man replied: I dont for one minute concede the argument that he shouldnt be entitled to wear his Star of David wherever he wants as a sign of his religion. And as I said to you before there isnt a point here because IJAN is a Jewish organisation and the Star of David relates to Judaism as opposed to any political views.

By this point it was 2.20am and the defence solicitor raised concerns that the line of questioning risked becoming oppressive.

The detective followed up: As to my last point I have made to you the officers have written in their statements about the presence of your necklace. Do you see how that could be an antagonistic emblem or sign, however you want to phrase it, to people in that environment?

The interview eventually ended at 2.25am and he was set free from the police station at Hammersmith at 4.30am. The Jewish lawyer is still on police bail and the case against him remains under investigation.

A Met Police spokesman said: The claim that this man was arrested for wearing a star of David necklace is not true. He was arrested for allegedly repeatedly breaching Public Order Act conditions that were in place to keep opposing protest groups apart.

The conditions required protesters from the pro-Israel group, Stop the Hate, to remain in one area while protesters from the pro-Palestinian group, IJAN, were required to remain in a separate area.

Over the course of an hour, the man is alleged to have continuously approached the area allocated to IJAN, getting very close to protesters to film them and in doing so provoking a reaction. Officers had to intervene on at least four occasions to ask the man to return to the Stop the Hate area.

When he failed to do so after multiple warnings, he was arrested.

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By Diana Novak Jones

CHICAGO (Reuters) -A U.S. judge in Chicago on Friday ordered federal law enforcement officers involved in the Trump administrations immigration crackdown in the city to wear body cameras, citing concerns they were not complying with a previous court order governing their interactions with protesters.

U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis said federal officers trained and equipped with body-worn cameras must turn them on while conducting immigration enforcement activity, including during interactions with the public.

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The new measure follows her earlier temporary restraining order requiring federal immigration officers to give warnings before using anti-riot weapons like tear gas and to wear visible identification.

Ellis also said she wants representatives from federal immigration agencies to appear at a hearing on Monday to answer her questions about how her order - in effect until November 6 - is being implemented.

At a hearing earlier on Thursday, the judge questioned U.S. Department of Justice attorneys about several incidents in Chicago in which she said federal immigration agents deployed tear gas without warning protesters and journalists nearby as required under an earlier order.

President Donald Trump's ongoing "Operation Midway Blitz" deportation drive in Chicago has spurred mass arrests across the city and sparked widespread protests. In response to the protests, Trump sent hundreds of National Guard troops to Illinois to quell what his administration called unprecedented violence against federal law enforcement.

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Protesters, journalists, and clergy sued Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other federal officials earlier this month, alleging they were deliberately targeted and brutalized during demonstrations. The lawsuit seeks a court order declaring the administration's conduct unconstitutional.

The lawsuit also seeks a court order preventing law enforcement officers from threatening arrest or using riot-control weapons - such as tear gas or rubber bullets - against individuals who do not pose a threat, or unless proper warnings are given.

Ellis entered a 14-day temporary restraining order on October 9, agreeing that the groups had put forward evidence that federal law enforcement had retaliated against them. The order barred federal law enforcement from using force or riot-control weapons against journalists, protesters and clergy unless they pose a threat and required the officers to wear visible identification.

Federal agents have deployed tear gas and pepper balls against residents in several high-profile incidents in the Chicago area in recent weeks, as well as firing their weapons in one incident in September that left a Mexican national dead.

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State and city officials are challenging the Trump administration in court over the deployment of National Guard troops in Illinois. In response to a lawsuit brought by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, another U.S. judge has entered a temporary restraining order barring the deployment of the troops that was bolstered by an appeals court on Thursday.

(Reporting by Diana Novak Jones; additional reporting by Renee Hickman in Chicago; Editing by Stephen Coates)
Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Pedro Hernandez must be retried or released by June after a federal appellate in July overturned his 2017 conviction in the murder of 6-year-old Etan Patz.

U.S. District of Southern New York Judge Colleen McMahon on Thursday gave the Manhattan prosecutor's office until June 1 to file for a retrial or release Hernandez, The New York Times reported.

Manhattan prosecutors sought a 90-day extension to determine whether or not they have enough witnesses and evidence to retry Hernandez, 64, whose 2017 conviction was overturned due to the presiding judge giving improper instructions to the jury.

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The prosecutors also said they would need a year beyond the 90 days to bring a new case against Hernandez, which would be his third for the 1979 kidnapping and murder of the boy who disappeared while walking two blocks from his family's SoHo neighborhood home to his school bus stop.

The first trial against Hernandez ended when the jury could not agree on a verdict, but he was convicted of kidnapping and murder and sentenced to prison for 25 years to life when retried in 2017, according to ABC News.

Prosecutors had no physical evidence against Hernandez and relied on confessions attributed to Hernandez to secure the 2017 conviction.

Hernandez has a history of documented mental illness and a low IQ.

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The federal appellate court determined the judge presiding over his 2017 case erred when advising jurors on how to assess the confessions that were attributed to Hernandez.

One of them occurred before he had been read his Miranda rights, and detectives then asked him to repeat the confession after reading his rights.

The jurors asked if they had to disregard both confessions because the first was made before Hernandez was read his rights, to which the judge said "no."

That was incorrect and "contradicted clearly established federal law," the appellate court panel ruled.

Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo told Judge McMahon the appellate court's ruling will be appealed to the Supreme Court, which would negate a retrial if the court accepts the case.

Patz's disappearance became the first case in which a missing child's image and relevant information were listed on milk cartons to help locate him.
A view of the U.S. District Court in Greenbelt. (File photo by Danielle E. Gaines/Maryland Matters)

Maryland will not be able to enforce part of a 2021 law that allowed it to obscure the costs of a digital ad tax from consumers who were paying it.

The order  which will not be appealed by the state  strikes down one portion of the first-of-its-kind tax on digital advertising within the state. That provision prohibited online companies from alerting consumers to the tax, by passing it on to them as a surcharge, fee or line item on their bills.

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Opponents of the law had said that it required them to collect the tax but prohibited them from telling customers where the tax came from  shielding lawmakers who approved the tax from criticism, and violating the businesses free speech rights, they said.

U.S. District Court Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby, in a one-page order Wednesday, issued a declaratory judgement in favor of the tech industry that had sued to block the tax, saying the targeted provision of the law facially violates the First Amendment.

Griggsby permanently barred the state from enforcing that provision, but left the digital advertising tax in place, for now.

Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore), a sponsor of the 2021 bill, did not respond to a request for comment Friday. A spokesperson for the Office of the Comptroller said the office has Griggsbys final order under review.

The case is just one of several challenges brought by NetChoice, a trade group representing large technology and social media companies, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA).

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A challenge to the tax itself remains open in Maryland Tax Court. The case was filed by big tech firms, including Apple and Meta. The state has collected nearly $419 million from the tax since 2022, according to the Office of the Comptroller.

An official with the NetChoice Litigation Center called Griggsbys order a victory for free speech, political discourse and internet freedom.

The Fourth Circuit was clear: states cannot shield themselves from criticism by preventing companies from highlighting the consequences of a new policy, Paul Taske, co-director of the NetChoice Litigation Center, said in a statement.

Businesses will finally be able to see that Marylands policies are directly impacting their bottom line. And Maryland will have to reckon with that, Taske said.

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Griggsbys order comes two months after a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the provision violated the First Amendment. The panel sent the case back to Griggsby, who in 2024 had sided with the plaintiffs  a group of tech firms and business associations  that the law created some First Amendment issues. Even so, she allowed the law to stand because the offending provision had many constitutional applications.

The 2021 law targets big tech firms including Apple, Meta, and Google.

Under the law, companies reporting gross global annual revenue of at least $100 million are subject to a 2.5% levy. The tax increases in increments of 2.5% to a maximum rate of 10% levied against companies reporting more than $15 billion in gross global revenue.

The state could collect as much as $250 million annually from the digital ad tax, according to a legislative analysis. The funds are earmarked for the states education reform program.

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SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

The sharply worded July ruling invoked American protests against the Colonial-era Stamp Act. Circuit Judge Julius Richardson, in that ruling, wrote complaining about taxes remains a grand American political tradition.

The questioned provision in the tax bill was intended to shield lawmakers from public criticism. The provision went too far, Richardson wrote.

Perhaps fearing such complaints, Maryland paired its tax with another rule, Richardson wrote for the court. Companies that make money advertising on the internet must not only pay the tax, but avoid telling their customers how it affects pricing: No line items, no surcharges, no fees.

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The courts ruling noted that elected officials might have a reason for such a provision, but keeping out of hot water with voters cannot be a justification.

If companies pass on the cost of the tax, they must do so in silence  keeping customers in the dark about why prices have gone up and thereby insulating Maryland from political responsibility, he wrote.
Julie Holt decided she would be a nurse shortly after getting into a car accident.

The emergency room nurses kept her calm, she said, and made sure she was comfortable before getting stitches. A month or so after that, she had her first operating room rotation for a college course. Seeing the role that nurses played during surgery "fascinated" her.

"This is it," she remembered thinking. "This is what I'm doing.

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Fast forward to 2025. Holt oversees around 3,000 employees as the chief nursing officer of Christ Hospital. More than half are nurses, and the rest are a medley of employees who each occupy a special niche in the hospital. Respiratory therapists, cath lab technicians, nursing assistants, "you name it," said Holt. "There's a million different roles that support nursing care.

Helping patients means helping nurses

After getting her undergraduate degree in nursing from the University of Cincinnati, Holt began working as a clinical nurse in the neuroscience unit at UC Health, then called University of Cincinnati Hospital.

She worked there for seven years, caring for patients who ranged from motorcycle crash victims to those with rare neurodegenerative conditions like Huntington's disease.

It's this foundational experience as a nurse that now informs her day-to-day decision making at Christ Hospital.

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Being chief nursing officer, Holt says, means it's her job to make sure that "nurses' voices are at the table" and that they have the equipment, personnel and budget that they need to care for patients.

Mentorship is critical, says Holt

Holt said that steering Christ Hospital's nurses through the pandemic "was probably the hardest thing that I've ever done." But she says she's proudest of her efforts to develop other leaders in health care.

It's important in health care to address not only the national shortage of nurses, but also the lack of nurse leaders. Holt credits her own career to the mentors who encouraged her to get her graduate degree and step into managerial roles.

Former nurse and retired health care executive Karen Bankston, who herself has mentored Holt ever since she was a "baby nurse" described her as "one of the brightest."

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"She was never afraid of looking at or trying new ideas," said Bankston, "to ensure that patients and the people that took care of the patients were receiving the best."

OTR toga party leads to 30-year love story

Holt met her husband, longtime Enquirer reporter Dan Horn, at a toga party on Mulberry Street in Over-the-Rhine. They stuck out because neither of them were wearing togas, unlike most of the party's attendees. They met for lunch soon afterward.

"It took us three hours to eat lunch because we just couldn't stop talking," remembered Holt.

What clinched the deal was his bond with her daughter Anna, who was then 9 years old. The first time they met, he drank ketchup through a straw to make Anna laugh.

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"Every single time we were together," said Holt, "it was just so comfortable."

About the honoree

Birthplace: Cincinnati, at Christ Hospital. I was born at Christ, my dad was born at Christ, my kids were born in Christ, and my grandchildren were born at Christ," Holt said.

Current residence: Delhi Township.

Family: Her parents, her kids Anna and Connor, her two grandchildren, her husband Dan, and Dan's mom, Fran.

Education: Bachelor of Science in nursing and a master's degree in nursing administration from the University of Cincinnati.

Occupation: Chief Nursing Officer of Christ Hospital.

What she says

What inspires you to give back?

"I have been so fortunate," said Holt. "I am just trying to set our community up to be as lucky as I have been.

What need in the community would you like to see addressed?

Holt cares deeply about preventing women's heart disease, which runs in her family. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of Americans nationally, but fewer women than men survive the first heart attack. Holt, who is an executive leader of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women, said she'd like to get the word out about the risk of heart disease for younger women and to see more research on the topic.

Who most influenced or inspired you to care about others?

Holt says her parents, who were very active in their church community, inspired her to think about the bigger picture. "It was always about, what are we going to do to help people?"

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Christ Hospital's Julie Holt is a 2025 Enquirer Woman of the Year
OAK HILL, WV (WVNS)  With the start of Bridge Day 2025 less than 24-hours away, base jumpers are checking in to prepare for their jumps.

Closures and restrictions scheduled around the New River Gorge Bridge for Bridge Day

BASE stands for the four jump location categories: buildings, antennas, spans which are bridges, and the earth.

BASE jumping is illegal without permission in most cases.

Bridge Day is different. The jumps are sanctioned so jumpers from across the country come to get that adrenaline rush.

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Randall Carrico from Ashland, Ohio, is one of these jumpers and he said he cant wait to take to the bridge.

Its nice to come out here and enjoy West Virginia with everything they have to offer and then a really great event every year. So, I just look forward to coming out every year and the landing area this year looks phenomenal cause the water levels are low so Im very excited, said Carrico.

Carrico said this will be his 12th Bridge Day and that hes looking forward to another great experience.

He does offer a piece of advice to first timers, though.

He said if youre nervous about hitting the dry landing zone, dont risk it and land in the water.

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Carrico said youll dry off faster than youll heal if something goes wrong.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Senior Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, Bhupesh Baghel, on Saturday, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of "practising the politics of hatred." Bhupesh Baghel's remarks while extending support to Punam Paswan, the Congress candidate from the Korha Assembly constituency, in Bihar's Katihar district. "Today we are going to Korha for Punam Paswan's nomination. After that, we will go to Gaya. And Kanhaiya Kumar is also with me. The Bharatiya Janata Party practices the politics of hatred. They know nothing else. They cannot run the country or the state. They spread hatred to garner votes," Baghel told reporters. He added, "The BJP abuses Muslims to get votes, but its leaders make Muslims their sons-in-law. Every big leader you see has a Muslim son-in-law... They abuse to get votes and give away their daughters to make them sons-in-law." Earlier in the day, Chirag Paswan met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Patna to discuss the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) preparations and strategy for the upcoming 243-seat Bihar Assembly elections. In a post on X, Paswan wrote, "Today, in Patna, I met with the country's Home Minister, the honorable Shri @AmitShah ji, and had detailed discussions regarding preparations for the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections and the strategy for the NDA alliance." Speaking to reporters, ahead of polls, Chirag Paswan said that it is the strength of our alliance that we are walking hand-in-hand towards a historical victory to build a Viksit Bharat envisioned by PM Modi. "Union Home Minister Amit Shah is on a visit to Bihar. It is the strength of our alliance that we are walking hand-in-hand towards a historical victory to build a Viksit Bharat envisioned by PM Modi. The PM has visited Bihar 11 times in the last year after forming the government, which shows his priority is towards Bihar. In the meeting with Amit Shah today, the strategy to win historic seats was discussed," he said. He further highlighted the ongoing head-to-head clashes within the Mahagathbandhan, noting that candidates from the same alliance have filed nominations against each other. "NDA has respected all 5 of its allies and completed the negotiation. The nominations of all 243 candidates are clear. The names of all 243 candidates are clear. There is no confusion like the Mahagathbandhan... We have already started our campaign when the Mahagathbandhan is trying to cancel out each other's claims," Paswan said. Polling for the Bihar elections 2025 will take place on November 6 and 11. The results will be announced on November 14. (ANI)
On Monday, we reported that 9-1-1 actor Rockmond Dunbar and his lawsuit, which alleged that Disney firing him for refusing a COVID-19 vaccination was tantamount to religious discrimination, would have his day in court. Well, that day has already come and gone, and it did not shake out in Dunbars favor. Per Deadline, a Los Angeles jury unanimously sided with the studio yesterday. Dunbar was in the courtroom when the verdict was read, and was, in the words of the trade, [s]eemingly shocked by the outcome.

The trial lasted three days, during which lawyers for Disney successfully convinced jurors that Dunbars beliefs were insincere. Dunbar is a member of the Congregation of Universal Wisdom, which is most known for tenets that forbid medication. The actors medical records betrayed him, however, demonstrating that Dunbar actually has received medical treatment since joining the church, which was founded by chiropractor Walter P. Schilling and can be joined for about $138.

We are pleased with todays verdict, which affirms that 20th Television acted fairly and lawfully toward Mr. Dunbar, a Disney spokesperson said in a statement to Deadline. Dunbar appeared in season 1 until early season 5 of 9-1-1 as Michael Grant, ex-husband to Angela Bassetts character Athena Grant. The character was abruptly written off early in 2021 during season 5, when Michael proposed to his boyfriend and traveled with him to help with hurricane relief in Haiti, where he has apparently been ever since. Behind the scenes, Disney has implemented mandatory vaccination requirements for all actors, and Dunbar refused to comply. The actor filed his lawsuit the following year.

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France's next aircraft carrier is set to become the largest and most advanced ever produced by a European nation. Initiated in 2020, the next-generation aircraft carrier program looks to replace France's current aircraft carrier, the nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle, which is expected to retire after almost four decades at sea in 2038. Dubbed PA-NG, which stands for Porte-Avions de Nouvelle Generation, or New Generation Aircraft Carrier, the carrier will be a major upgrade over its predecessor. Not only will it be twice as large, but it will also incorporate state-of-the-art aircraft launchers and onboard combat systems.

Perhaps the greatest upgrade will be the carrier's new nuclear propulsion system. Powered by two K-22 nuclear reactors, the PA-NG will become the only non-American nuclear aircraft carrier roaming the seas. That is, unless China can develop its first nuclear carrier before Paris's 10 billion+ project can get off the ground. Domestically, France's carrier program has been controversial, with critics wondering whether modern weapons and the rise of tanker aircraft have rendered large aircraft carriers obsolete.

However, the carrier's propulsion system could help alleviate some of these concerns, as fielding a nuclear aircraft carrier will give France a distinct advantage over its naval rivals. The necessity of expanding France's carrier fleet was quickly underscored when Italy and Spain announced plans to explore adding aircraft carriers. Upgrading Europe's Navy will likely become more urgent as the EU contends with an increasingly geopolitically aggressive Russia and China. Furthermore, it reinforces Europe's recent military spending push as the continent seeks greater autonomy amidst uncertain American support.

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Read more: Every Japanese Aircraft Carrier Sunk In WWII

A new era of nuclear propulsion

An early rendering of PA-NG shows a fighter jet taking off. - Naval Group/X

France reached a milestone in its aircraft carrier program when it announced it had begun building the two K-22 nuclear reactors that will form its propulsion system at a welding ceremony in late September 2025. Housed in a 330-foot reinforced nuclear section, the twin steel modules holding the 1,300-ton reactors will stand roughly 46 feet high and 42.5 feet across and are expected to generate a combined 440 megawatts for the ship's propulsion and power systems. Each will be placed in separate, independent nuclear boiler rooms whose steam will power its three turbine-powered electric shafts.

The ship's other motors and systems, including its upgraded launch system, are also powered by the nuclear reactors. Designed by French firm TechnicAtome with France's Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission, this state-of-the-art propulsion system will power PA-NG to an impressive 27 knots. PA-NG's nuclear propulsion system will give the French Navy a clear advantage over its non-nuclear counterparts. The K-22 generators give the carrier virtually unlimited range, vastly expanding France's strategic playbook.

As of this writing, roughly 160 ships worldwide are powered by nuclear propulsion, but the vast majority are submarines. The United States operates eleven of the world's twelve nuclear aircraft carriers. The twelfth, of course, is France's Charles de Gaulle. And while recent technological developments might make nuclear propulsion a potential solution for commercial ships, preserving Paris' status at the forefront of the technology is critical to asserting its status as a global naval power. According to Zona-Militar, program head Philippe Bahurel said that designing PA-NG will be more challenging than with the previous aircraft carrier and is seen by many as a culmination of France's technological and manufacturing prowess.

Upgrades abound

PA-NG is escorted by a fleet of French support ships. - Naval Group/X

Over 1,000 feet long and nearly 300 feet wide, the carrier displaces a whopping 78 thousand metric tons, roughly 35,000 tons more than its predecessor, making it the largest aircraft carrier ever built by a European country. This displacement puts the PA-NG in the same class as China's new Fujian aircraft carrier, which is reported to be the largest, most advanced aircraft carrier outside of the United States. The new aircraft carrier will use three Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch Systems (EMALS) and three Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) systems, manufactured by General Atomics, a major upgrade from the Charles De Gaulle's steam-powered catapults and hydraulic arresting gear.

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While the ship will likely have the same capacity as its predecessor, the use of new launch systems will enable PA-NG to execute deck-loaded strikes, meaning carriers can launch decisive first strikes  a critical capability in modern naval warfare. Another major benefit is that it will expand the types of aircraft it can launch, a key piece of the naval warfare puzzle. The French Navy will likely pair its new carrier with a fleet of Rafale M fighters, E-2D Hawkeye airborne early warning and control aircraft, and an expanded list of drones

The French government hopes to start the new carrier's sea trials in 2036. If all goes well, PA-NG will be commissioned two years later, ushering in a new era for the French Navy. While the French Parliament debated postponing the project in 2025, French military brass pushed for the project to continue as planned.

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The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office is asking for the public's help to find 23-year-old Kada Scott, missing for nearly two weeks now.

As the investigation continues, the office is also addressing a previous dropped kidnapping charge against Scott's alleged captor, 21-year-old Keon King.

District Attorney Larry Krasner says his office could have done more to prosecute him previously.

READ MORE | Chilling video surfaces amid search for missing Philadelphia woman Kada Scott

Authorities are investigating a video posted to TikTok that may be connected to the disappearance of Philadelphia woman Kada Scott.

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"We could have done better in that. A really sophisticated approach to the case would have been to try to put it all in with video evidence," he said.

King is accused of kidnapping another woman back in January. The incident was captured partly in a viral video. Investigators say it shows King peering through and knocking on windows while a person inside yells to call the police and for him to go away.

According to charging documents, King kidnapped and assaulted the woman in his car; his two-year-old daughter was in the back seat.

SEE ALSO | Car found in search for missing Philadelphia woman

Kada Scott case: Car found in search for missing Philly woman

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The case was dismissed earlier this year when the district attorney's office said the victim did not show up to court. Krasner noted King being out on bail as a reason why.

"The reason they had to worry he was going to come out of the same door they went in the courthouse right after they testified against him is because he was on bail," said Krasner.

King was able to post 10% of $200,000 bail in his first kidnapping arrest.

When asked why the DA's office didn't petition for a higher bail, Krasner said it was a strategic decision not to bother judges overnight.

"You have the option of trying to do what is often a midnight or three o'clock in the morning telephonic appeal to a municipal court judge," said Krasner. "The unfortunate reality of this is that some, but not all of these judges, don't want you calling them in the middle of the night. And if you do, they lower the bail. They don't raise it, they don't leave it. They lower it. So it is always a complex, strategic decision."

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Marty O'Rourke, a spokesperson for the courts, said in response:

"With all due respect, the DA and his staff know there are assigned Municipal and Commons Pleas Court judges on call 24/7 and prepared at any hour to address emergency Court matters. In light of this truth, the DA's comments are appallingly disrespectful and a sad attempt on his part to find a scapegoat for his own failings on this matter."

RELATED | $10,000 reward offered as search for missing Philadelphia woman Kada Scott nears two weeks

King, who initially had those kidnapping charges dropped, is now accused of kidnapping Scott, missing since October 4.

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"We're fairly sure of the track he took the night of Kada's disappearance", said Philadelphia Police Sgt. Eric Gripp.

On Wednesday, investigators searched Awbury Park and the abandoned Ada Middle School. Officers recovered a phone case believed to be Scott's. Police also found a debit card with her name on it, an iPad case, and glasses.

That same day, they found the car King was allegedly driving with Kada inside, a 1999 metallic gold Toyota Camry at this condo complex in East Falls.

Her family told Good Morning America they're holding onto hope.

"The end result is Kada being home, and she's not home, so I'm not. That's OK and all that's all good, but I need my daughter home," said Kevin Scott, her father.

The family has raised more than $10,000 for a credible tip to find Kada.

King is being held on $2.5 million bail.
Faced with further budget cuts following the Trump administrations elimination of federal funding for public media, local public radio outlet KCRW has trimmed an additional 10% of its staff. Included in the cuts were several of the stations most well-known music DJs, including Jason Kramer, Jeremy Sole and Jose Galvan. Also as part of the changes, host Elvis Mitchells long-running interview series The Treatment will now run inside Weekend Edition.

KCRW president Jennifer Ferro revealed some of the changes in a letter to the stations subscribers and supporters on Friday.

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Like so many other public media organizations, KCRW is restructuring parts of the organization in response to our new budget reality, Ferro wrote in the memo. The result of this restructuring is a 10% reduction in our staff. These decisions were made after careful consideration of how best to position us against the twin challenges of needing to adapt to how people consume media today as well as the loss of federal dollars.

Ferro added: While this moment is challenging, we believe these changes are necessary to ensure KCRW is positioned for the long term.

In Fridays letter, Ferro noted that youll notice some programming changes too. Look for a new on-air music schedule in the coming weeks with new DJs and a new lineup. She didnt name the departing DJs by name, but Kramer, Sole and Galvan confirmed their exits on social media.

After 27 years, I have unfortunately been let go from KCRW. Along with some other of the best DJs in the world, Kramer wrote. The station will always have a place in my heart, and every artist that I play I will still be there in another way.

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Wrote Galvan: For the past 14 years, I have contributed my musical taste and unique perspective to KCRW. For the first six, I creared and curated a feature called Pan Caliente on the music blog, and for the past 8.5 years I was lucky enough to be an on-air host. Growing up in LA, it was a dream come trye to be a part of the elite DJs of KCRW. Sadly as of this morning, I am no longer living that dream. I was let go, along with some other staples of the station. Throughout my time at KCRW, it was never lost on me that it was a privilege and a pleasure to be able to share music and artists with the world week after week. Radio is my passion, and there will be other opportunities for me to share my taste at better run institutions. Thank you to those who supported me on this particular journey Stick a fork in me, Im done at 89.9 FM.

As for Sole, he wrote: Its with a heavy heart that I say this, but for the past 18 and a half years Ive been most honored and grateful to share time and music with you every week on KCRW. Unfortunately that time has cme to an end, as of today. Its been the highest honor of my life (so far!) to serenade you and hopefully to provide some semblance of soulful depth and some appreciation for the music of every culture on the planet. Ive had the honor to sit in the same chair as some of the most dedicated and talented radio hosts and DJs, Ive been able to break new and genius talent like Hiatus Kaiyote, Black Pumas, Michael Kiwanuka and so many others with their first radio plays on national radio. Thank you to Anne Litt for believing in me, bringing me in and training me. Luckily for me I have some other big projects in the works that I cant wait to share, but in regard to future music programming, contact me if you know where I should go next. Onward and upward, brothers and sisters. Its been an honor serving you the platters than matter, and the joints that anoint.

The Santa Monica College-owned NPR station has gone through several rounds of cuts in recent years; last year, KCRW offered voluntary buyout packages as it faced a $3 million budget deficit. As a result, then Morning Becomes Eclectic co-host Anthony Valadez and All Things Considered host Janaya Williams exited the station and the program Greater LA was canceled.

In 2020, KCRW cut 20% of its staff, or around 24 people, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which also led to a budget shortfall.

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Heres Ferros letter:

Im writing with an update on KCRW.

Like so many other public media organizations, KCRW is restructuring parts of the organization in response to our new budget reality. The result of this restructuring is a 10% reduction in our staff.

These decisions were made after careful consideration of how best to position us against the twin challenges of needing to adapt to how people consume media today as well as the loss of federal dollars.

Youll notice some programming changes too. Look for a new on-air music schedule in the coming weeks with new DJs and a new lineup. Youll now be able to hear The Treatment inside Weekend Edition Saturday, where Elvis was featured weekly in decades past.

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While this moment is challenging, we believe these changes are necessary to ensure KCRW is positioned for the long term.

No matter what, we will stay true to the essence of KCRW  playing a vital role strengthening community, connection, and being courageous and inspirational in light of the issues we all face in Southern California. KCRW remains strong with more members than weve ever had and sustained audience growth. We just launched our new app with new streams like Dance24 & Vintage24, and were very proud of new shows like The Sam Sanders Show and Question Everything, our podcast about journalism from Brian Reed, the creator of S Town.

My deepest gratitude is to you for standing up for KCRW when weve asked, for showing up for our live events, our on-air programming, and connecting with us via our newsletters and on social media. We are here to serve, and we take seriously our responsibility to keep KCRW as strong as possible for today and the future.

Jennifer Ferro

KCRW President

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Its hard to determine why the administration of President Donald Trump would want to provide $40 billion to Argentina.

The funding planned for the South American country comes at a time when the federal government is shut down with no end in sight.

Federal employees are being placed on leave or not being paid, and federal funding for infrastructure projects is in jeopardy.

On top of those important concerns, American citizens receiving Medicare and Medicaid assistance are facing delays in necessary medical procedures.

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The funding for Argentina also comes at a time when the South American country is selling large quantities of soybeans to China, which is impacting the prices being paid to American farmers.

For the most part, Americas farmers supported Donald Trump and Republicans in the last presidential election. With mid-term elections on the horizon, the loan to Argentina could cause a loss of support in Congressional races in 2026.

Many are concerned that the shutdown will, in the near future, impact programs that provide food assistance to millions of Americans, including school children through the nations education system.

Instead of providing $40 billion to Argentina, with Americans footing the bill through taxes, our national political leaders should be using those funds to benefit our citizens.

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Its understandable that President Trump should be engaged in foreign policy matters taking place in Europe and the Middle East. But most Americans would like to see the president negotiating with Democrats in Congress to end the federal government shutdown.

How long will it be before Americans are dealing with air travel delays, missing assistance from FEMA at times of natural disasters and unable to access and afford health care?

The shutdown has also brought into question how members of the military will be paid, particularly since the Senate voted down a measure to fund the expense.

Dont plan any trips to national parks or monuments, because many of them are closed as a result of the shutdown.

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Unfortunately, Republicans and Democrats in Congress cant agree on how to reopen federal government operations.

In some ways, President Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress are using the shutdown to attack political opponents with threats to cut funding.

The president and leaders of both political parties in Congress should lock themselves into a room and not emerge until an agreement is reached.
The Bush Family Home State Historic Site will host the 2nd Kids Reading to Dogs event on Saturday, November 15 from 1 pm  3 pm.

This event is a collaboration Grand Companions and families will enjoy reading to dogs in order to their children of all ages build confidence in reading to an audience that is ready to hear.

It combines the Bushs love for dogs with their push for literacy.

Grand Companions will bring a small selection of dogs and cats to the Visitors Center courtyard to allow children of all ages to read to them.

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Children can bring their favorite book to read or select a book from Robins Reading Room located at the site.

Parents with young children can read with their child and the dogs also.

All children can choose a book from Robins Reading Room to take home with them.

Grand Companions will provide pet adoption information.

At our first reading to dogs event in September, we had 80 visitors attend and it was so fun to watch kids read and show pictures from their books to the animals, Site Manager Troy Gray said.

The Bush Family Home State Historic Site is located at 1412 West Ohio St. in Midland. The hours for the home are: Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; the last tour begins at 4:15 p.m.

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The Bush Family Home joined the Texas Historical Commission in 2023 and is one of 42 sites in the state of Texas.

Learn more: visitbushfamilyhome.com. For questions feel free to email them at bushfamilyhome@thc.texas.gov or call (432) 685-1112.

The post Kids reading to dogs at the Bush Family Home State Historic Site appeared first on Odessa American.
In an administration full of disruptors, Russ Vought is a different beast.

Vought, as head of the White Houses budget arm, has assembled one of the most powerful and exacting teams in Washington, all aimed at slashing the federal bureaucracy and ensuring whats left bends to the administrations will.

He has increased the number of policy lieutenants typically operating at the Office of Management and Budget and supercharged their mandate to ensure White House priorities are pushed into each agency.

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That handiwork is now in motion as the Trump administration targets funding cuts to what it calls Democrat agencies and threatens more mass layoffs called reductions in force, or RIFs. On Friday, Vought said that $11 billion in Army Corps of Engineers projects in mostly blue states would be paused.

Voughts expanded policy army, the nearly dozen Program Associate Directors or PADs, are charged with combing line-by-line through the nearly $7 trillion federal budget for programs to slash and helping him play what hes called budgetary twister (finding money to blunt the most politically painful parts of the shutdown).

Beyond numbers, Voughts lieutenants also are steeped-in-policy wonks who each lead an office composed of dozens of political and career servants. All of this positions Voughts OMB as a potent political strike force.

Pound for pound, theyve got the strongest team of subject matter experts and experienced political people as well as policy experts across the government. Its probably the strongest OMB thats ever been assembled, said Joe Grogan, former director of the White House domestic policy council during the first Trump administration.

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OMB declined comment.

Under the direction of Mick Mulvaney, director of OMB in President Donald Trumps first term, PADs were not as empowered, said one former Trump White House official, granted anonymity to discuss internal dynamics. Now, theyre wielding the bully pulpit to say, This is how its going to be.

The person said these positions are much more enabled to unilaterally act and carry out the direction than they were in the past, where everyone was trying to be much more cooperative.

They also reveal a microcosm of the Trump White Houses interests, such as slashing climate and diversity programs as well as restructuring federal procurements.

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Voughts policy lieutenants include Mark Calabria, who previously ran the Federal Housing Finance Agency and pushed to end Fannie Mae and Freddie Macs government conservatorship. He oversees the departments of Treasury, Housing and Commerce.

For natural resources and energy, Vought has selected Stuart Levenbach, who once served as chief of staff at NOAA and in Trumps National Economic Council. Homeland security is helmed by Brian Cavanaugh, a former National Security Council senior director during Trumps first term.

Then theres Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, daughter-in-law of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who directs intelligence and international affairs, Michael Stumo, who leads economic policy and the Made in America Office, Anne DeCesaro, who handles education, labor and income maintenance, Tom Williams for defense, Don Dempsey for health, Hal Duncan for legislative affairs and Kevin Rhodes for federal procurement. Unlike staffers in Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency who were similarly looking for programs to cut, each of the PADs has significant government experience.

The core of OMBs operation is a tight inner circle of Trump veterans who are laying the legal groundwork for OMBs moves during the shutdown, which has dragged on since starting Oct. 1.

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OMBs general counsel Mark Paoletta, who served in the same role during Trumps first term and once shepherded Clarence Thomas through his Supreme Court confirmation, has been intimately involved in drafting the administrations justification not to backpay furloughed workers and to defend OMBs actions in court.

Stephen Billy, a senior adviser, has been filing RIF updates on behalf of OMB in court. A former vice president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Billy in particular has deep knowledge about the government programs related to abortion that OMB has targeted.

As one of his deputy directors, Vought has selected Eric Ueland, a reliable operator with a resume that includes multiple stints in the federal government as well as on Capitol Hill, including as staff director for former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. Former Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.), chief of staff Katie Sullivan and communications director Rachel Cauley round out the senior echelon.

Leading the charge on OMBs deregulatory efforts is Jeff Clark, the former acting head of the civil division at the Justice Department who pushed the agency to investigate voter fraud claims. Clark is now acting administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, an office within OMB which reviews pending federal regulations.

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Some of these picks were affiliated with Voughts Center for Renewing America and other conservative organizations like the Cato Institute or the Heritage Foundation during Joe Bidens presidency, where they contributed to the Project 2025 policy blueprint and drafted proposals for Trumps second-term agenda.

We did a lot of things in the first term, Vought said this week on The Charlie Kirk Show. But one of the things we did not do was reductions in force. We honestly learned about it in our years of exile.

Over the past nine months, his team has scrutinized federal accounts to identify what he calls the woke and weaponized corners of government. That work produced a 1,224-page addendum to the fiscal 2026 White House budget request this spring, a granular manifesto of what Trumps White House wants to spend  or cut.

Voughts team has been notably deliberate compared with the chaotic first days of the administration when Elon Musk took a chainsaw to the federal government. It waited to send the first rescissions package to Capitol Hill until it had better odds of passage. They asked the Department of Energy to pace its cuts to preserve leverage for negotiations. And theyve used the apportionment process to control agency spending, cognizant that any moves to withhold funding could form the basis of a Supreme Court challenge to the Impoundment Control Act.

But the shutdown gave Vought his clearest opening yet. Since the start of the shutdown, Vought cut $7.5 billion in energy grants identified by the Department of Energy, ordered all 200 federal agencies to submit RIF plans and cut programs like the Minority Business Development Agency, CISA and the Office of Population Affairs.
Around Oct. 13, 2025, days into an agreed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, graphic videos circulated online alongside a claim that Hamas was publicly executing people the group believed collaborated with Israel during the preceding years of war.

The footage showed at least seven people blindfolded and kneeling in a public square before masked, armed agents shot them from behind.

Two Hamas-affiliated security forces said on Telegram channels that appeared to belong to them that they carried out the reported Oct. 13 executions. Snopes geolocated the videos to near the Zeitoun and Sabra neighborhoods in Gaza City but could not independently verify the date of their recording, nor whom the videos depicted.

According to reports in local media, the alleged Oct. 13 executions were part of a larger campaign by Hamas to root out criminals, including those the group suspected of collaborating with Israel.

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights raised concerns about "unlawful conduct by Hamas and affiliated armed groups" in a report referencing the alleged Oct. 13 executions. U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters that reported killings of "gang members" by Hamas in the Gaza Strip "didn't bother me much, to be honest with you."

In mid-October 2025, as Israel and Hamas exchanged hostages and prisoners as part of a ceasefire deal brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, a rumor (archived) circulated online that Hamas was publicly executing people it believed collaborated with Israel during the two preceding years of war.

Some examples of the claim featured alongside videos purportedly showing armed, masked agents lining up at least seven blindfolded people on their knees in a public square before shooting them from behind.

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One Reddit user wrote: "Hamas is executing dissidents. Why are pro-Palestine activists and international media silent about this?"

Similar posts appeared on Facebook (archived) and Threads (archived), while Snopes users searched our site seeking more information about the claim.

Hamas has governed Gaza since 2007 and consists of both a political and military wing. The social media posts did not explicitly state which part of the organization was carrying out the alleged executions.

The video in the above X post post appeared to be authentic, meaning it was not created or edited using artificial intelligence. Snopes independently verified its location as near the Zeitoun and Sabra neighborhoods of Gaza City using multiple angles and pre-war reference footage.

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According to reports in Hamas-affiliated media, security forces in Gaza and the Strip's Hamas-controlled Interior Ministry had started a "security campaign" to reestablish rule of law in Gaza and punish criminals, including people suspected of collaborating with Israel before Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire on Oct. 10, 2025. One of the Hamas-affiliated news media outlets said the alleged killings shown in the X post video were part of this campaign.

On Oct. 15, the Hamas-affiliated Shehab News Agency reported that "Palestinian resistance factions" issued a statement (archived) affirming their and the Palestinian people's full support for the campaign. The Yemeni SABA News Agency and China Global Television Network reported that the Alliance of Palestinian Forces  a Damascus, Syria, based political alliance of Palestinian organizations  issued a similar statement.

Despite these open acknowledgements, it was not possible to independently verify when the clip in the X post was recorded and whom it depicted, nor was it possible to fully verify the veracity and source of said acknowledgements; therefore, Snopes could not definitively rate this claim. Two Palestinian human-rights organizations reporting on such graphic videos said the alleged killings were "extrajudicial" and carried out by "unknown" actors.

Graphic videos supported reports of ongoing campaign

Snopes successfully recreated a social media user's geolocation (archived) of the video in the X post using two videos of the alleged execution, a 2022 reference video (archived) of the area and Google Earth footage, as shown in the composite image below:

(Google Earth/X user @AbuLocation/X user @THEWATCHTOWERS/Facebook user Grinder and Sweet Coffee)

The X post footage was recorded at a large intersection near the Zeitoun and Sabra neighborhoods of Gaza City. It was unclear whether Israeli forces had fully withdrawn from this area. Days before the Oct. 10 ceasefire, Al Jazeera reported that Trump's suggested Israeli retreat would still leave the Israeli army in part of Zeitoun.

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It was also unclear when exactly the clip was captured, though the video appeared to begin circulating on Oct. 13.

ABC News Australia arrived at the same geolocation and noted that at least two of the shooters were wearing "green headbands associated with Hamas." Neither ABC News Australia nor Snopes was able to independently confirm who the perpetrators or victims were.

According to Telegram channels that appeared to belong to Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades and Sahm  a security force within the Palestinian Police that carried out "special operations and missions against outlaws"  the executions took place Oct. 13. Both forces said their agents carried out the reported executions. It was possible, given Hamas' status as ruling party in the Gaza Strip, that agents from both forces participated, or that some agents that participated were part of both forces. The Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, a Gaza-based human-rights organization, said that, according to its research, the killings took place Oct. 13.

A Shehab News Agency report also detailed the Oct. 13 killing of several "collaborators" as part of an ongoing security campaign. BBC Monitoring and Reporters Without Borders both described the agency as being affiliated with Hamas. In September 2025, a separate Shehab report claimed that Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades had executed three people suspected of collaborating with Israel in what it described at the time as an ongoing operation.

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On Oct. 12, the Hamas-run Ministry of the Interior in Gaza announced (archived) a weeklong amnesty for people who had attacked property or looted aid during the war, asking them to come forward to have their records "settled," so long as they had not committed murders. The ministry warned that failure to report during this period would result in decisive action, ending the message: "You have been warned."

According to an Oct. 13 statement (archived) by Radaa, a security force that Quds news network said is affiliated with Hamas' security forces, agents carrying out this campaign would seek out anyone accused of collaborating with Israel to face "necessary legal measures."

Quds news network is an independently-owned, submissions based news network that The Associated Press reported in 2015 had "a reputation" for being affiliated with Islamic Jihad. The armed wing of Islamic Jihad, the al-Quds Brigades, cooperates with Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades and participated in the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.

On Oct. 15, the Shehab news agency said on X that "Palestinian resistance factions" issued a statement (archived) acknowledging "the security campaign carried out by the Ministry of Interior and National Security in Gaza" that targeted, among others, "those cooperating with the Zionist enemy," meaning Israel.

In sum 

While humanitarian rights groups on the ground in Gaza did not point to any specific executioner, verified videos, local media reports and statements on Telegram channels that appeared to belong to Hamas-affiliated security forces pointed to an ongoing campaign in the Gaza Strip to root out criminals and people suspected of collaborating with Israel. The posts also indicated that Hamas or affiliated security groups were carrying out the campaign.

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Major media outlets, including the AP and the BBC, reported that Hamas had moved quickly following Israel's retreat to reclaim power in the Gaza Strip and, in the process, confronted clans it believed had cooperated with Israel during the war. Both outlets reported on alleged executions being conducted in Gaza.

According to an Oct. 15 report from the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the office raised concerns about "unlawful conduct by Hamas and affiliated armed groups," referencing the alleged Oct. 13 executions. The report said: "The carrying out of executions without a previous judgement pronounced by a regularly constituted court, offering all judicial guarantees, also amounts to a war crime."

Also on Oct. 15, Reuters news agency reported that a German foreign ministry spokesperson said the alleged executions "constitute acts of terror against the population."

It was unclear what consequences, if any, Hamas might face from the international community following these reports. When asked about Hamas' disarmament, which is a term of the Trump-brokered ceasefire, the U.S. president told reporters on Oct. 14 that Hamas:

 did take out a couple of gangs that were very bad, very, very bad gangs, and they did take them out, and they killed a number of gang members. And that didn't bother me much, to be honest with you. That's OK. We had  it's a couple of very bad gangs, you know, it's no different than other countries.

DeepL.com provided Arabic to English translations for this article.

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To report this article, Snopes viewed graphic videos that showed blood, injured corpses and the moment of death that were shared on social media. We have chosen not to link to these videos.

Sources:

Al Mezan Center for Human Rights. "Al Mezan Condemns the Extrajudicial Execution of Palestinians in Gaza and Calls for Respect for the Rule of Law." Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, https://www.mezan.org/en/post/46788. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

"Al-Quds Brigades  Islamic Jihad." ECFR, 21 Mar. 2018, https://ecfr.eu/special/mapping_palestinian_politics/al_quds_brigades_aqb_islamic_jihad/.

ESTRIN, DANIEL. "For Palestinians, Social Media Is Source of News _ and Anger." AP News, 24 Oct. 2015, https://apnews.com/national-national-general-news-ac9819f1d94c4733bbc54932941f509e.

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"Explainer: Which Hamas-Linked Telegram Channels Are Still Accessible?" BBC Monitoring, 1 Nov. 2023, https://monitoring.bbc.co.uk/product/b0000urr.

"Germany Regards Executions by Hamas as Acts of Terror." Reuters, 15 Oct. 2025. Middle East. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/germany-regards-executions-by-hamas-acts-terror-2025-10-15/.

Haddad, Mohammed. "Map of Gaza Shows How Israeli Forces Will Withdraw under Ceasefire Deal." Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/9/map-of-gaza-shows-how-israeli-forces-will-withdraw-under-ceasefire-deal. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

'Hamas and the Seizure of Gaza'. House of Commons Library, 7 Jun. 2007, https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/RP07-60/RP07-60.pdf.

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How We Verified Hamas's Video Showing Executions in Gaza | ABC NEWS Verify. ABC News Australia, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvxV4knxpLQ.

'Https://X.Com/CGTNEurope/Status/1978419959840584106'. X (Formerly Twitter), https://x.com/CGTNEurope/status/1978419959840584106. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

"ICHR Calls for an End to Extrajudicial Executions in the Gaza Strip." The Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR), 14 Oct. 2025, https://www.ichr.ps/public/page/124981#.

"Islamic Jihad (PIJ)." ECFR, 21 Mar. 2018, https://ecfr.eu/special/mapping_palestinian_politics/palestinian_islamic_jihad/.

'Israeli Hostages and Palestinian Detainees Are Freed as Trump Hails "historic Dawn" in Middle East'. BBC News, 13 Oct. 2025, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c740jx07vz0o.

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"Izz Al-Din al-Qassam Brigades (IQB) - Hamas." ECFR, 21 Mar. 2018, https://ecfr.eu/special/mapping_palestinian_politics/izz_al_din_al_qassam_brigades/.

'Leadership of Palestinian Forces Alliance Affirms Support for Measures Taken by Interior Ministry in Gaza'. SabaNet - Yemen News Agency, https://saba.ye/en/news3571079.htm. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

MAGDY, SAMY, and JOSEPH KRAUSS. "Hamas Reasserts Control in a Chaotic Gaza, Posing a Risk to the Fragile Ceasefire." AP News, 14 Oct. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-gaza-security-gangs-looting-cde890ac57a098911ab7327bc98f07f0.

Merrow, Kali Robinson, Will. What Is Hamas? | Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-hamas. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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Newsroom. https://newsroom.ap.org/editorial-photos-videos/detail?itemid=7ee8f6ccb505470487607763561c6454&mediatype=video. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

Palestine | RSF. 10 Oct. 2025, https://rsf.org/en/country/palestine.

PerryCook, Taija. 'Timeline: The Oct. 7 Hamas Attack and Israel's Retaliatory War on Gaza'. Snopes, 20 Nov. 2023, https://www.snopes.com//articles/465623/oct-7-hamas-attack-and-israeli-retaliation/.

Reuters. "LIVE: Trump Hosts Bilateral Lunch with Argentina's Milei." YouTube, 14 Oct. 2025, https://www.youtube.com/live/KZmtAn7u4hw?t=1164s.

Strindberg, Anders. 'The Damascus-Based Alliance of Palestinian Forces: A Primer'. Journal of Palestine Studies, vol. 29, no. 3, Spring 2000, https://www.palestine-studies.org/en/node/40804. Institute for Palestine Studies.

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"Trump Demands Hamas Disarm, as Group Moves against 'collaborators' in Gaza." BBC News, 15 Oct. 2025, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjr034p5prlo.

UN Human Rights in Occupied Palestinian Territory - Gaza: Ongoing Violations and Risks to Civilians [EN/AR] - Occupied Palestinian Territory | ReliefWeb. 15 Oct. 2025, https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/un-human-rights-occupied-palestinian-territory-gaza-ongoing-violations-and-risks-civilians-enar.

"           ."   , 13 Oct. 2025, https://shehabnews.com/post/145987/-----------.

"    3        ."   , 21 Sep. 2025, https://shehabnews.com/post/145275/-----3--------.

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"  .. ''     ."   , 15 Oct. 2025, https://qudsn.co/post/212803/--------.

"''..         ." 21, 18 Nov. 2024, https://arabi21.com/story/1641235/%D8%B3%D9%87%D9%85-%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A9-%D8%B4%D8%B1%D8%B7%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%BA%D8%B2%D8%A9-%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%B3%D8%B7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%B6%D8%A8%D8%B7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%82.

" :           ."   , 15 Oct. 2025, https://qudsn.co/post/212798/-----------.






Protesters are expected to denounce the Trump administration in downtown San Antonio Saturday evening - one of thousands of "No Kings" events happening across the nation this weekend.

The event is set to take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Travis Park, with a march starting at 5 p.m.

Gov. Greg Abbott announced this week that he is deploying state troopers and National Guard soldiers to Austin for the capital city's "No Kings" protest, citing links between the protests and left-wing activist network Antifa. The governor's office did not respond to a request for information on why he believes the "No Kings" protests are tied to antifa.

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San Antonio's "No Kings" organizers are stressing that the protest is nonviolent. They ask attendees not to bring weapons of any kind to the event.

"We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events," the event's online page says.

RELATED: Gov. Greg Abbott sending state troops to Austin for upcoming 'No Kings' rally

There are several local organizers behind the event. According to a news release, 50501 SATX is working "in coordination and support with the Bexar County Democratic Party, San Antonio Alliance Local 67," as well as the Indivisible Project and the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

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50501 SATX is a grassroots organization dedicated to "building a diverse alliance for democracy to defend our freedoms from oligarchy and fascism," according to its site. San Antonio Alliance Local 67 is a public school employees union. The Indivisible Project was founded in response to President Donald Trump's election, and aims to "resist the GOPs agenda, elect local champions, and fight for progressive policies," its site says.

The Bexar County Democratic Party and the Party for Socialism and Liberation are both aligned with two distinct political parties.

"Since the second Trump Presidency began we have seen unprecedented and un-Constitutional attacks on free speech, inhumane and unjust removal of our peaceful hard-working immigrant community, our economy collapse under unreasonable tariffs and federal workers unfairly losing their jobs across the United States," the news release said.

READ MORE: Texas governor candidate says it's time to send a message to billionaires running the state

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"No Kings" protests are also taking place Saturday in Boerne, San Marcos, Hondo and Pleasanton.

The first round of "No Kings" protests on June 14 drew several thousand people to the Alamo City, where they criticized Trump's crackdown on immigration and other policies.

Abbott deployed more than 5,000 members of the Texas National Guard and more than 2,000 Texas DPS troopers to Texas cities where protests were planned, including in San Antonio. That evening, there were about 120 National Guard troops at the Alamo.

The protests in San Antonio remained peaceful, featuring cumbia dances and speeches from local lawmakers.

This article originally published at What to know as 'No Kings' protest hits downtown S.A. this evening.
Most of the bodies of the more than 100 dead Palestinians Israel released remain unidentified.

They were sent back to Gaza with numbers instead of their names, leaving family members of missing Palestinians to pore desperately through pictures of the bodies, hoping to spot their loved ones.

One thing is clear from the marks left on these bodies, and the blindfolds and handcuffs still on some of them: They had been tortured before their deaths, possibly executed.

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The torture was confirmed by Palestinian detainees released alive by Israel as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal that has also seen the release of Israeli captives from Gaza.

Reports that Israel tortures Palestinian detainees in its jails have been common for years, and have increased since the start of Israels war on Gaza, with some Israeli politicians even defending the practice.

At least 75 Palestinian detainees have also died in Israeli jails since October 7, 2023, according to the United Nations.

One particularly notable documented incident of abuse was the gang rape of a Palestinian prisoner by guards at the notorious Sde Teiman detention facility in Israel last year. Verified video shows Israeli prison guards using their shields to hide from the camera before proceeding to rape the victim, who was left unable to walk, Israeli media reported.





Abuse visible on dead bodies

The condition of the bodies Israel returned to Gaza is harrowing.

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The forensic teams who examined them said the bodies showed signs of physical abuse, medical sources told Al Jazeera.

Some of the bodies had missing limbs or teeth, while some appeared to have been burned, the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said on Wednesday.

Crimes that cannot be hidden  This is how the bodies of Gazas prisoners were returned  blindfolded, bound like animals, and bearing signs of severe torture and burning, Dr Munir al-Bursh, director-general of the Health Ministry, wrote on social media.

They did not die naturally  they were executed while restrained, a war crime demanding an urgent international investigation and accountability for the perpetrators.

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Images of the bodies back up much of what al-Bursh said, with experts saying that they showed signs of abuse.

Sameh Hamad, part of a commission that received the bodies at Gazas Nasser Hospital, said that one of the bodies even had a rope around his neck.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Raed Mohammad Amer, of the Palestinian Prisoners Society, said his organisation found that Israel had executed dozens of Palestinians. Israel has promised investigations in some cases, but many remain open.

Naji Abbas, director of the prisoners and detainees department for Physicians for Human Rights Israel, said his organisation was not surprised at the condition of the bodies released.

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We have recorded hundreds of instances of torture and deaths in the Israeli prison system, dozens of Palestinians who have been killed, beaten to death, or have died after being refused treatment for months, Abbas said.

One autopsy the organisation examined showed signs of violence on the body eight months after the person died, he added.

These are documented cases of detainees bodies with clear signs of torture and of having been brutally restrained before death, and still it is not on every television and in every newspaper, Abbas said.

Al Jazeera reached out to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which coordinates the transfer of Palestinian and Israeli detainees, for comment.

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The ICRC did not comment on the condition of the bodies, but said the focus of its staff was the dignified transfer of remains of the deceased.

The Israeli military and prison service did not respond to a request for comment.





Detainees say they were tortured, abused

Nearly 2,000 Palestinians from both Gaza and the occupied West Bank were released by Israel this week as part of the ceasefire deal.

Many of them had been taken by Israel in large roundups, leaving behind families who werent sure if their loved one had been killed or was disappeared by Israel.

Without news of their missing loved ones since their disappearance, the family members were shocked by their appearances and the stories they told.

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Some people were so injured and weak, they were taken straight from the transport to a hospital for medical treatment.

One released detainee, Mahmoud Abu Foul, said Israeli torture had led to him losing his eyesight. Abu Foul told Al Jazeera he lost his eyesight after one beating left him unconscious for hours.

Many detainees emerged emaciated or with visible bruises.

One freed detainee, Kamal Abu Shanab, said his weight had dropped from 127 to 68 kilogrammes. His niece, Farah, cried as she saw him, saying he was unrecognisable.

Another freed detainee, Salem Eid, said he cant lie on his back due to the beatings and has to sleep sitting up.

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There have been reports of abuse in Israeli prisons for years.

Israeli rights group BTselem said in a report last August the Israeli prison system was a network of torture camps with frequent acts of severe, arbitrary violence; sexual assault; humiliation and degradation; deliberate starvation; forced unhygienic conditions; sleep deprivation; prohibition on, and punitive measures for, religious worship; confiscation of all communal and personal belongings; and denial of adequate medical treatment.

Then there is the psychological torture. One man released this week said he was told by Israeli soldiers that his family was dead, only to find them alive, and another who had prepared a bracelet for his two-year-old daughter, only to discover that she, along with his wife and other children, had been killed by Israel.





Targeting Barghouti

There are still about 9,000 Palestinian detainees still in Israeli jails  one of the most prominent is Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti, who Israel refuses to release.

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Barghouti was found guilty by Israel in 2004 of being responsible for attacks against Israelis and is serving several life sentences.

He refuses to accept the jurisdiction of the Israeli court system and endorses nonviolent resistance, as well as a two-state solution.

Polls regularly find Barghouti to be the most popular Palestinian leader, and he has often been compared to the anti-apartheid leader and former South African President Nelson Mandela.

Barghoutis son, Arab, told Al Jazeera this week that Israel has singled his father out for exceptionally harsh treatment, including a beating by guards in mid-September that left him unconscious.

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One released prisoner, Mohammad al-Ardah, said that Israeli forces had broken Barghoutis ribs in three places.

Israel has denied the mistreatment of Barghouti and other Palestinian prisoners, but has not substantiated that defence with evidence.

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir appeared in an August video shouting at and threatening Barghouti. He is the man in charge of Israels prison service.

Arab Barghouti said Ben-Gvir showed his father an electric chair and told him it was his fate.

Ben-Gvir has taken pride in the treatment of Palestinian prisoners under his watch, and defended soldiers alleged to have abused the detainees, saying that summer camps and patience for the terrorists are over.




Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of supporting Maoists and Naxals and alleging him of "performing 'nagin dance' on the tune of the Pakistan army through a foreign toolkit". Speaking to ANI in the national capital, Chugh claimed that the Congress leader represents an ideology that sympathises with those involved in night courts for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. "Rahul Gandhi is the leader of the ideology which sheds tears for Maoists and Naxals and those who hold courts at night for perpetrators of 26/11 attacks. He is still performing a 'nagin dance' to the tune of the Pakistan army through the foreign toolkit," Chugh said. Chugh alleged that the Congress party, which "laid a red carpet for those who tried to break India," continues to endorse individuals who he claimed have promoted anti-national slogans, including "Bharat Tere Tukde Honge," and made them star campaigners. "The party, which laid a red carpet for those who tried to break our country, still gives tickets to a person who said 'Bharat Tere Tukde Honge' and made him a star campaigner. PM Modi has a resolve to make India Maoist and Naxal-free by 2026. During the era of Congress, urban Naxals introduced terrorism in cities in a new way; now is the time to eradicate it," the BJP leader asserted. Emphasising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment, Chugh said the government aims to make India free of Maoist and Naxal influence by 2026. Chugh said that individuals who surrender will be offered a democratic path, while those who continue terrorism will "be given a way to their graves." "The Modi government is moving forward on the dual track of development and security so that the ideology and network of Naxalism can be eliminated forever. People who lay down their weapons will be given a democratic path; if they choose terrorism, they will be given a way to their graves," Chugh told ANI. Meanwhile, noting that 303 Naxalites have surrendered in the last 75 hours, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the day is not far when the country will be completely free from Naxalism and that the festivities of Diwali are going to be something truly special in the areas liberated from Maoist terrorism. Addressing the NDTV World Summit 2025 here, PM Modi said Naxalism has been loosely used by some people but "in reality, it is Maoist terrorism". He said that Maoist terrorism is "a great injustice, a grave sin against the youth of our country" and he could not leave the young people of this nation in such a situation. The Prime Minister said he used to feel deep restlessness within but remained silent for a long time. "Today, for the first time, I am sharing my pain with you," he said. He hit out at the Congress, saying that during its rule at the Centre, an entire ecosystem of urban Naxals had developed. He also said just a few days ago, many victims of Maoist terrorism came to Delhi, and it was a deeply painful sight. (ANI)
The Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, has purchased two Gulfstream G700 luxury jets for top officials  a deal worth about $172 million that is now fueling questions over how the agency paid for them and why it needed two.

According to records reviewed by The New York Times, the jets marketed by Gulfstream as offering the most spacious cabin in the industry, were bought for what a DHS spokesperson said was a matter of safety.

The spokesperson said in a statement that the departments existing jet was more than 20 years old and well beyond operational usage hours for a corporate aircraft.

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Earlier this year, the United States Coast Guard requested in its budget a single long-range Gulfstream V jet estimated to cost $50 million to replace an aging one used by Noem.

The avionics are increasingly obsolete, the communications are increasingly unreliable and its in need of recapitalization, like much of the rest of the fleet, acting commandant of the Coast Guard, Kevin Lunday, said in May.

The Department of Homeland Security has bought two Gulfstream G700 luxury jets for top officials (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

He added that a new aircraft was essential to provide agency leaders with secure, reliable, on-demand communications and movement to go forward, visit our operating forces, conducting the missions and then come back here to Washington and make sure we can work together to get them what they need.

But Democrats are calling the move another example of Noems lavish spending habits at taxpayer expense, particularly amid the government shutdown. It remains unclear where the funding came from.

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Representatives Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, the senior Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, and Lauren Underwood of Illinois, the top Democrat overseeing its homeland security panel, asked Noem in a letter reviewed by The New York Times, to clarify the funding source.

In addition to raising serious questions about your ability to effectively lead an agency whose procurement strategies appear to vary on a whim, the procurement of new luxury jets for your use suggests that the U.S.C.G. has been directed to prioritize your own comfort above the U.S.C.G.s operational needs, even during a government shutdown, they wrote. We are deeply concerned about your judgment, leadership priorities, and responsibility as a steward of taxpayer dollars.

Earlier this year, Republicans included about $25 billion in new funding for the Coast Guard, including about $2.3 billion for procurement and acquisition of rotary-wing aircraft.

This week, Noem said she was using some of those funds to ensure Coast Guard members did not miss a paycheck during the current government shutdown, The Times reported.

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Noems spending as South Dakota governor also drew attention, according to The Sioux Falls Argus Leader who reported in 2021 that she spent $68,000 in taxpayer money to redecorate the governors mansion. And South Dakota taxpayers also covered about $150,000 in Noems personal and political travel costs, the Associated Press reported back in March.

The Independent has reached out to DHS for comment.
In a rare public rebuke, the Los Angeles City Council pressed the city's top lawyer to abandon her attempt to halt a federal judge's order prohibiting LAPD officers from targeting journalists with crowd control weapons.

One day before "No Kings" demonstrations against the Trump administration were set to launch in L.A. and elsewhere, the council voted 12-0 to direct City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto to withdraw her request to lift the order.

Hours later, Feldstein Soto's legal team did just that, informing the judge it was pulling back its request  around the same time the judge rejected it.

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Since June, the city has been hit with dozens of legal claims from protesters and journalists who reported that LAPD officers used excessive force against them during protests over Trump's immigration crackdown.

The lawsuit that prompted the judge's ban was brought by the Los Angeles Press Club and the news outlet Status Coup, who pointed to video evidence and testimonials suggesting that LAPD officers violated their own guidelines, as well as state law, by shooting journalists and others in sensitive parts of the body, such as the head, with weapons that launch projectiles the size of a mini soda can at speeds of more than 200 miles per hour.

"Journalism is under attack in this country  from the Trump Administrations revocation of press access to the Pentagon to corporate consolidation of local newsrooms, Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, who introduced the motion opposing Feldstein Soto's legal filing, said in a statement. The answer cannot be for Los Angeles to join that assault by undermining court-ordered protections for journalists."

In a motion filed Wednesday, Feldstein Soto's legal team sought a temporary stay of the order issued by U.S. District Judge Hernan D. Vera. She reiterated her earlier argument that Vera's ban was overly broad, extending protections to "any journalist covering a protest in [the City of] Los Angeles."

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Read more: Press groups sue LAPD over use of force against journalists during protests

The city's lawyers also argued that the ban, which bars the LAPD from using so-called less lethal munitions against journalists and nonviolent protesters, creates "ambiguous mandates" that jeopardize "good-faith conduct" by officers and pose "immediate and concrete risk to officer and public safety."

In addition to Feldstein Soto's request for a temporary stay, the city has filed an appeal of Vera's injunction. The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is taking up the appeal, with a hearing tentatively set for mid-November.

Council members have become increasingly vocal about their frustrations with the city attorney's office. Two months ago, they voiced alarm that an outside law firm billed the city $1.8 million in just two weeks  double the amount authorized by the council. They have also grown exasperated over the rising cost of legal payouts, which have consumed a steadily larger portion of the city budget.

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Read more: Law firm in L.A. homelessness case bills the city $1.8 million for two weeks' work

After Feldstein Soto's motion was reported by LAist, several City Council members publicly distanced themselves from her and condemned her decision.

In a sternly worded statement before Friday's vote, Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez wrote that the city attorney's "position does not speak for the full City Council."

"The LAPD should NEVER be permitted to use force against journalists or anyone peacefully exercising their First Amendment rights," said the statement from Soto-Martinez, who signed Hernandez's proposal along with Councilmembers Ysabel Jurado and Monica Rodriguez.

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On Friday, the council also asked the city attorney's office to report back within 30 days on "all proactive litigation the Office has moved forward without explicit direction from the City Council or Mayor since July 1, 2024."

Rodriguez said that Friday's vote should send a message that the City Council needs "to be consulted as a legislative body that is independently elected by the people.

What I hope is that this becomes a more permanent act of this body  to exercise its role in oversight, she said.

Carol Sobel, the civil rights attorney who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the plaintiffs, welcomed the council's action. Still, she said Feldstein Soto's filings in the case raise questions about whose interests the city attorney is representing.

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"Sometimes you say: 'Mea culpa, we were wrong. We shouldn't have shot people in the head, despite our policies,'" she said.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A group of labor unions has banded together to sue the Trump administration in an effort to stop its social media surveillance of visa holders and other immigrants who are in the country legally.

The lawsuit alleges that the Trump administrations policy of scouring social media platforms in search of posts it can use to deport visa holders is an assault on the First Amendment. It was filed Thursday by the Electronic Frontier Foundation on behalf of the American Federation of Teachers, the Communications Workers of America and the United Auto Workers, NBC News reported.

Per NBC News:

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York, asks a judge to block the administration from engaging in viewpoint-based investigation and surveillance. It also asks for a court order to purge any records created so far under the administrations program.

The suit alleges that union members speech is being chilled by the threat of adverse immigration action if the government disapproves of anything they have expressed or will express, and that members have limited their union-facing activity for fear of retributive immigration consequences.

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The Trump administrations thirst for social media censorship  for visa holders and U.S. citizens alike  has been on display since the presidents return to office. The State Department has admitted to searching social media for purported expressions of antisemitism (a term it has used to demonize critics of Israels government) that it can use to deport people. The fact that the administration recently revoked six visas over social media posts critical of slain MAGA activist Charlie Kirk suggests that the administration will use surveillance against people whose views, quite simply, it disagrees with.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration plans two round-the-clock centers where federal staffers will monitor social media activity that the administration can potentially use as a basis for targeting immigrants, as I wrote about recently.

Its notable in this context that Trump has said he wants to deport U.S. citizens, as well. And the Trump administration has also framed liberals as terrorists and vowed to go after groups that support them  which could very well make unions, like those suing in this case, a target.

Republicans broadly have remained silent on this blatant attack on free speech, despite having spent years promoting conspiracy theories, such as the debunked Twitter Files, that accused the Biden administration of pressuring social media companies to censor users.

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Nonetheless, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott told NBC News that the government believes its in the clear with its social media surveillance:

The Supreme Court has repeatedly made clear that aliens do not have the same First Amendment rights as American citizens, Pigott said in an email. The United States is under no obligation to allow foreign aliens to come to our country, commit acts of anti-American, pro-terrorist, and antisemitic hate, or incite violence. We will continue to revoke the visas of those who put the safety of our citizens at risk.

In reality, the Supreme Court  to the extent it has addressed the question  has previously reached the opposite conclusion.

But that the administration feels empowered to say such a thing shows how far Trump has gone with his assault on free speech, an American right he boasted about taking away just last week. Put plainly, this administration seems willing to use any pretext to silence any and all detractors.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
A high-speed chase in Landis ended in gunfire late Friday night after suspects crashed their vehicle into a utility pole and fired shots at pursuing officers.

The incident began around 11:30 p.m. when Landis Police attempted to stop a vehicle for reckless driving and speeding on South Chapel Street near East Ryder Avenue.

The driver failed to comply, leading officers on a pursuit that culminated in a crash at the intersection of East 30th Street and South Chapel Street, police said.

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After the crash, suspects fired shots at the officers before fleeing the scene on foot, police said. No officers were injured during the exchange.

The Landis Police Department said this was an isolated event and there is no further threat at this time. The investigation remains active, and authorities are seeking any information related to the incident.

Officials have asked that anyone with information call (704) 857-2129.

WATCH: Third suspect arrested in deadly northwest Charlotte Wingstop shooting
CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY)  There was a large turnout at the No Kings rallies in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach Saturday.

Signing more executive orders in the first 100 days than any predecessor, protesters lining the streets told 10 On Your Side they think President Donald Trump is ruling like a king. Their concerns mainly revolved around healthcare, immigration enforcement practices and cuts to federal programs and jobs.

Stellar employees lost their jobs and they have no way now to pay their mortgages, Dona Menendez told 10 On Your Side at the rally in Chesapeake.

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Were living in a banana republic, Cristan Connito said while wearing a banana costume. Weve already fought wars against fascism, we have fought wars against kings.

Helen Dergenski was seen handing out frog stickers to protestors. Frogs have become a symbol of demonstration and peace in Portland, Oregon, where the city is not on fire, she said.

The symbolic show of animal costumes was just as prominent at the Town Center No Kings rally in Virginia Beach.

How can we be labeled as terrorists or leftists that are just angry and trying to start violence, when really were just trying to fight for our freedom and for our rights, an anonymous protestor told us while wearing a unicorn costume.

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Throughout Town Center, many chanted to the tune of live music  echoing the messages heard in Chesapeake and across the nation.

I really dont care whats Democrat, whats Republican, said Chris Gordon, a Vietnam Veteran. We need to get rid of somebody who hates our country, and Donald Trump hates our country.

My daughter, she lost her job, Rick Forrest said. She was working with the government, and she lost her job. That really upset me.

At both protests, counter-protesters in a small Trump parade repeatedly drove by. One truck was towing a Trump-branded boat with a large crown affixed to the bow. One woman got out of an orange truck behind it, shouting at protesters. This interaction was later broken up by police.

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Safety is a big priority for the volunteers in charge of these local rallies.

All of our marshals are called peacekeepers, explained Pete Woodhead, an organizer of the Virginia Beach No Kings rally. They are here to keep everybody safe, keep them out of the streets, keep them on the sidewalks. We have medical personnel

With our vests on, and our lanyards and our radios, were talking to each other constantly, said Louis Lewes with South Hampton Roads Indivisible. Were looking for people that are questionable that might be casing, standing in places we really dont know what theyre there for.

Leaders of these rallies estimate a higher turnout than their June equivalents.

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WAVY reached out to Virginia Beach Police about the rally in Town Center, after hearing officers had to ask some protesters to disperse. A police spokesperson provided this statement:

The Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) coordinated with organizers of the No Kings rally for the duration of the event. During the portion at the Town Center fountain, we received complaints from some of the local business about rally attendees taking over private property and failing to leave when requested. VBPD staff coordinated with the event organizer to have the event move to their secondary rally point at Independence and Virginia Beach Boulevard to help address the trespassing complaints we were receiving. VBPD monitored the crowd movement and subsequent rally at their new location until after the expiration of the permit with no issues. Sgt. Jude Brenya

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
Another spat between the leaders of the worlds two largest economies has quickly escalated, and if President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping dont lower the temperature soon, both nations stand to pay an exorbitant price.

Sky-high tariffs had brought trade between the two countries to a screeching halt earlier this year, before they reached a monthslong truce and substantially lowered levies on one another.

But trade tensions have reignited, with Trump threatening to impose tariffs starting at 130% on Chinese exports by November 1, up from the 30% minimum rate currently in effect. Trump also said hes prepared to impose export controls on what he referred to as any and all critical software to China. Beijing has signaled it would retaliate to all these actions.

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On Friday, Trump sounded confident he and Xi could resolve matters amicably, telling reporters that he intends to still meet with the Chinese leader on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea later this month. And US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who helps lead trade negotiations with China, said Friday that things have deescalated recently.

But that was Friday. At any second, the tide could turn.

So, how did we get here?

Trumps qualms with China

Earlier this month, Beijing announced plans to restrict exports of rare-earth minerals, critical materials needed to power a wide range of electronics. Under the new rules set to take effect later this year, five rare-earth elements were added to Chinas existing list of seven other highly restricted rare-earth exports.

A sample of bastnaesite ore, a mineral used in the rare-earth industry, at the Geological Museum of China in Beijing. - Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

Furthermore, Chinas plan calls for mandated licenses for technology needed to mine, smelt and process rare earths, and to make magnets. Foreign governments and businesses would also need licenses to exchange Chinese-sourced rare earths or technology containing them.

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The countrys Ministry of Commerce said the restrictions aim to prevent materials from being used, directly or indirectly, in military and other sensitive fields.

A day after Beijing announced those measures, Trump took to Truth Social, saying, Our relationship with China over the past six months has been a very good one, thereby making this move on Trade an even more surprising one.

He went on to say that China has quietly amassed into somewhat of a Monopoly position with rare earths and called the new restrictions a rather sinister and hostile move, to say the least.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who has worked on trade agreements with China alongside Bessent, said last week: Its a clear repudiation of everything weve been working towards for the last six months, which was a stable tariff situation and a continued flow of rare earths.

Whats provoked China

Beijings actions came after a series of moves Washington took that drew the ire of Chinese counterparts.

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Among them were ramped-up restrictions on worldwide exports to Chinese tech giants, including Huawei, of any parts of products manufactured using American equipment or software.

A spokesperson for Chinas Ministry of Commerce called the move announced last month extremely malicious, adding that the country would take necessary measures to protect the rights and interests of its companies.

A container terminal in Qingdao, China. The country has been importing more from the United States after a trade truce started in the spring. - Yu Fangping/FeatureChina/AP

The Trump administration earlier this month also started taxing Chinese ships docked at American ports as well as products transported on Chinese-made ships. Beijing responded with a tit-for-tat fee at its ports.

Washington, meanwhile, up until recently, kept extremely tight restrictions on exports of highly advanced chips, aiming to prevent Beijing from making more advancements in artificial intelligence.

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A meeting between Trump and Xi at APEC could be an opportunity to hash out their differences face to face as opposed to through American and Chinese officials. But things could just as easily devolve, pushing the two nations even further apart.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Latvian police have busted a major internet fraud network that has scammed thousands of victims across Europe.

Police arrested seven suspects, the EU's law enforcement agency Europol said on Friday.

To dismantle the criminal ring, law enforcement investigators from Austria, Estonia and Latvia, in partnership with the EU agencies Europol and Eurojust, teamed up.

The probe culminated in an operation that took place on 10 October.

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The detained suspects are believed to be responsible for more than 1,700 individual cyberfraud cases in Austria and 1,500 in Latvia.

They are accused of having scammed victims out of nearly 5 million, of which 4.5 million were in Austria and 420,000 in Latvia.

As part of the operation, which was dubbed SIMCARTEL, police seized 1,200 SIM box devices and 40,000 active SIM cards, Europol said.

"Other offences facilitated by this criminal service include fraud, extortion, migrant smuggling and the distribution of child sexual abuse material," Europol wrote in a statement.

In footage released by authorities, Latvia's State Police Counterterrorism Unit OMEGA could be seen smashing the doors of a building during the takedown operation.
NEW YORK  The Vermont state senator involved in the hate-filled Young Republican group chat uncovered by POLITICO announced his resignation Friday.

Sam Douglass, a state lawmaker who represented an area near the Canadian border, said in a statement that if my Governor asks me to do something, I will act, because I believe in what hes trying to do, referring to Vermont Republican Governor Phil Scotts call for Douglass to step down.

Douglass was the only elected official in the group chat, though four others worked for elected officials at the time the messages were being sent. Those officials include New Yorks state senate minority leader and the Kansas attorney general. One member of the chat worked in President Donald Trumps Small Business Administration.

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I know that this decision will upset many, and delight others, but in this political climate I must keep my family safe, Douglass said, adding that his resignation will be effective Monday at noon. Since the story broke, I have reached out to the majority of my Jewish and BIPOC friends and colleagues to ensure that they can be honest and upfront with me, and I know that as a young person I have a duty to set a good example for others.

His lengthy statement also cites hateful messages he received from others in his state since the story broke.

Douglass resignation comes as at least six others in the chat are out of jobs since POLITICO began reporting on the exchanges. He served as the chair of Vermonts Young Republicans organization.

In one portion of the chat, Douglass refers to an Indian woman as someone who just didnt bathe often. In another instance, Brianna Douglass, Sams wife and the Vermont Young Republicans national committee member, says her husband may have erred by expecting the Jew to be honest.

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The Vermont state lawmaker initially resisted strident calls to resign from top state Republican leaders  including Scott and the GOP conferences in the states House and Senate.

One day after POLITICO published its initial story about the Telegram group, Douglass apologized for the chat, saying I am weighing all my options.

Douglass was a first-year lawmaker and said Friday he was proud to pass his first bill on agriculture and begin his work to reform the states welfare system.

I will continue to do what I have done my entire life, the very reasons why I was elected; I will help others in my community, be active, foster communication, and look out for others, he said.

Liz Crampton contributed to this report.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  House Democrat Representative Ajay Pittman is at the center of calls for accountability after the Ethics Commission filed a lawsuit and accused her of fraud on Thursday.

Officials conducted a search warrant at her State Capitol office on Thursday. A spokesperson for the Attorney Generals office says the warrant is under seal; however, a spokesperson with the Oklahoma Democratic Party confirmed to News 4 that the warrant was served in relation to an ethics investigation.

Oklahoma State Representatives office searched as part of ethics probe

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Rep. Pittman had reached a settlement agreement with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission in 2024 over multiple violations of campaign finance rules. She was ordered to pay $35,000 in fines and reimbursements.

The lawsuit filed revealed more than that.

Allegedly, Rep. Pittman paid $5,000 in August of 2024, and in January 2025, she had submitted a copy of a check for $2,500.

However, recently, the commission found that the check wasnt actually paid into the campaign account she was supposed to pay it to.

A copy of the allegedly fraudulently submitted check. Image: KFOR

Eventually, Pittman had asked the commission for extensions to the repayments, and the commission agreed.

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They had gotten a letter that was signed by Pittmans campaign office building manager, stating that the building had water and mold damage before the allegations. The manager had alluded that campaign finance documents could have been destroyed because of the damage.

The building located at 4801 North Classen has been torn down, but the ethics commission said that the manager didnt send the letter. Instead, they allege that Pittmans mother, former state senator Anastasia Pittman, wrote it.

We were blindsided by all of this, said Representative Forrest Bennett (D-OKC).

Several lawmakers came out with statements in regards to Pittmans allegations.

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Records: Under Walters, OSDE gave federal funds meant for low-income private school students, to ineligible religious schools

The allegations against Rep. Ajay Pittman are very serious. I fully condemn these actions if proven. Elected officials, regardless of their political party, should be held to the highest standard. Clear corruption allegations among government officials break the publics trust in us and in our ability to work for them. I support law enforcement investigations on these serious allegations. We must all do better to hold ourselves accountable and avoid even the appearance of corruption so we can put people over politics, said Sen. Julia Kirt (D-Oklahoma City).

On the republican side, House Speaker Kyle Hilbert stated that Pittman had been removed from her Tribal-State Committee.

Yesterday, the Attorney Generals Office confirmed an investigation into serious allegations involving Rep. Pittman. While that investigation remains ongoing, the recent findings from the Ethics Commission make it inappropriate for her to continue serving in a role overseeing State-Tribal relations. Therefore, I have removed Rep. Pittman from the State-Tribal Relations Committee, effective immediately.

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These are serious allegations. And Im hoping that everyone will cooperate fully. You know, we have this public trust. And once you lose that, its hard to gain it back, said Bennett.

News 4 reached out several times since Thursday for a statement or interview with Rep. Pittman, but we havent heard back. News 4 also reached out to former Senator Pittman on Friday, but never heard back.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Delhi High Court, in a recent order, has quashed the dismissal of a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Personnel over his second marriage after getting a customary divorce from his first wife in the presence of the village Panchayat. At the time of the second marriage, the divorce was not granted by the court of law. Subsequently, he was granted a divorce by mutual consent of the parties. "In the circumstances of the present case, dismissal of the petitioner from service would result in a travesty of justice," the Delhi High Court said. A division bench of Justices C Hari Shankar and Om Prakash Shukla quashed and set aside the dismissal order and subsequently passed an order against him in appeal and revision. "Accordingly, the impugned order dated 27 February 2023, the appellate order dated 19 May 2023 and the revision order dated 23 November 2023 are quashed and set aside," the division bench ordered on October 13. The bench observed, "Dismissal from service is an extreme step. It throws the family of the employee into disarray and brings, to an ignominious and abrupt halt, the family's source of livelihood. It is not, therefore, a step to be routinely taken, especially where the allegation against the employee does not involve an element of moral turpitude or financial or like impropriety." The bench directed that the petitioner would be entitled to be treated as having continued in service and would be entitled to all benefits following continuity in service, including seniority and the benefits of pay fixation. However, the petitioner would not be entitled to any arrears of pay for the period that he has not served the respondents. The petitioner, Shailender Kumar, was dismissed from service by order of 27 February 2023, passed by the Commandant, 114th Battalion Jalandhar, Rapid Action Force. He filed an appeal, and subsequently a revision petition against the order, which was dismissed on 19 May 2023 and 23 November 2023. The petitioner moved a petition before the High Court through advocate KK Sharma and challenged the orders. There were three charges against the petitioner, including that the petitioner had married one Sangeeta Dudhnath Vishwakarma on 30 May 2021, even while his marriage with his first wife, Chandra Kiran, was subsisting. Secondly, the second marriage was solemnised without prior intimation to the respondents. Thirdly, the petitioner had availed a child care allowance for taking care of, who was the daughter of his second wife, before her marriage to the petitioner, even before formally adopting her. Petitioner's counsel submitted that before the authorities in the disciplinary proceedings, the petitioner adopted a specific stand that his marriage with Chandra Kiran had been dissolved by execution of a dissolution deed on stamp paper dated 29 March 2021 in the presence of the Panchayat. This specific contention has been noted in the order of dismissal, the counsel Sharma argued. The High Court noted that the Commandant, however, while passing the order of dismissal, has not addressed himself to the issue of whether the dissolution of the marriage on stamp paper, in the presence of the Panchayat, can be treated as a valid dissolution. "There is, in fact no application of mind to this contention of the petitioner at all. The order merely records a blank finding that the marriage had not been validly dissolved," the High Court said. The bench noted that petitioner had specifically pleaded, before the disciplinary authority, that the marriage had been validly dissolved by executing of a dissolution deed on stamp paper in the presence of the Panchayat of the Village. This assertion on facts has been noted in the impugned order of dismissal, and has not been held to be incorrect. The disciplinary authority has not doubted the correctness or proof of this assertion, the High court said. "In these circumstances, it is clear, at the very least, that the petitioner's marriage with Ms. Vishwakarma was a bona fide marriage, as the earlier marriage with Chandra Kiran, at least in the perception of the petitioner, stood dissolved by way of a dissolution deed on stamp paper executed in the presence of the Panchayat of the village," the bench observed. The High Court referred to an order passed by the Supreme Court, which observed that the question of whether a marriage has been validly dissolved in accordance with existing custom is ordinarily to be decided by a Civil Court by leading evidence. "The issue before us is whether the petitioner was validly dismissed from service. There can be no doubt about the fact that, if the petitioner's marriage with Chandra Kiran had in fact been validly dissolved," the High Court said. "To dismiss the petitioner from service in such circumstances would, in our considered opinion, be unjustified," the High Court added. (ANI)
Washington (DC News Now)  We are heading into another week of a government shutdown. Democrats and Republicans remain at odds over how to fund the government.

The Senate failed a 10th time Thursday to try to pass a bill that has already passed the House. Dr. Todd Belt with The George Washington University returns to Capitol Review.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WPRI)  The work to cleanup 7,000 cubic yards of asbestos-containing waste material at the site of the demolished Webster Mill in North Attleboro has been placed on pause.

Since July, crews with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been working to transport the contaminated materials to an approved facility.

FILE  The old Webster Mill before it was torn down

EPA confirmed to 12 News that the cleanup activities were paused after lead was found in some of the debris.

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As a precaution, the agency has temporarily paused work to determine the appropriate next steps for the safe disposal of the contaminated materials, EPA spokesperson Jo Anne Kittrell told 12 News. The site remains secure, the debris pile is covered and there is no additional risk to community members.

Back in March 2024, the town conducted emergency demolition on a significant portion of the former silversmith facility at 262 Broadway after officials were unable to contact the propertys owner and determined that the building was at significant risk of collapsing.

The following October, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection asked the EPA to assess and address the asbestos. In May 2025, the EPA signed an action memorandum requesting approval for the cleanup, and the work on the 1.6-acre property got underway this summer.

The EPA working to clean up around 7,000 cubic yards of asbestos-containing waste material at the site of the old Webster Mill in North Attleboro. (Courtesy: EPA)

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that can be found in a variety of places including some insulation, roofing shingles, textured paint, and walls and floors protected with millboard or cement sheets.

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Anyone nearby can be exposed to asbestos fibers when demolition work releases the fibers into the air. According to the EPAs website, asbestos exposure can cause adverse health effects.

The Webster Mill is located in a densely populated neighborhood near homes, businesses and a school.

The EPA was monitoring the air quality in the neighborhood while the cleanup work was underway. A spokesperson for the town of North Attleboro said the EPA will not conduct air monitoring again until the operations there resume.

The EPA noted that it is currently evaluating impacts to the project schedule.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
A third-floor balcony at an off-campus apartment near the University of Cincinnati collapsed Friday night, leaving at least 10 people injured, one of them critically, officials said.

Students from the school were celebrating the completion of a big exam when the incident occurred in the citys Corryville neighborhood just after 10 p.m., Cincinnati Police Department Capt. Stephen Bower said during a press conference.

An investigation into the collapse is ongoing, but fire officials said it appears the weight of the individuals gathered on the balcony  which measured 8-by-12-feet  had been too heavy for the structure to support.

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The wooden platform fell from the side of the building  located on the 200 block of Stetson Street, near the universitys College of Medicine  and plunged some 20 feet down into the parking lot, according to District Fire Chief Nicholas Caliguri.

Of those injured, one person suffered life-threatening injuries, while five other were listed in serious condition, according to local CBS affiliate WKRC. Fire officials said that four other people suffered minor injuries.

Most of the injured are believed to be University of Cincinnati students.

It is not clear how many people were on the balcony at the time of the collapse, and the number of injured could be higher.

Other victims may have self-transported to area hospitals, Caliguri said.
A Long Island teacher was arrested Friday for attempting to engage in sexually explicit online chats with a decoy account he believed belonged to a 13-year-old girl, according to police.

Mark Verity, 37, of Islip, is accused of having inappropriate communications online  including requesting indecent photos from a purported child, the Suffolk County Police Department said in a press release.

SCPD Digital Forensics Unit detectives began an investigation into the alleged online activities after receiving a report from the Riverhead Town Police Department regarding a teacher at Wading River Elementary School, part of the Shoreham-Wading River Central School District.

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Verity was allegedly caught on camera confessing to the crimes to a sting of local vigilantes, as well as Riverhead police, saying he knew it was wrong and that he was aware hed messed up, ABC7 New York reported.

In the video, recorded by Predator Poachers Long Island, he also admitted to possessing child pornography featuring girls as young as 8, according to the undercover group.

Following an investigation, Suffolk County detectives arrested Verity at a family members home in Mattituck and charged him with attempted dissemination of indecent material to a minor and two counts of attempted use of a child under 17 in a sexual performance.

Shoreham-Wading River Superintendent Gerard Poole referred to the incident as a deeply troubling situation for our entire community in a letter sent to parents, New12 Long Island reported.

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The charges brought forward are heinous and deeply disturbing, and they stand in direct opposition to the values we uphold as a school district, Poole said, adding the case was being treated with the utmost seriousness and urgency.

Officials say theres no evidence Verity had engaged in similar conversations with any actual students at the school district.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  State leaders gathered in Providence Friday afternoon to cut the ribbon on a new life sciences building.

The 212,000-square-foot building is located in the 195 District on Richmond Street. Gov. Dan McKee described the new life sciences building as the states latest addition to a thriving 195 District that has put Rhode Island on the map for the life sciences industry.

Not only do the new State Health Laboratories provide the ideal environment for our researchers at the Rhode Island Department of Health, but the life science incubator and available business spaces in the building set the stage for exciting public-private collaborations in the future, McKee said.

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Construction for the project first started at the end of 2024.

BACKGROUND: New life science startup incubator comes to downtown Providence

The Rhode Island Life Science Hub invested $10 million in the building, while the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission provided an extra $1 million.

Growing the life sciences sector is one of the most important opportunities for Rhode Islands economic future, I-195 Redevelopment District Commission Chairman Marc Crisafulli said. [The new life sciences building] adds more than just square footage  it adds momentum. It adds jobs. It adds vitality. And it continues to fill in the fabric of the 195 District, which is quickly becoming one of the most dynamic places to live, work, and innovate in New England.

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The building will be anchored by the state health departments new State Laboratories. It will also be the home of Ocean State Labs, which is expected to open in early 2026.

There will be three floors in the building that will be able to be used by private companies as well.

This is the eighth building to be completed in the 195 District.

NEXT: RI housing costs rise fastest in New England; no affordable municipalities left

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
TYLER, Texas (KETK)  Starting on Monday, East Texans will have the opportunity to vote early for the upcoming Nov. 4 Texas constitutional amendment election.

Tyler native launches campaign for city council

KETK News has put together the following list of early voting locations and hours when East Texans can vote early this year:

ANGELINA COUNTY

Main Early Voting Dates and Times

Monday, Oct. 20, 2025  Friday, Oct. 24, 2025 8 a.m.  5 p.m.

Main Early Voting Location

Angelina County Elections Administration, 606 E. Lufkin Avenue, Lufkin

Branch Early Voting Dates and Times

Monday, Oct. 27, 2025  Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025: 8 a.m.  5 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025  Friday, Oct. 31, 2025: 7 a.m.  7 p.m.

Branch Early Voting Locations

Angelina County Elections Administration, 606 E. Lufkin Avenue

Clawson Assembly of God Church, 5569 US 69, Pollok

City of Lufkin Parks & Recreation Center, 516 Montrose, Lufkin

Huntington Civic Center, 1179 Hwy 69, Huntington

Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church Activity Center, 1663 FM 2109, Zavalla

T.L.L. Temple Memorial Library, Community Room, 300 Parks Street, Diboll

SAMPLE BALLOT PDF

ANDERSON COUNTY

Main Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024, 2025: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 2729, 2025: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 3031, 2025: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Main Early Voting Location

703 N Mallard Street, Suite 103A, Palestine, TX 75801

Sample Ballot PDFs

BOWIE COUNTY

Early Voting Times

Oct. 2024, 2025: 8 a.m.6 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025: 12 p.m.6 p.m. (Main location only)

Monday, Oct. 27  Friday, Oct. 31, 2025: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Early Voting Locations

Bowie County Courthouse Elections Workroom (Main Location): 710 James Bowie Dr., New Boston

Southwest Center, ABC Room: 3222 W. 7th St., Texarkana

Northside Church, East Entrance: 5801 Summerhill Rd., Texarkana

SAMPLE BALLOT PDF

CAMP COUNTY

Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 2729: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 3031: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Early Voting Location

Camp County Courthouse, 1st Floor, Pittsburg

SAMPLE BALLOT PDF

CASS COUNTY

Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2124 (MondayFriday): 8 a.m.5 p.m. (All locations)

Oct. 26 (Saturday): 7 a.m.7 p.m. (Linden location only)

Oct. 27 (Sunday): 12 p.m.6 p.m. (Linden location only)

Oct. 28  Nov. 1 (MondayFriday): 8 a.m.5 p.m. (Atlanta & Hughes Springs locations)

Linden location open 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Early Voting Locations

Cass County Voting Building (Main Location): 227 E. Rush St., Linden

North East Texas Property Management Building (Old Horne Enterprise Building): 101 E. Pinecrest Dr., Atlanta

Hughes Springs Community Center: 902 E. First St., Hwy 11, Hughes Springs

SAMPLE BALLOT PDF

CHEROKEE COUNTY

Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 25: 9 a.m.1 p.m.

Oct. 2729: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 3031: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Early Voting Locations

Cherokee County Elections Department, 138 W. 5th Street, Rusk

Jacksonville Public Library, 526 E. Commerce Street, Jacksonville River Church, 595 Marcus St., Alto

SAMPLE BALLOT PDF

FRANKLIN COUNTY

Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 2729: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 3031: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Early Voting Location

Franklin County Elections and Voter Registration, 502 East Main Street, Mount Vernon, TX 75457

SAMPLE BALLOT PDF

GREGG COUNTY

Early Voting Dates and Times

Mon., Oct. 20  Fri., Oct. 24: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Mon., Oct. 27  Wed., Oct. 29: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Thurs., Oct. 30  Fri., Oct. 31: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Early Voting Location

Gregg County Election Office, 100 E. Methvin Street, Longview, TX 75601 (NEW PARKING GARAGE)

Sample Ballot PDFs

HARRISON COUNTY

Main Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 2729: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 3031: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Main Early Voting Location

Harrison County Elections Office

415 East Burleson, Marshall

Branch Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 2731: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Branch Early Voting Locations

Pct. 12: Gold Hall Community Center, 101 East Elm St., Hallsville

Pct. 6: H.C. ESD 9, 130 FM 451, Elysian Fields

Pct. 15: Harleton Community Center, 4335 Community St., Harleton, TX 75651

Pct. 5: T.J. Taylor Community Center, 15642 FM 134, Karnack, TX 75661

Pct. 20: Waskom Sub-Courthouse, 165 W. Texas Ave., Waskom, TX 75692

Pct. 25: Woodland Hills Baptist Church, 2105 E. Loop 281, Longview, TX 75601

SAMPLE BALLOT PDF

HENDERSON COUNTY

Main Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024, 2025: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 2729, 2025: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 3031, 2025: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Main Early Voting Location

Henderson County Election Office, 201 East Larkin Street, Athens (Entrance and parking at back of building)

Branch Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024, 2025: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 2731, 2025: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Branch Early Voting Locations

Gun Barrel City Hall, 1716 W. Main Street, Gun Barrel City

First Methodist Church Chandler  Heritage Hall, 501 North Second Street, Chandler

Henderson Co. Larue Complex, 9551 County Road 4719, Larue

Sample Ballot PDFs

HOPKINS COUNTY

Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024, 2025: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 2729, 2025: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 3031, 2025: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Early Voting Location

Hopkins County Justice Of The Peace, J.P. #2 Courtroom, 128G Jefferson Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482

SAMPLE BALLOT PDF

HOUSTON COUNTY

Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024, 2025: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 2729, 2025: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 3031, 2025: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Early Voting Location

Houston County Senior Citizen Center 716 W. Wells, Crockett

SAMPLE BALLOT PDF

MARION COUNTY

Main Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 2729: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 3031: 8 a.m.8 p.m.

Main Early Voting Location

Marion County Tax Office, 119 W. Lafayette Street, Jefferson

Branch Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 2729: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 3031: 8 a.m.8 p.m.

Branch Early Voting Location

Marion County Election Building, 504 N. Alley Street, Jefferson

SAMPLE BALLOT PDF

MORRIS COUNTY

Early Voting Dates and Times

Monday, Oct. 20  Friday, Oct. 24: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 27  Wednesday, Oct. 29: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 30  Friday, Oct. 31: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Early Voting Location

Morris County Annex, 502 Union St., Daingerfield

SAMPLE BALLOT PDF

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY

Early Voting Dates and Times

October 2024: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

October 25: 9 a.m.3 p.m.

October 2729: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

October 3031: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Early Voting Location

Nacogdoches County Courthouse Annex Building

203 W. Main Street, Nacogdoches, TX 75961

SAMPLE BALLOT PDF

PANOLA COUNTY

Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024, 2025: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 2729, 2025: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 3031, 2025: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Early Voting Location

Panola County Courthouse

110 S. Sycamore St., Room 100, Carthage

SAMPLE BALLOT PDF

POLK COUNTY

Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 2729: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 3031: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Early Voting Locations

Polk County Judicial Center, 101 W. Mill St., Livingston

Sechrest Webster Community Center, 100 W. Front St., Corrigan

Onalaska Sub-Courthouse, 14111 US Highway 190 West, Onalaska

SAMPLE BALLOT PDF

RAINS COUNTY

Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2729: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 3031: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Early Voting Location

Rains County Courthouse Annex Elections Office 220 W. Quitman St. Ste E, Emory

Sample Ballot PDFs

RUSK COUNTY

Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 2729: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 3031: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Early Voting Locations

Henderson Early Voting Location: Rusk County Elections Office, 204 N. Main Street, Henderson

Kilgore Early Voting Location: Chandler Street Church of Christ, Kilgore

SABINE COUNTY

Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 2729: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 3031: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Early Voting Locations

Sabine County Admin Building, 280 Main Street Hemphill, Texas 75948

West Sabine Leadership & Community Development Center, 103 Sloan Street Pineland, Texas 75968

SAMPLE BALLOT PDF

SAN AUGUSTINE COUNTY

Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 2729: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 3031: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Early Voting Locations

San Augustine County Elections Administrator Office, 225 N. Harrison Street, San Augustine

Broaddus Community Center, 1011 FM 2558, Broaddus

SAMPLE BALLOT PDF

SMITH COUNTY

Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 2729: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 3031: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Early Voting Locations

Heritage Building 1900 Bellwood Road, Tyler, TX 75701

Lindale Kinzie Community Center 912 Mt. Sylvan St., Lindale, TX 75771

The HUB 304 E. Ferguson Street, Tyler, TX 75702

Noonday Community Center 16662 CR 196, Tyler, TX 75703

Whitehouse Methodist Church 405 W. Main Street, Whitehouse, TX 75791

Sample Ballot PDFs

TITUS COUNTY

Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 2729: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 3031: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Early Voting Locations

Elections Office 110 S. Madison Ave. Ste C, Mt. Pleasant, TX 75455

SAMPLE BALLOT PDF

TRINITY COUNTY

Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 2729: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 3031: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Early Voting Locations

Groveton VFD 249 West Front Street, Groveton, TX

Trinity City Hall 101 West Madison Street, Trinity, TX

Apple Springs VFD-14755 N SH 94, Apple Springs, TX

SAMPLE BALLOT PDF

UPSHUR COUNTY

Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 2729: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 3031: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Early Voting Locations

Gilmer Civic Center 1218 US HWY 271 N. Gilmer, TX 75644

SAMPLE BALLOT PDF

VAN ZANDT COUNTY

Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 2729: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 3031: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Early Voting Locations

Van Zandt County Library 317 First Monday Ln. Canton, TX 75103

The Van Movie House 255 W. Main St. Van, TX 75790

Wills Point Community Center 307 N 4th St. Wills Point, TX 75169

Sample Ballot PDFs

WOOD COUNTY

Early Voting Dates and Times

Oct. 2024: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 2729: 8 a.m.5 p.m.

Oct. 3031: 7 a.m.7 p.m.

Early Voting Locations

Wood County Annex 200 W. Bermuda St., Quitman

Sample Ballot PDF

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A large crowd gathers at the Colorado Capitol as a No Kings demonstration against the Trump administration kicks off at noon in Denver Saturday. (Photo by Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)

Demonstrators gathered in numerous Colorado cities and towns on Saturday as part of a nationwide No Kings protest in opposition to President Donald Trumps administration.

It was expected to be the largest day of anti-Trump demonstrations since June, when an estimated 5 million Americans attended No Kings events held in at least 2,000 cities around the country. The No Kings movements organizers include a long list of liberal and progressive groups like Indivisible, MoveOn and the ACLU.

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Events were planned in Colorado communities as far-flung as Lamar, Fort Morgan, Steamboat Springs and Cortez, according to a map shared by organizers. They included a protest on the steps of the state Capitol in Denver, as well as one planned on Main Street in the Costilla County town of San Luis, population 628.

A large No Kings crowd had gathered at the Colorado Capitol in Denver by the time of the events official noon kick-off. An organizer with Indivisible said thousands had turned out for the No Kings event in Grand Junction.

Organizers say theyre demonstrating against Trumps authoritarian actions and power grabs. Since taking office in January, Trump has drawn widespread criticism and countless legal challenges to a series of attempted executive actions that run contrary to longstanding separation-of-powers principles in the U.S. Constitution, including the mass firings of federal workers and the freezing or cancellation of congressionally-authorized spending.

Trump has also invoked centuries-old wartime powers to justify an unprecedented immigration crackdown as he seeks to fulfill his promise to deport 12 million people living in the U.S. without permanent legal status. The latest No Kings protests come as Trump has ordered the deployment of National Guard troops to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the cities of Chicago and Portland, which he has falsely described as war ravaged in spite of recent nonviolent anti-ICE protests that have prominently featured inflatable animal costumes and naked bicycle rides.

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Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, a Democrat who is running for governor in 2026, is among those who have encouraged Coloradans to demonstrate peacefully at Saturdays protests. As attorney general, Weiser has sued the Trump administration at least 37 times since January on matters ranging from withheld funding and federal worker layoffs to tariffs and the administrations attempt to end birthright citizenship.

Show up at the No Kings rally on Oct. 18 at the Capitol  as many people as possible, and be as peaceful as possible, Weiser told 9News in an interview last week. Dont be afraid to show up, but also, weve got to be peaceful.

Updated at 2:07 p.m., Oct. 18, 2025.

Key Events

Oct. 18, 2025 4:33 pm

Denver crowd size estimated at over 25,000

Oct. 18, 2025 2:25 pm

Thousands march through downtown Denver

Oct. 18, 2025 1:43 pm

He should be behind bars

Oct. 18, 2025 1:37 pm

No Kings demonstrators gather in Grand Junction

Oct. 18, 2025 12:43 pm

West Capitol lawn filled with No Kings demonstrators

Oct. 18, 2025 12:16 pm

Signs and flags at the Capitol

Oct. 18, 2025 12:05 pm

No Kings demonstration in Denver kicks off

Denver crowd size estimated at over 25,000

Thousands of demonstrators gathered at the Colorado Capitol for a No Kings protest in Denver Saturday. (Photo by Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)

The No Kings rally and march through downtown Denver on Saturday drew a crowd of more than 25,000 people, according to an estimate from organizers.

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Former state Rep. Joe Salazar, a speaker at the event, which began shortly after noon on the west steps of the Colorado Capitol, told Newsline that organizers estimate 25,000 to 30,000 demonstrators were in attendance.

Nationwide, representatives of the No Kings Coalition estimated that over 7 million people attended an event, an increase from the reported attendance of 5 million at the movements previous day of protests in June.

Last updated: 4:37 pm

Thousands march through downtown Denver

Demonstrators march near the Colorado Capitol at the No Kings protest in Denver Saturday. (Photo by Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)

Thousands of demonstrators flowed through the streets surrounding the Colorado Capitol as they began marching through downtown Denver on Saturday afternoon.

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The crowd gathered around noon to hear from No Kings organizers and speakers on the Capitol steps, amid a festive atmosphere that featured countless homemade anti-Trump signs and dozens of demonstrators in inflatable costumes of the kind recently popularized by protesters in Portland.

Tiffany Weber, founder of the activist group Solidarity Warriors and one of the Denver protests organizers, blasted House Speaker Mike Johnsons characterization of No Kings this week as a Hate America rally.

He has the gall to say we hate America. We love America, Weber told the crowd. We love the loud, beautiful, chaotic streets of Denver. We love the variety of ways that people show up to protests, and we hate the fact that not everyone can safely exercise their American right to free speech.

Before the march, Julian Camera of the American Civil Liberties Union spoke to the crowd about their constitutional rights, including the right to free speech and the right to remain silent if detained by law enforcement.

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The reason I share these rights with you today is because its rookie hour at the federal government, he said, and if youre detained by law enforcement, they might try to intimidate you and lie to you about your rights.

Were not going to let them get away with trying to rewrite the Constitution just because Trump is telling them to, Camera added.

Organizers said they planned to gather again at the Capitol following the march.

He should be behind bars

Rick Griffith, Bev Griffith, Bill Shelton and Connie Ellenberger participated in the No Kings rally in Grand Junction on Saturday, displaying signs designed by Shelton.

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Bev Griffith said the event is their first No Kings rally and that they participated because President Donald Trump is running our country into the ground and he should be behind bars.

From left, Rick Griffith, Bev Griffith, Bill Shelton and Connie Ellenberger during a No Kings protest against the Trump administration in Grand Junction. (Photo by Sharon Sullivan for Colorado Newsline)

No Kings demonstrators gather in Grand Junction

Journalist Sharon Sullivan captured images from the No Kings rally in Grand Junction on Saturday.

Mother and daughter Kimberly and Kristina Torrez protest the Trump administration during a No Kings rally in Grand Junction.

Jill Smith, left, and Terri Carter, costumed as an angry antifascist chicken, protest the Trump administration during a No Kings rally in Grand Junction.

Pamela Salazar protests the Trump administration during a No Kings rally in Grand Junction.

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Bob Ricketts, left, and Donna Schultz, right, protest the Trump administration during a No Kings rally in Grand Junction.

Members of the Three Sisters Theatre Company perform Armor to open the No Kings rally against the Trump administration, in Grand Junction.

Annabelle Fleming, 19, left, and her grandmother Catherine Black-Ford protest the Trump administration during a No Kings rally in Grand Junction.

Last updated: 1:46 pm

West Capitol lawn filled with No Kings demonstrators

(Photo by Kevin Mohatt for Colorado Newsline)

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(Photo by Kevin Mohatt for Colorado Newsline)

(Photo by Kevin Mohatt for Colorado Newsline)

A large crowd stretched across the west Colorado Capitol lawn as part of a No Kings demonstration against the Trump administration in Denver Saturday.

Last updated: 12:54 pm

Signs and flags at the Capitol

(Photo by Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)

No Kings demonstrators arrived with signs and flags at the Colorado Capitol in Denver Saturday.

Last updated: 12:18 pm

No Kings demonstration in Denver kicks off

(Photo by Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)

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A large crowd gathered at the Colorado Capitol as a No Kings demonstration against the Trump administration officially kicked off at noon in Denver.

Last updated: 12:17 pm




Dozens of "No Kings" demonstrations are planned across Connecticut on Saturday, joining thousands across the U.S. who are protesting President Donald Trump and his administration.

A similar day of protest was held in June when more than more than 7,000 people gathered at a Hartford rally alone. The rallies are mostly organized by the 50501 Movement, an organization that aims to fight executive overreach and uphold the constitution. Local organizations have also joined the effort to get more people involved.

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Here's the latest on the "No Kings" rallies in Connecticut and across the U.S. on Saturday:

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes told protestors at Stamford's "No Kings" rally that they know things that "Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, Stephen Miller and Pete Hegseth will never understand."

"Each and every one of us is here because we love America," Himes said. "This country was founded to end kings. In Connecticut, we've been ending kings since 1776, and we are not going back."

An aerial view of the thousands of people who came out to attend the No Kings protest in Hartford, Conn., on Saturday October 18, 2025. (Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media Group)





State officials and community leaders delivered a series of speeches to the crowd touching on topics like social justice and the power of collective action.

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Bishop John Selders, co-founder of Moral Monday CT, urged listeners to use their voice against "unchecked authoritarianism" and said that if there were a time to be aware and engaged, it's now.

"Gone now are the days where reasonable folk can stand by, watching and observing, while wrong has a field day," Selders said.

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said the state is pushing back against Trump's "cruel policies" by providing social services to residents while the federal government is still shut down.

"We're going to make sure pregnant moms and their children have the food and formula they need, and we're going to make sure the seniors that need fuel assistance get it so they'll be warm this winter," Bysiewicz said.

State Rep. Josh Elliot (D-Hamden) addressed the crowd of Waterbury protesters about a recent ICE raid at a Hamden car wash.

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"They don't belong in our state," Elliot said. "We are going to protect Democracy and make sure you have a say at the ballot box. This is the antidote. This is how we stand up. This is a reminder we are not going to stand down and roll over."

A group of three Republicans from Wolcott joined others to protest what they saw as the demise of democracy under Trump.

"He is exceeding his Constitutional authority," Chris Santarsiero said. "I want my party back. I don't know how much longer I can hold on."

Wallace Middle School student Arianna Little, 11, attended the rally to protest ICE raids and voter suppression.

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"The decisions Trump is making affects all of us not just the minorities but people around the world," Little said.

Josyln Martinez, 13, of Wendall Cross Middle School agreed.

"Even if it doesn't affect you personally, what's right is right and wrong is wrong," Martinez said.

Both girls are members of Waterbury's Black and Taino Youth Leadership group led by Rafael Feliciano Roman.

"They wanted to participate," Feliciano Roman said. "The raids have heavily impacted Latinos."

The event was shortened to accommodate the funeral of a noted clergy member that blocked off West Main St. As the crowd dwindled and the blockade was lifted, two Tesla Cyber Trucks, one with Florida plates, and decked out with Trump flags blared their horns past the empty green.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont spoke at Stamford's "No Kings" protest Saturday, quoting the Constitution and encouraging protestors to "stand up" for their rights.

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"The Constitution, you know how it began? The Connecticut Constitution? We the people of Connecticut," Lamont said. "The Connecticut Constitution said no standing armies of peace, leave our towns alone. It said separation of powers. It said no king is above the law."

Mayor Caroline Simmons spoke to a crowd of Stamford protestors on Saturday afternoon.

"Together, we reject President Trump's attacks on judges, the free press, our elections, the very core institutions of our democracy," Simmons said. "Enough is enough. Now while these have been a difficult 10 months for our country, looking out at all of you, I am filled with hope."

Connecticut's Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff of Norwalk and other Stamford and Norwalk officials were among those in the crowd.

Members of the Pro Wo (Progressive Women of Greater Hartford) sign squad, shout words being removed from US government websites, during the No Kings protest in Hartford, Conn., on Saturday October 18, 2025. (Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media Group)





Among the sea of signs in Hartford, more than a handful emblazoned with messages about Trump's connection to Jeffery Epstein, some attendees wore inflated costumes ostensibly inspired by Portland protestors who made national news.

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Araceli Burket, a Simsbury resident who previously lived in California, said her "Baby Shark" costume was meant as a symbol of peaceful protest.

"It's still serious but we're not violent," Burket said. "Tying the protest to violence is not right, we love our country just like anyone else."

Willimantic resident Shane French quipped about his Freddy Krueger outfit representing the "nightmare" that he feels the United States is in.

"It seems everything this administration is doing is against the law, but nobody's doing anything about it," French said.

Protesters gather in front of Stamford Superior Court on Saturday, Oct. 18. (Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media Group)





A few hundred people gathered at Stamford's "No Kings" rally outside the Stamford Superior Court on Saturday.

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"We're all immigrants, and ICE needs to follow the rule of law," Stamford resident Anne Goico said. "We can't lose the ability to have the rule of law in this country, or we no longer have a democracy."

Stamford residents Anne Goico, left, and Caryn Furst protest at "No Kings" rally in Stamford on Saturday, Oct. 18. (Paul Schott / Hearst Connecticut Media Group)





Caryn Furst, another Stamford resident, said that her husband is the son of Holocaust survivors, and she feels that the actions of ICE are "reminiscent of what was going on in Europe, back in the '30s and '40s."

"It's very scary. I do think it's that serious," Furst said. "I want Gov. Lamont and the legislature to address this issue (with ICE), so that with at least within our borders, there's a little more sense of rule of law, transparency."

Tolland "No Kings" protesters dress in costumes on Saturday, Oct. 18. (Christine Dempsey / Hearst Connecticut Media Group)





Some of the hundreds of Tolland "No Kings" protesters on Route 195 dressed up in costumes for the event. There was an astronaut, a donkey, a T-Rex and an alien in the quiet crowd, where attendees ranged from pre-school aged to 98 years old.

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One woman wore a banana hat. "I'm not a terrorist, I'm a banana," she said.

About 200 people turned out to the Waterbury Green carrying homemade signs and chanting phrases like "This is what Democracy looks like," and "Donald Trump has got to go."

Frank Pasluszny of Greenwich searched the web for a rally near a family event in Oxford. Pasluszny was there to honor the members of his military family who served in combat.

"Standing up to bullies is something I've always done," Pasluszny said. "What I'm doing is miniscule compared to others who went to war."

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Marchers looped the green dressed in superhero costumes and an inflatable koala costume ordered off Amazon for the event.

"I pay attention to what's happening in this country and it's being run into the ground," said the koala wearer, who did not wish to give her name.

A lone counter protester stood with a bullhorn shouting, "Trump is your president." He was drowned out by rallygoers and noisemakers.

Demonstrators from around Connecticut gather at the Capitol Building in Hartford ahead of a "No Kings" demonstration on October 18, 2025. (Joseph Villanova / Hearst Connecticut Media Group)





In Hartford, a crowd slowly grew in the hour ahead of the noon event, many holding signs and flags expressing opposition to the Trump administration and its policies.

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Edith and Louis Glanz, mother and son, handed out American flags ahead of the start of the event.

"This is the original anti-fascist flag," Louis said.

Edith, 92, said she once lived in Sudetenland, a region of former Czechoslovakia, before the outbreak of World War II and experienced its tumultuous history firsthand.

"The nazis took it, then the Russians came then we were refugees to Germany," Edith said. "I know what it's all about."

Both Edith and Louis said they attended the last "No Kings" rally in Hartford, as well as a "Women's March" around Bushnell Park during Trump's first presidential term. A retired firefighter, Louis said his attendance was meant to show "solidarity with like-minded friends" who are against what he described as oligarchic rule under the Trump administration.

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Edith said she planned to keep protesting "as long as I can walk and talk," and Louis shared the sentiment.

"I never thought in my lifetime I'd make a habit of getting on a train on Saturday morning (and) going to a protest, but here we are," Louis said.

Amy Green of Tolland was among the hundreds of No Kings protesters lined up along Route 195 at Fieldstone Commons in Tolland on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Christine Dempsey / Hearst Connecticut Media Group)





Over 100 Connecticut protesters gathered at Fieldstone Commons, a shopping plaza along Route 195 in Tolland, for its "No Kings" protest Saturday morning.

The road, which leads to the UConn campus, was filled with the sounds of beeps as cars and trucks passed by the protest, with some occupants waving to rallygoers. Other cars sped by, and one passenger gave the crowd the thumbs down gesture.

A Middlesex County "No Kings" protest at Harbor Park in Middletown saw "close to a thousand people," according to a post from Middletown Democrats on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Close to a thousand people gathered at Harbor Park in Middletown, Connecticut for No Kings Middlesex County.



Faith leaders, veterans, and elected officials speaking out against Trump's authoritiarism.  pic.twitter.com/AYrWdjTfJY - Middletown Democrats (@MtownDems) October 18, 2025

The post showed crowds of people gathering early Saturday morning, many of whom , many of whom held signs speaking out against the current administration. "No bone spurs, no kings," read one sign held by the father of four Army veterans.

Gubernatorial candidate Josh Elliott, CT-3 congressional seat candidate Andrew Rice and CT-1 congressional seat candidates Jillian Gillchrest and Luke Bronin will speak at Connecticut 50501's Community Activism Fair and Rally following Hartford's "No Kings" protest.

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The event will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Connecticut State Capitol. An organizer said the event is intended to "offer people pathways to discover local organizations, learn how to get involved, give back, and volunteer-especially at a time when the economy is shifting and government resources are tighter."

"Most importantly, we want to empower folks to take constructive, peaceful action -individually and together - to address the challenges they see. We're often asked, What can I do?' and we felt a responsibility to answer that, and this event is our response," the organizer said.

The rally will also feature live music, food trucks and booths where community organizations can share their work, according to a news release from Connecticut 50501.

The Department of Homeland Security sent out an intelligence report warning U.S. law enforcement agencies about the potential for "No Kings" protests around the country to become violent, according to CNN.

The report obtained by CNN did not list any planned protests by name. The Department of Homeland Security said police should look out for demonstrators "with a history of exploiting lawful protests to engage in violence" and attendees who have received paramilitary-like training at Saturday's protests.

The report also recommended that police communicate with transit agencies to be aware of increased travel to a particular area from people outside the region, and to consider establishing separate areas where protesters and counter-protesters can demonstrate at a distance from one another.

The report, however, did not indicate national security officials were aware of any specific and credible threats, nor did it identify any planned protests by name, according to CNN.

Protesting the direction of the country under President Donald Trump, people will gather Saturday in the nation's capital and communities across the U.S. for "No Kings" demonstrations - what the president's Republican Party is calling "Hate America" rallies.

This is the third mass mobilization since Trump's return to the White House and it is expected to be the largest. It comes against the backdrop of a government shutdown that not only has closed federal programs and services, but is testing the core balance of power as an aggressive executive confronts Congress and the courts in ways that organizers warn is a slide toward American authoritarianism.

"They say they're referring to me as a king. I'm not a king," Trump said in a Fox News interview airing early Friday.

While the earlier protests this year - against Elon Musk's cuts in spring, then to counter Trump's military parade in June - drew crowds, organizers say this one is building a more unified opposition party movement. Top Democrats such as Senate Leader Chuck Schumer and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders are joining in what organizers view an antidote to Trump's actions, from the administration's clampdown on free speech to its military-style immigration raids.

-The Associated Press

In Connecticut, the largest rally will again be held in Hartford where organizers expect attendance to exceed the 7,000 participants who came out in June.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam are expected to speak at the event, as well as other state and local politicians. In addition to the speakers, the rally at the Capitol building will also include musical performances from Neikta Waller and Hartford's Proud Drill, Drum and Dance Corps.

"It's an absolutely joyous celebration and a celebration of our country, and basically the celebration of democracy. And that's what we're fighting for," said Carol Rizzolo, of Connecticut Shoreline Indivisible, which is among the groups involved in planning the rally. "We're really framing this, as I said, as an absolute celebration of what people are doing, of activism and highlighting the many ways that people can get involved."

Most of the roughly 40 protests will be held throughout the morning and afternoon on Saturday, and while many are in major cities such as Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport and Waterbury, dozens will be held in smaller communities.

Bethel  11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at P.T. Barnum Square

Bridgeport  12:30 to 2 p.m. on the Ash Creek Bridge on Fairfield Avenue at the Fairfield-Bridgeport border

Brookfield  11 a.m. to noon at the Welcome to Brookfield sign

Canton  9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the intersection of Dowd Avenue and Albany Turnpike

Cheshire  10 to 11 a.m. at Cheshire Town Hall

Cornwall  noon to 1 p.m. at 366 Furnace Brook Road

Danbury  11 a.m. to noon, location to be determined

Deep River  10 a.m. to noon at Deep River Town Hall

East Haddam  10 a.m. to noon at East Haddam Village

Enfield  noon to 4 p.m. at Thomas Alcorn School

Farmington Valley  2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at 1 Monteith Drive

Glastonbury  10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Glastonbury Town Hall

Granby  2 to 4 p.m. at Granby Town Green

Greenwich  1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Havemeyer Building

Guilford  11 a.m. to noon at the Guilford Green

Hartford  noon to 2 p.m. at the Connecticut State Capitol

Kent  1 to 3 p.m. at the Kent Welcome Center

Killingly  10 a.m. to noon at 541 Hartford Pike

Litchfield  10 a.m. to noon at the Litchfield Town Green

Middletown  10 to 11:30 a.m. at Harbor Park Stage

Milford  noon to 2 p.m at Milford Green

Mystic  11 a.m. to 2 p.m at Liberty Pole

New Haven  3 to 5 p.m. at the New Haven Green

New London  10 a.m. to noon at Parade Plaza

New Milford  noon to 1:30 p.m. at the New Milford Town Green

Newtown  12:30 to 3 p.m. at Dickinson Memorial Park

Norwich  11 a.m. to noon at Norwich City Hall

Norwich  2 to 4 p.m. at the Norwich Town Green (second protest held by Indivisible Norwich)

Ridgefield  1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Veterans Park

Roxbury  11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Seth Warner Monument

Salisbury  11 a.m. to noon at the White Hart Inn

Somers  3 to 4 p.m. at the Springfield Road and Main Street intersection

Southbury  10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Playhouse Corner

Stamford  noon to 2 p.m. at the Stamford/Norwalk Judicial District Court

Tolland  10 a.m. to noon at Fieldstone Commons and Merrow Road intersection

Torrington  10 a.m. to noon at Coe Memorial Park

Waterbury  11 a.m. to noon at the Waterbury Green

Westport  11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge

Willimantic  3 to 5 p.m. at Jillson Square

Windsor  2 to 4 p.m. at the Windsor Town Green

This article originally published at Recap: CT No Kings' protesters dress in costumes, gather across CT in protest of Trump.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Section Officer (Legal) of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Finance Corporation (JKLFC) Jammu for demanding a bribe of Rs 80,000 and accepting the first instalment of Rs 20,000, the probe agency said in a release on Saturday. According to the CBI release, a complaint was received to the effect that the accused Section Officer was demanding a bribe of Rs 80,000 from the complainant for processing the file pertaining to the settlement of the MSME loan of Rs 51 lacs of the complainant. During the negotiation by the complainant, the first instalment was settled at Rs 20,000. CBI laid a trap on Friday and caught the accused while accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000 as the first instalment from the complainant through online UPI transaction at a Mobile Number provided by the accused pertaining to the settlement of the MSME Loan of Rs 51 lacs, the agency said. As per negotiations, the remaining amount was to be paid after a favourable decision is taken in this regard, it said, adding that further investigation is underway. (ANI)




5:08 p.m.: The event has wrapped up with no arrests reported, the Austin Police Department said in a statement on X.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the No Kings March today. The rally remained peaceful, with no arrests reported. Were grateful to our community and event organizers for coming together to make sure voices were heard safely and respectfully. Great job ATX!

++++++++++++ pic.twitter.com/ZS8TurFzgW  Austin Police Department (@Austin_Police) October 18, 2025

4:48 p.m.: Beto O'Rourke has joined the party  after saying hello to attendees, he headed up to the stage steps.

Elijah B. leads chants near the front of the rally as thousands march through downtown Austin for the No Kings protest, Oct. 18, 2025. The rally against President Donald Trump and his policies included speakers, a march from the Texas State Capitol to Auditorium Shores and live music and occurred in conjunction with others across the country. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)





The former U.S. Representative's appearance at the protest was a surprise.

He is slated to speak soon.

4 p.m.: Although Texas Gov. Greg Abbott promised to send the National Guard to the "No Kings" protest in Austin, there are none in sight at Auditorium Shores. Multiple politicians will take the stage at the protest, including Jose Chito Vela, Austins district 4 city councilman, and Dan Weber, a Texas Democrat whos running for the House of Representatives in 2026.

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The Saturday afternoon heat is scorching, and Auditorium Shores provides little shade. After enjoying a bit of live music, the crowd cheers as a speaker performs a live reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Sarah Harrison brought her young son to the protest  he is still in diapers. "This is about his future," Harrison said. "it couldn't be more important."

Seniors are showing up in droves. Advocacy groups like Third Act, Raging Grannies, the Gray Panthers and the Texas Alliance for Retired Americans are hosting active tents.

Theyre calling their corner of the park the wisdom village.

Protesters crossing the First Street bridge are reflected in the sunglasses of a protester watching the crowd go by as thousands march through downtown Austin for the No Kings rally, Oct. 18, 2025. The rally against President Donald Trump and his policies included speakers, a march from the Texas State Capitol to Auditorium Shores and live music and occurred in conjunction with others across the country. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)





Jan Lance, 73, is representing the Texas Alliance for Retired Americans, and she said the organization is especially concerned about the future of the Affordable Care Act.

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Seniors have to be engaged, she said. When we advocate for senior issues, we, in the end, advocate for our family's issues.

Lance has two grandchildren, and she said they inspire her to try to do everything I can to try to make a better world for them.

Just two tents down, 74-year-old Judy Gradford said she and other Raging Grannies are personally outraged. At their tent, the Grannies are strumming guitars.

We're very concerned about what's happening to immigrants, were very concerned about what's happening to communities of color, what's happening at universities, what's happening all over this country, where people are being attacked and trying to be silenced, Gradford said.

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Gradford said she has eight grandchildren ranging in age from the late twenties to just four years old.

3:15 p.m.: The crowd at Auditorium Shores so far is peaceful, with attendees dressed for a day in the sun. Many brought their families. Law enforcement is present, but many are standing by without intervening.

Melody Tremallo leads thousands of protesters through downtown Austin for the No Kings rally, Oct. 18, 2025. The rally against President Donald Trump and his policies included speakers, a march from the Texas State Capitol to Auditorium Shores and live music and occurred in conjunction with others across the country. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)





Many attendees at the protest wear blow-up costumes such as Pokemon, dinosaurs and unicorns. Just a few weeks ago, at a protest in Portland, Ore., a video showed a law enforcement officer seemingly clogging a blow-up frog costume's air vent with pepper spray.

Social media videos showed state troopers at the ready on Congress Avenue.

3 p.m.: The march has begun from the Texas Capitol to Auditorium Shores for Saturday's "No Kings" protest.

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A woman wearing an Uncle Sam hat is one of three musicians leading a chorus in the march. "The people united will never be divided," the crowd chants in unison. "Release the files," they continue.

It's impossible to ignore how many people are carrying American flags, some tiny and some very large. Three full-sized flags wave high above protesters' heads in one section of the march.

Onlookers are lined up along every Congress Avenue sidewalk, many cheering along as they stand in the shade.

Social media posts showed the growing crowd before the march down Congress.

The cadets at West Point have to take an oath  they have an honor code that says I will not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do, said Charlie Arnone, a 51-year-old U.S. Navy veteran attending the protest. Im personally offended that our commander-in-chief cant abide by the simplest code we require of candidates.

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Representatives from various organizing groups like Hands Off Central Texas and the Communications Workers of America union spoke in front of the crowd before the march to Auditorium Shores began. Other speakers included U.S. representatives Lloyd Doggett and Greg Casar as well as Texas Rep. Gina Hinojosa, who just announced her candidacy for the Texas governor's race.

"There's a lot of talk about Trump, and rightfully so, but his tactics started right here in Texas," Hinojosa said.

During the speeches, a man collapsed on the lawn and was promptly attended to by medics. The high temperature in Austin on Saturday is 93 degrees, with sunny conditions expected.

2:30 p.m.: Several thousand people have gathered at the Capitol and more continue to stream into all gates to the the Capitol grounds. Attendees span from small children on their parents' shoulders to elderly people with mobility issues. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers are checking bags at entrances to the grounds, requiring people to dump water bottles and disallowing personal protective equipment like goggles or helmets. Many people trying to enter the grounds with American flags are being told told to snap the pole of the flag or they will not be allowed in.

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The Austin event is part of a nationwide day of protests against President Donald Trump's administration.

We dont want an authoritarian, said Paula Beard, 70, who came to the protest with her friend, Jeanne Graves. And the way the immigration situation has been handled there are no words for it.

Earlier: Tens of thousands of people are expected to gather Saturday at the Texas Capitol for "No Kings" protest.

The "No Kings" protest is part of a nationwide day of demonstrations against what organizers describe as growing authoritarianism and threats to democracy.

According to organizers, the protest will start with opening remarks at the Capitol grounds followed by a march to Auditorium Shores, where a rally and performances will take place from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

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Gov. Greg Abbott has again ordered state troopers and Texas National Guard soldiers to Austin ahead of the protest, calling the planned demonstrations Antifa-linked despite their sponsorship by groups like the ACLU, League of Women Voters and Sierra Club.

Read more about what to know about Saturday's protest in Austin.

 Dante Motley contributed to this report.
(Reuters) -The LNG-laden tanker MV Falcon was on fire and adrift on Saturday off the coast of Yemen, after it reported an explosion that forced members of its crew to abandon the vessel, the European Union's naval force Aspides said in a statement.

The cause of the explosion was unclear, Aspides said, adding that 15% of the Cameroon-flagged vessel was on fire, according to initial indications.

Due to the risk of further explosions, since the tanker was fully loaded with liquefied natural gas, Aspides said it had advised vessels in the area to keep a safe distance from the carrier.

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An operation was in progress to rescue its 26 crew members.

So far, 24 seafarers have been recovered by two merchant vessels sailing nearby. One of the crew members remains on board and another one is reported missing, Aspides said, adding that a Greek frigate had been dispatched close to the scene.

The MV Falcon was travelling from Oman's Sohar Port to Djibouti, British security firm Ambrey said earlier. The explosion occurred as it was sailing 113 nautical miles southeast of the port of Aden in Yemen.

Maritime security sources said that neither missiles nor unmanned aerial vehicles had been detected in the area.

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British security firm Ambrey said the tanker was not believed to match the target profile of Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi militants who have launched numerous attacks on vessels in the Red Sea since 2023, saying they act in solidarity with Palestinians over Israel's war on Gaza.

The attacks have disrupted trade flows through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, one of the world's busiest shipping routes.

(Reporting by Enas Alashray, Muhammad Al Gebaly, Hatem Maher, Yannis Souliotis and Renee Maltezou; Editing by Jan Harvey and Barbara Lewis)
(Reuters) -The LNG-laden tanker MV Falcon was on fire and adrift on Saturday off the coast of Yemen, after it reported an explosion that forced members of its crew to abandon the vessel, the European Union's naval force Aspides said in a statement.

The cause of the explosion was unclear, Aspides said, adding that 15% of the Cameroon-flagged vessel was on fire, according to initial indications.

Due to the risk of further explosions, since the tanker was fully loaded with liquefied natural gas, Aspides said it had advised vessels in the area to keep a safe distance from the carrier.

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An operation was in progress to rescue its 26 crew members.

So far, 24 seafarers have been recovered by two merchant vessels sailing nearby. One of the crew members remains on board and another one is reported missing, Aspides said, adding that a Greek frigate had been dispatched close to the scene.

The MV Falcon was travelling from Oman's Sohar Port to Djibouti, British security firm Ambrey said earlier. The explosion occurred as it was sailing 113 nautical miles southeast of the port of Aden in Yemen.

Maritime security sources said that neither missiles nor unmanned aerial vehicles had been detected in the area.

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British security firm Ambrey said the tanker was not believed to match the target profile of Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi militants.

A Houthi defence ministry official said the group had no connection to the incident, according to the Houthi-run Saba news agency.

Houthi militants have launched numerous attacks on vessels in the Red Sea since 2023, saying they act in solidarity with Palestinians over Israel's war on Gaza.

The attacks have disrupted trade flows through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, one of the world's busiest shipping routes.

(Reporting by Enas Alashray, Muhammad Al Gebaly, Hatem Maher, Yannis Souliotis and Renee Maltezou; Editing by Jan Harvey and Barbara Lewis)
SARANAC LAKE  Miona Amoriell sat in the back of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival monthly meeting on Tuesday, counting heads, taking note of how decisions were made and tallying every time people hugged.

She was collecting data for a social science study by Indiana University.

Amoriell, of Lake Placid, has been sitting in on recent meetings and events of local civil society organizations, collecting data on the groups to be used in a variety of research papers.

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The Tri-Lakes has been selected as one of four regions in America where researchers are collecting data on volunteer organizations, clubs, advocacy groups, religious entities, arts organizations, chambers of commerce and hobby groups to learn more about how civic life impacts people and how people impact civic life.

When volunteers in the Adirondacks meet, where do they meet? How do they make decisions? How many of them are there? Whats the temperature of the room? How often do they shout at each other? What are their goals?

These are just a few of the questions the study is seeking to answer.

Democracy

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The idea for this study started 15 years ago while Matthew Baggetta  now the co-director of the Observing Civic Engagement Lab at Indiana University  was working on his doctorate, doing a study of community choirs in the Boston area. He had designed a survey for members to fill out.

But as he attended rehearsals and handed out surveys, he realized there were interesting quirks about the gatherings that he could see, but were invisible to the participants.

Its the water you swim in, its the air you breathe, so you dont think about it, Baggetta said.

For this study, they created an elaborate survey form with more than 1,000 variables on it and trained people in target areas on how to fill them out and what to look for while viewing meetings. The survey includes things as detailed as room temperature, as broad as if religion or politics are discussed and as basic as if food or alcohol is served at the event.

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The survey started in Bloomington, Indiana, where Indiana University is. Its organizers wanted to expand it to include nonprofits in rural communities. They expanded to Idaho, Iowa and the Adirondacks.

In total, the study has 50 people in the four locations collecting data. Amoriell is one of three in the Tri-Lakes, along with Sarah Sheridan and Isabella Susino. She started in mid-June and will continue through May. Shes observing 27 organizations with a goal to try to hit 30. Her cousin saw the job listing and knew Amoriell would be a great fit. Amoriell was sent to a five-day training in Indiana to learn how to fill out the survey.

This data collection effort could easily inform a dozen studies, Baggetta said. The researchers have many questions theyre trying to answer, so theyre having the surveyors collect a lot of data while theyre allowed this behind-the-scenes view of how nonprofit and volunteer organizations work.

Baggetta said there are four papers in the works using the Bloomington data, with more on the way. He expects that the data from the Tri-Lakes will be used in six or so papers in the near future. Eventually, the researchers would like to write a book about their findings.

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People who study democracy have talked for literally hundreds of years about these kinds of organizations and the roles they can play in making democracy work, Baggetta said.

In 1835, the French diplomat and writer Alexis de Tocqueville visited the U.S. and wrote his greatly important book, Democracy in America. Baggetta said de Tocqueville argued that the United States was the most democratic nation in the world  in part, because of how many civil society groups it has.

He said theyll make the data available to other scholars to use, and share their methods and tools, to let others collect more data.

This isnt just science for sciences sake, Baggetta said  they want their findings to benefit communities. In January, theyll share some preliminary results with the organizations they surveyed so they can use it to get an outside look at themselves.

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Baggetta had hoped to get the Tri-Lakes in the study. He grew up in Johnstown and spent summers at a camp his grandfather built on Fourth Lake.

Trust for Civic Life, a partnership of national grantmakers and a funder of the university study, identified that the Tri-Lakes community has had demographic changes in recent years in terms of economics and nationality. It is interested in communities in transition. Amoriell is observing some religious and community groups making sure people from other countries are welcome and have resources to start lives in the U.S.

In the Adirondacks, the age range of involvement in civic life groups appears to trend older.

We live in a society where we  intentionally or otherwise  really separate people by age group. Baggetta said. Young people do younger people things. Older people do older people things. and we really dont mix them together that much. Thats sort of unusual in human history. For most of human history, we had a lot more age integration.

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He wants to see what settings encourage age integration and which do not.

When he was studying Boston choirs, he saw a lot of gray hair and the people there told him they wanted younger people to join their groups.

Amoriell has seen that here. She believes volunteerism trends older because younger people are busy building careers or families. But she also said, when she saw the need for herself, she wanted to find the time.

I think everybody can cut out a couple hours here and there, she said.

One of the focuses of the study is the physical space people meet in. The researchers are studying the way a room affects the people in it.

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Theyre interested in how decisions are made. Since these groups are often led by volunteers, there might be a reluctance to take charge. Theyre curious if having a volunteer-led group makes it harder or easier to make decisions.

Theres disagreement in the academic world about how much social interaction happens at these events. Some believe theres a lot of meaningful connections. Others believe people sit in a room, listen to someone talk and walk away.

Baggetta said they have a hypothesis  that these groups are places where people mix and interact a lot. So they set out to test it.

Showing up

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Do people show up on time? Do people stay afterward and talk? (Baggetta calls this the meeting after the meeting.) How are decisions made? Is there discussion and consensus, or one person telling the group what will happen? Are meetings formal or informal? Do they talk about the news or politics  local or national?

By asking questions like these, they can answer bigger ones, like What makes people more connected? or How do groups attract younger volunteers?

Just through counting hugs, shouting and interrupting Baggetta said theyve seen interesting dynamics.

This happened in three organizations observed in Bloomington. One had no hugs, no shouting and no interrupting. Another had lots of interrupting but no hugging. The third had lots of interrupting and shouting but also a lot of hugging.

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Just with those three measures we start getting a sense of the kinds of dynamics at these organizations that are quite different, Baggetta said. You would never get that if you didnt count how many times people shout or hug.

They dont have hard data for local organizations yet, but in talking with surveyors, he said theyre noticing local civic cultures and traditions. In some areas, people tend to arrive at meetings and events on time. In other places, the start and end of an event have a softer boundary.

Baggetta felt the Adirondacks has a distinctive civic community because it has lots of tourist infrastructure and smaller year-round communities.

Amoriell sees many of the same people volunteering in different groups.

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Gathering 30 groups to observe seemed like such a daunting task when she started. But as she started reaching out to people, she had a domino effect of referrals.

In her training, she had been told that only 10% of organizations would likely agree to be observed. But, that percentage was much higher here. Only a few said no, some just didnt respond, but most were excited to be viewed.

Amoriella has seen people sharing meals, shooting films, caring for people with disabilities, singing, organizing events and advocating for causes to the government.

The work is tedious sometimes, but she enjoys it a lot.

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Shes lived in the Tri-Lakes for nine years but said she really didnt know how tight the community is until she started observing organizations.

She majored in English in Serbia and works part-time as a substitute teacher. Shes considering getting a masters degree and now thinks she might do it in social science.

I get paid to go and watch people, she said with a laugh. Thats really what social studies is all about.

Amoriell said its hard to just be a fly on the wall. Volunteers are always needed and nearly every group tries to recruit her.

Amoriell actually plans on volunteering with an organization to help elders after the survey is finished. After observing their work, she said it struck a chord with her.

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I can now see firsthand how important and how fulfilling that is, Amoriell said.

She described her reason for volunteering as selfish reasons. By that, she means she enjoys helping people.

The study is currently funded through May. If it gets more funding, it could continue after that.
The 24th Annual Senator John Heinz Law Enforcement Awards were held in Green Tree on Friday, hosted by Amen Corner, one of Pittsburghs oldest nonpartisan civic organizations.

Among the officers recognized, Adams Township Sgt. Aaron Zaliponi was honored for his heroic actions during one of the biggest events in western Pennsylvania history  the attempted assassination of then former President Donald Trump at the Butler Fairgrounds in July 2024.

Zaliponi is credited as the first law enforcement officer to engage shooter Thomas Crooks. Serving as the counter-assault team leader that day, he fired a single shot that hit Crooks gun and knocked him out of commission.

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Despite the extreme danger to his own life, he calmly shouldered his rifle  and less than six seconds after the first shot was fired, from 115 yards away, Sergeant Zaliponi acquired his target and fired a single, accurate round  stopping the threat, said Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday.

Sunday said Zaliponis quick action saved countless lives. Investigators concluded ten shots were fired in total  the first eight by Crooks, the ninth by Sgt. Zaliponi.

One of the Butler County Commissioners presented Zaliponi with his award  she sat directly behind President Trump at the rally and also happens to be his mother-in-law.

I think mother-in-law trumps attorney general  at least it does in my house, Sunday joked.

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Aaron hit Thomas Crooks  destroyed his gun, put him out of commission  and there were no shots for at least ten seconds between the ninth and tenth rounds. Aaron saved a lot of lives that day," said Kimberly Geyer.

Eighteen other officers were also recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty this year.

In addition to stopping the shooter, Sgt. Zaliponi was commended for what he did immediately afterward  running into the stands to help a wounded spectator get medical attention.

I just want to take a minute to say thank you, Sunday said. I appreciate you, and I pray every day you return home to your families.

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COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  A local organization walked along downtown Columbus dressed in pink to honor cancer patients and survivors on Friday.

The West Central Georgia Cancer Coalition held its 16th Paint the Town Pink Walk/Run fundraiser at Woodruff Park.

This years Breast Cancer Awareness event focused on the celebration of life and honoring those who are fighting any cancer, have won the battle, and those who have transitioned.

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The disease doesnt just impact the ones fighting it, it involves their support system as well.

The President and CEO of WCGCC reflects on her personal experience with loving those with cancer.

In 21, I lost my father to multiple myeloma, said WCGCC President and CEO Cheryl Johnson. I lost an aunt after that to breast cancer. I lost a cousin to pancreatic cancer. So cancer is very, very, very important to me, as having been a caregiver, you know, for my father. And so it is personal, but its a ministry for me in the organization.

Cheryl Johnsons ultimate goal was to have an inclusive event full of fun and celebration, keeping in mind that cancer affects everyone in some shape or form, even children.

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The support doesnt stop with just this event. Anyone can donate or support the cause. All the funds from their Neighbors Helping Neighbors Cancer Assistance Fund remain in the community and go towards patients who are in active treatment.

Donations can be made on their website.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
A Long Island diner owner who was harassed for supporting Israeli hostages after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack says his business is hanging on by a thread.

Peter Tsadilas refused to sit silently after the terrorist attack on Israel, and instead, days later, turned his Golden Globe diner into a call to action by studding the front with hundreds of hostage posters alongside Israeli and American flags.

The backlash was serious, and swift.

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Boycotts, vandalism, broken flags, personal threats and staff walkouts followed, as once loyal customers and delivery services, like DoorDash, protested his staunch support of Israel in the wake of the massacre, which left 1,200 civilians dead and hundreds of others abducted.

Golden Globe diner owner Peter Tsadilas was emotional when he finally removed the hundreds of hostage posters he plastered across his diner this week upon the return of the final 20 living Israeli captives. Helayne Seidman

And its impacted his business, Tsadilas, 52, admitted.

People think theres lines out the door. Its the opposite  Im trying to survive, he said of the town staple thats been a fixture for some 85 years.

I never imagined this kind of backlash. But I chose humanity over popularity, said the son of Greek immigrants, who added he hoped customers who boycotted come back after he was branded.

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I never caved. I believed in this, said the restaurateur, who boasted of serving the best New York steak, freshest ingredients, turkey burger and of course matzo ball soup like grandmas.

Tsadilas was especially moved by the victims of the Nova Music Festival, the peace concert near the Gaza border where 370 young people were slaughtered and another 40 taken hostage.

These were mostly young people going to a music festival, he said, noting his own 19-year-old daughter.

After he studded the front of his once-popular diner with hostage posters, owner Peter Tsadilas faced immediate backlash and vandalism, including a smashed window in July 2024. Helayne Seidman

I did it because I pictured my daughter. If she were in Israel, she definitely would have been at Nova. All I have to do is put my daughters face in front of each and every one of them and Id be crying, he said.

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If 50 Greek children were hostages, I wouldnt want to be the only one who wanted them back, he said.

He chose to pull down the hostage posters after 20 surviving captives were returned to their families after 738 days in Hamas hell, calling it emotional to do so.

Golden Globe owner Peter Tsadilas said his once-bustling diner is hanging on by a thread following fallout from his support for Israel. Courtesy Peter Tsadilas

He vowed to leave the Israeli flags, alongside a sign listing the number of days they spent in captivity, with the words Never Again.

Im grateful its over for the hostages who came home, and my heart goes out to the families waiting for remains, he said, adding, Its something we would do again if we had to.
LONG ISLAND, N.Y. (PIX11)  A teacher in the Shoreham-Wading River Central School District was arrested Friday morning for allegedly trying to solicit indecent photos from a minor, according to the Suffolk County Police Department.

The arrest stemmed from a police report that 37-year-old Mark Verity was having inappropriate communications online with an adult posing as a 13-year-old girl, officials say.

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Verity was arrested at a residence in Mattituck on the following charges:

Attempted Dissemination of Indecent Material to a Minor in the first degree

Attempted Use of a Child Less than 17 Years of Age in a Sexual Performance-Sexually Motivated

Attempted Use of a Child Less than 17 Years of Age in a Sexual Performance

Verity will be arraigned in Central Islip on Oct. 18.

LI teacher banned from school after disturbing livestream: Officials

Police do not believe that any students of the Shoreham-Wading River School District are victims.

Anyone who believes they may be a victim is asked to contact the Digital Forensics Unit at 631-852-6279.

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Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
When I first moved to Tupelo in 1999, I was fortunate to already know a few of my new co-workers. Id worked with Charlie Langford, Ginna Parsons and Ross Reily years earlier at the Vicksburg Evening Post.

Painfully shy, I did not meet new people easily. That didnt matter to Eileen Bailey. She, by golly, was going to be my friend no matter how long it took.

We quickly found some common ground: Wed both lived in and loved Ocean Springs, Mississippi. It was Eileens hometown  her parents still lived in their house on Back Bay. My first job out of college was teaching seventh and eighth graders to appreciate and use correctly the English language. I lived in a cottage on Front Beach, not two miles from Eileens house.

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We were both cradle Episcopalians. We felt certain that when I attended St. Johns Episcopal Church at least a decade before we met at the Journal, the Garrard family had been present in the pews.

Eileens sweet daddy died the same day as my sweet mama, and we grieved together.

When Eileen decided to leave journalism for something different, I missed her. But we never lost touch.

She spent four years working with the Girl Scouts, and for 19 years, Eileen lived her dream of being a teacher. She taught Tupelo Junior High students to love history. Her kids, she called them all. She loved them and, goodness gracious, they returned that love to their Mrs. Bailey 100 times over.

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Eileen adored her husband, David Bailey, and was puffed up with profound pride in their only child, daughter Claire, who has gotten even more amazing as she has grown into a young woman.

Because Eileens mom had dealt with breast cancer, and other cancers were prevalent in Eileens maternal grandmother, her aunts, her dad and his brother, Eileen stayed hyper vigilant and began having annual mammograms before she turned 50.

In July 2019 after a mammogram, Eileen was diagnosed with breast cancer. I know she had her moments off fear, but she also provided us with an example of pure courage. She made the decision to have a double mastectomy. She was ready to get back to her kids at TMS.

Not long after I moved to Northeast Mississippi and started working at the Journal, Eileen took me to get coffee at a cool place on the backside of Tupelos old mall. STARting Over. Eileen introduced me to Julia Newsom, known as "Star" to almost everyone.

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When I confessed to the owner of a coffee shop that I did not like nor drink coffee, she fixed me a cup of tea and served it with no judgment. Star did much more than dispense coffee and tea. STARting Over became a refuge and welcoming space for all manner of people, but especially teens, whod just hang out chatting or playing board games, even on a Friday or Saturday night.

Id been in Tupelo fewer than a few months and had two amazing new friends who accepted people just as they were.

Star had worked for a long time with the Girl Scouts at Camp Tik-A-Witha where she made large differences in the lives of young Scouts. I know this because I have met some of them, and their connection to Star has grown stronger in adulthood.

When she closed the coffee house, Star opened the Two Tone Cafe on South Green Street in 2004. Again, Star tended to our bellies, our hearts and our souls. The restaurant was not the only place she took care of so many who loved her.

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In 1987, 12 years before I knew much about Northeast Mississippi, Star hosted her inaugural Its a Wonderful Life party. Im told only three folks were present that year. But every New Years Day to follow  for 37 years  the friendship-themed party continued at Stars place, where she had cooked good food galore for all who showed up, and it grew well over the original three.

Back in 2023, Star grew lethargic, lost weight, was in pain. No one was as worried as Stars wife, Lena, who felt something wasn't as it should be, though Star said nothing. Until the day she and Lena were on the highway heading to see a doctor. Thats when Star told Lena what she had known for some time: She had a tumor in her breast, and it was not small.

By the time the diagnosis of breast cancer came, the cancer had already metastasized to Stars bones.

According to Lena, Star had celebrated 62 years without ever having had a mammogram.

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On New Year's Day, 2024, Stars cabin was packed with people, each who had known her in different stages life. Because we all loved Star, and she returned that love, it felt like a big family with our North Star in the center of it all. She sat in her wheelchair, holding court. Its a Wonderful Life on the TV screen, provided our backdrop.

Star died Valentines Day 2024. Four days after her birthday. She was 63.

Grieving is awful, but grieving while also being angry is so hard. What if our Star had just acted earlier, told someone, made an appointment months earlier? Truth is, what ifs will drive you crazy. Forgiveness is much gentler. It makes the anger ebb at some point, but forever we will miss our friend.

Eileen beat breast cancer and returned to the classroom and her kids. It was at the middle school where Eileen one morning realized something was not right and the school nurse called an ambulance, but only after she promised Eileen she could walk out of the school and then get on a gurney outside. Eileen did not want her kids to see her and be worried.

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Eileen was diagnosed with glioblastoma  a second primary cancer, which means it did not come from the earlier breast cancer. Eileen died November 19, 2024, at the age of 60.

Two dear friends lost in one year. I hate cancer. It made my 2024 a fairly sucky year. Now its October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Do me a favor, would you? Be aware. Get a mammogram. Do it every year. Do it for the people you love and who love you. Do it in memory of my friends Eileen and Star. If youd known them, youd have loved them, too.

Better yet, do it for yourself. Please.
Back in June, Indivisible and a coalition of pro-democracy organizations mobilized to create the "No Kings" protest.

No Kings demonstrations took place in towns and cities in every state in order to reject corrupt, authoritarian politics in the U.S., according to Indivisible.

Now, more protests are planned to take place on Oct. 18, with 1,500 events throughout the U.S. already established, according to Fight for a Union.

Where will No Kings protests be in Louisiana? 11 demonstrations planned on Oct. 18

So far, five No Kings demonstrations are scheduled to take place throughout Louisiana on Oct. 18.

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"On October 18, millions of us are rising again to show the world: America has no kings, and the power belongs to the people," says No Kings.

Where is the No Kings protest Shreveport-Bossier? Location of two demonstrations

The No Kings protest in the Shreveport-Bossier area will take place on Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Caddo Courthouse, located at 501 Texas St., from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Local organizers note that there are some benches and the area is mainly flat ground, with no stairs or steps.

Another No Kings demonstration will be held in Shreveport on the same day from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. along East 70th St. and Youree Drive. Organizers note that space is unlimited along a major highway, with plenty of parking at an adjoining strip mall.

Where is the No Kings protest in Alexandria?

There will be a No Kings demonstration in Alexandria on Saturday, Oct. 18 outside the Riverfront Center, at Jackson Street and 2nd Street, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. There will be designated parking spots and accessible restrooms.

Where is the No Kings protest in Lake Charles?

The No Kings rally in Lake Charles will take place on Saturday, Oct. 18 at Lock Park, addressed at 1535 Ryan St., from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. At the location, there will be no stairs or steps and the area is mainly flat ground.

Where is the No Kings protest in Lafayette?

The No Kings protest in Lafayette will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18 at Prejean Unity Point, located at 735 Jefferson St., from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. This event meets ADA standards, with mainly flat ground and a wheelchair ramp available.

Where is the No Kings protest in New Orleans?

The No Kings demonstration in New Orleans will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. at Lafitte Greenway, which is found at 2200 Lafitte Ave. Participators are advised to congregate along the Greenway and walk down the trail and meet on the "Great Lawn" to rally between N. Prieur and N. Galvez.

Nationwide "No Kings" protests are set for Oct. 18, 2025, as organizers push back on shutdown blame.

Is there a No Kings protest in Ruston? Here's where

There will be a No Kings demonstration in Ruston on Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Ruston Civic Center, which is located at 401 N Trenton St.

Is there a No Kings protest in Baton Rouge? Here's where

In Baton Rouge, there will be a No Kings protest on Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at 7122 Perkins Rd. Organizers plan to line up on the sidewalk at the entrance of Pennington on Perkins Road, march towards Kenilworth, turn right onto Kenilworth, go down a block or two, then cross over and march back to the corner of Perkins and Kenilworth for a rally in the grassy area.

Where is No Kings Northshore protest?

There will be a No Kings Northshore La protest in Hammond on Oct. 18 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Zemurray Park, which is located at 400 S Oak St. Beginning at 11 a.m., there will be a protest and rally, followed by a series of speakers and chants, then a caravan to New Orleans' No Kings protest.

Is there a No King protest in Leesville? Here's where

The No Kings protest in Leesville will be held on Oct. 18 from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Leesville City Hall, which is addressed at 508 S 5th St.

Is the No Kings protest in Monroe? Here's where

There will be a No Kings demonstration in Monroe on Oct. 18 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at Marting Luther King Jr. Drive and Renwick Street. Participators will convene at the Renwick Pedestrian Footbridge.

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Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Where are No Kings protests today in Louisiana? 11 cities with rallies
The chas upheld the concurrent findings of lower courts that recognised a daughter-in-law's right to residence in her matrimonial home, dismissing revision petitions filed by her mother-in-law and late father-in-law. Justice Sanjeev Narula, pronouncing the judgment, ruled that the ground floor of the property in Old Gobindpura Extension, Delhi, qualifies as a "shared household" under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (DV Act). The Court held that the daughter-in-law cannot be dispossessed except through due legal process. The petitions were argued by Mrs Kajal Chandra and Ms Hatneimawi on behalf of the petitioners, while Ms Samvedna Verma represented the respondent. The dispute, spanning over a decade, arose after the daughter-in-law's marriage to the petitioner's son in 2010 and her subsequent residence with her in-laws at the property. The matrimonial relationship soured in 2011, leading to multiple civil and criminal proceedings between the parties. The petitioners contended that the property was the self-acquired estate of the late Daljit Singh and, therefore, could not be deemed a shared household under the DV Act. They also alleged that Sidhu was in illegal occupation and sought her eviction or payment of 10,000 per month as occupation charges. However, Justice Narula rejected these arguments, observing that ownership is immaterial for Section 17 of the DV Act. Citing the Supreme Court's ruling in Satish Chander Ahuja v. Sneha Ahuja, the Court reiterated that even a property owned by in-laws can constitute a shared household if the woman had resided there with her husband in a domestic relationship. "The order does not confer title but preserves the status quo so that the respondent is not evicted by self-help or by transfers calculated to defeat her protection," Justice Narula noted. He further clarified that the petitioners' low electricity consumption, cited as proof of non-occupation, was an insufficient basis to overturn concurrent factual findings. The Court maintained that the existing arrangement--where the mother-in-law resides on the first floor and the daughter-in-law on the ground floor--adequately balances both parties' interests. Concluding that no illegality or perversity existed in the trial and appellate court findings, the High Court dismissed both revision petitions, leaving questions of ownership and mesne profits to be decided in the pending civil proceedings. (ANI)




Translated from the French, Le Grand Reveil Acadien means "the Great Acadian Awakening." Held every five years, Le Grand Reveil is a traveling festival of sorts, hopping day by day between Lafayette, La., St. Martinville, La., and several other communities across Acadiana, the Louisiana region better known by Texans as Cajun country.

Le Grand Reveil Acadien is also happening this week. Through Sunday, Southern Louisiana will resound with parades, family reunions, history plays, cultural lectures and presentations, plenty of toe-tapping traditional music, and a truly gut-busting amount of mouth-watering cuisine.

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Historically, the festival has been a major tourist draw, particularly for visitors from many Cajuns' ancestral homeland of eastern Canada.

But this year, not so much. Primarily driven by President Donald Trump's recurring, possibly joking comments about annexing Canada as the "51st state," tourism to Louisiana from Canada is down as much as 30 percent, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser told NPR last week.

Randall Menard of Louisiane-Acadie, the nonprofit behind Le Grand Reveil, told Lafayette TV station KLFY that the Canadian bus tours the movable festival largely relies on have been "dropping like flies."

Cultural bonds

Canadians compose Louisiana's largest international tourism market, according to the state's Office of Tourism. Last year, the Pelican State welcomed around 185,000 visitors from up north, who in turn parted with almost $194 million while visiting. By Nungesser's calculations, Louisiana stands to lose upwards of $58 million this year from Canadians alone.

A monument to the Great Separation at Milquelon Island off the coast of Newfoundland (mtcurado/Getty Images)





The situation is serious enough that in September, the lieutenant governor led a delegation of Louisiana tourism officials on an outreach tour to Montreal, Quebec City and Toronto. Their presentation, according to a news release, featured a demonstration of bananas Foster, the famously flaming dessert invented at Brennan's in New Orleans, and highlighted other dishes featuring another of the state's best-known exports: hot sauce.

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"With our Acadian roots and French-speaking communities, Louisiana and Canada share a heritage and history, and Canadians love our cultural richness and friendliness," Nungesser said. "Louisiana is also an affordable place to visit, which should be appealing during these times."

While in Canada, Nungesser estimated to Toronto-based trade site Travel Courier that his state's drop in visitation was closer to a "conservative" 15 percent and noted that "Canadians still come." One example of Canadians' close ties with Louisiana, he recalled, was the country's children sending boxes of pennies to help save the pelicans whose habitat had been ruined by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010.

"That kind of friendship can't be measured in visitor numbers alone," Nungesser said.

A tragic separation

Rooted in tears, Canada's bond with Louisiana goes back long before either the United States or Canada gained their independence. In the early 1600s, the colonization-minded French government began sending fur trappers, missionaries and other settlers to the northeastern coast of North America. This region, the present-day "maritime provinces" of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, became known as Acadia. French speakers called it Acadie.

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By the mid-18th century, France and Great Britain were locked in an extended struggle for control of the territory, a conflict that came to be called the French and Indian War (part of the wider Seven Years War). Britain had established control of Acadia around 1713 and, by the war's outset, had lost what little patience they ever had with these Catholic, French-speaking settlers who themselves weren't crazy about submitting to either the Crown or the Church of England.

1895 illustration depicting the Great Separation (Public Domain/Getty Images)





So began a historical tragedy the Acadians called Le Grand Derangement, a forced migration akin to the Cherokee Trail of Tears in the late 1830s or the Vietnamese "boat people" after the 1975 fall of Saigon. British troops confiscated Acadians' land, turned them out of their homes, and put them on ships bound for colonies in America or the Caribbean, or back to France.

By the early 19th century, a few thousand Acadians had made their way to the mouth of the Mississippi River, many of them settling in the swampy Atchafalaya Basin and on the grassy coastal plains further west. Mostly fishers and farmers, they readily adapted to this new terrain, an entire continent away yet strangely familiar to lands they had been ejected from so rudely.

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Last year, a lively thread in the Louisiana subreddit discussed at length the degree to which Le Grand Derangement is remembered and commemorated in both Canada and Louisiana. Based on this discussion, at least, the results are mixed. Interestingly, someone pointed out that former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, supposedly of Acadian heritage, never once visited Louisiana during his decade-long tenure despite several trips to the U.S.

Historical markers and other monuments to the Acadian migration are scattered throughout south-central Louisiana, the most prominent being the Acadian Memorial in St. Martinville. In a nearby park stands the statue and oak tree named for Evangeline, the (fictional) heroine of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's eponymous 1847 epic poem. The oak tree, legend has it, marks the spot where Evangeline and her long-lost lover were at last reunited.

Acadian shed decorated like the Acadian flag (Audrey Tremblay/Getty Images)





Elsewhere, Le Grand Derangement became a foundational theme of Cajun music, as heard in such traditional tunes as Canray Fontenot's "La Veillee de Chanson," the Balfa Brothers' "Acadie," the Savoy Family Band's "The Separation Waltz," and Zachary Richard's "Reveille." It also surfaced in the great Canadian-American rockers The Band's 1975 song "Acadian Driftwood."

'Little familial spat'

Nungesser has reportedly asked Trump to apologize for his "51st State" comments. That seems unlikely, to say the least, but he and other Louisiana officials are doing whatever they can to make the Canadians who do visit this year feel welcome. The mayor of Loreauville, one of the early stops on this year's Le Grand Reveil Acadien, noted that his town's celebrations would continue despite the lower turnout, expressing hope that Canadians and their Cajun cousins would soon be reconciled.

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"All families go through a squabble every once in a while," Brad Clifton told KLFY. "Because of the ties with the Acadian people here in south Louisiana, it's kind of like just that little familial spat every once in a while."

Other sources: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve website, Canadian Museum of History website, University of Maine, Louisiane Acadien website

More Gulf Coast

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This article originally published at Louisiana's tourism hangs precarious over Trump's bizarre attacks.
To clear up the false rumors, I love America, and I am participating, unpaid, in the October 18 "No Kings" protest. I realize it's hard for Trump supporters to understand; I never understood their outrage at former President Joe Biden.

This era may eventually be known as "The Great Capitulation." Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court are abdicating their responsibilities and allowing the executive branch to create a de facto monarchy.

More: Ohio's 'No Kings' protests Oct. 18. See map, Ohio protest rights

Thousands gathered at University of Cincinnati for the No Kings Protest, Saturday, June 14, 2025. They walked down Clifton Avenue to Burnet Woods chanting verses against President Trump. Cincinnati police eventually had to shut down Clifton Avenue in both directions due to the large crowd. The protest was organized by 50501 Cincinnati, a group made up of volunteers. There were similar protests across the country.

Most of us want the checks and balances of the three branches of government. Presidents are not allowed to fire judges because they don't like them. It's not appropriate for a president to threaten my congressman with a primary opponent, just because he voted against him once.

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Sure, we could do better on immigration and crime. At the same time, armed ICE agents are not the answer. Sending National Guard troops to cities that FOTUS (Felon of the United States) does not like is not the answer. Weaponizing the military against our own people is the clear path to dictatorship.

Even if you voted for him, you know this is not right. Speak up, while you still can.

Denny Krause, Wyoming

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: The 'No Kings' protest is about saving our republic | Letter
Thousands of people took part in a No Kings day event in front of Fargo City Hall on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Dan Koeck/For the North Dakota Monitor)

North Dakotans who joined No Kings rallies in 11 cities Saturday pushed back on criticism that the events were anti-American.

I love America, I love the Constitution, and I love what this country represents, said Patrick McNally, 36, a dual citizen of Canada and the U.S. who joined a rally outside the North Dakota Capitol.

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Thousands protested Trump administration policies at rallies in Fargo and Bismarck with smaller events held in Grand Forks, Jamestown, Bottineau, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Williston, Minot and Medora. Some communities reported larger crowds than similar events in June, while others said windy weather deterred some participants.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson characterized the No Kings movement held in 2,600 cities as the hate America rally. Closer to home, North Dakota Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer called rally participants left-wing nut jobs in a statement last week.

Thousands of people participate in a No Kings day rally in front of Fargo City Hall on Oct. 18, 2025. The event was part of national protests against the Trump administration. (Photo by Dan Koeck/For the North Dakota Monitor)

Many North Dakotans who participated raised concerns about health care, including cuts to Medicaid and expiring subsidies for the Affordable Care Act, while others protested tariffs that are hurting farmers or advocated for protecting due process for immigrants.

Im very passionate about whats happening in our country, so that is why I am protesting, said Jessie Smette of Fargo, who joined a rally outside of City Hall. Not because I have nothing better to do, and not because Im getting paid to do it, but because I think its important work.

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Trygve Hammer, a former Democratic-NPL Party U.S. House candidate, highlighted during a speech in Williston comments made by Republican lawmakers criticizing No Kings participants as far-left extremists who dont value the foundational principles of the country.

That is exactly wrong, Hammer said in an interview after the event, which drew about 100 to Willistons Harmon Park. Thats exactly what were doing is standing up for those foundational truths.

Ann Mitchell of Pettibone, North Dakota, waves and displays a sign at passing cars during the No Kings protest at the Capitol in Bismarck, North Dakota, on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Bismarck rally participant Ann Mitchell, 57, is worried about the impacts of Trump administration tariffs and trade policies on her familys farm near Pettibone, North Dakota. Mitchell said her husbands family has farmed the land for generations, but now fears they could lose everything.

We cant sell our soybeans. We cant sell our corn. Next year we dont know what were gonna do, Mitchell said.

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Beth Larson-Steckler, a 55-year-old Bismarck resident, said she has two chronically ill children who depend on Medicare for medication that can cost $1,000 a month. She wants the federal government to do more to protect health care and improve the existing system.

Congress needs to work together, Larson-Steckler said. Theyre not working together. Theyre pointing fingers. Theyre wasting time. Theyre not working for us.

Across the street from the Bismarck protest, a handful of counter-protesters gathered at the North Dakota Republican Party headquarters with a sign stating Jesus is Our King and waving an American flag with Trumps face on it.

Thousands joined the Fargo demonstration, including Clyde Hughes, a veteran who drove about 45 minutes from Wahpeton. He said the Republican Party is taking the country in the wrong direction.

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Were cutting social programs just to give billionaires tax cuts, Hughes said.

Clyde Hughes, a veteran from Wahpeton, North Dakota, participates in a No Kings rally in Fargo, North Dakota, on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Dan Koeck/For the North Dakota Monitor)

He said he is grateful for the health care he gets through Veterans Affairs, though added, You shouldnt have to join the service to get decent health care, he said.

Julie Brummund, an Air Force veteran from Fargo, said she is concerned about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth eroding the freedom of the press.

I see American citizens justifying that and it just baffles my mind, said Brummund, whose military service included an assignment in public affairs.

Rick Loftus of Indivisible Fargo, who was volunteering to help with crowd control, said Fargo had a larger turnout than the No Kings rally in June. But he was also pleased to hear about strong turnouts around the state.

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Its really these smaller places having events thats inspiring to me, Loftus said.

A Grand Forks event attracted about 600 people, the largest protest since Trump was reelected, said organizer Julie Olson. She described the event as a pro-America rally, but said participants objected to Trump acting with impunity.

Nikki Tickerhoof, an organizer for the No Kings protest in Minot, said about 400 people attended the event that she said seemed like a block party with people handing out treats and wearing Halloween costumes.

Participants join a No Kings rally in Valley City, North Dakota, on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Vicki Voldal Rosenau)

About 150 people joined an event on Main Street in Valley City, with almost all of them emphasizing their love for America, said Vicki Voldal Rosenau, one of the organizers. Gail Pederson, a participant, said attendees also raised concerns about expiring subsidies for the Affordable Care Act and a lack of due process through immigration detentions.

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While that may not be a big thing in our neck of the woods, it certainly can affect us all, Pederson said.

In Jamestown, organizers estimated about 250 people gathered near Mill Hill. Some who marched with signs had concerns about tariffs and the trade war, said Mike Weatherly, one of the organizers.

Those things are hurting our farmers and they are finally starting to see it, which is terrible, Weatherly said.

The demonstration remained peaceful, but one woman told participants to go back where they came from.

Im right here. Im right where I came from, Weatherly said.

Approximately 100 people joined a No Kings protest in Devils Lake, organizers said, representing a broad cross section of the community. Veterans, farmers, teachers, clergy and others participated in the event that remained peaceful except for vociferous chants of USA that Nancy Lundon said rang out.

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It wasnt just Democrats, Lundon said. It was just people who are concerned about things as they are and whats to come.

About 25 people waved American flags during a rally in Bottineau, including some who traveled from Rolette and Westhope, said organizer Carol Wendel.

Were here because we love America, Wendel said. And this is not the America we love.

Vicki Riegler of Bismarck, left, and Cindy Roethler of Bismarck, hold a banner during the No Kings protest near the Capitol in Bismarck on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Eight residents of Medora decided to hold their own No Kings rally outside Theodore Roosevelt National Park rather than drive to an event in Dickinson.

Were all so sad that our national parks are closed, said Sandy Baertsch of Medora.

While the park remains open during the federal government shutdown, the visitor center is closed.

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Weve seen lots of people come and are disappointed by the locked doors, she said.

Baertsch said the group is calling on North Dakotas congressional delegation to represent the states residents and farmers instead of just doing whatever Trump asks, no matter what it is.

Lucas Roy, 24, and Margaret Windingstad, 23, emphasized the need to protect public lands during the Bismarck event.

Theyre not for sale. They shouldnt be auctioned off for private uses, Roy said.

Participants join the No Kings rally in Fargo, North Dakota, on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Dan Koeck/For the North Dakota Monitor)

Thousands of people took part in a No Kings day in front of Fargo City Hall on Oct. 18, 2025. The event was part of national protests against the Trump administration. (Photo by Dan Koeck/For the North Dakota Monitor)

Participants join the No Kings rally in Fargo, North Dakota, on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Dan Koeck/For the North Dakota Monitor)

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Ken Opheim showed up at the Fargo event in a red hat but with an anti-Trump message: Quid Pro Quo Trump Must Go. Everything he does he gets something back for himself, Opheim said. (Photo by Dan Koeck/For the North Dakota Monitor)

Julie Brummund, an Air Force veteran from Fargo, North Dakota, participates in a No Kings rally in Fargo on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)

Protesters display signs at passing cars as part of the No Kings protest near the Capitol in Bismarck on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Douglas Pearson of Bismarck, center, and Charles Tuttle, right, hold a sign as part of a counter-demonstration during the No Kings protest near the Capitol in Bismarck on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

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Lucas Roy of Bismarck displays a sign at passing cars during the No Kings protest near the Capitol in Bismarck on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Judith Hammer of Bismarck, right, holds a sign outside the North Dakota Capitol during the No Kings rally Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Clint Zarr of Bismarck, left, and Walt Gerenz of Bismarck, right, display signs and wave flags in front of the Capitol in Bismarck as part of the No Kings protest on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Scotti Miller of Bismarck and Fang, a chihuahua, display a sign during the No Kings protest near the Capitol in Bismarck on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

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Eight residents of the tiny tourist town of Medora, North Dakota, decided to hold their own No Kings rally outside Theodore Roosevelt National Park rather than drive to a neighboring city. Were all so sad that our national parks are closed, said Sandy Baertsch of Medora. (Photo courtesy of S. Lambert)

Protesters in inflatable costumes walk on the sidewalk during the No Kings protest near the Capitol in Bismarck on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

A protester displays a hand drawn sign at a No Kings event in Jamestown, North Dakota, on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Madison Lyonhart)

Protesters gather near Mill Hill in Jamestown, North Dakota, during the nationwide No Kings protests on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Madison Lyonhart)

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About 25 people joined a No Kings rally in Bottineau, North Dakota, on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Julie Thompson)

Carol Wendel holds a sign during a No Kings rally in Bottineau, North Dakota, on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Julie Thompson)
Republican Del. Charles Otto represented the Lower Shore since taking office in 2011 and had just filed for reelection when he died this week. (File photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)

Colleagues from both sides of the aisle remembered Del. Charles Otto (R-Lower Shore) Friday for his kindness and humor, his knowledge on agricultural issues and his passionate advocacy for the Eastern Shore during his 14 years in the House of Delegates. It was announced Friday that Otto had died at age 61. No cause of death has been given.

Otto, who represented parts of Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties since he was first sworn in to the House of Delegates in 2011, had just filed for reelection to a fifth term on Tuesday, said Del. Jay Jacobs (R-Upper Shore).

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Its a real shocker, Jacobs said Friday. He was a good friend of mine, I was lucky to be friends with him all these years  and Ill miss him and I know that members of the legislature will miss him.

Del. Charles J. Otto. (Courtesy the Maryland General Assembly)

Jacobs said he and Otto were almost inseparable in the General Assembly, both starting in the House in 2011 and representing parts of the Eastern Shore. The two were put on the same committee, Environment and Transportation, shared office space and worked on various agricultural issues during the last 14 years, Jacobs said.

Everyone liked him, he was a likeable guy, Jacobs said. He had always had a good sense of humor. Never saw him get angry about anything  unless it had something to do with his district.

Jacobs admitted that he and Otto were some of the more reserved members on the House floor, but spoke up in matters that were important to them and the Eastern Shore.

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We were quiet  If we stood up, which we did occasionally, I can tell you people paid attention because we didnt do it very often, Jacobs said. If we did, you knew it was serious.

House Republicans said in a joint statement that they were devastated by the loss of Otto.

He was, in many ways, the heart of our Caucus, the statement said. A rarity in politics, Delegate Otto was never someone who was in love with his own voice. But when he spoke, he did so with heartfelt wisdom, and members listened, no matter their political party. He was unceasingly generous and hilariously funny.

Senate Republicans called him a steadfast voice for Marylands farmers, rural communities and small businesses.

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Charles brought common sense and integrity to every discussion in Annapolis, Senate Republicans said in a statement. He worked across party lines to ensure that rural Marylands needs were heard and respected, and his leadership and friendship will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to serve alongside him.

Otto was born in Salisbury on Feb. 15, 1964. He attended University of Maryland Eastern Shore and graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a degree in animal Science in 1986.

He was a field representative for the Maryland Farm Bureau from 1987 through 1995 and continued other agricultural work throughout the years.

As a farmer himself, he was firmly rooted in the agricultural community and faithfully served his lower shore constituents in the House of Delegates since 2011, the Maryland Farm Bureau said in a statement Friday. Delegate Otto was a steadfast champion for Maryland agriculture and will be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues throughout the state.

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He was elected to the House of Delegates in 2010, where he continued to push for agricultural issues on the Environment and Transportation committee, as well as various subcommittees.

He served the Maryland House of Delegates with integrity and an unwavering dedication to the people of District 38A, House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County) said in a statement posted to social media. I extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones, constituents, and staff. He will be sorely missed by all.

Ottos legislative seat will be filled by appointment: The three county Republican central committees in his district will meet to select a nominee, whose name will be forwarded to the governor, who makes the final decision.

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In a statement, Gov. Wes Moore (D) said that Otto had a fidelity to our state that could never waver, and a commitment to our people that could never fade.

This was a man who loved Maryland to his core, Gov. Wes Moore (D) said in a statement, fighting every day for his constituents and moving in good faith with partners in the General Assembly to deliver results.
(Reuters) -The LPG-laden tanker MV Falcon was on fire and adrift on Saturday off the coast of Yemen, after it reported an explosion that forced members of its crew to abandon the vessel, the European Union's naval force Aspides said in a statement.

The cause of the explosion was unclear but most likely an accident, according to initial indications, Aspides said. It added that at least 15% of the Cameroon-flagged vessel was on fire.

Due to the risk of further explosions, since the tanker was fully loaded with liquefied petroleum gas, Aspides advised vessels in the area to keep a safe distance from the carrier.

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"The fire onboard is increasing," Aspides said in a statement. "MV Falcon represents a navigational hazard. Everyone in the area must exercise caution."

An operation was in progress to rescue its 26 crew members.

So far, 24 seafarers have been recovered by two merchant vessels sailing nearby. One of the ships, the MV Veda, was taking those rescued to Djibouti, escorted by a Greek frigate.

Two crew members are reported missing, Aspides said.

The MV Falcon was travelling from Oman's Sohar Port to Djibouti, British security firm Ambrey said earlier. The explosion occurred as it was sailing 113 nautical miles southeast of the port of Aden in Yemen.

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Maritime security sources said that neither missiles nor unmanned aerial vehicles had been detected in the area.

Ambrey said the tanker was not believed to match the target profile of Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi militants.

A Houthi defence ministry official said the group had no connection to the incident, according to the Houthi-run Saba news agency.

Houthi militants have launched numerous attacks on vessels in the Red Sea since 2023, saying they act in solidarity with Palestinians over Israel's war on Gaza.

The attacks have disrupted trade flows through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, one of the world's busiest shipping routes.

(Reporting by Enas Alashray, Muhammad Al Gebaly, Hatem Maher, Yannis Souliotis and Renee Maltezou; Editing by Jan Harvey and Barbara Lewis)
The post MacKenzie Scott donates $63 million to Morgan State University appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott is the gift that keeps on giving. Scott has gifted Morgan State University with a $63 million unrestricted gift, her second multimillion-dollar gift to the Maryland HBCU in five years.

This recent donation brings the total amount donated by Scott to $103 million. Scott first donated $40 million to the university back in 2020. Morgan State has made major strides in the past few years. After seeing significant growth in enrollment, obtaining several new degree and certificate programs, and becoming a leading institution in research, Morgan State is the third-largest HBCU in the country.

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A benefit to Scotts unrestricted gift is that Morgan State can use the donation any way it sees fit. According to an article by the university, the $63 million donation will go toward the universitys endowment in hopes of further supporting students and funding initiatives that contribute to the universitys growth. Morgan State President David K. Wilson spoke on how Scotts donation solidifies Morgan States commitment to academic growth.

MacKenzie Scotts renewed investment in Morgan is a resounding testament to the work weve done to drive transformation, not only within our campus but throughout the communities we serve, said Wilson. To receive one historic gift from Ms. Scott was an incredible honor; to receive two speaks volumes about the confidence she and her team have in our institutions stewardship, leadership, and trajectory. This is more than philanthropyits a partnership in progress.

The funds initially donated by Scott in 2020 helped launch the Leading the World Endowment Fund, the universitys first unrestricted endowment. Scotts generosity led to Morgan State alumnus Calvin Tyler and his wife, Tina, donating $20 million to the university, the largest donation ever made by an HBCU alumni at the time.

Morgan State has been able to create and fund initiatives on campus that provide benefits for both students and staff. These initiatives include the Center for Urban Health Equity (CUHE), the National Center for the Elimination of Educational Disparities (NCEED), endowed faculty chairs in Brain Science, Psychometrics and Predictive Analytics, and Cybersecurity Engineering, and support for Morgan States Center for Religion and Cities.

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Morgan is on an extraordinary journey, said Wilson. This investment will allow us to accelerate that momentum, breaking barriers, advancing equity, and fulfilling our vision to become one of the top public research universities in the countrywithout losing our soul.

This generous donation comes a few weeks after Scott donated $70 million to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). Like Morgan State, the money given by Scott will also go towards the organizations endowment to help fund the 25 institutions they currently serve.

This extraordinary gift is a powerful vote of confidence in HBCUs and in the work of UNCF, the nonprofits President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax told The Associated Press in a statement. It provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our member institutions to build permanent assets that will support students and campuses for decades to come.
As Franklin County awaits a legal decision on its commissioners authority over the final budget, there could be ramifications elsewhere in the state.

Each of Maines 16 counties has its own budget process, described in a separate section of the statute; half of them operate under rules that are similar to those in Franklin. Some counties also have charters that further refine or clarify their budget processes.

County budget committees (which go by different names) are generally made up of municipal officials or other citizens of their countys various commissioner districts. Many are elected at caucuses while others may be appointed by commissioners or legislative delegations.

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Androscoggin County has a 14-member budget committee that transmits a final budget to the seven county commissioners. The countys charter indicates that while the committee can change line items with at least 11 votes in favor, the final authority to set the budget rests with the commissioners.

Aroostook County has a 9-member finance committee that transmits a final budget to three county commissioners. Commissioners can change the budget with a unanimous vote, but the committee may reject that change with a two-thirds majority vote, per the statute.

Cumberland County has a charter that has organized its 10-member finance committee since 2010. Their final budget goes back before the countys five commissioners, who can overrule committee changes with a majority vote.

Franklin County has an 11-member budget advisory committee that submits a final budget to the five county commissioners. Commissioners can change the budget with a majority vote; the budget committee may then reject those changes with two-thirds majority vote, per statute.

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Hancock County has a 10-member budget advisory committee that makes recommendations on the budget. Recommendations made by two-thirds of the committee can only be deviated from by a unanimous vote of the three county commissioners.

Kennebec County has a 9-member budget committee that adopts a final budget and submits it to the countys three commissioners. Commissioners may change the budget with a unanimous vote, but the committee may reject that change with a two-thirds majority vote.

Knox County has a 9-member budget committee that adopts a final budget and forwards it to the three members of the county commission. The commissioners can vote unanimously to overturn the committees budget, but the committee can sustain their budget with a two-thirds majority vote.

Lincoln County has a 9-member budget advisory committee that makes recommendations to the commissioners, who then act on the budget.

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Oxford County has a 9-member budget advisory committee that submits a budget to the three county commissioners. Oxford Countys statute does not include a reference to itemized budgets  meaning that the committee is responsible for setting the total budget, not spending for each department. Commissioners may change the committees budget, but the committee can reject that change with a two-thirds vote.

Penobscot County has 15 members on its budget committee which, per statute, can vote to change the budget with a simple majority. The three county commissioners can override the committee with a unanimous vote.

Piscataquis County has three county commissioners who appoint the 9-member budget advisory committee. That committee makes recommendations to commissioners, who then act on the budget.

Sagadahoc County has a 9-member budget advisory committee that makes recommendations to the three commissioners, who then approve the final budget. The committee does gain authority over approving the budget if the county exceeds the LD 1 growth cap.

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Somerset County has a charter, which established a 10-member budget committee to go along with five county commissioners. The committee proposes a final budget to the commissioners, who may make changes with a two-thirds majority vote. Those changes can then be rejected by a two-thirds majority vote of the budget committee.

Waldo County has a 9-member board that reviews budget estimates prepared by the countys three commissioners and then approves a final budget.

Washington County has a 9-member budget advisory committee that submits a budget to the three county commissioners. Similar to Oxford, Washington Countys statute does not reference itemized budgets. The committees final budget can only be changed by a majority vote of the commissioners; the committee can then reject that change with a two-thirds majority vote.

York County has a 15-member budget committee that adopts a final budget and transmits it to the five county commissioners. The budget can then only be changed by majority votes of the commissioners and the committee.
A fire broke out at Brahmaputra Apartments, located near Pandit Pant Marg in New Delhi, on Saturday afternoon, prompting a swift response from the Delhi Fire Service (DFS). Officials confirmed that no casualties were reported in the incident. According to officials, the fire department received a call about the blaze at 1:22 pm. In response, 14 fire tenders, including a turntable ladder (TTL), were immediately dispatched to the location due to the high-rise nature of the building. Speaking to ANI, Assistant Divisional Officer (ADO) Bhupender of the Delhi Fire Service said, "At 1.22 pm, we received a call reporting a fire at Brahmaputra Apartments, located near Pandit Pant Marg... We immediately dispatched 14 vehicles, including TTL, as this is a high-rise building. So far, the damage is mostly on the stilt floor, and the upper floors are damaged externally. The fire has been brought under control, but our work is still ongoing... There is no casualty report yet." The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. However, firefighters managed to control the blaze in time, preventing it from spreading further and causing greater damage. Cooling operations are currently underway at the site. Further information is awaited. Meanwhile, in a separate incident earlier this week, a fire broke out at a cardboard manufacturing factory in the Bhorgarh Industrial Area, Phase 2 of Narela, Delhi, on October 14, officials said. The Delhi Fire Service launched a major firefighting operation after receiving the alert. A total of 26 fire tenders were deployed to the scene. Fire officer SK Dua said, "Delhi Fire Service received a call regarding the fire incident at the cardboard manufacturing factory in Bhorgarh Industrial Area, Phase 2, in Narela. 26 fire tenders are present at the spot. The fire has been controlled..."No casualties have been reported so far, officials added. (ANI)
Lefty NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani gleefully campaigned this week with a notorious, gay-hating Brooklyn imam who is an unindicted co-conspirator in 1993 World Trade Center bombing and who has been linked to other terrorist activity in the United States  including urging jihad on the Big Apple.

The Democratic frontrunner to become the citys next mayor was seen laughing and grinning while standing arm-in-arm with Siraj Wahhaj at the imams Bedford-Stuyvesant mosque in a photo the socialist posted to X a day after the first mayoral debate.

Councilman Yusef Salaam (D-Manhattan), a member of the Central Park 5 who was elected in November 2023, was also in the photo.

Zohran Mamdani and City Councilmember Yusef Abdus Salaam on Friday met with Imam Siraj Wahhaj. X/ZohranKMamdani

Today at Masjid At-Taqwa, I had the pleasure of meeting with Imam Siraj Wahhaj, one of the nations foremost Muslim leaders and a pillar of the Bed-Stuy community for nearly half a century, Mamdani wrote on X of the Friday encounter.

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A beautiful Jummah, he wrote, referencing the weekly prayer.

Wahhaj, 75, who also heads the Muslim Alliance in North America, was fingered by prosecutors as an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 WTC bombing, which left six people dead, and has publicly defended the plotters of the attack against the FBI and CIA, whom he at the time dubbed the real terrorists.

The imam has previously denied any connection to terrorism.

Wahhaj was named by prosecutors as a co-conspirator of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

During subsequent trials, Wahhaj testified in support of Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman  the infamous blind sheikh and leader of a terrorist sect out of Egypt  calling the man a respected scholar.

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In a sermon in the early 2000s, Wahhaj  born Jeffrey Kearse  called for an army of 10,000 men to wage what he insisted was a gun-free jihad on New York City, according to a foreign intelligence assessment obtained Saturday by The Post.

I pray one day Allah will bless us to raise an army, and Im serious about this, he said during the sermon, while urging his followers, dont pick up a gun, no. Just march. March through the city of New York.

Police search on the ground in a parking garage underneath the World Trade Center on February 27, 1993 AFP via Getty Images

Let them hear your voice. Let them hear it at night. Let them hear it 24 hours, until the whole city cant sleep.

We were very close, recently. We had made intention to raise an army of 10,000 men in New York City, the imam said.

Imam Siraj Wahhaj speaks about Malcolm X on the 55th anniversary of his death during an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency in New York, United States on February 18, 2020. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Muslim men to go fight in the way of subhanahu wa taala, added the Imam, using a phrase that roughly translates to glory be to Allah.

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The evidence demonstrates that Mamdanis political trajectory has not only been supported by activist movements but also reinforced by endorsements and alliances noted in figures with a documented history of extremist views and activities, posing a direct national security threat to New York City and the U.S., according to the report.

Wahhaj has also derided the LGBTQ community as a disease of this society, the report found.

Wahhaj has denied any involvement in the terror attack. AFP/Getty Images

And you know, brothers and sisters, you know what the punishment is, if a man is found with another man? he once preached during a sermon first reported by Islamist Watch in 2017.

The Prophet Mohammad said the one who does it and the one to whom it is done to, kill them both.

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He discouraged his followers from open violence against the LGBTQ community, according to the assessment, suggesting instead they invite them to Islam and make them feel uncomfortable.

The fact that Mamdani stands with this imam is disqualifying, said Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa.

Zohran Mamdani speaks during a Reverse Town Hall at the 32BJ SEIU HQ on October 17, 2025 in New York City. Getty Images

New York needs a mayor who protects New Yorkers from terrorism, not embraces terrorists.

The religious figure also made headlines in 2018 when three of his children were arrested for keeping 11 kids living in Third World conditions in a compound made of garbage in the New Mexico desert.

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One of the victims told prosecutors Wahhajs namesake son was training a 13-year-old and his teen brother to fight against non-believers through techniques including rapid reloads and hand-to-hand combat.

The intelligence report claimed Wahhaj homeschooled his children and likely shaped the extremist ideology of the busted terror cell.

The intelligence report claimed Wahhaj homeschooled his children and likely shaped the extremist ideology of the busted terror cell. X/ZohranKMamdani

However, Wahhaj has insisted he was the one who called the police on his sick son and two daughters, leading to their arrest. They were sentenced to life in prison last year.

Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democratic running as an independent for mayor, ripped Mamdani for posing for the photo with Wahhaj, considering the imams terrorism links and history of gay bashing  and for doing it less than two weeks after posing in another notorious pic with Ugandan Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca, who has pushed some of the most oppressive anti-LGBT laws in the world.

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[Mamdani] is proud to be standing with an unindicted co-conspirator in the 93 World Trade Center terror attack that killed New Yorkers? Cuomo told The Post Saturday.

Cuomo ripped Mamdani for posing with Wahhaj. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The same person who preaches radical hate toward the LBGTQ community, just weeks after Mamdani was caught posing with a family-friend Ugandan politician who passed a law sentencing gay people to jail for life? When people tell you who they are, you should believe them  and Zohran, wipe that smile off your face.

Wahhaj is a mentor of Brooklyn-based Muslim activist Linda Sarsour, the intelligence report notes.

The Israel-hating, Palestinian-American firebrand is one of Mamdanis mentors and has played a big role in his mayoral campaign.

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Mamdani and Wahhaj did not return messages.

After news of the meeting broke, Vice President JD Vance ripped Mamdani on X.

Ive been reliably informed that Democrats are opposed to any kind of political violence, so I look forward to them universally condemning Zohran Mamdani for campaigning with an unindicted co-conspirator in a terrorist plot that killed 6 New Yorkers, he posted on the social media site.

Additional reporting by Jennifer Bain.
An Odessa man was arrested Wednesday after a 5-year-old girl told authorities he touched her inappropriately.

According to an Odessa Police Department report, the little girl told a forensic examiner at the Childrens Advocacy Center that Ian Michael Turner forced her to sit on his lap at a barbecue in the backyard of an East 54th Street home on Sunday.

The girl described Turner touching her inappropriately and Turner having a physical reaction, the report stated.

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A sexual assault nurse examiner found physical evidence to support the girls story, the report stated.

Turner was arrested on suspicion of indecency with a child/sexual contact and booked into the Ector County jail.

The post Man accused of molesting 5-year-old girl appeared first on Odessa American.
CLIFTON FORGE, Va. (WFXR)  The Clifton Forge Police Department (CFPD) responded to a domestic disturbance, where a man armed with a knife and a machete was attempting to enter a neighbors apartment.

According to officers, CFPD found 42-year-old Michael Caldwell armed with a knife, attempting to break into a neighbors apartment when they arrived at the scene on Church Street. However, after Caldwell realized officers were present, he retreated into his residence.

CFPD says that at first, they were able to speak with Caldwell through a screen door, before he eventually closed the storm door. After this, Caldwell reportedly informed officers that he was armed with a sword and a knife.

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Grayson County school worker charged with child porn crimes

Officers on scene say they were able to continue talking to Caldwell for several more minutes before he stopped all communication. This prompted the Alleghany County Sheriffs Office Emergency Response Team to respond to the scene as well.

During this time, CFPD reports that a warrant for violation of Virginia Code 18.2-90 (Entering dwelling house, etc., with intent to commit murder, rape, robbery or arson) was obtained.

According to officers, communication with Caldwell was attempted again but ultimately failed, prompting CS gas to be fired into the residence by a member of the Emergency Response Team.

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Officials say Caldwell then exited the residence with a machete in hand, and was struck twice with less-lethal munitions and taken into custody without incident. Caldwell was transported to Lewis Gale Alleghany for evaluation, and officers say additional charges are pending.

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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  A 61-year-old Wichita man has been arrested following a crash that killed a motorcyclist on the citys south side on Friday. It happened at about 7:12 p.m. at the intersection of 42nd Street and South Seneca, a few blocks south of MacArthur Road.

According to police, the rider of the motorcycle, a 27-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene after being struck by a sedan attempting a left turn.

Police ID man shot and killed on Wichita bus

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Preliminary investigations suggest that the sedan, driven by the 61-year-old, was traveling north on Seneca and attempted to turn left onto 42nd Street. The motorcyclist was heading south on Seneca when the collision occurred, Wichita police said in a news release on Saturday.

The driver of the sedan was arrested and booked for involuntary manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as alcohol is believed to have been a contributing factor in the crash, according to the release.

The case is set to be presented to the District Attorneys office for formal charges.

The Wichita Police Department encourages anyone with information about the incident to contact their AFU Investigations Section at 316-350-3687, or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111 for those wishing to remain anonymous.

KSN does not name individuals believed to be connected to a crime unless formal charges have been filed.





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The Tukwila Police Department says a man was arrested after he tried to stab a woman in a domestic violence incident.

Police arrived on the scene on S 132nd Street near Tukwila International Boulevard and found a woman with large lacerations.

The cuts were from being stabbed by the suspect.

The suspect was tracked down to a wooded area.

Officers used a public address system to talk the suspect into surrendering and called a K-9 unit to track him down.

The suspect walked out of the wooded area and was taken into custody.

The suspect was arrested for assault.
GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  Georgetown County deputies and other law enforcement officials arrested a man on Friday after he was found with over 1,000 grams of fentanyl and other drugs.

Mingo Reed, 48, was arrested on Front Street and will be charged with trafficking fentanyl and possession of a firearm during a violent crime. He was out on bond for attempted murder at the time of the arrest.

Deputies and agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division seized over 1,000 grams of fentanyl, a firearm, a hydraulic press, and marijuana in Reeds possession, the Georgetown County Sheriffs Office said.

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Reed is at the Georgetown County Sheriffs Office awaiting a bond hearing.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
BOSTON (WPRI)  A Haitian national with pending charges out of Fall River has been arrested as part of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sweep in Massachusetts, according to the federal agency.

Jordani Joseph, 26, apprehended, during Patriot 2.0  a weeks-long operation which ICE said focused on transnational organized crime, gangs and egregious illegal alien offenders in Massachusetts.

RELATED: ICE begins immigration crackdown in Massachusetts

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A senior Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson told 12 News that the crackdown would target the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens living in the state.

Jordani Joseph (Courtesy: ICE)

Josephs criminal history, according to ICE, includes pending charges for rape and kidnapping in Fall River.

From Sept. 4-30, 1,406 individuals illegally in the United States were reportedly arrested. ICE said more than 600 had significant criminal convictions and six were documented members of transnational criminal gangs while several others were gang associates.

The federal agency also said officers and agents were forced to make at-large arrests after local jurisdictions refused to honor immigration detainer requests to turn over the offenders and instead chose to release them from custody.

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ICE said all the detainees will remain in custody pending removal proceedings outcomes or until deportation.

SEE ALSO: New Bedford police issues guidance on how officers should handle local ICE operations

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The man convicted of kidnapping and killing 6-year-old Etan Patz in New York City in 1979 must be retried by June or be released, a federal judge in New York has ruled.

Pedro Hernandez, 64, was convicted in 2017 of kidnapping and murdering Etan and was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after he admitted to luring the child into the basement of a bodega in the citys SoHo neighborhood in 1979.

In July, a New York federal appeals court overturned that conviction and ruled Hernandez must receive a new trial or be released from custody. That decision was made over a flawed instruction by the New York state judge presiding over his case in response to a jury note about his alleged confessions.

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Judge Colleen McMahon of Manhattans federal district court said in a ruling Thursday that if jury selection does not start by June 1, 2026, Hernandez must be released.

Her filing noted that prosecutors want the Supreme Court to review the 2nd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals decision.

It is not my job to read the tea leaves and make predictions or estimates about when or how the Supreme Court will act on any petition for certiorari that may be filed, McMahon wrote.

She did concede that there are challenges for the prosecution as just one member of the original trial team remains at the Manhattan District Attorneys Office, and the prosecution is trying to locate dozens of long-scattered witnesses who testified at the last trial some seven years ago.

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The mandate  my marching orders  simply directs that I set an end date by which any retrial must commence, and order Hernandez freed if a retrial does not commence by that date, McMahon said.

Harvey Fishbein, a attorney representing Hernandez in the state proceedings, told NBC News on Friday: "We again urge the DA that justice demands there not be a 3rd trial in this now 46-year-old case against a 64-year-old man who has unjustly spent the last 13 years in prison."

He noted that the July Second Circuit Court decision "set aside the conviction not because of a technicality but because the error by the trial court led to an innocent man with no prior criminal history being convicted."

Hernandezs attorneys had argued over the summer that the trial judges instructions were improper and tainted the verdict. Defense lawyers have also previously claimed that Hernandez is mentally ill and only confessed to the crime after he underwent hours of interrogation from police.

An image of Etan Patz hangs on an angel figurine at a makeshift memorial in 2012 in New York's SoHo neighborhood where Etan lived. (Mark Lennihan / AP file)

Etan went missing on May 25, 1979, while he was walking to a bus stop just two blocks from his familys home in Manhattan, prompting a massive search around SoHo. He was declared dead in 2001, and his body was never found.

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Police continued to look for the person responsible for Etans death and tracked down Hernandez in New Jersey in 2012 after his brother-in-law called in a tip, according to the July order.

Hernandez later confessed to kidnapping and killing the child, according to the order. He allegedly told police that he lured the boy into the bodega with the promise of a soda and instead grabbed him by the neck and fatally choked him. He said he then put the boys body in a garbage bag before stuffing it into a box and leaving it with the trash around the corner, the order said.

While Hernandez did not offer a motive in his confession, he denied that it was sexual, according to the order.

Hernandez, who has a documented history of mental illnesses and a low intelligence quotient (IQ), initially confessed after approximately seven hours of unwarned questioning by three police officers, the ruling from July said. Immediately after Hernandez confessed, the police administered Miranda warnings, began a video recording, and had Hernandez repeat his confession on tape. He did so again, several hours later, to an Assistant District Attorney (ADA). At trial, the prosecution discussed and played these videos repeatedly.

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Hernandezs first trial in 2015 ended in a hung jury. His second trial began in September 2016 and focused on the alleged confession.

During deliberations, the jury sent three notes to the judge regarding Hernandezs confession, the third asking the court to explain whether, if the jury found that Hernandezs un-Mirandized confession was not voluntary, it must disregard the later confessions, including the videotaped confessions at the local Camden County Prosecutors Office (CCPO) and the Manhattan District Attorneys (DAs) Office.

According to the July order, the judge did not explain and only said the answer is no. The jury, after nine days of deliberation, ultimately convicted Hernandez of felony murder and first-degree kidnapping, and acquitted him of intentional murder, the order said.

Etans disappearance spurred the movement to put missing kids photos on milk cartons, making him one of the first faces to appear on the vessels in an effort to get the publics help in tracking him down.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari on Saturday responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks made during the NDTV World Summit 2025, asserting that the Congress party has consistently stood firm against all forms of violence and extremism, including Maoist and Naxal threats. Addressing the summit, Prime Minister Modi had alleged that the Congress party, while publicly displaying allegiance to the Constitution, has sheltered Maoist extremism. "Those who flaunt copies of the Constitution continue to shelter Maoist terror," he had said. Reacting to the Prime Minister's statement, Tiwari told ANI that the Congress party has not backed down in the face of violence, recalling the loss of almost the entire Chhattisgarh leadership due to Maoist attacks. The Congress leader said, "We fought against the British and sacrificed many things. Fought against terrorists, we witnessed Indira Gandhi and Rajeev Gandhi's martyrdom, and countless Congress leaders sacrificed their lives. We had lost almost the whole of Chhattisgarh leadership because of Maoists and Naxals... We did not surrender and didn't bend in front of them. We fight against them." The Congress leader further stated, "We wanted to say it very clearly that whoever uses violence in the country, we will forever stand against them." On Friday, noting that 303 Naxalites have surrendered in the last 75 hours, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the day is not far when the country will be completely free from Naxalism and that the festivities of Diwali are going to be something truly special in the areas liberated from Maoist terrorism. Addressing the NDTV World Summit 2025 here, PM Modi said Naxalism has been loosely used by some people, but "in reality, it is Maoist terrorism". He said that Maoist terrorism is "a great injustice, a grave sin against the youth of our country", and he could not leave the young people of this nation in such a situation. The Prime Minister said he used to feel deep restlessness within, but remained silent for a long time. "Today, for the first time, I am sharing my pain with you," he said. He hit out at the Congress, saying that during its rule at the Centre, an entire ecosystem of urban Naxals had developed. "These urban Naxals were and still are so dominant that they run a massive campaign of censorship to ensure that incidents of Maoist terrorism do not reach the people of the country. There used to be so much discussion in our country about terrorism, and debates were held on Article 370. But the urban Naxals who had flourished in our cities during the Congress regime, and those who had taken control of various institutions, worked to cover up Maoist terrorism. They kept the country in the dark," he said. (ANI)
AUSTIN (KXAN)  A Williamson County jury found a 46-year-old Georgetown man guilty following the 2022 death of a Cedar Park man, according to the Williamson County District Attorneys Office.

That man was identified as John Harrison Lamb Jr., 46. He will be sentenced by a judge on Nov. 6, per a news release from the DAs office.

John Harrison Lamb Jr., 46 (Williamson County District Attorneys Office Photo)

The conviction comes after an investigation into the death of 47-year-old Clinton Dunn of Cedar Park. He was found dead in his home on Nov. 1, 2022, the DAs office said.

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Lamb admitted to police during the investigation that he provided Dunn with illegal substances  including cocaine and marijuana  more than once in the roughly two weeks leading up to his death.

On the day before Dunn was found inside his home, Lamb had delivered seven grams of cocaine, according to the DAs office. That substance was taken from Dunns home, and it tested positive for cocaine, fentanyl and tramadol.

Dunns cause of death was drug toxicity resulting from the presence of fentanyl, cocaine, tramadol, methamphetamine and alprazolam, according to the DAs office. A forensic toxicologist who testified during the trail said Dunn had likely consumed the fentanyl-laced cocaine within 4-5 hours of his death.

This case is a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating impact illegal drugs have on our community, Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick said in the release. The jurys verdict holds the defendant accountable for his role in distributing the dangerous drugs that led to Mr. Dunns tragic death.

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A man accused of fly-tipping in a city alleyway almost three years ago has been ordered to pay hundreds after finally being prosecuted.

According to the Oldham Times, the Oldham Council prosecuted 50-year-old Danut Spiridon in September 2025 for dumping waste into a Hathershaw alleyway on July 20, 2022, which included a two-seater sofa, wood, and a whole fireplace.

The Hathershaw Community Group captured the incident on old CCTV footage to indict Spiridon of the crime. Although he initially admitted to fly-tipping during a doorstep interview in August 2022, he failed to pay the fine and was issued a police warrant for his arrest.

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He was ordered to pay a fine of 200 ($267), a victim surcharge of 80 ($107), and court costs of 120 ($160), totaling 400 ($534).

"The evidence provided by the Hathershaw Community Group was crucial in securing this successful prosecution, and we are grateful for their support in tackling environmental crime," said Cllr Elaine Taylor, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, in an official statement.

"This sends a clear message that fly-tipping will not be tolerated in Oldham," she continued.

Fly-tipping is a term used in Britain to refer to the illegal dumping of waste in a public area, due to the environmental hazards it can create. The penalties can vary depending on the type of waste dump, but generally involve substantial fines and potential prosecution.

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Cities can potentially spend thousands attempting to remove waste from waterways or along roads that could harm or injure local wildlife or residents.

In addition, the mere sight of dumped waste in the community is both an eyesore and a detriment to property values in an area, as it can encourage more crime in the region by making such activity seem more commonplace if the city or residents do not take proper action.

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CHICAGO (WGN)  A man was shot and killed Friday night during an argument at a home in Bucktown.

Chicago police said the shooting happened just after 10:30 p.m.

A 53-year-old man was involved in a domestic argument that eventually became physical. Thats when another male pulled out a gun and fired shots at the man from inside the home, hitting him multiple times, according to investigators.

ICEs Chicago field director leaving assignment ahead of scheduled court appearance

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Police said paramedics with the Chicago Fire Department treated the man at the scene before taking him to Illinois Masonic Hospital where he died. The suspect, meanwhile, stayed at the scene and was taken into custody without incident.

Charges are pending and Area Three Detectives are investigating.

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NORFOLK  A judge this week ordered a 22-year-old man committed to a state hospital psychiatric treatment after finding him not guilty by reason of insanity for the 2024 slayings of his father and grandmother.

Ronnie Nyamekye Campbell entered insanity pleas in March to four charges, including two counts of second-degree murder. Circuit Judge David W. Lannetti accepted the pleas after defense and prosecution experts agreed Campbell was legally insane when he killed his family members.

The judge also ordered that Campbell be placed in the custody of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services for further mental health evaluations.

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In Virginia, a defendant can be considered legally insane if  at time of their crime and because of mental disease or defect  they could not understand the nature or consequences of their actions, were unable to distinguish right from wrong or were unable to resist an impulse to commit the actions. Psychotic disorders and intellectual disabilities qualify as a mental disease or defect.

The slayings happened around 5 p.m. Feb. 8, 2024, at a home on Dunkirk Ave. that Campbell shared with his grandmother, 64-year-old Arneta Marie Thagard.

When Campbell saw his father, Ronnie Credle Campbell, 46, outside the house that day, he stabbed him several times, according to a statement from prosecutors. The father, wheelchair bound due to an amputated leg, was defenseless during the attack, the statement said. After stabbing his father, Campbell went back inside and stabbed his grandmother.

Campbell will remain in a state psychiatric hospital until his next review hearing on Aug. 28, 2026, according to prosecutors. The judge will get an update on Campbells treatment and progress, and determine whether he needs to remain hospitalized, or be released with or without conditions.

If hes ordered to remain hospitalized, he would continue to get periodic review hearings.

Jane Harper, jane.harper@pilotonline.com
DENVER (KDVR)  A man who attacked a Greeley police officer with a metal file in 2023 and assaulted a second officer was sentenced this week to 35 years in prison.

Joshua Minteer, 33, was found guilty by a jury in September of attempted second-degree murder of a peace officer, second-degree assault of a peace officer, third-degree assault, harassment and resisting arrest, all stemming from an incident on Jan. 10, 2023, outside the Greeley cold weather shelter.

Jury awards $19.75M to bystanders injured when Denver officer fired in LoDo shooting

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These two officers were simply doing their job that night, Deputy District Attorney Mikaela Fatzinger said in the 19th Judicial District Attorneys Office announcement of the sentencing. This defendants violent actions could have easily resulted in the death of a police officer. We are thankful for the courage and professionalism of these officers and for the jurys decision to hold this defendant accountable.

Greeley police officers had responded to the area on reports that Minteer was assaulting staff and others, and was threatening to kill the responding officers, according to the 19th Judicial District Attorneys Office.

The prosecutors said that a brief foot chase ensued when officers arrived, leading to Minteer attacking one officer with a metal file, striking him in the chest. The district attorneys office said the officers ballistic vest prevented serious injury from occurring.

The prosecutors office said that during the incident, Minteer kept fighting officers and kicked another officer in the face before he was arrested.

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PRINCETON  A Mercer County man was arrested and charged with multiple counts of wanton endangerment after a gun was fired at a vehicle carrying an infant.

Christopher Tyler East, 25, of Bluefield has been charged on six counts of wanton endangerment with a firearm, according to a criminal complaint filed by Capt. Steven A. Sommers of the Mercer County Sheriffs Department.

East was arraigned by Magistrate Robert Holroyd who set a $200,000 cash-only bond with a home confinement condition if East is released, according to records at the Mercer County Magistrate Clerks Office.

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The shooting occurred Thursday when sheriffs deputies were dispatched to Napa Lane near Princeton about a shooting which occurred at the intersection of Mercer Mall Road and Bull Tail Hollow Road, Sommers said in the complaint.

Upon arrival, officers located a vehicle that had sustained multiple (6) bullet holes on the drivers side, including a flat front tire, Sommers said. Five minor occupants, four teenagers and one infant, were in the vehicle at the time of the shooting.

Witnesses on scene identified Christopher Tyler East as the shooter, Sommers said. According to the cars driver and a passenger, East followed the victim vehicle after encountering it near the Mercer Mall. according to the criminal complaint. East left his vehicle near the intersection where the other vehicles driver also exited.

After a brief verbal exchange, the driver got back into his vehicle to drive away and East fired multiple rounds from a handgun, hitting the victim vehicle six times, Sommers said. Two rounds entered the passenger compartment. One round struck where the infant was located and another round struck the steering wheel.

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The victim vehicles driver said he saw East holding a tan FN509 handgun with an extended magazine and flashlight, Sommers said in the complaint. Deputies recovered four 9mm casings at the scene and located a bullet in the vehicles front tire and a bullet fragment in the door seal.

Sommers and Capt. W.E. Rose located East at a residence near Bluefield where he was taken into custody without incident. Sommers recovered a tan FN 509 firearm from Easts vehicle.

East was being held Friday at the Southern Regional Jail.

Wanton endangerment with a firearm is a felony with a possible prison term of one to five years, according to the West Virginia Code.

Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  A man was convicted of murder charges Friday in connection with a fire that killed two people, including a child.

Wendell Payton pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Kalsey and Naomi Payton. He also pleaded guilty to aggravated arson, aggravated child endangerment, domestic battery and two counts of interfering with law enforcement, according to the Reno County District Attorneys office.

Wendell Payton (Reno County Sheriffs Office)



The charges stem from a Feb. 1 fire in Hutchinson. Just after 3 a.m., the Hutchinson Fire Department was dispatched to a house near Clay Street and Third Avenue on a report of a house fire with people possibly trapped. Police also responded.

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When officers arrived, they found a 6-year-old girl standing outside the home.

Firefighters saw smoke coming from the home and began a fire attack and search. When crews made it to the basement, they found three victims.

Two of the victims, 4-year-old Naomi and 32-year-old Kalsey, were found dead. Wendell Payton had self-inflicted wounds from which he recovered, prosecutors said.

The 6-year-old girl found outside the home was Naomis sister.

Police ID man shot and killed on Wichita bus

According to the Reno County District Attorneys office, autopsies performed on the victims concluded that Naomi died from blunt force trauma and that Kalsey died from sharp force trauma. Both deaths were determined to be homicides.

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Sentencing is set for Dec. 15 at 9:30 a.m.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man and a woman from Water Valley, Mississippi were each charged with human trafficking in Oxford, Mississippi.

The Oxford Police Department said they were contacted by another agency Oct. 10 about a possible human trafficking case in the city.

They spoke to an adult victim, who identified the suspects as Alana McCammon, 22, and Bailey Prince, 23.

Police said McCammon was out on bond in another case. They said that bond will be revoked.

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What impact will No Kings protests have in Memphis?

Police did not provide any more information about the case, but said the investigation is ongoing and more charges could be coming.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Following the death of Mango Fashion Group founder Isak Andic, his son, Jonathan Andic, is being investigated.

Isak, 71, unexpectedly died in December 2024 during an accident, and 10 months later, Jonathan, 44, is reportedly being investigated as a suspect.

According to The Times, Spanish police are investigating Isaks death as a possible homicide after he fell 300 feet to his death during a hiking trip with his son to the Montserrat mountains in Spain. On Friday, October 17, the publication noted that investigators are citing the testimony of Isaks partner, Estefania Knuth, who shared that Isak and his son had strained relations.

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According to El Pais, police described contradictory statements and grey areas in two of Jonathans accounts, per The Times. The publication added that hiis version of the story did not align with forensic evidence found at the site.

Mango Founder Isak Andic Dead at 71 After Falling to His Death on Barcelona Hike

No evidence of foul play has yet to be found, per The Times.

The Andic family shared in a statement to the Spanish media, per The Times, The Andic family has not commented, and will not comment, on Isak Andics death. It wishes to show respect for the ongoing proceedings and will continue co-operating fully with the authorities. The message continued, The family is confident that this process will end soon and that Jonathan Andics innocence will be proven.

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Isaks death was announced in December 2024 via Mangos site.

The entire Mango family mourns the passing of our founder Isak Andic, the site read. It is with deep regret that we announce the unexpected death of Isak Andic, our non-executive Chairman and founder of Mango, in an accident that occurred this Saturday.

Isak has been an example for all of us. He dedicated his life to Mango, leaving an indelible mark thanks to his strategic vision, his inspiring leadership and his unwavering commitment to values that he himself imbued in our company, the statement added.

The message continued: His legacy reflects the achievements of a business project marked by success, and also by his human quality, his proximity and the care and affection that he always had and at all times conveyed to the entire organization. His departure leaves a huge void but all of us are, in some way, his legacy and the testimony of his achievements. It is up to us, and this is the best tribute we can make to Isak and which we will fulfill, to ensure that Mango continues to be the project that Isak aspired to and of which he would feel proud. In these extremely difficult times we share the pain of the family as if it were our own.

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Ivana Trumps Cause of Death Revealed as Accident, Suffered Blunt Impact Injuries of Torso

Mango was founded in 1984 by Isak and his brother Nahman Andic. That same year, they opened their first store in Barcelona's Passeig de Gracia. The brand began to expand internationally in 1992 with its first shop in Portugal, and in 2000, it launched its online store.

Mango now retails for women, men, teens and kids, and sells home items. They sell everything from party attire to office wear, coats, sweaters, dresses and more.

Us Weekly reached out to the Mango Fashion Group for comment but did not immediately hear back.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday highlighted the special excitement of Diwali among the people of the national capital, asserting that when a "Sanatani government" assumes power, the festival's grandeur and divinity become unparalleled. She said that if Diwali is celebrated in Delhi, then it becomes the festival of the nation's capital. "Delhi's Diwali is the Diwali of the nation's capital, and it should be celebrated, seen, and felt. When a Sanatani government comes to power, its grandeur and divinity are unique. Today, everyone in Delhi, regardless of age, gender, or social status, is happy. They celebrate Diwali because of PM Modi's GST savings," CM Rekha Gupta said. She further noted that the citizens of Delhi had been missing the true spirit of festivals like Diwali and Chhath Pooja for several years. Praising the upcoming Deepotsav celebrations, she stated that millions of diyas would illuminate Kartavya Path, showcasing unmatched grandeur and divinity. "The Delhi government's GST credit, firecracker permits, preparations for Chhath at the Chhath Ghat, and event management for the youth. These are all festivals that Delhi has missed for years. But not anymore. Now, Delhi will live freely, celebrate its festivals with joy, and express its happiness. Delhi will witness grandeur and divinity when millions of diyas will be lit on the Kartavya Path. May that light keep Delhi and our country illuminated forever," Rekha Gupta said. Earlier today, the Delhi CM announced that the government will organise the "Deepotsav" programme at Kartavya Path starting from 6 pm. The event will feature the lighting of 1.51 lakh diyas, accompanied by Ram Katha recitations, a drone show, and various cultural performances. In a post on social media platform X, the Delhi CM described the programme as a cultural awakening of Hindu festivals and called it a moment of resurgence of faith, self-pride, and eternal tradition. "From 6 PM this evening on Kartavya Path. A grand chain of 1.51 lakh lamps, along with Ram Katha, a drone show, and cultural performances, Delhi is celebrating its first divine 'Deepotsav'. This event is a cultural awakening of our Hindu festivals; it is a moment of the resurgence of faith, self-pride, and eternal tradition. Let us become witnesses to this historic moment," Rekha Gupta wrote on X. (ANI)
Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, "The Presidents Own United States Marine Band has been forced to cancel its 2025 national concert tour, including two planned Oklahoma shows.

Americas oldest continuously active professional musical organization, the Marine Band was set to play free public concerts Friday, Oct. 17 at Catlett Music Center at the University of Oklahoma in Norman and Sunday, Oct. 19 at the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.

"Due to the government shutdown, the Marine Band will be unable to perform public facing concerts until further notice. We will resume events upon established government funding. We apologize for the inconvenience this will cause for our patrons," the band announced online.

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Founded in 1798, the band has performed for every U.S. president since John Adams. Known as The Presidents Own since the days of Thomas Jefferson, the Marine Bands main mission is to provide music for the president of the United States and the commandant of the Marine Corps.

In an email, Caroline Hand, OU's interim director of bands, called the Marine Band "one of the preeminent musical organizations in the nation."

More: Here's how the federal government shutdown is affecting Oklahoma

Lt. Col. Ryan Nowlin, center, is the director of The Presidents Own Marine Band.

Under the direction of Lt. Col. Ryan Nowlin, the band's 2025 program was to feature a wide range of works in the style of iconic composer and conductor John Philip Sousa, including Sousa marches, traditional band repertoire, contemporary compositions, vocal and instrumental solos and a salute to the U.S. Armed Forces.

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"The President's Own" United States Marine Band was scheduled to tour from Oct. 1-30 and perform its free, public concerts in Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

Instead, the government shutdown began just after midnight on Oct. 1, after Congress failed to pass a new budget.

This marks the fourth shutdown during Donald Trumps presidency, according to USA TODAY. As of Friday, Oct. 17, it ties the 2013 shutdown, which took place under President Barack Obama, as the fourth-longest in U.S. history at 17 days.

If the government doesnt reopen by Monday, Oct. 20, the current shutdown will become the third-longest in history, surpassing the 1978 shutdown under President Jimmy Carter.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Government shutdown forces Marine Band to cancel Oklahoma performances
Oct. 18 (UPI) -- The U.S. Marine Corps' live-fire event at Camp Pendleton as part of its 250th birthday celebration will cause the closure of Interstate 5 for four hours on Saturday.

The closure is a precaution due to the firing of explosive artillery rounds over the freeway from gunnery ranges at Camp Pendleton in Southern California, which has drawn the ire of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Newsom accused President Donald Trump of "putting his ego over responsibility with this disregard for public safety" in a prepared statement released on Saturday morning.

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"Firing live rounds over a busy highway isn't just wrong -- it's dangerous," Newsom said.

"Using our military to intimidate people you disagree with isn't strength," he added. "It's reckless. It's disrespectful, and it's beneath the office he holds."

Trump will not attend the celebratory event, but Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are scheduled to attend, with the live-fire scheduled at 1:30 p.m. local time.

Marine Corps officials initially said there would be no need to close the freeway and only asked that signs be posted warning drivers of the live-fire event and to expect to hear explosions.

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California Highway Patrol officials instead announced the freeway would be closed while the event is in progress, according to KTLA-TV.

Due to safety concerns, a section of Interstate 5 will be closed Saturday due to a White House-directed military event at Camp Pendleton involving live ammunition being discharged over the freeway," Caltrans officials said in a statement on Saturday morning.

"Drivers should expect delays on Interstate 5 and other state routes throughout Southern California before, during and after the event."

The closure starts at 11 a.m. PDT for the 17-mile stretch of freeway running from Basilone Road near San Onofre in the north to Harbor Drive in Oceanside to the south and reopens at 3 p.m.

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The event will include a demonstration of Navy and Marine Corps operations on land, sea and in the air.

Camp Pendleton is located about 40 miles north of San Diego and east of I-5, which runs along the Pacific Coast.

Caltrans officials advise motorists in Los Angeles County to use state routes in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties to bypass the closed section of freeway.

Several local train routes also will be closed during the live-fire event.
California is closing a large stretch of Interstate 5 near Camp Pendleton today after the Marine Corps confirmed it would be conducting an artillery live-fire event over the freeway.

The state announced the four-hour closure Saturday morning, citing extreme life safety risk and distraction to drivers, including sudden unexpected and loud explosions, from the Marine Corps event today as part of its 250th birthday celebration. The closure will be in effect between Harbor Drive in Oceanside to Basilone Road near San Onofre and comes only three days after the Marine Corps said that no freeway closure would be necessary.

Due to an event at Camp Pendleton today, October 18th, Interstate 5 will be closed from Harbor Drive to Basilone Road between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm., California Highway Patrol said in a statement posted to its social media pages. Drivers should expect delays on Interstate 5 and other state routes throughout Southern California before, during, and after the event.

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Electronic messages warning about the closure due to live weapon fire were visible along Interstate 5 in Los Angeles County.

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In a release about the celebration on Wednesday, Oct. 15, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Camp Pendleton, said that All training events will occur on approved training ranges and comport with established safety protocols. No public highways or transportation routes will be closed.

However, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said that the state was notified by the Marine Corps asking for CalTrans to set up signs along the freeway warning Overhead fire in progress. That was only a day after the Marine Corps said that artillery would be fired at its regular training ranges, Newsom said.

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Firing live rounds over a busy highway isnt just wrong  its dangerous, Newsom said. California Highway Patrol told Task & Purpose that there was no intent to close the freeway until late last night. A spokesperson for I Marine Expeditionary Force said that the Marine Corps did not request the closure of the freeway.

The artillery exercise is set for 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time. The event will feature live fire from M777 Howitzers firing 155mm high explosive rounds from west of I-5 into designated ranges east of the interstate with all safety precautions in place, Marines said in a statement to Task & Purpose.

The I-5 Freeway runs along the California coast between Dana Point and San Diego, passing by Camp Pendleton. The state said earlier this week that more than 80,000 people pass through that area on the freeway daily. On Thursday, Amtrak announced its Pacific Surfliner train service along the coast near Camp Pendleton would be paused due to the event.

The event, Sea to Shore  A Review of Amphibious Strength, will be held at the base, including at Red Beach, and the capabilities demonstration will feature integrated Navy and Marine Corps operations across air, land, and sea, I Marine Expeditionary Force said on Oct. 15. Vice President J.D. Vance, a Marine veteran, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth are set to attend.

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I Marine Expeditionary Force said that [a]ll air, surface, and ground movements are scripted and rehearsed in accordance with standard operating procedures and established safety checklists.

Update: 10/18/2025; This story has been updated with additional comments from I Marine Expeditionary Force.
FAIRMONT  A Barrackville man known to his friends and family as Wooly Mammoth passed away Oct. 10 at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown.

Emmel Ray Garton Jr. is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Ellen Chapman Garton. He was 75.

A geologist and paleontologist, Garton was owner of Prehistoric Planet LLC, which he housed in a barn on his property in Barrackville. He was also proud to serve as the curator of the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey Museum at Mt. Chateau in Morgantown.

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Garton kept fossils, fossil replicas and geological finds from archeological digs on which he worked across the country. His barn contains more than 40 years worth of artifacts that Garton keeps for study, as well as for display when requested.

I was always interested in science, but went from there and got involved in cave exploration and finding bones in caves, Garton said in a 2021 profile written by Times West Virginian reporter Eddie Trizzino. I went to school for geology and paleontology at WVU, and pretty much have been doing it since 1969, with my primary focus and passion being West Virginia fossils.

Throughout his career, Garton traveled across the country looking for ancient artifacts to dig up for research and possible display. He mostly enjoys finding artifacts hidden deep underground throughout West Virginia, but the state is home to more rocks and Ice Age animal remains than dinosaur bones.

West Virginia had no dinosaurs, our rocks are much older than dinosaurs, Garton said. But we do have a very good representation of Ice Age animals. Woolly mammoths, mastodons, saber-tooth cats, vampire bats were all found in West Virginia.

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You cant walk too far in Gartons Prehistoric Planet without nearly tripping over an artifact that dates back thousands, if not millions of years, but he said thats not what its like on a dig site. Geological societies locate sites that may hide ancient artifacts a few layers below the surface based on context clues, and from there, it could take weeks of digging to find anything worth preserving.

In West Virginia, most of the well-preserved artifacts can be found buried in caves or in mountains.

To find specific fossils, you have to go where the geologic rocks are the proper age, otherwise you are wasting your time, Ray Garton said. Cave exploring is huge  thats where most Ice Age fossils are found in West Virginia.

Garton said he has spent up to a year on dig sites looking for remains or even just clues for bones or geological artifacts. He said his most successful excursions have been in West Virginia, where he has been the first to find several kinds of ancient artifacts. He found the first saber tooth cat remains in the state, as well as one undiscovered type of clam and an undiscovered species of trilobite.

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My wife and I, we found the very first saber tooth cat remains in West Virginia in the 90s in Greenbrier County, Ray Garton said. It was primarily some crushed bones and some teeth.

Mary Ellen Garton, Rays wife and retired special education teacher, has been with Ray on many digs over his career. While geology and paleontology are not her specific fields of interest, she said it is exciting even from an outsiders perspective to find ancient remains on a dig.

The interest of finding stuff that youre the first person to see it, and some of the things we find are the first time they have ever been found which is really exciting, Mary Ellen Garton said. Just the thrill of finding something is really great.

Ray Garton recalled a memory from a dig site he and his wife were on years ago, where they just happened to find a clue that led them to discovering an ancient species of shark. He said ants use many kinds of materials to build their nests and hills, which has led more than just he and Mary Ellen closer to ancient remains.

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We were laying on an ant hill collecting fossils, and here comes an ant carrying a little crocodile tooth, Ray Garton said. We took the tooth from it, it was a pretty interesting story.

Items Ray Garton has dug up over the years can be found displayed in museums around West Virginia because he loans out bones and replicas of skeletons to organizations around the state for educational purposes.

While many of the artifacts in Prehistoric Planet are only replicas of actual bones and artifacts, Ray Garton said this is the case with fossils on display in museums around the country. They are, however, made to be as much like the original subject as possible, so one kind of bone or skeleton, for example, can be viewed in several places at once.

He frequently asks different geological societies if he can make replicas of a fossil so he can study and display a new find.

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We have the three local rock and gem clubs, and they go on digs, Ray Garton said. If I think its worthy of museum display, Ill ask them to loan it to the museum. If they cant loan it, I ask if I can borrow it and make a mold.

Aside from his work in the field digging up and studying fossils, Garton considers himself an educator. The purpose for all of his work and research is to educate people about the ancient past, and share what lies beneath the surface of different areas. He often gets calls or emails from people who believe they have found a fossil. And while they are not always right, Garton said he tries to encourage digging enthusiasts to keep looking.

The public is very, very interested in fossils, he said. I get emails constantly from people who found this, found that and send me pictures of them. Most of the time, they are nothing, and I have to figure out ways to let them down in a way that they want to keep looking.

Nowadays, Garton does most of his work in Prehistoric Planet, which functions as a lab as well. He said, at the age of 70, he wants to get as many fossils and replicas as possible distributed to museums around the country and the world, to make sure they are more widely available to anyone interested.

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Curtis Wiseman is a lab assistant at Prehistoric Planet who helps the Gartons keep everything organized, and communicates with outside organizations looking for information on different fossils they have. To Wiseman, the work is interesting because he gets to hold rocks dating back millions of years.

I really find it fascinating, Wiseman said. People ask me, What do you like about it? And I say working with 400 million-year-old bones.

Ray Garton said anyone has potential to stumble onto ancient remains, it just takes a careful eye to know where to look. He said getting into paleontology can be a challenge, but finding a new bone after hours if not days or weeks of searching makes it all worth it, especially one he gets to take home and find out how old it is.

Im perfectly happy to stay in the lab, Ray Garton said. A lot of people think paleontology is all about the digging. The digging is certainly important... A professional will maybe dig four weeks out of the year, and the rest of the time youre back in the laboratory.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

NOTE: The majority of this article was written by Eddie Trizzino and used here to remember Ray Garton.
LAWRENCE COUNTY, Mo.  A man from Marionville has been sentenced for two separate cases involving child sex crimes.

According to court documents, Dagon Wallace was sentenced to 20 years for first-degree statutory rape, endangering the welfare of a child, furnishing pornographic material to a minor, and tampering with physical evidence.

Wallace was also sentenced in a second related case to 15 years in prison for first-degree statutory rape, sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child pornography.

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Wallace entered a guilty plea to all counts on August 12, 2025.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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 The congregations of Olivet Reformed United Church of Christ and St. Andrews United Church of Christ will gather at Olivet, 1648 Centre Ave., Reading, for a special combined celebration of the sacrament of Holy Communion at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday. The service will be a commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the first German Reformed Church communion in America. The order of service will be based on the Palatinate Liturgy, which is what would have been in use on Oct.15, 1725, when that first communion service took place at Falkner Swamp. A time of fellowship with refreshments follows the service.

 Schwarzwald United Church of Christ, 75 Church Lane Road, Exeter Township, will be holding a fall festival next Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Apple dumplings and other baked goods will be for sale. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with hot dogs, BBQ and soups for sale. Crafts for children will be available.

 Calvary United Church of Christ, 1231 Route 100, Washington Township, will hold Trunk or Treat on Sunday from 1-2:30 p.m.

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 Christ Lutheran Church, 222 Niantic Road, Douglass Township, Montgomery County, will bless quilts made and assembled by members and friends of the congrgation during the 9 a.m. worship service on Sunday. Transformation will sing during the service. Coffee and Conversation will be held at 8:30 and 10 in the Welcome Center. Brown bag Bible study will be held on Wednesday at noon in the Welcome Center.

 The Youth Choir will sing during worship on Sunday at 10:15 a.m. at United Church of Christ of Robesonia, 301 W. Penn Ave. The annual financial collection for Church World Service blankets begins Sunday and continues through Nov. 9 when the collected money will be dedicated. The cost of each blanket is $10. The Young Families Group is sponsoring an event at Duncan Corn Maze, Robesonia, on Sunday at 4 p.m. Email office@uccrwe.org or call 610-621-5770 for more information. The 21st Century Christian Womens Group meets on Monday at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday morning Zoom Bible study starts at 9 a.m. Email mestme@aol.com for the link. The video Bible study called The Chosen meets on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at the church on the second floor. Email auly@comcast.net to ask for the link if you need to join the session virtually.

 One United Church of Christ, 1730 New Holland Road, Kenhorst, will be holding its annual bazaar on Nov. 1 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. featuring a variety of vendors, gift basket raffle, homemade food, church made apple dumplings, cookies and church made candy for sale.

 St. Marys Church, 14833 Kutztown Road, Richmond Township, will hae a holiday bazaar on Nov. 1 from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Homemade pierogies, BBQ, soups, haluski and more. Eat in or take out, frozen. Dozens of crafters, homemade cookies and treats, cash and basket raffles, white elephant and book sale, visit from Santa.

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 St. Johns Reformed Church, 4001 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring, will hold a basket raffle on Nov. 1 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. There will be dozens of baskets and other items in the raffle as well as other prizes. Additionally, there will be food and baked goods for sale. The fundraising event will be held in the church Fellowship Hall (lower level). Parking is behind the church or across the street at the corner of Penn Avenue and South Hull Street.

 The Berks Harmony Quartet will sing during the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday at Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, 170 Tuckerton Road, Muhlenberg Township. There will be a free community drive-through chili meal today from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the parking lot toward the back of the church.

 Womens Ministries holiday bazaar will be held at Zion Spies E.R. Church, 318 Spies Church Road, Alsace Township, on Nov. 1 from 7 a.m.-noon. Mens Ministries will serve a breakfast buffet from 7-11 a.m., cost is $10 per person. There will be crafts, gifts, woodworking, honey and book tables. Cookies ($10 per pound) and baked goods will be available, along with attic treasures. Call 610-779-9787 for more information.

In order to have an event listed in the religion digest, it must be something that is not just a regular worship service. This includes things such as guest musicians or vocalists who are not members of the church choir; guest speakers; flea markets and other sales, meals, etc. Send information to life@readingeagle.com.
Oct. 17Two years after the fatal shooting of Steve Perkins, the murder trial of former Decatur police officer Mac Marquette has been postponed again until January as his defense team awaits a ruling from the Alabama Supreme Court and Perkins' family awaits a trial.

The Alabama Supreme Court has given Marquette's attorneys until Oct. 31 to file their final brief in an ongoing immunity appeal.

Morgan County Circuit Judge Charles Elliott on Thursday granted a motion to continue the trial to Jan. 26.

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This marks the fourth time the trial date has been moved since it was originally scheduled for April 7. Marquette's attorneys filed for an immunity hearing and dismissal of the case and asked that the trial be delayed until after the hearing.

Elliott rejected Marquette's Stand Your Ground claim after a two-day hearing in March and had scheduled the trial for June 9, but it was postponed after his attorneys requested more time to appeal the ruling with the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals.

On Aug. 15, the appellate court denied the relief sought in a mandamus petition that Marquette's attorneys filed on May 8, and three days later, Elliott continued the case to Nov. 17.

Marquette is charged with the murder of 39-year-old Steve Perkins, who was shot and killed during a botched repossession attempt of his truck at his home on Ryan Drive Southwest, now called Steve Perkins Drive, on Sept. 29, 2023. After Perkins allegedly threatened the tow truck driver with a firearm, the driver contacted Decatur police, according to testimony at the Stand Your Ground hearing.

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Body-camera footage played at the hearing showed Marquette and other officers arriving with the tow truck during the second repossession attempt, concealing themselves as they approached. Perkins then walked outside as the tow truck began hitching his truck. He appeared to aim his gun at the tow truck driver, and Marquette came around the corner of the house and fired 17 rounds. Perkins later died from his wounds at Huntsville Hospital.

Marquette and two other Decatur police officers were terminated for their role in the incident, and a fourth was suspended.

Nick Perkins said Thursday he felt irritated that it is taking so long to obtain justice for his younger brother.

"It's getting very annoying," he said. "I'm not sure what the powers that be or the judges or the court system needs to see to understand that Marquette does not deserve immunity and he should go to trial like any other (alleged) murderer. I understand his lawyers are doing their due diligence, but it's not doing my family any justice and it's not giving a good example to the court system in my opinion."

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Catrela Perkins, Steve Perkins' widow, said she also is disappointed and hurt by the postponement of the trial.

"We're stuck. I feel like my life is on hold right now," she said.

She said she did not understand why Marquette is avoiding the trial if he believes he is innocent.

"Why all the continuance of the trial to try to get it pushed back," she said. "I'm sure he's loving this, but we're not. It's disappointing but I guess that's his due process. I wish that they could look at Steve's family and how we feel. This is not a good feeling to have someone who (allegedly) murdered your loved one continue to walk the streets freely as if nothing happened."

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Nick Perkins said his family knew Marquette would begin the immunity appeal process after he was charged because he believes the former officer is trying to avoid facing a jury. He said all they are looking for is closure so they can "get on with their lives."

"He's exhausted every avenue, and he's tried every trick in the book," Perkins said. "It's getting old. It's just better if he goes ahead and faces the music. With the video evidence, it's plain as day, you're guilty. Go on and get it over with."

Marquette has pleaded not guilty.

 wesley.tomlinson@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2442.
HUNTINGTON The Marshall University Research Corporation has been awarded more than $341,000 through the Appalachian Regional Commissions (ARC) Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE) to lead a multi-state project to help young adults, particularly those aging out of foster care, transition successfully into the workforce.

The initiative, titled the Appalachian Employment and Transformation Planning Initiative  Yielding Economic Stability & Success (YESS Appalachia), will be led by the Marshall University Center of Excellence for Recovery.

Over the next 12 months, Marshall and its partners will conduct an asset and needs assessment and examine existing models. The project aims to develop a comprehensive plan focused on advancing job readiness, leadership development, employment and education, while connecting participants to wraparound services that support long-term success.

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YESS Appalachia will directly impact 22 counties across West Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and Mississippi. Partners include the Dream Center of Columbus Inc. (Dream Center Golden Triangle), San Mar Family and Community Services, Christos Foundation and New Vision Renewable Energy. In addition to ARCs investment, Marshall and its partners are contributing $182,422 in matching funds to expand the projects reach.

With support from the Appalachian Regional Commission, Marshall University is honored to lead this vital initiative to strengthen Appalachias future by empowering young adults  especially those transitioning out of foster care  with the skills, support and pathways they need to succeed, Dr. Amy Saunders, associate vice president and managing director of the Center of Excellence for Recovery, said.

ARISE is ARCs first multi-state funding initiative, designed to drive large-scale regional economic transformation through collaborative projects that cross state lines. Since January 2023, ARISE has invested $179.5 million in 68 projects across all 13 Appalachian states. These projects are expected to create or retain more than 22,300 jobs, generate $274.6 million in additional private investment and prepare nearly 16,000 workers and students for opportunities in sectors such as broadband development, workforce education and manufacturing.
Despite being locked in a nine-year neighborhood zoning battle, Ellicott Citys Manor Hill Brewing shows no signs of slowing down, a testament to the ongoing popularity of farm breweries throughout Maryland during the past decade.

The prominent brewery  which notes its Howard Countys first, and Marylands largest, farm brewery, from the creators of one of the countys best-known restaurants, Victorias Gastro Pub  recently touted a sold-out vendor lineup of more than 30 merchants for its Craft Fair & Makers Market.

Its social media promotes everything from goat yoga to annual events such as Books & Beers and the Corn Fair  and were thrilled to share that the music lineup is already booked solid through all of 2025 and most of 2026, the brewery said in a September Instagram post.

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Maryland has issued dozens of farm brewer licenses since the category was created in 2012, and counties stepped up to accommodate this particular form of agritourism.

If you can keep a farm viable, its much better for the state than rolling it over to a developer, said Anthony Aellen of Mount Airys Linganore Winecellars.

His brother came back to Maryland to launch the Red Shedman Farm Brewery on the Linganore premises in 2014, which is still working through county permits to rebuild after a large fire last year.

The farm-brewing concept tapped into a key desire to give customers direct access to their products.

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The consumer today wants to know the most basic of information, where does their food come from, Aellen said. It put agriculture back in the consumers eye.

Falling Branch Brewing in Street, for example, remains a major regional attraction years after the 100-acre property became Harford Countys first farm brewery.

Black Locust Hops was the first in Baltimore County to get a special exception for a farm brewery, and says 90% of its customers live in the immediate area of its Freeland community.

We do have a very loyal customer base, said owner Lisa Carton, who launched the operation with her husband, Che.

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The impacts and side effects of the industry in rural areas have drawn concern over the years. Harford County issued a 120-day moratorium in 2021 to study farm-brewing-related noise and traffic concerns, which tied up Bel Airs Alecraft Brewery at the time.

Breweries also face new economic uncertainty, with one factor being a global trend against alcohol consumption.

The whole alcoholic industry is in a little bit of turmoil, Aellen said. Brewing has been hit hard, especially midsize operations, with 6,000 to 18,000 barrels per year.

Carton agreed with that, and said Black Locust Hops definitely offers products with low ABV (alcohol by volume), no ABV and mocktails.

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Its an issue for the industry in general, she said.

Caroline Sisson of Heavy Seas Beer, who is president of the Brewers Association of Maryland, said the trend toward reduced alcohol consumption is a major concern for all breweries  not just in Maryland, but across the country.

Sisson said the craft alcohol industry overall is facing several headwinds, including rising production and ingredient costs, increased competition from other craft alcohol sectors [seltzers, RTDs, canned cocktails, etc.], and flat or declining consumption rates.

Carton, for one, said she is definitely going to face rising costs for items like fertilizer and overall cost of growing hops.

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Economic challenges, of course, are nothing new for this industry. Microbreweries boomed nationally in the 1980s, only to start sputtering about 15 years later. Rising rents reportedly squeezed out Baltimore Citys breweries by the early 2000s.

In Maryland, the market is still strong, Aellen said. I do believe the market is still there. Its tighter than it was before.

Meanwhile, Manor Hill Brewings case in Howard County continues. On Wednesday, the county hearing examiner asked the neighbors challenging the brewery to send updated memos by Oct. 31.

Have a news tip? Contact Bryna Zumer at bzumer@baltsun.com, or on X as @brynazumer.
Two Massachusetts men have been charged with sexually assaulting a Newport teen in her own home, police said Thursday.

Newport Police report they received a 911 call on Sept. 28 from a teenage girl reporting a man was trying to enter her home and holding a knife. Police responded and took two men, identified by police as Jose Ricarte, 21, and Andy Abiel Garion Nowell, 20, both of Fall River, Mass., into custody following an investigation.

Ricarte was initially charged with simple assault, with Nowell taken into protective custody due to his intoxication level.

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Newport Police continued their investigation  including witness interviews and analysis of forensic evidence  and developed probable cause to charge both Ricarte and Nowel with sexually assaulting the teen prior to her calling 911.

Arrest warrants were issued for Ricarte on charges of aggravated felonious sexual assault and burglary, and for Nowell on a charge of aggravated felonious sexual assault, police said.

Ricarte was already in custody at the Sullivan County jail, and Nowell was arrested by Fall River police and extradited back to New Hampshire by deputies with the Sullivan County Sheriffs Office. Both men were arraigned in Newport District Court and ordered held without bail.

The case is being prosecuted by the Sullivan County Attorneys Office. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be considered when the case is presented to a Sullivan County grand jury.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Officer Jack Matarese at 603-863-3232 or jmatarese@newportnh.gov.
The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, the second largest R&D establishment under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), celebrated the 40th anniversary of the First Criticality of the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) on Saturday with a special commemorative event highlighting four decades of innovation, self-reliance and technological excellence in nuclear energy. According to an official release of IGCAR, FBTR is a 40 MWt / 13.6 MWe sodium-cooled, loop-type fast breeder reactor fueled by a mixed plutonium-uranium carbide core. Designed as a test facility, it has played a crucial role in advancing India's fast reactor program by providing valuable operational experience and serving as a versatile R&D platform for irradiation studies on fuels and structural materials essential for future fast breeder reactors. The early years of construction and commissioning were marked by pioneering and challenging efforts to master and develop technologies such as handling sodium coolant, fabricating mixed carbide fuel, and establishing rigorous safety protocols for fast reactor systems, for the first time in India. Achieving its first criticality in 1985, FBTR has been a flagship of India's indigenous fast reactor programme and a key milestone in the nation's pursuit of self-reliance in nuclear energy. The Fast Breeder Test Reactor laid the foundation for the development of future reactors, including the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR). In the opening address, S Sridhar, Director of Reactor Facilities Group, IGCAR, welcomed the dignitaries and paid tribute to the former colleagues of FBTR, acknowledging their foundational contributions. CG Karhadkar, Director, IGCAR, highlighted the Centre's remarkable achievements and underscored FBTR's consistent record of safe and reliable operation over four decades. KN Vyas, Homi Bhabha Chair Professor and former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, DAE, graced the occasion as the chief guest and released a commemorative Coffee Table Book on the Fast Breeder Test Reactor. During his address, Vyas appreciated the dedicated teams behind FBTR's milestone achievements and emphasised the reactor's role in showcasing India's indigenous capabilities in fast reactor technology and contributing to self-reliance. Several prominent dignitaries from the DAE fraternity, including SA. Bhardwaj, former Chairman, AERB; Dr. C. Ganguly, former Chief Executive, NFC; SC Chetal, PR. Vasudeva Rao, SAV. Satya Murty, and Dr. B. Venkatraman, former Directors of IGCAR; Pradip Mukherjee, Chief Executive, BRIT; KV. Suresh Kumar, CMD, BHAVINI, and Komal Kapoor, Chairman and Chief Executive, NFC, graced the event and addressed the gathering. This event also marked a significant scientific milestone: the successful separation of Phosphorus-32 (P-32), a radioisotope for radiopharmaceutical applications, obtained from the irradiation of Strontium sulphate (SrSO4) pellets. (ANI)
PLYMPTON, Mass. (WPRI)  A Plympton woman is facing animal cruelty charges after more than 100 farm animals were removed from her property last month, according to Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz.

The investigation began in late September, when the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) received word that several farm animals were being continually neglected at a Lake Street home.

The property owners also reached out to the Plympton Police Department to express concerns about the farm animals, which belonged to their tenant Jenifer Rogers.

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Cruz said the MSPCA had received reports of potential neglect regarding the home in the past, but could not access the property because of the Rogers refusal to cooperate.

The homeowners told investigators several animals had died from neglect over the course of several months, and that Rogers chose not to properly care for them.

RELATED: More than 100 animals removed from Plympton property

Cruz said MSPCA personnel inspected the property and discovered dozens of farm animals living in inadequate shelters with a lack of available food or water.

There was also dead livestock in the immediate vicinity of the live animals, as well as various bones and skulls from what appeared to be deceased goats scattered around the property, according to Cruz.

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Cruz said Rogers was given the opportunity to surrender any animals she could not care for, but she refused.

The next day, MSPCA personnel returned to the home and found that the animals still did not have access to water and were living in unsanitary conditions.

MSPCA personnel searched and removed 115 farm animals from the property over the course of four hours.

The vast majority of the animals were farm birds, including including chickens, turkeys, geese, quails, ducks and one guinea hen, according to the MSPCA.

MSPCA personnel also removed two dogs, two cats, five rabbits, two ferrets and five goats from the property as well.

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Cruz said veterinary examinations of the animals following their removal found clear and consistent signs of neglect.

Rogers, 42, has since been charged with 12 counts of animal cruelty. Shes scheduled to be arraigned on Nov. 3.

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AIPAC emphasized that its member base was made up of American citizens - Republicans, Democrats, and independents - who wanted to advance policies that strengthened US-Israel ties.

Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton announced on Thursday that he was returning donations and would not accept further contributions from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

The Democrat representative explained in a statement that while he supported the State of Israel's right to exist, he believed that AIPAC had grown too close in alignment with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

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"I'm a friend of Israel, but not of its current government, and AIPAC's mission today is to back that government," said Moulton. 'I don't support that direction."

AIPAC responded on Thursday that Moulton was lying about the American pro-Israel lobbying group's mission in order to garner media attention.

The congressman was "abandoning his friends to grab a headline, capitulating to the extremes rather than standing on conviction," AIPAC said on X/Twitter.

A member of the audience wears a United States-Israel themed custom suit during an AIPAC convention in Washington. (credit: TOM BRENNER/REUTERS)

"His statement comes after years of him repeatedly asking for our endorsement and is a clear message to AIPAC members in Massachusetts, and millions of pro-Israel Democrats nationwide, that he rejects their support and will not stand with them," the group continued.

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In response to Moulton, AIPAC also published a video on Friday explaining the policies that the group promoted.

AIPAC member base comprised of US citizens

AIPAC emphasized that its member base was made up of American citizens - Republicans, Democrats, and independents - who wanted to advance policies that strengthened US-Israel ties.

"This partnership advances America's interests and democratic values, and is bigger than any government at any particular time in either country," AIPAC said on social media.

Moulton, an Iraq War veteran, announced on Wednesday that he would challenge Senator Ed Markey for his Senate seat. In 2019, Moulton ran a long-shot bid for the presidency, according to Reuters.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown and the citys State Representative Lauren McNally sent letters Friday, both demanding that something be done about the lack of reliable heat and hot water downtown.

Mayor Browns letter was addressed to Reg Martin and Attorney Kenneth Goldberg, who were appointed to operate the SOBE Thermal Energy Company after its steam generator was removed after a lack of payment.

Earlier [Friday] we learned that city hall was receiving zero pressure from the heating system during peak demand and have heard from multiple businesses and property owners who have dealt with the same continued interruptions and inadequate heating service, Brown wrote. This is not only creating economic hardship from operational disruptions but growing uncertainty about SOBEs ability to fulfill its services, as is legally obligated.

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Let me be clear, wrote Brown, SOBEs customers will not be forced to burden the costs associated with failed oversight and unfulfilled statutory obligations.

Rep. McNallys letter was addressed to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

I am angry and deeply frustrated by what is happening in our downtown right now, McNally wrote. The collapse of SOBE Thermal LLC and the ensuing chaos are unacceptable, and I demand answers as to how this happened under the States nose.

A meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the downtown YMCA to brief building owners on whats happening with the steam issue.

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In his letter to Martin and Goldberg, Mayor Brown listed three areas in which he expected answers: service restoration and system reliability, communication and contingency planning, and long-term commitment to downtown service.

The city expects full transparency and immediate corrective action, wrote Brown.

The full letters can be read below.

SOBE Letter from City Of Youngstown (003)Download

Letter to PUCO Commissioners SOBEDownload

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Authorities in the eastern German border city of Gorlitz on Saturday pledged to take action against those who burnt as yet unidentified books at a local memorial to the victims of fascism.

Those responsible must be punished, said Mayor Octavian Ursu, following the incident that came to light on Thursday.

It is unclear who incinerated the books and when, or what their content was. However, the incident quickly evoked the mass burning in German towns and cities in May 1933 of books deemed as unacceptable by the Nazis.

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The local police and state security services are investigating the incident at the memorial site erected in central Gorlitz in 1948.

The book burnings were not only an attack on intellectual freedom, but also one of the initial sparks for far worse crimes, said Ursu, whose city sits on the border with Poland and which has an eastern suburb in that country.

"In the European city of Gorlitz/Zgorzelec, we do not tolerate acts like this," the mayor emphasized, also using the name for the city on the Polish side of the border.

"And certainly not in this place, where the dead remind the living and where we commemorate the victims of fascism every year on Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27 with a ceremony."
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A military aircraft carrying a crew of two pilots stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar experienced an aviation mishap Thursday near an unpopulated area of Imperial Gables, California, located near the CA-Arizona border.

Both servicemembers were taken to separate hospitals where one died and the other is in stable condition, military officials said in a news release Friday.

The incident happened during routine operations around 7:05 p.m., when the AH-1Z Viper, assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, experienced an aviation mishap in Imperial Gables.

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It is with profound sadness that I share the loss of a Marine from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and the Gunfighters while conducting a training flight in support of the Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, said Maj. Gen. James B. Wellons, the commanding general of 3rd MAW, in a statement. This Marine made the ultimate sacrifice, and we are forever grateful for his selfless commitment and willingness to go into harms way. To the family, friends, and loved ones of our fallen Marine, we send our deepest condolences and offer our unwavering support during this time of grief.

The second pilot is in stable condition at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.

Military officials will not release the identity of the pilot who died until 24 hours after all next of kin notifications have been completed.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
NEED TO KNOW

A dispute that began in the drive-thru of a Florida McDonald's over lengthy wait times ended inside the restaurant with a man shot in the neck

The store employee allegedly fired the gun during a struggle for the weapon after the staff's safety was threatened by two customers who were unhappy with the wait, per police

They threatened to attack the man who just told them, Were busy, we cant take anymore orders, and he did that because the [employee] told him to, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said, calling the situation a McMess

Authorities are calling a non-fatal shooting at a Florida McDonalds involving an employee and customers a complete McMess.

A video release from Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd on Friday, Oct. 17 claimed that the altercation began when 21-year-old Yoan Soto was working an overnight shift at a Davenport McDonald's when two late-night customers became upset about their wait time in the drive-thru line.

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The incident happened around 3 a.m. on Oct. 12.

Judd said the location can become overwhelmed with online orders at times, and the staff were doing their best to keep up with these orders, when Peter Story, 19, and Nicholas Jones, 18, reportedly arrived at the restaurant.

Soto apologized to the pair for being way behind, Judd said, even stating that McDonalds should think through how their system works.

Despite his apology, the two allegedly began threatening Soto, telling the employee they would wait for his shift to end to physically harm him, according to the Polk County sheriff.

Polk County Sheriff's Office Nicholas Jones Nicholas Jones

They threatened to attack the man who just told them, Were busy, we cant take anymore orders, and he did that because the [employee] told him to, Judd said.

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The sheriff said Soto didnt back down, instead telling Story and Jones that his shift ended at 4 a.m.

Video surveillance shared by PCSO and obtained by Fox 13 showed Jones and Storys altercation with Soto in the McDonalds lobby after the two entered the property, as well as Soto pointing a firearm at them after they continued to threaten him with what the sheriff describes as a "switch" and a "30-clip."

Now, the 22-year-old [employee] steps between them trying to stop this kerfuffle from occurring because theres a rattle afoot right now in McDonalds, we can call it a McRattle, and thats not a sandwich, the sheriff said.

Polk County Sheriff's Office Peter Story Peter Story

In the video, Judd claims that Soto was acting in self-defense. And as they try to grab his gun, [Soto] pulls the trigger, and he shoots Peter Story in the neck, Judd said, alongside video surveillance that allegedly showed the two men struggling over control of the firearm.

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Its a blessing that it was a very minor wound, but you know what? When you start shooting McGuns, you get peoples McAttention, Judd said.

The sheriff said after Story and Jones allegedly fled the scene because of Storys injury, Soto became McScared, picked up the shell casings and fled the scene as well.

Soto was charged with tampering with evidence, which is a felony. Jones and Story were charged with trespass after warning and disorderly conduct.

PEOPLE has reached out to McDonald's and Polk County Sheriff's Office for comment.

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Judd warned against mass shootings and violence, and also advised anyone in situations similar to Sotos not to run after a shooting.

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"He has a right to stand his ground and protect himself, and these guys are threatening to do violence after theyve already threatened on the outside of the store and came inside," Judd said in his statement. "They created a well-found fear in him and the store [employee]. It was just a McMess, but well sort it out because we are McGood at investigating McCrime."



Read the original article on People
Family members are desperately searching for Melodee Buzzard, a 9-year-old girl who was last seen in Lompoc in August and whose mother refuses to answer questions about her whereabouts.

Melodee was officially reported missing Tuesday after officials at the Lompoc Unified School District contacted the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office to report her prolonged absence, according to authorities.

The girl had enrolled in an independent learning program in August, the school district said in a statement, and sheriff's officials say she has not been seen since.

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Sheriff's deputies went to the girl's home in Vandenberg Village on Tuesday. Inside they made contact with Ashlee Buzzard, Melodee's mother, but the girl was nowhere to be seen, according to authorities. Her mother remains uncooperative with the investigation.

Read more: Father of missing baby Emmanuel pleads guilty to murder in son's death

Vicky Shade, Melodee's aunt, said that the girl's mother has a long history of mental illness and refused to let relatives visit the girl.

"Ashlee is mentally unstable and my mom tried to get custody or at least grandparent rights to visit Melodee because she [Ashlee] wasn't letting our side of the family see her," Shade said.

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Shade's brother, Rubiell Meza, is Ashlee's father. He died in a motorcycle accident in 2016, shortly after Melodee was born.

Buzzard and Rubiell Meza previously lived in Santa Maria with Meza's mother. However, Buzzard moved away shortly after Meza died and changed her phone number, Shade said.

"I am horrified for my little niece, I can't imagine what she's gone through," Shade said. "This does not sound good. I just want to know if she's OK. We need to find her."

Read more: Toddler and brother who vanished from their L.A. foster home have been found, LAPD says

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The most recent photo available of Melodee is 2 years old, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Another one of Melodee's aunts, Lizabeth Meza, said that Buzzard had struggled with mental illness for years. She said Buzzard has attempted to take her own life multiple times and was previously hospitalized for treatment.

Meza's family has not been able to see Melodee in around four and a half years, she said.

They are currently focused on putting up missing child posters around Lompoc and sharing Melodee's story on social media in hopes of generating leads about the girl's whereabouts.

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Buzzard was seen entering her Vandenberg Village home Thursday by local TV station KSBY, but refused to speak with a reporter. She also did not respond to requests from The Times for comment.

Read more: Police locate three missing children last seen with their babysitter

Federal court records show that Buzzard filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2017 and has had at least five collections cases for unpaid debts filed against her in Santa Barbara County Superior Court. This includes cases filed against her by Capital One Bank in May and December, and by Crown Asset Management last November.

Sheriff's Office spokesperson Raquel Zick said that Melodee had previously been homeschooled for several years. However, the California Department of Education has no record of Buzzard filing a private school affidavit, which is a requirement for homeschooling, according to department spokesperson Scott Roark.

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According to a statement from the Lompoc Unified School District, Melodee and her mother visited Mission Valley Independent Study School to initiate her registration in August. But Melodee then failed to pick up assignments, prompting the school to initiate outreach reach out to her mother, and, ultimately, law enforcement.

"Lompoc Unified School District deserves credit for recognizing that something wasnt right, reaching out, and continuing to assist with this investigation, Sheriff's Lt. Chris Gotschall said in a statement. "This important update helps narrow a significant gap in the timeline of when she was last known to be seen and because of that, were closer to understanding what happened to Melodee."

Anyone with information about Melodee is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at (805) 681-4150. Tips can also be left anonymously at (805) 681-4171 or at SBSheriff.org.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The premier of British Columbia  a Canadian province thats a mecca of open-air drug use and supervised injection sites  has admitted decriminalizing drugs was a mistake.

I was wrong on drug decriminalization and the effect it would have, David Eby said at a Vancouver talk organized by the Urban Development Institute earlier this month. It was not the right policy.

What it became was a permissive structure that . . . it was okay to use drugs anywhere that resulted in really unhappy consequences.

British Columbia declared a public health emergency back in 2016 over the alarming overdose death toll. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Despite touting drug decriminalization as a way to save lives, British Columbia is still the epicenter of the opioid crisis north of the border.

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The public health emergency it declared back in 2016 over the alarming death toll has only worsened, despite the drug reforms put in place since.

Since the state of emergency was declared, more than 16,000 people have lost their lives to drugs in the liberal west coast province of 5.7 million people.

British Columbia decriminalized drugs in January 2023.

That year, 2,511 people  almost seven a day  died of drug overdoses, the most ever reported by the provinces coroner.

Thats 47 deaths per 100,000 people  compared to 32 for New York State that same year.

Mamdanis friends at the NYC DSA chapter are pushing for drug decriminalization here. Stephen Yang for the New York Post

Despite this  and similar results in nearby Oregon which also rolled back drug decriminalization  the NYC chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America and their mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani, persist in using such drug-friendly jurisdictions as a model for the reforms they want to import to the Big Apple, critics told The Post.

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What theyre driven by is not the facts on the ground, but their ideology, said Rafael Mangual, a public safety expert at the Manhattan Institute. And their ideology is unflinching in the face of evidence that undermines the claims its pushing.

The DSA touts drug decriminalization and the authorization of more supervised injection sites in their New York legislative platform.

British Columbia has 50 supervised injection sites, like this one in Vancouver where a man is injecting fentanyl into his arm. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

One of Ebys first moves after taking office in November 2022 was obtaining a federal exemption allowing anyone in B.C. to consume up to 2.5 grams of cocaine, crack, ecstasy, meth, heroin and even fentanyl in public spaces.

The government said fear of arrest deprived drug users of potential access to lifesaving services  and wanted to push them to consume in public where overdoses could be spotted.

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Overdoses were so common that five men in their 20s who had overdosed on opioids on a Vancouver park bench were ignored by local cops.

Eby admitted earlier this month he was wrong on drug decriminalization. Bloomberg via Getty Images

Ironically, one OD death took place at an overdose prevention site  a government sanctioned shooting gallery.

Other terrifying reports emerged, like a new mother who smoked meth in her hospital room mere hours after giving birth.

Despite the backlash, Eby only agreed to walk back decriminalization slightly in April 2024, banning drugs in public areas but continuing to allow them in homes, shelters and government-sanctioned clinics.

A Canadian man is receiving an injection of fentanyl to the neck from a fentanyl addict who also works at this Vancouver supervised injection site. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

The decriminalization wasnt British Columbias only experiment with so-called harm reduction strategies. It opened North Americas first supervised injection clinic back in 2003  almost two decades before New York Citys two sites  and now has as many as 50.

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Since Vancouver opened that first safe injection site, overdose deaths have surged 996.5% in the province, from 229 to 2,511.

When you decriminalize drug use, what you end up with is an increase in use, said Mangual. And if youre going to lead to an increase in use, theres no way youre going to cut overdose deaths. If anything, its going to be the opposite.

The province even pushed a so-called safer supply program that encourages doctors to prescribe opioids to drug addicts as a safer alternative to street drugs.

After first launching the effort in 2020, British Columbia doubled down by by expanding the list of drugs to include injectable fentanyl, to better meet the needs of individuals with higher tolerance levels.

A drug user a the Insite supervised injection center in Vancouver collects paraphernalia. AFP via Getty Images

In a government memo leaked earlier this year, the ministry of health admitted a significant portion of the supply was getting into the hands of transborder organized crime  something President Trump has denounced.

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Since the program launched, annual opioid prescriptions exploded from 500,000 to 22.4 million doses  handed out to just 5,000 patients, an average 4,483 opioid doses per person each year.

Mamdanis campaign did not respond to The Posts request for comment.
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH)  A memorial ride took place in New Britain on Friday for 12-year-old Jacqueline Mimi Torres-Garcia, whose remains were found in a container earlier this month.

The community came together for a peaceful Jeep ride at 5 p.m. at the New Brite Plaza in New Britain. Organized by area Jeep clubs, planners initially expected only around 20 to 30 vehicles.

This went viral, event organizer David Saavedra said about the ride. We are expecting people from New Jersey, Boston.

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Connecticut DCF, Office of the Child Advocate investigating after 12-year-olds remains found in New Britain

People came from all over Connecticut to show their respects for Mimi.

Were just mad, Julissa Castillo, who traveled from Meriden, said. We just cant believe what happened and that nobody realized that little girl was there for so long.

Jonathan Vega said he brought around 50 people to the ride from Meriden to show their support.

Its the Spanish heritage, with everyone being together, Vega said. We support each other, no matter what, and finding out about Mimi hurts all of us. Especially me, because I am an uncle of 12 nieces and nephews.

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As the vehicles rolled onto the street sporting signs and messages for Mimi, police officers blocked off the road and cleared the way for the drive through New Britain.

We decided to do this for our community because, to be honest, Im a parent, Raul Rivera, another organizer, said. Ive got kids at home and it really touched our heart.

It wasnt just Jeep drivers taking part in the ride, bikes and other vehicles joined as well. State Rep. Robert Sanchez also joined and said that a change needs to be made.

We need to know whats happening with our kids, he said. I know theres different types of ideas out there and we hope that we will all come to a compromise and come out with a bill that is going to be supported by everyone in the state of Connecticut.

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New Britain officers responded to an abandoned building at 80 Clark St. just before 1 p.m. on Oct. 8 in response to a report of suspicious behavior. They found a large container in the backyard along the fence line with apparent human remains.

Last Friday, authorities confirmed the remains were those of an adolescent female. Investigators confirmed the remains were of the 12-year-old, who was believed to have died in fall 2024, while her family lived in Farmington.

New Britain school officials say mother charged in 12-year-olds death pulled her out of school

Jacquelines mother, Karla Garcia, her aunt, Jackelyn Garcia, and Jonatan Nanita, Karla Garcias boyfriend, were all charged in the death of the young girl.

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The mother and Nanita are facing murder charges.

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India's decades-long battle against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) has reached a decisive phase, with the number of affected districts dropping sharply from 182 in 2014 to just 11 in October 2025, according to data released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The MHA stated that by March 31, 2026, the infamous Red Corridor will be declared a thing of the past. "By March 31, 2026, the infamous Red Corridor will be history. Under the Modi Government's watch, many villages, plagued with Naxalism for over five decades, are now witnessing unprecedented development and progress. Not violence, but development is now defining these districts," according to the MHA. The MHA said that in the past 75 hours alone, 303 Naxal cadres have surrendered, marking one of the most significant waves of capitulation in recent years. Earlier on Friday, noting that 303 Naxalites have surrendered in the last 75 hours, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the day is not far when the country will be completely free from Naxalism and that the festivities of Diwali are going to be something truly special in the areas liberated from Maoist terrorism. Addressing the NDTV World Summit 2025 here, PM Modi said Naxalism has been loosely used by some people but "in reality, it is Maoist terrorism". He said that Maoist terrorism is "a great injustice, a grave sin against the youth of our country" and he could not leave the young people of this nation in such a situation. The Prime Minister said he used to feel deep restlessness within but remained silent for long. "Today, for the first time, I am sharing my pain with you," he said. He hit out at the Congress, saying during its rule at the Centre, an entire ecosystem of urban Naxals had developed. "These urban Naxals were and still are so dominant that they run a massive campaign of censorship to ensure that incidents of Maoist terrorism do not reach the people of the country. There used to be so much discussion in our country about terrorism, and debates were held on Article 370. But the urban Naxals who had flourished in our cities during the Congress regime, and those who had taken control of various institutions, worked to cover up Maoist terrorism. They kept the country in the dark," he said. He said just a few days ago, many victims of Maoist terrorism came to Delhi, and it was a deeply painful sight. "There were many of them. Some had lost a leg, some had lost an arm, some had lost an eye... parts of their bodies were gone. These were the victims of Maoist terrorism. They were poor villagers, Adivasi brothers and sisters, sons of farmers, mothers and women who had both their legs amputated. They stayed in Delhi for seven days. With folded hands, they pleaded, "Please take our stories before the people. They even held a press conference, but none of you would have seen or heard about it," he said. "Those who act as contractors of Maoist terror didn't allow the story of their suffering to reach the people of Bharat. The Congress ecosystem made sure that this issue was never talked about," he added. PM Modi noted that there was a time when almost every major state in the country was affected by Naxal violence and Maoist terrorism. "The Constitution was in force in the rest of the country, but it was completely missing in the Red Corridor. And I say this with full responsibility that those who touch their head with Constitution book even today work day and night to protect these Maoist terrorists who do not believe in the Constitution at all," he said. The Prime Minister said governments were elected, but they had no authority or recognition in the Red Corridor. "As evening fell, it became difficult for anyone to step outside their homes. Even those responsible for providing security to the public had to move around with security for themselves. Over the past 50-55 years, thousands of people have been killed because of this Maoist terrorism. Countless security personnel have fallen victim to it, and we have lost so many young lives," he said. "These Naxals, these Maoist terrorists did not allow schools to be built, did not allow hospitals to be constructed. If a hospital existed, they would not let doctors enter; and those that were built were blown up with bombs. For decades, a vast part of the country and a large section of the population were deprived of the light of development. Our Adivasi brothers and sisters, Dalits, and poor communities had to bear the greatest suffering and loss because of it," he added. (ANI)
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Thousands gathered across Memphis and other Tennessee cities on Saturday morning to protest.

The demonstrations are part of No Kings Day, a nationwide movement opposing the Trump administration.

WREG crews captured crowds of people on Poplar Avenue and Highland Street protesting their concerns.

Its the second No Kings protest and the third mass demonstration against the administration this year, and similar to rallies held in Memphis and Hernando back in June.

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What impact will No Kings protests have in Memphis?

We dont need kings, we need courage, we need community, we need each other, and together we will rise! say it with me! said City Councilwoman Jerri Green.

The protest went on from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and remained peaceful.

WREG spoke with a few republicans who wanted to see what was going on, and they were even complimentary about the No Kings Day protest.

(Photo by: WREGs David Royer) (Photo by: WREGs David Royer) (Photo by: WREGs Oscar Aguilar) (Photo by: WREGs Oscar Aguilar) (Photo by: WREGs Oscar Aguilar)

Republican voter Jackson Noah said he was by far impressed by what he saw.

I just liked the peaceful aspect, Im glad no ones fighting or arguing with each other and I think thats a good thing, Noah said.

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Memphis resident Shirley said she was inspired to see people coming together and voicing their concerns about what is happening in the city.

Im seeing people standing up and speaking out for what they believe in, and its time. Im so proud of Memphis today, I dont know what to do, she said.

Im a 70-year-old woman, and I havent seen the type of situations that were in right now with everything going on, and people should stand up and speak 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 WREG.com.
Mens prisons are being told to offer transgender prisoners make-up and prosthetics.

As part of HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) training, prison officers and staff are urged to supply appropriate clothing and toiletries (including make-up) for their acquired gender.

The training also tells prison officers to help transgender inmates to buy or supply them with prosthetics or chest binders.

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However, womens rights groups have criticised the guidance, branding it absurd and deeply offensive.

HMPPS changed the training session in 2024 to mention the provision of make-up, according to documents obtained by a freedom of information request.

The training session also stressed the importance of a signed voluntary agreement between the prisoner and prison bosses, which outlines ongoing support, boundary-setting for the use of razors and showering arrangements.

Preferred pronouns

The document highlighted the importance of addressing the prisoner by their preferred pronouns, such as she/her, he/him or they/them.

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The transgender prison population is increasing, with 295 inmates recorded last year, compared with 268 in 2023.

Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns for sex-based rights charity Sex Matters, told The Telegraph: Yet again, common sense goes out of the window in the face of transgender demands.

She added: Its no wonder that the prison service is still imprisoning women with cross-dressing men, since its policy is that those men should be supported to dress as women.

It is absurd

Cathy Larkman, national policing lead and director of the Womens Rights Network, said: It is absurd and deeply offensive that the Prison and Probation Service are tying themselves in knots trying to support a prisoners so-called gender expression.

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Ms Larkman added: Male prisoners are male and should always be in the male prison estate. They were born male, remain male in life and will be male when they die.

No amount of cosmetics will change that and the public certainly dont need prison staff to be spending their valuable time pandering to these delusions either. They are prison staff, not personal shoppers.

The money wasted here would be far better spent on other things  drug rehabilitation programmes or helping vulnerable female prisoners.

Preferential treatment

Beth Price, a spokesman from Welsh womens rights group Merched Cymru, said: It is extraordinary that despite the Supreme Court judgment, HM Prison and Probation Service is still clearly prepared to house some trans identifying males in the female estate.

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It makes no difference whether or not these men have a gender recognition certificate or have had any kind of surgery; they belong in the male estate and any risks should be managed there as they are for any other group considered vulnerable.

As for providing gender-affirming cosmetics and clothing  these are privileges that are not afforded to women. It seems that a trans identity is a key to preferential treatment in prisons.

In 2018, the prisons and probation ombudsman ruled prison guards acted unfairly after punishing a prisoner for wearing too much lipstick.

The inmate, who was serving their sentence in a male prison, had a contract drawn up with prison chiefs which allowed them to wear minimal make-up.

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The Telegraph also understands that prison bosses have previously allowed transgender prisoners to attend make-up training sessions with professionals.

In one instance, Jessica Blackler, who ran Jecca Blac, a now-closed gender free make-up brand, attended HMP Parc, a mens private prison, to give training to 10 transgender women.

In a Companies House blog post from February 2020, Ms Blackler said: I was invited in and spent time with about 10 trans women, helping them explore makeup and fashion.

Together with one of the officers, we were able to choose suitable make-up for inside the prison. There were three rules: no glass, no plastic, no mirrored products.

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Meanwhile, the SNP-led Scottish Government, which is responsible for Justice north of the border, is facing legal action from campaign group For Women Scotland for failing to implement female-only safe spaces in prisons north of the border following the Supreme Court ruling.

In April, the Supreme Court ruled that the terms woman and sex within the 2010 Equality Act refer to biological sex, not acquired gender.

However, current guidance from St Andrews House allows biologically male prisoners to be housed in womens jails in certain circumstances.

A Prison Service spokesman said: All offenders, regardless of gender, can purchase personal items through the prison shop using their own money and at no cost to the taxpayer.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has rejected the idea of tearing down the so-called firewall between his party and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

"There is no common ground between the Christian Democrats (CDU) and the AfD, Merz said during a town hall meeting in the western town of Meschede.

There are "fundamental differences" in their positions, he stressed, noting that the AfD is against the European Union, the eurozone, NATO and conscription.

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"It is against everything that has made the Federal Republic of Germany great and strong over the past eight decades," he said.

The conservative bloc, made up of the CDU and its Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU), will not cooperate with a party that questions everything that has contributed to Germany's strength in recent decades, the chancellor said, "at least not under me as leader of the CDU in Germany."

The long-simmering debate over how to deal with the AfD has flared up again in recent days after formerly influential CDU/CSU politicians spoke out in favour of relaxing the firewall.

Former CDU general secretary Peter Tauber was among those to express such a position, which also elicited support from politicians from several eastern German state associations.

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The CDU's executive committee plans to discuss the issue at a meeting on Sunday and Monday.

Following a resolution by the federal party from 2018, the CDU rejects coalitions and similar forms of cooperation with the AfD, as well as with The Left from the far-left end of the political spectrum.

The debate within the CDU is also being conducted against the backdrop of strong polling for the AfD ahead of important regional elections next year.

In a new poll conducted by the Insa institute for the Bild newspaper, the far-right, anti-immigrant party reached a peak of 27%, two percentage points ahead of the CDU/CSU bloc, with the Social Democrats far behind on 14%.

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In an interview with the Sunday edition of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) seen in advance by dpa, Merz described the AfD as the "main opponent" of his conservatives.

"We will highlight the differences between us and the AfD even more clearly," the chancellor vowed.

"In public perception, this false narrative is taking hold: They could push everything through with the AfD if only they would tear down this firewall," Merz said, stressing that this narrative was false.

Merz also made it clear that the conservative bloc has left too much space on the right.

With regard to the refugee policy of former chancellor Angela Merkel, also of the CDU, he said, "Decisions were made in 2015 that contributed to the AfD entering the Bundestag in 2017."

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Merz was referring to Merkel's decision in 2015 at the height of the European migrant crisis to allow almost 1 million Syrians to enter Germany.

Decisions made after 2021, during the time of the centre-left coalition led by his predecessor Olaf Scholz, have significantly contributed to the doubling of the AfD within one electoral period, he said.

However, Merz spoke out against the idea of banning the AfD, which has gained traction since Germany's domestic intelligence agency classified the party as "confirmed right-wing extremist" in a report in May.

The use of the term was later suspended while the party's legal appeal is under examination.

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"I have little sympathy for working with such an instrument," he said during a town hall meeting in the region of Sauerland.

Instead, he said, the conservatives needed to make voters a good offer so that they do not consider voting for the AfD again.

"We should now reflect on what made us strong as a traditional party," the CDU leader told FAZ.

"We are a people's party, we stand in the middle of society with a mainstream conservative profile. We are a liberal and non-denominational, open-minded party."
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A group of Metro Councilmembers are hosting a meeting about new bills that could change the zoning rules in their districts, but they want to hear from their residents before they possibly take effect.

The four zoning bills are a result of some recommendations from Metro Councils Housing & Infrastructure study, which Metro Council requested more than a year ago. This is the first round of recommendations to address the housing need surrounding Nashville. Metro Councilmember Courtney Johnston said theres been a lot of misinformation and concern about the bills.

One way to really upset people, or to get people energized, is to mess with their house or mess with their neighborhood, Johnston said. Its incumbent upon me to engage my community and help educate.

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The meeting will include Johnston along with District 26 Councilmember Bob Nash and District 4 Councilmember Mike Cortese. Everyone who lives inside those districts has been invited to attend and hear the proposed zoning plan, but it is a county-wide legislation thats not specific to just the three districts.

I think its really important to go through what these bills and what they dont do, Johnston says. Whats the problem that were trying to solve? Are we all on board with these solutions? Is there a better way to do it?

Neighborhood News: Stories impacting your community | Read More

Johnston intends to have a meaningful conversation about what the bills are, what they arent and how they want to move forward as a community. The bills passed first reading through Metro Council and will be on second reading at Metro Councils first November meeting.

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One of the bills creates two new zoning districts, a Residential Unit and a Low Intensity or Residential. The residential unit rezone would allow for more diverse housing options like townhomes and duplexes. A Low Intensity rezone would allow for large-lot, single family homes and low-density uses.

The third bill includes height restrictions, which Johnston thought her constituents would support. The fourth bill that will have a direct impact on residents is the use of Detached Accessory Dwelling Units. As of publication, DADUs are not allowed in Johnstons district. This new legislation would allow them.

Johnston will answer residents questions. She added that she plans to file an amendment that would mitigate against some unintended consequences with the DADU legislation.

This is probably the most sweeping change we have made to our zoning code  or are contemplating making, Johnston said. So it is a big deal, and I hope people are paying attention.

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Johnston hopes to engage as many people as possible to educate them about the bills so that her constituents dont feel left out of conversations about zoning.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 29 at Crievewood Baptist Church. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting will start at 6 p.m.

Do you have news happening in your neighborhood? Let us know by sending an email to neighborhoodnews@wkrn.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
The Global Coffee Awards announced its US and Canada edition winners and one Phoenix coffee shop snagged gold.

The GCA recognizes the best specialty coffee roasters and producers in the world. A panel of judges blind taste the coffees submitted and choose the winners, awarding them gold, silver or bronze seals with a trophy to the gold award winners.

The competition categories included: Filter coffee, espresso, flat white-dairy and flat white-alternative milk.

Phoenix coffee shop Moxie Coffee wins best coffee

Moxie Coffee won gold in the filter coffee, single origin experimental subcategory for its Letty Bermudez. Grown by Diego Bermudez at Finca El Paraiso in Colombia, and named after his daughter, the Geisha varietal is produced using bio-reactors in the fermentation process, which results in cleaner flavors. According to Moxie, Letty offers notes of yellow fruits, peach, floral and milk tea.

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Matt Heltzel founded Moxie Coffee Co., named after the courage it took to open it, in 2021. Heltzel started roasting coffee in a West Bend Poppery (a popcorn popper his friend helped modify into a roaster) in 2011.

In a social media post he wrote that he set off a few alarms but "I was entranced," to the point that he raised money to travel to Honduras where he learned all about coffee from farming to roasting processes. That's where he fell in love with coffee and finding "diamond in the rough" coffees or "uncommon discoveries." Today, at his coffee shop, he wrote that they "go to painstaking lengths to find coffees from uncommon producers using uncommon methods to produce UNCOMMON COFFEE, coffees you cant get your hands on most other places. Coffees that tell a story. Coffees that CONNECT consumers here in Phoenix and across the world to producers who are extraordinary in their craft and are creating beautiful experiences by taking pride in what they do."

Visit Moxie Coffee Co.

Heltzel has maintained transparency about where he sources his coffee. He gives full information, including origin, preparation and tasting notes on Moxie's Instagram and website.

Moxie Coffee Co., along with other gold winners advanced to the finals to compete for best in the world competition, which will take place at Producer & Roaster Forum El Salvador on March 26 and 27, 2026.,

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"We've been so focused for years on trying to make our coffees stand up to the rest of the country/world and Ive been feeling so good about the progress weve made," Heltzel said in a statement to The Republic. "It feels really good to have so many hours pay off! Just really excited for a chance to compete for worlds best roaster too. I feel really confident we have a chance."

Details: 4626 N. 16th St., Suite 101, Phoenix. moxiecoffeeco.com.

Phoenix cafe guide: I'm obsessed with coffee. This is the ultimate guide to the best Phoenix cafes

Hungry for more? Sign up for our newsletter Dining with azcentral.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix coffee shop makes best filter coffee in the US
METEPEC, Mexico (AP)  The first time he met a pope, Mexican craftsman Hilario Hernandez could not believe his luck. He did not travel to the Vatican as a guest, but as the guardian of the fragile ceramic piece he had created as a gift for Benedict XVI.

No one really planned to take me along, Hernandez said. But a Tree of Life can easily break, so I got the chance to bring it myself.

The work he was commissioned to create for the pope in 2008 is a celebrated expression of Mexican craftsmanship.

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Known as a Tree of Life, it belongs to a tradition that flourished in the hands of artisans in the mid-20th century and is considered a symbol of identity in Hernandezs hometown.

In Metepec, where he lives and runs a family workshop about 40 miles (65 kilometers) southwest of Mexico City, dozens of craftsmen devote themselves to creating Trees of Life. Their designs vary, but most share a common motif: the biblical scene of Genesis, with Adam and Eve at the center, separated by the trees trunk and a coiled snake.

The tree allows you to express whatever you want, said Carolina Ramirez, a guide at Metepecs Clay Museum. Its a source of pride for us, as it has become part of the towns identity and charm.

The museum holds an annual contest that encourages artisans from across Mexico to submit their versions of the tree. It now houses more than 300 pieces and displays a permanent selection of them.

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Aside from Adam and Eve, the trees display a variety of figures like Catrinas  skeletal female figures that have become a symbol of Mexicos Day of the Dead celebrations  and Xoloitzcuintles, hairless dogs sacred to ancient Nahua people.

A trees theme draws from our culture and traditions, Ramirez said. And for the people who buy them, theyve become a source of identity.

Heritage in clay

Hernandezs ancestors have crafted clay pieces for as long as he can remember. His grandfather, now 103, still creates pots in Metepec.

Were the fifth generation of potters and artisans, said Felipe, one of Hilarios younger brothers. Our knowledge is passed down by word-of-mouth.

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All five siblings trained for technical careers. None went on to practice them, choosing to become full-time artisans instead.

Hilario  the eldest  became his brothers mentor. Their tasks now rotate among them. While one shapes leaves for the trees, another attaches them or paints. All take pride in their familys legacy.

Luis, now 34, said he has crafted Trees of Life since age 12. This workshop was my playground, he recalled. What I initially thought of as a game, later became my job.

Another local artisan, Cecilio Sanchez, also inherited his fathers skills and went on to found his own workshop. Now his wife, two children and other relatives work together to create a tradition of their own.

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His technique is known as pigmented clay and consists of mixing clay with oxides. Some fellow artisans add industrial pigments to their pieces, but our work is about preserving what the earth itself gives us, he said.

Where tradition meets myth

While making his first tree for a pope, Hilario pushed his own limits as an artisan.

Drawing on his fathers ancestral wisdom, he fired the 2-meter-tall (6.6-foot-tall) clay piece at just the right temperature. To transport it, he wrapped it like a giant mummy using 200 rolls of toilet paper to cushion and seal every hollow space.

Then there was the design. For six months, he and his family patiently crafted figures on both sides  a challenge rarely faced in the business. One face told the story of Mexicos most revered saints; the other, the origins of Metepecs Tree of Life.

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The details of that history are unclear. Yet experts agree that such trees might have played a role in evangelization after the Spanish Conquest in the 16th century.

According to Ramirez, the first artisans to reinterpret them in modern times incorporated elements distinctive to Metepec. One of them is known as the Tlanchana, a half-woman, half-serpent figure who, legend has it, once ruled the waters around the town.

It was thought that her coming out of the water brought abundance, Ramirez said. For our ancestors, deities were bound to fire, water and nature.

The Tlanchana figures in Hernandezs Trees of Life, though, no longer resemble snakes. Given that the reptile is regarded as a representation of evil, temptation and death within the Catholic worldview, its tail was replaced. In her current form as a mermaid, she is perhaps Metepecs most iconic symbol alongside the Tree of Life.

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Faith in his hands

Hilario keeps a special frame on his worktable: a photograph of the day he met a pope for the second time.

On that occasion he didnt travel to the Vatican. In 2015, a stranger knocked on his door and asked him to create another Tree of Life  this time, for another pope. Francis was soon to visit Mexico and the president wanted the artisan to present him with a masterpiece.

Hilarios new assignment took three months of hard, family work. Francis tree would not be as tall as the one made for Benedict. But the design presented challenges of its own, as it was to portray the popes life.

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The craftsman visited nearby chapels, spoke to priests and read as much as he could. In February 2016, when he met the pope inside Mexicos Presidential Palace, he realized he still had much to learn.

He ended up explaining to me his own tree, he said. And he added: I know you didnt do this on your own, so God bless your family and your hands.

The meeting had a life-changing effect on him. It made him reflect on his purpose in life and reaffirmed his calling to his craft.

Making Trees of Life is a commitment, he said. Its how we make a living, but its also how we keep our culture alive.

____

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
When people dine at Menomonee Falls' newest Mexican restaurant, owner Sebastain Valencia wants them to experience a little bit of Mexico. Especially when it comes to its handcrafted, made entirely from scratch, margaritas.

Playa Grande Tacos & Tequila, which is slated to open Monday, Oct. 20, will have unique margarita flavors such as cucumber, spicy pineapple and guava. Valencia said people may not experience these flavors at other places.

Valencia said he always had a goal of opening a Mexican restaurant in a small town to have a local feel.

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"The place and the area were good," said Valencia. "We are excited. We waited a long time for this."

Playa Grande Tacos & Tequila, a Mexican restaurant, is slated to open Oct. 20 in Menomonee Falls.

Where is Playa Grande Tacos & Tequila?

Playa Grande Tacos & Tequila is at W18619 N9518 Bancroft Drive, by Culver's and Chick-fil-A in Menomonee Falls. The restaurant is in a strip mall with Great Clips and Chinatown Kitchen.

Playa Grande Tacos & Tequila, a Mexican restaurant, is slated to open Monday, Oct. 20.

What's on the menu at Playa Grande Tacos & Tequila?

Valencia said the food is made from scratch at Playa Grande Tacos & Tequila. That includes traditional Mexican items such as chimichangas, burritos, tacos, enchiladas, vegetarian dishes, combination dishes and dessert items. Valencia said they also have a lot of different Mexican-style seafood dishes, such as chili oysters and oysters with a homemade sauce.

In all, he said there are more than 30 food dishes and more than 20 different drinks including both handcrafted and tap beer.

Playa Grande Tacos & Tequila is set to open in Menomonee Falls on Oct. 20. It features more than 30 food items.

What the hours?

The hours for Playa Grande Tacos & Tequila are 11 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m. daily. Valencia said the hours may be adjusted depending on business.

Does Playa Grande Tacos & Tequila deliver or do curbside pickup?

Playa Grande Tacos & Tequila delivers through the Uber Eats and DoorDash.

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While the restaurant does not offer curbside pickup, it provides takeout options.

Where can I get more information and updates?

For more information, find Playa Grande Tacos & Tequila on Facebook. Valencia said he is still working on creating a website for the restaurant.

More: This bakery franchise that bakes its bread from scratch daily is coming to Menomonee Falls

More: Menomonee Falls-based medical equipment manufacturer to consolidate operations in new space

Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Playa Grande Tacos & Tequila to open Oct. 20 Menomonee Falls
MIAMI COUNTY, Kan.  The Miami County Sheriffs office is searching for a suspect still at large after a police chase on Friday evening.

Around 9:20 p.m., a deputy with the Miami County Sheriffs Office tried to stop a green Jeep Cherokee for no tag displayed.

Blue Valley teacher speaks out after controversial firing

The vehicle fled from the traffic stop, and a pursuit was initiated. The police chase lasted eight minutes before the suspect entered a driveway in the 30500 block of W. 327th Street.

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The vehicle then drove through a yard, broke through a fence and went into a tall grass field before crashing into a pond.

Due to the terrain, officers did not continue to chase the vehicle. A perimeter was then established with assistance from the Osawatomie Police Department. A K-9 was deployed, along with drones from the Miami County Sheriffs Office and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

Deputies continued to search by ground and air for three hours. The Jeep was recovered from the water and the Osawatomie Fire Department checked the water for the suspect. The search was called of at 2 a.m.

Kansas City street being named after Americas first Black female millionaire

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The suspect remains at large. According to police, evidence indicates the suspect walked south from the pond through the field.

Dash camera footage identified the suspect as a white male. It is unknown if he was armed.

Anyone with information, is asked to contact the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
This post has been updated to mention that the maximum number of years available to sentence is 10.

WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  A man who pleaded guilty to asking a minor for nude photographs was sentenced to prison on Thursday, October 17, 2025.

Ali Mohamed Musleh, 22, of Dearborn, Michigan, entered an open plea of guilty to the felony offense of online solicitation of a minor on Thursday, October 16, 2025, in the 78th District Court, with Judge Meredith Kennedy presiding.

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Judge Kennedy sentenced Musleh to the maximum of 10 years in prison on Thursday. As a result of the conviction, Musleh will be required to register as a sex offender.

A Wichita County grand jury returned an indictment against Musleh in August 2023. According to jail records, Musleh was arrested on November 9, 2023, and booked into the Wichita County Jail. He was released from custody the same day after posting his $25,000 bond.

According to the indictment, the charge against Musleh stems from May 2022, when he communicated over the internet or by an electronic messaging service with a minor under the age of 14, requesting that the child send him nude photographs.

The charge against Musleh was initially filed with the 89th District Court; however, the case was transferred to the 78th District Court in January 2025. His trial was set to begin on July 15, 2025, but the day before, Musleh waived his right to a jury trial and opted to enter an open plea.

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Musleh will have the right to appeal the courts judgment.

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KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD)  Michigan soldiers are preparing to deploy to the border with Mexico to support federal law enforcement operations.

On Friday, family, friends, and community members filled the stands at Western Michigan Universitys Lawson Ice Arena, cheering as soldiers from the Michigan Army National Guards 1430th Engineer Company marched in for their departure ceremony.

In the coming days, the about 120 service members will be flying to Texas to support the U.S. Customs and Border Protections mission along the Mexico border. They are expected to be stationed there for about a year. Addressing the group Friday, leaders expressed trust and confidence in their ability to accomplish their mission.

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They are soldiers of grit, skill and character and they prove it time and time again, Brig. Gen. Ravi Wagh, the Michigan Army National Guard commander and assistant adjutant general, said on the podium. Youve trained to shoot, move, communicate, medicate, sustain, fight and win. Youve run engineer missions and general purpose missions until it becomes muscle memory. Thats what readiness looks like.

Airmen train in Battle Creek as Northern Strike 25 takes off across Michigan

This deployment comes by federal order and is the sixth time since 2020 that Michigan National Guard soldiers have been sent to assist at the border.

This specific mission on the southern border, general purpose, is something weve been doing for many, many years now, Wagh said. This is a continuance of four to five years of continuous employment on the southern border, which is done to really augment the supported agency  in this case, the Department of Homeland Security. And our role is to take all orders by, with and through that supported element, under the command of a joint task force on the border.

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Officials say the unit will provide wide-area security and general support, work that helps agents focus on policing efforts. Wagh said these soldiers will be replacing units who are coming back now. This time last year, Michigan Army National Guard 1463rd Transportation company was deployed on the same mission.

Lt. Col. Matt Brolsma, the 107th battalion commander, said though its an engineer company, its training allows the soldiers to take on a variety of tasks. Theyve already been trained on everything from patrolling the troop, leading procedures, basic tasks that theyll need down there and will get mission-specific training when they get to their mobilization site in Fort Bliss next week.

For soldiers and families, the mission means months apart, but also pride in serving at home.

Im here to serve my country, Sgt. 1st Class George Grace said. We are very proud and we are honored that we have this opportunity to show how we can serve our country and my family supporting me today.

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His wife of 21 years and their kids came to see him off after weeks apart during training.

Its really nice to see him again before he leaves, his son, Roldan Grace, said. Im sure itll kick in once hes gone for a while. Its just a long time away from home, but its for a good cause and Im pretty happy that hes doing it.

For the Grace family and many others, this deployment brings mixed emotions.

Hes been deployed before, so I know what its like  but never for this long, so Im definitely going to miss him, his daughter, Lena Grace, said.

New Battle Creek Air National Guard Base gate ups security, draws down traffic

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Graces wife Elisa says their support comes from pride and purpose.



Were just really proud of him and really understand that this is something thats important for the country and important for him, so were just trying to help him get through it the best that we can, she said. This is something that all these soldiers are doing because they really do want to serve their community and their professionals and theyre caring people and were here to support that.



The burden families of soldiers bear was emphasized at the sendoff. Wagh said they have numerous resources for those who need support.



Asked about how the government shutdown may impact the operation, Wagh said, at my level, Im not going to focus on the government shutdown.

We continue to message our soldiers that we will do all the things that we can as leaders to take care of them for the deployment itself, and the same thing for the families, he continued. I have a lot of confidence in our leadership to make sure that we take care of our uniform members.

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In Gujarat's Jamnagar district, the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative is turning into a movement of transformation, bringing young girls back to classrooms and giving them a renewed sense of purpose. With the firm leadership of District Women and Child Officer Pujaben Dodiya and strong support from the state government, teams have been working across villages to ensure that every girl has access to education and a brighter future. Dodiya shared that the campaign has already shown significant results. "Under this initiative of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, 132 girls in our district have received admission in schools, ITIs and other institutions," she said, highlighting how the project is helping bridge the gender gap in education. Among the many success stories is Umera Bandri, a young girl who once faced resistance from her family when it came to education. Her father, a daily wage painter, and her mother initially opposed sending her to school due to traditional biases. But consistent community outreach and awareness efforts by local teams helped change their mindset. Today, Umera is back in Class 3, determined to continue her studies. "Earlier, when I didn't go to school, I did not know how to read and write. But now I can do that. I want to make my parents and our society proud," she said. Another inspiring example is that of Uma Modaliya and her sister, who had dropped out of school due to financial struggles at home. Their mother, Madhuriben, who works with brass parts to earn a living, was convinced by awareness teams to re-enrol her daughters. Now, both girls are back in school, filled with confidence and ambition. "Earlier, I did not know how to read and write. But now, as I go to school, I have learnt that. I want to become a big officer and make my mother proud," said Uma, a Class 6 student. Backing these efforts, the District Magistrate of Jamnagar, K.B. Thakkar, commended the initiative's success. "A total of 132 girls were invited for admission, and they got immediate admission. They are now studying properly and receiving free education under the Gujarat government's Kanya Kelavani scheme," he said. With the combined efforts of district officials, educators, and local volunteers, Jamnagar is witnessing an inclusive education and women's empowerment. (ANI)
This story has been updated with additional information.

Armed with pithy signs  and multiple frog suits  thousands of protesters stepped out Saturday, Oct. 18, for the second iteration this year of the nationwide anti-President Donald Trump protest dubbed No Kings.

Protests were expected to run throughout the day on Oct. 18 in Michigan in places as far as the Upper Peninsula, as well as in Grand Rapids. And in metro Detroit, anti-Trump protesters came out in strong numbers from Sterling Heights to Detroit, where thousands marched in the streets.

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Demonstrators have regularly lambasted the Trump administration for policies and tactics they say are increasingly authoritarian since the presidents second administration began, a take that the likes of the Michigan Republican Party chair have slammed. The White House has referred to other protest concerns this year, like immigration crackdowns, health care and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as lies.

Asked for a reaction to the national protests ahead of time, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson replied, Who cares? USA TODAY reported.

Roughly 300 people were already protesting by 11:30 a.m. on Mack Avenue and Cadieux Road on the east side of Detroit at its border with Grosse Pointe.

Celeste Pleasant, 74, of Detroit was among them.

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Its the first chance shes had to get out and protest this year. Shes concerned with how Hispanic people are being treated in the country, doesnt like how Trump talks about people being felons with his own convictions under his belt, and is worried about threats to vaccines.

She also is concerned with voting rights, saying people fought for her right as a Black woman to cast a ballot.

People need to stand up and act, she said, before sharing something she learned growing up: Sitting still and waiting never made one great.

In Dearborn, a crowd of about 500, including U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, protested at the Henry Ford Centennial Library around noon.

Protesters line Big Beaver Road near the Rochester Road intersection in Troy on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, as a part of No Kings Day protests.

At least an estimated 1,000 people were in Sterling Heights in the area of 16 Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue about 12:30 p.m., with signs, costumes and energy. Some passersby gave the crowd the middle finger, but honking was far more common.

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In Romeo, protesters were beginning to trickle out about two hours after their scheduled start. More than 300 were seen either leaving with signs or still on the Romeo Trailside Bridge around then.

In Troy, about 2,000 protesters lined up near the intersection of Big Beaver and Rochester roads at 1:30 p.m. Justine Galbraith, vice chair of the Troy Democratic Club that organized the protest, said the rally was at least as big, if not bigger than Troys June No Kings rally, with protesters stretched further down the road on Oct. 18.

Galbraith said the protest is not just yelling, honking, holding signs and costume-wearing, but showing elected officials the people want them to act. The protest shows that opposition to Trump is not just in big cities like Detroit, Chicago and Portland, but also in the suburbs, she said.

Galbraith hopes outside of protesting, participants stay engaged in local actions like signing petitions, organizing for candidates they like, and donating to organizations supporting immigrant rights and other causes, she said.

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Kathleen Downing, 58, of Troy, stood along Big Beaver Road in an inflatable unicorn costume.

She said shes been going to protests since before the election and is worried about rights and freedoms being taken away from people in the U.S.

"Everybody needs freedom," she said. "Everybody needs rights."

The cuts and the near elimination of the federal Department of Education are also a big concern, she said.

She wore her costume after being inspired by protesters in Portland,

Republican leaders and members of the Trump administration have painted the No Kings protests as dangerous, un-American and political fodder for the Democratic Party amid the government shutdown. Protesters have slammed the notions and multiple attendees wore inflatable frog and animal costumes to point to the absurdity of the claims of danger. The concept jumped off after a protester in an inflatable frog suit was sprayed with a chemical spray by a federal agent outside an immigration facility earlier in October in Portland.

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More: No Kings protests in Michigan target Donald Trump policies. Where rallies are taking place

Nearly daily protests in metro Detroit this year have been observed as being peaceful, though sometimes Trump supporters and protesters exchange harsh words. However, the last No Kings rally in Detroit did see a short skirmish involving a motorcycle club and protesters, and on Saturday, Oct. 18, a largely peaceful protest closer to downtown also saw a short, physical tussle.

Thousands gathered outside the newly refurbished Michigan Central Station for an afternoon protest, separate from the earlier one on the city's east side. After a series of passionate speeches touching on unity and concerns like the deaths in Gaza, immigration, making Detroit a sanctuary city and frustrations with local politicians, the crowd marched to the Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building and back.

Speakers were unafraid to call out the likes of politicians U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Detroit, and mayoral candidate the Rev. Solomon Kinloch.

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One verbally slammed Thanedar for his support of Israel, and another took on Kinloch regarding recent comments on bringing the National Guard to Detroit. His campaign has sought to clarify his statements in a mayoral debate, with Kinloch now saying he would not allow them to police the city, and the campaign blaming the phrasing of a debate question for any confusion.

The frequently cheering crowd also wasn't afraid to turn on one of their own speakers briefly with boos. Dr. Nidal Jboor, co-founder of the group Doctors Against Genocide, previously elicited cheers regarding Thanedar but also pointed out one good thing he thinks Trump has done, eliciting a negative reaction.

As a doctor, I care about life and anyone who saves my life or any life  I have to thank him. Thats why I have to thank President Trump for the ceasefire, Jboor said of the ceasefire with Israel and Hamas. The children are still starving. The doctors are still starving. The job is not over, but I cannot thank (former President Joe) Biden or (former Vice President Kamala) Harris for that.

It was a rare comment amid an event otherwise rebuking the president and the policies of his administration, though there was talk of reaching across party lines at times, even as the crowd chanted a curse word along with "Republicans."

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Among the crowd that made the journey to the federal building was a family from Grosse Pointe: Randy Juip, 50, and his children Jake, 19; Claire, 18; and Tommy, 13.

This was Jake Juip's second time coming to Detroit for a No Kings protest, and he's concerned with issues like the treatment of undocumented immigrants and the cutting of health care research.

"I think America is great because we have the opportunity to make it better every day and that's something to raise your voice for and to fight for and to stand up for and know that whatever side you're on, red or blue, I hope that we can realize that this country is precious it's something to fight for and that we should," Jake Juip said.

Tommy Juip said protesting is important, and Claire Juip said her sign said it well: "The power of the people is greater than the person in power."

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Their dad noted he's concerned with issues including a loss of checks and balances in the government, changes to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, such as mass layoffs and the government shutdown. Jake and Claire Juip  who use motorized wheelchairs  have a rare neurodegenerative disorder called Friedreich's ataxia. Experimental drugs that could help them are being held up while their disorder progresses daily, their dad said.

Cordelia Tuan, 32, of Detroit, who spoke outside of the Central Station, also raised concern with the shutdown and the ending of Affordable Care Act enhanced subsidies being fought over amid it. She's also concerned with the Constitution being followed, saying it's not about party lines but rather "about showing respect for democracy."

The physical incident outside the federal building did occur with a member of the opposition, a man who identified himself as Andre Williams, 24, of Detroit, and ended up in handcuffs.

He'd been upsetting protesters, walking in front of the march and using his own megaphone to spout opposition to their cause, such as complaints about immigrants in the country illegally.

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The interaction boiled over as the crowd gathered in front of the federal building, and Williams was seen moving through the mass of people. Organizers with the protest sought to remove him, and the effort became physical with organizers putting their hands on Williams. At least one organizer appeared to throw or push Williams back, and he ended up on the ground before police placed him in handcuffs.

One organizer involved in the incident, Jacob Smith with Detroit Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, said Williams tried to push a member of their group, and that escalated the matter. Smith and others subsequently put themselves between Williams and at least one still-upset protester to stop further interaction just before Williams was arrested.

Information on Williams' arrest was not immediately available, and Detroit Police Cpl. Dan Donakowski said information would likely not be available Saturday night.

Safety Marshall volunteer Sandra Thake of Birmingham prepares to hand out signs and flags as protesters gather at Nine Mile and Woodward in Ferndale for the No Kings protest on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.

Nationally, the No Kings effort has been organized by groups like Indivisible and Public Citizen, the American Civil Liberties Union, grassroots groups like 50501 and others, USA TODAY reports.

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In metro Detroit, several organizers noted their actions were planned in solidarity with the national effort but not tied directly to national organizers.

Organizers in the region included 50501 Detroit, Detroit Anti-War Coalition, the Troy Democratic Club, local Indivisible groups and Detroit Will Breathe, a group that came to notoriety during the 2020 protests following the death of George Floyd.

The effort was about coming together as a community to say it doesnt agree with the words and actions of the Trump administration, Troy Democratic Club Vice Chair Justine Galbraith said.

"It's coming together in a peaceful, joyful way, she said. Its all about standing together as a community and knowing we can do better than were doing right now as a county."

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Christie Faisal, 53, and Rashid Faisal, 54, of Detroit, brought their 13-year-old daughter to join the effort outside Michigan Central Station. They wanted her to see "Democracy in action," Rashid Faisal said. It was their civic duty to be there.

"First Amendment rights and protesting is just American, and it's what we do when we disagree with anything that's occurring," Rashid Faisal said.

Finn Gomez contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan No Kings protesters lambast Trump administration
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  The Young Asians Rochester and APIDAROC hosted the Mid-Autumn Festival on Saturday.

The event celebrates the Asian community in the Rochester area.

The free event was held at The Exchange on Flint Street in Rochester from 4-8 p.m.

Those who attended support artists, performers, and AAPI-owned businesses. Organizers say, From boba to banh mi, weve got it all!

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The region that we see today in the Gulf and in terms of more potential ties with Israel is a very different region.

During his speech to the Knesset, US President Donald Trump said that he hopes to see peace for all eternity. He said it is not only the end of a war.... Its the start of... lasting harmony for Israel and all the nations of what will soon be a truly magnificent region. He called it the historic dawn of a new Middle East.

Trump also thanked the nations of the Arab and Muslim world for their role in bringing peace.

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Theend of the Gaza war represents a major opportunity for the Middle East. This is a unique opportunity that has not existed in decades. The reason for this is that the end of the war comes toward the end of the first year of Trumps second presidency.

This means that countries in the region know that they will have several more years of continuity in the White House. This matters because the countries have been seeing US presidents come and go over the past decades and they have become wary of the shifting policies coming out of Washington.

The Middle East is in a unique position today. Most of the terrorist groups that once threatened to tear apart the fabric of this region are weakened or defeated. For instance, al-Qaeda, which cast a shadow over the Middle East, no longer exists in the way it once did. ISIS is mostly defeated, except for a few squads it has in the desert of Iraq and Syria. The defeat of extremist groups means that countries can focus on rebuilding themselves and can also focus on trade.

US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP speaks during a special Knesset plenum session in his honor, Oct. 13. Here, he receives one of many standing ovations; with Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana (C) and President Isaac Herzog. (credit: FLASH90)

The Gulf states have close ties with the Trump administration. This is especially true of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain.

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The UAE and Bahrain are partners in the Abraham Accords, which were strained over the last several years. Hamas carried out its attack on Oct. 7 in part to try to derail Israeli normalization with Saudi Arabia. In essence, Hamas wanted to prevent more peace deals. Hamas was backed by Iran and its proxies in doing this. What that means is that Iran and groups in Lebanon, Yemen, and other places were seeking to sabotage the Gulf.

Iran had already backed the Houthis in Yemen over the past decade. This threatened Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and they intervened in Yemen in 2015. However, Iran was able to get Saudi Arabia to end most of that intervention. This set the Houthis on a path where they could build up their drone and rocket threats to the extent they even threatened Israel.

Its worth considering these pieces of the Middle East puzzle. On one side you have the states backing stability and also integration of the region. These states are led by the Gulf countries. They want to bring the region into various economic blocs.

What that means is that some of these countries have sought to join BRICS, which is an economic bloc led by Russia, China, Brazil, India, and South Africa. Some of them have also taken an interest in the China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization. This means that the Gulf states are looking all around the world for their future partnerships. Their concern over the US commitment to the region led them to hedge by considering working with China, Russia, and others.

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However, the Gulf interest in economic partnerships isnt just about hedging in case the US role in the region declines. The Gulf states also want to work with Western friends and allies. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor is an economic and trade concept that links India to Europe. India is also a member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, which means it partners with Australia, Japan, and the United States. This means that by linking up with India, the Gulf states are also linking up with key Western allies.

The Gulf states have not always been on the same page regarding policy. For instance, during Trumps first term, there was a crisis in the Gulf beginning in 2017. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain cut off ties with Qatar. Qatar was blamed for backing the Muslim Brotherhood and other groups. In those days Turkey and Qatar were closely linked and seen as potentially backing extremists in the region.

The year 2017 was a different time. Syria was in a civil war, but Russian and Iranian intervention there had turned the tide in favor of Assad. In Libya, there was also civil war, and the Houthis in Yemen were targeting Riyadh with ballistic missiles. Iran, too, would target Saudi Arabia, in an attack on its Abqaiq facility.

Therefore, if one goes back to the era of 2017-2020, during Trumps first presidency, the region was in a different place. Turkey, for instance, was seeking to broaden its role in the Eastern Mediterranean. It signed a deal with Libya and sought to threaten Greece and Cyprus. It also sought to stop the Abraham Accords by threatening to cut ties with the UAE if the UAE normalized with Israel. As such, the Abraham Accords came about in a time of division in the Gulf. That all tended to change around 2019-2020.

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The region that we see today in the Gulf and in terms of more potential ties with Israel is a very different region. Hamas may have launched the Oct. 7 war to prevent Israeli-Saudi ties, but it did so only because of the context of a divided region. The divisions were not just in the Gulf but also between the Iranian axis countries.

Irans waning grip on the region

Iran's axis in the region was built over many years. It began after the Iranian Revolution, and in the 1980s Iran expanded influence into Iraq and Lebanon. It worked with Shiite communities.

Iran fought a long war with Iraq throughout the 1980s. When that war was over, Iraq emerged relatively strong.

However, the Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein then plunged his country into war with the US by invading Kuwait. The war with the US and a coalition of local and international countries weakened Iraq. The US then invaded Iraq in 2003 and deposed Saddam Hussein.

This led to an era of instability and uncertainty in the region. Iran exploited a weak Iraq and funded various Shiite groups there. When ISIS invaded Iraq in 2014, the country almost collapsed. Iran helped defend Baghdad by working with Shiite militias. These militias had been called up by a fatwa issued by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, an Iraqi cleric. By 2017, when ISIS was largely defeated in Iraq, the Shiite militias had become a key part of Irans axis. Across the border in Syria, Iran also exploited the civil war and weak Syrian state to transfer arms to Hezbollah.

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Iran carved out a huge arc of power in the region. This included the Houthis in Yemen and then the militias in Iraq and also Irans role in Syria and Lebanon. If one goes back to the era of 2017 to 2023, Iran was on a roll. It was growing more powerful and building long-range missiles and drones. It exported the drones to all the proxies in the region and also to Russia.

When Hamas launched its Oct. 7 war, it was joined soon after by Hezbollah and then by the Houthis and Iraqi militias. Iranian technology, such as the Shahed-type drones, helped these states in their attacks. Iranian ballistic missile technology enabled the Houthis to launch long-range missiles at Israel. Israel was able to defend itself only because it had invested in missile interceptors with the US since the 1980s. As such, Israel was well placed to stop the attacks, but it came at a price. The Houthi involvement led to attacks on ships in the Red Sea. This made the war a regional war.

The Iranian axis was very powerful in 2023, but throughout the war it was weakened. Hezbollah was defeated by Israel by November 2024. Iran sought to attack Israel directly in two rounds of massive ballistic missile attacks in 2024. However, Iran was then weakened in a 12-day war in 2025.

While the Iranian axis is not defeated, it is badly damaged and doesnt control as much of the region as it did in the past. A major reason for this is the change in power in Syria. On December 8 the Assad regime fell from power.

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Thus, many regimes that had emerged in the 20th century during the Cold War were now gone. Saddams regime, like the Baathist regime in Syria, was a relic of the Cold War era. It was an Arab nationalist regime rooted in socialist ideas of the mid-20th century.

THE FALL of the Assad regime has unlocked Syria. It means Syria is no longer hijacked by Iran and Russia. Today, Syria is run by a transitional government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Sharaa is interesting because he was a product of the chaos that emerged in the past decades. He was radicalized by the US invasion of Iraq, and he traveled there to back the insurgency. He was imprisoned in Iraq and then returned to Syria to fight the Assad regime. He led a group linked to al-Qaeda, but then rebranded it into Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a Syrian rebel group.

While some are cautious about and skeptical of Sharaa, he has moved quickly to try to rebuild Syria. He faces challenges. For instance, the Druze in southern Syria do not get along with Damascuss new government. The Kurds in eastern Syria also are skeptical. However, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces appear ready to integrate with the new government. The SDF runs eastern Syria. Its leader Mazloum Abdi said on October 11 that he was ready to try to integrate with Syrias new security forces.

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With Syria moving toward stability, it means one of the key Middle Eastern countries is now moving in a new direction. Syrian stability will help Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq.

Its worth recalling that Syria once controlled Lebanon  from 1976 to 2005. In addition, its worth recalling that after World War I the Arab Revolt leaders sought to put one of the sons of Sharif Hussein on a throne in Damascus. That effort failed, and instead Faisal, the one who had tried to take Damascus, ended up running Iraq. Abdullah, one of the other sons, became the first king of Jordan. He was killed by a Palestinian in 1951 during a visit to Jerusalem.

On October 13 a descendant of Abdullah, the current King Abdullah II, went to Egypt for a summit with Trump. Trump is using that summit to push for peace in the region and also push for trade and investment. This is a symbol of how the region has changed.

There are a lot of opportunities now. For instance, Egypt and Turkey now get along, which brings hope for Libya. In addition, Turkey recently hosted the leader of the Kurdistan region of Iraq. That is good for Turkey and Iraq. Oil is now flowing from the Kurdistan region. The Kurdistan region, which is autonomous, also helped make Syria more stable.

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Turkeys close ties with the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq and also with Baghdad and Syria mean that Turkey has now moved into the place of influence that Iran once had.

As such, there is a new Middle East. Trump has said he wants to stop wars. He is pushing for Hezbollah to be disarmed. He wants to see Gaza reconstructed. This vision for the region is a vision for the future. 
GOSHEN  Elkhart County Council members were torn Thursday on if they should help fund the utility expansion project in Middlebury.

The minor annexation in Middlebury to expand its utilities is a requirement for approval by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for an expansion project by Mid-State Specialty Eggs.

Elkhart County Planning Director Mae Kratzer said utility expansion would result in about $3 million in development improvement and allow the county to collect a minimum of $400,000 per year if the development is realized.

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The business also cannot do the expansion without the utility connection. The town is requesting that the utility is paid for by the TIF.

My struggle with this one is giving the funds for one business, and the picking of winners and losses and I know theres businesses elsewhere that have had to do similar type things that have had to pay the cost themselves. And in this case, were telling this business Youre more important than others, Councilman Adam Bujalski said.

The interlocal agreement with the Redevelopment Commission was tabled earlier this month by the Elkhart County Redevelopment Commission, citing concerns over how TIF dollars would be received after the annexation. On Thursday, Redevelopment Commissioner Rick Gentle told the council that they added a specific section to the interlocal agreement that would allow them to determine who receives the TIF funds even if its no longer within the true county TIF. Gentle spoke on behalf of the commission, stating that the Redevelopment Commission does favor the interlocal agreement and funds exchange now that the modifier is in the agreement.

So often we share TIF funding with the Town of Middlebury and a large portion of that is we, as a county, and this community, between Elkhart County and Middlebury, we realize more from our TIFs at the county level than we would if they were going to annex them all into Middlebury because those TIFs started the development from a lower standpoint in the county than if they were to annex and get less increment, Kratzer said. Its to everyones benefit to keep them in the county because there can be more TIF dollars realized.

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Elkhart County Councilman Steve Clark said in total in the coming months, the county will spend $2 million out of this TIF alone on Middlebury infrastructure, between the water tower, the business and wastewater treatment upgrades.

We could be using it for roads, he said. Im struggling with it because whether we have it or they have it, Id rather they have it and just spend it on themselves instead of us have it and spend it on them anyway.

If the interlocal isnt approved, and the area is annexed, Middlebury can make a TIF of their own and claim the funds themselves over the county.

The council voted in favor of appropriating $400,000 from the Middlebury Southeast TIF for the utility project, passing 5:1 with Clark voting against it.

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Another Middlebury utility project, $500,000 from the Middlebury East TIF, however, was stonewalled. The project would allow sewer to be brought to the area north of the Toll Road. Kratzer said every year for the next seven years, the town will be coming back for additional appropriations associated with the cost of the project, to the tune of $9 million between the Middlebury East TIF and the SR 13 Interchange TIF. The project total, however, is $22 million.

Councilman David Hess called it short sighted to not approve the request, and noted that there are many homes in that area that need support with failing septic systems.

Im not sure where this is coming from now, said Elkhart County Commissioner Suzie Weirick. TIF funds, in general, have historically been used and continue to be used for projects within the TIF districts. These projects have historically and continuously been used for infrastructure projects of all kinds whether its roads, sewer, water. These projects have been long in the planning process and are necessary to continue and work collaboratively with the entire plan for these TIF districts.

Weirick said she wished, if there were objections, that they knew before time and money was spent by staff in Middlebury and the county on the projects.

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A motion to deny the request was favored by Bujalski, Clark and Doug Graham. Hess, Darryl Riegsecker and Tom Stump voted against that motion. Councilman Randall Yohn was not in attendance, so the vote was split and the motion was tabled. It will be brought back in November.

From the SR 13 Interchange TIF for the project, $1 million was also tabled for the same reasons.

The interlocal agreement with Middlebury for the Middlebury South East TIF District, for funding the sewer and water main extension, however, was approved.

OTHER BOARD ITEMS

 The council approved additional appropriations for bridge projects: from the Economic Development Income Tax Fund: Bridge 232 on C.R.11 over Yellow Creek north of C.R.36, $475,000, for preliminary engineering, design, right-of-way acquisition and construction inspection; Bridge 143 on C.R. 3 over Baugo Creek south of C.R. 26, $550,000, for preliminary engineering and design; and Bridge 347 on C.R. 44 over Stoney Creek east of Ind. 13, $650,000, for preliminary engineering, design, right of way acquisition and construction inspection. From the Cumulative Bridge Fund: Bridge 136 on C.R. 1 over Baugo Creek north of C.R. 24, $450,000, for preliminary engineering, design, right-of-way acquisition and construction inspection; Bridge 402 on Indiana Avenue over Rock Run Creek north of Wilden Avenue, $625,000, preliminary engineering, design, right-of-way acquisition and construction inspection.

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 The council formally approved the Elkhart County 2026 Budget on second reading during Thursday evenings meeting. In addition, they approved the Nappanee Public Library Binding Review, 2025 Salary Ordinance, 2025 Recorders Records Perpetuation Fund Ordinance, 2026 Elkhart County Budget Ordinance and Elkhart County 2026 Meeting Schedule.

 The council approved the reappointment of Sherrie Mullet to the Nappanee Library Board. She was the only applicant. Her term of four years will expire Oct. 31, 2029.

 The council approved an additional appropriation from the General Fund for $200,000 for parts of the Goshen Courthouse renovation project, including for the restoring of the hardwood under the carpet.

 The council approved an additional appropriation from the General Fund for $175,000 for funds for in-bank reconciliations in the Elkhart County Treasurers Office due to problems in the account previously.

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 The council approved an additional appropriation request from the commissioners from the General Fund to fund the countys self-insurance expenses at $600,000.

 The council approved an additional appropriation request for Planning & Development to replace Energov with Opengov for permitting software. The cost is $265,430 for implementation costs and the first year.

 The council approved requests from the Motor Vehicle Highway Fund for the Highway Department to purchase a new John Deere 6140M tractor for $176,000 and for additional traffic counters at $60,000.

 The council approved $250,000 from the South Benton TIF fund to support the construction of Bridge 332 in Baintertown.

 The council approved a request from the 2022 LR Bond Construction Fund for $60,000. The money is a portion of the funds that were refunded to the county from the body scanners at the new courthouse that did not work as intended.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  On Saturday, the Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter of The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority hosted a 5K as part of Paint the Town Pink, the campaign raising money for the Telfair Mammography Fund.

This fund helps provide no-cost health care to people fighting breast cancer who are uninsured or underinsured.

Participants dressed in pink did laps around Lake Mayer Community Park in memory of people who passed due to breast cancer and in honor of people still fighting.

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The Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter holds this event close to their hearts, as many members are fighting the battle every day.

We encourage them to, ya know, keep righting and keep being strong, and were here for whatever they need, said Nicole Williams, president of the Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter of The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
The Enquirer sent questions to all the candidates running for seats on Milford Exempted Village School District's board this November. There are three candidates running for three seats.

The ticket is made up of all incumbents, including Mary Anne Will, current board president Emily Mason and current vice president Michael Wilson. Wilson and Will did not complete The Enquirer's questionnaire while Mason did.

The candidate's responses, edited slightly for length, can be found below.

Emily Mason

Emily Mason is running for Milford Exempted Village school board.

Age: 46

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Hometown: Cincinnati

Years living in the district: 12

Education: BS Design, University of Cincinnati

Job: Strategic Brand Designer and Trend Consultant

Do you have children? Do they attend public schools? Yes, my two sons attend Milford Schools at the elementary and high school level.

Why are you running for a school board position? I am running again so that Milford can continue being a school district where every child has the opportunity to succeed. I will keep our focus on academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, and strong community partnerships, while making sure our schools remain welcoming and supportive for all students. Milford provides excellent schools, and I am committed to ensuring we have the vision and innovation needed to prepare all of our kids for the future.

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What do you think is the district's greatest strength? At Milford, we have an incredible range of curricular and extracurricular opportunities to prepare students for success. Our options for students on the college pathway include 24 Advanced Placement courses, and electives like Gateway to Engineering, and Human Genetics. Our amazing career tech partnership with Great Oaks sets up our students for success with hands-on learning and career readiness. Beyond the classroom, our award-winning extracurriculars give students once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. This summer, our drama students represented Milford on the global stage at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I am proud of our nationally recognized PBIS programs, strong supports for students with IEPs, and robust mental health services. Even while spending less per pupil than the state average, Milford ranks in the top 20% of Ohio districts academically.

In what 2-3 areas would you like to see the district improve over the next 5 years? Over the next five years, I want to continue to strengthen our early literacy efforts. Studies show that reading is the foundation for all future learning, and we need to set up our students for success from the minute they enter our schools. We also need to expand career and technical opportunities, since more students than ever are pursuing CTE pathways that connect them directly to good jobs and future careers. Finally, I believe Milford should lead in preparing students for a digital world. We can do this by teaching responsible use of technology and AI, with an emphasis on digital citizenship, online safety, and the skills theyll need to be successful in the future.

How would you work to improve communication and culture throughout the district and with parents and families? We need to make sure families feel both informed and included. I want to continue the communication and transparency tools that the board implemented this year, like our listening sessions, committee updates, and decision logs for major purchases. I am also a big fan of inviting families into our schools to see firsthand the incredible things happening in our classrooms and facilities. I want to showcase our amazing programs, and highlight our students hard work and achievements. I want families to feel connected, proud, and confident in what our district provides for their children.

Should parents have the ability to prohibit their child from viewing content related to sexuality or gender identity at school? I believe schools have a responsibility to provide accurate, age-appropriate information that helps students grow into respectful, informed people. In our district, parents are partners in education. We already give parents the ability to guide their childs participation in sensitive topics. For example, when we cover Erins Law and other sensitive health subjects, parents are notified in advance and have the option to opt their child out. We also publish our curriculum and texts online so families can see what is being taught.

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What is your stance on parental notification in cases when a student requests to use a name or pronouns that dont align with their sex assigned at birth? It is my responsibility as a board member to ensure our district follows Ohio law, which requires parental notification. At the same time, I know that some students fear expressing their identity at home, and for them, school may be the only place where they feel supported and able to learn. My commitment is to make sure our schools follow the law while also remaining safe, respectful environments where all students can focus on learning.

What is your stance on requiring K-12 students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that match their sex assigned at birth? As a board member, it is my responsibility to ensure our district follows Ohio law. Beyond that, I believe schools should focus on keeping all students safe and learning, rather than being pulled into divisive debates. In practice, districts have worked through these situations with compassion and common sense, often on a case-by-case basis, to ensure dignity and safety for everyone.

An Ohio law introduced this year bans diversity, equity and inclusion programs from the state's colleges and universities. What is your stance on diversity, equity and inclusion programming in your district? Since the Ohio legislature does not provide a single, detailed, statutory definition of DEI, I define it through the lens of our students. Milford serves a very diverse student body. Our students have different backgrounds, abilities, and socio-economic circumstances. We offer multiple pathways, whether college, career, or military, because we recognize and honor that diversity in our community. To me, equity means making sure every student has the opportunity and resources to thrive, no matter their background. Inclusion means ensuring that every student feels they belong in our schools, are valued for who they are, and have access to the full range of opportunities Milford provides.

What is your stance on the "Make America Healthy Again" movement and general pushback on vaccine mandates in K-12 schools? I believe vaccine policies in K-12 schools should be guided by science, compassion, and the law. Ohio law already limits how schools can approach vaccine mandates. Within that framework I believe we should follow science and public health guidance to keep our schools safe, healthy, and open for learning. Its crucial to protect our students, and is especially important for students who are immunocompromised and for families caring for vulnerable loved ones.

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Do you support the Trump Administration's efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education? While the U.S. Department of Education represents only about four percent of the federal budget, its role is critical. It helps prohibit discrimination and ensures equal access to education for all students. In Milford, that means Title I funds that support our most vulnerable populations. These funds provide supplemental instruction in reading and math, professional development for teachers, resources for parent involvement, and services for students experiencing homelessness. These supports help close achievement gaps and ensure every child has the chance to succeed. The right to a free public education is protected by the Constitutions 14th amendment and was affirmed by the Supreme Court in Plyler v. Doe in 1982. Dismantling the Department would put these vital protections and supports at risk.

Would you be in favor of raising taxes to support the school district? Raising taxes is never something I take lightly, and I believe it should only be considered after every efficiency is explored. At the same time, we need to be honest about the challenges districts like Milford face because of state funding decisions. The most recent Ohio budget used outdated data that leaves public schools underfunded by nearly $2 billion statewide, while continuing to expand vouchers for private schools that are not held to the same accountability standards as public schools. A proposed 40% cap on district carryover balances was vetoed by Governor DeWine, but the legislature may still override that veto. This cap would punish districts like ours for spending responsibly. And these kinds of funding uncertainties make it difficult for schools to plan responsibly. Strong public schools are a constitutional obligation, and I will continue to advocate for fair, predictable funding so we can provide an excellent education without unnecessary strain on taxpayers.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Meet the candidates running for Milford school board this year
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  You probably know Tennessees state flag features a Tristar circle, but what about the state beverage? Or wild animal?

The Volunteer State has adopted many symbols and honors throughout the years that are representative of Tennessee.

News 2 has compiled a list that details how and why some of the symbols came to be associated with the state. A few may even surprise you!

State Flag

(Adobe Stock)

Adopted in 1905, the flag features three stars representing the grand divisions of the state: East, Middle and West.

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Pumpkin patches in Middle TN: 10 spots to pick your own pumpkin this fall

According to the State Blue Book, the flag was designed by Captain LeRoy Reeves, a first captain of the Tennessee National Guard. It was reportedly first flown over what is now East Tennessee State University in Reeves hometown of Johnson City.

State Amphibian

State-symbol-TN-cave-salamander

Yes, you read that correctly. Tennessee declared an official state amphibian in 1995. The Tennessee Cave Salamander has three red external gills, a broad, flat head with small eyes and a tail fin. It is most often found in limestone caves that contain streams in central and southeast Tennessee.

State beverage

(Getty Images)

Move over whiskey! Milk received the official stamp as a state symbol in 2009. The states Blue Book reports that Tennessees dairy industry produced nearly 100 million pounds of milk in 2007, with cash receipts for milk and milk products totaling nearly $202 million.

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As farmland disappears, Hatcher Family Dairy adapts to the future

State wildflowers

Tennessee has two official wildflowers. In 1919, the General Assembly determined that a state flower should be chosen by schoolchildren in the Volunteer State. According to the State Blue Book, the passion flower was chosen, commonly known as the maypop, the wild apricot, and the ocoee.

Then, in 2012, the 107th General Assembly added Tennessee Echinacea, also known as the coneflower, as an official state wildflower. At one point it was thought to be extinct, but the coneflower was rediscovered in the 1960s, and thanks to conservation efforts, it has recovered.

State fruit

Credit: Getty Images

Whether you pronounce it tuh-mei-tow or tuh-mah-tow, the tomato has been the official state fruit since 2003. While commonly considered, and commonly functioning as, a vegetable, the tomato is, botanically speaking, a fruit, according to the states website.

State wild animal

FILE IMAGE

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The furry animal with a bushy, ringed tail and a band of black hair around its eyes has been the states official wild animal since 1971. Raccoons living in Tennessee measure from 30 to 38 inches long and weigh from 12 to 25 pounds.

| Check out more lists and rankings from across Tennessee 

State Motto

(Courtesy of Tennessee State Library and Archives)

Tennessees motto  Agriculture and Commerce  comes from the wording used on the states official seal. It was officially adopted in 1987.

State gem

The 91st General Assembly designated the Tennessee River Pearl as the state gem in 1979. Found in mussels within the freshwater rivers, Tennessee pearls come in all colors and various shapes.

State dog

PHOTO: American Kennel Club

Tennessee Volunteer fans may recognize the states official dog since its the universitys mascot. According to the State Blue Book, the Bluetick Coonhound was designated as the official state dog in 2019.

State artifact

(Courtesy: David H. Dye)

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An ancient stone discovered in 1939 on Sellars Farm in Wilson County was designated the official state artifact in 2014. According to the State Blue Book, the prehistoric Native American artifact is made sandstone and is a prime example of the Tennessee-Cumberland Style of Mississippian stone statuary crafted and used during the Mississippian period.

State insects

Firefly

ladybug

Designated in 1975, the firefly and ladybug are the states official insects. The firefly produces light, which is generated in special organs, acts as an a protective mechanism and also attracts mates.

PEN America Report: Tennessee ranks third in U.S. for book bans

Meanwhile, the ladybug, also known as the lady beetle, are sold to farmers to control pests like aphids.

State reptile

eastern-box-turtle

In 1995, the state adopted the Eastern box turtle as its reptile. These creatures only grow to about six inches and can be distinguished by its dark black or brown shell with bright yellow, red or orange spots.

State Tree

Flower of tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera). Tree is named for the tulip-like shape of its flower and leaves.

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According to the states website, the tulip poplar was designated the official state tree in 1947 and was extensively used by the pioneers of the state to construct houses, barns, and other necessary farm buildings.

State Folk Dance

Pop into any honky tonk along Broadway and you will see folks participating in the states official folk dance  square dancing.

After designating the dance, the 91st General Assembly stated, Among the traditions (of our ancestors) that have survived intact is the Square Dance, a uniquely attractive art form that remains a vibrant and entertaining part of Tennessee folklore, according to the State Blue Book.

State food

(Source: Adobe Stock, modified)

Hot slaw is a bit of a spicier alternative to coleslaw that can be added onto hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches or even pinto beans. A bill making the vinegary and mustardy dish the first official state food got its final approval in 2024.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

State holiday song

(Photo: WKRN)

The House voted to designate Brenda Lees Rockin Around the Christmas Tree as the states first holiday song.

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The song, which Lee recorded in Nashville when she was just 13 years old, made it to No. 1 on Billboards Hot 100 chart in 2023.

To learn more about symbols of the Volunteer State, check out the Tennessee Blue Book.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
NEED TO KNOW

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that approximately 42 million Americans could lose their SNAP benefits from Nov. 1

According to the USDA, there will not be enough funding to pay SNAP benefits if the government shutdown continues

The U.S. government shut down on Oct. 1 after Congress came to a standstill on passing a spending bill that would finance the government beyond Tuesday, Sept. 30

Millions of Americans are at risk of losing their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in November if the government shutdown continues.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) informed states in a letter that approximately 42 million Americans could lose their SNAP benefits as they project there will not be enough funding to cover the entirety of November.

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The program "provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being," according to the USDA.

"If the current lapse in appropriations continues, there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for approximately 42 million individuals across the Nation," said the USDA in their letter signed by SNAP development director Sasha Gersten-Paal, per USA Today.

Getty A photo of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). A photo of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins also echoed the sentiments in a post on X, writing that due to the shutdown, there are not enough funds to provide SNAP for 40 million Americans come Nov 1.

She also informed reporters of the predicament at the White House on Thursday, Oct. 16, per CNN, saying, so youre talking about millions and millions of vulnerable families, of hungry families that are not going to have access to these programs because of this shutdown.

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The concerns come several weeks after the U.S. government shut down, when Congress came to a standstill on passing a spending bill that would finance the government beyond Tuesday, Sept. 30, amid disagreements on how federal funding should be allocated.

President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans were unable to change the minds of Democrats, who held the line on their demands for Obamacare tax credits. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said at the time, Our position has been very clear: cancel the cuts, lower the costs, save healthcare.

However, the GOP has repeatedly dismissed those concerns, saying the matter can wait. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said, We can have that conversation, but before we do: release the hostage, set the American people free, keep the government open and then lets have a conversation about those premium tax credits."

"Im certainly open to that. I think we all are," he added.

Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty St. Paul, Minnesota, Grocery store with sign in window accepting Electronic benefit transfer cards and food stamps. St. Paul, Minnesota, Grocery store with sign in window accepting Electronic benefit transfer cards and food stamps.

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Republican lawmakers and Rollins blamed the Democrats for putting their political agenda ahead of food security for American families.

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However, Democrats argue that Republicans are to blame for being unwilling to negotiate a spending deal that includes Obamacare tax credits, per CNN.

The shutdown began at 12:01 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 1, and as a result of it, nonessential federal agencies that rely on congressional funding have been put on hold. Government employees who are deemed essential  like TSA agents and air traffic controllers  have continued to work, though they won't get paid until the government reopens.



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The crowd for Saturdays No Kings protest was still filtering onto the West Springfield Town Green as Frank Ferreira helped set up a large sign protesting the presidency of Donald Trump.

Weve got to stop him, Ferreira, of Chicopee, said. Were here to show that there is an opposition. Were here. Millions of people.

Organizer Ron Stillman passed out Know Your Rights cards and printed No Kings bandannas in the events signature yellow. Hed gotten about 377 online registrations by Saturday morning. But by the time the 11 a.m. rally and standout began, people lined all sides of the busy intersection where Elm and Union streets cross the parallel Park Street and Park Avenue.

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Trump got 48% of the vote in West Springfield in 2024, nearly edging out the Democratic ticket led by Kamala Harris.

More than 2,600 No Kings Day rallies and events were planned across the county, including at the National Mall in Washington, the Boston Common, Westfield, West Springfield, Springfield, Ludlow, Amherst and Holyoke. In Ludlow, a crowd ringed Memorial Park for the event. In Northampton, crowds once again filled Pulaski Park as they for No Kings protests did in June.

In West Springfield, Paul Piotrowski recalled his days protesting the Vietnam War just outside the gates of whats now Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee.

Were seeing the same militarization now, he said.

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Saturdays events came after months of stepped-up immigration enforcement, budget cuts targeted at Democratic states like in Massachusetts and most recently a government shutdown now entering its fourth week.

Norene Pease, of Easthampton, wore a Revolutionary-style three-corned hat to the No Kings event in Springfield at the corner of Boston Road and Parker Street.

Its time we stop the insanity, she said., I dont feel safe as a gay woman.

Nearby, protesters carried signs decrying aggressive tactics by immigration enforcement.

I dont want to be next. she said.

Lori Tisdell, a member of Rise Up Western Massachusetts Indivisible, estimated there were more than 1,000 people on Boston Road Saturday afternoon.

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The Boston Road intersection is one of the busiest places in Western Massachusetts on Saturday afternoon with shoppers hurriedly out doing errands.

We thought it would be better to focus here than in super-liberal Northampton, she said. We want to reach more people.

Including Trump supporters?

Yes. Come talk to us, she said. Hear what we have to say about whats going on with our country.

It was mostly car-horn honks of appreciation or recognition at West Springfield or Springfield Saturday.

The Springfield crowd cheered the city police car as it cruised the intersection a few times flashing its lights and chirping its siren.

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In West Springfield, one pickup driver shouted Vote Trump and a few passersby yelled about weirdos.

McKenna Kelly, clad in an inflatable chicken costume, danced a do-si-do at the West Springfield rally with a friend in an inflatable unicorn suit.

Its to show that the protest is all done in good spirits, Kelly, of Indian Orchard, said. Not the hate you might have heard about.

And the inflatables are in solidarity with protesters in Portland, Oregon and elsewhere whove adopted them, said her rainbow-tailed unicorn friend.

Tracy Stancill of West Springfield bought his George Washington costume for the protest.

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The original No Kings guy, he said.

Dave Beturnes hat identified him as a Marine veteran of Vietnam. He said he doesnt like what he sees in the country right now.

I was tired of sitting home and getting angry about it, the Hampden resident said. I wanted to come out and do something about it.

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Milwaukee and Madison were among dozens of Wisconsin cities that joined the second wave of "No Kings" demonstrations nationwide on Oct. 18 in what organizers are calling the largest single day of protest in modern American history.

Thousands of people attended the protests in Milwaukee's Cathedral Square Park on Saturday, with many donning costumes and inflatables, inspired by protesters in Portland who sought to emphasize the peaceful nature of the protests. Organizers estimated the turnout at around 16,000 people.

We came out because its our right and its our privilege and thats what Americans should do when you disagree with whats going on, said Bryan Lorentzen, a 72-year-old from Franklin. "You need to make that verbal, just like we did during the Vietnam War.

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Lorentzen and others said they joined the nationwide protests to oppose President Donald Trump, who they say is acting like a monarch rather than the leader of a democracy.

Since his election, Trump has ramped up immigration enforcement, sent National Guard troops into several Democratic-controlled cities, made massive changes to American health care and eroded First Amendment rights, critics say.

In February, the White House shared an image on the social platform X mimicking a "Time" magazine cover depicting Trump wearing a crown, with the words "Long Live The King" at the bottom.

Lorentzen, who attended the protest dressed as Santa Claus, carried around a sign that said I know who is naughty."

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His former colleague, Hayley Kleppin, who was dressed as an elf, thought the costumes helped diffuse tensions.

You cant detain Santa, Kleppin, 29, of Greenfield, said.

Demonstrators gather at Cathedral Square Park for the second No Kings protest against President Donald Trumps administration on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Oct. 18 marks the second round of No Kings protests across the country. The first was held in June, when millions marched against the Trump administration nationwide. Milwaukee's June event drew an estimated 10,000 protesters.

The No Kings protests are organized by a coalition of progressive groups, including Indivisible, Public Citizen, MoveOn, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Human Rights Campaign and Working Families Power, along with multiple unions and grassroots groups like 50501 that formed in response to Trump's election.

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Andy Guss, a co-leader of Grassroots Menomonee Falls, said around 20 groups planned the Milwaukee event.

Around 2,500 rallies were planned across the country as part of the Oct. 18 protests, compared to 1,800 in June.

People need to see that theyre not alone and that that theres other people here that think like they do, said Guss, 42. "Were not scared. Everyone here takes courage to be here.

Demonstrators cite immigration, health care, free speech as key issues

JoAnn Vetter, 75, said she skipped her granddaughters soccer game to attend the protest because she wants to ensure her granddaughter has a future. She was wearing the hooded robe and wide-brimmed bonnet from The Handmaid's Tale.

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Vetter said she wanted to speak out against the repression of women and the erosion of due process, the constitutional right to fair treatment by the government.

She said she fears every day for her son-in-law, who is from Colombia, even though hes a U.S. citizen.

That he could be stopped and harassed and injured without any due process, she said.

Galen DiDomizio, who works in the medical field, brought his 2-year-old daughter to the protest, carrying her on his back. He said he was protesting the administration's attacks on doctors and vaccines.

Trump has made numerous false claims about vaccines, including the discredited theory that they cause autism.

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"We all have a responsibility to stand up for what's right and tell the government what they're doing is wrong," DiDomizio said. "That's why I'm here, that's why my whole family is here."

The event drew criticism from some Republican elected officials in Wisconsin.

U.S. Rep. Tony Wied, R-De Pere, described the protest as the "Hate America Rally" on his social media pages, while U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden called it a "Election Denier Fest."

Joe Foti, dressed as President Donald Trump, performs as demonstrators gather at Cathedral Square Park during the second No Kings protest against Trumps administration on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Clay Norrbom, 50, is a small business owner in Madison. Norrbom, who describes himself as generally moderate, said this was the first time he has been worried about government truly overreaching and starting to intrude in our day-to-day liberties, including targeting law firms and news media.

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"Now we have to worry about whether the government is going to cancel a contract, or is going to come after a law firm that Ive worked with  maybe come after me, because Ive spoken up today," Norrbom said.

Protests underway in dozens of cities throughout Wisconsin

More than 60 protests were scheduled throughout the state, including in Madison, Green Bay, Appleton, Shorewood, Greenfield, Brookfield, Waukesha, Cedarburg and Oconomowoc.

In downtown Madison, around 15,000 people gathered for the rally, according to Madison police.

Doug Green, 75, and Chris Carlsen, 69, both said they attended the protest because theyre worried for their grandchildrens future.

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Green said he protested the Vietnam War when he was a college student, and both participated in the 2011 protests against Gov. Scott Walkers signature Act 10 legislation, which effectively ended collective bargaining for most public employees.

They each have granddaughters, one a womens rights attorney and another a college student.

Im afraid of losing their health care, the watering down of education and just all civil rights being taken away from them, Green said.

Dane County Circuit Judge Everett Mitchell was among the speakers at the Madison rally. He said his greatest concern is about separation of powers in the federal government.

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Mitchell focused his remarks on Martin Luther King, Jr.s famous 1963 letter from the Birmingham Jail.

The time is now to act," Mitchell said. "Not to wait for another election, another season, but to really use all our collective voices to inspire change. If not now, I dont know when will be the time.

In Green Bay, retired teacher Ann Larscheid, 81, said she was supporting her friends marching in the protest from the sidelines.

Green Bay doesnt have a reputation for being very liberal, so seeing that a significant part of the population is making a joyful noise about all this stuff, it makes me very proud," she said.

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Around 1,550 people attended the No Kings demonstration in suburban Brookfield, according to 78-year-old Carl Lock, who is a part of Brookfield Resist, the group facilitating the event.

Lock, 78, said the laundry list of issues he is protesting include Trump's disregard for the Constitution, his use of the Department of Justice and military to go after political enemies, and his treatment of immigrants.

We love America," Lock said. "We just hate the administration that has taken over.

Jesse Lin of the Green Bay Press-Gazette contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee joins second wave of 'No Kings' protests against Trump
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lay a wreath at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi on October 21, on the Police Commemoration Day. On October 21, 1959, 10 valiant policemen laid down their lives in an ambush laid by heavily armed Chinese troops at Hot Springs, Ladakh. Since then, October 21 is observed as Police Commemoration Day every year. According to an official release from the Ministry of Defence, a joint parade of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Delhi Police will be held as part of the event. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, MPs with Police background, Heads of CAPFs/CPOs, amongst others, will also lay wreaths. Retired DGs, officers from the Police fraternity and other dignitaries will also attend the event. Rajnath Singh will also address the assembly. In recognition of the sacrifices made by police personnel and their paramount role in preserving national security and integrity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation the National Police Memorial at Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, on Police Commemoration Day 2018. The museum is conceptualised as a historical and evolving exhibition on policing in India. It is open to the public on all days except Mondays. CAPFs organise band display, parade and retreat ceremony at the National Police Memorial on every Saturday and Sunday in the evening, starting one hour prior to sunset. The Memorial gives Police Forces a sense of national identity, pride, unity of purpose, common history, and destiny, besides reinforcing their commitment to protect the nation even at the cost of their lives. It comprises a Central Sculpture, a Wall of Valour and a museum. The Central Sculpture, which is a 30 feet high granite monolith cenotaph, stands for strength, resilience, and selfless service of Police personnel. The Wall of Valour on which the names of martyrs are engraved stands as a steadfast acknowledgement of the bravery and sacrifice of Police personnel who have laid down their lives in the line of duty since Independence. As a part of the remembrances, CAPFs/CPOs organise various Commemorative Events at National Police Memorial from October 22 to 30, which include visits of family members of the one who laid down their lives, Police Band Display, motorcycle rallies, run for martyrs, blood donation camps, essay/painting competitions for children and display of video films showcasing the sacrifice, valour and services of police personnel. Similar programmes are organised by all the Police Forces across the country during this period. (ANI)
Murders and assaults in Minnesota dropped in 2024 while rapes and robberies rose, according to statistics released this week by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

The 2024 Uniform Crime Report showed that violent crime in the seven-county Metro area  Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties  increased by 1% overall compared to 2023. In greater Minnesota, violent crime numbers decreased by 3%.

The number of murders continued to fall after a spike during the pandemic. There were 170 murders in 2024 compared with 181 in 2023, 182 in 2022 and 201 in 2021. Firearms were involved in 74.7% of the incidents, up from 69.6% in 2023.

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The St. Paul Police Department handled 26 homicide incidents in 2024, the same as in 2023. So far this year St. Paul police have handled nine homicides.

The number of reported assaults statewide dropped from 9,986 in 2023 to 9,826 in 2024.

Carjacking incidents, which included attempted carjackings, increased 5.5 percent with 426 incidents in 2024, compared with 401 in 2023. There were 31 reported carjackings in St. Paul for 2024; Minneapolis saw 329 cases in 2024.

Reported rapes and robberies reversed their post-pandemic downward trends: Rapes rose from 2,053 in 2023 to 2,159 last year while robberies rose from 2,791 in 2023 to 2,836 in 2024. Rapes had been decreasing from their 2021 spike of 2,472. Robbery reports reached 3,991 in 2021.

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Other details:

 Most of the rapes  73.2%  occurred in a home. Minors accounted for 39.6% of the victims.

 Motor vehicle theft decreased 19.3% in 2024 with 12,596 vehicles stolen as compared with 15,612 in 2023 (carjacking incidents are counted separately from motor vehicle thefts).

 There were 70,898 incidents of larceny in 2024, the lowest number in 56 years, according to the BCA.

 Bias crimes rose in 2024 with 225 incidents reported.

 Peace officers were assaulted in 976 incidents in 2024, a 1.5% increase from 2023.

 Law enforcement use-of-force incidents involving discharge of a firearm rose in 2024 to 27, 10 more than in 2023.

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 There were 32 overall use-of-force incidents, 11 more than the previous year. In those incidents, 12 people died and 15 resulted in a serious injury. Agencies reported using force on 18 white individuals, 13 Black and 1 Asian.

The full 2024 Uniform Crime Report can be found at dps.mn.gov/mn-crime-statistics, along with reports from previous years.

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Oct. 17The Minnesota Department of Transportation is asking Minnesota businesses and residents to provide feedback on the final draft of the Minnesota State Rail Plan. Comments received will be used to guide final updates to the plan, which shapes the future of Minnesota's rail infrastructure and investments.

The Minnesota State Rail Plan envisions the future of Minnesota's rail transportation system over the next 20 years. The plan describes the importance of railroads to Minnesota's economy, the state of the current rail system and trends, and identifies key rail investments that better support the transportation of goods, services and people throughout Minnesota. The plan guides and supports MnDOT's efforts to integrate rail with all modes of transportation to effectively move Minnesota.

Minnesota residents and businesses can review the plan online at talk.dot.state.mn.us/state-rail-plan. Paper copies are also available for review at eight MnDOT District offices located in Duluth, Bemidji, Baxter, Detroit Lakes, Rochester, Mankato, Willmar and Roseville.

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Comments submitted online are encouraged. Written comments can also be submitted by mail to:

Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations

Attn: Robert Clarksen

Minnesota Department of Transportation

395 John Ireland Blvd

MS 050

Saint Paul, MN 55155

Visit the project's Let's Talk Transportation website for the latest information.

To receive the State Rail Plan or other documents in an alternative format or language, please contact Janet Miller at 651-366-4720 (711 or 1-800-627-3529 for MN Relay). You can also email your request to ADArequest.dot@state.mn.us. Please make your request at least two weeks before you need the document.
Originally appeared on E! Online

New details are being uncovered surrounding Maleesa Mooney's murder.

Over a year after Magnus Humphrey was arrested and charged in connection to her killing, prosecutors shared details about the alleged relationship he had with the model, who was found bound and gagged in a refrigerator during a routine welfare check in Los Angeles in 2023.

During an Oct. 16 court hearing, the prosecution alleged that Humphrey, 43, and Mooney, 31, were engaged in a five-day romance in the days leading up to her death, according to the Los Angeles Times, who had a reporter in the room. The pair were allegedly introduced through his estranged brother in September 2023.

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One of Mooney's friends, Keirsten Dossett, said that Humphrey had become "obsessive" about her pal, with the pair rarely "more than one foot apart" during their weeklong relationship, per the outlet.

Additionally, Dossett alleged that Humphrey attended a family barbecue with Mooney during that time and referred to her as "my girl" and "my woman," the Los Angeles Times reported.

And while Humphrey's lawyer Michael Lambrose acknowledged that he was in a relationship with Mooney at the time of her death, he denied his client had any involvement in her murder.

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The attorney said during the hearing that the prosecution's evidenceincluding DNA matches and video footage proving Humphrey was at the crime scene and had had sex with Mooneywas "thin."

Moreover, Lambrose argued that details about their relationship don't prove any violent intent.

Instagram (@jourdinpauline)

All of the evidence we have to his mental state is that he cared very deeply about this person," he said in court, per the Los Angeles Times, "that they talked about getting married.

Humphrey was charged with felony murder and torture in connection to Mooney's killing in 2023, according to L.A. Supreme Court records reviewed by E! News at the time. Following the Oct. 16 hearing, a judge ruled that there is enough evidence for him to stand trial, according to the Los Angeles Times.

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He is eligible to face the death penalty if convicted, though prosecutors have not yet decided whether to seek capital punishment.

E! News reached out to Humphrey's attorney, as well as the Los Angeles County Public Defender's office, for comment but has not heard back.

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Karla Garcia, the mother and one of three people charged in the death of 11-year-old Jacqueline Mimi Torres, allegedly duped the Connecticut Department of Children and Families into believing the girl speaking to them on a video call was Jacqueline earlier this year, according to court documents and the DCF.

Based on the timeline provided by police, Jacqueline was likely dead for multiple months prior to the video call.

Investigators believe Jacquelines remains were kept in the basement of her familys home in Farmington until March when they relocated to New Britain, according to the Farmington and New Britain Police Departments.

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According to a timeline of DCFs involvement with the family, which was released Friday, the agency in January learned of allegations involving Jacquelines younger sibling, Interim DCF commissioner Susan I. Hamilton said in a statement. At the time, DCF was allegedly told Jacqueline was being homeschooled and temporarily staying in another state with a relative, Hamilton said.

DCF conducted a video call with someone who Garcia allegedly claimed was Jacqueline, according to Hamilton.

This information has been provided to law enforcement, Hamilton said. Given that no additional concerns were noted, the department closed the case in March.

Authorities have not said where they believe Jacquelines body was kept in the months after the family relocated to New Britain. Police allege that Garcias boyfriend, 30-year-old Jonatan Nanita, was seen dumping a bin containing the remains and other items outside a boarded up abandoned home on Clark Street in New Britain on Oct. 8.

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Police have accused Garcia and Nanita of killing Jacqueline while the family was still living in Farmington. They each face charges of murder with special circumstances, conspiracy to commit murder and other offenses.

Court documents show that Jacqueline lived with her paternal grandmother until she was 9 years old. In 2016, court records show, the grandmother filed a petition against Garcia for child support.

Garcia was first granted custody of Jacqueline in 2022, according to court records. Then in July 2023, the girls father, Victor Torres, filed a custody application and alleged that Garcia was violating their joint custody agreement, court records show.

Mom of child found in bin outside CT home facing charges along with her boyfriend, sister

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In April 2024, Garcia sought sole custody of Jacqueline, according to court records. Just months before detectives believe Jacqueline was killed, Garcia was granted full custody of Jacqueline and her sister, court records show. Hamilton noted that DCF had no involvement in that decision.

According to Hamilton, DCF immediately became involved when Jacqueline was born in January 2013, as Garcia was in a detention center at the time. The grandmother was granted legal guardianship by the Superior Court for Juvenile Matters.

The agencys initial case was closed in August 2013, and Jacqueline remained with her grandmother until May 2022, Hamilton said. While in her care, Hamilton said DCF provided services to the family and Jacquelines younger siblings from April 2014 through June 2016 and again briefly in 2017 and 2021, following reports related to one of the siblings.

Her younger sibling was also placed in the care of the relative in February 2016, Hamilton said in a statement. During that period, the relative guardian allowed the parents to have regular access to the children.

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Garcia and Torres were reinstated guardianship in May 2022 with support from DCF, Jacquelines grandmother and an attorney assigned to look out for the best interests of the child, according to Hamilton.

The departments recommendation was made after conducting a review of the familys history and current circumstances, an interview with Jacqueline and her sibling and an assessment of the parents current ability to care for them at that time, Hamilton said.

According to Hamilton, DCF last interacted with Jacqueline during an investigation in September 2022 regarding her younger siblings.

She and her siblings were determined to be safe at that time and were visible to the community, Hamilton said. The school-aged children were enrolled in school, and the childrens medical provider was contacted and did not express concerns. The department provided in-home supports, and the family was involved with supportive housing.

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That case was closed in November 2022 after DCF found insufficient evidence to substantiate child abuse and neglect or seek removal of the children from the home in accordance with state law, Hamilton said.

Hamilton said DCF had no further involvement with the family prior to Jacquelines death. She noted that the children were enrolled in school and Jacqueline attended medical appointments in November 2022, November 2023 and May 2024.

During that two-year period, the department did not receive any reports of child abuse or neglect regarding the family, Hamilton said Jacqueline was not homeschooled during any period of DCF involvement.

The timeline released by DCF sheds new light on the case, though a number of questions still remain. Investigators have not said how they believe Jacqueline died, and the warrant affidavits tied to the arrests of Garcia, Nanita and Garcias 28-year-old sister, Jackelyn Garcia, have been sealed by a judge. Jackelyn Garcia has been charged with first-degree unlawful restraint, risk of injury to a minor and intentional cruelty to a person under 19 years old in connection with Jacquelines death.

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John Kaloidis, who represents Jackelyn Garcia, said Friday that he was recently assigned the case and was still reviewing the allegations.

I would encourage people not to rush to judgment. Everyones entitled to a defense, Kaloidis said. Well have more to say in the weeks to come as we dive into this case and sort through the facts.

A public defender representing Karla Garcia did not respond to an email requesting comment. Online judicial records reviewed Friday did not show an attorney having filed an appearance in Nanitas case.

A spokesperson for the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Friday that the results of Jacquelines autopsy remain pending further studies. The office made a verbal report to investigators working the case, but police have not disclosed any further specifics.

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Police said Jacquelines body was in an advanced state of decomposition when it was found. Authorities believe she suffered prolonged physical abuse and malnourishment prior to her death.

Jacquelines death has raised a number of questions about what the system did to protect her, as well as demands for accountability. On Thursday, state Sen. Ceci Maher and state Rep. Corey Paris, the Senate and House Chairs of the Committee on Children, issued a joint statement alleging that DCF failed her.

This horrific situation should not have happened, and we are angry to hear that our states systems did not protect Jacqueline, the lawmakers said. As we learn more, it is becoming apparent that the Department of Children and Families failed her.

The joint statement went on to say that the agency has one of the most important roles in our state and when it accepts less than 110%, our most vulnerable children are left in harms way, with children like Jacqueline suffering the consequences.

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Its clear that DCF did not meet the moment here, and we need answers as to how and why this happened, as well as assurances that we can make certain it never happens again, Maher and Paris said.

The incident has also raised questions about the regulations  or lack thereof  surrounding children who are homeschooled.

According to Tony Gasper, superintendent of the Consolidated School District of New Britain, Karla Garcia filed an official Notification of Withdrawal Out of New Britain School District form on Aug. 26, 2024, which would have been Jacquelines first day of sixth grade. The form indicated Jacquelines new address would be in Farmington.

On the same day, Gasper said, Karla Garcia filed a Notice of Intent: Instruction of Student at Home form with the district.

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Farmington school officials did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Emotions high as aunt, mother and boyfriend face judge in death of girl found in bin outside CT home

A petition started on Change.org is demanding action through a would-be Mimis law. The petition, which has garnered more than 6,400 online signatures, calls for periodic in-person welfare checks for homeschooled children and a prohibition on convicted child abusers from paroling into or residing in any home with minor children, as happened in Mimis case.

According to court officials, Karla Garcia, Nanita and Jackelyn Garcia each had a criminal records. Jackelyn Garcia had previously been sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to a child endangerment charge, according to court records.

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The petition also demands more accountability from DCF and would look to strengthen parental access and oversight rights to prevent one parent from cutting off the other entirely.

DCF, schools, and mandated reporters were all blind to her suffering, the online petition states. Because Mimi was homeschooled, there was no teacher to notice her absence or her pain. People who loved her deeply, were kept away  robbed of the chance to save her life.

Many in our community believe this was not just the failure of individuals  it was the failure of a system.
NEED TO KNOW

On Friday, Oct. 17, Charla and Jalen Pendergrass were charged in connection with the death of London Thomas

Thomas, 17, was reported missing on April 5 and found dead in a vehicle on April 26

Charla, 49, has been accused of repeatedly lying to police amid her and her son's attempts to cover up the murder

A mother is being accused of repeatedly lying to law enforcement while trying to cover up the alleged murder of her son's teenage girlfriend in Michigan.

On Friday, Oct. 17, Charla Pendergrass, 49, and her son Jalen, 23, were each charged with one count of second-degree murder and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of 17-year-old London Thomas, CBS News and Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ reported.

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During their arraignment hearing in Wayne County, the prosecutors office accused Charla of showing a willingness to be deceptive.

"This is a case where I believe the evidence will be abundant that both defendants, but particularly Ms. Charla Pendergrass, engaged in an extended campaign to lie to police, lie to law enforcement to cover up her actions," said the prosecutors office in video footage from the hearing, per WXYZ.

The prosecutor demanded a high cash bond as a result of the serious nature of the charges.



gofundme London Thomas London Thomas

Thomas was found dead in a plastic bin inside a vehicle on April 26, having previously been reported missing on April 5.

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The vehicle is believed to have been parked in Southfield for two weeks before the discovery, WXYZ reported, citing Inkster police, Detroit police, the FBI and Michigan State Police.

A man claiming to be Charlas friend alleged to police that she asked him to transport a sealed plastic bin. He said he placed the bin in the SUV, where Thomas remains were eventually found on April 11, per WXYZ.

A medical examiner determined Thomas cause of death to be asphyxia, per CBS News. The death was ruled a homicide.



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Jalen was denied bond during Friday's hearing, while Charla received a cash bond set at $5 million. A probable cause conference is scheduled for Oct. 22, per WXYZ.

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The pair maintain their innocence in the alleged crimes and are expected to plead not guilty to the charges, their attorneys told WXYZ.

"I'm so angry and I'm so happy and satisfied at the same time," Cedric Salisbury, Thomas' father, told CBS News after the arraignment. "We all knew that they were pretty much responsible for what happened, so now we're moving forward and moving in the right direction, going for justice for London."



Jalen was arrested and charged in connection with a previous case, while Charla was previously arrested on charges of lying to a peace officer. The charges were later dismissed, per WXYZ.

PEOPLE has contacted the Inkster Police and Michigan State Police for comment.



Read the original article on People
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Monroe County will receive an additional $6.5 million in opioid settlement funds to further combat the local opioid epidemic, County Executive Adam Bello announced Friday.

The new funds come from two separate settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors found to have contributed to the national crisis. About $5.65 million will come from Purdue Pharma L.P., and another $914,000 will come from several generic drugmakers.

The announcement follows promising data from the 2024 Monroe County Overdose Report, which showed a 43% decrease in overdose deaths: from 512 in 2023 to 292 in 2024. It marks the lowest number of overdose deaths in the county since 2020 and outpaces the national average decline of 27%.

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The funds will support Monroe County Addiction Services initiatives, including its 24-hour opioid hotline, the installation of more than 630 Naloxboxes in public spaces, expanded street-level outreach, and public education campaigns promoting naloxone access and overdose prevention.

For more information about treatment options, naloxone, or test strips, click here or call (585) 753-5300 anytime.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Thousands of protesters hit the streets to challenge President Donald Trump's agenda at "No Kings" demonstrations in Arizona and nationwide.

From New York City to Los Angeles, scores of people turned out for the roughly 2,700 No Kings protests across the United States. It was the latest countrywide day of protest during Trumps second term in the White House.

Organizers said they were protesting a wide range of Trump administration policies, including the presidents immigration crackdown in cities like Chicago, as well as funding cuts for programs such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

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They also pointed to the president's decision to send the U.S. National Guard into Washington, D.C., as another reason to protest.

When millions of Americans take to the street and say, There are no kings in America,' that's how we will win," Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Arizona, said at a protest near the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix.

No Kings organizers called the event one of the largest single-day nationwide demonstrations in U.S. history and said they estimated nearly 7 million people gathered at demonstrations across the country. The crowd was larger than the estimated 5 million people who turned out for a No Kings nationwide protest in June, they said.

There were more than 60 protests planned in Arizona on Oct. 18, an increase from the roughly 40 rallies that took place in the Grand Canyon State during that No Kings protest day on June 14.

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Thousands gathered at the Arizona Capitol with signs, flags and bullhorns. Protesters cheered as speakers criticized Trump's mass deportation agenda. Speakers also discussed the ability for people to have health care and the Israel-Hamas war. Trump brokered a ceasefire deal in that conflict days earlier.

An estimated 14,000 to 15,000 protesters gathered at the state Capitol, according to Sgt. Kameron Lee, spokesperson for the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

One person was arrested after blocking the roadway and refusing to move their vehicle, Lee said, adding that the person was later transported for medical reasons but remains subject to arrest.

Thousands gather for a No Kings protest in front of the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix on Oct. 18, 2025. The protest is part of a nationwide series of demonstrations against current Trump administration policies.

Protesters were vehement that they would not bend the knee to the Trump administration and said they would continue to show up and protest.

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You cant fit everything hes done on to one sign, Dave Tappley said.

Before protesters marched, Democratic Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes took the stage. Mayes brought up her office's lawsuits against Trump and spoke to the power that Arizona residents have to stand up to the administration.

Arizona, are you running to fight for your Constitution? Are you ready to fight for your country? Mayes said. You are! You're ready to tell Donald Trump that we do not have kings in this country!

Arizona politics: GOP leaders weigh in on racist comments made by Young Republicans

Some saw the protest as just the beginning. They said real impact would come from people withholding their time and money from corporations that had bent the knee to the Trump administration.

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Phil Rinn was among those who felt the momentum needed to continue through a general strike, halting the flow of work and consumerism until substantial changes were made.

We need to withhold our labor, withhold our spending, Rinn said. It should be a people's movement.

Some protesters wore inflatable costumes to signal that their protest was nonviolent. The blow-up suits were inspired by protesters in Portland, Oregon, who donned the costumes after Trump said he would deploy federal troops there. Protesters in Phoenix included those dressed as inflatable chickens and dinosaurs.

I really look up to the protests in Portland, how they keep it super peaceful and happy, said Phoenix resident Janell Kider Weaver, 59, who wore a green T-Rex costume. People see the costume and start dancing a little. Its an energy thing."

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Michael Walker, 36, from Gilbert, wore a bright tie-dye shirt and a lower-body chicken inflatable that made it appear as if he were riding the gigantic bird. He stood in the chaos of people crossing from Wesley Bolin Plaza onto the state Capitol grounds.

Donald Trump does not represent Jesus. Donald Trump does not represent peace, love, or anything along those lines, Walker said. Hes a habitual liar. He never stops lying. For him to be president is extremely concerning, Walker added.

Deb Scott, 47, and a member of the Navajo and Salt River tribes, came to the event not to protest Trump, but to call awareness to pro-Palestinian efforts.

I came out here because I saw a post saying people shouldnt bring Palestine flags to this event, Scott said. That really pushed me to come out and make a big sign, and to bring my flag.

Protesters crowd the sidewalks Scottsdale Road and Camelback Road for a No Kings protest on Oct. 18, 2025, in Scottsdale.

Protesters gathered in dozens of other Arizona cities and towns, including Flagstaff, Prescott Valley, Yuma and Tucson. Smaller communities like Sierra Vista and Show Low also planned No Kings demonstrations.

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Protesters lined a road in Prescott Valley, holding signs and wearing inflatable costumes, according to photos posted to Facebook by the Yavapai County Democratic Party. In Sedona, video showed a crowd of people holding signs along State Route 89A. Payson protesters also donned costumes and held signs, too.

Farther north, thousands gathered in front of Flagstaff City Hall while passing cars honked at them, video posted by KNAU showed.

In Scottsdale, thousands lined the intersection of Scottsdale and Camelback roads starting at about 9 a.m., with city sidewalks crammed shoulder to shoulder with protesters. Event organizer Mary Beth Furman said an estimated 5,000 people were expected to show up to protest.

Among them were Scottsdale couple Denise and Rich Heinrich, one of the many attendees wearing themed costumes.

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Rich Heinrich wore an Uncle Sam inspired outfit, while Denise Heinrich wore signs calling out Trumps connections to disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Geezers, get out there and fight for your country. Everybody, every age. Youre not too old to resist, said Denise Heinrich, 73.

She and her husband stopped regularly to take a photo with eager protesters.

Im worried about this country. Our democracy could very easily disappear, said Rich Heinrich, 76.

To see this country turn into a third world dictatorship is sickening, he said.

Nearby, Cindy Tommaso, 66, Joanne Bolnick, 76, and Caroll Brody, 78, all live in the same neighborhood and carried signs together.

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Im here for Medicare, for my children, for all the immigrants that are getting deported to countries they dont even know, Brody said. I protested in the 60s during Vietnam, in New York City on Fifth Avenue. Its important that generations keep doing it."

Bolnick is a retired federal employee who worked for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Im fighting for the federal employees and democracy, and for my eight grandkids, she said.

On the intersection corner where crowds were dense, Tom Angelo, 64, played his red accordion as a background track to the chaotic protest.

I dont play perfect, but democracy isnt perfect either, he said.

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Angelo attended a June No Kings protest in Scottsdale, and said he was proud the gathering was big but also peaceful.

The protests came as the federal government shutdown stretched into a third week. Federal workers, including active-duty military members, missed their first paychecks of the shutdown on Oct. 15.

The protests were put on by a coalition of left-leaning groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Federation of Teachers, Common Defense, 50501, the Human Rights Campaign, Indivisible, the League of Conservation Voters and MoveOn, among others.

President Trump and his allies are abusing their power and attempting to scare their own citizens away from exercising our rights and freedoms, Deirdre Schifeling, chief political and advocacy officer at the ACLU, said in a virtual news conference ahead of the protests. The best way to protect our freedom is to act free.

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Trump knocked the protests, saying during a Fox Business interview, They're referring to me as a king. I'm not a king.

Other Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have also criticized the protests. Johnson called it a hate America rally and said he believed pro-Hamas supporters, antifa-types and Marxists would attend the protests.

Mesa resident Jennifer Brack, 47, challenged that characterization.

The amount of people that are out today proves that this is a love America rally, not an 'I Hate America Rally,' said Brack, who wore a handmaiden outfit inspired by the novel and TV show "The Handmaid's Tale."

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There were other protests planned across metro Phoenix, including in cities like Fountain Hills, Mesa, Scottsdale and Tempe. U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Arizona, joined a No Kings protest in Chandler.

A morning protest in Goodyear drew some 1,000 demonstrators, organizer Jen Spencer said. Four hundred protesters turned out in Apache Junction, including two in inflatable frog and penguin costumes, the city's local Democratic Party said on social media.Protesters at a No Kings demonstration in Tucson included U.S. Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, D-Arizona. Grijalva won a special election to fill her late fathers seat in September but has not been officially sworn in to the Republican-controlled House.

Looming over Grijalvas swearing-in is her support for a measure that would require a vote to release the Epstein investigative files.

Protesters chanted Swear her in! as Grijalva placed her hand on her heart.

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Back in Phoenix, the Epstein files were also on the mind of a protester who was pardoned by Trump months ago.

Jake Angeli, also known as the "QAnon Shaman, arrived at the protest in the famed horned outfit and face paint he donned when he broke into the U.S. Capitol in January 2021.

Angeli pleaded guilty to a felony and was imprisoned. Trump pardoned Angeli, and nearly everyone charged in the riot, on the first day of his second term in the White House.

Angeli carried a sign with depictions of Epstein, music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, who was recently sentenced to prison in a sex crimes case, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Promises made, promises broken. If Trump isnt going to release the Epstein files, then he needs to be held accountable. He made that promise, Angeli said.

Stephanie Murray covers national politics and the Trump administration for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Reach her via email at stephanie.murray@gannett.com and on social media @stephanie_murr.

Rey Covarrubias Jr. reports breaking news and business for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Email him at: rcovarrubias@gannett.com, and connect with him on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and X (formerly Twitter) at @ReyCJrAZ.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona rallies surge on 'No Kings' Day, protesting Trumps second term
Most liberal colleges in America

There is no concrete proof that liberals outnumber conservatives in academia. That said, despite the likelihood that critiques of political bias have more to do with ideological challenges than oppression, the perception persists that higher education is overwhelmingly liberal.

Beyond being merely persistent, this perception has also led to political showdowns with far-reaching ramifications. Since taking office in January 2025, President Donald Trump has launched attacks on universities across the United States over allegations of liberal bias. In May 2025, Trump's administration prevented Harvard from enrolling international students, claiming that the nation's oldest university is "fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus," according to a statement issued by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. A month later, in July 2025, Columbia University paid a $200 million fine to the federal government to settle other discrimination claims from Trump and restore federal funding.

Some schools have a longstanding history of liberalism or progressive ideology. In many cases, these schools exist in more liberal regions of the country or are progressive by design. They are among the most prestigious, largest, and best-endowed schools in the United States.

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To determine the 50 most liberal universities and colleges in America, Stacker used 2026 rankings from Niche. Niche considered students' self-reported political leanings as well as the results of student surveys regarding on-campus political preferences, specifically liberal students' opinions about overall political leanings among the student body. (You can read the full methodology here.)

Keep reading to find out which schools are the country's most liberal.

#50. Savannah College of Art and Design

- Location: Savannah, GA

- Overall Niche grade: C+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 12,642

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 17:1

- Acceptance rate: 84%

- Typical SAT range: 1050-1280

#49. University of Minnesota Duluth

- Location: Duluth, MN

- Overall Niche grade: B+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 7,249

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1

- Acceptance rate: 82%

- Typical SAT range: 1130-1340

#48. SUNY New Paltz

- Location: New Paltz, NY

- Overall Niche grade: B

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 5,564

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1

- Acceptance rate: 59%

- Typical SAT range: 1170-1340

#47. University of San Francisco

- Location: San Francisco

- Overall Niche grade: B+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 5,527

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1

- Acceptance rate: 51%

- Typical SAT range: 1210-1390

#46. University of Southern California

- Location: Los Angeles

- Overall Niche grade: A+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 20,502

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1

- Acceptance rate: 10%

- Typical SAT range: 1440-1550

#45. Point Park University

- Location: Pittsburgh

- Overall Niche grade: C

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 2,110

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1

- Acceptance rate: 98%

- Typical SAT range: 1040-1240

#44. Bowdoin College

- Location: Brunswick, ME

- Overall Niche grade: A+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 1,873

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1

- Acceptance rate: 8%

- Typical SAT range: 1480-1550

#43. Brandeis University

- Location: Waltham, MA

- Overall Niche grade: A

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 3,615

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1

- Acceptance rate: 35%

- Typical SAT range: 1390-1530

#42. Pace University

- Location: New York

- Overall Niche grade: B-

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 7,473

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1

- Acceptance rate: 77%

- Typical SAT range: 1130-1330

#41. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

- Location: Champaign, IL

- Overall Niche grade: A+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 34,468

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1

- Acceptance rate: 44%

- Typical SAT range: 1270-1510

#40. Spelman College

- Location: Atlanta

- Overall Niche grade: B+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 2,532

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1

- Acceptance rate: 34%

- Typical SAT range: 1060-1270

#39. Kalamazoo College

- Location: Kalamazoo, MI

- Overall Niche grade: B

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 1,190

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1

- Acceptance rate: 76%

- Typical SAT range: 1190-1370

#38. University of Wisconsin - Madison

- Location: Madison, WI

- Overall Niche grade: A+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 34,278

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1

- Acceptance rate: 43%

- Typical SAT range: 1360-1510

#37. Wheaton College - Massachusetts

- Location: Norton, MA

- Overall Niche grade: B-

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 1,746

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1

- Acceptance rate: 72%

- Typical SAT range: 1210-1420

#36. Fordham University

- Location: Bronx, NY

- Overall Niche grade: B

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 9,684

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1

- Acceptance rate: 56%

- Typical SAT range: 1330-1490

#35. St. Olaf College

- Location: Northfield, MN

- Overall Niche grade: A-

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 3,044

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1

- Acceptance rate: 52%

- Typical SAT range: 1260-1470

#34. University of California - Los Angeles

- Location: Los Angeles

- Overall Niche grade: A+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 32,472

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1

- Acceptance rate: 9%

- Typical SAT range: not available

#33. Dickinson College

- Location: Carlisle, PA

- Overall Niche grade: B+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 2,096

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1

- Acceptance rate: 43%

- Typical SAT range: not available

#32. Columbia College Chicago

- Location: Chicago

- Overall Niche grade: C-

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 6,013

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1

- Acceptance rate: 91%

- Typical SAT range: not available

#31. College of Wooster

- Location: Wooster, OH

- Overall Niche grade: B+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 1,723

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1

- Acceptance rate: 54%

- Typical SAT range: 1250-1450

#30. University of Minnesota Twin Cities

- Location: Minneapolis

- Overall Niche grade: A

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 29,124

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1

- Acceptance rate: 77%

- Typical SAT range: 1310-1480

#29. University of Washington

- Location: Seattle

- Overall Niche grade: A+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 29,863

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1

- Acceptance rate: 43%

- Typical SAT range: not available

#28. St. Catherine University

- Location: Saint Paul, MN

- Overall Niche grade: B+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 1,679

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1

- Acceptance rate: 94%

- Typical SAT range: 1060-1210

#27. Hamline University

- Location: Saint Paul, MN

- Overall Niche grade: C+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 1,634

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 11:1

- Acceptance rate: 90%

- Typical SAT range: 1140-1400

#26. Rhodes College

- Location: Memphis, TN

- Overall Niche grade: A-

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 1,891

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1

- Acceptance rate: 50%

- Typical SAT range: 1290-1490

#25. Northeastern University

- Location: Boston

- Overall Niche grade: A+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 15,857

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1

- Acceptance rate: 6%

- Typical SAT range: 1460-1550

#24. William & Mary

- Location: Williamsburg, VA

- Overall Niche grade: A+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 6,975

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1

- Acceptance rate: 33%

- Typical SAT range: 1370-1510

#23. SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry

- Location: Syracuse, NY

- Overall Niche grade: B+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 1,640

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1

- Acceptance rate: 83%

- Typical SAT range: 1130-1300

#22. Clark University

- Location: Worcester, MA

- Overall Niche grade: B+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 2,322

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1

- Acceptance rate: 42%

- Typical SAT range: 1240-1400

#21. Simmons University

- Location: Boston

- Overall Niche grade: B

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 1,562

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 4:1

- Acceptance rate: 66%

- Typical SAT range: 1230-1390

#20. University of Virginia

- Location: Charlottesville, VA

- Overall Niche grade: A+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 16,829

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1

- Acceptance rate: 17%

- Typical SAT range: 1410-1530

#19. Willamette University

- Location: Salem, OR

- Overall Niche grade: B

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 1,337

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1

- Acceptance rate: 79%

- Typical SAT range: 1220-1430

#18. Wellesley College

- Location: Wellesley, MA

- Overall Niche grade: A+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 2,299

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1

- Acceptance rate: 14%

- Typical SAT range: 1440-1550

#17. Cleveland Institute of Art

- Location: Cleveland

- Overall Niche grade: C

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 557

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1

- Acceptance rate: 56%

- Typical SAT range: 1060-1300

#16. Smith College

- Location: Northampton, MA

- Overall Niche grade: A

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 2,549

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1

- Acceptance rate: 20%

- Typical SAT range: 1410-1540

#15. Macalester College

- Location: Saint Paul, MN

- Overall Niche grade: A

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 2,106

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1

- Acceptance rate: 28%

- Typical SAT range: 1350-1510

#14. University of California - Santa Cruz

- Location: Santa Cruz, CA

- Overall Niche grade: B+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 17,227

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 20:1

- Acceptance rate: 63%

- Typical SAT range: 1160-1360

#13. Western Washington University

- Location: Bellingham, WA

- Overall Niche grade: B-

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 12,558

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:1

- Acceptance rate: 91%

- Typical SAT range: 1110-1350

#12. Mount Holyoke College

- Location: South Hadley, MA

- Overall Niche grade: A

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 2,164

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1

- Acceptance rate: 38%

- Typical SAT range: 1350-1500

#11. Portland State University

- Location: Portland, OR

- Overall Niche grade: B+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 9,985

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1

- Acceptance rate: 91%

- Typical SAT range: 1000-1250

#10. Ithaca College

- Location: Ithaca, NY

- Overall Niche grade: B

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 4,285

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1

- Acceptance rate: 70%

- Typical SAT range: 1190-1370

#9. Fashion Institute of Technology

- Location: New York

- Overall Niche grade: B+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 6,817

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:1

- Acceptance rate: 58%

- Typical SAT range: not available

#8. Boston University

- Location: Boston

- Overall Niche grade: A+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 17,899

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 5:1

- Acceptance rate: 11%

- Typical SAT range: 1400-1520

#7. University of Oregon

- Location: Eugene, OR

- Overall Niche grade: B+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 18,202

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:1

- Acceptance rate: 85%

- Typical SAT range: 1130-1360

#6. Sarah Lawrence College

- Location: Bronxville, NY

- Overall Niche grade: C+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 1,498

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1

- Acceptance rate: 59%

- Typical SAT range: 1270-1440

#5. Oberlin College

- Location: Oberlin, OH

- Overall Niche grade: B+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 2,978

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1

- Acceptance rate: 33%

- Typical SAT range: 1370-1510

#4. George Washington University

- Location: Washington D.C.

- Overall Niche grade: A

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 10,386

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1

- Acceptance rate: 44%

- Typical SAT range: 1350-1500

#3. SUNY Purchase College

- Location: Purchase, NY

- Overall Niche grade: C

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 2,918

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 11:1

- Acceptance rate: 73%

- Typical SAT range: 1180-1360

#2. University of Vermont

- Location: Burlington, VT

- Overall Niche grade: B+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 11,410

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 11:1

- Acceptance rate: 60%

- Typical SAT range: 1250-1420

#1. American University

- Location: Washington D.C.

- Overall Niche grade: B+

- Full-time undergraduate enrollment: 7,533

- Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1

- Acceptance rate: 47%

- Typical SAT range: 1300-1450

Copy editing by Meg Shields.
The Patiala house court on Saturday rejected the plea of Ashok Kumar Pal, CFO of Reliance Power, challenging his arrest in the money laundering case. The Enforcement Directorate has apprehended him in connection with this case. He is being held in judicial custody after undergoing ED interrogation. Special judge Kiran Gupta rejected the plea moved by Ashok Kumar Pal. During arguments on application, special counsel Zoheb Hossain, Special public prosecutors (SPPs) Naveen Kumar Matta and Simon Benjamin, alongwith Pranjal Tripathi, appeared for ED. Advocate Vijay Agarwal appeared for Ashok Kumar Pal. The defence counsel submitted that the ED has arrested the present accused without obtaining prior permission of the court in terms of the settled law, even after filing the complaint before the present court. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Ashok Kumar Pal, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Reliance Power Limited (RPL), in connection with a fake bank guarantee and forged invoicing case linked to alleged fund diversion. According to sources, Pal, as the CFO of Reliance Power- a publicly listed company in which more than 75 per cent shares are held by the public - played a "crucial role" in the diversion of company funds and submission of forged financial documents. The investigation pertains to a fraudulent Bank Guarantee (BG) of over Rs 68 crore submitted to the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) tender. Officials had said Pal was empowered by a board resolution to finalise, approve, and execute documents on behalf of RPL for the SECI bid. In this capacity, he allegedly conspired to submit a fake bank guarantee with the intent to cheat the PSU. The ED's probe revealed that the bogus guarantee was issued in the name of "FirstRand Bank, Manila, Philippines - a location where the bank has no operational branch." "The guarantee was arranged through Biswal Tradelink Pvt. Ltd (BTPL), a small entity operating from a residential address with no credible record in providing such guarantees. BTPL director Partha Sarathi Biswal, already in judicial custody, is alleged to have assisted in executing the forged document," said the officials. Investigators had further alleged that Pal approved fake transport invoices worth several crores to facilitate fund diversion. He reportedly cleared payments and managed paperwork through Telegram and WhatsApp - bypassing Reliance Power's official SAP and vendor master systems. The ED also found that Pal used the services of a fake bank guarantee racket operating through spoofed email domains resembling those of major Indian banks, such as "s-bi.co.in" instead of the genuine "sbi.co.in". Similar lookalike domains were used to impersonate other banks, including Indian Bank, IndusInd Bank, and Punjab National Bank. Officials said Pal's actions form part of a broader criminal conspiracy involving forged instruments and fraudulent communication channels aimed at deceiving public institutions and misappropriating funds from a listed company. (ANI)
MOUNT VERNON, Ala. (WKRG)  The Mount Vernon Volunteer Fire Chief has been placed on leave after reportedly getting into a fight while responding to a fire call on Walker Dr. Sunday afternoon.

Theodore man accused of shooting, killing neighbors goat behind bars again

According to Town Attorney Jay Ross, Fire Chief Renae Weaver allegedly got into a physical altercation with another woman while crews were on scene.

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The alleged victim has filed a criminal complaint for harassment, which is a form of assault, Ross said.

Ross told News 5 that Weaver has since been placed on paid administrative leave for the time being.

They get a small stipend, on how much she gets. And most of them volunteer because they care about doing public service and community good. But whether youre volunteer or youre a paid professional, you are held to a standard of care, Ross said.

Its still unclear what led to the altercation, as the police department and town officials are working to determine what happened before deciding if further action will be taken.

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Jackson County deputy killed in crash while heading home from work

Its unfortunate that it happened, he said. Until all the facts come out, we dont really want to make any judgment on it.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Things got a bit surreal at the No Kings rally in Los Angeles on Saturday, with MSNBC reporter Jacob Soboroff at one point interviewing an attendee in a Bear costume and another in a Unicorn outfit back-to-back live on air.

Ive never interviewed a unicorn live on MSNBC, Soboroff joked, while laughing as he pulled the unicorn in for a Q-and-A.

Well, theres always a first time for everything, the man in the unicorn outfit told him.

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The unicorn said there was a good reason for the goofball outfit, though  he wanted to grab President Donald Trumps attention.

Were here peacefully protesting, looking as ridiculous as we can, just so maybe we appeal to the president. Because he is a ridiculous leader that is normalizing abuse of power, and we cannot stand and act like nothing is happening.

Soboroff, a moment later, said youre having fun, but youre taking this very seriously.

The unicorn said a few tears come out now and then, because he is sad to know people are hiding in [their] homes, terrified that their families are broken because of federal immigration officers, apparently.

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And right before talking to the unicorn, Soboroff talked to a woman in a full bear outfit. The woman inside, Paula, said water breaks are important and that she had a little fan inside to help her beat the SoCal heat.

Im not a radical. Im just here to promote democracy and no kings, Paula the Bear told Soboroff, after he asked if she was part of Antifa or a radical.

Not Antifa inside the bear, Soboroff reported back to MSNBC anchor Stephanie Ruhle.

Later, after wrapping his interview with the unicorn, Soboroff said it was not a bad strategy to dress ridiculously in order to protest the president.

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>Ruhle added it looked like a profound event. The LA protest is among a number of others in major cities across the U.S. on Saturday.

In related news, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) ripped Trump, as well as Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, at the Washington, D.C. rally, and MSNBC reported the New York City protest was bigger than the first rally in June.<

Watch above via MSNBC.

The post MSNBC Interviews a Unicorn and Bear at No Kings Rally: Looking As Ridiculous As We Can To Protest Ridiculous Trump first appeared on Mediaite.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  According to the DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency, reports are showing that thousands of tires are currently on fire in Boaz on Saturday morning.

The DeKalb County EMA says the tire fire is taking place on 244 County Road 379, in the portion of Boaz located in DeKalb County, specifically in the Aroney Community, which is producing heavy smoke in the area.

(Courtesy of DeKalb County EMA)

(Courtesy of DeKalb County EMA)

(Courtesy of DeKalb County EMA)

Other agencies such as the Marshall County Emergency Agency, Jackson County Emergency Management, Alabama Emergency Management, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, US Environmental Protection Agency, Alabama Forestry Commission, local fire departments including Aroney, Sardis, Boaz, Rainsville, Section/Macedonia, Kilpatrick and Crossville are assisting with monitoring the fire.

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DeKalb County EMA said the EPA, at the request of ADEM and AEMA, is helping with air monitoring, and that the EPA has established two air monitoring stations to monitor air quality at the nearest homes close to the fire and directly downwind.

The DeKalb County EMA says tire fires release thick black smoke that can be hazardous for people with asthma, respiratory conditions or other underlying health concerns.

Agencies strongly recommended that people stay out of the smoke if encountered as a precautionary measure and that there would be a distinct smell associated with the smoke.

People are encouraged to contact the local department of health or their primary care physician if they have any concerns regarding potential exposure.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  Multiple No Kings protests are taking place in the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire on Saturday, organized by local political organizations, to protest against the current administration.

According to Kris Mecholsky, one of the founders of Coastal Georgia for Democracy, the message behind the protest is that they believe the president is not following the Constitution. However, opposers like the Beaufort County Republican Party Chairman, Kevin Hennely, say they see the protest as out of touch with history.

On Saturday, hundreds gathered in Hilton Head Island to protest at the No Kings rally, where various cars honked in support of people lining up on Williams Hilton Parkway with signs in hand to protest the presidents policies and the current state of the government.

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We have a checks and balances system that should be followed. We have a constitution that should be followed, said a protester. Everybody wants the country better and more crime-free, but not at the expense of our Constitution. Just walking over it. Lie after lie after lie out of Trumps mouth by Johnsons mouth.

Organizers say close to 1,000 people came out to the peaceful protest, which was more than the previous No Kings rally back in June.

In the Coastal Empire, the No Kings protest in Savannah had an estimated 5,000 people in attendance at Emmet Park. The co-founder of Coastal Georgia Democracy Kristopher Mecholsky, helped organize this event and stated that he feels leaders in this country need to start taking their jobs more seriously.

We know that what theyre doing is wrong, that many, many, many people feel this way, and that we will not stop until we hold our we hold our leaders accountable, said Mecholsky.

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In Statesboro, protests looked similar, with hundreds of people coming out in front of the Bulloch County Courthouse in Statesboro wearing inflatable costumes and holding signs.

I think its really important that the upcoming generation gets the best chance they get and I dont think our current presidency is providing that, said Kencie Harvey, a protester at the Statesboro rally. This is supposed to be a free nation for everybody to be able to come and search for a life that feels right for them and [the president] is taking that away for so many people.

Other protesters say they see spaces like the No Kings protest as a place where dialogue and civic engagement are being encouraged.

More protests have been organized in Rincon and Bluffton. WSAV will keep you updated with more information on these events. To see the full report, tune in at WSAV News 3 at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.

No Kings protest in Hilton Head Island No Kings protest in Hilton Head Island No Kings protest in Hilton Head Island No Kings protest in Hilton Head Island No Kings protest in Hilton Head Island No Kings protest in Hilton Head Island No Kings protest in Hilton Head Island No Kings protest in Hilton Head Island No Kings protest in Hilton Head Island No Kings protest in Hilton Head Island

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Oct. 18Murder defendant Kevin Jay Penich describes himself as a disabled veteran, a college graduate and the second coming of Jesus Christ in a bizarre letter he wrote this month to a Morgan County Circuit judge asking that all charges against him be dismissed.

Penich, 36, of Decatur, is charged with murder and driving under the influence after authorities say he drove his Toyota Camry more than 100 mph and slammed into a Chevrolet Equinox driven by 17-year-old Chloe Hastings at Beltline Road and Westmead Drive Southwest on the night of May 17. Hastings' vehicle burst into flames after the collision, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to police, Penich admitted to drinking before the crash. Investigators said receipts collected from several dining establishments show he consumed six beers and 12 shots of liquor shortly before the wreck. He was taken to the Morgan County Jail, and in June his case was bound over to a grand jury following an Aniah's Law hearing, after which he was ordered held without bond.

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Penich wrote two letters earlier this month, dated Oct. 3 and Oct. 6, to Judge Charles Elliott. His attorney, Brian White of Decatur, filed a motion to seal both documents on Oct. 8 and Elliott ruled that the Oct. 3 letter be sealed.

"This case has created considerable interest in the media and in social media," White said. "It would be counter to the best interests of the defendant, in particular his fair trial rights, if this letter remains on Alacourt (a database of case filings). This would put before the public, more particularly the jury pool, extrajudicial knowledge that could compromise the right to trial before a fair and impartial jury that has not been exposed to extrajudicial information."

Penich emphasizes in the letter that he is the Messiah and even claims to have proof.

"I took a photo of myself in front of a wall with wings that have peacock eyes in Decatur on Nov. 4, 2022," he wrote. "I gave the same gesture Jesus is known to give, with his fingers curled. ... Fifteen days later, a news article came out about sheep walking in a circle for 12 days straight, beginning on Nov. 4. I hope you search for this article."

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Penich claims he hears voices that "torture" him and a man named Aaron has been stalking him, so much so that he created a second Facebook account to avoid him.

In one passage, he mentions a graduation photo from Arizona State University as what he describes as "evidence" of his divine identity. He wrote that a picture of actor Ian McShane appeared on a wall in the background and said he viewed it as symbolic because McShane has portrayed godlike or father-figure characters in television and film, including Odin in "American Gods."

"While I wouldn't call it proof, per se, I would say it is evidence that a strong man was in my thoughts," Penich wrote. "It may have been about fighting evil to sum up. I'm not sure."

He concludes the letter by assuring Elliott he is not a murderer.

"I believe I should be out on bond and my charges should be dropped, just like that," he continued. "Thank you for your time."

 wesley.tomlinson@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2442.
Smiley faces continued to pop up around the victim's apartment complex following the murder, before a Dexter-fan neighbor confessed, was detained, recanted, was released, and eventually arrested.

A Colorado man was arrested for allegedly murdering his neighbor last month, and now the disturbing details about the gruesome killing have been revealed.

On September 12, the Lone Tree Police Department announced the arrest of Troy Marcus Reynolds Jr., 34, in connection with the murder of Kathleen Mayo, 57, who was found dead at her unit at Aspect Apartments in Lone Tree on September 4.

'Monster' Arrested for Sexual Assault, Murder and Burning of Hiker Found Dead Last Year: Sheriff - Click image for related story

Reynolds was charged with first-degree murder, and also faces charges of burglary, animal cruelty, menacing, and tampering with physical evidence, per the police.

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The announcement of Reynolds' arrest came after the Lone Tree Police Department had shared two previously posts on Facebook about the homicide, claiming there was "no known danger" to the public.

Earlier this week, a little over a month following Reynolds' arrest, CBS Colorado obtained the arrest warrant that revealed horrific details, along with Reynolds' alleged chilling confession.

According to the outlet, citing the warrant, Reynolds shared with investigations that he was a fan of the crime drama Dexter, which follows a serial killer. Per police, he was a self-described recluse. He claimed he would only interact with people on social media, even having his meals and groceries delivered to his home. Reynolds also said he spent the majority of his days playing violent video games, per CBS Colorado.

"I've never seen his face ... because I looked to see if I'd seen this person around," a tenant named Madisson told the outlet of Reynolds, who lives next door to the victim's unit. "They said it was suspicious, and that was all we got -- but that we were safe."

Reynolds reportedly lived upstairs from Mayo's unit.

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According to police, per CBS Colorado, Mayo was last seen walking her dogs on August 24. However, her body wasn't discovered until September 4 when police responded to a welfare check.

The warrant detailed the crime scene, stating that Mayo had "two distinct lacerations" on her neck and her "left hand appeared to be possibly missing," CBS Colorado reported.

Police allegedly wrote that Mayo's bedroom door featured a symbol that was described as "a circle, with two distinct dots and a straight line under, similar to a 'smiley face' image. The symbol was confirmed to have been drawn with blood."

The documented also noted, per CBS Colorado, that another tenant in the apartment called police two days after the victim's body was found, claiming there were multiple drawings on the walls of the hallway and on Mayo's door.

Mother-Son Duo Charged with Murder of His Teen Girlfriend After Body Found In Bin - Click image for related story

Madisson said she thought the drawings were blood, recalling to the outlet while showing a reporter the hallway, "There were way more, like, bigger spots ... and then, like, right here, there was a huge one."

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Police also reportedly said in the warrant that they believed the smiley face symbols in the hallway matched the ones in Mayo's unit. According to CBS Colorado, investigators said they later concluded the substance used to draw the symbols in the apartment hall was possibly ketchup or barbecue sauce.

In the doc, police wrote, per the outlet, that the "unknown suspect returned to the crime" after the murder.

Three days after Mayo's body was discovered, Aspect residents were notified about the investigation via email, according to CBS Colorado.

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It was then, Reynolds reportedly confessed, with the warrant noting that he called 911 several times -- and allegedly admitted to police, "The 57-year-old (woman? That) was me. It's obvious."

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CBS Colorado reported that Reynolds was taken into custody and interrogated, with police also searching his home, where they allegedly discovered a 9 mm gun, an autopsy saw, and 13 large knives.

The suspect allegedly told police he had been drinking when he called 911, and then claimed he had no involvement in Mayo's killing.

He was subsequently released, per CBS Colorado. Police said Reynolds then returned to the apartment property, where he was surveilled by investigators, according to the warrant, per the outlet.

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The Lone Tree Police Department announced Mayo's murder was a homicide and confirmed her identity in a September 8 Facebook post, and encouraged the public to "come forward with any information."

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The next day, Reynolds was arrested and taken into custody on an unrelated charge. At the time, he was allegedly asked about the autopsy saw police found in his apartment, with the suspect claiming he was a collector.

According to CBS Colorado, when Reynolds was asked if there was a particular reason why he purchased the saw, he laughed, and replied no.

After Girlfriend Breaks Up, Man Spends 25 Minutes Learning How to Shoot Her Gun, Then Kills Her: DA - Click image for related story

Police publicly named Reynolds as the suspect on September 12, and his charges.

Lone Tree later addressed public safety concerns -- particularly why police claimed there was no danger despite the evidence and gruesome details -- in a statement, per CBS Colorado.

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"Our officers were on scene every day -- talking with the property management, interviewing every resident, collecting video, and following up on leads to identify and arrest the person responsible," police chief Kirk Wilson stated. "I understand people want information as things unfold, but with an active homicide investigation, we simply can't share every detail without risking the case or the court process. At the end of the day, an arrest was made, and we believe we have the right person behind bars."

According to CBS Colorado, Reynolds is being held without bond, and is hearing is set for December.
PLATTSBURGH  Chad Nichols returned to the stand Thursday morning for day six of the Timothy Timmons trial for murder.

Timmons is accused of shooting and killing Jahfari Joseph on the night of Dec. 29, 2024, in his ex-wifes house at 646 Fuller Road in Peru. His murder trial began Oct. 8 in Clinton County Court before Judge Keith Bruno.

On Wednesday, Nichols, who knew Timmons for 20 years, admitted to disposing of Josephs body in a remote location of Route 26 in the town of Franklin in Franklin County. He said Timothy Timmons told him to dispose of Josephs body when he ran into him at a Walmart in late December 2024.

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Nichols claimed Timmons said he had something to talk about, that he had something, for Nichols to do, when outside, Timmons told Nichols to get rid, of Josephs body.

Nichols said in the early morning hours of Jan. 1, 2025, he took a rented Nissan Rogue from the Timmons residence with Josephs body already in the back and picked up Mike The Devil Seymour, who was unaware of the body in the car and Nichols plan to hide it.

Nichols said he parked a couple miles down Route 26 and put the body, covered in a tarp, down an embankment, then disposed of a carpet, used to roll up the body, further down the road.

Nichols said on the stand that he regrets what he did.

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Nichols, who has been in Essex County Jail for seven months now pending charges he pleaded guilty to in Franklin, Clinton and Essex County Courts, was cross examined by the defense to start off the trial Thursday morning.

Nichols told defense attorney Brian Kennelly he never got a good look at the body before he dumped it off the side of a steep embankment in rural Franklin County. Nichols said there was no reason for why he chose to dump Josephs body there. Nichols said he remembered it was snowing the night he did it.

DEC forest ranger Michael Holdridge, who found Josephs body Feb. 13, when he and other rangers and New York State Police members were searching the Route 26 area, took the stand after Nichols Thursday.

Holdridge walked Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Kehm through that day, saying the search was made more difficult by the amount of snow they had to shovel through as they searched for Josephs body.

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He said he was shoveling when he noticed a hand and forearm sticking out of the snow with a blue tarp visible as well. Holdridge said once Josephs body was discovered, investigators took time documenting the scene. He said he helped with removal of the body, but as the area they were in was so steep with such deep snow, they had to use a rope system to pull Joseph up the embankment.

Holdridge said the embankment Josephs body was thrown down was about a 70 foot drop with a river at the bottom.

New York State Police forensics investigator Kelly Kezar, who was also there as the Route 26 area was searched Feb. 13, was also called to testify on the stand Thursday. Kezar said they were able to find the location of Josephs body after Seymour led police there. She said once Josephs body was found and after the scene was documented with photos and fully investigated, they transported him to the morgue.

Kezar said an autopsy was then done on Josephs body at Glens Falls Hospital by Dr. Michael Sikirica, which she was present for. Kezar said she took a DNA sample from Joseph then and a projectile was removed from Josephs body during the autopsy as well. Kezar was presented with the projectile in court Thursday and held it up for the jury to see.

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The afternoon in court continued with hearing testimony from several police officers, including Plattsburgh City Police Department Det. Nathan Kasprzak, New York State Police investigator Ryan Sauve, Senior New York State Police investigator Justin Perryman and Anthony Bissonette, who all provided details about their involvement in the case.

Bissonette explained he helped provide a 3D model of the 646 Fuller Road house inside and outside using a GNS system that uses lasers to map out an area. He said the technology allowed him to reconstruct a diagram of where bullet holes and blood was found in the house for detailing the trajectory of the bullets.

The trial will continue Friday morning.
Dozens of former music teachers at one of Houston's largest music schools said they are owed thousands of dollars in back wages, and worry they'll never get any of the money after the school suddenly closed its doors on Thursday.

Until Thursday afternoon, Vivaldi Music Academy had three locations in Houston and one in San Antonio. The school began calling parents to say it was closing its doors immediately. Since then, a number of teachers have reached out to ABC13 about the wages they said they are owed.

Prior to its sudden closure, rumors had swirled for months that some teachers were getting paid late or not at all. After the school closed its Bellaire and Memorial branches earlier this year, more concerns bubbled up.

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Rice University senior Sam Rachleff was cautiously optimistic when he took a job at Vivaldi a few months ago. He had heard about teachers being paid late, but as a college student majoring in music, he needed the money.

"(I'm owed) probably over $3,000, and there are plenty of other teachers who are owed a lot more than I am," Rachleff said. "Some over $5,000, $7,000, $8,000."

And he's not alone. Fellow former teacher Mohammed Numan estimates there are 50 to 75 teachers across Texas who are owed back wages. Some have formed a chat group to discuss their options. ABC13 spoke to a local teacher who said she believes she is owed approximately $30,000 in back wages.

"I know people who have gotten evicted. I know people who have had their cars repossessed over Vivaldi not paying them," Numan said.

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Why did so many teachers stay? Both Numan and Rachleff say the reasons are complicated. First, everyone is teaching because they love music and they love sharing with students. Numan says other teachers are afraid of speaking out, including teachers from Europe who may be here on work visas.

One common thread among all the teachers who have spoken with ABC13 is that they say they're furious at Vivaldi's charismatic founder, Zeljko Pavlovic. For 12 years, Pavlovic built his business on a refugee-to-riches story that seemed the perfect fit for Houston, from Bosnia to the Bayou City. The method worked. Pavlovic appeared in many local media interviews. He began moving in social circles of the well-heeled in Houston. His comfortable lifestyle was also aspirational for many struggling music teachers, they told ABC 13.

But publicly available court records obtained by ABC13 show a different side. Pavlovic has been sued multiple times in civil court, both for fraud and for not paying back loans. The most recent suit was filed in July. The suit alleges that Pavlovic has not paid back a $2.6 million promissory note. The attorney for the man who loaned Pavlovic the money told ABC13 that his firm has never communicated with an attorney representing Pavlovic, and they are working through a potential default judgment.

Pavlovic did not want to speak to ABC13 on camera or over the phone. On Friday evening, he issued an official statement saying the following:

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For more than twelve years, Vivaldi Music Academy has been a cornerstone of Houston's arts community partnering talented educators, welcoming thousands of families, and giving countless students the opportunity to grow, perform, and find their voice through music.

As Vivaldi completes its transition, our team is finalizing all remaining administrative matters, including the review and resolution of outstanding contractor payments. Every educator who contributed to this community will be treated with fairness, accuracy, and respect the same principles that have guided us since day one.

The time has come to close this chapter and begin the next. What remains constant is our gratitude to every teacher, parent, and student who helped make Vivaldi not just a school, but a defining part of Houston's cultural landscape.

Teachers who saw Vivaldi's promise just don't understand how it all crumbled so badly.

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"In the beginning, when I started, it was the dream job," Todd Blackmon, another former teacher, said. "I really tried to make it work, but something changed. We don't know what actually happened or what the moment was."

"People are sold this promise of 'I can teach, do what I love, and I have these students and I can get paid well for that,' and it all falls through because people aren't getting paid," Rachleff said. "I know people who have gone into debt, working at Vivaldi because they haven't been paid. Terrible."

For news updates, follow Miya Shay on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Delhi Minister Ashish Sood on Saturday hailed the Supreme Court's decision to allow the use of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR, calling it a significant step towards enabling the majority community to celebrate their festivals freely. Speaking to ANI, Sood further criticised previous governments for allegedly obstructing such opportunities due to "minority politics and vote bank politics." "Previous governments, due to minority politics and vote bank politics, used to block such opportunities where the majority community could celebrate their festivals openly. We presented our case in court and made a request to the court. The court accepted it.." he said. The Supreme Court on Wednesday relaxed the firecracker restrictions in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) ahead of Diwali, allowing the sale and bursting of green firecrackers from October 18 to October 21. The Supreme Court, in an order issued on October 15, relaxed restrictions on the use of firecrackers in the Delhi-National Capital Region. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandra allowed the bursting of green firecrackers, with timings limited to 6-7 am and 8-10 pm. The apex court stated that a "balanced approach" is necessary between celebrating festivities and protecting the environment. "We have to take a balanced approach, permitting bursting of green firecrackers in moderation while not compromising with the environment," said the bench. It also ordered that the Police authority constitute a patrolling team to ensure that only permitted products with QR codes are sold. The use of firecrackers, not approved by NEERI as approved green crackers, shall not be permitted, it said. Meanwhile, Ashish Sood also stated that the Sri Lankan Prime Minister wishes to visit an Indian school to learn about three new government-launched curricula: Science of Living, Rashtraneeti (National Policy), and Vision. "The Sri Lankan Prime Minister had expressed a desire to visit our school and to learn about the three new curriculums launched by the government: Science of Living, 'Rashtraneeti' (National Policy), and Vision," he said. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya visited India from October 16 to 18, marking her first official visit to the country since assuming office. (ANI)
An $18 million initiative launched this month aims to turn underutilized lots and properties across Camden into mixed-income housing communities.

The project marks a new and larger effort to address Camdens affordable housing needs, officials said.

The Camden Community Housing Collaborative brings together the Camden County Improvement Authority, Cooper Foundation, Rowan-Rutgers Joint Board of Governors, and Camden Community Partnership to award grants to established nonprofit organizations and developers working on housing projects throughout the city.

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We are rolling up our sleeves to create a new generation of housing for residents, families and seniors in the city, Dana Redd, chief executive officer for the Camden Community Partnership said in a statement.

I know how hard it can be to get projects from a vision to brick and sticks, and based on that experience I believe my team can create a one-stop shop for our partners to lean on and work with to deliver for our residents.

The funding combines $7.5 million from the Camden County Improvement Authoritys revolving housing fund, $5.5 million from the Rowan-Rutgers Joint Board of Governors and $5 million from the Cooper Foundation and Norcross Foundation.

The initiative will be managed as a public-private partnership by the both Camden County Improvement Authority and Camden Community Partnership, with the latter providing logistical support and assistance with permitting processes.

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Several community development corporations already working in Camden will benefit from the program, including Saint Josephs Carpenter Society, Habitat for Humanity, Heart of Camden, Parkside Business and Community in Partnership, and Camden Lutheran Housing.

The collaborative will utilize additional financing tools, including the New Jersey Economic Development Authoritys ASPIRE program, the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agencys low-income housing tax credit program, and Camden City HOME Investment Partnership loan funds.

Mayor Victor Carstarphen said housing is a priority in Camden and the new fund will help move stalled projects forward.

Our nonprofit partners have worked long and hard on designing state-of-the-art housing that will benefit our residents, Carstarphen said. This plan will deliver the housing stock that the residents of Camden deserve, and we need to build a better city.

Stories by N.J. News Report

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A North Bergen man was arrested for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a teen girl at a motel, authorities said on Friday.

Jesus Ruiz Merino, 43, was charged with kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, according to the Hudson County Prosecutors Office.

Merino was arrested at his residence on Thursday and transported to Hudson County Correctional Center, pending his first court appearance.

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The Secaucus Police Department was notified on Monday of a sexual assault that occurred at a motel on Route 3, authorities said.

The 14-year-old victim told police she was approached by an unknown man in the area of 60th Street and Bergenline Avenue in West New York.

The girl said the man offered her a ride and drove her to the motel, where he sexually assaulted her, authorities said.

Victoria Gladstone

Stories by Victoria Gladstone

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On Friday evening, President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that hed freed former Congressman George Santos (R-NY), ending his seven-year sentence just six months after it started.

Trump wrote:

George Santos was somewhat of a rogue, but there are many rogues throughout our Country that arent forced to serve seven years in prison. I started to think about George when the subject of Democrat Senator Richard Da Nang Dick Blumenthal came up again. As everyone remembers, Da Nang stated for almost twenty years that he was a proud Vietnam Veteran, having endured the worst of the War, watching the Wounded and Dead as he raced up the hills and down the valleys, blood streaming from his face. He was a Great Hero, he would leak to any and all who would listen  And then it happened! He was a COMPLETE AND TOTAL FRAUD. He never went to Vietnam, he never saw Vietnam, he never experienced the Battles there, or anywhere else. His War Hero status, and even minimal service in our Military, was totally and completely MADE UP. This is far worse than what George Santos did, and at least Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN! George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated. Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life!

X was obviously teeming with reactions, from both sides of the aisle. Democratic influencer Harry Sisson called Trump the pro-crime president and his administration openly corrupt.

Trump, the pro-crime president, just commuted the sentence of George Santos. It is pathetic how openly corrupt this administration is. If you commit a bunch of fraud, theyll bail you out. Insanity.  Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) October 17, 2025

Far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer praised the decision, adding, George was treated very unfairly!

BREAKING: President Trump just commuted the prison sentence of George Santos! Great news! George was treated very unfairly! @MrSantosNY pic.twitter.com/FZdea2zqw2  Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) October 17, 2025

Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) noted that Santos pled guilty to both identity theft and wire fraud, calling the decision naked corruption.

George Santos pleaded guilty to identity theft and wire fraud, a small part of his lying and stealing that really hurt people. Trump says it plainly: crimes dont count if you vote Republican. Just like his pardons of those who violently attacked police. Naked corruption. https://t.co/Gmq1Gaw2kg  Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) October 17, 2025

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Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) wrote, THANK YOU President Trump, after authoring a letter advocating for Santos freedom in August. She called his conditions, in solitary confinement, torture!!

THANK YOU President Trump for releasing George Santos!! He was unfairly treated and put in solitary confinement, which is torture!! https://t.co/q1tYNfv4hh pic.twitter.com/z2YRDmvwKB  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene  (@RepMTG) October 17, 2025

Independent reporter Jamie Dupree, who covers Washington, DC, reminded folks that Santos is the 10th GOP Congressman to get a pardon or clemency from President Trump.

George Santos is the 10th GOP Congressman to get a pardon or clemency from President Trump. The other nine lawmakers were also all convicted of crimes: https://t.co/bCDfRiVoyc pic.twitter.com/0X7124ou94  Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) October 17, 2025

Former Democratic National Convention field director Adam Parkhomenko also chimed in, stressing that Trump has pardoned pedophiles, cop-beaters, woman-beaters and George Santos.

Trump has pardoned pedophiles, cop-beaters, woman-beaters and George Santos. That doesnt include the pardons he sold. But tell me more about how we need the military to stop crime.  Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) October 17, 2025

The post Naked Corruption: The Internet Explodes Over Trumps Santos Commutation first appeared on Mediaite.
NAPPANEE  Cornhusking champs from across the country will meet in Nappanee on Saturday.

But on Friday, the remaining hopefuls for the National Corn Husking Association Contest ventured to Reed Farms to attempt to qualify.

Contenders were predominantly from Michigan, as many of the other states sending competitors already met qualifications in their own state competitions, but most states dont actually have a competition of their own. The Indiana Corn Husking Association is expected to have about 20 people competing in the national competition.

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Around 24 people from Nebraska will be on site in Nappanee today, as will Iowa and Missouri. Other states will see lower representation including New York and Arizona; nine states in total are expected to send their best huskers.

The goal is to shuck the most corn, field to wagon, by hand. Shuckers are placed in a lane, either for right-handed or left-handed people. Competition rounds are 10 minutes for youth and 20 minutes for adults, or 30 minutes for mens open.

Youre trying to husk as many pounds in that 10 or 20 minutes, said Clay Geyer, president of the Indiana Corn Husking Association.

Huskers are led by a tractor and trailer, with a judge following behind them keeping track of their load. A basket is placed into the bottom of the trailer and whatever lands in it is the sample that is used to determine quality. Huskers can be penalized for not removing enough of the husk or taking a cob with too many missing pieces. They are also penalized if they dont get every cob on the stalks in the row they are assigned. Heaviest load based on each category, sans penalties, is the winner.

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After the contest, Brent and Ashley Reed, owners of the host site B & A Reed Farms LLC in Nappanee, will treat the corn the same as corn theyve harvested themselves. A sheller will run the ears of corn through and itll go into a bin, so the waste is minimal.

National finals begin at 8:30 a.m. today. Organizers are hoping to get the majority of the contests out of the way before the rain comes in, but the contest will continue rain-or-shine.

Food will be prepared by a local Amish school.

Following the competition, a national banquet will be held at the Blue Teal in Wakarusa. Registration is required. Fred Whitford, Purdue University professor of Clinical Engagement, will present the History of Agriculture. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the meal begins at 6:30 p.m. Whitfords speech begins at 7:15 p.m. There will also be a silent auction throughout the banquet. The banquet is for previously registered attendees only, however, the public is welcome to attend the competition throughout the day.
Assuming our solar systems newest interstellar object isnt an alien mothership sent here to menace us, humankind still hasnt spotted any signs of extraterrestrial life, let alone intelligence  which, given how incalculably vast the universe is, is strange. With all the potential homes for potential alien civilizations, why arent we seeing any evidence of them?

Youve probably heard of the name for this conundrum: the Fermi Paradox. And youve probably heard of more than a few solutions to it, too.

Theres the infamous zoo hypothesis, which supposes that advanced aliens know about our planet but stay away to let us evolve naturally.

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Or maybe you subscribe to spookier ones like the vulnerable worlds hypothesis, which holds that there may be a certain type of ominous technological innovation that humankind doesnt even know about yet which always destroys any civilization advanced enough to develop it.

Or perhaps the universe is a kind of dark forest, with plenty of alien civilizations, but all too scared to show themselves out of fear of being annihilated by an even more advanced and bloodthirsty interstellar species.

But here comes the party pooper. In a new yet-to-be-peer-reviewed paper, NASA astrophysicist Robin Corbet proposes an outlook of radical mundanity that basically banishes these fun ideas back to the realm of speculative scifi. The Milky Way actually contains a modest amount of civilizations, according to this hypothesis, which was spotlighted by The Guardian  but the aliens arent busy tunneling wormholes or probing singularities. Instead, theyre only slightly more technologically advanced than we are, get bogged down by the same limitations when trying to look for fellow intelligent beings, and eventually give up on exploring the cosmos.

The idea is that theyre more advanced, but not much more advanced. Its like having an iPhone 42 rather than an iPhone 17, Corbet, a senior research scientist at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center, told the newspaper. This feels more possible, more natural, because its not proposing anything very extreme.

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This mundane view explains why we arent seeing any technosignatures, or evidence of alien technology from afar. The aliens just dont have what it takes to build huge megastructures that we could see with our telescopes, like a Dyson swarm that enshrouds a star to harvest its energy.

And while they might have the technological capability to travel to other stars, perhaps even with robotic probes, itd be a painstakingly slow and enormously expensive undertaking, just like it would be for us. And so, finding no other civilizations along the way, they decide its not worth the cost. Ditto for powering a huge beacon for beaming a were here! signal out into the cosmos.

They dont have faster-than-light, they dont have machines based on dark energy or dark matter, or black holes, Corbet told The Guardian. Theyre not harnessing new laws of physics.

Its a sobering rebuff to some of our more fantastical theories of life in the cosmos. But not everyones a fan. Michael Garrett, the director of the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, told The Guardian he liked the fresh perspective, but not much else.

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It projects a very human-like apathy on to the rest of the cosmos, Garrett said. I find it hard to believe that all intelligent life would be so uniformly dull.

In fact, his personal hypothesis, detailed in a study accepted for publication in Acta Astronautica, couldnt be more diametrically opposed to Corbets.

I lean towards a more adventurous explanation of the Fermi paradox: that other, post-biological civilisations advance so rapidly that they slip beyond our capacity to perceive them, Garrett told The Guardian. I hope Im right, but I could very well be wrong. Nature always has some kind of surprise for us around the corner.

More on space: Scientist Says Galaxies Shining With Radio Signals Could Indicate Numerous Advanced Civilizations
POTTSVILLE  Beneath a monument to veterans of the Civil War, protesters clashed Saturday morning in a dramatic demonstration of a nation divided.

In an action that tested the limits of free speech, a battery of pro-Trump protesters marched into the middle of an anti-Trump No Kings rally on Garfield Square.

Their mantra of We Love Trump on megaphones was met by chants of USA, USA from an estimated 250 critics of the president.

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https://slot.medianewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Pottsville-no-kings-rally.mp4

While tempers flared in a few face-to-face confrontations, there was no violence on either side.

Todd Zimmerman, Schuylkill County Democratic Party chairman, said he believed the pro-Trump supporters had a right to exercise free speech.

At the same time, he said, marching into the midst of the No Kings protesters could be viewed as an act of provocation.

Even as demonstrators arrived for the 11:30 a.m. rally, there were signs of pushback from supporters of the president.

A pack of bikers roared by, expressing displeasure by revving their engines loudly. A man in a black SUV repeatedly drove around the No Kings gathering, yelling, Long live the king.

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And the sight of posters portraying the president as a dictator was too much for Trump supporters John Mocciolo and Elizabeth Sauer of Pottsville.

Elizabeth Sauer approaches No Kings protesters during a rally in Garfield Square in Pottsville, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Sauer was later quoted saying this is disrespectful to the military in reference to the demonstration. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)

Sauer got out of the car, confronting demonstrators displaying signs that read No Kings in America since 1776 and No Kings, No Tyrants, No Trumps.

This is disrespectful to the military, said Sauer, a Democrat who has relatives in the armed services. Trump saved the military.

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The No Kings rally, the largest to date in Schuylkill County, came as demonstrators took to the streets in cities and towns across the country.

Fox News reported that an estimated 2,600 No Kings rallies were taking place across the country, as well as the United Kingdom and Germany.

In Garfield Square, where demonstrators received toots of support from passing vehicles, Ken Griffith showed up wearing a Democracy Not Dictator, Impeach Trump poster.

I dont want to live in a dictatorship, he said. I didnt sign up for living in North Korea or Russia.

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Protesters gather for a No Kings rally in Garfield Square in Pottsville, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)

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Protesters gather for a No Kings rally in Garfield Square in Pottsville, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)

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A No Kings protester talks with a neutral observer asking questions during a rally in Garfield Square in Pottsville, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)

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Protesters gather for a No Kings rally in Garfield Square in Pottsville, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)

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Crystal Kuhn said there were many reasons she showed up for the rally, including the high cost of food, housing and medical care.

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I cant believe how Trump is destroying the Constitution, said Kuhn, 37, a Pottsville resident. I never thought the United States would come down to this.

A demonstrator who preferred not to be identified expressed concern that the president might invoke martial law to prevent the 2026 midterm elections, which could alter the Republicans control of both houses of Congress.

The pro-Trump demonstrators, who the leader said were from Mahanoy City, arrived about a half-hour after the demonstration began.

Under banners of Trump and the American flag, they waded into throngs of No Kings demonstrators in the Soldiers Monument overseen by the Goddess of Liberty.

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Ronnie Wentworth holds a cutout of President Donald Trump and speaks with a rallier during a No Kings protest in Garfield Square in Pottsville, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR)

They carried a life-sized cutout of Donald Trump and a banner reading Jesus is my Savior, Trump is my president.

The rally lasted about 90 minutes before peacefully disbanding.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  Terre Haute residents participated in the No Kings protest Saturday.

Hundreds of people lined the sidewalk, congregating all around the Vigo County Courthouse.

Protestors gathered as a protest against President Donald Trump and his administrations actions.

Speakers talked about a variety of political topics, such as Medicaid and Medicare. Protestors said they are concerned about their health care being taken away.

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The rally in Terre Haute was organized by Indivisible Wabash Valley. One of the founders, Karina Moffett, said this peaceful protest is an attempt to make their voice louder than their first No Kings protest.

We want the people to be able to have the power. The people are supposed to have the power, and we the people are taking our power back, said Moffett.

Vigo County Commissioner Chris Switzer posted to social media during the event stating that protestors parked on an area with ongoing construction. Switzer said the county spent thousands of dollars on an irrigation system where the former jail sat, at 201 Cherry Street. Switzer said protestors destroyed it by parking on the property and whoever is responsible for organizing the event, should be responsible for paying for damages.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.
The Trump administration is repatriating two people who survived Thursdays U.S. military strike against an alleged drug-running submarine in the Caribbean, according to the president.

The two surviving terrorists are being returned to their Countries of origin, Ecuador and Colombia, for detention and prosecution, Donald Trump Trump wrote on his Truth Social account Saturday, sharing a video of the attack. No U.S. Forces were harmed in this strike, he said.

Two others were killed in the long-range attack, Trump said, bringing the overall death toll of such recent strikes to 29.

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The president described the vessel that was hit as a very large drug-carrying submarine that U.S. intelligence confirmed was carrying mostly fentanyl.

He claimed allowing the vessels cargo to arrive in America could have killed thousands.

The Trump administration acknowledged October 18 that two people survived a recent strike on an alleged drug vessel in the Caribbean, with the president claiming that Ecuadorian and Colombian survivors would be returned to their home countries and prosecuted (Donald Trump / Truth Social)

The Independent has requested comment from the Columbian and Ecuadorian embassies in the United States.

The U.S. Navy reportedly rescued the survivors following the Thursday attack.

A Navy search and rescue team was deployed and the survivors were put in detention on a Navy ship in international waters, officials told The New York Times.

The detentions posed complicated legal questions for the Trump administration over whether to hold the survivors as indefinite wartime detainees or transfer them to military or criminal authorities for prosecution.

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The latter option may open the strikes to legal scrutiny or expose the details that went into planning them, which have largely been kept out of the public eye so far.

Trump claims the attack hit a submarine filled with fentanyl, while critics argue the repatriation effort underscores the strike may not have hit a valid target (AP)

Critics alleged the repatriation effort was a sign of spotty intelligence behind the strike.

Generally, narcoterrorists are not repatriated unless they arent who Trump and [Defense Secretary Pete] Hegseth say they are, former Homeland Security official Julliette Kayyem wrote on X. Seems like we are just randomly killing people in boats.

Prior to Thursdays attack, 27 people had been killed as part of the Trump administrations recent anti-drug operation in the region, which the White House has controversially declared to be a formal armed conflict against drug cartels.

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Details have been scarce about what intelligence the Trump administration is using to conduct these strikes, and the names of those killed have not been released.

Previous U.S. strikes in the region have killed 27 people (Donald Trump/Truth Social)

Chad Joseph, 26, of Trinidad and Tobago, may have been one of six people killed in a similar strike earlier this week, according to his family.

Joseph, a fisherman from the village of Las Cuevas, had been living in Venezuela in recent months. His family said he frequently made trips across the Caribbean in his work as a fisherman.

I dont want to believe that this is my child, his mother, Lenore Burnley, told The New York Times. Is this really true?

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Josephs family denies he is a drug trafficker.

On Saturday, the U.S. embassy in Trinidad and Tobago put out a notice advising Americans against visiting U.S. government facilities in the country due to a heightened state of alert.

Venezuela has criticized the U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean and mobilized troops and militia forces (AP)

The strikes are facing bipartisan criticism from Congress, which has sole authority to declare war and hasnt authorized any new hostilities in support of the Caribbean operation.

On Friday, a group of senators said they would force a vote to block the Trump administration from attacking Venezuela, which the White House accuses of working in coordination with drug cartels.

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Admiral Alvin Hosley, the head of U.S. Southern Command, which is overseeing the strikes, will retire at years end, according to the Department of Defense, reportedly after Hosley expressed concern about the strikes.

Venezuela, whose citizens are thought to have been killed in prior strikes on the boats, has fiercely criticized the U.S. military buildup in the region and mobilized its own troops and militia forces.

Critics argue the Trump administration doesnt have legal authority to carry out military-style strikes against alleged drug runners (US President Donald Trump's TRUT)

Legal observers have warned the strikes may not be legal, despite the White House insisting the U.S. is formally engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels that the president has labeled unlawful combatants, freeing up wartime powers.

All available evidence suggests that President Trumps lethal strikes in the Caribbean constitute murder, pure and simple,Jeffrey Stein, director of the ACLUs National Security Project, said in a recent statement. The public deserves to know how our government is justifying these attacks as lawful, and, given the stakes, immediate public scrutiny of its apparently radical theories is imperative.

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Trump told reporters Wednesday he authorized CIA missions inside Venezuela as part of his anti-drug crackdown.

The president added that the United States was now looking at land operations against Venezuela following the naval strikes.

He claimed Friday that Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro has offered overtures to ease tensions in the region.

He has offered everything, Trump said, referring to Maduro. You know why? Because he doesn't want to f*** around with the United States.
Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty on Saturday said that he did not want to comment further on the hijab issue in St. Rita's school, Kochi, as the matter is "settled" and saying more "could only create unnecessary issues." "That matter is over. It was settled by around 11 a.m. today. I'm not commenting on it any further. Everything that needed to be said has already been said," Sivankutty told reporters. "There's nothing new to add. Saying more at this point could only create unnecessary issues," he added. The controversy began when a class 8 student at St. Rita's School in Palluruthy, Kochi, was reportedly not allowed to attend classes wearing a hijab (headscarf), citing the institution's uniform policy. Earlier in the day, the Minister stated that the government will extend all possible support to children, and a special order will be issued to facilitate admission after the hijab dispute in St. Rita's school. "I don't intend to repeat anything. If the child is interested, admission will be provided in any school of their choice. Necessary assistance for studies will be ensured, and the government will extend all possible support. A special order will be issued to facilitate the admission. If the child is facing any psychological difficulties, the school management must take responsibility for it," he said. Meanwhile, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) National General Secretary PK Kunhalikutty condemned the incident, saying it is against the "secular attitude" of the country. Speaking with ANI, Kunhalikutty said, "It's not something that happens in Kerala. It is totally against the secular attitude. A student had to stop her education because of her attire. That is not very usual here. This is very bad." Earlier, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Kerala State secretary MV Govindan slammed Congress and the SDPI, accusing them of trying to incite unrest over the issue. "The party has a clear understanding of the issue. The problem at St. Rita's School is being exploited by the SDPI to create communal polarisation," Govindan told reporters. "Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty has taken a firm and clear stance that wearing attire is a democratic right. In Kerala, every religious community has the right to live freely and practice its faith without interference. Both the Congress and SDPI are trying to incite unrest on this matter," he added. (ANI)
Imagine driving down a narrow road and having to avoid a cut-down tree, discarded trash, and a large pile of dumped roofing materials in the middle of the street.

One resident of northeast Houston reached out to ABC13 to say he was having to do exactly that to get in and out of the Rosewood community.

ABC13 emailed the city about the issue around 1 p.m. on Friday.

The entire northbound lane of Woodwick Street near Bellingham Drive was clogged up with discarded shingles, tools, and nails when ABC13 initially arrived to survey the dumped materials.

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The majority of it had been cleaned up by 4 p.m.

Octavius Perry, who initially reached out to us, said he doesn't think that would have happened had ABC13 not gotten involved.

"I've had to talk to too many people (from the city)," Perry said. "Our community is just as important as any other community in the City of Houston,"

Perry said it was the worst his neighborhood had looked in the six decades he's lived in the area.

In addition to being upset about the debris, Perry also said members of the community are worried because of overgrown trees and plants along both sides of Woodwick.

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"We need these branches cut so we can see," Perry exclaimed.

A crew was on-site surveying the overgrown areas this afternoon, but told ABC13 they'd have to come back next week to trim the limbs back.

For news updates, follow Chaz Miller on Facebook, X and Instagram.




Some short-term rental owners in the small town of Pahrump, Nevada, a gateway community east of Death Valley National Park, have been forced to shut down operations following newly enforced restrictions on vacation rental properties.

Nye County commissioners passed an ordinance in late July, stacked with new regulations that short-term rental operators in town must follow: owners must now register their rental properties with business licenses, pay lodging taxes and adhere to a new set of rules related to rental operations.

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Pahrump resident Troy, who asked to be identified only by his first name because he lives in a small town, arrived from Las Vegas shortly before the pandemic. He and his wife purchased a five-acre property with the intention of opening a campground-like retreat made up of four Airstream trailers that visitors could rent on Airbnb.

After spending five years and over $250,000 preparing to open - a process that included restoring the vintage Airstream trailers by hand, connecting those trailers to utilities systems, moving through permitting processes and developing business and marketing plans - Troy's venture was up and running for about a week. Then Pahrump's new ordinance passed.

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The ordinance expressly bans "Recreational Vehicles (RV's), travel trailers, tents, vehicles, and similar non-permanent structures" from operating as vacation rentals.

"We had about six to 10 nights of guests, then had to stop," Troy said. "Now we're stuck."

Troy said the town passed the ordinance quietly - he and his wife found out about it via a Facebook post. He added that he's not the only vacation rental owner in town who's had to shut down as a result of its passing; others were forced to cease operations due to new regulations forbidding short-term rentals from operating within 1,000 feet of each other or 2,500 feet from a hotel.

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"Most people I know who were doing this are just shutting down," Troy said. "It's just kind of forced them to that point."

Pahrump is the last town that visitors from Las Vegas pass through on their way to Death Valley. Troy said that he often sees tourists staying in town on their way to the park, and that his Airstream campground was intended to be a way to make a living from that market.

At a Nye County commissioner's meeting in July, Nye County Manager Brett Waggoner stated that the ordinance was drafted out of frustrations from locals about the number of short-term rentals in town, the Pahrump Valley Times reported. He also stated that the town's short-term rentals were able to compete with local hotels without paying lodging taxes.

"We get a lot of complaints on these and we've had no regulations on them to do anything about it," Waggoner said at the meeting, according to the outlet.

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Officials from Pahrump and Nye County did not respond to requests for comment by publication time.

After being forced to halt rental operations, Troy and his wife are currently living off savings. He's unsure what their future holds now that the ordinance is in place.

"I'd hate to sell the trailers and just have to move along," Troy said, "But that might be our only option here."

More National Parks

- Squatters, illegal BASE jumpers invade Yosemite amid federal shutdown

- Joshua Tree National Park now an epicenter of concern, confusion

- Government shutdown threatens survival of one of America's rarest animals

- California's redwoods hid a secret war machine

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This article originally published at Near Death Valley National Park, a vacation rental owner is out $250,000 because of new rules.
A plane sits on a Lincoln Airport runway on Aug. 25, 2023. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  Nebraskas two largest airports arent airing a video by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that blames Democrats for the government shutdown.

Officials with the biggest airport in the state  Omaha-based airport Eppley Airfield  arent playing the video because DHS and the Transportation Security Administration have not requested to show the video at the Omaha airport or on its screens or systems, an Eppley Airfield spokesperson said. The airport in Lincoln lacks video monitors in its TSA screening area, so the video cant be played.

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Omaha and Lincoln join airports in Atlanta, Buffalo, N.Y., Charlotte, Chicago, Las Vegas, New Jersey, Phoenix, Portland, Ore., and Seattle that have confirmed not playing the Noem video. Airport officials in those states point to local policies and state laws restricting politicking in those spaces for the reason, according to NPR. Texas airports are refusing to play the video for similar reasons.

Airports typically run most videos from the Homeland Security head on screens at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints, but these generally relate to safety information and dont get political.

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The video posted by White House shows Noem saying its TSAs top priority to make sure that you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience as possible while we keep you safe, but 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.

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With the federal government shut down and no end in sight, the Trump administration has used government websites and agencies  which are supposed to avoid politicking  in a messaging battle over who is to blame for Congress not funding the federal government, for the shutdown.

For example, websites for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Housing and Urban Development posted messages blaming the Radical Left in Congress. The Trump administration is also inserting language in some automated email responses blaming Democrats for the impasse.

Democratic senators now allege that the Department of Homeland Security violated the Hatch Act, a 1939 law that prohibits political activities of federal employees to ensure government programs are administered in a nonpartisan fashion, by asking airports to play the video blaming Democrats for the shutdown. Its unlikely Noem would face any consequences, according to legal experts.

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Happy Saturday! Heres another edition of my weekend column for WPRI.com  as always, send your takes, tips and trial balloons to tnesi@wpri.com and follow me on Twitter, Bluesky and Facebook.

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Nesi's Notes

1. In 1976, when legendary Rhode Island U.S. Sen. John Pastore decided to retire at age 69, he offered advice to other older officeholders. I think a man makes a mistake to run after hes 70 years of age if hes been here any length of time, Pastore said. When hes reached a certain age, he ought to move on to something else. Medical advances in the years since have let more people stay healthy longer, raising the question: is 80 the new 70 when it comes to politics? There is evidence both ways. Democrats are still engaged in recriminations over letting Joe Biden seek another term at age 82 when he was visibly declining. Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton just announced a primary challenge against incumbent U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, pointing out Markey will turn 80 next year and has been in Congress for a half-century. Maine Gov. Janet Mills is facing pushback for seeking, at age 77, to be the 2026 Democratic nominee against U.S. Sen. Susan Collins. On the other hand, voters stuck by Donald Trump last year even knowing he would mark his 80th birthday in the White House. So perhaps the issue isnt age itself, but perceived vigor. There is no question, though, that age is a potential political liability these days. In a recent analysis of the Rhode Island gubernatorial race, the Cook Political Reports Matthew Klein noted 2026 is shaping up to be a uniquely challenging cycle for aging Democrats. In Rhode Island, the two Democrats seeking to lead the partys ticket next year are both safely septuagenarians. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed will be 76 on Election Day, while Gov. Dan McKee will be 75; if they win, Reed would be 83 at the end of his next term, while McKee would be 79. But both are spring chickens compared to the late T.F. Green, who won his final U.S. Senate term at age 87 in 1954  something that left an impression on Pastore, who witnessed his senior colleagues decline up close.

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2. John Pastore has been much on my mind of late as we put together last weeks TV piece marking the 80th anniversary of Pastores inauguration as governor. Pastore left office nearly 50 years ago, but memories of his commanding presence on the political scene clearly remain strong. Pastores quote in the previous item is from a fascinating, surprisingly casual half-hour conversation he filmed in D.C. in September 1976 with his junior colleague Claiborne Pell as well as Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Edward Brooke, apparently for airing on TV back home. Its one of many rare films newly digitized by the Providence College Archives as PC tries to make the Pastore collection more accessible.

3. The state has finally released its preliminary estimate of the final budget surplus for the 2024-25 fiscal year that ended June 30  a month and a half after the document was due, which officials blame on a new $91 million IT system. The bottom line: the state ran a $250 million surplus, but lawmakers already assumed $230 million of that when crafting this years budget, leaving Governor McKee just $20 million to address the estimated $300 million deficit looming in fiscal 2026-27. That deficit estimate may prove optimistic given fresh economic concerns. Moodys economist Mark Zandi says Rhode Island is already in a recession, and URI economist Len Lardaro made the same call this week. While some statistics remain favorable, Lardaro warns: Recession means that current levels will not be sustainable in the coming months, as weakness continues to catch up to and overtake strength in economic numbers. That is exactly what has been happening in Rhode Island since last December.

4. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Islands decision to eliminate health benefits for 275 of its own retirees is the latest sign that seemingly every player in the states health sector is struggling. The money at stake is relatively small  elimination of a $6 million liability, with annual savings of $125,000  but financial filings show Blue Cross has reason to look for cost cuts wherever it can. The insurer lost $115 million in 2024, and its reserves have shrunk 25% since the start of last year. Administrative costs are always worth scrutinizing, but the same filings show Blue Cross is paying out nearly 92 cents of every premium dollar on medical care, well above federal minimums. When you step back, the entire situation is striking. Rhode Island spends over $12 billion a year on health care, yet its top insurer is operating in the red, its hospitals are barely breaking even at best, its doctors say they cant afford to practice here, and patients complain about high costs and subpar care.

5. Another persistent policy problem in Rhode Island: the housing crisis. HousingWorks RIs closely watched annual Fact Book was released Friday, and the latest edition documents a grim milestone: no Rhode Island municipality was affordable for the typical renter in 2024, just as no Rhode Island municipality has been affordable for the typical buyer since 2023. That has to be frustrating for Speaker Shekarchi and other state officials who have poured so much financial and political capital into housing over recent years. Not that there are no signs of progress; the Fact Book found a 15% increase in building permits in 2024, as well as a five-fold increase in ADU permits. But similar to health care, when a problem is this big, lawmakers can make real progress without residents seeing much sign of improvement.

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6. The HousingWorks Fact Book is full of interesting statistics, like a breakdown of Rhode Islands population by age and demographics that illustrates how much more diverse the state has become across recent generations. While 87% of Rhode Islanders ages 70 and older are non-Hispanic whites, the share among children is only 54%; Hispanic Rhode Islanders are 28% of the youngest generation, but only 6% of the oldest.

7. Morning Consult is out with its latest quarterly polling on how voters feel about their leaders. Governor McKee fell to last place among the 50 governors, with his job approval dipping to 40%, though he continues to fare measurably better in Morning Consult surveys compared with other polls. Meantime, the Massachusetts Democratic Party took a victory lap on behalf of Governor Healey, whose steady 59% approval rating put her in the top 10 nationwide. But nobody in New England can compare with Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, a moderate Republican with a sterling 75% approval rating. Elsewhere, Connecticut Democrat Ned Lamont is at 63%, New Hampshire Republican Kelly Ayotte is at 53%, and Maine Democrat Janet Mills is at 50%.

8. Eye on Congress amid the shutdown  Senator Reed helped push through the annual defense policy bill on a 77-20 vote, with Senator Whitehouse backing the measure but Senator Warren and Senator Markey voting against  Reed kept up his drumbeat of criticism against Secretary Hegseths Pentagon, on issues ranging from the Caribbean boat strikes to domestic deployments to the new press restrictions  Whitehouse got spoofed on SNL for his tense exchange with AG Pam Bondi at a Judiciary Committee hearing  Congressman Magaziner suggested the Homeland Security Committee may put new restrictions on ICE agents if Democrats retake the House  Congressman Amo kept his focus on health care, as Democrats push for a renewal of enhanced ACA subsidies  Congressman Auchincloss slammed Maines auditor for mounting a primary challenge against Jared Golden, the most moderate House Democrat (and Auchinclosss D.C. roommate).

9. If you feel like there has been an unusual amount of litigation in local courtrooms over President Trumps policies, youre right. Nate Raymond, a Boston-based legal affairs correspondent for Reuters, just filed a smart article documenting how New Englands federal judges have emerged as central players in the legal pushback against the second Trump administration. One of his striking findings: New England judges have ruled against Trump in 46 of 51 cases theyve decided. Raymond is our guest on this weeks Newsmakers, where he explains how the 1st Circuit supplanted the 9th Circuit as liberals most reliable beachhead in the federal courts. Rhode Island and Massachusetts  if youre a litigant looking to block one of Trumps policies, this is a favorable venue to find a potentially sympathetic judge, he said.

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10. Lots of news out of Brown University these days. Brown President Christina Paxson has officially declined to join President Trumps proposed compact with elite universities, arguing that what he is asking for would encroach on the universitys independence. A few days later came a reminder of just how elite Brown is: the schools endowment hit $8 billion as of June 30, throwing off $352 million to underwrite annual expenses  23% of Browns total revenue. Brown officials are always quick to point out that their endowment is nothing special compared with an Ivy League rival like Harvard, which has $57 billion, but its still quite a nest egg.

11. People in the news  local protestors are planning more than a dozen No Kings rallies in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts today  Women & Infants President Shannon Sullivan is leaving in January to head the Connecticut Childrens health system  Mayor Smiley will be the first chair of the Combat Antisemitism Movements Mayors Advisory Board  Barringtons Nicole Jellinek will seek the Democratic nomination for R.I. House District 67 next year; her husband, Jason Knight, currently holds the seat  Charlestowns Leah Boisclair will challenge state Rep. Tina Spears in the Democratic primary for House District 36; Boisclair is backed by David Levesques new League of R.I. Businesses  CNNs John King, once upon a time a reporter in the APs Providence bureau, will receive the 2025 Stephen Hamblett First Amendment Award from NEFAC  Republican Axel Brito will be the Republican nominee for Providence City Council Ward 2, facing whoever wins the four-way Democratic primary on Nov. 4  Patricia Resende is leaving as East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilvas chief of staff to lead the R.I. Senate Policy Office  Duffy & Shanley President Annette Maggiacomo celebrated PR News giving her shop its award for best U.S. product consumer launch, a first for a Rhody firm  Brown is hosting some big names in the coming weeks, including retired Gen. Mark Milley (Oct. 25), Hillary Clinton (Oct. 30) and Condoleezza Rice (Nov. 5)  Monica Tibbits-Nutt is out as Massachusetts transportation secretary; MBTA chief Phil Eng will be her interim replacement  Kelly Brennan announced a new application round for Help Her Run, a nonpartisan group that trains campaign managers to help elect women in Rhode Island  condolences to the friends and family of former R.I. Republican Party Chair Mark Zaccaria, who has died at age 76.

12. Weekend reads  Wheeler Cowperthwaite and Jonny Williams on the wild variation in how much local hospitals charge  Katie Castellani on the big money those hospitals are putting into construction projects  Steph Machado on what Portland tells Providence about rent control  Kathy Gregg on the contest for the next round of judgeships  Nancy Lavin on the mystery of an anonymous Rhode Island news Instagram account  Alex Leslie on new risks in Rhode Islands illicit drug market  Jack Spillane on a shakeup in New Bedford politics  the NYTs Christine Chitnis on the finest Portuguese cuisine in Rhode Island and Southeastern Mass  the APs Kristen Gelineau on the human toll of USAID shutting down.

13. Fire up 12+ on your smart TV or set your DVRs: This week on Newsmakers  Reuters Nate Raymond. Watch Sunday at 5:30 a.m. on WPRI 12 and 10 a.m. on Fox Providence, or listen on the radio Sunday at 6 p.m. on WPRO. You can also subscribe to Newsmakers as a podcast via Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. See you back here next Saturday morning.

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Ted Nesi (tnesi@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter and 12 News politics/business editor. He co-hosts Newsmakers and writes Nesis Notes on Saturdays. Connect with him on Twitter, Bluesky and Facebook.

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Saturday a portion of Interstate 5, a major Southern California artery, will close to protect residents from live artillery being fired across the roadway for a celebration of the Marine Corps being orchestrated by the Trump administration.

"Firing live rounds over a busy highway isn't just wrong - it's dangerous," Newsom said in a statement. "Using our military to intimidate people you disagree with isn't strength - it's reckless, it's disrespectful, and it's beneath the office he holds. Law and order? This is chaos and confusion."

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Saturday's event, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps, is set to feature "amphibious assault demonstrations" at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County, the White House said earlier this week. Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are set to attend. Vance arrived in San Diego with his family Friday evening.

Newsom had backed off threats to close the freeway earlier in the week, after the Marine Corps said in a statement that it had determined no closures were necessary and that appropriate precautions would be in place during the demonstrations.

But things changed Friday, Newsom said, when the event organizers asked Caltrans to post signs along the freeway that would notify drivers "Overhead fire in progress." Newsom said state officials also observed "live munitions being fired near the freeway" as part of a practice run. The warning could be seen on digitized signs on San Diego freeways on Saturday afternoon.

The White House then informed state officials early Saturday morning that "live fire activities would now be scheduled for 1:30 today."

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The closure will impact a 17-mile stretch of northern San Diego County from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, the New York Times reported. Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner train also announced it would halt operations because of the event.

The high-profile display comes as No Kings rallies are taking place across California this weekend, drawing crowds critical of what they see as an increasingly militarized tone by President Donald Trump's administration and its strained relationship with California.

Saturday's Camp Pendleton event is the largest such exercise in at least a decade, U.S. Marine Brian Coleman told the White House press pool.



Vance observed Saturday afternoon atop a seven-ton military truck as F-18s launched off the US Teddy Roosevelt about 12 nautical miles away, flew overhead, said Coleman. The USS Boxer, as well as other ships, were visible from the shore. A series of explosions went off in a simulated village as MH-60 helicopters hovered overhead to drop off Navy SEALs. Other Navy SEALs swam to the shore after parachuting in.

This article originally published at Newsom changes course, announces I-5 will close due to Marine live fire Saturday.
New Jersey residents ripped the Marlboro Board of Education during a raucous, six-hour meeting this week, with many pushing the board to enact its existing civility policy after a vile group chat targeting a conservative female member came to light.

More than 100 people turned out for the Tuesday meeting in the leafy, liberal enclave, which was rocked after Facebook posts revealed five men  allegedly including board Vice President Chad Hyett and Mitesh Gandhi, the husband of a sitting board member  were involved in a group chat labeled, ThisBitchNeedstoDie.

The messages  which gained nationwide attention after being exposed by The Post, and outraged US Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tx)  targeted MAGA-loving mom of three Danielle Bellomo and included the remark: Bellomo must be cold  her nips could cut glass right n.

Scott Semaya was allegedly photographed typing the vile text about Bellomo during a school board meeting. Obtained by the NY Post

The messages were revealed after someone snapped a photo of board candidate Scott Semayas phone as he allegedly typed the nips text, and allegedly captured on camera while Semayas fingers typed an o. Semaya quickly dropped out of the race for the board.

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Five men ganging up on a woman? Thats pathetic, in my mind. It made me sick to my stomach. Its embarrassing. This is just 100 percent wrong. No apologies? What are we doing? Do the right thing, Doug Moore, whose daughter is in kindergarten, told the board Tuesday night.

These are not people who belong around children, resident Eugene Genin said.

None of the alleged participants in the chat  including, left to right, Lenny Thor, Chad Hyett and Mitesh Gandhi  responded to messages seeking comment. Chad Michael Hyett/Facebook

Nirav Kadakia ran for the board in 2024.

Resident Mark Chesler earned applause when he questioned if the board members have the right set of morals and values to be entrusted with the responsibility this board holds.

You continue to denigrate each other at every turn, and you do it with a twisted sense of pride, he said, adding, You arent concerned about the children, you are concerned about your personal agenda.

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In addition to Hyett, Gandhi and Semaya, former board candidate Nirav Kadakia and Lenny Thor were identified as taking part in the chat  which caught the attention of Cruz after The Post reported the controversy last week.

The mom of three said the controversy has been very difficult for her kids. Danielle Bellomo/ Facebook

This is wrong. And evil, Cruz thundered on X.

After the public comments, the board ducked into executive session, from which Bellomo, 38, recused herself but Hyett and Gandhi didnt, she said. The body later issued a statement calling the group chat offensive.

A vote to boot Hyett and Board President Brian Cohen, who is not believed to have participated in the chat, failed.

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Bellomo and others questioned why the board hasnt enacted its civility policy, which says the district will not tolerate threats against board members and allows for those who engage in disruptive behavior to be banned.

Bellomo said she was moved by the community support at this weeks Board of Education meeting. LP Media

They did not take any action to protect me and they did not take any action to speak out against the individuals who are involved, directly or indirectly, she said of the superintendent and board president.

The Marlboro police department said Wednesday the text messages are under active investigation.

Bellomo told The Post afterwards that it was powerful to see that support  but added the public furor over the hateful messages has been difficult for her family.

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My kids are having a really hard time with this, she said.

She said shes faced threats for months, but declined to go into details.

There are other communications out there with, in my opinion, just extremely terrifying messages, she said. Theres definitely additional information that police are in possession of.

Superintendent Michael Ballone, Cohen and the alleged members of the group chat did not return messages seeking comment.
The National Labor Relations Board has sued California to block a law that empowers a state agency to oversee some private-sector labor disputes and union elections.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 288 into law last month in response to the Trump administration's hampering of federal regulators. It gives the state's Public Employment Relations Board the ability to step in and oversee union elections, charges of workplace retaliation and other issues in the event the federal labor board is unable, or declines, to decide cases.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, argues the law usurps the NLRB's authority "by attempting to regulate areas explicitly reserved for federal oversight."

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The lawsuit echos the NLRB's challenge to a recent New York law that similarly seeks to expand the powers of its state labor board.

Read more: At Labor Day rallies, speakers decry Trump

NLRB attorneys contend in the lawsuits that the laws create parallel regulatory systems that conflict with federal labor law.

The NLRB is tasked with safeguarding the right of private employees to unionize or organize in other ways to improve their working conditions.

Lawmakers in New York and California said they passed their bills to fill a gap, because the NLRB has been functionally paralyzed since January, when President Trump fired one of its Democratic board members. The unprecedented firing of that member, Gwynne Wilcox, left the board without the three-member quorum it needs to rule on cases.

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Wilcox has challenged her firing in court, arguing that appointed board members can only be fired for malfeasance or neglect of duty." But her removal was upheld by the Supreme Court for now, until her case can make its way through lower courts.

Read more: Supreme Court upholds for now Trump's firing of two independent agency officials

Lorena Gonzalez, president of the California Federation of Labor Unions, last month called AB 288 "the most significant labor law reform in nearly a century."

The California Public Employment Relations Board typically has authority only over public sector employees. But when the new law goes into effect on Jan. 1, workers in the private sector who are unable to get a timely response at the federal level can also petition the state board to take up their cases and enforce their rights.

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The states labor board can choose to take on a case when the NLRB has expressly or impliedly ceded jurisdiction, according to language in the law. That includes when charges filed with the agency or an election certification have languished with a regional director for more than six months  or when the federal board doesnt have a quorum of members or is otherwise hampered.

The NLRB's paralysis has put hundreds of cases in limbo, with the agency currently lacking the ability to compel employers to bargain with their workers unions, or to stop unfair treatment on the job.

However, the agency's acting general counsel  Trump appointee William Cowen  has said that only a fraction of cases require decisions from the typically five-member board and that the agency's work has been largely unaffected, with regional offices continuing to process union elections and unfair labor practice charges.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Saturday asserted that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is poised to secure a resounding victory in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, while taking a sharp dig at the opposition bloc Mahagathbandhan, saying it is in a fragmented state -- "dil ke tukde hazaar huye, koi yahan gire, koi wahan gire." Singh also noted that there is no such thing as 'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar, asserting the public's disinterest in RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. "In 2010, JD(U) and BJP made a record together when they won 206 seats. This time, we will go higher than that. We have 'neta' (leader), 'netritva' (leadership) and program. There is no such thing as 'mahagathbandhan', there is no trust in Tejashwi Yadav. They are not ready to consider each other leaders. They neither have 'neta' nor 'netritva'," Giriraj Singh told ANI. Taking a jibe at the opposition bloc, he added, "Mahagathbandhan is in the condition of 'dil ke tukde hazaar huye, koi yahan gire, koi wahan gire.' They are facing each other on 4 dozen seats...Their 'gathbandhan' proved to be 'thugbandhan'. They are deceiving each other. This shows that they are dejected and frustrated," Earlier today, Janata Dal (United) leader Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said that the leaders of the Mahagathbandhan were "wielding swords against each other" amid the ongoing stalemate within the opposition alliance over the seat allocation for the two-phased Bihar assembly polls. He also claimed that RJD has put up a candidate against the Congress for the assembly polls. Speaking to ANI in Patna, Prasad said, "The opposition has already been defeated even before the elections began. Their own leaders are wielding swords against each other. Congress has also resolved to teach the RJD a lesson this time. The RJD has even fielded a candidate against the state Congress president." The remarks come as political temperatures rise in Bihar ahead of the 243-seat Assembly polls. However, the Mahagathbandhan, comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Indian National Congress (INC) and Left parties, including Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation-CPIML (Liberation) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM), is delaying their candidate selection and seat distribution. Meanwhile, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) shared a seat distribution list, and the party has already begun its groundwork across key constituencies. Earlier today, Chirag Paswan, the leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Patna to discuss the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) preparations and strategy for the upcoming assembly polls. Polling for the Bihar elections 2025 will take place on November 6 and 11. The results will be announced on November 14. (ANI)
Olivia Siegel, of Smithfield, 20, a Roger Williams University political science major protests the Trump administration on the steps of the Rhode Island State House Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Providence. (Photo by David Hansen/Rhode Island Current)

The parking lot next to the Rhode Island State House is normally filled with lawmakers cars, but it was empty Saturday afternoon.

What was full instead was the south side of the State House, where the lawn and marble steps  often places absent of pageantry, except for the occasional photo shoot during prom season  entertained a crowd of more than 30,000 people, according to the organizers of the No Kings protest.

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The Providence protest is one of just under a dozen such rallies that took place in Rhode Island Saturday meant to protest President Donald Trumps administration and its policies.

Even if some of these signs are not very Christian, all I see is love, activist and event emcee Alisha Pina said as she looked out toward the crowd from the State House steps. Sometimes you gotta tell it like it is.

Since the last round of No Kings protests on June 14, the number of local demonstrations has increased, and a new idiom has joined the visual grammar of anti-Trumpism: The inflatable animal suit. The trend originated earlier this month in Portland, Oregon, where a viral video of a man in a frog suit getting pepper sprayed by ICE agents only served to inflame, rather than cauterize, the goofy, fan-powered suits as a symbol of farcical resistance.

There was a menagerie among the crowd in Providence on Saturday. One could find a bumblebee, a lobster, a monkey, two tyrannosauruses (one green, one blue), a shark, an eagle, a pink unicorn, a polar bear, a brown bear, a white unicorn, and two Rhode Island reds holding up a sign that read RESIST. A cow and chicken danced to Beyonces 2016 song Freedom as it played from a loudspeaker. Across the street, a group of friends assisted Snoopy in getting inflated. Even Squidward, SpongeBobs irascible neighbor, found it in him to attend.

The No Kings March passes through the streets of Providence on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David Hansen/Rhode Island Current)

Beyond the diversity of species represented was a variety of people from all ages and backgrounds on the lawn Saturday. Three teenagers perched at the feet of Nathanael Greene, that most trusted general in George Washingtons army who, in statue form, continues to look over the capital from the base of the State House steps. The Democratic Socialists of America had set up an information booth underneath a trees shade. A woman who declined to be interviewed sported an outfit with Beanie Baby cats attached, and a sign that read Cat ladies against Trump.

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Abigail Pimental, originally from Bristol, wore a Beetlejuice-inspired costume and held up a sign that said, Say it three times: Epstein Files, Epstein Files, Epstein Files.

I just think that its important we hold all people accountable, no matter what side of the aisle theyre on, Pimental said, and added about the protests in general, Its so meaningful that this is happening in New England, the birthplace of our whole democratic freedom.

There were also a handful of State Police scattered across the lawn and steps, mostly young men who did not show any visible signs of discomfort despite being dressed in weighty, dark-colored uniforms and standing directly in the sun. The 60-degree heat made the day unseasonably warm for mid-October.

A motorist holds a sign as the No Kings march passes by on the streets of Providence on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David Hansen/Rhode Island Current)

A portion of this crowd formed into a caravan that marched past the mall and into downtown Providence starting a little after 1 p.m. With State Police directing the stalled traffic as the marchers began to move, motorists sounded horns  mostly those waving signs from their vehicle windows as they headed for the demonstration themselves. They began to return around 2 p.m., after which the protests speaking portion began.

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Thank you for standing with our immigrant community, Rep. David Morales, a Providence Democrat and contender for the capital citys mayorship, said in his remarks to the crowd. Thank you for standing with our immigrant neighbors. Together were going to demonstrate that Rhode Island is a home for everyone, especially our immigrant brothers, sisters, and non-binary friends.

Morales was not the only state legislator or local elected official who could be seen in attendance. Rep. Teresa Tanzi, a South Kingstown Democrat, took a moment to chat after weaving her way through the crowd.

Its so heartwarming to know that there are enough people around to care enough about their democracy, about our democracy, to come out and participate, Tanzi said.

She was handing out stickers and American flags to protestors, and said it was because weve got to take the flag back.

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The symbolism is for all Americans, and not just for some, Tanzi said.

A pair of Rhode Island reds, the Ocean State's state bird, join protesters gathered in Providence on the mall side of the Rhode Island State House for the second No Kings rally on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Protesters gather in Providence on the mall side of the Rhode Island State House for the second No Kings rally on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Protesters gather in Providence on the mall side of the Rhode Island State House for the second No Kings rally on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) An inflatable lobster joins protesters gathered in Providence on the mall side of the Rhode Island State House for the second No Kings rally on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Thousands gathered in Providence on the mall side of the Rhode Island State House for the second No Kings rally on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Even a n inflatable bumble bee showed up outside the Rhode Island State House on a sunny Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Scene from the grass outside the Rhode Island State House on a sunny Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Protesters hold signs and watch the speakers at the No King day demonstration on the mall side of the Rhode Island State House on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Participants in Saturday's No King day demonstration watch the speakers on the mall side of the Rhode Island State House. Organizers say over 32,000 people took part in the Providence event. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Participants in Saturday's No King day demonstration gather outside the Rhode Island State House. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) A sign at Saturday's No King day demonstration in Providence. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Protesters sit in the shade outside Rhode Island State House for the second No Kings rally on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Protesters gather in Providence on the mall side of the Rhode Island State House for the second No Kings rally on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Protesters gather in Providence on the mall side of the Rhode Island State House for the second No Kings rally on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

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Demonstrations were taking place across the United States on Saturday against President Donald Trump.

The No Kings movement has again called for nationwide protests against what it sees as Trump's authoritarian policies.

By the middle of the day, the organizers said millions of people had taken part so far in peaceful demonstrations in more than 800 cities.

The US broadcaster CNN reported 2,500 protests across the country.

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The New York Police Department recorded 100,000 participants in the various demonstrations across the city. It said there had been no riots and that no arrests had been made.

A volunteer told a dpa reporter in the city's Times Square that the crowd had filled the street to the south all the way to Union Square - a distance of several kilometres.

There were also protests in the capital Washington, as well as in Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and many other cities. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, thousands of people took to the streets, according to a dpa reporter.

People also took part in rallies in smaller towns such as Bethesda in the Washington area and Sarasota County in Florida.

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The No Kings website says the Trump administration is "sending masked agents" into US streets, terrorizing communities and arresting people without warrants.

It also accuses the president of endangering elections, dismantling health and environmental protections, and allowing billionaires to profit while many families struggle from rising living costs.

"The president thinks his rule is absolute," it says. "But in America, we don't have kings."

Harvard University's Crowd Counting Consortium notes that protests have been far more frequent in Trump's second term, which started in late January, than in his first.

In mid-June, several million people participated in No Kings demonstrations, one of the largest mass protests in US history.
The message to President Donald Trump, from the Bay States elected leaders, was about as unambiguous as it gets.

Massachusetts, the birthplace of the American Revolution, booted a king 250 years ago. If push comes to shove, it has no problem with history repeating itself.

And judging by the response from the tens of thousands of cheering spectators who gathered on Boston Common for Saturdays No Kings rally, Massachusetts is here for it.

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In Boston, every day is No Kings Day, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said. Confronted by hecklers, she shrugged them off, saying, This is Boston, where every voice is heard.

Wu, who has clashed frequently and publicly with the Trump administration over its hardline immigration policies, told the crowd that Trump and Republicans attacked the states largest city because theyre afraid of what it symbolizes.

We stand here today to tell the Trump administration, when it comes to our freedoms, when it comes to our families, Boston doesnt back down, Wu told the crowd. What terrifies them about our city isnt just that we kicked out a king and we [can] do it again.

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Its not just that our city is not for sale or that we run a government that actually delivers as a home for everyone and the safest major city in the country, she continued. Its not just that we empower our workers and stand with public employees instead of using them as political pawns. What scares them the most about Boston is that we are proof of the America they insist is impossible.

Saturdays rally, one of thousands of such gatherings across the country, and the second of Trumps administration, unfolded against the backdrop of a government shutdown thats dragging into its third week with no end in sight.

The deadlock over funding is now the third-longest ever shutdown, and members of the states congressional delegation, who made surprise appearances, had no problem assigning blame.

Patriots support free and fair elections, and when patriots elect a congresswoman from Arizona, we swear her in, U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, D-5th District, the second-ranking Democrat in the chamber, said.

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Thats a reference to U.S. Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., who won a special election three weeks ago to a seat held by her late father. House Republicans have refused to swear her into office amid the shutdown.

If she takes her seat, Grijalva would provide Democrats with the support they need to force a vote on releasing the Epstein Files.

Blue States, such as Massachusetts, that voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, have borne the brunt of the Republican White Houses scorn.

The Bay State has lost some $3.7 billion in federal support since the beginning of the year, recent state data show.

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That came in the form of clawbacks from the White House and spending reductions included in the domestic policy mega-bill that Trump signed into law in July.

State Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell, whos joined with Democratic attorneys general nationwide in a blizzard of lawsuits trying to recover that money, touted her successes, but warned that the fight goes on.

Campbell, met with cheering from a fired-up crowd, said, they will keep on coming and we will keep on fighting ... If they come for Massachusetts, I say, bring it on.

When we march, when we organize, when we vote, Campbell said, we win.

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U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who took to the stage with fellow Democratic U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, accused Trump and his Republican allies on Capitol Hill of playing politics while the taxpayers paid the price.

They claim a No Kings rally is anti-American, Warren said. They are wrong. ... It is deeply American. It is patriotism. Standing up to a wannabe dictator, that is patriotism.

The No Kings movements organizers positioned Saturdays rally as a day of action in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration, according to the No Kings organizations website.

Top Republicans, including Trump himself, saw the day very differently.

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Its all the pro-Hamas wing and, you know, the Antifa people, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told Fox News in a recent interview.

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. I mean, this is serious business hurting real people. . . . Im beyond words, Johnson told the cable channel.

On Saturday, counter-demonstrators offered the same message.

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Laura Simpson, 52, of Cambridge, who wore a MAGA hat, walked around Boston Common with three other Trump supporters. The protesters, she said, were crying like little babies every day.

We love our president, she said. These people are cooked.

Simpson denounced both Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, who was not in attendance. She said Wu was a communist, and that Healey was even worse.

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., who followed Warren, dismissed that sentiment.

Donald Trump does not want to make America great again; he wants to make America hate again, the Malden pol said, adding that Bay State residents stand up for what is right.

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We do not coronate  we liberate. We do not agonize  we organize," Markey said. " ... No kings. Not here. Not ever."

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-7th District, also offered a message of solidarity to the crowd.

The Boston Democrat said she was tired of people who carry a mouthful of scriptures but a heart full of hate.

Youre here because youre tired, but we draw strength from one another, she said.

The mood on the Common on Saturday was largely celebratory, with the intergenerational crowd apparently following organizers exhortations to gather peacefully and positively. Some even hoped that Republicans might listen to them.

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I hope more people understand that were fighting for justice for all, Keri Fox, 53, of Reading, said. Its not just the people who are here today ... I hope the other side understands that we are a movement of sons and daughters, sisters, and brothers. We want whats best for everyone."

Kayla Lopez, 25, of Fitchburg, was also looking for some change to come out of the day, saying she wanted to open peoples eyes to whats going on.

And while the majority of Massachusetts pols who spoke Saturday were greeted warmly, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-6th District, who announced a primary challenge to Markey earlier this week, was not as lucky.

The Salem pol was greeted by boos and expletives from some rallygoers who had not forgotten his comments to The New York Times last year about transgender athletes.

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Democrats spend way too much time trying not to offend anyone rather than being brutally honest about the challenges many Americans face, Moulton told the newspaper in November 2024.

I have two little girls, I dont want them getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athlete, but as a Democrat Im supposed to be afraid to say that, Moulton said at the time.

That was more than Christina Knowles, a trans rights activist and lobbyist, was willing to take.

You sold out trans kids! [Expletive] you! Knowles, yelled from the crowd. You dont belong here, Seth Moulton, you traitor! Trans kids matter.

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(NewsNation)  One of the organizers behind this weekends No Kings rallies joined CUOMO on Friday to push back on claims by some Republicans that the movement is driven by extremist elements in the Democratic Party.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., suggested just that earlier in the day when he remarked that No Kings demonstrations should be relabeled The Hate America Rally.

Youre going to bring together the Marxists, the socialists, the antifa advocates, the anarchists and the pro-Hamas wing of the far-left Democrat Party, Johnson said.

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What to know about No Kings protests against Trumps policies

Robert Weissman, co-president of Public Citizen, promised peaceful, but vigorous protests against Donald Trumps authoritarianism. More than 2,700 rallies composed of millions of demonstrators are expected across the U.S. on Saturday, the latest in a series of No Kings gatherings since Republican Trump took office.

As for Johnsons cutting comments, Weissman called them a disgrace. He said organizers have trained tens of thousands of people in deescalation tactics to support the guiding principle of nonviolence.

He is trying to impute the idea that this is a terrorist movement because hes denouncing his opposition, Weissman said of Johnson. He can oppose our ideas all he wants, but he should be celebrating and embracing our right to protest.

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He added: No one on our side is itching for violence.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Looming over the tapestry of flags and homemade signs undulating across the Grant Park lawn Saturday were two that stood higher than the rest.

Robert Ryan, 61, had meticulously fashioned both a NO KINGS flag  complete with an angry red X crossing out a crown  and the signature Chicago flag atop a 15-foot pole.

He was one of more than 100,000 rallygoers who flocked to Grant Park on Saturday morning to take part in the nationwide No Kings demonstrations that later proved to be Chicagos largest protest in recent memory. The event was organized in response to President Donald Trumps administration, which has lately made Chicago ground zero for his mass deportation campaign.

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Ryan lugged the flags from south suburban Joliet, taking the early 8:30 a.m. train to get to Grant Park on time. It was his fifth time protesting the Trump administration this year, he said.

I feel one of the only things I really can do is add one person to the numbers, Ryan said. But at the end of it, I feel much better. I dont feel sad. I feel glad I did something. I try to tell other people, you wont regret it, and I never have.

The No Kings Hands off Chicago protest was one of roughly 2,500 similar demonstrations against the Trump administration planned across the country and globe, according to event organizers. The main Chicago rally kicked off at noon at Butler Field in Grant Park, then became a march through the Loop. A smattering of elected officials, including Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker, addressed the crowd in the latest full-court press from local Democrats seeking to condemn the president.

Miles away, federal immigration agents were spotted detaining individuals at a parking lot for rideshare drivers at OHare International Airport, in what would be their second raid on airport grounds this month. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed 11 people were taken into custody.

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Just before 2 p.m., the rally crowd began a slow but a spirited march around the Loop that, for many, doubled as an impromptu dance party, complete with a ragtag symphony of musical instruments and singing.

Some of the songs sampled include the American folk anthem This Land Is Your Land and Do You Hear the People Sing from the Les Miserables musical, both blasted by a tuba player. Meanwhile, marchers chanted, ICE, ICE go away, immigrants are here to stay, and Hands off Chicago!

Onlookers watched the parade from rooftop buildings and windows facing Michigan Avenue, peering over the ledges and pressing their faces against the glass. Some pedestrians stopped in their tracks and decided to join the march.

A masked man in all black stood atop the entrance to the Grant Park parking garage, vigorously waving an American flag flown upside down. In front of him, a throng of marchers carried a blown-up copy of the U.S. Constitution, the We the People preamble neatly scribed across the top in cursive text.

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The sound of whistles  an ominous warning from neighbors in recent weeks that signals U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was nearby  instead rang out from the crowd as a cheer.

During the earlier speeches, the mayor urged the throngs of attendees at Grant Park to keep protecting immigrants who live in fear of federal immigration authorities.

There are those in this country that have decided, at the behest of this president, to declare war on Chicago and American cities across this country, Johnson told the crowd, eliciting a chorus of boos. They have clearly decided that they want a rematch of the Civil War. But we are here to stand firm, to stay committed, that we will not bend, we will not bow, we will not cower, we will not submit.

When Pritzker took the stage, he looked onto the rally and declared, That is what resistance looks like.

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Donald Trump, stay the hell out of Chicago, Pritzker said. The fight against tyranny isnt won or lost in one protest. Its won in countless daily decisions to stand for justice, to refuse cruelty, to defend human dignity. Its won when we recognize that none of us are free until all of us are free.

City and police officials were unable to provide an official crowd estimate.

The nationwide demonstrations were the latest flashpoint in Trumps ongoing immigration crackdown on Democratic-led cities, with Chicago serving as his biggest focal point for the deportations. Titled Operation Midway Blitz, the heavy ICE activity that began in September has disrupted livelihoods for many Latino communities around the Chicago area. Trump has saber-rattled a military occupation as well, but for now, the courts have blocked the White Houses attempts to deploy the National Guard to Chicago.

Among the aggressive tactics federal agents have been spotted enacting on the streets include tear gassing protesters and even Chicago police officers, as well as conducting raids and arrests that legal experts say are unconstitutional. But the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has argued that immigration enforcement is making cities like Chicago safer, even as crime has already been trending down for the past few years.

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The No Kings demonstrations  the second of the year  were roundly condemned by Republican politicians as Hate America rallies. But the scene on Saturday was peaceful, though noisy, in downtown Chicago.

Ahead of the speeches, a DJ warmed the crowd up with protest anthems by Black Sabbath, John Lennon, Rage Against the Machine and Public Enemy. Boxes of miniature American flags for attendees to take lined the perimeter of the sidewalk.

Nick Ruzas, 34, held one of those flags ahead of the event, sitting and watching as organizers did sound checks on the stage.

For him, attending the protest is taking a stance against the corrupt president and what he said was a false narrative of Chicago being a warzone.

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Disappearing people off the streets, no due process, its insane. And bringing National Guard here when its not wanted  its ridiculous, Ruzas said. Its like having a toddler as president.

While the mood at the rally was largely positive  forecasted rain cleared out before the events began  many of the thousands of signs carried by attendees struck a darker tone, referring to ICE as the new Gestapo and referencing Trumps ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Photos: No Kings protest in downtown Chicago

Attendee Andrew Hayes, 35, likened the recent ICE actions against immigrants to tactics from the Nazi Germany regime.

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I got a lot of coworkers  their families are immigrants. Ive got an apprentice who works for me. His familys all from Mexico, so I know he does not  and I dont agree with  what ICE is doing, Hayes said. Dont care for this Gestapo-style snatching people.

Cynthia Cortez, 27, had arrived around 9 a.m. with her mother, both traveling from west suburban Plainfield. Holding a hot pink sign declaring March for those who run in fear, Cortez said the duo believed in standing up for people who cannot fight for themselves.

I cant really stand by that. I cant be on the wrong side of history, Cortez said. At this point, its pretty much you fight for the people. You fight for your rights. You fight for the families. It could be any one of us. Were literally just one step away from that.

Organizers of the Grant Park rally included Equality Illinois, Indivisible Chicago, Chicago Federation of Labor, Personal PAC, Sierra Club Illinois and the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois. Dozens of other local No Kings protests are also scheduled throughout the Chicago area, including Naperville, Elgin, Highland Park, Valparaiso, Aurora and Gary.

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Millions of protesters nationwide attended the first No Kings protests across the U.S. in June, with massive crowds of demonstrators filling the downtown Chicago event.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, as protests were getting underway across the country, the White Houses official X account reposted a cartoon of Democratic House and Senate Minority Leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer dressed as Disney Princesses. It was captioned: No Kings!!

The Tribunes Angie Leventis Lourgos contributed reporting.
Hundreds of people have turned out for a rally against President Donald Trump this morning in Oklahoma City, one of many such demonstrations across the U.S.

The OKC "No Kings" protest, one of nearly 20 planned in Oklahoma, is part of a national movement to organize opposition to Trump and his administration's activities.

Organizers said they expected thousands of rallies to take place nationwide. In particular, organizers have said they are protesting the Trump administration's widespread crackdown on immigration, including violent arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in American cities.

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In Oklahoma City, protesters waved flags, held umbrellas and carried homemade signs that said "No Kings!" and "Save our democracy." A handful of people drew inspiration from the headline-grabbing protests in Portland by wearing inflatable costumes to the rally  a squirrel and a unicorn were among the cast of characters. A person dressed in an inflatable lion costume held a sign that said, "Kings belong in the jungle. Not in the White House."

The crowd joined together to sing "This Land is Our Land" by Oklahoma folk musician Woody Guthrie.

"We dont come together out of fear," a speaker told the crowd as the event got underway. "We come together out of love."

U.S. Army veteran Brian Wofford, who was wounded while serving in Iraq, attended the rally in his green service coat emblazoned with the honors he had earned in the military.

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"I was willing to die and lost a leg in a foreign country fighting for their rights," said Wofford, a lifelong Oklahoman who lives in Moore. "Theres no way Im bending the only knee I have left for a king here in America. I cant sit idly by while rights are trampled on and ignored, and people are pushed and treated like second class citizens."

Organizers also have said the protests are meant to be nonviolent and discouraged people from bringing weapons of any kind. In Oklahoma City, there were no signs of counter-protests, and police mostly stayed back from the crowd. Organizers did warn demonstrators to stay out of the street for their own safety.

The "No Kings" protest is located at City Hall Park, 200 N Walker Ave. It is scheduled to last from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

'No Kings' protest winds down as sun comes out

As the sky cleared around noon, the crowd at the "No Kings" protest also began to thin out. Those leaving City Hall Park seemed enthusiastic despite being drenched with rain.

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A few hundred protesters remained until the end of the even, listening to speakers describe their organizations and calling on attendees to resist the federal government.

-- Dale Denwalt

For one couple, rally is a way to 'stand up' for democracy

Jana and Lloyd Lovely said they believed it was important to take part in the "No Kings" protest, and their signs and attire signified their why.

Jana held a sign that said, "Grantifa, Grannies against fascism," and Lloyd wore a shirt that said, "Veterans against Trump."

"My main priority is my grandchildren, and Im here to support their rights to live in a society that is not an authoritarian regime," Jana Lovely said.

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Lloyd Lovely added that he doesn't like protesting and didn't want to be at the event.

"But its something you have to do to stand up for democracy," he said. "If you dont do it, theres not going to be a democracy."

He said the protest was a chance to see how many other people felt the same way as him.

"Its good for my mental health to know Im doing something instead of just sitting home complaining," he said.

-- JaNae Williams

Rally in OKC draws hundreds despite rain

A light rain continued to fall on the crowd at the "No Kings" rally about an hour after it started, as a rotation of speakers and musicians addressed the hundreds of people gathered at the event.

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Andrew Tevington sought shelter from the rain beneath a nearby awning. He carried several signs, including one that said "Hands off social security!" in red and blue letters.

Tevington said he wanted to demonstrate against President Donald Trump, because he believes the president ignores the Constitution. He said he also thought it was clear that Congress, including Oklahoma's Republican congressional delegation, had abdicated its responsibility to act as a check and balance to Trump.

He said he was especially frustrated over Congressional cuts to Medicaid funding, and had tried several times to reach out to U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice, who represents the OKC metro in the U.S. House.

"We have a horrible health care system in Oklahoma," he said. "We dont need to lose any more hospitals. We dont need to lose any more nursing homes. Nursing homes really count on Medicaid for funding."

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-- Dale Denwalt

For one OKC boy, a lesson in speaking up

Raleigh Nannety attended the "No Kings" protest with her 9-year-old son, who was dressed like a slice of pepperoni pizza. He held a sign that said, "No thrones, no crowns, just pizza."

The mother and son decided to attend the rally to speak out about what they think is wrong, she said.

"He is an age where hes learning about the Constitution and what it means to be an American and what our government stands for," Nannety said. "It's really sad when we see that our government is not working the way its supposed to  that our president is not for the people."

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Nannety said she talked with her son about how the protest itself may not change anything, but that the power of collective action could.

"Hopefully we can be loud enough as a country that the people who do represent us will actually do something, finally," she said.

-- JaNae Williams

Crowd grows for OKC 'No Kings' rally

Hundreds of protesters have filled City Hall Park in downtown OKC as the No Kings Day rally gets underway.

We know this country can be better, a speaker said as the event began. It must be better.

People waved American flags, cheered and clapped as speeches and music played. The crowd in the park stood shoulder-to-shoulder despite the rainy weather.

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Organizers staged a mock trial against Trump, complete with witnesses listing off his alleged crimes and alleged unconstitutional actions. At one point, the crowd chanted, "Lock him up!"

There was no significant police presence at the event, although there were several private security guards around.

-- Dale Denwalt

Rain rolls into in OKC ahead of 'No Kings' protest

As people began to gather downtown for the "No Kings" protest, a rain shower moved into OKC. Many people carried umbrellas and wore raincoats to the demonstration. A few demonstrators were wearing inflatable costumes.

One demonstrator, Lynn Page, brought a flag to the protest that said, "We the People. No Kings in America."

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"We need to remember that," she said of the message on her "No Kings" flag. "Congress needs to step up and reclaim what they are supposed to do (under) the Constitution."

The forecast calls for chances of rain throughout the morning with temperatures around 70 degrees.

Organizers plan to move forward with the event regardless of the rain. A previous "No Kings" protest in June also occurred despite the rain.

-- Dale Denwalt

Watch 'No Kings' protests nationwide

What is a 'No Kings' protest?

The "No Kings" protests draw their name from the idea that the United States doesn't have a king  a reference to Trump's own language about himself and his administration's efforts to drastically expand presidential powers beyond what Congress or the U.S. Constitution has authorized.

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The goal of the Oct. 18 protests is to show "this country does not belong to kings, dictators, or tyrants," organizers wrote on the No Kings website.

Although this event shares a name with the protests held in June, organizers say this round will feel very different.

The last "No Kings" protest was held on June 14 to coincide with Trump's birthday and a military parade for the Army's 250th birthday. More than 2,100 protests were held that weekend, organizers said, with more than 5 million people participating.

Where can I find a 'No Kings' protest near me in Oklahoma?

According to the No Kings website, Oklahoma events are currently planned in several locations around the state. Locations and times are subject to change:

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Ada : North Mississippi Avenue & Lonnie Abbott Boulevard, 9 - 11 a.m. CDT

Ardmore : Central Park, 14 E St SW, 10 a.m. to noon CDT

Bartlesville : This event's address is private. Sign up for more details. 11:30 a.m.  5:30 p.m. CDT

Chandler : Lincoln County Clerk, 811 Manvel Ave #5, 9-11 a.m. CDT

Durant : 121 S 12th Ave, 10 a.m. to noon CDT

Enid : Champlin Park, U.S. 412 and U.S. 81, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT

Guthrie : Mineral Wells Park, 819 S Division St, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT

Idabel : This event's address is private. Sign up for more details. 9 a.m. to noon CDT

Lawton : RSVP for location, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT

McAlester : 3 S Main St, Main and Choctaw Parking Lot, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT

Miami : This event's address is private. Sign up for more details, 1-3 p.m. CDT

Muskogee : Chicago Street & West Shawnee Bypass, 1-3 p.m. CDT

Norman : 201 W Daws St, 1:30  3 p.m. CDT

Oklahoma City : City Hall Park, 200 N Walker Ave, 10 a.m.  12:30 p.m. CT

Pauls Valley : Garvin County Courthouse flagpole, 201 W Grant Ave. 9-11 a.m. CDT

Ponca City : North 14th Street and Lake Road, 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. CDT

Stillwater : Payne County Courthouse Lawn (6th & Main), 606 South Main, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tahlequah : This event's address is private. Sign up for more details. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Tulsa: Dream Keepers, 1875 S Boulder Park Dr, noon to 2 p.m. CDT

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: No Kings protests in OKC, nationwide to challenge Trump
Today, millions of Americans frustrated with President Donald Trump and his administration's immigration crackdowns, ICE and National Guard deployments, on-again-off-again tariffs, and his perceived control over all three branches of the U.S. government are gathering again to protest in cities across the country.

Saturday, Oct. 18, marked another round of the "No Kings" protests, the latest in a series of mass demonstrations since President Donald Trump took office, in hundreds of big cities and small towns across the country.

More than 80 were scheduled in his home state of Florida, and at least four occurred in Palm Beach County  including one 4 miles down the road from his private club.

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After months away from Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump returned there the night before the "No Kings" protests for an elite fundraiser: He was the keynote speaker at a $1 million-per-plate fundraiser for super PAC MAGA Inc. on Friday, Oct. 17, at Mar-a-Lago.

According to a notice from the Federal Aviation Administration and reporting by the Palm Beach Daily News, a USA TODAY Network newspaper, Trump will be in Palm Beach through Sunday, Oct. 19.

USA TODAY and the USA TODAY Network will provide live coverage of the "No King" anti-Trump administration protests.

Below are photos of the protests in Florida, which happened the same weekend Trump returned to his home state after months at his resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, or at the White House in Washington, D.C.

Photos of large turnout for Jacksonville protest calling for 'No Kings'

Over a thousand protesters show for 'No Kings' protest in Pensacola

Photos from No Kings Day protests in Brevard

Trump arrived in Florida for MAGA fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach

Photos of No Kings Day protest Oct. 18, 2025, near Mar-a-Lago, Trumps private club in Palm Beach, Florida

Photos of No Kings Day protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Daytona Beach area of Florida

Photos of No Kings Day protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in DeLand, Florida

Photos of No Kings Day protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Fort Myers, Florida

Photos of No Kings Day protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Florida

Photos of No Kings Day protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Stuart, Florida

No Kings Day protest on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Naples, Florida

Photos of No Kings Day protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in downtown Ocala, Florida

Photos of No Kings Day protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Sarasota, Florida

Photos of No Kings Day protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Tallahassee, Florida state capitol

Photos of No Kings Day protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Vero Beach, Florida

(This story may be updated with new information.)

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Contributing: C.A. Bridges, USA TODAY Network-Florida, Antonio Fins, Palm Beach Post

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: No Kings Day protest photos in Florida: Palm Beach, Fort Myers, more
PORTSMOUTH  "No Kings" protesters gathered in the city Oct. 18, as well as several more Seacoast communities and about 2,500 locations around the nation, targeting what organizers call authoritarian actions by President Donald Trump.

Thousands of protesters in Portsmouth spoke out against Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in masks carrying out the Trump administration's mass deportation effort without, they say, due process. They are also upset over Trump sending National Guard troops into cities and him urging on off-cycle redistricting efforts designed to help Republicans in elections.

Republicans in Washington accused protesters of prolonging the govenment shutdown, hating America and being terrorists, USA TODAY reported.

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'No Kings' nationwide: See how protests look across the United States

Seacoast New Hampshire protests were planned in Portsmouth, Dover, Rochester and Newmarket, among nearly 30 statewide. Protests were also in York, Wells and Ogunquit, among many more Maine communities.

"No Kings" protesters in Portsmouth take on President Donald Trump's policies Oct. 18, 2025 in one of many protests across the nation.

In April, thousands gathered in Portsmouth for the first "No Kings" protest and crowds gathered again in June in locations like Portsmouth and Dover.

Here's a look at what people had to say during the Oct. 18 protest in Portsmouth, where protesters lined downtown streets:

Serious message against ICE, in a polar bear costume

Kittery, Maine, resident Colleen Toomey, left, and her husband, Jonny Levesque, in a polar bear costume protest during the "No Kings" rally in Portsmouth Oct. 18, 2025.

Several protesters sported inflatable costumes depicting a variety of animals, and one of a cartoonish Trump. Dinosaur, frog, eagle, squirrel and turkey costumes were seen.

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Jonny Levesque, a Portsmouth native and current Kittery, Maine resident, wore a polar bear costume with a message critical of ICE.

Levesques said his intention was to combine humor with the severity of the moment as ICE officials remove people from America's streets. The Trump administration has deployed federal agents nationwide to remove suspected illegal immigrants, holding many in detention facilities while deporting others.

In July, four employees of La Carreta Mexican restaurant in Portsmouth were taken into custody by ICE agents. Later in the summer, ICE flights arrived and departed from at Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, prompting a series of protests locally.

Levesque grew tearful talking about ICEs objectives.

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Its absolutely terrifying that theyre taking people off the streets, he said.

Levesque and his wife, Colleen Toomey, praised the Saturday protesters.

Toomeys sign read: Stop pretending your racism is patriotism.

I cant believe Im still doing this (expletive), she said.

Music a big part of 'No Kings' protest

In front of the North Church, the Leftist Marching Band sent a message about Trump with a rendition of Billie Eilishs bad guy, her 2019 hit song.

On the Market Street turn, one car blared Sabrina Carpenters Manchild in another dig at Trump. Two leather-clad motorcyclists slowed down to give protesters a taste of Twisted Sisters 1984 song Were Not Gonna Take It.

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Between the screech of trumpets and the banging of drums, protesters chanted: "The people united will be never be divided!

Portsmouth resident Michael Frandzel took a moment to duck into a side street and admire the crowd from afar.

Im feeling great that so many people support the movement, he said.

Trump administration's actions 'not constitutional,' protester says

Diane Tregea, a Durham resident, taught social studies at Oyster River for 30 years. Tregea and Lucy Gorham, a fellow Durham resident and her friend since first grade, leaned against the North Church, reading all the signs and listening to the cries of the crowd.

What were seeing now is not constitutional, Tregea said.

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You need to do something. Any little thing might help, Gorham said.

Protesters waved signs making demands, calling for the release of the Epstein files and the removal of National Guard troops from American cities, opposing the actions of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and bashing the ongoing government shutdown.

Mother of slain journalist speaks: Diane Foley praises and criticizes Trump amid her fight for freedom

Designated event peacekeepers and Portsmouth police kept a watchful eye on the crowd. Cars crawled along Congress Street, with drivers poking their phones through their sunroof to capture footage of the rally. Miniature and full-size American flags were spotted throughout the Square, held by attendees around downtown.

Rallying cries rang out among the crowd, with attendees calling for Trump to leave office.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: No Kings protest in Portsmouth takes on Trump
DEWITT, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) Protests are taking place across the country today under the banner of No Kings Day, with demonstrators gathering in DeWitt, Ithaca, and more.

The protests, many organized by the progressive group Indivisible, are a response to the Trump administrations policies, which they deem authoritarian and unconstitutional.

Indivisible began in 2016, when Trump was elected for his first term, in opposition to his presidency. The Onondaga chapter began in 2017, originally known as Katko Watch to oppose then-Congressman John Katko, who represented Syracuse. The chapter is a part of the CNY Solidarity Coalition, which encompasses several local groups advocating for left-wing causes.

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The chapter held its protest today along Erie Boulevard, next to what was once the ShoppingTown Mall. Lisa Harrell, the lead marshal for Indivisible of Onondaga County, called for marchers to move from the sidelines.

We need every single person doing something, calling their legislators, sending letters, writing letters to the editor, or getting into the streets with us, she said.

The protests follow earlier No Kings marches held in June in response to Trumps military parade (which also coincided with his 79th birthday).

Trump, when asked about the protests earlier this week, commented, I hear very few people are going to be there, by the wayBut they have their day coming up, and they want to have their day in the sun.

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But Harrell said the administrations policies, by destroying every single institution that we have, vindicated the protest.

You get elected, and then you will start encroaching on what people will tolerate and building the fear, and thats what theyre doing, she said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)  Drivers were asked to avoid 7th Avenue in Manhattan on Saturday due to the No Kings protest, according to the NYPD.

The department posted on X that West 57th Street to 14th Street was closed to traffic. Protesters marched down 7th Avenue, starting at Father Duffy Square, against the Trump administrations policies.

PIX11s Traffic Center

The NYPD posted a statement on X saying,

The No Kings protests are happening across the city today. The NYPD will be out to make sure everyone can peacefully and safely exercise their first amendment right. As a reminder, there will be zero tolerance for any illegal activity or anyone who breaks the law. The New York City Police Department

Organizers of the No Kings march encouraged protesters to stay peaceful and practice de-escalation. MTA buses in Manhattan were also detoured due to protest activity, according to New York City Transit.

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In Brooklyn, a No Kings protest caused traffic delays from Grand Army Plaza Green Market on Prospect Park West towards 15th Street and Prospect Park West.

It was one of more than 2,500 No Kings marches planned across the U.S. Protests focused on the government shutdown, ICE detainments and the deployment of National Guard troops to major cities.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday expressed shock over the arrest of a senior police officer in Punjab over a bribery case. He also slammed Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over his silence on the development. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday said it has arrested a senior Indian Police Service officer of the 2009 batch, presently posted as Deputy Inspector General of Police in Punjab, on charges of bribery. DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar was taken into custody by CBI after being caught for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 8 lakh through a private middleman to "settle" a police case and protect a businessman's interests. "A DIG in Punjab is arrested by the CBI and Rs 7.5 Cr in cash, 2.5 kg gold, 25 luxury watches and documents of over 50 immovable properties are recovered in searches by CBI," SAD president Badal said in a post on X. "The images have shocked everyone in the state but the CM who also holds the home portfolio continues to remain silent even after 48 hours having passed! Why?" he added. He asked what the state vigilance headed by the CM was doing, or whether they were under instructions from the CM to turn a blind eye. "Another unprecedented development which has got the people of the state thinking is that the CBI did not seek a single day's police remand of the DIG despite such huge recoveries," he said. "How will we know where the money came from and whose coffers it was ultimately meant to fill?" he asked. The SAD president also asked whether a cover-up and protection operation had been launched. https://x.com/officeofssbadal/status/1979509716528382253 Harcharan Singh Bhullar was remanded to judicial custody till October 31 by the CBI court in Chandigarh on Friday. A 2009-batch IPS officer, currently posted as DIG of the Ropar Range, was arrested by the CBI at his office in Chandigarh. Bhullar was arrested on Thursday following a complaint on October 11 that the officer had allegedly demanded a bribe through a middleman to settle an FIR filed against the complainant. The CBI has recovered substantial cash, over Rs 5 crore and incriminating material from his various premises, besides 1.5 kilograms of jewellery, documents pertaining to immovable properties and assets in Punjab. Luxury items, arms, and ammunition have also been recovered. (ANI)
By Brad Brooks

(Reuters) -Protesters massed in cities across the United States on Saturday, channeling a "No Kings" message to denounce what they view as authoritarian tendencies and the unbridled corruption of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Organizers expected millions of people to turn out by day's end at more than 2,600 planned rallies in major cities, small towns and some foreign capitals, challenging a Trump-led agenda that has reshaped the government and upended democratic norms with unprecedented speed since he took office in January.

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There is nothing more American than saying, 'We dont have kings and exercising our right to peacefully protest, said Leah Greenberg, co-founder of Indivisible, a progressive organization that led planning of Saturday's events.

The protests reflect growing unease among many Americans, mainly on the left of the political spectrum, to developments such as the criminal prosecution of Trump's perceived political enemies, his militarized immigration crackdown and the sending of National Guard troops into U.S. cities  a move Trump has said was aimed at fighting crime and protecting immigration agents.

As his administration has tried to rapidly implement its policies, Trump has installed inexperienced loyalists across the ranks of his administration and sought to apply pressure on the news media, law firms and higher education.

The rallies were boisterous but orderly, with police largely keeping a low profile.

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In Washington, demonstrators filled the street as they marched toward the U.S. Capitol, chanting and carrying signs, U.S. flags and balloons. Many people - and their dogs - wore costumes in a peaceful, carnival-style atmosphere.

Four marchers dressed in prison stripes and large caricature heads of Trump and other officials displayed a sign saying "Impeach Trump Again."

Protester Aliston Elliot, wearing a Statue of Liberty headpiece and holding a "No Wannabe Dictators" sign, said: "We want to show our support for democracy and for fighting (for) what is right. I'm against the overreach of power."

Events in New York City, Boston, Chicago and Atlanta also drew large crowds. In downtown Houston, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Daniel Aboyte Gamez, 30, joined a crowd that officials said numbered at least 1,500.

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"I don't understand what's going on in this nation right now," said Gamez, who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. "As a Marine Corps vet, I understand that the United States was founded upon action against tyrants, against kings."

Kevin Brice, 70, a military veteran among thousands of protesters streaming into the riverfront area of Portland, Oregon, wore a black sweatshirt emblazoned with the slogan "No Kings since 1776."

Im embarrassed that we have federal agents in masks arresting people in the streets. Im embarrassed that were talking about using the military against civilians. Im embarrassed that its OK to lie and make stuff up," Brice said. "So even though Im a lifelong Republican, I dont support the direction the party is going.

TRUMP SAYS HE IS NOT A KING

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Trump has said little about Saturdays protests. But in an interview with Fox Business aired on Friday he said that theyre referring to me as a king -- Im not a king.

More than 300 grassroots groups helped organize Saturdays marches, Greenberg said. The American Civil Liberties Union said it has given legal training to tens of thousands of people who will act as marshals at the various marches, and those people were also trained in de-escalation. "No Kings" ads and information have blanketed social media to drive turnout.

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, a progressive independent, and U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive Democrat, have backed the marches along with former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who lost the 2016 presidential election to Trump. Senior Democratic lawmakers also voiced support for the movement.

In June, 2,000-plus No Kings protests took place, mostly peacefully, on the same day that Trump celebrated his 79th birthday and held a military parade in Washington.

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REPUBLICANS CLAIM PROTESTS ARE ANTI-AMERICAN

House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, on Friday echoed a common refrain among his party, labeling the "No Kings" protests "the hate America rally."

Other Republicans have accused organizers of the rallies of stoking an atmosphere that might spur more political violence, especially in the wake of the September assassination of right-wing activist and Trump ally Charlie Kirk.

Dana Fisher, a professor at American University in Washington and author of several books on American activism, forecast that Saturday could see the largest protest turnout in modern U.S. history.

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She expected that over 3 million people would take part based on registrations and participation in the June events.

Overall turnout for the June 14 "No Kings" rallies was estimated at 4 million to 6 million, according to a crowd-sourcing analysis published by the prominent data journalist G. Elliott Morris on his Strength in Numbers blog site.

Fisher said the protests were not going to change Trumps policies. But it might embolden elected officials at all levels who are in opposition to Trump.

The first of Saturday's rallies unfolded overseas, with hundreds of protesters assembled at the U.S. Embassy in London, and more demonstrations in Madrid and Barcelona.

(Reporting by Brad Brooks, AJ Vicens and David Shephardson; editing by Marguerita Choy, Cynthia Osterman and Nick Zieminski)
Several thousand protesters attended No Kings rallies Saturday across Hampton Roads to voice their displeasure with President Donald Trump and his administration.

Some of the biggest local rallies were in Virginia Beach and Williamsburg. Organizers of the Virginia Beach event estimated their crowd at rougly 3,000 participants, while Williamsburg organizers estimated their crowd size at more than 5,000.

The Virginia Beach protest started in the Town Center fountain area then moved to Virginia Beach Boulevard, where participants stretched out across several blocks, holding up signs and cheering as motorists honked in support. The group groaned when told that law enforcement wanted them to start moving away from the fountain area, but then clapped in appreciation for the police.

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Carrie Short, co-founder of COVA Coalition, a womens group focused on community-based organizing and progressive values in Coastal Virginia, said organizers were pleased with the turnout and response. In addition to COVA, the rally was co-sponsored by Freedom Virginia and MoveOn.

We had over 2,000 sign up, she said. We know that a lot of people who come to these things never sign up so we knew it was going to be a big crowd.

People of all ages were in attendance, with a particularly strong showing of older citizens. Some arrived on a bus from Westminster Canterbury retirement community.

Kat Keel, 88, was among the older protesters.

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Im a veteran and I think its my duty to speak up, Keel said.

Many in the crowd wore inflatable animal costumes, such as frogs, dinosaurs, chickens and unicorns. They were a nod in part to a protester at a rally in Portland, Oregon, who had a chemical spayed into their inflatable frog suit by a federal agent. The colorful costumes also were intended to indicate that the group was non-violent, despite what some Republican leaders have said about them, according to Sandie Fishbein, a Virginia Beach resident who came dressed in an inflatable T-Rex suit.

They keep saying were Antifa and terrorists, Fishbein said. Its absurd.

The Virginia Beach and Williamsburg rallies were among thousands held across the country in opposition to the increasingly authoritarian direction organizers believe the Trumps administration is taking. Regionally, there also were protests in Chesapeake, Newport News, the Eastern Shore, the Outer Banks and Mathews County, according to the movements organizers.

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Heather Meaney-Allen, a Williamsburg JCC Indivisible founding member and organizer of the event, spoke out against criticism of the protests. Participants were joyously and peacefully showing their love for America, she said.

Courage is contagious, Meaney-Allen said. There is strength in numbers, and we are not turning into an autocracy. We will not sit back and we will not allow it to happen.

Gov. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Friday authorized members of the National Guard to be placed in state active duty status in case the rallies became disruptive. In an announcement posted to social media, Youngkin said there would be zero tolerance for destruction of property, looting, vandalism, disruption of traffic or violence of any kind but affirmed Virginians first amendment rights. As of Saturday afternoon, there were no reports of incidents at any of the local rallies.

A statement from the Virginia Beach police said the department coordinated with rally organizers throughout the event.

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During the portion at the Town Center fountain, we received complaints from some of the local business about rally attendees taking over private property and failing to leave when requested, spokesman Sgt. Jude Brenya said. VBPD staff coordinated with the event organizer to have the event move to their secondary rally point at Independence and Virginia Beach Boulevard to help address the trespassing complaints we were receiving.

VBPD monitored the crowd movement and subsequent rally at their new location until after the expiration of the permit with no issues.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that protesters in Virginia Beach were asked by police to disperse earlier than scheduled because of the crowd size and a later event. An organizer said the group had always planned to move away from the Town Center fountain area and onto Virginia Beach Boulevard at that time.

Staff writers James Robinson and John Buzbee contributed to this report.

Jane Harper, jane.harper@pilotonline.com
Millions of Americans in the Bay Area and across the country are planning to hold another No Kings Day protest on Saturday.

LIVE BLOG: Get updates on the No Kings protests happening across the Bay Area

LIST: No Kings rallies protests in the Bay Area near me

These demonstrations come as there are growing concerns of President Donald Trump deploying the National Guard to San Francisco and other cities.

RELATED: Trump vows federal 'surge' in more American cities to combat crime

California sued the Trump Administration over its deployment of the Guard to Los Angeles during ICE protests back in June, and Thursday at an unrelated press conference, Governor Gavin Newsom told reporters he believes the president is illegally trying to use federal troops as his personal police force.

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Newsom said, "His latest assertion that he was going to come to San Francisco. On what basis? He didn't even claim, there's no pretext anymore. Let's disabuse ourselves that there has to be a pretext with Donald Trump, that there's anything that would justify that there's no existing protest in a federal building, there's no operation that's being impeded. I guess it's just a training ground for the president of the United States. It is grossly illegal. It's immoral. It's rather delusional."

RELATED: SF leaders respond after Trump vows to 'strongly recommend' sending troops to city

There are three different "No Kings" gatherings planned in San Francisco and dozens more across the Bay Area Saturday.

There was a massive turnout from past No Kings protests here this summer.

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Republican leaders have slammed the demonstrations as anti-American, with House Speaker Mike Johnson calling it the "hate America rally."

Organizers are expecting thousands at the downtown San Francisco one alone and say their intention is to peacefully push back against the White House.

RELATED: SF DA fires back after Salesforce CEO suggests Trump send National Guard to city

Dianne McClure, VP of National Nurses United, says, "We do not believe in one person or one group of people, such as billionaires controlling our country. That's not what our nation was built upon. To threaten sending in the National Guard or any anything of that matter, that's that just means that we're effective in our organizing for our event."

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A spokesperson for SFPD says the city has a long tradition of First Amendment expression that officers will facilitate, while also having resources ready in case issues arise to ensure public safety.

The president's calls for sending in the National Guard to San Francisco did not appear to be directly related to these protests, but it's worth noting there will be troops at Saturday's protests in other states, including Texas where its governor is deploying members of the Guard to Austin.

You can find all the planned protests in the Bay Area and across the country on the No Kings website here.

Saturday Street Closures

The following streets will be closed from 1:15 to 2 p.m.:

Market from Beale to Steuart

Steuart from Market to Howard

Spear from Market to Folsom

Main from Market to Howard

All intersections with Mission Street will remain open

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The following streets will be closed from 2 to 4 p.m.:

Market from Eighth to Steuart

Hyde from McAllister to Market

Grove from Market to Van Ness





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No Kings protests against Trump bring a street party vibe as GOP calls them hate America rallies

Protesting the direction of the country under President Donald Trump, people gathered Saturday in the nations capital and communities across the U.S. for  No Kings  demonstrations  what the presidents Republican Party is calling Hate America rallies.

With signs such as Nothing is more patriotic than protesting or Resist Fascism, in many places the events looked more like a street party. There were marching bands, a huge banner with the U.S. Constitutions We The People, preamble that people could sign, and protesters wearing inflatable costumes, particularly frogs, which have emerged as a sign of resistance in Portland, Oregon.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 18: Protestors march in the second

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 18: People protest in Washington, DC as part of the No Kings Rallies on October 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for No Kings)

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 18: Protestors march in the second

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 18: An inflatable effigy of U.S President Donald Trump is seen during the second

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 18: Protestors march in the second

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 18: Protestors march in the second

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 18: Protestors march in the second

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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 18: Protesters carry signs for the

A demonstrtor carries a sign saying

A demonstrtor carries a sign saying

A person holds an American flag before a

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Crowds cross the memorial bridge as part of a No Kings protest, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

Thousands of protesters fill Times Square during a

A woman displays a

A demonstrator carries a sign as they rally at the 14th and U street corridor before marching to the national Mall during a No Kings protest in Washington, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

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Demonstrators wear costumes and carry signs as they rally at the 14th and U street corridor before marching to the national Mall during a No Kings protest in Washington, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

FILE - Dee Cahill of Margate, Fla., holds a

FILE - Demonstrators take part in the

This is the third mass mobilization since Trumps return to the White House and comes against the backdrop of a government shutdown that not only has closed federal programs and services, but is testing the core balance of power as an aggressive executive confronts Congress and the courts in ways that organizers warn are a slide toward American authoritarianism.

Trump himself is spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.

They say theyre referring to me as a king. Im not a king, Trump said in a Fox News interview airing early Friday, before he departed for a $1 million-per-plate MAGA Inc. fundraiser at his club. Protests are expected nearby Saturday.

Nationwide protests planned

Demonstrators packed New York Citys Times Square, Boston Common, Chicagos Grant Park, and hundreds of smaller public spaces. More than 2,600 rallies were planned for Saturday, organizers said.

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In Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Attorney General Andrea Campbell were among those who spoke at a protest attended by thousands.

Another look now that the protest is underway. THOUSANDS of people. pic.twitter.com/EqUkqH1ONe  Alyssa Azzara (@alyssaazzaraTV) October 18, 2025

There appears to be some counter protestors behind the stage at the Boston No Kings Protest. You can hear them on the mic but we cant currently see them. Sen. Markey is speaking. Sen. Warren just spoke as well. pic.twitter.com/wRjCGbzjHz  Alyssa Azzara (@alyssaazzaraTV) October 18, 2025

Many protesters were angered by attacks on their motives. In Washington, Brian Reymann said being called a terrorist all week by Republicans was pathetic.

This is America. I disagree with their politics, but I dont believe that they dont love this country, Reymann said, carrying a large American flag. I believe they are misguided. I think they are power hungry.

More than 1,500 people gathered in Birmingham, Alabama, evoking and openly citing the citys history of protests and the critical role it played in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement two generations ago.

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It just feels like were living in an America that I dont recognize, said Jessica Yother, a mother of four. She and other protesters said they felt camaraderie by gathering in a state where Trump won nearly 65% of the vote last November.

It was so encouraging, Yother said. I walked in and thought, Here are my people.

Organizers hope to build opposition movement

Big rallies like this give confidence to people who have been sitting on the sidelines but are ready to speak up, Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy said in an interview with The Associated Press.

While protests earlier this year  against Elon Musks cuts and Trumps military parade  drew crowds, organizers say this one is uniting the opposition. Top Democrats such as Senate Leader Chuck Schumer and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders are joining what organizers view as an antidote to Trumps actions, from the administrations clampdown on free speech to its military-style immigration raids.

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Were here because we love America, Sanders said, addressing the crowd from a stage in Washington. He said the American experiment is in danger under Trump but insisted We the people will rule.

The national march against Trump and Musk this spring had 1,300 registered locations, while the first No Kings day in June registered 2,100 locations.

Republicans denounce Hate America rallies

Republicans sought to portray Saturdays protesters as far outside the mainstream and a prime reason for the government shutdown, now in its 18th day.

From the White House to Capitol Hill, GOP leaders disparaged the rallygoers as communists and Marxists. They say Democratic leaders, including Schumer, are beholden to the far-left flank and willing to keep the government shut to appease those liberal forces.

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I encourage you to watch  we call it the Hate America rally  that will happen Saturday, said House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana.

Lets see who shows up for that, Johnson said, listing groups including antifa types, people who hate capitalism and Marxists in full display.

Many demonstrators, in turn, said they were responding such hyperbole with humor, noting that Trump often leans heavily on theatrics such as claiming U.S. cities he sends troops to are war zones.

So much of what weve seen from this administration has been so unserious and silly that we have to respond with the same energy, said Glen Kalbaugh, a Washington protester who wore a wizard hat and held a sign with a frog on it.

Democrats try to regain their footing amid shutdown

Democrats have refused to vote on legislation that would reopen the government as they demand funding for health care. Republicans say they are willing to discuss the issue later, only after the government reopens.

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The situation is a potential turnaround from just six months ago, when Democrats and their allies were divided and despondent. Schumer in particular was berated by his party for allowing an earlier government funding bill to sail through the Senate without using it to challenge Trump.

What we are seeing from the Democrats is some spine, said Ezra Levin, a co-founder of Indivisible, a key organizing group. The worst thing the Democrats could do right now is surrender.

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Dozens of No Kings protests are slated across central Ohio on Saturday, Oct. 18.

The events are expected to be peaceful, but legal experts and civil-liberties groups say protesters should understand their rights including whats allowed when it comes to wearing masks and interacting with police.

'No Kings' anti-Trump protests: 'No Kings' anti-Trump protests scheduled across Ohio, including Statehouse in Columbus

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For those planning to demonstrate and choose to wear a face covering, heres what Ohio and U.S. law say, plus your protest rights.

Is wearing a mask at a protest illegal in Ohio?

Under the First Amendment, peaceful protesters may wear face coverings as part of expressive activity. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) protest guide, "symbolic expression" can include masks and costumes.

However, that protection isnt without limits, and it doesnt protect you from committing illegal acts, like blocking traffic after police orders to disperse.

Signs and costumes are also legal as long as you are following the law.

What is Ohio's anti-mask law?

Ohio's 1953 "anti-disguise" statute remains active and on the books. The 72-year-old law creates possible criminal penalties for wearing a mask only in a circumstance when someone "unite[s] with two or more others to commit a misdemeanor while wearing white caps, masks, or other disguise." Violating that provision is considered a fourth-degree felony under the current charging guidance cited by state officials.

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In May 2024, Attorney General Dave Yost told universities the law could apply to masked campus protesters if paired with misdemeanor conduct. The statute does not ban masks at peaceful, lawful protests by itself.

Civil-liberties groups warn that enforcing old anti-mask laws could discourage lawful protests and raise constitutional concerns. Historically, many anti-mask laws were written to deter intimidation by groups like the Ku Klux Klan.

Where is it legal to protest in Ohio?

Streets, sidewalks, parks and in front of government buildings are open to protests as long as you do not block access or interfere with operations, according to the Ohio ACLU. Permits may be required for large events, amplified sound or street closures. Private property allows owners to set their own rules, so trespassing laws would apply.

Can you record police or ICE in Ohio?

The Dispatch spoke with former Deputy Attorney General Mark Weaver in July about whether it is legal to film law enforcement and ICE during demonstrations.

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He said it's legal to film them so long as a person or group of people filming law enforcement officers, including ICE agents, does not interfere in their duties.

Are there any restrictions on protesting in Ohio?

There are some restrictions on protesting in Ohio, according to the ACLU.

The government can impose some limits to free speech by implementing time, place, and manner restrictions. This is usually done by requiring permits for meetings, rallies, and demonstrations.

The First Amendment does not protect speech that incites violence, is obscene, or is threatening.

It is also considered a federal crime to threaten to harm the president, the vice president, or a major candidate for either office.

What are your rights if you are arrested at a protest in Ohio?

The ACLU noted that running or resisting arrest could result in additional criminal charges. People who are arrested should expect to remain in custody from anywhere from 24-36 hours from the time of arrest to making bail.

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Law enforcement will ask you for basic information and will take your fingerprints and photograph, unless you were charged with a very minor crime.

You will then be interviewed by a court agency so that bail can be assessed. You do not have to answer their questions, but giving accurate information will speed the process.

Consider hiring an attorney to represent you at the arraignment and present arguments regarding your bail.

The judge will likely set bail according to several factors, including your local ties to the community and the seriousness of the crimes for which you are accused.

Trending reporter Amani Bayo can be reached at abayo@dispatch.com.

(This story was updated to add a video.)

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio No Kings protests Trump, ICE. Is it legal to wear masks?
By AJ Vicens and Raphael Satter

(Reuters) -People who take part in Saturday's mass "No Kings" protest against President Donald Trump's administration may be targeted for federal government surveillance with a range of technology that could include facial recognition and phone hacking, civil libertarians said.

"No Kings" organizers expect 2,600 rallies across all 50 U.S. states. But the level of surveillance at protests and the type of technology in use is likely to be both location-specific and dependent on the police forces present, said Thorin Klosowski, a security and privacy activist with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said Friday.

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For instance, crowds in Washington, D.C., where anti-scale fencing has been erected around the White House complex, are likely to be surveilled differently than those in a small rural town.

"Under previous administrations, law enforcement surveillance of peaceful demonstrations was already commonplace and corrosive of free expression," Ryan Shapiro, executive director of government transparency group Property of the People, said in an email Friday.

"Given Trump's open hostility to even minor dissent, such surveillance now poses an existential threat to what remains of American democracy and only underscores the need for mass protest."

One federal law enforcement agency, the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has been implementing Trump's immigration crackdown and has amassed a digital surveillance arsenal, according to various news outlets.

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That includes facial recognition and phone hacking tools, as well as cell site simulators, which can allow for granular surveillance of protesters mobile phones. Multiple federal agencies have deployed social media monitoring, according to the Brennan Center.

HIGH-TECH TOOLS

Earlier this year, the Trump administration deployed MQ-9 Predator drones, aircraft traditionally used to spot and kill enemies in combat zones, over Los Angeles during anti-ICE protests. The agency also uses lower tech tools, such as the high-definition cameras regularly seen at recent protests in Chicago.

Department of Homeland Security officials didnt directly respond to a query about potential surveillance of No Kings protesters. As it does every day, DHS law enforcement will enforce the laws of our nation," the department said in a statement. An ICE spokesperson told Reuters in an email Saturday that "the First Amendment protects speech and peaceful assembly  not rioting. DHS is taking reasonable and constitutional measures to uphold the rule of law and protect our officers."

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Surveillance isn't limited to federal agencies. Multiple local police departments have used facial recognition technology, with laws governing its use varying from state to state, news outlet Stateline reported in February.

Nate Wessler, deputy director of the ACLU Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, said that different technologies have different legal requirements and require specific court authorization for focused and limited use. But it's not easy to prove that a specific person was included in an inappropriate collection of data, Wessler said.

"This is a recurring problem in trying to constrain government's use of surveillance technologies," he said in an interview. "They are often designed to work surreptitiously and it can be extremely hard to prove whether you or any particular person was swept up in this kind of surveillance."

The Trump administration "sidelined or fired" Homeland Security staffers who might have curbed surveillance "excesses," said Don Bell, policy counsel for the Constitution Project at the Project on Government Oversight.

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"One of the reasons why the use of these technologies is uniquely dangerous is that there are virtually no legal guardrails in place to prevent mass surveillance, and what did exist has been bulldozed," Bell said in an email.

Wessler said drones collecting footage raise concerns about government chilling of First Amendment rights. "If you have a group of overwhelmingly peaceful protesters with a permit in the streets doing their thing, there's no good reason why you should have a drone watching everything they do," Wessler said.

SOME ANXIOUS PROTESTORS

Although the first No Kings protest in June overwhelmingly drew peaceful, festival-like crowds, Trump and his allies have increasingly criticized the follow-up event and described the protesters as terrorists, Hamas supporters and far-left agitators. The accusations, made without presenting any evidence, have made some observers anxious.

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Even just what lawmakers are saying is very different this time around, Klosowski said. Im a little more worried this time than I was last time.

The extent of any planned surveillance is unclear, in part because the Trump administration has declined to share details about how officials typically monitor demonstrators.

In July, Democratic senators asked Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem detailed questions about surveillance technology used to monitor protests. The agency never responded, according to the office of Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey.

Donald Trump has shown he'll aggressively weaponize government powers to squelch dissent," Markey said in an email. At this weekend's 'No Kings' protests, the Trump administration must refrain from surveilling Americans who are exercising their constitutional rights.

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Plans for "No Kings" protests have drawn the attention of at least one of the U.S. governments domestic intelligence "fusion centers" established after the 9/11 attacks, according to an alert obtained by Property of the People.

The document from the Central California Intelligence Center identified Sacramento, Fresno, and Stockton among dozens of "No Kings" protest sites.

Noting that while the protests were billed as nonviolent action, the center said additional intelligence reports were being planned on the rallies. The center did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The National Fusion Center Association did not directly address questions about October 18 plans, but referred Reuters to a 2011 federal document listing recommendations for law enforcement agencies regarding "First Amendment-Protected Events."

(Reporting by AJ Vicens in Detroit and Raphael Satter in Washington; Editing by Cynthia Osterman, Nick Zieminski)
An Uptown rally concluded peacefully Saturday in Uptown, with no incidents or arrests, according to police.

The rally, part of the nationwide No Kings movement against authoritarianism, was organized by Indivisible Charlotte. Organizers told Channel 9 that the event drew thousands of participants.

READ: Thousands to protest at second No Kings Rally in Uptown Charlotte

It took place from 10 a.m. to noon at First Ward Park. Attendees gathered to express their commitment to democracy and shared power, with prominent speakers such as Reed Galen, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, and Rev. Dr. Janet Garner-Mullins addressing the crowd, organizers said.

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We appreciate everyone who came out and helped make this a safe and respectful event for all, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department stated in its update.

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Participants marched about one mile through Uptown. CMPD officers and Uptown security guards were present throughout the rally.

Attendees were encouraged to bring nonperishable food donations to benefit Nourish Up Charlotte, a local initiative supporting families facing food insecurity, according to organizers.

WATCH: Vigil held for 19-year-old fatally shot in Charlotte Wingstop
Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets across Southern California on Saturday for "No Kings" demonstrations against President Trump, portraying the commander in chief as an aspiring monarch as he continues to engage in what critics argue is government overreach.

In Grand Park, protesters gathered under the shade of a 20-foot inflatable of Trump in a diaper as a band belted out an Epstein files-themed parody of Johnny Cashs Folsom Prison Blues." Protesters draped in LGBTQ+, Mexican and American flags held signs that read "Liberty," "No Kings" and "Veto the Cheeto."

"Were here to fight fascism, and were not afraid, said 25-year-old Jess Sanchez, who has had family members targeted in recent immigration raids. This is our city and our country.

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The gathering in Grand Park was just one of thousands that unfolded across the country on Saturday as part of a nationwide effort to oppose not only the president but his administration's policies on immigration, education, healthcare and environmental protections.

More than 2,700 "No Kings" demonstrations were scheduled across the country, roughly 600 more events than in June. Demonstrations in New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Boston drew massive crowds.

In June, roughly 5 million demonstrators rallied across the nation for the first "No Kings" protests as the Trump administration's agenda began coming into focus. At that time, the Department of Homeland Security had begun carrying out large-scale immigration raids across Southern California, and Trump deployed military troops to Los Angeles in response to mass protests.

Since then, many Americans believe that Trump's actions  doubling down on immigration raids in major cities, deploying National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., and embarking on an aggressive campaign against political opponents  have only become more severe.

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Trump pushed back against the underlying premise of the protests in an interview with Fox News on Friday. "Theyre referring to me as a king," he said. "Im not a king.

Pedro Sanchez, who immigrated to the United States from Mexico more than 50 years ago, said the protest was an expression of the 1st Amendment, which he said the administration has continued to challenge.

He pointed to last month's temporary suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's ABC broadcast after the talk show host made remarks criticizing Republicans following the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

"Look at what happened to Kimmel  if that could happen to him, it can happen to any of us, Sanchez said. We want our rights back; we can't take this anymore.

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Some protesters tried to bring some levity to the seriousness of the day.

A cohort of people in inflatable costumes  dinosaurs, chickens and sharks  strolled through the crowd, an adoption of a recent strategy undertaken by protesters in Oregon meant to ease tensions and signal nonviolence.

But for Matt Faw, a documentary filmmaker, his Uncle Sam costume was intended to make a point. The costume was his way of criticizing what he said was the Trump administration's misappropriation of American symbols.

"The symbols of America have been stolen by people who want to insist that America means white, Christian patriarchal power, Faw said. As opposed to what I see  which is groups that are very different from each other learning to get along and form a better union together.

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Faw said he generally attends such protests as an observer with his camera in hand. But this time, fear and fury drove him to get more involved.

"Im afraid that its happening so fast that we wont be able to get the country back that I grew up in, he added.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom urged protesters to demonstrate peacefully, saying in a statement on X that "our strength is in our unity."

"The values Americans cherish are under assault by [Donald Trump]," he said. "THIS IS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and California will keep peacefully pushing back against the Trump Administration's authoritarian takeover."

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In Long Beach, thousands of protesters packed the bluff along Ocean Boulevard, cheering amid a chorus of honking horns. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach) posed for a photograph with another attendee holding a sign that read: "Fascists have small dictators."

"NO KINGS in Long Beach," he wrote on X. "So proud of our city for turning out and opposing Trump."

In San Diego, police said more than 25,000 people showed up to rallies across the city. There were no arrests, officials said.

In an attempt to broaden the scope of No Kings, organizers appealed to Americans upset over the rising cost of living, gutting of environmental protections, sweeping overhauls of federal agencies, and the government shutdown over looming healthcare cuts.

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Organizers say the goal of No Kings goes beyond just getting Americans out on the streets by aiming to connect people who are upset and frustrated with the Trump administration to local organizing groups.

Podcaster Brian Tyler Cohen roused the crowd at Grand Park, pointing to the scope of the "No Kings" protests nationwide.

Millions of people taking to the streets right now destroys the optics of Donald Trump having total control of this country, Cohen said. We are here because we love America. We are here because this is a country worth fighting for.

By 3 p.m., the downtown Los Angeles crowd of thousands had mobilized down 1st Street and clogged the avenue. Protesters chanted and waved signs and flags.

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Some made calls for the government to observe the Constitution, such as one that cited the 5th Amendment on due process. Others, however, were written in more plain language. "ICE sucks, one read.

Rachel Edler of Los Angeles and her young son, Hardy, were among those in downtown Los Angeles.

Edler said she brought her child to the protest to answer questions he had about the administration's actions in Los Angeles. "He wanted to know why people had voted for [Trump] in the first place and I came here to help answer that question and help him understand why people were upset.

By the late afternoon, a group of about 100 to 200 protesters came face to face with LAPD officers who were tasked with protecting the Metropolitan Detention Center, according to an officer on the scene.

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With megaphones and signs in hand, the protesters remained peaceful. "A lot of the people were trying to remain nonviolent, Will Clarke of Los Angeles said.

Saturday's rallies took place amid a big disruption to one of Southern California's major freeways.

The state announced Saturday morning that it would close a 17-mile stretch of Interstate 5 for several hours after military officials confirmed that live-fire artillery rounds would be shot over the freeway during a Marine Corps event at Camp Pendleton.

The unprecedented closure caused massive gridlock and confusion but appeared to have little effect on the day's demonstrations.

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Times staff writers Jenny Jarvie and Nathan Solis contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Large crowds gathered Saturday for No Kings protests across the country, including several in West Michigan.

The rallies in protest against the Trump administration were held nationwide for the second time this year. The first time was June 14 on President Donald Trumps birthday. The No Kings movements website said that Saturdays protests were an attempt to take another stand against what it says is Trumps authoritarianism.

In June, we did what many claimed was impossible: peacefully mobilized millions of people to take to the streets and declare with one voice: America has No Kings. And it mattered, the site said. The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we dont have kings and we wont back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty.

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West Michigan saw dozens of protests on Saturday in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and more locations.

GRAND RAPIDS

Multiple protests were held in Grand Rapids Saturday afternoon.

The first protest, called the No Kings Community Festival was held at Riverside Park. It was organized by Indivisible Greater Grand Rapids and lasted from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and featured music, comedy, speeches and gathering.

Cars honked in support  many rallying against what they called an abuse of power. Protestors told News 8 they came to stand up for civil rights, free speech and democracy itself.

Were just here to defend democracy and to take care of our country and our freedoms and our civil rights because right now theyre just being trampled on by this current administration, said Grandville resident Laura Wibel.

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By her side was her friend Vicki Manning, who planned on spending the entire day making her voice heard.

I just believe that its important that we are being seen, that were being heard, and that were out here and were participating, Manning said. I believe in human rights and healthcare rights and rights to a free education, right to science, so that is why we are here because we believe that we love our country and to be told that we dont is really disappointing.

Manning addressed the protests being considered unpatriotic, noting that many Republicans have referred to the nationwide movement as the Hate America Rally. However, both Manning and Wibel disagreed, saying the protest was grounded in love for this country.

This is not an I hate America rally. This is an I love America rally. We are out here fighting hard for it, said Wibel. Regardless of your speech you have a right to give that speech and we need to defend that right.

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Some added color to the crowd with full inflatable costumes inspired by protesters in Portland, Oregon. One woman, Robin, wore a unicorn costume.

What a way to show your support then to bring light and love to and otherwise dark and very depressing era that were in, she said. Were allowed to do what we want whether its religion or love somebody thats different from the next person and I want to make sure I can support that.

The second began at Rosa Parks Circle, where protestors marched north on Monroe Avenue NE and through downtown.

The protest was organized by the GR Coalition to Oppose Trump. Speeches were given at the rally, which lasted from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

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The message was the same: the protest was about the right to speak freely, to gather peacefully and to keep democracy in the hands of the people.

At Rosa Parks Circle, many covered their faces in fear of backlash, but said that wouldnt stop them.

At a certain point we have to draw a line in the sand and actually say something because later in life, I want to be able to tell my kids that I stood up for what I believe in, said one man who preferred not to share his name.

As the crowd grew, so did his hope that speaking out would inspire others to do the same.

When people feel like theyre part of a movement, it can only do good things. The more we do this, the more people feel comfortable standing up for whats right, he said.

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At Breton Woods of Holland Home in Grand Rapids, senior citizens gathered to protest in the rain, holding signs covered in plastic that contained messages such as Dont let lawmakers gamble with your healthcare and Stop the abuse of power.

Two women stood in yellow ponchos, with one holding a sign that read Fight truth decay no more. She said she hoped to see other generations joining hers in upcoming protests.

Hopefully if the younger people can see us old people out here in our walkers in the rain, theyll join us next time, she said.

Another man sat in the rain holding a bright pink sign that read Academic Freedom across it. He expressed his worry for the direction of the countrys future.

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Im here because Im a Christian and Im a loyal American, the man said. Im a veteran of the Army and Im very concerned about whats happening to our country.

KALAMAZOO

The No Kings protest in Kalamazoo. Photo courtesy of Indivisible Greater Kalamazoo. (October 18, 2025)

The No Kings protest in Kalamazoo. Photo courtesy of Indivisible Greater Kalamazoo. (October 18, 2025)

The No Kings protest in Kalamazoo. Photo courtesy of Indivisible Greater Kalamazoo. (October 18, 2025)

In Kalamazoo, organization Indivisible Greater Kalamazoo said in a release that about 9,500 people gathered on N. Drake Road in peaceful protest. They carried lags and signs that read messages like We the people refuse to bow and Protesting is patriotic were on display.

The organizations team leader said that she couldnt have pictured such a large gathering a year ago.

When 12 people got together last January to organize Indivisible Greater Kalamazoo, little did we imagine such a huge turnout just nine months later, Carol Anderson said.

A No Kings Protest held at Veterans Park in Greenville. Photo courtesy of Julie. (October 18, 2025)

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A No Kings protest in Fremont. (October 18, 2025)

A No Kings protest in Fremont. (October 18, 2025)

A No Kings protest in Fremont. (October 18, 2025)

A view of the No Kings protest in Grand Rapids on Saturday, October 18, 2025.

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A No Kings protest held in Ionia on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Photo courtesy of Liam Lynch.

Other rallies were reported in Ionia, Holland and Fremont, where protestors held signs that read messages incluing, We have a Constitution not a king and The power of the people is stronger than people in power.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Saturday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that his thoughts signify the development of Bihar along with the country. Hailing the importance of Champaran in Bihar elections, Saha stated that it is a matter of pride for him to visit the region and mentioned that the NDA would win all nine seats in the area. "PM Modi always says that Bihar should develop, then the country will develop too. Just like development in the northeast became possible due to him...We know the condition of Bihar, we know what all happened in Lalu ji's tenure...Elections are about to take place here. Coming to a place like Champaran is a matter of pride for me. This is really important...This time, we will win all 9 seats here (in Champaran)," Manik Saha told reporters. Earlier, Union Minister Giriraj Singh asserted that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is poised to secure a resounding victory in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, while taking a sharp dig at the opposition bloc Mahagathbandhan, saying it is in a fragmented state -- "dil ke tukde hazaar huye, koi yahan gire, koi wahan gire." Singh also noted that there is no such thing as 'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar, asserting the public's disinterest in RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. "In 2010, JD(U) and BJP made a record together when they won 206 seats. This time, we will go higher than that. We have 'neta' (leader), 'netritva' (leadership) and program. There is no such thing as 'mahagathbandhan', there is no trust in Tejashwi Yadav. They are not ready to consider each other leaders. They neither have 'neta' nor 'netritva'," Giriraj Singh told ANI. Polling for the Bihar elections 2025 will take place on November 6 and 11. The results will be announced on November 14. (ANI)
NEW YORK - Americans all across the country, from large cities to small towns, took to the streets Saturday to make their voices heard, and to reject President Donald Trump and his policies.

More than 2,700 rallies were planned in all 50 states as demonstrators marched to make clear that there are no kings in America. The protests come as Trump has deployed National Guard troops and immigration agents to cities including Chicago and Washington, D.C.

News: Words Of Dictators: Retired Maj. General Condemns GOP Rhetoric On No Kings Rallies

Organizers for the event said that nearly 7 million Americans around the country attended  two million more than the first No Kings protest in June.

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With more than 2,700 lawful and peaceful protests across all 50 states, todays mobilization was 14 times larger than both of President Trumps presidential inaugurations combined, marking a historic moment of unity and resistance, a statement from No Kings organizers said. From rural communities to major metropolitan centers, the message was clear: America will not be ruled by fear, force, or one mans power grab.

Thousands of demonstrators showed up in New York Citys Times Square and at the National Mall in Washington. There were more than 300,000 demonstrators in New York City alone, organizers said.

Thousands of protesters fill Times Square during a "No Kings" protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in New York. AP Photo/Olga Fedorova

A woman at the New York protest named Beth, who did not want to share her last name, said she came from New Hampshire with her daughter and granddaughter. She held a sign that said she was a proud antifa member.

My father fought in World War II and he was wounded in Belgium, Beth told HuffPost. And so Im an antifa member, because they were fighting fascists.

News: Mehdi Hasan Calls Marrying Trump A Job 'Immigrants Will Do But Americans Wont

Ariel Fernandez said hes a history teacher.

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What I tell my students all the time is democracy is a verb, Fernandez said. You do it. So Im here to do it.

Next to Fernandez, a man dressed in an inflatable flying squirrel costume declined to give his name.

I was going to get a frog, but the frogs were a little expensive, he said.

The New York Police Department said in a statement that there were zero protest-related arrests during Saturdays demonstration.

Demonstrators rallied in New York City on Saturday to make their voices heard and protest against President Donald Trump. Sara Boboltz / HuffPost

In Boston and Chicago, aerial footage captured the massive scale of the protests.

Holy shit, look at this crowd from the Boston No Kings protest. Samuel Adams would be damn proud. pic.twitter.com/Efl1i8RExB  Mike Nellis (@MikeNellis) October 18, 2025

Republican lawmakers spent the last week blasting the planned protests. On Wednesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) fearmongered by saying that the events would be filled with the pro-Hamas wing of the Democratic party.

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We call it the hate America rally that will happen Saturday, Johnson said at a news conference with other House GOP leaders. Lets see who shows up for that. I bet you youll see Hamas supporters, I bet youll see antifa types, I bet youll see the Marxists on full display, the people who dont want to stand and defend the foundational truths of this republic.

In D.C. on Saturday, HuffPost captured hundreds of demonstrators loudly chanting USA! USA! outside the National Mall.

Republican lawmakers spent the week prior to the protests decrying them as "hate" rallies. TIMOTHY A.CLARY via Getty Images

Following Johnsons comments, organizers for the No Kings rallies said Friday that the number of people who signed up to attend a No Kings protest had more than doubled.

Organizers have seen a spike in RSVPs since Speaker Johnson and Republicans have mischaracterized the No King rallies, seeing more than double the amount since Oct. 10, said Britt Jacovich, a spokesperson for MoveOn, one of the progressive groups helping to organize the demonstrations.

RSVPs to "No Kings" demonstrations spiked after GOP leaders started condemning and mischaracterizing them. Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images

On Monday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy questioned who was funding the protests.

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It begs the question, whos funding it? he asked Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business Networks Mornings with Maria.

More than 200 organizations signed on as partners for the demonstrations. Some of those partners include the American Civil Liberties Union, Democracy Forward, Enough of Gun Violence and the League of Conservation Voters.

A demonstrator in D.C. holds a box labeled "Classified Epstein Files," a reference to President Donald Trump's refusal to release files related to the late sex trafficker. Jennifer Bendery / HuffPost

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said he planned to deploy National Guard troops to Austin for the demonstrations.

Violence and destruction will never be tolerated in Texas, Abbott said in a statement Thursday.

News: Artillery Mishap During Marines Event Sends Shrapnel Flying Toward Highway Patrol Vehicles

Thousands of protesters still showed up in Austin on Saturday, where they enjoyed food trucks and listened to speeches and music. Event organizer Sophia Mirto told Fox 7 Austin she expected there to be between 20,000 and 30,000 demonstrators.

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Ahead of protests in California, the Los Angeles Police Department filed an emergency motion asking a judge to lift an injunction that restricts the use of force against the press.

Millions of people were expected to join "No Kings" rallies. LAURE ANDRILLON/AFP via Getty Images

As massive crowds of Americans took to the streets Saturday, Trump fled to Florida to play golf, according to a White House pool report.

There were no demonstrations visible from the windows of the press van, the pool report added.

News: Country Singer Goes Viral Criticizing Christians Who Laugh When Families Are Torn Apart

Trump previously said on Fox Business that he is not a king.

Theyre referring to me as a king. Im not a king, Trump told Fox Business Maria Bartiromo in an interview clip released Friday.

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That same night, Trump reportedly served $1 million-a-plate dinner at his Mar-a-Lago club and residence.

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Read the original on HuffPost
DENVER (KDVR)  A group that has planned a series of No King themed national protests is planning more rallies across the U.S. and in the Denver area this weekend to share their viewpoint on the current state of American politics and the Trump administration.

This is the second No Kings branded rally, with similar rallies also held in July, August and September, but with a much smaller turnout than the February event. Denver saw thousands of people protesting and marching near the Colorado Capitol.

Free on Your TV  FOX31+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Samsung

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Now, renewed energy for the movement has spurred dozens of protests planned in Colorado and thousands are expected to join Denvers event on Saturday.

The events are being planned by the Colorado chapter of 50501, the same group that has been planning 50 protests in 50 states on one day, including events on President Donald Trumps birthday and widespread February protests. The group has been using the rally title no kings to share its message, In America, we dont have kings.

Organizers say that the participants will be protesting Trumps authoritarian overreach and militarized crackdown on Democrat-led cities across America, such as sending members of the Texas National Guard to Chicago and authorizing masked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to use force against U.S. citizens in the agents pursuit of undocumented immigrants.

They are targeting immigrant families; profiling, detaining and arresting people without warrants; threatening to compromise free and fair elections; gutting healthcare when families need it most; stripping environmental protections; gerrymandering electoral maps to disenfranchise voters; ignoring mass shootings at our schools, places of worship and in our communities; and driving up the cost of living  all while handing out massive giveaways to billionaires as families struggle, said Indivisible Table Mountain in its announcement for Oct. 18. The group is hosting a rally along Washington Avenue in Golden.

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The organizers also emphasize that the events are designed to be peaceful mass mobilizations in response to Trumps administration. Confrontations during the previous No Kings rally were isolated, including in Denver.

Some conservative politicians have condemned the protests as Hate America rallies, while others say that it represents a patriotic fight for First Amendment rights.

What is the Hatch Act and why are some airports citing it this week?

The No Kings organizers have led numerous virtual safety trainings leading up to the protests with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union, which is listed as an official partner on the No Kings website.

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The trainings informed viewers about their rights during protests  such as whether you are required to carry ID or if wearing a mask is allowed (both vary according to each state)  and emphasized de-escalation techniques for encounters with law enforcement.

Each official protest has a safety plan, which includes designated medics and emergency meeting spots.

The Regional Transportation District announced Thursday that it was taking steps to prepare for an expected large presence of demonstrators on Saturday, Oct. 18, in downtown Denver and nearby cities across its service area. RTD said it has made several contingency plans if the event disrupts fixed-route bus and rail services.

The transportation agency said that customers should be prepared for large crowds and sign up for service alerts in case of disruptions.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Over a dozen No Kings rallies are scheduled across Central Florida this Saturday to protest the Trump administrations policies.

Millions are expected to protest across the country on No Kings Day, with 18 rallies planned in Central Florida alone, from Palm Coast to Poinciana, including Orlando.

House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the rallies, calling them the Hate America rally during a news conference.

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This is the second No Kings protest, following the first national day of protest in June. The rallies were mostly peaceful, although three arrests occurred at a previous protest in Ocala for making physical contact with protesters.

Protesters are raising concerns about the Trump administrations approach to immigration, attempts to expand executive authority, and the increasing cost of living. The demonstrations happen amid rising protests over federal law enforcement presence in Portland, Oregon, and Chicago, where efforts to send in troops have been blocked in federal court.

The Orlando Police Department encourages everyone in the community to stay vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activity during the rallies.

The safety and security of everyone remains the Orlando Police Departments top priority. The Orlando Police Department wants to remind our community to always call 9-1-1 or flag down an officer working the event if they see anything suspicious. Whether security measures are visible or not, officers are always working on the streets and behind the scenes to ensure the safety of our city. Orlando Police Department

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
WASHINGTON  Protesting the direction of the country under President Donald Trump, people gathered Saturday in the nations capital and communities across the U.S. for No Kings  demonstrations  what the presidents Republican Party is calling Hate America rallies.

They rallied with signs like Nothing is more patriotic than protesting or Resist Fascism, and in many places it looked more like a street party. There were marching bands, a huge banner with the U.S. Constitutions We The People, preamble that people could sign, and protesters in frog costumes, which have emerged as a sign of resistance in Portland, Oregon.

In the Tampa Bay area, No Kings protests were planned across the region including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Gulfport, Zephyrhills, Trinity and Brandon.

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The Clearwater protest alone drew more than 3,000 people who gathered along a half-mile stretch of Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, organizers said.

Dressed in a chicken costume and blaring the Chicken Dance on a portable speaker, Casey Wilson, 48, of Palm Harbor, stopped to take selfies with the Clearwater protesters. When someone asked, Why did the chicken cross the road? as she waited for the light to change, Wilson glanced back as it turned green and replied, To fight for democracy.

This is the third mass mobilization since Trumps return to the White House and comes against the backdrop of a government shutdown that not only has closed federal programs and services, but is testing the core balance of power as an aggressive executive confronts Congress and the courts in ways that organizers warn are a slide toward American authoritarianism.

No Kings protests return to Tampa Bay this weekend. Heres where they are

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Demonstrators packed places like New York Citys Times Square, the historic Boston Common, Chicagos Grant Park, Washington, D.C., and hundreds of smaller public spaces.

Many protesters were especially angered by attacks on their motives. In Washington, Brian Reymann said being called a terrorist all week by Republicans was pathetic.

This is America. I disagree with their politics  but I dont believe that they dont love this country. I believe they are misguided. I think they are power hungry, Reymann said, carrying a large American flag.

Trump himself is spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach.

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They say theyre referring to me as a king. Im not a king, Trump said in a Fox News interview airing early Friday, before he departed for a $1 million-per-plate MAGA Inc. fundraiser at his club. Protests are expected nearby Saturday.

Organizers hope to build opposition movement

More than 2,600 rallies were planned Saturday in cities large and small, organized by hundreds of coalition partners.

Big rallies like this give confidence to people who have been sitting on the sidelines but are ready to speak up, Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy said in an interview with The Associated Press.

While protests earlier this year  against Elon Musks cuts in the spring and Trumps June military parade  drew crowds, organizers say this one is uniting the opposition. Top Democrats such as Senate Leader Chuck Schumer and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders are joining in what organizers view as an antidote to Trumps actions, from the administrations clampdown on free speech to its military-style immigration raids.

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There is no greater threat to an authoritarian regime than patriotic people-power, said Ezra Levin, a co-founder of Indivisible, among the key organizers. In April, the national march against Trump and Musk had 1,300 registered locations. In June, for the first No Kings day, there were 2,100 registered locations.

Before noon, several thousand people had gathered in Times Square, chanting Trump must go now, and waving sometimes-profane signs with slogans insulting the president and condemning his immigration crackdown. Some people carried American flags.

Retired family doctor Terence McCormally was heading to Arlington National Cemetery to join others walking across the Memorial Bridge that enters Washington directly in front of the Lincoln Memorial. He said the recent deployment of the National Guard made him more wary of police than in the past.

I really dont like the crooks and conmen and religious zealots who are trying to use the country for personal gain, McCormally said, while they are killing and hurting millions of people with bombs.

Republicans denounce Hate America rallies

Republicans have sought to portray Saturdays protesters as far outside the mainstream and a prime reason for the government shutdown, now in its 18th day.

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From the White House to Capitol Hill, GOP leaders disparaged the rallygoers as communists and Marxists. They say Democratic leaders, including Schumer, are beholden to the far-left flank and willing to keep the government shut down to appease those liberal forces.

I encourage you to watch  we call it the Hate America rally  that will happen Saturday, said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.

Lets see who shows up for that, Johnson said, listing groups including antifa types, people who hate capitalism and Marxists in full display.

Many demonstrators responded to such hyperbole with silliness in part because they say Trump leans heavily on theatrics  like claiming cities he sends troops to are war zones  said Glen Kalbaugh, a Washington protester.

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So much of what weve seen from this administration has been so unserious and silly that we have to respond with the same energy, said Kalbaugh, who wore a wizard hat and held a sign with a frog on it.

Democrats try to regain their footing

Democrats have refused to vote on legislation that would reopen the government as they demand funding for health care. Republicans say they are willing to discuss the issue later, only after the government reopens.

But for many Democrats, the government closure is also a way to stand up to Trump, and try to push the presidency back to its place in the U.S. system as a co-equal branch of government. Its also a way to draw a moral line in the sand, said Murphy, the senator from Connecticut.

Trump does think that hes a king, Murphy said at the Washington rally, and he thinks that he can act more corruptly when the government is shut down. But he cannot.

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The situation is a potential turnaround from just six months ago, when Democrats and their allies were divided and despondent. Schumer in particular was berated by his party for allowing an earlier government funding bill to sail through the Senate without using it to challenge Trump.

What we are seeing from the Democrats is some spine, said march organizer Levin. The worst thing the Democrats could do right now is surrender.

By MIKE PESOLI and GARY FIELDS, Associated Press. AP writers Lisa Mascaro, Kevin Freking, and Chris Megerian in Washington, Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, and Safiya Riddle in Montgomery, Alabama, contributed to this report, as did Times photojournalist Chris Urso.
This story will be updated with live updates as the events develop throughout the day.

Today, millions of Americans frustrated with President Donald Trump and his administration's immigration crackdowns, ICE and National Guard deployments, on-again-off-again tariffs, and his perceived control over all three branches of the U.S. government are gathering again to protest in cities across the country.

Saturday, Oct. 18, marks another round of the "No Kings" protests, the latest in a series of mass demonstrations since President Donald Trump took office, in hundreds of big cities and small towns across the country. More than 80 are scheduled in his home state of Florida, and at least four are happening in Palm Beach County  including one 4 miles down the road from his private club.

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Video across Florida: No Kings Day protests videos in Florida, from Daytona Beach to Sarasota to Tallahassee

Photos from the protests No Kings protest photos of Florida crowds, signs, from Mar-a-Lago to Tallahassee to Daytona Beach

After months away from Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump returned there the night before the "No Kings" protests for an elite fundraiser: He was the keynote speaker at a $1 million-per-plate fundraiser for super PAC MAGA Inc. on Friday, Oct. 17, at Mar-a-Lago.

According to a notice from the Federal Aviation Administration and reporting by the Palm Beach Daily News, a USA TODAY Network newspaper, Trump will be in Palm Beach through Sunday, Oct. 19.

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USA TODAY and the USA TODAY Network will provide live coverage of the "No King" anti-Trump administration protests.

Check back here for live updates from protests around Florida.

6:32 p.m.: 'No Kings Day' peaceful protests attract thousands in Daytona Beach, Palm Coast

With clanging cowbells, blasting car horns of support, and the occasional anti-Donald Trump chanting, around 3,000 people clustered in front of Daytona Beach City Hall and down the sidewalks Oct. 18 to protest much of what President Trump and his administration have done since the beginning of the year.

More: 'No Kings Day' peaceful protests in Daytona Beach, Palm Coast

One woman was in a full Lady Liberty costume, another was dressed like a town crier from another century and a third donned a homemade Santa costume complete with makeshift white beard. Many carried signs, their messages ranging from "Nothing is more American than opposing a tyrant" to "Imagine all the people living life in peace," a quote from John Lennon's iconic song.

3:46 p.m.: Thousands turn out for 'No Kings' protests across Treasure Coast

With six planned No Kings Day protests throughout the Treasure Coast Oct. 18, more than any previous rally in the area, thousands of people lined streets in Stuart, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, Sebastian and Port St. Lucie.

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In Vero Beach thousands of protesters descended on State Road 60 at 58th Avenue, normally a busy shopping area, with signs, horns and shouts.

In Stuart, at least 1,000 people lined every corner at the Kanner Highway and U.S. 1 intersection, including World War II veteran Patrick Callihan, 97, of Hobe Sound, who said he had to participate. He joined Laurence Grayhills, of Stuart, who urged with his high-waving sign to "Defend Democracy and the Constitution."

More: Thousands turn out for 'No Kings' protests across Treasure Coast

This was one of six protests on the Treasure Coast, and one of thousands nationwide. In Fort Pierce, over 100 people gathered on Jenkins Road after 9 a.m. protesting President Donald Trumps immigration policies and calling for him to be ousted.

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(Im here) for democracy and just continuing to better our country and to create respect for everyone, said Rebecca Muscat, 25, who traveled from Brevard County to Fort Pierce.

More: Thousands turn out for 'No Kings' protests across Treasure Coast

A group of Young Democrats of Indian River County estimated by using clickers at least 3,150 people were standing in protest by 1:30 p.m.

Pro-Trump supporters touted flags with slogans including Trump Won and MAGA country, but were outnumbered by No Kings protestors.

3:15 p.m.: Jacksonville residents call for No Kings

The main protest in Jacksonville began with a 2 p.m. march from the Friendship Fountain to the Duval County Courthouse where thousands were prepared to rally into the early evening. In an early estimate, it appeared to be more than the first gathering in June.

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More: It's a mass display of disdain for Trump by Jacksonville residents calling for No Kings

2:11 p.m. 'No Kings' protest in Gainesville twice the size of protest held in June

reventing President Donald Trump and his administration from running the country into the ground epitomizes why protesters attending the No Kings protest in Gainesville gathered again Oct. 18 at Cora Roberson Park on Southwest Sixth Street and Depot Avenue.

More: No Kings protest in Gainesville twice the size of protest held in June.

To protest the idiot running the country into the ground is why William Scott Osborne, 51, of Newberry, said he attended the protest.

The way Trump talks to people, treat people who he doesnt like and how easily his supporters allows him to get away with it is alarming, Osborne said, as he stood across the street from the park holding signs and waving at passersby who often honked their horns in support of the protest.

1:31 p.m.: Sarasota No Kings protest against Trump draws thousands to downtown

An estimated 3,000 people turned out at Payne Park in downtown Sarasota on Saturday, Oct. 18, for a No Kings protests against President Donald Trumps administration.

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More than 2,500 protests were planned nationwide including 80 across Florida and five in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

The protest at Payne Park, located at 2010 Adams Lane just east of the intersection of Ringling and Washington boulevards, was organized by the Democratic Women's Club of Sarasota County and hosted speakers from the Social Equity through Education (SEE) alliance.

1:23 p.m.: Lee County residents gather in Fort Myers for 'No Kings' protest

Protesters lined U.S. 41 in Fort Myers on Saturday, Oct. 18, as part of the nationwide 'No Kings' movement, one of thousands of protests held across the country, denouncing what participants describe as executive overreach under President Donald Trump.

More: Lee County residents gather in Fort Myers for 'No Kings' protest against Trump

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The Fort Myers demonstration, which took place from 8:30 to 11 a.m. near Daniels Parkway, stretched nearly a mile south to Sauer Drive. More than 3,000 yellow-clad protesters filled both sides of the six-lane corridor, waving homemade signs and wearing cardboard crowns, symbols of defiance against what they call "authoritarian behavior" in Washington, D.C.

Throughout the morning, car horns blared in support. Music, like The Beatles "Revolution," played through speakers along the street as protesters chanted and waved to passing vehicles.

1:04 p.m.: Thousands attend Cocoa 'No Kings' protest in song

Kathy Abel and her husband, Dave Abel, and a group of their friends joined the crowd on the packed sidewalk on the northwest corner of the U.S. 1 and King Street intersection. Many cheered, and passing drivers honked horns at the stoplight, as Dave Abel played guitar and he, Kathy and their friends sang "This Land is Your Land."

More: Cocoa 'No Kings' co-organizer: 'People are angry and raising their voices to say enough'

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"I'm worried that this government is trying to lead us into a dictatorship," Kathy Abel said. "People's rights are being trampled every day with this government ... that's why I'm here."

Signs and T-shirts were many and blunt, from This is the government the Founders warned us about and No Faux Kings to Apathy is Not an Option and Democracy Not Tyranny, the latter sign held aloft by a man wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the words Once I Was Afraid, Now Im Terrified.

12:53 p.m.: U.S. congresswoman in West Palm Beach: 'This is what democracy looks like'

U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel walked the length of the West Palm Beach protest to survey the crowd. She said she was impressed by the turnout and the events peaceful nature.

This is what democracy looks like, said Frankel, a former mayor of West Palm Beach. Silence is deadly. Im so proud of our community.

12:36 p.m.: Chants and banners in Tallahassees Capitol

Chants, banners, and marching feet returned to Tallahassees Capitol on Oct. 18 as the No Kings Day movement rallies thousands across the country to push back against President Donald Trumps use of power.

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Organizers say the coordinated events are meant to confront what they describe as Trumps violent authoritarian attacks on our freedoms, pointing to the militarization of cities such as Chicago and the ongoing federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1.

Throngs along Monroe Street chanted "USA! USA!" as passing cars and trucks honked their horns. One woman shrouded in black held a sign that said, "Mourning our democracy." A speaker on the steps of the old Capitol shouted through a PA system, "Congratulations for getting your daily dose of positive patriotism."

But this event also comes at a moment when Trump has claimed a series of high-profile policy wins, including brokering a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas. Supporters say that shows his leadership is delivering results, even as critics accuse him of consolidating power and undermining democratic norms  the very concerns fueling the No Kings movement.

Susan Johnson, a retired Episcopalian minister, came to the Tallahassee rally wearing her clerical collar.

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"I'm here because I love my country and I love our people and I'm tired of the brutalization I see being done to immigrants especially, and the trampling of the Bill of Rights," she said. "God calls us to love our neighbor and that doesn't have a citizenship clause. Never did, never will."

12:27 p.m.: Collier County residents take to streets for Naples anti-Trump 'No Kings' protest

About 3,000 people gathered at the Collier County Courthouse in Naples Saturday, Oct. 18, as part of the anti-Trump "No Kings" protests taking place across the nation.

More: Collier County residents again take to streets for anti-Trump 'No Kings' protest in Naples

The crowd gathered at the courthouse and along Tamiami Trail and Airport Road was at least three times that of a similar Naples demonstration in June. With signs, blow-up costumes, protest shirts and song, people expressed their displeasure with President Donald Trump and his administration.

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In Naples, there were a couple of T-rex costumes, a blow-up chicken and a blow-up Trump costume.

"I just thought it would energize the crowd," said Brant Bickel, his head sticking out of a Trump costume. "I think people have had enough. This is one of the most dangerous times in our country we're living through."

12:07 p.m.: Protesters and counter-protesters exchange words in Ocala

A No Kings rally protesting the Trump administration was held Oct. 18 on Ocala's downtown square. It was one of more than 2,500 similar protests being held on the same day nationwide.

In Ocala, protesters and counter-protesters exchanged words. There was a strong law enforcement presence, with law officers on the ground and high atop buildings. There were no arrests.

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More: Coverage of the No Kings protest in downtown Ocala on Oct. 18

12:01 p.m.: Thousands of Brevard residents join in 'No Kings' protests

In Cocoa, an estimated 3,000 residents showed up with signs and wearing costumes at the intersection of State Road 520 and U.S. 1. Another, separate rally was planned at Babcock Street and Palm Bay Road.

Saturday's protest was being organized and sponsored by Awake Brevard, STOP Moms for Liberty, Brevard Democrats, Space Coast LGBTA Democratic Caucus and Space Coast Progressive Alliance.

Crowds turned out in Cocoa with signs and costumes as part of one of Brevard's two anti-Trump "No Kings" protests on Saturday, Oct. 18.

Many people across Brevard thought they were "alone in their concerns," said Liz Mikitarian, STOP Moms for Liberty founder. "Our coming together at these events has developed a network of strong advocates for truth, justice and sanity, she said.

10:34 a.m.: 'No Kings' protesters in Palm Beach County focus on reproductive rights, immigration

Maureen Witkowski, 73, said she once identified as a Republican and voted for both George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush. That changed, she said, after Barack Obamas first campaign. Her break with the GOP came from what she described as an erosion of values within the party.

LIVE: No Kings protests planned near Mar-a-Lago as Donald Trump returns for fundraiser

Its very sad that the Republican Party is allowing this. That there is no fighting back against someone who is destroying our country," she said. "They care more about their own job and power than they do about serving the country.

Cathy Mulcahey, 81, of West Palm Beach, appears at a No Kings rally in Palm Beach Gardens on Oct. 18, 2025.

The retired Royal Palm Beach High School teacher said she worries deeply about the states six-week abortion ban, calling it a threat against women who have miscarriages.

Cathy Mulcahey, 81, of West Palm Beach, sat along the edge of the crowd at the Palm Beach Gardens rally. She hoisted a handwritten No Kings sign above her walker. My father was an immigrant. My parents, my late husband, my grandson, my brother  they were all in the military, she said. Im a retired lawyer. I believe in the U.S. Constitution, and I hate to see its values trampled for profit.

Where are the 'No Kings' protests in Florida?

According to the No King website, protests are currently planned in nearly 90 Florida cities. Car caravans and other events are also going on. Check the website for the latest list.

More than 5 million people participated in the first round of No Kings rallies in June, according to the ACLU. But there have been numerous developments with free speech and executive action since then. Organizers referenced Trumps efforts to deploy National Guard troops in a handful of Democratic-led cities.

Below is a map of all of the locations.

More: 'No Kings' protests are in these 81 Florida cities. Where to find one near you

What is the 'No Kings' protest?

According to event organizers, "No Kings" demonstrations are meant as a celebration of free speech, the right to assemble and the First Amendment. The widespread mobilization effort also presents an opportunity to push back against decisions made by the Trump administration, including increased immigration enforcement.

Where is Trump today? Why is Trump in Florida?

President Donald Trump arrived in his home county  Palm Beach County, Florida  about 6:20 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 for a weekend visit scheduled to be marked by protests against his rule, including his fresh calls for more prosecutions of political critics and renewed pledge of further military-style law and order missions in U.S. cities.

Trump makes his 11th visit to Palm Beach County in his White House second term still triumphantly basking in a cease-fire he brokered to silence weapons in the Israel-Gaza war that raged for just over two years. But he is still dogged by the stalemate on Capitol Hill over ending the partial government shutdown and Wall Street uneasiness over a new round of tariffs on China.

And deepening domestic divisions over his crackdown on what he has called, but critics have refuted, lawlessness in American urban centers.

(This story will be updated with new information.)

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: No Kings, anti-Trump administration protests in Florida: Live coverage
Millions of Americans participated in No Kings protests across more than 2,600 locations on Saturday, voicing opposition to what they perceive as authoritarian practices under President Donald Trump. Organized by the Indivisible movement and other grassroots groups, the demonstrations coincide with a federal government shutdown and are the third major mobilization since Trumps return to the presidency.

The movement frames itself as a defense of democracy against what it calls abuses of power, emphasizing peaceful, nonviolent action and civil engagement. The protests, coordinated by the No Kings movement and allied grassroots organizations, encouraged participants to wear yellow as a symbol of unity and hope.

Protesters gathered in cities including Washington, D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia, carrying American flags and signs emphasizing their patriotism. They chanted slogans such as No kings, no queens, no fascist USA and This is what democracy looks like, countering Republican accusations that described the events as Hate America rallies. Some even wore inflatable animal costumes like those seen at protests in Portland lately.

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Millions of everyday Americans from every walk of life peacefully took to the streets and declared with one voice: No Kings, the organization said on its website. The statement highlighted opposition to militarized actions in communities, policies favoring wealthy elites, and other measures the group characterizes as anti-democratic.

Local organizers provided training on protest safety, de-escalation, and legal rights, and livestreamed events for participants unable to attend in person. Social media amplified the reach of the protests, with participants sharing images and videos of yellow ribbons, signs, and peaceful gatherings across the nation.

While the Trump administration did not immediately respond to the nationwide mobilization, the movements leaders said the events were intended as a reminder that the power belongs to the people and that ongoing civic engagement is essential to protect democratic norms.

The No Kings protests mark a continuation of public activism against perceived overreach and highlight the role of grassroots movements in mobilizing large-scale political action across the United States.

The post No Kings protests sweep the nation against Trump appeared first on Salon.com.
By Brad Brooks

(Reuters) -More than 2,600 No Kings protest events are scheduled to take place on Saturday in all 50 U.S. states, a mass mobilization against President Donald Trumps policies on immigration, education and security that organizers say are pushing the country toward autocracy.

The protests -- big and little, in cities, suburbs and small towns across the U.S. -- follow similar demonstrations in June and will gauge the frustration level of opponents of a conservative agenda that has rolled out quickly.

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Since Trump took office 10 months ago, his administration has ramped up immigration enforcement, moved to slash the federal workforce and cut funding to elite universities over issues including pro-Palestinian protests against Israel's war in Gaza, campus diversity and transgender policies.

Residents in some major cities have seen National Guard troops sent in by the president, who argues they are needed to protect immigration agents and to help combat crime.

There is nothing more American than saying we dont have kings and exercising our right to peacefully protest, said Leah Greenberg, co-founder of Indivisible, a progressive organization that is the main organizer of the No Kings marches.

Trump has said very little about Saturdays protests. But in an interview with Fox Business aired on Friday he said that theyre referring to me as a king -- Im not a king.

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More than 300 grassroots groups helped organize Saturdays marches, Greenberg said. The American Civil Liberties Union said it has given legal training to tens of thousands of people who will act as marshals at the various marches, and those people were also trained in de-escalation. No Kings ads and information have blanketed social media to drive turnout.

Senator Bernie Sanders, a progressive independent, and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive Democrat, have backed the marches along with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who lost the 2016 presidential election to Trump. An array of celebrities also has backed the movement.

In June, over 2,000 No Kings protests took place, mostly peacefully, on the same day that Trump celebrated his 79th birthday and held a military parade in Washington.

REPUBLICANS CLAIM PROTESTS ARE ANTI-AMERICAN

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U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, on Friday echoed a common refrain among the GOP on the No Kings protests.

Tomorrow the Democrat leaders are going to join for a big party out on the National Mall, Johnson said at a press conference on Friday. Theyre going to descend on our Capitol for their much anticipated, so-called No Kings rally. We refer to it by its more accurate description: The hate America rally.

Other Republicans have blasted Democrats and marches like No Kings as motivating people to carry out political violence, especially in the wake of the September assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk, a close confidant of Trump and key members of his administration.

Dana Fisher, a professor at American University in Washington, D.C., and the author of several books on American activism, forecast that Saturday could see the largest protest turnout in modern U.S. history - she expected that over 3 million people would participate, based on registrations and participation in the June events.

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The main point of this day of action is to create a sense of collective identity amongst all the people who are feeling like they are being persecuted or are anxious due to the Trump administration and its policies, Fisher said. Its not going to change Trumps policies. But it might embolden elected officials at all levels who are in opposition to Trump.

(Reporting by Brad Brooks, editing by Donna Bryson and Alistair Bell)
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The No Kings rally is expected to bring in tens of thousands of people to D.C. Saturday. And there are more than 2,500 rallies planned across the country.

Organizers said the protests are uniting people to fight dictatorship.

Friday afternoon, dozens kicked off the weekend of demonstrations at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Protestors said President Donald Trump is acting like a king. Thats why people from across the country are in town to protest the president and his administration.

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No Kings protestors coming to the DMV

Protestors with American flags flying and signs high in the air made their voices heard.

Im proud to kick off this no Kings weekend as a D.C. resident, said Brenda S. Sue Fulton, a veteran and former assistant secretary of veterans affairs under the Biden administration.

The first nationwide No Kings protests coincided with President Trumps military parade, drawing millions across the country in their own communities.

We have to speak up now. We justcant sit tight, said Sheila Hubbard of Lincoln, Neb.

The theme of Fridays kickoff rally was defend democracy, hosted by 50501 Eagle Group Indivisible.

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What were doing is, you know, raising up. Were protesting for justice, for democracy, and all the things that we want to restore in this country, said Mike Miller, head of Eagle Group Indivisible.

No Kings organizers said this weekends protests were planned before the shutdown, but it makes it all the more important.

Whats going on with this administration is destroying our country and not paying any attention to our constitution, said Susan Stahl of Kaneohe, Hawaii.

The Backbone Campaigns Impeachment Chain Gang made an appearance, with speeches from public servants, activists, and veterans.

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Were the only ones who take an oath, not to a government, not to a family, not to a tyrant, not to a dictator, and not to a wannabe dictator. And we sure as hell dont take an oath to a king, Fulton said.

Saturdays events kick off with speeches at 14th and U Street NW at 9:30 a.m. There will then be a march to the main rally at 3rd Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, which will run from noon to 2 p.m.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
No Kings rally underway in Boston as part of nationwide protest

Thousands have gathered at the Boston Common for a No Kings protest against President Donald Trump and his administration.

The protest, which is set to begin at noon and last until 3 p.m. is part of a nationwide movement aimed at opposing President Trumps policies and actions.

Organizers emphasize that the event is intended to be peaceful, with teams trained in de-escalation and coordination with Boston police to ensure safety.

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Mayor Michelle Wu is expected to attend the protest, along with other speakers, although their identities have not been disclosed.

Bostons No Kings protest is kicking off at noon. People plan to peacefully protest against President Trump and his policies. One organizer tells me today will be set up more like a festival. Boston police working with organizers to keep the event safe. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/KWKKJK86pn  Alyssa Azzara (@alyssaazzaraTV) October 18, 2025

Were wicked pissed, but were wicked united. And were going to be wicked loud, Boston organizers said in a news release. This fight is bigger than partisan politics. Boston is rising up to protect democracy, freedom, and dignity.

The protest at Boston Common is one of many No Kings protests occurring across the country today.

Organizers have stressed the importance of maintaining a peaceful demonstration, highlighting their collaboration with local law enforcement to manage the event.

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A previous No Kings protest took place in June, coinciding with Bostons Pride Parade and President Trumps military parade.

The No Kings website offers an interactive map that filters scheduled events by ZIP code or address.

To see a full list of protests in Massachusetts, visit the link here.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
The Indian Railways has decided to take strict action against social media handles sharing'misleading' videos related to railway operations During this festive season, some social media handles have been circulating old or misleading videos, creating confusion among passengers, said the railways in a statement. The railway administration stated that over 20 such social media handles have been identified, and the process of filing FIRs has been initiated. A 24x7 social media monitoring mechanism has been put in place to keep a close watch on such antisocial elements. The railway has appealed to all social media users to refrain from sharing videos of crowds or other incidents at stations without verifying the facts. Passengers are urged to rely only on official Railway notifications and verified social media handles of the Ministry of Railways, i.e., @RailMinIndia on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for authentic information. Earlier on October 16, Hari Shankar Verma, Director General-Safety, Railway Board, said that Indian Railways is strengthening its focus on data safety and cybersecurity alongside technological innovation to ensure operational safety and efficiency. On the sidelines of the 16th International Railway Equipment Exhibition in New Delhi, Verma told ANI that "Railway is a very protected organisation, and we always ensure that data provided by the government should not be misused." He added, "When you go to the PRS, you put some data, and you know that around the world, people are talking with us. So we are having a lot of data." The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) acts as the nodal agency managing this vast digital infrastructure of railway passengers, which they use while booking tickets. "Several companies are doing this, and our nodal agency is CRIS. Every Indian should feel proud that computerisation started effectively with the railways when the computer ticket was printed 38 years back. Think about making a reservation without a computer; you can't think. That is the technological and digital footprint of India," he said. (ANI)
AUSTIN (KXAN)  There are fewer than 45 days until the end of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season (November 30), and still, there have been no landfalling hurricanes to strike the United States. This is rare, especially considering the last time this happened was ten years ago.

No landfalling U.S. hurricanes in ten years

To date, the map below indicates that there was one tropical storm that hit the east coast of the U.S. Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall on July 6th at Litchfield Beach, SC.

The Atlantic storm tracks as of 10/18/2025

A week earlier, on June 29th, Tropical Storm Barry made landfall at Tampico, Mexico.

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Last year, there were five hurricanes that struck the United States:

Beryl : Landfall at Matagorda, Texas, on July 8 as a Category 1 storm

Debby : Landfall at Steinhatchee, FL (Big Bend region) on Aug. 5 at a Category 1 storm

Francine : Landfall in Southeast Louisiana on Sept. 11 as a Category 2 storm

Helene : Landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida on Sept. 26 as a Category 4 storm

Milton: Landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, on Oct. 9 as a Category 3 storm

How many hurricanes and tropical storms have made landfall in Texas?

Only one hurricane made landfall in the United States in 2023. Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Keaton Beach, FL, as a Category 3 storm.

Previous 5 years of hurricanes striking the U.S.

In 2022, there were three hurricanes, but four landfalls. The first, Hurricane Fiona, struck Puerto Rico on September 18 as a Category 1 hurricane. Hurricane Ian made two landfalls. The first was at Cayo Costa, FL, on Sept. 28 as a Category 4 storm. The second was near Georgetown, SC, two days later as a Category 1 hurricane. The other landfall was Hurricane Nicole, which made landfall at Vero Beach, FL, on Nov. 10 as a Category 1 hurricane.

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While its true that many of us prefer not to have a hurricane or tropical storm strike land, it still is interesting that this year has been quiet in that regard. After all, it was predicted to be an active season in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf. Why is this?

Lets start with a strong area of high pressure known as the Bermuda High. The high steers storms that do develop off the coast of Africa westward through the Atlantic, but its position then causes those storms to take a right turn and head north, then east, keeping them away from the U.S. east coast.

Which Atlantic hurricane names have been retired?

In the case of Tropical Storm Chantal, remember that this storm developed from a weakening frontal boundary off the coast of northeast Florida on July 4. The steering current from the high sent it north along the Atlantic coast.

The Bermuda High's position decreases east coast landfalls

This high also brings Saharan Dust into the main development region of the Atlantic. That dust is still prevalent coming off the west coast of Africa. So while Central Texas has not seen any dust for weeks, this dust is still prevalent off the African coast.

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We have also mentioned during our weathercasts how quiet it has been in the Gulf. The persistent dome of upper-level high pressure has limited the number of cold fronts moving into the Gulf. Thus, their absence has led to no tropical activity.

There have been other years when there have been no hurricanes to strike the United States. There is a history of quiet years

Other recent years with no U.S. landfalls

Given that in years past there has been hurricane activity in late October and November, it could turn out differently, and the last month-plus could see a few landfalling hurricanes hit the coasts. But as long as the Bermuda High stays put, the odds are in favor of that not happening.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Hi, its the weekend. This is The Weekender 

On Tuesday, we published a long look at the Proud Boys, which included details on encrypted apps where one of their most extremist leaders is suggesting some of his compatriots have joined President Trumps Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. This is one of the first indications that people on the militant far-right fringe have responded to the Trump Department of Homeland Securitys mass deportation recruitment drive, which has included nods to white supremacist memes and other racially charged themes.

One instance of this occurred this week when blatantly anti-Semitic X accounts began sharing a promotional Facebook video from the U.S. Border Patrol that was soundtracked with a controversial 1996 song from Michael Jackson that included the slur kike. As news of the video  and its embrace by extremists  made the rounds on Wednesday, Border Patrol took the clip offline.

DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin provided a statement to TPM on Friday arguing the situation was a non-issue.

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We deleted the post and will update with different music. End of story, McLaughlin said.

But there clearly is a story here. And its about more than the Proud Boys and DHS online content. On Tuesday, there was another situation that exposed how Nazi themes and ideas are increasingly at home in more mainstream Republican circles. Politico published a story based on a trove of leaked Telegram chats from a nationwide network of leaders of the Young Republicans groups. The conversations included jokes about gas chambers, racist comments about Black people and one particularly blunt message: I love Hitler.

That bombshell wasnt even the only story related to the GOP and Nazism that came out this week. On Wednesday, an X user shared images from a Zoom call with a staffer in the office of Rep. Dave Taylor (R-OH) that showed an American flag emblazoned with a swastika hanging behind him. Taylor and other GOP members later claimed the situation was part of a ruse where a group posed as conservatives and handed out altered optical illusion flags to multiple Republican offices.

Even if this one situation really was some kind of complex prank, there are issues with GOP Hill staffers who have been involved with neo-Nazism. Overall, between DHS apparently attracting the Proud Boys, anti-Semites enjoying slurs in Border Patrol videos, and Young Republicans making Hitler jokes, it is increasingly clear that a more open embrace of extremism is a real feature of the GOP in the Trump era.

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In the past, reporters and others used to have a saying when people with extremist sympathies would accidentally expose them. It was called saying the quiet part out loud. Now, with the Proud Boys increasingly emboldened and government agencies sharing memes that seemed ripped out of 4chan, there isnt really a quiet part any more. Its all very loud and clear: White nationalist extremism is at the core of the Republican Party and the current administration.

One person who seems to agree with that is the online streamer and unashamed admirer of Hitler, Nick Fuentes. On Tuesday, Fuentes claimed on his show that his followers, who are known as groypers, are all over the government.

Theres groypers in government, Fuentes said. Theres groypers in every department, every agency, OK?

 Hunter Walker

Heres what else TPM has on tap:

A bipartisan group of senators are pushing a vote that would block the government from conducting ground strikes on Venezuela.

The former Democratic governor of Maine who is challenging Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) in the midterms made the disappointing-for-progressives announcement on Thursday that she supports keeping the filibuster in place if she is elected.

Some Democrats are pushing for a guarantee that laid-off federal workers will be rehired if Democrats help Republicans reopen the government.

House Democratic leadership is looking for more ways to offset the impacts of President Trumps power grab, as he successfully forces Republican state legislatures across the nation to engage in mid-cycle gerrymandering so that the GOP can keep the House in 2026.

TPM is Turning 25

Join us at the Metrograph Theater in Manhattan on Thursday 11/6 for a live recording of the Josh Marshall Podcast Featuring Kate Riga and an oral history of TPM with some esteemed alums, moderated by me, Nicole LaFond, your Weekender curator 

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Weekender subscribers can get 33% OFF ticket prices using discount code WEEKENDER at this link.

Please come! Would love to meet you in person!

 Nicole LaFond

3 Sens Force War Powers Vote on Venezuela

A bipartisan group of senators are pushing a vote that would block the government from conducting ground strikes on Venezuela.

This week saw more escalation in the U.S.s military buildup near Venezuela. President Trump said that he had authorized the CIA to conduct operations in the country. The Air Force flew B-52s off the coast while special forces reportedly hovered nearby in helicopters. The administration blew up another boat, this time with two survivors who are reportedly being held by the military.

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Now, Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) are introducing a War Powers Resolution that would block an attack on ground sites in Venezuela. A broader resolution that would have blocked more actions failed after the GOP withheld support earlier this month. Its not clear where this will go, but its a testament to the urgency of the situation.

 Josh Kovensky

Mills Fails the Most Important Litmus Test

Janet Mills, former Maine governor and Democratic leaderships preferred candidate to challenge Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), would support keeping the filibuster if elected, per the Bangor Daily News.

No one (sane) would question the Democratic candidate for this seat leaning right on some issues; theres a reason a Republican has enjoyed such staying power in a state that routinely votes for Democratic presidential candidates by large margins. But supporting the filibuster is simply not the same thing as being more supportive of gun rights or border protection than the typical Democrat.

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If Democrats ever win a trifecta again, theyll have to pass significant, by todays standards, radical reform to ensure that no one else can rise in Trumps image and so weaponize the federal government. That would include neutering the Supreme Court, making Washington D.C. a state, devising a new way to protect civil servants from at-will firing. Itll be the kind of reforms that make the right-wing and mainstream media howl about extremist overreach, the kind that todays brand of mainstream Democrat absolutely couldnt stomach. Abolishing the filibuster is the least of these, and a candidate who cant even commit to getting rid of a fairly new, made-up obstacle to majority rule that overwhelmingly benefits Republicans is unfit for the job ahead.

 Kate Riga

Some Dems Want Guarantee That Fed Workers Will Be Rehired If They Help End Shutdown

Were three weeks into the government shutdown  18 days to be exact  with no signs of change on the horizon. Democrats have not backed away from their health care demands, including their ask to extend the Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year. And Republicans continue to say they will not negotiate.

But amid the White House and the Office of Management and Budgets attempt to do mass layoffs of federal workers, a new Democrat ask may be on the horizon: a commitment that employees subjected to reductions in force, aka RIFs, will be rehired before Democrats agree to give Republicans the votes they need.

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Itd be pretty unconscionable to open it up and still have to put up with those thousands and thousands of firings, Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) said, per Politico.

Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) also said cancellation of the RIFs certainly should be on the table.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has, of course, denounced the RIFs but hasnt said if he thinks backtracking the layoffs should be a part of a deal to reopen the government.

Hoyer added that he thinks they will also be reversed by the courts.

A federal judge on Wednesday did issue a temporary restraining order, blocking the Trump administration from laying off almost 4,000 federal workers during the government shutdown, though that is not a guarantee of a victory for the unions who are suing the government over the RIFs. Meanwhile OMB Director Russ Vought continues to insist the initial RIFs were just a snapshot of what is to come.

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 Emine Yucel

Dems Look to Maryland and Illinois to Offset GOP Redistricting Campaign

As Republicans cave to President Trumps pressure campaign to engage in mid-decade redistricting efforts, Democrats are looking towards Maryland and Illinois to draw new district maps to offset the Trump power grab, according to reporting from NBC and Politico.

The Trump administration is openly pushing GOP-held legislatures to redraw congressional maps to help Republicans keep the U.S. House in the midterms. Democrat counter-efforts are underway in California, where voters are being asked to weigh in on a ballot measure to temporarily approve new House districts that would favor their party, and they are under discussion in other blue states, too.

Earlier this week, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, per NBC, met with Democratic Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, as well as members of the Illinois congressional delegation, about possible redistricting plans in the state.

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Jeffries has also reportedly been in contact with Illinois Democrats to discuss redistricting efforts. Although no revised maps have been shown during these conversations some potential revised boundaries were, according to Politico.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker previously acknowledged in an interview with NPR that redistricting is something he would consider.

None of us want to do it. None of us want to go through a redistricting process. But if were forced to, its something well consider doing, he said.

 Khaya Himmelman
BEIJING (Reuters) -Chen Ning Yang, one of the world's most renowned physicists and a Nobel Prize winner, died at 103 of illness in Beijing on October 18, state news outlet Xinhua said on Saturday.

Born in Hefei in Anhui province in eastern China in 1922, Yang shared a Nobel Prize for physics with Tsung-Dao Lee in 1957. He was also a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a professor at the prestigious Tsinghua University.

Yang, whose name is also rendered as Yang Zhenning, studied for his doctorate at the University of Chicago in the 1940s, and was the first Chinese scientist to visit China when diplomatic relations between the United States and China began to open up in the 1970s.

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Since 1999, Yang had been teaching at Tsinghua University, where he also spent eight years of his childhood when his father was a professor at Tsinghua.

Tsinghua greyed out the colours on its website on Saturday in remembrance of Yang.

"My life has been a circle, where I started out from a point, travelled a long way, and finally returned to where I came from," Yang was cited as saying by Tsinghua.

(Reporting by Amy Lv and Colleen Howe; Editing by Tom Hogue)
The interim board president of the New North Citizens Council says she wants a forensic audit of the Springfield nonprofits operations, after failing to get answers from its executive director.

Questions about the councils finances arise as the board continues an internal investigation into the circumstances of the firings of two employees in July  and as new information comes to light about travel expenses incurred by its two top executives.

I am very concerned about the agencys travel. This is taxpayer money and its meant to service the community of the North End, said Carmen Santana, treasurer of the board of directors.

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This year, travel destinations have included Bogota, Colombia; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Delaware; New Jersey and a casino in Maine, bank records suggest. From January to August, a review of the agencys debit card reflects travel expenses totaling nearly $20,000 for airfare, Uber rides, rental cars, hotel stays and more.

In 2024, debit withdrawals show $26,709 in airfare, conference and membership fees, car rentals and lodging alone. There are additional charges for ground transport, parking fees and incidentals.

The travel expenses and other costs charged to the taxpayer-funded agency have prompted calls for a forensic audit by three board members. Board members concerned about how Executive Director Maria Ligus is handling travel expenses are limited by the absence of clear rules contained in her contract.

While Ligus five-year contract allows for travel reimbursement, there are no clear parameters beyond that. Some travel is reasonable, the boards new president said many professionals engage in workplace training online.

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I participate in trainings and workshops frequently for my roles in city government. But with the advent of Zoom and Microsoft Teams meetings I rarely have to leave my office, said interim board President Gladys Oyola.

The board plans an emergency meeting Tuesday. While it will take place in executive session, Oyola is expected to make a formal request to the board for an audit.

Ligus has been slow to turn over many records board members have asked for, multiple board members said. She did volunteer a copy of a memorandum of understanding authorizing former deputy director Haner Hernandez to tap a $42,570 annual travel budget, according to a document obtained by The Republican.

This was capped at 6.6% of the IDEA programs budget, which stands for Increasing Diversity and Equity in the Addiction Workforce. The memo also authorized Hernandezs use of a company debit card with a limit of $10,000 for administrative costs and program expenses.

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Neither Ligus nor Hernandez responded to repeated email requests for comment for this story. The Republican provided Ligus with a summary of the travel described in this story and asked her to point to any inaccuracies. She did not reply.

In her September monthly report to staff, Ligus said that the nonprofits deputy director, Hernandez, had resigned Sept. 26. It did not mention him by name.

No explanation was provided for his resignation. Neither Ligus nor Hernandez responded to requests for comment this week about that development.

Agencys background

The nonprofit, located at 2455 Main St., was founded by a group of mothers, many of them heads of households, who aimed to help residents of one of the states poorest neighborhoods. The council has grown from operating in a small mobile home on a dirt lot in the 1970s to an agency that employs over 130 and has a yearly budget of roughly $14 million.

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Oyola said she has been frustrated by what she described as Ligus refusal to turn over financial records to her and other members.

A lot of it has been silence, which I consider a refusal, said Oyola, who serves as Springfields Elections Commissioner and City Clerk. Other board members have told me they have pushed Maria for financial records before, and she has either said No, or something like, Youre on a need to know basis."

According to emails obtained by The Republican, another board member, Sheyla Acosta, on April 26 asked Chief Operating Officer Jose Claudio for a forensic audit of the agencys financial records and did not receive a response from Claudio or any other administrator.

After taking over as board president, Oyola said she hopes to pursue an audit with the help of an attorney. She said any executive director of a nonprofit should provide requested records to its board.

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Oyola said her mother, Carmen Oyola, was among the agencys first caseworkers who worked alongside its founder, the late Barbara Rivera.

I was about 10 when my mother started working there and was part of a group of New North kids who grew up there, she said.

Ligus received an annual salary of $165,547, according to the nonprofits 2023 tax filing with the IRS. It was the most recent tax filing available. Hernandez had been earning a $155,000 annual salary.

Agencys purpose

In the same filing, the council says its mission is to provide advocacy, public and human services to Hampden County residents with an emphasis on multi-cultural community for the purpose of enhancing the preservation and support of the family resulting in the improvement of quality-of-life issues.

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Hernandez, who flew to harm reduction and addiction conferences as a featured speaker, appears in many of the posts New North Citizens Council employees feature on social media, reflecting their trips.

Between January and August of this year, debit withdrawals show $6,272 in airfare costs, $3,412 in hotel stays, $4,494 in conference and membership fees, $2,883 in car rental costs and additional costs for meals and Uber rides.

In August of 2025 alone, there were nearly $2,000 in debit withdrawals related to trips to New Mexico, Delaware and New Jersey. The debit card account with Westfield Bank is regularly replenished from the agencys operational bank account, according to officials with knowledge of the funding channels and a review by The Republican of bank statements.

In July, there were two charges at Cals Wood Fired Bar and Grill in West Springfield totaling more than $1,000, records show. The same month, there were additional charges for airfare and hotel stays for nearly $900.

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June statements show travel expenses for trips to Maine, Connecticut, and the Washington, D.C., area with a stay at a five-star hotel in Virginia. For that month, expenses totaled roughly $6,300.

In May, there was approximately $4,300 in expenses that appear to be connected to the Bogota trip, a trip to Denver, Colorado, and one in Eastern Massachusetts.

In April, there were more than $1,100 charges that appear on the debit statements related to the South American trip, according to the bank records, including rental car expenses.

The previous month, there were more than $4,500 charges related to air travel, transportation, lodging, plus a $400 charge to Don Rafa Car rental in Puerto Rico.

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Februarys bank statement for the debit card account shows more than $3,700 in travel-related expenses. January showed a $10,000 deposit from the councils operational bank account and about $300 in travel expenses. There were three other instances in 2025 when $10,000 deposits were made to the debit account from the operational account.

For the year 2024, the debit card account reflects nearly $8,000 in airfare costs, $1,709 in Travelocity charges and more than $17,000 in payments for lodging. Based on a review of transactions last year by the newspaper, travel destinations included as Vegas, New Orleans, Denver, Maine, Florida, Puerto Rico and Portugal.

The decades-old nonprofit is funded almost exclusively with public dollars from state and federal sources, IRS records show. Some of that is funneled through the city. Primary funding sources are the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and state funding for housing and public health initiatives.

Turmoil in staff, board

The council has recently been mired in controversy after a high-profile firing of former housing director and Springfield City Councilor Maria Perez. The incident exposed a scheme by her political opponent, Joesiah Gonzalez, to smear her reputation. The revelation prompted a turnover in the board of directors leadership, leaving Oyola at the helm.

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Gonzalez also was a New North board member until stepping down after the firings of Perez and her onetime assistant Ivelisse Gonzalez, who was also ousted on July 21 for alleged use of company resources for political purposes.

Joesiah Gonzalez wrote an inflammatory press release days after Perezs firing, suggesting she had embezzled federal funds, but sent it from a fellow board members computer and put Ligus name to it.

Ligus later retracted that accusation in a correction press release, but Perez remains jobless and has filed a lawsuit.

Pending an internal investigation in the matter, the boards former president, Juana Girona, and clerk, Efrain Jesse Vazquez, were forced to step down from leadership roles.

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I see my role as interim president as righting the ship. New North has grown and Im not sure the board has grown with it, through no fault of their own, Oyola said.

2024-2025 destinations

The following is a list of travel destinations involving leaders of the New North Citizens Council, according to a review by The Republican of debit card records and social media posts.

The approximate dates of travel are based on expenses that can only be incurred by people in a particular location, such as food and parking payments.

It is unclear whether Hernandez collected fees for his speaking engagements. He did not respond to questions about the travel.

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Atlanta, Jan. 10-14, 2024

Purpose: Unclear, based on the fact that the National Harm Reduction Conference was canceled that year, according to published reports.

Kansas City, Missouri, Jan. 17 to Jan. 21, 2024

Purpose: Unknown

Rhode Island, March 23, 2024

Purpose: Unknown

Las Vegas, March 23 to March 26, 2024

Purpose: Unknown

New Orleans, April 11 to April 14, 2024

Purpose: Unknown

Chicago, May 8 to May 10, 2024

Purpose: Unknown

Maine, May 15 to May 16, 2024

Purpose: Maine HOPE Conference

Denver, June 6 to June 10, 2024

Purpose: Recovery Leadership Summit where Hernandez was the keynote speaker. At that time, he held the role of chief of public health for New North Citizens Council.

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New Hampshire, June 18, 2024

Purpose: National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Offices summit.

Washington, D.C., Aug. 4 to Aug. 7, 2024

Purpose: Unknown

San Antonio, Texas, Aug. 23 to unknown end date, 2024

Purpose: Social media posts show Hernandez was a featured speaker at the National Latino Behavioral Health Conference. Other photos featured Ligus and others but no debit card withdrawals were reflected in that time period.

Puerto Rico, Aug. 29 to Sept. 3

Purpose: Harm reduction conference

New Orleans, Sept. 13 to Sept. 18, 2024

Purpose: Unknown

New York, Sept. 21, 2024

Purpose: Unknown

Florida, Sept. 27 to Sept. 30, 2024

Purpose: Unknown

Portugal, Oct. 22 to Oct. 30, 2024

Purpose: Lisbon Addiction conference that took place Oct 24 to Oct. 25.

Chicago, Nov. 14 to Nov. 17, 2024

Purpose: Update in Addiction Medicine conference

Washington, D.C., Dec. 12 to Dec. 13, 2024

Purpose: Unknown

Rockville, Maryland (Greater D.C. area), Jan. 16 to Jan. 21, 2025

Purpose: Unknown

Bogota, Colombia, April 26 to May 3, 2025

Purpose: Harm Reduction International Conference

Denver, Colorado, May 7 to May 15, 2025

Purpose: Unknown

Marlboro, Massachusetts, May 15 to May 16, 2025

Purpose: Public health conference

Arlington, Virginia, June 9 to June 13, 2025

Purpose: Unknown

Albuquerque, New Mexico, Aug. 4 to Aug. 14, 2025

Purpose: Behavioral Health Providers Association conference

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The first resident has moved into a Mom and Me Tiny House Village after a grant from Mazda Toyota Manufacturing helped make the nonprofit LifeSource's vision a reality.

"This is everything I ever dreamed of. I never imagined this could be my life," Alisha Moon told the Hartselle Enquirer of her tiny home, which is fully furnished for her and her son, Braxton.

Robin Ladner, who founded LifeSource's residential drug recovery program, explained that the tiny house village is meant to be a safe space for moms in transition to bond with their children.

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For Moon, who became involved with LifeSource at the age of 41 after her release from jail, the tiny house has served as a launching pad for her new life and her relationship with Braxton.

"When I was pregnant with Braxton, I was using. He had to go to the NICU, and I lost custody of him. He went to foster care, and I went to jail," Moon shared with the publication. "When I came out of jail, I went back to using."

Moon reached out to LifeSource after a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) contacted her about a potential reunion with Braxton. Determined to reconnect with her son, Moon dedicated herself to addiction recovery. She has a stable job at Wendy's and hasn't used in a year.

"When I lost custody of Braxton, I was completely lost," Moon said to the Hartselle Enquirer.

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"I stayed focused on trying to do whatever the Department of Human Resources wanted me to do. I focused on God and keeping my trust in him," Moon added. Now out of foster care, Braxton has joined Moon at a 4-by-36-foot tiny home.

Ladner envisions the tiny home village providing a sense of community for residents. "Staying here is so much better and safer for the women. They don't have to worry about going back to their old stomping grounds and having old acquaintances pressuring them," Ladner said.

Tiny home village projects elsewhere are also offering people a new path forward. For instance, 12Neighbors is helping residents in Canada out of poverty.

Because tiny homes require fewer resources, they are eco-friendly to build, while also providing a lower cost of living, given their minimal energy requirements.

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"These homes help us fulfill our mission," Ladner told the Hartselle Enquirer of LifeSource's emerging village. "We want them to live out the purpose God created them to live. For the women in the Mom and Me Tiny House Village, part of that is being a mom."

Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.






PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  A North Adams man has been sentenced to state prison after pleading guilty to multiple child rape and assault charges.

Springfield police arrest 4 in South End drug bust

According to the Berkshire District Attorneys Office, on Friday, Oct. 17, 37-year-old Aaron Shepperd of North Adams pleaded guilty to multiple counts of child rape and assault.

Photo courtesy of Berkshire District Attorneys Office

The Defendant raped and assaulted a child over a period of approximately three years, the District Attorneys Office said in a statement.

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Shepperd pleaded guilty to the following charges:

3 counts of Rape of a Child with Force

1 count of Indecent Assault and Battery of a Child Under 14

1 Count of Indecent Assault and Battery of a Child Over 14

My thoughts today are with the young survivor, said District Attorney Timothy Shugrue. I commend them for the tremendous courage displayed throughout the entirety of the investigation. While no prison sentence will ever undo the harm that was done, I do hope that todays conclusion provides an opportunity to move forward.

Shugrue added that he was pleased that this case was quickly resolved, thus allowing the survivor of the assault to avoid having to testify in court about the abuse they endured by the Defendant.

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A Berkshire Superior Court judge sentenced Shepperd to eight to 10 years in state prison.

The Berkshire County District Attorneys Office said the plea and sentencing bring closure to a case that has deeply impacted the survivor and their family.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
A new cyber threat is emerging from North Korea as its state-backed hackers experiment with embedding malicious code directly into blockchain networks.

Googles Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG) reported on October 17 that the technique, called EtherHiding, marks a new evolution in how hackers hide, distribute, and control malware across decentralized systems.

What is EtherHiding?

GTIG explained that EtherHiding allows attackers to weaponize smart contracts and public blockchains like Ethereum and BNB Smart Chain by using them to store malicious payloads.

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Once a piece of code is uploaded to these decentralized ledgers, removing or blocking it becomes nearly impossible due to their immutable nature.

"Although smart contracts offer innovative ways to build decentralized applications, their unchangeable nature is leveraged in EtherHiding to host and serve malicious code in a manner that cannot be easily blocked," GTIG wrote.

In practice, the hackers compromise legitimate WordPress websites, often by exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities or stolen credentials.

After gaining access, they insert a few lines of JavaScriptknown as a loaderinto the websites code. When a visitor opens the infected page, the loader quietly connects to the blockchain and retrieves malware from a remote server.

EtherHiding on BNB Chain and Ethereum. Source: Google Threat Intelligence Group

GTIG pointed out that this attack often leaves no visible transaction trail and requires little to no fees because it happens off-chain. This, in essence, allows the attackers to operate undetected.

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Notably, GTIG traced the first instance of EtherHiding to September 2023, when it appeared in a campaign known as CLEARFAKE, which tricked users with fake browser update prompts.

How to Prevent the Attack

Cybersecurity researchers say this tactic signals a shift in North Koreas digital strategy from merely stealing cryptocurrency to using blockchain itself as a stealth weapon.

"EtherHiding represents a shift toward next-generation bulletproof hosting, where the inherent features of blockchain technology are repurposed for malicious ends. This technique underscores the continuous evolution of cyber threats as attackers adapt and leverage new technologies to their advantage," GTIG stated.

John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab, described EtherHiding as an early-stage experiment. He warned that combining it with AI-driven automation could make future attacks much harder to detect.

"I expect attackers to also experiment with directly loading zero click exploits onto blockchains targeting systems & apps that process blockchains... especially if they are sometimes hosted on the same systems & networks that handle transactions / have wallets," he added.

This new attack vector could have severe implications for the crypto industry, considering North Korean attackers are significantly prolific.

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Data from TRM Labs shows that North Korean-linked groups have already stolen more than $1.5 billion in crypto assets this year alone. Investigators believe those funds help finance Pyongyangs military programs and efforts to evade international sanctions.

Given this, GTIG advised crypto users to reduce their risk by blocking suspicious downloads and restricting unauthorized web scripts. The group also urged security researchers to identify and label malicious code embedded within blockchain networks.

Read original story North Korean Hackers Weaponize Blockchain in New EtherHiding Campaign by Oluwapelumi Adejumo at beincrypto.com
As No Kings protests swelled in numbers across the country, Fox Newss Kayleigh McEnany doubted that the crowds were as large as even her own reporter claimed.

Ive got to be honest, the Trump rallies look bigger than what we are seeing, McEnany said on Saturday. Not sure theres a huge anti-Trump appetite here across the country.

McEnanys comments came just seconds after Fox News reporter Madison Scarpino reported live from Atlanta.

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Organizers want to break records  they expect millions of Americans to come and protest, she said. Just here at the Atlanta rally, organizers expect up to 10,000 people. Thats checking out from what we are seeing so far. You see this sea of people holding signs, chanting, several speakers so far, and they are fired up.

After Scarpinos report, McEnany brought on MAGA influencer Nick Sortor to preview what she expected to be a violent night in Portland, Oregon.

Youre in Portland and it is a different beast and it gets pretty violent there at night, McEnany said by way of introduction.

Sortor was recently arrested in Portland after stomping out an American flag that was on fire and tussling with protesters who targeted him for being conservative. He was not charged.

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It is really possible we could see pretty violent stuff happen today, Sortor told McEnany. I hate to say that but there was nothing planned here last night. It was just a normal Friday night and it got this close to being a total out-of-control riot. And like I said, people drive by and honk. It is 8:00 in the morning on Saturday, waking all these people up, that is the frustrating part.

The poor residents, McEnany said.

Viral videos out of Portland have shown protesters dressed in inflatable frog, unicorn, and shark costumes to peacefully troll ICE agents outside their facilities.

One frog-clad protester told Fox 12 Oregon, They dont know how to react to people with humor and silliness, so why not try that?

Watch above via Fox News.

The post Not a Huge Anti-Trump Appetite Across the Nation: Fox Newss McEnany Claims No Kings Protests Are Smaller Than Trump Rallies first appeared on Mediaite.
Before Jerrmell Warren was sentenced to decades in prison Friday for murdering Angelina Palmer with a stray and reckless gunshot outside a Spanaway gas station, Palmers brother looked at Warren and offered words of forgiveness.

The brother, Willard Palmer, wasnt forgiving his sisters killer because he deserved it. Warren, 43, had made a horrible and irreversible choice to fire his gun, Willard Palmer said, and as a result had not only taken his sisters life but shattered generations of family members.

Willard Palmer said he was forgiving Warren because he had to. The alternative was a lifetime grudge that he said would give Warren power over him.

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I refuse to let hate chain me to the same darkness that killed her, Willard Palmer said in court. Youre a villain, but youre not a monster.

Willard Palmer, right, the brother of Angelina Palmer, turns to face Jerrmell Warren as he gives a victim impact statement at the Warren's sentencing on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Pierce County Superior Court in Tacoma. Warren was convicted by a jury in August of felony murder for killing 39-year-old Angelina Palmer outside a Spanaway gas station in May 2022.

Willard Palmers testimony came during an emotional sentencing hearing that included Palmers sister, Stacy, telling Warren that Palmer probably would have forgiven him, too  Because thats who she is, she said  and Palmers mother lamenting the intense pain of having to bury a child.

In the end, Warren was sentenced to 63 years, seven months in prison for the May 26, 2022 murder of Palmer and the assault of two other people. As Superior Court Judge Scott Peters put it before imposing that punishment, Warren, a convicted felon who was not allowed to possess a firearm, brought a gun to a verbal argument.

Warren had been aggressively approaching cars at the gas station and convenience store near 174th Street East and Pacific Avenue South and pulled the gun on a driver who bear-sprayed him, according to court records. During his trial, in which Warren represented himself, he argued that he was defending himself when he fired his gun multiple times. Jurors rejected that argument, finding him guilty on all counts, the most serious of which was felony second-degree murder.

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One of those bullets fatally struck Palmer, 39, who was leaving the convenience store with some groceries. Chaos ensued, and a driver ran her over while fleeing the scene. Palmer was a mother to nine children. In court Palmers own mother, Joanie Palmer, described her daughter as a beautiful person who was loved by her sisters, brothers and children.

Every time I go to Tacoma Im thinking shes still here, Joanie Palmer said.

A photo of Angelina Palmer is held by her mother, Joanie Palmer, after the sentencing of Jerrmell Warren on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Pierce County Superior Court in Tacoma. Warren was convicted by a jury in August of felony murder for killing 39-year-old Angelina Palmer outside a Spanaway gas station in May 2022.

Peters described Palmer as an innocent bystander. He said he didnt believe Warren intended to kill her, but that his intention was to kill the two people he was convicted of assaulting.

You opened fire recklessly, Peters said. You fired repetitively and indiscriminately. Yes, there was some verbal altercation that started this. Does it really matter to this court, whether that was started by you, whether that was started by Ms. Smith, whether it was started by Mr. Flansburg? It does not.

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Deputy prosecuting attorney Ben Nelson recommended that Warren be sentenced to 60 years in prison, near the middle of the standard sentencing range. Because Warrens first-degree assault convictions constituted separate criminal conduct, he has to serve consecutive sentences. His convictions also included three firearm-sentencing enhancements that each lengthened his punishment by five years.

Warren had been jailed at least 18 times before he killed Palmer, according to previous reporting from The News Tribune, and he had five prior DUI convictions. Charging papers in Palmers murder said he was seen drinking from a nearly empty liquor bottle before the shooting. He was also sentenced Friday for another felony DUI conviction for an incident from October 2021. He got five years, six months for that offense, a punishment hell serve concurrently with his murder and assault sentences.

When it was Warrens turn to speak, his voice began to break while he apologized to Palmers family. He said he didnt have murder on his mind when he grabbed his firearm, but he got scared and panicked.

I deeply apologize, and I know my  I know my words dont mean nothing, Warren said.

Jerrmell Warren enters the courtroom for his sentencing on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Pierce County Superior Court in Tacoma, Wash. Warren was convicted by a jury in August of felony murder for killing 39-year-old Angelina Palmer outside a Spanaway gas station in May 2022.

After apologizing, Warren began to try to describe what he saw as mitigating circumstances in the shooting, stating that he felt this was a manslaughter case and not murder and referred to committing the crime under duress. Peters eventually cut him off, urging him to focus on what sentence he was asking for from the court.

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Warren went on, and he eventually requested a punishment of 18 years, four months.

Outside the courtroom after Warrens sentence was handed down, Willard Palmer said he didnt find Warrens apology to be genuine  It was more of a show. He called the 63-year sentence a bit much but also said he would have liked to have seen more remorse from Warren. He thanked Peters for holding him accountable.

It still doesnt bring her back, right? Willard Palmer said.
Thousands of Hoosiers protest at a No Kings rally outside the Indiana Statehouse on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

A thick sea of Hoosiers flooded the Indiana Statehouses lawn for hours on Saturday  raising defiant fists and signs as they protested President Donald Trumps administration.

It was one of about 40 No Kings demonstrations around the state, and one of 2,600 scheduled around the country that drew millions collectively. Indianapolis organizers boasted 6,000 in attendance while those in Fort Wayne said 8,000 joined the event.

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Protesters are citizens and voters, not subjects or pawns, said Danielle Drake, advocacy manager for the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana.

We gather not in despair, but in defiance, she said,  knowing that together, we can and will hold this unkempt power accountable! We will hold the line.

Story continues below.

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Several speakers denounced the Trump administrations mass deportation campaign  and Indianas cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

We cannot let anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies tear apart the two fabric of our nation, because who are we? We are a nation of immigrants! shouted the Rev. Felipe Martinez of Columbus Community United Church.

Danielle Cooney, with anti-mass-incarceration group Live Free Indiana, accused GOP Gov. Mike Braun of wanting to turn every local law enforcement agency in Indiana into an extension of ICE. She slammed Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal, a Democrat, for holding ICE detainees.

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Others targeted Trump and Braun  along with Republican state lawmakers  for trying to eliminate the states Democrat-held U.S. House seats ahead of the 2026 elections. The president spoke with some legislators Friday, while Vice President JD Vance has met with them three times.

Now, we see the president picking up the phone trying to pressure Indiana lawmakers. Thats not leadership, thats intimidation, said the Rev. David Greene, of the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis. And when outside power brokers try to redraw our destiny from afar, it reminds us why this rally truly matters  because calls from Mar-a-Lago will not rule Hoosiers.  Thats why we must demand maps that reflect the people, not protect the powerful.

Redistricting is usually done every 10 years, after the latest census. GOP lawmakers last updated the maps in 2021. Republicans hold seven districts, while Democrats hold two.

If they cheat and they succeed, what does that mean to you and to Hoosiers across Indiana? It means that they will cement their agenda of cutting Medicaid, of cutting funding for (child care assistance), of shifting wealth and helping with tax cuts for the most ultra-wealthy in our nation, said Sen. Fady Qaddoura, D-Indianapolis, unleashing a chorus of booing from the crowd.

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We might be called back into special session, and if they do (that), I hope that we translate our feelings, our energy, our emotions in action, Qaddoura added. He urged protesters to call their lawmakers and tell them that Hoosiers dont support cheaters.

Some speakers critiqued Brauns overhaul of Indiana Universitys board of trustees, the universitys tussle with its own student newspaper, statewide degree program cuts and a crackdown on public school teachers and others.

Suzanne Swierc, a Ball State University staffer who lost her job after she posted about the late conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, emphasized the importance of free speech.

A Trump supporter sparred with No Kings protesters and event security in Indianapolis on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Swierc, who is suing her former employer, said she encountered social media comments saying that freedom of speech doesnt mean freedom from consequences.

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I question this logic. What happened to me has happened and is happening to so many others, Swierc told the crowd. There are so many people across our state and our country who are hesitant to speak up, whose speech is being chilled, and that is not okay.

We should be able to freely express ourselves. We should be able to point out injustices against ourselves and our neighbors. We should be able to advocate for the good of others, and we should be able to do all of this without the government affecting what we can and cannot say, she added.

Protesters at the Statehouses southern steps repeatedly clashed with a Trump supporter wearing a red Make America Great Again cap and toting a 2024 campaign sign  even as demonstrators warned each other not to engage with him.

After a shouting match with a blue-vested event security official, an Indiana State Police officer took the man aside for several minutes, before letting him back into the crowd.

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Protesters wedged their own signs around his, following his movements. The man, who identified himself only as Hugh, told reporters, Im just here to exercise my rights, just like everybody else.

Attendees chanted and clapped their way through hours of speeches, poems and prayers before flowing out of the lawn to march around the Statehouse.

Families gather outside Indianapolis

Several hundred protesters ringed the Boone County Courthouse Saturday afternoon. They marched, chanted, listened to speakers and broke into cheers every time a passing car honked in approval.

No Kings protesters chant This is what democracy looks like in Lebanon, Indiana on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Niki Kelly/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

No hate. No fear. Everyone is welcome here, they chanted, along with, This is what democracy looks like.

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Among the issues the crowd focused on was deportation policy, health care cuts and the belief that Trump is an authoritarian.

Cathy VanArsdall said she hasnt attended a protest since the 1970s but wanted to come out Saturday so that others in the community know they arent alone and can speak up.

We want to show that we do not believe in whats happening right now, VanArsdall, a Lebanon resident, said. She accused federal officials of abducting people from the streets, violating the U.S. Constitution and lying to the American public.

Melissa, Mike and Liam McMann from Fishers also came to the rally and held signs.

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I came out for my sons future, Melissa McMann said. His rights and liberties and his classmates are in jeopardy.

Liam McMann, 14, said he wants a stable government and to end Trumps tyranny.

His father, Mike McMann, said, I served in the Army and this is not what I served for.

No uniformed police were at the event.

This article was updated with attendance figures.

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Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Saturday attended the valedictory session of the North East Education Conclave 2025, held at Pragjyotishpur University, Chabdrapur, in the Kamrup (Metro) district. Organised by Pragjyotishpur University to mark its foundation, the conclave brought together eminent educationists, policymakers, and academic stakeholders to deliberate on transformative educational strategies for Northeast India, in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Addressing the conclave, Governor Acharya called the event a symbol of collective resolve to enrich India's academic future. Quoting Shrimanta Shankardev, he highlighted the transformative power of knowledge and wisdom that only education can instil in human beings. Acharya noted that NEP 2020 is a foundational step toward the vision of a "Viksit Bharat @2047. The Governor observed that the timing of the conclave is highly relevant, as it aligned with the nation's educational aspirations and its push toward a self-reliant, innovation-driven economy. He acknowledged that during the previous sessions of the conclave, meaningful deliberations had taken place on vital topics, including India's rich knowledge traditions, the future of the social sciences, the importance of regional languages, and the crucial links between academia, entrepreneurship, and industry. Reflecting on India's ancient legacy as a global knowledge leader, the Governor referred to renowned institutions such as Takshashila, Nalanda, and Vikramshila, where education was not confined to material pursuits but was a holistic tool for building character, nurturing holistic views, and advancing global welfare. He lamented the erosion of this tradition during the period of foreign rule, pointing out that India's share in global GDP, which had once been approximately 25 per cent, had drastically reduced to around 3 per cent by the time of independence. This decline, he emphasised, was not only economic but also educational and cultural. Governor Acharya emphasised that students of the present time no longer seek only theoretical learning; instead, they aspire to gain a critical, experimental, and creative understanding through real-life experiences and technology-enabled environments. He advocated for smart classrooms, digital libraries, open e-learning platforms, and greater community engagement as essential components of 21st-century education. Highlighting Assam's impressive role toward NEP implementation, the Governor shared that all universities in the state have already started imparting a sizeable quantum of their curriculum through field-driven, experiential, and project-based learning. In disciplines such as social sciences, arts, and commerce, nearly 20 per cent of course content has been adapted to address local societal needs. This, he said, has positioned Assam as the first state in India to take such a progressive step. Recognising the importance of improving national education rankings and outcomes, the Governor mentioned that universities across the state are stepping up efforts to enhance research quality, strengthen ties with industry, and invest in physical infrastructure, all in alignment with the assessment parameters of NAAC and NIRF frameworks. Speaking on the broader challenges of the 21st century, such as climate change, energy needs, health crises, and social cohesion, Governor Acharya emphasised the need to prepare students not merely as job seekers, but as responsible, innovative solution providers and entrepreneurs. He reaffirmed the importance of incorporating India's intellectual heritage, such as the Vedas, Upanishads, Yoga, Ayurveda, and Jyotish, into modern education, not as a backward glance, but as a forward-looking strategy that merges tradition with science and innovation. He urged universities to become temples of innovation, centres of ethical reflection, and laboratories for national development. Governor Acharya expressed hope that the outcomes of the North East Education Conclave 2025 would infuse new momentum into academic institutions across the region, transforming them into engines of growth, knowledge, and societal transformation. The valedictory session was graced by several dignitaries, including the Education Minister of Tripura Kishore Barman; President of the Shankardev Education and Research Foundation, Lieutenant General Rana Pratap Kalita; Vice Chancellor of Pragjyotishpur University, Prof. Smriti Kumar Sinha; Registrar of the University, Prof. Jogesh Kakoti; National Executive Member of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Suresh Soni; and Secretary of Vidya Bharati Uchcha Shiksha Sansthan, Prof. Kiran Hazarika, among others. (ANI)
Warning that the time to build is quickly running out, the Central Florida Expressway Authority board unanimously agreed on Oct. 9 to move forward with constructing a toll road  first proposed decades ago  between State Road 417 and the Orlando Sanford International Airport.

At a cost of more than $200 million, the two-lane thoroughfare would help alleviate traffic congestion in one of the fastest-growing areas of Seminole County and ease access to an expanding airfield, its supporters say.

This is really critical, and the time is now or never, said Christopher Maier, chair of the toll road agencys 10-member board. Because we keep growing and more rooftops are popping up. So lets seize this opportunity right now.

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Tampa Bay airports working to comply with Floridas weather modification ban

Construction of the roughly two-mile long roadway is still years away, as CFX must first figure out how to pay for the project. That includes spending an estimated $18.3 million acquiring existing houses and properties along the route.

Toll revenues are estimated to generate $48.1 million over 40 years for the project. But thats less than a quarter of the total cost of $200.4 million. CFXs master plan recommends toll revenues cover at least half the cost of a construction project, said Glenn Pressimone, the agencys chief of infrastructure.

As such, the project has a [financial] viability shortfall, he said.

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The rest of the money would have to come from surrounding local governments  including Seminole County and the city of Sanford  along with state and federal grants.

Last November, Seminole voters approved the county adding an extra penny to the state sales tax to pay for new roads. In addition, Seminole commissioners agreed this summer to add five cents to the price of every gallon of gas sold in the county, starting Jan. 1, also to pay for roads and mass transportation.

Local officials have said that traffic on Lake Mary Boulevard near the airport has grown more congested over the years, and will become even worse as more homes and apartments continue to be built.

In addition, the airport is expected to grow. Last year, the airport handled nearly 2.9 million passengers, an 81% increase from 2005, when it had 1.6 million.

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By the year 2050, Seminoles population is expected to balloon by 21% to more than 585,000 residents. Lake Mary Boulevard is expected to have 44% more cars and trucks by then.

About two years ago, CFX proposed four routes for the connector, all of which showed northbound drivers getting on the new road near the Lake Jesup toll plaza on S.R. 417 and traveling northeast, then onto Red Cleveland Boulevard directly into the airport property north of Lake Mary Boulevard.

Drivers heading south on SR 417 would not be able to directly access the toll road.

On Oct. 9, board members approved a final route, which meanders through mostly farmland and undeveloped areas between the airport and SR 417, just northwest of the Lake Jesup Conservation Area.

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Frank Ioppolo Jr., a member of the airports board of directors, called the proposed connector the single most important regional transportation project in the county.

Rebekah Arthur, president and CEO of the Seminole County Chamber, added that the new road will help economic growth around the airport.

For the businesses that use the airport and around the airport, they know this cannot come quickly enough, she said. The traffic around the airport continues to build and become more and more congested. With this connection in place, we can significantly expand how we utilize the airport and its adjacent industrial and office spaces.

No one spoke in opposition to the project at the meeting.

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Last June, however, Sanford resident Becky Burke learned at a community meeting the proposed route for the connector road would cut through the middle of her late 19th-century home.

Her neighbor off of Bloom Lane, Adam Shafran, also learned the proposed road would slice through his house and nursery of exotic fruit trees he worked for years to accumulate.

Neither could be reached for comment on Friday. But both had said they understood that eventually they would have to leave their quiet rural pocket of Seminole County.

Under Floridas eminent domain laws, property owners would have to be offered fair compensation after an independent appraisal. Owners can then appeal and be compensated for their attorneys fees.

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Seminole Commissioner Andria Herr, who represents the county on the CFX board, said its critical to move forward on the project before any more new development is built along the route.

It is difficult to build a road through any community, she said. But now is the time to do it, based on the fact that there are more housing developments going into this specific area. So this will have the least impact, if you can imagine that, on residents in that area if we do it now. If we dont do this now, Im not sure well ever be able to do it.
A Ventura mothers early morning call to 911 led to the arrest of a man who police say tried to break into her home while completely nude and under the influence of drugs.

According to the Ventura Police Department, the incident happened around 3:38 a.m. on Oct. 17 in the 6200 block of Geneva Street. The 39-year-old woman told dispatchers she could hear someone attempting to open the restroom window of her home while she and her three children were inside.

Moments later, the suspect rang the familys doorbell, authorities said. A Ventura Police dispatcher remained on the phone with the woman, advising her to stay away from the area where the suspect was trying to enter.

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Officers arrived within minutes and found a man walking away from the home. He was identified as Gabriel Torres and was completely nude, according to police. Investigators said Torres appeared to be under the influence of drugs at the time of his arrest.

Oxnard resident accused of drug trafficking after fentanyl and ghost guns found

Evidence showed that Torres had removed the screen from the bathroom window and reached into the home, police said. He was taken into custody on suspicion of residential burglary and booked into the Ventura County Jail.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the Ventura Police Department at 805-650-8010.

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  A second round of No Kings protests are taking place across the country, including one right here in East Tennessee organized by Indivisible Knoxville.

Thousands gathered at the Veterans Memorial in Worlds Fair Park, then marched to the intersection of Henley, Western, and Summit Hill.

Shelby County mayor declares state of emergency due to Memphis Safe Task Force

This is actually one of the things that we call a quiet visibility event, but when you have 7000 of your friends, it doesnt stay quiet. Our numbers are our voice, our signs are our voice, explained Amanda Collins part of the planning and organizing team with Indivisible Knoxville.

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This rally, organized by the Indivisible Knoxville group, comes in response to what protesters call an abuse of power by President Donald Trump, including an immigration crackdown and deploying the national guard to U.S cities.

We keep seeing more and more pushes towards authoritarianism. Our checks and balances arent checking or balancing and so we have so much energy from people who maybe never even paid attention to politics and politicians before, who are ready to do something, to take a stand in solidarity not only with their neighbors in Knox County, but also all across the nation, added Collins.

Not all Tennesseans agree with the message, Senator Marsha Blackburn wrote on X, Democrats are finding time to attend No Kings protests, but they are refusing to come to the table and work with republicans on getting the government back open.

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Upcoming North Broadway construction projects to improve safety, bus service

Amid immigration raids, some protesters spoke out about a member of the Allies of Knoxvilles Immigrant Neighbors, Alejandro Guizar Lozano, who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Some of those included people who know him personally.

The political tenor of the country is pretty intense, and to know that its being brought down on a person that, we both spent a ton of time with, especially in the past year, theres no guarantee that were going to be able to see this person again in Knoxville. Thats really scary, said Dani Urquieta, a member of the Allies of Knoxvilles Immigrant Neighbors.

Every day there are threads of our community being torn away, and it is leaving us shattered and is leaving all of us feeling very sad and hurt. But we will not stand down, and we will continue to call for the release of not only Alejandro, but everyone who is being taken by ICE, added Tom Ruggles, an Activist with ICE Out of East Tennessee who spoke in front of many on the topic before the march.

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Indivisible Knoxville shared with 6 News that this No Kings protest had more people than the first one in June, stating Knoxville saw as many as 8000 participants, which is estimated to be the largest demonstration in Knoxville history. The organization shares it will continue to hold events and rallies until change is made.

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TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WSAV)  A local family is speaking out and asking for change after their loved one has been allegedly mistreated at Oceanside Care Center on Tybee Island.

Its the fifth complaint WSAV has received about nursing home this year.

Timothy Ramsey said his mother, 78-year-old Linda Kensington, has been living at Oceanside Care Center for over six months. Within the past month, he said they have noticed a decline in care.

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Were putting our faith in their care, so to speak, Ramsey said.

Kensington was reportedly injured after a fall on the night of Sept. 25. Kensington was in the bathroom and slipped in a puddle of water, according to her son.

For 10 minutes straight, she hollered at the top of her lungs and couldnt get to her phone, he said. Somebody finally came in. I dont know whom that was, but they finally got her to her bed. She laid there until just around 11:30 the next morning.

According to his record, Kensington laid in her bed for about 14 hours with a broken wrist and leg before she was taken to the hospital, where she had two surgeries.

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We never got a call about her falling. We had to find out about it ourselves. My sister and I kept calling, and calling, and calling until we finally got somebody, Ramsey said.

Claxton elementary teacher, paraprofessional arrested in child abuse investigation

Since the injury, Ramsey said his mothers incisions have been infected, and she hasnt been given her antibiotics on time. He also said his mother has gone nearly 12 hours without her soiled diaper being changed on two occasions.

Ramsey even called the police on Oct. 15 for a wellness check on his mother, WSAV confirmed through an open records request with Tybee Island Police Department (TIPD).

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Mother fell last week left without care for 12 hours. Once mother returned to center, she has been left in urine and feces for multiple days at a time, the TIPD report reads.

TIPD was advised that Kensington was good since being changed, according to the report.

Kensington called her son during his interview with WSAV. She told News 3 there are nice employees at Oceanside, but many of them act like they dont care about the residents.

There are patients in here, large women, and [the caretakers] said they dont really take care of fat people, Kensington said. I mean, what are they here for if they cant take care of this, you know?

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Distracted driver crashes into Effingham deputy, officials say

WSAV requested records from the Georgia Department of Community Health. Those documents show complaints regarding general grooming and care for multiple patients in 2023 and 2024.

This is our home, and this is their job. A lot of them dont seem to look at it that way, Kensington said.

Ramsey said his biggest fear is seeing his mother injured again or even losing her because of negligence.

Thats my biggest concern, and thats why I came to Channel 3, Ramsey said.

The Ramsey family has contacted a lawyer. WSAV reached out to the interim administrator at Oceanside with a number of questions regarding these complaints.

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News 3 will update you on air and online once he responds.

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If you are wondering why there is not a single opinion columnist at The New York Times who is a supporter of President Donald Trump, NYT opinion writer Michelle Goldberg has an answer for you.

Goldberg, during an event at Harvard University on Oct. 16, said it is difficult to find writers who are pro-Trump, honest, and not racist.

She added: Theres not that many people in the middle of that Venn Diagram.

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Goldbergs comment was reported by Ira Stoll in his Substack, The Editors. Stoll, who is also a columnist for The New York Sun, reported the event, dubbed Authoritarianism, Antisemitism, and the Future of America, did not allow photos or videos to be taken.

The event was hosted at Harvards Center for Jewish Studies and attracted about 30 people, according to Stoll, and had one armed police officer guarding it.

Goldbergs comment draws attention to the NYT opinion section, which has several self-identified conservatives  but no Trump supporters, as she noted.

Out of those four conservative writers  David Brooks, Ross Douthat, Bret Stephens, and David French  none of them have said they voted for Trump.

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And many of them have been highly critical of Trump, including Stephens, who wrote a column last year, A Conservative Case Against Trump, outlining why he loathed Trump and would be voting for then-Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

Trump is worse in ways that matter profoundly to the rule of law, the health of capitalism and the future of freedom at home and abroad, Stephens wrote.

Brooks, meanwhile, has slammed Trump as a tyrant who has corroded the Republican Party. And Trump ripped Douthat in 2022 for a story where he said Trumps hold over the Republican Party was weakening.

The New York Times has 11.88 million subscribers and, according to Goldberg, is still searching for a non-racist MAGA writer to give its readers a different slant than the rest of its opinion section.

The post NYT Scribe Hits Pro-Trump Opinion Writers With Vicious Slam first appeared on Mediaite.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee hosted a regional conference on gun violence on Friday, bringing together local mayors, law enforcement and community organizations. Mayor Lee addressed gun violence as a "regional public health crisis."

"We are working hard to make sure that the guns - the weapons of war, which I call them - are eliminated from the streets of Oakland," said Mayor Lee. "It's an issue of violence. It's an issue of affordable housing... Many people have issues around poverty, lack of education. But we also have to have accountability."

The aim of the daylong conference is to develop regional strategies to reduce gun violence, find ways to end the illegal firearm supply and to address root causes of gun violence. Breakout sessions focused on deterrence, gun industry accountability, and a regional action plan for the future.

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"There are some people in this room who need to hear this, that you have to invest in the community-based organizations in your community," said Guy Hudson with the San Francisco-based Street Violence Intervention Program, which works with at-risk and high-risk individuals.

MORE: Oakland police can now start pursuits at any speed, with permission, after policy change

Hudson says the conference is an opportunity for different community groups to connect with other city and state leaders.

"It is not just elected officials sitting around talking about it. But actually, people at the ground level doing the work. and those people those people connecting with one another," adds Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi.

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"In order for us to create a safer Bay Area, we have to work regionally. Crime does not respect geographic boundaries," said State Senator and former Berkeley Mayor, Jesse Arreguin.

Senator Arreguin says the conference is focused on developing effective policies on enforcement, and neighborhood-level violence prevention programs that work with local police. Antioch Police Chief Joe Vigil says this type of regional cooperation is important.

"Working with partners, seeing how other strategies can be useful us. I think it is a long-term investment. And I think it will benefit the city in the long run," said Chief Vigil.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live
SAULT STE. MARIE  After years of fighting, local tribes have won the battle to remove a large stone obelisk from an ancient burial site.

The obelisk was installed in 1907 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Soo Locks. It was placed on burial grounds in what is today known as Brady Park without the consultation or permission of any local tribe. The obelisk was placed and is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who operate the Soo Locks.

A large stone obelisk has been covered in a cage to prepare for its removal at Brady Park in Sault Ste. Marie, the site of ancient burial grounds.

More: Officials mull removal of obelisk from tribal burial ground in Sault, seek public input

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There has been a burial site at the location for several hundred years, although nobody knows exactly how long. Oral history and storytelling confirm that members of tribes who lived in the area before it was called Sault Ste. Marie had been buried there for generations.

This history was questioned by non-tribal members due to a lack of grave markers, but grave markers were not typically used by ancient Native Americans.

"We estimate that the burial site is several hundred years old and we know this due to local oral tradition," said Sault Tribe Chairman Austin Lowes. "Culturally we buried people different than western societies, but there are 100% graves there."

Two sisters from the Bay Mills Indian Community first launched a grassroots effort to have the obelisk removed in December 1998. Paula Carrick and Wanda Perron led the protest, and have continued to advocate for the obelisk's removal for decades.

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"My sister and I started the history department out here in Bay Mills," said Carrick, a historian with the Bay Mills Ojibwe History Department. "My sister, Wanda, always knew there was a burial site out there, because we had a relative of our own buried there."

Tribal historians eventually discovered proof of the site originally being a burial ground in maps published by the U.S. Corps of Engineers itself.

In a June 10 press release, the Corps of Engineers said they were exploring "options that minimize harm to both historic resources and Tribal cultural practices."

"The Bay Mills Indian Community and Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Michigan conducts cultural and religious practices at the burial site," the release stated. "Those practices in the presence of an obelisk celebrating the semi-centennial of the construction of locks, which destroyed most of the burial site, continue to have an ongoing negative effect on their members. The Bay Mills Indian Community and Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Michigan have requested that the Corps of Engineers remove the obelisk from the burial site to mitigate this effect."

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Following a period of public input, the Corps of Engineers upheld the decision to remove the obelisk.

The obelisk at the ancient Native American burial ground in Sault Ste. Marie being prepared for removal.

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"We feel good about this. We view the obelisk as a desecration," said Lowes. "If a monument of a different culture was put up at your family cemetery where you buried your loved ones for hundreds of years, how would you feel?"

The obelisk has had a cage placed around it to make it easier to remove. The actual removal will be scheduled for early November.

"I just want to give attention to the people who worked so hard on this from both the Sault Tribe and the Bay Mills community," said Lowes.

 Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com

This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Soo Locks obelisk to be removed from ancient Native American burial site
Editors Note: This story is part of our cold case series, The Big 2 Files. You can watch the full episode in the video player above.

ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Lynn Floyd Moore lived much of his life in Odessa, Texas. He was a Navy veteran of the Korean War, a businessman, a father, and a grandfather. His days followed a familiar rhythm that many in town recognized.

Friends recalled him behind the wheel of his white Cadillac, making his routine stops at the post office, the bank, Zuccis Restaurant, or the American Legion. He was the kind of man people knew by sight, and the kind of man whose absence did not go unnoticed.

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Moore was born in 1931, the son of Jesse Floyd Moore and Oda Nelle Jamison Moore. In 1957, he married Nora Sue Moore, and together they raised four children. After 44 years of marriage, the couple separated, with Nora later settling in Plano while Lynn remained in Odessa. His life was deeply tied to the city, from business ventures in oilfield services to serving on the board of the Permian Basin International Oil Show.

He was also a veteran. Between 1950 and 1953, he served with the U.S. Navy in Korea, where he earned the Silver Star for bravery in combat. Those who knew him described him as a man who had worked hard, built businesses, and lived well into his seventies surrounded by family and friends.

That life came to an end in September of 2001.

On September 14, Sergeant P. Shepherd of the Odessa Police Department was dispatched to Moores home on the 3700 block of Dover Drive for a welfare check. His brother Jesse, who lived in Fort Worth, had called after not hearing from him for several days. The concern grew when an employee from Star Cleaners told Jesse that Moore had not picked up his receipts, something he did daily.

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Jesse drove to Odessa. When he arrived at his brothers home, he noticed the lights were on inside, but there was no response. He later told police that in his gut, he knew something was wrong.

When officers arrived, they found the front of the house secure, but the back sliding glass door was broken and ajar. Inside, officers found Moore lying on the floor of his bedroom between the couch and the bedframe, wearing only a T-shirt and boxer shorts. His arms were crossed above his chest. A gunshot wound to the left side of his chest had ended his life.

There was little to suggest a burglary. His wallet was still there. A large sum of cash remained in the room. Even a brand-new gold Rolex sat untouched on his nightstand alongside car keys and coins.

The autopsy revealed internal bleeding, minor scrapes, and a distinctive Navy tattoo on his right arm. Toxicology showed alcohol in his system. Investigators noted the shot appeared to have been fired from close range.

Investigators questioned everyone who knew Moore. Susan Rogers, CEO of Odessa Crime Stoppers, called it a huge investigation.

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There was a lot going along, a lot of interviews, and I know this case has passed through many hands of detectives up there (OPD), she said.

During the investigation, a former club member told police that Moore often kept company with women connected to the American Legion, and that many of them knew of his wealth and generosity. Other vague stories surfaced over the years of Moore making comments about paying to deal with people he disliked, but investigators have never confirmed whether those remarks were true.

Moores son Darryl told investigators he was out of town visiting family at the time. He had been active in the family businesses, at one point running a Super Lube in Odessa, and later offered a $10,000 reward for information in his fathers case. In 2002, the family placed newspaper ads pleading for answers.

My dad had bonds with a lot of people, Darryl said at the time. He spent his days driving his white Cadillac to the post office, the bank, Zuccis, or the Legion. It seems like someone should know something moreEveryone in Odessa seems to know everyone in Odessa.

Despite an extensive investigation, one that passed through the hands of multiple detectives over the years, no one has ever been charged. Those who worked the case still describe it as solvable. They point out that Moore was well known, connected, and carried both friends and enemies. Rumors, they say, still circulate in Odessa.

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This is still a very solvable case, said Susan Rogers. He was a businessman here in town and Im sure there was a lot of talk back in that dayso anybody who knew Mr. Moore back in that timeknew if anybody held a grudge, if anybody didnt like him, just something that can put them (investigators) back on a trail.

Today, nearly twenty-four years later, the questions remain. Who killed Lynn Floyd Moore?

Moore would have been ninety-four this year. His parents, Jesse and Oda, have long since passed. His wife died in 2007. His children and grandchildren remain, carrying the weight of not knowing who took his life inside that house on Dover Drive.

Time has moved forward, but questions remain, and so does the grief. The lack of closure.

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Lynn was a father, a grandfather, and a veteran, Rogers said. His family deserves closure. Someone out there knows the truth, and its time for them to speak up.

Anyone with information that could help solve the death of Lynn Floyd Moore is asked to call Odessa Crime Stoppers at 432-333-TIPS or submit a tip online at the Odessa Crime Stoppers website. Even the smallest detail could help bring long-awaited answers.

. . .

About The Big 2 Files: Gabriella Meza reports for Big 2 News in Odessa and produces the Big 2 Files, a monthly cold case spotlight that revisits the Permian Basins unsolved crimes. If you have photos, records, or memories of this case or any others that have been spotlighted, email Gmeza@kmid.tv

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Reporters Note: As a journalist, Im committed to giving a voice to the voiceless, especially to those who can no longer speak for themselves. These cold cases matter, and the people behind them matter. Through The Big 2 Files, Ill continue to shine a light on the stories that deserve answers, no matter how much time has passed.  Gabriella Meza

All of The Big 2 Files:

Inside Odessas Baby Doe case, relived by the detective who found him

Inside one of Odessas oldest cold cases: The murder of 11-year-old girl Johnye Henderson

Cold case spotlight: Money Joe Belchers murder still unsolved after seven years

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Cold clues and false confessions: Who killed Eula Mae Kay Miller?

Brenda Kay Van Ginkel case still open, nearly four decades after her murder

Smoke, fire, & silence: A good Samaritans death and the secrets left behind

A murder in a bar, a crowd that disappeared and a case still unsolvedI hope this haunts them:

A chilling message in a west Texas murder left unsolved

A quiet street, a white impala and a front yard shooting: The cold case of Manuel Brito

Who Killed Debra Sue Moore: Odessa cold case still unsolved after nearly 40 years

A body near a tank battery, a name without a face: Who was Teresa Hall Mendoza?

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Stabbed and left in a field near I-20: Who killed Lawrence Dell Salisbury?

A cafe, a gunshot, and the silence that followed: Who killed Gerardo Olivas?

From a night out to a 50-year mystery: A look inside one of Odessas oldest cold cases

A church mission, a motel room, and a murder: Who killed Myra Kay Osborn?

After 44 years and a dig through concrete, Judie Munguia is still missing

A burnt car, a body in a field, and a case split between three counties: Who killed Lois Ann Lloyd?

Jane Doe no more: Remembering the unsolved murder of Dorothy Marie Garlington

Somebody knows who did this: The unsolved murder of Eddie Hernandez Palma

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The alleyway murder: Who killed Sammy Jones?

Oil boom & bloodshed: The 1982 murders that turned Odessa into Murder Town, USA

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RUTHERFORD COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA)  The District Attorneys Office for Rutherford and McDowell County found an officer was not at fault after striking a pedestrian with his car.

At approximately 4:17 a.m. on October 8, an officer with the Rutherford Police Department struck a pedestrian with his patrol car on South Main Street in Rutherfordton. Officials said at the time of the incident, it was dark and raining, and the victim was wearing a black jacket and blue jeans, and had a blue and white umbrella.

The District Attorneys Office stated that rumors of the victim wearing a reflective vest are false.

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The victim was reportedly walking in the roadway in the direction of traffic when they were struck by the right front bumper of the officers car. The officer felt the impact and thought a deer had run into his car. The officer stopped to see what happened, and called EMS upon discovering the pedestrian.

Further investigation revealed the officer was driving at approximately 30-miles-per-hour in a 35-miles-per-hour area.

The investigation was done by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

The District Attorneys Office said that, based on the results of the investigation, the officer did not violate any criminal laws, and no charges will be pursued.

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The District Attorneys Office said they are praying for the victim and their recovery.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Residents across Belfast are voicing concern over the rampant spread of Himalayan balsam, an invasive plant threatening wildlife. Councillors in the area are now working to slow the spread through community public awareness and hands-on control.

What's happening?

The plant was originally introduced to Britain in the 19th century and is now rapidly colonizing the city. Green Party Councillor Anthony Flynn has appealed to Belfast's City Hall and local community groups to join forces to tackle the problem.

"I have been made aware of issues from residents in various areas [...], with concerns around Himalayan Balsam, and other species," Flynn stated to the City Hall, as reported by Belfast Live.

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He explained that while many already know about the dangers of Japanese knotweed, another highly aggressive invasive plant, there is already a plan for combating its spread.

"But people don't know that Himalayan balsam is incredibly invasive, spreads very rapidly and impacts plants and fauna in any area," he continued for the City Hall.

Why is Himalayan Balsam vital to combat?

Himalayan balsam is characterized by a sweet-smelling pink-purple flowering plant, which outcompetes native plants drastically, affecting local flora and fauna. More so, it produces a strong and attractive nectar, drawing pollinators to its scent, continuing its rapid spread, and neglecting native plants.

According to Belfast Live, since the plant was introduced, it has"aggressively colonized damp areas, particularly along riverbanks and waterways."

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The plant grows densely and pervasively, yet completely dies back in the winter. Once the dense plant dies back, it destabilizes soils, leaving the land susceptible to flooding. These events can damage infrastructure and flush pollution into agricultural land, threatening food and water supplies.

What's being done about the invasive threat?

Following Flynn's appeal, the Belfast City Hall unanimously agreed to commission a report on the plant's threat level and explore ways to involve local communities.

"I am aware there is a small team that goes around and performs invasive species removal, but I wonder if there is more we can do with local communities, to do a bit of ocllaboration with us," Councillor Flynn said.

Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Guidelines from the report will inform control methods, but common approaches include hand-pulling, cutting, and other natural removal techniques that avoid chemicals. Community support to rid the plant has already sprouted across the U.K., showing how community power has already worked to restore riverbanks and protect native species.

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By acting early, it's clear that Belfast can prevent Himalayan balsam from further eroding the biodiversity of Belfast.

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.
Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya in the exercise of power vested in him under clause (1) of Article 164 of the Constitution of India administered the oath of office and secrecy to Charan Boro as a minister to state government at a solemn function held at Brahmaputra wing of Raj Bhavan in Guwahati on Saturday. Charan Boro is an MLA of the Bodoland People's Front (BPF). After the recently concluded BTC election, where BPF registered a landslide victory and formed the council, BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary announced that join the NDA. In the swearing-in ceremony, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, his ministerial colleagues, MPs, MLAs, government advisors, senior government officers and a host of other dignitaries were present. Earlier, Assam CM Sarma, in the presence of Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on October 5, attended the swearing-in ceremony of the Chief Executive Member and Deputy Chief Executive Member of the fifth Executive Council of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), led by Hagrama Mohilary, at a function held at the BTC Secretariat premises in Kokrajhar. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister extended his heartfelt greetings and congratulations to the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) and its chief, Hagrama Mohilary, for returning to power in the BTC following their success in the recently concluded elections. He also expressed gratitude to the people of the BTR for maintaining peace and harmony throughout the electoral process. Paying his homage to Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarma said that Gurudev Brahma had guided the Bodo community to the path of non-violence, peace, and spirituality in their struggle against British colonial rule. His great leadership not only united the Bodo society but also helped forge a collective resistance against the British Empire. The Chief Minister also paid his deep respects to Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma, one of the foremost leaders of the Bodo community. Sarma stated that under Bodofa's leadership, the democratic movement for the socio-economic uplift of the Bodos gained momentum and drew the attention of the entire nation toward the legitimate issues faced by the Bodo people. He added that Bodofa's relentless efforts paved the way for the people of the BTR to achieve self-governance. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also remembered former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the visionary architect of the BTC Accord, with reverence. Sarma stated that the formation of a new council through the democratic process and the swearing-in of Hagrama Mohilary as the head of BTC mark an important milestone. He expressed confidence that, with the blessings of the people, Hagrama Mohilary will provide able leadership over the next five years, sustain the ongoing peace process, and open a new chapter of development and progress in the BTR. The Chief Minister assured that the State Government would extend full cooperation to the new BTC government in all areas. He further mentioned that alongside the BTC administration, the Government of Assam has already implemented various welfare schemes in the region, and through joint and coordinated efforts, the aspirations of the people of BTC would soon be realised. Highlighting the multi-ethnic composition of Bodoland, Sarma observed that it is a land of unity among diversity, home to people belonging to 26 different ethnic communities. (ANI)
It was a special day for the Sewickley Township Public Library.

Officials broke ground on a new building.

The library had to move to a smaller location several years ago because of structural issues. Two-thirds of its collection is still in storage.

The Yough School District donated land for the new library.

Its on the campus of HW Good Elementary School.

$1.9 million was put toward the facility. 90% of that funding came from a Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority grant.

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Officials say the new building is critical to the community because the Crabapple Pool and Recreation Center is closed.

The project is expected to wrap up by the end of 2026.

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Minnesota officials reported the presence of invasive starry stonewort in Benedict Lake. They are urging residents to assist in the removal of the plants.

What's happening?

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) shared that the invasive species was spotted near public access areas in the lake, according to the Park Rapids Enterprise. Starry stonewort has been found in 37 bodies of water in the state, according to the DNR.

The plant is characterized by its white, bulbous structures. It creates dense mats that restrict the growth of native water plants. Starry stonewort also impacts recreational spaces in lakes, inhibiting local residents from enjoying the water.

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"Starry stonewort has never been eradicated from any U.S. lake or river but treatment or careful removal from waterbodies can help reduce the risk of spread and relieve associated nuisance impacts," the DNR said to the Park Rapids Enterprise.

Why is invasive starry stonewort important?

Invasive species take crucial resources away from native plants, which in turn affects local wildlife and communities. Local ecosystems have cultivated a delicate balance over the generations, with native plants and animals developing mutualistic relationships. Native flora also attracts critical pollinators that assist in plant and crop reproduction.

Human activity contributes to the spread of invasive species. For example, many people will release unwanted pets back into the wild, unaware that they are introducing a harmful population to the local environment. In the case of the starry stonewort, it spreads when water equipment carrying the algae is not properly cleaned. It's important to educate yourself on critical climate issues to understand better how to mitigate problems like this.

What's being done about invasive starry stonewort?

The DNR shared some guidance on the best way to remove starry stonewort. The department urged people to decontaminate their water equipment, clean it with high-pressure spray, and let it dry for five days before reusing. Representatives also encouraged residents to report any sightings of starry stonewort in bodies of water that have not previously seen the plant. This is to ensure that the agency has a clear idea of its spread.

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Even in an era of national food sellers like Walmart and Whole Foods, the grocery business can be a surprisingly regional game. Chains that dominate in one part of the country can be virtually unrecognized a few states away. However, a longtime Ohio-based grocery titan appears to have its sights set on nationwide growth. That's Kroger, a standby favorite for Midwestern shoppers.

Kroger traces its roots back nearly 150 years to a small grocery store in Cincinnati, Ohio. Over that time, it changed grocery stores forever by innovating the concept of in-store specialty departments such as bakeries and butchers. Today, it operates over 2,700 stores, including those serving shoppers under brands like Ralph's, Fred Meyer, King Soopers, Fry's, Harris Teeter, and more.

In 2025, Kroger opened or substantially renovated 30 different stores. That's likely just the start of further expansion plans, with the company's CEO telling investors earlier in the year that Kroger intends to ramp up new store construction even further in 2026. Kroger even announced a new partnership with delivery service DoorDash in September 2025 that promised to dramatically expand the store's ability to deliver groceries and other items to those looking to avoid a trip to the store.

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Read more: Ranking All-You-Can Eat Buffet Chains From Worst To First

Growing in size and popularity

kroger logo on phone and website - Sidney van den Boogaard/Shutterstock

Despite its widespread expansion, it appears Kroger hasn't had to sacrifice quality in the eyes of consumers. YouGov polling shows it's the fifth most popular grocery chain out of dozens surveyed.

Combined with new services and a growing footprint, it's hard to argue that Kroger doesn't belong among the top tier of American supermarkets, along with the other grocery stores that are taking over 2025. Of course, it's critical to keep things in perspective and remember that even some of the most successful supermarket chains have sadly disappeared over the years, including A&P, Hinky Dinky, Fresh & Easy, and many more.

So, if it seems like you've been seeing Kroger and the brands it owns more often lately, you're not imagining things. The grocery giant truly has been popping up everywhere, and it's likely to continue as long as it continues its history of shaking up the supermarket world.

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Read the original article on Mashed.
The CROWN Act, or House Bill 415, which aims to ban hair discrimination in K-12 schools, had its second hearing on Wednesday.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The bill seeks to prohibit discrimination based on hair texture or styles such as braids and locs, addressing a significant issue where black students, who make up only 15% of the student population, account for 45% of hair-related suspensions, our news partners at WCPO reported.

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The bill is being reintroduced with bipartisan support from Democratic and Republican lawmakers, as well as backing from the Franklin County Prosecutor.

TRENDING STORIES:

Students have faced disciplinary actions, such as being sent home or excluded from extracurricular activities, due to their protective hairstyles being deemed dress code violations.

Kari Bello, CEO of The Braid Initiative, emphasized the importance of allowing kids to express their personal style, stating that it helps build confidence.

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The Braid Initiative, in partnership with the Hamilton County Youth Employment Program, offers a seven-week program teaching youth how to braid, providing them with vocational opportunities and even state certification.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The Oklahoma City Police Department is seeking help from the public to identify four robbery suspects.

Earlier this month, police responded to a robbery call at a Walgreens near Rockwell and Hefner.

After they entered the business. Three of the suspects went to the back, the pharmaceutical area, and kept the employees there at bay while they ransacked the area, said Sgt. Dillon Quirk with the OKCPD.

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According to witness statements, the suspects told employees they would be hurt if they didnt follow directions.

RELATED: Authorities seek public assistance in robbery investigation

One of the suspects watched the employees while the others loaded Percocet, codeine, and other drugs into a pillowcase.

Authorities seek to identify suspect in robbery investigation, Image Oklahoma City Police Departments Facebook page

Authorities seek to identify suspect in robbery investigation, Image Oklahoma City Police Departments Facebook page

None of the employees saw a weapon at the time of the robbery, but it was perceived that they were armed, Sgt. Quirk said.

According to OKCPD, the masked suspects fled in a dark colored SUV, heading north on Rockwell.

The report says that no DNA evidence was left at the scene.

No one was injured during the process. Were asking for the publics help in solving this case. We do recognize that their faces are covered pretty well, but were hoping with any information we can get from the public on this one, said Sgt. Quirk.

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Police are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The government shutdown continues, and Oklahoma is taking a hard hit.

According to the financial website WalletHub, Oklahoma is among the Top 10 states most affected by the shutdown.

Federal workers endure financial strain and fear layoffs as the government shutdown drags on

I think the longer these things drag out, I think more and more people are going to be affected, said Chip Lupo, writer and analyst for WalletHub.

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Lupo compiled data from states and Washington, D.C., to determine the impact on each state.

We looked at that on five different metrics, said Lupo. Share of federal jobs, federal contract dollars per capita, percentage of families receiving SNAP benefits, real estate as a percentage of gross state product, and access to national parks.

Oklahoma among top 10 states most affected by government shutdown, Image WalletHub.

That data is what put Oklahoma at 9th.

WalletHub says the higher you are on the list (closer to the #1 spot), the more likely you are to be negatively impacted by the shutdown.

Oklahomas share of federal jobs is 3.15%, according to WalletHub. Staff that has been furloughed could lead to hiccups in air travel, buying a house, and tourism.

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However, the biggest factor in why Oklahoma is being most impacted is the percentage of families that receive SNAP benefits.

14.37% of Oklahoma residents rely on SNAP, according to WalletHub, and SNAP needs federal dollars to keep families fed.

Hunger Free Oklahoma works to end hunger across the state, and worries about the impact of the shutdown if it continues.

Theres a question that if the shutdown went through November, whether there would be money there to issue SNAP benefits, said Chris Bernard, CEO & President of Hunger Free Oklahoma.

Home buying is also impacted. Staff shortages at the IRS, FHA, and VA could affect mortgage processing.

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You can find WalletHubs full study on the government shutdown impact here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Olive Branch officer arrested on fondling charge

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  An Olive Branch, Mississippi police officer has been arrested after an accusation of fondling, the DeSoto County Sheriffs Office said Friday.

Olive Branch Police Officer Joseph Barbour was arrested Thursday on a fugitive from justice charge related to a DeSoto County warrant for fondling.

He was taken into custody in Memphis and awaits extradition back to DeSoto County.

Olive Branch officials said Barbour was still employed as an officer pending a review by the city Board of Aldermen.

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MUNCIE, IN  A Delaware County teenager was killed on the early morning of Saturday, Oct. 18, when their pickup truck left a county road and struck a tree.

Chief Deputy Jeff Stanley of the Delaware County Sheriff's Department said a passerby found the crash scene near the 5600 block of South Delaware County Road 575 East about 1:45 a.m.

The victim  identified by Delaware County Coroner Gavin Greene as 18-year-old Tristan Michael Goodman of Selma  was pronounced dead at the scene.

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According to Stanley, the crash left the truck with significant damage to its passenger side and roof.

The chief deputy said there were no known witnesses to the crash, which remains under investigation. Deputies have found no evidence a second vehicle was involved.

An autopsy was to be conducted on the victim at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Selma teen killed in southeastern Delaware County truck crash
Oct. 17ROCHESTER  Olmsted County Public Health Services has confirmed one case of measles in a child under 5, per a Friday, Oct. 17, press release.

The child is symptomatic, not vaccinated against measles, and recently traveled internationally, the county said.

"OCPHS is working with the Minnesota Department of Health to contact those who were exposed to the case," the press release says. "Unvaccinated persons, or persons who have not had measles, are most at risk and should watch for symptoms of measles."

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In a statement, Mayo Clinic said the patient was seen at Mayo Clinic in Rochester "and is doing well."

"Mayo Clinic is working closely with public health authorities to ensure community safety," the statement continues. "We are contacting patients, families and staff with confirmed exposures to provide guidance. We have strict infection prevention protocols and highly trained teams who respond swiftly and effectively to infectious diseases."

Symptoms for measles, a highly contagious disease, include fever, cough, watery eyes, runny nose, and a rash that spreads across the body.

Olmsted County Public Health Services said that people who suspect they might have measles should call their health care provider to "ensure that proper care is received without accidentally exposing other people to measles," as the virus can linger in the air even after an infected person leaves the room.

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The county health department said vaccinations are the "best way to prevent measles."

Children can receive their first of two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine between 12 to 15 months of age, or as early as 6 months old if the child will be traveling to another country or "an area of the United States with a measles outbreak."

Before Olmsted County's announcement, MDH had recorded 20 measles cases across the state this year. On Wednesday, Oct. 1, MDH also urged measles vaccinations after confirming 10 cases in the span of a few days.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday attended "Kisan Abhar Sammelan" at CM House in Bhopal and shared information about the state government's farmer-centric policies. Addressing the occasion, CM Yadav said, farmers are the "backbone of Madhya Pradesh's economy and their welfare is the state government's "top priority." 'Every decision of the government is taken keeping farmers' interests in mind, and all necessary measures will continue to be taken for their well-being. The state government is committed to strengthening farmers' financial condition by increasing their income through every possible means," he said. The CM highlighted that the 'Bhavantar' scheme protects farmers against fluctuations in market prices and is a major initiative for their welfare. "If a dry field is given water, the crop shines like gold. The government will ensure water reaches every field in the state. Farmers, who are now becoming energy providers along with food providers, are encouraged to install solar pumps in their fields. The installation of solar pumps will free them from the recurring costs of temporary electricity connections," he said. "Farmers will now receive a 90% subsidy on the installation of solar power pumps, instead of the earlier 40%," the CM added. Yadav, highlighting farmers' contribution, said that agriculture accounts for over 39% of the state's GDP. Madhya Pradesh ranks among the top states in foodgrain, pulse, oilseed, fruit, and vegetable production, and stands first in the production of oranges, spices, garlic, ginger, and coriander. The state is second in peas, onions, chillies and guavas, and third in floriculture and medicinal plants. Madhya Pradesh has now earned the titles of Soybean State, Millets State, Spices State, Garlic State and Orange State, making it the "Food Basket of India," he said. He emphasised that water is as precious as nectar for farming, and conserving it is essential. The government is implementing three major river-linking projects to provide sustainable irrigation: the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal project with Rajasthan for Bundelkhand and Chambal regions, the Ken-Betwa project with Uttar Pradesh for Bundelkhand, and the Tapti Mega Recharge Project with Maharashtra. He said the Narmada River is a boon for the state's farmers. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav informed that 32 lakh solar pumps are being provided to farmers at a 90% subsidy. Farmers can install solar pumps up to 5 HP, reduce electricity costs, and sell surplus electricity to the government. Under the current administration, irrigated area in the state has increased to 52 lakh hectares, with a target of expanding it to 100 lakh hectares. Food processing units are also being established so that farmers can get fair prices without having to discard excess produce. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance, the Bhavantar Scheme is benefitting farmers by bridging the gap between the market price and the government's minimum support price (MSP). Farmers cultivate crops selflessly to feed the nation and that earlier governments had neglected the utilization of Narmada waters, which today serve irrigation, drinking, and industrial needs, he added. CM Yadav further said, "The government is emphasising faster, transparent implementation of schemes to make farmers self-reliant and strengthen service delivery. Farmers' prosperity is the foundation of our development. The inclusion of soybeans under the Bhavantar Scheme ensures that farmers receive compensation for the difference between the MSP and the market price. This scheme is not just a program but a bond of trust between the government and farmers. Our commitment is that the farmer receives his rightful due before his sweat dries." Additionally, Minister of Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development Edal Singh Kanshana said the government is determined to support farmers by providing them with benefits and compensation through welfare schemes. The Bhavantar Scheme will prove to be a blessing for farmers. Around 3,000 farmers from Narmadapuram, Bhopal, Sehore, Rajgarh, Raisen, and Vidisha districts attended the conference, which aimed to inform them about the Bhavantar Payment Scheme and encourage maximum participation. (ANI)
TOPEKA (KSNT)  The Topeka Police Department responded to a shooting in East Topeka on Oct. 17.

Police responded to the shooting at southeast 4th Street & Lafayette Street around 8:30 p.m. Officers at the scene told 27 News that one person was shot. Their condition is not known at this time.

Flint Hills Breadbasket in urgent need of donations due to gov shutdown

27 News will provide updates as they become available.

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For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)- Around 10:07 Saturday morning, officials confirmed a man was shot at NE Park Place and N Missouri Ave.

The victim was transported to OU Health and is in stable condition.

Officials believe the suspect is an adult male.

The suspects identity is unknown at this time as the investigation is ongoing.

This is a developing story.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
It was one scandal too many.

After emails emerged this week showing that Prince Andrew remained in contact with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein longer than he previously admitted, the House of Windsor finally moved to insulate the monarchy from years of tawdry headlines about Andrew's dodgy friends and suspicious business deals.

Buckingham Palace on Friday released a statement from Andrew saying that he had agreed to give up use of his last remaining royal titles so that continued allegations about him dont distract from the work of His Majesty.

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This weeks revelations demonstrated that Andrew had committed the unforgivable sin of misleading the British public, said Craig Prescott, an expert on the monarchy and constitutional law at Royal Holloway University of London.

To say something which is proven not to be true, I think, is the straw that broke the camels back, he said.

Signs of a new direction

The move comes as Charles, who is 76 and undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, works to ensure the long-term stability of the monarchy under his son and heir Prince William.

William recently gave an interview in which he set out his vision for the monarchy, saying that the institution needed to change to make sure that it is a force for good.

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In some ways, Prince Andrew has been the exact opposite of that, Prescott said. And there is no space for that in the modern monarchy.

Andrew, 65, is the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II. He spent more than 20 years as an officer in the Royal Navy before leaving to take up his royal duties in 2001.

Following Fridays announcement, Andrew will no longer use his remaining royal titles, including the Duke of York, though he technically retains them. Formally stripping him of those titles would be a time-consuming process requiring an act of Parliament.

A long time coming

Andrews banishment completes a process that began in November 2019, when he gave up all of his public duties and charity roles.

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That was triggered by a disastrous interview Andrew gave to the BBC as he sought to counter media reports about his friendship with Epstein and deny allegations that he had sex with a 17-year-old girl, Virginia Giuffre, who was trafficked by Epstein in 2001. The prince was widely criticized for failing to show empathy for Epsteins victims and for offering unbelievable explanations for his friendship with the disgraced financier.

The interview also sowed the seeds of this weeks upheaval, when Andrew told the BBC that he had cut off contact with Epstein in December 2010.

British newspapers on Sunday revealed that Andrew wrote an email to Epstein on Feb. 28, 2011. Andrew wrote the note after renewed reporting on the Epstein scandal, telling him they were in this together and would have to rise above it.

Andrew has recently faced another round of grimy stories as newspapers release excerpts of Giuffres posthumous memoir, which will be published on Tuesday. Giuffre died by suicide in April at the age of 41.

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Andrew in 2022 reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre after she filed a civil suit against him in New York. While he didnt admit wrongdoing, Andrew did acknowledge Giuffres suffering as a victim of sex trafficking.

While Andrew said he continues to vigorously deny the accusations, Giuffre's family saw the surrender of the use of his titles as validation for her memoir's claims that the prince acted like sex was his birthright.

Weve shed a lot of happy and sad tears today," her brother, Sky Roberts, told the BBC. "In a lot of ways this vindicates Virginia.

Front-page fodder for wrong reasons

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The prince has been the subject of tabloid stories stretching back to at least 2007, when he sold his house near Windsor Castle for 20% over the 15 million pound asking price. The buyer was reported to be Timur Kulibayev, son-in-law of Nursultan Nazarbayev, then-president of Kazakhstan, raising concerns that the deal was an attempt to buy influence in Britain.

Last year, a court case revealed Andrews relationship with a businessman and suspected Chinese spy who was barred from the United Kingdom as a threat to national security. Authorities were concerned that the man could have misused his influence over Andrew, according to court documents.

While the palace said Andrew had decided to give up his royal titles, royal historian Sally Bedell Smith said the king, Prince William and the entire family exerted enormous pressure on him.

I think he was absolutely forced into this, said Smith, author of Prince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life.

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Hes had many opportunities to fall on his sword, and he hasnt. So I think he was given a pretty stark choice: Either do this voluntarily or were going to have to do this the hard way.

Insulating the monarchy at a delicate time

While the cumulative weight of Andrews scandals demanded a response from the royal family, this weeks revelations came at a particularly sensitive moment for the king as he prepares for a state visit to the Vatican, where he is expected to pray beside Pope Leo XIV.

The visit is very important to Charles, who has made the bridging of faiths an important part of his mantra, said George Gross, an expert on theology and the monarchy at Kings College, London.

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I think this was the speediest, really the quickest way of lowering his status even more without having to go to Parliament, Gross said. Even if Parliament would have approved, it takes time.

Charles may also have been motivated by a desire to protect the work of Queen Camilla, who has made combating domestic violence one of her signature issues, and the Duchess of Edinburgh, who has sought to combat sexual violence in war zones such as Congo.

The king will hope that this move finally draws a line between Andrew and the rest of the royal family, Prescott said.

If there are allegations, or further stuff comes out, it will all be on Prince Andrew, he said. Theyve severed the connection between Prince Andrew and the monarchy as an institution.




If there's one fine dining restaurant that can pull droves of people back to downtown San Francisco, it's Bourbon Steak, Michael Mina's first hometown restaurant in four years.

The steak-and-seafood powerhouse debuted inside Union Square's sprawling Westin St. Francis last week, and it's a showstopper. Boasting opulent tropical interiors and high-level cuisine, the restaurant is a mix of tableside tricks and legacy dishes from one of the West Coast's most prolific chefs. Consider the adjacent bourbon speakeasy that Mina just unveiled with longtime friend and Golden State Warrior Steph Curry and the giant Nintendo Store next door, and there are now several reasons to visit this newly buzzy corner of Powell Street.

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The location is very meaningful to Mina, who has had two previous restaurants in this very space, including the first iteration of Bourbon Steak, from 2010 to 2016. Before that, it was his eponymous Michael Mina, a career-making project that earned two Michelin stars and jump-started the Mina Group, which now boasts 32 restaurants across the country.

Mina was just 23 when he started his career a few blocks away at Michelin-starred Aqua, and he gets emotional about being back in Union Square.

Michael Mina poses for a photo at Bourbon Steak, his new steakhouse restaurant in the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, on Oct. 14, 2025. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE)





The 14-ounce New York strip at Bourbon Steak, Michael Mina's new steakhouse restaurant in the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, on Oct. 14, 2025. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE)





A view of the bar at Bourbon Steak, Michael Mina's new steakhouse restaurant in the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, on Oct. 14, 2025. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE)





"I was crying," Mina told me on the eve of Bourbon Steak's Oct. 10 opening, sitting at a corner table overlooking the plaza. "I just love being here. This was a theater every night for me, because it was the most complex concept I'd ever done in my life and ever done since then. And we want to push the envelope here further than Bourbon's ever been pushed before."

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In these days of wildly experiential dining and deeply personal neighborhood eateries, San Franciscans might scoff at another pricey, lavish chain. The first Bourbon Steak in SF was only the fifth for the brand and still relatively new; now there are a dozen spread out from New York to Los Angeles.

But take a closer look, and you'll see that this new San Francisco iteration of Bourbon Steak feels familiar. There's more market-fresh fish than steak, from the giant Dungeness crab "pop-tart" ($32) drizzled with coconut curry - cut into six squares for sharing - to the salt-baked whole sea bream ($67) prepared tableside by cracking the hardened salt armor to reveal flaky, tender fish wrapped in grape leaves. More than a few neighboring iPhone cameras flipped on when our server delicately deboned the bream.

A server prepares salt-baked sea bream at Bourbon Steak, Michael Mina's new steakhouse restaurant in the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, on Oct. 14, 2025. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE)





A server prepares salt-baked sea bream at Bourbon Steak, Michael Mina's new steakhouse restaurant in the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, on Oct. 14, 2025. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE)





"Doing things like that, to me, is Bourbon Steak," Mina said of the dish and technique. "That's the stuff that still gives me chills."

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Overall, Mina has a very high opinion of San Francisco diners.

"San Francisco still has some of the most iconic foodies that ever lived, and wine drinkers, too," he said. "We still have a foundation of a clientele that nobody else has. I mean, like you can do food here. And, you know, people will come out for it."

That's the hope, at least. Crime is down in Union Square, big-name retailers are slowly returning, and the city is finding ways to incentivize new restaurants in the shopping district. Mina felt like the timing with the hotel was perfect.

"We are all ready to really invest in San Francisco," he said. "The food and beverage scene is hotter than it's ever been. There's so many people doing amazing little restaurants with great food. The one thing that hasn't really come back is these type of experiential restaurants that are more than a restaurant. And the city needs both kinds to round itself back out."

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Still, the risks of a massive downtown hotel restaurant and bar are undeniable. While Mina remains directly involved with Pabu, Bar Spezzatura, and International Smoke with Ayesha Curry, he has shuttered his fair share of SF restaurants in recent years.

A server takes the orders of diners at Bourbon Steak, Michael Mina's new steakhouse restaurant in the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, on Oct. 14, 2025. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE)





Diners at a prime corner table at Bourbon Steak, Michael Mina's new steakhouse restaurant in the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, on Oct. 14, 2025. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE)





Sommelier Ryan Torres tastes a glass of wine at Michael Mina's new steakhouse restaurant in the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, on Oct. 14, 2025. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE)





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In 2021, the flagship Michael Mina ended its reign on California Street. Estiatorio Ornos, an upscale Greek concept, took its place but ultimately shuttered in 2024 after the Mina Group chose not to renew its lease. (Tiburon's Bungalow Kitchen and Sonoma's Wit & Wisdom are also in the Mina Group.) Trailblazer Tavern, a Hawaii-inspired concept, closed in Salesforce Tower during the pandemic.

Mina said there are always ups and downs in life and business.

"I've been extremely blessed, obviously, coming from Egypt when I was a child, and getting to be in the United States, and then getting to be in the most dynamic food city and getting to make my name here," he said. Mina acknowledges the worries but is adamant that they won't slow him down. If anything, it's the opposite.

"It's a motivation to do things at a higher level," he said. "And it's a motivation to think outside the box, like, What else can we do here?'"

Michael Mina (right) jokes around with Adam Crocini at Bourbon Steak, Michael Mina's new steakhouse restaurant in the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, on Oct. 14, 2025. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE)





Bottles of liquor behind the bar at Bourbon Steak, Michael Mina's new steakhouse restaurant in the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, on Oct. 14, 2025. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE)





Come January, Mina hopes to add a community table where small groups of guests can dine, supper club-style. He plans to use the restaurant bar's mezzanine for live music, add more tableside preparations, and introduce a large-format menu that parties of six or more can order 24 hours in advance. "We could cook a whole steelhead salmon," he said. "... Some of the large-format cooking is just, the flavors are so much better."

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On Monday night - or night 4, as a few jubilant staffers called it - we drank in the magnificent dining room as we waited for our dishes to arrive. The room exudes early-20th century vibes, with preserved, intricately molded ceilings, dramatic green columns and potted palms. For the best vantage points, request a window seat or corner table.

We started our meal with a tableside 1990s Mina classic: tuna tartare ($31). The dish arrived in a perfectly stacked sphere, with a quail egg in the center. Using a fork and spoon, our server mixed the egg into ahi tuna, pine nuts, mint, apple pear garlic and habanero-sesame aioli. We mopped it up in minutes.

Michael Mina's tuna tartare with quail egg, pine nuts, apple pear garlic and habanero-sesame oil at Bourbon Steak, Michael Mina's new steakhouse restaurant in the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, on Oct. 14, 2025. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE)





Black truffle macaroni gratinee at Bourbon Steak, Michael Mina's new steakhouse restaurant in the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, on Oct. 14, 2025. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE)





The pastas on this menu are terrific: burrata agnolotti ($35) with sunchoke in a shallow mushroom-y broth, each delicate bite topped with black truffle; a macaroni and cheese gratinee that'll forever ruin you when it comes to steakhouse sides. Its beehive-like vertical presentation of short, tubular noodles called pastitsio is showered in mushroom duxelles and black truffle. (Yes, there's a lot of truffle flexing on this menu.) Check out the technique: The team adds the bechamel sauce with cooked noodles and lays the noodles individually in a terrine mold. The noodles are then pressed overnight to hold their shape. Once set, the pasta is sliced to the desired thickness. The portioned sheet of pasta is then pan-seared, allowing the cheese sauce in between the noodles to melt and create a golden-brown crust.

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Ironically, the noodles almost overshadowed our steak. The Schmitz Ranch New York strip ($73) was delicious - perfectly grilled to our medium-rare liking and finished with the butter-bathing technique chef Mina perfected nearly 20 years ago - but it was the least pleasing of the evening's presentations, arriving on an oversized black plate with a pale, roasted tomato half.

I found my eye candy quickly, however, in Mina's take on shaved ice ($15). An odd dessert for a steakhouse (you'd expect cheesecake and chocolate, and Bourbon Steak has versions of both), this spectacular parfait of crushed mango ice arrived in a stemmed glass hiding chunks of fresh lychee and persimmon. It was topped with coconut cream and lime zest, a pleasantly refreshing cap to a memorable meal.

The new bar area at Bourbon Steak, Michael Mina's new steakhouse restaurant in the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, on Oct. 14, 2025. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE)





The shaved ice dessert at Bourbon Steak, Michael Mina's new steakhouse restaurant in the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, on Oct. 14, 2025. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE)





Some of the decorative wall art at Bourbon Steak, Michael Mina's new steakhouse restaurant in the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, on Oct. 14, 2025. (Douglas Zimmerman/SFGATE)





This is just the beginning of Mina's redux. He plans to open more restaurants in San Francisco, a city he first visited and fell in love with when he was just 13. But he can't talk about those yet. For now, he's just happy to be back at the Westin.

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If you come across Mina in the dining room - he's definitely around, laughing with old friends and chatting up new ones - don't ask him about retirement. He's 57 with adult sons, including one who works on the business side of the Mina Group, but has zero intentions of slowing down.

"I'm not there yet," he said. "There's a lot of people that have been extremely loyal to me, and I need to make sure they're all set. And we're still all very hungry to create. When you're creative and people are letting you create, it's hard to walk away from that. No time to stop now. Why would you?"

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This article originally published at He's one of Calif.'s most prolific chefs. Now he's back in SF's Union Square..
In a recent private email exchange about Zohran Mamdanis (D) New York City mayoral candidacy, a top aide to AFT President Randi Weingarten drew parallels to what happened when teachers union-backed Brandon Johnson was elected mayor of Chicago. Since his victory, Johnsons approval rating has plunged to the 20s.

Winning an election, his aide warned, does not necessarily translate into the ability to govern.

That email diagnoses a core problem ailing todays Democratic Party: It caves to special interests now and asks questions later.

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I type these words with sadness because I barely recognize the party that nominated Bill Clinton for president in 1992, when I worked on his campaign then worked in his White House as a young staffer.

Not long ago, American mayors were leading the way to a future rooted in abundance, not scarcity.

Independent New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (currently running for California governor) both embraced parent power, high quality charter schools, and outside-the-box solutions for children over lobbyists demands.

I once served as deputy mayor for a now extinct species called a liberal Republican. Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan challenged the interests of his own party when common sense clashed with Republican dogma. Riordan also battled teachers unions on behalf of the children of his city.

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These three mayors each belonged to a different party, but they all could just as easily have been members of the Round Earth Party  a party that solves problems for people living on Planet Earth, not some imagined ideological playground populated with straw men and cartoon caricatures.

As Mamdani has begun translating his TikTok videos into policy positions, they are sounding a lot less populist and a lot more like something ripped from a generic teachers union playbook. I struggle to see the populism in opposing parent power, opposing school choice and holding back gifted students in the name of equity.

Heres a lesson plan for my party: Presidents Clinton and Obama won in part because they had the courage to challenge party orthodoxy on behalf of the American people. Kamala Harris  along with every other nominee since Walter Mondale who lost in the general election  ran effectively as an avatar of party interests and outsourced education policymaking to teachers unions.

One thing I ardently agree with Weingarten about is the existential importance of winning back the White House in 2028. The Democratic Party is the last remaining bulwark between us and outright authoritarianism.

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That is why the choice for Democrats must not be between ideological extremism and the status quo, both of which leave public school parents  including parents in swing states who will elect the next president  on the outside looking in when it comes to the educational destiny of their children.

The good news is that Democrats have a strong bench of kids-first reformers who are 2028 contenders, including Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D), Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (D), and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D).

The winning path for Democrats is a third-way reform lane that embraces Mamdanis harsh critique of the status quo. Because hes right that the system is rigged and the establishment is complicit, but  newsflash  he misses that teachers unions are part of that establishment.

Instead of offering solutions based on teachers union talking points, Democrats need to offer solutions that solve problems for parents and children  regardless of special interest politics. To begin, theyve got to end the untenable hypocrisy of supporting choice and freedom for everything, except schools. And its long past time for Democrats to translate high quality public schools from a soundbite into a civil right for every child in America.

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Democrats became the party of public education because they had the courage to fight for it. For the sake of our democracy, that courage is needed again today  to challenge the establishment, stand with parents, and demonstrate that governing is about results, not hashtags.

Ben Austin is a former staffer for Kamala Harriss 2024 presidential campaign and founding director of Education Civil Rights Now.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Every once in a while, a voice of reason cuts through the nonsense. Ken Griffin, the CEO of Citadel, is one of those voices.

While speaking at the Citadel Securities Future of Global Markets conference in New York City last week, Griffin explained why rising crime and high taxes in Chicago were the deciding factors in his decision to relocate his company headquarters to Miami.

For those fueled by partisan loyalties and ideological narratives who operate in the political arena, reality is often something to be avoided at all costs, or at least shaded. In the corporate arena, those who avoid reality regularly go out of business.

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In far too many ways, Americas crime-ridden inner cities have been abandoned by both political parties. But guess what? Those inner cities are not empty. Human beings live in them  long suffering and long-forgotten human beings who, at best, are being moved around a political chess board like disposable pawns.

None of this is an academic exercise for me. I grew up in abject poverty; I was homeless often, and regularly lived in housing projects where I was in the minority as a white person. Years ago, Simon and Schuster was kind enough to publish my memoir titled Rolling Pennies in the Dark. The opening words of that book being: It really does hurt to get stabbed.

I have long advocated for the disenfranchised residents of our major inner cities, usually to no avail. These men, women and children have little or no voice in the decisions and policies that have made their lives a living hell. Rather, it is the leaders of their cities and states who make those decisions and enact those often punishing policies.

Thanks to President Trump, and also to the rhetorical feud now taking place between him and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Chicago is now getting a great deal of attention. But guess what? The Windy City was already awful long before that feud.

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As the Chicago Tribune reported several years ago, over the past 60 years, more than 40,000 men, women and children have been murdered in the city, with hundreds of thousands wounded. Although many are not aware of that shocking statistic, it can be assumed that Ken Griffin knew of it. Why? Because Chicago had served as the headquarters for Citadel for more than three decades when he chose to leave it forever.

In explaining his rationale for moving his world-famous hedge fund to Miami, Griffin said in part: Chicago, you know, unfortunately, over the last six or seven years, has been engulfed in a series of problems, which has been our headquarters for years. Asking people to leave Chicago for New York or Miami has not been hard.

Note to far-left socialist-leaning mayors, politicians and activists: If you drive out billionaires and job creators, then your free is for me policy initiatives will collapse. In order to take money from the wealthy to give away as freebies, you need to have a substantial tax base. No tax base, no money.

And it should not be a stretch for far-left politicians to understand that if their mega-corporations feel the tax burden being placed upon them is unsustainable, while at the same time their employees feel increasingly unsafe in your city or state, both will go elsewhere in order to survive.

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Griffin rightfully chose to do so, and he took Citadel with him  all to the detriment of Chicago and its beleaguered residents. He did not want to leave. That decision was forced upon him, by circumstances beyond his control.

Griffin became one of the most successful and iconic business leaders in the world for a reason. He has a deep understanding of the bonds between corporations and their host cities and states. Perhaps the leaders of some of our most financially troubled and crime-ridden cities should think about reaching out to him before they also face an exodus of companies and residents looking for a safer and more welcoming environment.

Crime and unsustainable tax rates can be reversed, and cities saved. But to get there, mistakes must first be admitted. Bad policies must first be jettisoned. Unfortunately, many politicians would rather double down on the bad policies than admit they were mistaken.

Douglas MacKinnon is a former White House and Pentagon official.

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Last week, faculty and students signed a petition to oust the local Turning Point student chapter from Rutgers University. The call followed a separate demand from the group to fire Rutgers Professor Mark Bray, the author of the Antifa Handbook.

As is often the case, both sides are portraying themselves as defenders of free speech while seeking to silence others.

Free speech is suddenly back in vogue on many campuses. Faculty members are suddenly aghast over threats to free speech after staying entirely silent for years as conservative faculty were purged from departments and conservative speakers were cancelled on campus. Democratic leaders like Hillary Clinton, who supported censorship under the Biden administration, are even declaring themselves free speech champions.



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The Rutgers controversies are a truly teachable moment on how free speech values demand more than supporting speech that you like. The test of principle is supporting the speech of those with whom you disagree, even those whom you despise.

Those of us in the free speech community are rarely called upon to defend popular speech. More often, we support the speech of those who not only hate free speech but hate us as well. Many of those we protect have worked to deny the free speech of others.

Soon after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, I wrote how the way to stand with Charlie is to stand with free speech. Charlie was the target, not the proponent of cancel campaigns.

I was disappointed, therefore, when the Rutgers TPUSA members called for the firing of Bray. I have long been a critic of Brays. Indeed, I testified about Antifa before Congress, run columns on the organization for over a decade, and wrote a book discussing Antifa. That has included years of criticism of Bray and his book.

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Bray has long been a controversial figure in academia. In a 2017 Washington Post article titled, Who are the Antifa? Bray wrote, Antifascists argue that after the horrors of chattel slavery and the Holocaust, physical violence against white supremacists is both ethically justifiable and strategically effective.

Brays writings have rallied extremists to this cause for years.

One petition states that Dr. Bray has regularly referred to mainstream conservative figures such as Bill OReilly as fascist while he calls for militant actions to be taken against these individuals. This is the kind of rhetoric that resulted in Charlie Kirk being assassinated last month.

It also notes that Bray gives half of the proceeds from the Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook to defending arrested Antifa members.

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Despite such criticism, I oppose efforts to fire Bray. There is no evidence that Bray has ever engaged in violence or criminal conduct. He is an academic with clearly extreme views, but to fire him is to become no better than Antifa itself  the most violent and anti-free speech movement in our country.

In his Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook, Bray explained how Antifa is made up mainly of anarchists or antiauthoritarian communists who believe that free speech  is merely a bourgeois fantasy unworthy of consideration.

Bray is now on the receiving end of a blind rage exactly like what Antifa has been unleashing against its targets for decades. He fled to Europe due to threats against him and his family. Whether you call it karma or irony, those who would thus intimate him are no better than Antifa. His firing would be an assault on both free speech and academic freedom protections.

In the meantime, other Rutgers faculty and students are seeking to expel Turning Point. Their petition accuses Turning Point of promoting hate speech and inciting violence against our community. Professors, including Tia Kolbaba, an associate professor of religion at Rutgers, reportedly signed it.

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These faculty members and students are demonstrating the same intolerance that long ago changed higher education into the ideological echo chamber it has become on the left.

Neither side is prepared to tolerate opposing views, and both believe that their rage is righteous, whereas the rage on the other side is dangerous.

Drawing the line on free speech rights is often a difficult one. In my book, The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage, I argue for universities to focus on conduct rather than the content of speech. Occupying buildings, harassing students, destroying property, and shouting down speakers are forms of conduct that should be subject to suspension or expulsion.

Another professor this week has also raised questions over off-campus conduct. Elias Cepeda, a journalist and English Professor at Northeastern Illinois University, was arrested with a loaded firearm and a large amount of ammunition outside of the ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, the scene of violent protests.

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Cepeda is a suspected Antifa member and has social posts calling ICE Nazis and calling for armed resistance. In response to Homeland Security posting about an incident of ICE officers being attacked by a man with a weed whacker, Cepeda responded, First of all, the video you just posted showed your Nazi asses are lying. Secondly, wed all be morally justified in taking your Nazi heads off with weed whackers.

He recently declared, There are things worse than a civil war.

He has called for teachers to come armed to school to defend students from any ICE officers who show up. He then showed up armed at an ICE facility. He was later released.

If Cepeda committed a crime at the facility or made criminal threats, his conduct can and should be the basis for termination by the university. It is not clear what, if any, charges might be brought in the case.

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Meanwhile, constitutional protections for speech do not mean that speech should not be condemned. This week, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer supported the No Kings protests and declared that people should be forcefully rising up. Commentators like former CNN host Don Lemon called on minorities to get guns so that they can defend themselves against federal law enforcement officers.

This speech is knowingly inflammatory at a time of rising political violence. They are the same voices that we have heard in every age of rage. But that is the price that we pay for free speech.

The costs of the path chosen by many at Rutgers, however, are far higher. Yielding to our anger will place us on the slippery slope of censorship. We can survive with Bray teaching at Rutgers. We cannot survive without free speech.

Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University. He is the author of the bestselling book The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.

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The New York State Young Republicans chapter is being put in an indefinite timeout after many of its members were exposed partaking in a group chat in which GOP operatives from several states spoke fondly of rape, slavery, Hitler and gas chambers for their political opponents.

The Associated Press reports:

In a statement, New Yorks Republican committee said its leaders had voted unanimously to suspend the authorization of the New York State Young Republicans to operate at a statewide level. The statewide Republican committee said the Young Republican group could be reconstituted at a later date. The Young Republicans was already grossly mismanaged, and vile language of the sort made in the group chat has no place in our party or its subsidiary organizations, said NYGOP Chair Ed Cox.

The announcement follows Vice President JD Vances dismissal of outrage over the vile texts as pearl clutching, saying the comments are just indicative of kids making stupid jokes.

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That's just "what kids do," the vice president said of adults peddling rape fantasies, hyping up Hitler and promoting Nazi torture methods. To be clear, there were literally no children involved in this story.

Some of the most widely circulated messages unearthed in Politicos report, in fact, came from Peter Giunta, the now-former leader of the NYSYR who reportedly spoke of putting his opponents in a gas chamber and referred to Black folks as watermelon people." Fellow NYSYR member Annie Kaykaty is quoted as responding in the group chat to talk of putting political opponents in gas chambers by saying, "I'm ready to watch people burn now." (Giunta later apologized, saying, "I am so sorry to those offended by the messages, which he claimed were sourced by way of extortion by his rivals in a highly-coordinated year-long character assassination.)

Politico reports the fallout from the leaked group chat has continued throughout the week, as more members associated with the chat have lost job opportunities. The NYSYR suspension appears to be one of the more severe responses thus far  certainly compared to other chapters, like the Arizona Young Republicans, whove resisted calls for members of their group who were involved in the group chat to resign.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Oregon Congresswoman Maxine Dexter (D-03) is calling for the release of a Portland woman who remains detained by immigration authorities despite her removal proceedings being terminated, according to the lawmaker.

On Thursday, Rep. Dexter announced the case against Kenia Jackeline Merlos was terminated, stating the judge acknowledged there is no legal basis for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain or deport Merlos, who has a valid visa application pending.

Despite the ruling that there is no legal basis for Jackies deportation, the government has reserved appeal, and ICE is cruelly continuing to detain her away from her U.S. citizen children, Dexter said in a press release.

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Erratic Washington woman assaulted 2 crew members during Portland flight, police say

The case stems from June 28, when Merlos, her nine-year-old triplets and her seven-year-old son were traveling from their home in Portland to Peace Arch State Park at the U.S.-Canada border to see relatives, according to Merloss lawyer and family friends.

Because Merlos had pending immigration documents that were not finalized by the government, federal agents took the family into custody at a Customs and Border Patrol facility north of Bellingham, Washington where they were unable to seek legal counsel, according to Dexter. Merloss husband, Carlos, was also detained days later and taken to an ICE facility in Tacoma.

Dexter previously said she and her staff worked to determine the familys whereabouts in July after discovering they were detained, noting they arrived in Bellingham and found where the family was being held after CBP initially misled them.

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Dexter, along with Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, later secured an emergency court order to stop her deportation, allowing her children to be released and Merlos to access legal counsel.

In Thursdays announcement that a judge terminated the case, Dexter claimed, In July, when I saw Jackie Merlos and her four U.S. citizen children locked in a windowless cellI thought, If we allow this to become normal, we surrender who we are. Oregonians rose to the moment for Jackie and her family. Thanks to immense public pressure and a community that refused to stay silent, we not only stopped Jackies deportation and freed her children, but we also secured a ruling that there is no legal basis for ICE to detain or deport Jackie.

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Oregonians should know we have power, and this moment is an exhibit of that. We must continue using our power to protect our neighbors and keep families together, Dexter continued. However, Jackies fight is not over. ICEs decision to continue holding Jackie, even after a judge terminated her case, is a reminder of the perverse incentives fueling Trumps for-profit immigration machine. I am calling for ICE to immediately release Jackie. We cannot rest until not just Jackie, but every family has access to justice. Now is the moment to stay loud.

Shooter who killed 2 brothers outside SW Portland business sentenced

On Thursday, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) told KOIN 6 News, Its outrageous that she was detained.

KOIN 6 News has reached out to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Patrol. This story will be updated if we receive a response.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A group of lawmakers, including Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), are urging a watchdog office to investigate the Trump administrations military deployments to American cities.

In a letter sent Friday to the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, the senators asked for an inquiry into recent deployments of National Guard troops to Portland, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and Memphis.

In their letter, the senators argued that the deployments are unlawful, undermine military readiness and politicize the military.

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Not going to allow that in our communities: Hillsboro couple blocks CBP van

We write to express our concern about the deployment of U.S. troops to American cities, including in Los Angeles; Washington, DC; Portland; Chicago; and Memphis. The militarys expanded use to support immigration operations and domestic law enforcement activities at home is fundamentally unconstitutional, dangerous for American civil rights, and risks straining military readiness and resources, weakening troop morale, undermining recruitment and retention, and eroding public trust in the military, the senators wrote.

Neither the active-duty military nor the National Guard are intended or trained at scale for the purposes that the Administration has claimed they are used for, including crime-fighting. We are concerned that these domestic deployments erode the militarys and National Guards ability to prepare for their critical missions, the senators added.

We urgently request that you initiate an inquiry into the cumulative effects of these domestic deployments of U.S. active-duty troops and the National Guardover the objections of state and local officialson military readiness, resources, personnel, and our military as an institution, the senators requested.

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The letter comes amid the Trump administrations efforts to deploy National Guard troops to certain cities, claiming the forces are needed to quell protests and protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities.

The same day the senators sent the letter, the Trump administration filed an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court, asking the high court to allow the deployment of troops to the Chicago area, as reported by the Associated Press.

In their letter, however, the senators argue that the deployments could be a violation of the Posse Comitatus Act  a nearly 150-year-old law that limits the militarys role in enforcing domestic laws, as reported by AP.

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This Oregon restaurant was named the best hole-in-the-wall burger spot in the state

AP notes, President Trump has claimed he could invoke the Insurrection Act, which allows presidents to deploy the military to states unable to address insurrection or that are defying federal law.

Several federal courts have found no credible evidence that the Administrations use of the military in this way is justified, finding that conditions on the ground have not reached the high threshold of crisis that merits such a militarized response, especially over the objection of local officials, the senators wrote. Further, the Trump Administrations unprecedented deployment of out-of-state Guard personnel into a non-consenting jurisdiction is a significant overreach of executive power.

The senators are asking the Inspector Generals Office to report its findings to Congress by November 21.

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Shooter who killed 2 brothers outside SW Portland business sentenced

The letter was also signed by just over two dozen senators, including Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

In a statement shared with KOIN 6 News, a Pentagon official said, As with all congressional correspondence, the Department will respond directly to the authors.

KOIN 6 News has reached out to the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General. This story will be updated if we receive a response.

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Legacy Health to stop services at two Portland urgent cares, along with other PNW programs

The letter comes days after a judge extended a temporary restraining order to keep National Guard troops away from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland.

U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut ruled in favor of the orders earlier in October, saying the relatively small protests in Portland do not justify the use of federalized forces. She also said allowing the deployment could harm Oregons state sovereignty.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
BJP MP Saumitra Khan on Saturday welcomed the appointment of an interlocutor for the issues relating to Gorkhas in Darjeeling Hills, Tarai and Dooars regions of West Bengal by the Government of India and asserted that the BJP will carry out its agenda in Bengal. "Siliguri is in the chicken's neck, so appointment by the Government of India of an interlocutor for the issues relating to the Darjeeling Hills is a welcome decision," Khan said. He visited the hospital in Siliguri to meet BJP MP Khagen Murmu. He condemned the attack on the BJP MP and said that the mentality of the TMC is to make the "poor poorer". Speaking to ANI, the BJP MP said, "The attack is condemnable. BJP MP Khagen Murmu is fine now. He is receiving good treatment here. In North Bengal, medical facilities are dismal. The mentality of the TMC is to make the poor poorer, but the BJP MP Khagen Murmu went there to provide relief to the people affected by floods. BJP will carry out its agenda in Bengal, and SIR will soon be conducted. In Kashmir, people used to say Article 370 won't be abrogated but it was done." Earlier, CM Mamata Banerjee expressed shock at the appointment of an interlocutor for issues related to the Gorkhas in the Darjeeling Hills by the Government of India. "Here goes my letter to the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, communicating my surprise and shock at the unilateral appointment by the Government of India of an interlocutor for the issues relating to Gorkhas in Darjeeling Hills, Tarai and Dooars regions of West Bengal," Mamata Banerjee said in a post on X. Earlier, BJP leader Anirban Ganguly claimed that the alleged assault on the BJP MP Khagen Murmu and the BJP MLA Sankar Ghosh at Bamandanga in Jalpaiguri's Nagrakata on October 6 was very "pre-planned" and called for a deeper investigation into the incident. The attack happened when both leaders were visiting the North Bengal region to oversee relief and rescue operations amid a landslide and flood situation. This has sparked a political row in the State, with the BJP taking aim at the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). (ANI)
Orlandos Come Out With Pride event, organized by the non-profit Come Out With Pride, Inc., will be held on Saturday, October 18, in Central Florida to celebrate National Coming Out Day.

The event, which drew over 230,000 attendees in 2024, has grown into one of the largest Pride celebrations in the Southeast and the biggest single-day event in Central Florida.

Come Out With Pride is a year-round movement, not just a single-day event, dedicated to creating inclusive spaces and uplifting LGBTQIA+ voices.

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The organization seeks to change hearts and minds for a world where everyone can thrive and be celebrated, regardless of gender, identity, or orientation. The event offers a joyful space for individuals to live boldly and authentically, even if its the only day they feel safe to do so.

The 2025 celebration will be at 512 E Washington St, Orlando, Florida, from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM, promoting unity, visibility, and joy.
An Ormond Beach emergency physician on a humanitarian mission was among those detained by Israeli armed forces near Gaza on Oct. 8.

Dr. Dhiaa Daoud was with a flotilla of boats that were bringing medical supplies to the besieged area. Daoud said he and the others were "kidnapped" and taken away to a maximum security prison where they were mistreated.

"The flotillas mission was to deliver humanitarian aid to starving civilians in Gaza," said the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Another Florida resident, Egan Louis Moore, of Tampa, was also held.

Israel says trip was 'another futile attempt' to break blockade

The fleet was made up of nine vessels and 150 people, according to the BBC. A week earlier, Israel's military stopped a much larger flotilla that included Swedish climate change activist Greta Thunberg.

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Daoud was initially said to be from Daytona Beach, but in a bio posted to The Freedom Flotilla Coalition website, he says he's from Ormond Beach. Property records show he owns a home on Ocean Shore Boulevard.

Dr. Dhiaa Daoud

Doctor claims Israeli forces acted illegally

CAIR-Florida hosted a press conference at the nonprofit's Tampa office on Wednesday, Oct. 15, where Daoud recounted his experience. He said the Israeli government "illegally intercepted us and kidnapped us" in international waters.

He said helicopters swooped in and the Israeli military quickly took control of the boats, which were taken to a nearby port where he was zip-tied, blindfolded, and taken to a "maximum security prison."

"The prison was filthy," he said. "We didn't have water. We didn't have toilet paper."

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Daoud made it home on Oct. 11. Moore was released in Jordan on Oct. 12 and arrived in Florida on Oct. 13.

The Israeli foreign minister said on Twitter that there was no mistreatment and the mission was "another futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone that ended in nothing."

The minister said that all the passengers are "safe and in good health.

The same day the flotilla was intercepted, President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to implement the first phase of a peace deal aimed at ending the two-year conflict.

On Monday, Oct. 13, Hamas released the remaining hostages taken in the violent Oct. 7, 2023, attack by the group. And almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners were released by Israel as part of the deal.

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Daoud, a Palestinian-American, says in his bio that he experienced "various levels of suffering and discrimination in refugee camps" after his parents were displaced in 1948.

He settled in the U.S. after studying pharmacy in Jordan, then went back to school to become a physician. He has worked at the Cleveland Clinic and other hospitals. He decided to go back to Palestine when the war in Gaza erupted in 2023.

During a medical mission there, he witnessed "gruesome scenes of daily mass casualties in the emergency department filled with burnt and dead infants, children, and women," he writes. Despite the experience, he attempted - unsuccessfully - to return.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Israeli authorities abducted Volusia County doctor, nonprofit says
LATIMER COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR)  The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations (OSBI) is seeking information regarding the suspicious disappearance of Heather Patrick.

OSBI continues its cold case investigation seeking information regarding the suspicious disappearance of Heather Patrick, Image OSBI

According to OSBI, Patrick was last seen at her residence on August 1, 2013, in Latimer County.

Charges dropped against man accused of killing OK County Sergeant

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the OSBI at 1-800-522-8017 or tips@osbi.ok.gov.

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR)  Community members are demanding accountability after board member and second Vice President Erin Kenworthy said school safety is a privilege during the districts first meeting since the shooting at Evergreen High School, where two students were shot and critically injured.

Parents and community members, some of whom had children running for their lives and others who lost children in past school shootings, had just shared their stories. Then Kenworthy made this comment.

Jeffco Sheriff says rules around social media warrant delayed ID of Evergreen shooters online threats

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Safety is actually a privilege, it is not a right, and it cannot be guaranteed, which is incredibly hard for any parent to say to their child, but it is true in the culture and the time that we live in, said Kenworthy. Its not just in schools; its in movie theaters, its happening at grocery stores, and in public parks, and also in schools. And so, I wish that I felt that I could walk through this world entitled to safety, but I am not, and there are people in this world who have never experienced a feeling of safety, and may not in their lifetime, and so to expect that we can guarantee safety for ourselves and for our children is an unfortunate untruth.

We just cannot guarantee it. We can do everything we can to support it. But I wanted to say that because safety absolutely is a privilege. Feeling safe is a privilege, Kenworthy concluded.

We just cannot guarantee it. We can do everything we can to support it, but I wanted to say that because safety absolutely is a privilege, said Kenworthy. Feeling safe is a privilege.

FOX31 received a statement from Kenworthy late in the day on Friday.

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Director Kenworthys statement was not intended to suggest that students in Jeffco Public Schools do not have a right to safety. All students deserve a safe learning environment. The comment was part of a discussion about the idea of safety in society, recognizing that complex systems have vulnerabilities, the statement read. Director Kenworthy emphasizes, unequivocally, that keeping students safe is the absolute highest priority for Jeffco Public Schools and remains committed to discussing ways to enhance school safety and ensure our schools are safe, supportive and responsive learning environments.

Lindsay Datko with Jeffco Kids First said, It was maybe among one of the worst things that could be said in that moment at the first board meeting after the shooting.

Datko says the comment undermined healing and problem-solving for the community, which is still grappling with the aftermath of the Evergreen shooting.

Parents want clear solutions to prevent future tragedies.

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The Evergreen community has been so strong, but immediately, they wanted to start finding answers and solutions. Parents were driving their childrens routes; said they saw shoes strewn on the side of the street, said Datko. I think the community moves ahead a little faster than those who are affected, and I think we need to slow down and continue to grieve with them, and Miss Kenworthy definitely affected that process.

Community members are calling for a layered approach to safety: School resource officers, metal detectors and no gaps in security.

One Evergreen student put it bluntly at the board meeting: Would you rather walk through a metal detector or run for your life?

Im still alive! 18-year-old Evergreen HS shooting victim released from hospital

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We got together with Evergreens parents and community members in Evergreen to really dig into the holes in the gaps from the Evergreen tragedy, whether it was why an SRO was lacking. Why, how long it took to arrive, Datko said. One question that has gone unanswered is, how did the shooter have access to a firearm? I think thats the most pressing remaining question on peoples minds, and that needs to be answered.

Advocates say the community must hold the board accountable through emails, meetings and public input, making safety a priority.

For her to make that comment in response to those who have one opportunity to face the board at these monthly meetings was really appalling, said Datko. Quite honestly, state law uses the word duty, that the board has the duty to protect students. So, it is really an expectation and a responsibility.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
People attend the No Kings rally in downtown Oklahoma City, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Nate Billings/For Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  More than 1,000 people joined a No Kings protest Saturday outside City Hall in Oklahoma City, donning ponchos and inflatable costumes in the rain to rally against President Donald Trump.

The No Kings protests, which took place in hundreds of cities across all 50 states and in the nations capital, are intended to denounce the Trump administration and rally against chaos, corruption, and cruelty.

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Many protest signs and speakers focused on anger with Trumps deportation campaign using Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Congress failure to release the Epstein files and the conflict in Gaza.

Rosa Valdez holds a sign that reads Prison without due process is a concentration camp at the No Kings protest in Oklahoma City on Saturday. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

Rosa Valdez said shes never been involved in politics, but that seeing immigrants removed from their homes without due process brought her to the protest.

Theres a lot of people that have been around me in my lifetime that have fallen victim to what is going on right now and have, unfortunately, been deported, she said. And just the way that everything has gone down, I know that they didnt get any court (date) or anything like that.

Duwayne Mills, an Oklahoma native, attended Saturdays protests wearing a Ghostbusters outfit he altered to instead be a Trump-busters jumpsuit.

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He said the outfit was meant to be silly because tyrants hate to be laughed at.

Duwayne Mills attends the No Kings rally in downtown Oklahoma City on Saturday. (Photo by Nate Billings/For Oklahoma Voice)

Ive got two kids at home, and I will not have them brought up in this B.S., he said. Because somebody  has some kind of ego trip going on and no one in that party will stop him because theyre just as corrupt as he is.

Georgia Williams and Kim Reed said they joined the protest because of the actions of GOP leaders like House Speaker Mike Johnson and a dislike of the administration limiting press access at the White House.

Organizers of the protests held a mock trial for Trump, alleging crimes such as using the military against civilians, obstructing justice, corruption and bribery. Speakers acted as prosecutors and witnesses in the trial, with the crowd of protestors acting as the jury and found Trump guilty.

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The protests were peaceful and there was no prominent counter protest or local police presence, but organizers hired security to ensure safety.

Local organizations like Indivisible Oklahoma and 50501OK were the main organizers in Oklahoma City.

No Kings protests were planned in at least 18 other Oklahoma cities, according to organizers, including Ponca City, Bartlesville, Miami, Enid, Stillwater, Tulsa, Tahlequah, Muskogee, Guthrie, Chandler, Norman, McAlester, Ada, Pauls Valley, Lawton, Ardmore, Durant and Idabel.

Brandon Thomas and Sarah Thomas attend the No Kings rally in downtown Oklahoma City, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Nate Billings/For Oklahoma Voice)

A life-size cutout of President Donald Trump shows him in an orange jumpsuit during the No Kings rally in downtown Oklahoma City, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Nate Billings/For Oklahoma Voice)

People gather outside City Hall in Oklahoma City to protest President Donald Trump on Oct. 18, 2025, as part of the nationwide No Kings protests. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

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Todd McFall, left, and Jay Parton attend the the No Kings rally in downtown Oklahoma City, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Nate Billings/For Oklahoma Voice)

Becky Graham sits in the rain during the No Kings rally in downtown Oklahoma City, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Nate Billings/For Oklahoma Voice)

A protestor at the Oklahoma City No Kings protest on Oct. 18, 2025 holds a sign that reads "Love not hate makes America great." The protest was part of a nationwide day of mass protests against President Donald Trump. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

Cynthia Teague sings while sitting next to her display during the No Kings rally in downtown Oklahoma City, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Nate Billings/For Oklahoma Voice)

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A ballon floats above the Oklahoma City No Kings protest on Oct. 18, 2025, attached to a sign that reads "No Kings."

Bill Denton holds a sign during the No Kings rally in downtown Oklahoma City, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Nate Billings/For Oklahoma Voice)

A protestor holds the American flag in the air during a speech from organizers at the No Kings protest in Oklahoma City on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

People attend the No Kings rally in downtown Oklahoma City, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Nate Billings/For Oklahoma Voice)

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An unnamed protestor at the Oklahoma City No Kings protest on Oct. 18, 2025 holds a sign that reads "Ikea has much better cabinets!" The protest was part of a nationwide day of mass protests against President Donald Trump. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

Chris Smith attends the No Kings rally in downtown Oklahoma City, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Nate Billings/For Oklahoma Voice)

Two protestors at the No Kings protest in Oklahoma City on Oct. 18, 2025, wore inflatable eagle and elephant costumes. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

A protestor at No Kings Oklahoma City stands with an American flag with words written in the stripes. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

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People attend the No Kings rally in downtown Oklahoma City, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Nate Billings/For Oklahoma Voice)

A protestor at the Oklahoma City No Kings protest on Oct. 18, 2025 holds a sign that reads "ANTIFA starter kit... the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States of America, the Bill of Rights." The protest was part of a nationwide day of mass protests against President Donald Trump. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

Several protestors at the No Kings protest in Oklahoma City on Oct. 18, 2025, wore inflatable costumes. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

Protestors at the Oklahoma City No Kings protest on Oct. 18, 2025 hold signs that read "No Kings" and "Health care not weath care." The protest was part of a nationwide day of mass protests against President Donald Trump and his administration. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

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People gather outside City Hall in Oklahoma City to protest President Donald Trump on Oct. 18, 2025, as part of the nationwide No Kings protests. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

Protestors at the Oklahoma City No Kings protest on Oct. 18, 2025 hold signs that read "No troops in our cities" and "Think, it's patriotic." The protest was part of a nationwide day of mass protests against President Donald Trump and his administration. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

Sophia Meyers wears an inflatable bunny costume to the No Kings protest in Oklahoma City on Oct. 18, 2025. She said womens' rights are an issue that brought her to the protest. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

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An Oxnard man was arrested after authorities recovered large quantities of drugs and several illegal firearms, including ghost guns and high-capacity magazines, during a narcotics investigation in Ventura County.

According to the Ventura County Sheriffs Office, detectives launched an investigation into the alleged drug trafficking activities of Irvin Ulisses Martinez, 37, of Oxnard.

Investigators identified Martinez as a suspected drug trafficker distributing controlled substances throughout Ventura County, the agency said. Detectives obtained a search warrant for Martinez, his home and his vehicles.

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On Oct. 16, narcotics detectives detained Martinez in Oxnard as part of the warrant operation. A search of his vehicle uncovered several hundred counterfeit M30 fentanyl pills, cocaine packaged for sale, and a loaded 9 mm handgun, according to the sheriffs office.

Detectives then searched Martinezs residence in the 1800 block of Diego Way, where they discovered additional cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl pills, and evidence indicating drug sales. Six firearms were seized from the home, including four assault weapons under California law, the sheriffs office said.

Two additional AR-15-style rifles were found in various stages of assembly, and several of the recovered guns lacked serial numbers  known as ghost guns  which are illegal in the state. Investigators also located one short-barreled rifle, a suppressor, and about 10 high-capacity magazines, including a 50-round drum magazine for a semi-automatic shotgun.

An Oxnard man was arrested after authorities recovered large quantities of drugs and several illegal firearms, including ghost guns and high-capacity magazines, during a narcotics investigation in Ventura County. (VCSO)

Martinez was arrested and booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility on multiple narcotics and weapons charges. The Ventura County District Attorneys Office filed a criminal complaint against him on Oct. 17, and Martinez remains in custody in lieu of bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 20 in Ventura County Superior Court.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
The drugmaker behind Wegovy has secured a major victory after the High Court granted it a blocking order for websites selling fake versions of its weight-loss jabs.

Novo Nordisk will be able to force internet providers to block access to four websites that the company accused of selling fake and unauthorised forms of semaglutide, the ingredient which helps people lose weight.

It claimed the websites were selling counterfeit versions of Ozempic, the drugmakers diabetes injection, which is used off-label for weight loss.

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Novo Nordisk warned the counterfeit drugs pose a risk to health and were not regulated, adding: The substances [the websites] offer to supply have not been evaluated by the UK MHRA [Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency] as being safe or of suitable quality.

GPs have warned that people are dicing with death by using fake injections, with reports of drugs being wrapped up in kitchen roll without instructions when they are sent to customers.

Earlier this month, an investigation found copycat versions were being sold on Facebook and TikTok, with patients who took them reportedly losing vision and vomiting repeatedly. Both social media companies said the sale of weight-loss injections was prohibited under their policies, with TikTok removing searches and hashtags for the drugs after the investigation.

However, there are growing fears that more people could start hunting out dangerous fakes after a major jump in the price of one of the biggest approved obesity jabs.

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In September, US drugmaker Eli Lilly increased the UK price of Mounjaro  known as the King Kong of weight-loss injections  by as much as 170pc following pressure from Donald Trump, the US president, to lower the cost for Americans.

It means that the drug now costs as much as 330 per injection pen, based on the highest dose. Each injection pen includes four doses. Previously, the highest-dose injection pen cost 122.

Drug crime specialists at the time warned that the increase was likely to lead to a jump in the number of copycat drugs being imported from Chinese labs and sold illicitly in the UK.

Novo Nordisk has not increased its prices. At an online pharmacy, patients can expect to pay between 99 and 199 for four doses.

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It shipped in more supply of its weight-loss jabs to Britain following the price increase at its rival, after seeing more demand.

A spokesman for Novo Nordisk said of the blocking order: We are pleased that the English High Court has confirmed the availability of website blocking as a remedy to tackle the problem of counterfeit and unauthorised semaglutide.

This remedy is an innovative and powerful tool for taking effective action and forms an important part of the suite of enforcement remedies available against makers and sellers of unlawful products.

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A child receives a COVID-19 shot in Annandale, Va., in 2021. Virginia is among the states that have parted ways with new federal guidance restricting access to the vaccine. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Health insurers in Pennsylvania will be required to cover COVID-19 and other vaccinations through 2026.

All accident and health insurance policy issuers in the commonwealth will have to cover vaccinations without cost-sharing and the imposition of other administrative barriers, under a notice issued Friday by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department.

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That means Pennsylvanians can receive the COVID-19 vaccinations without copays, deductibles, or other costs, when administered by an in-network provider and without insurers requiring extra steps that make it harder for people to get vaccinated. It also allows pharmacists to follow guidance from a number of trusted medical organizations when giving vaccines.

It also encourages insurers that handle employer-funded health plans, which are not directly regulated by the commonwealth, to ensure that access to vaccines remains consistent for their insured.

The directive comes in response to changes at the Centers for Disease Control that could make obtaining the vaccine more difficult across the country.

This is about keeping promises to Pennsylvanians. Vaccines are one of the best ways to prevent serious illness, and we want every Pennsylvanian to have affordable, easy access to protect themselves and their families, Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys said in a statement. If your health insurance plan says it covers vaccines, that coverage will remain in place at least through 2026. It should be easy for you to get vaccinated.

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The agency has received numerous questions about vaccine coverage following the CDCs actions this year, according to the notice published in Saturdays issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

The CDC recently dropped its universal COVID-19 vaccine recommendation, as well as other changes to its immunization schedule that include toddlers receiving the measles, mumps and rubella shot separately from the chickenpox vaccine.

Informed consent is back, declared Acting CDC Director and Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim ONeill upon approving the changes Oct. 6.

The CDCs 2022 blanket recommendation for the COVID-19 immunization deterred health care providers from talking about the risks and benefits of vaccination for the individual patient or parent, ONeill said.

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The CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) had recommended changes to the immunization schedule in September  a few months after all 17 members of the committee were removed and replaced by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime and outspoken vaccine skeptic.

Kennedy gutted the committee  a panel of experts who issue guidance for the nations doctors and pharmacists  shortly after he declared the CDC would no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women. He didnt cite any specific studies and potentially put the authoritys guidelines at odds with professional associations representing thousands of pediatricians, gynecologists, family doctors and scientists across the country.

Historically, Pennsylvanias Board of Pharmacy has followed the recommendations of ACIP. But on Sept. 3, the board unanimously approved a measure allowing the agency to issue vaccine guidance based on the recommendations of three medical professional societies: the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, as well as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The commonwealth also joined a coalition of northeastern states to coordinate on public health efforts such as emergency preparedness and the creation of immunization guidelines.

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Other states in the Northeast Public Health Collaborative (NEPHC) include Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. All have Democratic governors, except Vermont which is run by Republican Phil Scott.

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order Oct. 1 that directs state agencies to safeguard vaccine access through the creation of a vaccine safety net for children and by aligning policies with medical experts.

The order also launched a central vaccine portal and a vaccine education workgroup to improve public communication and fight misinformation.

Importantly, the executive order reinforces that recommended vaccines should remain covered under both private insurance and Medicaid in Pennsylvania. This step ensures that whether someone has a state or private plan, their access to immunizations is protected and consistent, the Insurance Department said.
Salt sores, power failures and patching up equipment with a pair of pants: just a few of the challenges faced by two British women on their world-record row across the Pacific Ocean.

After six months at sea, Jess Rowe and Miriam Payne have become the first female team to complete the epic 8,000-mile crossing from Peru to Australia. They set off from Lima on May 5 and reached the endpoint of their extraordinary journey in Cairns, the gateway to Australias Great Barrier Reef, on Saturday.

People would think that we get lonely or feel isolated, but we really dont, Payne, an East Yorkshire native, tells Telegraph Sport over a patchy satellite phone shortly before the conclusion of their row. Were loving our time out here and were really getting on well together and just having so much fun. Its so peaceful out here. Its never the same because the waves are always changing. Weve had scorching hot, calm days and very windy days.

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That might paint something of a serene picture but their mind-boggling mission, which they completed entirely unsupported, was far from straightforward. Along with burst water pipes and malfunctioning solar panels, they also had to come up with an inventive fix when their manual hand water pump broke. The pump proved crucial in making sea water safe to drink, especially as the boats solar panels were not charging their lithium batteries so the electric water maker could not be used.

Mims actually repaired it with a pair of her knickers, says Rowe, explaining how her colleague cut up a pair of her pants which she taped over the end of the pipe to act as a filter for the pump so that debris could not get inside.

Seas the Day

It is just one of the many problems they faced throughout their non-stop challenge, in which Payne and Rowe took it in turns to row for two-hour stints while the other one slept. They spent two years preparing for the expedition, basing their sea training at Hartlepool and Chichester marinas in the UK, while securing sponsors to fund their adventure.

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When Telegraph Sport catches up with them, it is their 149th day at sea and both women are covered in salt sores from the waves that have been constantly pounding their boat. Its just not fun, just being wet all the time, just being covered in salt, says Payne, a Hampshire native. It was really hard when we were having water-maker issues because we couldnt rinse ourselves off properly.

The pair, who previously completed separate crossings of the Atlantic in 2023 and named their expedition Seas the Day, each wolfed down 5,000 calories a day and force-fed themselves dehydrated meals in between their energy-sapping rows, with flavours ranging from macaroni cheese to cottage pie. They also grew their own radishes and cabbages courtesy of an on-board unit able to sustain fresh leaves and microgreens, which has provided some light relief from the endless slog of watery packet meals.

We were fed up with them on the day we started, Rowe says of the dehydrated dinners. We absolutely cant stand them; theyre foul! We both decided which meals we liked best on the Atlantic and packed lots of those, and our taste buds have changed.

We packed food for 200 days and snack packs. I finished mine on day 130 as I was doubling up on the snacks just because I couldnt eat the dehydrated food. Were constantly talking about food  thats all we talk about! Were absolutely fed up with chewy chicken that doesnt seem to hydrate and rice that sort of turns to mush.

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They have, though, had far bigger problems on their plate. When the duo originally set off on their adventure in April this year, their record attempt was almost over before it began when the boats rudder snapped off eight days into the expedition in rough seas. They found themselves stranded 350 miles off the coast of Lima and ended up having to be rescued by a sailor named Alec Hughes, who towed them back to shore to fix their boat before they restarted the crossing.

If he hadnt come to our rescue, we would have had to abandon our boat and probably get picked up by the Peruvian navy, says Rowe who, along with Payne, spent four days trying to repair the damage before accepting defeat. It was a race against time to get towed back to Peru, get organised and set off again. Weve had problems with our electronics, so were pretty much running a dead ship.

Rowing across the worlds deepest ocean has nevertheless provided a reel of unforgettable moments. Our highlight has to be seeing a sperm whale, says Payne. It came within less than five metres from the boat and it was just so incredible. Weve seen whales and dolphins, sea lions and an incredible variety of seabirds, but nothing like that up close.

By the time they had reached the Australian coast, the pair had exceeded their goal of raising 50,000 for The Outward Bound Trust, a UK-based charity which helps children develop lifelong skills through adventure. Food, of course, was top of the agenda upon arrival, with the pair saying: The lure of hot pizza has never been far from our minds. Surely a deserved reward after this experience.

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Bihar Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Dilip Jaiswal on Saturday informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the state on October 24 and will address two public rallies as part of his election campaign. Jaiswal stated that PM Modi's election campaign will begin from Samastipur and later he will head to Begusarai to address public rallies. "PM's proposed visit to Bihar is on 24th October. In Bihar, he will address public rallies at two places. His election campaign will begin on 24th October from Samastipur. From there, he will head to Begusarai and address a public rally there. His second proposed visit is on 29th October," Dilip Jaiswal told ANI. When asked about the possibility of PM Modi participating in Chhath Puja celebrations, Jaiswal said the Prime Minister has no plans to attend the festival this year due to security concerns and to avoid inconveniencing the public. "Since there is a matter of security, to ensure that common people celebrating Chhath do not face any issues, he has no such program on Chhath. He wanted to come, but the common people celebrating Chhath would have faced inconvenience. So, there is no such program," Jaiswal added. Polling for the Bihar Assembly elections 2025 is scheduled to be held in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with results expected on November 14. In a related development, the Janata Dal (United) on Saturday changed its candidate for the Amaur Assembly constituency and fielded Sabir Ali, replacing the earlier announced candidate, Saba Zafar. The polling for Amaur will take place in the second phase of the elections. Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini expressed confidence in the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) victory in Bihar, stating that the people of the state are once again placing their trust in Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He noted that the people of Bihar desire development, education, and access to good health facilities. Saini also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bihar government, adding that they have worked for the welfare of the state. "NDA government will be formed in Bihar. The people of Bihar are once again bestowing their trust on Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. The people of Bihar want development, education, and good health facilities. PM Modi and the NDA government in Bihar have worked for the welfare of the state. There was 'jungle raaj' in Bihar during the government of Congress and RJD...People will not vote for them as they want development," CM Saini told ANI. (ANI)
Mahmoud Abu Foul heard his mothers voice after eight months in Israeli detention, but could not see her face.

A 28-year-old from northern Gaza, Abu Foul was arrested from Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya in late December and imprisoned in Israeli detention facilities, where he says guards tortured and beat him so severely that he lost his sight.

He was released this week as part of a United States-brokered ceasefire deal that has seen nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees let out from Israeli jails, many bearing visible signs of abuse.

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Abu Foul, who had already lost his leg in a 2015 Israeli bombing, told Al Jazeera he endured relentless torture during his imprisonment. At Sde Teiman prison, a facility other detainees describe as the prison that breaks men, Abu Foul endured repeated beatings and torture.

One day, guards struck him on the head with such force that he fell unconscious. When he regained consciousness, he discovered he had lost his sight, he said.

I kept asking for medical treatment, but they only gave me one type of eye drops, which did nothing, he said. My eyes kept tearing constantly, with discharge and pain, but no one cared.

He tried a hunger strike to demand treatment but said prison authorities did not respond to his demands.





When Abu Foul was finally released and transferred to Nasser Hospital, he waited anxiously for his family. He had heard northern Gaza was devastated and feared the worst. Then his mother arrived.

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When I heard her voice, I hugged her tightly, he said. I couldnt see her, but just hearing her was worth the whole world.

Abu Foul now lives in a tent near ruins, still without treatment for his eyes, and is seeking help to travel abroad for medical care.

His account aligns with a growing body of evidence documenting systematic abuse in Israeli prisons. Many of the Palestinians released this week emerged emaciated or with visible injuries. One prisoner had lost nearly half his body weight during detention.

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights documented testimonies from 100 former detainees held between October 2023 and 2024, finding that torture was systematic across all Israeli prison facilities, not just notorious sites like Sde Teiman.





All were held incommunicado without access to judges, lawyers or family members.

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Israel has returned at least 100 bodies of Palestinians who died in detention. Medical sources told Al Jazeera they found evidence of abuse on some of the corpses, and some indicated possible executions.

They did not die naturally, they were executed while restrained, said Dr Munir al-Bursh, director-general of Gazas Health Ministry.

The United Nations estimates that at least 75 Palestinian detainees have died in Israeli prisons since October 2023.





Israeli rights group BTselem described the prison system last year as a network of torture camps where detainees face systematic physical abuse, are denied food and medical care, and suffer sexual violence.

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Despite hundreds of reported abuse cases since October 2023, Israeli authorities have brought indictments in only two incidents, with no prison service personnel charged, according to the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI), an Israeli rights group documenting torture.

Dr Ruchama Marton, founder of Physicians for Human Rights  Israel, says her decades-long campaign exposed the use of torture in Israel but has failed to stop it. Maybe people didnt deny it any more, but in practice it became normalized, she told Haaretz.

Israels far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who oversees the prison service, has defended the harsh treatment of Palestinian prisoners and said summer camps and patience for the terrorists are over.

Ben-Gvir has also been filmed taunting high-profile Palestinian political leader and detainee Marwan Barghouti.

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Earlier this week, Barghoutis son said he fears for his fathers life in Israeli prison amid reports from witnesses that he was beaten by guards last month.

In an interview with Al Jazeera on Thursday, Arab Barghouti accused Israel of targeting his father because he is a unifying figure among Palestinians.

The family told media outlets this week that they had received testimonies from Palestinian detainees released as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal that Barghouti was beaten by guards in mid-September as he was being transferred between two Israeli prisons.

About 9,000 Palestinian prisoners remain in Israeli jails, many without trial or any proper legal process. Israel has denied allegations of systematic abuse but has not provided evidence to counter the claims.

The Israeli military and prison service did not respond to requests for comment.
Mashaal praised the "resistance" of youth on university campuses, and rejected Hamas disarmament as tantamount to "taking away our souls," in an interview with Al Jazeera on Wednesday. A slight majority, 51%, of Americans between the ages of 18-21 are not only involved in the Palestinian cause, but are active in Hamas "resistance," leader of the terror group Khaled Mashaal said in an interview with Al Jazeera on Wednesday.
PANDORA  Pandora-Gilboa schools will host a Veterans Day dinner at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10 at Pandora United Methodist Church, 108 E. Washington St. on state Route 12.

All veterans who live within the P-G school district are invited to attend.

Call the church office at 419-384-3905 or email office@pandoraumc.com by Monday, Oct. 27 to make a reservation. Leave your name, number of reservations and contact information.
Parents of students who attend Banksville Elementary School say they were surprised when they found out that the district is cutting half of the schools English Language Development teachers.

They say it doesnt make sense to them because over half of the students who attend Banksville dont speak English as their first language.

Kaila Jendrzejwski says shes looking for answers from Pittsburgh Public Schools after finding out 3 of 6 English Language Development teachers at Banksville Elementary are being reassigned starting Monday.

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Jendrzejwski said, What is the plan? How do we keep moving forward in this school when its known to be an ESL school and you took 3 of those teachers away, so how does that work now?

English is not the first language for over half of the students who go here.

I went to Banksville 2 years ago. I knew all the teachers there and I think its not fair that teachers are getting kicked out, said Mais, who only spoke Arabic when she started at the elementary school. That was me but ever since I met those teachers, I learned how to learn English.

Friday, Channel 11 asked Pittsburgh Public Schools why it made the decision to reassign ELD teachers throughout the district.

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The district says its due to an annual class size adjustment process known as leveling. PPS says the practice is to ensure staffing aligns with student enrollment and instructional needs, saying the three ELD teachers were reassigned to other schools with growing ELD populations.

From my perspective, I dont know what research was done. Ive asked questions, I havent gotten answers yet, Jendrejwski explained.

Jendrzejwski says she emailed the superintendent but hasnt heard back yet. Shes worried that the districts decision puts too much on the teachers.

She continued, So in the 5th grade class, if there are 28 kids, now that main teacher is responsible for all 28 students, no matter what they speak, no matter what they learn. thats how its going to be and thats overwhelming as a parent to know that.

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Pittsburgh Public Schools says that Banksville Elementary School continues to have 12 certified ELD teachers on staff.

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A weak cold front is on track to reach the Houston area late Saturday, bringing the chance for thunderstorms capable of producing strong wind gusts.

Unusually warm and humid weather for mid-October is helping to fuel Saturday's risk for severe storms. Whether you're enjoying lumpia by the fistful at the Houston Filipino Street Festival or marching at the "No Kings" protests, keep an eye on the sky - and a plan for shelter - if storms move in.

Saturday timeline: Storms arrive late

The good news: the risk for strong storms should hold off until after sunset. Whatever your plans, most of the afternoon and early evening look storm-free, though a few brief showers can't be ruled out.

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TRACK STORMS: Whether you're out and about or staying home Saturday, you can track storms with the Chronicle's interactive radar.

Spotty coastal showers early in the day spread toward the Interstate 10 corridor by midday, with passing downpours and a few rumbles of thunder possible through mid-afternoon and early evening.

After sunset, a line of thunderstorms could reach College Station, Huntsville and Lufkin. It would then approach Houston and Harris County around midnight. This line should lose strength as it goes, given the late arrival. But a strong thunderstorm remains possible, especially north of I-10 and east of Interstate 45.

An isolated storm or two may produce damaging winds, mainly from Livingston to Crockett, according to the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center. The focus of the severe weather threat stretching across multiple states on Saturday will be centered on the lower Mississippi River Valley, including Arkansas and the Memphis metro area in western Tennessee.

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Storms should move east of Houston and offshore by early Sunday as drier air filters into the region.

No matter what you're doing Saturday, you'll want to be physically and mentally prepared for what'll feel like an early May day. Highs in the upper 80s to near 90 degrees will feel more like the mid-90s with high humidity. A mix of clouds and sun should keep the worst of the heat at bay. Stay hydrated, don't forget sunscreen, and bring a handheld fan with you just in case.

Briefly less humid through Monday

Saturday's front won't clear out of Southeast Texas until early Sunday, but behind it, drier air should move into our region through Monday.

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Clouds early Sunday should yield to a mostly sunny afternoon across the Houston metro area. Afternoon temperatures should still manage to climb into the mid-80s, but it'll feel much less humid than Saturday. The lower humidity levels mean Monday morning temperatures could start in the mid-60s in Houston, with upper 50s to lower 60s north of the city.

Next cold front arrives early next week

It's time to pencil in yet another cold front on your calendar, this time for Tuesday. Unfortunately, this one doesn't have any rain potential with it but it will knock temperatures down slightly with highs in the mid-80s for most of the week

SEVERE WEATHER: Houston is entering its second severe weather. Here's why the country's first EF5 since 2013 serves as a warning for Texas.

Southeast Texas continues to wait on its first strong fall cold front, but it seems likely that our waiting is almost over.

This article originally published at These parts of Southeast Texas could face damaging winds as storms emerge across U.S..
This months storms continue to work their magic when it comes to Utahs drought situation.

Approximately 1.9% of Utah, including most of Davis and Salt Lake counties, and parts of Tooele, Utah and Weber counties, are now considered abnormally dry, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report released on Thursday. While small and not completely off the drought report, it marks the first time since early July that any part of the state wasnt listed as experiencing moderate drought or worse.

A map of Utah's drought situation as of Thursday. A section of the Wasatch Front is now listed as "abnormally dry," marking the first time since July 3 that a piece of the state wasn't in at least moderate drought. | U.S. Drought Monitor

About 98% of Utah remains in at least moderate drought, but the constant barrage of storms in recent weeks has helped lessen the severity statewide. The amount of Utah in extreme drought is now 6%, down from 13% last week and a peak of 18% in late August. Areas in severe drought dropped slightly from 59% to 55%.

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The report is based on conditions as of Tuesday. Utahs improvement follows the impacts of Hurricane Priscillas remnants, which delivered more than an inch of rain across most of Utah. Some areas received multiple inches of precipitation, including over 5 inches in New Harmony, Washington County.

Late-season tropical moisture surged into the Four Corners states, bringing heavy to excessive precipitation to large parts of Arizona, western New Mexico and eastern Utah, wrote Rich Tinker, a National Weather Service meteorologist and drought expert, in the Drought Monitor report.

Improvement was also noted in scattered areas across central and western Utah and southwestern Montana, Tinker added.

Additional showers since Tuesday have only tacked onto October precipitation totals. Some places now considered abnormally dry, like Salt Lake City, have already broken monthly rain totals. Utahs capital city has now received close to 5 inches of rain this month, making October its fifth-wettest month since at least 1874.

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The timing doesnt change much in terms of summer irrigation, as consumption increased again this year along the Wasatch Front, but it could set the region up for a healthy snowpack to replenish its water supply, according to Laura Briefer, director of Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities.

Thats because wetter soil moisture levels end up consuming less water collected during the winter snowpack when it melts in the spring, meaning more of it flows into rivers, creeks and streams that flow into the lakes and reservoirs.

A wet fall is really ideal for a good, efficient runoff for our water supply purposes in general, she told KSL.com on Tuesday. This is a good thing for us.

Utah residents are still urged to conserve water despite the recent storms.

Long-range outlooks hint that more storms could reach Utah by the end of the month, potentially improving drought conditions even more. Those outlooks now list most of Utah in equal chances for the rest of the calendar year, meaning it could end up wetter, drier or near its normal.
Ukraine will not have a peaceful or threat-free life in the coming years, according to Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU).

Source: Budanov in an interview with Ukrainian journalist Nataliia Moseichuk

Quote: "An absolutely peaceful, threat-free life in the coming years... is unlikely.

I do not mean that we will be constantly at war. But we must be ready to defend ourselves, including through armed resistance at any moment. This will be both a challenge and a test for our society.

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And we will have to live with that."

Background: After meeting with US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not argue with his opinion that Ukraine and Russia "should stop where they are".

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Peanut  a rescued, visually impaired fawn once ordered to be euthanized by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources  has been spared.

The DNR officially reversed its euthanasia order late Thursday, Oct. 16, and granted a permit allowing Peanut to live at the Howell Nature Center as an "educational ambassador," according to the Detroit Animal Welfare Group (DAWG).

Peanut had been slated for euthanasia due to what DAWG officials described as a misinterpretation of state law and a missed paperwork deadline  not because of her health or behavior. She was rescued in critical condition by DAWG, a licensed no-kill facility in Macomb County, and was unable to stand or lift her head when she arrived. After months of care, she was able to nurse and move on her own.

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"She went through our rehabilitation program and got stronger and stronger every day," DAWG Director Kelley LaBonty previously told the Free Press. "It was a slow progression, but she really came a long way from how she came in."

Because of vision issues, Peanut was deemed unreleasable to the wild. DAWG arranged for her to live at the Howell Nature Center, a well-known wildlife education facility. Typically, animals in such programs are granted a DNR education permit, LaBonty said. In this case, the DNR did not initially approve an education permit for Peanut, citing a missed deadline and ordering the fawns euthanasia.

LaBonty said the Sept. 15 deadline cited by the DNR applies to rehabilitation extensions, not educational placements, and that the permit request had already been submitted. However, according to MLive, the DNR said it did not receive the formal permit request from Howell Nature Center or veterinary documentation until the day it reversed the order, on Thursday, Oct. 16.

Public outcry over Peanuts fate grew after LaBonty shared her story online, prompting calls and letters to state officials. State Rep. Angela Rigas, R-Caledonia, also intervened, sending a letter signed by 16 House members urging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to overturn the DNRs order.

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More: Michigan DNR calls for rescued fawn's euthanization  and rehabber says its over paperwork

With the DNRs reversal, Peanut will now live out her life at the Howell Nature Center, where visitors may be able to meet her as early as next week, according to DAWG.

"We are thankful for everyone (who) called and wrote to save her and for Representative Rigas who wrote a letter and for all the representatives who signed it!" DAWG wrote in a statement on Facebook.

Detroit Free Press reporter Keith Matheny contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Peanut the fawn spared after DNR reverses euthanasia order
While Americans across the country deal with the consequences of the federal government shutdown, residents of Pennsylvania are being hit with a double blow.

Pennsylvania has been without a state budget for over 100 days  and remains the only state currently operating without a budget.

As a political scientist at Penn State who studies state politics and policy, I see how Pennsylvanias budget impasse has ripple effects that are compounded by the current budget problems in Washington.

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Lets look at the present budget problems in Pennsylvania and what we can learn from past battles over the state budget.

A double crisis

Double government budget crises, like the one Pennsylvania faces now, are rare. One reason is that 46 states, including Pennsylvania, begin their new fiscal year on July 1. The federal governments fiscal year begins on Oct. 1. Even a state like Pennsylvania, that has had late budgets for eight of the last 10 years, would have to be very late in passing a budget for it to potentially coincide with a federal budget impasse. And, of course, federal government shutdowns do not happen all the time.

A group of Republican senators talk at the U.S. Capitol Building on Oct. 15, 2025, during a government shutdown that began Oct. 1. Andrew Harnik via Getty Images

Pennsylvanias Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro faces a delicate political environment in Harrisburg  as he has since his first budget in 2023. The Democrats control the state House by a single seat, whereas the Republicans have a comfortable majority in the Senate.

The parties have been debating over the last several budget cycles how to handle funding surpluses  much of which came from Biden-era legislation like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act  and when and how to deal with the inevitable end to those surpluses.

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This year, the two sides are far apart on their views of the proper spending level.

The Democrats in the House passed a US$50.3 billion spending plan, but Senate Republicans want to keep state spending flat at $47.6 billion. The two sides have clashed over proposals surrounding school vouchers, marijuana legalization and more.

As for the federal government, Republicans have a trifecta  control of the White House, Senate and House of Representatives  but do not have the 60 votes in the Senate required to overcome a filibuster. Democrats have dug in over reversing cuts to health care from the earlier passed one big beautiful bill and expiring Obamacare subsidies.

There is little sign of an immediate end to either impasse.

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In Pennsylvania, there is growing frustration on both sides about an inability to compromise. Nationally, House Speaker Mike Johnson has speculated that this may end up being the longest federal government shutdown in history. In neither case, though, does there seem to be a great deal of urgency in coming to a compromise.

Effects on Pennsylvania

These dual crises are affecting Pennsylvanians in many ways. The state government continues to function even without a budget, but counties, school districts and nonprofit organizations that rely on state funding are being forced to make difficult operating choices.

Some counties like Westmoreland and Northampton are beginning the process of furloughing employees. School districts are taking out loans, freezing hiring and deferring spending. The state already owes school districts more than $3 billion in missed payments for the past three months.

Cozy Wilkins, 66, stocks the shelves at New Bethany, a nonprofit that provides food access, housing and social services, in Bethlehem, Pa., on July, 22, 2024. Ryan Collerd/AFP via Getty Images

The social safety net is also fraying as social service organizations, like rape crisis centers and mental health providers, are also expending reserves, taking out loans and furloughing employees.

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Then comes the federal shutdown.

Military families nationwide have been hit particularly hard, with many turning to food pantries to help meet their needs. The recent money maneuvers at the Department of Defense to pay active-duty and activated National Guard and Reserves personnel is temporary. The commonwealth also has the eighth-highest population of federal civilian employees, at over 66,000 who are not being paid.

Services like food banks are especially vulnerable in this situation, as they are seeing greater demand  which may increase due to federal workers going unpaid  but rely on both the state and federal governments for subsidies. Just this week, it was announced that Pennsylvanians buying health care through the states Affordable Care Act marketplace for 2026 should expect a 22% increase in premiums, on average. Part of that increase is due to expectations around the expiring Obamacare subsidies at the center of the Democrats demands in this shutdown.

All of these forces are coming together to pinch Pennsylvania residents.

Echoes of the past

While the compounding pain of the federal shutdown is unique, long budget delays in Pennsylvania are not.

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In 2023, Gov. Shapiros first budget was not fully passed until Dec. 14. That budget was fundamentally delayed by the acrimonious implosion of a deal on school voucher spending between the governor and Senate Republicans. The budget negotiations ended after some horse-trading on specific programs, like removing the popular Whole-Home Repairs Program started during the COVID-19 pandemic but adding funding for lead and asbestos abatement in schools.

The difference between then and now, however, is that back then the governor and General Assembly agreed on the overall budget, but typical bargaining was needed to get the votes needed to pass the spending bills after the voucher blow-up. This time, the parties are almost $3 billion apart in what should even be spent.

In the end, however, both Pennsylvania and the federal government will pass budgets, and I expect that each will be the result of protracted negotiations over multiple spending items, as Americans have seen in the past. The question is: How much pain will citizens, nonprofits and local governments face in the interim?

Read more of our stories about Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, or sign up for our Philadelphia newsletter on Substack.

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This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Daniel J. Mallinson, Penn State

Read more:



Daniel J. Mallinson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday informed that India has developed its first indigenously discovered antibiotic "Nafithromycin", which is effective against resistant respiratory infections, particularly useful for cancer patients and poorly controlled diabetics. He said this antibiotic is the first molecule entirely conceptualised, developed and clinically validated in India, representing a significant leap toward self-reliance in the pharmaceutical sector. According to an official release from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the antibiotic Naphithromycin has been developed by the Government of India's Department of Biotechnology in collaboration with the well-known private pharma house Wockhardt. Citing this as an example of a successful industry-academia partnership driving India's biopharmaceutical growth, the Union Minister emphasised the need to build a self-sustainable innovation ecosystem, so that India could reduce its dependence on government funding and create a culture of private sector participation and philanthropic support to achieve global recognition in research and innovation. Inaugurating the 3-day Medical Workshop on "Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Multi-Omics Data Integration and Analysis", Jitendra Singh said that India must develop a self-sustainable ecosystem to drive its scientific and research growth. He stated that most nations that have achieved global recognition in science and innovation have done so through self-sustaining, innovation-driven models with extensive engagement of the private sector. Citing another successful story of government-non-government collaboration, the Minister also announced that India has achieved a major breakthrough in gene therapy, marking the first successful indigenous clinical trial for Haemophilia treatment, the trial for which was supported by the Government of India's Department of Biotechnology and done in a non-government sector hospital, Christian Medical College, Vellore. Singh further mentioned that India has already sequenced over 10,000 human genomes and aims to scale this up to one million. The gene therapy trial, he added, recorded a 60-70% correction rate with zero bleeding episodes, representing a milestone in India's medical research landscape. The findings have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, underscoring India's growing leadership in advanced biomedical innovation. Speaking at the occasion, Jitendra Singh said the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) is a major step in this direction, with a total outlay of Rs 50,000 crore over five years, of which Rs 36,000 crore will come from non-government sources. This model, he added, reflects a paradigm shift in India's approach to research and development, aligning it with global standards and emphasising greater participation of academia and industry. Jitendra Singh highlighted that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become one of the most transformative tools of the modern era, reshaping healthcare accessibility, governance efficiency, and decision-making. He mentioned that AI-based hybrid mobile clinics are already serving rural and remote regions, ensuring quality healthcare for all. He also referred to the AI-driven grievance redressal system developed by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), which has achieved a weekly disposal rate of 97-98%, significantly improving citizen satisfaction and service delivery. The Minister lauded institutions like Sir Ganga Ram Hospital for pioneering interdisciplinary approaches by integrating AI, biotechnology and genomics to improve healthcare outcomes. He urged greater collaboration between government departments, private hospitals, and research institutes to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. Jitendra Singh said that India is entering a new era of self-reliance in biotechnology, AI and genomic medicine. The convergence of innovation, collaboration and compassion, he said, will define India's journey toward a developed nation and establish its leadership in the global science and technology landscape. The event was also attended by Shiv Kumar Kalyanaraman, CEO of Anusandhan National Research Foundation, NK Ganguly, DS Rana, and Ajay Swaroop. (ANI)
A Pennsylvania teenager has died from bacterial meningitis, months before graduating from high school, according to the school district.

Ryan Duffy, 18, was a senior at Neshaminy High School in Langhorne. He was excited about attending prom and graduation this year before he passed away on Tuesday, his obituary said.

His family remembered him as an amazing young man who loved electronic and board games and recently became an avid Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Phillies fan.

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The Neshaminy School District said Duffy suddenly fell ill late last week and was hospitalized in the ICU, according to a letter sent to parents. He was diagnosed with Streptococcus Pneumoniae Meningitis, the letter said.

Ryan Duffy, a Pennsylvania teenager, has died suddenly from bacterial meningitis, months before graduating high school, according to his obituary (James O. Bradley Funeral Home, Inc.)

"We hold the family in our thoughts and wish them strength in this difficult time, the school district wrote.

Bacterial meningitis is the swelling of the protective lining of the brain and spinal cord caused by a bacterial infection. Streptococcus Pneumoniae is a type of bacteria that can cause meningitis and other infections.

Streptococcus Pneumoniae can spread through direct contact with saliva or mucus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the best way to prevent infections caused by Streptococcus Pneumoniae is to get vaccinated.

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While Duffys high school is using enhanced cleaning protocols, the district made clear Streptococcus Pneumoniae Meningitis is not usually contagious in a school setting and does not typically spread through casual contact, such as being in the same classroom or cafeteria.

"These old diseases that have been around for years are still affecting people," Eddie Maurer, a parent from nearby Bensalem, told local ABC affiliate WPVI. "It just doesn't make sense. It's hard to believe."

Duffy, 18, was a senior at Neshaminy High School in Langhorne (Google Earth)

Duffys peers were also stunned by his sudden death.

"Not only was I surprised, I was really scared," senior Vee Pyanova told Fox 29 Philadelphia. How am I any different than the kid that went ot high school with me?

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Another senior, Skylar Heitz, who says she was really good friends with Duffy their freshman year, said, I was shockedI had no words."

The CDC says most people recover from bacterial meningitis if treated properly, but warns it could lead to death within a few hours.

Thats why its important to know the symptoms, which include confusion, fever, headache, stiff neck and photophobia, which is when your eyes are more sensitive to light.
PEORIA, Ill (WMBD)  A Peoria County judge ruled Israel Ruiz will remain behind bars until he stands trial for stalking charges involving his ex-girlfriend.

Ruiz, 41, appeared in Peoria County Circuit Court on charges of residential burglary and aggravated stalking, felonies that could send him to prison for up to 15 years.

During the hearing, Ruiz, who needed interpreter to participate in the hearing, kept trying to talk during the Friday afternoon hearing.

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Finally, Peoria County Judge Mark Gilles let him speak, despite several warnings from his defense attorney and the judge himself.

Ruiz said, through the interpreter, that he called the alleged victim from the county jail because she was the only person whose number he had. That call came after an order of protection was entered against him.

Terry Muench, an assistant states attorney, said officers responded to a home on the 1100 block of Northeast Glen Oak Avenue about 6:40 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, after the victim discovered a hidden video camera inside her home.

The victim, Muench said in open court, reported ongoing issues with Ruiz and had recently obtained the order of protection against him. She described previous incidents in which Ruiz had made threats toward her and her children, deflated her car tires, and ripped a camera off her house.

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According to court records, the victim applied for the order of protection in August, saying Ruiz was harassing her daily and seemingly tracking her movements. He went to her house and beat on her door and threatened to hurt her, the petition for the order of protection stated.

A judge granted her the protective order which was set expire in two years.

Detectives arrested him on Wednesday after he left a home in the 2200 block of West Howett Street. Police also got a search warrant for the home where they reportedly turned up additional surveillance cameras, multiple cellular devices, and illegal narcotics.

Muench said he allegedly admitted to breaking into the victims home three times, placing two hidden cameras inside, and putting a GPS tracker in her vehicle.

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Ruiz will remain held at the Peoria County Jail until his trial. He is set to next to next appear in court on Nov. 6.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  As Halloween approaches, the Peoria Police Department hope to remind residents of steps that can be taken to keep the holiday safe and fun for everyone.

Official trick-or-treat hours in Peoria will last from 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 31, Peoria police spokesperson Semone Roth said.

Roth said young children should always be accompanied by adults and trick-or-treaters should always use sidewalks and crosswalks.

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Parents should also consider visibility when trick-or-treating. Everyone is encouraged to trick-or-treat during daylight hours when possible. Those who dress up should have bright and reflective costumes to stay visible after dark, and carry flashlight or glow sticks for extra visibility.

Parents are also encouraged to inspect all treats.

More Halloween safety tips are available on the Illinois Department of Public Healths website.

The Peoria Police Department is also inviting familys to attend its annual Halloween event on Oct. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. During the event officers and staff will be handing out candy and enjoying the Halloween spirit with the community.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.
In June 2023, 35-year-old mother Aijke AJ Owens of Ocala, Florida, was shot and killed by her neighbor, a 58-year-old white woman, Susan Lorincz, after a two-year feud that turned fatal. Netflixs newest documentary, The Perfect Neighbor, examines the case, offering a raw, unfiltered look through real 911 calls, countless hours of police body camera footage, interrogation videos and court proceedings.

More than just a typical true crime story, The Perfect Neighbor exposes deep-seated racial tensions within the Florida community, the incompetence of local law enforcement in their response to Lorinczs behavior, and the life-or-death consequences of Floridas controversial Stand Your Ground law, as well as the haunting disparities Black people experience because of it.

We didnt want it to go away or get swept under the rug, Nikon Kwantu, one of the documentarys producers, told Blavitys Shadow and Act while discussing the urgency he and his team felt to get to Florida and begin work on the film. Kwantu, along with fellow producers Alisa Payne and Sam Bisbee and Emmy Award-winning director Geeta Gandbhir, obtained all the footage through the Freedom of Information Act, completed by Owens legal team.

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Kwantu continued, What we got was all of the body cam footage and ring footage and a host of other audio files, interviews and interrogations. When we got it, we put it together, looked at it, and strung it together, and we realized that there was a story.

The film strategically uses footage leading up to AJ Owens death

Steering away from the overused formula of narrated reenactments or perspective-based interviews, the films use of chronologically ordered footage captures pivotal moments leading up to Owens death. From the initial calls in which Lorincz complained about neighborhood kids playing and trespassing on a nearby lot that did not belong to her, the cameras capture police interactions with a tight-knit community enduring Lorinczs constant harassment, use of racial slurs, and torment, despite her denials and claims of being the victim.

Photo: Netflix

Usually, there isnt much footage that shows you the community as they were before something terrible happens, Gandbhir told us. She went on to note that without any eyes and ears on the ground to give an unbiased, firsthand account of what happened leading up to Owens murder, all of their acquired footage was undeniable.

Gandbhir added, We all understand body camera footage is usually used to criminalize us and to surveil us  as people of color and to protect the police, but we thought we could do something different with what the intention of body camera footage here was by showcasing all the things they caught in the community  all that they didnt intend to. They [the police] unintentionally caught it because they were called so many times.  Its a show and not tell experience.

The footage showcases Lorinczs instability

While the complaints continued to come from Lorincz, the footage also revealed her instability. One suspicious call reported the disgruntled neighbor vandalizing someone elses property, and another moment captured neighbors debunking her accusation that a child had tried to place an animal in her vehicle. Ultimately, footage also captured the dreadful night when Lorincz, armed with a .380-caliber handgun, shot a single bullet through a locked door, striking Owens, who had come to confront her about using racial slurs against her children.

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Ring camera footage shows one of Owens children distraught, running from neighbor to neighbor seeking help while crying out, She shot my mom. A released 911 call allows viewers to hear Lorincz report the shooting to law enforcement, implying her actions were in self-defense as she feared for her life.

As the documentary follows the court proceedings after Owens death, it holds up a mirror to the racial tension in the neighborhood and exposes the shortcomings of law enforcement. While officers provided residents with basic decency and respect, the worst possible outcome happened because they were negligent, Payne said.

Multiple residents reported Susans escalating behavior, including the use of hate speech and threats, but they didnt even arrest her.  If it was us, we wouldve been dragged off. They wouldnt wait four days to detain her, she said. The film ultimately exposes that the polices extreme politeness is a low bar that must be raised, as were not getting competency, Payne said.

In August 2024, a six-person jury found Lorincz guilty of manslaughter. She was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Judge Robert Hodges, who oversaw the case, ruled that Lorincz was under no imminent threat and found the shooting completely unnecessary.

Stand Your Ground laws highlighted in the film

The Perfect Neighbor also does not shy away from policy critique, zeroing in on Floridas Stand Your Ground law, a statute repeatedly invoked to defend violence against Black people, from Trayvon Martins 2012 murder onward.

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We absolutely believe that if someone is in imminent danger and is defending themselves, they have a right to protect themselves. But since the founding of America, right, they have always tried self-defense cases. So theres no reason to put policies like Stand Your Ground on the books unless youre trying to embolden people like Susan and George Zimmerman to kill Black and brown people, Payne said.

In light of losing her daughter, Owens mother, Pamela Dias, and her close friend, Takema Robinson, who is also related to Kwantu and Gandbhir, created the Standing in the Gap Fund, designed to help families who have experienced racialized violence and support efforts to challenge policies that harm fair sentencing for Black and brown lives.

Although The Perfect Neighbor follows the unfolding of a murder, it provides a lens into what the nation continues to witness due to gun violence and racialized brutality. Gandbhir said the filmmakers hope the documentary moves hearts and minds, much like the video of George Floyd did, sparking not only conversation but also meaningful opposition to laws and practices that endanger Black lives.

Gandbhir confirmed that the documentary received the blessing of Pamela Owens to serve as a voice for her daughter, who she said was always striving to leave a legacy and ensure the world would remember her name.

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The Perfect Neighbor is now streaming on Netflix.











The post The Perfect Neighbor Exposes Racial Tensions, Law Enforcement Failures And Disparities Of Stand Your Ground Laws appeared first on Blavity.
Netflixs chilling true-crime documentary The Perfect Neighbor unravels the tragic murder of Ajike AJ Owens and the story behind her killer, Susan Lorincz.

Through police bodycam footage, filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir unpacks the events that took place before and after Lorincz, a white woman, fatally shot Owens, a Black mother of four, in Ocala, Florida, back in 2023.

The Perfect Neighbor, which was titled after words Lorincz used to describe herself when questioned by police, not only explores Owens killing but also the dynamics of the twos relationship as well as Lorinczs alleged racial prejudice.

The film garnered critical acclaim when it made its world premiere in January at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where Gandbhir took home the festivals Best Documentary Director award.

What happened?

Lorincz fatally shot Owens on June 2, 2023 after the two got into a dispute over Owens children playing in a grassy area in the neighborhood near both of their homes. At the time of the shooting, Owens was confronting Lorincz about throwing objects and allegedly yelling racial slurs at Owens children.

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Lorincz claimed she acted in self-defense under Floridas stand your ground when she shot Owens, saying she feared for her life. However, she shot Owens through her closed door, which prosecutors used to argue that Lorincz wasnt in imminent danger.

Where is Susan Lorincz now?

Lorincz is now serving 25 years in a South Florida prison for the shooting death of Owens. Lorincz was found guilty of manslaughter with a firearm on Aug. 16, 2024. She was sentenced on Nov. 25, 2024. She filed an appeal of her conviction in January 2025.

Check the trailer below

The post The Perfect Neighbor: Where Is Susan Lorincz Now? appeared first on TheWrap.
An old saying in the legal profession goes, Never put anything in writing that you wouldnt want read in court. The idea is that anything written can be discovered and used against an attorney and his client when its time to go to trial.

Theres a broader application of that saying that applies to more of us: Never put anything in writing that you wouldnt want your parents to read in The New York Times.

This came to mind as I read the vile private messages that have been published over the past few weeks, bringing infamy to the people who wrote them and, no doubt, significant embarrassment to their parents.

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The first batch were exposed by National Review. On Oct. 3, Audrey Fahlberg broke the news that Jay Jones, a Democrat vying to be the next attorney general in Virginia, had sent text messages in 2022 saying that a Republican leader in the state should get two bullets to the head and that he hoped the persons children would die because Only when people feel pain personally do they move on policy. He also called this Republican leader evil and said he and his wife are breeding little fascists.

Writing for National Review about the matter, Jeffrey Blehar said that Jones was revealing the scorpions lurking inside his brain in his exchanges with a former colleague.

Less than two weeks later, Politico published leaked messages from private Telegram chats in which members of Young Republicans chapters used racial slurs and antisemitic language, among other reprehensible remarks. At least four people identified in the chat have lost jobs in the wake of widespread condemnation, and several of the Young Republicans chapters have been shut down.

One of the members, Bobby Walker of New York, has apologized, saying, There is no excuse for the language and tone in messages attributed to me, but also questioning the circumstances under which the messages came to be published.

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This has been a painful lesson about judgment and trust, he said.

Unfortunately, that is sometimes the takeaway of people who arent so much sorry for what they said or did, but sorry that they got caught.

They will see the moral of this and similar stories as Dont put anything in writing that you dont want to see in court or, more simply, Trust no one. They will argue, as Peter Giunta did, that the highlighted messages were but a fraction of more than 28,000 messages in the chat, and that the release of the messages was part of a calculated campaign of character assassination by rivals.

The problem with this narrative is that, regardless of how private messages are released, the motives of those releasing them is a separate and arguably unrelated matter. And it is the private nature of the messages that makes them so damning. Character is what you do when no one is watching, as the saying goes. In cases like these, character is what you write when you think no one is reading but your buddy.

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As these stories continue to play out, the University of Arkansas is hanging posters displaying the Ten Commandments in order to comply with a state law that is under legal challenge. The College Fix reported that some students have responded to the posters by taping printed statements of faith from other religions ... (including) the Five Pillars of Islam, Monastic Vows, the Five Constant Virtues, and Yamas and Niyamas.

Good people can disagree on whether principles of religious faith should be promoted in public schools and colleges, but the adoption of some of these principles, it seems, might cut down on the number of public scandals related to morally repugnant messages and texts. I have one in particular in mind: Honor thy father and thy mother.

Would any of those Young Republicans have hit send on their most incendiary messages had they known their mother or father would see them one day? Even worse, if they would see them on the front page of a major publication or on a TV screen? Im betting not. Young people, being lemming-like at that stage of life, tend to behave less honorably around their friends than around their parents.

Jay Jones is a bit older than the Young Republicans. Hes 36, and a married father of two sons. He has apologized, saying in a debate Thursday, Im ashamed, Im embarrassed and Im sorry.

What do you make of Virginia AG candidate Jay Jones apology for his violent text messages? pic.twitter.com/lNzY21a883  FOX & Friends (@foxandfriends) October 17, 2025

It remains to be seen if that apology will be enough for voters in Virginia, where support for Jones has fallen by 5 points since the story broke. In one statement, Jones said, Like all people, Ive sent text messages I regret, which is the sort of remark that can do more harm than good.

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His violent expressions, like the abhorrent banter by the Young Republicans on Telegram, are not the kind of thoughts that all people  or even most people  entertain in private, let alone put in writing. Please dont implicate them in your apologies.

But in an age when remarks in a private setting can all too quickly become public  remember the Signal chat leak in March?  theres value in thinking, How will this look on the front page of The New York Times? before hitting send on anything weve written. Theres even more value in sweeping out the scorpions every now and then.
Oct. 17WESSINGTON, S.D.  Behind the scenes of the opening of pheasant season around Wessington, volunteers have spent months preparing the area's bird population, hoping to ensure the region remains a destination for hunters from across the Midwest.

For nearly four decades, Citizens in Action, or CIA, has quietly helped sustain both the local pheasant population and the town's small-community vitality.

The organization traces its roots to the Wessington Jaycees, a young-men's civic group active in the 1980s. Around 1995, members realized they were aging out of the Jaycee's 40-year-old cutoff rule and wanted to keep their projects going. The solution was to rebrand as Citizens in Action  a name reflecting both continuity and new purpose.

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"When we were Jaycees, a lot of what we did went to the state and national level," said longtime member Greg Mehling, who joined in the mid-1980s just out of high school. "Once we became CIA, everything we raised stayed right here."

Membership also changed with the transition, opening to women and attracting younger volunteers. About a dozen people attend the monthly meetings, and the average age hovers around 30  young enough, members say, to keep the group's future strong.

Each spring, CIA purchases around 500 pheasant chicks, which are raised by volunteers and local residents. The group also provides 200 to 300 full-grown hens each year, releasing them across the countryside to support the hunting population.

Predators remain a challenge. Coyotes and raccoons can devastate nesting grounds, so CIA sponsors winter predator hunts. The hunts protect pheasants while also bringing volunteers together in the off-season.

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Pheasant hunting is big business in Wessington, drawing both locals and non-resident hunters each fall, according to CIA president Jerritt Kelsey. Maintaining healthy bird numbers has become a shared community effort, and CIA plays a major role in keeping the population strong.

All of this work is funded largely through the annual pheasant banquet, now in its 38th year. What started in 1987 as a 50-person dinner in the Legion Hall has grown into a 300-guest event at the community center, drawing attendees from across the state  and as far away as Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ohio. Tickets cover a meal, raffles, and an auction of donated prizes. Before dinner, children gather for pheasant races on a flatbed trailer, where two birds sprint down narrow lanes in a friendly bracket-style competition. The event typically nets $10,000 to $15,000, enough to fund CIA's operations for the year.

"The banquet pretty much funds us for everything we do," Mehling said.

CIA's impact stretches beyond wildlife. Funds from the banquet support civic projects aimed at, in Kelsey's words, "keeping the town alive." The group helped the Wessington Economic Development Corporation install a $30,000 digital sign for community messages and built a new "Welcome to Wessington" sign at the town's east entrance. They've contributed to the community center's roof and lighting upgrades, provided a new pool vacuum for the local swimming pool, and sponsor bands for summer Funday celebrations and the Parade of Lights in December.

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"Everything kind of goes together," Kelsey said. "The pheasants bring people in, the banquet brings money in, and the money helps keep our town going."

Today, CIA's hands-on approach keeps that heritage alive. By buying birds, raising chicks, and managing predators, the group strives to ensure hunting remains viable  and that out-of-state visitors keep filling motel rooms and local diners each season.




ALBANY - Teams from Capital Region organizations came together on Friday to raise funds in the fight to end breast cancer at CDTA's ninth annual Pink Bus Pull for the American Cancer Society's Men Wear Pink Campaign.

The teams of eight were challenged to pull a 30,000-pound bus 30 feet as quickly as possible. The winning team at the event, held at CDTA headquarters in Albany, was once again the Albany Fire Department. The Schenectady Police Benevolent Association earned second place, followed by the CDTA's team in third.

This article originally published at Photos: Albany firefighters defend title at CDTA's Pink Bus Pull.
Protesting the country's direction under President Donald Trump, thousands of people brought a street party vibe to the nations capital and communities across the U.S. for  No Kings  demonstrations, which the presidents Republican Party is calling Hate America rallies. Earlier Saturday, a few hundred Americans had gathered in major European cities like London and Paris.

___

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
The chargesheet was filed in the Tis Hazari Court against the main accused, Sakariya Rajesh Khimji, and his aide, Syed Tahsin Raza. The judicial magistrate, after taking cognisance of it, listed the matter for hearing on October 30.

Delhi Police has charge-sheeted Khimji for the offence of attempt to murder, causing hurt, obstructing a public servant from discharging its duty, criminal conspiracy under section 109(1), 221, 132, 115(2), 61(2) Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) (307/186/353/323/120B IPC)

Police have also charge sheeted Tahsin Raza for the offence of attempt to murder, obstructing the public servant from discharging the public duty, criminal conspiracy under sections 109(1), 221, 132,61(2) BNS (307/186/353/120B IPC).

An FIR was registered at Civil Lines Police Station after the alleged attack on CM Rekha Gupta during a Jan Sunvai at her official residence in August.

Meanwhile, an Additional Sessions Judge at Tis Hazari Court has also rejected the regular bail plea of co-accused Raza. The court also extended the judicial custody of Khimji and his friend Syed Tahsin Raza. The accused were produced before the court through video conferencing.

Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Gaurav Goyal extended the judicial custody of the accused.

Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Advocate Pradeep Rana, along with Advocate Gagan Bhatnagar, appeared for the Delhi Police. They filed the chargesheet.

Khimji is originally from Rajkot, Gujarat. During the investigation, his friend Raza was also arrested.

The Delhi Police had invoked sections of attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, etc. in the FIR. The attacker did the recce of the CM's residence and attempted the attack in a planned manner.

It is alleged that Raza had transferred money to the main accused, Khimji. Prior to his arrest, Raza was detained by the Delhi Police in Gujarat's Rajkot. (ANI)
On a quiet Friday morning in early October, a van carrying dozens of paintings arrived at the CajaGranada Cultural Center, a modern glass-and-stone building on the edge of Granada, with the Sierra Nevada mountains visible in the distance.

The artworks had been collected from private collectors in Madrid and were meant for an exhibition titled "Still Life: The Eternity of the Inanimate."

But when museum staff opened the crates three days later, a painting worth more than half a million dollars had vanished.

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The missing piece, Still Life with Guitar, created by Pablo Picasso in 1919, is small -- just 5 inches by just under 4 inches -- but it is insured for more than $650,000 and now sits at the center of an expanding investigation.

Made with gouache and pencil on paper, the work depicts a guitar and several everyday objects, including a bottle and a folded sheet of paper, arranged on a table in soft brown and gray tones. Art experts say that the piece reflects Picassos move toward a simpler, more structured style after his early Cubist period.

The painting was part of a shipment of 57 works -- one by Picasso and 56 by other artists -- stored in Madrid from Sept. 25 until Oct. 2. The van carrying them to Granada made the roughly 260-mile journey by road, a trip that typically takes about five hours.

According to investigators, the van left Madrid on the afternoon of Oct. 2 but made an unscheduled overnight stop in the small town of Deifontes, just miles from Granada. The two drivers told police they took turns sleeping in or near the van and kept watch over the cargo all night, according to a source with direct knowledge of the investigation.

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That stop in Deifontes is now a key focus for investigators.

"Its crazy," said Arthur Brand, one of Europes best-known art detectives. "If youre moving art this valuable, you dont stop overnight after four hours. You deliver it immediately. Doing otherwise is extremely suspicious."

Brand, who once lived in Granada, said police are likely to question the drivers first.

"When rules like that are broken," said Brand, "the first step is to interrogate those who broke them."

On the morning of Oct. 3, the van reached the CajaGranada Center, where all the crates were unloaded and moved to a secure, video-monitored room.

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Because many boxes were not numbered, staff postponed a full inspection until Monday, Oct. 6. Security footage showed no signs of tampering over the weekend.

But when unpacking began that Monday, staff realized Picassos painting was missing and the CajaGranada Foundation, which runs the cultural center, immediately reported it to the National Police, saying they were cooperating fully with the investigation.

Meanwhile, a source familiar with the investigation told ABC News its possible the painting never reached the museum at all and that investigators are focusing on the period between Sept. 25, when the work entered storage, and Oct. 2, when it left Madrid.

Authorities are also reviewing footage from the museum, which shows no incidents, and cameras near the hostel in Deifontes where the drivers stayed overnight, police said.

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Brand, who has worked on numerous major theft cases, said insider involvement cannot be ruled out.

"In many art thefts, there are insiders -- people who tip off criminals or are part of the plan," he said. "Someone with inside knowledge of the schedule or security can make it much easier."

The investigation is being handled by the Policia Nacionals investigative unit in Granada together with Spains Brigada de Patrimonio Historico, the national art-crimes team.

A spokesperson for the Brigada de Patrimonio Historico told ABC News the unit is coordinating with Interpol, Europol and other international agencies.

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"We share the picture and more information," the spokesperson said, without giving further details.

Separately, a spokeswoman for the National Police in Granada said the missing Picasso has been entered into an international database of stolen artworks used by police forces around the world.

Authorities have not confirmed whether Deifontes remains their main focus but said they are open to public tips.

Despite the uncertainty, Brand remains optimistic.

Spain has some of the best art-crime investigators in the world, he said. If anyone can find this painting, they can  and if they dont, I will. One way or another, it will be found.
The war with Iran may be over, but for victims of missile attacks, the trauma continues.

Picking up the pieces is both literal and metaphorical for Shanna Fuld. The American-born journalist spent weeks after an Iranian missile struck her apartment on June 16 wearing workers gloves and boots, pulling photographs from under rubble and brushing sheetrock dust off her belongings. But the real reconstruction, finding a new apartment, navigating Israeli bureaucracy, and processing the trauma, would prove far more complicated than salvaging what remained of her shattered Tel Aviv home.

One hundred meters away on Pinsker Street, Tel Aviv resident Maria faced a similar reality. Her building, adjacent to the one directly hit by an Iranian missile, was declared structurally unsafe. Authorities forbade residents from entering to retrieve their possessions, a cutoff point where one life ended and another had to begin from nothing.

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I think the uncertainty of it was the most difficult part, Maria told The Jerusalem Post. We didnt know if the hotels were going to be covered for a long time. At some point, they mentioned its going to only take two weeks until we are obligated to move on.

More than three months after the attack, both women have found new homes. But their experiences reveal a chaotic government response to mass displacement, marked by broken promises, bureaucratic confusion, and the extraordinary burden of paying double rent while waiting months for reimbursements that may never come.

AN AERIAL VIEW reveals the full scale of destruction, where hundreds of residents were simultaneously displaced and forced to compete for apartments in Tel Avivs inflated housing market. (credit: Matan Golan/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

The morning everything changed

At 4 a.m. on June 16, Maria and her partner grabbed their emergency bag  passports, money, clothes for two days, food for their dog  and fled. Her partner wore flip-flops. That single bag contained everything they would have.

For Fuld, the attack validated premonitions she had experienced for months. She had long harbored a vision of her living room window blowing in from an Iranian attack. Before leaving home for nearly two years, she would move her laptop into a protective case and rest it against the couch. When the missile hit, every piece of glass was gone. Her laptop survived. A broken pipe flooded the apartment, but the case absorbed the water.

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I really do feel that theres my life before the rocket and my life after the rocket, Fuld told the Post.

Both women faced grueling physical work. Fuld spent weeks doing manual labor to salvage what she could. Everything had glass all over it; everything had sheetrock all over it, she said.

Marias building presented a different challenge. Declared unsafe for entry, she couldnt legally access her apartment to retrieve belongings accumulated over 12 years, 10 in the same apartment. Its only money, and you can purchase it, Maria said. But its also memories. Its also like part of your life, something youve built with your 10 fingers.

The impossible math of double rent

The financial burden came as the greatest shock. Far from providing housing assistance, the government system, through various agencies, required displaced residents to continue paying their original landlords while simultaneously securing and paying for new accommodations, all while being based in a temporary living space at a hotel.

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I had to pay my current landlord. I didnt live in the hotel for free because I was paying my landlord, Fuld explained. The state, in order to circumvent having to make payouts to landlords, had residents continue to pay them.

For Maria, who had just renewed her lease on June 16, the very day of the attack, the situation became untenable. Im paying for the new apartment, which started in July. And then Im paying for the old apartment, which means Im paying like almost NIS 13,000 for rent.

The costs mounted: old rent, new rent, security deposit, realtors fee, furniture. This changed my perspective on how much money I need to have in my bank account at all times, Fuld said. I need to have a hundred thousand shekels in my bank account at all times in order for me to feel safe living in this country.

The government offered to pay a differential  the difference between old and new rent  for residents priced out by Tel Avivs market. But nothing was guaranteed in writing.

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There was the one big, big, big, big, big criticism I have: Nothing was given to us in writing, Fuld emphasized. None of us evacuees had any confidence that what we were being told verbally was going to be paid out to us. There was no date that we were supposed to expect it.

The path to compensation required aggressive advocacy. Maria made repeated trips to a Tax Authority office after learning that someone was physically stationed there, information not readily available through official channels.

The first time, I was like, Okay, so let me know what is happening with my money. And then they just send another note, and they send another request, Maria recounted. Im telling them, listen, my previous landlord is taking down the checks. Hes taking down the checks, and I dont know when youre going to pay me.

On her third visit, Maria reached her breaking point. Im going there, and Im screaming until I get answers, screaming and crying, she said. And then I just got my answer, and a few days afterwards I had the money in my bank account.

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She reflected: If I didnt scream at them, I wouldnt get [the money]. I just wouldnt. If you dont scream and you dont raise your voice and you dont panic, they wont move.

It sucks to say it, but you have to behave like that to get it, she added. Im not that kind of person, but I just understood that if I wanted to get something out of it, I had to scream and cry.

Fuld experienced similar frustrations. Government ministries called repeatedly, asking what she needed. She told them: a bed, because she was forced to leave the hotel before she could furnish her new apartment.

I got multiple calls from the state asking me what I needed. I told them what I needed. I needed a bed, she said. Two days later, they called again, asking the same question. They said, Were going to get back to you in a few hours and solve this issue. Never heard from them again.

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The pattern repeated with requests for trauma therapy. They asked me if I needed a social worker. I said, Yes. Never heard from any social worker. I asked for a social worker three times. Never got it.

Shanna Fuld surveys the destruction of her apartment on Ben Yehuda Street in the aftermath of the June 16th Iranian missile strike. (credit: Chen Schimmel/The Jerusalem Post)

The contract Catch-22

Fulds situation was complicated by her lease structure. After three years in her apartment, the last six months had been month-to-month because her landlord was selling the property. When she submitted her contract, officials told her it wouldnt be accepted.

They told me that I had chutzpah for staying in the hotel and that because I didnt have a one-year lease, I was being [treated] extra nice and extra tended to by the state, she recalled.

Faced with paying double rent indefinitely with no guarantee of reimbursement, Fuld stopped paying her old landlord after August. I said, Sorry, but not sorry. I have to move on, and I cannot pay two rents at risk that the government would throw my contract in the garbage.

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Her new apartment costs NIS 1,100 more per month, a differential she now pays entirely out of pocket. I spent a lot of time trying to find the same rent that I paid before, and I just couldnt find it because Ive been priced out.

When compensation for the evacuees eventually arrived, it came without warning. Maria received the maximum amount for a couple  NIS 85,000 for all household contents  45 days after submitting her claim.

Nobody talked to us before. We didnt know how much we were getting, if we were getting it, when we were getting it, she said. By that time, we were already in a new apartment, and we had to get stuff.

While Maria acknowledged the payment covered immediate needs, she noted its inadequacy given 12 years of accumulated possessions. For clothing alone, she estimated couples would need NIS 10,000 or more.

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She also had to negotiate compensation for her destroyed car. After arguing, she received an additional NIS 1,000. This is basically how things are running in Israel, she said. You have to scream and cry for everything, and then eventually you will get it.

Fulds one check from the government arrived nearly three months later. It helped me buy a little furniture, she said. But everything that I needed, I needed it months ago.

Her partner organized an independent fundraiser that provided crucial support. Without having that cushion, it would have been very hard for me because I was paying two rents.

One theme that constantly came up was the uncertainty evacuees faced when dealing with government offices and ministries. Residents faced constantly shifting bureaucratic requirements. Maria described contradictory instructions about submitting documentation.

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I was running on adrenaline, she reflected. And now I feel like I dont even know how to not run on adrenaline.

The aftermath is manifesting physically. Im having anxiety attacks that are kind of recent because now I think my body is done doing the heavy lifting, she explained. Im having a hard time breathing. I cant catch my breath.

They kept on moving back and forth from, Submit documents by the system to No, dont submit it by the system, but fax it. We havent used fax for ages. Then it was email, but they dont answer emails, and there is no one to talk to, she said.

The lack of clear protocols, nearly two years into the war, particularly frustrated her. We are almost two years into the war, and nothing is clear. What period of time do we have to stay in the hotel? What are the compensation rates? Nothing is clear.

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As an immigrant, Fuld faced additional difficulties. Theyre calling me in Hebrew, she said. If youre trying to help somebody because you know that theyre an olah, send an English speaker to talk to them when theyre in the middle of a traumatic episode.

Amid the chaos, there was some praise set aside for the Tel Aviv Municipality. I think the city of Tel Aviv did the best that they could. They really advocated for us, and they sent social workers to the hotels, Fuld said.

She learned there was a battle between the city and the state over hotel stays. The city of Tel Aviv was advocating for residents to be able to stay longer. And the government, because theyre the ones paying, they were trying to get us out.

The emotional toll

Three months on, both women are confronting the psychological impact. Fulds freelance journalism career ground to a halt compared to her usual pace of work.

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Maria is beginning trauma therapy, too, she shared with the Post. Whenever you realize that youre done fighting for everything, you understand how much damage it caused you, she explained. You stop running, and then you just realize, Thats what Ive been through. My whole life was basically destroyed, and I had to start from scratch.

She identified the loss of control as particularly difficult. It was not my choice how I ended up waking up some random day, and my whole life was being destroyed, and its out of my control.

The threat of future attacks compounds the trauma. Just having the thought of having another attack coming over makes me want to purchase a one-way ticket to go somewhere and just not be here anymore, Marie lamented.

The experience changed how Fuld relates to Israel. Arriving at 24, too old for mandatory army service, she long felt guilt about not serving. I really felt that my pen was my way of serving the country, she said.

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I actually feel that Ive been initiated into Israeli culture. I really feel very Israeli. Everybody knows somebody whos had something happen to them or had somebody die or somebody got injured or somebody has PTSD from this war.

Protocol calls

Both women emphasized that their experiences reflect a broader systemic failure. Everybody thinks that following peoples homes getting bombed, the government kind of held their hand, Fuld said. People even asked me if Im living in government-assigned property.

Marias central message focused on the need for established procedures. The government should have protocols. We are two years into this war. There were hundreds of thousands of refugees who lost their homes. There should be a protocol about that, she said.

There shouldnt be this Israeli mode of nothing is written down, and you have to fight for everything and scream for everything. Please get us something super coherent. At least it will be written in our blood, but something for the next people to experience something like that. And unfortunately, Im pretty sure there will be some other people experiencing that in Israel.

As Fuld continues unpacking boxes and attempting to restart her career, she reflects: The ideas are good. The idea of giving people a differential so that they could have a similar standard in a new apartment is nice. But you cant make people wait three to six months to get a reimbursement. Who has that kind of cash to lay out?

For Maria, recently receiving her full 12 months of rent differential payments, the relief is tempered by what it took to get there.

I could finally breathe, she said. And now I am actually starting therapy. Because whenever you realize that youre done fighting for everything, you understand how much damage it caused you.
Thousands march, dance and celebrate in the Come Out With Pride parade in downtown Orlando, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. The Come Out With Pride event is an annual day-long festival at various venues in downtown celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in Central Florida. More than 200,000 visitors were expected to attend the festivities, including the parade, fireworks, live music, and more. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)

Dancers from Visit Orlando entertain with colorful balloons as the Come Out With Pride parade makes its way down Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Come Out With Pride is an annual day-long festival at various venues in downtown celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in Central Florida. More than 200,000 visitors were expected to attend the festivities, including the parade, fireworks, live music, and more. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) The official Come Out With Pride float makes its way down Orange Avenue during the parade in downtown Orlando, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Come Out With Pride is an annual day-long festival at various venues in downtown celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in Central Florida. More than 200,000 visitors were expected to attend the festivities, including the parade, fireworks, live music, and more. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) A Disney cast member dances in the Come Out With Pride parade as it makes its way down Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Come Out With Pride is an annual day-long festival at various venues in downtown celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in Central Florida. More than 200,000 visitors were expected to attend the festivities, including the parade, fireworks, live music, and more. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) A Delta Airlines employee flys colors and bubbles as the Come Out With Pride parade makes its way down Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Come Out With Pride is an annual day-long festival at various venues in downtown celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in Central Florida. More than 200,000 visitors were expected to attend the festivities, including the parade, fireworks, live music, and more. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) Disney cast members march in the Come Out With Pride parade as it makes its way down Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Come Out With Pride is an annual day-long festival at various venues in downtown celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in Central Florida. More than 200,000 visitors were expected to attend the festivities, including the parade, fireworks, live music, and more. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) Universal Orlando employees dance in the Come Out With Pride parade on Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Come Out With Pride is an annual day-long festival at various venues in downtown celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in Central Florida. More than 200,000 visitors were expected to attend the festivities, including the parade, fireworks, live music, and more. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) Costumed characters entertain as the Come Out With Pride parade makes its way down Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Come Out With Pride is an annual day-long festival at various venues in downtown celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in Central Florida. More than 200,000 visitors were expected to attend the festivities, including the parade, fireworks, live music, and more. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) A team of little dogs on a big plastic chain entertain as the Come Out With Pride parade makes its way down Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Come Out With Pride is an annual day-long festival at various venues in downtown celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in Central Florida. More than 200,000 visitors were expected to attend the festivities, including the parade, fireworks, live music, and more. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) The Lake Mary Stepping With Excellence dance team cheers before the Come Out With Pride parade on Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Come Out With Pride is an annual day-long festival at various venues in downtown celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in Central Florida. More than 200,000 visitors were expected to attend the festivities, including the parade, fireworks, live music, and more. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) Dancers from Visit Orlando entertain with colorful balloons as the Come Out With Pride parade makes its way down Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Come Out With Pride is an annual day-long festival at various venues in downtown celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in Central Florida. More than 200,000 visitors were expected to attend the festivities, including the parade, fireworks, live music, and more. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) City of Orlando district 4 commissioner Patty Sheehan leads the way as the Come Out With Pride parade makes its way down Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Come Out With Pride is an annual day-long festival at various venues in downtown celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in Central Florida. More than 200,000 visitors were expected to attend the festivities, including the parade, fireworks, live music, and more. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) A costumed parader says hello as the Come Out With Pride parade makes its way down Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Come Out With Pride is an annual day-long festival at various venues in downtown celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in Central Florida. More than 200,000 visitors were expected to attend the festivities, including the parade, fireworks, live music, and more. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) Colors of the rainbow in this hairpiece as the Come Out With Pride parade makes its way down Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Come Out With Pride is an annual day-long festival at various venues in downtown celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in Central Florida. More than 200,000 visitors were expected to attend the festivities, including the parade, fireworks, live music, and more. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) Show Caption1 of 14City of Orlando district 4 commissioner Patty Sheehan leads the way as the Come Out With Pride parade makes its way down Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Come Out With Pride is an annual day-long festival at various venues in downtown celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in Central Florida. More than 200,000 visitors were expected to attend the festivities, including the parade, fireworks, live music, and more. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)Expand
A pilot managed to escape with his life after crashing his small plane just short of reaching the Casa Grande Municipal Airport.

The Casa Grande Fire Department said crews responded about 1:16 p.m. on Oct. 17 to reports of a small aircraft crash near Villago Parkway and Interstate 10. Within minutes, firefighters arrived and found a small-engine plane overturned just outside the airport's boundaries.

The aircraft experienced engine failure during a flight between Tucson and Phoenix, prompting the pilot to attempt an emergency landing near the airport, according to the Casa Grande Fire Department. The pilot, who was flying alone, was able to get out of the plane on his own and was conscious and alert at the scene. Fire officials said there was no visible smoke or fire coming from the aircraft.

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Firefighters took the pilot to a nearby hospital with injuries that were not considered life threatening, the department added

Firefighters and airport personnel assessed the crash site, the department added.

The Federal Aviation Administration was notified and will conduct an investigation into the crash's cause, the Fire Department said.

Will rebuild: Arizona Catholic church hit by arson to rebuild with $505K donations

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Small plane crash-lands outside Casa Grande Municipal Airport
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA)  The Planetarium Learning Center has officially opened its doors at the Spartanburg Public Libraries Headquarters.

Leaders said, after more than two years of planning and construction, the center features a 50-foot domed planetarium theatre and the Kitty Black Perkins Makers Lab.

The theatre is fitted with flexible seating for over 130 guests and will offer shows of all types. Plus, the library partnered with NASA and the National Science Foundation to bring space and constellations right up close to your face.

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Todd Stephens, county librarian, said the center offers experiences for all visitors.

When it comes to education of young people, when they go into a theater like this, or they go upstairs and they see the maker lab with Kitty Black Perkins name on it, its a spark in their mind and it makes them see or think about what is possible, said Stephens. For folks who are aging in place, its an amenity. Come downtown, have something to eat, come over to the theater, see a quick show.

Stephens said the capabilities of the theatre are endless.

We can pull up to the night sky and see what it looks like, we can pull up the day sky and show you what it looks like. Then lets say you want to travel to Jupiter or to Saturn to Mars, we can just zip out there, Stephens explained.

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The makers lab, originally known as SparkSpace, was expanded and fit with 3D printing machines, button making tools, and space for weekly workshops. It was renamed after Spartanburg-native Kitty Black Perkins, and encourages creativity from all ages.

Soon to be installed in the lobby of the planetarium center is the Foucault Pendulum, an invention by French physicist Leon Foucault. The pendulum will be suspended from the ceiling and hang close to the floor, while swinging slowly in a circle. It will take almost 42 hours to complete a full circle, representing the roundness and rotation of Earth.

John Cribb, chair of Spartanburg County Public Libraries, said this center is the only modern planetarium in a public library in the United States, and it sets South Carolina apart.

Spartanburg County Libraries Public Time with Kitty schedule

Events at the center, theatre, and makers lab begin Saturday, October 18th and are currently scheduled through December 2025. The list can be found here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  As the city prepares for No Kings demonstrations, the Portland Police Bureau is gearing up to monitor the events.

Late on Friday night, the bureau announced that it activated an Incident Command Team led by a Crowd Management Incident Commander who oversees PPBs Sound Truck, Rapid Response Team, Air Support Unit and Dialogue Liaison Officers.

Large turnout anticipated as police prepare for No Kings marches in Portland

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Authorities said the officers, who are identified by their white uniform shirts, serve as liaisons to demonstrators, rather than law enforcement. Portland Fire & Rescue assisted as well, according to city police.

PPB noted that it didnt make any arrests on Friday, as officers did not observe any person or property crimes that warranted interdiction. But the agency reported that it has made 50 arrests related to nightly protests at the South Waterfront, near the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, thus far.

More than 50,000 demonstrators participated in the Portland areas previous No Kings rallies in June. PPB will monitor any activity related to the upcoming rallies, but the agency has reminded the public that it does not engage with federal immigration enforcement.

Angered and stressed: Oregon legislators press DHS about helicopters over Portland

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While PPBs role is public safety and supporting constitutionally protected activity, part of our role is to address criminal acts, police added. Officers may be seen in a larger group to make targeted arrests for specific crimes committed. PPB members may also investigate crimes and conduct follow-up investigations into criminal activity later and will forward cases to the Multnomah County District Attorney for prosecution when feasible. As a reminder, just because arrests are not made at the scene, when tensions are high, that does not mean that people are not being charged with crimes later.

Authorities said they will send out public safety announcements via social media.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Law enforcement officials in Colorado are warning residents about a growing crime trend known as jugging. In light of the warning, Life & Style breaks down everything to know about the crime and explains what exactly jugging is.

What Is Jugging?

According to local outlet 9 News, jugging is a form of robbery that tends to occur when suspects observe individuals conducting financial transactions at banks, ATMs or check-cashing stores. The thieves then follow their victims to their car or another location before they steal their cash.

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The thieves often use threats or force in order to take money from their victims, according to the outlet.

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Authorities Share Tips on How to Avoid Jugging Crimes

People can watch out for jugging by keeping an eye on potential warning signs, which include vehicles loitering near bank parking lots or individuals appearing to conduct surveillance, according to the outlet.

Authorities are also urging the public to be aware of their surroundings when theyre conducting financial transactions. If you have any suspicions of being followed, its advised that you should drive to a well-lit, populated area, go to the nearest police or call 911 for help.

Jugging Crimes Are Increasing in Colorado

The Lakewood Police Department issued a statement via X on October 13, 2025, warning people about jugging after an incident took place the weekend before. In addition to urging people to stay alert, the police department explained that the crime is part of a national trend that has made its way to Colorado. However, authorities did not share specific details about the recent jugging incident.

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Leah Remini Shares Why She Thought The King of Queens Would Be a Failure

Police in Denver, Colorado, reported that they responded to approximately 25 jugging cases since 2024, according to the police departments Facebook post shared in June 2025. Due to the rise in incidences, agencies have made efforts to raise awareness and share safety tips with residents to avoid further jugging crimes.

Jugging Is an Issue Across the United States

In addition to Colorado, Texas and California are also states that have seen a recent spike in jugging, per 9 News.
Police investigation shuts down main roads in Hyannis

Several roads in downtown Hyannis are closed this morning as police respond to an active situation on Main Street.

According to Barnstable Police, the following roads are currently closed to all traffic due to an ongoing police investigation:

Main Street, from Camp Street to Center Street

Camp Street, from Crocker Street to Main Street

Yarmouth Road, from Crocker Street to Main Street

Massachusetts State Police confirmed that they are assisting Barnstable Police by providing perimeter security around a residence in the area.

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Boston 25 has reached out to police for more information.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (WSPA)  Police are investigating a shooting which left one person dead in Hendersonville.

According to Hendersonville Police Department, at around 8:01 p.m. Friday, multiple 911 calls were made regarding a shooting at a home on Woodcock Drive.

At the scene, officers said they found 29-year-old Justin Alan Davis with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Police are working to identify a suspect and a reason for the shooting. The North Carolina SBI is assisting.

Anyone with information is asked to call Hendersonville Police Department at 828-697-3025 or submit a tip on the Hendersonville Police Department app.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was called upon by Justice Lalit Batra, Chairman of the Haryana Human Rights Commission, who presented him with a copy of the Commission's Annual Report for 2024-25. Commission members Kuldeep Jain and Deep Bhatia were also present during the meeting. The delegation presented a bouquet and a shawl to the Chief Minister as a gesture of courtesy. During the meeting, the Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of the Haryana Human Rights Commission for ensuring speedy justice, as stated. He held an extensive discussion on the functioning of the Commission, its challenges, and its requirements. He assured that the state government would provide all possible support to the Commission for the protection and promotion of human rights, ensuring that Haryana continues to be a leading state in this field. CM Saini also inquired about the Commission's visits to other districts of the state. The Commission members informed him that efforts are being made to inspect one jail every month and visit social organisations working for children and senior citizens. The Chief Minister also sought details about significant decisions taken by the Commission. A detailed discussion on the achievements and activities of the Commission since its reconstitution in November 2024 was also conducted during the meeting. Justice Lalit Batra informed that as of November 2024, 2,991 cases were pending, and by October 15, 2025, 2,551 new cases were received. Thus, the Commission heard a total of 5,542 cases and disposed of 4,638 of them. The Haryana Human Rights Commission delivered judgments in 32 cases in November 2024, 148 in December 2024, and subsequently 551 in January, 360 in February, 691 in March, 478 in April, 826 in May, 569 in July, 433 in August, 460 in September, and 90 cases till October 15, 2025. As a result, only 904 cases remain pending, which are currently under hearing. The members of the Commission also shared that the important reforms implemented on the recommendations of the Haryana Human Rights Commission were discussed during the 32nd Foundation Day celebrations of the National Human Rights Commission held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. Earlier, on October 12, the Haryana Governor, Professor Asim Kumar Ghosh, had released the Annual Report of the Commission. Registrar, Ravi Kumar Sondhi and Protocol, Information, and Public Relations Officer, Dr. Puneet Arora, also remained present on this occasion. (ANI)




Police early Saturday were looking for several persons involved in two shootings downtown that left one person dead and another injured.

According to police on the scene, there was "some type of disturbance" around 4:10 a.m. Saturday on the eastern edge of downtown. One shooting was at East Commerce Street and Alamo Plaza, and the second a few blocks away near the Denny's on East Commerce Street and Bowie Street.

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ALSO READ: SAPD: Officer shoots suspect who fired at police during burglary call

The first victim was found with at least one gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene near Alamo Plaza. Police said unknown assailants fled on foot towards the Denny's restaurant where they shot a second victim. That victim was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police arrived quickly to both shooting sites and saw a vehicle fleeing. After a short pursuit, the suspects bailed out. Police are still searching for them. No other injuries were reported.

This article originally published at Police: One dead, one injured in double shootings early Saturday downtown.
UPDATE at 10:30 a.m.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA)  One male victim is in the hospital after being shot in Campustown, and U of I Police are continuing to search for the suspect.

In a press release Saturday morning, UIPD said at approximately 12:26 a.m., the department responded to reports of gunfire near the intersection of Green and Fifth Streets in Champaign. Officers arrived on scene within about a minute and discovered one male victim suffering from gunshot wounds.

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One dead in two-vehicle early morning Decatur crash

An Illini-Alert was issued at 12:29 a.m., advising the public to avoid the area. UIPD officers canvassed the search area, but the shooting suspect was not located.

The victim received immediate medical attention and was transported to Carle Hospital, where he underwent surgery and is still receiving medical care. UIPD Crime Scene officers and the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit processed the scene. Investigators were able to obtain video footage from nearby businesses.

Preliminary witness statements suggest the shooting came after a verbal altercation between multiple people. The male victim became involved in the dispute and was subsequently struck by gunfire. UIPD said the victim is not affiliated with the university and that their investigation remains ongoing.

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Firefighters battling mobile home fire near Ludlow

Additionally, all parties involved are not believed to be affiliated with the U of I in any way.

UIPD said they have and will continue to focus additional security resources on the Green Street area following this incident. It is also not believed that this particular situation poses an ongoing threat to the safety of the campus community.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact UIPD at 217-333-1216. Those wishing to remain anonymous can provide any details they have by calling the Champaign County Crime Stoppers at 217-373-8477, visiting their website or submitting information on the P3 Tips mobile app.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA)  The University of Illinois Police Department responded to shots fired in Campustown just after midnight on Saturday.

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At approximately 12:30 a.m., an Illini-Alert Emergency was sent out saying there were shots fired at 411 E Green Street and to avoid the area. Those unable to leave the area were told to secure their location.

Heavy police presence in Beardstown, Sheriff telling public to avoid area

At approximately 1:08 a.m., another alert was sent out saying the suspect is believed to have left the area. WCIA reporters on scene at around 2:48 a.m. observed at least five UIPD cars and roughly 10 officers that had secured a crime scene at the intersection Fifth and Green Streets, with crime scene tape blocking off the entire intersection and at least 10 evidence markers on the street.

An Illini-Alert sent out at 4:23 a.m. said that the emergency had ended and that it was safe to resume regular activities in the area.

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WCIA reached out to UIPD for more information, and they said a press release will come out shortly regarding this incident.

This is a developing story. WCIA will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  San Diego Police are investigating a deadly attack that left a 59-year-old man dead early Saturday morning in the Linda Vista neighborhood.

The Nexstar Media video above answers the question: is violent crime going up in America?

Officers responded around 3:46 a.m. to the 6800 block of Osler Street, following reports of an injured and unresponsive man lying on the sidewalk. When they arrived, paramedics from San Diego Fire-Rescue were already on scene providing medical aid.

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The victim, identified as Ruben Rimorin, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say he had suffered trauma to his upper body.

Thousands gather downtown for No Kings protest

According to investigators, Rimorin is believed to have been involved in an altercation with a group of four to six men near the Linda Vista Recreation Center shortly before he was found. The confrontation reportedly escalated, resulting in the fatal injuries.

The suspect group is described as Hispanic males in their 20s to 30s. No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.

San Diego Police Homicide Detectives are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Tips can be directed to the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
LUFKIN, Texas (KETK)  The Lufkin Police Department is currently searching for two men after a teenager was shot near a dance club in Lufkin on Saturday.

East Texas triple homicide victims identified, 70-year-old in critical condition

According to Lufkin PD, officers responded to reports of a shooting at around 12:50 a.m. on Saturday morning near the outside of a dance club in the 700 block of South Timberland Drive.

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The responding officers found a teenager laying in the parking lot near the entrance to the club and started packing and applying pressure to a wound in the teens stomach. A Lufkin PD press release said the teen was stabilized and flown to a hospital in Houston.

Detectives with Lufkin PD reviewed video from nearby businesses and reported seeing a truck pulling to the parking lot of the club. A man allegedly got out of the truck and walked towards the club entrance when a struggle happened. That struggle escalated into the shooting that injured the teenager, according to Lufkin PD.

The man was then reportedly seen getting back into his truck and leaving. Another man was also reportedly seen leaving the scene in a vehicle at the same time. The Lufkin Police Department said they are currently searching for these two men who fled the scene.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Lufkin PD at 936-633-0356.

You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming.

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Piotr Czuryllo, the man known as Polands Grandfather of Preppers, has enough military hardware in his garage to take down an entire platoon of Russian invaders.

As he opens it up, The Telegraph spots a bullet-proof helmet, two combat knives, tactical vests, half a dozen hunting bows, a German Sig Sauer pistol and a .300 calibre sniper rifle.

We are standing on Mr Czuryllos driveway in a rural commune of farmhouses and wheat fields in northern Poland, less than 50 miles from the Russian border.

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The commune is sleepy, almost silent; the only noise is the distant hum of a combine harvester. At first glance, it might seem like an unlikely battlefield for the Nato-Russia war that Western leaders fear could be just months away.

But Mr Czuryllo, who is all too aware of the barbarism that Russian invaders unleashed on Ukrainian border villages in 2022, is not taking any chances.

We are all armed, we all have tactical weapons, we are all hunters, says Piotr Czuryllo in his garage-cum-armoury - Geoff Pugh/The Telegraph

There is a Polish saying, if you want to count on anything, count on yourself, he says, as he settles into an armchair by his garage and lights a cigarette, his Sig Sauer pistol resting on his knee.

As Poland grapples with unprecedented Russian aggression, such as last months drone attacks, its civilians are flocking to survival courses, military schools, and shooting ranges to prepare themselves for war.

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The shift is so dynamic  The Telegraph meets children learning guerrilla warfare tactics and young women taking shooting lessons  that it almost feels as if the country is evolving into a modern day Slavic Sparta.

The Polish nation is experienced with war, we have it in our genes, says Mr Czuryllo, who earned his Grandfather of Preppers nickname by starting the Polish Preppers Network, which has tens of thousands of members.

Piotr Czuryllo at his hideaway in local woods - Geoff Pugh/The Telegraph

As for defending his own commune from Russia, he adds: If there is a need, we do have tactics in place. We are prepared for guerrilla warfare, we will be able to move back to the forest and fight from there.

With Nato fighter jets forced to shoot down Russian drones flying over Poland last month, the risk of war breaking out between Moscow and the West feels closer than ever.

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Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, has warned that the air attacks, which marked the first time Nato forces have engaged Russia, brought us the closest we have been to open conflict since the Second World War.

His government has since vowed to change the Polish constitution to allow its soldiers to shoot down drones threatening Poland over Ukrainian airspace, without permission from Nato or the European Union.

Piotr Czuryllo says his community already has plans drawn up to take on Russian invaders - Geoff Pugh/The Telegraph

While the drone incursions have provoked a fevered debate on how to defend Europes skies from Russia, Poland is also looking to shore up its ground defences as urgently as possible.

Sitting on Natos eastern flank, Poland shares borders with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and key Moscow ally Belarus, which Russian troops used as a staging area for the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

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Aleksandr Lukashenko, the Belarusian prime minister, has sought to whittle away Polands border security by flying in thousands of African and Middle Eastern migrants who are then pushed over the land border.

In response, Warsaw has erected a 120 mile-long reinforced steel fence along the frontier with Belarus, and has started building defensive positions along the 130 mile-long northern border with Kaliningrad.

Polands government plans to offer military training to all adult males - Geoff Pugh/The Telegraph

Even so, Poland is one of Europes mostly highly exposed countries in terms of Russian aggression; if Moscow were to launch an attack on Nato territory, it could potentially become a front line in a global conflict.

With this in mind, the Polish government has announced plans to offer military training to all adult males and this year is set to spend 4.5 per cent of its annual GDP on defence, almost double the UKs 2.5 per cent target.

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It is also why so many Poles are turning to the Polish Preppers Network for advice, as well as shooting ranges, military schools, and commando-style volunteer groups.

Teenagers hone their rifle skills in the gymnasium used by the Riflemens Association - Geoff Pugh/The Telegraph

After those [security] incidents, the local population was devastated and scared. Scared of the unknown, and feeling not able to do anything about it, says Mr Czuryllo, whose foundation offers free crisis and survival training to civilians, especially youngsters.

As The Telegraph is taking part in todays course, Mr Czuryllo leads us deep into the woods to learn how to make a fire using scraps of bark, and how to prepare a survival kit known as a bug-out bag.

Weve seen a huge rise of interest in prepping, but it is not a panicked interest, it is more like an awareness of what you need to have in your house and the skills you need to survive, explains Mr Czuryllo, before handing out some dry rations for us to try.

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There are many small steps that Poles - or for that matter, anyone in Europe concerned about Russian aggression  can take to feel less uncertain about the future, he adds.

In addition to the bug-out bag, an emergency rucksack of food supplies and survival tools, he recommends stockpiling two weeks of dry food and learning how to boil water in the wild. The latter would be crucial, he says, if war with Russia knocked out electricity networks, as is so often the case in Ukraine.

In an absolute worst-case scenario, where there is no hope of Polish and Nato forces arriving in time to defend a village, those who are willing and able should consider drawing up their own guerrilla warfare plan.

My network has 15 households, we are all armed, we all have tactical weapons, we are all hunters. And we also have archers in case there is no ammunition left for hunting, says Mr Czyrullo, who, like many Poles, grew up listening to his grandparents tell grim but instructive tales of how they survived during the Second World War.

The bug-out bag that Piotr Czuryllo has prepared for emergencies - Geoff Pugh/The Telegraph

It is perhaps no surprise he is keeping the details of the defence plan for his own commune top secret. But, intriguingly, he does allude to a mysterious Slavic symbol, etched into the grass somewhere far deeper in the forest, which they use as a meeting point.

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While more and more civilians are showing an interest in the Polish Preppers Network, it is by no means the only organisation helping them to prepare for a potential Russia-Nato war.

At the C4 Guns shooting range in the town of odz, central Poland, The Telegraph meets groups of young women, mostly soldiers, who are honing their pistol skills in the basement. Some of them then head upstairs for a combat medic course.

A target with Vladimir Putins face is pinned up in the entrance, next to a sign which says: I believe in God and Guns, trespass and you will meet both.

I guess we all know it might happen, but were not worried  we are focused, says Eve, a 21-year-old trainee army medic, when asked about the risk of war breaking out with Russia.

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I think about it a lot, but I am more worried about my studies, adds Natalia, 23, also a trainee medic, as she takes a break from hooking a training dummy up to a blood bag.

Leszek Michalak, 51, a firearms instructor at C4 Guns, says hobby shooting has always been popular with men and women and Poland  they even advertise their range as a venue for hen parties.

Teenagers at the military school, where they learn skills including parachuting and drone handling - Geoff Pugh/The Telegraph

But since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, and then last months drone incursions, theyve noted a surge in more serious enquiries. Our country is changing, he says. People are saying, we dont know what is going to happen, and they want to know how to use a gun if they have to use it.

Around 70 miles north of the shooting range, in the foggy industrial town of Plock, on the River Vistula, a military high school run by retired police and army officers is also fielding more enquiries.

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Because of the security situation theres been a rise in interest, and every year more people are wanting to join, says Mariusz Gierula, 50, the vice-principal, who not only teaches the students drill and shooting but parachuting, thanks to the schools partnership with the Polish version of the UK Parachute Regiment.

Students on parade at the military school - Geoff Pugh/The Telegraph

Another new class on the curriculum is drone warfare, with students learning how to pilot drones and carry out maintenance work on them.

Conrad Bakalarz, a 17-year-old pupil who proudly displays a badge on his uniform that marks his first parachute jump, offers a demonstration of one of the drones.

Naturally, my friends and I talk about the situation on the eastern border, and Russias military actions, says Conrad. But this is the best place to talk about such things, because it helps us to understand the tactics, and the equipment, and that creates a sense of security: we understand what is going on.

Were not worried  we are focused: Pupils at the military school hone skills needed to repel any invasion - Geoff Pugh/The Telegraph

Security experts also point out that, because of its Nato membership, Poland should not be left to fight alone; under Nato Article 5, an attack on Poland is considered an attack on the entire Western alliance.

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However, whether the rest of Nato really would commit to all-out war with Russia, a nuclear power, to protect Poland is a question that still causes some anxiety in Warsaw.

As the week draws to a close, The Telegraph returns to odz to visit a draughty, Soviet-style gymnasium to meet one of the more visually striking groups in Poland offering self-defence courses.

Founded in 1910, Zwiazek Strzelecki (Association of Riflemen) is a commando-style self-defence group run by assault rifle-wielding volunteers who dress in khaki face masks and tactical-style combat vests.

A student is trained in skills in the water - Geoff Pugh/The Telegraph

The odz branch of the group, which has 1,000 members nationwide, offers self-defence and combat first aid courses to teenagers and young adults concerned about security.

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At first glance, when the youngsters file into the hallway in combat fatigues, it all looks a bit like the UK Army Cadet Force, though they are not regulated by the Polish military.

One by one, the children pick up their laser pistols and balance on a wobbly foot block while firing their training pistols at an infrared target.

Their instructor is Michal Sobon, 33, a geologist who volunteers in his free time to train the children. Dressed in commando gear, including a green face scarf, he strolls up and down the line of children, keeping a watchful eye on how they are holding their weapons.

Instructors at the Association of Riflemen demonstrate a tactical combat scenario - Geoff Pugh/The Telegraph

Try to keep as still as possible, this is not Call of Duty, he advises one youngster, alluding to the gung-ho military shooter video game.

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One of the girls, 17-year-old Oleksandra, says she joined Zwiazek Strzelecki because she was intrigued by its emphasis on practical firearms training, though the children are not using live ammunition.

Anastasia, also 17, also joined for the pistol training, but says she takes no pleasure in it. I dont want to use a gun, but I do want to know how to use one, she explains.

Within a few minutes, the hall has been transformed into a maze of corridors for a tactical combat scenario.

b'

Russia\'s drone strikes in Poland

'

The lights are shut off, and then Mr Sobon and his fellow instructors storm the hall wielding unloaded assault rifles, as they navigate each section of the labyrinth like an American SWAT unit.

Oleksandra, Anastasia and the other teenagers watch the scenario unfold from the safety of the balcony above the hall, as a stereo system blares out explosions and other warlike sound effects.

If this were taking place in a British suburb, it might all seem rather odd, perhaps even reminiscent of the 1960s sitcom Dads Army.

But here in Poland, where all live in Russias shadow, it feels deadly serious, even ominous: soon, these polite, smiling children might be doing Natos bloody work for real.

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GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP)  Greensboro city council candidate Nicky Smith is speaking out after some of his political signs were vandalized.

Several other political signs for candidates who are running in different races in Greensboro were also vandalized.

The signs were spotted at the intersection of Holden Road and Patterson Street.

Courtesy of Nicky Smith Courtesy of Nicky Smith Courtesy of Richard Beard

Smith says he is disgusted by the vile remarks that were written on the signs. When it comes to defacing or stealing political signs, charges can include trespassing and vandalism.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.
(The Center Square)  More American voters support President Donald Trumps decision to designate Antifa a terror organization than those who don't, according to new polling.

The Center Square Voters' Voice Poll shows 49% of American voters support the designation compared to 30% who oppose the move, while 21% remain unsure.

Overwhelmingly, Republicans support the designation with an 80% approval. That's compared to just 20% of Democrats who do. Only 7% of Republicans oppose the designation compared to 53% of Democrats.

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The president designated the group a domestic terror organization last month after The Center Square asked him if he was considering designating the group following a rise in political violence, specifically the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Since the designation, the administration has highlighted instances of violence they claim the Antifa groups are responsible for, including several attacks on Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and facilities.

The White House recently hosted a roundtable with about a dozen independent journalists who say they have been attacked by Antifa members.

On Thursday, the Department of Justice announced that terrorism charges have been brought against suspects in the July attack on a Prairieland Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Texas.

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FBI Director Kash Patel made the announcement Thursday, noting that it is a first for the DOJ.

First time ever: the FBI arrested Antifa-aligned anarchist violent extremists and terrorism charges have been brought for the July 4 Prairieland ICE attack in Texas, Patel posted on X. Under President Trumps new authorities, weve made 20+ arrests. No one gets to harm law enforcement. Not on my watch.

In the official designation, the White House describes Antifa as a militarist, anarchist enterprise that explicitly calls for the overthrow of the United States Government, law enforcement authorities, and our system of law. The designation added that Antifa uses illegal means to carry out violence and terrorism nationwide to achieve its goals.

The White House cited coordinate efforts to obstruct federal law enforcement, specifically immigration enforcement operations through organized riots and violent assaults, including doxing, which has led to many immigration officials masking their faces as protection.

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Antifa recruits, trains, and radicalizes young Americans to engage in this violence and suppression of political activity, then employs elaborate means and mechanisms to shield the identities of its operatives, conceal its funding sources and operations in an effort to frustrate law enforcement, and recruit additional members, according to the official designation. Individuals associated with and acting on behalf of Antifa further coordinate with other organizations and entities for the purpose of spreading, fomenting, and advancing political violence and suppressing lawful political speech. This organized effort designed to achieve policy objectives by coercion and intimidation is domestic terrorism.

The designation allows law enforcement to utilize federal resources to investigate and dismantle terrorist actions attributed to the group or anyone claiming to act on behalf of the group. In addition, it will allow the federal government to investigate and prosecute those responsible for funding.

The president asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to expand the designation of Antifa as a foreign terror organization after The Center Square posed the question during the roundtable at the White House.

The Center Square Voters Voice Poll was conducted by Noble Predictive Insights between Oct. 2-6, 2025. The poll sample included 2,565 respondents, comprised of 978 Republicans, 948 Democrats, and 639 Independents, of which 262 lean toward neither major party, which Noble Predictive refers to as independents who, when asked if they leaned toward one of the major parties, chose neither.

The poll weighted each party  Republicans, Democrats, and True Independents  independently. It has a margin of error of +/-2.0%.
NEED TO KNOW

A South Carolina postal worker was injured in a dog attack while delivering mail on Oct. 11

The employee suffered "multiple injuries" in the attack and was flown to the hospital, according to authorities

The dog was reportedly sent to an animal shelter for quarantine following the incident

A postal worker was seriously injured in a dog attack while delivering mail in South Carolina.

The postal worker was attacked as they approached a residence to deliver mail on Oct. 11, the Newberry County Sheriff's Office (NCSO) said in a news release shared on Facebook.

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The dog or dogs attacked the employee, resulting in multiple injuries, the NCSO said. Emergency medical services responded to the scene, and the worker was medevaced to a trauma center, where they are currently receiving treatment.

The Newberry County Emergency Medical Services, Newberry County Rescue Squad, and Newberry City Fire Department provided medical care at the scene, per the news release.

The identity and condition of the postal worker have not been disclosed at this time.

Kevin Carter/Getty United States Postal Service United States Postal Service

Sheriff Lee Foster confirmed in a statement obtained by PEOPLE that as of Oct. 18, the victim remains in the hospital.

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"The victim is still in an area hospital receiving treatment for wounds caused by a pit bull dog," Foster said. "The suspected dog is in the custody of animal control. There have been no charges filed as of yet and it is being investigated. The dogs were on the owners property. The postal worker was delivering a package. "

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The postal worker was allegedly attacked by a black and white pitbull, according to an incident report obtained by Cleveland 19 News. The worker attempted to get back inside their vehicle as the dog followed them and continued to attack.

The Newberry Police Department responded to the scene and sprayed the dog, stopping the attack before the victim was flown to the hospital, per Cleveland 19 News.

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Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster told the outlet that the postal worker had injuries to her upper body and to her lower body.



Getty Postal worker delivery mail (stock image) Postal worker delivery mail (stock image)

The dog had allegedly been wearing an electronic fence collar to prevent it from escaping its residence. Following the attack, the canine was sent to an animal shelter for quarantine.

Any situation like that, the homeowner is responsible for the animals, but I dont know right now if its going to be any type of criminal responsibility. We are exploring that, Foster told Cleveland 19 News.

The NCSO said in their news release that dog attacks have become a significant hazard for postal workers, stating, USPS urges all pet owners to take necessary precautions to ensure pets are properly secured, especially during delivery hours.

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This incident is being investigated by the NCSO, Newberry City Police Department, Newberry County Animal Car and Control and the United States Postal Service.

PEOPLE has reached out to the Newberry County Animal Control for comment.



Read the original article on People




Republican Sen. Mike Lee is back with another bid to reshape America's public lands - and this time, he's framing it as a border security initiative.

The Border Lands Conservation Act, introduced a day after the federal government shutdown began Oct. 1, is the latest in a long line of the Utah senator's proposals to roll back federal land protections.

On paper, the bill reads like an rescue plan - a response to what Lee called, in a news release, "environmental destruction on federal public lands as a result of the Biden Administration's open-border policies." He says the bill will safeguard parks, forests, and wildlife refuges from trash, vehicle abandonment and wildfires supposedly linked to border crossings.

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If passed, the proposal would hand sweeping authority over millions of acres of federal wilderness to the Department of Homeland Security. It would allow the Border Patrol to build roads and install infrastructure in wilderness areas, bypass environmental reviews and override the authority of agencies like the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management. Anything within 100 miles of a U.S. border would be fair game for immigration enforcement.

The bill cannot make progress until the federal shutdown ends, but its introduction has concerned conservationists across the West.

Utah Sen. Mike Lee has long sought to redefine how America manages its public lands, and his new border bill is his latest effort to do so. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)





"For whatever reason, [Sen. Lee] has made it his life's mission to work against public lands," Neal Clark, wildlands director for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, told SFGATE. "He doesn't believe in the fundamental concept of public lands in the first place. He'll sort of grasp on to anything that he thinks will help advance his efforts  he wants to sell off our public lands to developers."

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When Lee's plan to sell millions of acres of public land across the West was scrapped this summer, he immediately updated the proposal to reduce the total eligible acreage but still allow a mass sell-off for housing development.

After weeks of backlash, Lee pulled the land sale proposal from the budget bill on June 28, conceding he couldn't guarantee the land wouldn't end up in foreign hands. His new proposal treads familiar ground, proposing sweeping changes that would alter land management immediately.

"The so-called Border Lands Conservation Act is an affront to our natural heritage," Christian Hunt, Defenders of Wildlife's national wildlife refuges and parks program director, told SFGATE in an email. "It would all but strip land management agencies of authority, gut the Wilderness Act, and green-light logging, roadbuilding and other damaging activities in our country's cherished areas. The bill is as shameless as it is unnecessary."

Amending the Wilderness Act

Lee's proposal would undermine the Wilderness Act of 1964, a landmark law that prohibits most forms of development and mechanized activity in designated wilderness areas. This includes roads, buildings, logging, mining and motorized or mechanized vehicles (like cars, ATVs and even bicycles), to ensure the land remains as wild and natural as possible.

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North Cascades National Park, one of the the most remote and least visited parks in the continental U.S., sits on the U.S.-Canada border, entirely within the 100-mile range opened up for Homeland Security operations. Phil Fenner, president of the North Cascades Conservation Council, called the idea of building any new infrastructure within the park "preposterous."

Glacier National Park in Montana lies well within the 100-mile zone covered by Sen. Mike Lee's Border Lands Conservation Act, raising concerns that its untouched wilderness could be opened to new federal enforcement activity. (Getty Images/500px)





"There's only one place you can drive into the North Cascades National Park  and it's about a 5-mile road. We're totally wild. There isn't even a lodge," Fenner told SFGATE. "We've worked really hard to keep it this way. There's no crisis at the northern border. What the heck are they talking about?"

Fenner said that Homeland Security has run helicopter patrols near the park recently - which is illegal under the Wilderness Act - for what the agency claims are emergency situations. With this new bill, those flights could happen anywhere within the park complex, for any reason.

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In Montana, the 100-mile range in the bill would give Homeland Security free rein of about one-third of the state, Land Tawney, president of the conservation group American Hunters and Anglers Action Network, told SFGATE.

"These public lands are places where people go to get away, not to be spied on," Tawney said. "When I'm sitting around a campfire, the last thing I want is a drone going overhead or looking up and seeing a camera on the tree."

SFGATE reached out to Sen. Lee's office to ask for clarification on the 100-mile range included in the bill and to identify any specific incidents along the border that may have prompted its introduction. His office did not respond by the time of publication.

BEST OF SFGATE

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Killing interagency collaboration

On top of eroding the core tenets of the Wilderness Act, the bill also compromises a 2007 interagency Memorandum of Understanding created under the George W. Bush administration. The memorandum built bridges between agencies working along the border, requiring increased communication and mutual respect for goals of each agency.

Former Big Bend National Park Superintendent Bob Krumenaker was a part of those interagency discussions during his five-year tenure in Texas. Immigration agents worked and lived in the same complex as Park Service employees, and there were weekly conversations between the agencies' leaders.

"We worked really well to try to help each agency complete its mission without compromising the other," Krumenaker told SFGATE. "We lived the interagency [memorandum] daily and tried to get every issue resolved at the lowest possible level."

Big Bend National Park stretches along the Rio Grande, a vast borderland wilderness that could see new federal activity under Sen. Mike Lee's proposed Border Lands Conservation Act. (Getty Images/500px)





The only major disagreement between the two agencies that Krumenaker could recall during his time at the park was about adding communication transmitters in some areas to reduce dead zones for DHS radios. The park pushed for a rigorous analysis of the situation, and DHS leaders agreed.

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"It was an ask from someone working far away who didn't understand the terrain," Krumenaker said. "We never said no, but we wanted to do it right and protect the wilderness."

Lee's bill puts all the power in the hands of Homeland Security, specifically stating that, "the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture may not impede, prohibit, or restrict activities of the Department of Homeland Security" within the 100-mile area of the southern and northern borders.

Under the bill's plan, Homeland Security could place radio equipment wherever they wanted in the area, without input from land managers.

"The bill makes a big point about environmental degradation and fires caused by migrants, but doesn't really offer a direct solution," Krumenaker said. "I think there are plenty of provisions in place that do that already and those tools already exist within our agencies. This bill just reduces communication."

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"All this is is finding a solution to a problem that isn't there," Tawney said. "If he really cared about border security or the environment, [Lee] would push to fund organizations already doing that work."

Lasting implications

Even if Lee's bill never makes it past committee, its language could set a precedent for future efforts to weaken wilderness protections under the banner of national security - testing how far Congress is willing to bend the Wilderness Act's core tenet: to keep wild places wild.

Megan Wargo, CEO of the Pacific Crest Trail Association, said her organization has never dealt with any migration issues at either U.S. border that could warrant such sweeping changes to how conversations about public lands are held.

"Public lands and wilderness areas are part of this country's heritage," she told SFGATE. "These are special areas to so many people. Once you start building roads and other infrastructure, you can never really get those spaces back."

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This bill is backed by six other Republican senators, only one of which - Texas' Ted Cruz - represents a state along the U.S. border.

"Let's be clear - he wants to sell off public lands to developers," Clark said. "Right now he's using immigration and claiming damage to public lands through trash and fire as a sort of a justification for really undermining public lands management as it currently exists. If this fails, he'll find another reason."

Tawney doesn't think the American public will stand for it.

"With all that's going on right now in the country, public lands seem to be the one thing that we can all unite around," he said. "We've seen that when Mike Lee pushed the sale of public lands, we're seeing that pushback against revoking the roadless rule. I think the people may disagree about other things that are going on in this country, but public lands are this huge unifier. And Mike Lee needs to learn that that stove is pretty damn hot."

More National Parks

- Squatters, illegal BASE jumpers invade Yosemite amid federal shutdown

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- Government shutdown threatens survival of one of America's rarest animals

- California's redwoods hid a secret war machine

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This article originally published at 'Shameless': Utah senator revives crusade against public lands.
Tripura has achieved a significant milestone at the national level by securing three prestigious awards for outstanding performance in implementing flagship programmes of the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Minister of Tribal Welfare Sukla Charan Noatia informed that the state was recognised for the efficient and timely implementation of the PM JANMAN Scheme (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan). A press conference jointly organised by the Tribal Welfare Department and the TRP & PTG Department. The event was graced by the presence of Minister for Tribal Welfare, Bikash Debbarma, along with the Secretary of Tribal Welfare, Kumar Shashi. Minister of Tribal Welfare Sukla Charan Noatia said, "The main focus of today's press conference was the PM JANMAN Scheme, which was launched by our PM in Jharkhand on November 15, 2023. This scheme primarily aims to ensure the development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and other underdeveloped tribal communities across various states. Through this initiative, the PM has introduced the PM JANMAN Scheme under this department to promote inclusive tribal development. Under this scheme, Tripura has been sanctioned Rs 523.27 crore for a period of three years. To ensure the successful implementation of the scheme, 11 different departments in Tripura have been engaged. Surveys have already been conducted, and funds have been distributed to the respective departments." He added that under the leadership of Chief Minister Manik Saha, the State Government has been giving utmost importance to the effective implementation of every scheme of the Prime Minister and the Government of India so that the benefits reach the people at the grassroots level. The recognition was conferred during the National Conference on 'Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan' held on October 17, 2025, at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. The conference, organised under the theme "From Concept to Implementation of Tribal Village Vision 2030," was graced by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, as the Chief Guest. Also present were the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Jewel Oram, and Minister of State, Durgadas Ukey, along with several other dignitaries from across the country. At the event, Tripura was honoured with two national awards for being the best state in implementing the Dharti Aba Jana Bhagidari Abhiyan and the best state in implementing the PM Jana Man programme. The awards were received by Dr K Sasikumar, IFS, Secretary of the Department of Tribal Welfare, Government of Tripura, from the Hon'ble President. Additionally, North Tripura district was recognised as the best district in implementing PM Jana Man, with Chandni Chandran, IAS, District Magistrate and Collector, receiving the award on behalf of the district. These awards highlight Tripura's remarkable progress in tribal welfare and community-driven development. The state's achievements under the PM Jana Man initiative include the successful completion of housing projects, expansion of Anganwadi centres, provision of drinking water and electricity connections to thousands of families, and the establishment of mobile network towers, multipurpose centres, Vandhan Vikash Kendras, and new rural roads. Such comprehensive efforts reflect the government's commitment to holistic development in tribal areas. Tripura's exemplary performance under the Dharti Aba Janbhagidari Abhiyan, India's largest tribal empowerment programme, launched in June 2025, also drew national appreciation. The state successfully conducted over 4,000 saturation camps, witnessing participation from more than 12.7 lakh people -- one of the highest in the country. The initiative gained significant momentum as the Chief Minister appointed a Minister as 'Prabhari' for each district, ensuring close monitoring and effective delivery of services related to identity documentation, financial inclusion, healthcare, and social welfare. The Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan, under which the conference was held, is a transformative initiative of the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs inspired by the vision of the Prime Minister. It seeks to empower tribal communities to plan, implement, and monitor their own development in a participatory manner. The movement emphasises co-creation and shared responsibility between citizens, institutions, and the government for inclusive growth. Tripura's recognition at this prestigious national platform stands as a testament to the visionary leadership of the Chief Minister, the strategic guidance of senior administrative officials, and the tireless efforts of district administrations and grassroots workers. Their coordinated efforts have positioned Tripura as a national role model in tribal welfare and inclusive governance. This national honour not only celebrates Tripura's remarkable achievements but also reinforces its continued commitment to ensuring dignity, empowerment, and equitable development for every tribal citizen of the state. (ANI)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT)  While some advocates have praised President Donald Trumps efforts to expand IVF access as a step in the right direction, they say more needs to be done to protect these fertility treatments in the state.

4th person charged in Montgomery mass shooting

Thats after an IVF immunity bill was passed by Alabama lawmakers in 2024, after the state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children with a right to life.

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Veronica Wehby had her son, Ladner Upchurch, in 2020 after overcoming miscarriages and multiple pregnancy attempts using IVF. Now, she said shes soaking in every moment with her son. And really just be in awe of who he is as a person, she said. Its a real gift to be able to see- to look at yourself and see yourself reflected in your child.

I have been able to be present in a lot of moments with him, mostly because I didnt think I was ever gonna be able to get them, said Veronica Wehby.

State lawmakers hope the cost of that gift will decrease with new efforts on the federal level. According to the White House, companies can now offer standalone benefit packages that cover IVF for employees.

President Trump has also secured an agreement with EMD Serono, a pharmaceutical company, to offer cheaper fertility drugs.

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I think it would be very important for these families to have, said Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur). I think some of them actually have some of the insurance to do that. So, there may be providers out there- that more would participate in this.

Rep. Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile) said The cost of the drugs is just one of those issues. But there are other impediments that are getting in the way as well.

Rep. Drummond said those impediments have to do with making IVF more accessible.

Wehby agreed.

Its still important for people in Alabama and in other states to keep working for IVF protection. We still need that, said Wehby. We still need the protected right to access these services.

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Wehby said if you know someone going through IVF, support them individually. She said there are commonalities among people walking through IVF, but every journey can be different.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
President Donald Trump faced a week of intensifying political pressure and public unrest amid legal controversies, foreign policy tensions and plans for mass protests.With the shutdown entering its third week, Trumps administration continued to clash with Senate Democrats over health care funding and tax credits, fueling another round of firings that have impacted thousands of workers across more than half a dozen agencies.

On the streets, organizers prepared for what they were expecting to be the largest protest in a single day in modern American history. The No Kings protests, scheduled for Oct. 18 in over 2,500 locations nationwide, were designed to push back against what activists described as Trumps authoritarian tendencies and erosion of First Amendment rights. The protests drew criticism from Trump cabinet members, who accused Democrats of prolonging the shutdown to accommodate the rallies.

In foreign affairs, Trump's tensions with Venezuela escalated after President Nicolas Maduro offered the United States a dominant stake in the country's natural resources, including oil and gold, in an attempt to ease the growing conflict between the two nations, the New York Times reported. Trump, however, rejected the offers and cut off diplomacy with the South American nation. He also confirmed this week that his administration secretly authorized the CIA to conduct covert action in Venezuela in an escalation of its campaign against Maduro.

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Domestically, Trump halted infrastructure projects in Democrat-led cities, citing the government shutdown. The president said he would "immediately" pause over $11 billion for lower-priority projects in New York, San Francisco, Boston and Baltimore.

Here's what to know about Trump's approval rating, including how they are decided and how Trump's ratings compare with his first term and past presidents.

Arizona politics: Judge drops case alleging Hobbs administration played favorites in dispute

What is Donald Trump's approval rating?

Here are the latest approval ratings released about Trump's administration:

How does Trump's approval rating compare with his 1st term?

Trump had a final approval rating of 34% when he left office in 2021. His approval average during his first term was 41%.

How does Trump's approval rating compare with past presidents?

Joe Biden - 40%

Donald Trump (first term) - 34%

Barack Obama - 59%

George W. Bush - 34%

Bill Clinton - 66%

George H.W. Bush - 56%

Ronald Reagan - 63%

Jimmy Carter - 34%

Gerald Ford - 53%

Richard Nixon - 24%

Are presidential approval ratings accurate?

Data agency Gallup notes that these approval ratings are a "simple measure, yet a very powerful one that has played a key role in politics for over 70 years."

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A presidents approval rating reflects the percentage of Americans polled who approve of the presidents performance. Anything can impact a president's rating, such as legislation passed, actions and elections.

According to ABC News, an approval rating doesn't just represent how well the administration is doing for the general public, but could determine the outcome of an upcoming election for a politician or how much they get done during their time in office.

While these ratings are easy to understand, Quorum says some analysts believe they are not as useful as they once were due to extreme partisanship and the polarized political climate.

Presidential approval ratings have always been partisan, with members of the presidents party offering more positive assessments than those in the opposing party, according to the Pew Research Center. But the differences between Republicans and Democrats on views of the president have grown substantially in recent decades.

USA TODAY Network reporter Maria Francis contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Donald Trump's approval rating: See the latest polls
A woman on Reddit sparked a wave of outrage and sympathy after revealing that her mom regularly claims theyre broke, while secretly sending thousands of dollars to a megachurch. My mom says we dont have enough money, but I catch her giving thousands of dollars monthly to a megachurch, the person wrote on r/mildlyinfuriating earlier this year. The post, which included a photo of a $600 online donation receipt to Bill Winston Ministries, drew over 142,000 upvotes and more than 7,600 comments.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  The Presidential Emergency Board issued its recommendation for resolving the contract dispute between multiple Long Island Rail Road unions and the MTA on Friday evening.

The panel of mediators selected by the White House called on the MTA to issue raises to the unions.

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We had hoped to avoid a strike; thats why our coalition asked for a PEB, said Kevin Sexton, the national vice president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. While we dont agree with everything the PEB had to say, such as the length of the agreement and the raises were lower than our ask, this is a step in the right direction.

Presidential Emergency Board formation

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Transportation Communications Union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen had been engaged in contract negotiations with the MTA.

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In August, contract negotiations fell through, prompting a 30-day cooling-off period. By September, multiple unions and their members had voted to authorize a strike if a pay increase could not be agreed upon.

Contract negotiations reached a deadlock, leading to the formation of the Presidential Emergency Board. By Friday, the PEB provided recommendations to facilitate a contract agreement.

Recommendations

The PEB recommended the following raises :

3.0%, effective June 16, 2023

3.0%, effective June 16, 2024

3.5%, effective June 16, 2025

4.5%, effective July 16, 2026

The PEB also recommended a $3,000 lump sum payment, payable following a final contract ratification.

MTA response

PIX11 News contacted the MTA, and a statement was provided by MTA Chief of Policy and External Relations, John J. McCarthy, which read in part:

The MTA is disappointed but not surprised by the Emergency Boards report and recommendations. We do not accept them.

The MTA went on to say that the president appointed the same board that the prior Biden administration assigned to handle NJ Transits labor dispute, and reached the same findings.

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If there is no settlement between both parties based on the boards recommendations, then the next step under the law is a public hearing hosted by the National Mediation Board, according to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

If unresolved, a LIRR union strike could occur as early as January.

Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.

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Prince Andrew insisted Virginia Giuffre sign a gag order so that he would not embarrass Elizabeth II during her Platinum Jubilee.

Details of the legal battle and eventual agreement are revealed in Giuffres posthumous memoir, which will be published next week.

The books claims will heap further embarrassment on the Prince who was forced to relinquish his Dukedom on Friday to avoid inflicting further damage on the Royal family.

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It describes how Prince Andrews disastrous Newsnight interview provided ammunition for her civil suit.

The Prince reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre on Feb 15 2022.

Giuffre claimed she was sexually abused or raped by Prince Andrew on three separate occasions when she was 17. She sued him for unspecified damages.

Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell - AFP

The Prince denied all the allegations and the settlement included no admission of guilt, but Giuffre said his acknowledgement of the abuse suffered by Epsteins victims brought tears to her eyes.

I agreed to a one-year gag order, which seemed important to the Prince because it ensured that his mothers Platinum Jubilee would not be tarnished any more than it already had been, she wrote.

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The Prince was reportedly intent on clearing his name, even as headlines about the case threatened to overshadow his mothers big year.

The settlement meant Giuffre was silenced, barred from discussing the abuse she suffered at the hands of Epstein, throughout the late Queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.

Prince Andrew did not attend his mothers Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022 - Chris Jackson/2022 Getty Images

Giuffre finished writing Nobodys Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice in October last year. She took her own life six months later.

Her book describes how she was recruited by Ghislaine Maxwell to work for Epstein at the age of 16.

Maxwell is serving a 20-year jail sentence for procuring underage girls for Epstein.

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Epstein was arrested in 2019 and charged with running a sex trafficking network involving dozens of underage girls at his homes in New York and Palm Beach, Florida.

He died by suicide before he could face trial.

The book sets out Giuffres allegations that she was trafficked to a string of rich and powerful men.

She describes her astonishment that Prince Andrew was photographed in public with the financier in 2010, after he served a sentence for sex crimes, including procuring a child for prostitution.

Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein pictured together in 2010 - Jae Donnelly

And it details her legal battle with the Prince after suing him for unspecified damages in 2021.

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Her case, she said, built on some of the claims he made in his 2019 Newsnight interview when he said he did not remember ever meeting Giuffre.

The interview was a public relations disaster for the member of the Royal family.

The Prince said he was with one of his daughters at the Woking branch of Pizza Express on the night Giuffre claimed to have first been trafficked to him, and that he could not have been seen dancing sweatily with her at a nightclub because he had temporarily lost the ability to perspire because of an overdose of adrenaline during his service during the Falklands War.

As devastating as this interview was for Prince Andrew, for my legal team it was like an injection of jet fuel, Giuffre wrote.

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Its contents would not only help us build an ironclad case against the Prince but also open the door to potentially subpoenaing his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, and their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

The world didnt know it, but settlement discussions with Prince Andrews team were suddenly moving quickly, she wrote.

After hed stonewalled us for months, the scheduling of his deposition, which was to take place on March 10, seemed to motivate him.

The Prince during his 2019 Newsnight interview

In January of that year, Buckingham Palace announced it had stripped Prince Andrew of all military titles and patronages.

A month later the settlement was announced. It reportedly included a $12m payout along with a $2m donation to her charity.

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But Id gotten more out of him than that: An acknowledgement that I and many other women had been victimised and a tacit pledge to never deny it again, she wrote.

Her memoir details each of her three alleged encounters with the Prince and her shock at seeing a photograph of him years later strolling through Central Park together.

I was of course revolted to see two of my abusers together, out for a stroll, writes Giuffre, who finished the book six months before she took her own life in Australia, aged 41.

But mostly I was amazed that a member of the Royal family would be stupid enough to appear in public with Epstein.

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She said it was one thing for the rich and powerful to associate with Epstein before he admitted sex crimes in 2008.

But by 2011, everyone knew that Epstein  though hed gotten off with a light sentence  was a convicted sex offender, she wrote.

Seeing this new photo of Prince Andrew at Epsteins side made Randy Andy seem even more arrogant to me.

Nobodys Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice is published by Alfred A. Knopf.

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Britains Prince Andrew was forced to relinquish use of his remaining royal titles after the latest revelations about his relationship with the convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein proved one scandal too many for his brother, King Charles III.

Andrews antics have tried the patience of the royal family for more than 40 years, triggering embarrassing headlines, lawsuits and suspicions that the prince, now 65, was using his position for personal gain.

Here are some of the episodes that tarnished the reputation of the late Queen Elizabeth IIs second son and finally forced his older brother to banish him from public life.

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1984  Andrew sprays reporters and photographers with paint while touring a construction project in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. I enjoyed that, Andrew said, while wiping his hands on a piece of newspaper.

2007  The prince sells his house at Sunninghill Park, near Windsor Castle, with news reports suggesting the buyer paid 20% more than the asking price of 15 million pounds. The buyer was reported to be Timur Kulibayev, son-in-law of Nursultan Nazarbayev, then president of Kazakhstan, raising concerns that the deal was an attempt to buy influence in Britain.

2010  An undercover reporter posing as a wealthy Arab films Andrews ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, apparently offering to sell access to the prince for 500,000 pounds ($670,000 at the current exchange rate).

2011  Andrew is forced to resign as Britains special trade envoy following the first reports of his links to Epstein. The prince was also facing questions about his friendship with Said Gadhafi, son of the late Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi, as well as his links to a convicted Libyan gun smuggler.

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July 2019  Epstein is arrested for a second time on charges of sex trafficking and later commits suicide in a New York jail cell. The news focuses public attention on allegations that Andrew had sex with at least one underage teenager trafficked by Epstein. Andrew denies the allegations.

Nov. 16, 2019  Andrew attempts to staunch the flood of criticism by agreeing to an on-camera grilling by BBC reporter Emily Maitlis. The interview backfires when Andrew defends his relationship with Epstein, fails to show empathy for his victims and offers explanations of his behavior that many people find hard to believe. Andrew says he broke off contact with Epstein in December 2010, a date that will come back to haunt him.

Nov. 20, 2020  Buckingham Palace announces that Andrew will suspend all royal duties for the foreseeable future. Four days later, the prince is stripped of his role as patron of 230 charities.

2022  Andrew agrees to settle a New York civil lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, who alleged that she was forced to have sex with Andrew when she was 17. While Andrew didnt admit to any of Giuffres allegations, he acknowledged that she had suffered as a victim of sexual abuse. Legal experts estimate that the undisclosed settlement cost Andrew as much as $10 million.

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2024  Andrews ties to a suspected Chinese spy are revealed in court documents. The businessman and suspected spy was barred from the U.K. because of concerns he posed a threat to national security. Security officials were concerned that the man could have misused his influence over Andrew.

April 25, 2025  Virginia Giuffre dies of suicide in Australia, where she had lived since about 2002.

Oct. 12, 2025  British newspapers reveal that Andrew sent an email to Epstein on Feb. 28, 2011, more than two months after the prince had told Maitlis he cut off all contact with his one-time friend. Andrew wrote the email after continued media reporting about the Epstein scandal, telling him they were in this together and would have to rise above it.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today distributed appointment letters to newly selected Assistant Review Officers and Review Officers of the Revenue Council at the camp office located at the Chief Minister's residence. On this occasion, the Chief Minister extended heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the newly-appointed personnel. He said that receiving appointment letters just before Diwali is a moment of special joy for the appointees and their families. He also conveyed his best wishes to their family members for this achievement. The Chief Minister said that in the past four years, more than 26,500 youths in the state have been provided government jobs. He added that the government aims to continuously advance the recruitment process as a mission, based on transparency and merit, a release said. He mentioned that some time ago, an incident related to an examination in Haridwar came to light. Prompt action was taken, the accused was arrested, and an SIT inquiry was constituted. Considering the sentiments of the students, the Chief Minister personally met them and, acceding to their demands, cancelled the examination and recommended a CBI investigation. He stated that in recent years, all competitive examinations in the state have been conducted with complete transparency and fairness. There is no place for any irregularity or corruption in the recruitment process. The Chief Minister said that from the very beginning of his government, a campaign was launched to fill vacant posts through a transparent recruitment process, as a result of which thousands of youths have secured opportunities in government service. He affirmed that the government will continue to carry forward the recruitment process with full transparency as an ongoing mission. Addressing the new appointees, Chief Minister Dhami urged them to consider government service as a means of public service. He emphasised the importance of dedication, honesty, and transparency in their work. He added that it is essential to bring simplicity and speed to administrative processes so that people can receive timely and efficient services. (ANI)
A political action committee spending tens of thousands of dollars to boost NYC mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani has ties to a New Jersey-based Palestinian group that hosted a member of a terror organization which was involved in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

We the People, America For All PAC has doled out more than $36,000 on video billboard ads hyping the socialist mayoral frontrunners proposal to make bus fares free, city campaign finance records show.

The ads list the PACs top donor as The Truth Project, led by New Jersey attorney Abed Awad  a longtime leader and funder of the Palestinian-American Community Center in Clifton, who also serves as treasurer for We the People, America for All.

The PAC has paid more than $36,000 to boost the free bus proposal.

The Palestinian-American Community Centers president, Diab Mustafa, was listed as one of The Truth Projects three founding trustees when it formed in 2022.

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The center sparked outrage in April when its annual conference featured a livestream address by Wisam Rafeedie, a longtime member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a Syria-based left-wing terrorist group that the U.S. Department of the Treasury and other observers say took part in Hamass murderous attack on Israel in 2023.

The center has also promoted Rafeedies book and

The PFLP is infamous for pioneering airplane hijackings as a terror tool, and masterminding the slaughter of Puerto Rican Christians at an Israeli airport in 1972.

The Network Contagion Research Center, an independent group monitoring political extremism, warned that the ads emphasis on Mamdanis bus proposal instead of Middle Eastern issues reflects a classic political strategy for fringe groups attempting to infiltrate the mainstream.

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These actors are engaging in entryism by adopting a popular, non-controversial issue not because it reflects their true mission, but because it gives them an easy way to gain legitimacy and a foothold in electoral debates, said Alex Goldenberg, senior advisor at the NCRI.

The PAC also has ties to the Uncommitted movement that split the Democratic Party in 2024.

New Jersey attorney Abed Awad is a longtime leader and funder of the Palestinian-American Community Center in Clifton. truthproject.us

Last year it collaborated with the nonprofit American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, where Awad serves on the board, on the Uncommitted campaign, which discouraged Arab-Americans from backing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris over their stance on Israel.

Awads son, Ahmad, was an Uncommitted delegate to the Democratic National Convention and was among The Truth Projects founding trustees. And The Truth Projects co-founder, D.C. political consultant Mohammed Mo Maraqa served as the Anti-Discrimination Committees lead digital strategist during the election season.

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Bitter Dems blame Uncommitted for Harris losing states like Michigan to President Trump.

Meanwhile, the PAC hasnt revealed where the cash for the pro-Zohran ads came from  only that it flowed through the Truth Project and Maraqas Molitico Consulting. The consultant said, We the People, America for All hasnt spent enough yet or gotten donations big enough to trigger the rules requiring disclosure.

Maraqa denied having any personal link to the PFLP and its affiliates. truthproject.us

The New York City Campaign Finance Board declined to comment.

Awad, however, maintained that the PAC has obeyed all city and state regulations, and that despite the overlaps in leadership, the committee is totally separate from the other organizations he and Maraqa are affiliated with.

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The Truth Project has had no further role, financial or otherwise, in the PACs activities beyond what has already been publicly disclosed to the applicable authorities, he said. Separately, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee and the Palestinian-American Community Center have no financial involvement, governance role, or other inputdirect or indirectin The Truth Project or in We the People, America for All.

Maraqa denied having any personal link to the PFLP and its affiliates.

I am in no way associated, nor have I ever been associated with PFLP/Samidoun and of course denounce the group and every other terrorist organization which participated in Oct. 7th or any other attack on civilians, he said.
A Rockingham County Grand Jury and New Hampshire Department of Justice investigators were looking into possible criminal conduct involving embattled Port Authority Director Geno Marconi that remains uncharged, prosecutors revealed in a court filing this week.

Marconi

Geno Marconi

Senior Assistant Attorney General Dan Jimenez and Assistant Attorney General Joe Fincham filed a motion that says investigators were looking into alleged improprieties involving the use of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding by Marconi or the Pease Development Authority, along with claims Marconi deleted voicemails associated with an ongoing Department of Justice investigation.

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Marconi, 73 years old and husband of state Supreme Court Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi, faces two felony and four misdemeanor indictments that allege he shared protected motor vehicle details and pier permit fee information about Neil Levesque, vice chairman of the Pease Development Authority. He has been on paid leave since last April.

The reason he was placed on leave has never been revealed.

The alleged activity discussed in the motion never resulted in any related charges being filed against Marconi; prosecutors want to introduce the allegations as evidence during Marconis trial next month.

Cheri Patterson, chief of marine fisheries for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, allegedly contacted Marconi after receiving a subpoena for documents as part of the CARES Act investigation, the court filing says.

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The motion says in that October 2023, Levesque, an avid fisherman who lives in Rye and the director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, asked Marconi at a Ports and Harbors Subcommittee meeting about an employee conflict of interest and preferential treatment by (Marconi) and others at Rye Harbor.

Court documents claim Marconi sent text messages to Rye Harbormaster Mandy Huff, asking for paperwork involving Levesque, including his pier permit and boat registration.

Defendant (Marconi): Has Neil gotten his pier use permit yet?

Huff: Yes. Would you like a copy? Revoke?

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Defendant (Marconi): Yes, please. With a copy of the boat reg and Fish and Game license and his car reg.

Huff: OK.

Defendant (Marconi): Covert op.

Huff then emailed Marconi, providing the requested confidential documents, court documents state. On April 5, 2024, Marconi emailed Brad Cook  chairman of the Division of Ports and Harbors Advisory Council  copies of the documents he requested and received from Huff concerning Levesque.

The documents were attached to an email that read, Captain Cook, As requested. We can discuss later.

Marconi was placed on administrative leave and informed by Pease Development Authority that he was under criminal investigation by NHDOJ a few weeks later. On April 19, 2024, court paperwork shows Marconi emailed an individual saying, Got suspended pending completion of a criminal investigation. Got a new number since they cut the cord (phone number) F---ing Levesque and (another individual).

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Prosecutors also accuse Marconi of deleting two voicemails from Cheri Patterson, chief of marine fisheries for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, and contractor Greg Bauer, which he believed would be used against him.

The existence of other contemporaneous voicemails on Defendants phone that were not deleted, combined with the deletion of the Patterson and Bauer voicemails, shows that the deletion of the emails was not a mistake or accident, but rather a deliberate and purposeful attempt to conceal and destroy messages from individuals known by Defendant to be witnesses or potential witnesses in the investigations (and that their voicemails would be potential evidence in the investigations), the motion reads. Further, this evidence shows that Defendants motive and intent was to communicate with Patterson and Bauer regarding the investigations and to delete the voicemails in order to prevent such voicemails from being discovered (and potentially used against him) during the investigations.

Prosecutors are also asking a judge to void a subpoena served on Attorney General John Formella to be a witness in Marconis trial, scheduled to begin Nov. 3.

Marconis wife, Hantz Marconi, was convicted earlier this month on a misdemeanor of criminal solicitation for asking then-Gov. Chris Sununu to secure a governmental privilege and/or advantage in the investigation into her husband. She had been on leave for the past year until her case was resolved following a no-contest plea, after which her law license was restored and she was permitted to return to the bench.
No Kings protesters at the Nebraska Capitol on Oct. 18, 2025. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  Hundreds of protesters, easily more than 2,000, gathered around the Nebraska Capitol this weekend to protest against the Trump administration.

Saturday wasnt the first crop of No Kings protests in the state; there were a dozen similar protests in June. This time around, there are 15. The protesters held anti-Trump signs criticizing the callousness of the administrations immigration enforcement efforts and cuts to federal services. Some chanted for President Donald Trump to go.

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Some protesters, who did not give their names, said they were happy with the turnout, citing frustrations over the presidents deployment of the National Guard to Democratic-led cities and attacks on transgender rights as frustrations.

The Nebraska protests were part of an estimated 1,900 protests nationally on Saturday, No Kings officials estimated. Organizers said people wanted to speak out against authoritarian policies and reaffirm that America has No Kings, and the power belongs to the people. At its peak, local organizers estimated that the Lincoln protest saw up to 4,000 people.

State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln told the Examiner that the protests are what Democracy looks like.

[Democracy] was on my mind as I joined my mom, my son and my neighbors at a peaceful protest  to show love and support for our country and dissent for the current attacks on working families, civil rights, and basic democracy, she said.

State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln at the No Kings protest at the Nebraska Capitol on Oct. 18, 2025. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)

Gov. Jim Pillen shared no details this time around about security preparations, unlike June, when he publicized having activated the National Guard ahead of the first No Kings protests.

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Demonstrations will be actively monitored as they are held across the state and responded to appropriately to ensure the safety and security of the public, said Laura Strimple, a spokesperson for Pillen.

Much like the midsummer protests, the one outside the Capitol was peaceful, with protesters holding signs by the side of the road as cars passed. Some cars honked in support, while one drove by with Trump flags.

One counter-protester carried a sign that read no queens with a picture of former Vice President Kamala Harris. The Nebraska Republican Party called the protests across the state an imagined, astro-turfed performance by Democrats trying to resuscitate a party in chaos through fear and theatrics.

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Republicans will keep rallying behind a President who actually puts America first and negotiates peace deals in his spare time, Nebraska GOP chair Mary Jane Truemper said in a statement.

Democratic and Democratic-aligned groups used the protests to reach potential voters. The Lancaster County Democrats, Stand Up Nebraska and the Democratic Socialists of America held booths.

Local organizers booked musical performances and speakers. Speakers emphasized the importance of next years midterm elections. One of them was State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln, a Democrat in the officially nonpartisan Legislature. A musician sang This Land Is Your Land.

I know its a dark time in our country right now, and in a state like Nebraska it can sometimes feel impossible to beat billionaires, but I want to offer you some hope, Dungan told the crowd. Im talking with people in their communities  and let me tell you. Theyre pissed off, too.

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TIMES SQUARE, Manhattan (PIX11)  Thousands of No Kings protests were held across the U.S. on Saturday in defiance of the Trump administration and its policies.

Protesters descended onto Times Square in Manhattan around 11 a.m., according to organizers. The first wave of No Kings protests was held over the summer, during President Donald Trumps military parade in Washington, D.C.

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Saturdays protest focused on the fight against the government shutdown, intensifying immigration raids and the deployment of National Guard troops into cities.

Today we join millions of Americans speaking out to reclaim and defend our freedoms from the madness of a wannabe king. In America, power belongs to The People, and We The People will hold the powerful accountable, the New York Civil Liberties Union said in a statement to PIX11 News.

Reps. Jerry Nadler and Dan Goldman, former Rep. Carolyn Maloney, state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, state Assemblymembers Alex Bores, Jordan Wright, and Micah Lasher, Councilmembers Julie Menin and Keith Powers; Democratic nominees for City Council Virginia Maloney, Ty Hankerson, and Assemblymember Harvey Epstein all attended the march.

I encourage you to watch  we call it the Hate America rally  that will happen Saturday, said House Speaker Mike Johnson when asked about the protests on Capitol Hill.

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Organizers recommended that attendees use the subway stops on 47th and 50th streets to get to Father Duffy Square. The NYPD wrote on X that West 57th Street to 14th Street was closed to traffic due to the protest.

Multiple MTA buses were detoured due to the march, according to New York City Transit.

A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events, organizers wrote on the No Kings protest event page.

To find out where protests were held in New York City and New Jersey, click here.

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For protests on Long Island and in Westchester, check here.

Another No Kings march kicked off on Staten Island, outside of Rep. Nicole Malliotakis office, at 1 p.m. Protests were expected throughout all five boroughs on Saturday.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

The NYPD posted a statement on X, saying:

The No Kings protests are happening across the city today. The NYPD will be out to make sure everyone can peacefully and safely exercise their first amendment right. As a reminder, there will be zero tolerance for any illegal activity or anyone who breaks the law. The New York City Police Department

This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Protesters gather in front of the West Virginia State Capitol building in Charleston, West Virginia Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, for Charlestons No Kings protest. The rally and march was one of thousands occurring throughout the U.S. on Saturday. (Photo by Caity Coyne/West Virginia Watch)

Hundreds of residents came to the West Virginia state Capitol in Charleston on Saturday to protest President Donald Trumps administration and federal policies enacted within it that they say are negatively impacting their lives and threatening democracy.

The demonstration was part of the national No Kings protest movement, which had thousands of events scheduled Saturday in all 50 states. In Charleston, the rally was organized by the West Virginia Citizen Action Group, West Virginia Free, the state arm of the American Civil Liberties Union and the Charleston branch of the NAACP, as well as a newly formed grassroots nonprofit organization, West Virginia United.

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Around 11 a.m., more than 200 people met at the Robert C. Byrd federal courthouse in downtown Charleston before marching two miles together to the state Capitol, on the citys east end. There, they were met by about 200 more residents for a rally. Individuals continued to arrive as the event progressed.

Attendees throughout the crowd wielded protest signs. Some were witty, some were insulting to Trump and other Republicans, while others featured pleas to the federal government to preserve democracy and work for the common good. The ages of the crowd widely ranged  parents pushed babies and toddlers in strollers while older residents, many in their 80s and 90s, sat holding their signs under trees to the side of the Capitol building.

Kathy Stalnaker, 65, said she attended the protest because shes afraid for her childrens and grandchildrens futures. A retired teacher, it was far from Stalnakers first time protesting the government at the West Virginia state Capitol. She was present at the teacher and school service personnel strikes in 2018 and 2019.

Now, she said, it feels like theres even more to speak up about.

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My main concern is for my children and grandchildren. Ive studied history and Hitler and Mussolini  all of those dictators. Thats where were headed right now, Stalnaker said. Our country cant go down the toilet this way. Weve worked so hard and so long to establish this democracy. Now, weve got to fight for it.

Kathy Stalnaker, 65, sits with her protest sign outside the West Virginia Capitol building Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, during Charlestons No Kings protest. (Photo by Caity Coyne/West Virginia Watch)

Stalknaker said it was a challenge deciding what to write on her protest sign.

There were so many things I could say, that I want to say, Stalnaker said. All week Ive just been thinking, Im so sick of this. Im sick of this fear and these threats.

Generally on Saturday, residents spoke against recent actions and detainments by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as well as potential federal cuts to health care programs, social safety nets and more that would largely impact already vulnerable people. They also spoke out against threats that have come against people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, journalists and activists, among others.

Residents carry protest signs as they march down Virginia Street from the Robert C. Byrd U.S. Courthouse to the state Capitol in Charleston, West Virginia Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. More than 200 protesters took part in the march to the Capitol Complex, where they were met with hundreds of other protesters. (Photo by Caity Coyne/West Virginia Watch)

It really does feel like people are in danger right now, real danger, said Cheryl Pinckney, who attended the rally from St. Albans with her husband, Don Pinckney.

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The Pinckneys moved to West Virginia more than 28 years ago. In recent years, Don Pinckney said, it feels like things have gotten more challenging. Now, theyre seriously considering leaving the state for the first time since they moved here.

Politics didnt feel as polarizing in the past, but honestly now were afraid, Don Pinckney said.

Things feel more permanent now  this hate, this division, all of these threats [to democracy], Cheryl Pinckney continued. I dont know how were going to turn things around, but weve got to figure it out.

Don and Cheryl Pinckney, of St. Albans, West Virginia, stand with their protest signs outside the state Capitol Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, during Charlestons No Kings protest. (Photo by Caity Coyne/West Virginia Watch)

The march and protest Saturday was a peaceful affair. People yelled in the crowds and chanted when prompted. Across Kanawha Boulevard, on the edge of the river, several law enforcement officers  from the West Virginia State Police, Charleston Police Department and the State Capitol Police  oversaw the event.

A bicyclist rides past marchers on Virginia Street in Charleston, West Virginia, while flying a We The People flag Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. The marchers were on their way to the West Virginia State Capitol for Charlestons No Kings protest. (Photo by Caity Coyne/West Virginia Watch)

Speakers at the rally included representatives from several nonprofit organizations, including CAG and the ACLU. Del. Mike Pushkin, D-W.Va., played guitar for those in attendance after a speech where he asked all the older people in the crowd  those over 70, 80 or 90 years of age  to clap their hands.

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Applause came from throughout the area.

Theyre out here because they know better. Theyve lived through several administrations and they know better, Pushkin said. These are the folks who know that democracy does not defend itself. We are not subjects, we are citizens. In America, we have no kings.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Across the country and in Oklahoma City, protestors gathered for the second No Kings Day of Action.

Protestors surrounded City Hall in downtown OKC.

No Kings protest returns to Oklahoma City. (KFOR)

Im here to save democracy, said Terri Hammer, a protester.

Saturdays protest provided an opportunity for many people to voice their concerns about the Trump administration.

Weve got to come together on common ground, said Hammer.

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Hammer is five days post-knee surgery and says nothing could keep her away from attending the rally.

Weve got to all agree that our democracy, our freedoms, and our rights are worth it, said Hammer.

Lawmakers call for accountability after House Democrat accused of fraud

While many are protesting the administration as a whole, one family is trying to raise awareness about the impact of the administrations decisions.

I wanted to be a part of the protest to spread awareness about what hes doing and hes taking away from our needs,  said Leighton, a protestor.

Leighton has autism, and her mom says that with the Department of Education hanging in the balance, she is worried about the future.

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Its already difficult here in the state of Oklahoma because we are so underserved as is, and Leighton has struggled tremendously, relies on that special education funding, and the management of the Department of Education, said Whitney Roman, Leightons mom and protestor.The idea that it really threatens her ability to survive high school and to be able to thrive, we need, you know, throughout adulthood if she does not receive that.

Organizers estimate more than 10,500 Oklahomans joined a nationwide

day of nonviolent protest at the second No Kings Day of Peaceful Action on Saturday in

Oklahoma City. More than 2,600 events were scheduled nationwide, including at least 19 across

Oklahoma. Says the event organizer, Kelly Summers.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
An eminent ER doctor and health policy expert has warned that President Donald Trumps government shutdown talk about deserving patients mirrors a eugenics policy adopted by the Nazis.

The shutdown is about to enter its fourth week after Congress failed to pass full-year funding. The White House and Speaker Mike Johnson are demanding spending cuts and immigration concessions, while Senate Democrats insist on extending ACA subsidies and undoing the summer healthcare cuts before reopening agencies.

Dr. Craig Spencer, who lectures on the history of health and eugenics at Brown University and is one of the countrys most influential clinician voices on emergency care, said the administrations framing echoes Americas 1920s policy of sorting people by worthiness cloaked in whats acceptable by the state.

Spencer warns that President Donald Trump and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are pursuing eugenics with their health policies. / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Its not a stretch to say this administration is touting a eugenics agenda, which was perfected by the U.S. in the 1920s and 1930s and later adopted by the Nazis. People dont want to call it that because it feels unsayable. But its real, Spencer told the Daily Beast.

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In 1920s America, eugenics was a mainstream policy movement that used bogus race science to justify restrictive immigration laws and state-mandated sterilization of people labeled unfit.

Visitors view the statue, which was created based on the measurements of approximately 100,000 American veterans, presented at a eugenics conference at the Museum of Natural History on Aug. 22, 1932, in New York City, NY. / Keystone-France / KEYSTONE-FRANCE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

The language of Trumps government, Spencer said, is almost the same on immigration, access to healthcare, and who deserves the fruits of government, and its logical conclusionwhile they wont say it out loudis letting certain people die.

Ive been reluctant to compare whats happening now to the eugenics movement 100 years ago, but as every new day goes by Im less reluctant, he added.

Spencerwho treated Ebola with Medecins Sans Frontieres and made headlines when he survived the virus in 2014argues the shutdown fight is part of a wider pattern in Trump-era health policy of deep federal cuts and tighter eligibility rules about who deserves help.

Dr. Craig Spencer has chosen to speak out about his concerns with the governments shutdown policy. / Spencer Platt / Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Republicans have cast Democrats as pushing free healthcare for undocumented people, which fact checkers say is false. Democrats, he noted, are focused on extending expiring ACA subsidies and reversing the summer cuts.

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Spenceran emergency physician of 18 years, currently based in Rhode Islandsays it wont work in practice and, at the bedside, the politics collapse. He admitted he never asks about immigration status and almost never about insurance, because the job is to treat the emergency in front of him.

Spencer says he doesnt know a single colleague who would withhold life-saving care for lack of the right papers.

Dr. Craig Spencer, who was diagnosed with Ebola in New York City in 2014, greets some of the nurses who helped him to recovery. / Spencer Platt / Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Whatever the rhetoric in Washington, federal law still governs emergency rooms. Under the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTLA), Medicare-participating hospitals must screen and stabilize anyone who comes through the door, regardless of their ability to pay or their immigration status

On Oct. 3, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt avoided giving a direct answer on whether ERs should treat undocumented patients, pivoting to immigration talking points.

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However, when pressed later, Johnson said that Republicans dont intend to change the EMTLA. Emergency care is provided without question to anyone who comes in, the speaker said.

If youre hemorrhaging and you show up in an emergency room, you get treated, Johnson continued. Thats very good law. Thats something we all support.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, right, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, spoke about EMTLA during a news conference on the government shutdown in the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 10, 2025. / Tom Williams / Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

I think thats part of the Hippocratic oath, Senate Majority Leader John Thune told HuffPost. If somebody, anybody comes into the ER, hospitals, clinics, doctors are going to treat them.

Which is handy, says Spencer. Because, as the shutdown grinds on and the White House pursues workforce cuts, emergency rooms are where D.C. talking points are most likely to have genuine life-or-death consequences.

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Theres zero way you can tell me to stop resuscitating someone because theyre undocumented, he says. In seconds, I have to decide about airway, meds, imaging, surgerynot hunt a federal database.

We will do right by the patient every single timedocumented or undocumented, insured or uninsured, Spencer vowed, no matter how or whether they can pay.

The White House and the Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to a request for comment by the Daily Beast.
TEAGUE, Texas (FOX 44)  A man has been arrested after a complaint of Criminal Trespass at an apartment complex in Teague.

Police Chief DeWayne Philpott says officers responded to a criminal trespass complaint at the Freestone Apartments, located at 835 Highway 84 W, at approximately 4:38 p.m. Friday. This occurred near the intersection with McGee Street.

The suspect has been identified as John Williams, who was seen in the center median of Highway 84 W adjacent to the apartment complex. When Williams saw officers approaching the area, he was seen fleeing on foot. Williams fled behind apartments and residences near the McGee Street Apartments.

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Chief Philpott says officers initiated a foot pursuit and were assisted by the Freestone County Sheriffs Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, and a member of the Teague Volunteer Fire Department. Williams was apprehended and taken into custody without further incident.

Williams is charged with Criminal Trespass, Evading Arrest or Detention, and has an outstanding warrant for Bond Forfeiture  Possession of a Controlled Substance.

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Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is planning a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Budapest, but his plane cannot fly over most European Union countries due to EU sanctions.

Source: Air Live aviation news network

Details: Air Live reported that the likely route will pass through Turkish and Serbian airspace, adding approximately three hours to the flight.

Putin's Il-96 plane cannot fly over most EU countries because of sanctions and the EU ban on the use of its airspace for Russian government aircraft following the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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This means that the crew will have to take a detour outside EU territory to reach Budapest, even though Hungary itself is an EU member.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called the upcoming meeting "great news for the peace-loving people of the world" and stated that preparations for the US-Russia peace summit are already underway.

Air Live noted that flying over the Black Sea remains risky due to military activity in the region.

Background:

Trump spoke with Putin on 16 October for the first time in nearly two months. Following the conversation, he announced plans for a meeting in Budapest, which would mark Putin's first appearance in an EU capital since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Such a visit would require Russian aircraft to cross the airspace of other EU member states.

According to media reports, European leaders are trying to secure a seat at the negotiating table between Putin and Trump after their previous meeting undermined efforts to maintain pressure on Russia.

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Following his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) reiterated his call for an immediate end to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, urging both sides to "stop the killing" and negotiate a peace agreement. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump described the meeting with Zelenskyy as "very interesting and cordial", while making a direct appeal to both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also noted that there was enough bloodshed with property lines defined by "War and Guts." "I told him, as I likewise strongly suggested to President Putin, that it is time to stop the killing, and make a DEAL!" Trump wrote. "Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by War and Guts. They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide!" Emphasising the humanitarian and financial toll of the conflict, Trump added, "No more shooting, no more Death, no more vast and unsustainable sums of money spent. This is a War that would have never started if I were President." "Thousands of people being slaughtered each and every week--NO MORE, GO HOME TO YOUR FAMILIES IN PEACE!" he concluded. His remark came moments after his bilateral lunch with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, at the White House. During the meeting, Trump expressed optimism about the possibility of brokering a "long-lasting" peace between Russia and Ukraine, despite acknowledging the deep personal animosity between Putin and Zelenskyy as a significant obstacle to negotiations. "They (President Zelenskyy and President Putin) don't like each other. I say that in front of President Zelenskyy, but I say it in front of President Putin, too. They have tremendous bad blood. It really is holding up, I think, a settlement. I think we're going to get it done," the US President said. Trump's meeting with Zelenskyy came following the US President's hour-long telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also said that the two leaders will meet in Hungary in the coming few weeks. Trump further showed his reluctance to sell the Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine during his meeting with Zelenskyy, days after he warned his Russian counterpart of supplying Kyiv with the missiles if Putin did not settle the conflict. "I have an obligation also, though, to make sure that we're completely stocked up as a country... We're going to be talking about Tomahawks, and we'd much rather have them (Ukraine) not need Tomahawks. We'd much rather have the war be over," Trump stated. Earlier on Sunday, Trump stated that he was mulling over sending the US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv, as per reports in several local media. "I might have to speak to Russia, to be honest with you, about Tomahawks," the US President told reporters on board Air Force One en route to West Asia. He added that he's going to send Kyiv Tomahawks if the Ukraine conflict "is not going to get settled," Russian news agency TASS reported. (ANI)
A Putnam County 12-year-old is now facing a felony charge after allegedly writing threats to harm other students in a notebook.

The Putnam County Sheriffs Office announced the arrest on their social media on Friday afternoon. Due to the age of the suspect, Action News Jax will not share the name or booking photo.

According to the sheriffs office, the incident happened at Palatka Junior-Senior High School. The 12-year-old was arrested for a written threat to kill, which is a second-degree felony.

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The Sheriffs Office says the child told deputies that the notebook belonged to her.

The 12-year-old was taken to the Putnam County Sheriffs Office and then transferred to a Department of Juvenile Justice facility.

Putnam County School District acknowledged the incident on Facebook, stating that, "This incident underscores the importance of See Something, Say Something. Because a student spoke up, staff were able to act swiftly to ensure everyones safety."

The school district also noted that the Homecoming events for Palatka Jr.-Sr. High School will continue as scheduled.

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NEW YORK (PIX11)  During an exclusive one-on-one interview on Friday, New York City mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa discussed what New York City would look like if he were voted as the next mayor.

One of the main topics addressed was the need for more NYPD officers and the challenge surrounding recruitment.

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Cops can now be personally sued, Sliwa told PIX on Politics host Dan Mannarino. No one wants to join a police department where you know you have to do physical intervention, and you can be personally sued You have no qualified immunity.

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When asked if Sliwa would keep Jessica Tisch as the Commissioner of the NYPD, he said, Absolutely, citing the need for stability in the police department.

Before she assumed becoming police commissioner, we had crooked Eddie Caban, we had Jeffrey Maddrey on the 13th floor, who was like the sequel to Caligula

Watch the video player for the full interview.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
As California voters weigh Prop 50 ahead of the crucial upcoming midterm elections, Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher to campaign against the bill.

Following Gov. Gavin Newsoms Election Rigging Response Act, sparked by recent Texas redistricting efforts that benefit Republicans, Schwarzenegger told Maher he thinks that Prop 50 is a big scam, noting that theres gerrymandering going on all over.

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Do you know who I want to win? The people, he said. The people have to win. See, Im a Republican, but Im not a Republican hack. Im not a political hack. I dont serve the party, I always serve the people. The people are first.

Schwarzenegger continued. We cannot undo something and rip away the power that the people in California have and give it back to the politicians. We fought that for too long. Lets not do that. Lets be a good example. Let the Democrats outperform the Republicans, and therefore, because of their performance, win and get the House back.

Maher quipped, I dont think thats very realistic.

The former governor went on to champion the independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission that was formed in 2010 with support from Schwarzenegger.

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Newsom previously trolled the Twins (1988) actor on social media in August when his co-star Danny DeVito contributed a $1,000 donation to the Yes on 50 campaign.

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Trumps MAGA base is starting to fray over a diverse set of issues, the presidents biographer says.

Michael Wolff told the Daily Beast podcast Inside Trumps Head on Saturday that the Trump administrations multi-billion-dollar bailout of Argentinas government flies in the face of the America First crowd. Wolff also highlighted Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes break from Trump when it comes to releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files and ending the ongoing government shutdown.

After co-host Joanna Coles mentioned the Trump administrations gift to the South American country, whose president Trump likes, Wolff said that that is part of the split that is going on in MAGA, and one which he sees increasing on an almost daily basis."

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The implicit promise to MAGA was America firsta profoundly isolationist policy, Wolff explained. We do not want troops, any American troops, anywhere. We dont want American money anywhere. We dont want it.

While Trump showed a real inclination to turn away from the world during his first term, Wolff went on, I think in this administration, the world has caught up with him.

It is very difficult to turn away from, and also, it turns out he loves it, he said.

Wolff added he didnt think theres any pretense about the bailout given Trumps good relationship with Argentinian President Javier Milei. Trump has referred to Milei, who attended the 47th inauguration, as his favorite president.

Greene and only three other Republicans have signed a discharge petition to force a vote on whether to call on the Justice Department to release more Epstein files. / ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP via Getty Images

But Greene and others took issue with the move, especially since U.S. farmers are struggling to export soybeans. Argentina, one of the worlds leading soybean producers, removed its export tax after the U.S. bailout, and promptly conducted a large sale to China, which has refused to buy U.S. soybeans in part due to Trumps tariffs.

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What are we doing? Were buying out and doing a buyout with Argentina? Like, huh? Greene said on The Tim Dillon Show last week.

Greene has stepped forward in a way that seems to confound everybody, Wolff said, because she is breaking from the president in real ways... some ways that liberals are suddenly finding common cause with.

Coles then mentioned Greene has also not only called for the release of the Epstein files, but has said the government shutdown should be ended in part to reaffirm tax credits for health insurance purchased on the marketplace through the Affordable Care Act.

No Im not towing the party line on this, or playing loyalty games, Greene wrote on X earlier this month. Not a single Republican in leadership talked to us about this or has given us a plan to help Americans deal with their health insurance premiums DOUBLING!!!

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The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Beast. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung previously called Wolff a lying sack of s---.

He routinely fabricates stories originating from his sick and warped imagination, only possible because he has a severe and debilitating case of Trump Derangement Syndrome that has rotted his peanut-sized brain, Cheung previously told the Beast.

Find and subscribe to Inside Trumps Head with Michael Wolff and Joanna Coles on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes of incomparable insight into the psyche of the worlds most talked-about man drop every Tuesday and Thursday evening on YouTube, and Wednesday and Friday mornings on other podcast platforms.
With a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in effect, many questions about the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip remain. It may take decades, not years, to rebuild Gaza due to the massive destruction, an expert from the Brookings Institute told ABC News.

Under the ceasefire agreement, the Gaza Strip is set to be redeveloped for the Palestinian people. Jaco Cilliers, an official from United Nations Development Programme, said at a press conference on Tuesday that it had already cleared some 81,000 tons of rubble from the Gaza Strip and was continuing to do so.

However, it is unclear when reconstruction will begin and who will finance the effort, the Brookings Institute expert, Hady Amr, told ABC News.

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"I don't think there's any modern comparison to what's going to need to happen in the Gaza Strip right now," Amr, the former U.S. representative for Palestinian affairs from 2022 until 2025, said. "The level of destruction and devastation is just absolutely immense."

AP - PHOTO: Buildings destroyed during two years of Israeli army bombardments are seen in Gaza City, Oct. 15, 2025.

About 83% of all buildings in Gaza City alone were damaged as of Sept. 23, according to the United Nations Satellite Center. About 40% of those buildings were destroyed.

US-led coordination center overseeing Gaza rebuilding to be operational in coming days, officials say

"Imagine not just your house was destroyed, your block was destroyed, your neighborhood was destroyed, but 80 to 90% of the universe that you have access to," Amr said.

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Schools, hospitals, as well as water and electricity infrastructure have all been devastated during the two-year war from Israels extensive military campaign on the Gaza Strip, Amr said.

"It's just going to be incredibly difficult for people to just even continue to survive while the reconstruction takes place," Amr said.

Israel has faced heavy criticism and condemnation over its military action in Gaza from humanitarian rights groups and aid groups.

In September, the International Association of Genocide Scholars -- the world's largest group of academic scholars studying the topic -- passed a resolution saying Israel's "policies and actions" in Gaza "meet the legal definition of genocide," established by the U.N. in 1948.

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Israel has denied that it is committing a genocide in Gaza and denied claims that it has targeted civilian infrastructure. As part of the ceasefire agreement, Israel has agreed to allow into Gaza higher volumes of much needed aid.

Recovery

Significant amounts of equipment and supplies will be needed to begin recovery, another expert said.

"With the rubble and the massive destruction, there is also concern that there are a number of victims, of bodies, that are buried in that rubble -- they would also need to be exhumed," Mona Yacoubian, the director and senior adviser of the Middle East Program at the bipartisan, nonprofit think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies, told ABC News.

Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters - PHOTO: Palestinians walk past the rubble of destroyed buildings, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City, October 16, 2025.

'This is not Gaza': Palestinians return to war-torn neighborhoods amid fragile ceasefire

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Before reconstruction can begin, there need to be areas that are safe and cleared of unexploded ordnance, Yacoubian said. Amr echoed this point, noting that removing unexploded ordnance and removing rubble will both be a "massive issue" that could take years.

There needs to be a restoration of services like running water and electricity in the meantime, according to Yacoubian.

"There's going to need to be a massive scale up of life saving assistance just to ensure that people are getting food and medical assistance and also shelter, so perhaps tents, and all the kinds of things that are required," she said.

The ceasefire agreement ensures humanitarian aid can resume entry into Gaza immediately at a larger scale.

Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters - PHOTO: Palestinians walk past the rubble of destroyed buildings, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City, October 16, 2025.

"At a minimum, aid quantities will be consistent with what was included in the January 19, 2025, agreement regarding humanitarian aid, including rehabilitation of infrastructure (water, electricity, sewage), rehabilitation of hospitals and bakeries, and entry of necessary equipment to remove rubble and open roads," the agreement released by the White House said.

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Since the ceasefire went into effect on Oct. 10, its unclear how much additional humanitarian aid has been allowed into Gaza, though Israel has long maintained they have always allowed enough aid into Gaza.

The UN and other international aid organizations have reported they are able to move more freely around Gaza in areas where the IDF has withdrawn, but additional border crossing points have yet to open.

Challenges ahead

Many challenges lie ahead, starting with whether this is really the end of the conflict, according to Amr.

"The central challenges today are ending the war, getting Israel to end its military occupation, and then we need to get to a situation where there can be a security force that comes in to provide basic security. Once that happens, that's when reconstruction can start," Amr said.

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He highlighted another issue in the reconstruction.

"Freedom of movement of people and goods, that is the central challenge. Palestinians have the skills and knowledge and in fact, much of the Persian Gulf was built with Palestinian knowledge, know-how and manpower. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have long worked in Israel as construction workers," Amr said.

Israel-Gaza live updates: Trump threatens to 'kill' Hamas members

"It's just a question of getting access to having the basic freedom to import what they need to get going," he added.

Who will pay?

It will take about $70 billion to rebuild Gaza, according to an operational damage and needs assessment conducted jointly by the United Nations, the European Union and the World Bank.

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European and Arab nations, Canada and the U.S. appear willing to contribute to the estimated $70 billion needed to rebuild Gaza, the UN official said on Tuesday.

"We've heard very positive news from a number of our partners, including European partners... Canada" regarding their willingness to help, the official, Cillers, told a press conference, adding that there were also discussions with the U.S.

AP - PHOTO: Palestinians walk along a street surrounded by buildings destroyed during two years of Israeli army bombardments in Gaza City, Oct. 15, 2025.

Oil-rich Arab Gulf states will likely be willing to pay for the reconstruction of Gaza, according to Amr and Yacoubian. Egypt could also provide a "logistical base," he noted.

"United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, I think, are all poised to potentially fund this. Turkey, I think has a great interest in doing it, but their relations with Israel ar. ... at a low point," Amr said.

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However, Yacoubian expressed her belief that more progress towards Palestinian statehood needs to be achieved before countries will commit.

"I think that we could certainly see Gulf countries funding it, but they have signaled that they will not fund reconstruction in Gaza in the absence of a longer-term solution to the conflict. And in particular, they are looking to see demonstrated progress on a path toward Palestinian statehood," Yacoubian said.
Do you recognize them?

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The Middletown Division of Police is looking for two women who are wanted for questioning in a shoplifting investigation.

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The incident took place at Gabes in Middletown on Oct. 13, according to the department.

The women were in a blue Ford Escape.

If you recognize them or have any information, email detectives at detectivesmpd7700@gmail.com.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  State records show Anduril considered three site plans for its Pickaway County weapons manufacturing facility before selecting its five-warehouse plan.

According to state records, Anduril considered three alternative project plans to minimize the effects on local wildlife, as is required by the EPA. Anduril ultimately went with the option requiring the largest effect on local ecosystems, determining it was the only site that would meet the anticipated production demands of the Department of Defense.

Anduril, a defense systems manufacturing company, announced plans to build aerial autonomous weapons in Pickaway County in January. Anduril selected Ohio for its Arsenal-1 project because the state offers economic support for major developments and is home to many universities. See previous coverage of Arsenal-1 in the video player above.

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Marion dryer factory part of Whirlpools $300M Ohio expansion

Permit requests show five warehouses was the only way to meet the production and job creation demands required by JobsOhio. JobsOhio awarded Anduril a $310 million state grant to support drone and aerial weapons manufacturing near Rickenbacker Airport. Under the funding agreement, Anduril must create 4,008 jobs by 2035, and permits said ulterior site plans would not have accommodated enough workers.

Filings show Andurils team chose the five warehouse option over off-site or four-building alternatives with smaller environmental impacts. The selected site will require 76 acres of trees to be cleared, and will affect 5.6 acres of wetlands.

Courtesy photo of selected site option / Ohio EPA

Under the approved plan, two streams will be permanently rerouted, with one feeding into the other and culverting under roadways. Both streams are unnamed tributaries to Walnut Creek.

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The project will also affect 11 wetlands. To supplement the effects on wetlands and wildlife, Andurils planning team proposed buying stream and wetland credits from mitigation banks. Mitigation banks allow developers to financially support wetlands or streams that have been restored or enhanced elsewhere to offset their own environmental impacts.

USDA warned Ohio State after death of 16 animals

The selection was the most expensive option, costing Anduril $1.4 billion to construct. However, state records show the two other options would have led to potential production delays, which could have resulted in the project likely moving out of state.

Filings indicate Anduril has not begun construction in areas with identified environmental impacts. However, Anduril confirmed to NBC4 in late September that construction is quietly underway elsewhere on the site. Anduril previously said it hopes to begin weapons manufacturing in Pickaway County by July 2026.

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As is required by Ohio law, Anduril will have to offer a chance for public feedback on the project. According to a letter from the Ohio EPA, Anduril must notify the public by Nov. 4.

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Belarusian opposition in neighboring Lithuania had a tough week.

Lithuania's new government quietly reduced the state-provided security for exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, a move that has been attributed to financial concerns and a perceived lower threat level.

The headquarters of Belarus' democratic forces shut down, while Lithuania's opposition called the decision "a betrayal." The decision was later overturned.

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Critics say the conflict is a signal of domestic turmoil and war fatigue. Cheered on by Belarusian and Russian propaganda, the back and forth prompted speculation about a rift between Belarusian democrats and Lithuanian authorities, and questions about the further fate and survival of the exiled institution.

Current realities

Following the contested 2020 presidential elections, opposition leader Tsikhanouskaya was provided the status of an "official guest" in Lithuania, a designation typically reserved for foreign diplomatic missions. This status included 24/7 security, vehicles, housing, and VIP airport terminal access, with costs reportedly running about one million euros (roughly $1,163,800) annually, covered by the Lithuanian state.

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"Her security is not removed," Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginene said on Oct. 10. "It has been adjusted to reflect current realities."

While Tsikhanouskaya retains her "official guest" status, the reduction in state support prompted a temporary suspension of her office in Vilnius, with most staff sent to work remotely.

Following a week-long disruption, the office's work was restored as Tsikhanouskaya's team reached an agreement to have its security detail restored until the new protection system is established, Dzianis Kuchynski, Tsikhanouskaya's diplomatic advisor, told the Kyiv Independent.

"Regardless of the circumstances and Lithuania's decisions, Belarusians will always be grateful to Lithuania for its support in our struggle and for accepting Belarusians. Our task is to restore freedom in Belarus, return home, and be a reliable neighbor to Lithuania," Kuchynski said.

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Read also: Trump says he hopes to end war without Tomahawks in latest meeting with Zelensky

Threat assessments

Remigijus Motuzas, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Lithuanian parliament, stated the decision was based on financial considerations and an updated assessment of the threat level.

"Tsikhanouskaya is unlikely to have a serious impact on public opinion within Belarus today. The situation has changed, and she is no longer perceived as a threat," said Vytenis Andriukaitis, honorary chairman of the ruling Social Democratic Party and member of the European Parliament.

The reduction came despite warnings about threats to Belarusian activists.

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In April, Lithuania's State Security Department warned that Belarusian and Russian secret services were planning violent provocations against Belarusian citizens in Lithuania. This year alone, two Belarusian activists, Anzhalika Melnikava and Anatol Kotau, went missing, with apparent involvement from Belarusian secret services.

Political backlash

The move drew immediate condemnation from political figures. Former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis called the decision a betrayal and argued that without proper security, Tsikhanouskaya might be forced to relocate to another country.

Zygimantas Pavilionis, a conservative member of the Seimas group "For a Democratic Belarus," questioned the timing. "We don't understand this decision because it's completely unclear why the threat level is suddenly considered reduced. On the contrary, the situation in our region is only getting worse," he told Lithuanian broadcaster LRT. He suggested that the decision could be driven by "radical parties in the government" seeking to improve relations with the Lukashenko regime.

Protesters hold a huge white-red-white flag during the Belarusians' march on the third anniversary of the 2020 presidential election in Belarus, Vilnius, Lithuania, on Aug. 9, 2023. (Yerchak Yauhen/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Political analyst Vitis Jurkonis doubted the official technical reasoning, noting that the protected dignitary service officers would simply be reassigned, not fired.

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"Obviously, one might be willing to present all of that as a technical decision, but it inevitably has some political flavor," Jurkonis told the Kyiv Independent, warning that the move would be exploited by Russian and Belarusian propaganda.

The new Lithuanian government is seeking to get rid of Tsikhanouskaya, says Vytautas Bruveris, Lithuanian political commentator and journalist.

"This (the reduction of security) was the probe. And, of course, this is a PR stunt for their constituency to say 'at least we are no longer paying your money for that. You see, we are moving in the right direction'," Bruveris told the Kyiv Independent.

From solidarity to suspicion

The reduction in security is not happening in a vacuum. It coincides with domestic political turbulence in Vilnius and a growing fatigue across Europe regarding the Belarusian democratic cause.

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From the peak of enthusiasm in 2020, when Lithuania championed the Belarusian democratic cause, the tone has gradually cooled. Fears of infiltration, propaganda narratives like "Litvinism," and war fatigue have reshaped public perception  turning solidarity into suspicion.

The decision to reduce Tsikhanouskaya's security level was among the first decisions taken by Lithuania's new government, which took office on Sept. 25 following the previous cabinet's resignation over a corruption scandal. The new governing coalition includes the controversial Nemunas Dawn party, seen by some as Russia-leaning.

The coalition has already faced massive public protests over the appointment of Nemunas Dawn representative Ignotas Adomavicius as culture minister, whom opponents said lacked qualifications for the post.

The minister resigned after a week in office, but the protesters are now demanding the removal of the ministry from the oversight of the controversial party, fearing that populism would infiltrate the Lithuanian cultural sphere and contribute to the erosion of democratic institutions.

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The leader of Nemunas Dawn, Remigijus Zemaitaitis, has been a vocal and long-time critic of Tsikhanouskaya  in 2021, he claimed her presence was a "humiliation" to Lithuania, as she was receiving state support without learning the Lithuanian language  a claim picked up and amplified by pro-Kremlin news outlets.

"It was always a question of time because of certain trends and tendencies in the political field, well represented by last year's parliamentary elections," Bruveris says. According to the analyst, a large part of the voters weren't in favor of Lithuania's foreign policy.

"(Some politicians) are returning to the old and for a long time seemingly dead idea, naive and dangerous illusion that you can use Lukashenko against Putin," Bruveris says. This would require ripping ties with the Belarus opposition.

Alexander Lukashenko (R) meets with U.S. presidential envoy Keith Kellogg (L) and members of the American delegation in Minsk, Belarus, on June 21, 2025. (X / Keith Kellogg)

"I don't know their motivation," Jurkonis says, "but in a very simplistic interpretation, maybe they're saying that the value-based approach does not seem to be effective, and maybe we should prioritize the good neighborly relations. But it ignores the root cause of the problem, which is Lukashenko's rule."

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Jurkonis attributes such views to "general fatigue" with Russia's war against Ukraine, the Belarusian cause against the backdrop of it, not just in Lithuania but in wider Europe.

"I understand that some politicians might already be fed up with Belarus and would like to 'turn the page,' using Lukashenko's terminology," Jurkonis said. "But it's an issue of not only our moral and principle position, but actually very pragmatic and very national security-driven motivation."

Lithuania follows the larger trend in European and American politics, which is gradually taking an anti-immigration stance, fueling support for right-wing parties, suggests RFE/RL political analyst Valery Karbalevich.

"The further the war goes, the more war fatigue there is in all European countries. Especially since both the war and the sanctions against Belarus and Russia have not had the best effect on the economy. Life is not getting better. And the most straightforward answer to the question of 'why' is increasingly found in migration. It is clear that this wave has reached Lithuania," Karbalevich explains.

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The influx of Russian-speaking migrants and Belarusians in particular nurtures the feeling of the threat to "Lithuanian identity," Kabalevich argues.

Public attitudes toward Belarusians have shifted, leading to stricter security measures.

Since late 2022, more than 2,700 Belarusians have been designated a threat to Lithuania's national security. This determination is often based on prior employment in state-owned enterprises  even in low-level positions  or compulsory army conscription, which is mandatory for all males under 27 in Belarus.

While Lithuania does not directly deport individuals to Belarus, a high-profile case emerged in late 2023 when Vasil Verameychyk, a former volunteer with the Kastus Kalinouski Regiment fighting in Ukraine, was denied residency. He subsequently traveled to Vietnam, from where he was handed over to Belarusian authorities and incarcerated.

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Citing the potential for recruitment by Belarusian security forces, conservatives from the Homeland Union  Lithuanian Christian Democrats party  Laurynas Kasciunas, Audronius Azubalis, and Valdas Rakutis  proposed revoking residence permits for Russian and Belarusian citizens who make frequent trips to their home countries.

Lithuanian lawmaker Vytautas Sinica called for the revocation of Tsikhanouskaya's office accreditation in Lithuania. Sinica, a former vice chairman of the right-wing National Alliance party (which has since distanced itself from the call), alleged that Tsikhanouskaya's position on "Litvinism" was not tough enough. Litvinism is a fringe, pseudo-historical idea suggesting that Belarusians want to claim Lithuanian history and the capital, Vilnius.

The "Litvinism" debate escalated into a public issue in 2023-2024, fueled by propaganda and provocations like "Litvinist" graffiti in Vilnius or vandalized Belarusian centers. This is despite the State Security Department reporting it has found no evidence of organized groups promoting the idea.

Meanwhile, public attitudes have shifted too: 23% of Lithuanians now say they wouldn't want Belarusians as neighbors, up 5% from the previous year.

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Caught in the backlash, the Belarusian diaspora in Lithuania has decreased from roughly 62,000 at the start of 2024 to 51,900 now. While some were expelled by Lithuania, others chose to relocate to other countries themselves.

Read also: EU left in the dark about Trump-Putin meeting within its borders, questions its point

Uncertain future

As Tsikhanouskaya's aides were awaiting the outcome of consultations with Lithuanian authorities, analysts began speculating about a possible relocation of her office to Poland  home to her deputy, Pavel Latushka  or to Belgium, where another Belarusian office operates.

Lithuanian Parliament Speaker Juozas Olekas insists support for Tsikhanouskaya will stay, while Jurkonis underscores that top foreign-policy officials show no signs of abandoning Belarus's democratic cause.

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"I don't think there's a rift (between Tsikhanouskaya and her Lithuanian hosts), to be honest," Jurkonis said. "There's a very intense, long-lasting attempt by the regimes in Minsk and Moscow to instigate a rift through a massive discreditation campaign."

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said Lithuania remains ready to work with Tsikhanouskaya and that all issues regarding state protection would be resolved.

"So far, I see no signs of a change in the policy of the Lithuanian government and the Lithuanian political class towards the Lukashenko regime. Changes on the part of the Lithuanian government towards official Minsk could appear if some signals appear from Minsk, and the signals are not just words, but concrete actions," Karbalevich says.

Karbalevich believes Tsikhanouskaya still maintains broader European support.

Regardless of whether the office stays in Vilnius or moves, the decision's symbolism highlights a broader European challenge: how to sustain a moral and principled commitment to democratic causes when war fatigue and volatile domestic politics begin to erode solidarity.

As Jurkonis puts it, "at the end of the day, it's not so much about us or Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's personality as such. It's about whether we still believe that a democratic and free independent Belarus is possible."

Read also: Editorial: President Trump, dont fall for Putins bullsh*t  again

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US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) expressed optimism about the possibility of brokering a "long-lasting" peace between Russia and Ukraine, despite acknowledging the deep personal animosity between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a major obstacle to negotiations. During a bilateral lunch with the Ukrainian President in the White House, Trump reiterated his confidence in facilitating an end to the ongoing war. "They (President Zelenskyy and President Putin) don't like each other. I say that in front of President Zelenskyy, but I say it in front of President Putin, too. They have tremendous bad blood. It really is holding up, I think, a settlement. I think we're going to get it done," the US President said. He emphasised the importance of a lasting solution, referring to his administration's efforts in brokering normalisation agreements in the Middle East, particularly the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. "And we have to make it long-lasting, as I said in the Middle East, everlasting. The Middle East is a much more complicated situation. We had 59 countries involved, and every one of them agreed. Most people didn't think that was doable. This is going to be something I really believe that's going to get done. I had a very good talk yesterday with President Putin. I think he wants to get it done," he added. Trump's meeting with Zelenskyy came following the US President's hour-long telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. He also said that the two leaders will meet in Hungary in the coming few weeks. Trump further showed his reluctance to sell the Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine during his meeting with Zelenskyy, days after he warned his Russian counterpart of supplying Kyiv with the missiles if Putin did not settle the conflict. "I have an obligation also, though, to make sure that we're completely stocked up as a country... We're going to be talking about Tomahawks, and we'd much rather have them (Ukraine) not need Tomahawks. We'd much rather have the war be over," Trump stated. Earlier on Sunday, Trump stated that he was mulling over sending the US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv, as per reports in several local media. "I might have to speak to Russia, to be honest with you, about Tomahawks," the US President told reporters on board Air Force One enroute to West Asia. He added that he's going to send Kyiv Tomahawks if the Ukraine conflict "is not going to get settled," Russian news agency TASS reported. (ANI)
When Reform UK won control of Kent, wiping out the Tories in one of their strongest rural heartlands, Nigel Farage called it a tectonic shift in British politics.

Linden Kemkaran, the newly elected Kent county council leader, promised to offer the nation a window into what Reform could achieve in power.

Her administration became the test run for Reforms cost-cutting drive, modelled on chainsaw-wielding Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the US. But just five months on, the experiment seems to have run out of steam.

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During the May election campaign, Reform lambasted the previous Tory leadership for increasing council tax bills by the maximum 5pc each year. Farage, speaking at his Kent campaign launch rally, pointed to the increase as evidence that the county was broken and promised only Reform can fix it.

But in an about-turn, Kemkarans cabinet member for social care last week told the Financial Times that spending was down to the bare bones and said taxes would probably have to go up 5pc again.

The announcement has sparked a strong backlash. Reform supporters told The Telegraph they would never vote for them again, saying the row shows the party is just like all the others, promising the world but never delivering.

Opposition councillors say the partys chainsaw had turned out to be made out of sponge.

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Kemkaran has since insisted no decision has been made on council tax but admitted to The Telegraph that the row was a bump in the road. She says it is too early to say what rate the council will implement  a very different tone from the one she adopted in the aftermath of her landslide victory when she called the levy a massive bill.

Kemkaran: Cutting taxes is our ultimate aim

The Reform leader now claims that a new consultation survey of Kent voters shows that three quarters of the electorate support council tax increases.

Linden Kemkaran, Reform UK leader of Kent council, says she faces a black hole in the finances left by the Tories - Belinda Jiao

I only got this yesterday and I thought now that is interesting, she says, adding: The fact is the majority of people understand that to maintain the services that we supply here, it costs money.

Kemkaran says that, like the Labour Party in national government, she has come into office only to find a black hole in Kents finances left by the Tories.

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When we came in, we started looking through the books properly. Lots of people would say it was all in the public domain, why didnt you do your research before you got elected?

But we can now see the extent of how far the can was kicked down the road by the Conservatives. Weve not banged on about that because thats not the type of people we are.

You have not heard me as leader blame the previous administration but what Im telling you is that we are now realising just how far the Conservatives did kick that can down the road.

Kent council was in 732m of debt in 2024-25 - Belinda Jiao

Cutting taxes is our ultimate aim. Of course it is. It is going to happen, she says, before admitting: I cant tell you when. Local authorities are oil tankers, not speedboats.

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Kent county council was in 732m of debt in 2024-25 and is projected to reduce its borrowings to 650m by 2026-27.

But that change is in line with a long-term downward trend, with the debt burden having also fallen in the final years of the previous Conservative administration, down from 771m in 2023-24.

Ill never vote for them again

Walking the streets of Maidstone, which forms part of Kemkarans constituency, the row has gone down like a lead balloon.

Peter James, 60, a retired tech support worker from Lenham, voted for Reform but now says he regrets his decision and will never vote for them again.

They are the same as all the other parties, theyll promise the world but never deliver. Im a low tax and small government man. The last time someone kept their promises in this country was Margaret Thatcher.

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Charlie Montsern, 46, a Reform voter and taxi driver from Maidstone, says: I feel let down by it. We pay too much tax for what we get back.

I feel let down by it. We pay too much tax for what we get back, says Reform voter Charlie Montsern (left) - Belinda Jiao

Luke May and Clare Marno, 35 and 41, says: Were not surprised that theyre not going to lower it. Theyre politicians at the end of the day and were never going to help people like us.

Paulene Hardes, 79, a retired office manager born and raised in Maidstone, voted Conservative and says she wasnt surprised by the row.

People thought it would be refreshing if Reform were in charge. But they all promise they are going to be different.

I was actually astonished when they won here. If you talk to a lot of young people, they love them because theyre fed up with all the immigrants. But Reform have never run a council before and they have no experience.

Reality has collided with ideology

Reforms Doge project to cut waste has also run up against legal issues in Kent. In July, senior lawyers blocked external figures like Zia Yusuf from accessing the councils internal data over GDPR concerns.

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That would have been the ideal scenario, Kemkaran admits, discussing the early attempts by Yusuf to come in and help run Kents Doge programme, but it couldnt happen.

Instead, Kent has adopted their own local version of the programme, naming it the Department of Local Government Efficiency  or Dolge.

Politicians are never going to help people like us, say Luke May and Clare Marno - Belinda Jiao

Christopher Hespe, a councillor involved in the programme, described Dolge in July as a movement, a force, an energy. And Brian Collins, deputy Reform leader, announced the repayment of a council loan with Barclays by pulling out a large cardboard cheque tied with a red bow. Collins told the chamber it made him feel like a petulant child just before Christmas.

But opposition councillors claim that the Reform administrations publicity stunts have amounted to few real achievements.

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Tory Cllr Sarah Hudson said watching Reform in power felt like reading the Emperors New Clothes.

They campaigned on the basis they were going to reduce everyones council tax. They were going to go in and find all these wasteful amounts of money being spent.

Whats actually happened is that theyve discovered that everything the previous Conservative administration could do to cut things to the bone has been done.

Youre not going to walk in and find a secret oil painting by Vermeer or something in a cupboard.

Paulene Hardes: Reform has no experience, they have never run a council before - Belinda Jiao

Antony Hook, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Kent, says Reform was convinced they could make large savings from cutting the countys budget on asylum seekers.

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They were really fixated on it. Every question theyd ask would be about the cost of asylum. We kept explaining that KCC doesnt have that large a role in that and how its mainly a Home Office expense.

We tried to explain that the big problem is adult social care, but they would just say: What about asylum?

This is where reality has now collided with ideology. They said theyd take their chainsaw to a forest of waste. But the chainsaw seems to have been made out of sponge, and rather than a forest theyve found an open field where theres nothing to use it on.

Naivety and incompetence

As Reform comes to terms with the realities of stretched local government budgets, Kemkaran is drawing up a new set of policies she hopes will help raise new revenue sources.

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One of the more controversial of these is the idea of a foreign freight tax on lorries coming into the UK through Dover.

The idea is to tax lorries as they come off the ferries and the Eurotunnel, she explains.

They are using our roads. Obviously we get a lot of through traffic going across to and from the Continent accessing the rest of the UK. Its using our infrastructure and we have to pick up the bill.

Its one of the many ways were thinking of bringing money in.

But the proposals have been lambasted by opposition councillors as unfeasible. Councillor Hook says the idea is fantastical, while Tory councillor Harry Rayner says it shows naivety and incompetence.

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Implementing a foreign freight tax is not and never has been within the power of Kent county council, Rayner says, adding: That is a power reserved for the Treasury and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

When asked about the criticisms, Kemkaran says: Theyre just jealous they never thought of it.

Despite the challenges facing Reforms first council, Kemkaran is confident that her project will succeed.

Its going to be a bump in the road, thats all it is. When you get close to the target you get a lot of flak. That is what is happening over this council tax row, she says.

People are suddenly thinking: We can get them  but they cant, because were moving in the right direction. Were absolutely confident.

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The things were doing in this council, theyve never been done before, she continues, adding: Theres not an ounce of chaos in this office I can tell you that.

But if Kent is a window into what Reform could look like in power, it would seem that some voters arent all that impressed with what theyre seeing.

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My kids and I love to make bang bang shrimp in the air fryer. We coat the shrimp with panko crumbs and various spices, including paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic and onion powder.

Its harder to make the shrimp, though, since U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials detected cesium 137 in shipping containers of the shellfish sent by PT Bahari Makmur Sejati to several U.S. ports. Last week, I wrote about the U.S. Food and Drug Administration subsequently testing samples and confirmed the presence of cesium 137 in one sample of breaded shrimp.

PT Bahari Makmur Sejati shipped about 84 million pounds of shrimp to U.S. ports this year, which is about 6% of foreign shrimp imported here. After discovering the contamination, hundreds of thousands of packages of imported frozen shrimp sold at Walmart, Kroger and other grocery stores across the 31 states in the country have been recalled.

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But, it will be even trickier to make bang bang shrimp now that the FDA has also blocked the import of all spices from PT Natural Java Spice of Indonesia after federal inspectors detected cesium 137 in a shipment of cloves sent to a port in Los Angeles/Long Beach, California.

Records show the company sent about 440,000 pounds of cloves to the U.S. this year. Thankfully, the FDA verified that none of the spices that triggered alerts or tested positive has been released for sale in the U.S. and no illnesses have been reported. PT Natural Java Spice joins PT Bahari Makmur Sejati on Import Alert No. 99-51 for chemical contamination, effectively blocking their products from entering markets in the U.S.

Again, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies cesium 137 as a radioactive isotope created as a byproduct of nuclear reactions, including nuclear bombs, testing, reactor operations, and accidents. It is also used in small amounts for calibration of radiation-detection equipment. In larger amounts, it can be used in medical radiation therapy devices for treating cancer, medical sterilization, industrial gauges that detect the flow of liquid through pipes and other industrial devices. It is widespread around the world, with trace amounts found in the environment, including soil, food and air.

The FDA detected cesium 137 at 732.43 Bq/kg in one sample of cloves from PT Natural Java Spice, which is well below the agencys Derived Intervention Level of 1,200 Bq/kg. Although the risk appears to be small, the FDA feels it is significant enough to warrant preventive action, as exposure to low levels of cesium 137 over time could pose a potential health concern, including burns, radiation sickness, increasing the risk of certain cancers, and even death.

Reg Wydeven

At this point, officials are unable to determine if there is a common source of contamination for the shrimp and the spices. The two processing facilities are about 500 miles apart in Indonesia. The International Atomic Energy Agency posits that contaminated scrap metal or melted metal at an industrial site near the shrimp processing plant in Indonesia may be the source of the radioactive material. Nuclear regulators in Indonesia have detected the radioactive isotope at the site outside Jakarta.

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The FDA will maintain import alerts on all spice and shrimp products from the identified companies until they provide adequate evidence of resolved contamination issues. The agency plans enhanced screening of all products from Indonesia and may add additional companies to import restrictions based on ongoing investigations.

Cloves are widely used in holiday dishes and beverages, such as glazed ham, gingerbread, pumpkin pie and hot toddies. So, officials are concerned that the spice blockade couldnt come at a worse thyme.

Reg Wydeven is a partner with the Appleton-based law firm of McCarty Law LLP. He can be reached at pcbusiness@postcrescent.com.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Customs stops contaminated cloves from entering U.S. retail market
The IDF confirmed that the remains handed over by Hamas on Friday night are from Eliyahu Margalit, a resident of Nir Oz, who was killed on October 7 and taken to Gaza.

Hamas returned the remains of Eliyahu Margalit, known as the cowboy of Kibbutz Nir Oz, on Friday night, who was killed on October 7 and taken to Gaza, the IDF and the L. Greenberg Institute of Forensic Medicine at Abu Kabir announced on Saturday.

According to military intelligence, Hamas murdered Margalit on October 7, 2023, and his body was kidnapped into the Gaza Strip, the statement read.

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Eliyahu, who was 75 years old at the time of his death, was abducted from the horse stables in Nir Oz as he arrived to feed the horses, the IDF said.

His death was pronounced on December 1, 2023. Margalit leaves behind a wife, three children, and three grandchildren. His daughter, Nili Margalit, was also abducted and returned in the framework of the hostage release agreement in November 2023, the military added.

The IDF wishes to express its deepest condolences to the family, and it continues to make every effort to return all the deceased hostages.

Eliyahu Margalit's remains were brought back to Israel. (credit: IDF)

Margalit, nicknamed Churchill by everyone, moved to Kibbutz Nir Oz with Hashomer Hatzair [a Zionist-socialist pioneering youth movement] in 1969, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said.

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He was a morning person at heart who ran Nir Ozs cattle department and horse stables for many years, it continued.

Margalits family said in a statement that our beloved Eli has returned home, 742 days after he was murdered and kidnapped from Nir Oz.

We would like to thank the people of Israel and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum for their support during the long struggle to bring him home. We promise that we will not rest until the last of the remaining hostages is returned for burial in Israel, they said.

Hamas refuses to commit to disarming, aims to keep grip on Gaza security

The Hamas terror group has failed to release the remains of every hostage as called for in the first stage of US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan. The terror group has claimed to have lost hostage remains and to have no ability to access bodies allegedly under buildings collapsed by Israeli airstrikes.

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Another key issue is that Hamas officials have rejected calls for the terror group to withdraw from Gazan leadership, despite it initially being accepted as part of the deal. The comments to Reuters came after a wave of executions in the Gaza Strip as Hamas targeted those it claimed had collaborated with the Jewish state, including members of clans with a history of terrorism against Israel.

The terror organization intends to maintain security control in Gaza during an interim period, a senior Hamas official told Reuters, adding he could not commit to the group disarming - positions that reflect the difficulties facing US plans to secure an end to the war.

Hamas politburo member Mohammed Nazzal also said the group was ready for a ceasefire of up to five years to rebuild devastated Gaza, with guarantees for what happens afterwards depending on Palestinians being given "horizons and hope" for statehood.
Rep. Julie Fedorchak talks to voters during a virtual town hall June 10, 2025. (Screenshot/webstream)

North Dakota U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak will hold a virtual forum Tuesday in an effort to answer questions from constituents and discuss legislative priorities.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. CDT and will be broadcast through Fedorchaks website.

North Dakotans wishing to participate in the online forum and ask questions must register for the event through Fedorchaks website by noon Tuesday.

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While Im hopeful that by the time we hold this forum, Senate Democrats will have chosen commonsense and voted to reopen the government, its important that those affected by the shutdown have the opportunity to get answers and support, Fedorchak, a Republican, said in a statement.

Her office also provided answers to frequently asked questions about the federal government shutdown and listed resources people can use.

During a recent news conference, Fedorchak said her office was still able to provide constituent services during the shutdown, but issues may not be resolved as quickly.

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After months of pushing for the release of imprisoned former Congressman George Santos, Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene had something to celebrate on Friday.

THANK YOU President Trump for releasing George Santos!! He was unfairly treated and put in solitary confinement, which is torture!! she posted on X after the president said hed approved the New York Republicans immediate release.

The announcement came more than two months after Greene sent a letter to the Office of the Pardon Attorney urging President Trump to free Santos. Shed previously complained on social media that the expelled 37-year-old from Queens was being unfairly punished for deceiving donors and stealing the identities of nearly a dozen victims  including relatives  to fill his campaign coffers.

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Santos was sentenced in April to more than seven years behind bars after pleading guilty to fraud and identity theft charges. In late July, he surrendered to FCI Fairton in New Jersey, and has since published numerous essays in the South Shore Press decrying prison conditions, which he described as hell on earth.

In mid-September, the MAGA loyalist complained that hed been forced into solitary confinement following an unspecific death threat.

Well, here at FCI Fairton, they have a funny way of protecting you, Santos said, complaining that hed been moved into an extremely dirty 15-by-17-foot cell with no ventilation and limited ice-cold showers.

But an Oct. 13 essay, which Santos addressed directly to Trump, may have broken through.

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Sir, I appeal to your sense of justice and humanity  the same qualities that have inspired millions of Americans to believe in you, read the open letter to the president.

Trump indicated on Friday that hed heard Santos had been treated poorly and enough was enough.

George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated. Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY, Trump wrote on Truth Social. Good luck George, have a great life!

When asked about Santos various claims throughout his incarceration, Department of Corrections officials told the Daily News that for privacy, safety and security reasons they do not discuss the living conditions for any individual in custody.

With News Wire Services




How many boba drinks are too many?

A recent report might have had you clutching your tapioca pearls. A study from consumer advocacy and research group Consumer Reports found lead in the sweet, slurpable tapioca balls commonly added to tea shop beverages in samples from four companies, including two international chains with multiple locations in the Bay Area.

None of the results rose to Consumer Reports' "level of concern for lead," but the report may come as a caveat to boba-obsessed San Francisco, which a Chronicle data analysis from 2023 declared as the U.S. county with the most boba shops per capita - nearly two stores per 10,000 people.

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"We don't want these results to be alarming, and they're not," said Consumer Reports food safety research and testing manager Sana Muhajid, Ph.D. "We just want to increase awareness about the potential exposure to lead and for consumers to potentially limit their intake."

Pedestrians walk past a Gong Cha boba shop in San Francisco's Union Square. (Jessica Christian/S.F. Chronicle)





Consumer Reports tested boba drinks from two tea chains - Gong Cha and Kung Fu Tea - as well as two packaged products - one from grocer Trader Joe's, which was recently discontinued, and one from Shanghai company WuFuYuan, whose pearls are available at retailers such as H Mart and Target.

The consumer group found that the approximate serving of tapioca pearls in the 24-ounce sizes of Gong Cha's pearl milk tea and Kung Fu Tea's milk tea (87 grams) had 70% and 63%, respectively, of its "level of concern for lead." Trader Joe's instant boba kit (65 grams) reached 83% of that level, while WuFuYuan's black sugar tapioca pearls (50 grams) were 29%.

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In a statement to the Chronicle, Gong Cha said that it works with suppliers that undergo independent testing for safety, and that it has not had any adverse findings. A Trader Joe's representative wrote in an email that its instant boba kit was discontinued in June as a result of low sales, but did not answer follow-up questions about where it sourced the item, or how it manages product safety. Kung Fu Tea did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Consumer Reports based its lead "concern level" on the maximum allowable dose for lead in California Proposition 65, which is 0.5 micrograms per day. (A microgram is one millionth of a gram.) There is no single federal limit, but that is a fraction of the Food & Drug Administration's interim reference level - what it describes as a benchmark for "potential health concern" - of 12.5 micrograms a day for adults, 8.8 for women of childbearing age, and 2.2 for children. In other words, while two servings of the Gong Cha pearl milk tea as tested would surpass the Consumer Reports level, it would take more than 30 equivalent servings to reach the FDA's level for an adult. Some have criticized consumer group's reporting on lead in food products as too strident.

Pedestrians walk past a Gong Cha boba shop in San Francisco's Union Square. (Jessica Christian/S.F. Chronicle)





No amount of lead exposure is considered safe, said Dr. Lisa Patel, a clinical associate professor of pediatrics at Stanford School of Medicine. Lead is especially harmful during pregnancy and in young children, she said, as it can have detrimental effects on a developing brain and nervous system, as well as on their overall health.

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But most Americans have some lead in their blood, and exposure can be difficult to completely avoid because the heavy metal is so commonplace. Recent analysis by Consumer Reports, for instance, has also found elevated lead levels in protein powders, chocolate, spices, and various food products made with cassava - which is used to make the tapioca pearls in boba tea. Root vegetables like cassava naturally absorb what's in the soil, which includes lead if it's present. Lead contamination can also be introduced during processing or through the supply chain.

The bottom line is that you don't need to put down the wide-mouth straw for good. What's important, said Patel, is being mindful of other potential sources of lead exposure if you regularly consume bubble tea. Every now and then, she said that she will cave to her children's demand for a boba drink, but she makes it a point to limit them to one every couple of months. In adults, she recommends assessing your comfort and other day-to-day risk factors.

"It's kind of like smoking, drinking, or, frankly, getting into a car," she said. "Those all carry a level of risk, but, as an adult, you can make those decisions for yourself."

This article originally published at Is this report a reason to drink fewer boba teas?.
Instead of dolphins or surfers, don't be surprised if you see cigarette butts at a beach.

What's happening?

Sadly, many visitors forget to use trash cans when out in nature. In the case of beaches, it's easy for small items like cigarettes and other plastics to get lost in the sand and seep into the nearby water.

As WDET reported, Duck Lake connects to Lake Michigan through a small channel, often becoming a recipient for the larger lake's trash when high waters and wind push loads in its direction.

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As the water recedes, the plastic doesn't, with much remaining in the grass on the sides of the channel.

When WDET reporter Lester Graham went back to Duck Lake to cover a microplastics story for a third time, he found 158 cigarette butts in one hour.

Why is litter at Duck Lake concerning?

Whether it's national parks or beaches, these areas are available for all to enjoy. Visitors of all ages can learn about ecological processes, have fun with loved ones, participate in activities, or just relax. Plus, these areas are natural habitats for many animal species.

However, it's harder to enjoy nature when others continue to disrespect it.

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A park employee told Graham that people park "cars next to the beach to enjoy the view of Lake Michigan," only to "toss their cigarette butts on the ground" while there. This is a prime example of troubling behavior that can have lingering effects.

When visitors mindlessly discard items on the beach, it provides an easy passage into nearby waters already overrun with plastics. Those tiny cigarette butts start "breaking down into small pieces, less than 5 millimeters, end up in the Great Lakes," Olivia Reda, cleanup organizer for the Alliance for the Great Lakes, told WDET.

Nanoplastics and microplastics are increasingly being found in the environment. Worse still, they are being found in human bodies.

Mary Kosuth, a teacher at Dunwoody College of Technology, even found microplastics in local beer, as Michigan Public reported.

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Sadly, unsuspecting wildlife can easily choke on larger pieces of plastic by mistaking it for food.

What's being done about the littering problem?

Andrea Densham, senior policy adviser for the Alliance for the Great Lakes, told WDET that signage "reminding folks that birds and children enjoy the beaches and that having cigarette butts is really damaging" could be helpful.

Elsewhere, caring volunteers take local action through monthly work in addition to annual cleanups. At the Great Lakes, Adopt-a-Beach volunteers team up to clear away trash, according to WDET.

Of course, it's not just cigarette butts that are the problem. All types of litter, especially plastics, harm the environment.

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Anyone can help mitigate this issue by using less plastic, especially single-use items. For example, by repurposing containers, you can keep them from ending up in polluting landfills or from reaching vital water bodies.

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.
Even Republicans are starting to voice concerns about President Donald Trumps mental state and physical well-being.

On Friday, former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger posted a Substack essay and video detailing his concerns regarding the presidents mental acuity. Kinzinger is also an Air National Guard veteran and works as a commentator for CNN.

You dont know anymore whats an act, whats real. But I mean, it feels like hes even descended since the beginning of his term, Kinzinger said in the video. Three years left of this and thats the question. So when he does hit a point where hes completely out of it, would there be anybody that had the courage to do the 25th amendment? So you may ultimately end up with a Weekend at Bernies president.

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In the 1989 black comedy Weekend at Bernies, two young office workers discover their boss Bernie is dead after arriving at his beach house and spend the weekend pretending hes alive to avoid being implicated in his death.

The 25th amendment affords the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet the power to declare the president unfit if he is no longer able to perform his duties.

I just think its something we need to look at, consider, and think about, having an insane presidentI think we have an insane presidentbut having an insane president that actually cant think because hes lost it," Kinzinger continued.

On a video posted to his Substack, former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger said, You may ultimately end up with a Weekend at Bernies president. / Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The White House did not immediately respond to the Daily Beasts request for comment.

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In recent months, Trump has demonstrated memory problems, mixing up the names of people, places, and aircraft, sharing factually inaccurate stories, and failing to recognize people he knows, including world leaderseven when theyre sitting right in front of him.

Kinzinger, who was an Illinois representative from 2011 to 2023, and a vocal skeptic of Trumps claims of election fraud, didnt seek re-election in 2022. In his essay, he urged Americans to be aware of powerful advisers attempting to pursue their own agendas instead of ensuring we have a president who is fully cognitively available.

Stephen Miller drives the crackdown on immigrants and the push to use the National Guard, he wrote. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is leading the assault on public health. Russell Vought is overseeing the mass firing of thousands of federal workers.

The truth is, what Donald Trump says matters less than what those behind him do, he added. And that may be the most dangerous reality of all.

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Kinzinger questioned what it would mean for the country if the president were in visible decline, answering his own question by saying the public must watch carefully and hope those around him are competent.

What would it mean for America if the president were in visible decline? Kinzinger asked. / Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

He also credited the recent peace efforts between Israel and Hamas to skilled negotiators from the U.S. and abroad, alleging that Trump played a ceremonial role, despite his boasting about the peace deal.

A similar pattern is unfolding domestically, where powerful advisers pursue their own agendas, Kinzinger wrote.

Recently, Trump revealed his fears that when he dies, he wont make it to heaven, stating I dont think theres anything [thats] going to get me in heaven. This conclusion came less than two months after Trump lamented that he wants to try and get to heaven, if possible.

Adam Kinzinger addresses the Unite For Veterans, Unite for America Rally on the National Mall on June 6, 2025, in Washington, D.C. / Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Kinzinger claimed that these comments are proof that Trump is worried about his own death. These references to heaven suggest an awareness of his own fragility, he said.

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Hes also begun warning that one day hell fall downthe same kind of stumble he once mocked Biden for, Kinzinger added.

The White House, however, claims that a medical check-up in October showed that Trump continues to demonstrate excellent overall health. The president has run with this narrative, telling reporters that his doctors appointment was in fact a semi-annual physical, despite MSNBCs Chris Hayes pointing out that Trump had his annual check-up in April.

Kinzinger also pointed out that Trump has been showing visible signs of age-related circulatory issues known as venous insufficiency, which causes swelling in the ankles and bruising on the hands. In July, the White House revealed that Trump has chronic venous insufficiency, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claiming that it is a benign and common condition.

Before and after that announcement, Trumps cankles have been spotted in plenty of photo ops on full display, and he has been caught using makeup to cover bruises on his hands on multiple occasions.

Kinzinger has gone toe-to-toe with the president before, serving as one of two minority members on the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol.
Researchers believe solar farms and agricultural farms can be one and the same, thanks to a pilot project that highlights a unique solar panel setup.

The innovation, tested by a research team from Denmark's Aarhus University, features vertically installed solar panels in open crop fields. By standing the panels straight up, TechXplore reported, the researchers have been able to grow crops and generate energy side-by-side, with few performance issues.

"It's a win-win," study lead author Marta Victoria said in a university release.

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The team published its study in the journal Energy Nexus.

To test their hypothesis, the researchers set up one system of vertically installed, east-west facing solar panels and another of traditionally installed, south-facing tilted panels. Both setups occurred in fields growing wheat and grass-clover mixtures.

The vertical panels generated slightly less electricity, but because their generation was highest during times of highest demand, it actually had a slightly higher value. And the crop yields in those fields showed no decline.

"Even with some shade, the yield per square meter is almost the same," researcher Uffe Jorgensen said in a release. "The crops don't seem to mind the presence of solar panels and they like the wind protection that they provide."

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Even better, the vertical setup offered several environmental benefits, including reduced material usage and lower carbon emissions.

But most of all, the vertical panels used up much less space, occupying only 10% or so of the field's area. To get similar power generation and crop yield separately, researchers said, would normally require about 25% more space.

If this proves viable at scale, it would be a game-changer for solar farming.

Should the government continue to give tax incentives for energy-efficient home upgrades? Absolutely No Depends on the upgrade I don't know Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Many farmers have already started installing solar panels on their land, which provides a number of benefits. Not only does it create clean, renewable energy, reducing our planet's reliance on fossil fuels, but it also uses less water than traditional farming and can be a boon to local pollinators and native plants.

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The practice can also prove lucrative to farmers. In California, many farmers who install solar panels have received up to $50,000 per acre each year, providing a steady revenue stream even when crops don't come in as planned.

However, these panels take up a lot of space, leaving less room for other necessary or valuable crops. That's where the vertical setup could create opportunity.

Before their vertical setup becomes mainstream, researchers plan to test it over a longer period spanning several crop cycles. But the potential is massive.

As an Aarhus release put it, "The message is clear: We don't have to choose between wheat and watts."

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A demonstrator waves a "vote for democracy" flag at the No Kings protest on June 14, 2025, at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise. (Photo by Christina Lords/Idaho Capital Sun)

America was born in protest. In fact, we might never have separated from Great Britain, were it not for a list of grievances written into our Declaration of Independence 249 years ago. The 13 British colonies had had enough of the arbitrary actions of King George III and peaceably advised him so in that treasured document.

Several years later, with those grievances in mind and in hopes of preventing a recurrence of lawless actions by Americas new government, our ancestors wrote up a Constitution and Bill of Rights. Our First Amendment, guaranteed the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. The First Amendment stands out as a principal protection against arbitrary king-like rule.

Ever since he took office in January, we have witnessed a growing contempt for the constitutional order, including free-speech rights, by Donald Trump and his MAGA crowd. If wide swaths of Americans object to his arbitrary, unconstitutional orders and actions, he and his minions dont write it off as Americans exercising their constitutional rights. He sees it as a threat to his royal eminence. Those who protest are labeled as domestic terrorists, agitators, anarchists and even worse.

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Many who fear the path Trump is taking toward despotic rule have gathered in communities across the country to hold No Kings rallies. The purpose is to speak out against despotic words and unconstitutional action by the Trump regime. I spoke at a rally held on April 5 in Twin Falls by the local chapter of Indivisible. It was a well-attended patriotic rally of good, decent folks spanning the political spectrum.

The No Kings rallies across America on June 14 protested Trumps lavish military parade in Washington that was timed to celebrate his kingly birth. The protest also called him out for his repeated and deliberate transgressions of the U.S. Constitution. The Indivisible patriots had to step forward because the cowardly GOP members of Congress dont have the courage to stand up for the Constitution. Idahos U.S. House and U.S. Senate members  Sens. Risch and Crapo and Reps. Simpson and Fulcher  know Trump is trampling over the Constitution, but they dont have the courage to protest, being much more interested in maintaining their political offices. Thank Heaven for the First Amendment.

Another Indivisible rally is scheduled for 2,200 communities throughout America on Oct. 18, including Boise, Idaho Falls, Hailey, Moscow, Pocatello, and Twin Falls. Ill be speaking at the one in Twin Falls. Many concerned, civic-minded folks will attend.

Trumps obedient sycophants, like U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, have condemned those who are concerned by Trumps march to despotism. Johnson called the upcoming rally a hate America rally of the antifa, pro-Hamas crowd and the Marxists.

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Thats quite a mix and match of ideologies and dead wrong on all counts.

It is interesting how antifa, an ideology that opposes fascism, always manages to get woven into the MAGA worldview as the root of all evil. It is not an organization and does not hold meetings or carry out sinister actions. Even if it were an actual group, the idea of opposing fascism is not really obnoxious, unless you happen to be a fascist. Mussolini would have tried to stamp them out.

Nevertheless, Donald Trump has had it in for antifa for many years. During his first term, Trump said he would be designating ANTIFA as a Terrorist Organization for allegedly inciting violence during Black Lives Matter protests. A June 2020 protest in Spokane sparked a panic in Coeur dAlene when false rumors spread about an antifa invasion of North Idaho.

Armed citizens lined the streets to fight off the ideology. Not a single antifan materialized. As far as anyone knows, Trump has not yet been able to produce a picture of an antifan or antifa gathering, making them as elusive as the Northern Sasquatch.

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But, even if antifa were not more than just a way of thinking, why shouldnt those who hate fascism have the right to think and speak their beliefs under the First Amendment? Trump seems to think they should be rounded up and punished. What could be a more clearcut violation of free speech rights?

The idea that America should not return to rule by a king, be it Trump or some other wannabe monarch, will be revisited on the 250th commemoration of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. I pray that he will not have managed, with his 10,000 more ICE agents funded by the Big Beautiful Billionaires Bill, to impose his vision of a kingship on our beloved democratic republic.

With the good work of Indivisible and other American patriotic organizations, we might well survive as a free nation.

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Even as Pakistan and Afghanistan gear up to meet in Doha today to broker a peace after days of fighting and air strike the Taliban Government said that Afghanistan reserves the right to respond to Pakistani airstrikes on its land. Taliban Spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid said that though Afghanistan is committed to peaceful resolution, the current incidents are due to acts of aggression by Pakistan. In a series of posts on X, he said, "As previously agreed, negotiations with the Pakistani side are scheduled to take place today in Doha. In this regard, a high-level delegation of the Islamic Emirate, led by the Honorable Minister of Defense, Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, has departed for Doha. However, last night, Pakistani military forces once again conducted airstrikes on civilian areas in Paktika, resulting in the martyrdom and injury of a number of civilians. The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns, in the harshest terms, the repeated crimes of the Pakistani forces and the violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty. Such acts are deemed provocative and are viewed as deliberate attempts to prolong the conflict." "While the Islamic Emirate reserves the right to respond to these violations, in order to maintain the dignity and integrity of its negotiating team, its forces have been instructed to refrain from undertaking new military operations at this time. We reiterate that Afghanistan remains committed to a peaceful resolution and regional stability. However, the ongoing incidents are entirely the result of aggression by the Pakistani side," he added. Meanwhile, as per Tolo news, the Pakistani delegation had arrived in Doha for mediation talks.The delegation includes Khawaja Asif, Pakistan's Defense Minister, and Asim Malik, the country's intelligence chief. Tolo News also reported that, Local officials in Kandahar said that around 20,000 families have been displaced from Spin Boldak due to clashes between Afghan border forces and Pakistani troops. Officials added that these families were forced to flee because of Pakistan's indiscriminate bombings and have sought safety in deserts and other areas where basic living facilities are scarce. According to them, efforts to provide assistance to the displaced families are ongoing. At least six people, including two children, were killed and seven others wounded in a series of airstrikes conducted by Pakistan in Afghanistan's southeastern Paktika province, marking a breach of the recent ceasefire agreement between the two neighbouring countries, Tolo News reported on Friday. According to Tolo News, citing sources, the airstrikes reportedly targeted residential areas in the Argun and Barmal districts of the country, causing significant civilian casualties. Among the injured are six women and one child. (ANI)
NEED TO KNOW

A former womens wrestling referee died in a bear attack

The body of Katsumi Sasazaki, 60, was found on the bank of a river on Friday, Oct. 17, after he was reported missing the previous day

Sasazaki had been cleaning an outdoor bath area when the attack occurred

A former womens wrestling referee died in a tragic bear attack.

Rescue workers found the mutilated body of Katsumi Sasazaki, 60, in a wooded area in Kitakami, a city in northeastern Japan, on Friday, Oct. 17, per Japanese national news outlet Asahi Shimbum.

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Sasazaki, who was a recently retired referee for the Japanese womens wrestling league Dream Star Fighting Marigold, was working at his job at a local hot spring inn when the attack occurred, per the outlet.

Sasazakis manager noticed he was missing the morning of Thursday, Oct 16, and called the local Kitakami Police around 11:15 a.m. local time that day, according to Asahi Shimbum. Police found blood and what appeared to be bear fur in the outdoor area where Sasazaki had been cleaning, per both Asahi Shimbum and NHK World Japan.

Police, along with a local hunting association and city officials, initiated a search for the man, but were forced to suspend it after only half an hour due to inclement weather. They ultimately found Sasazakis body the following morning at approximately 9 a.m. on the bank of a nearby river about 164 feet from the inn, per Asahi Shimbum.

Authorities shot and killed an adult male Asiatic black bear near where the body was found, according to the outlet.



DEA / C.DANI / I.JESKE/De Agostini via Getty Asiatic black bear (stock image) Asiatic black bear (stock image)

PEOPLE reached out to Japans National Police Agency for comment on Saturday, Oct. 18, but did not receive an immediate response.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Rossy Ogawa, owner of Dream Star Fighting Marigold wrestling league, paid tribute to Sasazaki in a post on X, noting that Sasazaki was a father to two young daughters.



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Tragic news has come in that the body of Katsumi Sasazaki, who was attacked by a bear and went missing at a hot spring facility in Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture, has been found, Ogawa began his post.

Sasazakis final referee appearance was in the Marigold ring. A junior from All Japan Womens Pro-Wrestling, he was reserved but dedicated to his work, and he leaves behind two young daughters, he continued. Such an end is unthinkable, and all I can say is that its deeply regrettable and heartbreaking.

I pray for his soul to rest in peace, Ogawa said at the end of his statement.



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Takeaways

 Regional Medical Center has been recognized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement as an age-friendly health system.

 CEO Keith Parrott, who joined RMC in April, credited the hospitals existing staff for earning the designation.

 RMC recently earned multiple American Heart Association Get With the Guidelines awards for excellence in stroke, cardiac, and resuscitation care.

 The hospital has adopted Tiger Connect, a HIPAA-compliant communication platform that enhances efficiency and patient care.

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 RMC is also improving patient safety by implementing structured shift-change handoffs each day to ensure continuity of care.

ANNISTON  Regional Medical Center has added another honor to its list of recent recognitions. On Friday, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement designated RMC as an age-friendly health system.

We met all their requirements for the Center for Medicare Services, said RMC CEO and President Keith Parrott on Tuesday. The work it took to get this designation started before me. I must give the existing team members the credit. We are doing a lot of hard work.

Parrott, who became CEO in April, said he feels fortunate to have joined a staff committed to continuous improvement.

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I came in, he said, and encouraged and celebrated improvement and then pushed for even more. Everyone is responding extremely well to that.

Within the past year, RMC has received several American Heart Association Get With the Guidelines awards, including the Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll; the Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes award; and the Resuscitation Gold  Adult award.

The hospital also recently implemented Tiger Connect, a HIPAA-compliant platform that allows secure internal communication among staff.

We can share information between doctors and nurses about the care of patients and help doctors and nurses expedite the care, Parrott said.

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He credited RMCs chief information officer, Pete Furlow, with suggesting the system.

We said, absolutely. It is a low-cost way to improve care at the hospital, Parrott said.

RMC also began a new initiative Tuesday aimed at improving patient safety during shift changes. Each morning between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m., the staff pauses nonemergency work to focus on what Parrott called a safe and complete handoff.

We see opportunities to improve our communications, he said. We want to have the best efficiency and quality of care for our patients and want our processes to help the staff take time out to deliver care more effectively. As new processes are improving, we are eager to adopt them.

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Parrott said he is proud of the hospitals progress but remains focused on continued growth.

I have no doubt we will continue to be successful and improve, he said. Ive only been here for nine months, and the progress weve made is primarily the reflection of the people and their desire to improve. Leaders can set a vision, but the people have to get on board.
Related Video: Kickoff to No Kings Protest This Weekend

WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Tens of thousands of protestors are expected to gather in the streets of D.C. on Saturday as part of nationwide No Kings protests.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced several road closures that will take place due to this protest on Friday.

No Kings rally kicks off weekend of demonstrations in DC

Until 7 p.m. on Saturday, Pennsylvania Avenue from 3rd Street to Constitution Avenue, NW will be posted as emergency no parking and completely closed to vehicle traffic.

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From 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, the following streets will not allow parking:

6th Street from C Street to Constitution Avenue, NW

Constitution Avenue from 7th Street to 6th Street, NW

U Street from 15th Street to 13th Street, NW

W Street from Martin Luther King Jr Avenue to 13th Street, SE

From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, these streets will be closed to vehicle traffic:

Pennsylvania Avenue from 3rd Street to 7th Street, NW

6th Street from C Street to Constitution Avenue, NW

Constitution Avenue from 7th Street to 6th Street, NW

3rd Street from Constitution Avenue to Independence Avenue, SW

From 5:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, W Street from Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue to 13th Street, SE will be closed to vehicle traffic.

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MPD said that 14th Street from Florida Avenue to F Street, NW may see temporary closures between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Police did not anticipate any more street closures but said that there could be intermittent closures in downtown D.C.

MPD will update on X with any road closures.

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All roads have reopened following a shooting that left a 28-year-old woman shot in the chest early Saturday morning in Hyannis, police told MassLive.

The incident happened at around 4:16 a.m. at 174 Main St. When Barnstable Police arrived, they found the woman with a gunshot wound to the chest and immediately provided assistance.

Hyannis Fire and Rescue arrived and drove the woman to Cape Cod Hospital, the Barnstable Police Department said in a Facebook post. She was flown to a Boston hospital for further treatment.

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The Cape Cod Regional Law Enforcement Council SWAT Team assisted Barnstable police with two active scenes located within the 100 block of Main Street, the department said.

As a result of the investigation, traffic was routed away from the area of Main Street between Center and Pleasant streets but these roads have since reopened.

A preliminary investigation suggests the shooting was not a random act, police said, and anyone with information regarding the shooting are urged to contact Barnstable Police Sergeant Adam Ruggieri via email at ruggieria@barnstablepolice.gov.

Police did not immediately respond to MassLives request for an update on the womans condition as of 4:30 p.m.

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A regimen combining a new experimental Roche medicine with an older drug lowered the risk of disease progression or death by nearly two thirds in people with a certain type of breast tumor, according to study data revealed Saturday.

Roche disclosed last month that the closely watched Phase 3 study had succeeded, but presented details for the first time on Saturday at the European Society for Medical Oncology meeting in Berlin. The data, should it lead to a regulatory approval, could help distinguish the company's medicine from others like it. These drugs  collectively known as selective estrogen receptor degraders, or SERDs  are newer, oral versions of a decades-old treatment widely used against breast cancer. Two of them, Eli Lillys Inluriyo and Menarini Groups Orserdu, are already available.

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Roche's giredestrant and its peers have been evaluated against "ER-positive, HER2-negative" breast cancer, the most common form of the disease. That form is first treated with hormone drugs and a type of targeted therapy called a CDK4/6 inhibitor. Many patients progress, though, and afterwards, the options are more limited.

Over the last two years, Orserdu and Inluriyo have increased those options. In testing, theyve proven effective in people whose ER-positive, HER2-negative tumors progress and have a mutations to a gene called ESR1  an alteration that occurs during or after exposure to hormone therapy. Orserdu, for example, was associated with a 45% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death compared to hormone therapy, while Inluriyo posted a 38% risk reduction.

Roche is the latest to read out results. In its trial, named evERA, Roche combined giredestrant with everolimus, a drug sold under the brand name Afinitor and used in second-line, ER-positive disease. The trial tested that combination against older hormone treatments and everolimus, measuring its ability to hold disease in check among those with ESR1 mutations as well as the overall study population.

The results presented Saturday show the giredestrant combination reduced the risk of progression in the ESR1-positive population by 62% and in the broader group by 44%. An exploratory analysis of only those without ESR1 mutations  which wasnt as statistically robust as the other findings  showed no significant difference in the risk of disease progression between people who got giredestrant or other hormone therapies, according to lead study investigator Erica Mayer, an oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

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However, Mayer noted the analysis did show signs of a benefit on response rates, the length of those responses, and patient survival. The totality of the data supports the improvement seen in the [broad] population in the trial, she said.

I think the majority of medical oncologists feel that the optimal treatment after a CDK [inhibitor] is endocrine therapy plus a targeted partner, Mayer said. Id be very excited to use this regimen in clinic with patients.

While trials are often difficult to directly compare, Inluriyo didnt delay progression in the broad group of ESR1-positive and negative enrollees in the pivotal study underlying its approval. Orserdu did, reducing the risk of progression by 30%, but still wasnt cleared for non-ESR1 patients because the benefit was primarily attributed to results from patients in the ESR1-[positive] subgroup, FDA reviewers wrote.

Inluriyo hasnt been on the market long enough for Lilly to report quarterly sales. And as a private company, Menarin doesnt publicly report earnings. But a drug royalty company called DRI Healthcare has acquired twice pieces of Orserdu sales, first buying into a mid-single digit percentage of royalties and then a low to high single-digit royalty stream. Last year, the first piece generated $28.4 million for DRI and the second earned $37.1 million.
Rock Island Alderwoman Linda Barnes will host a public meeting to help residents better understand the City of Rock Islands budget process, a news release says.

Linda Barnes (contributed photo)

This meeting is an opportunity for residents to learn how the citys budget is developed,

where funds are allocated, and how they can participate in the process, Barnes said.

Transparency and community engagement are essential to building a budget that reflects

our shared priorities.

The meeting will be held in compliance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act, ensuring public access and transparency. All residents and interested members of the public are encouraged to attend, the release says.

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The meeting will take place at 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, in Rock Island City Council Chambers on the third floor of City Hall, 1528 Third Ave. The meeting will feature:

An introduction by Barnes

A review of the Budget in Brief document by the Finance Department staff

A presentation of the remaining budget schedule by Finance Department staff

An open forum for public comments and questions.





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Perhaps the question is not why now, but why it hadnt happened sooner.

In a move that cements his banishment from royal life, Prince Andrew announced he was relinquishing the use of his royal titles and honors, and would no longer be known as the Duke of York.

The decision, announced Friday, was made in close consultation with Britains King Charles III, who is believed to be glad at the outcome, while Prince William and other members of the royal family were also consulted on the discussions, CNN understands.

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Along with his statement, Andrew also continued to once again vigorously deny the accusations against me.

Dukedom is the highest rank in the British peerage, and the title was given to Andrew on the morning of his wedding to ex-wife Sarah Ferguson by his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. The announcement on Friday evening draws a line once and for all, without having to go through the messy machinations of a parliamentary intervention, which would have been required to remove the dukedom.

The relinquishment of such a title within the British royal family is incredibly rare.

The last instance is understood to be over 100 years ago, when Prince Charles Edward, who was one of Queen Victorias grandsons, had the title of Duke of Albany stripped from him by the British parliament under the Titles Deprivation Act 1917 for fighting for Germany, where he was Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, during World War I.

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Andrew still retains the title prince, bestowed on him at birth as the son of the then reigning monarch. But he is giving up all other titles conferred on him in honor by the royal family. For a man who clearly relishes his status, this is no small loss.

Andrew stepped down from public life in 2019 following a disastrous BBC interview in which he was questioned about his friendship with disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Three years later, in 2022, he stopped using the style His Royal Highness, or HRH, and was stripped of his military titles and charity patronages.

Andrew, pictured alongside King Charles at the Duchess of Kent's funeral, stepped down from public life in 2019. - Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Yet the fallout from his association with Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial in the United States on federal charges of sexually abusing underage girls, has continued to plague him.

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Fridays decision is thought to be Andrews own, and was made in recognition of the fact that his personal issues continue to be a distraction from the wider work of the royal family, his statement Friday said.

While it appears to have been his choice, he  and the rest of the Windsor clan  were facing mounting pressure to resolve the situation. CNN historian and royal expert Kate Williams said Andrew had become toxic to the royal brand.

This is a signal that we will not see him in family events, we are not going to see him when theres a big celebration for King Charless 80th birthday in a couple of years; Andrew is out of the fold, she said.

The question is, is this enough to stop the backlash overall tainting the royal family?

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Williams believes a question mark now hangs over Andrews continued residence in the Royal Lodge, a 30-room mansion in Windsor, although he has a private tenancy agreement for the property with the Crown Estate which has not been affected by the change in use of titles and honors, according to a royal source.

The thorny issue of what do with Andrew has loomed over the King since he ascended to the throne in 2022.

Charles dilemma was one perhaps unique to royals. Andrew is both his brother and a senior member of an ancient institution.

Andrew has largely stayed out of the limelight since 2019 and has only generally attended private family events  one of the most recent being the Duchess of Kents funeral service, at which he was accompanied by Sarah Ferguson.

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At the same time, this step-back from public life has done little to stop the headlines.

His links to Epstein have remained in the spotlight, with the prince facing fresh backlash during the 2021 sex trafficking trial of disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, when one of her accusers named Andrew as a passenger on Epsteins private jet.

In recent weeks, multiple British news outlets reported on an email which appeared to raise questions over Andrews stated timeline regarding when he cut off contact with Epstein. Similarly, his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who will now no longer use the title Duchess of York, has faced backlash in recent weeks.

Files from Epsteins estate continue to be released by the US House Oversight Committee and there has been media speculation as to whether Andrews name will feature in those.

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Meanwhile, a posthumous memoir by Virginia Giuffre, who had previously alleged that she had been forced to have sex with the prince after being trafficked by Epstein, is due to be published in the coming days.

Andrew had repeatedly denied Giuffres allegations. In 2022, Giuffre and Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement after she sued him for sexual assault. She died by suicide in April at age 41.

A photograph appearing to show Prince Andrew with Epstein's accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell. - Southern District of New York

The books release comes in the same week that King Charles and Queen Camilla are headed to the Vatican for a historic state visit.

Epstein aside, Andrew has also faced questions over his relationship with an alleged Chinese spy, named by a British court in December as Yang Tengbo. Yang is alleged to have worked for Chinas United Front Work Department (UFWD), a branch of the ruling Communist Party tasked with gaining influence both at home and overseas. A court hearing described Yang as having developed an unusual degree of trust with the younger brother of King Charles.

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In April this year, a 10-page document on Andrews relations with Yang was released by British courts.

It seems the palace realized that the institutions reputation was continuing to be impacted by the disgraced prince despite the previous moves to remove him as a working royal, which may be why further internal discussions took place, leading to Fridays announcement.

There will be those  including monarchy-abolishment campaign group Republic who described the move as too little, too late  who say palace should have acted sooner.

Giuffres brother Sky Roberts told CNN that this is what my sister was fighting for for so many years, following the news that Andrew had given up using his remaining titles.

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Today is a day where weve shed a lot of happy and sad tears. Happy because its a good start, he said. Her kids get to know their mom as somebody that really did something in this world, that she actually spread a lot of good and was able to hold people to account.

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DENVER (KDVR)  The Regional Transportation District said it is taking steps to prepare for an expected large presence of demonstrators in downtown Denver Saturday.

The agency said light rail and commuter rail services to Denver Union Station will continue as scheduled  as long as it is safe  and that it has several contingency plans that can be readily implemented if an external event disrupts its fixed route bus and rail services.

RTD rail, bus services to use before, after Broncos game on Sunday

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RTD said that in the event Union Station is closed for safety reasons, connections will not be provided to the facility, but that services will continue to operate along the remainder of each individual rail line.

Agency staff will actively monitor events in real time to support public safety and, to the greatest extent possible, minimize service disruptions, RTD said in a release Saturday.

Bus services in downtown will continue as scheduled, meanwhile, unless streets are closed or it is determined to be unsafe for operations, according to RTD, which said bus routes will be rerouted around street closures, so long as it is feasible and safe.

RTD said it has been meeting with external entities such as the Denver Police Department for several days to receive updates and risk assessments on the situation.

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These coordinated efforts ensure RTD can quickly incorporate information from its public safety partners and readily deploy agency resources as needed or warranted, the agency said.

No Kings protests planned across Colorado on Saturday

RTD said its Transit Police Department will also be increasing its patrols and officer presence to support the personal safety and security of customers and employees.

Riders are encouraged to prepare in advance when traveling to and from the downtown area today by using RTDs Next Ride App and viewing service alerts.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
A parliamentary committee on Friday sharply criticised the worsening state of Islamabad's education system, condemning both the dismal condition of government schools and the unchecked profiteering by private institutions, as reported by Dawn. According to Dawn, members of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Federal Education, chaired by MNA Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, expressed alarm over the absence of basic amenities in many public schools, including clean drinking water, toilets, and functional classrooms. The lawmakers also censured the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (Peira) for failing to control unjustified tuition fee hikes in private schools, which continue to exploit parents through steep and arbitrary increases. Peira's guidelines allow schools to raise fees by only 5 per cent annually, or up to 8 per cent for high-performing institutions. However, the committee noted that weak enforcement has allowed elite schools to impose exorbitant charges, creating immense financial strain on families. The panel instructed Peira to draft a comprehensive and transparent fee policy ensuring accountability and fairness, stating that education must remain a public right rather than a privilege for the wealthy few. The committee also discussed the shortage of essential facilities in rural schools within Islamabad's jurisdiction. Officials from the Ministry of Education informed the committee that 167 schools are currently being renovated under the "Provision of Basic Education Facilities in Educational Institutions of ICT under FDE" project. Out of these, work on 71 schools is nearly finished, 27 have already been handed over, and 400 new classrooms are being built, with the entire project expected to conclude by year-end. However, the panel was informed that the schools previously visited by committee members were not part of the ongoing plan but would be included in another initiative, as cited by Dawn. The lawmakers further raised concerns about growing incidents of child abuse and drug use in educational institutions. While acknowledging the formation of Child Protection Committees in government schools, they criticised the lack of follow-up mechanisms. The panel demanded detailed reports on all such cases to ensure that Pakistan's schools remain safe environments for students, as reported by Dawn. (ANI)
Idaho's 2025 elections

Idaho voters have decisions to make in the November election. No federal or state offices are on the ballot in 2025, but candidates for city councils and mayor are. So are school and special-district trustees. These are the local governments that require property taxes and deliver police, public education and other services. Some of them have placed measures on the ballot asking voters to pony up property-tax money for specific needs. The Statesman is shining a spotlight on this election with news, in-depth enterprise reporting, exclusive watchdog stories, and our Voter Guide Q&As with candidates answering our questions. Find them here.

Seven candidates are running for three Nampa City Council seats in the Nov. 4 election.

Debbie Skaug and Kody Daffer are competing for the District 1 seat. Randy Haverfield is running for re-election to District 5 against Wendy Rhodes, Shaun Simmons and Victor Rodriguez, who now represents District 1.

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Rodriguez is running for the District 5 seat because of a state law passed in 2020 that requires any city with over 100,000 or more people to elect council members by district. When Rodriguez ran for his first two terms on the City Council, members werent elected by district. He and Haverfield both live in what is now District 5.

David Bills, who represents District 3, is running uncontested for re-election. Bills was appointed to the seat in January to fill a vacancy left by Natalie Jangula.

Nampa City Council candidates from top left are Debbie Skaug, Kody Daffer and Wendy Rhodes. From bottom left are Victor Rodriguez, Shaun Simmons and Randy Haverfield.

Nampa City Council districts are outlined in this map. District 5, outlined in blue, covers Southwest Nampa.

The winners will serve four-year terms.

The Idaho Statesman sent surveys to the candidates in the two contested races, and their responses are presented below, unedited. They addressed issues such as growth and public safety. Swipe below to see all the candidates, or click on the scroll bar at the bottom.
The Economist has calculated that if the Russian offensive continues at its current pace, Russia would need until June 2030 to completely occupy Ukraine's Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, and it would take another 103 years to capture the whole of Ukraine.

Source: The Economist

Quote: "Since the battle lines stabilised after Ukraine's first counteroffensive ended in October 2022, they have barely moved. No large city has changed hands.

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At the pace of the past 30 days, seizing what remains of the four regions Mr Putin already claims  Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia  would take until June 2030. (For Russia to occupy all of Ukraine would require a further 103 years.)"

Details: Since May this year, when it launched a large-scale frontline offensive, Russia has captured only 0.4% of Ukrainian territory according to The Economist's calculations and has not achieved any serious objectives.

The Economist said Russia is paying a huge price for minimal gains on the battlefield.

Quote from The Economist: "Our meta-estimate suggests that, from the beginning of the full-scale invasion to January of this year, Russian casualties amounted to 640,000-877,000 soldiers, of whom 137,000-228,000 have died. By 13 October, those totals had risen by almost 60%, to 984,000-1,438,000 casualties, including 190,000-480,000 dead.

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Our rough calculations suggest that the soldiers killed in the war amount to 0.5%-1.2% of Russia's pre-war cohort of men under the age of 60, compared to 0.6%-1.3% for Ukraine, taking UAlosses' record of dead, and dead plus missing, as a starting guess."

More details: A sudden breakthrough of Ukraine's defensive lines is unlikely, since "surveillance, coupled with long-range precision weaponry, has made massing forces near the front suicidal", The Economist believes. However, incremental successes remain possible  albeit at a huge cost  by sending small groups of fighters into the death zone to capture advanced positions.

Quote: "If Western backing for Ukraine holds, the war may well grind on at enormous cost, with Russia gaining ground only slowly.

But Russia's ability to fight on at today's pace may also be coming to an end. And if Mr Putin pushes on regardless, he would be running another risk. After three years of thwarted offensives, a sudden collapse may become more likely in the Russian war economy than in Ukraine's defensive lines."

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Russian forces carried out their first guided bomb strike on the city of Lozova in Kharkiv Oblast on Oct. 18, according to the regional prosecutors office.

The attack took place at around 5:40 p.m. local time, hitting a residential neighborhood and damaging homes and outbuildings. Authorities initially reported six injuries, and later clarified the number to five. All victims are receiving medical treatment.

Investigators said the weapon was launched from Russian-occupied territory.

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Authorities identified the weapon as a new rocket-powered guided aerial bomb, the UMPB-5R, capable of flying about 130 kilometers. Prosecutors said Russia used this type of bomb against Lozova for the first time. They also launched a pretrial investigation into possible war crimes.

The strike comes just two days after Mykolaiv authorities reported that Russian forces had used guided aerial bombs against their city for the first time since the start of the full-scale invasion. On Oct. 16, two bombs hit the outskirts of Mykolaiv, regional governor Vitalii Kim said.

Kharkiv Oblast and its capital have faced relentless Russian attacks for more than two years, since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. In recent months, strikes on the citys densely populated areas have intensified.

On Oct. 13, Russia attacked Kharkiv with KAB guided bombs, damaging a hospital and injuring at least six people. At the time of the attack, more than 100 patients were in the hospital, Oleksiy Dotsenko, director of the facility's surgical department, said in a comment to Suspilne Kharkiv.

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Read also: Russia keeps hitting Ukraines training centers  and Ukraine doesnt have an answer

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Russia renewed its attacks on Ukraine's energy supply overnight to Saturday, following talks in Washington between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky aimed at ending the war.

Russia carried out more than 10 strikes on Chuhuiv in Ukraine's eastern Kharkiv region, Mayor Halyna Minayeva posted on Facebook.

Almost all of the town's districts have been paralysed, Minayeva wrote. Energy suppliers would only be able to begin restoring power once the sites of the explosions have been fully examined.

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The governor of the Zaporizhzhya region in south-eastern Ukraine, Ivan Fedorov, also reported fires as a result of Russian attacks. No one was injured, he said.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia attacked its neighbour during the night with 164 explosive-laden drones. Of these, 136 were repelled, with 27 hits recorded in 12 locations.

The latest strikes came shortly after Trump and Zelensky held talks in Washington on Friday. The US leader later urged Russia and Ukraine to immediately cease fighting, saying enough blood had been shed.

"They should stop where they are," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. However, both sides reportedly continued to attack by air.

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The Ministry of Defence in Moscow reported that it had shot down 41 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory and the Black Sea, including three over the Moscow region.

According to the aviation authority Rosaviatsiya, restrictions were imposed at nine airports in Russia for safety reasons.
MOSCOW (Reuters) -The Russian Defence Ministry said on Friday that its forces had taken control of three more villages in eastern Ukraine, one in the Dnipropetrovsk region and two in the northeastern Kharkiv region, closer to the Russian border.

The Ukrainian military noted fighting around at least two of the settlements, but made no acknowledgement that any of them had changed hands.

Reuters could not independently confirm battlefield accounts from either side.

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According to the Russian ministry, Moscow's troops took control of Pryvillia in the Dnipropetrovsk region, where Moscow's forces have established a foothold in recent weeks.

Also captured were the villages of Pishchane, near the virtually destroyed town of Kupiansk that Russia sees as a target in its drive westward, and Tykhe, just inside the border with Russia.

Russia has been engaged in a long, slow advance through eastern Ukraine, with most of the fighting taking place in the Donetsk region. Russian forces have also been trying to capture areas in the Kharkiv region and have advanced into villages in southeastern Dnipropetrovsk.

The General Staff of Ukraine's military, in an evening report, said Pishchane was one of several villages where Russian forces had been trying to advance. The report said six of seven attacks in the area had been repelled.

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On Thursday, the Kharkiv regional governor said Tykhe was one of a number of villages where 17 clashes had occurred near the Russian border.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said this month that Moscow's troops held the initiative throughout the front line, estimated by Ukraine's top commander to stretch over 1,250 km (775 miles).

The top Ukrainian commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, cast fresh doubt on the Russian assessment on Friday, saying Moscow's plans to seize major centres "are not being implemented and are constantly subject to revision and postponement".

"We can state that Ukrainian servicemen stopped the enemy's spring-summer offensive campaign and continue to destroy the Kremlin's further plans," Syrskyi wrote on the General Staff's Facebook page.

(Reporting by ReutersWriting by Maxim Rodionov and Ron PopeskiEditing by Andrew Osborn and Rosalba O'Brien)
One man has been killed and a woman has been injured in a Russian attack on the village of Zelenyi Hai in Kharkiv Oblast.

Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "A 58-year-old man has been killed and an 83-year-old woman has been injured in an attack on the village of Zelenyi Hai in the Velykyi Burluk hromada." [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.]

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Details: Syniehubov reported that 12 settlements in Kharkiv Oblast came under Russian attacks over the past day. The Russian army used 17 Geran-2 UAVs, 2 Lancet UAVs, 1 Molniya UAV, 2 FPV drones and 1 UAV (type to be determined).

Civilian infrastructure was damaged and destroyed in the Kupianskyi district, including four houses, a workshop, two tractors and a car in the village of Zelenyi Hai; a civilian company and power lines in the village of Velykyi Burluk; and power lines and a community arts centre in the village of Shevchenkove.

In the Izium district, a tractor was damaged in the village of Oskil. In the Chuhuiv district, railway infrastructure and a non-residential building were damaged in the town of Chuhuiv, and a house, a garage, and an outbuilding were damaged in the village of Petropavlivka. In the Kharkiv district, two warehouses in the town of Derhachi sustained damage.

The transit evacuation point in Lozova received 183 people during the day.

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Russian attacks across Ukraine killed one civilian and injured at least 11 over the past day, regional authorities reported early on Oct. 18.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported downing 136 drones launched by Russia overnight. Russia also launched three S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles from its Kursk region. Russia attacked the north, south, east, and central Ukraine.

In Kharkiv Oblast, a Russian attack killed a 58-year-old man and injured an 83-year-old woman. In total, Russian forces struck 12 settlements in the region with 23 drones, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.

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In Kherson, a 20-year-old woman is in serious condition after her car was attacked with an explosive device dropped from a drone. Governor of Kherson Oblast Oleksandr Prokudin reported that Russian shelling damaged six apartment buildings, 11 houses, an administrative building, an educational institution, a bus, and vehicles. Three people were injured, according to the Kherson regional administration.

In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, one person was injured as a result of a drone attack, according to Governor Ivan Fedorov. The oblast came under attack from five airstrikes, artillery, and drones. Damage to housing, vehicles, and an educational institution was reported.

Five people were injured in Sumy Oblast over the past day as a result of Russian attacks, according to the regional administration.

No casualties were reported in Poltava, but a warehouse building and a commercial enterprise were damaged by a drone strike, which caused a fire.

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Drone attacks damaged a medical facility, a farm, a greenhouse, and a car in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Nikopol, a city in the region, came under Russian artillery attacks over the past day, according to Governor Vladyslav Haivanenko.

In Cherkasy, seven drones were shot down, causing a small fire and damage to windows and the roof of a residential house, according to the Governor of Cherkasy Oblast, Ihor Taburets.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify the officials' statements.

The Russian-installed governor of the occupied parts of Kherson Oblast, Vladimir Saldo, also said a married couple was killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on Oct. 18. The two were staying in a temporary accommodation center for evacuees, according to Saldo. Information coming from Russian-occupied territories is tightly controlled, making it particularly difficult to assess such claims independently.

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Read also: Trump says he hopes to end war without Tomahawks in latest meeting with Zelensky

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Russian forces are still edging forward along several parts of the long front line in Ukraine  despite yet another call from US President Donald Trump for a combat freeze along existing lines.

Both sides should stop where they are, Trump said on social media Friday, after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington DC.

But the Russians seem intent on locking in gains before the onset of winter. On Friday, they used a record 268 guided aerial bombs, according to the Ukrainian military, compared to an average of 170 to 180 per day in recent weeks. These bombs, which carry a payload of up to 1,500 kilograms (3,307 pounds), largely target Ukrainian forces and infrastructure close to the front lines.

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The Russians have also continued nightly barrages of drones and missiles against targets across Ukraine, especially against energy infrastructure. In September, an average of more than 180 drones were launched every night, more than twice the number at the beginning of the year.

In recent days, the Ukrainians have acknowledged that about 20% to 30% of those drones are not being intercepted.

In the last week, Russia has used more than 3,270 attack drones, 1,370 guided aerial bombs, and nearly 50 missiles of various types against Ukraine, Zelensky said Sunday.

To some analysts, the Kremlin has no incentive to compromise as its forces improve their battlefield performance.

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Moscow has developed fresh ways of using drones to find and kill Ukrainian soldiers and to destroy Ukrainian assets, turning what was once an area of weakness into an area of strength, writes long-time Russia analyst Dara Massicot in Foreign Affairs.

It has built better missiles and created more rugged and capable armored systems. It is giving junior commanders more freedom to plan, Massicot adds.

One town where Ukrainians are under growing pressure is Kupiansk, in the northern region of Kharkiv. Russian troops have advanced to the north and east of the town, which has been under siege for more than a year.

A well-known Russian blogger, War Gonzo, said Saturday on Telegram that there was also fighting in the center of Kupiansk. About 80 Russian troops had infiltrated the town, the Ukrainian military acknowledged on Thursday, and its defenders were doing everything possible to clear Kupiansk of Russian invaders and prevent the accumulation of enemy infantry in the city.

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One Ukrainian military blogger  Bohdan Miroshnikov  said this week that the Russian tactic may lead to control (if reinforcements can arrive and consolidate their positions). He added that while the situation was very complicated, full occupation of the city is still a long way off.

Also in Kharkiv region, closer to the international border, the Russians have claimed advances near the town of Vovchansk, including the capture of a nearby village.

Artillerymen of the 152nd Separate Jaeger Brigade get into a car after a combat mission near the frontline town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk region, Ukraine, on October 15, 2025. - Anatolii Stepanov/Reuters

In Donetsk, heavy fighting continues around Pokrovsk, with a Russian military blogger claiming Saturday that Russian troops are advancing to the northwestern outskirts of the city. For its part, the Ukrainian military has claimed to have recovered some 70 square miles of territory in the Pokrovsk area over the past two months, in a series of counterattacks.

Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander-in-chief of Ukrainian forces, insisted Friday that the Russians did not have the strategic initiative. At the cost of enormous losses, the adversary has achieved only minor advances in certain sections of the front.

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Ukrainian warriors have ceased the enemys spring-summer offensive campaign, Syrskyi added.

Russia has gained about 120 square miles of territory in the past four weeks, about half of what it seized in the previous four weeks, according to the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University.

And Russian advances come at great cost. As many as 250,000 Russian soldiers have died in Ukraine, with over 950,000 total Russian casualties, according to an estimate in June by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a US-based think tank.

Nearly 14,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in the Pokrovsk area alone since late August, according to Ukraines military command. CNN cannot verify battlefield figures.

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In the face of these losses, the Russian defense ministry appears to be changing the way it recruits additional personnel. In recent weeks, Russian regions have begun paring back the generous sign-on bonuses used to attract recruits.

The Kremlin has traditionally relied on financial incentives to attract volunteers and avoid another mobilization, but the practice is likely hitting diminishing returns, which may compel the Kremlin to adopt an alternative approach, according to the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) think tank.

Russia may begin to mobilize members of Russias active reserve on a rolling basis to sustain its combat operations in Ukraine, according to ISW.

For its part, Ukraine is betting on long-range strikes targeting Russian energy infrastructure to persuade the Kremlin to accept negotiations. It has stepped up production of its own cruise missiles, although it has been unable as yet to persuade Trump to supply Tomahawk missiles.

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Since the beginning of the year, successful strikes haved been carried out against 45 facilities in Russias fuel and energy sector, according to Syrskyi. Industry analysts estimate that one-fifth of Russias refining capacity has been disrupted.

But despite the casualties and damage to Russias economy, Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown no sign of agreeing to a ceasefire or negotiations with Ukraine.

More than 1,300 days since the full-scale Russian invasion began, as one expert puts it, Ukraine cannot destroy Russias war capacity, while Russia appears unable to militarily defeat Ukraine.

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A man has been killed and six people injured due to Russian attacks on Kharkiv Oblast on Saturday 18 October.

Source: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office

Details: A first-person view (FPV) drone hit a civilian car in the Zolochiv hromada on the morning of 18 October. One man was killed in the attack and three people suffered acute stress reactions. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.]

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An 83-year-old man was injured around 10:00 in a Russian attack on Kivsharivka, a settlement in the Kupiansk district of Kharkiv Oblast.

Two men aged 19 and 25 were injured after Russian forces carried out an airstrike on the village of Spodobivka, also in the Kupiansk district, on Saturday.

The prosecutor's office also reported one person killed and another injured in earlier attacks on 17 October. Around 15:00, Russian troops used what is believed to be a Smerch multiple-launch rocket system to attack Zelenyi Hai, another settlement in the Kupiansk district.

Homes, farm buildings and facilities of an agricultural company were damaged. A 58-year-old man was killed, and a woman was injured in the attack.

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Early reports indicate that four people have been injured in a Russian attack on the city of Lozova in Kharkiv Oblast.

Source: State Emergency Service in Kharkiv Oblast; Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration

The aftermath of the attack on Lozova.

The aftermath of the attack on Lozova.

Photo: State Emergency Service

Quote: "Today, at around 17:30, Russian troops struck a residential area in the city of Lozova (presumably with a guided aerial bomb).

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The strike has caused destruction and a fire on the premises of a residential property. A residential building caught fire over an area of 80 square metres.

Early reports indicate that four people have been injured."

Updated: At 20:14, Syniehubov reported that the Russian guided aerial bomb strike on Lozova had injured six people: five women aged 47, 77, 51, 80 and 66 and a 39-year-old man.

The women aged 47 and 77 suffered blast injuries and have been taken to hospital. Four others received medical assistance on the spot.

Background: On 18 October, one man was killed and six people were injured in Russian attacks on Kharkiv Oblast.

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Dolkun Isa, President of UZDM and former WUC President, addressed the Turkish Muslim Youth Leadership Program in Krefeld, Germany.

Accompanied by Iptihar Abdurshit, Director of the WUC Information Center, and Abduljelil Emet, UZDM Treasurer, Isa discussed China's motives behind the Uyghur genocide from East Turkistan's strategic location to its rich natural resources exploited through forced labour.

The occasion also marked the launch of Isa's new Turkish-language book, "in'e Direnisim" (My Resistance Against China), chronicling his lifelong fight for Uyghur freedom. Isa urged youth to become vocal advocates for justice within their communities and universities.

The same day, the WUC Cultural Committee showcased East Turkistan's heritage at the Kolbotn City Cultural Festival in Oslo. Directed by Uyghur artist Mominjan Rahman, the exhibition featured traditional cuisine, clothing, and music, including a live Muqam performance. Rahman highlighted Uyghur identity and the cultural erasure being waged by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) through genocide and forced assimilation.

A WUC delegation led by President Turgunjan Alawdun, Vice President Zumretay Arkin, and Executive Chair Rushan Abbas attended Forum 2000 in Prague. Engaging with international leaders like Czech President Petr Pavel and former Tibetan leader Dr Lobsang Sangay, the delegation underscored China's crimes against humanity. On October 13, Arkin discussed the plight of Uyghur asylum seekers, while on October 14, Abbas's emotional address, "The Power of the Powerless," shed light on her sister Dr Gulshan Abbas's unjust detention.

Rushan Abbas testified before the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), condemning the CCP's campaign to eradicate religious and cultural identity. Meanwhile, as the EU-China Inter-Parliamentary Meeting resumed after seven years, WUC urged Europe to prioritise human rights. In a related development, Belgian authorities charged a police officer with spying for China, adding to growing concerns over Beijing's covert influence operations in Europe. (ANI)
Exposed electrical boxes. Unresolved fire safety issues. Missing carbon monoxide alarms.

The Rutgers fraternity house where a student was critically injured earlier this week was shut down by city officials in the wake of the incident. But inspection records obtained by NJ Advance Media revealed that the 11-unit Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity house had long been plagued by serious safety violations.

Stories by Colleen Murphy

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
(FOX40.COM)  The Sacramento Police Department responded to reports of a shooting in Sacramento just before midnight on Friday.

Video above: Dozens of agencies assist in clearing underground encampment collapse

Officers arrived at the 7700 block of 51st Avenue and found a man with at least one gunshot wound. Life-saving measures were done until the Sacramento Fire Department arrived, but the victim was pronounced dead on the scene by fire officials.

Woman thwarts fake police officer in Stockton, police say

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Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators have taken over the investigation, according to SPD. The scene was processed, evidence was collected and witnesses were interviewed.

There is no suspect information at this time and the incident is still under investigation, Sacramento police said.

The identity of the victim will be released after the next-of-kin have been notified.

SPD encourages anyone with information about the incident to call the dispatch center at (916) 808-5471 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-4357. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for reward money. Anonymous tips can also be submitted using the free P3 Tips smartphone app.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.
PLATTSBURGH  The City of Plattsburgh is conducting a feasibility study for a waterfront revitalization project at Sailors Beach, community feedback suggests keeping it a peaceful, place favoring smaller improvements over large-scale additions.

Emma Stewart, the citys Community Engagement Coordinator, said it has wrapped up, the community visioning and feedback phase of the project and received more than 200 responses from the community on how to best utilize the space.

A common theme in the feedback was that Sailors Beach is almost a hidden gem, in Plattsburgh. Stewart said.

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Most people reported their visits to the beach for the views and photo opportunities of Cumberland Bay, as well as kayaking and fishing.

According to Stewart, the survey results revealed a desire to keep a natural feel, in the space with smaller improvements,

Things like trash cans, bike racks and safer pedestrian access. Stewart said.

Currently, Sailors Beach is accessible by vehicle, and on foot, but pedestrians are required to cross a narrow bridge with no sidewalk or traffic mirrors.

There are signs on both ends of the bridge telling drivers to honk before approaching to alert drivers on the other side and anyone on the bridge.

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Other suggestions include seating options, kayak launch and for the pier to be restored.

One of the projects higher priorities is shoreline stabilization, a large portion of the paved area is cracking and has been falling into Cumberland Bay over time.

Stewart said there are no current plans to open the beach to public swimming due to safety concerns, but may explore in the future.

The city is also awaiting lab results for an orange build-up, in the water near the beach; at this time the city is unaware of what the build up is or its location of origin.

With the community visioning and feedback completed, the city has partnered with Barton & Loguidice to draft a plan for the final design.

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The design will be presented at the next community workshop from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, in the new community room at Melissa Penfield Park.

This is where residents can see a draft of the plan and give feedback to help shape the final design, Stewart said.

The first public workshop for the Sailors Beach Improvement Feasibility Study was held in early September to gather public feedback on the Existing Conditions Plan and the Needs and Opportunities Plan, as well as future design concepts.

The study is expected to be complete by winter this year.

According to the project page, the citys goal is to transform Sailors Beach into a safe, welcoming and sustainable public space by improving accessibility and amenities.

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This project is supported by funding from New York States Environmental Protection Fund through the Consolidated Funding Application Parks, Preservation and Heritage Grant Program.

Sailors Beach is located on Marina Drive, southeast of the U.S Oval and below the Rotary Club Bicentennial Park, the bridge to the area is directly adjacent to the Valcour Brewing Co. parking lot entrance.

Additionally, the Empire State Trail runs through the area the beach is located.

For more information about the project visit my.cityofplattsburgh-ny.gov/en/projects/sailor-s-beach-improvements-feasibility-study.
Marc Benioff, co-founder and CEO of Salesforce, appears to be walking back comments calling for the National Guard to patrol San Francisco.

Having listened closely to my fellow San Franciscans and our local officials, and after the largest and safest Dreamforce in our history, I do not believe the National Guard is needed to address safety in San Francisco, Benioff said in a post on X. My earlier comment came from an abundance of caution around the event, and I sincerely apologize for the concern it caused. 

Benioff stirred up controversy last week after giving an interview with The New York Times in which he declared his support for President Donald Trumps threats to deploy National Guard troops in San Francisco and other cities led by Democratic politicians.

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While Benioffs comments were apparently prompted by his concerns over public safety costs at the massive Dreamforce conference that the company held in San Francisco last week, the previously liberal-leaning billionaire also used the interview to embrace Trump, at one point saying, I fully support the president, and adding that Trump is doing a great job. (At the end of the interview, he reportedly asked his shocked PR person, Too spicy?)

And although Benioffs pro-Trump stance seemingly aligns with a larger rightward shift among tech executives, his call for the National Guard to come to San Francisco quickly led to pushback from longtime allies and Democratic politicians. Well-known VC Ron Conway stepped down from the board of the Salesforce Foundation, with Conway reportedly telling Benioff in an email, I now barely recognize the person I have so long admired.

An event scheduled to feature Benioff and San Francisco Mayor Dan Lurie was also canceled, with organizers citing rain.

State Senator Scott Wiener, who represents San Francisco, told Politico, Im grateful that Marc walked back his call for the National Guard to be deployed in San Francisco. Marc has done so many good things for our city  and supported so many civic needs  and Im glad to see this shift.

Trump has already deployed the National Guard in other cities including Washington, DC and Chicago, while a judge has thus far blocked his attempts to do the same in Portland. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat, has repeatedly described this as an invasion of his state.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House today to discuss ending the war with Russia.

Because of my relationship with President Putin, I thought this would be very quick, Trump said.

Supporters of Ukraine say the war has gone on too long, and theyre asking for sanctions against Russia to put a stop to the fighting.

Im Ukranian by choice, said Craig Gresbrink, the chief development officer of Shield of Freedom, an organization in San Diego that supports people affected by the war.

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Even with no ties to Ukraine, Gresbrink continues to protest for an end to the war between the two countries.

If you dont protest evil, youre an accomplice to it, he said.

More than three years after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Zelenskyy requested long-range missiles along with other military assets to bring Putin to the negotiating table.

He really doesnt want, and he doesnt feel full pressure on him, Zelenskyy said.

He says Ukraine wouldnt use the missiles on civilians, but Trump still hesitated to grant that request.

We need tomahawks for the United States of America, too. We have a lot of them, but we need them, Trump said.

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But, protesters like Robert Mucha disagreed with that reasoning.

We personally are not going to use those weapons because were living in peace, but if the Ukrainian people need it to defend themselves against the imminent tyranny of Vladimir Putin, I say lets help them out as much as possible, Mucha said.

Trump adds using powerful weapons like tomahawks that could fire into Russian territory, potentially as far as Moscow, could escalate the war.

Im real big on peace through strength, Gresbrink said. Putins been escalating this whole time.

In a Truth Social post, Trump says the meeting was cordial, and they should stop where they are, calling for both Russia and Ukraine to put an end to the bloodshed.

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If President Trump and Zelenskyy came out on friendly terms this time around maybe it was productive, Mucha said.

While skeptical, Trump didnt rule out the possibility of sending the weapons.

Id say look if this wars not gonna get settled, Im gonna send them tomahawks, Trump said.

Gresbrink says the recent ceasefire deal in the Middle East gives them hope for an end to this war, and he says theyre going to continue protesting until they see that day.

War is unpredictable, and the longer we let evil fester, the more chance evil has to come up with ways to improve its situation, he said.

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Trump spoke with Putin in a lengthy call on Thursday, and says he plans to meet with Putin in Budapest within the next two weeks.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Following a massive protest in downtown on Saturday, the San Diego Police Department is praising the community for maintaining peace and cooperation during the No Kings demonstrations.

According to SDPD, more than 25,000 people gathered downtown on Oct. 18 as part of a nationwide day of protest opposing what organizers call authoritarianism and political overreach by the Trump administration.

The demonstration was held at Waterfront Park, drawing a crowd of activists, families and community members. They were seen holding signs and heard chanting in support of democracy, immigrant rights, and civil liberties.

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Police search for suspects after man killed in Linda Vista

Despite the size of the rally, the planned protests concluded without any arrests, according to police.

Thank you to everyone who came out and practiced their First Amendment right peacefully and responsibly, SDPD Lt. Travis Easter. Thank you for keeping it classy, San Diego.

Saturdays protest in San Diego was part of the broader No Kings movement, which included events in over 1,500 cities nationwide.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
This article was originally published in CalMatters.

Almost 20 years ago a San Diego nonprofit created a preschool to focus on the little guys  children who experience domestic violence and other serious traumatic events before kindergarten.

Today, Mi Escuelita is still going strong and its something of a model in showing other schools how to address childhood trauma.

Mi Escuelita provides services for kids in a single location that for most other families would require intricate coordination among multiple health care providers, educators and social programs.

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The children learn in a classroom that is always staffed with at least one therapist, they participate in one-on-one therapy, and join group therapy sessions. Their parents take part in special classes, too, where they learn ways to support their children.

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Researchers from UC San Diego have paid close attention to Mi Escuelita and followed how its graduates fared after leaving the preschool. The university also works with the school to evaluate outcomes from each cohort of students. Here are four takeaways from those reports.

The kids leave ready for kindergarten

Students who graduate from Mi Escuelia outperform or do at least well as their peers in kindergarten, according to a UC San Diego analysis of their scores in reading and math tests.

It looked at kindergarten students in the Chula Vista Elementary School District from 2007 to 2013 and found a higher percentage of Mi Escuelita met math, reading and writing standards than the districts general population.

Thats not a given because research shows that children exposed to domestic violence have lower verbal ability than their peers, which can set them back in school.

And they do well for years

The length of UC San Diegos study allowed its team to follow Mi Escuelita graduates through fifth grade. The results suggested that their preschool experience helped the kids throughout their childhoods.

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Their average scores on several standardized tests exceeded those of the general population at Chula Vista Elementary School District, especially in math.

Taken together, the Mi Escuelita program demonstrates clear benefits to children who may otherwise fall quickly and unsparingly behind with regard to school readiness, the UC San Diego researchers wrote.

Better relationships at home

Some families turn to Mi Escuelita in moments of distress, such as after experiencing domestic violence. The preschool provides counseling for parents and students alike, which may contribute to behavioral improvements at home.

Over the past five years, 64% of the families in the program reported sensing fewer conflicts and 83% of them noticed an increase in closeness.

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Families reported that childrens communication, behavior, and listening skills improved both at home and at school, a UC San Diego team wrote in an evaluation of student and parent surveys that spanned 2020 to 2024.

It takes a village

Running Mi Escuelita costs about $1.3 million a year, a sum that nonprofit South Bay Community Services raises through a mix of donations and government funding. That cost  along with the challenge of hiring trained educators and therapists  makes the program difficult to replicate.

But, other schools and government agencies are watching Mi Escuelita to see what kind of services they can carry over to other venues.

We can spend less later on intervention programs and alternative facilities, said Hilaria Bauer, chief early learning services officer at Kidango, a Bay Area nonprofit childcare provider. There will be less truancy, less big behaviors or expulsions or alternative programs, and all of those fix initiatives if we really focus on the time in the life of a child that really makes a change.
VERMONT (ABC22/FOX44)  Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) will headline the No Kings rally in the nations capital on Saturday. Meanwhile, other protests will take place in Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, and across the nation.

According to event organizers of one event in Jericho/Underhill, they are protesting authoritarian actions and policies by the second Donald Trump administration.

50501 Vermont, which is organizing some of the protests, says that Rep. Becca Balint and Sen. Peter Welch will speak at the event at the State House in Montpelier.

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Vermont lawmakers as shutdown enters third week

Other events will take place across the country, with a map available on the official website. Demonstrations in solidarity are also taking place in other countries around the world; events in countries that have a monarch, including a demonstration at Parc de la Place du Canada in Montreal, are instead titled No Tyrants.

Sanders posted a video on social media Friday, saying he was looking forward to joining millions of Americans in protest.

Were going to continue the fight to make sure that Trump and his friends do not throw 15 million people off the health care that they have, said Sanders in the video.

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BTV declines to play video blaming Democrats for government shutdown

The federal government is currently shut down over a conflict centered on health care benefits. as Democrats insist on extending health care benefits to vote for any continued funding, while Republicans are saying they will not negotiate until the shutdown ends. Both sides blame the other for the current shutdown.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
I had no strong interest in attending the "No Kings" march in New York City on Saturday until I learned from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt that "The Democrat Party's main constituency is made up of Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals" and from Speaker Mike Johnson (RLa.) that "If you think about what's going to happenyou're going to bring together the Marxists, the socialists, the Antifa advocates, the anarchists, and the pro-Hamas wing of the far-left Democrat Party."

Once I heard this, I was in. Who wouldn't want to see such an unprecedented and vile political rally, right in one's own neighborhood? Sure, William Kristol, the former Republican strategist who was Dan Quayle's "brain" and founded the defunct neoconservative flagship publication The Weekly Standard, has been insisting the No Kings movement represents patriotic dissent, but he's got incurable Trump Derangement Syndrome, right?

The march, designated an "anchor event" by the No Kings group itself, was set to gather at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Father Duffy Square, smack dab in the middle of Times Square and just a few blocks from my apartment. From the statue honoring a bellicose Catholic World War I chaplain, demonstrators would march downtown to 14th Street and thenwell, nobody I asked seemed to know what would happen next (even the police I asked shrugged).

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I had covered a few Black Lives Matter marches back in 2020 and was eager to see who showed up, what sort of signage dominated, and what the vibe of the whole thing wasespecially given the darkly dire warnings of Leavitt, Johnson, and others. They are not alone, of course, in suggesting that violence is likely whenever Democrats or opponents of the president gather. Stephen Miller, one of President Donald Trump's top advisers, is fond of saying that the Democratic Party is "a domestic extremist organization" and needs to be prosecuted as such. Sen. Ted Cruz (RTexas) has also been prophesying violence for this weekend. He's been flapping his gums over the past few days about how billionaire George Soros, who is to MAGA folks what Moby Dick was to Captain Ahab and Charles Koch is to progressives, has been bankrolling "political violence in our cities" and is the sugar daddy of the No Kings movement too (Trump has a hard-on against Soros too, writing in August on Truth Social, "George Soros, and his wonderful Radical Left son, should be charged with RICO because of their support of Violent Protests.")

The TL;DR version of what I experienced at today's No Kings march: There is a palpable anger and disgust at Donald Trump in the heart of his hometown. This isn't news, of courseTrump lost the Big Apple by 38 percentage points. But combined with generally weak approval ratings and declining approval of his handling of key issues like the economy, the very fact that nationwide protests are happening is something he and his supporters will not be able to wave away as astroturfed opposition coming from Soros and "the pro-Hamas wing" of the Democratic Party.

As I made my way over the protest, I first encountered a 40-something man toting two of his kids in a wagon and walking with his teenage daughter. "Are you going to the protest?" I asked. "No," he scoffed. He explained that he's not a Trump fan by any means, especially because of tariffs, but that these sorts of protests don't accomplish anything. Next, I helped a man zip up his inflatable frog costume (a tribute to Pepe, the old-right-wing meme), who called himself a liberal (as distinct from a progressive) and was mostly concerned with the way Congress had been abdicating its responsibilities for decades. That was the real problem, even more than Trump.

The area around Father Duffy Square was as packed as I've seen it, a testament to a strong turnout, and I heard loud but muffled sounds coming out of a PA system. I elbowed my way through the crowd only to find that the source of commotion had nothing to do with Trump or politics. It was an event for the KPop Demon Hunters, a popular Netflix movie built around an animated girl K-pop band, and Nongshim, a noodle company.

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But No Kings marchers were also out in force, gathering before starting to head down toward 14th Street, about a mile and a half away. The crowd in Duffy Square seemed a cross-section of New York, mostly white, mostly middle-aged, and mostly dressed in weekend clothes. An Episcopalian priest carried a sign saying "Jesus was woke," and she explained to me that her Lord made people "wake up to systemic oppression" and to help the least fortunate among us. "True Patriots Fight Fascism," "No Kings Since 1776," "Make 1984 Fiction Again," "We Have Friends Everywhere," "ICE=GESTAPO," and "Protect Immigrants, Protect Our Neighbors, NO KINGS," were common signs and, compared to other marches and protests I've seen over the past decade or so, the crowd, its clothing, and its signage was decidedly normal and mainstream. Given the impending mayoral election and the ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war, I expected to see much more Zohran Mamdani flair and kaffiyehs. But even they were in relatively short supply.

More surprisingly, the messaging, both through signs and in conversation, was focused on the real and imagined personal failings of Trump and key points of his domestic agenda, especially Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. The first demonstrations I attended were in college during the 1980s, and I always expect a smorgasbord of barely related causes to be represented at any political event. As an undergrad journalist at Rutgers, I covered tons of rallies that were supposed to be about divesting university endowment funds from companies that did business in apartheid South Africa. Two or three speakers in, the focus would inevitably wander to start talking about the funding of the contras in Nicaragua, or the need for a higher minimum wage in America, or universal health care, or stopping nuclear power, or whatever. At today's No Kings march in New York, there wasn't speechifying, but there was a surprisingly tight focus on Trump as a tyrant who needs to be impeached, stopped, or voted out.

Yet whenever I asked someone what they hated about Trump, the answer was almost always the same: "Everything!" This was true of men and women, young and old, black and white. When pressed, they would detail a list of personal qualities and moral failings. He was gross, vulgar, a rapist, disgusting, vile, fat, stupid, mentally deficient. No one seemed particularly fazed by tariffs or spending, though some signs denounced ICE as an agency and dispatching National Guard troops to cities.

The one exception to this general lack of specificity concerned Israel. As I already noted, I was surprised by the relative absence of kaffiyehs and anti-Israel signage. Which isn't to say there were none. There were a number of signs twinning Trump with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and accusing both of genocide. When I talked to several people wearing Palestinian flags or carrying "Jews for Palestinian Freedom" signs, they foregrounded American support for Israel at the top of Trump's sins. "Didn't he end the war, though?" I asked. "It won't last," they said, or it came too late. When I asked if Trump was as bad on Israel as Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush before him, they said yes, but Trump was the president now.

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I took the opportunity to talk with various cops posted along the route. With the warnings of Ted Cruz, Mike Johnson, and Karoline Leavitt buzzing around the back of my mind, I asked them whether they were concerned about things getting violent. One cop, who said he'd been on the force since the mid-aughts, laughed and gestured toward the crowd of people walking, talking, and occasionally chanting. No, he said, this sort of protest doesn't give rise to that. The others I talked to brought up COVID-era demonstrations for Black Lives Matter. Even when the issues were more fraught and revolved around acts of violence like the death of George Floyd, it's exceptionally rare for daytime rallies and marches to go south.

As the march neared 14th Street, the column made a left-hand turn in the direction of Union Square but quickly started dissipating. I grabbed a bike and started heading back uptown to my apartment. I crossed through Times Square again, where the KPop Demon Hunters pop-up was still giving out Nongshim noodles.

A beautiful fall day still lay ahead of New York.

The post What I Saw at the No Kings Rally in New York City appeared first on Reason.com.
Three senior ministers in the cabinet of Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq have tendered their resignations, stating the PM is responsible for the ongoing political turmoil and failure to safeguard the rights of the region's people. Information Minister Pir Mazhar Saeed has already stepped down, while Finance Minister Abdul Majid Khan, Food Minister Chaudhry Akbar Ibrahim, and Minister Asim Sharif Bhat have also announced their departures, as reported by The Express Tribune. According to The Express Tribune, the ministers accused Haq of neglecting the constitutional and political rights of the residents of PoJK as well as the 2.5 million Kashmiri refugees residing in Pakistan. They also called for the prime minister's resignation, alleging he had lost moral and political legitimacy. The dissenting ministers expressed deep dissatisfaction with the government's handling of recent unrest and its perceived indifference toward the refugee population's representation in the region's legislative structure. In his resignation letter, Abdul Majid Khan reaffirmed his loyalty to the ideology of accession to Pakistan, stating that his stance was rooted in defending the political rights of Kashmiri refugees. He sharply criticised the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Action Committee (JAAC) for pushing what he termed a "divisive and opportunistic" demand to abolish the 12 reserved seats for refugees in the PoJK Legislative Assembly. Khan argued that the deal struck between JAAC and federal representatives lacked legitimacy and consensus, highlighting the rights of thousands of displaced Kashmiris. Echoing similar concerns, Food Minister Chaudhry Akbar Ibrahim stated that refugees are not "mere political numbers," but patriotic Pakistanis who have endured decades of separation and suffering. He accused the Haq government of failing to protect their constitutional status and said it had become "impossible to continue serving under such leadership," as cited by The Express Tribune. Both Khan and Ibrahim have written to President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Army Chief General Asim Munir, urging them to intervene. They warned that over 2.5 million divided Kashmiris across Pakistan feel increasingly alienated and demand restoration of their rightful representation within PoJK's political framework, as reported by The Express Tribune. (ANI)
Oct. 18This October, visitors can see more than 50 scarecrows at Veterans Park in Priceville, while in Athens, a Scarecrow Stroll features homes, businesses and organizations that have adorned their front lawns with a variety of scarecrows, adding to the city's Haunt Walks and Wagon Tours.

"We have the ability of the people purchasing the scarecrows to build their own scarecrow any way they like. We have a lot of creative people out there," said Junior League of Morgan County fundraising board member Christie Paquay. "But if they would rather just donate money to a good cause and let us run wild with our imagination, then they let Junior League do the scarecrows. We've even had parents and children come in and do a scarecrow for somebody."

The Junior League puts on the Veterans Park trial, which is in its third year.

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"Every year we do the scarecrow trail to benefit the charity that we've chosen to donate to. This year we had over 50 scarecrows, and the money that we received from the scarecrows will be benefiting the Morgan County Child Advocacy Center," Paquay said. "They're trying to provide a safe, supportive space for children that are in crisis."

Paquay said they will be having Scarecrows in the Park again next year.

"We're going to try to make it bigger and better than ever. Each year we want to improve it. We are definitely looking forward to people participating in it," she said. "... Not only is it a fun event for the families to spend any time they want on the scarecrow trail, but we're raising money for something that really matters."

Some of the scarecrows that can be seen in Priceville include a physician, a girl in overalls with long, blonde braids and a Dia de los Muertos butterfly skeleton.

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Athens is also showing off scarecrows.

"People have been putting up scarecrows for several years here in Athens," said Athens Communications Specialist Justin Travis. "We just thought it'd be a great time with fall season coming in, with the temperature going down, it would be a good time to highlight this and try to get people outdoors and get to experience all the creativity from our residents."

Travis said the city also wants to highlight the residents and the hard work they have put into creating dozens of uniquely themed scarecrows across the city. The scarecrows are mostly in the Beaty Historic District and downtown.

For some years now, Innovative Realty in downtown Athens has gone with a "Wizard of Oz" theme, featuring scarecrows of Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man and, of course, the Scarecrow. In the Beaty district, the Scout House has created the headless horseman. Across the street, two skeleton scarecrows sit around a campfire.

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"This is the perfect year to do this with all the artistic stuff going on with downtown Athens, from Athens Main Street and the great things that they're doing," Travis said. "We want to encourage people to go outdoors and experience the Historic Beaty District and downtown. It's a good time to do it."

The Scarecrow Strolls are put on by the Athens Mayor's Youth Commission and are a self-guided tour. The strolls include about 20 scarecrows at Isom's Orchard featuring Clifford the Big Red Dog, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and a hungry caterpillar, a scarecrow playing guitar to a dog, and wacky animals, among others.

Isom's Orchard said this year's contest was their biggest yet with the most entries ever. Isom's donated $100 per entry to Partnership for Animals in Athens/Limestone (PAALS).

The city is posting Scarecrow Strolls signs in the yards of those participating. Travis said they are encouraging people to contact them via Facebook to tell them about scarecrows, so they can put signs up in their yard and make them a part of Athens' inaugural Scarecrow Strolls.

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Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association is continuing this year to hold Haunt Walks and Wagon Tours. Both the walk and the tour have almost sold out. All of the haunted walks come from Athens City Attorney Shane Black's book "The Spirits of Athens." The walks visit all four of Athens' historic districts. Stephanie Reynolds, tourism specialist at Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association, said to plan about two hours for the mile to mile-and-a-half walking tour.

"Most of it's talking, not walking," she said. "The Haunt Walks are mostly a historic tour, so all these stories you're going to hear have a historic basis. So, it's like a historic tour with a ghost involved."

The book has several different stories included in it, Reynolds said.

"The guides are all allowed to do whichever story that they prefer. So, it's possible that with one guide you would hear a story that you wouldn't with a different one," she said. "For example, one of our tour guides, he actually grew up in one of the houses. So, he is going to have a different slant than somebody who has not grown up in one of the houses."

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Some of the tour guides even dress up in antebellum garb while leading their tours. The tours start at the Tourism office located at 100 N. Beaty St. in Athens. Pets are not allowed on the tours due to the groups entering buildings. The tours are held rain or shine, as long as there is no lightning.

Although the tours are almost sold out, Reynolds said she is trying to fit in some extra dates. Haunt Walks are $18 per person, and Wagon Tours are $45 per person. Fees are added to both.

erica.smith@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2460.
GLOCESTER, R.I. (WPRI)  A Foster-Glocester Regional School Committee member is renewing her call for an independent investigation after a Ponaganset High School gym teacher was accused of sexually harassing a former student.

Shelley Pezza told 12 News she wants the school committee to hire an investigator to review the claims, as well as Ponaganset High Schools response to them.

Under Title IX, there should be an internal investigation done to make sure that there was no knowledge of this, and that it wasnt dismissed by anyone, Pezza told 12 News. No one is accusing anyone of that, but you want to make sure that theres accountability and that the kids are in a safe environment.

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The student, who graduated last spring, filed a formal complaint against Alisha Crins with the Rhode Island State Police earlier this month, triggering a criminal investigation.

Crins, 39, has not been charged in connection with the students complaint, but Rhode Island State Police told 12 News the investigation is ongoing. 12 News has reached out to Crins several times and has not heard back.

Foster-Glocester Superintendent Dr. Renee Palazzo confirmed Crins no longer works for the district. Pezza said Crins resigned as a result of the criminal investigation.

The student told investigators that Crins sent him numerous flirty text messages that escalated into nude photos and videos once he turned 18 years old, according to a police affidavit obtained by 12 News. He also claimed Crins invited him over to her Cranston home and twice kissed him in his car during his junior year.

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When questioned by detectives, Crins admitted to sending the student photos, but emphasized that the two were never physical and had only shared a kiss once on a side street near her home, according the affidavit. Police said she also admitted that the two discussed having sex once the student was a legal adult but never acted on it.

RELATED: Ponaganset teacher accused of sexually harassing former student

Pezza said more than 200 parents, students and school staffers have also signed an online petition demanding an internal investigation.

There are just a lot of questions that they have the right to ask, she said.

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Pezza explained that no one is looking to interfere with state police by launching a parallel investigation. Her goal is to prevent this from happening ever again, which is why she first raised the issue at a school committee meeting earlier this month.

I had a lot of people reach out to me expressing their concerns, Pezza recalled. I was shocked and appalled  I spoke at the school committee meeting under public comment because it wasnt being addressed.

Pezza said she recently received a letter from an attorney representing Ponaganset High School Principal Amanda Grundel, which demanded that she retract and apologize for the statements she made at that meeting.

But Pezza told 12 News she will not stop pushing for answers.

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My only concern is for the kids, and to make sure they have a safe environment for the best education possible, Pezza added.

Rhode Island State Police said school administrators have been cooperative throughout the criminal investigation, which is ongoing.

Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is asked to contact the Rhode Island State Police Special Victims Unit at (401) 764-5549.

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NEED TO KNOW

An employee at a Massachusetts school for students who "may have learning disabilities as well as medical fragility" has died after allegedly being kicked in the chest by a teen

A 14-year-old girl has been accused of fatally kicking the staff member, authorities said

The victim has been identified as Amy Morrell, 53, of Rhode Island

A Massachusetts school staffer has died after she was allegedly fatally kicked in the chest by a 14-year-old student.

Amy Morrell, 53, of Riverside, R.I. was identified as the victim of the Wednesday, Oct. 15 incident ABC News, WCVB-5 and The New York Times reported.

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The direct care staffer was employed at rural Swanseas Meadowridge Academy, a comprehensive therapeutic residential school serving students between the ages of 12 to 21 with low to average to high cognitive functioning, who may have learning disabilities as well as medical fragility, per the schools website.

PEOPLE did not immediately receive a response from the Bristol County District Attorney's Office or Meadowridge Academy.

Other school employees were reportedly trying to stop the student from attempting to leave her dorm without permission Wednesday evening when Morrell, authorities say, was kicked in the chest by the juvenile.

Shortly after being struck, the victim collapsed, The Times reported, citing Bristol County district attorney, Thomas M. Quinn III.

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Nearby staff began administering CPS and called 911.

Once paramedics arrived, Morrell was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced dead on Thursday, Oct. 16.

The teen has been charged with assault and battery causing serious bodily injury in connection with Morrells death. She was arraigned on Thursday in the Fall River Juvenile Court, according to The New York Times.

Jennie DunKley, an advocate for special education students and their families, told WCVB-5 she hopes the tragedy will shed light on ways to continue care for individuals with special needs.

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"I want to focus on implementing meaningful strategies and tools that prevent escalation. The best way to prevent restraint and seclusion is to not have a reason to even consider it," she told the news station.

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In a statement obtained by The Times, the Justice Resource Institute, an organization that partners with the school, said, The Meadowridge Academy community is deeply saddened by the passing of direct care staff member, Amy Morrell.

The investigation remains ongoing, per the Times.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  A week after a student threatened a shooting at Tecumseh High School, students are heading back to class Monday under newly announced safety measures.



Clear backpacks, locked doors, and bag searches are just a few of the changes high school students will encounter.



Theyll also see law enforcement on-site.



Were going to have several deputies in the area just to give parents and students some assurance that were there for a happy transition back from fall break, said Capt. Jared Strand with the Pottawatomie County Sheriffs Office.



Last week, police arrested a student over a social media post that threatened to shoot people at Tecumseh High School.

Oklahoma among Top 10 states most impacted by the government shutdown

That post included a photo of a student holding what turned out to be a BB gun in a school bathroom.



In the days that followed, more photos surfaced showing other students with guns on campus.



Then came more online threats toward other Tecumseh schools.



Police later determined those additional threats were bogus.



Out of caution, Tecumseh Public Schools dismissed students early for fall break and surveyed parents about new safety measures.



On Friday, the district released a letter outlining new protocols that will take effect Monday:

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 All students will receive clear backpacks, free of charge

 High schoolers will enter through a single access point, where bags may be searched

 All other doors will remain locked

 Backpacks will not be allowed in bathrooms

 An armed officer and a K-9 trained to detect guns and explosives will sweep the building each morning

 Tecumseh Police and the Pottawatomie County Sheriffs Office will have extra officers present at all Tecumseh schools throughout the week

Parent Letter 10-16-2025Download

Were also looking at our rural schools that do not have any school resource officers assigned and trying to enhance security protocols there as well, Strand said. The students safety is our top priority. And we want to make sure that parents feel safe sending their children to school so they can get their education and not have to worry about whats going to happen to their children while they are getting that education, he said.



District leaders say theyre also considering permanent long-term measureslike using metal detector wands or installing permanent metal detectors.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Californias former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Friday railed against Gov. Gavin Newsoms (D) hope to forgo independent redistricting efforts in the Golden State.

Democrats are currently pushing voters to approve Proposition 50, which would circumvent a constitutional measure granting an independent body authority over redistricting to instead create Legislature-approved lines ahead of next years midterm elections. The move follows GOP-led redistricting efforts in Texas.

I think that prop 50 is a big scam, and the reason why Im saying that is because it says that we should fight [President] Trump because hes a threat to democracy, Schwarzenegger said during a Friday appearance on HBOs Real Time with Bill Maher.

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But in the meantime, they want to go and tear up the Constitution in California, get rid of the independent commission that draws the district lines and take the power away from the people and give it back to the politicians, he added.

Schwarzenegger was governor in 2010 when the state voted to put the Citizens Redistricting Commission in charge of outlining its congressional districts.

The independent body is tasked with redrawing the districts once every decade in accordance with the Census to account for population shifts.

Earlier this year in Texas, state lawmakers broke with the tradition to approve redistricting efforts outside the Census period, adding another Republican seat in the House for the Lone Star State.

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Schwarzenegger said politicians in California have performed much better because of independent redistricting and said changing how lines are drawn will take away the power from the people, echoing similar statements he made earlier this year.

Im a Republican, but Im not a Republican hack. Im not a political hack. I dont serve the party, he told Maher.

I always serve the people, the people of first, we cannot undo something and rip away the power that the people in California have and give it back to the politicians. We fought there for too long, he added.

Newsom has led efforts supporting the passage of Proposition 50, which has also been endorsed by Democrats ranging from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.) to former President Obama.

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Californians have been uniquely targeted by the Trump Administration, and thanks to the hard work of the California legislature, they will have a choice to fight back  and bring much needed accountability to Trumps efforts to undermine the democratic process, he said in a late August statement.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Many of the world's top climate scientists are sounding the alarm over a number of rapid changes currently impacting Antarctica and its vulnerable ecosystems.

What's happening?

As global temperatures have steadily risen over the years, their impacts have been felt throughout all regions in Antarctica. These impacts range from ice shelf collapse to the disruption of delicate marine ecosystems that support wildlife such as penguins and krill.

As reported by Oceanographic, researchers who met in London in September fear that these impacts may soon be pushing us close to the point of no return. As conditions in Antarctica worsen, global temperature may continue to rise, leading to further sea level rise and unpredictable weather patterns.

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According to Michael Meredith, oceanographer at the British Antarctic Survey, it's not just the severity of these impacts but the rate at which they are occurring that is most concerning.

"Antarctica is changing faster than we ever imagined," Meredith said in the Oceanographic report. "These changes are already affecting communities and ecosystems worldwide. Urgent action to cut greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen resilience is essential if we are to avoid crossing dangerous thresholds."

Why are rapid changes in Antarctica concerning?

Scientists meet regularly at the Royal Society in London to discuss a number of topical issues impacting the world. While many previous meetings have addressed major scientific advancements and opportunities, the recent gathering focused greatly on the impacts of rising temperatures on Antarctica and how this affects us all.

The society's meeting on the global impacts of Antarctica's rapid changes aimed to raise various concerns about the future of our planet. "We urgently need to understand these unprecedented extreme events in Antarctica if we're going to make robust predictions of future change," said Kate Hendry, an oceanographer with the British Antarctic Survey team, per Oceanographic.

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"The process behind these extreme events, and any tipping points, are not incorporated well into computer models at the moment, so our forecasting ability is not good enough," added Hendry.

The continent's rapid changes can serve as something of a warning sign for global climate shifts. The far-reaching consequences have already affected coastal communities worldwide, and with quickly changing weather patterns and intensifying natural disasters, more communities may be severely impacted.

What's being done about global impacts of ice loss in Antarctica?

In a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, researchers made predictions about the rate of sea level rise by 2100. According to some models, the planet may see water levels rise by several feet. Much of this rise may be caused by the continued ice loss in the polar regions.

Sea level rise can not only lead to widespread coastal flooding, but it can also damage infrastructure and essential ecosystems such as wetlands and mangroves. Higher sea levels can also play a key role in supercharging storms, in part by increasing the height of storm surges. Over time, such changes can force the mass displacement of populations and threaten the long-term viability of coastal communities.

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Efforts to address rising global temperatures have primarily focused on reducing planet-heating carbon pollution by transitioning from fuel-burning energy sources to renewable energy sources such as solar power. Countries around the globe have sought to take part in proactive initiatives such as the Paris Agreement in order to work toward creating a cooler and brighter future.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
SCOTTSBORO, Ala (WHNT)  In July, a shooting that left a police officer injured and led to an over 20-hour manhunt rocked the city of Scottsboro.

Almost 3 months later, recovery is still a daily effort for Lieutenant Derek Porch from where he was shot in his hand, to now affecting his whole body.

There was a hole in the downtown: Iconic Shoals Community Theatre sign back up for good

He stayed in the hospital for a significant amount of time, said Lieutenant Coty Durham.

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Durham is the Lieutenant training officer for the Scottsboro Police Department.

He finally got to come home, Durham said. Since then, he was pretty much at home unless a doctors appointment or something like that, just because his mobility wasnt to where it needed to be.

Every step of the way, support continues to flood in from his community.

One driver airlifted, another taken by ambulance after vehicle crashes into Florence Middle School

From the get-go, weve had an overwhelming amount of support, Durham said.

On Sunday, there will be a benefit meal hosted at Holy Smokes BBQ.

The restaurant owner reached out, and he reached out to know if there was anything that he could do for one, the police department, and two, Lieutenant Derek Porchs family, said Durham.

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Tickets are $15 and all proceeds will go straight to the Lieutenant Derek Porch Foundation.

The business is going to prepare all of the food, and theyre going to go ahead and make the plates, and then its going to be a drive-thru line, said Durham.

The foundation helps Porch and his family handle his medical bills while he remains out of work.

Durham said Porch has had multiple different surgeries over the past few months.

The surgeries were planned for the hand, but with some procedures, they have to take things from other parts of the body or use other parts of the body in order to complete the surgeries, said Durham.

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Despite the challenges, Durham said Lieutenant Porch has kept his spirits remarkably high.

I cant say that I would be able to do the same thing, but he has done a tremendous job with keeping his spirits up, said Durham.

The benefit meal will take place from 11 am to 2 pm at Holy Smokes BBQ in Scottsboro, located at 108 Tupelo Pike, and you can purchase tickets at the Scottsboro police department as well as the restaurant.

If you cannot make it out to grab a ticket before the event, you can still get food with a donation or ticket purchase at the event.

If you cannot make it out and still want to help, Durham said you can make a donation to the Lieutenant Derek Porch foundation at any Redstone Federal Credit Union.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Fresh reports from Balochistan indicate a disturbing spike in enforced disappearances allegedly carried out by Pakistani security forces, sparking renewed outrage over the state's persistent use of abduction tactics to silence dissent, several civilians, including a teenage student, have been forcibly taken away in recent days, with families left in the dark about their fate, as reported by The Balochistan Post. According to The Balochistan Post, a tenth-grade student identified as Abdullah, son of Baian, was allegedly detained by security personnel from his home in the Tajaban area of Tump, Kech district. The incident occurred late last night, and since then, the boy's whereabouts remain unknown. His family members stated that authorities have neither confirmed his arrest nor provided any explanation, heightening their fear and frustration. In another disturbing case, three brothers, Irshad Ahmed Sumalani, Tanveer Ahmed Sumalani, and Zaheer Ahmed Sumalani, were picked up by Pakistani forces during a late-night raid on October 4, 2025, around 3am, from their residence in the Baloch Colony area near Joint Road in Quetta. On the same night, their brother, Nazeer Ahmed Sumalani, was also allegedly detained from Shahrag in Killi Mengalabad. All four siblings remain missing without any trace. Human rights defenders have long accused the Pakistani state of weaponising enforced disappearances to stifle political voices and crush resistance in Balochistan. The recent surge, particularly targeting students and youth, has reignited calls for international scrutiny and intervention. Activists argue that Islamabad continues to operate with complete impunity, showing little willingness to address the grave human rights violations that have plagued the province for decades, as highlighted by The Balochistan Post. Despite repeated appeals from victims' families and human rights groups, no credible investigations have been initiated. The ongoing wave of abductions highlights the alarming human rights crisis in Pakistan's Balochistan region, which continues to deepen under the silence of those in power, as reported by The Balochistan Post. (ANI)
SCRANTON  City voters have stark choices for mayor in the Nov. 4 general election that has three challengers aiming to defeat incumbent Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti, a Democrat seeking her second four-year mayoral term.

In a debate Thursday at the University of Scranton, two of the challengers  Republican Patricia Trish Beynon and independent Eugene Gene Barrett  each touted their roots in the city and experience as attributes, while Cognetti cited her record of shepherding the city to stability after the corruption scandal that imprisoned former Mayor Bill Courtright.

Barrett, who is retired, is an Army veteran and former Scranton councilman and former executive director of the Scranton Sewer Authority.

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Gene Barrett was born here, raised here, spent over 40 years in public and private sector. I spent over seven years in the United States Army, Barrett said in part about his background. My public- and private-sector experience supersedes any of the people sitting to my left, and thats not an exaggeration. My family is here. Ive been in business here. My children are here. My wife is here. We own homes here. My grandchildren are here. Im here to be your mayor.

Beynon, an accounting executive at Don Scartelli Construction Services and General Contractors Inc. of West Scranton, said, Ive lived in Northeastern Pennsylvania my whole life and I moved to Scranton 34 years ago. Im proudly calling Scranton my home, Scrantons West Side. I am accounting executive for well over 34 years, where Ive done bonding jobs, Ive done contracted jobs. Im definitely qualified to balance the city of Scrantons budget. I know what Im doing with bonds. I know what Im doing with contracts.

Cognetti, a former member of the Scranton School Board and former employee of the state auditor generals office, described her tenure as mayor as one exemplifying good government, restoring and maintaining fiscal solvency and promoting transparency. I sat on this debate stage six years ago when the city was in crisis. The mayor had gone to prison for corruption, but that wasnt the first public official in very recent memory that had that same fate. We in six years have a built a government that works for everyone, that there is excitement in, that there is trust in  we are on the right track, Cognetti said. The people that are on the stage with me tonight would take us right back to where we were.

The other candidate, Rik Little, who is running as an independent, often spoke about his plight of being homeless. He largely took aim at government in general, expressing concerns in particular about the judicial branch, as well as how the city and Lackawanna County operate under home rule charters. Little said, I came to Scranton out of New York State Family Court and thats where I really learned how much this judiciary thing, when you have government, three parts of government, and the judiciary has just taken too much. I think everybody can see that over and over and over.

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About 120 people attended the hourlong debate hosted by the University of Scranton, which had questions posed to the candidates by three local journalists: Donnie Collins of The Times-Tribune, Elizabeth Haikes of Fox56 WOLF and Borys Krawczeniuk of WVIA News.

Mayor since January 2020, Cognetti, of Euclid Avenue, won a special election in 2019 running as an independent to fill an unexpired term and then switched back to Democrat and won a full, four-year term in 2021.

On Sept. 2, Cognetti announced a run for Congress that has started while she also is running for reelection as mayor. She aims to challenge in the 2026 midterm congressional elections Republican U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan for a seat in Congress from Pennsylvanias 8th District.

Barrett and Beynon both stressed they are running only for mayor of Scranton.

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Im not trying to propel myself to a higher position in government, Barrett said. I want to be your mayor. I dont want to be anything else. Im not looking for another job. Im looking for one job. Thats mayor of the city of Scranton.

Beynon, of Lafayette Street, said, Im not going anywhere. Im here for the next four years to do the best job I can for everybody. Thats what you pay me for, thats what Im going to do and Im not going anywhere.

Cognetti said, We have spent six years moving this forward. I know the people of Scranton want to keep moving forward. We cannot go back to where we were. If I am elected to Congress in 2026, I will make damn sure that in 2027 there is someone sitting here on this debate stage that I can pass the torch to, to continue to make progress.

Citing safety as a main concern, Barrett and Beynon both claimed that crime has increased in Scranton in recent years. Cognetti disputed those assertions, saying, Im not sure where the people up here with me are getting their crime stats. We do not have an increase in crime. We have an extraordinary record of combatting crime here in Scranton.

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Krawczeniuk asked Barrett and Beynon where they are getting their information that crime is on the rise in Scranton.

Beynon replied, If you research the 2024 New York Post and other posts online, you will see that homicide and violent crime has increased in the city of Scranton over the past few years.

Cognetti said, The New York Post is not a crime database. You can go to actual crime databases. You can check those stats right online and see that crime is, in fact, not spiking in the city of Scranton. The mayor said there might be more crime incidents reported because there is more proactive policing by the Police Department under Chief Thomas Carroll.

Barrett, of Arthur Avenue, said, Most of the stats that Im talking about are the national statistics, FBI statistics, discussions with the district attorneys office. Thats where my information is coming from. And at the same time, I dont understand the mayors comment, so because we have a more proactive reporting process, that is why it appears there is more crime. That seems to contradict itself.

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Some testy exchanges occurred between Cognetti and Barrett and Beynon. In a question about stormwater flooding, Cognetti referenced Barretts ownership of the former Community Central Energy Co. that once was home to dynamos that provided steam heat to downtown buildings and powered trolley cars through the city.

We have steam pipes underneath the city that Mr. Barrett hasnt mentioned that he actually owns. There are some issues with that. There are some holes in the ground that he needs to fix and he has not responded to our request, Cognetti said.

Barrett responded, Since I shut the steam system down in 2006, every time Public Works, Police Department or another utility contacted Community Central Energy regarding a failure, its been repaired. So Im not necessarily sure what the mayor is referring to.

Cognetti also said that Barrett, when he was director of the Scranton Sewer Authority, had been sued by the Green Ridge Neighborhood Association over a matter involving leachate from Keystone Sanitary Landfill in Dunmore. Barrett shot back, I want evidence of me being sued by the Green Ridge Neighborhood Association. You better be careful what youre saying there, Mayor.

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In 2017, the association sued the Scranton Sewer Authority, its successor, Pennsylvania American Water, which bought the Scranton sewer system in 2016, and the city of Scranton. That lawsuit, which did not specifically name Barrett as an individual defendant, claimed he had unilaterally and improperly changed a landfill permit on Dec. 17, 2015, to allow the landfill to bypass a dedicated leachate line, and instead also be allowed to use an alternate leachate line, according to the suit that is public record and archives of The Times-Tribune.

At the time of the permit change, Barrett had said it merely fixed a typographical error. The landfills original permit allowed for use of the alternate line, but at some point when the permit was reissued, the alternate line was omitted, Barrett had said, according to newspaper archives. The lawsuit claimed use of the alternate line violated a 1990 agreement to bar leachate in the alternate line, known as the Monahan Avenue/Reeves Street, or Green Ridge, line. A judge in 2017 dismissed the lawsuit, ruling the neighborhood group did not have standing to sue and that its suit otherwise was deficient.

In touting her experience working as an accounting executive for the Scartelli firm, Beynon claimed she was qualified to deal with the city budget and contracts. Cognetti said, In the case of Ms. Beynon and the construction company for which she works, we did do many audits throughout these last many years. Unfortunately one of these audits discovered that there was $238,000 that had been given to said construction company in the prior administration and the work was never performed. We only just recovered that money a month ago. Beyon interjected, You had to make a settlement for that because you knew you were wrong. Cognetti said, It took a lot to recover our money for that.

Seated in the audience, Don Scartelli, who is engaged to marry Beynon, said aloud, Mayor, why dont you tell them what you had to pay me to make me go away? Taxpayers money. I didnt want it (the settlement). I wanted to do the job.

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In July, the city and the Scartelli firm settled two lawsuits filed in 2023 and 2024 involving three different projects. Under the settlement, the city paid $285,000 to Scartellis firm, and the firm paid back to the city $223,800 in grant funding the firm had received as an advance under a prior administration in June 2019 so the city wouldnt lose the grant before it expired, according to an article in The Times-Tribune that cited the settlement and representatives from both sides.

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Scranton mayoral candidates Gene Barrett, Trish Beynon, Mayor Paige Gebhart Cognetti, and Rik Little speak before members of the public during the Scranton Mayoral Debate in the PNC Auditorium at the University of Scrantons Loyola Science Center in Scranton Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Director for the University of Scranton Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service Brian Snee talks with Scranton mayoral candidates Gene Barrett, Trish Beynon, Mayor Paige Gebhart Cognetti, and Scranton mayoral candidate Rik Little before the Scranton Mayoral Debate in the PNC Auditorium at the University of Scrantons Loyola Science Center in Scranton Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Rik Little speaks on a panel with Scranton mayor candidates Gene Barrett, Trish Beynon, and Mayor Paige Gebhart Cognetti during the Scranton Mayoral Debate by university police in the PNC Auditorium at the Loyala Science Center on the University of Scranton campus Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Scranton mayoral candidate Trish Beynon answers a question during the Scranton Mayoral Debate in the PNC Auditorium at the University of Scrantons Loyola Science Center in Scranton Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Scranton mayoral candidate Rik Little answers a question during the Scranton Mayoral Debate in the PNC Auditorium at the University of Scrantons Loyola Science Center in Scranton Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhart Cognetti answers a question during the Scranton Mayoral Debate in the PNC Auditorium at the University of Scrantons Loyola Science Center in Scranton Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Scranton mayoral candidate Rik Little glances into the audience during the Scranton Mayoral Debate in the PNC Auditorium at the University of Scrantons Loyola Science Center in Scranton Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Scranton mayoral candidate Trish Beynon answers a question during the Scranton Mayoral Debate in the PNC Auditorium at the University of Scrantons Loyola Science Center in Scranton Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Scranton mayoral candidate Gene Barrett holds up a photo of what he calls garbage juice left on a city street as he gives his closing remarks during the Scranton Mayoral Debate in the PNC Auditorium at the University of Scrantons Loyola Science Center in Scranton Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Rik Little speaks during the Scranton Mayoral Debate by university police in the PNC Auditorium at the Loyala Science Center on the University of Scranton campus Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Scranton mayoral candidates Gene Barrett, Trish Beynon, Mayor Paige Gebhart Cognetti, and Scranton mayoral candidate Rik Little debate in the PNC Auditorium at the University of Scrantons Loyola Science Center in Scranton Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Scranton mayoral candidate Gene Barrett looks on as he sits on a panel with Trish Beynon, Mayor Paige Gebhart Cognetti, and Rik Little in the PNC Auditorium at the University of Scrantons Loyola Science Center in Scranton Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Scranton mayoral candidates Gene Barrett, Trish Beynon, Mayor Paige Gebhart Cognetti, and Rik Little speak before members of the public during the Scranton Mayoral Debate in the PNC Auditorium at the University of Scrantons Loyola Science Center in Scranton Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The South Central Regional Transit District (SCRTD) announced a service frequency improvement that will help riders who are traveling to and from Sunland Park and Downtown El Paso.

SCRTD provides transportation throughout Southern New Mexico, including rides up from Truth or Consequences down to El Paso.

SCRTD-SYSTEM-MAP-2024-1Download

The Yellow Route, taking passengers to Sunland Park and Downtown El Paso, will start operating every 40 minutes, offering more flexibility, shorter wait times, and easier access to employment, healthcare and shopping destinations, according to the news release by the SCRTD.

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This expansion reflects our continued commitment to providing reliable and convenient public transportation for residents of Southern New Mexico, Executive Director of SCRTD David Armijo said. Increasing service frequency on one of our busiest routes strengthens our connection to EL Paso and supports the growing ridership across the region.

In addition to the changes with the Yellow Route, SCRTD said they are also expanding the Turquoise Route hours, launching a new Magenta Route for East Mesa, and making ongoing investments in electric buses and solar power facilities.

Yellow Route bus. Photo courtesy of SCRTD.

According to SCRTD, the Yellow Route stop will soon be relocated closer to the Downtown El Paso Transit Terminal, as part of the partnership with Sun Metro to improve passenger safety and efficient transfers.

With a record 164,700 trips in FY2025, SCRTD continues to build on its mission of connecting communities through sustainable, affordable and equitable transportation options, read the news release.

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For more information, you can visit SCRTDs website, or you can call (575) 323-1620.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
HAWESVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56)  Troopers with Kentucky State Police announced on Saturday evening that a missing teen had been safely found.

Troopers with KSP Post 16 in Henderson wrote in a news release in the early hours of Oct. 18 that Kiley Tindle, 14, of Hawesville, was last seen on Friday in the area of Squirrel Tail Hollow Road.

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Authorities said Tindle was 5 feet, 4 inches tall, with shoulder-length blond hair and blue eyes, weighing 135 pounds. She was reportedly wearing a grey hoodie with a pink Under Armor logo and black leggings.

Anyone with information that could help find Kiley was asked to contact KSP Post 16 at (270) 826-3312 or call local law enforcement. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to state troopers at the KSP website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  Keeping our furry friends healthy is a top priority for many, but sometimes the cost can be a barrier. Thats why Second Chance Animal Services offered a low-cost vaccine clinic for cats and dogs.

This clinic gave many a crucial opportunity to protect their pets against preventable and potentially deadly diseases. We want to make sure that she has her proper vaccines and make sure that shes healthy, said Janice Trigiano of Worcester.

Trigiano and her dog Lola, came all the way from Worcester for the Second Chance pop-up clinic, which was in partnership with Teddy Bear Pools and Spas. Its $10 for the rabies vaccine here and like $30 for just the vaccine in Worcester, explained Trigiano.

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Massachusetts fire officials offer tips for safe and fun Halloween

This price difference is why Trigiano and over 100 other people signed up and waited in line to get their pets vaccinated.

Of course, it doesnt take the place of normal veterinary care, but, you know, its one step along the way, said Jeanne Galloway, the director of the West Springfield Health Department.

Vaccines not only against rabies but also parvovirus and distemper ensure pets stay protected and prevent the spread. And what Second Chance really wants to drive home is just how quickly and aggressively these diseases can impact pets.

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For example, Parvovirus can kill a puppy within 48 hours of showing symptoms, making these vaccinations a matter of life or death.

And parvo, something that can live in the community for a longer period of time. So, you know, even if you dont see a dog while youre out walking, it doesnt mean that theres no chance your pet could ever get it, said Lindsay Doray, Second Chances Chief Development Officer.

In addition to vaccines, microchips were offered at just $5 to ensure if pets do get away from their owners, they can be reunited quickly.

And if you werent able to make it to this clinic, Second Chance also offers weekly low-cost vaccine clinics at their veterinary hospitals, like in Springfield.

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WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Download the 22News Plus app on your TV to watch live-streaming newscasts and video on demand.

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For the second time this month, federal immigration agents targeted rideshare drivers at OHare International Airport despite recent vows from Mayor Brandon Johnson to prevent more raids.

About 9:15 a.m. Saturday, agents were seen detaining rideshare drivers parked in a designated staging area off Balmoral Avenue as they waited for pickup requests, Service Employees International Union Local 1 spokesperson Bailey Koch said.

Koch  whose union is part of a labor coalition seeking to organize Illinois rideshare workers  said she did not immediately have information on the identities or whereabouts of the drivers.

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Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin released a statement saying that Border Patrol agents conducted a targeted operation near Chicago OHare airport parking lots Saturday morning and arrested 11 immigrants who were in the country illegally. McLaughlin cited criminal histories such as domestic battery and driving under the influence but did not provide their names.

Without their identities, the Tribune could not verify McLaughlins claims related to criminal histories.

The fact of the matter is those who are in this country illegally have a choice. They can use the CBP Home app and receive a free flight and a $1,000 check or they can be arrested, detained, and deported, McLaughlin wrote.

Border Patrol field boss Gregory Bovino also responded to a user asking When are yall going to clean up the oHare airport? on X with: We arrested dozens of illegal alien ride share operators taking jobs from American citizens out there last week. More to come.

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Koch said the Johnson administration had agreed to provide 24/7 security for the lot to ensure only people with the correct credentials could enter, but the mayors spokesperson did not immediately confirm that.

Saturdays immigration raid was the latest flashpoint in a roiling turf war between the Johnson and Trump administrations, the latter of which has been waging a mass deportation campaign in the city  including on airport grounds.

On Oct. 10, Border Patrol officers arrested 18 people at OHare, DHS confirmed. Immigration agents also targeted the same staging area for rideshare drivers, known as the Transportation Network Providers Alpha Lot, Koch said.

The progressive mayor, for his part, has sought to resist the presidents crackdown via a flurry of executive orders and invocations of Chicagos sanctuary city policy that bans local police from assisting with immigration enforcement. But with federal agents still on the streets of Chicago for Operation Midway Blitz, city leaders are seeing the limits of some of their stances.

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Ald. Michael Rodriguez, the mayors handpicked Workforce Development Committee chair, said he will be calling Johnsons team to see what further measures can be taken to prevent another raid.

The Gestapo efforts by this president have no boundaries, Rodriguez said. Quite frankly, theyre doing unlawful things every minute of the day, and heres another opportunity for them to do that.

While air traffic and security are controlled by the federal government, airport grounds at OHare and Midway International Airport are city property  a fact Johnson pointed out when he condemned the Oct. 10 arrests.

My administration is working closely with the Illinois Drivers Alliance to ensure drivers are protected, their rights are respected, and that our City property is never used to facilitate unlawful civil immigration enforcement, Johnson had said in a Tuesday statement.

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Earlier this month, the mayor signed an executive order banning federal immigration authorities from staging and carrying out enforcement operations on city-owned land. Johnson also called for criminal charges against agents who violate the order, though its unclear how that would play out.

After the Oct. 10 arrests at OHare, Johnson spokesperson Cassio Mendoza said the administration believed that because signs laying out the immigration enforcement ban had not yet been installed at the airport parking lot, the administration lacked a legal avenue to pursue against the federal agents for carrying out a raid in the lot. Such signs should be posted in the lot soon, Mendoza said Tuesday.

As of Saturday afternoon, there did not appear to be any such signs in the parking lot.

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights urged affected drivers to call its Family Support Hotline.

These abductions at OHare are reprehensible and will only separate working families who were otherwise just trying to make ends meet, ICIRR deputy director Veronica Castro wrote in a statement. Citizens and non-citizens alike rely on drivers to get around Chicagoland and this attack is yet another way that the Trump admins ICE and CBP escalation is disrupting life for everyone.
The crowd was shoulder-to-shoulder near the State House in Concord for much of the afternoon. (Photo by Dana Wormald/New Hampshire Bulletin)

Granite Staters who took to the streets Oct. 18 in Concord said concerns about health care, immigration, racism, disability rights, free speech, and more motivated them to join that days No Kings protest.

The Concord demonstration was one of more than 30 official rallies organized across the state by the national coalition No Kings, and one of more than 2,700 planned across the nation. In the capital, the protest filled the State House lawn and spilled out along North Main Street.

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Whats going on in America is intolerable. This administration is trying to eliminate democracy, said Donald Winchester, of Antrim. Mayflower pilgrims were immigrants too, read a sign he carried.

Im an eighth generation New Hampshire native. I was raised a Republican, fiscally conservative, socially responsible, protectors of the environment, party of Lincoln, and so now Im a very active Democrat, because I am just beside myself with whats going on, said Meredith resident Sandy Mucci, who cited concerns about the militarization of American cities. (Photo by Molly Rains/New Hampshire Bulletin)

Sandy Mucci, of Meredith, said she was concerned about the administrations use of the military and hoped the protest would help push more lawmakers to take action against what she said was executive branch overreach.

Im an eighth generation New Hampshire native, she said. I was raised a Republican, fiscally conservative, socially responsible, protectors of the environment, party of Lincoln, and so now Im a very active Democrat, because I am just beside myself with whats going on, she said.  I am scared to death.

Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Mike Scism, of Sanbornton, waved an American flag at passersby. The administrations management of the military has disturbed him, Scism said.

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When you join (the military), you swear an oath to protect the Constitution, not to uphold a dictator. What (Secretary Pete) Hegseth is doing to the Department of Defense is horrible, he said, referencing remarks Hegseth has made targeting diversity and equity initiatives in the military.  Diversity and having people from all walks of life in the military is key to our strength. Its not a weakness, Scism said.

He added that he believed more veterans were in attendance Oct. 18 than had been present at the first No Kings rally in June.

Chris Farrell, a protest organizer and military veteran, also spoke about the importance of diversity to the military. He led attendees in a recitation of the oath of enlistment, a version of which is taken by military and federal officials when they are sworn in to a role.

I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, the oath began.  As long as there are Americans willing to speak those words, there will be no kings in this nation, Ferrell said after the oath had concluded.

Disability rights advocate Lisa Beaudoin speaks at the No Kings rally in Concord on Oct. 18. (Photo by Molly Rains/New Hampshire Bulletin)

Other speakers included disability rights advocate Lisa Beaudoin, who criticized federal funding cuts to the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and health care, and called for more support and respect for disabled Americans. She also criticized New Hampshire Republicans in particular, who she said were leading the nation in cuts to Medicaid.

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Bob Sanders, of Concord, who recently concluded a cross-country bike trip protesting the war in Gaza, also spoke at the event, calling for a lasting ceasefire. New Hampshire Youth Movement representative Ty Wyman called for more youth involvement in politics. Other speakers discussed topics from vaccines to health care and immigration.

In bright costumes and with signs bearing messages from lighthearted to urgent, protesters in Concord cheered, chanted, and waved at passing cars throughout the afternoon. A crew of 18 peacekeepers from New Hampshire Peace Action patrolled the crowd; the team is trained in deescalation, said peacekeeper Lee Anne Tigert.

New Hampshire Youth Movement representative Ty Wyman addresses the crowd. Wyman criticized cuts to education funding and called for more young people to engage with politics. (Photo by Molly Rains/New Hampshire Bulletin)

Many protesters said they hoped the demonstration would lead to change, but others were skeptical. If protesting changed anything, theyd make it illegal, read a sign carried by attendee Brett Power.

I think a general strike is needed, Power said, adding that he did not believe demonstrations on their own would effect significant change at the federal level. The leverage people have is their labor, he said.

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Others said they hoped the protest would catch the attention of legislators and lead to change.

This is what its going to take. Grassroots stuff like this, to get stuff done, said protester Betty McKay. Our legislators and congressmen need to be paying attention.

With heavy turnout for the No Kings protest in Concord, crossing guards kept busy helping rally-goers navigate the steady traffic on North Main Street in front of the State House. (Photo by Dana Wormald/New Hampshire Bulletin)

While there was very little in the way of No Kings counterprotesting near the State House in Concord on Saturday, the occasional supporter of President Donald Trump would roll through downtown, eliciting jeers and chants of Shame from the crowd. (Photo by Dana Wormald/New Hampshire Bulletin)

At a tent where children were encouraged to make their own demonstration signs, a child decorates a sign reading Universities & Scientific Research Saved my Mama. (Photo by Molly Rains/New Hampshire Bulletin)

From left: Anita Beard, of Hillsborough, and Chris Lemire, of Henniker, pose with a cutout sign that reads Drag queens for the rule of law, with liberty and justice for all, on Oct. 18. (Photo by Molly Rains/New Hampshire Bulletin)

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Joe LiPetri, of Merrimack, wears a royal robe and chants against the Trump administration at the New Hampshire State House on Oct. 18. (Photo by Molly Rains/New Hampshire Bulletin)
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  People from all walks of life made their voices heard at the No Kings rally at Mill Creek Park on Saturday.

We want to work for the betterment of all people. I have great-grandchildren, and it is important to me to be here, said Sandra Patton, who was at the Mill Creek Park No Kings rally.

Mostly for my daughters, I have four daughters, and I think it is important to show that if you dont speak up, if you dont condemn it, then you are condoning it. Showing them to speak up for your rights and what you believe in, said Tommie Davis, also at the protest.

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Interim Jackson County Executive shares updates on property assessments

Protesters marched near Mill Creek Park, holding signs and sharing the message behind the No Kings movement: the United States has no kings, and power belongs to the people.

It will never be right with the current leadership he is providing at this time. Its important that we get out and let it be known not just to the president but to our representatives. Senator Hawley, Senator Schmitt, and all of the republican House of Representatives, that this is not right. We need to stop it. We have three branches of government that are not working. Get a check and balance on this man. You need to do your job, Patton said.

Carter Taylor, who represents the local branch of the American Federation of Teachers, Local 691, was at the protest to raise awareness about the state of public education.

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Essentially, we are watching as the public education system is being crumbled beneath our feet against the will of the voters and every single person here, Taylor explained.

I think the students in my classroom are amazing human beings, and I want the best for them, and it is really hard to do that sometimes when things are being pulled out from them that they should rightfully have- like free breakfast, free lunches, and the public education that our entire system has been built on.

Like many other people, Taylor was at the No Kings rally in June, too. She says this time its about taking action.

I am here today with the Right to Education ballot initiative on behalf of my union, but thats really the only difference, is that we are making more efforts to organize and build coalitions to get something done rather than just standing here and making noise, Taylor explained.

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If you see all of these different organizations here, each one is trying to do something good for Kansas City, and I think that is the most civic thing any of us can do, really.

Miami County Sheriffs Office searching for suspect after police chase

No Kings rallies took place all over the country on October 18.

My mother is an educator. My grandma is out protesting in her small town in Virginia. My mom is protesting in her town on the other side of the country. I moved to Kansas City to teach, and so I want to make sure that not just me, but my students, the other educators in my building we all have a fair chance at the American dream, like we were promised, Taylor explained.

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The event was slated from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Additional protests were held across the metro as well. Cities like Lees Summit, Missouri and Overland Park, Kansas also saw large crowds of people protesting.

Protestors at the Lees Summit No Kings rally.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
A new round of No Kings protests against President Donald Trump and his administration is happening today. Thousands of demonstrations are planned in the U.S., including several across Mississippi.

Organizers are asking people to wear yellow in solidarity.

The People's Union USA is also calling for a one-day economic blackout to coincide with the events.

This is the second round of No Kings protests. The first, held in June 14, was organized by more than 140 groups across the nation, including the ACLU, the Women's March, 50501 and other local political and social groups.

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This, without question, will be the single biggest day of protest in American history," said Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, which is helping organize the rallies. Since we last did this, people have become far more aware of what is going wrong with this administration."

Asked for reaction to the new protests on Oct. 14, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson replied Who cares?

In Mississippi, the weather forecast calls for severe weather over the weekend. Earlier forecasts called for a storm risk earlier in the day, but as of Friday, the window for damaging wind and hail was moving later into Saturday night and early Sunday.

Know who's organizing the protests, when and where you can find one near you and what to know about upcoming potential for severe weather.

Who is putting this on?

Groups organizing the No Kings protests include the ACLU, American Federation of Teachers, Common Defense, 50501, Human Rights Campaign, Indivisible, League of Conservation Voters, MoveOn, National Nurses United, Public Citizen, SEIU and United We Dream.

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In 2025, the 50501 organization has arranged several protests at the Mississippi State Capitol Building, and other groups have arranged demonstrations across Mississippi. Groups protested on Feb. 5; President's Day, Feb. 17; March 4; April 5; April 19; over Memorial Day weekend, May 24; on D-Day, June 6; on Trump's 79th birthday, June 14; and over Labor Day weekend.

Protests led by the same organizers this year, including the ones in Mississippi, have been peaceful.

Why is it called 'No Kings'?

The name "No Kings" comes from the organizers' belief that Trump is acting like a monarch rather than the leader of a democracy.

"America has no kings, and the power belongs to the people," the No Kings event website says.

Why are people wearing yellow?

No Kings organizers are asking people to wear yellow. The website explains people wanted an easy way to show unity. The color is bright, stands out and has ties to pro-democracy movements in Hong Kong, Eastern Ukraine and South Korea.

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"For generations, people around the world have used color to show collective strength in the face of oppression," the No Kings website says. "Our movement is no different.

"Yellow is our shared signal, bright, bold and impossible to ignore, a reminder that America's power belongs to our people, not to kings."

When was the first No Kings Day?

No Kings Day was on June 14. It synced up with Flag Day, the U.S. Army's 250th birthday and Trump's 79th birthday. A military parade, estimated to cost $40 million, was held in Washington, D.C. with tanks, other military equipment and marching troops.

Event organizers and the Trump administration said the day was only to celebrate the Army. The U.S. Navy celebrated its 250th birthday on Oct. 13, and the U.S. Marine Corps has its 250th on Nov. 10. Neither has a similar event scheduled at this time.

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The American Civil Liberties Union, which co-organized the rallies, estimated that more than 5 million people participated in about 2,100 "No Kings" protests across the U.S.

In Mississippi, approximately 1,500 people marched at the State Capitol and at several other events around the state.

The White House called the day of protests an "utter failure."

When, where are new No Kings protests in Mississippi?

Events are scheduled across the state on Oct. 18. Information could change. Check nokings.org to learn more. Or look for events near you on social media to make direct contact with local organizers and track potential changes, like weather delays.

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Gulfport : 9-11 a.m. at Dan M. Russell Jr. Federal Courthouse Annex, 2012 15th St.

Oxford: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City Hall at The Square, 107 Courthouse Square

Jackson: noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Mississippi State Capitol Building, 400 High St.

Tupelo: noon to 1:30 p.m. at Trent Kelly's Office, 431 W. Main St.

Starkville : noon to 2 p.m. at Old County Courthouse, 101 E. Main St.

Hernando: 2-4 p.m. at DeSoto County Courthouse, 2535 Highway 51 South

Hattiesburg: 3-5 p.m. at City Hall, 200 Forrest St.

Corinth: 3-5 p.m. at Trailhead Park, 401 Cruise St.

'A blood bath': Mississippi farmers drowning in tariff debt as China buys soybeans from Brazil.

Will severe weather affect protests in Mississippi?

According to the National Weather Service's Friday forecast, Northwest Mississippi might get severe storms Saturday evening, including quarter-sized hail and winds up to 60 mph. the The risk starts around 7 p.m. and runs until about 1 a.m. Sunday.

More areas of the state could get rain, and parts of central Mississippi could also get severe storm, but the risk level is lower.

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The Thursday forecast called for the peak hours to be earlier in the day, and the forecast could change before the events.

Be sure to check for an updated forecast online, download a weather app to get storm warnings and have a severe weather plan to stay safe.

Contributing: Pam Dankins, Brian Broom, C.A. Bridges

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.

Senior national political correspondent Sarah D. Wire can be reached at swire@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Where, when all No Kings protests against Trump are today in Mississippi
Update: William Patrick McKeithan has been found safe, according to Virginia State Police.

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WAVY)  A senior alert was issued for a 78-year-old man Saturday at 2 p.m. by Virginia State Police on behalf of Albemarle County Police.

William Patrick McKeithan was last seen around 4 a.m., driving a 2017 black Infiniti QX5 on Old Lynchburg Road in Charlottesville. The Infiniti is registered in Virginia with tags: TFT5575.

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State police say he could be heading towards Goochland County or North Carolina.

McKeithan is described as 57, weighing 170 pounds, with blue eyes and white hair. He was last seen wearing a gray jacket and khaki pants.

VSP says McKeithan suffers from a cognitive impairment and his disappearance poses a credible threat to his health and safety.

Those with information on McKeithans whereabouts are encouraged to call 434-977-9041.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
The parliamentary leader of Friedrich Merz's conservative bloc has thrown his weight behind the German chancellor's controversial remarks on migration's impact on cities.

"The chancellor actually said something everyone can see when they walk through Duisburg, but also when they walk through some medium-sized German cities," Jens Spahn said in remarks to Saturday's edition of the mass-circulation Bild newspaper. "Irregular migration has changed something."

In addition to Duisburg, Spahn also mentioned Hamburg and Frankfurt, in particular the main railway stations in those cities: "Neglect, drug dealers, young men, mostly with a migrant background, mostly from Eastern Europe or Arab-Muslim cultural areas," Spahn said of the conditions.

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These also had something to do with "irregular migration," he added, using the term widely applied to people who enter Germany illegally.

"But of course we still have this problem in our cities, which is why the federal minister of the interior is now working to enable and carry out repatriations on a very large scale," Spahn said after Merz's remarks caused some controversy in Germany.

The chancellor on Tuesday responded to a question about the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party by boasting of his government's reform of migration policy since taking office in May.

"But we still have this problem in the cityscape, of course, and that's why the federal interior minister is facilitating and carrying out large-scale deportations," Merz said.

In an open letter, dozens of Green Party politicians accused Merz of making a statement that was "racist, discriminatory, hurtful and indecent."
US President Donald Trump on Friday said that in his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he asked both the parties to stop the conflict. Trump said that they were there to save lives mainly, and stop thousands from dying everyday. https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/1979289772146463060 https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/1979258594072682842 https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1979326323194761437 "I met with President Zelenskyy today and we had a very good meeting, very cordial meeting. They should stop the war immediately. You go by the battle line, wherever it is. Otherwise, it's too complicated. You'll never be able to figure it out. Stop at the battle line and both sides should go home, go to their families, stop the killing, and that should be it. Stop right now at the battle line. I told that to President Zelenskyy. I told it to President Putin," he said. Trump said that the ammunition is paid for by NATO, and they are mainly here to save lives. "We're not losing people, we're not spending money, we're getting paid for the ammunition and missiles and everything else... and we've made a very good deal with NATO... that's not what we're in this for. We're in it to save thousands of lives every week," he said. Trump said that US First Lady Melania Trump felt strongly for the children there suffering due to the conflict. "She just felt very strongly about the children and she's done a really good job in bringing it to the fore... She thinks about the children all the time," he said. Trump wrongly claimed that India will stop buying Russian oil. "India is not going to be buying Russian oil anymore, and Hungary is sort of stuck because they have one pipeline... and they're inland -- they don't have sea... but India will not be buying oil from Russia," he said. Trump further said that there will again be a meeting probably with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy, and that they are making progress. "I would say most likely it's going to be a double meeting... but we will have the President Zelenskyy, in touch. It's an honor to be with a very strong leader, a man who has been through a lot, and a man who I've gotten to know very well... President Zelenskyy of Ukraine has endured a lot... I think we're making great progress," he said. (ANI)
The parliamentary leader of Friedrich Merz's conservative bloc has thrown his weight behind the German chancellor's controversial remarks on migration's impact on cities.

"The chancellor actually said something everyone can see when they walk through Duisburg, but also when they walk through some medium-sized German cities," Jens Spahn said in remarks to Saturday's edition of the mass-circulation Bild newspaper. "Irregular migration has changed something."

In addition to Duisburg, Spahn also mentioned Hamburg and Frankfurt, in particular the main railway stations in those cities: "Neglect, drug dealers, young men, mostly with a migrant background, mostly from Eastern Europe or Arab-Muslim cultural areas," Spahn said of the conditions.

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These also had something to do with "irregular migration," he added, using the term widely applied to people who enter Germany illegally.

"But of course we still have this problem in our cities, which is why the federal minister of the interior is now working to enable and carry out repatriations on a very large scale," Spahn said after Merz's remarks caused some controversy in Germany.

The chancellor on Tuesday responded to a question about the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party by boasting of his government's reform of migration policy since taking office in May.

"But we still have this problem in the cityscape, of course, and that's why the federal interior minister is facilitating and carrying out large-scale deportations," Merz said.

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In an open letter, dozens of Green Party politicians accused Merz of making a statement that was "racist, discriminatory, hurtful and indecent."

There was also push-back from the government's junior coalition partner, the Social Democrats (SPD).

"Migration must not be stigmatized by simplistic or populist knee-jerk reactions: This divides society even more and ultimately helps the wrong people, instead of promoting solutions," said the government's commissioner for integration, Natalie Pawlik, a member of the SPD.

Spahn countered that critics were refusing to see the realities in German cities.

"Take a drive around Berlin and you'll see the consequences. Open your eyes!" said the top representative of Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU) and their Bavaria-only sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU) in the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament.
Ten people were injured, including one critically, after a balcony fell from a Corryville apartment building late on Oct. 17, according to Cincinnati fire officials.

Agencies were dispatched shortly after 10 p.m. to the 200 block of Stetson Street near the University of Cincinnati. When they arrived, fire personnel located an 8-by-12-foot balcony that had collapsed from the weight of too many people, falling about 20 feet on the pavement below.

Cincinnati fire transported 10 people to the hospital, including one that was left in critical condition, officials said. The other nine sustained non-life-threatening injuires. Other victims may have also self-transported to area hospitals, officals added.

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Many of the people were students celebrating the passing of an exam, Enquirer media partner Fox19 reported.

Cincinnati police have since secured the scene.

Hamilton County's Division of Buildings and Inspections has been notified, as well as the the University of Cincinnati which is helping with any displaced students. Grief counseling through the university is available if needed, fire officials said.

An Enquirer reporter at the scene said several young men were seen holding their heads in their hands outside the apartment in the aftermath of the incident.

An American Spirit cigarette carton and empty cans of alcoholic seltzers littered the floor beside the fallen balcony.

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A bit further from the wreckage was a leather purse, jacket and a small pair of brown heeled boots that laid neatly next to a broken and bloody plastic chair.

Enquirer media partner Fox19 contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Balcony collapses at apartment near UC campus, 10 injured
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Police are asking the public for help identifying a the suspect of a burglary that happened between 10:30 p.m. on October 5 and 5 p.m. on October 6.

Sioux Falls Police responded to an apartment complex near West 49th Street and South Technology Drive for a report of a burglary.

Shutdown tensions rise as SNAP impacts to hit South Dakota

Investigation revealed that an unknown subject forced their way into an apartment complex garage, stealing numerous tools.

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The value of the stolen items and property damage is $3,000.

Anyone with additional information about this crime is asked to log onto crimestopperssiouxempire.com and submit a tip.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  With Sharp nurses concluding their three-day picket on Friday, organizers shared they are still seeking a new contract that addresses patient care, pay and sick leave.

Nurses with the Sharp Professional Nurses Network (SPNN)an affiliate of United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP)started their picket across San Diego County on Wednesday.

The union contract expired on Sept. 30. Nurses will have an emergency two-week contract extension starting on Oct. 22.

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We are out here united, letting the community know that were fighting for a fair contract that includes fair market wages, more in alignment with our competitors Kaiser and UCSD, Registered Nurse (RN) Alana Lawler said.

Additionally, Sharp nurses are advocating to change their sick leave policy. Currently, staff can be penalized for using sick leave; full-time nurses are required to work a minimum of 10 weeks to earn enough sick leave for one shift, according to the union.

The union said this policy leaves them with two choices jeopardize their health and income, or put vulnerable patients at risk by exposing them to illness.

Sharp shared a statement, explaining work operations were not affected throughout the picket.

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Sharp is currently in contract negotiations with UNAC, the union which represents our registered nurses. The union informed us of plans to conduct informational pickets this week related to these negotiations.

These pickets are not a strike, and the union has not called for a strike. Unlike a strike, picketing events do not involve a work stoppage. Sharp remains fully staffed and is continuing to provide the high-quality care our community members need and deserve. We remain committed to a fair and responsible contract for our nurses.

While Sharp clarified the union has not called for a strike, some workers have said they are prepared if necessary.

If we need to take it to a strike, we are ready for it, said Peggy Bowman, a 35-year nurse at Sharp.

Sharp nurses are still seeking a new contract that addresses patient care, pay and sick leave. (UNAC/UHCP) Sharp nurses are still seeking a new contract that addresses patient care, pay and sick leave. (UNAC/UHCP) Sharp nurses are still seeking a new contract that addresses patient care, pay and sick leave. (UNAC/UHCP) Sharp nurses are still seeking a new contract that addresses patient care, pay and sick leave. (UNAC/UHCP)

Union leaders also shared that management proposed removing medical coverage for retirees.

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A nurse who retires before Medicare age after decades of grueling 12-hour shifts would lose access to Sharp health insurance, the SPNN said.

According to the SPNN, nurses wearing their union t-shirts in the emergency department were disciplined by Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center. Many nurses t-shirts read Respect Nurses or Nurses are the Heart of Sharp.

Organizers shared that if nurses refused to change their shirts, they would be sent home without pay.

Wearing a union sticker or union logo is deemed unsafe for patients? It seems unsafe for patients to silence us this way, Sharp Chula Vista RN Sara Buttar said.

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Managment offered nurses double-time pay to address nurses who left.

Labor and Delivery RN Nieysha Richard shared they were born at a Sharp hospital and that their daughter, who was a preemie, was also born at Sharp Mary Birch. Richard said the nurses there inspired her to become a nurse.

Young nurses come in, and they look to us experienced nurses to guide them through the early part of their careers, Richard said.

We need Sharp to value that, Richards continued. We serve our communities, taking care of their families, everyones families, as if they were our own. Were working understaffed, underpaid, and without sick leave.

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As negotiations continue, the union has scheduled bargaining sessions on Oct. 22, 24 and 29.

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When Fran Sutton stands at 21st Street and Quindaro Boulevard in Kansas City, Kansas, she doesnt see abandoned land.

She sees 25 homes for people who lost hope that theyd ever buy in their hometown.

Its housing for all people, she said. For all different types of community members.

Sutton, a real estate broker-turned-developer, is trying to address the local housing shortage by tapping into some of the more than 4,300 vacant and abandoned lots that the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and KCK has in its land bank.

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For about five years, the local government has offered incentives for developers  local and large alike  to build on and revitalize its vacant properties at a discounted rate. In that time, developers have built about 150 homes on those lots, according to government staff.

Thats 150 families, said Jud Knapp, the Unified Governments land bank manager.

Sutton is among a group of both private and nonprofit developers who have constructed and sold homes on land bank lots across the county. Shes built six houses in the Turner neighborhood so far and now is aiming for something more ambitious: 25 homes near Quindaro, in the countys northeast corner, by mid-2026.

Its a fraction of the thousands of buyable homes that Wyandotte County is lacking to be able to properly house its population. But it makes a difference, Sutton said.

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As she observes mansions popping up in neighborhoods across the metro while the definition of affordable housing seems to vaguely imply cheap floors and unsafe living conditions, Sutton wants to invest in homes that people can afford  and enjoy  living in, she said.

Foundations being prepared at a dual lot being developed by Fran Sutton, a real estate broker-turned-developer in Kansas City, Kansas, on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. Sutton is trying to address a local housing shortage by tapping into some of the more than 4,300 vacant and abandoned lots that KCK has in its land bank.

Building on the bank

The Unified Government is among the countys largest landowners, and the majority of the properties in its land bank were once homes. Some lots still have houses on them when they become part of the land bank, while many lots have long been vacant by the time the government acquires them.

Properties become part of the land bank most often through tax foreclosure, which is when the local government takes control of a property that hasnt paid its taxes and tries to sell it to make that tax money back. If the government isnt able to sell a property, its then absorbed into the land bank, and the government owns it.

The Unified Government can seize someones home in this way if the residents dont pay all their property taxes for three years. It can seize a business that falls two years behind on taxes, and it can take over a vacant lot or abandoned house that misses one year of property taxes.

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In recent years, some Wyandotte residents have tried to get the government to delay or cancel its tax sales, which usually happen twice a year, to prevent people who have struggled to pay sky-rocketing property tax bills from losing their family homes.

A majority of the governments land bank property is visibly concentrated in the countys northeast corner, specifically in the area surrounding Quindaro Boulevard.

Michael Sutton, a redevelopment coordinator of no relation to Fran Sutton, attributes the vastness of the land bank, particularly in northeast Wyandotte, to 20th century redlining and southward and westward flight of the countys white, wealthy and middle class families. The area experienced decades of economic disinvestment as a result.

The people who stayed behind just didnt have the means, unfortunately, he said. Banks would not provide loans in those areas  and so its just taken a lot of time for interest to build back up in that area.

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Redlining can contribute to cyclical disinvestment, because residential blocks with vacant lots on them generate significantly lower property tax revenues than a block full of houses, Knapp said, which makes it harder to fund the needed infrastructure like roads and pipes that surround them.

This means that it has historically cost more to build a house in the northeast than what someone will be able to sell it for, Knap said. Developers arent always willing to take that loss when they can build out west, like in Piper, and make more, he added.

But the Unified Government has been taking steps in recent years to lessen the gap between a developers price to build and what they make when the property sells by waiving utility connections and permit fees, and selling the lots for only a dollar.

New homes in the northeast

Sutton, and developers like her, are taking the local government up on these offers.

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Should all go according to plan, Sutton will have constructed and sold homes on 25 land bank lots in the Quindaro area in about the next year as part of what shes calling the North Star Development Project, a nod to the history of the Quindaro Ruins as a key stop in the Underground Railroad. As both a developer and a realtor, shell oversee the homes getting built and will sell them herself.

And her schedule is aggressive: She plans to build five homes per month over the course of five months.

Thats possible because of a new, or at least new-to-Wyandotte, and more cost-effective approach Sutton is taking to construct the homes. She plans to build using modular housing, which are homes partially constructed in a factory before being delivered and completed where theyll permanently stand. The first five will be delivered in December, Sutton said.

A newly built home, built by Fran Sutton, a real estate broker-turned-developer in Kansas City, Kansas, on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. Sutton is trying to address a local housing shortage by tapping into some of the more than 4,300 vacant and abandoned lots that KCK has in its land bank.

The North Star homes will stand just east of Klamm Park.

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Sutton said she plans to install quality tile and wood flooring and to build each home with a full basement for storage. The homes will have a mix of styles, some will have one and two-door garages; others wont have a garage but will have what she described as a generous driveway.

Gayle Townshend, the Unified Governments District 1 commissioner, represents the neighborhoods in the countys northeast corner. She and the commission have supported Suttons plans since she pitched them earlier this year, and Sutton said Townshend helped her come up with the North Star name.

Her term is due to expire this year, and she is not seeking re-election in November.

The Unified Government and the neighborhood surrounding the North Star project are expecting that quality will not be sacrificed for this design type or price point, Townshend said of the modular buildings.

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She called building variously-priced housing options in KCK crucial to the citys development and financial health.

Beyond elected officials, Sutton has developed her plans for building the houses and picking their price points by collaborating with neighborhood organizations, like the Organization for Community Preservation.

Theyre the heartbeat of the neighborhood, Sutton said.

The OCP said it respectfully declined speaking on Suttons plans. They instead shared details on local events, like their upcoming health fair, that they have ongoing this month.

Residents living in northern KCK are used to unfulfilled promises from outside developers who say they want to revitalize their neighborhoods, Sutton said.

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You dont just go into a community and say, Heres what Im doing, heres what Im building, watch me go, Sutton said,

Most builders would call me crazy

One of the main ways Sutton is taking into consideration the neighborhood shes building in is in the price of the new homes.

Shes not planning to list these homes at the $250,000 her homes in Turner are selling for. Instead, she expects to list the new modular houses for between $160,000 and $225,000, she said, which includes prices lower than the countys median home value of about $181,000.

The idea is that people who work locally, are younger professionals starting out or are aging and looking to downsize will be able to afford these homes.

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The profit on my land bank properties is lower than most, Sutton said. Most builders would call me crazy, but it helps fulfill the vision of my business to create quality, affordable, workforce housing for our community members.

Selling a home in the area shes working in for anything more could inflate surrounding home values, she said. This could further drive up longtime residents property tax bills and put them at risk of losing their homes to the land bank eventually, too.

Sutton said she wants to build homes that make current neighbors want to stay in the area, not perpetuate the cycle that led to these lots being vacant in the first place.

Besides the modular approach, some tools from the local and federal governments are making it easier for people like Sutton to build on long-vacant lots.

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The Unified Government created a set of incentives, which include cutting permit fees and water and sewer connection fees, for people who want to build on its land bank property to try to encourage redevelopment. Waiving those hookup and permitting fees can save a developer about $5,000 per unit they construct, Knapp told The Star.

Developers who build homes that they intend to sell for less than the market price may qualify for more than $30,000 in funds, per unit, through the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Developments HOME Investments Partnership Program. New houses built using HOME funds must be sold for 95% of the median purchase price for the area theyre in.

Sutton told The Star she expects to get up to $35,000 in HOME funds, per unit, for the houses shes building near Quindaro Boulevard.

Foundations being prepared at a dual lot being developed by Fran Sutton, a real estate broker-turned-developer in Kansas City, Kansas, on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. Sutton is trying to address a local housing shortage by tapping into some of the more than 4,300 vacant and abandoned lots that KCK has in its land bank.

A game changer

Shes following in the steps of local groups, like BuildWyCo, formerly Community Housing of Wyandotte County, who have built hundreds of lower-cost homes using land bank property. The Unified Government said it has also worked with the Mt. Carmel Redevelopment Corporation, RA Engineering and Mosaic Construction company to provide the community with attainable housing on land bank lots.

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Megan Painter of BuildWyCo said shes seen the costs of building on even land bank property increase in recent years. About six years ago, Painter said it cost her organization about $175,000 to build a land bank home. Thats since increased to at least $275,000, she said.

Infrastructure gaps, such as missing water lines or inadequate manholes, are other challenges that the group has collaborated with the Unified Government on.

Even so, being able to sell a home appraised at $275,000 for $195,000 is a game changer for families, Painter said.

BuildWyco has a few major land bank projects in the works, including a mix of styles of homes in the Douglass Sumner neighborhood, homes in north KCK near where Sutter is building and the Rivers Edge East subdivision.

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The homes in Douglass Sumner will include single family homes, duplexes and homes with accessory dwelling units. Painter said the hope behind this is that different options will attract people from a range of income levels.

The affordability will be kind of diverse, Painter said.

When they worked in the Douglass Sumner neighborhood, BuildWyco developed and shared a strategic plan with neighbors in order to prove they had the financing and plans to make good on their promises.

That is the theme everywhere that we work in tandem with the neighborhood association, Painter said, adding that Sutton is among the few small developers in the area who have lived up to their word.
US First Lady Melania Trump is working of her own accord to return Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia and is paying considerable attention to this issue.

Source: US President Donald Trump in response to a journalist's question during a meeting with the president of Ukraine

Details: One of the media representatives asked Volodymyr Zelenskyy whether he appreciated Melania Trump's efforts to return the abducted children to Ukraine and also asked whether Trump had asked his wife to help him in this matter.

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"She wanted to do it. She's felt strongly about the children. She's done a really good job, I think, in bringing it to the floor," the US president said.

He also stressed that the exact number of abducted children is currently unknown.

"Some people say it's 20,000, and some people say it's 300. That's a big difference between that. So, nobody really knows. She's felt strongly about the children. She thinks about the children all the time," Trump said.

Background:

Earlier, Melania Trump said she had established communication with Putin regarding the abducted Ukrainian children. She said she had an "open channel of communication" with the Kremlin dictator and that he was allegedly willing to cooperate with her on the return of abducted Ukrainian children.

Her representative worked with the Kremlin team "to ensure the safe reunification of children with their families between Russia and Ukraine". Some Ukrainian minors have already been returned home.

Earlier, Melania Trump handed the Russian leader a personal letter with appeals regarding Ukrainian children taken away by the Russian occupation administration during his meeting with the US president in Alaska.

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This story appears as part of a collaboration between The Maine Monitor and Maine Focus, the investigative team of the Bangor Daily News, a partnership to strengthen investigative journalism in Maine. You can show your support for this effort with a donation to The Monitor. Read more about the partnership.

Hancock County Sheriff Scott Kane ordered the criminal investigation that led to a recently dismissed charge against a Democratic lawmaker accused of illegally campaigning at a polling place.

Kane, a Republican who has held office since 2015, assigned a detective to investigate Rep. Nina Milliken, D-Blue Hill, after several citizens contacted him with concerns that the second-term lawmaker tried to influence voters in her hometown before they cast ballots in a local election race in April. That detail was described in a 50-page report outlining the findings of the investigation obtained by the Bangor Daily News.

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The documents shed light on the origins of a criminal investigation into a misdemeanor crime that is rarely  if ever  prosecuted. It provided a clearer look at initial evidence in the case, which primarily consisted of interviews with witnesses who gave conflicting accounts.

A prosecutor dismissed the case last week after getting new evidence.

Milliken, a progressive member of the legislative committee overseeing police, called her prosecution politically motivated, citing her willingness to criticize law enforcement and opposition to expanding police budgets.

Last winter she faced calls to resign from law enforcement groups over a since-deleted social media post she made during Black history month about Assata Shakur, a Black activist convicted of killing a New Jersey state trooper.

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In 2021, Milliken called on Kane to resign in an Ellsworth American column after the sheriff temporarily barred a provider from giving addiction services to inmates at the county jail over its support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

I dont know how you can get to any other conclusion, Milliken said of her belief that the sheriff targeted her. Or they wanted to waste thousands in taxpayer resources.

Kane, in a phone interview, repeatedly declined to answer specific questions about the case or respond to Millikens claim that she was targeted. He cited a statute that prohibits officials from releasing information about criminal cases that dont result in a conviction.

The sheriff said that he stayed out of the investigation, although the investigative report shows that Kane accompanied a detective on multiple interviews with witnesses and town officials.

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Milliken said in an interview that the sheriff pulled her out of a meeting in the State House to ask her to return a call from the detective. She did not. When asked about his participation in the case, Kane repeated that he could not comment.

The criminal case hinged on the specific language that Milliken used when she went to Blue Hill Town Hall that morning to greet voters as a representative for write-in candidate Amanda Woog. State law allows representatives of a candidate to greet voters at the polls so long as they do not express support for them or state the office the candidate is running for.

The detectives report, primarily based on 15 interviews, shows that two voters recalled Milliken making statements that would have violated state law, including, I support Amanda Woog for selectman. Others could not remember Millikens exact wording or described the lawmaker making statements that are allowable under the law.

The latter group included a woman working at a bake sale near where Milliken was standing in the town hall who told the detective she overheard Milliken saying Im a friend of Amanda Woog maybe 200 times, according to the report. That would be allowed under state law. (Woog was ultimately elected to one of two open seats on the board.)

Hancock County Sheriff Scott Kane speaks at an Ellsworth news conference after the death of a deputy on Sept. 23, 2021. Photo by Linda Coan OKresik of the Bangor Daily News.

A local prosecutor brought the charge against Milliken on Sept. 4. The case was handled by Kirk Bloomer, who typically works for Hancock County but in this case worked under the supervision of another jurisdictions office because Hancock County District Attorney Bob Granger recused himself over a conflict of interest.

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The charge was first reported by the Maine Wire, the conservative media arm of the Maine Policy Institute. It is unusual for prosecutors to pursue minor violations at polling places, where such rules are typically enforced by local election officials who tell candidates to move.

A spokesperson for Maine Attorney General Aaron Freys office, which typically investigates election-related crimes and crimes against public officials, could provide no record that the crime had ever been charged.

Natasha Irving, the district attorney in midcoast Maine, who assumed supervision of the case after Hancock County District Attorney Bob Granger recused himself over a conflict of interest, dismissed the case on Oct. 9. In a press release, she cited new evidence that painted a new and more complete picture of the events of that day.

The evidence included text messages that Milliken sent to Secretary of State Shenna Bellows shortly after leaving the polls, Irving said. They show that Milliken reached out to Bellows that morning to clarify that her actions were legal, according to copies of the messages.

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I have been standing at the polls and saying I am friends with Amanda Woog (she is a write-in candidate). That is legally allowed, correct? Milliken wrote.

Yes, Bellows, who is also a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, responded. You cant say what shes running for of course but you can say a friend of.

Will Ashe, Millikens defense attorney, described the dismissal as an example of the system working: a prosecutor looked at the evidence and decided there was not enough to move forward. That said, he did not believe the evidence should have ever resulted in charges.

The fact that it was dismissed so quickly says a lot about whether it should have been brought in the first place, Ashe said. Even if you could prosecute someone for this, why would you want to?
Silicon Valley leaders including White House AI & Crypto Czar David Sacks and OpenAI Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon caused a stir online this week for their comments about groups promoting AI safety. In separate instances, they alleged that certain advocates of AI safety are not as virtuous as they appear, and are either acting in the interest of themselves or billionaire puppet masters behind the scenes.

AI safety groups that spoke with TechCrunch say the allegations from Sacks and OpenAI are Silicon Valleys latest attempt to intimidate its critics, but certainly not the first. In 2024, some venture capital firms spread rumors that a California AI safety bill, SB 1047, would send startup founders to jail. The Brookings Institution labeled the rumor as one of many misrepresentations about the bill, but Governor Gavin Newsom ultimately vetoed it anyway.

Whether or not Sacks and OpenAI intended to intimidate critics, their actions have sufficiently scared several AI safety advocates. Many nonprofit leaders that TechCrunch reached out to in the last week asked to speak on the condition of anonymity to spare their groups from retaliation.

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The controversy underscores Silicon Valleys growing tension between building AI responsibly and building it to be a massive consumer product  a theme my colleagues Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and I unpack on this weeks Equity podcast. We also dive into a new AI safety law passed in California to regulate chatbots, and OpenAIs approach to erotica in ChatGPT.

On Tuesday, Sacks wrote a post on X alleging that Anthropic  which has raised concerns over AIs ability to contribute to unemployment, cyberattacks, and catastrophic harms to society  is simply fearmongering to get laws passed that will benefit itself and drown out smaller startups in paperwork. Anthropic was the only major AI lab to endorse Californias Senate Bill 53 (SB 53), a bill that sets safety reporting requirements for large AI companies, which was signed into law last month.

Sacks was responding to a viral essay from Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark about his fears regarding AI. Clark delivered the essay as a speech at the Curve AI safety conference in Berkeley weeks earlier. Sitting in the audience, it certainly felt like a genuine account of a technologists reservations about his products, but Sacks didnt see it that way.

Anthropic is running a sophisticated regulatory capture strategy based on fear-mongering. It is principally responsible for the state regulatory frenzy that is damaging the startup ecosystem. https://t.co/C5RuJbVi4P  David Sacks (@DavidSacks) October 14, 2025

Sacks said Anthropic is running a sophisticated regulatory capture strategy, though its worth noting that a truly sophisticated strategy probably wouldnt involve making an enemy out of the federal government. In a follow up post on X, Sacks noted that Anthropic has positioned itself consistently as a foe of the Trump administration.

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Also this week, OpenAIs chief strategy officer, Jason Kwon, wrote a post on X explaining why the company was sending subpoenas to AI safety nonprofits, such as Encode, a nonprofit that advocates for responsible AI policy. (A subpoena is a legal order demanding documents or testimony.) Kwon said that after Elon Musk sued OpenAI  over concerns that the ChatGPT-maker has veered away from its nonprofit mission  OpenAI found it suspicious how several organizations also raised opposition to its restructuring. Encode filed an amicus brief in support of Musks lawsuit, and other nonprofits spoke out publicly against OpenAIs restructuring.

Theres quite a lot more to the story than this.



As everyone knows, we are actively defending against Elon in a lawsuit where he is trying to damage OpenAI for his own financial benefit.



Encode, the organization for which @_NathanCalvin serves as the General Counsel, was one https://t.co/DiBJmEwtE4  Jason Kwon (@jasonkwon) October 10, 2025

This raised transparency questions about who was funding them and whether there was any coordination, said Kwon.

NBC News reported this week that OpenAI sent broad subpoenas to Encode and six other nonprofits that criticized the company, asking for their communications related to two of OpenAIs biggest opponents, Musk and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. OpenAI also asked Encode for communications related to its support of SB 53.

One prominent AI safety leader told TechCrunch that theres a growing split between OpenAIs government affairs team and its research organization. While OpenAIs safety researchers frequently publish reports disclosing the risks of AI systems, OpenAIs policy unit lobbied against SB 53, saying it would rather have uniform rules at the federal level.

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OpenAIs head of mission alignment, Joshua Achiam, spoke out about his company sending subpoenas to nonprofits in a post on X this week.

At what is possibly a risk to my whole career I will say: this doesnt seem great, said Achiam.

Brendan Steinhauser, CEO of the AI safety nonprofit Alliance for Secure AI (which has not been subpoenaed by OpenAI), told TechCrunch that OpenAI seems convinced its critics are part of a Musk-led conspiracy. However, he argues this is not the case, and that much of the AI safety community is quite critical of xAIs safety practices, or lack thereof.

On OpenAIs part, this is meant to silence critics, to intimidate them, and to dissuade other nonprofits from doing the same, said Steinhauser. For Sacks, I think hes concerned that [the AI safety] movement is growing and people want to hold these companies accountable.

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Sriram Krishnan, the White Houses senior policy advisor for AI and a former a16z general partner, chimed in on the conversation this week with a social media post of his own, calling AI safety advocates out of touch. He urged AI safety organizations to talk to people in the real world using, selling, adopting AI in their homes and organizations.

A recent Pew study found that roughly half of Americans are more concerned than excited about AI, but its unclear what worries them exactly. Another recent study went into more detail and found that American voters care more about job losses and deepfakes than catastrophic risks caused by AI, which the AI safety movement is largely focused on.

Addressing these safety concerns could come at the expense of the AI industrys rapid growth  a trade-off that worries many in Silicon Valley. With AI investment propping up much of Americas economy, the fear of over-regulation is understandable.

But after years of unregulated AI progress, the AI safety movement appears to be gaining real momentum heading into 2026. Silicon Valleys attempts to fight back against safety-focused groups may be a sign that theyre working.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) has issued a SILVER Alert for a 68-year-old woman with dementia.

KCPD reports Karen Rucker was last seen at her home and is believed to have walked away on foot in the area of E. 19th Street and Mersington Court.

See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri

Rucker is described as standing 54 and weighs 145 pounds. She has gray roots with dyed dark red hair, brown eyes and is wearing a red Kansas City Chiefs shirt and black pants.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or KCPD at (816) 234-5043.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
There are a lot of misconceptions about sweet potatoes. First off, sweet potatoes and yams are different. Yams are often mislabeled as sweet potatoes in the United States, but true yams are native to Africa and Asia and have a rough, bark-like exterior. Sweet potatoes are native to the Americas and have smooth skin. But interestingly enough, although sweet potatoes originally come from the Americas, most of today's global supply is produced in China.

Tridge reports that as of 2023, China accounted for about 55% of worldwide production, churning out more than 112 billion pounds. This isn't surprising, seeing how China is the world's largest agricultural producer across the board. Much of the sweet potato crop, however, is used domestically, either as a food or for industrial uses like alcohol and animal feed.

Not only does most of the world's sweet potato supply come from China, but an astonishing share of that comes from a single region. According to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Liancheng County produces about 80% of China's sweet potatoes. Dubbed the "capital of sweet potatoes," the county's economy is built around the crop, from small family-run baking workshops to large e-commerce operations.

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Read more: The 20 Wildest, Weirdest And Most Delicious Recipes Of The Year

Where does the United States get its sweet potatoes?

Person bags sweet potatoes at the grocery store - Kosoff/Shutterstock

Since China dominates global sweet potato production, you might assume most of the spuds in U.S. grocery stores come from overseas. But in reality, most U.S. sweet potatoes are home-grown. According to the World Integrated Trade Institution, the U.S. imported more than 99 million pounds of sweet potatoes in 2023, with 71 million coming from China. But as Statista reports, American farms produced over a billion tons that same year, far outweighing its imports.

When it comes to homegrown supply, North Carolina dominates, producing over 60% of the nation's sweet potatoes, per National Beef Wire. California and Mississippi are the second and third-largest producers, respectively. If you're from these states, chances are, you're local markets are getting some of the freshest potatoes in the country.

No matter where you're located, it's worth exploring the variety of sweet potatoes available in the U.S. From the orange-fleshed Jewel to the purple-skinned Japanese, each variety brings something different to the table. Japanese Murasaki sweet potatoes have a crunchy texture perfect for fries, while Red Garnet or Beauregard work well for deliciously mashed dishes and pies. Whichever variety you go for, when picking the best sweet potato bag at the grocery store, be sure to choose smaller specimens with even coloring.

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Read the original article on Food Republic.
Chiu stated that this meddling could ironically become the push Taiwan needs for stronger bipartisan collaboration to defend its democracy from Chinese disinformation, as reported by The Taipei Times.

According to The Taipei Times, several candidates contesting today's KMT chairperson race have accused China of manipulating the campaign through covert tactics. Chiu urged both the ruling and opposition parties to reach a shared understanding on enacting stricter laws against Beijing's propaganda operations, which he said threaten Taiwan's democratic foundations.

Chiu described China's "united front" strategies as highly adaptable. Once designed to pit the KMT and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) against each other, they now aim to divide the KMT internally. By allegedly supporting some candidates and undermining others, Beijing seeks to create factions within the opposition, pro-China, pro-local, pro-unification, and pro-democracy, illustrating its long-standing divide-and-rule strategy.

Chiu said that in previous elections, waves of fake news originating in China had been strategically deployed to manipulate public sentiment and incite political tension in Taiwan. The MAC chief stressed that Taiwan's government must take the lead in exposing these campaigns and bolstering public resilience against disinformation.

He welcomed the KMT's new willingness to support legislative action to protect Taiwan's democracy, saying that revisions to the National Security Act and the Anti-infiltration Act should be a joint effort rather than a partisan issue.

Chiu warned that Taiwan's openness to information makes it especially vulnerable to China's AI-generated fake content, while China's tightly censored Internet shields its citizens from such manipulation, as cited by The Taipei Times.

Chiu also called on tech companies, including Google, Meta, and Line, to assume greater responsibility for combating false information. He emphasised that improving citizens' media literacy is vital to counter Chinese psychological warfare.

Responding to claims by Hong Kong analyst Willy Lam that Chinese "united front" bodies directly control key KMT figures, Chiu said the MAC remains doubtful but stated confidence in Taiwanese politicians' loyalty to their homeland, as reported by The Taipei Times. (ANI)




It was one of those days we get around here this time of the year: clear and bright, a few clouds. I was in Sausalito, having a beer, sitting on the dock of the bay, as the song goes. It was quiet; no one to talk to. So I just watched the bay for a while. I saw a ferry, a tug, a container ship headed out to sea, a couple of sailboats. It's pelican season, and there they were, flying in V formation. The water was blue and brown, and in the distance the city on its hills.

"You never forget the first time you saw San Francisco Bay," author Harold Gilliam wrote. Or the thousandth time, either. I took a sip of beer and thought for a minute about how the bay came to be the way it is now.

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You can't look out from Sausalito and not think of the first Europeans to sail on it. The first ship on the bay was the Spanish ship San Carlos, commanded by Juan Manuel de Ayala. Ayala anchored his ship off Sausalito for a day in the summer of 1775, then moved to a cove on Angel Island. His pilot, Don Jose de Canizares, made the first chart of the bay. The ship's chaplain, Father Vicente de Santa Maria, had extensive contact with the native people and was impressed by them. They were "extremely skillful bold Indians," he wrote. He was reluctant to leave. "Had I been able, I would have remained with them, even all by myself."

The contact with Europeans did two things: It led to what is now the famous San Francisco Bay Area, and it led to the destruction of the old way of life.

Five years after the San Carlos sailed, a child was born into a village of the Huimen tribe of the Coast Miwok people near what is now called Mill Valley or perhaps Tiburon. He was called Huicmuse, but when he was a young man he crossed the bay in a boat made of woven tules to San Francisco to be baptized at Mission Dolores. His new name was Marino, and he worked with - and sometimes against - the Spanish colonizers. He was a sailor, an explorer, a rebel. Betty Goerke, who wrote "Chief Marin," a biography of Marino and his times, calls him "a historical figure of some importance. A witness to a time of cataclysmic change, and he was a survivor, buffeted by events largely out of his control." He was such a legend that 10 years after his death, Marin County was named for him.

Marino battled against the odds. I can think of five others who were involved with the bay who sailed against the odds.

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One was Mary Ann Patten, who was the wife of Joshua Patten, a sea captain in the great years of sail. She was aboard her husband's ship, Neptune's Car, when the ship sailed from New York for San Francisco on July 1, 1856. After some weeks, when the ship was near Cape Horn, Capt. Patten collapsed from exhaustion and the ravages of tuberculosis.

Mary Patten, who was 19 years old and pregnant, took over. She didn't trust either of the two mates to navigate and sail the ship. So Mary put down a mutiny led by the chief mate, learned enough medicine to keep her husband alive, locked the troubled chief mate in irons and set a course for San Francisco. She said later she didn't change her clothes for 50 days.

Another group that sailed against the odds also involves women. They were three Berkeley housewives - Catherine ("Kay") Kerr, Sylvia McLaughlin and Esther Gulick. The three were friends and lived in fine houses in the Berkeley hills with splendid views of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate.

A famous sight, but in 1961 it also included regular views of dump trucks and what activists later called "battalions of bulldozers" pouring fill into the shallow Berkeley shoreline. They also learned of Berkeley's plan to nearly double the city's size by filling 2,000 acres of shore for new housing and other developments. The new Berkeley shoreline would reach to the San Francisco County line.

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They read in newspapers about plans to fill the bay for airport runways, shopping centers, factories, shipping terminals. Already huge chunks of San Francisco Bay had been filled in, all in the name of progress. If it kept up, they learned, the bay would resemble a river.

The three decided to do something. They sent out a few hundred flyers asking for pledges to form a new organization called Save the Bay. The dues were $1, and they got 600 replies immediately.

The women asked Chronicle columnist Harold Gilliam for advice. He told them to form networks, get political help and work on legislation. All three women were well connected. Kerr's husband was the president of the University of California, and the other two also had powerful associates. But Gilliam was skeptical. "My own feeling was any attempt to stop filling the bay would be hopeless. As an issue the environment did not exist," he wrote. He saw "You cannot stop progress" as the mantra of the times. Besides, he wrote, the women were "too naive and inexperienced."

They worked, built support and enlisted the help of state Sen. J. Eugene McAteer, who sponsored the McAteer-Petris Act, which created the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, pioneering environmental legislation. It was enacted in 1965.

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Someone else who sailed against the odds, but in a very much different way, was Michael Healy, who was born a slave in a remarkable family. Three of his brothers were Catholic priests - one a bishop, another the president of Georgetown University. Michael went to sea.

Eventually, in 1887, he became the skipper of the Revenue Cutter Bear, in charge of patrolling 20,000 miles of coastline of the Territory of Alaska. He was the law in the north Pacific, a hard drinking tough guy they called "Hellroaring Mike." His home base outside of Alaska was San Francisco, where he had many friends.

A man who sailed with the wind was Kenichi Horie, who sailed from Japan at age 23 in 1962 in a 19-foot-long plywood sailboat named Mermaid. He sailed alone: no electronics, no papers, no money, and when he turned up in San Francisco he was arrested as an illegal alien. But when Mayor George Christopher heard his story, he was given the key to the city. Horie was the first person to sail solo across the Pacific, and in 2021 he did it again - only in reverse. This time he was 83, the oldest person to sail solo across the Pacific.

I took my own short voyage only last week, a Fleet Week trip aboard the Jeremiah O'Brien, a World War II veteran that is now the oldest operating steamship in the Pacific.

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We headed out the Golden Gate for a bit, to Point Bonita, the edge of the ocean. The ship turned there, offering a view of San Francisco for a minute or two by the Golden Gate Bridge, a chance to notice the look, the color that makes the bridge special. The vertical fluting on the towers that catches the light, the Art Deco touches, designed to fit into the setting of the Golden Gate strait. These are the work of Irving Morrow, the original consulting architect. "With these touches," John Van der Zee wrote in the classic "The Gate," "Morrow had transformed the bridge into an environmental sculpture, the largest ever built." Like the others, Morrow made a difference.

This article originally published at Sitting on the dock of the bay, thinking about days long gone.
Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is likely to face significant challenges in reaching the Hungarian capital, Budapest, where talks with US President Donald Trump may take place, due to the risks associated with crossing European airspace.

Source: Sky News, a UK television news channel, as reported by European Pravda

Details: In theory and under international law, Hungary would be obliged to arrest Putin the moment he set foot in Budapest. However, this is not expected to happen.

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Although Hungary remains a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), it is in the process of withdrawing from the institution, claiming that it has become politicised.

The ICC lacks enforcement mechanisms and relies on its member states to act. Hungary, which can and is likely to ignore the court's arrest warrant, has almost certainly assured the Russian leader that he would be safe in Budapest.

This would mark Putin's first known visit to an EU country since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Reaching Budapest, however, may prove complicated. Without a detour through Turkiye and the Balkans, Putin would need to fly through the airspace of European nations such as Poland, Romania or the Baltic states, which could decide to force his plane to land.

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Such a risk, however remote, prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bypass Spain and France during his recent flight to the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Background: Earlier reports suggested that Putin may travel to Budapest for a meeting with Trump via Turkiye and Serbia.

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Dreams are normal occurrences for everyone, and most people report having occasional nightmares. However, the frequency of your nightmares, and how old you are when you experience them, might reveal information about your risk for dementia.

Research shows that experiencing frequent distressing dreams and nightmares  meaning, specifically, frightening dreams that cause you to wake up  may be linked with a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

A 2023 analysis in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine concluded that sleep disturbances should be considered when evaluating someone at risk for dementia. Previous research has discovered a possible link between distressing dreams and a higher risk of dementia in people with Parkinsons disease. And a 2022 study published in The Lancets eClinicalMedicine found that some associations may also exist in the general population.

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The 2022 study, authored by Dr. Abidemi Otaiku, a clinical research fellow at Imperial College London, evaluated 605 middle-aged adults at a cognitively normal baseline over a maximum of 13 years. Researchers also examined 2,600 older adults, with a mean age of 83, at a dementia-free baseline for a maximum of seven years.

The data suggested that the group of middle-aged adults who reported a higher frequency of nightmares  classified as once a week or more  were associated with having a higher risk of cognitive decline. Likewise, for the older adults, the study found that more nightmares were linked to higher risks of all-cause dementia, meaning the syndrome can be caused by a number of different diseases.

Middle-aged adults who reported having weekly nightmares, compared to those who reported having none, were 4 times as likely to be at risk for experiencing cognitive decline. Older adults with frequent distressing dreams were about twice as likely to be at risk for dementia.

The cognitive function of the middle-aged participants was determined by using five cognitive tests. The older participants were evaluated for dementia by a doctor.

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But there were some limitations of the study, such as the lack of racial diversity among the participants, who were mostly white, and a possible underestimation of associations between nightmares and dementia among the female participants. The associations in the findings between distressing dreams and risks of cognitive decline and dementia were only significant among the men who were evaluated, not the women.

Furthermore, the questionnaire given to participants didnt clearly distinguish between bad dreams and nightmares, which may have affected the responses. Bad dreams dont cause you to awaken, whereas nightmares can jolt you out of sleep.

In an article published at The Conversation, Otaiku wrote that the results of the study could lead to two theories: one, that frequent nightmares may be one of the earliest signs of dementia, especially in men; and two, that regular nightmares might be a cause of dementia themselves.

Given the nature of this study, it is not possible to be certain which of these theories is correct (though I suspect it is the former), Otaiku wrote. He added that the research could, nonetheless, provide new opportunities for earlier diagnoses and possibly earlier interventions.

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More than 55 million people around the world have dementia. With so many ongoing conversations about sleep health and dementia diagnoses, its important to be aware of any new information about early detection, and things you can do to lower your risk.

How to reduce your dementia risk

Alexanderford / Getty Images

Research has shown that regular exercise and physical activity, staying social, and refraining from smoking are among the ways you can reduce your risk of dementia.

Dr. Zaldy Tan, director of the Memory and Healthy Aging Program at Cedars-Sinai, previously told HuffPost that one key tip for improving brain health is to avoid social isolation.

As social beings, the human brain thrives on interacting with others ... When this does not happen, our memory and cognition can decline over time, Tan said. It is important to keep engaged and connected with others.

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Adequate sleep is also key to reducing your risk. However, that can be challenging if youre someone who experiences nightmares or bad dreams.

If you find youre having frequent disruptive dreams or nightmares, talk to your doctor about your symptoms. There are no tests routinely done to diagnose a nightmare disorder, which is a pattern of repeated frightening dreams that cause significant distress. But your doctor may explore whether other conditions or factors are contributing to the nightmares.

According to the Sleep Foundation, people can also seek out various kinds of therapeutic treatment, such as psychotherapy, that can address nightmares.This article originally appeared on HuffPost.

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More than 60 people gathered for a No Kings rally in Polebridge, Montana, led by Democratic state Rep. Debo Powers, on Oct. 18, 2025. (Micah Drew/Daily Montanan)

HAMILTON  DILLON  POLEBRIDGE  Kent Kernahan, of Corvallis, said hes a Methodist ministers child, and he demonstrated Saturday at the No Kings Indivisible Bitterroot rally after asking himself what his father would have done.

Kernahan carried a sign that said, Lord, Please Forgive Trump, along with an image of the Gadsden Dont Tread On Me image.

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Among more than 700 people who lined several blocks of U.S. Highway 93 in downtown Hamilton, Kernahan said the symbol represents opposition to the king of England stepping on the colonies, but its misunderstood by some who claim it.

I dont think it means what they think it means, Kernahan said.

No Kings Indivisible Bitterroot, part of a national No Kings rally and among a couple of dozen planned demonstrations in Montana, took place in Hamilton, a smaller community of roughly 5,000 in the Bitterroot Valley.

Montana supported GOP President Donald Trump with 58% of the vote in 2024, but Ravalli County, a Republican stronghold in the red Bitterroot, backed him with 69%.

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Nonetheless, Montanans turned out in traditionally red communities, such as Dillon, with a population of roughly 4,000, and they gathered in tiny outposts such as Polebridge, on the edge of Glacier National Park, which almost saw more demonstrators than full-time residents.

Most of the people who turned out to demonstrate appeared to be those who had already opposed Trump, the brash leader pushing the boundaries of presidential authority in his second term, and before the government shutdown, which has seen 700,000 federal workers furloughed.

But demonstrators said they rallied to show support for democracy, for the U.S. Constitution, for civil liberties, for federal workers, for immigrants, for their own grandchildren, for health care, for the proper use of military troops, and for science and research.

Cherie Garofalo, a local organizer of Indivisible, said the aim of the gathering was to protect liberties in the country for all, for her children, friends and neighbors.

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I really believe this is about freedom, Garofalo said.

Debo Powers, a Democratic state Representative who organized a rally near the northern entrance of Glacier National Park, said it was the duty of Americans to take to their local streets and make their voices heard.

We have got to resist. Its the patriotic thing to do, Powers said.

Signs seen in Hamilton during the No Kings Indivisible rally on Oct. 18, 2025. (Keila Szpaller/ Daily Montanan)

Bitterrooters rally for freedom, democracy

Stephen Goheen, of Corvallis, held up a sign that read, Scientists Save Lives, not far from a National Institutes of Health biomedical research facility in Hamilton, the Rocky Mountain Laboratories.

If we dont fund our scientists, we wont be ready for the next diseases, Goheen said.

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For example, he said, the mRNA vaccine was based on research that had taken place over many years, and it proved valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The work that scientists do sometimes doesnt show its value until years down the line, Goheen said.

The Rocky Mountain Laboratories has employed roughly 500 people in recent years, according to KFF.

The lab, controversial in the Bitterroot, will run on a skeleton crew during the shutdown after roughly a dozen workers lost their jobs in February and other employees opted for early retirements, according to Lee Enterprises.

Not everyone at Saturdays events was opposed to Trump, though, and Betty Belshe, of Hamilton, said shes actually opposed to the lab, which studies infectious diseases and is designated a BSL-4 facility, a maximum containment laboratory.

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She said she fears people in the Bitterroot might be exposed to biochemical hazards from the lab.

If it gets out in our air, its going to harm us, Belshe said.

Saturday, Belshe demonstrated to show support for Trump and his bold actions, including cutting government.

Weve got way too many government employees, Belshe said.

Belshe and her husband, Casey Leedy, both of Hamilton, stood next to a flag that read, Vote Republican, but they appeared to be in the minority along the highway.

Brooke Hillyer, wearing a Smokey Bear top, said she dressed to show her support for national parks and the U.S. Forest Service, and the bear is the best representative for that message.

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National parks have remained open during the shutdown, and some conservation advocates worry the public resources will be damaged without proper staffing.

I believe that Trump is ruining our country, what we stand for, Hillyer said.

Susan Crawford, of Corvallis, said she doesnt believe shes being represented by Montanas federal delegation, politicians who have ceded their power to the president.

Theyre giving up duties that we voted them in to do, Crawford said.

Nancy Neal of Corvallis, Montana, counted more than 700 participants at the No Kings Indivisible Bitterroot rally in Hamilton on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Neal said shes not using the term antifa anymore. She said its anti-fascist. (Keila Szpaller/The Daily Montanan)

She held a sign that read, The Only White House Thrones R Porcelain.

We are experiencing someone in the White House who is acting omnipotent, and were letting him, Crawford said. He does not deserve a throne, and we dont want him on a throne, except this one.

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Although the theme of the rally was No Kings, Dean Knudsen, of Hamilton, said he had a different idea about a king.

In Montana, 55% of people are Christian, and Knudsen stood on one corner of the highway with a compilation of signs that read, Jesus is King, and Jesus, Our Only Hope.

There is a king, and his name is Jesus, Knudsen said.

On the opposite corner, Megan Kelly, in a puffy chicken costume just for sh**s and giggles, held a sign that read, Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses 

She said closing down the government meant shutting people out of the things they need, such as education and health care, the opposite of helping those who are tired and poor.

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I am letting the government know that the American people are not to be messed with, Kelly said.

Ron Osborn, a veteran of the Korean War, held up a sign that said, The Military Defends Freedom. Dont Use It To Crush It.

Osborn, almost 93, said he believes the Trump administrations approach to the military is a disgrace. Montana has a high number of military veterans, roughly 9% of the population.

He said Pete Hegseth, head of the Department of Defense, or Department of War as the Trump administration has attempted to rebrand it, is fully unqualified, and the former Fox News television personality has no business leading the military or lecturing admirals.

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Osborn and his wife, Nancy Osburn, took to the streets to show their patriotism.

Were proud American citizens, loyal to the flag and the Constitution, Ron Osborn said.

Alla Brooks said shes a child of immigrants, an anchor baby, and she held a sign with a picture of the Statue of Liberty that read, Im with her.

She was at the head of our harbor, Brooks said.

She said her parents grew up in repressive Poland, and they drummed into their children the freedoms of America and the First Amendment.

Doug Hatchimonjis parents, both Japanese, were interned in camps in the U.S. during World War II, and he said its important to protect peoples rights to speak, protest and assemble.

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Its sad and disappointing that an old story continues to be repeated again and again, said Hatchimonji, of Hamilton, and spouse of Garofalo. Its the same story, blaming people of color for problems that they didnt create.

One Trump priority is deporting people who are in the country illegally, but law enforcement authorities under his administration have detained many people who have the right to be in the United States, including Americans and elected officials.

Kandice Gren, in a red gnome dress and pointy hat, said she was concerned about the new reduction in the distribution of power among the three branches of government.

Her sign read, Gnomes say NO KINGS!

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Montanans are practical people, and Gren explained her getup.

Its the only costume I own, Gren said.

Emilee Gates sits during a No Kings Rally in Dillon, MT, on Saturday, Oct. 18. (Jordan Hansen / Daily Montanan)

Frustrated participants convene for Dillons largest demonstration

About 200 people showed up to line North Montana Street through Dillon, and they held signs, played guitars and talked with one another. At least one participant told the Daily Montanan it appeared to be the biggest the town has seen.

For Emilee Gates, 26, who helps people navigate the social safety net as part of her job, coming to the event in Dillon was in part born out of frustration. One action the Trump administration has taken is to severely cut the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, calling it unnecessary.

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What that means for one person Gates has worked with is that instead of $1,500 to pay for energy, they now have $150.

Thats one propane fill up, Gates said, saying that the man was living in a camper  which is legal in Montana she added.

Some people attended the rally from Ennis and Twin Bridges, organizers said, even carpooling to get there.

Democratic state Rep. Debo Powers, right, talks to rally goers at the No Kings rally in Polebridge, Montana, on Oct. 18, 2025. (Micah Drew/Daily Montanan)

Polebridge protest exceeds local population

More than 60 people gathered to take part in a No Kings Indivisible rally in the hamlet of Polebridge, in the borderlands of Glacier National Park, locally organized by Rep. Powers.

The area surrounding Polebridge is colloquially known as the North Fork, and boasts around 100 year-round residents, including Powers.

Almost all of the people here are North Forkers, so theyre my constituents, Powers told the Daily Montanan. There were a few tourists who were coming to Glacier Park, saw us, and they joined us. That was fun, but mostly its people who are my neighbors.

An intersection of dirt roads is home to the iconic red Polebridge Mercantile  and its equally iconic huckleberry bear claws  standing sentinel near the northernmost entrance to Glacier.

Armed with signs, flags, and costumes, the ralliers circled up in the dirt intersection, occasionally parting ways to let cars headed into the national park squeeze through, along with one disgruntled carload of tourists who grumbled about not needing to be confronted with politics as they walked into the Mercantile to get coffee and pastries.

Powers, who served in her first Legislative session as an elected official this year, greeted most people by name and at noon pulled out her megaphone.

I swore a sacred oath to protect the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of Montana, she said. The problem we have today is we have some people who are ignoring their own sacred oaths of office.

Focusing on the theme of the nationwide rallies  expected to be among the highest participation protest events in history  Powers reminded those gathered that 250 years ago, residents of what would become the United States made a decision to not have a king.

We made that decision already, and we did not unmake it, she said, to responding cheers of no kings!

Not standing up and making their voices heard could be detrimental to residents of Montana, she continued.

If we are silent, we could lose it all. We could lose our public lands. We could lose our public education. We could lose our social security and medicare. We could lose our sacred right to vote in free and fair elections, Powers said.

Powers represents House District 3, which encompasses the North Fork border of Glacier Park, as well as half of Whitefish. She told the Daily Montanan she felt it was her duty to host a No Kings rally for her community, especially since the next closest one, in Kalispell, is a nearly two-hour drive away.

I just asked for seven people to show up so we would have enough to spell out N-O K-I-N-G-S, she said. Its important to gather close to home, and its important to see people in small villages, in red states, not just in big blue cities. This group would get swallowed up there, but here, we stand out.

Inflatable dragons and hippos joined more than 60 people gathered for a No Kings rally in Polebridge, Montana, led by Democratic state Rep. Debo Powers, on Oct. 18, 2025. (Micah Drew/Daily Montanan)

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Republican officials nationwide have branded the No Kings demonstrations as Hate America rallies.

Montanas senior U.S. Sen. Steve Daines echoed those statements in an appearance on Fox Business this week. As Speaker Johnson correctly said, this is a We hate America rally and the bottom line is the Democrats and the far left are very upset at the fact they lost the election last November. President Trump won in a landslide, we reclaimed the United States Senate, and we have the House. They are frustrated. They are angry. But sadly they are expressing their anger and frustration by shutting down the government and hurting the American people.
Councils across the UK have placed restrictions on soapbox campaigners in an attack on free speech.

Dozens of local authorities have curtailed traditional rights to pitch a stall and talk to the public by demanding permits, photo ID checks, fees and pre-approval of leaflets.

Some have banned political activity altogether as one Labour-run council prohibited events deemed to have a negative agenda.

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The councils have been criticised for increasingly deciding which political causes we see and hear and critics called for a more liberal approach that reflects the key role of local campaigning in democratic life.

The details have emerged in a new report set to be released on Monday by the Manifesto Club, a civil liberties group aiming to protect public spaces.

Freedom of Information requests sent to 321 district councils found that only 148 said people could put up a campaigning street stall.

A further 30 said it was possibly or potentially allowed, depending on individual applications, while some 62 councils said it was not possible to set up a stall at all.

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Other councils either did not respond or said the information was not held.

Policing street campaigners

Only 19 councils, including Birmingham, Sheffield and Uttlesford, allowed street campaigning without restriction.

Elsewhere, officials have begun policing both the causes and the content of campaign material.

Labour-run Stoke-on-Trent city council demands to see leaflets in advance to ensure they do not have a negative agenda or are not offensive/slanderous.

Arun district councils booking policy excludes any event whose aims conflict with or seek to undermine decisions or policy democratically taken by us, and anything that might cause disharmony or is deemed inappropriate by the events officer.

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Lib Dem-run Woking reserves the right to refuse permission to organisations whose views would lead to potential public order issues or widespread offence, whilst Watford bans activities to cause offence to any person.

Intrusive vetting

Campaigners in other areas face layers of red tape and intrusive vetting.

Harborough council requires a 12-page application form and photo ID to hold a campaign and Green-led Bristol still includes Covid-19 mitigation in its risk assessment.

Watford demands that anyone using a loudspeaker check noise levels every half hour to ensure that no disturbance is being caused, while Luton council stipulates that anyone playing amplified music for more than an hour must hire a qualified Noise Consultant at your cost, in addition to a Noise Control Person.

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Some authorities explicitly ban political campaigning altogether. Neath Port Talbot council allows charity, community and council-supported events but not extreme political parties.

Conservative-run Slough borough council bars political stalls but says staff carrying out strike action would be acceptable, whilst Walsall council only allows charities, community groups and public service organisations.

Several councils also charge campaigners to use public space. Labour-run Luton is the most expensive, charging up to 415-515 per day, followed by Bristol, which charges 375 per day.

Encouraging a more liberal approach

Josie Appleton, the director of the Manifesto Club, said: The public square used to be a democratic space, where people could pitch up and ply their cause to fellow citizens. Now access to public spaces is tightly controlled, and councils are increasingly deciding which political causes we see and hear.

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The 19 councils that allow political free speech are an example to the rest; we call on other councils to follow their lead.

We also call on the Government to draft guidance for councils, to encourage a more liberal approach and to recognise the key role of local campaigning in democratic life.

This is not the first time councils have been accused of attacking the right to free speech.

In March this year, Rushmoor borough council attempted to ban Christian street preachers by seeking an injunction to ban preaching, praying and handing out leaflets in the town centres of Farnborough and Aldershot.

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In July, Labour-run Thanet district council was criticised after it announced plans to reinstate fines for swearing.

A spokesman for Arun district council said: Arun District Council is committed to upholding freedom of speech while ensuring that public spaces remain safe, inclusive, and welcoming for all.

A spokesman for Harborough district council said: Anyone who wishes to apply for a stall on council-owned land or markets, including traders at artisan or farmers markets, is required to complete relevant sections of the councils application form.

A spokesman for Luton council said: We fully respect and welcome peaceful demonstrations which play an important role in a healthy democracy. We fully reject any assertion that we are restricting free speech or political street stall campaigners.

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A spokesman for Neath Port Talbot council said: Neath Port Talbot Council considers each request to use public space in its ownership on its own merits, taking into account factors such as public safety, space availability, and the nature of the proposed activity.



A spokesman for Woking borough council said: We encourage the use of the public realm by groups which support the diversity of our borough but retain the right to refuse permission to organisations whose views or activities would lead to potential public order issues or widespread offence.

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Oct. 17AIKEN  Two convictions, one for murder and one for attempted murder, were obtained by the S.C. Second Circuit Solicitor's Office on Oct. 16.

Deputy Solicitor Ashley Hammack reported that Jonathan Daquan Staley was convicted of murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

Staley was charged with killing his uncle, Timothy Davenport, on May 7, 2024 on Jeffcoat Road in Wagner.

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The crime was witnessed and reported by the Davenport's mother, who is also Staley's grandmother.

"The jury deliberated for right at three hours before returning a guilty verdict on both murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime," Hammack said.

Judge Walton J. McLeod IV sentenced Staley to 45 years on the murder charge and a mandatory sentence of five years on the weapon charge, to be served concurrently with the murder sentence.

"What was significant in this case is that Ms. Davenport, Timothy Davenport's mother, reported a single gunshot and then, after a delay, the victim was shot again," Hammack said.

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"A forensic pathologist in this case testified that the first gunshot struck him in the abdomen and caused severe internal bleeding, but the second gunshot wound was an execution-style gunshot to the head that would've been instantly fatal," she said.

In the second case resolved Oct. 15, Robert McBride entered a guilty plate to a charge of the attempted murder and four charges of assault and battery.

McBride was charged with the attempted murder of Sergeant Kevin Creed with the Aiken County Sheriff's Office and charges of assault and battery against four other sheriff's deputies.

McBride was sought by Richmond County, Georgia, on charges of attempted murder. Based on information that McBride was hiding at a home in Beech Island, on Oct. 28, 2022 the Aiken County Sheriff's Office was asked to serve McBride with a warrant and arrest him.

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"They received permission to enter the home, but first they spent almost an hour on a PA system attempting to get Mr. McBride to surrender peacefully," Hammack said. "He did not do so, and ultimately the decision was made to enter the home to remove him."

"The Sheriff's Office had a five-man entry team that entered the house, announcing themselves as law enforcement as they did so. They also had the lights on their cars running, and they were wearing identifiable uniforms," she said.

"Ultimately, Sgt. Creed entered a bedroom in the residence in an attempt to find the defendant," Hammack said.

"When he did, the defendant jumped out of a closet where he was hiding and fired several shots at Sgt. Creed. One struck Sgt. Creed in the throat protector that was a part of his ballistic vest," she said. "The bullet actually lodged in his throat protector. He was also shot in the arm and received another injury to the temple."

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Hammack said Creed's fellow officers pulled him out of the room and got him out of the house.

"All officers exited the house at that time. Ultimately, the defendant surrendered peacefully 30 minutes later," she said. "The defendant was never injured as part of the arrest."

Hammack said murder charges still are pending against McBride in Georgia.

Judge McLeod sentenced McBride to 30 years in prison on the attempted murder charge and four 10-year sentences for the assault and battery charges, to be served concurrently

Hammack said Judge McLoed "made a comment that there is no more serious act of violence than to shoot another person, especially a law enforcement officer."

"It is it has been a long day," Hammack said.
Sun Herald readers weigh in on local and national topics.

No Kings

Are there going to be No Kings rallies every month now? Ive got some bad news for you: Youll need to be planning them for at least another three and a half years. Maybe seven or 11 and a half if you cant find any candidates better than Kamala Harris.

Healthcare

Lets clear up a common misunderstanding. Ronald Reagan signed a bill to Congress to deny any kind of government financial assistance or healthcare to undocumented immigrants. However, Reagan did offer free critical emergency care to these immigrants if they will die without it. He did this out of compassion. No doctor or nurse wants to stand around the bed of a critically ill human being and watch them die for lack of care. Nor should the rest of us.

Hostages

While Im very happy that all the hostages have been released, these are not the first. Under President Biden, there were 105 released during the cease-fire in 2023.

Swear her in

Why are the Republicans not swearing in the elected Congresswoman from Arizona? Answer: Speaker Johnson knows she is the deciding vote to force a Congressional vote to make Epstein files public.

No longer United

Our president has gone out of his way to divide the country. He says that he hates Democrats. He says he will cut funding for programs in blue states, and he has. He says he will fire employees that work for programs that Democrats favor, and he has. In effect, he acts as the president of red states and Republicans, and the enemy of blue states and Democrats.

More federal troops

The only problem with President Trumps distribution of federal troops to crime-laden cities is that he needs to send more troops to more cities.

Shutdown negotiations

All the talking and meetings with photo-ops and still nothing is actually accomplished. Its like getting a mortgage. You are not done until you get the keys.

Send your Sound Offs to soundoff@sunherald.com.
SEOUL (Reuters) -A group of 64 South Koreans detained in Cambodia over alleged online scam operations returned home on Saturday with most expected to face investigation, South Korean authorities said.

Their return followed the alleged murder of a South Korean college student who was tortured in Cambodia in August in a case linked to an employment scam, according to South Korean media.

Some returnees wore caps and masks and were escorted by police after their arrival at Incheon Airport in Seoul, their hands appearing to be cuffed but covered with cloth.

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South Korea this week issued a "code-black" travel ban for parts of Cambodia and dispatched a team of high-level officials to help nationals lured into working in scam compounds and secure the release of those held against their will.

More than 1,000 South Koreans are believed to be among about 200,000 people of various nationalities involved in the scam compounds in Cambodia, South Korea's National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said on Wednesday.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Friday ordered an urgent removal of online illegal job advertisements - not only for Cambodia but also for Southeast Asia as a whole - to stem the flow of nationals being lured in the first place.

Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina told reporters at the airport that the repatriation "confirmed the Cambodian governments continued crackdown" on scam operations and its close cooperation with Seoul on the matter.

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"Our government will build and actively use an effective system to eradicate scams targeting South Koreans in Cambodia," she said.

A senior police official said Cambodian authorities had agreed to notify Seoul of arrests of South Koreans and send them to South Korea to face justice under South Korean law.

The official added that authorities would focus on uncovering the structure, scale, and networks behind the scams, often involving voice-phishing operations.

The United Nations estimates the scam centres which have emerged in Southeast Asia since the COVID-19 pandemic, generate billions of dollars in revenue for criminal networks every year, targeting victims around the world through phone and online scams.

(Reporting by Do Gyun Kim, Sebin Choi; Additional reporting by Heekyong Yang;)
Thousands of demonstrators in Southern California took to the streets to participate in Saturdays No Kings day of protest.

The grassroots protest movement began as a modest online slogan and has evolved into a nationwide campaign, with thousands of demonstrators expected to fill the streets of Los Angeles throughout the day.

The event, organized by 50501 SoCal, a regional chapter of a larger national coalition that promotes civic engagement and nonviolent protest, took place on the same day as a military celebration at Camp Pendleton that shut down part of the 5 Freeway.

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Were here to protect our democracy from this administration, from Donald Trump  a wannabe king, said Hunter Dunn, an organizer with 50501 SoCal, adding that the groups focus remains on peaceful civic action.

Sky5 was overhead in Santa Clarita around 10:30 a.m., and KTLAs Rich Prickett reported seeing a few hundred people gathering at the intersection of Valencia Boulevard and McBean Parkway.

Hundreds of demonstrators are seen during the Oct. 18, 2025 No Kings day protest. (KTLA) Hundreds of demonstrators are seen during the Oct. 18, 2025 No Kings day protest. (KTLA) Demonstrators are seen during the Oct. 18, 2025 No Kings day protest. (KTLA) Demonstrators are seen during the Oct. 18, 2025 No Kings day protest. (KTLA) Hundreds of demonstrators are seen during the Oct. 18, 2025 No Kings day protest. (KTLA) Hundreds of demonstrators are seen during the Oct. 18, 2025 No Kings day protest. (KTLA)

Prickett moved to Woodland Hills next, where, around 10:50 a.m., another few hundred protestors were seen demonstrating at the intersection of Topanga Canyon and Victory boulevards.

As of 2:30 p.m., Sky5 was overhead of downtown Los Angeles, where thousands of demonstrators were seen filling Alameda Street between Aliso and Temple streets, and marching westbound on 1st Street from Spring Street towards Grand Avenue.

Thousands of demonstrators are seen in DTLA during the Oct. 18, 2025 No Kings day protest. (KTLA) Thousands of demonstrators are seen in DTLA during the Oct. 18, 2025 No Kings day protest. (KTLA) Thousands of demonstrators are seen in DTLA during the Oct. 18, 2025 No Kings day protest. (KTLA) Thousands of demonstrators are seen in DTLA during the Oct. 18, 2025 No Kings day protest. (KTLA) Thousands of demonstrators are seen in DTLA during the Oct. 18, 2025 No Kings day protest. (KTLA) Thousands of demonstrators are seen in DTLA during the Oct. 18, 2025 No Kings day protest. (KTLA) Thousands of demonstrators are seen in DTLA during the Oct. 18, 2025 No Kings day protest. (KTLA) Thousands of demonstrators are seen in DTLA during the Oct. 18, 2025 No Kings day protest. (KTLA) Thousands of demonstrators are seen in DTLA during the Oct. 18, 2025 No Kings day protest. (KTLA) Thousands of demonstrators are seen in DTLA during the Oct. 18, 2025 No Kings day protest. (KTLA)

The Los Angeles Police Departments Central Division issued multiple traffic advisories on X due to protesters blocking off downtown streets, urging drivers to take alternate routes.

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As the night went on and after the protests officially ended, some people continued to gather outside a federal detention center and L.A. City Hall. After LAPD issued a dispersal order, several people who refused to leave were taken into custody.

Angelique Brenes, Sofia Pop Perez and Luis Zuniga contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
US President Donald Trump on Friday called the federal shutdown as 'democrat shutdown.'He alleged that the democrats are preventing the influx of illegal immigrants to the US. "The shutdown continues. The Republican Party is not going to pay a trillion and a half dollars to illegal immigrants coming into our country, coming in for a lot of reasons, coming in from prisons, from jails, from all over the place, from Venezuela, many countries. We're not going to do that. So the shutdown continues. It's a Democrat shutdown. It's a Schumer shutdown because his career has failed, and it's over," he said. The government shutdown in in its eighteenth day with no end in sight, after senators failed for the 10th time to resolve the impasse in votes on Thursday, CBS News reported. The shutdown is now the third-longest funding lapse in modern history, eclipsed only by the shutdowns of 1995 and 2018-19. Shutdowns are a relatively recent phenomenon, having only begun in their current form in 1980. Senate Majority Leader John Thune sent the upper chamber home for the weekend after Thursday's votes, meaning the funding lapse will continue until at least Monday. The House has been out of session since September 19 with no plans to return until the shutdown is over, as per CBS News. Thune's office said on Thursday that he will bring up a bill next week that would pay federal employees and military service members who have continued to work during the shutdown. But passing the legislation would require help from Democrats, who blocked a long-term defense spending bill from advancing. The agency that oversees the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile told a top GOP lawmaker that it plans to furlough 80% of its staff in the coming days to address a funding shortfall. "These are not employees that you want to go home," said Mike Rogers of Alabama, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, CBS News reported. (ANI)
The post Southern University becomes latest HBCU to make moves to ensure a safe homecoming appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Following an incident at nearby school Louisiana State University, Southern University plans to beef up security just ahead of this weekends homecoming game and festivities. Southern University has already had several similar incidents this year resulting in campus shutdowns.

Southern University Chancellor John Pierre released a statement stating the changes to security measures just ahead of homecoming activities.

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Here is the full statement:

Dear Southern University Community,

As we celebrate Homecoming on the Baton Rouge landmass this week, Southern University and A&M College underscores the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff, and visitors on all of our campuses.

In light of recent threats made to several Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including our Baton Rouge campus, we have enhanced our security and response efforts. This includes continuing our consistent communication with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Blue Light devices have also been installed around campus, allowing individuals to contact SUPD immediately in the case of suspicious activity or other emergencies. Additionally, enhancements have been made to our checkpoint areas to access campus.

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These measures will continue this weekend, with the addition of drone surveillance and increased license plate readers. As always, the Southern University Police Department, Louisiana State Police, Baton Rouge Police Department, Baton Rouge Constable, East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office, and other agencies will have an increased presence on campus.

We remind all visitors to be aware of university and stadium rules. Firearms are strictly prohibited on all Southern University campuses.

While we are doing everything we can to mitigate an unsafe atmosphere, we also implore everyone coming to campus to follow these safety tips: Always be vigilant and aware of their surroundings; pay attention to official messaging on the universitys websites and social media, as well as signage on campus; and if you are a student or employee, check your campus email. Additionally, our free Jags Safe app, which sends emergency text messages and emails, is also available to the public on mobile devices. And, as always, call 911 in case of an emergency or suspicious activity.

Going into this weekend, we assure the thousands of Jaguar supporters coming to campus that your safety is our top priority. We had a phenomenal and safe parade to kick off the week. Lets continue to work together to ensure we have a successful Homecoming overall.

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We appreciate your continued support and cooperation as we aim to keep Southern University safe.

#WeAreSouthern

Sincerely,

John K. Pierre

Chancellor

This decision comes a week after Louisiana State had a shooting on campus during its homecoming game. Texas Southern University also increased security measures just ahead of its homecoming festivities in response to shootings at several HBCUs during homecoming events. The latest incidents occurred at Jackson State University and Alcorn State University.

Related: MacKenzie Scott donates $63 million to Morgan State University

Related: Former HBCU star signs contract with Miami Heat
GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA)  A woman was charged with operating a brothel after police officers said they found evidence of a prostitution at a massage spa in Greenville.

Officials with the Greenville Police Department said the investigation is a part of Operation Coast to Coast, a nationwide effort to crack down on human trafficking.

Officers searched the Amazing Massage location on North Pleasantburg Drive Thursday, but the investigation initially began in September.

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According to law enforcement, officers would conduct traffic stops on people who has just left the massage spa. Police said that multiple people that were pulled over had admitted to receiving sex services at the business.

Two people were detained during the search Thursday. Officers said they found bodily fluids and signs of sexual activity occurring at the establishment.

Amazing Massage was also investigated in July 2024, when officials executed a warrant in reference to prostitution.

Spa owner Yujie Chen, 37, was arrested and charged with prostitution by owning a brothel.

She was booked at the Greenville County Detention Center, receiving a bond of $465.

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Officials said Chen remains in custody under an immigration detainer.

The investigation remains ongoing at this time. Stay up to date with 7NEWS on the air and online

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
And then there were none.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has announced that several species of animals and plants have now gone extinct. The 2025 list of extinctions includes a bird, a shrew and a species of snail, among others.

In addition, three species of Arctic seal have moved closer to extinction, the IUCN said. The latest update also reveals that more than half of bird species globally are in decline.

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The bird that has been declared extinct is the slender-billed curlew, a migratory shorebird last seen in Morocco in 1995.

The extinction of the slender-billed curlew is a tragic and sobering moment for migratory bird conservation," said Amy Fraenkel, executive secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.

The update, part of the IUCNs Red List of Threatened Species, tracks the conservation status of more than 172,000 species worldwide, according to IFLScience.com.

What species have gone extinct?

According to the IUCN's most recent update, in addition to the slender-billed curlew (Numenius tenuirostris), five other species have moved to the extinct category, including the Christmas Island shrew (Crocidura trichura) and a species of cone snail (Conus lugubris), both of which have become extinct since the late 1980s; and Diospyros angulata, a species in the same genus as ebony trees, last recorded in the early 1850s.

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In addition, three Australian mammals  the marl (Perameles myosuros), the south-eastern striped bandicoot (Perameles notina) and the Nullarbor barred bandicoot (Perameles papillon)  and Delissea sinuate, a plant native to the Hawaiian Islands, were assessed for the first time and are now listed as extinct.

Now designated as extinct, the slender-billed curlew, a migratory shorebird, was last spotted in Morocco in 1995.

What caused the curlew's extinction?

According to the IUCN, "while the threats that drove this species extinct will never perfectly be known, habitat loss and hunting were likely to have been the two main threats."

The extinction "underscores the urgency of implementing effective conservation measures to ensure the survival of migratory species," Fraenkel said. "Hopefully, the loss of this species will help galvanize action to protect other threatened migratory species.

Overall, the most prevalent cause of bird population declines is habitat loss and degradation, driven especially by agricultural expansion and intensification and logging, the IUCN said.

Harp seal pup lies in front of its mother on an ice floe in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada, March 6, 2009. The harp seal is considered to be a threatened species, the IUCN said.

Global warming pushes Arctic seals closer to extinction

The IUCN update shows that the hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) has declined from vulnerable to endangered, and the bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) and harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) have moved from least-concern to near-threatened.

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The primary threat to Arctic seals is sea ice loss driven by global warming, according to a statement from the IUCN. Arctic seals rely on sea ice for breeding and raising their pups, as well as for moulting, resting and accessing foraging areas.

Thinning and disappearing sea ice also disrupts Arctic seals feeding habits and makes the Arctic more accessible to humans, which further increases the overall risk to these species.

Birds in trouble worldwide

Globally, the IUCN said, 61% of bird species have declining populations  an estimate that has increased from 44% in 2016.

That 3 in 5 of the worlds bird species have declining populations shows how deep the biodiversity crisis has become and how urgent it is that governments take the actions they have committed to under multiple conventions and agreements, said Ian Burfield, BirdLifes global science coordinator (species) and Bird Red List authority coordinator.

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Birds play vital roles in ecosystems and for people, serving as pollinators, seed dispersers, pest controllers, scavengers and ecosystem engineers, the IUCN said. But agriculture, logging, invasive species, hunting and trapping, and climate change pose significant threats to birds worldwide.

A green sea turtle rests on the bottom of the Arashi reef off the coast of Noord in Aruba on November 15, 2023.

Some good news for green sea turtles

The update wasn't all bad news: The global green sea turtle population is rebounding thanks to conservation. "While species like Arctic seals and many birds face growing threats, the recovery of the green turtle reminds us that conservation works when we act with determination and unity," IUCN director general Grethel Aguilar said in a statement.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Several species of animals and plants go extinct, 2025 list says
The Oklahoma Department of Education released its latest state test scores last week, and Stillwater Public Schools Superintendent Tyler Bridges said the SPS administration was pleased with the results.

Were proud of the level of achievements in the district overall, just simply because we consistently rank district-wide in the top tier amongst all Oklahoma public schools, Bridges said  But we dont want to rest on those laurels.

State testing scores are factored in several ways including below basic, basic, proficient and advanced. Basic is considered a passing grade.

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The News Press compiled percentages of overall scores from multiple grades, based on data released by OSDE.

Third grade

 In English language arts, students in the district overall scored 30% below basic, 24% basic, 34% proficient and 12% advanced

 In math, students scored 18% below basic, 28% basic and 26% proficient and 29% advanced

Fifth grade

 In English language arts, students in the district overall scored 19% below basic, 28% basic, 35% proficient and 18% advanced

 In math, students scored 12% below basic, 30% basic, 29% proficient and 29% advanced

 In science, students scored 15% below basic, 31% basic, 37% proficient and 17% advanced

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Eighth grade

 In English language arts, students overall received scores of 25% below basic, 35% basic, 28% proficient and 12% advanced

 In math, students scored 31% below basic, 30% basic, 20% proficient and 19% advanced

 In science, students scored 20% below basic, 20% basic and 41% proficient and 19% advanced

Test scores a snapshot

Bridges said just scoring better than the average is not the goal, and there are still areas the district has identified for improvement  and not just in state test scores.

(The state test scores) is not what is driving the vast majority of instructional focus that we have in our district, Bridges said.

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He called the state test scores a snapshot and a public-facing piece at the end of a school year, but said the district is testing students daily.

Were reacting to students instructional needs on a day-to-day basis, Bridges said. The vast majority of assessment data that we use is local data because we have common core assessments, unit assessments that are given, small assessments that are given to detect mastery on standards. Our teachers are doing that in a classroom, in real-time on an everyday basis.

Bridges said reading is one marker where the district is placing a significant amount of time, energy and resources.

Reading drives all other subject areas, Bridges said.

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Tracking cut

scores over time

Bridges said the changes that were made last year and in previous years have caused a problem, making scores a moving target.

Comparing 2025 to the previous two years of state test scores hasnt been an easy task for the district.

SPS Elementary Education Director Diane Fix said comparing the 2023, 2024 and 2025 scores is impossible, as the cut scores changed each year, and tracking them caused frustration for the district.

I will say fifth grade showed great growth in ELA and Math if you are comparing 2023 to 2025, but again, we cant really compare the years because of cut scores and it is a different group of kids, Fix said. I do feel like it is a great sign being the fifth year out of COVID-19 that we are making gains.

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Fix said the district combines proficient and advanced scores together, as she said both of these categories are considered proficient.

Fix shared comparison data with the News Press for the academic years 2023, 2024 and 2025.

For third-graders, the 2023 proficiency test scores were 41% for English language arts and 54% for math, as compared to 46% proficiency for English language arts in 2025. The district data for third-graders remained at 54% proficiency in both years.

In 2023, fifth-graders scored a proficiency of 39% in English language arts, and that percentage rose to 53% in 2025. In math, fifth-graders had a 47% proficiency score in 2023, which rose to a 58% proficiency score in 2025.

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Fix said the district uses its screener scores throughout the year to see more detailed growth, and students continually score way above the state average and score at the top compared to our peers in 6A. Fix said she enjoys following one group of kids from third to fifth grade, instead of following one class with different kids each year.

It excites me to see growth happening, Fix said. Our kids continue to grow and improve.

For the secondary grades, SPS Secondary Education Director Ashley Moore said while the district generally considers a score of 300 to be the cut score of proficiency for any grade level or subject in secondary, a number is only as important as what it means. A score of 300 is considered the maximum score on a state test in Oklahoma, with 240 a passing grade.

When Oklahoma scores are compared to National scores, the goal is to ensure that students are performing just as successfully, Moore said. If cut scores are inflated, like they were in SY24, this provides students, families, teachers and schools a false sense of reality.

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Adjusting to

changes in scoring

The change in test scores OSDE made in 2025 lowered the proficiency test scores by as much as 33% even while students performed at relatively the same level as the year before, leading to an artificial increase in students proficiency scores, Oklahoma Voice reported in August 2024.

In a press release from the new State Superintendent Lindel Fields, OSDE said the good news is that (this years) results provide a clearer, more honest picture of where our students are academically  and how we can best support their continued growth. As you will see, we have room for improvement.

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OSDE recounted how the grades for proficient were temporarily lowered.

That made it look as though more students were meeting grade-level goals than national benchmarks supported, creating whats known as an honesty gap, the release reads. This year, the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability voted to restore the higher, nationally aligned expectations that were in place in 2023.

CEQA called the honesty gap the difference between students who score proficient on a state assessment and those who score as proficient on a national benchmark, such as the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

OSDE said the change back to the 2023 expectations would help ensure that students meet benchmarks such as readiness for college, career training or the workforce after graduation.

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OSDE said its fully aligned with CEQA in the decision to revert back to former testing standards and united in our pursuit of academic rigor, transparency, and excellence.

Perkins-Tryon

test scores

PTPS Superintendent Doug Ogle said the district scored very well compared to state averages.

We do have some work in a few testing areas, but overall, I was pleased with our students performance, Ogle told the News Press. Compared to last years scores, PT saw major improvements in several areas, especially in the third-fifth grades in both math and reading.

He said a few areas of concern are the middle schools math and reading scores, and said the district will be reevaluating those areas.

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Perkins-Tryon Public Schools third-graders scored a 39% proficiency in English language arts and 35% proficiency in math.

Fifth-graders scored a 32% proficiency in English language arts, a 25% proficiency in math and a 35% proficiency in science.

Eighth-graders scored a 17% proficiency in English language arts, a 7% proficiency in math and a 25% proficiency in science.

The News Press also reached out to Yale, Morrison and Perry school districts for comment on state testing, but didnt receive a reply by press time.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  Savannah State University (SSU) has been selected as one of 30 institutions to participate in the IBM SkillsBuild AI Freshmen HBCU Initiative, designed to equip students with foundational artificial intelligence skills.

All first-year students are required to complete the three-hour IBM course Getting Started with Artificial Intelligence, now part of SSUs First-Year Experience curriculum. The course introduces AI concepts, real-world applications and ethical considerations.

When implemented campus-wide, this initiative unlocks access to over 1,000 free courses, paid micro-internships, mentoring opportunities, and personalized learning paths aligned with real-world job roles, said Marcus S. Cox, SSU provost and vice president of academic affairs.

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Students who complete the course gain access to over 1,000 additional IBM learning opportunities.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KDVR)  Colorado Springs police K-9 Roam is recovering after being stabbed multiple times while helping officers take a suspect into custody earlier this week.

The department says the attack happened on Wednesday morning as officers attempted to arrest a barricaded suspect. Roam was gravely injured in the encounter and underwent several hours of surgery, including one to amputate his left hind leg.

Fort Carson active duty sergeant accused of stabbing K-9

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Despite the severity of his injuries, police say Roam is expected to make a full recovery.

Hes lucky to be alive, one K-9 training expert told FOX31, adding that the incident has renewed calls for stronger protections and equipment for police dogs  including vests for active-duty K-9s.

Roams story has drawn an outpouring of support online, with hundreds of community members leaving comments on the departments social media pages expressing both concern for the dogs age and questions about whether he was wearing a protective vest during the attack.

Many on social media expressed concern about whether K-9 Roam was wearing a protective vest at the time of the attack.

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Meanwhile, the nonprofit Vested Interest in K9s, which provides protective gear for law enforcement dogs nationwide, confirmed Roam did have access to a loaner vest before the incident.

While he was not eligible for a custom vest, Vested Interest told FOX31 a loaner would have been available for Roam to use that had belonged to a retired K-9.

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The police department says Roam will be discharged from the veterinary hospital on Saturday morning and escorted home by his handler. Officers and community members are invited to line Fountain Boulevard from Academy Park Loop to Powers Boulevard starting at 11 a.m. to cheer him on.

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Police extended thanks to the team at Animal ER Care for saving Roams life.

Their exceptional skill and compassion made all the difference, the department said in a statement.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
The first food consumed in space was a tube of beef and liver paste, but fortunately, cosmic cuisine has come a long way in the past eight decades. These days, astronauts don't just eat freeze-dried ice cream and fancy tube food  they also enjoy everyday items you probably keep in your own pantry. Case in point: tortillas have been standard astronaut fare for four decades. The flatbreads first traveled to space in 1985, when a Mexican payload specialist named Rodolfo Neri Vela requested that tortillas be brought on his mission. The crew quickly realized that tortillas functioned far better than bread when making space sandwiches, and they have been an orbital cuisine classic ever since.

Tortillas are an ideal space food for some of the same reasons that they're a perfect pantry powerhouse. They have a long shelf life, take up very little space, and are relatively nutritious (and totally delicious). However, the key reason that tortillas are such a great space snack isn't quite as important in the home kitchen: they produce very few crumbs, especially in contrast to bread, which they're often used as an alternative for. In a low-gravity environment like the International Space Station, airborne crumbs are nearly impossible to clean for obvious reasons, and they can cause serious problems if they get stuck in equipment (that's why NASA wasn't thrilled when an astronaut smuggled a corned beef sandwich on rye into space).

Read more: The Most Famous Secret Recipes In Food And Drink History

What kind of tortillas are served in space?

Flour tortillas on table - Faiz Dila/Shutterstock

NASA's tortillas look nearly identical to the ones you might pick up at the supermarket (or stock up on at Chipotle). However, these aren't your everyday floury flatbreads. The space agency stocks the International Space Station with specially designed tortillas, which have an extra-long shelf life and anti-mold packaging. These days, NASA gets its space-grade tortillas from the military, but that wasn't always the case. In the 1990s, the space agency purchased tortillas from Taco Bell because the Tex-Mex chain's soft taco-making kit boasted a longer shelf life than any tortillas NASA had managed to produce (more proof that Taco Bell has fast food innovation down to a science).

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In 2024, ISS crew members ate over 3,000 tortillas. Astronauts eat their tortillas in a wide variety of ways, from classics like breakfast burritos and tacos (you can't have a space taco party without tortillas) to more creative variations such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, hamburgers, and even pizza. If all this tortilla talk has you craving something more down-to-earth, consider making some tasty and therapeutic homemade tortillas.

For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter and add us as a preferred search source. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more!

Read the original article on The Takeout.
Embargo 9pm

autoplay kemi PMQs on china spies https://part.icle.link/gbuxoh0

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Kemi Badenoch has accused Sir Keir Starmer of repeatedly making false statements about the reasons behind the collapse of the China spy trial.

The Tory leader claimed the Prime Minister had been misleading MPs and the public to try to shift blame for the scandal away from Downing Street.

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Her intervention will add to the scrutiny of No 10s official explanation for the failed prosecution, which critics have argued is not credible.

A senior Downing Street source hit back on Saturday night and said Ms Badenoch was herself making categorically untrue claims that ministers interfered in the collapsed case.

Labour has been engulfed in controversy since it was announced that the planned trial of two men accused of spying for China had collapsed.

Prosecutors said the case could not go ahead because ministers failed to provide evidence describing Beijing as a national security threat.

Sir Keir has argued that it was the failure of the previous Tory government to designate China as a threat which led to the charges being dropped.

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He has also told Parliament that Matthew Collins, the deputy national security adviser, was solely responsible for the evidence provided to prosecutors.

In a letter sent to the Prime Minister on Saturday, Ms Badenoch said that independent legal experts had challenged the veracity of his arguments.

Over the past few weeks, there have been several occasions on which you or your ministers have made statements regarding the events that led to the collapse of the trial of the two men accused of spying for China that have later been shown to be false, she wrote.

Taken together, these misleading statements constitute a breach of trust with MPs and the public. I believe you should correct the record in the House at the earliest opportunity.

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She said Sir Keirs repeated accusation that the position of the last Tory government was to blame for the collapse of the trial was misleading.

The Prime Minister has argued the issue with the evidence was that Beijing had not been designated a threat at the time of the alleged spying offences in 2023.

Ms Badenoch said that assertion was not correct and had been questioned by experts including Mark Elliott, a Professor of Public Law at Cambridge University.

She also pointed out that Labours more friendly policy towards China had been written into later versions of the evidence Mr Collins supplied to prosecutors.

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Will you accept that the later witness statements were not in fact constrained by the last Governments policy, that they included your Governments policy, and that the softening and obfuscation introduced in them contributed to the cases collapse? she wrote.

The Tory leader also argued that attempts to blame the requirements of the 1911 Official Secrets Act for the scandal were misdirection on your part.

She said there had been recent successful prosecutions under the 113 year old law and the CPS believed sufficient evidence existed to meet the tests set out in the Act.

Ms Badenoch suggested that Sir Keir was instead willing to see the case collapse, because you believe that Britain needs short-term deals from China in order to prop up the public finances which your decisions have damaged.

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The effect of the collapse of this critical case for national security is that you have shown Britain is weak in the face of espionage, and have emboldened our enemies to believe they can spy on us with impunity, she wrote.

She also demanded that he publish all relevant correspondence and records of meetings about the case that involved special advisers and ministers.

They include Jonathan Powell, the National Security Adviser, whose role in the affair has been questioned because of his previous links to China.

Critics including Dominic Cummings, the former No 10 chief of staff, have also said it is inconceivable that Lord Hermer, the Attorney General, would not have been involved.

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A Downing Street source said in response to Ms Badenochs letter: The central allegation that there was political interference in a criminal trial that she has been making for days has been shown to be categorically untrue.

The Tory position now seems to have switched to saying that there should have been more interference in a criminal trial.

They have no credibility on this issue. Everyone knows that it was their failure to change the law which was the central problem here.

It comes amid controversy over plans for a Chinese super embassy in London, amid claims ministers may have assured Beijing planning permission would be granted.

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A residents group has demanded the Government share all texts, emails, and meeting minutes about application before it decides whether the building can go ahead.

Sir Keir, who the group suspects of political pre-determination at some of the highest levels surrounding the bid, is already facing a Tory-instigated ethics enquiry.

On Friday, China warned that the UK would face consequences unless the controversial planning application was approved, accusing Britain of showing disregard for contractual spirit and failing to honour its commitments.

The Conservatives said the reference to contractual spirit suggests the Government promised the embassy would go ahead. No 10 denied any such deal had been made.

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If any deal had taken place it would be a flagrant breach of the ministerial code and open the whole process to judicial review, the Tories claimed in a letter to Sir Laurie Magnus, the Prime Ministers independent ethics advisor, on Friday.

On Thursday, the Royal Mint Court Residents Association (RMCRA) - who represent the residents living on the site the Chinese hope to build in - wrote to the Housing Secretary demanding the Government discloses all internal communications it has had about the planning application.

The disclosure would indicate whether the outcome of the application was pre-determined through secret Government deals with China, the association says.

The letter, which was also sent to Sir Laurie, writes: From evidence that RMCRA has seen in the media and in Hansard, it is clear there has been a political pre-determination of these applications at some of the highest levels of central Government.

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It is clear the applicant considers it a certainty that consent for the proposals will be granted. If assurances have been given to the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) as claimed by its foreign ministry in the Telegraph, then it has not followed the UKs planning policy and procedure.

The RMCRA is concerned that what it has done is paid lip service to planning policy and procedure, seemingly safe in the knowledge that it will get the consent it seeks.

The association calls on the Government to disclose all correspondence, including emails and WhatsApp messages, about the embassy plans.

The demand is made through the Freedom of Information Act, which gives the Government 28 days to respond with the information or an explanation for why the information cannot be disclosed.

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ADD

It came as Cabinet ministers turned on Rachel Reeves over the scandal, saying she was driving the Governments softer approach on China.



One member of Sir Keirs top team told the Mail on Sunday that the furore could be traced back to a trip the Chancellor took to Beijing at the start of the year.



Shes so obsessed with developing a close relationship with China, some of the Foreign Office officials now call her the Dragon Lady, another adviser told the paper.



It also reported that Ms Reeves was one of the main blocks on China being categorised in the top risk bracket of Britains new spy register.



Home Office sources said the Chancellor had been completely opposed to Beijing being placed in the enhanced tier of the Foreign Foreign Influence Registration Scheme.



Allies of Ms Reeves disputed the claims, insisting she was trying to engage pragmatically with one of the worlds biggest superpowers.

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SILVER CITY, N.M. (KRQE)  It was a spending scandal at a New Mexico university that sparked an eye-opening multi-million-dollar buyout for the university president. Now, the state auditor says hes drilled down into the initial problems that sparked the controversy.

State auditor Joseph Maestas has been looking into Western New Mexico University (WNMU) for the last year, after allegations surfaced over how former President Joseph Shepard was spending money. The auditor says there are no direct signs of fraud, but lots of other issues.

In general, the findings included weak documentation, questionable purchasing decisions, and projects that, while technically allowed, gave the appearance of personal benefit, said Maestas.

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The auditor first found $360,000 in spending by the former university board and president that broke the rules. After President Joseph Shepard stepped down because of it, the WNMU board gave Shepard a nearly $2 million severance.

WNMU launches national search for new president

The auditor then took a deeper look at the universitys questionable spending. New findings show university leaders were misusing P-cards and leaving out required info around university-paid travel. They also flagged expensive purchases made despite far more affordable options being available.

This is a wakeup call, I think leadership matters, internal controls matter, the public isnt just watching, theyre expecting better, said Maestas.

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In response, WNMU has deployed new training for university staff as it relates to travel and other purchase rules. Along with telling the university to hire its own auditor, the state auditor is recommending that the university set up a whistleblower hotline for people to report fraud, waste, and abuse.

The Attorney General is still in the middle of a lawsuit with the University and the former President over his $1.9-million buyout.

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Pakistan's delegation, led by its Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, is set to hold talks with Taliban representatives in Doha on Saturday, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Dozens were killed and hundreds were injured in the recent violence between the two countries. As per the ministry, the talks aimed at ending "cross-border terrorism against Pakistan." In a post on X, it said, "A high-level delegation from Pakistan, led by our Minister of Defence, will hold discussions with representatives of the Afghan Taliban in Doha today. The talks will focus on immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism against Pakistan emanating from Afghanistan and restore peace and stability along the Pak-Afghan border." https://x.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1979475426478301661 "Pakistan does not seek escalation but urges the Afghan Taliban authorities to honour their commitments to the international community and address Pakistan's legitimate security concerns by taking verifiable action against terrorist entities, including the FAK/TTP and FAH/BLA. Pakistan appreciates the mediation efforts of Qatar and hopes these discussions contribute to peace and stability in the region," it added. Even as Pakistan and Afghanistan gear up to meet in Doha today to broker a peace after days of fighting and air strikes, the Taliban Government said that Afghanistan reserves the right to respond to Pakistani airstrikes on its land. Taliban Spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that though Afghanistan is committed to peaceful resolution, the current incidents are due to acts of aggression by Pakistan. In a series of posts on X, he said, "As previously agreed, negotiations with the Pakistani side are scheduled to take place today in Doha. In this regard, a high-level delegation of the Islamic Emirate, led by the Honorable Minister of Defense, Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, has departed for Doha. However, last night, Pakistani military forces once again conducted airstrikes on civilian areas in Paktika, resulting in the martyrdom and injury of a number of civilians. The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns, in the harshest terms, the repeated crimes of the Pakistani forces and the violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty. Such acts are deemed provocative and are viewed as deliberate attempts to prolong the conflict." https://x.com/Zabehulah_M33/status/1979437247125414097 "While the Islamic Emirate reserves the right to respond to these violations, in order to maintain the dignity and integrity of its negotiating team, its forces have been instructed to refrain from undertaking new military operations at this time. We reiterate that Afghanistan remains committed to a peaceful resolution and regional stability. However, the ongoing incidents are entirely the result of aggression by the Pakistani side," he added. (ANI)
After his mother died in 2022, Selwyn Bernardez spiraled into a grief- and drug-induced psychosis, roaming the New York City subway system with a samurai sword. He struck a panhandler, landing him on Rikers Island for six months he described as hell on Earth.

Then something unusual happened. His public defender secured him a spot in the Manhattan Felony Alternative-to-Incarceration Court, a diversion program that allowed him to enter comprehensive treatment and ultimately see his felony assault charge dropped. He spent a year in intensive therapy, attending recovery meetings, and completing regular court check-ins. When he graduated from the program last year, he was working again and had rebuilt family relationships, he testified at a state Senate hearing last week.

Courts around the state have set up similar programs to allow people with mental illnesses and substance use disorders to enter treatment when facing certain criminal charges, typically in exchange for a guilty plea, as an alternative to jail or prison time. But they reach just a fraction of the people who might benefit from them.

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My path is not the norm, but it should be, Bernardez said at the hearing, testifying in support of a bill called the Treatment Court Expansion Act, which would increase access to diversion programs across the state.

Currently, one in five people in New York City jails has a serious mental illness, according to city data. Very few have gotten support through diversion programs. In 2021, just over 0.3 percent of more than 34,000 people arrested in Kings County entered a mental health court program; in Tompkins County, just over 1 percent did, according to a report from the advocacy group National Alliance on Mental Illness.

At Rikers Island, thousands of people with psychiatric issues often encounter inadequate mental health treatment, and suicides and other deaths persist. County jails across the state are ill-equipped to care for incarcerated people with severe mental illnesses, sometimes transferring them to maximum security prisons while theyre legally innocent.

Unlike drug courts, mental health courts arent currently required by state law; individual courts have created them on an ad hoc basis. The proposed legislation would create statutory mental health courts across the state. The measure would make any New Yorker with a qualifying diagnosis  including most mental illnesses, developmental disorders, and substance use disorders  eligible for a diversion program. and it would allow people with misdemeanor or nonviolent felony charges to enter treatment immediately, without pleading guilty.

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The bill was first introduced in the 20192020 session, but has never made it to the Senate or Assembly floor. Its latest version addresses some reservations from the judiciary. With support from the Court of Appeals Chief Judge Rowan Wilson and a growing number of Democratic state lawmakers, it may have a fighting chance in next years legislative session.

Proponents point to the significant cost savings achieved by diverting people from jail to drug treatment courts, as well as polling showing crime victims support for diversion programs. Studies have found that graduates of mental health court programs tend to show reduced recidivism, though evidence of lasting clinical success for participants is mixed.

Though the bill has gained broad support, its backers are gearing up for a parallel fight for more state investment on the treatment and provider side.

Expanding treatment courts would require only modest spending on additional judges or court staff, Wilson, the states highest-ranking judge, told lawmakers at the hearing. The far greater cost, he said, would be to bolster treatment services, especially in parts of the state without them.

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The way to make it a failure is to divert people and not have anywhere to send them, Wilson said.

At the hearing, mental health and criminal justice reform advocates voiced strong support for the measure, but some echoed Wilsons warning that it will require deep investments in mental health services to succeed.

If you have more people able to access treatment courts, it could present a capacity issue on the behavioral health system, said Nathan McLaughlin, who runs the New York state branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Zachary Katznelson, the executive director of the Independent Rikers Commission, backed the proposal but urged lawmakers to build a stronger pipeline for the clinicians, nurses, and social workers who will staff the treatment side of diversion programs.

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We dont have enough staff to actually fill the vacancies that exist today in the existing services, he said.

In 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul pledged to invest $1 billion in the states mental health care system. Since then, the state has expanded outpatient services, outreach teams, and psychiatric hospital bed capacity, but advocates told New York Focus earlier this year that the expansion has not kept up with demand for the programs. The behavioral health workforce is also stretched thin.

Last year, Hochul allocated $25 million to expand mental health courts. Some of that money has gone toward developing new ones across the state, said Joseph Zayas, chief administrative judge of the New York State Unified Court System.

The bills sponsor, Democratic state Senator Jessica Ramos, acknowledged at the hearing that reforming the court system would only be a partial solution.

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We need more programming. We need more services. We need more mental health beds in our hospital system and beyond, she said.

A spokesperson for Hochul said the governor will review the legislation if it passes both houses.
UPDATE on 10/20 at 12 p.m.

DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)  The Vermilion County Coroner has identified the Danville man who died after a crash late last week.

Jane McFadden, coroner, said an accident involving a motorcycle and an SUV claimed the life of 46-year-old Michael J. K. Wagle of Danville. The crash happened around 3:30 p.m. on Friday, near Gilbert and North Streets.

Coroner IDs woman killed in Effingham Co. crash Sunday morning

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McFadden also said that Wagles family members have been notified. An autopsy is scheduled for this week. The Danville Police Department, the Illinois State Police and the Vermilion County Coroners office is investigating.

UPDATE on 10/20 at 7:25 a.m.

DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)  The Danville Police Department shared new information on a deadly accident that happened Friday in the area of Gilbert and North Streets.

Danville Police officers responded to that area for the report of a motorcycle vs. vehicle crash just after 3:30 p.m. that day, Deputy Chief Joshua Webb said in a news release Monday morning. When they arrived, they found a 46-year-old Danville man with severe injuries after Webb says the motorcycle he was driving crashed into a Hyundai Sonata. He was taken to the OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

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State Police later arrived to assist Danville officers. Their preliminary investigation indicated that the driver of the motorcycle was heading southbound on Gilbert Street and disregarded a red light at Gilbert and North Streets intersection. After entering the intersection, Webb said the motorcycle crashed into the driver-side door of the Hyundai Sonata, which was heading eastbound on North Street.

Danville Police said the identity of the victim isnt being released at this time, pending notification by the Vermilion County Coroners Office. No one else was hurt in the crash.

As the investigation is ongoing, no further information is being released at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this incident should call Danville Police at 217-431-2250 or submit an anonymous tip to Vermilion County Crime Stoppers at 217-446-TIPS.

DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)  A fatal accident happened on Friday in Danville, and both state and local officials responded to the scene.

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UPDATE: One hospitalized; police searching for suspect in U of I Campustown shooting

Danville Police confirmed with WCIA that this crash took place at the intersection of Gilbert and North Streets and that a fatality occurred. They also said that Illinois State Police is conducting the investigation into this incident.

State Police said that their Traffic Crash Reconstruction team was requested by the Danville Police Department to conduct this investigation. There is no further information at this time.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  Its been one week since the release of the documentary The Alabama Solution, which gives a glimpse into Alabamas state prison system. The documentary has sparked many conversations around prison reform and re-entry for former inmates.

Peak of Orionid meteor shower nears: How and when to watch

One statewide nonprofit, Shepherds Fold, has been helping previously incarcerated men get established and find stable jobs since 1986. Shepherds Fold says rehabilitation is possible and there are people who are living proof of that every day.

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Everybody has done something wrong. Now, whether they got caught or whether they didnt get caught is really the only difference. And those that did get caught, theyve gone behind and if they dont have that aha moment, theyre going to continue to go through that, said Trent Redwine, the director of operations at Shepherds Fold. To say that they need to stay there, I disagree with wholeheartedly, because some of the best people come from that background. And because they do come out and have that second chance to get back into society, those are the people we need to be leaning on and looking at to find out what happened to change your mind.'

Redwine understands firsthand the power an organization like Shepherds Fold can have.

I was locked up back in 2013, and thats when I got out. And then coming out and going through a transitional center myself and seeing the positives and the negatives in it. Once I completed that I was out working in the private sector and just was able to get back involved, he said.

Redwines appreciation for Shepherds Fold is echoed by many, including Jeffrey Eiland, who turned to the organization for help in 2012.

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Without their help, I had no where to go. Living on the street, doing things that are not legal, Eiland said. Terrible, terrible. My life would have been terrible.

Eiland was arrested in 2009 on drug-related charges. He served three years in prison and was released to serve five years on probation.

Ive had other people tell me that people dont change. Im living proof, he said. People do change. People can change. But it takes intentionality and commitment to that change.

Eiland is now a therapist and clinical social worker.

Reentry is very difficult because there are tons of men just like me, and women, who have no where to go, no money, and no hope, said Eiland. Without hope, theres no future.

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According to the Alabama Department of Corrections, 28.7% of people released from prison are re-arrested without proper re-entry support. Shepherds Fold says of the people who go through their program, only 3% reoffend.

Weve still got a lot of work to do on reentry. You know, making sure that there is access to IDs, something that simple. You know, the job fair that I put on, said Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr. Its important because we know when people get out of jail and theyre one of our returning citizens, its sometimes difficult to find jobs because of that felony conviction.

Carr believes one of the ways you fight crime is by changing the trajectory of peoples lives.

Shepherds Fold says its helped more than two thousand people transform their lives.

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REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (WCMH)  Opened in 2007, Waggoner Road Junior High School in Reynoldsburg is where meteorologist Bryan Still started the seventh grade the same year. Little did he know that many years later he would return back to that very building not as a student, but as a principal.

Reynoldsburg city schools held their principal for a day event where members all over the community were invited to join various school administrators and help carry out the day to day tasks that any normal principal would do. This is the second school year that the district organized this event.

After a busy morning of greeting kids at the door, classes were monitored as teachers demonstrated the different lessons that were on the days schedule.

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Education has changed drastically over the last 18 years. Gone are the whiteboards and textbooks. Those tools have been replaced with touchscreen monitors and laptops. Some traditional tools like pencil and paper are timeless and still present.

Over the last few years, Waggoner Road has made strides in listening to the community and how its members wanted to see the school grow. School principal Jason Phillips says part of this feedback involved seeing an increase in classes involving the arts. The school responded. dropping in on choir class, there are many kids learning music theory and choreography. With music so catchy it was easy to join in on the learning.

With hard work and dedication, in no time, the kids felt more confident in their skills and seemed eager to showcase them when the time comes.

Once lunch time came, a group of hungry sixth graders made their way to grab food, catch up on some work, and meet up with their friends. Joining them at their tables shed light on another big change. Children moved from cliques to clicks.

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Keyboards and laptop screens sat next to the food as they shared notes and discussed lessons. Even then they were still eager to share in conversation with their guest principal about what their favorite subjects were and what they were learning about.

There was one task that ended up being more daunting than anticipated. Getting the attention of a rambunctious cafeteria of sixth graders required a great big breath and a strong set of vocal cords.

Ready to learn again, the kids made their way to the next class to finish another day of learning

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  This week, the Oregon Department of Human Services began mailing notices to people whose SNAP benefits are changing or ending as a result of President Trumps Big Beautiful Bill.

According to ODHS, the changes required by federal law will affect more than 313,000 Oregonians.

ODHS started sending notices to people who applied for SNAP between July. 4 and Sept. 30 of this year, as well as to recipients whose benefits will change or end.

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Officials say recipients will be evaluated under new work requirements, and some groups, like refugees and asylum seekers, will lose eligibility.

Kaiser Permanente decries healthcare worker demands as strike continues

KOIN 6 spoke with Ross Walker, a man who said his roommate is still waiting to find out if she is losing her benefits.

All we know is Ill be relying on the SnowCap here a little more, and were just going to have to go without and do the best we can, he said. I dont expect Im in a physical position to get a full-time job working long hours and everything at 81 years old.

SnowCaps executive director, Kirsten Wageman, said they are especially worried about families with children ahead of the SNAP reductions.

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Were also concerned about people who are struggling with disabilities, who maybe their application for disability hasnt been approved yet or gone through, she said. Theyre too sick to work, and unable to benefit from food stamps. Thats a really tough position, especially for the elderly who may never have needed services before.

Wageman added that these reductions come at a time when they are already seeing record-high demand. While they continue to move forward, she admitted it is not easy.

Were always searching for new resources to help meet the needs, she said. So were very engaged, were very focused, and were grateful that our organization tries to always plan for times like this. But this is really stretching us to our edges.

According to ODHS, some of the reductions are set to go into effect in November..

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Orna Neutra, mother of slain hostage Omer Neutra, pushed for US President Trump to pressure Hamas to return the remaining 18 hostages' bodies.

The families of the hostages rallied in demonstrations across Israel on Saturday night to bring the remaining slain captives back from Gaza.

Orna Neutra, mother of slain hostage Omer Neutra, thanked US President Donald Trump for ending the Gaza War, but asked for his assistance in bringing her son's body home.

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Mr. President, thank you for your leadership in ending the war and bringing so many of our hostages home. Your determination and strength have given hope to families across our nation," she said.

"But our mission is not yet complete. Eighteen of our hostages are still held somewhere in Gaza - among them, our beloved son, Capt. Omer Neutra, a US-Israeli citizen. This week, instead of celebrating Omers 24th birthday with candles, laughter, and love, we stand here with unbearable pain and endless longing.

"President Trump, we still need your help in holding all stakeholders to this agreement accountable so that we can finally bring our son home and move forward. So that the whole region can finally move forward.

Thank you, Mr. President, for your resolve and compassion."

Orna and Ronen Neutra push for the release of their son, Omer's remains from Hamas on October 18, 2025. (credit: Paulina Patimer)

'The struggle has not ended' hostage family members say

Einav Zangauker, mother of released hostage Matan Zangauker, said that the Hostages and Missing Families Forum would not stop until the last Gaza captive was brought home.

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My Matan, our Matan, is home. Right now, Matan is sitting in our living room watching you, the people of Israel, and his heart is full of appreciation and gratitude toward you. Thanks to the determination, perseverance, and spirit of faith and hope we all share, Matan has returned home, alive," she said.

"But struggle has not ended. The struggle will not be over until the last deceased hostage returns to us, until every family can lay their loved one to rest with a proper burial. The victory we long for will only be achieved when the last fallen hostage is returned home.

"I promise the families of the deceased hostages the same promise that you - millions of citizens - made to me over the past two years: I am with you, you are not alone. We will continue to fight in the name of those values, we will do whatever is required until we bring them all home," he said.

Roee Baruch, brother of slain hostage Uriel Baruch, spoke on his relief that he gets to bury his brother properly.

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Tomorrow, after 744 days of worry, after 744 days of agonizing uncertainty, after more than two years - we will bury my younger brother," he said.

"Only tomorrow, after the funeral, will we finally be able to begin the long journey of healing our family. I know what it is to wait for a deceased hostage, I know what it is to be in uncertainty for two years, I know that from tomorrow we will have closure. But our mission has not ended: there are still 18 deceased hostages in Gaza. All of them must be brought home.

"A grave to cry over is not a right, or a favor, or a luxury: it is the moral obligation of this country toward its citizens.

Kibbutz Nir Oz also released a statement on Saturday after the remains of former resident Eliyahu "Churchill" Margalit were returned to Isarel.

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"We celebrated together the return of our loved ones - Eitan, Matan, David, and Ariel - who came home to their families after more than two years in captivity. At the same time, we continued to call for the return of all the hostages, until the very last one," the release said.

"Last night, Eliyahu Margalit, our beloved Churchill, was brought back to Israel for a proper burial in the kibbutz he so deeply loved."

"Today, with four of our loved ones from Kibbutz Nir Oz and 14 other civilians and soldiers still held captive, we declared in one unified voice: the struggle is not over until the last hostage is returned."

Hemi Goldin, brother of slain hostage Lt. Hadar Goldin, slammed the Israeli government for not sticking to its demands from Hamas.

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Seventy-two hours have passed, yet 48 hostages have not returned. Government of Israel, you had one clause - after all we have been through here, after all that you have endured - one clause. Seventy-two hours and 48 hostages, not all of them came home. And no, the struggle is not over. Not because anyone wants to fight, but because there is no choice," he said.

"We are here to say: enough. We will not be deceived, our blood will not be spilled, and no one will make political capital or business off our suffering. We are the people here. Without you, and without the brave people who remain underground there, there would be no state."
SHADY SPRING, WV (WVNS)  Are there ever things youve learned as an adult you wish you could have picked up on sooner? Some local students got that chance as they participated in the Get a Life program.



Medical expenses, housing, and insurance costs were just some of the hurdles being navigated by the students at Shady Spring Middle School. The simulated experience of Get a Life was engineered to offer perspective on spending, saving, and budgeting. 59News spoke with one student who said when it comes to price, bigger is not always better.



Its helping figure out how to finance stuff  to not pick the most expensive things, said Shady Spring Middle School student, Eli Lester. Like pick the cheaper items, like housing and cars.



The Get a Life program was designed by the state treasurers office to boost skills in math, problem solving, and financial literacy. This year, the students were assisted by volunteers with the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce and the chambers Leadership Beckley class of 2025-2026.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A recent study ranked three Ohio municipalities among the top 10 U.S. cities where residents are the most burdened by grocery costs.

The personal finance website WalletHub looked at 100 of the largest cities to discover where residents spend the highest percentage of their household income on common grocery items. Researchers collected data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the nonprofit Council for Community and Economic Research.

Multiple Ohio cities placed high on the list, including Cleveland (No. 2) where the average cost of groceries accounts for about 3.77% of the median household income. While Cleveland experiences reasonable grocery prices, the city has the lowest household income of those included in the study, leading to food costs making up a larger portion of residents paychecks, according to WalletHub.

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Source: WalletHub

The other Ohio cities in the top 10 are Toledo at No. 5, where residents allocate around 3.09% of their income to groceries each month, and Cincinnati at No. 8 (2.90%). Columbus ranked the lowest of all Ohio cities included, but still placed relatively high on the list, at No. 26. On average, residents of Ohios capital spend 2.28% of their monthly income on groceries, the study says.

The analysis found that Detroit residents spend the highest percentage of their incomes on groceries, with a median cost of 3.78%. While grocery prices are somewhat average, the median household income is the second lowest, WalletHub said.

The full top 10 can be found below:

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Detroit, Michigan Cleveland, Ohio Birmingham, Alabama Newark, New Jersey Toledo, Ohio Hialeah, Florida Buffalo, New York Cincinnati, Ohio Milwaukee, Wisconsin Memphis, Tennessee

In contrast, California cities San Francisco (1.22%), San Jose (1.16%) and Fremont (0.96%) spend the smallest percentage of income, on average, at the grocery store.

WalletHubs full study can be found here.

The Nexstar Media Wire contributed to this report.

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A new study confirmed the presence of PFAS, or "forever chemicals," in the drinking water of Orange County, California, raising concerns about residents' health and the future of studying their impact.

What's happening?

The University of California, Irvine published a study on individuals living in the Southern California county between 2000 and 2019. That range included the first time PFAS were detected in the water in 2013 after the EPA first required testing.

PFAS have been linked to high cholesterol, decreased immune system response, and decreased vaccine response, as well as increased risk of kidney, prostate, and testicular cancer. The study's results further back up those established links.

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The study also noted data from the Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD), which had a PFOA level of 14.8 parts per trillion and a PFOS level of 22.8 parts per trillion in 2018, exceeding what the EPA set in 2024 as the maximum level of four parts per trillion. At the time, there was no federal U.S. standard. The UC Irvine summary noted that "since 2018, none of the water the IRWD delivers to homes has had any detectable PFAS, and its water meets the 2029 PFAS standards set by the EPA," so the residents served by the district served as the control group for the study.

Dr. Scott Bartell, the lead investigator of the study, noted that continued study of the effects of PFAS is absolutely necessary but under threat from a lack of support.

"Historically, the federal government funded a lot of this kind of work, not all of it, but what work was going on in studying PFAS exposure and health effects was usually funded by the federal government prior to 2025. But, I think we're in a different world now," Bartell said.

Why are PFAS important?

PFAS are commonly called "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in human bodies and the environment, where they linger instead of easily breaking down.

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First introduced en masse in the 1950s, PFAS can be found in hundreds of everyday items, making it difficult to avoid exposure. According to the Environmental Working Group, the CDC has detected PFAS in the blood of 99% of Americans, including newborns.

Multiple studies, like the latest UC Irvine one, have all pointed to negative health impacts for humans.

What's being done about PFAS?

Though PFAS are hard to avoid entirely, you can take some steps to reduce your risk.

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.

Bartell recommended products such as "Brita filters, or other varieties activated by granular activated carbon, which is your standard countertop filter or refrigerator filter."

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"Almost all use GAC, which is actually pretty good at removing at least PFOA and PFOS," Bartell added.

You can also work on switching to household products without PFAS and trying to avoid takeout food containers, which are heavily coated with the chemicals.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to clarify that there was no U.S. EPA standard for PFOA or PFOS in 2018.

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.
Ahead of crucial peace talks in Doha, the Taliban government on Saturday accused Pakistan of violating Afghanistan's sovereignty and blamed Islamabad for the recent border clashes that have left several dead and injured in the region. The Doha meeting, coming amid escalating border tensions and mutual accusations, will test whether both sides can ease the latest surge of violence and move toward a negotiated de-escalation. In a statement, Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Acting Foreign Minister Mullah Amir Khan Muttaqi held a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi, during which the two discussed regional developments, including "Pakistan's violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty." https://x.com/MoFA_Afg/status/1979485992211124399 The Afghan ministry said the discussion highlighted "recent regional issues," adding that the repeated airstrikes and cross-border attacks by Pakistan had intensified tensions between the two nations. The ministry further added that, "Afghanistan is not a follower of war, but rather the Pakistani side, at the forefront, was the initiator of the war by violating Afghanistan's airspace. " The remarks come as Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif is leading a high-level delegation to Doha for talks with Taliban representatives on Saturday. Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the talks, mediated by Qatar, aim to end "cross-border terrorism against Pakistan" and restore stability along the frontier. "A high-level delegation from Pakistan, led by our Minister of Defence, will hold discussions with representatives of the Afghan Taliban in Doha today. The talks will focus on immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism against Pakistan emanating from Afghanistan and restore peace and stability along the Pak-Afghan border," the ministry said in a post on X. It further added, "Pakistan does not seek escalation but urges the Afghan Taliban authorities to honour their commitments to the international community and address Pakistan's legitimate security concerns by taking verifiable action against terrorist entities, including the TTP and BLA." However, the Taliban strongly rejected Pakistan's claims, asserting that the ongoing conflict was the result of "Pakistani aggression." Taliban Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement that Pakistani forces had carried out overnight airstrikes in Afghanistan's Paktika province, killing and injuring several civilians. "The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns, in the harshest terms, the repeated crimes of the Pakistani forces and the violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty. Such acts are deemed provocative and deliberate attempts to prolong the conflict," Mujahid said.He added that while Afghanistan "reserves the right to respond," its forces have been instructed to refrain from further military action to preserve the dignity of the delegation attending the Doha talks. "Afghanistan remains committed to a peaceful resolution and regional stability. However, the ongoing incidents are entirely the result of aggression by the Pakistani side," Mujahid said. (ANI)
CORNING, N.Y. (WETM)  Curious about what it takes to become a nurse? An upcoming information session in Corning on Tuesday might be able to answer some questions.

On Tuesday, Oct. 21, SUNY Corning Community College (CCC) is set to host a nursing information session from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., the college stated in a release. The event will take place at CCCs Health Education Center, located at 132 Denison Parkway East in Corning.

Steuben County Sheriffs Office to host National Drug Take Back Day event

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The two-hour session is free to attend and is designed for people interested in a nursing or healthcare-oriented career, CCC emphasized. People who plan on going to the event are asked to register beforehand if possible.

From 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., attendees will listen to an overview of CCCs nursing program with a Q&A session to follow, the release said. The event will wrap up with a tour of the facility and nursing simulation lab.

Further, CCCs nursing A.A.S. program is qualified for SUNY Reconnect, the release noted.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
The Supreme Courts reserves have dried up as a result of the government shutdown.

On Friday, Supreme Court Public Information Officer Patricia McCabe said in a statement that the court expects to run out of funding on October 18 and if new appropriated funds do not become available after that, the Court will make changes in its operations to comply with federal law.

The Supreme Court has run out of funding as its set to tackle a number of important cases related to the Trump administration's actions. / Anadolu / Anadolu via Getty Images

As alarming as that sounds, not much is expected to change about the actual Supreme Courts ability to function. The physical Supreme Court building will be closed to the public, but the judges of the Court will still perform their essential duties, including issuing rulings on three major cases regarding the Voting Rights Act, Trumps tariffs, and Trumps appeal to deploy the military to Chicago.

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The nations courts are also expected to see their piggy banks go empty by Monday, Oct. 20. Judges across the country will still continue to work, but in a capacity limited by the outlines of the Anti-Deficiency Act.

Examples of excepted work include activities necessary to perform constitutional functions under Article III, activities necessary for the safety of human life and protection of property, and activities otherwise authorized by federal law, reads a statement on the U.S. Courts website. Excepted work will be performed without pay during the funding lapse. Staff members not performing excepted work will be placed on furlough.

Though the Court has run out of money, it will still be able to perform its essential duties. / Alex Wong/Getty Images

Federal judges are required to be paid in a shutdown, but some court staff will work without pay, if theyre required to work at all. The Trump administration has floated never paying federal workers their owed back pay, despite the president signing a bill that required the government to pay federal workers back pay during his first administration.

The shutdown seems destined to stretch into a fourth week as Republicans refuse to budge on Democrats demands to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies. As October has dragged on, Democrats have signaled they also want Trump to reverse his unprecedented of mass firings of federal workers (in Democrat programs, as Trump has repeatedly put it), and that they also want Trump involved in the agreement.

Democrats have voiced they don't trust Mike Johnson or John Thune's power to act independent of the president and want Donald Trump involved in negotiations. / Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Democrats like Mark Kelly have expressed that they feel Republican House and Senate leaders Mike Johnson and John Thune wont do anything without Trumps approval.

Johnson announced that he was sending the House of Representatives home for yet another week on Friday, and still refuses to swear in Arizona Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, who is the deciding signature on a petition to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files.




After a Sunday hike in the East Bay, Matthew Raifman and his young family piled into the car to go home. Before they could leave, a creature flashed past and stunned them - an entirely white fawn.

"It was surreal," Raifman recalled to SFGATE. "It's something I've certainly never seen. And I mean, most people will never see it. We all collectively did a double take."

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With encouragement from his wife and kids, Raifman parked the car and picked up his camera. He followed the young white deer - walking along with what appeared to be its family, all colored shades of brown - and stopped at a respectful distance. Raifman, who photographs wildlife professionally in addition to his day job as a transportation safety researcher at UC Berkeley, said this outing had been intended as just a family hike.

According to Garrett Allen, a wildlife biologist for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the fawn was most likely a black-tailed deer. Given its all-white color and other features, Allen thinks it has albinism - which results from mutated genes that interfere with pigment production.

"Albinism in deer is quite rare - something like 1 in 30,000 potentially," Allen wrote in an email to SFGATE.

This isn't the first encounter Bay Area locals have had with an unexpectedly ghostly creature. SFGATE previously reported on a unique leucistic badger captured in a photograph in the Point Reyes National Seashore in 2023, among others.

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Raifman photographed the deer on Oct. 12 at a public park in eastern Alameda County. East Bay Regional Park District has not shared the name of the park where the deer was spotted to prevent unwanted attention. The deer is already particularly vulnerable, since it cannot camouflage itself.

"We need to keep wildlife wild," Krysten Kellum, a spokeswoman for Fish and Wildlife, told SFGATE. "As with any wildlife sighting, if a visitor happens to spot this albino deer, the best thing to do is to give it plenty of space and to leave it be."

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This article originally published at 'Surreal' albino deer photographed in the Bay Area.
President Donald Trump announced Saturday that two survivors of Thursdays military strike against a vessel, which the administration said was suspected of carrying drugs in the Caribbean Sea, will be sent back to their countries of origin.

The two surviving terrorists are being returned to their Countries of origin, Ecuador and Colombia, for detention and prosecution, the president wrote on social media.

On Thursday, the military detained two men who survived a military strike against a group of alleged narcoterrorists, resulting in the U.S. holding prisoners for the first time since the Trump administration began targeting suspected drug traffickers on international waters.

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Trump confirmed that two other individuals were killed in the strike.

The strike Thursday was the sixth publicly known strike by the U.S. military within the Caribbean Sea region near Venezuela, against vessels suspected of drug trafficking.

It was my great honor to destroy a very large DRUG-CARRYING SUBMARINE that was navigating towards the United States on a well known narcotrafficking transit route, the president wrote in the post. U.S. Intelligence confirmed this vessel was loaded up with mostly Fentanyl, and other illegal narcotics.

Trump and his administration have designated certain Latin American drug-trafficking groups as foreign terrorist organizations and have claimed that America is engaged in a non-international armed conflict with these groups. It was not clear why the military was repatriating the survivors instead of continuing to detain them.

Some legal experts have remained skeptical of the administrations justification, arguing that drug trafficking traditionally falls under law enforcement purview and does not automatically qualify as an armed attack. The strikes have disrupted longstanding procedures in maritime drug-interdiction, by shifting to lethal force without trial.
BEAR CREEK, Wis.  The Outagamie County Sheriffs Office responded to a bank robbery at Premier Community Bank in the Village of Bear Creek on Friday, October 17, around 10:30 a.m.

A press release from the Outagamie Sheriffs Department says deputies found that the suspect had already fled the scene. No one inside the bank was hurt.

Federal prosecution likely for Oshkosh man in Kwik Trip robbery

Investigators are working to identify the suspect and their vehicle. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Sgt. Sheldon Pedranzan at 920-832-5625 or via email at Sheldon.Pedranzan@outagamie.org.

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The investigation is being assisted by the Wisconsin State Patrol, Shiocton Police Department, Waupaca County Sheriffs Office, Appleton Police Department, and the FBI Green Bay Field Office.

The Sheriffs Office asks that all inquiries go through their Public Information Office, not Premier Community Bank.

No further information has been provided at this time. Local 5 will continue to cover the story and provide updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
BECKLEY  The weight of military history descended upon Beckley as the Raleigh County Veterans and First Responders Museum fortified their outdoor display Thursday with the unveiling of a massive, three-ton mooring anchor previously used on the iconic USS John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier.

The anchor represents the last remnants of conventionally powered aircraft carriers, as the USS John F. Kennedy was the last model of carrier built before the transition to nuclear-powered propulsion.

Earlier this year, the United States military scrapped the historic USS John F. Kennedy CV-67 aircraft carrier  the first of her class  near Brownsville, Texas. There was a lengthy legal battle over the donation status of the supercarrier, with various states and local agencies attempting to turn the carrier into a floating museum.

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However, the Raleigh County Veterans and First Responders Museum received the symbolic hardware after parts of the ship were auctioned off for just $1.

The anchor dropped to its final resting spot during a commemorative ceremony designed to pay tribute to the men and women who served aboard that ship. Retired Navy Captain Jerry Shields and electrician Gary Angle were two such servicemen who received the honor of presiding over the gathering.

Its a great thing because, like I say, theres so many people that served on the Kennedy, Angle said. And there are a lot of people in this area that served on the Kennedy, just like myself.

Angle, a resident of Beckley, served aboard the USS John F. Kennedy as an electrician while the ship was still being built in Virginia. I worked in the shipyard, he said. And went on sea trials, which means thats the first two times [the ship] ever went out to sea.

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Also in attendance at Thursdays event was retired Navy Captain and Chaplain Jerry Shields. Serving on the Kennedy, an aircraft carrier  its awesome, Shields said. Youre actually part of a pretty big city. You look at five to six thousand people  plus planes, ammunition, food, everything else  it is a city in itself, a floating city.

In addition to the servicemen and women who helped make the USS John F. Kennedy so formidable, Thursdays ceremony also marked a continued evolution of the burgeoning Raleigh County Veterans and First Responders Museum.

Ron Hedricks is the director of the museum and championed the anchors acquisition, highlighting the aesthetic effects on the community while also noting the anchors potential for preserving history for future generations.

Its a visual attraction that people will see from the road. Itll help bring people in. Its our second outdoor display  the first was the cannon the city brought over a few weeks back, Hedricks said.

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The museum also commissioned the services of the local Academy of Careers and Technology to transport the tonnage with the assistance of students in the academys trucking program.

The company responsible for mooring it and transporting it to the scrap place is based out of Pineville, so when they heard about the museum, they reached out to see if wed be interested in something from the ship. Turns out, they were able to get us the mooring anchor off the ship, Hedricks said.

Additionally, Glens Towing was on site to physically hoist the 3-ton anchor onto its exhibition display, with crane operators Colby and Teddy Gray describing the move as pretty routine.

Raleigh County Administrator Jay Quesenberry was among those who attended the event.

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Its just so exciting to think about where that anchor has been and what its done with the USS John F. Kennedy; its just pretty remarkable, really, he said.

However, the Raleigh County Veterans and First Responders Museum has plans for the future that are anything but routine. Currently, the museum board is optimistic they can add a tank, a WWII-era biplane, and vintage EMS vehicles to help further fortify their already formidable lineup of historical exhibits.

The Raleigh County Veterans and First Responders Museum is located at 201 S. Eisenhower Drive, and its hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY)  Active for more than a year in Virginia, the CODI Alert has been used 40 times, and each time, the child has been found.

The state launched the AMBER Alert alternative last year following the 2021 death of 3-year-old Codi Bigsby in Newport News.

VSP announces launch of CODI Alert to aid in searches of missing and endangered children

According to Virginia State Police, of the 40 CODI Alerts issued so far this year, all 40 of those children have been found.

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The system is working, said Hampton Commonwealths Attorney Anton Bell. Weve seen, 40-for-40, thats a great number. And so we want to continue to keep that trend of success.

Bell explained theres a need for the Virginia Critical Operation for a Disappeared Child Initiative (CODI) Alert in the Commonwealth.

VSP officially launched the alert system last September. It was named in honor of Bigsby, who was never found after being reported missing in January 2022.

Justice has been served for Codi father sentenced to 45 years in prison for death of 3YO son

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We needed something like a Codi Alert to be able to say, regardless of whether the child is abducted or just in trouble, we want to be able to alert the public and the community, Bell said. Be aware. Look out if you see this child, alert the authorities so that we can get the help that that child we believe needs.

When Codi was reported missing, an AMBER Alert was not issued because police did not believe he was abducted.

Now, a child has to be missing in suspicious circumstances and under the age of 17 or enrolled in a secondary school for a CODI Alert to be used.

The whole purpose of the alerts, whether its an Amber Alert or a CODI Alert, is to inform the community we have a missing child, and we have a missing child that may be in trouble, Bell said.

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Bell hopes for even more community involvement with the program in future missing child cases.

We need the community to not only pay attention to these alerts, but respond, Bell said. If you see something that looks out of the way, that looks strange or looks really interesting, please respond and make sure that every potential tip is a potential find.

With the addition of the CODI Alert, there are now a total of six alert programs that are available for activation by VSP. They include Amber Alerts, Senior Alerts, Critically Missing Adult Alerts, Missing Person with Autism Alerts and Blue Alerts.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
By Nandita Bose, Gram Slattery and Jeff Mason

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy came to the White House on Friday looking for weapons to keep fighting his country's war with Russia, but met an American president who appears more intent on brokering a peace deal than upgrading Ukraine's arsenal.

While U.S. President Donald Trump did not rule out providing the long-range Tomahawk missiles Zelenskiy seeks, Trump appeared cool to the prospect as he looked ahead to a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary in the coming weeks.

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After speaking with Zelenskiy for more than two hours, Trump implored both Ukraine and Russia to "stop the war immediately," even if it means Ukraine conceding territory.

"You stop at the battle line, and both sides should go home, go to their families," Trump told reporters on his way to his home in West Palm Beach, Florida. "Stop the killing. And that should be it. Stop right now at the battle line. I told that to President Zelenskiy. I told it to President Putin."

Trump's move to re-engage with Putin, a strategy that has frustrated Zelenskiy and some European allies in the past, cast a shadow on the U.S. president's otherwise cordial exchange with his Ukrainian counterpart as they spoke with reporters ahead of a private lunch.

The two leaders then went behind closed doors where they also discussed a call the previous day between the Russian president and Trump, who has portrayed himself as a mediator between the warring forces despite the fact that Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

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'GET ALONG A LITTLE'

"I think President Zelenskiy wants it done, and I think President Putin wants it done. Now all they have to do is get along a little bit," Trump told reporters.

Zelenskiy, however, noted how difficult it has been to try to secure a ceasefire. "We want this. Putin doesn't want (it)," he said.

The Ukrainian leader was frank, telling Trump that Ukraine has thousands of drones ready for an offensive against Russian targets, but needs American missiles.

We don't have Tomahawks, that's why we need Tomahawks, he said.

Trump responded: "We'd much rather have them not need Tomahawks."

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Later, Trump reiterated that he wants the United States to hold onto its weaponry. "We want Tomahawks also. We don't want to be giving away things that we need to protect our country," he said.

After the meeting, which Zelenskiy described as productive, he told reporters he did not want to talk about long-range missiles, saying the U.S. did not want escalation, and that he was "realistic" about his chance of getting them.

The Ukrainian president, who spoke by phone with European leaders after the meeting, said he was counting on Trump to pressure Putin "to stop this war."

When asked about Trumps comments, Zelenskiy said: "President (Trump) is right, and we have to stop where we are. This is important, to stop where we are, and then to speak."

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BACK TO THE TABLE

It was unclear what Putin had told Trump that prompted him to agree to the upcoming meeting. Their August summit in Alaska ended early with no major breakthrough.

The Kremlin said much needed to be decided and that the summit might take place "a little later" than within the two-week period mentioned by Trump.

Trump's conciliatory tone after the call with Putin raised questions over the near-term likelihood of assistance to Ukraine and reignited European fears of a deal that suits Russia. A spokesperson for the European Union said it welcomed the talks if they could help bring peace to Ukraine.

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Trump was asked on Friday whether he was concerned Putin might be "playing" him for time by agreeing to talks.

"You know, I've been played all my life by the best of them, and I came out really well, so it's possible," Trump replied.

Michael Carpenter, a former U.S. official who is now a senior fellow at International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the meeting with Trump was not what Zelenskiy had been hoping for but was in line with the administration's approach to the war.

"The underlying reality is that there is no inclination to impose costs on Russia," he said.

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The president expressed affection for Zelenskiy, at one point praising him for wearing what Trump called a "very stylish" dark suit jacket after he was knocked earlier this year for visiting the White House without one.

"He looks beautiful in his jacket," Trump said. "I hope people notice."

WAR HAS INTENSIFIED

Trump, who has campaigned for the Nobel Peace Prize, is eager to add to the list of conflicts he says he has been instrumental in ending.

More than 3-1/2 years after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has made some territorial gains this year, but Ukraine's top military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Thursday that the Russian offensive had failed.

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Putin this month said his forces had taken almost 5,000 square kilometres (1,930 square miles) of land in Ukraine in 2025, equivalent to adding 1% of Ukraine's territory to the nearly 20% already held.

Both sides have also escalated attacks on each other's energy systems, and Russian drones and jets have strayed into NATO countries.

ANALYSTS SEE TALKS AS DELAYING TACTIC

The White House had seemed in recent days to be increasingly frustrated with Putin and leaning toward granting Zelenskiy fresh support, including the Tomahawk missiles that Ukrainians say would help them inflict more damage to Russia's war machine.

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After Friday's talks, Zelenskiy said Russia was "afraid" of Tomahawks. Moscow has warned that supplying such missiles would mark a serious escalation.

Putin's move appeared meant to make the U.S. transfer of such weapons less likely, said Max Bergmann, a Russia expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Mykola Bielieskov, a senior analyst at Come Back Alive, a Ukrainian non-governmental organization that is a major procurer of military equipment for the Ukrainian armed forces, said Tomahawk missiles would level a playing field that is tipped toward Russia.

"We don't expect Russia to crumble after one, two or three successful strikes," Bielieskov said. "But it's about pressure, constant pressure. It's about disrupting the military-industrial complex."

(Reporting by Jeff Mason, Nandita Bose, Gram Slattery and Trevor Hunnicutt; Additional reporting by Olena Harmash in Kyiv, Cassel Bryan-Low, Tom Balmforth in London, Daphne Psaledakis and David Brunnstrom in Washington, Bhargav Acharya in Toronto, Anita Komuves in Budapest and Anastasia Lyrchikova in Moscow; writing by James Oliphant and Matt Spetalnick; editing by Philippa Fletcher, Colleen Jenkins and Rod Nickel)
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. released a statement Saturday afternoon regarding an incident involving the General Sessions Clerk and a personal security guard armed with a firearm.

Sheriff Bonner says the Shelby County Sheriffs Office has spoken with the District Attorney Generals Office and that the D.A. has decided to turn the matter over to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

After an internal review, Sheriff Bonner says it was determined that the conduct of the deputies involved revealed that they acted professionally and consistent with their training and SCSO policies during the interaction.

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TBI is now handling the investigation.

Last week, Sen. Brent Taylor and others released body camera video that showed the exchange between General Sessions Court Clerk Tami Sawyer and deputies, after her personal security guard apparently entered the building with a gun on Oct. 7.

WREG obtained more video showing further details of what happened in the Shelby County courthouse before the heated exchange.

Videos show more of Sawyers confrontation at courthouse

The Republican Party of Shelby County is calling on Sawyer to resign immediately or face recall, alleging her behavior toward the deputy is wholly inappropriate and incompatible with public

office.

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Sawyer, in a Facebook post, defended her need for security and said she had followed all county rules and notified county officials.

Stick with WREG as we work to learn more information.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya on Saturday said that bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka are currently passing through one of their best phases, expressing confidence that ties will "flourish and prosper" in the times to come for the benefit of people in both nations. Amarasuriya, who is on a three-day official visit to India, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi. The discussions centred on strengthening bilateral cooperation and addressing key regional issues, including the long-standing matter of the fishermen's issue. Speaking at the conclusion of her visit, Amarasuriya told ANI, "I wish all of you a wonderful Diwali. We celebrate in Sri Lanka on Monday. I had a very good three days. I had very good meetings with Dr Jaishankar and also with PM Modi. I think we were able to discuss many issues of importance to both countries and cement the very good relationship that started with our President's visit last year, and then followed on with Prime Minister Modi's visit to Sri Lanka as well." Describing her trip as "very successful," she emphasised the growing cooperation between the two countries across multiple sectors. "Like I said, this is one of the best times for relationships between Sri Lanka and India and I can only see it flourish and prosper for the benefit of both our people and that's what we want," she added. Reflecting on her time in Delhi, Amarasuriya shared personal memories from her student days. "It was great, I mean Delhi has changed a lot, Hindu College has changed a lot, but the people are still the same. The warmth is there. I caught up with some of my friends, some of my teachers, so that was really special, it was really lovely," she said. Yesterday, during her talks with Prime Minister Modi, Amarasuriya discussed the long-standing fishermen issue between the two countries, seeking a sustainable and humane solution that protects livelihoods on both sides of the Palk Strait. Earlier speaking to ANI, Sri Lankan Prime Minister called the fishermen issue a "sensitive one," Amarasuriya said Sri Lanka must protect the livelihoods of its fishermen but will maintain dialogue with India to address concerns from both sides. Her remarks came after she held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, where the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues, including the welfare of fishermen. "That is an ongoing issue and something that needs to be discussed. We need to protect the livelihoods of our fishermen as well, but we understand that it's a sensitive issue, and we will continue to talk about it," she said. The Sri Lankan Prime Minister said both countries must ensure continued dialogue to protect fishing communities. "It is important for both our countries to ensure that the communities dependent on fishing are supported, and we will maintain dialogue to find practical solutions," she added. The fishermen's issue has long been a contentious point between the two neighbours. Tensions often arise over Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu entering Sri Lankan waters near Katchatheevu, leading to arrests and boat seizures by the Sri Lankan Navy. The Palk Strait, a narrow stretch of sea separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, remains a vital but disputed fishing zone. Following the meeting, Prime Minister Modi said on X that he and Amarasuriya discussed a "broad range of areas, including education, women's empowerment, innovation, development cooperation, and the welfare of our fishermen." He added that "as close neighbours, our cooperation holds immense importance for the prosperity of our two peoples as well as the shared region." Amarasuriya also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and engaged with Indian educational institutions. She described her visit as "very successful". She said that it helped cement the "very good relationship" that began with the visit of Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe to India last year, followed by Prime Minister Modi's trip to Sri Lanka. (ANI)
[See Cleveland homicide statistics in the player above.]

CLEVELAND (WJW)  Cleveland police are investigating after an early morning shooting that claimed the lives of two people and injured two others, the FOX 8 I-Team learned.

Police said the shooting happened at about 1:15 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, in the area of 7025 Fleet Ave., near a Sunoco gas station in the citys Slavic Village neighborhood.

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19-year-old drowns in Lake Milton: officials

Police say two victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while the other two were transported to the hospital for treatment.

The victims who died were both men, ages 37 and 46. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiners Office later identified the 37-year-old man as Deon Stallings of Cleveland.

The 46-year-old victim was identified as Bruce Singleton.

The victims who were injured are also both men, ages 31 and 34.

Preliminary information indicates that an altercation occurred between several individuals at this location prior to the shooting, reads a news release from police. Detectives recovered two firearms and are actively reviewing evidence to determine the circumstances leading up to the incident.

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Rocky River police charge teen after investigation over social media post

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cleveland Division of Police Homicide Unit at 216-623-5464.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Two 17-year-olds have been arrested after leading police on a chase through the Greenlake neighborhood, driving recklessly in a stolen car.

On Oct. 12, just before 10 p.m., Community Response Group (CRG) officers were working with Renton Police Department to search for a stolen car taken during an armed robbery earlier that day.

CRG officers spotted the car on NE 98th Street near Roosevelt Way NE and initiated what they call a high-risk traffic stop.

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The driver sped off and was driving recklessly on Aurora Ave. N, running multiple red lights, Seattle police said.

Shortly after, the driver lost control of the car and crashed it into an SUV, then into a fence, in the Greenlake neighborhood.

The driver was arrested and two passengers ran off from the crash scene in different directions.

CRG chased after the suspects, arresting one of them nearby. A third suspect got away and police are still looking for him.

According to Seattle police, CRG could see weapons that the teens left inside the wrecked car.

Multiple firearms, including an extended round magazine and a drum magazine, were also found in the car, SPD said.

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One of the suspects, an already-convicted felon is prohibited from carrying guns. The other suspect, who is under 21, is also prohibited from having firearms.

Police booked the two suspects into juvenile detention for multiple charges, including eluding a police vehicle, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

One of the suspects, already a convicted felon is prohibited from carrying guns, the other suspect, under 21 pending adjudication, is also prohibited from having firearms.
What began as a night of celebration for University of Cincinnati students ended in chaos Friday evening, when a third-floor balcony suddenly gave way, sending a crowd plunging to the pavement below.

Ten people were injured, one critically, officials told WKRC.

Emergency crews responded to the off-campus home on Stetson Street, just steps from the universitys College of Medicine, shortly before 10 p.m. Friday. When they arrived, they found the wooden balcony had detached from the building and collapsed.

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Officials said students had gathered to celebrate the end of exams.

They had a big exam today and they were celebrating, Cincinnati Police Department Capt. Stephen Bowe said.

Students had gathered at the off-campus home to celebrate the end of exams when the balcony collapsed, sending students to the ground (@SeanMacKinnonTV/X)

Cincinnati fire officials told WKRC that 10 people were transported to area hospitals.

One victim was in critical condition and being treated for a life-threatening injury, while five others were listed in serious condition, and four were left with minor injuries.

Officials have not said how many people were on the balcony when it collapsed. The victims have not been identified, but officials said several are students.

Photos and videos from the scene showed the remains of the balcony jutting out from the building, as investigators worked late into the night.

A Cincinnati Enquirer reporter at the scene described several young men sitting on the curb, heads in their hands. Nearby, an American Spirit cigarette carton and empty cans of alcoholic seltzer littered the ground. A leather purse, jacket, and a small pair of brown heeled boots lay beside a broken, bloody plastic chair.

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The apartment building, about a half mile from campus, is not affiliated with the university, but many of the residents are students, officials said.

Hamilton Countys Division of Buildings and Inspections has been notified, as has the University of Cincinnati, which is helping students displaced by the collapse.

Cincinnati Fire Chief Frank McKinley told WKRC that the cause of the collapse remains under investigation.
Crowds of alumni young and old wearing royal blue lined the sidewalks of Jefferson Street on Oct. 18 as drums from Tennessee State University's Aristocrat of Bands rang out at 9 a.m., kicking off the university's annual homecoming parade.

The Grammy award-winning band was followed by a dozen corvettes carrying honorees and the university's new president, Dwayne Tucker.

Nashville city officials followed. Fire Chief William Swann led a fire truck and a contingent of Nashville firefighters, followed by a group from the Nashville Sheriff's office. TSU alumni State Rep. Harold Love, D-Nashville, wished attendees a "happy homecoming," as Metro Register of Deeds Karen Johnson greeted the crowd waving an oversized blue fan. Property Assessor Vivian Willhoite rode down Jefferson Street in a Miller Light party bus bedazzled with royal blue tinsel.

Tennessee State University's Grammy award-winning Aristocrat of Bands kicks off the 2025 homecoming parade on Jefferson Street on Oct. 18, 2025.

A young fan waves at motorcyclists participating in the TSU Homecoming parade on Jefferson Street on Oct. 18, 2025.

TSU's parade celebrated the talents and business accomplishments of thousands of alumni across the city. High School bands from Pearl Cohn High School, Cane Ridge High School, Whites Creek High School, Lawson High School and Germantown High School all performed. More than a dozen dance, cheer and tumbling academy students showed off their talents in bedazzled and feathered costumes  to cheers from the crowd.

The Sound of Thunder Lawson Lightning Band from James Lawson High School in Nashville plays during the TSU Homecoming parade on Jefferson Street on Oct. 18, 2025.

TSU played Howard University later that day for its homecoming game at Nissan Stadium on Oct. 18.

Cheerleaders from Fayette-Ware High in Somerville, Tennessee walk in TSU's Homecoming parade on Oct. 18, 2025.

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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TSU Homecoming parade draws crowds to Jefferson Street




Democrat Gina Hinojosa doesn't see her campaign for governor as just a battle against Gov. Greg Abbott.

It's about taking on billionaires who have Abbott's ear and have gained too much control over the state government while regular people struggle to get by.

She said no issue shows that quite like public education, where teachers are underpaid, schools are closing and classrooms are underfunded, leaving children with fewer resources to learn.

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"They're not getting it because our taxpayer dollars are going to pad the pockets of the billionaire class," Hinojosa said in a one-on-one interview in the latest episode of the Texas Take Podcast.

Last week the Texas comptroller's office picked New York-based tech company Odyssey to manage the state's $1 billion private school voucher program -- for a fee of up to $50 million in the first two years. That money should be going toward improving public schools, health care and the electric grid, Hinojosa said, not making rich people richer.

"Texans are struggling more, not less," Hinojosa said of life under the Republican governor, who has been in office since 2015 and before that served as attorney general. "Their lives are no better. In fact, they are in many ways harder under Gov. Greg Abbott and it's time for change."

Hinojosa, 51, knows what she's up against. Democrats haven't won a race for governor in Texas since 1990 and Abbott has almost $90 million in his campaign account ready for any challengers.

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But the Austin state legislator and Rio Grande Valley native said Abbott's campaign funds make her point. Billionaires are pouring money into his account so they can get access to the governor. Campaign finance records show just in late June, California real estate developer Ed Roski Jr., Dallas investment analyst Kenneth Fisher, Airbnb cofounder Joe Gebbia and Texas pipeline company executive Kelcy Warren each sent Abbott's campaign at least $1 million.

"That campaign coffer is a direct result of his corruption," Hinojosa said. "That is what we are running on. That is the problem."

Abbott's campaign manager, Kim Snyder, was quick to blast Hinojosa as a radical who is out of step with average Texans.

"Time and again, Gina Hinojosa chooses woke, extreme ideologies over the safety and security of Texas families," Snyder said in a written statement. "Texans deserve a Governor who will continue to secure the border, fight for safer communities, and uphold family values - not someone who supports failed, radical policies that hurt hardworking Texans."

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Hinojosa is far from the only Democrat building a campaign against the billionaires. Democrats running for Congress in Texas have been making a similar argument on the campaign trail, hoping it's a path to victory in a state where Democrats have struggled to put up much of a challenge to Republicans in statewide offices over the last 25 years.

What makes this year different, she said, is that there is an anger that crosses party lines against corporations and the wealthy getting right while everyone else struggles. She said it isn't unlike Lyndon Johnson's era when the public rose up against big businesses and industries.

"The people organized and fought back," she said. "That's where we are in Texas in 2025."

This article originally published at Texas governor candidate says it's time to send a message to billionaires running the state.
Texas inventory of orphaned oil and gas wells has climbed to its highest level in nearly two decades, with the Railroad Commission reporting 10,029 orphaned wells  the most since August 2006, according to watchdog group Commission Shift.

Commission spokesperson Bryce Dubee confirmed the figure, noting that orphan well numbers fluctuate due to market conditions, such as the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that the agency aggressively plugs high-risk wells first under its prioritization system. The Commission typically seals about 1,300 wells annually, though that pace lags behind the number of new wells added to the list each year.

Critics say the backlog has real consequences. Were still hearing from people who report leaking wells that the Commission deems not bad enough yet, said Virginia Palacios, executive director of Commission Shift. These sites often worsen because the Railroad Commission cant get to them fast enough.

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In response, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 1150 this summer, signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, tightening rules for inactive wells more than 15 years old. Operators seeking deadline extensions must now prove financial hardship, demonstrate a history of reactivating wells, or submit a compliance plan to plug or restore wells by 2040.

The law also directs the Railroad Commission to scrutinize well transfers and penalize bad-faith deals that shift liabilities to smaller, underfunded operators. A well-crafted rule can identify questionable transfers, said Julie Range, policy director at Commission Shift, who urged the agency to set clear enforcement criteria.

Commission Shift called SB 1150 a step forward but warned of loopholes that could weaken enforcement. The group continues to advocate for stricter bonding requirements, ensuring operators can afford the $40,000+ average cost of plugging a well before drilling or acquiring new ones.

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TEXAS (KTAL/KMSS)  On November 4, 2025, 17 constitutional amendments are on the ballot for Texas voters. Our ongoing series will explain what the amendments say, what they mean, why they are on the ballot, and the arguments for and against their passage.

This is not meant to be a comprehensive breakdown of these amendments; rather, it is an overview of the basics.

Texas Proposition 4: Funding the future of water infrastructure

Overview

The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the amount of the market value of real property located in a county that borders the United Mexican States that arises from the installation or construction on the property of border security infrastructure and related improvements.

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Texas Proposition 1 would boost TSTC infrastructure and education

What it means

Proposition 17 and accompanying legislation would allow the state to provide a property tax exemption for value gained through increasing border security infrastructure.

Texas Proposition 7: Tax break for veterans widows

Why is it on the ballot?

Much of the Texas border with Mexico is on private property. As such, some landowners are hesitant to allow security measures that will also increase their taxes.

Texas Proposition 11: Tax relief for elderly, disabled homeowners

Supporters say

Taxing landowners for border security measures built on their private land is an unfair burden.

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Some property owners may resist border security measures on their land if their taxes increase. This amendment may make some more willing to accept the measures.

Individuals who permit the use of their land to secure the border should be rewarded.

The exemption would only cover any increase in property value from border security measures. It would not affect the existing appraisal value.

The amendment would only apply to property in counties along the border with Mexico.

Texas Proposition 5: Tax exemption for animal feed inventory

Opponents say

The amendment could shift tax burdens to other property owners.

The legislature should focus on more comprehensive tax relief rather than targeting small segments of the population.

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Local governments may have to adopt higher tax rates to offset losses from the exemption.

It would be unfair for landowners to reap the benefits of higher property values without being taxed for them, just as everyone else is.

The security of national borders is the responsibility of the federal government. State government should not be involved.

Landowners have the option to decline the border security measures. If they volunteer to accept the measures, that is a choice that should not be compensated.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge has hired an employment lawyer as talks of her being replaced circulate.

Attorney Steve Imm confirmed to The Enquirer that he is representing Theetge. He said he could not comment further.

Imm is among the attorneys representing former Cincinnati Fire Chief Michael Washington in his wrongful termination lawsuit against the city and City Manager Sheryl Long.

The news of legal counsel comes as Theetge faces scrutiny following recent high-profile crimes in the city's Downtown core.

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The first fatal shooting of the year in Downtown happened early Oct. 17, the morning after Long and Theetge met for what Long called "productive discussions regarding departmental matters."

Neither Mayor Aftab Pureval nor Long have directly stated that they will replace Theetge. When approached at City Hall on Oct. 17, Pureval directed all questions about Theetge to Long. Long's spokeswoman didn't return a message from an Enquirer reporter.

Long previously said that no change has been made regarding police department leadership. However, Long asked Theetge to return to Cincinnati on Oct. 14 from Denver, where she was attending a national police conference. Pureval has said the city is exploring its options.

Here's what we know as of the morning of Oct. 18.

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval and Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge give an update on a Monday evening shooting on Fountain Square from the crime Investigation building in Cincinnati on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025.

Why is Teresa Theetge facing scrutiny?

It's an election year and Pureval, Theetge and other city leaders have come under attack for the city's policies on crime and policing.

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Data shows that crime in Over-the-Rhine and Downtown has spiked this summer. While the levels of some crimes have decreased, both neighborhoods are still seeing certain types of crime occurring at a higher rate. This summer was marked by several high-profile crime events.

In June, Sarah Heringer criticized the city after her husband was killed in their Over-the-Rhine home.

July brought the brawl that went viral on social media, which put Cincinnati in the spotlight for national conversations about policing, crime and race.

The debate over curfews, enforcing laws and curbing violence reignited this week after a disagreement between two parties at Fountain Square led to a shooting that police said injured a 16-year-old and a 19-year-old on Oct. 13.

Police Chief Teresa Theetge speaks during a press conference on Aug. 1, 2025, at a press conference at Riverfront Park in Cincinnati.

Theetge warns of crackdown

After several high-profile incidents this summer, Theetge once again held a press conference following the double shooting at Fountain Square. In prior press conferences, Theetge called for a multipronged approach and collaboration with parents and other partners.

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She has often said that problems, particularly with juveniles, cannot be solved only by policing. But her message following the Monday shooting was different.

She warned of more arrests for low-level offenses in Downtown. She told her police officers they would have to do more, and said she would have their backs as long as they followed their training.

Will Cincinnati police chief be replaced?

During the press conference Tuesday, Pureval was asked if he still had confidence in Theetge. He did not say that he did.

The city is negotiating with Theetge over her resignation, according to sources. However, after a meeting Thursday, Long said she and Theetge had "productive discussions."

Does Cincinnati's police union stand behind the chief?

Cincinnati's police union unanimously voted no confidence in Pureval in August citing, in part, his slow response to the Downtown brawl.

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The union's president, Ken Kober, issued a statement Oct. 15 in support of the chief:

"Replacing the chief is not the answer," Kober said in a text message. "There are three options: Repeal Issue 5 so the Police Chief isnt under the thumb of an elected official, convince the mayor to allow the Chief to do her job independently or residents vote for a new mayor. Otherwise we will remain at status quo with violence in this city."

What's next for city, Cincinnati chief of police?

If the city does move to replace Theetge, officials will likely have to consider the terms of her contract as well as possible litigation.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Will Police Chief Theetge be stepping down? Here's what we know
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya on Saturday called for closer cooperation with India in trade, maritime security, and sustainable livelihoods, while acknowledging the sensitivities surrounding the issue concerning fishermen of the two countries. Speaking at a civic reception hosted by India Foundation here, Harini Amarasuriya said Sri Lanka firmly believes in a free, open, and inclusive Indian Ocean region and beyond, where all nations can pursue their legitimate interests in peace and prosperity. She said Indian Ocean security is something that concerns both our countries. "No bilateral relationship is without its challenges, and ours is no exception. Issues such as the Indian fishermen fishing in Sri Lankan waters and engaging in harmful practices like bottom trawling is of deep concern to the fishermen in Northern Sri Lanka, who are regaining their livelihoods after years of conflict. This is a matter that requires sensitive handling and sustainable solutions. We are very aware of this, and we are constantly in dialogue to try and find a reasonable solution that satisfies both parties," she said. "What gives me confidence is that both our governments are committed to addressing these matters through dialogue with empathy and respect for the livelihoods of both our peoples. The mark of a mature relationship is not the absence of differences but the ability to manage them constructively. I believe our relationship has achieved that maturity and our two countries are able to resolve any and all issues in a spirit of friendship and mutual accommodation," she added. Dr Amarasuriya said Sri Lanka seeks to develop as a maritime hub for the Indian Ocean region and can be a natural cost-efficient hub for India's export and import trade with the world using Sri Lanka's deep water and efficient ports located in the east-west shipping lanes. "Our ports can continue to be developed further as gateways to India's trade. Being India's closest maritime neighbour, Sri Lanka can be a natural complement and partner towards India achieving Viksit Bharat. Indian Ocean security is something that concerns both our countries, compelling us to continue to collaborate on maritime security, drug trafficking, piracy, regional maritime cooperation and energy security, particularly renewable energy development for mutual benefit. Common challenges require a collective response," she said. "Our region's future depends on collaboration, mutual respect, and adherence to international law. Sri Lanka firmly believes in a free, open, and inclusive Indian Ocean region and beyond, where all nations can pursue their legitimate interests in peace and prosperity," she added. The Sri Lankan Prime Minister said India is a crucial partner in her country's economic recovery and development. "The India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement, signed in 1998, which was the first for both our countries, has created significant opportunities for our economies. We are committed to deepening our economic partnership through negotiations on the economic and technological cooperation agreement, which we are hopeful of recommencing soon. It would be to our mutual benefit to explore how Sri Lanka can integrate into India's manufacturing and service sector value chains," she said. "As India seeks to position itself as a global manufacturing hub under Viksit Bharat, perhaps Sri Lanka could serve as a complementary production base, including for industries like textiles, electronics and food processing," she added. Former President Ram Nath Kovind and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also attended the event. Dr Amarasuriya, who is on a three-day official visit to India, also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi on Friday. The discussions centred on strengthening bilateral cooperation and addressing key regional issues, including the long-standing matter of the fishermen's issue. (ANI)
For those who love natural beauty, the state of Georgia has some of the best scenery and outdoor spaces in the United States. From the Blue Ridge Mountains in the north to the rugged coastline near Savannah, the Peach State is perfect for all kinds of outdoor activities, especially those involving water.

For example, one of Georgia's most popular tourist attractions is an easily accessible waterfall hidden near the town of Helen. The state also boasts various lakes and rivers, so it's easy to find somewhere to swim, boat, kayak, or fish.

Unfortunately, some of these bodies of water may hide some nasty surprises, such as snakes. While a snake encounter isn't guaranteed to be dangerous or life-threatening, it's still imperative to understand the risks before getting into an unknown river, creek, lake, or pond. So, with that in mind, let's look at four of the most snake-heavy lakes and rivers in Georgia so you can plan your outdoor adventure accordingly.

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Read more: The 5 Most Alligator-Filled Destinations In All Of Florida

Chattahoochee River

A tree hanging over the Chattahoochee River in Sandy Springs - Ed Williams/Getty Images

The Chattahoochee River is probably the most famous river in Georgia, especially because it weaves through multiple cities, such as Peachtree Corners and Sandy Springs. In fact, Sandy Springs is where you can find a nearby serene bamboo forest that looks like another country, which happens to be situated near the banks of this river.

Overall, the Chattahoochee is a popular destination for outdoor lovers as it offers idyllic scenery, along with swimming, kayaking, boating, and floating opportunities at different points along the riverbanks. Just in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, roughly 3.2 million visitors take advantage of the river every year, particularly during the hottest parts of the summer. But people aren't the only ones taking to these waters. The river is home to multiple snake species, including corn snakes, water snakes, and king snakes.

That said, the most dangerous species to call the area surrounding the river home are the Timber Rattlesnake and the Copperhead Viper. Both of these snakes are venomous and can cause serious harm if they bite you. Thankfully, though, bites are rarely lethal, assuming you can seek medical attention quickly. So, if you're venturing into the Chattahoochee next to a major city, you should be able to reach the hospital in time to mitigate any potential complications.

Lake Hartwell

The shore of Lake Hartwell - Stonedkraj/Shutterstock

If you venture out to the northeastern corner of Georgia where it meets South Carolina, you'll run into Hartwell, a city with a historic square, comfy cabins, and shops. This city is also situated on the shores of Lake Hartwell, which straddles the border between both states. The lake, which was created by the Army Corps of Engineers between 1955 and 1963, holds over 56,000 acres of water and has over 962 miles of shoreline. With so much natural beauty, it only makes sense that Lake Hartwell would also be home to some snakes.

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As with the Chattahoochee River, the most dangerous snakes you can find slithering around Lake Hartwell include Timber Rattlesnakes and copperheads, as well as Pygmy Rattlesnakes. Fortunately, they like to hang out wherever people are the most scarce, so if you stick to the main parks, campgrounds, and boating areas, you shouldn't have to worry about encountering a venomous serpent.

Water snakes are more common because they spend most of their time in the lake. Thankfully, water snakes also tend to avoid boats and humans, so it's unlikely that one will join you while you're enjoying the lake. The species most often found in and around Lake Hartwell are the Northern, Brown, and Red-Bellied Water Snakes. All of these species are non-venomous, so if you do happen to see one, you shouldn't have to worry about making a trip to the emergency room.

Ocmulgee River

Autumnal foliage along the banks of the Ocmulgee River - Norm Lane/Shutterstock

While the Chattahoochee River snakes through the greater Atlanta Metro area, the Ocmulgee River weaves through central and southern Georgia. The best place to experience this river is by visiting the wildly underrated city known as the birthplace of Southern rock, Macon. Alternatively, if you prefer to see the river in a more natural setting, you can head further south to the Ocmulgee Wildlife Management Area or venture to the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park just outside the city.

The area surrounding the mounds houses most of the snakes along the Ocmulgee, likely because the region is protected as a national park. Again, water snake species are the most common, but since they're non-venomous, you don't have to worry about getting bitten unless you harass or provoke them.

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However, the park is also home to water moccasins and copperheads, so if you're exploring more remote spots, make sure to keep a sharp eye for these dangerous creatures. These species are much less common further down the river, where you might instead encounter rat and king snakes.

Lake Sinclair

Lake Sinclair at sunrise - Ed Williams/Getty Images

Our final snake-filled body of water is a gorgeous lake getaway situated between Atlanta and Augusta. Like Lake Hartwell, Lake Sinclair is a human-made reservoir, and it's a popular destination for those who want to go camping, boating, swimming, and fishing. This lake is much smaller, encompassing over 15,000 acres of water, but it's just as idyllic and serene, particularly during the spring and fall when the weather is the most accommodating.

Fortunately, the snakes you can find in this body of water are almost all non-venomous water snakes, making Lake Sinclair one of the safer options on this list. That said, the entire state of Georgia only experiences a few hundred snakebite cases per year, so the chances of getting bitten are still pretty rare (even though the number is going up slightly).

The only dangerous snake you might come across in Lake Sinclair is the water moccasin, but sightings are quite uncommon in the region. If you do happen to get close to one, it will likely warn you by baring its fangs and opening its jaw, which should hopefully give you enough time to back off and leave it alone.

What to do if you encounter a snake in the wild

A snake in the water - Gayle & Bryan Tapp / 500px/Getty Images

Although snake encounters and bites are rare, they have been steadily increasing in Georgia in recent years, according to the Georgia Poison Center. Various factors, including more people venturing into snake territory, can cause an uptick in incidents, so it's vital to be careful and knowledgeable when planning your outdoor adventure.

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One crucial point to keep in mind is that snakes are generally not aggressive, so they're not looking for a fight. If you leave a snake alone, it should do the same and likely try to get away from you as quickly as possible. Even if you're in the water, making noise and splashing the area should ward off any snakes.

No matter what, never try to pick up or interact with a wild snake, even if you think it's not venomous. Non-venomous snakes still have fangs and can bite, so it's best to leave them alone. Should the worst happen and you get bitten by a venomous species, call 911. According to the Mayo Clinic, don't try to remove the venom or capture the snake for identification. Instead, seek treatment as soon as possible. If you can, describe what the snake looked like when getting treated for better results.

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Read the original article on Islands.
Mainers critical of the policies of the Trump administration rallied in Portland's Deering Oaks Park for a national day of No Kings protests on Oct. 18, 2025. Organizers estimate nearly 6000 were in attendance in Portland with thousands more across the state. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

Exactly 250 years to the day after the British attacked what is now Portland, Maine, during the Revolutionary War, thousands gathered in the city and across the state to declare the same thing Americans had been fighting for then: no kings.

This was the overarching rallying cry of the more than 30 demonstrations across the state and more than 2,600 across the country known as No Kings day in response to what a broad coalition of liberal advocacy organizations say is the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration, which they have doubled down on since June.

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Saturday marked the second nationwide protest organized under this name. The first, on June 14, coincided with President Donald Trumps massive military parade on his 79th birthday. This time the demonstrations occurred against the backdrop of a federal government shutdown with no end in sight and as Trump threatens to deploy more federal troops on American cities.

In Portland, participation nearly doubled, with about 3,000 turning out in June and nearly 6,000 on Saturday. New attendees said they decided to show up because they feel the country has reached an untenable state, but speeches at the protests showed continued hope for change.

Wearing a t-shirt that read Facism is bad -history, Katya Fromuth, a high school senior from Yarmouth, told the crowd gathered in Portlands Deering Oaks Park that she started a youth organizing effort yesterday from her kitchen.

Its called the Franklin Project, named after Ben Franklins reply when asked if the country was a republic or a monarchy: A democracy  if you can keep it.

Mainers critical of the policies of the Trump administration rallied in Portland's Deering Oaks Park for a national day of No Kings protests on Oct. 18, 2025. Organizers estimate nearly 6000 were in attendance in Portland with thousands more across the state. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

Mainers critical of the policies of the Trump administration rallied in Portland's Deering Oaks Park for a national day of No Kings protests on Oct. 18, 2025. Organizers estimate nearly 6000 were in attendance in Portland with thousands more across the state. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

Mainers critical of the policies of the Trump administration rallied in Portland's Deering Oaks Park for a national day of No Kings protests on Oct. 18, 2025. Organizers estimate nearly 6000 were in attendance in Portland with thousands more across the state. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

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Mainers critical of the policies of the Trump administration rallied in Portland's Deering Oaks Park for a national day of No Kings protests on Oct. 18, 2025. Organizers estimate nearly 6000 were in attendance in Portland with thousands more across the state. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

Thousands of Mainers, many in costume, rallied in Bangor's Broadway Park for the No Kings day of action on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/ Maine Morning Star)

Thousands of Mainers, many in costume, rallied in Bangor's Broadway Park for the No Kings day of action on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/ Maine Morning Star)

Thousands of Mainers, many in costume, rallied in Bangor's Broadway Park for the No Kings day of action on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/ Maine Morning Star)

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Thousands of Mainers, many in costume, rallied in Bangor's Broadway Park for the No Kings day of action on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/ Maine Morning Star)

Jordan Wood, who is running as a Democrat for U.S. Senate in 2026, was among the roughly 300 protesters who rallied in Saco, Maine for the No Kings day of action on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

Roughly 300 people rallied in Saco, Maine for the No Kings day of action on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

Roughly 300 people rallied in Saco, Maine for the No Kings day of action on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

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Roughly 300 protesters rallied in Saco, Maine for the No Kings day of action on Oct. 18, 2025. Amy Thurlow of Saco, dressed like a frog, said she was expressing solidarity with the inflatables in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

Rep. Lori Gramlich (D-Old Orchard Beach) was among the roughly 300 protesters who rallied in Saco, Maine for the No Kings day of action on Oct. 18, 2025. Speaking of ICE raids, she told the crowd: "This is not law enforcement. Its fear enforcement and its state sponsored trauma." (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford) was among the roughly 300 protesters who rallied in Saco, Maine for the No Kings day of action on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

Roughly 300 protesters rallied in Saco, Maine for the No Kings day of action on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

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Roughly 300 protesters rallied in Saco, Maine for the No Kings day of action on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

Roughly 300 protesters rallied in Saco, Maine for the No Kings day of action on Oct. 18, 2025. Eighty-four-year-old Jo Darling, who lives in Old Orchard Beach, attended with her daughter and granddaughter. She said she's here "to save our democracy." (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

Roughly 300 protesters rallied in Saco, Maine for the No Kings day of action on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows was among the roughly 300 protesters who rallied in Saco, Maine for the No Kings day of action on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

What Mainers are saying

Many participants said this type of demonstration was important to help them not feel alone in their fear and anger.

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I think protesting is one very important part of that resistance because its visible, said Madeline Jones of Portland, and because so much of what Trump is doing to us feels so isolating.

Others said this form of political action is helpful  even to those who dont attend.

Erin Houghton of Cumberland, 48, and her daughter Penny Houghton, 15, attended the Portland protest together.

I think we have a lot of privilege, which makes it even more important that we stand up and stand out publicly for other people who may not be able to, Erin Houghton said, and that includes people with disabilities, for whom there are major barriers to standing up at a protest, literally and figuratively, as well as people who could be taken [by immigration authorities].

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Linda Davis, who was visiting Portland from Boston, said attending a protest is a relatively easy, low-lift effort, but then it gives other people who are maybe more willing to do the scary things, such as higher education institutions refusing to comply with executive overreach, it gives them that that support to do that.

Many had concerns about the future of education.

Holding an American flag and wearing a shirt that read protect banned books, Dawnelle Sullivan, who traveled from Monmouth for Portlands protest, works in special education and is concerned about the Trump administrations attempt to gut the special education office. I need to protect those kids, she said.

Ann Weber of Portland, sporting a Columbia University hat and Harvard sweatshirt, said shes concerned about the future of higher education.

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Her youngest son attends Harvard and her older son attends Columbia, both institutions Trump has battled. And her other son works as a researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, awaiting federal funding for cancer research, which overall has seen cuts under the Trump administration.

Her husband Bill Weber, who worked as an environmental engineer for 43 years, is part of a group trying to establish a climate action plan in Portland. He said, Im afraid municipal leaders will use Trump as an excuse to not do anything.

An anti-ICE message

The Trump administrations immigration policies were a focus for many at the first No Kings day in June and again on Saturday, as sweeping and aggressive immigration raids continue.

Vanessa, who declined to share her last name, is a teacher at Portland High School. She was brought to tears when explaining how she and her colleagues have had to think about how to protect their students if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents ever enter their school. In September, a parent was detained by ICE after dropping off their child at a Portland elementary school.

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As participants and speakers in Portland raised alarm about ICE raids, others gathered in Wells outside the towns police station for a recurring protest of their local authorities agreement with federal immigration officials.

Thousands of Mainers, many in costume, rallied in Bangors Broadway Park for the No Kings day of action on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/ Maine Morning Star)

I am hopeful that the many standouts in small towns and larger cities will show that there is strong resistance across Maine and across the country to the current policies of the current administration, said Peg Duddy, who attended the protest in Wells and is a part of the core group thats been calling for an end to the contract. We are standing together to help save our democracy.

Wells Police Department remains the only agency in the state to enter an agreement under the 287(g) program, which permits local officers to arrest people on immigration violations, an authority otherwise reserved for federal agents. The department is continuing what Police Chief JoAnn Putnam has described as a wait-and-see approach to credentialing its officers under the program in light of the pending state legislation that would ban such agreements.

In Bangor, where roughly 2,000 people gathered Saturday, state Rep. Amy Roeder called on Gov. Janet Mills to sign that legislation and urged all Mainers to not accept the Trump administrations immigration policies as the status quo.

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Dont sleep while democracy dies, Roeder said.

Local and national candidates stand out

Speaking in Portland, Democratic U.S. Rep. Chelli Pingree of Maine condemned recent comments made by U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, who said No Kings day was a hate America rally.

Pingree told the crowd theyre doing the most American of things: protesting the government.

She encouraged continued protesting but said only Congress, by taking back the power of the purse, can stop the illegal actions of the president.

In November 2026, Pingree said, we need a brand new Congress.

The demonstration in Portland featured speeches from numerous candidates for local and federal offices, including several Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate  David Costello, Jordan Wood, Tucker Favreau  who showed a united front in saying theyre running to stop Trumps assault on democracy, though each pitching themselves as the best fit for the job.

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Gubernatorial candidates also took the stage, including Hannah Pingree, daughter of Chelli Pingree. She said, Governors are really leading the way.

Former Senate President Troy Jackson, who is also running for governor, spoke in Bangor and Portland.

Where once they sought to be kings and emperors, they now seek to be presidents, senators and authoritarians and dictators, Jackson said in Bangor. And where once their armies came from conscription, they now come from Wall Street, Silicon Valley and hedge funds, or worse, the misuse of our nations armed forces and National Guard.

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a candidate for governor, spoke about when she removed Trump from the ballot in 2023 after a citizen challenged his candidacy under the U.S. Constitution because of his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

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Doing the right thing even when it is hard is what we must do, Bellows said, and this is the secret of righteous resistance.

More recently, Bellows twice refused to share sensitive voter information with the Trump administration and was sued over it.

What Ive learned unfortunately over the years is that lack of courage is contagious, Bellows said. Someone makes a decision based on fear, they get rewarded for it. Another person or institution catches the disease. But heres another secret: courage is contagious.

The two statewide referendums were also highlighted in speeches, with proponents calling for attendees to vote yes on Question 2 (to create a red flag law) and opponents of Question 1 (which seeks to make changes to election procedures) urging people to vote no.

Eesha Pendharkar contributed reporting to this story.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
A grassroots protest movement that began as a modest online slogan has evolved into a nationwide campaign, with thousands of demonstrators expected to fill the streets of Los Angeles on Saturday.

The movement, known as No Kings, is organized locally by 50501 SoCal, a regional chapter of a larger national coalition that promotes civic engagement and nonviolent protest. Organizers say the effort was born out of concern over what they describe as growing threats to democratic institutions and executive overreach.

Were here to protect our democracy from this administration, from Donald Trump  a wannabe king, said Hunter Dunn, an organizer with 50501 SoCal, adding that the groups focus remains on peaceful civic action.

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According to the organizations website, 50501 began as a decentralized response to what it calls the anti-democratic and illegal actions of the Trump administration and its plutocratic allies. The name reflects its founding concept: 50 protests. 50 states. 1 movement.

What began as a single day of coordinated demonstrations  more than 80 protests held across all 50 states  has since evolved into a recurring campaign of nationwide actions. The group says it has mobilized millions of people through a growing network of volunteer organizers and partner organizations dedicated to defending civil liberties and democratic norms.

The No Kings rallies first gained traction earlier this year following federal enforcement actions, including ICE raids and National Guard deployments in the Los Angeles area. In June, thousands joined protests across Greater L.A.  most of which remained peaceful  though a few incidents prompted Mayor Karen Bass to impose a temporary curfew in a one-square-mile section of downtown.

We absolutely support and have to have peaceful protests, Bass said at the time. That is a part of our American way, and no one should engage in any type of vandalism, but the overwhelming majority of them have been peaceful.

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U.S. Army veteran challenges ICE over alleged assault claim following federal detention

Gov. Gavin Newsom also urged participants to avoid unrest, saying, If you participate, do so peacefully because theres one person that hopes you dont and hopes there is disruption and he will exploit that and take advantage of it.

FILE  Protesters stand off against California National Guard soldiers at the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles during a No Kings protest, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File) EDS NOTE: OBSCENITY  Demonstrators march in the No Kings protest with a President Donald Trump balloon in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) Protesters hold banners and placards as they march during a nationwide No Kings rally in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, on June 14, 2025, on the same day as President Donald Trumps military parade in Washington, DC. Thousands of people rallied across the United States on June 14 as a so-called No Kings has sprung up against the policies of US President Donald Trump, ahead of a rare military parade on his 79th birthday. (Photo by LEANDRO LOZADA / AFP) (Photo by LEANDRO LOZADA/AFP via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA  JUNE 14: Protesters carry a banner representing the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution in downtown Los Angeles during an anti-Trump No Kings Day demonstration on June 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Hundreds of marches and protests against the Trump administration and its policies are happening across the United States today. Protesters are also reacting in opposition to a planned military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that is taking place in Washington, DC and which coincides with President Trumps birthday. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Demonstrators gather to protest the Trump administration during the No Kings rally in downtown Los Angeles on June 14, 2025, on the same day as President Trumps military parade in Washington, DC. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trumps 79th birthday, a No Kings movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a 20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper. (Photo by Etienne LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES- JUNE 14: Protesters gather in downtown Los Angeles for an anti-Trump No Kings Day demonstration in a city that has been the focus of protests against Trumps immigration raids on June 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Hundreds of marches and protests against the Trump administration and its policies are happening across the United States today. Protesters are also reacting in opposition to a planned military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that is taking place in Washington, DC and which coincides with President Trumps birthday. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Protesters rally at Lafayette Square during the No Kings protest in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2025, the day of President Trumps military parade. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trumps 79th birthday, a No Kings movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a 20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper. (Photo by Amid FARAHI / AFP) (Photo by AMID FARAHI/AFP via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA  JUNE 14: Protesters carry a banner representing the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution in downtown Los Angeles during an anti-Trump No Kings Day demonstration in a city that has been the focus of protests against Trumps immigration raids on June 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Hundreds of marches and protests against the Trump administration and its policies are happening across the United States today. Protesters are also reacting in opposition to a planned military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that is taking place in Washington, DC and which coincides with President Trumps birthday. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Demonstrators confront the police as they protest against the Trump administration during the No Kings rally near US President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago home in West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 14, 2025. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trumps 79th birthday, a No Kings movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a 20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper. (Photo by Giorgio Viera / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images) Demonstrators holding signs and flags, protest the Trump administration during the No Kings rally near US President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago home in West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 14, 2025, on the same day as President Trumps military parade in Washington, DC. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trumps 79th birthday, a No Kings movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a 20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper. (Photo by Giorgio Viera / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images) A person holds up a sign reading No Troops in our Backyard during the No Kings protest in downtown Houston, Texas, June 14, 2025, on the same day as President Trumps military parade in Washington, DC. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trumps 79th birthday, a No Kings movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a 20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper. (Photo by Mark Felix / AFP) (Photo by MARK FELIX/AFP via Getty Images) Demonstrators hold a sign The Holocaust started as mass deportation during the No Kings protest at Lafayette Square in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2025, the day of President Trumps military parade. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trumps 79th birthday, a No Kings movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a 20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper. (Photo by Amid FARAHI / AFP) (Photo by AMID FARAHI/AFP via Getty Images) Demonstrators confront the police as they protest against the Trump administration during the No Kings rally near US President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago home in West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 14, 2025. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trumps 79th birthday, a No Kings movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a 20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper. (Photo by Giorgio Viera / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images) EDITORS NOTE: Graphic content / Demonstrators protest against the Trump administration during the No Kings rally near US President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago home in West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 14, 2025. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army, coinciding with Trumps 79th birthday, a No Kings movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a 20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper. (Photo by Giorgio Viera / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES- JUNE 14: Thousands of protesters gather in downtown Los Angeles for an anti-Trump No Kings Day demonstration in a city that has been the focus of protests against Trumps immigration raids on June 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Hundreds of marches and protests against the Trump administration and its policies are happening across the United States today. Protesters are also reacting in opposition to a planned military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that is taking place in Washington, DC and which coincides with President Trumps birthday. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Demonstrators hold signs as they protest against the Trump administration during the No Kings rally near US President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago home in West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 14, 2025. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trumps 79th birthday, a No Kings movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a 20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper. (Photo by Giorgio Viera / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images) Demonstrators protest the Trump administration during the No Kings rally near US President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago home in West Palm Beach, Florida, on June 14, 2025, on the same day as President Trumps military parade in Washington, DC. In response to the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coinciding with Trumps 79th birthday, a No Kings movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a 20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper. (Photo by Giorgio Viera / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images) A sign reading Deportation without Due Process is Kidnapping! at the No Kings protest in Kalamazoo, Michigan on June 14, 2025. (WOODTV) People take part in a No Kings protest in New York on June 14, 2025 as US President Donald Trump presides over a military parade in Washington, DC. Trump will preside over a huge military parade in Washington on his 79th birthday, as nationwide protests rejecting his brand of politics underscore deep divisions over his second term. But the threat of thunderstorms in the US capital, and the barrage of missiles raining down in Tel Aviv and Tehran  a conflict in which the American military is assisting  could cast a long shadow over the presidents celebration. Nearly 7,000 troops plus dozens of tanks and helicopters will rumble through Washington in an event officially marking the 250th anniversary of the US army  at a cost of up to $45 million. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images) People form a human banner at Ocean Beach during the No Kings protests in San Francisco on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Despite those assurances, the movement has drawn sharp criticism from some conservative lawmakers. House Speaker Mike Johnson called it the Hate America rally, while Sen. Josh Hawley, Republican of Missouri, said participants are total hypocrites who arent interested in democracy.

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Organizers reject those characterizations. First off, were pro-democracy and were incredibly peaceful, Dunn said. Im not a member of an organization called Antifa but Im a proud anti-fascist.

The Los Angeles gathering is one of more than 2,700 events planned across the country, including in Memphis, Portland, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. Dunn described the demonstrations as a show of unity among cities that have supported each other during past protests.

We need to stand with those cities, the way that they stood with us on June 14, he said, and No Kings is one way to do that.

Those interested in participating can go to the official website to find the nearest protest.

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John Fenoglios reporting contributed to this article.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Thousands of people are expected to gather at Waterfront Park on Saturday for another No Kings rally and march  an event organizers say could be even larger than the one held in June.

More than 60,000 people took part in the first No Kings protest in downtown San Diego earlier this year, one of many demonstrations nationwide on June 14 that organizers say drew millions of participants.

We werent surprised at the size of that crowd, said Dane Culbreath, a spokesperson for Saturdays event. When Americans feel that our rights are at risk, we show up.

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Culbreath said the rallies are a response to policies under the Trump administration related to immigration, tariffs and what critics describe as attacks on constitutional rights.

Its the bottom up coming to tell billionaires and the political elite that we are in charge  that democracy is for the people, by the people, Culbreath said. We are not a monarchy. We are a democracy.

On Capitol Hill, House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the nationwide demonstrations, calling them hate America rallies.

Youre going to bring together the Marxists, the socialists, Antifa advocates, the anarchists, the pro-Hamas wing, the far-left Democratic Party, Johnson said. That is the modern Democratic Party. Thats where theyve gone.

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San Diego police said they will have officers monitoring the event to ensure it remains peaceful.

In Junes No Kings protest there were no arrests, and we hope to see the same this Saturday, said Lt. Travis Easter of the San Diego Police Department. For those who break the law, you will be held accountable.

Culbreath said organizers are also using volunteers as security and stressing nonviolence among participants.

We do not tolerate instigators or people trying to provoke violence, he said. We are a nonviolent protest, and thats what we are going to be here for.

Speakers are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, followed by a march through downtown starting at 10:30 a.m. Culbreath urged attendees to arrive early, bring plenty of water and use public transportation due to limited parking near the park.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Protesters line Capital Boulevard in Raleigh for a No Kings protest on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar/NC Newsline)

For three hours along Capital Boulevard in northeast Raleigh, the honking did not stop.

It wasnt a traffic jam  from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, a steady stream of cars and trucks were honking their support for a No Kings protest that lined both sides of the divided highway, drawing thousands of demonstrators frustrated with the Trump administration.

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The rally was awash with colorful characters  among them the Cookie Monster from the childrens show Sesame Street, a pink axolotl, dinosaurs and dragons of many different hues and giant yellow chickens.

Erin Grabau, who came wearing a skeletal unicorn ensemble, said she was inspired by demonstrators in Portland who dressed in inflatable frog costumes  but decided on a less elaborate outfit because, in this economy, no, Im sorry.

Gary Lucido (right), a Texas transplant in North Carolina, condemned GOP characterizations of the event as a Hate America rally. He was among the protesters in Raleigh on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar/NC Newsline)

It was making a point of showing were not violent, Grabau said. Were not causing violence. You cant turn the narrative.

Matt Mercer, spokesperson for the North Carolina Republican Party, condemned the protesters as radicals damaging the country.

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Far-left radical Democrats shut down the federal government to brag at these events they shut down the government to stop President Trump, Mercer said in a statement. These manufactured events do nothing but highlight how out of touch the radical left is with the American people and here in North Carolina, thousands of voters every month reject being labeled a Democrat.

Gary Lucido, a Texas transplant in North Carolina, said he had voted Republican all his life before President Donald Trump came along. He said GOP descriptions of No Kings as Hate America protests  as Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) called them  are a bunch of crap.

We love America. Were here because we want to preserve America, Lucido said at the Raleigh No Kings protest. The ones that hate it are the ones that dont believe in the Constitution.

For many protesters, the No Kings rally was a family outing. All along Capital Boulevard, children and toddlers could be seen with their parents, some wearing costumes or face coverings of their own and others resting in strollers.

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They need to know when its appropriate to stand and fight, and sometimes standing and fighting is standing in a silly costume on the side of the road with a sign and screaming at the top of your lungs, Grabau said.

Some also brought their four-legged friends. Jeffrey Cohn, a medical writer from Clayton, brought his dogs Bindi and Obi to the No Kings protest in Raleigh, and despite the honking and cheers, they stayed calm as can be.

Cohn came dressed as President Donald Trumps error-filled Liberation Day tariff information sheet. He said it was a relief to be in the company of so many people just as distressed as he is at the direction America has taken.

We are a majority, and the folks who are trying to destroy and burn, whether its for political reasons, whether its for Christian Nationalism, white supremacy reasons  theres more of us who dont feel that way than do feel that way, he said.

Cars pass as a protester holds a No Kings in America flag.

A protester and her child look on as a protester dressed as the Cookie Monster stands with another demonstrator.

Wearing a costume referencing Trump's Liberation Day tariff sheet, Jeffrey Cohn stands with his two dogs at his feet.

A protester stands in front of a cart with an American flag at her back A sign on the cart reads The land of the free.

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Erin Grabau wears a skeletal unicorn costume while holding a sign that reads Make the power hungry starve again.

A frog costume protester stands in the median on Capital Boulevard in Raleigh.

A car with a No Kings sign passes someone in a Resist shirt carrying a quote from Anne Frank's diary.

Protesters carry an LGBTQ+ Pride flag, a Trump for Prison sign, and a Democracy needs your courage sign.

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The soundtrack at the protest was an eclectic combination, with David Bowie and Bob Dylan bleeding into No Doubts Just a Girl and Rockwells Somebodys Watching Me. Protesters costumes and flags called to mind various pop culture icons, with one protester flying the flag of the rebellion from Star Wars and others dressed as characters like No Face from the anime film Spirited Away.

Donna and Larry Shipman, who recently moved to North Carolina from Pennsylvania, said they came out to the No Kings protest in Raleigh on Oct. 18, 2025 to advocate for voting rights protections. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar/NC Newsline)

Top of mind for many of the rally-goers was fair voting maps, with North Carolina set to become the latest state to draw new districts at Trumps direction to shore up the Republican majority in the House of Representatives ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Gerrymandering is cheating! read one protesters sign. Another featured QR codes linking to the proposed new congressional map and a submission form for public comment. Tell the NC General Assembly: Stop gerrymandering, that sign urged.

Recent polling shows that a vast majority of North Carolinians oppose partisan gerrymandering, including 87% of Democrats and 78% of Republicans.

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Donna and Larry Shipman, activists who recently relocated from Pennsylvania, also came to No Kings to fight for their right to vote, pointing to key Voting Rights Act protections under threat at the U.S. Supreme Court.

We need to stand up and say, No, youre not going to take this away from us, said Donna Shipman. The Supreme Court, they say racism is over. No, its not.

The Raleigh event was just one of several in the Triangle area. No Kings protests in Cary, Apex, Durham and Carrboro also saw large turnouts. More than 50 events were planned in North Carolina, organizers said, among some 2,600 nationwide.
Thousands of demonstrators attend the No Kings 2.0 protest on Oct. 18, 2025, in front of the Idaho Capitol in Boise. The event, organized by several groups, including Idaho 50501, Indivisible and the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho, is one of many that took place across the U.S. to protest President Donald Trump's administration and policies. (Photo by Christina Lords/Idaho Capital Sun)

Thousands of people protested against President Donald Trump and government overreach at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise during a local No Kings 2.0 protest that was one of many similar protests taking place Saturday in cities across America.

A musician sings to a crowd of thousands gathered for the No Kings protest on Oct. 18, 2025, on the steps of the Idaho Capitol in Boise. The demonstration was organized by several groups, including Idaho 50501, Indivisible and the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho, on a day when similar protests took place nationwide. (Photo by Christina Lords/Idaho Capital Sun)

During a speech delivered on the Idaho State Capitol steps, American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho board member Sam Linnet spoke out against what he said is a government that is using fear to divide the American people.

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Linnet called for transforming the political and economic systems of America and rejecting a system where he said billionaires buy elections and corporations write laws. Instead, Linnet called on the crowd to unite, hold the government accountable and support immigrants, women and trans people.

Everyone here proves democracy still has a pulse, Linnet said.

Idahoans share why they participated in the No Kings rally in Boise

For Boisean Cyndee Pierce, Saturdays No Kings rally was her first protest. She carried a homemade sign that read, Im not a paid protestor I hate facism for free.

In an interview at the protest, Pierce said she chose to attend because she wanted to channel the anxiousness she is feeling about the government into something positive.

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I am extremely disappointed in our leaders, Pierce said. I am hoping against hope our leaders will try to represent all of us.

Pierce said she was impressed by the large crowd, which covered the steps of the Idaho State Capitol, filled much of Jefferson Street between Sixth and Eighth streets and took over much of nearby Cecil D. Andrus Park.

In very red Idaho, having a crowd of any more than two people is encouraging, Pierce said with a smile as she gestured toward the large crowd.

Millie Watkins of Boise said Saturdays No Kings protest at the Idaho State Capitol marked her fifth such recent protest. She said Saturdays crowd was the largest she has ever seen.

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Watkins carried a handmade sign calling on the U.S. Congress to do its job.

I think (the size of the crowd) says that there are a lot of people in this country who disagree with what is going on, Watkins said.

A protestor holds up a sign during the No Kings 2.0 rally held Oct. 18, 2025, at the Idaho Capitol in Boise. (Photo by Christina Lords/Idaho Capital Sun)

Saturdays Boise No Kings protest coincided with hundreds of other No Kings protests held in cities across the country, States Newsroom reported.

The Boise No Kings protest was organized by several groups including Idaho 50501, Indivisible and the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho. Idaho 50501 is part of the wider 50501 movement, which originally got its name from 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.

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Saturdays No Kings protests was the second large-scale No Kings protest in recent months in Boise. In June, thousands of people protested in front of the Idaho State Capitol during an earlier No Kings protest.

Our Founding Fathers rejected the idea of a monarchy for a reason, Idaho 50501 spokesperson Sonya Christensen said in a written statement before the protest. We say No Kings because we believe in Americas founding principles. We are appalled at how our current Idaho representatives are abandoning those principles, and we are here to stand up for the Constitution of the United States of America.

Protestors make their way down Sixth Street in downtown Boise after the conclusion of the No Kings 2.0 rally at the Idaho Statehouse in Boise. The Oct. 18, 2025, protest was organized by several groups, including Idaho 50501, Indivisible and the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho, as part of thousands of similar events across the nation to demonstrate against President Donald Trump and his administrations policies. (Photo by Christina Lords/Idaho Capital Sun)

Demonstrators gathered Tuesday on what would have been Charlie Kirks birthday

Saturdays No Kings protest wasnt the only rally at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise this week.

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On Tuesday, another group of demonstrators gathered at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise to honor conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk on what would have been his 32nd birthday.

Organizers of the event, dubbed the Gods Country March, said the gathering would be the inaugural march and that they hope to hold an event in Kirks honor each year.

Kirk was shot and killed while speaking Sept. 10 at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem.

We are here for multiple reasons, God glorifying reasons, to be united as a singular people under one confession of Christ and Him crucified, said Pastor Mike Lewis. But also to remember the life of Charlie Kirk whose birthday it would be. We must remember where we are and remember who we are.

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Just hours before the Tuesday gathering, U.S. President Donald Trump posthumously awarded Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nations highest honor for a civilian, at a ceremony at the White House.

Organizers and supporters of the march included the Old State Saloon, Idaho Liberty Dogs, Soldiers of the Cross, Turning Point USA and the Idaho Freedom Foundation.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  The national No Kings protest made its way to Buffalo on Saturday as thousands poured into Niagara Square to protest the Trump Administration.

Buffalos demonstration was one of more than 2,700 across the country. WIVB News 4s cameras were there as protestors marched in Downtown Buffalo.

When you have a constitution, you dont have a king, and thats what everybodys here for, one protester said.

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We have three branches of government and it seems right now the Executive Branch is overstepping and trying to control the Supreme Court, trying to control the Legislative Branch, another protester said.

Many others raised concerns over what they believe to be constitutional violations in the Trump Administration.

I believe in free speech, I believe in the amendments, I believe in the constitution, another protestor said. Trump is violating all of that right now.

A number of local groups turned out to show their support and march with the protestors, including 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.

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Theres no kings in America, explained Shameka Burnette-Mathews, an 1199 SEIU administrator. The health care cuts that are pending will affect all of our facilities, one in four nursing homes, a number of hospitals would close, waiting times would increase by numbers, and that affects not just health care workers, patients, residents in nursing homes, and really all of us, even you.

In an effort to keep things peaceful, many of the protestors took to humor to get their messages across.

Were just trying to have a peaceful protest, one woman dressed in an inflatable costume told us. Just trying to tell people Trump has got to go.

One group even made up signs to protest the fact that Donald Trump is the first president since William McKinley to not have a dog in the White House.

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1897 to 1901 was the last president that didnt have a dog until Trump, one protester said.

We need dogs in the White House! Real cute dogs, not dog like humans, a woman said while holding a sign that read: A President Without A Dog?!?

Among the thousands protesting, there was at least one counter protestor we encountered, a Trump supporter who was perched high on the steps of City Hall waving an American flag.

Theres a lot of eyes on me, he said. If it takes one person to stand up for what they believe in. I dont believe any of this stuff that theyre protesting is good for our country. Im just here standing up for what I believe in, everyone else is standing for what they believe in. If it takes one person against 500, Ill stand here.

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News 4 reached out to Western New Yorks Republican Congressman Nick Langworthy for a response to the protest, who issued us the following statement: Trump Derangement Syndrome is a real disease.

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Rob Petree is an anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in 2025. See more of his work by clicking here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

Thousands of No Kings protesters demonstrated peacefully Saturday afternoon against the Trump administration at the Ohio Statehouse.

Dozens of No Kings protests took place across Ohio as part of more than 2,500 nationally. Organizers reported Saturday afternoon that nearly 7 million Americans attended the protests across the country.

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Today, millions of people showed that we, the people, will not be silenced, said Deirdre Schifeling, chief political and advocacy officer for the American Civil Liberties Union.

The events were sponsored by more than 100 organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the League of Women Voters, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Common Cause, and Indivisible.

In Central Ohio, rallies will took place in communities such as Newark, Reynoldsburg, Marysville, and Grove City earlier Saturday afternoon.

Below is a photo gallery of the protest at the Ohio Statehouse.

'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

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'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

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'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

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'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

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'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

Protesters for the 'No Kings' rally at the Ohio Statehouse on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Marty Schladen, Ohio Capital Journal.)

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'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

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'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

'No Kings' protesters demonstrate at the Ohio Statehouse against the Trump administration on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

Protesters for the 'No Kings' rally at the Ohio Statehouse on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Marty Schladen, Ohio Capital Journal.)

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Thousands  very possibly tens of thousands  of Minnesotans are taking part Saturday in "No Kings" protests against the Trump administration.

The progressive protest movement has seen the organization of more than 2,500 demonstrations challenging actions seen as authoritarian and anti-Democratic by President Donald Trump since he returned to office in January.

The largest demonstration in Minnesota was likely at Commons Park in downtown Minneapolis, where a huge crowd filled most of the two-block open space near to U.S. Bank Stadium, with U.S. Sen. Tina Smith and Attorney General Keith Ellison among the speakers.

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There were also several thousand protesters across the river in St. Paul, lining a route about 15 blocks long near St. Catherine's University on Fairview Avenue South, holding placards and encouraging drivers to honk their support.

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View the 6 images of this gallery on the original article

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A second St. Paul demonstration was held at Lexington Parkway South and 7th Street West.

There were more than 70 "No Kings" rallies organized across Minnesota on Saturday, stretching from International Falls in the far north to Albert Lea near the Iowa border.

Other large protests where the Star Tribune reported "thousands" in attendance include Rochester and St. Louis Park.

The main organizers of the metro area events are Indivisible Twin Cities, Women's March MN, Minnesota AFL-CIO and Minnesota 50501, with dozens of other groups across the state helping organize local rallies.

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Here's a selection of the scenes from Minnesota on Saturday.

"No Kings" protests in Minnesota: Demonstrators hold signs, chant and cheer to the honks from passersby along Minnesota Hwy. 23 in St. Cloud.



Live coverage: https://t.co/xqa3PqgFc0



 Jenny Berg/The Minnesota Star Tribune pic.twitter.com/lb5TGK7Pes  The Minnesota Star Tribune (@StarTribune) October 18, 2025

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This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Oct 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the MN News section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
NEED TO KNOW

Thousands of people in Kansas City, Mo., showed up to cheer up a child with a rare and incurable disease

3-year-old Tucker Langford suffers from a painful condition known as butterfly skin, which cause his skin to blister and peel, and he is now entering hospice care

Tuckers favorite things are trucks, Jeeps and motorcycles, and the community rallied together for a parade to help bring him some joy

Thousands of people showed up to bring joy to a 3-year-old Missouri boy with a rare and incurable disease.

Tucker Langford of Kansas City city suffers from recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), a painful recessive condition which causes peeling, blistering skin, per local news outlets KSHB, KMBC and the Kansas City Star. The condition is also known as butterfly skin because it makes the skin as fragile as a butterflys wings.

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Tucker was recently released from Children's Mercy Hospital in order to receive end-of-life hospice care at home, and his family decided to organize a parade to go by their house for Tucker to enjoy on Saturday, Oct. 11.

Thats when the local fire department stepped in to spread the word.

To all of our fellow first responders, motorcycle riders, Jeepers, car showers and hot roders! Heads up! We need your help!! began a Facebook announcement from Kansas City Fire Department (KCFD) Station 10.

They added that Tucker's favorite things are trucks, Jeeps, motorcycles, hot rods and emergency apparatus.

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The family would LOVE for a showing of public safety to support Tucker and help bring joy to this little guy, they continued, adding, Help us out! Lets give Tucker the final honor he deserves!

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In an update to the post, Station 10 shared that the location of the parade had been moved to a larger venue due to the overwhelming support and outpouring of interest to participate.

Tuckers mom, Chandler, said she was overwhelmed when she saw the number of people who showed up for her son.

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"When we were pulling [up to the parade], I was crying because seeing everyone supporting Tucker and our family means a lot to us," she told local news outlet KHSB.

Tuckers grandfather, Rick Langford, told the outlet that his grandson is known as Tough Tucker in their family because of how he has faced all the challenges thrown his way.

Getty Hospital bed (stock image) Hospital bed (stock image)

He's had that name since the very beginning, his mom added. Because the doctors told him that he wouldn't make it to 1, and here he is 3. He'll be 4 Christmas Eve. I bet you he will show everyone how tough he is.

In a GoFundMe established by the family to help cover Tuckers needs, they shared that Tucker was missing skin on his feet, hands, lips and chest at birth, and said he was diagnosed with RDEB shortly after.

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They continued, Despite his challenges, Tucker consistently brings joy and laughter to those around him. He loves talking about his trucks, playing with his baby brother, and spending time with his family.

Tucker is one of the best storytellers you will ever meet, they added.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

As of Thursday, Oct. 16, the GoFundMe has raised $40,975 towards an ultimate goal of $45,000.

Complications of RDEB include sepsis, malnutrition due to blistering on the inside of the mouth and skin cancer. Many diagnosed do not survive infancy, according to the Mayo Clinic. RDEB currently affects less than 5,000 people in the U.S., according to the National Institutes of Health.



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The fire that broke out at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka has been brought under control, and flight operations have resumed, officials confirmed on Friday. The interim government has constituted a seven-member investigation committee to probe the incident. According to an official statement, "A fire broke out at the cargo village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2:15 pm (local time) today. The fire was brought under control through the quick and coordinated action of the fire service and airport authorities. No casualties were reported in the incident." The statement further added that "close coordination with the fire service and airport authorities is being maintained to ensure that the fire is completely extinguished." The Advisor to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism was present at the airport, closely monitoring the situation. "The Honourable Advisor to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism is personally at the airport and closely monitoring the entire situation. The Ministry is conducting all necessary activities in close coordination with all relevant agencies," the statement said. "An investigation will be launched soon to determine the cause of the incident. The source of the fire will be identified, and necessary steps will be taken to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future," it added. "We are sincerely grateful for the cooperation and patience of passengers and the general public using the airport," the statement further said. Flight operations were resumed at 9:06 pm local time, restoring normalcy at the airport. The Bangladesh government has established a seven-member investigation committee to examine the fire incident at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. In a separate statement, the interim government addressed public concerns over recent fire incidents across the country, assuring that all such events will be thoroughly investigated. "The Interim Government is aware of public concern regarding several major fires in various locations across the country. We wish to assure all citizens that the security services are investigating each incident thoroughly and protecting lives and property with utmost vigilance. Any credible evidence of sabotage or arson will be met with a swift and resolute response," the statement said. "No act of criminality or provocation will be allowed to disrupt public life and the political process," it added. "Let us be clear: if these fires prove to be acts of sabotage aimed at sowing panic and division, they will succeed only if we allow fear to overtake our reason and resolve. Bangladesh has faced many challenges before, and together we will face any threats to our new democracy with unity, calm, and determination. We have nothing to fear but fear itself," the statement said. (ANI)
Thousands marched from downtown Santa Fe to the Roundhouse for No Kings day on Oct. 18, 2025/ (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

Thousands of protesters converged in downtown Santa Fe mid-morning Oct. 18 and began a noisy, boisterous march to the New Mexico state Capitol building for one of about 30 No Kings protests planned across the state in rural and urban areas, along with hundreds more across the country that drew millions.

Marchers chanted a variety of messages as they made their way across the Plaza, including: No Kings/No ICE and This is what democracy looks like. One man played the David Bowie/Queen song Under Pressure repeatedly from a small speaker.

Thousands marched from downtown Santa Fe to the Roundhouse for No Kings day on Oct. 18, 2025/ (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

Organizers for Indivisible Santa Fe, one of thousands of chapters formed nationally to oppose President Donald Trump during his first term, estimated that twice as many people showed up Saturday as did in June for the first No Kings protest. They said it shows momentum building against Trump and what they called his authoritarian administration.

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They work for us, and they need to listen to us, said Indivisible organizer David Bazell in a brief speech to hundreds gathered. Our power is much stronger than anybody in this administration.

David Bazell, left holding microphone, an Indivisible Santa Fe organizer, speaks Oct. 18, 2025 in Santa Fe at the No Kings rally. Our power is much stronger than anybody in this administration, he said. (Patrick Lohmann/Source NM)

The protest featured dozens of people in inflatable costumessharks, bees, unicorns, aliens and morein solidarity to common protest attire Portland protesters have been wearing in demonstrations against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Trump has threatened to deploy the National Guard to tamp down on antifa militants there.

Were wearing inflatable costumes because we want to support and enhance whats happening in Portland and Im sure everywhere, Breece Robertson told Source. We want to just show that we are peaceful, we are loving and we really care about our democracies, so were not a threat. We are standing up for our rights in this country.

Breece Robertson, left, was one of numerous attendees wearing inflatable costumes to the Santa Fe, NM Oct. 18, 2025 No Kings Rally in solidarity with Portland, Oregon protesters. (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

In Santa Fe, many protesters embraced the anti-fascist label in signs and chants. My dad was Antifa in WWII. I am Antifa now one sign read. Sharon Argenbright, a nurse for 40 years, drew laughs when she introduced herself to the crowd with a curtsy and said, Hi. This is Antifa, also known as Sharon.

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Im a nurse and I care about people, she said. We just need to keep doing this. The house of cards is coming down.

Sharon Argenbright, left, a nurse, said at the No Kings protest Oct. 18, 2025 in Santa Fe that she, a nurse for 40 years, is the antifa Trump is smearing as terrorists. (Patrick Lohmann/Source NM)

Chris and Sallee Wiseman, also of Santa Fe, donned king and queen costumes. They said Trumps assault on democracy in numerous forms, along with his seeming indifference to the struggles of working people, compelled them to join thousands of their neighbors Saturday in front of the Roundhouse.

I absolutely oppose 99.9% of his policies, Chris told Source New Mexico, listing off Trumps mass deportation push, the rising cost of food and health insurance, threats to health care for millions of Americans and Trumps re-vengeance campaign against political enemies.

Chris and Sallee Wiseman of Santa Fe donned king and queen costumes for the No Kings day protest Oct. 18, 2025, in front of the Roundhouse. They joined thousands of protesters in opposition of President Donald Trump. (Patrick Lohmann/Source NM)

We just cant stand whats happening, Sallee added as she and her husband took shade under a tree in the Roundhouse courtyard.

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Former Santa Fe City Councilor Ron Trujillo, currently a candidate in the citys upcoming mayoral election, said he was heartened to see the thousands of people who turned out for the protest.

People need to come out, stand up for what they believe is right, Trujillo told Source NM. This federal government thats thats telling us what they they think is best for us, this isnt the America we live in. Its about the democracy.

Former Santa Fe City Councilor and mayoral candidate Ron Trujillo said he turned out for the No Kings rally because of whats happening all over our country, and you know its going to affect Santa Fe most definitely. (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

As they have previously, members of Danza Tonantzin de Analco showed up to perform a ceremonial blessing for the event, and were accompanied by Kathy Wan Povi Sanchez (San Ildefonso Pueblo), one of the founders of Tewa Women United.

Kathy Wan Povi Sanchez (San Ildefonso Pueblo), one of Tewa Women Uniteds founders, joined the protest and offered a prayer to attendees. (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

It was very, very humbling and honoring for me to be here to acknowledge our ancestors and the connectivity between all the people that are here, Sanchez told Source. Because theyre coming from all four directions, like the blessing for the directions calling into energy and the spirit. And we are all energy beings of caring and within us our love, the multi-versal infinity of loving, caring, sharing. So it was important for me to convey my gratitude for each and everyone that is here, young and old and first-timers. Just knowing that we dont have to carry the anger or the grief and that we can heal immediately from all those that have been put here to keep us oppressed. Breaking the silence, it is very, very empowering for all people here to continue to be blessed in that way.

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Zoey Craft from Youth United for Climate Crisis Action, spoke to the crowd from a stage at the Roundhouse, and urged attendees to take even more action.

Zoe Craft, from Youth United for Climate Crisis Action, drew loud applause for her rousing speech to attendees at the Oct. 18, 2025 No Kings rally. (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

What were witnessing isnt the system breaking or democracy dying, Craft said. Its the illusion fading. Its an empire built on stolen land and labor extraction and white supremacy revealing itself for what its always been. And if thats what were up against, then its not enough to just be outraged. We have to be organized, because young people and frontline communities dont need more allies in name. We need co-conspirators in action.

In Albuquerque, more than 5,000 people took to the streets in a march that nearly encircled the citys downtown core.

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and House Speaker Javier Martinez (D-Albuquerque) were among the attendees.

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Keller said the city continues to oppose the Trump Administration, telling Source NM that Albuquerque is committed to being a family-friendly city that fights for immigrant rights.

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller marched along Central Avenue, calling the downtown protest a move of solidarity against President Donald Trump, who he described as someone who wants to be king. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM)

Most recently, were working with Chicago and Portland on the legal side to make sure that were doing everything we can to be ready and prepared should the [national guard] show up here, he said.

Martinez, holding a No kings, no crowns, we dont kneel down, sign, told Source NM that the march filled his heart, and was energizing democracy. The cruelty of the federal government, what theyre seeking to do is to strip us of our humanity, of our compassion, of our sense of ownership of this process and system, he said.

New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martinez (D-Albuquerque) told Source NM that the march filled his heart. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM)

A menagerie of inflatable costumes also speckled the Albuquerque protest, as people carried signs with slogans such as Democracy Dies in Silence, Only you can prevent fascism alongside Smokey Bears image and No Trump, No ICE, No Troops.

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The best approach to undercutting tyranny is satire and mockery, Paul Szauter, 70, bedecked as an inflatable chicken, told Source NM Saturday morning, after clucking like a chicken.

The best approach to undercutting tyranny is satire and mockery, Paul Szauter, 70, bedecked as an inflatable chicken, told Source NM. (Danielle Prokop/Source NM)

Szauter said he felt the need to march because he is a first-generation American and birthright citizen, and said he needed to protest the administrations immigration policies, which he called cruel.

Lily Jensen, 27, and her mother, Amberlyn Lopez, 46, said the event was their first-ever participation in a protest or march, saying that while they previously volunteered with their communities, or called elected officials, they felt compelled to do more.

It just felt like everything I was doing wasnt enough, Jensen, a health care educator, told Source NM. I need other states to see that everyone here has the same message: We dont accept a king.

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Lopez added that shes concerned about a slide into autocracy, saying: Its important that we use our voice, while we still can.

James Bourguet, 22, was one of the younger participants in a crowd that skewed older. When asked for his reasons for protesting, Bourguet responded there werent enough words.

Its a Watergate everyday, and these are the people that actually want to do something about it, he said, gesturing to the crowd.

Thousands of people marched in Santa Fe, NM on Oct. 18, 2025 from the downtown federal buildings to the state Capitol, the Roundhouse. (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

Thousands of people marched in Santa Fe, NM on Oct. 18, 2025 from the downtown federal buildings to the state Capitol, the Roundhouse. (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

Thousands of people marched in Santa Fe, NM on Oct. 18, 2025 from the downtown federal buildings to the state Capitol, the Roundhouse. (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

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Thousands of people marched in Santa Fe, NM on Oct. 18, 2025 from the downtown federal buildings to the state Capitol, the Roundhouse. (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

Thousands of people marched in Santa Fe, NM on Oct. 18, 2025 from the downtown federal buildings to the state Capitol, the Roundhouse. (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

Thousands of people marched in Santa Fe, NM on Oct. 18, 2025 from the downtown federal buildings to the state Capitol, the Roundhouse. (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

Thousands of people marched in Santa Fe, NM on Oct. 18, 2025 from the downtown federal buildings to the state Capitol, the Roundhouse. (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

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Thousands of people marched in Santa Fe, NM on Oct. 18, 2025 from the downtown federal buildings to the state Capitol, the Roundhouse. (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

Thousands of people marched in Santa Fe, NM on Oct. 18, 2025 from the downtown federal buildings to the state Capitol, the Roundhouse. (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

Thousands of people marched in Santa Fe, NM on Oct. 18, 2025 from the downtown federal buildings to the state Capitol, the Roundhouse. (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

Thousands of people marched in Santa Fe, NM on Oct. 18, 2025 from the downtown federal buildings to the state Capitol, the Roundhouse. (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

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Thousands of people marched in Santa Fe, NM on Oct. 18, 2025 from the downtown federal buildings to the state Capitol, the Roundhouse. (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

Thousands of people marched in Santa Fe, NM on Oct. 18, 2025 from the downtown federal buildings to the state Capitol, the Roundhouse. (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

Thousands of people marched in Santa Fe, NM on Oct. 18, 2025 from the downtown federal buildings to the state Capitol, the Roundhouse. (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

Thousands of people marched in Santa Fe, NM on Oct. 18, 2025 from the downtown federal buildings to the state Capitol, the Roundhouse. (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

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Thousands of people marched in Santa Fe, NM on Oct. 18, 2025 from the downtown federal buildings to the state Capitol, the Roundhouse. (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

Thousands of people marched in Santa Fe, NM on Oct. 18, 2025 from the downtown federal buildings to the state Capitol, the Roundhouse. (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)

Thousands of people stretched across Albuquerque's downtown for the Oct. 18 No Kings March, one of dozens of protest in the state, and thousands across the U.S. Saturday. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM)

Glenda Rarrick, 64, said 'I think we're losing our rights, we're slipping towards and authoritarian regime,' during the Oct. 18 No Kings march in Albuquerque.

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Jimmy Steiner, 66, joined his friend Rick Krause, 74, in weekly Tuesday protests, after their retirement from Amtrak. Steiner said he was young when Vietnam protests of the 1960s and 1970s were happening but they had an impact on his willingness to get out in the streets on Oct. 18, 2025.

Zelda, 3, appears at the protest with parents Jake and Susie Davis Schreiner. Davis Schreiner told Source NM it was vital to bring her children to the Oct. 18 No Kings march 'Because it's really important to us that they have a future in this country, and that other kids also have a future.'

James and Echo Bourguet at the Oct. 18, 2025 No Kings protest in Albuquerque. 'It's very important to document that these are peaceful protests,' James told Source NM. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM)

From left, Order of Franciscan Monks Ignacio Harding, 80, and Nick Baxter, 90, attend the Oct. 18, 2025 No Kings March in Albuquerque. 'The whole administration has become so negative: so anti-poor, anti-needy people, anti-food, anti-health insurance, anti-everything,' Harding told Source NM. 'So we're going to tell them, that's not America, it's immoral and we, the people, are not going to put up with it.'

Artist Carlos Cervantes, center, with members of Danza Tonantzin de Analco, who held a four-directions ceremony at the No Kings rally Oct. 18, 2025. (Julia Goldberg/Source NM)
Thousands showed up to protest Donald Trumps administration across the country on Saturday, with several taking place in the Miami Valley.

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As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00 on our WHIO streaming app or WHIO.com, just over 5,000 gathered in Courthouse Square in Dayton on Saturday.

They had one common goal.

We, the people, demand change, said Sean Wilt.

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Wilt spoke with News Center 7s Malik Patterson on Saturday. He said in the past that he would not speak out about issues. But now, he wants to be on the front lines.

We need better treatment for everybody in America, said Wilt.

Patterson said that among the people in the crowd were Dayton Mayor Jeffrey Mims and Miami Valley state lawmaker Willis Blackshear, Jr.

Mims said the budget cuts are what brought him out to protest.

I am brokenhearted and disappointed that we have people right now at the Washington, D.C. level who are taking those rights away, he said.

Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Moreno responded to the protests in a social media post.

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George Soros funded protests, headlined by the Communist Party of America, have people taking to the streets to oppose:

He listed off what he called the GOP accomplishments:

George Soros funded protests, headlined by the Communist Party of America, have people taking to the streets to oppose:



Secure borders

A strong military

Deportations of criminals aliens

Removing non citizens from social safety programs

Peace in the Middle East  Bernie Moreno (@berniemoreno) October 18, 2025

Miami Valley Congressman Warren Davidson also responded to the protests on social media.

I wonder how a No Kings rally would go over in the UK, where they not only have a king, but theyre now locking people up for sharing memes, he said on Friday night.

 I wonder how a "No Kings" rally would go over in the UK, where they not only have a king, but they're now locking people up for sharing memes.  Warren Davidson  (@WarrenDavidson) October 18, 2025

Patterson said Blackshear addressed the government shutdown and the uncertainties it had.

Going to work, not getting a paycheck, folks who are making a ton of money, in some cases, but they still have to show up, he said. Its important as people that we speak up about whats going on.

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Wilt told Patterson that he hopes to have another protest where everyone can meet, no matter their political views.

I wanted to show everybody that this is not like a left-first-right issue. This is a people issue, he said.

Patterson reports that many protesters said they want to continue to show solidarity across the nation with these demonstrations.

We will continue to update this story.

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With unified chants this is what democracy look like echoing throughout the grounds of the State Capitol in Hartford, thousands of people came out on Saturday and rallied with a clear message: There are no kings in America.

The Hartford rally, part of 50 organized by groups across Connecticut, was part of the larger No Kings movement nationwide. Organizers say it is a joyful celebration of democracy, America and its flag because whats needed now.

The No Kings rally is a peaceful national day of action and mass mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration, according to Indivisible, the organizer of the movement. Thousands of rallies were held across the United States and in a handful of other countries.

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But while the topic of democracy was most discussed, many signs mentioned other political hot button issues like ICE, immigration, Elon Musk, Jeffrey Epstein, tariffs, January 6, and the ongoing government shutdown. The shutdown, which began on Oct. 1, has now become the third longest in U.S. history.

Tracy Johnson from Bethany said she came to Hartford to speak her mind on what she calls the current hypocrisy under the current administration. She said that while she has not protested much before this year, she now feels she has no choice. She said she blames the Republicans for the current shutdown.

The shutdown and the propaganda Republicans are telling people has brought me out here, we need the government open, Johnson said. Democrats are fighting for health care. I have not protested before, but now I find myself protesting every Sunday in Hamden. I want my kids to have a fair and just country to live in. So if were not protesting, what are we even doing? Some people say it doesnt really make a difference, but it makes me feel better. It reinvigorates me to at least say something.

The event was co-hosted by Indivisible CT, Orange Indivisible and CT Shoreline Indivisible, along with 43 state organizations, and featured music, dancing, giant puppets, a bubble machine and a brass band circulating through the crowd, as well as speakers and voter registration.

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Hartford resident Maris Dillman said this is her second No Kings protest. She said she is worried about the perceived erosion of democratic norms and values under the Trump administration. Among them, she said the administrations refusal to recognize court orders and what she calls the unjust arrests of Trumps perceived enemies like former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Im afraid of our Constitutional rights being ripped from us, Im concerned those freedoms are in jeopardy, Dillman said. This is a country we all love and have been fighting for. So thats a big reason why Im out here. Its been great to see the turnout. It seems even bigger than last time.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Rep. John B. Larson, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam, Bishop John Selders of Moral Monday, Connecticut teachers union leaders and immigrant advocates spoke during the rally.

My friends in Washington are saying that people who attend these rallies hate America, but we love America, Blumenthal said to large cheers. What we hate is what Donald Trump is doing to America. They say that people who go to these rallies are causing trouble. Im here to make trouble, good trouble. Because this is what America does. America doesnt stay quiet in the face of authoritarianism.

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John Shomarer, a U.S. Navy veteran who served from 2014 to 2022, said he is protesting against what he calls the rise of authoritarianism in America. The Navy veteran, who was stationed at Groton, said that he feels its his duty to speak out against what he calls the militarization in American cities. President Trump has so far sent in National Guard members into Washington D.C., Memphis, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon. The Republican administration has said that the troop deployments are necessary to protect federal agents and property against civil disobedience.

I served my country to fight against fascism and dictatorship and I think our rights are being violated, he said. Going after people that dont look a certain way or shipping people off to other countries without their due process rights, thats not what I fought and served for. We took an oath to the Constitution, not to a single person. I love America, I just dont love whats happening right now in the country.

Willimantic resident Shane French, who also attended the protest, said his Freddy Krueger outfit represents the nightmare of the Trump administration. Several other attendees dressed up as inflatable animal characters to point out what they say is the absurdity of being labeled insurrections by the Trump administration.

The No Kings protests commit to nonviolence and de-escalation. A rally held earlier this year drew as many as 10,000 people to Hartford. Similar protests were held across the country also saw mostly peaceful demonstrations.

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A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action, according to the organizers. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events.

Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com.
EXCLUSIVE: The creator of Tilly Norwood, the AI actress who got Hollywood hot under the collar, has stressed that she was not developed using funding from the British Film Institute (BFI).

Eline Van Der Velden, the UK-based technologist, shared a statement with Deadline clarifying how her company, Particle6, used a grant from the BFIs UK Global Screen Fund.

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Her intervention comes amid concerns in the acting community about the creation of Norwood and how avatars like her could ultimately replace lower profile performers.

Alexa Morden, an actress who hosts The 98% Podcast, spotted the Particle6 grant and said she was alarmed that the BFI could be using public funding to support creation of technology that literally replaces creatives.

Van Der Velden said the 120,000 ($161,000) grant Particle6 received from the BFI in November 2023 was entirely unrelated to the creation of Norwood. A BFI spokeswoman echoed this sentiment.

Van Der Veldens position is that Norwood was funded and developed through Xicioa, a seperate company established by the technologist in February. The IP is owned by Xicioa, with Particle6 providing support under a service agreement.

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It is a more nuanced picture than the one described over the summer, when Norwood was soft launched and Particle6 repeatedly and proudly claimed credit for creating the computer generated star. In a LinkedIn post at the time, Van Der Velden said: Tilly is Particle6s fully AI-generated actress.

Van Der Velden told Deadline: In 2023, Particle6 was proud and deeply grateful to receive support through the BFI UK Global Screen Funds International Business Development strand.

In line with the terms of the grant, all funding was dedicated exclusively to advancing our international growth strategy. This included key initiatives such as attending overseas markets and conferences, acquiring new IP, and engaging a head of international outreach  all of which were fully approved and communicated with the BFI. This outreach role began as a consultancy position, and as our ambitions grew, the senior industry executive who initially served as our consultant became Particle6s chief commercial officer in summer 2025.

Its important to note that this grant is entirely unrelated to Xicoia, which was established later, in February 2025 (and formally announced in September). Xicoia  and its first AI talent, Tilly Norwood (launched publicly in July 2025)  were fully funded by my own personal investment.

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Today, as an AI talent studio, Xicoia operates as an independent company while maintaining a service agreement with Particle6. Particle6 continues to thrive as a diverse production company, creating across AI, traditional television, and commercial formats.

A BFI spokesperson said: The UK Global Screen Fund award was granted to Particle6 and is entirely separate to Xicoias development of Tilly Norwood, with no crossover in activity or resources. The BFI was not aware of any intention for the development of Xicoia Ltd or of Tilly Norwood at the time of application.

Van Der Velden added: The BFI plays a vital role in strengthening and future-proofing the UKs screen sector, and countless creative companies, including ours, have benefited from its support. We share the BFIs belief that innovation and responsibility must go hand in hand.

Its June 2025 report, AI in the Screen Sector: Perspectives and Paths Forward, outlines a clear, forward-looking framework for ethical, sustainable AI integration. Particle6 and Xicoia are proud to align with this vision and remain committed to contributing positively to the UKs reputation for creativity, innovation, and integrity.

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Particle6, which describes itself as an AI production company, was founded in 2015. As well as funding from the BFI, the company has secured backing from Channel 4 and Creative UK.

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SPRINGFIELD  The hour has come to celebrate the restoration the historic turret clock on the Masonic Building at 113-115 State St.

Springfield officials, developer McCaffery Interests, the Springfield Redevelopment Authority, Consigli Construction Co., Inc., and About Time Restorations LLC, teamed up to bring this historic and significant clock back to life and telling time. The city hosted a light-up ceremony Friday.

McCaffery Interests, a Chicago-based developer, is spearheading the $70-million Main Street Development stretching south from State Street across Main Street from MGM.

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The clock has had a role in formulating the Citys cultural identity and its majestic return will serve a catalyst for public engagement around all the redevelopment activities that are advancing in the State & Main Historic District, Mayor Dominic J. Sarno said in a statement.

Constructed in 1893 by F. R. Richmond as the Masonic Building in the Richardsonian Romanesque Style, the Clock Tower building is described as an icon of the Springfield skyline.

Stories by Jim Kinney

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RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  Thousands of property owners in Rutherford County could be faced with a tax bill or a tax refund after the Tennessee Comptroller said work done by the countys property assessor was riddled with errors.

There is not one property-owning taxpayer in Rutherford County that should have any degree of confidence in their property assessment, Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Jason Mumpower, told Rutherford County commissioners Thursday night.

READ MORE | Latest headlines from Murfreesboro and Rutherford County

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Mumford presented a report from the Tennessee Comptrollers Office that examined 8,683 parcels in Rutherford County. The report estimated that one in four properties were assessed incorrectly by the Rutherford County Property Assessor.

Unfortunately, as Ill explain to you tonight, in Rutherford County the assessors work is more like a pile of sinking sand, Mumpower added.

Mumpower told commissioners the state found new buildings left off the tax roll, changes to properties filed in the wrong tax year, and properties with incorrect square footage. Additionally, Mumpower said during the states investigation, some public records were deleted.

[Commissioners] are going to have constituents, hundreds  thousands collectively, who will either have an additional tax bill or a tax refund due, Mumpower said. I imagine your phones are going to ring as a result of that, too.

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On Thursday night, the comptrollers office showed the following example: two nearly-identical homes had a difference in appraised value of more than $217,200. The owner of the higher-valued home was overpaying $1,019 dollars in taxes every year.

According to the state, after multiple chances to fix reported errors, the Rutherford County Property Assessors Office was found in noncompliance. During that time, the office responded by filing a lawsuit against the state. The lawsuit was later dismissed.

Instead of being obstructive to the process, it is time for your assessor and his leadership team to admit they have a problem because they have yet to do that, Mumpower told commissioners.

During the presentation, Mumpower faced some pushback from commissioners, including Commissioner Wayne Irvin, who called the report clearly slanted in one direction.

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It is only slanted in the direction of the truth on behalf of your Rutherford County taxpayers, who have been suffering unnecessarily under the burden of incompetent work, Mumpower replied.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

The state comptroller recommended Rutherford County hire a third party to conduct an independent review of all 130,156 parcels in the county, which he says will be costly. The state also requested the county switch to the states property appraisal software system. The Tennessee comptroller also recommended every Rutherford County property owner review their appraisal to make sure its been done correctly.

News 2 reached out to the Rutherford County Property Assessors Office, but has not heard back as of this publication.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire, Qatar says

ISLAMABAD (AP)  Afghanistan and Pakistan, embroiled in more than a week of fighting that has killed dozens of people and injured hundreds, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire, Qatars Foreign Ministry said Sunday. It is the deadliest crisis between the two countries in several years. The sides agreed to establish mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability, and to hold follow-up talks in the coming days to ensure the sustainability of the truce, the Qatari statement said. Qatar and Turkey mediated the negotiations, the statement added. Violence has escalated between the neighbors since earlier this month, with each country saying they were responding to aggression from the other.
China and the United States are set to hold fresh trade talks next week, following a video call between Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Saturday morning Beijing time.

"Vice-Premier He Lifeng and I engaged in frank and detailed discussions regarding trade between the United States and China," Bessent wrote on social media after their call.

"We will meet in person next week to continue our discussions."

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Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

In its readout, China described He's discussions with Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer as "candid, in-depth and constructive", touching upon "key issues in bilateral economic and trade relations".

"[The two sides] ... agreed to convene a new round of China-US economic and trade consultations at the earliest opportunity," state broadcaster CCTV reported.

No details on the timing or location of the talks were given in either country's readout of the call.

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But Bessent, at a White House event hours before the video conference, said the meeting would be held in Malaysia.

"He [Lifeng] and I, and a delegation, will meet in Malaysia," Bessent said. "Probably a week from tomorrow to prepare for the two presidents to meet."

The latest round of trade talks is meant to de-escalate tensions between the world's two largest economies before a planned meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in South Korea. That gathering is scheduled from October 31 to November 1.

Tensions flared after Beijing announced on October 9 it would roll out further export restrictions for rare earth elements. The move was expected to strengthen China's grip on the global supply of the minerals that are essential for manufacturing advanced semiconductors, jets and robots.

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Hours after Beijing's announcement, Trump threatened to impose an additional 100 per cent tariff on all Chinese goods from next month. Days later, Beijing added five American subsidiaries of a South Korean shipping company to its sanctions list.

But in an about-face, Trump on Friday suggested that the additional 100 per cent tariff plan appeared unworkable.

The high duties were "not sustainable", he told Fox Business Network in an interview broadcast on Friday.

Trump also confirmed that his meeting with Xi was on track to take place in two weeks in South Korea.

"I think we're going to be fine with China, but we have to have a fair deal," Trump said. "It's got to be fair."

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Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said on Tuesday that Trump would visit Kuala Lumpur on October 26, when the US leader was expected to attend the signing of a peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand on the sidelines of an Asean summit.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang was also expected to join regional leaders for the gathering of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations between October 26 and 28.

South Korean National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said in Seoul on Thursday that Trump was expected to visit the country for two days from October 29.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
Foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev on Saturday stated that Pakistan is deliberately fueling tensions with Afghanistan to draw the attention of US President Donald Trump and offer him a chance to broker peace, then ask for favours. "I think the big game Pakistan is playing is that it is intentionally creating a conflict with Afghanistan, and then taking that war on a silver platter to President Donald Trump and inviting him to broker peace and get him another victory as a peace president of the world," Sachdev said. He added that Pakistan's motive is to get closer to Washington and seek more political and economic favours from the United States. "In the process, Pakistan wants to get closer to the US and ask for more favours..." Sachdev added. When asked if the ongoing tensions could impact India, Sachdev said, "There may be some impact on India, but we should keep this issue separate. Our focus should remain on our own priorities, the economy and defence." He also pointed out that while there seems to be "some miscommunication between India and the US," it reflects Trump's negotiation style. "In the long run, India and the United States remain strategic partners," he added. The remarks come as Afghanistan and Pakistan are holding peace talks in Doha following a fresh round of border clashes along the Durand Line. The Taliban-led Afghan government has accused Pakistan of violating its sovereignty, blaming Islamabad for the recent airspace violations and shelling that killed several people. In a statement, Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Acting Foreign Minister Mullah Amir Khan Muttaqi held a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi to discuss the "violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty by Pakistan." "Afghanistan is not a follower of war, but rather the Pakistani side was the initiator by violating Afghanistan's airspace," the foreign ministry said, adding that negotiations with the Pakistani delegation are underway in Doha under the leadership of Afghanistan's Minister of National Defence. The Iranian minister expressed satisfaction with the start of the talks and offered Tehran's support to help both sides resolve the issue diplomatically. The renewed tension comes a day after US President Donald Trump again claimed credit for "solving" several global conflicts, including the May escalation between India and Pakistan. "I solved eight wars. Go to Rwanda and the Congo, talk about India and Pakistan... Look at all of the wars that we solved," Trump said during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday. "The Prime Minister of Pakistan said I saved millions of lives. Look at Pakistan and India as an example. That would have been a bad one. Two nuclear nations," he added. (ANI)
Savannah is one of those destinations that attracts a wide range of travelers, and those who have visited 'The Hostess City of the South' know exactly why. The lovers of hikes, trails, and forest bathing will find their nature needs met, as well as those ready to dine at the city's most iconic restaurant, which attracts celebrities (even if it is only open for 3 hours a day). While Savannah attracts almost 13 million people yearly with lots of unique things to enjoy, like visiting one of the most 'haunted hotels in America', it isn't danger-free. West Savannah and Yamacraw Village are the areas you'll want to be sure to avoid come nightfall.

As with all destinations, it's always wise to be mindful of the areas you wander in, and West Savannah and Yamacraw Village have a reputation worth noting when planning your itinerary. Yamacraw Village is a housing project that was constructed in 1941. It's one of the nation's oldest housing projects with historical significance for the African American community. It still has some of the dilapidated buildings standing today. West Savannah's history is interconnected with the lives and neglect of its African American community. It once served the freed enslaved community, laborers, and is now home to gangs, crimes, addiction, abuse, and shootings. As a whole, this region sees crimes like theft, fights, and drug activity.

According to a 2025 crime map, in West Savannah, there are several gun crime incidents, with some leading to fatalities. Reports show that in Savannah, tourists lost approximately $620,000 in both cash and possessions, largely around the Historic District and riverfront. Both Yamacraw Village and West Savannah are located to the west of the North Historic District, which offers restaurants, hotels, and shopping areas like River Street and Broughton Street.

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Read more: The 5 Most Alligator-Filled Destinations In All Of Florida

Things to remember if you're in or near West Savannah and Yayamamacraw Village

Street view of a neighborhood in West Savannah - Mileage Mike Travels/YouTube

Georgia's oldest city is a true gem, but to make the most out of your trip to Savannah, there are certain things you'll want to be cautious of. While the main tourist areas of Savannah are largely considered safe and patrolled, it's important to remain vigilant when wandering in general. In West Savannah, the overall crime rate is reported to be over twice the national average, and in Yamacraw Village, it is 50% above the national average. The majority of crime across the city occurs between 9 pm and 3 am, so it may be worth walking in groups or organizing safe transportation to get around. As with most destinations, it's also important to use common sense and not put yourself at risk with decisions like not walking home while drunk and vulnerable.

Across the entire city, there are systemic projects to improve safety measures. The 'Safer Together' Initiative, launched in 2024, is one way that the local government and police are seeking to make an impact by lowering crime rates and incidents through an app that provides real-time updates and anonymous tips. Even with these efforts, travelers should note that areas like Yamacraw Village are underfunded and neglected in ways that create the environment for crime. For instance, housing conditions are known to be poorer than in other parts of Savannah, and public street lighting is not always a guarantee, meaning the risk of both small and significant crimes may increase. By sticking to tourist spots that offer proper amenities and well-lit streets, and by remaining sensitive to the realities of poverty in these areas, you'll be able to minimize any exposure to harm.

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DENVER (KDVR)  The town of Superior is hosting its Kukur Tihar Day of the Dog festival on Sunday, Oct. 19, from noon to 2 p.m. at Autrey Dog Park.

The event is free to attend and celebrates the second day of the holy Hindu Tihar festival, Kukar, also known as the Dog Festival.

Places to see fall leaves at peak in Denver

The town of Superior is hosting its Kukur Tihar Day of the Dog festival on Sunday, Oct. 19, from noon to 2 p.m. at Autrey Dog Park. (Credit Town of Superior) The town of Superior is hosting its Kukur Tihar Day of the Dog festival on Sunday, Oct. 19, from noon to 2 p.m. at Autrey Dog Park. (Credit Town of Superior) The town of Superior is hosting its Kukur Tihar Day of the Dog festival on Sunday, Oct. 19, from noon to 2 p.m. at Autrey Dog Park. (Credit Town of Superior)

The town said dogs who attend will receive a special blessing and get to enjoy plenty of treats.

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Attendees are asked to only bring dogs who are well-behaved and friendly with other dogs and people, and to keep any dogs on a leash when outside of the designated dog park.

Autrey Dog Park is located in Superior at 1830 Honey Creek Dr.

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MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Kan.  A traffic stop in southeast Kansas led to the discovery of drugs and stolen property, according to the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies attempted to stop a vehicle around 10:20 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, near Main and Liberty streets in Cherryvale, because it did not have a visible rear license plate, the sheriffs office said in a news release.

The driver is accused of not immediately pulling over and leading deputies on a brief pursuit before stopping at a home in the 200 block of Neosho Street. Deputies identified the driver as Jacob Hamilton, of Cherryvale, who was arrested without further incident and taken to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections.

Jacob Hamilton, of Cherryvale

Authorities said they found a loaded firearm in the vehicle and determined Hamilton had thrown methamphetamine from the vehicle during the pursuit.

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Deputies later obtained a search warrant for Hamiltons home, where they reported finding drug paraphernalia, evidence of destroyed narcotics, and several stolen items from the area. The Cherryvale Police Department assisted with the search.

Hamilton faces multiple charges, including distribution of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, interference with law enforcement, fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement, transporting an open container, failure to use a turn signal, no vehicle registration, and no vehicle insurance.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities said they are working with neighboring agencies to recover additional stolen property. The case will be forwarded to the Montgomery County Attorneys Office for review.

FOUR STATES CRIME

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PERRY TOWNSHIP  This years general election on Nov. 4 in Perry Township will see four new candidates running against each other to fill two spots for the Board of Trustees. Sasha Weigt, Frank Clementz, Rick Phillips, and Scott Stombaugh are the candidates.

Each candidate laid out the plans that they have for the community and the message they had for those in the community. Communication, transparency, and addressing key issues in the township were a few of the main talking points.

Frank Clementz

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Clementz is very adamant about transparency in the community, as he believes that residents need good leadership and accountability for what is happening in the township.

He also believes that the residents of the community should have a voice and need to have a voice.

Township residents should be involved with all the issues with the community, not just the one that impacts us personally, but the ones that can help or hurt the rest of the township as well, he said.

Some of the key points that he laid out were communication with leaders in the community, so that issues can be addressed before decisions are made that could affect everyone, and he believes updating the webpage for the township is a good start.

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Scott Stombaugh

Communication and transparency are also big parts of Stombaughs campaign, and the reason he is running is that he would like to see new business come in and to see the township grow, and he would like township business to be more transparent to citizens.

Stombaughs message to the community is simple. I believe in being open and honest with the community, even when its not popular.

Economic growth is something Stombaugh believes is very important, and in particular, growth in Eastgate, where he believes there is a lack of new businesses. His solution is to try and work with the Allen County Economic Group to try and bring in new and prosperous businesses to the community.

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Sasha Weigt

Weigt is seeking the position of trustee so she can be a fair, unbiased, and reasonable voice for the community. She also stated that she is committed to lawfully conducting herself while doing her best to represent everyone with integrity and equality.

My platform is centered around establishing a vision for the township so that we have goals to work toward that will benefit the township overall. My goal as trustee is to strive for a more proactive, well-thought-out approach to get ahead of issues, she said.

Weigt said that she encourages the community to do research and pick a candidate that they feel aligns with their values and will do a good job getting things done for the township as a whole.

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We need good leaders in the community, and each of the candidates in this election has their own good qualities, she added.

The Lima News reached out to board of trustees candidate and former Perry Township Fire Chief Rick Phillips multiple times, but he failed to respond.




Travis County Parks officials are asking residents to weigh in on a sweeping 10-year plan that will guide how the county preserves green space, builds trails and expands recreation opportunities across more than 13,000 acres of parkland.

An online survey is open through Oct. 23 for residents to share feedback on the Travis County Parks Comprehensive Plan, and residents can also attend one of two open houses on Saturday to review draft recommendations and share ideas. Sessions are scheduled at Northeast Metro Park from 10 a.m. to noon and at Richard Moya Park from 2 to 4 p.m.

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This plan will shape the future of our Travis County parks, and we couldnt be more excited to see the communitys voice at the center of it, Joanna Wolaver, executive director of the Travis County Parks Foundation, said in a news release.

Building a roadmap through 2036

The plan will serve as a vision for the parks up to 2036, setting priorities for land acquisition, capital investments and future bond funding, according to Kari Spiegelhalter, a landscape architect with Mend Collaborative, the planning firm leading the project.

Spiegelhalter helped present the plan during a special Travis County Commissioners Court voting session Thursday  the first major update since 2016.

She said the plan reflects nearly a year of public outreach that included more than 1,000 survey responses, virtual workshops and pop-up events across the county. We went out to every single park, Spiegelhalter told commissioners, describing site assessments and environmental, cultural and demographic analyses that informed the draft proposals.

What the draft plan proposes

The draft recommendations cover eight main areas:

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Land management: restoring native landscapes, strengthening wildfire and drought resilience, and expanding ecological education.

Greenways and trails: completing four major corridors  Gilleland Creek, Onion Creek, Wilbarger Creek and the Colorado River Corridor  to form a 70-mile countywide network.

Operations and maintenance: improving ADA accessibility, modernizing amenities and creating workforce-retention and training programs.

Visitor experience: adding water-based recreation in eastern Travis County, new camping sites and adventure-sport areas.

History and culture: preserving historic resources and partnering with local schools and heritage groups for interpretive programming.

Programming and partnerships: expanding collaborations with nonprofits and agencies to enhance educational events and volunteer programs.

Park awareness: branding county parks as distinct from Austin city or state facilities and developing a mobile app with maps and alerts.

Public safety: increasing ranger patrols and emergency preparedness training.

The county also plans several park-specific vision plans  updated versions of what were once called master plans  to guide upgrades, amenities and land use at individual sites.

Janet Coules, a planning project manager with Travis County Parks, said each plan will outline a parks future design and needs and will be prioritized within the broader 10-year implementation schedule. Ongoing efforts include a new plan for Pace Bend Park, with others slated for Reimers Ranch, the Comanche Trail parks and RGK Ranch Park.

Community and court feedback

Commissioners praised the outreach effort and offered suggestions for refining the plan. Commissioner Margaret Gomez urged greater connection with youth organizations such as Scout troops and school programs to encourage outdoor participation. Commissioner Jeff Travillio suggested emphasizing historic African American cemeteries and using partnerships with local churches, radio stations and civic groups to deepen cultural engagement.

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Commissioner Ann Howard recommended adding employment under the park-awareness goal to highlight summer jobs and training opportunities for young people. She also called for clearer references to water conservation, given ongoing drought conditions.

County staff said public input from this final round of open houses and the online survey will directly influence which projects move forward first.

What [residents] say does have a huge impact on us determining our priorities, executive director of the Travis County Parks Foundation Joanna Wolaver said.

Whats next

After community feedback closes Oct. 23, planners will finalize recommendations and draft an implementation plan that organizes projects in phases of roughly three, six, and 10 years. The full Travis County Parks Comprehensive Plan is expected to be completed in December and presented to the Commissioners Court for adoption in early 2026.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  The trial of a man charged with murder in the alleged drunken driving crash that killed Arvin educator Larry Hallum has been postponed again, this time to early next year.

A new trial date of Jan. 20 was set during a hearing Friday in the case against 28-year-old Marque Qualls, who faces a life term in prison if convicted.

Qualls has a motions hearing set for next month.

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He was arrested after the Feb. 15, 2023, crash that fatally injured Hallum at the intersection of Old River Road and White Lane. Police said in court documents Qualls admitted trying to kill himself by intentionally crashing.

A breath test revealed he had a blood-alcohol content of 0.18%, more than twice the legal limit, according to the documents.

The breath test was thrown out by a Superior Court judge because Qualls was falsely told by a police officer that he was on probation. But toxicology results from a blood sample were ruled admissible during a hearing in August.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News.
Tuesdays vote by the Vigo County Council to block the use of county funds to modernize the aged local school facilities should be taken for what it is  another delay.

The heart of the problem remains as it has been for more than a decade. Multiple Vigo County School Corp. school buildings, especially the three high school facilities, have outlived their structural life expectancies. Several need extensive renovation. A few need replaced.

And, because the tough choice of funding 21st-century-equipped schools has been dodged again and again, Vigo County is not attracting enough new residents and employers to offset its family-age population decline. Thus, the VCSCs enrollment has dropped from 20,000 in the 1970s to around 13,500 now.

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So, the VCSC has proposed a plan to not only modernize its facilities, but also consolidate its roster of schools from a total of 23 to 16.

Tuesdays 4-3 vote basically affirmed that a slim majority of the County Council does not want the countys legislative body to be directly involved in remedying the school facilities problem. While some members votes reflected reasoned objections to the unusual interjection of the County Council into school-district matters, the lead-up to Tuesdays decision also included political posturing on social media, which spawned exaggerations and outright misinformation on those platforms.

Untruths, rumors and the conflation of unrelated issues for social-media appeal do not benefit the community.

Sadly, such an atmosphere prevailed in 2022, when a VCSC proposal for a $261-million renovation and rebuilding project for Terre Haute North, Terre Haute South and West Vigo high schools, and West Vigo Middle School, was voted down in a ballot referendum. Though imperfect, that plan looks wiser as the years pass. Terre Haute might already be drawing in more taxpaying families and companies.

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That 2022 outcome all but assured the only responsible alternative would include consolidation. The VCSC has put forward a smart, more comprehensive plan. It would trim its number of schools from three high schools to two, consolidating North and South into a larger facility, and renovating West Vigo. The county would have four middle schools instead of five, and 10 elementaries instead of 15. Some buildings would be repurposed.

The proposal gained apparent momentum from a unique possible source of funding apart from another ballot referendum. Earlier this year, the Indiana Legislature approved a measure authored by state Sen. Greg Goode, R-Terre Haute, allowing a county-city-VCSC collaboration that could tap into existing county funds for school facilities and possibly avoid a property-tax increase, or at least reduce the amount necessary.

Through that legislation, the Vigo County commissioners requested the County Councils approval of $100,000 for the startup costs of an independent oversight committee to make recommendations on the school facilities project. That $100,000 would pay for outside legal counsel with expertise in municipal and school financing, and that money would come from the countys casino gaming-tax account, Commissioner Chris Switzer said.

County Council member Steve Ellis introduced an ordinance to block the use of county funds for any Vigo school uses, without voters first approving such an expenditure through a ballot referendum. A 4-3 majority approved Ellis ordinance on Tuesday. Then on Friday, Council President David Thompson  one of three members who voted against Ellis blocking ordinance  declared Ellis measure invalid for procedural reasons.

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All of which brings the community to today.

School buildings constructed in cost-cutting fashion during the Eisenhower and Nixon administrations are worn out, especially North and South high schools. Avoiding the hard but necessary investment in modernizing a school district  whose marquee facilities are the three aged high schools  will mean yet another class of kids will miss the opportunity for a 21st-century-caliber education in their hometowns. Kicking that can even farther down the road might give a few candidates populist favor in upcoming elections, but that choice will look shortsighted years from now.

Whether it takes a referendum, or an innovative funding collaboration, or both, Vigo County young people and their teachers deserve modern schools. It is time to get it done.
Editors note: The video above aired on Oct. 4, 2024.

NEW YORK (PIX11)  Its almost Halloween, and New York City is closing down streets so children across the five boroughs can celebrate the chilling season.

Trick-or-Streets kicked off on Friday in Brooklyn, with Strauss Street and Newport Street to Riverdale Avenue being shut down from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

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Heres where else streets are expected to close for Halloween events:

Saturday, Oct. 18

Brooklyn

Bike the Block: Blake Avenue Streets closed: Blake Avenue, Thomas S. Boyland Street to Mother Gaston Boulevard Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Chauncey Street Open Street Streets closed: Chauncey Street, Saratoga Avenue to Howard Avenue Time: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Newkirk Avenue Open Street Streets closed: Newkirk Avenue, East 17th Street to Coney Island Avenue Time: 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Cooper Park Block Party Streets closed: Sharon Street, Olive Street to Morgan Avenue Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.



Manhattan

Arches Plaza Streets closed: Rose Street, Avenue of the Finest to Frankfort Street Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.



Staten Island

Castleton Avenue Streets closed: Castleton Avenue, Bement Avenue to Davis Avenue Time: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.



Sunday, Oct. 19

Brooklyn

BQ Flea Streets closed: Meeker Avenue, Lorimer Street to Union Avenue Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.



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Thursday, Oct. 23

Bronx

East 148th Street Open Street Streets closed: East 148th Street, Morris Avenue to College Avenue Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.



Brooklyn

Jitu Weusi Plaza Streets closed: Putnam Avenue, Grand Avenue to Fulton Street Time: 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.



Friday, Oct. 24

Brooklyn

Albemarle Road Open Street Streets closed: Albemarle Road, Marlborough Road to Argyle Road Time: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Strauss Street Open Street Streets closed: Strauss Street, Newport Street to Riverdale Avenue Time: 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.



Manhattan

Plaza de las Americas Streets closed: West 175th Street, Broadway to Wadsworth Avenue Time: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.



Queens

61st Street Open Street Streets closed: 61st Street, Roosevelt Avenue to Woodside Avenue Time: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.



Saturday, Oct. 25

Bronx

Lou Gehrig Plaza Streets closed: East 161st Street, Walton Avenue to Grand Concourse Time: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Bronx Night Market + Bindlestiff Family Circkus at Fordham Plaza Streets closed: Fordham Road, Webster Avenue to Washington Avenue Time: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

James Baldwin Plaza Streets closed: Goulden Avenue, Mosholu Parkway to undefined Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

West 231st Street Streets closed: West 231st Street, Sedgwick Avenue to Kingsbridge Terrace Time: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.



Brooklyn

Franklin Avenue Open Street Streets closed: Franklin Avenue, Atlantic Avenue to Eastern Parkway Time: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

11th Avenue Streets closed: 11th Avenue, 66th Street to 67th Street Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

5th Avenue Streets closed: 5th Avenue, 72nd Street to 85th Street Time: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Decatur Street Open Street Streets closed: Decatur Street, Howard Avenue to Saratoga Avenue Time: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Lexington Avenue Open Street Streets closed: Lexington Avenue, Classon Avenue to Grand Avenue Time: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Pearl Plaza Streets closed: Pearl Street, Water Street to Anchorage Place Time: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.



Manhattan

Amsterdam Avenue Open Street Streets closed: Amsterdam Avenue, West 110th Street to West 106th Street Time: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Audubon Avenue Plaza Streets closed: Audubon Avenue, West 166th Street to West 165th Street Time: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Bike the Block: Audubon Avenue Open Street Streets closed: Audubon Avenue, West 189th Street to West 190th Street Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Avenue B Open Street Streets closed: Avenue B, East 8th Street to East 9th Street Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

East 115th Street Open Street Streets closed: East 115th Street, Park Avenue to Madison Avenue Time: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

33rd Street Plaza Streets closed: West 33rd Street, 7th Avenue to 8th Avenue Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Haunted Fountain at the Cathedral Halloween Festival Streets closed: Amsterdam Avenue, West 111th Street to West 110th Street Time: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.



Queens

Ditmars Boulevard Streets closed: Ditmars Boulevard, 37th Street to 31st Street Time: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Murdock Plaza Streets closed: Murdock Avenue, 180th Street to Dead End Time: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Woodside Avenue Open Street Streets closed: Woodside Avenue, 76th Street to 77th Street Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.



Sunday, Oct. 26

Bronx

Bruckner Boulevard Streets closed: Bruckner Boulevard, Bronx River Avenue to Close Avenue Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.



Brooklyn

Berry Street Open Street Streets closed: Berry Street, South 3 Street to Broadway Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

BQ Flea Streets closed: Meeker Avenue, Lorimer Street to Union Avenue Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pearl Plaza Streets closed: Pearl Street, Water Street to Anchorage Place Time: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.



Manhattan

Columbus Avenue Open Street Streets closed: Columbus Avenue, West 77th Street to West 68th Street Time: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.

West 45th Street Streets closed: West 45th Street, 9th Avenue to 8th Avenue Time: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.



Monday, Oct. 27

Bronx

Bathgate Avenue Open Street Streets closed: Bathgate Avenue, East 182nd Street to East 181st Street Time: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.



Brooklyn

Pearl Plaza Streets closed: Pearl Street, Water Street to Anchorage Place Time: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.



Tuesday, Oct. 28

Brooklyn

Pearl Plaza Streets closed: Pearl Street, Water Street to Anchorage Place Time: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.



Manhattan

Malcolm X Plaza Streets closed: Malcolm X Boulevard, Saint Nicholas Avenue to West 111th Street Time: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.



Wednesday, Oct. 29

Bronx

Grand Avenue Open Street Streets closed: Grand Avenue, West Burnside Avenue to Tremont Avenue Time: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.



Brooklyn

Pearl Plaza Streets closed: Pearl Street, Water Street to Anchorage Place Time: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.



Queens

165th Street Open Street Streets closed: 165th Street, Jamaica Avenue to 89th Avenue Time: 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

29th Street Plaza Streets closed: 29th Street, Skillman Avenue to 47th Avenue Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.



Thursday, Oct. 30

Bronx

Roberto Clemente Plaza Streets closed: 3rd Avenue, East 148th Street to Willis Avenue Time: 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.



Brooklyn

Kensington Plaza Streets closed: Beverley Road, Church Avenue to East 2nd Street Time: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Chauncey Street Open Street Streets closed: Chauncey Street, Saratoga Avenue to Thomas Boyland Street Time: 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.



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Friday, Oct. 31

Bronx

Decatur Avenue Streets closed: Decatur Avenue, East 193rd Street to Fordham Road Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Decatur Avenue Open Street Streets closed: Decatur Avenue, East 195th Street to East 193rd Street Time: 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

East 193rd Street Streets closed: East 193rd Street, Bainbridge Avenue to Marion Avenue Time: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Evelyn Place Open Street Streets closed: Evelyn Place, Grand Avenue to Aqueduct Avenue East Time: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Harrod Place Open Street Streets closed: Harrod Place, Morrison Avenue to Westchester Avenue Time: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Jennings Street Open Street Streets closed: Jennings Street, Chisholm Street to Prospect Avenue Time: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Manor Avenue Open Street Streets closed: Manor Avenue, Westchester Avenue to East 172nd Street Time: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Morris Avenue Streets closed: Morris Avenue, East Burnside Avenue to East 181st Street Time: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Morrison Plaza Streets closed: Morrison Avenue, Harrod Place to Westchester Avenue Time: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.



Brooklyn

11th Street Streets closed: 11th Street, 8th Avenue to Prospect Park West Time: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

74th Street Streets closed: 74th Street, 5th Avenue to 6th Avenue Time: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Albemarle Road Open Street Streets closed: Albemarle Road, Marlborough Road to Argyle Road Time: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

East 19th Street Streets closed: East 19th Street, Shore Parkway to Emmons Avenue Time: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Fort Hamilton Parkway Streets closed: Fort Hamilton Parkway, 70th Street to Bay Ridge Avenue Time: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Garfield Place Streets closed: Garfield Place, 7th Avenue to 8th Avenue Time: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Gates Avenue Plaza Streets closed: Gates Avenue, Fulton Street to Vanderbilt Avenue Time: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Hoyt Street Open Street Streets closed: Hoyt Street, Atlantic Avenue to State Street Time: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Jefferson Avenue Open Street Streets closed: Jefferson Avenue, Malcom X Boulevard to Patchen Avenue Time: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Joralemon Street Open Street Streets closed: Joralemon Street, Hicks Street to Furman Street Time: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Madison Street Streets closed: Madison Street, Bedford Avenue to Nostrand Avenue Time: 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Marcy Avenue Plaza Streets closed: Marcy Avenue, MacDonough Street to Fulton Street Time: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Montgomery Place Open Street Streets closed: Montgomery Place, 8th Avenue to Prospect Park West Time: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Park Place Streets closed: Park Place, Underhill Avenue to Vanderbilt Avenue Time: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Zion Triangle Plaza Streets closed: Pitkin Avenue, Legion Street to East New York Avenue Time: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Polhemus Place Open Street Streets closed: Polhemus Place, Garfield Place to Carroll Street Time: 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Prospect Place Open Street Streets closed: Prospect Place, Classon Avenue to Grand Avenue Time: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sterling Place Streets closed: Sterling Place, Underhill Avenue to Washington Avenue Time: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Underhill Avenue Streets closed: Underhill Avenue, Prospect Place to Saint Johns Place Time: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Washington Street Open Street Streets closed: Washington Street, Front Street to Water Street Time: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Waverly Avenue Streets closed: Waverly Avenue, DeKalb Avenue to Willoughby Avenue Time: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Pearl Plaza Streets closed: Pearl Street, Water Street to Anchorage Place Time: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

82nd Street Streets closed: 82nd Street, Colonial Road to Narrows Avenue Time: 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.



Manhattan

Broome Street Streets closed: Broome Street, Essex Street to Norfolk Street Time: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Clarkson Street Open Street Streets closed: Clarkson Street, Varick Street to Hudson Street Time: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Doyers Street Plaza Streets closed: Doyers Street, Pell Street to Bowery Time: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

East 10th Street Streets closed: East 10th Street, 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue Time: 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

East 112th Street Streets closed: East 112th Street, Park Avenue northbound to Park Avenue southbound Time: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

East 123rd Street Open Street Streets closed: East 123rd Street, 3rd Avenue to 2nd Avenue Time: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

East 3rd Street Streets closed: East 3rd Street, Avenue A to Avenue B Time: 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

East 78th Street Open Street Streets closed: East 78th Street, Lexington Avenue to Park Avenue Time: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

East 92nd Street Streets closed: East 92nd Street, Park Avenue to 5th Avenue Time: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Hamilton Place Streets closed: Hamilton Place, West 143rd Street to West 142nd Street Time: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Hamilton Terrace Streets closed: Hamilton Terrace, West 141st Street to West 144th Street Time: 12 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Hudson Boulevard West Open Street Streets closed: Hudson Boulevard West, West 36th Street to West 35th Street Time: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Humboldt Plaza Streets closed: Humboldt Street, Moore Street to Varet Street Time: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Jay Street Open Street Streets closed: Jay Street, Greenwich Street to Staple Street Time: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Pell Open Street Streets closed: Pell Street, Mott Street to Mott Street Time: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Pershing Square Plaza Streets closed: Park Avenue, East 41st Street to East 42nd Street Time: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

St. Nicholas Avenue Open Street Streets closed: St. Nicholas Avenue, West 116th Street to West 118th Street Time: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Stanton Street Open Street Streets closed: Stanton Street, Norfolk Street to Essex Street Time: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Quisqueya Plaza Streets closed: Dyckman Street, Broadway to Seaman Avenue Time: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

West 107th Street Streets closed: West 107th Street, Central Park West to Manhattan Avenue Time: 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

West 120th Street Open Street Streets closed: West 120th Street, Lenox Avenue to Mount Morris Park West Time: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

West 123rd Street Streets closed: West 123rd Street, Lenox Avenue to Mount Morris Park West Time: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

West 124th Street Streets closed: West 124th Street, Malcolm X Boulevard to Mount Morris Park West Time: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

West 143rd Street Streets closed: West 143rd Street, Bradhurst Avenue to Frederick Douglass Boulevard Time: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

West 22nd Street Streets closed: West 22nd Street, 10th Avenue to 8th Avenue Time: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

West 78th Street Streets closed: West 78th Street, Columbus Avenue to Amsterdam Avenue Time: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.



Queens

106th, 107th and 108th streets Streets closed: 106th Street, 85th Avenue to 86th Avenue; 107th Street, 85th Avenue to Jamaica Avenue; 108th Street, 85th Avenue to Park Lane South Time: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

109th Avenue Open Street Streets closed: 109th Avenue, 159th Street to 158th Street Time: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

109th Avenue Open Street Streets closed: 109th Avenue, 204th Street to 203rd Street Time: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

116th Avenue Streets closed: 116th Avenue, Inwood Street to 147th Street Time: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

119th Avenue Streets closed: 119th Avenue, 190th Street to 191st Street Time: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

190th Street Open Street Streets closed: 190th Street, 117th Road to 118th Avenue Time: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

31st Avenue Open Street Streets closed: 31st Avenue, 33rd Street to 35th Street Time: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

34th Avenue Open Street Streets closed: 34th Avenue, 69th Street to Junction Boulevard Time: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Austin Street Streets closed: Austin Street, Continental Avenue to 71st Road Time: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Vernon Boulevard Streets closed: Vernon Boulevard, 46th Avenue to 50th Avenue Time: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Corona Plaza Streets closed: Roosevelt Avenue, National Street to 104th Street Time: 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Trick-or-Streets Community Bike Ride Streets closed: 78th Street, 34th Avenue to 35th Avenue Time: 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.



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To find Halloween parades in New York City, click here.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Halloween season is here, and across the country, candy chaos is about to begin. Some neighborhoods go all outstocking up on full-size bars, themed decorations, and even a little something for parentswhile others quietly turn off their porch lights and call it a night.

A new study surveyed more than 2,000 Americans to uncover which states are the mostand leastgenerous when it comes to handing out Halloween candy. The results reveal a true candy divide, and depending on your ZIP code, trick-or-treaters might either hit the jackpot or come home light-handed.

Related: Hershey Is Innovating the Candy Game With 2 Brand-New Festive Sweets: Sign Me Up!

The States That Give Out the Most (and Least) Candy

According to the report, West Virginia takes the top spot as the most generous state in America, earning a near-perfect generosity score of 96.68 out of 100. Mississippi and Georgia follow close behind, while Nevada and Maryland round out the top five.

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On the opposite end, North Carolina, Oregon, and Iowa ranked as the "stingiest" when it comes to candy handouts.

The survey found that the average American plans to spend $49.19 on candy this year, with 55% of respondents saying they want to be known as the neighborhood good candy house.

Still, not everyones in the Halloween spiritone in five participants said candy is simply too expensive to give out, and two in five admitted to hiding inside and pretending not to be home when trick-or-treaters arrive.

Related: Hershey Releases 3 Bold New Flavors of Larger Than Life Fan-Favorite Candy

Its Not Just the Kids Getting Treats This Year

The study also found that some states go the extra mile for adults. Nevada, New York, and New Jersey lead the nation in offering adult treats, ranging from full-size candy bars to alcoholic beverages for parents tagging along. In Mississippi, one in six residents reportedly hand out drinks to adults on Halloween night.

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The report highlights how Americans celebrate the holiday in their own unique ways. Some neighborhoods turn it into a full-blown celebration with block parties and full-size bars, while others keep things quietor skip it altogether. Either way, the Halloween spirit finds a way to show up.

If your state happens to fall on the sweet side of the list, count yourself luckytheres a good chance youll score some full-size bars or even a treat for the grown-ups. But if youre in one of the stingier states, you might want to grab some backup candy of your own.

Whether your neighborhood is handing out king-sized chocolate bars or skipping the doorbell entirely, the report proves one thing: Halloween generosity looks a little different depending on where you livebut the love for candy remains universal.

Next:Hershey's 'King' of Halloween Candy Gets a Fresh New Release That You Have to Try

This story was originally reported by Parade on Oct 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A huge number of demonstrators gathered in cities and towns across the United States as part of the "No Kings" protests, a coordinated nationwide movement voicing strong opposition to President Donald Trump's administration and policies, CNN reported on Saturday (local time). According to CNN, more than 2,500 events took place in all 50 states, drawing large crowds in major urban centres and centres of communities alike. The protests were organised as a national day of action aimed at rejecting authoritarianism and defending democratic principles. While demonstrators expressed frustration over a wide range of Trump-era policies, several recurring themes emerged. According to CNN, concerns are over the erosion of democratic norms, outrage over aggressive immigration enforcement and ICE raids, the deployment of federal troops in US cities, and cuts to essential government programmes, especially in healthcare. In Atlanta, protestors began the day at the city's Civic Centre before marching to the Georgia State Capitol, where they rallied under the "No Kings" banner, as reported by CNN. The event emphasised a peaceful yet urgent call to safeguard American democracy and resist authoritarian leadership. Los Angeles also saw a significant turnout, with a particular focus on immigrant rights. Many participants carried Mexican flags or hybrids of US and Mexican flags, signalling solidarity with immigrant communities affected by recent federal crackdowns. The city was also a flashpoint for immigration protests in June, particularly following federal raids and President Trump's controversial decision to deploy the National Guard without the governor's approval, an unprecedented move not seen since 1965, CNN reported. The demonstrations come at a time of heightened political tension, amid a federal government shutdown and partisan deadlock in Washington over a funding bill. Democratic leaders have largely voiced support for the protests, while many Republican lawmakers have criticised them as anti-American. California Governor Gavin Newsom, in a statement posted on X, encouraged demonstrators to remain calm and peaceful."As Californians take to the streets today to stand up against the President's authoritarian playbook, I urge everyone to stay safe and demonstrate peacefully. Don't give in to his provocations. Our strength is in our unity and peace," Newsom wrote. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also voiced strong support for the protests, saying he marched alongside labour unions and fellow New Yorkers. "Today as millions of Americans rally across this country for No Kings Day: I proudly marched side-by-side with labor unions and so many more of our fellow citizens in NYC. We have no dictators in America. And we won't allow Trump to keep eroding our democracy," Schumer said in a post on X. Senator Bernie Sanders echoed the sentiments of the day, thanking those who participated in the protests from cities to small towns. "Thank you to the millions of Americans who turned out in small communities and big cities all over this country to say loudly and boldly: No more kings. In America, We the People will rule," Sanders wrote. Meanwhile, in New York City, authorities reported that the protests remained peaceful throughout the day, despite the massive turnout of 100,000 across all five boroughs. It further stated that no protest-related arrests were made. "The majority of the No Kings protests have dispersed at this time, and all traffic closures have been lifted. We had more than 100,000 people across all five boroughs peacefully exercising their First Amendment rights and the NYPD made zero protest-related arrests," the New York Police Department said in a statement on X. (ANI)
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has terminated a consent order that prohibited Citibank from discriminating against its Armenian American customers.

The agency, led by President Trump's Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought, ended the consent order on Thursday, three years earlier than when it was set to expire.

The termination order signed by Vought said the bank had already paid more than $24.5 million in penalties and redress payments required by the agreement, and that it had taken steps to prevent future violations of the law. The order also waived any allegations of noncompliance.

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Citibank entered into the consent order in November 2023 after it was accused of applying more stringent criteria or even blocking the accounts of credit card applicants in and around Glendale with surnames ending in "ian" and "yan."

Read more: Citigroup to pay $25.9 million for discriminating against Armenian Americans in California

The bank suspected that those applicants seeking new cards or higher limits would be more likely to commit fraud, with some employees referring to them as Armenian bad guys or the Southern California Armenian Mafia, according to the consent order.

The agency also also found that the bank took corrective action against employees who failed to identify and deny the applications. Employees were ordered not to tell customers the real reasons for their rejections or to discuss it in writing or on recorded lines.

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The agencys findings focused on Citigroups retail-services division, which houses the banks co-brand credit-card partnerships with such companies as Home Depot and Best Buy.

The bank did not admit or deny the CFPB's findings. It declined comment Friday.

California Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff blasted the decision to end the consent agreement.

Read more: Citibank employees called them 'Armenian bad guys' and canceled their accounts. Now they're suing

Once again, this administration is putting big corporations ahead of the people,'" he said in a statement. "This choice, to take the side of the bank against the wronged in the face of the most plainly discriminatory conduct, will cast a long shadow over the community."

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The CFPB did not respond to an email inquiry for comment.

Glendale is home to about 15% of the Armenian American population in the U.S, with Los Angeles County having a population of about 250,000 of the ethnic group.

The settlement prompted litigation against the bank by hundreds of customers, some of whom said they not only had their credit card applications rejected but even had accounts closed after years with Citibank.

"Although this does not affect our pursuit of Citibank for its discrimination against Armenian Americans in our community, this is still a slap in the face to the Armenian Americans in Los Angeles County, many of whom support our president," said Glendale attorney Tamar Arminak, whose firm filed a number of the ongoing lawsuits.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
President Donald Trump appeared to admit that the import taxes hes unilaterally imposed on Chinese products are having a detrimental effect on American consumers pocketbooks but did not express a willingness to change course in the trade war he has waged against Beijing since returning to the White House nine months ago.

The president made the startling admission during a Friday appearance on Fox Business Networks Mornings with Maria program after anchor Maria Bartiromo pressed him on his recent threat to slap an additional 100 percent tariff on Chinese imports after the Chinese government announced plans for new export controls on rare earth metals used in a variety of technology-related products.

Bartitomo asked: If you put a 100 percent tariff on top of what is in place, a 157 percent tariff on China, can that stand? What is that doing to the economy?

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In response, Trump admitted that a 157 percent tax on Chinese imports is not sustainable before conceding that such a tax rate is where the number is at this point.

President Trump appears to have no desire to call off his planned 157 percent tax on Chinese imports despite admitting that it is not sustainable. (Getty Images)

It is probably, could stand  but they forced me to do that, he added.

Trump then pivoted to offering fulsome praise for Chinese leader Xi Jinping, calling him an amazing man and a great leader whose life story could be good for a movie in his estimation.

I think were going to be fine with China but we have to have a fair deal got to be fair, you covered it as well as anybody that ever covered the subject here very complex subject. China ripped us off from day one, he said.

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He then blamed one of his predecessors, Richard Nixon, for having opened China with his 1972 visit there, which preceded a relaxation of trade and travel restrictions imposed during the Korean War. Full diplomatic relations with Beijing were later established during the Jimmy Carter administration, which broke off recognition of Taiwan in favor of the People's Republic of China.

Richard Nixon allowed this to happen opened China  I said, Is that good or bad? You tell me, he said, adding later that the 37th president had unleashed a very strong adversary by working to ease Sino-American tensions.

The proposed 100 percent tax is scheduled to go into effect on November 1, but U.S. Trade Representative Jameson Greer told CNBC that could change depending on what the Chinese do with respect to their export controls on rare earth minerals.
US President Donald Trump continues to "work hard" to achieve peace, but Washington's patience over Russia's war against Ukraine "is growing very thin", the White House has said.

Source: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Fox News, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Leavitt said that Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on 17 October, shortly after holding talks with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.

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Quote: "In both of these conversations, with both Putin and Zelenskyy, they were cordial but very frank. And the President of the United States has said to both sides of this war that this has been going on for far too long. Far too many innocent people have been killed. And the United States of America is growing very weary and tired of this war."

More details: She added that both Russia and Ukraine must recognise the "reality on the ground" and "come to a peace agreement".

Quote: "Because President Trump's patience and the patience of the American people is growing very thin with this war. So he was very frank and direct."

Background:

After meeting Zelenskyy, Trump said he sees a chance to reach an agreement to end the Russo-Ukrainian war in the near future.

Trump also reiterated his belief that the Russian ruler is interested in ending the war and that Ukraine and Russia need "to make a deal".

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Lindsey Halligan, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, has fired two top lawyers in the office who resisted an effort to bring charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, sources familiar with the matter confirmed to ABC News.

Elizabeth Yusi, the top criminal prosecutor for the Norfolk office, and her deputy Kristin Bird were informed of their removals Friday -- marking the latest firings in one of the most important federal prosecutorial offices in the country that oversees sensitive national security and terrorism cases.

Sources familiar with the matter said their firings were tied to their resistance to bringing charges against James.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images - PHOTO: Former FBI Director James Comey Arraigned On Obstruction Charges

New York AG Letitia James speaks out on federal indictment: 'I will not bow'

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Halligan was appointed to the Virginia office last month to replace an official who had defied demands to prosecute President Donald Trump's perceived enemies, including James and former FBI Director James Comey.

ABC News previously was the first to report that investigators in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia determined that there was no evidence to support a probable cause standard to charge James on fraud charges stemming from a referral from the Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte.

Halligan, without the support of any career prosecutors in the office she now leads, moved forward in seeking an indictment of James.

A grand jury on Oct. 9 charged James with two counts of bank fraud and false statements to a financial institution.

Jacquelyn Martin/AP - PHOTO: Lindsey Halligan

Top prosecutor fired from embattled US attorney's office slams DOJ leadership

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James, who has denied wrongdoing and cast her prosecution as an effort to weaponize the Justice Department against Trump's political opponents, is set to appear in court next Friday for her arraignment.

Yusi and Bird's firings are likely to stoke further turmoil in an office that has already seen the departures of multiple senior officials who have told colleagues they believe their removals were driven solely by politics.

Earlier this month, two other officials -- including the office's top national security prosecutor, Michael Ben'Ary -- were fired.
The administration of US President Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to suspend a lower court ruling that temporarily blocked the deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago and the surrounding areas.

The Democratic-led state of Illinois and the city of Chicago had filed a lawsuit challenging Trump's plan, saying soldiers could not be sent to the region without their consent.

Last week, a federal court in Chicago initially blocked the deployment for two weeks. The Trump administration then turned to a federal appeals court, but it also initially refused to authorize the troop deployment.

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Trump is now seeking relief from the Supreme Court. During his first term, the US president appointed three justices to fill vacancies on the court, shifting it sharply to the right.

The dispute escalated after National Guard troops were placed under federal control and sent to protect federal property and officials, including agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Troops from Texas were also sent to Illinois.

Before the court block, National Guard troops were seen at an ICE facility in a Chicago suburb, the site of weeks-long protests against the agency's migrant raids.

In the United States, state governors usually command their National Guard units. Only in wartime or national emergencies can the president assume control. Otherwise, the Guard can be deployed domestically for natural disasters, unrest or other emergencies.
President Donald Trump wants the Supreme Court to decide whether he can deploy the National Guard in Chicago after two lower courts ruled against him.

On Friday, the 79-year-old president filed an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court saying that the decisions from Judge April Perry of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which block his attempt to send the military into Illinois to quell ICE protests, improperly impinge on the presidents authority and needlessly endanger federal personnel and property.

The Trump administration is trying to argue that protests against ICE activity in Chicago amount to insurrection. Two courts have already struck this argument down. / Chicago Tribune / TNS

In an attempt to argue that ICE protesters are out of control, the emergency appeal argues, The federal agents efforts are met with prolonged, coordinated, violent resistance that threatens their lives and safety and systematically interferes with their ability to enforce federal law. The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comment.

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The White House was caught trying to pass off footage of violence in red states as footage from the chaos in Chicago last week.

In the previous two rulings, judges sternly rebuked the presidents characterization of the situation in Chicago.

Perry said she had seen no credible evidence that there is a danger of a rebellion in the state of Illinois in her ruling. She added that the Trump administration displayed a troubling trend of equating protests with riots and a lack of appreciation for the wide spectrum that exists between citizens who are observing, questioning, and criticizing their government, and those who are obstructing, assaulting, or doing violence.

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals panelwhich consisted of one Trump appointee, an Obama appointee, and an H.W. Bush appointeewrote on Thursday, Political opposition is not rebellion.

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A protest does not become a rebellion merely because the protestors advocate for myriad legal or policy changes, are well organized, call for significant changes to the structure of the U.S. government, use civil disobedience as a form of protest, or exercise their Second Amendment right to carry firearms as the law currently allows, the panel wrote.

The president is arguing that he has the authority to do whatever he wants with the military based on an 1827 decision. Critics disagree with his interpretation of that case. / Alex Wong/Getty Images

The president is attempting to invoke the 1827 Martin v. Mott ruling to justify deploying troops to Chicago. In that instance, the court ruled against a militiaman who refused to mobilize for the War of 1812 because he did not believe it was necessary. In that instance, the Court ruled, the authority to decide whether the exigency has arisen belongs exclusively to the president.

Trump is arguing that, based on that precedent, courts have no authority to review the presidents decision to mobilize the National Guard.

Criticsand now two courtshave said there is a significant difference between ordering troops to mobilize against a foreign invader and Americans exercising their First Amendment rights.

Even if the Supreme Court rules against Trump in the case, theres no guarantee that Trump will abide by the decision. In a Thursday interview with The New York Times, Justice Amy Coney Barrett admitted that the Supreme Court has no power to ensure the president obeys its decisions.
(The Center Square)  President Donald Trump hosted President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday afternoon, in hopes of inching Ukraine and Russia closer to peace.

Trump told the media Friday evening that the two had a very good meeting, a very cordial meeting.

However, the president said that he has told both Eastern European leaders to stop the war and go by the battle line wherever it is or else it gets too complicated.

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The meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine was very interesting, and cordial, but I told him, as I likewise strongly suggested to President Putin, that it is time to stop the killing, and make a DEAL! Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by War and Guts, the president posted to Truth Social Friday evening. They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide!

The president pleaded with the leaders to stop shooting, no more Death, no more vas and unsustainable sums of money spent.

The meeting comes a day after Trump had a lengthy and productive conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which the two agreed to meet in Hungary.

One of the topics of interest during the bilateral meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy is Ukraines desire to purchase U.S. Tomahawk missiles.

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During a news conference between the two leaders, they both emphasized their desire to reach a peace agreement. However, Zelenskyy underscored the need for more weapons, including the Tomahawks.

Zelenskyy suggested a trade between Ukrainian drones for U.S. Tomahawk missiles, which the president suggested he would be open to the exchange. However, the president appears to be reluctant to sell Tomahawks, potentially leaving the U.S. short in case they are needed.

The president indicated that the threat of Tomahawks may be bringing Putin to the table; however, he noted that the Russian president wants to end the war, acknowledging that bad things can happen with the missiles.

Overall, the president appears confident that he can solve the war. I am the mediator president, Trump told the media.

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Trump addressed concerns that Putin is trying to buy more time in wanting to meet, which he acknowledged.

The president said he is eager to strike a peace deal between the two countries, noting that he thought the war would be easier to solve, adding that there is a lot of bad blood between the two leaders.
(The Center Square)  President Donald Trump wielded his executive powers Friday to commute the prison sentence of former New York congressman George Santos, ordering his immediate release from a federal facility.

George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated, Trump posted on Truth Social Friday night. Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life!

Santos reported to prison in July at a federal penitentiary in Fairton, New Jersey, shortly after he pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft during his 2022 campaign. He has served less than three months of a seven-year term, which he agreed to an exchange for avoiding a trial.

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The president cited the former New York lawmakers political support in the announcement, saying Santos has "the Courage, Conviction and Intelligence to "ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN."

George Santos was somewhat of a rogue, but there are many rogues throughout our Country that arent forced to serve seven years in prison, Trump wrote in the post.

Santos had openly sought clemency from Trump since the presidents return to the White House in January. He's been helped by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who sent a letter to the Department of Justice to formally request Santos sentence be commuted.

But the president's move drew criticism from several New York Republicans who voted to expel Santos from Congress. They said the disgraced former lawmaker deserved more time in jail.

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George Santos didnt merely lie  he stole millions, defrauded an election, and his crimes (for which he pled guilty) warrant more than a three-month sentence," U.S. Rep. Nick LaLota, R-Rocky Point, said in a statement. He should devote the rest of his life to demonstrating remorse and making restitution to those he wronged.

Rep. Andrew Garbarino, a member of the House Ethics subcommittee that investigated Santos, also blasted the commutation, saying the short period of time Santos has spent in prison "is not justice.

The victims of his crimes still have not been made whole, including the people he stole from and the voters he defrauded," Garbarino said in a statement. "He has shown no remorse."

Federal prosecutors in New York say that Santos and his former campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, submitted false financial reports to the Federal Election Commission, inflating his fundraising numbers. They also allege he fraudulently collected over $24,000 in unemployment insurance benefits. Marks has pleaded guilty to the charges.

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A previous indictment filed in May against Santos charged him with embezzling money from his campaign and lying to Congress about his income, among other allegations. He had previously pleaded not guilty to those charges and has confessed his innocence for months. He was scheduled to go to trial in September.

Following Santos' indictment in October, Congress formally expelled Santos in a bipartisan vote after a damaging report from a House ethics subcommittee found substantial evidence of misconduct and illegal activity.

Santos, who has admitted to faking his resume and lying about his educational background, was also hit with a Federal Elections Commission complaint alleging his campaign engaged in a "straw donor scheme" to conceal the sources of a $705,000 personal loan to his campaign.

His expulsion prompted a special election that led to Republicans losing New York's 3rd Congressional District seat to Democrat Tom Suozzi, a former congressman.
President Donald Trump is commuting the sentence of former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., and said the disgraced lawmaker should be quickly released from prison.

George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated, Trump posted on Truth Social Friday evening. Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life!

Trump called the 37-year-old Santos something of a rogue, but added that he was also a Great Hero. A senior White House official told NBC News that the president heard from so many people, and in recent days he decided it was the right decision. Its his call, and he made it.

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Santos was arrested in 2023 on federal charges related to wire fraud, money laundering and theft. He eventually pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison and ordered to pay a fine. He began serving his sentence in New Jersey this July.

Elected to Congress in 2022 after flipping a Democratic seat in Long Island, Santos political career was polarizing but short. The North Shore Leader, a small Long Island-based outlet, reported on significant holes in his resume and personal backstory before the election, but the story didnt resonate widely until The New York Times uncovered more discrepancies after Santos was elected but before he took office.

A House Ethics Committee investigation later found that there was "substantial evidence" he misused campaign funds for personal reasons, including Botox, a subscriptions to OnlyFans and other luxury items. The House formally voted to remove Santos from office in December 2023.

Santos is overjoyed and appreciative to Trump for his compassion in seeing the suffering Mr. Santos endured through the prosecution, his lawyer told NBC News, adding that his clients sentence was draconian.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
US President Donald Trump on Friday said he commuted the prison sentence of former Republican congressman George Santos, who was convicted of fraud.

Trump announced the move on Truth Social, saying Santos would be released from prison immediately, without providing further details.

"George Santos was somewhat of a 'rogue,' but there are many rogues throughout our Country that aren't forced to serve seven years in prison," Trump wrote.

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"George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated," the president added.

"Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life!"

Santos was sentenced in April to more than seven years in prison for fraud and identity theft, among other charges, after pleading guilty. He began serving his sentence in July.

In an open letter shared on his X account a few days ago, Santos had asked Trump for permission to return home.

Santos' rise to national politics was overshadowed from the start by allegations of fraud and deception. He falsified large portions of his resume, which he presented to voters in 2022. Over time, further lies and bizarre episodes related to Santos came to light.

Due to his lies and erratic behaviour, Santos was expelled from the US House of Representatives in early December 2023. He had served roughly one year as the representative of a New York district and had positioned himself as a supporter of Trump.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday (local time) ordered the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt to remain closed "until further notice," shortly after the Palestinian Embassy in Cairo announced that the crossing would reopen on Monday, October 20. In a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office, Netanyahu linked the continued closure of the Rafah crossing to the return of the bodies of Israeli hostages and Hamas' compliance with a previously agreed framework. "PM Netanyahu instructed that the Rafah border crossing will not open until further notice. Its opening will be under consideration in accordance with the manner in which Hamas implements its part in return of the deceased hostages and implementation of the agreed upon framework," the Israeli PMO said. Earlier, the Palestinian Embassy in Cairo had stated that, following coordination with Egyptian authorities, the Rafah crossing would reopen starting Monday to facilitate the return of Palestinian citizens currently residing in Egypt back to the Gaza Strip. "The Embassy of the State of Palestine in Cairo announced that, after communicating with the relevant authorities in the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Rafah border crossing will open starting next Monday, October 20. This will enable Palestinian citizens residing in the Arab Republic of Egypt and wishing to return to the Gaza Strip to travel, in accordance with the established coordination mechanism," the embassy said in an official statement. The embassy added that further logistical details regarding gathering points and departure times would be communicated directly to those affected. "The embassy stated that it will communicate with citizens and inform them of the gathering times and locations in preparation for movement towards the Rafah border crossing," the statement further read. The Rafah border crossing is the only exit point from Gaza not directly controlled by Israel, making it a critical humanitarian and logistical lifeline for residents of the besieged enclave. It has been periodically closed amid the ongoing conflict, depending on political and security conditions. Meanwhile, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) stated that two coffins containing the bodies of deceased hostages were handed over by Hamas to the Red Cross and are currently being transported to Israeli personnel in Gaza. "According to information provided by the Red Cross, two coffins of deceased hostages have been transferred into their custody and are on their way to IDF and ISA forces in Gaza. Hamas is required to uphold the agreement and take the necessary steps to return all the hostages," the IDF stated in a post on X. (ANI)
George Santos, the disgraced former Republican congressman, will be released from prison after Donald Trump commuted his sentence.

Santos was convicted of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft and sentenced to a seven-year jail term in April.

In a post on Truth Social announcing the commutation, Mr Trump said Santos was a rogue who had been horribly mistreated and would be released immediately.

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George Santos was somewhat of a rogue, but there are many rogues throughout our Country that arent forced to serve seven years in prison, Mr Trump wrote.

George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated. Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life!

Santos, a fierce supporter of Mr Trump, was expelled from Congress in 2023 after multiple investigations revealed he had fabricated substantial parts of his life story and defrauded donors of tens of thousands of dollars.

When Santos was first elected in 2022  having flipped a Democratic district in New York  he was considered a rising star as the first openly gay Republican to defeat an incumbent.

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However, his downfall began just weeks later when an investigation by The New York Times found he had lied on his CV about working on Wall Street and having a university degree.

From there, his web of lies unravelled further.

Santos was accused of fleecing $3,000 (2,230) from a fund he had set up for a homeless US Navy veterans sick dog in 2016.

He also falsely claimed to be Jewish and to have ancestors who fled the Holocaust, and later denied making the statement after records showed it was untrue.

Another of his bizarre claims was that he had been a volleyball star at university.

His expulsion from Congress came a month after the release of a scathing report by the US House of Representativess ethics committee which found overwhelming evidence of misconduct and intent to fraudulently exploit every aspect of his House candidacy.

Santos on the day he was ousted from Congress in 2023 - Bloomberg

The report claimed he had misused campaign contributions for personal expenses, including botox, subscriptions to OnlyFans and holidays in Las Vegas and The Hamptons.

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Accusing the committee of a smear campaign, following the vote to expel him Santos said: Why would I want to stay here? To hell with this place.

He became only the third American to be ejected from Congress since the Civil War.

Santos pleaded guilty to 23 federal charges in August 2024 alleging he had lied on claims for unemployment benefits, laundered campaign funds for personal use and stolen more than $44,000 using credit cards from donors.

He was ordered at the time to pay $374,000 in restitution, but the commutation stipulated that Santos would no longer have to pay any damages to his victims.

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Although the disgraced politician had said earlier this year that he would not ask Mr Trump for a pardon, he wrote a regular column in a local Long Island newspaper detailing his life behind bars since the start of his sentence in July, which he called hell on earth.

His final submission, entitled, a passionate plea to President Trump, appealed to the US president to give him a second chance.

Mr. President, I have nowhere else to turn, he wrote on Oct 13.

You have always been a man of second chances, a leader who believes in redemption and renewal. I am asking you now, from the depths of my heart, to extend that same belief to me.

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The column referenced an interview Mr Trump had done with Newsmax in August, where he did not rule out pardoning Santos.

Nobodys talked to me about it, Mr Trump said.

He lied like hell. And I didnt know him, but he was 100 per cent for Trump.

Hes shown remorse. Its time to correct this injustice

Although he apologised in court for his unethical and guilty crimes, in the months following he sought to profit off his notoriety by flogging personalised videos on Cameo and launching a podcast called Pants on Fire, comparing the media attention surrounding the debut to Princess Dianas visit to New York City in 1989.

Still, there was growing sentiment among Republicans that his punishment was too harsh.

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In August, Marjorie Taylor Greene, a congresswoman for Georgia, sent a letter to the US Department of Justice appealing for his release, and characterised Santoss sentence as excessive and a grave injustice.

Without providing evidence, Ms Greene said there were other members of Congress who had committed far worse offences than Santos yet have faced zero criminal charges.

George Santos has taken responsibility. Hes shown remorse. Its time to correct this injustice, Ms Greene wrote in an X post accompanying the letter.

After Mr Trumps announcement, Ms Greene wrote on X: THANK YOU President Trump for releasing George Santos!! He was unfairly treated and put in solitary confinement, which is torture!!

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President Donald Trump confirmed Friday that the Nicolas Maduro regime in Venezuela has been seeking to negotiate a deal with Washington, offering wide-ranging concessions in an effort to ease tensions between the two countries.

The comments from the White House came after a Miami Herald report on Thursday revealed that senior Venezuelan officials had floated proposals to U.S. intermediaries that included opening the countrys natural resources to American companies and creating a transition in which Maduro would eventually step down.

Asked by reporters whether Maduro had offered everything in his country, all the natural resources as part of an attempt to start a mediation process, Trump said the reports were accurate.

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He has offered everything  hes offered everything, youre right, Trump said. Do you know why? Because he doesnt want to f--- around with the United States.

While Trumps remarks did not directly confirm that Maduro had agreed to step down, they acknowledged that Caracas has made multiple efforts to negotiate some form of understanding with Washington.

Sources familiar with the Maduro governments outreach told the Herald that a group of senior regime figures  led by Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and her brother, National Assembly leader Jorge Rodriguez  made overtures to U.S. officials, using intermediaries in Qatar, proposing a transition that would replace Maduro while preserving the core of Venezuelas ruling structure.

The proposals, presented to the Trump administration on two separate occasions this year, aimed to persuade U.S. officials that a Madurismo without Maduro arrangement could enable a peaceful transition while maintaining stability within the regime, according to people with direct knowledge of the discussions.

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In a message posted late Thursday on her Telegram channel, Delcy Rodriguez denied the Herald report, calling it part of a psychological warfare campaign against Venezuela.

FAKE!! Another outlet joins the filth of psychological warfare against the Venezuelan people. They have no ethics or morals and exclusively favor lies and carrion, she wrote.

Rodriguez, who also serves as oil minister, insisted that Venezuelas political and military leadership remains united behind Maduro.

The Bolivarian revolution has a high political and military command that is united and committed to the will of the people, she said, vowing that nothing will deviate her government from defending Venezuelas rights and its dignified Bolivarian legacy.

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Caracas has repeatedly accused Washington of plotting regime change under the guise of counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean, where U.S. naval forces have expanded patrols near Venezuelan waters. U.S. officials maintain that the deployment targets drug trafficking networks tied to senior Venezuelan political and military figures.

Tensions escalated further this week after Trump revealed new details about the latest strike in the region. Speaking at the White House on Friday, the president said the vessel attacked by U.S. forces was a submarine specifically built to transport large quantities of drugs.

We attacked a submarine, a drug-laden submarine, Trump said. Just so you understand, this wasnt an innocent group. I dont know many people who own submarines, and this was an attack on a drug-laden submarine.

According to local press reports, the U.S. military strike took place Thursday night in the Caribbean near the Venezuelan coast. The operation left two survivors who are reportedly in U.S. custody.

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Trump did not announce the strike on his social media accounts as he has done with previous operations.

Trump also said this week that he has authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations and is considering possible ground operations, arguing that U.S. forces have already disrupted much of the maritime drug trade.

Since August, the U.S. military has deployed ships and aircraft near Venezuelas coast under the banner of counter-narcotics operations, prompting growing tensions with Maduros government, which views the buildup as a prelude to a potential attack.

The expanded deployment includes more than 4,500 U.S. troops  Marines and Navy personnel  supported by a cruiser, destroyers, a Los Angeles-class attack submarine, and F-35 fighter jets based in Puerto Rico, giving Washington overwhelming air and naval superiority over Venezuelas aging fleet.
Donald Trump has called on the MAGA base in Kentucky to oust GOP Representative Thomas Massie from his seat in the 2026 midterms.

Third Rate Congressman Thomas Massie, a Weak and Pathetic RINO from the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky, a place I love, and won big SIX TIMES, must be thrown out of office, ASAP! the president raged on Truth Social on Friday night.

Massie has been a near-constant thorn in the side of the MAGA administration since Trump assumed office for the second time in January. The Kentucky representative has often stood as a lone Republican voice of dissent against the partys budget proposals, including, crucially, the presidents Big Beautiful Bill act earlier in July.

Win McNamee/Getty Images

More recently, however, Massie has also emerged alongside fellow GOP Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene as vocal House critics of the MAGA administrations handling of developments in the sex trafficking case of late disgraced financier, Jeffrey Epstein.

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In his Friday-night rant, Trump claimed Massie is currently polling at around 9 percent because the Great People of Kentucky are wise to himHe only votes against the Republican Party, making life very easy for the Radical Left.

Trump posted a lengthy Truth Social diatribe Friday night threatening to back a primary challenge against Rep. Thomas Massie next year. / Truth Social/Donald Trump

While it was not immediately clear where exactly the president got his 9 percent figure from, a June small-sample poll of likely Republican primary voters by Kaplan Strategies found only 23 percent of voters viewed Massie favorably, with support dropping to 14 percent in a hypothetical match against a Trump-endorsed challenger.

The president appears to have seized on those weaknesses. In his Truth Social post, Trump threw his support behind Captain Ed Gallrein, who ran an unsuccessful race for the Kentucky state Senate last year, as a prospective opponent to Massie in next years primary. He attached a photo of himself grinning with the former Navy SEAL in the Oval Office.

Ed Gallrein ran an unsuccessful race for Kentucky state Senator last year. / Truth Social/Donald Trump

Unlike lightweight Massie, a totally ineffective LOSER who has failed us so badly, CAPTAIN ED GALLREIN IS A WINNER WHO WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN, Trump wrote. Should he decide to challenge Massie, Captain Ed Gallrein has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, ED, RUN  MAGA!

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If its a fight Trump wants, Massie appears unlikely to take the challenge lying down. His team reported a strong fundraising streak of more than $1.7 million this summer amid tours of his constituency with support from his fellow GOP Trump critic in Kentucky, Senator Rand Paul.

The Oval Office heat hasnt deterred Massie from his wider pursuit of transparency over the Epstein scandal. He reached out across the aisle to heap further pressure on the Trump administration over its reluctance to release new documents on the case.

Trump has long courted far-right conspiracy theorists who believe Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwells crimes came as part of their role in an international pedophilic cabal, supposedly comprised of high-powered figures across the U.S. and around the world.

That courtshipwhich came despite Trumps long-standing friendship with Epstein, whom he once described as a terrific guy who likes women on the younger sidewas upended in July after the Justice Department and FBI determined Epsteins 2019 death in police custody was a suicide, and that he had not kept a long-rumored client list of uber-wealthy accomplices.

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The president has since poured further fuel on the fire by refusing to rule out a pardon for Maxwell, whos currently serving a 20-year sentence on sex trafficking charges. Critics have slammed this move as a quid pro quo for Maxwells comments seemingly exonerating Trump during a sit-down earlier this year with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, the presidents former criminal defense lawyer.

Massie has now co-authored whats known as a discharge petition with his Democratic counterpart, Congressman Ro Khanna, to bypass GOP leadership and force a House vote on demanding the Justice Department release further investigative documents on the case. Trumps name is widely reported to be featured.

The Republican Representative rubbed further salt in the wound only last week, publicly praising his alma mater, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, for rejecting a White House funding offer tied to the implementation of several right-wing policies laid out by the MAGA Department of Education.

The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comment on this story.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky failed to obtain Tomahawk missiles for strikes on Russia from a meeting with Donald Trump on Friday, with the US president later calling for both sides to cease fighting and accept current battle lines.

Zelensky had traveled to Washington hoping to receive the long-range cruise missiles, which he believes could deliver a decisive blow to the Kremlins war economy by enabling targeted strikes on oil and energy facilities deep inside Russia.

However, during opening remarks at a White House working lunch, Trump expressed hopes to resolve the war without thinking about Tomahawks, adding that the weapon is one America needs.

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And Zelensky appeared to come away empty-handed, describing the meeting as productive but declining to comment further on Tomahawks because the US doesnt want escalation.

Hours later, Trump made a public call for Kyiv and Moscow to stop the war immediately.

You go by the battle line, wherever it is. Otherwise, its too complicated. Youll never be able to figure it out. You stop at the battle line, Trump told reporters upon landing in West Palm Beach, Florida.

President Donald Trump pictured speaking to reporters after arriving in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday. - Mark Schiefelbein/AP

And both sides should go home, go to their families, stop the killing. And that should be it, he added, saying that hed communicated that sentiment to both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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The meeting came a day after Trump spoke on the phone with Putin and agreed to meet him soon in Hungary.

During that call, Putin is said to have stressed that Tomahawks  which have the range to target major Russian cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg  would have no significant impact on the battlefield. But they would damage the US-Russian relationship, he argued.

Why is Ukraine seeking Tomahawk missiles?

Tomahawk missiles have a significantly longer range than any others in Ukraines current armory.

Although Trump has tempered discussions regarding their delivery, he has not definitely ruled it out.

Ahead of Fridays White House meeting, Zelensky appeared to suggest a trade of Ukrainian drones for US Tomahawks.

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Ukraine has thousands of our production drones but we dont have Tomahawks, he said.

They (US) can have our thousands of drones, thats where we can work together.

Zelensky briefed European leaders virtually following his meeting with Trump. The leaders reiterated their unwavering commitment to Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.

Speaking to reporters, the Ukrainian leader reaffirmed his trust in Trump wanting to finish the war, adding it was also difficult to manage the situation in the Middle East, and the president was successful in it.

A Tomahawk missile pictured launching from the guided missile cruiser USS Cape St. George in 2003. - Kenneth Moll/U.S. Navy/Reuters

On Friday, Trump stopped short of offering a view on whether Ukraine would need to cede territory as part of a peace settlement with Russia.

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Trump has taken divergent stances on the issue.

Ahead of his meeting with Putin in August, he said land swaps would be necessary for the war to end.

Later, he changed his mind, saying he believed Ukraine could win back all the territory now occupied by Russia.

In comments Friday, Trump did allow for the possibility that Putin may be stringing him along in a bid to gain time to complete his war aims in Ukraine, but concluded: I think that he wants to make a deal.

You know, Ive been played all my life by the best of them, and I came out really well, he added.

Kaitlan Collins, Kristen Holmes and Betsy Klein contributed to this report.

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President Trump on Friday endorsed a potential challenger to Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who has tussled with the GOP over the last several months.

Trump threw his full support behind Ed Gallrein as a contender in Kentuckys 2026 GOP primary.

I hope Ed gets into the Race against Massie, who is now polling at about 9% because the Great People of Kentucky are wise to him  He only votes against the Republican Party, making life very easy for the Radical Left, the president wrote in a Friday post on Truth Social.

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Unlike lightweight Massie, a totally ineffective LOSER who has failed us so badly, CAPTAIN ED GALLREIN IS A WINNER WHO WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN, he added.

Gallrein has not officially announced an intention to run for the Kentucky congressional seat after losing a campaign for state senate late last year.

Still, Trump said, should he decide to challenge Massie, Captain Ed Gallrein has my Complete and Total Endorsement.

Massie ripped Gallrein and Trumps endorsement in a statement to The Hill.

After having been rejected by every elected official in the 4th District, Trumps consultants clearly pushed the panic button with their choice of failed candidate and establishment hack Ed Gallrein, Massie said. Eds been begging them to pick him for over three months now.

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The Kentucky lawmaker has bucked Trump and Republican congressional leaders on several policy issues, including this summers tax package.

The Kentucky Republican has also been a central figure in debate on Capitol Hill about the Jeffrey Epstein case. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Massie sponsored a bipartisan discharge petition to force a vote on the relese of files related to the late sex offenders case. Many Republicans have disapproved of the push.

Trumps criticism of Massie has been used by the lawmakers campaign to bolster his fundraising efforts.

He has managed to pull in record funds, with more than $2 million in cash on hand for his reelection bid after earning $768,000 in contributions from July to September, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission.

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His campaign team quickly clapped back to Trumps Friday post with another opportunity for his supporters to fuel Massies push to continue representing the Blue Grass State.

Trump just endorsed someone to run against me. I can beat this candidate if I have your support. We just posted our best fundraising quarter ever. Can you help me top it? his campaign wrote in a post on the social media platform X.

Massies campaign website say he has the most conservative lifetime rating of any Kentucky congressman from Freedomworks, the American Conservative Union, Club for Growth, Gun Owners of America and the National Taxpayers Union, which are lobbying groups.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Kentucky's U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie was one of two Republicans to vote against the spending and tax package that President Donald Trump was urging the House to pass. In March, Massie spoke to reporters after casting the sole Republican vote against a bill that averted a government shutdown. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump has endorsed an opponent to challenge Northern Kentucky Republican U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie.

In a lengthy Friday evening post to Truth Social, Trump said he hoped Ed Gallrein gets into the Race against Massie and was highly critical of the incumbent congressman, calling him a Weak and Pathetic RINO from the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky, a place I love, and won big SIX TIMES who must be thrown out of office, ASAP!

Ed Gallrein

A a former Navy Seal from Shelby County, Gallrein has not formally announced a run in the 4th Congressional District, but the presidents Complete and Total Endorsement makes the case for why he should. Shelby County is in the southern part of Kentuckys 4th Congressional District.

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Gallrein lost a competitive Republican primary to state Sen. Aaron Reed in the 7th Senate District last year. Former state Sen. Adrienne Southworth lost the race amid tension within her caucus. Gallrein was seen as the establishment candidate in the primary, having a donation from Republican Senate President Robert Stivers and an endorsement from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

Reeds name had been floated as a possible challenger to Massie this summer, but he told reporters in August that he was happy being a senator right now and was preparing for the 2026 legislative session.

Massie recently toured the congressional district with ally U.S. Sen. Rand Paul for a mix of official and campaign events. During that, Paul, a leader of Tea Party Republicans, said he was ready to endorse Massie and if someone asked about waiting to see who could run against the congressman, I cant imagine that theyd even try it.

In his post, Trump said the Great People of Kentucky are wise to Massies positions  which are sometimes at odds with the president. Trump said Massie only votes against the Republican Party, making life very easy for the Radical Left.

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Unlike lightweight Massie, a totally ineffective LOSER who has failed us so badly, CAPTAIN ED GALLREIN IS A WINNER WHO WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN, Trump said. Should he decide to challenge Massie, Captain Ed Gallrein has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, ED, RUN  MAGA!

Massie, whose brand of Republican politics has drawn a loyal base of Libertarian supporters in the congressional district, has been leading the charge to release the federal investigation files on convicted sex offender and financier Jeffery Epstein. Though the president campaigned on declassifying the files, Trump has more recently opposed releasing them.

Earlier this year, Massie also drew the presidents wrath for opposing Trumps bombing of Iran and voting against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Trump has previously vowed to oust Massie from office. A super PAC tied to the president spent more than $1 million on ads against the congressman  without a clear challenger named yet.

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After Trumps endorsement of Gallrein was issued, Massie pushed a fundraising link on X, saying I can beat this candidate if I have your support. Earlier this week, the congressman posted the best fundraising numbers of his career, including bringing in nearly $768,000 in contributions from July to September.

Massie told Politico that Gallrein is a failed candidate and establishment hack following Trumps endorsement.

After having been rejected by every elected official in the 4th District, Trumps consultants clearly pushed the panic button with their choice of failed candidate and establishment hack Ed Gallrein, Massie said. Eds been begging them to pick him for over three months now.
US President Donald Trump said on Friday he believed to be able to carry the momentum of the Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas towards successfully putting an end to Russias war on Ukraine, too.

I think we carry a lot of momentum, a lot of credibility. Getting Middle East done was very important. Nobody thought it could be done, Trump said.

We got it done pretty swiftly after we set the table properly. We had to set the table properly. I think the table is set properly here too now.

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Itll be a great honour to get it done.

The US president hopes his upcoming meeting with Vladimir Putin in Hungary will bring the end if the war closer, although he allowed for the possibility that Russian President may be trying to buy himself time.

I am, he said when asked whether he was concerned about Putin playing for time.

You know, Ive been played all my life by the best of them, and I came out really well, he said.

I think that he wants to make a deal, Trump stated referring to Putin, claiming that both Zelenskyy and Putin were ready to end the war, but personal animosity between the leaders had delayed the process.

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"I think President Zelensky wants it done and I think President Putin wants it done," he said.

"Now all they have to do is get along a little bit."

Donald Trump attends a lunch with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Washington. - AP Photo

Zelenskyy restated his belief that Putin is not ready for peace, but added Im confident, with your help, we can stop this war.

I think this is the momentum to finish Russias war against Ukraine.

After the meeting in the White House Zelenskyy had a call with some more of Ukraines strategic partners, including the leaders of the countries of the Coalition of the Willing.

Zelenskyy confirmed that the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the European Council Antonio Costa were on the call together with Finlands Alexander Stubb, Norways Jonas Gahr Stre, the UKs Keir Starmer, Italys Giorgia Meloni and NATO's Mark Rutte.

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Zelenskyy admitted that the most sensitive and difficult question was the issue of Ukraines territories.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks to reporters in Lafayette Park across the street from the White House, following a meeting with President Donald Trump, Friday, - AP Photo

American Tomahawks for Ukrainian drones?

Until any ceasefire talks begin, the big question for Kyiv is whether Ukraine would get more weapons from the US. The possibility of selling Tomahawk missiles was on top of the agenda at the White House meeting in Friday.

Donald Trump said he hopes Tomahawks wont be needed in peace efforts aimed at Putin and end to Russias war in Ukraine.

Hopefully, we'll be able to get the war over without thinking about Tomahawks", Trump said, adding that the US needs its Tomahawks and a lot of other weapons that we're sending to Ukraine.

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Zelenskyy countered by pointing out that the sending doesn't have to be a one-way street:

"If you want to target a military goal, you need thousands of drones," Zelenskyy said.

"It goes together with such missiles. The United States has Tomahawks and other missiles, very strong missiles, but they can also have our thousands of drones. That's where we can work together."

Donald Trump confirmed Washingtons interest: We would be interested in Ukrainian drones. We build our own drones, but we also buy drones from others. And they make very good drones.

The possibility of Ukraine getting Tomahawk missiles triggered worry and sabre-rattling from Moscow over the past few days.

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The Kremlin said it is causing extreme concern in Russia, adding that the war is entering what spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called a dramatic moment in terms of the fact that tensions are escalating from all sides.

Before traveling to the US, Zelenskyy had said that part of the agenda for the trip included talks on what Kyiv calls "Mega Deal", an agreement on the purchase of American weapons, and a so-called Drone deal to to sell Ukraine-made drones to the US.

The deal was initially earmarked to be worth around 77 billion euros.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy estimated in June that his country had the capacity to make 8 million drones a year, but lacked the funding to do so.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, seated third from left, listens as President Donald Trump speaks before a lunch in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Oct. 17, 2025 - AP Photo

Upcoming meeting in Hungary

President Donald Trump said today that the upcoming meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Budapest, Hungary, will be just those two countries, but he noted that the US will be in touch with Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

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Its going to be a double meeting, the US president said. But we will have the President Zelenskyy in touch. Theres a lot of bad blood with the two presidents, and Im not speaking out of turn when I say it.

Zelenskyy said Putin hates me explaining why Russian president refuses to meet with him.

When asked by journalists Do you hate him? he admitted They (Russia) try to kill of us. It would be strange if I had any other attitude to this person.

Zelenskyy reiterated once again that he is ready to meet Putin in any format, pointing out that now only the US and Donald Trump have direct communication with Moscow.

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Putin only agreed to meet Donald Trump when the two leaders had a summit in Alaska in August. Since then the US president stated he can bring Zelenskyy and Putin to the table in a bilateral format and that he was ready to join the two. But since the Alaska meeting the Kremlins stance hasnt changed.

Donald Trump meets with Vladimir Putin, Aug. 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. - AP Photo

Commenting on the upcoming meeting in Hungary, Donald Trump said it is a safe country.

It is a leader that we like. We like Viktor Orban. He has been a very good leader in the sense of running his country. He doesnt have a lot of the problems that other counties have. I think hell be a very good host.

Earlier in the summer Hungary offered to host the trilateral meeting between Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin, together with Austria, Switzerland and the Vatican.

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The International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Putin for the abduction of Ukrainian children limits the choice of location as he risks arrest in any of the court's 125 member states if he steps foot into their territory.

Earlier this year, Hungary became the first member of the EU to announce its intention to withdraw from the court in response to the arrest warrant placed on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which Hungary, like the US, had contested.

But Hungary's withdrawal will not take effect until June 2026, one year after it filed the notification. In the interim period, the country remains bound by the tribunal.
President Donald Trump has insisted hes not a king, as thousands of No Kings protests are set to take place across the country on Saturday in a mass demonstration against his administration.

The president told Fox Business, They're referring to me as a king. I'm not a king, in an interview clip released Friday.

Republicans have called the protests Hate America rallies.

Meanwhile, late late-night show host Jimmy Kimmel  a Trump critic whose show was briefly suspended in September over comments he made about conservative activist Charlie Kirks assassination  likened the protests to the American Revolution.

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There is nothing more American than a political protest, Kimmel said on his show Thursday night. The American Revolution was a No Kings rally.

President Donald Trump has insisted hes not a king, as thousands of No Kings protests are set to take place across the country Saturday (Kamil Krzaczynski/Getty Images for No Kings)

Here is everything you need to know about Saturdays protests.

Over 2,5000 protests planned in response to Trumps First Amendment crackdown

Ezra Levin, a leading organizer of Saturdays protests, said the demonstrations are a response to what he called Trumps crackdown on First Amendment rights.

Levin, the co-executive director of the nonprofit Indivisible, pointed to Trumps sweeping immigration crackdown, his unprecedented promises to use federal power to influence midterm elections, restrictions on press freedom and retribution against political opponents.

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He said those steps cumulatively represented a direct threat to constitutionally protected rights.

Protests are planned for more than 2,500 locations nationwide  from the countrys largest city, New York, to small unincorporated, rural communities like East Glacier Ridge, Montana, with roughly 300 residents.

Organizers will consider the day a success, Levin said, if people are galvanized to become more politically involved on an ongoing basis.

Protests are planned for more than 2,500 locations nationwide (Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images)

Mostly peaceful protest in June

The last No Kings protest took place on June 14 in thousands of cities and towns across the country, in large part to protest a military parade in Washington, D.C., that marked the Armys 250th anniversary and coincided with Trumps birthday.

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No Kings organizers at the time called the parade coronation, which was symbolic of what they characterized as Trumps growing authoritarian overreach.

Confrontations were isolated, and the protests were largely peaceful.

Police in Los Angeles, where protests over federal immigration enforcement raids erupted the week prior and sparked demonstrations across the country, used tear gas and crowd-control munitions to clear out protesters after the formal event ended.

Officers in Portland, Oregon, also fired tear gas and projectiles to disperse a crowd that protested in front of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building well into the evening.

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One protester was killed during the Salt Lake City march in June. A safety volunteer shot at a person who was accused of pointing a rifle at demonstrators, but inadvertently struck and killed protester Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, a beloved fashion designer.

Four months later, no one has been charged. Experts have said state gun laws may shield both the shooter and the man who brandished a rifle but didnt fire shots.

The last 'No Kings' protest took place on June 14 in thousands of cities and towns across the country (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Utah will participate in protest, despite Junes shooting

Jamie Carter, an organizer of one of Saturdays rallies, said Utah activists considered not participating in this round of No Kings demonstrations, but we also felt that we really had to get back out there.

Organizers are not affiliated with the groups that put on the June demonstration that turned deadly. Safety volunteers will be present but unarmed, and all have received de-escalation training, said Carter, of Salt Lake Indivisible. Attendees have been asked not to bring weapons.

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We really want this to be a very uplifting, happy event of people coming together in a community to kind of try to erase and replace some of the bad memories, she said.

Concerns about large political demonstrations remain heightened in Utah, where Kirk was fatally shot during a college speaking event last month.

Crackdown on protests

Trumps crackdown against protests, especially in Democratic cities, has intensified since the June marches. He has since sent National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., and Memphis. His efforts to deploy troops to Chicago and Portland have stalled in federal court.

Organizers in Chicago are expecting tens of thousands of demonstrators at a popular Lake Michigan park, followed by a downtown march.

Organizers in Chicago are expecting tens of thousands of demonstrators (Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)

Federal immigration agents have arrested more than 1,000 people in Chicago, the nations third-largest city, with increasingly aggressive tactics since September. Protests have been frequent and well attended in recent weeks, and have boiled over in intense clashes outside a suburban federal immigration processing center.

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People are angrier. It feels so much more immediate, said Denise Poloyac with Indivisible Chicago. Theyre very concerned about whats happening in Chicago and around the country.

The No Kings organizers have led numerous virtual safety trainings leading up to the protests with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union, which is listed as an official partner on the No Kings website.

The trainings informed viewers about their rights during protests  such as whether you are required to carry ID or if wearing a mask is allowed, both vary according to each state  and emphasized de-escalation techniques for encounters with law enforcement.

Each official protest has a safety plan, which includes designated medics and emergency meeting spots.

Protests in Chicago have been frequent and well attended in recent weeks, and have boiled over in intense clashes outside a suburban federal immigration processing center (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Mixed response from elected officials

The protests have already drawn swift condemnation from some of the countrys top politicians, with House Speaker Mike Johnson dubbing the event the Hate America rally at a news conference on Wednesday.

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Some state leaders, like Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott, have decided to activate the National Guard ahead of the protests.

Texas will deter criminal mischief and work with local law enforcement to arrest anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property, Abbott said in a statement.

Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom struck a more optimistic tone, saying he hopes Californians turn out in large numbers and remain peaceful. He said Trump hopes there is disruption, theres some violence that he can exploit.

Associated Press writers Hannah Schoenbaum, Christopher Weber, Juan A. Lozano, Terry Chea and Sophia Tareen contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump lashed out at Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) in a Friday night rant as the congressman leads a revolt in the House over the release of files related to deceased sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) has refused to swear in Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), who would likely be the key 218th yes vote on a discharge petition to force a vote on releasing the Epstein Files.

Massie is the leader of a group of Republicans who have joined Democrats in that push, and has drawn Trumps ire.

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That might explain why Trump posted a lengthy rant trashing Massie and urging a challenger to unseat him. Trump wrote:

Third Rate Congressman Thomas Massie, a Weak and Pathetic RINO from the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky, a place I love, and won big SIX TIMES, must be thrown out of office, ASAP! The incredible people of Kentuckys 4th Congressional District gave us a mandate to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, and the person that will help us do that is Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Fifth Generation Kentucky Farmer, Captain Ed Gallrein, a true America First Patriot. A Brave Combat Veteran, Ed knows the Wisdom and Courage required to Defend our Country, Support our Military/Veterans, and Ensure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH. Additionally, as a very successful Businessman, Ed knows how to Create GREAT Jobs, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Support our Amazing Farmers and American Agriculture, Unleash American Energy Dominance, and Champion our Nations Golden Age. In Congress, he will fight tirelessly to Keep our now very Secure Border, SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment. I hope Ed gets into the Race against Massie, who is now polling at about 9% because the Great People of Kentucky are wise to him  He only votes against the Republican Party, making life very easy for the Radical Left. Unlike lightweight Massie, a totally ineffective LOSER who has failed us so badly, CAPTAIN ED GALLREIN IS A WINNER WHO WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN. Should he decide to challenge Massie, Captain Ed Gallrein has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, ED, RUN  MAGA!

The post included a photo of Gallrein and Trump in the Oval Office posing with MAGA hats.

The post Trump Lashes Out At Epstein Revolt Leader Massie In Friday Night Rant first appeared on Mediaite.
WASHINGTON, DC  As the global software-as-a-service (SaaS) industry continues to redefine how companies deliver technology, founders face an equally significant decision that goes beyond code or product: where to incorporate. Among global entrepreneurs, two jurisdictions have emerged as leading options for digital-first companies: Hong Kong and Estonia. Each offers compelling advantages for tax efficiency, remote management, and regulatory credibility, yet their underlying philosophies of governance and compliance differ sharply. Choosing between these two corporate environments is not only a legal question, but a strategic one that determines how a SaaS company scales, raises capital, and remains compliant across borders.

Global Incorporation in the Age of Digital Business

For SaaS founders, corporate structure determines access to global banking, investment, and legal protection. The choice of jurisdiction shapes how subscription revenue is taxed, where profits are repatriated, and how intellectual property is safeguarded. As distributed teams replace traditional offices, founders increasingly prioritize incorporation models that allow remote control, minimal bureaucracy, and a trusted reputation. Hong Kong and Estonia both deliver digital accessibility and international recognition. Still, they do so through vastly different ecosystems: Hong Kong as a traditional financial hub with deep capital markets, and Estonia as a digital governance pioneer built for online entrepreneurs.

Hong Kong: Financial Gateway of Asia

Hong Kongs appeal lies in its well-established common-law system, proximity to Asian markets, and zero tax on offshore profits. For SaaS founders serving global clients without a physical Hong Kong presence, income sourced outside the territory may be entirely exempt from local taxation under the offshore profits principle. The city maintains a 16.5 percent corporate tax rate on domestic income, but its territorial model ensures that profits derived from non-Hong Kong customers are not taxable if properly structured.

Company formation in Hong Kong is fast, with incorporation typically completed within days. The Companies Registry and Inland Revenue Department operate efficiently, and documentation is available in English. The standard corporate structure, a private limited company, provides limited liability, transparent shareholding, and access to double taxation treaties with over 40 jurisdictions. SaaS founders often benefit from using a Hong Kong entity for invoicing international clients, holding IP, or accessing Asian banking.

However, compliance obligations are absolute. Annual audits by certified public accountants are mandatory, even for small companies, and banks require extensive due diligence under antimoney laundering rules. Hong Kongs robust but stringent financial oversight can challenge smaller founders without strong documentation. Nonetheless, the jurisdictions predictability, mature legal system, and proximity to mainland China continue to attract SaaS firms scaling in Asia-Pacific.

Estonia: Europes Digital Incorporation Pioneer

Estonia, a small Baltic state, has redefined how companies can be owned and operated entirely online. Through its groundbreaking e-Residency program, entrepreneurs from anywhere in the world can establish, manage, and report a fully compliant EU-based company remotely. The Estonian private limited company (OU) can be incorporated within a day using a digital ID, and all filings, including shareholder meetings, can be conducted electronically.

For SaaS founders, the tax system is the real innovation. Estonia imposes a 20 percent corporate tax only when profits are distributed as dividends, meaning retained earnings used for reinvestment or R&D remain untaxed indefinitely. This reinvestment-based tax deferral encourages growth and innovation, making it particularly attractive to technology firms scaling across borders. The absence of withholding tax on reinvested profits and the countrys alignment with EU digital standards make it a transparent yet founder-friendly jurisdiction.

Banking and payments are seamlessly integrated through fintech solutions, including TransferWise, Revolut, and multiple EU-based digital banks. Although some traditional banks remain cautious toward non-resident founders, digital banking options fill the gap effectively. The Estonian e-Business Register, operating under complete transparency, allows public access to company data, enhancing credibility with investors and clients alike.

Corporate Taxation and Compliance Contrasts

The primary tax difference between Hong Kong and Estonia lies in timing and sourcing. Hong Kong exempts foreign-sourced income but taxes domestic profits immediately. Estonia taxes worldwide income, but only upon distribution. For a SaaS company reinvesting profits into development, marketing, or global expansion, Estonias deferral model can yield significant cash-flow advantages. Conversely, Hong Kongs territorial system may offer better results for companies with geographically diversified revenue streams where income is demonstrably earned outside Hong Kong.

Compliance costs are another consideration. Hong Kong requires audited financial statements annually, even for small entities, while Estonias OU companies below specific thresholds may skip audits altogether. Both jurisdictions require bookkeeping, but Estonias digital-first infrastructure dramatically simplifies reporting through its automated e-Tax system.

Hong Kong offers a mature ecosystem for venture capital and fintech alignment, but Estonia offers an entirely borderless digital governance model. Each jurisdictions strength corresponds to different founder archetypes: Hong Kong for capital-intensive SaaS ventures with Asian market ties, Estonia for lean, globally distributed teams.

Intellectual Property Ownership and Legal Protection

For SaaS companies, intellectual property (IP) is the core asset. Hong Kongs IP regime, based on common law, provides internationally recognized enforcement under the WTOs TRIPS framework. Companies can register trademarks and patents through the Intellectual Property Department, and enforcement is reliable through the High Court. However, IP owned by a Hong Kong entity may face scrutiny if the company operates primarily offshore but claims exemption from local tax.

Estonias IP system integrates with EU intellectual property law and offers protection under the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). An Estonian OU can own software IP and license it across the EU, benefitting from European single-market protections. This legal alignment makes Estonia an attractive jurisdiction for founders seeking access to EU digital infrastructure, funding, and legal recourse.

Banking, Payments, and Currency Considerations

Banking remains a crucial operational factor for SaaS founders. Hong Kongs banking network is world-class, offering multi-currency corporate accounts and access to USD, EUR, and RMB clearing. However, compliance screening has intensified since 2018, with banks requesting extensive proof of business activity, invoices, and tax filings. For entrepreneurs with legitimate global operations, this scrutiny is manageable, but shell companies or startups without contracts may struggle to open accounts.

Estonias e-Residency ecosystem integrates digital banking solutions that support international transfers, credit card payments, and recurring subscription billing, key features for SaaS businesses. While traditional banking may be slower for non-residents, fintech providers bridge the gap. Estonias integration into the eurozone simplifies currency management and access to the EU payment infrastructure.

Case Study One: Hong Kong-Based SaaS Expansion in Asia

A Canadian entrepreneur launched a SaaS platform providing AI-driven logistics optimization for Southeast Asian retailers. To serve clients in Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia, he incorporated in Hong Kong to leverage its reputation and banking system. His company operates under a simple structure: a Hong Kong private limited company managing invoicing, with development outsourced to a Philippine subsidiary.

By applying for offshore tax exemption, he legally excluded revenue from non-Hong Kong clients from local taxation. Annual audits confirmed that operations and clients were based outside Hong Kong. He used a multicurrency account at a Hong Kong bank to manage subscriptions in USD and SGD, benefiting from low transfer costs and robust currency stability.

The structure allowed his SaaS company to scale regionally without paying local taxes on offshore income. However, annual compliance costs, including audits and corporate filings, exceeded USD 5,000, and due diligence processes were intensive. For him, Hong Kongs value lies in its reputation, banking, and market access, making it ideal for a company oriented toward Asias fast-growing SaaS markets.

Case Study Two: Estonian E-Resident Building a Global SaaS Startup

In contrast, a Brazilian software engineer sought to launch a fully remote SaaS platform for online course creators. She joined Estonias e-Residency program and incorporated an OU company entirely online within 24 hours. Using digital banking and EU payment gateways, she began invoicing customers worldwide in euros. Her profits were reinvested into product development and marketing, triggering no corporate tax under Estonias retained earnings model.

After three years, she distributed a modest dividend, paying the 20 percent tax only on that amount. Annual compliance, managed through a cloud-based accounting platform, costs under 1,000. She benefited from EU single-market access, transparent regulation, and the credibility of being part of a jurisdiction that aligns with European data protection standards. The Estonian structure allowed her to run a legitimate, fully online company without physical presence, an approach that perfectly matched SaaS business realities.

Governance, Transparency, and International Perception

Hong Kong and Estonia differ profoundly in governance philosophy. Hong Kongs system prioritizes stability, rule of law, and regulatory rigor. Its company registry is globally respected, but its geopolitical environment has evolved, leading some founders to reassess long-term certainty. While Hong Kong maintains autonomy in commercial law, future shifts could influence investor sentiment.

Estonia, by contrast, positions itself as a democratic, digital-first nation within the EU legal framework. Its transparency and cybersecurity infrastructure rank among the worlds best. Companies incorporated under e-Residency are fully recognized across Europe, and government agencies operate with remarkable efficiency. Estonias reputation for digital integrity makes it attractive for founders seeking reputational safety and investor confidence.

Tax Treaties and Double Taxation Avoidance

Hong Kongs network of double taxation agreements (DTAs) covers over 40 jurisdictions, primarily in Asia and Europe. These treaties reduce withholding taxes on cross-border dividends, royalties, and interest, benefiting SaaS companies with multinational clients. Estonias network exceeds 60 treaties, providing global coverage and alignment with EU tax standards.

Both jurisdictions comply with the OECDs Common Reporting Standard (CRS), ensuring transparency. For SaaS founders, this means financial data is automatically reported between jurisdictions. Lawful structuring through tax residency certificates and transparent ownership ensures compliance while preserving operational efficiency.

Operational Scalability and Talent Management

For SaaS firms, human capital often defines success. Hong Kong offers access to a skilled workforce fluent in English and Chinese, with regional proximity to developers and clients. However, labor costs are high, and employment law is traditional. Estonia, by contrast, offers digital hiring flexibility. Through EU labor mobility and e-residency programs, founders can hire talent remotely across Europe under unified regulatory standards. Payroll management integrates seamlessly with digital tax reporting systems, enabling fully remote operations.

Comparative Summary: Strategic Fit for SaaS Founders

Hong Kong excels in financial credibility, Asian market access, and robust banking infrastructure. It suits established SaaS ventures with regional clients, physical partnerships, or funding ambitions in Asia. Estonia dominates the digital governance space, enabling fully remote, low-maintenance global operations for lean startups and digital entrepreneurs.

Criteria Hong Kong Estonia Tax System Territorial (offshore profits exempt) Deferred (taxed on distribution only) Incorporation Time 35 days 24 hours (via e-Residency) Annual Compliance Audit required Simple filings, no audit for small firms Currency HKD, multi-currency banking Euro, full EU payment access Double Tax Treaties ~40 ~60 Digital Infrastructure Advanced finance hub Fully digital governance Ideal For Asia-focused SaaS firms Remote global SaaS startups

Amicus International Consulting Perspective

Amicus International Consulting advises SaaS founders that jurisdiction selection is not about tax alone; it is about scalability, compliance, and market alignment. Hong Kong remains the financial hub of choice for ventures expanding in Asia, offering unmatched access to banking, investment, and corporate services. Estonia, however, represents the future of digital entrepreneurship, providing legal and fiscal frameworks designed for borderless business.

The firm emphasizes pre-incorporation planning, ensuring founders understand the interplay between tax residency, client geography, and intellectual property ownership. For SaaS companies, structuring revenue flow, IP rights, and compliance reporting from inception reduces long-term risk. Both Hong Kong and Estonia reward transparency and penalize neglect, making professional guidance essential.

Conclusion: Choosing Between Two Global Models of Digital Incorporation

The decision between Hong Kong and Estonia reflects a broader evolution in global business governance. Hong Kong represents the legacy model, capital-rich, reputation-driven, and anchored in financial law. Estonia embodies the digital transformation, borderless, transparent, and optimized for the remote economy.

For SaaS founders, the optimal jurisdiction depends on market focus, operational scale, and investor expectations. Hong Kongs ecosystem favors capitalized ventures expanding across Asia, while Estonias digital-first infrastructure favors agile startups targeting global customers online. Both are compliant, credible, and efficient when appropriately managed.

As digital commerce redefines the global economy, the best jurisdictions will be those that harmonize trust, transparency, and technological integration. For entrepreneurs at the intersection of innovation and regulation, both Hong Kong and Estonia offer viable, future-ready foundations. The right choice depends not on where the company is registered, but on how it aligns structure, compliance, and ambition in a world where borders are becoming digital lines on a global network.

Contact Information

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Email: info@amicusint.ca

Website: www.amicusint.ca
President Donald Trump commuted the federal prison sentence of ex-Congressman George Santos, the disgraced New York Republican who pleaded guilty earlier this year to wire fraud, identity theft, and campaign finance violations.

Santos, who had been serving an 87-month (just over seven-year) sentence, was released immediately under the terms of Trumps order issued Friday. The move comes less than three months after Santos began serving his sentence, prompting swift criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans who say the decision undermines accountability for public officials.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Santos as something of a rogue, but claimed his punishment had been far greater than most who have done far worse. The administration has not indicated whether Santoss restitution or supervised release conditions were waived, though the commutation ends his prison term.

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Santoss legal troubles stemmed from a string of falsehoods and financial misdeeds that unraveled soon after his 2022 election to Congress. He admitted to inflating campaign donations, stealing donor identities, and lying about his education and work history. The House expelled him in December 2023 following an ethics investigation that detailed a complex web of deception.

Critics, even House Republicans, argue the presidents decision signals a pattern of rewarding loyalty and dismissing corruption, while supporters contend it reflects Trumps commitment to what he calls sentencing fairness.

Santos responded via social media through his attorney Joseph Murray, praising Trump as the greatest President in U.S. history and thanking several Republican lawmakers, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, Anna Paulina Luna, and former Congressman Matt Gaetz, as well as members of the Justice Department and the Bureau of Prisons. The statement lauded the administrations efficiency and criticized Democrats for not joining Team USA.

The post Trump lets George Santos walk free, redefining law and order again appeared first on Salon.com.
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

Former Rep. George Santos (R-NY) is decompressing after the traumatic experience of three months in prison following an early release thanks to President Donald Trump.

Santoss lawyer Joseph Murray updated the New York Post during a brief chat on Saturday about the state of his client.

Now is not a good time, I just got here, Im meeting with him and we just want to let him decompress a little bit, Murray said.

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The lawyer refused to give any details about the whereabouts of his client.

He was released last night. Lets give him  lets respect his and his familys privacy and let them decompress a little. Its a traumatic experience as you can imagine, he said.

Santos served 84 days of a seven-plus-year sentence for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He was sentenced in April. The controversial Republican was also expelled from the House of Representatives in 2023 over ethics concerns, including major lies about his background and resume.

Trump announced on Friday that he commuted the sentence for rogue Santos, sparking immediate backlash from critics who alleged corruption was behind the decision.

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I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life! the president announced.

An emotional Santos pleaded with Trump in May for a commutation, clemency, whatever.

Seven years and three months in prison for a first-time offender over campaign matters just screams over the top and I would appreciate if the president would consider, he said.

Santos told Tucker Carlson in a July interview ahead of him going to prison that he feared for his life, calling his his punishment a death sentence.

I dont know that I survive it. Theyre putting me in a violent prison. Its a medium facility. Im not a street-wise guy. I dont know how to fight. Im a gay man, he said. We statistics tell you what happens to gay men in prison. I didnt know I survived this. I, Im being honest. I mean, I cant change that.

The post Trump-Liberated George Santos Decompressing After Traumatic Time In Prison first appeared on Mediaite.
MARIA BARTIROMO: More than 2,000 people expected across the country protesting. I spoke with the president in the Oval Office yesterday about that watch.

MARIA BARTIROMO: Mr. President, do you think that the government shutdown is all about this rally thats happening this weekend, the No Kings Rally?

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: No, I mean, some people say they want to delay it for that.

A king! This is not an act.

MARIA BARTIROMO: Its more than that.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: You know, theyre saying theyre referring to me as a king, Im not a king.

MARIA BARTIROMO: No, but just so that Chuck Schumer could go and say Im fighting Trump.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Well Chuck is, you know, at the end of the line. Hes being beaten by everybody that they pull against it. I dont think it matters to him. I think hes just so dead that hell do anything.

They made one mistake. They didnt realize that that gives me the right to cut programs that Republicans never wanted.

You know, giveaways, welfare programs, et cetera. And were doing that. And were cutting them permanently. Were cutting a $20 billion project that Schumer fought for 15 years to get, and Im cutting the project.
(Reuters) -Trump administration officials have privately discussed setting up a meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un when Trump visits Asia next month, CNN reported on Saturday.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

(Reporting by Rajveer Singh Pardesi in Bengaluru; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
Trump administration officials have privately discussed setting up a meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un when Trump visits Asia next month, though many are skeptical that it will ultimately happen, sources familiar with the matter said.

Officials have not yet done any of the serious logistical planning they would need to do to arrange such a visit, the sources said, pointing to the fact that there have not been any communications between Washington and Pyongyang like Trump had at times during his first term. Trumps initial outreach to the North Korean leader earlier this year never received a reply because the North Koreans would not accept the letter, two sources told CNN.

For the upcoming trip, the White House has instead been far more focused on arranging a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping amid escalating trade tensions between the US and China.

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But Trump has publicly and privately expressed a desire to meet his North Korean counterpart, and officials have left the door open to a meeting while hes on his trip to Asia. In Trumps first term, officials arranged a handshake between the two men in the Korean demilitarized zone in less than 48 hours after the president tweeted an invitation to get together  an example of how quickly things can change.

Trumps personal interest in a potential sit-down with Kim was initially piqued after Trump hosted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House in August, the sources said. During their meeting, Lee formally invited Trump to attend the gathering of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) trade ministers in South Korea and suggested the setting could provide Trump with a prime opportunity to meet with Kim, CNN previously reported.

Trump was open to the idea, telling Lee he would look into it.

I will do that, and well have talks. Hed like to meet with me, Trump said of the North Korean leader. We look forward to meeting with him, and well make relations better.

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For his part, Kim also expressed an openness to sitting down with Trump during a speech before the North Korean parliament last month, according to comments carried by North Korean state media.

Personally, I still have good memories of US President Trump, Kim said during his speech, per the reports. If the US drops its hollow obsession with denuclearization and wants to pursue peaceful coexistence with North Korea based on the recognition of reality, there is no reason for us not to sit down with the US.

But things have shifted since Trump met Kim in 2019 at Panmunjom on the border that divides the two Koreas. South Korea played a major part in bringing North Korea back to the table and laying the groundwork for that meeting, in which Trump become the first US president to step foot in the isolated and reclusive North.

Ties between the two Koreas were much warmer then. South Koreas new president has only been in power a few months and has yet to undo the legacy of his predecessor, who was far more hawkish towards Kims regime.

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According to South Koreas Unification Ministry, there is no ongoing communication between South and North Korea regarding a possible North Korea-US summit.

And while White House security teams have made two trips to South Korea to scout out locations ahead of Trumps arrival, none of those trips was to the Panmunjom area, a South Korean government source said, suggesting a repeat of the 2019 summit with Kim is not in the cards for now.

The White House declined to comment.

A hastily arranged handshake

The high-profile summits between Trump and Kim during the presidents first term failed to accomplish the presidents main goal: reining in North Koreas nuclear program.

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Their meetings in Hanoi and Singapore came after intense prep work between the two sides that focused heavily on logistics and substance. As a result, administration officials and experts believe that if they were to meet again, both sides would have to be making arrangements now.

But not every engagement between the two leaders was built upon the prolonged planning of working-level officials. The last meeting between Trump and Kim in 2019 was arranged hastily after the president tweeted an invitation to get together.

The post abruptly set the wheels into motion for the two to meet at the DMZ  a now famous visit that resulted in Trump briefly stepping over the demarcation line into North Korea.

At the time of that invitation, there had not been any active communications between the two sides for months, CNN previously reported. Rather, Trump had departed his last summit with the North Korean leader in Hanoi earlier that year without a deal or any signs of progress, signaling the breakdown of diplomatic efforts at the highest level.

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Sometimes you have to walk, Trump said during a news conference following the conclusion of the Hanoi summit, which broke up earlier than planned. This was just one of those times.

Prior to Trumps 2019 South Korea trip, his former North Korea staffers had considered trying to organize another meeting between the two leaders, but ultimately decided against it because they did not think that the moment was ripe to draw North Korea back to the table, according to former administration officials.

That changed, however, when Trump began expressing interest in a sit down while he was on the ground in Asia.

The president mentioned a possible meeting when he met with Chinese leader Xi at the time. He asked his then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo if he thought it would be a good idea, according to a former administration official. Pompeo said he would look into it. To the surprise of many of the members of the team working on the North Korea portfolio, Trumps tweet went out the next morning.

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After some very important meetings, including my meeting with President Xi of China, I will be leaving Japan for South Korea (with President Moon). While there, if Chairman Kim of North Korea sees this, I would meet him at the Border/DMZ just to shake his hand and say Hello(?)! Trump tweeted.

Trump administration officials immediately went into overdrive as they tried to figure out if Kim would accept. A Korean Central News Agency article came out hours after Trumps tweet signaling Pyongyangs openness to the meeting  something the Trump administration closely noted, the former official said. While the article stated that the North Koreans did not know the purpose of the meeting, they did not close the door on the possibility. Administration officials at that point believed a meeting was highly likely, the source said.

The Trump administration then activated the US-North Korea hotline located at the DMZ that is manned 24/7 by a US military officer who speaks Korean. But the calls went unanswered. Then they turned to another tactic that they had used before: a bullhorn. A US military officer went to the border and used the bullhorn to project the message to the North Korean side that the US was trying to communicate with them about a leader-level meeting, the former official said. On the other side, a North Korean recorded the message but did not respond.

Hours later, the hotline rang with an invitation for a US delegation to come to North Korea for a planning meeting. The US delegation, which included the Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun, State Department official Kevin Kim and the NSA Senior Director for the Korean Peninsula Allison Hooker, flew from Seoul to the DMZ the same night that Trumps tweet had been sent, where they met for about an hour with their North Korean counterparts. The two sides discussed the possible meeting but nothing was formally agreed to, and the Trump administration officials left with North Koreas request for a detailed proposal by midnight. That proposal was faxed to Pyongyang when the officials returned to Seoul.

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North Koreas response did not come overnight, and in the morning, US officials were monitoring every possible channel closely. Then a clear signal came through: the North Koreans had sent an expansive team to clean their side of the space along the Military Demarcation Line that divides North and South Korea, which was highly unusual. Then the hotline rang, and the news came that Kim Jong Un would partake in the meeting with Trump later that day.

As he approached the North Korean leader, Trump took 20 steps into the country, making history as the first sitting US leader to set foot in the hermit kingdom. The two leaders then shook hands and met for about an hour.

CNNs Gawon Bae and Yoonjung Seo contributed to this report.

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(Reuters) -Trump administration officials are privately discussing a potential meeting between Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during the U.S. president's upcoming Asia visit, CNN reported on Saturday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Officials have not begun logistical arrangements or direct communications with Pyongyang, and prior outreach from Trump earlier this year was reportedly rejected by North Korea, the report added.

In August, Trump expressed interest in meeting the North Korean leader after hosting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House for the first time.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report and The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Rajveer Singh Pardesi in Bengaluru; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
Donald Trump has suggested he will look at plans floated by a senior Kremlin official to create a 70-mile undersea tunnel connecting Russia with the US state of Alaska.

The proposal was raised at the White House on Friday as the US president met Volodymyr Zelensky, his Ukrainian counterpart, after the idea was raised on social media a day earlier by a senior Russian official.

A tunnel from Russia to Alaska. Thats interesting, Mr Trump said when asked about the concept in front of Mr Zelensky, adding that he would have to think about it.

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What do you think of that, Mr President?... How do you like that idea? he asked the Ukrainian.

Im not happy with this, Mr Zelensky replied.

b'

The arctic tunnel that could link Alaska and Russia

'

For the Ukrainian leader, Fridays meeting had been meant to advance his goal of securing powerful US-made Tomahawk missiles that could be used to aid Kyivs war effort by striking deep into Russia.

But Mr Trump crushed Kyivs hopes of procuring the weapons any time soon, saying he hoped to resolve the conflict without thinking about Tomahawks.

It came following Vladimir Putins warning on Thursday, during a surprise phone call with Mr Trump, that such a move would cause substantial damage to US-Russian relations.

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Writing on social media on Thursday, Kirill Dmitriev, the Kremlins Ukrainian-born special envoy on international economic co-operation and head of Russias RDIF sovereign wealth fund, unveiled his proposals for the $8bn (6bn) rail and cargo link beneath the Bering Strait linking Russias Chukotka region to Alaska.

Mr Dmitriev suggested that Elon Musk, the Boring Company boss and SpaceX chief executive, could spearhead the plans. He wrote:

.@elonmusk, imagine connecting the US and Russia, the Americas and the Afro-Eurasia with the Putin-Trump Tunnel - a 70-mile link symbolizing unity. Traditional costs are $65B+, but @boringcompany's tech could reduce it to <$8B. Let's build a future together!   https://t.co/boCVb8xqjl pic.twitter.com/QXmTYAduqm  Kirill Dmitriev (@kadmitriev) October 16, 2025

Last year, it was reported that the tech tycoon, who recently became embroiled in a public row with Mr Trump over economic policy, had regular communications with Putin during the previous two years, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Mr Musk has not yet publicly commented on the proposal.

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Mr Dmitriev has met with Steve Witkoff, Mr Trumps roving special envoy, on a number of occasions for talks about economic relations between the US and Russia.

He paired his post with a crude graphic reproduction of the proposed route, saying that it could be funded by the RDIF, alongside international partners.

The Bering Strait is subject to frequent earthquakes and has almost no existing infrastructure, partly because of the prohibitive difficulty of working in below-freezing temperatures, making the completion of such a project difficult to achieve.

Moscow has gone to increasing lengths to court Mr Trump with proposals for economic co-operation since the start of the US presidents second term.

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Writing on his Truth Social platform after his call with Putin on Thursday, Mr Trump said the pair had spent a great deal of time talking about trade between Russia and the United States when the war with Ukraine is over.

The call also led to plans being unveiled for a second summit between the Russian and US leaders, due to take place in Budapest in the coming weeks.

Ahead of their last hastily organised meeting in Alaska in August, Yuri Ushakov, a senior Kremlin aide, said the pair would discuss the huge untapped potential in economic relations between the two countries.

Putin also said in August that the US and Russia were discussing joint projects in the Arctic and Alaska, where the latter is reportedly hoping to expand mining operations amid receding polar ice caused by climate change.

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Mr Dmitriev previously made reference to such plans, telling TASS, Russias state media agency, that the country was certainly considering the possibility of joint Russian-Chinese-American projects, including in the Arctic, concerning energy.

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By Doina Chiacu and Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said his proposed 100% tariff on goods from China would not be sustainable, but blamed Beijing for the latest impasse in trade talks that began with Chinese authorities tightening control over rare-earth exports.

Asked whether such a high tariff was sustainable and what that might do to the U.S. economy, Trump replied, "It's not sustainable, but that's what the number is."

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"They forced me to do that," he said in an interview with Fox Business Network that was broadcast on Friday.

Trump unveiled additional levies of 100% on imports of Chinese goods a week ago, along with new export controls on "any and all critical software" by November 1, nine days before existing tariff relief was set to expire.

The new trade actions were Trump's reaction to China dramatically expanding its export controls on rare earth elements. China dominates the market for such elements, which are essential to tech manufacturing.

Trump also confirmed he would meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in two weeks in South Korea and expressed admiration for the Chinese leader.

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"I think we're going to be fine with China, but we have to have a fair deal. It's got to be fair," Trump said on FBN's "Mornings with Maria," which was taped on Thursday.

Later, as he was preparing to have lunch at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to discuss efforts to end its war with Russia, Trump said: "China wants to talk, and we like talking to China."

The softening in tone and affirmation of his intent to meet with Xi helped stem Wall Street's early losses on Friday. Major U.S. stock indexes, which have been rattled over the last week by Trump's abrupt re-imposition of steep levies on Chinese imports and by credit worries among regional banks, were up in afternoon trading.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent spoke with his counterpart, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, on Friday evening in what he called "frank and detailed discussions" about trade, and said the two will meet in person next week.

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WTO URGES DE-ESCALATION OF TRADE SPATS

The head of the World Trade Organization said she urged the U.S. and China to de-escalate trade tensions, warning that a decoupling by the world's two largest economies could reduce global economic output by 7% over the longer term.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told Reuters in an interview the global trade body was extremely concerned about the latest spike in U.S.-China trade tensions and had spoken with officials from both countries to encourage more dialogue.

But tensions continued to run high, even as Trump and Xi prepared to meet.

Bessent took aim at China's state-driven economic practices in a statement to the IMF's steering committee on Friday, urging the IMF and World Bank to take a tougher stance on China's external and internal balances and industrial policies that U.S. officials say have helped China build up excess manufacturing capacity that is flooding the world with cheap goods.

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And China's Commerce Ministry on Friday accused the U.S. of undermining the rules-based multilateral trading system since the Trump administration took office in 2025, vowing to intensify its use of dispute settlement actions at the WTO.

It also urged the U.S. to roll back measures that breach non-discrimination rules and align its industrial and security policies with WTO obligations.

Bessent earlier in the week had accused one of He's top aides of being "unhinged" in recent interactions with U.S. trade negotiators. China said on Friday that Bessent's remarks "seriously distort the facts."

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu and Susan Heavey; Editing by William Maclean, Paul Simao and Andrea Ricci)
Donald Trump said on Friday that he commuted the sentence of George Santos, releasing the disgraced former Republican congressman immediately.

In a Truth Social post, the president called Santos  who had been sentenced to more than seven years in prison this year after pleading guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft  somewhat of a rogue,' but that there are many rogues throughout our Country that arent forced to serve seven years in prison.

Trumps announcement arrives after Santoss sycophantic letter to the president was published by local Long Island news outlet The South Shore Press.

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Sir, I appeal to your sense of justice and humanity  the same qualities that have inspired millions of Americans to believe in you, wrote Santos in his plea for clemency, in which he described his living conditions in prison. You have always been a man of second chances, a leader who believes in redemption and renewal. I am asking you now, from the depths of my heart, to extend that same belief to me.

The president has granted a slew of pardons to political allies and loyalists in the months following his second term including issuing a blanket pardon and widespread clemency to 1,500 individuals who participated in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol  including offenders convicted of violent crimes. Trump also granted clemency to former GOP Rep. Michael Grimm, who pleaded guilty to felony tax fraud; former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, a Republican who was found guilty of political corruption charges and was convicted in two separate federal criminal cases; and reality TV stars Julie and Todd Chrisley, who were convicted of conspiracy to defraud banks out of more than $30 million in 2022. The president also commuted the federal sentence of Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover, who was convicted of murder and then later several federal charges, and was serving a life sentence. (Hoover will still need to serve his sentence stemming from his state charges.)



Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN! George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated, wrote Trump on social media Friday. Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life!

Prosecutors claimed Santos spent donations to his 2022 campaign on non-campaign expenses including OnlyFans, Sephora, Hermes, spas, and Botox. They also alleged he committed identity theft by using donors credit cards without their knowledge.

Santos dubious claims have marked his career, his education, and his personal life. The former House member has said that his grandparents survived the Holocaust and that his mother survived the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in New York City, despite contradicting immigration documents. A Navy veteran also accused Santos of refusing to give him funds from a GoFundMe campaign for his dying service dog.

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Washington  President Trump confirmed a recent New York Times report that Venezuelan officials had offered the U.S. a huge stake in the country's oil, gold and other natural resources to try to end U.S. actions taken against the country.

He said Friday of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, "He has offered everything. He's offered everything," Mr. Trump said. "You're right. You know why? Because he doesn't want to f*** around with the United States."

Mr. Trump made the comments during a meeting with his Cabinet at the White House and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Just two days ago, the president confirmed he has authorized the CIA to go into Venezuela and conduct covert operations in the country.

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In recent weeks, the U.S. has conducted deadly strikes off the coast of Venezuela on vessels suspected of drug trafficking, killing more than two dozen people, according to figures released by the Trump administration. A boat the U.S. struck in the Caribbean on Thursday had survivors who are now on a U.S. Navy ship, a U.S. official told CBS News.

It's highly unusual for an American president to confirm the existence of an ongoing CIA operation, as Mr. Trump did on Wednesday. CBS News senior White House correspondent Ed O'Keefe asked him, "Why did you authorize the CIA to go into Venezuela?"

"I authorized for two reasons, really," Mr. Trump responded, accusing Venezuelans of having "emptied their prisons into the United States of America."

"And the other thing are drugs," he added. "We have a lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela."

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The U.S. has been turning up the pressure on Venezuela in the past few months. The Justice Department has accused Maduro of leading a drug cartel that traffics drugs into the U.S. In August, the deparment increased the reward it's offering for information leading to his capture, raising it to $50 million.

Mr. Trump has also deployed eight warships, a nuclear-powered submarine and fighter jets to the region as part of what he has said is an operation to combat drug smuggling into the United States. CBS News has also learned there are about 10,000 U.S. forces built up in the Caribbean either on ships or in Puerto Rico.

Trump says two survivors of U.S. strike on submersible suspected of drug smuggling will be sent home

Ms. Rachel on raising her voice for kids everywhere

A cross-border landmark faces a restrictive new future
WASHINGTON, DC  As the global workforce continues its shift toward remote independence, offshore company formation has become a strategic, lawful tool for contractors and freelancers seeking international reach, tax efficiency, and professional legitimacy. In 2025, freelancers and independent professionals operate across jurisdictions, serve clients on multiple continents, and increasingly require corporate structures that transcend borders.

While the term offshore company can evoke misconceptions, its legal purpose is simple: to create a transparent, compliant vehicle for earning, invoicing, and managing income efficiently under international law. This Amicus International Consulting analysis provides a complete guide to establishing and managing an offshore company for contractors and freelancers, explaining the benefits, compliance principles, and practical steps to build a sustainable, audit-ready business infrastructure.

The Globalization of Independent Work

Over the past decade, technological advances and regulatory modernization have created a new professional class: global freelancers. Graphic designers in Singapore work with clients in Europe, IT specialists in Poland contract with firms in Dubai, and consultants in Canada advise clients in Asia. Yet, despite borderless work, income still flows through national tax systems.

Freelancers face challenges such as inconsistent client payment terms, double taxation risks, limited access to international banking, and ambiguous legal status when contracting abroad. An offshore company offers a lawful framework to solve these problems.

Amicus International Consulting defines an offshore company for freelancers as a legal entity incorporated in a jurisdiction other than the freelancers home country, used for managing contracts, payments, and taxation under transparent, compliant standards. Properly structured, it provides limited liability, simplified tax treatment, and a professional image without breaching any national law.

Why Freelancers Form Offshore Companies

Professional Credibility and Scalability  Many corporate clients prefer dealing with registered companies rather than individuals for compliance and invoicing purposes. An incorporated entity signals professionalism and reliability. Simplified Cross-Border Invoicing  Offshore companies can issue invoices in major currencies, receive international transfers efficiently, and access digital banking. Tax Optimization (Not Evasion)  Jurisdictions with low or territorial taxation allow freelancers to manage global income efficiently, provided the entity is disclosed correctly and compliant with residency rules. Limited Liability Protection  Incorporation shields personal assets from contractual liabilities. Location Independence  Freelancers who travel frequently can anchor their business legally in a stable jurisdiction.

Amicus International Consulting stresses that legality depends on transparency. The company must be declared to the freelancers home tax authority where required, and banking must comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money-Laundering (AML) regulations.

Choosing the Right Jurisdiction

The correct jurisdiction depends on the freelancers tax residency, client base, and banking needs. The most common choices for 2025 combine low taxation, digital accessibility, and global reputation:

United Arab Emirates (UAE)  The UAEs free zones, such as IFZA, Meydan, and Ras Al Khaimah, offer 0 percent tax on foreign-sourced income, world-class banking, and simple incorporation for service companies. Tax residency certificates are available for individuals spending sufficient time in the country. Estonia  Through the e-Residency program, freelancers can form and manage companies remotely, enjoying a transparent 0 percent corporate tax on retained earnings and only paying tax on distributed profits. Hong Kong  Hong Kong taxes only locally sourced profits. Income earned outside Hong Kong is exempt, provided proper documentation and audit support are in place. Singapore  Territorial tax system, strong reputation, and treaty network. While taxes apply to local income, foreign-sourced profits are often exempt if not remitted. Cyprus  A European Union jurisdiction with 12.5 percent corporate tax and access to EU banking. Ideal for freelancers seeking both credibility and tax moderation. Mauritius  A developing hub for Africa and Asia-based freelancers. Low effective corporate tax rates and simplified company formation make it attractive for service providers.

Amicus International Consulting evaluates jurisdiction choice using three criteria: legality (treaty alignment and transparency), usability (banking and client acceptance), and compliance cost (annual filing and accounting obligations).

Structuring the Offshore Company

A standard contractor company structure involves:

Single Shareholder and Director (the freelancer).

Registered Office in the chosen jurisdiction.

Corporate Bank Account for client payments.

Accounting System for invoicing, expense tracking, and compliance.

Incorporation typically takes one to four weeks, depending on jurisdiction. The freelancer must provide identification, proof of address, and a short business plan.

The offshore company should not exist as a shell. Economic substance regulations now require that companies demonstrate real management activity, even if modest. Holding meetings, maintaining contracts, and retaining service providers locally establishes credibility.

Case Study 1: European Graphic Designer Operating Through a UAE Free Zone

A freelance designer based in Eastern Europe worked with clients in the United States and the Middle East. Amicus International Consulting advised forming a UAE free-zone company to consolidate payments. The designer received a two-year residence visa and opened a multi-currency corporate account.

All invoices were issued through the company, and profits derived from non-UAE clients were exempt from corporate tax. The structure provided credibility with corporate clients and lawful tax efficiency, as it was fully declared to the designers home tax authority under information-exchange agreements.

Legal and Tax Compliance for Freelancers

Freelancers must separate two distinct legal identities: personal and corporate. The company earns revenue and pays corporate taxes in its jurisdiction; the individual declares dividends or salaries according to their personal tax residency.

Compliance steps include:

Corporate Filing  Annual accounts and renewal of licenses or registered agent services.

Tax Reporting  Depending on jurisdiction, submission of an annual tax return or declaration of zero local activity.

Personal Reporting  Disclosure of offshore ownership to home tax authorities under Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules, where applicable.

Banking Compliance  Maintenance of AML-compliant documentation for every transfer.

Amicus International Consulting advises clients to maintain a compliance binder containing company documents, contracts, invoices, and tax certificates.

Case Study 2: U.S. Consultant Leveraging an Estonian e-Residency Company

A U.S.-based IT consultant serving European clients faced double taxation on cross-border income. Amicus International Consulting established an Estonian OU company under the e-Residency framework.

The Estonian entity billed EU clients directly and maintained accounting records under Estonias digital compliance system. The consultant paid 0 percent corporate tax on retained earnings and declared only distributed dividends under U.S. tax law, using foreign tax credits to prevent double taxation.

The structure was transparent, digital-first, and entirely lawful.

Banking for Offshore Freelancers

The viability of any offshore company depends on access to banking. Reputable banks require clear documentation of business activity and the source of income. Freelancers must provide:

Client contracts or invoices.

Proof of professional qualifications.

Description of business model and transaction volumes.

Preferred banking jurisdictions for contractors include the UAE, Singapore, Hong Kong, and selected European fintech platforms. Multi-currency accounts simplify payment processing in USD, EUR, and GBP.

Amicus International Consulting advises freelancers to align banking with the companys legal domicile and to avoid mismatched accounts, which trigger compliance questions.

Managing Tax Residency

An offshore company does not automatically change personal tax residency. Freelancers must verify where they are legally considered tax residents, based on days of presence or center-of-life tests.

To benefit from low-tax regimes, some freelancers relocate physically. Options include:

UAE Residence Visa: No personal income tax, renewable with company registration.

Portugal Non-Habitual Resident Regime: Ten-year favorable tax period for foreign income.

Cyprus or Malta Residence: Moderate tax and EU access.

Amicus International Consulting designs parallel structures where entrepreneurs hold legal residency in a tax-efficient jurisdiction while maintaining an offshore company for operations, ensuring both legal alignment and compliance with international treaties.

Accounting and Substance in 2025

Modern compliance requires companies, even small freelance entities, to demonstrate real administration. This can be satisfied by:

Hiring a local accounting service.

Holding periodic management meetings (virtual or in person).

Maintaining contracts and records within the jurisdiction.

Filing annual returns on time.

Failure to maintain substance can lead to reclassification and taxation in the freelancers home country.

Case Study 3: Asian Digital Nomad Structuring Through Hong Kong

A Filipino marketing consultant traveling across Asia needed a legal business structure for global clients. Amicus International Consulting established a Hong Kong limited company with a local secretary and accounting support.

The company billed clients in USD, received payments into a Hong Kong fintech bank, and paid 0 percent tax on foreign-sourced profits. The consultant remained tax resident in Thailand under the SMART Visa program, disclosing all income lawfully.

The arrangement provided international credibility and seamless client onboarding through compliant invoicing and banking.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using Shell Entities  No staff, office, or accounting results in red flags and account closures. Ignoring Home-Country Rules  Failing to declare foreign ownership can violate CFC or anti-avoidance laws. Mixing Personal and Company Funds  Leads to loss of liability protection. Choosing Unregulated Jurisdictions  Attracts reputational and banking risk.

Amicus International Consultings rule: if a structure cannot pass an audit, it should not exist.

Cost and Maintenance Overview

Typical offshore company setup costs range between USD 2,000 and 6,000, depending on jurisdiction. Annual renewals and accounting fees vary from USD 1,000 to 3,000. Additional expenses include resident agent fees, bank compliance costs, and accounting software subscriptions.

While costs vary, the resulting stability and banking access often outweigh the expense, particularly for professionals billing clients worldwide.

Integrating With Personal Finance

Freelancers can legally draw income from their offshore company as salary or dividends, depending on tax residency. Salaries create deductible expenses for the company, while dividends are taxed according to personal residency law.

Amicus International Consulting assists clients in planning distribution schedules, aligning payments with tax calendars, and maintaining records for dual reporting obligations.

Digital Infrastructure and Compliance Technology

Automation now allows freelancers to manage offshore companies efficiently. Cloud-based accounting platforms, digital signatures, and document management systems reduce administrative burden. Jurisdictions like Estonia and the UAE provide fully digital corporate registries, enabling remote compliance.

The Strategic Role of Offshore Incorporation for Freelancers

Amicus International Consulting frames offshore company formation as part of a three-layer global strategy:

Incorporation for structure and liability protection. Residency optimization for tax and mobility. Compliance infrastructure for sustainability and legitimacy.

This triad ensures freelancers operate like global micro-enterprises, enjoying the same efficiency and stability as larger corporations without crossing legal boundaries.

Future Trends: Regulation and Opportunity

By 2030, cross-border freelancers will be the dominant segment of global service trade. Governments are adapting by tightening beneficial ownership reporting while encouraging legitimate international business. The future of offshore structures lies in transparency, not secrecy.

Amicus International Consulting predicts that freelancers who embrace compliance early, choose reputable jurisdictions, maintain clear records, and align their residency will enjoy long-term banking access, lower taxes, and uninterrupted mobility.

Conclusion: Freedom Through Structure

For modern contractors and freelancers, an offshore company is not a loophole; it is infrastructure. It enables legal global earnings, predictable taxation, and professional identity across borders. The difference between evasion and efficiency lies in documentation, disclosure, and discipline.

Amicus International Consulting concludes that in 2025, the global freelancers most valuable asset is a lawful structure. By combining incorporation, residency, and compliance, independent professionals can achieve what multinationals already enjoy: freedom through organization.

Contact Information

Phone: +1 (604) 200-5402

Signal: 604-353-4942

Telegram: 604-353-4942

Email: info@amicusint.ca

Website: www.amicusint.ca
President Donald Trump says two surviving narcoterrorists from a semi-submersible vessel destroyed by the US military in the Caribbean will be sent to their home countries of Ecuador and Colombia.

It was my great honor to destroy a very large DRUG-CARRYING SUBMARINE that was navigating towards the United States on a well known narcotrafficking transit route, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday.

He said that US intelligence has confirmed the vessel was carrying fentanyl and other narcotics.

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The vessel was targeted on Thursday in what Trump described as a strike aimed at disrupting a major drug trafficking route.

Two crew members were killed, he said, while two others survived and were airlifted by US forces in a helicopter rescue operation to a nearby US Navy warship.

The US military held the survivors on board at least until Friday evening.

The press office for Ecuadors government said it was not aware of the plans for repatriation. There was no immediate comment from Colombian authorities.

At least six vessels, most of them speedboats, have been targeted by US strikes in the Caribbean since September, with Venezuela alleged to be the origin of some of them.

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Washington says its campaign is dealing a decisive blow to drug trafficking, but it has provided no evidence that the people killed were drug smugglers.

With Trumps confirmation of the death toll on his Truth Social platform, that means US military actions against vessels in the region have killed at least 29 people.

The president has justified the strikes by asserting that the United States is engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels. He is relying on the same legal authority used by the administration of former President George W Bush when it declared a war on terrorism after the September 11 attacks on the US. This includes the ability to capture and detain combatants and use lethal force to take out their leadership. Trump is also treating the suspected traffickers as if they were enemy soldiers in a traditional war.

Previous similar strikes have raised concerns from Democratic lawmakers and legal experts who argue that such operations may exceed accepted wartime authority and risk violating international law.

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Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said the latest targeted vessel had been built specifically for the transportation of massive amounts of drugs.





US military buildup

The mission comes amid a sharp US military buildup across the Caribbean, involving guided missile destroyers, F-35 fighter jets, a nuclear-powered submarine and about 6,500 troops. The escalation has fuelled accusations that Washington is inching towards direct confrontation with Venezuela.

On Wednesday, Trump confirmed that he had authorised the CIA to carry out covert operations inside Venezuela, intensifying fears in Caracas that the US is attempting to topple President Nicolas Maduro.

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Maduro has repeatedly denied involvement in drug trafficking and accused Washington of fabricating a narco-terrorism narrative as a pretext for trying to change the government. He condemned the recent maritime strikes as a violation of Venezuelas sovereignty and international law.

Venezuelas ambassador to the United Nations, Samuel Moncada, has formally requested the UN Security Council to issue a determination that the US strikes are illegal and to reaffirm Venezuelas sovereign rights.




These are busy days for Steve Witkoff.

The real estate developer-turned-Swiss Army Knife diplomat (officially the special presidential envoy for peace missions) was sitting in the galleries of the Israeli Knesset on Monday, listening as President Donald Trump basked in the newly brokered ceasefire-for-hostages deal, when his boss reminded him of another assignment.

We have to get Russia done. We got to get that one done, Trump said while musing about a new Iran nuclear deal. If you dont mind, Steve, lets focus on Russia first.

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Energized by success in the Middle East, Trump is eager to harness that most elusive ingredient in politics and diplomacy: momentum. A week that began with a 36-hour trip to the Middle East ended with Ukraines president in the White House, trying to convince Trump to approve new long-range missiles before a surprise meeting soon with Vladimir Putin in Budapest.

In between, Trump confirmed hed authorized the CIA to operate covertly in Venezuela while threatening to strike inside the country. He threw his endorsement  and a $20 billion lifeline from the US Treasury  behind Argentinas likeminded leader. And he zigzagged through new China tariff threats ahead of a high-stakes meeting with President Xi Jinping in a few weeks.

I think we carry a lot of momentum, a lot of credibility. Getting Middle East done was very important, Trump said Friday over lunch with his Ukrainian counterpart in the Cabinet Room. Nobody thought it could be done. That was one nobody thought could be done, and we got it done.

We had to set the table properly, he added later. This should be one that we get done, and I think the table is set properly here now, too, and itll be a great honor to get it done.

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Translating his ability to quell the Mideast war into successes elsewhere will be a tall order for the president. And there have already been stumbling blocks in the delicate truce with Hamas, including the militant groups inability this week to produce the remains of more than a dozen deceased hostages and subsequent outrage in Israel.

The leverage Trump successfully employed on Israel to stop the war doesnt exist with Russia and China, both nuclear powers who arent dependent on the United States for military or financial support. Many senior US and European officials said this week they doubted Trumps success in the Middle East would lead to any immediate shift in strategy by Moscow or Beijing. And Trump faces political peril with his interventions in Latin America, where US troops and dollars have a mixed history of either propping up or taking down regimes.

Palestinians seen waiting for the agreed ceasefire to take effect, in Deir al Balah, Gaza on October 9. - Ali Jadallah/Anadolu/Getty Images

A fragile victory

Still, Trumps experience with Gaza was a reminder that long stretches of arduous, often fruitless effort can eventually result in a victory, however fragile. As the US diplomat George Mitchell liked to say after brokering the Good Friday agreement to end sectarian violence in Northern Ireland, We had 700 days of failure and one day of success.

That quote was batted around frequently by aides to President Joe Biden last year as they worked to achieve what Trump eventually did: an agreement to release all the remaining hostages in Gaza while stopping the two-year war. A week after Trump declared the deal done, it appeared to be holding, despite accusations from Israel that Hamas was not maintaining its pledge to return all the hostage bodies.

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American officials were quick to explain it would have been nearly impossible for Hamas to quickly locate and extract the bodies from the piles of rubble and debris left behind from the war. One US adviser pointed out the Palestinian enclave lacks any heavy equipment, like bulldozers, to clear out the wreckage. And they emphasized the unquestionable diplomatic success of getting 20 living hostages released.

I think the understanding we had with them was we get all the live hostage hostages out, which they did honor that, one US adviser said.

The task of preventing the deal from falling apart has fallen mainly to Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law, each of whom helped convince Israel and Hamas, via its Arab interlocutors, to agree. In conversations with Israeli officials, they have tried to emphasize the ways in which they are working to locate all the bodies, including calling in teams from Turkey with experience in earthquake recovery efforts.

After returning in the middle of the night from the region this week, the president himself spoke again on Thursday with Netanyahu about the issue of the hostages remains.

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Were going to find out if they behave, he said afterward, referring to Hamas. If they dont behave, well take care of it.

Few believe the issue could derail the deal entirely, and American advisers were pushing ahead with the next phase of the arrangement: establishing a multinational security force and taking steps toward rebuilding Gaza.

But the issue underscored the fragility of a deal that was pushed through by Trump before many of the details were finalized. Ultimately, far stickier questions remain, including getting Hamas to disarm, deciding who will govern Gaza and, most crucially, whether the process results in a Palestinian state.

President Donald Trump speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a lunch meeting at the White House on Friday. - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Carrots and sticks

As he turns quickly to Ukraine, Trump may be drawing some lessons from his Middle East negotiations, including the virtues of working rapidly even as major details remain outstanding. This week he agreed to meet soon with Putin in Hungary in another attempt at face-to-face diplomacy, even as the parameters of a peace deal remain entirely unclear.

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Some European officials speaking privately this week said if Trump hopes to strike a similar deal to end the Ukraine war, it will require a degree of pressure on Putin  be it new sanctions or supplying new arms to Ukraine  that he so far seems unwilling to exert. Without sticks, Trump may seek to find carrots to lure Putin into a peace deal, although those, too, will be limited compared to what incentives existed with Israel.

Trump, in his dealings with Netanyahu, appeared highly attuned to the Israeli prime ministers political concerns, be it the demands from his far-right coalition partners or his ongoing corruption trial on long-standing bribery and fraud charges. In a remarkable moment during his speech to the Knesset, Trump called for Israels president to grant Netanyahu a pardon, brushing aside the accusations the Israeli leader received lavish gifts in exchange for favors.

Cigars and champagne, who the hell cares about that? Trump scoffed.

Finding a political lever to pull with Putin will be more difficult. The Russian president rules as an authoritarian, without the political chores required to keep together fragile coalitions or avoiding legal mires (at least in his own country; hes wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of trafficking Ukrainian children).

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That leaves Trump with fewer options to bring Putin to the negotiating table. For much of the last week, Trump seemed to be warming to the idea of sending Ukraine new long-range Tomahawk missiles, whose 1,000-mile range would put Moscow well within striking distance.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky set off for Washington this week hopeful Trump was serious about providing the weapons, which he believes are necessary for turning around the battlefield momentum. He even arranged meetings with representatives from Raytheon, the US manufacturer of the Tomahawks, to discuss his weaponry needs.

But over the course of his working lunch with Trump, it became evident the Tomahawks would not soon be on their way to Ukraine.

Hopefully they wont need it, Trump said. Hopefully well be able to get the war over without thinking about Tomahawks.

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The conversation between the two leaders, alongside their top aides, continued behind closed doors on Friday afternoon in what was described to CNN by several people familiar as a tense, frank and, at times, uncomfortable discussion.

Trump made clear to Zelensky in a direct and honest conversation that  for now  the Ukrainian leader would not receive the long-range missiles. One official said Trump was under the impression that Ukraine is seeking to escalate and prolong the conflict and is worried about potential losses during an upcoming harsh winter.

Zelensky said afterward hed agreed with Trump not to discuss the Tomahawks in public. And Trump, as he was flying to Palm Beach for the weekend, wrote on social media that Russia and Ukraine should end the war where they are, tacking back to his position from the summer that land concessions were necessary after claiming in September that Ukraine might be able to regain its lost territories.

Trump told those around him that was due to the realities of where the conflict stands, arguing there was too much devastation and too much killing, according to one official.

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It was the latest example of Trump inching closer to allowing new capabilities or applying new sanctions on Moscow, only to back away when Putin intervenes to head it off. In this case, it was a phone call initiated by the Kremlin a day before Zelensky arrived, meant ostensibly to congratulate Trump on his Middle East victory but which resulted in arranging another in-person meeting.

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands at the end of a press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on August 15, in Anchorage, Alaska. - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Meetings with Putin and Xi on horizon

If the Budapest summit materializes  Trump said he hoped it would happen in the next two weeks  it would mean back-to-back meetings with two of his top global adversaries who have, in recent years, deepened their alliance. Trumps face-to-face summit with Xi, scheduled for the end of the month in South Korea, is intended to clarify trade tensions between the worlds two largest economies.

The war in Ukraine, which Beijing has helped sustain through military supplies and purchases of Russian oil, could be another point of contention. But Trump appeared confident hed have the whole thing resolved before they sit down.

Ill be discussing that, but Id love to see it ended before that, he said.

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Trumps assessments Friday that Putin wants to end the war were reminiscent of his confidence ahead of his August meeting with the Russian leader in Alaska, when he seemed sure the talks would result in quick progress toward a peace deal.

They did not, and before Thursday there seemed to be little evidence that Putin was interested in moving ahead with US-brokered negotiations. Trump said he believed threat of Tomahawks could have helped bring him back to the table.

So, too, do American officials believe that a successful negotiation in the Middle East has led Russia to rethink how it is approaching Trump and his desire to see the Ukraine war ended.

But even Trump seemed to allow for the possibility that he could be wrong, and that Putin  as hes feared in the past  may just be stringing him along.

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I am, he said when asked whether hes concerned Putin might be playing for time. But, you know, Ive been played all my life by the best of them, and I came out really well.

This story has been updated with additional details.

CNNs Kaitlan Collins and Kristen Holmes contributed to this report.

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President Donald Trump on Friday took another swipe at Rep. Thomas Massie, urging Navy veteran Ed Gallrein to challenge the Kentucky Republican for his seat in next years midterms.

Third Rate Congressman Thomas Massie, a Weak and Pathetic RINO from the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky, a place I love, and won big SIX TIMES, must be thrown out of office, ASAP! Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Friday night. Should he decide to challenge Massie, Captain Ed Gallrein has my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, ED, RUN  MAGA!

Gallrein previously campaigned for state Senate in Kentucky in 2024, describing himself on his campaign website at the time as a farmer, a small-business owner with experience in the armed forces as a retired Navy SEAL commissioned officer and a decorated combat veteran. He was defeated by 118 votes in the primary last year by Republican Aaron Reed, who unseated state Sen. Adrienne Southworth.

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Massie said in a statement Friday that Trumps consultants clearly pushed the panic button with their choice of failed candidate and establishment hack Ed Gallrein.

Gallrein said in a statement Friday that he was "honored by President Trumps support."

"He is doing an amazing job securing the border, lowering taxes, and making America great again," Gallrein said. "I will make an announcement on whats next soon!

Massie, a seven-term congressman, ran uncontested in 2024 after easily beating back primary challenges from Eric Deters and Michael McGinnis.

Massie bucked Trump last month when he filed a discharge petition to force a floor vote to compel the Justice Department to release files tied to the case of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019.

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Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna of California, a Democrat who co-authored the petition, collected signatures last month for the resolution, which requires support from 218 House members. They are shy one signature, which is expected to come from Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., when she is sworn in.

NBC News reported in June that Trumps team had launched a super PAC tasked with unseating Massie, who has frequently broken with Trumps domestic and foreign policy agenda and had backed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis presidential campaign against Trump last year.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., when asked in June about Trumps frustration about Massie and whether he would back Massie against a primary challenge, Johnson told NBC News: Im a leader of my party here, and the speaker leads the incumbent protection program. I got to make sure everybody gets re-elected.

A spokesperson for Johnson declined to immediately comment on Friday night about whether the speaker would continue to back Massie if Gallrein entered the race.

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Massie was first elected to the House in 2012 after winning a special election. He represents Kentuckys 4th Congressional District, which includes Kenton and Boon counties, among others.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Blame games, tit-for-tat threats, off-again on-again meetings between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, and wild tariff swings seem to be the recent order of the day.

According to former government officials and analysts, however, this should come as no surprise - it's just the price you pay when diplomatic norms are brushed off.

In the latest twist in the saga, Trump on Friday swung from tough to conciliatory, appearing to reverse threats made a week earlier to cancel a planned upcoming meeting with Xi in South Korea and impose an additional 100 per cent tariff on all Chinese goods.

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Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

Trump's salvoes followed Beijing's move a day earlier to expand export controls over strategic rare earth minerals and related technologies.

Those in turn were triggered by Washington's move late last month to expand sanctions on companies at least half owned by blacklisted firms on national security grounds.

"This is what happens when there's a lack of clear communication. Both sides have misread the other," said Zack Cooper, a fellow with the conservative American Enterprise Institute.

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"People in the US system did not understand how angry Beijing would be about the 50 per cent rule on September 29. And people in Beijing didn't understand how angry Washington would be about its October 9 actions."

Amplifying recent trade gyrations that have roiled markets and frustrated global business planners are the very different political cultures that define the Xi and Trump administrations, analysts said.

The sweet spot for stability-obsessed Beijing is a series of carefully choreographed meetings over months at successively more senior levels, leading to a summit or Politburo-level agreement with every detail planned down to camera angles.

"They don't tend to go for spontaneity," said Michael Froman, president of the Council on Foreign Relations. "Everything tends to be well scripted before the meeting. They want to manage any downside risk or embarrassment for their leader."

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"Traditionally, within the Biden administration, there was a very strong channel between the National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and his counterpart Wang Yi," added Froman, former US Trade Representative during the Barack Obama administration.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks at the annual meeting of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters alt=US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks at the annual meeting of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters>

Trump, in marked contrast, touts his ability to disregard norms and established niceties, often bristles at "process" or being upstaged by underlings and places great weight on his personal negotiating skills, unpredictability and perceived skill at making last-minute deals by going with his "gut".

The mercurial president's no-holds-barred style, echoed by his lieutenants, is also viewed in China as discourteous and highly undiplomatic in a nation where face and public respect for its remote, one-party leadership is deeply ingrained.

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Trump's approach is consistent with someone who built his political career on personal attacks and catchy nicknames.

"Highly respected President Xi just had a bad moment," Trump posted earlier this month. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent followed that up this week by referring to Chinese Commerce Ministry negotiator Li Chenggang - Xi's point man - as "unhinged", "very disrespectful", and suggesting that Li showed up in Washington uninvited.

"Perhaps he's gone rogue," Bessent added.

As the economic giants have become increasingly indignant at the other side, each has publicly cherry-picked points to bolster their own case, often appearing all but deaf to the other side's viewpoint, with little if any backchannel reality checks. Trust, once broken, is difficult to rebuild, analysts concluded.

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From Washington's perspective, the latest downward spiral after a few months of relative calm started with China's rare-earth export curbs, leading the administration to accuse Beijing of a hostile, unprovoked outrage.

That led Trump to issue his flurry of threatened responses a week ago centred on elevated tariffs, the possibly cancelled Xi meeting and added company sanctions.

For Beijing, however, the starting gun was fired days earlier when the US Commerce Department issued a new rule expanding its restricted export list, known as the Entity List, sanctioning a wide swathe of additional Chinese companies.

China, feeling similarly attacked without provocation, defended its rare-earth response, saying it was "defensive", leading to accusations the US was creating "unnecessary panic" and blowing it all out of proportion.

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In its mind, the expanded US export restrictions also violated what it saw as an implicit ceasefire hammered out in Spain last month.

"Beijing believed that there was a tacit agreement coming out of Madrid to avoid just such escalatory actions," said Paul Triolo, partner with Washington consultancy DGA-Albright Stonebridge Group.

He added that the 50 per cent rule would affect as many as 10,000 Chinese companies, and "is not, as the Commerce Department apparently portrayed to the rest of the administration, a minor closing of loopholes".

Part of the problem may be differences within the Trump administration, resulting in mixed messages that complicate the ability of China - as well as markets and traders - to read US intentions, analysts said.

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In November, Fox News reported "nasty, Hunger Games-style" jockeying between Treasury Department's Scott Bessent, who now leads the China talks, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, whom it described as "the brass-knuckled" Wall Street chief executive who lost out to Bessent for the Treasury role.

US technology policy toward China is complex, added Triolo, and lacks a coordinating agency. This allows individual officials to push their agendas without considering other agencies or broader trade negotiations.

"I suspect that there is very substantial infighting and that it's part of what's going on right now," said Cooper.

"It's pretty opaque to me, even though I know instinctually that it's probably a big driver of what's going on ... most likely it's very nasty."

Fox News described US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick as "the brass-knuckled" Wall Street chief executive. Photo: EPA alt=Fox News described US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick as "the brass-knuckled" Wall Street chief executive. Photo: EPA>

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But Washington is not alone, added Cooper, amid evidence of different interests reflected in Beijing's statements by its Commerce Ministry.

Some, however, say Washington's differences are more effective than they appear, with Bessent playing "good cop", Lutnick playing "bad cop", and Trump making the final decision.

As the US-China game of chicken has intensified, some say Beijing is using tactics and wielding leverage with its rare-earth threats, mirroring Washington's use of strict export controls on chips and tools.

"This is a classic case of 'what goes around, comes around,'" said William Reinsch, former undersecretary of Commerce during the Bill Clinton administration. "The US should have seen it coming."

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China has a "long history of responding in kind, and this continues that tradition", the Centre for Strategic and International Studies senior advisor added.

China controls nearly 90 per cent of global rare-earth processing - critical for manufacturing everything from AI chips to fighter jets - and its new curbs require approval to export even trace amounts of rare earths and data on their intended use.

Another trade complication is the struggle for AI supremacy. China may have increased its rare-earth restrictions less from outrage than to gain leverage in advance of the planned Xi-Trump meeting, said Christopher Padilla, former Commerce Department undersecretary during the George W. Bush administration.

"It appears that China is looking for a trade relaxation of American limits on AI in exchange for China allowing exports of rare earths," said Padilla, a senior adviser at Brunswick Group.

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He added that US semiconductor restrictions and Chinese rare-earth limits are both global, extraterritorial, require re-export licenses even for small amounts and presume denial for military applications.

Despite Trump's indication on Friday that his meeting with Xi was back on the radar, a development the world will be watching expectantly, few see much chance of a comprehensive trade deal anytime soon, given all the bad blood, miscommunication and lack of groundwork.

While Beijing has yet to confirm, Bessent said on Friday he expects to meet his Chinese counterpart, Vice-Premier He Lifeng, in Malaysia "probably a week from tomorrow" to help set the stage for a potential meeting.

But the South Korean sit-down could see an extended truce on tariffs, temporary forbearance on export controls, and short-term confidence-building measures like Boeing purchases, said Padilla.

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And China might agree to buy US agricultural goods in return for some easing of US restrictions, said Bonnie Glaser, managing director with the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

"In the meantime, Trump can use the 'billions' of dollars he is bringing into US coffers from tariffs to pay American farmers, which is what he did in his first term," she added.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
Before last week, CREOKS Behavioral Health Services had a storefront in Catoosa it couldn't fully use.

The nonprofit's Catoosa office occupies a small strip mall along East Admiral Place. Emily Oberg, CREOKS children's director in Rogers and Mayes counties, said the agency acquired a nonadjacent storefront in the same strip mall a year ago. Despite the storefront's public access, Oberg said CREOKS would use it almost exclusively for storage because the space inside is inadequate for gatherings.

That changed Oct. 10 when Tulsa Area United Way, which absorbed Rogers, Mayes and Delaware counties into its service area in July, sent volunteers to fix up the space. Over the following week, workers from Pryor-based Williams Construction replaced the old flooring, painted over the walls and repaired damaged sheetrock.

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Oberg said the storefront is now fit to host CREOKS' parenting classes and training sessions. She said CREOKS might also move its food pantry and community closet to the space.

"It's going to look like an area for us to come and gather and be social," Oberg said. "... It's going to be an area for clients to connect. It's going to be an area for them to feel supported, to meet other people, to become more involved in their community and to attain the services that they're needing or wanting."

Tulsa Area United Way also sent volunteers that day to several other area nonprofits, like the Rogers County Adult Day Center and Safenet Services, to help with mostly physical tasks like picking up trash and painting.

Allison Anthony, the agency's chief executive officer, said Tulsa Area United Way has been assisting Tulsa area nonprofits with these sorts of jobs for 34 years through its Day of Caring campaign. Oct. 10 marked its first Day of Caring to include the three new service area counties.

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"The team felt like the best place to start was to show up with service to show people what the United Way really is about, which is uniting people and resources to improve lives and strengthen communities," Anthony said. "We do that in a lot of ways, but one of the main ways is through serving and volunteerism and coordinating that."

Anthony said Day of Caring helps nonprofits by tackling tasks ancillary to their core missions. Oberg said agencies like CREOKS struggle with squeezing tasks like painting into their busy schedules and tight budgets.

"We have been focusing what resources we do have on going out and providing services versus having people come here," Oberg said. "That did make it limited on groups, and so now we're going to be able to do both."

Lauren Collins, Tulsa United Way's marketing director, said the agency starts planning Days of Caring a few months in advance. Collins said nonprofits, schools and other groups submit projects on the agency's website. She said applications for next year's Day of Caring will likely open in early summer 2026.

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Then, United Way matches volunteer groups to each project. Collins said volunteers range from groups of individuals to large corporations like QuikTrip, which mobilizes its own vendors and Kubota earthmovers to the project site.

Chris Williams, who co-owns Williams Construction with wife Christine, sat on the board of Rogers County's United Way branch before it dissolved in April and now is on the Tulsa board. Williams said the Rogers, Mayes and Delaware counties' United Way lacked the resources to put on Days of Caring; he said joining a larger United Way organization allows the agency to make a larger impact in the three-county area.

"I'm just incredibly thankful to Williams Construction because you're local and you're helping your local community ... in Rogers and Mayes County," Oberg said. "It means the world."

Anthony said she envisions Day of Caring to keep growing in Rogers, Mayes and Delaware counties as it has in Tulsa. About 50 volunteers completed seven projects during the inaugural Day of Caring in Rogers County. Anthony said Tulsa's Day of Caring Sept. 12 brought out more than 3,200 volunteers who took on 196 projects.

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Anthony said many Tulsa nonprofits factor Day of Caring into their planning process each year. She said she hopes groups in Rogers, Mayes and Delaware counties will begin doing the same.

"They keep a list of all the projects they want done all year-round," Anthony said. "They say, 'Wow, we need to have this fence replaced that was blown down in a storm. Let's just wait 'til Day of Caring and let them get it done.' What we see is they save an enormous amount of money and human capital in their own workforce."
TUPELO  The institution of policing has a long and storied past, and with national calls for reform and a host of factors since the turn of the decade, finding police officers has become a challenge, although one the Tupelo Police Department has felt less severely than others.

While nationally, police departments struggle to find and keep officers, Tupelo Police Department Chief John Quaka, who assumed the role about four years ago, said hiring isnt their issue. Instead, its the looming retirement of his senior officers and the recent change to the retirement system for new officers, which will limit the pool for hiring, that are of concern.

Nationwide, yes (there is a downward trend in hiring). We seem to be in a pretty good position of attracting people that want to get into law enforcement, Quaka said. We are mostly attracting people with non-law-enforcement experience, so we have to start from scratch, which is fine, but that can be an issue sometimes  It is a lengthy process to get an uncertified officer on the streets, fully certified and given the experience and tools needed to completely do their mission.

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The department is slated to have 113 officers in total, with five current vacancies. Of the 108 officers, three are in the academy and uncertified, though Quaka noted they will be certified next week. Once they complete the 12-week academy and become certified, the department will shadow them for another 12 weeks before allowing them to be full-fledged officers.

Quaka said being slightly understaffed does not affect the departments overall output, nor is it uncommon.

Jordan Jernigan is one of those newly minted officers, having been at the department for about three months. The 25-year-old is a former wide receiver for Tupelo High School, Ole Miss and Delta State.

For Jernigan, being a police officer has been a lifetime plan, noting he decided to become one in the fourth grade when officers came to his school.

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I liked what they had to say and the way they carried themselves, he said.

Acquisition and retention

As the department continues to fill its ranks, Quaka said the changes to the states retirement system will limit his ability to hire older individuals with no prior experience. The state recently made an amendment to the Public Employees Retirement System of Mississippi that changed the number of years to draw a full retirement from 30 to 35.

This amendment comes after the state already bumped the years of service from 25 to 30. The change takes hold in March of next year, meaning an individual with no prior experience who is hired in their mid-30s would have to work until their mid-60s to early-70s to draw a full retirement.

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Quaka noted that last year, the department hired two individuals who had real-world experience but no state-policing experience, adding that they were good candidates who have elevated the department, but next year, he will be hesitant to hire slightly older candidates because of the strain policing has on a persons life.

My biggest challenge is this new Tier 5 with PERS. That is greatly going to affect me, he said. Now these officers have to put in 35 years, and 35 years working on the streets as a police officer does not translate into 35 years for a state employee working behind a desk. Theres a big difference.

That means hiring slightly older officers  mid-30s or older  may be gone.

Weve hired two uncertified officers who were in their 30s. They didnt have any experience in law enforcement, but they had life experience, Quaka said. We hired them. We brought them on as officers, and they are two of my best officers. Even though their experience is not much, they have great life experience, and it translates well. The day of hiring those uncertified officers in their 30s is over.

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Because the department puts so much emphasis on training, having more training spaces than most departments in the region, some trainees will get hired by the TPD, earn certification, and then move to larger cities that can have more competitive pay.

Pay is a considerable challenge, Quaka said, with uncertified officers being paid $49,102, $24.85 an hour, and certified officers being paid $54,871, which is $27.77 an hour. Certified officers designated as Field Training Officers are paid $55,967, and ACS (special officers) are paid $57,599.

Neighboring Olive Branch pays its uncertified officers $24.88 an hour or $51,750 annually and its certified officers $25.93 an hour or $53,934 annually. Memphis, meanwhile, pays certified officers between $56,249 annually or $29.92 an hour, and $77,100 or $41.01 an hour, depending on a host of factors.

The Lee County Sheriffs Office, on the other hand, offers starting pay for certified deputies at $23.10 ($48,048 annually) with a three-year raise and a five-year raise, among other qualifications.

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There will be a point, however  and relatively soon  when Quaka will need to replace some officers. He said that when he became police chief in late 2021, there was a small wave of retirements that needed to be filled, which is typically done by promoting the lower-ranking officers and hiring recruits.

Soon after I got here  we had a lot of officers retire at the same time, he said. We have been through that evolution once.

With another wave of retirements imminent within the next two or three years, Quaka said that process will begin again.

I think we will see that evolution again in a couple of years, he said. Ill have a lot of senior guys that will have their time in and be eligible to retire  The officers we are hiring today will be in management five years from now, so I am really relying on the officers we hired two years ago to be in management in two to three years from now.

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Challenges of the job

Jernigan said that while the work is a challenge, he is glad to have older officers helping him along the path.

One veteran officer includes Cpl. James Hood, who previously retired in 2018 but returned to the Tupelo Police Department following a five-year break. He previously served as a lieutenant over a shift.

Hood said since he started policing, there have been many technological advancements, but also a culture change within policing. He said that recruits often are much more cautious than they were previously and are in need of more confidence-building.

It isnt a bad thing, but we have to instill more confidence, he said.

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Nationally, policing has been a tough subject. There have been calls to defund the system, reform the way crime is prevented and handled, or calls for more organizations to take the load off officers in cases of mental health incidents or medical emergencies.

It isnt an easy job, Quaka said when discussing the idea of older officers. He said the life expectancy for police officers is lower than that of the average American, a fact backed up by research by the National Library of Medicine.

Hood corroborated that statement, noting that the hardest part of the job was the strain, both mental and physical. Calls involving children, he said, are the most challenging.

But its work he still loves. Combined with a separate stint at a different police department, Hood has 27 years of experience as a police officer, 23 of which were at TPD. He said what kept him working was his ability to help people.

Sometimes its changing a tire and sometimes it is arresting someone or ticketing them, he said, noting that while arrested individuals might not always see the assistance, it helps by getting them on a path to rehabilitation or keeps them from hurting themselves. They dont think it helps them, but it does.




A defense attorney for embattled Turkey Leg Hut owner Nakia Holmes on Friday said he believes she will be found not guilty of hindering apprehension of a felon.

Holmes made her first appearance in a Harris County courtroom Friday, two days after she was arrested and accused of trying to protect her ex-boyfriend, Johnathan Saizon, who was wanted by police on charges of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault.

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Holmes didn't speak at the hearing and didn't address the media as she left the courthouse.

MORE ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: 1 killed in possible shootout in Houston's Fifth Ward, police say

During the hearing, Patrick Ngwolo, an attorney with the Harris County Public Defender's Office, argued that Holmes should not have faced felony charges because police hadn't proven that she knew Saizon was wanted on a felony charge. Judge Hilary Unger told Ngwolo he could make arguments about the charges at a future hearing.

"When all this plays out, she will be found innocent of all the charges and will be exonerated," Ngwolo said.

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Holmes is accused of lying to police about Saizon's presence in a house they shared in Bridgeland, in west Harris County. Harris County deputies were searching for Saizon, who was wanted for kidnapping an ex-girlfriend and beating her with a tire iron, and tracked him to the Bridgeland house.

During a stakeout, they saw Saizon and Holmes together and later pulled her over as she left the home. While she was being questioned during the traffic stop, Saizon tried to flee the house and was arrested by deputies.

According to prosecutors, Holmes later told police that Saizon asked her to drive around the neighborhood to check for surveillance because police might be looking for him.

Unger maintained bond conditions that were set on Holmes following her initial appearance in probable cause court. The conditions prohibit her from leaving Harris County, possessing drugs or firearms, and contacting Saizon.

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Unger also ordered Holmes to resubmit a financial affidavit she completed after her arrest. In it, she reported having only $700 in assets. Unger said the financial document appeared incomplete, and prosecutors noted that at least one piece of information was obviously wrong.

Holmes reported working for Turkey Leg Hut for zero years, but the now-bankrupt business has existed since 2016.

Financial issues

Holmes appears to be in dire financial straits, according to state and federal court filings. A trustee overseeing the Turkey Leg Hut's bankruptcy on Thursday said he seized the last $442 in the restaurant's bank accounts and indicated that about $6.5 million was still owed to more than 100 different creditors and was unlikely to be paid.

Over the last year, the business's furniture and equipment were abandoned as worthless, and the property the restaurant once stood on was seized by its landlord, according to court documents.

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In August, JPMorgan Chase Bank sued Holmes in Harris County, claiming she owed more than $80,000 on a loan for a Tesla she bought in 2022. In September, a district court in Austin held Holmes liable for more than $199,000 in back taxes and fees owed to the state and the city of Houston.

Turkey Leg Hut was once one of Houston hottest restaurants and claimed as much as $14 million in sales as recently as 2022. But the business crumbled and ultimately closed last year amid its bankruptcy - which was initially framed as a reorganization - as well as Holmes' divorce from Lynn Price, the business' co-founder.

In a September 2024 memo, a U.S. bankruptcy judge found that Holmes "grossly mismanaged" the business and revealed she admitted to making insider payments to herself and other business partners that weren't disclosed in initial bankruptcy filings.

The finding led to the decision to turn bankruptcy matters over to a trustee and to liquidate the business instead of trying to reorganize it, according to court records.

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Price was forced out of the business in 2024. In April, he was indicted on federal arson charges amid accusations that he planned and paid for the 2020 firebombing of Bar 5015, a restaurant near the Turkey Leg Hut that is owned by Steven Rogers, a former partner in Price and Holmes' business. Rogers is also one of Turkey Leg Hut's creditors.

Holmes has not been charged or implicated in the arson indictment.

This article originally published at Turkey Leg Hut owner makes first court appearance on hindering charge, lawyer predicts acquittal.
While politicians, including President Donald Trump, have gloated the idea of ending daylight savings time for years, for this fall be prepared to turn you clocks back an hour in November.

In November, clocks will "fall back" to standard time, where they will remain until next spring. For some regions of the United States, this will mean an earlier sunset and more hours in the dark of night.

And, yes  this is the time change where we gain an hour, which means you'll get an extra hour of sleep the morning we switch to standard time.

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Trump has shown support for doing away with the time changes, but as of March he wasn't sure there is enough consensus.

"The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate daylight saving time," Trump on Truth Social in December. "Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation."

But later this year, he said it was a toss-up and difficult to rally support for.

"This should be the easiest one of all, but it's a 50-50 issue. If something's a 50-50 issue, it's hard to get excited. I assume people would like to have more light later, but some people want to have more light earlier, because they don't want to take their kids to school in the dark," Trump said in March, according to Reuters. "A lot of people like it one way, a lot of people like it the other way, it's very even. And usually I find when that's the case  what else do we have to?"

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With it politically looking like a moot point, here's what to know about the November 2025 time change.

When does daylight saving time end in 2025?

This year's change from daylight saving time to standard time takes place on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 2 a.m. local time. Americans will adjust their clocks back by one hour (but not residents of Hawaii, Arizona, and some U.S. territories).

We gain an hour in November (as opposed to losing an hour in the spring) to make for more daylight in the winter mornings. On that day, time will jump from 1:59 a.m. back to 1 a.m.

When we "spring forward" in March, it's to add more daylight in the evenings. And in the autumn, we "fall back."

When does daylight saving time start again in spring 2026?

Daylight saving time will start again on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 2 a.m. local time.

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At this time, most Americans will adjust their clocks ahead by one hour. On that day, time will jump from 1:59 a.m. forward to 3 a.m.

Daylight saving time was first introduced in the U.S. in 1918 under the Standard Time Act as a measure to save on fuel costs during World War I by adding an extra hour of sunlight to the day, according to the Library of Congress.

While it was abandoned at the federal level after the war, the government re-instituted daylight saving time on an emergency basis throughout the mid to late 20th century.

A uniform twice-a-year time change was established through the Uniform Time Act of 1966.

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And in 2005, Congress amended the act to expand daylight saving time to the period in effect today: Starting on the second Sunday of March and ending on the first Sunday of November, according to the Congressional Research Service. This move was, again, for energy-saving purposes.

Debate remains about daylight saving time and its usefulness. Some lawmakers want to establish one uniform time year-round, without any clock changes.

Which locations in the U.S. do not participate in daylight saving time?

Hawaii and Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Nation) do not observe daylight saving time.

Neither do American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Orlando Mayorquin, Kinsey Crowley and Emily DeLetter of USA TODAY contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: When is daylight savings time 2025? Clocks fall back
Twenty European countries on Saturday called upon the European Commission to provide more options for returning Afghans without residence permits to their home country.

The Dutch government published a letter to this effect addressed to EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner.

In the letter, the signatories complain that last year, 22,870 Afghans received a repatriation decision in the EU, of whom only 435 actually returned to Afghanistan, which is now again under the control of the Islamist Taliban movement.

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The countries are demanding that the issue of voluntary and forced return to Afghanistan be addressed as a "joint responsibility" at EU level.

They also called for further possibilities for deportations to Afghanistan to be examined  with priority given to those "who pose a threat to public order or national security."

The letter was signed on Belgium's initiative by Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Austria, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands.

Norway, which is not a member of the EU but belongs to the Schengen area and cooperates with the EU asylum agency, also signed.

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Germany is currently negotiating with the Taliban about deportations to Afghanistan. According to Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, the talks are "well advanced."

Contacts with the Taliban are controversial because the German government does not officially maintain diplomatic relations with the group, which returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021.

The Taliban are internationally isolated because of their disregard for human rights, especially women's rights. Since the group took power, Afghans have been deported from Germany twice with the help of Qatar.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  The largest airports in Arkansas and the northwest part of the state are not airing a video showing U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blaming the government shutdown on Democratic lawmakers.

A spokesperson for the Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) told KNWA/FOX24 on Thursday that its Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints do not have the equipment to play the video.

XNA said earlier this month that TSA officers and other essential airport personnel continue serving travelers despite the government shutdown.

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A Clinton National Airport (LIT) spokesperson said that the airport received the video and provided it to its IT department for technical review. However, the spokesperson said there is no TSA-owned equipment in the checkpoint that can play video.

The spokesperson noted that the airport equipment in that area is designed for static messages and does not have audio capability.

SNAP in Arkansas could be impacted by government shutdown if it extends into November

KNWA/FOX24 also reached out to the Fort Smith Regional Airport for comment, but has not heard back.

What does the video say?

Noems video says that it is TSAs priority to ensure efficient, pleasant and safe travel, but Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government.

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She continues, saying that because of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay.

Noem then says that she hopes Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.

Who is and isnt showing the video?

There is a growing number of lists across the country that have opted not to show the video.

The Associated Press reported that airports in New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Phoenix and Seattle refused to air the video because it violates each airports policies or regulations prohibiting political messaging.

Dallas, the Denver International Airport and the Los Angeles International Airport are also not showing the video, according to Forbes.

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Arkansas National Forest websites display political message during government shutdown

However, not all airports are opting to avoid showing the video. The Detroit Metro Airport is playing the video at its TSA checkpoints, but there are signs posted saying it does not approve of the message, Business Insider reported on Friday.

A video shows Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaking as TSA agents check passengers at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Romulus, Mich. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

What DHS says about airports that arent showing the video

Tricia McLaughlin, DHS assistant secretary, said the following in a statement to CNBC:

While this creates challenges for our people, our security operations remain largely unimpacted at this time. Its unfortunate our workforce has been put in this position due to political gamesmanship.

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Our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The Israeli military said that the two were moderately wounded and taken to a hospital for treatment

Two IDF soldiers were wounded after an improvised explosive device was thrown in their direction during operational activity in the West Bank city of Tubas on Saturday evening.

Palestinian footage showing the moment an improvised explosive device that was thrown at an IDF force operating in Tubas, in the northern West Bank, exploded, October 18, 2025. (Section 27A)

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The IDF said that the two were moderately wounded and taken to a hospital for treatment. Their families have been notified of the events.

Search operations to find the terrorists responsible are ongoing, N12 reported.

Earlier in the evening, Palestinian media reported that an explosive device had been detonated in the vicinity of Israeli forces operating in the city.

Israeli soldiers disperse Palestinian farmers and preventing them from picking olives during the annual harvest season, in the village of Kobar, near Ramallah, October 18, 2025. (credit: FLASH90)

Hamas praises West Bank terror attack against IDF soldiers

Hamas praised the West Bank terrorists who carried out the attack.

"The operation that directly targeted a foot patrol of the Zionist occupation army with a locally made explosive device, resulting in a number of injuries, confirms that the resistance in the West Bank will not be broken or extinguished despite all the occupations attempts to neutralize it through repression, arrests, security measures, and the spread of checkpoints," a Hamas statement reads.

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"We salute the heroes of the resistance who stand firm in the field despite all difficulties, and we affirm that the continuation of these operations is an honest expression of our peoples anger and their rejection of the occupation, its colonial practices, and its plans for annexation, displacement, and the liquidation of our cause."

This is a developing story.
The owner of a shore-facing restaurant in South Wales potentially saved the lives of two swimmers who ventured out into unsafe waters  after consulting ChatGPT to find tide times.

As local news outlet WalesOnline reports, the swimmers attempted to wade back from Sully Island, a rocky outcropping thousands of feet offshore, shortly before the tide came back in. The restaurant owner, Gordon Hadfield, got out his megaphone and yelled at them to turn back, which was likely lifesaving advice.

The region has the second-highest tidal range in the world, at roughly 50 feet. In the summer, people are known to get caught out by rapidly rising tides. The narrow causeway to Sully Island can see tides rising at up to eight miles per hour.

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Its only the latest instance of outdoor enthusiasts landing themselves in grave danger thanks to AI chatbots. The tech has garnered a reputation for spitting out hallucinations, which in certain circumstances can have devastating consequences. While AI companies argue that the tech can rival the intelligence of PhD-level academics, tools like ChatGPT still struggle with the very basics and more often than not spit out garbled and completely made-up information.

I made the mistake of using ChatGPT for research to see when the low tide was, one of the swimmers told WalesOnline. It said 9:30 am. So we were out on that side, and then as soon as you come back over, it was literally completely different.

A lesson learned for me, he added.

Netizens were taken aback by the carelessness on display.

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I wouldnt trust ChatGPT to explain how to run a bath! one user wrote in a Bluesky post.

What amazes me is there are plenty of resources to get tide times, they are even still printed on paper, so why use ChatGPT to give you a tide time? another user wrote. Seems absolutely insane to me as a swimmer.

In a separate incident, two hikers near Vancouver, British Columbia, had to call in a rescue team earlier this year after being caught unaware that higher altitudes would still be snowy in the spring and not appropriate for flat-soled sneakers. They reportedly followed the advice of ChatGPT to plan their excursion.

Earlier this month, the BBC reported that AI was sending unsuspecting tourists to potentially dangerous geographic locations in search of nonexistent landmarks.

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It doesnt know the difference between travel advice, directions or recipes, Carnegie Mellon University distinguished professor in machine learning Rayid Ghani told the broadcaster at the time. It just knows words. So, it keeps spitting out words that make whatever its telling you sound realistic, and thats where a lot of the underlying issues come from.

Fortunately, the latest incident didnt end in any preventable deaths.

Its fantastic that the local community and people like Gordon Hadfield are knowledgeable of the dangers, a spokesperson for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution told WalesOnline. The volunteers and people like Gordon being vigilant and providing early warning has almost certainly saved lives.

More on ChatGPT: AI Endangering Tourists by Sending Them to Nonexistent Landmarks in Hazardous Locations
DES MOINES, Iowa  The Des Moines Police Department says in a two hour span, two teenagers were injured during separate overnight shootings.

According to the DMPD, the first shooting occurred just after 11 p.m. in the 1300 block of 7th Street. A patrol officer reported hearing gunfire and was later directed to a home where a party was being held by 911 callers.

Witnesses told authorities there was gunfire and that people began running from the area. Officers on scene located a 16-year-old male with a non-life threatening gunshot injury to the foot. The male was transported by DMFD medics to a Des Moines area hospital for care.

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DMPD officers located more than a dozen shell casings at the scene. Authorities say two vehicles were found with gunfire damage and a discarded rifle was found a short distance away.

Additional federal charge filed against Ian Roberts, former DMPS superintendent

Authorities say the second shooting occurred just before 1 a.m. in the 900 block of 2nd Avenue. DMPD officers were called to investigate reports of a shooting near the Lauridsen Skate Park.

According to police, an argument ensued between two groups when the suspect pulled a gun and fired. DMPD medics located a 19-year-old male who had been grazed by gunfire on the scene. He declined medical attention.

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Shell casings were recovered at the scene.

No arrests have been made in connection to either overnight shooting. DMPD detectives have continued investigations into both incidents. More information will be released as it becomes available.

Metro News:

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.
The village of Kipnuk, largely submerged by the remnants of Typhoon Halong, is seen from the air on Oct. 12, 2025. Alaska Air National Guard rescue personnel conducted search and rescue operations there, and the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has worked with the Alaska Organized Militia and the U.S. Coast Guard in the response. The storm displaced at least 1,500 people and resulted in at least one death. (Photo provided by the Alaska National Guard)

After the latest catastrophic storm hit Western Alaska, displacing more than 1,500 people, killing at least one and leaving villages in ruins, residents face an existential crisis.

Will the wide delta that fans out between the lower Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers and has supported one of the circumpolar norths largest Indigenous populations for millennia continue to be a place where Alaskas Yupik people can live?

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One elder has his doubts.

Were not going to be well. Storms are going to get worse, and its not going to be livable, said Mike Williams Sr., a tribal leader from the Kuskokwim River village of Akiak. Were past the tipping point, maybe.

Fairbanks-based scientist Torre Jorgenson, who has studied the region for decades, has doubts as well.

Intertwined climate change forces make long-term prospects grim in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, according to a wide-ranging scientific study he led. The study was published in mid-August, just two months before the remnants of Typhoon Halong hit on Oct. 12.

Coastal erosion, permafrost thaw, sea-level rise, intrusion of saltwater into freshwater systems  are combining with storm surges to dramatically transform the coastal area, damaging communities and the food resources that have sustained Yupik people for centuries, the study said.

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Of the 18 villages on the outer coastal area of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, at least 10 will likely have to be relocated, said Jorgenson, who is affiliated with the University of Alaska Fairbanks while operating an independent science consulting company.

The at-risk villages sit atop permafrost that, when intact, is a platform a meter or two above the regions salt marshes, Jorgenson said. That permafrost is no longer intact, and it will likely disappear in the next two to three decades, he said.

So the ground is going down, and the water is coming up, and theyll be unlivable, he said

If those villages move, they will follow the lead of Newtok. The village of about 350 escaped erosion and flooding by moving farther inland to a site called Mertarvik, but the effort took decades and is still challenged by infrastructure problems.

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Williams, of Akiak, said it is not easy for coastal villages to find suitable relocation spots. Even though they head toward higher ground, theres a lot of wind in the higher ground, he said.

Mike Williams, a longtime Yupik leader from Akiak, speaks on Oct. 14, 2025, at the annual Elders and Youth Conference held by the First Alaskans Institute. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

But some residents of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok are determined to stay and rebuild, and others who evacuated to return.

We will go back, because its our home, said Missy Chuckwuk of Kipnuk, waiting in line to board an evacuation flight in Bethel on Wednesday, with her husband and their three children. Once freeze-up hits, the community will begin to move homes back that floated away, she said.

An estimated 50 to 100 people stayed and did not evacuate from Kipnuk, according to a representative with the Alaska National Guard, and 200 to 300 people in Kwigillingok.

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Jorgenson said necessary action in the most at-risk villages will be expensive.

They can do kind of short-term adaptation, but over the period of decades, they are going to be looking at having to relocate, and theres going to be a huge, enormous cost to that, he said. Newtoks relocation cost hundreds of millions of dollars, he noted. And if youre looking at 10 or more villages that have to move, whos going to come up with the money for that?

Combined climate change forces amplify each other

For the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, the connected climate change forces include sea ice retreat. It erases the frozen barrier that prevented waves from reaching shore during late-fall and winter storms. By the end of the century, Jorgenson said, the ice-free season in the Bering Sea will last approximately 8.5 months, with ice forming two months later in the fall and melting a month earlier in the spring, he said.

Bering Sea residents already got a taste of the future in 2018, he said, when winter ice was scarcer than at any time in the past 150 years of records.

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Storm surges and floods enhance permafrost thaw, Jorgenson said. Saltwater pushed ashore kills tundra plants that make up an insulating mat, thus allowing more heat to penetrate the surface and thaw yet more permafrost.

Beyond damaging homes and villages, the changes hurt peoples ability to gather wild food in their traditional ways, Jorgensen said.

Earlier sea ice melt exposes coastal regions to more flooding in the critical spring nesting season time for migratory birds that are residents sources of eggs and meat, Jorgenson said. Saltwater intrusion is changing habitat for migrating birds that use the region, which is a major nesting and breeding site for several species. Saltwater intrusion also contaminates drinking water supplies. Permafrost thaw undermines the once-stable areas that have been long used for traditional hunting camps and that have produced wild food, he said.

Soil temperatures in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region as of 2021 are shown at the left, with green colors denoting below-freezing temperatures. In the center are projections for 2050 and at right are projections for 2100, when almost all of the regions permafrost is expected to have disappeared. The images are from a study led by Fairbanks scientist Torre Jorgenson and published on Aug. 11. (Images from journal Earths Future, courtesy of Torre Jorgenson)

These permafrost plateaus are really very rich areas, he said. Those have been really important berry picking areas, and those are going to disappear pretty soon.

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The origins of this falls storm, like Merbok three years ago, lie far to the west, in the North Pacific Ocean. There, water has become hotter; a new marine heatwave is currently underway. The ocean heat amplifies seasonal storms that reach Alaska, like Typhoon Halong and the Typhoon Merbok, which sent destructive floods and high winds across the region in 2022.

While Merbok formed in a part of the ocean that is normally too cool to produce typhoons and Halong formed in a more standard ocean spot, both storms picked up intensity from unusual North Pacific heat, said Rick Thoman, a scientist with the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Passing over near or at-record warm sea surface temperatures outside of the tropics, thats something that both of those storms have in common, Thoman said.

Such ocean heat will not always be present, but it is likely to be more frequent, he said. The trend is going only one way, he said.

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People of the Yukon-Kuskokwim recognize the trend.

Alaska Federation of Natives co-chair Ana Hoffman, in her opening address at the organizations annual convention on Thursday, spoke directly to her fellow Yupik people about it, hundreds of whom had been evacuated by then to Anchorage.

You were at the forefront of this recent storm and endured what is now becoming a new reality here: typhoons in the Arctic, she said.

Climate change threats in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and other parts of rural Alaska have long been recognized by state and federal government agencies and by state and regional organizations like the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Subsistence Regional Advisory Council.

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Wiliams said there have been warnings for several decades. Speaking during a break Tuesday in this weeks Elders and Youth Conference in Anchorage, he said he remembers listening to elders talk 50 years ago about the big changes to come.

They said, The weather is going to be changing, and were going to have more frequent storms, and its going to get warmer, he said,

House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, addresses the Alaska Federation of Natives conference on Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Those predictions come true, Williams said.

We used to have seven feet of ice on the river; now its three feet. And the permafrost is going away pretty fast. Tundra communities are sinking, he said.

State Sen. Lyman Hoffman, who has represented Western Alaska for four decades, attested to similar observations.

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There has been more and more warming that is disrupting lives in the Y-K Delta, the Bethel Democrat said at a Monday news conference held by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.

Alaska House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, said the latest storm should be seen as a call to action.

We know this is not going to be, unfortunately, the last typhoon, Edgmon said in his address Friday at the Alaska Federation of Natives Conference. We need to be very conscious about living in a state with a changing climate. That is necessary for a future that doesnt involve waking up in the middle of the night and having water come up from your floor and 100-mile-an-hour winds and your house floating off somewhere, he said.

Trump administration cuts

The Trump administration, however, does not share that perspective.

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The administration canceled previously awarded grants intended to prevent damages in rural Alaska from disasters that have been exacerbated by climate change  including a $20 million grant for coastal erosion control in Kipnuk, a village of about 700 that was one of the communities hardest hit by ex-typhoon Halong.

The Kipnuk grant was among several awarded during the Biden administration to rural Alaska communities under the Environmental Protection Agencys Community Change Grant Program. The grants were for work like permafrost and shoreline protection, renewable energy development and permafrost protection.

Trump administration officials characterized those projects as unnecessary projects. In a post on the social media site X, EPA Administrator Lee Zelden called them wasteful DEI and Environmental Justice grants.

EPA officials defended the cut.

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The environmental justice funding cancelled by EPA would not have prevented or safeguarded the community from the mass destruction and tragedy caused by such a large and devastating typhoon, Brigit Hirsch, the agencys press secretary, said by email on Friday.

Flooded areas of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta are seen on Oct. 13, 2025. The view from the air was seen by Alaska Air National Guard rescue personnel who were conducting search and rescue operations in the region, which was hit by the remnants of Typhoon Halong. (Photo provided by Alaska Air National Guard)

Administration cuts to the National Weather Service, part of broader cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, likely had an effect on the weather forecast and interfered with preparations for ex-Typhoon Halongs impacts in Alaska.

Thoman said predictions for Halongs path into Alaska, made after Trump administration cuts forced reductions in rural Alaska weather staff and monitoring, were not as accurate as those for Merbok in 2022. Atmospheric observations from weather balloons have been cut in Kotzebue, Bethel, St. Paul and Cold Bay, and technical problems prevented the normal launches in Nome, he noted. Its almost inconceivable that that lack of upper-air observations had no effect, he said.

The Government Accounting Office has already identified National Weather Service cuts as a problem. The shortage of meteorologists has created a need for urgent action to protect aviation safety, said a GAO report issued on Aug. 28.

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Also axed by the Trump administration was a Federal Emergency Management Agency program aimed at preventing disaster damage; a statement from the agency called Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program wasteful and ineffective, even though earlier analysis found it saved $6 in response cost for every $1 in preparation spending.

Overall, Trump administration cuts to FEMA have undermined the agencys ability to respond to disasters that are increasing in frequency, according to a Sept. 2 GAO report. FEMA has lost about a tenth of its staff, compromising its capabilities, and there are similar concerns about disaster responses at the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, the GAO said.

In the short term, Alaska Native organizations were waiting this week for FEMA assistance. Resolutions passed by the Association of Village Council Presidents, a group of Yupik tribal governments, and the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corp., the largest tribal health provider for the region, and other groups have requested a presidential disaster declaration and the aid that comes with it.

Gov. Dunleavy on Thursday sent a formal request for a presidential declaration, not just for the Yukon-Kuskokwim area but also for northwestern Alaska, which was lashed days earlier by remnants of the typhoon.

As of Friday, the disaster response was being led by the state, according to a FEMA statement. But opportunities for immediate action beyond evacuations and temporary shelter were limited.

There is very little time to do anything, like even dry stuff out at this point, Thoman said. Winter is nigh.

Alaska Army National Guard Sgt. Mary Millerpasses a bottle of water to a child while evacuating displaced residents of Kwigillingok on Oct. 16, 2025. Alaska Army National Guard helicopter aircrews, with the 207th Aviation, pulled residents from Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta communities hit by the remnants of Typhoon Halong and transported them to Bethel for follow-on travel to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage. (Photo by Alaska National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Moon/Alaska National Guard)

Corinne Smith contributed to this story.
The U.S. Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago is cautioning Americans to stay away from American government facilities in the twin-island nation amid the growing tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela.

The alert is based on threats directed at American citizens in the Caribbean nation, with U.S. authorities saying "it could be linked" to ongoing tensions in the region, Trinidad and Tobago's minister of homeland security, Roger Alexander, told The Associated Press.

The embassy didn't specify why it issued the warning, saying only that, "due to a heightened state of alert, please avoid and refrain from visiting all U.S. government facilities through the holiday weekend," as it urged people to "be aware of your surroundings." Monday is a holiday to celebrate Diwali, a Hindu festival of lights widely celebrated in Trinidad and Tobago, where 35% of its 1.4 million people identify as East Indian.

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Venezuela is located just miles away from Trinidad, where people in one community are mourning the disappearance of two local fishermen believed killed in a U.S. strike on Tuesday.

Tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela are at an all-time high over deadly U.S. strikes in Caribbean waters targeting suspected drug traffickers.

There have been six known boat attacks in the area since last month. The most recent, on Thursday, targeted a submarine carrying mostly fentanyl and other illegal narcotics, President Trump said on Saturday.

"Under my watch, the United States of America will not tolerate narcoterrorists trafficking illegal drugs, by land or by sea," Mr. Trump said in a Truth Social post.

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He said two survivors  from Ecuador and Colombia  will be repatriated for "detention and prosecution."

At least 19 people have been killed in the six strikes.

Authorities in Trinidad and Tobago have responded to the threats by implementing security measures to deal with any situations that may arise, Alexander said.

However, local authorities declined to share specific details about the reported threats.

The tense situation in the region was mentioned by U.S. officials in a briefing with authorities in Trinidad and Tobago, Alexander said.

The Trump administration has said it considers alleged drug traffickers as unlawful combatants who must be met with military force.

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Trump says two survivors of U.S. strike on submersible suspected of drug smuggling will be sent home

Ms. Rachel on raising her voice for kids everywhere

A cross-border landmark faces a restrictive new future
A former top cop in Haitis presidential palace, who has been accused in the 2021 slaying of the countrys president, has been sanctioned by the Trump administration and the United Nations for allegedly helping the countrys most powerful gang leaders sow terror.

Dimitri Herard was designated for sanctions Friday by both the U.S. Treasury Department and the U.N. Security Council. Also sanctioned is a key collaborator in the Viv Ansanm criminal gang network, Kempes Sanon. Both men have been sanctioned for supporting Viv Ansanms campaign of widespread violence that has led to thousands of deaths across the Haitian capital and beyond, and this week helped push the number of people who have had to flee their homes to a record to more than 1.4 million.

Todays action underscores the critical role of gang leaders and facilitators like Herard and Sanon, whose support enables Viv Ansanms campaign of violence, extortion and terrorism in Haiti, Bradley T. Smith, director of the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control said in a statement. The United States is committed to holding accountable the violent terrorist gangs that endanger the Haitian people.

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Herard, the former head of the General Security Unit of the National Palace, Herard is among more than 40 people accused in the July 7, 2021 assassination of former President Jovenel Moise. Two people  one who pleaded guilty in the U.S. in the assassination plot and another awaiting trial  said Herard helped with the planning.

Jailed shortly after, Herard escaped from prison in March 2024 during a gang-orchestrated prison break carried out by Viv Ansanm. Weeks later, he was identified in videos providing gang leaders with training, firearms and markings to have their vehicles resemble those used by the palace guards.

Herards support directly backs the Viv Ansanms coordinated attacks against state institutions, the Treasury Department said.

Herard was the subject of a U.S. arms trafficking investigation at the time of the presidents killing, but he has never been charged.

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Treasurys latest designations were announced just ahead of a U.N. Security Council vote to extend the mandate of a Haiti panel of experts and renew a travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo measures for another year.

Security Council members voted 15-0 on a draft resolution renewing the sanctions scheme. The resolution was authored by the U.S. and Panama.

After the vote, a representative of the U.S. said the sanctions list was not complete.

There are more enablers of Haitis insecurity invading accountability. We call on council members to provide full and unqualified support to these designations as we move forward, Ambassador Jennifer Locetta, the U.S. alternative representative to the U.N., said. Haiti deserves better colleagues.... We are committed to the people of Haiti, and we intend to work closely with the Haitian government, fellow council members and all stakeholders to facilitate peace and prosperity for the country and the region.

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Panamas deputy U.N. representative, Ricardo Moscoso, said there is a symbiotic relationship between certain economic and political elite sectors and the gangs, which today have taken over the Republic of Haiti.

Slovenia, Denmark, Greek and France all remarked that while they welcomed the sanctions resolution, they regret its failure to mention sexual and gender-based violence as an important metric to determine sanctions. The violent acts have become widespread and are being used as a weapon of war by gang members.

The targeting of women and girls in Haiti because of their gender is unacceptable, Jennifer MacNaughtan, a representative from the United Kingdom. This includes forced marriage, harassment, assault forced labor,and forms of trafficking, kidnapping and sexual violence. Sanctions remain an essential tool to address insecurity in Haiti, and to alleviate the suffering of the Haitian people.

A point of contention raised by U.N. members is enforcement. While Haitis representative to the U.N., Ericq Pierre, made an urgent appeal to every state, and particularly to Haitis neighboring states, to exercise the utmost vigilance in controlling the transfer of arms, the Caribbean nation has been criticized for failing to move against those who have been sanctioned. This, along with whether under Haitian law they can still run for office, remains unresolved as Haiti prepares to start planning for elections.

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The Haitian government takes note of the list of names of individuals annexed to this resolution and identified by the sanctions committee, Pierre said. The cases of these individuals will be handled in accordance with the provisions of the Haitian legislation currently in force.

Herard previously sanctioned

Herard was sanctioned by Canada earlier this year. Under the U.S. sanctions, both he and Sanon will have any property and interests in property in the U.S. blocked. Other people are banned from engaging in financial transactions with them.

In recent months, Herard has been quiet and out of sight. But earlier this year, he took to social media to defend himself, appealing to President Donald Trump in a video, while also trying to remake his image through the hiring of a communications director, the creation of a website and the release of a three-part documentary series.

Mr. Herard, who was wrongfully accused and detained in connection with the assassination, calls on President Trump to demand the declassification of sealed U.S. case files related to this tragedy, his communication director said in an email to the Miami Herald earlier this year. These files have been kept under seal and gag orders by U.S. authorities, limiting Haitis ability to investigate and denying the public access to key facts.

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Efforts by the Herald to contact Herards spokesperson were unsuccessful.

Sanon is the leader of the Bel Air gang, a member of the Viv Ansanm alliance. He is considered to be the strategic force behind warlord Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier and was accused of leading a 2023 massacre that led to the deaths of more than 140 individuals in Bel Air a Port-au-Prince neighborhood.

As leader of the Bel Air gang, Sanon has also played a significant role in Viv Ansanms consolidation of power. The gang has been nvolved in indiscriminate civilian killings, extortion, illicit taxation and kidnappings, Treasury said. Among the massacres tied to Sanon was a seven-day attack in 2023 in Bel Air between Feb. 27 and March 5.

According to a report by the Human Rights Defense Network, at least 148 people were killed, many burned alive; 62 houses were torched, and another 26 houses were looted.
The search began at the request of the Prime Minister's Office and was coordinated in conjunction with the Herzliya Municipality.

A permanent embassy for the United Arab Emirates is to be constructed in Herzliya, following a four-year search, Israel Land Authority and the mayor of Herzliya confirmed exclusively to The Jerusalem Post on Sunday.

We welcome the fact that the building of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Israel will be constructed in Herzliya," Mayor Yariv Fisher told the Post.

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Fisher added that he has met several times with the UAE Ambassador to Israel, Mohammed Al Khaja, in order to encourage him to choose Herzliya as the location for the embassy building.

"I am pleased that these efforts have borne fruit," he said.

Embassy plans moving forward

"The process of locating the land was complex and included negotiations with various parties," the Israel Land Authority told the Post, adding that the whole search began at the request of the PMO. "In parallel, the Authority began promoting a deal under which land within the jurisdiction of the Herzliya Municipality would be leased for the purpose of establishing the embassy building."

THEN-US PRESIDENT Donald Trump hosts Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as the foreign ministers of Bahrain (left) and the UAE, at the signing ceremony of the Abraham Accords on the South Lawn of the White House, September 15, 2020. (credit: TOM BRENNER/REUTERS)

"The Authority views this matter as highly important and is working to adapt the planning issues to the needs of the embassy, dedicating the necessary resources to advance the project as quickly as possible with the relevant bodies involved."

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Fisher added that his city has long-term plans to strengthen its ties with the countries of the Abraham Accords, "as well as with other nations that we all hope will join these agreements in the near future, in areas such as education, transportation, technology, tourism, and environmental quality: particularly initiatives that will strengthen understanding and the importance of coexistence and peace in the Middle East.

The deal is valued in the tens of millions of shekels.

The Emirati mission has operated from leased sites since ties were formalized under the Abraham Accords. The UAE inaugurated its embassy in Tel Aviv in July 2021 inside the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange building, becoming the first Gulf state to open an embassy in Israel.

Relations have since expanded across trade, tourism, and technology, even as the war in Gaza has tested ties.

Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.




Zoe Rosenberg, a 23-year-old UC Berkeley undergrad and animal rights activist, first appeared on the witness stand Friday, about two weeks into a criminal trial centered around the four chickens she took from a Petaluma-area poultry slaughterhouse in June 2023.

Before a jury in a Sonoma County courthouse, Rosenberg testified that she believed at the time that her actions, often called "open rescue," were "lawfully justified" to prevent what she considered "criminal animal abuse" by Petaluma Poultry, a Sonoma-based operation owned by Perdue Farms, a major poultry supplier nationwide. Prosecutors from Sonoma County District Attorney's Office argued that regardless of what she believes, what she did was unlawful.

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For taking the chickens valued at around $24, Rosenberg is charged with four misdemeanors and felony conspiracy. She faces up to 5 years in prison.

The thrust of Rosenberg's legal defense lies in the idea that she thought it was necessary to remove the birds to protect them from animal abuse. At stake is the question of whether and to what extent animal rights activists can break the law in order to protect animals from what they consider animal abuse.

Rosenberg is part of a Berkeley-based animal rights activist group, Direct Action Everywhere, or DxE, which has conducted highly-publicized, controversial "open rescues" for more than a decade, filming members taking animals that they believe are sick and injured from factory farms.

The practice has drawn criticism from farm advocates and farmers who say they felt scapegoated by DxE's methods. That's especially true in Sonoma County, an agriculturally rich region that produces close to a billion dollars worth of agricultural products annually.

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In a bid to bring public attention to Petaluma Poultry's practices and those of the meat industry, Rosenberg rejected a plea deal, though she also said the terms offered to her were not favorable.

Sonoma County just two years ago successfully prosecuted DxE co-founder Wayne Hsiung for his role in two factory farm protests in Petaluma. Hsiung was sentenced to 90 days in jail and two years of probation.

Zoe Rosenberg (left) and her attorney, Chris Carraway, arrive before opening statements in her trial in Santa Rosa, on Oct. 6. On Friday, Rosenberg took the stand for the first time. (Scott Strazzante/S.F. Chronicle)





If a jury decides to acquit Rosenberg, it could embolden animal rights activists and DxE in justifying their practices of "open rescue." They wouldn't be the first ones to do so: juries in Utah and Merced County have acquitted DxE activists for taking allegedly sick animals from factory farms in the past three years.

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Rob Muelrath, spokesperson for Petaluma Poultry, wrote in a statement after Friday's trial session that Rosenberg's break-in was a "well planned deliberate breach of private property with intent to steal - a criminal act that was deliberate, strategic and bordering on corporate espionage or agro-terrorism."

"As the court has already noted, their actions triggered a temporary facility shutdown and posed contamination risks that created a more dangerous situation than they claimed to be addressing," Muelrath wrote.

During Friday's testimony, Rosenberg said that she was motivated to join an "open rescue" operation at Petaluma Poultry on June 13, 2023, after seeing photos and videos shared by a fellow DxE member, Raven Deerbrook, that led her to believe chickens were being mistreated, including being scalded alive, at the slaughterhouse. Rosenberg also said she read an article in the Santa Rosa-based Press Democrat newspaper detailing how the factory struggled to eliminate a bacteria from chickens that makes people who consume them sick.

Deerbrook was an animal cruelty investigator for the organization at the time and was charged alongside Rosenberg in this case, but accepted a plea deal.

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Lights in the courtroom were dimmed Friday as Rosenberg's attorneys played a video allegedly filmed by Deerbrook during an undercover investigative visit to Petaluma Poultry in early 2023.

The video showed chickens on a conveyer belt where their throats were being automatically slit. Rosenberg testified that the conveyer belt led to a scalding tank where the chickens would be immersed in hot water to aid defeathering, a common process in commercial poultry processing.

Several of the chickens appeared to be alive, flapping their wings, and their throats were not slit. Rosenberg said that she believed chickens were being scalded alive at the slaughterhouse.

Rosenberg said she and Ravenbrook then snuck into Petaluma Poultry in May to investigate the conditions and because Rosenberg wanted to see what she saw on video for herself. Rosenberg said she saw no chickens in the facility that night but saw documents in the building's office that recorded how many birds had been scalded alive.

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"It's very distressing to me," she said in the trial.

Rosenberg, who is vegan, has run a chicken sanctuary with her mother in San Luis Obispo since she was 11 called Happy Hen Animal Sanctuary. She said she has cared for more than a thousand chickens.

"I try to imagine my chickens in that place," she said, referring to being scalded alive.

Rosenberg said she then reported their concerns to numerous law enforcement agencies, including the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office, and various county animal care services agencies, but not the Petaluma Police Department. She said she did not hear back from most of them. The District Attorney's Office told her that they do not accept reports from citizens and suggested she report it to law enforcement, she said.

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The prosecutor on Friday's trial questioned why she didn't report it to Petaluma Police before breaking into the slaughterhouse and taking four chickens.

"It made me feel like I wasn't being listened to and helpless on behalf of the animals," she said. That's when she took matters into her own hands. On June 13, Rosenberg testified, she went into Petaluma Poultry's slaughterhouse and found a truck full of chickens that smelled foul, like nothing she'd ever smelled at a chicken sanctuary. She said she inspected the trays of chickens and removed one that was covered in feces and had a bare, red and raw underside.

She said she removed three others that appeared lethargic and were covered in feces. One had blood on its tail. Later, when she'd moved the chickens to a house prepared by DxE to give them medical attention, she said she found wounds and scratches covering their skin under their feathers. She said that they did not want to stand up, eat or drink.

She named the birds Poppy, Ivy, Aster and Azalea and said, eventually, they got better.

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Rosenberg said she did not think open rescue was always legal, only when the birds are sick, injured or suffering. California's animal cruelty laws make it a felony to subject an animal to "unnecessary cruelty" or "needless suffering."

She said she did not believe it was legal to remove birds simply because she had a moral objection to them being slaughtered.

Rosenberg also testified she thought what she was doing was legal because she had sought a legal opinion from Bonnie Klapper, a former federal prosecutor who's served as legal counsel for DxE.

She also said she had previously conducted open rescues, including in the presence of law enforcement, without being arrested. In 2018, she said, she carried a hen out of a factory egg farm in Sonoma County past a Sonoma County Sheriff's officer who did not stop her.

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A few years ago, she said, she and her mother were escorted by a San Luis Obispo Sheriff's officer onto a cattle farm to tend to two allegedly sick and dying cows.

The trial will resume next week.

This article originally published at UC Berkeley activist testifies she saved sick birds, not stole them, in chicken rescue trial.
NEED TO KNOW

A third-floor balcony collapsed at a student apartment near the University of Cincinnati on Friday, Oct. 17

According to local reports, at least 10 people have been injured, with one person in critical condition

Officials are investigating the cause of the incident, per Local 12



At least 10 people were rushed to the hospital after a balcony on the third floor of an apartment building near the University of Cincinnati collapsed.

The incident occurred at a student complex on the 230 block of Stetson Street in Corryville at around 10 p.m. local time on Friday, Oct. 17, leaving 10 people injured, according to ABC News and Fox 19 Cincinnati.

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Five people suffered serious injuries, while four others were left with minor injuries, Cincinnati Police Department Capt. Stephen Bower said in a news conference, per Local 12. One person sustained life-threatening injuries.

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It is believed that around 20 people were on the balcony at the time it collapsed, per The U.S. Mirror. The group had been celebrating after a big exam that day, Bower said, per ABC News.

The balcony was located 20 feet above ground on the third floor of the building before its collapse, per The U.S. Mirror. The incident was declared a mass casualty, according to the outlet.

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Frank McKinley, Cincinnati Fire Chief, confirmed that 23 units of the Cincinnati Fire Department were dispatched to the scene, per Local 12.

Emergency first responders from various departments treated those injured at the scene before they were sent to nearby hospitals.

The cause of the balconys collapse has not yet been determined.

Officials are investigating the incident, ABC News reported.

PEOPLE has reached out to the Cincinnati Police and Fire Department and the University of Cincinnati for comment.



Read the original article on People
A liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker has caught fire in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen after an explosion, according to the UKs maritime security firm Ambrey and the European Unions naval task force.

The incident occurred on Saturday in the Gulf of Aden, about 60 nautical miles (110km) south of Ahwar, on the southern coast of Yemen, according to Ambrey.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the vessel, identified as the MV Falcon, was hit by an unknown projectile, resulting in a fire. Authorities are investigating, it said.

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Ambrey described the ship as a Cameroon-flagged tanker en route from Sohar, Oman, to Djibouti.

The EUs naval force Aspides said the cause of the explosion was unclear. It added that 15 percent of the vessel was on fire, according to initial indications.

It said 24 of the MV Falcons 26 crew members were rescued, and two were reported missing. Rescue operations were ongoing, it said.

Ambrey noted that the LNG tanker did not belong to the category of vessels usually targeted by Yemens Houthi rebels in the area.

A Houthi official from the Ministry of Defence said the Yemeni group had no connection to the incident on Saturday, according to the Saba news agency.

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The Houthis have carried out a military campaign of attacking ships through the Red Sea corridor in what they describe as solidarity with Palestinians amid Israels war on Gaza.

The group has launched numerous attacks on vessels in the Red Sea since late 2023, targeting ships they deem linked to Israel or its supporters.

The attacks have disrupted trade flows through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, one of the worlds busiest shipping routes.

But no attacks have been claimed by the rebel group since the Israel-Hamas ceasefire began in Gaza on October 10.

The groups most recent attack hit the Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht on September 29, killing one crew member and wounding another. The Houthi campaign against shipping has killed at least nine mariners and seen four ships sunk.

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Israel has repeatedly struck what it says are Houthi targets in Yemen in recent months, killing dozens of Yemeni civilians. The Houthis have also fired missiles towards Israel. While most were intercepted, some broke past Israels much-vaunted US-supplied air defences, causing injuries and disruptions at airports.

On Thursday, Israel claimed responsibility for killing the Houthi militarys chief of staff, Muhammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari.

The Houthis said in a statement that the conflict with Israel had not ended and that Israel will receive its deterrent punishment for the crimes it has committed.

In August, Israel said it targeted senior figures from the group, including al-Ghamari, in air strikes on the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, which killed the prime minister of Yemens Houthi-run government and several other ministers.




UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has proposed working with the United States to develop a peace plan for Ukraine based on the 20-point framework that the administration of US President Donald Trump has suggested for Gaza.

Source: Axios, reported by European Pravda

Details: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conference call with European leaders immediately after his meeting with Trump.

Some participants in the call were reportedly surprised by what appeared to be a shift in Trump's position, said a source familiar with the discussion.

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Soon after, European leaders began issuing coordinated statements reaffirming their support for Ukraine  a clear indication that the meeting with Trump had not gone well.

During the call, Starmer proposed that Europe and the United States should work together on a peace plan for Ukraine, modelled on Trump's 20-point proposal for Gaza.

In turn, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte suggested convening a follow-up meeting of European national security advisers over the weekend.

Background:

Trump said after the meeting that Ukraine and Russia need "to make a deal", signalling a return to his earlier rhetoric. In recent weeks, Trump had expressed frustration that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin was ignoring his peace efforts and had even conceded that Ukraine might be able to reclaim its territories.

On 17 October, Zelenskyy travelled to the White House at Trump's invitation, following two consecutive phone calls between them. The meeting was intended to discuss highly sensitive issues.

A member of the Ukrainian delegation said that Zelenskyy arrived with a map highlighting weak points in Russia's defence industry and economy.

Zelenskyy stated that he planned to offer Trump a deal to obtain Tomahawk cruise missiles in exchange for Ukrainian drone technology.

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Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States, has said that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during his visit to Washington, briefed his American counterpart Donald Trump on the situation at the front, the aftermath of Russian missile strikes on Ukraine's energy system and the country's most urgent defence needs.

Source: Stefanishyna, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Stefanishyna said both presidents agreed that the United States, together with European partners, must play a key role in ensuring Ukraine's security.

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She added that Kyiv expects increased pressure on Russia to help end the war.

The ambassador also reported that Zelenskyy had held "a series of productive meetings" aimed at deepening cooperation with the United States in the areas of security, defence and energy.

She said the meeting with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright took place in an unprecedented format, with the participation of leading energy companies: Bechtel, Fluence Energy, GE Vernova, Holtec International, Invenergy, Jacobs, Mercuria, Parsons, TechMet, Venture Global and Westinghouse Electric Company.

Quote: "The conversation was joined by John Jovanovic, President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Ben Black, Chief Executive Officer of the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), and senior State Department officials responsible for US aid programmes. The participants discussed initiatives concerning American liquefied natural gas, projects in the oil and nuclear sectors and the development of energy infrastructure."

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More details: During talks with companies Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, discussions focused on strengthening Ukraine's air defences with Patriot air defence systems, missiles and F-16 aircraft as well as potential opportunities for joint production.

Zelenskyy also took part in a roundtable discussion with representatives of leading US think tanks on the future of US-Ukraine relations and the steps necessary to achieve a just peace.

Background:

On 17 October, Zelenskyy travelled to the White House at Trump's invitation, following two consecutive phone calls between them. The meeting was intended to discuss highly sensitive issues.

A member of the Ukrainian delegation said that Zelenskyy arrived with a map highlighting weak points in Russia's defence industry and economy.

Zelenskyy stated that he planned to offer Trump a deal to obtain Tomahawk cruise missiles in exchange for Ukrainian drone technology.

CNN has reported that Trump made it clear during the meeting that he was not currently considering supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles.

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Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 164 Shahed, Gerbera and other types of drone, as well as three S-300 missiles from Kursk Oblast on the night of 17-18 October.

Source: Ukraine's Air Force

Details: The drones were launched from the Russian cities of Millerovo, Kursk, Oryol and Primorsko-Akhtarsk. About 100 of the 164 UAVs were Shaheds.

Aircraft, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare units and mobile fire groups from Ukraine's defence forces were involved in repelling the attack in the country's north, south, east and centre.

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Early reports indicated that as of 09:00, air defence forces had destroyed or jammed 136 Russian drones. Meanwhile, hits by 27 UAVs have been recorded in 12 locations and the fall of downed drones (debris) has been recorded in 4 locations.

An air-raid warning is in effect in some oblasts as several Russian drones are still in the airspace.

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Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

An electrical substation in Russia's Ulyanovsk Oblast is in flames following a Ukrainian drone strike, Russian Telegram media channels reported on Oct. 18.

A video posted on social media appear to show drones striking the Veshkaima substation in the region overnight, leading to a fire at the site of the attack.

The Veshkaima substation is a 500-kv electrical substation owned by a subsidiary of Rosseti, Russia's largest power transmission company.

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The Kyiv Independent could not immediately verify the reports.

Ukraine has intensified long-range strikes against Russian oil, gas, and energy infrastructure, a key source of Moscow's revenues helping to fuel its all-out invasion of Ukraine. The Veshkaima substation is located over 900 kilometers east of the Russia-Ukraine border.

Overnight on Oct. 16, Ukrainian drones struck a similar substation in Russia's Volgograd Oblast, regional Governor Andrey Bocharov reported.

In late September, Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported a strike on critical infrastructure as well as "significant power outages" after Ukrainian HIMARS rockets allegedly struck a thermal power plant.

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Russia regularly launches mass aerial attacks at Ukrainian cities and has battered the country's power grid every fall and winter of the full-scale war.

Read also: Trump says he hopes to end war without Tomahawks in latest meeting with Zelensky













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A 29-year-old veteran of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a 34-year-old serviceman of the National Guard, who had been held captive in the temporarily occupied part of Luhansk Oblast, have been brought back to Ukraine's government-controlled territory.

Source: Oleksii Kharchenko, Head of Luhansk Oblast Military Administration

Details: The special operation was carried out by fighters from the Ukrainian Navy's special reconnaissance unit Angels, coordinated by Military Ombudswoman Olha Reshetylova.

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Kharchenko said the national guardsman had been missing for more than three years but was in fact being held captive and forced to work for one of the local collaborators.

The mother of the veteran, who also serves in the Ukraine's Armed Forces, contacted the ombudswoman after learning that her son had been tortured and was hiding in the occupied territory. During the investigation, the location of the national guardsman was also identified.

Two parallel operations were conducted to extract the servicemen from different locations without disclosing the details of the plan to them. Both have now been freed and are safe in Ukraine-controlled territory.

Artem Dyblenko, a representative of the Ukrainian Navy's special reconnaissance unit Angels, shared details of the operation.

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Quote: "We located these guys within a short time and devised an extraction plan. They had to be 'stolen' from there quickly, as their lives were in danger."

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Work has begun to repair the damaged power supply to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog said Saturday. The repairs would end a precarious four-week outage that saw the plant dependent on backup generators.

Russian and Ukrainian forces established special ceasefire zones for repairs to be safely carried out, the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a social media statement attributed to head Rafael Grossi. The agency hailed the restoration of off-site power as "crucial for nuclear safety and security."

"Both sides engaged constructively with the IAEA to enable the complex repair plan to proceed," the statement said.

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Ukrainian Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk confirmed that Ukrainian specialists were involved in restoring power lines to the plant and said that its stable operation and connection with the Ukrainian power grid were essential to prevent a nuclear incident. She also said that it was the 42nd time since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 that power lines to the plant had to be

restored. Ukraine has previously accused Russia of targeting the nation's power grid.

The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe's largest nuclear power station, has been operating on diesel back-up generators since Sept. 23, when its last remaining external power line was severed in attacks that Russia and Ukraine each blamed on the other, officials said.

Firefighters on duty following the Russian drone attack in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine on September 16, 2025. / Credit: Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Adm./Anadolu via Getty Images

The plant is in an area under Russian control since early in Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and is not in service, but it needs reliable power to cool its six shutdown reactors and spent fuel, to avoid any catastrophic nuclear incidents.

Elsewhere, Russia continued its aerial bombardment of Ukraine, launching three missiles and 164 drones overnight, Ukraine's Air Force said Saturday. It said that Ukrainian forces shot down 136 of the drones.

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Two people were injured after Russian drones targeted a gas station in the Zarichny district of Sumy in northeast Ukraine, local officials said Saturday. They were two women, ages 51 and 53, according to regional Gov. Oleh Hryhorov.

Meanwhile, Russia's Ministry of Defense said Saturday that its air defenses had shot down 41 Ukrainian drones overnight.

The work began one day after President Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House and two days after he spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone. Mr. Trump called the meeting with Zelenskyy "very interesting, and cordial" in a post on Truth Social and urged the two leaders to end the war.

President Trump, left, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine's president, shake hands outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. / Credit: Aaron Schwartz / Sipa / Bloomberg via Getty Images / Sipa USA

Their discussions concerned the U.S. giving Ukraine Tomahawk missiles, possibly in exchange for Ukrainian drones, CBS News previously reported. Details of the discussions were not shared, though Mr. Trump indicated that he believed sending the missiles could escalate the war.

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Mr. Trump announced earlier this week that he would meet with Putin in Budapest soon. As Zelenskyy arrived at the White House on Friday, Mr. Trump told a reporter that he believed he could persuade Putin to end the war. Mr. Trump later said in the Oval Office that he believes he and Zelenskyy are making "great progress" in ending the war.

Russia has not indicated that it wants to end the war, and Mr. Trump has expressed frustration with Putin in recent months. First Lady Melania Trump said last week she had worked with the Russian leader to return Ukrainian children to their families, an initiative that Mr. Trump said she took on on her own.

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US Wind announced plans in 2021 to make this property on Sparrows Point the site of a new plant to make the parts for offshore wind facilities, but the project took a hit when the White House clawed back $47.3 million from the project. (Photo by Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters)

The U.S. Department of Transportation showed an alarming disregard for the nations security a few weeks ago by clawing back a $47.3 million grant intended to launch a new era of steel production at Sparrows Point.

Members of our union, the United Steelworkers (USW), are profoundly disappointed by the Trump administrations abandonment of a project primed to create jobs, boost manufacturing capacity and meet our countrys growing energy needs.

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But its important to emphasize that the governments turnabout represents only a setback, not the end of this forward-looking initiative.

The USW and our partner, US Wind, remain committed to bringing steel back to Baltimore and injecting new life into Sparrows Point. Were confident that this site, once the home of the largest steel mill in the world, has yet another pivotal role to play in Americas future.

The USW and US Wind joined forces about four years ago. We intend to use a portion of the mill property to build monopiles  the huge foundations sunk into the seabed to support wind turbines  through a new company called Sparrows Point Steel.

Your opinion matters

Maryland Matters welcomes guest commentary submissions at editor@marylandmatters.org.

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We suggest a 750-word limit and reserve the right to edit or reject submissions. We do not accept columns that are endorsements of candidates, and no longer accept submissions from elected officials or political candidates.

Opinion pieces must be signed by at least one individual using their real name. We do not accept columns signed by an organization. Commentary writers must include a short bio and a photo for their bylines.

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Over the full scope of US Winds offshore projects, the company will consume more than 330,000 metric tons of steel plate, a huge boon to the steel industry. This is directly in line with the Trump administrations stated goal of building more in America  and makes the administrations cancellation of the grant all the more puzzling.

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Current projections call for Sparrows Point Steel to employ more than 500 USW members in production, maintenance and a variety of other roles. Were talking about good-paying, middle-class jobs that enable workers to support their families and lift up the entire community.

Our commitment to building out the wind energy supply chain means sourcing not only our steel plate but many other kinds of materials and supplies from domestic producers. In all, workers from nearly 50 companies across Maryland will benefit from vendor relationships with Sparrows Point Steel.

On top of that, US Wind intends to establish an operations and maintenance center at the harbor in West Ocean City. This facility will coordinate turbine and substation maintenance for offshore wind developments, creating still more jobs in the manufacturing, maritime and energy sectors.

But theres more. While catalyzing the economy, the Sparrows Point project simultaneously strengthens our national security.

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Our work will help to position America as the leader in a global, evolving industry. It will also help to deliver a more reliable energy supply at a time of growing demand and more frequent disruptions in the power grid resulting from climate change.

Marylanders get this.

A recent poll found that seven out of 10 respondents support the construction of wind projects off the Maryland coast because of their potential to stabilize energy prices, enhance the nations energy supply and reduce pollution.

The respondents support cut across political lines, underscoring the high stakes. Whats more, 81% opposed the reversal of offshore wind projects already underway out of concern for job losses, according to the survey, conducted by Turn Forward, a nonprofit supporting wind energy.

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Sparrows Point is hallowed ground for the USW.

At one time, tens of thousands of union members worked here, producing the steel that built the middle class, fueled prosperity and made America a superpower.

We now have an opportunity to build on that legacy  to harness manufacturing and energy for a stronger future.

With or without federal support, USW members will do what we always do. Alongside our partners at US Wind, well get the job done.
The United States is releasing and repatriating the two survivors of a suspected drug smuggling submersible vessel that was destroyed Thursday in the Caribbean, President Donald Trump announced on Saturday. The two people are currently being held on a Navy vessel in the Caribbean after the military recovered them from the site of the airstrike.

The two will be released back to their home countries, Ecuador and Colombia, respectively, rather than remain in American custody or prosecuted by the U.S. government. The survivors are being held on one of the several Navy ships currently operating in the Caribbean, following a buildup of forces since August.

The strike on Thursday was the sixth one since the start of September against small boats in the Caribbean and the first time that any survivors were reported. At least 29 people have died, according to the numbers released by the White House.

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The two surviving terrorists are being returned to their Countries of origin, Ecuador and Colombia, for detention and prosecution, Trump wrote in a post on social media. Trump and his administration have repeatedly accused the victims of the strikes of being narco-terrorists although so far no evidence has been presented showing the vessels were moving drugs.

Saturday afternoon, Colombian President Gustavo Petro posted on X saying that the Colombian national had returned to the country. Petro expressed relief that the person was alive and said they will be prosecuted according to the law. Two hours later he released additional statements, saying that the boat destroyed in the Sept. 16 airstrike (the third one announced by the United States) was Colombian, showed signs of damage and had an engine out of the water before it was destroyed and was inside Colombian waters. He said that the victim was identified as a fisherman, Alejandro Carranza, and accused the United States of violating Colombian sovereignty.

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The submersible vessel was hit on Oct. 16, with the reports of survivors coming out the next day. The New York Times reports that the two were moved to the USS Iwo Jima, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship in the region with its amphibious ready group.

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The decision to release the two survivors comes after they have been held in U.S. military custody for more than a day. The administration had previously told Congress it considers the United States in an armed conflict with drug cartels, which it earlier designated as foreign terrorist organizations. The Trump administration has also referred to those targeted and killed as unlawful combatants and if it is not clear if any people taken into custody would be kept in indefinite detention as some have been in the Global War on Terror or tried in civilian court.

Brian Finucane, a former State Department lawyer focused on laws of war and counterterrorism, said that repatriating them was likely the least worst option from the administrations perspective.

There is no armed conflict, so these survivors cant be held as law of war detainees, Finucane said. If the U.S. government has a sufficient legal basis to prosecute them for crimes in Article III courts, it can do so.

It is not clear how they are being moved, if it will be in a ship-to-ship transfer as the American vessels are not near a home port or if the U.S. will fly them to their home countries or a third-party country. The New York Times reported that the State Department had legal custody of the survivors.

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The United States has accused the ships destroyed over the last two months of being linked to drug-trafficking cartels out of Venezuela, and tied to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Colombias government had previously said that its nationals were on a boat that was destroyed, and police from Trinidad and Tobago are investigating if two of that countrys citizens were on a ship destroyed on Oct. 14.

Update: 10/18/2025; This article has been updated with comments from Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
SAVOY, Ill. (WCIA)  The staff at OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center is donating $30,000 to the United Way of Champaign County.

With most clinical services relocating at the end of the year, many doctors are relocating as well. An OSF spokesperson said they saved up a pool of money over the years from collecting dues and decided to put it to good use by donating it to various organizations in the area.

Local legend makes the crowd go crazy at The Temptations concert

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United Way of Champaign Countys Chief Impact Officer Beverley Baker said the money will go toward the companys healthy community program: a grant project helping low-income families meet physical needs, like food and healthcare.

Baker said the donation came as a complete surprise.

They reached out and said that they wanted to come by, and they had a check to present to us. So, we were waiting for them that morning and incredibly surprised at the size of the gift, Baker said. It was a great way to start a Monday morning, it really was. We wish every Monday started like that.

Baker said the applications for those grants are open through the end of the year. But, right now, she and the rest of her office are still processing the surprise donation.

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NEW YORK CITY  Far too often, Black children and other children of color are funneled toward the criminal justice system in their own schools, facing disproportionate discipline and criminalization, a press release from the United Women in Faith said.

To highlight this issue, the group is hosting a virtual panel on Oct. 21 titled Education is STILL a Human Right: Women of Faith Interrupting the School-to-Prison Pipeline.

This event, to be held at 7 p.m., will address the importance of quality education for all and how faith calls all to disrupt the systemic racism in education.

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This event is one of the latest in the organizations racial justice campaign, including work to end mass incarceration and the criminalization of communities of color. It is part of the National Week of Action Against School Pushout, an effort organized by the Dignity in Schools Campaign and lasting from Oct. 18 through Oct. 26.

The panel will feature Letha Muhammad, co-executive director of Education Justice Alliance; Karen Lynn Morton, founder of The Woman of Gods Design Ministry and K L Morton Enterprises, LLC, and co-chair emeritus of POWER PAC; and Lori Chambers, board member of Childrens Policy and Law Initiatives (CPLI) and a Social Action coordinator with United Women in Faith.

While the conversation about the school-to-prison pipeline and school pushout might seem like a new issue for some folks, the reality is that it is a continuation of a long-lasting, unfinished struggle for racial justice and educational equity, Emily Jones, executive for Racial Justice at United Women in Faith, said. United Women in Faith strives to uplift education as a human right for all and unite to invest in people, not punishment.

More Information WHO: United Women in Faith Letha Muhammad, co-executive director of Education Justice Alliance (EJA) Karen Lynn Morton, founder of the Woman of Gods Design Ministry Lori Chambers, board member of Childrens Policy and Law Initiatives WHAT: Education is STILL a Human Right: Women of Faith Interrupting the School-to-Prison Pipeline Panel WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 21, 7 to 8:30 p.m. EST WHERE: Zoom, registration required LINK: https://tinyurl.com/mr3xdn9d {related_content_uuid}e1a2f732-a5b6-4e7a-bb4e-8da9d6f45329{/related_content_uuid}
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP)  The U.S. Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago cautioned Americans on Saturday to stay away from American government facilities on the twin-island nation.

It was an unusual warning that came as tensions grow between the United States and Venezuela over deadly U.S. strikes in Caribbean waters targeting suspected drug traffickers.

The embassy didn't specify why it issued the warning, saying only that, due to a heightened state of alert, please avoid and refrain from visiting all U.S. government facilities through the holiday weekend, as it urged people to be aware of your surroundings. Monday is a holiday to celebrate Diwali, a Hindu festival of lights widely celebrated in Trinidad and Tobago, where 35% of its 1.4 million people identify as East Indian.

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Venezuela is located just miles away from Trinidad, where people in one coastal community are mourning the disappearance of two local fishermen believed killed in a U.S. strike on Tuesday.

The alert is based on threats directed at American citizens in the Caribbean nation, with U.S. authorities saying it could be linked to ongoing tensions in the region, Trinidad and Tobagos minister of homeland security, Roger Alexander, told The Associated Press. However, local authorities declined to share specific details about the reported threats.

Authorities in Trinidad and Tobago have responded to the threats by implementing security measures to deal with any situations that may arise, Alexander said.

With six strikes killing at least 29 people since early September, the tense situation in the region was mentioned by U.S. officials in a briefing with authorities in Trinidad and Tobago, Alexander said.

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Following the most recent attack, the U.S. government took survivors into custody, after the military struck a suspected drug-carrying vessel in the Caribbean, officials said Friday.

The Trump administration has said it considers alleged drug traffickers as unlawful combatants who must be met with military force.
The U.S. Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday urged U.S. citizens to stay away from American government facilities in the Caribbean country.

The security alert was issued due to a heightened state of alert, and urged Americans to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to local authorities. Americans were also urged to monitor reputable news outlets.

American visitors to the country were also told to tell friends and family to sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive alerts and updates from the embassy.

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The alert was based on threats toward Americans that could be linked to ongoing tensions in the region, Trinidad and Tobago Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander told The Associated Press.

Trinidad and Tobago is located off the northeastern coast of Venezuela, where President Trump has increased military pressure on Venezuelas authoritarian leader, President Nicolas Maduro. The Trump administration has also carried out several military strikes against alleged drug trafficking boats in international waters near the country.

Trump, during a Friday lunch meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, warned Maduro against conducting any military action against the U.S. The Venezuelan president offered everything during diplomatic talks with the U.S. before they were called off, Trump said.

He has offered everything, Trump said. Hes offered everything. Youre right. You know why? Because he doesnt want to f around with the United States.

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On Wednesday, Trump confirmed that he authorized the CIA to carry out covert land operations within Venezuela.

Seen by most of the international community as Venezuelas illegitimate president, the U.S. indicted Maduro on charges of leading a drug cartel in 2020. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio increased a reward to $50 million for any information leading to Maduros arrest.

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A New York jury has found that French banking giant BNP Paribass work in Sudan helped to prop up the regime of former ruler Omar al-Bashir, making it liable for atrocities that took place under his rule.

The eight-member jury on Friday sided with three plaintiffs originally from Sudan, awarding a total of $20.75m in damages, after hearing testimony describing horrors committed by Sudanese soldiers and the Popular Defence Forces, the government-linked militia known as the Janjaweed.

The plaintiffs  two men and one woman, all now American citizens  told the federal court in Manhattan that they had been tortured, burned with cigarettes, slashed with a knife, and, in the case of the woman, sexually assaulted.

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I have no relatives left, Entesar Osman Kasher told the court.

The trial focused on whether BNP Paribass financial services were a natural and adequate cause of the harm suffered by survivors of ethnic cleansing and mass violence in Sudan.

A spokesperson for BNP Paribas said in a statement to the AFP news agency that the ruling is clearly wrong and there are very strong grounds to appeal the verdict.

Bobby DiCello, who represented the plaintiffs, called the verdict a victory for justice and accountability.

The jury recognised that financial institutions cannot turn a blind eye to the consequences of their actions, DiCello said.

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Our clients lost everything to a campaign of destruction fuelled by US dollars, that BNP Paribas facilitated and that should have been stopped, he said.

BNP Paribas has supported the ethnic cleansing and ruined the lives of these three survivors, DiCello said during closing remarks on Thursday.





The French bank, which did business in Sudan from the late 1990s until 2009, provided letters of credit that allowed Sudan to honour import and export commitments.

The plaintiffs argued that these assurances enabled the regime to keep exporting cotton, oil and other commodities, enabling it to receive billions of dollars from buyers that helped finance its operations.

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Defence lawyer Dani James argued, Theres just no connection between the banks conduct and what happened to these three plaintiffs.

The lawyer for BNP Paribas also said the French banks operations in Sudan were legal in Europe and that global institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) partnered with the Sudanese government during the same period.

Defence lawyers also claimed that the bank had no knowledge of human rights violations occurring at that time.

The plaintiffs would have had their injuries without BNP Paribas, said lawyer Barry Berke.

Sudan would and did commit human rights crimes without oil or BNP Paribas, Berke said.

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The verdict followed a five-week jury trial conducted by US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who last year denied a request by BNP Paribas to get the case thrown out ahead of trial.

Hellerstein wrote in his decision last year that there were facts showing a relationship between BNP Paribass banking services and abuses perpetrated by the Sudanese government.

BNP Paribas had in 2014 agreed to plead guilty and pay an $8.97bn penalty to settle US charges it transferred billions of dollars for Sudanese, Iranian and Cuban entities subject to economic sanctions.

The US government recognised the Sudanese conflict as a genocide in 2004. The war claimed some 300,000 lives between 2002 and 2008 and displaced 2.5 million people, according to the United Nations.

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Al-Bashir, who led Sudan for three decades, was ousted and detained in April 2019 following months of protests in Sudan.

He is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on genocide charges.

In the months that followed al-Bashirs ousting in 2019, army generals agreed to share power with civilians, but that ended in October 2021, when the leader of the army, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander, Mohamed Hamdan Hemedti Dagalo, seized control in a coup.

In April 2023, fighting broke out between the two sides, and forces on both sides have been accused of committing war crimes.




Bonnie Blue isnt backing down  even after being arrested in Bali  and her first public comment made that very clear. The 26-year-old adult content creator, whose real name is Tia Billinger, broke her silence after being arrested in Bali on suspicion of violating local morality laws. Her five-word message came as she was...
The US released the two survivors of Thursdays military strike on a suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean to their home countries of Ecuador and Colombia, President Donald Trump said Saturday.

Trump said it was his great honor to destroy a drug-carrying submarine with four known narcoterrorists on board, two of whom were killed.

At least 25,000 Americans would die if I allowed this submarine to come ashore. The two surviving terrorists are being returned to their Countries of origin, Ecuador and Colombia, for detention and prosecution, he posted on Truth Social. Under my watch, the United States of America will not tolerate narcoterrorists trafficking illegal drugs, by land or by sea.

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Jeison Obando Perez, 34, was named as the survivor returned to Colombia in a post on X from the countrys interior minister Armando Benedetti. Perez arrived with brain trauma, sedated, drugged, breathing with a ventilator, Benedetti said, adding that he had received medical attention.

Benedetti called Perez a criminal who will face justice for drug trafficking.

Ecuadors Ministry of the Interior said Saturday that it received one of the survivors. Authorities told CNN the survivor is being medically evaluated. They added that the corresponding legal process will follow, but gave no further details.

CNN reported earlier Saturday that the US was considering releasing the survivors to their home countries. Administration officials were scrambling to determine what to do with the individuals, the first known survivors of the six US military strikes carried out in the Caribbean since September.

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The US military detained the survivors after the strike Thursday, marking the first time the Trump administrations campaign targeting drug traffickers has resulted in the US holding prisoners.

Thursdays strike was the sixth known strike on a boat allegedly involved in drug trafficking. It came as the US has deployed scores of military assets to the Caribbean as it promises further strikes on alleged drug boats, part of the administrations effort to drive down drug flow into the US and pressure Nicolas Maduro, Venezuelas authoritarian president.

The situation was potentially going to set up a legal and policy dilemma for the administration because it was unclear under what legal authority the US military can hold the prisoners, Brian Finucane, a former State Department lawyer who specializes in war powers issues, previously told CNN.

One of the sources told CNN the legally dubious situation is why the administration was considering releasing the individuals from US military custody.

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The administration has produced a classified legal opinion that justifies lethal strikes against a secret and expansive list of cartels and suspected drug traffickers, CNN has reported. Historically, however, those involved in drug trafficking were considered criminals with due process rights, with the Coast Guard interdicting drug-trafficking vessels and arresting smugglers.

The Trump administration has also argued that the president has broad authorities under Article II of the Constitution to conduct the strikes against what it claims are narco-terrorists, but lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have questioned that theory. Congress, which maintains broad authority under Article I of the Constitution to declare war, has not authorized an armed conflict against drug traffickers.

Petro accuses US of violating territory

Late Saturday night, Colombias President Gustavo Petro accused the United States of killing a fisherman in a separate, earlier, strike on a vessel.

US government officials have committed a murder and violated our sovereignty in territorial waters, Petro wrote in a post on X.

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Fisherman Alejandro Carranza had no ties to the drug trade and his daily activity was fishing, he said, adding that the boat was adrift and had its distress signal up due to an engine failure.

Relatives of Carranza told state-owned TV channel RTVC Noticias that he was killed in a US strike on his fishing boat on September 15.

The family said the boat had set off from La Guajira, a peninsula on the northern border with Venezuela, and claimed the boat would not have been out of Colombian waters at the time of the attack, which killed the three people on board, the report said.

We await explanations from the US government, Petro wrote on X.

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On September 15, President Trump announced a US strike had killed three confirmed narcoterrorists from Venezuela in International Waters transporting illegal narcotics, in a Truth Social post. He included video showing a boat sitting idle in the water before exploding into flames. It is the only strike the US has publicly acknowledged on that day.

CNN has asked the White House for comment.

Earlier this week, two people briefed by the Pentagon about the US strikes told CNN that at least one military strike in the Caribbean over the last two months had targeted Colombian nationals on a boat that had left from Colombia. The strike the sources identified was on September 19.

This story and headline have been updated with additional developments.

CNNs Isa Cardona, Max Saltman, Ana Maria Canizares, Anabella Gonzalez and Isabel Tejera contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States is sending the two survivors of a Thursday strike in the Caribbean to their home countries of Colombia and Ecuador to be detained and prosecuted, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday.

The move, which was first reported by Reuters, means that the U.S. military will not have to grapple with thorny legal issues surrounding military detention for suspected drug traffickers, whose alleged crimes do not fall neatly under the laws of war, legal experts say.

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"The two surviving terrorists are being returned to their Countries of origin, Ecuador and Colombia, for detention and prosecution," Trump said on Truth Social.

The U.S. military staged a helicopter rescue for the survivors on Thursday after the strike on their semi-submersible vessel, suspected of trafficking illegal narcotics. The strike killed the other two crew members on board.

The U.S. military flew the survivors to a U.S. Navy warship in the Caribbean after the rescue.

In his social media post, Trump said, "U.S. Intelligence confirmed this vessel was loaded up with mostly Fentanyl, and other illegal narcotics."

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Trump did not provide any evidence, but did post a roughly 30 second video which appeared to show a semi-submersible vessel in the water before being hit by at least one projectile.

Speaking on Friday, Trump told reporters that the strike was against "a drug-carrying submarine built specifically for the transportation of massive amounts of drugs."

Colombia's president's office, Ecuador's communications office and the foreign ministries of both countries did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Trump administration has said the previous strikes killed 27 people, raising alarms among some legal experts and Democratic lawmakers, who question whether they adhere to the laws of war.

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The strikes come against the backdrop of a U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean that includes guided missile destroyers, F-35 fighter jets, a nuclear submarine and around 6,500 troops as Trump escalates a standoff with the Venezuelan government.

On Wednesday, Trump disclosed he had authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela, adding to speculation in Caracas that the United States is attempting to topple Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Maduro has denied any connection to drug smuggling and denounced the U.S. boat strikes as a pretext for regime change, portraying them as violations of sovereignty and international law.

In a letter this week to the United Nations' 15-member Security Council, seen by Reuters, Venezuela's U.N. Ambassador Samuel Moncada asked for a U.N. determination that the U.S. strikes off its coast are illegal and to issue a statement backing Venezuela's sovereignty.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali. Additional reporting by Jeff Mason; editing by Diane Craft and Nick Zieminski)
By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States is sending the two survivors of a Thursday strike in the Caribbean to their home countries of Colombia and Ecuador to be detained and prosecuted, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday.

The move, which was first reported by Reuters, means that the U.S. military will not have to grapple with thorny legal issues surrounding military detention for suspected drug traffickers, whose alleged crimes do not fall neatly under the laws of war, legal experts say.

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"The two surviving terrorists are being returned to their Countries of origin, Ecuador and Colombia, for detention and prosecution," Trump said on Truth Social.

Both men have arrived home, according to authorities from the two South American countries.

"We have received the Colombian detained on the narco submarine, we are happy he is alive and he will be processed according to the law," Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on X on Saturday afternoon, providing no further information.

An Ecuadorean survivor arrived back in his country at around 11 a.m. local time, a government source who was not authorized to speak publicly said, and will later be legally processed.

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Ecuador's communications office and foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The U.S. military staged a helicopter rescue for the survivors on Thursday after the strike on their semi-submersible vessel, suspected of trafficking illegal narcotics. The strike killed the other two crew members on board.

The U.S. military flew the survivors to a U.S. Navy warship in the Caribbean after the rescue.

In his social media post, Trump said, "U.S. Intelligence confirmed this vessel was loaded up with mostly Fentanyl, and other illegal narcotics."

Trump did not provide any evidence, but did post a roughly 30 second video which appeared to show a semi-submersible vessel in the water before being hit by at least one projectile.

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Speaking on Friday, Trump told reporters that the strike was against "a drug-carrying submarine built specifically for the transportation of massive amounts of drugs."

The Trump administration has said the previous strikes killed 27 people, raising alarms among some legal experts and Democratic lawmakers, who question whether they adhere to the laws of war.

The strikes come against the backdrop of a U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean that includes guided missile destroyers, F-35 fighter jets, a nuclear submarine and around 6,500 troops as Trump escalates a standoff with the Venezuelan government.

On Wednesday, Trump disclosed he had authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela, adding to speculation in Caracas that the United States is attempting to topple Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

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Maduro has denied any connection to drug smuggling and denounced the U.S. boat strikes as a pretext for regime change, portraying them as violations of sovereignty and international law.

In a letter this week to the United Nations' 15-member Security Council, seen by Reuters, Venezuela's U.N. Ambassador Samuel Moncada asked for a U.N. determination that the U.S. strikes off its coast are illegal and to issue a statement backing Venezuela's sovereignty.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali, additional reporting by Jeff Mason in Washington, Alexandra Valencia in Quito and Julia Symmes Cobb in Bogota; editing by Diane Craft and Nick Zieminski)
Heavy fighting erupted early Thursday, October 16, in the Libyan city of Zawiya, west of the capital Tripoli, following an assassination attempt on Mohamed Suleiman Al-Fitouri, commander of the Reserve Force under the internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU).

Al-Fitouri and his aide, Abdul Rahman, were critically injured after being shot by an armed group on the coastal road, sparking violent confrontations among rival factions reportedly aligned with the same Government. The clashes caused panic among residents, led to school closures, and brought major roads to a standstill, as the GNU remained silent on the unfolding violence.

According to media reports, Al-Fitouri, who also heads the Stability Support Agency in Zawiya, was rushed to intensive care, while the identities of his assailants remain unknown.

The latest violence underscores the deepening chaos and rivalry among security groups within western Libya, where power struggles and targeted killings have intensified. The continuing instability reflects the broader national divide between Libyas two competing administrations  the Tripoli-based GNU led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, and the eastern government under Osama Hammad  which has left the country without a unified authority capable of restoring lasting peace and order.
The United States Treasury has sanctioned two Haitians, one a former police officer and the other an alleged gang leader, for their affiliation with the Viv Ansanm criminal alliance.

On Friday, a Treasury news release accused Dimitri Herard and Kempes Sanon of colluding with Viv Ansanm, thereby contributing to the violence wracking Haiti.

The sanctions block either person from accessing assets or property in the US. They also prohibit US-based entities from engaging in transactions with the two men.

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Todays action underscores the critical role of gang leaders and facilitators like Herard and Sanon, whose support enables Viv Ansanms campaign of violence, extortion, and terrorism in Haiti, Bradley T Smith, the director of the US Office of Foreign Assets Control, said in a statement.

Since taking office for a second term, US President Donald Trump has sought to take a hardline stance against criminal organisations across Latin America, blaming the groups for unregulated immigration and drug-trafficking on US soil.

Trump has termed their actions a criminal invasion, using nativist rhetoric to justify military action in international waters.

Viv Ansanm has been part of Trumps crackdown. On his first day in office, on January 20, Trump issued an executive order setting the stage for his administration to label Latin American criminal groups as foreign terrorist organisations.

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That process began several weeks later. In May, Viv Ansanm and another Haitian criminal organisation, Gran Grif, were added to the growing list of criminal networks to receive the foreign terrorist designation.

Since the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise in 2021, a power vacuum has formed in Haiti. The last national elections were held in 2016, and its last democratically elected officials reached the end of their terms in 2023.

That has created a crisis of public confidence that criminal networks, including gangs, have exploited to expand their power. Viv Ansanm is one of the most powerful groups, as a coalition of gangs largely based in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

In July, Ghada Waly, the executive director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, warned that the gangs now have near-total control of the capital, with 90 percent of its territory under their control.

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Nearly 1.4 million people have been displaced in the country as a result of the gang violence, a 36 percent increase over 2024. Last year, more than 5,600 people were killed, and a further 2,212 injured.

In Fridays sanctions, the US Treasury accused Herard, the former police officer, of having colluded with the Viv Ansanm alliance, including through training and the provision of guns.

It also noted that Herard had been imprisoned by Haitian authorities for involvement in the Moise assassination. He later escaped in 2024.

Sanon, meanwhile, is identified as the leader of the Bel Air gang, part of the Viv Ansanm alliance. The Treasury said he played a significant role in building Viv Ansanms power, and it added that he has been implicated in killings, extortion and kidnappings.

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The UN Security Council echoed the USs sanctions against Sanon and Herard, designating both men on Friday. It also agreed to extend its arms embargo on Haiti, which began in 2022.

In September, the UNSC also approved the creation of a gang suppression force, with a 12-month mandate to work with Haitian police and military. That force is expected to replace a Kenyan-led mission to reinforce Haitis security forces, and it is slated to include 5,550 people.

But on Friday, the Trump administration said that the UN had not gone far enough in its efforts to combat Haitis gangs. It called for more designations against individual suspects.

While we applaud the Council for designating these individuals, the list is not complete. There are more enablers of Haitis insecurity evading accountability, an open letter from US Ambassador Jennifer Locetta read.

Haiti deserves better. Colleagues, we will continue pressing for more designations through the Security Council and its subsidiary bodies to ensure the sanctions lists are fit for purpose.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The two survivors of an American military strike on a suspected drug-carrying vessel in the Caribbean will be sent to Ecuador and Colombia, their home countries, President Donald Trump said Saturday.

The military rescued the pair after striking a submersible vessel Thursday, in what was at least the sixth such attack since early September.

It was my great honor to destroy a very large DRUG-CARRYING SUBMARINE that was navigating towards the United States on a well known narcotrafficking transit route, Trump said in a social media post. U.S. Intelligence confirmed this vessel was loaded up with mostly Fentanyl, and other illegal narcotics.

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After Trumps announcement, the Pentagon posted on X a brief black-and-white video of the strike. In the clip, a vessel can be seen moving through the waves, its front portion submerged inches below the waters surface. Then, several explosions are seen, with at least one over the back of the vessel.

The Republican president said two people onboard were killed  one more than was previously reported  and the two who survived are being sent to their home countries for detention and prosecution.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro confirmed Saturday on X that the Colombian man who was detained aboard what he called a narco submarine was home.

We are glad he is alive, and he will be prosecuted according to the law, Petro wrote in a brief post.

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The press office for Ecuadors government said Saturday it was not immediately aware of plans for repatriation.

With Trumps statement on his Truth Social platform of the death toll, that means U.S. military action against vessels in the region have killed at least 29 people.

The president has justified the strikes by asserting that the United States is engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels. He is relying on the same legal authority used by the George W. Bush administration when it declared a war on terrorism after the Sept. 11 attacks, and that includes the ability to capture and detain combatants and to use lethal force to take out their leadership. Trump is also treating the suspected traffickers as if they were enemy soldiers in a traditional war.

The repatriation avoids questions for the Trump administration about what the legal status of the two would have been in the U.S. justice system. It may also sidestep some of the legal issues that arose out of the detention of enemy combatants in the global war on terrorism as well as challenges to the constitutionality of the current operation.

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To some legal scholars, Trump's use of such military force against suspect drug cartels, along with his authorization of covert action inside Venezuela, possibly to oust President Nicolas Maduro, stretches the bounds of international law.

On Friday, Trump seemed to confirm reports that Maduro has offered a stake in Venezuelas oil and other mineral wealth in recent months to try to stave off mounting pressure from the United States. Venezuelan government officials have also floated a plan in which Maduro would eventually leave office, according to a former Trump administration official. That plan was also rejected by the White House, The Associated Press reported.

The strikes in the Caribbean have caused unease among members of Congress from both parties and complaints about receiving insufficient information on how the attacks are being conducted. But most Republican senators backed the administration last week on a measure that would have required Trump's team to get approval from Congress before more strikes.

Meanwhile, another resolution to be considered would prevent Trump from outright attacking Venezuela without congressional authorization.

___

Megerian reported from West Palm Beach, Florida.
The US officials are expected to discuss transitioning into the second phase of US President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan.

US Vice President JD Vance will visit Israel on Monday, alongside Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, Israeli media reported on Saturday morning.

Both US officials are expected to discuss transitioning into the second phase of US President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan.

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The Hostages and Missing Families Forum wrote a letter to Vance, Witkoff, and the US administration, thanking them for their visit.

"We fear that our loved ones will be forgotten, that their fate will remain unknown for decades or even forever," the letter reads. "We thank President Trump, you, and the administration for the 30 hostages who were returned to us for rehabilitation and burial. Now, please help us finish the mission and bring our remaining 18 loved ones home.

No negotiations will begin on phase two of Trumps plan until Hamas returns all the bodies of the kidnapped fallen soldiers, senior officials told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.

Hamas militants stand gaurd as bodies of hostages are transfered to the Red Cross (not pictured), October 15, 2025. (credit: Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters)

Hamas has returned just 10 remains of killed hostages, as of Saturday, after returning the remaining 20 living hostages on Monday.

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The US administration has conveyed messages to mediators, making clear that it opposes any delays in the return of the remains.

A source familiar with the details told the Post that Qatar and Turkey are pressuring Hamas on this issue.

Resumption of fighting if Hamas does not uphold agreement

Trump told CNN on Wednesday that he would consider allowing Israeli forces to resume fighting in Gaza if Hamas fails to uphold its end of the ceasefire deal.

"Israel will return to those streets as soon as I say the word. If Israel could go in and knock the crap of them, theyd do that," Trump was quoted as saying to CNN in a brief telephone call when asked what would happen if Hamas refused to disarm.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday convened senior security officials to discuss Hamass refusal to return the bodies of the fallen and the next phase of Trumps plan.

I know exactly how many fallen soldiers Hamas is holding, and if we do not receive them, Israel will know how to act accordingly, he said.

After the meeting, Netanyahu spoke with Trump regarding Hamass delayed return of the remaining deceased hostages in Gaza.

This is a developing story.
Those looking for a new job can join the United States Postal Service as the agency looks to hire workers for the holiday season and beyond.

The USPS will be hiring for permanent and temporary positions located in offices throughout Los Angeles County.

The roles available (with starting salaries) include:

Mail Processing Clerk  $20.95/hour

Sales  Services/Distribution Associate  $20.95/hour

City Carrier Assistant- $20.73/hour

Mail Handler Assistant  $20.95/hour

Holiday Clerk Assistant (Temporary Position)- $20.95/hour

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As of Oct. 17, the agency noted that over 100 holiday positions are still waiting to be filled.

A list of open jobs the United States Postal Service is looking to fill across the greater Los Angeles region as of Oct. 17, 2025. (USPS)

Pre-career positions are also available for anyone interested in seeking long-term employment with the Postal Service, USPS said.

Benefits offered by the USPS include medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as the ability to accrue vacation and sick leave.

All applicants must have a valid drivers license from the state in which they live and must also have a safe driving record.

Qualified applicants must also successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening and must also be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident status.

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For a full list of open jobs and to apply, click here. Additional information can be found on the USPS careers page.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The Iowa class of battleships consists of a quartet of formidable ships: The USS Missouri, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and the namesake Iowa. Conceptually, they were intended as the perfect battleship, packing heavy armor to allow them to withstand attack, potent weaponry, and enough speed to get the best use from both of those assets. Plans to build the proposed fifth ship of the class, the Illinois, started in 1940, with construction beginning two years later.

In the interim, of course, the Japanese Imperial Navy (the formidable nature of which had spurred the United States to bolster its own seagoing forces in the first place) attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941, causing the U.S. to join the Allies in World War II the very next day. After a year of warfare, construction began on the Illinois and the Kentucky, the proposed fifth and sixth members of the Iowa class. Unfortunately for the Illinois, the year had shown that aircraft carriers were the future of naval warfare.

At the Battle of Midway in June 1942, the United States' aircraft carriers, USS Yorktown, Hornet, and Enterprise destroyed a quartet of Japanese carriers: Hiryu, Kaga, Soryu, and Akagi. It was a decisive victory, and one that showed how carriers would be a dominant force in World War II. This meant that the Illinois would never be deployed, as tactics had changed and carriers were taking center stage.

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Read more: 10 Of The Largest Navies In The World, Ranked By Self-Reported Total Naval Assets

The fate of the USS Illinois

The Japanese battleship Yamato at sea. - Historical/Getty Images

World War II showed that the U.S. Navy needed to focus on carriers over battleships. This became an increasingly universal sentiment as the war raged on; aircraft carriers' ability to dispatch squadrons of bombers proved deadly to opposing naval forces, as had been seen in no uncertain terms at the Battle of Midway, for one. Battleships were not lacking in firepower, but carriers' aerial firepower offered a versatility that they couldn't match.

A class of six Iowa warships just wasn't what the Navy needed at the time, although the importance of carriers led to speculative plans to convert the under-construction Illinois and Kentucky into carriers. This, too, would have been impractical and costly, although the Navy just wasn't ready to stop the project entirely at first. It was another decade and a half before it recouped what value it could from the unfinished battleship by taking it apart for scrap.

The four completed Iowa-class battleships continued to serve on and off, and it wasn't until the early 1990s that the last one was decommissioned for presumably the final time. The United States doesn't use battleships anymore, but the Iowa class ships, as well as other enormous examples like the Yamato, Japan's biggest battleship ever (pictured here), have an assured and awe-inspiring place in military history. Had the Illinois been completed, it would have been a museum ship as magnificent as any other member of its class.

The US Navy's other Iowa-class ships

The forward guns of the battleship USS Iowa. - Naomi Persephone Amethyst/Wikimedia Commons

Tremendous achievements though they were, the surviving Iowa-class vessels are now all just museum ships, majestic relics at the end of their service lives. It is possible that these U.S. Navy battleships could be recommissioned, but cost concerns and the logistics of doing so make it rather implausible. The Illinois, however, never got to serve at all. Times were changing, and the vast vessel got caught up in the middle. The rise of the aircraft carrier coincided with the decline of the battleship, and the Illinois lost out.

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However, this isn't because Iowa-class ships had become obsolete or no longer held value. After all, four ships in the class had been completed and would serve throughout the conflict. They were truly some of the most formidable and capable warships ever built. The USS Iowa, for example, displaced approximately 57,540 tons, had a crew of just over 1,900, and was bristling with guns, including nine 16-inchers.

Despite their intimidating size and strength, these ships were far from slouches. In fact, the USS New Jersey claimed the Guinness World Records accolade for the fastest speed ever recorded for a battleship, when it hit just over 40 mph during testing in 1968. The Iowa itself served in World War II and was recommissioned twice over, for the Korean War and then in the 1980s. The United States clearly acknowledged, then, that it didn't have another weapon in its arsenal that ticked all these boxes, and nor would it for several decades to come. Nonetheless, the USS Illinois was never added to the fleet.

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Utah Sen. John Curtis said on Friday he is doing everything he can to realize the Trump administrations nuclear vision even as he remains cautious about its approach to green energy subsidies.

Curtis conducted an interview with U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright focusing on nuclear power as part of the senators 4th annual Conservative Climate Summit at the University of Utah.

The administration is working to get at least 10 nuclear reactor labs running in the next 24 months, Wright said, including Utahs Valar Atomics reactor, which broke ground at the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab last month.

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Wrights Department of Energy will provide low-interest loans to help these expensive projects become a reality, he said, in an effort to increase the countrys power production by 100 gigawatts over the next five years.

To build energy, you have to build big things, Wright said. Green is to build these energy intensive and large physical materials in our own states, with great regulations and great innovation in a clean fashion.

Attendees listen to Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, as he and Energy Secretary Chris Wright converse on a video call at the 4th Annual Conservative Climate Summit at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Next steps for Utah nuclear

At the urging of Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Utah has done more than any other state to create a welcoming policy environment for nuclear energy, according to the Nuclear Energy Institute.

Earlier this year, the state Legislature approved memorandums of understanding with neighboring states to pursue a nuclear reactor, $8 million for site selection and a new committee to prepare the way for projects.

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The Utah Nuclear Consortium  composed of eight lawmakers, regulators, business leaders and Laura Nelson of the Idaho National Laboratory  held its first meeting on Tuesday.

According to Rep. Colin Jack, R-St. George, the group reviewed geographic factors that might influence where to build a nuclear reactor. However, they are counting on local governments to propose sites, Jack said.

Were going to encourage counties and municipalities to self-select where they want to do maybe some nuclear development zones, and well then evaluate that for them, Jack told the Deseret News.

Using the money lawmakers appropriated for Operation Gigawatt, the consortium will hire nuclear staff at the Department of Environmental Quality to create a Utah nuclear regulatory commission, Jack said.

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Over the next year or two, as the administration accelerates the construction of nuclear labs around the country, Utah will be able to identify the best designs to bring to the state, Jack said.

Counties have already begun reaching out to the consortium with possible locations to host a reactor, so it looks promising that the consortium will soon have a list of candidates to evaluate, Jack said.

Attendees talk and connect at the 4th Annual Conservative Climate Summit at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

The ball has already started rolling. In August, the Utah Office of Energy Development announced an agreement with two firms to begin searching for a possible site of a Natrium nuclear reactor and energy storage.

What about wind, solar?

But reaching the administrations energy goals likely wont be accomplished by innovation alone.

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When President Donald Trump was sworn in, about 100 gigawatts of coal and natural gas plants were slated to close. The administration is also working to stop these closures, according to Wright.

America needs to pursue energy addition, not energy subtraction, Wright said, to keep up with energy demand, which is expected to increase by over 50% by 2035 because of artificial intelligence.

Curtis has at times pushed back against the administration for potentially missing energy addition opportunities by slashing Biden-era subsidies and tax credits for green energy projects.

Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, talks at the 4th Annual Conservative Climate Summit at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

In August, Curtis placed holds on three of Trumps nominees until he could receive guarantees that the administration would honor the slower timeline for phasing out wind and solar tax credits that Curtis had helped to secure as part of the big, beautiful bill.

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On Friday, Curtis told the Deseret News that he and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, had ended their opposition to Trumps nominees after Trump issued an executive order that we felt like was good enough.

Me and the same group are watching very carefully because that is one of the tools that we have, Curtis said. Just to make sure that the administration is in line with congressional intent that was in the Big, Beautiful Bill.

Wind turbines that are part of the Milford Wind Corridor Project tower over photovoltaic solar panels, foreground, north of Milford, Beaver County, on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

Since entering the Senate in January, Curtis has stuck his neck out to defend wind and solar tax credits that he thinks should be part of an affordable, reliable, clean energy economy.

While some have criticized the senator for seeking to preserve government subsidies for industry allies, Curtis said he is trying to get both Republicans and Democrats to actually support an all of the above approach.

We need every electron we can get, Curtis said.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright visited the Ames National Laboratory Aug. 14, 2025, joined by U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, left, and Sen. Joni Ernst, right, as well as other Republican lawmakers. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Friday nuclear is going to become sexy again and he sees Utah playing a part in a comeback as the nation tries to raise its energy output to feed demand from artificial intelligence.

Were really going to see nuclear move again. Nuclear is going to become sexy again Wright said, speaking by a video feed at Utah Sen. John Curtis Conservative Climate Summit in Salt Lake City.

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Wright said tech companies operating large-scale data centers known as hyperscalers to power AI really want to see nuclear happen, and noted theyre investing in advancing nuclear technology.

He said the country is making rapid progress in nuclear fusion, although experts have said the technology will not solve energy problems until the end of the decade or in the early 2030s.

President Donald Trump has signed executive orders this year intended to bring about a nuclear renaissance, and Wright used the same phrase Friday.

Utah absolutely is going to be a key part of that, he said.

Utah Republicans, including Gov. Spencer Cox, share the desire to develop nuclear technology in the state, passing legislation creating governing bodies to advance nuclear systems, appropriating $10 million to fund Coxs nuclear energy regulations through Operation Gigawatt, and making deals with nuclear innovators.

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Cox has said he envisions the state as a home to dozens of small modular reactors. In the last six months, the state has signed an agreement with a company owned by Bill Gates to explore a Utah site for a new nuclear reactor and announced a partnership with another firm to bring an advanced reactor to Emery County.

Asked if the Emery County project will get off the ground, Curtis told reporters at his conference Friday, I dont think we have a choice of it being a reality, the demands for energy are so high, we have to figure this out.

Carmen Valdez, senior policy associate with HEAL Utah, said she has concerns about possible radiation exposure in communities near nuclear facilities, along with the years that could lapse between public investment and the day a reactors up and running.

We are a little concerned about hearing making nuclear sexy again, because theres a lot of not great things that come with that industry that are just being brushed aside, Valdez said.

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Wright emphasized the plan to raise the nations energy output includes keeping coal-fired power plants running.

Im also super excited about next-generation geothermal, and frankly, Utah is the leader in that, he said, referencing an enhanced geothermal plant being built in Beaver County.

Contributing: Alixel Cabrera

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
The University of Texas Permian Basin is gearing up for Homecoming Week, Oct. 1925.

This will be a full week of Falcon pride, campus events, and community fun, all leading up to our Homecoming Parade, Bonfire, and Concert on Friday night.

This years theme is Falcon Flashback: Decades Edition. Student organizations will kick off the celebration with a banner contest, and the official Homecoming Kickoff begins Monday at noon in the Student Activity Center.

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Throughout the week, students will compete in fun challenges and events to build excitement for game day.

>> Friday Night, Oct. 24: Parade, Bonfire & Concert

The whole community is invited to join UPTB for its biggest Homecoming night of the year.

>> Parade: Steps off at 7 p.m. from Founders Road and UTPB Main Road, traveling north on Preston Smith Road toward 42nd Street, turning left onto UTPB Circle, and ending at the Kirk Edwards Human Performance Center.

To participate in the parade, sign up here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=qbmAGv_YqECmbMazaOTyri5F4RXddAVCvNrofPJz5gtURThZM01XTUdBQ1NOTDJGVk8zRDlMNUVKRi4u&route=shorturl

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Bonfire & Concert: After the parade, head over to the Kirk Turf Field for a concert featuring Adam Paddock, food trucks, a bonfire, and fireworks.

Parking & Access

Float building can begin at 10 a.m. in the Founders parking lot.

Attendee parking is available in the Mesa lot or gym parking lot.

After 6:50 p.m., the only campus entrance will be through Big Sky Way across from Market Street. The 42nd Street entrance will close at that time.

For more information about Homecoming events, visit our website. See the map for details on parade route, parking, and road closures.

The post UTPB ready for Homecoming Week appeared first on Odessa American.
LIBERTY, Ohio (WKBN)  Friday was senior night at Valley Christian High School, but the celebration came with a heavy heart.

Family and friends gathered to remember Amya Monserrat, who wouldve been a senior cheerleader this year. Amya was just 15 years old when she was shot and killed on the citys South Side after a birthday party on April 15, 2023.

Amyas loved ones say theyre keeping her memory alive and honoring the bright future she never got to see.

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It just means so much to me that theyre honoring her in a way that I would appreciate and that would make me proud. Its so hard, and its such a sad day for me, but Im grateful, said Jasmine Morris, Amyas mother.

In the two years since her death, Morris has started the Amya Marie Foundation to help people affected by gun violence, especially the kids who witness it.

Wilson Corbisello contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
The Rabat-Moscow rapprochement over the Sahara issue has infuriated the Algerian rulers who responded with a boycott of the Russian Energy week 2025, a major international event organized in Moscow October 15 to 17 to discuss key challenges and innovations shaping the global energy sector.

According to intelligence sources, a senior Algerian delegation, composed of the CEO of Sonatrach, the Minister of Hydrocarbons & Mines, and the Presidential Advisor for energy, was preparing to fly to Moscow but their trip was cancelled by President Tebboune himself.

The Algerian boycott comes after Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov expressed his countrys readiness to support the Moroccan autonomy plan under the Kingdoms sovereignty, describing the Autonomy plan as a form of self-determination. His remarks were seen by Algiers as a major shift in the position of Moscow which has always been cautious in its approach regarding the Sahara regional conflict.

Another bone of contention between Algeria and Russia has been their opposing stands over the situation in northern Mali and Sahel. Bamako, which is supported by Moscow, accuses Algiers of interfering in its internal politics and backing Tuareg rebels. Niger and Burkina-Faso have formed a united front with Mali against the Algerian regime.

During his latest meeting with representatives of Arab media in Moscow, Lavrov said the borders inherited from colonial powers are the main source of several conflicts across the African Continent, citing in this regard the AlgeriaMali dispute and the Tuareg issue.

The statement of Russias top diplomat dealt a hard blow to the colonial borders of Algeria. During the past colonial period, France unfairly ceded to Algeria several Moroccan territories including Eastern Sahara.

Moscow, which supports Sahel States: Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, has praised the royal initiatives aimed at strengthening stability and promoting the development of the African continent, particularly the initiative offering Atlantic Ocean access to the African landlocked countries.

Morocco and Russia have pledged to respect the territorial integrity of both countries. They have also signed new fisheries agreement including the Sahara territorial waters. This means that Russia has joined the long list of countries recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  The owner of the Terrace Restaurant in Delaware Park is trying to wrap his head around why anybody would want to vandalize his restaurant, not once, not twice, but six times in a two-week timeframe.

Egging the place, throwing furniture off the patio and into the lake, breaking furniture, just mischief, said Jason Davidson, the restaurants co-owner.

Four of the incidents were reported to police with two other instances also occurring where the owner says the suspects got scared off before they could do too much damage. They are believed to be teenagers and were caught on the restaurants surveillance system.

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Were hoping we can identify these kids and that theres some real repercussions, Davidson said. Its happening in the middle of the night when everyones gone home and its quiet, and the police come through and do patrols but they cant watch it 24 hours a day. Its one oclock in the morning, four oclock in the morning, they just keep coming back and hitting it.

The group of suspects, believed to be teenagers, have reportedly thrown eggs onto the outside of the building and damaged outside furniture, even going as far as to throw some of the deck chairs into Hoyt Lake, which sits along the backside of the restaurant, causing thousands in damages.

Despite the repeated acts of vandalism, Davidson told WIVB News 4 that its not stopping the restaurant from operating. In fact, he and his staff, along with the city, have all rallied together each time to clean everything up and make repairs.

We clean it up and put it back together, Davidson said. The city has been sending out people to help clean up the glass and board up. Weve been able to dress it up. But its been tough, its been a lot of expense.

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The restaurant is also a popular venue for weddings. Since the incidents, staff said a number of brides-to-be have reached out with concerns. While WIVB cameras were there, there was one man who was scouting the location for his big day. He was disgusted by what happened but said it wont influence his choice to have his wedding there.

Its sad that those things happened, said Zach Raber. We were all teenagers once. I think its a lot of boredom and they must not have anything to do. I always say, not good people, or trouble travels, so its still a great venue, one that were highly considering and I dont think it will scare us away.

Davidson says hes thankful for the tremendous outpouring of community support. He continues to be in close contact with Buffalo Police, who are still investigating.

Latest Local News

Rob Petree is an anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in 2025. See more of his work by clicking here.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Thousands of demonstrators march through downtown Birmingham, Alabama, during the "No Kings Protest," on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. The march, organized by grassroots coalitions across the South, opposes political authoritarianism and calls for renewed democratic participation. (Photo by Andi Rice for Alabama Reflector)

Thousands of Alabamians attended protests around the state Saturday against President Donald Trump and his administration.

About 15 protests were scheduled around Alabama, part of over 2,600 demonstrations scheduled on Saturday that were expected to draw millions of people. Speakers and participants criticized the administrations seizure of power; its arrest and detention of immigrants and its policies toward health care. Others said Trump administration policies were hurting members of their families.

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The protests were largely peaceful, with no major incidents reported.

A similar round of protests were held in June and drew millions of people to 1,500 sites nationwide. About 14 of those protests were held in Alabama that day with thousands of people in attendance.

Crowd sizes varied, from about 40 people in Selma to up to 2,000 in Birmingham. Here are reports from four of the protests on Saturday.

Birmingham: Calls for community and activism

Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, addresses demonstrators during the No Kings protest in Birmingham, Ala., on Oct. 18, 2025. Jones, a former U.S. Attorney and civil rights advocate, called on citizens to defend democratic institutions and urged renewed civic engagement amid rising concerns over political authoritarianism. (Photo by Andi Rice for Alabama Reflector)

A crowd of approximately 2,000 people gathered in Railroad Park Saturday for Birminghams No Kings protest, hearing from speakers including former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones before peacefully marching along a seven-block parade route, carrying signs and engaging in call-and-response chants while drivers honked their horns in support.

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Were here today, like so many more that have come to Birmingham before us, not just for a No Kings rally but for civil rights, for anti-war protests, you name it, to speak out about injustices when they see it, Jones told the cheering audience that filled the parks pavilion and spilled onto a hillside beyond it.

Were here because, Freedom is a fragile thing, and its never more than a generation away from extinction, he continued, quoting Ronald Reagans 1967 inaugural address as Californias governor. Two hundred and fifty years ago, this country was born of one thing that every American generation has reaffirmed: no kings.

Attendees hailing from Birmingham and surrounding suburbs and towns cited concerns about human rights and vulnerable people, including the poor and immigrants, threats to democracy and freedom of speech, and opposition to President Donald Trumps policies as reasons they came to the rally.

I thought it was very important that we come out and that we show, really, as a country, how we feel about whats going on in our government, how oppressive it is, and that were saying, No, said DeValerie Williams of Birmingham. Were saying, No, we love our country. We want our country to stay a democracy, where we care about each other. And I think the only way to do this is for us to be a show of force.

DeValerie Williams (left) and her brother Earl Harry hold No Kings signs at a protest in Railroad Park in Birmingham, Alabama on Oct. 18, 2025. I thought it was very important that we come out and that we show really, as a country, how how we feel about whats going on in our government, how oppressive it is, and that were saying no, Williams said. Were saying no, we love our country. We want our country to stay a democracy, where we care about each other. And I think the only way to do this is for us to be a show of force. (Olivia McMurrey for Alabama Reflector)

In her remarks to the crowd, Rev. Julie Conrady of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham said the city redefined freedom and equality in 1965.

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Over and over in the history of our country, we, the people, have been the necessary checks and balances to ensure that our country continues to progress, improve and prosper, Conrady said.

She encouraged people to get involved in local causes.

There is not a lot we can do at the federal government right now, Conrady said. One party controls all three branches of government, and one despots marching orders control them all. Our resistance must focus locally and statewide, where together, we can make meaningful change.

Quoting the words of U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, who called the No Kings protests a hate-America rally, attendees and speakers at the Birmingham event said they wanted to correct such misunderstandings.

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Theres a lot of people in this country who care passionately about whats going on with the current administration and all the corruption and all the lies, taking peoples health care away and giving tax breaks to the rich, said Greg Fuller of Birmingham. I think its un-American. I think its not patriotic. And I think this group is full of people who love America, not hate America, as the speaker said.

Idania Gonzalez with the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice, told the crowd to look around them because the rally is what community looks like.

This is what power looks like when people stand together for the same cause, when people stand together for our neighbors who are scared to come out, for our neighbors who are living in the shadows due to political fighting, she said.

Rebecca Rothman, a community and arts advocate, encourages attendees to engage with their elected officials during the No Kings protest in Birmingham, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Rothman urged the crowd to contact lawmakers directly and advocate for policies that promote equity, democracy, and community well-being. (Photo by Andi Rice for Alabama Reflector)

Comedian Rebecca Rothman gave rally goers a primer on how to contact their U.S. representatives and then demonstrated it by calling Sen. Tommy Tubervilles office and leaving a message. She gave the crowd time to make their own calls and encouraged them to place five calls a day.

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Candra Bethune of Birmingham said shes going to do that. Attending the rally made her feel better, even though things are bad, she said, because before she didnt know what she could do as one person to make a difference.

Weve got to do something to let them know that we dont want this, Bethune said.

 Olivia McMurrey

Montgomery: Warnings about federal policy changes

Protestors march through downtown Montgomery, Alabama on Oct. 18, 2025 holding a banner saying No Kings In America. The protest drew more than 600 people. (Ralph Chapoco/Alabama Reflector)

More than 600 people gathered in downtown Montgomery for the citys No Kings rally.

The kind of change that we are trying to achieve is not the kind of change that happens fast, said Tabitha Isner, vice chair of the Alabama Democratic Party, who spoke at the rally. This is the kind of change that requires we keep showing up. The last time we showed up, we were a good, decent crowd, but this time we are bigger. The next time we show up, we will be even bigger.

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The protest, which began at Riverfront Park, featured people dressed in makeshift costumes displaying dinosaurs and squirrels and others who adorned themselves with colors of the rainbow. Many carried cardboard placards replete with crowns that were crossed out with the words No Kings on them.

At 9 a.m. the crowd then marched a quarter mile to the Court Square Fountain, a site where enslaved people were bought and sold prior to the Civil War, to hear from speakers who urged them to continue the public outcry, and who criticized nearly every aspect of Trumps policies, from mass arrest and deportations of immigrants to tariffs on trade, as well as the budget bill that Congress passed at Trumps urging that cut funding for social service programs.

Rev. Valtoria Jackson of the Poor Peoples Campaign addresses a No Kings rally in Montgomery, Alabama on Oct. 18, 2025. Violence is when people cannot afford a house, violence is when a voter cannot afford medicine, violence is when mothers continue to lose sons and daughters to greed and guns. Violence is when the rich get tax breaks and the poor get evicted, she told about 600 people at the demonstration. (Ralph Chapoco/Alabama Reflector)

No king, no crowns, no thrones, only love, because violence is not just bullets and bombs, said Rev. Valtoria Jackson, Montgomery lead organizer for the Alabama Poor Peoples Campaign, said in a speech. Violence is when people cannot afford a house, violence is when a voter cannot afford medicine, violence is when mothers continue to lose sons and daughters to greed and guns. Violence is when the rich get tax breaks and the poor get evicted.

Jackson has spoken at numerous gatherings before to raise awareness of the budget bill recently passed by Congress and the potential expiration of expanded tax credits for Affordable Care Act plans that could drive up insurance costs around the nation. The loss of those credits has been a major reason for the ongoing federal government shutdown. The budget bill also reduced funding for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that provides food subsidies to lower-income families and individuals. The bill passes more of the cost of maintaining the programs to the states, and advocates had been warning that the bill could reduce the states economy by more than $1 billion and eliminate health insurance coverage for almost 200,000 people.

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Our food pantry participation has gone up 200% since he passed this bill, said Rev. Manuel Williams in an interview following the event, pastor at Resurrection Catholic Church in Montgomery. These are people who never had to come and get food assistance, but now they are food insecure.

A protestor holds a sign saying Trump is the worst president since Trump at a No Kings protest in Montgomery, Alabama on Oct. 18, 2025. The demonstration drew more than 600 people. (Ralph Chapoco/Alabama Reflector)

Others voiced strong opposition to the administrations efforts to deport large numbers of immigrants living in the U.S.

One of my biggest things is the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids, the deportation of people who are just trying to live, said Haley Morgan, who attended the protest. They are getting deported for a taillight being out, or for speeding. If that is the case, deport me because I have sped and my taillight has been out.

Many of those who gathered also expressed reservations about Trumps efforts to reshape the federal government.

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I wanted to help protest against all that Trump is doing, said Judy May, 87, who attended the rally. He is destroying the constitution. He is trying to take away our right to vote, our rights of free speech. He is firing so many people, taking so many important departments to pieces. He is destroying the Department of Education, he has destroyed the public health department, I just hate everything he is doing.

 Ralph Chapoco

Oxford: We are American people who love our country

Hundreds of people line a road in Oxford, Alabama for a No Kings protest on Oct. 18, 2025. More than 200 people attended. (Andrea Tinker/Alabama Reflector)

Over 200 people gathered along the roads of the Oxford Exchange to protest the Trump administration Saturday under the No Kings name.

Protesters of all ages stood along the highway holding signs condemning President Trump for being what they describe as a dictator, demanding the release of the Epstein files and condemning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

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Im here today to express my displeasure with the current administration. There are many things being done wrong. I couldnt even name them, it wouldnt fit on a sign, Jim Baker, organizer of the demonstration, said. I hope somebody hears our cries and our anger and does something about it.

One protestor said she came to stop the government from continuing the way it is now.

Things are really scary right now, and if somebody doesnt say something, and if we dont keep pushing back, then everything is just going to keep moving in the direction its moving. And even if its stopping things an inch then its worth it, protestor Cami McKenzie said.

Others just want the government to hear them and their opinions.

A protestor holds a sign saying Remember: Only you can prevent fascism at a No Kings protest in Oxford, Alabama on Oct. 18, 2025. (Andrea Tinker/Alabama Reflector)

Our government isnt listening to us. The government is meant to serve us, not control us. So I think its important that we stand up before we lose our rights, protestor Pam Howard said.

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Baker said he felt like he was alone when it came to standing up for issues such as healthcare, LGBTQ+ rights and ICE raids.

It makes me extremely happy that there are this many people in the state of Alabama with the same mindset that I have, Baker said. Ive lived here for 21 years, and for 21 years I thought I was on an island.

And some of these issues are personal to the ones protesting.

I have four biologically born female daughters, and two are gender non-conforming, so Im really bothered by a lot of the talk about trans individuals and stuff, said Glenda Reeseg.

Alanna Gregg, another protestor, said these issues affect everyone.

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You should be ashamed of yourself if you dont care, she said It shouldnt have to happen to you for it to matter to you.

And Baker made it clear that protestors are just regular people who want better for everyone in the country.

We are not Antifa, we are not insurrectionists. We are American people who love our country and dont like the direction that its going and thats why were here today.

While the overall response from non-protesters was mostly positive with many honking their horns in support of the cause, there were a few that began to heckle the demonstrators.

Halfway through the protest, a small group of Trump supporters stood across the street to heckle the No Kings demonstrators. A heated verbal exchange ensued but was quickly settled.

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But protesters didnt let the rude comments from the group dampen their spirits.

They have every right to be there and were fighting for their rights too, Howard said.

Howard also commended younger people for being at the protest, and not to let anyone deter them from using their voice.

One thing I want to say to young people is dont let anybody tell you that your vote doesnt count. Voter turnout is one of the biggest issues we have in Alabama, she said. If you want to see things change, thats how we change it.

 Andrea Tinker

Selma: We can see each other

Azali Fortier dancing with other No Kings protesters at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, on Oct. 18, 2025. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)

Laurie Kelly and her husband, who live in Chicago, were traveling to the Gulf of Mexico for a beach vacation. Kelly said she asked her husband to find somewhere to stop to protest.

If we dont show up, its over. This is very important. Its small, but its still here and that does matter, Kelly said in an interview. People need to stand up. Thats what Im trying to do. Its all I can do.

The couple joined about 40 people gathered at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge Saturday afternoon for a local No Kings protest.

The Selma protest was the second for some. Jasie Shepard and Dr. Justin Cavanaugh traveled to Selma after the Tuscaloosa No Kings protest ended Saturday morning, about a 90-minute drive.

Nate Bradley and his friends came to Selma after the Montgomery protest ended this morning. He said he is protesting because of President Donald Trumps disregard of Congress power of the purse.

Annie Pearl Avery, a long time civil rights activist, with her head in her hand after speaking at a No Kings protest at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama on Oct. 18, 2025. Avery told the small crowd that people have the power. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)

Now we have a president who says, Im not going to fund Democrat programs. What does that mean? Bradley said. He wouldnt be able to articulate a thought about that. Its insulting.

Bradley said the protests in Montgomery and Selma gave him hope.

I call my representatives, I go to my townhalls, Bradley said of what he does outside of the No Kings protests. I just try to stay sane and find a balance between staying sane and keeping up to date with the nonstop deluge of things that this administration is doing or not doing.

Annie Pearl Avery, a long-time civil rights activist, urged people to protest every day.

Its not going to be a lot of show and a lot of talk. Theres going to have to be some action, Avery said. Youve got a purpose. Everyone has a purpose.

Rev. Leodis Strong, lead pastor at Brown Chapel in Selma, criticized Republicans who claim to be Christian, but do not show it in policies.

How can you call yourself pro-life when you did not give access to insurance to soon-to-be mothers and soon-to-be children outside the womb? How can you call yourself pro-life when you take away WIC and SNAP? Strong asked. That is a polluted religion.

Jennifer Wright, who recently moved to Selma from Huntsville, criticized Congress for not releasing investigative files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She urged people to write letters and call their representatives. She also wrote a thank you letter to U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, for his petition to release the files.

A protester in a giraffe costume holds a sign saying Giraffes for Peace No Kings during a No Kings protest in Selma, Alabama on Oct. 18, 2025. The small crowd wrapped up their protest Saturday by linking arms and singing America the Beautiful. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)

Every member of Congress should have happily signed your petition because child sex trafficking should not be considered a partisan issue and should be considered a crime by everyone, Massie read.

The petition was one vote short of the 218 it needed to pass in September.

Azali Fortier, 18, said the protest gave her a glimpse of hope.

I know that they can see us because we can see each other, Fortier said of the Trump administration and Congress. Were about to undergo a big change, either for better or for worse.

The protest wrapped up with Yomi Goodall leading the group singing America the Beautiful and We Shall Overcome, a Civil Rights Movement anthem.

 Anna Barrett
MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  The state of Vermont wants to understand the droughts impacts on farmers  and theyve just put out a new way for people to report in.



The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) said Friday that they are asking agricultural producers to participate in the 2025 Agriculture Drought Impact Survey.

Fort Ticonderoga Ferry closes for the season earlier than expected

Vermont just experienced its driest August on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 96% of the state is currently in severe drought, with more than two-thirds in extreme drought.

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Vermonts congressional delegation joined in calling for a federal disaster declaration last month. Sen. Peter Welch was in Orwell Friday at the Lazy Dog Farm, and emphasized the importance of hearing directly from Vermont farmers about impacts.

(Courtesy: Vermont Agency of Agriculture)

Any agricultural business, organization, or individual is invited to share the losses and impacts theyve incurred with the VAAFM at the link here.

The survey is open now through December 15.

The survey doesnt include forestry or cannabis production, nor food industries that dont do production  but those people are invited to report impacts using a separate tool.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
WESTERNPORT  Residents and local leaders are becoming worried as temperatures begin to drop and many affected by the May flooding remain without a heat source.

As the towns along Georges Creek await an update regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agency appeal following May 13 flooding, many are without a furnace system to properly heat their homes for the winter.

Without our FEMA money coming through, Im very concerned for the people in the winter, Lonaconing Mayor Jack Coburn said Tuesday. This morning it was 37 degrees. We had ice and wind chills here this morning and we have a lot of elderly citizens, and they need their heat sources in their house, and without that FEMA money coming through to help, its not going to be a nice winter.

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Aid was originally denied in July after FEMA deemed the assistance to be unwarranted despite damage estimated at $33.7 million, which is nearly three times the states federal threshold for assistance.

We cannot allow our people to go through this winter considering the storms they just had to go through without having the support that is justified and necessary for them to be able to get back on their feet, Gov. Wes Moore said at an Appalachian Regional Commission meeting at Frostburg State University last week.

Melinda Youngblood and Linda Magruder, best friends and lifelong residents of Westernport, have fallen victim to two floods in their lifetime that have devastated the town.

In 96, FEMA came through and they talked to us personally. They gave us buckets, and there were people that showed up and gave us cleaning stuff, Youngblood said. But FEMA came and actually talked to us face to face and helped that way  and I dont know where and why we dont get the help that other parts of Maryland gets.

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Youngblood has been displaced from her Church Street home since the flooding. Water and mud filled her basement and began coming up through the floors, she said, filling part of the first floor of her home.

As floodwaters rose, Youngblood was at home with her 91-year-old mother. She said she had to drag her up the stairs to the top floor of the home to ensure their safety.

In July, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development announced $1 million to go directly toward restoring locals furnaces and hot water tanks. Youngblood said residents are anxiously awaiting word to see if theyll receive funding.

The basement of Magruders Maryland Avenue home flooded, resulting in a number of items being destroyed.

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Ive never seen so much mud, because I went through the one in 96, and it was not like that, Magruder said.

It was more so just wet, everything was wet, and there was some mud, but not like this time.

Magruders house is livable, but she is becoming worried about what to do without a furnace as the weather quickly turns cooler.

My husband has not worked since 09 because of his disability, and then at that very same time, I quit my job, went back to school to better myself, and I had just started a 401(k) at the health system, so I had to end up drawing that money out to live off that, Magruder said. We dont have a big savings to just go out and buy a new furnace. I wish I did, but most people dont.

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Youngblood and Magruder said theres a stark difference in the way FEMA responded compared to the response from FEMA in 1996 after flooding tore through Western Maryland, resulting in millions of dollars of damage.

Our president of the United States denied us, theres the factor ... said Magruder, who voted for President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. I wish he couldve came through here. He lives a few hours away from us.

Both Youngblood and Magruder said the community effort has been extensive. Churches, community members, the town and the county all came together to help each other out.

Youngblood is awaiting a furnace that she is paying for out of pocket, which will cost her $8,000, but will not be installed until the end of October.

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One effort is to determine what type of furnace you need, Coburn said. Also, things need ordered out, you have to have certain supplies and youd have to also find a contractor and theres a limited amount of contractors in this area. And, you know, if that money comes in and all these people need furnaces all at one time, its going to be a problem.

Westernport residents each received a space heater through a $10,000 donation from AARP Maryland to temporarily hold them over. However, a space heater is not enough to properly heat a house for the rest of the winter and may not be safe to leave on continuously.

At this point, Im worried about my pipes bursting. Weve got maybe another 30 days before it really starts getting to the point where were going to have to  I dont know what were going to have to do. Were probably going to have to run heaters in the basement, Magruder said.

Coburn said he is worried about what people will have to do to find the means to heat their homes if furnaces arent installed soon.

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Its become unsafe because if these people dont have furnaces, theyre going to have to find means of heat, Coburn said. That means there could be people leaving their oven doors open in their kitchens, they could be using their small plug-in heater systems, which if you dont have very good wiring in your house, that can also be the next problem they can experience.

Youngblood said she and many in Westernport are discouraged by the lack of response and aid from FEMA.

A lot of people are displaced from their homes, she said.

And the ones that arent displaced are freezing because they dont have furnaces.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  The importance of veterans in central Illinois was put on display Saturday through a helpful resource fair.

Goodwill of Central Illinois hosted its 17th annual Stand Down for Veterans event at its commons off of War Memorial Drive in Peoria.

A line of veterans nearly wrapped around the building to get in to participate in workshops and stop at booths operated by 25 area social service agencies. Participants could also stop and grab some pulled pork and pie in the section adjacent to the free clothing pickup bins.

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Johanna Wagner, assistant director and program manager for Goodwill of Central Illinois, said this occasion showcases the significance of veterans in the area.

In addition to what we do on a regular basis, which is help them by providing them with jobs, training and other opportunities, this just is kind of that added layer for them to have camaraderie, connecting with an old friend or someone who is maybe going through the same situation theyre going through.

Shutdown impact: What it means for workers, federal programs and the economy

Wagner is a military spouse herself, and said even the families of veterans have to make sacrifices too. She said without veterans, we wouldnt have the freedoms that we have today.

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For me, and I think even for the community, they recognize that we wouldnt be free without them, she said. We wouldnt be doing what were doing without our veterans, throughout all the conflicts that they have endured, everything that theyve sacrificed, were here.

Workshop sessions at the event included mental wellness and sobriety, while also putting focus on fellowship.

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A Vietnam veteran at a No Kings rally on Saturday went off on ICE agents while speaking with an MSNBC reporter in New York City.

During MSNBCs Velshi, Antonia Hylton spoke with an 82-year-old man named Fred Pereira who was part of the large group taking part in the anti-President Donald Trump rally in New York City. Thousands of other demonstrations are being held across the country.

Pereira was holding a sign that depicted ICE agents taking a woman and child into custody. The sign read: The Brave Men of ICE.

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I saw young kids being dragged out. Ive dealt with real soldiers. American soldiers, North Vietnamese soldiers. These are real soldiers, these are brave men. Soldiers fight other soldiers. Soldiers do not fight women and children. What ICE is doing is outrageous, they are a paramilitary force, thats why Im using the term soldier, Pereira said.

What would your message be to someone who is maybe fearful of taking part in a protest, worried that this administration will crack down on them or their loved ones? What would you say to someone whose unsure of how to speak up right now? Hylton asked.

Pereira flipped to the back of his sign which was a picture of Trump in a crown with the message: Protest now or bow down later.

Democratic lawmakers are also taking part in Saturdays protest, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) also spoke to a crowd in Washington, D.C., accusing Trump of allowing billionaires to hijack the economy.

This is about a handful of the wealthiest people on earth who, in their insatiable greed, have hijacked our economy and our political system in order to enrich themselves at the expense of working families throughout the country, the senator said.

Bill Nye also spoke to the D.C. crowd, warning protesters they were looking at the possible end of our Republic due to Trump and a group of confederates. Other speakers have included Zeteo founder Mehdi Hasan.

Watch above via MSNBC.

The post Vietnam Vet at No Kings Rally Torches ICE Agents: Soldiers Do Not Fight Women and Children! first appeared on Mediaite.
Last Sunday evening, Ashland Police were dispatched to the Port of Ashland riverfront park for a shooting. It turned out to be a domestic violence incident and the suspect reportedly turned herself in to police.

Last week, the Ashland city commission passed a resolution raising awareness about domestic violence. This week, Boyd County Fiscal Court did the same. Other local governments have as well.

Domestic violence remains an ugly problem in America. Years ago, it was considered a problem between a husband and his wife  almost like a property rights issue.

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Fortunately, state legislatures are hearing from victims and domestic violence center administrators about the need to strengthen laws. Politicians have started to take action in recent years. Now, repeat offenders of domestic violence who ignore emergency protection orders can be charged with a felony. The Kentucky General Assembly passed this legislation last year.

In our area, Safe Harbor is the domestic abuse shelter operating for a few decades. Safe Harbor, like other domestic violence shelters, operates on a shoestring budget. They are worthy of your charitable dollars.

Sadly, many victims come to shelters with their children. They have no choice. They cant leave kids behind with an abuser. Compounding the problem is many victims live in rural areas without access to transportation.

Police have modified their strategies on approaching these calls for help. They can be dangerous for law enforcement. Many politicians have been fearful of political pressure by gun rights advocates to pass laws prohibiting an abuser access to guns.

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Police are trained to use caution in responding.

Awareness is an important component of prevention. Passing stronger laws is happening and needs to happen in many states.

The goal of a domestic violence center should be to put themselves out of business for lack of need. Until society, abusers and politicians in some states take a stronger stand, there will be a need for places like Safe Harbor far into the future.
Whether its Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April or Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, the story of abuse in the United States must be told and retold.

Sexual assault and domestic violence must be kept in the light of day, never swept under the rug.

Yet a continuing and harmful stigma can still be felt by victims. Even though they never deserve such mistreatment. Even though every American should blame the perpetrators and feel compassion for those victimized.

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And, make no mistake, there are millions of victims in the U.S.

Here are some disturbing statistics from the National Crime Victimization Survey:

 Every 74 seconds, a person in the U.S. is sexually assaulted

 Every nine minutes, a child is sexually assaulted in the U.S.

 423,000 Americans, age 12 and over, experience sexual violence each year

Bringing the plague of sexual assault squarely and unblinkingly into the public eye can help us all realize the destruction it wreaks and can help victims and witnesses muster the courage to step forward and take a stand.

Therein lies the value of the film There Are No Words, which was screened early this month at the Paramount Theatre.

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The film is based on an 11-page impact statement Chanel Miller wrote, then read during a 2016 trial in which her assailant, Brock Turner, a star swimmer at Stanford University, was convicted but sentenced to just six months in prison.

Attending a party in California with her sister, Miller was assaulted by Turner, who left her lying unconscious behind a dumpster.

My independence, natural joy, gentleness and steady lifestyle I had been enjoying became distorted beyond recognition, Miller wrote in her statement.

I became closed off, angry, self-deprecating, tired, irritable, empty. The isolation at times was unbearable. You cannot give me back the life I had before that night.

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Millers statement inspired James Coney, a Chicago-based film director, to create There Are No Words.

The films unique format has a cast of 25 women taking turns acting out and narrating Millers impact statement.

Abby Specht, the Lapel native who served as sound engineer for the film, was moved by its message.

It really pushed the message that this could be any one of us, Specht said in an article in The Herald Bulletin. It made the film relatable in a way that was new. It really impressed me.

Specht sees the film as a catalyst for social change.

You are not alone. You are powerful, she said to sexual assault survivors. You have a whole support system. Whether you want to share your story or not, dont let this experience make you feel less of yourself.
Oct. 18KIPNUK  Zacharias John stood on a boardwalk railing and saw destruction in every direction at the center of this coastal village in Western Alaska on Friday.

"I don't see Kipnuk anymore," he said. "It's not home."

John, 19, is one of about two dozen people who remained in Kipnuk five days after the remnants of Typhoon Halong upended life here. The harrowing storm brought crushing wind and unheard-of high water, sending houses afloat, flattening and washing away other structures and forcing residents to seek the shelter of the school early last Sunday.

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John recounted a traumatic night to U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who toured the village to assess its impact with officials from the Alaska State Defense Force and the Alaska National Guard on Friday. Gov. Mike Dunleavy also visited Kipnuk on a separate trip hours earlier with Alaska National Guard Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, Alaska Public Safety Commissioner Jim Cockrell and several other officials.

John said he was inside his home with his mom and younger siblings last Sunday when rising water lifted the home from its foundation. They spent hours drifting until the home got stuck on a boardwalk, he said.

"It's a long time, a long time to be afraid," Murkowski replied.

Kipnuk, which had a population of about 700 prior to the storm, is now largely in ruins. Halong left homes, skiffs and debris in disorienting clusters. Some structures disintegrated while others remained improbably intact but relocated and unlivable, listing on the banks of streams and rivers. Sections of boardwalk pitched and twisted. Several four-wheelers remain wedged beneath. A few muddy dogs ran loose, bounding across panels and boards that were strewn like shrapnel.

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A light breeze and an eerie quiet replaced the havoc Friday. Hundreds of displaced people were evacuated to Bethel in the days prior, thanks to an ongoing effort in the region by Alaska National Guard forces. Many were then taken to emergency shelters in Anchorage, nearly 500 miles away.

Murkowski talked with John at length about his experience and lauded him for his dedication to his community. She was joined by Col. Chris Stutz and Col. John James inside the school, where they spoke with staff members and other remaining holdouts. Before they boarded the Alaska Army National Guard CH-47 helicopter to return to Bethel, they collected two dogs to deliver to a rescue organization and two Christmas cactuses Murkowski said she hoped would reach their owner.

The trip revealed a grim picture for Kipnuk's people, she said.

"It's hard to see homes that people lived in less than a week ago, homes with plants and puppies. People who have lived there for generations," she said. "And to now realize that there is no home to return to, that is a really hard reality."

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John said he had the chance to leave but decided to stay for now. He hoped to help repair some wiring and downed utility poles. But supplies of bottled water and food are limited, he said, so he might not be able to stay for long.

"Since winter's coming, I don't know how long we'll be able to last here," he said.

Reporter Chris Aadland contributed from Bethel.

Related stories:

Gov. Dunleavy requests federal disaster declaration after Western Alaska storm

Anchorage coordinates to help more than 1,000 Western Alaska storm evacuees as mayor declares civil emergency

'How we're going to live': Western Alaska residents airlifted to Anchorage face uncertainty

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Here's how to help those affected and displaced by Western Alaska storms

Western Alaska evacuation effort winds down, transitions to damage assessments and repairs

EPA defends canceling coastal erosion grant to hard-hit Kipnuk

Officials for years knew about flood risks in rural Alaska. The recent storm illustrated how little they have to show for it.

At least 15 Yukon-Kuskokwim region villages suffered 'substantial damage' in storm

Volunteers are evacuating pets from a flooded Western Alaska village, 1 plane at a time
BENTON COUNTY, Iowa  A Vinton woman was killed during a three-vehicle crash involving a school bus Friday afternoon in Benton County.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash happened just before 1:45 p.m. along Highway 218 near 61st Street. A Jeep had stopped on Highway 218 waiting to turn when it was rear-ended by a school bus. The Jeep was pushed into the intersection and hit by a SUV.

Two teenagers injured during separate overnight Des Moines shootings

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The driver of the Jeep, 37-year-old Crystal Offerman, sustained fatal injuries during the crash. Offerman was taken to the University of Iowa hospital. Authorities say Offerman was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

The school bus, operated by the Vinton Shellsburg School District, had a driver and six kids onboard. No injuries were reported. The driver of the SUV was also uninjured.

Iowa News:

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has announced his countrys intention to strengthen air connections between Casablanca and Saint Petersburg, with the goal of boosting the tourism sector.

The announcement was made during a meeting held on Thursday, October 16, in Moscow with his Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita.

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations, as well as several regional and international issues.

In this context, the Russian foreign minister announced Russias intention to increase air traffic between the two countries in order to support the tourism sector.

Regular flights have already been launched between Casablanca and Moscow, contributing to the development of tourism. The upcoming launch of routes between Casablanca and Saint Petersburg also aims to support the sectors growth, Lavrov explained.

The establishment of the direct air link between Casablanca and Saint Petersburg was confirmed by Bourita in a statement to Russian news agency TASS.

The new line will enhance tourism between Morocco and Russia, Bourita said, noting that the Kingdom enjoys real popularity among Russian tourists, as evidenced since the launch of weekly flights between Casablanca and Moscow.

The Casablanca-Saint Petersburg route will maintain the steady development of tourism, Moroccos top diplomat said, adding that the new route reflects the ongoing strengthening of ties between Morocco and Russia in aviation and tourism.

Russian travelers represent a growing market for North African destinations, and Moroccan authorities hope the CasablancaSaint Petersburg line will increase tourist flows to major cities, including Casablanca, Marrakech, and Agadir.

Beyond logistics, the project highlights the broader relationship between the two countries. Morocco and Russia have maintained sustained economic, cultural, and diplomatic engagement for several years, with shared interests in energy, agriculture, and tourism. Air transportation, now including this new northern Russian route, has become a key tool in fostering this closer cooperation.

Rabat and Moscow continue to develop concrete initiatives to deepen human and commercial ties. Morocco is expanding its presence in the Russian tourism market, while Russia sees the opportunity to strengthen its overall relationship with the kingdom.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's latest visit to US President Donald Trump has shown how crucial European assistance remains for Ukraine.

Source: n-tv, a German 24-hour news channel, citing Merz, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Merz said he had a lengthy conversation with the Ukrainian president following his talks with Trump.

Quote: "The visit has not gone as Zelenskyy had hoped. I think I can say that here."

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More details: Merz added that this makes Europe's support even more essential, as the war can only end if Ukraine maintains its military strength.

He stated that he would continue working to support Ukraine "financially, politically and, of course, militarily".

Merz stressed that surrender is not an option for Ukraine, warning that if it capitulates, Russia will attack another European country next.

Background:

On 17 October, Zelenskyy travelled to the White House at Trump's invitation, following two consecutive phone calls between them. The meeting was intended to discuss highly sensitive issues.

A member of the Ukrainian delegation said that Zelenskyy arrived with a map highlighting weak points in Russia's defence industry and economy.

Zelenskyy stated that he planned to offer Trump a deal to obtain Tomahawk cruise missiles in exchange for Ukrainian drone technology.

CNN has reported that Trump made it clear during the meeting that he was not currently considering supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles.

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McLENNAN COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44)  Early Voting in McLennan County for the upcoming November 4th Election starts next week  which is a time to make your voice heard.

I spoke with McLennan County Elections Administrator Jared Goldsmith about what you need to know. Watch our interview in the video above.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44.
MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA)  A volunteer with a local community was flown to a hospital after being hit by a delivery truck in Mattoon around noon on Friday.

Firefighters battling mobile home fire near Ludlow

Mattoon Police confirmed with WCIA that a volunteer with the Alpha Upsilon Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha community group was struck by a delivery truck at the intersection of Broadway Avenue and Logan Street. Police said the truck was turning northbound onto Logan from Broadway Avenue when the accident occurred at approximately 11:44 a.m.

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Mattoon Fire Ambulance transported the volunteer to a medical helicopter pad, where they were then flown to Carle Hospital. Police said the patient was alert on scene.

There is no further information at this time.

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A Virginia island called on the help of volunteers to help eradicate several invasive plant species.

A community-led restoration project on Chapel Island provided the tools and training to help remove English ivy, Japanese honeysuckle, and Chinese privet  all of which are non-native plant species. After decades of industrial activity, the old fish hatchery island suffered from soil disturbance and litter.

The efforts are organized by the James River Association, avoiding chemicals to rid the island of invasives whenever possible. The restoration field manager, Joey Shelton, was quoted by The Richmonder as written by Elle Cota, "They just consume entire ecosystems, smothering out or killing a lot of the natives."

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Shelton explained the hope is that hand-pulling and pruning will suffice to allow for natural regeneration  a process allowing native plants already in the dirt to grow and reassert themselves. Funds from environmental grants will be used to plant native trees and shrubs in needed areas.

"With limited staff and funding, community support is essential to sustaining progress," said Cat McGuigan, invasive species management program coordinator for Friends of the James River Park, according to The Richmonder, as written by Cota. "Volunteers play a really big role."

Invasive species are aggressive and fast-spreading. Once they take root, they're practically impossible to get rid of, crowding out native flowers and plants, wreaking havoc on entire ecosystems.

"The population of invasive plants often starts small until they explode," said assistant director of the VCU Rice Rivers Center, Edward Crawford. "People just don't really have an idea of the ecological, environmental, economic and public health issues that these organisms can cause."

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Because invasives are so hard to remove, it can be an arduous, lengthy, and discouraging process.

McGuigan pointed out, "It'll take several years before you're really starting to see a decent dent in some things."

Eradication is not cheap. In fact, as reported by The Richmonder, Crawford estimates the cost of managing invasive species in the U.S. exceeds $137 billion annually.

Native plants thrive in their natural environment with little to no maintenance or human assistance because they've adapted to specific areas over thousands of years. Make sure you're landscaping with plants and flowers native to your zone to boost the health of your yard and the surrounding ecosystem. It's especially important for pollinators, who are the spine of our food supply.

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Rewilding with native plants or transitioning to a natural lawn with clover, vegetables, or xeriscaping are all low-cost, planet-kind ways to modernize your lawn and make life easier on yourself. Even starting with a small portion and growing from there allows homeowners to start reaping the benefits without fully committing.

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.
Sign up for the Surge, the newsletter that covers most important political nonsense of the week, delivered to your inbox every Saturday.

Welcome to this weeks edition of the Surge, Slates politics newsletter that will begin with a lightning round of commentary on news stories we didnt otherwise have big thoughts about: The Gaza ceasefire is good! The Young Republicans group chat is bad. The ongoing government shutdown is definitely a thing that is happening.

What do we have thoughts on? Various old Democrats running against various young Democrats in Senate primaries. The war on Caribbean boats potentially expanding to Venezuela(??). A new prosecution of someone Trump dislikes on cable news. Plus, Republicans free advertisements for the No Kings protests.

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We also have a housekeeping note: The Surge will be going on hiatus after this week, likely through the end of the year. We expect all of Americas problems to be resolved by then.

Speaking of problems

Once again, the Supreme Court suspects that Black people may have too cushy of a deal in the United States of America. The court heard oral arguments this week on Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and whether creating majority-minority districts to prevent the dilution of minorities votes violates the 14th and 15th Amendments. [Deep sigh.] Were VRA-protected districts eliminated, it would gut Black representation in Congress, cost Democrats somewhere in the ballpark of a dozen seats in Congress, and require Democrats to achieve landslide performances to achieve a bare majority in the House.

It sounded during arguments like the court is eager to do thisas evidenced, even before oral arguments, by its decision over the summer to assign itself this broad question. One hallmark of this SCOTUS majority going back to Shelby County in 2013, which gutted other sections of the VRA, is that it doesnt think racism is that big of a problem anymore, and so its time to declare a whole bunch of stuffvoting rights protections, affirmative actionunconstitutional. The likely swing vote is Justice Brett Kavanaugh, whos looking for another banger after having recently permitted law enforcement to ask Hispanic-looking people eating lunch for their papers. During oral arguments, Kavanaugh said that race-based remedies are permissible for a period of time but should not be indefinite and should have an end point. Whens the end point? Does Kavanaugh think things look pretty solid now, racism-wise? Much hinges on this question.

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After months of recruitment efforts from Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, Maines Democratic governor this week entered the Senate race to unseat Sen. Susan Collins. Before she can get to that general election matchup, though, shell have to get through a primary against veteran and oysterman Graham Platner, a political newcomer whos raised a lot of cash and attracted a lot of attention since announcing his run in August. The primary matchup puts a lot of current questions in Democratic politicsold vs. young, insider vs. outsider, populist vs. establishmenton the line. Read more about it here.

For our purposes today, well focus on the glaring imperfections that have already come to light for each primary candidate. For Platner, being an outsider and political novice has its advantages. But it also means hes posted a lot of shit on the internet in the past. CNN dug up some old (and since deleted) Reddit posts of his in which he jokes about how he became a communist the older he got, how cops are bastards, and how white rural America is racist and stupid. Hes got his work cut out for him. Mills, meanwhile, has one specific quote that shes going to have a hard time shaking. Shes in a tough position, Mills said recently of Susan Collins. I appreciate everything she is doing. This isnt the precise tone that incensed Democratic primary voters crave right now. And its already been cut into a pro-Collins ad.

Late in the afternoon on Wednesday, nearly all of the Pentagon press corps packed up their stuff, turned in their press badges, and exited the building as a group. At issue was a lengthy new press credential policy imposed by Defense Department leaders that limited reporters access and raised the prospect of punishment for asking people questions the Pentagon did not want asked. Though the DODs initial draft, which would have required Pentagon authorization for publishing even unclassified information, was softened in negotiations with the press corps, it was still a bridge too far. The most concerning part (Page 10 in this helpful graphic) is the warning against solicitation of information. You might lose your press pass if you ask Gen. McGossip for hot war scoops? Whats going on here?

Credit to news bureaus, including conservative outlets like Fox News, Newsmax, and the Daily Caller, who rejected this, while those few U.S. based outlets that did sign it should be made fun of. How is this remedied? Well, it would help if the broader public showed some revulsion at a rollback of press access and a lack of information about whats going on in the Pentagon, though were not holding our breath. But reporters are not going to stop covering the Pentagon just because theyve lost access to the building. And now theyve got nothing to lose.

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Former Trump National Security Adviser John Bolton was indicted Thursday in Maryland on 18 counts relating to the mishandling of classified information, after FBI agents had raided his home in August. Bolton had become a Trump critic after his service in the first Trump administration. Since he airs these views on cable news constantly, Trump was deeply aware of this.

Nevertheless, this indictment isnt as purely a political spectacle as those of former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James were in recent weeks. Bolton did, in diarylike entries, allegedly write down and transfer a lot of sensitive notes to family members during his time as national security adviser. That caused further problems when his personal email, from which some of those entries were allegedly sent, was hacked by Iran. Unlike the Comey and James indictments, this indictment was investigated by and signed by regular prosecutors, not just a single political hack, and it wasnt preceded by a wave of resignations or forced firings. Would Bolton have been charged had Trump not been president and personally disliked him? Were not so sure. But then again, its good to see the Trump DOJ providing accountability for the lax national security practices of whichever administration was in charge in 201819.

In 2020, Rep. Joe Kennedy III primaried Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey for the U.S. Senate. Kennedy ran on a campaign of calling Markey old and useless without specifically calling him old and useless, and argued that hed bring a fresh air of youth and vigor to the Democratic caucus. It backfired. Kennedy was criticized for not having a message so much as a sense of Kennedy entitlement. Markey was backed by a curious mix of the Massachusetts political establishment, a youth meme army, and progressive activists. It was the first time a Kennedy lost an election in Massachusetts.

Were curious to see if Markey, currently 79 years old and approaching his 50th year in Congress, can pull off this feat again now that Democratic voters are eagerly hunting down old politicians in the streets. Were not ruling it outgiven the opponent he drew this week. Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton, now with a full decade and one failed presidential bid under his belt as an ambitious young Democrat, announced his Senate bid this week, saying all the things youd expect him to say about Markey (old, over-the-hill). But the Massachusetts establishment protects its own, and wed expect them to rally around Markey again. Progressives still like Markey for his climate work, and perhaps more importantly, Moulton has his own problems with progressives. Even with Democrats searing post-2024 trauma against running aged candidates, Markey has a chance to put together the same coalition that kept him in office six years ago.

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Much is going on in the Caribbean, from a war perspective. The administration has continued bombing boats under the suspicion that theyre carrying drugs, a justification that would put nearly every boat in Florida under military threat. But theres much more activity than that. The administration has organized the largest military buildup in the Caribbean since the 1980s as it applies pressure on the Nicolas Maduro regime in Venezuela. Additionally, the New York Times reported this week that Trump had authorized the CIA to conduct covert action in Venezuela, with Trump admitting that the administration was looking at Venezuelan land targets.

Amid all this, the military official who oversees operations the Caribbean announced his retirement this week, effective in December. Adm. Alvin Holsey, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, had only been in the job for a year. While Holsey and Hegseth displayed no tensions in their public announcements of the move, Holsey had raised concerns about the mission and the attacks on the alleged drug boats, per the Times. It appears the administration had another case of a guy asking follow-up questions about the legality of all this. Time for him to leave.

On Saturday, thousands of No Kings protests against the Trump administration will be held across the country as a follow-up to the day of protests in June. The most publicity that weve seen from it has come from Republicans, who have gone into overdrive to portray anti-Trump protesters as an army of orcs.

Speaker Mike Johnson has been describing the protests as the pro-Hamas hate America rally, to be filled up with the antifa people. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer described the protesters as from the terrorist wing of the Democratic Party. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the Democrat Partys main constituency are made up of Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals. (Those remarks from Leavitt prompted quite a response from House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who described Leavitt as sick, out of control, and potentially demented, ignorant, and a stone cold liar.) Well, the Surge would like to wish any of you pro-Hamas, antifa, terrorist, violent, criminal, illegal alien degenerates considering attending a protest against the presidents policies a nice time; remember to pack snacks.
By Jan Wolfe

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Voting Rights Act, a landmark law barring discrimination in voting, was a product of the U.S. civil rights era, sought by Nobel Peace Prize recipient Martin Luther King, passed by Congress and signed by Democratic President Lyndon Johnson in 1965.

Six decades later, it faces its greatest threat, with the U.S. Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, looking poised to hollow out one key section after gutting a different one in 2013.

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The court is expected to rule in the coming months in a case argued on Wednesday concerning a map delineating U.S. House of Representatives districts in Louisiana. The conservative justices signaled they could undercut the law's Section 2, which bars voting maps that would result in diluting the voting power of minorities, even without direct proof of racist intent.

In doing so, the court would not be striking down the Voting Rights Act. But the question is what will be left of the law after the court issues its decision.

"If the court further weakens Section 2, states and localities, including those with long histories of discrimination, could be free to draw maps that systematically silence Black, Latino, Native and Asian American voters," said Sarah Brannon, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Voting Rights Project.

Black people make up about a third of the population in Louisiana, and white people make up a majority. The state has six U.S. House districts. Louisiana's Republican-led legislature added a second Black-majority district in response to a judge's ruling that an earlier map it had approved containing just one Black-majority district likely harmed Black voters in violation of Section 2.

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A group of white voters sued to block the map. They argued that the map was guided too heavily by race in violation of constitutional provisions promising equal protection under the law and that the right to vote cannot be denied on the basis of race. Those provisions were ratified to safeguard the rights of Black Americans following the Civil War of 1861-1865 that ended the practice of slavery in Southern states including Louisiana.

President Donald Trump's administration sided with the white voters. It stopped short of calling for invalidating Section 2. But it proposed a framework for cases involving Section 2 that would clamp down on "excessive consideration of race" and give states more leeway to accomplish "race-neutral principles," such as protecting lawmakers already serving in Congress.

Justice Department lawyer Hashim Mooppan told the justices that "under the Constitution, the problem is not the mere consideration of race in districting. The problem is when race subordinates traditional neutral principles and is the factor that cannot be compromised."

The framework that Mooppan promoted would supplant a test set by the Supreme Court in a 1986 case called Thornburg v. Gingles for determining when an electoral map has sufficiently diminished minority voting power to be deemed unlawful.

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"The reason why Section 2, as it's being construed in Gingles, is a problem is it's saying that you have to create a district for Black Democrats that you would never create for white Democrats in a Republican state," Mooppan said.

The Justice Department's approach would "effectively gut" Section 2, according to George Washington University law professor Spencer Overton.

"If adopted, Section 2 cases would still exist on paper but would be nearly impossible to win," Overton said. "Courts could dismiss claims before trial, giving state legislatures free rein to entrench their power and sideline voters of color."

In a process called redistricting, the boundaries of legislative districts across the United States are reconfigured every decade to reflect population changes as measured by the national census. Redistricting typically is carried out by state legislatures.

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The Trump administration's framework would impose new evidentiary requirements on Black voters who sue over how electoral maps are drawn. Among other things, they would need current statistics showing that a legislature discriminated based on race, rather than party affiliation.

In the United States, where more than 80 percent of Black voters back Democratic candidates, decoupling race and party affiliation in such a way is difficult.

The Justice Department's approach "would make it extremely difficult for Section 2 plaintiffs to win in jurisdictions where you have intense polarization, like you do in the Deep South," said Travis Crum, a law professor at Washington University in St. Louis.

CHANGES TO THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT

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The Voting Rights Act prohibited discriminatory voting practices that were employed by many Southern states such as literacy tests as a prerequisite to voting. It was enacted a year after Congress passed and Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited discrimination on the basis of race and other factors in public accommodations, education and employment.

The Voting Rights Act became more powerful in 1982 when Congress amended Section 2 to create what is called the "results test," making it illegal to use election practices or procedures that had a discriminatory effect, regardless of their intent.

But the Supreme Court in the 1990s began raising constitutional concerns about how the Voting Rights Act was being applied. For instance, in a 1995 case out of Georgia it said it would impose its "most rigorous and exacting standard of constitutional review" whenever race is "the predominant, overriding factor explaining" how an electoral map was drawn.

This also is a much different United States now than in 1965, and the Supreme Court has moved U.S. law dramatically rightward.

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The court in a 2013 case involving Alabama's Shelby County gutted the Voting Rights Act's requirement that states and locales with a history of racial discrimination receive federal approval to change voting laws. In another major race-related ruling, the court in 2023 rejected race-conscious admissions policies long used by U.S. colleges and universities to increase the enrollment of Black, Hispanic and other minority students.

And Trump has made it a top priority to crack down on diversity, equity and inclusion programs nationwide.

JUSTICE KAVANAUGH'S POSITION

The most sweeping ruling that the Supreme Court could issue in the Louisiana case would be to strike down Section 2. That was the approach advocated by Benjamin Aguinaga, Louisiana's Republican solicitor general. Aguinaga said that the state has "taken the position that Section 2, insofar as it requires race-based redistricting, is unconstitutional."

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Conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a Trump appointee who may be a key vote in the case, seemed to favor the administration's approach.

"I would have thought that solves a lot of the concerns that you've identified," Kavanaugh told Aguinaga, referring to the Justice Department proposal.

Some Republicans have said the court, if it does clamp down on Section 2 litigation challenging electoral maps on racial grounds, would be embracing the sort of colorblindness that they believe the Constitution demands.

The way the courts have interpreted Section 2 "has almost created affirmative action for politicians," said Mark Meuser, an attorney at Dhillon Law Group, which represents Republican political candidates.

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If the Supreme Court rules as many expect in curbing Section 2, "it will greatly reduce the number of lawsuits that have to happen," Meuser said. "And it will increase the burden of proof on those challenging maps."

Republicans, who currently hold a narrow majority in the House, stand to benefit from such an outcome, perhaps as soon as next year's congressional elections. Two voting rights groups, Fair Fight Action and Black Voters Matter Fund, concluded that eliminating Section 2 would let Republicans redraw up to 19 districts nationwide in the 435-seat House to favor their party.

The ACLU's Brannon said it is hard to predict how the court will rule and noted that the justices in 2023 upheld a judicial panel's finding that Alabama's Republican-drawn electoral map had diluted the voting power of Black voters in violation of Section 2.

"But we will continue to fight for fair maps with whatever tools we have," Brannon said.

(Reporting by Jan Wolfe)
WAKARUSA  The NorthWood High School Trap Team is hosting a breakfast fundraiser on Saturday at the Nappanee Conservation Club, 13960 N. Gravelton Road. The cost of the meal is by donation, and will feature all you can eat pancakes, sausage, hot coffee and orange juice. For more information, contact Dan Hummel at 574-333-1510 or Kenny Yoder at 574-354-0257.

OTHER NEWS

 Excitement is building for the unveiling of one of Wakarusas newest businesses, and on Oct. 25, guests are welcome to attend the soft opening. Rally at The Roost will take place at The Roost, located at the northwest corner of Waterford Street and Ind. 19. This event will be held from noon until 4 p.m., and will feature at all-you-can-eat hog roast, several specialties from their upcoming menu, music and cornhole, and a chance to purchase pre-sales discount cards. Come and meet the women who created The Roost and hear their story about living and eating organically. They are looking forward to sharing their wisdom and their culinary skills with the Wakarusa community and beyond.

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 This year is a milestone one for the Yellow Creek Mennonite Churchs annual fall carnival, now celebrating its 20th anniversary. This family friendly event is scheduled for Oct. 25, beginning at 4 p.m. and ending at 7 p.m. The church is located at 64901 C.R. 11, and the carnival is open to people of all ages and free of charge. Bring the family along for an evening of games, food, and festivities.

 This weeks featured Dial-a-Story, presented by the Wakarusa Public Library, is Snow White. To hear this classic fairy tale read aloud, call 574-444-2772.

 Leaf pickup services have now begun in the town limits of Wakarusa, and will continue until Dec. 2. East/west streets will be collected on Mondays and Wednesdays, while north/south streets will be picked up on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There will be no collection on Fridays. No grass clippings, limbs, rocks or sod should be in the leaf piles, and residents are asked to arrange the piles lawn side, adjacent to the curb, and not into the streets.

 A reminder to all residents within the Wakarusa town limits  trash pickup is now taking place on Mondays, and not on Fridays.

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 The changing leaves of fall foliage will make a lovely backdrop for the latest StoryWalk in Memorial Park, a project of the Wakarusa Public Library. This attraction allows guests to enjoy a tale while strolling through the walking paths within the park. The featured story is Hello, Autumn, by Shelley Rotner. The Memorial Park is located behind Wakarusa Elementary School.

 Enrollment is now open for Elkhart County 4-H, and signing up can be done online by visiting https://v2.4honline.com.

 Docs Pavilion will be the setting for a special Halloween movie night on Oct. 31. The featured film will be Hocus Pocus, free of charge, and the doors will open at 7 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Vibrant Communities initiative, the Wakarusa Dime Store, and J & N Stone.

 Make plans now to spend time in Wakarusa on Nov. 1 for a townwide celebration. The fun begins at 1 p.m. with the Fall Festival, where there will be farmers market booths, warm apple cider, boiled peanuts, and popcorn. Next will be the Pet Costume Contest at 2:30 p.m., followed by the Childrens Costume Contest at 3:30 p.m. Community trick-or-treating is scheduled for 5-7 p.m., and The Waters of Wakarusa will also be welcoming children from 5-6 p.m. at 300 N. Washington St. Next is the Haunted Museum and Haunted Hayride at the Wakarusa Historical Museum, where the fun begins at 7 p.m. and continues until 9 p.m. at 403 E. Wabash Avenue.

 The NorthWood High School Class of 1976 is making plans to celebrate their 50th class reunion in 2026. Addresses are still needed for the following classmates: Cheryl Frederick, John Grosse, Charles Henderson, Wanda Herrel, Penny Huffman, Harold Miller, John Wayne Miller, George Poitras, John Smith, Mike Stevenson, and Deb Sturdevant. If anyone has information on how to locate these classmates, contact Sherry L. Yoder on Facebook.
For some, the ceasefire marks the beginning of repair. For others, it represents the confirmation of victory.

The echoing hallways of the Israeli parliament are unusually quiet these days. Within hours, the silence will end. Lawmakers will return to the plenum, speeches will rise, tempers will flare, and the Knessets winter session will beginthe first since the implementation of the 20-point Trump plan that formally ended the Gaza war.

For some, this moment marks the beginning of repair. For others, it represents the confirmation of victory. What unites both sides, however, is the understanding that the coming months will test not only the governments stability but also the nations ability to transform military triumph into political renewal.

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The war is over. That is a stage in repairing Israeli society, opposition parliamentarian Naor Shiri of Yesh Atid told The Media Line. The government brought upon Israel the most horrific massacre in Jewish history since the Holocaust, he said. We need a state commission of inquiry and, after that, the dissolution of the Knesset. Only then can we rebuild trust between the public and its leaders.

That same call for accountability was echoed by Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, who told The Media Line that the oppositions mission in the new session would be two-fold. The opposition will be focused on two tasks in the coming Knesset session: bringing an end to this government and ensuring they do not do any more damage before the elections, Lapid said. Just like in the last Knesset session, we will do everything we can to prevent any attempts to pass laws undermining the judiciary. While the ceasefire is in place, the work is not yet done. All the bodies still being held in Gaza must be returned. The government cannot simply ignore that issue and go back to fomenting division in society.

Itamar Ben-Gvir gathers with politicians in the Knesset ahead of Trump's address (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)

Ceasefire sparks division in Israeli Knesset

Across the political aisle, the tone could not be more different. Likud lawmaker Moshe Saada described the current atmosphere as one of profound national pride. It was a historic event, he said, referring to President Donald Trumps recent speech to the Knesset. It felt like the second Balfour Declaration. My hands hurt from clapping, my eyes filled with tears. It was the kind of moment that comes once in a lifetime.

Speaking with The Media Line, Saada said the Trump plan gave full legitimacy to the State of Israel, calling it the proof that peace is achieved through strength, with the right moral and military determination.

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According to Saada, the coalitions priorities for the session are clear: to consolidate peace, rebuild the economy after two years of conflict, and prepare for national elections expected later next year. Israel left behind two years of war. There are families still rebuilding, soldiers still serving. But I see a strong, prosperous Israelmilitarily, diplomatically, economicallyand yes, moving toward peace, he said.

In contrast to the celebratory tone, Israeli parliamentarian Sharon Nir of the right-wing secular party Israel Beiteinu, who previously served in the defense establishment, told The Media Line that Israels security policy must dictate operational conduct in Gaza and give real substance to the framework outlined by President Trump. She warned that Israel must enforce the agreement uncompromisingly and respond to every violation by Hamas with clear sanctions and pressure mechanisms. Nir added that it was time to establish an Israeli-American enforcement body, similar to the one that monitors Hezbollah in Lebanon, and to guarantee full operational freedom for the IDF [Israel Defense Forces].

Inside the Knesset, optimism and suspicion mix in equal measure. Coalition members praise Netanyahus leadership and the Trump administrations bold diplomacy, while the opposition insists that victory abroad cannot erase failure at home. We are still counting the kidnapped and the fallen, Shiri said. Nineteen hostages are still unaccounted for, and the woundsmoral and socialare far from healed.

Lapid, for his part, situates the coming months within a broader democratic struggle. The number one priority for the country remains the implementation of the deal, he told The Media Line. After that, we need a new government with a positive vision for the future, a government that will not try to undermine our democratic system. His words, measured but firm, reveal the oppositions intent to define this period not only by what was won militarily but by what must now be rebuilt institutionally.

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As regional alliances take shape under the Trump plan, Nir said these partnerships represent both an opportunity and a test. It is time for the Arab states to take responsibility for Gaza and for Israel to disconnect from the Strip, she told The Media Line. The Trump framework created a real opportunity to build a regional mechanism, led by the United States, that ensures Egyptian and Arab control over Gaza and works toward disarmament and the dismantling of Hamas. She emphasized that the Knesset must ensure that the government advances these principles while strictly safeguarding Israels security interests.

For many lawmakers, the new session is not only about legislation but also about narrative: who gets to define what Israel has become after the war. The coalition frames it as a period of recovery and expansion, a time to stabilize the country and entrench its new regional standing. The opposition calls it a time for accountability and democratic restoration.

The governments only interest is survival, Shiri told The Media Line. It is not about the Israeli people, not about rebuilding the country. It is about clinging to power at any cost.

Saada, by contrast, insists that even critics understand the magnitude of what has been achieved. You saw it in the plenum, he said. Almost everyone stood and applaudedfirst for President Trump, then for the prime minister. Even the opposition leaders speech was statesmanlike, and I respect that. For once, we were united as Israelis.

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The Likud lawmaker believes this unity will carry into the parliamentary process. Some of the peace agreements will come before the Knesset for approval, and they will pass by an overwhelming majority, he said. There is broad consensus on the main goals: bringing back all hostages and fallen soldiers, dismantling Hamas completely, and reaching sustainable peace.

From her position on defense matters, Nir views the challenge differently. The implementation of the Trump framework will require the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee to focus not only on monitoring the agreement itself but also on ensuring that every violation by Hamas or other organizations is met with an immediate response, she said. Israel must set clear red lines and guarantee effective enforcement of Gazas demilitarization. The country must act from a long-term strategic vision that prevents the next massacrenever again means now.

Beneath the rhetoric of strength and repair lies a hint of tension. The coalition knows that early elections could upend its agenda, while the opposition sees in the coming months a chance to regain momentum. Both camps are aware that Israeli societyscarred, polarized and wearyis still processing what two years of war have done to its identity.

People talk about unity, Shiri said, but real unity can only come when there is justice. Until then, we remain in the process, not the result, of healing.

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Saada, for his part, sees no contradiction between force and reconciliation. When Israel was weak, no one wanted peace with us, he said. Today, even our enemies understand that Israels strength is what guarantees peace. That is the true legacy of Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump.

The returning session will test these competing visions. Bills related to veterans benefits, judicial oversight, and the integration of reservists into civilian life are expected to dominate early debates. Economic reconstruction, particularly in the countrys southern regions, will also be a focal point as lawmakers seek to translate wartime solidarity into long-term stability.

Across Jerusalem, anticipation is building quietly. The coming weeks will reveal whether the return to political routine can also mark a return to collective purpose. The war is overat least on paper. What remains uncertain is whether Israels leaders can now turn survival into renewal.
A confidential parliamentary report has exposed what lawmakers describe as a costly imbalance in Franco-Algerian relations, estimating that France spends 2 billion annually due to the 1968 migration accord, while Algeria continues to obstruct deportations and shirk financial obligations.

The agreement, signed six years after Algerias independence, was intended to facilitate labor migration during Frances economic boom. Today, critics argue it has morphed into a privilege system for Algerian nationals, granting rights far beyond those enjoyed by other foreigners.

The report, which circulated in French media, brands the treaty anachronistic and accuses Algiers of exploiting its benefits while refusing to honor reciprocal commitments.

France is paying the price of its own blindness, the authors state, noting Algerias persistent refusal to issue travel documents for nationals under expulsion orders (OQTF). This non-cooperation has rendered deportation procedures ineffective, despite repeated French concessions.

The 2 billion figure reflects social benefits, housing subsidies, and administrative costs linked to Algerian immigration. Key findings include: Immediate welfare access, social housing and a surge in family reunification cases. Algerians account for 24% of all family reunification requests, despite representing just 10.5% of the immigrant population. Rules remain lax: only minimum wage is required, compared to 1,900 for others.

Hospitals report millions in unpaid bills for Algerian patients treated outside bilateral frameworks, while France owes Algeria 430 million for cross-border medical services-debts Algeria has largely ignored.

Originally designed to supply labor, the accord now fuels family-based immigration. In 2024, 54.6% of Algerian residence permits were family-related, versus just 9.4% for employment, according to the report.

Integration remains poor: 38.9% of Algerians over 15 are neither employed nor in education, rising to 51.3% among women. Joblessness among second-generation Algerians far exceeds the national average.

Meanwhile, Algiers has shown little willingness to cooperate. Analysts say the Algerian regime leverages migration as a political tool, resisting reforms that would curb its citizens privileged status in France.
UPDATE: The Silver Alert for Leona Arthur was canceled on October 18. The original story follows below:

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  A Silver Alert has been issued for a missing Warrick County woman.

The Warrick County Sheriffs Office says it is investigating the disappearance of 82-year-old Leona Arthur. She is a white female that is 5 feet 1 inches tall. Officials say she has grey hair with green eyes, last seen wearing a black shirt with red and yellow lines and black pants, and driving a light blue 2007 Honda Accord with Indiana registration C361BQ.

Officials say Arthur is missing from Tennyson, Indiana and was last seen on October 17 at 2 p.m. Officials say she is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance.

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If you have any information on Leona Arthur, contact the Warrick County Sheriffs Office at 812-897-1200 or 911.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
Pennsylvania American Water hosted a tour Friday of the Scranton Wastewater Treatment Plant for local officials, environmental partners, community stakeholders and members of the media. The plant at 2500 Sanitary Drive in Scranton is undergoing upgrades totaling over $40 million to improve treatment processes, including construction of a new operations center completed in May. PAW in late 2016 bought the sewer system serving Scranton and Dunmore that formerly was operated by the Scranton Sewer Authority. The water company inherited an agreement called a consent decree between the SSA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandating a reduction in the sewer systems combined sewer overflow pollution of the Lackawanna River that occurs in times of heavy rain. That work, estimated to cost $140 million through 2037, has been occurring under a long-term control plan that the SSA started before PAW ownership. The SSA completed about 10 long-term control plan upgrades before the sale, and PAW has since completed another 31, for a total completed so far of 41. These projects prevent 118 million gallons of overflow annually. The LTCP has another 31 projects to go, for a total of 72. During the tour, employees explained the treatment process at the plant that discharges about 10 million gallons of treated effluent into the river daily. State Rep. Kyle Donahue, D-113, Scranton and state Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-114, Waverly Twp., got their first looks at the plant and its operations on the tour. Donahue said the treatment system is an interesting process. Kosierowski said, Im wildly impressed. The investment theyve made in this campus is remarkable, and sadly very much necessary, but clearly for the community its a huge asset that we have here. The company also will host a public tour of the plant on Oct. 25 that is all booked up, PAW spokeswoman Susan Turcmanovich said.

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Pennsylvania American Water hosted a tour Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 of the Scranton Wastewater Treatment Plant for local officials, environmental partners, community stakeholders and members of the media. Photo shows the companys new operations center building completed in May at 2500 Sanitary Drive in Scranton. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Pennsylvania American Water hosted a tour Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 of the Scranton Wastewater Treatment Plant for local officials, environmental partners, community stakeholders and members of the media. Photo shows the companys new operations center building completed in May at 2500 Sanitary Drive in Scranton. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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State Rep. Kyle Donahue, D-113, Scranton, at left, and state Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-114, Waverly Twp., got their first looks Pennsylvania American Waters Scranton Wastewater Treatment Plant during a tour on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Matthew White, at left, operations manager of Pennsylvania American Waters Scranton Wastewater Treatment Plant, speaks during a tour of the facility on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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State Rep. Kyle Donahue, D-113, Scranton, at left, and state Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, D-114, Waverly Twp., listen as Matthew White, operations manager of Pennsylvania American Waters Scranton Wastewater Treatment Plant, speaks during a tour of the facility on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Steve Ward of Scranton Tomorrow on a tour of Pennsylvania American Waters Scranton Wastewater Treatment Plant on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Matthew White, operations manager of Pennsylvania American Waters Scranton Wastewater Treatment Plant, speaks during a tour of the facility on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Matthew White, in background at right, the operations manager of Pennsylvania American Waters Scranton Wastewater Treatment Plant, speaks during a tour of the facility on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Pennsylvania American Water hosted a tour Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 of the Scranton Wastewater Treatment Plant for local officials, environmental partners, community stakeholders and members of the media. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Pennsylvania American Water hosted a tour Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 of the Scranton Wastewater Treatment Plant for local officials, environmental partners, community stakeholders and members of the media. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Pennsylvania American Water hosted a tour Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 of the Scranton Wastewater Treatment Plant for local officials, environmental partners, community stakeholders and members of the media. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Matthew White, operations manager of Pennsylvania American Waters Scranton Wastewater Treatment Plant, displays a container of treated effluent during a tour of the facility on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. The treated effluent is the result of the wastewater treatment process that purifies wastewater for release into the Lackawanna River. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Matthew White, operations manager of Pennsylvania American Waters Scranton Wastewater Treatment Plant, displays a container of treated effluent during a tour of the facility on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. The treated effluent is the result of the wastewater treatment process that purifies wastewater for release into the Lackawanna River. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Pennsylvania American Water hosted a tour Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 of the Scranton Wastewater Treatment Plant for local officials, environmental partners, community stakeholders and members of the media. Photo shows the outflow where about 10 millions gallons a day of treated effluent is released into the Lackawanna River. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Information on display during a Pennsylvania American Water tour Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 of the Scranton Wastewater Treatment Plant held for local officials, environmental partners, community stakeholders and members of the media. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Information on display during a Pennsylvania American Water tour Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 of the Scranton Wastewater Treatment Plant held for local officials, environmental partners, community stakeholders and members of the media. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Information on display during a Pennsylvania American Water tour Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 of the Scranton Wastewater Treatment Plant held for local officials, environmental partners, community stakeholders and members of the media. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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Pennsylvania American Water hosted a tour Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 of the Scranton Wastewater Treatment Plant for local officials, environmental partners, community stakeholders and members of the media. Photo shows the companys new operations center building completed in May at 2500 Sanitary Drive in Scranton. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

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CHICAGO (WGN)  Thousands of demonstrators across the country took to the streets Saturday for No Kings Day, a nationwide series of protests against the Trump administration.

In Chicago, protesters began to pack into Butler Field at Grant Park at around noon. At 2 p.m., demonstrators were led on a march throughout the city. The large crowd was escorted by Chicago police.

It may have been Chicagos largest demonstration in recent history, with an estimated crowd of more than 100,000 protesters. City officials estimated 15,000 people were at the first No Kings protest in Chicago on June 14, though organizers disputed that claim and said the turnout was much higher.

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Numbers matter, protester Ava Cahill said Saturday. When its a bigger crowd, it makes more of an impact.

The demonstrations were a rallying cry against the Trump administrations actions, including mass deportations and deploying federal troops into U.S. cities.

Chicago protest organizers said the purpose behind No Kings Day is to oppose what they call illegal and unnecessary attacks against their neighbors. Since Operation Midway Blitz began in early September in the Chicago area, federal agents have detained more than 1,500 people.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents have clashed with protesters in the Chicago area, sometimes deploying tear gas and pepper balls.

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Ive seen children terrified that their parents are not going to be there when they get home after school, Ben Gustafson, protesting Saturday at No Kings Day, said. Theyre terrified that their family members are going to be dragged away, and they could not know how they could ever see them again.

It frightens me to my core. It breaks my heart.

RELATED: Protesters take over Times Square for No Kings march

Some Republicans called Saturdays rallies anti-American and Hate America rallies.

Elected officials who also oppose the Trump administrations plans, however, addressed the large crowd gathered in Grant Park.

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We do not want troops in our city, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said. We will not allow our city to be occupied.

People are here today standing up for our Constitutional rights and our economic freedom, and that is what resistance looks like, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said.

Last week, Pritzker said he supports Illinoisians exercising their First Amendment rights against the Trump administration and ICE.

Peaceful protest is a good thing, Pritzker said. Its something we protect in the Constitution.

For now, a court order is blocking the deployment of the National Guard to Illinois, which the White House argues is needed to protect federal agents. A federal judge has ordered the head of ICEs Chicago field office to testify Monday about the use of force on demonstrators.

Other protests Saturday

More than 2,000 No Kings Day events happened Saturday nationwide and around the globe.

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In addition to the big protest in downtown Chicago, protests were also held in other locations in the city and the suburbs, including in Elgin, Rosemont, Elmhurst, Palatine, Naperville and more.

In Oak Park, people filled the sidewalk along Lake Street near Scoville Park. In Elgin, people lined the street with signs encouraging drivers to honk in support.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

And in the Logan Square neighborhood on Chicagos Northwest Side, people used chalk to share messages in a protest sponsored by Indivisible Chicago Northwest. That event gave people who may have wanted to avoid the large crowds downtown somewhere to protest.

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A lot of people are looking for something but might not necessarily be comfortable with being at a very large, many thousands of people event, Jessica George of Indivisible Chicago Northwest said. So this is a great way to also be out in the neighborhoods.

Allison Ensomo, a mother of two, said it was important to be an example for her family.

We have to live and stand by our values, she said.

A White House spokesperson, meanwhile, responded to No Kings Day by saying, Who cares?

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  Vice President JD Vance, the first Marine to ever hold the office, returned to his roots this Saturday, attending a major event at Camp Pendleton as part of the U.S. Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebration.

Titled Americas Marines 250: From Sea to Shore  A Review of Amphibious Strength, the event brought together more than 15,000 Marines, Sailors, veterans, and their families in a full-scale tribute to the Corps legacy.

Where and how long will the I-5 be shut down near Camp Pendleton?

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Vice President Vance, a former combat correspondent with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing who deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, delivered remarks during the event, which also featured a live Amphibious Assault Demonstration and ceremonial review of the Marine Corps amphibious capabilities.

Joining Vance on stage was Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan, and Marine Corps Commandant General Eric M. Smith.

Vice President JD Vance, second left, and second lady Usha Vance, right, participate in a briefing during an amphibious capabilities demonstration on Red Beach at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, as part of the Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebrations. (Oliver Contreras/Pool Photo via AP) Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance watch a demonstration by Marines during activities to mark the upcoming Marine Corps 250th anniversary on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif., Saturday, Oct 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) Vice President JD Vance, center left, and second lady Usha Vance, center right, watch a demonstration by Marines during activities to mark the upcoming Marine Corps 250th anniversary Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) Vice President JD Vance, from third left, and second lady Usha Vance watch a demonstration by Marines during activities to mark the upcoming Marine Corps 250th anniversary Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) Vice President JD Vance, from top right, and second lady Usha Vance watch a demonstration by Marines during activities to mark the upcoming Marine Corps 250th anniversary Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) Vice President JD Vance, second left, and second lady Usha Vance, right, participate in a briefing during an amphibious capabilities demonstration on Red Beach at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, as part of the Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebrations. (Oliver Contreras/Pool Photo via AP) Vice President JD Vance, right, and second lady Usha Vance, second left, watch a demonstration by Marines during activities to mark the upcoming Marine Corps 250th anniversary Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) U.S. Vice President JD Vance carries his daughter as he and his son Ewan step off of Air Force Two upon arrival at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Oliver Contreras/Pool Photo via AP) U.S. Vice President JD Vance, second right in front, second lady Usha Vance, left, and their three children are greeted upon arrival at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Oliver Contreras/Pool Photo via AP) Vice President JD Vance, standing second left, and second lady Usha Vance, right, participate in a briefing during an amphibious capabilities demonstration on Red Beach at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, as part of the Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebrations. (Oliver Contreras/Pool Photo via AP) Marines perform a demonstration as Vice President JD Vance, not pictured, watches to mark the upcoming Marine Corps 250th anniversary Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) Marines perform a demonstration as Vice President JD Vance, not pictured, watches to mark the upcoming Marine Corps 250th anniversary Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) Vice President JD Vance, second left, and second lady Usha Vance, right, participate in a briefing during an amphibious capabilities demonstration on Red Beach at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, as part of the Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebrations. (Oliver Contreras/Pool Photo via AP) Vice President JD Vance, from right, and second lady Usha Vance participate in a briefing during an amphibious capabilities demonstration on Red Beach at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, as part of the Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebrations. (Oliver Contreras/Pool Photo via AP) Marines perform in a demonstration with hovercraft and the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer as Vice President JD Vance, not pictured, watches during activities to mark the upcoming Marine Corps 250th anniversary Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) Vice President JD Vance, left, and second lady Usha Vance, right, participate in a briefing during an amphibious capabilities demonstration on Red Beach at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, as part of the Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebrations. (Oliver Contreras/Pool Photo via AP) Vice President JD Vance, center right, greets Marines during a demonstration to mark the upcoming Marine Corps 250th anniversary Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) Vice President JD Vance, from right, and second lady Usha Vance greet Marines during a demonstration to mark the upcoming Marine Corps 250th anniversary Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) Marines perform a demonstration as Vice President JD Vance, not pictured, watches during activities to mark the upcoming Marine Corps 250th anniversary Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) Marines perform a demonstration as Vice President JD Vance, not pictured, watches to mark the upcoming Marine Corps 250th anniversary Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Camp Pendleton, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

The event is part of the yearlong Marines250 campaign, honoring 250 years of service and sacrifice since the Corps founding in 1775. Saturdays celebration aims to highlight the unity and warrior spirit that have defined the Marine Corps across generations.

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A new development has been added to the story of former University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore. He has been fired and even arrested following allegations of having an The post Sherrone Moores Wife and Alleged Mistress Were Following Each Other on Instagram Amid Rumored Affair appeared first on Where Is The Buzz | Breaking News, Entertainment, Exclusive Interviews & More.
A state constitutional amendment regarding future water supply for the State of Texas is on the Nov. 4 ballot.

If approved it would begin in 2027 and dedicate up to $1 billion of sales and use tax revenue to the Texas Water Fund. The dedication would last for 20 years, Alan Leonard, director of policy at the Texas Water Foundation, said in a phone interview.

Early voting is Oct. 20-31.

Leonard said this is a similar mechanism to one voters approved for highways with Proposition 7 in 2015.

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Proposition 4 dedicates existing revenue that the state collects from current sales and use tax at the current rate, so its not an increase in the rate or a new fee, Leonard said.

(Its) just re-purposing revenue thats currently being collected for water infrastructure projects, he added.

The dedication would start once sales tax collections reach $46.5 billion. The idea is that the tax is levied when you purchase items, goods and services. The state sales tax is 6.25 percent, but the total rate can be up to 2 percent for a maximum of 8.25 percent.

Once it hits $46.5 billion, the next billion dollars of sales tax revenue would be transferred to the Texas Water Fund for use for water infrastructure projects, Leonard said.

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If the sales tax collections did not reach that level, then there would be no transfer to the Texas Water Fund for that fiscal year , he added.

The funding would be used for things like finding new water sources, desalination, and water reuse.

The way the joint resolution works along with legislation that was also passed this this session, which is in Senate Bill 7. Senate Bill 7 requires at least half of the funds that would be dedicated to the Texas Water Fund by this amendment to go

between two funds.  One is called the SWIFT, which is the State Water Implementation Fund, which the voters created in 2013

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to support projects that are in the states water plan.  The other fund is whats called the New Water Supply Fund for Texas, which was created by statute in 2023, Leonard said.

Senate Bill 7 added to the types of projects that are eligible for New Water Supply for Texas funding.  If we were having this conversation two years ago, that fund would have been for projects like aquifer storage and recovery, produced water, as well as desalination projects. The law has now brought in the types of projects that are eligible for funding under that to include water and wastewater reuse projects, as well as reservoirs, if they are basically shovel ready, if they have their land acquired, if they have all of their permitting, and theyre basically ready to ready to begin construction, he added.

The legislature also added the Flood Infrastructure Fund as a fund that could receive money from these constitutionally dedicated revenues.

Therejs a menu of programs and water needs that can be supported by this.  By design, the water sector faces a number of challenges, not only with making sure we have enough water supplies for the rapidly growing population and economy that we have in Texas, but also to make sure that we are fixing and maintaining our aging water infrastructure, which has been under strain for for quite a period of time, Leonard said.

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He added that there is a lot of interest in making sure there are more funds available to fix the existing infrastructure.

That is an a component that can be addressed by this funding, Leonard said.

The proposition was authored by Rep. Cody Harris, R-Palestine, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee. State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, filed Senate Bill 7, Leonard said.

They sponsored each others bills as they were working their way through the opposite chamber, he added..

This is something that Senator Perry has been working on for some time, and the Texas Water Fund, which is the umbrella fund that these constitutionally dedicated tax revenues would go into, was created by SJR 75, which passed last session and was approved by voters in Proposition 6. Chairman Perry was the author of SJR 75, Leonard said.

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He said some polling has been conducted in the state over the summer and again around Labor Day.

The general conclusions that came out of that polling are that Texans recognize the importance of water in their everyday lives and the need for more water infrastructure funding. There was some confusion about the  actual ballot language. Its not entirely clear if you read it, what  it actually means. But once those who were surveyed were told what it what the effect of it was, there was popular support for it generally, Leonard said.

According to the Texas 2036 website, when informed what the ballot language means, an overwhelming majority support Proposition 4:

>> 76% support Prop 4 when they learn it will fund $1 billion per year of water projects for the next 20 years without any tax increase, since revenue will come from the existing state sales tax.

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>> 84% support the measure when informed that the state loses about 88 billion gallons of water each year through leaks, and Prop 4 will help repair and replace aging water pipes.

>> 75% support when informed that Prop 4 will ensure a more reliable supply of water so communities can sustain themselves and people dont have to move due to shortages.

>> 69% support when they learn that Prop 4 will dedicate $1 billion annually for 20 years to supply and infrastructure projects.

After learning the items noted above, 73% of likely constitutional amendment voters say they would vote for Prop 4.

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Leonard said there are entities that are opposed to it for various reasons.

They tend to be either having  philosophical disagreements with dedicating funding via a constitutional amendment. Theres also concern about specific in specific areas, in regards to specific projects, where theres where theres opposition as well. Im not going to say it doesnt exist, but the polling suggests that that, generally speaking, this is something that Texans have signaled that they would support, he added.

Leonard said the Texas Water Foundation was founded by Sen. Buster Brown, who authored Senate Bill 1 in 1997, which created Texas current regional based water planning process.

Trying to enhance state funding for water infrastructure is something that has been a bipartisan policy goal for for several decades now.  What I would say is that this is something that has been debated and discussed, and that various attempts have been made to try and provide more state support for various water infrastructure needs. What happened this session was that  the Governor, the Speaker (of the House Dustin Burrows) and the lieutenant governor (were) all in agreement that water infrastructure funding needed to be a priority. This is something that has been worked on for quite a bit of time. The needs have grown over time as well as the state has grown, Leonard said.

The post Water needs up for vote in November appeared first on Odessa American.
The Pakistani captain of a fishing ship smuggling arms to Houthi rebels has been imprisoned for 40 years over the deaths of two US Navy Seals.

Muhammad Pahlawan was sailing a dhow loaded with Iranian-made ballistic missile parts off Somalias coast on Jan 11 last year when it was intercepted by US special forces.

Chief Special Warfare Operator Christopher Chambers, 37, slipped and fell into the water as he tried to board the ship, named the Yunus.

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His comrade, Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Nathan Gage Ingram, 27, jumped in to rescue him.

The Yunus was loaded with Iranian-made ballistic missile parts when it was intercepted by US special forces - U.S. Central Command

Both soldiers were so laden with equipment that they quickly drowned, according to the findings of an internal investigation which said the deaths were preventable. Their bodies were never recovered.

Onboard, the Seal team and US Coast Guard members discovered a cache of sophisticated weaponry that included ballistic missile components, anti-ship cruise missile components and a warhead.

US prosecutors said the weapons were consistent with those used by Houthi rebels to carry out missile and drone attacks on Israel.

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Pahlawan was working with two Iranian brothers, Shahab Mirkazei, and Yunus Mirkazei, who were affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to prosecutors.

Both Shahab and Yunus have been charged by the American authorities, but are still at large and believed to be in Iran.

Pahlawan, who had been paid approximately 25,000 to smuggle the weapons, had recruited the 13 crew members from Pakistan and had previously carried out two successful arms runs, the first in October 2023 and the second two months later.

Testimonies from eight of the crew members during the trial in Virginia revealed how Pahlawan had ordered them to lie and say that the captain had already fled.

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He also instructed his crew to burn the boat.

Missiles parts seized during the raid. The Houthis have used similar weapons to attack shiopping off the coast of Yemen

Aslam Hyder, a crew member, told the court: He started to threaten us ... It was about the family and the children, that they will not know about you and you wont know what happened to them.

Then we got very scared and we became quiet.

Pahlawan in text messages sent to his wife before the voyage described himself as a walking dead person.

Just pray that [we] come back safely, said the message, which was used as evidence during sentencing in court.

Keep me in your prayers. May God take me there safely and bring me back safely, alright. Pray, he told her.

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Prosecutors described Pahlawan as a seasoned smuggler who was fully aware of what he was transporting and its intended purpose.

The American forces detained the 14 people from the boat and transported them onto the expeditionary sea base ship USS Lewis B. Puller.

Pahlawan was sentenced on Thursday, having been previously convicted in June on five counts  including terrorism offences and transporting weapons of mass destruction.

Court documents, first cited by the BBC , show the sentences for two of the five counts will run concurrently for 20 years.

The other three counts, another 20 years, will run consecutive to that.

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Workers at a leather tannery in South St. Paul will return to work on Monday, saying they have reached an agreement after a weeklong strike.

About 65 union workers at Twin City Tanning went on strike, alleging that the company was unwilling to negotiate in good faith at the bargaining table.

They have now secured a contract with pay increases above the industry standard, attendance bonuses, and a ratification bonus, according to a Saturday news release.

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The union workers are represented by the Chicago & Midwest Regional Joint Board, Workers United Local 150.

The workers biggest demand revolved around pay, which they say doesnt line up with the dangerous nature of their work.

Founded in 1988, Twin City Tanning is an affiliate of the nearby Twin City Hide and is listed as a certified supplier by the Leather Working Group, a global nonprofit that encourages sustainable leather production. Officials from Twin City Tanning declined to comment.

At a tannery, the raw animal hide goes through a series of chemical and mechanical treatments to remove hair, fat and flesh before a tanning agent is added to the hide to prevent it from decaying.

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Theres hazards all over the place, said Mark Aufderhar, a maintenance worker at the tannery.

You cant have just anyone doing these jobs, he said, adding that certain chemicals they use like chromium salts and sulfuric acid can cause severe burns if not handled properly.

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In addition to the abrasive chemicals, workers at the tannery said they encounter bug-infested hides and have concerns about the buildings outdated infrastructure.

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The news release said the workers are highly skilled and use dangerous tools and chemicals each and every shift, and they demanded and achieved a contract worthy of their value and expertise.

During their weeklong strike, workers also picketed outside Red Wing Shoes locations because the shoe company is a major purchaser of the leather produced at Twin City Tanning, the release said.

This agreement reflects the power of solidarity, said Kathy Hanshew, president of the Chicago & Midwest Regional Joint Board. All workers deserve dignity, respect, and a contract worthy of their labor. Twin City Tannings workers are heroes in the fight for labor rights in the tanning industry and beyond. We will stand with these workers and ensure their voices continue to be heard.
While China's involvement offers crucial investment for Africa's vast solar resources and growing energy demand, concerns exist regarding the lack of transparency in financing mechanisms and debt sustainability.

Chinese companies and financiers have been involved in 84 energy projects across Africa between 2020 and 2024, with a combined capacity of over 32 gigawatts.

Chinas incredible pace of clean energy spending has made the worlds second-largest economy the single-largest producer of clean energy by a long shot. This dominant position in global energy markets doesnt just stem from domestic production capacity, but from increasingly significant control of global supply chains for clean energy technologies and materials, as well as investing in the production potential of emerging economies from Latin America to Southeast Asia to Africa and beyond.

Since the inception of Chinas ambitious Belt and Road infrastructure program in 2000, Beijing has poured over a trillion dollars into developing its trade relations around the planet, including considerable contributions to energy infrastructure. Indeed, as hard as China has striven to establish national energy security, it has striven equally hard  if not harder  to become the center of gravity for global energy markets.

The expansion of Chinas influence has been so rapid, and often so opaque, that many scholars and watchdogs are scrambling to keep up with the ways that our global energy landscape is changing in critical and fundamental ways. Independent research group the China Global South Project (CGSP) has been founded with the sole mission to do just that  track and understand Chinas spreading involvement in emerging economies. And its surprisingly hard to do.

The CGSP points to a murky information landscape where firm numbers are scarce, project details are incomplete, and media coverage sometimes circulates figures from abandoned or entirely fictitious projects. In order to try to fill some of these gaps, the organization has released a new tool aimed at tracking Chinese spending in the African energy sector.

A report accompanying the tools release reveals that the scope of Chinese involvement across the continents energy industries is enormous. In the years between 2020 and 2024, Chinese companies and financiers have been involved in 84 energy projects across the continent, with a combined capacity of more than 32 gigawatts  enough electricity to light up over 135 million urban African homes, or more than half a billion rural homes, every year, CGSP summarizes.

There are significant benefits to Chinas involvement in developing Africas prodigious clean energy assets. Africa is home to 60% of the worlds best solar resources, but only 1% of the worlds installed solar capacity. What the continent has in primary resources, it sorely lacks in investment capital. And it needs to drum up that money to expand renewable energy capacity as quickly as possible to meet the skyrocketing energy needs of the fastest growing population in the world.

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The African population is expected to double between now and 2050, and the regions energy demand is expected to increase threefold over the next decade.. This presents a critical challenge for energy security as well as decarbonization goals as African nations continue to develop. Today, around 600 million people in Africa lack access to electricity entirely.

For years now, China has been the primary trading partner on the African continent, but has historically invested far more in fossil fuels than in clean energies. But Beijing stands to be a critical strategic ally in developing the African energy sector. "Given current economic challenges and future energy opportunities, China can play a role in contributing to Africa's energy access and transition through trade, finance and FDI (foreign direct investment)," reads a 2024 report from Boston University's Global Development Policy Center and the African Economic Research Consortium.

However, the lack of transparency around Chinas involvement on the continent, especially in terms of financing mechanisms, is cause for some legitimate concern. This opacity matters, reports the CGSP. Without clear terms, it is difficult to fully assess debt sustainability, long-term affordability, or the distribution of benefits. It also constrains the ability to learn from successes  or to avoid repeating costly mistakes.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

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NEED TO KNOW

Ronald DeFeo Jr. was convicted of the 1974 murders of his parents and four siblings at their home in Amityville, N.Y.

He was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison and died in 2021 at the age of 69

The mass killings inspired the Amityville Horror franchise after the family who moved into the DeFeo home allegedly witnessed paranormal activity

When Ronald DeFeo Jr. confessed to murdering his family in 1974, he claimed "voices from the house" made him do it. Fifty years later, his true motive remains unknown.

On Nov. 13, 1974, Ronald Jr., who was 23 at the time, ran into a dive bar in Amityville, N.Y., and claimed that his parents had been shot, according to A&E. He drove a group of men to his family's three-story home and they discovered the bodies of his father, Ronald DeFeo Sr., his mother, Louise DeFeo, and his four siblings, 18-year-old Dawn DeFeo, 13-year-old Allison DeFeo, 12-year-old Mark DeFeo and 7-year-old John Matthew DeFeo.

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Though the eldest DeFeo child  who went by the nickname "Butch"  initially claimed his family had been the target of a mob hit, he later confessed to the killings. He reportedly told police, "Once I started, I just couldn't stop."

The horrific slayings not only rocked the small town of Amityville but also inspired the long-running Amityville Horror franchise after the family who moved into the DeFeos' residence claimed they also heard voices.

George and Kathy Lutz's alleged paranormal experiences were chronicled in Jay Anson's 1977 novel The Amityville Horror: A True Story, which was adapted into a horror film two years later. The 1979 movie spawned several other sequels and spinoff films, including a 2005 remake starring Ryan Reynolds.

Despite the crime scene's ghostly reputation, no evidence of paranormal activity has ever been proven. According to Biography.com, Ronald Jr.'s attorney attempted an insanity plea during his October 1975 trial based on the voices his client claimed to have heard, but he was still found guilty on six counts of second-degree murder.

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Here's everything to know about the Amityville murders and why Ronald DeFeo Jr. claimed that his house told him to kill his family.

Who was Ronald DeFeo Jr.?

Robert Rosamilio/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Ronald DeFeo Jr. at the Police Headquarters in Suffolk County. Ronald DeFeo Jr. at the Police Headquarters in Suffolk County.

Ronald Jr. was the eldest son of Ronald Sr. and Louise, born on Sept. 26, 1951, per The New York Times. He and his four siblings grew up on Long Island, N.Y., and were described by neighbors as "a nice, normal family."

Paula Uruburu, a friend of Dawn's, told A&E's Crime + Investigation in August 2024 that Ronald Jr. was "the black sheep" of his family.

"In Italian families, first-born male sons are the heir apparent, and he was not headed in that direction," she said. "He was always lurking around, and he seemed like a creepy guy. He kind of looked like Charles Manson."

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Reports also suggested that Ronald Jr. was a heroin and LSD user and had a tense relationship with his father, with whom he worked at a car dealership in Brooklyn. He allegedly once pulled a 12-gauge shotgun on Ronald Sr. and embezzled $20,000 from the dealership by staging a mock robbery in the month before the murders, per Biography.com.

When his father questioned his story about the alleged robbery, Ronald Jr. threatened to kill him.



What did Ronald DeFeo Jr. do?

Bettmann/Getty The home of Ronald DeFeo Sr. where his wife, two daughters and two sons were found shot to death. The home of Ronald DeFeo Sr. where his wife, two daughters and two sons were found shot to death.

At first, Ronald Jr. blamed a mafia hitman named Louis Falini. But evidence inside the home told a different story  one that led him to confess.

According to Biography.com, police found an empty box of a recently purchased .35-caliber Marlin gun in his room. Ronald Jr. then admitted to using the weapon to kill his family during the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 1974.

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He added sleep-inducing drug barbiturates to their dinners and then shot his parents while they slept, followed by his brothers and then his sisters, The New York Times reported.

The mass killings happened within 15 minutes, and each of the family members was found lying in the same position.

Afterward, Ronald Jr. showered and got ready for work. He dumped his bloody clothes and the murder weapon down a storm drain and spent the rest of his day attempting to create an alibi. Police later found the rifle in a creek behind the family's home.

Why did Ronald DeFeo Jr. kill his family?

Dennis Caruso/NY Daily News Archive via Getty The funeral service held for Ronald DeFeo, his wife Louise and four of their children. The funeral service held for Ronald DeFeo, his wife Louise and four of their children.

Ronald Jr. never revealed his motive for murdering his entire family, aside from blaming the alleged voices he heard in their house. However, those close to the incident have their theories.

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"I think his primary motive was financial," Uruburu told A&E Crime + Investigation. "But [I believe] he was also motivated by his growing anger and hatred for his father. And he was probably resentful of the attention Dawn and the little ones got."

At his trial, which began on Oct. 14, 1975, Ronald Jr.'s attorney pursued an insanity defense. Despite juries agreeing with the assessment that he was disturbed, he was found guilty of all six homicides and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for each.

Nearly 20 years later, the convicted killer sought a retrial, claiming his attorney was more interested in a potential movie deal than his defense.

"He told me I had to do this," Ronald Jr. told The New York Times. "He told me there would be a lot of money from book rights and a movie. He would have me out in a couple of years and I would come into all that money."

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He also claimed that it was his sister, Dawn, who killed the rest of his family and that he was only guilty of murdering her. No evidence has ever surfaced to support that claim.



What happened to Ronald DeFeo Jr.?

John Cornell/Newsday RM via Getty Ronald DeFeo in court on June 24, 1992 in Riverhead, N.Y. Ronald DeFeo in court on June 24, 1992 in Riverhead, N.Y.

After his conviction, Ronald Jr. was sent to Green Haven Correctional Facility in Beekman, N.Y., according to Biography.com. All of his appeals to the parole board over the years were denied, and he was later sent to Sullivan Correctional Facility in Fallsburg, N.Y.

The 69-year-old convicted killer was transferred to Albany Medical Center in February 2021. A month later, on March 12, 2021, he died. His official cause of death has yet to be released to the public.

Does the Amityville house still exist?

Paul Hawthorne/Getty The house at 112 Ocean Avenue on March 31, 2005 in Amityville, N.Y. The house at 112 Ocean Avenue on March 31, 2005 in Amityville, N.Y.

Yes, the Amityville house still exists. Sitting on Ocean Ave. in Amityville, N.Y., the five-bedroom Dutch Colonial home became notorious after the DeFeo family murders  and the paranormal allegations that followed.

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In 1975, George and Kathleen Lutz fled the home after living there for only 28 days. They claimed they saw green slime oozing from the walls, a pig-like creature with red eyes and demonic presences that ripped a door off its hinges. They also allegedly experienced levitation and temporary paralysis.

Though their claims were the basis of the Amityville Horror franchise, the validity of the Lutzs' story has been heavily debated over the years. Many  including Ronald Jr.'s original defense lawyer  accused the couple of staging a hoax.

Multiple families have resided in the home since the DeFeos and the Lutzs. It was last sold for $605,000 in 2017, per the New York Post, and remains a private residence that is not open to the public.

Read the original article on People
Oct. 18BETHEL  Major evacuation operations for scores of Yukon-Kuskokwim village residents displaced by a devastating storm last weekend began to wind down Friday as officials shifted attention to damage assessments and repairing villages so some evacuees could begin to filter home before winter.

About 70 residents of Tuntutuliak, Kipnuk and Kwigillingok who were seeking shelter while their villages recovered from damage inflicted by the remnants of Typhoon Halong over the weekend arrived in Bethel on Friday in three separate flights of Alaska National Guard helicopters. The evacuees were slated to fly to Anchorage aboard a massive C-17 military aircraft or planned to stay with friends or family in Bethel or other communities in the region, according to officials.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who flew to Bethel on Friday morning and boarded a Black Hawk helicopter to tour Kwigillingok and Kipnuk, said agencies and relief organizations had moved from the "rescue" phase to the process of providing care for residents in shelters and beginning to make damaged villages and homes livable again.

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"We're going to move quickly," he said, "to get these folks back up on their feet and running."

Among those evacuated from their villages Friday were about two dozen people and at least three dogs from Kwigillingok.

Lucy Martin said she was among the last evacuees from the village because she helped coordinate evacuation efforts.

"I had to make sure everyone got out," she said.

Martin said she plans to stay in Bethel with family and would like to return home "hopefully before winter."

That could be possible, Dunleavy said Friday.

Dunleavy said he believed that some people who fled their damaged villages for shelters could potentially return before harsh winter sets in.

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Kwigillingok was in "much better shape" than he expected, though Kipnuk "is in rough shape," Dunleavy said.

Alaska's U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski also flew to Bethel, where she greeted and spoke with evacuees as they arrived at the National Guard hangar. She later boarded a Chinook helicopter to tour some of the devastated communities on Friday.

Hundreds of residents from Kipnuk and Kwigillingok  Yup'ik villages with about 1,100 residents combined that were the hardest hit by the catastrophic storm  had been airlifted to Anchorage on Wednesday and Thursday as they faced challenging living conditions in their villages. The major evacuation operation included several Alaska National Guard helicopters and a C-17 Globemaster III military transport plane.

The storm's hurricane-force winds and record tidal-surge flooding swamped large swaths of the Yukon-Kuskokwim region, forcing more than 1,000 from their homes. Many villages have reported damage to infrastructure, like power and water systems, and wrecked or damaged homes.

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Friday's airlifts marked the end of major evacuation operations, said Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management spokesman Jeremy Zidek. Shelter operations in Bethel would also begin to wind down, he said.

More than 570 people were flown to Anchorage during the three-day evacuation effort, according to a Friday Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management update.

The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp. would continue to facilitate evacuations of people who decided they wanted to seek shelter outside of their communities after Friday, Zidek said.

Dunleavy said disaster relief officials would soon begin visiting other villages affected by the storm to assess the damage and determine community needs, and what can be fixed before winter.

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Some have stayed in Kipnuk to begin fixing damaged homes or infrastructure, Dunleavy said, adding that he was impressed with the positive attitudes of those who remained. The school, he added, avoided major damage.

Martin, the Kwigillingok resident, said some have stayed behind to continue search and rescue efforts and begin repair work.

She's not worried about them, Martin said.

"They are conditioned for it," she said.

Related stories:

A village in ruins: 'I don't see Kipnuk anymore'

Gov. Dunleavy requests federal disaster declaration after Western Alaska storm

'How we're going to live': Western Alaska residents airlifted to Anchorage face uncertainty

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Anchorage coordinates to help Western Alaska storm evacuees as mayor declares civil emergency

EPA defends canceling coastal erosion grant to hard-hit Kipnuk

Officials for years knew about flood risks in rural Alaska. The recent storm illustrated how little they have to show for it.

At least 15 Yukon-Kuskokwim region villages suffered 'substantial damage' in storm

Volunteers are evacuating pets from a flooded Western Alaska village, 1 plane at a time
Western Pennsylvania communities host round 2 of No Kings rallies protesting Trump administration

The second round of No Kings protests was held in communities across the nation on Saturday, with at least a dozen in Western Pennsylvania.

CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS OF THE LOCAL PROTESTS

Organizers of the Pittsburgh Says No Kings protest expected around 5,000 demonstrators to gather downtown Saturday.

While an official crowd estimate has not yet been released, hundreds of people marched outside the City-County Building with a clear message: strong opposition to President Donald Trumps recent actions.

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The protest was part of a nationwide movement held in more than 2,600 cities across the country.

Participants say they are standing up for democracy and against what they view as executive overreach.

Whats more American than standing up for your right to free speech and protesting injustice where you feel it is happening? said Deb, a demonstrator who joined the march in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Protesters marched to Mellon Square, carrying handmade signs and props calling for the protection of civil rights and democratic values.

I disagree strongly with some of the policies that are in, Deb said. The ICE actions, deploying troops in states where the governors didnt want them to come.

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Mike McDermott, another demonstrator, expressed frustration with lawmakers.

Ive written to congressmen and senators. Nothing changes, McDermott said. This is embarrassing. This isnt American.

Speakers at the Pittsburgh rally included U.S. Congressperson Summer Lee, as well as representatives from the ACLU and CASA San Jose, an organization that supports the Latin American community in the region.

Around 10,000 people showed up to Pittsburghs first No Kings rally in June.

In McCandless, nearly 800 people gathered at McCandless Crossing along McKnight Road, according to police.

Like the Pittsburgh rally, the protest remained peaceful.

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One demonstrator told Channel 11, We dont need a king. We need peace. We need love.

Rachelle Jordan brought her family to the rally.

She said she hoped young people understood the importance of standing together.

They need to see this and grow up and know we are all one, Jordan said. If you cut us, we all bleed.

Jordans 88-year-old mother-in-law also spoke about her reasons for joining the protest.

I dont want people saying we hate America, she said. We, who are out here, we love it. We dont want it to go downhill.

There were at least a dozen demonstrations across Western Pennsylvania Saturday.

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Protesters also gathered at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg.

Along with protesting the federal government, protesters were also on hand to speak out against the ongoing state budget stalemate.

One educator said the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit is on the verge of layoffs because of the lack of a budget.

These effects of the budget not being passed are going to have detrimental effects on special needs students in Westmoreland County, said Terri Pajak. Our students and our families are going to suffer because of this.

Organizers said it was the largest demonstration theyve seen yet, saying they believed around 1,200 people showed up.

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Demonstrators also came out in Uniontown, where organizers said that, even in rural areas, voices can be heard.

There are no kings in America, since 1776. We will not stand for a dictatorship, and we the people will not be quiet, said Tracy Wilson, president of the Democratic Women of Fayette County.

They also pressed the elections this November as a way to make their message clear, reminding everyone to vote on Nov. 4.

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CHICAGO (WGN)  A Wheaton business is honoring cancer warriors and conquerors.

Brandi Hampton is the owner of Drybar Wheaton, a business partnering with other local businesses to give back to breast cancer warriors and conquerors.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and you can nominate warriors or survivors by visiting Drybar Wheatons Instagram and TikTok pages @drybarshops_wheaton and their Facebook page drybarshopswheaton.

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Hampton also joined WGN Weekend Morning News to discuss Drybar Wheatons mission while explaining why what shes doing is personal.

Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
NEED TO KNOW

Leslie Preer was viciously murdered in 2001, but her case went cold for more than two decades

After 23 years, detectives matched familial DNA to reveal that Eugene Gligor had killed her

Gligor had previously dated Leslie's daughter, Lauren Preer, years before the murder when they were in high school

For over two decades, Leslie Preer's brutal murder went unsolved.

After Leslie didn't show up for work on May 2, 2001, police searched her house and found her deceased in the shower of her upstairs bathroom, according to court documents obtained by Fox 5 DC.

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The murder rocked the tight-knit community of Chevy Chase, Md., and led to mass speculation about who committed the heinous act. For several months after the murder, Leslie's husband, Carl "Sandy" Preer, was an unofficial main suspect, even though he had an alibi and his DNA didn't match that of the perpetrator.

Leslie's murder went cold for years until two new detectives re-examined the evidence in 2022. Although the original detectives had discovered DNA from the killer, they were unable to find a match in any of the available databases.

In 2024, the detectives finally found a match using a familial DNA database and identified the killer. The evidence matched a man named Eugene Gligor, who dated Leslie's daughter, Lauren Preer, in high school. Gligor was arrested in 2024 and initially denied any involvement.

He later changed his story and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. In August 2025  over 24 years after Leslie's death  Gligor was sentenced to 22 years in prison. Lauren reflected on the murder and eventual arrest of her ex-boyfriend in the Oct. 17 episode of Dateline.

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"It was awful," Lauren said in a teaser for the episode. "I was never going to give up."

Here's everything to know about Leslie Preer's murder and where Eugene Gligor is now after killing her in 2001.

Who is Eugene Gligor?

Montgomery County State's Attorney Eugene Teodor Gligor Eugene Teodor Gligor

Years before Gligor murdered Leslie, he was in a relationship with her daughter, Lauren. The pair dated when they were both 15 years old in high school and lived in the same neighborhood, she told Fox 5 DC.

During the time they dated, Gligor became close with the Preer family and spent time with them at dinners, holidays and game nights, per Nationwide News. Lauren told The Washington Post in 2024 that her mom had always liked Gligor, while her dad was hesitant.

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She told the outlet that her dad said there was "something off about him." Lauren and Gligor dated and broke up years before the murder, but it's not publicly known when or why they split.

Gligor was described as a "zen" person before his arrest, according to court documents obtained by The Washington Post in 2024. Although he had changed over the years, during high school, he was known as mischievous with a history of substance abuse, per the outlet.

At the time he was dating Lauren, his parents got divorced, and that also took a toll on him and eventually contributed to him being expelled from school, The Washington Post reported.

After murdering Leslie in 2001, Gligor went on to work at a real estate firm and lived in an apartment in Washington, D.C., according to the New York Post. Gligor and Lauren lost touch after their breakup, but she recalled to Fox 5 DC that she ran into him at a bar a few weeks after her mom's murder.

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He didnt seem weird, Lauren said, while adding that he apologized for her loss. "How you could look someone in the eye and know that you committed this crime and act like nothing happened is pretty unreal."



What did Eugene Gligor do?

Courtesy of Dateline NBC Leslie Preer and Eugene Gligor. Leslie Preer and Eugene Gligor.

Leslie was found dead by police in the shower of her upstairs bathroom on May 2, 2001. Her official cause of death was blunt force trauma and strangulation, according to Fox 5. Police entered the home on a welfare check and noticed blood smeared on the walls and furniture scattered across the living room.

The detectives secured male DNA from both the blood smears and skin cells under Leslie's fingernails, but they weren't able to find a match. At the time, they suspected her husband, Sandy, but his DNA didn't match what was found at the scene of the crime.

The case went cold for over two decades before Detective Tara Augustin and Detective Alyson Dupouy took a stab at cracking it.



How was Eugene Gligor eventually caught?

Courtesy of Dateline NBC (2) Tara Augustin ; Aly DuPuoy. Tara Augustin ; Aly DuPuoy.

Two years after detectives Augustin and Dupouy re-examined Leslie's death, they had a breakthrough with new DNA technology. The fresh process takes criminal DNA samples and compares them across public databases to check for relational matches.

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"They'll give you a list of profiles that are in these systems that have a certain degree of relatedness to the suspect's DNA profile," Augustin explained to 20/20 in September 2025. "Sometimes it can be thousands of people [and] it can be a very, very distant relationship."

The detectives were able to create a detailed DNA profile of the suspect and eventually traced it back to a family in Romania. Augustin and Dupouy combed through the family line until they noticed the surname Gligor and recognized it from a tip authorities had received from a neighbor who suggested that the ex-boyfriend may have been involved, according to Bethesda Today News.



Since Gligor's DNA was not already in a public database or stored with any law enforcement agencies, they had to get creative. Augustin and Dupouy tracked Gligor to Washington Dulles Airport, where they retrieved his used water bottle and matched his DNA to the samples collected from Leslie's fingernails.

In June 2024, Gligor was arrested outside of his Washington, D.C., apartment. For nearly a year, he denied any involvement in the crime.



What was Eugene Gligors sentence?

Courtesy of Dateline NBC Eugene Gligor. Eugene Gligor.

Gligor changed his story in May 2025 and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

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"Lauren, her family, and friends have waited 24 years to finally get closure and justice for this horrific crime that tore her family apart," family attorney Benjamin Kurtz told Fox News at the time of his guilty plea. "The fact that it turned out to be someone they allowed in their home with open arms, just makes it that much harder to understand."

Kurtz added, "Lauren has been given a sense of peace knowing that her father has finally been vindicated of any wrongdoing, even if after his death, and she feels he can finally rest in peace with the knowledge her killer has been caught."

On Aug. 28, 2025, Gligor was sentenced to 22 years in prison by a Montgomery County Circuit Court judge, according to Bethesda Today News. Prosecutors recommended he get the maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, which the judge gave him, but suspended the sentence to 22 years.

Today is a day of reckoning, state prosecutors Donna Fenton and Jodie Mount said at the time.

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Since Gligor took a plea deal, he did not stand trial and did not have to offer a motive. Prosecutors said in the sentencing that Gligor was "unwilling to admit his motive and the full extent of his horrific conduct," per 20/20.

However, during Gligor's sentencing hearing, he insinuated that he was under the influence by telling the court that he struggled with drug and alcohol abuse and had experienced blackouts at the time.

"I vaguely remember leaving the Preer house in the morning, but the rest is a blur. I know Lauren and Leslie's family want to know why I was there and what happened. I'm sorry. I'm unable to remember and provide an explanation," Gligor said, per 20/20.



Where is Eugene Gligor now?

Shortly after Gligor received his 22-year sentence, he filed a motion requesting that his sentence be reduced.

As of October 2025, Gligor is housed at Maryland Correctional Training Center in Washington County, Md., per inmate records.



Read the original article on People
Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect that the closure will begin around noon, according to CHP. The timeline is subject is change.

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  A section of Interstate 5 near Camp Pendleton will be shut down Saturday, Oct. 18, due to a military event involving the discharge of live ammunition over the freeway, according to a press release from California Highway Patrol (CHP).

The temporary closure, which is being implemented due to safety concerns, will affect both northbound and southbound lanes of I-5 between Harbor Drive and Basilone Road. The shutdown is scheduled to begin around noon, per CHP, and will remain in effect until the event concludes. The end time is expected to be around 3 p.m.

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JD Vances ties to San Diego explained ahead of Camp Pendleton visit

The military operation is being conducted as part of the United States Marine Corps 250th Anniversary celebration, an event in which Vice President JD Vance will attend. A former Marine himself, Vance is slated to deliver remarks to honor the military branch.

Governor Gavin Newsom issued a sharp statement Saturday morning, blasting the federal governments decision to move forward with the event. He stated, The President is putting his ego over responsibility with this disregard for public safety. Firing live rounds over a busy highway isnt just wrong  its dangerous.

Despite the pushback, the temporary closure will still go into effect.

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Drivers are being warned of significant delays not only on I-5 but also on others major routes throughout Southern California before, during and after the event. CHP is strongly advising motorists to seek alternative routes and to plan for extra travel time.

For the most current traffic conditions and updates on the closure, travelers are encouraged to check Caltrans QuickMap.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  Millions of people are expected to protest during the second No Kings protest.

Taking place on Saturday, the protest was brought together for people to voice their concerns about the Trump Administration. This is the second No Kings protest this year, with the last one taking place in June.

Just like in June, multiple communities in the Tri-State are participating in the nation-wide protests. Here is a list of when and where these protests are taking place:

Kentucky

Henderson  11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Event location is private, click here to RSVP.

Owensboro  11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 212 St Ann St 202

Madisonville  11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Old Hopkins County Courthouse

Central City  11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Festival Square

Indiana

Evansville  10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at EVPL McCollough and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Vanderburgh County Clerks Office

Tell City  12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Event location is private click here to RSVP.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
Although Red Lobster fans don't always agree on the restaurant's controversial appetizers, it's a casual, sit-down seafood chain that most know and love. Like any restaurant, Red Lobster has to get its namesake food from somewhere. Where exactly do all these little crustaceans come from?

There are four different types of lobster the company buys: Maine, rock, Norway, and langostino lobster. Red Lobster sources its lobsters differently depending on the type. Maine lobster comes from the Northeastern United States and parts of Canada, as you might have guessed. Rock lobster is purchased from the Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Nicaragua, and Honduras. Norway lobster actually comes from fisheries off the coast of Scotland, while the langostino lobster comes from coastal Chile. To be fair, langostino isn't really lobster; it's shrimp. We discussed this in more detail when we looked into Red Lobster's creamy lobster mashed potatoes.

Honestly, it's refreshing that Red Lobster even has this information publicly available. It's not as if food supply chains are well known for their openness and honesty. The fact the company chose to emphasize the lobster it serves are mostly wild caught might be more a PR stunt than anything, but hey, at least you know the lobster at Red Lobster is real.

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Read more: 13 Things Every First-Timer Should Know Before Eating At Red Lobster

Red Lobster's transparent sourcing extends to all of its seafood

A fisherman with a lobster in his net. - Miguel Serrano Ruiz/Getty Images

Red Lobster's downfall in 2024 was pretty spectacular. As part of its new brand refresh, its focused more on sustainability and sourcing. This doesn't just cover lobster, either. Ever wonder where it sources its flounder? Off the coast of Alaska. Its farm raised trout and salmon? Colombia and Chile, respectively.

It's not entirely clear how long Red Lobster has been committed to sustainable seafood practices. The company is a member of the Global Seafood Alliance (formerly the Global Aquaculture Alliance), for one. In early 2025, Red Lobster launched the Red Lobster Ocean Sustainability Challenge which is designed to engage middle schoolers to think of new and innovative ways to address ocean health. It's a pretty cute and PR friendly way to engage the public on issues that matter. As a company that relies on the ocean's bounty, addressing fishing sustainability is an important thing to do.

There is just one caveat to all this. Red Lobster is currently facing a class action lawsuit regarding its sustainability claims, mostly in terms of its farmed shrimp. Class action suits generally don't make it to trial (30% are dropped and another 30% are dismissed) or end in meaningful benefits for plaintiffs. However, in early 2024 a judge denied Red Lobster's motion to dismiss. The case is still pending, but here's hoping Red Lobster continues with its sustainability efforts despite the setback.

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For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter and add us as a preferred search source. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more!

Read the original article on The Takeout.
NEED TO KNOW

Susan Lorincz was accused of shooting her neighbor through her front door in June 2023

Days after the incident, she was arrested on charges of manslaughter, among others

She was found guilty and is now serving a 25-year sentence in a Florida prison

Susan Lorincz sparked nationwide outrage in 2023 when she shot and killed Ajike AJ Owens through her locked front door in Florida.

Lorincz, a White woman in her late 50s at the time, and Owens, a 35-year-old Black mother of four, had a longstanding feud over children playing in the Ocala, Fla., neighborhood where they both lived, according to authorities.

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Lorincz was frequently angered over local children (including Owens) playing in a field close to her home. She had a history of harassing them and repeatedly contacting the police  as she did on the night of June 2, 2023.

That night, Lorincz allegedly threw a roller skate at Owens 10-year-old son as he played in the field neighboring her apartment building, striking him in the foot. After Owens kids informed her of what happened, she then went to Lorinczs home, knocked on the door multiple times, and demanded that Lorincz come outside, according to authorities.

Lorincz then fired a single shot through the locked door, killing Owens, who was unarmed and accompanied by her 10-year-old son. Lorincz, who told police she felt threatened by Owens, claimed she acted in self-defense  but investigators ultimately disagreed and arrested her in the days following the shooting.

Owens' death reignited the debate over stand your ground laws, which exist in at least 30 states (including Florida) and allow an individual to use deadly force if they reasonably believe they have been threatened. And now, the case is in the spotlight once again in Netflix's The Perfect Neighbor.

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The Perfect Neighbor, which began streaming on Oct. 17, uses police bodycam footage to provide an unprecedented look at the tragic events leading up to and on the night of Owens death.

So where is Susan Lorincz now? Here is everything to know about her arrest, conviction and life in prison in the years since the shooting.

Who is Susan Lorincz?

Netflix Susan Lorincz in 'The Perfect Neighbor' Susan Lorincz in 'The Perfect Neighbor'

Lorincz rented an apartment in Ocala, a city about 60 miles northwest of Orlando. While living in the building, she reportedly developed a reputation for harassing neighborhood children and directing racial slurs toward them, according to NBC News.

Lorincz allegedly had an issue with local children playing in an open field between apartment buildings. Neighbors reported that Lorincz would record the children when they were playing, call them racial slurs and other derogatory terms, wave guns at them and file reports with the police, per NBC News.

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Everybody in this neighborhood has feuded with this lady over our children, one local resident, Phyllis Wills, told NBC News.

But Lorincz reportedly developed a particularly contentious relationship with Owens and her four children. Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods revealed that between January 2021 and June 2023, authorities responded to at least six calls related to the feud between Owens and Lorincz, the Associated Press reported.

What did Susan Lorincz do?

Courtesy of Netflix The Perfect Neighbor. The Perfect Neighbor.

Lorinczs name made national headlines after the ongoing dispute between her and Owens came to a head on June 2, 2023. On that evening, Owens children were playing in the open field near Lorinczs apartment. According to The New York Times, she reportedly began arguing with the children and threw a roller skate at Owens then-10-year-old son, hitting him in the toe. Lorincz was also reportedly overheard yelling at the children and seen waving an umbrella at them.

Lorincz called the police on them, telling the 911 dispatcher that they were trespassing on her property and that one of the kids had threatened to beat her up.

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Just screaming, yelling, just being absolutely obnoxious, she said about the children, according to the 911 tape obtained by PEOPLE. I went and threw the roller skate over to the other side, the kid says hes going to beat me up for that, and hes mouthing off to me. I feel threatened in my own home.

Asked if the 10-year-old boy was still out there, Lorincz responded: There are several kids out there right now, she said. Im fearing for my life. Im very scared.

Meanwhile, Owens children had alerted her to what had happened. Owens, accompanied by her 10-year-old son, went to Lorinczs apartment to confront her over the incident. Owens knocked on the door several times and demanded that Lorincz come outside. Lorincz then fired a single shot through the locked door, fatally striking Owens in the upper chest.

What crimes was Susan Lorincz charged with?

Courtesy of Netflix Susan Lorincz in 'The Perfect Neighbor' Susan Lorincz in 'The Perfect Neighbor'

Lorincz was initially not arrested or charged following the shooting death of Owens. Due to Floridas stand your ground law, individuals are allowed to defend themselves with force if they feel their lives are in danger. Therefore, authorities first needed to determine whether deadly force was justified or not before we make an arrest, Sheriff Woods told The New York Times.

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The investigation included interviews with Lorincz, Owens children and other eyewitnesses to the shooting. Lorincz reportedly told authorities that she acted in self-defense and alleged that Owens had previously attacked her and was trying to break down her door before the shooting.

But Lorincz also admitted in her interviews with police to having used the n-word toward children out of anger in the past and also to calling children other derogatory terms, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by PEOPLE.

Through their investigation, authorities were able to determine that Lorinczs actions were not justifiable under Florida law.

As a result, Lorincz was arrested on June 7, 2023, and charged with manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, battery and two counts of assault. However, despite pleas from Owens family, Lorincz was not charged with second-degree murder, a first-degree felony.

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State Attorney William Bill Gladson said in a statement that there was insufficient evidence to prove the elements needed for a murder charge.

What happened at Susan Lorinczs trial?

Courtesy of Netflix Susan Lorincz Susan Lorincz

Lorinczs trial began in August 2024, according to the AP. During the course of the trial, which only lasted a few days, her lawyers argued that she was acting in self-defense  alleging that Owens was pounding and cursing at her door and threatening to kill her, causing her to panic, The New York Times reported.

The prosecution, however, highlighted how Owens was unarmed and that Lorinczs door was also locked.

After just two hours of deliberation, the jury found Lorincz guilty of manslaughter. The charge carried a sentence of up to 30 years in prison.

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This case is undoubtedly a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of gun violence, Gladson, the states prosecutor, said in the news release. The defendants choices have left four young children without their mother, a loss that will be felt for the rest of their lives.

Gladson added, While todays verdict cant bring AJ back, we hope it brings some measure of justice and peace to her family and friends.

What was Susan Lorinczs sentence?

Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette via AP Defendant Susan Lorincz, left, who fatally shot a Black neighbor through her front door during an ongoing dispute, weeps during her sentencing hearing Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Ocala, Fla. Defendant Susan Lorincz, left, who fatally shot a Black neighbor through her front door during an ongoing dispute, weeps during her sentencing hearing Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Ocala, Fla.

Three months later, in November 2024, Lorincz was sentenced to 25 years in prison for fatally shooting Owens through a door.

At her sentencing hearing, the defense called Lorinczs sister and an expert in psychological trauma to testify on her behalf, CNN reported. Lorinczs sister testified that they both were abused as children and were raised in a household with a history of mental illness and addiction. Additionally, Dr. Yenys Castillo testified that Lorincz suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of sexual and other abuse.

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However, Judge Robert Hodges stated that any abuse Lorincz suffered in the past was not a mitigating factor in what he described as a very aggravated manslaughter.

"I find that the shooting was completely unnecessary, the judge said in the Marion County courtroom. In this case, Ms. Lorincz was behind the door. The door was locked. She had already called law enforcement. They were en route. She knew they were en route.

She was in a relatively safe position, the judge continued. For some reason, she went into her room and found a gun. She could have stayed in the room and put another locked door between her and Ms. Owens, but she came back out, put herself in front of the door, and at the time she fired the gun through the door, she was safe.

Lorincz, who did not testify in her trial, addressed the court for the first time at her sentencing.

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I am so sorry I took AJs life. I never intended to kill her, she said.

However, Owens mother, Pamela Dias, felt Lorinczs courtroom apology was insincere.

She never showed remorse, she told reporters, per CNN.

Where is Susan Lorincz now?

Florida Dept of Corrections Susan Lorincz Susan Lorincz

Lorincz is currently serving her 25-year sentence at the Homestead Correctional Institution in South Florida, according to WCJB. Her release date is set for April 8, 2048, per the Florida Department of Corrections.

Lorincz spoke out for the first time since her arrest, conviction and incarceration in a September 2025 interview with the local ABC affiliate WCJB. In the interview, she alleged that both Owens and her children had threatened to kill her on the day she fatally shot the mother of four.

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I was terrified, she said.

When asked if she was capable of manslaughter, Lorincz replied, No. It just makes me sick.

I just never, ever thought in a million years this would happen, and it just, it breaks my heart, she continued. I cant take it back. I cant replace her.



Read the original article on People
Citigroups latest call for Brent crude to tumble toward $50 on a Russia-Ukraine de-escalation feels more like an echo chamber than a fresh forecast. Senior commodities strategist Eric Lee told Bloomberg Friday that easing geopolitical tensions could precipitate a faster move toward the banks bear-case scenario  never mind that Brent is already down roughly 18% this year to near $61, thanks to what some call a slow-building supply glut.

But Citis tone has swung wildly over the past ten months. Back in January, the bank actually raised its 2025 forecast to $67 Brent and $63 WTI, citing heightened, sustained geopolitical risks in Iran/Russia-Ukraine. A few months later and Citi is now warning of a possible $50 collapse should those same risks evaporate. Thats not a shift in sentiment  its a 25% haircut wrapped in a new narrative.

Earlier this month, Citi had already sounded a bearish note, cautioning that market players were questioning whether $60 could hold as a price floor amid rising global inventories. Vortexa data showed 1.2 billion barrels of crude sloshing around the seas  the most since 2016  though Chinas steady stockpiling has kept that glut from crashing prices outright.

So, does a ceasefire really doom oil to $50? History says maybe not. Every few quarters, Citi rolls out a fresh bear case  often tethered to whichever headline feels most urgent. In practice, OPEC+ restraint, steady Chinese demand, and Western SPR refilling have consistently kept Brent above the big-scary-five-oh.

If anything, the real question is whether Riyadh will blink first. A $50 Brent would gut shales economics and hand OPEC+ the steering wheel again. And while Washington may welcome cheaper barrels heading into an election cycle, Saudi Arabias patience for subsidizing U.S. policy goals has always been limited.

In short: Citis $50 thesis makes for a dramatic headline. Reality, as usual, trades higher.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
An excerpt from the new book by Yaakov Katz and Amir Bohbot about the lead-up to the October 7 massacre.

The below excerpt is from chapter 5 in the newly published book While Israel Slept, published by St. Martins Press on September 2 and available on Amazon and at bookstores worldwide.

The book tells the gripping inside story how Hamas, Israels weakest enemy, succeeded in launching a surprise attack that has changed the Middle East.

Excerpt

Shortly after the Guardian of the Walls operation in the summer of 2021, a new government took office in Jerusalem, led by Naftali Bennett. It was the first time in 13 years that someone other than Netanyahu was sitting in the aquarium, the glass-lined suite of offices in the drab and gray Jerusalem building known as the Prime Ministers Office. Netanyahu  who had ruled the country consecutively since 2009  was now in the opposition.

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In the IDF, the feeling was that the recent operation had been a major success and that after 12 days of extensive aerial bombings, Hamas was weakened and deterred. The IDF Spokespersons Office later bragged that by combining its military defense capabilities with proactive military strikes, the IDF was able to destroy a large amount of Hamass weapons-manufacturing capabilities in order to bring an enduring calm to the people of Israel.

Aharon Haliva, head of Israeli Military Intelligence, predicted the same at the time. If there is one thing that [Hamas leader] Yahya Sinwar wants, it is to go back to May 10 at 5:59 p.m. and cancel the order to fire rockets at Jerusalem, he said just two weeks after the operation had ended and as Bennett prepared to take office.

IDF intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva. (credit: Wikimedia Commons)

Beyond the blows the IDF thought it had inflicted upon Hamas, what contributed to this assessment was how the terrorist group had decided to sit out one of the more recent operations in Gaza  Operation Black Belt in November 2019  which the IDF had launched exclusively against Islamic Jihad.

Despite pressure from its terrorist counterparts, Hamas decided not to get involved at the time, an act it would follow a year later during another IDF operation against Islamic Jihad. This led intelligence analysts to believe that Hamas was calculated in its priorities  it wanted economic prosperity and stability, not war.

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What should have caught the IDFs attention was the way Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was talking and acting after Guardian of the Walls, and especially the photo of him smiling in an armchair in his bombed home. Sinwar was walking around Gaza without fear that Israel would dare to kill him. Bennett saw it all and demanded change.

A former chief of staff to Netanyahu and member of several of his coalitions, Bennett had come from the Israeli Right and previously served as the head of the settler lobby, but he had crossed partisan lines to form a government with the Left and an Arab party, with the aim of removing Netanyahu from power. One of the changes he wanted to institute was the governments policy vis-a-vis the Gaza Strip.

In his first weeks in office, the new prime minister spoke tough. He promised an immediate response to every incendiary balloon that Hamas flew over the border. He approved an escalated response to any Hamas violation of the post-operation ceasefire and warned that violence would be met with a fierce Israeli response.

I again clarify here: things have changed, Bennett said at the start of a weekly cabinet meeting in July 2021. Israel is interested in calm and has no interest in harming Gaza residents, but violence will be met with a strong response.

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What the public didnt know was at that this time, Bennett had ordered the IDF and Shin Bet to prepare plans to eliminate all of Hamass leaders  Sinwar, Mohammad Deif, Marwan Issa, and a few others. The request caught the IDF by surprise. With Guardian of the Walls considered a success, the IDF chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kohavi was solely focused on what in Israel were described as third-circle threats, a reference to Iran and stopping its nuclear program.

In one of their meetings, Kohavi pushed back. Hamas is deterred, and there is no need to risk an all-out war with such an operation, he told the prime minister.

But Bennett was determined and ordered Kohavi to move ahead with the plans. At almost all of Bennetts regular meetings with the IDF chief of staff and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief Ronen Bar, they would discuss the elimination of the Hamas leaders. The IDF stalled a bit but ultimately moved the plan ahead, giving it different operational names depending on which of the Hamas members  whether all of them or just a few  would end up being targeted in an airstrike.

Bennetts approach was one of carrots and sticks. While he claimed to have changed the containment policy, ordering the IDF to now respond to every rocket attack or incendiary balloon flown across the border, he also allowed  for the first time in years  for Palestinians from Gaza to enter Israel for work. The first approval was for 2,000 workers, a quota that Bennett then increased to 5,000, and eventually as high as 14,000.

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Understand that a worker in Gaza makes NIS 800 a month, and in Israel he makes ten times that  NIS 8,000, Bennett tweeted. Hundreds of thousands of Gazans are living off the salaries of these workers, and Hamas doesnt want to hurt them. The information that Military Intelligence and the Shin Bet presented  now known to be wrong  appeared to back this assessment.

IN JANUARY 2022, Sinwars father passed away, and Qatars envoy to Gaza, a former diplomat by the name of Mohammed Al Emadi, who would occasionally pass on messages from one side to the other, traveled to Gaza to make a condolence call. Yes, Sinwar was a terrorist, but Qatar had an open line of communication with him.

After a few days, Al Emadi reported back to Israel that Sinwar remained pragmatic and understood that he needed to stop the protests at the border for the Qatari money to keep flowing.

But then in March 2022, everything changed. Palestinian terrorists started striking throughout Israel. On March 22, four people were killed in an attack in Beersheba; five days later, two people were killed in an attack in the northern city of Hadera; two days after that, five people were killed in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak; and a week later, three people were shot dead in Tel Aviv. Terror attack followed terror attack, and Bennett  who had promised to restore security  was losing his patience.

Naftali Bennett. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)

May 5 pushed Bennett over the edge. It was Israels Independence Day, and in the city of Elad, east of Tel Aviv, people were cleaning up the barbecues they had just finished at a local park when two Palestinian attackers showed up with axes and a pistol, hacking and shooting at local bystanders. Four people were killed.

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Sinwar, it turned out, had given a speech a few days earlier, urging Palestinians to strike Israelis with whatever they had  including axes. Let everyone who has a rifle, ready it. And if you dont have a rifle, ready your cleaver or an ax, or a knife, the Hamas leader said. The connection was clear. Sinwar spoke in Gaza and instigated terrorist attacks in Israel. He needed to be stopped.

A few days following the park attack, Bennett brought up the assassination plans at a security briefing. Bar, who had become the head of Shin Bet seven months earlier, supported the idea, but Kohavi remained opposed. He told the prime minister that the IDF was constantly tracking Sinwar and recently had him in its sights as he drove through Gaza City. The problem was that he was part of a three-car convoy, and the IDF couldnt always tell which car he was in.

We have a lot of bigger challenges in the North and against Iran, the IDF chief told the prime minister. If you want me to advance a plan to kill Sinwar, you will need to first convince me that it is worth the war that will follow, since I will be the one who will need to explain why this war happened to the soldiers and the bereaved parents.

This was not the way IDF officers were meant to speak to the countrys political leadership. In democracies, prime ministers do not need to convince the military chief of their decisions. But then again, Bennett was not viewed as a traditional prime minister.

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Yes, he was chosen to lead and to form the government by a majority of members of the Knesset, Israels parliament, but he had only six seats in the coalition of 61, and he had gotten the job of prime minister simply because, if he hadnt, the so-called Change Government that replaced Netanyahu would not have been possible.

Being prime minister is what allowed Bennett to cross partisan lines, join with the Left, and establish the government. Kohavi knew all of this and sensed Bennetts weakness. The IDF chief was in his last year in office and felt he didnt have much to lose.

Bennett tried to rally support within the security cabinet but had no success. Yair Lapid, the foreign minister and the man who pulled the real strings within the government, opposed the idea. Benny Gantz, the defense minister, also thought that it was unnecessary.

In the end, Bennett understood something simple  the makeup of his coalition would not allow such an operation to take place. Part of the 61-member coalition was the Israeli-Arab Raam Party. An Israeli preemptive strike against Hamas would almost definitely have led to a large-scale war in Gaza, and Raam would have bolted the coalition.

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Bennett would be without a parliamentary majority, and Israel would have a new election. So he held back, like Netanyahu before him, a decision that would come back to haunt the country.

THE STORY OF Bennetts attempt to advance plans to eliminate Hamas leadership was not unique. Over the years, consecutive heads of the Shin Bet have recommended the elimination of Hamas leadership in Gaza to prime ministers. In at least a dozen different cases, Shin Bet and the IDF prepared plans and presented them to the prime minister to do so.

In some cases, the prime minister finally agreed to strike, but only under restrictions that made the success of the operation almost impossible. In most cases, the prime minister refused to advance the plans, fearing that they would lead to an all-out war with Hamas and possibly beyond. In other cases, the considerations were political.

One such operation was brought to Netanyahu in 2016, two years after the end of Operation Protective Edge. Nadav Argaman, head of the Shin Bet at the time, called the targeted killing operation Musical Chairs. The defense minister at the time, Avigdor Lieberman, supported it, but Netanyahu rejected the proposal, fearing an escalation at a time of relative quiet.

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We were told to be prepared and to prepare an operational plan, Argaman, the head of the Shin Bet from 2016 to 2021, recalled in a TV interview. We pushed for it and we presented plans. But, according to Argaman, the Shin Bet never received an answer from the government.

This was the case through the summer of 2023 and even in the weeks ahead of the October 7 attacks. At the end of August, an organization in Gaza called the Supreme National Authority for the Great March of Return and Breaking the Siege announced that it was restarting protests along the border with Israel.

The organization, which had led similar protests back in 2018, brought tractors and heavy equipment near the border to prepare tent camps for the demonstrators, who would not stop, they said, until they were allowed to return to the lands in Israel from which they were evicted in 1948.

On September 1, as more than two million Israeli children started the school year, about 100 Palestinians rioted near the security fence, throwing IEDs and making several attempts to cross the barrier, drawing IDF sniper fire. The rioters waved Palestinian flags, burned tires, and chanted slogans against Israels presence on the Temple Mount and near the Al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as against the treatment of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The Gaza Health Ministry claimed that nine people were wounded that day.

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From there, the situation escalated quickly. By the end of September, Israel was attacking targets near the border as IEDs regularly blew up nearby. Troops were reinforced as incendiary devices tied to helium balloons were launched once again into Israel to burn fields and homes.

After weeks of clashes, Netanyahu, back as prime minister, finally convened a meeting of his top national security staff on September 26. But the focus was on anything but Gaza.

Hours into the discussion, Gaza did not even come up as a topic, even though the protests were still occurring along the border. Instead, IDF chief Herzi Halevi and Shin Bet chief Bar focused their briefing on the West Bank and the fear that the protests in Gaza would spread there.

In the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, the IDF realized what the protests were really about. They were not about raising awareness about alleged Israeli violations of the status quo on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem but meant to serve an entirely different purpose  to normalize the presence of protesters near the border, something that served Hamas when it sent the first teams that dark Saturday morning to blow multiple holes in the barrier and storm Israel.

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Around the same time at the Knesset, Military Intelligence officers briefed the prestigious Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. The Israeli parliamentarians  used to being exposed to the most classified intelligence  heard the latest on Irans nuclear program, Hezbollahs efforts to increase its arsenal of precision-guided munitions, and the future of the West Bank.

After five hours, when one of the Knesset members asked the intelligence officers about Gaza, he received a curt answer. The officer closed the briefing folder and placed it back in his briefcase: Hamas is deterred, was all he said.
Top White House officials told a reporter, Your mom, when asked who picked the location for President Donald Trumps upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump announced Thursday that he will soon meet with Putin in Budapest, Hungary, to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine. The choice has raised questions, because Putin is wanted by the International Criminal Court. However, Hungary appears unlikely to cooperate with the warrant and is in the process of leaving the court, the Associated Press reports.

When HuffPost asked the White House who chose the location for the meeting, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt replied, Your mom did. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung also followed up with, Your mom, the outlet reports.

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HuffPost then asked Leavitt if she thought her response was funny.

She responded: Its funny to me that you actually consider yourself a journal [sic]. You are a far left hack who nobody takes seriously, including your colleagues in the media, they just dont tell you that to your face. Stop texting me your disingenuous, biased, and bulls*** questions.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and White House Communications Director Steven Cheung both responded, 'Your mom,' when a reporter asked them who chose Budapest for President Donald Trump's upcoming meeting with Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)

When The Independent asked the White House if your mom was an appropriate answer, spokesperson Taylor Rogers responded that it was more than appropriate.

The individual who received these texts is not a real reporter, theyre a Democrat activist. As a result, the response they received was more than appropriate, Rogers said. The White House press team fields and responds to hundreds of serious requests every day from actual reporters  we dont have time to waste on partisan hacks!

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Cheung also re-shared an X post about the exchange on Friday afternoon, but did not share any additional comments.

The Independent has contacted HuffPost for comment.

The White House appears to have amped up its rhetoric in recent days. In a Thursday appearance on Fox News, Leavitt claimed that the Democratic Partys main constituency" is "Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals."

"They dont stand for anything except for catering to their far-left base, which as I said, includes antisemites, includes Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals who they want to let off freely to roam in American streets," Leavitt said.




A top Trump administration official said Friday the White House would be "immediately pausing" over $11 billion in projects in cities led by Democrats, including San Francisco.

Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought specifically called out San Francisco along with New York, Boston and Baltimore in a post on X. Vought blamed Democrats and said the shutdown - which started Oct. 1 - has "drained the Army Corps of Engineers' ability to manage billions of dollars in projects." He said "lower-priority projects" could also be canceled.

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Vought was the chief author of Project 2025, a document laying out conservatives' plan to enable President Donald Trump to consolidate power. His announcement Friday marked his latest effort to undermine Democratic priorities and to radically shrink the size and scope of the federal government.

The Trump administration has targeted San Francisco in numerous ways since Trump took office in January, including by threatening to pull millions of dollars in funding for the Presidio, retaliating against the city's sanctuary policies, promising to reopen Alcatraz as a federal prison and threatening to send National Guard troops to the city.

The Army Corps of Engineers did not say which San Francisco projects would be affected, but told the Chronicle it "may be unable to provide adequate oversight of all the projects currently in the portfolio" because of the shutdown.

"Once the lapse and review are over, the Administration may consider taking further actions allowable under the law that limit, cancel, or reprioritize resources in a manner that is consistent with these reviews and with the Administration's stated priorities," the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works said in a statement.

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Rep. John Garamendi, D-Fairfield, hasn't heard back from Vought's office after seeking clarification on what Bay Area projects could be affected.

"Donald Trump and Russ Vought are once again stealing money from hardworking Californians for the sole purpose of inflicting pain on their political rivals," Garamendi said in a statement. "This already approved funding was for our ports, our dams, and our wetlands. The Trump Administration's claim that there are low-priority projects' in the San Francisco Bay Area is laughable."

The funding freeze comes as the government shutdown continues with no clear end in sight. Republicans, who control the White House, Senate and House, continue to blame Democrats, who have held firm against Trump's latest spending proposal and its cuts to health care tax credits.

While it's unclear what funding Vought was referencing, the Port of San Francisco in partnership with the Corps of Engineers is currently undertaking a massive project studying a plan to build coastal flood defenses over 7 miles. The final report was projected to be finished in 2026. The project itself is projected to cost $13.5 billion. Other ongoing projects are related to pier updates and other shoreline maintenance.

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Trump said earlier this week he would make more cuts if the shutdown continues and would close down "Democrat programs."

"And they're never going to come back in many cases," he said.

The administration has also attempted to conduct mass firings across federal departments, but a federal judge in San Francisco blocked those terminations in an order this week. Vought was the one to announce the firings had begun last week.

Garamendi said the timing of the funding freeze is also concerning because it's currently dredging season, when underwater digging is performed to maintain ship channels. He said he fears funding freezes or cuts could halt needed maintenance for ports and harbors across the country.

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Trump's budget already cut more than $2 billion from the Army Corps of Engineers.



"This latest action is part of a disturbing pattern of repeated attacks on the vital mission of the Corps.," Garamendi said. "This funding freeze could delay critical flood control projects that protect communities from disaster and further worsen supply chain challenges."

This article originally published at White House says it will halt $11B in projects in Democratic-led cities - including S.F..
Floridas new super speeder law, intended to slow dangerous drivers, has demonstrated that some lead-footed motorists ought to practice their excuses.

Like the guy driving 100-mph-plus through Orange County to make it to a birthday party on time, or the woman who hit 113 on State Road 417 because she was in a hurry to pick up her dog. Then theres the Apopka man who said he didnt realize he was going 119 mph because  wait for it  his speedometer was broken.

The law mandates a court appearance and allows officers to jail speeders rather than send them on their way with a ticket.

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A lot of people we pull over are just in shock, said Trooper Migdalisis Garcia, spokesperson for the Florida Highway Patrol unit headquartered in Orlando that is responsible for motor safety on Interstate 4, Floridas Turnpike and other state roads in six counties.

Most accused offenders expected a fine, not handcuffs, she said. Some are like, Wait. What? Im going to jail now?'

Since the law went into effect July 1, nearly 100 motorists have been booked into the Orange County jail on the more punitive charge, dangerous excessive speeding, for driving 100 mph or faster and in a manner alleged to be reckless or threaten the safety of others.

Thats usually tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic and failing to signal a lane change, a review of arrest reports shows.

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Under the new law, anyone convicted of excessive speeding for the first time would be required to pay a $500 fine and/or spend up to 30 days in jail. A second-time offender would have to pay double the fine and/or spend up to 90 days in jail. If violators are convicted a second time within five years, their license would be revoked for 180 days and possibly as long as a year.

Many cited in Orange County are fighting the charge.

Its my first time ever in trouble, said Ethan McArthur, 19. It was stupid but my driving records clean. Shouldnt that matter?

He said prosecutors are demanding he serve no less than 10 days behind bars.

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It seems excessive. There are people who get caught selling drugs who dont go to jail, McArthur said.

A pool equipment salesman in Polk County, McArthur was arrested in August after an Orange County deputy in an unmarked Dodge Charger used radar to gauge the speed of the vehicle McArthur was driving  also a Charger  at 112 mph in afternoon traffic on State Road 408.

McArthur said he was hurrying to a birthday party and didnt want to be late. He said he was unaware of the new law.

The deputy alleged McArthur made rapid and jerky lane changes, cut in front of other vehicles and zipped past a broken down semi at the side of the toll road without slowing. The arrest report noted that two vehicles honked while passing the deputys traffic stop.

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This usually communicates appreciation from other vehicles for enforcing stopping action, the report said.

McArthur said he doubts he was traveling as fast as the deputy alleged.

And those people honking were actually my friends driving by and laughing that I got pulled over, he said.

Clocked at 155 mph, Orlando man arrested under new super speeder law

Although Florida courts have held that excessive speed, by itself, does not constitute reckless driving, excessive speed is a contributing factor in about one of every four traffic fatalities nationwide, according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

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In 2023, the most recent year for complete state data, the agency reported 38,861 crashes on Florida highways that were categorized as caused by or related to speeding or aggressive driving, resulting in 437 deaths and over 1,200 incapacitating injuries.

Highway speeds of 100 mph or faster are just fatal speeds, said Garcia, the FHP spokesperson. Theres no room for error.

She said many people offer weak excuses or none at all.

Some had babies in their vehicles.

A 31-year-old man, accused of driving 111 mph, said he was just trying to get home after drinking a couple of tequila and pineapples at a company outing with an open bar and spending much of the night walking around Disney Springs playing Pokemon.

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A 28-year-old Orlando man who whizzed away from a pack of cars at a traffic signal on South Orange Blossom nearly reached triple-digit speeds before a sheriffs deputy pulled him. He insisted he wasnt drag racing  only trying to avoid the speeding car behind him.

Arresting officers, typically driving unmarked vehicles, often had difficulty catching up to speeders, arrest reports show. A 25-year-old driver who was clocked at 120 mph on I-4 near Lake Mary said he thought the arresting trooper in a marked cruiser was trying to race him.

Garcia said she believes the new law is making a difference, though it may still be too soon to know for sure.

People still speed, but hopefully theyre starting to understand there are serious consequences for it, she said. Before when speeding resulted in just getting a citation, offenders didnt necessarily understand their risks. They maybe thought, Oh, its just a little financial burden,  she said. But now that people are being arrested, vehicles towed and impounded, thats hopefully changing.

shudak@orlandosentinel.com
A 41-year-old man who had been deported multiple times was sentenced Friday to nearly 33 years in prison for fatally shooting a well-known figure in the local dirt-track racing scene outside the victims business in Tacoma.

Jerry Espana Davila was convicted by a jury in July of two first-degree murder charges and two second-degree murder charges in the killing of 64-year-old Virgil Ray Stebbins, who owned A to B Auto Sales on South Tacoma Way where he was shot to death inside his car.

On the early morning of Feb. 19, 2024, Espana Davila shot Stebbins twice in the side of the head for reasons still unknown, prosecutors have said. Espana Davila was arrested three days later at the Humane Society of Tacoma & Pierce County after police discovered that a dog left at the crime scene  and later hit by a car in the area  was being picked up from the shelter, court records show.

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The jury saw your actions for what they were: evil, Stebbins daughter, Tabitha Gaulin, told Espana Davila from the witness stand Friday, as she read her victim-impact statement inside a courtroom in Pierce County Superior Court.

After previously losing her mother to cancer and her sister in an accident, Gaulin is now the sole surviving member of her family of four, according to a GoFundMe created by a close friend following Stebbins murder. Other family members, including an uncle and aunt, accompanied Gaulin to the sentencing hearing.

Virgil Ray Stebbins, 64, was fatally shot on Feb. 19, 2024, in Tacoma.

Only minutes before the shooting, Stebbins had called police to report a stranger in a white truck on his car lot. The man had asked him for a ride, which Stebbins declined, and also had been walking around Stebbins car with a dog, prosecutors said. As a 911 operator told Stebbins that units were en route, groaning could be heard on the line, The News Tribune previously reported.

Espana Davila drove Stebbins vehicle away from the scene. It was found later that day, with Stebbins body inside, in Central Tacoma, court records show.

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Stebbins was a humble, kind and inspirational man, Gaulin said, and Espana Davila had stolen her opportunity to make more memories with him, including on fishing trips and at car races.

But nothing you did can erase the good that already existed or the love we carry for him, she said.

The prison term of 32 years and nine months, which prosecutors had asked for, was at the highest end of the sentencing range, according to court records. Due to jurors finding Espana Davila guilty of four types of the same criminal incident, he was sentenced for only one count of first-degree murder, but it had no effect on the length of time behind bars he could have received, according to deputy prosecuting attorney Elizabeth Dasse.

Jerry Espana Davila leaves a Pierce County Superior Court room on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, after being sentenced to nearly 33 years in prison for the 2024 murder of Virgil Ray Stebbins in Tacoma.

During the trial in July, the prosecution told jurors it could not prove a motive for the killing but that it didnt have to do so.

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The specter of why Mr. Espana Davila murdered Mr. Stebbins has loomed over this case since its inception. There was no connection between Mr. Espana Davila and Mr. Stebbins, no bad blood, no personal or professional conflict, Dasse wrote in a sentencing memo late last month.

The only reasonable conclusion, Dasse added, is Mr. Espana Davila believed he had the right to take Mr. Stebbinss life in those moments and did so in a manner that would best preserve his own interests in flight and avoiding accountability.

Judge Matthew Thomas, who handed down the sentence, said Friday that Espana Davila declined to participate in a pre-sentencing investigation, leaving questions about any motive to linger unanswered.

Unrestrained and wearing a dark-gray jail uniform and pink undershirt, Espana Davila also declined to provide any comments during his hearing, which several of his family members attended.

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When we talk about seriousness of offense, its important to understand the terrible impact this has had on Rays family and the people who knew him, Thomas said. The grief that you feel is beyond words to describe, but the court recognizes your grief, and I am sorry that you have had to go through this terrible thing.

Stebbins, a talented musician, had a contagious positive attitude and big smile, according to victim-impact statements filed with the court by family or friends. He was a devoted husband and father who showed resilience and strength despite personal tragedy, filings said.

You alone deserve to be held accountable

Espana Davila, a Mexican national, was previously deported from the country on four occasions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and once by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, an ICE spokesperson told The News Tribune. He was removed in 2004, 2005, twice in 2007, and 2010, according to the spokesperson. Three of the deportations  excluding both in 2007 (Texas)  stemmed from apprehensions in Washington state, they said.

After Espana Davila was arrested in this case, the spokesperson said ICE lodged an immigration detainer  a request to take a person into federal immigration custody before they are released by local or other authorities.

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If the county does the right thing for public safety by honoring the ICE detainer, well be sure to hold Espana accountable for immigration violations and enter him into removal proceedings, the spokesperson said in an email to The News Tribune on Oct. 3.

Washington states Keep Washington Working Act limits state and local law enforcements participation in enforcing federal immigration law in most circumstances.

The Department of Corrections is allowed to coordinate with the federal government before a non-citizen inmates release so that the inmate can be removed from the country, Adam Faber, a spokesperson for the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorneys Office, said in an email to The News Tribune on Oct. 3. In this case, I expect that to be a few decades from now.

In her statement to the court, Gaulin emphasized that only Espana Davila was to blame for his crime.

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Let me be clear when I say this, you did not murder my father because you came from somewhere else or because you werent born in the same place or speak the same primary language, she said. You did this because you yourself are evil with no regard for others, and you alone deserve to be held accountable for this awful action.

Gaurav Sharma, Espana Davilas court-appointed attorney, called the case a tragedy and said it wasnt clear why Espana Davila had done what he did. Sharma suggested that his client, who he said has a history of substance-abuse issues, was likely under the influence of some drug  perhaps methamphetamine  at the time of the killing.

We dont have all the answers, he said.

Sharma also acknowledged that Espana Davila was expected to be deported to Mexico after he serves his sentence.

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Court records show that Espana Davila was convicted in Texas in 2007 of being in the country unlawfully after a deportation. He also has a felony third-degree assault conviction and a lengthy misdemeanor criminal record in Washington state dating back to 2000, including convictions for theft, assault and DUI, according to court records.

This loss is forever. There is no sentence long enough, no justice deep enough, to fill the empty space left in our lives, Gaulin said. My fathers absence will echo through every celebration, every milestone, and every quiet moment where his loud, joyful voice should be.
Molly Stark Dean/X

A crisis was averted at a Wikipedia conference in New York City on Friday, when attendees stopped an armed man from shooting himself on the conference stage.

The incident occurred at WikiConference North America in Union Square at around 10 AM. A man wearing a sign that read anti-contact non-offending pedophile and draped in a blue, white, and yellow flag with the same words walked onto the stage and announced to the crowd that he would kill himself.

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Interrupting a speech by Maryana Iskander, the chief of the nonprofit group that runs Wikipedia, the man pointed a gun at his head and said he would shoot himself to protest what he called Wikipedias dont ask, dont tell policy on pedophiles.

According to reports from a witness given to The New York Times, Wikipedia contributor Richard Knipel, who was in the audience, leaped onto the stage and held the gunman while Andrew Lih, another contributor, grabbed his gun.

The man, whose name has not yet been released, was apprehended by police and taken into custody. No charges have yet been filed, and the investigation is ongoing. An anonymous senior law enforcement official told The New York Times that the mans gun was loaded.

Iskander, whose speech was interrupted, reportedly spoke to the crowd after the mans apprehension, thanking those who intervened.

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Wikipedia said in a statement that the conference was expected to resume on Saturday.

The rest of todays program is canceled, and there will be additional security as well as law enforcement onsite for the remainder of the event, it read.

The policy the man seems to have been protesting states that editors on the site who identify themselves as pedophiles will be blocked and banned indefinitely.

Johns Hopkins University defines nonoffending pedophiles as a unique population of individuals who experience sexual interest in children, but despite common misperceptions, have neither had sexual contact with a child nor have accessed illegal child sexual exploitation material.

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WikiConference North America, formerly WikiConference USA, is a yearly conference first held in New York City in 2014. Organized by and for Wikipedia editors, enthusiasts, and volunteers, this years theme was dubbed the Wiki Worlds Fair meant to celebrate the citys 400th anniversary.

The post Wikipedia Contributors Block Armed Man From Shooting Self On Conference Stage first appeared on Mediaite.
The Wikimedia Foundation announced this week that human traffic to Wikipedia fell roughly 8% between May and August compared to the same period last year. The decline came into focus after the foundation discovered that sophisticated bots, primarily from Brazil, had been disguising themselves as human visitors.

After updating its detection systems in May, the foundation reclassified traffic data and found much of the unusually high traffic in May and June came from bots built to evade detection. The revised numbers revealed what many in publishing already knew: fewer people visit Wikipedia directly because search engines now provide answers on their own pages.

After making this revision, we are seeing declines in human pageviews on Wikipedia over the past few months, amounting to a decrease of roughly 8% as compared to the same months in 2024, Marshall Miller, wrote. We believe that these declines reflect the impact of generative AI and social media on how people seek information, especially with search engines providing answers directly to searchers, often based on Wikipedia content.

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AI is not just killing Wikipedia. Data from Pew Research showed median year-over-year referral traffic from Google Search to premium publishers has decreased almost every week during May and June 2025, with losses outpacing gains two-to-one. Nearly 60% of all Google searches end up in an AI summary instead of promoting the reading of the actual source.

Publishers across industries are sounding alarms and resorting to lawsuits to get some protection. Danielle Coffey, who leads the News/Media Alliance representing more than 2,000 outlets, said Google is using publisher content without compensation while offering no meaningful way to opt out without disappearing from search entirely.

"It's parasitic, it's unsustainable, and it poses a real existential threat to many in our industry, she said.

The volume of AI content online is rising fast. Research from SEO firm Graphite found that as of November 2024, almost half of new web articles were generated using AI in some form, up from just 5% before ChatGPT's launch. A post by Ask Perplexity on X claimed AI content went from around 5% in 2020 to 48% by May 2025, with projections saying 90% or more by next year.

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The Wikimedia Foundation said fewer visits to Wikipedia could mean that fewer volunteers grow and enrich the content, and fewer individual donors support the work. The foundation is responding by enforcing policies for third-party access, developing a framework for attribution, and experimenting with ways to bring free knowledge to younger audiences on platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

Relax, That's Not a Stranger in Your HouseIt's Just an AI Prank

The foundation said Wikipedia's human knowledge is more valuable to the world than ever before, 25 years since its creation. The question is whether the platforms using that knowledge will support the ecosystem that creates it.

The Wikipedia Foundation did not immediately respond to a request for comments by Decrypt.
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WKRN)  The Williamson County School Board is talking about revising its cellphone policy, but two board members are in disagreement on the direction.

During Thursdays work session, Williamson County School Board member Claire Reeves proposed not allowing cellphones during the entire school day. This would start on Jan. 1, 2026.

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While school board member Eric Welch said principals and parents have advocated for students to have access during their lunchtime.

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Right now, we dont allow it to be used in the classroom or during changes, but we do allow some of our kids to have them during lunchtime as they have work schedules or communicate with their parents, school board member Welch said.

News 2 reached out to Reeves for comment on her proposal but has not heard back as of publication. She shared her reasoning in Thursdays work session meeting.

I wrote the policy to as a complete bell-to-bell policy, which I have been a strong advocate from the start, Reeves said during Thursdays work session.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Welch said the recommendations from school principals and parents contradict her proposal. He told me all nine district principals asked for no midyear change and to allow students access to their cellphones during lunchtime.

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The Williamson County School Board will vote on the cellphone policy at its next board meeting. To watch Thursdays work session, follow this link.

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BARABOO, Wis. (WFRV)  The University of Wisconsin-Platteville announced it will cease operations at its Baraboo Sauk County campus on May 22, 2026. University officials cited declining enrollment as the primary reason for the decision.

State Senator Kelda Roys (D-Madison) criticized the closure in a press release that was emailed to Local 5, saying, We will regret shutting the doors of opportunity for young people around the state in service to tax breaks for billionaires. She added that the decision reflects broader policies she views as underfunding public higher education over the past 15 years.

Representative Karen DeSanto (D-Baraboo), whose district includes Baraboo, acknowledged the declining enrollment but expressed concern about the long-term effects on students and the community. This has eroded the UW-Systems ability to support students across the state and forced the decision to eliminate positions or outsource resources, she said. She also noted the potential impact on first-generation students and the local economy.

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AARP hosts Scam Jam at UW-Green Bay to help residents fight scams

Republican officials have not issued direct statements about the Baraboo campus closure. However, lawmakers have addressed similar closures in the past. State Senator Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) expressed sympathy for the Richland County community following the closure of the UW-Platteville Richland campus and highlighted legislative funding to assist affected communities.

State Representative Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) and Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) also proposed grants from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to help communities plan for the future of former UW campuses.

University officials say they will work with students, faculty, and staff to transition programs and resources as the closure date approaches.

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In the clip, 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl said that she heard that Trump was furious about the strike. Neither Witkoff nor Kushner denied this.

US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Trump adviser Jared Kushner said that they felt betrayed after the Israeli strike on Qatar.

In a Friday clip from a 60 Minutes interview that was released ahead of its Sunday airtime, the pair detailed the US administrations response to the strike on Hamas negotiators in Qatar.

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I think both Jared and I felt, I just feel we felt a little bit betrayed," Witkoff told 60 Minutes. He added that he had no idea whatsoever about the strike.

In the clip, 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl said that she heard that Trump was furious about the strike.

Neither Witkoff nor Kushner denied this.

I think he felt like the Israelis were getting a little bit out of control in what they were doing, and that it was time to be very strong and stop them from doing things that he felt were not in their long-term interests, Kushner said, in regards to Trumps feelings on the situation.

Smoke rises following Israel's strike on Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa)

Strike on Qatar 'metastasized' hostage deal negotiations

Witkoff then went on to say that the strike on Hamas members in Qatar froze negotiations for the hostage and ceasefire deal.

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"It had a metastasizing effect because the Qataris were critical to the negotiation, as were the Egyptians and the Turks," Witkoff said.

"We had lost the confidence of the Qataris. And so Hamas went underground, and it was very, very difficult to get to them."

Witkoff asserted that after the strike, it became very, very evident that Qatars intermediary role was critical to negotiations.

The full 60 Minutes interview with the two Trump advisers is set to air on Sunday evening in the US.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A woman was arrested after being accused of setting a childrens store on fire in Baton Rouge.

According to the St. George Fire Department, firefighters were called to the 11100 block of Airline Highway around 3:48 p.m. about a fire at Once Upon a Child, a retail store that buys and sells lightly used childrens items.

Upon arrival, firefighters found a clothing rack inside the business engulfed in flames. The fire was extinguished. It should be noted that the ignition of the fire occurred during the stores operating hours.

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After further investigation, fire investigators saw a video of a Black female entering the store around 3:32 p.m., grabbed a shopping cart and appeared to shop while looking for witnesses. The woman was later identified as Mary Johnson. She is accused of setting a rack of clothes on fire. Johnson can then be seen walking away from the rack before returning. Investigators believed she was ensuring the fire was set. Johnson quickly left the area.

Johnson was arrested and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of aggravated arson.

The business announced they were temporarily closed on Wednesday.

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NEED TO KNOW

A woman returned an ancient relic more than 50 years after stealing it from a tourist site in Greece

The woman  who hails from Germany  took a piece of a limestone column from a building in Ancient Olympia in the 1960s

Greeces Ministry of Culture has called the womans decision an act of sensitivity and courage

A woman has returned a valuable relic to Greece  more than 50 years after stealing it from an ancient tourist site.

The returned item was a 9 inch by 13 inch piece of limestone column from the Leonidaion, a building in Ancient Olympia, and it was taken by a German woman in the 1960s during a visit to the area, per a translated announcement from Greeces Ministry of Culture. An official repatriation ceremony for the piece took place on Oct. 10.

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The woman was motivated to return the item after hearing of other recent incidents in which relics had been returned to Greece from Germany, according to the announcement. She then contacted the University of Munster in her home country so that they could help facilitate the return. The Ministry called her decision an act of sensitivity and courage.

"This is a particularly moving moment, said Georgios Didaskalou, Greeces Secretary General of Culture, during the repatriation ceremony, per the announcement.

Greece Ministry of Culture Artifact from Ancient Olympia returned to Greece from Germany Artifact from Ancient Olympia returned to Greece from Germany

This act proves that culture and history know no borders, but require cooperation, responsibility and mutual respect. Every such return is an act of restoration of justice and at the same time a bridge of friendship between peoples, he added.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

This isnt the first time in recent years that the University of Munster has facilitated the return of historical artifacts to Greece. In 2019, the university returned the so-called skyphos of Louis, the Olympic champion at the first Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, the Greek Culture of Ministry stated. It is currently on display in Greece at the Museum of the Ancient Olympic Games.

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In 2024, the university returned a marble male head from Roman times from a cemetery in Thessaloniki.

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The Leonidaion, the site from which the most recently returned artifact came, is located in the southwestern part of Ancient Olympia, which is about 200 miles west of Athens. It is the largest building on the site, measuring 245 feet by 266 feet, and was erected in the second half of the 4th century BC.

The building served as a guesthouse for important visitors and dignitaries, and was first uncovered by a team of German archeologists between 1875 and 1881, per the Greek Ministry of Culture.

Read the original article on People
Someone on a private bus shot and killed a woman as she exited the vehicle on Chicago's South Side early Saturday morning, police said.

Officers responded to a report of a shooting in the Fuller Park neighborhood near West 54th Place and South Shields Avenue around 12:40 a.m.

A 40-year-old woman was getting off of the bus when someone inside took out a gun and fired shots, striking her in the thigh, police said.

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The Chicago Fire Department treated the victim on the scene before taking her to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

The Cook County Medical Examiner identified the woman as Odeal G. Curley. The ME said she lived on the same block where she died.

No one is in custody, and Area One detectives are investigating.

Police did not immediately provide further information about the shooting.

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On an unassuming morning in rural West Texas, a woman named Ann Walter was puzzled when a huge hunk of metal descended from the sky and crash landed in her neighbors wheat field. There were NASA logos on the parachutes that carried the truck-sized object, which itself bore NASA markings.

Its crazy, because when youre standing on the ground and see something in the air, you dont realize how big it is, Walter told the Associated Press. It was probably a 30-foot parachute. It was huge.

Unsure of what to do, she called her local sheriff, who told her that NASA had, in fact, misplaced some scientific research equipment.

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Shed later get a phone call from NASAs Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility and learn the equipment took off from a launch facility in New Mexico thats responsible for launching, tracking, controlling, and recovering unmanned high-altitude research balloons. Typically, these balloons travel 20 miles into the Earths atmosphere to conduct scientific experiments. The rep also told Walter that the equipment uses telescopes to gather information about stars, galaxies and black holes.

Complicating matters is that the Scientific Balloon Facility is one of the parts of the government affected by the current shutdown. That means it wont be updating its site, and its unclear whether the shutdown impacted the balloons detour and subsequent short term disappearance. NASA did, however, send a recovery team out to collect the off-track unit.

According to the launch schedule available on the site, there was a flight classified as descending right in Walters area of the map.

Its kind of surreal that it happened to us and that I was part of it, Walter told the AP. It was a very cool experience.

More on NASA: NASA Is In Tatters
A woman in California successfully used AI tools, including ChatGPT, to overturn her eviction notice and avoid tens of thousands of dollars in penalties over several months of litigation.

As NBC News reports, Lynn White was behind on rent and initially lost a jury trial after facing an eviction notice. Instead of continuing to work with a local tenant advocacy network, she consulted ChatGPT and the AI search platform Perplexity to represent herself in court.

Thats almost always a bad idea. But according to NBC, the chatbot identified potential errors in a judges procedural decisions for White, informed her what actions to take, and drafted responses to the court.

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I cant overemphasize the usefulness of AI in my case, she told the broadcaster. I never, ever, ever, ever could have won this appeal without AI.

White is one of several litigants NBC spoke to who represented themselves with the help of AI and came out on top. Another is Staci Dennett, a home fitness business owner in New Mexico, who used AI to successfully negotiate a settlement over unpaid debt.

I would tell ChatGPT to pretend it was a Harvard Law professor and to rip my arguments apart, she told NBC. Rip it apart until I got an A-plus on the assignment.

The output was eerily convincing.

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If the law is something youre interested in as a profession, you could certainly do the job, the opposing lawyers reportedly told her in an email.

However, the tools arent always successful in overturning decisions or winning legal cases. AI tools are known to spit out made-up and misleading information that could get a pro se litigant in trouble  like energy drink mogul Jack Owoc, who was sanctioned in August after filing a motion filled with hallucinated citations. Owoc was ordered to complete ten hours of community service, per NBC.

Perhaps more worryingly, even a growing number of professional lawyers have been caught red-handed submitting filings that include hallucinated court cases, resulting in penalties and embarrassment.

Case in point, just earlier this week, 404 Media reported that a New York attorney who was caught using AI in court was then caught submitting an AI-generated explanation for his gaffe.

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This case adds yet another unfortunate chapter to the story of artificial intelligence misuse in the legal profession, the disappointed judge overseeing the case wrote in a scathing decision.

In August, a California attorney was issued a historic $10,000 fine for submitting an AI-generated court appeal. Twenty-one of the 23 quotes from cases it cited were found to be fabricated.

Despite the dangers of potentially misleading courts, the advent of easily accessible AI tools has led to a slew of people representing themselves in court.

Ive seen more and more pro se litigants in the last year than I have in probably my entire career, Thorpe Shwer paralegal Meagan Holmes told NBC.

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Thats despite companies like Google warning users outright not to rely on AI for legal advice. In its terms of service, for instance, Elon Musks xAI warns users not to use its services to make high-stakes automated decisions that affect a persons safety, legal or material rights.

Nonetheless, existing guardrails arent stopping tools like ChatGPT from spitting out detailed answers when presented with queries pertaining to legal proceedings, for better or for worse.

I can understand more easily how someone without a lawyer, and maybe who feels like they dont have the money to access an attorney, would be tempted to rely on one of these tools, attorney Robert Freund told NBC. What I cant understand is an attorney betraying the most fundamental parts of our responsibilities to our clients and making these arguments that are based on total fabrication.

More on lawyers using AI: Lawyer Gets Caught Using AI in Court, Responds in the Worst Possible Way
MALONE  October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and as part of an ongoing partnership with Malone schools, HOPE (Hold On, Possibilities Exist) returns with presenters Tom Murphy and Sgt. Rick Yarosh, of Sweethearts & Heroes.

They will be with students from Malone elementary schools on Monday, Oct. 20, and at Malone Middle School on Oct. 21. Sweethearts & Heroes aims to prevent hopelessness, bullying and suicide by providing dynamic, inspiring content that centers on the human interaction skills necessary for schools and other organizations to change all aspects of their culture  skills such as empathy, compassion and teamwork.

Sweethearts & Heroes central team of traveling presenters includes Murphy, director and founder, of St. Albans, Vemont; and Yarosh, a HOPE expert, Purple Heart recipient and motivational speaker from Vestal, New York, who was burned severely while serving in Iraq.

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On Oct. 20, Murphy and Yarosh will deliver their anti-bullying presentation and weave circles with students from Davis, Flanders and St. Josephs elementary schools. Assemblies and circles are also on the schedule for Malone Middle School on Oct. 21. Murphy will then weave a two-day Circle Training for 20 Malone Middle School educators on Oct. 30 and 31.

Additionally, Yarosh will hold a community meet-and-greet event at Ellis Automotive from 3 to 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 20, after his day with Malone elementary students. The event is free and open to the public. Veterans and students are encouraged to stop by and visit Yarosh.

On Veterans Day 2024, Yarosh released A Bridge Named Amos, the inspiring, true story of his hero and service dog, Amos. Yarosh will read the book to Malone elementary students on Oct. 20 and have copies available during his after-school event at Ellis Automotive.

Ellis Automotive and The North Country Chevy Dealers are longtime, supportive partners of Sweethearts & Heroes.

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Much of the success weve had with students and staff in Malone can be attributed directly to past sponsorships from Ellis Automotive, Murphy said. The dealership should get the credit it deserves for moving Malone schools down the field with us, so we thought wed hold a community event with Rick Yarosh at Ellis Automotive.

Sweethearts & Heroes is something that words cannot describe. It must be seen to be appreciated. This program is so incredible, on so many levels, that I struggle to put words together to adequately describe how effectively they empower youth, Jason Ellis, of Ellis Automotive, said.

For more than 16 years, Sweethearts & Heroes has presented what Murphy calls the stop, drop and roll of bullying to more than 2.5 million students in school districts from New England to Hawaii and north into Canada. Sweethearts & Heroes also tailors its presentations and professional development workshops for businesses, nonprofits and civic groups.

We go where were needed. Thats what heroes do, Murphy said.

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Sweethearts & Heroes other books include Boredom School: For Those Bored in School, a collection of captivating, humorous and thought-provoking poems by Pat Fish; and 13 Pillows For Affective Teachers, a novel by Tom Murphy and Brian McKeon, also of Vermont, that covers the themes of HOPE, Empathy and Action in the Sweethearts & Heroes curriculum.

For more information on Sweethearts & Heroes, visit: sweetheartsandheroes.com
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  As we hit day 17 of the federal government shutdown, worry is mounting for many local organizations.

Feeding South Dakota hasnt felt much of an impact yet when it comes to more people needing food assistance due to the government shutdown and furloughs; however, that could change.

Tourism, GFP team up to promote pheasant hunting

With yesterday being the first partial paycheck, we really think that its going to, in the next week or two, get to a point where were going to start to see that impact, especially if we go into November, Stacey Andernacht, VP of Public Relations for Feeding South Dakota, said. In November, youre looking at essential programs like SNAP or WIC not being funded and people who are currently using those benefits not having that.

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Andernacht says those programs are crucial as thousands of South Dakotans rely on them.

Youre talking about children and families that need those programs and thats a gap that we cant fill as a food bank, Andernacht said. SNAP is the most effective way to fight hunger. For every meal that a food bank provides, SNAP provides nine. And that is just a gap that we would not be able to fill if everybody who is on those benefits would turn to our programs or partners.

Another organization thats closely monitoring the government shutdown is Sioux Falls Housing.

So, it hasnt impacted our day-to-day operations yet but I will say that weve received all of our funding for October, but our November funding is only guaranteed for two weeks, Larissa Deedrich, executive director of Sioux Falls Housing, said. So, we have heard from like our national organizations that HUD has said that we will be funded for the remainder two weeks in November and all of December, but unfortunately, all of the HUD offices are actually closed so we havent gotten notification from HUD itself stating that were going to be funded for the rest of the year.

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Deedrich says if HUD funding runs out, thatll have a big impact on landlords who have Section 8 tenants.

So, landlords wouldnt get paid. They wouldnt get paid for the full month of November and they wouldnt get paid in December, Deedrich said. Hopefully, since the funds are already allocated that then they would be released when the government did open back up and they would receive backpay for those months. But still, if you have landlords who are paying their mortgage payment when they get their rent payment, that could be difficult for them.

Deedrich says landlords cannot hold tenants liable for unpaid HUD rent, so they cant be evicted for that. And when it comes to the tenants, Deedrich says they could be impacted if they receive assistance with paying utility bills.

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This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

PhD student Alec Krawciw, left, and Professor Tim Barfoot stand beside the Canadian Space Agencys Lunar Exploration Light Rover after a field trial in 2024. Credit: Tim Barfoot

Autonomy algorithms developed by researchers at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS) could one day make cargo transport on the moon safer and more efficient for astronauts.

As part of a team led by MDA Space, Professor Tim Barfoot and Ph.D. student Alec Krawciw are developing technology to help Canada's proposed lunar utility vehicle navigate between cargo drop-off points during future lunar missions, addressing a key transportation challenge once astronauts land on the moon.

"Lunar exploration involves a landing site and a habitat site about five kilometers apart," says Barfoot, who also serves as director of the U of T Robotics Institute, an institutional strategic initiative.

"The landing site is flat for safe shuttle arrival, while the habitat needs to be shielded from radiationtypically behind rocky terrain. This creates a transportation challenge: astronauts must be able to move all cargo from the shuttle to the habitat."

Unlike previous planetary missions where rovers explore terrain in multiple directions to collect data, the lunar utility vehicle will make regular round trips between fixed locations to deliver goods and equipment to astronauts. This marks the first time a space rover will be required to repeat the same path, making Barfoot's visual teach-and-repeat navigation framework well-suited for the mission.

"Teach-and-repeat algorithms allow us to pilot the rover along a predetermined path by manually or physically driving it, [but] once it learns the path, it can automatically repeat the route as many times as you like," Barfoot says. "By automating this part of the mission, it saves astronauts time and energy returning to the landing site to pick up cargo, limits astronaut exposure to lunar elements and increases mission productivity."

As part of his Ph.D. research, Krawciw is adapting the self-driving technology for integration with the Canadian Space Agency's test vehicle, the Lunar Exploration Light Rover (LELR).

In December 2024, Krawciw and Barfoot joined teams from MDA Space and the Center de Technologies Avancees BRP at the Universite de Sherbrooke to trial the autonomous system at the space agency's analog terrain facility in Montreal, which replicates the surface of Mars. The field test provided an opportunity for the teams to identify and address any hardware and software constraints when operating in lunar-like conditions.

"Adapting our code to the LELR came with some unexpected challenges," says Krawciw. "Simulating lunar conditions introduced a five-second delay in command and feedback, so we couldn't rely on joystick control like we normally would. That pushed us to develop a new semi-autonomous teaching method using short path segmentssomething we hadn't done before."

"Despite the technical challenges, it's always exciting to see something I worked on in the lab come to life in a real space-focused mission."

After a successful field trial, the team was selected by the space agency in July 2025 to conduct an early-phase study for Canada's proposed lunar utility vehicle as part of the agency's lunar surface exploration initiative. This will be Canada's next contribution to NASA's Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the moon.

As the team prepares the vehicle to be mission-ready, Krawciw is focused on improving the system's performance in real-world conditions and ensuring it is ready for long-duration deployments.

"We learned a lot from running the system continuously in the field," says Krawciw.

"It wasn't just about getting the autonomy to workit was about making it reliable and user-friendly for operators who might be using it all day, in tough conditions. That perspective is shaping how I approach the next phase of development."
CORINTH  Worsham Brothers isn't like any other construction company.

Now in its 80th year, the Corinth-based company has carved out a niche in the business, following its own path to success.

"For us we feel like we're a boutique firm. We're not trying to be one of the large general contractors that exist across the nation," said company President Hayden Worsham III.

Since 1945, the company has constructed thousands of miles of roadways, hundreds of bridges, and over 1,000 projects throughout Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky.

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Worsham said the company's goal is "to continue to be in a position to administer projects like we do, where I'm involved as the owner, and it's a little more personal, intimate experience for customers where we can go and do large projects, and it's a different feel. If you get a project from Worsham Brothers, you're automatically going to get the 'A' team ... it doesn't matter the project size. We focus on experience for the customer which is so important."

Worsham Brothers was formed when three brothers  Frank, Clifford and Leroy  formed the company. All three were graduates of the Ole Miss civil engineering program, and they decided to get into the highway construction industry.

"Clifford spent some time with TVA, as did Leroy, so all three had a civil engineering program," Worsham said. "My great-grandfather  Frank  was too old to join the services, but his two younger brothers, like so many of that generation, joined."

Clifford joined the U.S. Navy while Leroy joined the U.S. Army.

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"They traveled to the Pacific and were gone a few years," Worsham said. "My great-grandfather and his brothers knew engineering well  they knew how to build highways, they knew how to build runways and bridges, because they were in the Pacific building them for U.S Forces."

Meanwhile back home in the States, Frank came up with the idea of opening a construction company in their hometown of Corinth. He sent them letters, asking that, if they were interested, each was to send $1,500  the equivalent of about $26,000 in modern funds  to get it started.

"That was a lot of money back then and nearly all the money they had," Worsham said.

On Oct. 16, 1945, Worsham Brothers landed its first contract.

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Frank oversaw the company's operations, waiting for his brothers to return from military service. Clifford came home around Christmas of that year, followed by Leroy the next year.

From there, the company blossomed to where it is today.

Some of the state's most well-traveled roads, such as Interstate 55 and the Natchez Trace, have had sections of it built by Worsham Brothers. The company's portfolio of projects also includes schools, hospitals, college buildings, churches, manufacturing plants, retail stores and more. The $30 million Army Aviation Support Facility in Tupelo, which opened in 2010, is the company's largest project to date.

Exactly 80 years after the company's first project, employees celebrated the anniversary Thursday at Pizza Grocery in Corinth.

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"Right now, we're blessed with about 35 people, and the group of people we have right now  I'm blown away by what they can accomplish," Worsham said. "Many of them have been here for decades. We have one who's been here for 47 years."

While Worsham never knew his great-grandfather, he did get to know his great-great-uncles and some of the older veterans of the company. With his father, Hayden Worsham Jr., serving as executive vice president, it only made sense that he would join the company one day. But he said "destined" isn't necessarily the right term.

"I had to work really, really hard, and I had to keep up with those that are working here," he said. "I had to make sure I earned the respect of the people, and I hope I've done that. They've certainly got all my respect, and I'm humbled to work with them every day."

At 34, he is well-versed in the company's legacy, and, following in the family footsteps, also graduated from Ole Miss with a civil engineering degree. But he didn't join the company immediately. For two years, he lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, working with an international civil engineering firm on projects spanning manufacturing, higher education, retail and medical site design from Virginia to California.

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"Doing that work, I was always thinking about getting back to Mississippi, but I didn't know what that looked like," he said.

He then moved to Atlanta, where he met his wife and worked for a startup general contractor. There he gained extensive experience in office, medical, retail, military, multi-family, hospitality, and manufacturing projects from both construction management and general contracting perspectives.

"I got a front row seat of what it looked like to run a general contracting firm," he said.

In 2020, his wife continued to work in retail media with a large home improvement retailer. It was then that the couple started to ask if Atlanta was the place they wanted to raise a family.

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"It just didn't feel right, and it didn't feel like it was part of God's plan," Worsham said. "So we asked, 'Where do we want to go?' and we knew North Mississippi was safe, it's got great schools, amazing people that take care of one another. So, I approached my dad and his business partners about the opportunity to come here.

"I tell you I don't think I ever planned to be in this seat, and I'm very blessed to be part of God's plan and where I am today."

Having his father on the management team also is a benefit.

His father has over 40 years of commercial contracting experience and oversees the company's concrete division, as well as all the company's self-performed work (when a company completes a project using its own labor, without subcontractors).

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"He's pretty much been a part of the company all his life, so he kinda knows the ins and outs," Worsham Jr. said. "A family business is really a blessing, and to have my son in the business with me as well is more of a blessing, and I look forward to seeing him grow the company, knowing that at his young age, he can change things."

Having his father and a core group of experienced people work at the company is a benefit that the younger Worsham has, as he leads the company into the next few decades.

"The biggest advice that they continue to emphasize is our values," Wortham said, "which are meeting our commitments, being honest and nice, doing what we said we would do, and working hard. Just focus on the and the rest will come."
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS)  At his visit to WVU Techs campus earlier in the week, West Virginia University President, Michael Benson gave his thoughts on the newly announced Direct Admission program at Marshall University.

WVU President visits WVU Tech campus

President Benson called it an admirable thing to do, especially in a state where last year there were only 18,000 high school graduates, and competition to get those high schools as undergrads is fierce.

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He said WVU also has some goals in that department.

So, if its an academic program on any campus in the state, we hope that those students will find it. Well figure out a way that they can afford to pay for it. Through scholarships, through Pell Grants, through stafford loans, through scholarships that the state offers. My goal is to do the same thing, is to try and allow those undergraduate students to finish their degrees with as less debt as possible, and thats a goal of ours, said President Benson.

President Benson said he and President Brian Smith of Marshall are good friends and often partner together on common goals for both schools.

He said he wants to encourage all high school graduates to find the right path for themselves after they leave high school.

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YORKTOWN, Va. (WAVY)  Historic Yorktown and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown are planning events for Saturday and Sunday to celebrate Americas decisive victory against the British during the Revolutionary War.

The victory itself occurred during the Siege of Yorktown on Oct. 19 of 1781, when American and French armies, under the control of General George Washington, accepted the surrender of British forces.

The annual Yorktown Day observance started back in 1922 when the Daughters of the American Revolution began a wreath-laying ceremony. Today, the commemorative events are run by the Yorktown Day Association, comprised of 13 civic, patriotic and government organizations.

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This year, the American Revolution Museum will feature the Fresh Views of the American Revolution art exhibit, which will have a special tour at noon Saturday (which is included with museum admission).

In addition, artillery demonstrations, military drills and other performances will be happening throughout the weekend.

Meanwhile, historic Yorktown will be hosting the Victory Market from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Officials say there will be shopping, artwork, meals, live music, family fun and photo opportunities.

Other activities include sailing aboard the Schooner Alliance II, the ADA accessible Yorktown Trolley, and a performance from the U.S. Coast Guard Tracen Ceremonial Band at 2 p.m. Saturday.

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In addition, residents of York County, James City County and the city of Williamsburg (including William & Mary students) will receive free admission with proof of residency. Sunday, free admission will also be offered to active duty, reserve and retired military personnel (and up to three direct family members) with military identification.

For additional details on events and to buy tickets, you can visit the JYF Museums website here.

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Anjali Sharma, a 21-year-old Australian climate activist, is speaking out against the government's inadequate emissions reduction goals.

As The Sydney Morning Herald reported, Anjali has been attending climate protests since 2019, when she was just 14 years old. She was also the lead litigant against Australia's government in a class-action lawsuit related to climate issues.

Anjali has called the Australian leaders' climate targets weak commitments, knowing that her future will be vastly different from that of past generations because of the overheating planet. She foresees raising children in a world with increased heat-related deaths, in a country steadily losing land to rising sea levels, and in a community with food, water, and air that pose health hazards.

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Her hopes for a more sustainable tomorrow were further shattered by the Australian government's recent announcement that it would only aim to reduce emissions by 62%-70% by 2035. Meanwhile, science has shown that the country needs to reach net zero by that time to offset the impacts of devastating temperature increases.

"For me, many of my generation, and many others like my family, who have grown up on the frontlines of the climate crisis, this is not about parties or politics," Anjali told The Sydney Morning Herald. "This is about survival."

Anjali's story from a youth perspective is raw, personal, frustrated, and urgent.

Yet, she continues to implore the authorities to listen to the pleas of young people who will be tragically affected by our changing global climate. She continues to write and speak out about climate risks to encourage other youth to vote for candidates who will advocate for their futures.

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Meanwhile, other young activists have been making their voices heard and fighting for a sustainable future climate in Alaska, Florida, and many other places worldwide. Their passion and perspectives inspire people of all ages to take local action in their communities by spreading public awareness, volunteering, and donating to climate causes.

Anjali continues to advocate for the protection of young people from the impacts of climate change on her social media channels and through the Duty of Care campaign.

"Young people are not a fringe minority; we are not only protesters, we are voters," Anjali told The Sydney Morning Herald. "And until election time comes around, we'll keep screaming, because the ballot box is where we can vote for our futures and vote out those who stand in the way of a safe climate. The ballot box is where the void can finally answer back."

How often do you feel hopeful about the future of the planet when you read news stories or watch entertainment content? Often Sometimes Rarely Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.




Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday said President Trump poured cold water on his request to provide the Eastern European nation with Tomahawk missiles amid its over three-years-long war with Russia.

Its very difficult just to operate only with Ukrainian drones. We need long-range Tomahawks and United States has similar things, Zelensky said during a Friday appearance on NBC Newss Meet the Press with Kristen Welker.

We need it for mixed  using like Russia uses it, its understandable how it works, so our teams work on it, I said, and Im honest, its good that President Trump didnt say no, but for today, didnt say yes, he added.

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Zelensky, who met with Trump Friday afternoon at the White House, did not provide an exact reason as to why Ukraines request for Tomahawk missiles was denied, but told Welker the president said the move wouldnt coincide with Americas interests.

The Kremlin is currently using self-produced missiles in addition to missiles from North Korea and drones from Iran.

Trump told reporters on Friday that its not easy for the U.S. to provide the missiles, which have a range of more than 1,500 miles, adding that hopefully, well be able to get the war over with, without thinking about Tomahawks. He also told Russia and Ukraine to stop where they are and halt fighting immediately after meeting with Zelensky.

The Trump administration has been focused on securing a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine as it comes off the heels of brokering a peace deal between Israel and Hamas.

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On Thursday, the president spoke with Russian Leader Vladimir Putin about the countrys war in Ukraine. The two leaders agreed to meet in Budapest for another in person discussion after an August Alaska summit.

Ahead of the call, Russia launched one of its largest attacks on Ukraine, with 37 missiles, including 28 ballistic missiles, and 320 drones in multiple directions.

Russian leaders have warned Trump against sending Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine for its protection.

Trump said that if the Russian President doesnt resolve the Ukrainian conflict, it will end badly for him. Hes making this threat for the hundredth time, in short, Russian Security Council deputy chair Dmitry Medvedev wrote in a Monday Telegram post.

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If business peacemaker is referring to Tomahawk missiles, then the phrase is incorrect. The delivery of these missiles could end badly for everyone. And most of all, for Trump himself, he concluded.

Last weekend, Trump signaled he would be open to sending the powerful missiles to Ukraine. His tone shifted after speaking to Putin on Thursday.

I think that Putin [is] afraid that United States will deliver us Tomahawks, Zelensky told NBC on Friday. And I think that he really afraid that we will use.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is still hoping for US approval to receive long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles following his White House meeting with President Donald Trump on Friday.

"Our teams work on it" Zelensky told broadcaster NBC in an interview. "It's good that President Trump didn't say 'no,' but for today, didn't say 'yes'," he added.

Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine relies on such long-range weapons in defending itself against Russia's full-scale invasion, which has been ongoing for more than three years.

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He also noted that Tomahawks are a sensitive issue for Moscow and said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin fears their delivery to Kiev.

Zelensky had travelled to Washington seeking approval for the long-range missiles, which could allow Ukraine to take a more offensive role in repelling the Russian invasion.

Trump has long been torn over the issue, showing willingness to discuss the weapons but repeatedly stressing that the US also needs them.

Following the meeting, it remained unclear what was agreed regarding the Tomahawks.
After meeting with US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not argue with his opinion that Ukraine and Russia "should stop where they are" and start negotiating, but he reminded the American president that Ukraine did not start the war and should not be the one to "stop".

Source: Zelenskyy at a press briefing following his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, as reported by European Pravda

Details: When asked about Trump's statement after the meeting, Zelenskyy said that "under the circumstances we have now", he agrees with Trump.

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Quote: "I think we have to stop where we are now, and the president [of the United States] is right. We should stop where we are. It is important to stop where we are and then start talking [about ending the war]... But, between us, the issue is with Putin  because we did not begin this war."

Details: He reiterated that he is ready to meet with the Russian leader in any format for this purpose.

Zelenskyy also emphasised that Ukraine is in favour of first stopping the hostilities and only then starting talks on territorial or other aspects of a potential peace agreement.

He noted that this would be an "important first step" and that he "thinks the president [Trump] understands this".

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Quote: "I know that Russia has a different position. They want to occupy everything [the entire territory of Ukraine]."

Background:

On 17 October, Zelenskyy travelled to the White House at Donald Trump's invitation. This came after two consecutive telephone conversations between the two leaders, and the meeting was planned to discuss extremely sensitive issues. One of the key issues was expected to be the possibility of providing Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles.

After the meeting, the media outlets learned that Trump had not agreed to provide the missiles and that the conversation had been quite tense. However, Zelenskyy noted that the issue is not completely closed, despite Trump's current position.

After the meeting, the US president said that Ukraine and Russia "need to negotiate" an end to the war and reiterated that "the war would not have started if he had been president".

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has spoken with key European partners who are members of the Coalition of the Willing following the meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Source: Zelenskyy at a press briefing following his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy noted that the delay in his appearance before the press was due to the fact that after meeting with the US president, he had a telephone conversation with a group of European countries that are Ukraine's strategic partners and with the leadership of the European Union.

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Quote: "I had a joint phone call with a group of the main leaders of the Coalition of the Willing. There were both presidents, Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, from the EU."

Details: He added that Finnish President Alexander Stubb, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and this may not be an exhaustive list of leaders.

Quote: "One of the topics that we discussed with President Trump was about security guarantees. We want the United States to be a part of security [guarantees]. We count on the leadership of the United States."

Details: He added that he spoke with European partners in particular about air defence issues and support within the framework of the PURL programme, under which European partners provide funds for the transfer of American weapons to Ukraine.

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Background: On 17 October, Zelenskyy travelled to the White House at Donald Trump's invitation. This came after two consecutive telephone conversations between the two leaders, and the meeting was planned to discuss extremely sensitive issues. One of the key issues was expected to be the possibility of providing Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles.

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This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Chinese Nobel Prize-winning physicist Chen Ning Yang delivers a speech at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou in eastern China's Zhejiang province, on April 14, 2014. Credit: Chinatopix via AP

Chinese Nobel Prize-winning physicist Chen Ning Yang, one of the most influential scientists in modern physics, died in Beijing on Saturday. He was 103.

The prestigious Tsinghua University, where he studied and served as a professor, said in a statement that Yang died of an illness, without sharing further details.

"Professor Yang is one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century, having made revolutionary contributions to the development of modern physics," the statement said, praising his contribution to China's scientific and educational developments.

Yang won the Nobel Prize in 1957 with Tsung-Dao Lee for their investigation of the so-called parity laws that led to "important discoveries regarding the elementary particles," according to the Nobel Prize website. They were the first Chinese-born Nobel Prize winners in physics.

In his speech at the Nobel Banquet at the time, he said he was as proud of his Chinese heritage as he was devoted to modern science, a part of human civilization of Western origin.

"I am heavy with an awareness of the fact that I am in more than one sense a product of both the Chinese and Western cultures, in harmony and in conflict," according to his speech, shared on the Nobel Prize website.

Chinese Nobel Prize-winning physicist Chen Ning Yang delivers a speech at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou in eastern China's Zhejiang province, on April 14, 2014. Credit: Chinatopix via AP

Yang, also known as Frank or Franklin, was also famous for his YangMills theory developed with American physicist Robert Mills.

Born in 1922, Yang was brought up surrounded by the Tsinghua campus, where his father was a math professor, the website said. After finishing his undergraduate degree, he obtained his master's degree from Tsinghua.

He enrolled in the University of Chicago in the United States to pursue a doctorate in 1946 and was strongly influenced by Italian-American physicist Enrico Fermi, who had won the same Nobel Prize in 1938, the website said. He later became a professor at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.

In 1986, he became a distinguished Professor-at-large at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, to which he generously donated many of his awards and articles, including the Nobel Prize. Starting from 1999, he served as a professor at Tsinghua.

According to a 2017 report by China's official news agency Xinhua, Yang obtained American citizenship. He said at the time it was a painful decision, one that his father had not forgiven him for. He renounced his U.S. citizenship in 2015, saying it was a beautiful country that gave him good opportunities in studying science, the report said.

The Nobel Prize website said Yang had three children.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that during his meeting with US President Donald Trump, the American leader did not say "no" to the possibility of supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles, but did not say "yes" either.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with NBC News, recorded shortly after his meeting with Trump and set to air on Sunday 19 October

Quote: "It's good that President Trump didn't say 'no,' but for today, didn't say 'yes.'"

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Details: Zelenskyy said he hopes to continue the dialogue on the supply of long-range missiles.

Quote: "We use thousands of long-range drones of Ukrainian production on military goals. But Russia uses not only drones of Iranian production and also of their [domestic] production but also they use their long-range missiles of Russian production and of North Korea production. It is very difficult just to operate with only Ukrainian drones. We need long-range Tomahawks, and the United States have similar things that we need for a mixed use [combined attacks  ed.] like Russia [does]."

More details: Zelenskyy added that Ukrainian troops armed with Tomahawk long-range missiles would pose a real threat to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.

Quote: "I think Putin is afraid that the United States will deliver us Tomahawks. And I think he is afraid that we will use them."

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More details: NBC News noted that returning to Ukraine without a deal on Tomahawk missiles will likely "spur Zelenskyy's critics to ask why he came to the US at all".

Background:

On 17 October, Zelenskyy travelled to the White House at Trump's invitation, following two consecutive phone calls between them. The meeting was intended to discuss highly sensitive issues.

A member of the Ukrainian delegation said that Zelenskyy arrived with a map highlighting weak points in Russia's defence industry and economy.

Zelenskyy stated that he planned to offer Trump a deal to obtain Tomahawk cruise missiles in exchange for Ukrainian drone technology.

CNN has reported that Trump made it clear during the meeting that he was not currently considering supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles.

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HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP)  Zimbabwes ruling ZANU-PF party said Saturday it will begin steps to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwas term by two years, potentially keeping the 83-year-old in power until 2030.

Under Zimbabwes Constitution, Mnangagwa is due to step down in 2028 after completing two five-year terms. Any extension would require amending the term-limit provisions.

The resolution, adopted at the partys annual conference in the eastern city of Mutare, directs the government to initiate the requisite legislative amendments to implement the plan, said Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who also serves as ZANU-PFs legal secretary.

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Hundreds of delegates cheered as the motion passed. The party, in power since independence in 1980, controls Parliament, though some legal experts such as lecturer Lovemore Madhuku said that any change in the term limit could require two referendums.

Mnangagwa has previously described himself as a constitutionalist, saying he had no plans to exceed his mandate. However, factions loyal to him have campaigned for his stay in office until 2030. Allies of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who led a 2017 coup against former President Robert Mugabe when he was still a general in the military, oppose any extension.

Blessed Geza, a Chiwenga supporter and veteran of of the 1970s war against white minority rule, has used YouTube broadcasts to denounce the campaign, drawing thousands of viewers. But his calls for protests have been muted as police deployed officers.

Mnangagwa did not mention the extension proposal in his closing remark. Chiwenga has not commented on Mnangagwas term extension bid or the protests.

Similar constitutional changes have prolonged the rule of several African leaders in recent years.
Millions of people took to the streets Saturday in No Kings marches opposing President Trump, with demonstrations unfolding in more than 2,500 cities across all 50 states and several European capitals.

In Washington, D.C., organizers told reporters that roughly 200,000 people gathered near the National Mall. In New York City, police said more than 100,000 demonstrators marched across all five boroughs without a single protest-related arrest. Boston Common saw tens of thousands, according to local news outlets, while large crowds also gathered in Chicago, San Diego and San Francisco.

Prominent Democrats, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, as well as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, joined protesters in several cities, framing the days marches as a defense of democracy and civil liberties.

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In Washington, D.C., Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut warned that American democracy is already in the middle of an authoritarian takeover, telling protesters that no one is riding to our rescue.

Protests began earlier in the day in London, Madrid, Berlin, Stockholm and Rome, where crowds gathered outside U.S. embassies holding signs reading Make America sane again and Stop making war on your own people.

On social media, Trumps War Room account posted memes mocking the protests, including one showing Trump wearing a gold crown.
Injured Palestinian Hassan Qlob, 18, who his father says was shot in the head more than two months ago while out seeking food, lies on a bed as he waits for the Rafah crossing to reopen so he can receive treatment abroad, as his father Ibrahim tends to him, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza went into effect, at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip on Oct. 15, 2025.

(RAMDAN ABED, REUTERS)
It's not uncommon for a younger sibling to need help from an older oneor for adult kids to lean on their parents now and then. But when a 46-year-old woman keeps asking her 27-year-old little brother for money, despite already owing their mom $800, it stops being family support and starts sounding like financial absurdity. That's exactly what Dave Ramsey and John Delony thought when a caller named Brandon phoned "The Ramsey Show" from Denver. His problem wasn't a budgetit was boundaries. His m
 Alicia McClintic is a book seller at Inklings Bookshop. She and other Inklings staffers review books in this space every week.
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

Taking greater investment risks with technologies and new lines of business can help lower emissions from the aviation industry, one of the world's fastest-growing sources of climate pollution, according to new research from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. The article, "Mobilizing Capital and Technology for a Clean Aviation Industry," is published in Science.

Cutting planet-warming pollution to near-zero will take more than inventing new clean technologies; it will require changing how the world invests in them. That's especially true for industries like aviation, where developing and adopting greener solutions is risky and expensive.

The new paper, co-authored by Philipp Goedeking from Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz (Germany) and Andreas W. Schafer from University College London, reveals that smarter ways of managing investment risk could help speed up the shift toward cleaner air travel and other hard-to-decarbonize sectors.

Dr. Thomas Conlon, Professor of Finance from UCD Smurfit School, and co-authors propose a tool called an Aviation Sustainability Index (ASI), which is a quantitative method to assess how different technologies or investments could help decouple emissions from growth in air travel. The approach is designed to help investors distinguish between projects that only modestly improve efficiency and those that could significantly transform the sector's climate impact.

While roughly $1 trillion is expected to flow into aviation over the next decade, most of that money will simply make aircraft slightly more efficient. Few investors have clear incentives to back the kind of breakthrough technologies, such as hydrogen propulsion, advanced aircraft designs, or large-scale sustainable fuel systems, that could substantially reduce emissions.

"Cleaner flight is possible, but it requires changing how we think about both risk and return," says co-author David G. Victor, Professor of Innovation and Public Policy from the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy, and a leading voice in climate policy. "We need new institutions, incentives, and partnerships that reward innovation, not just incrementalism."

"The technology to support clean aviation exists, but it requires a new way of framing the relationship between risk, return and sustainability," says Dr. Conlon. "Capital needs to flow towards risky innovations that will really move the dial in terms of deep decarbonization. The proposed ASI provides a greenwashing-resistant way to underpin sustainability linked financing to the sector, allowing investors to identify innovations will truly move the dial."

The researchers also highlight a broader lesson for climate policy. Global decarbonization goals such as "net zero by 2050" sound bold and ambitious, but when it becomes clear that they can't be met, these goals make it harder to focus on the practical steps needed today to drive change in real-world markets.

By developing better tools to evaluate climate-friendly investments and by rewarding companies willing to take calculated risks on breakthrough technologies, governments, investors and industry leaders can accelerate real progress toward decarbonization.

More information: David G. Victor et al, Mobilizing capital and technology for a clean aviation industry, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adu2458. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adu2458 Journal information: Science
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 'selfie' taken during Webb's testing on Earth. Credit: Ball Aerospace

After Christmas dinner in 2021, our family was glued to the television, watching the nail-biting launch of NASA's US$10 billion (AU$15 billion) James Webb Space Telescope. There had not been such a leap forward in telescope technology since Hubble was launched in 1990.

En route to its deployment, Webb had to successfully navigate 344 potential points of failure. Thankfully, the launch went better than expected, and we could finally breathe again.

Six months later, Webb's first images were revealed, of the most distant galaxies yet seen. However, for our team in Australia, the work was only beginning.

We would be using Webb's highest-resolution mode, called the aperture masking interferometer or AMI for short. It's a tiny piece of precisely machined metal that slots into one of the telescope's cameras, enhancing its resolution.

Our results on painstakingly testing and enhancing AMI are now released on the open-access archive arXiv in a pair of papers. We can finally present its first successful observations of stars, planets, moons and even black hole jets.

Working with an instrument a million kilometers away

Hubble started its life seeing out of focusits mirror had been ground precisely, but incorrectly. By looking at known stars and comparing the ideal and measured images (exactly like what optometrists do), it was possible to figure out a "prescription" for this optical error and design a lens to compensate.

The correction required seven astronauts to fly up on the Space Shuttle Endeavor in 1993 to install the new optics. Hubble orbits Earth just a few hundred kilometers above the surface, and can be reached by astronauts.

The primary mirror of the Webb telescope consists of 18 precisely ground hexagonal segments. Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn

By contrast, Webb is roughly 1.5 million kilometers awaywe can't visit and service it, and need to be able to fix issues without changing any hardware.

This is where AMI comes in. This is the only Australian hardware on board, designed by astronomer Peter Tuthill.

It was put on Webb to diagnose and measure any blur in its images. Even nanometers of distortion in Webb's 18 hexagonal primary mirrors and many internal surfaces will blur the images enough to hinder the study of planets or black holes, where sensitivity and resolution are key.

AMI filters the light with a carefully structured pattern of holes in a simple metal plate, to make it much easier to tell if there are any optical misalignments.

AMI allows for a precise test pattern that can help correct any issues with JWSTs focus. Credit: Anand Sivaramakrishnan/STScI

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.

Hunting blurry pixels

We wanted to use this mode to observe the birth places of planets, as well as material being sucked into black holes. But before any of this, AMI showed Webb wasn't working entirely as hoped.

At very fine resolutionat the level of individual pixelsall the images were slightly blurry due to an electronic effect: brighter pixels leaking into their darker neighbors.

This is not a mistake or flaw, but a fundamental feature of infrared cameras that turned out to be unexpectedly serious for Webb.

This was a dealbreaker for seeing distant planets many thousands of times fainter than their stars a few pixels away: my colleagues quickly showed that its limits were more than ten times worse than hoped.

So, we set out to correct it.

How we sharpened Webb's vision

In a new paper led by University of Sydney Ph.D. student Louis Desdoigts, we looked at stars with AMI to learn and correct the optical and electronic distortions simultaneously.

We built a computer model to simulate AMI's optical physics, with flexibility about the shapes of the mirrors and apertures and about the colors of the stars.

A map of the HD 206893 system. The colorful spots show the likelihood of there being an object at that position, while B and C show the known positions of the companion planets. The wider blob means the position of C is less precisely measured, as its much fainter than B. This is simplified from the full version presented in the paper. Credit: Desdoigts et al, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2510.09806

We connected this to a machine learning model to represent the electronics with an "effective detector model"where we only care about how well it can reproduce the data, not about why.

After training and validation on some test stars, this setup allowed us to calculate and undo the blur in other data, restoring AMI to full function. It doesn't change what Webb does in space, but rather corrects the data during processing.

It worked beautifullythe star HD 206893 hosts a faint planet and the reddest-known brown dwarf (an object between a star and a planet). They were known but out of reach with Webb before applying this correction. Now, both little dots popped out clearly in our new maps of the system.

This correction has opened the door to using AMI to prospect for unknown planets at previously impossible resolutions and sensitivities.

It works not just on dots

In a companion paper by University of Sydney Ph.D. student Max Charles, we applied this to looking not just at dotseven if these dots are planetsbut forming complex images at the highest resolution made with Webb. We revisited well-studied targets that push the limits of the telescope, testing its performance.

With the new correction, we brought Jupiter's moon Io into focus, clearly tracking its volcanoes as it rotates over an hour-long timelapse.

Jupiters moon Io, seen by AMI on Webb. Four bright spots are visible; they are volcanoes, exactly where expected, and rotate with Io over the hour-long timelapse. Credit: Max Charles

As seen by AMI, the jet launched from the black hole at the center of the galaxy NGC 1068 closely matched images from much-larger telescopes.

Finally, AMI can sharply resolve a ribbon of dust around a pair of stars called WR 137, a faint cousin of the spectacular Apep system, lining up with theory.

The code built for AMI is a demo for much more complex cameras on Webb and its follow-up, Roman space telescope. These tools demand an optical calibration so fine, it's just a fraction of a nanometerbeyond the capacity of any known materials.

Our work shows that if we can measure, control, and correct the materials we do have to work with, we can still hope to find Earth-like planets in the far reaches of our galaxy.

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 is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
A massive fire has erupted at Brahmaputra Apartments in New Delhi, a residential complex for Rajya Sabha MPs located just 200 meters from Parliament.
Federal Executive sends secondary laws to combat extortion reports President Sheinbaum

Mexico City, Mexico  President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Friday that she sent the laws that harmonize actions to combat extortion to Congress.

Ernestina Godoy Ramos

The legal advisor to the Federal Executive Branch, Ernestina Godoy Ramos, explained that the initiative contemplates coordination between authorities, a basic criminal classification, elements and provisions for investigating, prosecuting, and punishing this crime, as well as criminal enforcement and specific rules for penitentiary centers.

Thus, the crime of extortion is prosecuted ex officio, so it wont depend on a complaint for investigation; furthermore, all authorities will have the same resources.

The penalties or sentences will range from six to 15 years in prison depending on aggravating factors such as protection rackets, if the victims are migrants or minors, or if the offenders are public servants or inmates of a penitentiary.

He said that, in this way, the strategy currently being implemented by the federal government is elevated to the rank of law; it includes reforms to the Federal Penal Code, the Federal Law against Organized Crime, the National Code of Criminal Procedure, and the National Asset Forfeiture Law.

She explained that the recent reform to Article 73 of the Constitution empowers the Congress of the Union to enact a general law to combat extortion.

The ultimate goal is to consolidate public peace and security in the country through a national strategy that addresses the causes of violence and implements intelligence, investigation, and coordination among authorities, with full respect for human rights.
Secretary visits to establish actions and strategies to strengthen the tourist flow

Tulum, Q.R.  Following instructions from President Claudia Sheinbaum, the Secretary of Tourism of the Government of Mexico, Josefina Rodriguez Zamora, made a working visit to Tulum. In an official press release, she said she made the working visit to establish actions and strategies to strengthen the tourist flow of the destination.

The visit was made in coordination with all levels of government and the private sector, to consolidate Tulum as a world-class destination, inclusive, safe and respectful of its heritage.

The Secretary participated in the Community Tourism Participatory Forum where dialogue between communities, academia and tourism stakeholders was promoted to strengthen this model as sustainable, fair and inclusive.

The head of the Ministry of Tourism (Sectur) explained that the visit, which takes place prior to the high season at the end of the year, aims to comprehensively analyze the current situation and define immediate actions, as well as short- and long-term strategies to strengthen the flow of domestic and international tourists.

It also seeks to implement mechanisms that consolidate the destinations sustainability and respond to the needs of the sector.

We have received instructions from our President: tourism is a priority. We are addressing multiple factors and also generating good news for our great destination, Tulum.

During this tour, an inter-institutional meeting was established, and the most important thing is that we will be working directly with each sector. We listened to their needs, which are not new, so in the coming weeks, as the President announced, we will be reporting on the results of this visit, she explained.

These comprehensive initiatives reflect the collaboration between authorities and the private sector, with the goal of maintaining Tulum as a world-class destination, open to all, respectful of its natural and cultural heritage, and committed to inclusion, safety, and sustainability.

She emphasized that the inter-institutional committee is making progress in implementing a comprehensive recovery and sustainability policy that strengthens the promotion, safety, and accessibility of Tulum, ensuring that visitors can fully enjoy its beaches, cultural heritage and natural resources.

She stated that the Presidents assignment responds to the Mexican governments commitment to promoting inclusive tourism and ensuring that Tulum remains a benchmark for natural, cultural, and hospitality wealth.

We want everyone to enjoy the natural and cultural riches of this destination, while promoting sustainable, inclusive, and responsible tourism that generates well-being for the community, he said.

During her visit, the Secretary of Tourism participated, along with the Governor of Quintana Roo, Mara Lezama Espinosa and Senator Eugenio Segura Vazquez in the Community Tourism Participatory Forum, held within the framework of the Legislative Pact for National Tourism, whose objective is to promote dialogue between communities, organizations, academia and tourism stakeholders to strengthen community tourism as a sustainable, inclusive and fair model that respects the rights of indigenous and Afro-Mexican communities.

Rodriguez Zamora emphasized: Our country, as a tourism powerhouse, offers countless cultural, natural, sports, and adventure opportunities. We have 111 protected areas for tourism, 33 sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Listmaking Mexico the fifth country with the most sites worldwide and the first in Latin Americaand more than 12,000 indigenous communities managed by traditional authorities or assemblies.

She explained that this data reflects the enormous potential for developing community-managed tourism that integrates their cultural identity, gastronomy, customs, heritage, and ways of life, thus strengthening the tourism and social fabric of their territories.

She also highlighted that, through the National Community Tourism Program, the Ministry of Tourism has promoted more than 350 community experiences in coordination with the states of the Republic and international organizations.

This meeting is an invitation to dialogue and the exchange of ideas so that community tourism can consolidate itself as a development model that equitably distributes its benefits, preserves Mexicos cultural and natural wealth, and guarantees real opportunities for those involved in this sector.

This forum is a cornerstone for strengthening community tourism as a generator of shared well-being and prosperity, she said.
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I had a burger recently that blew my mind. Miraculously, it was at a Lebanese restaurant. Thick, grilled to temperature like a steak (I prefer my burgers medium), made with 20 percent lamb and 80 percent beef, and featuring white cheddar, jammy caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, and a burger sauce thats made with Lebanese toum and Worcestershire. The burger dripped with wonderful juices and popped with a lovely, grassy beef flavor. What is this taste? I wondered to myself.

It was in that instant that I realized two things: One, the flavor that had so captivated me was just a hefty patty of good beef, and two, I had been inhaling far too many smashburgers as of late. Those burgers, smooshed to oblivion and grilled into darkness, dont give off the same alluring beef aroma. They dont have the same wonderful, signature beefy taste. On that day, mouth full of meat, I decided to forswear simpering smashies and eat more pub burgers. Thick burgers are back, I declared to no one but myself.

You can just taste the beef more, says Samy Eid, owner of the aforementioned Lebanese restaurant, Phoenicia. Hes also the founder of Chickpea Hospitality, a restaurant group in southeast Michigan responsible for some of the regions finest restaurants. About a block away from Phoenicia is this cool, artful little steakhouse-bistro hybrid called Wilders. Its got all the Americana-specific steakhouse fareimmaculate cuts of meat, shrimp cocktail, oysters, and a big, beefy wagyu cheeseburger weighing in at half a pound.

The Wilders burger is equally excellent, but getting there was a creative struggle within the team. Do we put a smashburger on the menu or go with a pub burger? recalls Matthew Hollander, managing partner of Chickpea. Eventually, the team settled on a thick burger, because it better fits the steakhouse vibe and also because, as Hollander tells it, a smashburger is an outside burger, and a thicker pub burger is more of a luxurious, time-consuming sit-down experience.

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Look, I realize the virtues of smashburgers. Theyre  accessible. The patties, smashed and cooked on a flattop, achieve a crispy, caramelized crust that melds in totality with the other ingredients. The cheese, the bun, the pickles, the ground beef it all fuses impeccably. The result is a melty, gooey burger experience in which all flavors become one. Texturally, smashburgers can be nice. Its possible to understand why they have ascended into burger dominance over the past five years: the eye-popping wow factor of a made-for-Instagram sloppy smash, the portability, and the price (smash ingredients are typically cheap). But in that time, thick burgers have become too distant in our minds. Its almost as if, collectively, weve all forgotten about the classic. The pendulum has swung too far! But now, thankfully, chefs and food writers appear to be dragging it back.

Its a steak on a bun, waxes Jeff Strauss, owner of Oy Bar and Jeffs Table in Los Angeles, of a classic pub burger. Strauss is a sandwich aficionado, a longtime Angeleno who can get down with a smashburgerbut even he admits his heart lies with pub burgers. You get meatiness, you get juiciness, you get the other side of beef that we react to, which is that juicy, iron-rich, full flavor, says Strauss. Its also great as a platform for flavor, which is what I always look for: platforms for flavors and textures. Things to create a memory experience.

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Strauss hypothesizes that food critics in Los Angeles (the types of people covering dining trends for Eater, the Infatuation, and the L.A. Times) might be becoming sick of smashburgers for what he calls their lack of range. If you look at these lists of the best burgers in the city, he says, you see a lot of pub burgers now. [Like] whats happening in L.A. at Dunsmoor, The Benjamin, at Dudley Market, at Moos Craft [Barbecue].

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When Strauss says the word range, hes referring to the things that a pub burger can do that a smashburger just cant, and one of those is to hold a lot of toppings, to become that platform. Strauss Oyburger (which you can get at Oy Bar in Sherman Oaks) includes toma cheese, Persian cucumber, hoisin ketchup, red onion, Little Gem lettuce, Dijon, and cilantrothis beast is stacked with condiments. Its a tribute to the Taiwanese beef roll popularized outside its native community by the legendary food critic Jonathan Gold. I remember when I first read about it, I drove deep into the San Gabriel Valley to try that thing, recalls Strauss. In keeping with that passion, his burger is a love letter to Los Angeles, the citys multiculturalism, and the way foods seamlessly intersect with one another. Could a smashburger carry such riches? He thinks not.

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If Im eating a burger on the go, Im getting a smashburger, Strauss says, which brings me to another point in favor of pub burgers: the uninterrupted art of eating well. Theres just something sensual and meditative about sitting down with a big, beefy two-hander, a kind of focus, clarity, and peace. Its the feeling of eating that we crave too. I mean, it is sort of impossible to be scrolling mindlessly on your phone when your hands are dripping in beef juices, right?

To be sure I wasnt missing something in my growing penchant for pub, I talked to Matthew McIvor, the guy behind one of the more enticing smashburgers in L.A. County, on the shores of Redondo Beach at Proudly Serving. I like to blend my love of pub burgers and smashburgers together, McIvor teases. He started slinging burgers in his Redondo Beach backyard during the pandemic. Now? Hes thinking about franchising. Customers flock from all over to Redondo and Hermosa Beach just for his double-patty smashburgers (no paltry singles here).

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But McIvor doesnt just serve original smashburgers with American cheese, pickles, onions, and special sauce. Proudly Serving doles out plenty of burger specials, including a steak Diane burger, a birria smashburger, a pastrami burger, a house-made chili burger, and a brunch burger with egg yolk and bacon jam. Every month, theres something different. Still, for all his creativity, he acknowledges that most smashburger places dont experiment that much. They have maybe one burger on the menu, then you get to add patties, he says. I just dont have that mentality. I have to have variety.

To McIvors mind, adding all the accoutrement you typically associate with a fancy pub burger doesnt hinder the smash at all. Personally, I am skeptical that much of the beef shines in a smashed 2-to-3-ounce patty with all those inventive toppings. Those big quarter-to-half-pound burgers you find at places like Wilders and Oy Bar? The beef flavor is pronounced because its thickset and cooked medium. Strauss phrase steak on a bun keeps ringing in my ears.

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I ask McIvor straight up if its possible to grill a smashburger to temperature, and he says no. Getting all of those full, beef-forward, grassy, buttery flavors is just more difficult when its been smashed into an overcooked disc of can-we-even-call-this-beef-anymore?

Another thread Ive found among chefs is that the ones who focus on butchery (and thus full meaty flavor) tend to lean toward pub burgers too. I like a pub/tavern-style burger a lot more than a smashburger, says Blake Shailes of Butchr Bar, a Los Angeles restaurant specializing in butchered salumi, offal, and Australian wagyu. The smashburger is in full swing in Australia now, Shailes says. I personally think there is a time and place for both. Cheap burgers can be a smash style that have that great flavor and texture from the Maillard effect and the caramelization of the meat as a cheaper cost point. However, a thicker patty has a larger cost point. I like the fact you get a different texture from the meat that has caramelization and still has that medium-rare/medium fleshiness. We cook our burger over charcoal at Butchr Bar that gives a unique flavor and texture to a patty.

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Shailes raises a good point: Cheap burger meat can be smashed to mask its inherent mediocrity. Its a nifty trick that keeps price points rather low, even for a double smash. But just because many smashburger joints use cheap meat, that doesnt mean that everyone is. Goldburger in L.A. and Melway Burgers in Detroit both serve their smashburgers with meat that comes from regenerative farms, and both serve flavorful, scented, beefy burgers. However, grass-fed meat is usually leaner, making it more difficult to achieve those lacy edges that nerdy smashburger champions clamor for.

Instead of continuing dully on with the smashburger trend, more and more chefs are turning to pub burgers because it suits their creativity and belief systems, and guess what? Burgers are better for it. Theyve become more flavorful, experimental, and true to an immersive dining experience that we should all be seeking out. Smashburgers, with their inherent repeatability across the medium, have become stale and uniform. I cant help but revisit once more Jeff Strauss thesis: Its a steak on a bun. That special feeling that a steak conjures, its particular exclusiveness, and the way it seemingly locks you into a specific place and time. Im more inclined to see my burgers as steaks now, and order them for their bold flavor, excellent quality, and sit-down experience. And, hey, its cheaper than a steak too. So indulge in a big burger at a restaurant. Stay a while, and sit with your food. This, friends, is dining well.
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Welcome to this weeks edition of the Surge, Slates politics newsletter that will begin with a lightning round of commentary on news stories we didnt otherwise have big thoughts about: The Gaza ceasefire is good! The Young Republicans group chat is bad. The ongoing government shutdown is definitely a thing that is happening.

What do we have thoughts on? Various old Democrats running against various young Democrats in Senate primaries. The war on Caribbean boats potentially expanding to Venezuela(??). A new prosecution of someone Trump dislikes on cable news. Plus, Republicans free advertisements for the No Kings protests.

We also have a housekeeping note: The Surge will be going on hiatus after this week, likely through the end of the year. We expect all of Americas problems to be resolved by then.

Speaking of problems

1. Brett Kavanaugh

Another major swipe at the Voting Rights Act.

Once again, the Supreme Court suspects that Black people may have too cushy of a deal in the United States of America. The court heard oral arguments this week on Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and whether creating majority-minority districts to prevent the dilution of minorities votes violates the 14th and 15th Amendments. [Deep sigh.] Were VRA-protected districts eliminated, it would gut Black representation in Congress, cost Democrats somewhere in the ballpark of a dozen seats in Congress, and require Democrats to achieve landslide performances to achieve a bare majority in the House.

It sounded during arguments like the court is eager to do thisas evidenced, even before oral arguments, by its decision over the summer to assign itself this broad question. One hallmark of this SCOTUS majority going back to Shelby County in 2013, which gutted other sections of the VRA, is that it doesnt think racism is that big of a problem anymore, and so its time to declare a whole bunch of stuffvoting rights protections, affirmative actionunconstitutional. The likely swing vote is Justice Brett Kavanaugh, whos looking for another banger after having recently permitted law enforcement to ask Hispanic-looking people eating lunch for their papers. During oral arguments, Kavanaugh said that race-based remedies are permissible for a period of time but should not be indefinite and should have an end point. Whens the end point? Does Kavanaugh think things look pretty solid now, racism-wise? Much hinges on this question.

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2. Janet Mills

The Maine event. [Groan.]

After months of recruitment efforts from Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, Maines Democratic governor this week entered the Senate race to unseat Sen. Susan Collins. Before she can get to that general election matchup, though, shell have to get through a primary against veteran and oysterman Graham Platner, a political newcomer whos raised a lot of cash and attracted a lot of attention since announcing his run in August. The primary matchup puts a lot of current questions in Democratic politicsold vs. young, insider vs. outsider, populist vs. establishmenton the line. Read more about it here.

For our purposes today, well focus on the glaring imperfections that have already come to light for each primary candidate. For Platner, being an outsider and political novice has its advantages. But it also means hes posted a lot of shit on the internet in the past. CNN dug up some old (and since deleted) Reddit posts of his in which he jokes about how he became a communist the older he got, how cops are bastards, and how white rural America is racist and stupid. Hes got his work cut out for him. Mills, meanwhile, has one specific quote that shes going to have a hard time shaking. Shes in a tough position, Mills said recently of Susan Collins. I appreciate everything she is doing. This isnt the precise tone that incensed Democratic primary voters crave right now. And its already been cut into a pro-Collins ad.

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3. Pete Hegseth

A Pentagon press exodus.

Late in the afternoon on Wednesday, nearly all of the Pentagon press corps packed up their stuff, turned in their press badges, and exited the building as a group. At issue was a lengthy new press credential policy imposed by Defense Department leaders that limited reporters access and raised the prospect of punishment for asking people questions the Pentagon did not want asked. Though the DODs initial draft, which would have required Pentagon authorization for publishing even unclassified information, was softened in negotiations with the press corps, it was still a bridge too far. The most concerning part (Page 10 in this helpful graphic) is the warning against solicitation of information. You might lose your press pass if you ask Gen. McGossip for hot war scoops? Whats going on here?

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Credit to news bureaus, including conservative outlets like Fox News, Newsmax, and the Daily Caller, who rejected this, while those few U.S. based outlets that did sign it should be made fun of. How is this remedied? Well, it would help if the broader public showed some revulsion at a rollback of press access and a lack of information about whats going on in the Pentagon, though were not holding our breath. But reporters are not going to stop covering the Pentagon just because theyve lost access to the building. And now theyve got nothing to lose.

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4. John Bolton

This weeks political prosecution was slightly less political! Small wins.

Former Trump National Security Adviser John Bolton was indicted Thursday in Maryland on 18 counts relating to the mishandling of classified information, after FBI agents had raided his home in August. Bolton had become a Trump critic after his service in the first Trump administration. Since he airs these views on cable news constantly, Trump was deeply aware of this.

Nevertheless, this indictment isnt as purely a political spectacle as those of former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James were in recent weeks. Bolton did, in diarylike entries, allegedly write down and transfer a lot of sensitive notes to family members during his time as national security adviser. That caused further problems when his personal email, from which some of those entries were allegedly sent, was hacked by Iran. Unlike the Comey and James indictments, this indictment was investigated by and signed by regular prosecutors, not just a single political hack, and it wasnt preceded by a wave of resignations or forced firings. Would Bolton have been charged had Trump not been president and personally disliked him? Were not so sure. But then again, its good to see the Trump DOJ providing accountability for the lax national security practices of whichever administration was in charge in 201819.

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5. Seth moulton

Is Ed Markeys time up?

In 2020, Rep. Joe Kennedy III primaried Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey for the U.S. Senate. Kennedy ran on a campaign of calling Markey old and useless without specifically calling him old and useless, and argued that hed bring a fresh air of youth and vigor to the Democratic caucus. It backfired. Kennedy was criticized for not having a message so much as a sense of Kennedy entitlement. Markey was backed by a curious mix of the Massachusetts political establishment, a youth meme army, and progressive activists. It was the first time a Kennedy lost an election in Massachusetts.

Were curious to see if Markey, currently 79 years old and approaching his 50th year in Congress, can pull off this feat again now that Democratic voters are eagerly hunting down old politicians in the streets. Were not ruling it outgiven the opponent he drew this week. Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton, now with a full decade and one failed presidential bid under his belt as an ambitious young Democrat, announced his Senate bid this week, saying all the things youd expect him to say about Markey (old, over-the-hill). But the Massachusetts establishment protects its own, and wed expect them to rally around Markey again. Progressives still like Markey for his climate work, and perhaps more importantly, Moulton has his own problems with progressives. Even with Democrats searing post-2024 trauma against running aged candidates, Markey has a chance to put together the same coalition that kept him in office six years ago.

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6. Alvin Holsey

Not a big boat-bombing guy?

Much is going on in the Caribbean, from a war perspective. The administration has continued bombing boats under the suspicion that theyre carrying drugs, a justification that would put nearly every boat in Florida under military threat. But theres much more activity than that. The administration has organized the largest military buildup in the Caribbean since the 1980s as it applies pressure on the Nicolas Maduro regime in Venezuela. Additionally, the New York Times reported this week that Trump had authorized the CIA to conduct covert action in Venezuela, with Trump admitting that the administration was looking at Venezuelan land targets.

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Amid all this, the military official who oversees operations the Caribbean announced his retirement this week, effective in December. Adm. Alvin Holsey, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, had only been in the job for a year. While Holsey and Hegseth displayed no tensions in their public announcements of the move, Holsey had raised concerns about the mission and the attacks on the alleged drug boats, per the Times. It appears the administration had another case of a guy asking follow-up questions about the legality of all this. Time for him to leave.

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7. Mike Johnson

Official hype man of the No Kings protests.

On Saturday, thousands of No Kings protests against the Trump administration will be held across the country as a follow-up to the day of protests in June. The most publicity that weve seen from it has come from Republicans, who have gone into overdrive to portray anti-Trump protesters as an army of orcs.

Speaker Mike Johnson has been describing the protests as the pro-Hamas hate America rally, to be filled up with the antifa people. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer described the protesters as from the terrorist wing of the Democratic Party. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the Democrat Partys main constituency are made up of Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals. (Those remarks from Leavitt prompted quite a response from House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who described Leavitt as sick, out of control, and potentially demented, ignorant, and a stone cold liar.) Well, the Surge would like to wish any of you pro-Hamas, antifa, terrorist, violent, criminal, illegal alien degenerates considering attending a protest against the presidents policies a nice time; remember to pack snacks.
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On Wednesday morning the Supreme Court heard what may become the most consequential voting rights case of our lifetimes. In Callais v. Louisiana, the court stands poised to either end or severely restrict the scope of Section 2 of the storied Voting Rights Act of 1965, the vehicle by which the courts and the Constitution protect against racialized vote suppression. If the court ultimately opts to do soand oral argument signaled as muchthe consequences for a multiracial democracy would be widespread and catastrophic. In a bid to turn the Reconstruction Amendments into weapons to protect white people from discrimination, the Roberts court may not only upend decades of precedent and clear congressional mandates, it could also reshape the future of how we vote for years to come. On this weeks Amicus podcast, Dahlia Lithwick spoke to Janai Nelson, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. She is a longtime litigator and civil rights scholar. She argued in defense of the Voting Rights Act during Callais arguments at the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Their conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Dahlia Lithwick: One thing that immediately stood out at Wednesdays arguments is that its not usually the head of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund who argues cases before the Supreme Court. As you and your team made the decision that you would personally argue this case, what were you thinking about in terms of the stakes of what is happening in this litigation?

Janai Nelson: Youre right. It is a rare thing. I happen to have a legacy of former presidents and directors-counsels who have argued before the Supreme Court, so this was not a total aberration. To be honest, apart from a small hearing done virtually during COVID, I havent argued in a decade because thats what I leave to the rest of my brilliant and extraordinary legal team.

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But this case is so important. It is such a pivotal moment potentially for our multiracial democracy that I felt it was necessary for us to commit every possible resource to this fight. And that included me being part of it. The team that led this case up until this point has just been extraordinary and helped to prepare me for the oral argument, along with our co-counsel at the ACLU. I think it carries on an important legacy for our institution. But most importantly, it mattered to me because this is such a consequential moment for all of us.

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The alarm bells started ringing when the high court held this case over from last term. It had already been argued in March of this year. In June, SCOTUS said it wanted to hear it again this term, but on a different question. That question is kind of a bullet to the heart of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act: whether Louisianas intentional creation of a second majority-minority district violates either the 14th Amendment or the 15th Amendmentwhich bars the government from denying or restricting voting rights based on race. The question put to you is, essentially, does Section 2 violate the directive of a colorblind 14th Amendment? Theres a lot of arguing on the other side about whether to go big, or to go smallto get rid of Section 2 altogether, or just to further cabin it. But in all cases, this is a big swing for a court that has previously tended to do a little bit of nibbling around the edges before they take a big swing. Its hard to see this as anything but the majority on the Roberts court saying its time to take that big swing at Section 2.

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I was very dismayed when we initially got the order because I felt the court had everything it needed to do the right thing. That said, I have a hard time understanding how this court can write an opinion 28 months after Allen v. Milligan, which was not just a decision in our favor that just summarily affirmed what we wanted affirmed, but it actually went into quite a bit of detail and answered a number of challenges brought by the state of Alabama at the time to Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act that mirrored much of what Louisiana said in its papers in this court. And so the court had already decided a lot of these issues. They challenged the constitutionality of Section 2, which has been decided many times and is on very firm footing constitutionally, and the court said, No, that goes against decades of our precedent. We will not entertain this. They tried to overlay this notion of colorblindness onto Section 2, and the court said, No, thats not what this is about. Section 2 is designed specifically and very carefully by Congress to address racial discrimination in voting, so race is part of the calculus. In fact, Chief Justice Roberts said, Thats the whole point of the enterprise. The language could not have been stronger; the language could not have been clearer. Its hard to think about how this court is going to potentially write a decision that would undermine such a formidable one and such a recent one. I remain hopeful about the outcome of this case.

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I do that not just because obviously I think we are on the right side of the law, but also from experience. People thought that Allen v. Milligan was dead on arrival. People thought that case was unwinnable, and we won, and we won in a big way. So I am continuing to be very hopeful that the court will do the right thing. In many ways, this is just an extraordinarily easy case, and they can make it work by just allowing us to continue to move forward with a good map that remedies the discrimination.

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Justice Kagan made exactly the point that you just made: Every single central issue has been dismissed by the court very recently, how is it that were back here?

But it does raise this question of precedent. Allen v. Milligan was decided under almost identical circumstances. The majority appears to not only be trying to somehow distinguish and claim that these cases may look identical, but theyre not really the same. And at the same time, some justices were also trying to make the iconic 1986 case of Thornburg v. Gingles go away. It was amazing to hear this conversation that was basically, how could we rid ourselves of this pesky precedent? Including a jarring moment where Chief Justice Roberts was claiming that Milligan took the existing precedent as a given and they were only looking at Alabamas challenge, but now were asking you to basically revisit precedent. I can only imagine the deep oddity, as a litigator, of having the court essentially say, Precedent, shmecedent, lets start from scratch and ignore all that.

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It was somewhat surreal. I was sitting down because I had already given my affirmative argument. There were three opponents on the other side, one representing the state of Louisiana, one representing the plaintiffs who were challenging the states remedial map, and then another representing the United States government. And they were all talking quite passionately about ways to just dismantle this case limb by limb and get rid of what has frankly been the tool to help build this multiracial democracy that so many people take for granted. Most people dont understand how this democracy came to be, that this was not just evolution, this was actual litigation that brought it into existence.

Related From Slate Democrats Have One Brutal Path to Survival if the Supreme Court Kills the Voting Rights Act Read More

It was disturbing to see justices of the Supreme Court also engaging in that colloquy of how do we just abandon a case from 1986? Thornburg v. Gingles was decided in 1986. It has been enforced with great frequency and rigor in the years since, but not as frequently in the past 10 years. As conditions have improved, we have not been able to succeed in litigation in the same way. And thats frankly, at the end of the day, what I think the justices want? They want progress on racial discrimination in voting and they want an exacting test that weeds out some of the cases that they dont feel are the strongest ones or that are the best examples of the most intensive racialized politics. So the field has already been narrowed quite significantly through Gingles. Theres absolutely nothing wrong with the Gingles test.

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There were some other bizarre moments, beyond the how can we ignore precedent? colloquies. Justice Gorsuch asking, Is it acceptable under Section 2, as you understand it, for a court to intentionally discriminate in a remedial map on the basis of race? In other words, we cant use race for anything anymore ever, even though its expressly in the text of the statute and in the 14th and 15th Amendments. Another was the sell-by date argument beloved by Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The idea that with all racially remedial measures, at some point you have to open the fridge and throw them out. But in this context, as you said at argument, theres nothing that demands a sell-by date, right?

Thats right. First of all, theres no basis in our precedent to suggest that any statute must be dissolved simply because of the passage of time. Theres absolutely nothing that says that must happen. And in fact, I cant really point to any statutes that Im aware of where the court has taken that action recently. So to single out the Voting Rights Act, which the court has held is the crown jewel of civil rights legislation, is absolutely shocking. It is shocking to think thats the place where you want to begin to say that statutes must be dissolved.

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The other reason is the Voting Rights Act is an extension of the 14th and 15th Amendments. Its meant to effectuate the mandates in both of those constitutional amendments, and those are permanent rights. So the statute that protects those rights and gives guidance on how to enforce those rights should also be permanent. Nothing has changed since the court assumed all of the constitutional matters that Alabama raised just two years ago. Nothing has changed in the interim except some conditions that are external to the court, which should not matter. So I am very concerned that what seems like a pretty innocuous argument of a sell-by date is even being entertained.

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As much as Justice Kavanaugh is attracted to this sell-by date argument, hes also someone who is a strong defender of stare decisis and separation of powers. Those are two areas where he has been very vocal in his decisions. And the separation of powers issue actually defeats the whole sell-by date argument as well. When Congress wanted to limit the duration of a part of the Voting Rights Act, it did it. It did it quite explicitly. It did it with Section 5. Section 5 was a part of the Voting Rights Act that had to be reauthorized every several years, and Congress continued to extend the dates and was very clear about the record that was needed to do so. It never suggested that Section 2 should be reauthorized or that it had any end date. And so if anyones just looking at statutory interpretation, they would know that Section 2 doesnt need an end date. If we zoom out just to the broader question about the Voting Rights Act as a whole, Congress could decide at some point that we no longer need the Voting Rights Act. It hasnt. The court should not be the one to override Congress judgment.

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So this case raises so many issues of deep concern, not only about the specifics of the case, but about the courts potential overreach into areas that have historically not been its domain. We really need to respect the independence of each institution as a check on the other. If we start to erode those barriers, we will be in much more of a constitutional crisis than I think we already are.

What do you want to say to people who are trying to understand an immense amount of legal material following these arguments, material that they know is important, but theyre not entirely sure how this is going to go?

I dont think many Americans pay much attention to the role the Voting Rights Act has played in shaping, forming, protecting, advancing our democracy. Because it arose from the Civil Rights Movement, many people believe that its a law that just protects certain types of people and its really not their business. But the Voting Rights Act is the birth certificate of our democracy. This case is of extraordinary importance to every single American who cares about how the court rules, whether it respects its own precedent, and importantly, how it treats this critical law that I believe is the stitching on the fabric of our democracy.
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On Feb. 24, 2022, Russian tanks crossed the Ukrainian border. Six months later, on Sept. 5, 18 million Russian schoolchildren heard about conversations about important matters for the first timea new weekly lesson that became mandatory for all schools in the country, from first to 11th grade.

Every Monday, first period, children aged 6 to 18 sit at their desks to learn about serving the motherland, restoring historical justice in Crimea, and why modern Russian soldiers are real heroes, unlike fictional Western superheroes. Since 2022, Russian schoolchildren have attended 102 such lessons.

Conversations about important matters isnt just a new subject in the school curriculum. Its a pro-regime indoctrination session masquerading as educationa systematic attempt by the state to reshape an entire generations consciousness, using the school system as an instrument of military propaganda.

Im a Russian emigrant journalist and former political activist. I gained access to these materials through someone currently enrolled in a Russian school, who was able to send me the textbooks and lesson plans necessary for this analysis. Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine, and its implications for our planets future, deeply alarm me. Im also concerned for the future of my countrys children: Im witnessing the most ruthless propaganda machine to emerge since Goebbelsand its unfolding in real time.

Conversations About Important Matters

Conversations about important matters operates like a well-oiled propaganda system. Every week, thousands of Russian schools receive ready-made guides from the programs official website. Teachers dont need to think up anythingeverything is already written in Moscow, including precise question formulations and correct answers. The programs official goal sounds noble: To develop in children the need for self-cultivation of such moral qualities as honor, conscientiousness, responsibility.

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But the actual content of the lessons demonstrates entirely different priorities: to train young minds to obediently follow Putins preferred version of recent history.

Take the lesson for 10th and 11th graders on the 80th anniversary of Victory, Russias victory over invading Nazis during World War II. The guide instructs teachers to begin with an emotional description: The forties. In the morning, villages smelled of fresh bread, children ran to school, laughing and jostling, graduates prepared documents for university admission.  But this world shattered into fragments, blazing in the fire of war.

After such a setup, teachers must ask schoolchildren the key question: What qualities are needed today by Russian fighters battling for the Motherland against Ukrainian neo-Nazis in the Special Military Operation zone? Note the formulation: Ukrainians are labeled neo-Nazis a priori, while Russian aggression becomes battling for the Motherland.

The guide then directly instructs: Our servicemen participating today in the special military operation continue the great traditions of their grandfathers and great-grandfathers, fighting for justice with honor and courage. And just as 80 years ago, with hope in their hearts and love for their loved ones, who remain a reliable rear in all times, they bring closer the final destruction of Nazi ideology.

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Rewriting Recent History in Real Time

The program goes to great lengths to legitimize Russias 2014 invasion and annexation of the Crimean Peninsula, a part of Ukraine. The lesson Day of Crimea and Sevastopols Reunification with Russia for high school students represents a textbook example of how history gets rewritten.

The guide requires teachers to explain that Russias history is inextricably linked with Crimea and Sevastopolthis is our common history, common Russian language, common culture. The 2014 annexation of the region is called nothing other than restoration of historical justice and return to the family home.

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Teachers must quote Putin: In Crimea, literally everything is permeated with our common history and pride. Here is ancient Chersonesos, where Saint Prince Vladimir was baptized.  Crimea is Sevastopol, a city of legend, a city of great destiny, a fortress city and birthplace of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

The rewriting of history continues with a distortion of what happened in the invasions aftermath, claiming Crimeas citizenry embraced Russias takeover via popular vote. Children are told that a 2014 referendum was an act of free will: Residents of Crimea and Sevastopol voted for reunification with Russia. The fact that the referendum took place at gunpoint by Russian soldiers who had seized the peninsula goes unmentioned in the guides.

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Hero Factory and Newspeak

The program actively creates new mythology and new language. In lessons about Russias military operations in Ukraine, Ukrainian forces are invariably called neo-Nazis, Russian aggression becomes a special military operation, and territorial seizure becomes liberation.

Z-war correspondent (a term for embedded propagandists) Evgeny Poddubny, who records video addresses for schoolchildren, explains to children: A hero is someone ready to sacrifice himself for others. Director Nikita Mikhalkov, in a video clip for high schoolers, sits against a backdrop of icons and tells them that the West invents fictional heroeswhile footage from The Avengers and Iron Man plays. Unlike other countries, Russia doesnt need to invent heroes. We have them, real ones. These arent Bruce Lee, not transformers, not Schwarzeneggers. These are different people. But they are people. And the blood there isnt ketchup, but real. And the death is real.

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Simultaneously, the guides shape childrens perception of a hostile environment. Schoolchildren learn the concept of a multipolar world, where Russia confronts an aggressive West. Victory in the Great Patriotic War remains an important component of our countrys status on the world stage and creates conditions for a multipolar and safe world, reads material for high schoolers.

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The curriculum is part of a broader, and expanding, effort to fuse militarism and education. Russian military personnel have begun massively joining teaching ranks thanks to special government programs. The Defenders of the Fatherland state fund, created by Putins decree in April 2023, helps special operation veterans obtain pedagogical education. Essentially, people with post-traumatic disorders and killing experience are becoming childrens educators.

Psychological Manipulation

Classic propaganda techniques are on display in Russian classrooms. First, emotional impact precedes rational thinking. Lessons begin with vivid, sensory imagesthe smell of bread in peaceful 1940s villages, childrens laughter, family warmth. Only after this emotional capture is ideological content delivered.

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Second, false dichotomy is actively employed. Children are offered a choice between us (Russia, good, justice) and them (the West, evil, aggression). No third option exists.

Third, emotional anchoring techniques are applied. Positive emotionspride, family love, admiration for heroismare tied to images of war and state power. The guides directly instruct teachers to evoke in children feelings of pride for their Motherland and understanding of the necessity to defend the peace and sovereignty of their Motherland.

Age gradation plays a special role. Elementary students receive a simplified worldview through fairy-tale images of good and evil. Teenagers get more complex concepts of geopolitics and historical justice. High schoolers, who will receive draft notices in a year or two, learn about the necessity of the current war and their duty to defend the Motherland.

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Related From Slate A Gripping New Movie Has a Terrifyingand InspiringMessage About the Fight for America Ahead Read More

Resistance and Coercion

Not all teachers are willing to participate in childrens ideological processing. Reports of teacher resistance and dismissals come from various Russian regions. However, this resistance isnt systematicthe guides come down from above as mandatory, and refusing to implement them threatens job loss.

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Moreover, the program operates even in occupied Ukrainian territories, where Russian authorities forcibly implement conversations about important matters in captured schools. Ukrainian children are compelled to study correct history and correct values.

Parents are also drawn into the control system. The guides assume children will discuss lessons at home, and parental disagreement can become grounds for preventive conversationsa euphemism for informant reports.

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A Crime Against Childhood

Prolonged exposure to fear narrativesenemies all around, the country is under attackrestructures childrens worldviews. In elementary school, critical mechanisms for evaluating such claims barely exist; lessons are absorbed as truth. Teachers recite formulas about NATO encirclement long before children learn to read maps.

Using the school system for military propaganda constitutes a gross violation of international law and child protection principles. Article 29 of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child states that education should aim at developing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, not preparation for war.

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Russia has transformed its schools into factories for producing future soldiers and compliant citizens. Children receive not education, but ideological processing. Theyre not given tools for critical thinking, but force-fed ready-made schemes for perceiving the world. Western countries accepting Russian refugees should consider the scale of ideological processing to which Russian children have been subjected. Special programs for de-ideologization and critical thinking education will be needed to help these children adapt to free society.

Conversations about important matters is a crime against childhood, systematic poisoning of young minds with the venom of militarism and xenophobia. And the longer it continues, the harder it will be for Russia to return to peaceful existence.
Shenandoah Downs will host its annual Pink Power Breast Cancer Awareness event and fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 18 in conjunction with a 14-race harness card highlighted by a four-pack of Virginia Breeder's Stakes two-year-old elimination trotting races and the final round of a Lady Drivers Tour.

The trotting eliminations will take place in races two through five. Colts and geldings will compete in the first two while fillies will clash in the latter two. All four first leg winners will return, including colt division winners Kalispel (Bob McKim) and Convicted Criminal (Les Givens) and filly division winners Progressivekathy and Caviart Gemma (both Ron Millman). Pacing eliminations will take place on Sunday.

The final leg of a "Pink Power" Ladies Driving Tour will culminate in Saturday's seventh race when eight female drivers battle in a conditioned pace to determine the series points leader. Previous legs were held the last two weeks at The Meadows, Northfield Park and Harrington Raceway. Heading into the final round, driver Leslie Joyce has 31 points followed by Lauren Harmon with 28, Chrissy Johnson with 18, Alex Goldin with 17 and Mandy Jones with 10.

The track's "Pink Power" event features three miniature horse races in conjunction with harness card that will run from 1:05 to 5:30 p.m. Fans can participate in a booze wagon raffle and 50/50 split to raise money for the American Cancer Society's Harrisonburg chapter. Stacey's Cupcakes will be on site selling tasty treats, as will Sugar Creek Ice Cream and S&S Concessions. There will also be t-shirt toss and a free "Pick the Horses" handicapping contest with $500 in cash prizes. The High Mileage Band will perform all afternoon on the mountain view concert stage. Local breast cancer survivors will also be recognized between races.

(Shenandoah Downs)
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:

Dubbo is a major regional centre but suffers from poor reception. Credit: Maksym Kozlenko/Wikimedia

Australians rely on their phones and the internet for education, business, socializing and in emergencies. And as Optus' recent Triple Zero outage highlights, the consequences of a network outage can be fatal.

But the problems go beyond Triple Zero. The latest annual report from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, released earlier this week, shows a spike in complaints about network connection issues compared to last financial year. For example, there was a nearly 70% increase in complaints about "no phone or internet service." Complaints about "poor mobile coverage" also increased more than 25%.

When it comes to connectivity problems, we often think about remote environments such as inland cattle stations or Indigenous communities in central and far north Australia. Or how language barriers, affordability and age might impact access.

However, across various research projects looking at digital inclusion, we have found a policy blind spot, where populations residing in certain suburban and regional areas have poorer connectivity outcomes than remote areas.

These people experience ongoing problems with network connection despite living in locations that look good on paper. This could be because of local infrastructure gaps or compounding social factors. We call this group "the missing middle."

Until now, the absence of a clearly defined category has made it difficult to capture or report on their experiences systematically.

What is 'digital inclusion?'

Digital inclusion is about ensuring all Australians, no matter who they are or where they live, have access to affordable, quality telecommunications and internet, and possess the skills necessary to benefit from these connections.

The issue is even more important as we face a changing climate, with telecommunications playing a crucial role in emergencies and during natural disasters.

Our research from 2023 on emergency preparedness with rural residents showed the importance of ongoing telecommunications connectivityespecially during emergencies.

People participate in online community forums by keeping each other informed about conditions and contacting emergency services such as Triple Zero if they need to during the disaster. Afterwards, they use the internet to apply for financial assistance online.

Of course, natural disasters do not discriminate. Recent cyclones, floods and bushfires have impacted urban areas, as well as the outer edges of cities and key regional centers.

A good location doesn't equal good connectivity

These combined forces have ensured telecommunications policies consistently focus on access. But access is just one component of Australia's connectivity needs.

Through various interviews, focus groups and fieldwork across urban, regional and rural Australia from 202124 we have found that location alone doesn't determine how good connectivity is.

In fact, some remote areas fare better than outer regional areas when it comes to telecommunications connectivity. This indicates geography isn't the only factor affecting people's level of digital inclusion.

Instead, compounding factors are determining whether or not people are digitally included.

For example, some people may not have enough money to afford appropriate connectivity to meet basic needs, needing two SIM cards to manage two unreliable networks. Infrastructure investment can also be patchy. A major regional town might have excellent coverage, but satellite towns could have a much poorer experience.

Urban networks can also taper off before reaching new builds on the edge of cities. Other people may have simply purchased a house amid inhospitable terrain, which can impact whether satellite internet services such as Starlink can be installed.

Voices from the 'missing middle'

Experiences of 5G mobile consumers in suburban and regional Victoria we spoke with in 2024 give us some sense of this "missing middle" population.

One participant from Gippsland said, "I can be in the main street of a main regional town and not have reception."

Another participant said it was "less than ideal" that in the area between two towns "there's still patches where we don't get reception." Echoing this, another participant said they felt it was reasonable to "expect to be able to drive from Gisborne to Kyneton [a distance of 30km] and not drop out on a phone call three times."

These issues were not the sole preserve of those living in regional areas. Someone from a new housing development on the outskirts of Melbourne told us there was barely any mobile coverage in the area and said their phone was "just not usable."

Dubbo is another example. While some major regional cities are well-connected, this major town in the central west of New South Wales is also part of the "missing middle."

First Nations organizations there experienced slow and unreliable network connection. This impacted their capacity to service the area. Drops in coverage resulted in double handling of work. For example, land surveys would often need to be written by hand on site, then converted to digital forms back in a place with better connectivity.

A targeted approach

Lots of work has been done in recent years to improve connectivity across Australia.

Since the National Broadband Network (NBN) was completed in 2020, more fixed line serviceswhere a connection is installed in the home (like an NBN box)have been made available in rural towns.

The federal government's flagship infrastructure projectssuch as the Regional Connectivity Program and Mobile Blackspot Programhave also steadily improved digital inclusion in many locations over the last decade. Starlink and the NBN's satellite internet service SkyMuster are new entrants, providing a new connectivity option for people who live in the right locations (and can afford it).

However, current policy approaches to patching up connectivity gaps minimize the scale of the missing middle.

This is the result of several factors. First, a failure to understand the different needs of the local and visitor populations who use digital services. Second, fragmentation across telecommunications options (NBN, mobile hotspotting and Starlink). Third, a need to account for overlapping disadvantages.

We need to look beyond location or access, and develop a robust account of the "missing middle."

Doing so requires policymakers and researchers to focus on areas with mixed and complex connectivity needs. Importantly, this kind of shift will help policymakers target the needs of these Australian telecommunication consumers.

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:

Precise centimeter-level positioning on a smartwatch during four hours of data in Dunedin, New Zealand. The dots show the repeatability of one second of data in comparison to precise benchmark coordinates. The repeatability of the positioning is about 8 cm, i.e., at most twice as large as the smartwatch diameter of 4 cm (displayed to scale). Credit: University of Otago

University of Otago researchers have developed algorithms that improve the precision of location tracking in smartwatches, a world-first development.

Led by Associate Professor Robert Odolinski, a Visiting Researcher with Google from Otago's School of Surveying, in collaboration with Google's Android Context group and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the research team demonstrated that a smartwatch determined its location with centimeter-level precision over four hours with a stationary setup.

This was achieved by using the Google GnssLogger app and combining precise signals from several global navigation satellite systems. The results have just been published in the journal GPS Solutions.

Associate Professor Odolinski says that for decades, achieving centimeter-level positioning has required industries such as surveying, construction, and engineering to invest in expensive GPS equipment.

"While the use of the so-called carrier-phase signals has long been known to improve the positioning performance, the specialized antenna and receivers needed for this have traditionally come at a cost far beyond the reach of many who would benefit from the technology."

GPS was introduced in a wearable watch in 1999, but hardware and power consumption limitations prevented it from tracking the carrier-phase signals needed for high-precision results. Recent advances in smartwatches now make this possible.

"This is just the beginning of what wearable high-precision positioning can potentially achieve," says Odolinski.

More information: Phyo C Thu et al, First smartwatch RTK results: performance analysis of instantaneous, single-frequency multi-GNSS cm-level positioning with comparison to Google Pixel 5 smartphones, GPS Solutions (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s10291-025-01965-y
The threat actors behind a malware family known as Winos 4.0 (aka ValleyRAT) have expanded their targeting footprint from China and Taiwan to target Japan and Malaysia with another remote access trojan (RAT) tracked as HoldingHands RAT (aka Gh0stBins).

"The campaign relied on phishing emails with PDFs that contained embedded malicious links," Pei Han Liao, researcher with Fortinet's FortiGuard Labs, said in a report shared with The Hacker News. "These files masqueraded as official documents from the Ministry of Finance and included numerous links in addition to the one that delivered Winos 4.0."

Winos 4.0 is a malware family that's often spread via phishing and search engine optimization (SEO) poisoning, directing unsuspecting users to fake websites masquerading as popular software like Google Chrome, Telegram, Youdao, Sogou AI, WPS Office, and DeepSeek, among others.

The use of Winos 4.0 is primarily linked to an "aggressive" Chinese cybercrime group known as Silver Fox, which is also tracked as SwimSnake, The Great Thief of Valley (or Valley Thief), UTG-Q-1000, and Void Arachne.

Last month, Check Point attributed the threat actor to the abuse of a previously unknown vulnerable driver associated with WatchDog Anti-malware as part of a Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver (BYOVD) attack aimed at disabling security software installed on compromised hosts.

Then weeks later, Fortinet shed light on another campaign that took place in August 2025, leveraging SEO poisoning to distribute HiddenGh0st and modules associated with the Winos malware.

Silver Fox's targeting of Taiwan and Japan with HoldingHands RAT was also documented by the cybersecurity company and a security researcher named somedieyoungZZ back in June, with the attackers employing phishing emails containing booby-trapped PDF documents to activate a multi-stage infection that ultimately deploys the trojan.

It's worth noting at this stage that both Winos 4.0 and HoldingHands RAT are inspired by another RAT malware referred to as Gh0st RAT, which had its source code leaked in 2008 and has since been widely adopted by various Chinese hacking groups.

Fortinet said it identified PDF documents posing as a tax regulation draft for Taiwan that included a URL to a Japanese language web page ("twsww[.]xin/download[.]html"), from where victims are prompted to download a ZIP archive responsible for delivering HoldingHands RAT.

Further investigation has uncovered attacks targeting China that have utilized taxation-themed Microsoft Excel documents as lures, some dating back to March 2024, to distribute Winos. Recent phishing campaigns, however, have shifted their focus to Malaysia, using fake landing pages to deceive recipients into downloading HoldingHands RAT.

The starting point is an executable claiming to be an excise audit document. It's used to sideload a malicious DLL, which functions as a shellcode loader for "sw.dat," a payload that's designed to run anti-virtual machine (VM) checks, enumerate active processes against a list of security products from Avast, Norton, and Kaspersky, and terminate them if found, escalate privileges, and terminate the Task Scheduler.

It also drops several other files in the system's C:\Windows\System32 folder -

svchost.ini, which contains the Relative Virtual Address (RVA) of VirtualAlloc function

TimeBrokerClient.dll, the legitimate TimeBrokerClient.dll renamed as BrokerClientCallback.dll.

msvchost.dat, which contains the encrypted shellcode

system.dat, which contains the encrypted payload

wkscli.dll, an unused DLL

"The Task Scheduler is a Windows service hosted by svchost.exe that allows users to control when specific operations or processes are run," Fortinet said. "The Task Scheduler's recovery setting is configured to restart the service one minute after it fails by default."

"When the Task Scheduler is restarted, svchost.exe is executed and loads the malicious TimeBrokerClient.dll. This trigger mechanism does not require the direct launch of any process, making behavior-based detection more challenging."

For privilege escalation, "sw.dat" impersonates the TrustedInstaller account to execute code. TrustedInstaller is a high-level Windows system account that's designed to protect core system files, such as those present in the C: drive, from being modified, even by administrators. It's part of a broader security feature called Windows Resource Protection (WRP) that's designed to prevent accidental changes to files, folders, and registry keys installed as part of the operating system.

"To achieve this, the malware first enables the SeDebugPrivilege privilege to gain access to the Winlogon process and its security token," Fortinet threat security researcher Rachael Pei told The Hacker News. "With that access it obtains and adopts the Winlogon token to run as the Winlogon account (SYSTEM)."

"From that elevated context the malware then proceeds to acquire a TrustedInstaller security context. TrustedInstaller is a built-in Windows system account. Certain files, registry keys, etc, can only be accessed with the account. An example is C:\Windows\System32\TimeBrokerClient.dll for the Task Scheduler-based execution. The malware needs to rename the legitimate TimeBrokerClient.dll as BrokerClientCallback.dll and this needs TrustedInstaller permission."

The primary function of "TimeBrokerClient.dll" is to allocate memory for the encrypted shellcode within "msvchost.dat" by invoking the VirtualAlloc() function using the RVA value specified in "svchost.ini." In the next stage, "msvchost.dat" decrypts the payload stored in "system.dat" to retrieve the HoldingHands payload.

HoldingHands is equipped to connect to a remote server, send host information to it, send a heartbeat signal every 60 seconds to maintain the connection, and receive and process attacker-issued commands on the infected system. These commands allow the malware to capture sensitive information, run arbitrary commands, and download additional payloads.

A new feature addition is a command that makes it possible to update the command-and-control (C2) address used for communications via a Windows Registry entry.

Pei also pointed out that Chinese speakers appear to be a primary focus of the latest campaign, adding "the most likely motivation appears to be regional intelligence collection, with the malware lying dormant as it awaits further commands."

Operation Silk Lure Targets China with ValleyRAT

The development comes as Seqrite Labs detailed an ongoing email-based phishing campaign that has leveraged C2 infrastructure hosted in the U.S., targeting Chinese companies in the fintech, cryptocurrency, and trading platform sectors to ultimately deliver Winos 4.0. The campaign has been codenamed Operation Silk Lure, owing to its China-related footprint.

"The adversaries craft highly targeted emails impersonating job seekers and send them to HR departments and technical hiring teams within Chinese firms," researchers Dixit Panchal, Soumen Burma, and Kartik Jivani said.

"These emails often contain malicious .LNK (Windows shortcut) files embedded within seemingly legitimate resumes or portfolio documents. When executed, these .LNK files act as droppers, initiating the execution of payloads that facilitate initial compromise."

The LNK file, when launched, runs PowerShell code to download a decoy PDF resume, while stealthily dropping three additional payloads to the "C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Security" location and executing it. The PDF resumes are localized and tailored for Chinese targets so as to increase the likelihood of success of the social engineering attack.

The payloads dropped are as follows -

CreateHiddenTask.vbs, which creates a scheduled task to launch "keytool.exe" every day at 8:00 a.m.

keytool.exe, which uses DLL side-loading to load jli.dll

jli.dll, a malicious DLL that launches the Winos 4.0 malware encrypted and embedded within keytool.exe

"The deployed malware establishes persistence within the compromised system and initiates various reconnaissance operations," the researchers said. "These include capturing screenshots, harvesting clipboard contents, and exfiltrating critical system metadata."

The trojan also comes with various techniques to evade detection, including attempting to uninstall detected antivirus products and terminating network connections associated with security programs such as Kingsoft Antivirus, Huorong, or 360 Total Security to interfere with their regular functions.

"This exfiltrated information significantly elevates the risk of advanced cyber espionage, identity theft, and credential compromise, thereby posing a serious threat to both organizational infrastructure and individual privacy," the researchers added.

(The story was updated after publication with additional insights from Fortinet FortiGuard Labs.)
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We are hearing a lot about the 10% to be paid to public servants, but nothing is said about 
The Arizona Board of Regents has adjourned its private meeting with University of Arizona President Suresh Garimella, at which it was not scheduled to take any actions, on the White House's proposed compact.

The Arizona Board of Regents is continuing to engage with university leadership as it evaluates the compact, said Megan Gilbertson, associate vice president for communications for ABOR, before the meeting Friday. The board oversees the state's three public universities including the U of A.

The virtual meeting, closed to the public, started at 4 p.m. and adjourned shortly after 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17.

The executive session came the same day the White House scheduled a meeting via phone call with the U of A and the other four universities, out of the nine invited to join the compact, that had not yet decided: Dartmouth College, the University of Texas, the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University.

By late Friday afternoon, the University of Virginia had announced its rejection of the compact, as well, joining previous announcements by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Southern California. The universities said the compact infringes on academic freedom and free speech, among other concerns.

The compact has no takers so far.

The Trump administration has set a Monday deadline for the universities to get back to the White House with "limited, targeted feedback on the compact, but has said the document is largely in final form. The deadline for universities to sign on is Nov. 21.

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 units that 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 compact suggests the universities would receive priority access to federal money for signing, while the White House has also warned that those that don't sign risk losing federal benefits.

In a Thursday interview with the Arizona Daily Star, Garimella said he is working together with faculty, students, state lawmakers, university presidents across the country and Gov. Katie Hobbs office on a decision.

The U of A is tracking all feedback coming in but no decision had been made, he said.

We are grateful for all the feedback were getting," Garimella said, adding that U of A administrators are engaged in many, many conversations with faculty, staff, students, etc."

Since the compact was proposed on Oct. 1, there has been strong opposition from faculty and student government leaders at the UA and from the Tucson City Council and the Pima County Board of Supervisors, who have passed resolutions urging Garimella not to sign. Additionally, a group of 80 Regents and Distinguished professors have asked Garimella to reject the compact.

The American Council on Education, along with over 30 higher education organizations, put out a statement Friday also opposing the compact, saying it amounts to "nothing less than government control of a universitys basic and necessary freedoms  the freedoms to decide who we teach, what we teach, and who teaches."

The compact is just the kind of excessive federal overreach and regulation, to the detriment of state and local input and control, that this administration says it is against, said the statement. The compact would hamper the ability of colleges and universities to innovate and make advancements that contribute to our nations economic well-being and security. It would hinder, not safeguard, freedom of expression for all points of view, and it will not assist in expanding social and economic mobility for all of our students.

The American Council on Education represents 1,600 U.S. colleges, universities and related higher-education institutions.
HA NOI  Polands Sejm (lower house) on October 17 morning passed a bill ratifying the European Union  Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), with all 422 votes in favour.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Poland Ha Hoang Hai attended the plenary session at the invitation of Sejm Marshal Szymon Hoownia.

The bill already garnered full support during the first discussion on October 9 between the lower houses Foreign Affairs Committee and EU Affairs Committee.

Following the Sejms approval, the agreement is expected to clear the Senate by late October before being sent to President Karol Nawrocki for promulgation. Once promulgated, Poland will become the 19th out of the EUs 27 member states to ratify the EVIPA.

The unanimous vote reflects broad support from all political parties and factions in Poland for reinforcing ties with Viet Nam, a key Southeast Asian partner. The decision aligns with the commitments made during Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs official visit to Poland in January 2025, when the European country pledged to finalise the ratification process within the year.

As Poland and Viet Nam mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2025, the EVIPA ratification is poised to help elevate bilateral ties, driving new opportunities for cooperation, especially in economy, trade, and investment.  VNA/VNS
AN GIANG  The Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and Cambodias Ministry of Commerce co-organised a trade promotion conference in An Giang Province on Friday to boost economic ties and work toward a US$20 billion trade target.

According to the MoIT, the friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and Cambodia have been reinforced across all fields over the recent past. Notably, collaboration in economy, trade and investment has made remarkable strides, helping elevate the relationship to a trusted, stable and sustainable partnership.

Last year, total trade between the two countries reached approximately $10.2 billion, a 3 per cent increase from 2023. In the first eight months of 2025, the figure already approached $8 billion.

Director of the MoITs Trade Promotion Agency Vu Ba Phu said that Viet Nam is among the top five foreign investors in the neighbouring country, with over 210 valid projects worth more than$ 2.9 billion. Vietnamese investment focuses on agriculture, energy, building materials, border trade and logistics.

Upgraded transport infrastructure, seaports and border economic zones in Viet Nam have also facilitated trade connectivity with Cambodia and other ASEAN markets, he noted.

Phu affirmed that bilateral economic and trade cooperation not only delivers tangible economic benefits but also reflects their enduring friendship, sustainable cooperation and mutual development. With strategic vision, an increasingly favourable trade and investment environment and proactive engagement from businesses on both sides, economic cooperation will continue to be a bright spot in the comprehensive relationship between the two countries.

Over the years, the two ministries have closely coordinated to organise trade and investment promotion programmes such as Vietnamese goods fairs in Phnom Penh, business-to-business networking events, and border trade and investment forums. These efforts have expanded market access, increased trade flow, and strengthened mutual understanding among enterprises, thereby promoting sustainable production and business linkages aligned with regional and global integration trends.

Undersecretary of State of the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce Tith Rithipol laid stress on the robust friendship between the two countries, stating that enhanced trade and investment ties play a crucial role in driving economic growth and improving peoples livelihoods in both countries.

He called on the Vietnamese businesses to invest more in Cambodian sectors with growth potential and high added value such as automotive manufacturing, modern agriculture, food processing, electronics, digital technology, fintech, tourism, education, transport, logistics and the creative industries.

Participants in the conference discussed the growing opportunities for Viet Nam  Cambodia economic cooperation amidst global shifts towards digital transformation, green development and regional value chain integration.

To seize these opportunities, they suggested stronger reform in trade promotion, balancing traditional and digital approaches to create a more flexible, effective and sustainable platform.

Business communities on both sides recommended that management agencies continue to refine institutions, simplify procedures, improve the investment climate and strengthen coordination in managing border gates and trade.

Leaders from border provinces emphasised the importance of digital transformation and cross-border e-commerce, while stressing the need for harmonious development of border transport and logistics infrastructure, particularly in An Giang, Tay Ninh and Long An, which are identified as critical nodes in developing the Viet Nam  Cambodia supply chain.

The MoIT announced plans to work with the Cambodian ministry and southern localities to pen a joint action plan for 202527, as well as support businesses with market information, trade capacity improvement and e-commerce and logistics development.

It will also consider carrying out an annual Viet Nam  Cambodia trade promotion programme, trade weeks, expos, and business forums in Phnom Penh, An Giang and HCM City, in pursuit of the $20 billion trade target.  VNA/VNS
HONG KONG  Thirteen Vietnamese manufacturers are showcasing their products at Phase 2 of the Global Sources Trade Show in Hong Kong this week under a support programme by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, aimed at promoting the countrys export potential and strengthening its participation in global supply chains.

The participating companies are displaying a wide range of Viet Nam-made products, including kitchenware, gift items, household goods and personal care essentials, at a dedicated Viet Nam Pavilion within the Lifestyle and Home & Kitchen sections of the exhibition.

To Hoai Nam, deputy chairman and general secretary of Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (VINASME), said the programme is part of the Governments broader efforts to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in expanding export activities and building stronger trade connections.

Participation in major international trade fairs like this provides Vietnamese businesses with valuable opportunities to reach new buyers, learn about market trends, and enhance their competitiveness, he said.

Through our support programme, we aim to help enterprises improve product design and quality to meet global standards, while positioning Vietnamese goods as reliable and creative choices for international partners, he added.

The initiative offers participating companies technical training, trade promotion assistance, and business-matching opportunities to strengthen their export readiness and global presence.

Viet Nams growing participation in international trade fairs reflects its efforts to diversify export markets and promote higher value-added products, in line with the Governments strategy to enhance the visibility of Vietnamese brands abroad.

The Global Sources Trade Show, one of Asias largest sourcing events, is taking place from October 18 to 21 at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong.

The four-day exhibition brings together suppliers and buyers from around the world, providing Vietnamese exporters with direct access to potential partners in key markets.  VNS
HCM CITY  Five cooperation agreements between HCM City and US organisations were signed at the HCM CityUnited States Fall Forum 2025 held in the US on October 16, opening new opportunities in high technology, finance, human resource training, and innovation.

Accordingly, Vietnam National UniversityHCM City and Arizona State University signed an agreement to cooperate in semiconductors, AI, medicine, and innovation. The HCM City High-Tech Park (SHTP) signed with TJ Aerospace on investment in medical devices and aerospace components; with AMD to establish an R&D and semiconductor training centre; with Evolution Group to develop a US$500 million data centre; and with Intel to sponsor equipment for semiconductor training.

Organised by the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre of HCM City in collaboration with Indiana University, the USASEAN Business Council, and the Institute for Vietnam Initiatives, the forum brought together more than 150 US organisations and businesses, along with many economic experts.

Speaking at the forum, HCM City Chairman Nguyen Van uoc said the city identifies the digital economy and digital transformation as new growth drivers.

The forum provides an opportunity for the citys leaders to engage directly with scholars, scientists, and leading global technology corporations to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and leverage technological and intellectual resources in support of the citys innovation and sustainable development, he said.

Professor Tran Ngoc Anh of Indiana University, a member of the National Advisory Council for Resolution 57, said HCM City is entering an exciting new chapter after merging with Binh Duong and Ba RiaVung Tau provinces, expanding its scale and development space.

The new megacity now encompasses a financial and commercial hub, major industrial zones, deep-water ports, and a large labour force. He suggested that the city capitalise on this foundation to become a smarter, greener, and more high-tech urban centre, serving as a gateway for US companies entering Viet Nam and Southeast Asia.

He also noted that the Vietnam Financial Centre in HCM City should not only function as a capital hub but also as a platform for data governance and innovation, positioning the city as the financial heart of the southern metropolitan region. To achieve this, he emphasised the need for a transparent legal framework, a unified financial database, and a high-quality workforce in finance, data, and technology.

David Lewis, chairman and CEO of Energy Capital Vietnam, said HCM City possesses all the conditions to become the driving hub of Viet Nams economy, thanks to its strategic location, international seaport system, and logistics potential.

He recommended that the city develop smart and sustainable port clusters, apply digital technology in supply chain management, and build a connected logistics network with modern satellite centres linking ports, industrial zones, and distribution hubs via highways and railways. This would help reduce costs, shorten delivery times, and enhance supply chain efficiency.

Christina Bui, vice president of Robert Half, said Viet Nam  and HCM City in particular  are emerging as dynamic economic centres in the AsiaPacific region. She noted that the countrys stable investment environment, young and creative workforce, and clear strategic vision for building a national financial centre and innovation ecosystem make it an ideal destination for long-term US investment. She encouraged American businesses to establish an early presence to capture the southern megacitys next wave of growth.

From the high-tech sector, Varun Selvaraj, business development manager at AMD, said HCM City has favourable conditions to become a leading regional hub for semiconductor research and production, strengthening Viet Nams role in the global value chain.

Darren Webb, CEO of Evolution Data Centres, noted that Viet Nam is emerging as one of Southeast Asias most promising data centre markets, with annual demand growth exceeding 30 per cent, driven by the rise of AI and cloud computing. He affirmed that Viet Namand HCM City in particularare becoming strategic destinations for global technology corporations developing data infrastructure and digital energy.

Concluding the forum, Chairman Nguyen Van uoc affirmed that the city government would continue to listen to and work closely with partners to ensure that cooperation projects deliver practical results, contributing to socio-economic development and strengthening bilateral trade and supply chain value.  VNS
HA NOI  Several major commercial banks were found to have used trillions of ong raised from corporate bond issues for purposes other than those publicly stated, according to a report released by the Government Inspectorate on Friday.

The inspection, covering the period from January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2023, examined five banks  Military Bank (MB), Asia Commercial Bank (ACB), VPBank, Vietnam International Bank (VIB) and Orient Commercial Bank (OCB)  which together issued more than VN255 trillion (US$9.7 billion) in private corporate bonds.

By mid-2023, 173 bond codes with a total value of nearly VN98 trillion were still outstanding.

Inspectors concluded that three of the five banks used bond proceeds for the wrong purpose.

ACB raised VN3.7 trillion in two bond issuances in 2018 but later lent nearly VN2.4 trillion of that amount as short-term loans, despite having announced that the funds would serve medium- and long-term credit needs.

At MB, funds from 11 bond codes worth VN1.92 trillion issued in 2022 were also channelled into lending instead of the planned investment activities.

The report said the banks failed to properly track and manage the proceeds, as all bond revenue was merged into general business capital and then disbursed to borrowers.

The Inspectorate also found that several banks, including VIB and MB, failed to comply with disclosure requirements. Their information releases before issuance did not clearly specify the timeline for fund use, while ACB and MB violated deadlines for publishing some bond-related information.

The report said some banks did not prepare annual capital plans for bond issuance during 201619, and their data systems could not accurately distinguish bond-based funds from other lending sources.

The Government Inspectorate recommended that the Prime Minister direct the State Bank of Vietnam to strengthen oversight of bond issuance, investment and fund use by credit institutions, and to hold accountable organisations and individuals responsible for violations.  BIZHUB/VNS
Paris Fury is not "comfortable" about becoming a grandmother in her 30s if her daughter Venezuela has a child with fiance Noah Price.

Paris Fury and her husband Tyson Fury

In September, the 18-year-old boxer got down on one knee and popped the question with a huge "white gold, diamond band with a diamond solitaire" ring at Venezuela's 16th birthday party, in front of 300 guests.

And although Paris and her husband, 37-year-old boxer Tyson Fury, are "really happy" with their engagement, Paris is not keen on the idea of them starting a family any time soon.

The 35-year-old author - who got engaged to Tyson at the age of 17 - told the Daily Mail: "I wouldn't be comfortable being a grandmother.

"I will smile, but I really don't think I'm ready to become a granny! I couldn't be an old-looking granny. I will have to be the youngest-looking granny ever."

Paris - who stressed Venezuela is "so confident in herself" and knows the engagement is something "she wants" - gently encouraged her daughter to embrace her freedom before becoming a mom, as well as explore the world.

She added: "I install into her, Venezuela, enjoy your life, travel, see places, even if it's them together.

"Although I don't believe there is anything more fulfilling than motherhood, I still think it's good to have time to grow as your own person, even though I was 19 when I had Venezuela.

"I grew up being a mother, and I have said many times I wouldn't change anything. But I do think once you have children, you have to think of them first.

"You are no longer putting yourself first, you have other people to care for, so for that moment, it's good to wait a while.

"But again, that's her life to live, and she and her partner will have to decide."

Elsewhere, Venezuela - who was as "shocked" as Paris by the engagement - revealed Noah had "palpitations" about asking Tyson for permission to propose to her.

She told Fabulous magazine: "I think any boy would be scared of my dad! But its the respectful thing to do.

He said he was having palpitations about doing it, he was all kinds of nervous. It went well, though. My dad wouldnt interfere, hes very supportive of whatever I do.

"Hes very happy for us."

Noah and Venezuela went Instagram-official in August at York Races, and she revealed they knew they were made for each other right from the beginning.

Venezuela explained: "Since we first started going out, hes always said, 'Im going to marry you,' but I didnt know when it was going to happen.

"Hes very kind and treats me well. Once you know, you know, dont you?"

As well as Venezuela, Paris and Tyson have daughters Valencia, eight, and Athena, four, as well as sons Prince John James, 14, Prince Tyson Fury II, nine, Prince Adonic Amaziah, six, and Prince Rico, two.
HCM CITY  HCM City's Department of Tourism has submitted a report to the municipal Peoples Committee, the Maritime Port Authority and the Department of Construction, requesting coordination to support travel companies in handling international cruise passengers at the Cai MepThi Vai port complex.

The move aims to ensure the safe, smooth, and efficient reception of international cruise ships visiting the city.

The Cai MepThi Vai area has recently recorded a steady rise in international cruise arrivals, underscoring the citys growing prominence on the regional cruise tourism map.

In 2024, the complex welcomed 65 cruise ships carrying about 287,000 passengers.

For 2025, 48 calls with around 180,000 passengers are scheduled, mainly luxury liners on long-haul itineraries. By the end of 2026, about 118 cruises with more than 260,000 passengers are expected to dock there.

In response to feedback from travel companies and international shipping agents regarding procedural obstacles, the Department of Tourism proposed piloting international cruise reception at Cai MepThi Vai through December 2026.

The pilot phase will allow authorities and port operators to complete legal procedures for expanding port functions while providing regulators with practical data to assess operational feasibility before full implementation.

The department pledged to work closely with the municipal Maritime Authority and relevant agencies to ensure smooth and safe operations, contributing to the growth of the citys marine tourism sector.

Earlier, on October 15, US-based Royal Caribbean Group sent a letter to the municipal Peoples Committee, the Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism, and other agencies regarding the reception of its cruise vessels at the port complex.

According to port operators under Saigon Newport Corporation, several ports in Phu My Ward, including Tan CangCai Mep JSC, Tan CangCai Mep International Terminal, and Tan CangCai Mep Thi Vai One-member Co. Ltd., will suspend cruise ship handling starting in October.

Royal Caribbean explained that the suspension stems from pending regulatory approval to expand port functions for international cruise reception, as required by the Viet Nam Maritime and Inland Waterways Administration.

However, the group warned that the abrupt halt could disrupt operations. Its Ovation of the Seas, carrying more than 4,000 passengers, was scheduled to dock at Tan CangCai Mep Port on October 18 but may be unable to do so, potentially causing major losses for passengers and the company.

Similarly, Saigontourist Travel Service Co. has requested approval for container and general cargo ports in the Cai MepThi Vai area to temporarily receive international cruise ships to ensure continuity of the citys tourism operations. VNA/VNS
Professor Usagawa Tsuyoshi, former vice president of Kumamoto University in Kyushu and currently Special Adviser to the Rector of Viet Nam-Japan University in charge of semiconductor personnel training, spoke with Viet Nam News reporter Nguyen Hang about Viet Nams potential to nurture talent in this vital industry.

Q: What is your assessment of the potential for human resource training in the semiconductor industry in Viet Nam, Professor?

Simply very high. I think Viet Nam is already good at the design stage and the packaging-and-testing stage of the semiconductor industry. This means higher education institutes in Viet Nam have the capability to supply skilled professionals at the current technological level.

The issue is the extremely rapid development of technology. All higher education institutes must upgrade their education to meet the needs of the next stage of industry. This means that collaboration with enterprises and universities is key.

Q: What stages should Viet Nam's semiconductor industry training focus on and why?

Of course, it is necessary to supply human resources to support the current semiconductor industry.

Some universities must prepare for future demand to enhance semiconductor-related fields. This means not only design, chip fabrication and packaging-testing, but also AI and data sciences for various application fields.

The industry requires a very wide range of multidisciplinary knowledge and skills, but it is not possible to provide this through one single programme. Thus, collaboration among programmes, enterprises and national research institutes, as well as international universities and enterprises, is required. I think Viet Nam National University Ha Noi has very strong members and good institutes, and Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park accommodates many top research and educational institutes.

From an industry point of view, currently human resources focusing on the design stage and packaging-testing stage are required. However, in order to strengthen the semiconductor ecosystem in Viet Nam, it is necessary to shift to 2D and 3D advanced packaging, which requires the knowledge and skills of chip fabrication. Universities are required to prepare for worker demand for researchers and engineers.

Q: Could you tell us about the cooperation between Japan and Viet Nam in staff training for the semiconductor industry?

The chip fabrication stage of the industry is not yet established. In order to complete the semiconductor ecosystem among Vietnamese companies and in order to shift from conventional packaging and testing to advanced packaging, knowledge and experience of the chip fabrication stage are required.

Utilising connections with Japanese universities and enterprises, the Viet Nam-Japan University can provide such an educational environment. Also, the university can share such an environment with other universities in Viet Nam. I hope the university can be a window to Japan, providing a channel for various universities.

Q: What financial incentives or risk-sharing mechanisms should be introduced to attract investment from Viet Nam and Japan?

Like other hi-tech fields, the semiconductor field is high risk and high return. Technological strength is essential to access the market. The industry requires a huge range of disciplines across the supply chain, from IT to material sciences, from chemistry to quantum physics, from telecommunication to mechatronics, as well as precision manufacturing.

Chip fabrication and advanced packaging are not labour-intensive fields, thus the labour share is small compared to other industries, such as automobiles or electronics. This means the gap between labour and total cost does not attract investment. Thus, hi-tech human resources are extremely important.

Q: Could you please share some of Japan's experiences in training human resources for this industry?

Nobody will argue about the importance of semiconductors, and the whole world has a very strong interest. The issue is how to attract young talent to the field. In Japan, the population is shrinking, thus the volume of human resource is limited. If you take a look at the PISA results from the OECD, Japan ranks No 1 in maths and No 2 in science for grade six, age 12. This means both girls and boys are good at maths and science.

However, at the level of university entrance stage, only 21 per cent of female students choose science and engineering.

Based on this background, Japan is trying to attract the attention of female students to science and technology, including semiconductors. For example, female students make up about 10 per cent of the School of Engineering, Kumamoto University. That is why when we opened the School of Informatics, the Data Science Semiconductor course introduced a special admission quota for female students. The quota is still small, but it helps attract female students to join the school.

I think that the gender balance in Viet Nam is better than in Japan, but in order to encourage the young generation, it is worth considering models like this here in Viet Nam. VNS
HCM CITY  Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Laszlo Kover arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on October 18 morning to start his five-day official visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man.

At Tan Son Nhat International Airport, the Hungarian top legislator and his entourage were welcomed by Tran Van Tuan, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Council; Thai Quynh Mai Dung, member of the NA's Committee on National Defence, Security and Foreign Affairs; and representatives from the citys Department of External Relations. On the Hungarian side were Ambassador Baloghdi Tibor and Consul General Lehocz Gabor.

Accompanying Speaker Kover Laszlo are Ambassador Baloghdi Tibor; Sardi Peter, Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Speaker; Kovacs Krisztian, Director of the Foreign Relations Directorate of the Hungarian National Assembly Office; Szilagyi Zoltan, Press Officer of the Hungarian National Assembly; and Tobias Gabor, Deputy Ambassador of Hungary to Viet Nam.

Speaker Kover Laszlo, who has a long-standing affection for Viet Nam, previously visited the country in 2015 in his current capacity.

His official visit this time takes place as Viet Nam and Hungary mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations (February 3, 1950  2025), following the official visit to Viet Nam by Hungarian President Sulyok Tamas and his spouse in May.

The visit underscores the mutual respect and shared commitment of the two countries senior leaders to further deepen and enhance the Viet NamHungary Comprehensive Partnership.

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to Hungary Bui Le Thai, the frequent exchange of delegations, including two high-level visits by both the Hungarian President and the National Assembly Speaker to Viet Nam in the same year, demonstrates Hungarys special regard for Viet Nam and reflects the strong political trust between the two nations senior leaders. This highlights the growing depth, substance and effectiveness of the traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership between Viet Nam and Hungary.  VNS
As the countrys only province bordered on three sides by the sea, and with more than 310 kilometres of coast and vast fishing grounds, Ca Mau has long identified fisheries as a key sector and a driving force for socio-economic growth.

With the European Commission still maintaining its yellow card warning against Viet Nams seafood exports due to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the southernmost province is intensifying efforts with a raft of stringent measures to ensure sustainable and responsible fisheries development.

As one of the nations four key fishing grounds, Ca Mau views the fight against IUU fishing as both an urgent and long-term mission.

By leveraging its rich resources and strong fishing fleet, the province has been able to maintain stable output while consolidating its role as a leading player in the fisheries economy.

Ca Mau now has 5,252 fishing vessels, including 1,948 boats 15 metres or longer, according to the province's Department of Agriculture and Environment.

Their catch so far this year totals 270,946 tonnes, equivalent to 75.19 per cent of the full-year target.

The province has six fishing ports, four of which  Song oc, Rach Goc, Ganh Hao, and Cai oi Vam  meet standards for traceability and verification of seafood origin.

Traceability has been tightened with the issuance of 33 certificates confirming raw seafood sources totalling 385 tonnes and 42 certificates verifying the origin of 558.8 tonnes of seafood.

All vessels longer than 15 metres unloading at ports have their fishing logs, vessel monitoring system (VMS) data, catch volume, and species composition carefully checked.

Fishermen on board

Legal awareness campaigns have been a priority. Authorities report that all local fishermen have been briefed on regulations governing legal fishing, including Resolution 04 of the Supreme Peoples Court on criminal penalties for illegal exploitation, transport and trade of seafood.

Ngo Van Hung, a vessel owner from Song oc, said his familys three fishing boats, including those over 15 metres, had monitoring equipment installed.

We understand our responsibility and are committed to working with the authorities against IUU. Some still break the rules for short-term gain, which undermines collective efforts. I hope everyone raises their awareness so that fisheries can grow sustainably.

Sharing the view, fellow fisherman Tran Minh ang added: Illegal fishing in foreign waters is not only dangerous for crew and vessels but also detrimental to national interests. I always comply with regulations and will not trade long-term sustainability for short-term profit.

Huynh Van Nhat, another fisherman from Song oc, said: I remind my crew to operate only in Vietnamese waters, keep the monitoring system on and follow the law. Violations could cost us our boats and jeopardise Viet Nams efforts to lift the 'yellow card'.

At the local level, authorities are equally resolute.

Song oc Commune has more than 2,000 fishing boats, and nearly all have installed monitoring devices," said o Van Su, chairman of the Song oc Commune Peoples Committee (Administration).

We strictly ban three-no vessels  those without registration, licences or monitoring equipment  from going to sea. We are also digitising all records to prepare for EC inspections.

Harnessing technology

In recent months the dissemination of IUU laws and regulations has been intensified through media outlets, social networks and direct community outreach, with more than 8,000 news items and reports produced.

Border Guard personnel have persuaded over 1,200 fishermen to sign commitments against violations, while more than 100 commune-level officials have been trained to use fisheries management software.

Ca Mau has pledged not to allow non-compliant vessels to set sail, and to punish violators, including officials found complicit.

Digital technology is being harnessed to manage fishing boats through integrated software and online databases, enhancing transparency in monitoring and reporting.

One critical area highlighted by the EC is effective law enforcement.

Since early 2024 Ca Mau has detected 39 vessels that lost signal for over six hours, penalised 11 of them, and identified 46 for crossing fishing boundaries.

A complete inventory of all 100 private fishing wharves has been digitised, with more than 40 wharf representatives and local officials trained in catch reporting.

To Hoai Phuong, director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, stressed that the campaign against IUU was not a cosmetic exercise.

Lifting the 'yellow card' is both a challenge and an opportunity to restructure our fisheries sector. Our efforts must be genuine, never perfunctory. By tightening fleet management and digital connectivity, we are paving the way for a disciplined, responsible and sustainable fisheries industry in Ca Mau.

Countdown to inspection

Le Van Su, deputy chairman of the Ca Mau Peoples Committee, who heads the provincial anti-IUU task force, underlined the political dimension of the task.

IUU prevention is not only a technical matter but also a political responsibility for every official and sector," he said.

Failure to act decisively could have severe consequences for both our fisheries industry and the nations reputation. That is why we must stay highly focused, with tangible results achieved day by day.

All agencies have been instructed to review progress, assign clear responsibilities and accelerate action plans, with particular emphasis on finalising vessel records, completing digital identification, controlling port entry and exit, and strengthening legal education.

With the ECs fifth inspection mission expected by the end of 2025, regarded as the decisive opportunity for Viet Nam to remove the "yellow card", Ca Mau has prepared records that are well structured and digitised for submission.

Issues previously highlighted by the EC, such as fleet management, VMS compliance, port supervision and sanctions enforcement, are being rigorously addressed.

For Viet Nam, lifting the 'yellow card' is not just about avoiding economic losses in seafood exports to Europe, worth about VN 5.5 trillion (US$220 million) in 2024, but more importantly about ensuring the long-term sustainability of fisheries, strengthening national credibility, and safeguarding maritime sovereignty. VNS
LAO CAI  Two foreign tourists who entered the Hoang Lien National Park illegally and got lost in the protected forest area have been successfully rescued by the park management board, in coordination with the Ta Van Commune Police.

Previously, at around 7pm on Friday, after receiving report from local residents about tourists lost in the forest, the task force of the Hoang Lien Forest Protection Division joined hands with the Ta Van Commune Police to implement a rescue plan.

They defined that the tourists got lost in the sub-area 278 in Sin Chai Village.

The authorities found M. Carina and H. Florian, with Austrian nationals, visiting the protected forest area without permission from the forest owner.

The tourists could not present legal documents related to tourism activities in the forest.

During their movement in the forest, they were slightly injured and could not leave the area on their own.

The search team of ten people made lots of efforts to reach the tourists. By more than 11pm the same day, the task force reached the tourists, provided first aid and safely escorted them out.

Competent units gave education and reminded the tourists about their violations of the law on tourism and forest protection, and handled the case according to current regulations.  VNS
HA NOI  The Viet Nam Coast Guard (VCG) Command on Friday (October 17) officially launched a month-long campaign to prevent and eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, reinforcing its determination to end violations and contribute to the removal of the European Commissions yellow card warning on Vietnamese seafood exports.

The campaign, running from October 15 to November 15, was announced at a national conference held by the VCG Command in Ha Noi and connected online to all coastal localities and regional commands.

Major General Vu Trung Kien, Deputy Commander for Legal Affairs of the VCG, chaired the event and said the VCG force would deploy a series of synchronised and decisive measures with no forbidden zones, focusing on strict monitoring and control of fishing vessels in overlapping and adjacent sea areas.

The campaign aims to strengthen patrols, inspections, and enforcement operations, particularly targeting vessels that lose their Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) signals or deliberately remove, lend, or share VMS devices to evade authorities.

Since early 2025, the VCG has detected and handled a number of serious IUU cases, including 25 Vietnamese fishing boats detained by foreign authorities and 50 vessels apprehended domestically for illegal fishing.

Despite progress, sophisticated violations persist, requiring stronger coordination among enforcement forces, ministries, and coastal provinces.

Over recent months, the VCG has maintained close cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, ministries, and local governments to implement comprehensive solutions against IUU fishing, helping to reduce cross-border violations and protect Viet Nams maritime resources.

Looking ahead, the Coast Guard Command emphasised the need to intensify awareness-raising campaigns through creative and practical communication efforts tailored to fishermen and vessel owners. Local units are also instructed to encourage compliance and foster a sense of responsibility among seafarers.

Kien stressed that combating IUU fishing is not only the responsibility of the Coast Guard but also a political mission involving the entire Party, army, people, and relevant authorities.

He urged all units to uphold discipline, maintain morale under challenging weather and geopolitical conditions in the East Sea, and operate with unwavering vigilance 24/7.

All missions must be implemented as part of a comprehensive, closed-loop strategy from awareness and prevention to enforcement and deterrence, from coastal areas to offshore waters and overlapping zones, he said.

The VCG will also enhance coordination with domestic agencies and international maritime law enforcement partners to jointly conduct patrols and share intelligence, ensuring effective and lawful operations in border and overlapping sea areas.  VNS
CAN THO  The Japanese Professional Skills College (JPC) held its inauguration and opening ceremony for the first academic year in the Mekong Delta province of Can Tho on Saturday.

Located in My Xuyen Ward, Can Tho City, the JPC is the first Japanese-standard vocational school established in the Mekong Delta region. It is also the first institution in the region to adopt a training model directly linked to recruitment by Japanese enterprises.

The school was founded based on a cooperation agreement signed in 2023 between Esuhai Group and the Peoples Committee of the then Soc Trang Province, now Can Tho City. The agreement focuses on three key areas, namely training and dispatching skilled human resources to Japan, promoting cooperation between local authorities and Japanese businesses, and building a Japanese-standard vocational school.

The JPC aims to train a highly skilled workforce to meet international integration requirements. Its standout feature lies in the close connection between classroom learning and practical training. Students receive vocational training aligned with Japanese standards, professional Japanese language instruction, workplace skills for Japanese enterprises, and physical training according to international benchmarks.

After completing their studies in Viet Nam, students will undertake professional internships in Japan, with guaranteed employment and an income of VN3035 million (US$1,1381,328) per month. Upon completion, they may extend their working period in Japan for an additional 2.55 years, gaining experience and savings before returning home to contribute to local development.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee Vuong Quoc Nam urged Esuhai and the JPC to continue expanding investment and improving training quality, gradually upgrading the school into a high-quality Japanese-standard college. He also encouraged the expansion of enrolment across Can Tho and neighbouring provinces, aiming for 2,0003,000 students annually to meet the growing demand for skilled labour and support socio-economic development in the city and the Mekong Delta region.

At the event, the JPC signed several cooperation agreements with Japanese partners and organisations on training and labour export collaboration.

On this occasion, the JPC also held a send-off ceremony for 31 students of the first cohort heading to Japan for study and work in various fields, including electricity, electronics, hospitality, and healthcare. The school and Esuhai Group awarded 345 scholarships worth over VN2.2 billion to students.  VNA/VNS
Sarah Paulson has paid an emotional tribute to her late friend and co-star Diane Keaton.

Sarah Paulson has paid an emotional tribute to her late friend and co-star Diane Keaton

Following the Oscar-winning actors death earlier this month aged 79, the actress spoke to Access Hollywood at the premiere of her new Hulu series Alls Fair about the loss, with Sarah, 50, saying she was struggling to come to terms with the passing.

She said: She was a very dear friend of mine, so its not something Im able to talk about yet. Im not able to talk about it. But all I can say, and I have been saying tonight, which is important to me to communicate, is that what you thought she was as a performer, she was even more spectacular as a human being.

Sarah and Diane first met while filming the 1999 movie The Other Sister, in which Diane played her fellow actress on-screen mother.

The pair remained close friends for the next 25 years until Dianes death.

Sarah added: I was the luckiest person in the world to have had her in my life the way that I did.

At the same event, the star spoke to The Hollywood Reporter and described the loss as profoundly sad.

She said: I cant talk about it in any way thats articulate other than to say that for all you knew and loved about her as a performer, she was even more as a friend.

Dianes family confirmed her death on 16 October, saying she died of pneumonia on 11 October.

In a statement released to the press, they said: The Keaton family are very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane.

She loved her animals and she was steadfast in her support of the unhoused community, so any donations in her memory to a local food bank or an animal shelter would be a wonderful and much appreciated tribute to her.

In the days following her death, several Hollywood figures shared tributes to Keaton, including Keanu Reeves, Patricia Arquette, Clint Eastwood, Richard Gere and Al Pacino, who starred alongside her in The Godfather films.
Welsh steelworkers facing catastrophic pay cuts over Christmas

Steelworkers are facing catastrophic pay cuts of more than a third over Christmas due to an extended shutdown at three Tata Steel sites in Wales, the Senedd has heard.

David Rees, who chairs the Senedds cross-party group on steel, warned the 65% pay packets would be disastrous for families still reeling from thousands of job losses.

The Aberavon Senedd member criticised plans for an elongated festive shutdown for the hot mill in Port Talbot as well as production lines in Llanwern and Trostre.

The Labour politician said: This would also see steelworkers losing a large proportion of their income.

There were talks of a 65% basic salary being paid thats not happened normally in furloughs and shutdowns, they get their normal pay.

This is new this is actually seeing staff losing income at a time of year when families need that money. Its Christmas time so its disastrous for the communities.

Mr Rees warned of the cumulative impact of 50% US tariffs, EU plans to cut import quotas and steel being dumped in UK markets from China or Vietnam.

Rock bottom

During todays (October 15) topical questions in the Senedd, he said: With that in mind, I suppose I want to know exactly whats going on because of the anxiety families are facing, having suffered over 2,000 job losses when the blast furnaces shut down.

The faith in Tata at the moment is rock bottom and they need reassurances that the Welsh Government is taking action to support the industry and to support them in particular.

Mr Rees told the Senedd: The quotas need to be addressed, the tariffs need to be raised and we need to take action to stop outside steel taking the marketplace, otherwise were going to see more and more of this happening and its going to decimate our industries.

I expect both governments to actually come up with a strategy and were waiting for that, minister, do you have any idea when that strategy might take place?

Mr Rees stressed: The future of steel is crucial to the future of Wales, its the largest and longest foundational industry still here  and we cannot let it go.

Recognising his Labour colleagues concerns, Jack Sargeant, for the Welsh Government, told the Senedd that ministers and officials have regular talks with Tata and trade unions.

Catastrophic

He said Rebecca Evans, Wales economy secretary, met UK Government colleagues on the weekend to discuss the proposed pause and the impact of EU plans to cut import quotas.

The deputy economy minister, who is responsible for fair work in Wales, also highlighted a meeting of the Tata transition board scheduled to take place tomorrow (October 16).

Mr Sargeant said the Welsh Government is engaged with Westminster on the steel strategy but he did not have a timeline to hand, committing to following up in writing.

Luke Fletcher, Plaid Cymrus shadow economy secretary, warned the 65% pay packets will be catastrophic for many of the families he represents in the South Wales West region.

Cautioning that confidence in the steel industry is at an all-time low, he said: Not only that but Im also receiving information that contractors are now being served notice by their companies because of this news.

Samuel Kurtz, for the Conservatives, urged ministers to hold Tata Steels feet to the fire to ensure the company delivers on plans to transition to an electric-arc furnace in Port Talbot.

By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter
Keanu Reeves was Aziz Ansaris first choice to play a guardian angel in Good Fortune because he has a reputation of being such a sweet, kind of almost angelic figure.

Aziz Ansari praises 'angelic' Keanu Reeves

The 61-year-old actor stars in the new comedy-action movie, which tells the story of an angel who attempts to show a struggling man that money doesn't guarantee happiness and Aziz knew immediately that Keanu was perfect for the role.

He told The Hollywood Reporter: He has a reputation of being such a sweet, kind of almost angelic figure and he also has this wisdom. If someone told you, Hey, you know Keanus like 3,000 years old, youd be like, That kind of tracks, He has this depth to him. Hes also so funny in this film. I looked at some of his older work, stuff he did in Bill Ted and Parenthood, and took little pieces of that and constructed this character and he just knocks it out of the park.

And Aziz revealed he had his own guardian angels to help him with his directorial debut, which also stars Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer and Sandra Oh.

He explained: So many of my director friends  Spike Jones recommended Carter Burwell for me to use this, and he was such a kind guy. Steven Soderbergh watched an early cut of the film and gave me some very positive feedback that really brightened my heart after working on the movie so much. When youre in this business of directing and writing, you look to your heroes. All of them have been so nice to me, so I feel like I owe them a shout-out.

He also praised Rogen, who he previously collaborated with on Funny People, Observe and Report and This Is the End.

He said: Hes not only an actor in the film, but he was always thinking about the film as a whole and how we could make it better and was so supportive of me. Hes one of the people who has pulled off what were trying to pull off here in terms of making films that people can enjoy and have this communal experience. So any of his guidance and wisdom I took to heart.
Western New Mexico University Regents John Wertheim, Chairman Steven Neville and Greg Trujillo listen to the special audit report on spending at the university from 2017 to 2024 during a meeting on campus Friday. Algernon D'Ammassa

Joseph Maestas Algernon D'Ammassa/Journal

SILVER CITY  New Mexico State Auditor Joseph Maestas appeared before Western New Mexico Universitys Board of Regents on Friday to present a special audit report probing allegations about excessive spending at the university under its former president.

After the regents voted to accept the audit report, former president Joseph Shepard told the Journal he felt satisfied the report, conducted by the Jaramillo Accounting Group under contract with the State Auditors Office, was independent and fair.

What I have always objected to, up until today, was that I never got due process, Shepard said. I thought they did a professional job.

The 90-page report states that auditors did not find evidence of fraud, misappropriation of public funds or corruption such as personal financial gain. It did, however, detail improper expenditures ranging from improper procurement and excessive travel to the problematic issuance of university purchasing cards to non-employees, including Shepards spouse, Valerie Plame. The report flags expenditures totaling over $360,000.

In some cases, the audit said spending decisions appeared to be excessive because less expensive options were available, even if it was consistent with the universitys strategic goals and broad discretion the regents had granted to Shepard.

The report also details weak internal controls, poor oversight and policy gaps that led to missing documentation, after-the-fact approvals or self-approvals of expenses and other issues, including potential violations of the Governmental Conduct Act and Open Meetings Act.

Wasteful spending identified included trips to Africa by Shepard and university leadership, purchases of custom furniture for Shepards residence and resort accommodations  at a cost exceeding $900 per night  for an administrator.

The audit largely cleared Shepard on allegations that he diverted funds for building a walkway and handicap-accessible ramp toward expanding a patio adjacent to his residence and accelerated the schedule so it would be ready in time for his daughters wedding in 2023.

On that matter, auditors said the evidence showed legitimate reasons for changes to the project, that the timeline was consistent with graduation planning and that Shepard had paid the university $3,655 for wedding activities on campus.

However, the report found that Shepard influenced the decreased scope and timing of the project in a way that created at least the appearance of a conflict of interest.

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The 10 findings also addressed reimbursement policies; weak controls for electronic devices issued to employees; a lack of planning for multiple regent resignations, as happened in December; as well as weaknesses in the universitys preparation for the cyberattack that hobbled its systems from April to May of this year.

The report alerted the new regents to an Open Meetings Act violation this summer, when the board went on a tour of campus together outside of a noticed public meeting without issuing a notice of a potential quorum. The law forbids members of public bodies from discussing business outside of open meetings; violations risk invalidating actions by the body and even fines. The tour took place on July 31.

A procurement violation was identified when the university awarded a sole-source contract for professional services to the Ritz Carlton Leadership Center in 2021 without proper notice, according to the report.

The audit recommended establishing internal audit processes at the university, which Kelley Riddle, WNMUs vice president of business and finance, said would be done by an independent contractor. The findings also pointed to a need for anonymous reporting tools.

Responses from WNMU administration in the report indicated that corrective actions had already been completed or were in the works, without any challenges to the findings.

We want to make sure all of these policies and procedures and so forth are where they ought to be, Regent Chairman Steven Neville remarked after the board unanimously accepted the audit report.

Maestas said the report had been referred to the state Department of Justice as well as the State Ethics Commission, which is pursuing its own litigation. All of the cases are civil proceedings. Shepard has not been charged with a crime.

Were in the business of public trust.  It can be lost in one instant, and to regain that trust is difficult, he told reporters following the regents meeting, while commending steps regents were taking as well as the whistleblowers who came forward with concerns about the university.

The audit examined university expenditures from July 2017 through 2024. Shepard, who had served as WNMUs president since 2011, resigned in December 2024 after Maestas announced an investigation into the spending, which also drew scrutiny from lawmakers, the state Higher Education Department and the State Ethics Commission.

The entire board of regents at the time resigned at the request of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham after they approved a new contract granting Shepard a $1.9 million severance package as well as a faculty appointment. The new board of regents declared that contract invalid this summer, saying that it was negotiated in violation of the states Open Meetings Act. The universitys new leadership and Shepard are battling over that decision in state district court, while the state Department of Justice is seeking to reclaim the severance paid to Shepard.

Were turning a page, Regent John Wertheim told reporters, adding that he hoped for a global settlement resolving litigation involving multiple entities and Shepard.

Without commenting on those lawsuits, Shepard said he felt some vindication at the audit report, telling the Journal, I know Im not perfect, but Im not crooked.
Anthony Martinez

QUESTA  Flags will be lowered to half-staff in this northern New Mexico village after an off-duty Questa Police officer riding his motorcycle through Taos early Friday afternoon was killed in a crash with another vehicle.

Questa Mayor John Ortega confirmed that 27-year-old Anthony Martinez was killed in the collision, which remains under investigation by Taos Police Department.

My thoughts and prayers are with Officer Martinezs family, Ortega told the Journal. Our employees are like family to me, I pray for their safety daily.

The crash occurred at around 2 p.m. near the Taos County Courthouse Complex on Albright Street, which was partially closed while officers managed the scene of the collision. The other driver was in a Chevy Equinox and was taken to Holy Cross Medical Center to be treated for injuries.

Martinez had worked with the Taos police force for roughly two years before joining Questa Police Department, which reopened in 2023 after closing in 2020. The Village of Questa webpage for the local police agency lists four other staff members.

Anthony was a great addition to our team and family, Ortega said.

Law enforcement agencies and first responders around northern New Mexico took to social media Friday night to post messages of condolences for Martinez and his family.

Officer Martinez served his community with honor, integrity, and dedication, a post on the Red River Marshals Office Facebook page reads. His commitment to protecting others and his unwavering service will never be forgotten. Our deepest condolences and prayers are with his family, friends, and the entire Questa Police Department during this heartbreaking time.

A post on the Santa Fe County Sheriffs Facebook page said: Sheriff Mendoza and the staff at the Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office extend our condolences to the family of Officer Anthony Martinez, and to the Questa Police Department.
Moscow. 15 Oct 2025

During the Russia-Africa session of the Russian Energy Week forum held in Moscow, senior Russian diplomat Tatyana Dovgalenko, head of the Foreign Ministrys Africa Partnership Department, outlined Moscows intention to assist African nations in achieving what she described as energy and economic sovereignty.

Dovgalenko stressed that Russias approach to cooperation on the continent is guided by principles of mutual benefit rather than resource extraction. We are ready to lend a helping hand in the spirit of continuity, and we are not laying claim to Africas resources, she said. Our goal is to help build capacity and strengthen the continents potential.

According to the diplomat, supporting Africas transformation into a distinctive and influential center of global development is among Russias long-term priorities. She noted that achieving such a role is impossible without energy sovereignty, because energy is the lifeblood of any economy.

Dovgalenko also highlighted Moscows plans to assist in human resource development, announcing that Russia would offer training for engineers, technicians, and specialists in sectors such as oil and gas, nuclear energy, and related technical fields.

Echoing these remarks, Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin emphasized Africas demographic and economic potential. Citing United Nations projections that by 2050 one in every two children will be born in Africa, he said rapid population growth will expand energy demand and open new opportunities for long-term cooperation with Russia.

Marshavin compared the situation to the Soviet Unions early 20th-century electrification effort, proposing an African GOELRO to boost electricity access across Africa. Russia, with its experience and expertise, is prepared to participate in these electrification projects and support our African partners, he declared.

The discussion underscored Moscows effort to deepen its engagement with Africas energy sector while promoting a narrative of partnership centered on sovereignty, self-reliance, and shared development
Bihar 2025: A Mandate of Maturity and the Reinvention of Political Power 2

The 2025 Bihar election was not an event  it was an awakening. It proved once again that Indias most politically aware electorate has matured beyond rhetoric, slogans, and dynasty-driven narratives. The slogan Vote Chor, Gaadi Chhod, which was aggressively marketed by sections of the opposition, failed to resonate beyond a few social media corners. Bihars voters no longer invest emotions in catchy lines; they measure leadership by delivery. Their reality is defined by employment, flood management, infrastructure, and safety  not by verbal theatrics or family legacies. Beneath the surface noise, the people of Bihar made one of the most decisive, quietly intelligent electoral choices in recent history, reinforcing the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) position as the states most powerful and organized political machine.

What unfolded in Bihar was not just an election; it was a case study in political discipline versus disorder. While the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) scrambled to find relevance, the BJP had already completed its groundwork months in advance. Its network  stretching from booth-level committees to the remotest panchayat  functioned like a living organism, not a campaign office. The Sangh Parivars social capital, accumulated over decades, played a silent but decisive role in translating trust into votes. Every small trader, fisherman, weaver, and womens self-help group had been approached by BJP cadres well before polling dates were announced. This wasnt outreach; it was relationship management.

The contrast with the opposition could not have been starker. The Congress, stuck in its outdated template of grand roadshows and photo opportunities, failed to recognize that visibility without credibility achieves nothing. Its state units remain demoralized, unrecognized, and directionless. The Gandhis continued to perform to television cameras, but their disconnect from their own cadres has reached a breaking point. On the other hand, the BJPs leadership ecosystem  from Amit Shah to Dharmendra Pradhan, C.R. Patil, Keshav Prasad Maurya, and Vinod Tawde  demonstrated that power doesnt just flow from the top; it circulates through structure. Every worker, however small, felt valued. Amit Shahs meetings with local workers werent symbolic; they were strategic morale sessions that instilled belongingness and accountability. When workers feel seen, they perform not for reward, but for pride.

Meanwhile, Prashant Kishors much-discussed entry into Bihar politics ended as a self-inflicted political embarrassment. His Lok Niti initiative, initially framed as a revolutionary civic movement, degenerated into an exercise in personal branding. Kishor failed to grasp that in Bihars soil, politics is built through sweat, not surveys. His speeches sounded more like lectures than leadership. For a man once celebrated as the backroom brain behind historic victories, the fall from strategist to sideshow was swift and public. His political capital, once respected by both camps, has now evaporated entirely.

The RJD, still orbiting the ghost of Lalu Prasad Yadav, continued to rely on caste-based arithmetic and nostalgia, failing to notice that Bihars political psychology has evolved. Viral videos of RJD workers threatening voters circulated widely on social media, devastating the partys credibility and exposing its internal lawlessness. Worse still, Tejashwi Yadavs absence from his flood-hit constituency during critical weeks spoke volumes. The people noticed. While they waited for leadership, it was the BJPs local units and RSS volunteers who were seen distributing relief material and helping affected families. Tejashwis indifference cost him moral legitimacy. Bihars voters, far more politically literate than Delhis drawing-room analysts admit, saw through the facade of populism. They now recognize that charisma without compassion is worthless.

In contrast, Nitish Kumar retained his quiet but solid image of governance. Over the years, his emphasis on infrastructure, roads, electricity, and education has earned him administrative respect. Even his critics concede that Nitishs government delivered visible transformation in a state once synonymous with backwardness. The JD(U)s governance model complements BJPs organizational might  a partnership that works not because it is convenient, but because it is coherent. Nitish brings technocratic balance; the BJP brings ideological energy. The people of Bihar understand that equilibrium well.

But the BJPs strength in this election was not just organizational  it was emotional. The Modi factor continues to be the glue binding aspirational India, and Bihar is no exception. For a state long defined by migration and economic struggle, Modis persona as a self-made leader who rose from modest origins resonates deeply. His articulation of Viksit Bharat aligns perfectly with Bihars yearning for dignity-driven progress. The Prime Ministers message that every small trader, fisherman, and farmer has a place in the national vision was not seen as rhetoric but as recognition. And in Bihar, recognition matters more than rhetoric.

At the operational level, the BJP ran a textbook-perfect campaign. Unlike opposition parties that treat workers as instruments, the BJP treats them as assets. The involvement of senior strategists like Dharmendra Pradhan and Vinod Tawde ensured precision in execution. But equally significant was the spontaneous participation of veteran party workers  those who volunteered, often unpaid, simply to ensure the victory of what they call our ideology. This ideological motivation is BJPs deepest strength. Other parties rely on alliances of convenience; BJP relies on conviction. That distinction is why its machinery never collapses, even under pressure.

In sharp contrast, the opposition alliance appeared transactional. Congress leaders appeared on television more than on the ground. RJD leaders gave fiery speeches but failed to provide any constructive roadmap. Prashant Kishor oscillated between criticism and confusion. And through all this chaos, the BJP maintained silence  letting its karyakartas do the talking. The result was a campaign that looked less like politics and more like disciplined civic engagement.

There is also a sociological layer to BJPs growing dominance in Bihar. The partys systematic integration of women, youth, and small-scale entrepreneurs into its ecosystem has built a parallel social identity that transcends caste lines. Women voters, often the silent majority, turned out in large numbers  influenced by the BJPs welfare measures, self-help group initiatives, and micro-financing outreach. The traditional caste arithmetic that once dictated Bihars politics is being replaced by issue-based alignment, a shift largely engineered by BJPs long-term presence in local communities.

This election also exposed a pattern the media continues to ignore  the emergence of the silent voter. Bihars real electorate does not speak on television panels or Twitter spaces. It neither attends large rallies nor waves flags. It observes quietly, makes up its mind privately, and votes decisively. The so-called experts who relied on urban surveys and media bites misread Bihar entirely. The silent majority rejected chaos and chose continuity. It was less a vote for ideology and more a vote for reliability.

The decline of RJD and Congress, coupled with Prashant Kishors implosion, has left a political vacuum that only BJP appears equipped to fill. The oppositions leadership crisis is structural: no clarity of message, no chain of command, and no sense of accountability. In contrast, BJPs hierarchy functions with precision  clear goals, disciplined communication, and measurable outcomes. The difference between them can be summarized simply: BJP works 365 days a year; the opposition wakes up every five years.

Beyond the numbers, the message of Bihar 2025 is philosophical. Politics is no longer about noise, emotion, or dynasty. Its about delivery, dignity, and depth. The BJPs dominance is not the result of propaganda; it is the outcome of performance. Its ability to combine ideology with governance has set a new standard in Indian politics. From flood relief to booth management, from policy articulation to cultural grounding, the BJP has mastered the art of being both the government and the movement.

Bihars voter base has matured, its political aspirations have evolved, and its patience for opportunism has run out. The electorate no longer votes for caste; it votes for competence. It no longer votes for faces; it votes for faith. The 2025 mandate, therefore, is not just a victory for the BJP  it is a validation of structured politics over spontaneous chaos. It reflects a silent social revolution where people prefer institutions over individuals, systems over slogans, and work over words.

The opposition will continue to exist in fragments  RJD as a nostalgic family enterprise, Congress as a fatigued organization running on inertia, and Prashant Kishor as a forgotten footnote in political experimentation. But the BJP stands unchallenged because it has built what the others never could  an ecosystem of belief. It understands Bihars pulse not through poll data but through lived engagement. Its power lies not in marketing but in movement, not in promises but in participation.

Bihar 2025 is therefore more than an election result; it is a statement of evolution. The state that once symbolized chaos now represents clarity. The voter who was once reactive is now reflective. And the party that mastered that reflection  with discipline, ideology, and a human touch  is the BJP. In the end, Bihar did not vote for noise or nostalgia. It voted for trust. And in todays India, trust has only one political address.
Image: PTI

The Bombay High Court on Friday granted bail to suspended Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) Deputy Commissioner Shankar Patole and his associates Omkar Ram Gaikar and Sushant Sanjay Surve in a 70-lakh bribery case investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

The case, registered at Naupada Police Station in Thane, pertains to offences under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act. According to the complaint, a builder developing a property with unauthorised structures had approached Patole, who allegedly demanded 20 lakh to initiate action against the violations. Though half the amount was transferred to Surve, Patole reportedly took no action beyond issuing two notices.

Later, Patole allegedly demanded another 50 lakh, prompting the builder to approach the ACB. A trap was laid, and investigators recorded a phone conversation in which Patole purportedly demanded the bribe. Gaikar was caught red-handed while allegedly collecting the cash on Patoles behalf.

Advocates Aabad Ponda and Saurabh Butala, representing Patole, argued that none of the charges attracted punishment exceeding seven years and that the police should have first issued summons under Section 41A of the CrPC. They further contended that the accuseds continued detention would amount to pre-trial punishment.

Advocates Sudeep Pasbola and Waqar Pathan maintained that the money transferred to Surves account was legitimate consultancy fees, while Advocate Harshad Sathe, representing Gaikar, said his client was unaware that the bag he carried contained cash.

Justice N.J. Jamadar, while acknowledging that the evidence made out a prima facie case, noted that it was essentially a trap case with most material already collected by the ACB. Observing that Patoles suspension reduced the risk of tampering with records, the court ruled that further detention was not necessary.

While granting bail, the court imposed stringent conditions after the prosecution expressed concern over alleged threats made to the complainant builder.
Nobel Laureate Physicist Chen Ning Yang Passes Away at 103 2

Renowned physicist and Nobel laureate Chen Ning Yang passed away in Beijing on October 18 at the age of 103, Chinas state news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday. Yang, who made pioneering contributions to theoretical physics, died of illness.

Born in Hefei, Anhui province, in 1922, Yang later became a Chinese-American physicist celebrated for his work in statistical mechanics and symmetry principles in elementary particle physics. His groundbreaking research reshaped the understanding of physical laws governing the universe.

In 1957, Chen Ning Yang jointly received the Nobel Prize in Physics with Tsung-Dao Lee for their revolutionary theory challenging the long-held concept of parity conservation in weak nuclear interactions  a discovery that forever changed modern physics.
Gemma Collins is still suffering after a gallbladder attack in August.

Gemma Collins left in 'agonising pain' after health scare

The 44-year-old reality TV star had to be seen by a doctor after falling to the floor in agonising pain and revealed she is still taking medication for her health issues months later.

She told The Daily Mail: I had a little gallbladder attack. We were going away for Rami's [her partner Rami Hawash] 50th and I was in excruciating pain. I'd taken him to a Ferrari day because it was his 50th birthday and we were flying the next day.

I fell to the floor, whilst he was going round the track. And I was like, whoa, I'm in pain. And then I was thinking I'm gonna have to go and sit in A E.

I called my doctor and he said, 'let me come to your house scan you'. When he scanned me, it was gallstones.

But gallstones, everyone can have gallstones and they can flare up at any time.

You know, I was in such pain, but I've got the medication at the minute that's helping me.

At the time, it was agonising and I thought I'm, I'm not gonna make it to Cyprus.

But, you know, the doctors were great and I've got pain relief for it now so we're just gonna really have to see how it goes, you know.

Meanwhile, Gemma recently revealed her wish to become a Dame and said she is planning to track down King Charles at Royal Ascot to discuss the idea with him, as she believes it is what the late Queen Elizabeth "would have wanted" to happen.

In a video obtained by The Sun, the TOWIE legend is getting her makeup done for a new ad campaign for Paddy Power and says: "I ain't being funny, but Dame Gemma has got a ring to it.

"And this year at Ascot I'm going to find King Charles because it's what his mother would have wanted."
Trump Urges Ukraine and Russia to 'Stop the War Now,' Cools on Zelenskiy's Plea for Tomahawk Missiles 2

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived at the White House on Friday seeking advanced U.S. weapons to bolster his countrys defense against Russia. Instead, he encountered an American president intent on halting the war rather than escalating it.

While U.S. President Donald Trump did not entirely dismiss the idea of providing Tomahawk missiles, he appeared reluctant as he looked ahead to a forthcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary. After over two hours of talks, Trump urged both nations to end hostilities immediately  even if that meant Ukraine conceding territory.

You stop at the battle line, and both sides should go home, Trump told reporters en route to Florida. Stop the killing  that should be it. I told that to President Zelenskiy. I told it to President Putin.

Trumps renewed outreach to Putin  a move that has previously unsettled Kyiv and European allies  cast a shadow over his otherwise cordial exchange with Zelenskiy. The two later met privately, discussing Trumps recent phone call with Putin and the potential path toward negotiations.

I think President Zelenskiy wants it done, and I think President Putin wants it done. Now all they have to do is get along a little bit, Trump said, framing himself as a mediator. Zelenskiy, however, stressed that only one side truly seeks peace. We want this. Putin doesnt want it, he said.

The Ukrainian leader candidly explained that Kyivs planned offensive required U.S.-supplied long-range weapons. We dont have Tomahawks, thats why we need Tomahawks, he said. Trump replied, Wed much rather have them not need Tomahawks. Later, he added, We want to keep our own weapons  we dont want to give away what we need to protect our country.

Though Zelenskiy called the meeting productive, he acknowledged that Washington was wary of escalation. Im realistic, he said, adding that he was counting on Trump to pressure Putin to stop this war.

Trumps conciliatory tone followed a recent call with Putin, after which he agreed to meet the Russian leader again  possibly within weeks. The Kremlin, however, hinted the timing could shift. The August summit between the two had ended early without significant progress.

Trumps remarks raised doubts about near-term U.S. military aid for Ukraine and reignited European concerns of a deal that could favor Moscow. Still, the European Union said it would welcome any genuine peace efforts.

Asked if he feared being manipulated by Putin, Trump quipped, Ive been played all my life by the best of them, and I came out really well  so its possible.

Analysts said Zelenskiy likely left disappointed. Michael Carpenter, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said, The underlying reality is that there is no inclination to impose costs on Russia.

Despite tensions, Trump praised Zelenskiys appearance, joking that he looked beautiful in his jacket  a nod to past criticism over his attire during a previous White House visit.

Three and a half years after Russias full-scale invasion, the war remains intense. Russia claims to have seized 5,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory this year, while Kyiv insists Moscows broader offensive has failed. Both sides continue to target each others energy infrastructure, with Russian drones occasionally crossing into NATO airspace.

Experts believe Putins latest outreach aims to delay U.S. arms transfers, particularly the Tomahawk missiles that Kyiv views as a game-changer. Max Bergmann of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said Moscows diplomacy was meant to make U.S. weapons support less likely.

Mykola Bielieskov, an analyst at the Ukrainian NGO Come Back Alive, said Tomahawks could shift battlefield dynamics. Its not about one or two strikes, he said. Its about constant pressure  disrupting Russias war machine.
The dispute over a $183 million loan to replace old lead pipes at homes in the Birmingham area has reawakened hard feelings and generated fresh political outrage from critics of the new water board.

Central Alabama Water, formerly the Birmingham Water Works, needs the citys support to receive a package of low-interest and forgivable loans to pay for new pipes. They recently turned to Mayor Randall Woodfin, but Woodfin said he wont cooperate until the utility meets a set of demands.

Critics of the utility are siding with the mayor.

Birmingham has been targeted as the irresponsible, the nasty, the unprofessional  whatever is it about them owning that system, but now theyre going back to Birmingham saying hey help us out, co-sign for us a grant or a loan, Gary Richardson, host of the Gary Richardson Morning Show on WJLD 104.1 FM said Thursday.

I would say hell no. Why should they prop them up?

State lawmakers earlier this year took control of the utility and created a new board dominated by members from suburban areas and surrounding counties. Birmingham now appoints just two of the seven members . But the city is suing in federal court to regain control of the utility.

Thats why the Alabama Drinking Water Authority, which administers the loan from the federal Environmental Protection Agency, wants guarantees from the city that it will honor terms of the loan agreement if the city wins its lawsuit.

Woodfin recently responded to the water boards request for help with a letter listing his own demands , including guarantees there will be no rate increase, creating an in-house law department to control spending and implementing goals for minority participation in construction projects.

Woodfin also turned to social media to underscore his points  and criticism of the utility.

Thats not politics. Thats common sense, he wrote on Facebook.

If the water works wants the Citys support, theyve got to show they can manage the peoples money with transparency and respect.

While supporters of Birmingham bristle at the water boards request for support, much of the proposed lead line replacement would occur in older Birmingham neighborhoods.

The first phase includes west Birmingham beginning in the Wylam neighborhood and expanding into Five Points West. A second phase could extend into the city of Fairfield, according to the utilitys application document.

These funds will mostly be used to benefit customers in the City of Birmingham and other older areas within the water system, General Manager Mac Underwood said in a statement to AL.com.

The CAW looks forward to discussing and resolving this matter with the mayor and his team in the coming weeks.

On Thursday, grassroots activists with the Committee to Save Jefferson County gathered in front of Birmingham City Hall to urge Woodfin to continue to hold fast to his demands on behalf of the city and minority contractors.

The group is led by William Muhammad, a past member of the Birmingham Water Works Board.

Muhammad said even though the lead removal program will help residents, Woodfin should use his leverage for more concessions from the board and continue the federal challenge.

Its for the good of the people that we get the lead fixed. Thats a win for the rate payers, Muhammad told AL.com. But we do not want this lawsuit dropped. We want it to go through court as far as it can go.

Richardson called the water board request insulting after utility leaders and lawmakers stripped Birminghams name off the water board, rebranded it and booted out the citys majority leadership.

Richardson evoked a 1970s Alex Haley novel and mini-series about slavey to illustrate his feeling regarding the water system.

It reminds me of Roots. Kunta Kinte, your name is Toby, Richardson said, referring to the main character, a man captured from Africa, taken to America and stripped of his identity.

On the other side, long-term critics of the utility have said the change was needed to bring more control on the water works after years of rate increases, poor customer service and questionable and unchecked spending.

Supporters of the new board say the structure is already working. For example, the board has agreed not to raise rates for 2026.

Kudos to this board for not raising water rates. It has been years since ratepayers have seen this type of relief and we would not have seen this sort of concern for the ratepayers without this new board in place, said Paul DeMarco, a former Republican state representative who had long called for reforms at the utility. I am confident this new board and the decisions they are making will finally achieve what we all want, decisions made in the best interest in the consumers of the water board.

Woodfins terms set up the seven-member board for another ideological split largely based on political party, geography - and race. Five of the current members are White and live outside Birmingham and were appointed by Republican leaders.

The other two members are Black and were appointed by Woodfin and council members in the largely Democratic city.

Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson a water board member from Birmingham, said Woodfin should not give into the utilitys request.

Tyson is a strong critic of the current boards configuration and supports the Birmingham federal lawsuit challenging its reorganization.

Tyson also called into WJLD to stress her opposition to the boards request.

I said that we need our lead pipes changed, thats a good thing for Birmingham, Tyson told Richardson Thursday. But the way theyre trying to do it aint right. Birmingham has got them in a chokehold and they ought to squeeze as tight as they can. Everybody should take a part in that grant and guaranteeing that money be paid.
National Public Radio broadcast journalist Susan Stamberg holds up a replica of her new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame following a ceremony, in Los Angeles, March 3, 2020. Stamberg, a "founding mother" of NPR and the first female broadcaster to host a national news program, died Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. She was 87. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File) AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File

Susan Stamberg, a mainstay at National Public Radio who would become the first woman to host a national news program, has died at the age of 87.

Stamberg died Thursday, NPR reported.

A true humanitarian, she believed in the power of great journalism, Stambergs son Josh said in a statement to NPR Friday. Her lifes work was connection, through ideas and culture.

Stamberg joined NPR in the early 1970s when it was getting off the ground as a network of radio stations across the country. During her career, she interviewed thousands of people, from prominent politicians and artists to the less well-known like White House chefs and people who work behind the scenes in Hollywood.

She even called up then-presidential candidate Jimmy Carters dentist to ask him about his notably toothy smile, NPR reported.

Our hearts go out to her family, all the public media colleagues who worked alongside her, but also the generations of journalists, editors, and producers who learned from her, WBHM, Birminghams NPR affiliate, wrote in a social media post Thursday.

Stamberg visited the WBHM newsroom in 1981, joining organizers of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival on air for a short guest stint.

There wasnt any music played...and nobody much cared...because Susan was fantastic, the station wrote in an article about her visit.

She was well known for her controversial cranberry relish and for her thick New York City accent  or more precisely the Bronx, as WBHM put it.

She explained in an oral history interview with Oregon station KLCC in January that she didnt have women in broadcast to model herself after when she became the host of All Things Considered in 1972.

The only ones on were men, and the only thing I knew to do was imitate them, she said.

She lowered her voice to sound authoritative. After a few days, Bill Siemering, the program manager, told her to be herself.

And that was new too in its day, because everybody else, the women, were trained actors, and so they came with very careful accents and very careful delivery. They werent relaxed and natural, she said. So we made a new sound with radio as well, with NPR.

She told KLCC that she coined the term founding mother to refer to herself and three other women who helped launch NPR: Cokie Roberts, Nina Totenberg and Linda Wertheimer.

I got tired of hearing about founding fathers, and I knew we were not that, so we were obviously founding mothers, and I was going to put that on the map, she said.

Stamberg hosted All Things Considered for 14 years. She later became a cultural correspondent for Morning Edition and Weekend Edition Saturday. She retired in September.

In NPRs obituary for Stamberg, host Scott Simon said she was the first real human being to ever host a regular evening newscast.

Stamberg was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame, which said she was known for her conversational style, intelligence, and knack for finding an interesting story. She interviewed Nancy Reagan, Annie Liebowitz, Rosa Parks and James Baldwin, among thousands of others.

She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2020.

Stamberg was born Susan Levitt in Newark, New Jersey, in 1938 but grew up in Manhattan. She met her husband, Louis Stamberg, while working in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

She is survived by her son, Josh Stamberg, and her granddaughters, Vivian and Lena.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.
An Alexandria woman has died and two others were injured after a head-on crash in Talladega Saturday morning.

Sonia Stoddard, 60, was killed after the Nissan Rogue she was driving collided head-on with a Jeep Patriot driven by Antonio Ragland, 44, of Talladega. Stoddard was pronounced dead at the scene, according to state troopers.

Ragland and a passenger in the Nissan, 71-year-old Steven Stoddard, were airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham for treatment. The extent of their injuries is unclear.

The crash occurred at approximately 6:35 a.m. on Highway 21 near Garrison Lane, about five miles north of Talladega city limits.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is continuing to investigate the incident. No further information is available.
Thousands gathered in Huntsville Saturday as part of the nationwide No Kings protests to push back against what they see as authoritarianism and the wrong direction of the U.S. government under President Donald Trump.

Local activist Vera Vergara said the protests happening across the United States and other parts of the world are sending a strong message.

And its showing people that whats going on here with this administration wont stand, what theyre doing is wrong, and people are fed up with it, and this is the result, Vergara said. I mean, you can see this many people in Huntsville, Alabama. There are thousands of people out here. This is amazing.

People started gathering well before the 9 a.m. scheduled start of the demonstration, lining up on Governors Drive between Whitesburg Drive and Harvard Road for the event. The Huntsville rally is jointly organized by activist groups AL 50501 and Indivisible D5 AL. It was tagged No Kings! No Quacks! Stand Up for Science!

Amy Price, a spokesperson for the two groups, said the choice of the location to gather for the demonstration was deliberate. There are many medical establishments there.

We are standing up for science research, and we know how important that is in Huntsville and its the funding that keeps this part of the country going. Its so important to our region, but that funding keeps people at this hospital healthy, she said.

We are asking for protection for scientific research and funding for scientific research, and that is why we are in this space right now, she added. Were standing up for everyones chance to have the best cancer treatment, the best treatment for multiple sclerosis and diabetes, and we are standing up to protect the rights of everyone.

People came out in different costumes and with signs, some of which read: Its so bad even the introverts are here, Ignoring SCIENCE Endangers US ALL, Fire Kennedy, and Democracy not Autocracy.

Merrill Hurst, a veteran who was on active duty for eight years, said she was protesting because of what she sees as a threat to the future of the country.

She objects to the move by the Trump administration to end birthright citizenship and is concerned about what she sees as an erosion of due process.

Its important to me that we remind the people in power that they took an oath to the Constitution, not to a man, not to an idea, but to this literal document that our country was founded on, and its heartbreaking as a veteran, as a citizen to watch the Constitution be ignored constantly, she said.

Another protester, Song Flagler, would like better treatment of immigrants and representation.

I think our democracy is slowly crumbling, the checks and balances system is being completely ignored, and it feels like nobody is really standing up for whats best for the country and instead theyre going for whats best in their own personal interests, she said. And I certainly dont feel like anybody that represents us in this state is for us; they only care about what, honestly, what Trump wants. It doesnt feel like theyre going to go against him for whats best for their constituents. So thats why Im here today.

Sheila McNeil, chair of Madison County Democrats, said such protests can spur change.

Today is important because were at a critical time in history where all of our rights are being challenged and attacked, and weve got to stand up and show that the power is with the people and the only way for them to see that is for us to be out here on the street, she said.

Another person who participated in the demonstration, David Pannell, said such events are important to raise awareness.

I feel like Trump is trying to take our nation down, and we need to show him and other people that there are a lot of people out here that disagree with that, he said.

Protests like this, I hope it will open peoples minds as to there are a lot of people that are against whats happening in this country and dont agree with it and think there should be another way.
Entertainer Katt Williams was celebrated by Miles College leaders with an honorary doctorate during his visit to Birmingham. (Jarrell V. Jordan/Miles College) Jarrell V. Jordan/Miles College

Katt Williams commanded an audience as he took center stage in Birmingham this week.

But the edgy comedian was not there to tell jokes, but to receive applause and an honorary doctorate from Miles College to celebrate a new partnership with the institution.

Its not every day that people get an honorary doctorate, Miles President Bobbie Knight said before calling Williams to the stage. Its because of you and what you have done, and we just want to show you how much we appreciate you and recognize you for the work you have done.

Williams Thursday was celebrated for his career and new partnership with Miles after spending several days in Alabama this week. His tour included meeting with college leaders to solidify a partnership with their students at his planned studio in Anniston.

Williams in late 2024 bought a portion of the former Fort McClellan military base in Anniston to launch a movie studio.

President Knights vision is to integrate AI into every facet of the institution and this opportunity to partner with Katt Williams advances that vision, Chuck Faush, Miles chief innovation and growth officer, told AL.com. Specifically, aligning with his studio development and plan in Anniston creates career ladders and provides real world learning for our student entrepreneurs.

Williams was dressed for the occasion in a black graduation robe and cap at an event in his honor Thursday. He offered a bit of humor in his acceptance speech.

In a very short period of time, no one could deserve this more than me, Williams said, generating laughs. It was going to take a mighty fine institution to recognize that.

Known locally as Starships, the Anniston site includes dozens of buildings and more than 90 acres of usable flat land on the former base.

Entertainer Katt Williams was celebrated by Miles College leaders with an honorary doctorate during his visit to Birmingham. (Jarrell V. Jordan/Miles College) Jarrell V. Jordan/Miles College

In an interview with GQ magazine, Williams said he had ambitions of becoming a movie mogul such as Tyler Perry, who developed a movie studio at the former Fort McPherson Army Base in Atlanta.

Its just not fair to put all that pressure on Tyler Perry, Williams told GQ magazine. He can only do so much.

Williams told the Miles audience that he was honored to receive the award. Noting the name of the college, Williams said he has traveled miles to build a career that began at age 13.

I serve a God that insists that my cup runneth over, he said. And those smiles that I sell for a living, those have miles right in the middle of it.
Rassan Tarabein, a former Daphne pain doctor who pled guilty to Medicaid fraud in 2017, now faces new charges.

Tarabein, 66, on Wednesday was booked into the Mobile County jail on five counts of second-degree perjury, court documents show.

Mobile County Sheriffs investigators accused the doctor on Oct. 2 of lying under oath with the intent to mislead state and local authorities. His bond was set to $1,000 per charge.

Tarabein previously operated the Eastern Shore Neurology and Pain Center, a private clinic in Daphne where he offered services relating to neurology and pain management, such as spinal injections.

Tarabein was attempting to legally change his name at the county probate court when he allegedly provided false statements to officials.

Investigators claim he lied about his criminal history and his reasons for changing his name.

Tarabein is on supervised release from several federal criminal charges, which include health care fraud, making false statements relating to health care matters, lying to a federal agent, unlawfully distributing schedule II controlled substances and money laundering.

In his plea agreement, Tarabein admitted that from around 2004 to May 2017, he ran an insurance scam in which he induced patients to visit his clinic so that he could bill health care benefit programs for medically unnecessary tests and procedures. The purpose of Tarabeins admitted scheme was to maximize personal financial gain by fraudulently seeking payments from health care benefit programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, and other private insurers.

He was ordered to pay more than $15 million in restitution.

Tarabein has filed multiple lawsuits in recent months, including a pending case against his former lawyer.

He is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 28.
Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) laughs with George Santos (R-N.Y.) during a meeting of the 118th Congress, Thursday, January 5, 2023, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC. (Photo by Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images) The Washington Post via Getty Im

After months of pushing for the release of imprisoned former Congressman George Santos, Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene had something to celebrate on Friday.

THANK YOU President Trump for releasing George Santos!! He was unfairly treated and put in solitary confinement, which is torture!! she posted on X after the president said hed approved the New York Republicans immediate release.

Greene had been dubbed a sellout fraud by some in the MAGA movement after leveling tough criticism at Trump and Republicans. She recently blasted the GOP over the Epstein files, health care and other issues.

The announcement came more than two months after Greene sent a letter to the Office of the Pardon Attorney urging President Trump to free Santos. Shed previously complained on social media that the expelled 37-year-old from Queens was being unfairly punished for deceiving donors and stealing the identities of nearly a dozen victims  including relatives  to fill his campaign coffers.

Santos was sentenced in April to more than seven years behind bars after pleading guilty to fraud and identity theft charges. In late July, he surrendered to FCI Fairton in New Jersey, and has since published numerous essays in the South Shore Press decrying prison conditions, which he described as hell on earth.

In mid-September, the MAGA loyalist complained that hed been forced into solitary confinement following an unspecific death threat.

Well, here at FCI Fairton, they have a funny way of protecting you, Santos said, complaining that hed been moved into an extremely dirty 15-by-17-foot cell with no ventilation and limited ice-cold showers.

But an Oct. 13 essay, which Santos addressed directly to Trump, may have broken through.

Sir, I appeal to your sense of justice and humanity  the same qualities that have inspired millions of Americans to believe in you, read the open letter to the president.

Trump indicated on Friday that hed heard Santos had been treated poorly and enough was enough.

George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated. Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY, Trump wrote on Truth Social. Good luck George, have a great life!

When asked about Santos various claims throughout his incarceration, Department of Corrections officials told the Daily News that for privacy, safety and security reasons they do not discuss the living conditions for any individual in custody.

With News Wire Services and AL.com

2025 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Alabama Republican Chairman John Wahl speaks to a reporter inside the spin room following the fourth Republican presidential primary debate on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in the Frank Moody Music Hall at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala. John Sharp/jsharp@al.com

This is a guest opinion column

One of the most important issues facing our country right now is the rise in violent crime. The tragic shooting in Montgomery earlier this month is a heartbreaking reminder of this issues urgency. Families should never have to live in fear, yet across our nationfrom small towns to big citiescrime is on the rise, and innocent people are paying the price.

The promise of America has always been rooted in securitysecurity for our families, our freedoms, and our future. Yet today, that promise is under attack. From rising crime in our communities to chaos at the southern border, too many Americans feel less safe after years of the lefts soft-on-crime policies and efforts to defund the police. Thats why President Donald Trumps new initiative to Make America Safe Again could not come at a more critical time.

This is not just another campaign slogan. It is a clear plan to restore law and order, protect innocent families, and give law enforcement the tools they need to protect our communities. President Trump understands a simple truth: without safety, everything elseour economy, our education, and our very way of liferemains at risk.

For too long, residents of Democrat-led cities have been told to accept crime and violence as if it were a normal part of life. Their leaders refuse to act, and when they do, its with policies that make the problem worsedefunding the police, pushing reckless cashless bail, and driving more families into desperation with failed economic policies. The result is predictable: more crime, more victims, and more broken communities. The contrast could not be clearerDemocrats empower criminals, while President Trump and Republicans stand firmly with law enforcement and the American people.

Here in Alabama, we know the importance of strong leadership when it comes to public safety. Our communities thrive when families feel secure, when businesses can operate without fear of crime, and when law enforcement is respected and supported. President Trumps plan speaks directly to those needs. It calls for tougher penalties on violent offenders, an end to catch-and-release bail, and decisive action against the cartels flooding our streets with deadly drugs.

The difference in leadership could not be sharper. Under leftist leaders in Americas largest cities, violent crime has increased, and policies too often favor criminals over law-abiding citizens. The American people deserve better. They deserve leaders who will stand up to those who threaten our safety and put the needs of our citizens first.

And this is not just a problem in major metro areas like New York or Chicagothe latest evidence shows its affecting Alabama far more than some would like to admit. The shooting in Montgomery is only the latest example of a growing and deeply concerning trend.

Birminghams numbers tell the same story.

According to the Birmingham Police Department, overall crime in the city increased by 7.6 percent in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Violent crime rose by 2.1 percent, driven by a troubling 9.7 percent increase in aggravated assaults. Property crime jumped 9.1 percent, with theft alone rising nearly 14 percent. These are not just statistics. They represent real victims, real families, and real communities suffering the consequences of failed leadership and weak policies.

Crime is a choice, and those who choose to break the law must face real consequences. Law enforcement must be empowered to lock up criminals and keep our neighborhoods safe. You may not agree with every detail of Donald Trumps plan, but one thing is undeniable: he is trying to protect the American people. At a time when crime is rising and too many communities feel abandoned, Trump is fighting to restore accountability, protect victims, and make public safety a national priority once again.

I am proud that the Republican Party stands with President Trump in this fight. As Republicans, we believe in the rule of law. We believe every child has the right to grow up in a safe neighborhood, every parent has the right to know their family is protected, and every citizen deserves a government that puts their safety ahead of political correctness and partisan games.

The Make America Safe Again initiative is more than policyit is a promise to the American people. It is a commitment to restoring the peace and prosperity that make this country the greatest in the world.

President Trump is once again proving he is the leader America needs in this pivotal moment. Together, we canand we willmake America safe again.

John Wahl is Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party and serves as Republican National Committee Vice Chairman for the Southern Region, representing 14 states. He has led the ALGOP in strengthening its grassroots network, expanding voter outreach, and advancing conservative principles across Alabama.
The Love Your W breast cancer awareness ceremony, organized by "W Korea" annually, has come under controversy after news broke that actress Park Bo Young was not allowed to access the red carpet and photowall at the 2024 event because of a wardrobe malfunction with sponsor stockings.

The "Love Your W Party" has long been famous for bringing together star power and philanthropy to raise breast cancer awareness. This time, though, this year's renewed scandal overshadowed the campaign as critics labeled organizers as more concerned with fashion than with the cause of the event.

Dispatch says that the 2024 edition had everyone dressing in full attire provided by a sponsor brand name only referred to as "V." The attire consisted of dresses, accessories, and stockings.

One of the staff members was quoted by Dispatch, stating, "Celebrities were expected to wear every item from the sponsor brand, including the stockings. It was part of the official styling agreement."

Accounts said that Park Bo Young could not fit into the stockings that were offered and opted to go bare-legged to the event. Consequently, "W Korea" staff members are said to have barred her from posing on the photowall, citing that "full-body shots weren't allowed without the full outfit."

As per Koreabo, only cropped upper-body images of the actress were subsequently posted on the magazine's official platform, denying her a single feature. Her complete appearance was subsequently shown only when actor Park Hyung Sik posted a photo with her on social media, affirming her presence at the event.

READ MORE: Park Bo Young & Jinyoung's New K-Drama 'Our Unwritten Seoul' Takes Over the Internet After Just One Episode

The issue went viral again when the 2023 "Love Your W Party" went viral again, and netizens and some critics were furious again for apparently forgetting the altruistic objective of the event.

A Koreabo commentary remarked,

"Many pointed out that the breast cancer awareness event seemed more like a luxury fashion gathering than a cause-driven campaign."

Up to now, "W Korea" has not made an official comment on the issue. The scandal reopened public debate on superficial criteria, brand power, and misplaced priorities in celebrity-oriented charity events.

REA MORE: Park Bo-young's Loyalty Runs Deep But Don't Expect Her on the Mound Yet
As per Microsofts latest Digital Defense Report 2025, cybercriminals have found a new attack trick, dubbed ClickFix. Its a social engineering tactic that convinces users to infect themselves. Moreover, it has been highlighted that this tactic has become one of the common methods used by hackers to gain initial access.

ClickFix attacks are more common than you think

Since early 2024, Microsoft has reported a sharp increase in the number of ClickFix-based attacks. The attack method is based on numerous fake pop-ups, support messages, or system alerts that prompt users to fix an issue by copying and pasting code into the Windows Run box or terminal. Once the prompt or the code is executed, it downloads malicious payloads directly into the devices memory.

Since the malware is injected directly into the memory, it leaves little trace for the antivirus software to detect. One of the highlighted examples was the 2024 incident where Booking.com was impersonated to carry out phishing campaigns. Victims received fake travel confirmation emails leading to a cloned website with a CAPTCHA prompt.

Here are some common ways to stay protected from ClickFix attacks

Microsoft reported that ClickFix accounted for 47% of all initial access incidents recorded by its Defender Experts team over the past year. The tech giant advises organizations and individuals to focus on behavioral awareness. Mainly because what makes ClickFix particularly dangerous is that users unknowingly infect themselves.

Users and employees are suggested to be trained to never copy or run code from unverified sources, even if the prompt appears legitimate. Microsoft has urged IT teams to enable PowerShell logging and monitor clipboard-to-terminal actions. Teams must also deploy browser hardening policies to block malicious scripts before execution. Users must follow precautionary steps, such as verifying the source or avoiding third-party installs unless mandatory. Its a rare instance where only precautions can be a real lifesaver.
For years, the sound coming out of high-performance smartphones has been one of the weakest parts of the experience. Thin, tinny audio often ruins the immersion. A good sound setup is especially necessary when you are deeply engaged in mobile gaming or streaming a movie. Xiaomi is finally addressing this glaring issue with its upcoming sub-flagship Redmi K90 phones. More specifically, the Redmi K90 Pro Max model will get an impressive 2.1-channel audio system with a third subwoofer speaker. If youre not aware, the Redmi K90 series will be the base for future POCO F8 phones coming to the global market.

Redmi K90 Pro Maxs dedicated Bose subwoofer for bass-rich 2.1 audio

This array will be quite different from the typical stereo pair that inherently struggles with low frequencies. The dedicated, Bose-powered third speaker unit will function as a true subwoofer on the Redmi K90 Pro Max. This will allow the phone to accurately reproduce deep, rich bass notes. So, video soundtracks, explosion effects in games, and music tracks will all gain a much-needed layer of depth and power. Overall, the multimedia experience without headphones feels richer than ever.

The first official images of the Redmi K90 Pro Max already teased the Bose rear speaker. However, it was still unclear whether Redmi was simply changing the positioning of one of the stereo speakers or adding an additional one. Now, reliable tech tipster Digital Chat Station has confirmed on Weibo that the device will have a 2.1-channel audio system.

The K90 Pro Max features a distinct, circular speaker placement near the camera array. This justifies the design with a large rear camera bump, making room for the additional speaker component as well.

A multimedia and gaming powerhouse

Speaking of performance, the Pro Max packs serious hardware under the hood. Reports suggest the device will run on the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip. Qualcomm recently launched this SoC with a core-and-GPU setup comparable to that of the still current Snapdragon 8 Elite.

Xiaomi will launch the Redmi K90 series on October 23 in China. Similar to previous Redmi K generations, they are expected to arrive in the local market under the Poco branding. The Redmi K90 Pro, which could be a more compact version of the K90 Pro Max, is expected to debut internationally under the POCO F8 Ultra moniker. So, lets hope this particular model will also boast the powerful audio setup.
Taliban security forces in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar following a Pakistani attack - Getty Images

Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire after a week of border clashes which saw dozens of soldiers and civilians killed and wounded.



The foreign ministry of Qatar, which mediated the negotiations in tandem with Turkey, announced the truce in a statement on its X account, saying the two sides had agreed to establish mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability.

The ministry added that the countries would meet in the coming days to ensure the ceasefire endures.

Tensions had been rising after Islamabad demanded that the Taliban tackle the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group responsible for a surge in attacks in Pakistan and is believed to maintain close ties with al-Qaeda.

The latter groups former military leader, Mufti Muzahim, had joined the TTP and created videos, shared widely on social media, containing threats to attack Pakistani towns.

Pakistan claimed the fighters operated from safe havens in Afghanistan and accused the Taliban of providing operational and logistical support to the TTP, which the Taliban denied.

The row escalated last Saturday when Afghan troops opened fire on Pakistani border posts, to which Pakistan responded with artillery and gunfire, where more than two dozen soldiers were killed.

A Pakistan drone strike on Taliban forces in Kandahar on Wednesday - Reuters

Although the clashes had largely ended by Sunday morning after intervention by Qatar and Saudi Arabia, sporadic gunfire reportedly continued in Kurram, one of several Pakistani border regions where attacks by militants have increased in recent months.

The warring parties had declared a truce on Wednesday night while their delegations met for talks in Doha.

Donald Trump also weighed in on the conflict, claiming it would be easy for him to resolve.

Thats an easy one for me to solve if I have to solve it. In the meantime, I have to run the USA, but I love solving wars, the US president said during a press conference on Friday.

The talks had been progressing and the ceasefire extended, but a pair of deadly cross-border air strikes by Pakistani forces sparked fears of a renewal of the violence.

On Wednesday, Pakistan conducted strikes on alleged terror targets in Kabul aimed at Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud, the TTPs leader, who they claim was killed in the assault.

However, a voice message and video supposedly from Mehsud circulated afterwards asserting he was still alive and in Pakistan. The Telegraph could not verify the authenticity of the claims.

Cowardly act

Another strike on Kabul on Friday night killed eight people, including three young Afghan cricketers.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board called the attack a cowardly act carried out by Pakistan and a great loss for Afghanistans cricketing family, and announced its withdrawal from the T20 series, which includes Pakistan.

Pakistan claimed the strikes had killed dozens of terrorists in a targeted attack on the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, a faction of the TTP.

Pakistan has also accused India of using Afghanistan as a base to facilitate terror attacks by the TTP on Pakistani soil, and of supporting separatists in the restive region of Balochistan, allegations India denies.

Islamabad had warned of a risk of another war with India after 11 Pakistani soldiers were killed in an attack by the TTP in the countrys north-west on Oct 8.
King Charles III

For years, critics mocked the Kings insistence that buildings should feel humane with legible streets, rhythm, depth and materials that encourage care, not contempt. A new study I co-authored with Professor Nikos Salingaros put the Kings common-sense view to a simple test. We asked artificial intelligence to judge architecture the way people do. It did, and sided with the public, not with fashionable orthodoxy.

Our method was disarmingly plain. We showed large language models including ChatGPT paired images where independent Deltapoll surveys had already shown public preferences: Bath Rugbys stadium, an HS2 viaduct and Oxford Streets Marks & Spencer. We then ran three tests: emotional criteria (beauty, calm, coherence, comfort, reassurance); geometrical criteria from Christopher Alexanders living geometry (levels of scale, strong centres, local symmetry, positive space, alternating repetition); and a simple question: which design feels friendlier?

In every case, the models preferred the more human-centred option, matching the independent polling. At Orchard House, where Marks & Spencer wish to demolish a delightful 1930s classical building and replace it with heartless, spreadsheet modernism, the AI consistently chose a traditionally composed alternative by Francis Terry and Create Streets. The public poll showed 79 per cent support for the humane option.

The AIs emotional and geometrical tests were, if anything, more emphatic. Bath told the same story: the people favoured the classical stone stadium. AI agreed. On the HS2 viaduct, the public preferred the design with bricks and detail. The AI again chose the same. Across repeated runs and different AI systems, the results held. Some 97 per cent of the first two tests and 100 per cent of the test for friendliness agreed with the people. Human-centred design correlates with positive emotions and positive emotions correlate with public preference.

Why does this matter? Because design too often confuses novelty with progress. We have spent a century perfecting an aesthetic that treats people as throughput: over-scaled flatness; endless glass; object-buildings that ignore the street; visual cacophony not public courtesy. The result is places that many quietly dislike but feel powerless to resist. Our findings suggest two uncomfortable truths for the design establishment and one practical route forward.

First, the public are not philistines. Given a clear choice, they pick the design that looks as if it cares for them: facades with depth and pattern; materials that age gracefully; forms that acknowledge human scale; bridges that enrich the landscape rather than besmirch it. Asked to think with empathy, the AI picks the same.

Second, what is waved away as nostalgia is better understood as neuro-aesthetics. The eye and brain reward legible order and patterned complexity. That is why living geometry (layers of scale, repetition with variation, strong centres) keeps appearing in the buildings people love and the streets where they linger. Our tests captured that link.

And the route forward? Make this normal. If we want faster delivery, we must code for the qualities people prefer instead of relying on elite opinion and opaque processes. That means simple, visual design codes for frontages, plots and materials. It means using tools, including AI, to diagnose friendliness early, not to generate ever wilder images. It means treating human preference as the objective, not an optional garnish.

Does AI settle every argument about architecture? Of course not. But it does something valuable. It acts as an impartial mirror, reflecting the emotional reality of our neighbourhoods. Ask it to judge like a human and it prefers the human-centred design. In that sense the King is right and importantly so. Buildings that look after us help us to feel looked after. Build more of them and we would be more prosperous, content and civilised.

Nicholas Boys Smith is the founding Chairman of Create Streets
General Secretary and Chinese President Xi Jinping waves as he arrives for a press event with Members of the new Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China

I was wrong about China. So were Tony Blair and David Cameron. So were George W Bush, and Barack Obama. So was almost every Western pundit.

But heres the thing. We were not wrong in the way that is usually meant. If we want to get our China policy right today, we need to understand what our real error was. With rows over the aborted spying case, the Scunthorpe steelworks, a proposed new embassy allegedly designed as a listening post, breaches of the Hong Kong accord and the sanctioning of British MPs, we need to calibrate our response intelligently. The danger is that, instead of being surgical, we hit back in ways that damage Britain more than China, or that strengthen the Communist regime.

What was it, then, that we Westerners got wrong? The standard narrative goes something like this.

Western leaders naively believed that capitalism and freedom would go hand-in-hand. They assumed that a more market-based China would be more liberal and more democratic. They foolishly allowed China to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 2001, thinking that commerce would burn like acid through the chains of authoritarianism. Instead they got a China that was just as malign, but richer; a China that stole their intellectual property and undercut their industries. In short, the Communists turned our system against us, using the proceeds of capitalism to build drones and aircraft carriers while remaining as hostile as ever.

This account has become received wisdom, but its premise is false. Chinas economic reforms were not an ingenious plan to overtake the West. Indeed, they were not planned at all. They were initiated by millions of ordinary Chinese people who went outside formal state-run institutions, first to grow their own produce and later to start black-market enterprises. At every stage, the Communist authorities legislated after the event, abandoning positions that had become indefensible, recognising what had already happened. A more accurate account of what Western analysts got wrong would go like this:

More often than not, capitalism and democracy do indeed go together. The correlation is not exact, but it is observable  not least in China after 1978. As Chinese people became accustomed to choosing their car or their mobile phone provider, they began to expect to choose their mayor. Where we were wrong was in underestimating the Communist hardliners. Since Xi Jinping took office in 2012, there has been a rolling back of both the economic and the political reforms, as the Party struggles to reassert control. Capitalism and democracy are still correlated; but both are now in retreat. Our failure was not to have spotted the signs earlier.

At the end of the last decade, there was every reason to be optimistic. The rise of private enterprise had weakened the Chinese state in the most obvious sense. In 1978, more than 99 per cent of Chinas urban population worked for the government. By 2011, that proportion had dropped to 18 per cent, with a commensurate fall in the power of officials to coerce through patronage.

International trade hastened the process. In the mid-1990s, the private sector accounted for a third of Chinas exports. By 2012, that figure had risen to 90 per cent.

You lose almost all of the lawsuits in the WTO, says Donald Trump. In fact, the US has been much more successful at suing China there than the other way around; and, contrary to popular belief, China has a better record than has the US of complying with WTO rulings. As the Swedish/American economist Johan Norberg puts it, The way to get China to engage in fair play is not to withdraw from multilateral trade cooperation but to expand and deepen it  and perhaps even to follow the rules ourselves.

The growth of private contracts helped create a non-governmental space in China. By the late 2000s, there was even an emergent blogosphere. As long as writers kept off the most neuralgic issues (Taiwan, the Dalai Lama and the massacre in Tiananmen Square) they could be remarkably independent.

The appalling old waxworks who surrounded Xi found it intolerable. A number of journalists no longer see themselves as party propaganda workers, complained Hu Zhanfan, the head of state TV. They have redefined themselves as professionals, a basic misunderstanding of their identity.

Xi had the answer. People who had been too free in their criticism were arrested, subjected to show-trials and paraded weeping on television. In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that anyone who spread an unhelpful rumour online that was shared more than 500 times or viewed more than 5,000 could expect three years in prison. Dissident writers were prosecuted. Then the lawyers who defended them were prosecuted. Then the lawyers who defended the lawyers were prosecuted. Then everyone got the message.

At the same time, Xi was mobilising notionally private companies, not just as censors and propagandists, but as spies. Their readiness to monitor online users, along with the growth of face-recognition and geolocation technology, created a terrifying pan-opticon state.

But there was an economic price. Chinese entrepreneurs began to feel insecure. Why invest when the state might confiscate your business on a whim? China now has the distinction of being the only country from which millionaires are fleeing faster than from Britain. It turns out that you cant abandon the post-Mao political reforms without foregoing at least some of the accompanying economic growth.

China, in short, is potentially dangerous, not because it is surging ahead economically, but because that surge is coming to an end. This is partly because of its ageing population, and partly because the extraordinary growth rates that accompany industrialisation cannot be kept up indefinitely (see also Taiwan, South Korea). Mainly, though, it is because business fears a return to party orthodoxy. Chinas leaders can see their growth levels slowing. They no longer expect to be able to sit back and overtake the West. They are old men in a hurry.

What, then, should our approach be? We should be tough when it comes to diplomacy and military preparedness. We should refuse to accept violations of the One Country Two Systems deal on Hong Kong. We should respond to espionage by expelling diplomats and sanctioning individuals. We should hit back in kind at cyberattacks. But we should not restrict our trade, for that trade is one of the few things pushing China in a more pluralist direction.

The US gets this precisely the wrong way around. It accords China the diplomatic niceties of a friendly state, but treats it as hostile when it comes to commerce. The Trump administration is pressing us to take a similar line. We should politely refuse.

I am not talking about security here, or about punishing violations of intellectual property. We should be very robust indeed about that. But tariffs help no one except the Communists, because it is easier to control a self-contained economy than an open one.

It is, in my experience, hard to make this argument without someone accusing you of being soft on Beijing, or of caring more about money than security. But that is a grotesque misrepresentation. The point is not that we should trade with China despite our differences with its leaders; it is that trade with China, other things being equal, will weaken the grip of those leaders. That is precisely why they are spending billions of pounds on their Made in China 2025 strategy. Made in China means made by people whom they can direct.

Instead of hanging back from trade and investment deals, we should be harder on the basics, protesting human rights violations against Hong Kong nationals, and treating them as belligerent acts when those Hong Kong nationals have British citizenship. We should prosecute spies to the full extent of the law. And we should respect the decision of the local council that denied planning permission to the proposed new super-embassy.

We keep hearing about the importance of Chinese face, but there is also such a thing as British face. Acting like a sovereign country might allow us to salvage some of it.
From left: Suki Sandhu, Dr Sophie Chandauka, Yvonne Kunihara-Davidson and Keisha Bell (Supplied)

The winners of the 2025 Black British Business Awards have been announced at a glitzy ceremony in central London.

Yvonne Kunihara-Davidson, managing director at S&P Global and its EMEA head of tax solutions, was named Black British Business Person of the Year.

Ms Kunihara-Davidson has worked at the global consulting and analytics firm for three years, before which she held senior leadership positions at Burt Staples & Maner LLP and IHS Markit.

She prides herself in advising multinational financial institutions on tax compliance regimes and audit.

Beyond her commercial success, Ms Kunihara-Davidson has co-authored a global allyship programme, having sponsored S&P Globals BOLD network for Black Professionals, and has inspired individuals through her advocacy and mentorship.

She was presented with her award at the ceremony on Friday night at the InterContinental Park Lane in Mayfair.

Receiving her award, Ms Kunihara-Davidson said: I am so honoured to be named Black British Business Person of the year.

Its amazing to be part of a rich history of Black British business leaders whove all achieved such brilliant career heights and elevated others along the way.

Its more important than ever to celebrate the wins, uplift each other, and ensure everyone in business can achieve their dreams.

Anne Mensah, VP of UK Content at Netflix UK, was awarded the Impact Award for her accomplishments as a Black business leader in the film and TV industry.

Ms Mensah first joined Netflix in 2019 from Sky, where she was the Director of Drama and Sky Studios. Her credits include Baby Reindeer, One Day, Supacell, and Adolescence.

She has overseen investment of more than $6 billion (4.4bn) in the UKs creative economy since 2020.

It is a massive honour to be recognised with this award. I believe that there is a power in authenticity - in the stories we tell, the people we champion, and the way we show up in business and in life, she said.

When we try to lead with honesty and stay true to who we are, we create space for others to do the same and we're able to put work into the world that truly resonates with people everywhere. Im so deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of my journey - their support and belief made it happen.

The award ceremony also honoured this years Ally of the Year, Nick Studer, CEO at Oliver Wyman.

Mr Studer was praised for creating pathways for Black colleagues to advance and advocating for race equity across the consulting industry.

New to this years ceremony was the ICON Award, which honours a trailblazing Black British business leader whose lifelong contributions have profoundly shaped industry and inspired generations.

It was awarded to Kanya King CBE, founder and CEO of the MOBO Group. Ms King has been at the helm of the MOBO Awards, which have spotlighted talent such as Stormzy, Soul II Soul, and Little Simz, since 1996.

Now in its 12th year, this editions theme was #Elevate to signify moving forward and rising above challenges while celebrating the progress, ambition, and excellence of Black professionals.

Black British Business Awards chair and executive founder Dr Sophie Chandauka MBE said: At a time when inclusion feels increasingly polarised, the BBBAwards theme of #Elevate reminds us that real progress for all of us comes from rising above the noise and focus on investing in talent, innovation, and the future of British business, together.

The achievements of this years winners show that nurturing brilliance and protecting hard-won gains isnt just fair, it fuels growth, competitiveness, and shared prosperity.

Full list of winners:

 Arts and Media Rising Star: Joelle Owusu-Sekyere, editorial director, Penguin Random House

 Arts and Media Senior Leader: Ete Davies, former EMEA EVP, Dentsu Creative

 Consumer and Luxury Senior Leader: Alison Burton, co-founder, March Muses

 Consumer and Luxury Rising Star: Janet Davies, CEO, Ominira Naturals

 Entrepreneur Rising Star: Nnaemeka Obodoekwe, CTO, Lenkie Technologies Ltd

 Entrepreneur Senior Leader: Rose Hulse, founder and CEO, ScreenHits TV

 Financial Services Rising Star : Ayo Gabriel, vice president, J.P. Morgan

 Financial Services Senior Leader: Shauna Roper, chief of staff, Global Procurement, HSBC

 Professional Services Rising Star: Mavis Amonoo-Acquah, barrister, Harcourt Chambers

 Professional Services Senior Leader: Lande Belo, group legal director, employment counsel, Kantar

 STEM Rising Star: Jennifer Dominic, associate director of marketing, MSD UK

 STEM Senior Leader: Serufusa Sekidde, chief of staff to the CEO, ViiV Healthcare  GSK
A budget airliner almost fell into the ocean at nearly 300mph just moments after taking off an Italian holiday hotspot.

The Air Arabia flight began falling through the sky ten seconds after its wheels left the runway at Vincenzo Bellini Catania Airport in Sicily.

According to regional newspaper Corriere della Sera, the Airbus A320 sank to just 60 meters above the Ionian Sea before pulling up.

The Ground Proximity Warning System sounded the alarm after take-off over fears of a dangerous collision.

After regaining control, the plane continued on its way to Queen Alia International Airport in Jordans capital Amman.

It is unclear what caused the serious incident shortly before midnight local time (11pm BST) on Saturday, September 20.

The Italian National Agency for Flight Safety has now opened an investigation into the flight, which had no passengers on board, but two pilots and four flight attendants.

An ANSV spokesman said: "After a preliminary review of the information received from the operator, ANSV opened a safety investigation, classifying the event as a serious incident.

This occurred as the aircraft approached the sea surface, to within a short distance. The agency added: "The flight continued without further incident.

The flight safely landed in the Middle East at approximately 2:52am local time (12.52am GMT) on Sunday, September 21.

FlightRadar24 said the alerts "are vital safety systems in modern aircraft that are designed to prevent collisions with terrain or obstacles, and were designed to prevent Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) accidents.
What they say

The BBC

Donald Trump has proclaimed that his Gaza deal, as it stands, will end generations of conflict between Arabs and Jews over the land between the river Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea, writes Jeremy Bowen. He insists, too, that it will lead to a broader peace across the Middle East. If he really believes that the job of making peace is done, then he is deluding himself. Just trying needs sustained focus, hard diplomatic work and a decision by the two sides in the fight that the time has come to make painful sacrifices and compromises.

The Times

Many criticisms can be made of Trump over Gaza: that he could have done this sooner; that he emboldened Netanyahu to intensify the war before finally reining him in; that the latest effort to seek a deal only gained traction after Israel overreached by firing missiles into Qatar, a key US ally, writes William Hague. But it is also true that he has forced through the first stage of his plan by sheer personal will and the use of American power; and that the scenes of released hostages and aid heading into Gaza would not be happening without that. In a year with all too many foreign policy errors by Washington, this is a major achievement.

The Independent

For now, what Trump has achieved  albeit with some luck, and a certain war-weariness among the combatants  is reason enough for him to enjoy thanks and praise. But it would be a surprise if there were no disappointments, setbacks or violence in the months and years ahead. An impatient man, Trump will have to accept that his peacemaking work will not be done for some time to come. Maybe then, the superlatives will sound a little more convincing.

What we say

Over all this celebration there presides the large, triumphal figure of Donald Trump, writes Melanie McDonagh. He came down from the presidential plane in Israel holding his fist aloft in a gesture of triumph. And you know what? He deserves it. He deserves his ovation from the Israeli parliament, too. Because its true what they say: without him, there would have been no deal. You dont have to agree with all his political programme  and lots of us will have issues with parts of it  to give credit where its due: he set out to be a peacemaker, and he has succeeded. Well done, Donald Trump. And for those who cant quite forgive him for winning the presidential election, ask yourselves this: how likely is it that Kamala Harris would have pulled off this deal, that it would have been her coming down from that plane with that gesture of triumph? Unlikely, Id say. This is the beginning of the beginning of a peace but its still a great day.
Despite being marketed as BPA-free, four out of 19 dummies tested positive for traces of the chemical in laboratory experiments. Photograph: Pekic/Getty Images

A chemical linked to impaired sexual development, obesity and cancer has been found in baby dummies manufactured by three big European brands.

Dummies made by the Dutch multinational Philips, the Swiss oral health specialists Curaprox and the French toy brand Sophie la Girafe were found to contain bisphenol A (BPA), according to laboratory testing by dTest, a Czech consumer organisation. Philips said they had carried out subsequent testing and found no BPA, while Sophie la Girafe said the amount found was insignificant.

All three dummies were marketed as either BPA- free or natural rubber.

BPA is a synthetic chemical used in the production of plastics, but it has a structure similar to the female hormone, oestrogen, which it mimics in the bodies of humans and other animals.

Chloe Topping, a campaigner with Chem Trust, who was not involved in the research, said: The health effects of BPA are extensive: breast cancer, prostate cancer, endometriosis, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, altered immune system, effects on reproduction, brain development and behaviour, including behaviour in children.

Children are particularly vulnerable because theyre still developing, their organs are very sensitive to disruption, Topping said, with exposure to bisphenol A at an early age or in the womb linked to reduced sperm counts and early onset puberty. And the thing about endocrine-disrupting chemicals  is that they can act at very, very low concentrations, she said.

Researchers bought 19 baby dummies from shops in the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Hungary, and two from the online marketplace Temu, manufactured by Foshan City Saidah Baby Products. To mimic the conditions inside an infants mouth, they placed each dummy in an artificial saliva solution for 30 minutes at 37C (98.6F). The resulting extract was analysed to determine the content of bisphenols.

Out of four dummies in which BPA was detected, the highest concentration was found in the Curaprox baby grow with love soother. Despite being marketed as BPA-free, researchers found a BPA concentration of 19 micrograms per kilogram (g/kg)  a breach of the 10g limit for migration of BPA from babies dummies set by the EU.

The second highest concentration was found in Sophie la Girafes natural rubber pacifier. Laboratory testing found a BPA concentration of 3g/kg in the product. A concentration of 2g/kg was found in the Philips Avent ultra air soother, also marketed as BPA-free, and one pacifier sourced from Temu, manufactured by Foshan City Saidah.

Curaden, which manufactures the Curaprox range, said the result for its baby grow with love soother came as a surprise. The company carried out its own tests which corroborated the finding. Out of an abundance of caution and in line with our commitment to quality, Curaden immediately decided to proactively remove the soothers [from affected batches] from the market and to offer refunds to all affected customers, the spokesperson said.

Vulli, the makers of Sophie la Girafe, pushed back. We have not had any pacifiers in our catalogue for some time, a spokesperson for the toymaker said. There remain pictures on its website of babies using the dummy, but it is no longer listed for sale. In any case, all our products are subject to exclusive [BPA] testing before being marketed, carried out by an accredited laboratory [SGS], the spokesperson said.

As a reminder, the regulatory limit for [BPA] migration is set at 0.04 mg/kg, and the laboratorys detection limit is 0.01 mg/kg. The value mentioned in the article (3g/kg, or 0.003 mg/kg) is well below this detection limit and therefore insignificant, said the Vulli spokesperson.

Related: Ingredient red flags: how to spot the chemicals to avoid in food, kitchenware and cosmetics

Philips said it considered product safety to be our highest priority ensured by full compliance with all applicable safety requirements  and by following the strictest standards.

We want to reassure our soother ranges are BPA-free throughout the entire manufacturing process, and we regularly conduct randomized tests and other quality controls to meet regulatory requirements to check and confirm this, a spokesperson said. Following news about the Philips Avent SCF085/60 soother, we have checked our results and conducted further tests with DEKRA, the worlds largest independent, testing, inspection and certification expert organization. These tests also confirm no detectable BPA across our soother ranges, including the sample tested, and validated that they are BPA-free.

Foshan City Saidah did not respond to a request for comment.

The Philips and Sophie la Girafe products are available in the UK, but the Curaprox and Foshan City Saidah products have been removed from the market.

Hana Hoffmannova, the editor-in-chief at dTests magazine publication, said: Pacifiers are often one of the first items parents buy, and they do not expect to be exposing their children to hormone-disrupting chemicals from day one.

The current EU regulation around BPA in dummies is ambiguous. The EN 1400 standard sets a limit for BPA migration from babies dummies at 10g/l, but the European Toy Safety Directive, which also covers soothers, sets a limit of 40g/l.

EU law has banned the use of BPA in babies bottles entirely since 2011 and these rules were widened in 2018 to include the production of food containers and bottles for children under three years old. Karolina Brabcova of Arnika, a Czech campaign group, said: It is illogical that bisphenols are banned in baby bottles but not in pacifiers, which babies use more intensively and in some cases for long years.

We are seeing a lack of stringent regulation and it is failing consumers.

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If you can safely use the Tor network without being observed or monitored, you can send messages and documents to the Guardian via our SecureDrop platform.

Finally, our guide at theguardian.com/tips lists several ways to contact us securely, and discusses the pros and cons of each.
Alana Odysseos, a 32-year-old mother of two, died after suffering stab wounds at an address in north-east London (Handout/PA) (PA Media)

A convicted murderer is facing the rest of his life behind bars after he dramatically pleaded guilty to stabbing to death his pregnant girlfriend when she refused to abort their baby.

Shaine March was out of prison on licence when he stabbed 32-year-old Alana Odysseos 19 times at her home in Walthamstow, east London.

Ms Odysseos had just discovered she was expecting a child with March, a violent and controlling boyfriend who family and friends had urged her to leave.

But they were still together on the night of the attack, when Ms Odysseos was overheard refusing Marchs request to have an abortion.

March, 47, of Surrey Quays, south-east London, initially denied murder and went on trial at the Old Bailey.

But he dramatically changed his plea to guilty on Friday, after a key expert in his defence said they could not support the idea that the stabbing happened when his responsibility was diminished.

It can now be revealed that March was jailed for life at the age of 21 after fatally stabbing a man in the neck at a McDonalds restaurant in January 2000. He was convicted of Andre Dummonds murder at the Old Bailey on July 17 2000.

March secured his release on licence in early 2013, he was recalled to jail later that year after an assault on another partner in July, and was released again in February 2018.

March is set to be sentenced on October 31, and as a double murderer he could now face a whole life sentence.

The Old Bailey trial heard how Ms Odysseos withdrew from friends after she started dating March, as he controlled her behaviour and movements.

She told a friend how March banned her from talking to people, threw away her childs toys, and once smashed a glass in her face.

Her sister urged her to leave March after she revealed he had accused her of cheating, forced her to delete male contacts from her phone, and hurled verbal abuse at her, the court heard.

But they were still in contact on July 22 last year, when, in the early hours of the morning, Ms Odysseos was fatally stabbed.

Shaine March murdered his girlfriend while on licence from a life sentence (MPS)

At approximately 3am on July 22, 2024, members of the public who lived in and around Lynmouth Road in Walthamstow began to ring 999, said prosecutor Louise Oakley.

They had found Alana outside her home address. She was wearing her nightie and a dressing gown. She was clutching her right side.

She was bleeding from multiple stab wounds to her body.

She was shouting Shaine stabbed me, he stabbed me, and Shaine stabbed me, he stabbed me, help, help.

The court heard Ms March was pointed out Ms Odysseos at the scene, and he walked away while efforts were ongoing to save her life.

Ms Oakley told jurors: By July 2024, she had been in a relationship with the defendant for approximately four months on the date of her death, and had recently discovered she was pregnant.

She was someone who had experience huge personal loss following the death of two partners who were the fathers of her children.

She was vulnerable and all she wanted was to be loved. She desperately wanted to create a family environment for her two-year-old daughter.

Ms Oakley said Ms Odysseos had told friends in the months before she died that there was trouble in her relationship.

She disclosed to a friend that she was not allowed to talk to people, and that she had to answer the telephone to him at all times, day or night, including video calls to prove where she was, who she was with, and what she was doing.

That they would also argue constantly.

In other conversations she also divulged that the defendant had destroyed or thrown out all of her daughters toys and that they had argued about the fact she had recently discovered she was pregnant.

She admitted that she was scared of the defendant and had been assaulted by him.

Ms Odysseos complained that March had interfered with and caused distance between her and her loved ones.

She told her sister that the defendant accused her of cheating on him, that she had had to delete all the telephone number of any male contacts in her phone, said Ms Oakley.

On one occasion, Alana showed her sister voice notes on Whatsapp that the Defendant had sent her, they were of Shaine shouting, threatening to get (her daughter) taken away from her, calling Alana all sorts of derogatory names, saying their unborn child was not his and telling her to get an abortion.

As a result, her sister tried to persuade her to leave him. But Alana said she loved him, even after that short period of time they had been together. He promised Alana he would change.

The day before the fatal stabbing, Ms Odysseos told her sister in a messaging conversation that March was acting up.

Her sister told her: U deserve so much better, but Ms Odysseos replied: Cant help who u love but he dont love any of us.

At around midnight, neighbours overheard a lengthy argument, the court heard, with a male voice shouting pregnant and female voice pleading come back and I dont want to kill my baby.

March had gone around to her flat to help move some furniture, and an argument broke out over a pair of trainers.

Jurors heard neighbours recorded some of the row, while Ms Odysseos also filmed some of the unfolding incident. But Ms Oakley said March destroyed her mobile phone before the footage could be seized.

Mr Justice Murray remanded March, of Rainsborough Avenue, in Surrey Quays, south-east London, into custody to be sentenced on October 31.

Detective Inspector Aytac Necati, who led the Met Police investigation, said: My thoughts remain with Alanas family and friends, as well as her young daughter, their lives will never be the same after she was so brutally taken away from them.

March is a cowardly individual who showed absolutely no remorse for Alana or her family. Today he has finally admitted murder and will rightly face the consequences of his actions.

This case shows the devastating impact domestic abuse has on victim-survivors, families and communities. I urge anyone who experiences domestic abuse or controlling behaviour to report it to police, our officers will listen and will support you.
Hero: Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a hat-trick to rescue a draw for Crystal Palace (Getty Images)

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a hat-trick, including a stoppage-time penalty, but he will still be thinking about the one that got away after Crystal Palace drew 3-3 against Bournemouth.

The French striker spurned a glorious chance to win it for the Eagles, firing over from just eight yards out, at the end of a frantic encounter between two in-form sides.

Ryan Christie thought he had fired Bournemouth to the top of the Premier League  for a couple of hours at least  after he scored with a minute of normal time remaining.

But after Bafode Diakite was adjudged to have fouled Marc Guehi at a corner, Mateta slotted in the penalty to ensure Palace stretched their unbeaten home record to 10 matches.

However, when Mateta was presented with a chance to win it by Eddie Nketiah, he blazed the opportunity high over the crossbar.

A draw was probably a fair result, though, after an enthralling affair between these two upwardly mobile sides.

Mateta made his France debut last week, and on this evidence the Cherries teenage forward Junior Kroupi will not be far behind after he stole the show in the first half.

The 19-year-old was plucked from the French second division after scoring 22 goals in 30 games for Lorient last season, and he made the step up look simple.

Both league meetings between these sides last season finished goalless, but Kroupi ensured that would not be the case this time around when he found the net after only seven minutes.

He did not need to look far for it, heading home from about six inches after Justin Kluiverts in-swinging corner ricocheted through to him at the far post.

Bournemouth doubled their lead after a powerful run from sought-after winger Antoine Semenyo, who drilled in a low cross which was misjudged by Guehi and volleyed home first-time by Kroupi.

There was mild controversy at the start of the second half when Bournemouths Marcos Senesi was booked for bringing down Ismaila Sarr 30 yards out.

The VAR recommended a check for a red card  for the denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity  but after referee Jarrod Gillett went to the replay screen he had the courage of his convictions to stick with his original decision.

It looked like the right call, but moments afterwards the VAR correctly intervened to overturn an errant offside flag after Mateta tucked in Daniel Munozs cross as Palace halved the deficit.

Then, five minutes later, Mateta slid in at the far post to convert another Munoz cross for the equaliser.

Palace had the ball in the net again when substitute Nketiah diverted Matetas shot home, but he was rightly pulled up for offside.

Instead the Cherries got their noses in front in the 89th minute when Marcus Taverniers low cross was turned in by Christie.

But Mateta held his nerve from the spot to secure a point, and then held his head in his hands after wasting the chance for all three with the final kick.
Scottish Greens will call out the lies of big polluters, co-leader Gillian Mackay said as she branded plans to develop the Rosebank oil field as pure climate vandalism.

Ms Mackay spoke out as demonstrators opposed to drilling the site gathered in London on Saturday.

Plans to develop the North Sea field  which is estimated to contain up to 300 million barrels of oil  have been submitted again by owners Equinor.

Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, addressed Rosebank protesters in London (Andrea Domeniconi/Fossil Free London/PA)

However, Ms Mackay told the Scottish Green Party conference in Edinburgh: We have to be the party that calls out the lies of big polluters.

Ms Mackay, who was elected co-leader with fellow MSP Ross Greer in August, told her fellow Scottish Greens: Drilling for new oil and gas in fields like Rosebank will do nothing to lower energy bills or protect our planet.

It is pure climate vandalism and we have to stop Rosebank.

Development of the oil field, which lies 80 miles west of Shetland, had been approved by the Conservative government in 2023 but that decision was challenged in the courts in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling which said the emissions created from burning fossil fuels should be considered when granting permission for new drilling sites.

(PA Graphics)

Her comments came as Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, insisted the UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world.

Addressing protesters in London, Mr Polanski said: The very least this Government need to do is to stop making things worse.

Ms Mackay also used her conference speech to hit out at the UK Government over the closure of Scotlands only oil refinery in Grangemouth.

Hundreds of jobs were lost after owners Petroineos closed the refinery earlier this year, with Ms Mackay, who grew up in the area saying: Im sick of governments and corporations using tags like just transition as a cheap slogan.

What happened in Grangemouth is not a just transition.

Our communities dont need empty words, words dont pay the bills, or put food on the table.

They need real plans to provide real jobs and real opportunities.

A protest outside the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero in Whitehall, London, against plans for drilling in the Rosebank oil field (Andrea Domeniconi/Fossil Free London/PA)

Ms Mackay insisted: That site could have been saved. Labour promised to save it  they promised 200 million  and the message from the workers is clear: show us the money.

She said that the Grangemouth plant could have been nationalised, adding: We cannot leave the future of our communities in the hands of billionaires who are all too happy to abandon us when the money dries up.

With the Scottish Greens having set the target of overtaking Labour in Mays Holyrood ballot, Ms Mackay said her party was on the verge of a historic election with the chance to elect more green voices than ever before.

A movement for the people, not for profits. Join the Party of hope, join the @scottishgreens pic.twitter.com/BECM9Ufjz0  Gillian Mackay MSP (@GillianMacMSP) October 17, 2025

She also told how the birth of her first child, Callan, in June meant she had never felt more committed to building a greener Scotland.

She joked that she was speaking at Saturdays conference in relatively one piece, without too much baby dribble on me as she said the Green model, with two co-leaders at the helm, had allowed her to take on the challenge.

In other parties there would have been a whole load of barriers to a new mum being elected to a leadership role, Ms Mackay said.

It is only because of our co-leadership model and the support of ordinary members, I have been afforded this opportunity.

She continued: The support I have had says something about our party and the values we stand for.

When I think about the country I want us to be, it is one where we support each other, one where we lift each other up and one where we do things differently.
George Santos is decompressing from what his lawyer described as a traumatic experience behind bars just one day after he was released from prison following President Trumps decision to commute the disgraced ex-congressmans sentence.

Santos, 37, served just 84 days of the more than seven-year sentence handed down in April for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft  charges stemming from his elaborate schemes to deceive donors and steal the identities of 11 people, including family members, to fund his campaign.

On Saturday, Santos lawyer, Joseph Murray, toldthat his client is currently decompressing and declined to share where he is staying.

Now is not a good time, I just got here, Im meeting with him and we just want to let him decompress a little bit, attorney Joseph Murray told the paper.

He was released last night. Lets give him  lets respect his and his familys privacy and let them decompress a little. Its a traumatic experience as you can imagine.

Former Representative George Santos reported to prison for a seven-year sentence in July. He was released early by Trump just three months later (AP)

Santos, who was sentenced in April, had been housed in a minimum-security prison camp at FCI Fairton in New Jersey since July 25.

Less than three months later, he was released late Friday night, just hours after Trump announced on X that he had commuted the former congressmans sentence.

George Santos was somewhat of a rogue, but there are many rogues throughout our Country that arent forced to serve seven years in prison, Trump wrote on Truth Social. He went on to praise Santos for having the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!

The former president also claimed that Santos has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated.

Santos had reportedly been in solitary confinement since August, allegedly due to a death threat against him. Earlier in the week, Santos made a public plea to Trump for mercy.

Santos had reportedly been in solitary confinement since August, allegedly due to a death threat against him (AFP via Getty Images)

I have faced my share of consequences, and I take full responsibility for my actions, Santos wrote in a letter to the president published by The South Shore Press. But no man, no matter his flaws, deserves to be lost in the system, forgotten and unseen, enduring punishment far beyond what justice requires.

Once hailed as a rising Republican star, he was expelled from Congress in 2023 after admitting to a series of fabrications about his personal and professional life  from claiming Jewish heritage and a Wall Street career to falsely saying his mother survived the 9/11 attacks.

Santos pleaded guilty last August to defrauding voters to fund his congressional campaign, stealing credit card information, and lying to the Federal Election Commission. He was ordered to pay $580,000 in penalties, including restitution.

His commutation adds to Trumps growing list of controversial acts of clemency, including pardons and sentence reductions for January 6 rioters and for Paul Walczak, a former nursing home executive convicted of tax crimes whose mother had raised millions for Trumps campaigns.
There's been a rise in the number of people 'dogfishing' on dating apps, such as Hinge, Bumble and Tinder. (Getty Images) (SolStock via Getty Images)

If you've been on dating apps recently, you've no doubt picked up on certain themes  and no, I'm not talking about everyone's apparent love of roast dinners and Formula 1.

I am talking about the steep rise in the number of pooch pics. You cannot swing a dead cat on Hinge without stumbling upon an image of a guy getting slobbered on by a dog.

It's not just the men doing it, either. When I spoke to my single male heterosexual friends, they confirmed that many women on these apps also pose with a bichon frise or a toy cockapoo. It's an epidemic.

What's perhaps even more disconcerting, however, is that not all of these eligible singles actually own the animals. That's right  they are using pups as props, aka, dogfishing.

Why are people dogfishing on dating apps?

As LJ Jones, a BACP-registered therapist and relationship expert, tells Yahoo UK: "People pose with dogs that arent theirs to appear more trustworthy or nurturing. Its often less about the dog itself and more about emotional manipulation  a kind of emotional camouflage that helps people seem more likeable or relatable."

According to Jones, this purposeful act highlights how image-driven dating culture has become. "People are curating not just their looks, but their perceived emotional qualities. Its a symptom of a wider issue  that many people feel they need to perform likability rather than trust that they are already enough," she says.

It's not just men who are using pooches as props  women are also getting in on the action. (Getty Images) (Catherine Falls Commercial via Getty Images)

A symbol of 'warmth and loyalty'

In order to understand this bizarre dating app phenomenon, we must first examine our own desires and what attracts us to these people.

"Humans instinctively associate animals, especially dogs, with warmth, loyalty and emotional safety," Jones explains. "When we discover a person as being a dog owner and lover, we subconsciously project those same qualities onto them  perceiving them, even on a subconscious level to be kind, responsible and nurturing.

"From an evolutionary perspective, animals also represent community and care, signalling that this person is capable of connection and compassion. Its a subtle but powerful cue that says, 'Im safe.'"

This is supported by a recent study from St Marys University in Canada, which, after examining some 750 dating profiles, found that men looking for something serious tended to have photos featuring a dog. In comparison, only five out of 10 looking for a short-term relationship posed alongside a pup.

For those very same reasons, then, others use animals as a means to market themselves emotionally to others.

"People know that dogs trigger positive emotional responses  they soften a persons image and make them seem more grounded or approachable," Jones notes. "Someone who feels insecure about how they come across online might use a dog as a way to appear more likeable, without considering that it is in fact a form of manipulation. It can also be a way of masking deeper fears of rejection  if they think their authentic self might not be enough."

Does dogfishing have a downside?

While Jones stresses that the majority of the time, dogfishing is relatively harmless, there can be a darker side to it.

"People with ill-intent or even personality disorders, such as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), could be more likely to craft intentional 'cute' or 'innocent'-looking images of themselves to elicit trust or admiration, thus whilst some people might do this somewhat innocently, others are acting in a calculated manner," the expert adds.

According to the expert, people pose with dogs to market themselves emotionally to others. (Getty Images) (Yevgen Romanenko via Getty Images)

The tell-tale signs someone is dogfishing you on a dating app

While it is easy to overlook this kind of detective work in those initial stages, Jones says there are certain things you can do to figure out if you're being dogfished.

She says the tell-tale signs are:

Few pictures with the dog

They don't mention the dog once you start talking, FaceTiming or dating in person

The dogs size or breed might differ between photos

The person cant recall the pets name or age when chatting

Jones also says that if someone is genuinely a dog owner, they will likely bake that into their profile  beyond just the odd snap. For example, they may say that a non-negotiable is someone who likes dogs, or they may say they're looking for someone to share dog walks with, among other things.

If you do question the sincerity of the person you are talking to online, there are ways you can approach it.

"The best way to spot dishonesty is through gentle curiosity," Jones suggests. "Ask open-ended questions, such as: 'Whats your dogs name?', 'How long have you had them?', or 'Do you take them to the park often?'

"Genuine pet owners light up when they talk about their animals; its an emotional connection thats hard to fake. More broadly, you can test authenticity by asking questions that require personal reflection rather than surface answers  people who lie tend to keep things vague."

Read more about dating and relationships:
Hamas has deployed bulldozers in the Gaza Strip to search for the remains of deceased hostages, a move intended to reinforce its precarious ceasefire agreement with Israel. The militant group affirmed its commitment to the deal's terms, including the handover of bodies.

This action comes after a stark warning from U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated he would green-light Israel to resume military action if Hamas failed to return all 28 hostage bodies. So far, Hamas has delivered the remains of nine individuals, plus a tenth body Israel claimed was not a hostage.

Hamas blamed Israel for the delay, stating some hostage remains are in tunnels or buildings destroyed by Israeli forces, requiring heavy machinery for retrieval. The group also claimed Israel has not allowed new bulldozers into the Gaza Strip, hindering efforts.

Much of Gaza's heavy equipment was destroyed during the recent conflict, leaving limited resources for clearing the extensive rubble across the region.

Two displaced Palestinians walk past destroyed buildings in the heavily damaged Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

On Friday, two bulldozers plowed up pits in the earth as Hamas searched for hostages' remains in Hamad City, a complex of apartment towers in the city of Khan Younis. Israeli forces repeatedly bombarded the towers during the war, toppling some, and troops conducted a weeklong raid there in March 2024, fighting militants.

Hamas urged mediators to increase the flow of aid into Gaza, expedite the opening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt and start reconstruction. It also called for work to start immediately on setting up a committee of Palestinian independents who will run the Gaza Strip and for Israeli troops to continue pulling back from agreed-upon areas.

The ceasefire plan introduced by Trump had called for all hostages  living and dead  to be handed over by a deadline that expired Monday. But under the deal, if that didnt happen, Hamas was to share information about deceased hostages and try to hand them over as soon as possible.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel will not compromise and demanded that Hamas fulfill the requirements laid out in the ceasefire deal about the return of hostages bodies.

Obstacles to retrieving bodies

Hamas has assured the U.S. through intermediaries that it's working to return dead hostages. American officials say retrieval of the bodies is hampered by the scope of the devastation, coupled with the presence of dangerous, unexploded ordnance.

Hamas has assured the U.S. through intermediaries that it's working to return dead hostages. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

The militant group has also told mediators that some bodies are in areas controlled by Israeli troops.

At a news conference with his German counterpart in Ankara, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed concerns that Israel might use Hamas lack of equipment to recover bodies as a pretext to resume hostilities.

Hamas released all 20 living Israeli hostages on Monday. In exchange, Israel freed around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

In Israel, the Hostage and Missing Families Forum  which groups many families of hostages  said they will continue holding weekly rallies until all remains are returned.

Israel has also returned to Gaza the bodies of 90 Palestinians for burial. Israel is expected to turn over more bodies, though officials have not said how many are in its custody or how many will be returned.

A Palestinian forensics team examining the remains said some of the bodies showed signs of mistreatment.

Israel's campaign in Gaza has killed nearly 68,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government in the territory. The ministry maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts. Thousands more people are missing, according to the Red Cross.

In the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel, militants killed around 1,200 people and took some 250 hostage.

Israel's campaign in Gaza has killed nearly 68,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry, (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

France says international force for Gaza is in the pipeline

France said it's working with Britain and the U.S. to propose a U.N. resolution in the coming days that would provide a framework for the international force for Gaza.

French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux told a news conference Thursday that Arab countries want a U.N. mandate for the force. Arab countries are expected to be among those contributing troops to the force, which will oversee Egyptian-trained Palestinian police.

Confavreux said details on funding, equipment and which countries will participate still need to be worked out.

Alluding to the possible stabilization force, Turkey's Fidan said "our goal is to create an environment of a buffer zone where each side can no longer harm each other.

Wait for a large infusion of aid into Gaza goes on

The U.N. says the flow of aid remains constrained because of continued closures of crossings and restrictions on aid groups.

The U.N. dashboard tracking movement of U.N.-coordinated aid trucks into Gaza shows 339 trucks have been offloaded for distribution since the ceasefire began on Oct. 10. Under the ceasefire agreement, 600 aid trucks would be allowed to enter Gaza daily.

Trucks carrying humanitarian aid line up at the crossing into the Gaza Strip at the Rafah border on the Egypt side (REUTERS)

COGAT, the Israeli defense body overseeing humanitarian aid in Gaza, reported 950 trucks crossing on Thursday and 716 on Wednesday, said Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for the U.N. humanitarian aid coordination agency. Crossings were closed on Monday and Tuesday for the exchange of hostages and prisoners and for a Jewish holiday.

Laerke said COGAT's figures include commercial trucks and bilateral deliveries.

Nahed Sheheiber, the head of Gazas private truckers union, which organizes pickups of entering aid after Israeli inspection, says improved security in Gaza has helped prevent looting or gangs intercepting aid convoys  even if there has been no significant increase of supplies arriving since the ceasefire. He said only 70 trucks went on Thursday.

Gaza's more than 2 million people are hoping the ceasefire will bring relief from the humanitarian disaster caused by Israel's campaign. Throughout the war, Israel restricted aid entry to Gaza, sometimes letting in only a trickle, and it completely barred food from entering for two months earlier this year to pressure Hamas to free hostages.

Famine was declared in Gaza City, and the U.N. says it has verified more than 400 people who died of malnutrition-related causes, including more than 100 children.

Israel says it let in enough food, accusing Hamas of stealing much of it. The U.N. and other aid agencies deny the claim.
Eliyahu Margalit managed a cattle ranch and horse stables. His body was released on Friday

Hamas released another two bodies of hostages late on Saturday as it continued to search for the remains of others in Gaza.

The terror groups military wing  the Qassam Brigades  earlier said the bodies would be released at around 10pm local time on Saturday without providing the identities.

Reports suggested Israel was caught off guard by the announcement.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the Red Cross had received the bodies of two hostages held in Gaza as part of the ceasefire deal.

According to information provided by the Red Cross, two coffins of deceased hostages have been transferred into their custody and are on their way to the IDF in the Gaza Strip, the military said in a statement.

It comes after Hamas released the body of 75-year-old Eliyahu Margalit via representatives from the Red Cross in southern Gaza on Friday evening, confirmed by the IDF.

Mr Margalit, who was known to his family and friends as Churchill, is the 10th dead hostage to be returned. He was kidnapped and killed on Oct 7 2023.

His daughter, Nili Margalit, was released on Nov 30 2023.

Our beloved Eli has returned home

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum described Mr Margalit in a statement as a cowboy at heart who managed a cattle ranch and horse stables at Nir Oz for many years.

His family said: Our beloved Eli has returned home, 742 days after he was murdered and kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz.

We thank the people of Israel and the Hostage Families Forum for their support in the long struggle for his return, and promise that we will not stop or rest until the last of the hostages is returned for burial in Israel.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said in a statement that its team had taken all possible measures to ensure the deceased are managed with respect, and that Israeli forensic authorities would identify the remains in Tel Aviv.

Attack warning

Meanwhile, the US state department said on Saturday it had credible reports that Hamas was planning an imminent attack against civilians in Gaza, a move Washington said would be a ceasefire violation.

This planned attack against Palestinian civilians would constitute a direct and grave violation of the ceasefire agreement and undermine the significant progress achieved through mediation efforts, said the state department.

Should Hamas proceed with this attack, measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire.

Under the terms of the peace deal spearheaded by Donald Trump, Hamas has returned all 20 of the surviving Israeli hostages kidnapped during the terror attacks on Oct 7 2023.

The terror group also agreed to release the bodies of 28 deceased hostages still in Gaza, but it has struggled to locate all the remains.

In exchange, nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners were freed from jails and the IDF has halted its military campaign in Gaza.

A team of disaster response specialists from Turkey are poised to enter Gaza to recover the bodies of Palestinians and Israelis, including those of hostages, buried under destroyed buildings.

Reports suggested they could be allowed by Israel to enter Gaza on Sunday.

Concerns have been raised over the potential misuse of the teams heavy equipment that could be repurposed by Hamas to access underground tunnels.

Gazas civil defence agency, a rescue force that operates under Hamas authority, said more than 280 bodies had been recovered from the rubble since the ceasefire went into effect.

Hamas operatives were seen on Friday using heavy machinery to dig in the Hamad Town residential complex in Khan Younis.

Egypt is expected to lead a planned International Stabilisation Force to manage security in Gaza after being given backing by the UN Security Council, according to reports.

European powers and the United States are preparing a motion that will give the force a UN mandate, the Guardian reported, citing diplomatic sources.

There is no suggestion that British troops will be involved but Azerbaijan has agreed to contribute troops, making it the second country after Indonesia to pledge to do so.

Gazas Rafah border crossing will reopen on Monday, allowing Palestinians residing in Egypt to return to Gaza, the Palestinian embassy in Egypt said.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, on Thursday reaffirmed his determination to secure the return of all hostages.

Benny Gantz, the Israeli defence minister, has warned that the military will restart the war if Hamas fails to do so.

Mr Trump said he would allow Israeli forces to resume fighting if Hamas failed to uphold its end of the deal. Israel will return to those streets as soon as I say the word, he told CNN.

Its a gruesome process

The presidents advisers said he believed Hamas was doing what it could to return bodies, but was hampered by the intense destruction of Gaza.

Its a gruesome process Theyre digging and theyre finding a lot of bodies. Then they have to separate the bodies, he told reporters in the Oval Office.

Ghazi Hamad, a senior Hamas official, described the warnings from the IDF leadership as unacceptable pressure tactics.

The issue of the bodies is complex and requires time, especially after the occupation changed the landscape of Gaza, Mr Hamad said in a statement.

We will return the bodies and adhere to the agreement as we promised.
Home > 2025 > SC must act or the ECI a constitutional body would lose its credibility (...)

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court in which it has accused petitioners, who have challenged the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, of having made incorrect and false claims in an attempt to derail the process. Certainly it is within its right but at the same time, ECI owes a moral responsibility of putting the incorrect claims in the public domain, which ECI ironically did not do.

Instead of coming clean with the facts, ECI resorted to its old tactics of passing the buck and accused the petitioners of trying to derail and disrupt the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar. It6 ought to have supplied the proof. Petitioners obviously have apprehension about the real intentions of the ECI, especially the CEC Dyanesh Kumar. It is the responsibility and duty of Gyanesh to steer clear.

ECI in its affidavit, alleged that the petitioners affidavits contain incorrect and false statements, and their real objective is to prevent the SIR from being conducted in other States. Gyanesh must have realised the consequences of this allegation. The petitioners have submitted affidavits and they face the threat of legal action if any of their statements is found to be incorrect.

The most ridiculous allegation that has been made by ECI and Gyanesh has been that in a recent hearing, Yogendra Yadav has made a false submission that the SIR process has led to widespread exclusion of voters. If Gyanesh was right, would he take pains to explain how ECI could remove 65 lakh voters? Why has it not submitted the reasons for these exclusions?

The most ludicrous comment that was made by ECI in the affidavit was on the disproportionate exclusion of Muslims. Instead of confirming its contention legally and legally, it not only denied Yadavs accusations but also said that the petitioners approach on this issue was communal and should be deprecated.

The ECI also addressed Yogendra Yadavs recent claim that the voters list prepared during SIR contained 45,000 gibberish names, among other errors. The ECI has said the errors arose only in Hindi translations through software and that English entries were accurate and verified by Booth Level Officers. Due to software translation issues, the names in local languages are not reflected properly in the printed copy, but this discrepancy has no impact on the eligibility of an elector, the affidavit said.

Referring to Yadavs claim that over 4 lakh voters houses were recorded as having the number "0", the ECI has replied that these were notional house numbers." ECI ignored the fact in case of notional, the letter N is prefixed before the number.

In this back the claim of the Commission that the SIR 2025 has achieved its objective of purification of electoral rolls is false, misleading and a blatant attempt to help Gyaneshs political masters.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, for the ADR, fervently requested Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi to direct the ECI to publish the list of names added/deleted in the final list but the court did not pay serious attention. Petitioners have been making this plea for long. Instead of directing the ECI to comply, the bench accepted the submission of ECI that they are in the process of publishing the list, with the observation "We have no doubt that they will fulfil their responsibility...they are bound to publish...we are not closing the matter".

The Bench took note of the petitioners concerns that the updated electoral rolls had not yet been made publicly available on the ECI website, but observed that the ECI is bound to publish the rolls and expressed confidence that it would fulfil its responsibilities ahead of the finalisation of the voter lists. On Day 11, petitioner Yogendra Yadav argued that the SIR exercise had weaponised the routine process of updating electoral rolls, resulting in the unprecedented exclusion of lakhs of voters

Bhushan argued that the ECIs Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, manuals, and guidelines required complete disclosure of new deletions and inclusions in the rolls. Referring to his 8 October affidavit, he submitted that the ECI had not disclosed the complete list of new deletions and warned that the rolls, which would freeze by 20 October, might differ from those to be ultimately published.

Justice Kant observed that the final rolls must be available at every polling station and with all political parties. He remarked, We have no doubt that the ECI will fulfill its responsibility. They are bound to publish the rolls. We are not closing the matter

When Bhushan claimed that more names had been deleted after the 65 lakh already struck off, Justice Kant clarified that it is an ongoing exercise yet to culminate in a list.

Justice Kant then noted that 17 October would be the last date for publishing the final list for the first phase of elections. Lets see what they publish, he said, adding that the Court expected the ECI, as a responsible authority, to address typographical and structural errors previously flagged by Yadav.

There is no doubt that Gyanesh Kumar is resorting to all kinds of guiles to ensure that the results for the Bihar assembly election goes the way his political master, Narendra Mod, desires. But unfortunately, his efforts often prove to be counterproductive with the manoeuvrings taking to wrong collocation.

After three months of hearing by Supreme Court of the case related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar due to allegations that the process could disenfranchise crores of legitimate voters, especially the Dalits, poor and Muslims, the civil society organisations and political circle had come to strongly belief that Gyanesh Kumar has succeeded in game by using the mechanism of deceit and lies

But unfortunately for Gyanesh, the intrigue got exposed barely five days ahead of the filing of the nomination. After the SIR was challenged in the SC and the petitioners, consisting of political parties and NGOs, asked the CEC to produce the official record of the 2003 revision, which Gyanesh claimed as the basis for the 2025 SIR, he tried to hide behind the facade that the file was missing.

But to the utter shock of Gyanesh, political analyst Yogendra Yadav made a video statement on October 12, 2025, in which he presented a copy of the Election Commission of Indias (ECI) Final Guidelines for the 2003 Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. This occurred after the ECI had previously claimed the 2003 file was misplaced and withheld details. Yadav and the petitioners depended on the 2003 guidelines to challenge the ECIs assertions about the nature and scope of the 2025 revision.

This in fact has made the Supreme Court to rely on ECI version. Gyanesh claimed that SIR in Bihar in 2025 was similar to an intensive revision conducted in 2003. Under the provisions of the so called revision, CEC deleted around 65 lakh names from draft voter list. Yadav and petitioners argued that the stringent document requirements suspiciously affect marginalised communities, such as migrant workers, Dalits, and the poor, who often lack the required paperwork. ECIs exercise lacked clarity and transparency.

Retrieving of the lost file would be more than a terrible shock for Gyanesh and his ECI. This simply confirms though he resorted to this nefarious conspiracy to appease and help the political cause of his political master, he in the process, has severely damaged the democratic structure and constitutional provisions. The Supreme Court which has been hearing the case must seek clarification from Gyanesh for his wrongdoings and slap a justifiable penalty so that no CEC in future indulges in this kind of anti-democratic crime.

Presenting the copy of the "missing" 2003 guidelines to the Supreme Court, Yadav exposed the ECIs "three big lies," highlighting contradictions in the ECIs claims about the 2003 exercise. The guidelines showed that enumerators were not meant to determine citizenship and did not require documents from all electors, which was contrary to the ECIs recent claims about the 2003. The 2003, documents were only required from electors whose names or addresses appeared to be dubious, not from the general public. The 2025 SIR, however, required additional documents from voters registered after 2003.

The compulsion to hide the basic information was acute that during the three month hearing the ECI and Gyanesh always tried to hoodwink the court and outright refused to furnish the accurate and correct figure. In August 2025, the court asked the ECI to clarify which documents were accepted during the 2003 revision. The ECI even refusal to provide the 2003 guidelines under RTI.

Under the 2003 guidelines, enumerators would be trained in good time while training of trainers should be conducted well in advance in a thorough manner. In contrast, the June 24 announcement by the Election Commission of the commencement of the SIR said that training will be done simultaneously during the enumeration form collection period, starting the next day i.e. June 25 to July 26. What has the most striking feature this time is, the ECI did not appoint enumerators; instead, it deployed BLOs, who were mainly from the trained RSS ranks. In 2003, the revision was completed in six months, but in 2025 Gyanesh used less than three months to complete the revision.

The audacity of ECI and Gyanesh could be gauged from the simple fact that they had turned down the Supreme Courts suggestion that Aadhaar, voter identity and ration cards be considered as valid documents. There is no denying that ECI and Gyanesh deliberately misrepresented the contents of a supposedly "missing" file about the 2003 revision of Bihars electoral roll..

The controversy has been raised in the Supreme Court, and the recovery of the missing file also raises concern about the ECIs credibility. This copiously testifies that Modi had designed this conspiracy to disenfranchise Dalits and Muslims as he was suspicious of their not voting for him and BJP. Yadav was absolutely right in saying that the Election Commissions claim SIR of 2025 is a repeat of 2003 is "a staggering lie" which has damaged its credibility.

Yadav and petitioners have been consistently making their points and furnishing evidence of the arbitrary actions of Gyanesh and ECI, but sadly enough, the division bench of apex court, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymala Bagchi has not paid enough credence. Yadav had alleged that the process resulted in the deletion of around 80 lakh voters and that the gains made in the voter gender ratio over the last decade were "wiped out".

The effrontery of Gyanesh could be understood that at the infamous press conference, he did not hesitate to reiterate that SIR was the solution to the ills afflicting our voters list. Following in the footsteps of his bosses, Modi and Amit Shah, he also said that lakhs of ghuspaithiyas from Nepal, Rohingiyas and Bangladesh have entered into Katihar, Purnea, Kishanganj of Bihar and through SIR they would be removed. But astonishingly, the final list under SIR has only three names.

One thing is certain the Supreme Courts intervention has prevented mass disenfranchisement. But damage has already been done. Bihar has a total voter base of 8.22 crore voters but after SIR the final rolls show 7.42 crore. It implies 80 lakh citizens are missing. Far from purification, as claimed by Gyanesh, the SIR has disenfranchised 80 lakh Biharis, who have turned entities in their own state. Nevertheless, it is sad that in spite of being aware that ECI and Gyanesh were playing mischief with the Biharis, the Supreme Court is unwilling to take stringent remedial measures.

Still today the Supreme Court can act if it desires. It has enough space before it. Earlier it had said that if any illegality is found in the methodology adopted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in, the entire exercise will be struck down. It now has enough proof of committing deliberate mischief. Prima facie it has got proof of perversion of the constitutional scheme.

It can stay the implementation of the SIR and order holding of the election on the basis of 2024 voter list on which Lok Sabha elections were held. The SIR could be formalised once the election procedure is completed and the results announced. Non-action would motivate the new CEC to further trample the electoral process and its sanctity. There is a famous Bengali adage  chorer mayer jor gala ( thiefs mother has loud lud vocal cord). Gyanesh is resorting to the same tactics. For concealing his design and conspiracy, he has been shouting at the opposition and even on the media.

Nevertheless, Dalits, Poor and Pasmanda Muslims are sceptical of whether they would be able to vote to elect their assembly representatives. Their fear emanates from the languorous design of the ECI to disenfranchise Dalits, poor, and Pasmanda Muslims. Notwithstanding severe objections from the academics, social activists and leaders of opposition parties to the deletion of nearly 65 lakh names of voters, the ECI continued to defend its stand even before the Supreme Court. Still today it has to include 47 lakh names to the list.

The people strongly nurse the view that the ECI will not include all the names as its a part of its design framed by Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. The diffident attitude of CEC Gyanesh Kumar not to listen to the Supreme Court directive regarding accepting Aadhaar card as proof testifies to the deep-rooted conspiracy. Obviously, it would be utopian to believe that it would render assistance to include all the 47 lakh voters in the list and help them vote.

Deletion of 47 lakh, even if it is assumed that the legal volunteers would succeed in the mission to enrol a substantial number of voters, certainly not more than 3 to 4 lakhs, would only help the BJP to win the elections. These more than 40 lakh voters are the supporters of the RJD, Congress and CPI(ML). In the 2020 assembly elections, the Mahagathbandhan candidates in 20 constituencies had lost the ballot battle by a mere 2000 votes. In most of the constituencies, the margin of defeat was not more than 500.

Deletion of nearly 40 lakh would have a major impact on the results. True to the fact, the Supreme Court should have directed the ECI to hold the election on the basis of the old voter list. Heaven would not have fallen if the SIR had been postponed till the final voting. The same voter list formed the basis for holding the Lok Sabha election.

Election Commission (EC) cannot re-include a name deleted from the voter list after the final date for withdrawal of candidature, which is October 20 for the first phase of the Assembly polls. Section 23(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, explicitly states that no changes can be made to the electoral roll between the last date for filing nominations and the conclusion of the election. Courts have stepped in when large-scale deletions, as happened in the recent Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, were challenged.

The courts decision was prompted by challenges filed against the ECIs voter revision process, with petitioners raising concerns about a large-scale exclusion of voters. While the ECI defended its process, the Supreme Court stressed the right of voters to appeal their exclusion and sought to ensure a fair and accessible process.

The voters cannot resort to their wisdom. Even if the voter has the Aadhaar card, since his name would not be in the list, he would not be able to exercise his franchise. The ECI and Gyanesh are busy fooling the voters on the plea that their fear is unfounded. But the constitutional body does not have justification for deleting their names whimsically. They even rule out any such possibility and assure them, following in the line of Modis guarantee, that the voting would be free, fair and transparent, and no one can deny their right.

But this is a sheer blatant lie. They know that either the Dalits or, proletariat would stay away from the booths serving Modis cause, or they will resort to violent protest to cast their votes. In the past the Dalits and the proletariat people had bloody clashes with the upper caste and government authorities for exercising their right, but this time they are sceptical of the massive use of security forces by Modi and Shah to debar them. The manner in which the CEC Gyanesh Kumar has been using the government machinery to mislead and deceive even the Supreme Court simply strengthens their apprehensions. Gyanesh going to the extent of undermining the democratic norms and system has shaken them.

The people are clear of the intentions of Modi and Shah. They point out since the Gujarati Duo does not are suspect of their votes going to INDIA, they have hatched this conspiracy. They are aware that the Dalits and proletariats are formidable political forces and they eventually decide the electoral outcome.

Entry of Jan Suraj led by Prashant Kumar has come as great solace to them. Claim of Prashant that his Jan Suraj would get either 10 seats or win 150 seats is not unfounded. The disgruntled upper caste and middle peasantry are likely to shift their loyalty from Modi to Prashant. If Jan Suraj had not been in the electoral fray, this section of the voters might have preferred to INDIA.

There is no denying that threat of Modi and Gyanesh has a lingering impact on the common voters, as the Supreme Court has not taken them to task for their attempts to confuse and mislead the voters.. SC has been behaving like a good boy, believing all the grabbiest explanation by ECI and Gyanesh. It has preferred to adopt non conformist posture and behave like an ostrich; refusing to reply to allegations of vote chori levelled by the Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi.

The much-publicised SIR exercise could not detect a large number of foreigners and ghuspaithiya as repeatedly alleged by Modi and Shah. The SIR could find around300 foreigners in Bihar. If the ECI or for that matter Gyanesh was honest and sincere, they in their clsim that SIR was launchdd to purify the list, they should have made their stands clear in the public. It is really mystery, how the important and relevant records from 2003 intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar got vanished and the ECIs responses to RTI queries related to the ongoing Bihar SIR exercise.

The SC should have issued a clear directive to the ECI to make its stand clear on the issue of missing names, ghuspathiyas and dead persons just when the hearing began in June in the SIR case. It even preferred to ignore the request of the opposition parties. The incongruous issue has been lodging the complaint and seeking enrolment just even a day ahead of the withdrawal of the nomination.

Simply lodging a complaint or seeking enrolment is not a guarantee that a person would be allowed to vote. If these twin actions were the sure mechanism of their getting the right to vote, then why in the beginning their names were deleted. Gyanesh cannot deny that SIR is purely meant to disenfranchisement the dalits and poor. Rahul Gandhi was right in alleging that the ECI was complicit in a "software-driven fraud" targeting opposition supporters, Dalits, and minorities by allowing fraudulent deletion attempts. Though ECI rejected these claims as "incorrect and baseless," the developments simply testify to this.

On October 9, Yogendra Yadav presented arguments to the Supreme Court detailing alleged inconsistencies and mass voter deletions that occurred during the SIR voter rolls. Yadav went to the extent of claiming that the ECI has "weaponised" a routine administrative exercise to systematically exclude voters. He also unravelled that the number of "missing voters" has tripled.. This number grew from 27 lakh after the January 2025 revision to 81 lakh following the SIR process. He cited a bizarre finding that 1.4 lakh people filed objections to have their own names removed, with 41 claiming to be dead. The ECI then deleted 39 of these names.

After the hearing on October 12, Yadav released a video countering ECIs claims that the 2025 SIR was similar to a 2003 exercise. He produced a copy of the 2003 guidelines, which, according to him, exposed three of the ECIs "lies" regarding the earlier process. The ages of some of the new voters registered through the Bihar SIR also raises some questions. Yadavs presentation showed that 6,218 new voters in the 80-100 range, 96 in the 100-118 range and 19 in the 118+ range are now on the voter list.

(Author: Arun Srivastava is an independent journalist and long time contrinutor to Mainstream)
The 2015 deal saw international sanctions on Iran lifted in exchange for restrictions on nuclear - AFP

A 10-year deal world powers signed with Iran in 2015 to rein in its nuclear programme officially came to an end on Saturday.

Iran said it was no longer bound by restrictions on its nuclear programme, though Tehran reiterated its commitment to diplomacy.

The 2015 deal  signed in Vienna by Iran, China, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and the United States  saw the lifting of international sanctions against the Islamic republic in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear programme.

But the pact had already been in tatters after Washington unilaterally withdrew during president Donald Trumps first term, with Iran later pulling back from its commitments.

The reimposition last month of UN sanctions at the urging of three of the deals European signatories rendered the accord effectively moot.

From now on, all of the provisions (of the deal), including the restrictions on the Iranian nuclear programme and the related mechanisms are considered terminated, Irans foreign ministry said in a statement on the day of the pacts expiration.

Iran firmly expresses its commitment to diplomacy, it added.

Western powers have long accused Iran of secretly seeking nuclear weapons  something it has repeatedly denied, insisting its nuclear programme is solely for civilian purposes such as energy production.

The deals termination day was set for Oct 18, 2025, exactly 10 years after it was enshrined in the UNs Security Council resolution 2231.

The accord capped Irans uranium enrichment at 3.67 per cent in exchange for sanctions relief and provided for strict supervision of its nuclear activities by the UNs nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

But Washington left the deal in 2018 and reinstated sanctions, after which Tehran began stepping up its nuclear programme.

According to the IAEA, Iran is the only country without a nuclear weapons programme to enrich uranium to 60 per cent. That is close to the threshold of 90 per cent required for a bomb, and well above the level needed for civilian nuclear use.

In July, Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA following the war with Israel, with Tehran pointing to the agencys failure to condemn Israeli and US strikes on its nuclear facilities.

The unprecedented bombing campaign by Israel and the retaliation by Iran during the 12-day war derailed ongoing nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

At the initiative of France, Britain and Germany, widespread UN sanctions against Iran returned into force in late September for the first time in a decade.

Sanctions null and void

Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian foreign minister, said in a letter addressed to the United Nations on Saturday that the expiration of the 2015 deal renders the sanctions null and void.

Britain, France and Germany accuse Iran of not cooperating with the IAEA and would like it to return to negotiations with the United States.

Irans efforts to revive the exchanges (with the IAEA) that led to the agreement in Cairo were also sabotaged by the irresponsible actions of the three European countries, the foreign ministry said in Saturdays statement, referring to a recent framework to resume cooperation.
The King persuaded Prince Andrew to do the right thing - Newspix International

In the end, it was a very modern downfall: an email led to a phone call, and the Duke of York was, on the face of it, no more.

Prince Andrew agreed to stop using his title in fraught negotiations this week, after decades of scandal suddenly came to a head.

The King moved to persuade his brother to do the right thing, supported by his elder son and siblings.

Andrew was allowed to issue a statement saying he was acting out of duty, for family and country, in what the palace hopes will be enough to stave off growing public opprobrium of the mounting scandals to his name.

Some have already said it does not go far enough. It does not officially remove his Duke of York title, nor change his position in any constitutional sense.

Virginia Giuffres family would like him to lose his Prince title too. Even friends of Andrew fear it is another half-way gesture that prevents him ever clearing his name.

Prince Andrew agreed to stop using his title after decades of scandal came to a head - AFP

Why now, critics wonder, after everything?

The announcement came in the middle of an unholy trinity of problems: first a tipping point email which showed the former Duke of York misled the public; then the promise of Ms Giuffres memoir out next week; and the timing of a trip to the Vatican the King desperately hopes will not be overshadowed.

The persistent headlines screaming PRINCE ANDREW, overshadowing the work of the Royal Family, proved the straw that broke the camels back.

It was clear a week ago that the Prince Andrew issue was rapidly coming to a head.

Last Sunday, news broke of an email sent by Prince Andrew to his friend Jeffrey Epstein, a year after he told the public he had cut all contact with him.

The message  were in this together  poured doubt over Andrews entire story of ending his friendship with the convicted sex trafficker, and set alarm bells ringing.

But on Monday, Buckingham Palace was still said to be at a loss over what to do about the Kings younger brother.

Already disgraced and without his HRH title, it was said there was little that could be done without enlisting Parliament.

Aides were loathe to do so, fearing it would take up to a year to push legislation through and mindful that the public may not think it a good use of MPs time. Instead, they let it be known, they were exploring all options.

If it was intended as a hint to Andrew to take the decision for himself, it did not immediately work.

On Wednesday, the King held his usual audience with the Prime Minister.

By Thursday, a new story about how Andrew had met a Chinese spymaster surfaced.

In the middle of Friday afternoon, there were rumours that the King was considering removing the Duke title or his cherished membership of the Order of the Garter.

If it was intended as a final bargaining chip to get Andrews statement demoting himself over the line, it worked.

Hours later, Buckingham Palace issued news, sent as a Statement by Prince Andrew, that he would now go a step further to stop using his title and honours.

In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family, he conceded.

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The King is understood to have taken the lead in persuading his brother.

Andrews 2011 email to Epstein, sources say, was the tipping point which exposed the fundamental fault line in the Princes story, exposing every other element of his defence.

It was very much the Kings decision that the point had been reached, said one source.

While the 2019 Newsnight debacle is reported to have seen him joined in summits with Princess Anne and Prince Edward over the Andrew question, this time it happened from afar.

The King has been in London and Scotland, communicating via aides and the telephone. He has not met with Andrew face-to-face this week.

The King and the Prince of Wales have not met in person either, despite William being often said to want to take a tougher line with his uncle.

Andrews 2011 email to Jeffrey Epstein was the tipping point, sources say - Mark Kerrison/Getty Images

Having announced he will no longer use the Duke of York title, the Princes life remains otherwise little changed.

He still lives at Royal Lodge, and there is little appetite to push legislation through to formally remove his Dukedom if it can be avoided.

It would take a long time to achieve, one source explains. This is an identical outcome.

The palace believes Andrew will stick to it. He has not used his HRH title in the six years since he promised he would not, sources say.

One constitutional expert last night described it as a palace comms triumph that has persuaded everyone that Prince Andrew has given up titles he hasnt.

The Royal familys website will be updated to remove him from its list of working members, the palace has confirmed.

There will be more pressure to come next week. The co-author of Virginia Giuffres memoir is already booked on Newsnight on Monday, and the Chinese spy scandal shows no sign of abating, bringing with it serious questions about national security which spill far outside castle walls.

The co-author of Virginia Giuffres memoir is booked to appear on Newsnight on Monday - Emily Michot/Miami Herald

The test, as far as the palace is concerned, will come in midweek.

As the King and Queen arrive at the Vatican, a source said, it is imperative it goes well. The King and Pope will pray together for the first time since the Reformation, in what is described as a once in a 500 year event.

It is a personal mission for a King who wants to build bridges between the Catholic and Anglican churches, and - given it is a State visit  part of his role supporting the Government.

If the worlds eyes are on him, rather than on Prince Andrews latest news, the palace will chalk it up as a win.
Gavin And Stacey star Larry Lamb has admitted his first audition for the role of Mick Shipman did not go to plan.

When he got recalled for a second audition, he channelled advice from his then-partner to win the role in what has become one of the nations favourite shows.

The actor revealed the BBC series could have been very different because director Christine Gernon initially had doubts when Lamb auditioned.

Larry Lamb was appearing at the Cheltenham Literature Festival alongside his son George Lamb (Ian West/PA)

Lamb, 78, was auditioning for Mick  the father of Mathew Hornes Gavin, and husband of Pam, played by Alison Steadman  in the sitcom.

His partner at the time, actress Clare Burt, gave him some advice that helped to impress Gernon in his follow-up audition.

I did it and she said, why are you doing that? Why are you acting that character?, Lamb said of Burt.

This characters you, just be you, you have gone in there and you have lost the job basically because you are pretending to be somebody who is not you.

She said they are a really happy, upper-working class family, very representative of working Britain.

They have a great life together, they absolutely love each other, and they have a lot of great sex  just be that person.

So I went in, and I was that person and I got the gig because thats what hes like, he is me and Im him.

Lamb was speaking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival at an event alongside his son George to promote his debut novel, All Wrapped Up.

Today is the launch of my first novel All Wrapped Up Thank you to everyone who has ordered it and I really hope you like it pic.twitter.com/Ll9n71cTf0  Larry Lamb (@larrylamb47) April 15, 2025

He said for his second Gavin And Stacey audition he recorded scenes with Steadman.

They were looking for the chemistry between the two of us that was going to have to work, he said.

All of a sudden I was in this thing which has become what it is now. It literally changed my life and changed all their lives.

Lamb said that after the first series of Gavin And Stacey he had not yet been given a contract for a second series and was offered the role of villain Archie Mitchell in EastEnders.

They got to the point where Gavin And Stacey was going on, and that caused all sorts of hoo-ha because they had to do what they never do, and I could do both, Lamb said.

The boss of the BBC, her name was Jay Hunt, she knew they had a bit of gold in Gavin And Stacey so as far as she was concerned EastEnders will cope.

I was really fortunate because there was a time years before, if that had happened, you would have to make a choice, one or the other.

Larry Lamb alongside Gavin And Stacey co-star Alison Steadman, who played together Mick and Pam Shipman (Ian West/PA)

Gavin And Stacey spanned three series between 2007 and 2010 following the lives of Essex-born Gavin and his Welsh wife Stacey and their friends and family.

It then returned for a Christmas special in 2019 and a finale last Christmas.

The final episode saw Neil Smithy Smith, played by co-writer James Corden, finally decide to marry Vanessa Nessa Jenkins, played by fellow co-writer Ruth Jones, after leaving Sonia (Laura Aikman) at the altar.

One of Lambs scenes in the last episode where Smithy asks for his opinion before deciding not to marry Sonia, was nominated for the 2025 Bafta memorable moment award.
There are plans underway to close down and redevelop more than half a dozen of Londons shopping centres (ES)

The London shopping centres that were once a major draw to the citys suburban high streets are closing at remarkable pace.

Many of the capitals malls, built between the 1960s and 1990s, now face demolition to make way for thousands of flats and office space in place of stores.

High street shops have struggled with the rise of online shopping, and high business rates and rents squeeze profits. But schemes to replace Londons aging malls have proved controversial.

Plans to replace Lewisham Shopping Centre with more than 1,700 homes were given the green light on Thursday night despite protests from locals.

Developer Landsec Lewisham Limited received permission to demolish the mall and the multi-storey car park to build tower blocks up to 35 storeys high in its place.

AI image of the planned meadow on roof of the new Lewisham shopping centre (Landsec)

The Lewisham Peoples Assembly urged the council to reconsider, with the group stating: The proposed demolition of Lewisham Shopping Centre for luxury flats is a blueprint for gentrification.

It will displace our community, destroy a vital hub, and serve only the interests of corporate profit.

It comes as the campaign to save the Aylesham Shopping Centre and Market in Peckham, another mall earmarked for development, received a major boost this week as comedians Nish Kumar and James Acaster joined the fight.

The celebrities have backed protesters who have dubbed Berkeley Homes proposal zto tear down the mall and build 867 homes on the site as gentrification on steroids.

Comedian Nish Kumar has joined the fight against the demolition of the Aylesham Shopping Centre in Peckham (Paul Gilbey)

The Aylesham Centre, built in the 1980s, is set to be bulldozed and replaced by a mixed development with flats.

But campaigners believe the developer is targeting second homes or investment opportunity buyers rather than building accommodation for locals.

TV presenter Kumar and Off Menu podcast co-host Acaster held fundraising gigs to help the protesters and raised more than 46,000 to challenge the project at a planning inspectorate inquiry later this month.

This week a major planning application to demolish the Treaty Centre was submitted to Hounslow Council.

Developers want to replace the 270,194 sq ft mall, built in 1987, with build-to-rent homes, as well as cultural facilities and commercial space.

In recent years the centre has struggled, particularly after the loss of major tenants, such as Debenhams in 2021.

The Treaty Centre in Hounslow (Google Maps)

But residents have expressed concerns about losing access to shops and a town centre filled with high rise flats.

In Edgware, controversial plans to build thousands of new homes across high-rise blocks, along with a new bus garage on the site of the Broadwalk Shopping Centre have faced local opposition.

Developers Ballymore and Places for London  TfLs property arm  want to build 3,365 flats, a third of which would be affordable, in blocks up to 29 storeys high on the area next to Edgware Underground Station.

Almost 500 flats for students, a replacement bus station and garage, library, community centre and some retail and leisure space are also outlined in the proposals.

Ballymores developments director, Simon Ryan, told a packed planning committee over the summer that the town had suffered from decades of underinvestment.

We recognise that a proposal of this scale naturally generates strong views, but this level of ambition is exactly whats needed to deliver lasting, meaningful regeneration in Edgware, he said.

The St Nicholas Shopping Centre in Sutton (google streetview)

In Sutton, the 1990s St Nicholas Shopping Centre is set to be replaced by hundreds of apartments and civic centre.

The mall is another that has struggled in recent years, as customers turn to online shopping, and has failed to attract tenants for its units.

The council has announced proposals for around 740 new homes, half of which its said will be affordable for local families, including nearly 300 homes for social rent.

In Rotherhithe, British Lands long-awaited overhaul of Surrey Quays Shopping Centre will see it bulldozed to make way for new town centre with housing and green space.

However, demolition is not expected for several years.

While in Romford, 1,000 new homes are planned for the Liberty Shopping Centre.

Owner Redical Ltd has requested opinions the project this month ahead of submitting a formal planning bid.
Makeup artist Mary Greenwell has said she was flattered when she was asked to work with then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher.

Greenwell, who has worked with the likes of singer David Bowie, Princess Diana and actress Cate Blanchett, said she built up a good relationship with the late Conservative politician while doing her makeup for a BBC interview about the miners strikes.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4s Desert Island Discs, she said of the Iron Lady: She was phenomenal  whether you liked her or not, she was still a phenomenal woman.

Was I nervous? Probably a bit, yes, lets face it, but you know, quite flattered to be doing this womans makeup.

It was actually for a BBC broadcast about the coal miners strike, and I was taken into her sitting room in 10 Downing Street, her private sitting room, and told to set up, and then I could hear this booming voice coming down the stairs, thinking: Oh my goodness, Im a bit nervous now.

In walked Margaret Thatcher. I had the most amazing two hours with her  she was so kind and sweet to me, and we talked about Carol (Thatchers daughter), who was the same age as me, and she was very interested in how I felt emotionally.

Greenwell said she built up a good relationship with Thatcher when working with her (PA)

Greenwell also spoke about working with Diana, who she befriended and was eventually invited to have lunch with, saying she was not in any way in awe of her when she first did her makeup.

She added: I used to go and see her sometimes, just because she wanted to see me, and so I used to go down there and sit with her and do her makeup and have fun.

And one time I went down there for the sake of it, I think it really was just for the sake of it, to have a lovely morning with her, and she said: Do you want to stay for lunch?

I went: Sure, OK, so in her dining room at Kensington Palace, there was a lovely great big round table, I was so honoured.

And so I had lunch at the dining table with the prime minister and other people of super importance, and there I was just sitting there having the best time.

Greenwell also spoke about her work with Bowie, describing him as quite an important person in my life.

Greenwell said: I met him with Iman (Bowies wife) down in South Africa with Bruce Weber and Grace Coddington when we were shooting Vogue with Iman, and then we got on so well.

So I toured with him in America, and he was the easiest, most relaxed person in the world, and I absolutely adored him, just no ego.

I mean, he was just a really intelligent man, and to be sitting with him in his apartment in New York Central Park, looking out over the park with him there was just like an experience of a lifetime.

Bowies Heroes, Bob Dylans Lay Lady Lay and Lou Reeds Walk On The Wild Side were among the records chosen by Greenwell on Desert Island Discs.

The full interview can be heard on the episode which airs at 10am on Sunday on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.
Americans across all 50 states marched in protests against the Trump administration on Saturday, aligning behind a message that the country is sliding into authoritarianism and there should be no kings in the US.

Millions of people turned out for the No Kings protests, the second iteration of a coalition that marched in June in one of the largest days of protest in US history.

People in communities big and small came together nationwide with signs, marching bands, a huge banner with the US constitutions preamble that people could sign, and inflatable costumes, particularly frogs, which have emerged as a sign of resistance beginning in Portland, Oregon.

The rallies are a turnaround from just six months ago, when Democrats seemed at a loss as to how to counter Republicans grip of the White House and both houses of Congress after stinging national election losses.

What we are seeing from the Democrats is some spine, Ezra Levin, a co-founder of Indivisible, a key organizing group, told the Associated Press. The worst thing the Democrats could do right now is surrender.

In Chicago, at Grant Parks Butler Field, at least 10,000 people assembled, many with signs opposing federal immigration agents or mocking Trump. TV stations with feeds from protests warned viewers they could not be responsible for the language used in the signage. A later crowd estimate by the Chicago Tribune put the number at 100,000.

Some of them said Hands Off Chicago, a rallying cry that began when the president first announced his intent to send the national guard into the city. Others read Resist Fascism, but many others used language unsuitable for broadcast.

The crowd erupted in chants of Fuck Donald Trump when Illinois representative Jonathan Jackson took the stage.

Chicagos mayor, Brandon Johnson, told the crowd the Trump administration had decided that they want a rematch of the civil war, which the white supremacist Confederacy lost to the Union in the 19th century.

We are here to stand firm and stand committed that we will not bend, we will not bow, we will not cower, we will not submit, Johnson said. We do not want troops in our city.

On Saturday, Ginny Eschbach joined her 42nd protest since Trumps inauguration in January.

The 72-year-old came to the No Kings rally in Los Angeles dressed as SpongeBob SquarePants, her second choice after not being able to find an inflatable frog costume.

I wanted to be whimsical, because I think that lets them know, when were here, were serious, however, we are not dangerous and we are not violent, she said, referring to Republicans efforts to paint the rallies as dangerous and un-American. We are just not happy.

For Eschbach, who drove in from Thousand Oaks, a city north-west of Los Angeles, and carried an American flag, the Trump administrations crackdown on free speech has been particularly alarming.

I personally am not happy with the erosion of our first amendment rights, she said. This is my gravest concern, as they attack universities, the media, law firms and now our very own freedom of speech and threaten our ability to peacefully assemble.

More than 200,000 Washington DC-area residents rallied near the US Capitol. In many cities, protesters wore inflatable animal costumes  a Dada-esque theme created during immigration enforcement protests in Portland, Oregon, to counter the administrations narrative of a city under the grip of lawlessness and chaos.

While the main protest march in downtown Portland, Oregon, was peaceful and local police officers helped block off streets and bridges for the marchers, a smaller protest outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in the citys south waterfront neighborhood was met with force by federal officers.

Suzette Smith of the Portland Mercury reported on Bluesky that federal agents hurled gas canisters at protesters who gathered at the facility before a schedule 5pm protest.

In Santa Fe, New Mexico, costumed characters included unicorns, chickens and frogs. Its about the absurdity of it all, resident Amy Adler told the Santa Fe New Mexican while wearing a lobster suit she described as an ode to Portland.

On FoxLive, national security analyst Lt Col Hal Kempfer debated whether the costumes were for defensive purposes I dont discount that they are just showing off the costumes but any costume like that could provide a certain amount of defensive protection from pepper balls and stuff. But you have to weigh against that you cant move very fast and you cant see as well.

In Georgia, at least 10,000 people had filled the field of the Atlanta Civic Center in preparation for a march to the state capital by mid-morning.

I heard an American president stand up the other day and say to generals in our military that weve got to stand up against the enemy within, said the US senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia.

I dont care what your politics are. If you are an American citizen, you should be deeply concerned, Warnock said. He warned about the presence of federal law enforcement showing up in communities all across our country.

What the hell is happening? And all of us have to be concerned.

Trump has cracked down on US cities, attempting to send in federal troops and adding more immigration agents. He is seeking to criminalize dissent, going after left-leaning organizations that he claims are supporting terrorism or political violence.

Cities have largely fought back, suing to prevent national guard infusions, and residents have taken to the streets to speak out against the militarization of their communities.

Trumps allies have sought to cast the No Kings protests as anti-American and led by antifa, the decentralized anti-fascist movement, while also claiming that the protests are prolonging the government shutdown. Greg Abbott, the governor of Texas, has said he would send the states national guard to Austin, the states capital, in advance of the protests.

Some politicians, including Democratic senators Chuck Schumer and Chris Murphy, and independent senator Bernie Sanders, attended the protests. The No Kings coalition has repeatedly underscored its commitment to nonviolent resistance, and tens of thousands of participants have trained on safety and de-escalation tactics.

Whats most important as a message for people to carry is that the president wants us to be scared, but we will not be bullied into fear and silence, said Lisa Gilbert, the co-president of Public Citizen, one of the protest organizers. And its incredibly important for people to remain peaceful, to stand proud and to say what they care about, and not to be cowed by that fear.

More than 200 organizations have signed on as partners for the 18 October protests. Organizers have identified several anchor cities: Washington DC, San Francisco, San Diego, Atlanta, New York City, Houston, Honolulu, Boston, Kansas City in Missouri, Bozeman in Montana, Chicago and New Orleans.

The simple framing of the protests is that the US has no kings, a dig at Trumps increasing authoritarianism. Trump told Fox News on Friday: They say theyre referring to me as a king. Im not a king. Leading Republicans, including House speaker Mike Johnson, have described the protests as a hate America rally.

In Washington DC, Vermont senator Bernie Sanders responded to Johnsons characterization, saying: Boy, does he have it wrong. Millions of Americans are coming out today not because they hate America, but because we love America. Were here because were going to do everything we can to honor the sacrifices of millions of men and women who over the last 250 years fought and sometimes died to defend our democracy and our freedoms.

Among the themes the organizers have pointed to: Trump is using taxpayer money for power grabs, sending in federal forces to take over US cities; the president has said he wants a third term and is already acting like a monarch; the Trump administration has taken its agenda too far, defying the courts and slashing services while deporting people without due process.

Leftist groups have called for the enunciation of a clear political program and concrete demands. In a 15 October statement, No Kings, No Nazi Fuhrers! Mobilize the Working Class Against Trumps Dictatorship!, the Socialist Equality Party said the central slogan, No Kings, articulates vast popular hostility to autocracy but warned that anger and outrage are not enough to stop dictatorship.

The progressive group Public Citizen said the protests aimed to counter the most unlawful administration in American history, adding that millions of Americans will come together in peaceful pro-democracy protests to show that we will never bow to a king.

The June No Kings protests drew millions to the streets, with the Harvard Crowd Counting Consortium estimating that between 2 million and 4.8 million people attended protests across the more than 2,000 locations in what was probably the second-largest single day demonstration since Trump first took office in January 2017, second to the Womens March in 2017.
The Trump administration is repatriating two people who survived Thursdays U.S. military strike against an alleged drug-running submarine in the Caribbean, according to the president.

The two surviving terrorists are being returned to their Countries of origin, Ecuador and Colombia, for detention and prosecution, Donald Trump Trump wrote on his Truth Social account Saturday, sharing a video of the attack. No U.S. Forces were harmed in this strike, he said.

Two others were killed in the long-range attack, Trump said, bringing the overall death toll of such recent strikes to 29.

The president described the vessel that was hit as a very large drug-carrying submarine that U.S. intelligence confirmed was carrying mostly fentanyl.

He claimed allowing the vessels cargo to arrive in America could have killed thousands.

The Trump administration acknowledged October 18 that two people survived a recent strike on an alleged drug vessel in the Caribbean, with the president claiming that Ecuadorian and Colombian survivors would be returned to their home countries and prosecuted (Donald Trump / Truth Social)

The Independent has requested comment from the Columbian and Ecuadorian embassies in the United States.

The U.S. Navy reportedly rescued the survivors following the Thursday attack.

A Navy search and rescue team was deployed and the survivors were put in detention on a Navy ship in international waters, officials told The New York Times.

The detentions posed complicated legal questions for the Trump administration over whether to hold the survivors as indefinite wartime detainees or transfer them to military or criminal authorities for prosecution.

The latter option may open the strikes to legal scrutiny or expose the details that went into planning them, which have largely been kept out of the public eye so far.

Trump claims the attack hit a submarine filled with fentanyl, while critics argue the repatriation effort underscores the strike may not have hit a valid target (AP)

Critics alleged the repatriation effort was a sign of spotty intelligence behind the strike.

Generally, narcoterrorists are not repatriated unless they arent who Trump and [Defense Secretary Pete] Hegseth say they are, former Homeland Security official Julliette Kayyem wrote on X. Seems like we are just randomly killing people in boats.

Prior to Thursdays attack, 27 people had been killed as part of the Trump administrations recent anti-drug operation in the region, which the White House has controversially declared to be a formal armed conflict against drug cartels.

Details have been scarce about what intelligence the Trump administration is using to conduct these strikes, and the names of those killed have not been released.

Previous U.S. strikes in the region have killed 27 people (Donald Trump/Truth Social)

Chad Joseph, 26, of Trinidad and Tobago, may have been one of six people killed in a similar strike earlier this week, according to his family.

Joseph, a fisherman from the village of Las Cuevas, had been living in Venezuela in recent months. His family said he frequently made trips across the Caribbean in his work as a fisherman.

I dont want to believe that this is my child, his mother, Lenore Burnley, told The New York Times. Is this really true?

Josephs family denies he is a drug trafficker.

On Saturday, the U.S. embassy in Trinidad and Tobago put out a notice advising Americans against visiting U.S. government facilities in the country due to a heightened state of alert.

Venezuela has criticized the U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean and mobilized troops and militia forces (AP)

The strikes are facing bipartisan criticism from Congress, which has sole authority to declare war and hasnt authorized any new hostilities in support of the Caribbean operation.

On Friday, a group of senators said they would force a vote to block the Trump administration from attacking Venezuela, which the White House accuses of working in coordination with drug cartels.

Admiral Alvin Hosley, the head of U.S. Southern Command, which is overseeing the strikes, will retire at years end, according to the Department of Defense, reportedly after Hosley expressed concern about the strikes.

Venezuela, whose citizens are thought to have been killed in prior strikes on the boats, has fiercely criticized the U.S. military buildup in the region and mobilized its own troops and militia forces.

Critics argue the Trump administration doesnt have legal authority to carry out military-style strikes against alleged drug runners (US President Donald Trump's TRUT)

Legal observers have warned the strikes may not be legal, despite the White House insisting the U.S. is formally engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels that the president has labeled unlawful combatants, freeing up wartime powers.

All available evidence suggests that President Trumps lethal strikes in the Caribbean constitute murder, pure and simple,Jeffrey Stein, director of the ACLUs National Security Project, said in a recent statement. The public deserves to know how our government is justifying these attacks as lawful, and, given the stakes, immediate public scrutiny of its apparently radical theories is imperative.

Trump told reporters Wednesday he authorized CIA missions inside Venezuela as part of his anti-drug crackdown.

The president added that the United States was now looking at land operations against Venezuela following the naval strikes.

He claimed Friday that Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro has offered overtures to ease tensions in the region.

He has offered everything, Trump said, referring to Maduro. You know why? Because he doesn't want to f*** around with the United States.
A memorial to Jay Taylor - Paul Christian Gordon/BILD Fotoservice

A 13-year-old was allegedly coerced into killing themself and live-streaming the act on Instagram by a predatory online gang.

Details of the case have emerged after German police charged a 21-year-old man with more than 200 crimes  including over the death of American teenager Jay Taylor in Gig Harbor, Washington state, in January 2022.

The German-Iranian suspect, identified only by his first name Shahriar because of German privacy laws, is accused of overseeing an international web of online abuse, operating under the pseudonym White Tiger, The Washington Post reported.

Police believe he targeted children in more than 30 countries as part of a network of abusers known as 764, which is associated with a far-Right Satanic group called the Order of the Nine Angles.

The network reportedly coerced children into sending them sexually explicit pictures, which were then used to blackmail them into filming themselves carrying out self-harm, further sexual acts and suicide.

The Washington Post said some members see their mission as weeding out societys weakest, which they deem to include mentally ill, gay or transgender youths.

Suicide video sent to parents

Officers found Jays body in a supermarket car park, an iPhone propped up and pointing to the scene.

Initially, the death was thought to be a straightforward suicide. Police subsequently learned Jay, who was born a girl, had live-streamed the act on social media while others watched, encouraged, and urged the child to undress.

Among them was a 12-year-old European girl whom authorities believe was pressured into joining in to please White Tiger. In the weeks before the suicide, the pair had exchanged texts. In one Jay asks her to dm [direct message] me if she was going to kill herself, so they could do it together.

Jays parents, Colby and Leslie Taylor, told The Washington Post that their child had started displaying worrying behaviour during the pandemic.

Colby and Leslie Taylor sought medical help for their son as they grew increasingly concerned - Bild

Around the age of 11 Jay became anorexic and depressed, and was self-harming, they said.

Mr and Mrs Taylor sought medical help and believed Jay was getting better, but then found out the teen had been visiting a Discord chat room about self-harm.

They took Jays phone away and restricted the teens laptop with parental controls. Over the next two years, things seemed to improve, but then Jay began to suffer from intrusive thoughts.

I need you to watch me. I need you to take my phone. Hed tell us things like that, Mr Taylor said. We couldnt explain the rollercoasters.

A week after the death, Jays parents were contacted by a girl in Australia.

Im not sure how much youve been told, she said, adding that there was a video they needed to see.

Mr Taylor managed to watch half the video of Jays suicide. Mrs Taylor could not bear to.

Mr Taylor gave a copy of the video to the police, who later shared it with the FBI. In June, officials in Germany announced they were charging a man with cyber-grooming, the virtual sexual abuse of children and pressuring a 13-year-old American into suicide.

One of the most disturbing things were seeing

Jorg Frohlich, Hamburgs attorney general, told a news conference at the time: The acts exceed human imagination.

Christiane Yuksel, Shahriars lawyer in Hamburg, was contacted for comment by The Telegraph.

She told The Washington Post that she had taken on the case because of the complex legal issues at stake. There are questions of who is responsible, she said.

Questions of how we regulate the internet. These are important questions.

In 2023, the founder of 764, Bradley Chance Cadenhead, was arrested and sentenced to 80 years in prison after being found guilty of nine felony counts of possession and promotion of indecent images of children.

In November 2021, Samuel Hervey, a 25-year-old from Minnesota with mental health problems, live-streamed himself as he doused himself with petrol and set himself on fire, as two dozen people allegedly watched and laughed. His death is thought to have been linked to 764, according to The Washington Post.

The FBI opened an investigation into 254 suspected members of the group, named after a portion of Cadenheads postcode, in May.

We see a lot of bad things, but this is one of the most disturbing things were seeing, FBI assistant director David Scott, the head of the FBIs Counterterrorism unit, said at the time.
A Pennsylvania teenager has died from bacterial meningitis, months before graduating from high school, according to the school district.

Ryan Duffy, 18, was a senior at Neshaminy High School in Langhorne. He was excited about attending prom and graduation this year before he passed away on Tuesday, his obituary said.

His family remembered him as an amazing young man who loved electronic and board games and recently became an avid Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Phillies fan.

The Neshaminy School District said Duffy suddenly fell ill late last week and was hospitalized in the ICU, according to a letter sent to parents. He was diagnosed with Streptococcus Pneumoniae Meningitis, the letter said.

Ryan Duffy, a Pennsylvania teenager, has died suddenly from bacterial meningitis, months before graduating high school, according to his obituary (James O. Bradley Funeral Home, Inc.)

"We hold the family in our thoughts and wish them strength in this difficult time, the school district wrote.

Bacterial meningitis is the swelling of the protective lining of the brain and spinal cord caused by a bacterial infection. Streptococcus Pneumoniae is a type of bacteria that can cause meningitis and other infections.

Streptococcus Pneumoniae can spread through direct contact with saliva or mucus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the best way to prevent infections caused by Streptococcus Pneumoniae is to get vaccinated.

While Duffys high school is using enhanced cleaning protocols, the district made clear Streptococcus Pneumoniae Meningitis is not usually contagious in a school setting and does not typically spread through casual contact, such as being in the same classroom or cafeteria.

"These old diseases that have been around for years are still affecting people," Eddie Maurer, a parent from nearby Bensalem, told local ABC affiliate WPVI. "It just doesn't make sense. It's hard to believe."

Duffy, 18, was a senior at Neshaminy High School in Langhorne (Google Earth)

Duffys peers were also stunned by his sudden death.

"Not only was I surprised, I was really scared," senior Vee Pyanova told Fox 29 Philadelphia. How am I any different than the kid that went ot high school with me?

Another senior, Skylar Heitz, who says she was really good friends with Duffy their freshman year, said, I was shockedI had no words."

The CDC says most people recover from bacterial meningitis if treated properly, but warns it could lead to death within a few hours.

Thats why its important to know the symptoms, which include confusion, fever, headache, stiff neck and photophobia, which is when your eyes are more sensitive to light.
The 20-year-old woman was found dead at an apartment on Grosvenor Street, Manchester (pictured) (Google Maps)

A 20-year-old woman has died at an apartment in Manchester, as police said three people arrested in connection with drug supply were released on bail.

The woman, who worked at the Gorilla bar, was found after police officers attended a welfare call at a flat on Grosvenor Street.

Gorilla bar posted a statement on social media saying that one of their team members tragically passed away at the apartment in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Greater Manchester Police said that three arrests were made in connection with drug supply but added that those arrested have since been bailed.

In a statement on Facebook, Gorilla bar said: We do not have any detailed information as to what occurred at this time, and it would be inappropriate for us to comment further particularly whilst there is an ongoing police investigation.

Naturally, we have reached out to Greater Manchester Police and informed them that we will assist in any way we can in terms of uncovering what has happened.

Gorilla bar issued a statement after the death of a member of their bar staff (Google Maps)

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our deceased colleague at this very sad time.

A spokesperson for the Greater Manchester Police said: Officers responded to an incident on Grosvenor street, Manchester after reports of a concern for welfare.

They added that officers discovered the body of the woman at the flat. The spokesperson continued: Three arrests were made in connection to drug supply. They have since been bailed. Enquiries are ongoing.

This article was amended on 20 October 2025 to change the age of the person who died from 19 to 20. Initial information from the police incorrectly gave the womans age as 19.
Powerful Glory stunned the field at Ascot with an astonishing 200-1 victory in the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes.

Richard Faheys three-year-old was ridden by Jamie Spencer and completely overlooked in the market with as much as 20lb to find on the ratings with his rivals in the Group One.

Lazzat was the 2-1 favourite and looked to be charging for home under James Doyle, but Powerful Glory was making up a huge amount of ground behind him and got his head in front on the line to become the longest-priced Group One winner in Britain since the current grading system was established.

Powerful Glory was a neck winner, with Quinault, who was a 66-1 shot, a length-and-a-quarter third.

Fahey said: This is special, I thought Jamie would suit him well, just to get him switched off and relaxed and I always felt he was going to get there.

Richard Fahey, Zara Tindall and Jamie Spencer after Powerful Glorys victory at Ascot (Steven Paston/PA)

To be fair this was the plan all year, genuinely. We had a blip halfway through when we had to stop with him and then of course we were running out of races but this is fantastic.

Im delighted for Richard Brown (Wathnan Racing adviser), he bought him, hes bought my last couple of Group One winners and hes doing a good job at keeping me going. Sheikh Rashid (Dalmook al Maktoum) has also been good to us but we havent had a great season for him this year, so this will help. Everybody is happy.

He genuinely had excuses for his two starts this year and weve seen the real Powerful Glory today. There could be more to come but well have to speak to Sheikh Rashid and see what the plan is. Its been a tricky year so to finish with a Group One winner is fantastic.

The winning rider added: Ive known Richard a long time so to do it for him is great. I saw he was 80-1 this morning and I remembered Khaadem was 80-1 when he won here, you just never know.

Not in your wildest dreams are you expecting to win after he finished last in a conditions race at Beverley but thats what the good trainers do, they turn the screw.

Two out I thought he was going to run a good race and then I suddenly felt we had a chance of winning, so it was a different set of emotions as the race progressed.

I havent got much road left in me so I doubt Ill have another 200-1 winner!

Jerome Reynier, trainer of the runner-up, said: There were 19 runners and horses everywhere and James said if there was only one group he maybe would have won, but he was on his own on the other side of the track and it wasnt easy to manage his effort.

He ran on and battled hard and we saw the real Lazzat today, but it wasnt ideal with the horses spread all over the track and he didnt get the advantage that those got on the stands rail.

James threw him forward and asked him to make a move a long way from home and he ran on well but unfortunately there was one too good. The winner was unexpected but this is racing and in sprint racing you often get funny results  its not like with the stayers where you know Trawlerman will win because he is the best.

Powerful Glory after winning the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes (Steven Paston/PA)

Hes a really tough horse, he was a winner here at Royal Ascot, second in the Maurice de Gheest and second today again in the Champions Sprint and hes probably the best sprinter in Europe.

On future plans, Reynier added: He will have a bit of a break and then we would like to go to Saudi Arabia. There are a few options on the international stage like Saudi and the Al Quoz in Dubai and there is not much going off in Europe in the first couple of months, so we will talk to connections and make a plan.

Stuart Williams, trainer of the third-placed Quinault, said: Were delighted and I was getting excited two furlongs out. Hes run a monster race.

Hell have a break now as hes been on the go since February. Hes a superstar horse for us and we hope hell have another successful year next year.

Thats a career best and we might take him abroad. Id really like to take him to Saudi Arabia and I think that would suit him perfectly. I didnt get invited to it last year but hopefully after that they will give him an invitation.
Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell (PA Media)

Prince Andrew asked his Met Police bodyguard to investigate his accuser Virginia Giuffre and passed over confidential information about her, according to reports.

Andrew reportedly told Queen Elizabeths deputy press secretary Ed Perkins that he had asked one of his personal protection officers to dig up information about Ms Giuffre hours before a picture of him alongside the then teenager was published.

An email obtained by the Mail on Sunday has exposed that Andrew handed over Ms Giuffres date of birth and social security number to be investigated.

He also noted that she appeared to have a criminal record in the US, something which Ms Giuffres family have told the Mail was not the case.

The email does not suggest that the officer completed the princes request.

Ms Giuffre alleged she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew on three occasions, including when she was aged 17.

Her family told the Mail on Sunday that the latest revelations expose the lengths to which those implicated try to discredit and defame survivors. The truth will surface and there will be no shadows in which they can hide.

The family have also called for a full investigation into how Prince Andrew had obtained Ms Giuffres private information.

Ms Giuffres brother Sky Roberts has also urged King Charles to strip Prince Andrew of the title "prince".

The latest accusations come after Andrew dramatically relinquished his Duke of York title and remaining honours on Friday evening in a bid by the King, in consultation with the Prince of Wales, to bring an end to the long-lasting scandal.

Last week, further questions were also raised about when Andrew ended his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as an email surfaced 12 weeks after the royal was said to have cut contact with the paedophile.

The latest accusations come days before a posthumous book by Ms Giuffre is published. Ms Giuffre died by suicide in Australia in April.

Andrew insisted his accuser sign a one-year gag order to prevent tarnishing the late Queens platinum jubilee, her memoirs have revealed.

Ms Giuffres book, which is due out on Tuesday, describes how Andrews disastrous Newsnight interview was like an injection of jet fuel for her legal team, and it raised the possibility of subpoenaing his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, and daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie and drawing them into the legal case, The Telegraph reported.

Ms Giuffre said she got more out of Andrew than a reported 12-million-dollar payout and two-million-dollar donation to her charity because she had an acknowledgement that I and many other women had been victimised and a tacit pledge to never deny it again.

The former duke paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case with Ms Giuffre in 2022, despite insisting he had never met her.

The Met Police and Prince Andrew declined to comment on the latest Mail on Sunday revelations.
It might already be a month since Reforms newest MP Danny Kruger jumped ship to join Nigel Farages right-wing camp, but walking to the ex-Tory devotees Westminster office, youd be forgiven for questioning if it really happened.

Two signs for his office  deep within the Palace of Westminsters labyrinth of carpeted corridors and creaky stairwells  still show Mr Kruger as shadow minister for work and pensions under Kemi Badenoch.

Then inside, hung on the wall alongside Imperial War Museum recruitment posters and a painting of conservative philosopher Roger Scruton, is a framed map of Boris Johnsons landslide 2019 election victory.

Swathes of Tory blue dominate many of the UKs regions. The outcome of the snap election steered by Brexit not only saw Mr Kruger, then Mr Johnsons parliamentary secretary, return his boss to No 10, but also got him his first seat in parliament as the new MP for Devizes.

Im not putting the 2024 election map up, he jokes. We need that whole map to go turquoise dont we, he adds with a smile.

Breakups in any walk of life are hard, but for Mr Kruger, its clear to see his split from the Tories was a particularly painful one.

I regret to say, having been a member and an employee and an MP for the Conservative Party for many years, my whole adult life... I think the time for the Conservatives as that principal opposition, that main challenger from the right, has finished, the married father of three explains.

His exit, probably the biggest scalp for Reform yet, was announced at a press conference alongside Mr Farage last month. A few weeks later, he wrote a letter to his 71,000 East Wiltshire constituents to explain his decision.

Reform, currently 14 points ahead of the Tories in the latest polls, was now the new opposition to the Labour Party, he said, bemoaning a loss in voter confidence in the Conservatives on issues such as mass migration and Brexit.

We now have  in Nigel Farages party  the opposition that we need to Labour, so its not just a rejection of the Conservatives, which I deeply regret making on a personal level, its an active, positive choice to join Reform because I think they represent the change we need, he says.

Danny Kruger says he approached Nigel Farage over joining the party after conversations with Lee Anderson (PA Wire)

I push him on the emotional impact of his departure from the party he became involved in more than 30 years ago.

As a self-described horrible little Thatcherite in his youth, the Etonian later joined Conservative HQ in 2003, and would later work with former Conservative leaders Iain Duncan Smith, Michael Howard and David Cameron.

Its a very painful move, he says, adding that hes conscious he has let people down in Wiltshire where party members worked closely with him since his election win in 2019. I regret that, he says.

On those in Whitehall, he says: I have good friends on the Conservative benches who I know feel dismayed, betrayed by me. Although, hes thankful of no personal attacks from former colleagues, including Ms Badenoch.

I think the time for the Conservatives as that principal opposition, that main challenger from the right, has finished

Danny Kruger

However, in this business, you have to put what you think is the interests of your constituents and your country ahead of your personal loyalties, he says. Loyalty matters. Parties matter. We couldn't exist without them, but we have to put country ahead of party, and even if that is personally painful, we must do it in practice.

Has slipping into Reform  where the slogan is family, community, country  been an easy political marriage? Mr Kruger says so.

He already knew Reform MP Lee Anderson, and after informal conversations he says he went to speak to Mr Farage about joining the party, and was gratefully accepted.

Danny Kruger told a press conference on leaving the Tories for Reform that the switch was personally painful (Getty)

I expect there will be other MPs who move from the Conservatives to Reform, he predicts, although rather hesitantly adds: Thats assuming that Nigel actually invites them to do so.

Mr Krugers defection to Reform was particularly surprising, not least following some of his recent criticism of the party.

Only in May he accused members of piggybacking on work by the Conservatives during a Commons debate on Brexit in a desperate search to be relevant. In July, he said Reform would spend money like drunken sailors during a debate on welfare.

Well, literally since then, Nigel Farage stood up at his party conference and committed to significant welfare cuts, says Mr Kruger.

Tax cuts aside, we have to make spending reductions, not simply for the sake of the public finances, although that imperative is very, very real, but for the sake of the people who are currently languishing on out-of-work benefits.

It is a scandal and a disgrace and a tragedy that so many people are being written off for life by a welfare system that is essentially inhuman in its judgement of what people's capabilities are.

And what about the two-child benefit cap?

Reform pledged to scrap the restriction, in a move that could appeal to left-leaning voters but would cost an estimated 3.5bn.

Mr Kruger supports the idea, but only for working families. Its right that the public are concerned that people whose livelihoods is benefits are able to have large families at the publics expense, he says.

Next month, Mr Farage will deliver a speech on Reforms plans for the economy in what has been seen as a bid by the party to bolster its economic credibility, after its manifesto for 90bn in tax cuts, including an increase in tax-free allowance to 20,000, was widely questioned.

We have to demonstrate, if we are to cut taxes, where the money is coming from for that, says Mr Kruger.

Aside from the economy, immigration is at the centre of Reform policy, with plans unveiled last month to deport thousands of legal immigrants and scrap migrants indefinite leave to remain.

Kruger, who is the son of Prue Leith, star of The Great British Bake Off, pictured in 2010 when Dame Prue received her CBE, with daughter Li-Da (left) and Krugers wife Emma (PA)

Mr Farage blames a so-called Boriswave of migration following the relaxation of post-Brexit rules by Boris Johnson. Mr Kruger agrees. Im afraid, yes, he does have to take responsibility as leader of the government, he says.

The party also wants to deport 600,000 asylum seekers, while building detention centres for 24,000.

Asked where the centres will be, he says: I don't want to get into the details of where, but we will be able to stand up facilities that will accommodate all of the asylum seekers and illegal immigrants that arrive. He insists, through, they wont be enormous.

The Senedd elections next year should provide some indication on the prospect of a Reform UK government. There is also the Scottish Parliament elections coming up, too.

We are the new national party of the right and my hope is that we take power in those countries and can demonstrate what a Reform government looks like ahead of the general election, Mr Kruger says.

Winning power, so quickly after being formed  can Mr Farages achievement leading the Brexit referendum be replicated, perhaps heightened, by entering No 10 in a few years time?

Mr Kruger appears cautious. Such is the state of the economy and the Labour Party, he says an election could happen sooner than you think.

But an enormous job lies ahead in creating policy and showing it can work. We cant just arrive on day one with a couple of slogans and ask the civil servants to do it for us, he insists.

There is also the task of bringing together candidates for 650 seats. There will be very strict vetting, Mr Kruger says.

If we play our cards right, we will be in contention for government, he adds.

After 35 minutes, the interview ends. Mr Kruger quickly makes his excuses and rushes out for a meeting. It gives me a chance to look up at his bookshelf.

There, among Lisa Nandys All In, David Skeltons The New Snobbery and two books on Stonehenge (the ancient monument sits within his constituency), is Oliver Letwins book Apocalypse How?, which imagines a tech-dependent UK in crisis in 2037.

As the former minister looked into the future, I wondered if even he could have predicted a new party overtaking the Tories as the party of the right.

Such is the unpredictability of politics today.
A demonstrator dressed as a martian from Sesame Street, in Washington DC on Saturday. Photograph: Leah Millis/Reuters

Republican voices were mostly silent as No Kings rallies and marches against Trump administration policies unfurled on Saturday, many in the spirit of a street party that countered the hate America depiction advanced by senior members of the party.

Instead of provocation, there were marching bands, huge banners with we the people references to the US constitution, and protesters wearing inflatable costumes, particularly frogs, which have emerged as a sign of resistance.

It was the third mass mobilization since Trumps return to the White House and came against the backdrop of a government shutdown that not only has closed federal programs and services but is testing the core balance of power, as an aggressive executive confronts Congress and the courts in ways that protest organizers warn are a slide toward authoritarianism.

In comments Friday, Donald Trump opposed the protest organizers characterization of him as a would-be monarch.

They say theyre referring to me as a king. Im not a king, Trump said in a Fox News interview.

Later Friday, a Trump campaign social media account mocked the protests by posting a computer-generated video of the president clothed like a monarch, wearing a crown and waving from a balcony.

At a White House event on Wednesday, Trump tried to downplay the No Kings events. I hear very few people [are] going to be there, by the way, but they have their day coming up and they want to have their day in the sun, he said. Trump is spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.

In a counter-programming move, JD Vance and defense secretary Pete Hegseth were attending a live-fire amphibious capabilities demonstration at Camp Pendleton in California to commemorate the US Marine Corps 250th birthday.

However, a plan to fire live artillery shells over a nearby highway drew objections from governor Gavin Newsom, who said it forced the California highway patrol to close a portion of a major interstate through southern California for safety reasons.

The President is putting his ego over responsibility with this disregard for public safety, the Democratic governor said in a statement. Firing live rounds over a busy highway isnt just wrong  its dangerous.

Vance posted a comment on X alluding to a meeting between New Yorks Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and Siraj Wahhaj, imam of at-Taqwa, who appeared on a list of un-indicted co-conspirators in the trial of the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center in New York.

Ive been reliably informed that Democrats are opposed to any kind of political violence, so I look forward to them universally condemning Zohran Mamdani for campaigning with an unindicted co-conspirator in a terrorist plot that killed 6 New Yorkers, Vance wrote.

Fox News, meanwhile, ran a report claiming that organizers embedded in the global intifada to destroy the state of Israel had moved to join the No Kings protests in New York under the organizational groupings of UAW Labor for Palestine and NYC Labor for Palestine.

The right-leaning outlet also reported on Friday that foundations connected to George Soros were funding the No Kings protests via a $3m grant to the organizer Indivisible to support the grantees social welfare activities.

The relative silence of Republican leaders on Saturday came in contrast with efforts last week to preview the second No Kings day as a hate America day populated by Hamas sympathizers and a reason why Democrats were delaying an agreement to end the government shutdown, now on its 18th day.

Republican leaders disparaged rally-goers as communists and Marxists, and claimed that centrist Democrats, including the senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, who marched in New York, were being held political hostage by the far left.

I encourage you to watch  we call it the hate America rally  that will happen Saturday, said the House speaker, Mike Johnson of Louisiana.

Lets see who shows up for that, Johnson added, listing groups including antifa types, people who hate capitalism and Marxists in full display.
Finalists: Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner (Getty Images)

Jannik Sinner blasted his way past world No1 Carlos Alcaraz to claim victory in the final of the lucrative Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia.

The Wimbledon champion was simply too strong for the Spaniard as he cruised to a 6-2 6-4 win in Riyadh.

World No2 Sinner took an early grip on the first set when he broke in the opening game before holding serve in the second, and although the US Open champion got himself on the scoreboard in the next, the respite proved temporary.

The Italian held to love and then forced two break points in the fifth game, and when Alcaraz found the net with his backhand, Sinner led 4-1, an advantage he converted to take the opening set 6-2 in emphatic style.

Alcaraz re-grouped at the start of the second, holding comfortably in the opening game and, after Sinner had levelled with the minimum of fuss, repeated the feat to lead 2-1.

Serving at 2-2, the Spaniard found himself 15-40 down and had to save four break points before eventually emerging victorious, but he was not so fortunate in his next service game as his opponent broke once again to lead 4-3.

The big-serving Italian confidently eased his way to within one game of victory and although Alcaraz made it 4-5, Sinner powered his way across the finishing line at the first time of asking.

Earlier, 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic had retired from his third place play-off clash with America's Taylor Fritz.

The 38-year-old shook hands after Fritz, who had lost his previous 11 clashes with the Serbian, had taken the first set on a tie-break after a gruelling 75 minutes.
Rivals: Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner (London Standard)

Carlos Alcaraz will meet Jannik Sinner in yet another final as the pair reached the last round of the new Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The worlds No1 and 2 brushed past their respective semi-final opponents - Taylor Fritz and Novak Djokovic - both with 6-4 6-2 victories.

Alcaraz admitted coming into the new exhibition that he was not fully fit, having injured his ankle in Tokyo against Sebastien Baez.

Sinner, meanwhile, gave Dutchman Talon Griekspoor a walkover in the second round of the Shanghai Masters after he suffered with severe cramp mid-match thanks to the extreme heat.

The pairs most recent meeting came in the US Open final, where Alcaraz defeated the Italian in four sets.

Before that, Sinner had forfeited the final of Cincinnati when 5-0 down to the Spaniard due to illness.

Alcaraz dominates the pairs head-to-head, leading 10-5, although Sinner usurped the 22-year-old at Wimbledon this year to earn a maiden title on the grass.

What time is Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner?

The final of the Six Kings Slam will take place on Saturday, October 18.

The match wont start until at least 7pm BST, scheduled after the third-place encounter between Fritz and Djokovic, which kicks off at 5pm BST.

How to watch Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner

Live stream: This tournament is being exclusively streamed on Netflix. It isnt a pay-per-view event, and those with a Netflix subscription will be able to stream it live.
Volodymyr Zelensky (left) told Donald Trump on Friday that he was not happy with the proposal - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Donald Trump has suggested he will look at plans floated by a senior Kremlin official to create a 70-mile undersea tunnel connecting Russia with the US state of Alaska.

The proposal was raised at the White House on Friday as the US president met Volodymyr Zelensky, his Ukrainian counterpart, after the idea was raised on social media a day earlier by a senior Russian official.

A tunnel from Russia to Alaska. Thats interesting, Mr Trump said when asked about the concept in front of Mr Zelensky, adding that he would have to think about it.

What do you think of that, Mr President?... How do you like that idea? he asked the Ukrainian.

Im not happy with this, Mr Zelensky replied.

b'

The arctic tunnel that could link Alaska and Russia

'

For the Ukrainian leader, Fridays meeting had been meant to advance his goal of securing powerful US-made Tomahawk missiles that could be used to aid Kyivs war effort by striking deep into Russia.

But Mr Trump crushed Kyivs hopes of procuring the weapons any time soon, saying he hoped to resolve the conflict without thinking about Tomahawks.

It came following Vladimir Putins warning on Thursday, during a surprise phone call with Mr Trump, that such a move would cause substantial damage to US-Russian relations.

Writing on social media on Thursday, Kirill Dmitriev, the Kremlins Ukrainian-born special envoy on international economic co-operation and head of Russias RDIF sovereign wealth fund, unveiled his proposals for the $8bn (6bn) rail and cargo link beneath the Bering Strait linking Russias Chukotka region to Alaska.

Mr Dmitriev suggested that Elon Musk, the Boring Company boss and SpaceX chief executive, could spearhead the plans. He wrote:

.@elonmusk, imagine connecting the US and Russia, the Americas and the Afro-Eurasia with the Putin-Trump Tunnel - a 70-mile link symbolizing unity. Traditional costs are $65B+, but @boringcompany's tech could reduce it to <$8B. Let's build a future together!   https://t.co/boCVb8xqjl pic.twitter.com/QXmTYAduqm  Kirill Dmitriev (@kadmitriev) October 16, 2025

Last year, it was reported that the tech tycoon, who recently became embroiled in a public row with Mr Trump over economic policy, had regular communications with Putin during the previous two years, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Mr Musk has not yet publicly commented on the proposal.

Mr Dmitriev has met with Steve Witkoff, Mr Trumps roving special envoy, on a number of occasions for talks about economic relations between the US and Russia.

He paired his post with a crude graphic reproduction of the proposed route, saying that it could be funded by the RDIF, alongside international partners.

The Bering Strait is subject to frequent earthquakes and has almost no existing infrastructure, partly because of the prohibitive difficulty of working in below-freezing temperatures, making the completion of such a project difficult to achieve.

Moscow has gone to increasing lengths to court Mr Trump with proposals for economic co-operation since the start of the US presidents second term.

Writing on his Truth Social platform after his call with Putin on Thursday, Mr Trump said the pair had spent a great deal of time talking about trade between Russia and the United States when the war with Ukraine is over.

The call also led to plans being unveiled for a second summit between the Russian and US leaders, due to take place in Budapest in the coming weeks.

Ahead of their last hastily organised meeting in Alaska in August, Yuri Ushakov, a senior Kremlin aide, said the pair would discuss the huge untapped potential in economic relations between the two countries.

Putin also said in August that the US and Russia were discussing joint projects in the Arctic and Alaska, where the latter is reportedly hoping to expand mining operations amid receding polar ice caused by climate change.

Mr Dmitriev previously made reference to such plans, telling TASS, Russias state media agency, that the country was certainly considering the possibility of joint Russian-Chinese-American projects, including in the Arctic, concerning energy.
A US woman who allegedly asked her twin to take responsibility for a deadly crash with an Amish buggy has been sentenced to four years in prison.

Police said Samantha Petersen was high on methamphetamine after work when she rear-ended a horse-drawn buggy near Spring Valley, Minnesota, in September 2023.

Two sisters in the buggy, Wilma Miller, seven, and Irma Miller, 11, died, and two other siblings were seriously injured, authorities said.

After the crash, police said Samantha summoned her twin, Sarah, to the scene.

Her twin initially told officers she had been driving, but was recorded by police saying: "There's no way they would ever know the difference between the two of us so they can't tell."

Samantha has now pleaded guilty to criminal vehicular homicide under the influence and criminal vehicular operation under the influence.

"We started to determine that, in fact, Samantha was the sister that was coming from Rochester, driving southbound at the time of the crash, not Sarah," said Fillmore County Sheriff John DeGeorge.

Using search warrants, location data from Samantha's mobile phone, and a phone call from her employer, police concluded she was driving.

They found various online searches on Samantha's phone, including "what happens if you get in an accident with an Amish buggy and kill two people", and "how to lock an iphone cops have".

Police also alleged she called her place of work's human resource department after the incident, and said: "I f***** up... I just killed two Amish people.

"They were kids... I just hit a f****** buggy... I'm not sober."

Read more from Sky News:

'Victory for Virginia', says family - as Andrew gives up titles

Everything we know about title decision

Trump admits it's possible he's being 'played' by Putin

Minnesota District Court Judge Jeremy Clinefelter sentenced her on Thursday to two sentences of two and four years in prison, to be served concurrently.

He also ordered her to pay nearly $40,000 (29,790) in restitution, according to his sentencing memo for the case.

"I wish with everything in me that I could go back and change what happened," Samantha said before the sentencing, according to Minneapolis news station KARE, which is an affiliate of Sky News' partner newsroom NBC.

"But, I know I cannot.

"My addiction took a lot from me, but it took the world from you," she said, directing her comments to the bereaved family.

After the sentencing, her criminal defence lawyer, Carson J Heefner, said: "I guess in the grand of scheme of things, it was a fair sentence."

Sarah Petersen has already served her sentence for contributing to criminal vehicular operation, according to KARE.
Ukraine cannot win its war with Russia and should negotiate peace terms with the Kremlin, according to Britains most senior army officer.

Field Marshal Lord Richards said Kyiv will not be able to drive Vladimir Putins soldiers out of Ukraine without the help of Nato forces  who wont get involved on the ground.

Lord Richards, who was promoted to the UK militarys most senior five-star rank earlier this year and led Nato forces during their troop surge in Afghanistan, said Ukraines allies have failed Kyiv.

What we have done in the case of Ukraine is encourage Ukraine to fight, but not given them the means to win, the former chief of the defence staff told The Independents podcast World of Trouble.

Field Marshal Lord Richards, pictured with the Gurkas in 2009 (MoD)

Reflecting on Ukraines chances of success against Russia, he said: My view is that they would not win.

Could not win, even with the right resources? he was asked.

No, he replied.

Pressed further by The Independent, he was asked:  Even with the right resources?

No, they havent got the manpower, the former commando said.

The field marshals intervention came after Volodymyr Zelensky flew to Washington DC to meet Donald Trump to try to persuade him to give Ukraine Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The war with Russia has now ground on for more than three years, with incremental gains on each side as the conflict is increasingly played out via drone warfare.

But Zelenskys plans to pressure Trump appear to have been thwarted by Vladimir Putin, who spoke to the US president hours before his White House meeting with the Ukrainian leader.

At a packed press conference, Trump appeared reluctant to give up American weapons, while retaining a cordial tone with Zelensky  admittedly a far cry from where things were in February. The US president stressed his own countrys needs to maintain stockpiles.

Zelensky at the White House with Trump on 17 October (AP)

Zelensky said very little, except to politely suggest Ukraine could offer up its drone technology in an exchange agreement. Trump seemed open to the idea.

Coming away from the summit, Zelensky said Trump had not said no to the idea of Tomahawks  but, for today, he did not say yes, either.

In his first long-form podcast interview, Lord Richards, the only British officer to have commanded massed US troops at war since 1945, said the outlook for Ukraine was not good.

Unless we were to go in with them  which we wont do because Ukraine is not an existential issue for us. It clearly is for the Russians, by the way, he said on World of Trouble.

Weve decided because its not an existential issue, we will not go to war. We are, you can argue  and I absolutely accept it  in some sort of hybrid war [with Russia]. But thats not the same as a shooting war in which our soldiers are dying in large numbers.

Despite our attraction for all theyve achieved and our genuine affections for so many Ukrainians, Im just still in this school that says this is not in our vital national interests.

My instinct is that the best Ukraine can do, and you already see President Zelensky, whos an inspirational leader  the best they can do is a sort of a score draw.

Lord Richards spoke frankly about Ukraine and world affairs during his podcast with Sam Kiley (The Independent)

Lord Richardss pessimistic assessment contradicts recent statements from Trump who had appeared to shift his view of Ukraine from insisting that Kyiv did not hold any cards  to saying Putin could not win.

I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form, Trump wrote on social media. With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, Nato, the original Borders from where this War started, is very much an option.

Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years a War that should have taken a Real Military Power less than a week to win. This is not distinguishing Russia. In fact, it is very much making them look like a paper tiger.

Trump has routinely changed his stance on Ukraine, previously cutting military aid to Kyiv altogether, forcing a painful minerals-for-weapons deal on Kyiv and reducing US help to an intelligence feed only.

This week he appeared to swing back behind Putin again  agreeing to a summit with the Russian leader in pro-Kremlin Hungary under Viktor Orban but without the presence of Zelensky.

He blamed it on the fact that Putin and Zelensky dont get along too well and described himself as the mediator president.

Trump has made repeated efforts to secure a ceasefire and even invited Putin to Alaska for a summit in August, which ended in American humiliation.

Lord Richards, who led Britains interventions in Sierra Leone and East Timor as a brigadier and later argued against the UKs part in the American-led invasion of Iraq, backed the former US General Mark Milley, who suggested back in November 2022 that Ukraine should negotiate with Russia.

In a wide-ranging interview about his military life, the field marshal revealed that although his career had been stellar, there were times when he fell foul of the establishment and was often out of step with his military and political masters.

Afghan president Hamid Karzai (R) presents a medal to General Richards in his then-role as Commander of NATO International Security Assistance Force, Kabul, 2007 (AFP/Getty)

As a major general and deputy head of the army under General Sir Mike Jackson, he said it was clear to him that Tony Blairs government was lying about its claims that Saddam Hussein was developing nuclear weapons in Iraq.

Alongside other senior officers, he questioned the legality of the UKs decision to join US forces in invading Iraq in 2003.

Before the British joined the invasion, Blair presented parliament with an intelligence dossier which claimed the Iraqi dictator was developing a nuclear weapon.

Derided since as the dodgy dossier for its unfounded claims, it caused horror at the time among senior officers who had access to the real intelligence.

I and others encouraged the chief of defence staff to query whether this was legal and what was the basis of this intelligence, said Lord Richards.

I do remember one officer  who I wont name but was on the intelligence side  saying, Dont worry. Well find something to put. Yeah, don't worry. Well find something about that. Well justify what we were doing.

I went back to say to Mike Jackson, This stinks.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine needs American long-range missiles for an offensive against Russian targets but that he was realistic about his chances of getting them . The Ukrainian president was speaking after talks with Donald Trump at the White House on Friday during which the US president appeared cool on the prospect of supplying Kyiv with Tomahawk missiles. However, in an interview on NBCs Meet the Press, Zelenskyy suggested the door was not entirely closed. Its good that President Trump didnt say no, but for today, didnt say yes, he said. Zelenskyy added that Ukraine needed Tomahawks because its very difficult just to operate only with Ukrainian drones.

After the meeting, Trump implored the combatants to stop the war immediately , even if it means Ukraine conceding territory. Stop the killing. And that should be it, he told journalists after arriving in Florida. On social media he suggested freezing the conflict, saying: They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide! When asked about the social media post, which he had not seen, Zelenskyy said: The president is right we have to stop where we are, and then to speak.

Related: What are Tomahawk missiles and why does Ukraine want them?

Zelenskyy had what British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer described as a productive call with European leaders on Friday, hours after Zelenskyy met Trump at the White House. I shared details of my conversation with US president Donald Trump. We discussed many important issues, Zelenskyy said in a post on X. The main priority now is to protect as many lives as possible, guarantee security for Ukraine, and strengthen all of us in Europe. That is exactly what we are working for. Our national security advisers will discuss the next steps. We are coordinating our positions. I am grateful for the conversation, for all the support, and for the readiness to stand with Ukraine. Starmer reiterated the UKs unwavering commitment to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, and said it would continue to send humanitarian aid and military support to Kyiv. Leaders from Germany, Finland, Italy, Norway, and Poland were on the call, along with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, Nato Secretary Gen Mark Rutte and European council president Antonio Costa.

Russia and the US should build a Putin-Trump rail tunnel under the Bering Strait to link their countries, unlock joint exploration of natural resources and symbolise unity, a Kremlin envoy has suggested. The proposal by Kirill Dmitriev, President Vladimir Putins investment envoy and head of Russias RDIF sovereign wealth fund, envisages a construction project costing US$8bn (6bn), funded by Moscow and international partners, to build a 70-mile (112-km) rail and cargo link in under eight years. Dmitriev floated the idea late on Thursday after Putin spoke to Donald Trump by phone and agreed to meet in Budapest to discuss stopping the war against Ukraine.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not ruled out the possibility that he can secure long-range Tomahawk missiles from the US, adding that he believes "Putin is afraid" of the consequences.

In an exclusive interview with NBC News's Meet the Press, Ukraine's president discussed some of the details of his two-hour meeting with Donald Trump on Friday, including his desire for the weapons after three years of war with Russia.

"It's good that President Trump didn't say 'no', but for today, didn't say 'yes'," he said about the supply of the missiles, as part of a discussion which will air on Sunday.

Ukraine war latest: Zelenskyy proposes 'drone for Tomahawk'

He admitted the US president was concerned about a potential escalation with Russia, but Mr Zelenskyy told NBC, Sky News's US partner, that the weapons are a genuine concern for Vladimir Putin.

"I think that Putin [is] afraid that United States will deliver us Tomahawks. And I think that he [is] really afraid that we will use them," he said.

The weapons have a significantly longer range than any other missiles in Ukraine's armoury and have the potential to be a game-changer in the war against Russia.

While Mr Trump did not rule out providing the Tomahawk missiles, he appeared cool to the prospect as he looked ahead to a meeting with the Russian president in Hungary in the coming weeks.

'US doesn't want escalation'

Following the meeting with Mr Trump, who held a phone call with Mr Putin on Thursday, Mr Zelenskyy told reporters: "We spoke about long-range (missiles) of course. And I do not want to make statements about it."

But he added: "We don't speak about it because... United States doesn't want this escalation".

Later in a post on X, Mr Zelenskyy said he was counting on President Trump to "bring this war closer to an end".

"We discussed all key issues - our positions on the battlefield, long-range capabilities and air defence, and, of course, diplomatic prospects," he said.

"Russia must end the aggression it started and continues to deliberately prolong. We count on the United States' pressure."

In a roundtable with journalists following the meeting, Mr Trump confirmed that hitting targets deep inside Russian territory would be an "escalation".

He also said he was hesitant to tap into the US' supply of Tomahawks, saying: "I have an obligation also to make sure that we're completely stocked up as a country, because you never know what's going to happen in war and peace.

"We'd much rather have them not need Tomahawks. We'd much rather have the war be over to be honest."

At Mr Trump and Mr Putin's last meeting in Alaska in August, there were hopes that the conflict may finally be coming to an end.

But the US president was unable to pressure the Russian leader into accepting a ceasefire or a one-on-one meeting with Mr Zelenskyy.

Read more from Sky News:

Putin's challenge ahead of summit

Was Putin forced back to talks?

Listen: Trump-Putin - Friends reunited?

Following Friday's meeting at the White House, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed he had called Mr Zelenskyy to reiterate his support.

Ukraine has UK's 'resolute support'

A Downing Street spokesperson said: "The prime minister spoke to the president of Ukraine, European leaders and the NATO secretary general this evening following President Zelenskyy's visit to the White House today.

"The leaders reiterated their unwavering commitment to Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian aggression. A just and lasting peace for Ukraine was the only way to stop the killing for good, they agreed.

"Further discussions about how they could support Ukraine in the lead up to, and following, a ceasefire would continue this week, including in a Coalition of the Willing call on Friday, the leaders agreed.

"Following the call with world leaders this evening, the prime minister then spoke to President Zelenskyy bilaterally to underscore the United Kingdom's resolute support for Ukraine."
Demonstrators from the

Whatever happened to Just Stop Oil? Oh yes. A number of their lead performers went to prison and police guidelines were changed so that people who glue themselves to the public highway can now be detained instead of being offered cups of tea. So, along with their sister organisation, Extinction Rebellion, JSO have now phased out their programme of public disruption, sometimes aimed at hapless working commuters and occasionally at great paintings in national art collections.

While they have not disbanded, they have resigned themselves to more sedentary forms of campaigning. So their leadership now occupies itself (presumably) indoors in front of computer screens, churning out urgent messages. But what about the crowds, the massed parades of protesting youths and legions of pensioners who turned out, often in their thousands, to march for the cause which they considered to be the most urgent concern in modern human history?

Where have they gone? Well, if Greta Thunberg, the erstwhile child saint of the environmental movement, is anything to go by, many of them have simply laid down the placards which warned about the dangers of global warming and picked up the ones which proclaim support for Palestine. The pro-Palestine marches which have become a regular feature of weekend life in London are, of course, of a different order. There are international and military repercussions which follow from what they are demanding  as well as immediate consequences for religious communities within our own country.

The gravity of those differences would suggest that the tenor of these demonstrations and the inclinations of their participants should be strikingly unalike: one cause pledges itself to protect all life on earth, while the other threatens its enemies with vengeance and death. And yet, it is impossible not to be struck by how similar they are.

The students who are now shouting for a free Palestine (and sometimes, appallingly, for the death of Zionists  which is to say, Jews) and the elderly contingent (ex-CND?) who insist on being carried bodily from the scene, could just as easily have been yesterdays throwers of paint and gluers of hands on a mission to save the Planet.

I feel particularly qualified to comment on this phenomenon  the addictive attraction of mass movement solidarity  because I spent a good portion of my youth participating in it. As regular readers may recall, I was a member of the Free Speech Movement at Berkeley, the original student activist uprising which set the pattern for what became known as the international student revolution.

The causes which inspired us back then were the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War. The immediate provocation for the student uprising on campus was the decision by the Universitys Board of Regents to ban political activity of any kind (even the handing out of leaflets or wearing of badges) on campus. This was a clear breach of the Constitutional rights to freedom of speech and assembly of everyone who lived or worked at the university.

There is still no question in my mind that both the causes we were fighting for  the end of racial segregation and the withdrawal of US forces from Vietnam  were worth the extraordinary acts of courage and sacrifice that many people made. The civil rights activists who travelled to the southern US states to register black voters did so under the threat of death from local white segregationists (who murdered three of them). The young men who burnt their draft cards to avoid being conscripted to fight in Vietnam were risking their futures by committing a federal crime. The fact that a lot of young people were equally committed to both movements does not discredit them.

So I do accept that it might be possible to be attracted to two different campaigns  although I find the contradiction between the fight for conditions that you believe are necessary to support life, and the bellicose demand for the death of your enemies pretty shocking. But the experience of solidarity itself, the camaraderie of being part of a movement which you believe to be morally righteous is unique. It is a kind of ecstatic revelation which once, I suppose, belonged to religious experience.

I remember vividly one of the most transformative moments of my young life when the academic staff voted to support the student strike at Berkeley. The students had congregated silently outside the lecture hall where the faculty were holding their ballot. The result came through and the news rippled through the waiting crowd. As the staff filed out of the hall, they were greeted, completely unexpectedly, with thunderous applause.

Another memory: one of our professors had travelled from California to take part in Martin Luther Kings great March on Washington. Before his first lecture when he returned, the Teaching Assistants on his staff asked us  the assembled students in the hall  if we would contribute to defray his travel costs since he had been, as it were, representing us all at that march.

As the collection tins circulated, the Assistants explained to the startled professor what it was we were doing. He was immensely moved but said that in fact his costs had been paid by a civil rights organisation so he would now donate our proffered money to them. And we cheered.

I doubt very much that anyone who participated in the events of those days  even if they have repudiated the political beliefs that they once held, or regretted the actions that they took  will be able to forget the glorious sensation of being united for a purpose that gave another dimension to life which you might never have known. Perhaps that experience  what I suppose is a kind of sublime sense of belonging  is particularly valued in a society that has become atomised, that has lost the old inherited sense of community that once held individuals together.

It has certainly been the force behind some of the greatest  and some of the worst  social developments in history. It can be Wordsworths very heaven, or the malign terror that drives race wars.
The Siemens energy turbine factory in Hull. Newly skilled workers will be trained to help create more renewable energy infrastructure. Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA

Plumbers, electricians and welders will be in huge demand as part of a national plan to train people for an extra 400,000 green jobs in the next five years, Ed Miliband has said.

The energy secretary unveiled a scheme to double the number of people working in green industries by 2030, with a particular focus on training those coming from fossil fuel jobs, school leavers, the unemployed, veterans and ex-offenders.

He said the plan would involve measures to ensure companies receiving public grants and contracts need to create good jobs across the clean energy sector. It would also promote greater trade union recognition and collective bargaining in the clean energy sector, including when jobs are offshore.

Milibands announcement was welcomed by unions, from Unite to the GMB, which have long been pushing for a more detailed plan for how people will switch from fossil fuel industries to those in clean energy in the future.

As part of the plan, 31 skilled trades will be designated as priorities for recruitment and training, with plumbers, heating and ventilation installers at the top of the list, with an additional 8,000 to 10,000 needed by 2030. Carpenters, electricians and welders are the next highest in demand on the list, with 4,000 to 8,500 extra of each required.

Miliband said the national plan answers a key question about where the good jobs of the future will come from.

As well as flagging to jobseekers what kind of green jobs are needed, the energy secretary said it would send a signal to the mayors, regional mayors, who have lots of responsibilities in this area about where they need to be directing their further education colleges and others where the big opportunities are.

It sends a signal to industry, who have been saying  set out what are the needs going be and how are we going to fill them.

Miliband said the promise of hundreds of thousands of new roles in the renewables and clean energy sector would show that Reform UK is waging war on jobs by challenging the switch to net zero.

Obviously, this is a massive fight with Reform, he said. Reformers said theyll wage war on clean energy. Well, thats waging war on these jobs  Its all part of their attempt at a culture war, but I actually think theyre out of tune with the British people because I think people recognise that we need, that we want the jobs from clean energy.

We want the lower bills that it can bring. So lets have the argument as a country about what were going to do. Im really confident we can win this argument.

He said estimates show jobs in wind, nuclear, and electricity networks all advertise average salaries of more than 50,000, compared with the UK average of 37,000, and are spread across coastal and post-industrial communities.

Other announcements in the plan include five new technical excellence colleges that will help train young people into essential roles, with skills pilots in Cheshire, Lincolnshire and Pembrokeshire to be backed by 2.5m towards new training centres, courses or career advisers.

There will also be a new programme to match veterans up with careers in solar panel installation, wind turbine factories and nuclear power stations, with other tailored schemes for ex-offenders, school leavers and the unemployed.

Government research suggests that 13,700 people who were out of work possessed many of the skills required for key roles in the clean energy sector, such as engineering and skilled trades.

Related: Energy firms complete UKs first hydrogen blending trial to power grid

There will also be a focus on upskilling existing oil and gas workers, who will benefit from up to 20m in total from the UK and Scottish governments to provide bespoke careers training for thousands of new roles in clean energy.

Sharon Graham, Unites general secretary, said: Well paid, secure work must be at the heart of any green transition. Unite members will welcome the commitment to 400,000 green jobs with strong collective bargaining rights. The actions set out in this plan are initial steps in what must be an ambitious strategy for tangible jobs, backed by an equally ambitious programme of public investment.

Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, a national officer at the GMB, said: GMB has long campaigned for a jobs-first transition. The government is listening and having a jobs plan to underpin the industrial strategy is exactly what this country needs.
A JCB telehandler was left next to a gaping hole in the Lloyds Bank building - BBC

A JCB was left at the scene after thieves ripped an ATM out of a bank wall in a market town.

The ATM was stolen from a Lloyds Bank on Horncastle high street in Lincolnshire around 3am on Saturday morning.

A JCB telehandler was left at the scene, blocking the road next to a gaping hole in the bank building.

Surrounding streets were closed on Saturday while police, who believe the JCB was used in the incident, carried out forensic inquiries.

Surrounding streets were closed on Saturday while forensic inquiries were carried out

A commenter on the Horncastle Local Information Facebook group said: Amateurs  they havent even got it in four-wheel steer, no wonder they hit everything.

Another person commented: Idiots. Theres probably more money in that Teleporter than was in the ATM.

The thieves are believed to have fled the scene in a vehicle, which may have been a pick-up truck, police understand.

Det Insp Paul Sands, of Lincolnshire Police, said: We are appealing for the publics help in finding the culprits of this organised crime, which happened overnight in an otherwise peaceful rural town.

This type of crime is very unusual for Horncastle and please be reassured we will do all in our power to seek out those responsible and bring them to justice.

Were in the early stages of the investigation and have deployed a large number of staff to follow up various lines of inquiry, including forensics and CCTV.
Jimmy Fallon, centre, was welcomed with bagpipes and invited into the officers mess for dinner - 5 Scots

US TV star Jimmy Fallon was treated to some Highlands hospitality as Scottish soldiers hosted him for a special dinner during his holiday in Royal Deeside.

A chance encounter led to the Kings royal guards inviting The Tonight Shows host into their officers mess for dinner in Ballater, Aberdeenshire.

The actor had been touring the grounds of Balmoral Castle this week when one of the soldiers recognised him and invited him to their barracks.

Fallon was greeted with kilts and bagpipes by soldiers from the 5th Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland (5Scots) and signed the visitors book at Victoria Barracks in the village  a longstanding tradition for guests of honour.

The 5Scots said they were delighted to host Fallon in true Scottish style - 5 Scots

The evening began with a formal welcome to the camp by the commanding officer, second in command and company sergeant major.

He then saw a small ceremonial guard of soldiers rehearsing for the Kings departure.

Fallon was then shown some of the equipment the soldiers use before the formal dinner, where he was served a traditional Scottish starter  a venison Scotch egg rather than the usual sausage.

He also heard a short talk by Lieutenant Samoilys on the regimental colours.

Fallon signed the visitors book at Victoria Barracks

Major Thomas Blair, commanding officer of 5Scots, said: What started as a chance meeting near Balmoral turned into a brilliant evening.

Its not every day you get to meet a Hollywood A-lister, and we were delighted to welcome him to Scotland  in true Scots style.

Pictures taken by the regiment show a kilted Fallon sitting around the dinner table in the officers mess, as well as his signature in the visitors book.

Within 5Scots, Balaklava company has a number of ceremonial roles in Scotland and forms the royal guard at Balmoral.

The infantry company welcomed the King to Balmoral when he arrived for his summer residence earlier this year.
Officials admitted at a recent meeting that the authoritys overall emissions were rising - Benjamin John/Alamy

A Labour council that has won climate action awards and boasts of cutting emissions has massaged data that shows its own pollution has increased significantly.

The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham council declared a climate emergency in 2019, introduced controversial low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) and imposed costly, emission-based parking charges on its residents.

But despite bragging about cleaning dirty air, the authority has been forced to admit that overall emissions are rising year on year.

Now, the council has been accused of hypocrisy for demanding its residents cut their emissions while the town hall has effectively been doing the opposite.

Hammersmith Bridge, which was closed to all motor traffic in April 2019, is now only open to pedestrians and cyclists - Richard Baker/Getty

The council recently produced graphs showing it has cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions  generated from electricity, petrol, diesel and gas used to heat council buildings and run vehicles  by 21 per cent in the past five years. Its climate and ecology strategy annual report claims it generated about 6,500 tonnes of CO2e in 2023-24 compared with just over 8,000 in 2019-20.

It also said Scope 3 emissions from council houses and some council-owned properties had decreased by 18 per cent, with 60,000 tonnes of CO2e emitted last year.

At the bottom of the page, it notes that procurement-only emissions, which are counted in the tens of thousands of tonnes, have increased. However, it fails to say this figures has doubled from just over 40,000 tonnes of CO2 in 2019-20 to well over 80,000 tonnes in 2023-24.

Such procurement-only Scope 3 emissions include pollution generated from its major capital building works, health and social care contracts, and other outsourced work.

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Hinesh Mehta, the councils assistant director of climate and transport, attributed the rising borough-wide emissions to growth of the borough and the growth of London and the growth of the country.

Liam Downer-Sanderson, the Conservative councillor for Fulham Town who spotted how these increasing emissions dwarfed those the council was claiming to have cut, said: Despite declaring a climate emergency, the council has increased emissions since 2019.

The data shows the Labour authority has been hiding behind flashy announcements and massaged emissions data. Since 2019 when it pledged to head towards net zero, the councils own emissions, including their procurement, have gone up, not down.

It all smacks of hypocrisy. While the Labour council hits residents with punitive emissions-based parking permits, puts weird obstacles on main roads and fast tracks dangerous TfL cycle lanes  the council itself is polluting our streets.

Despite The Telegraph asking on five separate occasions for the actual data the council used to create its graphs, the authority refused to release it.

The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham declared a climate emergency in 2019 - Peter Cade/Photodisc

At a recent Climate Change and Ecology council meeting officials admitted the authoritys overall emissions were rising.

Cllr Downer-Sanderson asked for an explanation about why Scope 3 procurement only emissions had increased every single year and doubled to almost 90,000 tonnes of CO2 compared to 2019.

Hinesh Mehta, the councils assistant director of climate and transport, replied: Borough-wide emissions may have increased overall and that might be in correlation with the growth of the borough and the growth of London and the growth of the country.

But generally our carbon footprint as an organisation for which we have direct control has decreased over that time period.

Cllr Florian Chevoppe-Verdier, the Labour cabinet member for public realm, was unable to explain the increase nor why the council may struggle to hit its net zero target by 2030, but added: I would celebrate what we are doing.

A spokesman for the council said: Weve cut emissions from our buildings, vehicles and operations by 21 per cent since 2019-20 by reducing gas consumption through heat pump installations.

Weve also cut emissions from council homes by 15 per cent since 2019-20 by upgrading windows, doors and heating systems in more than 1,500 council-owned homes.

The council has declined requests to provide the actual data it used to create its graphs - Peter Lane/Alamy

The councils website says that larger procurement only emissions increased because the spend on capital works was low in 2019/20, adding how the emissions are high level estimates  and are subject to some uncertainty.

Earlier this year, the council published a press release saying it was ranked among the worlds leading cities for climate action.

CDP, an environmental disclosure and ratings company which claims to run the worlds only independent disclosure system for companies, capital markets, cities, states and regions, gave the council an A-rating for a second consecutive year.

The council added that it had been ranked among Britains top councils in the latest Climate Scorecards published by Climate Emergency UK, having improved its overall score from 60 per cent to 70 per cent in 2025.
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Prince Andrew lead

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Just for a moment lets look at it from his perspective. In his private life, Prince Andrew has done little more than his priapic forbear King Edward VII. In fact, in his view, hes the victim of a honeytrap pulled by a young woman whose lifetime of ills can fairly be ascribed to another man, not him.

Andrew paid off Virginia Giuffre in time-honoured royal fashion and that should be the end of the matter  why should his manly urges be exposed to the public gaze? After all hes served his country, and as recently as Friday night showed his continued loyalty in voicing his support for his brother, the King.

Andrews loaded statement (his last ever, we assume, released on his behalf by Buckingham Palace) was that he vigorously denies the accusations against him. For good measure he tossed away his royal dukedom and retreated from his position as Knight of the Garter  that, surely, should be enough?

King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward at Queen Elizabeths funeral - Yui Mok/AFP/Getty

Now, Andrew and his former wife Sarah Ferguson, who remains his housemate, will be turning to the big question: what next?

It was Fergie herself who recently declared  in comments that were interpreted as an attack on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex  that exiles from the Royal family cant have it both ways. You cant sit on the fence and keep one foot in and one foot out. Youre either in or out.

But then dont cry about not being invited to weddings, she said in 2023. You chose to leave, now go and live it  and be it.

Such an approach might prove tricky if Fergie and her former husband are to remain at Royal Lodge, the house on the Windsor estate over whose possession Andrew scored a pyrrhic victory over his brother recently. There he is inextricably, physically, linked to the family who have finally cast him out, destined for a life of paparazzi shots of him behind the wheel of a Range Rover or riding on horseback around the estate.

He is, however, 65, healthy and fit. If he follows in his fathers footsteps he has at least another 30 years of life ahead. Notoriously unmotivated (except perhaps by the sight of an attractive woman), he needs now to devise a plan.

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson at the Royal Ascot in 2019 - Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

The obvious solution is to make a fresh start.

There are few openings going for an ex-duke here in Britain, but what about abroad?

It seems inevitable that Andrew will, consciously or unconsciously, take inspiration from his great-uncle  the Duke of Windsor  who similarly fooled himself with the notion that hed done no harm to the Crown, and found peace and contentment in exile. He and the former Wallis Simpson set up home in Paris and found a new celebrity in the post-war years among a group yet to be labelled Eurotrash. They were happy  treated like royalty and behaving like it  only now there were no responsibilities, lots of invitations. Endless parties.

Could Andrew and Fergie follow suit? After all, theres nothing to keep the ex-duchess here  ditched by many of her charities and now persona non grata in the publishing world, her income streams have evaporated. Fergie also has expensive tastes  so much so that Paris might present a problem, given the temptation of the eye-wateringly dear shops on the Boulevard Saint-Germain.

The Duchess and Duke of Windsor in the drawing room of their Paris home in 1964 - Horst P. Horst/Conde Nast/Getty

So maybe America. From a distance Harry and Meghans lifestyle in Montecito looks enviable and, with a greedy media, could allow Andrew to take pot-shots at the monarchy from afar, just like his nephew.

The difficulty for these royal castaways is that America is too small a country for two exiled, disgraced princes. The Duchess of Sussex is hard at work with her celebrity status and conveyor belt of promotional ideas, but theres a growing feeling shes giving little back in return for her quasi-royal status. Nonetheless, the spotlight remains on her.

Though the ex-Duchess of York was there before her, arriving in America after her 1986 marriage and allowing her then financial advisor John Bryan (also her lover) to size up what the US could do to bolster her bank balance. Her much-fanfared weight problems encouraged Weight Watchers to pay her millions of dollars as their ambassador and as a consequence a bewildering array of charitable causes, too numerous to contemplate, gave her the platform to promote her commercial life.

But Fergie has, alas for her, abdicated her romantic image as the bad-girl princess to the younger, slimmer Meghan, and a re-entry to American society may prove less appealing.

So where else? According to Andrews biographer Andrew Lownie, he retains the use of a fully-staffed palace in Abu Dhabi, the gift of the UAEs ruling House of Nahyan, for his personal use whenever he wants it. Trouble is, the temperature rarely goes below 75F (24C) and in summer rises to 118F (56C), and the social life is, well, a desert. So hed be unlikely to make his base there.

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson with a newborn Princess Eugenie outside Portland Hospital; March 1990 - Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty

So it comes down to Switzerland  the place Fergie calls home. A passionate skier in her day, she worked as a chalet girl in her teenage years and at the age of 23 started a four-year relationship with Paddy McNally, a multi-millionaire motor racing manager 22 years her senior with a home in Verbier, the creme de la creme of Swiss ski resorts.

The relationship floundered when McNally refused to marry her. Bruised, Fergie returned to Britain and very soon became engaged to Andrew, but her love of the country never faded, and in 2016 she applied to become an official resident of Valais, the canton in which Verbier sits. In an interview last year she said that she and McNally, who is still believed to have property in Switzerland, remain best friends.

Since my first visit, I regularly returned for holidays to Verbier, Fergie said in 2016. My family has followed me over the years. We feel free and happy, we feel at home. Theres a sense of welcome. The people of Valais take the time to listen to you, support you if necessary.

In 2014, almost 20 years after their divorce, Fergie and Andrew purchased a 13m property in Verbier, apparently to use as a nest egg for daughters Beatrice and Eugenie; Andrew had celebrated his 53rd birthday at the Chalet Helora and was so taken by the seven-bedroom property he and Fergie put in a joint offer.

But as with many of Fergies business ventures, the deal ran into difficulties. Isabelle de Rouvre, a French socialite who sold the Yorks the chalet, later sued them over an outstanding 6.7m debt and it also emerged that a separate business debt was owed to a Swiss couple. Andrew finally sold the chalet in December 2022.

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson with Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie during a ski outing in Verbier, Switzerland; 1998 - Neil Munns/PA

But given the extraordinary influence of Fergie in their curious relationship, Switzerland would appear to be the obvious solution. And finding the money for a suitable property would present no problem, as the couple has a handy chunk of equity in their lease on Royal Lodge which could be exchanged for a generous dollop of cash  King Charles, in the circumstances, probably being inclined to help them on their way. In Switzerland, they could embark on their own, perhaps slightly more modest, version of the Duke and Duchess of Windsors life after the firm.

Lake Geneva, with its suitably dodgy mix of uber-rich and shady residents, is a short hop away but offers a different lifestyle, and the ex-Yorks could find themselves a flat there.

Whatever choice they make, life will never be the same again  exile is exile.

There is, in not-so distant history, another British-born prince forced to give up his Garter  a man who yearned for his homeland but was never allowed to return. If things had gone differently Queen Victorias favourite grandson Charles Edward would have become Duke of Albany in England and lived happily ever after. Instead, he was plucked from Eton at the age of 15 and sent to Germany where he was anointed Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

At the outbreak of World War I, Charles Edward, honorary colonel of the Seaforth Highlanders, wanted to fight for the British. But Kaiser Wilhelm leant on him, reminding him of his adopted German responsibilities, and so the prince fought on the German side. In 1915, his name was removed from the register of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. He compounded his distance from the family which nurtured him by joining the Nazi Party and serving with feigned enthusiasm in the German Army in World War II.

Its chilly out there when you quit the royal mother-ship. And while Andrew would surely reject a comparison to Napoleon, as the Duchess of Windsor, a fellow royal castaway, bitterly observed when she and her husband were deployed to the Bahamas in 1940: This is our Elba.
Traps have been used with sniffer dogs and heat-detecting AI camera traps to locate and capture stoats Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian

At first, the stoat looks like a faint smudge in the distance. But, as it jumps closer, its sleek body is identified by a heat-detecting camera and, with it, an alert goes out to Orkneys stoat hunters.

Aided by an artificial intelligence programme trained to detect a stoats sinuous shape and movement, trapping teams are dispatched with the explicit aim of finding and killing it. It is the most sophisticated technology deployed in one of the worlds largest mammal eradication projects, which has the aim of detecting the few stoats left on Orkney.

Conservationists on the islands, which sit in the far north of Scotland, have already used an array of 9,000 lethal traps and eight specially trained tracking and detection dogs to dispatch nearly 8,000 stoats over the past six years. At least 30 of those digital cameras will soon be staked out across the moors and coasts of Orkneys mainland, building a network that connects hits from the cameras to computers and mobile apps used by the trapping teams.

The stoat is an existential threat to native ground-nesting birds for which Orkney is famous  it is home to 11% of all the UKs breeding seabirds and about 25% of its hen harriers, as well as its most treasured native rodent, the Orkney vole.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Scotland, which runs the Orkney Native Wildlife Project, believes stoats arrived from the Scottish mainland in about 2011. Since then, the population has exploded, colonising Orkneys mainland and the nearby islands of Burray and South Ronaldsay and the peninsula of Deerness  stoats can swim several kilometres  with devastating effects.

Sarah Sankey, the area operations manager for RSPB Scotland, says the stoats greatest advantage is they have no predators on Orkney. Theyve nothing to control them: weve no foxes, and very few buzzards. Weve seen this all over the world. That stoat population wouldve kept going until it had removed everything, she says, holding a laminated map of Orkney with thousands of red dots marking the trap network.

We saw it before we started eradicating them. There were stoats running between peoples legs, stoats in peoples kitchen cupboards, there were stoats in peoples lofts.

In well under a decade, they had spread across 58,000 hectares (143,260 acres). A feasibility study said that if they spread across all Orkneys islands, it would be financially and logistically impossible to control them. So the project, which will last for at least 10 years, has been given a 16m budget and 46 staff.

Stoats penetrate the burrows of voles, search out eggs and chicks in thousands of curlew, lapwing and hen harrier nests, and also hunt along Orkneys extensive shoreline for seafood, feeding off starfish and urchins.

Here weve got a perfect disaster where weve loads and loads of food year-round, Sankey says. Nothing to control the stoats and lots of native wildlife to lose, and a tourism economy that kind of depends on it.

Why did we start all of this? Orkney is less than 1% of the UKs land area, but weve around a quarter of all Arctic terns and hen harriers, about a third of Arctic skuas, and were the only place with Orkney voles. So there was a lot to lose, basically.

The latest survey data suggests the project has succeeded. Since it began in 2019, there has been a 1,267% increase in the chance of curlew hatchings, a 218% rise in vole activity and a 64% increase in hen harriers numbers. Hen Harriers are heavily persecuted by gamekeepers on the UK mainland, but now Orkney is home to 160.

Against a background of a massive population decline, particularly of curlew and lapwing, we are managing to stabilise the population in Orkney, Sankey says.

Sourced from New Zealand, where conservationists face an uphill battle to remove millions of non-native predatory mammals, the AI system is supplemented by thermal binoculars and drones, says James Geluk, the projects lead technologist and a New Zealander who has worked on an eradication project near Wellington.

The thermal detectors are far more sensitive to movement than the trail cameras normally used by conservationists, he says. They operate perfectly in darkness and send live alerts in real time after video footage is uploaded to a cloud server. The AI has learned to distinguish stoats from otters and voles.

Its a much more accurate monitoring tool than a usual trail camera would be, Geluk says.

After six years of concerted trapping efforts, including the interruption of lockdowns during the Covid crisis when stoat numbers soared again, the RSPB hopes to begin the mop-up phase in December  a threshold that will be reached after the eradication of 95% of stoats.

They estimate there are only about 100 pregnant stoats left on Orkney. We are all conservationists who work here, Sankey says. None of us are here because we want to kill an animal. Were here because we want to protect the nature of Orkney.
A Boeing 737 MAX aircraft is assembled at the company's plant in Renton, Washington, U.S. June 25, 2024. Jennifer Buchanan/Pool via REUTERS

By David Shepardson and Dan Catchpole

SEATTLE/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Boeing can hike 737 MAX production to 42 planes per month after the Federal Aviation Administration lifted a 38 plane-per-month cap that had been in place since January 2024, the agency and planemaker said on Friday.

The FAA imposed the unprecedented production cap shortly after a 2024 mid-air emergency involving a new Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 that was missing four key bolts, revealing widespread production safety and quality lapses at Boeing.

Increasing deliveries of its popular single-aisle airplane is critical to restoring Boeing's financial stability following years of production disruptions and crises that have left it deep in debt and losing money. Planemakers receive the bulk of a customer's payment when they hand over an airplane.

The FAA said on Friday its safety inspectors "conducted extensive reviews of Boeings production lines to ensure that this small production rate increase will be done safely."

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford called Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg on Friday to confirm the planemaker could raise the rate to 42 planes, a person briefed on the matter said.

Boeing plans to quickly begin producing planes at a rate of 42 per month.

Workers at the company's Seattle-area factories have been preparing to increase the 737 production rate by adding equipment for greater capacity, two sources familiar with the matter said.

Boeing said it appreciated "the work by our team, our suppliers and the FAA to ensure we are prepared to increase production with safety and quality at the forefront."

(Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington, Dan Catchpole in Seattle and Allison Lampert in Montreal;Editing by Rod Nickel)
By David Shepardson and Dan Catchpole

WASHINGTON/SEATTLE (Reuters) -Boeing won approval on Friday to raise its 737 MAX production to 42 planes per month, the Federal Aviation Administration said, easing a 38-plane cap in place since January last year and boosting its efforts to shore up its finances and move past concerns over safety and quality.

The FAA imposed the unprecedented production cap shortly after a 2024 mid-air emergency involving a new Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 that was missing four key bolts in a door plug, causing a gaping hole to open in the fuselage at 16,000 feet (4,900 m). The incident revealed widespread production safety and quality lapses at Boeing.

Increasing deliveries of the popular single-aisle airplane is critical to restoring Boeing's financial stability, following years of production disruptions and crises that have left it deep in debt and losing money. Planemakers receive the bulk of a customer's payment when they hand over an airplane.

The FAA said on Friday its safety inspectors "conducted extensive reviews of Boeing's production lines to ensure that this small production rate increase will be done safely."

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford called Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg on Friday to confirm the planemaker could raise the production rate to 42 planes, a person briefed on the matter said. Boeing plans to quickly begin boosting production accordingly, the source added.

Workers at the company's Seattle-area factories have been preparing to increase the 737 production rate by adding equipment for greater capacity, two other sources familiar with the matter said.

Boeing said it appreciated "the work by our team, our suppliers and the FAA to ensure we are prepared to increase production with safety and quality at the forefront."

Boeing shares were up 1.2% in after-hours trading.

Boeing has produced 737s at higher rates in the past but the supply chain is more stressed now. Forgings, castings, engines and even interiors have all caused supply chain headaches for planemakers in recent years, aerospace analyst Glenn McDonald said.

Supply chain problems seem to be more sporadic and unpredictable than before the COVID-19 pandemic, when they were more systemic, he said, noting that a factory fire in February left Boeing scrambling to find new sources for specialized fasteners.

"Boeing seems to be better prepared for this ramp up than they have been for previous ones," he said.

Under enhanced FAA oversight, the company has taken a cautious approach to stabilizing and then increasing production. Boeing has built up substantial inventories of parts and materials as a buffer against supply chain bottlenecks.

It had $11 billion in raw materials stockpiled, according to its second quarter earnings filings. That compares with $6.4 billion in inventory in 2018, when it was producing more than 50 of the 737 jets a month.

Boeing also has $53 billion in debt now, compared with about $12 billion in 2018. Wall Street analysts expect Boeing to lose money again this year but project a profit in 2026, which would mark Boeing's first profitable year since 2018.

Last month, the FAA partially restored Boeing's authority to issue airworthiness certificates for new 737 MAX and 787 airplanes.

That authority had been revoked for individual MAX planes in 2019, following fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, and for wide-body 787 airplanes in 2022, due to production quality issues.

In September, the FAA proposed a $3.1 million fine against Boeing for a series of safety violations, after it found hundreds of quality system violations at its 737 factory in Renton, Washington, and at the 737 fuselage factory of Boeing subcontractor Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, Kansas, from September 2023 through February 2024.

The Alaska Airlines incident in January 2024 prompted the U.S. Justice Department under then-President Joe Biden to open a criminal investigation.

(Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington, Dan Catchpole in Seattle and Allison Lampert in Montreal; Editing by Rod Nickel and Edmund Klamann)
For the first time in more than 60 years, CBS News will close out the week without a workspace in the Pentagon after declining  along with nearly every major news organization  to sign onto new press requirements that reporters' associations say could infringe on their First Amendment rights.

During D-Day, CBS News radio correspondent Joseph F. McCaffrey reported live from the Pentagon about the strategy and General Dwight D. Eisenhower's background.

"Most of the plotting, the working, the split-haired timing was done in this building," McCaffrey reported on June 6, 1944. "Although only a chosen few knew when the day would arrive, the atmosphere here in the Pentagon building has been tense for several weeks." Listen to the audio here.

CBS News had radio correspondents in the building since the 1940s and a TV network booth, or mini-office, in an area designated for media since the 1970s. Over the past two decades, as the networks have been able to go live from the building, "on-air" lights flash on when major news breaks, and journalists relay information to the public live from the Pentagon.

CBS News' David Martin and Mary Walsh

For most of that time, CBS News chief national security correspondent David Martin was the one breaking the news and reporting out every story. The Pentagon gave him his first press badge in 1983, his longtime producer Mary Walsh 10 years later. Since then, the duo has not only covered every military conflict, but also told stories about the military's service members and their lives.

"I'm proud of the work David Martin and I have done, telling stories of valor on the battlefield and courage and resilience at Walter Reed," Walsh wrote in an email before turning in her Pentagon press credential this week. "I have been inspired and humbled by the fortitude of these men and women, their willingness to sacrifice everything for our country."

Many of those stories emerged from relationships built because of CBS News' constant presence inside the Pentagon.

David Martin and Mary Walsh with an Emmy awarded for a piece on the Battle of Wanat in Afghanistan.

"Walking the halls of the Pentagon was my M.O. for 40 years. I don't know how else to cover a story except by being there," Martin wrote in an email. "I would guess that 90 per cent of the stories I broke were a result of being in the hallways and visiting officials in their offices."

"Not every official was glad to see me but dealing with them face to face, day in and day out, developed a level of trust on both sides. Sometimes relationships got tense but never acrimonious," Martin wrote. "Even when [Chairman of the Joint Chiefs] Colin Powell was yelling at me to get the hell out of his way, I knew I could go back and talk to him the next day."

Martin's first day on the job as CBS News Pentagon correspondent was April 18, 1983, the day a previously unknown terrorist group called Hezbollah blew up the American embassy in Beirut.

"Nobody knew it at the time, but that was the start of the age of terror," Martin said.

"The next 40 years included the invasion of Grenada, Panama, the First Gulf War, the air war against Serbia, 9/11, the invasion of first Afghanistan and then Iraq, the Bin Laden raid and the withdrawal from Afghanistan  not to mention all the cultural issues, like women in combat. I cannot imagine covering any of those stories without a building pass," Martin wrote.

Bob Schieffer, the moderator of "Face the Nation" from 1991-2015, spent some of his first years at CBS News wearing a Pentagon pass.

"I came to work for CBS in 1969, and it was shortly after that, they just sent me out to the Pentagon because I was the rookie," Schieffer said in a phone interview.

Schieffer was there for about six years and "loved it."

"I'll tell you what I loved about it  it was like covering a small town in the middle of a big city," Schieffer said. "You could get information, and you know, most of the time, it was information that not only helped you, it helped the public understand."

"They spend a lot of money at the Pentagon and rightly so, but I think people have a right to know about it, and not just get one public relations person who's going to put out a press release."

Charlie D'Agata reports from the Pentagon.

Currently, Charlie D'Agata is CBS News' senior national security correspondent covering the Pentagon and brings over two decades of experience covering the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as the U.S. military involvement in war zones from Iraq and Afghanistan to Syria.

But it's not just the correspondents on camera who are giving up their passes.

Cami McCormick interviews members of the Army.

CBS News radio correspondent Cami McCormick has covered national security at CBS for over two decades. And teams of producers, camera operators, audio technicians and engineers crucial to bringing stories of the military to Americans across the country will also be turning in their passes.

The Pentagon says the intent of its new policy is to stop press leaks and exercise control over stories about the military reported by CBS News and other media organizations. It sent journalists a memo in September mandating they sign an agreement acknowledging they would need formal authorization to publish either classified or controlled unclassified information.

CBS News' David Martin, Eleanor Watson

The department said in the memo that "information must be approved before public release  even if it is unclassified." News organizations were given a deadline of 5 p.m. this past Tuesday to return the signed agreement. The vast majority declined to do so, though at least one outlet, the far-right One America News Network, agreed to the new restrictions.

CBS News Pentagon journalists may have turned in their credentials this week, but losing access to the building isn't going to stop them from reporting what's going on in what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth once promised would be "the most transparent administration ever."

CBS News stories from the Pentagon over the years: "CBS Evening News": Battle of Wanat in Afghanistan"60 Minutes": The New Cold War "60 Minutes": Incoming "CBS Sunday Morning": Aftermath"CBS Evening News": Caisson horses at Arlington Cemetery"CBS Evening News": U.S. troops at southern border CBS News Radio: Broadcast from Pentagon on D-Day

Sneak peek: My Uncle Joe's Murder

Are lab-grown diamonds changing the jewelry industry?

From the archives: CBS News broadcast from Pentagon on D-Day
Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner apologized for previous social media posts criticizing police, calling rural, white Americans racist and questioning challenges faced by military members reporting sexual assault. (Graham for Maine)

Graham Platner, an oyster farmer who is running in the Democratic primary for Senate in Maine, on Friday apologized for some of his past social media posts in which he referred to himself as a communist, criticized police and called rural, white Americans racist and stupid.

For those of you who have read these things and been offended, have read these things and seen someone that you dont recognize, I am deeply sorry, Platner said in a direct-to-camera video he posted on X.

Platner, an Army and Marine veteran, blamed his Reddit posts, which were first reported by CNN earlier this week, on the state of disillusionment with the world that he felt when he returned home after serving several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

When I got back from Afghanistan in 2011, I stayed in the Army for another year. I got out in 2012. Some of the worst comments I made, the things that I think are least defensible, that I wouldnt even try to defend, come from that time, Platner said.

I made comments that Im not happy about, that I do not agree with, but they came from a time and place in my life, and as I watch or as I read through the comments that were released, I can see myself changing, he added. My language gets less crude, my thoughts and my feelings get a lot less kind of rough around the edges. I do get almost more disillusioned, though, and its important to know that this was a time in my life where I was struggling deeply.

In some of the Reddit posts, Platner referred to himself as a communist, writing, I got older and became a communist.

He also referred to himself as a vegetable-growing, psychedelics-taking, socialist these days, adding: After the war, Ive pretty much stopped believing in any of the patriotic nonsense that got me there in the first place, and am a firm believer that the best thing a person can do is help their neighbors and live a loving life.

In an interview with CNN, Platner assured voters, Im not a communist. Im not a socialist. I own a small business. Im a Marine Corps veteran.

In another Reddit post from 2021, Platner repeated a phrase that was popular with left-wing demonstrators who protested against policy brutality following the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis in 2020.

Bastards. Cops are bastards. All of them, in fact, Platner wrote.

In 2020, Platner on Reddit responded to another user who claimed that White people arent as racist or stupid as Trump thinks.

Living in white rural America, Im afraid to tell you they actually are, the future Senate candidate wrote back.

In his video Friday, Platner said his views have changed in recent years as he felt less isolated and built a community in Maine.

I was in different places that Im not in now, I had different feelings that I dont have now, I had different thoughts and opinions that I certainly dont have now, but I am very proud of the person I am today, and it was that whole journey that got me here, he said. And while I wont defend things I said in the past, I will just say that if it wasnt for that entire journey, I would not be who I am today, and Im incredibly proud of who I am today.

Im sorry for this. Just know that its not reflective at all of who I am. I dont want you to judge me on the dumbest thing I ever wrote on the internet. I would prefer if people could judge me on the person I am today, he added at the end of the video.

In other posts from 2013 reviewed by NBC News, Platner also minimized challenges faced by military members in reporting sexual assault and encouraged people not to use substances in order to avoid being raped.

In todays current climate, when every whisper of a misplaced hand brings down a feature length film, anyone who actually thinks the military is purposefully covering up rape to save the career of some god damn [captain], is clearly both an idiot and junior enough in rank or life experience to think it matters, Platner posted at the time.

In the comment section of another post titled shorts that prevent you from being raped, Platner urged people to take some responsibility for themselves and not get so f----d up they wind up having sex with someone they dont mean to.

You make a choice to consume enough of a substance to lose your self control. So if you dont want to be in a comprising situation, act like an adult for f---s sake, Platner wrote. Rape is a real thing, if youre so worried about it to buy Kevlar underwear youd think you might not get blacked out f----d up around people you arent comfortable with.

The Washington Post first reported the comments.

Platner launched his campaign for Senate in August, quickly going viral for being a veteran and an oyster farmer entering politics for the first time.

He picked up a slew of high-profile endorsements, including one from progressive icon Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and the backing of multiple labor unions in the state.

But earlier this week, Maines Democratic Gov. Janet Mills also launched a campaign for Senate, creating a competitive primary. The winner of the Democratic primary will go on to face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the general election.

Collins is seeking her sixth term in the Senate. In 2020, she beat her Democratic opponent by almost 9 percentage points.
WASHINGTON  Thousands gathered in the nations capital on Saturday, rallying and repeating one refrain: No kings.

They joined thousands of other gatherings around the country organized by Democratic groups and activists to protest President Donald Trump and his administration with a second round of No Kings rallies following an initial nationwide day of protest in June.

While many protesters spoke to NBC News about their dissatisfaction with Trump, a plethora of left-leaning and liberal protesters also made one more thing clear: Theyre not happy with their Democratic leaders, either.

I dont have a lot of faith in the Democrats right now, Alex, a construction worker who traveled to Washington from northern Virginia on Saturday and declined to provide his last name, told NBC News. They dont have  they dont seem to have a lot of spine or a single message. Theyre just too disorganized to put up a good fight against this bulls---.

It pains me to say it, but Trumps goons are f-----g organized compared to the Dems right now, he added.

Clark Furey and his dog Scooby. (Alexandra Marquez / NBC News)

Clark Furey, 40, who lives in Washington, called on elected Democrats to throw some more elbows.

Were just taking it on the chin, and were not speaking out, he told NBC News while attending the rally with his dog, Scooby. You know, I think we need to throw some more elbows. Unfortunately, the high road doesnt work.

Jenny Wang, left. (Alexandra Marquez / NBC News)

Jenny Wang, 35, who lives in Washington and attended the rally, used two words to describe how she feels about the Democratic Party at the moment: disappointed and underwhelmed.

Many of these rank-and-file Democrats arent alone.

Since Democrats lost the White House and the Senate in 2024 and failed to flip the House, approval ratings of the party have dipped to their lowest levels in decades.

Scott, 45, who lives in Washington and attended Saturdays rally but didnt want to share his last name, said he felt that Democrats were almost as bad as Republicans.

By and large, the Democratic Party is also bought by corporate interests, and they fail to stand up for the average working people, he told NBC News.

He pointed to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and their ongoing hesitance to endorse New York Citys Democratic nominee for mayor, Zohran Mamdani. Scott also pointed to Schumers decision to support Maines Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, 77, for Senate over military veteran and oyster farmer Graham Platner in the primary there.

You can see it in their lack of interest in the leadership endorsing Mamdani in New York City. You can see it with them trying to get an almost octogenarian [in the] race in Maine to undercut progressives, he said.

Amanda Nataro, 41, at the No Kings protest in Washington, D.C. (Alexandra Marquez / NBC News)

Amanda Nataro, 41, who lives in Washington and lost her government job earlier this year when the Trump administration made deep cuts to USAID, said she perceived Democrats to be too scared about losing their elections to stand up to Republicans.

Democrats pushed back against the Trump administrations attempts to slash funding for USAID, which Congress appropriated last year, before the Supreme Court in September allowed the Trump administration to go through with $4 billion worth of cuts.

I think all of them should be at home in their states at these No Kings protests letting people know that they stand with democracy. I think a lot of them are worried about holding on to their seats in purple states and their seats being flipped, and theyre missing an opportunity right here to show what democracy looks like, to speak out, Nataro told NBC News at the rally. I think they showed a little bit of backbone with the shutdown. But we could have done this in March. We let this go on for way too long before taking a stand.

Many elected Democrats did attend No Kings protests on Saturday. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., spoke to rallygoers in Boston. Schumer joined protesters in New York. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker spoke to demonstrators in Chicago. Sen. Andy Kim and Rep. Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic nominee for governor in New Jersey, addressed people attending a No Kings protest alongside Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin in Montclair, New Jersey.

Despite their anger at Democrats, many demonstrators in Washington joined Nataro in acknowledging that the elected leaders within their own party have taken recent steps to fight back.

Many praised Democrats in Congress for their opposition to a Republican-backed stopgap funding measure that would have kept the government open.

The federal government has now been shuttered for more than two weeks, with Democrats saying theyll vote alongside Republicans to fund it if GOP leaders agree to extend health care subsidies in the Affordable Care Act that are set to expire at the end of this year.

Anita, left, Lydia, second from left, and Lydia's daughters. (Alexandra Marquez / NBC News)

Im happy that theyre kind of holding their ground finally, Lydia, 44, who traveled to the rally from Springfield, Virginia, with her daughters, told NBC News.

I know the shutdown sucks, especially, like, my brother is not working right now. But, I mean, its very effective, Lydia, who didnt share her last name with NBC News, added. Its a very important thing. I know I cant afford higher health care [costs] and I dont make a small amount of money.

Laurel Beedon, left. (Alexandra Marquez / NBC News)

Laurel Beedon, 79, who lives in northern Virginia and attended the rally with a friend, acknowledged that Democrats in Congress cant take a lot of action while in the minority, but applauded their efforts to lower health care costs.

Theyre doing what they can against a unthinking, enabling Republican majority, she said. I do applaud them around health care.

Many rallygoers also saw another glimmer of hope for Democrats in a new generation of leaders and activists.

In response to questions from NBC News about whose work they are satisfied with in their party, demonstrators repeatedly threw out the names of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen. Chris Murphy, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost, Mamdani and Michigan Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow.

Lets get rid of a lot of the old guard and bring in some fresh blood, Wang said. We have too many octogenarians and septuagenarians in Congress.
Bronson Farr/Bravo via Getty (2) Aaron Phypers; Denise Richards

NEED TO KNOW

Aaron Phypers was arrested on Friday, Oct. 17, on a felony warrant while in the middle of a hearing with ex-wife Denise Richards regarding her restraining order against him, and his lawyer tells PEOPLE he expects Phypers to "be exonerated"

Phypers is facing four criminal charges by the State of California for two counts of injuring a spouse, cohabitant, fiance, boyfriend, girlfriend or child's parent; and two counts of dissuading a witness by force or threat

Richards previously accused Phypers of physically abusing her throughout their marriage, but he has denied those allegations

Aaron Phypers has been arrested.

Phypers, 53, was removed from a Los Angeles courtroom and taken into custody on Friday, Oct. 17, two days after the State of California filed a felony warrant against him. The arrest occurred during a break at a hearing regarding ex-wife Denise Richards' restraining order against him.

"I have not seen the criminal complaint yet, however, based upon the little that I have been told, it appears to be the same allegations we're already fighting and I think proving to be false in the domestic violence case," Phypers' lawyer Michael Finley tells PEOPLE. "So, we expect it to also be proven false and for him to be exonerated."

The judge in that case granted Richards, 54, a continuance of her temporary restraining order until Nov. 7 before resting for the day.

According to records obtained by PEOPLE, an 8-page criminal complaint was filed against Phypers on Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Van Nuys Courthouse.

Phypers is facing criminal charges, including two counts of injuring a spouse, cohabitant, fiance, boyfriend, girlfriend or child's parent; and two counts of dissuading a witness by force or threat. Three of the alleged incidents underlying the charged offenses took place on Jan 17, 2022, and one on May 3, 2022, per records.

"When a criminal case is filed the evidence has not been fully laid out and considered," says Finley. "Criminal cases get filed all the time, and they get beaten. Just because a case is filed doesn't mean its going to succeed. I personally believe Aaron, and I don't believe Denise or her witnesses. We're feeling pretty confident that we have shown that her allegations are false in the domestic violence case in the divorce court."

Phypers was booked into the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station near Malibu, Calif., shortly after 5 p.m. on Oct. 17 and is currently being held on $200,000 bail.

John Lamparski/Getty Aaron Phypers and Denise Richards

Earlier this month, Richards stated while on the stand that her estranged husband caused me at least three concussions throughout their marriage from physical abuse. She further claimed that she learned of them because Phypers allegedly used equipment at his wellness center on her various times after she complained about headaches, not feeling good and feeling nauseous.

Richards said in court that one concussion resulted from an incident on Jan. 17, 2022, while another happened sometime between March and May 2022. During that time, Phypers allegedly gave her a black eye after he slammed me up against the concrete wall and my head hit it while in the carport at his wellness center.

The third concussion  which Richards claimed was also detected on the equipment at Phypers facility  allegedly occurred after an argument at a Chicago hotel in April 2025, during which she claimed he was squeezing my head so hard and he picked my head up. She testified that it felt like he was crushing my skull.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum also alleged on the stand that her ex "would often threaten to throw me through the windows and off balconies of hotels. She tearfully claimed: "Hes almost killed me so many damn times."

Arnold Jerocki/Getty Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

When Phypers, who filed for divorce from Richards in July after more than six years of marriage, later took the stand on Oct. 8, he denied all of Richards abuse claims.

I never physically harmed Denise Richards I never threatened to harm her I did not threaten to kill anybody," he said.

He further claimed that previous testimony from a neighbor and his cousin in Richards' favor was all "made up." Phypers added: "A lot of people like to be close to the stars. Theyll do things for them."

Phypers also denied that he caused Richards multiple concussions and said he did not use equipment from his wellness center to check her for a concussion as claimed during her testimony.



-- Additional reporting by Brianne Tracy.

Read the original article on People
Police detain a protestor as people gather to stage a rally in front of the ICE building after the recent dismantling of the facility's security fence in Broadview, Illinois, Chicago, United States on October 17, 2025. Credit - Jacek BoczarskiAnadolu

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is facing questions from lawmakers over the shooting of a U.S. citizen by Border Patrol agents in Chicago after a criminal complaint filed against the victim differed from the agency's initial description of events.

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat representing Connecticut, has written to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem asking for her to correct the public record and release all bodycam footage of the incident, claiming that "the evidence appears to contradict" the official account.

"As you know, when the government misrepresents or lies about events involving the safety and wellbeing of federal law enforcement, it erodes public trust, making their jobs much harder," he said in the letter.

Read More: Military-Style ICE Raid On Chicago Apartment Building Shows Escalation in Trumps Crackdown

Murphy accused the DHS and the Trump administration of omitting facts in some cases, and in other cases, they are straight up lying in order to support their narrative that these Democratic-led cities and states are war zones.

This isn't information. It's propaganda, he said in a video posted to social media.

Marimar Martinez, a 30-year-old U.S. citizen, was shot multiple times by a federal agent after the DHS alleged she was involved in ramming the car of Border Patrol agents in Chicago earlier this month. Her attorneys and the DHSand even different bodies within the U.S. governmenthave conflicting depictions of who is at fault for the escalation prior to the shots fired.

Just hours after Martinez was shot, the DHS released a statement from Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin that said that federal agents were rammed by vehicles and boxed in by 10 cars. The statement also alleged that one of the people who boxed in the agents, who it later identified as Martinez, was armed with a semi-automatic weapon. After the collision of cars, agents exited the vehicle and fired five times at Martinezshots that McLaughlin said were defensive shots.

Law enforcement was forced to deploy their weapons and fired defensive shots at an armed US citizen who drove herself to the hospital to get care for wounds, the statement released on Oct. 4 said. The statement also says that Martinez had already been named in a Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) intelligence bulletin for doxing ICE agents on the internet

Murphy noted, however, that the criminal complaint filed against Martinez the next day tells a different story. The complaint, written by FBI Special Agent Caitlin Malone, said that only two cars rammed federal agent vehicles, rather than the overwhelming 10. There is no mention of her brandishing a weapon, as the original DHS statement implied, nor any firearms at all on Martinez.

Police audio later confirmed that Martinez had a concealed carry permit for a weapon that stayed inside her purse throughout the incident, according to Fox Chicago.

Senator Murphy said the incident is part of a pattern of behavior from DHS wherein the agency publishes misleading information in an attempt to justify violent incidents.

So the DHS statement which they rush out three hours after the shooting to try to justify what happened. It's just filled with misleading and false claims, and it's really disturbing because it's becoming their standard practice, Murphy said in the video posted to social media.

DHS did not respond to a request for comment from TIME.

Murphy also attempted to debunk the DHS claims that Chicago police abandoned federal agents after the ramming incident by showing videos of Chicago police officers on scene after Martinez was shot, and clips of officers wiping their eyes after being affected by teargas deployed by agents.

Martinez has been indicted by a grand jury and has pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against her, including assaulting, resisting, and impeding officers. Her attorneys claim that it was federal agents who swerved into Martinez, rather than the other way around.

Christopher Parente, an attorney representing Martinez, said he had seen bodycam footage from the incident that will prove her innocence, and that it even contradicts the claims that she directly threatened agents with her vehicle.

He's driving with one hand, and he turns it to the left, Parente told CNN anchor Omar Jimenez of the content in the bodycam footage. In my experience, when you turn your wheel to the left, your car goes to the left, which is where her car was.

Read More: Push Back Against Tyranny: Chicago and Illinois Fight Trumps Intensifying Crackdown

Parente says he usually would not speak to the media until after the trial was over, but he is attempting to combat what he says is misinformation regarding Martinezs case.

The public needs to see this is not what they've been sold by the government, he continued. This is not a domestic terrorist. This is a 30-year-old Montessori School teacher with no criminal history who's never done anything close to what they're saying.

According to a Chicago-Sun Times report, her attorney also said the body camera footage shows an agent holding an assault rifle prior to shooting Martinez, saying, Do something b- - - -h.

During a court hearing last week, U.S. federal attorneys revealed that one of the key pieces of evidence had been relocated 1,000 miles from the court. The federal vehicle that the government says Martinez rammed is now in Maine, rather than Chicago, Assistant US Attorney Aaron Bond said.

I think you need to get the car back, US District Court Judge Georgia Alexakis ordered Bond, according to CNN. Its a reasonable request. Theres only so much you can tell from photos.

In his letter, Murphy calls on the DHS to investigate potential excessive use of force and to release evidence into their claim that they looked into Martinez prior to the incident.

He also questions how conservative activist Laura Loomer seemingly received photographs of Martinezs car, which she posted on social media and claimed that a DHS Source provided her. Loomer perpetuated the now-debunked belief that Martinez drove herself to the hospital following being shot by DHS officers. Murphy calls on Noem to describe whether DHS is investigating the leak of alleged criminal evidence to Ms. Loomer. 

Murphys calls for an investigation come as the Trump Administrations use of immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency agents and escalated immigration enforcement in Chicago come under heavy fire. Democratic leadership in Chicago and Illinois is fighting back heavily against Trumps federal agents in the city, with Mayor Brandon Johnson creating ICE-free zones to limit where federal authorities can operate.

Chicago residents are also fighting back with protests across the city, including regular demonstrations outside of an ICE facility in the suburb of Broadview.

More than 1,000 arrests have been made across Illinois in Operation Midway Blitz, according to DHS, which has included detaining and arresting people in military-style raids with tactics that Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said should never be used on children in a functioning democracy.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
A composite image of former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and a hotel and winery listed in her latest expense report

Former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema has been out of Congress for months but shes still spending campaign cash on airfare, hotels and makeup.

The Arizona Democrat-turned-independent  who is now with a law and lobbying firm  got $800 worth of makeup sessions in her home state, Federal Election Commission records reviewed by The Post reveal.

In August, she doled out $400 to Michelle Lee Photography + Makeup, who also provides wedding photography services, FEC documents showed.

Former Sen. Kyrsten Sinemas latest campaign finance report from the 2024 reelection race she called off reveals spending on $400 makeup sessions, frequent travel, and security costs REUTERS

On Sept. 12, Sinema, 49, listed another $400 for makeup services to a company called ellNRdesign, which appears to be Arizona-based freelance makeup artist and image consultant Lauren Reid.

Sinema, who left office in January 2025, has been spreading the wealth.

She spent $1,537 in campaign funds at a Sonoma winery on donor gifts out of her campaign account, which had more than $4 million at the end of last year.

The former powerbroker paid $12,500 fur security services during the last three-month reporting period, and another $5,1210 for security detail housing. Many lawmakers have security details or have received threats.

Her expenditures included an American Airlines charge in September for $9,579, along with hotel bills for stays in Alaska, Aspen, and Berlin, Germany.

Former politicians are restricted in how they can spend campaign funds, according to experts. They cant use the money on what would be considered a personal expense.

Sinema, who left office at the end of her term in early 2025, signed on with a big lobbying firm with headquarters in DC and London Getty Images

Its supposed to be illegal, campaign finance expert Brett Kappel of Harmon Curran told The Post.

He said the makeup sessions most likely fall under personal use  which isnt allowed.

Ex-lawmakers are permitted to donate their accounts to party committees or to charity, refund money to donors, or may give it to a political action committee that can support other office seekers, he added.

Sinema is still spending campaign cash on hotels. Arista Winery/Facebook

The former Congresswoman also took a trip to Berlin. Sir Savigny Hotel

Even the security costs, which are allowable for current lawmakers or office seekers, might not be kosher in Sinemas case, he said.

Sinema spent roughly $216,000 on travel in the July-September 2024, while spending $1,262 on a single stop at the pricey Nobu Tokyo restaurant, The Post reported in October.

FEC advisory opinions state that security expenses are for candidates.

Its not the same for former members, Kappel said.

With the FEC hobbled by a lack of commissioners and unable to meet, Sinema has escaped any possible consequences.

Sinema served one term in the Senate and six years in the House. She announced in March 2024 that she would leave the Senate at the end of her term  sparing her a hypothetical three-way-race against Democrat Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake that she was trailing in the polls.

In January she joined the advisory council of cryptocurrency firm Coinbase and in March she joined leading D.C. law firm Hogan Lovells as part of its regulatory and intellectual property practice.

Sinema did not respond to a request for comment on her campaign spending.
Days after publicly floating the idea, President Donald Trump on Friday backed off giving powerful long-range weapons to Ukraine, telling reporters and President Volodymyr Zelensky that he had concerns about depleting the US supply.

Trump made the comments during a White House meeting in which Zelensky was hoping to get the full-throated fanfare of Trump announcing increased military assistance on the heels of Trumps success in reaching a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.

As reporters asked the two leaders questions, the public saw Zelensky openly negotiating with Trump, offering to help the U.S. produce more armed drones in exchange for powerful Tomahawk missiles capable of striking deep inside Russia.

Wed much rather not need Tomahawks. Wed much rather get the war over, Trump said, sitting across the table from Zelensky. It could mean a big escalation. It could mean a lot of bad things could happen.

Trump originally suggested selling the missiles to Ukraine on Monday, while en route to Israel. After a Thursday night phone call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, Trump sounded more hesitant to give Ukraine more powerful weapons to counter Russias ongoing invasion. Trump intends to meet Putin in Hungary in the coming weeks.

Trump is growing increasingly frustrated at Putins unwillingness to discuss American ceasefire proposals. His August summit with Putin in Alaska didnt lead to a breakthrough. More recently, Trump had indicated he was open to giving Ukraine U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles that can reach deep into Russian territory. But he dialed that expectation back on Thursday after his call with Putin.

Ukraines military has wanted to add Tomahawk missiles to their arsenal as a way to counter Russias ability to strike deep inside Ukrainian territory. The sophisticated American weapons could hit targets in Moscow or St. Petersburg, Russias two major cities. During his visit in Washington, Zelensky also met with U.S. defense contractors Lockheed Martin and Raytheon to discuss Ukraine buying air defense systems, missiles and fighter jets. Such purchases would have to be approved by the U.S.

Zelensky is hoping additional firepower would give Ukraine more leverage on the battlefield and convince Putin to come to the negotiating table.

Unlike Zelenskys previous two visits to the White House this year, there was no Oval Office meeting with Trump on Friday. Instead, reporters were brought in at the beginning of a lunch between the two leaders in the Cabinet Room. Trump called Zelensky a very strong leader and a man who has been through a lot. Trump said the two of them have gotten along really very well.

Its taken time for Zelensky to establish a working rapport with Trump, who often spoke dismissively of Ukraine on the campaign trail. Their meeting in February devolved into a shouting match with Vice President J.D. Vance accusing Zelensky of being insufficiently grateful for U.S. support and Trump telling Zelensky he didnt have the cards to negotiate. In the months since that heated exchange, Trump has reversed course and suggested he believes Zelensky can hold off Russia.

Trump and Putin spoke on the phone Thursday for more than two hours. Asked on Thursday what he told Putin on the call, Trump said: I did actually say: Would you mind if I gave a couple of thousand Tomahawks to your opposition? I did say that to him. I said it just that way.

He didnt like the idea. You have to be a little bit lighthearted sometimes, Trump said, adding that he would describe his call with Putin to Zelensky when they meet.

Zelensky left the White House just before 4 p.m., less than three hours after he had arrived.

Recent polling shows increasing support among Republicans for the US to continue arming Ukraines defense, a marked shift after an extended period of GOP support lagging behind Democrats. Polling conducted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs found Republican support for sending U.S. military aid to Ukraine increased from 30% in March to 51% in July.

That upward trend of support among Republicans appears to have continued. A Harvard CAPS-Harris poll conducted in early October shows 73% of Republicans and 72% of Democrats support arming Ukraine and sanctioning Russia. The poll of 2,413 voters was conducted on Oct. 1 and Oct. 2 and has a margin of error of 1.99%.

The same also found that Volodymyr Zelensky is widely liked by Americans at the moment. Of major political figures, his favorability ratings in the October Harvard CAPS-Harris poll were only surpassed by two people: Charlie Kirk and Erika Kirk.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega looks on as he attends a meeting of leaders of the member states of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America and the Treaty of Commerce and Promotion (ALBA-TCP), in Caracas, Venezuela December 14, 2024. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria

By Diego Ore

SAN JOSE/MEXICO CITY, (Reuters) -One night last November, four carloads of armed Nicaraguan police pulled opposition figure Henry Briceno and his family out of their home and deposited them at a checkpoint on the border with Costa Rica.

Seven months after the Bricenos were expelled to Costa Rica, the family was packing its bags again.

Unknown men, travelling by motorcycle or in unmarked cars, had been following Briceno. And Briceno started to fear that he could be the latest Nicaraguan political exile to be killed in Costa Rica, he said in an interview with Reuters.

The Nicaraguan opposition figure, Roberto Samcam, had told fellow Nicaraguan exiles and Costa Rican police the same thing was happening to him in the days before he was shot dead inside his house in San Jose on June 19.

It was the third killing of a Nicaraguan political exile in Costa Rica since 2023.

Eleven days later, Briceno, 75, his wife and two children flew to Europe - despite being granted political asylum in Costa Rica - to escape what dissidents say is the increasingly long arm of President Daniel Ortega's crackdown on political opposition.

'ONLY A MATTER OF TIME'

"Having to start all over again after only seven months (in Costa Rica) was difficult," Briceno said. "But it was necessary  We thought it was only a matter of time before we got killed." Briceno did not identify the country, saying he feared for his safety.

At least 50 Nicaraguan families have fled Costa Rica for Europe and North America since August last year - and two dozen more Nicaraguan exiles and their families are planning to leave, according to Reuters interviews with 19 Nicaraguan exiles who have sought refuge in the country.

The scale of the flight of Nicaraguan exiles from Costa Rica has not been previously reported.

The country was once renowned for its low crime rates and political stability. More than 200,000 Nicaraguans sought asylum in Costa Rica between 2018 and 2024, with another 15,000 granted refugee status.

The exiles Reuters spoke to described an expanding crackdown by the Ortega government that has left them fearful of reprisal even after they fled the region. A dozen exiles told Reuters they had received identical threats by text and cell phone saying: "get off social media, stop attacking (the government) ... or face the consequences."

Nicaraguan Co-President Rosario Murillo, who is Ortega's wife and serves as the spokeswoman for the Nicaraguan presidency, did not respond to questions about the killings. The Nicaraguan Embassy in San Jose also did not respond to requests for comment.

Costa Rican Public Security Minister Mario Zamora told Reuters that Nicaraguan exiles "facing risks to their life" could ask the courts for additional security.

None of the Nicaraguan exiles Reuters spoke to had requested protection.

Zamora did not respond to questions about specific killings. Costa Rica's Public Prosecutor Office said it could not provide details on whether any Nicaraguan exiles had requested government protection, as it was "confidential information."

Four suspects, all Costa Ricans, are in custody charged with Samcam's killing, but the head of Costa Rica's judicial investigation body, Randall Zuniga, said last month that the crime's "mastermind" remained at large. He said the authorities were investigating whether the killings were "a case of political incursion by another government."

The U.N. Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua said in a report last month that the possibility that Managua orchestrated the killings of Samcam and other Nicaraguan exiles "cannot be excluded until comprehensive and independent inquiries are completed."

The report said Managua surveils exiled opposition figures to "silence dissenting voices wherever they are found."

DEEPENING REPRESSION

Human rights groups say Ortega has grown increasingly authoritarian since massive anti-government protests in 2018, consolidating presidential control and silencing his critics through violence, imprisonment and exile.

Over the last few years, activists have accused Ortega's government of ratcheting up the repression by tracking down and killing opponents in exile.

At least four exiled Nicaraguan opposition figures - including Samcam, a Sandinista major turned dissident - have been killed in Central America since 2022, according to human rights groups.

Three more Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica told Reuters that they had been shot at by men riding motorcycles. Another exiled Nicaraguan interviewed by Reuters said he was severely beaten.

The attacks come as Costa Rica wrestles with a surge in homicides as drug cartels fight for new trafficking routes.

Many of the Nicaraguan exiles fleeing Costa Rica described having limited options.

The United States, under President Donald Trump, has tightened asylum pathways and stripped thousands of Nicaraguans living in the U.S. of protection from deportation. Other Central American nations are wracked by insecurity.

For many, Spain has emerged as the preferred destination, due to the shared language, the relative ease of the asylum process, and the distance from Nicaragua. But even those who have fled to Europe said they were afraid of revealing their location.

"ABSOLUTE LACK OF SAFETY"

In 2018, human rights activist Alvaro Leiva fled Ortega's crackdown on anti-government protesters, settling in Costa Rica.

A year later, he said, he began receiving death threats on his cellphone from men with Nicaraguan accents. Strange cars and motorcycles stalked him at home and at work. Fellow Nicaraguan exiles told him that they saw some of these motorcycles depart from the Nicaraguan Embassy in San Jose.

Leiva began to suspect that Nicaragua had sent assassins to Costa Rica with the aim of tracking down and killing off its opponents, and that these operatives were based at the embassy, posing as diplomatic staff.

Leiva said he sent nearly a dozen letters to Costa Rica's political leaders and security officials over the next five years, detailing the threats.

Costa Rica security chief Zamora said he was unfamiliar with the situation, when asked by Reuters.

In his final letter in Nov. 2024, addressed to Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves, Leiva renounced his political asylum because of the "absolute lack of safety for myself and my life."

Then he fled the country.

"The tyrants have unrestricted capacity for repression, both within Nicaragua and abroad," he said in a WhatsApp message.

He did not disclose his location, saying he feared he was still within Managua's reach.

(Reporting by Alvaro Murillo in San Jose and Diego Ore and Gabriela Selser in Mexico City; Editing by Laura Gottesdiener and Suzanne Goldenberg)
Reuters

The body of a tenth deceased hostage returned to Israel from Gaza under the recent ceasefire deal has been identified as the truce entered a second week despite facing a number of tests and with the next steps unresolved.

Kibbutz Nir Oz announces the return for burial of our beloved Eliyahu (Churchill) Margalit, of blessed memory, a spokesperson for the kibbutz, or village, said in a statement.

The Israeli Prime Ministers Office (PMO) and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the identity of Margalit, who was 75 at the time he was killed in the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7 two years ago. His body was later taken to Gaza, the Israeli military said.

We will always remember him as a kind-hearted man whose world was filled with family, kibbutz, nature, and animals, the kibbutz said.

There are now 18 deceased hostages left in Gaza following the return of Margalits body.

Frustration has intensified in Israel over the delay in returning the bodies of remaining hostages, a condition outlined in the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that went into effect last week.

Hamas has said that it handed over all of the hostage remains that it could access. Israeli intelligence has assessed that Hamas may not be able to find and return all the remaining dead hostages in Gaza.

Even so, Israel believes that Hamas does know the locations of some of the deceased hostages it claims are missing, according to two Israeli sources familiar with the matter, and Israels Foreign Minister has accused Hamas of trying to use them as bargaining chips.

Hamas armed wing, al-Qassam Brigades, has previously called for help, saying on Wednesday that significant efforts and special equipment are needed to recover the bodies of the remaining hostages.

In that statement, al-Qassam Brigades said it has abided by what was agreed upon and has handed over all the living captives in its possession and the corpses it could access.

Ceasefire holds despite killings

For the moment, both sides appear to believe the ceasefire in Gaza is holding though not without coming under strain from the failure of Hamas to return all the bodies, the initially slow entry of aid into the enclave, and continued, if isolated, incidents of killings of Palestinians in Israeli strikes.

A Palestinian family travelling back to their home in the north of the Gaza were killed by the Israeli military on Friday after their vehicle crossed a line that marks Israels control under the ceasefire agreement, the spokesperson for Gazas Civil Defense, Mahmoud Basal, told CNN.

The vehicle was carrying 11 civilians, including several women and children, Basal said. After coordinating with the United Nations, Gazas civil defense recovered on Saturday nine bodies, including four children and three women. The bodies of two other children are missing, the civil defense said.

The Israeli military told CNN its troops fired warning shots after a suspicious vehicle was identified crossing the yellow line  a reference to the initial Israeli withdrawal line. The military said the vehicle continued to approach the troops in a way that caused an imminent threat to them.

Hamas has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire with such killings, but no retaliatory action was taken as of Saturday.

Israel has also allowed more aid to enter in recent days but aid groups are calling for the opening of more crossings to improve deliveries.

The World Food Programme said on Friday that it has not been able to bring enough food into Gaza because conditions are extremely difficult, including communities being on the move, the parlous road conditions, and the fact only two border crossings are open.

The Rafah border crossing, a key gateway that connects Gaza to Egypt, has yet to open.

The crossing was set to open to civilian traffic in both directions as part of the ceasefire agreement, but Israels Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), said on Thursday that the date of the opening will be announced at a later stage.

Israels Foreign Minister said last week it could open on Sunday. But on Saturday, Netanyahus office said it would remain closed until further notice, adding that the crossings opening would be subject to Hamas meeting the terms of the ceasefire.

Its opening will be considered depending on how Hamas fulfills its part in returning the hostages and implementing the agreed-upon outline, a statement from his office said.

Phase Two

Negotiations on the crucial next stages of the ceasefire deal began in Egypt last week, an Israeli source and a regional official told CNN, with the talks focusing on the demilitarization of Gaza, governance of the strip and the formation of an international force to help secure the enclave after two years of war.

A 20-point plan presented by the Trump administration to end the war in Gaza states that the enclave will be administered by a non-political technocratic group of Palestinians and an overseeing body called the Board of Peace - set to be chaired by United States President Donald Trump.

An International Stabilization Force (ISF) made up of troops from several countries will be constructed to secure the strip, according to the plan.

But even though Hamas dispatched its chief negotiator to Cairo for discussions over the Palestinian committee set to govern Gaza, the militant group remains vague over its disarmament and transfer of power.

And countries set to join the International Stabilization Force are still negotiating its structure, with some asking for a mandate from the UN Security Council before joining.

CNNs Lauren Izso contributed to this report.

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The campaign for Democratic Virginia attorney general nominee Jay Jones announced he raised $500,000 in less than 24 hours after the attorney general debate Thursday, during which Joness texting scandal took center stage.

In last nights debate, [incumbent] Jason Miyares couldnt defend the 50 times hes failed to protect Virginians as Donald Trump has fired workers, raised costs, attacked abortion rights, and defunded our healthcare, schools, and law enforcement, Joness campaign manager Rachel Rothman said in a press release.

With just 18 days left, our campaign is energized and focused. The enthusiasm were seeing across Virginia makes it clear: voters are ready to elect an Attorney General who will finally put them first, Rothman said.

The haul comes as Jones has been under fire over recently surfaced texts that he sent in 2022 in which he jokes about wanting to shoot former state House Speaker Todd Gilbert (R).

The texts have roiled the states off-year elections, with Republicans insisting Democrats call on Jones to end his campaign.

Jones apologized for the texts after they were published earlier this month and did so again on stage at Thursdays debate.

Let me be very clear: I am ashamed, I am embarrassed, and I am sorry. I am sorry to Speaker Gilbert, I am sorry to his family, and I am sorry to every single Virginian, Jones said.

Jones went on to tie incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares (R) to President Trump, calling his opponent a willing cheerleader for the president.

Jason is going to make this race about my mistakes, but this race has always been about more, he said.

But Miyares used the debate as an opportunity to hammer Jones over the texts, calling the Democrat unqualified to serve as attorney general.

The latest polling average from The Hills partners at Decision Desk HQ show Jones and Miyares tied at 46.4 percent. In the fundraising race, Miyares has maintained a decent lead over Jones throughout the campaign.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A wooden judges gavel with a brass band rests on a dark surface. Photo: Alan Wooten / The Center Square

(The Center Square)  A Maryland judge denied a motion from U.S. officials to delay a case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia because of the government shutdown.

The case involves an effort by the government to deport Abrego Garcia to another country.

Maryland U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordered an evidentiary hearing for Friday. She asked the government to bring witnesses to testify about what steps have been made to deport Abrego Garcia "'to Eswatini or any other country' in the reasonably foreseeable future."

Eswatini is the South African country formerly known as Swaziland.

Abrego Garcia was deported to his native El Salvador in March. He was returned to the U.S. in June to face human smuggling charges in Tennessee.

A Tennessee U.S. District Court judge said in a memorandum opinion issued Friday that Abrego Garcia "has carried his burden of demonstrating some evidence" that his Tennessee indictment was vindictive. Abrego Garcia's attorneys accused the government of "vindictive and selective prosecution" in a motion to dismiss.

"The timing of Abregos indictment suggests a realistic likelihood that senior DOJ and DHS officials may have induced Acting U.S. Attorney McGuire (albeit unknowingly) to criminally charge Abrego in retaliation for his Maryland lawsuit. The indictment stems from a HSI investigation into the November 30, 2022 traffic stop that resulted in no traffic tickets, let alone charges against Abrego. HSI put that matter to bed on March 12, 2025," Judge Waverly Crenshaw wrote in his memorandum.

Crenshaw's use of acronyms referenced the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security and Homeland Security Investigations.

The government bears the burden of rebutting the presumption with objective, on-the-record explanations such as governmental discovery of previously unknown evidence or previous legal impossibility,'" Crenshaw wrote.

"After the parties conduct discovery, [i]t may well be that no fire will be discovered under all the smoke[.] Adams, 870 F.2d at 1146. Indeed, the Government could produce evidence showing legitimate reasons for its prosecution of Abrego that are unrelated to his case in the District of Maryland," the judge said in the order.
At least two survivors from a deadly U.S. military strike in the Caribbean Sea are now in custody aboard an American vessel after being rescued by helicopter, according to a person familiar with details of the incident.

The person said the survivors were aboard a semi-submersible vessel when they were hit in the attack. Two other people were killed in the strike, according to a U.S. official.

President Donald Trump confirmed the strike to reporters on Friday, saying the military hit a drug-carrying submarine.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command - PHOTO: The Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment work together to intercept a self-propelled semi-submersible drug smuggling vessel in the Atlantic Ocean, March 22, 2024.

"We attacked a submarine," he said, describing the vessel as designed to transport "massive amounts" of drugs.

"Just so you understand. This was not an innocent group of people, he said. I dont know too many people that have submarines. That was an attack on a drug-carrying, loaded-up submarine.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said more details would be released later Friday, insisting the people on board were terrorists.

The strike was the sixth military attack in the Caribbean Sea against suspected drug smugglers.

@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social - PHOTO: An image from a video released by President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account, claims to show a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel just off the Coast of Venezuela, Oct. 14, 2025.

Survivors reported for 1st time in latest US Caribbean airstrike: Official

The military campaign is part of a broader effort by Trump who says he wants Venezeulas president, Nicholas Maduro, to step down, blaming Maduro for orchestrating the flow of illicit drugs coming to the U.S.

Earlier this week, Trump threatened to attack Venezuela by land, confirmed ongoing covert operations inside the country and ordered bombers capable of dropping nuclear weapons to fly in circles off its coast in what appears to be an unprecedented show of force intended to pressure Maduro to step down.

The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry has denounced Trump's statements and the military buildup in the region, saying the lethal strikes on boats in the Caribbean Sea constitute a policy of aggression, threats and harassment against Venezuela.

Trump and Hegseth post video of another lethal strike on alleged drug boat

Reuters first reported that there were survivors in the latest attack and that two of them had been rescued by helicopter.

Adm. Avlin Holsey, who has been overseeing military operations in the region, announced unexpectedly on Thursday that he is stepping down from the post. Holsey did not say why he was leaving sooner than expected, after spending less than a year in the job.

Admiral overseeing operations in Caribbean Sea stepping down, Hegseth announces

According to a person familiar with his decision, Holsey had expressed reservations about ongoing military operations and that tension between Holsey and Hegseth had been evident for weeks. It was not immediately clear if Holsey objected to the legality of the boat strikes, which he would have had to authorize, or had voiced other concerns about the strategy in the region.

Some 10,000 U.S. troops have been deployed to Latin America this year under Trump as part of a massive buildup of military assets in the region, including eight Navy ships, F-35 fighter jets and MQ-9 Reaper drones.

@AFSOUTH/X - PHOTO: In a post on their X account, the U.S. Southern Command confirmed it flew B-52 bombers off the coast of Venezuela, calling it a demonstration mission, Oct. 15, 2025.

B-52s fly off coast of Venezuela in show of force by Trump

On Wednesday three B-52 bombers took off from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana and flew for hours near the coast of Venezuela, according to flight tracking data, in what appears to be a major show of force by Trump.

The B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber that has been used in conventional warfare in such places as Iraq and Syria and is capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The deployment of the B-52s was first reported by The War Zone.

On Thursday, a U.S. official confirmed that a special operations aviation unit had conducted training exercises in international waters near Venezuela earlier this month.

Since Sept. 2, Trump has ordered military strikes on at least six boats in the Caribbean Sea that the administration insists, without providing evidence, were carrying drugs to the U.S.

The use of lethal of military force against drug boats is unprecedented and raises legal questions. Past administrations have relied on law enforcement to interdict drug shipments.
Damage caused by an explosion at an apartment block in Bucharest, Romania, October 17, 2025 (via REUTERS)

Three people have been killed and at least 13 injured after a powerful explosion ripped through two floors of an apartment building in Romanias capital, Bucharest, on Friday.

The blast impacted the fifth and sixth floors of the eight-storey structure, according to the capitals Inspectorate for Emergency Situations. More than a dozen emergency vehicles, including 11 fire engines and four mobile intensive care units, were dispatched to the scene on Calea Rahovei in Bucharests Sector 5.

The cause of the fatal explosion was not immediately clear, though authorities confirmed the gas supply in the area had been shut off as a safety precaution.

Romanias Ministry of Health said victims had been reported with polytrauma and burns.

Shocked residents are seen in front of a damaged apartment building after a powerful explosion in a residential block in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (AP Photo) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The ministry later said one person was found dead under a concrete slab on the buildings sixth floor. At least 13 people were transported to hospitals in the capital.

A map of Calea Rahovei:

All residents were evacuated from the building and rescuers carried out search operations to identify anyone trapped. Students and teachers at a nearby school were also evacuated as a precaution, Bucharests School Inspectorate said.

In this photograph made available by the Romanian Emergency Services, a view of a damaged apartment building after a powerful explosion in a residential block in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Romanian Emergency Services via AP)

Video footage shared by emergency authorities showed the facades of corner apartments on two stories badly mangled by the blast, which appeared to have also blown out windows in neighboring apartments. Rubble was strewn across the street below.

Following the explosion, another nearby apartment block was affected, where detached construction elements from the buildings facade were observed, emergency authorities said in a statement.
George Santos

Disgraced former Rep. George Santos (R-NY) is decompressing from the traumatic experience of spending less than three months behind bars one day after President Trump commuted his 87-month prison sentence for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, his lawyer told The Post Saturday.

Now is not a good time, I just got here, Im meeting with him and we just want to let him decompress a little bit, Joseph Murray said over the phone, and declined to provide any more information about the convicted felons current whereabouts.

He was released last night. Lets give him  lets respect his and his familys privacy and let them decompress a little. Its a traumatic experience as you can imagine, Murray, of Long Island, continued before hanging up the call.

Rep. George Santos (R-NY) is decompressing from the traumatic experience of spending less than three months behind bars, his lawyer said. MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Santos, 37, served just 84 days of the seven-year- and three-month-long prison sentence handed down by a federal judge in April on the white collar crime charges.

The ex-GOP Long Island rep echoed that it was not a good time before immediately hanging up the phone when The Post reached him Saturday.

He was released from FCI Fairton, a medium-security prison in Fairfield Township, New Jersey, at around 11 p.m. Friday  just five hours after Trump announced the commutation of his sentence on Truth Social, claiming Santos unlawful conduct was not nearly as bad as the fibs of Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.).

George Santos was somewhat of a rogue, but there are many rogues throughout our Country that arent forced to serve seven years in prison. I started to think about George when the subject of Democrat Senator Richard Da Nang Dick Blumenthal came up again. As everyone remembers, Da Nang stated for almost twenty years that he was a proud Vietnam Veteran, having endured the worst of the War, watching the Wounded and Dead as he raved up the hills and down the valleys, blood streaming from his face, Trump wrote.

He was a Great Hero, he would leak to any and all who would listen  And then it happened! He was a COMPLETE AND TOTAL FRAUD. He never went to Vietnam, he never saw Vietnam, he never experienced the Battles there, or anywhere elseThis is far worse than what George Santos did, the president blasted, referring to Blumenthal, who apologized for misstating his military record in 2010.

Trump also indicated that he decided to commute Santos sentence because of the mistreatment he endured in prison.

George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated, he wrote.

Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life!

Santos was picked up at FCI Fairton, a medium-security prison in Fairfield Township, New Jersey, at around 11 p.m. Friday. LP Media

Santos wrote in a column penned for Suffolk County-based South Shore Press that he was placed in solitary confinement to ensure his safety, and was denied his inhaler for more than 30 hours, calling the treatment neglect.

The outlet reported that the truth-troubled ex-congressman had initially ignored other prisoners Friday when they informed him that he was on TV Friday night, as he has frequently come up in the news during his sentence.

A half hour later, Santos allegedly read the print at the bottom of a TV screen broadcasting news, which read Santos Sentence Commuted, the outlet reported.

Santos, who had access to his X account during his stay in prison, reposted Trumps announcement and posted a statement from Murray praising the presidents decision.

God bless President Donald J Trump the greatest President in U.S. history! Murrays statement read.

Santos had initially faced 20 years behind bars, but he copped a plea deal just weeks before he was set to go on trial on nearly two dozen charges related to an alleged scheme to inflate his campaign contributions.

He was booted out of Congress in December 2023, following the release of a scathing House Ethics Committee report about his use of campaign funds for personal splurges, including X-rated OnlyFans subscriptions, Botox and lavish trips.

Santos also inflated his personal and professional history before entering the House of Representatives, by falsely claiming he graduated from New York University and Baruch College  the latter on a volleyball scholarship  worked at Citigroup and Goldman Sachs, and was descended from a Jewish family.

Additional reporting by Khristina Narizhnaya
FILE PHOTO: A view shows a Novo Nordisk sign outside their office in Bagsvaerd, on the outskirts of Copenhagen, Denmark, July 14, 2025. REUTERS/Tom Little/File Photo

By Maggie Fick and Stine Jacobsen

LONDON/COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Novo Nordisk has appointed U.S. pharmaceutical executive Greg Miley as its new head of corporate affairs, as the obesity drugmaker faces growing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump on drug pricing.

Miley recently served as senior vice president of government affairs at U.S. pharmaceutical giant AbbVie. He posted a statement on LinkedIn on Friday and Novo Nordisk shared the statement with Reuters.

Novo is turning to an American executive with deep U.S. pharmaceutical experience to help navigate political risks under the Trump administration in the United States, its largest market.

NEW HIRE TO FOCUS ON RELATIONS WITH TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

The appointment comes as new CEO Mike Doustdar tries to revive investor confidence through a restructuring to sharpen Novo's focus in a fierce obesity drug battle against U.S. rival Eli Lilly. The overhaul includes cutting 9,000 jobs, with 5,000 positions being eliminated in Denmark and layoffs underway across multiple U.S. departments.

"In this new role, I see great potential to strengthen our Global Communication and Public Affairs efforts," Miley wrote on LinkedIn, adding that he would begin his new role next month and would relocate to Denmark, Novo's home market.

Miley's urgent priority will be improving Novo's relations with the Trump administration, said a source familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential information.

Novos top U.S. public affairs executive is Jennifer Duck, who joined the company in 2019 after working on the Democrat-led Senate Judiciary Committee and as chief of staff to Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein. That background is not seen as the right fit under a Republican president, the source said.

Novo did not immediately reply to a request for comment on these points.

Other big pharmaceutical companies have hired public affairs experts with long backgrounds in Republican circles in order to navigate the administration's pressures on the industry, a source at a European drugmaker told Reuters on Friday.

TRUMP SAYS OZEMPIC PRICE IN US WILL BE LOWERED

Shares of Novo and Lilly fell on Friday after Trump said that the price of Novo's Ozempic diabetes treatment would be lowered. Ozempic contains the same active ingredient as its weight-loss drug Wegovy.

Miley spent the past decade at AbbVie in Chicago and was promoted two years ago to senior vice president of government affairs, according to his LinkedIn profile. He has worked in the pharmaceutical industry since 2004, building his career at U.S. drugmakers including more than four years in public affairs at Abbott and nearly five years at Pfizer.

AbbVie did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Miley did not reply when contacted by Reuters earlier on Friday.

(Reporting by Maggie Fick in London and Stine Jacobsen in Copenhagen, Editing by Louise Heavens, Kirsten Donovan)
Bottles of salad dressing line the shelves of a grocery store aisle. Photo: Alan Wooten / The Center Square

(The Center Square)  In less than two weeks, and with the upcoming holiday season, the ongoing federal government shutdown is expected to suspend taxpayer funding for food subsidies.

U.S. Senate Democrats blocked Republicans' bill to reopen the federal government for the 10th time Thursday. The funding lapse started Oct. 1.

Thursday, the Illinois Department of Human Service announced federal officials informed all states that it will not fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits past Nov. 1 if the government shutdown persists. In Illinois, the lapse of SNAP funding could impact 1.9 million people.

Friday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said his administration is looking at how state taxpayers can cover the potential of the lapse of federal tax dollars.

It's not a state program. It's a federal program that we administer, but they are making it near impossible, Pritzker told reporters after an unrelated event. So I am hoping that the shutdown will end before Nov. 1.

Some of that help could be to food pantries, Pritzker said.

We're looking at ways that we might be able to at least augment what they're not going to get, he said.

Pritzker said its up to President Donald Trump to get the government back open. Democrats have shifted their demands, saying they will only vote on the clean Continuing Resolution to fund federal agencies if Republicans guarantee that a health policy bill will pass.

Kate Maehr, the CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, told a recent Illinois House Committee that other impacts to SNAP are coming, even if the shutdown ends and the government opens. Those changes include work requirements to get the benefits.

The Illinois Department of Human Services estimates that 450,000 Illinoisans will be impacted by these requirements, which will begin in December of 2025.

The approximately 1.9 million Illinoisans utilizing the food subsidy cost federal taxpayers $705 million in 2024.

Therese Boudreaux contributed to this report.
CNN

The Red Cross is traveling to a meeting point in southern Gaza, where they will receive a coffin carrying the body of a deceased hostage, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency (ISA) said on Friday.

Hamas armed wing, al-Qassam Brigades, has also confirmed that the transfer is scheduled to take place.

Prior to Friday, the militant group had released the remains of nine of the 28 deceased hostages held in Gaza.

Frustration has intensified in Israel over the delay in returning the bodies of remaining hostages, a condition outlined in the ceasefire agreement that went into effect last week.

Hamas has said that it handed over all of the hostage bodies that it could access. Israeli intelligence has assessed that Hamas may not be able to find and return all the remaining dead hostages in Gaza.

Israel believes that Hamas knows the locations of some of the deceased hostages that it claims are missing, according to two Israeli sources familiar with the matter, as the dispute continues over the return of the bodies.

Al-Qassam Brigades said on Wednesday that significant efforts and special equipment are needed to recover the bodies of the remaining hostages in Gaza.

In that statement, al-Qassam Brigades said the group has abided by what was agreed upon and has handed over all the living captives in its possession and the corpses it could access.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
CNN

The Red Cross has received a coffin carrying the body of a deceased hostage, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency (ISA) said on Friday.

The Red Cross is now traveling from the meeting point in southern Gaza to transfer the body to IDF troops in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas has also confirmed that the transfer had taken place. Spokesman Hazem Qassem said in a statement that Hamas will continue working to complete the entire exchange process.

Prior to Friday, the militant group had released the remains of nine of the 28 deceased hostages held in Gaza.

Frustration has intensified in Israel over the delay in returning the bodies of remaining hostages, a condition outlined in the ceasefire agreement that went into effect last week.

Hamas has said that it handed over all of the hostage bodies that it could access. Israeli intelligence has assessed that Hamas may not be able to find and return all the remaining dead hostages in Gaza.

Israel believes that Hamas knows the locations of some of the deceased hostages that it claims are missing, according to two Israeli sources familiar with the matter, as the dispute continues over the return of the bodies.

Hamas armed wing, al-Qassam Brigades, said on Wednesday that significant efforts and special equipment are needed to recover the bodies of the remaining hostages in Gaza.

In that statement, al-Qassam Brigades said the group has abided by what was agreed upon and has handed over all the living captives in its possession and the corpses it could access.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A staffer at a Massachusetts school for youths with mental health and behavioral issues died after a student allegedly kicked her in the chest, officials said.

A 14-year-old girl has been charged with assault and battery causing serious bodily injury in connection with the incident, according to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.

WCVB - PHOTO: Meadowridge Academy in Swansea, Massachusetts.

The "physical interaction" occurred Wednesday evening at Meadowridge Academy, a therapeutic residential school geared toward students ages 12 to 21 in rural Swansea, according to the district attorney's office.

Amy Morrell, 53, a direct care staff member at the school, and other staff were attempting to restrain the teen, who officials say had been trying to leave a dorm building without permission, when the student allegedly kicked her in the chest, according to the district attorney's office. "Shortly after being struck," Morrell collapsed, the office said in a statement on Thursday.

Missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard was seen 2 months ago, investigators say

School staff attempted CPR and called 911, and Morrell was transported to an area hospital, the district attorney's office said.

Officers from the Swansea Police Department and Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office responded to the school, officials said.

The student was charged with assault and battery causing serious bodily injury based on the initial investigation and arraigned Thursday morning in Fall River Juvenile Court, according to the district attorney's office.

WCVB - PHOTO: Meadowridge Academy is seen in Swansea, Massachusetts.

Morrell, who had remained hospitalized, was pronounced dead Thursday afternoon, the district attorney's office said.

The investigation remains ongoing, officials said. ABC News reached out to the district attorney's office on Friday for any updates in the case but has not yet received a response.

Morrell's cause and manner of death have not been publicly released. A spokesperson for Massachusetts' Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, which oversees the chief medical examiner's office, told ABC News on Friday that it does not have any information to share at this time regarding the case.

Pennsylvania teen dies from bacterial meningitis: School district

The school said it is "deeply saddened" by Morrell's death.

"We extend our heartfelt condolences to Amys family during this difficult time," a school spokesperson said in a statement. "Support services and resources are available to assist students and staff as we grieve this tragic loss."

Andrew Ferruche, a friend of Morrell, expressed shock at her death in an interview with ABC Boston affiliate WCVB.

"I couldn't believe when I got the call today," he told the station on Thursday.

"It's just a tragic situation," he said.

Ferruche remembered Morrell, who was from Riverside, Rhode Island, as supportive and caring.

"She did tell me on more than one occasion she did love what she was doing," he told WCVB.
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Oct. 17 imposing 25% tariffs on imported medium-and heavy-duty trucks as well as 10% tariffs on imported buses starting Nov. 1, in a move he has for months said would protect domestic manufacturers.

The program has been designed to incentivize automakers to build in the U.S. by offering rebates on certain auto parts that have to be imported while creating well paying jobs for Americans, a senior administration official told reporters in a call.

Trump, who had initially set the tariffs deadline in September for Oct.1, later moved it by a month.

Trump said the new heavy-duty truck tariffs were to protect manufacturers from "unfair outside competition" and said the move would benefit many companies.

Our Great Large Truck Company Manufacturers, such as Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner, Mack Trucks, and others, will be protected from the onslaught of outside interruptions, wrote Trump in a Sept. 25 Truth Social post. We need our Truckers to be financially healthy and strong, for many reasons, but above all else, for National Security purposes!

A worker drives a cargo truck at the Daimler Freightliner truck assembly plant, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he would impose a 25% duty on imports of heavy-duty trucks starting October 1, in Derramadero, Coahuila state, Mexico, September 27, 2025.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce earlier urged the department not to impose new truck tariffs, noting the top five import sources are Mexico, Canada, Japan, Germany, and Finland "all of which are allies or close partners of the United States posing no threat to U.S. national security."

Mexico is the largest exporter of medium- and heavy-duty trucks to the United States. Imports of those larger vehicles from Mexico have tripled since 2019, according to Reuters.

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Imported medium-and heavy-duty trucks to be tariffed 25%, buses 10%
President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday, with Zelenskyy in Washington to make his case for procuring American Tomahawk cruise missiles and other military assets.

"President Trump has a big chance now to finish this war," Zelenskyy said during a working lunch in the Cabinet Room with officials.

Tomahawks take center stage in Trump's Russia-Ukraine diplomacy

The Ukrainian leader highlighted Trump's brokering of a fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East, and said he believed there was momentum to do the same to bring Russia's three-and-a-half year invasion to an end.

"That's why I hope that he will do this, and we will also have such big success for Ukraine," Zelenskyy said.

Tom Brenner/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: President Donald Trump welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he arrives for a meeting at the White House in Washington, October 17, 2025.

Trump, who spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday in an hourslong phone call in which they agreed to plan to meet face-to-face in the coming weeks, said he wanted to see the fighting stop.

"We're in it to see that end and if we can end it quickly, and I think we can. ... We'll see what happens. But the war in the Middle East was far more complicated. We got that one done. And I think we have a good chance," Trump said.

In a post on his social media platform after the meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump described it as "very interesting, and cordial," but said he thinks "it is time to stop the killing, and make a DEAL."

Referring to Russia and Ukraine, Trump said, "They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide! No more shooting, no more Death, no more vast and unsustainable sums of money spent."

Days before the meeting, Trump appeared bullish about potentially selling the long-range missiles to Ukraine as he expressed disappointment in Moscows continued onslaught. But after his call with Putin, Trump seemed more cautious and began to express concern about depleting the U.S. supply.

"That's a problem. We need Tomahawks and we need a lot of other things that we've been sending over the past four years to Ukraine," Trump said as he and Zelenskyy took questions from reporters on Friday.

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters - PHOTO: President Donald Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, October 17, 2025.

Trump acknowledged it would be an "escalation" to sell the coveted weapons to Kyiv, but said he and Zelenskyy would discuss it.

"We'd much rather have them not need Tomahawks," Trump said. "Would much rather have the war be over, to be honest."

Zelenskyy floated the possibility of an exchange where if the U.S. provided Tomahawks to Ukraine, then Ukraine would provide the U.S. with their drones. When asked if that was something he would be interested in, Trump said yes.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Zelenskyy told ABC News' Mary Bruce that he believes Putin fears Ukraine acquiring the long-range missiles but acknowledged that it's possible he might not get them in the end, saying, "I'm realistic."

Zelenskyy also told reporters he agreed with Trump's social media post calling for both sides to "stop where they are."

Zelenskyy said, "The president is right, and we have to stop where we are." He added, "Both sides have to stop, but between us, it's about Putin because ... we didn't begin this war."

Zelenskyy has described Tomahawks as a potential difference-maker in the conflict, as they would give Ukraine the ability to strike deep inside Russia. That prospect, Zelenskyy's said, could force Putin to negotiate.

"We want peace. Putin doesn't want. That's why we need pressure on him," he said.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images - PHOTO: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky listens during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and members of his Cabinet at the White House, October 17, 2025, in Washington.

Trump talked more about his planned meeting with Putin in Budapest, saying the location was chosen because they both have a positive relationship with Hungary's Viktor Orban.

When asked if Zelenskyy would join them, Trump said there was a "lot of bad blood" between Zelenskyy and Putin.

"I would say most likely it's going to be a double meeting. It'll be a double meeting, but we will have the President Zelenskyy in touch," Trump said.

Trump says he and Putin plan to meet again to discuss war in Ukraine

Trump last met with Putin in Alaska in August, a high-profile summit that included a military flyover but yielded no major breakthroughs.

Trump was asked on Friday if he was concerned that Putin is trying to buy more time with a second meeting.

"Yeah I am but you know, Id been played all my life by the best of them, and I came out really well," Trump said. "So its possible. Yeah, a little time. Its alright. But I think that I'm pretty good at this stuff. I think that he wants to make a deal."
Firefighters and first aid responders remove a person on a stretcher, from the site of an explosion at an apartment block, in Bucharest, Romania, October 17, 2025. Inquam Photos/Tudor Pana via REUTERS

Firefighters and first aid responders remove a person on a stretcher, from the site of an explosion at an apartment block, in Bucharest, Romania, October 17, 2025. Inquam Photos/Tudor Pana via REUTERS

(Reuters) -An explosion at an eight-storey apartment building in Romania's capital Bucharest collapsed floors, killing two people and injuring 12 on Friday, local media reported.

The blast broke windows at a nearby high school, news website Hotnews.ro reported. The explosion completely collapsed two floors and affected others below, local media said.

At least two died and 12 were injured, news website Biziday.ro cited emergency services and the health ministry as saying. Teams were searching the blast site for others trapped, Biziday said.

(Reporting by Jason Hovet;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)
Work has begun to repair the damaged power supply to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog said Saturday. The repairs would end a precarious four-week outage that saw the plant dependent on backup generators.

Russian and Ukrainian forces established special ceasefire zones for repairs to be safely carried out, the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a social media statement attributed to head Rafael Grossi. The agency hailed the restoration of off-site power as "crucial for nuclear safety and security."

"Both sides engaged constructively with the IAEA to enable the complex repair plan to proceed," the statement said.

Ukrainian Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk confirmed that Ukrainian specialists were involved in restoring power lines to the plant and said that its stable operation and connection with the Ukrainian power grid were essential to prevent a nuclear incident. She also said that it was the 42nd time since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 that power lines to the plant had to be

restored. Ukraine has previously accused Russia of targeting the nation's power grid.

The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe's largest nuclear power station, has been operating on diesel back-up generators since Sept. 23, when its last remaining external power line was severed in attacks that Russia and Ukraine each blamed on the other, officials said.

Firefighters on duty following the Russian drone attack in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine on September 16, 2025. / Credit: Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Adm./Anadolu via Getty Images

The plant is in an area under Russian control since early in Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and is not in service, but it needs reliable power to cool its six shutdown reactors and spent fuel, to avoid any catastrophic nuclear incidents.

Elsewhere, Russia continued its aerial bombardment of Ukraine, launching three missiles and 164 drones overnight, Ukraine's Air Force said Saturday. It said that Ukrainian forces shot down 136 of the drones.

Two people were injured after Russian drones targeted a gas station in the Zarichny district of Sumy in northeast Ukraine, local officials said Saturday. They were two women, ages 51 and 53, according to regional Gov. Oleh Hryhorov.

Meanwhile, Russia's Ministry of Defense said Saturday that its air defenses had shot down 41 Ukrainian drones overnight.

The work began one day after President Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House and two days after he spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone. Mr. Trump called the meeting with Zelenskyy "very interesting, and cordial" in a post on Truth Social and urged the two leaders to end the war.

President Trump, left, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine's president, shake hands outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. / Credit: Aaron Schwartz / Sipa / Bloomberg via Getty Images / Sipa USA

Their discussions concerned the U.S. giving Ukraine Tomahawk missiles, possibly in exchange for Ukrainian drones, CBS News previously reported. Details of the discussions were not shared, though Mr. Trump indicated that he believed sending the missiles could escalate the war.

Mr. Trump announced earlier this week that he would meet with Putin in Budapest soon. As Zelenskyy arrived at the White House on Friday, Mr. Trump told a reporter that he believed he could persuade Putin to end the war. Mr. Trump later said in the Oval Office that he believes he and Zelenskyy are making "great progress" in ending the war.

Russia has not indicated that it wants to end the war, and Mr. Trump has expressed frustration with Putin in recent months. First Lady Melania Trump said last week she had worked with the Russian leader to return Ukrainian children to their families, an initiative that Mr. Trump said she took on on her own.

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A Louisiana man described by prosecutors as a "monster" was charged Oct. 17 with participating in the Hamas surprise attack in 2023 that sparked the deadly conflict with Israel.

Mahmoud Amin Yaqub Al-Muhtadi, 33, was arrested in Lafayette, Louisiana, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced. The native of Gaza belonged to a Palestinian military group, according to court papers. On the day of Hamas attack, cell phone location data placed him at the scene of a kibbutz just outside the Gaza Strip where dozens of people were killed and 19 people captured.

"After hiding out in the United States, this monster has been found and charged with participating in the atrocities of October 7  the single deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust," Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement announcing the arrest. "While nothing can fully heal the scars left by Hamass brutal attack, this Departments Joint Task Force October 7 is dedicated to finding and prosecuting those responsible for that horrific day, including the murder of dozens of American citizens."

Displaced Palestinians return to homes in Gaza after ceasefire between Israel and Hamas A young boy sit's on a car as displaced Palestinians drive through the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, as they return to Gaza City with their belongings on Oct. 12, 2025. Israel declared a ceasefire in Gaza and began to pull back its forces on October 10, as tens of thousands of exhausted Palestinians made their way back to their devastated homes.

Al-Muhtadis arrest on Oct. 16 comes over two years after the attack that left 1,200 people dead and 251 kidnapped, according to Israels government. The nation responded by launching a devastating campaign that flattened much of the densely populated enclave and killed over 66,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

The suspected terrorist fighter entered the U.S. on Sept. 12, 2024, by providing false information on a visa application, according to prosecutors.

The last 20 remaining living hostages in Gaza were returned to Israel on Oct. 13 in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners. Hamas returned the bodies of some deceased hostages on Oct. 14.

Al-Muhtadi was a fighter in the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. He also fought in the National Resistance Brigades, a Gaza-based paramilitary group he stood with on Oct. 7, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors say he participated in the attack on Kibbutz Kfar Aza, a small community barely two miles from the border with Gaza.

"When Al-Muhtadi learned of the unfolding barbaric attack on Israel and civilians from multiple nations, including the United States, he sprang into action. He armed himself, recruited additional marauders, and then entered Israel, where there is evidence placing him near one of the worst-hit Israeli communities," said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. "Subsequently, Al-Muhtadi fraudulently obtained a visa to enter the United States where he hoped to remain undetected. This arrest is the first public step in bringing to justice those responsible for harming Americans on that day."

According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Al-Muhtadi was found by Joint Task Force October 7, a group Bondi created to go after people involved in the Oct. 7 attacks.

An attorney for Al-Muhtadi could not be reached. The U.S. Attorneys Office and the FBI did not respond to further questions about the case.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US charges Louisiana man with participating in deadly Hamas atrocities
Venezuelan officials say that they have bolstered their armed forces after the United States conducted another strike on vessel that originated from the country, which he claimed carried drugs.

Venezuelan leaders said roughly 284 battle fronts are operational, poised for either land or sea conflict, two officials with knowledge of the Venezuelan government's plans told ABC News Friday.

Schneyder Mendoza/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Venezuelan military patrol around the Simon Bolivar International Bridge at the Colombia-Venezuela border as seen from Villa del Rosario, Colombia on October 16, 2025.

Militias, which are heavily armed, have also been assigned to protect the coastal region at high alert, according to the officials. The officials claimed some 4.5 million militia members were deployed.

At least 2 survivors of US attack on alleged drug smugglers in American custody

Qatar, a key U.S. ally that assisted with negotiations in the Israel-Gaza conflict, is helping with the conversations between the American and Venezuelan governments, the sources said. In the meantime, Venezuelan embassies in Norway and Australia were closed by the government.

Federico Parra/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro arrives at a press conference with international media at the Hotel Eurobuilding in Caracas on September 15, 2025.

On Thursday, the Trump administration announced that it had issued an airstrike against a vessel that originated from Venezuela, claiming it was a drug-smuggling craft operated by narcoterrorists, the sixth such strike since the summer.

At least two survivors from the strike are now in custody aboard an American vessel after being rescued by helicopter, according to a person familiar with details of the incident.

B-52s fly off coast of Venezuela in show of force by Trump

Earlier this week, Trump threatened to attack Venezuela by land, confirmed ongoing covert operations inside the country and ordered bombers to fly in circles off its coast in what appears to be an unprecedented show of force intended to pressure the country's president, Nicolas Maduro, to step down.

@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social - PHOTO: An image from a video released by President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account, claims to show a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel just off the Coast of Venezuela, Oct. 14, 2025.

"President Trump believes that Nicholas Maduro is an illegitimate president, leading an illegitimate regime that has been trapped in drugs," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday.

When asked on Friday about the alleged CIA operations in Venezuela, Trump told reporters, "I wouldn't say that."

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters - PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Oct. 16, 2025, in Washington.

"But some interesting things are happening around the world, I will say that," he said.

Sources with the Venezuelan government said that Trump's threat of covert operations is "purely staged," and refuted the president's drug trafficking allegations.

When a reporter asked Trump about Maduro offering "everything" including natural resources for mediation, the president shot back:

"He has offered everything. You know why? He doesn't want to f--- around with the United States," Trump said and ended the news conference.

-ABC News' Anne Flaherty and Luis Martinez contributed to this report.
Oct. 16, 2025 Governor Bob Ferguson at SR410 White River Bridge asked about the coming 2026 budget and shortfall facing the state. Screenshot of video by Carleen Johnson

(The Center Square)  Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson acknowledges the challenges that he and state lawmakers face regarding the 2026 supplemental budget due to slowing revenue growth, increased costs and reductions in federal funding.

The revenue forecast that we received in June and more recently last month shows a shortfall of close to $2 billion for the next legislative session, Ferguson said in responding to a question from The Center Square at his Thursday announcement from Enumclaw about the Friday reopening of the White River Bridge on State Route 410. We have one more revenue forecast in December that I'll get before I propose my supplemental budget.

Ferguson said the coming cuts from the federal government will also impact Washingtons challenging budget situation.

We have from the [federal] government dramatic cuts to Medicaid. That's about $3 billion a year to SNAP benefits and others, the governor said. So, there's huge challenges for us as a state.

As previously reported by The Center Square, Republicans fired back at Ferguson for blaming the Trump administration for Medicaid funding cuts, stating that it was actually the last state budget the governor signed that reduced the funding.

According to the nonpartisan Office of Program Research (OPR), the budget passed by Democrats and signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson in 2025 slashes over $782 million from Medicaid, Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, said in an August news release.

Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, echoed that pushback in a Friday interview with The Center Square.

Nothing in the deficit this year or next year is related to federal government cuts or reductions at all, Braun said, noting federal Medicaid cuts are coming in the future, but do not impact the state right now. The numbers the governor uses are the most extreme numbers. He continues to paint it as much more extreme than it is and does not seem to recognize that these don't go into place until, at the earliest, over a year, and then they go into place over the course of about five or six years.

Ferguson said hes required to craft a balanced supplemental budget proposal.

And so, you'll see a budget that's thoughtful in that way. We're going to see significant reductions in our budget, the governor said. There's no other way to balance the budget than doing that, but I don't want to give everything away before we propose the budget.

The Center Square asked Ferguson if there will be an opportunity to work with Republicans who might have some ideas on how to close the budget gap without raising taxes.

I can assure you, I hear on a regular basis from our Republican friends in the state Legislature during the last legislative session, Ferguson said. We held regular meetings, for example, with Sen. Braun and Rep. [Drew] Stokesbary throughout the legislative session. Those are common. Sen. Braun has my cell number. He calls me from time to time when he's got thoughts about the budget. So, we're in regular communication on both sides of the aisle.

Braun, who is running for Congress, said Republican lawmakers met with the governor early in the 2025 session and were initially hopeful that some Republican proposals for a balanced budget without tax increases would be considered.

He met with us, but he really didn't incorporate anything, and at no point did we recommend the largest tax increase in our state's history, Braun noted. Whether it will be different next year, I don't know. I hope we'll still be talking, and I hope this time that there will be more incorporation of Republican suggestions.

Ferguson approved a $77.9 billion budget in May that included significant spending and billions in new taxes, despite earlier rhetoric about the state's budget shortfall and the need for spending restraint.

Ferguson said hell offer his budget proposal in a couple of months.

We had a big problem last year because of the path that the governor and the Democratic majority chose, Braun continued. I think it's an even harder problem [next] year, but we will still be actively engaged, showing how we can deliver services to our state citizens without these enormous tax increases that the Democrats seem to be stuck on. Their continued tax-first policy has me very worried about what happens in the coming session.

The 60-day 2026 legislative session begins Jan. 12.
Key Points

Optimism is in the air -- almost literally -- with space stocks and satellite companies these days.

This one also held a live demonstration showcasing its capabilities with satellite-assisted communication.

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Satellite telephony company Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT) had quite a memorable week as far as its stock went. Driven by broad investor optimism on space-related titles generally and recent positive company-specific news items, it booked a near-double-digit gain over the period. According to data compiled by S&P Global Market Intelligence, Viasat's share price rose in excess of 9% across the week.

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What also helped was a live demonstration of its capabilities. On Thursday in Mexico City, Viasat put its direct-to-device satellite service through its paces.

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A rocket on its trajectory.

Image source: Getty Images.

During the demonstration, Viasat sent text messages between two Android smartphones, one of which was linked to its satellite network and one through a traditional cellular matrix. It also flexed its satellite-powered services through a different device, the HMD Offgrid.

In the press release detailing the demonstration, the company quoted its general manager of Viasat Mexico Hector Rivero as saying that "This technology has the ability to bridge the connectivity gap in areas where traditional services are unreliable or non-existent, opening up possibilities for millions of individuals and devices to connect through satellite."

"We are confident that this will have significant advantages for consumers and various industries worldwide," he added.

Major contract in force

Viasat's services seem to be striking a chord with major institutional customers, at least. Earlier this month, the company announced, no doubt happily, that it had earned a prime contract award from the U.S. Space Force. This will see it contribute to a dedicated satellite network for that branch of the American military.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday said President Trump poured cold water on his request to provide the Eastern European nation with Tomahawk missiles amid its over three-years-long war with Russia.

Its very difficult just to operate only with Ukrainian drones. We need long-range Tomahawks and United States has similar things, Zelensky said during a Friday appearance on NBC Newss Meet the Press with Kristen Welker.

We need it for mixed  using like Russia uses it, its understandable how it works, so our teams work on it, I said, and Im honest, its good that President Trump didnt say no, but for today, didnt say yes, he added.

Zelensky, who met with Trump Friday afternoon at the White House, did not provide an exact reason as to why Ukraines request for Tomahawk missiles was denied, but told Welker the president said the move wouldnt coincide with Americas interests.

The Kremlin is currently using self-produced missiles in addition to missiles from North Korea and drones from Iran.

Trump told reporters on Friday that its not easy for the U.S. to provide the missiles, which have a range of more than 1,500 miles, adding that hopefully, well be able to get the war over with, without thinking about Tomahawks. He also told Russia and Ukraine to stop where they are and halt fighting immediately after meeting with Zelensky.

The Trump administration has been focused on securing a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine as it comes off the heels of brokering a peace deal between Israel and Hamas.

On Thursday, the president spoke with Russian Leader Vladimir Putin about the countrys war in Ukraine. The two leaders agreed to meet in Budapest for another in person discussion after an August Alaska summit.

Ahead of the call, Russia launched one of its largest attacks on Ukraine, with 37 missiles, including 28 ballistic missiles, and 320 drones in multiple directions.

Russian leaders have warned Trump against sending Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine for its protection.

Trump said that if the Russian President doesnt resolve the Ukrainian conflict, it will end badly for him. Hes making this threat for the hundredth time, in short, Russian Security Council deputy chair Dmitry Medvedev wrote in a Monday Telegram post.

If business peacemaker is referring to Tomahawk missiles, then the phrase is incorrect. The delivery of these missiles could end badly for everyone. And most of all, for Trump himself, he concluded.

Last weekend, Trump signaled he would be open to sending the powerful missiles to Ukraine. His tone shifted after speaking to Putin on Thursday.

I think that Putin [is] afraid that United States will deliver us Tomahawks, Zelensky told NBC on Friday. And I think that he really afraid that we will use.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Oil markets are trying to make sense of claims from Donald Trump about whether India and China will continue to purchase Russian oil, offering the latest example of how the president is willing to intertwine energy, trade, and geopolitics.

This past week has seen Trump repeatedly claim that India is soon set to buy "no oil" from Russia, which, earlier in the week, Indian officials declined to confirm.

Trump was unbowed, saying Friday at the White House, "They've already de-escalated."

Equally significant as both sides navigate the oil issue is the fact that Indian officials were also in Washington this past week for the annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank, where they reportedly talked trade with the Trump administration.

On the table are 25% blanket duties on India over the issue of Russia oil purchases, on top of 25% "reciprocal" duties.

Read more: The latest news and updates on Trump's tariffs

From right, President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are seen during a meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Friday. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The president is even suggesting that things could go further. He said this week that the possibility of India stopping its purchases would be a big step before immediately adding, Now, Ive got to get China to do the same thing.

Trump then added Friday  while appearing alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky  that he might try to enlist Chinas help in ending the war in Ukraine, saying Ill be discussing that with Chinese President Xi Jinping before adding he is hopeful the war is over before the two men sit down.

Trump is set to meet with Xi at the end of the month at a summit in South Korea.

Minimal changes in oil markets  but big implications for Russia

The week of news saw some muted declines in Brent crude oil prices  even as confusion was more evident.

As Oxford Economics put it, President Trump said India will end Russian oil purchases, although the relatively muted market reaction suggests some skepticism.

Even small movement  such as if Indian oil purchases simply decline but dont fully stop as Trump has suggested  could be significant given the Russian economy's deep dependence on energy revenues.

A spokesperson for the Indian foreign ministry only outlined generalities to reporters this week, discussing India's energy efforts as "diversifying as appropriate" when it comes to oil, as well as promising more imports from the United States.

But there is some evidence that some cutbacks are in the offing. A Reuters report from New Delhi found that some Indian refiners are preparing to trim their Russian oil imports.

Russian oil currently makes up about a third of Indias energy mix, trade data shows, and even a limited drawdown could be significant to Russias revenue picture.

Capital Economics noted in a report this past week all the reasons to be skeptical  from Indias muted comments to the assumption that "India will be reluctant to wean off Russian oil given long-standing relations between New Delhi and Moscow."

But even so, it concluded that developments could have keen economic fallouts for Russia and presents "a big tail risk."

A role for oil in ending the war in Ukraine

The back and forth was also capped Friday by the highly anticipated visit of Zelensky to the White House and a phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.

It was Zelenskys third visit to the White House since the start of Trumps current term in a trip that he noted was also about energy.

He opened the White House meeting Friday by offering his thanks to Trump before noting that energy was also on his itinerary.

His stay in Washington, Zelensky noted, also included "a good opportunity to meet with big American energy companies, and they're ready to help us" on rebuilding Ukraine's infrastructure.

A section of a refinery in Mangaluru, India. India's vast oil refining complexes are among the largest in the world, often processing crude Russian oil. (Abhishek Chinnappa/Getty Images) (Abhishek Chinnappa via Getty Images)

Zelensky also pushed Trump Friday on issues like additional US military support, including long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Overall, it was a cordial gathering, where Zelensky and Trump praised one another repeatedly, a notable contrast to a now-infamous February meeting that saw Zelensky and Trump engage in an Oval Office shouting match.

Trump is scheduled to meet with President Putin in a few weeks' time in Hungary at a gathering that the president said Zelensky may join, but without a face-to-face meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian presidents.

"There's a lot of bad blood," the president noted Friday.

Ben Werschkul is a Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance.

Click here for political news related to business and money policies that will shape tomorrow's stock prices

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
The Haunting Beauty of Wildfires

Every year, millions of acres of American wilderness go up in smoke. But the devastation isnt just a number, its also a visual record that truly forces us to think more deeply about the scale of the crisis.

Prepare to look closely at these photos, taken across the landscapes of America, that are simultaneously breathtaking and heartbreaking.

Image Credit: fws.gov

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

The landscape with smoke after the fire.

Image Credit: fws.gov

Morning at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

The reflection of fire and morning light at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.

Image Credit: fws.gov

Fire line in Southern California

Summer on the fire line in Southern California.

Image Credit: fws.gov

A Sunrise with Smoke

Fire behind the mountains during the sunrise.

Image Credit: fws.gov

Nature Pre Restoration

Fire area pre restoration.

Image Credit: fws.gov

Charles M. Russell Refuge Fire

Fire burns on the landscape at Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge in Montana. The fire was possibly the largest in Montana history.

Image Credit: fws.gov

Richard Spring Fire

An aircraft drops fire retardant during Richard Spring Fire in Montana.

Image Credit: fws.gov

Cabell Lodge Fire

The historic Cabell Lodge in Benton County, outside Corvallis in the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge.

Image Credit: fws.gov

Tualatin Controlled Fire

A firefighter walking through the prescribed fire.

Image Credit: fws.gov

Alamosa Refuge

Nature colors after the fire

Related:

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This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.us.
Interstate 5 closed Saturday after military officials confirmed that live-fire artillery rounds would be shot over the freeway. (Jonathan Alcorn / For The Times)

Gridlock reigned Saturday on one of California's most vital freeways after state officials closed a 17-mile stretch of Interstate 5 in response to a pre-planned event in which live-fire artillery rounds were shot over the freeway at Camp Pendleton.

The full closure of the main route between Los Angeles and San Diego was brief, but it caused massive traffic jams across San Diego and Orange counties. Exits from the freeway onto surface streets were clogged. Many motorists were forced to take a jammed Interstate 15. The inland detour swelled drive times from L.A. to San Diego to well over three hours as of Saturday afternoon. That was an hourlong delay over typical conditions. By 5 p.m., traffic was finally getting back to normal and much of Interstate 5 was moving at normal speeds.

The closure marked another clash between the Trump administration and Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Newsom criticized the White House for failing to coordinate or share safety information ahead of the Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebration, which featured Vice President JD Vance.

"It is not safe for people to drive on a major freeway at high speeds directly under LIVE MUNITIONS," his office wrote on X. "White House not communicating, endangering the public, and then trying to blame the Governor for doing the right thing  keeping people out of harms way  yet another day living in Trumps authoritarian America," the post said.

Administration officials said the Camp Pendleton event was perfectly safe and that a freeway closure was not needed.

"Gavin Newsom wants people to think this exercise is dangerous," said William Martin, the communications director for Vance, in a statement.

Military helicopters fly over Camp Pendleton during a temporary closure of Interstate 5 on Saturday. (Jonathan Alcorn / For The Times)

Oceansides assistant police chief John McKean said that while the full closure lasted only a little over an hour, the California Highway Patrol planned to conduct a traffic break when the ammunition fired.

"It's not like they're going to get hit by explosives or anything like that, it's just loud booms, and it may frighten [drivers] when the rounds are going to go off, because it's going to be going off for about a good 15 or 20 minutes," McKean said.

Midmorning on Saturday, the southbound 5 Freeway ground to a halt about half a mile ahead of the El Camino Real exit, the second-to-last exit before the previously announced interstate closure.

The previous three freeway exits  Avenida Palizada, Avenida Pico and Avenida Vista Hermosa  all had flashing freeways signs warning of the impending closure.

Motorists who were brave or foolish enough to venture beyond Avenida Palizada endured a minimum of 30 minutes trying to exit the freeway.

San Clemente City Councilmember Mark Enmeier said that the freeway closure came completely out of the blue and that he found out about it just as many residents did on Saturday morning when the Orange County Sheriff's Department announced it publicly on Instagram.

There was no coordination with any local officials on this whatsoever, Enmeier said. Or if there was, he said, I was not informed of it.

Interstate 5 was closed temporarily Saturday after military officials confirmed live-fire artillery rounds would be shot over the freeway. (Jonathan Alcorn / For The Times)

The midmorning closure stretched from Harbor Drive in Oceanside to Basilone Road near San Onofre.

Some vehicles on the interstate illegally made nearly 90-degree turns on the freeway heading southbound to break through the bottleneck by exiting the vacant El Camino Real onramp for about 15 minutes. A California Highway Patrol officer eventually rode up the ramp and shut off access.

McKean told The Times he's been in meetings with Camp Pendleton officials about the celebration for the last month. The closure of the interstate "came up overnight from Governor Newsom's office."

In a statement to The Times, the city of Oceanside said it was notified of the interstate closure at 7:30 a.m. via a California Highway Patrol update.

"Marine Corps was not even aware that [the interstate] was going to be closed, this was something from Sacramento to Cal Trans to CHP," McKean said.

The assistant police chief has lived in the Oceanside area since 1996 and said this is the first time "any training other than fires that I can remember closing down the I-5, this is not a normal thing."

McKean also said he has spent 20 years in the Marine Corps and "I've had artillery shot over me plenty of times," but he said, "it can be a distraction for drivers, for sure, and I think Governor is doing it in abundance of caution."

The governors office said it was informed earlier in the week that the White House was considering closing the freeway and when no order materialized by Wednesday, state officials began weighing whether to do so themselves. Driving that decision, they said, were safety concerns about reports that live ordnance would be fired over the freeway and onto the base.

Newsom's office said Thursday it was told no live fire would go over the freeway, only to be informed Friday that the military event organizers asked the California Department of Transportation for a sign along the I-5 that read "Overhead fire in progress."

Earlier Saturday morning, the state was told that live rounds were scheduled to be shot over the freeway around 1:30 p.m, prompting California Highway Patrol officials to recommend the freeway closure because of the potential safety risk and likelihood it would distract drivers.

In San Clemente, Saturdays brunch specials at the SC Cafe included mimosas, Bloody Marys and beers along with avocado toast, eggs Benedict and breakfast burritos.

Nearly every table at the corner eatery right off the 5 Freeway was filled with local and seasonal European tourists.

Yet business was a a bit slow that day, according to the staff and cafe owner Joey Abi-Loutfi, due in part to the freeway shutdown.

I heard about the traffic from the news a day earlier and wasnt exactly sure what to think, Abi-Loutfi said. Thats the give and take of owning a restaurant right next to a freeway ramp.

Abi-Loutfi said traffic and slowdowns have been a boon to his business in the past.

Jackknifed big rigs translated into frustrated drivers pulling over and grabbing a bite at the 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily establishment.

People will wait out the traffic with some food, said Abi-Loutfi, whos owned the eatery for 27 years.

Abi-Loutfi said hes not thrilled about this shutdown, though, aside from slower-than-usual business, due to the governments show of force in firing off weapons.

What a great use of funding, he said with a sarcasm thicker than his restaurants chunky salsa.

A cyclist manuvers around safety cones signalling that Interstate 5 freeway is closed on Saturday. (Jonathan Alcorn / For The Times)

Saturday's closure brought a deepening strain between California and the Trump administration  which has been escalating in recent months after the White House deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles to clamp down on protests, ramped up immigration raids and pressured California universities to comply with his agenda.

To Enmeier, the live-ammunition event is a "show of force on behalf of a few individuals more than likely intentionally timed to this day of widespread protest. Plus, he said the freeway closure is a source of needless financial strain.

Not only are we paying as a taxpayer for these shows of force, we're also losing money, Enmeier said. I mean, this is a major arterial road, and there's no other way down to San Diego from Orange County without taking an hour-and-a-half detour.

The Marine Corps said in a statement that Saturday's event would be a "historic Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration, showcasing the strength and unity of the Navy-Marine Corps team and ensuring we remain ready to defend the Homeland and our Nation's interests abroad."

A spokesperson for the Marines said artillery was shot from Red Beach into designated ranges on Friday evening as part of a dress rehearsal.

"M777 artillery pieces have historically been fired during routine training from land-based artillery firing points west of the I-5 into impact areas east of the interstate within existing safety protocols and without the need to close the route," the statement said. "This is an established and safe practice.

The event took about an hours and involved nine warships as well as helicopters launching an "attack on a beach near the 5, which brought cheers from the estimate 15,000 in attendance, according to the San Diego Union Tribune.

Standing here, you can feel the weight of that history, the generations upon generations, upon Americans who cut their teeth at this base, boarding ships and carrying the American flag. But thats exactly what Marines do, Vance said.

"From these mountains and this water, Marines have deployed to every major fight in the last century. From island hopping across the Pacific to Helmand Province and beyond," he added.

The military show of force coincides with "No Kings" rallies and marches across the state Saturday challenging President Trump and what critics say is government overreach. Dozens of protests are scheduled Saturday across Southern California, with more than 2,700 demonstrations expected across the country.

During "No Kings" protests in June, Trump held a military parade in Washington, D.C., which included a 21-gun salute, to celebrate the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary.

"Using our military to intimidate people you disagree with isnt strength  its reckless, its disrespectful, and its beneath the office he holds," Newsom said in a statement. "Law and order? This is chaos and confusion.

The Marine Corps said in a statement to The Times on Thursday that a detailed risk assessment was conducted and no highways or transportation routes will be closed" for the event titled Sea to Shore  A Review of Amphibious Strength."

Capt. Gregory Dreibelbis of the I Marine Expeditionary Force said that no ordnance will be fired from a U.S. Navy ship during the event, but Marines will fire high explosive rounds from artillery known as M777 Howitzers into designated ranges with all safety precautions in place. Simulated explosives and visual effects will also be used, he said.

The Trump administration previously had plans for a major celebration next month for the 250th anniversary of the Navy and Marines, which would have included an air and sea show  with the Blue Angels and parading warships  to be attended by Trump, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Plans to host that show in San Diego have been called off, the paper reported.

Camp Pendleton is a 125,000-acre base in northwestern San Diego County that has been critical in preparing troops for amphibious missions since World War II thanks to its miles of beach and coastal hills. The U.S. Department of Defense is considering making a portion of the base available for development or lease.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
by Stefano Caprio

The creation of a platform at the Council of Europe for dialogue with the democratic forces in Russia that oppose Vladimir Putin's regime is hampered by internal divisions between the various groups, including criticism of the Anti-Corruption Fund created by Alexei Navalny. Vladimir Kara-Murza's appeal: Every political prisoner must be able to count on not being forgotten.

A platform for dialogue with Russia's democratic forces, which oppose Vladimir Putin's regime and its warlike and imperialist pretensions, has been formed in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

In the resolution, voted by 80 parliamentarians, the PACE intends to transform communication with the Russian opposition and civil initiatives from scattered formats to structured dialogue, thereby helping Russian groups abroad who are unable to find real coordination among themselves, as was the Soviet tradition of dissidents in the last century, divided between the grand visions of Solzhenitsyn, Bukovsky, Sinyavsky, Maksimov and many others.

The composition of the Russian delegation to the PACE will be defined by the organisation's office, and one of the decisive elements will be the recognition of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as Georgia and Moldova, which have also been deprived of their territories by Russia.

Another criterion for participation will be the signing of the Berlin Declaration, approved by Russian opponents and activists in April 2023 to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, defining Putin's regime as illegitimate and criminal.

The organisations currently under consideration are Mikhail Khodorkovsky's group, Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Fund (Fbk), Natalia Argo and Vladimir Kara-Murza's Free Russia Foundation, Garry Kasparov's Free Russia Forum and various organisations representing Russia's minority peoples.

However, the FBK did not sign the Berlin Declaration, and in the PACE's own considerations, the group founded by Russia's most prominent opposition figure, who died in a prison camp in March 2024, attracted everyone's attention with actions that have drawn criticism within the Russian opposition forces.

This controversy is directed at several of Navalny's followers, although so far it has not directly affected his widow, Yulia Navalnaya, who is trying to represent the ability to unite all Russians at home and in exile who desire a happy Russia of the future, as her husband Alexei stated.

Navalny's top aide, Leonid Volkov, responded by criticising the crude and vile report by Representative Kross, accusing Estonian MP Eerik-Niiles Kross of discriminating against various opponents among Russian exiles in Europe.

Russians abroad are debating the actual importance of the PACE assembly, whether it serves only to acquire an official status to put on business cards, or whether it will be possible to obtain real support for the future of the country, as presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is trying to do for Belarus, who has also been in exile since 2020 after the repression of Alexander Lukashenko.

The most authoritative of the Russian opposition figures abroad, however, appears to be Vladimir Kara-Murza, whom the main news agencies turn to in order to understand what can be achieved by this activity of Russians in European institutions. In statements he made to Currentime, he said that the Council of Europe is the largest and most historic pan-European institution, with 46 member countries, many more than the EU itself, and that Russia was excluded from it after its invasion of Ukraine.

Currently, only two European countries are not represented in the PACE: Russia and Belarus. It is an institution that goes beyond the very aims of the EU, looking at the perspective of the entire continent, as its founders desired immediately after the Second World War.

The only true dictatorships in Europe are therefore those in Moscow and Minsk, and the difficulty in communicating with them is partially alleviated by opposition representatives, in order to imagine an important future for all, considering that the territories of Russia and Belarus constitute almost half of the entire continental territory.

When Resolution No. 300 was passed, which in March 2022 excluded the Russians from the Council, the assembly had already expressed its desire to continue a dialogue with the democratic forces and civil society in Russia.

According to Kara-Murza, it is no exaggeration to consider this a historic decision, given that the countries of the two totalitarian regimes still have a voice in Europe, which constitutes a bridge to the future, to reintegrate post-Putin Russia and post-Lukashenko Belarus into the space of law and brotherhood of European peoples.

Another activist from Navalny's group, Lyubov Sobol, says that the Russian delegation to the PACE is important in helping Russian emigrants, who find themselves in a far from easy situation after fleeing Russia. Kara-Murza believes that this help is certainly important, but what really matters is the activation of international accountability mechanisms for the war crimes Russia is committing in Ukraine.

It is also important to express genuine support for the many Russian opponents currently detained in camps, whose numbers are growing daily and now exceed 1,700, more than the number of Soviet dissidents in the 1980s. Just a few days ago, the vice-president of the liberal party Yabloko, Maksim Kruglov, was imprisoned in a concentration camp for anti-war posts published in April 2022.

Among the initiatives of the PACE, a commission on the problems of political prisoners has also been set up, with which Sergei Davidis, the Russian representative of the Memorial association for the memory of Soviet and current repressions, banned in Russia two years ago, met.

One of the issues to be addressed is precisely that of the political persecution of Putin's regime, which is increasingly resembling the Stalinist terror of the 1930s, a problem that takes a back seat to the tragedies of war, but which deeply wounds Russian society as a whole.

Kara-Murza comments from his expertise as a historian, recalling that all major political changes in Russia have usually happened suddenly and unexpectedly, as was the case with the collapse of the tsarist regime in 1917 and the end of the Soviet regime in 1991, so none of us knows when a new window of democratic change will open, but we know that it will open.

Since this could happen quickly and for a short time, the politician warns that we must act decisively and immediately.

Many groups opposed to the Moscow regime are trying to imagine this future, as in Memorial's recent report entitled The 100 days after Putin, which discusses constitutional reforms, new electoral mechanisms, and the need for a lustratsija, i.e. a historical review of what happened, which was sorely lacking at the end of the USSR.

Above all, it is important to consider Russia's reintegration into European institutions, as this is fundamental to the concept of a democratic state, especially in light of populist and sovereigntist tendencies around the world, from America to China, Turkey, India and many other countries.

Russia has never been a member of either the EU or NATO, but it has been a member of the Council of Europe for 26 years, since 1996, participating in the legislative space for the respect of human rights.

Kara-Murza recalls how important it is for a political prisoner to know that they have not been forgotten and calls for the involvement of all Russians abroad, including those not registered in the groups currently standing as candidates to participate in the PACE assembly.

There are six members of the Belarusian delegation, and it remains to be seen how many Russians there will be, whose population is 14 times larger than that of Belarus, and when Russia still participated in the PACE, it had 18 delegates. The important thing is that the new delegation is as open as possible, say representatives of the various groups.

The doors remain open to all Russians abroad, and Kara-Murza himself recalls that I was in a labour camp when the Berlin Declaration was approved, I didn't even know what it was, suggesting that we should not get too hung up on official statements.

What matters is the approval of the fundamental principles in support of Ukraine, without too much political manipulation of the formalities of the documents, uniting all Russians who oppose the war and Putin's new totalitarianism and are trying to imagine the possible future of Russia.

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18 October 2025 17:30 (UTC+04:00)

A concert dedicated to Azerbaijani mugham music was held at the Cultural Center under the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Italy, bringing together diplomats, academics, and members of the Azerbaijani community, Azernews reports.

The event was jointly organized by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Italy, the Cultural Center, the Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations, and the Khan Shushinski Foundation. The audience included representatives from Italys cultural and academic circles, ambassadors, diplomats, and Azerbaijani expatriates living in the country.

Gulnar Taghizade, Deputy Director of the Cultural Center, noted that the concert was held within the framework of the Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty and in celebration of October 18  the Day of Restoration of Independence. She provided detailed information about Azerbaijans rich cultural heritage and its deep-rooted musical traditions.

Azerbaijans Ambassador to Italy, Rashad Aslanov, highlighted that the declaration of 2025 as the Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty by President Ilham Aliyev was an important political step toward strengthening the countrys independence. He recalled that the adoption of the Constitutional Act on State Independence on October 18, 1991, marked the beginning of a new era for Azerbaijan.

The ambassador also underlined the unique place of mugham in Azerbaijani culture, noting that the tar, kamancha, and ghavalthe three core instruments of the genrehave been recognized by UNESCO as masterpieces of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This traditional trio, he said, represents the timeless spirit and authenticity of Azerbaijani music.

Performances by Mugham TV competition winner Nisbat Sadraeva, tar player Rustam Muslumov, and kamancha performer Parviz Farhadov captivated the audience, who responded with warm applause.

Following the concert, Beyimkhanim Javanshirova-Verdiyeva, founder and head of the Khan Shushinski Foundation, spoke about the Azerbaijani states strong support for culture has helped promote the nations rich heritage worldwide. She emphasized the major role of Mehriban Aliyeva, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, whose initiatives to establish Cultural Centers abroad have significantly advanced Azerbaijans cultural diplomacy and international visibility.

Javanshirova-Verdiyeva added that music serves as a bridge of friendship and understanding among peoples, and mugham is one of the most precious gifts Azerbaijan has offered to the world. While performed in many countries, she stressed, mugham attains its highest and most refined expression only in Azerbaijan.

Since its founding in 2011, the Khan Shushinski Foundation has implemented numerous projects to promote national music, organizing international events and anniversary evenings dedicated to renowned Azerbaijani artists.
18 October 2025 00:31 (UTC+04:00)

On October 17, First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican.

First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva expressed her pleasure at meeting Cardinal Pietro Parolin again and congratulated the Catholic world on the occasion of the Jubilee Year.

She thanked the Secretary of State for his participation in the COP29 event held in Azerbaijan in November last year and hailed the dynamic expansion of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Holy See in recent years.

Emphasizing that Azerbaijan embodies the values of religious tolerance and multiculturalism as both state policy and a societal norm, Mehriban Aliyeva spoke about the work carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation within the framework of cooperation with the Holy See. She noted the great potential for further developing bilateral relations. Speaking about the relations with the Catholic community in Azerbaijan, the First Vice-President said: The issue raised during the Secretary of State's visit to Azerbaijan in November last yearthe construction of a second Catholic Church in our countryhas found a positive resolution. A positive decision on this matter has already been made by President Ilham Aliyev, and construction of the second Catholic Church in the capital will begin in the near future. Mehriban Aliyeva underlined that Cardinal Pietro Parolin is regarded in Azerbaijan as a close friend of the country and its people and expressed gratitude for his contributions to the successful and steady development of bilateral cooperation.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin expressed his honor at seeing First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva again and conveyed his deep appreciation to the Azerbaijani state and personally to President Ilham Aliyev for efforts in strengthening relations with the Holy See. He described his meeting with President Ilham Aliyev during his visit to Azerbaijan at COP29 as a gesture of respect toward the Vatican. Highlighting the projects implemented with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Cardinal praised the cooperation and the exemplary relations between the state and the Catholic community in Azerbaijan. The construction of a second Catholic Church in Baku is a highly commendable development, and for that, we are grateful to Azerbaijan. This is yet another manifestation of the care and respect shown to all religions in your country. Azerbaijan serves as an example for many countries in this regard, he said.

The Cardinal also noted that the awarding of Bishop Vladimir Fekete, Apostolic Prefect of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan, with the Friendship Order by President Ilham Aliyev is another sign of respect toward the Holy See.

Pietro Parolin congratulated Azerbaijan on the signing of the Joint Declaration by Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the United States on August 8 in Washington and on the initialing of the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He reaffirmed the Vaticans unequivocal support for peace in the region.

Expressing her gratitude to Cardinal Pietro Parolin for his congratulations, First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva highly valued the outcomes of the Washington Summit, emphasizing that the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia remain committed to the peace agenda and expressing hope for the establishment of lasting peace in the region.

Photo credit: Vatican Media
18 October 2025 00:55 (UTC+04:00)

On October 17, First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva met with Sister Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State.

During the meeting, Sister Raffaella Petrini expressed deep and sincere gratitude to the Azerbaijani state for the projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the Vatican. She highly appreciated First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyevas visits to the Holy See, expressing gratitude for her valuable support in promoting mutual understanding, interfaith dialogue, and the development of cultural ties. She noted that such initiatives foster friendship, mutual understanding, and warm relations among peoples.

First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva thanked the Vatican City State Governorate for the warm reception and attention shown. She invited Sister Raffaella Petrini to make an official visit to Baku, emphasizing the importance of expanding cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Vatican in new directions. Sister Raffaella Petrini warmly accepted the invitation, expressing her intention to visit Azerbaijan in the near future.

The meeting, held in an atmosphere of mutual respect, included an exchange of views on the prospects for practical cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Vatican Governorate in the cultural, religious, and humanitarian fields.
18 October 2025 10:05 (UTC+04:00)

As Astana prepares for the state visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Kazinform News Agency shares an exclusive interview with His Excellency. During the conversation, President Ilham Aliyev spoke about his view of bilateral cooperation with Kazakhstan, as well as ongoing partnerships in trade, energy, culture, and the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

Azernews presents the interview.

- Your Excellency, your state visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan is expected very soon. How would you characterize the current level of political relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, and what are your expectations for the upcoming visit?

 The political relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan today are distinguished by a high degree of strength and mutual trust. Over the past decades, based on the historical bonds of brotherhood, friendship, and mutual support, as well as on the solid foundation of our shared Turkic identity, similar cultural traditions, and spiritual values of our peoples, we have built relations of genuine strategic and allied partnership.

Undoubtedly, an important factor contributing to the strengthening of bilateral cooperation is the active and constructive dialogue conducted at the highest level, which gives new impetus to the comprehensive deepening of interstate ties in all areas.

Over the past three years, this will be my seventh visit to the brotherly country. I am pleased to observe dynamic development and new achievements during each visit to Kazakhstan. These accomplishments reflect the purposeful and well-calibrated state policy carried out under the leadership of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev. I am particularly impressed by the successful implementation of reforms aimed at modernizing the country and diversifying its economy. I would like to congratulate the entire brotherly nation of Kazakhstan on these results. During the same period, President Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev has visited Azerbaijan six times. All this demonstrates our mutual commitment to developing comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction between our countries. Furthermore, regular contacts allow us to promptly address pressing issues on the agenda and coordinate positions on key areas of cooperation.

Taking this opportunity, I would like once again to express my gratitude to brotherly Kazakhstan for the construction of the Kurmangazy Childrens Creativity Center in the liberated city of Fuzuli. This center has become an important cultural and educational institution, currently providing education to about 100 children.

Over the years, we have developed a solid contractual and legal framework  about 170 documents  and established mechanisms for productive interaction in political, trade, economic, investment, cultural, humanitarian, and other spheres. I would particularly like to note the significance of the Treaty on Strategic Partnership and Allied Relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, the 20th anniversary of which we celebrated this year. This document laid a reliable foundation for the development of AzerbaijaniKazakh cooperation in various fields, and over the years, collaboration between our countries has significantly expanded in all directions.

It is also worth emphasizing the importance of the Supreme Interstate Council, whose first meeting took place last year during the state visit of the President of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan. During the upcoming second meeting in Astana, further prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation and steps to elevate AzerbaijaniKazakh relations to a new level will be discussed.

Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan also cooperate effectively in multilateral formats, particularly within international and regional organizations, including the United Nations (UN), the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), among others. Our countries support each other in the international arena, sharing common positions on many issues.

- How has trade and economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan developed in recent years?

 The scope of trade and economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is very broad. We are pleased to note the steady growth of trade and economic interaction. Both countries are consistently implementing joint initiatives, expanding cooperation across various sectors of the economy. This progress has been made possible thanks to a purposeful state policy, active dialogue between business representatives, and our shared commitment to developing mutually beneficial and partnership-based relations.

To date, about 250 commercial entities with Kazakh capital are registered in Azerbaijan, which confirms the high level of trust in the investment climate and creates a strong foundation for further expansion of economic cooperation.

Positive dynamics are also clearly visible in the field of mutual trade. In 2024, the volume of trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $470 million, and in the period from January to August 2025 it reached $547 million, exceeding the same period of the previous year by more than threefold. This growth is due to the effective use of the Middle Corridors potential and the systematic modernization of transport and logistics infrastructure.

At the same time, investment cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is also strengthening: Azerbaijani investments in Kazakhstans economy have reached $225 million, while Kazakh investments in Azerbaijan total $136 million. These figures demonstrate both sides mutual interest in long-term partnership and sustainable development.

- How would you assess the level of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in the transport and logistics and oil and gas sectors, as well as in the field of green energy? What is the significance of the Middle Corridor for both countries? What steps are taken to improve the efficiency of transportation through the ports of Aktau and Alat?

 Transport and logistics cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is a strategically important direction that opens new opportunities for economic growth and the integration of regional markets. The continuous development of infrastructure and expansion of tariff and logistical advantages create favorable conditions for increasing the volume of freight transport and further strengthening bilateral relations.

Today, this area of cooperation demonstrates significant progress. The volume of transit shipments between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in 2024 exceeded 3.5 million tons, which is 20% higher than the previous period. The Middle Corridor plays a key role in ensuring stable and efficient connectivity between the two countries.

In 2022, in the city of Aktau, the Roadmap for 20222027 on the Development and Operation of the Middle Corridor was signed, covering the territories of Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan. The document provides for the synchronized development of the transport and logistics infrastructure of the three countries, optimization of operations, attraction of additional cargo flow, implementation of a unified tariff policy, development of a network of logistics centers, and resolution of other key issues.

One significant infrastructure project is the construction of submarine fiber-optic communication lines along the bottom of the Caspian Sea between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. The construction contract was signed in March 2025 in Baku, with completion planned for the end of 2026, which will strengthen digital integration.

In the oil and gas sector, a general agreement on the transit of Kazakh oil with a volume of 1.5 million tons per year via the AktauCeyhan route has been signed between SOCAR and the National Company KazMunayGas. In 2024, an agreement was signed on the phased increase of transit volumes and reduction of tariffs.

To enhance transportation efficiency through the ports of Aktau and Alat, measures are being implemented to modernize infrastructure, renew rolling stock, and more  all of which will strengthen the position of the Middle Corridor as a key transit route between Europe and Asia.

In industrial cooperation, an important area is also partnership in the shipbuilding industry.

The development of green energy occupies an important place on the bilateral agenda. In 2024, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan signed a series of strategic agreements and memorandums aimed at integrating energy systems and promoting renewable energy sources. These initiatives reflect the shared commitment of our states to sustainable development and the transition to environmentally clean technologies.

- How do you assess the role of the Organization of Turkic States in strengthening ties between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan?

 The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) plays a key role in strengthening the brotherly ties between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan and serves as an effective platform for deepening political dialogue, expanding economic relations, and developing humanitarian cooperation.

Founded in 2009 on the ancient Azerbaijani land of Nakhchivan, the Organization of Turkic States has made a great contribution to strengthening cooperation and enhancing solidarity among Turkic peoples and countries. Last year, the first informal Summit was held in Shusha, and recently, the 12th Summit of the OTS Heads of State took place in Gabala. During these high-level meetings, key issues of cooperation among our countries within the organization were productively discussed, and declarations were signed to strengthen the OTS, consolidate the Turkic world, and enhance its political, economic, and military potential, turning it into a center of power on the global stage.

In the cultural, humanitarian, and educational spheres, cooperation between our countries within the OTS is systematic and progressive. Joint initiatives cover a wide range of areas  from organizing festivals, exhibitions, literary evenings, and conferences to active collaboration among academic and educational institutions.

Within the framework of the OTS, the International Turkic Academy operates successfully, playing an important role in research and strengthening scientific and educational ties. We also cooperate closely within TURKSOY, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic States (TURKPA), and other international organizations, which once again testifies to the high level of trust between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

I would like to especially emphasize the historical significance of the First Turkological Congress, held in Baku in 1926. This event became an important milestone in the development of Turkic science, culture, and unity. Next year will mark the 100th anniversary of this remarkable forum, and the jubilee of the First Turkological Congress is planned to be solemnly celebrated within the framework of the OTS.

- How closely do our countries cooperate in the cultural and humanitarian spheres?

 As I have stated earlier, our peoples are united by centuries-old history, culture, religion, and common values. The development of cultural ties plays an important role in bringing our peoples closer together and strengthening brotherly bonds.

In 2023, the Days of Kazakh Culture were held in Azerbaijan, and in 2024, the Days of Azerbaijani Culture took place in Kazakhstan. Such events reflect the dynamic development of creative cooperation between our peoples and contribute to the mutual enrichment of the cultural traditions of both countries.

I would like to note with satisfaction the publication in Azerbaijani of the collection of stories Night Shot by Kemel Tokayev, one of the most outstanding figures who made a great contribution to the development of Kazakh literature.

In 2023, an international conference dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Kemel Tokayev and the 115th anniversary of Mir Jalal Pashayev was also held in Baku.

- The issue of the Caspian Seas shallowing is becoming increasingly urgent. How are Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan coordinating their actions on this matter?

 Today, unfortunately, the Caspian Sea is facing a number of serious environmental challenges. One of the most pressing problems is the shallowing  the rapid decline in the water level  which poses both ecological and economic threats. At the Sixth Caspian Summit, held in 2022, I raised the issue of ecological imbalance in the Caspian Sea. Unfortunately, since then, the situation has only worsened. The water level in the Caspian Sea is rapidly declining, and the reasons for this lie not only in climate change.

In this situation, it is extremely important for all Caspian littoral states to establish close cooperation, actively exchange scientific information, and develop coordinated measures to mitigate the consequences.

The drop in the Caspian Seas water level and the resulting environmental changes threaten biodiversity and the sustainability of the ecosystem, requiring coordinated actions to protect nature and restore ecological balance.

In addition, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and other Caspian states can and should actively promote initiatives for the protection of the Caspian Sea at regional and international platforms. Amid growing transnational environmental risks, the Caspian Sea is no longer merely a body of water but has become a symbol of our shared responsibility and the necessity for united action.
18 October 2025 11:31 (UTC+04:00)

The official opening ceremony of the administrative office of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Holy See took place on October 17.

First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican, attended the event.

Azerbaijans Ambassador to the Holy See Ilgar Mukhtarov briefed the participants on the newly opened administrative office, located on Via della Conciliazione  the main avenue leading to St. Peter's Basilica, in close proximity to the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican. The street also hosts official institutions of the Vatican, as well as administrative offices of several embassies accredited to the Holy See.

It was highlighted that relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Holy See have been steadily developing in recent years in a spirit of mutual respect, interest, and fruitful cooperation, with collaboration deepening and diversifying across various fields.

Following the ceremony, First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva and Cardinal Pietro Parolin exchanged views over tea on bilateral relations, the international agenda, and other matters of mutual interest.

Given that the Holy See serves as the spiritual and ideological center for more than a billion Catholics worldwide, the activities of Azerbaijan's diplomatic mission hold particular significance for promoting the countrys realities to the global community.

In 2021, President Ilham Aliyev signed the law on the official establishment of the Embassy of Azerbaijan to the Holy See. In 2022, Ilgar Mukhtarov was appointed as Azerbaijans first resident ambassador to the Holy See.
18 October 2025 12:10 (UTC+04:00)

The second meeting of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Supreme Interstate Council will be held in Astana, said President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in an exclusive interview with Kazinform News Agency ahead of his state visit to Kazakhstan, Azernews reports.

"It is also worth emphasizing the importance of the Supreme Interstate Council, whose first meeting took place last year during the state visit of the President of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan. During the upcoming second meeting in Astana, further prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation and steps to elevate AzerbaijaniKazakh relations to a new level will be discussed," said President Ilham Aliyev.
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has warned food aid cannot reach everyone in Gaza unless all border crossings are opened, particularly in the north where famine was declared in August
18 October 2025 14:50 (UTC+04:00)

The Turkish Ministry of National Defense has extended its congratulations to Azerbaijan on the 34th anniversary of the restoration of its independence.

According to Azernews, the brotherly nations defense ministry marked the occasion with a social media post emphasizing the unbreakable bond between the two countries.

We sincerely greet the brotherly people of Azerbaijan. We will always stand united within the spirit of the saying, One nation, two states. Long live Turkiye and Azerbaijan! the message read.

The post highlighted the enduring solidarity between the two nations, underscoring their shared history, mutual support, and common vision for peace and stability in the region.
18 October 2025 14:20 (UTC+04:00)

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From January to September 2025, Azerbaijan exported 778,600 tons of crude oil and petroleum products derived from bituminous minerals to Romania, worth $429.3 million, Azernews reports, citing the State Customs Committee.

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18 October 2025 15:55 (UTC+04:00)

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From January to September 2025, Azerbaijan exported 500,700 tons of crude oil and oil products derived from bituminous rocks to Greece, valued at $268.5 million, Azernews reports, citing the State Customs Committee.

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18 October 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

The U.S. government's decision to cut hundreds of jobs at the Department of Commerce during the ongoing government shutdown is threatening to derail its national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy, Axios reports, citing sources close to the department, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

Since October 1, approximately 600 positions have been eliminated across key agencies, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Among those let go are technical experts critical to ensuring compliance with emerging AI regulations, safeguarding intellectual property, and maintaining industry collaboration. These personnel cuts have sparked concern within the tech community, as many of these agencies play a pivotal role in setting standards and guiding responsible AI innovation in the private sector.

Earlier this week, a federal judge issued a temporary injunction to halt some of the layoffs, acknowledging the potential long-term consequences for national security and technological leadership.

Experts warn that the disruption could give other global powers, including China and the EU, an edge in the race to shape international AI norms and standards.
18 October 2025 18:05 (UTC+04:00)

German flag carrier Lufthansa plans to scale back its domestic flight operations as part of efforts to cope with soaring operational costs, mounting taxes, and rising airport fees, Azernews reports, citing Germanys media outlets.

Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr told local media that expenses have doubled since 2019, prompting the airline to cancel approximately 100 domestic flights per week next summer. He warned that further reductions would be inevitable if local costs are not brought under control.

Spohr noted that certain routes  including MunichMunster/Osnabruck and MunichDresden  are particularly at risk, as operations on these lines have become unprofitable.

While international travel has largely recovered to pre-pandemic levels, domestic routes in Germany continue to lag behind. Business travel, in particular, remains significantly lower than before 2020. Lufthansa attributes this ongoing decline to the widespread shift toward videoconferencing, which has reduced the need for in-person meetings.
18 October 2025 19:10 (UTC+04:00)

Researchers have discovered dozens of new methane seeps littering the ocean floor in the Ross Sea coastal region of Antarctica, raising concerns of an unknown positive climate feedback loop that could accelerate global warming, according to Live Science, Azernews reports, citing Azertag.

A potent greenhouse gas has begun seeping out of the Antarctic seafloor in dozens of places, scientists have discovered.

Researchers documented the emergence of these methane seeps in shallow regions of the Ross Sea, a bay off the southern coast of Antarctica. The patches of leaking gas could be caused by global warming, and they could also threaten to accelerate it further, according to a new study published Oct. 1 in the journal Nature Communications.

"Every time we discover or hear of a new one, we feel immediate excitement, but that excitement is quickly replaced with anxiety and concern about what it all means," study lead author Sarah Seabrook, a marine scientist at the research institute Earth Sciences New Zealand, said in a statement.

"If they follow the behaviour of other global seep systems, there is the potential for rapid transfer of methane to the atmosphere from a source that is not currently factored into future climate change scenarios," Seabrook added.

Methane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere by absorbing outgoing radiation. When methane first enters the atmosphere, it is a lot more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide (CO2), being about 80 times more potent across the first 20 years it's in the atmosphere. This makes methane a particularly aggressive short-term driver of climate change. (CO2 stays in the atmosphere for longer, so it's a more significant long-term driver.)

About 60% of methane emissions come from human activities such as farming and burning fossil fuels, while the remaining 40% come from natural sources. Scientists are concerned that as the planet gets warmer, more natural methane and carbon dioxide sources, such as those in melting permafrost, are being unlocked, creating a positive feedback loop that accelerates warming even further.

Researchers have previously spotted tens of thousands of methane leaks in the Arctic, but prior to the new study, there was only one confirmed Antarctic methane seep, identified in 2011. Underwater seeps create streams of bubbles as methane and other chemicals dissolve in ocean water following their release from beneath the seabed. White mats of microbial communities live around seeps, making them identifiable on the seafloor.

In the new study, researchers used acoustic surveys, divers and a remotely operated vehicle to explore seeps located between 16 feet (5 meters) and 787 feet (240 m) below the icy surface of the Ross Sea, off the Antarctic mainland. The team initially only went to investigate one seep in Cape Evans, located on the west side of Ross Island, and were surprised to find the seafloor littered with them.

"Last year, we went to Cape Evans to look at one small area where gas bubbles had been discovered and were hoping to find that one site still bubbling," Seabrook said. "Instead, we found dozens more."The researchers studied areas that have been regularly surveyed for decades, meaning that the seeps must be a new feature. It's not known exactly what is causing the seeps to appear, but the researchers noted that similar processes in the Arctic and paleorecord (past environments) have been attributed to climate-driven cryospheric change  the degradation of Earth's ice that previously locked these chemicals in place.

It's unclear how much methane might be leaving Antarctica and reaching our atmosphere, nor how much remains trapped beneath its thawing ice, but the researchers are concerned that the seeps could be widespread. This raises fears of positive feedback loops as well as a variety of other knock-on effects caused by methane, such as ocean acidification.

Seabrook and her colleagues recommended coordinated, international efforts to urgently study the seeps.

"If these seeps keep emerging at the areas we are working in, it really begs the question of what the shallow coastal environment of Antarctica may look like five or 10 years from now," Seabrook said. "This system is rapidly changing before our eyes from one year to the next."
18 October 2025 16:30 (UTC+04:00)

Ramiz Mehdiyev has been relieved of his membership in the Security Council of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree.

Mehdiyev was included in the Security Council by the Presidential decree dated October 23, 2019.

The Sabail District Court of Baku has made a decision in the criminal case against Mehdiyev.

The court granted the petition regarding 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.

He 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.
18 October 2025 21:20 (UTC+04:00)

Germany will deploy three members of the Bundeswehr to Israel to help monitor compliance with the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, Azernews reports, citing local media and the German Defense Ministrys press service.

According to the ministry, two officers and one brigadier general will travel to Israel next week to perform their duties in uniform but unarmed. The German contingent will operate in southern Israel at the Civil-Military Coordination Center, which is still under construction.

The center will host around 200 military personnel in total. Its mission includes monitoring adherence to the ceasefire and coordinating the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Indiana University is currently under fire after it ordered its student-run newspaper, the Indiana Daily Student (IDS), to stop printing new editions and fired the school's director of student media.

Now, students at the school are criticizing the administration's latest efforts, calling them censorship. The order to stop printing of new editions came a few hours after the school's director of student media, Jim Rodenbush, was terminated.

Indiana University Under Fire for Student Paper Censorship

The editors argued that Indiana University and the media school "previously directed the IDS to stop printing news coverage in our newspaper." They added that they were only allowed to use the special editions, which were traditionally included as inserts in their paper.

They said that the school telling them what they can and cannot print is "unlawful censorship." This was something that the Student Press Law Center agreed with, as it told the university to reverse its decision, according to The Guardian.

The situation comes as in the last few weeks, there had been several disagreements between university leadership, IDS editors, and Rodenbush. These were over what content could appear in the print paper.

During a meeting on Sept. 25, Rodenbush said that if the school is telling students what they can't put in the paper on campus, that is the definition of censorship. He also said that Indiana University had previously announced plans to reduce the paper's print frequency from weekly to seven per semester.

The university explained the change by saying that they simply wanted to focus on "special" print editions, which they believe would be more profitable. Rodenbush was allegedly fired because the school believed he was not supporting their plans, was not leading effectively, and could not be trusted to represent the university's interests, Straight Arrow News reported.

Interfering With Editorial Judgment

In response to the criticisms, Indiana University Bloomington Chancellor David Reingold said that they are firmly committed to free expression and editorial independence of student media. He said that the school has not and will not interfere with their editorial judgment.

ISD editor Andrew Miller said that the decision to fire Rodenbush was a deliberate scare tactic toward student journalists and faculty. He added that their resistance is about maintaining their editorial independence and not about the print itself.

The editor added that Indiana University had no legal right to dictate what they can and cannot print in their paper. He argued that school officials should focus their time on working on financial stability instead, as per Fox59.
UPDATE: Thanks to the pressure from President Trump, the UN's International Maritime Organization has voted down this outrageous tax scheme.

https://www.wsj.com/opinion/united-nations-shipping-carbon-tax-international-maritime-organization-54ae92b2?st=SnT6r9

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/10/bullet-dodged-attempt-united-nations-force-massive-climate/

Here is some more detail on how Trump pulled this off:

https://redstate.com/streiff/2025/10/17/he-looked-like-a-deer-in-the-headlights-trump-lowers-the-boom-as-us-defeats-china-backed-un-tax-scheme-n2195181

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ORIGINAL POST:

The Wall Street Journal has published an editorial blasting the globalist mafia of the United Nations for trying to impose a global carbon tax through one of its agencies, a tax that would raise prices for everyone and pump billions into the UN budget. The tax would be on ships carrying goods and raise costs by about 10%. The tax would be imposed through the International Maritime Agency, a UN agency. It would be the first time the UN tried to directly impose a tax, and that body is meeting this week in London.

President Trump has threatened to slap sanctions on any country that goes along with this power and money grabbing scheme

https://www.wsj.com/opinion/united-nations-shipping-tax-climate-international-maritime-organization-e2f418c0?st=vuE9yG

The opening sentence of the editorial shows how much the UN is out of touch with real people: "Voters are showing their opposition to the net-zero climate agenda whenever they get the chance." This proposal is a travesty that needs to be stopped.

This is an attack on the sovereignty of our own country and other nations.

https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2025/10/16/u-n-to-vote-on-first-ever-global-tax-punishing-shipping-emissions/

https://redstate.com/wardclark/2025/10/15/marco-rubio-hard-no-on-risky-un-carbon-tax-scheme-n2195112

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/10/un-institute-de-facto-tax-american-citizens-ultimate/

Here is some real science from a parade of top scientists who debunk the UN's CO2 climate theory, a British TV documentary broadcast nationally on Channel 4 entitled "The Great Global Warming Swindle":
The latest protestant church body to split between liberals and conservatives is the Anglican Church, of which the Episcopal Church in the US is a part. The split was caused by the appointment of a very liberal woman bishop, who is strongly pro-gay as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, a position that is the traditional leader of the church.

Led by African branches of the Anglican Church, who called the new Archbishop of Canterbury "a disaster" they declared the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), a conservative led grouping to be the new head of the Anglican Church. They specifically rejected the Archbishop of Canterbury as an authority in the faith and also rejected other institutions including the Lambeth Conference, the Anglican Consultive Council and the Primates Meeting. The congregations of the Global Anglican Future Conference will no longer contribute financially to church bodies under the Archbishop of Canterbury. GAFCON now considers itself the true Anglican church.

https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2025/10/17/anglican-church-splits-over-lgbt-friendly-woman-archbishop-of-canterbury/

The US Episcopal Church has tended to the liberal side and most of it is likely to stay with the Canterbury branch, but in the UK, conservative elements of the church have been building parallel institutions for years and may take this opportunity to break with Canterbury. The Asian and African elements of the church, which is where church growth has been the strongest are heavily with GAFCON.
Belfast office block priced at 7.5m is set to become major new nursing home

The Gasworks building was formerly used by 1,600 Lloyds Banking Group staff

The former Lloyds Banking Group call centre

John Mulgrew Sat 18 Oct 2025 at 08:26

A former bank call centre could be turned into a major new nursing home.
Irish reporter on life as a BBC war correspondent: Somebody just gets a feeling and thats that

From working in Penneys to reporting from the frontline in Ukraine, Dubliner Orla Guerin talks to Colleen Murrell about her career in some of the worlds most dangerous trouble spots

The way you reach an audience, I think, is by telling stories that are personal: Orla Guerin in Eastern Ukraine in 2022 for BBC News

Colleen Murrell Sat 18 Oct 2025 at 08:00

Looking back over her distinguished career as a foreign correspondent at the BBC, Orla Guerin rules out any pre-ordained logic to it, but thinks that she simply followed the big news destinations.
Its nearly time for two of my favourite culinary celebrations  Gin and Tonic Day tomorrow, and Apple Day on Tuesday.

The first Apple Day was in 1990 and has developed into a day across the UK to celebrate this amazing fruit. The apple is used as a symbol of the physical, cultural and genetic diversity that we shouldnt allow to slip away.

The hope is that linking particular apples with their place of origin will help orchards be recognised for their contribution to local distinctiveness. Nowhere is this more pertinent than in Armagh, where the Bramley apple has been given protected geographical indication status.

There has been an exemplary apple crop this year, and what better way to combine cooking and eating apples than in a cheesecake slice? This is a baked cheesecake where mascarpone and cream cheese are whisked with sugar, vanilla, flour and eggs and spooned onto a base of buttery oaty biscuits, cornflakes and butter. When the cheesecake is cooled, top with some Bramley apple puree and then add slices of red apple that have been tossed in a lemony sugar syrup.

International Gin and Tonic Day was launched by Jayne Withers in honour of her grandmother Mary Edith, who was partial to an occasional tipple. She passed away at the age of 95 with a gin and tonic beside her bed. A G&T is technically a cocktail as it contains two ingredients.

It was created by officers of the Presidency Armies, the military force of the East India Company which operated on the Indian subcontinent, an area where malaria was a persistent problem.

A Scottish doctor called George Cleghorn found that quinine could be used to treat the disease. Quinine on its own is incredibly bitter, so the resourceful officers added sugar, lime and gin to the mix, and so the gin and tonic was born.

Matching gin and food is something that makes sense.

And while I love a G&T, I adore a properly made dirty gin martini. Gin and vermouth are stirred over ice, served in a chilled glass and garnished with two or three stuffed green olives.

I used to be a bit sniffy about tinned olives, but they are actually very good. Youre left with brine, which I admit to throwing in the bin in the past.

Its slightly acidic salinity can be used in marinades, added to tomato sauces, used for seasoning greens as you cook, added to Bloody Marys, tossed into pickles or as in the case here, used in a dressing.

Because of the inclement weather, you cant always be guaranteed fresh fish, so smoked mackerel is a good back-up. The recipe here is a double celebration of Apple Day and Gin and Tonic Day, with the mackerel being served with an apple and radish salad and a dirty martini dressing. The dressing is a classic with the addition of gin and olive brine.

You could use it to dress greens as well or on a tomato salad. A gin and tonic would work well as an accompaniment or Ive added a recipe for an apple gin fizz. Use good, local apple juice and shake over ice with gin, lemon juice, maple syrup and egg white (for foaminess) and then top with soda water. Equally delicious on its own

Smoked mackerel with apple, radish and dirty martini dressing

What youll need

For the mackerel

4 smoked mackerel fillets

1 Granny Smith apple

10 radishes

1 tablespoon olive brine

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

15ml white wine vinegar (I use white balsamic)

2 teaspoons gin

75ml good local rapeseed oil or olive oil

Salt and pepper to season

Dill to garnish

Method

Whisk the olive brine with the mustard, gin and vinegar.

Whisk in the oil and season to taste.

Slice the apple thinly and then cut the slices into thin sticks.

Toss in a dessertspoon of the dressing.

Finely slice the radishes.

Arrange the apples and radishes on top of the mackerel fillets.

Spoon over the dressing and garnish with dill fronds.

For the dirty martini

Apple gin fizz

50ml gin

35ml local apple juice

10ml lemon juice

1 teaspoon maple syrup

 egg white

25ml soda water

Method

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

Add the gin, apple juice, lemon juice, maple syrup and egg white.

Place the lid on and shake as hard as you can for 30 seconds.

Strain into a cocktail glass and top with the soda water.

Apple cheesecake slice

Apple cheesecake slice

What youll need

For the cheesecake base

150g digestive or oaty biscuits

50g cornflakes

75g butter

Method

Crush the biscuits and cornflakes and mix in with the melted butter.

Press into a lightly buttered square cake tin, preferably with a loose bottom.

For the Bramley apple puree

1 large Bramley apple

50g sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Method

Peel, quarter and core the apple.

Dice and cook with the sugar and cinnamon until soft.

Blend to a smooth puree.

For the cheesecake mix

275g mascarpone cheese

275g full fat cream cheese

150g caster sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract

2 tablespoons plain flour

2 eggs

Method

Set oven to 160C.

Whisk the cheeses with the sugar, vanilla, eggs and flour to a smooth mixture. Fold the apple mixture in gently to make a ripple effect.

Spoon onto the biscuit base and bake for an hour.

Cool and then chill.

For the apples

2 red eating apples

50g caster sugar

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

50ml water

Method

Cook the sugar, lemon juice and water until sugar has dissolved.

Quarter and core the apples.

Slice apple and mix into sugar syrup.

Slice the chilled cheesecake into squares, spread over the bramley apple puree and then top with the sliced apples.
Joe Brolly facing investigation by barristers body for making inappropriate sexual gesture

Complaint was made to the Bar of Northern Ireland after behaviour on election podcast

Joe Brolly is under fire for mimicking a sex act during a podcast about the Irish presidential election

Shane Phelan Sat 18 Oct 2025 at 08:11
A Montana judge dismissed a children's lawsuit against United States President Donald Trump's energy policies.

On Wednesday, a federal district court in Montana granted the Trump administration's request to have a youth-led lawsuit challenging the government's efforts, which is to increase the extraction and use of fossil fuels and other actions that suppress climate science and undermine renewable energy, tossed out.

Montana Court Dismisses Lawsuit Against Trump Admin

While the Montana court found it plausible that these actions would result in grave harm to the health and well-being of children, it also determined that it was simply powerless to stop them from being carried out.

Because if the court tries to do so, that would mean it would tread into the realm of policymaking that is reserved for Congress. When the court made its determination, it followed what is viewed as a binding precedent from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

It ruled in the landmark Juliana v. United States youth climate case that courts do not have the authority to provide the plaintiffs' requested relief to alleviate the harms of climate change, according to Inside Climate News.

The decision in the latest case, known as Lighthiser v. Trump, comes after the court held a two-day hearing in mid-September. That hearing included live testimony from some of the youth plaintiffs and six expert witnesses.

The witnesses included climate scientists, doctors, economists, and renewable energy experts. That hearing marked the first time in the history of the United States that a federal court heard live testimony in a youth climate lawsuit.

The 22 plaintiffs in the latest case included youths who won in a landmark climate trial against the state of Montana two years ago. During the testimonies, activists and experts described Trump's actions as a growing danger to children and the planet, the Associated Press reported.

The Threat of Climate Change

On Wednesday, a United Nations agency said that heat-trapping carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere rose by the highest amount last year. This allegedly "turbo-charged" the climate and made weather more extreme across the globe.

Judge Dana Christensen dedicated long portions of the decision to recounting what expert witnesses and plaintiffs had testified about in court. He said, "The record further demonstrates that climate change and the exposure from fossil fuels present a children's health emergency."

On the other hand, the Justice Department, which represented the president and 12 federal agencies and their leaders, also spoke. They said that the court's decision throws out a sweeping and "baseless attack on President Trump's energy agenda," as per the New York Times.
NI Environment Agency confirmed a nest was found in Dundonald

Watch: Call for vigilance after first confirmed sightings of Asian hornets in NI

They annihilate ecosystems, have no natural predators, and could cost the UK tens of millions of pounds.

But what exactly are these insects that Northern Ireland is definitely not ready for, and why should we be worried?
Image of John and the drunken man who had just kicked him.

A popular Belfast busker has spoken of his disappointment at the deterioration in Belfast city centre after he was assaulted while performing.

John Garrity, who is from Trillick in Co Tyrone, said it is six years to the day that he moved to Belfast.

It was an anniversary he wanted to celebrate by posting to his followers online, but Saturdays events spoilt the occasion.

The city centre is a pure dump, he told the Belfast Telegraph, I dont blame people for not going into it any more.

Commenting on the attack, he said: It went on for about a half hour or more.

Everything was going grand, I was out for a couple of hours. I was over talking to people who would stop with me all the time to chat about music or where Im playing.

A visibly intoxicated man then grabbed the microphone. I took it back off him, because I have a rule with my mic that its only me who uses it because you never know whether someone might grab it and say something provocative; make sectarian or racist remarks.

People from all backgrounds use and commute through the city centre, its a shared space.

When the attacker was then asked to step away he became very hostile, took his jacket off and put his fists up.

Singer John Garrity.

John explained that he has always been taught to show restraint, to keep my hands in my pockets no matter how many clouts you get.

The man punched John on the side of the head, he explained, then pushed him.

The musician attempted to laugh it off and didnt want children who were watching to witness a fight.

In order to diffuse the situation, John walked away to speak to individuals he knows again.

The drunk man left but returned ten minutes later, when he charged towards John and hit the bottom of my chin. He was also kicked a number of times.

John backed away as he knew the man was heavily intoxicated and didnt want to get involved.

Image of John and the drunken man who had just kicked him.

Watch: Call for vigilance after first confirmed sightings of Asian hornets in NI

Since the incident John has received hundreds and hundreds of messages from well-wishers.

He was however forthright when it comes to his views on Belfast city centre and how it has deteriorated since he first moved six years ago.

Belfast city centre is done,  John said. There are no police about the city centre, nobody to turn to.

Security on doors can only do so much. This sort of anti-social behaviour is ongoing in the city centre.

Theres been an unbelievable decline. Its sad. The Belfast I moved to years ago is unrecognisable; totally different. No police, no support.

He posted online after the incident questioning whether it is time to start hitting back?

The busker can only recall one other occasion did he encounter physical violence and that involved two homeless men.

Preparing to perform again on Saturday night, John said he was left feeling like a zombie with lots of thoughts running through his mind about the assault.

While troubled by the incident, he says Belfast is a place he enjoys and with the support he has received just wants to get on with it.

Belfast area Chief Inspector Pete Cunningham has said that as a victim-focused Police Service, the PSNI has engaged with Mr Garrity concerning this matter and provided appropriate advice.

"Our investigation is ongoing at this time, with a number of enquiries to be completed in due course, a statement added.

As such, we would appeal to anyone who was in the Donegall Place area yesterday afternoon around 3pm and noticed an assault towards a busker by another man, to get in touch with police on 101, with any information that could help our investigation, quoting reference number 908 18/10/25

Our officers provide a visible policing presence in Belfast City Centre. We meet regularly with partner agencies, local representatives and members of the community and we remain committed to working alongside them to address any problems that may arise, including anti-social behaviour and drugs criminality.

We constantly monitor crime trends and deploy our resources to the areas of greatest need and vulnerability and regularly run targeted policing operations, working alongside partners, to address community concerns.

Police will robustly address any criminal activity and welcome the opportunity to engage with those who wish to tackle criminality in the local community.

I would encourage anyone affected by any criminal activity to contact police in order to enable us to take action.

Any incident can be reported on the non-emergency number 101.

A report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Jim Lynagh was killed during the ambush on Loughgall RUC station in 1987

Jim Lynagh (inset) and the scene of the ambush at Loughgall.

Unionists have branded the launch of a Jim Lynagh Winter School in Co Fermanagh as a sickening celebration of a legacy of IRA bloodshed and misery.

Lynagh  one of the terror groups most ruthless figures  was killed during the ambush on Loughgall RUC station in 1987.

Adverts have appeared online for an event named in his honour, which appears to be organised by the Peadar ODonnell Socialist Republican Forum.

According to adverts, the event is scheduled to take place on Saturday at the former St Eugene's school near Lisnaskea.

It is billed as involving talks about republicanism in the Tyrone, Fermanagh and the border counties, past, present and future and Palestine, Ireland and the Black and Tans: imperialism past, present and future.

One states: Be part of a powerful day of thought-provoking discussion, history and political reflection, rooted in the legacy of struggle and looking towards the future.

The event includes conversations with Tommy McKearney, who is a former hunger striker.

Jim Lynagh (inset) and the scene of the ambush at Loughgall.

News Catch Up - Friday 17th October

Lynagh was a senior figure in the IRAs east Tyrone Brigade.

He was one of eight IRA men killed by the SAS as they were mounting a gun and bomb attack on Loughgall RUC station on May 8 1987.

Anthony Hughes, a civilian who was travelling through the village in a car at the time, was also shot dead.

Over the last three decades, Lynagh has become a celebrated figure in Irish republican circles.

Victor Warrington, a UUP councillor in Fermanagh, said this weekends event was nothing short of disgraceful.

Hosting such an event in a disused primary school outside Lisnaskea is as cynical as it is offensive, turning what was once a place of learning into a lesson for terrorism, he said.

Jim Lynagh and his gang werent heroes, freedom fighters or patriots. They were unrepentant killers whose only legacy is one of bloodshed and misery.

He added: This so-called school is nothing more than an attempt to airbrush history and romanticise terrorism.

"Its a propaganda exercise dressed up as education, and the people of south Fermanagh arent fooled.

As someone born in Rosslea, I know full well what republican terrorism really meant for our communities. It wasnt liberation they were after; it was annihilation. Their campaign was one of pure sectarian hatred, a calculated attempt at genocide against anyone who didnt bow to their warped ideology.

Its sickening that in 2025, some still think its acceptable to glorify murderers and rewrite the past.

"No amount of spin will change the truth: these men were terrorists, not teachers, and the only lesson they leave behind is one of shame and destruction.

The Fermanagh-South Tyrone TUV branch also condemned the event.

Jim Lynagh was the face of evil and a sectarian murderer who killed not to save Ireland from the Brits but to destroy his Protestants neighbours," it said.

The Peadar ODonnell Socialist Republican Forum was contacted.

Earlier this year the TUV lodged a formal complaint against a Sinn Fein council chair who was pictured attending a commemoration event for Jim Lynagh.

Eugene McConnell, the chair of Mid Ulster District Council, was pictured at the event standing behind a banner for Oglach Jim Lynagh Cumann, Clogher in April.

At the time Sinn Fein said: Everyone has the right to remember their dead with dignity and respect.
BPerfects video has already proved to be a hit on social media

We havent even had Halloween yet, but the Christmas adverts have already begun.

And among the first is Northern Irish cosmetics brand BPerfect, whose poignant advert has garnered hundreds of thousands of views across TikTok, Instagram and Facebook by addressing grief at Christmas time.

It begins with a grandmother, mourning the loss of her husband, waking up alone on Christmas morning.

We watch her morning routine as she is reminded of the life she had with her husband.

She finds a BPerfect gift set under the Christmas tree from her granddaughter and puts her make-up on while looking at a picture of her and her husband.

The lady then welcomes her family home, and while everyone is opening gifts, the granddaughter brings her grandmother a photo of her grandfather in a bid to highlight the importance of presence over presents during the festive period.

Ciara DeCarteret, BPerfects social media and content manager, said the team wanted to create something meaningful this Christmas.

Its not just about selling make-up, she said.

At the top of mind for us was making an impact on our followers and getting them engaged.

The BPerfect Christmas advert

Ciara said the advert is different from any of BPerfects previous Christmas commercials.

We wanted to give a different meaning to our campaign rather than what we normally do.

But I feel like as a company we have changed quite a bit over the last few years and each campaign has a lot of thought behind it. Its not just about selling make-up, its about connecting with our audience and telling a story that means something to people.

Through the advert, viewers see the strong relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter.

The BPerfect Christmas advert

Ciara said it was important for the team to showcase BPerfects appeal to a multi-generational audience.

When somebody asks us what our target market is, we just say everyone because as a company we are so diverse and our customers are diverse.

We really try to have that at the top of our mind for every campaign that we put out there, she said.

The ad campaign is something that is close to the hearts of everyone at BPerfect, particularly as so many of their friends and family took part in it.

The BPerfect Christmas advert

Ciara said: A lot of the actors in the video are people we know, such as staff members friends of friends.

We actually shot it in a staff members house in Crossgar.

It was an amazing shoot to be a part of and it really felt like being home for Christmas in September.

Ciara said she has been blown away by the publics emotional response to the ad.

When you work in social media, sometimes you upload something and then you just want to throw your phone away, she joked.

But the response has been truly incredible.
Enoch Burke has interrupted presidential hopeful Catherine Connolly to tell her he is a victim of her gender ideology.

The former teacher approached her as she stepped up to deliver a speech in Limerick on Saturday afternoon and asked her: Do you have any respect for religious beliefs?

He claimed: My life has been turned upside down because my religious beliefs are being taken from me.

I am a victim because of your gender ideology.

Catherine Connolly (Brian Lawless/PA)

Members of his family, including his mother Martina, were with him during his protest which interrupted the event being held by Palestine solidarity activists in Bedford Row

The Burke family have been involved in previous demonstrations and legal disputes after the suspension of Mr Burke from his job as a teacher.

He has spent more than 500 days in prison for contempt of court for refusing to stay away from Wilsons Hospital School where he worked.

The dispute stemmed from incidents over a request from the schools then-principal to address a student by a new name and the pronoun they.

Mr Burke was separated from Ms Connolly by her supporters, who attempted to drown out his comments by chanting free Palestine.

She was on the campaign trail in Clare and Limerick on what her team described as a Super Saturday day of action.

They said volunteers and supporters spent the day canvassing in towns, villages and city centres across the country.

Ms Connolly called on voters to make their voices heard, adding: Your vote is your voice. Use it.

It was a similar message from businessman Sean Gallagher, who said he was concerned to hear some rumours that people are considering not voting and I think we need more people to come out.

Sean Gallagher with Heather Humphreys in Blanchardstown (Bairbre Holmes/PA)

However he was endorsing Ms Connollys rival for the Aras, Heather Humphreys.

He joined the Fine Gael candidate at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre in Dublin as she met shoppers and supporters.

Mr Gallagher said of his former party colleagues: Im also calling on my friends in Fianna Fail, and indeed Micheal Martin and the senior Fianna Fail leadership, to now in this last week to come out and support their former ministerial colleague and coalition partner, who shares the same values and policies that are aligned with Fianna Fail.

The ex-Dragons Den star ran for president twice, in 2011 and 2018.
A youth has been charged with the murder of a Ukrainian teenager in north Dublin.

Vadym Davydenko died and two others were taken to hospital after an incident at Tusla emergency accommodation in Donaghmede on Wednesday.

The 17-year-old accused appeared before Judge Treasa Kelly at the Criminal Courts of Justice on Saturday.

Barefoot and wearing a black jumper he was surrounded by gardai in protective clothing as proceedings were translated by a Somali interpreter.

Detective Superintendent Mark Quill told the court the teenager was arrested at Clontarf Garda Station on Saturday afternoon and charged with murder.

Mr Quill said the accused made no reply when charged and an interpreter and Tusla representative were present.

No bail application was made and the youth was remanded to Oberstown Children Detention Campus until Tuesday when he is due to appear at Dublin Childrens Court.

His solicitor made an application for urgent psychiatric and medical care in custody and requested a Somali interpreter at his next court appearance.
Buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations in the northern Gaza Strip (Leo Correa/AP)

UK citizens who have fought with Israel in the conflict in Palestine should be tried for war crimes when they return home, the Scottish Green co-leader has insisted.

Ross Greer called on Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC  Scotlands top prosecutor  to make sure that every single one of these war criminals is arrested and prosecuted.

He also called for businesses across Scotland to cease trading with Israel and cut any ties with the country.

Mr Greer insisted the conflict in Palestine has been the worst war atrocity of our age.

Speaking at the Scottish Green Party conference in Edinburgh on Saturday, he said: A genocide has been gleefully inflicted on the people of Palestine right in front of our eyes, in open view.

UK citizens who have fought for Israel in the conflict in Palestine should be tried for war crimes when they return home, Scottish Green Party co-leader Ross Greer has demanded (Jane Barlow/PA)

With a ceasefire now agreed, Mr Greer said there was a huge amount of pressure to just forget, to just move on as if the last two years didnt happen.

But the Green MSP insisted his party will never forget what has been inflicted on Palestine and would never stop pushing for justice.

He said: Our most important role in the time ahead is in ensuring that every individual who has inflicted this genocide is held to justice.

Because over the coming weeks and months we will face a reality of people who went from the UK to serve in Israels occupation forces, who have spent the last two years inflicting that genocide on the people of Palestine, returning here.

War criminals returning to walk our streets and live in our communities.

Thats why the Scottish Greens are calling on our Government and on the Lord Advocate to make sure that every single one of these war criminals is arrested and prosecuted, because a war crime anywhere in the world is a war crime under Scots law.

He also urged businesses across the country to stop all links with Israel until the people of Palestine can live in peace.

Ross Greer called for Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC to prosecute anyone who has fought for Israel (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Mr Greer said the Scottish Government had rightly called on businesses to cut all links, to cease all trade with Russia after it invaded Ukraine.

But he added that while Scottish First Minister John Swinney had recognised that what has happened in Palestine is a genocide, the Scottish Government still will not call for that same action against Israel.

He told members: Today at this conference our party will.

The Scottish Greens are calling for every business in this country to cease all trade, to stop all links with Israel until the occupation is ended and until every Palestinian can live in peace, freedom and dignity.

We owe it to our Palestinian friends to keep fighting, to keep campaigning.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have spoken following the Ukrainian leaders White House meeting (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed a productive call with European leaders on Friday, hours after the Ukrainian leader met US President Donald Trump at the White House.

Mr Zelensky and senior Ukrainian officials had lunch with the US president in Washington, a day after Mr Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Productive call this evening with @ZelenskyyUa, other European leaders and @SecGenNATO, he said.

I reiterated our unwavering commitment to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, the UK will continue to send humanitarian aid and military support.

Downing Street confirmed Sir Keir spoke with Mr Zelensky to underscore the United Kingdoms resolute support for Ukraine.

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A Government spokesperson said the two men reiterated their unwavering commitment to Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.

Russias stalling tactics ahead of peace talks had shown Ukraine was the serious party of peace, the Prime Minister told the President, the spokesperson said.

The UK would continue to step up its support and would ensure Ukraine was in the strongest possible position going into the winter through ongoing humanitarian, financial and military support, the Prime Minister added.

Leaders from Germany, Finland, Italy, Norway, and Poland were also on the call, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Council President Antonio Costa.

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I shared details of my conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump. We discussed many important issues, Mr Zelensky said in a post on X.

The main priority now is to protect as many lives as possible, guarantee security for Ukraine, and strengthen all of us in Europe.

That is exactly what we are working for. Our national security advisors will discuss the next steps. We are coordinating our positions. I am grateful for the conversation, for all the support, and for the readiness to stand with Ukraine.

The two leaders are expected to continue discussions on support for Ukraine leading up to and after a ceasefire during a call on Friday with leaders from the Coalition of the Willing.

During his White House visit, the Ukrainian president congratulated Mr Trump on the recent Gaza ceasefire, saying the US leader now has momentum to end the war in Ukraine.

Mr Trump also told Ukrainian officials he was leaning against selling long-range Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv, though he remained optimistic the war was nearing its end.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

I met with President Zelenskyy, as you know today, and we had a very good meeting, very cordial meeting. In my opinion, they should stop the war immediately, Mr Trump told reporters after flying to Florida.

Stop right now at the battle line. I told that to President Zelensky. I told it to President Putin. Thank you very much, everybody.

Mr Zelensky told reporters he was open to any kinds of formats that brings Ukraine closer to peace and said his country counted on the US to maintain its pressure on Russia.

He said the pair also discussed battlefield positions, long-range capabilities and air defence.
Protesters carried signs and flags at the rallies across America (AP)

Thousands of people have gathered across the US for No Kings demonstrations against the direction of the country under Donald Trump.

The presidents Republican Party has called the protests Hate America rallies.

Demonstrators rallied with signs like Nothing is more patriotic than protesting or Resist Fascism, and in many places, it looked more like a street party.

There were marching bands, a huge banner with the US Constitutions We The People preamble that people could sign, and protesters in frog costumes, which have emerged as a sign of resistance in Portland, Oregon.

This is the third mass mobilisation since Mr Trumps return to the White House and comes against the backdrop of a US government shutdown that has not only closed federal programmes and services, but is testing the core balance of power as an aggressive executive confronts Congress and the courts in ways that organisers warn are a slide towards authoritarianism.

Demonstrators packed places like New York Citys Times Square, Boston Commons, Chicagos Grant Park, Washington DC, and hundreds of smaller public spaces.

Many protesters were especially angered by attacks on their motives.

In Washington, Brian Reymann said being called a terrorist all week by Republicans was pathetic.

This is America. I disagree with their politics  but I dont believe that they dont love this country. I believe they are misguided. I think they are power hungry, Mr Reymann said, carrying a large American flag.

Mr Trump is away from Washington at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.

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They say theyre referring to me as a king. Im not a king, he said in a Fox News interview that aired before he departed for a million-dollars-per-plate Maga Inc fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago.

Protests are expected nearby on Saturday.

While large crowds attended protests against Elon Musks cuts in spring, then to counter Mr Trumps military parade in June, organisers say this demonstration is building a more unified opposition movement.

Senior Democrats such as Senate leader Chuck Schumer and Independent senator Bernie Sanders are joining in what organisers view as an antidote to Mr Trumps actions, from the administrations clampdown on free speech to its military-style immigration raids.

There is no greater threat to an authoritarian regime than patriotic people power, said Ezra Levin, a co-founder of Indivisible, which is among the key organisers.

As Republicans and the White House dismiss the protests as a rally of radicals, Mr Levin said their own sign-up numbers are growing.

Mr Trump is currently at his Mar-a-Lago resort (AP)

More than 2,600 rallies are planned in cities large and small, organised by hundreds of coalition partners. They said rallies are being planned within an hours drive for most Americans.

Overseas, a few hundred Americans gathered in Madrid earlier to chant slogans and hold signs at a protest organised by Democrats Abroad, with similar rallies in other major European cities.

Republicans have sought to portray participants in Saturdays rallies as far outside the mainstream of American politics, and a main reason for the prolonged government shutdown, now in its 18th day.

From the White House to Capitol Hill, Republican leaders disparaged the rallygoers as communists and Marxists.

They say Democratic leaders, including Mr Schumer, are beholden to the far-left and willing to keep the government shut down to appease liberal forces.

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I encourage you to watch  we call it the Hate America rally  that will happen Saturday, said House of Representatives speaker Mike Johnson.

Lets see who shows up for that, Mr Johnson added, listing groups including antifa types, people who hate capitalism and Marxists in full display.

Democrats have refused to vote on legislation that would reopen the government as they demand funding for health care. Republicans say they are willing to discuss the issue later, only after the government reopens.

But for many Democrats, the government closure is also a way to stand up to Mr Trump, and try to push the presidency back to its place in the US system as a co-equal branch of government.

In a Facebook post, Mr Sanders, himself a former presidential contender, said: Its a love America rally.

Its a rally of millions of people all over this country who believe in our Constitution, who believe in American freedom and are not going to let you and Donald Trump turn this country into an authoritarian society.
The Red Cross has received the remains of another hostage returned to Israel from Gaza, the Israeli military said, after Hamas worked to shore up a tenuous ceasefire by using bulldozers to help search for bodies it says remain trapped under rubble.

The army said the coffin of a hostage was on the way to Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip.

The handover came after Hamass military wing said it would hand over the body of a hostage that was pulled out earlier in the day to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The statement from the Qassam Brigades said the remains were of an occupation prisoner, suggesting they belonged to an Israeli rather than one of the hostages of several other nationalities also taken by Hamas.

Palestinians watch members of the Hamas militant group searching for bodies in Hamad City, Khan Younis (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

The Israeli military and the Shin Bet security service, in a joint statement, said official identification of the remains would first be provided to the families, adding: Hamas is required to uphold the agreement and take the necessary steps to return all the deceased hostages.

Hamas has said it is committed to the terms of the ceasefire deal, including the handover of bodies. So far it has handed over the remains of nine, along with a 10th body that Israel said was not that of a hostage.

The effort to find bodies followed a warning from US President Donald Trump that he would clear Israel to resume the war if Hamas does not live up to its end of the deal and return all 28 hostages bodies.

In its statement earlier on Friday, Hamas said some hostages remains were in tunnels or buildings that were destroyed by Israel, and that heavy machinery is required to dig through rubble to retrieve them. It blamed Israel for the delay, saying it had not allowed any new bulldozers into the Gaza Strip.

Most heavy equipment in Gaza was destroyed during the war, leaving only a limited amount as Palestinians try to clear massive amounts of rubble.

On Friday, two bulldozers ploughed up pits in the earth as Hamas searched for hostages remains in Hamad City, a complex of apartment towers in the city of Khan Younis. Israeli forces repeatedly bombarded the towers during the war, toppling some, and troops conducted a week-long raid there in March 2024.

Hamas urged mediators to increase the flow of aid into Gaza, expedite the opening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt and start reconstruction. It also called for work to start immediately on setting up a committee of Palestinian independents who will run the Gaza Strip and for Israeli troops to continue pulling back from agreed areas.

The ceasefire plan introduced by Mr Trump had called for all hostages  living and dead  to be handed over by a deadline that expired on Monday. If that did not happen, Hamas was to share information about dead hostages and try to hand them over as soon as possible.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will not compromise and demanded that Hamas fulfil the requirements laid out in the ceasefire.

Benjamin Netanyahu (Evan Vucci/AP)

Hamas has assured the US that it is working to return dead hostages. American officials say retrieval of the bodies is hampered by the scope of the devastation, coupled with the presence of unexploded ordnance.

The militant group has also told mediators that some bodies are in areas controlled by Israeli troops.

Hamas released all 20 living Israeli hostages on Monday. In exchange, Israel freed around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

In Israel, the Hostage and Missing Families Forum said it will continue holding weekly rallies until all remains are returned.

Israel has also returned to Gaza the bodies of 90 Palestinians for burial. Israel is expected to turn over more bodies, though officials have not said how many are in its custody or how many will be returned.

A Palestinian forensics team examining the remains said some of the bodies showed signs of mistreatment.

Israels campaign in Gaza has killed nearly 68,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government in the territory. The ministry maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by UN agencies and independent experts. Thousands more people are missing, according to the Red Cross.

In the attack on Israel on October 7 2023, militants killed around 1,200 people and took 250 hostage.

Hamas released all 20 living Israeli hostages on Monday (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

France said it is working with the UK and the US to propose a UN resolution in the coming days that would provide a framework for an international force for Gaza.

French Foreign Ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux told a news conference that Arab countries want a UN mandate for the force. Arab countries are expected to be among those contributing troops to the force, which will oversee Egyptian-trained Palestinian police.

Mr Confavreux said details on funding, equipment and which countries will participate still need to be worked out.

The UN says the flow of aid remains constrained because of continued closures of crossings and restrictions on aid groups.

UN tracking of its own aid trucks into Gaza shows 339 trucks have been offloaded for distribution since the ceasefire began a week ago. Under the agreement, 600 humanitarian aid trucks would be allowed to enter Gaza daily.

Crossings were closed on Monday and Tuesday for the exchange of hostages and prisoners and a Jewish holiday.

Cogat, the Israeli defence body overseeing aid in Gaza, reported 950 trucks  including commercial trucks and bilateral deliveries  crossing on Thursday and 716 on Wednesday, according to the UN office for the co-ordination of humanitarian aid.

Tom Fletcher, who heads that office, said UN humanitarian teams are executing a 60-day plan to massively scale up aid, but he warned that the challenges ahead are immense and urged the opening of more crossings to allow more aid and workers into Gaza.
NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of common stock of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX) between February 23, 2022 and July 30, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than December 15, 2025.

So what: If you purchased Baxter common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

What to do next: To join the Baxter class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=17664 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than December 15, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants misled investors by failing to disclose that: (1) the Novum LVP suffered systemic defects that caused widespread malfunctions, including underinfusion, overinfusion, and complete non-delivery of fluids, which exposed patients to risks of serious injury or death; (2) Baxter was notified of multiple device malfunctions, injuries, and deaths from these defects; (3) Baxter's attempts to address these defects through customer alerts were inadequate remedial measures, when design flaws persisted and continued to cause serious harm to patients; (4) as a result, there was a heightened risk that customers would be instructed to take existing Novum LVPs out of service and that Baxter would completely pause all new sales of these pumps; and (5) based on the foregoing, Baxter's statements about the safety, efficacy, product rollout, customer feedback and sales prospects of the Novum LVPs were materially false and misleading. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Baxter class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=17664 call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.
Volodymyr Zelensky travelled to Washington to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House (Alex Brandon/AP)

Ukrainians shared their disappointment on Saturday that the US may not provide Kyiv with long-range Tomahawk missiles after a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump.

Mr Zelensky met with Mr Trump at the White House on Friday, after the US leader signalled that Washington could provide Ukraine with the long-range missiles Kyiv believes will help bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.

Yet Mr Zelensky left empty-handed  an outcome that dismayed, but did not surprise, many in the streets of the Ukrainian capital, who maintained their determination to end Russias three-and-a-half-year invasion of their country.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

One Ukrainian military serviceman, Roman Vynnychenko, told The Associated Press that he believed the prospect of Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine was a political game.

Ukraine wont get those missiles, he said.

Mr Vynnychenko said Ukraine still needed to procure new weapons with or without American help, particularly as Russian drones and missiles continued to hit civilian infrastructure.

Every day, civilians and soldiers die, buildings collapse, our streets and cities are being destroyed, Mr Vynnychenko said.

Russia invaded its smaller neighbour in February 2022, sparking a three-and-a-half-year conflict that has become a grinding war of attrition across a 1,250-kilometre (780-mile) frontline in Ukraines east and south.

Mr Trumps frustration with the conflict has surfaced repeatedly in the nine months since he returned to office. In recent weeks, he had shown growing impatience with Mr Putin and expressed greater openness to helping Ukraine win the war, including with the sale of Tomahawks.

But the US leaders tone shifted again after he held a lengthy phone call with Mr Putin on Thursday and announced that he planned to meet with the Russian leader in Budapest, Hungary, in the coming weeks.

President Donald Trump appeared to change his tune after a phone call with Russias Vladimir Putin (Alex Brandon/AP)

The talks raise new hopes that diplomatic progress could be made to end the war. But after multiple failed starts, Ukrainians are reluctant to believe that a significant breakthrough will take place soon.

Victoria Khramtsova, a psychologist, told the AP: To tell you the truth, I look at the news, but nowadays I read only the headlines. And even those make me sad.

We have been at war for more than three years. We just want peace.

In the meantime, Russia continued its aerial bombardment of Ukraine, launching three missiles and 164 drones overnight, Ukraines Air Force said on Saturday.

It said that Ukrainian forces shot down 136 of the drones.

Two people were injured after Russian drones targeted a gas station in the Zarichny district of Sumy in northeast Ukraine, local officials said.

They were two women aged 51 and 53, according to regional Governor Oleh Hryhorov.

Elsewhere, work has begun to repair the damaged power supply to Ukraines Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the head of the UNs nuclear watchdog announced.

The repairs are hoped to end a precarious four-week outage that left it dependent on backup generators.

Work continues to repair the damaged power supply to Zaporizhzhias power plant (Leo Correa/AP)

Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said Russian and Ukrainian forces established special ceasefire zones for repairs to be safely carried out.

Mr Grossi hailed the restoration of off-site power as crucial for nuclear safety and security.

Both sides engaged constructively with the IAEA to enable the complex repair plan to proceed, he said in a statement.

Work is due to be carried out in two phases, first on the Ferosplavna-1 power line, then on the Dniprovska power line, the IAEA said.

He also said that it was the 42nd time since the start of Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022 that power lines to the plant had to be restored.

The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europes largest nuclear power station, has been operating on diesel backup generators since September 23, when its last remaining external power line was severed in attacks that Russia and Ukraine each blamed on the other.

The plant is in an area under Russian control since early in Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine and is not in service, but it needs reliable power to cool its six shutdown reactors and spent fuel, to avoid any catastrophic nuclear incidents.

Mr Grossi said Saturday that emergency diesel generators were designed to be the last line of defence to help nuclear power plants cool their reactors, but that their use was now an all too common occurrence.

As long as this devastating conflict goes on, nuclear safety and security remain under severe threat. Today, we had some rare positive news to report, but we are far from being out of the woods yet, he said.
Irish politicians proposal could kick off another border battle but I agree that change is needed

Should the south ditch the autumn time change, there would be calls for NI to follow suit what would unionists make of that?

Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly

Lindy McDowell Sat 18 Oct 2025 at 18:00

Were not short of a border or two in Ireland. Weve had a hard border, a soft border, an Irish Sea border, an economic border and an not for EU ham sandwich border.
Sinn Fein was mocked in the media but party has played a blinder over Irish presidential election

Backing Catherine Connolly has proven a shrewd move, cementing partys position as leaders of the Opposition

Sinn Fein has run a fervent, full-throttle operation for Catherine Connolly

Suzanne Breen Sat 18 Oct 2025 at 08:46

Sinn Fein has played a blinder. Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and many in the media mocked Mary Lou McDonald for promising a game-changer announcement on the Irish presidential election which turned out to be the decision not to run.
They can have plenty of life left in them: NI mum on mission to get more people buying preloved Christmas presents
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 14F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 14F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.
Crispina ffrench, co-owner of The Dolphin Studio, has been helping to make its silkscreen print calendars since she was a child. Celebrating its 55th anniversary this year, the effort is still homegrown and all in the family.
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until October 28, 2025 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Dow Inc. (NYSE: DOW), if they purchased the Company's securities between January 30, 2025 and July 23, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Get Help

Dow investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-dow-1/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

Dow and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On July 24, 2025, the Company disclosed a 2Q 2025 non-GAAP loss per share of $0.42, much larger than the approximate $0.17 to $0.18 per share loss expected by analysts, and net sales of $10.1 billion, representing a 7.3% year-over-year decline and missing consensus estimates by $130 million, "reflecting declines in all operating segments" due in part to "the lower-for-longer earnings environment that our industry is facing, amplified by recent trade and tariff uncertainties." Further, the Company disclosed 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."

On this news, the price of Dow's shares fell $5.30 per share, or 17.45%, to close at $25.07 per share on July 24, 2025.

The case is Sarti v. Dow Inc., No. 25-cv-12744.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

SOURCE ClaimsFiler
In 1975, reports of razor blades in candy bars sent shockwaves through the Berkshires, leading towns like Dalton, Lenox and Adams to cancel trick-or-treating for years. Though no deaths were linked to tainted treats, the fear changed Halloween forever  part of a nationwide candy panic that blurred the line between real danger and urban legend.
Now that steep cuts to Medicaid are certain, the organizations leaders worry that state funding for their services will dry up as resources are diverted to make up for inevitable gaps in health care.
If the government shutdown continues into November, more than 8,000 Berkshire homes that rely on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program could lose heating. "Congress has to act right now ... because it gets cold up here really fast."
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Stewart Edelstein, a Stockbridge resident, is author of several books, including Dubious Doublets: A Delightful Compendium of Unlikely Word Pairs of Common Origin, from Aardvark/Porcelain to Zodiac/Whiskey, The Covid-19 Zeitgeist: Fifty Essays, and An Alphabetical Romp Through the Flora of Berkshire Botanical Garden from Agave to Zinnia.
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Strides Pharma to market Medogen SubQ in Africa to strengthen women healthcare

October 18, 2025 | Saturday | News

To deliver affordable, high-quality contraceptive choice, empowering millions of women across the underserved regions

Bengaluru-based Strides Pharma Science has announced that one of its step-down wholly owned subsidiary will market the worlds first WHO-prequalified generic version of subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) in Africa, strengthening womens access to affordable, quality reproductive health solutions.

Developed by Bangaldesh-based Incepta Pharmaceuticals under the brand Medogen SubQ, and supported by the Childrens Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) and the Gates Foundation, the WHO prequalification marks a major breakthrough in reproductive health access. It diversifies supply of DMPA-SC, breaking the single-source bottleneck and helping health systems procure at more affordable prices.

DMPA-SC is a three-month contraceptive that can be administered by healthcare workers or self-injected after appropriate training. Its discretion, convenience, and empowerment potential make it a transformative choice for women, particularly in underserved low- and middle-income countries. With over 250 million women worldwide still lacking access to modern contraception, the availability of a WHO-prequalified generic option represents a significant step toward meeting this unmet need.

Commenting on the milestone, Aditya Kumar, Executive Director, Business Development, Strides said, By bringing the WHO-prequalified product to Africa, we aim to expand choice and access for women, enabling them to take greater control of their reproductive health. With this collaboration, Strides expands its Womens Health franchise in Africa, augmenting its existing portfolio of strong brands like Vitafer, L-Gest and many others. We are very excited to partner with Incepta to make available to a version of this easy-to-use, long -acting reversible contraceptive empowering women in the region to have greater control of their reproductive rights and choices.
Fast-growing express car wash operator plans to hire 450 new team members across six states, offering competitive pay, profit sharing, and clear career paths

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Express Wash Concepts (EWC), one of the nation's fastest-growing express car wash operators, today announced a major Q4 hiring initiative to fill approximately 450 new positions across its six-state network. The hiring wave supports ongoing expansion and new site openings under the company's five brands  Moo Moo Express, Flying Ace Express, Clean Express, Green Clean Express, and Bee Clean Express  bringing total employment to more than 1,850 team members companywide.

"Our company is experiencing unprecedented opportunities for growth across every market," said John Roush, Founder and CEO of Express Wash Concepts. "Behind that growth is our people  the dedicated, high-performing team members who deliver exceptional service and uphold our promise to enhance people, communities, and cars through the power of clean. Whether you're starting your career or looking to further enhance your leadership skills, there's never been a better time to grow with us."

National Hiring Day  October 29

As part of the initiative, Express Wash Concepts will host its first-ever National Hiring Day on Wednesday, October 29, from 10:00am  2:00pm, with events taking place across key markets including Central Ohio, Cleveland, Dayton/Cincinnati, Detroit and Toledo. Site locations are as follows:

Moo Moo Express Car Wash- Central Ohio: 3880 Park Mill Run Dr . Hilliard, OH 43026

Hilliard, OH 43026 Clean Express Auto Wash  Cleveland: 4365 Mayfield Road South Euclid, OH 44121

Flying Ace Express Car Wash  Dayton: 4075 Wilmington Pike Dayton, OH 45440

Clean Express Auto Wash  Detroit: 28740 Mound Rd Warren, MI 48092

Clean Express Auto Wash  Toledo: 5902 Dorr St Toledo, OH 43615

Candidates are encouraged to attend in person to meet hiring managers, learn about open opportunities, and experience EWC's people-first culture firsthand. Positions are available across all markets and all brands, and include both part-time and full-time year-round roles.

Competitive Pay and Pathways to Advancement

Express Wash Concepts offers industry-leading compensation across all positions, including profit sharing and incentives tied to performance and leadership roles:

Team Member: $15.00/hour + Residual Incentive

$15.00/hour + Residual Incentive Team Leader: $17.50/hour + Profit Sharing

$17.50/hour + Profit Sharing Assistant Site Manager: $21.63/hour + Profit Sharing

$21.63/hour + Profit Sharing Membership Sales Associate: $18.00/hour + Residual Incentive

$18.00/hour + Residual Incentive Site Manager: Base Salary $55,000 with potential to earn up to $100,000 annually

Base Salary $55,000 with potential to earn up to $100,000 annually Service Technicians: Potential to earn up to $100,000 annually

Why Employees Love Working at EWC

Beyond pay and benefits, EWC is known for creating a culture where people build careers, as evidenced by "Top Workplace" designations from the Cleveland Plain Dealer and (614) Magazine. Team members value:

Growth Opportunities  Clear, transparent paths to leadership

 Clear, transparent paths to leadership Recognition & Rewards  From monthly bonuses to company-wide celebrations

 From monthly bonuses to company-wide celebrations Stability  Year-round employment with a growing, recession-resilient brand

 Year-round employment with a growing, recession-resilient brand Culture  A supportive, team-driven environment built on positivity, integrity and respect

As EWC continues to expand throughout Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and beyond, the company remains focused on hiring and developing top talent who share its passion for customer experience and community impact. For more information or to apply, visit www.expresswashconcepts.com/careers.

About Express Wash Concepts:

Express Wash Concepts (EWC) operates 124 award-winning, express car wash locations across six states under the following brands: Moo Moo Express Car Wash, Flying Ace Express Car Wash, Clean Express Auto Wash, Green Clean Express Auto Wash and Bee Clean Express Car Wash. EWC brands feature fast, high quality and environmentally friendly express tunnel wash experiences and free vacuums. The company's popular Wash Smart Unlimited Club offers members the convenience and value of truly unlimited washing at any location. For more information, please visit www.expresswashconcepts.com.

SOURCE Express Wash Concepts
Enoch Burke has interrupted presidential hopeful Catherine Connolly to tell her he is a victim of her gender ideology.

The former teacher approached her as she stepped up to deliver a speech in Limerick on Saturday afternoon and asked her: Do you have any respect for religious beliefs?

He claimed: My life has been turned upside down because my religious beliefs are being taken from me.

I am a victim because of your gender ideology.

Catherine Connolly (Brian Lawless/PA)

Members of his family, including his mother Martina, were with him during his protest which interrupted the event being held by Palestine solidarity activists in Bedford Row

The Burke family have been involved in previous demonstrations and legal disputes after the suspension of Mr Burke from his job as a teacher.

He has spent more than 500 days in prison for contempt of court for refusing to stay away from Wilsons Hospital School where he worked.

BREAKING: Enoch Burke attacked by Catherine Connolly supporters in Limerick City. There is only one way to prevent Catherine Connolly becoming the 10th President of Ireland. Do not spoil your vote on Friday. We urge people to vote for the other candidate, Heather Humphreys. A pic.twitter.com/6vNbUmtQq0  Enoch Burke (@EnochBurke) October 18, 2025

The dispute stemmed from incidents over a request from the schools then-principal to address a student by a new name and the pronoun they.

Mr Burke was separated from Ms Connolly by her supporters, who attempted to drown out his comments by chanting free Palestine.

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She was on the campaign trail in Clare and Limerick on what her team described as a Super Saturday day of action.

They said volunteers and supporters spent the day canvassing in towns, villages and city centres across the country.

Ms Connolly called on voters to make their voices heard, adding: Your vote is your voice. Use it.

It was a similar message from businessman Sean Gallagher, who said he was concerned to hear some rumours that people are considering not voting and I think we need more people to come out.

Sean Gallagher with Heather Humphreys in Blanchardstown (Bairbre Holmes/PA)

However, he was endorsing Ms Connollys rival for the Aras, Heather Humphreys.

He joined the Fine Gael candidate at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre in Dublin as she met shoppers and supporters.

Mr Gallagher said of his former party colleagues: Im also calling on my friends in Fianna Fail, and indeed Micheal Martin and the senior Fianna Fail leadership, to now, in this last week to come out and support their former ministerial colleague and coalition partner, who shares the same values and policies that are aligned with Fianna Fail.

The ex-Dragons Den star ran for president twice, in 2011 and 2018.
Two men in their 40s have been arrested after gardai seized a viable suspect device, four firearms, and drugs worth an estimated 45,000 in Co Carlow.

As part of ongoing investigations targeting the sale and supply of drugs and related criminal activity in Carlow, gardai searched a number of properties on Thursday and Friday.

A viable suspect device, four firearms, suspected cocaine with a street value of 35,000, and cannabis worth 10,000 were seized.

Gardai from the Carlow Drugs Unit recovered a firearm and ammunition at a residential property in Carlow Town on Thursday.

In a follow-up search at a residence in Kernanstown, gardai discovered a viable improvised explosive device.

A cordon was immediately established by gardai. The Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team attended the scene and removed the device for a controlled explosion to be conducted.

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Searches at the two properties continued on Friday with the assistance of the Dog Unit, and gardai seized two 3D-printed firearms, a shotgun, and ammunition.

Suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of 35,000 and cannabis with an estimated street value of 10,000 was also recovered.

Two men, both aged in their 40s, were arrested and are being detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 at a station in the Garda Eastern Region.

All firearms seized will be subject to further ballistic testing and forensic analysis.

All drugs seized will be forwarded to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis.

Gardai said investigations are ongoing.
Lawyers representing two men wanted in Northern Ireland to face charges relating to the murder of an RUC officer nearly 50 years ago have told the Court of Appeal the authorities cannot hold proceedings "in their back pockets" for decades simply because they feared losing if they pursued the case earlier.

They argued the High Court ought not to have ordered the mens extradition given that no cogent explanation for the extraordinary delay in the application for surrender had been given.

They said the British authorities had made decisions against extradition - or had failed to make a decision - on numerous occasions over half a century.

They contended the actions of the authorities amounted to an abuse of process.

However, Remy Farrell SC, for the Minister for Justice, argued that in reality this was a delay case and the abuse of process label had been applied by lawyers for the two men to avoid the obvious.

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John Edward McNicholl (73) of Newmills, Letterkenny, Co Donegal and Seamus Christopher O'Kane (74) of Scalestown, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath are wanted in the UK.

They face charges arising from an investigation into the INLA murder of 25-year-old Constable Robert John McPherson in Co Derry on July 26th 1975 and the attempted murder of a second constable.

Mr McNicholl is charged with murdering Constable McPherson and attempted murder while Mr O'Kane is charged with possession of firearms, including an RUC-issued firearm taken during the ambush on Constable McPherson.

Those firearms were recovered in an RUC operation on February 16, 1976 at Garvagh, Co Derry.

Both men escaped from the Maze Prison in a dramatic tunnelling breakout in May 1976 before they could be put on trial.

Mr O'Kane has been living openly in the Meath area for almost five decades while Mr McNicholl, who was deported from the United States, has been in the Republic since 2003.

At the High Court in March of this year, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath said there was no evidence to suggest that Mr McNicholl and Mr O'Kane would not receive a fair trial in Northern Ireland, as he ruled that a delay in serving warrants on the men was not grounds for refusing their surrender to the north.

When the matter came back before the court in June, Mr Justice McGrath ruled that while authorities there have offered a detailed explanation for the delay in seeking the surrender of Mr McNicholl and Mr O'Kane, this was not complete and there have been some "lengthy periods of inaction".

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He found that these were cases where an important point of law arose and said it was desirable they be brought before the Court of Appeal.

The judge said the questions to be addressed were whether the lapse of time of 48 years amounted to an abuse of process.

At the Court of Appeal on Friday, Mark Lynham SC, for Mr McNicholl, said there had been a repeated failure to seek his clients surrender over a period of decades.

Mr Lynham said when his client went to America in the 1990s, the Northern Irish authorities were aware he was in the US, and a decision was made not to extradite him.

Mr McNicholl was later deported back to Ireland and at that point the RUC clearly wanted him and were engaging actively to make that happen.

Post 2003 repeatedly theres consideration given to surrender and no explanation for the lack of it, said counsel, noting this wasnt a case that had slipped under the radar and no one knew about it.

He said Mr McNicholls surrender was not sought until 2023, four days before the Legacy Act commenced.

Counsel also asked the court to consider the impact on his client, a man in his 70s, who has built a family life in the intervening years and who is not in good health.

He pointed to other extradition cases where, in some instances, eight years after surrender prosecution still hasnt taken place.

Given the history of this from 2003, given the complexity of the issues involved surely it raises the issue of unfairness, said Mr Lynham.

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The question is, is this an abuse of process? he said. If it is there must be one remedy which is to strike out proceedings.

Senior counsel for Mr OKane, Sean Guerin, said a decision to prosecute his client for the offences for which he is now sought was first made in June 1976, almost 50 years ago but the first his client heard of this was in 2024.

Mr Guerin argued that the delay underlined the exceptional nature of what is being sought. He said it wasnt the delay itself but rather the exceptionality of it.

Its a man who learns in 2024 that hes wanted for offences alleged to have taken place in 1976.

He said during the late 70s, gardai were in possession of a warrant seeking his clients arrest for murder but didnt proceed with it. He said Mr OKane knew nothing of the decision to arrest him for the explosives offence until his recent arrest for the matters before the court.

He contended the Northern Irish authorities made a strategic decision not to pursue proceedings because they were wary of an unfavourable decision and they then sat on it for 48 years.

He said in the intervening years, Mr OKane has made a life in Ireland, raised a family here and now, 49 years later, finds the authorities who wanted his extradition had kept another case in their back pocket , told no one about it and now want to bring it forward.

The real test is exceptionality and this is a truly exceptional case, said Mr Guerin.

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In response, Remy Farrell SC, for the Minister for Justice, said the appellants were seeking to take a delay case and dress it up as an abuse of process case.

He said explanations had been given by the judicial authority for the delay, accepting that some points of the chronology were better explained than others.

Ireland US woman described by judge as incorrigible fraudster sentenced in Co Down Read more

Im not suggesting the abuse of process has been ousted but one has to look at what has been argued by the applicants. The great portion of what has been argued is about delay, said Mr Farrell. In truth this is a delay case. Really the label of abuse of process has been applied to avoid the obvious.

He said there seemed to be an implication being made that if Mr OKane had been surrendered at the time he could have raised the political argument and would have succeeded in that. We say that is speculative, he said.

Mr Farrell said there was also the question of where the issue should be determined and whether it was for the Irish courts or the Northern Irish courts to deal with.

Mr Justice John Edwards said the three-judge court would reserve judgement.
A Fine Gael politician has called again for extra gardai to be deployed to Rathkeale, Co Limerick, following an arson attack on a camper van in the town.

The blaze broke out on Thomas Street in the town shortly after 9pm on Friday.

A video of the fire, as well as images of the charred remains of the camper van, were shared on social media.

Gardai are investigating a motive for the attack, including that it may be linked to a dispute or tensions between rival local groups.

Local Fine Gael Councillor Adam Teskey said he has been calling for additional Garda resources for several years following a number of violent incidents in the area.

Last nights attack was another example of why we require additional Garda resources in Rathkeale. Im blue in the face from saying it, he said.

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We have all seen what these type of incidents can lead to, further serious violence, and we need extra Garda resources to effectively deal with it, he said.

I have previously asked the Minister for Justice and Garda Commissioner to provide these additional resources to Rathkeale and I would make that call, again."

The arson attack took place a short distance from Rathkeale Garda Station, however Cllr Teskey said: The area does not have sufficient gardai to be able to respond to serious incidents, if for example, they are dealing with a road traffic collision outside the town."

Gardai said they are investigating the attack.

A Garda spokesman stated: Gardai received a report of criminal damage by fire to a camper van in Rathkeale, Co Limerick at around 9:10pm on 17th October 2025.

The fire was extinguished by Limerick Fire & Rescue. No injuries were reported. Investigations are ongoing, added the spokesman.

Cllr Teskey said the town is braced for potential violent flare ups over the Christmas period when the towns population increases with members of the Traveling community.

Violent scenes have marred the towns image over successive years due to violence involving the community.

Families travel in large numbers to the town from abroad for the extended festive period into New Year.

In previous years special court sittings have been held, and armed support units within An Garda Siochana have been deployed to the town.

Special HSE triage clinics, staffed by a GP, nurse and administration personnel, have been also been provided in the town during the holiday season, providing services to both local families as well as visitors with established entitlement for services under the GMS Scheme, EHIC (Issued outside of Ireland) or NHS medical card holders.

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The triage units were set up as a means to try to prevent potential major delays at the emergency department of University Hospital Limerick which is consistently the most overcrowded hospital nationally, and has remained so, despite the opening of a 96-bed block on the hospital site last week.

During the festive period, the population of Rathkeale can increase by several thousand.

20 garda recruits were deployed to Limerick last August and were to be stationed in the city environs. At the time, Independent Ireland TD Richard ODonoghue, criticised the placement of the recruits in the city and not in the county.

The Garda drug unit in the county has also been depleted, however when questioned about garda resources in the county, An Garda Siochana has told this reporter that for operational reasons it does not comment on current or future deployment of resources.

Last August, a gang of armed men burst into a local pub carrying knives, slash hooks and possibly a firearm, and caustic chemical, intending to burn a man, however the suspected target fled through fields having left through the rear of the pub.

On August 21st a car was rammed off a road and the driver shot in another violent clash in the surrounding local townland of Kilcoole.

Last November, a house was damaged and a car firebombed in the town when a vehicle was driven into the front of a house.

Last October, a truck smashed into another house and petrol bombs fired at the property causing major damage.

The violence has not arose only during the influx of population at Christmas time.

Last May, four houses was firebombed in the town.

Gardai have mounted security operations around the town over the Christmas season previously and are expected to do that again in a bid to keep a lid on the violence.
Israel says Hamas has handed over two coffins of deceased hostages from Gaza, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu increased pressure on the militant group to share the rest more quickly under their ceasefire.

No names were immediately released. The bodies were in Israel and were being taken to the countrys National Institute of Forensic Medicine on Saturday.

Israel announced earlier that Gazas sole crossing with the outside world, Rafah, would stay closed until further notice, tying it to Hamass release of remains. On Thursday it had said the crossing was likely to reopen on Sunday.



Officials have said that the Rafah crossing will reopen for people to enter Gaza (Planet Labs PBC via AP)

Hamas has handed over the remains of 12 of the 28 dead hostages in Gaza, a key step in the week-old ceasefire process meant to end two years of war. The militant group says devastation and Israeli military control of certain areas of Gaza have slowed the handover.

The statement by Mr Netanyahus office on the Rafah crossing came shortly after the Palestinian embassy in Egypt said it would reopen on Monday for people returning to Gaza. Hamas called Mr Netanyahus decision a violation of the ceasefire deal.

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The Rafah crossing has been closed since May 2024 when Israel took control of the Gaza side. A fully reopened crossing would make it easier for Gazans to seek medical treatment, travel or visit family in Egypt, home to tens of thousands of Palestinians.

Israel has been returning the bodies of Palestinians with no names, only numbers. Gazas Health Ministry posts photos of them online, hoping families will come forward.

Just like they took their captives, we want our captives. Bring me my son, bring all our kids back, said a tearful Iman Sakani, whose son went missing during the war. She was among dozens of anxious families waiting at Nasser hospital.





 IDF representatives informed the family of Eliyahu Margalit that he has been brought back for burial.



According to the information and intelligence available to the IDF:



Eliyahu Margalit, 75, was murdered by the Hamas terrorist organization on October 7th, 2023, and his body pic.twitter.com/4blCMx5E1D  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 18, 2025

As part of the ceasefire agreement, Israel on Saturday returned 15 bodies of Palestinians to Gaza, taking the total it has returned to 135.

Meanwhile, Gazas ruins were being scoured for the dead. Newly recovered bodies took the Palestinian toll above 68,000, according to Gazas Health Ministry. Thousands of people are still missing, according to the Red Cross.

The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count, but it maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by UN agencies and independent experts. Israel has disputed them without providing its own toll.

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Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 people in the attack on southern Israel that sparked the war on October 7 2023.

Israel also said the remains of a 10th hostage that Hamas handed over on Friday had been identified as Eliyahu Margalit. The 76-year-old was abducted from kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7 attack. His remains were found after bulldozers ploughed areas in the southern city of Khan Younis.



Dwellings in Khan Younis have been completely destroyed (AP)

US President Donald Trump has warned that he would approve a resumption of the war by Israel if Hamas does not return the remains of all dead hostages.

Hamas has said it is committed to the ceasefire deal, but that the retrieval of remains is hampered by the presence of unexploded ordnance in the territorys vast ruins.

The Israeli organisation supporting families of those abducted said it will continue holding weekly rallies in Tel Aviv until all are returned.

We dont want to go back to fighting, God forbid, but this whole ordeal must end, and all the hostages must be returned, said Ifat Calderon, aunt of freed hostage Ofer Calderon.

Hamas has urged mediators to increase the flow of aid into Gaza as closures of crossings and Israeli restrictions on aid groups continue.

Vast parts of the city are just a wasteland, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said on Saturday while visiting Gaza City, where international food security experts declared famine earlier this year.





In #Gaza, over 8,000 UNRWA teachers stand ready to help children go back to learning and resume their education.



UNRWA is the largest humanitarian organisation in Gaza and must be allowed to do its work unimpeded.



Children in Gaza have been out of school for far too long. pic.twitter.com/7P9632Lr1o  UNRWA (@UNRWA) October 18, 2025

UN data on Friday showed 339 trucks had been offloaded for distribution in Gaza since the ceasefire began. Under the agreement, about 600 aid trucks per day should be allowed to enter.

Cogat, the Israeli defence body overseeing aid in Gaza, reported 950 trucks  including commercial trucks and bilateral deliveries  crossing on Thursday and 716 on Wednesday, the UN said.

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Israel has said it let in enough food and accused Hamas of stealing much of it, which the UN and other aid agencies deny.

Hamas again accused Israel of continuing attacks and violating the ceasefire, asserting that 38 Palestinians had been killed since it began. There was no immediate response from Israel, which maintains control of about half of Gaza.

On Friday, Gazas Civil Defence, first responders operating under the Hamas-run Interior Ministry, said nine people were killed, including women and children, when their vehicle was hit by Israeli fire in Gaza City. The Civil Defence said the car crossed into an Israeli-controlled area in eastern Gaza.

Israels army said it saw a suspicious vehicle crossing the so-called yellow line and approaching troops. It said it fired warning shots, but the vehicle continued to approach in a manner that posed an imminent threat. The army said it acted in accordance with the ceasefire.
Thousands of people are expected to gather across America for No Kings demonstrations against the direction of the country under Donald Trump.

The presidents Republican Party has called the protests Hate America rallies.

They rallied with signs like Nothing is more patriotic than protesting or Resist Fascism, and in many places, it looked more like a street party.

There were marching bands, a huge banner with the US Constitutions We The People, preamble that people could sign, and protesters in frog costumes, which have emerged as a sign of resistance in Portland, Oregon.

This is America. I disagree with their politics  but I dont believe that they dont love this country. I believe they are misguided. I think they are power hungry Brian Reymann

This is the third mass mobilisation since Mr Trumps return to the White House and comes against the backdrop of a US government shutdown that has not only closed federal programmes and services, but is testing the core balance of power as an aggressive executive confronts congress and the courts in ways that organisers warn are a slide towards authoritarianism.

Demonstrators packed places like New York Citys Times Square, the historic Boston Commons, Chicagos Grant Park, Washington, DC, and hundreds of smaller public spaces.

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Many protesters were especially angered by attacks on their motives.

In Washington, Brian Reymann said being called a terrorist all week by Republicans was pathetic.

This is America. I disagree with their politics  but I dont believe that they dont love this country. I believe they are misguided. I think they are power hungry, Mr Reymann said, carrying a large American flag.

Mr Trump himself is away from Washington at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.





Trump wants to DOUBLE Argentina's bailout to $40 billion to save his political ally.



Yet he is doing nothing to prevent 15 million Americans from losing their health care and 20 million from seeing a doubling in their premiums.



Is this what Trump means by America first?  Sen. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) October 15, 2025

They say theyre referring to me as a king. Im not a king, Mr Trump said in a Fox News interview that aired before he departed for a one million-dollars-per-plate Maga Inc fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago.

Protests are expected nearby on Saturday.

While large crowds attended protests earlier this year against Elon Musks cuts in spring, then to counter Mr Trumps military parade in June, organisers say this demonstration is building a more unified opposition movement.

Top Democrats such as senate leader Chuck Schumer and Independent senator Bernie Sanders are joining in what organisers view as an antidote to Mr Trumps actions, from the administrations clampdown on free speech to its military-style immigration raids.

There is no greater threat to an authoritarian regime than patriotic people-power, said Ezra Levin, a co-founder of Indivisible, which is among the key organisers.

As Republicans and the White House dismiss the protests as a rally of radicals, Mr Levin said their own sign-up numbers are growing.



Mr Trump is currently at his Mar-a-Lago resort (AP)

More than 2,600 rallies are planned in cities large and small, organised by hundreds of coalition partners. They said rallies are being planned within a one-hour drive for most Americans.

Overseas, a few hundred Americans already gathered in Madrid to chant slogans and hold signs at a protest organized by Democrats Abroad, with similar rallies planned in other major European cities.

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Republicans have sought to portray participants in Saturdays rallies as far outside the mainstream of American politics, and a main reason for the prolonged government shutdown, now in its 18th day.

From the White House to Capitol Hill, Republican leaders disparaged the rallygoers as communists and Marxists.

They say Democratic leaders, including Mr Schumer, are beholden to the far-left flank and willing to keep the government shut down to appease those liberal forces.





Now we know Saturdays events are actually funded by Soros, and sponsored by the Communist Party USA, among other far Left and communist groups.



How could there any more appropriate nickname than the Hate America Rally? https://t.co/bqxrTR1b1k  Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) October 17, 2025

I encourage you to watch  we call it the Hate America rally  that will happen Saturday, said House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Lets see who shows up for that, Mr Johnson added, listing groups including antifa types, people who hate capitalism and Marxists in full display.

Democrats have refused to vote on legislation that would reopen the government as they demand funding for health care. Republicans say they are willing to discuss the issue later, only after the government reopens.

But for many Democrats, the government closure is also a way to stand up to Mr Trump, and try to push the presidency back to its place in the US system as a co-equal branch of government.

In a Facebook post, Mr Sanders of Vermont, himself a former presidential contender, said, Its a love America rally.

Its a rally of millions of people all over this country who believe in our Constitution, who believe in American freedom and are not going to let you and Donald Trump turn this country into an authoritarian society.
Ukrainians shared their disappointment on Saturday that the US may not provide Kyiv with long-range Tomahawk missiles after a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump.

Mr Zelensky met with Mr Trump at the White House on Friday, after the US leader signalled that Washington could provide Ukraine with the long-range missiles Kyiv believes will help bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.

Yet Mr Zelensky left empty-handed  an outcome that dismayed, but did not surprise, many in the streets of the Ukrainian capital, who maintained their determination to end Russias three-and-a-half-year invasion of their country.



Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

One Ukrainian military serviceman, Roman Vynnychenko, told The Associated Press that he believed the prospect of Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine was a political game.

Ukraine wont get those missiles, he said.

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Mr Vynnychenko said Ukraine still needed to procure new weapons with or without American help, particularly as Russian drones and missiles continued to hit civilian infrastructure.

Every day, civilians and soldiers die, buildings collapse, our streets and cities are being destroyed, Mr Vynnychenko said.

Russia invaded its smaller neighbour in February 2022, sparking a three-and-a-half-year conflict that has become a grinding war of attrition across a 1,250-kilometre (780-mile) frontline in Ukraines east and south.

Mr Trumps frustration with the conflict has surfaced repeatedly in the nine months since he returned to office. In recent weeks, he had shown growing impatience with Mr Putin and expressed greater openness to helping Ukraine win the war, including with the sale of Tomahawks.

But the US leaders tone shifted again after he held a lengthy phone call with Mr Putin on Thursday and announced that he planned to meet with the Russian leader in Budapest, Hungary, in the coming weeks.



President Donald Trump appeared to change his tune after a phone call with Russias Vladimir Putin (Alex Brandon/AP)

The talks raise new hopes that diplomatic progress could be made to end the war. But after multiple failed starts, Ukrainians are reluctant to believe that a significant breakthrough will take place soon.

Victoria Khramtsova, a psychologist, told the AP: To tell you the truth, I look at the news, but nowadays I read only the headlines. And even those make me sad.

We have been at war for more than three years. We just want peace.

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In the meantime, Russia continued its aerial bombardment of Ukraine, launching three missiles and 164 drones overnight, Ukraines Air Force said on Saturday.

It said that Ukrainian forces shot down 136 of the drones.

Two people were injured after Russian drones targeted a gas station in the Zarichny district of Sumy in northeast Ukraine, local officials said.

They were two women aged 51 and 53, according to regional Governor Oleh Hryhorov.

Elsewhere, work has begun to repair the damaged power supply to Ukraines Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the head of the UNs nuclear watchdog announced.

The repairs are hoped to end a precarious four-week outage that left it dependent on backup generators.



Work continues to repair the damaged power supply to Zaporizhzhias power plant (Leo Correa/AP)

Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said Russian and Ukrainian forces established special ceasefire zones for repairs to be safely carried out.

Mr Grossi hailed the restoration of off-site power as crucial for nuclear safety and security.

Both sides engaged constructively with the IAEA to enable the complex repair plan to proceed, he said in a statement.

Work is due to be carried out in two phases, first on the Ferosplavna-1 power line, then on the Dniprovska power line, the IAEA said.

As long as this devastating conflict goes on, nuclear safety and security remains under severe threat. Today, we had some rare positive news to report, but we are far from being out of the woods yet Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency

He also said that it was the 42nd time since the start of Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022 that power lines to the plant had to be restored.

The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europes largest nuclear power station, has been operating on diesel backup generators since September 23, when its last remaining external power line was severed in attacks that Russia and Ukraine each blamed on the other.

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The plant is in an area under Russian control since early in Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine and is not in service, but it needs reliable power to cool its six shutdown reactors and spent fuel, to avoid any catastrophic nuclear incidents.

Mr Grossi said Saturday that emergency diesel generators were designed to be the last line of defence to help nuclear power plants cool their reactors, but that their use was now an all too common occurrence.

As long as this devastating conflict goes on, nuclear safety and security remain under severe threat. Today, we had some rare positive news to report, but we are far from being out of the woods yet, he said.
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until November 14, 2025 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between February 18, 2025 and July 31, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.

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Fluor investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-flr-2/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

Fluor and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On August 1, 2025, the Company announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2025, disclosing a Q2 non-GAAP EPS of $0.43, missing consensus estimates by $0.13, and revenue of $3.98 billion, representing a 5.9% year-over-year decline and missing consensus estimates by $570 million due to growing costs in multiple infrastructure projects due to subcontractor design errors, price increases, and scheduling delays, as well as reduced capital spending by customers. The Company also disclosed a negatively revised financial outlook for FY 2025, guiding to adjusted EBITDA of $475 million to $525 million, down significantly from Defendants' prior guidance of $575 million to $675 million, and adjusted EPS of $1.95 per share to $2.15 per share, down significantly from Defendants' prior guidance of $2.25 per share to $2.75 per share.

On this news, the price of Fluor's shares fell $15.35 per share, or 27.04%, to close at $41.42 per share on August 1, 2025.

The case is Maglione v. Fluor Corporation, et al., No. 25-cv-02496.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.

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LifestyleHealth & wellnessHealth Theres a least bad time in your life to drink alcohol. And its not in old age David Cox October 18, 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 110 View all comments

For many of us, that first furtive sip of lukewarm beer as an underage teenager is one of adolescences most transformative moments. In retirement, being able to still enjoy a glass or three of red on a regular basis is often viewed as akin to a universal human right. Yet, both of these events happen in life phases where our brains and bodies are undergoing particularly dynamic changes which make us far more susceptible to alcohols effects. Professor David Nutt, director of the Neuropsychopharmacology Unit at Imperial College London, says for over-65s, regular alcohol can drive elevated high blood pressure, as well as the increasing risk of stroke. Most people dont know that more people die of alcohol-induced strokes, either through hypertension or bleeding in the brain, than cirrhosis [alcoholic liver disease], he says. Alcohol is associated with a range of health problems, but there is a time in life where its impact is lessened. Getty Images/iStockphoto Many researchers say, with justification, that theres no safe time in life to consume alcohol. It is a known carcinogen, playing a causative role in seven different types of cancer, while more recent research has indicated that alcohol is capable of driving biological ageing by accelerating the degradation of telomeres  DNA sequences which cap the ends of chromosomes. Telomeres shorten with age, a biological process which drives a steady decline in the health of our cells and organs, and shorter telomeres have been linked to various age-related diseases such as cancer and Alzheimers.

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A study, by the University of Oxford, found that people who consume more than 29 units of alcohol a week (about 10 large glasses of wine) were one to two years biologically older, based on telomere length, compared with those who drink six or less units a week (about two large glasses of wine). But there are certain timeframes in our life where alcohols effects on our brain and body are particularly magnified in different ways. In the womb While alcohol in pregnancy has long been a no-no, about a tenth of pregnant women still drink, particularly in European countries. However, being exposed to alcohol in the womb can have devastating consequences for the unborn baby. Alcohol passes directly through the placenta to the developing fetus, and can have a toxic effect on developing organs, including the brain, says Louise Mewton, an associate professor at the University of Sydney.

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In particular, alcohol disrupts the brains rapid growth and formation of connections, either through directly causing the death of cells, or damaging mitochondria, the energy-producing batteries within cells which fuel brain development, raising risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder where children are born with reduced brain volume and significant cognitive impairment. Research has shown that the risk is greatest in pregnant mothers who drink heavily, consuming more than seven alcoholic drinks a week, but even small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy such as a glass of wine a week, or drinking heavily on a single occasion, raises the risk of children being born with some symptoms. The best option for pregnant women is not to drink alcohol at all. iStock Years 11-19 According to Mewton, adolescents are wired to seek out prohibited substances as the brains reward-seeking system develops much faster than its impulse control network which keeps such urges in check. However, such exploration can have a negative impact on this critical period for brain development. Research has shown that underage drinking exacerbates teenagers impulsive tendencies, as alcohol impacts complex chains of brain chemicals relating to risk-taking and emotional control. Nutt says that the short-term consequences of this are seen every week in accident and emergency departments.

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Adolescents are damaged by alcohol because they get into accidents when theyre drunk, and they get into fights, he says. So many of these kids end up brain-damaged as a result of the head trauma. But premature exposure to alcohol can also have much longer-term consequences. The adolescent years are a critical time for the formation of white matter  the wiry connections which link brain areas, sometimes dubbed superhighways  shaping personality and behavioural traits heading into adulthood. Related Article Alcohol Is your drinking a problem? Four surprising signs to look out for Studies indicate that the earlier teenagers begin experimenting with alcohol, the more likely they are to form patterns of connectivity in their brains which predisposes them to keep seeking out alcohol during the rest of their lives. One of the most consistent findings is that earlier experimentation with alcohol leads to a greater likelihood of alcohol use disorders [the impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use] and other mental illnesses over the long term, says Mewton.

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Years 40-65 Fast-forwarding two decades to our late 30s or early 40s, we reach a time when were beginning to notice the first visible signs of ageing. Scientists have identified this as a period where our body composition starts to change for the worse  studies show that the loss of muscle mass which makes us more at risk of frailty in later life begins in our 30s, and particularly, our 40s. According to Anya Topiwala, a senior clinical researcher at the University of Oxford, loss of muscle volume and quality can actually be exacerbated by alcohol, preventing us building new muscle, and accelerating the breakdown of muscle we already have. Excess alcohol has negative impacts on muscle mass, she says. It inhibits muscle growth and increases fat deposition. It can also impair muscle recovery after exercise. Getting into the habit of drinking to relieve the stresses of work and family is risky. iStock

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Middle age is also a time when life stresses can accumulate, from work pressures to raising children and looking after elderly parents. Many people understandably turn to alcohol as a much-needed relaxant, but as Federica Amati, head nutritionist at ZOE, says this can precipitate a toxic cycle, not least because alcohol disrupts sleep and can actually promote anxiety over time. Its easy to fall into a negative spiral with alcohol, she says. You drink to reduce your stress and help you sleep but the next day, you feel even more stressed and tired, so when the evening finally comes, youre desperate for another drink. One of the most sinister effects of alcohol is on women going through menopause in their late 40s and early 50s, who also often turn to booze to get them through this difficult phase. For women, the negative effects of alcohol in midlife can be even more pronounced, says Amati. During menopause, women have lower levels of the enzyme that breaks alcohol down, meaning it can stay in their system for longer, thereby causing more damage. Drinking alcohol in midlife is one of the biggest risk factors for breast cancer, underscoring just how negatively it impacts women. Years 65+

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By the time we reach our late 60s and 70s, the bodys relationship with alcohol has become more complex. Nutt says that over-65s are more sensitive to alcohol for a variety of reasons, one being that theyre typically drinking less regularly than those 20 or 30 years younger, and so their tolerance has diminished. But alcohol can also interact with many prescription medications, speeding or slowing their clearance from the body and so altering their levels in the blood, which research has shown to be a risk-factor for falls. Nutt points out that over-65s are at a higher risk of having car accidents after drinking, even if below the limit, because theyre more likely to fall asleep at the wheel. Older people get sleepier on alcohol, he says. And theres various chemical reasons for that. As the brain ages, it becomes less responsive and flexible, and the dopamine system, which gives drive and energy, seems to burn out as you get older, meaning you dont get the boost you need to keep you awake. Health professionals suggest cutting back on alcohol as we age, with more alcohol-free days. iStock

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If youve been diagnosed with hypertension, Nutt says that the first step you should do is to cut down on alcohol because it directly raises blood pressure through the actions of a hormone called noradrenaline. It also induces various biological changes to blood vessels which make strokes more likely. It also makes you more vulnerable to what we call obstructive strokes, where you get a bit of plaque in a vessel breaking off and going and blocking blood flow to the brain. And also when people have aneurysms, they bleed more if theyre regular drinkers. Finally, just as alcohol can have profound effects on the brain before birth and during adolescence, it can also drive brain impairments in our latter decades. Heavy drinkers may begin to suffer from thiamine or vitamin B1 deficiency because years of excess alcohol inflames the stomach lining and digestive tract, preventing this vitamin from being absorbed into the body from food. Because vitamin B1 is essential for healthy brain function, this deficiency can cause a serious and irreversible condition called Wernicke-Korsakoff or wet brain syndrome characterised by permanent memory loss and confusion. Related Article Health and nutrition The food and drinks you should avoid to protect bone health Even in more moderate quantities, researchers say that alcohol seems to be capable of accelerating brain ageing by hastening various natural processes which are already taking place, such as decreased size of the brains nerve cells or neurons, and a reduction in the numbers of connections between neurons.

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In later life, alcohols impact on the brain is a cause for concern, says Amati. Older adults may present with dementia-like symptoms associated with alcohol consumption. Its worth reducing or removing alcohol altogether to preserve cognitive function as we age. The best age to drink without damaging your health Alcohol is never truly risk-free, but the decade between 25 and 35 is the time when your body is at its most robust when it comes to handling the booze. When were in our mid to late 20s, our bodies are at their most metabolically flexible, in comparison to your latter decades. This means that the liver is most capable of swiftly ramping up the production of the enzymes we need to safely break down large quantities of alcohol, and safely remove some of the alcohol-related toxins from the bloodstream before they cause harm. Between the ages of 25 and 35 is the least damaging time of your life to drink alcohol. Nattakorn Maneerat/istock By 25, weve not only reached our full adult height, but also our full adult bulk as well, which is important for various reasons. Researchers have found that the comparatively leaner frames of adolescents and even young adults in their early 20s gives them a higher head-to-body ratio.

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Related Article Health Why 36 to 46 is the most important time of your life for your health These proportions mean that its easier for alcohol to move through the bloodstream and more of it ends up in the brain, potentially impacting cognitive development. This doesnt happen to the same extent once weve developed our full adult physique. By our mid to late 20, the brain has completed the complex rewiring which begins at pace during adolescence, providing us with greater control over our emotions, better decision-making and most importantly when it comes to drinking, more self-control. By this point, it means that alcohol is less likely to shape your personality and make you into a more impulsive, risk-taker, and it means youre far less susceptible to getting into scrapes or accidents as a result of drinking too much. How can you reduce your risk without going cold-turkey? Try not to drink every week

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Amati says she feels that the recommended UK limit of 14 units (one unit equals 8g of pure alcohol) a week, which is equivalent to nine small glasses of wine or seven pints, is still too much for healthy ageing. (In Australia, the recommended alcohol intake is no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than four standard drinks on any single day. A standard drink is 10g of pure alcohol.) I recommend not drinking every week, and sticking to two drinks when you do, Amati says. Spread your drinking out Researchers suggest having alcohol-free days to let your body recover, and spreading your drinking out, rather than consuming all units in a night. Drink water or soft drinks between each alcohol drink

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This is a known way of pacing yourself. To limit alcohols impact on your sleep, Amati recommends leaving a few hours between your last drink and going to sleep. Switch to lower ethanol drinks Try low-alcohol beers (around 3-5 per cent alcohol by volume), light wines and wine spritzers (diluted wines), or for spirits, lighter apertifs like aperol and vermouths, or try new non-alcoholic alternatives. The Telegraph, London Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.

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Exclusive NationalNSWCrime Sydney man charged for child sex doll, AI-generated abuse material Perry Duffin October 18, 2025  9:02am 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

Federal authorities have swooped on a Sydney man, alleging he imported a vile sex doll and generated horrific abuse material using artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, in an unrelated case, NSW Police have arrested one of their own, alleging a senior constable was disseminating child abuse material. In August, the Australian Border Force investigated a shipment coming into Sydney from Asia. A Lalor Park man, identified in court documents as Neil Gardoll, 59, was charged by ABF and AFP after a child sex doll was found in a shipment in Sydney. ABF/AFP Inside was a sex doll in the likeness of a child. The doll was seized and investigations began.

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On 8 September, border force and officers from the Australian Federal Police searched a home at Lalor Park, in Sydneys west, where they spoke to a 59-year-old man. Digital devices and childrens clothing were allegedly seized from the home. Inside the devices, investigators allegedly uncovered a significant amount of AI-generated child abuse material and importation documents for a child-like sex doll. Officers arresting a 63-year-old man in November on a similar offence. ABF On Thursday, the officers returned to the Lalor Park home to arrest the man, named in court documents as Neil Gardoll.

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Police footage released to the Herald shows Gardoll being handcuffed in the front yard and placed in an unmarked police vehicle. He was taken to Blacktown Police Station and charged with importing tier 2 goods, which includes items depicting a person under the age of 18. He was also charged with one count each of producing and possessing child abuse material. Each offence carries a maximum sentence of 15 years jail. These vile dolls and this digital material have no place in Australian society, our officers are always on the lookout for these videos and images coming through our airports and at packages which are coming to our shores, ABF Superintendent Shaun Baker said in a statement.

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The use of child-like sex dolls abhorrently normalises child exploitation and is far from being a victimless crime. The ABF said it uses intelligence and technology in the ports to detect items, including sex dolls, as they enter the country. Our investigators work tirelessly alongside our partners across Australia and around the world to prevent the abuse of children and ensure offenders are put before the courts to face justice, AFP Detective Superintendent Luke Needham said. The message could not be clearer  if you engage in these horrific activities, you will be found, charged and prosecuted. Meanwhile, on Saturday morning NSW Police said Senior Constable Aslim Mohammed Khan had been charged with three counts of online child abuse material.

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The Professional Standards Command had been investigating the sharing of online abuse material under Strike Force Harmonic this month before executing warrants at a home in Sydneys south-west. Related Article Crime Police searched a mans laptop for malware. What they found is becoming all too common Khan, 39, was taken to hospital for assessment while electronic devices were seized for further investigation. The officer was suspended, without pay, and will face Parramatta Local Court later on Saturday. There is no suggestion Khans case is linked to the Australia Border Police investigations. In July, Commonwealth law enforcement said they had detected a disturbing rise in attempted importations of child-like sex dolls into NSW.

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Silicone dolls bound for suburbs in the Hunter, Newcastle and Central Coast were among the seven search warrants and six prosecutions that followed. AI-generated abuse material has been identified as a rising threat against children by the Commonwealth authorities and their international partners. Two Australian men, one in NSW and a second in Queensland, were among 25 snared in a global crackdown on such material led by Danish police earlier this year. Danish law enforcement allegedly identified 273 subscribers in 19 countries, including Australia. The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.
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PoliticsFederalSocial media Opinion As the world watches, Australia stands up for childhood Peter Hartcher Political and international editor October 18, 2025  4:00am

October 18, 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 327 View all comments

Australia won a potent victory this week as it pioneered its most important piece of social policy reform in at least a generation. The forthcoming age restrictions on social media have inspired many countries to follow. Just as the social media corporations feared. The industry has damaged a generation of children. Knowingly. Profitably. And wants to keep at it. Australia stood up. Illustration by Simon Letch We figure we are trying to save our kids generation, says the minister responsible for implementing the ban on under-16s, Anika Wells, mother of three. But parents say to me, Im worried that my kids are already cooked. The whole world erred in offering our childrens unprotected minds as a free resource for manipulative multinationals to plunder for profit. But civilisation is starting to assert itself over exploitation. Thank you to the people of Australia for your leadership on this issue, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said last month on a stage she shared with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in New York.

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And while the idea began with the Labor government of Peter Malinauskas in South Australia before being embraced by the federal Labor government and legislated last year, it is also supported by the Coalition. So its truly an Australian national initiative, not a partisan one. It inspired others, including von der Leyen, to follow. It is for parents to raise our children and not for algorithms, she said. The platforms, of course, insisted that it was impossible. But Australias persistence has now demolished that defence, as this week showed. This bold decision is an example of what middle powers, but determined countries can do, von der Leyen said. On stage with von der Leyen and Albanese was an Australian mum from the Central West NSW town of Bathurst. The federal government invited Emma Mason to speak to the assembled leaders and officials and media to put a human face on the social suffering inflicted by social media. Anika Wells: Parents say to me, Im worried that my kids are already cooked. Getty Images She spoke of the suicide of her 15-year-old daughter, Tilly: This was death by bullying but it was enabled by social media, said Emma. Since Tilly died, Ive had the privilege of meeting so many parents like me because there were so many Tillys in the community. There are Maxs, Ollys, Livs, Charlottes, Siennas, Allans. These are real Australian children who have died by suicide  and social media was to blame. So now I ask you to hold my Tilly and all the lost children in your hearts and do what you can to change the narrative across our world for Tillys sake because how many more Tillys must die?

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Who could fail to be moved? The handful of corporations that profit from the trade, each of which has a market capitalisation of a trillion US dollars or more, of course. Related Video Video icon 2:17 Aussie Mum speaks at UN hoping to take the under-16 social media ban global Communications Minister Anika Wells is exasperated with their inertia. In a series of meetings in Canberra this week with each of the big platforms separately, her frustration was on display. The harms being experienced by Australian teenagers online are manifest and evidence-based, and youve had 10 years and done nothing, Wells relates to me by way of illustration. You have had 12 months notice and now we are two months out. And theyre pleading for exemptions and offering half-measures. The accounts of under-16s in Australia are to be deactivated by December 10. It will be a seismic event for most Australian teenagers under the age limit. But the half-measures on offer this week have only hardened Wells determination. The news, as reported by the Australian Financial Reviews Sam Buckingham-Jones: Two of the worlds biggest tech companies, Meta and Google, have announced new safety features for teenagers on Instagram and YouTube, less than two months before Australias world-first social media ban for people under 16 comes into effect. These companies intend to apply the changes worldwide.

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Wells says that of course, we appreciate the improvements theyve made this week but to me, it demonstrates that they were entirely capable of making their platforms safer all along; theyre only doing this now because theyre facing our ban. Their changes dont meet our policy imperative. I am absolutely unyielding on this. The changes announced by Meta and Google vindicate the governments insistence, and the eSafety Commissions findings, that the age restriction is technologically feasible. This is an important win for Australias case. The only thing lacking is corporate will. The Australian solution will change the incentives for them by applying $50 million fines for systemic failures. To ignore the looming mountain of evidence at this point would be a failure at least as monumental as the Catholic Churchs wilful refusal to confront its crisis of child sexual abuse. The church was guilty of covering up repugnant crimes, said Pope Francis, as were other churches. On Friday, a Vatican commission released a report finding that the church was failing still to support and recompense victims. One of the earlier witnesses for the prosecution of social media companies was Frances Haugen, the Facebook employee who exposed thousands of pages of the companys secret, internal super tragic research, as she called it.

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Among many damning disclosures was that Instagram harms teenage girls and just kept doing it, as Haugen said. One internal study found that 13.5 per cent of teen girls said that Instagram made their suicidal thoughts worse, and 17 per cent said it aggravated their eating disorders. Related Article Social media Frances Haugen blew the whistle on Facebook two years ago. This is what happened next They get more and more depressed, said Haugen. And it actually makes them use the app more. And so, they end up in this feedback cycle where they hate their bodies more and more. And the book The Anxious Generation by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt last year laid out irrefutably the accelerated mental health epidemic created by the corporations. He listed the four major harms of a phone-based childhood as social isolation, sleep deprivation, fragmented attention and addiction. Wells says the ban, and responses to it, will be fast-moving and wont be perfect, but that it will create cultural change  instead of everyones on TikTok so you must be on TikTok, itll be everyones off TikTok and finding new ways to interact with each other, as people did for generations. Its like the seatbelt law, the ban on under-18s drinking alcohol, its where cultural change comes from.

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A brace of European nations, and a swag of US states, are following with a range of experiments and efforts to achieve something similar. Its been a long time since Australia pioneered such profoundly important social policy. Together with New Zealand, Australia had an early history of leading the world on democratic innovation. As we should. Few Australians realise that we were the first country in history to vote itself into existence. That happened when the people voted in state-based referendums to endorse the proposal to join together to create the federation we formed in 1901. Among early path-breaking reforms were the enfranchisement of women. New Zealand was first to allow women the vote, in 1893, and South Australia followed the year after. At the same time, SA became the first jurisdiction to allow women to stand for parliament. The secret ballot was known worldwide as the Australian ballot when Victoria and SA became the first to implement the concept in 1856. These decades were the Australian spring. More recently, the Hawke government invented a clever scheme to make sure that no one was denied entry to university because of a lack of money. It was HECS, now HELP. The Gillard government, with the support of the Abbott opposition, introduced the NDIS.

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But while these were both world-leading in the specifics of their design, they were iterations of much older ideas for the subsidisation of students and support of the disabled. The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant: The harms AI could unleash may be irreversible and much more catastrophic. Alex Ellinghausen On the other hand, decisive regulation of social media is revolutionary, not evolutionary. Its qualitatively more akin to the enfranchisement of women; this is the enfranchisement of childhood. The social media corporations havent given up. Theyve been busy lobbying the Trump administration to confront Albanese to scrap the age ban. Trump has said in the past that hell be very tough on any country that tries to restrict the freedom of US platforms. If the president chooses to challenge the Australian prime minister on this policy in their White House meeting next week, Albanese will not take a backward step. But Trump would be making him a national hero.

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This is not the final word, however, in the recovery of civilised treatment of our children. The fast-forming frontier is AI. The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, says: Im very concerned that the AI industry is not learning the lessons of the social media era of moving fast and breaking things. And the harms AI could unleash may be irreversible and much more catastrophic. The work of responsible government is never finished. Peter Hartcher is political editor. Lifeline 13 11 14
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WorldEuropePhones London became a global hub for phone theft  now we know why Lizzie Dearden and Amelia Nierenberg October 18, 2025  10:47am 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 13 View all comments

London: Sirens screamed as police vans pulled into a north London street, and shocked passers-by paused to watch as officers charged into three secondhand phone shops. Do you have a safe on your premises, sir? one officer asked a shopkeeper, who was sitting next to his computer and a half-drunk cup of tea. The man watched as they combed through phones, cash and documents from two safes. The raid, which The New York Times was invited to observe, was one of dozens carried out across the capital last month, part of a belated, highly visible effort by Londons Metropolitan Police to tackle the phone-theft problem that has plagued the city in recent years. A thief steals a mobile phone from a man walking down a London street. City of London Police The scale of the crime has gone beyond the pick-pocketing familiar to London since before Charles Dickens Oliver Twist made it famous. Increasingly brazen thieves, often masked and on e-bikes, have become adept at snatching phones from residents and tourists. A record 80,000 phones were stolen in the city last year, according to police, giving London an undesirable reputation as a European capital for the crime.

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Last months raids were aimed at identifying a group of middlemen who, police say, use secondhand phone shops as part of a multi-layered global criminal network. By the end of the two-week operation, detectives had found about 2000 stolen phones and 200,000 ($412,500) in cash. After years in which phone theft was a low priority for an overstretched police force, the new operations are revealing the curious blend of factors behind the epidemic, including steep cuts to British police budgets in the 2010s and a lucrative black market for European mobile phones in China. A mile of aluminium foil For years, Londons police assumed most of the phone thefts were the work of small-time thieves looking to make some quick cash. But in December, they got an intriguing lead from a woman who had used Find My iPhone to track her device to a warehouse near Heathrow Airport. Arriving there on Christmas Eve, officers found boxes bound for Hong Kong. They were labelled as batteries but contained almost 1000 stolen iPhones.

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It quickly became apparent this wasnt just normal low-level street crime, said Mark Gavin, a senior detective leading the investigation for the Metropolitan Police. This was on an industrial scale. The breakthrough coincided with a broader push by police to increase public confidence by tackling the citys most common crimes. Phone theft has been the subject of particular anger among victims, who for years reported their mobile phones stolen and handed police the locations being transmitted, only to be given a crime reference number and hear nothing more. Police officers search a secondhand phone shop in north London last month. Andrew Testa/NYT The police are now using that information to map where stolen phones are transported by street thieves. After the Heathrow seizure, a team of specialist investigators who normally deal with firearms and drug smuggling was assigned to the case. They identified further shipments and used forensics to identify two men in their 30s who are suspected of being ringleaders of a group that had sent up to 40,000 stolen phones to China. When the men were arrested on September 23, the car in which they were travelling contained several phones, some wrapped in aluminium foil in an attempt to prevent them from transmitting tracking signals. At one point, the police said at a news conference, they observed the men buying more than 2400 metres of foil in Costco.

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Some phones are reset and sold to new users in Britain. But many were shipped to China and Algeria as part of a local-to-global criminal business model, the police said, adding that in China, the newest phones could be sold for up to $US5000 ($7680), generating huge profits for the criminals involved. Phones wrapped in aluminium foil seized by police. Metropolitan Police Boxes of stolen phones bound for Hong Kong found in a warehouse near Heathrow Airport. Metropolitan Police Joss Wright, an associate professor at the University of Oxford who specialises in cybersecurity, said it was easier to use stolen British phones in China than elsewhere because many of the countrys network providers did not subscribe to an international blacklist that barred devices that had been reported stolen. That means that a stolen iPhone that has been blocked in the UK can be used without any problems in China, Wright said.

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E-bikes and balaclavas The exporters are at the top of a three-tier criminal network, police say. In the middle are the shopkeepers and entrepreneurs who buy stolen phones from thieves and sell them to unsuspecting members of the public or pass them on for transport abroad. On the lowest tier are the thieves. Their numbers have risen in line with the juicy profits on offer, and a growing sense of impunity. Overall, crime in London has fallen in recent years, but phone theft is disproportionately high, representing about 70 per cent of thefts last year. And it has risen sharply: the 80,000 phone thefts last year were a stark increase from the 64,000 in 2023, the police told a parliamentary committee in June. A shopper talks on his phone near the Harrods department store in London. Bloomberg That is partly because this crime is both very lucrative and lower risk than car theft or drug dealing, the police officer leading the effort to tackle phone theft, Commander Andrew Featherstone, told a news conference. Thieves can make up to 300 a device  more than triple the national minimum wage for a days work.

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And they know they are unlikely to be caught. Police data shows about 106,000 phones were reported stolen in London from March 2024 to February 2025. Only 495 people were charged or given a police caution, meaning they admitted to an offence. Police data shows about 106,000 phones were reported stolen in London from March 2024 to February 2025. Bloomberg Related Article Opinion

Scams Matthews phone was snatched from his hand. In minutes, hed lost thousands Bec Wilson Money contributor Of course, many other large cities, including New York, face phone theft. London police argue that varying crime-recording practices make it impossible to identify where in the world the problem is worst. Many experts blame a specifically British issue: the impact of years of austerity imposed by Conservative-led governments in the 2010s, which led to cuts in the number of police officers and their budgets. In 2017, the Met said it would stop investigating low-level crimes where it judged there was little prospect of catching the culprits, so it could prioritise tackling serious violence and sexual offences.

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Emmeline Taylor, a professor of criminology at City St Georges, University of London, said the police became more of a reactive force  [and] low-level career criminals realised that they were getting away with the crimes they were committing. Then, a technological advance arrived that made their work even easier: electric bikes. Lime bikes, which can be rented and dropped off anywhere, launched in London in 2018. They exploded in popularity. Before long, e-bikes were the getaway vehicles of choice for phone thieves. Related Article Crime Aussie tourists beware as a mobile phone theft epidemic hits London Sergeant Matt Chantry, one of the leaders of the raid last month, said in an interview that thieves on e-bikes were a real problem. They mounted sidewalks and swiped phones from peoples hands at high speed, he said, while making themselves unidentifiable by wearing balaclavas and hoods. How do you police that? he asked. Attempting to chase them on Londons sometimes gridlocked streets was high risk, he said, endangering pedestrians, other drivers and the offender. Ultimately, he said, the police had to ask, is the risk of a fatality worth it for a mobile phone?

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Lost and found: 4000 iPhones The raid on the three secondhand shops in north London last month paid off, with the police recovering 40,000 and five stolen phones. Those handsets will join about 4000 other stolen iPhones recovered by police since December, now held in a storeroom in Putney, south-west London, as officers try to contact their owners. Related Article Travel tips My phone was stolen while visiting London. Heres how I coped In the longer term, Featherstone said, the police wanted to dismantle the criminal networks driving the illicit trade and disincentivise criminals from wanting to steal phones by making it clear they could be caught. Police are also hoping users will become more savvy about their personal security. Even as smartphones have become more advanced and valuable, many peoples handling of them has become less protective. For the modern phone thief, a classic mark is a pedestrian walking close to the curb, deeply absorbed by the content on a cell screen  a map, a text, a video.

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You wouldnt count your money on the street, said Lawrence Sherman, an emeritus criminology professor at the University of Cambridge. But when the phone is worth 1000, its like pulling 1000 out of your wallet and looking at it as you walk. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
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Eva Osborne

Here are the stories making headlines this Saturday.

The Irish Times leads with the results of a poll showing that support for Fianna Fail has slumped, while Taoiseach Micheal Martin's personal rating has fallen by 11 percentage points to its lowest level in more than five years.

Children as young as five are now being targeted online for sexual exploitation by international gangs as senior gardai urgently implore parents to talk to their child, the Irish Examiner reports.

The 20 Cork TDs who were elected to Dail Eireann at last November's general election spent a combined 330,000 on their campaigns, an average of 16,605 each, according to The Echo.

The Irish Independent leads with Heather Humphreys saying she will fight Paul Murphy in court over the defamation action he has taken against her.

The Irish Daily Star leads with the 17-year-old stabbed to death in an apartment in Donaghmede having only fleed from war three days earlier.

A family friend of the teen who was stabbed has launched an appeal to help bring his body back to Ukraine, the Irish Daily Mirror reports.

A 'wave' of Ukrainian youths, aged 18 to 22, are arriving here after Ukraine relaxed its exist visas, the Cabinet has been told.

The Irish Daily Mail reports that a confidential memo circulated to Cabinet ministers last week outlining how the State is struggling to grapple with the sudden influx of Ukrainians entering the country and how State accommodation is overwhelmed as a result.

The Herald reports that the teen stabbed in Donaghmede suffered more than 100 stab wounds.
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Netflix is merging its two in-house production units, Scanline VFX and Eyeline Studios, under a single brand known as Eyeline. According to the steamer, the move will leverage more than four decades of industry experience and look to spearhead advances in virtual production and AI-enabled filmmaking.

Founded in 1989 and acquired by Netflix in 2021, Scanline is best known for its large-scale effects work on major franchises such as Stranger Things, Wednesday, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. The studio scored an Academy Sci-Tech Award for its Flowline fluid simulation system and picked up an Emmy for its work on Season 2 of Andor earlier this year.

Eyeline Studios, established in 2019, focuses on virtual production and volumetric capture, most recently working on Wednesday Season 2 with the creation of Professor Orloff, played by Christopher Lloyd, seen above. The studio also developed the Light Dome, a system capable of reproducing real-world lighting conditions on stage, used on Happy Gilmore 2 and A House of Dynamite.

Under the Eyeline name, Netflix aims to integrate Scanlines VFX expertise with Eyelines virtual production and research capabilities. The combined operation will continue to develop production technologies that leverage real-time rendering, volumetric capture, and generative AI tools, areas Netflix has been exploring in recent projects, such as the Argentine sci-fi series The Eternaut.

The rebrand positions Eyeline as Netflixs central hub for advanced production technology.
The Health Departments Violence Prevention Program under the Health & Social Services Division will host the first Annual Healing Through Art event this Saturday from noon-2 p.m. at the Family Justice Center, 5705 Uptain Road in Chattanooga. Doors open at 11:45 a.m.This free, family-friendly event is open to the public."By gathering as a community, Healing Through Art aims to promote resilience, highlight the power of creative expression and connect individuals with the resources they need to thrive," organizers said."Art therapy sessions can provide a safe environment for authentic expression, offering an opportunity to verbalize inner emotions without needing to talk, help contain overwhelming emotions and facilitate reconciliation of feelings."Attendees can expect: Keynote speakers on the importance of art in healing; Art exhibits (visual and spoken) featuring local and survivor artists; Resource tables with community services and support programs; and Opportunities to connect with vendors and partners.Art can be an often-forgotten but powerful part of a therapeutic journey. This community event will showcase the role of art therapy in supporting healing after trauma while raising awareness about the impacts of domestic violence. The artwork of survivors will be on display, offering Hamilton County residents the opportunity to reflect, connect, and access valuable resources for healing, said Ivie Teems, public health educator for the Violence Prevention Program at the Hamilton County Health Department.Officials said, "The Health Department would like to thank St. Andrews and Arts Build for playing a vital role in organizing the event, as well as the numerous local artists who have signed on to participate. The Aims Center has also provided significant support by connecting artists with the opportunity to share their work."For more information or questions, email IvieT@HamiltonTN.gov.
I learned via the local news last night that Marty Haynes, assessor of property for Hamilton County, has told the City of Red Bank and the public that his office miscalculated the Certified Rate for Red Bank for the current tax year. Mr. Haynes was quoted as saying that he "accepted full responsibility." Apparently, the Certified Rate was lower than it should have been.So, what does "full responsibility" mean? Does it mean that the future certified rates will be calculated correctly? Does it mean that there will be an audit or verification process to be applied to the process so that future rates will be correct?That there will be a property tax rate increase in Red Bank for 2026 is a given; one only has to look at the trend in this community for the past few years to see that coming.However, this "fully responsible" mistake will no doubt serve as motivation for the Red Bank Commission to further hit property tax owners with a much higher rate in order to fund their favorite projects.I doubt that "full responsibility" will mean anything except that Red Bank property owners will continue to be squeezed for more money by the current "leadership" and that future certified tax rates will be as vulnerable to mistakes as this one was.Tim McDonald
President Trump moved to protect federal personnel and property in LA and a Clinton appointed judge blocked him (NBC 9/1/25). The smooth operator, Gavin Newsom, was quick to celebrate. The Ninth Circuit overturned it. Newsom could charm a toad out of a tree, but after 470 arrests (AP 6/13/25), ICE attacks ended, the Guard went home and Newsom went silent.After weeks of nightly attacks on Portlands federal building, Trump focused on protectingOR federal authorities and property.When one of his own appointees blocked him, the Oregon AG on MSNBC with Nicolle Wallace along with the host celebrated. Wallace even ran video of a quiet Portland street as people claimed there was no violence. This site was away from the scene of nightly riots. Then the Ninth Circuit overturned that order but Wallace and the AG went silent.Governor Ron DeSantis, R-FL was blocked from immigration enforcement. A judge also blocked Governor Greg Abbott, R-TX, from taking action at the Texas border. Immigration enforcement, they were told, is under federal control. Governor Newsom, the Oregon AG and Governor J.B. Pritzker, D-IL, pretend their state laws take precedent over federal law now that a Republican is president. It was different when Biden wandered the White House and the AutoPen was runningovertime.Last week most of the leaders of Europe and the Arab world scrambled to share the stage with Donald Trump. Saturday, Democrats will share stages with activists wearing masks and inflatable costumes led in silly chants of No Kings. What a contrast in the direction of the country. Aseach injunction is blocked and their ridiculous claims fade, the Democrats will offer nothing.Ralph Miller
People leaving a church after Sunday service in a village near Bauchi, Nigeria. | Photo Credit: Open Doors

At a press conference marking the release of the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) 2025 yearbooks, Religious Freedom and Persecution and Discrimination of Christians, ISHR President Thomas Schirrmacher said conditions for Christians have deteriorated markedly across many regions.

Speaking at the German Evangelical Alliance/Evangelische Allianz offices in Berlin, Schirrmacher described a broad spectrum of abuses facing believers: This takes the form not only of direct violence (murders, kidnappings), but also of legislation, social discrimination, restrictions in public and private life and control of churches and religious services, Schirrmacher said.

Schirrmacher, former secretary general of the World Evangelical Allianceexplained that the yearbooks assess contemporary threats to fundamental freedoms, examining state persecution, extremist violence, imperialist dominance, and anti-religious discrimination.

Highlighting two case studies, he said Islamist groups in Nigeria  including Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Fulani herdsmen militias  continue to target Christian communities with sustained attacks.

Looking ahead, he noted Nigeria is expected to become the worlds third-largest Christian country by 2050, yet the nations needs remain enormous, requiring more emergency medical personnel, early warning systems, and evacuation measures to avert further massacres.

Turning to South Asia, he said the situation in Pakistan is also deeply troubling, as Christians routinely suffer under discriminatory blasphemy laws; alongside this, abductions, forced conversions to Islam, and child marriages disproportionately harm girls from minority faiths, especially Hindus and Christians.

Identifying root causes, he pointed to two primary drivers of global anti-Christian persecution: first, dictatorial one-party regimes such as China, Cuba, and North Korea that treat Christians as threats and therefore subject them to strict surveillance and repression; second, militant political-religious movements and groups that victimize Christians.

He added that believers in Egypt, Syria, Nigeria, India, and Myanmar are particularly afflicted under these conditions.

He also cited examples of Islamic republics where state ideology fuses with religion to impose coercive control: Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan, which he said have tied their social order to a religion in a totalitarian manner and ruthlessly enforce their religious-political coercive order with state resources.

Thomas Rachel, Germanys Federal Government Commissioner for Freedom of Religion and Belief and a member of the Bundestag, stressed that defending freedom of religion and belief remains a core component of the federal governments human rights policy.

From the Evangelische Allianz Deutschland, political representative Johann Matthies drew attention to the plight of Ukrainian Christians, condemning the systematic persecution of independent religious communitiesespecially Evangelical free churchesby Russian authorities since the 2014 occupation of Crimea and Donbas.

He warned that these repressive practices have intensified in newly occupied areas, stating, By mid-2023, Russian authorities had closed almost all independent religious communities in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.
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Home News Pastor Matthew Queen is back in the pulpit after serving sentence for lying to the feds

Seven months after receiving a six-month sentence for lying to federal investigators looking into sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention, Matthew Queen is now back in the pulpit as a pastor in Texas.

Church officials were not immediately available for comment when contacted by The Christian Post on Friday, but Queen is now listed as a member of the Plymouth Park Baptist Churchs Pastoral Care Team in Irving.

Dr. Matt Queen serves as our associate pastor. He is the husband of Hope and the father of two daughters, Queens bio reads on the churchs website in part. Dr. Queen brings over three decades of experience in a variety of roles and contexts as a leading voice in evangelism.

In March, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York Lewis Kaplan sentenced Queen to six months of home confinement during which time he was not allowed to leave except to get medical care for himself or his wife or with permission from his probation officer. He was also required to wear an electronic monitor.

Prior to the sentencing, Queen was facing a penalty of up to five years in prison for lying to federal investigators but Kaplan appeared to have been moved by the 59 letters submitted in court and reviewed by The Christian Post from family, friends, former students, and colleagues, testifying to his moral character and the unfortunate circumstances that led him to betray himself and almost made him take his life.

Dr. Queen recognizes that the Southern Baptist Convention, including SWBTS, has had a history of covering up and minimizing sexual abuse allegations. He opposes such cover-ups and has always supported victims of such abuse, Queens attorney, Sam A. Schmidt, wrote in a March 2 letter to Kaplan just three days before his client was sentenced.

When the opportunity has arisen, he has acted on behalf of those who were abused. The most recent time was this past fall while on administrative leave from Friendly Avenue Baptist church. A woman told his wife and him about her experience. Both Dr. Queen and his wife explained to the woman how important it was to report the abuse both for herself and the community, Schmidt added.

Queen's charges stemmed from a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into "multiple SBC entities following a Guidepost Solutions report detailing how some leaders mishandled allegations of abuse and mistreated victims of abuse.

Last year, the DOJ decided not to file any charges against the Protestant denomination but did pursue charges against Queen, a former Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary evangelism professor, provost and church pastor, for falsifying records connected to its investigation.

The case against Queen, 49, was opened following a November 2022 report of alleged sexual abuse committed by a Texas Baptist College student, according to a statement by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Seminary officials later said they helped facilitate the arrest of the student who withdrew from the college.

Before the sexual abuse allegation in November 2022, the Justice Department issued a grand jury subpoena to the seminary in October 2022, which required the seminary to produce all documents in its possession related to allegations of sexual abuse against anyone employed by or associated with the seminary, among other things.

Investigators said Queen attempted to interfere with a federal grand jury investigation by creating false notes in an attempt to corroborate his own lies." He pleaded guilty in October 2024.
Home News Russell Brand prays in Jesus' name at TPUSA event: 'There's a revival happening'

Comedian and actor Russell Brand closed out his appearance at a Turning Point USA event in Oklahoma on Thursday by praying in the name of Jesus, noting he found God through pain and that he believes revival is happening.

"Lord, I would ask for divine inspiration, I would ask for new conversations that pursue the lines that Charlie Kirk was pursuing in earnest, open discourse; love," Brand prayed in a packed auditorium of thousands at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.

The late Charlie Kirk was scheduled to speak there on his college tour before he was assassinated at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Sept. 10.

Theres just something about Russell Brand, a former Hollywood degenerate, leading thousands of young people in prayer and closing in Jesus name at the Oklahoma Turning Point Tour stop.



Wow. God really is moving in America. pic.twitter.com/lnlkEMU1PE  David Medina ???????????? (@davidmedinapdx) October 17, 2025

"For me, as a Christian, Lord, I follow you faithfully. Show me where I can honor you more greatly. Show me how we can interact more lovingly with people of different faiths and different dispositions; and show us, Lord, how the miracle of new technology might be used to create maximal freedom."

After asking for His kingdom to come, Brand closed by saying, "In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Responding to a question from a college student who asked what he would say to pastors afraid of offending people, Brand exhorted pastors and Christians to stop living in fear, saying he believes the devil and evil are real, but that revival has arrived.

"There's a revival happening: this isn't the time to be frightened," he said. "This is the time to no longer deny His holiness and His greatness; that not only is Jesus Christ real, the devil is real, and the devil has his lands of the levers of power. And we must be mindful of that."

Brand implied the devil is working through technology and the centralization of power it enables.

"We must refute and repudiate evil wherever we find it, and the culture is steeped in it," he added. "Be bold from the pulpit, be bold among your congregation."

Russell Brand chillingly encourages people to proclaim the Gospel and follow Christ without fear



This isnt the time to play it safe. Jesus is realand so is the devil... Preach truth. Refute darkness. Revival requires courage.



Jesus is Lord. ?? pic.twitter.com/udcJV1xo3z  Anna Lulis (@annamlulis) October 17, 2025

During his speech at the event, where Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt also spoke, Brand offered his Christian testimony, noting that the rape allegations against him and the suffering of his child pushed him to God.

"In my country, I got accused of sex crimes  real serious sex crimes," Brand said. "At the same time, my little son was born with a heart condition that requires surgery. Everything fell apart."

"For story is meaning, and that meaning you may often find in pain, and I pray you don't have to find it in the severe pain that I've alluded to and that we're all aware of, given the nature of this event," he continued. "I found our Lord in pain, in great pain, but through that, I have experienced his glory."

Brand made international headlines last year when he converted to Christianity and was baptized in the River Thames along with Bear Grylls. He has since become an outspoken witness for his faith, and has repeatedly been open about the spiritual emptiness of fame, wealth and worldly glory.

Brand's conversion came less than a year after a joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches reported on allegations from four women who accused Brand of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse.

In April, British police charged him on five counts of rape and assault, to which he pleaded not guilty as he held a Puritan prayer book during a pre-trial hearing at London's Southwark Crown Court. His trial is scheduled for June 2026.
Home News Young Republicans group disbanded after report of racist, antisemitic language in group chat

New York State Republican Party leaders voted unanimously to disband a Young Republican organization from operating at the state level following a report about a group chat containing racist and antisemitic language.

The Executive Committee of the New York Republican State Committee, which is composed of the 62 County Chairs and elected officers of the committee, voted on Friday to suspend the authorization of the New York State Young Republicans to operate at the state level.

As a youth political organization, the New York State Young Republicans aimed to engage younger voters and nurture future party leaders before the suspension.

The decision to suspend the group's authorization follows a Politico report this week about group chat messages exchanged by the leaders of Young Republican organizations throughout the country. The messages included racial stereotypes about black people and jokes about sending people to the gas chambers, as well as jokes about sexually assaulting political opponents.

Following the vote, NYGOP Chair Ed Cox released a statement condemning the language in the group chat involving the leadership of the Young Republican organization.

"The Young Republicans was already grossly mismanaged, and vile language of the sort made in the group chat has no place in our party or its subsidiary organizations," Cox stated.

One of the messages referenced in Politico's report, sent by Bobby Walker, the vice chair at the time of the New York State Young Republicans, described rape as "epic." The chair of the New York State Young Republicans at the time, Peter Giunta, also wrote a message in June that stated, "everyone that votes no is going to the gas chamber."

Giunta was referring to a vote deciding whether he should become chair of the Young Republican National Federation, according to Politico.

"Unlike the Democrat Party that embraces anti-Semitic rhetoric and refuses to condemn leaders who call for political violence, Republicans deliver accountability by immediately removing those who use this sort of rhetoric from the positions they hold," the NYGOP chair added, likely referring to the controversy surrounding Jay Jones, a Democrat nominee for Virginia attorney general.

Jones, a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates, is running against Republican Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares. Republican leaders, including President Donald Trump, have called on Jones to drop out of the race after text messages he sent in 2022.

In one of the text messages, Jones said that if he had Virginia Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert in the same room as Adolf Hitler and Pol Pot and had only two bullets in a gun, he would shoot Gilbert with both bullets.

"Three people, two bullets  Gilbert, hitler, and pol pot  Gilbert gets two bullets to the head," Jones wrote. "Spoiler: put Gilbert in the crew with the two worst people you know and he receives both bullets every time."

In a statement shared by ABC News affiliate 8News earlier this month, Jones apologized for the remarks, saying that reading back his words made him "sick to [his] stomach."

"I am embarrassed, ashamed and sorry," Jones said. "I cannot take back what I said; I can only take full accountability and offer my sincere apology. ... Virginians deserve honest leaders who admit when they are wrong and own up to their mistakes. This was a grave mistake and I will work every day to prove to the people of Virginia that I will fight for them as Attorney General."

In his Friday statement, Cox criticized New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, describing her as the "Worst Governor in America." Cox accused Hochul of failing to condemn Democrats who have wished violence on their political opponents and their families, who have used antisemitic language or expressed support for terror groups like Hamas.

"Not only did Kathy Hochul not condemn such behavior, she endorses racist and anti-Semitic candidates for elected office," Cox declared, which is likely a reference to Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City.

Mamdani has repeatedly faced criticism for making anti-Israel remarks that critics have deemed antisemitic.

In an X post last October, Mamdani referred to Israel's military operations in Gaza, which the country launched in response to Hamas' October 2023 terrorist attack, as a "genocide." Mamdani also insisted in a May 2024 interview that he would not welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the city if elected mayor.
A Forgotten Crisis For Christians: Inside Armenia's Ongoing Horror

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 18:06 18:06

In this powerful episode of "The Inside Story," Billy Hallowell sits down with Dr. Paul Murray and Samuel Smith of The Christian Post to uncover the ongoing plight of Armenias displaced Christians.

More than 120,000 people were driven from Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023, and their ancient churches, monasteries, and homes now face erasure under Azerbaijani control. Dr. Murray and Smith recount their eye-opening visit last month with refugees and survivors  revealing stories of loss, resilience, and hope.

They also call on believers around the world to pray, speak out, and help preserve one of Christianitys oldest homelands.
Home Opinion Study suggests transgender contagion fizzling out

The transgender social contagion among the young may be fizzling out and there are numbers to back it up.

A report released recently concluded that the number of young Americans identifying as trans or nonbinary has dipped in the last few years. This represents a major reversal, given that transgenderism had been an exploding social phenomenon among young Americans since 2020.

The report by social science professor Eric Kaufmann, titled The Decline of Trans and Queer Identity among Young Americans, shows that across three separate surveys, the number of young Americans who identify as nonbinary or transgender has dropped since its peak in 2023.

The study found that since 2023, the transgender share of university students in America has halved and went from 7% to 4% of the population. It also found that students who identified as not heterosexual dropped by 10 points in that period.

The numbers were produced by surveys conducted by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, the Higher Education Research Institute, and the Andover Phillips Academy.

Most people who identify as trans or nonbinary are teenagers or young adults. A 2022 study by the University of California, Los Angeles, Williams Institute found that almost one-fifth of those who identified as trans were between 13 and 17 years old. It couldnt be clearer that young people were far more susceptible to this obvious social contagion than anyone else.

After all, young people are more likely to be in schools that promoted transgenderism as a socially praised lifestyle choice. Social media spreads disinformation about gender transitions far and wide, often away from parental supervision.

The issue was new enough that many young Americans bought into the promises of gender transition activists. Americas elite institutions promoted it relentlessly as an issue of mental health and suicide prevention. President Joe Bidens administration tried to foist gender transitions for children on the whole country. Those who opposed the politically correct message on this issue were censored by the most powerful cultural gatekeepers.

For instance, in 2021, Amazon censoredWhen Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment, a fact-based book by scholar Ryan T. Anderson critical of the trans movement. Amazon only recently lifted that ban on his book after President Donald Trump came back into office.

YouTube censored a Daily Signal video featuring a doctor critical of transgenderism and called it hate speech.

So, what explains the cultural reversal on this issue?

Just a few years ago, it seemed as if the normalization of gender transition was headed toward inevitability. The Left certainly behaved that way, even as they did their best to literally silence anyone who disagreed on the issue.

There are probably many reasons the cultural tide has turned. Its noteworthy that the decline in young people identifying as trans seems to have started petering out around the time Twitter, now X, was acquired by Elon Musk at the end of 2022. Theres no doubt that social media supercharged the problem.

There have certainly been a few high-profile people, including some liberals, who publicly refused to accept the extreme demands of the gender ideology movement.

But maybe the strongest explanation is that despite the attempts to shut down dissent, most Americans simply didnt buy the Lefts dogma on this issue. That enough people had the courage to plant their flag in the truth revealed the majority.

The data seems to back up what certainly feels like a significant vibe shift.

Detransitioner Chloe Cole wrote on X that entire culture is shifting and waking up to the horrors of gender ideology.



Conservative commentator Matt Walsh declared the reversal on gender ideology the most significant conservative cultural victory, ever.



Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., wrote that hes happy the social contagion is in decline, but noted that the doctors, Democratic politicians, and public health professionals who pushed these lies on kids did permanent, irreversible damage. He demanded they be held accountable.

Gender ideology may be on the wane, but Im not willing to declare victory yet.

There are now countless young Americans whove already had their lives damaged by this poisonous ideology, as Cotton said. Many have done permanent damage to their bodies and may never be able to have children, among other tragic outcomes.

Also, its clear that trans ideology is still very much holding sway among the institutional Left. Neither they nor their patrons in the Democratic Party are showing signs of abandoning it. They may be changing their message for public, popular consumption, but the policies havent changed.

And on top of everything else, it seems that there is a dangerous, militant wing of trans activists who are willing to do violence to silence opponents and get their way regardless of what the rest of the country thinks.

The battle isnt over. The fever of gender ideology appears to be breaking, but a great deal of work remains to be done. The sooner Western societies return to embracing the truth over postmodern my truth the better. Our future depends on it.

Originally published at The Daily Signal.
October 18, 2025: Russias economy and war effort against Ukraine is financed by oil and other energy exports. Russia is operating under severe economic sanctions imposed to reduce that income and create economic conditions for Russia that make it difficult to impossible to continue their war in Ukraine.

The key to Russian oil exports is the use of foreign tankers to smuggle their petroleum and coal from Russia to overseas customers. Eighty percent of the oil for China goes by pipeline and cannot be disrupted. China accounts for nearly half of Russian petroleum and other energy exports. Its the other half that is at risk because of a growing list of sanctions.

The economic sanctions were imposed on Russia because of its 2022 invasion, in an effort to reduce its hard currency income from exports of oil and natural gas. These are the main Russian exports and the major source of income for the Russian government and war effort. To evade these sanctions, Russia created a growing shadow fleet of oil tankers purchased and/or leased abroad and obtained unrestricted access to a Chinese smuggler haven maintained in Hong Kong.

Current estimates are that nearly 900 tankers are smuggling sanctioned Russian petroleum to customers in China, India, the European Union/EU, Turkey and Myanmar. Most refined petroleum products go to Turkey, China, Brazil, Singapore and India. The rest goes to nine countries, in the Middle East, Africa and Taiwan. China has been buying 47 percent of the crude oil while India takes 37 percent followed by Turkey and the EU with six percent each. China, India and Turkey account for about 90 percent of Russian income from the sale of oil, natural gas and coal. The U.S. is imposing additional tariffs on countries that import Russian oil. India is already subject to these tariffs, which increases what they have to pay for imports from the United States. The Americans are negotiating with China and Turkey over what tariffs are being imposed to discourage Russian oil imports.

The nations enforcing the sanctions, particularly the United States, have tracked the routes of the Russian shadow fleet and noted the key role Hong Kong plays in arranging the movement of sanctioned Russian oil to its primary customers in China and India. Hong Kong is also a major source for supplying sanctioned nations with weapons and munitions. A current customer is Russia. Hong Kong does this by allowing Russian tankers and cargo ships, operating with fake credentials to disguise their Russian affiliation, to bring in Russian oil and other raw materials. The Russian ships then leave Hong Kong carrying weapons for their war in Ukraine.

Another major player in the Russian smuggling effort is North Korea. For years North Korea has been buying small, secondhand cargo and tanker ships and using them for smuggling. A favored evasion technique consists of taking on or transferring cargo at sea in its own territorial waters. The North Korean merchant fleet consists of about 150 ships, mostly purchased from Chinese firms.

North Korea is a notorious and persistent maritime smuggler. Because of North Korean smuggling, the United States expanded its maritime smuggling and sanctions enforcement program in 2018 when a new multi-national enforcement organization was created. Initial members were the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Britain, France, South Korea, and Japan. The Enforcement Coordination Cell, or ECC, is enforcing the UN sanctions that curb North Korean smuggling related to items needed for their nuclear and ballistic missile programs. In addition, the ECC allowed member nations to also enforce whatever other sanctions or naval missions their government put a priority on. The U.S. has since invited India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines to join and assist with monitoring growing Chinese violation of offshore water rights, especially in the South China Sea and other areas of the West Pacific.

The ECC concentrates on the 2,000-kilometer-long shipping lane from the Indian Ocean, through the Malacca Strait and the South China Sea to North Korea. Along this route there are not only North Korean flagged ships participating in smuggling, but even more Chinese, Taiwanese, Liberian, Sri Lankan, and ships that are independent and fly whatever flag they believe will keep them from getting seized for smuggling. Earlier U.S. efforts had already identified many North Korean and Iranian owned tankers and cargo ships that were often engaged in smuggling. This led Iran and North Korea to use their own ships less and willing foreign ships instead. These third-party ships are the ones the ECC sought to identify. These ships can be identified, along with their owners and the owners can have banking and other sanctions placed on them. Many nations, not part of the ECC, but economic partners with ECC members, will cooperate if a smuggler ship visits one of their ports. At that point the captain can be arrested and th

The ECC member warships do not depend on inspecting suspicious ships while at sea but confirming who is where and when. This is especially useful for spotting smugglers who often turn off their location beacons and continue in running dark mode. These location beacons transmit current ID and location to any nearby ships and often, via satellite, to their owner and international shipping organizations. The location data, past and current, can be found on several public websites. The beacons exist mainly as a safety measure for ships operating at night or in bad weather in heavily used shipping lanes. Smugglers have learned how to turn off their beacons near a port where, it is assumed, they have docked or anchored off the coast waiting for an available dock.

Some smugglers are using spoofing, a form of jamming that just modifies the beacon signal to present a false location. This is where warships and maritime aircraft come in as these can identify ships visually or using radar followed by visual inspection. This is more damaging to the smugglers because it provides more evidence that their ship was involved in smuggling, and with enough evidence, you can go after the ship owners and seize the ship whenever it enters coastal waters, within 22 kilometers of land belonging to a nation that will seize outlaw ships.

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National Public Radio broadcast journalist Susan Stamberg holds up a replica of her new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame following a ceremony in Los Angeles in March 2020. Stamberg died Thursday at the age of 87. AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File

Susan Stamberg, a longtime fixture at National Public Radio who made history by becoming the first female broadcaster in the U.S. to host a national news program, died Thursday at the age of 87, reports say.

NPR announced Stambergs death but no cause was reported.

Susans voice was not only a cornerstone of NPR  it was a cornerstone of American life, NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher said, according to PBS NewsHour. She showed that journalism could be both rigorous and deeply personal. She inspired countless journalists to believe they could explore life and truth, and lead with both authority and warmth.

Stamberg is described as one of the original mothers of NPR, joining the network in the early 1970s as it was just getting started. She became host of All Things Considered in 1972.

She said she initially lowered her voice in order to try to sound like male broadcasters because she had no female role-models. That ended when Bill Siemering, the program manager, told her to be herself.

And that was new too in its day, because everybody else, the women, were trained actors, and so they came with a very careful accents and very careful delivery. They werent relaxed and natural, she said. So we made a new sound with radio as well, with NPR.

According to NPRs obituary, Stamberg was born Susan Levitt in Newark, New Jersey in September 1938. An only child, she was raised in Manhattan.

She earned a degree in English literature from Barnard College, then met and married Louis Stamberg while working in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her first broadcasting job was at WAMU, a public radio station in Washington, D.C.

Once at NPR, she interviewed thousands of people during her career, from prominent politicians and artists to the less well-known, like White House chefs and people who work behind the scenes in Hollywood.

She hosted All Things Considered for 14 years, then hosted Weekend Edition Sunday, where she started the Sunday puzzle feature with Will Shortz.

She later became a cultural correspondent for Morning Edition and Weekend Edition Saturday. She is a member of the National Radio Hall of Fame and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2020. She retired in September.

Stamberg had her own layers, leaving a legacy both as an unabashed truth teller and a spinner of stories, NPRs obituary says. More tangibly, she leaves an irreplaceable mark on NPRs headquarters in Washington: Her recorded voice welcomes those who enter the elevators, announcing each floor.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)
Officials at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Florence announced the execution of Richard Kenneth Djerf, held since 1993 for the quadruple murder of the Luna family, after administering lethal injection Friday. William F. Campbell/Getty Images)

FLORENCE, Arizona  The state of Arizona executed 55-year-old convicted killer Richard Kenneth Djerf Friday morning, ending a more than 30-year case stemming from the 1993 murders of four members of the Luna family in Phoenix, the Associated Press reported.

Djerf was pronounced dead at 10:40 a.m. at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Florence following lethal injection of pentobarbital, AP said. The states corrections department said the procedure took multiple attempts to establish IV access due to sub-optimal veins and lasted about 10 minutes before the declaration of death.

KJZZ Phoenix reported that in September 1993, Djerf entered the Luna familys home while disguised as a flower-delivery person, then killed father Albert Luna Sr.; mother Patricia Luna; daughter Rochelle, 18; and son Damien, 5. Prosecutors said the killings were motivated by revenge after the son of the familys friend stole electronics and a firearm from Djerfs apartment.

Djerf had pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder in 1995, and his appeals were exhausted in 2019. In a handwritten note released a few weeks before his execution, he apologized and confirmed he would not seek clemency, writing, I hope my death brings some measure of peace, AP also reported.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayess office pursued the warrant.

I will continue to enforce the death penalty because it is the law in Arizona and victims deserve justice, Mayes said in a statement. The heinous murders by Richard Djerf of the Luna family, including their five year old son, shock the conscience  and their loved ones have waited 32 years to see justice served."
October 18, 2025: When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, their Black Sea fleet dominated the Black sea and threatened Ukrainian grain exports, which account for 41 percent of its export income. The Russian Black Sea Fleet sought to block those exports. Most of these grain products went to Egypt, Indonesia, Turkey, Pakistan and Bangladesh. These countries could switch to other suppliers, but that cost more because, with Ukrainian grains off the market, there were shortages causing prices to rise, making it more costly for nations dependent on Ukrainian grains to feed their populations.

Ukraine needed to deal with the Black Sea Fleet and do it quickly. The initial problem was that Ukraine did not have much of a navy. They had some patrol boats, which were a nuisance, not an obstacle to continued Russian control of the Black Sea.

Ukraine did have something of a secret weapon of sorts, naval drones, especially the Magura naval surface drone. About a hundred of these drones defeated the Black Sea fleet. When the war started, the Magura V5 was just a concept, a preliminary design for a one ton 5.5 meter long naval drone. Magura initially used a fishing boat that had a solid waterproof cover added, along with batteries for propulsion. There were sensors and a compartment for 300 kg of explosives or weapons. These include a machine-gun protruding above the drone top while two Sidewinder anti-aircraft missiles were in launch tubes, ready to be fired at Russian aircraft or helicopters. Magura has a substantial number of electronic components, including several day/night video cameras that give the remote operator a view of what is around the drone. There is also an autopilot, so the remote operator does not have to personally maneuver the drone over long stretches of open water. Magura is equipped with contact fuses at the front of the boat

Most Magura missions are one-way, but those equipped with machine-guns and surface to air missiles are also used to attack Russian aircraft. Three months ago a Magura V7 used those two missiles to shoot down two Russian SU-30 jet fighters. This was the first time a naval drone had shot down warplanes. Earlier a Magura had used Ukrainian R-73 heat-seeking missiles to take down one Mi-8 helicopter and damage another.

In 2025 Ukraine introduced the Magura V7, which weighs about 1.2 tons and can carry 650 kg of weapons. Its operational range is a thousand kilometers. The V7 can also be equipped with an electricity generator, enabling it to stay at sea for up to seven days. This model can move at speeds of up to 72 kilometers an hour. Cruising speed is 43 kilometers an hour.

The Ukrainian experience using naval drones to defeat the Russian Black Sea Fleet was unique. Ukraine had only surface-to-ship missiles when the war started, but eventually shifted to three new naval drones, Sea Baby, Mother, and MAGURA, or Maritime Autonomous Guard Unmanned Robotic Apparatus.

Some of these naval drones were used for a mid-2023 Kerch Bridge attack. One of the drones varied 850 kg of explosives and inflicted enough damage to halt use of the bridge. The Mother drone carried 450 kg and MAGURA 320 kg. In addition to attacking targets, these drones can also be used for reconnaissance and surveillance using video cameras that broadcast what they see back to the drone operator. Some drones have been armed with small rocket launchers. The Mother drone has a range of over 700 kilometers and can operate on the high seas. Endurance is about 60 hours, and top speed is over 70 kilometers an hour. Mother was used for an attack on the Russian naval base at Novorossiysk, which is a thousand kilometers from Crimea.

Ukraine has been developing subsurface drones and in early 2023 the first one, the Toloka2 TK-150 was introduced. This drone was 2.5 meters long and equipped with a sensor mast that remained above the surface for navigation and to identify targets. Toloka2 can also carry a small explosive warhead. Later, Ukraine developed the larger Marichka drone that is six meters long and one meter in diameter. Ukraine plans for a Western manufacturer to build and weaponize Ukrainian drones.

Ukrainian drones have been quite successful in attacking and sinking or disabling Russian navy ships. So far there have been over a dozen attacks which resulted in sinking or damaging about twenty ships.

Ukrainian drone operations in the Black Sea forced the Russian Black Sea Fleet to withdraw to the eastern shore of the Black Sea. Sevastopol was no longer a safe place to be, and Russian ships could no longer launch their Kalibr cruise missiles without risking attack by Ukrainian drones. The presence and aggressive use of the drones meant that Ukraines grain corridor was kept open despite Russias threats to interfere. Beyond symbolic significance, the corridor holds critical economic importance for Ukraine and is expected to contribute up to seven percent to GDP growth in 2024 because of the grain shipments.

Russian countermeasures to Ukrainian naval drones included using aircraft and helicopters to destroy slow-moving drones before they attack, and expanding use of jamming to disrupt drone control signals. These changes made it much more difficult for Ukrainian naval drones to reach and destroy targets. But by 2025 the Russians had already lost control of the Black Sea and were not getting it back.

This left Russian warships dependent on bases in the north, near the land border with Norway, and in the Far East, near Japanese and South Korean naval bases. In a post-Cold War development the Japanese and South Korean fleets are now far larger than the Russian Far East fleet. Before the 1990s, the South Korea fleet was largely non-existent and the Japanese fleet tiny and purely defensive. Chinese naval power began to emerge by the late 1990s but took another decade to become a significant force. Then as now, the American western Pacific fleet was the major naval power in the region.

The lessons learned by American, Chinese, Taiwanese, Ukrainian and Russian naval commanders is that these drones have changed the rules for naval warfare. If China tries to invade Taiwan, they have to prepare countermeasures for numerous naval drones blocking the way. Everyone continues to observe Black Sea operations for details on what new tactics, techniques and drones designs appear. The U.S. has an edge because they are a major supporter of Ukraine and are seeking to make the most of their insider knowledge of the Ukrainian naval drone effort.

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Its hard to imagine Chevy Chase having any hesitation about saying yes to film projects these days, given some of his recent roles in movies such as Panda vs. Aliens, The Christmas Letter and The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee.

But, weirdly, Chase had some serious reservations about playing his iconic character, Clark Griswold, in 2015s Vacation reboot, which starred Ed Helms as Clark and Ellens son Rusty.

Back in 2013, Chases on-screen wife Beverly DAngelo stated that she had to talk the Fletch star into entertaining the pitch from writer/directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein.

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I called Chevy, I said, Have you read it yet? DAngelo explained. He goes, I dont know. I said, Read it and then call me back. I said, Do you realize the way that they popped in on us, we could answer the door in towels or smoking a joint, just insane. We just could have gone berserk in the meantime. Theres some freedom here. He was laughing, but we havent gotten to that state.

Chases reluctance to return to the Vacation-verse seemed especially odd considering that he happily reprised the role of Clark for a series of Old Navy commercials, which were still better than Vegas Vacation, to be honest.

Well, it seems as though Chase was primarily doubtful about Daley and Goldsteins reboot because he had his own idea for a Vacation movie he was trying to pitch to Warner Bros.

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Beverly DAngelo and I have been working on our own script which is pretty dang funny, Chase explained during a 2011 interview with Collider. Ive written an idea that would be basically like a Swiss Family Griswold. Theres a cruise, theres a fire on the ship, we think the whole ships on fire and we jump  its just a little fire  and we end up on an island where we meet Randy (Quaid) somewhere whos been left there from an old Survivor series. I like that idea.

Chase did admit that its hard to sell these things to the Warners people. It depends on whos there and what their mood is and what they think people are gonna like.

Obviously, Chases movie idea never came to fruition, either because it was terrible, or because it was nearly identical to another Vacation sequel that had already been made. The 2003 TV movie National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddies Island Adventure, starring Quaid, similarly found Cousin Eddies family (plus Audrey Griswold for some reason) being shipwrecked on a deserted island during the holiday season.

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Hilarity did not ensue.
Stellantis, the parent company of Dodge and Chrysler, has issued a major recall for more than 298,000 Dodge Dart vehicles due to a serious safety issue that could cause the cars to roll away unexpectedly.

The announcement came through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on October 9, 2025.

The recall affects Dodge Dart sedans from model years 2013 to 2016. The problem lies in the transmission shift cable, which can become disconnected.

When this happens, drivers may think the car is in park when it's actually not, which increases the risk of a rollaway accidentespecially dangerous if someone is behind or near the vehicle.

According to USA Today, Stellantis said the issue is tied to a previous recall from 2019 (Recall No. 19V293000).

At that time, the company replaced the cable bushing, but many owners have continued to report problems even after the fix.

After reviewing the complaints and investigating the vehicles between June and October 2025, Stellantis confirmed the issue still exists and issued a new recall: 25V674000.

Stellantis recalls nearly 300,000 Dodge vehicles over rollaway risk



(Source: CBS News) https://t.co/RpgqwcPbo1  AOL.com (@AOL) October 15, 2025

Stellantis to Fix Dodge Dart Defect for Free

As of now, the company says there have been no reported injuries or crashes linked to this defect. However, out of caution, it is asking all affected owners to take the issue seriously.

While Stellantis works on a permanent solution, dealers will be notified starting October 16, and vehicle owners will be contacted between November 6 and November 13.

Affected customers will receive a letter in the mail explaining the issue and the next steps. Once a fix is available, repairs will be provided at no cost.

Drivers concerned about their vehicle can reach out to Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. The recall number for reference is A0C, CBS News reported.

This isn't the first time Stellantis has faced a recall in 2025. Earlier in the year, the automaker pulled back more than 63,000 Jeep Cherokees because of a defect that could cause the vehicles to lose power or their parking capability.

Even with the recall, Stellantis had some positive news to share  the company revealed plans to invest $13 billion in its US manufacturing network.

The move is expected to add around 5,000 new jobs across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

Originally published on vcpost.com
Calm down, everybody  Rob Schneiders X account hasnt been deleted or deactivated, as reported by Newsweek. The volatile feed is back in place, but with an important new wrinkle: Schneiders rants on vaccinations, the Kennedy assassination and leftist violence are behind an opaque curtain. These posts are protected, reads his feed. In other words, Schneider has canceled himself  at least among those he hasnt personally approved for private access.

Yesterday, however, fans were convinced someone was out to get the former Saturday Night Live cast member.

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Did Rob Schneider leave X or get banned?? exclaimed Chief Nerd.

No one should be banned for sharing truth, warned Erin Elizabeth Health Nut News.

Free Rob Schneider, was the rallying cry from Being Libertarian.

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But as it turns out, Schneider wasnt banned at all. A post from someone claiming to be the comedians pal (with a picture to prove it!) let everyone know that Schneider was having trouble accessing his account. She asked the Twitter/X Gods to intervene, and based on the feeds reemergence, the prayers were answered.

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Just in case anyone had funny ideas, Schneiders friend assured everyone that the problem was not Elons fault.

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The reappearance of x.com/robschneider does suggest another mystery, however. Did a flaw in the X architecture accidentally lock Schneider out of his own account? Or did some nefarious agent hack the comedians login information? Based on the X fights Schneider regularly picks over COVID, immigration and organic crops, hes made enough enemies to provoke someone into mischief.

If losing his account was due to a bad actor, that would explain why Schneider is hiding his tweets for now, and possibly forever. If he only shares his views with like-minded sycophants, then his posts cant provoke agitators into action. On the other hand, poking his political opposites seems to be the entire point of Schneiders account. Hes a prolific poster, seemingly eager for attention.

Could Schneiders problem be a self-inflicted wound? If so, it worked. Newsweek hadnt devoted digital ink to Schneider since Chers hair blocked his view at SNL50.

While we wait for Schneiders return to public rants, hes provided some comic irony at the top of his protected feed. ORDER My New Book on Free Speech, You Can Do It: Speak Your Mind America! blares his bio.

For now, the guy whos telling everyone to speak their mind is shutting the door on his own.
A Chinese-sponsored cyber attack was so damaging that it was briefly proposed that an entire data hub be destroyed, according to British news magazine The Spectator. It observed that the attack accessing confidential UK government data was just one manifestation of a continuing series of threats to British IT infrastructure.

That breach is but one example of the risks faced not only by the UK, but by governments and organizations everywhere.

According to news service Bloomberg, two former senior security officials and other government officials familiar with the matter revealed that China has routinely accessed low- and medium-level classification information on UK government servers for at least a decade. This included information marked official-sensitive and secret, in addition to some material on the governments secure IT networks, although no information designated top secret was compromised.
Taciana Fisac: Discovering China through translation

15:11, October 17, 2025 By Claire Ding, Yu Ying ( People's Daily Online

Summer in Madrid, the lively capital of Spain, is a season of intense heat, vibrant light, and abundant life. At the Autonomous University of Madrid, People's Daily Online met with Professor Taciana Fisac, a distinguished translator, linguist, and writer. As a professor of Chinese language and literature, Fisac is passionate about encouraging more students in Spain to learn Chinese and making China-related education more accessible. Her commitment led her to establish the Centre for East Asian Studies at the Madrid-based university in 1992. For her, learning the Chinese language is key to truly understanding the nation's culture.

Taciana Fisac (Photo/Patrick Shead-Simmonds)

Fisac's first trip to China came in 1978, when she served as a translator for Spanish journalists covering the official visit of King Juan Carlos I. However, her cultural and linguistic connection to China began several years earlier through her father. As an architect with a fascination for Asia, he returned from his travels across the continent convinced of China's future global importance. "Instead of just learning English," he told her, "why not learn Chinese?" It was a suggestion that changed Fisac's life.

By the late 1970s, Fisac was immersing herself in Chinese literature, which she saw as essential to understanding a society in transition. Literature offers a deeper immersion into Chinese culture and people, she explains, adding that her love for translation lies in the challenge of not only reading texts deeply, but also uncovering the unspoken layers of meaning.

Her first major translation project was Ba Jin's renowned novel "Family (Jia)," which follows the lives and marriages of three brothers in a wealthy Chinese household. After completing the translation, Spanish publishers requested that she shorten the book, which she found uncomfortable. She respectfully wrote to Ba for permission, and to her surprise, he replied warmly: "No problem at all. You can do whatever you want." Later, she learned that even within China, "Family" had been published in several edited versions.

Fisac also translated Qian Zhongshu's "Fortress Besieged (Wei Cheng)," a literary classic of modern China. During a visit to Beijing, she had the opportunity to meet both Qian and his wife, the renowned translator Yang Jiang, who is celebrated for her Chinese translation of the Spanish classic "Don Quixote." Fisac speaks with admiration towards the couple's deep knowledge of Chinese and Western cultures.

It was while translating Qian's work that Fisac began to question the conventional way Chinese grammar was taught in the West. She realised that the Chinese language doesn't follow the typical subjectverbobject structure taught in many textbooks. After more than 30 years of translating and teaching Chinese, she wrote her own book on Chinese grammatical structure called "Fundamental Structures of the Chinese Language". Inspired by linguist Zhao Yuanren's (Yuen Ren Chao) theory that Chinese follows a topiccomment structure, she expanded on this concept through her work, which has now been published in Spanish, English, and Italian. Moving forward, Fisac is eager to share and develop her ideas further with Chinese scholars worldwide.

Fisac is also embarking on a new project exploring the history of modern Chinese literature. She hopes to blend academic analysis with personal reflections, drawing on her unique experiences and long-standing connections with prominent figures in China's literary scene. She aims to situate these authors and their works within a broader historical context, an approach that she points out remains relatively underexplored in current scholarship.

"It's very easy to connect with Chinese people because I love the Chinese language," Fisac says. "The language and writing system are both incredibly beautiful." For her, learning Chinese opens the door to understanding the spirit of Chinese culture. Visiting China, researching the language, and teaching university students are not just part of her profession but foundational to her life.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang)
Any corking spy thriller has an enigmatic, grey eminence, a shadowy controller figure to intrigue the reader. So it has proved with Parliaments Chinese spooks saga.

Two men with connections at Westminster were about to be charged under the Official Secrets Act. They were suspected of spying for Beijing. All looked set for a trial. Then the case collapsed.

Despite indignant denials from Downing Street, there were suspicions that Jonathan Powell, the little-known National Security Adviser, played a discreet and improper part in the decision. But who is this Powell? For whom does he bat? What makes him tick?

A reporter, or intelligence officer, would normally respond to such questions by delving into dusty files. In the case of Agent Powell, if we may call him that, such digging is not necessary.

Yes, his case history offers the customary personal facts, but there is something more instructive. In 2010 he was bold enough to write a quasi-psychological politics textbook  rather a good read, it should be said  about his time as Tony Blairs chief of staff from 1995 to 2007. The book was called The New Machiavelli, How To Wield Power in the Modern World and it is, in its blithe unscrupulousness, most illuminating.

Niccolo Machiavelli was the medieval Florentine courtier whose name has become a byword for ruthless political fixes. Machiavelli held a low view of humanity. He who wishes to deceive will never fail to find willing dupes, ran one of his sayings. Another went: If you need to conceal a fact with words, do it in such a way that it does not become known, or, if it does become known, that you have a ready and quick defence.

Jonathan Powell shakes hands with Chinese official Wang Yi in Beijing in July

Powell's book was called The New Machiavelli, How To Wield Power in the Modern World" and it is, in its blithe unscrupulousness, most illuminating, writes Quentin Letts

How delicious that dictum becomes in the light of Downing Streets convulsive protestations of innocence about Powells Chinese activities.

The books title was a droll acknowledgment by Powell of the job he did for Blair. Just as Machiavelli served the power-hungry churchman and politician Cesare Borgia (1475-1507), so was Powell Sir Tonys courtly thug, his merciless wingman, the calculator of advantages to the cause. That cause was always his boss. But which boss now? Sir Keir Starmer? Tony Blair? Someone else?

In 300 pages of urbane prose Powell chronicles the struggles, mishaps and occasional triumphs of the Blair years, from New Labours election in 1997 to Blairs departure from office in 2007, when he was finally worn down by a decade of mad plotting from Gordon Brown. If the book has a villain it is Brown, along with his grunting sidekick Ed Balls.

Blair and Brown may have been presented to voters as the dynamic duo of New Labour but behind the scenes their relationship, as described by Powell, was neuralgic. Powell hardly helped, laughing scornfully at Brown early in his time as Blairs chief of staff.

He and Brown, thereafter, did not speak directly to one another for a decade. What petulance. And how foolish it now looks for Powell to have been so rude in print about Brown and Balls. As National Security Adviser nowadays he needs to work with the Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper. Her husband? Ed Balls.

Powell, whose public persona, if he has one, is that of a shrewd intellectual, emerges from his own book as a schemer, a gossip and a voyeur  he liked to be in the tear-stained room when Blair sacked ministers. Powell was even something of a snoop. He habitually eavesdropped on other peoples telephone calls, not always with their knowledge.

When he wrote the book he may not have imagined he would return to the cockpit of politics. For supposedly such a cunning man, writing a book was a rash thing to do. Did he feel a need to proclaim his brilliance? In the breast of every orchestral viola player there may lurk a virtuoso violinist itching for the concert halls acclaim.

Powell put loyalty to Blair above everything else. He was terse with secretaries of state, contemptuous of mandarins and would have been happy for Blair to have abandoned Downing Street and operated from a drab conference centre opposite Westminster Abbey. No 10, he argues in the book, should become a museum. Only someone deaf to symbolism and the tug of history could seriously propose such a thing.

Powell put loyalty to Blair above everything else, writes Quentin Letts

There is something uncollegiate and metallic about Jonathan Powell. Another of his theories was that it should not be necessary for government ministers to be members of parliament. He is unmoved by the idea of parliamentary democracy and its essential link between those who rule and those who are governed. Powell is the ultimate Davos Man, a technocrat absorbed by his own class.

Let us have those basic biographical facts. Jonathan Nicholas Powell (b. August 14, 1956) was the youngest son of a decorated Air Vice-Marshal. His oldest brother is Charles Powell, long-serving foreign-affairs aide to Margaret Thatcher. The flamboyant, effortlessly civilised Charles is 15 years senior and must, in early days, have been a remote, heroic figure to his little brother.

Young Jonathan was educated at Canterbury Cathedral choir school. Yes, he sings, though not, we must hope, in the sense spymasters use that verb. In the mid-1970s he read history at University College, Oxford, at a time that old scoundrel Lord Goodman, consigliere to Harold Wilson, became the colleges master.

Postgraduate studies in Pennsylvania followed for Powell, as did a stint as a television journalist before he joined the Foreign Office. He served tours in three celebrated spy cities  Lisbon, Stockholm and Vienna  and was involved as a desk officer in the handover of Hong Kong to, well, well, the Chinese.

Then came a posting to Washington DC, where he coiled his way into the circle of presidential candidate Bill Clinton, a fellow University College alumnus.

When Tony Blair became leader of the Labour party in 1994, Powell was interviewed to be his chief of staff. He had long fancied becoming a Labour MP. Here was a shortcut to such glories: a political career without the tiresome business of having to suck up to provincial party dignitaries in some safe seat. In The New Machiavelli, Powell complains that he had to pay his own air fare to London for the Blair interview. The process was conducted in secret. He had been told that Brown must not hear of it.

Calamity nearly struck when, heading back to Washington after the interview, Powell saw Brown and Balls in the distance at Heathrow airport. He dived into WH Smith to avoid detection. In a John le Carre book he might have hidden behind a copy of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Given WH Smith, it was in this case more likely a copy of Practical Caravans magazine.

In the books introduction Powell claims that, far from being manipulative, he is as naive as Candide, the fictional character created by Voltaire. Candide is a young blade of the most unaffected simplicity and when bad things happen, he is astonished.

Such a self-assessment is alarming from someone who is now National Security Adviser, a position generally associated with the most intense and wary worldliness. But then you contemplate some of Powells greatest hits: the recent surrender of the Chagos Isles, concessions to Irish republican terror groups and the amiable dealings with Libyas murderous Colonel Gaddafi. Unaffected simplicity may be a polite way of admitting he is a blithering fool.

When he started working for Blair he was told that he spoke too fast for his political bosses. With his head of Grecian curls and his gabbling intellectualism he was the back-room professor, the tester of theories, sower of strategies. That, at least, is what we are invited to believe.

Yet this coy self-portrait, this reaching for the role of brainy ingenue, will not quite wash. Powell was part of a cabal that, by various sneaky sleights, took us to war in Iraq. After leaving Downing Street in 2007 he continued his association with the now multi-millionaire Blair. Powell himself is understood to be enviably well-off. Please, spare us the innocent abroad routine.

Powell has had a deleterious effect on our public life.

Sir Keir appears to take Powell at face value. In the Commons this week he proudly noted that Donald Trumps Middle East negotiator, Steve Witkoff, had been complimentary about Powell, writes Quentin Letts

His appointment as a Downing Street official in 1997 frayed long-standing conventions on civil service impartiality. Standards of political hygiene deteriorated fast under New Labour. The Blairites downgraded the office of Lord Chancellorship and made for the establishment of a supreme court, wrecking our constitutions balance between the executive and the Law.

Powell was an ardent Europhile and regrets that the Blair government did not surrender even more of our sovereignty to Brussels. Its the old George Smiley conundrum. Is he naive? Or sinister?

Then there was, and is, his approach to our countrys relations with the United States. It was Powell who, before the Iraq war, told our then ambassador to Washington, Christopher Meyer that, we want you to get up the arse of the White House and stay there. At a Downing Street press conference I asked Blair to explain that disgusting remark. He refused even to acknowledge it, such was Downing Streets embarrassment.

Now we see the same Powell steering the Starmer governments approach to the Trump administration. Lets hope things work out better this time than they did with the Iraq war.

Coming as it does from a student of Machiavelli, none of this should be a surprise. Machiavelli believed any competent prince would be skilful in simulating and dissembling. That was a fancy Florentine way of saying lies. Powell himself writes that Tony Blair was good at constructive ambiguity. Spot the difference.

What can this silken, sinuous courtier, so reverent to that liquid lizard Blair, truly think of plodding, oblong Sir Keir? Powells book notes the qualities Machiavelli demanded most in a prince were decisiveness, oratorical fluency, optimism and charm. Sir Keir is not over-endowed in any of those.

Machiavelli held that the key ability of a leader was to avoid contempt. With hapless Sir Keir we can only say too late, mate. To toil under dullard Starmer having previously worked for Prince Tony must be to drink flat Tizer having once supped Krug. How the Blairites must laugh at Sir Keir behind his back.

And does the nasal knight even start to understand this complex latter-day Machiavelli who is his National Security Adviser? Sir Keir appears to take Powell at face value. In the Commons this week he proudly noted that Donald Trumps Middle East negotiator, Steve Witkoff, had been complimentary about Powell.

Did Sir Keir not pause to wonder who had encouraged the infamously transactional Witkoff to make that remark? Could it possibly have been Blair, trying to save his stricken friend? And who suggested to the Trump White House that the superannuated Blair might be a suitable chairman of the new peace body in Palestine? Could that not have been Powell? Circles, circles.

The Blairites toy with Starmer, using a sub-standard PM for their own ends. Machiavelli would have understood such naked self-interest. Before Sir Keir becomes too bogged down in defending his National Security Adviser he should perhaps consider Machiavellis advice that the wise prince must be ready to shift as the winds and tides of Fortune turn.

When Jonathan Powell turned up for work in Downing Street this week a photograph caught him looking distinctly careworn. Fortune may finally be turning against Downing Streets furtive lurker. He may or may not be right about Britain needing to reach an accommodation with China. That is by the by. He has now become a reputational problem for a Starmer government that has run out of political capital. Such things have their own relentless logic.

As Powell himself notes in his Machiavelli book, it is best not to let a scandal drag on. If the person at the centre of it will have to be sacrificed in due course, it is no kindness to them, and a major problem for the government, to allow the limb to suppurate rather than cutting it off straight away.

Sir Keir should follow Jonathan Powells excellent advice, and sever this suppurating limb.
Beltway orgies are back!

Perhaps they never left?

On his podcast this week, button-pushing podcaster Tucker Carlson peppered Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett about rampant rumors of legislative branch boinkings.

'People's personal lives are getting weirder in Congress,' pressed Carlson as Blushing Burchett deflected.

'Have you noticed that?' asked Carlson. 'Without implicating anyone by name. I don't think I'm imagining this. It's not just sleeping with your scheduler, it's weirder than that. Have you noticed that?'

Burchett wasn't buying and told Tucker he 'tries to stay' in his office 'as much as possible.' (Reader: Burchett is a proud believer in Bigfoot and UFOs and even he finds this stuff too nutty.)

'I just want to say for the record,' Tucker insisted as Tennessee Tim squirmed. 'I never heard of anybody participating in an orgy in Washington, DC, in my entire life  and I've heard a lot about it recently.'

Of course, this is not the first time the American public has been teased with salacious rumors about elected members making body congress in secret pleasure cabals.

In 2022, disgraced former Congressman Madison Cawthorn claimed he was invited to cocaine-fueled orgies by hypocritical anti-drug warriors allegedly doing key bumps in the cloak room.

Cawthorn even claimed that one of the lusty legislators told him, 'Hey, we're going to have kind of a sexual get-together at one of our homes. You should come.'

On his podcast this week, button-pushing podcaster Tucker Carlson peppered Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett about apparently rampant rumors of legislative branch boinkings

Burchett (above) wasn't buying and told Tucker he 'tries to stay' in his office 'as much as possible'

In 2022, disgraced former Congressman Madison Cawthorn (pictured) claimed he was invited to cocaine-fueled orgies by hypocritical anti-drug warriors allegedly doing key bumps in the cloak room

But, like Tucker, Madison wouldn't name names. And thank goodness for that!

Please don't make me picture octogenarians Mitch McConnell and Nancy Pelosi tearing each other's clothes off.

Oops  too late.

But folks, I've seen enough pasty congresspeople to know they are about the unsexist bunch of dorks on the planet. The idea that these Clark Kent's are getting together to do anything other than debate the Constitution is hysterically improbable. (Though, Article III and its lower courts have always been intriguing to me.)

Can you imagine the lines they'd use to seduce each other?

'Oh, Congresswoman, read the Second Amendment slower.'

'Senator, I love the way your reading glasses drop down to the end of your nose. Now drop your pants!'

'You can free my caucus, any day.'

Look, I leave open the possibility that Tucker is on to something. He's been a gadfly for decades, and I have no doubt he's privy to lots of insider information. I just wish he had ruled out Mitch and Nancy.

Hasta luego

White bread, fake Spanish whiner Hilaria Baldwin is blaming her early exit from Dancing with the Stars on TikTok 'mean girls' and an angry army of 'very coordinated, very strategic bullying'.

Oh, bs! You lost because you are weird, inauthentic and downright creepy.

Take the 'L'. And girl, don't go away mad.

Just go away.

White bread, fake Spanish whiner Hilaria Baldwin is blaming her early exit from Dancing with the Stars on TikTok 'mean girls' and an angry army of 'very coordinated, very strategic bullying'

Me-Me-Mess

The Marquesse of Montecito is at it again. Meghan Markle is getting shade for accepting an invite to the Balenciaga show at Paris Fashion week.

Scolds are saying she shouldn't associate herself with a brand accused of glorifying child pornography. The problem is Balenciaga didn't invite her. Me-Me-Meghan reportedly crashed the party.

Can the Santa Barbara blowhard get canceled twice for the same infraction?

Hair we go

From the company that brought you creepy Hannibal Lecter face wraps and nipple bras, shameless attention seeker Kim Kardashian's SKIMS brand is offering the fugly undies no one asked for.

Behold 'The Ultimate Bush'.

Yes, it's a full beard attached to a stringy thong.

Why, Kim, why?!

Kim Kardashian has sparked outrage after launching her most controversial Skims underwear ever with faux intimate hair as she leaves fans flabbergasted

Behold 'The Ultimate Bush'. Yes, it's a full beard attached to a stringy thong

Lock her up!

Un-fun health obsessive Gwyneth Paltrow is trying to seem down-to-earth.

Gwynnie 'admitted' to Vogue that she  gasp!  ate trans fats and seed oils the night before the interview in the form of a chocolate-covered Oreo.

Someone call the MAHA police?

Trump's trying to lock everyone else up.

First loser

On her book tour, Kamala Harris had the nards to say, 'Some people have said I was the most qualified candidate to ever run for president.'

If by 'qualified' she means incompetent, tone deaf, chronically unprepared and laughably void of instincts or ideas.

In that case, she is truly peerless!

Lights on, no one's home

RFK Jr wife Cheryl Hines has explained to the horrified witches on 'The View' that the parasitic brain worm contracted by her husband 'just ate a little bit of his brain and died.'

Suddenly, Whoopi Goldberg jumped out of her chair and ran for it.

She doesn't have much to lose.

RFK Jr wife Cheryl Hines has explained to the horrified witches on 'The View' that the parasitic brain worm contracted by her husband 'just ate a little bit of his brain and died'

Suddenly, Whoopi Goldberg jumped out of her chair and ran for it. She doesn't have much to lose

It's Britney, b****

Kevin 'Freeloader' Federline is out promoting his new book about, you guessed it, his marriage to Britney Spears.

He'd have us believe he's sounding the alarm out of 'concern' for her health and their kids.

Fatty Federline claims it's only a matter of time before it all goes horribly wrong.

That's easy you for to say, Kevin, from atop of the mountain of child support checks Britney wrote you.
I was pondering the legacy of Margaret Thatcher in my not-very-comfortable but very expensive seat on my homebound Japanese-built train when the loudspeakers, seldom silent, squawked yet again into life.

Again and again, an urgent voice declared the train would stop halfway to its destination, we would be bundled off it and it would then head off, as fast as it could go, down another line.

The reason was there had been trespassers on the line. These are the new leaves on the line. Any sighting of people anywhere near the tracks triggers a health and safety panic and lengthy shutdown.

As we all filed obediently on to the platform, specially trained staff were there to tell us (as usual) almost nothing at all.

I had been through this before so went and caught a slow, winding bus which would, at least, get me home eventually at a predictable time.

As I waited for it, I noticed that every pub in the centre of the town was guarded by at least two large bouncers.

Welcome to Maggies Britain, 100 years after she was born. Its a pity we dont make our own trains any more, isnt it?

Thatcher's legacy contains many unconservative acts and measures

And yes, I know John Major privatised the railways, one of the greatest failures of transport policy in the world. But he got the idea from the Iron Lady, one of whose strongest-smelling monuments is Thames Water and its many fellow water companies which dump so much sewage into our rivers and seas. Then there were those bouncers, standing ready at 7.30pm for trouble they knew was coming.

It was Mrs Thatcher who destroyed the sensible old pub licensing laws, dating from 1915, which had greatly reduced public drunkenness and violence, and domestic violence too.

Defying the accurate warnings of those who said this was a terrible mistake, she pressed ahead. Then there was the exaggerated health and safety panic which had halted a large section of railway.

The real reason for this is Mrs Thatchers 1990 Courts and Legal Services Act (Section 58), which licensed ambulance-chasing no-win, no-fee lawyers for the first time. It was a time-bomb which was not triggered till after she had left office, but it is hers. It was the direct cause of the crazy super-cautious health and safety tyranny which now blights this country.

These are just a few of her many unconservative acts and measures. There were no conservative ones.

She didnt save the grammar schools. She loved Brussels for most of her career. Her foolish defence policies endangered the Falklands, which were saved by the Navy she tried so hard to cut.

Left-wingers, who childishly loathe her for her background and used to sneer at her for being a woman, really ought to admire what she did. It helped them a lot. Proper conservatives ought not to.

We have form for capitulating to Peking

Should we be scared of China? Our media and political class are. Many British people are so scared of China they have bowed to pressure (yes, it happened) and grovellingly call Peking Beijing.

In 1997, when we still pretended to be a world power, we handed Hong Kong to Peking at a grand ceremony, because we were too weak to hold on to it any more.

Peking promised to keep Hong Kongs freedoms for 50 years. But within six years it had begun to crush those freedoms and we did nothing about it.

Not long afterwards we sold Tibet to its Chinese conquerors while nobody was looking. How much did we get in return?

Members of the Chinese Armed Forces stand to attention during the ceremony marking the handover of Hong Kong

This betrayal happened in late 2008 when Gordon Brown sought Pekings help in propping up the International Monetary Fund. China saw our poverty as its chance.

A few weeks after the IMF approach, Foreign Secretary David Miliband slipped an announcement on to the Foreign Office website that Britain had finally  after 60 years of refusals  recognised Tibet as part of the Peoples Republic of China. This was a total and unmitigated diplomatic defeat. I dont recall Tories complaining.

We have also twice ruthlessly suppressed anti-Peking demonstrators during state visits by Chinese leaders, for fear of offending them.

So forgive me if Im unmoved by the frenzy over a case of alleged spying by China. Victor Gao, a Chinese academic long close to the Peking regime, told Radio 4s The World Tonight, on Thursday: Britain views China as potentially a competitor, whereas China does not view Britain as a competitor at all.

Im not sure that he even meant to sound as contemptuous as he did.

True sign of worrying times

The station sign

Every so often some grand person tells me that crime is going down in this country because the crime figures are dropping.

But the figures drop because people stay out of danger, barricade their possessions behind strong locks and no longer bother to report crime, and the authorities have given up fighting it or recording it.

Take a notice which recently appeared at Kidderminster rail station, next to a line of shiny new bicycle racks. The station team put it there. It read: Bike theft. Please do not leave your bike here as it will be stolen. Note that it said will be stolen. No messing around about may be stolen or could be. Will be.

When I contacted West Midlands Railway, they said: The intention was to warn bicycle owners of the increase in thefts. However, we recognise the sign could have been worded better, so it has been taken down and we are replacing it with more suitable wording.

Thats a pity. I preferred the old sign. It was more truthful about modern Britain than most politicians are.
Inside government, Rachel Reeves has a new nickname. If you want to understand the Governments policy on China, you have to understand one thing, a senior adviser told me. Its all being driven by the Treasury and Rachel Reeves. Shes so obsessed with developing a close relationship with China, some of the Foreign Office officials now call her the Dragon Lady.

The title, bestowed by some of the more experienced mandarins, is a reference to a Nixon-era scandal in which his senior aides reportedly conspired with the Vietnamese government to delay peace talks until victory over his Democratic challenger Hubert Humphrey had been secured. A key player in the saga was a shadowy lobbyist who was given the exotic codename Dragon Lady.

Over the past week Keir Starmer has been embroiled in his own Far East espionage scandal, following the fallout from the collapse of the China spy trial. This has thrown the spotlight on to the Governments broader policy towards the regime, and what Starmers critics regard as a policy of thinly disguised appeasement.

But while the bulk of the focus has been on the Prime Minister and his National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, other members of the Cabinet have begun pointing an accusing finger in the direction of the Chancellor.

You need to look at Rachels trip to Beijing earlier this year, one told me. Thats where this all begins.

The visit Reeves embarked upon in January coincided with a major pivot in the Governments economic strategy. After focusing on public service investment and tax rises for business in her first Budget, the Chancellor dramatically shifted tack and declared: Economic growth is the number one mission of this government.

Implementation of this aggressive new growth strategy began on January 11, when she touched down in China to sign a 1billion trade deal. According to a statement issued by the Treasury at the time, closer financial services links with China to support secure and resilient growth in UK was now the Governments number one mission.

The Chancellor's visit to China in January coincided with a major pivot in the Governments economic strategy

Reeves herself stated: Today is a platform for respectful and consistent future relations with China. One where we can be frank and open on areas where we disagree, protecting our values and security interests, and finding opportunities for safe trade and investment.

Soon after she returned to Britain her colleagues began to see what development of that respectful and consistent relationship was going to entail.

A major issue of contention had been Chinas submission of a planning application for a new Super Embassy near the Tower of London. The security services and police had expressed concern over the proposal, and the plans that had been submitted showed a mysterious dungeon as well as what appeared to be a series of covert listening posts.

However, within two weeks of Reeves trip to Beijing the objections submitted by the police had been dropped. As was an objection by Tower Hamlets Council.

At around the same time, in the third week of February, Deputy National Security adviser Matthew Collins was putting the finishing touches to a new witness statement that had been requested by the Crown Prosecution Service to enable them to proceed with the China spy-case trial.

The purpose of their request was to formally clarify that China did indeed represent a major national security threat to the UK. Collins duly submitted his evidence. But, strangely, he had inserted the following paragraph.

It is important for me to emphasise, however, that the Government is committed to pursuing a positive economic relationship with China. The Government believes the UK must continue to engage with international partners on trade and investment to grow our economy, while ensuring our security and values are not compromised.

Rachel Reeves has said the Government needs to be 'balanced' over dealings with China

Meanwhile, ministers in the Home Office were making their own final preparations for the implementation of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, aimed at tightening restrictions on activities taking place in the UK at the instruction of a foreign state.

But they were suddenly presented with a problem. The scheme had two tiers, with the second enhanced tier representing those countries that were deemed to represent an especially high risk to UK interests.

The decision to place Russia and Iran in that tier was quickly agreed. But Home Office ministers also wanted to place China alongside them. And they faced major opposition from the Treasury.

According to one Home Office source: Rachel was absolutely adamant that China shouldnt be included in the enhanced tier. She was completely opposed.

Last week I spoke to two senior officials who have direct experience of the internal debate raging within government over its China stance. They both painted the same picture.

All of the music from Rachel and the Treasury is the same: dont upset China, one told me. We have to maintain good trade relations.

The second said: You have to understand the backdrop.

We have an economy that is flatlining, and a major shortage of international investment. So in the meetings its always the same basic dynamic. You have the Chancellor and the Treasury arguing for a closer relationship with China. And you have the security establishment arguing for a much more robust and hawkish line.

But to be honest, thats not new. You can track that all the way back to George Osborne and the golden decade of relations with Beijing.

Reeves allies strongly refute the allegation she is guilty of kowtowing to the Chinese regime.

And they adamantly insist she had no role in the collapse of the China spy case, or decisions relating to planning permission for the Super Embassy.

China wants to develop the old Royal Mint for its 'super-embassy'

Their line is that she is trying to engage pragmatically with a difficult but powerful trading partner.

You have to have a balanced approach to dealing with the Chinese, one friend of the Chancellor told me. We need to robustly defend ourselves against security threats. But we do still have to deal with them. They are an economic super-power. And we cant just shut the door.

But slamming the door shut isnt the current problem. To many observers  including some inside Keir Starmers own Cabinet  the door is being thrown wide open to a veritable Peoples Army of Chinese agents of influence.

In response to the news of another delay to a decision on the Super Embassy, the Chinese government issued a thinly veiled threat. The UK must immediately fulfil its obligations and honour its commitments, a spokesman warned. The statement raised eyebrows, with some MPs querying precisely what commitments had been given to China.

I think the person best placed to answer that is Rachel, one minister told me cryptically.

The Governments China crisis is not going away. Some serious questions are about to be asked over the role played by the Dragon Lady.
The embassy of any great power in a major capital city is a very serious undertaking.

There will of course be grand reception rooms for elegant diplomatic parties.

But, as John le Carres spy thrillers have informed us in detail, even British missions have small back rooms full of coding machines and clever means of communication, where the intelligence men lurk.

Such buildings also boast special soundproofed zones where diplomats hope to speak freely, untroubled by the eavesdropping devices constantly trained on them by the host country.

The uniquely sinister Soviet Embassy in Communist East Berlin was rumoured, in the 1950s, to contain its own torture chamber.

We may be sure that the new Chinese Embassy now planned to stand in London, near the Tower, will not have such a facility.

But what will it contain? The complex is planned to cover almost 24,000 square yards and will be, when completed, the largest embassy anywhere in Europe.

About 200 staff will live on the site, helping to make it a substantial piece of Chinese territory in our capital.

An artist's illustration of the proposed frontage of the Chinese 'super-embassy' in Tower Hamlets, east London

Under the last Tory government, its construction was blocked by the local authority after police and the Security Service expressed alarm about its closeness to crucial communications systems, including one of Londons most important telephone exchanges.

Significant parts of the plans, including some basement rooms and a tunnel, have been redacted, that is to say, our authorities are not allowed to know what is planned for these parts of the building.

It looked for a while as if the Starmer government were ready to give the go-ahead, but they have recently delayed a decision, to the great annoyance of the Chinese government.

British security experts remain concerned Sir Keir will give in. But in fact he need not fear standing up for himself.

Both Ireland and Australia have recently blocked plans for large new Chinese embassies in Dublin and Canberra, on similar grounds.

If these countries have acted, one far smaller than Britain and the other heavily dependent on good economic relations with China, then Britain can surely stand firm.

After the recent dropping of Chinese-related espionage accusations by the Crown Prosecution Service, the impression is growing that our government is too soft on Beijing.

China, now beyond doubt an economic, military and diplomatic titan, is undoubtedly flexing its muscles and anxious to emphasise its power and prestige.

That is only reasonable. We can assume it will maintain some sort of intelligence presence in our capital, within understood diplomatic limits.

But that does not mean it should be able to use its new premises for intelligence raids on our communications networks.

Nor is it tolerable that it is unwilling even to tell us how some of its embassy space will be used.

The premises may be inviolable under diplomatic convention, but the complex is an embassy, not a military base, and we are entitled to know what is going on there.

China should be prepared to accept planning changes which reduce the potential risk to our electronic networks. If they do not wish to do this, then their existing embassy will have to suffice.

After his governments recent wobbles on China policy, Sir Keir should take the opportunity to assert our freedom to choose how even the greatest powers are represented in our capital.

If tiny Ireland can stand up to the Chinese dragon, then surely Great Britain can do so as well?
At long last Prince Andrew has grasped that his days as a prominent member of the Royal Family are utterly and completely over.

He has done this not because he wanted to, but because an independent Press, led by The Mail on Sunday, has repeatedly revealed that his behaviour has fallen well below the standards which royal status demands.

He has of course struggled and wriggled against this, because a large part of his problem has been an inability to grasp that he has gone too far, or to understand the severity of the charges against him.

Alas, this does not mean the problem is over. The King has acted firmly, following the deeply embarrassing email this newspaper last week revealed, from which it was clear that Andrew had given a misleading account of his dealings with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, now dead. 'We're in this together', he told Epstein. And he expressed a wish to 'play some more soon'.

He sent this missive a day after this newspaper first published the infamous picture of the prince with his alleged teenage sex victim, Virginia Giuffre.

Yet he had maintained that by then he had broken contact with the sordid American financier. Those who until then had wished to believe Prince Andrew had been unfairly treated could no longer easily hold to that view.

It is surely quite unacceptable for a royal prince, heir to almost ten centuries of monarchy, even to consort with such a person as Epstein. Now more revelations from beyond the grave are promised from the late Ms Giuffre, who Prince Andrew still claims he did not meet.

The inrushing tide of scandal has swept aside Prince Andrew's attempted defences as if they were so many sandcastles. It seems never to stop. How much worse can all this get? Every effort to bring it to an end has deepened and widened the mess.

Prince Andrew at the Order of the Garter service in 2019 outside St George's Chapel in Windsor. At long last Prince Andrew has grasped that his days as a prominent member of the Royal Family are utterly and completely over

Jeffrey Epstein in 2017. It is surely quite unacceptable for a royal prince, heir to almost ten centuries of monarchy, even to consort with such a person as Epstein

We have had to endure an inept and entitled performance in a TV interview, a legal settlement in which he handed over millions of pounds of royal money while maintaining that he had done nothing to justify such a payment, and now yet another line of defence is crumbling in public.

There are now suggestions that the prince tried to use his protection officer to initiate inquiries into Ms Giuffre's past, an outrageous abuse of privilege.

An interrogation by the FBI, a terrible blow to royal and British prestige, still remains an awful possibility.

How did we get into such a mess? Can more be done to extricate the Crown from it?

For many, especially those who remember Andrew's undoubted bravery in the Falklands war and his joyous return from the battle, the whole thing is tinged with sadness that the Queen's favourite son should have fallen so low. Many have been longing it would stop. But it has not, because there is, it seems, always a little more to tell.

Who would be sure now that more embarrassing discoveries will not come to light? There is another, even deeper problem.

Andrew is not a politician or a showbusiness figure. He cannot be dismissed from being the late Queen's son, nor can he resign from that position.

His daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, are likewise unalterably the late Queen's grandchildren. They are also the King's nieces. The sins of their father cannot be visited on them without a great deal of unfairness.

Andrew and Sarah Ferguson at the Duchess of Kent's funeral earlier this year. The King's removal of Andrew's lesser titles, and the prince's exclusion from royal gatherings, is necessary and right, but may not be enough

And these problems arise from the fact that we have  in our view wisely  chosen to keep a hereditary monarchy.

Sometimes this system throws up people wonderfully fitted to reign and to enjoy royal status, the best example being the late Queen Elizabeth II.

At other times the outcome is not so satisfactory. The problem is worst for the 'spares', the surplus siblings who must continue to live in a public bubble because the magic of monarchy never ceases to fascinate us.

The King's removal of Andrew's lesser titles, and the prince's exclusion from royal gatherings, is necessary and right, but may not be enough. The person who must now do most to make matters tolerable is Andrew himself. We hope he can and we hope he does.
We're rigorously told to wear it come rain or come shine to ensure younger, smoother skin - but skincare experts have warned that certain SPF formulas may be accentuating wrinkles in the dry, colder weather.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, aesthetics doctors and practitioners said chemical sunscreen formulas can amplify flaky and dehydrated skin; however, cautioned that this is no excuse to skip out on the crucial step.

They contain substances that absorb UV rays before they reach the skin, diffusing them in a chemical reaction - which could be making your face feel tighter.

In contrast, mineral sunscreens, made of ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, provide a physical barrier preventing UV rays from hitting the skin.

'Wearing sunscreen is one of the best anti-ageing things you can do for your skin, even during the winter months,' said Amish Patel of Intrigue Cosmetic Clinic.

'However, some matte chemical sunscreens can amplify the result of dry winter skin and accentuate wrinkles, flaky and dehydrated skin, making the skin perhaps look superficially older.'

He stressed, though, that swapping out for a different product will make for little difference 'until the underlying issues are resolved'.

'Using non-matte sunscreen during the winter is a good alternative,' he shared.

We're rigorously told to wear it come rain or come shine to ensure younger, smoother skin - but skincare experts have warned that certain SPF formulas may be accentuating wrinkles in the dry, colder weather. Stock image used

'Drinking more water and staying hydrated will improve the appearance of dry skin and opt for a cream or lotion based formulation to boost hydration in the skin.

'Your winter skincare should embrace deeper hydration and don't forget to regularly exfoliate to help remove flaky skin and dead skin cells which will make your skin look older.'

Amish also suggested layering a serum under your moisturiser - and applying it to damp warm skin - as well as waiting at least 30 seconds before going in with the SPF to 'help lock in moisture'.

Elsewhere, Dr Jessica Halliley explained why the formula may lead to dryer looking skin.

'There has been some debate around whether chemical sunscreens could contribute to skin ageing,' she explained.

'These formulas work by absorbing UV rays and converting them into heat, which can sometimes trigger free radical activity in the skin.

'Over time, that oxidative stress may affect collagen and elastin, leading to fine lines and loss of firmness.

'Chemical filters can also be irritating for sensitive skin types, which in turn can compromise the skin barrier and accelerate signs of ageing.'

However she too sternly implored that SPF use is a must.

'Daily sunscreen use is non-negotiable for protecting against UV damage, which is still the number one cause of premature ageing,' she continued.

'For those concerned about irritation or oxidative stress, mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are a great alternative.

'These sit on the surface of the skin and physically block UV, while also being gentler and less likely to generate free radicals.'

Elsewhere Bruce Green, Chartered Chemist and Founder of SOS Serum Skincare, said the key is adapting your whole routine to a dryer, chillier climate is key.

'Apply a hydrating serum and nourishing moisturiser underneath, and choose a sunscreen that also contains hydrating or barrier-supporting ingredients like vitamin E, glycerin or hyaluronic acid, such as SOS SPF50,' he explained.

'Ultimately, the best sunscreen is the one you'll wear every day - your skin will thank you for it.'

Some pros also remarked that it's important not to demonise chemical SPFs - and rather, simply know what fits your skin type best.

Dr Naomi Mackle, founder of Adare Dermatology, cautioned that 'there are many myths about chemical sunscreens circulating on social media'.

'There is no known medical evidence supporting claims that they are harmful. All allegations have been taken seriously, and clinical trials have been conducted to verify or disprove these theories,' she shared.

'There are concerns about certain chemical filters damaging the coral reef, so for those worried about this, a physical sunscreen is a good alternative.

'However, its difficult to prove causation, as many environmental factors and chemicals are present in our surroundings, further research is therefore needed.

'Chemicals in sunscreen may cause or worsen dermatitis but this would disappear after withdrawal of the particular sunscreen.

'For those who have a very sensitive skin, physical or mineral sunscreens won't irritate the skin. This may therefore be a better choice.'

And speaking to the Daily Mail Dr Barbra Kubicka, founder of Clinicbe, revealed her top product recommendations.

'Some chemical sunscreens can contribute to dryness, particularly in colder months when the skin barrier is already under stress from central heating and harsh weather,' she shared.

'By absorbing UV rays and generating heat, they may also increase sensitivity and irritation in vulnerable skin types. Over time, if dryness and irritation are not addressed, the skin can appear more lined, dull and aged.

'This doesn't mean chemical SPFs are harmful for everyone, but it highlights the importance of choosing the right formula and supporting the skin barrier with hydrating ingredients and moisturisers alongside daily sun protection.'

For a budget-friendly pick, she suggested the E45 SPF50 Sensitive Sun Cream for 13 - which is 'simple, gentle, hydrating, good for dry or eczema-prone skin'.

Another top selection was Clinique's 21 Mineral Sunscreen Fluid SPF50, which is 'mineral, fragrance-free, lightweight, suitable for sensitive or retinol-treated skin'.

Barbara's French pharmacy favourite was the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVAir SPF50+ which is 25.

She praised it as a 'lightweight chemical/hybrid option with excellent UVA protection' that 'sits well under makeup'.

A mineral fluid one for sensitive skin, she shared, is the Avene Mineral Fluid SPF50+ for 15.40.

The pro also said the Clinicbe Be Sun Protected Daily Tinted SPF50, 49, is a great 'multi-tasker'.

'A highly effective photo-stable broad spectrum, lightweight physical sunscreen, containing clinically proven filters to protect the skin against harmful UV rays,' she continued.

'For winter, choose a formula that feels comfortable and hydrating, this makes it easier to use daily, which is the real key to protection.'
Fox News host Jesse Watters has come under fire after a clip resurfaced of him discussing the alleged way he first made a move on his now-wife.

In the video, which came from a segment which first aired on Fox in 2022, Watters, now 47, admitted to deflating the car tires of a then-25-year-old fellow Fox staffer so he could offer her a ride home.

Watters, who was 39 at the time, was married to another woman he had also met at work.

In the clip, he told his co-hosts the woman in question was Emma DiGiovine, who he went on to marry in December 2019.

'When I was trying to get Emma to date me, first thing I did, let the air out of her tires,' he said with a grin.

'She couldn't go anywhere, she needed a lift. I said, "Hey you need a lift?" She got right into the car.'

He has since claimed that the story he told wasn't true and that it was actually all a joke.

After his co-hosts expressed their shock in the original clip, Watters said that his now-wife was unaware of his move to this day.

Fox News host Jesse Watters (seen this month) has come under fire after a clip resurfaced of him discussing how the controversial way he first made a move on his now-wife

In the video, Watters, now 47, admitted to deflating the car tires of a 25-year-old fellow Fox staffer so he could offer her a ride home. He and his wife are seen in 2023

He also appeared to justify his actions by stating that the pair are now married, insisting: 'It has a happy ending.'

Another of his colleagues asked if he had taken the air out of other women's cars in order to get them into his own, which the Fox host implied that he may well have done.

'Is that the first time you did it, or did you use that before?' Jeannine Pirro inquired.

'It works like a charm!' he bragged.

The clip was picked up by online news show The Young Turks at the time, and was slammed by the hosts, who branded his alleged dating trick as 'predatory.'

'Not only [was Watters story] insanely creepy and predatory, but Watters also played it off like it was a perfectly normal thing to do,' the outraged hosts wrote in the video's description.

Political commentator Cenk Uygur added that Watters' story made the Fox host seem like a 'stalker.'

'While she reported into you, you vandalized her car so she couldn't get home,' he said incredulously. 'She would be trapped and need your assistance, so you could have a captive audience.'

Watters made the bizarre on-air admission in 2022 during a segment on The Five on Fox

After his co-hosts expressed their shock over the story, Watters claimed that his wife (seen) was unaware of his devious plan to this day

It was 2018 when Watters was divorcing his first wife Noelle Watters, pictured, who is mother to his twin daughters

'There are plenty of daughters who deal with predatory behavior from their bosses, that's what Me Too started off as being about,' host Ana Kasparian pointed out. 'And I don't know that the culture has really changed all that much.'

Earlier this week on The Five, Watters addressed his old comments and claimed that he never actually deflated Emma's tires and that it was all a joke.

'There's a rumor about me that I started, that I let the air out of Emma's tires in order to get with her. I never did that,' he said. 'It was a joke.'

Watters also met his first wife, Noelle Inguagiato, while working at Fox News. They welcomed twin daughters Sophie and Ellie in 2011.

The couple finalized their divorce in March 2019, with Watters wasting no time and tying the knot to DiGiovine later that year.

They went on to welcome two children: a son Jesse Jr. who was born in 2021 and a daughter Georgina born in 2023.
Greg and Reda Paul signed up to the show with a dream of moving to Spain

When Greg and Reda Paul signed up to appear on TV's A Place In The Sun they believed they would soon be enjoying poolside cocktails at their own Spanish finca.

Little did they imagine that, more than four years later, not only would they not have a base near the Costa Blanca, they wouldn't have a home anywhere.

The middle-aged married couple sold their Peterborough bungalow to fund the move but were quickly caught up in Spain's Kafkaesque house buying bureaucracy.

Buying a home and a new life abroad has been held up time and time again with a series of setbacks and they are still effectively homeless - and unlikely to finally move in to their new place for another year.

In the meantime they are living apart having both moved back in with their parents.

So just what happened? 'It's been a disaster,' Greg told the Daily Mail this week.

During the show, viewers saw them fall in love with a rural three-bed villa in Ontinyent, around 40 miles inland from Benidorm on Spain's Costa Blanca, and agree on a 83,750 price tag.

But once the cameras turned off, their dream quickly turned into a nightmare.

When Greg (pictured right) and Reda Paul (pictured left) signed up to appear on TV's A Place In The Sun they believed they would soon be enjoying poolside cocktails at their own Spanish finca

'Things went downhill soon after,' Greg said. 'We had a solicitor check that a half-built pool in the grounds was legal and were told the whole house was built on industrial land where it shouldn't have been.

'It meant the council could build a road right through our living room if they wanted to.

'You hear these horror stories about houses in Spain being built illegally - we asked one of the show's producers what to do if our home had been built illegally and they told us often you get a one-off fine and it's done but we didn't want to take the risk.'

Instead, the crestfallen couple backed out of the sale and flew back to the UK to start their search from scratch.

They originally decided to move to Spain to enjoy a year-round outdoor lifestyle.

They qualify to live in Spain as Reda is originally from Lithuania within the EU and were searching for a three-bed rural home on one level where they can grow old with dog Bernard and cat Poirot.

After two more visits, they went out a third time in January 2022 to view a property they'd originally seen online in Biar, a village 20 minutes southeast of Alicante.

They agreed a 112,000 fee with the vendor - paying almost 80,000 as a deposit while they completed legal requirements that would allow them to move in.

Greg, 52, said: 'The pictures online looked beautiful so we went to see it and just fell in love.

'But we're still in the process of buying it nearly four years later because it's on rural protected land.

'We just can't believe this has happened again. Everybody is frustrated, the estate agent and solicitor haven't been paid yet.

'We are trying to get a pool and outbuilding legalised as they were built after the main house and we can't move in until that goes through.

'We've sent all of our belongings over but there's no electricity because it's off grid, we need to install solar panels but we can't do that because it's not legalised

'Then we found out that the rules have changed and a septic tank needs to be installed.

'The bureaucracy is unbelievable - everything just takes so long and we can't do anything.

'We have considered pulling out altogether and buying a place in the UK because of the frustration but it's our dream to live in Spain, the way of life seems so relaxed.

The couple originally decided to move to Spain to enjoy a year-round outdoor lifestyle

'I've had to learn to be patient.'

Greg, a therapist, and conveyancer Reda, 43, emphasised they don't blame its producers for their current predicament but lifted the lid on their chaotic filming schedule.

Even though the episode aired in January 2023, it was filmed 18 months earlier in July 2021. After applying, they underwent three interviews with producers before they were selected.

He revealed at least one home they were due to visit was sold in the two weeks between researchers scouting it out and the filming so had to be hastily replaced with another house, even though it didn't meet their requirements.

He said: 'Filming was intense. One day we were picked up 7am and didn't get back until 10.30pm.

'We were flown out to Spain on Sunday morning, met the presenter and crew that afternoon then on Monday morning we started filming with the presenter on the beach - we saw one property in the afternoon then, two on Tuesday, and the final two on Wednesday.

'On Thursday morning we have a chance to review a property we liked the most which we did then we'd meet them Thursday afternoon to put an offer in then the fly you home on Friday - it's pretty full on.

'At least one of the properties had to be replaced which is why you see us saying we don't want stairs then looking around a house with stairs.

'They try and put you in a hotel in the centre of the houses but you're still having to drive probably 45 mins to each property.

'Every scene they have to shoot five times so they can choose the one they like best, after five times saying the same thing I was boring myself.

'I've told all my friends all my best lines ended up on the cutting room floor.

'They were great during the time and did some follow-ups.

'I still watch the show and the presenters do say you need to ask lots of questions - but then why would they have shown us a property on industrial land?

'I just don't think they would've looked into it that deeply.'

A Place in the Sun spokeswoman said: 'Buying a property overseas can be difficult which is why we advise all house hunters to follow all the necessary legal advice and why our advisors use reputable local estate agents to find properties.

'We are really sorry to hear that Greg and Reda have had issues with their subsequent purchase, as this was a property they found themselves after filming, we suggest they seek independent legal advice.'
Let me set the scene.

He was a 27-year-old nepo baby from a famous Champagne family. I was a 40-year-old sex columnist. We met in Paris, and I had the most magical date of my life.

Now don't get me wrong, being French certainly helped. But it was his emotional awareness that really made me go weak at the knees.

Many of you will know, I've harped on for years about how I prefer my men older. Well, let me eat a big ol' slice of humble pie. Because those words have come back to haunt me.

It was one too many bad dates with depressing divorcees that finally broke me. Somewhere between splitting the bill over cheap wine ('divorces are expensive!') and listening to another rant about an ex-wife, I realized I'd become their therapist.

Bro, I can see why she didn't want to sleep with you.

So, when this younger man asked me out on a balmy summer night in Paris, I said 'Oui' without hesitation.

For starters, he set a date/time/and place  all without my prodding - ordered the champagne without glancing at the price and had a quiet confidence that felt sexy, not smug.

We sat in a candle-lit corner swapping stories until the restaurant closed. Then we wandered to a private club where we stayed up all night dancing, smoking (hey, when in France!) and flirting outrageously.

Many of you will know, I've harped on for years about how I prefer my men older. Well, let me eat a big ol' slice of humble pie. Because those words have come back to haunt me

When this younger man asked me out on a balmy summer night in Paris, I said 'Oui' without hesitation

God, it felt good to be alive again, with someone who wasn't complaining about his bad back, or looking at his watch because of a looming bedtime.

The next morning, somewhere between my espresso, a bit of fondling and a mild hangover, it hit me: maybe the problem isn't me. Maybe I've just been dating the wrong generation.

According to Bumble, women are now actively seeking younger men, with a surge in age-gap matches led by women who say younger partners are 'more open, fun and emotionally available.'

A recent survey by dating platform Zoosk found 31 percent of women openly prefer to date younger men. And even an IPSOS poll found that almost half of all singles would happily date someone at least ten years younger.

Heck, 50-year-old Charlize Theron recently told the 'Call Her Daddy,' podcast that she was 'f***** a 26-year-old,' and it was 'amazing.'

Ladies, I'll have what she's having, because younger men are an absolute dream.

They weren't raised in an era where dads told their sons to 'toughen up' and 'stop crying.' Thanks to modern parenting, self-help books and - dare I say it - mums who listened to Oprah, these men were taught to express what they feel, not bottle it up.

Praise be.

Now, I'm not saying they're all perfect. Some don't own a headboard, still share a flat with three (messy) mates, and they won't yet have the funds for a cheeky spur-of-the-moment trip overseas.

They might not get all your 90s pop-culture references or realize that 'Sex and the City' isn't just a vintage show, it's a religion. And yes, they sometimes need a little training - not everyone wants to build a boyfriend from scratch.

According to Bumble, women are now actively seeking younger men, with a surge in age-gap matches led by women who say younger partners are 'more open, fun and emotionally available'

But honestly, I'll take that over a jaded forty-something who's emotionally unavailable and still fighting with his ex over custody agreements.

Older men have been dating younger women for centuries and nobody blinks. But women who date younger are 'cougars,' as if we're an apex predator who's stalked some guy in his twenties through a nightclub and pounced. Please.

The truth is, it's younger men who are pursuing us. Maybe it's the glow from Botox and Pilates, or maybe they can just sense the confidence of women who no longer rely on a man's finances. Whatever it is, they're sliding into our DMs and I'm here for it.

They don't feel emasculated by a woman's success; they find it sexy. When I tell a younger man what I do for a living, he asks questions. When I tell an older man, he jokes about being scared I'll write about him.

There also a refreshing lack of ego. Older men I've dated have carried a quiet resentment - a hangover from a time when being a 'provider' gave them purpose.

But younger guys aren't trying to be your father figure. They're trying to be your partner.

I'll be honest I had mistakenly thought being with a younger man was just a bit of fun for both of us. Turns out I was wrong.

They're often more emotionally mature than the older men I've spent years chasing. I found that out the hard way when I foolishly played with the heart of a very emotionally aware 29-year-old earlier this year.

After being a little hot and cold and constantly cancelling plans with him he played the grown-up card on me and told me very politely that he was looking for something more serious than I could offer.

I was offended, then impressed. He knew what he wanted and he wasn't afraid to say it. Meanwhile, I'd spent years with men in their forties and fifties who couldn't even decide what to order for dinner.

Younger guys aren't trying to be your father figure. They're trying to be your partner

And yes, the sex is better too.

Not just because of stamina (although that helps). It's because younger men care. They've grown up with consent drummed into them. They don't rush or treat you like an object; they ask what you like, and they listen.

Both the younger men I've slept with embraced foreplay. Thank you TikTok and your handy tips and tricks!

Meanwhile, many men over 40 are more concerned with their own satisfaction.

So, the next time someone side-eyes you for having a boyfriend a few years younger, just smile. Because secretly, every woman knows what Madonna and Cher figured out long ago: once you go younger, it's very hard to go back.
A marketing expert who used content creation to help build a seven-figure business has shared tips for others who want to make millions from their social media posts even if they don't have a lot of followers.

10 years ago, Faye McCann was struggling to get by and could hardly pay her bills or afford diapers for her then-newborn son.

Desperate to make any extra money she could, she advertised herself as someone who could clean homes for cheap on Facebook.

It caught the attention of a few local residents who hired her as their cleaning lady, and flash forward to now, and the 34-year-old mother-of-two's cleaning business rakes in millions of dollars a year.

And according to the entrepreneur, who also runs the marketing brand Faye MAC Consultancy, it was when she started uploading content to social media that her business really began to take off.

McCann combines humor with honesty in her content, and instead of posting about her cleaning services directly, she shares videos about the realities of running a company while being a mom.

Her posts have resonated with others and have brought in millions of views, which helped ultimately turn her brand into a massive success.

'Posting to social media in spare pockets of time has played a pivotal part in my businesses turning over millions,' she told the Daily Mail during an exclusive chat.

A marketing expert who used content creation to help build a seven-figure business has shared tips for others who want to make millions from their social media posts

Faye McCann's cleaning business rakes in millions of dollars a year. She said it was when she started uploading content to social media that her business really began to take off

McCann believes that going viral isnt a matter of luck, and she has worked out a formula that not only gets her precious views, but also helps increase her sales too.

Thankfully, she broke it down exclusively with the Daily Mail so that others can follow in her footsteps and find success through content creation.

McCann explained that her most important piece of advice is to keep it real online, and never try to fake things for views.

'People engage with people, so showing my personality online has definitely been one of the biggest factors to drive the views, grow my following and eventually lead people to buying from, or recommending my business,' she explained.

McCann often shares glimpses of her very unglamorous home life with her sons Jett, 10, and Phoenix, six, who has high level autism, ADHD, and a learning disability, chatting with followers while cutting up vegetables for their family dinner.

'I create content that is shareable and excites people, rather than bores them or makes them scroll,' she added.

She said she also tries to inspire her followers by facing her fears.

'I use inspirational style videos or content, showing people I can do the things they are scared of,' she said.

Instead of posting about her cleaning services directly, she shares videos about the realities of running a company while being a mom

Her posts have resonated with others and have brought in millions of views, which helped ultimately turn her brand into a massive success

McCann believes that going viral isnt a matter of luck, and she has worked out a formula that not only gets her precious views, but also helps increase her sales too

'Most people are scared of public speaking, so I created a five-second video of me walking to a stage and grabbing a microphone to begin talking.

'Absolutely nothing that I spoke about on that stage was shown, yet the video climbed to millions of views, and the comment section was bouncing.

'Social media scrollers love to see people doing things differently, being brave, or facing common fears.'

McCann advised others hoping to find success online to avoid following a carefully constructed schedule of planned content; instead, she urged people to go off the cuff.

'Having the ability to grab your phone and have a go, will see you better results than planning a particular post for weeks,' she insisted.

Her other tips included jumping on trends as early as possible and to get things out quickly rather than taking a long time to make it perfect.

'Watching others is a smart move, riding celebrity or viral trends can make your content relatable and easy to digest, whilst it is important to be yourself and put your own spin on things, trends dont hang around for long,' the mogul said.

'Things go stale quickly, so getting ahead of other people is key in the world of socials.

McCann advised others hoping to find success online to avoid following a carefully constructed schedule of planned content; instead, she urged people to go off the cuff

Her other tips included jumping on trends as early as possible and to get things out quickly rather than taking a long time to make it perfect

'To be seen by millions and have content go viral means you need to have an ability to work harder at short notice.

McCann also urged founders who want to boost their content to develop a thick skin.

'Not everyone will love your content and having a resilient attitude is paramount to making it on social media,' she added.

'Some people wont like the things you post - not everyone enjoys every post I make, and that is OK.'

In the end, McCann said she hopes that other business owners use her story as inspiration to also use social media to help grow their brands.

'The truth is that social media is an amazing tool to get yourself out there, and I am so thankful for it  but it really can be up and down,' she concluded.
It's estimated that one in ten Britons suffer with rosaceaand Strictly Come Dancing hopeful Vicky Pattison is one of them.

The 37-year-old managed to get the conditionwhich causes redness in the faceunder control when she started being treated by Dr Nina Bal at her Facial Sculpting clinic more than five years ago.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Dr Bal explained that reducing Vicky's redness was the first thing on her aesthetics agenda.

She said: 'When I first met her, she was really suffering with rosacea, her skin was very red, was very inflamed.

'Her main concern was the redness and the flare-ups of the rosacea.'

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that affects the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin and very occasionally the neck.

It causes redness, visible blood vesselscommonly called spider veinsand sometimes small, red, pus-filled bumps (papules).

The condition often begins with episodes of flushing, where the skin temporarily turns red.

Vicky Pattison's main concern was rosacea, says Dr Bal, who has treated her for over five years

This can be triggered by drinking hot drinks or food, consuming alcohol , or going from a hot room to cold environment or visa-versa.

Over time, the redness may become more persistent, and the blood vessels can become more noticeable.

It is most commonly seen in women aged over 30,

Because is rosacea is linked to having a weakened or compromised skin barrierthe top layer of skin which keeps moisture in and nasties outthe condition can also cause a burning or stinging sensation, dryness, and sensitivity to skincare products.

When it came to getting Vicky's rosacea under control, Dr Bal focused on soothing her irritated skin barrier using medical-grade products and consistency.

Dr Bal opted for products from Alumier MD, setting Vicky up with their SensiCalm cleanser, skin-barrier boosting Recovery Balm, and the Canadian brand's best-selling Bright and Clear solution.

'She didn't really have a skincare routine and she was using whatever products she came across.

'It was all over the place, so we put her on a medical grade skincare regime, and she has been on it ever since, with adaptions as needed.'

Vicky is paired with Kai Widdrington on this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing

Once her overall skin health had improved, Dr Bal began incorporating other treatmentswhich are offered at high street aesthetics clinics across the UKto improve her skin from within.

'The focus is on collagen simulation, hydration, skin boosting, skin plumping and anti inflammatory treatments,' she said.

'Over the years, to hydrate her skin she has had a lot of Profhilo injections, which have worked so well for her.'

Profhilo is an injectable skin-booster treatment made of a high concentration of hyaluronic acid (HA), which locks on to moisture molecules and makes skin look plumper.

'Then we have been doing a lot of polyneucleotides over the eyes and over the face,' she added.

'They have really strong anti inflammatory properties, so they really help with the rosacea as well.'

Polynucleotides are chains of nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA.

Injecting them into the skin stimulates collagen production and can make your skin look tighter and hydrated.

Dr Bal has adapted her skincare plan for while she's competing on the show

In the UK, it's illegal to use human DNA for this treatmentin Korea, where rules are more relaxed, they use foetal stemcellsso instead, DNA from salmon is used.

Competing on Strictly Come Dancing isn't just a gruelling physical challengeworking up a sweat and wearing heavy makeup can take a serious toll on your skin, too.

That's why, Dr Nina Bal explains, she has had to amend Vicky's usual skincare regime, stripping away any products which could trigger a flare up, such as vitamin A, commonly referred to as retinol.

Vicky is competing on the programme with pro dancer Kai Widdington, and to make sure she looks her best for the Saturday night shows and other media appearances, she's been having additional treatments to reduce facial puffiness, such as lymphatic drainage massages.

For people struggling with rosacea, Dr Bal has some sage advice.

'Make sure you cleanse your skin thoroughly, especially if you've been wearing makeup.

'Get a cleanser with salicylic acid, and a very thick moisturiserespecially now it's getting colder.

'Most importantly, use an SPF every single day. We are edging towards winter, but the UV and UVB rays are still very much there.'
The place where your parents conceived you could have permanently stunted your brain, a study suggests.

Researchers in Spain recruited women during their first trimester of pregnancy and, later, those babies that were born, and estimated how severely they were exposed to fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

PM2.5 are a group of microscopic particles that are emitted directly into the air from fossils fuels burned from factories and gasoline-powered stoves and cars, as well as burning wood in fireplaces.

These particles are so small, about 30 times thinner than a strand of human hair, that they undetectable by the naked eye and the nose and lungs can't filter them out, allowing them to travel to the bloodstream and induce widespread inflammation.

Using MRI scans on the newborns, the researchers found that those whose mothers were exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 during pregnancy had slower myelination, the process by which myelin is formed.

Myelin is a protective sheath that coats pathways between neurons to help them better transmit information. It helps process electrical signals in the brain and allows the organ to mature.

Slow myelination can lead to developmental delays, low muscle tone and seizures.

The new study focused on children born in Spain, but PM2.5 is widely present in the US as well, particularly along the west coast and in the south. The US also has more air pollution than Spain, suggesting Americans could be facing a greater threat.

Researchers in Spain found exposure to fine particulate matter in the womb may slow the rate a baby's brain matures (stock image)

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Gerard Martinez-Vilavella, study author and researcher at the MRI Unit of the Radiology Department at Hospital del Mar, said: 'Our study shows that the myelination process, a progressive indicator of brain maturation, occurs at a slower rate in newborns most exposed to PM2.5 during pregnancy.'

For the study, published last month in the journal Environmental International, looked at 1,080 pregnant mothers who lived in Spain recruited between October 2018 and March 2021 during their first three months of pregnancy.

The women were between 18 and 45 years old and had an average age of 34. Two-thirds were of European descent.

When the participants were 32 weeks pregnant, researchers invited them to volunteer their babies for the MRI portion of the study. A total of 93 infants received the scans after they were born.

PM2.5 exposure levels were estimated in each participant's home, during their commute and at their workplace using data from monitoring sites and questionnaires.

The team found higher PM2.5 exposure early in pregnancy was associated with lower myelination in the cerebral cortex, the brain's center for thought, language, memory and sensory processing.

Higher exposure later in pregnancy was associated with lower myelination throughout the brain overall.

Fetuses are more prone to lasting health effects early in gestation because their organs are rapidly developing at this time, including the brain, and early gestation is when genetic disorders tend to develop.

Pollution exposure early in pregnancy has been linked to congenital heart disease and birth defects like spina bifida, as well as low birth weight and permanent brain damage.

And a 2024 review in the journal Environmental Advances found that PM2.5 exposure in adults as well was linked damage in the lungs and respiratory system, heart, immune system and nervous system.

Pictured above are the Mono-Inyo craters in Mono County, California, where levels of fine particulate matter are more than five times higher than the national average (stock image)

Martinez-Vilavella said: 'Air pollution, specifically PM2.5, is associated with alterations in the myelination process, a fundamental mechanism of brain maturation.

'Therefore, it is essential to continue controlling pollution levels and to study how this slowdown may affect the later brain development of children.'

However, the babies have not yet been followed to see if they have lasting health impacts.

It's thought that PM2.5 triggers inflammation in the brain that damages nerve cells and the myelin sheath protecting them. PM2.5 is also so small that it can cross the blood-brain barrier and enter brain tissues directly.

The team noted more research is needed to see if older infants and children will suffer long-term harms from this decreased myelination.

Dr Jesus Pujol, head of the MRI Unit of the Radiology Department at Hospital del Mar, said: 'In the early stages of life, brain changes are large and complex. Both excessive slowdown and acceleration of brain maturation can be harmful to the child.

'However, it remains to be determined whether the observed effect is necessarily detrimental.

'This study opens an exciting new field of research aimed at determining the optimal speed of brain maturation during pregnancy and understanding how the mother and placenta may act as effective filters to protect and optimize this process.'

In the US, the most recent data collected by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, an arm of the NIH, shows the highest concentrations of PM2.5 are along the west coast.

Mono County, in northern California, reported the highest levels in 2020, the latest data available, at 39.1 micrograms per cubic meter, more than five times the national average of 7.3.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends being exposed to no more than nine micrograms per cubic meter of PM2.5 in a year.

With just 13,000 residents, Mono County is the least populated county in California and is home to dense rock formations and volcanic fields and craters, which spread fine ash particles and convert chemicals like sulfur dioxide into fine particulate matter like PM2.5.

Clackamas County, Oregon, and Marion County, Oregon, followed closely behind with 30.4 and 25 micrograms per cubic meter.

Just outside of Portland, Oregon, Clackamas County, home to 421,000 people, has long suffered poor air quality due to wildfire smoke and seasonal wood burning.

Experts from the American Lung Association believe Marion County, which is just below Clackamas County and has 300,000 residents, suffers high PM2.5 levels because pollution from nearby highways and farm fields gets trapped in the mountain ranges.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Carlton County, Minnesota, reports just 1.3 micrograms per cubic meter of PM2.5, according to the latest data.

Just beneath Lake Superior, 36,000-resident Carlton County is heavily forested, reducing pollution exposure from highways and cities.
Doctors are reporting a surge in patients seeking help for so-called 'Ozempic feet' - a painful side effect of dramatic weight loss from blockbuster slimming jabs.

The condition refers to sagging, aging skin and loss of cushioning in the feet caused by rapid fat loss.

It joins a growing list of aesthetic concerns linked to the drugs, including 'Ozempic face' and 'Ozempic butt'.

Experts say that as fat pads on the soles and toes shrink, pressure on the joints increases, often making walking uncomfortable.

The loss of fat also leaves the skin looser and more wrinkled, prematurely aging the feet.

Celebrities such as Sharon Osbourne and Oprah Winfrey have both been accused by fans of showing signs of the condition.

Dr Bhavik Shah, aesthetic specialist at Dr Medispa, said: 'In the last year to 18 months we've seen a dramatic rise in patients coming in with this problem.

'Patients often complain of discomfort on the soles of their feet, and if left untreated it can lead to real pain when walking. They may also notice pain around the bony bits of the feet, thinner, more dehydrated skin and visible veins.'

Sharon Osbourne took to Instagram to share a cozy picture of herself with her two-year-old grandson and pet dog

TV spectators have also noticed excessive wrinkling on Oprah Winfrey's feet

Dr Shah says the problem is particularly common among people who have been prescribed the injections privately, often despite having a lower BMI than recommended.

'In these cases, the impact of rapid fat loss is greater,' he explains.

He adds that many patients don't immediately connect their foot problems to the jabs, and may not mention their use of the medication to clinicians.

Some foot pain, he notes, may simply result from people becoming more active - an important part of managing weight - which can initially put extra strain on the feet.

There are, however, ways to manage Ozempic feet.

'If the issue is purely cosmetic, so patients complaining of saggy skin and feet that look well beyond their years, without experiencing pain, we recommend collagen stimulants,' says Dr Shah.

These injections, which cost around 200, are designed to boost the body's natural production of collagen - the protein that keeps skin firm, hydrated and elastic. Increasing collagen levels can help counteract the visible effects of rapid fat loss.

'However, if the patient is in pain or discomfort, dermal fillers are needed to replace the lost fat and restore cushioning,' he adds.

Dermal fillers for feet are primarily made from hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps retain moisture and maintain skin elasticity.

These fillers are injected beneath the skin to restore lost volume, provide cushioning, offsetting the loss of fat from the injections.

The procedure can last up to two years, depending on the type of filler used and the individual's body.

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Dr Shah adds: 'The key is that the patient's weight has stabilised - otherwise the results won't last and the treatment will need to be repeated.'

He notes that such procedures were once common almost a decade ago - when high heels were in vogue.

This is because heels can have a similar effect causing the natural fat pad on the foot to thin, move, and become compressed, leading to pain and the development of calluses.

However the problem had largely dissapeared as the style went out of fashion

'There's been a big resurgence,' Dr Shah says.

At least half a million NHS patients - and some 15 million in the US - are now thought to be using weight-loss jabs, which can help people shed up to 20 per cent of their body weight within months.

An estimated 90 per cent of users, however, access the drugs privately.

Weight-loss injections such as semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) work by mimicking gut hormones that reduce appetite and slow digestion, helping users feel full for longer.

In clinical trials, semaglutide led to average weight loss of around 15 to 20 per cent over 68 to 88 weeks, while newer drugs such as tirzepatide and retatrutide have produced even greater reductions.

However, studies show much of the weight can return once treatment stops, and real-world results tend to be more modest, often because patients discontinue early or reduce doses.

In the UK, roughly 1.5 to 2.5 million people are now using weight-loss jabs, most privately. NHS prescriptions have risen nearly tenfold since 2020.

In the US, demand is even higher, with tens of millions of adults estimated to be taking GLP-1 drugs for diabetes or weight control - a number growing rapidly each year.

While hailed as medical breakthroughs, the jabs have been linked to a growing list of side effects affecting appearance with users reporting thinning hair and receding gums.

More serious risks include gastrointestinal problems, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease - and, in rare cases, acute kidney injury.
When six-year-old Florence Marston-Bolton began suffering knee pain, her parents had no reason to believe there was a serious problem.

It followed a bout of flu and, she recalls, it left her unable to take part in sport at school or play with her friends at break time.

Doctors initially told her parents the pain would pass in a few weeks. But five years later  and countless trips to her GP  Florence was still in agony.

I remember being in so much pain, says the art student, now 19. Id beg my mum to take me to the hospital, but doctors never had any answers.

As a kid it was hard to explain how I was struggling and the impact it was having on me.

I would be labelled a hypochondriac and lazy for not being able to take part in things, and it began to have a real impact on me mentally  it was really isolating.

Eventually, Florences mum demanded to see a specialist and the real cause was revealed  juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), a painful autoimmune disorder that attacks the joints.

The diagnosis, says Florence, was a relief.

The diagnois was a huge relief for Florence, now 19

She now manages her condition through medication and physiotherapy, but doctors have told her the delays in diagnosis have had long-term impacts.

Because of repeated flare-ups without medication, my knees are now bent inwards, which I cannot change, she says. It causes problems walking at times and I suffer from hypermobility [joints have a greater range of motion than usual], which doctors have also said could have been caused by being undiagnosed for so long.

Experts say she is not alone, and that a number of children with JIA are going undiagnosed  which can have lifelong consequences.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis can be really challenging to diagnose, says Dr Gavin Cleary, consultant paediatric rheumatologist at Alder Hey Childrens Hospital in Liverpool. This is because it is often mistaken for an infection or an injury, and the trouble is that if it is left undiagnosed it can result in irreparable damage to the joints.

A report this year by the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death, which reviews clinical practice, examined the treatment of JIA. It concluded: Lack of awareness among health professionals of JIA is resulting in children bouncing around the NHS, and diagnosis was too often based on luck.

The report found just one in five GP practices had a protocol for the investigation or treatment of youngsters with the condition.

It is estimated that there are 12,000 children under 16 in the UK with JIA  the equivalent of one in 1,000 children.

JIA is a chronic disease and, despite its name, youngsters do not outgrow it, as was once believed. The majority will continue to have it into adulthood.

The cause is unknown, although infections may trigger the immune system to become overactive in some people, which in turn can lead to inflammation. It results in pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints, and can be debilitating.

Experts say there is clear advice for parents who are concerned that their child may be suffering from JIA.

If your child appears stiff, especially in the morning  but also if they are complaining of it impacting their day at school  as well as having a limp that cannot be explained by injury and a change in their ability to do day-to-day tasks, particularly gripping things with their hands, then you should see a doctor, says Dr Cleary.

If these symptoms persist, then JIA should be on your radar and you should ask for a referral to a paediatric rheumatologist.

Campaigners warn that the condition is still being misdiagnosed and are calling for greater support for children to prevent lasting problems.

Lynne Woolley, head of young people and families service at the charity Arthritis UK, said: As a service supporting children and young people living with arthritis, we hear all too often that there was a significant delay in diagnosis. Young people with JIA and their families often dont feel theyre taken seriously.

Theyre passed from doctor to doctor  living in uncertainty, worry and pain. Left untreated, arthritis can significantly impact a child or young persons physical health, including irreversible damage to the joints and eyes. Mental health can also suffer.

And this all comes at a key time in their life when their bodies are growing, when they should be able to focus on learning, playing, growing in confidence and getting ready for adult life.

Thats why Arthritis UK invests in life-changing research to better understand the causes of arthritis and to improve treatment. We also work directly with healthcare

professionals by providing training to improve their knowledge and confidence in diagnosis.

For those affected, we offer trusted information, guidance

and support for all young people and families newly diagnosed through our Young People and Families Service.
Olivia Attwood opens up on divorce rumours as she admits she and Bradley Dack 'really weren't getting on very well' as she reflects on using partying to cope


I'm in my thirties and am considering buying my first buy-to-let property. I already own a small flat in the south of England which I live in.

I've read that buying a property in the north of England could be a good investment and provide me with strong returns.

Is now a good time to enter the buy-to-let market? What factors should I take into consideration? I've seen reports about changes coming in, but haven't delved into the details yet.

Is now a good time? A Daily Mail reader is considering becoming a buy-to-let landlord for the first time, and thinks he has spotted an opportunity in the north of England

Jane Denton, of the Daily Mail, replies: In the current climate, there is a lot to consider before becoming a buy-to-let landlord for the first time.

Recent data from the Bank of England showed the number of buy-to-let loans agreed between June and August fell by 12.5 per cent compared to the previous quarter.

Landlords have been viewed as targets for boosting the Treasury's tax-take in recent times.

Since April 2020, landlords have not been able to deduct any of their mortgage expenses from their rental income to reduce their tax bill. Instead, landlords now receive a tax credit, which is based on 20 per cent of their mortgage interest payments.

They are also subject to a 5 per cent stamp duty surcharge when they buy properties, which is something you need to factor in.

There is speculation Rachel Reeves could use the Autumn Budget to target landlords further, potentially imposing National Insurance on the money they make from rent. At this point, it is not known whether this move will or will not be implemented.

If you go ahead with your buy-to-let plan, you will also need to factor in the impact of the Renters' Rights Bill.

Once the bill becomes law, Section 21 'no-fault' evictions will be banned, tenants will be given greater rights to challenge rent rises and it will be illegal to discriminate against prospective tenants on benefits. Data shows some landlords are selling up ahead of the bill coming into force.

However, there are plenty of people who are still interested. Millennials like yourself comprised a record 50 per cent of new buy-to-let investors in England and Wales in the year to date, figures from Hamptons showed.

Your plan to look north could also be fruitful. Data from Zoopla in September said Aberdeen, Burnley and Sunderland topped the charts for the highest rental yields in the UK, with average gross yields over 8 per cent.

I asked two property experts to take a look at your question.

Many investors are now looking north for stronger rental yields, Liam Gretton says

Liam Gretton, owner of Liam Gretton Bespoke Estate Agent on the Wirral Peninsula, says: Entering the buy-to-let market in your early thirties is a strong financial move, providing it is done with the right research, support, and expectations.

With one property under your belt, you have got an insight and initial foundation to build on.

You are right that many investors are now looking north for stronger rental yields.

Property prices in parts of the north west, Yorkshire and the north east remain far more accessible than the south, while rental demand continues to rise, especially in cities like Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle.

Commuter belts and regeneration areas can all offer promising long-term returns if you choose wisely.

However, when it comes to the question of is now a good time, the answer depends on your strategy and financial position. Buy-to-let is not quite the easy win it was a decade ago.

If you are prepared and thinking long-term, now can still be a smart moment to start. Mortgage rates are higher, and there is more regulation than ever before. However, that also means we are seeing a healthier, more professionalised rental market and long-term investors with a smart approach can still do very well.

There are some key points to consider before jumping in.

Financing: Buy-to-let mortgages typically require a 25 per cent deposit and will be subject to stress testing. Work closely with a broker who understands the market. Make sure the monthly rent can cover the mortgage comfortably, even if rates increase again.

Buy-to-let is not quite the easy win it was a decade ago

Rental yields versus capital growth: Northern properties often deliver better yields, or monthly returns, on your investment, while southern homes tend to see stronger long-term capital growth. Identify what is more important for your situation: cashflow now, or building equity over time.

Tax and stamp duty: You will pay a stamp duty surcharge, and need to be aware that mortgage interest relief has been scaled back significantly.

Many landlords now purchase through a limited company structure to maximise tax efficiency, however this comes with its own pros and cons, so always speak to a specialist before making any decisions.

Tenant demand: Always buy with the tenant in mind, rather than what you want from a home. Is the area walkable, close to transport, universities, or employment hubs? A high-yielding area is useless if you struggle to find or keep good tenants.

Regulation and legislation: Landlords are now required to meet stricter energy efficiency standards, licensing in some areas, and the Renters' Rights Bill will see Section 21 'no fault' evictions scrapped.

It is important to stay informed or use a professional, well-reviewed and industry-educated letting agent who can guide you through the compliance minefield.

Maintenance: If you go ahead, you will need to budget for repairs, void periods and management costs, especially if you live in the south and plan to invest hundreds of miles away.

Ultimately, buy-to-let is no longer a hands-off income stream. However, done well, it remains one of the most powerful investment vehicles for long-term wealth building.

If you are willing to treat it like a business, surround yourself with the right advisors, and think long-term, then, yes, now could be a great time to get started.

Jeremy Leaf, a north London estate agent and a former RICS residential chairman, says: The prospect of stricter buy-to-let regulations and higher costs have been driving many landlords out of the business.

Others are switching from London and the south east to the north of England where property prices and mortgages are cheaper, returns tend to be higher and the impact of tax rises less costly.

Concerns about additional, not just property, taxes in the forthcoming Autumn Budget have resulted in slower sales and uncertainty. More confidence will hopefully return once economic policy is clarified after the end of November.

However, buy-to-let can still prove to be a good investment if you do your research and go into it with your eyes open.

Assume higher costs and longer voids than expected, Jeremy Leaf says

It should be regarded as a long-term investment and there is a lot to think about, including where to buy, how much to pay, anticipated rent and return, strength of demand and how much you want to be personally involved.

Will your target tenants be students, young professionals or families? Properties which remain empty for extended periods will compromise returns and quickly eat into any profits, so you want to avoid this as much as possible.

You will need to factor in purchasing costs, as well as ongoing charges such as long and short-term maintenance and possibly cladding, insurance and letting agent fees.

Newer properties tend to require less work and maintenance. If you are based in the south and buy in the north, self-management may prove to be a false economy.

A minimum E Energy Performance Certificate rating, and gas, electrical, fire and furniture safety certificates will be required too.

The Renters Rights Bill, which will almost certainly be introduced later this year, will add to the 168 rules and regulations which already impact residential lettings and management.

No-fault evictions will be banned, with fixed-term tenancies becoming periodic and rent rises limited to once a year.

Subsequently, it will be harder to take back a rental property if problems occur, and better-quality tenants will be more highly prized so robust referencing and inventories will be even more essential.

If you buy a house in multiple occupation there are other rules and regulations to consider, depending on the location of the property.

Another consideration is whether to buy in your own name or via a limited company and this requires independent mortgage and tax advice.

Nothing stays the same  circumstances change and trying to anticipate change in and around government policy is tricky.

It is safe to assume higher costs and longer voids than expected, so make sure you pay for a survey and seek advice from local agents with appropriate knowledge and experience.
If Chancellor Rachel Reeves announces even a handful of the tax rises rumoured to be under consideration in her November Budget, then the wealthiest families in the country are in for a tough time.

Last year's Budget drove many of these families to flee to lower-tax destinations such as Dubai, Monaco and Milan.

So what are they doing this time around to shield their assets from possible tax hikes  and could you learn vital tips from their careful planning?

Here, wealth managers to the rich reveal the moves their clients are making now.

First, a word of warning: no one yet knows what will be in the Budget and many of the following are complex strategies. Speak to an adviser and avoid taking knee-jerk decisions based on speculation  it's unlikely to end well.

The trick is to make changes to your personal finances that you will be happy with whether rumoured changes are announced in the Budget or not.

Protect your wealth: The trick is to make changes to your personal finances that you will be happy with whether rumoured changes are announced in the Budget or not

OFFLOADING ASSETS TO REALISE GAINS EARLIER

Affluent families are selling assets to crystalise their gains ahead of November 26  but capital gains tax (CGT) is payable when you sell and make a profit on assets such as second homes, investments or belongings such as art.

Last year, the basic and higher rates were hiked from 10 and 20 per cent to 18 and 24 per cent, respectively. Now fears are once again growing that Ms Reeves could tinker with rates to align with income tax or slash the 3,000 CGT-free allowance. So to avoid a second sting, households with large amounts of assets are reviewing whether to realise these gains ahead of the Budget.

Nicholas Nesbitt, a partner at tax firm Forvis Mazars, says: 'A lot of people intended to do this last year before the Budget and didn't, so now there may be investors looking to take some profit.'

But only think about selling your investments and assets if you were planning on doing so at some point anyway. Otherwise, in the event that nothing changes, you may regret selling.

But there is one step that you could take ahead of the Budget that could benefit you whether or not the rules change. You could sell shares with gains under the 3,000 annual tax-free allowance, and then buy them back in a stocks and shares individual savings account (Isa) where future profits and dividends are free from tax.

This is called 'bed and Isa' and your Isa provider can carry it out for you. The repurchase will attract a trading fee and 0.5 per cent stamp duty. The amount going into the Isa will count towards your annual Isa allowance of 20,000.

TAKING YOUR TAX-FREE PENSION LUMP SUM

Advisers report wealthy clients asking about withdrawing the tax-free lump sum from their pensions.

They fear the maximum amount that can be taken tax-free could be slashed from its current level of 268,275.

Mr Nesbitt says his clients who have a tax-free lump sum of at least 150,000 are taking these rumours seriously, explaining: 'They are telling me, 'I'd be gutted to lose this allowance  paying tax on money outside of a pension is the lesser of two evils.' '

He has also seen a surge in doctors  who have more lucrative defined benefit pensions  trying to take their tax-free cash.

Ian Cooke, of wealth manager Quilter Cheviot, says: 'If individuals are likely to take tax-free cash anyway because they are starting to draw down their pension, or it is part of their gifting strategy to reduce their inheritance tax (IHT)liability, then it can make sense to do that in advance of the Budget.'

But he warns you could make a big mistake by predicting what will be in the Chancellor's speech, as you will be taking your money out of a tax-free environment into a taxable one.

RISING INTEREST IN THE MORE RISKY INVESTMENTS

Growing numbers of high-net-worth individuals are considering funnelling their money into risky investments that benefit from favourable tax treatment.

Venture capital trusts (VCTs) and enterprise investment schemes (EISs) allow you to invest in early-stage companies.

Because these firms are largely unproven, they are typically risky  some will fail and investors lose their money.

Therefore, there are substantial tax perks for taking the risk. These schemes offer up to 30 per cent income tax relief up front.

Plus, for VCTs, no capital gains tax is due or income tax on dividends up to 200,000.

However, Simon Bashorun of asset manager Rathbones, advises caution, saying: 'You can't have tax as the only driver for these investments.'

MAKING GIFTS OUT OF YOUR SURPLUS INCOME

Harry Bell, at financial planners Charles Stanley, is advising clients to take advantage of one of the most generous estate planning methods  making gifts out of surplus income.

IHT is levied at 40 per cent on an estate over a 325,000 threshold. Those who leave their property to direct descendants have an extra 175,00 tax-free allowance.

There is a standard 3,000 annual gifting allowance free of death duties, plus any gift you make is tax-free if you survive for seven years after making it.

But you do not need to worry about a seven-year clock ticking away  or even longer should the Chancellor decide to extend it to ten years, as some experts fear may happen  if you gift out of surplus income.

There are strict rules. Gifts must be made out of income and not existing assets, they must be regular, and they must not affect your standard of living.

But crucially, there's no limit to what you can gift. Keep impeccable records that can be shown to the taxman.

USE TRUSTS FOR CONTROL AND MORE PROTECTION

Trusts can help families pass on money free of IHT with more control and protection.

These legal arrangements are a way to make gifts to children and other members of the family to start the seven-year clock, while still retaining some control over the wealth.

And as affluent middle-aged couples are already thinking about succession planning due to Budget death duty rumours, an increasing number are using trusts.

Mr Bashorun says: 'People are approaching succession planning at an earlier stage than they might do otherwise.

'They don't want money just falling into children's hands. With a trust, you get control of who gets what and when.'

But trusts are very complex and can be expensive to set up  you will need an adviser to help you.

ESTABLISHING COMPLEX INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Using family investment companies (FIC) is the hot topic among affluent families, advisers report.

These are limited companies with the express purpose of managing investments. Not only does it provide a mechanism to gift investments to children while retaining some control, but dividends are also received by the FIC tax free.

Other profits and capital gains are charged at the corporation tax rate of 25 per cent.

But this is useful only for those with ultra-high net worths. For an FIC to be worthwhile, many advisers say you need 2 million in assets, others say at least 5 million.

...BUT BE CAREFUL NOT TO LOSE SIGHT OF THE BASICS

Before you plunge into these complex strategies, start with basic tax efficiency tools.

Use your full Isa allowance  which for a family of four, with two children, totals 58,000 a year.

Plus, funnel as much as you can into your pension. You get tax relief on as much as 60,000 every year, or 120,000 for a couple.

Mr Bashorun adds: 'Do little things regularly. Start paying pension contributions for your children, for example.'
Payments to the European Union as part of the Brexit divorce deal have dwindled to just 'a rounding error', according to a leading investment bank.

The UK formally left the EU five years ago, having agreed the bill with Brussels to meet outstanding payments it signed up to when it was a member of the bloc.

Since then, the Government has paid about 25 billion to the EU, according to the latest Treasury estimates.

UK taxpayers are still on the hook for another 5.7 billion  mainly to cover contributions to EU bureaucrats' gold-plated pensions. But these payments will be spread over decades until 2065, meaning future annual bills will be much smaller.

'The fact we are no longer paying huge sums to the EU is a clear 'Brexit benefit',' said independent economist Julian Jessop.

'Indeed, contributions would only have grown as the EU continues to expand, adding members, taking on responsibilities and accumulating more debt.

Flying the flag: Nigel Farage celebrates with supporters after Britain voted to leave the EU in June 2016

'The small ongoing payments to cover existing obligations  such as pension contributions  are tiny in the bigger scheme of things.'

Experts say the dwindling payments will help reduce the UK's trade deficit  the gap between the value of imports and exports  which stood at 32 billion last year.

'Withdrawal payments are now a rounding error,' said Deutsche Bank's chief UK economist Sanjay Raja. He said falling settlement payments to the bloc, which is Britain's biggest trading partner, had 'now almost run their course'.

The news comes as the Chancellor opens up a new line of defence by blaming Brexit and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage for the country's woes as she lines up painful tax rises in next month's Budget.

Rachel Reeves said last week that leaving the EU  plus austerity and the impact of the Liz Truss mini-Budget  had 'weighed heavily on the UK economy'. In response, shadow chancellor Mel Stride said Reeves 'should start owning up to her own mistakes and accept responsibility for the poor decisions she has made'.

These include clobbering businesses with 25 billion of higher payroll taxes in last year's Budget, creating a 'doom loop' that has choked growth. Reeves has also warned that those with the 'broadest shoulders' should pay their 'fair share' of taxes in the clearest sign yet that raids on property and pensions are in her sights.

The latest forecast from the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) will land on the Chancellor's desk tomorrow.

It is expected to show a huge black hole in the public finances as the OBR downgrades its over-optimistic forecasts for productivity  the output per worker  after years of sluggish growth. The Institute for Fiscal Studies think-tank reckons U-turns on welfare cuts, higher borrowing costs and lower tax receipts as the economy flatlines mean Reeves will have to find 22 billion to balance the books. She has pledged not to raise income tax, VAT or staff National Insurance, leaving landlords and pension savers in the firing line.

She also wants to raise her historically low 9.9 billion headroom to meet her 'ironclad' fiscal rule of funding day-to-day Government spending without borrowing more. The OBR is under pressure from Reeves to include 'pro-growth' moves such as planning reforms and the trade benefits of any EU 'reset' in its productivity forecast.

The watchdog estimates that Brexit will reduce long-term productivity by 4 per cent because of higher trade barriers with the EU.

But it has admitted Brexit's full impact is not yet clear and its assumptions remain under review.

The Government has ruled out rejoining the single market or customs union but wants to let young Europeans live and work in the UK. A spokesman said of Brexit's impact: 'The Chancellor has said it is severe and long lasting. We are focused on moving beyond the decline of the past, with no return to austerity and our new deal with the EU being good for bills, good for our borders, and good for jobs.'
Aggressive US hedge fund manager Boaz Weinstein has thrown his support behind a campaign from another activist investor to oust directors from a 300 million investment trust, The Mail on Sunday understands.

London-listed Gore Street Energy Storage Fund, which invests in massive battery projects in the UK and abroad, has come under fire from RM Funds, which has accused the trust's board of presiding over 'sustained' share price 'underperformance'.

Its campaign has now been backed by Weinstein, who shook up the City's soporific investment trust sector this year, launching simultaneous coup attempts against seven trust boards, only to be roundly rejected by an army of small investors in each.

This month, his firm Saba revealed its 5 per cent stake in Gore Street and last week held talks with RM Funds on its campaign, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The US hedge fund is said to have been 'supportive' of the activist's approach after this.

Back on the attack: Boaz Weinstein has thrown his support behind RM Funds' campaign to oust directors from Gore Street Energy Storage Fund

RM called a shareholder meeting at Gore Street in August to replace non-executive directors Patrick Cox and Caroline Banszky, with its own nominees to 'restore shareholder confidence'.

The move was unsuccessful, so the activist made a second attempt at the trust's annual meeting last month, but was again defeated. Despite this, RM wants to call another emergency meeting, saying the trust must be more transparent over its costs and operations and boost its share price over the next six months.

Saba declined to comment.
Those Holsten Pils adverts in the 80s? They pretty much paid for my house!

Griff Rhys Jones is a comedian, actor, writer and TV presenter whose long career has earned him a place as one of Britain's most-loved screen stars, writes York Membery.

The 71-year-old is best known for appearing in Not The Nine O'Clock News and Alas Smith & Jones (with his late comedy partner Mel Smith) and presenting the TV series Restoration.

The father-of-two and his wife Jo divide their time between their homes in London and Suffolk. His new tour, The Cat's Pyjamas, has just kicked off.

What did your parents teach you about money?

I was one of three children, and my father Elwyn was an NHS doctor. I had a comfortable enough upbringing in Epping, Essex, but we were by no means wealthy.

My Welsh parents gave me pocket money, but they expected me to make it last, which I rarely did  so they considered me somewhat financially impulsive, which I have to confess I am to this day. My mum Gwynneth was outraged when I spent all my birthday money on the Beatles' album Help! in 1965 when I was 12.

Having a laugh: Griff Rhys Jones is one of Britain's most-loved screen stars

Have you ever struggled to make ends meet?

In between leaving university and starting work at the BBC as a producer, I took a job as a bodyguard, following in the footsteps of my big, lanky friend Douglas Adams [who went on to write The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy].

My job was to guard an Arab potentate from possible terrorist attack, but it just involved standing around for 12-hour shifts doing next to nothing for a colossal two or three quid an hour, if I recall correctly.

So I didn't have a lot of spare cash after I'd paid the rent.

Have you ever been paid silly money?

Yes. The advertising industry paid silly money in the 1980s, and after becoming famous thanks to Not The Nine O'Clock News I got to make some lucrative TV ads, rather bizarrely becoming king of the ads for a while.

My long-running series of Holsten Pils ads [in which his character is transported back in time, selling beer to stars of yesteryear such as Marilyn Monroe] pretty much paid for a house I bought around that time.

Mel and I both did a lot of voiceover work back then  you could make a year's salary by doing half-an-hour's work. You have to be careful that you don't become too addicted to such easy money.

Later on, at the height of our Alas Smith & Jones fame, Mel and I were offered a lot of money to move to ITV, but I said to Mel, 'I don't feel right about going to ITV [out of loyalty to the BBC]' and he went along with my decision, though he thought I was mad.

Mind you, the BBC had no compunction about later sacking me.

Drinking to success: Griff's long-running series of Holsten Pils ads pretty much paid for a house he bought around that time

What was the best year of your financial life?

In 1981 Mel and I formed a radio production company, Talkback, which went on to make a number of hit TV comedy shows like They Think It's All Over and I'm Alan Partridge.

We made a life-changing amount of money when we sold it in 2000. [Griff, Mel and managing director Peter Fincham shared 62 million.] But the truth is I was already pretty much set in my ways by then, so it didn't change much.

I'm still happy getting around London by bus, and when I'm touring, like now, I stay at Premier Inns. The best thing about my financial situation is that I don't have to think about money much, and it allows me to pick up the tab if I go out with friends.

The most expensive thing you bought for fun?

A classic 1948 57ft wooden racing yacht, Argyll, which I got in 2011 for a six-figure sum.

It's given me a huge amount of pleasure and I race it at regattas including the Fastnet Race. I've had a good year, winning the VCYC Mediterranean Cup and the Spanish 'Mare Nostrum' trophy

Four-of-a-kind: Griff became famous thanks to Not The Nine O'Clock News

What was your biggest money mistake?

My parents imbued in me a love of bargains, so on a visit to Morocco in the 1990s I haggled with a market trader in a souk until he agreed to sell me a couple of carpets for what I thought was a bargain 800. But he clearly saw me coming because it turned out they were worth just 100!

Later on I was advised to invest a modest amount in a legitimate financial 'scheme', but the guy who ran it was a crook and I was left out of pocket.

So if anyone ever approaches me with a so-called 'investment opportunity' I just politely say, 'Not interested, thanks.'

Best money decision you have made?

Buying a rundown house in London's Clerkenwell in the 1980s, and then trading up to another, north of Oxford Street, in the late 1990s.

The areas became sought-after  it was nothing to do with me  so I made money on both. But my wife and I didn't buy them as an investment, we wanted somewhere to live.

Will you pass your money down or spend it all?

I'll pass it on to my two-grown up children  and I'd like to organise my financial affairs so that if I shuffle off first, my wife Jo and our son and daughter, now themselves parents, will get the lion's share of my estate. But I'm hoping to live to 100.

Do you have a pension?

I have a private pension but I haven't yet got around to claiming my state pension because I just can't think of myself as retired. Indeed, my 14-date UK tour is now under way.

Do you own any property?

My wife and I divide our time between our main house in Bloomsbury and a second home in Suffolk. What do I think about the Government's plan to build new towns? I think it's a good idea and I'm in favour of more central planning, not less, when it comes to housing. We need more houses.

If you were Chancellor what would you do?

I'd rather leave the UK's financial policy to the experts, although I'm worried about the fact that as a country we're not balancing the books.

What is your number one financial priority?

To keep working and not have to think too deeply about money. That's why I take the 55 bus to Oxford Street and the 38 to Victoria Station.
Rachel Reeves has given the strongest indication yet that she will target the wealthy with higher taxes in the Autumn Budget.

She has said that taxes on the rich would be 'part of the story,' as the Institute for Fiscal Studies warned that she may need to raise over 40billion.

In an interview with The Guardian this week, she said higher taxes on the wealthy will be part of the Budget.

While Reeves has ruled out imposing a new wealth tax, a package of tax rises is likely, especially if the Office for Budget Responsibility downgrades growth forecasts, as is expected.

We look at which existing taxes might increase to make the wealthy pay more - and how you can protect yourself.

Budget rumours: Rachel Reeves is expected to hike taxes on the wealthy in the Autumn Budget

Pensions

Pensions are a big source of wealth, and there was plenty of speculation in the run-up to the last Budget that the Government would impose changes.

While the Chancellor dragged unused pension assets into the inheritance tax net from April 2027, it did not go as far as some experts feared, so she could raid pensions again this time around.

There are ongoing rumours that Reeves will change how pension lump sum withdrawals are treated. Currently, up to 25 per cent of your pension can usually be taken tax-free from the age of 55, capped at 268,275.

'It has long been one of the most attractive features of pensions, with people often using this to clear mortgages and debts ahead of retirement,' says Jason Hollands of wealth manager Evelyn Partners.

'Carving this back to, say 100,000 would be highly unpopular for those with larger pensions meaning they would end up paying more income tax when accessing their pensions in retirement.

'It would also make it harder for people to drain pensions to reduce an inheritance tax liability'.

If the Government slash the tax-free lump sum, there are some options for those with large pension pots.

'Moving it into an appropriate trust, or gifting it in a structured way, can help move funds outside the estate and start the seven-year clock for IHT purposes,' says Ian Futcher, financial planner at Quilter.

'It may also be more efficient than making smaller gifts over time from the taxable element of a pension. However, this should only be done as part of a well-considered plan, not as a knee-jerk reaction, as once money leaves the pension it loses its tax-efficient shelter.'

There is also a risk that unused pension funds could eventually be subject to both IHT and income tax, especially if death occurs after the age of 75 or on the second death of a married couple.

The old advice to leave pensions untouched may no longer be optimal Ian Futcher, financial planner at Quilter

'For some, it may make sense to start drawing modestly from their pension earlier in retirement, managing income tax exposure year by year and reducing the size of the taxable estate,' says Futcher.

However, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and the best move will depend on the size of your pension, income needs, family and long-term goals.

'But for those with substantial pension assets, the old advice to leave pensions untouched may no longer be optimal,' he adds. 'Early planning, expert advice and a willingness to rethink long-held assumptions will be key to navigating this changing landscape.

'We saw many people take their tax-free cash last budget in an attempt to mitigate against changes rumoured that never materialised. Unfortunately, once you take it out you can't put it back in, so people should once again think twice before making significant financial decisions based on hearsay.'

Capital gains tax

The Chancellor had the wealthy in her sights when she hiked capital gains tax rates in the 2024 Budget.

The tax, which is levied on profits from assets ranging from shares to second homes, increased from 10 to 18 per cent for basic rate taxpayers. Higher-rate taxpayers now pay 24 per cent, up from 20 per cent previously.

While a significant increase, it was less than many feared, with some fearing that she might align CGT rates with income tax. HMRC analysis shows that significant rises to CGT would be counterintuitive and reduce the tax take because of changes to investment behaviour.

Hollands says: 'To come back to CGT rates again only a year later seems unlikely and would send a poor signal to investors, but a modest increase cannot be ruled out and therefore anyone thinking of crystallising gains - especially while markets are record highs - might consider doing this before the Budget.'

Last year, the Chancellor took the unusual move of making the CGT hike effective on the day, including the hours before the announcement, so you should bear this in mind.

Capital flight: Some actions could be counter-intuitive and push the rich to move away from UK

Dividends

There are rumours that Reeves is reconsidering the Cash Isa allowance to encourage more investment, but it doesn't mean investors are out of the woods.

Hollands suggests she could look at aligning dividend tax rates with income tax, which would affect business owners who draw income mainly from dividends.

The current rates are 8.75 per cent for basic rate taxpayers, 33.75 per cent for higher rate taxpayers and 39.35 per cent for additional rate taxpayers, compared to 20, 40 and 45 per cent for income tax.

'Increases to the rate of dividend tax or further cut to the allowance will further erode dividend income, particularly affecting basic rate payers, which tend to include pensioners who may be relying on dividends as income,' says Neil Wilson, UK investor strategist at Saxo.

'The increasingly restrictive dividend allowance regime means it's more important than ever to find tax-efficient ways to invest - such as an Isa or Sipp.'

Futcher adds: 'Reviewing your investment portfolio and making sure you're using your Isa allowance can help shelter future gains and dividends from tax.

'If you hold investments outside an Isa, it may be worth selling some assets each tax year to make use of your annual CGT exemption rather than allowing large gains to build up.'

Property taxes

There's a tidal wave of rumours that the Chancellor will overhaul property taxes, and landlords are likely to be one target.

Reeves could introduce National Insurance on income earned by landlords from rent.

Jonathan Hopper, CEO of buying agent Garrington Property Finders, says landlords are a 'soft target' for the Treasury, and that while NI 'won't cripple landlord income overnight, it's the final nail in the coffin.'

Nervy buy-to-let landlords should, however, wait until they've seen the details of any prospective changes.

'In terms of selling as a knee-jerk reaction, it would be short-sighted and you could find that you're selling in a very soft market and end up compromising on sell value compared to if you waited,' says Hopper.

Futcher adds: 'Anyone with rental income should make sure they are correctly reporting it and claiming all allowable expenses. Holding property within a limited company can sometimes help reduce the impact of tax changes, but this route has costs and complexities that need professional advice before taking.'

Residential owners may also be targeted. The Government could replace stamp duty with a national property tax based on the value of homes, possibly over 500,000. This would leave homeowners in the South East and London particularly affected.

Hopper says there is no reason for people to make any changes ahead of the Budget.

'If you have a life reason or strong motivator to carry on, then carry on. You could maybe leverage the uncertainty that's in the market, and it's a buyer's market at the moment. We're negotiating aggressively on things right now.'

Peter Stimson of MPowered Mortgages also advises people to carry on as normal. 'Whatever happens, the market will carry on as normal. I wouldn't change plans, because we can't predict what's going to happen.

'Residential buyers should carry on because people need somewhere to live. The market might pause for a bit, but we've always seen this.'

Inheritance tax and gifts

The Chancellor has already indicated she's keen to limit the amount families can inherit tax-free.

In the Autumn Budget, she capped the availability of Business Relief and Agricultural Relief, and halved the relief available on AIM shares.

Most significantly, the Government announced plans to bring pensions into the scope of inheritance tax from 2027.

Advisers say more families are using lifetime gifts to mitigate the impact of the changes, namely the 3,000 annual gifting allowance and unlimited individual small gifts of up to 250 per person.

To combat this and increase tax take, the Chancellor may introduce a lifetime cap on gifts, which Futcher says 'would mark a major departure from the current system.'

To combat this, investors may sell equities to gift cash to their family ahead of the Budget, but Wilson warns of the longer-term impact on pensions and investments.

If gifting forms part of your plans to mitigate IHT, it's a good time to review your longer-term goals, say advisers.

'Larger gifts might make sense if you're confident they won't be needed for your own retirement, but the key is to give within your means and document everything carefully,' says Futcher.

Elsewhere, the Treasury could remove the 'CGT uplift on death'. Currently, CGT liability effectively ends when an individual dies and the capital costs are uplifted to the value at probate. IHT is then charged depending on the value of the total estate.

Removing the capital uplift would mean beneficiaries would be responsible for paying tax on the gains made, as well as IHT. There would be very little that beneficiaries could to protect themselves from this measure, says Hollands.

Don't make rash decisions

There are always rumours in the run-up to the Budget, but the long lead-up time to this year's means it has reached fever-pitch.

Reeves will still be eyeing options, especially as she waits for the OBR's forecasts, so you should not make any rash decisions.

Futcher says: 'Many people are understandably wondering what, if anything, they should be doing to protect themselves as the budget looms and the talk of tax hikes gets louder.

'But while it's sensible to keep one eye on potential changes, it's never a good idea to make big, irreversible financial decisions based purely on speculation.

'The best approach is to deal with the rules as they stand today and ensure your finances are structured as efficiently as possible under the current system.'
The NSW Government's plan to bring down house prices in Sydney's CBD will see affordable housing demolished and replaced with new luxury apartments.

Mark Skelsey, 56, has lived in the city's inner-west for 17 years and has witnessed it grow from a relatively affordable area to a neighbourhood gripped by surging house prices.

The long-time local has kept a keen eye on the development of traditionally 'affordable' suburbs around Sydney and has even written a book about it.

So he, like many other residents, felt hopeful when the government unveiled its Transport Oriented Development (TOD) plan in May 2024, which proposed building a series of new developments around train stations in the inner-west.

The government said the TOD would apply to suburbs within '400 metres of 37 stations to deliver more affordable, well-designed and well-located homes'.

But in a kick to the guts to residents, only two per cent of the homes in the new builds are required to meet the criteria of 'affordability'.

The first development application to be lodged under the TOD scheme is for a eight-storey block on Warren Road, Marrickville, of which only eight out of 43 apartments will be considered affordable upon completion.

The address is currently home to 17 low-cost rental apartments.

Long-time inner-west local Mark Skelsey (pictured) has shared concerns a plan to boost housing supply could see existing sites for affordable homes targeted for redevelopment

A development application plans to replace 17 affordable apartments with 43 new apartments, of only eight of will be considered 'affordable' (an artists impression is pictured)

'The idea is that providing additional housing supply will bring down the price of housing,' Mr Skelsey told the Daily Mail.

'But the concern is that it will involve the redevelopment of existing affordable housing, leading to an overall reduction of affordable housing.

'They've tried to argue there are currently 17 affordable apartments providing 17 bedrooms and the eight affordable apartments in the new development will also provide 17 affordable bedrooms.

'However, there will still be less apartments for an affordable price.'

Assuming most of the eight affordable apartments have two bedrooms, their market price in Marrickville is significantly higher than that of affordable one-bedroom units.

The median price of a two-bedroom apartment in Marrickville is $1,022,500, compared to $699,000 for a single bedroom, according to realestate.com.au.

'The inner-west can be a pretty expensive place to live so it's fair to say it needs more housing,' Mr Skelsey said.

'However, the concern is the additional housing will target the few remaining sites that currently provide low-cost housing.

The first development application to be lodged with the Inner West Council is for a high-rise unit complex on Warren Road in Marrickville (the current site is pictured)

The 17 affordable one-bedroom apartments (pictured) would be replaced by just eight under a development proposal lodged under the government's Transport Oriented Development plan

'If that happens, you're basically providing more homes for people who can keep up with market prices and kicking out people who need affordable housing.'

Development applications under the TOD scheme can be lodged directly with NSW Planning but are largely up to local councils to approve or deny.

NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure told the Daily Mail that affordable homes were a prerequisite for applicants.

'The NSW Government has mandated affordable housing outcomes in all Transport Oriented Development locations, as well as other well-located areas for the first time in NSW, with the goal to increase the overall numbers of affordable homes in the state,' a spokesman said.

'The application is under assessment by Inner West Council, and they will need to determine if there is no net loss of affordable housing, with reference to the Housing State Environmental Planning Policy.'

Inner West Council confirmed the application for Warren Road, Marrickville, has been submitted to the council but will not be decided by councillors.

'A Development Application was lodged with Council on September 25, 2025,' a council spokesman said.

'Councillors are legally removed from the Development Application process.

'Council officers will assess the application and then refer the matter to the Local Planning Panel for determination.

'At this stage, the likely determination date is unknown.'

Daily Mail has contacted Corona Projects comment.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On October 15, Benteler and ChenZhi Automobile Technology Group ("CZAG") signed a memorandum of understanding in Beijing to expand their long-term partnership, according to a pots on Benteler's WeChat account.

Building on over a decade of successful collaboration through their existing joint venture, the two companies announced plans to co-invest in a new joint venture, marking the beginning of what they describe as a "Cooperation 2.0" phase.

Photo credit: Benteler

Founded in 1876, Benteler is a global leader in automotive chassis systems, structural components, hot-forming technology, and lightweight design. With its hallmark combination of German engineering precision and continuous innovation, the company has built a long-standing reputation for technical excellence and reliability across the automotive industry.

Sichuan Jian'an Industrial Co., Ltd. ("Jian'an Industrial"), established in 1965 and now part of the CZAG group, has been deeply engaged in the research, development, and production of automotive driveline and chassis systems.

The existing joint venture, Benteler Jian'an, established in 2015, has leveraged the strengths of both parent companies to provide full-cycle services  from design and testing to manufacturing and sales  of automotive chassis components and modules. The venture has maintained a strong position as a core supplier for Changan Automobile and has been actively supporting automakers in their electrification and lightweighting transitions.

Under the newly signed memorandum, Benteler and CZAG will increase their investment in the Chengdu-Chongqing region to establish a new joint venture. The new entity will focus on advanced chassis and module systems, high-performance hot-formed battery housings, and structural body components, while also pioneering an integrated "chassis + battery + body" design concept aimed at improving efficiency and safety in new energy vehicles.

To realize these goals, both sides will integrate their respective technical and R&D strengths to establish a joint R&D center. The partners also plan to upgrade the existing Benteler Jian'an facility into a next-generation intelligent manufacturing plant, building end-to-end capabilities in core components for new energy vehicles.
It remains one of the most haunting images ever taken.

A starving child collapsed on the ground. His arms and legs, reduced to the bone, too weak to move.

Nearby, a vulture lands on the dusty scrubland, watching the desperately frail infant struggling to regain his feet.

This shocking scene was captured in a picture titled The Vulture and the Little Girl - although the child was later revealed to be a young boy - by South African photographer Kevin Carter in 1993 in famine-ravaged Sudan.

The heart-wrenching photo helped draw the world's attention to the devastating humanitarian crisis in the country, but it also triggered a furious backlash against Carter who would go on to suffer from spiralling internal torment that ended in tragedy.

Carter, who began documenting violence across Africa alongside a group of photographers known as the Bang Bang Club, arrived in Sudan in 1993 to document its devastating civil war.

After reaching the village of Ayod, Carter began photographing famine-struck people near a feeding centre.

But as he got away from the crowd and into the bush, Carter spotted an emaciated child - who was erroneously believed to be a girl until 2011 - struggling to make his way to the centre.

A vulture hovers over a starving Sudanese child. This photograph by South African photographer Kevin Carter won the Pulitzer prize for feature photography for the New York Times

The malnourished and exhausted little boy - thought to have been aged around two - collapsed suddenly, and lay motionlessly on the ground

Carter began taking photos of the child when suddenly a hooded vulture flew over to him, settling a few yards away, waiting for the youngster to die.

Careful not to disturb the animal, Carter waited 20 minutes until it was close enough to the boy and positioned himself to take a picture. Only then did the photographer scare the scavenger away.

The foreboding shot of the child and the vulture was published in The New York Times on March 26, 1993, and won a Pulitzer the following year.

But despite his professional success, Carter was unprepared for the barrage of criticism that would come his way.

After the image was published, hundreds of people wrote to The New York Times demanding to know whether the child had survived.

Despite his professional success, Kevin Carter (pictured) was unprepared for the barrage of criticism that would come his way

Kevin Carter was a South African photojournalist and member of the so-called Bang-Bang Club. He was the recipient in 1994 of a Pulitzer Prize for his photograph depicting the 1993 famine in Sudan; he died by suicide less than four months afterwards, at the age of 33

Kevin Carter's image titled 'The Vulture and the Little Girl' appeared in the New York Times on March 26, 1993

As a result, the paper ran a special editor's note the next day that said: 'The photographer reports that she recovered enough to resume her trek after the vulture was chased away. It is not known whether she reached the [feeding] centre'.

Several others bombarded Carter with questions about why he did not help the starving child, and was flooded with angry criticism.

One paper, The St. Petersburg Times in Florida wrote: 'The man adjusting his lens to take just the right frame of her suffering, might just as well be a predator, another vulture on the scene'.

Not only was the public horrified that Carter had not immediately chased the vulture away, but also at the fact that the photographer had not helped the weakened child afterward.

Carter often expressed regret that he had not helped the child, but the photo journalist had been told not to get close to famine victims for fear of spreading disease.

Through the image, Carter had made his mark as a commended photo journalist, and went on to win a Pulitzer Prize in 1994.

But privately, he was fighting a personal battle, and just four months after receiving the honour, Carter died by suicide, aged 33.

'I'm really, really sorry', he wrote in a note. 'The pain of life overrides the joy to the point that joy does not exist.

'I am haunted by the vivid memories of killings and corpses and anger and pain of starving or wounded children, of trigger-happy madmen, often police, of killer executioners'

Fellow Bang Bang Club member Joao Silva told Time magazine after Carter's suicide that he became 'depressed' after his assignment in Sudan.

Meanwhile his friend Judith Matliff spoke of how Carter was 'tormented' by people saying he should have helped the child.

He became reliant on drugs and was arrested after crashing his car into a house, which resulted in his partner leaving him.

'People were calling him for assignments and he just couldn't get out of bed,' Matliff said in a documentary about Carter's life.

And when he was able to work, he kept slipping up, according to colleagues.

Carter visited Mozambique for a job, but after returning home, he realised he'd left the undeveloped film on the plane.

'This is it, I can't live, I can't do it anymore', he told friend Reedwan Vally after the blunder.

In a letter published in Time after Carter's death, his sister Patricia Gird Randburg wrote: 'The pain of his mission to open the eyes of the world to so many of the issues and injustices that tore at his own soul eventually got to him.'

Mentioning her brother's Pulitzer award she said: 'It was a confirmation that his work had all been worthwhile'.

The photographer's tragic story would go on to inspire Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers, who wrote a song titled 'Kevin Carter'.

The lyrics were written by the band's troubled guitarist Richey Edwards before his own disappearance in 1995. They explore Carter's mental agony and the complex moral questions raised by his photography.

'Hi, Time magazine, hi, Pulitzer Prize/ Tribal scars in Technicolor Bang-bang club, AK-47 hour/ Kevin Carter Hi, Time magazine, hi, Pulitzer Prize/ Vulture stalked white piped lie forever/ Wasted your life in black and white', Edwards wrote.

Since the haunting image was first published in The New York Times, questions over the fate of the child in the photo continued to rise, even years after Carter's death.

In 2011, a journalist finally found the answer the public hoped for - the child had made it to the feeding centre and survived.

After tracking down the child's father in Sudan, it was revealed that the child was in fact not a girl, but a boy - as it had previously been suggested in the image's title.

His name was Kong Nyong, and although he survived the famine, he died in 2007 from a fever.
There is no doubt our schools have become a sorry state of affairs.

Teachers are quitting the profession en-masse, as they battle impossible workloads, toxic work environments, a 'broken' Special Educational Needs system, and surges in student violence.

Earlier this year, the Teachers' Union estimated there were 30,000 violent incidents involving a pupil attacking a teacher with a weapon in a 12-month period.

Children as young as four have been found in possession of knives, while some school have installed metal detectors, or 'knife arches', in a bid to curb attacks.

Meanwhile, teachers have reported bullying from senior management, and walkouts have taken place across the country over poor conditions and inadequate pay.

To find out the constant challenges faced by schools across the UK, the Daily Mail spoke to one teacher who outlined what a day in their secondary school truly looks like...

ARRIVING AT SCHOOL

As I walk through the school gates I think of the 200 in my bank account and my ever-increasing student debt.

I stop momentarily and remind myself why I do this job.

'Let's hope I get out of here on time for once', I mumble under my breath as I prepare for another day of chaos.

The thing is, teaching is only half the job these days.

Most of our time, and energy, is taken up by filling out endless admin, uploading notes of each second of the day onto digital logs, and trying to impose draconian 'classroom management techniques' which create an emotionally-stunted, robot generation.

But all the while children are being groomed into county lines gangs, fights are breaking out at least once a week, and expelled students from other schools are preying near the grounds in Covid face masks, the new unofficial balaclava.

Most days we are just about holding on.

And now to add to it, we've caught pupils, some of whom were before the summer golden, top set students, carrying knives on them 'for protection'.

They are stealing blades from home, hiding them in bushes in nearby parks, and even using them to rob people at knifepoint.

As I walk into the staff room, I can't help but think if we just focused on getting these troubled children engaged in their lessons and show them they can have a chance at life, they wouldn't so easily end up in the wrong circles.

A lot of them come from broken families and impoverished communities with little in the way of guidance if not for school.

But instead we are more concerned about whether they are sitting the right way or walking the hallways in complete silence.

My internal monologue breaks as the bell rings for line up.

Maybe it is pure delusion, but I think to myself, it is a Monday morning and maybe it will take a while for the insanity to set off.

(Stock image) Teachers across the UK have reported being subjected to violence in schools

FIGHT BEFORE CLASS

But before I even get to the playground, I hear violent screams by the student entrances.

I know instantly it is not the usual squealing from over-excited kids back from the weekend.

A fight has broken out. Already.

A teenager that we know is in a gang is fighting with a pupil with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities(Send).

Without pausing to think - because you dont have that luxury in this school - I rush over to stop them.

There is no other way in this moment to de-escalate the situation than to restrain the pupil, who is now aggressively fighting the boy with mild autism, who is also fighting back.

He becomes increasingly violent and erratic, at which point I have to hold onto him using force.

There have been so many instances like this that could get me fired but there is no way I am going to stand back and let pupils launch themselves at each other.

And if that requires physically restraining them and risking my job, then so be it.

The boy who is in a gang is a bright kid, full of potential. I know from the classes I've taught him.

But he was recruited by a county lines gang just months ago. We carry out afterschool patrols every evening to stop the grooming but theres only so much we can do and some, unfortunately, do fall through the cracks.

The same gang that recruited him staged a robbery, or so we understand, so they could then tell him he owed them money. To make up for it, he has to steal phones and move drugs for them.

They always target the vulnerable kids.

Anyway, now hes been humiliated by the pupil in front of the school, we know it wont be let go so easily. Him and his gang will be waiting for him on the way home, which will add to our afterschool patrol job.

Students are shouted at to disperse to their next lessons as the fight has now been stopped, and the kids are taken indoors.

Of course, the problem is, while the fight may have ended, everything now goes up on TikTok straight away.

One pupil, usually one of the quiet and 'well-behaved' ones, will have filmed it and it will probably go viral by lunch.

In fact, faceless TikTok accounts, mainly started up by the shy girls in the school, were caught last year posting content on who they would like to see fight next and who they want to see beaten up - and boys being boys, they go ahead and set up these fights to impress the girls.

They even uploaded vile and abusive posts about teachers in the assumption we wouldn't be able to track them down.

But after looking at comments by hundreds of pupils, we were able to narrow it down to the kids who were taught by all the mentioned teachers. All we had to do was tell each of them we knew who it was and the truth started spilling.

We were shocked to find one of the girls running the pages would never be caught misbehaving in school and had a golden record of zero detentions.

Anyway, now we're in lessons there are a few hours of peace.

LESSON TIME

I love watching even the pupils we know are in gangs turn into nerdy kids when they become engaged in their lessons.

Some teachers seem to think it's all about rigidly sticking to the guides provided to us from the powers at be, but I want my students to care about their work, to relate it to their lives, the society they live in.

And it means they actually do their work. I have students who are scoring top grades in my class coming to me in tears because they've been sent to detention for not sitting or nodding the right way.

Now it gets to lunch, we have to make sure all the year groups are kept apart in the playground.

But it is also the time to call up the parents of the pupils who were involved in the fight.

The boy who is affiliated with the gang should have been permanently expelled months ago, but endless red tape means that there are two categories of children who are virtually impossible to expel: pupils with Send, and pupils who are classed as vulnerable and involved with social services.

If we expel him, there is the risk he will be completely taken in by the gang.

The boy with Send is not without fault either, but again, the system makes it extremely difficult to discipline him.

It is like these kids are void of responsibility, exactly the opposite of what we want to teach them.

There has been an explosion in kids with Send since I first began teaching. A Send overdose.

When I entered the profession about 15 years ago, there were about 15 teaching assistants (TA) in the school I was teaching in, and hardly any pupils with special needs.

But over the last decade, and even more so after Covid, the numbers of kids with Send have shot up exponentially.

Now, parents deliberately look to get their kids a Send diagnosis, what we call an EHCP (Education Health and Care Plan), so that they are hard to expel.

Yet there are only half a dozen TAs, the least I have ever seen, and the strain is unbearable.

I think to myself as I make that call to the boys' parents, 'our state schools are being killed off'.

To no surprise, the gang-affiliated boy's parents were reluctant to acknowledge any fault on their son's behalf, preferring instead to blame other children entirely for his 'reaction'. Any conversation about taking responsibility for his behaviour fell on deaf ears.

This is nothing new. We are constantly battling parents who have even tried to sue us for discrimination for trying to discipline their kids.

Now that's my lunch wasted, I better hurry up and get to the canteen to pick up whatever remains.

The state of our schools.

Portion sizes have more than halved from when I was at school, even if that was, admittedly, many years ago.

We get through the last few lessons of the day, though concentration from the kids has waned off.

AFTER SCHOOL

As we edge toward the end of the day, our hardest, and arguably most important, job begins.

We call it chicken shop duty. But really its manning all areas where kids congregate after school.

A few of us put on high-vis vests every evening and go to the chicken shops, the parks, the bus stops.

It has now become one of the most important things we can do. It is when the gangs recruit the kids, and it is when troublesome students who have been expelled from other schools turn up.

In the olden days, kids would turn up in uniform from other schools and fight. Inter-school fights. They were a big thing, horrible, violent.

That has gone now.

But it has been replaced with permanently excluded kids from other schools turning up in tracksuits and face masks.

Covid face masks are being used by them as unofficial balaclavas to hide their identity.

And they come to these spots where students gather and try to influence them.

We try to move them on, but the problem with moving them on is they often carry blades on them.

These are kids in county lines, these are kids in pupil referral units, essentially they are kids who are not in school.

And that can quickly become dangerous.
A father of one has revealed how a Net Zero scheme 'ripped his life apart' and cost him 250k after shoddy building works left his family home without a roof.

Duncan Hayes eagerly accepted the free upgrades on his cottage in Gloucestershire after being promised they would bring down his energy bills as part of the government's eco-friendly scheme.

The 45-year-old had 'the full works' on the ECO4 grant - insulation installed on solid walls, cavity walls and in his loft as well as solar air source heat pumps fitted - costing the taxpayer 35,000.

However, two years later his quaint period property has been left a chaotic building site with debris, waste and scaffolding spread everywhere.

Duncan has been without heating for over two years after the solar panels fitted onto his 'wonky' roof led to it caving in and slap-dash insulation gave way to damp and mould inside.

The homeowner believes he was 'missold' works which were 'inappropriate' for his home by installers, who carried out 'botched' in-person surveys to 'make a heap of cash'.

He told the Daily Mail: 'Their profit margin is over 50 per cent, which you don't get in the private sector, so they're making killer margins under the guise of a free system which is not free at all.

Duncan added: 'I haven't been able to work, my house has been completely destroyed. I've lost everything.'

Duncan has been without heating for over two years after solar panels fitted on his 'wonky' roof led to it caving in and slap-dash insulation gave way to damp and mould inside

Duncan's roof had to be replaced after solar panels were installed on his 'wonky' roof despite an in-person survey having been completed by the installer company

Damp coming through the walls on the same day the installers started their insulation works

The firm denied responsibility and refused to pay to fix the roof, directing him to ask the government officials running the ECO4 scheme instead.

But after being 'passed around 20 different organisations' whilst rain poured into his already 'uninhabitable' house, the cash-strapped father was forced to repair the roof himself with zero construction experience.

Duncan has lost a whopping total of around 250,000 when adding up the cost of the damage, loss of earnings from being unable to work, and loss of amenity on the property.

And he is not alone, as a spending watchdog this week found two energy cutting government schemes - including ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme - were botched on a vast scale, leaving tens of thousands of homes in need of remedial work.

In 2022, the government directed energy companies to spend billions of pounds, raised via levies on energy bills, on insulating homes across the UK, targeting people receiving benefits and those in very poorly insulated homes.

According to the National Audit Office (NAO), 98 per cent of homes that had external wall insulation installed under the schemes have issues that will lead to damp and mould if left unaddressed.

And 29 per cent of the homes that were given internal insulation also need fixing, it said.

Energy consumer minister Martin McCluskey said the government is taking action and the homes will be fixed 'at no cost to the consumer' - but this only covers faulty insulation under the scheme, not solar air source heat pumps or any other works done that have resulted in damage to properties.

The NAO report focused on work carried out between 2022 and the start of 2025 on the two schemes.

It found there were 'clear failures' in the design of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme, which resulted in 'poor-quality installations as well as suspected fraud'.

The NAO also directed criticism at TrustMark, a consumer protection scheme set up in 2021 to monitor the quality of insulation programmes. It said there had been 'weak' oversight and insufficient auditing of the schemes and that this had allowed installers to 'game' the system.

Last year the whole-industry regulator, Ofgem, estimated that businesses had falsified claims for ECO installations in up to 16,500 homes, potentially claiming between 56million and 165million from energy suppliers.

Duncan said the free eco-friendly upgrades which promised him cheaper energy bills have actually had the opposite effect and instead driven him 'and others' who have had similar issues into 'fuel poverty'.

The damage, especially in his daughter's bedroom, has also meant she has been unable to stay at his house, which was a major factor in his decision to move there in the first place.

The installers refused to pay to have Duncan's roof replaced after the solar panels they installed destroyed it

Getting any form of justice for his plight has also been another headache for Duncan

'It's disgusting. It's enraged me. Those are years we will never get back and she's gone off to university now,' he said.

Another reason Duncan moved to Gloucestershire was to 'recover' and get his life back on track after being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult saw his mental health decline, but his house worries ruined that for him.

Getting any form of justice for his plight has also been another headache for Duncan.

He contacted the Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman for help and looked into taking it to the small claims courts, but they both cap claims at 10,000.

When he took it to the police, telling them he had 'irrefutable proof of fraud and misselling' in the sector, he was given a host of reasons as to why they couldn't help.

He claims the excuses given were it is a 'civil matter', it's 'too complex', they don't have the resources to take on his case, and they are waiting for more victims to come forward.

Taking things into his own hands yet again, Duncan has now set up a Facebook group for other victims, who post daily about similar experiences and ask advice on pushy installers, and the organisation Nature Society to raise awareness through campaigns.

Many of the people in the group are 'vulnerable', with some even being forced to deal with these issues as they battle cancer and other serious illnesses.

He said: 'I started this about nine weeks ago because there is no advocacy or support for homeowners whatsoever in the ECO4 landscape.

'There is literally no organisation whose remit it is to protect the needs and experiences of homeowners.

'In fact, every single body out there, their remit is to protect installers, not home owners. So, you can imagine what goes on, it's absolutely insane.

A picture taken of the solar air source heat pumps after they were installed shows the careless nature of the fitting

The installer left a substantial hole in the wall of Duncan's home which gave way to a mice infestation

'You quite literally get far more protection when you're buying a fridge-freezer than you do when you're doing something to your home which is so disruptive. They're ripping your life apart, your place of safety.'

Construction expert and owner of London-based building company Tarbook , Sherman Webb, who has 43 years experience in the industry, explained the shortfalls in the ECO4 scheme that have led to thousands needing repairs.

He said: 'The whole system was sales-driven, not survey-driven. Homeowners were offered fully funded works through a government-backed scheme, of course most said yes, why wouldn't they? But the people selling these measures weren't builders or surveyors - they were salesmen.

'When you make major changes to a building envelope, there are key things that must be assessed first: structural soundness, moisture issues, ventilation, damp proof courses, detailing around openings, service penetrations, thermal bridges, and load capacity. These checks are essential, but the sales model bypassed all of that.

'Their goal was to sign up as many properties as possible because they were paid per job, not for doing a proper job. System guarantees were technically required to release funding, but clearly no one was properly checking.

'They'd do a quick survey and say a house could have external insulation, solar panels, or whatever else triggered grant money, even when a competent surveyor would have flagged it as unsuitable.

'A good example is the solar panels on Duncan's visibly uneven or structurally questionable roof; proper professionals wouldn't have touched it. These firms went ahead anyway because it secured the payment.

'The whole thing was wrapped up in the language of Net Zero and helping vulnerable households, which made it look trustworthy. In reality, that gave opportunistic firms cover to exploit both the funding system and homeowners.

'It's a classic sales model dressed up as environmental good. You will always get bad workmanship when everyone involved stands to gain! Independent quality checking is lacking throughout the industry.'

After the watchdog's finding were released, head of the NAO Gareth Davies said it is now the responsibility of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to ensure the businesses at fault repaired 'all affected homes as quickly as possible'.

'It must also reform the system so that this cannot happen again,' he said.
Scores of liberal activists are gathering across the country Saturday for 'No Kings' protests against President Donald Trump and his administration's actions that they view as illegal and subverting American Democracy.

Members of Congress, who have been locked in a bitter battle as the government shutdown careens into its 18th day, are among those both encouraging and ripping the demonstrations.

Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, of New York, posted on X to 'encourage Americans everywhere, Americans who love this country, who care about our democracy, to march peacefully.'

'I say to my fellow citizens: do not let Donald Trump and Republicans intimidate you into silence,' Schumer added. 'That's what they want to do. They're afraid of the truth.'

Republicans like House Speaker Mike Johnson have decried the events, saying they are likely to include 'Hamas supporters' and 'antifa types.'

A 'No Kings' protest scheduled in New York City has dozens of sponsors, including the 'Communist Party USA.'

The description for one of the demonstrations urges attendees to commit 'to nonviolent action.'

'We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events,' organizers noted.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Chicago's Daley Plaza for a 'No Kings' demonstration on June 14

Demonstrators turned out to protest against Trump in Charlotte, North Carolina on June 14

In an interview to air Sunday, President Donald Trump refuted the premise of the protests, telling Fox News', 'I am not a king.'

Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott planned to send National Guard troops and other law enforcement to Austin for its demonstration, earning blowback from Democrats.

'No Kings' events are expected to occur in over 2,600 locations across all 50 states.

The demonstration in Washington, DC, is set to play host to one of the largest crowds, but gatherings in other major liberal cities are sure to be sizable as well.

Organizers of the protests noted that '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, he's attacking millions of Americans who are peacefully coming together to say that America belongs to its people, not to kings,' the group's leaders also noted, according to Axios.

Numerous sources in Washington, DC, told the Daily Mail that they see the impasse lasting beyond Thanksgiving.

The longest government shutdown in history came during Trump's first term and stretched for 35 days between December 2018 and January 2019.

Numerous sources on Capitol Hill told the Daily Mail last week that they foresaw the shutdown stretching past Saturday, predicting that the longer the shutdown lasts, the more Democrats will be blamed for it.

A Los Angeles Police Department officer points a rubber bullet gun at the crowd during a 'No Kings' march in downtown LA on June 14

Marines and National Guard troop at the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles on June 14

'They are putting their own folks at a disadvantage,' one senior Senate Republican aide told the Daily Mail last week.

'If I were the "No Kings" guys, I'd be saying we need to move this [protest] up to, like, [October] 13th or 14th,' the aide added.

The last round of 'No Kings' protests took place on June 14, the day of Trump's military parade in Washington, DC, which also coincided with his 79th birthday.

Some of the demonstrations around the country turned chaotic, including an incident with a man driving into a crowd at a gathering in Culpeper, Virginia.

On the National Mall in Washington, DC, there were only a smattering of critics - some quietly holding signs with others more loudly heckling the president's MAGA fans who gathered for the military parade.
The actress who played William McKenzie's mother on the hit Channel 4 comedy The Inbetweeners has told the Daily Mail she has not yet been approached to return in the much speculated reboot of the show revealed this week.

The beloved show, which followed socially awkward pals Will, Jay, Simon and Neil navigating adolescence through a series of hilarious situations has been off our screens for over 15 years.

But this week, show creators Damon Beesley and Iain Morris delighted viewers by teasing a fourth series might finally be on the cards after their production company Fudge Park, signed a new partnership with TV company Banijay UK.

'Incredibly exciting to be plotting more adventures for our four favourite friends (ooh friends),' the duo hinted in a statement following the deal.

While no more details followed, the statement added that the deal 'unlocks the rights and the potential to bring back for new audiences across a range of platforms including film, TV, and stage'.

Packed with relatable teenage experiences, the three seasons, two follow-on films and two reunion specials, drew in audiences in their millions.

Since it last aired in 2010, with its final movie hitting the silver screen in 2014 and a brief reunion in 2019, viewers have been desperately calling out for more, despite its stars, Simon Bird, Joe Thomas, James Buckley and Blake Harrison now world's away from the age of their teenage characters.

Also much touted to return is actress Belinda Stewart-Wilson, 54, who appeared as Will's 'fit' mother Polly in all three series and both films.

Actress Belinda Stewart-Wilson, 54, who appeared as Will's 'fit' mother Polly in all three series and both films

The Inbetweeners followed [from left to right] Simon (Joe Thomas), Will (Simon Bird), Neil (Blake Harrison) and Jay (James Buckley) as they navigated their way through sixth-form in the late Noughties

The boys were last seen on the big screen in the Inbetweeners Movie 2 - released in 2014

Belinda pictured at the world premiere of The Inbetweeners 2 claims she hasn't been approached to return

But speaking exclusively to the Mail, Belinda revealed that as of yet, no call up has been received.

She explained: 'I can't give you any scoop, because I don't know, I mean I would love to get the call up, I have not had it yet.'

When we last left Polly she was embarking on a new relationship with Will's teacher Phil Gilbert, a monster gruesomely portrayed by Greg Davies in a career breaking role.

According to Belinda, the thought the two are still together is a happy thought.

She continued: 'I would love to find out if their marriage has lasted or maybe she is now single and back on the market.

'I don't know, one of the boys, now they're older, they're men, makes a play for her, or something like that.'

Last year, Joe, who played teen character Simon, revealed that the cast were keen to return to a project together, admitting they'd 'jump at the chance'.

But his co-star Simon, 41, 'poured cold water' on the rumours of an upcoming film saying there was 'no prospect' of his return.

An industry insider even told Daily Mail: 'None of them are really mates and they haven't been for a few years... they are all dads now and moved on with their lives.

'There's as much chance of a comeback for The Beatles.'

It was reported that this led to Emily, 35, being axed from a reunion show Fwends Reunited on Channel 4 in 2019, with James saying: 'It's her or me.'

The popular series ran for three seasons and was followed up by two films

The Channel 4 series, which also starred Emily Atack (pictured) was packed with inappropriate moments and crude jokes

Atack is said to have had a brief fling with Buckley behind the scenes - causing her to be axed from the show's 2019 reunion

Other insiders even suggested that the foursome are embarrassed their juvenile antics on the show may damage their careers, particularly James, who was best known on the series for his crude descriptions of his imagined sexual conquests.

The rumoured bad feeling between Emily Atack, who played the boys' school crush Charlotte, and Buckley, who played foul-mouthed Jay, is said to have come after a behind-the-scenes fling, but the relationship soured.

It has been reported that this led to Atack  being axed from a reunion show Fwends Reunited on Channel 4 in 2019.

Coining an Inbetweeners catchphrase, in which Jay is mocked by the other boys for making a new 'fwend', the show didn't feature Atack because Buckley reportedly told producers: 'It's her or me.'

Sources say the brief romance 'was nothing but a bit of fun' to Atack, who has always played it down to friends and was disappointed to find he may have used his clout to have her dropped from the comeback.

An insider adds: 'She was gutted. She didn't see it as a big deal, it was a bit of fun years ago and they've all moved on, but he clearly harbours some sort of grudge.

'He made it very clear that he wouldn't share a set with her again in any form. It's just yet another issue.'

Sadly for Belinda, if the young cast of the show were engaging in raging parties and carnal relations, it must have happened 'behind my back.'

'Oooh that's interesting, what have you heard?' she asked the Mail when questioned, 'Why didn't they invite me to these parties?'

And if there was a feud betwixt the boys, Belinda didn't see it either and only remembers them being 'decent lads.'

She said: 'They were very young, and they hadn't had much experience, and they were all very boisterous.

'I remember sort of sitting outside on a chair, and they were all in the green room, making each other laugh, and basically being the Inbetweeners!'

The 2019 reunion was the last time the whole cast, including Belinda, were all together again - however it left a sour taste in the mouth of many including the cast.

Buckley claimed he felt like a 'f**king idiot' during it and can't bring himself to watch it back.

The 31-year-old said: 'It became a thing that wasn't a celebration of this good thing I did in my life, it was me being taken the p**s out of for hours on end.

'I didn't have the personality or the intelligence to cope with it, especially when you're up against someone like Jimmy Carr, who's super quick and super funny. So I come across as a complete moron through the whole thing.

'I got caught where I was acting up as Jay because there was an audience there of Inbetweeners fans and I got caught in this spot between Jay and myself where myself was going, 'You're acting like a f**king idiot, you're being a moron, you're being a d**k'. And there was this bit where it was like, 'Well they're all here and they want you to be Jay, so do it.'

'When the audience was there, I didn't want to seem like a stick in the mud.'

'I looked like a moron!' James Buckley has discussed The Inbetweeners reunion once again, chatting on his podcast Completed It, Mate about how he felt like a 'f**king idiot' during it and can't bring himself to watch it back

Didn't go down well: Fans of the show - which was also made into a movie and its sequel - and critics blasted the reunion due to the format of it - with many hoping that it was to be a continuation of The Inbetweeners' story

Happy new year! The Inbetweeners Fwends Reunited 10th anniversary show was slammed by devoted fans following its New Year's Day airing

The Inbetweeners' second series sees Will throw a birthday party at his home for his nearest and dearest, which is also attended by French student Patrice - who Belinda remembers

Fans of the show - which was also made into a movie and its sequel - and critics blasted the reunion due to the format of it - with many hoping that it was to be a continuation of The Inbetweeners' story.

'I didn't want to go, 'Can we stop for a second because I don't know what the f**k's going on here  you're talking to me like I'm Jay from The Inbetweeners. I'm really not',' James went on. 'So that was another one of the reasons why it was a disaster.'

He appeared alongside his co-stars - Joe Thomas, Blake Harrison and Simon Bird - but the fact that they were flummoxed by the format made it seem like they didn't like one another.

'If we hadn't got on, The Inbetweeners wouldn't have worked. I don't ever want people to think those guys aren't my friends,' James added.

Belinda also agreed the show was a waste, saying: 'I did go through that, yeah, I remember I felt really unwell. I had a terrible ear infection and couldn't hear anything, and he asked me a question. And, I think it was quite rude.

'It was a bit of a wasted opportunity, I think, perhaps, but anyway, I mean, it was nice to see all the cast, I have to say I bumped into the actor who played Patrice again. That was fun!'

Patrice the Frenchman is a notorious character from the second series of the show who is portrayed as an aloof sex addict with a particular interest in Polly.

Belinda continued: 'I remember filming that episode, and he was so like Patrice, he was just like it was this brilliant, genius performance.

'He was quite like that in real life as well. Very charming, so charming.'

These days Belinda is focusing on writing and performing her own stories and has a part in an upcoming BBC drama 2026 due out next year.

In the 15-years-since the program last aired, Belinda has raised a son of her own who is happily nothing like Will.

Laughing, she admitted that he must have had it tough in school.

She said: 'It was one of my first jobs after having a baby and it was brilliant.

'It was so fun to do and everything, but you don't imagine it would became this cult thing.

'I had no idea my son would grow up, and it would still be on the television, and that he would be at school and probably get the mickey taken out of him. He has always said he's never, ever watched it but I do think his friends did tease him.

'There was a period of time when I think his friends were watching it, and asked him if he would say hi to me from them - just like in the show!'
Albanian smuggling gangs are using frogmen to retrieve cocaine stashed on the underside of cargo ships - as this new graphic shows.

Traffickers have long been known to hide packages of drugs in container vessels before using smaller boats to bring them to shore.

The use of undersea divers, who require specialist training, is a further sign gangs are refining their techniques to make them even harder to detect.

Six Albanians - five men and a woman - were arrested in the small Norwegian port of Husnes in 2023 after travelling there to meet a cargo ship coming from Brazil.

When the Nordloire arrived, one of the group dived down to retrieve more than 150kg that had been concealed in a water intake vent below the ship's waterline.

Gangs increasingly favour so-called 'parasite' smuggling because it avoids the need to bribe the ship's crew to turn a blind eye.

Instead, a team in South America unscrew a grill over the vessel's 'sea chest' - a recessed compartment where water is pumped for cooling - before slipping a waterproof package inside.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Fitted with Apple AirTags for tracking, the parcel can then be removed in Europe by divers, who are able to swim from more a kilometre away.

Leonardo Landi, an Italian anti-narcotics police chief who helped catch the divers in 2023, said the crew would often have no idea their ship was being used to carry drugs.

'By the time the ship is waiting to enter a port in Europe a team of divers return at night using two to four electric sleds, which allow them to swim from a kilometre away,' he told The Times.

'It's not easy, the ship's propellers may be turning to keep the ship stationary, which is why they get paid up to 300,000 to remove the drugs.'

Mr Landi said gangs using the method were increasingly Albanian - reflecting a broader takeover of Europe's cocaine trade by gangs hailing from the country.

Police credit the Albanian mafia's takeover of Europe's cocaine market with a decision taken decades ago to forge direct links with South American cartels.

By cutting out middlemen, they can secure larger volumes of the drug at a cheaper price.

The Albanians are also said to have forged close links with the Italian 'Ndrangheta, which dominates the cocaine market in mainland Europe, while gaining a reputation for professionalism and reliability.

Last year, a leaked Home Office legal document described Albanian criminal gangs as an 'acute threat' to the UK and 'highly prevalent across serious and organised crime' in Britain  including several murders.

Six Albanians - five men and a woman - were arrested in the small Norwegian port of Husnes in 2023 after heading to receive 150kg worth of cocaine (pictured)

The huge stash of cocaine in the back of a car. The drugs were contained in waterproof parcels

The use of frogmen is far from the first time gangs have used sophisticated methods to carry drugs underwater.

Submersibles dubbed 'narco-subs' have been used for decades to smuggle drugs from South America to the USA, and have more recently appeared in Europe.

The first submarine linked to drug smuggling in Europe was found off the coast of Spain in 2006.

In 2019, police intercepted a 65-foot vessel off the coast of Galicia and found three men onboard.

Astonishingly, it is believed to have sailed across the Atlantic from Colombia - a journey of 4,778 nautical miles.

Peter Walsh, author of Drug War: The Secret History, said it was 'feasible' such vessels - which are usually unnamed - were operating in UK waters too.

'I've not seen evidence of it yet, but it's plausible,' he previously told the Mail

'When gangs use boats to pick up drugs there's always the risk of those onboard being caught. Then you don't only lose your drugs - they could flip on you too.

'That means there would be a double advantage of using unmanned drones for this type of trafficking.'
Treasurer Jim Chalmers' crusade to reform super by taxing unrealised gains didn't die at a press conference, under fire for the poorly drafted new laws. It was strangled by a series of phone calls the Treasurer couldn't control. Here's the inside story.

As industry chiefs pored over the plan to tax unrealised gains, their modelling lit up like a Christmas tree: daily revaluations, liquidity squeezes and member fury when paper profits turned into tax bills before the gains were even realised.

Economists had warned just how bad the new rules would be. Accountants and actuaries had warned about its folly, too. Anyone who understands cashflows also issued warnings.

Chalmers just wouldn't listen. He'd found a moral hill to die on and mistook the echo of his own certainty for applause.

The fact he has no economics qualifications to speak of started to dominate the discussions of those frustrated by his inability to see what was so wrong with his planned changes.

The objections were never ideological - they were mechanical.

Super is built on the difference between movement and money. Balances fluctuate by the hour, portfolios hold assets that are lumpy and illiquid when markets turn. Valuation methods vary. Discount rates are often arguable.

If you tax the rise before it's realised, you force funds to sell at the worst possible moment or promise refunds when prices inevitably fall. An administrative hall of mirrors masquerading as reform.

'Chalmers just wouldn't listen. He'd found a moral hill to die on and mistook the echo of his own certainty for applause,' writes Daily Mail political editor, Peter van Onselen

Somebody had to stop the Treasurer from making a huge mistake.

According to senior Labor figures briefed on the early warnings, internal advice flagged precisely the above risks: a compliance tangle that would push funds into fire sales and generate statements that ordinary members simply wouldn't understand.

Yet the Treasurer ploughed on, even after receiving briefings about the design flaws and their impacts.

But then Big Super, usually Labor's choir, harmonised in a very different key. People in the room say the modelling presented to government left no room for spin. On any serious horizon, taxing volatility as income would make trustees look either incompetent or cruel.

Daily pricing across sprawling portfolios, audit headaches no one could sign off on with a straight face, and a political time bomb when members saw a tax on gains they hadn't even touched.

One industry source put it with brutal clarity: 'You'd be taxing the weather.'

When the custodians of the system you claim to be fixing say your fix will blow up the engine room, a sensible Treasurer trims his sails. Chalmers, however, dug in.

That's when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese began hearing the same message from two directions he doesn't ignore. First, the industry - speaking unusually with one voice - did something governments cannot afford to wave away: make the problem political as well as technical.

'Prime Minister Anthony Albanese began hearing the same message from two directions he doesn't ignore,' Peter van Onselen writes (Albanese pictured with Chalmers)

Second, the new economic grown-ups on the frontbench weighed in. The Assistant Treasurer and the Cabinet Secretary, both with PhDs in economics from Yale and Oxford respectively, spelled out what should have been obvious from the start: you tax what exists, not what might.

Unrealised gains are weather reports; realised gains are real cash. Align liabilities with cashflows, target concessions with thresholds, avoid turning quarterly noise into an ATO scavenger hunt.

As one official present at those discussions told me, the conversation shifted from 'How do we sell this when it comes into effect?' to 'Why are we pretending this can be administered?'

Senior figures confirm that calls from the super funds and the PhD economists' interventions hardened the PM's view against sticking to the policy with its obvious design flaws. The message down the line to colleagues was unmistakable: this won't fly - not like this.

Cabinet fell in behind that reality, leaving the Treasurer isolated. He was informed that he'd lost the argument, despite so rigidly digging his heels in publicly in support of the idea.

And, in a piece of stagecraft as cold as it was effective, Albo slipped off to the South Pacific for a restorative break while his junior lieutenant fronted the cameras with a bundle of euphemisms.

'Tinkering' was his most laughable attempt to downplay the rolling he'd received, as he announced that the entire taxing of unrealised gains was junked and the tax itself left to be imposed would be indexed.

They don't even do that with income taxes. Chalmers was left humiliated by the extent of the backflip forced on him, and he can thank Big Super for turning his cabinet colleagues against him.

The replacement approach is better - much better.

Thresholds that target the most generous concessions. Taxes levied on actual, realised events that produce cash. Anti-avoidance rules that don't turn every valuation jiggle into an administrative migraine. It's less headline-friendly but far more durable. It respects how markets behave and how funds operate, and it won't invite the perverse incentive of selling good assets at bad times just to pay a bill on a paper profit.

Chalmers' problem isn't that he was forced to change course. It's that he refused to acknowledge why it happened in a bid to downplay his own embarrassment.

He didn't relent months ago without prompting because he'd finally absorbed the expert warnings. He only relented because the PM and Cabinet made him. Too stubborn, too proud, too invested in the sermon he'd preached, he stranded himself on an island of rhetoric while the tide of reality receded.

'He's no future PM and this saga proved it,' says one Cabinet colleague - admittedly someone who has had plenty of backroom fights with Chalmers over the years.

According to people familiar with the internal discussions, he was still pressing for cosmetic tweaks when the PM's office had already accepted the fundamental flaws that Big Super pointed out. That says something uncomfortable about the Treasurer's judgement: he liked the crusade more than the craft of getting the policy right.

When Big Super, with all its Labor and union connections, said stop, the government stopped. You can read that as capture if you like. The more generous reading is competence finally asserting itself. Either way, it exposes a hierarchy of influence the Treasurer cannot pretend doesn't exist anymore.

Spare a thought for Treasury officials who spent months attempting to square the circle, contorting models to make the unworkable appear merely unpleasant. They've been undercut without being named, their craft dismissed with a wave.

Spare another thought for compliance teams across the various funds who were expected to make a mirage pay dividends until someone in the big chair admitted they finally needed to get the government to roll over.

What does it say about power and influence at the top of Labor that it wouldn't listen to a conga line of experts from a plethora of respected institutions, until Big Super rolled into town? The Opposition should have a field day with this, if it weren't so hellbent on eating itself.

As for Albo, he will count this as a quiet win. He avoided an all-out brawl with the super industry (not to mention everyone else), kept the party's power base calm, and ensured the embarrassment splashed over the Treasurer rather than onto his own holiday.

Albo will treat this as a quiet win, but outsourcing the humiliation of your number two is a tactic with a half-life, says PVO

Outsourcing the humiliation to your number two is a tactic with a half-life, however. Colleagues noticed and Jim certainly did. This could well reverberate in unexpected ways sometime down the track.

Will Chalmers recover from this embarrassment? Of course. Australian politics forgets almost everything except hypocrisy and hubris. He can come back with technically sound reforms in other areas, perhaps as part of answering growing concerns about the poor state of the finances he oversees. The latest high-profile voices to come out publicly with their concerns are former WA Premier Mark McGowan and current RBA Governor Michele Bullock.

But Chalmers has to stop treating dissent as disloyalty, expertise as an obstacle, and industry warnings as mere self-interest not worth listening to. Sometimes the people closest to the machinery are the first to smell the burning oil.

The original design of Jim's super tax was utterly hopeless. The new approach is a significant improvement.

The retreat should have been inevitable even without the intervention of Big Super, but the embarrassment for the Treasurer should have been optional.
An Afghan TikTokker who threatened to murder Nigel Farage was on the run from police in Sweden over a litany of crimes when he arrived in the UK on a small boat, the Daily Mail can reveal.

Fayaz Husseini, who has an AK-47 tattooed on his face, made a gun gesture with his fingers on camera and boasted he was coming to England to 'pop, pop, pop' the Reform leader - which saw him jailed for five years this week.

Now The Daily Mail has learned that Husseini, 31, was a career criminal who had been in prison multiple times in Sweden when he arrived in Britain on a rigid inflatable dinghy last year.

His terrifying record ranges from sexual abuse of a child to animal cruelty, repeated drugs offences, knife crimes, threatening behaviour, theft and fraud.

Husseini claimed asylum in the UK on the basis that his life was in danger from the Taliban in Afghanistan - when in reality he was fleeing justice in Sweden, where he was wanted for two more offences of carrying a knife and sexually harassing a schoolgirl.

And we have tracked down that teenaged victim and her mother who took pity on Husseini when he was homeless, allowing him to move into their home - only for him to repay them with violent cruelty.

Both women were abused sexually and coercively controlled by the tattooed migrant - as they exclusively reveal here.

And one makes a shocking new allegation against Husseini today: that he once raped her.

Fayaz Husseini, (pictured) made a gun gesture with his fingers on camera and boasted he was coming to England to 'pop, pop, pop' the Reform leader - which saw him jailed for five years this week

Husseini claimed asylum in the UK on the basis that his life was in danger from the Taliban in Afghanistan - when in reality he was fleeing justice in Sweden

His terrifying record ranges from sexual abuse of a child to animal cruelty, repeated drugs offences, knife crimes, threatening behaviour, theft and fraud

We have tracked down that teenaged victim (left) and her mother (right) who took pity on Husseini when he was homeless , allowing him to move into their home - only for him to repay them with violent cruelty

Having fled before his court appearance for molesting that schoolgirl, Linnea Anderson, he was eventually jailed for six months by a court in Stockholm last December - by which time he was in a British prison, awaiting trial for his threats to Mr Farage.

It was the latest in a string of convictions there which The Mail has uncovered and details in full for the first time below.

But first the horrifying story of those two women - a single mother who felt sorry for Husseini when she discovered he was living in a tent, and her schoolgirl daughter who, in trying to help him, she would inadvertently expose to a monster.

This ill-fated meeting came in November 2020 when single mother-of-two Lotta Andersson was scrolling on Snapchat where she met the initially endearing Husseini - only to discover he was living rough in woodland near to her.

A combination of her loneliness and gullibility and her concern for his homelessness plight soon persuaded her to allow him to move into the two bedroom flat in the Lidingo suburb of Stockholm she shared with daughter Linnea, then 15, and her younger brother.

This happened in February 2021 and almost immediately Husseini began to attempt to control both mother and daughter.

Speaking exclusively from her home in Sweden, Mrs Andersson, now 44, recalls that for the first month of living in their home Husseini was 'nice and charming' but then quickly and dramatically changed, or as she put it: 'He turned like he had lost a few brain cells'.

Husseini quickly became controlling and over-bearing, she says: 'He started treating me like a child in my own home, I wasn't allowed to see my friends anymore and he'd tell me when to go to bed, at 9.30pm every night.

Some two months after he had left Sweden, he had his final appearance in their criminal justice system, tried in absentia for having terrified shoppers at a retail park by menacingly waving a knife

In May 2021 he physically assaulted Linnea (pictured) after she defied his attempts to dictate what she was allowed to wear

Speaking exclusively from her home in Sweden, (pictured) Mrs Andersson, now 44, recalls that for the first month of living in their home Husseini was 'nice and charming' but then quickly and dramatically changed

'If I needed cigarettes, he said he'd go because I had to stay in.

'He'd peer over my shoulder when I used to sit on a bench outside my home because he wanted to check if I was messaging anyone. He'd tell me 'if I catch you talking to a man I will kill you'

This controlling tendency wasn't confined to Mrs Anderson but extended to her daughter - and in May that year he physically assaulted Linnea after she defied his attempts to dictate what she was allowed to wear.

Miss Anderson, now 20, recalled: 'I was going to a friend's birthday party but when he saw what I was wearing he told me 'You cannot go out like that'.

'I told him that he couldn't tell me what to do and I went anyway.

'When I came home later with my friend, he came towards me and grabbed both my shoulders, lunged forwards and bit my cheek, causing it to swell up.

'I was very shocked and upset and couldn't understand why he did it. I ran into my room crying.'

But worse was to follow.

Two weeks after that violent assault, Miss Andersson told how Husseini came into her room one morning while her mother was out and began touching her inappropriately.

She said: 'I was lying in bed, I didn't have anything on apart from a night-dress and he sat down on the couch and touched my shoulder and started telling me that he loved me.

'He said he was only with my mum because he wanted to see me but that he didn't want to break my mother's heart.

'He then told me that when my mum took my brother to school in the mornings he would grab my mobile phone that my mum had recently confiscated from me and look at a naked photo I had taken of myself.

'He said he would look at the picture and pleasure himself to it.

'I felt sick, angry and confused. I was only 15 at the time and couldn't believe what he was telling me.

'I told him that I didn't want to be in any relationship with him because he was too old and he was in a relationship with my mother.'

Miss Andersson, who now works in a shop and lives in the countryside two hours north of Stockholm, said his sexual grooming was the final straw, for the then schoolgirl

Two weeks after that violent assault, Miss Andersson (pictured) told how Husseini came into her room one morning while her mother was out and began touching her inappropriately

It was on 12 October 2024 that Husseini posted his now notorious video threatening Farage - and 19 days later, last Halloween, he arrived on the Kent coast to claim asylum in Britain

She told her social worker what happened and was quickly moved to live with her maternal grandfather.

She added: 'It was not a good environment for me to live in. He would bring his friends back and take drugs when I was in my room asleep.

'Sometimes I'd awake to find one of his friends in bed with me and touching me inappropriately. I'd shout at them to get out but Fayaz thought it was funny.

'He even gave me alcohol, cannabis and ecstasy, even though he knew how young I was. I'd be a little afraid to take the drugs but he'd say go on  go on. Try it.' But I used to feel sick from the effects of the drugs.

'It was only when I got to live with my grandfather that I felt safe and protected. I still wake up now and again in a panic and start crying, it's been a nightmare but now I may sleep a little easier.'

If Husseini's sexualised behaviour towards a child was sickening, her mother would be treated as badly or worse.

Mrs Anderson recalls with a shudder: 'On one occasion he raped me.

'And then just said 'Now go to bed, I'm going out.'

In May 2019 Husseini was given a five-month prison term for fraud and the handling of counterfeit money together with making threats to a public official and drug offences

Almost immediately he was released from prison, he was arrested again and in October that year was in court for theft for which he was fined

'Just like that, like it was nothing.

She continues: That was the only time he was physically abusive to me.

'Because I would tell him 'if you hit me, I will hit you back but it might not be straight away'

'He was worried I might get him when he was asleep.'

She eventually kicked him out in September 2021 and last saw him in February 2022.

Mrs Andersson said that throughout their turbulent seven-month relationship Husseini was cheating on her with a younger woman, with whom he had a son.

She continues: 'Fayaz would tell me that he wanted to marry me so he could stay in Sweden. But while he was with me, he was going up north to Umea to see another woman.

'He never admitted he was going to see her, he'd say he was seeing friends, but I knew. But he was so paranoid about me going out and talking to other men that he'd send a chaperone to stay at my house and keep an eye on me.

Husseini  who had entered Britain with a fake surname of Khan and claimed to be 26-years-old  had pleaded guilty to a separate charge of attempting to enter the UK illegally at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday

Giving evidence last week, Mr Farage told the court that he found the clip 'pretty chilling'

'It was an Iraqi guy, a friend of his. He would accompany me everywhere I went.'

As well as the attacks on mother and daughter they also saw and learned of other violence and threats.

Mrs Anderson said that Husseini had once boasted of having threatened a female guard on train he had got into a row with: he told her that he would decapitate then rape her and then urinate on her body.

She also said he got into a fight with that Iraqi friend and held a knife to his throat in front of her and her six-year-old son.

Both women remain traumatised by their contact with him - and were delighted when we informed them that he had been jailed in London.

Miss Anderson said: 'I'm so happy that he is behind bars and out of Sweden. They should throw away the key because he's a monster who deserves to rot in jail.

'I'd hate to see him ever come back here  even if that means that he never serves a second in a Swedish prison for what he did to me.

'I'm too scared that the authorities would let him out too early and that he'd come for me and my mum. Once he's out of jail in England, they should deport him straight back to Afghanistan forever, well away from us.'

The Scandinavian country has been plagued by social division since allowing an unprecedented influx of refugees in recent years - driven by the crimes of characters like Fayez Husseini.

The full extent of Husseini's criminal career is laid bare in Swedish crime reports obtained by the Daily Mail, which demonstrate the shocking danger Husseini poses.

His criminal career there began within weeks of when he is thought to have arrived in Sweden saying his life in Afghanistan had been in danger from the Taliban.

He would not prove a good addition to Swedish society.

In May 2019 Husseini was given a five-month prison term for fraud and the handling of counterfeit money together with making threats to a public official and drug offences.

Almost immediately he was released from prison, he was arrested again and in October that year was in court for theft for which he was fined.

Four months later, in February 2020, he was back in court for further drug offences.

The following October, 2021, he was sentenced to a further three months in prison for making unlawful threats and drug offences.

In 2022, he demonstrated just how vile he could be: he livestreamed on TikTok himself beating and kicking a pet dog he had acquired. Concerned viewers notified police who swooped ito rescue the poor animal, named Dexter.

Remarkably, despite this police involvement, Husseini doesn't appear to have ever been charged over this animal abuse.

But he was soon back in court on other matters: in March 2023 he was sentenced to two months for drug offences.

Husseini  who smoked cannabis and took ecstasy regularly  continued with his habit following his release and was fined once more for drug offences last March.

It was on 12 October 2024 that Husseini posted his now notorious video threatening Farage - and 19 days later, last Halloween, he arrived on the Kent coast to claim asylum in Britain.

Some two months after he had left Sweden, he had his final appearance in their criminal justice system, tried in absentia for having terrified shoppers at a retail park by menacingly waving a knife.

For that sentence, the Swedish court also considered an earlier offence which Husseini had committed in May 2021 when he made sexual advances towards Linnea.

He was given a six month sentence for both which he will serve if he ever returns to Sweden - something the authorities there will no doubt hope never comes to pass.

Husseini  who had entered Britain with a fake surname of Khan and claimed to be 26-years-old  had pleaded guilty to a separate charge of attempting to enter the UK illegally at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday.

As he was led down to the cells, he let loose a furious, foul-mouthed tirade accusing Mr Farage of initiating proceedings against him because 'you want to be Prime Minister.'

In 2022, he demonstrated just how vile he could be: he livestreamed on TikTok himself beating and kicking a pet dog (pictured) he had acquired

He continued: 'Just because you want to do that you want to f*** my life, you want to put me in prison.'

There remain questions as to his real identity: as well as that alias Khan, Husseini also used the name Raess Maffia on TikTok while also giving conflicting dates of birth believed to be so that he could appear younger and more vulnerable.

Outside court, Mr Farage welcomed the sentence but said he was 'deeply, deeply concerned' that Husseini would be 'out in 18 months' adding: 'This violent criminal... 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 being judged.

'And the only reason we know about this guy is because someone sent me it on TikTok and it makes me wonder how many other madapasas are there now in this country or will there be as the boats continue to cross the Channel.'

During his trial, it was revealed that Husseini's TikTok rant - which had hundreds of thousands of views - was posted in response to a video Mr Farage had uploaded to YouTube titled 'the journey of an illegal migrant', which highlighted Husseini and referenced 'young males of fighting age coming into our country about whom we know very little'.

Husseini made the video before embarking for the UK and was heard saying: 'Englishman Nigel, don't talk s*** about me.

'You not know me. I come to England because I want to marry with your sister. You not know me.

'Don't talk about me more. Delete the video. I'm coming to England. I'm going to pop, pop, pop.'

In order to emphasise the point and to show he was not joking, Husseini headbutted the camera during the video and pointed to the AK-47 tattoo on his face

Giving evidence last week, Mr Farage told the court that he found the clip 'pretty chilling', adding: 'Given his proximity to guns and love of guns, I was genuinely worried.'

Pictured: One of the homes Husseini was understood to be living in. The full extent of Husseini's criminal career is laid bare in Swedish crime reports obtained by the Daily Mail, which demonstrate the shocking danger Husseini poses

Pictured: One of the homes Husseini was understood to be living in. Husseini smoked cannabis and took ecstasy regularly

Pictured: One of the homes Husseini was understood to be living in. Outside court, Mr Farage welcomed the sentence but said he was 'deeply, deeply concerned' that Husseini would be 'out in 18 months'

And speaking after being told of Husseini's extensive criminal record, Mr Farage said: 'It all goes to show that I was right to highlight his case. How many more Fayaz Husseinis do we have walking around at the moment?

'My concern is that in 18 months time he will be set free and able to go and live in a hotel. I would like to hear from the Government as to whether this will be the case. I think I deserve that.

'He himself asked to go back to Afghanistan, why can't we deport him? The Germans are by the plane-load so why can't we?

'I would put him on a plane tomorrow frankly before he assaults a British prison guard.'

Evidence from Sweden suggests Mr Farage was right to be worried.
Washington DC and hundreds of other US cities were on edge on Saturday as millions of protesters prepared to hit the streets for a wave of anti-Trump rallies  just as fresh revelations linked billionaire donor George Soros to the movement's funding.

The so-called 'No Kings' protests are being staged to denounce the government shutdown, President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, and what opponents call his increasingly authoritarian tendencies.

But as protests kick off, reports that Soros has quietly bankrolled key organizers for years have sent shockwaves through Washington  and set the stage for a political collision between the Trump administration and the nonprofit world.

At the center of the storm is the Open Society Foundations (OSF), Soros's $32 billion philanthropic juggernaut.

Records show that OSF has funneled $7.6 million in grants to Indivisible, one of three major progressive coalitions behind No Kings. They make up a sizable chunk of the group's roughly $12 million revenue each year.

The donations, including a $3 million grant in 2023, were issued through the Open Society Action Fund 'to support the grantee's social welfare activities,' disclosures show.

Matthew Palumbo, author of a forthcoming book about Soros' son and successor, Alex, told the Daily Mail that Soros funds were still flowing to questionable causes.

'In total, the OSF has awarded nearly $8 million to the Indivisible Project from 2017-2023,' Palumbo said.

Liberal megadonor George Soros (front) and his son and heir Alex (behind) are the wallet behind this weekend's massive protests

Soros has quietly funnelled millions into one of the groups behind this weekend's massive No Kings protests

'Despite Alex trying to portray himself as a moderate face, he clearly has no problem associating with a protest whose other sponsors include the Democratic Socialists of America, among other radical groups.'

Soros, 95, has long been a lightning rod for conservative anger. But these revelations  linking his empire to a protest movement challenging the president directly  have drawn fresh scrutiny from Trump allies and prosecutors alike.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz sounded the alarm this week, declaring: 'There's considerable evidence that George Soros and his network are behind funding these rallies, which may well be riots all across the country.'

Organizers say more than 2,600 protests are scheduled to take place across the country  from New York to San Diego  in what they're calling No Kings Day.

They hope to build on the momentum of their previous day of action on June 14, when around 2,000 rallies were held in all 50 states and drew more than five million people.

That earlier protest coincided with a military parade in Washington marking the Army's 250th anniversary  and President Trump's 79th birthday. They were largely peaceful.

This time, the marches are unfolding against a grimmer backdrop: a government shutdown, sweeping immigration raids, and the deployment of federal troops in several cities.

Activists say the mood feels angrier  and the turnout could be even larger.

Hunter Dunn, a spokesman for the No Kings coalition, told the New York Times that twice as many people had signed up to protest and that many more were expected to turn out.

The No Kings protests in June were largely peaceful, with some instances of rowdiness and police using tear gas

Residents of Portland say the area has turned into a war zone after months of protests against Trump's immigration crackdown

'We are uniting to demand that our representatives take a stand against Trump's executive overreach to limit his power and to help us eventually remove the regime and restore democracy before it is too late,' Dunn said.

More than 200 national organizations and thousands of local groups are listed as part of the No Kings coalition  including the Service Employees International Union, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the American Federation of Teachers.

But much of the organizing muscle comes from Indivisible, MoveOn, and 50501. The groups are funded through a mix of small-dollar donations, grants from foundations, large gifts, and the work of grassroots community fundraisers.

Indivisible, co-founded by activists who opposed Trump's 2016 rise, has deep ties to Washington's liberal elite. One of its co-executive directors, Leah Greenberg, reportedly has close ties to Tom Perriello, a former executive director of Soros's OSF.

The movement's chosen name  'No Kings'  is a jab at what activists describe as Trump's 'monarchic' ambitions, drawing comparisons between the president and King George III, the ruler the American colonies rebelled against.

Indivisible did not answer the Daily Mail's requests for comment.

An OSF spokesman said the group funded a 'wide range of independent organizations that work to deepen civic engagement through peaceful democratic participation, a hallmark of any vibrant society and a right protected by the Constitution.'

He added: 'Our grantees make their own decisions about their work, consistent with the law and the terms of their grant agreements.'

The OSF has previously said that it funds only 'peaceful and lawful' groups and that it 'unequivocally condemns terrorism.'

Soros, who fled Nazi-occupied Hungary before becoming one of the world's richest financiers, has spent decades funding liberal and pro-democracy causes around the globe.

His supporters argue that his philanthropy has strengthened civil rights, education, and government transparency.

But to his critics, the billionaire's vast fortune has become a vehicle for manipulating politics and undermining elected governments  particularly those that stand in the way of his progressive vision.

A human banner at Ocean Beach during the No Kings protests in San Francisco in June

Police fired less-than-lethal munitions at rowdy No Kings protestors in Los Angeles in June

Texas Senator Ted Cruz described 'considerable evidence' of Soros money behind the protests

The revelations of Soros money fueling the protest machine come at a delicate moment for the billionaire's philanthropic empire.

The Justice Department last month launched a probe into OSF, examining claims that its vast web of grants has crossed legal lines into racketeering, wire fraud, and material support for terrorism.

According to insiders, DOJ official Aakash Singh has ordered at least six US attorneys to explore possible criminal charges against the Soros network  including arson and terror finance.

The move follows a bombshell 90-page dossier from the Capital Research Center (CRC), a conservative watchdog group, which alleges that Soros's foundation has poured more than $80 million into organizations tied to extremist or violent activity.

Among the groups named in the CRC report:

The Center for Third World Organizing and its partner The Ruckus Society, which allegedly trained activists in sabotage tactics during the 2020 George Floyd riots.

The Sunrise Movement, which endorsed the Antifa-linked 'Stop Cop City' campaign in Atlanta  where dozens of activists now face terrorism and racketeering charges.

The Movement for Black Lives, which reportedly received $18 million in OSF support, and whose members have shown sympathy for Hamas.

Al-Haq, a Palestinian rights group that critics accuse of ties to terrorists  charges it firmly denies.

CRC researcher Ryan Mauro told the Daily Mail that officials in the Soros network could face prosecution.

'A decision has been made by Soros' group to continue financing organizations linked to foreign terrorist groups and domestic terrorism, even though people know about it,' Mauro said.

He warned that such behavior 'crosses a line.'

'If I give an organization or individuals money to engage in crime, I am complicit,' he said.

'Some of these groups are so blatantly engaged in criminal activity that it does step over the line from opinion into actual conspiracy.'

George Soros and his son are both among the top prolific fundraisers for the Democratic Party. Alex was named heir to his father's $25billion empire

Soros money flowed to the Antifa-linked 'Stop cop city' protests that saw buildings vandalized and Atlanta police vehicles set ablaze, Mauro said

The protests take aim at what No Kings demonstrators describe as Trump's authoritarian tendencies

The political temperature has already been running high.

Since the September 10 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah  reportedly by a lone gunman with left-wing sympathies  the Trump administration has redoubled its focus on what it calls 'violent leftist extremism.'

Federal officials have stepped up investigations into Antifa and other far-left networks. The White House has also backed new legislation to hold financiers of violent protest movements accountable.

Cruz and other conservatives say the latest Soros revelations underscore the need for such laws.

At the same time, critics of the crackdown warn that the administration is blurring the line between peaceful dissent and criminal conduct.

In the US, individuals have the constitutional right to protest and to fund causes they believe in, protected under the First Amendment  but those rights end where violence begins, and it is illegal to incite or support violent acts.

That legal distinction may prove pivotal in determining whether Soros's network  and the nonprofits it funds  are engaging in legitimate political activity or crossing into prohibited territory.
Jennifer Aniston's obsessed and 'delusional' stalker has been sent for mental health treatment after a terrifying campaign of harassment.

The instances include an avalanche of sickening text messages, which only ended after he smashed his car into the gate of her Bel-Air mansion.

On October 3 and 15, Aniston's attorney revealed in court for the first time that she is still living in fear of Jimmy Wayne Carwyle, 49, who threatened to rape her.

He sent texts to Aniston and her associates, managers and others in her circle, claiming she was his wife and saying he wanted to impregnate her with three of his children.

In another ominous message, he wrote: 'I'll rip your head off and sh*t down your throat.'

Jennifer Aniston (pictured) was the victim of intense stalking, which culminated in May when her stalker crashed into the front gate of her Bel-Air home

Pictured: Jimmy Wayne Carwyle, Aniston's stalker

Bespectacled and unshaven, Carwyle appeared before Los Angeles Superior Court in Hollywood on Wednesday wearing yellow prison garb to hear his fate from Judge Maria Cavalluzzi.

He was charged with felony stalking and felony vandalism - with the aggravating circumstance of the threat of great bodily harm - following the terrifying May 5 event. Aniston was only feet away inside her luxury hilltop home when the crash occurred. The home is protected by 24-hour security.

Carwyle was wrestled to the ground by guards immediately after the incident.

Prosecutors accused him of repeatedly harassing his victim from March 1, 2023 with unwanted social media, voicemail and email messages.

Carwyle, who has a history of methamphetamine and alcohol abuse, had driven from his home in New Albany, Mississippi, and had previously attempted to get to his intended victim several times before being apprehended.

Shackled with his wrists behind his back, he had been deemed mentally unfit to stand trial by experts. He faces up to three years in state prison if convicted as charged.

A report by the LA County Probation Department - filed in the months after Carwyle's arrest and while his case was being assessed - determined he was 'not a substantial danger' and recommended he serve 90 days in county jail if found guilty at trial, meaning he would have been released with time served.

Carwyle stood inside a glass enclosure in the courtroom as he was ordered by Judge Cavalluzzi to enter a two-year mental health community treatment center in Los Angeles.

He must also wear an ankle monitor with GPS tracking, remain at least one mile away from Aniston's residence, and stay away from the actress and her associates.

But Deputy District Attorney William Donovan and Aniston's attorney Blair Berk expressed concern that Carwyle would be able to escape from the unlocked facility and continue to target her.

In an earlier written motion, Donovan suggested there is a potential future threat to Aniston from Carwyle, stating 'harm done to the victim isn't physical yet' and that he will 'undoubtedly make attempts to go back to her home.'

Public Defender Robert Krauss called Donovan's claim 'all guess work,' noting his client does not have any previous, serious criminal convictions.

'[Aniston's] fear is not the issue,' Krauss said in court. 'His actions and his illness are the issue. Alleged fear is not evidence.'

Still, Donovan said in court that Carwyle should be locked up in a state hospital.

He argued that Carwyle had a 'long history of having stalked the victim,' and said that 'very likely, it would have gone a lot further.'

Donovan added that Carwyle has 'made his intent clear in what he wants to do. The dangerous risk comes from Mr Carwyle and his obsession with the victim.

'[Carwyle is] still holding on to this very fixed delusion that he needs to be with the victim.'

As recently as August 5, Carwyle was wanting to stay 'in California to see his wife the victim,' Donovan said in court.

He continued, adding that Carwyle maintains a 'persistent delusion' and requires 'aggressive reality testing.' Donovan said Carwyle will 'continue to be a danger' and that 'there's nothing stopping him walking out and leaving [the facility] on his own accord.

Judge Cavalluzzi called Carwyle's messages to Aniston 'very, very concerning' and 'frightening.'

Carwyle had four hunting permits for firearms use with him when he was arrested.

Carwyle was sending messages to Aniston and her associates that showed he thought she was his wife

Carwyle (pictured) threatened to rape and impregnate Aniston

Carwyle's ex-wife said he didn't used to be as delusional about his obsessed with Aniston as he had become. Pictured: Carwyle hunting a turkey

Unearthed social media posts described a disturbing desire to marry Aniston from an account with the suspect's name (pictured)

Berk also spoke to the court on behalf of Aniston, saying her client has a 'right to be reasonably protected' from Carwyle.

'Mr Carwyle traveled thousands of miles after sending messages to Ms Aniston and her representatives - not just to make contact but to commit wrongs against her, sexual violence against her,' Berk said.

She added that he had made it clear 'he was coming for her.'

Berk noted that Carwyle had said 'he loved her and 'We want to rape each other.'

'She is in reasonable fear of Mr Carwyle attempting to harm her.

'Mr Carwyle has demonstrated he knows where Ms Aniston resides and is willing to take physical steps to carry out his wishes.'

Berk said he was 'persistent in his delusion and violently drove his vehicle through her gate. He came very close to harming or killing others.

'It is absolutely clear that his attention was to get with her.'

She echoed Donovan's concern about Carwyle going 'AWOL' from the community treatment center with 'no one there to stop him from traveling those few miles' to Aniston's home.

Berk declined the Daily Mail's request for comment after Wednesday's hearing.

In an earlier hearing, Carwyle said the anti-psychotic medications prescribed by psychiatrists are 'keeping me focused,' adding that he 'wasn't right in the head' at the time of the incident.

When asked by Judge Cavalluzzi if he was 'feeling better' Carwyle said, 'Yes, I am.'

When asked about his obsession with Aniston, he said, 'That's in the past. She's herself and I'm here.'

The judge acknowledged the stalking had caused a 'lot of concern' to Aniston and that she suffered 'emotional harm.'

'I have no doubt Ms Aniston is in fear in this situation,' she said. 'I can't imagine the fear she felt when someone came barrelling through her gate and nearly got to her.'

But she said Carwyle 'doesn't pose a reasonable risk of danger' if he complies with the program.

'You're not going to leave the program without permission?' the judge asked Carwyle.

He said, 'No, ma'am.'

Carwyle has been taking psychotropic drugs orally since May while in custody.

Pictured: Aniston's Bel-Air mansion that was vandalized by Carwyle when he crashed into the gate

Dr Tracy Ogendele, a psychologist involved with his case, said he has 'been doing great.'

'We will continue working on his delusions and reality testing,' she told the court. 'He understands he cannot go back to the victim's house.

'Right now, he is stable. He is medication compliant. I don't think it's necessary to send him to a locked facility.'

When asked by Berk why the mental health team treating Carwyle had not yet probed him in detail about his obsession with Aniston, Ogendele said, 'We're not going to open Pandora's box.'

His estranged wife, Julia Carwyle, 48, exclusively told the Daily Mail in May, a few days after his arrest, that 'He believes he was Jesus Christ and that she was supposed to be his queen.'

'His mentality is nothing like it used to be,' she said at the time. 'Something has triggered him. I don't know if he's having a midlife crisis or what [or if something] manifested that we're all not aware of.

'It's something that's between him and his maker. Mental illness is real. It does not discriminate. He's going through a lot right now.'
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On October 17, Stellantis and Chinese autonomous driving technology provider Pony.ai announced the signing of a non-binding memorandum of understanding to accelerate the development and deployment of autonomous vehicle solutions across Europe.

The collaboration, centered around Pony.ai's European headquarters in Luxembourg, will integrate Pony.ai's advanced autonomous driving software with Stellantis' K0 electric mid-sized van AV-Ready platform, aiming to deliver safe, scalable, and efficient urban mobility solutions.

Photo credit: Stellantis

In the coming months, the partners plan to deploy test vehicles based on the Peugeot e-Traveller model in Luxembourg, with wider rollouts across European cities expected to begin in 2026. These real-world tests will focus on validating safety, performance, and regulatory readiness under actual driving conditions.

Initially, the partnership will focus on the light-duty commercial vehicle (LCV) segmentan area where Stellantis holds a leading position in Europe through its Pro One business unit.

Stellantis' broad portfolio of LCVs provides a versatile foundation for scaling autonomous applications across diverse European transport environments. The range' s variety in size, flexibility, total cost of ownership, and efficiency makes it ideally suited for autonomous deploymentfrom compact delivery vehicles to passenger vans capable of seating up to eight people.

Stellantis' AV-Ready platform is an advanced foundation designed to support SAE Level 4 autonomous driving through technology upgrades such as system redundancy and compatibility with advanced sensor suites. These capabilities enable the seamless integration of a full autonomous software stack, ensuring top-tier safety and reliability for hands-free and eyes-off driving scenarios.

While the current partnership focuses on light commercial vehicles, it also lays the groundwork for broader applications in autonomous logistics and passenger transport in the future.
Comedians James Acaster and Nish Kumar have been branded nimbies after they helped raise money to block a huge housing development in Peckham.

Mr Acaster and Mr Kumar have faced criticism for their opposition to the project with James Yucel, Director of the pro-house building Tory group Conservative YIMBY, describing the comedians as 'champagne socialists railing against "gentrification" while opposing new homes'.

The plans, submitted by Berkeley Homes, would see 867 homes built on the site of the Aylesham shopping centre and market.

However, the project has proven controversial after they lowered the proportion of affordable houses from 35 per cent to 12 per cent last December.

Their actions have sparked anger among residents who claim the developer is targeting those seeking to buy apartments as second homes or investment opportunities rather than providing affordable accommodation.

The bad blood between both sides was made worse in May when the developers announced they would be bypassing Southwark Council - who they claimed had been too slow to consider the scheme - and instead Berkeley are to take the case straight to the government's Planning Inspectorate for approval.

To fight this development, a campaign has been organised to raise money to mount a legal challenge at the Planning Inspectorate hearing, scheduled to take place later this month.

So far the Aylesham Community Action has raised more than 46,000 and has the support of local councillors and the local mps as well celebrities such as James Acaster and Nish Kumar - who both performed at a comedy show in support of the cause.

Comedian Nish Kumar (pictured) has faced backlash for his opposition to a massive housing project

Comedian James Acaster (pictured) performed at a comedy show in support of the campaign to stop the housing project

A CGI image of the proposed redevelopment of Aylesham shopping centre in Peckham. The plans, submitted by Berkeley Homes, would see 867 homes built. But the project has proven controversial after they lowered the proportion of affordable houses from 35 per cent to 12 per cent last December

Since their role in the campaign were revealed this week, the pair have been widely ridiculed on X, formerly Twitter.

One user said: 'They're blocking 900 homes from being built because the developer changed their plans from 315 affordable to 108 affordable.

'I have to ask, how many affordable homes does the shopping arcade have?'

Another former resident of Peckham said: 'As someone who had to leave Peckham because it was too unaffordable, I find opposition to the redevelopment of the Ayelsham centre incredibly frustrating.'

Tory MP Neil O'Brien wrote: 'Build Houses? On brownfield land? In Europe's largest city? Wild idea.'

Kane Emerson, head of housing research at the YIMBY Alliance also waded into the debate.

He wrote: 'You can't be progressive and hate people! Rich celebs opposing new homes being built on a car park. Deeply unpleasant. People need homes.'

Speaking to the Daily Mail Mr Yucel echoed Mr Emerson's sentiment.

Mr Acaster and Mr Kumar have been ridiculed online for their stance

He said: 'This is classic NIMBYism dressed up as activism. Acaster and Kumar are champagne socialists railing against 'gentrification' while opposing new homes in one of the most unaffordable areas of the country.

'They claim to care about the housing crisis, but only as long as the new homes aren't near their favourite artisan coffee shop. It's hypocritical, anti-working-class, and utterly regressive.'

Peckham, an inner city area of south London, has been at the forefront of the UK's housing crisis for years now with over 16,000 people on a waiting list for social housing and the average home selling for a whopping 800,000.

Mr Yucel voiced his support for Berkeley decision to go straight to the Government for approval and claimed the council has 'turned planning into political theatre'.

'Good on Berkeley. Councils like Southwark have turned planning into political theatre, he said.

'All process, no homes. If a local authority blocks well-designed, policy-compliant schemes, then developers should absolutely be able to go straight to the government. We'd go further: a Builder's Remedy to give automatic approval when councils drag their feet.'

He added: 'Conservative YIMBY backs bold reform: scrap late-stage reviews that punish ambition; reward density and quality with faster approval; legalise mansion blocks; abolish Article 4s; and unlock the so-called 'grey belt' for new homes. Britain needs builders, not barricades.'

Helen Dennis, Southwark Council's cabinet member for housing previously said: 'We want to create a Southwark that is for everyone, not just the privileged. That's why we've delivered 3,000 new council homes in Southwark, either finished or under construction, and last year more genuinely affordable homes were completed in Southwark than any other London borough.

'We have a responsibility to deliver affordable housing to the people of our borough. We are driven by the huge impact that the housing crisis is having on our borough, with over 20,000 households on our housing waiting list and 4,000 households in temporary accommodation.

'In the face of this, it is vital that the council does all it can to secure as many social rent homes as possible through the planning process.

'Our target proportion for affordable homes in any new development is 35 per cent and we fight to uphold and meet, and where possible exceed this target, working with developers to do so. In the adjusted proposal from Berkeley Homes for the Aylesham site, the low proportion of affordable housing and uncertainty about the delivery of Community Land Trust homes do not justify the development and impact on the heritage of the Rye Lane Peckham Conservation Area.

'The new plan also contradicts stipulations around design, character, conservation and heritage of the National Planning Policy Framework. Southwark Council therefore does not support the proposal from Berkeley in its current form and the council is preparing to defend its position robustly at the planning inquiry.'

A spokesperson for Aylesham Community Action said: 'Berkeley's development includes more than 800 luxury apartments but only 50 for social rent, which means barely any local people will be able to afford to live there.

'That is why we are opposing it. There are luxury apartment developments like this all over London and they haven't helped the housing crisis, they've made it worse.

'We are proud that James Acaster and Nish Kumar have joined with many others to give their time and energy to all our fundraising events. The 42,000 we have raised from nearly 500 donations, in not much more than a month, shows the strength of opposition against Berkeleys proposals.

'We are determined to get a development on the Aylesham that meets the housing needs of Peckham, not one catering just to those who have enough money or are looking for second homes.'
The man accused of abandoning his dog before Hurricane Milton ravaged Florida has been cleared of wrongdoing.

Giovanny Aldama Garcia, 24, had been charged with aggravated animal cruelty after allegedly admitting to leaving his dog as he evacuated to safety during Hurricane Milton last year, according to the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office.

However, those charges were dropped Friday after prosecutors said they were unable to prove Garcia had actually abandoned his dog or placed him in a dangerous situation.

A memo said the dog had gotten stuck to a fence through its collar, rather than left there 'in an intentional manner.'

Prosecutors added: 'Other than the defendant and his mother, there are no witnesses to the initial events that led to the dog being alone on the side of the highway.'

Garcia and his mother said the dog had become 'stressed and aggressive' during the Hurricane Milton evacuation and had 'jumped out' of a car.

Body camera footage from a Florida Highway Patrol officer captured the bull terrier alone on Interstate 75, with floodwaters almost reaching the animal's trunk.

The dog started growling and barking as the officer cautiously approached.

Giovanny Aldama Garcia, 24, had been charged with aggravated animal cruelty

Garcia said his dog had become 'stressed and aggressive' while evacuating and had 'jumped out' of his car

'It's okay, it's okay, it's okay,' the trooper said.

'I don't blame you.'

Garcia told police that he was driving to Georgia to escape the hurricane, but abandoned his dog on the side of the highway when he could not find anyone to pick his pet up.

The officer who found the dog was later identified as Orlando Morales, who got a tip from a driver about the pet on the side of the road and 'diligently searched' until spotting the dog.

The Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office said the dog was originally named Jumbo, but his name was changed to Trooper.

'The dog is safe and will not be returned to the defendant,' they added.

Suzy Lopez, the Hillsborough County State Attorney, said Garcia faced up to five years in prison.

She added: 'Quite frankly, I don't think that is enough. Hopefully, lawmakers take a look at this case and discuss changing the law to allow for harsher penalties for people who abandon their animals during a state of emergency.'

Florida Highway Patrol officer Orlando Morales found the bull terrier abandoned on Interstate 75

While thanking Morales (left), Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez (right) said five years in prison might not be 'enough' for Garcia

The dog, whose name was changed to Trooper, was rescued and in full health

The abandoned dog resulted in new legislation in the state of Florida, as the state's governor Ron DeSantis signed the Trooper's Law animal rights bill into law this May.

The bill made it a third-degree felony to restrain and abandon a dog outdoors during a natural disaster or an evacuation order. Offenders face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The law went into effect October 1.

DeSantis had previously weighed in on the dog's abandonment.

The Florida governor posted on X last October: 'It is cruel for anyone to leave a dog tied to a post in the middle of an oncoming storm.

'[Florida] will hold anyone who mistreats pets accountable.'

Garcia's abandoned bull terrier was later adopted by Frank and Carla Spina, who live in Parkland, Florida.

The Leon County Humane Society posted on Facebook: 'Trooper has been adopted! From the moment he was introduced to his new Mom and Dad, you could see that it was a perfect match.

'In other meetings, Trooper would normally be visibly on edge and uncomfortable, but with Frank and Carla, Trooper seemed immediately at ease.'

Ron DeSantis signed the Trooper's Law animal rights bill into law this May. It went into effect October 1

The dog was later adopted by Frank and Carla Spina

Frank Spina (left) blasted the decision to clear Garcia of any wrongdoing

Frank Spina told Good Morning America that he and his wife 'knew immediately' that they had to 'go get' Trooper.

He added: '[Carla] also included a multi-page letter, and the letter really detailed our extensive experience with this specific breed back to 1992.

'We have 33 years of experience just with bull terriers, so that, I think, piqued their interest. It made us stand out.'

On Facebook, Spina lambasted the decision to absolve Garcia.

He wrote: 'As a criminal trial attorney with 37 years experience in 3 States, it's just another example of politics over victim rights.

Troopers case [sic] is a national story and the fear of losing it on a national stage, and its political fallout, was enough to throw Trooper under the bus.

'Once again, politics over people, politics over victims.'

He added: 'Maybe one day our elected officials will put us citizens and victims first without regard to their own selfish political aspirations but I doubt it.'

The Daily Mail reached out to the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office after-hours for further comment.
The White House descended into a playground-style spat on Friday after reporters questioned President Donald Trump's decision to hold his next meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest.

When HuffPost correspondent S.V. Date reached out for comment about why the White House chose to hold the the high-stakes summit in Budapest, a city loaded with symbolic baggage from the early days of Ukraine's independence.

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt fired back with three words that sounded more like a schoolyard taunt than a diplomatic statement: 'Your mom did.'

Moments later, White House communications director Steven Cheung added a second, even shorter response: 'Your mom.'

The exchange, confirmed by HuffPost and later reposted across social media, sparked instant backlash - even among some conservatives - for the sheer immaturity of the administration's response.

The question itself was not exactly provocative and simply asked why Trump had selected the Hungarian capital, the very site of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, for a meeting with Putin.

That agreement, in which Ukraine gave up its inherited nuclear arsenal in exchange for Russia's promise to respect its borders, was shattered when Putin invaded Crimea in 2014 and then launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Trump announced on Thursday on Truth Social that he and Putin would meet soon 'to see if we can bring this inglorious war between Russia and Ukraine to an end.'

The White House descended into a playground-style spat on Friday when press secretary Karoline Leavitt fired back with two words that sounded more like a schoolyard taunt

Leavitt was responding to a question from HuffPost as to why Trump had selected the Hungarian capital, the very site of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, for a meeting with Putin

The president wrote that he had just concluded a 'very productive' phone conversation with Putin, who according to Trump, congratulated him on his 'Great Accomplishment of Peace in the Middle East.'

'President Putin congratulated me and the United States on the Great Accomplishment of Peace in the Middle East... I actually believe that the Success in the Middle East will help in our negotiation in attaining an end to the War with Russia/Ukraine,' Trump said in his post.

He went on to reveal that both sides had agreed to send 'high-level advisors' with US meetings led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio ahead of the main summit, which would take place in Budapest 'to be determined' in the coming weeks.

The choice of Budapest immediately raised eyebrows across the diplomatic world, not just because of the city's history but also because of Hungary's authoritarian drift under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, one of Putin's closest allies in Europe and a vocal supporter of Trump's return to power.

On Friday, Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.

During their meeting, Trump signaled that he was leaning against selling Kyiv long-range Tomahawk missiles, even as he called for an end to the war.

'I have an obligation also to make sure that we're completely stocked up as a country, because you never know what's going to happen in war and peace,' Trump told reporters.

'We'd much rather have them not need Tomahawks. We'd much rather have the war be over, to be honest.'

White House communications director Steven Cheung, pictured left, also responded with an even shorter response

President Donald Trump, alongside White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt earlier this year

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters after meeting Trump that it was time for a ceasefire and negotiations, but stopped short of embracing Trump's call for an immediate end to the war

'Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by War and Guts,' Trump said in a Truth Social post. 'They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide!'

Zelensky told reporters after the meeting it was time for a ceasefire and negotiations, but appeared to stop short of embracing Trump's call for an immediate end to the war.

'The president is right we have to stop where we are, and then to speak,' Zelensky said.
Lawyers for accused killer Luigi Mangione are taking direct aim at President Donald Trump, accusing him of using their client as 'political ammunition' and wrongly linking him to Antifa.

In a court filing submitted Friday in New York federal court, Mangione's defense team asked a judge to dismiss the federal indictment - or at least the government's intent to seek the death penalty - arguing that comments from Trump, the Department of Justice, and the White House have irreparably prejudiced the case.

Mangione, 27, faces two federal counts of stalking, one count of murder through the use of a firearm, and one firearms offense in connection with the December 2024 shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, in midtown Manhattan.

Prosecutors allege Mangione was the masked man seen on surveillance video firing the fatal shot.

In their filing, the defense accused Trump of repeatedly intervening in the case, pointing to a series of public comments and official actions they say connected Mangione to Antifa.

The lawyers cited Trump's September 25 proclamation, 'Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence,' which referenced 'the assassination of a senior healthcare executive' as part of a trend of politically motivated violence influenced by Antifa.

Lawyers for accused killer Luigi Mangione (pictured) are taking direct aim at President Donald Trump, accusing him of using their client as 'political ammunition' and wrongly linking him to Antifa

In a court filing submitted Friday, Mangione's defense team asked a judge to dismiss the federal indictment arguing that comments from Trump have irreparably prejudiced the case

The proclamation did not name Mangione, but the defense argues it clearly referred to their client.

'Mr. Mangione is one young man, alleged to have acted alone, fighting for his life in three separate cases, against the full force and might of the entirety of the United States Government that is actively and persistently using him as a pawn to further its political agenda,' the lawyers wrote.

'This is the very definition of prejudicial where the consequence is death.'

The filing also cited a September 18 Fox News interview in which Trump said Mangione 'shot someone in the back' and called the act 'a sickness.'

The next day, the White House-affiliated X account Rapid Response 47 shared the clip with its 1.2 million followers. According to the defense, the post was later reposted by Justice Department deputy public affairs director Chad Gilmartin, who wrote that Trump 'is absolutely right.'

The Department of Justice declined to comment publicly on the filing, and the White House referred questions to the DOJ, NBC News reported. Daily Mail has reached out to the Department of Justice.

Mangione, 27, faces two federal counts of stalking, one count of murder through the use of a firearm, and one firearms offense in connection with the December 2024 shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

Prosecutors allege Mangione was the masked man seen on surveillance video firing the fatal shot

Federal prosecutors however told the court they had the posts removed after learning of them and argued the officials involved were not part of the prosecution team.

'They operate entirely outside the scope of the prosecution team, possess no operational role in the investigative or prosecutorial functions of the Mangione matter, and are not 'associated' with this litigation,' prosecutors said in a letter earlier this month.

Mangione's attorneys also renewed allegations of political interference by Attorney General Pam Bondi, who in April directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty, calling it part of 'President Trump's agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again.'

In a Fox News interview that month, Bondi said, 'If there ever was a death [penalty] case, this is one.'

The defense argues Bondi's comments, along with Trump's public statements, have 'poisoned the jury pool' and violated Mangione's due process rights.

The judge overseeing the case previously warned DOJ officials that further public comments could lead to sanctions, The Daily Beast reported.

Mangione's attorneys also renewed allegations of political interference by Attorney General Pam Bondi (pictured), who in April directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty, calling it part of 'President Trump's agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again'

The filing also alleges coordination between the administration and UnitedHealth executives, citing recent meetings with DOJ officials as evidence of 'unprecedented intervention.' The insurer is currently under federal investigation for its Medicare billing practices.

This is not the first time Mangione's defense has sought to have the charges thrown out.

A previous motion last month accused the Trump administration of using the case to promote a 'law and order' agenda after Trump referred to Mangione as a 'pure assassin' on social media.

Mangione's attorneys now argue that the administration's efforts to tie him to Antifa represent a deliberate attempt to frame the case as part of a broader political narrative.

'The government has turned Mr. Mangione's prosecution into a political spectacle,' the defense wrote, 'and in doing so, has jeopardized his right to a fair trial.'
They thought it was private. They thought no one would ever see it.

But the group chats of the Young Republican National Federationonce just a digital hangout for ambitious conservative twentysomethingshave exploded into one of the most embarrassing scandals to hit the American right in years.

Thousands of texts and memes have now leaked from the 15,000-member organization's private channelsmessages laced with racist jokes, anti-Semitic slurs, and ugly boasts about women.

The screenshots, first revealed by Politico, show young men competing to be the crudest, the cruelest, and the most 'based.' What began as swaggering banter has turned into a political firestorm.

Some of the messages are too vile to print. Others are merely chilling. In one, a member jokes about 'erasing' political enemies' children. In another, a user swaps Nazi imagery. Others mock rape survivors and trade memes about slavery. The young men behind them weren't anonymous trolls. They were up-and-comerscampaign staffers, aides, and college activists who once saw themselves as the next generation of Republican leaders. Now, they're symbols of something else entirely: a toxic undercurrent in American politics that even party elders are struggling to explain away.

Local Republican chapters are severing ties or disbanding the group. But amid the outrage, one voice urged calmVice President JD Vance

Within hours of the leak, calls for expulsions and resignations poured in from across the political spectrum. Several employers have already suspended or fired the young men identified in the texts. Local Republican chapters are severing ties or disbanding the group. But amid the outrage, one voice urged calmVice President JD Vance.

Trump's second in command, the most influential, assertive, and self-confident Veep this side of Dick Cheney, has been building up his own distinctive brand: a curious hybrid of Yale egghead, Millennial Dad, MAGA paragon, Trump disciple, faithful Christian, and teen bully, with a little slice of as-yet-unspecified leadership chops, which he is holding in reserve for his inevitable, if TBD, presidential run

The former Hillbilly Elegy author, known for his pugnacious defense of ordinary guys under attack, mocked the uproar online as pearl-clutching. He likened the chat to a college dorm conversation gone wrong. That tonehalf dismissive, half defiantset off another wave of fury. Even some of Vance's usual allies were appalled. NewsNation commentator Batya Ungar-Sargon, normally a Vance sympathizer, called it 'disgusting' and 'bad politics.'

Among the loudest voices demanding accountability were not journalists or Democrats, but young Vance supporters themselves. 'Why not say clearly that this stuff doesn't fly?' asked Sam, a Black voter from Texas, speaking on 2WAY. 'We should take the soil that this kind of conversation can happen and salt it. JD Vance, who I really, really like, and really hope is the next president of the United States. just to see the type of response that he gave. Why not be aggressive and say, 'This s*** should not fly in the Republican Party.'

The Young Republicans have long served as a feeder network for the conservative elitea place where future campaign managers and press secretaries cut their teeth. Now, the leaks have turned that pipeline into a liability. Party elders fear the affair could stain efforts to portray the GOP as a broad, inclusive movement.

The Young Republicans have long served as a feeder network for the conservative elitea place where future campaign managers and press secretaries cut their teeth

Still, loyalists insist the controversy will fade. 'We're not going to obsess over a few idiots in a group chat,' said a senior MAGA operative. 'No one's vote in 2028 will turn on this.' Maybe so. But the episode has exposed a deeper dividebetween conservatives trying to modernize the party's image and those doubling down on online shock tactics.

For Vance, the affair is both a test and a warning. His brandswaggering, brainy, unbotheredthrives on confrontation. He sticks with what he, and his boss, know best and know works best: show no weakness, give no quarter, and counterattack the other side into submission.

But with ambitions clearly stretching beyond the vice-presidency, his instinct to sneer rather than soothe could haunt him later.

Whether or not the scandal fades, the screenshots will live foreverdigital graffiti from a generation that wanted to be taken seriously and instead became a cautionary tale. The self-styled 'Young Guns' of the right thought they were building a movement. Instead, they built a group chat that blew up their careers.
Royal historian Andrew Lownie believes the decision to remove the former Duke of his titles did not come from the monarch or the Duke himself - but rather King Charles' heir, Prince William.

After another week of scandal, Andrew was finally forced to relinquish all of his remaining royal titles tonight, stepping down from membership of the Order of the Garter and giving up his Duke of York title.

He also lost his position as Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victoria Order but will remain a prince, while his ex-wife, Sarah, the former Duchess of York, also lost her titles and will now be known simply as Sarah Ferguson.

But royal historian Andrew Lownie, who published an unauthorised biography of Prince Andrew in August called 'Entitled', revealed tonight that he believes the decision came from an unexpected source - the throne's heir, Prince William.

Speaking to the BBC, Lownie said: 'Andrew certainly hasn't driven it [the decision to give up his titles].

'I mean, if he was thinking of his family, as he claims, he would have done something like this many years ago. It's not really coming from King Charles either.

'It's coming from William and the government I understand who felt that this was a distraction from the wider work of the royal family.'

He added: 'I think there's much more still to come out. And I think that was what was worrying them that that they were best to distance himself before, before these new allegations arose.'

Prince Andrew at the Order of the Garter service in 2019 outside St George's Chapel in Windsor

Prince Andrew was seen having a frosty exchange with Prince William as they walked out of Westminster Abbey at the Duchess of Kent's funeral last month

The news of Andrew's demotion tonight follows a frosty exchange witnessed between Andrew and Prince William at the Duchess of Kent's funeral last month.

The disgraced Duke of York tried to engage in conversation with his nephew after the pair paid tribute to Katharine Kent in a service at Westminster Cathedral.

Andrew could be seen muttering a few words to William, who appears to decline to engage in the conversation and only gives a brief nod in response.

Body language expert Judi James told the Daily Mail that Prince William's 'non-verbal responses' suggest a degree of 'awkwardness' between the pair.

She also described the expression on Prince Andrew's face as he tries to chat to his nephew as a 'smug-looking smile'.

The prince's decision tonight to give up his titles was made after strong pressure from King Charles and in discussion with other family members, including Prince William, as heir to the throne, as well as Andrew's other siblings, Princess Anne and Prince Edward.

But there was also an air of weariness that the monarchy had been forced to endure another week of deeply damaging headlines at the disgraced duke's hand.

Lownie said the demotion 'doesn't change very much.'

Andrew and Charles at Westminster Cathedral last month after the Duchess of Kent's funeral

Prince Andrew's statement released by Buckingham Palace

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson at the Duchess of Kent's funeral in September 2025

'It protects his daughters. They retain their titles. I think something has to be seen to be done. And this seemed a very neat solution,' the historian said.

'But I think there's still many questions. I mean, he still, I think, holds the rank of, Vice-Admiral Navy. He's still living in Royal Lodge.'

Lownie added that he believes the title stripping is probably a compromise decision.

'As long as he can stay in Royal Lodge, as long as can have the shooting weekends, I think he'll be content with this. This is probably a compromise position.

'I mean he basically, in return for spending 10 million pounds on doing up Royal Lodge, has been given a peppercorn rent there and a long lease, and it's going to be quite difficult to get him out of about the optics look.

'But I think, again, if he's thinking of his family and the wider interests of the monarchy, he should be departing from Royal Lodge,' Lownie said.

It is understood that the King, who is believed to have spoken to his brother by phone from Scotland about the issue, feels 'glad' at the outcome. 'Something had to be done,' a source said.

In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace on his behalf, Andrew made clear he continued to deny allegations of sexual assault made against him by the late Virginia Giuffre, who he met through paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Virginia Giuffre photographed with Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell in London in 2001

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson in June 2016 at Royal Ascot

But he conceded continued revelations about his dealings with Epstein, as reported by The Mail on Sunday, were a 'distraction' from the good work of the Royal Family.

Prince Andrew said his decision was prompted by his desire to 'always... put my duty to my family and country first'  echoing his infamous comment that he chose to break off relations with Epstein by flying to New York to tell him the news personally, because he was an 'honourable' man.

Tonight, in a statement, the family of Ms Giuffre, who took her own life in April, said Andrew's decision was 'vindication for our sister and survivors everywhere'.

They added: 'This moment serves as victory for Virginia, who consistently maintained, 'He knows what happened, I know what happened, and there's only one of us telling the truth, and I know that's me'.'

Prince Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, with whom he will continue to live at the lavish 30-bedroom Royal Lodge at Windsor, will now be known as simply Sarah Ferguson.

Lownie claimed Sarah will be the real loser of the decision, losing all of her titles while her ex-husband will remain a Prince by birthright.

'I think it will be a blow to Sarah Ferguson. I mean, she's capitalized on being Duchess of York for the last 40 years, even long after they were divorced.

'I mean, if she's used actually some of her brand products, so are Duchess products. So I think for her money-making activities, it's going to be a bit of a blur.

'In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace on his behalf, Andrew made clear he continued to deny allegations of sexual assault made against him by the late Virginia Giuffre, who he met through paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.'

Last weekend, the MoS exclusively revealed that Prince Andrew had publicly lied when he claimed he never had contact with Epstein again following a 'final' meeting with him in December 2010.

It obtained emails sent 12 weeks after that meeting in which Andrew contacted the sex offender to reassure him, the day after a picture of the prince with Ms Giuffre was published, that 'we are in this together' and would have to 'rise above it'.

Sickeningly, Andrew concluded: 'Otherwise keep in close touch and we'll play some more soon!!!' It was signed 'A, HRH The Duke of York, KG', as a knight of the Order of the Garter.

It was also revealed that Andrew met, on at least three occasions, the alleged Chinese spymaster at the centre of the current Whitehall espionage case.

Sources have told the Daily Mail that things came to a head this week after a 'constant drip, drip' of fresh claims, of which the MoS's email revelations proved the 'most significant issue'. The changes will take effect immediately and were decided upon in recognition of the fact that the prince's personal issues continued to be an 'unwelcome distraction' from the work of the wider Royal Family.

However, the King has acknowledged that he cannot legally force Andrew out of his Royal Lodge home and he will continue to remain there so long as he can afford the rent.

The prince has a 100-year-plus private tenancy agreement with the Crown Estate which is said to be 'unaffected' by issues relating to his honours and titles.
A Democrat running for Senate in Maine released an emotional apology after offensive posts he made on Reddit resurfaced.

Graham Platner, 40, is challenging for the seat currently belonging to Republican Susan Collins and his left-wing campaign has scored him the endorsement of Bernie Sanders.

Platner's campaign has come under fire after his account on the social media site between 2013 and 2021 showed offensive views on sexual assault, race, references to being a Communist and that 'all' cops are 'bastards.'

The Washington Post uncovered a screed Platner, a Marine and Army veteran, wrote under the name 'P-Hustle' downplaying sexual assault in the military.

'In today's current climate, when every whisper of a misplaced hand brings down a feature length film, anyone who actually thinks the military is purposefully covering up rape to save the career of some god d*** [captain], is clearly both an idiot and junior enough in rank or life experience to think it matters,' he wrote in 2013.

'Rape is a real thing. If you're so worried about it to buy Kevlar underwear you'd think you might not get blacked out f***** up around people you aren't comfortable with,' he added in a separate post.

He even referred to someone who shared a comic strip satirizing the difficulties of women reporting sexual assault in the military as 'retarded.'

In a further investigation of his account, the Bangor Daily News reported he asked why 'black people don't tip' in another thread.

However, in 2020, when a poster wrote that rural white Americans 'aren't as racist or stupid as Trump thinks,' Platner responded: 'Living in white rural America, I'm afraid to tell you they actually are.'

Graham Platner (pictured), a Democrat running for Senate in Maine, released an emotional apology after offensive posts he made on Reddit resurfaced

Platner, 40, is challenging for the seat currently belonging to Republican Susan Collins and his left-wing campaign has scored him the endorsement of Bernie Sanders

In 2021, he wrote in response to the adage that people become more conservative as they age: 'I got older and became a communist.'

In a different thread from the same year, one poster commented on a black lieutenant in the Army who was held a gun point and pepper sprayed by police during a traffic stop: 'Bastards. Cops are bastars.'

Platner wrote: 'All of them, in fact.'

The candidate, who was previously an oyster farmer, issued statements during the controversy denouncing many of these views, including that he was a Communist, that rural Americans were racist and his anti-police statements, he told CNN.

'That was very much me f**king around the internet. I don't want people to see me for who I was in my worst Internet comment  or even frankly who I was in my best Internet comment. I don't think any of that is indicative of who I am today, really.'

However, as the offensive posts began to mount, Platner decided to release a 5-minute apology video on Friday to try and diffuse the outrage.

He said that as he looks back on the posts, many of which are now deleted, he sees 'things that I absolutely do not agree with, I see words and statements that I abhor.'

Platner added, however, that he also sees 'the trajectory of my life' from a man who had gotten back from fighting if Afghanistan in 2011 and left the Army in 2012.

Platner, a Marine and Army veteran, wrote under the name 'P-Hustle' downplaying sexual assault in the military

The candidate, who was previously an oyster farmer, issued statements during the controversy denouncing many of these views, including that he was a Communist, that rural Americans were racist and his anti-police statements

'Some of the worst comments I made, the things I think are least defensible, come from that time.'

He blamed it on being in the infantry which he called a 'very male-dominated place' and pointed out that women weren't allowed to fight in the infantry at that point.

'When I got out, I still had the crude humor, the dark feelings, the offensive language that really was a hallmark of the infantry when I was in it.'

He said they came from a time of his life where he 'can see myself changing' and talks about the progression of his language as the posts go on.

However, Platner notes that he also became 'more disillusioned' as time went on with politics and the state of the world, a reflection of what he said was his own state of mind.

'I was struggling deeply. I had PTSD, I had depression, I had all of things that come with serving in two wars that I eventually began to not believe in all,' he said of fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.

He said he was looking for 'community' and an 'outlet for my feelings, for my rage, for my isolation.'

Platner said 'that all went away' when he found 'actual community.'

Platner said that he eventually changed as a person when he found community and met his wife

Platner apologized to those who see 'someone they don't recognize' in the comments

'The reason that I stopped posting on Reddit in 2021 was the because I found this,' he said, pointing to his Sullivan, Maine backyard.

'I had moved back to my hometown, I'd found community, I'd started a business, I met someone to fall in love with, I began to really begin to feel connected again and not only did it make me feel connected, it gave me a lot of hope,' he said.

'I went from thinking that people were bad to knowing that people were good. I went from thinking that there was no hope to having nothing but hope.'

He said that despite the offensive comments, he is 'very proud of the person I am today.'

'I won't defend things I said in the past, I will say that if it wasn't for that entire journey, I wouldn't be who I am today and I am proud of who I am today.'

Platner said he was sorry to supporters who see 'someone they don't recognize' in the posts, adding that he doesn't recognize himself.

However, he added that he does recognize that there are many people who feel the way he used to and implored them to find community.

'I'm sorry for this. Just know that it's not reflective of all at who I am. I don't want you to judge me on the dumbest thing I wrote on the internet. I want you to judge me on who I am today.'

Platner faces a challenge in the primary against Maine's two-term Democrat Governor Janet Mills

Platner is running for the seat currently occupied by Republican Susan Collins

The scandal comes as Platner faces an establishment-backed challenger in the race to challenge Collins in 2026.

Maines two-term Democratic Governor Janet Mills will run for the seat as well, setting up a possible showdown between the parties best-known figures in a state where Democrats see a chance to gain a seat in their uphill quest for the Senate majority.

National Democrats see Maine as an important target. It is in the only place on the 2026 Senate election map where Republicans are defending a seat in a state carried last year by Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris.

The party would need to gain a net of four seats, while most of the states with Senate elections next year are places where Republican Donald Trump beat Harris.

Maine is an exception, while in North Carolina, where Trump narrowly won, Democratic former Gov. Roy Cooper is viewed as a contender, and Democratic former Sen. Sherrod Brown is running in Ohio, where Trump won comfortably.

Collins has long cast herself as a reflection of Maine's independent spirit but has frequently voted with Trump on key issues.

Platner has the backing of Bernie Sanders, who posted on social media on Thursday that Platner is 'a great working class candidate for Senate in Maine who will defeat Susan Collins' and that its 'disappointing that some Democratic leaders are urging Governor Mills to run.'
Dozens of Aussies have been urged to monitor for symptoms after several cases of measles were linked to a primary school in southeast Queensland.

Two cases of the highly contagious disease have been confirmed on the Sunshine Coast and a third on the Gold Coast by health authorities.

Queensland Health says a person attended Clover Hill State School at Mudgeeraba between 8.30am and 3.30pm on October 7 while unknowingly infectious.

People who caught afternoon school buses from the school to Austinville and from Tulipwood Drive, Bonogin to Austinville on the same day may have been exposed.

Health authorities have also issued alerts for 16 locations on the Sunshine Coast which were visited by two people who were unknowingly infectious.

Anyone who visited these locations at the specified dates and times should be alert to symptoms for up to three weeks from the exposure date.

These include fever, sore eyes, runny nose and a cough.

These symptoms are usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body.

A urgent health warning has been issued after several measles cases were linked to a primary school and bus routes in Queensland

Queensland Health says a person attended Clover Hill State School at Mudgeeraba (pictured) between 8.30am and 3.30pm on October 7 while unknowingly infectious

It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure.

People who think they have measles urged to avoid public places.

Queensland Health says those most at risk of contracting the disease include people with a weakened immune system, those who have not been infected with measles before, or who were born during or after 1966 and have no proof of vaccination.

The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is given free for children at 12 and 18 months of age and anyone born after 1965 who hasn't yet had two doses.
Newly released flight manifest records from Jeffrey Epstein's private plane include legendary broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite.

The revered journalist - often dubbed 'the most trusted man in America' - appeared in documents made public on Friday by the House Oversight Committee. Also in the logs were Prince Andrew, Bill Gates, and Richard Branson.

The documents did not suggest wrongdoing for Cronkite or any of the names listed. But it could reveal the scope of Epstein's network as well as who had access to his properties.

The flight logs show the 91-year-old Cronkite boarded a flight in the depths of winter on January 12, 2007 and took a plane from Newark, New Jersey to St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands.

Cronkite was among eight passengers on board including Jeffrey Epstein who was likely hosting the group at one of his two private islands - Little St. James and Great St. James - located just off the coast of St. Thomas.

The logs were released as part of a broader package which also included a full transcript of the committee's September interview with Alex Acosta, the former US attorney who engineered Epstein's controversial 2008 plea deal.

During that testimony, Acosta defended his actions, citing challenges inherent in the case including shifting victim accounts, weaknesses in evidence, and a fear that a full trial could collapse.

'Many victims refused to testify. Many victims had changing stories,' he told investigators, explaining that some of his decision-making was grounded in pragmatism.

Newly released flight manifest records from Jeffrey Epstein's private plane include legendary broadcaster Walter Cronkite, the revered television journalist

The newly public manifests details flights aboard Epstein's private plane, the infamous 'Lolita Express' from the late 1990s to 2019, although many names remain heavily redacted

Cronkite was among eight passengers on board including Jeffrey Epstein who was likely hosting the group at one of his two private islands located just off the coast of St. Thomas

'All of us understood why they had changing stories, but they did. And defense counsel would have - cross-examination would have been withering.'

Acosta's rationale was that securing at least some accountability by having Epstein register as a sex offender, serving 13 months jail time, and paying restitution was preferable to a failed prosecution that could have let him walk free.

During questioning, he agreed that counsel for Epstein 'got awfully close to the line of unethical,' adding he resisted some of their tactics.

Acosta noted that state prosecutors in Palm Beach were prepared to offer a pretrial diversion deal that would have resulted in no incarceration.

During his vetting to become Labor Secretary, Acosta reportedly told Donald Trump's transition team that he had been told to 'leave it alone' because Epstein 'belonged to intelligence'.

However, Acosta has since denied making this statement in his interview with the House Oversight Committee.

Cronkite, who passed away in 2009, built his reputation on unflinching reporting, moral gravitas, and deep public trust.

The inclusion of his name in the flight log is unexpected particularly due to his iconic reputation and the absence of any prior connection to Epstein.

Cronkite was the anchor of the CBS Evening News from 1962 to 1981 and became one of the most respected figures in journalism, earning the nickname 'the most trusted man in America.'

Cronkite's calm and authoritative reporting shaped public understanding of major events like the Kennedy assassination, the Vietnam War, and the moon landing.

Cronkite would have been 91-years-old when he travelled on Epstein's jet in January 2007

The disgraced financier traveled frequently with friends and associates such as his so-called madame Ghislaine Maxwell on his plane, dubbed the 'Lolita Express' to his homes in the Caribbean, New Mexico and other locations

Two private islands owned by pedophile Jeffrey Epstein

The sprawling property Epstein had built on Little St James, with surrounding lawns and swimming pool. In the background, a jetty reaches out into the clear, blue water

The newly public manifests details flights aboard Epstein's private plane, the infamous 'Lolita Express' from the late 1990s to 2019, although many of the documents remain heavily redacted protecting the identities of those who traveled to the disgraced financier's homes in the Caribbean, New Mexico and other locations.

On one trip in 2002, President Clinton traveled aboard Epstein's plane with Secret Service agents, the documents confirm.

Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett, who has long demanded unredacted records, called the concealment of passenger names 'a cover-up.'

'It should all be made public,' the Tennessee Republican said to the Daily Mail in July.

'I'm especially interested in anything that relates to activity on Epstein's island as that's where most of the criminality took place. But I worry that we're never going to know the truth. I think there's been a cover up'.

A mere appearance in a flight log does not imply complicity. Individuals may appear on manifests for benign, logistical, or disconnected reasons.

Epstein's flights spanned many years, many routes, and many destinations. Some were purely transactional including fuel stops, repositioning flights or simply empty legs.

Cronkite's estate or archivists may be called upon to examine personal papers, calendars, or correspondence to explain any possible connection.

Former president Bill Clinton was among the powerful figures that were revealed to have flown on the private jet; he is pictured with Ghislaine Maxwell

The plush private jetliner - dubbed the 'Lolita Express  used to whisk Epstein's VIP associates around the globe

The White House's recent handling of documents related to Epstein's sex trafficking case triggered a civil war within the MAGA world after a memo drafted by the Department of Justice and the FBI announced there was no need to review the files any further.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Deputy Director Dan Bongino have repeatedly stated there is nothing left to release to the public regarding the case.

This is after Bondi had said earlier this year that she had Epstein's list of high-profile clients on her desk ready for review and release.

The logs that have been made public reveal that Trump flew on the plane at least seven times, including one trip between New York and Florida when he was accompanied by his then-wife Marla Maples and their daughter, Tiffany.

Epstein and Trump were known to be friendly in the late 1990s and early 2000s when they ran in the same circles of New York and Palm Beach society

Previously unsealed logs showed Trump flew on the plane at least seven times, including one trip between New York and Florida when he was accompanied by his then-wife Marla Maples and their daughter, Tiffany

Another flight listed Trump's son Eric as a passenger.

Burchett said: 'I think Trump is innocent. He's on record saying Epstein was a dirtbag'.

Rather than blame Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has become the focus of criticism for the handling of the Epstein case, Burchett blamed Washington bureaucrats.

He said: 'Law enforcement have to go with what they have in front of them.

'I think the material is gone, they destroyed it or somebody did and somebody in the Justice Department did it.

'When a president comes in he fires the top guy but not the career bureaucrats, they know where all the skeletons are buried'.
A French plasterer has been sentenced to 30 years behind bars after he killed his wife and hid her body.

The disappearance of Cedric Jubillar's wife, Delphine, gripped France during the Covid lockdown.

Five years after she went missing, Delphine's body has not been found.

Delphine, 33, vanished on December 15 2020. Jubillar called the police at 4am claiming she had gone out to walk their dogs and had never returned. But nobody saw her leave, and no evidence ever supported that claim.

A massive manhunt ensued with over 1000 people searching the vast countryside while divers checked nearby rivers for any evidence of what might have happened to the mother of three.

Jurors believe that the 37-year-old killed his wife in a fit of rage because she planned to leave him for another man and he then hid her body.

And at the conclusion of the trial in the southern town of Albi, Jubillar was convicted for her murder

However the lack of any trace of blood or indication of a crime scene made the case one of the most puzzingly in modern French legal history leading to much speculation as to whether Jubillar was a killer or a victim of over-enthusiastic investigators.

During the four week trial Jubillar's defence claimed it was a one-sided investigation.

Cedric Jubillar has been sentenced to 30 years behind bars for the murder of his wife Delphine

A missing person poster of Delphine. Five years after she went missing, Delphine's body has not been found

In a closing plea, Emmanuelle Franck, his lawyer, described the case as 'a machine to crush where bad faith meets incompetence', the Daily Telegraph reported.

She told jurors: 'We have created a criminal to explain a crime. This is a castle of sand. When you cannot prove, you imagine. When you cannot find, you invent.'

Ms Franck argued that Jubillar is a man 'who can barely organise his own toolbox' and he is expected to have carried out the 'perfect crime'.

Prosecutors argued that the case followed a classic pattern of domestic violence  jealousy, control, rage, then denial.

Pierre Aurignac, the chief prosecutor, said: 'To defend the idea of Mr Jubillar's innocence requires dismissing four experts, silencing 19 witnesses and killing the sniffer dog.'

The jury were told by prosecutors that although there was 'no body and no blood', there was 'no plausible alternative either'.

'No matter how you look at this case, you come to the same conclusion  guilt,' said Mr Aurignac.

Damning evidence of Jubillar's crime came from the testimony from his relatives.

Damning evidence came from Nadine Jubillar, Jubillar's mother, told the court that she regretted not taking her son seriously when he said: 'I'm fed up, she annoys me, I'm going to kill her'

In his final sentence in the court Jubillar simply said: 'I have done absolutely nothing to Delphine.'

His mother Nadine told the court that she regretted not taking her son seriously when he said: 'I'm fed up, she annoys me, I'm going to kill her, I'm going to bury her, no one will find her.'

A letter written by the couple's son read aloud to the court accused Jibillar of mistreating both his mother and himself.

He described being beaten, humiliated and belittled, and said he believed his father 'did something bad' to his mother.

The child also revealed that he had witnessed the couple arguing the night of her disappearance and they discussed their separation.

After the verdict, Jubillar remained defiant that he was innocent.

In his final sentence in the court he simply said: 'I have done absolutely nothing to Delphine.'

The defence has already said it would appeal, insisting that 'reasonable doubt remains overwhelming'.

The case has rocked France and reignited a debate across the country over how the police should respond to domestic abuse, and whether the justice system is equipped to handle missing person cases that leave no trace.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On October 16, BYD Auto (Thailand) Co., Ltd., together with its official partner Rever Automotive Co., Ltd., held a ceremony in Bangkok to mark the delivery of its 100,000th new energy vehicle (NEV) for the Thai market. The event not only represented a new milestone for BYD's expansion in Thailand but also coincided with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand, underscoring the enduring friendship between the two nations.

Photo credit: BYD

Liu Xueliang, General Manager of BYD Asia-Pacific Auto Sales Division, highlighted that delivering the 100,000th vehicle at such a symbolic moment reflected Thai consumers' strong recognition of BYD, as well as the deepening economic, cultural, and social ties between China and Thailand. He noted that the growing adoption of NEVs also shows how environmental awareness is becoming a key factor for Thai car buyers, adding that BYD will continue to invest in Thailand by introducing upgraded products, technologies, and services.

Korn Dabbaransi, President of the Thai-Chinese Friendship Association, praised the BYD Song PLUS DM-i as the official vehicle of the "50th Anniversary Friendship Journey." He said the model's impressive long-distance performance was a key reason for his personal endorsement, noting that the event's theme, "From B to B  Bangkok to Beijing by BYD," showcased the brand's advanced hybrid technology.

The Song PLUS DM-i, which marked this delivery milestone, has been locally assembled and rolled off the production line at BYD's Thai manufacturing plant. The premium plug-in hybrid SUV features BYD's advanced DM-i Super Hybrid system, delivering both strong performance and fuel efficiency. It currently ranks first in registration volume among plug-in hybrid electric vehicle models in Thailand.

Notably, the Song PLUS DM-i fleetserving as the official vehicles for the "ChinaThailand 50th Anniversary Friendship Journey"is currently traveling from Bangkok to Beijing, having already reached Zhangjiajie. The 5,000-kilometer trip highlights the model's long-range endurance and reliability over extended driving conditions.

BYD's manufacturing facility in Thailand serves as a key production base for Southeast Asia, supporting both domestic sales and exports. Its successful operation has strengthened Thailand's NEV industry supply chain and created significant local employment, reflecting BYD's commitment to deep localization and sustainable growth in global markets.
A disabled Navy veteran who was defrauded by George Santos blasted President Donald Trump for commuting the disgraced ex-congressman's prison sentence.

Richard Osthoff, the New Jersey veteran whose dying service dog's GoFundMe funds were allegedly stolen by Santos, compared the move to a 'punch in the gut.'

'I feel the president just punched me in the gut. He essentially spit on a veteran yet again,' Osthoff told Daily Mail. 'Santos should never have been considered for this.'

Santos was officially released around 11 p.m. on Friday, just hours after Trump's announcement, Santos' attorney, Joseph Murray, told The Daily Mail.

He was at home with his family early Saturday morning, Murray said.

'God bless President Donald J Trump the greatest President in U.S. history!' Murray wrote on Santos' X account late Friday night.

Now, Osthoff says he was in 'shock and disbelief' after learning that Santos - convicted of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft - had been released just three months into a seven-year term.

'I didn't think I would have to deal with this again because he went to prison, and now he's getting off not even three months,' Osthoff said.

'You need at least five months or more to really feel or understand what you have done. This was more like a vacation for him, not a prison sentence. He essentially went to Club Fed.'

Trump announced the commutation Friday night on Truth Social, writing, 'George Santos was somewhat of a 'rogue,' but there are many rogues throughout our Country that aren't forced to serve seven years in prison.'

Richard Osthoff, the New Jersey veteran whose dying service dog's GoFundMe funds were allegedly stolen by Santos years before his political rise, likened Trump's move to a 'punch in the gut'

Disgraced ex-congressman George Santos (pictured) reported to a federal prison in New Jersey in July to begin serving his sentence after pleading guilty to federal wire fraud and identity theft charges for deceiving donors and stealing identities to fund his campaign

'George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated,' Trump continued.

'Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life!'

Osthoff's anger toward Santos runs deep.

Years before Santos ran for Congress, Osthoff was homeless and living in a tent with his service dog, Sapphire, when a man named Anthony Devolder approached him.

Devolder - a name used by Santos before he entered politics - offered to connect him with a veterinarian who could remove a growing tumor from the dog's stomach.

He then allegedly launched a GoFundMe campaign on Osthoff's behalf, promoting it through his charity, Friends of Pets United.

The fundraiser collected $3,000, but Osthoff said he never received any of the money and Sapphire died before she could undergo the life-saving surgery that Santos had promised to arrange.

Osthoff said he relied on his dog for emotional support while coping with mental health struggles linked to his service.

Osthoff said he was in 'shock and disbelief' after learning that Santos - convicted of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft - had been released. Pictured: Richard Osthoff at George Santos' hearing on October 27, 2024

President Donald Trump announced the commutation on Friday night via Truth Social - just three months into disgraced ex-congressman George Santos' seven-year sentence

The dog, he explained, had a cantaloupe-sized tumor on her liver, and the surgery might have extended her life long enough for him to train another service dog.

'[Santos] not only robbed me of my best friend and companion, but she was my medication,' the veteran told the New York Post.

'Sapphire was dying and all I could do was watch her life snap away from her, but this guy just faded away off into the sunset with the money that could've kept her alive. He almost took my life from me because I was ready to kill myself.'

Santos had reported to a federal prison in New Jersey in July to begin serving his sentence after pleading guilty to federal wire fraud and identity theft charges for deceiving donors and stealing identities to fund his campaign.

Despite his criminal record and long list of fabrications, Santos retained a handful of powerful allies.

Among them was Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who argued the former lawmaker's punishment was 'a grave injustice.'

Greene had written to the Justice Department soon after Santos began his sentence, claiming, 'While his crimes warrant punishment, many of my colleagues who I serve with have committed far worse offenses than Mr. Santos yet have faced zero criminal charges.'

'George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated,' Trump wrote on Friday

Despite his criminal record and long list of fabrications, Santos retained a handful of powerful allies, among them was Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who argued the former lawmaker's punishment was 'a grave injustice'

She added, 'I strongly believe in accountability for one's actions, but I believe the sentencing of Mr. Santos is an abusive overreach by the judicial system.'

Last month, Greene again took to social media to advocate for Santos's release, claiming he was being tortured in solitary confinement.

On Friday night, she thanked Trump publicly: 'THANK YOU President Trump for releasing George Santos!! He was unfairly treated and put in solitary confinement, which is torture!!'

But, for Osthoff, Trump's decision was 'beyond disappointing.'

He told the Daily Mail he is now considering filing a civil lawsuit against Santos for emotional distress, defamation, and other charges.

'He went to the media and said I was a liar, and that I was not a real veteran. Not only did he lie about that, what's worse is I couldn't save Saphire because of his lies. He killed my dog and he is a narcissist piece of garbage.'

Osthoff, who lives in New Jersey with his three dogs, said he is currently seeking an attorney to represent him in the lawsuit.
Hotel owner said restaurant would not close

Giant rats have been captured crawling on the grill in the kitchen of a popular pub while patrons ate in the restaurant just metres away.

Andrew Antonna, a chef from another restaurant filmed the rats walking on a grill inside the Hotel Metropolitan's kitchen, in Adelaide, on Tuesday.

He brought the issue to the attention of the hotel's owner, publican Damien Peterson, and also shared the video with news outlets.

'They were just running on the grill, the fryers, on the plates  just having a good time,' Mr Antonna told 9News.

Diners quickly feared that rat droppings might have contaminated their meals.

When approached for comment, Mr Peterson said he was doing everything in his power to combat the rat infestation and earn back the public's trust.

The Metropolitan currently holds a five-star health food rating and has no plans of closing the kitchen while the issue is resolved.

Instead staff will conduct a deep clean every morning before the restaurant opens.

Giant rats were seen eating off a grill in an Adelaide pub on Tuesday (pictured)

The owner of the Hotel Metropolitan, Publican Damien Peterson has spoken out on the issue

'Since we have been aware of this problem, specifically every morning, we deep clean the kitchen just to make sure that if we have any visitors, there's no trace of them,' Mr Peterson told 9News.

'I eat food out of this kitchen every single day and some of our customers were actually eating half an hour ago while I was telling them about the problem.'

The publican said he had spent close to $10,000 on pest control in 2025 alone.

Aussies were quick to share their thoughts on the footage.

'Home cooking is the best. When you eat out you eat out everything, including rat droppings,' one said.

'Big enough to put on leashes and walk out the door,' another wrote.

'Makes me glad I can't afford to eat out. No rodents in my kitchen,' a third said.

'Well done to the owner for facing the matter. Good luck in the process of removing them,' a fourth person said.

Mr Peterson (pictured) has apologised for the episode and assured the public he is doing everything possible to get rid of any rats in his hotel

Mr Peterson said he wasn't the only business owner with pest issues and that Adelaide was currently facing a major rodent problem.

The Adelaide City Council has said it regularly conducts inspections of restaurants in the city to make sure they are suitably hygienic.

Action is taken on occasion but processes vary based on the circumstances.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Hotel Metropolitan and Adelaide City Council.
Five Australia Post workers were rushed to hospital after a toxic pesticide leaked from a package at a post office.

The postal workers were exposed to the toxic substance at a facility on Morris Street in Townsville's West End, in Queensland, about 6.30am on Friday.

A suspicious substance was found to be leaking from a package which had also contaminated multiple other mail items nearby.

The worker who first discovered it quickly began to feel unwell and was later taken to hospital in a stable condition.

An immediate investigation was launched after police arrived at the scene.

A second emergency was then declared at a separate Charters Towers Australia Post sorting facility on Gill Street after four more workers fell ill about 6.40am.

The substance was later identified as a pesticide commonly used to kill termites.

Each impacted worker experienced mild symptoms after being exposed to the chemical but have since been discharged from hospital.

Five postal workers were hospitalised after a toxic pesticide was found to be leaking out of a package in Queensland

Emergency crews were called to the scene in order to ensure the threat had been removed

Australia Post said the incident should serve as a lesson for customers to properly package any potentially hazardous goods.

'The safety of our team members is our number one priority and Australia Post has strong, well established safety protocols around these incidents. We continue to support our team members,' a spokesperson told The Nightly.

'We remind all customers of the important safety regulations in place around the sending of dangerous, prohibited and restricted goods.'

No further contamination occurred at the facility.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Australia Post for comment.
Donald Trump has deployed one of the Army's most secretive regiments in the Caribbean after threatening strikes inside Venezuela.

The president warned socialist tyrant Nicolas Maduro that he better not 'f*** around with the United States' as he spoke to reporters at the White House on Friday.

Trump has ordered five strikes over the last two months on Venezuelan 'narco-terrorist' boats in the Caribbean, killing at least 27 alleged drug traffickers.

The strikes come against the backdrop of the largest US military buildup in the region since the Cold War.

Maduro claims to have mobilized a millions-strong militia and is warning the population that Trump is preparing to invade.

Military experts say the true size of his army is just 125,000 soldiers and his rusty Soviet-era hardware stands no chance against America's warfighting machine.

Trump has deployed B-52 nuclear bombers, guided missile destroyers, F-35B fighter jets, P-8 Poseidon spy planes, a nuclear submarine and around 6,500 troops.

Included in that group is the Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the 'Night Stalkers.'

Trump has deployed B-52 nuclear bombers, guided missile destroyers, F-35B fighter jets, P-8 Poseidon spy planes, a nuclear submarine and around 6,500 troops. Included in that group is the Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the 'Night Stalkers (pictured)

Donald Trump is moving the Army's 'Night Stalker' regiment alongside intensified artillery in the Caribbean as Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro mobilizes his own troops

Included in the US military buildup are the Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the 'Night Stalkers.' The secretive unit runs missions for Green Berets, Navy SEALs, Delta Force and other elite commandos

The elite aviation unit provides precision air support for special operations forces including the Green Berets, the Navy SEALs and Delta Force.

Famously, two of its Black Hawks were shot during Operation Gothic Serpent in 1993 in Somalia, leading to one of the most intense urban firefights in modern history - and immortalized in the movie Black Hawk Dawn.

The storied unit has taken part in extensive counter-terrorism operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria in recent years.

The Night Stalkers, so-called for their capability to strike undetected during the hours of darkness, represent US special operations' aviation backbone bringing stealth and precision.

Its soldiers proudly wear patches emblazoned with the regimental mottoes: 'Night Stalkers Don't Quit' and 'Death Waits in the Dark'.

They employ highly modified Chinook, Black Hawk and assault and attack configurations of Little Bird helicopters.

Around 90 miles from where Trump's troops lie in wait, Russian-made fighter jets soar above the streets of Venezuela as intense training gathers pace.

Maduro is pumping out propaganda calling the US a Nazi state that wants to claim Venezuela's oil as he rushes troops to the coastlines and the border with Colombia.

'Raise your hands if you want to be a slave to the gringos,' Maduro said earlier this week. 'If you want peace, get ready to earn peace. The people are ready for combat, ready for battle.'

The Night Stalkers training with heavy ordinance at an unknown location

Nicolas Maduro, who the US does not recognize as legitimate, claimed he has a militia prepared to defy the US that is in the millions, though the military experts say their army has around 125,000 soldiers

The US military on Friday announced it is holding two survivors aboard a Navy ship after pulling them out of a suspected drug boat that was targeted by a strike. The bombing reportedly killed two other individuals.

The recent disclosure from the military indicates they are prisoners of war following Trump's vow to eliminate 'narco-terrorist' threats in the Caribbean.

The vessel was moving underwater and was possibly hit by a submarine, according to Reuters.

Trump provided more details during his Friday cabinet meeting with Zelensky by stating 'it was a submarine.'

'That was a drug-carrying submarine built specifically for the transportation of massive amounts of drugs. Just so you understand, this was not an innocent group of people.'

Trump announced Wednesday he has given the Central Intelligence Agency permission to conduct missions inside Venezuela.

The President also unveiled on Truth Social earlier this week that Secretary of War ordered the 'lethal kinetic' on a narco-terrorist vessel.

Trump said that Pete Hegseth conducted the deadly operation with his permission.

The operation is believed to have killed six male narco-terrorists aboard the drug vessel while they were traveling in international waters.

Since being back in the White house, Trump has accused Maduro of being a drug lord and dictator.

Maduro, meanwhile, on Wednesday denounced Trump's use of the CIA to institute a possible a regime change as 'desperate.'

Trump witheringly told the press that Maduro offered the US 'everything' because he doesn't want to 'f*** with the United States'

'How long will the CIA continue to carry on with its coups? Latin America doesn't want them, doesn't need them and repudiates them,' Maduro said in a televised address.

On Wednesday, Trump disclosed he had authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela, adding to speculation in Caracas that the United States is attempting to topple Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

In a letter to the United Nations' 15-member Security Council, seen by Reuters, Venezuela's UN Ambassador Samuel Moncada asked for a UN determination that the US strikes off its coast are illegal and issue a statement backing Venezuela's sovereignty.

The Trump administration has asserted its treating alleged drug traffickers as unlawful combatants who must be met with military force.

Less than a week ago, the Pentagon announced its counter-narcotics operations in the region would not be led by the Miami-based Southern Command, which oversees US military activities in Latin America.

Instead, the Pentagon said a taskforce was being created that would be led by II Marine Expeditionary Force, a unit capable of rapid overseas operations that is based at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

That decision came as a surprise to US military-watchers, since a combatant command like Southern Command would normally lead any high-profile operations.

Earlier on Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Admiral Alvin Holsey - who leads US Southern Command - will step down at the end of this year, two years ahead of schedule, in a surprise move.

The US military carried out a new strike on Thursday against a suspected drug vessel in the Caribbean, and in what is believed to be the first such case, there were survivors among the crew. Pictured: the wreckage from one of the five previous attacks the Pentagon has made against what they call narcoterrorists

Earlier on Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Admiral Alvin Holsey (pictured) - who leads US Southern Command - will step down at the end of this year, two years ahead of schedule, in a surprise move

The top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Jack Reed, called Admiral Alvin Holsey's unexpected resignation troubling given mounting fears of a potential US confrontation with Venezuela.

'Admiral Holsey's resignation only deepens my concern that this administration is ignoring the hard-earned lessons of previous U.S. military campaigns and the advice of our most experienced warfighters,' Reed said in a statement.

Holsey became the leader of U.S. Southern Command only in November, overseeing an area that encompasses the Caribbean Sea and waters off South America.

These types of postings typically last between three and four years.

Frustration with the attacks has been growing on Capitol Hill.

Some Republicans have been seeking more information from the White House on the legal justification and details of the strikes, while Democrats contend the strikes violate US and international law.
A 59-year-old man has been charged after police allegedly discovered a 'childlike' sex doll and AI-generated child abuse material in his possession.

The Sydney man was arrested after a package from Asia was intercepted by the Australian Border Force allegedly containing the sex doll in August.

Australian Federal Police launched an investigation following the discovery which led to officers raiding the man's Lalor Park home on September 8.

Multiple devices were seized and children's clothing was confiscated.

Police allege subsequent investigations uncovered AI-generated child abuse material and documents with instructions on how to import a childlike sex doll.

The man was taken to Blacktown police station and charged with one count of importing tier 2 goods contrary to the Customs Act.

He was also charged with a single count each of possessing child abuse material using a carriage service and possessing child abuse material for use through a carriage service.

These charges carry a maximum sentence of up to 15 years behind bars.

The man was refused bail and will appear before Blacktown Local Court on Monday.

A 59-year-old Sydney man has been arrested (pictured) after police allegedly found a 'childlike' sex doll in his possession
A sushi chef who was allegedly stabbed in a shocking daylight attack in Melbourne's CBD has been forced to leave the city, as disturbing new details emerge about the woman accused of the crime.

It has been revealed that police were already actively searching for the alleged attacker, 32-year-old Lauren Darul, after she failed to attend a scheduled mental health appointment.

Darul had also vanished from the state-run homeless shelter where she had been staying.

Wan-Ting Lai, 36, was walking to work at Southern Cross Station on October 2 when she was allegedly knifed in the chest by a stranger in a horrifying random assault.

CCTV footage captured the terrifying moment Ms Lai was approached from behind near the intersection of Little Bourke Street and Spencer Street just before 7.40am.

The footage shows a woman sprinting up to her, pulling out a knife, locking eyes with her, and plunging the blade into her chest before fleeing the scene.

Ms Lai, who worked as a sushi chef at Maki Roll inside Southern Cross Station, spent three days in the Royal Melbourne Hospital recovering from the stab wound.

She was unable to walk to the bathroom during her initial recovery and now faces a long road to recovery.

Police were searching for alleged stabber Lauren Darul (pictured) before the CBD attack

'I'm still relying on painkillers to manage the pain, and I'm still recovering both physically and mentally,' she told the Daily Mail.

'I'm still recovering physically and emotionally, and I truly hope the justice system prioritises community safety.'

The trauma of the attack has left her unable to return to Melbourne, and she has since relocated in an effort to rebuild her life.

Police arrested Darul shortly after the incident. She was on bail at the time and is now in custody.

It's understood she will make another application for bail when she appears in court on Tuesday.

The case has reignited fierce debate over Victoria's handling of knife crime and mental health intervention failures.

Opposition leader Brad Battin slammed the state government's response.

'The Victorian government has failed when it comes to knife crime and their only answer is a machete bin that isn't working,' Battin said.

Police were searching for Lauren Darul (left) after failing to attend a mental health appointment

The Allan Government meanwhile has defended safety efforts, pointing to expanded stop-and-search powers that have led to the seizure of more than 12,000 dangerous weapons.

More than 5,000 machetes have also been surrendered under the state's machete ban.

Meanwhile, the City of Melbourne is ramping up its surveillance network, with plans to install 100 new CCTV cameras across the CBD over the next year and double the total number during the current council term.

But for Ms Lai, the damage has already been done.

'I just want to feel safe again,' she said.
Hamas has returned the body of a 75-year-old hostage who was murdered in his home on October 7.

Eliyahu Margalit was killed in Kibbutz Nir Oz during the terror attack just over two years ago, which left at least 1,219 people dead.

His body was abducted from the stables as he was feeding horses and taken into Gaza, according to the IDF, who confirmed his death on December 1 that year.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Mr Margalit's body was returned overnight and his family have since been informed.

He added that Israel would 'not compromise' and 'will spare no effort' until all of the remaining 18 hostages are returned from Gaza.

Mr Margalit is the tenth hostage body to be released by Hamas since the ceasefire went into effect over a week ago.

The terror group were supposed to release all living and dead hostages on Monday under the Donald-Trump-brokered deal, but claim they have been unable to retrieve more from Gaza's rubble without specialised excavation equipment.

The violation of the US-backed ceasefire has sparked fury in Israel, with President Trump warning that the war could resume if Hamas failed to uphold the ceasefire arrangement.

Eliyahu Margalit, an Israeli hostage who was killed and his body kidnapped in the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas

Israeli soldiers salute the coffin of Eliyahu Margalit after Hamas returned his body to Israel overnight

Margalit's daughter, Nili Margalit (pictured), was also abducted and released during a November 2023 ceasefire

Mr Margalit managed the cattle farm and horse stables in Kibbutz Nir Oz for many years and was a 'cowboy at heart,' according to the Hostages Families Forum.

He leaves behind his wife, three children, and grandchildren. Margalit's daughter, Nili Margalit, was also abducted and released during a November 2023 ceasefire.

In a statement, the IDF said it 'expresses deep condolences to the family and continues to make every effort to return all the deceased hostages to their families for a proper and dignified burial'.

'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 a dignified burial,' it added.

On Wednesday night, Hamas released the bodies of Inbar Hayman and Mohammad al-Atrash, but said it was unable to retrieve any more from Gaza's rubble without specialised excavation equipment.

In a statement, Hamas said: 'The resistance has complied with the agreement and handed over all of its living prisoners and any bodies it could reach.

'The remaining bodies require major efforts and special equipment to retrieve, and we are working hard to close this file.'

Since Monday, the Palestinian Islamist group has handed back 20 surviving hostages to Israel in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners freed from Israeli jails.

Hamas militants stand guard as Red Cross vehicles (not pictured) transport the bodies of hostages held in Gaza to Israel on October 15

Israeli soldiers salute as a convoy carrying the two bodies passes

Palestinians watch members of the Hamas militant group searching for bodies of the hostages in an area in Hamad City, Khan Younis

A group of activists have written the 18 on the sand near the US Embassy in Tel Aviv in response to remaining 18 bodies of Israeli hostages in Gaza

Israel has called the delays a breach of the deal, saying that the Rafah crossing would remain closed and that aid into Gaza would be reduced until all bodies were returned.

Israel had already threatened to keep Rafah shut and slow aid deliveries, arguing Hamas was returning bodies too slowly - jeopardising the fragile truce that has halted two years of devastating warfare.

Despite this, aid has been also slowly making its way into war-ravaged territory, where approximately 67,000 Palestinian civilians have been killed since the start of the war, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

According to the framework, outlined by US President Trump, the next phases of the truce include offering amnesty to Hamas leaders who decommission their weapons and establishing the governance of post-war Gaza.

On Thursday, senior Hamas official accused Israel of flouting the ceasefire by having killed at least 24 people in shootings since Friday, and said a list of such violations was handed over to mediators.

Videos have also been shared online that show Hamas fighters participating in what appeared to be a public execution of fellow Palestinians.

In response, Trump issued a stern warning, saying if the group 'continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not the Deal, we will have no choice but to go in and kill them'.
A convicted murderer has admitted to killing his girlfriend by stabbing her 19 times after being released from a life sentence on licence.

Shaine March, 47, attacked Alana Odysseos, who was pregnant with her third child, at her Walthamstow home in east London on July 22, 2024.

Hours before her death, the couple argued about her pregnancy, which was in its early stages, with the victim, 32, heard saying: 'I don't want to kill my baby.'

Later, the mother-of-two was seen by neighbours outside her home, clutching her side while bleeding from multiple stab wounds. Her two-year-old daughter was in the property at the time.

She pointed to 'lifer' March, who was standing nearby and shouted: 'Shaine stabbed me, he stabbed me. Help, help.'

Despite the best efforts of police and paramedics who arrived at the scene in the early hours after numerous 999 calls were made, Ms Odysseos died at the scene.

She had suffered stab wounds to her chest, stomach, pelvis, shoulders, buttocks, right arm, thighs and lower legs.

The court heard how March recorded a voice note saying: 'Mum, I just killed a woman, and I'm going back to jail,' before throwing his phone in a drain.

Alana Odysseos was in the early stages of pregnancy with her third child when she was murdered by boyfriend Shaine March

She was seen by neighbours outside her home, clutching her side while bleeding from multiple stab wounds and pointing to March (pictured) and shouting

The 47-year-old, of Surrey Quays, admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility and denied murder, before dramatically changing to a guilty plea.

It came after a defence expert due to give evidence in his trail no longer supported his diminished responsibility claim in legal argument on Thursday,

Following March's guilty plea, Mr Justice Murray discharged the jury and lifted reporting restrictions relating to March's previous conviction for murder.

It was then revealed that on July 17, 2000, March was jailed for life after being convicted of Andre Drummond's murder.

The killer, then 21, had fatally stabbed the 17-year-old in the neck at a McDonald's restaurant in the January of that same year.

Following his release on licence in early 2013, he was recalled to jail later that year after an assault on another partner in July and released again in February 2018.

Following his attack on Ms Odysseos in July 2024, Creams Cafe staff in Walthamstow called 999 after finding a man covered in blood who told them he had killed his wife and child.

After his arrest, March allegedly told police: 'I did it. I killed her Alana Odysseos. I killed her hahahaha.'

Despite the best efforts of emergency services, the mother-of-two died at the scene. Her two-year-old daughter was in the property at the time

As he was put into a police van, he later asked to be put in jail 'where I belong', saying he was 'scum' and deserved it.

The murderer later allegedly told a prison officer that he 'saw red' and stabbed his girlfriend with a knife from the kitchen after arguing about a pair of his trainers.

While in handcuffs and accompanied by two officers, March kicked the head of a fellow detainee, knocking three of his teeth out, the court previously heard.

March is scheduled to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, October 31.

Ms Odysseos' family sat in court throughout the trial, witnessing March shouting and swearing on Friday.

In the afternoon, he returned to court and entered a guilty plea, bringing the case to a dramatic halt on its seventh day.

The family thanked prosecutors and the Met Police investigators before leaving court.

Detective Inspector Aytac Necati, who led the investigation, said: 'My thoughts remain with Alana's family and friends, as well as her young daughter, their lives will never be the same after she was so brutally taken away from them.

'March is a cowardly individual who showed absolutely no remorse for Alana or her family. Today he has finally admitted murder and will rightly face the consequences of his actions.

'This case shows the devastating impact domestic abuse has on victim-survivors, families and communities. I urge anyone who experiences domestic abuse or controlling behaviour to report it to police, our officers will listen and will support you.'
Virginia Giuffre's family have said she has been 'vindicated' after Prince Andrew relinquished his royal titles last night, adding that 'these monsters can't escape'.

After yet another week of scandal with more details revealed about flights he took on convicted paedophile's Jeffrey Epstein's 'Lolita' private jet, Andrew announced he would stop using all his remaining titles in a shock statement on Friday.

It marks a new low in the long fall from grace suffered by the Prince, following a car crash Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019.

Andrew will no longer be Duke of York, will step down from the Order of the Garter - the UK's most ancient order of chivalry - and will will also relinquish his position as Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victoria Order.

Relatives of Virginia Giuffre, who claimed she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew on three separate occasions by Epstein when she was just 17, have praised the move and paid tribute to her tireless campaigning for Epstein's victims.

Speaking to Newsnight last night, Ms Giuffre's brother Sky Roberts said his sister, who died in April, was a 'truth teller from the beginning' - and suggested King Charles should even consider stripping Andrew of the title of 'Prince'.

He said his sister's children would be 'incredibly proud' of her campaigning, adding: '[She] is an American hero, she's an international hero and all the years of work that she put in is now coming to some sort of justice, and these monsters can't escape from it. The truth will find it's way out.'

Mr Roberts said: 'We have shed a lot of happy and sad tears today. I think happy because in a lot of ways this vindicates Virginia.

Virginia Giuffre's family have said she has been 'vindicated' after Prince Andrew gave up his royal titles last night, adding that 'these monsters can't escape' (Pictured: Virginia Giuffre)

Prince Andrew at the Order of the Garter service in 2019 outside St George's Chapel in Windsor - he will now relinquish his Knight of the Garter status, as well as the title of Duke of York

Speaking to Newsnight on Friday, Ms Giuffre's brother Sky Roberts (left, with wife Amanda) said his sister, who died in April, was a 'truth teller from the beginning' - and suggested King Charles should even consider stripping Andrew of the title of 'Prince'

'She was a truth teller from the beginning. I know at one point she called out that he said some things and I've said some things and only one of us is telling the truth, and she was telling the truth.

'And this is a moment where we feel very proud for her but we're also sad because she should be sitting here, she should be talking to you on Newsnight tonight but she's not and so we're here to advocate for her and her survivor sisters.'

Ms Giuffre took her own life aged just 41 in April.

Her family's comments come just four days before the publication of an upcoming memoir by Ms Giuffre, that is sure to provide further embarrassment for the former duke.

In it, she said Prince Andrew acted as though having sex with her was his 'birthright'.

Prince Andrew paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case brought by Ms Giuffre in 2022, despite insisting he had never met her. It is understood the settlement did not involve any admission of wrongdoing.

Questions have dogged Andrew for years over his relationship with convicted paedophile Epstein, and when it ended.

He previously insisted he had cut all ties with Epstein in 2010, but an email has recently emerged from 2011, sent by Andrew, in which he promised they would 'play more soon'.

Prince Andrew's statement was released by Buckingham Palace on Friday night

Virginia Giuffre photographed with Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell in London in 2001

King Charles III is said to be 'glad' his brother has given up his titles after discussions with Andrew and his son, Prince William

Prince Andrew and King Charles were last pictured together at the Duchess of Kent's funeral last month

Writing to Epstein on February 28, 2011  the day after the Mail published the now infamous picture of him with his arm around a teenage Virginia Giuffre  Andrew said: 'I'm just as concerned for you! Don't worry about me!

'It would seem we are in this together and will have to rise above it. Otherwise keep in close touch and we'll play some more soon!!!!'

Andrew signed off his email with: 'A, HRH The Duke of York, KG'.

He has now relinquished the Duke of York and Knight of the Garter (KG) titles. The Prince stopped using his 'HRH' signoff after stepping back from royal duties in 2022.

Asked how Ms Giuffre would have felt about Andrew giving up his titles, an emotional Mr Roberts said: 'She's with us right now, she's smiling. She would be very proud of her survivor sisters.'

'I think it's so important for the world to know how much of a hero she was, but how much is still left that the stone is still left unturned to some degree,' he continued.

'This is just one step of many.'

He added the family would 'welcome any contact from the King' or MPs and would be keen to 'have conversations to present the evidence that we believe is available to continue her voice.'

Speaking on Newsnight, fellow Epstein survivor Hayley Robson (pictured) described Andrew's announcement as 'extremely bittersweet'

A new memoir by Ms Giuffre is set to be released next week and is sure to provide further embarrassment for the prince

Prince Andrew's dramatic fall from grace was catalysed by a disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019

He added: 'We would call on the King to go ahead and potentially take out the prince in the Andrew.'

Speaking on Newsnight, fellow Epstein survivor Hayley Robson described Andrew's announcement as 'extremely bittersweet'.

She said: 'I do believe this is a little bit of accountability, I do think it is a little delayed but we will take a win because a win is a win.

'And for the King to come to Andrew in such a way and have a conversation... this is why King Charles is King. He is showing the world, including America, what it looks like to have somebody held accountable. Even if it looks like this.'

She continued: 'My message to King Charles would be bravo, thank you for standing up to the system, to the abusers, thank you for putting your people first... kudos to King Charles.'

On Friday, the former duke released a statement about relinquishing his titles and reiterated his claim of innocence, saying: 'As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.

'In discussion with the King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.'

It was reported on Saturday that King Charles is 'glad' his brother has agreed to relinquish the titles, after being in 'close consultation' with him and his son, Prince William, over the decision.

It comes after a week of scandal which saw the announcement of Virginia Giuffre's memoir, further documents linking Andrew to Epstein being released and the prince being dragged into the China spy affair.

'Something had to be done,' a source said.

Andrew faced renewed backlash after appearing in the latest documents tied to Epstein's estate, published by the US House Oversight Committee on Friday.

It has been suggested that pressure on Prince Andrew to relinquish his titles came from Prince William (pictured) and members of government

Prince Andrew's fall from grace has hinged on his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein (pictured, with Ghislaine Maxwell)

Andrew previously said he had severed all ties with Epstein (pictured) in 2010, but emails from 2011 have since suggested that not to be the case

Prince Andrew flew on paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein's private jet at least four times, flight logs seen for the first time revealed.

The disgraced royal is listed on the flight logs as having flown from Luton to Edinburgh on September 1, 2006, with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.

Two further flight logs from 1999 also display the name 'Prince Andrew', alongside royal protection officer Steve Burgess.

Meanwhile, it emerged last month that Andrew was a passenger on a flight on May 12, 2000, alongside Epstein, Maxwell and celebrity chef Adam Perry Lang.

Maxwell's sex trafficking trial previously brought Andrew's name into the spotlight by naming him as a passenger on Epstein's jet - with one of the disgraced British socialite's accusers saying she also flew with the prince in the mid-1990s.

One of the jet's pilots, Larry Visoski, told the trial that Andrew flew on the aircraft - dubbed the Lolita Express - a 'number of times'.

The latest flight logs surfaced last night after the US House Oversight Committee published hundreds of further documents from Epstein's estate.

The documents also appeared to show that Epstein kept tabs on news stories suggesting Prince Andrew was at risk of being brought into the scandal.

The paedophile was sent a Sunday Times story headlined 'Lawyers drag prince into underage sex scandal' in 2011. The article included reports that a Russian model who worked with Andrew was questioned under oath about whether he was involved with underage girls.

It is understood that she refused to answer and there is no suggestion that Andrew did part in such activity.

Flight records show Prince Andrew confirmed as a passenger on Jeffrey Epstein's private jet

He is said to have flown on the private jet, dubbed the 'Lolita Express', multiple times in the 1990s and early 2000s

The latest flight logs surfaced last night after the US House Oversight Committee published hundreds of further documents from Epstein's estate

And further embarrassment came from Andrew this week after it was revealed he met with the 'spymaster' at the heart of the collapsed China spy case at least three times.

Andrew, already mired in controversy over his friendship with another alleged Beijing spy, forged links with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) mandarin Cai Qi, with the pair posing as they celebrated 'jointly building a golden era in China-UK relations'.

Prosecutors now believe Cai was presiding over a massive intelligence-gathering operation to steal British secrets, overseeing the alleged activities of parliamentary researcher Christopher Cash and China-based English teacher Christopher Berry.

Both men have denied any wrongdoing and the case against them collapsed on the eve of trial last month after the Government refused to label China an 'enemy'.

It is understood that amidst all the scandal clouding Andrew, it was his nephew Prince William and members of government who led the pressure for him to take yet another step back from the monarchy.

Royal historian Andrew Lownie, who published an unauthorised biography of Prince Andrew in August called 'Entitled', revealed tonight that he believes the decision came from an unexpected source - the throne's heir, Prince William.

Speaking to the BBC, Lownie said: 'Andrew certainly hasn't driven it [the decision to give up his titles].

'I mean, if he was thinking of his family, as he claims, he would have done something like this many years ago. It's not really coming from King Charles either.

'It's coming from William and the government I understand who felt that this was a distraction from the wider work of the royal family.'

After the announcement was made, there was relief in York as local politicians called for Andrew's titles to be legally stripped.

York Central MP Rachael Maskell said: 'I have long called for the title of the Duke of York to be removed in the light that it carries an ambassadorial association with our city.'

She added: 'Having sought to change the law through my Removal of Titles Bill, I now think it is time for this legislation, which provides the King new powers to be able to remove titles or for a grand committee of both Houses of Parliament to make a recommendation to the King to remove a title.'

Although Andrew is relinquishing his dukedom, he technically retains it and it can only be removed by an Act of Parliament.

City Cllr Darryl Smalley added the move was a 'long time coming'.

He said: 'We'd obviously lobbied quite hard and sent several letters to the palace and to Prince Andrew himself, all of which via recorded post and none of which was answered, but obviously a few years later the pressure has meant that the palace has had to act.

'It's obviously a long time coming but finally they recognised what a massive liability he is.'

The titles and honours he will no longer use include his wedding day titles - The Duke of York, the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh, his knighthood as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) and his Garter role as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

Sarah Ferguson will also relinquish her title as the Duchess of York.

The prince stepped down from public life in 2019 following a Newsnight interview where he said he 'did not regret' his friendship with Epstein.

He was later stripped of his military patronages by the late Queen, and stopped using his HRH title.
Vladimir Putin made new brutal strikes on Ukraine despite telling Donald Trump he wants to 'end the war', while the US president rejected Volodymyr Zelensky's demands for American missiles.

Russian explosions rocked the regions of Kharkiv, Cherkasy, Poltava, and Zaporizhzhia overnight.

The Ukrainian navy was forced to destroy a Russian marine drone that was 'threatening civilian shipping', with impressive footage capturing the moment it was detonated.

Russia's overnight strikes across Ukraine triggered a fire at a civilian food warehouse in the Poltava region, and destroyed residential and administrative buildings.

Putin's latest attack comes after Trump on Friday refused Ukraine's demands for Tomahawk missiles in a tense meeting in Washington between the US president and Zelensky.

Trump expressed hopes to resolve the war 'without thinking about Tomahawks'.

'We need Tomahawks. One reason we want this war over is because it's not easy for us to keep sending massive weapons,' he said, citing the need to preserve US military readiness.

In response, Zelensky proposed a mutual production deal: US missiles for Ukrainian drones  a capability-sharing agreement to strengthen both countries' defence industries.

President Donald Trump greets the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House in Washington DC, on Friday, October 17, 2025

An artilleryman of the 15th 'Kara-Dag' Brigade of the Operational Assignment of the National Guard of Ukraine fires a D-30 howitzer towards Russian troops, at a position, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the frontline town of Kupiansk in Kharkiv region, Ukraine October 17, 2025

A handout picture made available by the State Emergency press service shows the site of a Russian strike on a residential building in Chernihiv, Ukraine, 16 October 2025, amid the ongoing Russian invasion

Trump hinted at a potential peace summit hosted by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, bringing Zelensky and Putin together. He acknowledged the personal animosity between the wartime leaders but expressed confidence that diplomacy could prevail.

The meeting came just one day after Trump agreed to a second sit-down with Putin in Hungary, with the White House playing up the Russian president's flattery.

Trump said that after the call, he was more convinced that Putin was ready to make peace.

But Zelensky on Friday insisted that Putin 'doesn't want peace.

'That's why we need to put pressure on him'.

Trump on Friday also called on Kyiv and Moscow to 'stop where they are' and end their brutal war following his meeting with Zelensky.

'Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by War and Guts,' Trump said in a Truth Social post not long after hosting Zelensky and his team for more than two hours of talks.

'They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide!'

Trump on Friday refused Ukraine's demands for Tomahawk missiles in a tense meeting in Washington

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) attends a lunch meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump (R) at the White House on October 17, 2025, in Washington

The comments amounted to another shift in position on the war by Trump.

In recent weeks, he had shown growing impatience with Putin and expressed greater openness to helping Ukraine win the war.

After meeting with Zelensky in New York on the sidelines of the annual U.N. General Assembly last month, Trump even said he believed the Ukrainians could win back all the the territory they had lost to Russia since Putin launched the February 2022 invasion.

That was a dramatic shift for Trump, who had previously insisted that Kyiv would have to concede land lost to Russia to end the war.

Zelensky after Friday's meeting said it was time for a ceasefire and negotiations. He sidestepped directly answering a question about Trump nudging Ukraine to give up land.

'The president is right we have to stop where we are, and then to speak,' Zelensky said when asked by reporters about Trump's social media post, which he hadn't seen.

Meanwhile, Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed a 'productive' call with European leaders on Friday, hours after Zelensky and Trump's meeting at the White House.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister called for a 'just and lasting peace' in Ukraine.

Smoke rises over destruction caused by Russian attacks on the town of Kostiantynivka, Ukraine, on October 18, 2025

A view of the destruction caused by Russian attacks on the town of Kostiantynivka, Ukraine, on October 18, 2025

'Productive call this evening with @ZelenskyyUa, other European leaders and @SecGenNATO,' he said.

'I reiterated our unwavering commitment to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, the UK will continue to send humanitarian aid and military support.'

Downing Street confirmed Sir Keir spoke with Zelensky to 'underscore the United Kingdom's resolute support for Ukraine'.

A Government spokesperson said the two men reiterated their 'unwavering commitment to Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian aggression'.

'Russia's stalling tactics ahead of peace talks had shown Ukraine was the serious party of peace, the Prime Minister told the President,' the spokesperson said.

'The UK would continue to step up its support and would ensure Ukraine was in the strongest possible position going into the winter through ongoing humanitarian, financial and military support, the Prime Minister added.'

Leaders from Germany, Finland, Italy, Norway, and Poland were also on the call, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Council President Antonio Costa.

Meanwhile on Friday, Russia faced a giant mystery explosion in Avangard military-linked plant in Russia's Sterlitamak, Bashkortostan region, killing three and wounding nine.

An administrative building and an education institution were damaged in Zaporizhzhia as a result of a Russian overnight attack

Russian explosions rocked the regions of Kharkiv , Cherkasy, Poltava, and Zaporizhzhia overnight

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends an event marking the 20th anniversary of the Russia Today (RT) TV channel at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, Russia, 17 October 2025

The factory produces explosives and ammunition, and the detonation is a significant blow to the Russian war effort.

There was no evidence of a Ukrainian drone strike and a major criminal probe is underway to establish the cause, amid evidently fears of sabotage.

It follows an early mystery explosion at another Sterlitamak plant in August, wounding 36, when workers 'fled like cockroaches' to escape.

A Ukraine drone strike triggered a large explosion and power grid chaos hitting the Veshkayma 500 kV high-voltage substation in Ulyanovsk region, Russia.

And Russia's premier resort Sochi faced a second night of hell as wailing sirens signalled drone warnings.

Loud explosions were heard in the Black Sea city in Krasnodar region.

Tourists and residents were ordered to take shelter in underground car parks and bomb shelters.

Yet it was one of the lightest nights of Ukrainian strikes on Russia in recent weeks.

New dramatic footage also showed the moment a drone on Friday exploded in flames a giant Russian Gvardeyskoye oil depot in occupied Crimea, triggering further petrol shortages on the peninsula.
A strong brew would've fixed my jetlag-induced doldrum but it was hard to find

once I landed in PEK. The dark liquid United Airlines served mid-air in 4oz paper

cups seemed to pack more caffeine than anything in the shops. The Coffetel I

stayed at made no fresh coffee. A Starbucks store here was still good for sitting

down to have a chat or a couple of hours of reading but its stiff pricing turned

the penny-pinching masses away. As a result, they cut drip coffee to save cost, I

was told by the friendly young lady serving my grande, and the watered-down

esspresso shots, aka the Americano, simply could not hit the spot like a Pike

Place Roast.

I didn't get lucky at Luckin, one of Starbucks's Chinese rivals. The latte tasted

like over-sugared pastuerized milk spiced with a dash of instant for flavor. A

store typically had a couple of small high-top bar tables and backless stools

lined up by the wall opposite to the counter with barely space inbetween for

people to file through. Most customers ordered and paid online and came in only

to grab their cheap drinks and go. Chatting felt out of place with the young

baristas behind the wide counter resembling earlier assembly-line workers. In

short, a bee hive leaving no chance to music or mental repose.

Two weeks later, I took off for SFO clinging to hope, however, after spotting late

in my trip Tim Horton's and Peet's Coffee in WangJing, a high-tech hub between the

city and PEK, and with a prayer: "Lord, we have sinned, but please save us from

the sissy cloy efficient dairy swill and bring back the good old addicting bitter

nectar, even at 30RMB a pop."
Portugal's parliament has approved a bill banning face veils worn for 'gender or religious' reasons in public, and people who wear them could face a hefty fine.

The measure was proposed by the far-right Chega party and would prohibit coverings such as burqas  a full-body garment that covers a woman from head to foot  and niqabs  the full-face Islamic veil with space around the eyes  from being worn in most public places.

Face veils would still be allowed in airplanes, diplomatic premises and places of worship.

The bill stipulates fines for those wearing face veils in public of up to 4,000 euros, or 3,475.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa still has to approve the bill. He could veto it or send it to the Constitutional Court for review.

If signed into law, Portugal would join a number of European countries such as Austria, France, Belgium and the Netherlands who have full or partial bans on face and head coverings.

Not many women in Portugal wear such coverings, but the issue of Islamic veils has generated controversy similar to other European countries.

Chega cited France and other EU countries' rationales for banning face coverings commonly worn by Muslim women.

Portugal's parliament has approved a bill banning face veils worn for ' gender or religious' reasons in public

The far-right Portuguese party received support for the bill from centre-right parties.

In its bill, Chega said that hiding the face subjects individuals  especially women  'to situations of exclusion and inferiority' and was incompatible with principles such as 'liberty, equality and human dignity.'

Lawmakers from left-leaning parties disagreed.

'This initiative is used solely to target foreigners, those who have a different faith,' said centre-left Socialist Party lawmaker Pedro Delgado Alves whose party voted against the bill.

He said that while no woman should be forced to wear a veil, the far-right party's approach was wrong.

The bill comes in the same week that Sweden's deputy prime minister called for a burqa ban 'while we can' as she hit out at the country's 'failed integration'.

Ebba Busch, leader of the Christian Democrats, said the Scandinavian country should prohibit woman from wearing burqas and niqabs in public, claiming it is an 'oppression' that is not welcome.

The veils should be banned in public environments including streets and squares, shopping centres and healthcare facilities, she added.

Portugal's proposed bill stipulates fines for those wearing face veils in public of up to 4,000 euros or 3,475. File photo: A woman wearing a niqab, a type of full veil as she walks down the street

Local municipalities in Sweden have previously tried to impose restrictions on the burqa, including in schools, but there are currently no restrictions nationwide.

Ms Busch, who also serves as the country's Minister for Energy and Minister for Business and Industry, said she believes the veils are incompatible with Swedish society and are an 'expression of a strict interpretation of Islam practiced in totalitarian states such as Iran and Afghanistan'.

'You should be able to meet for real if you are on the street, if you are shopping in the square, in the Ica store or taking the children to the health centre. Then I don't want to meet someone who has covered their entire face, she told Swedish outlet Aftonbladet.

The proposal would be part of an effort to increase the 'social cohesion' in the country which has seen 'failed integration'.

'It is the type of very naive liberalism, or lax social policy, that has brought Sweden to the situation we are in today,' the Ms Busch added.

She said almost 70,000 woman have suffered from female genital mutilation in the nordic nation and that while 'you are very welcome to be a Muslim in Sweden... you have to adapt if you are already in the country'.

Sweden's proposal comes after Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni called for a burka and niqab ban in public places in Italy with fines of 2,600 to stop 'Islamic separatism'.

Earlier this month, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for a burka and niqab ban in public places in Italy

The bill, presented to parliament by the Italian prime minister's Brothers of Italy party earlier this month, would see those wearing the garment in shops, offices, schools and universities fined between 260 and 2,600.

It will also introduce criminal penalties for 'cultural crimes' including virginity testing and increase punishments for forced marriages to up to 10 years in prison, with religious coercion grounds for prosecution.

The bill will combat 'religious radicalisation and religiously motivated hate', the party claims.
It was dubbed 'Australia's biggest race day' and racegoers in Sydney and Melbourne certainly acted like it.

In Sydney, a sold-out 50,000-strong crowd was on hand to watch Hong Kong champion Ka Ying Rising take out the $20million Everest at Royal Randwick.

'It's certainly the biggest thrill in my life,' trainer David Hayes said.

'I couldn't be cocky. I would've been so disappointed if he didn't win.'

The Everest is one of the more unique big race days on the Australian calendar with more than 60 per cent of the crowd under the age of 26.

And they lapped up the Sydney sunshine to watch the ninth edition of the world's best sprint race.

In Melbourne, history was created in the time-honoured Caulfield Cup after Jamie Melham became the first female jockey to win the race in its 149th edition.

A sold-out crowd of 50,000 was at Randwick to watch The Everest on Saturday

Racegoers at Caulfield showed up too as Jamie Melham created history in the cup

Media personality Grace Hayden was at Randwick for the big race

Many punters left Randwick happy as the favourite took out The Everest

Ka Ying Rising, ridden by jockey Zac Purton, wins The Everest at Royal Randwick

The Everest has become a young people's race as it's developed over the years

Some punters were keen to make a quick getaway after the races ended

Others too time for a rest after a long day in the sunshine.

She rode Half Yours to an emphatic win and her 17th Group 1 triumph.

'I've tried not to think about the race too much the past few days but I knew I was coming here to ride the best horse,' Melham said.

'I've had an incredible career, so lucky, but to win one of the big ones is amazing.'

Melburnians didn't want Sydney to outdo them and they too showed up in numbers to celebrate one of the country's Grand Slam races.

The ladies dressed elegantly for Sydney's biggest race day

It was the biggest race day at Randwick since Winx's last race

Revellers packed the lawns at Caulfield for the big day.

Racegoers lived it up in the sun at Caulfield on Saturday

It was a bif day for the ladies on and off the track at Caulfield

Jamie Melham became the first female jockey to win the Caulfield Cup in its 149-year history

Jamie Melham wasn't the only female rider getting a perfect passage at Caulfield.

Punters celebrate a win at Caulfield on Saturday

Punters in Sydney and Melbounre was in good moods on what was a massive day of racing
Dominic Cummings has forecast that Nigel Farage will be the UK's next Prime Minister if he can build the right team around him.

Cummings, Boris Johnson's former right-hand man, says the Reform UK leader will succeed if he can extend his reach beyond being a 'one man band with an iPhone' to bringing in 'genuinely talented people'.

Johnson's former Chief Adviser, whose spectacular fall from grace at the end of 2020 led to a bitter war of words with his former boss said he would even vote for Farage if he managed to do that.

'I think it's mainly in his hands. If by the time of the local elections next year he's built the team that the country wants to see, then you have to say that he's the favourite at that point, for sure.

If he builds a team and no one else does anything, then I'd vote for him, yeah. Why not?'

But he warned that if he failed to create the right team, he would 'implode' on contact with Whitehall.

In a no-holds-barred interview, Cummings also slammed PM Sir Keir Starmer as 'completely rubbish at politics' and even dubbed him an 'NPC PM'. NPC - a gaming term for a non-player character - is a popular Gen Z insult for someone who is a complete bystander to the action.

Cummings, credited with masterminding Johnson's spectacular 2019 landslide victory and even winning the Brexit referendum, prophesied that Starmer would be gone by next year, possibly replaced by Ed Miliband or even Angela Rayner.

Dominic Cummings has forecast that Nigel Farage will be the UK's next Prime Minister

Cummings said the Reform UK leader will succeed if he can build the right team around him

And he tore into Tory leader Kemi Badenoch as a 'disaster' who would be out of a job come the May elections, writing off her party as 'already past the event horizon' and facing extinction.

Meanwhile he prolonged his enmity with Johnson, saying there was no chance of a comeback for him  '100 per cent  it's impossible' as he talked about how he helped to bring down the then PM with a series of leaks which led to the infamous 'Partygate' scandal.

Heavily critical of Labour's handling of the migrant crisis and the economy, Cummings also warned that the 'British state is broken' and said in an expletive-laden rant:

'The way to stop the f***ing stupid boat dinghies' is to deploy the Royal Navy in the English Channel.'

He said the approach to the public finances, particularly the empowerment of the Office for Budget Responsibility, was 'completely insane' and needed to be ripped up and suggested someone should 'take a chainsaw to the old Northcote-Trevelyan system [the basis of the civil service] at the foundations', abolishing the Cabinet Office in the process.

In an interview with The Times, he said he now preferred spending time at home with his family and said he would not return to politics.

'No one wants me back and I don't want to go back,' he said.
A Brisbane businessman once celebrated as a domestic violence charity ambassador is now at the centre of shocking allegations that have stunned the community.

William Wee Liat Tan, 48, appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday, where his bail application was refused after prosecutors detailed what they alleged was 'horrific' offences involving child exploitation and grooming.

Tan, the founder of Sieverts Group of Companies and former chief financial officer for the Ms Oceania Pageant, was arrested on Sunday.

It followed a joint investigation by Queensland Police's Taskforce Argos and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team.

Authorities seized six laptops, multiple mobile phones, and storage devices during raids on his Fortitude Valley and Fitzgibbon properties.

Police say the review of the material could take up to six weeks, with 'many more charges' expected.

Tan faces 21 counts of using a carriage service to make available child abuse material, alongside charges of possessing and distributing child exploitation material, grooming a person under 16, and administering websites dedicated to child abuse.

Among the most disturbing allegations is that Tan founded and ran an online group called 'Joy of Rape', which prosecutors say centred on 'molesting and hardcore child sex, rape'.

William Wee Liat Tan (pictured) faces 21 charges, including distribution of child abuse material

Police allege Tan encouraged another man, based in the United States, to rape his 15-year-old daughter during an online chat.

He also allegedly groomed an 11-year-old girl overseas, telling her she was his 'favourite type of girl' and that he 'liked to rape'.

Magistrate Louise Shepherd refused bail, citing the strength of the case and the risk Tan posed to children.

'I don't proceed on the basis that that is simply hollow comments by you,' she told the court, referring to Tan's alleged online boasts about raping children.

She added that, if convicted, Tan would likely face a lengthy prison sentence.

Police prosecutor Harry Coburn argued Tan had been living a 'double life', presenting himself as a wealthy, successful businessman while allegedly engaging in abhorrent online behaviour.

'That is well and truly over  This is the end of the line for his double life,' Coburn said.

Tan's defence barrister Eddie Coker acknowledged the allegations were 'abhorrent' but argued his client had a right to bail and would comply with strict conditions, including surrendering his passport.

However, Magistrate Shepherd concluded that Tan posed an unacceptable risk to children and denied the application.

William Wee Liat Tan (pictured) allegedly founded and ran an online group called 'Joy of Rape'

The case has sent shockwaves through Brisbane's business and charity circles, as Tan was previously announced as an ambassador for the domestic violence charity Open Haven in 2022.

In a statement released earlier this week, Open Haven said they were unable to comment due to the matter being before the courts.

'We can confirm Mr Tan only supported fundraising events at our organisation and had no contact with our services, clients, or their children.' a spokesperson said.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and anticipate a significant number of additional charges as they continue to examine the seized devices.
Prince Andrew's statement announcing he would be relinquishing all his remaining royal titles contained a hidden message about Prince William's involvement, a royal expert has claimed.

The disgraced royal last night announced he would no longer be known as the Duke of York and was stepping down from membership of the Order of the Garter  the country's most ancient order of chivalry.

Prince Andrew said the decision had been made in discussion with the King and the rest of his family and was a result of the 'continued accusations against him'.

Royal expert Jennie Bond explained that she was 'struck' by the use of the pronoun 'we' rather than 'I' at points in the statement.

She said this suggests that 'extreme pressure' has been put on Prince Andrew from King Charles and Prince William from behind the scenes.

Ms Bond told Sky News: 'I am struck by the use of the pronoun "we".

'This is a clear indication that extreme pressure has been put on Prince Andrew to do the decent thing if you like and fall on his sword.

'If he hadn't fallen on his sword he would have been pushed very firmly onto it.

Prince Andrew at the Order of the Garter service in 2019 outside St George's Chapel in Windsor - he will now relinquish his Knight of the Garter status, as well as the title of Duke of York

Royal expert Jenny Bond explained that she was 'struck' by the use of the pronoun 'we' rather than 'I' throughout Andrew's statement

Prince Andrew's statement was released by Buckingham Palace on Friday night

'He could not go on with all these headlines which are indeed distracting from the work of the family.

'I think there have been some pointed words between Charles and I think William, very much in the background putting the pressure on Andrew to do what most of us would see as the decent thing.'

In his statement, Prince Andrew made clear he continues to deny allegations of sexual assault made against him by the late Virginia Giuffre, who he met through paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

But he conceded continued revelations about his dealings with Epstein, as reported by The Mail on Sunday, were a 'distraction' from the good work of the Royal Family.

He said his decision was prompted by his desire to 'always... put my duty to my family and country first'  echoing his infamous comment that he chose to break off relations with Epstein by flying to New York to tell him the news personally, because he was an 'honourable' man.

Royal expert Ms Bond, however, highlighted the fact that Prince Andrew says in his statement that he will stop 'using' his titles, not give them up.

She said: 'I'm also struck by the fact that he says "I won't use my title". He's not actually giving it up.

'He must be referring to his dukedom which was given to him by his mother in 1986 when he married Sarah Ferguson who will no longer be a Duchess.'

Virginia Giuffre photographed with Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell in London in 2001

Virginia Giuffre's family have said she has been 'vindicated' after Prince Andrew gave up his royal titles last night, adding that 'these monsters can't escape' (Pictured: Virginia Giuffre)

Last night, in a statement, the family of Ms Giuffre, who took her own life in April, said Andrew's decision was 'vindication for our sister and survivors everywhere'.

They added: 'This moment serves as victory for Virginia, who consistently maintained, "He knows what happened, I know what happened, and there's only one of us telling the truth, and I know that's me".'

Last weekend, the MoS exclusively revealed that Andrew had publicly lied when he claimed he never had contact with Epstein again following a 'final' meeting with him in December 2010.

It obtained emails sent 12 weeks after that meeting in which Andrew contacted the sex offender to reassure him, the day after a picture of the prince with Ms Giuffre was published, that 'we are in this together' and would have to 'rise above it'.

Sickeningly, Andrew concluded: 'Otherwise keep in close touch and we'll play some more soon!!!' It was signed 'A, HRH The Duke of York, KG', as a knight of the Order of the Garter.

It was also revealed that Andrew met, on at least three occasions, the alleged Chinese spymaster at the centre of the current Whitehall espionage case.

Sources have told the Daily Mail that things came to a head this week after a 'constant drip, drip' of fresh claims, of which the MoS's email revelations proved the 'most significant issue'.

The changes will take effect immediately and were decided upon in recognition of the fact that the prince's personal issues continued to be an 'unwelcome distraction' from the work of the wider Royal Family.

King Charles III is said to be 'glad' his brother has given up his titles after discussions with Andrew and his son, Prince William

However, the King has acknowledged that he cannot legally force Andrew out of his Royal Lodge home and he will continue to remain there so long as he can afford the rent.

The prince has a 100-year-plus private tenancy agreement with the Crown Estate which is said to be 'unaffected' by issues relating to his honours and titles.

The prince's titles, rather than being stripped from him, are 'in abeyance'  they effectively remain 'extant but inactive'.

It is understood that part of the King's thinking was to prevent a waste of parliamentary time formally taking the titles away. Any move to do so would have required an Act of Parliament.

But His Majesty was also very keen to 'protect' Andrew's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who remain Her Royal Highnesses as granddaughters of Queen Elizabeth.

If their father's titles had been removed, theirs would have been affected too, and Charles was keen to avoid this as he holds them 'in high regard and affection'.

'He wouldn't have wanted to sign off on anything that would impact them,' a source said.

Andrew remains a prince because he is the son of Queen Elizabeth II, according to Letters Patent  a written expression of wishes by a monarch  issued in 1917 by George V, updated by Queen Elizabeth in 2012.

A source confirmed: 'The title of duke will not be used and consider in 'abeyance'.

'His HRH title is already inactive. The prince's other titles and honours now join it.'

Notably Andrew formally remains a Counsellor of State: to act on behalf of the King, in 'limited and defined circumstances' should he become incapacitated or is abroad. Prince Harry is another who could theoretically act in such circumstances.

But sources stressed that it was already made clear, via Parliament in 2022, that non-working members of the Royal Family will not be called to serve in this capacity so the position is again inactive and not worth taking up parliamentary time to change.

Sources also confirmed  as previously revealed by the Mail  that Andrew will not join the Royal Family at Christmas at Sandringham ever again, although his daughters are welcome.

A royal source told the Mail: 'There is relief that this is over.'
Police in France have detained four people suspected of plotting to kill a high-profile Russian critic of Vladimir Putin.

French intelligence agents believe the suspects may have been recruited by Russian secret services to target prison rights activist Vladimir Osechkin's home in southwest France this year before a planned assassination attempt on him.

According to the anti-terror prosecution office, four men aged between 26 and 38 were detained on Monday, but it gave no details about their nationalities, any possible motives for allegedly targeting Osechkin or whether the men are suspected of links to foreign spy services.

Osechkin, who was exiled from Russia after he exposed the country's brutal carceral system, said he believed Putin's security services were behind a plot to kill him after he saw video evidence from French police, including video footage of his home.

He believes some of the men detained are from Dagestan, a majority Muslim republic in southern Russia.

Following questioning, France's anti-terror prosecution office said the four men are being kept in detention on a preliminary terror-related charge, enabling investigators to continue holding them while the probe continues.

French officials did not confirm there had been an attempt on Osechkin's life.

'I saw how everyone was filming, how they prepared the sites from which to shoot,' he told the Associated Press, adding he believes 'this was an expensive special operation, sanctioned and financed from Moscow.'

Four men have been arrested in France on suspicion of plotting to kill exiled Russian rights activist Vladimir Osechkin (pictured)

The AP did not immediately receive a reply from the Russian Foreign Ministry over the allegations.

The French intelligence service is among multiple European agencies that have been investigating what Western officials say is a broad campaign of alleged Russian sabotage and hybrid warfare targeting European allies of Ukraine.

That campaign has included multiple arson attacks across Europe, as well as cyberattacks and espionage.

Four European intelligence officials told the AP earlier this year that Moscow is threatening exiled opponents and running what they described as an assassination program targeting perceived enemies of the state.

That has included attempts to assassinate high-profile figures such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky while in Poland and the head of a German arms manufacturer that provides weapons to Ukraine.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

The Kremlin has previously denied Russia is carrying out a sabotage campaign against the West.

Osechkin has long suspected that he could be targeted for possible assassination because of his work, even in exile in Biarritz, the beach resort town on southwest France's Atlantic seaboard where he lives. He said there have been several threats on his life since 2022, most recently in February this year.

Osechkin said he believed Putin's security services were behind a plot to kill him

He said the suspects 'circled the area' and filmed in detail the place where he regularly did livestreams on his social media channels and looked for escape routes to leave unnoticed.

Osechkin said he believes he is only alive because French police previously provided him with protection. He said he remains at risk although French police carried out arrests in the wake of earlier death threats, adding that he and his family are often moved to safe houses when new threats emerge.

'Those who were arrested are just a part of the overall picture, they are part of a big team,' he said.

During questioning, Osechkin said French authorities asked him about his activities and 'in what way this could cause anger and aggression from the Kremlin, Putin and his intelligence services and why they are trying to kill me.'

Osechkin sought political asylum in France after fleeing Russia under pressure from authorities over his prison activism.

His group routinely publishes videos and accounts of alleged torture and corruption in Russian prisons, and he was among the first to reveal that Russia's military was recruiting prisoners to fight in Ukraine.

His group, Gulagu.net, also helped bring Russian fugitive paratrooper Pavel Filatiev to France in 2022. Filatiev served in Ukraine war before being injured, and later published accounts online of what he saw, accusing the Russian military leadership of betraying their own troops out of incompetence and corruption.

Other Russian defectors have been killed.

Putin has been accused of threatening exiled opponents and running what has been described as an assassination program targeting perceived enemies of the state

In 2024, Spanish police found the bullet-riddled body of Russian helicopter pilot Maxim Kuzminov in southern Spain. He escaped across the front lines and into Ukraine with a helicopter in 2023.

The head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergei Naryshkin, subsequently told Russian journalists that Kuzminov was a 'traitor and criminal' who was a 'moral corpse.'

Osechkin suggested other critics of Putin's 'regime' including Russian opposition figures and journalists are also at risk and said the goal was not only to silence him but also them.

'This isn't just about the killing of me as an individual,' Osechkin said, but also an attempt 'to frighten other human rights activists into reducing their activity or stopping it altogether.'
The Chicago mayor accused President Donald Trump of wanting a 'Civil War' rematch during a No Kings protest.

Mayor Brandon Johnson ignited the crowd on Saturday by telling liberals to be 'ready to defend this democracy' and to be 'ready to fight fascism.'

'Are you prepared to destroy authoritarianism once and for all? Well let the world hear you, no kings!' he said in an impassioned speech.

He warned Chicago residents to be prepared for a 'rematch of the Civil War.'

'The attempt to divide and conquer this nation will not prevail because when the people are united, justice always prevails,' he said.

'If my ancestors, as slaves, can lead the greatest general strike in the history of this country, taking it to the ultra-rich and big corporations, we can do the same today.'

The 49-year-old politician promised the crowd that the liberal hotspot would remain at the forefront of the resistance against the Trump Administration.

Trump and his allies have moaned about the Windy City in recent months and filed an emergency Supreme Court appeal to deploy the National Guard to Chicago as protests continue.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson ignited the crowd on Saturday by telling liberals to be 'ready to defend this democracy' and to be 'ready to fight fascism'

New York's Times Square floods with protesters for the No Kings rally on October 18

This marks the first time Trump officials have the highest court in the land to weigh in on one of his crime and immigration crackdowns in blue cities.

The state of Illinois and the City of Chicago had sued to stop the National Guard from being federalized.

Hundreds of thousands of protesters and high-profile figures flooded streets across the US on Saturday as part of No Kings rallies against Trump.

The National Guard is poised to meet demonstrators after being put on alert in several states amid fears the demonstrations could turn violent.

The rally is the second time that protesters have dissented against Trump this year, after the first demonstration descended into chaos in cities including Los Angeles and Portland.

Actors Jack Black and John Cusack were spotted at the rallies. Notable politicians, including Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Raphael Warnock, Senator Chris Murphy, and Governor JB Pritzker, also addressed the crowds.

Republican Speaker Mike Johnson branded the latest protests a 'hate America rally' comprised of 'the pro-Hamas wing' and 'antifa people' during an appearance on Fox News.

But demonstrators say they are rallying against what they deem as increasingly authoritarian polices by the Trump administration.

Demonstrators turned out to oppose what they deem as authoritarian policies by Donald Trump

Demonstrators in Italy showed off their obscene signs calling Trump a 'c***' and a rapist

Cusack told CNN at a rally in Chicago: 'No, you [Trump] cant put troops on our streets. You cant create enough chaos to invoke the Insurrection Act so you can stay in power. We all know what your plan is.'

Sanders spoke at the protest in DC, issuing a defiant message to his Republican colleagues and the Republican administration amid the government shutdown.

Murphy blasted Trump for 'enacting a detailed, step-by-step plan to destroy all the things that protect our free speech,' while Warnock kicked off the rally in Atlanta, accusing the president of 'weaponizing despair.'

Other celebrities expected to attend the protests include Jane Fonda, Kerry Washington, John Legend, Alan Cumming, and John Leguizamo, according to a fundraising email on Thursday from the political action committee Progressive Change Campaign Committee.

Local and federal officials have urged protesters to remain peaceful, but many cities have increased public safety measures in preparation for violence.

The protests in the US coincided with global demonstrations taking place in the likes in the UK, Italy and Germany.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Department of Public Safety and the National Guard to 'surge forces into Austin ahead of an Antifa-linked protest'.

'Texas will NOT tolerate chaos,' he wrote on X. 'Anyone destroying property or committing acts of violence will be swiftly arrested. Law and order will be enforced.'

Bernie Sanders spoke at the protest in DC , issuing a defiant message to his Republican colleagues and the Republican administration amid the government shutdown

Demonstrators on their way to Chicago's Grant Park on Saturday afternoon

The second No Kings protest has kicked off in major cities across the country on Saturday afternoon (Pictured: A protester in Times Square, New York)

The governor's office later issued a statement declaring that Special Agents, Texas Rangers, and the Texas National Guard will be deployed along with Homeland Security to investigate 'any links to known terrorist organizations'.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin also placed the National Guard on 'state active duty' status.

The governor wrote in a statement: 'With planned protests across the country this weekend, including in Virginia, I want to be clear that Virginians have a fundamental right to free speech and peaceful assembly, but that right does not include the destruction of property, looting, vandalism, disruption of traffic, or violence of any kindfor which there will be zero tolerance.'

Kansas Senator Roger Marshall told CNN that the state would 'have to get the National Guard out' amid the nationwide protests.

'Hopefully it'll be peaceful. I doubt it,' he added.

Organizers of the event have maintained that the protests are intended to be peaceful and assured that leaders have undergone de-escalation training.

Some are still concerned about chaos, Portland, Oregon resident Jamila Mohamed, telling local NBC affiliate, KGW, that she is concerned about the protests in light of previous violence which broke out during Black Lives Matter rallies in 2020.

'I don't feel safe right now where I am in downtown right now,' she said.

Demonstrators wear costumes and carry signs as they rally marching to the national Mall in Washington DC

Prominent Republican leaders have doubted the protests peaceful intentions leading to several states deploying the national guard

Judy Mason participates in a 'No Kings' rally in Birmingham, Alabama by taunting Trump with a taco hat in reference to the jibe Trump Always Chickens Out (TACO) which was coined in response to his threats and reversals during his trade war

However, others told the outlet that they thought the demonstration was a 'valiant effort to try and save our democracy.'

The National Guard's presence across major cities is the latest move from the Trump administration to mobilize troops.

After Trump deployed the troops to Los Angeles, California officials widely protested their presence, and the state sued the Trump administration for exceeding legal authority by sending troops without the governor's consent.

Later in the summer, Trump sent hundreds of National Guard members to Washington DC, prompting the District of Columbia to file a lawsuit to end the deployment.

In recent weeks, Trump activated National Guard troops in Portland, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth mobilized members in Chicago.

Trump addressed the protests against his administration to reporters on Wednesday, noting that the opposition 'have their day coming up'.

'I hear very few people are gonna be there, by the way. But they have their day coming up and they want to have their day in the sun,' he added.

Prominent celebrities and Democrats have encouraged participation in the protest, with former Vice President Kamala Harris sharing a video on social media advocating for peaceful protest of the current administration.

Organization leaders have pushed back on the deployment of the National Guard, assuring that the event's purpose is to be peaceful (Pictured: Protesters lining the streets in Ocala, Florida)

The protests are happening nationwide, with over 2,500 registered events (Pictured: A person dressed in a Donald Trump costume parading the streets of DC)

The event is protesting Donald Trump's policies, including his hardline deportation measures, anti-environmental positions, and his increasing scope over the federal government (Pictured: A protester holding signs in Times Square on Saturday afternoon)

The organizers for the rally have maintained that the protest will be calm and the National Guard won't be needed.

The No Kings coalition wrote on its website that all events have a shared commitment to preventing violence and promoting safety.

Organization leaders noted that they are trained in de-escalation and are working to ensure peaceful protests nationwide.

Diedre Schlifeling, the political and advocacy officer for the American Civil Liberties Union, which is participating in the protest, said she didn't expect a need for the Guard.

'But if the Trump Administration attempts to do that as a way to intimidate peaceful protests, we are prepared for that,' she added.

The No Kings rally follows the first event in June that saw millions of people take to the streets in protest of Trump's crusade against immigrants, healthcare policies, anti-environmental stances, and policies on gun violence.

The event coincided with a massive parade the president ordered to the military's 250th anniversary which also unfolded around his birthday.

'The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we dont have kings and we wont back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty,' the organization's description reads.

'Because this country does not belong to kings, dictators, or tyrants. It belongs to We the People - the people who care, who show up, and the ones who fight for dignity, a life we can afford, and real opportunity. No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings.'

There are a multitude of partners sponsoring the event, including the TransLatin Coalition, Stand Up America, the Sierra Club, Saline Indivisible, Planned Parenthood, Greenpeace, Catholics Vote Common Good, Bend the Arc Jewish Action, the Arab American Institute, and the ACLU, among others.

There are over 2,500 planned protests across the country, with major events in San Francisco, Kansas City, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington DC, New York City, and Boston.
Queensland Health has launched an urgent investigation after fears that fast food meals in Logan may have been contaminated with rat poison, leaving five people hospitalised in the past week.

Chief Health Officer Dr Catherine McDougall confirmed the department is probing a cluster of suspected poisoning cases across the Metro South Health region.

Patients are understood to have presented to Princess Alexandria and Logan Hospitals.

In an internal alert obtained by Nine News, clinicians were warned to be on high alert for patients presenting with unexplained bleeding symptoms and coagulopathy - a condition where blood fails to clot properly.

The suspected culprit is Brodifacoum, a powerful anticoagulant commonly found in rodent baits.

The poison works by reducing vitamin K levels in the body, which is essential for blood clotting.

Even small doses can trigger severe internal bleeding and, in extreme cases, can be fatal.

Health authorities believe the patients may have ingested the toxin through contaminated products served at a fast-food outlet in Logan.

Five people have been hospitalised in Brisbane after eating takeout with rat poison (stock)

Investigators are racing to locate the source of where the contamination came from (stock)

Investigators are now racing to determine the source of the contamination and whether it was accidental or deliberate.

Dr McDougall told Nine News the patients are all expected to recover.

She added that Queensland Health was working closely with food safety regulators to trace the contamination and prevent further cases.

The internal memo urged doctors to consider Brodifacoum poisoning in patients with unexplained bleeding disorders, particularly when routine tests fail to identify other causes.

Treatment typically involves high-dose Vitamin K therapy, which can last for weeks due to the poisons long-lasting effects.

Queensland Health has not named the outlet involved but is advising the public to seek urgent medical attention if they experience unusual bruising, bleeding gums, or prolonged nosebleeds after eating takeaway food.

Daily Mail contacted Queensland Health for comment.
A New Jersey mother is pleading for adult charges to be brought against the teen who allegedly killed her daughter and the girl's best friend.

Foulla Niotis said her 17-year-old daughter, Maria, and Maria's best friend, Isabella Salas, were struck and killed last month in Cranford, New Jersey, by a Jeep allegedly driven by 17-year-old Vincent Battiloro, the nephew of Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro .

Police said the vehicle was traveling at about 70 mph when it hit the girls as they rode an e-bike.

Although the case is being heard in juvenile court and details about the suspect cannot be released publicly, traffic citations from the crash identified the driver as Battiloro.

'I would want him to be tried as an adult. He knew what he was doing. I really, truly believe he knew what he was doing,' Niotis told Fox News. 'I want justice for these two beautiful girls. My girls.'

Niotis said she repeatedly warned police about Battiloro but was told there was little they could do because he was a juvenile.

The family's attorney, Brent Bramnick, said Battiloro began harassing Maria in March.

He then escalated the behavior in September, making multiple false emergency calls, known as swatting, were made to Cranford police and to her home before the crash, and that Battiloro repeatedly parked outside their house.

Foulla Niotis is urging prosecutors to try the 17-year-old suspect as an adult after her daughter Maria and Maria's best friend Isabella were killed in a high-speed hit-and-run in Cranford, New Jersey

Maria Niotis, 17, was one of the victims killed in the crash

He added that on one occasion, officers came to the scene and let him leave.

New Jersey law does not allow restraining orders against minors, a gap that has sparked outrage and a petition for reform that has drawn nearly 7,000 signatures on Change.org.

The suspect has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

'I would like to see the truth come out,' Bramnick told Fox News.

'We have a grieving family, a grieving mother, two innocent children lost. This is the type of unimaginable circumstances that we all fear, both people with children, people without children, everybody in the community, and the public has questions.

'And I think they deserve answers, and also the family deserves answers.'

Prosecutors can request to move certain juvenile cases to adult criminal court based on the circumstances.

Bramnick said the deaths of Maria and Isabella are exactly the kind of case that should qualify for that transfer.

Isabella Salas, 17, was also killed in the crash

'There are a number of incidents that occurred prior to the murder of both of the children, and the question we would ask is what was done?' he said.

Police Chief Christopher Battiloro, the suspect's uncle, condemned the killings, and made it clear the suspect was not in his immediate family.

The suspect's father served as a Chatham Borough police officer until retiring in December 2024, and his uncle is the current police chief in Westfield.

The family has asked New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin to review the case.

A GoFundMe has been created to help both grieving families during this time.
Two volunteers wrestled a weapon from a gunman wearing a disturbing flag around his neck at a New York conference after he pointed it at attendees.

Connor Weston, 27, of Dayton, Ohio, was arrested after being by restrained by CUNY's Wikimedian-in-Residence, Richard Knipel, and Wikipedia's Andrew Lih inside the Civic Hall in Manhattan's Union Square neighborhood on Friday around 9am.

Weston, a paying attendee of the conference, allegedly hopped on stage, pointed the gun toward the ceiling, and told the crowd: 'Im a non-contact pedophile. I want to kill myself,' the New York Post reported.

He was seen wearing a multicolored flag that read: 'Anti-contact non-offending pedophile' and had the colors that are associated with 'minor-attracted persons,' or MAPs.

Non-offending pedophiles are people who experience sexual attraction to children, but do not engage in illegal contact with them.

Weston was allegedly protesting Wikipedia's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy regarding pedophiles, where they are banned indefinitely from the site, The New York Times reported.

More than 100 people were attending the session when Weston hopped on stage. When he started yelling, that's when Knipel rushed the stage and grabbed Weston from behind, he told The Times.

Lih, who was standing in the aisle, followed suit and wrestled the gun from the 27-year-old's hands.

Connor Weston, 27, of Dayton, Ohio, was arrested after allegedly bringing a gun to the Wikipedia conference in New York City on Friday. He was seen wearing a 'anti-contact non-offending pedophile' flag around his neck

CUNY's Wikimedian-in-Residence, Richard Knipel, (right) and Wikipedia's Andrew Lih (left) restrained him and got the gun away from him. Knipel grabbed Weston from behind, while Lih wrangled the gun out of his hand

'I saw the gun hes holding go from pointing up at the ceiling to sweeping down toward the room, and as it swept across me I said: "Oh, my god," and I ducked down, but I still kept moving,' he told the outlet.

'I grabbed his arm. He was still clutching his gun pretty hard. I pried his fingers away from it, removed it from his hands and put it down.'

The gun was loaded, police sources told The Times. No shots were fired.

Weston has been charged with criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment, the NYPD told the Daily Mail.

Weston said he was 'fundamentally against adult/minor relations because I know that they are harmful,' he wrote in a June X post.

'I dont have any "urges" that I have to control, just like how most straight men dont have the urge to rape every woman they meet. Pedophilia is not a choice. I can choose to not harm minors, but I cannot choose to stop being attracted to them.'

Conference attendees were alerted to the danger via blaring alarms telling them a gunman was on the second floor and to go back into their classrooms and lock the door.

Karen Ganes, who was attending the conference and was grabbing a coffee when the alarms sounded, told The Post half her classroom was glass, leaving attendees crowding in the back by the wall.

Weston, a paying attendee of the conference, allegedly hopped on stage, pointed the gun toward the ceiling, and told the crowd: 'Im a non-contact pedophile. I want to kill myself'

Non-offending pedophiles are people who experience sexual attraction to children, but do not engage in illegal contact with them. He was allegedly protesting Wikipedia's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy regarding pedophiles

Another woman, who was in the room with Weston, told The Post: 'It was surprising. One of the keynote speakers was presenting, and then all of a sudden, there was someone on the stage saying something about suicide.

'I didnt realize he had a gun, but apparently he did. But the response was really fast: "Get down, get out."'

The rest of the conference will proceed as normal with heightened security.

'Participants at WikiConference North America are safe, and are continuing to gather together in community,' a representative said.

'We appreciate the conference organizers and attendees who stepped in to help during the opening ceremony.'

Bill Adair, a journalism professor who was speaking in the room Weston was, thanked the two volunteers for 'saving my life.'
News / Africa

by Staff reporter

Retired Crime Intelligence Head, Richard Mdluli wants Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee investigating concerns of national security to give him an opportunity to make a presentation.In a letter written by his lawyers to the committee, Mdluli says he is deeply aggrieved by adverse allegations being made against him at the committee.The Committee is investigating allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption and political interference in the justice system that were made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi during a media briefing, in July.The letter says Mdluli has not been invited by the committee to present his version of events or respond to the serious allegations levelled against him despite his name repeatedly used as a benchmark for corruption and as an example of institutional rot.
China has issued a stark warning that the UK 'will bear all the consequences' if its new London super embassy is not approved without delay.

Its foreign ministry has hit back in open fury at further delays to permission for its planned embassy in the heart of the City of London.

It warned ominously that the UK must 'must immediately fulfil its obligations and honour its commitments, otherwise the British side shall bear all the consequences'.

The country's enraged reaction followed the government's announcement last week that planning permission for what would be the largest embassy in Europe  at the site of the old Royal Mint  would be delayed again.

A postponed government decision had been expected next week but, in the midst of ongoing concerns about Chinese spying in Whitehall and controversy over the collapse of the Chinese spying trial, it has delayed a decision again until December.

Expressing his 'grave concern and strong dissatisfaction', Lin Jian, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry told Bloomberg that the UK had shown a 'disregard for contractual spirit, acting in bad faith and without integrity'.

It follows strong condemnation from the Chinese Embassy last week which said it 'strongly deplored the UK's repeated postponement of the approved deadline for the new Chinese embassy project'.

It added: 'The UK's repeated delay in approving the application is groundless and unjustifiable.

China wants to create a huge diplomatic headquarters on a historic site near the City of London

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pictured with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Brazil last year

An artist's illustration of the proposed frontage of the Chinese 'super-embassy' in Tower Hamlets, east London

It is an international obligation of the host country to provide support and facilitation for the construction of diplomatic premises.'

A row has rumbled on about the planned mega embassy since 2018 when China bought the 215,280 sq ft site for 255 million from the Crown Estate.

Security fears were immediately raised over the land's proximity to sensitive underground communications in the Square Mile.

Those who have fled Hong Kong's Chinese regime also fear the huge embassy would be used as a base to hunt them down.

Copies of plans with redacted basement rooms revealed in the Mail on Sunday also heightened fears about China's plans for the complex.

In 2022, the plans were turned down by Tower Hamlets Council but they were resubmitted and called in by Angela Rayner, then Housing Secretary, leading to accusations that the government would be swayed by Chinese government pressure to approve the plans.

Rayner's replacement Steve Reed was due to rule on the plans next week.

Meanwhile Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson's former Chief Adviser, told ITV News that UK security services were explicit that the mega embassy would be used as a 'spy centre'.

'So MI5 and MI6 said to me explicitly 'China is trying to build a spy centre underneath the embassy.

'It is an extremely bad idea to allow this to go ahead. It's particularly a bad idea given the exact location and various cables which run underneath London.

'Please will you try and help us to persuade the prime minister to kibosh this dreadful idea because other powerful parts of Whitehall don't want to have a row with China about it, particularly the Treasury.'
Kanye West has sold his $14 million Wyoming ranch back to its original owners after allowing it to crumble into disrepair.

Bighorn Mountain Ranch, a 6,713-acre property near Greybull, has returned to the Flitner family who first sold it to the rap star in 2019.

The purchase came just months after he snapped up the nearby Monster Lake Ranch near Cody for $8 million, where he unveiled ambitious plans to build futuristic domes he believed could help curb homelessness.

But Monster Lake fell into disrepair amid the fallout of his split from Kim Kardashian and the aftershock of his antisemitic remarks in 2022 which cost him several lucrative deals.

It was listed for sale last year for $12 million and remains on the market today.

But Bighorn Mountain Ranch owners Greg and Pam Flitner have now officially reclaimed their family land from West.

On September 17, a record of sale was notarized by Wests now-wife, Bianca Censori, acting on his behalf, according to Cowboy State Daily.

While it remains largely intact, the family said their beloved home has fallen into significant decay.

Kanye West sold Bighorn Mountain Ranch, his $14 million Wyoming property, back to its original owners in September

Bighorn Mountain Ranch, a 6,713-acre property near Greybull (pictured) owned by the Flitner family, was purchased by the rap star in 2019

Greg and Pam Flitner (family pictured) of the family-owned property officially reclaimed their family land from West, according to a record of sale notarized by Wests now-wife, Bianca Censori, in September

The Bighorn property is surrounded by National Forest lands and features tree-lined canyons, open meadows, cattle operations, abundant wildlife and rolling grass hills (pictured)

'Unlike Monster Ranch, he did not knock down any of the buildings,' Pam told the outlet, noting that neighbors were puzzled by why the celebrity had done so little work on the property.

'I think his original intent for the Mountain Ranch might have been somewhere that his family could go and be away from the rest of the world,' she added.

The ranch has appeared on and off the market over the past six years, only to be abruptly pulled each time. Many were left unsure of what Wests plans for the property actually were.

The Flitners tried to lease the land over fears that a quick, random buyer might turn it into a sprawling subdivision. However, they were never able to reach Wests team.

'A lot of people have said that he was a really, really good guy and that he was really on task a lot of the time,' Greg told the outlet.

'So, none of us can fault him at all for buying it and trying to get something accomplished for himself.

West purchased the mountain ranch from David and Paula Flitner, Gregs father and his wife.

Greg told Cowboy State Daily that the sale of Bighorn was simply 'one of those things' that needed to happen in the realm of estate planning.

Months before purchasing Bighorn, West snapped up the nearby Monster Lake Ranch near Cody for $8 million, where he unveiled plans to build domes to help curb homelessness (pictured)

Pam Flitner believes that West purchased Bighorn Ranch so West's family (pictured) 'could go and be away from the rest of the world'

The Bighorn Mountain Ranch boasts a five-bedroom, four-bathroom log home (pictured), a cookhouse cabin with space for two and three additional cabins that could sleep four to six more people

The Flitners (pictured) tried to lease Bighorn from West over fears that a quick, random buyer might turn it into a subdivision. However, they were never able to reach Wests team

The ranch, a historic working property founded in 1906, is surrounded by National Forest lands and features tree-lined canyons, open meadows, cattle operations, abundant wildlife and rolling grass hills dotted with cabins and lodges.

It boasts a five-bedroom, four-bathroom log home, a cookhouse cabin with space for two and three additional cabins that could sleep four to six more people.

Bighorn Mountain became the rappers 'therapy ranch,' a private retreat during his highly public divorce and the place where he created his 10th studio album, Donda.

However, in September, Greg and Pam noticed the ranch had appeared for sale yet again, though they initially assumed it was a mistake since it was listed privately.

'We went ahead and got ahold of the realtor, and it was kind of a rush thing, because it sounded like the people who they were flying in to look at it, a lot of them were speculators,' Pam told Cowboy State Daily.

They finally regained ownership of Bighorn, which had long been an integral part of the familys grazing operations.

The ranch was established nearly 120 years ago by Arthur Flitner at the base of the mountains, and the fourth, fifth and sixth generations of the family still reside in the valley.

The Flitners top priority in buying Bighorn (pictured) back was to preserve the land vital to their farming operation and ensure it remains agricultural for future generations

Bighorn Mountain became the West's 'therapy ranch,' a private retreat during his highly public divorce from Kim Kardashian and the place where he created his 10th studio album, Donda

The ranch (pictured) was established nearly 120 years ago by Arthur Flitner at the base of the mountains, and the fourth, fifth and sixth generations of the family still reside in the valley

'A big chunk of the ranch sold when the mountain sold,' Pam told the outlet.

'We had to do some real adjustments, and we just werent able, at the time, to buy it back, even if we would have wanted to,' she added. 'So, luckily, by the grace of God, you know, six years later we are in a different position.'

The Flitners also expressed relief upon realizing that West hadnt destroyed any of the propertys historic landmarks, a marked contrast to Monster Lake.

Amid unfinished renovations and disputes with contractors, West's first Wyoming home is now missing windows, walls, a roof and lacks electricity.

Locals criticized the musician for abandoning the town despite announcing giant plans that were meant to benefit the entire community.

'West promised to bring dozens of jobs to Cody and to employ a local workforce, no more than a handful of residents fulfilled design jobs for him,' Town Mayor Matt Hall told Casper Star-Tribune at the time.

Park County Commissioner Joe Tilden also told the outlet that West's projects 'kind of all fizzled out and caused us a lot of anxiety'.

According to Pam, the Bighorn Ranch may 'need a little TLC, but they're all solid,' as reported by Cowboy State Daily.

The couple now plans to sell portions of the ranch to 'new neighbors' to help finances, including Snowshoe Lodge and Mountain Island for $5.9 million and Bighorn Mountain Hideout for $5.75 million - each offering its own unique perks.

Their top priority was preserving the land essential to their farming operation and ensuring it remains agricultural for another generation.

Daily Mail has contacted West's representatives for comment.
Oxford Union members will today decide if the president-elect should be ousted in a poll of no confidence sparked by his apparent celebration of Charlie Kirk's murder.

George Abaraonye, 20, sparked outrage last month by posting a WhatsApp message appearing to approve of the violence against the US influencer.

The second year student, who is at Oxford studying philosophy, politics and economics, later deleted the message after learning of Mr Kirk's death, and admitted he 'acted poorly' without 'knowing about the situation'.

Mr Abaraonye said on an Instagram post he had voted 'no' to the poll question: 'Should George Abaraonye, President-Elect, be removed as an Officer of the Society?'

In the post he wrote: 'I want to be your President-Elect.

'Vote NO to keep me as your President-Elect. Polls are open from 10am to 8pm. Bring your union card or any form of photo ID.

'We must not let hate win.'

A statement posted on X said tens of thousands of members from around the world were also able to vote by proxy, with a 10pm deadline set for tonight (Saturday).

The Oxford Union president-elect who celebrated Charlie Kirk's shooting could be ousted today as members take part in a vote of no confidence. Pictured: Charlie Kirk (left) debates with George Abaraonye (right) at the Oxford Union in May 2025

In another post published on Saturday, Mr Abaraonye told union members: 'Today is your opportunity to affirm Free Speech, to stand against the racism of the Far Right, and to stand up for the principles the Union has championed for 200 years.

'Two centuries later, the same people who claim to believe in the Union are now acting in stark opposition to the Union's founding principles, by supporting a campaign of harassment, censorship, and abuse.

'We will not be silenced.'

Mr Abaraonye, who became president-elect of the historic debating society after a vote earlier this year, faced controversy after Mr Kirk was shot and killed at a Utah Valley University event in September.

The 31-year-old father-of-two was a Donald Trump ally and co-founder and chief executive of the right-wing youth organisation Turning Point USA.

Mr Abaraonye had met and debated with Mr Kirk on the topic of 'toxic femininity' during a visit to Oxford University in May.

In one message to fellow students in a WhatsApp chat, Mr Abaraonye wrote 'Charlie Kirk got shot, let's f****** go', while another on his Instagram account read: 'Charlie Kirk got shot loool'.

Last month the Oxford Union condemned his remarks and said complaints filed against Mr Abaraonye had been forwarded for disciplinary proceedings.

Among those voting today are members of campaign group Concerned Alumni of the Oxford Union, who hope to get enough people to sign up to have him removed.

Mr Abaraonye urged his fellow Oxford students and alumni to vote in the poll today

The second year student said he had voted 'no' to the poll question: 'Should George Abaraonye, President-Elect, be removed as an Officer of the Society?'

The group is made up of dozens of former officers of the Union.

A spokesman said: 'The Oxford Union and its parent organisation OLDUT have so far failed to deal with the sickening and unacceptable actions of their president  it now falls to the society's members, and particularly its alumni, to demonstrate that the Oxford Union does not tolerate the incitement or celebration of political violence.

'After Concerned Alumni raised the issue of the importance of full participation in this vote and requested proxy voting, this has been allowed - an unprecedented decision.

'Mr Abaraonye's 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.'

The President-elect said he has been facing violent threats as well as classist and racist harassment since the furore erupted.

'Some members have raised genuine concerns and done so respectfully,' he wrote.

'I am deeply grateful to those who reached out, met with me, and engaged in honest reflection.

'But their reasoned voices have been drowned out by bad-faith actors who have twisted my words, clipped my speeches, and fabricated intent to fit a pre-written narrative.'

Mr Abaraonye will be forced to resign as president-elect if two thirds of those taking part in the poll vote against him

George Abaraonye, 20, sparked outrage last month by posting a Whatsapp message (pictured) appearing to approve of the violence against the US influencer

In Oxford Union's statement in September, it condemned the racial abuse and threats Mr Abaraonye has faced.

In a YouTube interview this week, the beleaguered student claimed he had been 'misrepresented' by the media because he hadn't realised Kirk had died when he posted the messages.

He said: 'I reacted poorly, I reacted very quickly. At the time I didn't know anything about the situation.

'I retracted and deleted my comments, and the stories came out a day later saying I celebrated his death. But at this point I had no clue.'

Asked if he would have said it if he'd seen the video of the shooting, he said: 'No'.

Voters will now decide whether he will step into the role, which is due to start in January.

According to the rules of the vote, a count will be held 'as soon as practicable after the close of the Poll', with the decision announced shortly after.

Mr Abaraonye will be forced to resign as president-elect if two thirds of those taking part in the poll vote against him.

The Oxford Union is a 200-year-old debating society for Oxford students and alumni which is independent from university management.

The university has so far not taken any disciplinary action against Mr Abaraonye.
The Trump administration has filed an emergency motion with the Supreme Court requesting it to approve a deployment of the National Guard to Chicago.

This marks the first time Trump officials have the highest court in the land to weigh in on one of his crime and immigration crackdowns in blue cities.

Solicitor General D. John Sauer filed the appeal on Friday, arguing that lower court rulings should be overturned that prevented troops from going in to control growing anti-ICE protests in Chicago.

The state of Illinois and the city of Chicago had sued to stop the National Guard from being federalized.

Sauer wrote in his 43-page appeal that the October 9 injunction from a district judge should be stayed 'in its entirety.'

'The injunction improperly impinges on the President's authority and needlessly endangers federal personnel and property,' he added.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker responded to the appeal on social media and accused President Donald Trump of 'trying to invade Illinois with troops.'

'We will keep defending the sovereignty of our state,' he wrote. 'Militarizing our communities against their will is not only un-American but also leads us down a dangerous path for our democracy.'

President Donald Trump has long decried Chicago as a crime-filled 'war zone' and has wanted a federal deployment there since at least the beginning of September

The Trump administration emergency relief application to the Supreme Court asks the justices to overturn earlier rulings preventing National Guard troops from helping local authorities tamp down a growing protest at an ICE facility in Broadview, a suburb of Chicago

The escalation to the Supreme Court comes a day after a three-judge panel with 7th Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously voted to uphold the district judge's temporary restraining order.

'Political opposition is not rebellion,' the judges wrote. 'The administration has not shown a likelihood of success on the merits at this early stage.'

The judges also said in their order that 'the federal government has been able to protect federal property and personnel without the National Guard's help.'

'[W]e see insufficient evidence of a rebellion or danger of rebellion in Illinois,' the judges wrote.

'The spirited, sustained, and occasionally violent actions of demonstrators in protest of the federal government's immigration policies and actions, without more, does not give rise to a danger of rebellion against the government's authority.'

District judges in California and Oregon have recently issued similar denials that blocked federal deployments in those states.

At issue in Illinois are the sustained protests at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, a suburb of Chicago.

On Friday, at least 15 people were arrested outside the detention center by Illinois State Police, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Authorities had asked demonstrators to stay within designated protest zones, but when people started to advance toward the federal building, dozens of officers wearing helmets and armed with batons began pushing the crowd back.

Pictured: Illinois State Troopers stand in line to guard the Broadview ICE detention center from demonstrators on Friday

Officers are seen detaining a protestor near one of the barriers in front of the federal building

Many of the clashes happened at around 8am, with several troopers tackling and dragging protestors away.

Progressive congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh was at the protest and claimed she was struck in the face with a baton. She was among those arrested.

Trump has long wanted to send troops into Chicago and last week, he called the Windy City a 'war zone' while talking about the number of gun homicides.

In early September, Trump foreshadowed his desire to step up enforcement in Chicago with a Truth Social post that included an AI-generated image of himself wearing a cowboy hat with military helicopters flying behind him.

'I love the smell of deportations in the morning. Chicago about to find out why it's called the Department of WAR,' he wrote.

The line is a reference the movie Apocalypse Now when a character says, 'I love the smell of napalm in the morning.'

The fate of Trump's National Guard deployment now rests entirely with the Supreme Court, which has ordered responses from Illinois and Chicago officials by Monday evening.

The decision will almost certainly set precedent for how much power Trump and presidents going forward will have to federalize state troops.


Victoria's Deputy Premier Ben Carroll has issued a blunt warning to youth offenders, declaring that 'kids who commit violent crime should face time'.

It comes as pressure mounts on the Jacinta Allan Labor government to tackle Melbourne's spiralling law and order crisis.

Speaking on Saturday, Carroll, who also holds the Education portfolio, called for 'smarter sentencing' and a 'zero tolerance approach' to restore safety across the city.

'From the CBD to Cobblebank, we must end this lawlessness, beginning with culture and a zero tolerance approach,' Carroll said.

His comments echo those of Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, who campaigned under the slogan 'adult time, adult crime' during the 2024 state election, pushing for adult-level penalties for youth offenders.

'Nothing that is bad behaviour affecting the peace of mind of law-abiding citizens should be tolerated,' Carroll said.

'Kids who commit violent crime should face time.'

The remarks come in the wake of a shocking daylight stabbing in Melbourne's CBD that has left residents rattled and reignited fears over public safety.

Deputy Premier Ben Carroll (pictured) called for a 'zero tolerance approach' to crime in the state

Disturbing footage released on Thursday night showed a woman walking to work being randomly stabbed in the chest by another woman, a brutal and unprovoked attack that has shaken public confidence.

Premier Jacinta Allan has faced growing criticism over her response to the incident. At a press conference in regional Victoria on Friday, she was asked directly whether Melbourne remains safe.

'So this was a brazen, shocking act of violence that has no place on any street in any town,' Allan said.

'That is why I am thanking Victoria Police for their very, very quick response and that this individual is now in jail on remand waiting for their court date.'

But Allan stopped short of explicitly calling Melbourne 'safe', a move that drew backlash.

Later, in a follow-up statement to the Herald Sun, Allan attempted to reassure the public.

'It shouldn't even need repeating that the CBD is a safe and welcoming place to live, shop and work. Of course it is safe, millions of people use it every week without incident and it's renowned as one of the world's most liveable cities,' she said.

'I recognise how people feel after seeing that shocking video. I was sickened by it. That's why our goal is to make sure everyone feels as safe as possible with strong laws, strong policing and strong public services.'

Jacinta Allan (pictured) has come under fire for her government's response to rising crime

A woman was stabbed in broad daylight in Melbourne's CBD (pictured) sparking public outcry

Earlier in the week, Allan also responded to a separate shooting incident, again insisting that 'the CBD of Melbourne is safe' and praising Victoria Police for their swift action.

Meanwhile, Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin has slammed the government's handling of knife crime, pointing to the CBD stabbing as a failure of policy.

'An innocent victim was stabbed in the chest by an offender running down this street, and the Victorian government has failed when it comes to knife crime, their only answer is a machete bin that isn't working,' Battin said.

He also blamed weakened bail laws for the rise in violent incidents.

'These are the consequences of a government that weakened bail laws. It's time Jacinta Allan took responsibility for the changes she made to that legislation two years ago,' he said.
Vermont State Senator Samuel Douglass has resigned after he was caught on the racist Young Republicans group chat.

Douglass, who represents a part of the state near the the Canadian border, said his decision to step down came after Republican Governor Phil Scott called on him to do so following the expose in Politico.

'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,' the governor said in a statement on October 14.

'Those involved should resign from their roles immediately and leave the Republican party  including Vermont State Senator Sam Douglass,' Scott added.

Four days later, Douglass succumbed to the pressure after previously apologizing for his participation in the Telegram chat where some were seen referring to black people as 'monkeys' and 'the watermelon people.'

'If my governor asks me to do something, I will act, because I believe in what hes trying to do,' Douglass said in a written statement to Politico.

'I know that this decision will upset many, and delight others, but in this political climate I must keep my family safe,' he added.

He also said he has reached out to his Jewish and BIPOC friends 'to ensure that they can be honest and upfront with me.'

Vermont State Senator Samuel Douglass resigned from his seat after his involvement in the racist Young Republicans group chat was exposed by Politico

His lengthy statement also condemned people who allegedly sent him death threats after his role in the chat was uncovered. His resignation will be effective on Monday at noon

His resignation came after Vermont Governor Phil Scott, a Republican, condemned the chat and called on everyone involved, including Douglass, to step down from their positions

His lengthy statement also condemned people who allegedly sent him death threats after his role in the chat was uncovered. His resignation will be effective on Monday at noon.

The Daily Mail approached Douglass and Governor Scott for further comment.

The chat was comprised of leaders of the Young Republicans, a national political activism group for 18 to 40-year-olds.

Douglass was the chair of the Vermont Young Republicans chapter and was the only elected official on the chat, though others implicated were working for politicians.

He wrote a message in the chat calling an Indian woman someone who 'just didnt bathe often'.

Brianna Douglass, a national committee member and Douglass's wife, wrote something about a Jewish colleague, saying her husband should not have expected 'the Jew to be honest.'

There were 2,900 pages of texts obtained by Politico which showed members of the chat talking about putting their opponents in gas chambers, raping people they disagreed with and praised Republicans they thought were pro-slavery.

Peter Giunta, who has now resigned as the chair of the New York State Young Republicans, wrote 'I love Hitler' and 'everyone that votes no is going to the gas chamber.'

The Daily Mail revealed Thursday that the White House believes Gavin Wax, a State Department staffer, was the one who leaked the chat to Politico.

State Department staffer Gavin Wax (pictured) was accused by the White House of leaking the chat to Politico, an accusation he denied

Wax was a rival of Peter Giunta (pictured), chair of the New York State Young Republicans, who wrote on the chat 'I love Hitler' and 'everyone that votes no is going to the gas chamber'

Wax, who was formerly the leader of the New York City Young Republican Club, a rival to Giunta's upstate group, has denied that he was the leaker.

Still, senior White House officials urged Wax to retract his alleged leak last week as word of Politico's scoop spread, according to four Republican officials familiar with the situation.

An explosive affidavit from Michael Bartels, another Trump administration official, was delivered by Republican Party chiefs to the White House Office of Political Affairs on October 7. It accused Wax of blackmailing him to obtain the leaked group chat.

Three days later, the same office received a damning screenshot: texts between Politico reporter Jason Beeferman and Wax, allegedly showing that he provided names, phone numbers and background on individuals featured in the group chat.

White House officials confronted Wax about whether he leaked the information to Politico and he denied the allegation, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The White House did not deny that discussions took place to pressure Wax to kill the Politico story when asked by the Daily Mail.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said: 'This random group chat has nothing to do with the White House, no matter how hard the Daily Mail tries to make it so.'
Terror broke out on a Chinese passenger plane as an overhead luggage compartment burst into flames.

The Air China A312 Airbus had departed Hangzhou and was headed for Seoul, South Korea, when a fire broke out at 33,000ft due to an overheated power bank.

Footage shows panicked passengers reacting onboard the international flight as smoke spews into the cabin.

Passengers can be heard shouting 'Faster, Faster' as the crew tries to tackle the flames.

Those onboard later praised crew members for their swift action in extinguishing the fire.

Although there were no injuries, flight CA139 was still forced to make an emergency landing at Shanghai's Pudong International Airport.

The terrifying incident comes after the Civil Aviation Administration of China in June banned power banks and batteries without 3C standard labelling or unclear unclear labelling from being carried on board domestic flights.

This is due to an reported increase in incidents involving Li-ion batteries catching fire on board.

Terror broke out on a Chinese passenger plane as a overhead luggage compartment burst into flames

The fire onboard the Air China flight headed for Seoul, South Korea, was caused by an overheated power bank

The fire was put out quickly by cabin crew and no injuries were reported but the plane was still forced to make an emergency landing

The fire on board the flight comes just days after a Rex Airlines engine burst into flames just seconds after take-off.

Flight ZL4818 from Adelaide to Broken Hill was preparing to depart on Wednesday morning when a fault indicator signalled a problem with the left engine.

Unburnt fuel caught fire in the engine just moments later.

Smoke and flames were seen billowing from the plane, forcing the flight to be quickly aborted.

Passengers disembarked on the tarmac and were bussed back to the terminal, as the plane was returned to its bay.

There were no reports of any injuries.

The airline is conducting an internal review, it is understood.

Australia's national transport safety investigator ATSB has also launched an investigation.
A NHS nurse was fined 300 for parking at the hospital while on shift, and thousands more of her co-workers have been targeted, new figures show.

Neonatal nurse, Lisa Duggan, was fined after being unable to find a space in the staff car park at Milton Keynes University Hospital.

In a desperate rush to start her shift, so another nurse could go home, she parked in a visitors bay.

But despite leaving a note on her windscreen explaining the urgency and leaving her 20-a-month parking permit on show, she still returned to a fine later that night.

Initially, what was a 100 parking fine sky-rocketed to 300 as she continued to argue against the parking charge notice (PCN).

And as threats of county court judgements (CCJs) and legal action rolled in from parking firm, UKPC, the frightened nurse eventually borrowed money to pay the fee.

It comes as new data obtained by Channel 4 News FactCheck shows 25,000 parking fines have been given to NHS staff across just 17 trusts in 2024.

However, the figures are estimated to be much higher with many organisations not able to provide information because third-party providers deal with their fines.

Neonatal nurse, Lisa Duggan (pictured) was fined after being unable to find a space in the staff car park at Milton Keynes University Hospital

It comes as new data obtained by Channel 4 News FactCheck shows 25,000 parking fines have been given to NHS staff across just 17 trusts in 2024 (stock image)

Others said they did not differentiate between staff and patient or visitor fines.

Elsewhere leading nurses said staff were 'regularly being fined for being at work,' leaving health care workers 'stressed'.

'It's absolutely disgusting. I don't think there's any care and compassion. I don't think it's fair for staff to be put in this situation,' Ms Duggan told Channel 4.

Shakebah Robinson, a cancer patient coordinator from south London, has been hit with almost 200 tickets over the last few years, amounting to around 15,000.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) called on the Government to ensure staff have 'safe and cost-effective parking or travel means'.

Patricia Marquis, executive director of RCN England, said: 'It's really shocking to see it laid out like that, to see the scale of it across only 17 trusts - and imagine what that looks like when you multiply that by the 300-plus trusts that there are in England.

'It really is of concern to think that nurses are regularly, it would appear, being fined for being at work.

'Our absolute clear message to both the Government and to trusts themselves is they should be providing safe, cost-effective parking or travel means so that everyone can get to work without worry and without actually it costing them an extortionate amount.'

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'Free parking is available for those in greatest need, including all NHS staff who work overnight.

'While hospital car park charges are the responsibility of individual NHS trusts, we expect all charges to be reasonable and in line with the local area.

'Exploitation or mistreatment of hardworking NHS staff is unacceptable.'

A spokesperson for Ms Duggan's trust said: 'Milton Keynes University Hospital requested UKPC to desist but they declined to do so.

'They took enforcement action independently and we had no authority to overturn it. We have since terminated our relationship with UKPC and appointed a new parking provider.'

The Daily Mail has approached UKPC for comment.
An Oklahoma State University (OSU) student is fighting back after his advisor allegedly threatened him because she was triggered by his Donald Trump hat during a Charlie Kirk tribute.

Joshua Wilson, a junior, gave a speech honoring Kirk's life on September 10, the day the conservative activist was assassinated at a Utah university, during a Student Government Association meeting, which he serves as the university chair.

The speech took place hours after Kirk died at the age of 31, and Wilson received applause from his peers, he told Fox News Digital.

While giving the speech, the student was wearing a Turning Point USA 47 hat, which is a reference to Trump as he is the 47th US president. Wilson had received the hat from Kirk himself, when he visited the campus in April.

Afterward, his faculty adviser, Melisa Echols, allegedly pulled Wilson into a meeting the following week to reprimand him for wearing the hat, stating that it violated the student government's nonpartisan rules.

Echols also claimed people, including her family members, had been 'triggered' by the hat.

'As a person who doesnt look like you and has not had the same lived experience as you, I have family who dont look like you who are triggered - and I will be very candid with you - who are triggered by those hats and by that side,' Echols said.

The conversation was caught on a recording, first reported by the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA).

Joshua Wilson, a junior, (pictured left) gave a speech honoring Kirk's life on September 10 while wearing a 47 hat

The hat is made by Kirk's organization Turning Point USA and is associated with the MAGA community

She went on to 'challenge' Wilson, who is also the chair to the school's chapter of College Republicans, 'to ask others who dont look like you' and to 'have open conversations with anyone that has a different lived experience' than him.

Echols encouraged the student to do so to see what the hat meant to others who do not 'politically align' with him.

'Ask yourself: Have you had those levels of discourse with people that dont look like you, have not had the same lived experiences as you? And what does - or did, and even do - wearing something like that or even saying something like that, how did that impact them?' she allegedly questioned him.

Wilson responded that he was part Cherokee and does interact with different viewpoints.

'I don't like to pull that card,' he told OCPA. 'But if you're going to pull that card on me, I might as well.'

She allegedly told the student that 'the year is going to be difficult' for him if he did not acknowledge what she was saying.

He took the statement as a threat, he told Fox News Digital.

'It seems like the entire thing was meant to make me be very scared or kind of shut down from expressing these views, but in fact its done quite the opposite,' he told the outlet. 'I viewed it as a veiled threat.

His faculty adviser, Melisa Echols, allegedly pulled Wilson into a meeting the following week to reprimand him for wearing the hat

She allegedly told him it would be difficult for him if he did not understand her perspective

He added: 'She went from being very kind at the beginning of the meeting to very short and angry toward the end. So I knew nothing good was going to come of that ending statement.'

Wilson also argued that the hat was nonpartisan and he was allowed to make the speech because of the First Amendment.

'Any student in general should have the liberty and not show any fear of expressing their thoughts and ideas,' he told the faculty member, a recording showed.

'And thats what I wholeheartedly believe as the president of the debate club, and as an individual, that idea and conversation is what built this country, and its what should maintain it. And thats what the hat was there for.'

OSU Vice President of Student Affairs Brent Marsh released a statement after the incident to reiterate that the school does believe in free speech and that all students have the 'right to speak their minds on all of our campuses.'

'Protecting free expression is fundamental to who we are as a university.

'Student Government's policy does have a nonpartisan tradition.

'However, the organization has no official policies to restrict partisan expression,' the school said in a statement.

OSU said it stands for students' right to free speech and has reiterated to advisers their roles leading student-led organizations

Kirk was assassinated at a Utah university on September 10

He also said staff who oversee student groups have 'received direct clarification about our policies and our unwavering commitment to free speech.'

However, the statement wasn't enough for Wilson, who thinks educators need to take a firmer stance and confirm this will not happen again.

'Whether its through reforming our code of conduct or investigations to make sure students dont feel threatened by faculty regarding their freedom of speech,' he told Fox News Digital.

'Im not backing down.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Wilson, Echols, and OSU for comment.
British citizens who have fought with Israel in Gaza should be tried for war crimes when they return home, the Scottish Green co-leader has insisted.

Ross Greer called on Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC - Scotland's top prosecutor - to 'make sure that every single one of these war criminals is arrested and prosecuted'.

He also called for businesses across Scotland to cease trading with Israel and cut any ties with the country.

Mr Greer insisted the conflict in Palestine has been 'the worst war atrocity of our age'.

Speaking at the Scottish Green Party conference in Edinburgh on Saturday, he said: 'A genocide has been gleefully inflicted on the people of Palestine right in front of our eyes, in open view.'

With a ceasefire now agreed, Mr Greer said there was a 'huge amount of pressure to just forget, to just move on as if the last two years didn't happen'.

But the Green MSP insisted his party 'will never forget what has been inflicted on Palestine' and would 'never stop pushing for justice'.

He said: 'Our most important role in the time ahead is in ensuring that every individual who has inflicted this genocide is held to justice.

Scottish Green co-leader Ross Greer says Brits who fought for Israel in Gaza should be tried for war crimes

raeli soldiers stand near their tanks along the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025

'Because over the coming weeks and months we will face a reality of people who went from the UK to serve in Israel's occupation forces, who have spent the last two years inflicting that genocide on the people of Palestine, returning here.

'War criminals returning to walk our streets and live in our communities.

'That's why the Scottish Greens are calling on our Government and on the Lord Advocate to make sure that every single one of these war criminals is arrested and prosecuted, because a war crime anywhere in the world is a war crime under Scots law.'

He also urged businesses across the country to 'stop all links with Israel' until the people of Palestine can 'live in peace'.

Mr Greer said the Scottish Government had 'rightly' called on businesses to 'cut all links, to cease all trade' with Russia after it invaded Ukraine.

But he added that while Scottish First Minister John Swinney had recognised that 'what has happened in Palestine is a genocide', the Scottish Government 'still will not call for that same action against Israel'.

He told members: 'Today at this conference our party will.

'The Scottish Greens are calling for every business in this country to cease all trade, to stop all links with Israel until the occupation is ended and until every Palestinian can live in peace, freedom and dignity.

Mr Greer's remarks come just over a week after a ceasefire deal was signed between Israel and Hamas. Pictured: Palestinian teams carry out excavation works to recover the bodies of Israeli hostages who were killed during the attacks after the ceasefire came into effect in Khan Yunis, Gaza on October 18, 2025

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

'We owe it to our Palestinian friends to keep fighting, to keep campaigning.'

Mr Greer's remarks come just over a week after a ceasefire deal was signed between Israel and Hamas.

On Saturday, Gaza's ruins were being scoured for the dead.

Israel said the remains of a tenth hostage that Hamas handed over the day before were identified as Eliyahu Margalit.

The handover of hostages remains is among key points  along with aid deliveries into Gaza and the devastated territorys future  in a peace process backed by much of the international community to help end two years of war.

Israels Prime Ministers Office said Margalits family had been notified.

The 76-year-old was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war. His remains were found after bulldozers ploughed up pits in the southern city of Khan Younis.

The effort to find the remaining 18 hostages followed a warning from U.S. President Donald Trump that he would green-light Israel to resume the war if Hamas doesnt live up to its end of the deal and return them all.

In a statement, the hostage forum that supports the families of those abducted said they wont rest until the remaining hostages come home.

Friends and relatives celebrate before the arrival of the freed Israeli hostage Omri Miran in his home in the Kibbutz Kramim, Israel, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025

Israeli hostage Avinatan Or at the moment of transfer to IDF representatives after being released from Hamas, in Israel on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025

The forum said it will continue holding weekly rallies until all are returned.

Hamas has said it is committed to the terms of the ceasefire deal but that the retrieval of remains is hampered by the scope of the devastation and the presence of unexploded ordnance.

The group has told mediators that some remains are in areas controlled by Israeli troops.

As part of the ceasefire agreement, Israel on Saturday returned the bodies of a further 15 Palestinians to Gaza.

Gazas Health Ministry said the International Committee of the Red Cross handed over the bodies to Nasser Hospital, bringing the number Israel had returned to 135.

In announcing the updated Palestinian death toll, the ministry said the number has climbed since the ceasefire began, with the majority of the newly counted bodies being found during recovery efforts.

Thousands of people are still missing, according to the Red Cross.

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 68,000 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.
Prince Andrew insisted Virginia Giuffre sign a gagging order so he did not embarrass Queen Elizabeth during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The bombshell claim is set to be revealed in Ms Giuffre's tell-all memoir from beyond the grave, which will be published on Tuesday.

The autobiography will heap more bad news on the disgraced royal, who was last night forced to relinquish his Dukedom to avoid inflicting further damage on the Royal Family.

In her book, Ms Giuffre describes the details of her legal battle and eventual settlement with Prince Andrew, which have so far been closely guarded.

She tells how Andrew's disastrous Newsnight was like an 'injection of jet fuel' for her legal team, and it raised the possibility of 'subpoenaing' his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, and daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie and drawing them into the legal case.

Ms Giuffre filed a lawsuit against the royal in August 2021, seeking unspecified damages for battery, including rape, and the infliction of emotional distress.

She alleged that she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew three times when she was just 17 years old under the orders of late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The case was settled outside of court on February 15, 2022, for a reported 12 million, with 2 million thought to have been donated to her sex trafficking charity. Prince Andrew did not admit wrongdoing and has consistently and vehemently denied the claims.

However, in her new book Ms Giuffre exposes the details of the gagging order she was reportedly asked to sign by the prince.

She writes: 'I agreed to a one-year gag order, which seemed important to the Prince because it ensured that his mother's Platinum Jubilee would not be tarnished any more than it already had been.'

Prince Andrew insisted Virginia Giuffre sign a gagging order so he did not embarrass Queen Elizabeth during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations (Pictured: Virginia Giuffre)

Prince Andrew did not attend his mother's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. Pictured: The Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour

Virginia Giuffre photographed with Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell in London in 2001

The agreement meant Ms Giuffre was barred from discussing her abuse at the hands of Epstein during the 70th year of the late Queen's reign.

As a non-working royal, Prince Andrew did not appear on the balcony at Buckingham Palace along with other members of the Royal Family during the celebrations.

His titles were returned to the Crown in January that year amid the fallout over his friendship with Epstein and Ms Giuffre's lawsuit.

Prince Andrew was, however, due to join the wider Royal Family for a thanksgiving service at St Paul's Cathedral but he pulled out after testing positive for Covid-19.

It comes as BBC journalist Victoria Derbyshire this afternoon revealed in a post on X that Ms Giuffre's ghostwriter will be appearing on Newsnight on Monday.

She said she had already read the memoir, explaining that it contains 'searing details' of the abuse Ms Giuffre suffered at the hands of Epstein and a description of how she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew, claims he denies.

Ms Giuffre, whose book is called Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice, wrote, according to The Telegraph: 'As devastating as this interview was for Prince Andrew, for my legal team it was like an injection of jet fuel.

'Its contents would not only help us build an ironclad case against the prince but also open the door to potentially subpoenaing his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, and their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.'

She also told how Andrew had 'stonewalled' her legal team for months before settlement discussions began moving very quickly when his deposition was scheduled for March 2022.

Ms Giuffre also wrote how she was 'revolted' to see 'two of my abusers together' when Andrew was pictured walking with Epstein in New York in 2011 and 'amazed' that a member of the royal family would be 'stupid enough' to appear in public with the convicted paedophile.

Andrew, who remains a prince and continues to live in the vast Crown Estate property Royal Lodge, said on Friday that the 'continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family'.

He insisted he was putting his 'family and country first' and would stop using 'my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me'.

The Royal Family appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace at the end of the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in 2022

Prince Andrew at the Order of the Garter service in 2019 outside St George's Chapel in Windsor - he will now relinquish his Knight of the Garter status, as well as the title of Duke of York

Prince Andrew's statement was released by Buckingham Palace on Friday night

Ms Giuffre's family today welcomed the news, saying they felt 'vindicated'.

Andrew will also step down from the Order of the Garter - the UK's most ancient order of chivalry - and will will also relinquish his position as Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victoria Order.

Speaking to Newsnight last night, Ms Giuffre's brother Sky Roberts said his sister, who died in April, was a 'truth teller from the beginning' - and suggested King Charles should even consider stripping Andrew of the title of 'Prince'.

He said his sister's children would be 'incredibly proud' of her campaigning, adding: '[She] is an American hero, she's an international hero and all the years of work that she put in is now coming to some sort of justice, and these monsters can't escape from it. The truth will find it's way out.'

Mr Roberts said: 'We have shed a lot of happy and sad tears today. I think happy because in a lot of ways this vindicates Virginia.

'She was a truth teller from the beginning. I know at one point she called out that he said some things and I've said some things and only one of us is telling the truth, and she was telling the truth.

'And this is a moment where we feel very proud for her but we're also sad because she should be sitting here, she should be talking to you on Newsnight tonight but she's not and so we're here to advocate for her and her survivor sisters.'

Moreover, Epstein victims' expert Lucia Osborne-Crowley today claimed that the Royal Family were 'spooked' into forcing Andrew to give up his titles by fear over revelations in Ms Giuffre's forthcoming book.

A new memoir by Ms Giuffre is set to be released next week and is sure to provide further embarrassment for the prince

King Charles III is said to be 'glad' his brother has given up his titles after discussions with Andrew and his son, Prince William

Speaking to the BBC today, Ms Osborne-Crowley, who has written an award-winning book called The Lasting Harm on the paedophile financier's victims, backed calls from the lawyer who represented some of them, Gloria Allred, for the Prince to finally stand up and give an eyewitness account of what he has seen because 'the story is not going away'.

'He is a key witness - we know this as we have the photos and the flight manifest to evidence that - so he should absolutely be volunteering what he knows.

'Hopefully, that is a step towards that because everything we are seeing at the moment is just showing us that this is finally the one time that the world is not willing to let this go quietly.'

Earlier Ms Allred told Radio 4's Today programme that Andrew's behaviour was a 'stain on the monarchy'.

Ms Osborne-Crowley, who covered the Ghislaine Maxwell trial daily, said Andrew losing his titles was a 'very symbolic victory' for Epstein's victims but 'not enough'.

'The fact that it is happening at all - and the fact that it is happening as Virginia's book is being released - is really significant. It really does - as her brother Sky Roberts said - lend credibility to her testimony.

'One of the things the out of court settlement with Prince Andrew did was mean that the world never got to hear her testimony and now in this book we will hear that and it has clearly spooked the Royal Family and that is really symbolic because of how vigorously they have denied these allegations and it is a symbol that there are things in that book that they find very, very worrying.

She added: 'I certainly don't think that there is a sense from victims that this is it or that this is enough. I think it's the opposite.

'What we are seeing her is that finally after thirty years that this story is not going to go away. This isn't the end of anything  it's the beginning.'

And Ms Osborne-Crowley said she was confident that further evidence would be released from the US Congress to build on the email exclusively revealed in last weekend's Mail on Sunday showing Prince Andrew had lied about when he cut communications with Epstein.

'There is already straightforward evidence that he has not told the truth from the 2011 email,' she said.

'We will be seeing more from Congress. We will be seeing more of those emails and I think the Palace knows that which is partly why they made the decision that they did yesterday so hopefully Prince Andrew and a lot of other people will be forced to answer questions that really they should have been forced to answer years ago.'

Prince Andrew and King Charles were last pictured together at the Duchess of Kent's funeral last month

Meanwhile, Prince Andrews unofficial biographer has also claimed that he should be investigated for corruption for his role as a special trade envoy for the UK government.

Andrew Lownie also strongly criticised the Royal Family for not looking into Andrew's financial sources more diligently and claimed it was Prince William not Charles who forced him to drop his titles.

Historian and author Lownie, whose recent bombshell revelations about Andrew and Fergie helped to trigger the crisis which led to the Prince sensationally relinquishing his titles on Friday night, said: 'We need to have a statement from Andrew about exactly what his dealings with Epstein were but I think this is part of a much wider problem too.

'The corruption was pretty implicit in his work as a special trade envoy and MPs were keen to investigate that 20 years ago and I think that should be looked at again.

'He has a very lavish lifestyle  we need to know where this money is coming from.

'The due diligence hasn't been done by the Royal Family. I understand that he is still making large sums of money in ways which I don't think would carry public favour.'

Andrew served as the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment for ten years until July 2011.

Exposure of his friendship with Epstein led to him being forced to step down from the role but many questions have remained over links he made during the period.

Lownie, whose book Entitled  the Rise and Fall of the House of York was serialised in the Mail, also called for 'much more transparency and accountability from the Royal Family in general' and criticised Andrew's statement on Friday night as 'a pretty mealy mouthed statement'.

Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme today, he warned: 'He's been pushed out.

'Pressure had come from the government and from William not from the King. We know that there are many more revelations still to come so this isn't the end of the story.

'We may have more testimony coming from the victims.

'We have another book called Blue Butterfly coming out next month and Virginia Giuffre's book - which is only really a rewrite of a previous book she wrote - clearly has some pretty sleazy allegations in it  so who knows what could happen.'
A Georgia dentist's sudden disappearance has sparked an urgent search across Cobb County, just days before she was scheduled to leave for an overseas trip with her husband.

Dr Melanie Nadler Litt, 52, was reported missing Tuesday morning after failing to arrive at Family Dentistry at Seven Hills in Dallas, where she was scheduled to work. Friends say she had worked the previous day at another office in Marietta.

Friends and family say the situation is 'completely out of character' for someone known for her kindness and reliability.

Police conducted a welfare check at her Marietta home and found her phone inside, but there was no sign of Nadler Litt or her vehicle.

That car was later discovered abandoned behind a business off Barrett Parkway.

Her friend and coworker Jamie Leister Smith told Daily Mail she last spoke with Nadler Litt on Sunday afternoon.

Nadler Litt had dinner that evening with another friend, according to Smith, and was scheduled to leave Wednesday morning with her husband for a trip to Japan.

Smith described Nadler Litt as one of her closest friends, calling her 'the sweetest, kindest, most caring and selfless person' she has ever met.

Dr Melanie Nadler Litt vanished days before a planned trip to Japan

Friends describe Dr Nadler as kind and selfless, saying her disappearance is completely out of character

She added that everyone who knows Nadler Litt 'loves and adores her' and that family, friends, and coworkers are desperate for her safe return.

Leonard Tau, who attended dental school with Litt from 1995 to 1999, described her as 'a bubbly personality, always smiling, super friendly.'

He recalled to Daily Mail how she became an advocate for breast cancer awareness after losing her mother during dental school.

'She was always concerned with everybody else rather than herself,' Tau said. 'When I saw the news, I got sick to my stomach. I don't think I've ever known anyone who's gone missing.'

Her husband, Lesley Litt, told FOX 5 he was out of state visiting their son, Stephen, in college when his wife disappeared. He refused to appear on camera. Daily Mail reached out to Lesley for further comment.

'We all want to see her home and safe, and we love her dearly,' he said.

Facebook photos show the family smiling together, going on vacations, and celebrating their son's accomplishments.

In 2020, the family posed for their son's achievement of earning his Eagle Scout rank, marking the highest achievement in the Boy Scouts of America.

Dr Melanie Nadler Litt with her family during a Eagle Scout achievement celebration

Police say Nadler's car was found abandoned behind a business off Barrett Parkway in Cobb County

Loved ones are urging the public to share Nadler's photo and report any information to authorities

Nadler Litt graduated at the top of her class from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 1999 and completed a residency at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Jersey.

She is a member of the American Dental Association, the Georgia Dental Association, and the Northwestern District Dental Society.

She has lived in Marietta since 2004 with her husband, son, and two pet birds.

Cobb County Police say the case remains an active investigation but have not released details about where or when she was last seen.

Friends are urging the public to share her photo on social media, hoping someone has seen her or has information that could help.

Daily Mail reached out to police for further comment. Anyone with tips is asked to contact Cobb County Police or call 911.
MINISTERS have been urged to stop putting their climate ambitions over the security of the country after a Chinese wind farm plant took a step closer to development in Scotland.

Ming Yang Smart Energy hopes to build a 1.5bn wind turbine factory in the country and announced it had selected Ardersier, near Inverness, as its preferred location earlier this month.

But experts and politicians have raised concerns about the impact the firm would have on national security, heightened by the collapse of a trial against two UK citizens suspected of spying for China and taking information directly from the Houses of Parliament to Beijing.

Concerns have been further compounded by claims last week that the Chinese government had stolen vast amounts of sensitive government data for years, according to Boris Johnsons former advisor Dominic Cummings.

Andrew Bowie, the shadow Scottish Secretary and Conservative MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine claimed the Scottish Government  which has welcomed Ming Yangs proposal - was cozying up to China as otherwise it will be unable to meet its net zero energy targets by 2045 as it has promised.

He said: The reason that the Scottish Government is so keen is that there is no way they are reaching their absurd 2045 net zero targets without relying on actors like China to deploy their technology because no other country is able to deliver it as quickly as the Chinese are.

There is genuine concern about the threat to UK security by allowing Ming Yang  a company with clear and proven links to the heart of the Chinese Communist Party  to own and operate a significant piece of our energy infrastructure.

The proposed plant would be used to make turbines for the UK's wind farms

The UK Government must ensure there is absolutely no threat from Ming Yang before considering allowing this development.

Ming Yangs owner Zhang Chuanwei joined the Peoples Liberation Army in China at the age of 16, in 1978, and two years later joined the Communist Party of China, swearing lifelong allegiance.

Royal Navy and Ministry of Defence (MOD) officials have already raised concerns with parliamentarians that the UK couldnt defend underwater cabling and energy infrastructure from hostile states like Russia and China.

Concerns were also raised about Chinese-made wind turbines as experts warned that listening devices could be planted on their bases and be used to monitor the activities of nuclear submarines in UK waters.

Mr Bowie said: It wasnt that long ago that Chinese-operated kill switches were found in solar farms in the United States of America. The technology that the Chinese are deploying does have the potential to cause huge damage and poses significant security risks.

There is also a question over human rights. They could be making these pieces of renewable technology in a blade factory in Scotland, but the components of that blade very likely are being made in China through forced slave labour.

In March Energy Secretary Ed Miliband flew to China and signed a green energy deal but Westminster has yet to publish any details of what was signed.

Mr Bowie said he was concerned the deal could have involved the Ming Yang development in Scotland and said: What is in this deal that is so troubling, or confidential, that it cannot be brought to parliament?

'Was there a political decision not to proceed with the spying case because of what is in this deal? Along with Ming Yang, we are concerned that the Chinese super embassy in London might get approved simply because Labour are far too keen to be on the right side of President Xi than acting in the national interest.

Shadow Scottish Secretary Andrew Bowie said the firm behind the plans has clear links to the Chinese Communist Party

Dominic Cummings has claimed that the Chinese have stolen 'vast amounts' of government date

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a thinktank focussed on UK security and defence, has also cautioned against Ming Yangs proposals.

Dan Marks, a Research fellow at Rusi, said: The questions around Chinese investment into critical UK supply chains such as wind are complex. The absence of a structured cross-government process to assess the risks puts ministers in a difficult position. There are risks and thorough assessment is needed to determine which risks can be mitigated and which cannot.

In the case of Ming Yang, the UK must be able to service and maintain its turbines whichever direction the geopolitical winds are blowing, cyber risks must be comprehensively addressed and the risk of potential US sanctions on Chinese firms should be considered for the UK energy sector.

Whatever decision is made, a market for non-Chinese turbines must be supported to ensure the UK does not find itself entirely dependent on one country for technology in one of its most strategic electricity generation technologies.

A UK Government spokesman said Ming Yang was one of a number of companies that wants to invest in the UK and added: Any decisions made will be consistent with our national security.

A Scottish Government spokesman did not respond when asked if ministers considered the Ming Yang proposal to be any threat to the countrys security and did not respond when asked if ministers believed China itself was a threat.

A spokesman said: We recognise the Ming Yang investment is subject to a decision from UK Government and we await the outcome of that process.

We welcome the company has chosen Ardersier as its preferred location. This port is strategically important to the growth and success of the offshore wind sector.

This illustrates the strength of opportunity and huge economic potential that the Scottish offshore wind sector offers.
One of New York City's most violent neighborhoods has banned uniformed police officers - all in the name of safety.

A two-block corridor in a crime-plagued stretch of Brownsville, along Mother Gaston Boulevard, where shootings and robberies have long terrified residents, was declared a 'police-free zone' for five days earlier this month.

Instead of officers, community patrols moved in under an arrangement funded by the city itself under a controversial initiative known as the Brownsville Safety Alliance (BSA).

The project, once a twice-yearly pilot under former Mayor Bill de Blasio, now runs four times a year and aims to prove that residents can keep the peace on their own.

During its latest operation, from October 7 to 11, uniformed officers were told to stay out of the two-block zone, within the NYPD's 73rd Precinct, from noon to 6pm, leaving a community group called Brownsville In Violence Out to respond to nonviolent calls.

A flyer posted in the area declared that 'no on-duty uniformed members of service are to enter this area unless responding to an extreme police emergency (e.g. person shot, stabbed, etc.),' adding that the initiative was being 'monitored at the Police Commissioner level.'

The sign was first reported by retired officer John Macari on his podcast and quickly ignited fury within NYPD ranks.

'There is no police free zone,' an NYPD spokesperson told the Daily Mail.

'That was an unauthorized sign that was posted, and the signs have been removed. Nothing has changed about our operations or deployment there.

'We can't control if people choose to call 911 or not, we can only control how the calls are routed, and the NYPD is not passing any 911 jobs to these groups. The NYPD is handling all calls for service.'

A notorious patch of Brooklyn, long known as one of New York City's most violent stretches, is now trying to fight crime by banning uniformed cops. Brownsville is pictured

A two-block zone in Brownsville, within the NYPD's 73rd Precinct, was quietly transformed into a so-called 'police-free zone' as part of a taxpayer-funded experiment called the Brownsville Safety Alliance (BSA)

One police source warned the experiment 'has the potential to go sideways quickly.'

'This is the way that this new guy wants us to go,' the source said, referring to Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a self-described socialist and rising mayoral frontrunner who has praised the program.

'The brass are trying to appeal to him. It's insane,' the source told the New York Post

Dushoun 'Bigga' Almond, the program director for Brownsville In Violence Out, confirmed that Mamdani has backed the concept and even visited one of the police-free zones last April.

'He believes in what we do,' Almond said. 'They're not gone, but they give us our room to control the block.'

Almond said his team, around 20 community members, handle low-level 911 calls like 'a disturbance in a store' or 'guys drinking on the block.'

'We use our credibility,' he said. 'We try to alleviate the situation. There's really no pushback because they don't want any problems.'

Each event includes tables for locals seeking help with healthcare, housing, addiction, or employment.

A flyer posted in the area declared that 'no on-duty uniformed members of service are to enter this area unless responding to an extreme police emergency (e.g. person shot, stabbed, etc.),' adding that the initiative was being 'monitored at the Police Commissioner level'

The Brownsville Safety Alliance are a gun violence protection program helping to keep the area safe

Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa blasted the initiative as 'a reckless experiment that invites chaos and puts residents and businesses at risk'

Democratic mayoral front running Zohran Mamdani was famously anti-cop in the past but has repeatedly stated he no longer supports defunding the police and has promised to maintain the NYPD's current staffing levels

'It was good, it was quiet,' Almond said of the latest operation. 'We had a gas main leak, that was it. That's real good news.'

The BSA is run under the umbrella of CAMBA, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit that has received over $915 million in city contracts since 2020. It remains unclear how much of that money funds the BSA directly.

Many residents said they supported the group's intentions but doubted it could replace police entirely.

'They do a better job because they talk - 'Yo, what's going on? What's the problem?' said Jose, a 57-year-old hardware store worker. 'People listen.'

Still, he noted that even with the community patrol, 'a fight broke out among teenage boys with metal pipes and scooters,' forcing a police car from the 73rd Precinct to roll by with flashing lights as the group scattered.

Cellphone store employee Jamixa Alvarez, 28, said she admires the idea of local empowerment but called it unrealistic. 'In 2025, being a cop isn't the easiest job,' she said. 'But right now we need our cops.'

The Brownsville Safety Alliance has more than 65 community partners to help local residents

The BSA is run under the umbrella of CAMBA, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit that has received over $915 million in city contracts since 2020. It remains unclear how much of that money funds the BSA directly

Despite some reductions in shootings and murders - down 83% and 40% respectively in the 73rd Precinct so far this year other crimes have surged.

Robberies are up 23%, Felony assaults up 26%, Burglaries up 40% and Grand larcenies up 30%

'Historically, this is one of the most dangerous parts of NYC when we think about citywide shooting and homicide areas,' said Christopher Hermann, a former NYPD supervisor.

'I am not sure how designating this as a police-free zone will help residents feel or actually be safer.'

Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa blasted the initiative as 'a reckless experiment that invites chaos and puts residents and businesses at risk.'

'Community groups can and should partner with the NYPD,' Sliwa said, 'but sidelining cops in a high-crime area is exactly the backwards approach Zohran Mamdani is cheering on, and I'll end it on Day One.'

One longtime Bronx officer was even blunter: 'If this is what these politicians want, let them have it,' the cop said. 'Let it burn down and then they'll want us back.'
Ten people were injured after a third-floor balcony collapsed at an apartment building near the University of Cincinnati Friday night.

Students were celebrating the end of the end of a big exam when the terrifying collapse occurred around 10pm.

The balcony was 20ft above the parking lot when it broke off the side of the building.

Lindsay Lomax, a spokesperson for the Cincinnati Fire Department, confirmed to the Daily Mail that they transported ten students to local hospitals.

One of the victims had 'critical injuries' while five others had serious but non-threatening injuries.

Remaining victims suffered minor injuries.

Those injuries were first treated on the scene by emergency responders, according to People.

Ten people were injured after a balcony broke off a building near the University of Cincinnati

More than 20 Cincinnati Fire Department units responded to the collapse

Officials said that the balcony may have collapsed due to the weight of too many people

Officials contacted Hamilton County Buildings and Codes to determine the exact cause.

'The discussion on the ground was about the weight of the balcony,' Lomax said.

None of the victims have been identified.

'We do know students were involved,' Lomax said, but the number remains unconfirmed.

The apartment building is not campus-affiliated, but still houses many University of Cincinnati students.

Empty cans of alcohol and a cigarette carton fell to the ground with the collapsed balcony, according to The Enquirer.

A representative for the Cincinnati Fire Department told the New York Times that university housing services and grief counseling had been made available to assist the victims.
Thousands of protesters have marched through central London to oppose the Government's planned rollout of digital ID cards.

Under tight police conditions, demonstrators chanted and waved banners as they walked from Marble Arch to Whitehall this afternoon in protest at the scheme.

Sir Keir Starmer announced in September that a mandatory digital ID system would be introduced by 2029 for anyone wishing to work in the UK, as part of efforts to curb illegal migration.

Former Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen, who was expelled from the party in 2023 for comparing Covid vaccines to the Holocaust, led the march alongside protesters carrying an effigy of the Prime Minister.

An advert for the protest by organiser Mass Non-Compliance warned: 'If you accept digital ID now, it may be the last real choice you ever make.'

The Metropolitan Police instructed demonstrators not to stray from the agreed route and to remain on the left-hand side of the road throughout.

The Government's digital ID plans have drawn criticism across the political spectrum.

No to Digital ID protest rally and march in London through Picaddily Circus

Protesters held up signs saying 'Reject "BritCard" digital ID Surveillance State'

People marching through Central London protesting the digial ID scheme introduced by the Labour governemnt

Hundreds of people marching through central London during the protests today

Different generations have walked out the streets of the capital to protest the scheme

Some protests had union jacks wrapped arond them whislt others held signs which read 'No to Digial ID'

Campaginers marched from Marble Arch to Whitehall this afternoon

Woman holding banner saying 'Once scanned never free' during the protests today

Politicians who have opposed the plans include Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform leader Nigel Farage. Pictured: Man holding sign during protest

Campaigners also holding a banner and signs with pictures of Keir Starmer saying 'Not My Prime Minister'

Conservative former minister Sir David Davis, who opposed ID cards under Tony Blair, said: 'While digital IDs and ID cards sound like modern and efficient solutions to problems like illegal immigration, such claims are misleading at best. The systems involved are profoundly dangerous to the privacy and fundamental freedoms of the British people.'

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch branded the proposal a 'gimmick that will do nothing to stop the boats', while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he was 'firmly opposed'.

The Liberal Democrats said they would not back any system that forces people to 'turn over their private data just to go about their daily lives.'

Public opposition has also surged online, with almost three million people signing a petition titled 'Do not introduce Digital ID cards' since June.

Launched by campaigner Maxim Sutcliff, it states: 'We think this would be a step towards mass surveillance and digital control, and that no one should be forced to register with a state-controlled ID system.'

Under parliamentary rules, any petition with more than 100,000 signatures must be considered for debate, while those with over 10,000 require an official Government response.

Ministers have, however, dismissed the campaign and insisted they will press ahead with the rollout before the next election.

In its formal reply, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology confirmed that the Government plans to introduce digital ID cards for everyone aged 16 and over by the time voters next go to the polls.

Writing in The Telegraph, Sir Keir Starmer said it was 'essential' to tackle 'every aspect' of illegal immigration, admitting that Labour had previously shied away from confronting public concerns on the issue.

The plans envisage digital IDs to be stored on smartphones, similar to contactless bank cards or the NHS App, and include details such as name, date of birth, nationality, residency status and a photograph.

Officials have said that a further consultation with determine how the scheme will work for those without smartphones.

Protestors held up signs demonstrating their opposition to Sir Keir Starmer's plan

Mock-ups of what the new digital ID held on people's phones could look like are shown above

Sir Keir Starmer says plans for a new digital ID will be an 'enormous opportunity' for the UK

The Government's response also indicated that digital ID could be used for a far wider range of services than originally planned, describing it as a future 'boarding pass to government'.

Silkie Carlo, director of civil liberties group Big Brother Watch, said digital ID was 'fast becoming a digital permit required to live our everyday lives.'

She added: 'Starmer has sold his Orwellian digital ID scheme to the public on the lie that it will only be used to stop illegal working but now the truth, buried in the small print, is becoming clear.

'We now know that digital IDs could be the backbone of a surveillance state and used for everything from tax and pensions to banking and education.

'The prospects of enrolling even children into this sprawling biometric system is sinister, unjustified and prompts the chilling question of just what he thinks the ID will be used for in the future.

'No one voted for this and millions of people who have signed the petition against it are simply being ignored.'
The pressure has been steadily building on Prince Andrew ever since the Mail on Sunday first exposed his involvement with disgraced sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein in 2011.

But in recent weeks, the steady stream of bad news has become a torrent. We've had embarrassing claims in a new biography, Entitled, by Andrew Lownie, sordid allegations in a posthumously published memoir by one of Epstein's victims, Virginia Giuffre - which Andrew denies - and fresh accusations that he has cultivated inappropriate business links with an alleged Chinese spy.

But I believe the final, fatal blow to Andrew's fast-sinking reputation came last weekend. And that the Prince fell on his sword - handing back his titles as Duke of York and Knight of the Garter - because of the emails I exposed in the MoS.

These made it clear that both Sarah Ferguson and Andrew had very much closer relationships with Epstein - who died in a New York prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges - than they had admitted to in public.

And that, crucially, Andrew - the King's younger brother and a senior member of the Royal Family - told a bare-faced lie when he appeared on the now-notorious Newsnight special with presenter Emily Maitlis in 2019.

It was during this interview that Andrew claimed to have cut off all contact with the disgraced Epstein in late 2010. The Prince was categorical on the point.

Yet, as last week's MoS revealed, in an email to the paedophile dated two months later on February 28, 2011, Andrew makes it clear that not only that the relationship is continuing, but that he is 'in this together' with Epstein.

The former Duke of York even wrote that he expected to 'keep in close touch' and 'play some more' - with a convicted sex abuser!

Prince Andrew at the Order of the Garter service in 2019 outside St George's Chapel in Windsor

Daphne Barak (left), with Sarah Ferguson. Daphne writes: 'As a fellow survivor of breast cancer, I have great sympathy for Sarah Ferguson'

Prince Andrew's statement released by Buckingham Palace

Or to put it another way, the late Queen Elizabeth's second son appears to have invited television cameras into Buckingham Palace, where the Newsnight interview was filmed, for the express purpose of misleading the nation.

My sources tell me that it was this point above all else, that proved the final straw for the King and his advisers, who have let it be known that they are concerned about the 'clear fault lines' in Andrew's version of events.

I'm also told that the Palace remains deeply concerned there could be more embarrassing material to emerge about the wayward prince. Who would bet against it?

It is important to say that Andrew vigorously denies any wrong-doing and has done from the outset.

As a fellow survivor of breast cancer, I have great sympathy for Sarah Ferguson. She is a warm and charismatic person.

Sarah has confided in me how hard this fall from grace has been for her former husband. The 'second son' syndrome has proved all too real. Andrew seems to be a man without purpose.

Yet I still cannot believe they have been so blind. Andrew and Sarah seem to have believed that the rest of us are fools, lesser mortals too stupid to see through their fabrications.

Is it a case of simple immaturity? They are certainly well-known for their love of vulgar jokes, cuddly toys and childish pranks.

Virginia Giuffre photographed with Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell in London in 2001

Prince Andrew's dramatic fall from grace was catalysed by a disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson in June 2016 at Royal Ascot

I recall that when I met Sarah in Windsor in 2023, she arrived for lunch with two large dolls, one resembling herself.

To my bemusement, she proceeded to place the dolls on chairs at the table alongside us, where they remained, silent guests, for the duration of the meal. There was no explanation.

Maybe, in the end, it really does come down to overweening entitlement, as the title of the recent biography suggests.

It's as if the couple formerly known as the Duke and Duchess of York have been living out their own private fantasy, unable to grasp that others might have a point of view worth considering, let alone fearing.

Perhaps they will consider it now.

Daphne Barak is a senior interviewer and documentary film maker. Daphne is also a cancer survivor who has a fast-growing charity with the University of California, San Diego. www.gamechangerevents.org

For more about this story: Five Days That Brought Down Prince Andrew on C5, Saturday October 25 at 10.05pm
A former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) chief shared his fears that his former agency is acting 'unprecedentedly' with their heavy-handed crackdowns.

John Sandweg was the chief of the now-controversial agency from 2013 to 2014, after serving as legal counsel for four years prior.

Under his leadership, his agents didn't wear face masks or round up immigrants in large droves without months of investigations behind it, but rather acted with integrity and treated people humanely, he told Politico.

Now, he says, what he's seeing is 'unprecedented.'

'Obviously, I dont think weve ever seen a nationwide immigration enforcement effort like this,' he told the outlet. 'During the Obama Administration, we did a large number of nationwide operations, but theyre very targeted.'

From 2009 to 2016, the Obama Administration deported around three million immigrants.

So far, the Trump Administration has deported around two million people since the Republican came back into power in 2025. During his first term, Trump deported around 1.5 million.

However, Sandweg said, those deported under Obama were 'carefully selected.'

John Sandweg was the chief of the now-controversial agency from 2013 to 2014

Federal agents clash with anti-ICE protesters at the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland on October 12

'There was a lot of research and investigation done before you went out to make the actual arrest,' he told the outlet.

'These [the current raids] are much more akin to area sweeps, where theyre going out and just stopping people in the streets, or working in conjunction with other law enforcement as they execute traffic stops, or hitting a large number of apartments in a building where you suspect people are undocumented.

'Weve never seen anything like this. All of this is unprecedented.'

He hypothesized that some of the violence seen by current ICE agents is due to them being under 'tremendous pressure' to up the number of arrests as the current administration has promised to be unforgiving about illegal immigration.

Another part is the constant anti-ICE protests seen across the country, with Portland, Oregon, currently taking the spotlight. Sandweg said that both those hired to protect the facility and agents are using 'aggressive tactics' to deal with it.

Also, where ICE agents and Homeland Security (DHS) would spend months investigating migrants before swooping in during his time at the agency, he said the Trump Administration is taking a different tactic.

'This administration has repurposed the way theyve operationalized ICE - to go out and get as many people as possible, and thats why were seeing these raids on the car washes and on the Home Depot parking lots.

'They know they can make a large number of arrests there, and they dont seem to care whether or not those people pose a threat to public safety. They just say: "If youre undocumented, youre a fair target."'

Under his leadership, his agents didn't wear face masks or round up immigrants in large droves without months of investigations behind it, Sandweg said

'I hate that the agents are wearing the masks. I think it is hurting the reputation of the agency, and feeding a lot of these narratives about the agency,' he said

He also worried that the force is expanding too quickly - as Trump has promised to double the workers - and they aren't being trained properly.

'The first concern would be, lets hope ICE doesnt lower their standards,' he told Politico. 'Normally, to hire this many people, it would take the agency three, four years.

'This administration clearly doesnt want to wait. They want to get people out there as quickly as possible.'

He worries DHS isn't taking the proper time to background check new agents or make sure they are trained correctly. Without these two things, it's 'only a recipe for problems down the line.'

This also spilled into why he believed officers are now wearing masks, something not seen in prior administrations, including Trump's first term.

'It was never an issue. I spent five years at DHS working on ICE issues. It just wasnt an issue. None of the officers felt the need to wear masks. I think its an unfortunate byproduct of the administrations policies,' he told the outlet.

'I hate that the agents are wearing the masks. I think it is hurting the reputation of the agency, and feeding a lot of these narratives about the agency.'

Sandweg said the only way to fix the current issues with ICE is to revert back to traditional policies seen in prior administrations and immigration reform

However, he said he is sympathetic toward the agents themselves, as they may feel the need to conceal their identity to protect themselves and their families.

Sandweg said the only way to fix the current issues with ICE is to revert back to traditional policies seen in prior administrations, such as focusing on getting the worst illegal immigrants out first, and to pass immigration reform.

Without these changes, the former chief said: 'Unfortunately, I just dont see a scenario where these continued, very aggressive, mass deportation efforts dont remain incredibly contentious.'
Bill Maher slammed keffiyeh-wearing college kids across the nation for their silence after disturbing footage surfaced of Hamas executing Palestinian civilians in the streets following the peace deal with Israel.

In recent days, video has circulated on social media showing blindfolded men kneeling with their hands behind their backs in the al-Sabra neighborhood of western Gaza City, according to CNN.

Masked, armed militants - some wearing Hamas-style headbands - stood behind them and executed eight male civilians in front of a large crowd in the main square.

Though the exact timing of the incident hasnt been confirmed, it has sparked immediate fears that the Gaza peace deal could collapse as the terror group attempts to cling to power.

On Friday's episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, the host asked billionaire Mark Cuban where the anti-Israel protesters on US college campuses have gone now that Hamas is 'shooting everybody'.

'Where are the protestors?' Maher asked Cuban, raising his hands in defeat.

'Suddenly, the keffiyeh-wearing college kids are very quiet,' he added.

Cuban simply replied that he had no idea. 'Cant be found,' he said. 'Yeah, cant be found anywhere.'

Bill Maher slammed keffiyeh-wearing college kids nationwide during Friday's show (pictured) for their silence over shocking footage showing Hamas executing Palestinian civilians in recent days

A horrifying new video on social media appears to show several blindfolded men being executed by masked, armed militants - some wearing Hamas-style headbands (pictured)

On the episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, the host asked billionaire Mark Cuban where the anti-Israel protesters on US college campuses (pictured) have gone now that Hamas is 'shooting everybody' on film

Responding with another question, the comedian said: 'This is okay? Its just amazing, the asymmetry of what goes on.'

The late-night hosts comments focused on the hundreds of pro-Palestinian protests that erupted on college campuses nationwide demanding a ceasefire in Gaza.

Across the US, dozens of demonstrators chanted anti-Israel slogans and clashed with police, resulting in hundreds of arrests.

The movement sparked government action, with President Donald Trump cutting millions in federal funding to universities while several students faced investigations over alleged ties to Hamas.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio even called on the State Department to review foreign students who express support for the terrorist group, as Trump repeatedly demanded that those attending US universities have their visas revoked.

Nearly two years after the Hamas-led massacre in Israel, which killed 1,200 people and led to 250 being taken as hostages hostages, a peace deal was finally reached.

It came after an intense bombing campaign by Israel which led to the deaths of around 68,000 Palestinians.

Earlier this month, Hamas agreed to release all Israeli hostages and return the remains of the deceased.

Hamas also agreed to transfer administrative control of Gaza to an independent body of Palestinian technocrats, who are said to be 'based on Palestinian national consensus and Arab and Islamic support.'

Cuban (pictured) simply replied that he had no idea where the pro-Palestinian demonstrators are. 'Cant be found,' he said. 'Yeah, cant be found anywhere'

The late-night hosts comments focused on the hundreds of pro-Palestinian protests that have erupted on college campuses nationwide (pictured), demanding a ceasefire in Gaza

The protests sparked government action, with President Trump cutting millions in federal funding to universities while several students faced investigations over alleged ties to the terrorist group

Bill Maher asks where the keffiyeh-wearing college kids went now that Hamas is shooting everybody.



Where are the protesters?! Maher exclaimed.



MAHER: Have you noticed that now that Hamas has taken over again, theyre what?



MARK CUBAN: Shooting everybody.



MAHER: pic.twitter.com/wv2DX7NKnp  Vigilant Fox  (@VigilantFox) October 18, 2025

But as Israeli troops began withdrawing from parts of Gaza, Hamas had already recalled roughly 7,000 members of its security forces to reassert control over those same areas.

Trump recently suggested that 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.'

However, the horrifying execution footage emerged just days after the Trump-brokered peace deal came into effect.

Cheering crowds screamed 'Allah Akbar,' or 'God is great' and branded the executed men 'collaborators' while filming the deadly scenes on their phones. A Hamas source confirmed the authenticity of the video.

In a Truth Social post condemning the circulating footage, Trump wrote: 'If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not the deal, we will have no choice but to go in and kill them.'

Palestinian security sources claimed that dozens of people have been killed in violent clashes with Hamas fighters in recent days.

Just last week, a violent power struggle between Hamas and its rivals in Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least 27 people.

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 militants have rejected, torpedoing all previous peace efforts.

Trump managed to broker a peace deal nearly two years after the Hamas-led massacre in Israel

As Israeli troops began withdrawing from parts of Gaza, Hamas (pictured) had already recalled roughly 7,000 members of its security forces to reassert control over those same areas

For months across the US, dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators (pictured) clashed with police, resulting in hundreds of arrests

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.

In September, Hamas-led authorities admitted that they had executed three men accused of collaborating with Israel.

Hamas has also been accused in the past of carrying out public executions on the streets of Gaza.
China issues 2025 report on U.S. WTO compliance

Xinhua) 09:50, October 18, 2025

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Commerce on Friday released a report on the United States' compliance with the World Trade Organization (WTO), expressing concerns over U.S. trade bullying practices and double-standard manipulations in industrial policy.

The 2025 Report on the WTO Compliance of the United States also expressed China's concerns over U.S. practices that undermine the multilateral trading system and disrupt global industrial and supply chains, the ministry said.

Two previous versions of the report were released in 2023 and 2024.

The ministry said that over the past year, the United States has escalated its unilateral actions and frequently implemented discriminatory policies -- particularly in its introduction of so-called reciprocal tariffs and in waging global trade wars -- which have infringed upon the legitimate rights and interests of other countries.

The multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core is the cornerstone of economic globalization and international trade, the ministry said, adding that the WTO is a rules-based international organization that relies on its members to fully abide by their obligations while enjoying their rights, and on mutual supervision and cooperation among its members.

The ministry noted that the current multilateral trading system faces significant challenges. Through the release of the 2025 report, China urges the U.S. to promptly correct its erroneous practices, comply with WTO rules, fulfill its obligations as a WTO member and abandon non-compliance measures such as its "reciprocal tariffs" as soon as possible.

China hopes the report will also prompt the U.S. to work with other WTO members to advance the multilateral trading system toward playing a greater role in global economic governance, and to collectively commit to an equal, orderly multi-polar world and a universally beneficial, inclusive form of economic globalization.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Kou Jie)
A former professional wrestling referee has been mauled to death by a bear, with tributes pouring in from stunned athletes.

Katsumi Sasazaki was working at his retirement job cleaning a hot spring inn in the Japanese city of Kitakami on Thursday when the animal struck.

The father-of-two, 60, had been seeing to an outdoor bath at the facility in the country's Iwate region when he went missing, with his manager raising the alarm.

A group of 30, including police, city officials and the local hunters' association, began searching for him - but were forced to stop after just 30 minutes due to bad weather.

His body was eventually found at 9am on Friday, some 50 metres from the hotel, in a wood on the other side of a nearby river.

Police later found evidence of struggle, along with bloodstains, fur and a pair of slippers.

Mr Sasazaki, known in his refereeing days as 'Katsumi Tiger', was a professional women's wrestling umpire for many years.

He worked variously for All-Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling, a Japanese female league called Marigold and another named Zero1.

Katsumi Sasazaki (pictured) was working at his retirement job cleaning a hot spring inn in the Japanese city of Kitakami on Thursday when the animal struck

After his retirement, he became a bus driver, taking wrestlers to competitions, before withdrawing from sport for a quieter life, with a maintenance job at the hot spring inn.

Tributes to the sporting legend have now poured in on social media, remembering Mr Sasazaki as 'gentle' and 'dedicated', as well as 'a pillar of many ring events'.

Among the supporters was iconic Japanese wrestling promoter and Marigold founder Rossy Ogawa, who wrote of the 'tragic news'.

'Sasazaki's final refereeing role was in the Marigold ring,' he said.

'He was a junior from All-Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling, quiet but dedicated to his work, and had two young daughters.

'Such an end is unimaginable, it can only be described as deeply regrettable and heartbreaking. May he rest in peace.'

Australian professional wrestler Hartley Jackson, who works primarily in Japan, also said: 'Katsumi Sasazaki was a referee for hundreds of my matches in over 12 years for Zero1.

'He was a referee, president, driver, office worker, ring crew, friend and most important, a family man. He did so much!

'He introduced me to so many Japanese foods, like Lucky Pierrot, Bikri Donkey, Sukiya, tonkasu/ramen, yakisoba, okonomiyaki, yakiniku and interchange ice cream just to name a few.

'This sometimes from a 26-hour one-shot drive from the top to the bottom of Japan. I have so many wonderful stories and memories.

'But thinking of his two little girls and his family breaks my heart. Rest in peace Sasazakisan. All I can ask is "why!"'

Another commenter wrote: 'As a renowned referee, he was a pillar of many ring events. He had a gentle personality and approached matches with a sincere attitude.

'I knew he had retired and was working at a hot spring but how could this happen?'

It comes as the number of people killed by bears in Japan hits a record high.

Some seven people have lost their lives to the animals since April, according to the country's environment ministry.

This is the highest figure since records began in 2006.

Around 100 people have been injured by the animals so far this year - surpassing the 85 injuries and three deaths in the previous 12 months.

Most of the bear-related deaths this year happened in north-east Japan, where Mr Sasazaki also lost his life, and the Hokkaido area of the country.

Bear attacks tend to increase in autumn, before the animals hibernate.

Experts have suggested the hungry predators may have been driven into residential areas amid a low yield of beech nuts, caused by climate change.

A declining human population has also been suggested as a reason for the animals' boldness.

Another recent incident happened in the city of Numata, just north of Tokyo, which saw a 4.5ft adult bear enter a supermarket.

Two men, one in his 70s and another in his 60s, were slightly injured.

Though the store is in a mountainous region, staff said it had never seen bears come close to it before.

Around 30 or 40 shoppers were inside at the time and the animal reportedly became distressed as it tried to find its way out, according to local media.

And another attack just earlier this month saw a Spanish tourist ambushed by a bear at a bus stop in the village of Shirakawa-go in the centre of the country.
A cult survivor wrote an opinion piece arguing that Patricia Krenwinkel, once a murderous devotee to Charles Manson, is no longer a danger to society and should be let out of prison.

Psychologist Alexandra Stein, who spent a decade in a political cult throughout the 1980s, has since become an expert on them and wrote an op-ed in the Sacramento Bee advocating for Krenwinkel on October 14.

Later that same day, California Governor Gavin Newsom for the second time rejected Krenwinkel's parole after the Board of Parole Hearings recommended in May that she should be released.

Over the course of two nights in August 1969, a 21-year-old Krenwinkel and three other Manson disciples stormed into Benedict Canyon and brutally killed seven people, including rising star Sharon Tate.

Tate, 26, was married to filmmaker Roman Polanski and was eight-and-a-half months pregnant with his son.

Krenwinkel, now 77, admitted that she stabbed 25-year-old coffee heiress Abigail Folger 28 times at Tate's house. She also confessed to breaking into the home of grocery store executive Leno LaBianca and his wife Rosemary and killing them both the following night.

Despite the brutality of her crimes, Stein believes that the 55 years Krenwinkel has served of her life sentence is enough.

'Krenwinkel met Manson when she was just 19, after growing up in an unstable home,' she wrote in her op-ed. 'Manson's charisma and promises of love and affection drew her in, but that quickly turned into an abusive, push-and-pull dynamic where Manson alternated between adoration and violence.'

Psychologist Alexandra Stein, who spent a decade in a political cult throughout the 1980s, has argued that Patricia Krenwinkel, once part of the Manson family cult, should be let out of prison

Krenwinkel, now 77, was sentenced to life in prison after she and three other accomplices twice drove into the Benedict Canyon neighborhood in August 1969 to break into two separate homes on Charles Manson's orders. They killed seven people, including Sharon Tate

Patricia Krenwinkel (center) is pictured with two of her co-defendants, Susan Atkins (left) and Leslie Van Houten (right). Van Houten was released from prison in 2023, while Atkins died in prison in 2009

'It is my judgement that Krenwinkel committed these crimes because she was one of the most vulnerable of Manson's followers - both in her immediate situation and in her history of deprivation, abuse and psychological vulnerability,' Stein added.

Drawing from her own experience breaking free from her own cult, Stein said it is possible to do so.

'Once a follower is no longer under the influence of a cult leader and has left the cultic environment, they can regain their mental autonomy and ability to manage their own behavior and actions. This is exactly what has happened with Krenwinkel,' she wrote.

The parole board found that Krenwinkel, now the longest-serving female inmate in California prisons, was not likely to reoffend and posed little, if no danger to society because of her age.

The commissioners also pointed to her good behavior and spotless disciplinary record while in prison.

But Newsom disagreed, writing in an order this week: 'I have concluded that the evidence in Ms Krenwinkel's case demonstrates that she lacks the requisite insight she needs to be safely released.'

He cited a report from Krenwinkel's psychologist, who said she 'exhibits some deficits in self-awareness, such as a tendency to externalize blame for her prior transgressions.'

He did, however, acknowledge her participation in self-help programs and work training. He also mentioned that she had earned several college degrees.

Manson, the leader of the cult, died of colon cancer in 2017

Sharon Tate, one of the victims of the Manson family murders, is pictured in 1967

Newsom first rejected her bid to get out of prison in 2022, again stating that she was a risk to public safety.

Krenwinkel's attorney, Keith Wattley, said that Newsom 'has unfortunately chosen politics over people.'

'Even worse, he directly violated the law requiring him to give 'great weight' to the fact that Pat is a documented survivor of domestic violence,' said Wattley.

'His silence on this crucial aspect of the case is an affront to survivors everywhere, particularly during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.'

Krenwinkel's legal team could challenge Newsom's decision in court, though they haven't indicated if they'll do so yet.

Leslie Van Houten, another Manson family member who participated in the Tate-LaBianca murders, was released from prison in 2023 after Newsom's reversal of her parole was overturned by an appeals court.

Susan Atkins, a third cult member involved in the murders, died of brain cancer in September 2009 while still in prison.

Charles 'Tex' Watson, the fourth accomplice, is now 79 years old and is still in prison after being denied parole 18 times.

All four defendants were originally sentenced to death, but a 1972 Supreme Court decision that briefly outlawed the death penalty immediately commuted all of their sentences to life with the possibility of parole.

Manson, the leader of the cult, was denied parole 12 times before he died of colon cancer in 2017.
A Jewish lawyer was questioned by police after wearing a Star of David necklace which officers claimed 'antagonised' pro-Palestine supporters during a demonstration.

Officers quizzed the man at Hammersmith Police Station in west London over the silver 2cm Judaic symbol after he was arrested for alleged Public Order breaches on August 29.

At one point, the questioning detective says officers noted in their statements that they believed the 'presence' of the Star of David could cause 'offence' to those who had gathered at the protest.

The lawyer, a man in his 40s, was arrested outside the Israeli embassy in Kensington, where a pro-Palestine march had descended that evening.

He claims to have been acting as an independent spectator, watching the protest for illegal behaviour by participants and to observe how police responded to challenges on the ground.

However, the Metropolitan Police say he had allegedly 'gone beyond observing to provoking' pro-Palestinian supporters and was arrested on suspicion of violating conditions that had been put in place to keep opposing protest groups apart.

The man was then reportedly detained for nearly 10 hours at the station before being released at around 4.30am the following day.

The Met say their investigation into the incident is continuing, but the lawyer - who has chosen to remain anonymous over fears for his safety - has accused the police of trying to 'criminalise the wearing of a Star of David'.

A Jewish lawyer was questioned by police after wearing a Star of David necklace which officers claimed 'antagonised' pro-Palestine supporters during a demonstration (Stock Image)

Speaking to The Telegraph, who obtained the police interview footage, the man furiously labelled the police questioning as 'outrageous', saying that the force 'crossed the line' to mention his wearing of the Judaic symbol.

He said: 'They [the police] are trying to criminalise the wearing of a Star of David. They said I was antagonising and agitating pro-Palestine protesters with my Star of David. In an environment of anti-Semitism, I will not be cowed by this. I will carry on wearing it.'

In a statement, police said the man was not arrested for wearing the necklace, but that he had allegedly 'continuously approached the area' allocated to the pro-Palestinian protestors on the evening, which in turn provoked a reaction.

Footage of the police interview shows the detective asking the man what necklace he was wearing, later adding that officers in their statements believed that the Star of David being on show was 'antagonising' the situation further.

The man's defence labelled the officer's statements as 'ignorant' and said he had a 'great deal of concern' with the line of questioning.

The detective said he did not want to offend by asking the question, adding that it was not a question about the man wearing the Star of David generally but in a 'very niche environment where tensions are high'.

He then said that he did not want 'this to become a political debate in an interview'.

The arrested lawyer says he has witnessed dozens of instances of alleged criminal behaviour while observing pro-Palestine protests, during which he claims to have been labelled a 'baby killer'.

Members of the pro-Palestine group International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN), pictured in February last year, had descended on the Israeli embassy in Kensington on August 29 this year

He said that those chants going unpunished, while he is questioned over his wearing of the Star of David, is 'one of the clearest example of two-tier policing you will ever see', and denies any wrongdoing on the night he was arrested.

The protest at the embassy in August was also observed by Gill Levy, who served with the Met Police for 20 years, and set up the Society of Independent Legal Observers with the arrested lawyer and a third man, a Jewish KC.

Mr Levy told the newspaper he was 'distraught' by his acquaintance's arrest, adding: 'When I was an officer I was always thinking about the reputation of the police, and how I could ensure what I was doing did not expose the organisation to risk.

'This arrest beggars belief. I am part of this Jewish tribe, but I am also part of the police tribe, and for them to have let me down like this is heart-breaking.'

A Metropolitan Police spokesman told the Daily Mail: 'The claim that this man was arrested for wearing a star of David necklace is not true. He was arrested for allegedly repeatedly breaching Public Order Act conditions that were in place to keep opposing protest groups apart.

'The conditions required protesters from the pro-Israel group, Stop the Hate, to remain in one area while protesters from the pro-Palestinian group, International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN), were required to remain in a separate area.

'The man told officers he was acting as a legal observer, but his actions are alleged to have gone beyond observing to provoking and as such, actively participating as a protester.

'Over the course of an hour, the man is alleged to have continuously approached the area allocated to IJAN, getting very close to protesters to film them and in doing so provoking a reaction.

'Officers had to intervene on at least four occasions to ask the man to return to the Stop the Hate area as required by the conditions.

'When he failed to do so after multiple warnings, he was arrested. He was subsequently released on bail and the investigation continues.'
French customs have stepped up border checks on British products entering the EU, causing heavy financial losses for one of the UK's biggest mussel exporters.

Family-run business Offshore Shellfish had three of its four recent shipments rejected at the French border, forcing the company to destroy 150,000 worth of stock, a move its commercial director Sarah Holmyard described as 'subjective and inconsistent'.

Although the mussels are grown on ropes in the sea in Lyme Bay, several miles off the coast of south Devon, they are sent to the Netherlands for processing and on to Belgium, where they are served in restaurants and supermarkets as part of the national dish moules-frites.

Despite tougher post-Brexit inspections on food products, the company has continued exporting most of its shellfish to the EU.

But since Sir Keir Starmer's 'Brexit reset' was announced - a deal shellfish producers had hoped would make trade easier - Ms Holmyard said the industry has faced a rise in border checks and rejections on the European side of the Channel, which she believes are 'political'.

The company said all three rejected loads had to be destroyed at its expense, dealing a major financial blow.

The company said all three rejected loads of mussels had to be destroyed at its expense, dealing a major financial blow

Shellfish such as mussels, oysters, scallops, cockles and clams face particularly tough restrictions and can only be imported untreated if they come from top-quality 'Class A' waters. Offshore Shellfish's farms qualify for that standard most of the year.

The 'reset' deal, announced in May between the UK Government and the EU, aims to remove the need for sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks altogether, but negotiations are not expected to conclude until 2027- a delay many in the industry say is far too long.

But Ms Holmyard said the only change since the reset was announced was a surge in the checks and rejections of stock at the border.

Ms Holmyard said: 'The cited reason [for the rejection of two lorries] was that they hadn't been properly washed. But they came out of clean water and they were washed.

'I think, and I'm not alone in thinking this, that it is political.'

According to the Guardian, it is understood that the government is not aware of a significant increase in rejections of British goods of animal or plant origin entering the EU.

Offshore Shellfish, founded by Ms Holmyard's father John, who has farmed mussels for 30 years, is now in talks with French officials to try to resolve the export issues.

After negotiations involving the company, its Dutch partners and the UK government, authorities in Boulogne-sur-Mer have agreed to interpret the rules more flexibly, though this has yet to be tested.

'We've lost a lot of money in the last few weeks just on these failed loads and it's not something we can continue to do,' said Ms Holmyard.

The company is also concerned that it might lose its customers if repeated failed deliveries give it a reputation for being unreliable.

'It's a lot of food waste and live animal waste, at a time both nations [France and the UK] are meant to be looking at food security,' she said.

The Daily Mail has approached French customs, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and the Foreign Office for comment.

A Government spokesperson said: 'We are focused on negotiating an SPS deal that could add up to 5.1 billion a year to our economy, by cutting costs and reducing red tape for British producers and retailers.

'We continue to engage with industry and EU border teams to maintain trade whilst protecting our biosecurity.'
New Jersey residents tore into a school board after five members sent vile texts about a MAGA mother.

Five men - Vice President Chad Hyett, Scott Semaya, Lenny Thor, Mitesh Gandhi, and Nirav Kadakia - have been exposed for allegedly writing disgusting text messages about MAGA mom-of-three and board member, Danielle Bellomo.

All five men, whose group chat was named ThisB**chNeedstoDie, were running for the three open seats on the Marlboro Board of Education.

During a six-hour meeting on Tuesday, more than 100 parents of schoolchildren ripped into the board, requesting it enact its civility policy after the texts were revealed.

'Five men ganging up on a woman? Thats pathetic, in my mind,' Doug Moore, who has a daughter in kindergarten, said, according to the New York Post.

'It made me sick to my stomach. Its embarrassing. This is just 100 percent wrong. No apologies? What are we doing? Do the right thing.'

Resident Eugene Genin implored that the five men do not 'belong around children.'

Resident Mark Chesler said the board was more concerned about their 'personal agenda' than about youngsters.

MAGA mom-of-three and board member, Danielle Bellomo, was the subject a group chat where five men running for the three spots on Marlboro Board of Education

The group chat was named ThisB**chNeedstoDie and Scott Semaya allegedly wrote a message discussing Bellomo's nipples

He said: 'You continue to denigrate each other at every turn, and you do it with a twisted sense of pride.'

The group chat was revealed after someone took a photo of Semaya typing. Semaya has since dropped out of the race.

Bellomo and others questioned by the civility policy hadn't been enacted, which says the district will not tolerate threats against board members. It also allows members to be banned if they engaged in disruptive behavior.

A vote to kick out Hyett was not successful.

After the hours-long meeting, the board went into an executive session. Bellomo did not attend the meeting.

Bellomo has accused the board of not protecting her and not taking any action following the vile messages.

The Marlboro Police Department is actively investigating the messages, but no charges have been pressed.

Bellomo said she has faced threats for months and is certain there are more 'terrifying messages' in the chat she hasn't seen.

Bellomo and others questioned by the civility policy hadn't been enacted, which says the district will not tolerate threats against board members

Vice President Chad Hyett (middle), Scott Semaya, Lenny Thor (left), Mitesh Gandhi (right), and Nirav Kadakia were involved in the text chain

Nirav Kadakia was also involved. The Marlboro Police Department is actively investigating the messages

Scott Semaya (pictured), 38, allegedly sent the jaw-dropping messages during a July school board meeting

'There's definitely additional information that police are in possession of,' she told The Post.

In the group chat, Semaya was caught talking about the mother's nipples.

'Bellomo must be cold - her nips could cut glass right n-,' Semaya was allegedly pictured writing to the group.

The vile sentiment was leaked on social media over the past week, sending shockwaves through the school board and members of the well-off Marlboro community.

The next day, Marlboros Democratic mayor, Jonathan Hornik, addressed the alleged inappropriate behavior.

He said the texts were 'completely unacceptable' and said 'those responsible are clearly not equipped to hold public office.'

'We can disagree with one another without resorting to hate, anger and violence, and I call upon all those in positions of responsibility, regardless of political affiliation to condemn this inexcusable and outrageous behavior,' he wrote.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the five men and Bellomo for comment.
A 19-year-old influencer is facing legal repercussions after jumping into an elephant enclosure for a TikTok video.

Noah Thomas posted the clip taken at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium on September 21.

In the video, Thomas jumped over a fence at an indoor enclosure and approached an elephant who was behind a cage.

At first, he walked up to the creature only to quickly back away.

The Ohio resident then approached the animal a second time prompting it to try and grab him with its trunk.

Thomas quickly jumped back over the barricade as onlookers stared and laughed.

Several people reported the alleged incident to zoo staff, according to WKBN.

In a since-deleted Instagram post, Thomas joked about being a 'professional gate jumper' and said he was 'almost elephant food,' per The Independent.

Pittsburgh Police said Thomas and a friend entered the zoo without paying through a temporary exit added to accommodate construction.

Influencer Noah Thomas, 19, is facing multiple felony charges

Police are pressing charges after the influencer posted a video of himself jumping into an elephant enclosure

Police found the duo in the aquarium after they fled the elephant barn. They refused to identify themselves and were escorted out, according to WTAE.

Officials tracked Thomas down by identifying his friend's license plate and matching zoo security footage to Thomas' social media posts.

'Thomas actions caused extreme risk of injury or death to not only himself but also the zoo staff, other zoo patrons, and the elephant,' read the criminal complaint obtained by WTAE.

'If the elephant managed to grab Thomas with its trunk and pull him further into the enclosure, Thomas likely could have been killed.'

The influencer now faces multiple charges including felony counts for causing or risking catastrophe, criminal trespass, and conspiracy.

He was not in police custody as of Saturday, October 18, according to People.

Thomas faces other charges for reckless endangerment, cruelty to animals, and theft of services, according to online police records.

The case is being handled by the Pittsburg Police Department and the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office.

Onlookers at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium notified employees about the incident

The criminal complaint states that Thomas's prank could have killed him

'I want to find out all of the circumstances why this happened,' said district attorney Stephen Zappala.

'Is it a prank or is there something else going on?'

Elephants can become aggressive when they feel threatened, according to the Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve. While they are mostly peaceful creatures, captive elephants are more dangerous to humans than wild elephants.

It is important to keep a safe distance and never try to touch them.

The seconds-long video only received 37 likes and less than 3,000 views.

Thomas, who calls himself an influencer, has less than 5,000 followers combined across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

His other content includes interviews, dances, pranks and challenges.

The Daily Mail reached out to the Pittsburg Zoo & Aquarium, Noah Thomas, the District Attorney's Office, and the Pittsburgh Police.
A new Chinese 'super-embassy' housing hundreds of spies would be built directly around the City of London's highly-sensitive telephone exchange, fresh documents have revealed.

The proposal to build the embassy has been mired in controversy over claims that Sir Keir Starmer struck a secret deal with Beijing to approve the project  despite strong objections from Britain's intelligence services.

A final decision on the plans has been delayed until December amid the political furore over the collapse of the China spy trial.

Now planning drawings submitted by the Chinese and seen by this newspaper show that if the development is given the go-ahead the Wapping Telephone Exchange, which is run by BT Openreach and provides leading financial institutions with high-speed fibre optic communications, would be surrounded on three sides by embassy buildings.

The development, on the site of a former Barclays trading floor, would have accommodation for more than 200 diplomats and intelligence officers, making it the largest embassy in Europe. A nearby tunnel has carried fibre optic cables under the Thames since 1985.

Security sources have told The Mail on Sunday that Chinese spies have been siphoning data directly from cables across the UK.

A source said: 'They are using wires as thin as a strand of human hair to access the bundles and obtain the information. It is incredibly hard to detect.'

The Bank of England also highlighted the risks of allowing the embassy to be built close to sensitive financial centres.

Sir Keir Starmer, pictured with Chinese President Xi Jinping last year, has been accused of striking a secret deal with Beijing to approve a new Chinese 'super-embassy'

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The latest revelations are likely to intensify Tory demands for an inquiry into claims that Labour has given private assurances to China that the project near the Tower of London would be approved  despite it being blocked under the last Conservative Government following the raising of security concerns.

The planning process was revived by Beijing after Sir Keir won last year's General Election, with President Xi Jinping mentioning it directly to Chancellor Rachel Reeves when she visited China in January to discuss trade deals.

Critics have accused Ms Reeves of sacrificing national security in her desperation to fill a 30billion black hole in the public finances.

Suspicions were increased by China's furious reaction to Housing Secretary Steve Reed's decision to delay a decision on the project until December 10.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman accused the UK of showing 'disregard for contractual spirit' and failing to honour its 'commitments'.

Approving the project would deepen tensions between the Government and the intelligence services following the collapse of the prosecution case against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry, who denied passing secrets to the Chinese state.

The Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case against the pair last month after deciding the evidence did not show China was a threat to national security. MI5 chief Ken McCallum was 'frustrated' by the collapse of the case.

The security services complain they have been prevented from submitting evidence to the planning process for the embassy and that large swathes of the documents have been redacted.

These include plans for two suites of basement rooms and a tunnel, dubbed 'the spy dungeons'.

Re-routing the cabling which runs nearby would cost UK taxpayers millions of pounds and need permission from the Chinese.

If the development is given the go-ahead the embassy at the site of the old Royal Mint (above) would become the largest in Europe

Sir Oliver Robbins, the permanent secretary at the Foreign Office, flew to China last week to try to persuade the authorities to allow the construction of a new British embassy in Beijing.

Dominic Cummings, a former aide to Boris Johnson, said when he was working in Downing Street the security services raised concerns that China would build a 'spy centre' under the London embassy.

He said: 'MI5 and MI6 said to me explicitly, "China is trying to build a spy centre underneath the embassy. It's an extremely bad idea to allow this to go ahead. It's particularly a bad idea given the exact location and various cables which run under London. Please help us try to persuade the Prime Minister to kibosh this dreadful idea because other powerful parts of Whitehall don't want to haves a row with China about it, particularly the Treasury".'

The Conservatives said that if any deal had taken place with China over the embassy it would amount to a flagrant breach of the ministerial code and open the whole process to judicial review.

They have written to Sir Laurie Magnus, the Prime Minister's independent ethics adviser, to ask him to investigate whether Sir Keir and ministers had broken the ministerial code.

Shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly said: 'At every stage, the Labour Government has tried to force through this planning application and suppress the growing concerns about the mega-embassy's impact on our national security.

'It is shocking that the planning inquiry has had no discussion of the cyber-security risks to the City of London from the Chinese embassy surrounding its internet exchange and sitting on top of telecommunications cables. Labour ministers have silenced our intelligence and security agencies from sounding the alarm.

'If Keir Starmer had any backbone, he would ensure the UK Government says no to this application  as Ireland and Australia did when faced with similar embassy developments.'

Lin Jian, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, responded to the postponement by expressing 'grave concern and strong dissatisfaction', and saying that the UK must 'immediately fulfil its obligations and honour its commitments, otherwise the British side shall bear all the consequences'.

The Chinese embassy said in a statement: 'We strongly deplore the UK's repeated postponement of the approval deadline for the new Chinese embassy project.

'The development scheme of the new Chinese embassy is of high quality and has been highly recognised by local professional bodies. The application complies with diplomatic practice and local regulations and procedures.

'The UK's repeated delay in approving the application is groundless and unjustifiable. It is an international obligation of the host country to provide support and facilitation for the construction of diplomatic premises.

'Both China and the UK have plans to build embassies in each other's capitals and both should facilitate each other's efforts.

'We again urge the UK to demonstrate sincerity in resolving the issue and approve China's planning application at an early date.'
Labour has been urged to come clean over secret meetings with Chinese officials to 'clarify' details about their proposed embassy.

The meetings were in the period between the Tories' rejection of the plans on security grounds and their revival under Labour following Chancellor Rachel Reeves' visit to China in January.

Three extra meetings between Foreign Office and housing chiefs and Chinese officials were held between January and December last year. There were also 'clarification meetings' between May and October last year. Labour won the election in July.

A source said: 'This was a Chinese lobbying exercise  pushing against an open door.'

The Housing Department insists the meetings were to 'explain the operation of the UK planning system'.

But Tory party chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: 'Clarification meetings with Beijing? Try doing that for your house extension. Three meetings, no minutes, no advisers, just rolling out the red carpet for the Chinese Communist Party.

'This will only deepen suspicions about the Government's involvement in the decision about this spy-hub in the heart of London.'

Labour is facing mounting pressure after charges were dropped on Sir Keir Starmer's watch against a parliamentary researcher and a teacher accused of spying for China.

The secret meetings with Chinese officials took place in the period between the Tories' rejection of the embassy and their revival under Labour following Rachel Reeves' visit to China

The Chinese official accused of being the two Britons' 'handler' was present when Sir Keir met President Xi last year. Fresh analysis of Labour's links to China has exposed the extent of the ties.

Sources say Sir Olly Robbins, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office, played a key role in 'flattening' China sceptics in the Foreign Office.

He is understood to have opposed the spy prosecutions, repeatedly raising concerns about the ramifications for Britain if they were convicted.

His former employer Hakluyt, a security and investment company, has come under scrutiny for its China activities in the past, after one of its advisers died there in mysterious circumstances.

The firm's former employees also include Sir Keir's Special Adviser on Business and Investment, Varun Chandra.

Many senior Labour figures are members of the shadowy '48 group', a lobby club China uses 'to groom UK elite'. They include National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, who has been outspoken in support for China.

He was instrumental in handing the Chagos Islands to Mauritius  an ally of China  and drew heavy criticism for his role in the collapse of the China spy case.

Also, a 4million donation was made to Labour by Quadrature, an investment company which made an identical donation to 'Energy Foundation China', which 'operates at the direction of the Chinese Communist Party'.

China wants to create a huge diplomatic headquarters on a historic site near the City of London

Sparking accusations of 'cash for access', a Quadrature board member has recently been appointed by the Government to forge deeper alliances with China.

This 'special envoy' recently chaired a secret meeting with minister Ed Miliband and Chinese ministers where they signed a 'Memorandum of Understanding' to 'strengthen dialogue and collaboration'.

Treasury Minister Emma Reynolds has sought to 'deepen ties with Chinese business' in her previous role at public affairs firm CityUK.

Critics have condemned Labour over this dossier of 'lies, spies and China ties'.

Mr Hollinrake said: 'The Chinese Communist Party is seemingly linked to the Labour Party at every level. From donations and advisers to think-tanks and backroom deals.

'Keir Starmer's Labour is tangled in a web of Beijing's influence with his Government selling out Britain's interests... It sends a dangerous message... that under Labour, Britain will back down rather than stand up. Starmer doesn't have the backbone to defend our national security.'
Israel has confirmed it has received two further bodies of October 7 hostages - after Hamas finally caved to US President Donald Trump's demands for them to 'release the dead'.

The country's military confirmed Hamas handed over 'two coffins of deceased hostages' on Saturday at 10pm local time (8pm BST and 3pm ET).

The remains, which the Red Cross helped transfer to Israeli forces, have been taken to Israel where they will be formally identified.

It came after outrage Hamas had returned only ten of the 28 bodies of deceased captives outlined in the ceasefire agreement.

The latest exchange takes the total up to 12, with another 16 still to be returned. All were supposed to have been handed over by last Monday.

The delay fuelled mounting anger and protests across Israel, where families of the victims are demanding the return of their loved ones' remains.

Hamas claims it handed over all of the hostage remains it could access and 'extensive efforts and special equipment' would be needed to retrieve more.

Israeli intelligence has assessed it may not be able to find and return all the remaining dead hostages in Gaza.

IDF troops receive remains of killed hostages at official ceremony (Pictured October 13, 2025)

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Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said earlier on Saturday the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt would remain closed 'until further notice' as the deadline passed without confirmation.

He warned it would only reopen if Hamas fulfilled its role in hostage returns, a key component of the ongoing ceasefire process.

This is a change from the country's initial approach, which saw the foreign ministry originally say the crossing would reopen on Sunday as another step towards ceasefire.

The crossing would allow Gazans to receive medical treatment or visit family in Egypt, where tens of thousands of Palestinians live.

This week, tests conducted on one of the four corpses delivered to Israel revealed that it belongs to a Gazan.

The other three remains were identified as Tamir Nimrodi, Eitan Levy, and Uriel Baruch.

President Trump vented his frustration on Truth Social, writing: 'THE JOB IS NOT DONE. THE DEAD HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED, AS PROMISED!'

Earlier this year, the terror group claimed to have handed over the body of Shiri Bibas, one of the hostages, but it was later confirmed to belong to a Palestinian.

Under Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan, announced on Monday, Hamas was required to release all hostages, dead or alive, as a key condition of the deal.

The group's failure to deliver the bodies sparked fears the fragile peace agreement could already be in jeopardy, with Israeli officials accusing Hamas of deliberately withholding the remains.

Earlier this week, Israel refused to increase aid deliveries into Gaza after Hamas had released just eight bodies by Tuesday.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out doubling the number of aid trucks, citing the group's violation of the agreement.

Hamas was expected to hand over all 28 deceased hostages alongside 20 survivors by midday Monday.

While the release of the living captives brought relief, only four bodies were initially returned - followed by another four last night.

The shortfall provoked fury in Israel, where the failure to recover the dead has been seen as a deep affront, given the central importance of burial rites in Judaism.

On Monday, Donald Trump brokered the landmark peace deal between Israel and Hamas, aimed at ending the devastating Gaza war that has killed tens of thousands and created a humanitarian disaster.

In emotional scenes, freed captives were reunited with their families, parents, and friends, some embracing through tears after years of fear and uncertainty.

'After so many years of unceasing war and endless danger, today the skies are calm, the guns are silent and the sirens are still,' Donald Trump said in a historic speech at the Knesset, Israel's parliament.

But the ordeal of two years in captivity was clear despite the celebrations - many hostages appeared frail and emaciated, bearing little resemblance to photos taken before their abduction on October 7, 2023.

Relatives of hostages whose bodies are still in Gaza hold up placards and demand their release

Behind the smiles, their physical and emotional scars offered a stark reminder of the suffering endured since that day.

On Thursday, the US President issued a stark warning to the group after it was caught executing fellow Palestinians amid the ceasefire with Israel.

'If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not the Deal, we will have no choice but to go in and kill them,' the President posted to Truth Social. 'Thank you for your attention to this matter!'

Hamas had previously returned four deceased hostages on Monday, who were later identified as Guy Illouz, 26, Bipin Joshi, 23, Yossi Sharabi, 53, and Daniel Peretz, 22.

Four more bodies were handed over on Tuesday, with three of them having been identified as Uriel Baruch, 35, Tamir Nimrodi, 18, and Eitan Levi, 53.

But Israel has said the fourth 'does not match any of the hostages'.

Hamas' failure to immediately provide the remains of all of the 28 deceased hostages has led to fears the peace deal is already at risk.

A spokesperson from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum told the Daily Mail: 'Following the return of the last 20 live hostages on Monday, devastating testimonies are emerging - of people being caged, chained, starved, and having bags placed over their heads for extended periods.

'Every new account reveals yet another layer of deliberate psychological; and physical cruelty.

'Hamas used systematic torture and psychological terror as weapons of war to dehumanise, humiliate, and destroy.

'Today, we know that the remaining hostages still held in Gaza are no longer alive. For their families, the nightmare is far from over - many fear their loved ones bodies may be lost forever in Gaza.

'The world must confront the full horror of Hamas actions and stand with the families to demand the return the body of every last hostage, so they can finally be laid to rest in Israel, with dignity, and provide closure for the families.'

Bodies recovered in the ruins of Gaza since the ceasefire process began have brought the Palestinian death toll to above 68,000, according to the country's Hamas-run health ministry.
Donald Trump has decided the fate of two 'terrorists' pulled from the wreckage of a Venezuelan 'drug boat' destroyed in a US strike.

Two individuals traveling with a pair of 'known narcoterrorists' were aboard the US-bound submarine loaded with 'mostly fentanyl and other illegal narcotics' when it was struck late Thursday, according to the president.

Trump confirmed that two of the alleged terrorists were killed in the strike as he released dramatic image showing the moment of impact.

The remaining two will be sent back to their home countries, Ecuador and Colombia, where theyll face detention and prosecution, the president said.

He added that no US troops were injured in the strike.

'Under my watch, the United States of America will not tolerate narcoterrorists trafficking illegal drugs, by land or by sea,' Trump said.

The Daily Mail reached out to the White House and the Department of War for additional information.

The military strike occurred late on Thursday night when the alleged smugglers were traveling in the Caribbean Sea.

Donald Trump shared new footage of the strike on Truth Social, which revealed the moment the submarine popped out of the Caribbean Sea

The president announced that the two surviving 'terrorists' aboard a submarine will be sent back to their home countries

Sources close to the matter told The New York Times that the two survivors were rescued by the Navy and Coast Guard

Trump told reporters during a cabinet meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the targeted vessel was carrying 'massive amounts of drugs.'

'Just so you understand, this was not an innocent group of people,' the president added.

Officials told the New York Times that intelligence analysts assessed that the submarine was carrying drugs before the strike.

Analysts watching the strike on a video feed noticed the two survivors bobbing in the water among the wreckage of the submarine.

The two survivors were rescued by Navy and Coast Guard helicopters and brought to a ship with medical facilities, according to the Times.

Two sources familiar with the matter told the Washington Post that the two survivors weren't injured. It's unclear if they have ties to Venezuelan criminal organizations.

The decision to send the survivors back to their home countries strays from the status quo.

In past foreign conflicts, officials would typically detain and prosecute enemy fighters and drug runners in the US justice system.

The President unveiled on Truth Social earlier this week that Secretary of War ordered the lethal kinetic on a narco-terrorist vessel

The latest comes after US elite Special Operations aviation forces flew less than 90 miles from the coast of Venezuela, according to the Washington Post.

An official said that the helicopters were conducting training exercises for a possible land mission into Venezuela to neutralized alleged drug traffickers.

Over the last two months, the US military has struck five Venezuelan boats carrying illegal narcotics in the Caribbean sea, killing approximately 27 people.

It comes after US defense officials announced the deployment of over 4,000 Marines and sailors to the waters surrounding Latin America and the Caribbean as part of the presidents crackdown on drug cartels.

On Wednesday, Trump revealed that he has given the Central Intelligence Agency permission to conduct missions inside Venezuela.

The President also unveiled on Truth Social earlier this week that Secretary of War ordered the lethal kinetic on a narco-terrorist vessel.

Trump said that Pete Hegseth conducted the deadly operation with his permission.

The operation is believed to have killed six male narco-terrorists aboard the drug vessel while they were traveling in international waters.

Last month, Venezuelas Foreign Minister Yvan Gil condemned the US for allegedly illegally and hostilely detaining a fishing vessel in its waters using the USS, a US Navy destroyer (pictured)

The strikes strikes have further heightened tensions between the two countries, which have escalated in recent months following Washingtons deployment of spy planes, a warship, and even a submarine to the southern Caribbean Sea

On Friday, Trump sent a massive F-bomb to Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro during a cabinet meeting with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky.

A reporter asked the president about how Maduro has 'offered everything' to him following US airstrikes on Venezuelan drug boats.

He snapped back with a quick response directed at Maduro: 'He has offered everything, you're right. You know why? Because he doesn't want to f*** around with the United States.'

Last month, Venezuelas foreign minister condemned the US for allegedly illegally and hostilely detaining a fishing vessel in its waters using the USS, a US Navy destroyer.

The boat, which the ministry said was crewed by nine tuna fishermen, was sailing 48 nautical miles northeast of La Blanquilla Island - Venezuelan territory.

Although the nine-man crew was released under escort by the Venezuelan navy, Foreign Minister Yvan Gil demanded that the US immediately cease these actions that endanger security and peace in the Caribbean.

His statement also called on US citizens to 'recognize the seriousness of these maneuvers and reject the use of their soldiers as sacrificial pieces to sustain the desires of a greedy and predatory elite.'

Venezuela ultimately warned that it will defend its sovereignty against any form of provocation.

Venezuelas leader Nicolas Maduro, threatened to 'declare a republic in arms' if attacked by American forces

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a $50million reward for information leading to the capture and arrest of Maduro, saying he uses 'foreign terrorist organizations' to 'bring deadly drugs and violence into our country'

The boat strikes have further heightened tensions between the two countries, which have escalated in recent months following Washingtons deployment of spy planes, a warship, and even a submarine to the southern Caribbean Sea.

Maduro, who the US does not recognize as the legitimate president of the country after an election last year, threatened to 'declare a republic in arms' if attacked by American forces.

He declared that his country was at 'maximum preparedness' during a news conference in response to the increased US maritime presence near Venezuelan waters.

The leftist leader characterized the US operation as 'an extravagant, unjustifiable, immoral and absolutely criminal and bloody threat.'

He then warned that US military action against Venezuela would 'stain' President Trump's 'hands with blood.'

But Trump has only continued to ramp up pressure on Maduro, whom he accuses of leading a cocaine trafficking cartel.

In August, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a $50million reward for information leading to the capture and arrest of Maduro, saying he uses 'foreign terrorist organizations' to 'bring deadly drugs and violence into our country.'

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has so far seized 30 tons of cocaine that were subsequently linked to Maduro and his associates, according to AG Biondi.

Nearly seven tons of seized cocaine was linked to Maduro himself and represents a primary source of income for gangs operating in Venezuela and Mexico (pictured: alleged members of Tren de Aragua, a gang Maduro is accused of working with)

Nearly seven tons of that total was linked to Maduro himself, she added, explaining that this represents a primary source of income for gangs operating in Venezuela and Mexico.

Maduro has since announced the deployment of troops, police, and civilian militias across 284 'battlefront' locations, reinforcing earlier troop increases along the Colombian border.

The Venezuelan government has called on its citizens to enlist in militias - armed volunteer groups - to support security forces in the event of a potential bombardment.
The US State Department upgraded its travel advisory for Madagascar due to 'crime and unrest.'

Since the Level 3 advisory was issued on September 27 urging Americans to reconsider travel to the island, the dynamics on the ground in Madagascar have gotten far more serious.

The nation's president, Andry Rajoelina, fled the country on Monday after weeks of protests over a dismal jobs market, a lack of water and food and regular cuts to electricity.

The protests were largely led by young citizens fed up with the status quo, and at the same time, a military coup led by Colonel Michael Randrianirina was underway.

The tides largely shifted in favor of anti-government forces on October 11, when soldiers from the elite military unit joined the protestors to a square in the capital and called for Rajoelina's resignation.

This same military unit had helped Rajoelina come to power in a 2009 coup. During the protest last week, the unit said it had taken control of the nation's armed forces.

Since Rajoelina was missing in action, Madagascar's highest court on Tuesday upheld the National Assembly's decision to impeach him for desertion of duty.

Massive crowds, including some US officials, gathered in the capital city of Antananarivo on Friday for Randriairina's swearing in as the new president.

Colonel Michael Randrianirina is pictured speaking after being sworn in as the new president of Madagascar. He led a military coup against Andry Rajoelina who had led the country since 2009

Rajoelina (pictured) fled the country sometime last weekend for his safety and has been officially ousted from power

Members of Madagascar's military police take cover behind their shields amid tear gas during clashes on October 11 between demonstrators and security forces in protests

A police armored vehicle is burned by protestors as police began losing control

Randriairina, the leader of the coup, said Madagascar had been 'driven by the desire for change and a deep love for their homeland.'

He said he hoped his leadership would 'joyfully open a new chapter in the life of our nation'.

The mass unrest in the country killed 22 people and injured more than 100 others, according to the United Nations.

Randriairina was a major voice calling on the troops to side with student protestors against Rajoelina.

Hours after he posted a video online supporting a rebellion, soldiers were seen clashing with police in the capital. All while this was happening, Rajoelina made no public statements or appearances.

'Nothing is working in Madagascar, there is no president, no president of the senate, no president of the government,' Randriairina declared when he appeared on the streets. 'Nothing is working, so we have to take responsibility, that's it.'

Both the United Nations and the African Union have condemned the military coup as unlawful.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday that 'the unconstitutional change of government in Madagascar' should be reversed.

The African Union suspended Madagascar's membership from the bloc, while calling for immediate elections and a return to civilian rule.

Baobab trees in Morondava, a coastal town in Madagascar

An overhead view of Antananarivo, the capital city of Madagascar. This is where much of the anti-government protests took place

The unrest is in stark contrast to the island's peaceful beaches

The US government has not explicitly condemned the takeover, but still urges Americans to exercise caution when traveling to Madagascar.

'Violent crime occurs throughout Madagascar, particularly after dark. This includes armed robbery and assault. It can happen in remote areas, and along major national roads in the countrys south and west,' according to the State Department advisory.

It also referenced the protests, saying that demonstrators have 'engaged in rioting, looting, vandalism and destruction of property'.

Despite international disapproval, Randriairina has said that the military will rule for at least two years before it considers having new elections.

Some young people who had protested showed signs of caution and mistrust in the military for taking over so fast amid the chaos.

Francko Ramananvarivo, 23, told Reuters: 'Our objective is to be led by a government that is close to the people. We are not there yet.'

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.
Tens of thousands of homeowners could be hit by new council tax bands as Treasury officials ponder targeting higher-value homes, The Mail on Sunday understands.

Affluent Londoners and those in the South East are expected to be the prime targets as Chancellor Rachel Reeves tries to find 42billion to balance Labour's books.

Property experts believe new council tax bands for higher-valued properties  rather than a revaluation of all houses across the country  would appeal to the Treasury, boosting tax receipts by raising more cash from well-heeled homeowners.

It would allow Ms Reeves to skirt Housing Secretary Steve Reed's promise not to revalue homes for council tax gains during this Parliament.

And new bands would provide a cash injection for local authorities and lower the need for them to go cap in hand to the Treasury for grants.

David Fell, lead analyst at estate agency Hamptons, said: 'Adding a higher council tax band would probably be one of the fairer and least disruptive property tax reform ideas we've seen floated so far.'

The highest council tax level in England, Band H, applies to properties which were valued at 320,001 or more in 1991  when they were last revalued.

Mr Fell said: '[This band] covers new-build, four-bedroom homes alongside 20,000 sq ft mega mansions worth many multiples more.'

ffluent Londoners and those in the South East are expected to be the prime targets as Chancellor Rachel Reeves tries to find 42billion to balance Labour's books

A British property valued at 424,000 in 1991 is estimated, on average, to be worth more than 2.1 million today, figures from Nationwide show. But in London, where house prices have since exploded, such a property would be valued closer to 3 million in 2025.

Prime targets for tax band reforms include the elite London borough of Kensington and Chelsea, where the average home currently sells for 1.8million on Rightmove.

There is precedent for such a move  Wales added an additional council tax band in 2005 to cover properties worth 424,000 or more in 2003.

The news follows comments made by Ms Reeves last week that squeezing those with 'broad shoulders' would be a 'part of the Budget story'.

And fears remain that any council tax hikes will further pump the brakes on the spluttering property market. Sales of 5million-plus properties in Central London in September were down 40 per cent on last year.

A Treasury spokesman said: 'The Budget will strike the right balance between making sure that we have enough money to fund our public services while ensuring we can bring growth to boost living standards.'
Russian hackers have stolen hundreds of sensitive military documents containing details of eight RAF and Royal Navy bases as well as Ministry of Defence staff names and emails  and posted them on the dark web, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

In what has been described as a 'catastrophic' security breach, cybercriminals accessed the cache of files by hacking a maintenance and construction contractor used by the MoD.

The 'gateway' attack  which targeted third party the Dodd Group  allowed cyber gangsters to circumvent the almost impenetrable cyber defences used by the Armed Forces.

The MoD said it was investigating the enormous data and security breach, believed to have been carried out by Russian group Lynx.

Leaked documents seen by the MoS disclose information about a number of sensitive RAF and Navy bases, including RAF Lakenheath, in Suffolk, where the US Air Force's F-35 stealth jets are based and their nuclear bombs are believed to be housed.

Other bases include RAF Portreath  a top-secret radar station that forms part of Nato's air defence network  and RAF Predannack, now home to the UK's National Drone Hub.

Details of contractors' names, car registrations and mobile numbers, as well as MoD personnel's names and email addresses, have also been uploaded. Some documents are marked 'Controlled' or 'Official Sensitive'.

The disclosure follows a warning from the National Cyber Security Centre last week that the number of significant hacking attacks in the UK have reached a record high, with 204 taking place in the year to September.

US Air Force F-35 stealth jets are pictured last year at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, where sensitive information has been disclosed about to Russian hackers

A former military intelligence officer told the MoS the breach was a 'catastrophic security failure' which would cause 'huge alarm' in the US.

Colonel Phil Ingram, a former member of the Intelligence Corps who also served in Iraq and the Balkans, added: 'Any sensitive information, from emails to mobile phone numbers, will be useful to our enemies.

'This is yet another embarrassing breach of the MoD's supply chain compromising sensitive data. There doesn't seem to be a week going by without another MoD-related breach and no sign of accountability.

'It is likely a reflection on the creaking IT infrastructure the MoD has, its rigid, outdated processes and simple lack of care.'

The information emerged on the dark web after the gang infiltrated the systems of the Dodd Group, a major UK building and maintenance contractor.

The criminals boasted of 'quietly extracting roughly 4TB [terabytes] of data, including material from secured repositories', sparking fears that Britain's adversaries could exploit the information to penetrate defence and government systems.

The Dodd Group's network was first breached on 23 September, with the hackers issuing a chilling ultimatum: 'Time is running out  you have the opportunity to resolve this matter before inevitable consequences unfold.'

Since then, the group has begun releasing the stolen material in stages, posting two out of four planned data dumps on the dark web so far.

US nuclear bombs are also believed to be housed in RAF Lakenheath, which is pictured in this aerial view

Within the leaked files, around a thousand documents, are visitor forms for RAF Portreath listing contractors' and MoD personnel's data, and visitor records for RNAS Culdrose, one of the Royal Navy's principal air stations.

Also among the material is internal email guidance and security instructions which could be exploited to craft highly convincing phishing attacks.

There are also files relating to construction group Kier concerning work at RAF Lakenheath, where B61-12 thermonuclear gravity bombs were reportedly delivered in July, and RAF Mildenhall, which also acts as a base for US F-35 fighter squadrons.

Other leaked files include material linked to HMS Raleigh, HMS Drake and RAF St Mawgan.

The Dodd Group, which last year turned over 294 million and made a 53 million gross profit, has also carried out work for the NHS, defence infrastructure and the Duchy of Cornwall, the private estate owned by Prince William.

Experts have cautioned that even seemingly mundane data could help foreign adversaries build intelligence on Britain's defence infrastructure.

Professor Anthony Glees, a security and defence expert from the University of Buckingham, told The Mail on Sunday: 'This is a massive national security breach, and it's a double-headed breach, because it not only is about data of great importance to Britain's enemies and potential enemies, but it is also an embarrassment to Britain's allies, in particular the US.'

Lynx is believed to be based in Russia and recruits openly on Russian-speaking underground forums. In line with many Moscow-based cybercrime groups, it avoids targeting organisations in former Soviet states.

Confirming a 'cyber incident', a Dodd Group spokesman said 'limited data' had been stolen and the company had 'secured and recovered our systems'.

The MoD said it was 'actively investigating' the situation.
Sir Tony Blair has put himself at odds with Sir Keir Starmer by arguing that boat migrants should not be allowed to claim asylum  the position adopted by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch.

The former premier says in a new book that spiralling levels of immigration will not be tackled unless potential arrivals realise there is not a back-door route to British citizenship through refugee law.

Mrs Badenoch included a ban on asylum claims for illegal entrants in a raft of new immigration policies set out at the Tory conference this month. They include a US-style 'Removals Force' to hunt down and deport 750,000 migrants.

Sir Keir remains committed to current asylum laws  although he has been forced by Nigel Farage's surge in the polls into promising greater restrictions.

Sir Tony's view is quoted by Taxpayers' Alliance founder Matthew Elliott in his new book Prosperity Through Growth. Sir Tony compares Joe Biden's laissez-faire approach to migration amnesties unfavourably with Donald Trump's zero-tolerance approach.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'Even Tony Blair can see Labour's open borders asylum policy is a red carpet across the Channel. When you tell the world that anyone who arrives illegally can still claim asylum, the crossings will never stop.

'This is why the Conservative border plan will end asylum claims for all illegal entrants. It's common sense: Stop the pull factor that lets migrants make bogus claims and stay in the UK for the rest of their lives.

'Unlike Labour, our plan is tough and deliverable: Leave the European Convention on Human Rights, remove all illegal immigrants within a week of arrival and end the merry-go-round of appeals. That is how we stop this madness. But Starmer doesn't have the backbone to do this.'

Sir Tony Blair (above) has put himself at odds with Sir Keir Starmer by arguing that boat migrants should not be allowed to claim asylum

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch (above) included a ban on asylum claims for illegal entrants in a raft of new immigration policies set out at the Tory conference this month

Critics are likely to seize on Blair's words by pointing out that his government presided over rocketing levels of immigration  which was later revealed to be part of a deliberate plot by No 10 to  in the words of Blair adviser Andrew Neather  'rub the Right's nose in diversity' in a move to permanently change British society.

Mr Elliott also spoke to Boris Johnson for his book  and the former Prime Minister revealed he had 'kept secret' his discovery of a rare newt after a battle to win planning permission for a swimming pool at his Oxfordshire home had been jeopardised by newt-protection laws.

Mr Johnson told Mr Elliott: 'I built a swimming pool and I had this thing with newts. I had to build little newt motels for them.

'The environmental impact guys assess whether the water or the property might be hospitable to newts. If it is, then you have to build these structures.

'But they never found any newts. I did. I found one in my basement, which I kept secret. It was an enormous black great crested newt.'

Mr Johnson told The Mail on Sunday: 'I wasn't doing anything to the part of the property where I found the newt, so no newt protection was needed.'
A graduate student at Illinois State University has been arrested after he was caught on camera toppling a Turning Point USA table.

The vandal, who has been identified as 27-year-old Derek Lopez, was seen confronting student members of the conservative organization at the school as they were promoting YouTuber and comedian Alex Stein's October 20 event at the university.

'Well you know, Jesus did it, so you know I gotta do it right?' Lopez, wearing bright red pants and a red flannel with his hair up in a bun, could be seen telling one of the student activists.

He then walks over to the side of the table and pulls down the tablecloth, sending pins flying.

Apparently unsatisfied with his work, Lopez then grabs the side of the table and flips it over, sending pins, flyers and other items into the air.

'Thanks guys, have a great day,' he says waving at the students as he walks away.

When the students then try to reorganize their items, Lopez could be seen tearing a flyer off from a nearby bulletin board.

The students who were holding the event later got in contact with Illinois State University police, who subsequently arrested Lopez.

Derek Lopez, a graduate student at Illinois State University, was caught on camera confronting student members of the school's Turning Point USA chapter

He was caught on film toppling over the student's table on campus

Once he was done, he calmly waved at the students and walked away - before ripping a flyer off a nearby bulletin board

The police noted he had previously disrupted another 'informational tabling event.'

But the grad student, who also works as a teacher's assistant at the school, has since defended his actions online.

'Pacifism is one of my core principles, but reading the Bible was what inspired me to flip that table,' he wrote on social media. 'If Jesus did it, so can I.

'I consider Jesus a role model and I consider fascists bad people,' he continued.

When Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon then hit out at Lopez for his actions as 'outrageous anti-speech conduct,' Lopez replied: 'It's not anti-speech conduct by the way. It's anti-bigotry conduct.

'It's a responsibility for state employees to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone, which includes flipping over tables promoting racist, homophobic comedians.'

Lopez also objected to claims that he acted violently.

'I had a steel blunt object in my hand and I walked away calmly,' he posted on X as the video went viral.

'You're calling me violent? Get real. Violence is what ICE Gestapo agents get paid (by your taxes) to do. Violence is bombs being dropped on children (also paid for by your taxes).'

Lopez was subsequently arrested, with officers noting it was the second time he disrupted an 'informational tabling event'

The student members of Turning Point USA were promoting an upcoming comedy show featuring YouTuber Alex Stein

As the video gained traction, comedian Alex Stein responded.

'These are the freaks teaching the future generation of America... we all need to expose these Marxist professors,' he wrote.

Lopez then replied on his Instagram account, writing: 'Alex Stein has been waiting for something interesting to happen to him because he's incapable of making anything interesting happen himself!

'Don't bother going to his "comedy" show,' Lopez wrote.

After reading the post, one Instagram user wrote that it 'seems like a threat.

'Turning this one in before you hurt anyone,' the commentor wrote.

Stein hit out at Lopez as the video went viral on social media

Lopez is now facing charges of disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property, though university police noted the investigation is ongoing and 'may be grounds for additional charges and university disciplinary action.'

'We are committed to protecting the First Amendment rights as well as safety of everyone in our campus community,' Chief Aaron Woodruff said.

'We encourage all members of our community to learn more about free speech rights and responsibilities at Illinois State University, including constructive ways to respond when encountering speech they may disagree with.'

University officials shared the message on social media, adding that the school 'recognizes the diverse perspectives represented on our campus.

'We expect everyone to listen and respond to opposing views with civility.'
A 55-acre office park near the Las Vegas Strip was put up for sale without an asking price attached amid declining demand in real estate.

Locals and longtime Las Vegas regulars fear that the city is dying due to ballooning prices and a crisis that spans both housing and tourism.

Visitors dropped by 6.7 percent compared to last August, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority said.

The two prior months saw precipitous year-over-year losses of 11.3 and 12 percent in June and July, respectively.

Meanwhile, the housing market is effectively frozen with limited buyers put off by expensive homes or where Vegas appears to be headed.

In another sign of the citys downward future, the Hughes Center office park was put up for sale.

Its former tenants include investment bank Morgan Stanley, as well as accounting firms Deloitte and EY.

The Hughes Center office park in Las Vegas, Nevada, was put up for sale with no asking price

The site is located about one mile from the Las Vegas Strip

No asking price was given for the site, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The office park has about 1.5 million square feet of office and retail space.

It is situated within reach of some of Vegass most important locations and main tourist attractions.

The Hughes Center is a little more than one mile from the Las Vegas Strip - and less than three miles from the Harry Reid International Airport or the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

Brokerage firm CBRE Group was hired to find a buyer for the office park.

Listing broker Michael Parks, a listing broker working with the firm, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he expected the property to sell for around $200-250million.

Parks added that his team was casting a wide net to find a buyer for the site.

That could be anyone, he said, from office landlords to hotel and mixed-use developers.

Brokerage firm CBRE Group is in charge of finding a buyer for the Hughes Center

The Hughes Center sold for $347million in 2013 and used to be considered one of Sin City's best office parks

The Hughes Center was last sold in 2013 for $347million when New York asset management company Blackstone bought it from Crescent Real Estate Holdings.

The deal was one of Vegass most lucrative office transactions in years.

The Hughes Center was 22 percent vacant then, VEGAS INC reported, compared to 55 percent now.

However, Blackstone stopped making payments on its $325 million loan for the office park by April 2023.

A company official told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the motive was Blackstones shift to multifamily and industrial real estate.

As a result, a district judge appointed Logic Commercial Real Estate to take control of the Hughes Center - and they were authorized to sell the Strip site.

The Hughes Center was once seen as one of Vegass best office parks before its recent upheaval.

In June 2004, Crescent Real Estate said the Hughes Center was 94 percent leased with a 'very attractive line up of customers.'

In 2004, the Hughes Center was 94 percent leased

Las Vegas is losing around 300,000 visitors per month so far in 2025

Michael Hsu, a CBRE broker and office specialist also working on the office parks sale, said the Hughes Center had high-quality space.

A shrewd buyer could purchase the site at a significant discount compared to what it would cost to build the office park, Hsu added.

The fear is that the Hughes Centers problems could be parallel to the citys dwindling business and tourism.

Vegas has lost around 300,000 visitors per month this year.

Sin City recorded about 4.5 million passengers in August, which was 5.8 percent less than the same month last year, per the Harry Reid International Airport.

Less visitors means less customers, which could cause problems for businesses in the area or discourage them from putting down roots in Vegas.

The Daily Mail reached out to the CBRE Group and the Hughes Centers property management office for further comment.
Prince William is set to take a tougher approach with Prince Andrew by banning his disgraced uncle from all future royal events - including his Coronation when he ascends to the throne.

Although the Prince of Wales, 43, is said to have been 'consulted' on the decision to strip the Duke of York of his titles, he was not satisfied with the outcome and is well aware that the 'Andrew problem' will become his own in the future.

After years of Andrew being embroiled in humiliating scandals, William is planning to be a more ruthless monarch by banning his uncle from all aspects of royal life, including public and private events and most state occasions, the Times reports.

This will also extend to Sarah Ferguson - who had her Duchess of York title removed yesterday - who will also be banned from royal events after it was revealed last month that she had subsequently sent an email to Epstein apologising for publicly denouncing him and instead calling him her 'supreme friend'.

This latest revelation comes as the Mail on Sunday revealed tonight that Prince Andrew embroiled the Metropolitan Police and one of Queen Elizabeth's most senior aides in a campaign to smear his teenage sex accuser.

A bombshell email obtained by this newspaper exposes how Andrew asked his taxpayer-funded Met bodyguard to investigate Virginia Giuffre and passed him her date of birth and confidential social security number.

Astonishingly, Andrew then told Ed Perkins, Queen Elizabeth's deputy press secretary, that he had asked one of his personal protection officers  part of the Met's elite SO14 Royal Protection Group  to dig up information about Ms Giuffre.

He emailed Mr Perkins hours before this newspaper first published the infamous picture of the duke with 17-year-old Ms Giuffre, which would ultimately bring about his downfall.

Prince Andrew (pictured left) seen in a frosty exchange with Prince William (pictured right) as they walked out of Westminster Abbey at the Duchess of Kent's funeral last month

Prince Andrew's statement released by Buckingham Palace yesterday announcing his relinquishing of his titles

Virginia Giuffre photographed with Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell in London in 2001

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson in June 2016 at Royal Ascot. Sarah Ferguson (pictured right) will also be banned from royal events when William is king

'It would also seem she has a criminal record in the [United] States,' he wrote. 'I have given her DoB [date of birth] and social security number for investigation with XXX, the on duty ppo [personal protection officer].'

It is not suggested that the officer complied with the prince's request, while Ms Giuffre's family last night said she did not have a criminal record.

Her relatives said our revelations 'expose the lengths to which those implicated try to discredit and defame survivors. The truth will surface and there will be no shadows in which they can hide.'

A spokesperson for the Met told the MoS late on Saturday that they were 'actively looking into the claims made.'

Details of the shocking email come after Andrew was forced to relinquish all of his remaining titles following new damaging revelations in last week's MoS about his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

It is also reported by the Times that Prince William's ban on Andrew attending all royal events when he is King is because William considers his uncle a 'threat' and reputational risk to the monarchy.

William is also apparently concerned about the message that Andrew's attendance at royal events gives to sexual abuse victims.

In a memoir to be published this week, Ms Giuffre, who was abused by Epstein for four years, claimed that Andrew 'believed having sex with me was his birthright'.

Andrew's email to Mr Perkins is one of a series of explosive disclosures contained within a cache of emails currently with the US Congress that have been obtained exclusively by the MoS. The 'Epstein files' also reveal:

Epstein set Andrew up on a dinner date with a woman who claims the paedophile sexually abused her for years;

Andrew admitted to Epstein that it was possible he met Ms Giuffre and there could be a photograph  despite later declaring: 'I don't remember meeting her at all';

The Duchess of York, and her daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, were the first people to visit Epstein after his release from jail for child sex offences, according to Epstein;

The paedophile financier claimed he bankrolled Sarah Ferguson for 15 years;

Fergie begged Epstein to lend her up to $100,000 while he was still under house arrest and pleaded to be allowed to visit his notorious private island;

Ex-minister Peter Mandelson warned Epstein his relationship with the Yorks would end badly.

Ms Giuffre's family said: 'These outrageous emails are further vindication of Virginia. It underscores her courage and her strength as a truth teller.'

Last weekend, the MoS exclusively revealed that Andrew had publicly lied when he claimed he never had contact with Epstein again following a 'final' meeting with him in December 2010.

It obtained emails sent 12 weeks after that meeting in which Andrew contacted the sex offender to reassure him, the day after a picture of the prince with Ms Giuffre was published, that 'we are in this together' and would have to 'rise above it'.

Sickeningly, Andrew concluded: 'Otherwise keep in close touch and we'll play some more soon!!!' It was signed 'A, HRH The Duke of York, KG', as a knight of the Order of the Garter.

It was also revealed that Andrew met, on at least three occasions, the alleged Chinese spymaster at the centre of the current Whitehall espionage case.

Sources have told the Daily Mail that things came to a head this week after a 'constant drip, drip' of fresh claims, of which the MoS's email revelations proved the 'most significant issue'.

The changes will take effect immediately and were decided upon in recognition of the fact that the prince's personal issues continued to be an 'unwelcome distraction' from the work of the wider Royal Family.

However, the King has acknowledged that he cannot legally force Andrew out of his Royal Lodge home and he will continue to remain there so long as he can afford the rent.

The prince has a 100-year-plus private tenancy agreement with the Crown Estate which is said to be 'unaffected' by issues relating to his honours and titles.

The prince's titles, rather than being stripped from him, are 'in abeyance'  they effectively remain 'extant but inactive'.

It is understood that part of the King's thinking was to prevent a waste of parliamentary time formally taking the titles away. Any move to do so would have required an Act of Parliament.

But His Majesty was also very keen to 'protect' Andrew's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who remain Her Royal Highnesses as granddaughters of Queen Elizabeth.

If their father's titles had been removed, theirs would have been affected too, and Charles was keen to avoid this as he holds them 'in high regard and affection'.

'He wouldn't have wanted to sign off on anything that would impact them,' a source said.

Andrew remains a prince because he is the son of Queen Elizabeth II, according to Letters Patent  a written expression of wishes by a monarch  issued in 1917 by George V, updated by Queen Elizabeth in 2012.
A top Kremlin official celebrated Pete Hegseth's 'Russian tie' after the Defense Secretary was accused of sending a coded message of support to Russia.

Kirill Dmitriev, the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and Special Envoy to Vladimir Putin for investment and economic cooperation, took to X to applaud Hegseth's controversial fashion choice this week.

Dmitriev posted a Russian flag emoji above a picture of Hegseth wearing a red, white and blue striped tie to a meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday.

The Putin aide followed up his tweet with a bizarre reference to QANON, a conspiracy theory within the Trump movement that claims a secret cabal of 'deep state' figures control the US government.

The theory's followers often use the phrase WWG1WGA, stood for 'Where We Go One, We Go All' - which Dmitriev tweeted in response to his picture of Hegseth's tie.

Dmitriev also appeared to mock JD Vance after the vice president appeared to deny Hegseth was paying homage to Russia by writing: 'Or maybe he was wearing the colors of America.'

'Maybe it is good that we have the same colors,' Dmitriev posted back.

Hegseth's Russian tie debacle comes as Pentagon insiders told the Daily Mail that the Secretary has been struggling with the toll of the job, saying he has become so rattled he has often appeared to be 'crawling out of his skin.'

Top Kremlin official Kirill Dmitriev celebrated Pete Hegseth's 'Russian tie' after the Secretary of War was accused of sending a coded message of support to Russia this week

Dmitriev sent a Russian flag emoji above a picture of Hegseth wearing a red, white and blue striped tie to a meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday - and followed it up with a bizarre reference to QANON

Dmitriev also appeared to mock Vice President JD Vance after he pushed back on claims that Hegseth wore a Russian tie

Dmitriev's posts come after Trump was accused by critics of bowing to Putin as he refused to give Zelensky long-range Tomahawk missiles, admitting he backed off after a phone call with the Russian leader during the week.

Dmitriev's prodding of White House officials led to a wave of backlash on X as some users felt the Russian was ridiculing the Trump administration following a week of high-stakes talks over the Ukraine conflict.

Trump had previously shown openness to sending Ukraine the Tomahawk cruise missiles, even as Putin warned that such a move would escalate tensions between the US and Russia.

Speaking on Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said: 'I might say, 'Look: if this war is not going to get settled, I'm going to send them Tomahawks'.

But after a call on Thursday evening between the two leaders, Trump appeared to downplay the prospects of Ukraine getting the missiles, which can reach far into Russia and have a range of about 995 miles.

'We need Tomahawks for the United States of America too,' Trump said, adding: 'We have a lot of them, but we need them. I mean we can't deplete our country.'

Reports indicate that Putin told Trump during their call that supplying Kyiv with the Tomahawks 'won't change the situation on the battlefield, but would cause substantial damage to the relationship between our countries.'

The exchange also led another top Kremlin official to mock Trump on social media, as former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev mimicked Dmitriev as he took aim at the White House on Telegram.

Trump was accused by critics this week of bowing to Putin after refusing to give Volodymyr Zelensky long-range Tomahawk missiles, admitting he backed off after a phone call with the Russian leader during the week

Medvedev, who has repeatedly goaded Trump on social media, wrote: 'It has been said a hundred times in a way even understandable to the star-spangled uncle that it is impossible to distinguish nuclear Tomahawks from conventional ones in flight.

'How should Russia respond? Exactly!' Medvedev said on Telegram, appearing to hint that Moscow's response would be nuclear.

'One can only hope that this is another empty threat... Like sending nuclear submarines closer to Russia,' he said, alluding to Trump's statement in August that he had ordered two nuclear submarines to move within reach of Russia.

Trump earlier warned Medvedev - a 'failed former president of Russia' - to 'watch his words' after a previous warning that the US was risking all-out war with Russia.

'He is treading on very dangerous ground,' said Trump.

Trump announced following Thursday's call with Putin that he would soon meet with the Russian leader in Budapest, Hungary, to discuss ways to end the war.

Trump announced following Thursday's call with Putin that he would soon meet with the Russian leader (seen together at a in Budapest, Hungary, to discuss ways to end the war

The two also agreed that their senior aides, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, would meet next week at an unspecified location.

Fresh off brokering a ceasefire and hostage agreement between Israel and Hamas, Trump has said finding an endgame to the war in Ukraine is now his top foreign policy priority and has expressed new confidence about the prospects of getting it done.

Trump said he would hold two separate meetings with Putin and Zelensky, saying that the two leaders would not be able to hash out their differences one-on-one because of their hostility with each other.

'I'll be meeting with President Putin... and tomorrow I'm meeting with President Zelensky,' Trump said in the White House Thursday.

'I mean we have a problem, they don't get along too well... this is a terrible relationship the two of them have.'
On May 6, 2023, the world held their breath as they anxiously awaited Prince Harry's arrival at King Charles's Coronation, held at London's Westminster Abbey.

It had been more than 1,000 days since the Duke and his wife, former Suits star Meghan Markle, had stepped down as working royals and relocated their family to the US.

But the Prince's decision to fly back across the pond to support his father at the historic event marked the first time he had been pictured with the Royal Family since the late Queen's funeral and also since the release of his bombshell memoir, Spare.

Harry wore an awkward smile as he entered the church with Princess Eugenie and Beatrice. His presence at the Coronation was certainly far from guaranteed. After the initial deadline for a reply to the event's invitation, April 3, passed, there had been radio silence on whether Meghan and Harry would be sat in the pews.

Then, nine days after the deadline, the Palace issued a statement confirming that the Duke would attend but 'the Duchess of Sussex will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet'.

Wearing medals pinned to his suit jacket, Harry, who is fifth in line to the throne, had been relegated to the third row inside the abbey for the ceremony, while his brother Prince William and sister-in-law Princess Catherine took centre stage.

But as the Coronation got under way, eagle-eyed viewers watching the ceremony on the TV couldn't help but notice that a feather on Princess Anne's headpiece was almost entirely obscuring Harry's view.

As King Charles's Coronation got under way on May 6, 2023, it looked as though a feather on Princess Anne's headpiece was almost entirely obscuring Harry's view. At the time, many speculated whether the positioning of the feather was deliberate

The Prince's decision to fly back across the pond to support his father at the historic event marked the first time he had been pictured with the Royal Family since the late Queen's funeral, and also since the release of his bombshell memoir, Spare

At the time, many were quick to speculate whether the positioning of the feather, almost directly in front of her nephew, had been a deliberate move intended to 'punish' Harry following his exit from the Firm.

However, in Robert Hardman's book, Charles III: New King, New Court: The Inside Story, the details behind Harry's seeming Coronation humiliation were finally revealed.

Putting a firm stop to any speculation by 'social media snipers' that the Duke's view was deliberately obscured by Princess Anne's 'striking red-plumed bicorn hat', royal expert Mr Hardman said: 'It is nonsense.'

In fact, according to the royal expert, the main reason the Princess Royal had been placed in that very seat was that she had issued a 'request for a speed exit'.

It was also revealed that Princess Anne herself had questioned whether the hat was appropriate to wear during the ceremony, but had received assurance that it was not a matter of concern.

'The hat was an interesting question,' the Princess recalled later. 'I said: "Are you sure you want me to keep the hat on? Because it's quite a decent-sized hat." And the answer was yes. There you go. Not my choice.'

A Palace official was said to have added that 'the Princess was expected to keep her hat on because royal ladies do not remove hats in church, even in uniform'.

Harry and his aunt had a brief interaction ahead of the Coronation as Princess Anne, dressed in her Blues and Royals uniform beneath the dark green Order of the Thistle mantle, stopped to chat to Harry as she made her way to the front of the abbey.

Prince Harry appeared to chat happily to Princess Anne at the Coronation

However, in Robert Hardman's book, Charles III: The Inside Story, the true story behind Harry's seeming Coronation humiliation was finally revealed. Mr Hardman described such speculation by 'social media snipers' 'nonsense'

While most senior royals ignored the Prince, Anne appeared to ask Harry if he was OK in his seat. Would he be able to see beyond her high feathered cap?

In what looked to be a good-humoured exchange, lip-reading experts reportedly revealed he told her I dont mind, before saying Sit at the front!

Prior to the start of the Coronation, there seemed to be a clear signs that Harry's choice to leave the Royal Family had resulted in 'protocol and precedence' being 'tweaked'.

As Mr Hardman explains: 'Normally, members of the family arrive at these events according to their place in the line of succession, with those furthest from the throne arriving first.'

However, as a result of 'Megxit', Harry arrived 'well before those, like the Gloucesters, who are a long way behind him in the pecking order'.

Likewise, the Duke of York, who had stepped down from official royal duties in 2019 amid the furore regarding his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, was also required to arrive 'well before the younger siblings whom he used to outrank'.

While both withdrew from royal duties under starkly different circumstances, it was striking that both Prince Harry and Prince Andrew had been placed together in the third row.

Harry was also unable to wear military dress to the Coronation as this is a privilege reserved for working members of the family. As a result, he donned a sleek three-piece morning suit and wore an assortment of medals on his chest.

Due to the Princess Royal's slightly awkward headpiece, much of Harry's reaction to the ceremony was hard to decipher, though he appeared to bow his head as the new King walked past him on his way out of the abbey.

The Duke of York joined Prince Harry in the third row of the abbey during the Coronation, and was required to arrive 'well before the younger siblings whom he used to outrank', wrote Robert Hardman

Poll Do you think Princess Anne's hat left Harry humiliated? Yes No Do you think Princess Anne's hat left Harry humiliated? Yes 3760 votes

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However, an expert lip reader's analysis of his interaction with Eugenie's husband Jack Brooksbank, a marketing executive, revealed some of his true feelings that day.

A grim-faced Harry was alleged by Jeremy Freeman to have said: 'I'm fed up with the way they treat me.'

'It's not an ideal situation,' the Duke added. To which Mr Brooksbank apparently replied: 'Its not the quiet life, is it?'

Mr Freeman told The Sun that while this moment does not appear on film, Harry then shook his head and seemingly said: 'They don't care.'

'I havent time for that,' Mr Brooksbank allegedly replied. 'Not if its over'

'Its an eventuality,' Harry interrupted.

While it is not clear exactly what the pair were discussing, many royal fans theorise it was about Harry's strained relationship with his immediate family.

Once the Coronation was over, the King's son slipped out of the venue with only the briefest of goodbyes and headed straight for Heathrow Airport in a blacked-out electric BMW.

While the newly crowned King and Queen were joined on the balcony by an array of familiar faces including Prince William, Princess Catherine and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Harry was nowhere to be seen.

A well-placed source told the Daily Mail's Royal Editor Rebecca English that the King had been left 'genuinely quite disappointed' that Harry did not stay after the Coronation. Rebecca later wrote that the King had raised a glass to toast Archies birthday at a family lunch following the ceremony

After spending just 28 hours and 42 minutes in the UK, he had boarded a plane back to California before his father and stepmother, Queen Camilla, had even finished having their official portraits taken.

It is believed the Duke was eager to get back to his 11 million Montecito mansion to celebrate his son Archie's fourth birthday.

Meghan's absence from the festivities was believed to have been due to the so-called 'Coronation clash' with Archie's 'low-key' birthday, though cynics suggested that she may have harboured fears of a negative response from the British public.

A source told the Daily Mail that Meghan stayed home to celebrate Archies birthday because she felt it would be inauthentic to do anything else. The source added: She wanted to minimise the drama.

Meanwhile, another well-placed source told the Daily Mail's Royal Editor Rebecca English at the time that the King had been left 'genuinely quite disappointed' that Harry did not stay.

Rebecca later wrote that the King had raised a glass to toast Archies birthday at a family lunch after the Coronation  a tribute to the grandson he has barely seen.

After just 28 hours and 42 minutes in the UK, Prince Harry boarded a plane back to California before his father and stepmother, Queen Camilla, had even finished having their official portraits taken (pictured)

The royal reception opened with an adoring speech from Prince William, who congratulated his father for getting through the historic day.

Charles then thanked everyone, and raised a glass to his grandchildren Prince George  who also served as a Page of Honour  alongside Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

But the new King also raised a toast to 'those that weren't there', before wishing his grandson Archie a very happy birthday 'wherever he was'.

Following Meghan and Harry's withdrawal from royal duties, the King is understood to have only met his estranged granddaughter Lilibet once, during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June 2022.

Royal sources at the time said that the meeting was 'very emotional', but that Charles and Camilla were 'absolutely thrilled' to have spent some time with both Archie and Lilibet.

However, despite the King's cancer diagnosis and Harry's suggestion that his father's health battle could lead to a reconciliation, a reunion between grandfather and grandchildren looks ever more unlikely.
It was hoped to be a renowned opportunity for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to build bridges with the Royal Family as they gathered for the late Queen lying in state.

The world watched on with baited breath as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex walked ceremoniously behind Harry's estranged brother, Prince William, and sister-in-law, Kate, as they collectively paid their respects to the late Monarch.

But as the pair walked solemnly through Westminster Hall, there was one glaringly obvious difference between the Sussexes and the Prince and Princess of Wales - their use of hand holding.

During their short-lived tenure as working Royals, Harry and Meghan became known for their tactile hand holding, often perceived as a tender sign of comfort amid their ongoing turmoil as members of the Firm.

But while a seemingly innocent affection, Harry and Meghan's 'constant need to clasp hands' holds a much deeper meaning, according to body language expert Judi James.

Speaking to The Daily Mail, Ms James said: 'That hand clasp would have been used to allow Harry to steer his wife when they were out in public as a royal couple.

'Meghan tended to gravitate towards other top-tier royals, treating them like relatives, rather than keeping back and adhering to protocol.

'Harry's hand is very firmly on top in this clasp and although that does signal a desire to protect, it also shows a tendency to lead, or in this case to possibly check.'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex walk hand-in-hand behind Prince William and Kate

Harry and Meghan's 'constant need to clasp hands' would, body language expert Judi James claims, 'have been used to allow Harry to steer his wife when they were out in public as a royal couple'

As Ms James asserts, Harry sought to 'steer' Meghan 'slightly' in a desperate bid to prevent her from breaking royal protocol by storming ahead during such a 'highly choreographed event'.

Meanwhile, in line with Harry and Meghan's frequent deviation against the Royal norm, their use of hand holding was also, Ms James claims, a use of 'statement body language' in which the pair 'deliberately did not follow the rest of the group'.

Going against the expected choreography, in which the couples all kept a 'large spatial gap between them with no touching or communication', Harry and Meghan issued a 'rebellious statement', both in terms of their positioning and distancing.

An intentional 'rebuke' in contrast to the physically distanced couples walking ahead of them, Ms James described their body language as a signal of their desire to be perceived as a 'closely welded couple' who present a 'non-negotiable romantic narrative'.

Indeed, Meghan's seeming inability to abide by royal protocol may be as a result of the former Suit's actress meeting her prince later in life, with such rules an 'alien' concept as a result.

Meghan's 'very free Hollywood lifestyle' compared to her husband's experiences of being strictly constrained by royal protocol and tradition, seems to suggest a slight disconnect in how the pair proceed in such environments.

In contrast, however, William and Kate's 'very intense trait of mirroring' and the Princess of Wales' seemingly natural ability to follow protocol comes as a result of her long courtship with her now-husband.

As a result of the pair's numerous public appearances even prior to their fairytale wedding, William and Kate were not forced to take non-verbal cues from each other due to their experience in the necessary synchronicity required for Royal engagements.

It appears, Ms James asserts, that Harry sought to prevent Meghan from breaking royal protocol by storming ahead during such a 'highly choreographed event'

Ms James describes their hand holding as an intentional 'rebuke'

But, for Meghan, such synchronicity may not have come so naturally.

Indeed, during the so-called 'Windsor Walkabout' which had taken place just a few days prior, Meghan received stark criticism for allegedly breaking Royal protocol.

Just two days after the late Queen's passing, William and Kate wandered alongside the Sussexes to inspect the vast sea of floral tributes laid outside of the Berkshire estate.

But the awkwardness of the highly anticipated event was so great that Kate later recalled that she had found it 'one of the hardest things she'd ever had to do', according to royal author Robert Jobson in his book, Our King.

Royal protocol traditionally dictates that more senior royals, in this case William and Kate, walk ahead of junior members.

But striking footage from the walkabout showed Harry seemingly having to pull his wife back with his arm and intentionally slow down his walking pace to stop her from walking ahead of his older brother.

As Ms James points out, the Windsor walkabout offered 'even more scope for Meghan pushing ahead' during a 'very important appearance' that required 'a very regal demeanour'.

And so, as the once-beloved 'Fab Four' turned past the gate of Windsor Castle with the eyes of the world upon them, the Duke was quick to ensure his wife abided by protocol during such a crucial moment by using a firm hand grasp.

Just two days after the late Queen's passing, the former 'Fab Four' walked out to inspect the vast sea of floral tributes laid outside of the Berkshire estate

Poll Should royals be allowed to break protocol in situations like this? Yes No Should royals be allowed to break protocol in situations like this? Yes 22754 votes

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Ms James notes that Harry's hand 'appears to guide his wife' due to her 'natural tendency to bunch up and socialise'.

It was the first time the two couples had all appeared in public together since Commonwealth Day on March 9, 2020, Harry and Meghan's final royal engagement before leaving the UK.

Ms James adds that as the group engaged in their very well choreographed inspection of the sea of flowers and tributes, Harry attempts to 'keep Meghan in check silently', allowing his estranged brother and Kate to slowly wheel around them in order to remain up ahead.

Describing Meghan's insistence to 'set off at a faster speed' as both 'natural and spontaneous tendencies', Ms James notes that Harry has to think fast and run his hand around hiw wife's arm and back in order to try and gesture her closer.

Examining the group's body language in that crucial moment, Ms James adds: 'Meghan appears to edge away and towards William and Kate, giving what is perhaps a glimpse of why Harry needs to keep their hands tightly clasped.'

Indeed, the instance was not the first time Meghan had drawn controversy for seemingly being prepared to go against royal protocol.

At another point in the Windsor Walkabout, Meghan made another etiquette faux pas when it came to dealing with the bunches of flowers handed to grieving royals.

Royal protocol dictates that when a member of the Firm is handed flowers they should pass them back to their private secretaries and personal assistants.

Striking footage from the walkabout showed Harry seemingly having to pull his wife back with his arm and intentionally slow down his walking pace

Aides will then lay the flowers properly, allowing the royals to keep their hands free to shake hands with more mourners.

There is also a more serious reason: the bouquets could contain dangerous substances or explosives, so royals are not meant to carry them.

But footage from the occasion seems to show Meghan ignoring this practice and turning away the aide, alter identified as Lee Thompson, who tried to help her correct the mistake.

When approached by the staff member who wanted to take the growing number of bouquets from her, a clip showed the royal initially saying she would place them at the gates herself.

A lip reader later revealed to Daily Mail that he said to her: 'Would you like any help with those at all?'

But Meghan responds by saying, 'Oh thanks some are over there (or they may have said Ill put them over there)', as she points ahead of her.

Even during the Duchess's short time as a senior working royal, the scope for resistance to tradition was notably high.

In June 2018, Meghan was seen sat with Harry and the late Queen at the Young Leaders Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace - one of her first engagements with them.

The Duke was quick to ensure that his wife abided by royal protocol with a firm hand grasp

Meghan made another etiquette faux paus when it came to dealing with the bunches of flowers handed to grieving royalists

However, while female members of the Royal Family are expected to sit with their legs together and/or crossed at the ankle, Meghan seemed to have trouble remembering this instruction and often closed her legs instinctively.

While sat alongside her husband and new grandmother-in-law, Meghan crossed her legs at the knee before then correcting herself and slanting them to the side.

Royal fans later accused Meghan of being 'disrespectful' towards the Queen.

Earlier the same month she attended an opening of a new bridge across the River Mersey in Cheshire - her first joint engagement with the Queen.

Footage which circulated on social media showed her stepping out in front of the monarch, breaking one of the most important - and easily remembered - royal protocols.

Despite the error, the Queen and Meghan seemed to get on well and the Duchess was photographed making her grandmother-in-law laugh.

Although conversations with the Queen are usually private, Harry later revealed in his 2023 memoir Spare that the pair bonded over their love of dogs.

In a family so steeped in tradition and protocol, its members were taught royal etiquette and traditions by household staff from a young age.

According to royal biographer Tom Quinn, Meghan had been 'shocked by the Palace protocol and by the fact that she was not and never could be first in the pecking order'

Meghan went against royal protocol by crossing her legs at the knee before then correcting herself and slanting them to the side while attending the Young Leaders Awards Ceremony in 2018

As Meghan had married into the Firm at the age of 36, she had obviously not been brought up to appreciate all of the rules of life in the limelight like her husband.

The American actress had to learn how to give a proper royal handshake, stand up when the Queen does, avoid any PDA and remember not to sign any autographs.

Her training also included how to greet dignitaries  and expect to be greeted  as well as how to behave on royal engagements and the intricacies of palace life.

According to royal biographer Tom Quinn in his 2023 book, Gilded Youth, Meghan had been 'shocked by the Palace protocol and by the fact that she was not and never could be first in the pecking order'.

Much like Harry felt like a 'spare' to William, Meghan hated being a 'second-rate princess' to Kate, the royal author wrote.

'Most of all, she hated the fact that she had to do what she was told and go where she was told in the endless and to a large extent pointless royal round.

'She was a global superstar but was being told what she could and could not do, what she could and could not say. She hated it.'

The Windsor Walkabout offered a vital opportunity for Meghan and Harry to show a united display of strength as the 'Fab Four' stepped out together in front of the eyes of the world for the first time in more than two years.

But while their long-awaited reunion was hoped to mark an end to any pre-existing tensions between the foursome, Kate chose to distance herself from Meghan and even 'went into self-preservation mode', Ms James added.

Fresh off the Hollywood boulevard, Meghan had been thrust headfirst into the grandeur of the British Royal Family in a manner she perhaps never quite anticipated

Describing Kate as being on a 'rescue mission for William', she told The Daily Mail: 'Kate appeared to use spatial behaviour and distancing to make her own point about group dynamics and a lack of desire to turn an homage to a dearly-loved Queen into a soap-style drama.'

Noting that she was seen 'walking apart from the others', Ms James added: 'her body language suggested a very focused future Queen wanting to pay her respects to a late Queen with the kind of decisive firmness and resolve that Elizabeth II was famous for.'

It came as relations between the Sussexes and the remainder of the Royal Family remained at an all time low following a series of blistering attacks over the previous year.

The Harry & Meghan Netflix documentary in December criticised King Charles as a father before taking a swipe at the choice of wives by male members of the Firm.

Meanwhile the Duke's bombshell memoir Spare dealt further blows to the reputation of the monarchy.

Harry accused his brother of assault, branded his stepmother a 'villain' and repeatedly spoke of the family's 'unconscious bias' when it comes to race.

Fresh off the Hollywood boulevard, Meghan had been thrust headfirst into the grandeur of the British Royal Family in a manner she perhaps never quite anticipated.

And so, in spite of the simmering hostilities on that particular day, Harry's years of training as a young Royal remained at least somewhat ingrained in his psyche as he sought to guide his inexperienced Princess through the necessary protocols.
He contended with situations which would have shredded the nerves of most others, narrowly escaping a Baghdad suicide bomber who killed 22 people during the ugliest phase of the Iraq War.

But perhaps even Thomas Kingston  the charming, cool-headed former hostage negotiator who married Prince and Princess Michael of Kents daughter, Lady Gabriella Windsor  sometimes felt daunted by the intricate challenges presented by his commercial ventures.

Indeed, I can disclose that, more than 18 months after Kingston tragically took his own life aged 45, the administrators trawling through the affairs of his company, Devonport Capital, have acknowledged that they have quite a task on their hands.

As I revealed six months ago, Devonport  a specialist in providing finance for postwar reconstruction  owes creditors a staggering 30 million. But, as I also pointed out, it is itself owed even more.

In a bid to retrieve much of the cash, the administrators have been unravelling exactly who is responsible for repaying Devonport two massive loans.

Of the first of these, the administrator says that the borrowers corporate structure is complex. Its no exaggeration. The ultimate parent company is listed in Delaware, in the US, but has a British subsidiary, which in turn controls Cayman Islands subsidiaries [which in turn] control a Ghanaian company whose primary asset was the gold mine at Bogoso Prestea [in Ghana].

Former hostage negotiator Thomas Kingston and Lady Gabriella Windsor

Securing repayment of the second loan presents similar challenges, the borrower being a group of companies which are ultimately controlled by another company based in the US, this time in Illinois.

The Illinois company is the parent company of a Mauritian entitywhich holds a majority stake in eight separate Indian companies.

But thats not the end of the trail. The administrators explain that theyve become aware that the Mauritian company had agreed to sell its stake in the Indian companies to an unnamed third party, and add that, when they asked the Mauritian company to clarify how much would be paid to Devonportshould the transaction proceed, no clear response was forthcoming.

This prompted them to appoint specialist accountants in Mauritius to do whatever it takes to retrieve the cash  including, if necessary, appointing agents in India.

There appears to be light at the end of this tortuous tunnel. A settlement has been reached which should see $15 million (11.2 million) repaid in respect of the first loan, while, if things work out, $12 million (9 million) should be recovered in respect of the second.

With the retrieval of other assets, its a pretty remarkable outcome  albeit one which is far too late for Lady Gabriella and her husbands family.

The inquest into Thomass death heard that his habitual resilience had been so eroded that hed resorted to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) but had stopped taking them, with consequences which proved fatal.

The show must go on, says TVs Vanessa as she almost comes undone As a seasoned live broadcaster, Vanessa Feltz is used to dealing smoothly with on-air crises. But at a Mayfair event this week she had to cope with the most embarrassing sartorial disaster. Vanessa got changed into a dress before the Best Heroes awards, which she was due to host at Londons Waldorf Hotel, only to discover that she had forgotten the ribbons needed to tie it at the back. Ive had the most terrible malfunction, she wailed. Its a dress that needs to be laced up, but the cord was just not there. I ended up tearing up strips from a plastic bag. The presenter, 63, has been single since splitting up with her fiance, Ben Ofoedu, after 16 years. Its hard, she says of the dating scene. Im too famous to be on websites. I would like to be introduced by a friend, but when it doesnt work it is hard not to feel demoralised and unattractive. Advertisement

Baby killer Marten fathers poetry win

Napier Marten in Australia

Napier Marten was one of the heirs to a 115million fortune, and grew up in Crichel House, Dorset, on an estate encompassing four villages and 150 houses and cottages. But he has been known only for the horrific death of his baby granddaughter, Victoria, at the hands of his daughter, Constance, right, and her lover, Mark Gordon  both convicted of manslaughter last month and handed 14-year sentences.

Now, though, I can disclose that Marten, who abandoned his family in 1996 and flew to Australia after concluding his life was a completely empty shell, has just won the 2025 Poetry Book Awards for his debut collection, Taplash Meditations.

The Duchess of Sussexs claim this week that her downgraded Netflix deal is a sign of the strength of her partnership with the streaming giant has been met with scepticism from industry figures. Its a sign of strength...for Netflix, former ITV boss Peter Fincham says. Shes full of s***, isnt she? suggests Jimmy Mulville, founder of Have I Got News For You producer Hat Trick.

Poignant end to Dukes busy week

Now 90 and walking with a stick, the Duke of Kent could hardly be blamed if he barely left Wren House, the Kensington Palace cottage which he shared with his wife, Katharine, until her death last month.

But he is made of sterner stuff, as he demonstrated this week when, soon after attending Lord Guthries funeral, he headed to the Polish Hearth Club in Kensington for a concert in the Duchess of Kents memory. With you playing, the music can never die, the duke assured pianist Artur Haftman, who played a series of Chopin nocturnes. The duke then asked Haftmans fellow performer, Deedee Redford, how old she was. Eleven, replied Deedee  an answer which would have delighted the duchess, founder of Future Talent, a charity for children who couldnt otherwise fulfil their musical potential.

After Oscar Wilde was jailed for gross indecency in 1895, his wife Constance fled with their two sons to Europe and changed their name to Holland. At the British Library this week, Wildes grandson Merlin was asked by Rupert Everett: Did you ever think of changing your surname back? Holland replied: I did. I was given the opportunity when I was 21 by my father. And I said, No. I was my fathers son. I wasnt my grandfathers grandson. [Start opt cut]Holland adds: Its history. And I thought of the hassle of having to change all those bank cards...

Khans ruined new year, Outnumbered star gripes

He was the irritating middle child in hit BBC sitcom Outnumbered, but now Daniel Roche is the one whos annoyed  at Labour London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

The actor, 26, is saddened that Primrose Hill, a scenic spot with a beautiful view of the capital, is to be closed on New Years Eve due to safety concerns.

Its just so depressing, Roche, 25, tells me. It was the perfect place for New Years Eve and it was the epicentre of a lot of my social life growing up. But now theyve nabbed that as well.

A City Hall insider insists the mayor was not involved in the decision.

Roche adds: Khan made a massive deal about nightlife in London and could have come out against this.

A Royal Parks spokesman says: The safety of all park visitors is our priority.

The electrifying head gear of Zacs new wife As the new wife of 50-year-old Lord (Zac) Goldsmith, Hum Fleming was always likely to be talked about at parties. Hum with her monitor But the great-niece of Ian Fleming caused even more interest with the head scarf she wore to the Liberatum Cultural Honour Gala at Ce La Vi London. Hum, 35, wore it to cover the 27 wires attached to her head to monitor her epilepsy for 24 hours. It takes some getting used to, but I really wanted to come to this amazing event with Zac and had to find an outfit, says Hum, who is an ambassador for childrens charity Young Epilepsy. When you have epilepsy, you just learn to adapt in such situations, she adds. Advertisement

Sober Spencer credits Cat

Princess Dianas brother Earl Spencer has revealed hes gone sober, thanks to his new girlfriend, archaeologist Cat Jarman.

He posted a photo of himself with a booze-free Guinness on social media and explains: Yesterday marked my going six months without any alcohol. I started by seeing how Id feel if I took a few weeks off  and after I started to feel so much healthier, I havent found a reason to go back to drink. I havent felt so well, and happy, for decades.

Thank you, Cat, for your gentle but total support in this transformation.

Downton countess: Im a Granny!

Downton Abbey star Elizabeth McGovern, who played the Countess of Grantham in the hit period drama for 15 years, has a big new real-life role  grandmother.

The actress, 64, shared the happy news this week, posting a photo of herself online with her newborn grandson. Im a Granny! Handsome, smart Jesse Keelin, she wrote.

The baby is the first child of her daughter Grace, 27, a primary school teacher in London.

People say being a grandparent is great. I hope I feel that way! Elizabeth said ahead of the babys birth. Right now Im, like, How dare you?  Asked if shell be babysitting, she replied: Well figure it out. I think thats a yes.
It was not quite the 11th hour, but it was perilously close. A high tide of public disapproval was lapping at the seawall of the Royal Familys image, threatening to overwhelm it.

For almost six years the grisly Prince Andrew affair has overshadowed every royal good intention, swamping hard-won reputations with its sleaze and lies, a catalogue of unsavoury revelations.

In its poisonous wake it spread a kind of paralysis as both the late Queen Elizabeth and King Charles failed to staunch the haemorrhaging of support from a public that was first appalled and then dismayed at every sordid twist and turn.

Inside the Royal Family there were schisms, rows and stubborn silences, but no action. Last night  finally  there was.

It is too soon to say if Andrews offer to give up his titles, including that of Duke of York and his cherished membership of the Order of the Garter, will allow the House of Windsor to heal. For Andrew the prospect of redemption is bleak.

His drawn-out but ultimately failed attempt to ignore the deafening public clamour and ride out this crisis of his own making will haunt him for ever.

After a week in which his brothers name was rarely off the front pages  and despairing at his failure to take any responsibility Charles has at last shown his ruthless side. Under extreme pressure from the King, the ex-Duke finally yielded. Many will wish Charles had acted sooner, that Andrews continued presence as a Garter knight sullied the orders historic notions of chivalry and honour  just as the dukedom he received on his wedding day in 1986 continued to offend the people of York. But somehow fraternal affection clouded royal good sense. Andrews grasping entitlement, poor judgment and boundless arrogance: all were repeatedly excused as courtiers wrung their hands.

For some 40 years I have followed the fortunes of Prince Andrew, as he basked in his extreme good fortune as his mothers favourite son. It has not been pleasant viewing.

For almost six years the grisly Prince Andrew affair has overshadowed every royal good intention, swamping hard-won reputations with its sleaze and lies, a catalogue of unsavoury revelations, writes Richard Kay

It is too soon to say if Prince Andrews (pictured) offer to give up his titles, including that of Duke of York and his cherished membership of the Order of the Garter, will allow the House of Windsor to heal

A grinning Andrew with his arm slung around the bare midriff of 17-year-old Virginia Giuffre (then Roberts), with Ghislaine Maxwell smiling beside them

The tragedy is that he could have been a lifelong royal hero. After all, he piloted a helicopter with great bravery during the Falklands War, drawing Argentine Exocet missiles away from British ships of the Task Force. And who could forget, when he came home, how he jumped ashore with a rose clamped in his teeth.

At times he typified the finest qualities of his royal lineage and its attitude towards public service. Sadly, those moments were all too often dwarfed by foolishness, lying and venality.

Looking back at the Randy Andy of the 1980s, the popular pin-up of the Royal Family with a girl in every port, it is hard to reconcile with the figure of Andrew today, exiled and holed up in Royal Lodge, clinging to the vestiges of his past while the world he once bestrode has moved on without him.

How did it come to this?

The simple response is Jeffrey Epstein. But the real answer is more complicated, and it speaks to something deeper about Andrew himself  an absence of common sense and lack of candour that has left an indelible stain on the monarchy.

When he went on that now infamous BBC Newsnight to defend himself in 2019  just one of many catastrophic decisions  it was not the ludicrous alibis about pizzas and sweating, but the complete absence of contrition that finally did for him.

Here was a man accused of sexually assaulting a trafficking victim  something he continues to deny  and his primary concern was defending his honour.

There was no acknowledgment of the horror Epsteins young victims endured. No expression of regret beyond a tepid admission that staying at this revolting paedophiles mansion in 2010 was probably not the right thing to do. But then this was so characteristic.

I remember when the The Mail On Sunday photograph first emerged in 2011  of a grinning Andrew with his arm slung around the bare midriff 17-year-old Virginia Giuffre (then Roberts), Ghislaine Maxwell smiling beside them. Palace insiders were nervous. And Andrew? He seemed unconcerned. That was always his problem  an inability to read the room, to understand how things looked to ordinary people living ordinary lives.

When Giuffre went public with her allegations that shed been trafficked to the Prince by Epstein and his madam Maxwell, and had been forced to have sex with Andrew on three separate occasions, the palace issued denials. Categorical, unequivocal denials.

That was always his problem  an inability to read the room, to understand how things looked to ordinary people living ordinary lives, writes Richard Kay

Jeffrey Epstein pictured in a police mugshot from 2017, two years before he died in his prison cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges

And for years, that seemed to be enough. Andrew carried on. He opened buildings, cut ribbons and attended functions. All the while continuing to play the role of a working royal while questions swirled around him.

Then came the decision that destroyed everything: that Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis. Ive covered many a royal crisis over the decades but this was the most grotesque. From the moment I heard Andrew had agreed to sit down with the ferociously skilful Maitlis, I knew it was a disaster in the making.

What I didnt anticipate was just how spectacularly bad it would be for the Royal Family  and how it would resonate all these years later. From the moment he brought up Pizza Express in Woking and the Falklands injury that accounted for his inability to sweat, his reputation was destroyed. It just got worse.

He had no recollection of meeting Virginia Giuffre despite photographic evidence. No empathy whatsoever for Epsteins victims. It was a masterclass in how not to handle a crisis  and it was broadcast to millions.

The British public watched a man so insulated by privilege that he genuinely believed these excuses would work. He couldnt have been at a nightclub sweating on a dance floor because he physically couldnt sweat. Did he really think wed buy that?

Within days, he was gone from public life. And there was no way back. But his undoing was only just beginning. The lawsuit that followed was almost inevitable.

Virginia Giuffre sued Andrew in New York and suddenly the prospect of him sitting in a witness box, under oath, answering questions about Epstein and young girls became terrifyingly real.

Andrews legal team fought hard, putting up 12 different defences, from demands for a jury trial, to ad hominem attacks on Giuffres credibility.

Then  with his mothers Platinum Jubilee imminent  came the inevitable settlement. An estimated 12 million payout, much of it funded by the late Queen and King Charles.

There was no admission of wrongdoing, just a carefully worded statement expressing regret for his association with Epstein, with no apology to Giuffre herself.

Prince Andrew and King Charles departing after the state funeral State funeral for The Duchess of Kent

It made the lawsuit go away, but it didnt answer the questions. And the British public noticed. Prince Andrews love of money and the company of shady billionaires has been no secret. From the moment Lord (Peter) Mandelson arranged for the jobless Duke of York (after quitting the Navy) to become a trade ambassador for Britain  he replaced the dull but reliable Duke of Kent  it was apparent he had little compunction in blurring the line between his official role and his private ambitions.

To the influential rich in many parts of the world, being able to introduce Prince Andrew as a friend guaranteed their own acceptance.

It was money, of course, that drew him into Epsteins sordid world and that lay at the heart of his downfall. In the ten years he served the nation as a trade envoy, diplomats noticed that he was using the role as a means of ploughing his own furrow. As one distinguished former diplomat told us, everyone was reluctant to point this out for fear of putting their own careers on the line.

As for Andrews personal diplomacy, even WikiLeaks revealed that a US ambassador described the Prince in the trade role as cocky and rude.

But it was the company Andrew kept that was the most troubling aspect of his decade as an unpaid ambassador for Britain.

His friendship with the family of the murderous Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi strayed well over the official line expected at a time when the aged dictator was forming alliances with the West.

One of his new friends was Saif, Gaddafis son, who was studying and being honoured with a phony degree at the London School of Economics. He and Saif became incredibly close, recalled a mutual friend. Andrew could open doors with his royal status and Saif could open other doors with his familys money.

On his many trips to Libya  and on visits to other capitals and shady states around the world  Prince Andrew never let his royal status drop. He travelled with a team of six, including equerries, private secretaries and protection officers, as well as a valet bringing his own 6ft ironing board to ensure the Princes trousers were pressed as he liked.

To some close observers, this studied arrogance could well have been a conscious reaction to being diminished in the royal hierarchy by elder brother Prince Charles.

For the first 22 years of his life, until Prince William was born, Andrew was heir in line to the throne after Charles.

Who but Prince Andrew would have Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife who publicly humiliated him, and whom he was divorced 29 years ago, still living under his roof? writes Richard Kay

But, as the years passed, and William and then Harry had children, Andrew slipped down the royal pecking order. To make things worse, Charles, increasingly taking a more executive role in royal affairs as the Queen aged, had begun slimming down the monarchy.

As long ago as the Queens Diamond Jubilee in 2012, Andrew was angrily telling friends that he and others in the family were

being pushed to the margins of royal life. These others included his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

He saw it as an insult that they were being dissuaded from carrying out royal duties even though  as he always fervently pointed out  they were the only blood princesses of their generation.

While maintaining a considerable number of patronages  from all of which he had to stand back  he expanded his other life among the super-rich.

Many would say, especially now, that Prince Andrew was never cut out for royal life anyway.

Even now people still talk about the glee with which, as a 24-year-old on a visit to Los Angeles, he sprayed photographers and journalists with white paint from a spray gun he was being shown. I enjoyed that, he said, before the British consul began shelling out money to pay for damage to valuable equipment.

Certainly, Andrews life has always been full of surprises. None more so than the trajectory of his marriage. Who but Prince Andrew would have Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife who publicly humiliated him, and from whom he was divorced 29 years ago, still living under his roof?

After photographs were published of Fergies lover John Bryan kissing her toes while on holiday with the Duchess and her two daughters, you would have thought Andrew would have had nothing more to do with her.

Yet Fergie, who is also relinquishing her Duchess of York title, has continued to live with her former husband at Windsor ever since.

While the late Queen was around, Andrew enjoyed some protection. He was the son who pointedly bowed and kissed her hand whenever he visited her at Buckingham Palace  and also the son who, in her eyes, saved the treasures of Windsor Castle when 100ft flames were licking across it in 1992.

Andrew was at the castle when the fire broke out, on leave from the Navy, and he organised staff into a human chain to rescue its priceless paintings and treasures. To the Queen, Andrew could do no wrong.

Rarely chastised as a child, he grew up, says one courtier, with a pompous level of self-importance. And he felt it when he was pushed down in the line of succession.

Diplomacy was never one of his strong points. When Pan Am Flight 103 and its passengers were blown up over the Scottish Borders town of Lockerbie a few days before Christmas 1988, the Queens then deputy private secretary Robert Fellowes urged her to go there.

But, fearing she would be a distraction from the desperate recovery work, she decided Andrew should go instead.

It was not a good choice. He upset local people by declaring it was much worse for the Americans (259 passengers and crew were on the US airliner). He added that it was only a matter of time before a plane fell out of the sky.

In the last years of his mothers life, Andrew was frequently at her side, particularly after the death of Prince Philip.

Since her death, it fell to Charles navigate the Andrew problem with a combination of familial loyalty and cold pragmatism. It was he who encouraged his mother to strip him of his military titles and royal patronages. Since then he has cut his allowance and made it clear there is no path back to public life.

Yet there are limits to what even a king can do to his own brother. Andrew will remain a prince  he was born one and that cannot be taken away.

Andrew now exists in a strange twilight. Still a prince. Still living in a mansion on Crown property. But invisible. Irrelevant.

A reminder of scandal that the monarchy desperately wants to forget  but cant quite erase.
Queen Camilla opted for a stylish blue ensemble on Saturday as she attended British Champions Day at Ascot.

The queen, 78, looked graceful as she enjoyed a day at the races in Berkshire.

She wore a light blue blazer and skirt and paired her outfit with nude heels and a white hat.

It comes after it was announced yesterday that her husband, King Charles, will become the first British monarch in 500 years to pray in public with a pope when he makes a historic visit to the Vatican City next week.

Buckingham Palace says is it the first time since Henry VIII's Reformation of the 1530s that a sovereign - and Head of the Church of England - has taken part in a public act of worship with the leader of the Catholic Church.

Camilla appeared in good spirits as she arrived at the event, with photographs showing her flashing a glamorous smile.

She opted for a natural make-up look, with a dewy base, soft blush, and a nude lip.

Meanwhile, her light blonde locks were worn loose.

Also in attendance was the King's eldest niece Zara Tindall, who wore a navy blue ensemble.

Queen Camilla attends the QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire. Picture date: Saturday October 18, 2025

The queen, 78, looked graceful as she enjoyed a day at the races in Berkshire

Camilla opted for a stylish blue ensemble and a white hat

Tindall, who is an equestrian, paired her outfit with purple boots and a matching headband.

Camilla was also presented jockey Jason Watson with a trophy after winning the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

The Queen's appearance at Ascot also came as a top flight racing horse made history today after achieving an astonishing 200-1 victory in the Champions Sprint Stakes.

Powerful Glory stunned the field on QIPCO Champions Day as Richard Fahey's three-year-old, ridden by Jamie Spencer, defied the odds to become the longest priced winner of a Group One contest.

The outsider had been completely overlooked in the market with as much as 20lb to find on the ratings with his rivals, including 2-1 favourite Lazzat.

It has already been a season of shocks in flat racing and few had got over Qirat, who had been employed as a pacemaker, winning the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood at 150/1.

But Qirats place in the history books lasted just 80 days as Powerful Glory put his head down when it mattered.

Powerful Glory had a battle with Lazzat, who  judging by the noise that accompanied every stride he took  was carrying the weight of public support but he had enough in the tank to edge a photo-finish.

Zara Tindall, the King's eldest niece, was also in attendance

Queen Camilla presents jockey Jason Watson with a trophy after winning the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire. Picture date: Saturday October 18, 2025

The Queen is pictured arriving at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire on Saturday October 18

There was a sting in the tail for some people who had backed Powerful Glory on the Tote and with Ascot Bet, the courses bookmaker  they returned Powerful Glory at 125/1 and 100/1 respectively.

The price, however, made no difference to the shock that reverberated around the course on a remarkable afternoon, that had started with popular old favourite winning the Long Distance Cup once again.

Fahey said: 'This is special, I thought Jamie would suit him well, just to get him switched off and relaxed and I always felt he was going to get there.

'To be fair this was the plan all year, genuinely. We had a blip halfway through when we had to stop with him and then of course we were running out of races but this is fantastic.'

The winning rider added: 'I've known Richard a long time so to do it for him is great. I saw he was 80-1 this morning and I remembered Khaadem was 80-1 when he won here, you just never know.

'Not in your wildest dreams are you expecting to win after he finished last in a conditions race at Beverley but that's what the good trainers do, they turn the screw.

'Two out I thought he was going to run a good race and then I suddenly felt we had a chance of winning, so it was a different set of emotions as the race progressed.

'I haven't got much road left in me so I doubt I'll have another 200-1 winner!'
Prince Andrew embroiled the Metropolitan Police and one of Queen Elizabeth's most senior aides in a campaign to smear his teenage sex accuser, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

A bombshell email obtained by this newspaper exposes how Andrew asked his taxpayer-funded Met bodyguard to investigate Virginia Giuffre and passed him her date of birth and confidential social security number.

Astonishingly, Andrew then told Ed Perkins, Queen Elizabeth's deputy press secretary, that he had asked one of his personal protection officers  part of the Met's elite SO14 Royalty Protection Group  to dig up information about Ms Giuffre.

He emailed Mr Perkins hours before this newspaper first published the infamous picture of the duke with 17-year-old Ms Giuffre, which would ultimately bring about his downfall.

'It would also seem she has a criminal record in the [United] States,' he wrote. 'I have given her DoB [date of birth] and social security number for investigation with XXX, the on duty ppo [personal protection officer].'

It is not suggested that the officer complied with the prince's request, while Ms Giuffre's family last night said she did not have a criminal record.

Her relatives said our revelations 'expose the lengths to which those implicated try to discredit and defame survivors. The truth will surface and there will be no shadows in which they can hide'.

A spokesperson for the Met told the MoS late on Saturday that they were 'actively looking into the claims made.'

Details of the shocking email come after Andrew was forced to relinquish all of his remaining titles following new damaging revelations in last week's MoS about his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. In a humiliating blow, Andrew will no longer be known as the Duke of York and is stepping down from membership of the Order of the Garter, the country's most ancient order of chivalry.

Ms Giuffre's family have renewed their request to the King to strip Andrew of his title of Prince, adding: 'We also request a full investigation as to how Andrew obtained Virginia's private information.'

Virginia Giuffre in Australia in 2011. A bombshell email obtained by this newspaper exposes how Andrew asked his taxpayer-funded Met bodyguard to investigate Ms Giuffre

Giuffre photographed with Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell in London in 2001. Tonight, Ms Giuffre's family said the new evidence 'exposes the lengths to which those implicated try to discredit and defame survivors'

Andrew pictured with Jeffrey Epstein in New York's Central Park in 2011. Andrew tonight refused to explain how he obtained Ms Giuffre's nine-digit US social security number

Andrew last night refused to explain how he obtained Ms Giuffre's nine-digit US social security number  described as 'the key to someone's life, required for opening bank accounts, applying for loans and getting a driver's licence or passport'.

Meanwhile, the Met faced calls to launch an investigation. Prominent barrister Charlotte Proudman branded Prince Andrew's actions 'utterly despicable and reprehensible' and said 'there could be legal implications for Andrew'.

She added: 'This shows Prince Andrew using his connections, including the police who are paid for by the taxpayer, in an attempt to dig up dirt on a survivor of sex trafficking. It is just despicable. It certainly seems like a breach of her right to privacy and to protect her data from being misused. This should be investigated.'

Spencer Kuvin, a lawyer who represented nine of Epstein's victims, said: 'Smearing a survivor is the oldest play in the handbook. It is despicable that Andrew fails to take accountability for his actions. Hopefully the authorities will look into his actions and prosecute him for any laws he may have broken.'

David Boies, who represented Ms Giuffre, said: 'At this point, I think Prince Andrew has suffered enough, but the Met Police owe Epstein's victims an accounting.'

And solicitor Mark Stephens, an expert in data and privacy at law firm Howard Kennedy, said: 'It seems to me that there are reasons to investigate whether a criminal conspiracy has occurred here and I suspect the public will want that investigation.'

Ms Giuffre, who took her own life earlier this year, claimed that paedophile Epstein trafficked her to London and forced her to have sex with the prince  allegations Andrew has repeatedly and vehemently denied.

Ms Giuffre, who took her own life earlier this year, claimed that paedophile Epstein trafficked her to London and forced her to have sex with the Duke  allegations Andrew has repeatedly and vehemently denied

Sarah Ferguson attends the traditional Easter Sunday Mattins Service at St George's Chapel on Easter Sunday earlier this year. Epstein claimed he bankrolled Fergie for 15 years

Email exchanges Between Prince Andrew, Ed Perkins and Jeffrey Epstein

In a memoir to be published this week, Ms Giuffre, who was abused by Epstein for four years, claimed that Andrew 'believed having sex with me was his birthright'.

Andrew's email to Mr Perkins is one of a series of explosive disclosures contained within a cache of emails currently with the US Congress that have been obtained exclusively by the MoS. The 'Epstein files' also reveal:

Epstein set Andrew up on a dinner date with a woman who claims the paedophile sexually abused her for years;

Andrew admitted to Epstein that it was possible he met Ms Giuffre and there could be a photograph  despite later declaring: 'I don't remember meeting her at all';

Sarah Ferguson, and her daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, were the first people to visit Epstein after his release from jail for child sex offences, according to Epstein;

The paedophile financier claimed he bankrolled Sarah Ferguson for 15 years;

Fergie begged Epstein to lend her up to $100,000 while he was still under house arrest and pleaded to be allowed to visit his notorious private island;

Ex-minister Peter Mandelson warned Epstein his relationship with the Yorks would end badly.

Ms Giuffre's family said: 'These outrageous emails are further vindication of Virginia. It underscores her courage and her strength as a truth teller.'

Epstein's mugshot taken in March 2017. The 'Epstein files' also reveal that he set Andrew up on a dinner date with a woman who claims the paedophile sexually abused her for years

The Epstein Files provide an extraordinary insight into Andrew and Epstein's reaction to an interview this newspaper's correspondent Sharon Churcher conducted with Ms Giuffre in February 2011.

In it, Ms Giuffre, then known as Virginia Roberts, told how she was introduced to the duke during a six-week trip to Europe in March 2001 and produced a picture of her with him that had been taken in Maxwell's house in Belgravia.

She also alleged she had sex with Andrew on three occasions while a teenager, but for legal reasons the MoS could not publish her claims, which the prince strongly denies.

We approached the prince for comment, and on February 25, two days before we published our story, a furious Andrew emailed Epstein and complained that the MoS was 'gratuitously trying it on'.

The following day Mr Perkins emailed Andrew the picture of him with his arm around Ms Giuffre, which the MoS had agreed to share on the grounds it was shown only to the duke. At 3.09pm Andrew emailed Mr Perkins saying: 'I've just had a short conversation with Ghislaine [Maxwell] and she says VR [Virginia Roberts] is a lying so and so, paraphrasing, but this is consistent with what JE [Jeffrey Epstein] says. If this comes to the crunch we must have a statement ready.'

Andrew did not question the authenticity of the photograph, although he later told BBC's Newsnight that he had 'no recollection' of ever meeting Ms Giuffre and suggested the image could be fake.

In response to the prince's email, Mr Perkins wrote 'Indeed Sir. All received. Awaiting their response now. Lawyers primed.'

Ms Giuffre in 2011. In a memoir to be published this week, Ms Giuffre, who was abused by Epstein for four years, claimed that Andrew 'believed having sex with me was his birthright'

Andrew at the Order of the Garter service at St George's Chapel in Windsor in June 2019. In a humiliating blow, Andrew will no longer be known as the Duke of York and is stepping down from membership of the Order of the Garter

The duke then told Mr Perkins he believed Ms Giuffre had a criminal record in America and that he had handed over her social security number and date of birth to one of his protection officers. Less than three hours later Andrew forwarded his emails with Mr Perkins to Epstein and simply wrote 'latest'.

A legal source last night told the MoS: 'How did Andrew obtain Virginia's social security number? Was it obtained legally? If Andrew passed it on to someone in the Met they could have unlocked her whole world.'

The emails reveal that in the following days Epstein made several suggestions to Andrew about how to undermine Ms Giuffre's credibility. On February 28, Epstein told Andrew: 'I am also getting a statement from the judge in another of [Virginia's] sex allegations that says she lacks credibility... should have that this afternoon.'

On March 6, Epstein wrote: 'We can start by pointing out that Virginia fled the country after a warrant had been issued for her arrest for stealing 300 dollars from the restaurant she was working at as a waitress police report available.'

Although her family say she did not have a criminal record, Ms Giuffre had a troubled childhood. She said she was abused by a family friend, triggering a descent that led to her living on the streets for a time in her teens. In a harrowing comment, she told Churcher: 'I was a paedophile's dream.'

She was working at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida when she met Maxwell, who invited her to work as Epstein's personal masseuse. She was abused by Epstein from 1999 to 2002, she claimed, and trafficked to have sex with powerful men.

Epstein pictured at a New York magazine launch in 2005. The Epstein Files also reveal that Andrew admitted to Epstein that it was possible he met Ms Giuffre and there could be a photograph  despite later declaring 'I don't remember meeting her at all'

The Epstein Files show how an arrogant Andrew initially appeared nonplussed by the publication of our story and its bombshell picture of him with 17-year-old Ms Giuffre.

'Good morning from a very dull London,' he wrote to Epstein at 4.31am on February 28. 'I am afraid I haven't read any of the Mail articles. I don't on principle. But I will be discussing with my team today any further action to be taken.'

Later that day, Andrew's tone in another email to Epstein was more downcast. 'We have had a discussion this morning and we are somewhat at a loss as to how to deal with this as it is now innuendo rather than substantive allegations. No one else has even sparked at the story over here, which is a good thing.'

However, allegations continued to mount. In 2019, after his disastrous Newsnight interview, Andrew announced he was stepping back from his royal duties. On Friday he was forced to relinquish his remaining titles, after this newspaper disclosed how Andrew secretly told Epstein 'we are in this together' 12 weeks after he had supposedly cut all ties with him.

Welcoming the duke's downfall, Ms Giuffre's brother Sky Roberts: 'We've shed a lot of happy and sad tears. In a lot of ways this vindicates Virginia.'

During his BBC interview Andrew refused to express any regret about his friendship with Epstein because of the 'opportunities that I was given to learn either by him or because of him'.

The MoS emails, however, reveal it was not a sentiment shared by Epstein. Writing in 2015 to Peter Mandelson, who was sacked in September as Britain's ambassador to the US over his links to the sex offender, Epstein said: 'I guess you were right that my association/friendship with Andrew would come to no good deed.'

Prince Andrew declined to comment last night.
Jeffrey Epstein secretly bankrolled Sarah Ferguson for 15 years, astonishing new emails claim.

The convicted paedophile complained to friends about the disgraced duchess's scrounging ways in messages that suggest his financial support went far beyond the 15,000 she admitted taking from him.

In the previously unseen emails, Epstein reveals Fergie was so desperate to cosy up to him that 'she was the first to celebrate' his release from jail 'with her two daughters in tow'. Princess Beatrice would have been 20 at the time and Eugenie 19, the same age as many of his victims.

The shocking claims are contained in a huge tranche of documents under review by the US Congress. They are set to be released once they have been redacted to protect the identity of hundreds of young girls Epstein raped and sexually abused.

The sordid nature of Fergie's relationship with the paedophile and the chummy tone of their correspondence makes sickening reading that will repulse the sex offender's many victims.

Emails seen by The Mail on Sunday show:

Fergie begged to borrow $50,000 to $100,000 to help with 'small bills';

She asked to visit Epstein's private island, joking whether her financial woes made it 'unavailable to bankrupts?'

Epstein paid off debts the duchess owed a former employee but became angry when she failed to pay him back as promised;

While disavowing Epstein in public, Fergie kept up contact and let him help set up a charity for her;

Epstein brazenly gave Fergie 'talking points' before she was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey.

Emails from Jeffrey Epstein reveal Fergie was so desperate to cosy up to him that 'she was the first to celebrate' his release from jail 'with her two daughters in tow'. The former Duchess (M) pictured with Princess Eugenie (L) and Princess Beatrice (R), at a film premiere in 2009.

The convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein bankrolled the former duchess for 15 years (Pictured in 2017 in prison mugshot)

Tonight a well-placed source said: 'Sarah and Prince Andrew have always maintained they distanced themselves from Epstein after his conviction for child prostitution. In fact, it was Epstein who ended up dumping them. He got sick and tired of Sarah constantly asking him for money.

'She borrowed far more money off him than has ever come out. In public she said one thing but in private she was always holding out the begging bowl.'

Last month, the MoS revealed how Fergie wrote to Epstein calling him a 'supreme friend', just weeks after giving an interview claiming she would 'never have anything to do with' the sex offender ever again  reviving the scandal that saw her and Andrew relinquish their titles on Friday.

In the London Evening Standard interview of March 7, 2011 Fergie issued a 'heartfelt apology' for accepting 15,000 from Epstein and called it 'a giant error of judgment'.

The comment angered the financier, who sent an email to his friend, French modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel, that day, complaining: 'The duchess that I have financially helped for 15 years said that she wants nothing to do with a paedophile and child sex abuser. It has caused quite a stir.'

Brunel was later arrested on rape charges and killed himself in jail in 2022, three years after Epstein's own jail suicide.

Epstein demanded Fergie write him a public letter of apology over the interview and threatened to sue her if she did not.

The tranche of emails contain various drafts of the letter. One read: 'Dear Jeffrey, I wanted you to know with certainty that many things said in the press about you that were attributed to me were either a totally malicious fabrication or an outrageous exaggeration There was never a claim of paedophilia... You have been a loyal friend of my family for many years.'

The sordid nature of Fergie's relationship with the paedophile and the chummy tone of their correspondence makes sickening reading that will repulse the sex offender's many victims

A well-placed source said: 'Sarah and Prince Andrew have always maintained they distanced themselves from Epstein after his conviction for child prostitution' (Pictured together in Central Park in 2011)

An email exchange between Fergie and Epstein gives some indication of their cordial relationship

The denial of paedophilia hinged on Epstein's insistence that the crime he was initially punished for  having sex with a 16-year-old  would not have been illegal in the UK where the age of consent is 16. But in Florida, where some of his crimes took place, the age is 18.

In another email, on April 7, 2011, Epstein again insisted that Fergie 'should affirmatively state that she was misquoted' in the Standard.

He wrote to his British lawyer Paul Tweed saying: '[Fergie] took apartments in New York. She was the first to celebrate my release with her two daughters in tow. She visited me with [a] policeman sitting at my front desk. She has asked for help with her charities.'

He revealed he bought her the web address Mother's Army, adding: 'The fact that I bought it, if it were to be disclosed by her leaking staff, would be problematic.'

On April 25, Fergie revealed she had dragged her daughter into her sordid world. She told Epstein that immediately after her interview with the Standard, she had talked to Beatrice and then called editor Geordie Greig, who had conducted it, to tell him he should 'NOT in any way... go down the P [paedophile] route'. She said she wanted to 'make sure he understood the severity of NOT making a mistake'.

The emails offer more proof that Fergie continued to suck up to Epstein despite publicly disowning him. On August 1, 2011, Epstein wrote: 'When you first got in trouble you said to me, 'Jeffrey, I know that as I told everyone, you're either on the team or off. I knew you were always on my team.' That was right.' The duchess responded: 'I am on yours and you on mine. With great love and strength.'

Earlier emails show how close the pair were, despite Epstein having admitted to soliciting a minor for prostitution in a 'sweetheart deal' that led to 13 months in a low-security jail with day release.

He was let out in July 2009 and remained under house arrest until July 21, 2010. He exchanged a number of emails with Fergie in that time. In June 2010, Sarah told Epstein: 'I will never forget your kindness and friendship at this time' to which he replied: 'A-team or no team. It's your line.'

It has been revealed that Epstein brazenly gave her 'talking points' before she was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey (Pictured on the show in 2011)

Last month, the MoS revealed how Fergie wrote to Epstein calling him a 'supreme friend', just weeks after giving an interview claiming she would 'never have anything to do with' again (Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson at the Duchess of Kent's funeral in September 2025)

On January 16, 2010, Sarah wrote: 'Is there any chance I could borrow 50 or 100,000 US dollars to help get through the small bills that are pushing me over? Had to ask.'

Epstein was having his bank accounts monitored at the time and said he couldn't help. Undeterred, Sarah told him to 'ask Giuseppe... I would be so grateful.' Epstein replied: 'I could but it would be impolite. You need to address these issues. You are great.'

It is thought this is a reference to New York restaurant owner Giuseppe Cipriani, an old friend of the duchess. Tonight his representative declined to say whether Mr Cipriani gave Fergie money.

Epstein is known to have given Fergie 15,000 to repay a loan from her former personal assistant John O'Sullivan. On January 20, 2011, Epstein told Prince Andrew he had made a payment to O'Sullivan, writing: 'JS done.' Andrew responded 'Fantastic!!! Thank you. Thank you.' The emails suggest Mr O'Sullivan was seeking another $60,000 in unpaid wages. In an email to Andrew on February 28, 2011, Epstein wrote: 'I don't trust him at all and a payment from me... if disclosed to the press, would look like a payoff for the little s***'.

Andrew asked Epstein, 'So I could get it paid by someone else?' to which the financier replied, 'Yes'.

It remains unclear whether this payment was made  and if so by whom. Mr O'Sullivan did not respond to a request for comment.

Several months later  and after the Standard interview  an impatient Epstein asked Fergie for the money back, saying: 'There is little reason to have me questioned on this again and again.'

A source said tonight: 'Andrew and Sarah were in it up to their necks with Epstein. It was always about the money. This was always going to be their downfall.'

Sarah Ferguson's spokesman tonight declined to comment.
A quaint South Dakota city in the midst of a housing shortage has found a creative way to solve the crisis: giving land away for free.

Chamberlain, South Dakota, is approximately 120 miles from Sioux Falls and has a population of about 2,500 people.

The city, which sits near the Missouri River, is attractive to outdoorsmen as a destination for walleye fishing and bird hunting.

Despite its small size, much like the rest of the state, the city is struggling to affordably house all of its residents, according to Cowboy State Daily.

To combat this, Lake Francis Case Development Corporation decided to give away free land to citizens.

The free lots are awarded through a lottery system and are all located in a subdivision with newly paved streets, sewer systems, and water lines.

Already, seven new homes have been constructed in the development known as the Smokey Graves Addition.

A further 11 lots have been awarded to lottery participants who met the financial parameters, which included getting bank pre-approval or proof of financing, and who promised to begin construction within 18 months.

Though Chamberlain, South Dakota has a population of only 2,500 people, the community is struggling to house all of its residents

The city is located approximately 120 miles from Sioux Falls

Lake Francis Case Development Corporation decided to purchase and giveaway plots of land in hopes of encouraging development

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According to the city website, the free land is close to schools and hospitals and is available for both homes and businesses.

In recent years, the city has seen very little new housing projects.

Building materials in Chamberlain are pricier than in other South Dakota towns, because they must be transported in.

Additionally, the number of contractors in Chamberlain is low, so residents hoping to build homes must pay more to bring in workers.

There is little turnover for existing homes and most apartment complexes in the city have waitlists for occupancy, according to the Associated Press.

The Dakota Institute reported that the average South Dakota home has increased by $170,085 since 2016.

Single family homes throughout the state cost approximately $380,000.

The home giveaway is part of a development project that began in 2018 when the city spent $900,000 to buy 60 acres of land which was divided into 30 housing lots.

Lake Francis Case Development Corporation's executive director Sheena Larsen said they paused the land lottery for two years to build the infrastructure

Potential homebuilders must enter through an online lottery and promise to begin construction within 18 months

'We haven't given out any for probably close to two years trying to get the infrastructure done,' the executive director of Lake Francis Case Development Corp Sheena Larsen told Cowboy State.

She explained that the development had experienced delays thanks to contractor and engineer struggles.

'The city invested by giving the lots away, so that the tax base will get rolling faster,' Larsen said.

Other states like Nebraska and Wyoming have rolled out similar programs.

The Daily Mail reached out to Lake Francis Case Development Corporation for further comment.
It's every vacationer's worst nightmare. Being on the cusp of a dream trip that cost a fortune, only for it to be ruined by a canceled flight.

But for Americans it's become a lingering worry for every journey, with the country's aviation system in ruins - and showing no signs of fixing itself.

For years major airports have been beset by delayed, shelved, or diverted flights as the antiquated system creaked under the pressure of millions of passengers.

The problem has been exacerbated in recent weeks with the government shutdown, meaning thousands of federal workers going unpaid, with many calling in sick.

But aviation experts have a solution, inspired in part by our allies who have revolutionized air travel - and are even making huge profits from it.

Privatization is seen as a dirty word by some in the industry amid fears the drive for dividends will be to the detriment of workers.

But, according to specialists, it'd at least shirk the issue of no cash to pay staff amid any future government shutdowns, freeing bosses to focus solely on safety.

Brian Strzempkowski, assistant director for aviation studies at Ohio State University, broke down the benefits of privatizing the system to the Daily Mail.

Travelers were stranded across America due to staff shortages. Experts are now calling for America's aviation industry to be privatized to avoid such disruptions

He said: 'Privatization would ensure controllers continue getting paychecks even if the government shuts down, allowing them to focus on safety rather than survival.

'If you look back during the 2010 period when the privatization talk was strong, the unions actually supported it.'

The federal government shutdown threw airports into pandemonium two weeks ago, exposing deep flaws in the nation's air traffic control system.

On October 7 alone, flight boards flashed over 6,000 delays, with cancellations piling up from Burbank to Boston.

Burbank's Hollywood Airport even closed its towers entirely on October 6, forcing diversions and two-hour waits.

Meanwhile facilities in Philadelphia, Dallas, Houston and Ronald Reagan Washington National slashed operations or delayed flights by 90 minutes.

And Nashville imposed a full ground stop on incoming flights on October 8, forcing planes to circle or reroute.

Controllers are burning out under 10-hour, six-day workweeks and even taking part-time jobs to survive without pay.

The culprit was a 10 percent shortage of air traffic controllers, many unpaid and forced to work under grueling conditions.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted the 10 percent call-out rate. However, experts said the problem runs deeper with outdated equipment, bloated bureaucracy, and a $10 billion FAA ATC budget that stifles innovation

But, as Strzempkowski says, privatization would alleviate the problem, and bypass the bureaucratic issues caused by a federally-operated network.

He said: 'Technology is more nimble in private industry. Investments and upgrades can happen quickly, without the bureaucratic delays of government contracting.'

Chronic understaffing, with 3,000 vacancies left unfilled since 2015, has left the FAA unable to absorb disruptions, making shutdowns far more damaging.

During the 2018 and 2019 shutdowns, which lasted 35 days and saw sick-outs cripple New York's airspace by the second week, forcing Congress to cave.

Strzempkowski said: 'There were a lot of sick-outs happening at the same time during the 2018 and 2019 shutdown.

'It started around the two-week mark and continued until the end, which lasted about four and a half weeks.'

Donald Trump's recent comments, questioning back pay despite a 2019 law he signed guaranteeing it, only deepen the morale crisis.

Burbank's Hollywood Airport even closed its towers entirely on October 6, forcing diversions, two-hour waits and cancellations. Pictured is an arrival board from that day

As Strzempkowski noted: 'Funding has to come from Congress first. It's not entirely up to him.

'These are just individuals who need an income to support themselves and to support their families.

'They are struggling at this time because they are going to work and they have not received a paycheck for two weeks.

'Some of them are working part-time jobs to have income coming into their household.' Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted the 10 percent call-out rate.

But experts said the problem runs deeper with outdated equipment, bloated bureaucracy and a $10billion FAA ATC budget that stifles innovation.

While the American aviation industry has been subject to federal oversight since 1926, other countries have gained freedom by privatizing.

Canada's Nav Canada, a nonprofit corporation, has operated air traffic control since 1996 and is widely considered a success story.

It is owned by its stakeholders, including the Government of Canada, commercial air carriers, the general aviation sector, and unionized employees, who generate revenue from charges for flying through Canadian airspace and for terminal services at airports.

The Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank in Washington DC, has praised Nav Canada for its development of new technologies.

Nav Canada also implemented space-based ADS-B surveillance in 2019, ahead of the FAA's NextGen program, which faced delays in full ADS-B integration, and completed a nationwide rollout of electronic flight strips by 2009, well before the FAA's partial deployment starting around 2017.

The UK's NATS generated $41.6million in revenue in 1999 before privatizing, but that ballooned to $249million from 2011 to 2012, post-privatization.

The average delay per flight also dropped sharply, from 109 seconds between 2000 and 2002 to just under eight seconds in 2011.

Australia and New Zealand, privatized since the 1980s, mirror these gains, proving the model scales.

Skeptics have argued that the US airspace, ten times the size of Canada's, complicates privatization.

Others fear airline dominance, yet Canada's model balances airlines, unions, airports, and government oversight on a nonprofit board.

The US nearly took this path in 2016 when Representative Bill Shuster's 21st Century AIRR Act proposed a nonprofit ATC corporation, backed by Airlines for America and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), which saw stable pay as a shutdown antidote.

Trump amplified the push in 2017 during his first term, calling the FAA a 'total waste' and urging a private corporation takeover.

Though stalled over partisan concerns, the logic remains: a user-fee system would curb congestion, fund upgrades and shield workers from fiscal hostage-taking.

Maintenance could also be privatized, as Strzempkowski noted: 'If maintenance were private, shutdowns wouldn't affect it as much.'

'When it comes to aviation, safety is always the number one priority, no matter what system gets put into place,' he added.

'You always have to look at it through the lens of this being a 100 percent fail-safe system, that's the standard we're always trying to hit in the industry.

'Could a private company come in and meet that same standard? Could they bring in new technology faster than the FAA? Potentially.

'The thing is, we've never really tried to do that in this country, so it's hard to say definitively one way or the other.'
A second case of the gruesome 'zombie deer disease' has been discovered near the border in Florida sparking fears it may spread.

Officials are battling to contain Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), which poses a significant threat to deer populations and rapidly accelerates once it's transmitted.

The second case was reported in Holmes County, located near the border of Alabama.

The four-and-a-half-year-old white tailed deer was discovered to have been infected with the disease after it died in a road collision, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said.

'The FWC and its agency partners take CWD very seriously and have implemented a comprehensive response plan with the goal of containing the disease within the area it was detected,' a statement said.

'As part of the plan, the FWC will collect samples from specific established zones to further assess the spread of the disease'

It comes two years after the first case was discovered in Florida, less than a mile from where the second deer was found.

The disease has a 100 percent mortality rate once transmitted and could substantially reduce the population if it isn't contained.

Florida officials confirmed a second case of Chronic Wasting Disease, known as 'zombie deer disease'

CWD occurs when proteins are misfolded and multiply. Symptoms include drastic weight loss, stumbling, and drooling

Signs of CWD can be asymptomatic for up to three years after transmission, making it increasingly difficult for wildlife officials to catch.

Wildlife biologist Steven Shea told The Guardian that the disease was potentially the 'greatest threat to deer and deer hunting in North America'.

CWD was nicknamed 'zombie deer disease' because of the symptoms displayed in the animals after they contract it.

The disease is believed to be caused by a protein called a prion that stops breaking down normally.

Deer experience drastic weight loss, stumbling, drooling, lowered ears, drowsiness, head tremors, and poor body and coat condition when infected with CWD.

They are often known to pace and lose their fear of humans when they contract the disease.

All species of deer are vulnerable, but white-tailed deer, mule deer, black tailed deer, Rocky Mountain elk, and even moose most frequently contract the infection.

Deer are essential to the ecosystem because they eat brush, which allows more sunlight to reach the forest floor and fosters plant growth.

It can take up to three years for CWD to manifest symptoms, but once symptoms occur, the disease has a 100 percent mortality rate

Over the summer, a separate condition called cutaneous fibroma was spotted in deer, and the animals were spotted with shocking warts

A study conducted by Ohio State University found that deer have a positive impact on reptile populations. They also contribute to a healthier bird population.

The population of deer in the US has been on a steady decline in recent years, according to the World Population Review.

Florida has a moderate deer population with 625,000 white-tailed deer reported this year.

Texas has the largest deer population, with over five million, while New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri, Michigan, and Wisconsin also have over one million deer.

There is currently no evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises not to consume meat from animals that have contracted the infection.

CWD is diagnosed by testing samples from the brain, spinal cord, and lymph nodes of deceased deer, which is only possible post-mortem.

Those hunting deer are prohibited from transporting carcasses from outside of the state into Florida.

The CDC has reported 35 states and 543 counties across the US with CWD cases, as of March.

The deer population was impacted over the summer by a separate condition called cutaneous fibroma, also called deer warts.

The virus spreads through insects and manifests as ginormous warts on the deer's body.
President Donald Trump has commuted the prison sentence of George Santos, releasing the disgraced former Republican congressman immediately.

It comes three months after Santos reported to a federal prison in New Jersey to begin serving a seven-year sentence.

In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: 'George Santos was somewhat of a "rogue", but there are many rogues throughout our country that aren't forced to serve seven years in prison.'

Freed: Donald Trump has commuted the prison sentence of George Santos, releasing the disgraced former Republican congressman immediately

News: Trump made the announcement about Santos commutation on Friday evening

He continued: 'George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated.

'Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck George, have a great life!'

Santos pled guilty to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges for deceiving donors and stealing people's identities in order to fund his congressional campaign.

Statement: Trump shared the news in a lengthy statement on Truth Social

Despite his crimes and his lies, Santos had his backers.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene formally came to his aid this summer arguing the length of his term represented 'a grave injustice'.

'While his crimes warrant punishment, many of my colleagues who I serve with have committed far worse offenses than Mr Santos yet have faced zero criminal charges,' Greene, a Georgia Republican, wrote.

'I strongly believe in accountability for one's actions, but I believe the sentencing of Mr Santos is an abusive overreach by the judicial system.'

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene formally came to his defense this summer, arguing the length of his term represented 'a grave injustice'

Last month, Greene once again tweeted at length as to why Santos should be released.

She wrote: 'Former Congressman George Santos has been in solitary confinement for nearly 30 days in FCI Fairton NJ. They say its for his safety due to threats.

;Im told he is in his cell 24 hours per day and he is only allowed to get a shower 3 times a week.

'He does not get any sunlight. Hes only allowed to buy stamps from the commissary and is drinking water from the sink...This is torture.

'I have sent a letter asking for his sentence to commuted, 87 months is way too long for the crimes he was sentenced for.... George should be pardoned!!!'

'Injustice': Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene formally came to his aid this summer, arguing the length of his term represented 'a grave injustice'

On Friday night, Greene publicly thanked Trump for his compassion.

'THANK YOU President Trump for releasing George Santos!! He was unfairly treated and put in solitary confinement, which is torture!!'

In recent months Greene has has become an unlikely critic of the Republican leadership.

But while still a supporter of Trumps agenda, she has also shown a willingness to break with her party on issues including Israels war in Gaza; the release of the Epstein files; and now the fight to end the government shutdown.

Grateful: On Friday night, Greene publicly thanks Trump for his compassion

Santos, meanwhile, was once heralded in the Republican Party for winning a perennially contested New York congressional seat covering parts of Queens and Long Island. But then it became clear that he fabricated much of his life story.

In one bizarre story from Santos past, there were picture of circulated of him performing as a drag queen in Rio de Janeiro.

When initially reported last year, Santos denied he ever dressed in drag at gay pride events, but later admitted to it and at one point even used his former persona to bring in funds.

Among his famously false claims were that his mother died in the 9/11 attacks.

Other lies he made up includedworking on Wall Street, being a collegiate volleyball star, and an heir to a real estate empire.

He also had to explain that he was 'Jew-ish,' not Jewish, when questions were raised about his claim that his grandparents had fled the Holocaust.

Sentenced: Santos is seen arriving at federal court for sentencing in April in New York

Drag: Santos boasted about performing as a drag queen in Rio de Janeiro - despite later claiming that he had never done any such thing

The former New York Republican was sentenced to 87 months in prison for aggravated identity theft and wire fraud committed around his brief stint on Capitol Hill.

Santos, 37, took office in January 2023, becoming the first openly gay Republican to be elected. He was expelled later that year after his web of lies began to unfurl.

The lies made him a political pariah before he even got to Washington.

Once there, he survived two expulsion attempts before a scathing House ethics committee report in late 2023 sealed his fate.

He was expelled from Congress after a vote later that same year, becoming the sixth member in the chamber's history to be removed by colleagues.

Prosecutors presented evidence of Santos spending political donations on Botox, designer clothes, casino holidays, and OnlyFans fees.

He was also ordered to pay at least $373,749.97 in restitution and forfeit over $200,000, according to a plea agreement he made last year.

Since his sentencing, Santos had been vying for Trump to commute his sentence - as evidenced by long rants he's posted to social media claiming he is the victim of unfair legal prosecution.

'From the halls of Congress to the chaos of cable news what a ride it's been,' he wrote before heading to prison. 'I may be leaving the stage (for now), but trust me legends never truly exit.'

Federal prosecutors indicted Santos for defrauding his own political supporters the same year he took office.

He took their donations and moved them into his own bank accounts, later using the funds on a slew of personal expenses, prosecutors claimed.

Santos was also alleged to have fraudulently applied for COVID pandemic benefits despite not meeting the qualifications, the feds said.

In addition, the ex-lawmaker lied on his campaign paperwork to qualify for funding from the Republican Party, prosecutors alleged. He also was accused of using his donor's payment information to make contributions in their name to his campaign.

At his sentencing the judge noted how Santos appeared unrepentant for his actions and crimes.

Santos wept as he told the court he felt 'humbled' and realized he had betrayed his constituents' trust.

'I offer my deepest apologies,' he said, adding: 'I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the road ahead.'
MasterChef winner Harry Maguire has shared the rule he found to be the most shocking behind the scenes of the BBC cooking competition.

The fishmonger took home the trophy in the most recent season, beating the tough competition from eleven other amateur chefs in a series of culinary challenges.

The tense final saw Harry, 32, join copywriter Claire Syrenne and post-production worker Sophie Sugrue in the kitchen for the final time.

But the trio had to follow one rule from the production staff, not just in the heated finale challenge but throughout the series.

Harry told the Express: 'We were asked not to swear when in the MasterChef kitchen during challenges.

'They promoted an environment that allowed you to enjoy the challenges as much as possible.

Masterchef winner Harry Maguire has opened up on the rule he found most shocking to follow behind-the-scenes of the BBC cooking competition

The most recent series of Masterchef saw former judge Greg Wallace missing from the action after he stepped down from the show following numerous complaints of his appropriate sexual comments and behaviour

'The focus then became about trying to remember your timings because every single cook came down to the last few seconds.'

Harry revealed how the whole filming process took 'about 12 weeks', with the schedule ramping up as it got 'closer to the final', with the last two weeks of the show seeing them back in the BBC kitchen 'most days of the week'.

And there was little time to rest, with the show winner opening up on the 'intensity' of the Masterchef kitchen with 'time passing double the speed'.

Harry took part in the series after a controversial switch up in the show's judges, with Gregg Wallace stepping down from his position last November.

While judge John, 60, recorded the show before he was axed from the BBC cooking show in mid July for allegedly using 'extremely offensive racist language in 2018', something he claims he has 'no recollection' of.

Greg, 60, was previously sacked following numerous complaints of his appropriate sexual comments and behaviour.

MasterChef has since announced new stars to take over presenting roles in both the professional and amateur cooking series.

Grace Dent - who previously stepped in to host the celebrity spin-off series with John - will return as a permanent judge.

Harry revealed how the whole filming process took 'about 12 weeks', with the schedule ramping up as it got 'closer to the final'

Both John Torode and Gregg Wallace will not appear in the next series of the show

The food critic will be joined by Irish-born chef Anna Haugh, who replaced Gregg in the last episodes after allegations against him first came to light.

During the finale of the most recent series, Harry was seen lifting the trophy and telling viewers: 'Champion isn't something I've ever called myself before. I can start celebrating now!

'This is one of the happiest days. It's been incredible. I really cherish the memories.

'You can't put into words what we've had the opportunity to do, and to top it off with the trophy is everything I ever dreamed of.

'The whole experience has been surreal and completely exhilarating but Ive loved every minute of it.

'The standard was so high that I had to bring my A-game every time.

'Even making it to the final was beyond my wildest dreams and MasterChef has redefined the way I approach cooking.'

While MasterChef judge John added: 'Harry stepped up - the determination, the skill, the style, three courses of absolute magic.

Harry was crowned the winner in a tense finale on BBC One

'Throughout the competition, Harry's been determined. He has strived for perfection and his food will stay with me for a very, very long time.'

Anna, 44, agreed: 'There are restaurants across the country trying to do food like that and not succeeding. For an amateur cook, I've never seen anything like that.

'Harry today cooked food that no amateur should be able to do. That's a magical gift, and Harry has it.'

Before his win, Harry took an eye-opening trip to Athens to explore the rich and exciting food culture of Greece as part of the trio of chef's final task.

Three challenges saw him work alongside one of Greece's best-loved TV chefs, Argiro Barbarigou, in one of the finest restaurants in Athens.

He then took on one of the tasting courses at Michelin-starred restaurant Patio, run by chef Panagiotis Giakalis.

His last chance to shine in Athens was at the stunning Akti restaurant at Vouliagmeni Bay, where he and his fellow finalists delivered a sea-front dinner to some of the countrys leading chefs.

Harry finally faced the daunting Chefs Table, held at the exclusive Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester in Mayfair, London, working under Alains Executive Chef of 20 years, Jean Phillipe-Blondet.

MasterChef is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Kate Garraway has hit back at Alan Carr's dig at her on The Traitors with a hilarious social media video.

The latest episode of the hit BBC One show saw the remaining celebrities split into two groups by host Claudia Winkleman for a challenge.

As the episode came to an end, the group eliminated yet another faithful as Clare Balding was sent home.

Fans then watched as the traitors Alan, Jonathan Ross and Cat Burn deliberated over who their next victim would be.

Alan, 49, poked fun at Good Morning Britain host Kate, 58, saying: 'If Kate doesn't come down for breakfast, people will just think she's gone into a broom cupboard.'

She faced the chop alongside Charlotte Church and David Olusoga.

Kate Garraway has hit back at Alan Carr's savage dig on The Traitors with a hilarious social media video to fans

Fans watched on the latest episode as Alan, Jonathan Ross and Cat Burn deliberated over who their next victim would be

Following his remarks, Kate has now shared a hilarious comeback on her social media to fans.

She was filmed leaving a cupboard as she pretended to be looking for the breakfast room.

It comes after she spoke about Alan's comments while hosting GMB on Friday.

Kate said: 'I love the way that Jonathan and Cat are using logic as traitors, and Alan's just like, "Oh she'd go into a broom cupboard. She wouldn't find a way out. We'd have no impact at all".

'I think he's trying to say that I can be occasionally a little chaotic, a little bit disorganised, a little confused by life.

The mum-of-two added: 'I did open a lot of castle doors thinking I was going into the billiard room and found myself in the laboratory.

'So thats where that came from. Theyre brutal. They may still murder me, despite saying all that.'

While the celebrity the series has proved itself to be a big hit so far, pulling in the show's largest ever audience with 11.7 million tuning in for the launch, not everyone is happy with the roll out of the episodes.

After learning of Alan's swipe at her, Kate posted a clip showing leaving a cupboard as she pretended to be looking for the breakfast room

Kate also said on Friday: 'I think he's trying to say that I can be occasionally a little chaotic, a little bit disorganised, a little confused by life'

Clare Balding was sent packing from the series after a tense roundtable in its most recent episode

The civilian version of the series previously ran on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings at 9pm on BBC One, giving fans three chances to tune in each week.

But the Celebrity Traitors has only been airing twice a week, on Wednesday and Thursday nights, missing out on the coveted primetime Friday slot.

It was confirmed by the BBC that while the civilian version normally airs for 12 episodes, the spin-off will feature nine episodes, finishing on November 6 with a special 70-minute episode.

The Friday night slot has instead been dished out to comedian Steve Coogan, with his new series How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge) part of a roster of a number of comedy shows filling the slot.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, fans were left raging at the new schedule, with one writing: 'Two episodes a week is criminal, seriously.'

A second chimed in: 'Why is the celebrity version following a different schedule? It seemed like they were stretching the action out across more episodes as well?'

'That's the only thing that spoils it for me is only two episodes a week, I want it boom, boom boom,' a third agreed, while a fourth said: 'Boo, should be on three times week, two is not enough!'
One of the most recognizable faces of the 90s and 2000s gave fans a treat with a rare sighting in Los Angeles on Monday.

The stunning actress, 63, who got her start on the daytime soaps One Life to Live and Knots Landing, looked effortlessly chic as she ran errands in a casual ensemble featuring a cozy cardigan and faded jeans.

Channeling one of her most unforgettable moments as Melrose Places Kimberly Shaw  when she famously ripped off her wig to reveal a shocking head scar  the star rocked a large bucket hat that covered most of her signature red hair during the daytime outing.

The laid-back look was a far cry from the perfectly pressed skirts and pearls she wore as Bree Van de Kamp on Desperate Housewives, the hit ABC series she led from 2004 to 2012.

Longtime fans will also remember her scene-stealing turns on Seinfeld, Boy Meets World, Ally McBeal, Spin City, and The King of Queens.

Can you guess the famous redhead?

One of the most recognizable faces of the 90s and 2000s gave fans a treat with a rare sighting in Los Angeles on Monday

The stunning actress, 63, who got her start on the daytime soaps One Life to Live and Knots Landing, looked effortlessly chic as she ran errands in a casual ensemble featuring a cozy cardigan and faded jeans

If you said Marcia Cross, youre right!

'Id auditioned to be on just one episode,' Cross once told The Hollywood Reporter of her Melrose Place gig.

She continued, 'The part was for a doctor, which sounded cool. They had me back for one more. Then it was two. Then it was three. They just kept asking me to come back even though theyd had Kimberly dying.

'I was told, We have an idea of how you can come back."'

Then came the scene  the moment that would turn Melrose Place into TV legend.

Kimberly started as Michaels (Thomas Calabro) co-worker and secret lover in the first season, but it wasnt until her supposed death in a horrific car crash during season two that things really took off.

Fifteen episodes after Michael was told his fiancee had died from her injuries, she returned  very much alive  secretly spying on him and Sydney (Laura Leighton) from the beach and even making eerie late-night visits.

While her shocking resurrection could have been the ultimate twist for most shows, Melrose Place wasnt done yet.

Channeling one of her most unforgettable moments as Melrose Places Kimberly Shaw  when she famously ripped off her wig to reveal a shocking head scar  the star rocked a large bucket hat that covered most of her signature red hair during the daytime outing

The laid-back look was a far cry from the perfectly pressed skirts and pearls she wore as Bree Van de Kamp on Desperate Housewives , the hit ABC series she led from 2004 to 2012

Tormented by a migraine, Kimberly slipped into the bathroom for relief  and what happened next left viewers speechless.

She ripped off her flowing red wig, revealing a patchy buzzcut and a jagged scar running across her scalp.

As the camera zoomed in and the screen cut to black, 17.5 million viewers were left gasping, instantly cementing the scene as one of the most talked-about TV moments in history.

'I was doing Twelfth Night at the Old Globe in San Diego at the time they said Kimberly was coming back. I enjoyed doing Melrose but didn't want to give up the play. I decided to do both at the same time,' she told THR.

'My agent even said, 'Don't do it.' I just said, 'Watch me.' I remember flying up from San Diego to the set in Oxnard, going from Shakespeare to pulling off a wig to show a scar.

'After that twist, and seeing how people went a kooky for it, I realized, 'Oh god, this is real!' I didn't really understand what was going on for a long while until then.'

Cross got her start in 1984 on the soap The Edge of Night, playing recurring character Liz Correll.

She soon moved from New York to Los Angeles and scored roles in TV movies like The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James, co-starring Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson.

If you said Marcia Cross, youre right! (picutred 2005)

'Id auditioned to be on just one episode,' Cross once told The Hollywood Reporter of her Melrose Place gig

Then came the scene  the moment that would turn Melrose Place into TV legend

Tormented by a migraine, Kimberly slipped into the bathroom for relief  and what happened next left viewers speechless: She ripped off her flowing red wig, revealing a patchy buzzcut and a jagged scar running across her scalp

Her breakout role came in 2004 as Bree Van de Kamp on Desperate Housewives, earning multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations while helping the series run for eight seasons

In 2006, she married stockbroker Tom Mahoney, and soon after, underwent in vitro fertilization; (pictured 2017)

After joining One Life to Live as Kate Sanders in 1986, she appeared on primetime favorites including Who's the Boss?, Quantum Leap, Knots Landing and Cheers.

In 1992, she became a household name as Dr. Kimberly Shaw on Melrose Place, later guest-starring on hits like Seinfeld, Boy Meets World, Ally McBeal, Spin City and The King of Queens.

Her breakout role came in 2004 as Bree Van de Kamp on Desperate Housewives, earning multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations while helping the series run for eight seasons.

In recent years, Cross has continued to appear on TV, including guest spots on Law & Order: SVU and a recurring role as President Claire Haas on Quantico.

As for her personal life, Cross was the long-time companion of actor Richard Jordan, who was 25 years her senior, until his death from a brain tumor in 1993.

In 2006, she married stockbroker Tom Mahoney, and soon after, underwent in vitro fertilization.

The following year, just before her 45th birthday, she welcomed fraternal twin daughters, completing a new chapter in her life far from the drama of the small screen.
For A-list celebrities who break the law, prison is not just a loss of freedom; it is a harsh, unrelenting environment where their outside fame offers no protection.

From a former golden boy of Australian television to disgraced actors and even a celebrity zoologist, Daily Mail can reveal the grim reality of life behind bars for some of the nation's most infamous celebrities turned inmates.

A police insider tells Daily Mail that it doesn't matter how famous a person is on the outside, their fame does not grant them special privileges while they are incarcerated.

In fact, their stardom makes them more of a target among fellow prisoners.

'Generally speaking, high-profile celebrities are segregated. They are kept isolated for up to 23 hours a day, due to being a high-profile person and the risk of other prisoners wanting to make a name for themselves by harming them,' the police insider said.

They added that imprisoned celebrities are granted a small amount of yard time - but it can be withdrawn at a moment's notice.

Former Australian game show presenter Andrew O'Keefe served time in the Metropolitan Remand Centre at Sydney's notorious Silverwater jail in 2024

'They usually just get a small amount of yard time, but even that can be minimised further when there's staff shortages and the like,' the insider revealed.

'It would certainly make life harder. Being locked away for long periods. Most prisoners are allowed out into the yard for longer periods, allowed to mix amongst other prisoners, whereas high-profile prisoners are not allowed that luxury.'

He said most celebrity prisoners try to stay on their best behaviour while incarcerated to increase their chances of escaping the hellish conditions by being granted an early release.

'Most people want to behave in there so when it comes for their parole to be reviewed they're recommended for release. So most of them are generally on their best behaviour,' he added.

Andrew O'Keefe: From TV Golden Boy to Solitary Prisoner

The former Australian game show presenter served time in the Metropolitan Remand Centre at Sydney's notorious Silverwater jail in 2024.

The Deal or No Deal star was jailed after he was charged with breaching bail and drug possession when police allegedly found methamphetamine in his car.

Celebrity status offered the once-celebrated presenter no luxuries or preferential treatment, and instead left the 54-year-old vulnerable to the mockery and cruelty of other inmates.

His time behind bars was particularly challenging and far removed from the once glitzy life he was accustomed to. He shared a small two-bed cell and lived a Spartan routine. Pictured

Prison insiders revealed that groups of inmates regularly taunted O'Keefe in the yard, crossing their arms in front of their faces while shouting 'No Deal!' - a cruel nod to his iconic game show

Prison insiders revealed that groups of inmates regularly taunted O'Keefe in the yard, crossing their arms in front of their faces while shouting 'No Deal!' - a cruel nod to his iconic game show.

Despite the ongoing harassment, O'Keefe did not lodge a formal complaint with authorities, opting not to ruffle the feathers of his fellow inmates.

His time behind bars was particularly challenging and far removed from the once glitzy life he was accustomed to.

He shared a small two-bed cell and lived a Spartan routine: Woken every day at 7am and given a 'breakfast pack' of cereal, milk, jam, and bread; given brief yard and recreation time, a simple lunch of a sandwich and fruit, and a single heated meal at 3pm.

O'Keefe was then locked in his small cell until the following morning, with the Logie-nominee forced to reside in a cramped 10.5sqm room, which he shared with another inmate.

A prison source previously noted the stark contrast of this existence to O'Keefe's former life: 'He's quiet and keeps to himself. It's actually sad seeing him like this.'

However, O'Keefe retained some small privileges on the inside in exchange for good behaviour - a tablet to watch TV or play solitaire, and access to a prison store with a monthly limit of $150.

These benefits help keep prisoners in line, as they can be revoked at a moment's notice if they misbehave.

Few celebrity inmates endured a harsher fall from grace than Hey Dad! star Robert Hughes, whose time behind bars descended into a nightmare of abuse and humiliation

It is clear the once-glittering life O'Keefe led, earning $800K a year from presenting roles, was worlds away from the harsh prison reality he called home for several months.

He has since been released from custody and appears to be making a concerted effort to steer clear of any further run-ins with the law.

Robert Hughes: Suffering in Silence

Few celebrity inmates endured a harsher fall from grace than Hey Dad! star Robert Hughes, whose time behind bars descended into a nightmare of abuse and humiliation.

Hughes, 77, was reportedly devastated after being sentenced in 2014 to a maximum of 10 years and nine months at Goulburn, with a non-parole period of six years, for child sex offences committed in the 1980s.

A book by Aussie author James Phelps, Australia's Most Murderous Prison: Behind the Walls of Goulburn Jail, detailing his time at the Correctional Centre recounted horrifying episodes of inmates throwing faeces and urine-filled milk cartons at him.

A prison guard recounted to Phelps: 'He sobbed like a big girl' during the reception process and was covered in bodily waste as he walked his first steps into the yard.

Hughes was mainly kept in isolation but on the rare occasions he encountered other prisoners, such as when he had to walk through the block, he was treated to abuse and disdain and reportedly hid behind a scarf and sunglasses every time he left his cell, to avoid recognition

Due to his high-profile and the severity of his crimes, he was largely kept isolated from other prisoners during his eight-year stint in one of NSW's most infamous lock-ups.

However, on the rare occasions he encountered other prisoners, such as when he had to walk through the block, he was treated to abuse and disdain and reportedly hid behind a scarf and sunglasses every time he left his cell, to avoid recognition.

Even routine activities became torture and on one occasion while heading to the exercise yard, Hughes was doused again, left sitting on a grassy hill, drenched in human waste and crying.

His attempts to seek solace and communicate with his wife were overshadowed by the never-ending humiliation and abuse he faced from fellow inmates.

The Sydney-born actor served his time by keeping his head down, avoiding other inmates as much as possible and doing little to attract attention to himself until 2022, when he was granted parole and he returned to the UK.

Adam Britton: The Dark Side of a once-celebrated Zoologist's Life

Adam Britton was a renowned and respected celebrity zoologist working in Darwin, NT, and frequently appeared in nature documentaries, once sharing the screen with David Attenborough.

However, it all came crashing down in 2022 when it was revealed the once-celebrated crocodile expert was a notorious abuser, who used his fame to gain access to helpless animals, which he mercilessly killed.

Adam Britton was a renowned and respected celebrity zoologist working in Darwin, NT, and frequently appeared in nature documentaries, once sharing the screen with David Attenborough

In 2022, it was revealed the once-celebrated crocodile expert was an animal abuser. He now spends his days under strict supervision at Darwin Correctional Centre, following his arrest for torturing, raping and murdering dozens of dogs

He now spends his days under strict supervision at Darwin Correctional Centre, following his 2022 arrest for torturing, raping and murdering dozens of dogs.

In August 2024, Britton was sentenced in the NT Supreme Court to 10 years and five months imprisonment, with a non-parole period of six years, and reportedly sought to shield himself from the public's fury during his hearing by moving behind a screen.

His crimes, committed over years and meticulously recorded and shared online, horrified animal lovers across the world and left a trail of outrage in their wake, with Britton now spending his days alone in his tiny cell.

Despite submitting a handwritten apology and expressing a desire to seek treatment for his rare paraphilic disorder, Britton now faces the harsh reality of prison life -stripped of freedom and subjected to isolating conditions that stand in stark contrast to his formerly free-spirited nature.

Karm Gillespie: Aussie Fame Means Nothing Behind Foreign Bars

Karm Gillespie, who once starred in the iconic Australian TV drama Blue Heelers, could soon face the death penalty overseas if his bid to overturn a drug trafficking conviction fails.

The 61-year-old was arrested in December 2013 at Guangzhou's Baiyun Airport, when border police discovered more than 7.5kg of methamphetamine in his luggage.

Held in a Chinese prison ever since, Gillespie was sentenced to death by the Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court in June 2020.

Karm Gillespie, who once starred in the iconic Australian TV drama Blue Heelers, faces the death penalty if his bid to overturn a drug trafficking conviction fails

Held in a Chinese prison ever since, Gillespie was sentenced to death by the Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court in June 2020. Pictured on Blue Heelers

Despite filing an appeal the following month, the outcome has never been released, with the court website noting it will be announced at a later date.

Earlier this month, Chinese criminal lawyer Jin Ling told The Daily Telegraph that death penalty reviews, especially for foreign citizens, are typically rigorous and rarely result in a decision being overturned.

If the sentence is upheld, Gillespie faces immediate execution, either by lethal injection or firing squad.

Despite decades of fame in Australia - from roles in Blue Heelers to films like The Man From Snowy River and Hotel de Love - none of it carries weight in China.

The former actor is currently isolated, entirely at the mercy of foreign authorities, and unable to rely on public sympathy or celebrity influence.
There were anxious scenes outside New York's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on Monday evening.

Amid the roaring traffic and ceaseless footfall that typically defines Upper West Side Manhattan, a congregation of fans had gathered, cameras at the ready, desperate for a golden opportunity to meet one of the greatest Hollywood stars of this, or perhaps any other generation.

Indeed, no one can attract a crowd quite like Keanu Reeves, the much loved American star who began his career as a time travelling teenager in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure and continues that same career here, some four decades later, as a bearded, middle-aged angel in Good Fortune.

And little wonder, given his legendary status as one of the nicest men in Hollywood, an actor whose seemingly boundless humility appears to be at odds with his status as one of the most famous men on the planet.

Accompanied by long-term girlfriend Alexandra Grant, Reeves was at his affable best as the Lincoln Center aired a special screening of his new film, a supernatural comedy written and directed by Aziz Ansari, who also stars.

But Ansari, who makes his directorial debut with the imminent release of Good Fortune, was curiously absent as guests walked the red carpet, posed for obligatory photos and made their way inside.

Aziz Ansari is making his directorial debut with new film Good Fortune, in which he also stars

Azari has enlisted the impossibly nice Keanu Reeves as his leading man, with the Hollywood star playing angel Gabriel

Unlike his leading man, the auteur - better known for his stand-up comedy and a former role on hit US show Parks And Recreation - is viewed rather differently after clawing his way back from a career threatening allegations of sexual assault.

One might forgive Ansari for hoping a little of Reeves' enduring appeal rubs off on him as they promote the film while he attempts to recover from a more controversy - an ill-advised comedy show in Saudi Arabia.

The comedian was one of the star performers at Riyadh Comedy Festival, held in the capital city of a country widely condemned for its appalling human rights record, when the two week event got underway on September 9.

He wasn't alone of course - Dave Chappelle, Pete Davidson and Louis C.K were also among the US contingent, while Jimmy Carr and Jack Whitehall ensured Great Britain were well represented in the Saudi capital.

But the event has come under fire from human rights groups who accuse the Saudi government of using the event to whitewash the country's unsavoury image.

Closer to home, Ansari's involvement has done his own image no favours, for rather different reasons, with the comedian attempting to justify his trip to the Middle East during a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

'Its a pretty brutal regime,' Kimmel reminded him. 'Theyve done a lot of horrible, horrible things.'

But Ansari, who was born into a Muslim family, said he had given his performance 'a lot of thought,' and he ultimately decided that 'A comedy festival felt like something thats pushing things to be more open and to push a dialogue.

Reeves and his long-term girlfriend Alexandra Grant attended a screening of the new film at New York's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on Monday evening

Meanwhile Ansari defended his recent performance at a comedy show in Saudi Arabia during a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live

The comedian was one of the star performers at Riyadh Comedy Festival, capital city of a country widely condemned for its human rights record, on September 9

'You kind of have to make a choice of whether youre going to isolate or engage. For me, especially being me and looking the way I do and being from a Muslim background, it felt like something I should be a part of,' he said.

Appearing on the show to promote Good Fortune, Ansari admitted he planned to donate a portion of his fee from the Riyadh Comedy Festival to organisations including Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders.

But on Thursday, Human Rights Watch announced that it 'cannot accept' the comedian's donation, nor donations from any other comedians who performed at the festival and 'generously offered to donate part of their performance fees,' as reported by Variety.

'But while we cannot accept, it is not too late for [the comedians] to call for the release of detained Saudi activists,' said Joey Shea, a Human Rights Watch researcher focused on Saudi Arabia.

'Human Rights Watch didnt call for comedians to boycott the Riyadh Comedy Festival, but simply asked them to express their support for free speech by urging the release of Saudi activists unjustly imprisoned.'

Ansari admitted he planned to donate a portion to his fee from the Riyadh Comedy Festival to organisations including Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders

The two week event kicked off on Sep`tember 9 and took place in Riyadh's Boulevard City (pictured)

Human Rights Watch's Saudi Arabia researcher Shea previously said in September that 'Comedians receiving hefty sums from Saudi authorities shouldnt be silent on prohibited topics in Saudi like human rights or free speech.

'Everyone performing in Riyadh should use this high-profile opportunity to call for the release of detained Saudi activists,' she added.

Arvind Ganesan, the head of the economic justice and rights division overseer of fundraising policies for Human Rights Watch, said in a statement to Variety that the organization was 'very mindful of our independence and objectivity' and would therefore not be able to accept either direct government funding, or indirect funding in the form of donations from Riyadh Comedy Festival performers, as their fees came directly from Saudi Arabia.

He added that Human Rights Watch is also 'very careful' about the private funding that it accepts.

'We have been critical of the comedians, including Mr. Ansari, who are performing in Saudi Arabia [because of] the governments human rights record,' Ganesan continued.

It's a troubling turn of events for Ansari, whose career was threatened by allegations of sexual assault, levied by a female photographer in 2017

The unnamed woman claimed she initially met Ansari at an Emmy Awards after-party in 2016 before meeting up with him at his Manhattan apartment some time later (Ansari is pictured at the 2017 Emmy Awards)

It's a troubling turn of events for Ansari, who may well have been hoping to avoid further controversy after his career was threatened by allegations of sexual assault, levied by a female photographer in 2017.

The unnamed woman, based in Brooklyn at the time of the alleged incident and speaking to women's website Babe on the condition of anonymity, claimed she endured 'violating night, and a painful one' after visiting Ansari's Manhattan apartment the previous year.

According to the woman, Ansari repeatedly tried to pressure into having sex over the course of the night and ignored her verbal and nonverbal cues.

She said they originally met at an Emmy Awards after-party in Los Angeles on September 17 2016, when she noticed they had both brought the same kind of film camera to the event.

'I stood up, and I'm like tipsy at this point and feeling really confident. I'm in a gown, and I walked up to Aziz and said, 'What'd you just shoot with?'' she recalled.

She said she exchanged phone numbers with Ansari at the party and later made plans for a date when they had both returned to New York.

On Monday, September 25, 2016, she said she went to Ansari's swanky TriBeCa apartment, where they drank white wine and talked.

'I didn't get to choose and I prefer red, but it was white wine,' she recalled.

Remarkably, Ansari emerged chastened, but relatively unscathed as he addressed the following year, during a pop-up show at New York City's Village Underground

'There were times I felt really upset and humiliated and embarrassed, and ultimately I just felt terrible this person felt this way,' he told those in attendance

Ansari then walked her a few blocks away to Grand Banks, an oyster bar on a historic wooden schooner on the Hudson River, she told the publication. She claims the dinner proceeded and Ansari seemed in a rush to get her elsewhere.

'When the waiter came over he quickly asked for the check and he said like, 'Let's get off this boat',' before her wine glass was even empty, she said. 'Like, he got the check and then it was bada-boom, bada-bing, we're out of there.'

When the pair returned to his apartment on trendy Franklin Street, she said they kissed, but she declined sex when Ansari offered to get a condom.

She claims he performed oral sex on her and then asked her to reciprocate, which she did.

The woman claims he stuck his fingers down her throat and allegedly kept moving her hand towards his penis.

'He probably moved my hand to his d**k five to seven times, she said. He kept doing it after I moved it away.

'It was 30 minutes of me getting up and moving and him following and sticking his fingers down my throat again. It was really repetitive. It felt like a f***ing game.'

She said she couldn't say whether Ansari was just clueless or actively ignoring her signals.

'I know I was physically giving off cues that I wasn't interested. I don't think that was noticed at all, or if it was, it was ignored,' she said.

She alleges that Ansari repeatedly asked her 'Where do you want me to f**k you?'

When the woman stood up to leave, Ansari insisted on calling a car for her, she claims. He allegedly instructed her to use the name 'Essence' with the driver.

'I cried the whole ride home. At that point I felt violated. That last hour was so out of my hand,' she claimed.

Bridge over troubled water, one might say, but as Good Fortune prepares for release and Ansari embarks on a new career behind the camera, only time will tell if the levees break

Ansari is making his directorial debut with Good Fortune and will hope to earn both critical and commercial success for his efforts

Remarkably, Ansari emerged chastened, but relatively unscathed as he addressed the following year, during a pop-up show at New York City's Village Underground.

'There were times I felt really upset and humiliated and embarrassed, and ultimately I just felt terrible this person felt this way,' he told those in attendance.

'But you know, after a year, how I feel about it is, I hope it was a step forward. It made me think about a lot, and I hope I've become a better person.

'If that has made not just me but other guys think about this, and just be more thoughtful and aware and willing to go that extra mile, and make sure someone else is comfortable in that moment, that's a good thing.'

'I think it also just gave me perspective on my life. There was a moment where I was scared that I'd never be able to do this again,' he said.

Ansari revealed that he'd always close out his stand-up shows saying 'Thanks so much!' but didn't really mean it. It was just the protocol.

'But now, I really mean it on a different level. You canceled whatever you were supposed to do tonight, and you came out in the cold, and you waited in line, and you put your phone in a stupid pouch,' he said.

'You did all this s**t just to hear me talk for an hour and some change, and it means the world to me, so thank you so much,' he added.

Bridge over troubled water, one might say, but as Good Fortune prepares for release and Ansari embarks on a new career behind the camera, only time will tell if the levees break...
Ana Nycole Gomes spent her teenage years training to be a nun  until one offhand comment completely changed the trajectory of her life.

The 24-year-old gave up a life in the convent to teach yoga on the beach in just a bikini, after a chance encounter with a stranger 'changed something inside her'.

She tells Daily Mail she was 16 when a man at a church-organised youth retreat told her she was 'too beautiful to be a nun', which became a turning point in her life.

The man, who she met in Alagoas, Brazil, was a stranger to her and had made the comment as a joke, but Nycole says it hit her deeply.

As a young girl already questioning her life as a training nun, Nycole recalls the moment felt like 'permission' to question everything she had been taught.

Nycole never met that man again, but says she will never forget the words he said to her.

Ana Nycole Gomes, 24, spent her teenage years training to be a nun  until one offhand comment completely changed the trajectory of her life. (pictured)

Nycole gave up a life in the convent to teach yoga on the beach in just a bikini, after a chance encounter with a stranger 'changed something inside her'

'It was like someone turned a light on inside me. I started to wonder if I was ready to give up the world before I'd even lived in it,' she says.

Nycole reveals she grew up believing she was destined for a life of isolation and obedience, but now spends her days finding discipline in yoga.

'I grew up believing I was born to live in seclusion,' says Nycole, who is currently based in Maceio, Brazil.

'My family raised me for that. But when someone told me I was "too beautiful to be a nun", something changed inside me.'

Nycole goes on to say that offhand comment sparked a rebellion that changed the course of her life forever.

'I started to wonder if I was ready to give up my youth, my desires, my freedom,' she recalls.

'I grew up between loss and the need to reinvent myself.'

Nycole, who was born in Arapiraca in the northeast of Brazil, reveals she was placed in child protective services after she was abandoned at the age of five.

She tells Daily Mail she was 16 when a man at a church-organised youth retreat told her she was 'too beautiful to be a nun', which became a turning point in her life

'It was like someone turned a light on inside me. I started to wonder if I was ready to give up the world before I'd even lived in it,' she says

Her biological father lost the custody battle and she was eventually adopted by a religious family, but she ran away at the age of 17 to find him again.

She soon began to rebuild her life and earned money as a babysitter, but was unable to shake all of her religious teachings.

'The discipline I learned in the convent became the same discipline I found in yoga. Only this time, it wasn't about guiltit was about connection,' she says.

Nowadays, Nycole says she finds comfort in the discipline she learned in the convent, while also embracing her body and sensuality.

While she once dreamed of wearing a nun's habit, she now proudly shares videos of herself doing yoga in a bikini, teaching her fans about spirituality and sensuality.

'I was taught that sensuality was a sin. Now I see it as sacred. My body isn't a burdenit's how I speak my truth,' she says.

'The nun I never became taught me how to be the woman I am. Leaving that path was my first step toward freedom.'
Luxury fashion boutique Desordre has made an unexpected comeback just weeks after the company behind the brand collapsed.

The upmarket retailer, which began as a pop-up store in Sydney's Darlinghurst in 2009, plunged into liquidation last month owing millions in debt.

But in a twist that few saw coming, owner Shannon Thomas has now announced on social media that the Darlinghurst store has reopened.

The businesswoman declared her boutique was back in business this week, freshly restocked with a new selection of latest-season designer pieces.

When contacted by Daily Mail for clarification, a spokesperson for Mackay Goodwin, the firm appointed Desordre's liquidator, explained that the 'Desordre' brand name itself is not owned by the company that went into liquidation.

Instead, it has always been registered personally to the director Ms Thomas - meaning it was never part of the company's assets or subject to recovery during the winding-up process.

Luxury fashion boutique Desordre has reopened its Darlinghurst store with a new collection of latest-season designs, following reports the company behind the brand had collapsed

Pictured: a post uploaded to Desordre's social media account this week

ASIC records seen by Daily Mail show that the company entered liquidation on September 4. (Desordre founder Shannon Thomas is pictured)

'This seems to be another venture of the director, outside the scope of the company being wound up,' they said.

'The liquidators have recovered all stock and property owned by the company.'

Essentially, this has allowed the brand to reemerge almost seamlessly, with new stock being promoted and sold under the same well-known name, but under a different entity. Daily Mail makes no suggestion of wrongdoing.

ASIC records seen by the Daily Mail show that the company entered liquidation on September 4 - with the boutique suddenly turning the comments off on posts going back months.

One news report said the company owes 85 creditors - including Ralph Lauren, and Alex Perry, which is owed $729,000, as well as some 13 influencers, models and stylists, including Byron Baes star Abbey Steanes and Perth model Holly Young.

Other creditors include fashion brands, model management companies, landlords, TikTok and even rubbish removal, pest control and mowing businesses.

Desordre (meaning disorder in French) had stores in Darlinghurst and Bondi Beach in Sydney, Armadale in Melbourne, and Fortitude Valley in Brisbane.

The fashion brand was adored by 'It' girls such as Dina Broadhurst.

Last Saturday, the brand announced that its Darlinghurst store would be open all weekend with 'the latest seasons' available

When contacted for clarification, a spokesperson for Desordre's liquidator Mackay Goodwin explained that the Desordre brand name itself is not owned by the company that entered liquidation. (Pictured: A post advertising new designs in store at Desordre earlier this week)

Grace Hayden showing off one of the dresses designed by Alex Perry and sold at Desordre

Pip Edwards is also a longtime fan of the boutique.

Founder Ms Thomas previously told news.com.au: 'In an effort to save the business, we have actively worked with advisers to consolidate operations and reduced overheads.'

'Unfortunately, after 15 years of operations, this culminated in the appointment of liquidators.'

She added she was 'deeply disappointed' to say goodbye to her business.

At the time of publication, Desordre's website states it is currently 'under maintenance' and is no longer taking orders.

The fashion brand was adored by 'It' girls such as Dina Broadhurst

Perth model Holly Young (pictured) was reportedly among the company's 85 creditors

Designer Alex Perry (left) was also said to be among those owed money

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Molly-Mae Hague had a 'diva' meltdown ahead of her runway debut at the L'Oreal show in Paris last month where she tearfully threatened to pull out at the last minute.

The influencer, 26, was left devastated by the choice of gown chosen for her by the brand in dramatic scenes from the second season of her Prime reality show Behind It All which was released on Saturday.

In the third episode of the show, Molly-Mae's satin champagne dress, which she did eventually wear, featured shoulder pads and a thigh-high split but she ranted that it 'baggy' and the colour 'washed her out'.

The tearful Love Island star said she was 'putting on her diva pants' and standing firm, before declaring she was suffering a panic attack while refusing to walk in the gown alongside fellow guest models Kendall Jenner and Cara Delevingne.

While sister Zoe attempted to calm the situation, Molly-Mae fumed: 'The dress is not meant to be "It's fine it will make do" look at me I've got my leg out!'

'I've never got my leg out in my whole career, and in the moment I'm meant to have my best look and feel confident, I suddenly have to get my leg out because I've got nothing else to wear'.

Molly-Mae Hague, 26, had a 'diva' meltdown ahead of her runway debut at the L'Oreal show in Paris last month where she tearfully threatened to pull out at the last minute

The influencer was left devastated by the choice of gown chosen for her by the brand in scenes from the second season of her Prime reality show Behind It All (pictured on the runway)

'The colour is completely washing me out. I think I'm about to have a panic attack.

'It doesn't even accentuate my body, its baggy. I'm meant to be walking out on stage feeling my best in front of 100 people'.

'I am not walking out in front of Kendal, Cara and Eva [Longoria] not feeling my best. How am I meant to pretend I'm confident when I'm not feeling it.'

While her staff were on the phone to L'Oreal and demanded alterations, the brand said there was no other option of outfit to wear, with time ticking down before Molly-Mae needed to be at the show.

Despite the drama, she did eventually wear the dress on the runway during Paris Fashion Week, a year after she turned down the opportunity due to a lack of confidence.

Molly-Mae, who signed a reported seven-figure deal as a L'Oreal ambassador last year, joined a host of A-list models at Paris City Hall last month for the star-studded show titled 'Liberty. Equality. Sisterhood. Because You're Worth It.

Afterwards she wrote on social media: 'This year I said yes to the catwalk I wanted to show myself and Bambi that the things that feel the scariest often become the most special moments. Thank you @lorealparis for believing in me '

She also reflected on the experience in a follow-up Instagram Story, posting a glamorous backstage photo alongside the caption: 'The craziest few days... Literally a movie.

Molly-Mae's satin champagne dress, which she did eventually wear, featured shoulder pads and a thigh-high split but she ranted that it 'baggy' and the colour 'washed her out'

The tearful Love Island star said she was 'putting on her diva pants' and standing firm, before declaring she was suffering a panic attack

Despite the drama the stunner did eventually wear the dress on the runway during Paris Fashion Week, a year after she turned down the opportunity due to a lack of confidence

'I so nearly didn't make it onto the runway but the fact it happened just made it even more special. We obviously filmed it all (love heart emoji)'

Molly-Mae also shared a throwback clip from a year ago, showing herself expressing doubts about walking the catwalk.

In scenes from her Prime Video reality series Molly-Mae: Behind It All, the influencer discussed being out of her comfort zone at such high-profile events - and revealed she was initially invited to walk in the September 2024 Paris show but turned it down.

'They did ask me to walk, but I said no. It's just not my bag,' she was seen telling L'Oreal makeup artists backstage at the runway show. 'These legs weren't cut out for this.'

Glancing around at Kendall Jenner and other top models in rehearsals, she explained: 'This is why I couldn't walk, I'm looking at everybody in here and they are absolutely impeccable.'

'Imagine all the models walking down and then there's me, I just would have felt really out of place.'

The TV star recently admitted she calls the Behind It All film crew to rush over when any drama happens as she reveals desperate bid to create her own 'empire'.

She also said that winning a National Television Award 'added pressure' to ensure her Amazon Prime show is a continued success.

She recently reflected on her experience in a follow-up Instagram Story, posting a glamorous backstage photo alongside the caption: 'The craziest few days... Literally a movie'

Molly-Mae also shared a throwback clip from a year ago, showing herself expressing doubts about walking the catwalk

Molly-Mae won in the Authored Documentary category for the tell-all series up against tough competition, including There's Only One Rob Burrow, Flintoff, and Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me.

Although many expected Rob's family to take home the award, it was Molly-Mae who ultimately scooped the prize.

Speaking to Daily Mail at a London Q&A, she said: 'It definitely added the pressure winning the NTA.

'I mean we felt the pressure anyway because I'm a massive perfectionist and I just want everything I put into it to be perfect but obviously winning an NTA does just add that pressure because people are like, "okay well it's won an award better follow that same energy."'

Molly-Mae also feels she has been more open in the second series because she trusts the film crew more this time around.

'I think I was able to trust the crew a little bit more and let go a bit which I have definitely done in this season,' she said.

'I think I would have held back or wanted to shy away from sharing or topics I feel that I didn't put the trust in the crew last time because it was just new territory for me.

'I do feel really nervous about it to be honest because there are things that I've never really spoke about before but I'm kind of just trusting the crew.'

The former Love Island star admitted she calls the crew right away if something dramatic happens in her life so they can capture it for the show.

Molly-Mae admitted calling the Behind It All film crew to rush over when any drama happens as she reveals desperate bid to create her own 'empire' (pictured winning NTA)

'Normally they do say to me that if something does happen just give us a call because we do love capturing the bits that just happen off the cuff that is when we get the best stuff,' she explained.

'And I'm sometimes like, "ugh I don't want jeopardy or drama" but actually when those bits do happen it is great viewing.

'Sometimes it's the bits that are harder to film, but when you watch it back and see it all come together, you're like, "okay, I can see why they're like capturing the highs and lows because it does make for a good show."'

Molly-Mae: Behind It All eps 1-3 of Series 2 launch exclusively on Prime Video now.
Jada Pinkett Smith showed off significant hair growth this week as she stepped out in Los Angeles.

The 54-year-old actress, who suffers from the hair loss condition alopecia, sported a wispy platinum-blonde pixie while in Malibu.

It comes after her husband Will Smith infamously slapped Chris Rock for taunting Jada about her bald head at the 2022 Academy Awards.

The incident resulted in the Oscar-winning actor, 57, being banned from the ceremony for a decade.

Now, Jada is back to rocking her signature closely-tapered haircut.

The bombshell wore dressy black shorts, thigh-high boots, and a beaded black turtleneck cape for dinner with friends at Nobu on Thursday night.

Jada Pinkett Smith showed off significant hair growth this week as she stepped out in Los Angeles

The 54-year-old actress, who suffers from the hair loss condition alopecia, sported a wispy platinum-blonde pixie while in Malibu.

During the Thursday evening outing Jada  who shares son Jaden, 27, and daughter Willow, 24, with Will  looked great in a light face of makeup.

She appeared to be in good spirits as she carried a sleek black purse with a pristinely manicured hand.

The former Red Table Talk host has kept a low profile throughout the year, with her last Instagram post dated February 7.

In September she was seen with her husband for the first time in 10 months as the longtime couple enjoyed a date in Los Angeles.

In October 2023, while promoting her memoir Worthy, Jada revealed that she and Will have been separated since 2016 but remain married.

While promoting the literary effort on the Today show, she told host Hoda Kotb that the marriage had left them 'exhausted.'

'I think by the time we got to 2016 we were just exhausted with trying,' the author said on the broadcast.

'I think we were both kind of just still stuck in our fantasy of what we thought the other person should be,' she explained.

Jada wore dressy black shorts, thigh-high boots, and a in enjoyed dinner with friends at Nobu on Thursday night

It comes after her husband Will Smith infamously slapped Chris Rock for taunting Jada about her bald head at the 2022 Academy Awards

The violent incident resulted in the Oscar-winning actor, 57, being banned from the ceremony for a decade

However, in her memoir she wrote that she decided to stay by her husband's side the moment he slapped Chris while defending her at the Oscars.

At the 94th Academy Awards, Will got out of his seat and walked onto the stage to slap Chris after the comedian cracked a joke about Jada looking like 'G.I. Jane' in reference to her bald head, which she shaves due to alopecia.

After returning to his seat, Will shouted at Chris twice, 'Keep my wife's name out of your f***ing mouth,' stunning the live audience and viewers watching at home.

In retrospect, Jada said about the incident: 'I knew it was going to be an intense reaction. And that was the moment that I decided that I was going to stay by his side.

'You know, it's funny how intense situations can amplify love, and it was a pretty difficult time, but it definitely drew us closer. So yeah, it's crazy how things work.'
Joshua Jackson and his estranged wife Jodie Turner-Smith have called off their divorce trial over custody issues, UsWeekly reported on Friday.

Turner-Smith's legal team filed court documents on Tuesday that asked that their October 15 trial date be canceled, the site claimed.

The 39-year-old actress shared that she has been privately working on a custody deal with the 47-year-old actor over their daughter Juno, aged five, court papers seen by the outlet explained.

'[Turner-Smith and Jackson] are in the process of negotiating a custody judgment,' her lawyer stated in the court documents.

'The parties will return to the [a private judge they hired] to resolve any impasses in the proposed custody judgment.'

DailyMail.com has reached to reps for both Jackson and Turner-Smith but has yet to hear back.

Joshua Jackson and his estranged wife actress Jodie Turner-Smith have called off their divorce trial over custody issues, Us Weekly reported on Friday; seen in 2022

Turner-Smith at Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2025 on October 15 in New York City

Turner-Smith filed for divorce in October 2023 citing 'irreconcilable differences' and requested joint custody with neither getting spousal support, according to a report from People.

They seemed close to a custody arrangement in May but then bickered over what school Juno would go to and if the kid would travel with mom for long periods of time, according toa report from TMZ.

'I don't think it's good for Juno to go for as long as you have proposed without seeing either parent, whenever it is reasonably possible for us to avoid without putting undue stress on Juno,' wrote Jackson earlier this year in court papers seen by the outlet. He added, 'Juno needs both of us.'

In the letter included in the documents, Jackson also objected to Turner-Smith's planned trip to Morocco but Turner-Smith said the child was 'excited about our travel plans, and I believe this stretch of time will allow her to feel deeply grounded.'

Joshua and the British model started dating in 2018 and secretly married the following year before welcoming baby Juno in 2020.

Turner-Smith filed for divorce in October 2023, and in the filing said their date of separation was the month prior, according to People.

In legal documents seen by TMZ in May, it was claimed that Jackson will pay $2,787 each month in child support but he will not be paying monthly spousal support.

Turner-Smith also requested Jackson pay her $75,000 for the attorney's fees she incurred in their legal fight over where the child will go to school, according to the site.

Jackson in May 2025

Turner-Smith in May at the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating Superfine: Tailoring Black Style

The Doctor Odyssey star and his ex went to a mediator to compromise on a temporary schedule to govern the 50-50 custody of their daughter, the site also claimed after seeing the documents.

The pair have reportedly been in a legal battle since Turner-Smith filed for divorce two years ago.

She listed their date of separation as September 2023 in court papers seen by TMZ and cited 'irreconcilable differences' in her reason for filing.

In February 2024 she broke her silence about their divorce to The Sunday Times.

She said she wanted to 'make a move because I believe that there are visible scars from staying in places that are not good for us.

Over the summer Jackson filmed a movie with his Dawson's Creek costar and former girlfriend Katie Holmes; seen on set in August in NYC

The cast of Dawson's Creek in 1997. From left to right are Holmes, James Van Der Beek, Michelle Williams and Jackson

Jodie was pictured Friday as the news broke at the gala at The Chancery Rosewood in London

The actress showcased her fit figure in a sleeveless orange bodysuit with V-shaped stripes running down her midriff and an unusual pointed cups

She added some sparkle with a matching diamond bracelet and necklace, along with dangling diamond earrings

'And they don't just affect us, they affect everybody around us,' she added.

'Sometimes things we really want to work just don't end up working. And that's OK. The most important thing is that you choose what's healthiest for you and your family and definitely your children.'

Following their split, Jackson went on to date Lupita Nyung'o, and he was also linked to German model Nastassja Roberts.

Over the summer, Jackson filmed a movie in New York City with his ex-girlfriend Katie Holmes who was also his Dawson's Creek costar.
It was the guilty pleasure that gripped Middle England. When Dick and Angel Strawbridge moved to the derelict, 19th-century Chateau de la Motte-Husson in north-west France, viewers flocked to watch their new life, as they painstakingly renovated the property in the hope of marketing it as a wedding venue.

Their hugely popular Channel 4 show, Escape To The Chateau, captured every detail of their idyllic rural lives and made it one of the channels most popular series.

What also made it addictive viewing was the bonhomie between the married couple  two colourful characters  and millions would tune it to watch scarlet-haired Angels constant nagging of the long-suffering, whiskery Dick, as they juggled the enormous project with raising their two young children. It also made them wealthy, amassing a fortune of around 3million.

After six years, their world came crashing down, in 2022, when Channel 4 axed the show after a dramatic behind-the scenes dispute that saw them engulfed in a bullying scandal.

Channel 4 announced it would no longer work with the pair on any new productions after an inquiry into their conduct during the filming of the programme. In one very unedifying recording Angel was heard firing a volley of foul-mouthed invective at a production executive.

But now, the Daily Mail can exclusively reveal, three years after Escape to the Chateau was taken off air, the Strawbridges are secretly planning to bring it back to life.

For Angel and Dick, their comeback hasnt been easy: after all, they were effectively blacklisted from television after claims from insiders that their aggressive, abusive and bullying behaviour made working on the show an anxiety-inducing ordeal.

At the time, representatives for the couple denied the allegations. They claimed that staff working on more recent episodes said they did not recognise the conduct that had been described.

Dick and Angel Strawbridge's hugely popular Channel 4 show, Escape To The Chateau, captured every detail of their idyllic rural lives

The run-down 45-room chateau in France that they bought for just 280,000 in 2015 and transformed into an upmarket wedding venue has now been valued at 2million

Since then, Im told that the couple put a lot of time and effort into courting ITV to air a new show, before they were eventually turned down. They were similarly knocked back by the BBC and Channel 5.

However, not ones to give up, Dick, 66, and Angel, 47, have now decided to go it alone and fund a four-part series of their much loved programme themselves.

One source familiar with the project tells me: Dick and Angel had a number of development meetings with ITV about bringing their series back; they really hoped that they could make them see the appeal. They really tried hard. There were several conversations and there was much hope there, but in the end ITV bosses decided against it. It was thought it was to do with their past behaviour at Channel 4.

It was exasperating for them but they were determined to keep going and find a way back into the showbiz world.

Television insiders say that it was simply not in their nature to give up. Eventually, they decided to fly their own camera crew to Martigne-sur-Mayenne and fund the entire project themselves.

Indeed, sources say they are no longer fussed if the programme is aired in the UK and were touting it at the Mipcom Cannes television event this week.

The event is attended by representatives of TV studios and broadcasters. Those in the know say Dick and Angel spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on the four-part series which they now desperately need to sell.

One said: Obviously they need to get their money back but, more than that, they are desperate to be back on the TV even if its not in the UK. They have produced and directed four episodes with their own money and are in France trying to sell it to international television stations. Who knows if Escape To The Chateau could end up being screened in somewhere like Armenia!

The hope is that no one realises just how problematic they are following everything that happened while the show was being made for Channel 4. They just loved making the show so much and this could be a way back for them. Thats the plan, anyway.

It would be quite the comeback for the Strawbridges. Escape To The Chateau aired 50 episodes over nine seasons, between 2016 and 2022, and even spawned a homewares line.

Since then, Im told that the couple put a lot of time and effort into courting ITV to air a new show, before they were eventually turned down, writes Katie Hind

Dick, 66, and Angel, 47, have now decided to go it alone and fund a four-part series of their much loved programme themselves

Recently, Dick and Angel insisted that they were glad they no longer have the cameras in their lives  though this seems rather at odds with them secretly working on their new series.

Their children, Arthur, now 12, and Dorothy, 11, grew up sharing their home with teams of cameramen and production crew. Dick also has two older children, James and Charlotte, from a previous marriage, who occasionally featured in the show.

Earlier this month, Dick and Angel said in an interview that removing cameras from the familys life was the right thing to do so they could focus more on their children and navigating senior school. It was time for us to walk away from the Escape, said Dick.

Yet friends say the couple delighted in sharing their lives and took great pride in the show and its huge popularity  and they miss the attention.

It was just something they really began to enjoy, said one. They loved it, they loved being famous and they loved showing off their amazing home. They came from nothing and became some of the most watched people in the country. They had a real following. Everywhere they went they were instantly recognised.

Then it all came crashing down and it was devastating for them. They didnt expect it either.

In 2021, it was revealed that the Strawbridges were allegedly aggressive and abusive towards staff at the production company Spark Media. One producer walked off the show after four days after an explosive run-in with Dick. A former crew member also claimed: I havent experienced anything as pernicious and spiteful as Dick and Angel, and working with them took a very heavy toll on staff.

It was almost like being in an abusive relationship, waiting for what small thing one of them would blow up at and turn into a massive deal.

The revelations were shocking for the viewers who had fallen in love with the cosy, heartwarming show. At one point it was Channel 4s biggest programme, and sold to more than 40 countries.

In May 2023 the channel announced that it would not work with the Strawbridges again.

Their hugely popular Channel 4 show, Escape To The Chateau, captured every detail of their idyllic rural lives and made it one of the channels most popular series

Following a review, we have taken the decision not to work with Dick and Angel on any new productions in the future, the statement said. The decision followed an independent investigation into their conduct which found them to be spiky and volatile.

Sources say it left the couple shocked and devastated, although one commented: They carried on as if they thought they were untouchable. They were getting huge ratings for Channel 4 and were the darlings of the network. Maybe that goes to your head. But they got caught. There were some very, very relieved people who never thought they would see the day the truth came out.

There was chatter about it for some time. Their behaviour became the talk of the television industry for a while. People wanted to talk and smash this facade.

The decision to dump them is understood to have been taken by the broadcasters former CEO Alex Mahon, who had worked hard to get rid of any kind of toxic behaviour.

While Angel denied some of her behaviour, she broke her silence in June last year when she defended herself over her foul-mouthed rant but claimed to have been set up.

She admitted that while she wishes the incident hadnt happened, she will not apologise for what she did.

Speaking on Elizabeth Days podcast, How To Fail, Angel confessed in that moment she saw red: I was the one in the wrong for losing my temper, but do you know what, I will not apologise  he was so disrespectful in our house, he was so upsetting to me, my family, and I stand by what I did. If I was to apologise and say, Im sorry for using bad language and chucking you out, it would just be disingenuous to me.

She added: Would I like to erase that? Yeah, Id love to. But I would also like to erase what he was doing, because my rage just didnt pop out of nowhere. It grew over time and it was provoked, and therefore Im not ashamed of what happened in the end. I just wish it hadnt happened.

There will be many hoping the secret series never sees the light of day, with one commenting: Its all rather hilarious that they might have to go as far as Armenia to find fame again. Thats karma for you.
Victoria Beckham has dropped her biggest hint yet for a Spice Girls reunion as the group approaches their 30th anniversary.

The fashion designer, 51, shot to fame as part of the pop phenomenon in 1994 alongside Mel B, Mel C, Geri Halliwell-Horner, and Emma Bunton.

Despite their intentional fame, and producing hits Wannabe, Stop, Spice Up Your Life and Too Much, the Spice Girls split up in 2000.

Appearing on US radio station SiriusXM on Friday, Victoria admitted she is 'tempted' by the idea of the group performing together again.

She said: 'It would be tempting.

'But could I take on a world tour? No I can't. I have a job

Victoria Beckham has dropped her biggest hint yet for a Spice Girls reunion as the group approaches their 30th anniversary

The fashion designer, 51, shot to fame as part of the pop phenomenon in 1994 alongside Mel B, Mel C, Geri Halliwell-Horner, and Emma Bunton

Appearing on US radio station Sirius XM on Friday, Victoria admitted she is 'tempted' by the idea of the Spice Girls performing together again

'How good would the Spice Girls be at the Sphere! I love the idea of it. I mean I don't know if I could even still sing, I mean I was never that great!'

The iconic concert hall, which has previously hosted residencies from U2, The Eagles, and the Backstreet Boys, will welcome No Doubt for 12 reunion shows next May.

As for the Spice Girls, the band hasn't performed in the US since their 2008 reunion tour.

Their latest reunion came in 2019, though Victoria did not rejoin the women.

However, during that reunion they were offered a Las Vegas residency as a four-piece following the success of their UK tour, but the group turned it down.

In April, it was reported that the Spice Girls are set to reunite to mark their 30th anniversary as they have been secretly planning an upcoming world tour.

Geri, Emma, Mel B and Mel C were said to be meeting in Miami at the time to discuss the finer details.

The Sun reported that Victoria, however is '90 per cent out of the running', with the foursome pushing ahead with plans without her for now.

In April, it was reported that the Spice Girls are set to reunite to mark their 30th anniversary as they have been secretly planning an upcoming world tour

Geri and band manager and guru Simon Fuller are reportedly in touch again which has moved things along after years of hints from various members that they would get back together.

A source told the publication: 'There have been rumours swirling for months, but Geri has always been too busy and had other things on, preventing her from saying yes.

'Nothing is yet confirmed but Geri and Simon are back in touch with a myriad of exciting ideas.

'Unfortunately Victoria has pretty much ruled herself out, but there is still a world in which she could do some sort of avatar appearance or a special one-off thing. She would always want to honour the girls' history.'

'If Simon were to get involved, this would absolutely take any tour to the next level.'

Since they officially broke up they there have been various rumours that they would reunite.

Earlier this year, Geri said in an interview that there is hope for this - despite reports over the years that she doesn't get on with Mel B.

She told The Times: 'My hope is we come back together as a collective. It's more respectful to come as one.

Earlier this year, Geri dropped the biggest hint yet that the Spice Girls (seen in the 90s) are set to reunite

'There will be something. We'll come as one. We love each other. I love them, I care about them, we want the best for each other.

'We shared something so monumental. We've always believed in each other, had trust in each other, which is beautiful.'

She also confirmed that the five of them do have a group chat but wouldn't reveal the name of it.

It comes after fellow Spice Girl Mel C hinted that the band could do something special next year to mark the 30-year anniversary of their debut album, Spice

Speaking to Rebecca Judd On Apple Music 1 in March, Mel C teased: 'There has to be something befitting of 30 years since Wannabe.

'Once a Spice Girl, always a Spice Girl.

'We all feel like that, but we now are getting together because we know if we're going to do anything, we have to start planning things to get things right.

'We have to start making the plans right now and putting them into action. So fingers crossed.'

However, she admitted it might be up to her and Mel B to get things moving, saying: 'I think me and Mel B are probably going to be going in there all guns blazing, 'Come on! It's time!''

It came as good news to the nineties band's fans, after hopes of another reformation were thought to have been have been scuppered due to an ugly feud between two members.
Annalise Dalins was the picture of health this week when she stepped out with her AFL star fiance Josh Daicos.

The WAG, 24, was rushed to hospital just two weeks ago, after suffering appendicitis and a ruptured cyst.

But Annalise appears to have completely recuperated and was spotted enjoying a day out with Collingwood star Josh, 26, in Bondi on Saturday.

The blonde beauty was not afraid to show off her enviable figure in a skintight light blue activewear top that clung to her svelte frame.

She also wore a matching pair of figure-hugging shorts that showed off her trim and toned pins.

She finished the look with a pair of white Nike sneakers and white ankle socks.

Annalise Dalins, 24, was the picture of health this week when she stepped out with her AFL star fiance Josh Daicos, 26

Annalise wore her blonde locks back for the outing, choosing to accessorise with a pair of subtle silver earrings.

She also carried a pair of almond-shaped tortoiseshell sunglasses.

Meanwhile, fiance Josh, who proposed to the WAG in Greece last September, cut a similar figure, stepping out in a black tank top that exposed his gym-honed arms.

Josh also wore a pair of light grey drawstring cargo shorts, finishing his casual look with a pair of Nike sneakers.

Despite her recent hospital stint, Annalise put on quite the sunny face, beaming as she strolled the promenade with her beau.

Evidently quite taken with his ladylove, Josh was spotted stopping to snap a few shots of Annalise as crowds of people passed them by.

The Sydney outing comes just two weeks after Annalise revealed she had suffered a shock health scare.

Annalise sparked concern earlier this month following a bout of appendicitis and a ruptured cyst.

The WAG was rushed to hospital, just two weeks ago, after suffering appendicitis and a ruptured cyst

But Annalise appears to have completely recuperated, and was spotted enjoying a day out with Josh in Bondi on Saturday

The blonde beauty was not afraid to show off her enviable figure in a skintight light blue activewear top that clung to her svelte frame

She also wore a matching pair of figure-hugging shorts that showed off her trim and toned pins

She then took to TikTok to fill fans in on the health scare that put her in hospital.

'I woke up like Monday, Sunday last week in the craziest pain I have ever had,' she began in the clip, which was posted on Tuesday.

'It was like 3am. I woke Josh up and I was like, "Oh my god, you need to take me to the hospital."'

However, instead of going to hospital, the model took a Nurofen and went back to bed.

'Why did I do that? I just feel like us girls, we always push through,' she added.

The next day, after speaking to one of her friends who is a trauma nurse, Annalise was urged to see a doctor and decided it was 'better to be safe than sorry'.

She was then rushed straight to emergency services.

She finished the look with a pair of white Nike sneakers and white ankle socks

Annalise wore her blonde locks back for the outing, choosing to accessorise with a pair of subtle silver earrings

Meanwhile, fiance Josh, who proposed to the WAG in Greece last September, cut a similar figure, stepping out in a black tank top that exposed his gym-honed arms
Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner showed off their supermodel legs as they supported Kylie Jenner at her Kylie Cosmetics pop-up event in Los Angeles on Friday evening.

Hailey, 28, wore a black, satin gown with a dramatic thigh-high slit to showcase her long pins and was seen strutting into the space as if the sidewalk was a runway.

Meanwhile Kendall, 29, wore a bright blue midi dress featuring a sleeveless, boatneck style and was seen gliding into the building in chic kitten heels.

The stylish duo also both rocked long, straight hairstyles and looked equally ready for business as they joined the rest of the famous family in West Hollywood.

The Rhode founder highlighted her slim silhouette in the tight-fitting dress with a matching belt slung low on her hips to accentuate her modelesque physique.

She wore a pair of patent leather kitten heels with a dramatically pointed toe detail as the statement piece of her look.

Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner showed off their supermodel legs as they supported Kylie Jenner at her Kylie Cosmetics pop-up event in Los Angeles on Friday evening. Kendall, 29, wore a bright blue midi dress featuring a sleeveless, boatneck style and was seen gliding into the building in chic kitten heels

The new mom looked effortlessly glamorous in a monochromatic makeup look with neutral tones for the autumn season.

And the supermodel Kendall also rocked a similar makeup look with the addition of a fun pop of color for her younger sister's Kylie Cosmetics pop-up event.

She opted out of any accessories and instead carried a chocolate brown clutch to match her shoes.

The close friends arrived together in the same party bus alongside Kylie and the rest of the Kardashian sisters.

Kendall flashed a grin as she strutted ahead and led the way for their glamorous crew.

Arriving alongside them, Kim Kardashian nearly spilled out of her ultra sexy and very low-cut dress.

She turned heads as she made her grand arrival in a baby pink, latex gown with a plunging halter neckline.

Paired with the skintight dress, she wore clear platform heels to add many inches to her height and showcase her toned legs.

Hailey, 28, wore a black, satin gown with a dramatic thigh-high slit to showcase her long pins and was seen strutting into the space as if the sidewalk was a runway

The stylish duo also both rocked long, straight hairstyles and looked equally ready for business as they joined the rest of the famous family in West Hollywood

Kendall opted out of any accessories and instead carried a chocolate brown clutch to match her shoes. Kendall flashed a grin as she strutted ahead and led the way for their glamorous crew

The close friends arrived together in the same party bus alongside Kylie and the rest of the Kardashian sisters

Hailey wore a pair of patent leather kitten heels with a dramatically pointed toe detail as the statement piece of her look

The Rhode founder highlighted her slim silhouette in the tight-fitting dress with a matching belt slung low on her hips to accentuate her modelesque physique

She highlighted her chest in the cleavage-baring dress by stacking chunky silver necklaces with massive cross pendants.

And the SKIMS founder added dramatically long nails and back-grazing hair extensions to her glamorous night out look.

For her Friday night out, she was generous with bright pink blush and nude matte lipstick to complete her monochromatic pastel outfit for the night as she joined the rest of her famous sisters.

She was seen arriving alongside Khloe Kardashian, 41, who dazzled in a silver, sequined look.

Khloe wore a checkered minidress with a cowl neckline and see-through heels. She carried a silver, glitter-covered bag and also held hands with one of her friends' daughter.

And Kim matched their youngest sister Kylie's outfit as the makeup mogul arrived in a hot pink dress and an equally vibrant wig for the star-studded pop-up event.

While Kylie arrived in a head-to-toe pink look, she also had her mini-me daughter Stormi, now seven, dressed in a coordinating outfit.

Her daughter also had pink extensions braided into her hair and rocked a T-shirt with her mom's face on it.

Kim Kardashian nearly spilled out of her ultra sexy and very low-cut dress while attending sister Kylie's pop-up event

The reality TV star, 44, kicked off her weekend in style and turned heads as she made her grand arrival in a baby pink, latex gown with a plunging halter neckline

Paired with the skintight dress, she wore clear platform heels to add many inches to her height and showcase her toned legs

She highlighted her chest in the cleavage-baring dress by stacking chunky silver necklaces with massive cross pendants

And the SKIMS founder added dramatically long nails and back-grazing hair extensions to her glamorous night out look

Later, the raven-haired bombshell Kim was seen holding onto Mario Dedivanovic's arm as she walked alongside the celebrity makeup artist and Makeup By Mario founder.

After the family and friends event wrapped, KarJenner matriarch Kris Jenner and her longtime boyfriend Corey Gamble were also seen.

The entrepreneur  who has gone viral for her $100K facelift  showcased her taut visage at her youngest child's business event.

She wore her uniform, all-black outfit paired with forest green, leather gloves.

Kris also wore sunglasses even in the dark and styled her usual pixie into a Anna Wintour-inspired bob and bangs look.

At her side, her beau doted on her, wrapping his hands around her waist to guide her to their car.

He wore an outfit to match hers with the addition of two chain necklaces with massive diamonds.

They then made a swift and united exit out of the packed pop-up event.

For her Friday night out, she was generous with bright pink blush and nude matte lipstick to complete her monochromatic pastel outfit for the night as she joined the rest of her famous sisters

Later, the raven-haired bombshell was seen holding onto Mario Dedivanovic's arm as she walked alongside the celebrity makeup artist and Makeup By Mario founder

Khloe wore a checkered minidress with a cowl neckline and see-through heels. She carried a silver, glitter-covered bag and also held hands with one of her friends' daughter

And Kim matched their youngest sister Kylie's outfit as the makeup mogul arrived in a hot pink dress and an equally vibrant wig for the star-studded pop-up event

While Kylie arrived in a head-to-toe pink look, she also had her mini-me daughter Stormi, now seven, dressed in a coordinating outfit. Her daughter also had pink extensions braided into her hair and rocked a T-shirt with her mom's face on it

After the family and friends event wrapped, KarJenner matriarch Kris Jenner and her longtime boyfriend Corey Gamble were also seen. They made a swift and united exit out of the packed pop-up event

The famous family and their friends were supporting Kylie for her Kylie Cosmetics pop-up event in West Hollywood.

The pop-up is in celebration of the brand's 10th anniversary as well as the launch of the new limited edition collection King Kylie - which officially becomes available to consumers on October 18.

They all arrived together in a party bus for the starry get-together held on Melrose Avenue in L.A. to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Kylie Cosmetics and the upcoming launch of the King Kylie collection.

The collection will offer products with 'new and best-selling formulas in iconic, limited-edition shades,' per the brand's official website.

King Kylie is in reference to the media personality's alter ego where she often sported bold hair colors and makeup around 2015.
Madelaine Petsch put on a leggy display in a leather mini skirt as she joined Ashley Benson at the Monsieur Dior event in California on Friday.

The South African actress, 31, paired her skimpy skirt with a plunging navy shirt and slipped into stylish black heels.

To accessorise her ensemble, Madelaine wore two chunky cross necklaces and a myriad of rings.

Pretty Little Liars actress Ashley, 35, cut a sophisticated figure for the outing as she wore a black mini leather skirt.

She paired her look with a black sleeveless top and added inches to her statuesque frame with black stilettos.

Ashley toted around her belongings in a leather padded Dior handbag and accessorised with a chunky gold chain necklace.

Madelaine Petsch, 31, (pictured) put on a leggy display in a leather mini skirt as she joined Ashley Benson, 35, at the Monsieur Dior event in California on Friday

Pretty Little Liars actress Ashley, 35, cut a sophisticated display for the outing as she wore a black mini leather skirt

Meanwhile, Katherine McNamara wore a simple black skater dress, which she paired with thigh-high black boots.

Opting for a professional look, Elaine Welteroth wore a grey, double-breasted blazer and matching trousers.

Chriselle Lim flaunted her stylish fashion sense as she stepped out in a white mini dress layered under a black jacket.

Meanwhile, Jumee Smollett was the epitome of chic in a knee-length, plaid dress, which she paired with satin heels.

Madelaine is best known for her starring role as Cheryl Blossom in The CW's Riverdale, a pop culture-disrupting series.

The show resonated with teen viewers and Gen Z for seven seasons up until its finale in August 2023.

Along with being a star of one of the most popular teen dramas of the past decade, Madelaine has become a social media phenom in her own right.

Madeline has also modelled for luxury brands over the years, as she was announced as the face of Kim Kardashian's SKIMS in 2023.

To accessorise her ensemble, Madelaine wore two chunky cross design necklaces and a myriad of rings

Ashley toted around her belongings in a black leather padded Dior handbag and accessorised with a chunky gold chain necklace

Meanwhile, Katherine McNamara wore a simple black skater dress, which she paired with thigh-high black boots

Opting for a professional look, Elaine Welteroth wore a grey, double-breasted blazer and matching trousers

Chriselle Lim flaunted her stylish fashion sense as she stepped out in a white mini dress layered under a black jacket

Jumee Smollett was the epitome of chic in a knee-length, plaid dress, which she paired with satin heels

Adrien Brody was also in attendance and wore a green Dior jumper

Adrien and Dominique Crenn were spotted catching up at the event

Madelaine is best known for her starring role as Cheryl Blossom in The CW's Riverdale, a pop culture-disrupting series

She made her debut in a black bra and undies that highlighted her toned figure. And soon after was seen in a beige bra and top, as well as pink items.

The star was representing SKIMS' next era of Cotton, according to a press release. 'A new era,' it was claimed.

'When I wear SKIMS, I feel sexy and comfortable,' said Madelaine, who hails from Washington.

'I had such a good time on set and felt really confident in my SKIMS. The Cotton Collection is the softest loungewear.'
Brooklyn Beckham dodged questions about his mother Victoria's Netflix documentary at an event in New York City on Friday, amid their ongoing feud.

The fashion designer, 51, was surrounded by her nearest and dearest at the recent screening for the show, before partying the night away in celebration - but there was one notable absence.

While Victoria and her inner circle gathered together for the occasion in London, Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz were thousands of miles away in Beverly Hills.

Brooklyn has now avoided answering questions about his family at the Blue Moon Burger Bash 2.0 during the NYC Wine & Food Festival, which he hosted alongside Rachael Ray.

The son of Victoria and David Beckham, 26, was asked by a Daily Mail reporter what he thought about Victoria's documentary, which he and Nicola appeared in.

Despite answering questions about other topics just moments earlier, Brooklyn quickly turned his back when he heard Victoria's name and walked inside the venue.

Brooklyn Beckham dodged questions about his mother Victoria's Netflix documentary at an event in New York City on Friday, amid their ongoing feud

The fashion designer, 51, was surrounded by her nearest and dearest at the screening before partying the night away in celebration - but there was one notable absence

He only answered a question about his food career. '[It's] good. Just building Cloud23. I love it,' he said, referring to his hot sauce brand.

Meanwhile, a friend of the Beckhams, Ana Navarro of The View, told Daily Mail as she was judging the burger event, 'I want them to make up. I love David, I love Victoria. They are a great family. I don't know what's going on.

'The Beckhams are close friends of close friends of mine. I've been watching [Victoria's] movie on Netflix. I think she's a great example of how to raise a family, be a mother, be a supporting spouse, craft your own identities, and be a successful businesswoman... I underestimated her.'

Brooklyn was enjoying a motorbike ride with his wife Nicola while across the Atlantic his family were toasting his estranged mother Victoria's success at the premiere for her self-titled Netflix documentary.

Suggesting it is very much them against the world, Nicola, 30, clung onto her man as they zoomed through the streets on a pricey red Ducati motorbike.

With her hand across his chest, the actress flashed her huge diamond wedding ring as the loved-up couple looked more smitten than ever.

Nicola showed off her svelte frame in a tight-fitting black top and yoga pants, sporting matching helmets with her husband.

Brooklyn flashed his tattooed legs in a pair of blue shorts and a zip-up hoodie with a pair of Converse, opting for a very casual look.

The son of Victoria and David Beckham, 26, was asked by a Daily Mail reporter what he thought about his mother's new show

Brooklyn has now avoided answering questions about his family at the Blue Moon Burger Bash 2.0, which he hosted alongside Rachael Ray as part of the NYC Wine & Food Festival

Meanwhile, the rest of his family were dolled up as they gathered to watch the first two episodes of Victoria's new show

Meanwhile, the rest of his family were dolled up as they gathered to watch the first two episodes of Victoria's new show.

But the evening was another poignant moment and perhaps a painful reminder that things have changed for the Beckham gang.

For it was just over two years ago that Brooklyn and Nicola were in attendance for the premiere of David's show, Beckham, which was held at the same venue.

While Victoria and her husband have reconciled that they won't see their eldest son for the foreseeable future, he and Nicola are 'always missed' at family gatherings following the fallout which came to a head when the pair shunned all of David's 50th birthday celebrations.

Speaking at the premiere, Victoria thanked Brooklyn, along with her other children, for their support.

Paying tribute she said thanks 'to my husband for convincing me and forcing me  giving me no choice, David.

'My children, Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz, Harper and David. Oh no, he's not a child. It has taken this process to realise I am enough.' She added: 'This process really forced me to reflect on my journey and it has been emotional.

'It's been a year of intense therapy and it really made me realise a lot. I want to thank my mum and dad, my brother and my sister. I'd like to thank the Spice Girls, I love you.'

Brooklyn and Nicola make an unexpected appearance in the docuseries despite their estrangement from Victoria

Despite Brooklyn's absence, it was a night of delight for Victoria, who was dressed in a gown from her own collection  because there was a mini Spice Girls reunion which was only incomplete because Melanie Brown is currently away on business in the US.

She did, however, send Victoria flowers to wish her luck for her big night yesterday. There, though, were Geri Halliwell-Horner, Emma Bunton and Melanie Chisholm.

Geri was joined by her husband Christian who made their first public appearance since it emerged that the former Formula 1 team principal received an 80million pay off from his former employer, Red Bull. Geri was dressed in her trademark white as she posed for the cameras.

A source close to Victoria said: 'Victoria is so happy that the Spice Girls could be there. She just loves being with them so much.

'They are a huge part of her journey and they are featured a lot in the documentary. It was a shame that Mel B wasn't there but she was away, and on this occasion nobody was not there because of any in-fighting.'

Brooklyn and Nicola make an unexpected appearance in the docuseries despite their estrangement from Victoria.

In scenes filmed at Victoria's September 2024 Paris Fashion Week show, the designer launches into an emotional monologue about her desire to make her family and colleagues proud.

The montage cuts between images of Victoria's collaborators, with Brooklyn and Nicola seen mingling with guests in the background.

Brooklyn and Nicola were very much part of the family celebrations for David's Netflix premiere two years ago

The rest of Victoria's family - husband David and kids Romeo, 23, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 14, all get more screen time and are shown proudly sitting on the front row ready for the show.

Brooklyn and his wife Nicola are at the heart of an acrimonious divide that has seen them notably absent from all significant family celebrations over recent months.

The Beckhams are said to no longer be on speaking terms with Brooklyn and Nicola.

The drama continued as Brooklyn appeared to ignore his brother Romeo's 23rd birthday, in yet another milestone snub - choosing instead to post about his LA life with Nicola.

He also failed to attend any of his father David's 50th birthday celebrations in May.

His family - including brothers Romeo, Cruz, and sister Harper - were not present to watch him renew his wedding vows with Nicola in New York's Westchester County on August 2.

The lack of Beckham presence at Brooklyn's vow renewal was a clear sign Brooklyn and Nicola have washed their hands with his family - with many indications seemingly marking Brooklyn's intentions to quit Brand Beckham for good.

The Beckhams were said to be upset by the Peltzs during Brooklyn and Nicola's first wedding in 2022, as they felt they were taking over the wedding.

The two families have not reunited since and Nicola has rarely been pictured with the Beckhams.
Katie Price revealed she is feeling 'overwhelmed' by the support she has received after naming the British TV star she alleges raped her more than 20 years ago.

Earlier this week it was revealed how the ex-glamour model, 47, named the star she accused of attacking her during her An Evening with Katie Price And Kerry Katona show.

The mother-of-five drew gasps from the crowd when she named her alleged attacker.

Katie had always maintained that she wouldn't reveal who he was, but last year, she admitted she had changed her mind and would divulge in time.

Now, Katie has shared that she is 'overwhelmed' by the messages she has received while chatting to sister Sophie on her podcast, The Katie Price Show.

Their producer Ben read out several sweet messages from fans, to which Katie responded: 'I'm so overwhelmed and so happy. I love all of those messages. It is nice, inspiring and encouraging.'

Katie Price revealed she is feeling 'overwhelmed' by the support she has received after naming the British TV star she alleges raped her more than 20 years ago

Earlier this week it was revealed how the ex-glamour model, 47, named the star she accused of attacking her during her An Evening with Katie Price And Kerry Katona show

Ben then asks Sophie how it has felt watching Katie's ups and downs, to which she replies: 'Where you are constantly fighting, now everything is calm it feels uneasy, where you aren't used to it but it is nice.'

It comes after it was revealed Katie unmasked the star when she took part in ITV 's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in Australia.

It's believed she disclosed the name during her first stint on the jungle-based reality show in 2004 - though it did not air for legal reasons.

According to The Sun, her pal Kerry, 45, revealed Katie's jungle revelation to the audience on the same night she divulged his identity at their show.

The publication quotes the Atomic Kitten star as saying: 'I remember you telling me that when we were in the jungle together.'

A spokesperson for I'm A Celebrity declined to comment when approached by the Daily Mail.

Katie had previously made plans to reveal the name in a new book, after the MeToo movement encouraged her to speak out.

A source told The Sun at the time: 'Katie thinks she has nothing to lose. After all the MeToo stuff she thinks if other people have revealed their sex attackers, why can't I?'

The mother-of-five drew gasps from the crowd when she named her alleged attacker (Pictured with Kerry Katona)

A spokesperson for Katie Price has declined to comment to the Daily Mail.

Katie first publicly discussed the alleged rape in an OK! magazine column in 2009.

Her words came in response to allegations that her then-partner Alex Reid had starred in a film which glorified rape.

She said: 'Rape is a subject very close to my own heart. I was raped when I was younger, more than once. I'd never be associated with anything or anyone so sick.

'I've never talked about this before, but I feel I have to now because I was so hurt by these accusations that I would not take a subject, which affects so many women, seriously.

'I urge any woman who has been affected by rape and needs help to talk to somebody they trust about it.'

In 2018, Katie said she was raped again during a horrifying carjacking in South Africa in 2018.

She recalled the terrifying ordeal which saw her held at gunpoint during filming for her Quest Red reality show, My Crazy Life with ITV.

It comes after it was revealed Katie unmasked the star when she took part in ITV 's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in Australia

Katie detailed the traumatic events that led her to reach breaking point, suffering a mental breakdown in the same year, and a failed suicide attempt where she 'knocked herself out and had black eyes' - after which she sought treatment for PTSD.

She told the Daily Mail: 'The experience when I was filming with ITV in South Africa, we had no security, if we had security they would have been able to deal with the six guys that jumped us, held me at gunpoint and raped me.'

Katie also discussed the rape during an episode of Channel 4's SAS: Celebrity Who Dares Wins in 2020, where she said: 'Police said it was a miracle they didn't kill us.'

During her Channel 4 show Trauma And Me, she revealed: 'I hit severe depression a couple of years ago, depression on top of PTSD, I was suicidal, didn't want to be here. I tried to kill myself.

'I knocked myself out and had black eyes. I had bruises around my neck. I woke up. I didn't want to be here.'
Venezuela Fury has revealed she's not yet met her future in-laws despite being engaged to her fiance Noah.

The 16-year-old, who is the daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, said how she still hasn't met his side of the family in a new interview.

She explained how planning for the wedding won't get underway until she's came face-to-face with Noah's father and mother.

Venezuela said: 'I haven't met his family yet. So I'm looking forward to seeing them. He lives a few hours' away from me and works during the week, so we only see each other at weekends.

'We haven't discussed where we are going to live after we are married yet.'

Last month, fans were left shocked as Paris shared a video showing Noah proposing to Venezuela at her glamorous 16th birthday party.

Venezuela Fury has revealed she's not yet met her future in-laws despite being engaged to her fiance Noah (pictured with her mother Paris)

The 16-year-old, who is the daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, said how she still hasn't met his side of the family in a new interview

Noah, whose age is unknown, was seen getting down on one knee as Paris told fans they were 'shocked but very happy' for the young couple.

Opening up about the shock proposal, Venezuela added to The Sun that she was 'very shocked'.

She recalled: 'It all came as a huge surprise. I wasn't overly emotional because I was so surprised and I was very nervous, as I realised a lot of people were watching me.

'It was a very exciting moment, though, probably one of the best of my life. But I would have been content if he had asked me to marry him anywhere. I didn't care about the 'big proposal', but I am very happy.'

Before popping the question to his future bride, Noah asked for Tyson's blessing to ask Venezuela for her hand in marriage.

She said how Noah was 'having palpitations about doing it' but the conversation went well.

Venezuela added that her dad 'wouldnt interfere' and hes 'very happy for us.'

Paris recently defended her daughter's engagement when she was asked about the news during an appearance on This Morning.

Last month, fans were left shocked as she shared a video showing Noah proposing to Venezuela at her glamorous 16th birthday party

Noah, whose age is unknown, was seen getting down in one knee as Paris Fury told her fans they were 'shocked but very happy' for the young couple.

Paris recently defended her daughter's engagement when she was asked about the news during an appearance on This Morning (pictured with their seven children)

She was quizzed by hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard on her reaction, and whether she felt her eldest child was 'too young' to be preparing for a wedding.

Paris, 35, admitted that her daughter had only 'followed in her footsteps', as she got engaged to champion boxer husband Tyson, 37, when she was just 17.

Hitting back against the backlash from fans, Paris told Cat, 48, and Ben, 50: 'She's very young, [but we don't] worry at all, Venezuela is so mature for her years.

'She has done so much, even in such a short time just because of who she is and the fact that she's got six younger brother and sisters that she has helped bring up, I can't deny it.

'She is very mature, and in the last 12 months I've been doing work with Venezuela, she's been doing different shoots, interviews, working on social media.

'I've give her all options in life, and she has chosen this path and I can't deny her. I was 17 when I got engaged, so she's obviously following in my footsteps, and how could I judge her in any which way?

'I know she's young, but I think she's found the person that she loves, and if she's happy, I will completely support her.'
Kelly Osbourne cut a heartbreaking figure on Friday as she accepted an award for her late father Ozzy Osbourne in his native Birmingham.

Kelly, 40, revealed the legendary rocker, who died in July, won a lifetime achievement award at this year's Birmingham Awards.

She could be seen at Black Sabbath Bridge holding the prestigious gong in her hands as she said it 'would have meant the world to him'.

Wearing a floor-length black coat for the pictures, Kelly penned: 'Last night I had the honor of accepting my fathers life time achievement award on his behalf at the @birminghamawards.

'I cant thank everyone enough for their love and support. I know that my dad was shining down on us from heaven with pride because being a #Brummy meant more to him than anything.

'He loved the city and he loved the people. This honor would have meant the world to him. From the bottom of my heart thank you. #birminghamforever.'

Kelly Osbourne cut a heartbreaking figure on Friday as she accepted an award for her late father Ozzy Osbourne in his native Birmingham

Kelly, 40, revealed the legendary rocker, who died in July, won a lifetime achievement award at this year's Birmingham Awards (pictured in 2020)

Fans flooded Kelly with support: 'Your dad is proud of you, and we miss him dearly. World feels different knowing Ozzy Is gone, but he will live on forever',

'You've always been so beautiful, Kelly. This is amazing. Your Dad was a phenomenal artist and human being. RIP Ozzy',

'Your Dad deserves this much. Ozzy Forever, Birmingham Forever',

'Kelly, your father was so special to me and my father. We all miss him, but I know you all do, and I wish Sharon much strength. We love you all very much.'

Ozzy died of heart failure at his Buckinghamshire home on July 22, just two weeks after performing a farewell concert with his bandmates at Birmingham's Villa Park.

Earlier this week Sharon Osbourne and her kids Jack and Kelly put on a brave face as they visited a giant pumpkin mural of the rocker.

The mural - made from over 10,000 pumpkins - was unveiled at at Sunnyfields Farm in Totton, Hampshire.

Sharon, Jack and Kelly walked around the site before being put on a cherry picker to get an aerial view of the 35-foot high sculpture, which has been on display since October 4.

She could be seen at Black Sabbath Bridge holding the prestigious gong in her hands as she said it 'would have meant the world to him'

Kelly was supported by her loving fiance Sid Wilson

Kelly told fans: 'I cant thank everyone enough for their love and support. I know that my dad was shining down on us from heaven with pride because being a #Brummy meant more to him than anything'

Kelly's fiance Sid Wilson and their son Sidney were also in attendance to view the mural on Saturday evening.

Ozzy had been battling a number of health issues in the years leading up to his death, including a fall in 2019 at the family's home which saw his condition further deteriorate.

Following the news of his passing, Sharon opened up on social media to thank fans for the 'overwhelming love and support' shown towards her by his fans.

Sharon admitted she had been 'carried through' by those around her, adding she was 'still finding her footing' after losing the husband she often said she lived for.

And her son Jack said on Good Morning America: 'She's okay, but she's not okay. I know she feels the love.'

Following a BBC special, Paramount+ are set to screen documentary Ozzy: No Escape From Now, which features Jack and Kelly's older sister Aimee speaking about her father's final few years.
She was the colourful IT girl who DJ'd at some of the most prestigious socialite parties in the country.

But it appears that Lady Mary Charteris is simply too flamboyant for her neighbours after she painted her London terraced home pink  seemingly after the name of her husband's rock band.

The model, who is the daughter of James Charteris, 13th Earl of Wemyss and 9th Earl of March, and the Hon, Catherine Ingrid Guinness, has changed the five-bedroom, three storey property from a grey colour to something much more garish in recent months in keeping with Robbie Furze's group The Big Pink.

And the change means that her house, which she shares with husband and their four-year-old daughter, stands out 'immensely' from those around it which are ordinary brick colours.

And now, while Lady Mary hasn't broken any council rules, some of her neighbours in North West London are fuming that it is 'totally out of character' to the rest of the tree-lined, fairly sedate street.

One neighbour told the Daily Mail: 'This is quite a relaxed neighbourhood where people put up with many unexpected things.

Lady Mary Charteris has angered her neighbours by painting her London terraced home bright pink and they have now complained to the council about her

While Lady Mary hasn't broken any council rules, some of her neighbours in North West London are fuming that it is 'totally out of character' to the rest of the tree-lined, fairly sedate street

'But the colour scheme for Lady Mary's house is a complete and utter eyesore, that it's hard to escape from, whether it's day or night. First, she changed it to grey and then pink.

'I complained to the council but was told that she isn't breaking any law with the pink colouring. It left me really quite angry. The horrid pink front of the house is something that you can't escape from, after all.

'It's the talk of the street now.'

While she didn't wish to comment when asked about her paint job, Lady Mary has previously made no secret of her desire to inject more colour into her home.

She admitted in an interview with the Evening Standard that an interior designer for giving her the courage to paint interior walls and ceilings pink, blue, green, and whatever other colour seemed appropriate.

She also hinted that she would paint the outside of her 2million home pink.

Neighbours on the street initially had some issues when the 38-year-old set about gutting the property, then a a well-worn period mid-terrace, and transforming it into somewhere she, her husband, and their four-year-old daughter could truly call home.

On her love of the colour pink, she has previously said: 'Luckily, my husband likes pink - he is in The Big Pink, after all.'

Though she and husband Robbie Furze decided to settle in the North West London enclave following a spell in Los Angeles

Lady Mary also claimed she was conscious of 'not having so much colour that you get a headache in your own house.'

A member of the Guinness dynasty, Lady Mary is the daughter of James Charteris, 13th Earl of Wemyss, and Catherine Guinness.

Growing up, she split her time between London, where she attended Francis Holland School, and her father's house in the Gloucestershire countryside.

Though she and husband Robbie Furze decided to settle in the North West London enclave following a spell in Los Angeles.

It was in her teens that she got into modelling after being introduced to the world famous agency Storm Models by the magazine editor and fashion muse Isabella Blow, who was an old family friend.

The agency also has also represented big names such as Kate Moss, Cara Delevingne, Jourdan Dunn and Lady Kitty Spencer.

In her early twenties, Lady Mary met Robbie Furze from the band The Big Pink and the couple quickly became joined at the hip.

Soon she was joining the group on their tours, selling T-shirts and helping with lighting.

Then in 2012, the couple married at her family estate in Stanway in Gloucestershire, in a bespoke Pam Hogg dress that featured cutaway panels to her midriff.
Kristen Bell wore a slinky, low-cut, backless red dress to the Nobody Wants This season two premiere on Thursday night.

The 45-year-old actress later revealed she didn't get the stamp of approval from her two daughters, whom she shares with husband Dax Shepard, 50.

Lincoln, 12, and Delta, 10, thought the skimpy, lace-trimmed Alex Perry number was 'too sexy.'

'My kids told me it was too sexy to wear out of the house. They said, "You can't wear that"  I said, "Watch me!"' the blonde bombshell told Access Hollywood on the red carpet.

It comes after Kristen marked her 12th wedding anniversary with a revelatory social media post.

On Friday she took to Instagram to share a photo straddling her husband as he sweetly cradled her head.

Kristen Bell wore a slinky, low-cut, backless red dress to the Nobody Wants This season two premiere on Thursday night, despite her daughters' objection

'My kids told me it was too sexy to wear out of the house. They said, "You can't wear that"  I said, "Watch me!"' the blonde bombshell told Access Hollywood on the red carpet

In the caption she hilariously revealed the gruesome act he has vowed not to commit.

The Forgetting Sarah Marshall star wrote, 'Happy 12th wedding anniversary to the man who once said to me: I would never kill you. A lot of men have killed their wives at a certain point. Even though Im heavily incentivized to kill you, I never would.'

Weeks earlier Dax promoted their 2012 film Hit & Run, which began streaming on Netflix in late September.

He shared a bedroom scene from the movie, which he wrote and co-directed, and captioned, 'If youre not watching Hit & Run on @netflix this weekend youre a bozo!'

And he gushed about his wife, '@kristenanniebell has never been CUTER!!!!'

In Nobody Wants This, Kristen  who executive produced the series  plays Joanne, an irreverent woman who falls for a charming rabbi named Noah (Adam Brody).

A logline for the show reads: 'He's stuck in his ways and used to playing things safe. He starts to stumble when he meets a brutally honest and provocative Joanne, totally upending his safe life plan.'

The show is full of steamy kisses between the love interests, and the actress has shared that her husband is totally okay with it.

It comes after Kristen marked her 12th wedding anniversary with a photo of her straddling husband Dax Shepard as he sweetly cradled her head

Kristen shares daughters Lincoln, 12, and Delta, 10, with Dax

Speaking with E! News earlier this year, the mother-of-two said the spouses 'root' for each other's spicy love scenes.

'When he got to make out with Minka Kelly on Parenthood, I was like, "Yes. Get it." Were married; were not dead,' she recalled.

Likewise, Dax was not threatened by her loved-up onscreen moments with co-star Adam Brody.

'Dax also knows there's no real threat there, because Adam and I, if you were to see us in person, there is not chemistry.

'We bicker all the time. We're like an old granny and grampy. It's not hot and heavy on set at all,' the Hollywood siren shared.

Dax shared his reaction to seeing his wife lip lock with Adam while making an appearance at the New Yorker Festival last fall. He began by sharing that he watched the show with a friend.

'We watched that scene together, the kissing scene, which I'd argue is the very best kissing scene ever, ever put on film,' he said.

He recalled: 'And my best friend, Aaron, from childhood, he goes, "Does she ever kiss you like that?"'

Dax said he answered: 'No, I didn't even know she could kiss like that.'
Angelina Jolie showed off her ageless beauty as she attended the premiere for Couture at the Rome Film Festival.

The Maria actress, 50, was among the stars who headed to the Auditorium Parco Della Musica for the glitzy event on Saturday.

Angelina looked radiant at the event as she celebrated the drama film coming to the big screen.

The Oscar winner stepped out for the evening in a classic black dress, which featured cape like sleeves.

The dress was completely backless with a low swoop, exposing her array of tattoos.

It is thought Angelina has around 20 tattoos, ranging from small initials to cultural tattoos, which take up most of her back.

Angelina Jolie showed off her ageless beauty as she attended the premiere for Couture at the Rome Film Festival

The Maria actress, 50, was among the stars who headed to the Auditorium Parco Della Musica for the glitzy event on Saturday

She paired the dress with black tights and pointed black ankle boots and styling her caramel locks straight.

The mum-of-six flashed her gorgeous smile and signed autographs to the crowds of people lining the red carpet.

Also in attendance were Louis Garrel, Alice Winocour and Anyier Anei who all kept things simple in smart black outfits.

Couture follows American filmmaker Maxine (played by Angelina) who arrives in Paris for Fashion Week, but then takes on a life-and-death journey, where she is faced with tackling many gruelling challenges.

It comes after Angelina's next career move was revealed as she prepares to be the latest A-lister to flee Hollywood.

The Malificent actress is reuniting with the Mr. and Mrs. Smith director Doug Liman for another spy thriller.

She is starring in the upcoming film titled The Initiative with Liman directing and F. Scott Frazier writing the script, per The Hollywood Reporter.

She last worked with the director on the set of the 2005 action-comedy, where she met her ex-husband Brad Pitt.

Angelina looked radiant at the event with her flawless skin on display as she celebrated the drama film coming to the big screen

The Oscar winner stepped out for the evening in a classic black dress, which featured cape like sleeves

The dress was completely backless with a low swoop, exposing her heavily tattooed skin , with the inkings ranging from small initials to cultural tattoos

Also in attendance were Louis Garrel, Alice Winocour and Anyier Anei who all kept things simple in smart black outfits

Angelina will portray a rogue master spy named Bright in the movie, which has been described as 'Training Day set in the world spycraft.'

The story follows Bright as a new agent named Charlie joins her team and finds himself in concerning situations  'where he isn't sure whether his new boss is trying to kill him or simply is willing to do whatever is necessary to protect the free world.'

Angelina is reportedly looking to sell her historic Los Angeles home and move abroad as the latest A-lister to pack up to leave Hollywood behind.

She is reportedly 'eyeing several locations abroad,' according to People.

The mum-of-six wants to 'put the house up for sale' and move when her youngest kids, twins Knox and Vivienne, turn 18 next year.

She shares the twins as well as Maddox, 24, Pax, 21, Zahara, 20, and Shiloh, 19, with ex-husband Brad, 61.

Couture follows American filmmaker Maxine (played by Angelina) who arrives in Paris for Fashion Week, but then takes on a life-and-death journey, where she is faced with tackling many gruelling challenges

The Oscar winner 'never wanted to live in L.A. full time' but she 'didn't have a choice because of the custody arrangement with Brad,' a source told the publication.

The exes reached a settlement in their ugly divorce in December 2024 after an eight-year legal battle.

'She'll be very happy when she's able to leave Los Angeles,' the insider added.

The Daily Mail reached out to Angelina's representatives for comment at the time of first reporting.
Katherine Ryan has given birth to her fourth child, with her husband Bobby Kootstra revealing their baby daughter's name and gushing over his wife's 'greatness'.

The couple, who exchanged vows in 2019, confirmed the birth of a baby girl on social media on Instagram on Saturday, with Bobby revealing their daughter's name is Holland Juliette Kootstra.

Sharing an array of sweet snaps, Katherine's husband Bobby wrote: 'Holland Juliette Kootstra has arrived:) The 'Patrick Mahomes' of child birth pulled out another MVP performance! Amazing to witness the greatness of @kathbum #blessed.'

Katherine, 42, already shares son Fred, four, and daughter Fenna, two, with Bobby. She is also mother to her first daughter Violet, 16, from a previous relationship.

Among the snaps shared by Bobby included adorable pictures of both Fred and Fenna meeting their baby sister.

Elsewhere Bobby could be seen carrying baby Holland out of the hospital as the now family-of-six headed home.

Katherine Ryan has given birth to her fourth child, with her husband Bobby Kootstra revealing their baby daughter's name and gushing over his wife's 'greatness'

The couple, who exchanged vows in 2019, confirmed the birth of a baby girl on social media on Instagram on Saturday, with Bobby revealing their daughter's name is Holland Juliette Kootstra

She has been open about her fertility struggles in recent years, revealing in 2024 that she had had three miscarriages in five years.

Speaking in November, Katherine admitted she would love to have more kids  but was worried about her age.

'I'm old. I used to think I was going to be the babies' dad because I'm working but actually I'm like their grandmother,' she quipped at the time. My back hurts, sometimes I give them treats. I'm like a fun grandma.'

The comedian also revealed in March 2025 that she was battling melanoma for the second time.

She made the revelation in her podcast, Telling Everybody Everything, explaining she paid to have mole removed from her arm and learned it was cancerous. She added that she required more surgery to ensure the entire mass has been removed.

The star is gearing up for another busy period of work, embarking on her Battleaxe comedy tour this month.

She also hosts multiple podcasts, including her most recent What's My Age Again? - a 'refreshing and humorous take on ageing, wellness, and self-discovery.'

The TV star revealed in 2022 that she had kept her second pregnancy a secret, because she was scared it would lead to her losing work.

Katherine's husband Bobby was seen carrying their daughter out of the hospital as they headed home

Among the snaps shared by Bobby included adorable pictures of both Fred and Fenna meeting their baby sister

Sharing an array of sweet snaps, Katherine's husband Bobby wrote: 'Holland Juliette Kootstra has arrived:)'

Katherine admitted in February that she knew conceiving a fourth child would be challenging thanks to both her and Bobby's age

Katherine has been open about her fertility struggles in recent years, revealing in 2024 that she had had three miscarriages in five years (pictured on Monday)

She was eight months pregnant when she presented ITV's Ready To Mingle, a fact that she hid from everyone.

Katherine and her husband Bobby have been together since 2018, but have known each other since they were children as they grew up together in Canada.

Childhood sweethearts, the two parted ways initially before rekindling their romance this side of the Atlantic.

The couple revealed in the latest series of the family's reality show that they 'wanted the option of having a fourth [child].'

The series saw the couple exploring their marriage through therapy before visiting a fertility clinic.

Katherine admitted in the scenes which aired in February that she knew conceiving a fourth child would be challenging thanks to both her and Bobby's age.

'It's not that surprising that over-40 women have fewer follicles than we once did,' said Katherine. 'But we talk a lot about male fertility as well, which is on a steep decline. But I would still like a fourth baby.

We are so blessed to have the kids that we do have. Having children is not for everyone, but I personally really like making people. I think it's a superpower, if you can do it.'

She explained at the time how she and her husband had never previously struggled with getting pregnant but had suffered multiple losses.

The star is gearing up for a busy period of work, embarking on her Battleaxe comedy tour this month. She also hosts multiple podcasts, including most recent What's My Age Again?

'We've always gotten pregnant with the babies quite quickly. I've been pregnant five times in five years, but that also means I've had three miscarriages in five years and the likelihood of that increases as you get older,' she explained.

'You have to find a balance between what you can personally stand and risks you're willing to take. I'm working a lot and I don't know if I could have a medical emergency like that while I'm in Lisbon on Thursday.'

Speaking to OK! last year she also ruled out surrogacy, explaining: 'I think surrogacy is wonderful. It's beautiful for people who are really eager to offer it and for couples who need it but for me, I think it would be exploitative.'

Appearing on the Chris Moyles Show in November, she admitted: 'I'd have so many more if I could.

'If I was a dad, I'd be like Robert De Niro having them. Because you can have kids when you're 80 as a dad. You just have to.'
Playboi Carti was charged with misdemeanor assault in Utah earlier this month, according to law enforcement officials.

Authorities say the incident occurred on October 2 in Park City, when Carl Reynolds, a limousine driver, reported that the rapper allegedly assaulted him while transporting them from the Waldorf Astoria to rehearsals, per TMZ.

Reynolds told police that an argument took place in the vehicle involving Carti and his girlfriend, and that he intervened during the dispute.

Reynolds claims that during the incident, he was struck, leading him to pull over to a safer location in Heber City.

Daily Mail has not yet received a response from Cartis representatives for comment.

Reynolds also said Carti's head of security became involved to separate the individuals.

Playboi Carti was charged with misdemeanor assault in Utah earlier this month, according to law enforcement officials; (pictured in 2019)

Authorities say the incident occurred on October 2 in Park City, when Carl Reynolds, a limousine driver, reported that the rapper allegedly assaulted him while transporting them from the Waldorf Astoria to rehearsals, per TMZ; (pictured in 2023)

Reynolds, who was employed by ALC A Limousine Connection, stated that another driver for the company witnessed the alleged altercation.

Police from Wasatch County responded to the scene and documented Reynolds injuries. The department confirmed that it is investigating the matter.

According to reports, Reynolds is planning to retain legal counsel and says his primary concern is preventing further harm.

This isnt the first time Playboi Carti has found himself in legal trouble.

Back in 2017, he was arrested for domestic battery, and two years later, fined for assaulting his tour bus driver in Scotland.

In 2020, he was busted in Georgia after police found multiple drugs and firearms in his Lamborghini, though he was released on bond the next day.

Then in late 2022, he was arrested againthis time on a felony assault charge for allegedly choking his pregnant girlfriend.

Carter was released on bond a day after his arrest.

Reynolds told police that an argument took place in the vehicle involving Carti and his girlfriend, and that he intervened during the dispute; (pictured 2019)

Reynolds claims that during the incident, he and Carti's girlfriend were struck, leading him to pull over to a safer location in Heber City; (pictured 2020)

Playboi Carti, born Jordan Terrell Carter, first gained attention with his 2017 self-titled mixtape featuring breakout hits like Magnolia and wokeuplikethis.

His debut album Die Lit cemented his status as a leader in the 'mumble rap' and SoundCloud rap scenes, known for his minimalist beats and eccentric flow.

In 2020, he reached new heights with Whole Lotta Red, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and solidified his cult following.
Alexander Skarsgard turned heads in a backless halterneck shirt and leather lace-up pants at a gala screening for his X-rated BDSM film Pillion.

Pillion, which stars Skarsgard and Harry Melling, 36, who played Dudley Dursley in Harry Potter, is a gay BDSM-themed romance from first-time feature writer-director Harry Lighton.

The film explores the BDSM relationship between a gay biker and a parking attendant - with the project earning rapturous applause at the premiere.

And Skarsgard made a statement on the red carpet at the premiere at the Headline Gala screening during The 69th BFI London Film Festival at The Royal Festival Hall on Saturday evening.

Skarsgard showed off his toned arms in a fully backless white halterneck shirt with a black tie, as well as a pair of leather straight leg trousers with a lace-up fastening at the crotch.

He joined Scissors Sisters star Jake Shears on the red carpet, as well as posing for snaps with the rest of the Pillion cast - who were also wearing leather.

Alexander Skarsgard turned heads in a backless halterneck shirt and leather lace-up pants at a gala screening for his X-rated BDSM film Pillion in London on Saturday

Skarsgard made a statement on the red carpet at the premiere at the Headline Gala screening during The 69th BFI London Film Festival at The Royal Festival Hall and joined Jake Shears on the red carpet

After receiving critical acclaim at Cannes Film Festival, it was revealed Pillion was heavily edited down due to its graphic nature.

The movie received an eight-minute standing ovation, but director Lighton admitted that the version screened at the iconic film festival had been edited down significantly due to its graphic sex scenes.

'It was purely because I didnt want to push the audience into feeling they were being deliberately shocked by an image,' he explained to Variety.

'So for example, there was one close up of a d**k, a hard d**k  like down the barrel of the lens.

'And after watching the film on that "f**k-off" screen I thought, yeah, cutting it was probably the right decision!'

Skarsgard chimed in: 'There's definitely a raunchier version of this movie  what youve seen is the family friendly version theres also the Alexander Skarsgard cut.'

Lighton admitted that Pillion may have needed to undergo even more edits to ensure that it could get a US release.

A synopsis reads: 'Colin, a timid man, meets Ray, a confident biker gang leader, who initiates him into a submissive relationship, challenging Colin's mundane existence and prompting personal growth through their unconventional dynamic.'

Pillion, which stars Skarsgard and Harry Melling, 36, who played Dudley Dursley in Harry Potter, is a gay BDSM-themed romance (Skarsgard and Melling pictured)

Skarsgard was seen posing for snaps with the rest of the Pillion cast - who were also wearing leather

Skarsgard showed off his toned arms in a fully backless white halterneck shirt with a black tie, as well as a pair of leather straight leg trousers with a lace-up fastening at the crotch

Before the screening, director Lighton said he wanted the film 'to make you laugh, make you think, make you feel and make you horny.'

The film features explicit sex scenes and kinky BDSM costumes but Cannes audiences were still lapping it up.

Melling stars as shy Colin, whose humdrum life in the suburbs is blown apart when he meets Alexander's character Ray.

Ray strikes up a sexual relationship with Colin and integrates him into his queer biker milieu, injecting his life with a fresh dose of excitement and mystique.

However Colin eventually starts to feel stifled by the fact that he always has to occupy the submissive role in his dynamic with Ray.

Skarsgard has spoken freely in the past about how comfortable he is playing nude scenes, quipping to uInterview: 'I'm Scandinavian, godda***it! We love to be naked.'

The Swedish hunk is also no stranger to gay sex scenes, thanks to his star-making turn on the vampire show True Blood.

The film explores the BDSM relationship between a gay biker and a parking attendant - with the project earning rapturous applause at the premiere

One of the scenes was with heterosexual actor Theo Alexander, whose anxiety Alexander had to help assuage before they shot the sequence.

'He's also a straight guy and he was nervous; he had never kissed a guy before,' Skarsgard explained in an interview with PrideSource.

He said to Theo, 'Look at the scene. It's this nemesis and he comes in and then it gets seductive and you think they're gonna make love and it gets into that and then suddenly my character stabs him in the back and he explodes.'

The actor added, 'In two minutes, look at this emotional rollercoaster we're taking the audience on. If we commit to this, it's going to be an amazing scene and we're going to be very happy with it forever. If we hold back, that's when it gets awkward.'

Skarsgard is himself heterosexual and is in a long-term relationship with Swedish actress Tuva Novotny, with whom he welcomed a baby in 2022.
Steakhouse chain Smith & Wollensky didn't hold back when it announced plans to reopen in Ohio's capital.

The brand's president, Nathan Evans, said in June 2024 that after an 'exhaustive search,' the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Columbus would host the chain's newest location, complete with an 'elegant dining room,' an 'expansive patio,' and valet service.

The upscale eatery, which is known as 'America's steakhouse' and often features $17 hash browns and a 26oz prime rib for $82, had only shut its Columbus branch in 2023 after two decades serving diners seeking a white-tablecloth experience.

The New Yorkborn chain has long been a pop-culture icon, thanks in part to a memorable cameo in The Devil Wears Prada, where Anne Hathaway's character Andy Sachs is ordered by boss Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep, to fetch a steak from the restaurant for lunch.

'We were deeply missed by the community when our previous venue closed at the end of our 20-year lease,' Evans said at the time, saying Columbus had a 'special place in our hearts.'

'Now, we are excited not just to serve our loyal guests again but to be part of the fabric of downtown and the vibrant Arena District.'

Fast-forward to 2025, and the Buckeye State is still without a Smith & Wollensky - and it's likely to remain that way.

A spokesperson confirmed to the Daily Mail the brand had made the 'difficult decision' to suspend its planned return to Columbus and instead focus on 'international expansion and strategic growth opportunities.'

The company brands itself as 'America's Steakhouse' and offers a menu with pricey cuts of meat

The exterior of the old Columbus, Ohio, location that shuttered in 2023

The restaurant was immortalized in The Devil Wears Prada when Anne Hathaway's character is sent across Manhattan to fetch a steak for her boss, Miranda Priestly

The move reflects a wider trend across the American restaurant industry, experts told the Daily Mail, as brands pivot to overseas markets to escape soaring costs and a saturated domestic scene.

Analysts say restaurant chains are chasing growth in Asia and the Middle East, where American dining is considered aspirational - and where governments are offering better incentives, cheaper labor, and lower rents than at home.

Smith & Wollensky has recently opened a new restaurant in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, and is planning further launches in Tokyo, Japan, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Despite the global push, the company remains invested in the U.S. market - mainly in major metropolitan hubs such as New York, Boston, Las Vegas, and Chicago.

Hospitality experts say the brand's decision mirrors a wider industry trend.

Ada Hu, CEO of NU Media, a marketing firm that works with global hospitality clients, told the Daily Mail that American restaurant groups are increasingly looking abroad for growth.

'In Asia and the Middle East, American food and beverage brands are perceived as aspirational and innovative,' she said.

'Tariffs and high domestic operating costs have made international markets more attractive. Global exposure helps offset volatility at home.

A rendering of what the Columbus location was supposed to look like

When it announced it would return to Ohio, brand president Nathan Evans said that the restaurant had a 'special place in the hearts of great Columbus diners'

Ada Hu, the CEO of NU Media, a marketing company, said she has seen a 'clear increase' in mid-size restaurant groups and premium casual brands focusing on their overseas presence

David Helbraun, a hospitality lawyer, told the Daily Mail that many companies are looking to expand overseas due to cheap labor and lower rent

'International expansion allows them to diversify revenue streams, tap into emerging middle-class spending, and build global brand equity.'

Hospitality lawyer David Helbraun said the shift is being driven by a U.S. dining landscape that's 'saturated, expensive, and increasingly difficult to navigate.'

'Everything from permitting delays to labor shortages to rising food costs makes domestic expansion feel like pushing a boulder uphill,' Helbraun said.

'Meanwhile, markets abroad  especially in Europe and Asia  are offering financial incentives, streamlined processes, and often, a better labor pool. The real drivers are lower overseas labor costs and rents, which have become untenable in many U.S. cities.'

Hu said she's seeing a 'clear increase' in mid-size restaurant groups and premium casual brands focusing on their overseas presence  and predicts big names like Smith & Wollensky will continue to pull out of smaller cities in favor of powerhouse metros.

'Labor and real estate costs make smaller cities less attractive, while international markets offer both scale and novelty,' she said. 'Many brands are concentrating resources on flagship locations in major metros and using those as launchpads for overseas growth.'

However, Hu added that the move isn't purely about escaping an unstable U.S. economy.

'Even in a strong domestic market, expansion abroad builds brand prestige and diversifies exposure,' she said. 'It's less about fleeing economic headwinds and more about long-term positioning in global hospitality culture.'
Mongolias parliament has voted to oust the prime minister in an unusually public power struggle within the ruling Mongolian Peoples Party. Opponents of Prime Minister Zandanshatar Gombojav managed to pass a controversially worded resolution Friday that effectively dismissed him from office. The parliament was also debating a request to resign from its speaker, Amarbayasgalan Dashzegve, the prime ministers chief rival in the internal party struggle.

It wasnt immediately clear who might succeed Zandanshatar, who is acting prime minister until a successor is named, or whether he would challenge his dismissal. He was named prime minister in June. The political upheaval comes at a critical time because the budget for next year has yet to be passed. Teachers, who are demanding salary hikes in the budget, went on strike this week, and medical doctors are threatening to do so too.

The ruling party feud began after Zandanshatar lost a party leadership election to Amarbayasgalan. The prime ministers supporters then accused the speaker of being involved in corruption in the coal mining industry, and a Government investigation was launched. We are fighting against the theft of the nations wealth that has robbed every Mongolian.
A United Airlines plane heading for its gate clipped the tail of another United aircraft at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, authorities said. No one was hurt in Friday's incident and the 113 passengers on Flight 2652 from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, were able to leave the plane normally after a delay, United officials said in a statement. The second plane had its horizonal stabiliser struck and was not moving when the planes hit, officials said. Bill Marcus, a passenger on the flight , said he didn't even realise anything happened until the pilot said there would be a delay to document something and passengers on the plane saw a number of people gather around the right wing. I was shocked that I didn't feel something more, although when they separated the planes there was some shuddering, Marcus said.
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Dublin trad-rock firebrands Ispini na hEireann are set to release their highly anticipated new album Poxtail Soup on November 21st, 2025.

The Poxtail Soup Album Launch Tour kicks off in Dundalk's Mo Chara before winding its way through some of the countrys most iconic venues, landing in Waterford on the eve of the album release, and continuing into Cork, Limerick, and Kerry. Known for their explosive live shows, sharp wit, and fearless reimagining of Irish traditional music, the band will celebrate the launch with a string of very special dates across Ireland.

Tour Dates:

Nov 14  Mo Chara, Dundalk

Nov 15  Ballintubbert House, Laois

Nov 21  Bank Lane, Waterford (Official Album Launch Night)

Nov 22  DeBarras, Clonakilty

Nov 28  The Commercial, Limerick

Nov 29  Glen Eagle, Killarney

With Poxtail Soup, Ispini na hEireann dive deeper into their unique blend of trad, storytelling, and satire, serving up both raucous anthems and moments of raw intimacy. The album promises to capture the full spectrum of the bands sound, from wild, foot-stomping energy to sharp social commentary that cuts to the bone.

Read Next: Dundalk shopping centre goes on the market for eye opening price

This isnt just an album launch, its a feast, says frontman Tomas Mulligan. Weve been stewing this for a long time, and now its ready to serve. This is the end of an old chapter and the beginning of a new age for the band.

Poxtail Soup will be available on vinyl and digital platforms from November 21st, with exclusive merch and bundles available on tour.

Save and Pre-purchase available here
Enoch Burke has interrupted presidential hopeful Catherine Connolly to tell her he is a victim of her gender ideology.

The former teacher approached her as she stepped up to deliver a speech in Limerick on Saturday afternoon and asked her: Do you have any respect for religious beliefs?

He claimed: My life has been turned upside down because my religious beliefs are being taken from me.

I am a victim because of your gender ideology.

Members of his family, including his mother Martina, were with him during his protest which interrupted the event being held by Palestine solidarity activists in Bedford Row

The Burke family have been involved in previous demonstrations and legal disputes after the suspension of Mr Burke from his job as a teacher.

He has spent more than 500 days in prison for contempt of court for refusing to stay away from Wilsons Hospital School where he worked.

The dispute stemmed from incidents over a request from the schools then-principal to address a student by a new name and the pronoun they.

Mr Burke was separated from Ms Connolly by her supporters, who attempted to drown out his comments by chanting free Palestine.

She was on the campaign trail in Clare and Limerick on what her team described as a Super Saturday day of action.

They said volunteers and supporters spent the day canvassing in towns, villages and city centres across the country.

Ms Connolly called on voters to make their voices heard, adding: Your vote is your voice. Use it.

It was a similar message from businessman Sean Gallagher, who said he was concerned to hear some rumours that people are considering not voting and I think we need more people to come out.

However he was endorsing Ms Connollys rival for the Aras, Heather Humphreys.

He joined the Fine Gael candidate at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre in Dublin as she met shoppers and supporters.

Mr Gallagher said of his former party colleagues: Im also calling on my friends in Fianna Fail, and indeed Micheal Martin and the senior Fianna Fail leadership, to now in this last week to come out and support their former ministerial colleague and coalition partner, who shares the same values and policies that are aligned with Fianna Fail.

The ex-Dragons Den star ran for president twice, in 2011 and 2018.
Mustard is one of my favourite condiments. Smear it on a ham sandwich. Spread it on a hot dog. Add it to olive oil and white wine vinegar for a classic vinaigrette. It enhances lots of recipes!

If you like your mustard very hot, bright yellow English mustard, predominantly made in Norfolk, is the one for you. If you like it spicy but with a touch of ooh la la - choose classic Dijon mustard from France.

The city in Burgundy is home to this mustard, made there since the Middle Ages. However, Maille Dijon mustard, one of the most famous brands, was first made by Antoine-Claude Maille in 1747 in Paris. The company opened a second premises in Dijon in 1854.

Alongside its famous smooth mustard, the company also makes a crunchy wholegrain version, packed with mustard seeds, which Im combining with hot English mustard and cream, for a double whammy explosion of flavour in a sensuous sauce for one of my favourite autumn chicken dishes.

Serve on a bed of crushed baby potatoes or fluffy mash, with some greens on the side, and you have the perfect supper to warm the cockles!

For pud, indulge in my dreamy Chocolate Pecan Sponge Pud.

An old fashioned dessert given a sophisticated edge, this ticks all the boxes for sweetness and chocolatey indulgence, with the crunch of pecan nuts in the mix. Serve warm with custard, and it also works cold too, with a cup of coffee!

Double Mustard Cream Chicken

Ingredients (serves 4)

1.5kg baby potatoes

2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil plus extra for dressing potatoes

1 bunch spring onions, trimmed, rinsed and finely chopped

400g pack mini chicken breast fillets

2 heaped tsps wholegrain mustard

Generous  tsp English mustard

1 tsp dried mixed herbs

150mls chicken or vegetable stock

250mls cream

1 tbsp chopped curly parsley

Di Curtins Double Mustard Creamy Chicken. Weekend Foodie

Method

Cook baby potatoes in a pan of boiling salted water.

While potatoes are cooking, heat olive oil in a pan and fry spring onions for a moment.

Add chicken fillets and cook to seal, stirring to mix with spring onions.

Add both mustards and stir to coat the chicken. Cook for another couple of minutes.

Add mixed herbs. Stir to coat chicken pieces.

Add stock and cream and bring to bubbling.

Simmer for about 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

When potatoes are cooked, drain and drizzle with olive oil. Crush roughly with a fork. Season.

Stir parsley into chicken mix and check seasoning.

Heap crushed potatoes on four warmed plates and top with chicken.

Drizzle mustard sauce around. Serve with greens of choice.

Chocolate Pecan Sponge Pud

Ingredients

175g butter, softened

175g sugar

225g self raising flour

1 level tsp baking powder

3 fresh free range eggs

100g milk chocolate, roughly chopped into chunks

50g pecan nuts, sliced

Splash of milk

Method

Place butter,sugar, flour, eggs in the bowl of a food mixer and blend together.

Fold in the chocolate chunks and pecans. The mix should be a soft dropping consistency. Add a little splash of milk if its too stiff.

Spoon mix into a lined shallow square cake tin or ovenproof dish.

Bake at Gas 4 350F 180C (160C for fan assisted), until the mix is risen and firm to the touch.

Remove from oven and cool slightly.

Dust with icing sugar, then cut into squares and serve warm with custard. Or leave to cool completely and store in an airtight cake tin.

Weekend Gargle

Im going to Australia this weekend for a wine to match this chicken dish.

The Aussies know how to make Chardonnay, and have convinced us all over the years that they know what they are doing!

Before Pinto Grigio had its moment, Australia Chardonnay was a top pick for white wine drinkers, so we are revisiting that this weekend!

McGuigan wines are based in the Hunter Valley, and Chardonnay is one of its best sellers. Their signature Black Label range includes a fabulous Chardonnay, made with modern techniques and grown in perfect climatic conditions.

McGuigans Black Label Chardonnay is fermented briefly on the lees or crushed grape must, which gives a richer deeper flavour, before being aged with American and French oak chips.

This combo gives a wine which has lots of upfront fruit and rich flavours, backed with some spicy cedar and spice notes.

A great match for the heat of the mustard and the rich creamy sauce in this dish, this is on sale now at Dunnes Stores, just 8 till January 6, 2026.

RECEIPT

Main dish

1kg baby potatoes 1.49

1 bunch spring onions 99c

400g pack mini chicken fillets 4.99

English Mustard x 100g 1.95

French Wholegrain Mustard x 210g 4.09

Cream 250mls 1.59

Total: 15.10

Dessert

Butter 227g 2.39

Sugar 1kg pack 1.69

Self Raising Flour 2kg  2.55

Free Range Eggs half dozen 1.95

Milk Chocolate bar 150g 1.10

Pecan nuts 200g pack 2.95

Total: 12.63

GRAND TOTAL: 27.73
Following the issuing of an orange level rain warning for Cork, which will come into effect from 9pm on Saturday until 5am on Sunday, Cork City Council this evening convened a meeting of its Severe Weather Assessment Team (SWAT).

Met Eireann has warned of heavy rain and possible thundery downpours with the potential for river flooding, especially in mountainous areas. It has also warned of very difficult travelling conditions.

A council spokesperson said that following consultation with Met Eireann, it is expected that the orange level rainfall will have the greatest impact in West Cork.

However, Cork city is still expected to experience a significant yellow level rainfall event., they said.

Yellow rainfall warnings are issued when between 20mm to 40mm of rainfall is forecast in six hours or less, or when 30mm to 40mm of rainfall is forecast in 12 hours or less.

Cork City Council does not expect that this rain event will result in widespread flooding, and thus a general notice of potential flooding is not being issued., said the spokesperson.

Localised flooding may result in situations where debris blocks a gully but this will be very localised and sporadic in nature. No tidal flooding in the city centre is predicted due to this particular event.

Challenging

The spokesperson said the local authority has advised that travelling conditions from Saturday evening into Sunday morning will be challenging, urging road users and motorists to travel with extra care, slow down, and in particular, to be aware of other vulnerable road users.

Additionally, the heavy rain may result in debris being washed onto roads overnight, and there may also be surface water ponding on certain roads on Sunday morning, said the spokesperson.

Thus, while outside of the warning period, Cork City Council advises that additional vigilance is required for anyone travelling on Sunday morning.

Anyone who may come across a weather related issue that needs to be addressed, is asked to contact Cork City Council on our out-of-hours number 021-496 6512.

However, if you come across an emergency situation, please contact the emergency services on 999 or 112, said the spokesperson.

Cork County Council

Cork County Councils Severe Weather Assessment Team also convened this evening.

A council spokesperson said crews were deployed on Friday afternoon inspecting known risk locations across the county.

"Crews will continue to monitor the situation throughout the weekend. Pumping arrangements will be in place in known problem locations," said the spokesperson.

"The council is asking members of the public to exercise caution as driving conditions may be dangerous, with surface flooding possible. Motorists are advised to avoid driving through flowing or standing water and to exercise caution during heavy rain. Motorists are also asked to be conscious of cyclists and pedestrians," they added.

Issues such as flooding and road damage should be reported to the councils 'Emergency Out of Hours' number on 021 480 0048.

In an emergency situation people can dial 999 or 112 and request the Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Gardai or Irish Coastguard as appropriate.

"In the event of disruption to water supply, please contact Uisce Eireann at 1800 278 278," said the spokesperson.

"Cork County Council will continue to monitor the situation."
The annual Castlemartyr Resort charity gala will take place on Thursday December 11 in support of Cork Penny Dinners.

The event this year will also pay tribute to the late John Mullins, a respected figure in the Cork business community. Mr Mullins, along with Dr Stanley Quek, were key in launching the inaugural charity gala in 2024.

Mr Mullins, who passed away in April of this year, was passionate about creating opportunities for disadvantaged communities and worked tirelessly supporting Cork Penny Dinners.

The MC for the evening will be Red FMs Colm OSullivan. Guests will be able to look forward to a night filled with festive cheer, fine dining, and a live performance by Blackwater Valley Opera, all while contributing to a vital cause that supports the most vulnerable members of society.

Hosted in the Banquet Room at Castlemartyr Resort, guests will be treated to a drinks reception followed by a meal curated by executive chef Kevin Burke and Terre executive chef Lewis Barker.

Commitment

Brendan Comerford, general manager of Castlemartyr Resort, said that they are delighted to host their festive charity gala once again in support of Cork Penny Dinners. This event reflects our commitment to the local community.

We look forward to bringing our guests together for a night of celebration, fine dining, and entertainment, all while raising essential funds for this invaluable charity and, of course, honouring our friend, John Mullins.

Caitriona Twomey, head of Cork Penny Dinners, added: We are immensely grateful to Castlemartyr Resort for their support in hosting this gala.

Events like this not only raise crucial funds for our services, but also foster community spirit and awareness about the challenges faced by many in our area.

Every ticket sold and every donation made will go directly towards providing nourishing meals and a safe environment for those in need.

For ticket information visit https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/castlemartyr-resort-annual-charity-gala-tickets-1793974519079?aff=oddtdtcreator.
The sale of the MV Matthew has not yet gone through, the Revenue Commissioners said, as the ships significant environmental, ecological, and economic risks have seen costs rise over 11m.

In a letter to the Public Accounts Committee this week, a Revenue spokesperson wrote: Detaining a vessel the size of the MV Matthew is without precedent in this jurisdiction.

The ship was detained in September 2023, and 2,253kg of cocaine was found on board.

The ship was taken to Marino Point, Cobh, where it remains. Revenue formally seized the vessel in October 2023, and, following this, immediate steps were taken to prepare to dispose of it  including holding consultations with a shipping broker about selling it.

However, the following month, Revenue was advised by the DPP that the ship was required for evidential purposes in an associated criminal trial and could not be disposed of.

Significant environmental and ecological risk

Revenue said that, given its size, the MV Matthew represents a significant environmental and ecological risk, as well as an economic risk to the operations of the Port of Cork, requiring it to be crewed and maintained on a continuous basis.

This has necessarily incurred, and continues to incur, significant costs relating to insuring and crewing of the vessel, provisioning, bunkering fuel, supplies, berthage, and other port-related costs, essential repairs, and maintenance.

Revenue estimates that the average weekly cost, to date, of managing and maintaining the vessel to be in the order of 110,000.

A Revenue spokesperson told The Echo that overall costs had now increased to 11,006,609.

This includes 2,542,339 for berthing, 4,439,011 for maintenance, 3,899,666 for crewing, and 104,539 for the registration of ownership up to the end of September, as well as an additional 21,054 in legal fees.

Revenue said that it has been funding only what is necessary to safely maintain the vessel, along with the commercial insurance that was due for renewal this month.

Release

Last December, the Special Criminal Court authorised the release of the MV Matthew, facilitating its disposal. Since then, Revenue has engaged a broker. The bidding process concluded at the start of this year, and a preferred bidder was identified.

However, Revenue has said there are a significant number of regulatory obligations that must be fulfilled in order to finalise the disposal.

Significant challenges and delays arose in this regard, due to the manner in which regulatory processes were conducted by the previous owner and the fact that the vessel was used as a conveyance for international drug smuggling, Revenue said in the letter to PAC

Actively engaging

It said it has been actively engaging with Panama, the vessels flag state since March 2025, and said that it is anticipated that these difficulties can be addressed and progress in the disposal process can be made.

As it stands, a sale has not yet been finalised and there remain certain maritime regulatory matters to be addressed. As such, it is not possible to give a firm timeline for completion of the disposal, at this point.

However, I can assure the committee that the disposal of this vessel is a key priority for Revenue. All necessary steps are being taken to complete its disposal as expeditiously as possible.
The projected spend by Belgian firm Indaver on its planned incinerator for Ringaskiddy in Cork has increased to 200m.

That is according to a raft of new planning documents lodged with An Coimisuin Pleanala, as Indaver Ireland is looking to advance the long-running project.

Plans were first lodged for the incinerator almost a decade ago in January 2016, and Indaver secured planning permission for its incinerator in Co Cork in 2018.

The project was then estimated to cost 160m and would have the capacity to treat up to 240,000 tonnes of waste per annum.

However, that permission has been subject to High Court challenge by a local environmental group. The Supreme Court, in September 2022, upheld a High Court ruling that the application can be remitted back to the appeal board for fresh consideration.

Operational

The new planning documentation states that, if permission is granted, it is expected to be operational in 2030.

The planning report stated that up to 320 people will be employed during the construction phase, and 63 people will be employed when the facility is operational.

As part of the High Court ruling, it ruled in June 2024 that, due to the passage of time since the initial submission of the application, Indaver was to submit any updated or further information of relevance on the application, an updated environmental impact statement, and an updated natura impact statement.

That information has now been lodged and third parties now have until November 17 to make submissions. Construction work on the planned incinerator is to take 31 months.

The report states that a community fund will be approximately 240,000 per year for the life of the facility, which will fund environmental and other community projects and initiatives in the Ringaskiddy area.

Documents

Planning documentation states that a similar fund is in operation in Meath, where Indaver operates an incinerator at Duleek. That has amounted to over 3m to date.

The non-technical summary states that the waste to energy facility will bring much-needed waste management infrastructure to the Munster region.

The report states that 21MW of electricity will be generated, of which up to 18.5MW will be exported to the national grid.

The report adds that this will be enough to supply the power needs of approximately 30,000 homes.

The remaining 2.5MW will be used to run the facility itself.
The completion of the new Midleton Community Nursing Unit has been delayed, but the HSE aim to have it built before the end of this year, the health minister has said.

The 50-bed community nursing unit, at Midleton Community Hospital, was scheduled for completion by the end of 2024.

East Cork Fine Gael TD Noel McCarthy has asked the minister for health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, to provide an update.

Ms Carroll MacNeill said: In 2016, a capital programme for older persons residential centres was developed in response to the introduction of HIQAs National Residential Care Standards for Older People and the requirement that all facilities providing long-stay beds be registered by HIQA.

This is a programme to replace, upgrade, and refurbish community nursing units (CNUs). As part of this programme, seven CNUs are to be delivered through public private partnership (PPP).

These include Ardee, Athlone, Clonmel, Killarney, St Finbarrs, Cork, Thomastown, and, of course, Midleton.

The Midleton CNU will consist of two 25-bed residential households, she said: The household model is intended to create a person-centred approach, which focusses on the quality of life, which supports autonomy and the opportunity to continue to direct their own lives in accordance with their cognitive and physical abilities.

There have been delays in completion of the overall CNU PPP programme and all parties are engaging to address the outstanding items.

The HSE is actively engaging with PPP company to achieve completion of the Midleton Community Nursing Unit before year end.

The building will then be made available to the service for equipping, commissioning, and Health Information & Quality Authority (HIQA) registration, prior to welcoming patients into the new facility.
The investigation of a 2.1m drug seizure at Ringaskiddy at the end of July saw a of 59-year-old truck driver being remanded in custody until October 28, to allow time for directions from the DPP.

His solicitor complained of delay, saying the dogs in the street knew the DPP would direct trial by indictment.

Robert Slivar, of no fixed abode, but formerly of Ivanic in Croatia, appeared at Cork District Court by video link from prison, charged with two offences relating to the seizure of 93 packages of herbal cannabis with a weight of 107kg.

Mr Slivar, who travelled to Cork by ferry from Zeebrugge in Belgium on July 27, is charged with cannabis possession and having the cannabis for sale or supply at the Port of Cork, Ringaskiddy, on that date.

On the application of Sergeant Aisling Murphy, Judge Mary Dorgan remanded the accused in custody until October 28.

Mr Slivar was represented in court by solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher, who complained about the absence of DPP directions.

This matter will not be dealt with in the district court  the dogs on the street know that. Lets not play around. Let the DPP say it is by indictment, Mr Kelleher said, adding that the accused was in custody since the beginning of August on these charges and he is poor health.

Sgt Murphy said it was a complex investigation taking place in Ireland and in Croatia and allegedly involving 2.1 million worth of drugs.

Judge Mary Dorgan added that the DPP might decide on a court higher than the circuit court.

Det Garda Ryan Dillon previously objected to bail in the case citing the strength of evidence and the seriousness of the charges facing the accused.

He said that Mr Slivar made no reply after each charge was put to him under caution.
China achieves numerous breakthroughs in space exploration quest

Xinhua) 09:54, October 18, 2025

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- It has been more than five months since the Shenzhou-20 crew entered China's space station. The three astronauts have carried out various tasks in this period, including space science experiments, in-orbit emergency rescue training, and inspection and maintenance of the station's equipment.

Ranging from the construction of the space station to the first-ever sampling of soil from the far side of the moon by the Chang'e-6 mission and the exploration of Mars by the Tianwen-1 mission, China has achieved notable breakthroughs in space exploration during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) -- making important contributions to humanity's exploration of space and sci-tech frontiers.

SPACE STATION CONSTRUCTION

China's space station was completed during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, becoming one of two space stations currently in orbit. In April 2021, the first module of the space station, the Tianhe core module, was launched into orbit. The two science lab modules, Wentian and Mengtian, were launched in July and October 2022, respectively, and successfully docked with the Tianhe core module.

In less than two years, China completed the assembly and construction of the space station, which is based on a configuration of the Tianhe core module and the Wentian and Mengtian lab modules.

Up to now, a total of nine astronaut crews, from the Shenzhou-12 to the Shenzhou-20 mission, have entered the space station and conducted about 20 extravehicular activities -- including assembly and maintenance of space station equipment, and installation of space debris protection devices.

The space station also serves as a national-level space laboratory, where astronauts have conducted space science experiments and tests. By the end of 2024, some 181 science and application projects had been implemented in the space station, with nearly 2 tonnes of scientific materials sent up, almost 100 types of experimental samples brought back, and over 300 TB of scientific data obtained.

These experiments and tests have delivered breakthroughs such as the acquisition of new germplasm resources for rice and ratoon rice developed in space, and the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in space. They have significantly advanced global research in space life and human studies, microgravity physical science, space astronomy and Earth science, and space technology and applications.

In February 2025, China and Pakistan signed an agreement to cooperate on the selection and training of Pakistani astronauts for participation in China's space station mission. With the space station now open to such foreign astronauts, China is showing a clear commitment to developing countries keen to engage in international crewed space cooperation.

MOON FAR SIDE SAMPLING

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China's space exploration quest also reached the far side of the moon. On June 25, 2024, after a 53-day space journey, Chang'e-6 brought back the first-ever samples collected from the far side of the moon. The Chang'e-6 mission team was therefore awarded the World Space Award in the team category by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF).

This mission serves as a model for space engineering endeavors. The Queqiao-2 relay satellite was launched on March 20, 2024, to provide relay communication support for activities on the far side of the moon. The Chang'e-6 probe, launched on May 3, 2024, entered lunar orbit after performing near-moon braking. The lander-ascender combination landed at the designated landing area in the South Pole-Aitken Basin on the far side of the moon on June 2.

After that, the combination completed sampling, and the ascender took off on June 4, carrying the samples and transferring them to the Chang'e-6 returner on June 6. The returner landed precisely in the designated area in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on June 25, bringing back 1,935.3 grams of lunar samples.

Since then, Chinese scientists have conducted extensive research on these samples, making discoveries in areas such as magmatic activity on the far side of the moon, the ancient lunar magnetic field, water content in the lunar mantle, and the evolutionary characteristics of the lunar mantle.

The Chang'e-6 mission also featured four international payloads for lunar exploration and research. The lander carried the France-made radon isotopes detector, the European Space Agency's lunar surface negative ion analyzer, and the Italian laser retro-reflector, while the orbiter carried a small satellite from Pakistan.

DEEP SPACE EXPLORATION

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China also achieved significant breakthroughs in deep space exploration. The Tianwen-1 Mars probe was launched on July 23, 2020. After a 202-day, 475-million-km journey in deep space, the probe rendezvoused with Mars on Feb. 10, 2021. Following a three-month survey of the landing area, the probe landed on Mars on May 15, 2021. On May 22, the Tianwen-1 rover drove onto the Martian surface and began its exploration.

The original data obtained by the 13 scientific payloads onboard the rover and the Tianwen-1 orbiter have been made available to scientists worldwide. For example, observational data from the rover helped scientists discover important evidence of an ancient ocean in the mid-low latitude region of Mars and revealed that the red planet once experienced a long period featuring a warm and humid climate.

During the Tianwen-1 mission, the China National Space Administration actively promoted cooperation with space agencies and global scientific communities, such as sharing orbital data from the Tianwen-1 orbiter with NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) in collision warning cooperation.

The Tianwen-1 rover also conducted data relay communication tests, solar occultation observations and solar wind research with the ESA's Mars Express orbiter.

The Tianwen-1 mission team, notably, was awarded the World Space Award by the IAF in 2022.

On May 29, 2025, Tianwen-2 was successfully launched -- marking the beginning of China's first asteroid exploration and sample return mission. The mission, with a design cycle of roughly 10 years, aims to explore and sample the asteroid 2016HO3 and return the samples to Earth, followed by exploration of the main-belt comet 311P.

This mission will help humanity understand the early solar system's material composition, formation processes and evolutionary history, as well as the material composition, structure and evolutionary mechanisms of small celestial bodies, thereby offering significant scientific value.

In the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), China will continue its efforts in the field of space exploration. The Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8 missions are scheduled for 2026 and 2028, respectively, while the Tianwen-3 mission is planned for launch around 2028 -- aiming to return Mars samples to Earth.

(Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Kou Jie)
Next January will mark the 25th anniversary of my emigration to Ireland, on a Ryanair plane from England alongside my wife-to-be, and with our two rather shaken-up cats in the hold.

Straight away, as a British citizen resident here, I was able to vote in the local, European, and general elections. But I was denied the right to vote in referenda and presidential elections - that is a privilege only applicable to Irish citizens.

Over the years, as I put down roots here, I ruminated on whether to apply to become an official citizen of the republic, but I partly felt it would be a betrayal of my homeland, and partly was scared off by the fee and bureaucracy involved.

Brexit in 2016 changed all that.

Overnight, an Irish passport gained in value and popularity - and given my wife and now four children had one, I developed a fear of missing out... and an even bigger fear of queueing for hours at airports while they were waved through the EU corridor and started their holiday on time.

Thus, in early 2020, after a year-long process, and after parting with 278 - plus 100 to post two long-form birth certs - I officially became an Irish citizen, on a reduced rate thanks to my Irish granny, and copped an Irish passport.

Life as a bona fide Irish passport-holder got off to an inauspicious start when the pandemic duly arrived and put the kibosh on travel for years.

But now, it is the only passport I own, having allowed my UK one to expire - and I also have the right to vote in referenda and presidential elections. Yippee!

Sadly, I appear to have got off to an inauspicious start here too.

On the referenda front, after years of looking on from the sidelines while really lively and juicy debates took place between two hot-headed sides, I was presented with my first chance to vote on them last year - and, boy, what a dud it was.

One of the referenda was on whether to expand the constitutional definition of family to include durable relationships outside marriage, and the other asked the public if we wanted to replace a reference to womens life within the home and mothers duties in the home with a gender-neutral article on supporting care within the family.

It was confusing, and there was a mass of opposition to both questions, while the government didnt seem to try very hard to explain what on earth we were being asked.

On the surface, removing the sexist language of Eamon de Valeras Constitution should have been a no-brainer, but there was a lot of talk about unintended repercussions and it was hard to know who to believe.

I mean, were citizens, not bloody lawyers.

I never waste a chance to vote, but I genuinely cannot recall which way I went on either of those forgettable referenda last year when I turned up in the booth. Thats how forgettable that experience was.

The end result at the polls: A turn-out of a paltry 44% and two fingers from the electorate on the two referenda.

And now, dear reader, I am facing into my first presidential election as a voter next Friday - and am feeling ripped off all over again!

Was it something I said?

The president may have no actual power, but they are an important figurehead of your and my nation, yet this entire process has brought shame on many of our politicians.

The end result of months of farce, indecision, and shameful blocking of intriguing contenders, is that we have two candidates left standing in Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys.

And, with all due respect, they are, to my mind, and that of a good many people, the equivalent of those two referenda - answers to questions which nobody had asked.

Two career politicians - one from each side of the divide, nominally, - but both very much part of the establishment.

Two decent, likeable women, its true, but neither appear to have the charisma and oratory talents to unite the nation and move the country in times of joy and despair.

Had the two main government parties not contrived to block a handful of other people - and particularly non-politicians - the contest would have been far more engaging, even though Connolly or Humphreys may still have prevailed. Instead, we have been left to watch dull TV and radio debates that come across more as party political broadcasts.

Bizarrely, most of the questions the two women are asked venture into territory - Gaza, housing, neutrality - on which the President has far less say than even the likes of us ordinary voters. The President is there merely to parrot the line of the government of the day.

Fair enough, its hard to know what else you can ask the two presidential candidates when they are career politicians - but that underlines the point that a Maria Steen, or indeed a Bob Geldof, or a Tony Holohan, would have brought a different aspect to the campaigning and to the entire debate. Im not even sure I would have voted for any of them - perhaps Geldof - but their absence wrecked any semblance of a race with which to engage.

Although he dropped the ball on the presidential issue big time for Fianna Fail, Micheal Martin was right about one thing - the public were ready to vote a non-politician into the Aras this time round. That opportunity has been denied us.

The country I left, the UK, rarely has referenda - because it has no written Constitution - and does not have presidential elections because the monarch is the head of state - and given the events of the last year in Ireland, I am tempted to wonder if they have it right!

So, what am I going to do on Friday?

Firstly, I will turn up at the booths, and so should you. That is the only advice I can offer up - what you do in there is entirely up to you.

What I am minded to do - unless something changes drastically in the next six days - is to spoil my vote.

I will make it clear that I have turned up and exercised my right, but that I do not favour either of the options presented on the paper.

I intend to do this as a signal to the government that we need to address the way the contenders for this presidency have been selected.

I knows this tactic has been associated with right-wing commentators upset that Maria Steen was not nominated, but that is not a reason for people who consider themselves more centrist to avoid doing it.

If enough people spoil their vote - and especially if the turn-out is as low as feared - the message will be heard loud and clear.

Then, next Saturday, no matter who wins, I will gladly get behind them, because they will be the President of our country, as voted through on a democratic ballot. As a citizen, that has to be a given. None of this Not my President malarkey.

Many of our politicians may have abdicated their duties to the nation with their actions in recent months, but us citizens can still demonstrate a maturity and respect for this countrys institutions that has been found sadly lacking in them.
By David Young, PA

An Asian hornet nest has been found in the Belfast area, Environment Minister Andrew Muir said said.

The discovery comes after intensive efforts by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) after an insect captured by a member of the public in the Dundonald area on Friday October 10 was confirmed as an Asian hornet.

Also known as a yellow-legged hornet, the insect is a harmful invasive species originating from east Asia and was first recorded in Europe in 2004.

Two nests were found and destroyed in the Cork area earlier this summer.

Andrew Muir (Liam McBurney/PA)

The NIEA officials had been using track and trace methods to find and remove any nests that might be in the Dundonald area. They deployed specialist equipment and started a monitoring programme involving live traps.

Mr Muir praised members of the public who had reported sightings through a dedicated app.

This has allowed us to have a track and trace arrangement in place to be able to pinpoint the location of the nest, he told BBC Radio Ulster.

And I want to thank officials who are working in relation to the removal of that nest.

He said the issue was being taken seriously and warned that other nests could be in Northern Ireland.

There could be more out there, and its really important we have vigilance for this, and people report through any sightings, because the Asian hornet is an effective predator of insects such as honey bees and wasps, and has a real impact, potentially, in terms of our native insect biodiversity. So we need the people to remain vigilant about this.
NVIDIA has taken a big step towards strengthening its domestic chip manufacturing, revealing the first Blackwell wafer made in the US. The hardware company assembled the wafer, which is the base material for NVIDIA's AI chips, in TSMC's semiconductor manufacturing facility in Phoenix, Arizona.

NVIDIA revealed its Blackwell platform last year, boasting a goal of revolutionizing the AI industry through tech giants like Amazon, Google, OpenAI and others who already committed to adopting the next-gen architecture. NVIDIA said the latest platform was more powerful and translated to 25x less cost and energy consumption compared to its predecessor. Now that Blackwell wafers can be made at the TSMC plant, NVIDIA can better insulate itself from the ever-evolving tariff situation and geopolitical tensions.

"Its the very first time in recent American history that the single most important chip is being manufactured here in the United States by the most advanced fab, by TSMC, here in the United States, Jensen Huang, NVIDIA's founder and CEO, said at the celebration event.

With NVIDIA's Blackwell architecture ready for the volume production stage, the company is still working on expanding its manufacturing footprint across the US. Earlier this year, NVIDIA said it had plans to funnel half a trillion dollars towards building AI infrastructure in the US through partnerships with TSMC, Foxconn and other companies.
Texas could have a serious legal battle on its hands thanks to an age verification law for app stores that it recently enacted. In response to the Texas App Store Accountability Act, the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) filed a lawsuit that argues the new order goes against First Amendment rights. The not-for-profit trade association has Amazon, Apple and Google amongst its members.

The law goes into effect on New Year's Day and requires app store users to verify their age before downloading apps or making in-app purchases. If underage, users have to get parental consent each time they want to download an app or make another in-app purchase. Along with those stipulations, the suit claims that there's an additional burden on developers, who have to "age-rate" their apps for different age groups.

"This Texas law violates the First Amendment by restricting app stores from offering lawful content, preventing users from seeing that content, and compelling app developers to speak of their offerings in a way pleasing to the state," Stephanie Joyce, senior vice president and chief of staff for the CCIA, said in a press release.

Along with CCIA, a student advocacy group called Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) filed a similar lawsuit objecting to Texas' upcoming app store requirements. Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, the firm representing SEAT and the two high school students named in the lawsuit, said the law "violates the First Amendment by imposing sweeping restrictions on access to protected speech and information." The law firm also noted the potential dangers associated with collecting personal information, like government IDs, when it comes to verifying identity.
Google's Privacy Sandbox is officially dead. In an update on the project's website, Google Vice President Anthony Chavez has announced that the company was sunsetting the remaining technologies developed for Sandbox due to their "low levels of adoption." A spokesperson has confirmed to AdWeek that Google isn't just killing those technologies, it's retiring the whole initiative altogether. "We will be continuing our work to improve privacy across Chrome, Android and the web, but moving away from the Privacy Sandbox branding," the spokesperson said. "We're grateful to everyone who contributed to this initiative, and will continue to collaborate with the industry to develop and advance platform technologies that help support a healthy and thriving web."

The company launched Privacy Sandbox in 2019 as a future replacement to third-party cookies. It's a set of open standards that are supposed to enable personalized ads without divulging identifying data. Over the years, Google's plans to deprecate third-party cookies got pushed back again and again due to a series of delays and regulatory hurdles. Specifically, both the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the US Department of Justice looked into the Privacy Sandbox out of concerns that it could harm smaller advertisers.

In 2024, Google ultimately decided not to kill third-party cookies in Chrome and instead chose to roll out "a new experience in Chrome that lets people make an informed choice that applies across their web browsing." Just this April, Google announced that it wasn't going to make any to changes to how third-party cookies work on the Chrome browser at all, and that it was going to "maintain [its] current approach to offering users third-party cookie choice in Chrome." At the time, the company said that it was going to keep the Privacy Sandbox initiative alive, but things have clearly changed since then. Chavez wrote in the latest update that Google will "continue to utilize learnings from the retired Privacy Sandbox technologies."
Prince Andrew announced on Friday that he will no longer use his title of Duke of York, a decision made in close consultation with his brother, King Charles III, and other members of the royal family.

The move follows renewed scrutiny of Andrew's association with the late U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein and is intended to prevent ongoing allegations from overshadowing the work of the monarch and the rest of the royal family.

In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, Andrew, 65, said that he and his immediate and extended family agreed the persistent claims against him "distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family." He reaffirmed his denial of all accusations and said he remains committed to putting "my duty to my family and country first." The change takes effect immediately, though Andrew will continue to hold the rank of prince, a birthright title that cannot be removed without an act of Parliament.

Since stepping back from public duties in 2019 after a widely criticized BBC interview in which he addressed his links to Epstein, Andrew has largely stayed out of official royal business. In January 2022, he returned his military affiliations and royal patronages to the late Queen Elizabeth II, and one month later, he settled a civil lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre, an alleged victim of Epstein, without admitting wrongdoing. Court documents from that settlement acknowledged Epstein's trafficking activities and described Giuffre as a victim of abuse.

Andrew's decision to relinquish his dukedom comes amid fresh revelations in Giuffre's posthumous memoir, which recounts alleged encounters with the prince when she was 17, and reports suggesting that one of his former business associates was under suspicion as a Chinese intelligence operative. Royal sources say Prince William, the Prince of Wales, was also consulted and supports the step to further limit Andrew's public role.

Under the new arrangement, Andrew will cease using his honours as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and as a Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter, titles that remain in existence but without his association. Sarah Ferguson, his ex-wife, will no longer be styled as the Duchess of York, though their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will retain their princess titles.

Despite relinquishing these designations, Andrew will continue to reside at the Royal Lodge on the Windsor Estate under his existing private tenancy. He remains eighth in line to the throne and retains personal connections with family members, but his official duties and public appearances under royal patronage are now expected to cease permanently.
Aaron Phypers, estranged husband of actress Denise Richards, was arrested Friday inside a Los Angeles courtroom on multiple spousal abuse charges.

The arrest came during a hearing related to Richards' ongoing efforts to make a temporary restraining order against Phypers permanent.

Phypers, 53, was taken into custody after the State of California filed a felony complaint a day earlier.

According to court documents, he faces four felony charges  two for alleged physical injury to a partner and two for allegedly trying to stop a witness from speaking out using threats or force.

According to PageSix, witnesses inside the courtroom said Phypers was visibly upset as officers led him out. He reportedly shouted and argued with deputies on an escalator after being handcuffed.

Richards, 54, was granted a temporary restraining order in July, which the judge extended Friday until a new hearing on November 7.

The former "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star gave emotional testimony earlier this month, accusing Phypers of physically assaulting her multiple times during their marriage.

"He's almost killed me so many damn times," Richards reportedly told the court. She alleged she suffered at least three concussions and other injuries, including a black eye, in 2022.

Story from Us Weekly

Denise Richards ex, Aaron Phypers, has been arrested, Us Weekly can confirm. Richards lawyer told Us Weekly that Phypers was charged with spousal abuse.



Hes been arrested outside the court and taken down a nearby escalator. [He] did not come back into pic.twitter.com/8WTS7SCsGm  Bye Wig Hello Drama (@HousewivesHub) October 18, 2025

Denise Richards Says Aaron Phypers Slammed Her Into a Wall

In one incident, Richards claimed Phypers "slammed [her] up against the concrete wall" at his wellness center, causing her head to hit the wall.

In another, she testified that he struck her on the head while demanding her phone, just days after a medical procedure.

Phypers has denied all the accusations. On the stand, he said, "I never physically harmed Denise Richards... I never threatened to harm her."

He also claimed that Richards bruises easily and often gets hurt accidentally, People reported.

Phypers suggested that witnesses supporting Richards were "made up" or trying to stay close to a celebrity.

His attorney, Michael Finley, defended him, saying, "We expect [the charges] to be proven false and for him to be exonerated."

The legal troubles come as the couple's divorce becomes more combative. Married in 2018, Phypers filed for divorce in July 2025.

He is now asking for half of Richard's OnlyFans income, which he claims is up to $300,000 a month. Phypers argues that since he took many of her photos, he is entitled to part of the earnings.

Phypers also claims he is broke, behind on bills, and facing eviction.

The next court hearing is set for November 7, where the judge will revisit the restraining order and possibly address the newly filed criminal charges.
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Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan recently reunited at the Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh. Fans had been waiting for the three Khans to reunite and cheers erupted the room when it happened. The event's photos and videos have been doing rounds on social media, where Salman, Aamir and SRK are seen sharing laughs and anecdotes.







In a clip, Salman is seen lauding Shah Rukh for his incredible career. Opening up about him and Aamir belonging from film families, Salman said, "Aamir comes from a film background, so do I, but this man here (SRK) didnt, he came from Delhi." Shah Rukh Khan's heartwarming reply to the same stole the show. The Jawan actor said, "Salman, I am sorry, I also come from a film family. Salmans family is my family, Aamirs family is my family."



Aamir Khan praised SRK's humility. He added, "Now you know why Shah Rukh is a star. In another video, Shah Rukh Khan was also seen calling Salman and Aamir "aspirational and inspirational." He said, "I look up to these guys. Look at me, I am still looking up to Salman (laughs). So I look up to them honestly, because the kind of work they have done, starting from scratch and having worked their way up to this. These people are aspirational and inspirational and sometimes I feel really, really grateful I have the opportunity to sit on the same forum, same stage with them.





View this post on Instagram A post shared by Filmfare (@filmfare)



On the professional front, Salman Khan is currently working on Battle of Galwan while Shah Rukh Khan is busy preparing for King. Aamir Khan hasn't announced any of his acting projects yet, but he had previously opened up about developing his version of the Mahabharata.



Also Read: Khantastic! Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan Come Together for an Epic Photo


Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 17, 2025) - Nextraction Energy Corp. (OTC: NXTFF) ("Nextraction" or the "Company") announces that Mr. Edmund Gill and Ms. Mariia Khriachtcheva have been appointed as Directors of the Company, replacing Mr. Michael Pavicic and Mr. John Versfelt, who have resigned as Directors.

Ms. Khriachtcheva is Wellness Director for Modern Calm, Fort McMurray's flagship spa and wellness destination. She is also the founder of Stepwise Home Solutions, which develops innovative co-ownership models for accessible homeownership. She served as Director of Payments for ATB Financial from 2016 to 2024, providing business and product management leadership. Ms. Khriachtcheva holds an MSc in International Business from Copenhagen Business School, an MBA program in e-Business/e-Commerce at the University of Calgary, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law from Roskilde Universitetscenter in Denmark.

Mr. Gill is a Tax Consultant with Tax Architecture Group. He sits on the Board of Directors for several private companies. Mr. Gill is also an entrepreneur and small business owner in the truck and car wash industry. Previously he held various professional positions primarily as a Tax Partner with each of Deloitte LLP, McCarthy Tetrault, and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. Mr. Gill received his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from the University of Alberta in 1999, where he graduated as the Silver Medalist.

On Behalf of the Board,

"John A. Versfelt"

John A. Versfelt, President & CEO

* * * * * * *

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.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs and other business transactions. 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.

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/270984

SOURCE: Nextraction Energy Corp.
NAPERVILLE, IL / ACCESS Newswire / October 17, 2025 / In the layered silence between recorded history and lived truth, some voices vanish; and others fight their way back through time. Thomas Kline, 's Tommy Cassidy: An Irish Slave in America - Protector of Alexander Hamilton resurrects one such voice: an Irish child sold into bondage whose path entwines with the young Alexander Hamilton. What emerges is both a historical revelation and an act of narrative defiance.

Set across the tumultuous mid-18th century, Kline's sweeping historical novel blurs the line between adventure and biography. Its hero, Tommy Cassidy, is no mythic abstraction; he is the embodiment of resilience in an era that sought to erase his kind. Captured alongside his childhood companions; Irish Sally, Eddie, Niki, James, and Okumu, a mighty African slave; Tommy's journey traces the transatlantic scars of slavery from Ireland's green coasts to the fevered plantations of the Caribbean, and finally to the birth pangs of a new nation.

Kline's writing invites readers into the "unwritten chapters" of American independence. In his world, slaves are strategists, women are spies, and the enslaved; African, Irish, and Taino alike; shape the revolution's moral spine. The book's reimagining of Hamilton's youth through Tommy's perspective isn't revisionism for its own sake; it's historical empathy, stitched together with exhaustive detail and deeply human emotion.

"Alexander Hamilton was not alone," Kline's narrative seems to insist. "He was guided, shielded, and educated by those whom history chose to forget."

The novel's cast; the falcon Mac, the healer Dorita, the blind Hessian spy Barthelme; each stands as a fragment of a larger truth: that the struggle for freedom did not begin in the marble halls of Philadelphia, but in the dark holds of slave ships and the whispered prayers of the oppressed.

And yet, Kline does not stop at history. He bridges centuries, allowing his wounded protagonist to awaken in a modern New York subway; shot, bleeding, and slipping into a past that feels hauntingly alive. The modern trauma of violence becomes the doorway through which readers glimpse the cost of America's freedom, and its enduring debt to those who bore it in silence.

Thomas Kline, , both historian and storyteller, seems intent on challenging inherited mythologies. Tommy Cassidy reads as much like a testimony as it does a novel; a reclamation of lost agency and cross-cultural brotherhood. It invites uncomfortable questions: How many Hamiltons rose on the shoulders of men like Cassidy? How much of our "American story" remains untold, buried under the language of conquest?

Through the rhythm of his prose, Kline reminds readers that slavery; Irish, African, or otherwise; was not a singular cruelty, but a shared darkness whose echoes shape identity to this day. His book is less about rewriting history than about reopening it, one scar at a time.

##

Upcoming Stories: Tom Kline: A Lineage Written in Ashes and Salt

In the corridors of American memory, there are echoes too faint to be heard; whispers of children stolen, faiths persecuted, and lives forgotten beneath the rhetoric of liberty. In Tommy Cassidy: An Irish Slave in America - Protector of Alexander Hamilton , Thomas Kline reopens those silenced rooms and lets the voices speak again. What he delivers is not just a historical novel; it is a reclamation.

To write Tommy Cassidy, Kline didn't have to look far for a protagonist. The name "Cassidy" flows through his own bloodline; a direct genealogical thread reaching back to Western Ireland in the early 1700s. Among his ancestors was Thomas Cassidy, a Catholic man living under English occupation during an era when faith itself was considered rebellion.

Kline's storytelling begins in blood and exile; not imagined but inherited. When English "spirits" kidnapped Irish children and prisoners to serve as plantation slaves in the Caribbean and American colonies, one of those lost children might have borne his family name.

Click here to subscribe to our mailing list for the full feature story on the author's personal ancestry and historical research.

About the Author

Thomas Kline, is an American author whose work blends biography, adventure, and revisionist history. His debut, Tommy Cassidy: An Irish Slave in America - Protector of Alexander Hamilton (ISBN 9798999323408), explores transatlantic slavery and the unseen contributions of the oppressed to America's founding story. Kline's meticulous historical imagination and emotive storytelling mark him as a rising voice in literary reconstruction.

Lean more on Google & on Google Books

About the Writer

Waasay is the Editor-at-Large of Evrima Chicago and a writer known for a style that combines literary flair with a newsroom sensibility. Evrima Chicago focuses on digital media, software development, and cybersecurity, and their mission is to create a "safer, more inclusive digital world (Source)

CONTACT:

NUMBER: (909) 287-1891.

EMAIL PR@EVRIMACHICAGO.COM

NAME: Dan Wasserman

Disclaimer

Disclaimer This feature is provided for informational, cultural, and journalistic purposes only. The views expressed are solely those of the author(s) and are published in the spirit of open discourse and protected free expression. The publisher makes no claims regarding the accuracy or completeness of the author's statements. For interviews, media inquiries, or further information regarding the subject matter, please direct correspondence to the designated Media Contact. God bless the United States of America.

SOURCE: Ingram Publisher's House

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/publishing-and-media/thomas-kline-reimagining-the-forgotten-slave-who-shaped-a-founding-father-1088961
Giredestrant plus everolimus reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 44% and 62% in ITT and ESR1-mutated populations, respectively, in a post-CDK inhibitor setting, compared with standard-of-care endocrine therapy plus everolimus 1

The giredestrant combination was well tolerated; no new safety signals were observed including no photopsia 1

Overall survival data were immature, but a clear positive trend was seen in both the ITT and ESR1-mutated populations 1

If approved, giredestrant plus everolimus could be the first and only oral selective oestrogen receptor degrader combination in the post-CDK inhibitor setting

Basel, 18 October 2025 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today positive results from the phase III evERA Breast Cancer study. Data showed giredestrant in combination with everolimus significantly reduced the risk of disease progression or death (progression-free survival; PFS) by 44% and 62% in the intention-to-treat (ITT) and ESR1-mutated populations, respectively, compared with standard-of-care endocrine therapy plus everolimus.1 The evERA study is evaluating the investigational giredestrant combination in people with oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer previously treated with cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor and endocrine therapy.2 This is the first positive head-to-head phase III trial investigating a selective oestrogen receptor degrader-containing regimen versus a standard-of-care combination.2 The results are being presented in an oral session at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2025. Data will be shared with health authorities, with the aim of bringing this potential treatment option to people as soon as possible.

"A particularly high unmet need remains for people who become resistant to endocrine therapies and CDK inhibitors. These study results support the potential for the giredestrant combination to become a new standard-of-care for all patients in this setting," said Levi Garraway, MD, PhD, Roche's Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development.

"Resistance to standard-of-care therapies is common in the post-CDK inhibitor setting, and the results from evERA validate using a combination to address this challenge," said Dr Erica L. Mayer, Medical Oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. "The clinically meaningful benefit observed with the giredestrant and everolimus all-oral combination is impressive and speaks to its potential to improve outcomes for patients in need of new treatment options."

The giredestrant combination demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS compared with standard-of-care endocrine therapy plus everolimus.1 In the ITT population, the median PFS was 8.77 months compared with 5.49 months in the giredestrant and comparator arms, respectively (stratified hazard ratio [HR]=0.56; 95% CI: 0.44-0.71, p-value= <0.0001).1 In the ESR1-mutated population, the median PFS was 9.99 months compared with 5.45 months in the giredestrant and comparator arms, respectively (HR=0.38; 95% CI: 0.27-0.54, p-value= <0.0001).1 The PFS benefit was consistent across pre-specified subgroups in both populations.1 Overall survival (OS) data were immature at the time of analysis, but a clear positive trend has been observed in the ITT (HR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.47-1.00, p-value=0.0473) and ESR1-mutated populations (HR=0.62, 95% CI: 0.38-1.02, p-value=0.0566).1 Follow-up for OS will continue to next analysis. Giredestrant in combination with everolimus also demonstrated improvements in key secondary endpoints (objective response rate and duration of response) compared with the comparator arm across both patient populations.1

Adverse events for the giredestrant-based combination were manageable and consistent with the known safety profiles of the individual medicines.1 No new safety signals were observed, including no photopsia.1

ER-positive breast cancer accounts for approximately 70% of breast cancer cases.3 Resistance to endocrine therapies, particularly in the post-CDK inhibitor setting, increases the risk of disease progression and is associated with poor outcomes.3,4 All-oral combination therapies, such as giredestrant plus everolimus, could address this by targeting two different signalling pathways while helping to minimise the impact of treatment on people's lives without the need for injections.5,6

Our extensive giredestrant clinical development programme spans multiple treatment settings and lines of therapy, reflecting our commitment to deliver innovative medicines to as many people with ER-positive breast cancer as possible.

About the evERA Breast Cancer study

evERA Breast Cancer [NCT05306340] is a phase III, randomised, open-label, multicentre study evaluating the efficacy and safety of giredestrant in combination with everolimus versus standard-of-care endocrine therapy in combination with everolimus in people with oestrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have had previous treatment with cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor and endocrine therapy, either in the adjuvant or locally advanced/metastatic setting.2

The co-primary endpoints are investigator-assessed progression-free survival in the intention-to-treat and ESR1-mutated populations, defined as the time from randomisation to the time when the disease progresses or a patient dies from any cause.2 The trial has been enriched for ESR1-mutated patients above the natural prevalence to assess the efficacy in this population. In the post-CDK inhibitor setting, up to 40% of people with ER-positive disease have ESR1 mutations.7,8 Key secondary endpoints include overall survival, objective response rate, duration of response, clinical benefit rate and safety.2

About giredestrant

Giredestrant is an investigational, oral, next-generation selective oestrogen receptor degrader and full antagonist.9

Giredestrant is designed to block oestrogen from binding to the oestrogen receptor, triggering its breakdown (known as degradation) and stopping or slowing down the growth of cancer cells.10

Giredestrant has an extensive clinical development programme and is being investigated in five company-sponsored phase III clinical trials that span multiple treatment settings and lines of therapy to benefit as many people as possible:

Giredestrant versus standard-of-care endocrine therapy (SoC ET) as adjuvant treatment in ER-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative early-stage breast cancer (lidERA Breast Cancer; NCT04961996 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04961996?cond=Breast%20Cancer&intr=Giredestrant&term=lidera&rank=1)) 1 1

Giredestrant plus everolimus versus SoC ET plus everolimus in ER-positive, HER2-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (evERA Breast Cancer; NCT05306340 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05306340)) 2

Giredestrant plus palbociclib versus letrozole plus palbociclib in ER-positive, HER2-negative, endocrine-sensitive, recurrent locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (persevERA Breast Cancer; NCT04546009 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04546009?cond=Breast%20Cancer&intr=Giredestrant&term=persevera&rank=1))12

Giredestrant plus investigator's choice of a cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor versus fulvestrant plus a CDK4/6 inhibitor in ER-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer resistant to adjuvant endocrine therapy (pionERA Breast Cancer; NCT06065748 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06065748?cond=Breast%20Cancer&intr=Giredestrant&term=pionera&rank=1)) 1 3

Giredestrant plus Phesgo (pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and hyaluronidase subcutaneous) versus Phesgo in ER-positive, HER2-positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (heredERA Breast Cancer; NCT05296798 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05296798?cond=Breast%20Cancer&intr=Giredestrant&term=heredera&rank=1))14

About oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer

Globally, the burden of breast cancer continues to grow, with 2.3 million women diagnosed and 670,000 dying from the disease every year.15 Breast cancer remains the number one cause of cancer-related deaths amongst women, and the second most common cancer type.16

ER-positive breast cancer accounts for approximately 70% of breast cancer cases.3 A defining feature of ER-positive breast cancer is that its tumour cells have receptors that attach to oestrogen, which can contribute to tumour growth.17

Despite treatment advances, ER-positive breast cancer remains particularly challenging to treat due to its biological complexity.5 Patients often face the risk of disease progression, treatment side effects and resistance to endocrine therapy.5,18 There is an urgent need for more effective treatments that can delay clinical progression and reduce the burden of treatment on people's lives. 5,18

About Roche in breast cancer

Roche has been advancing breast cancer research for more than 30 years, and it continues to be a major focus of research and development. Our legacy began with the development of the first targeted therapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer, and we continue to push the boundaries of science to address the complexities of all breast cancer subtypes.

By leveraging our dual expertise in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, we are dedicated to providing tailored treatment approaches and improving outcomes for every patient, from early to advanced stages of the disease. Together with our partners, we are relentlessly pursuing a cure, as we strive for a future where no one dies from breast cancer.

About Roche

Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world's largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice.

For over 125 years, sustainability has been an integral part of Roche's business. As a science-driven company, our greatest contribution to society is developing innovative medicines and diagnostics that help people live healthier lives. Roche is committed to the Science Based Targets initiative and the Sustainable Markets Initiative to achieve net zero by 2045.

Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.

For more information, please visit www.roche.com.

All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.



References

[1] Mayer E, et al. Giredestrant.

[3] Kinslow C, et al. Prevalence of Estrogen Receptor Alpha.

[12] ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Giredestrant Combined With Palbociclib Compared With Letrozole Combined With Palbociclib in Participants With Estrogen Receptor-Positive, HER2-Negative Locally Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer.

[13] ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Giredestrant Compared With Fulvestrant.

[14] ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Giredestrant in Combination With Phesgo.

[15] World Health Organisation. Breast Cancer [Internet; cited 2025 October]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer.

[16] World Health Organization. Cancer Today [Internet; cited 2025 October]. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today/en/dataviz/bars?mode=cancer&types=1&group_populations=1&sexes=2&key=asr&age_end=14.

[17] National Cancer Institute. Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer [Internet; cited 2025 October]. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/breast-hormone-therapy-fact-sheet.

[18] Basaran G, et al. Ongoing unmet needs in treating estrogen receptor-positive/HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. Cancer Treat Rev. 2018 Feb;63:144-55.

Roche Global Media Relations

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Phone: +41 61 68-84814

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Investor Relations North America

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Phone: +1 650 225 3217

e-mail: kalm.loren@gene.com

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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), a proxy advisory firm, has recommended that Tesla investors vote against a proposed compensation package for Chief Executive officer Elon Musk that could grant him nearly $1 trillion in stock. The 'mega performance equity award,' designed to retain Musk long-term, carries what ISS described as an 'astronomical grant value' tied to ambitious performance targets. If achieved, these targets could generate substantial value for shareholders, but ISS remains unconvinced of the plan's alignment with shareholder interests. Tesla's annual shareholder meeting and proxy vote is scheduled for November 5, 2025. In response to ISS's recommendation, Tesla posted on X, criticizing the advisory firm for missing 'fundamental points of investing and governance.' The company also noted that ISS had previously opposed compensation packages that shareholders had already approved, including the 2025 CEO Performance Award, which Tesla emphasized offers Musk no payout unless shareholders benefit significantly. Tesla is urging shareholders to support the board's recommendations on all proposals outlined in the 2025 proxy. 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.
In a memoir to be released Tuesday, You Thought You Knew, Federline documents his difficult years as husband, ex-husband, and co-parent with Spears, who wrote her own memoir in 2023.

Kevin Federline says concern for his two sons with Britney Spears long kept him from telling his story, and those same concerns are the reason hes telling it now that theyre men.

In a memoir to be released Tuesday, You Thought You Knew, Federline documents his difficult years as husband, ex-husband, and co-parent with Spears, who wrote her own memoir in 2023.

Federlines includes some salacious stories and some potentially disturbing details about her behavior that have already made headlines.

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I want my children to be able to move forward in their lives and know that the actual truth of everything is out there, Federline, 47, told The Associated Press in a Zoom interview, backed by palm trees in Hawaii, where he now lives with wife Victoria Prince and their two daughters. Thats a very, very big part of this for me. And its really important that I share my story, so they dont have to.

He and Spears son Preston is now 20 and his brother Jayden is 19. They have little relationship with their mother.

Federline was a 26-year-old backup dancer for other major pop acts when he coupled with Spears in 2004. Their courtship, two-year marriage and divorce took them through one of the most intense celebrity media frenzies in modern history. Federline was ruthlessly roasted as a loser hanger-on, especially after he released his own deeply mocked hip-hop album.

I wasnt just famous  I was infamous, he writes in the book, which will be released on the new audiobook first platform Listenin.

He told the AP he long considered writing the book, but recently got serious about it.

I picked it up and put it down quite a lot over probably a five-year period, he said. I think that its a very good description of me, who I am, the father Ive become, the husband I am, the ex-husband I am.

Key revelations from Kevin Federline about Britney Spears

 Federline describes the night he and Spears first connected at a Hollywood nightclub, and how they hooked up hours later in a hotel bungalow: Britney turned around, slipped off her underwear and started kissing me, tearing at my clothes with both hands. We stumbled toward the bed while I struggled to kick my pants off my ankles. This. Is. Happening. OK, sorry. Calm down, thats as detailed as Im going to get.

 He writes that a San Andreas-level seismic shift in my reality followed a few hours later when he left the hotel with Spears and dozens of paparazzi cars followed them.

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 He describes the night before their wedding, when Spears called her ex Justin Timberlake, seeking closure: She never really got over him. She mightve loved me, but there was something there with Justin that she couldnt let go of.

 Federline said seeing Spears drinking while pregnant tripped the silent alarms in my head. He later was outraged when he saw her doing cocaine when the boys were still breastfeeding, saying are you seriously going to go home after this and feed them like you dont have a body full of drugs?

 He writes that Preston told him Spears mercilessly mocked him and once punched him in the face.

 He says the boys began refusing to visit her when they were 13 and 14, and later told him stories that shook me to the core. 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.

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Spears response to Federlines book

Spears responded with a statement on her social media accounts. She said Federline has engaged in constant gaslighting.

Trust me, those white lies in that book, they are going straight to the bank and Im the only one who genuinely gets hurt here. She said, adding that if you really know me, you wont pay attention to the tabloids of my mental health and drinking.

She also addressed her relationship with her sons:

I have always pleaded and screamed to have a life with my boys. Relationships with teenage boys is complex. I have felt demoralized by this situation and have always asked and almost begged for them to be a part of my life. Sadly, they have always witnessed the lack of respect shown by (their) own father for me.

An attorney for Spears did not respond to a request for comment.

Federlines life, and thoughts about Spears life

Federline writes about growing up in Fresno, California, and finding my therapy and my purpose through dance.

He reminisces about his first big tour, with Pink, and working with Aaliyah, Destinys Child and Michael Jackson. He details wrestling with John Cena in the WWE and appearing in a self-mocking Super Bowl commercial.

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Federline says Preston and Jayden are living on their own as young adults, and have both been working on making music that makes him proud.

He weighs in on Spears dissolved court conservatorship, saying it was necessary but hurt most of the people involved. He said the fans who fought to free her left an unfortunate legacy.

The Free Britney movement may have started from a good place, but it vilified everyone around her so intensely that now its nearly impossible for anyone to step in, he writes.

He says in the book that he wrote it in part as a public plea for her to get more help.

Ive lost hope that things will ever fully turn around, he writes, but I still hope that Britney can find peace.
A massive fire erupted at Brahmaputra Apartments, home to several Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs in Delhi, causing panic just days before Diwali. The multi-storey complex on BD Marg is barely 200 metres from Parliament. Visuals showed dark plumes rising from balconies as residents scrambled for safety, while several fire engines raced to the site to douse the flames

Just days before Diwali, panic broke out in central Delhi after a massive fire engulfed Brahmaputra Apartments, a residential complex that houses several Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs, on Saturday afternoon.

Situated on Dr Bishambhar Das Marg, the multi-storey complex lies in one of the most high-security zones of the capital, barely 200 metres from the Parliament House.

Visuals from the scene showed dark plumes rising from balconies as residents scrambled for safety while several fire engines raced to the site to douse the flames.

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Authorities said efforts to bring the situation under control are underway, as firefighters continued to battle the blaze

Heres what we know of the situation so far

How fire erupted at MPs quarters

According to ANI, the blaze began on one of the upper floors of Brahmaputra Apartments, rapidly spreading and filling the building with dense, black smoke. Visuals showed structural damage to the bottom two floors of the apartments.

Brahmaputra Apartments, where the incident occurred, is a relatively new housing complex for Members of Parliament. Despite its modern design and safety features, the cause of the fire remains unclear. Image courtesy: X

Vinod, a resident of the complex, shared his harrowing experience, saying his dog was trapped inside their burning apartment. My daughter is about to be married in a few months, and all the jewellery, gold, and clothes we had bought are inside, he said.

He added that his wife and one of his children suffered burn injuries and were rushed to the hospital for treatment. We have no clue how the fire started. My house is on the third floor, he told reporters.

#WATCH | Delhi | Vinod, a resident of Brahmaputra apartments, says, "... My dog was stuck inside. My daughter is about to be married in a matter of months, and all the jewellery, gold, and clothes we had bought are also inside... My wife and one of my children also suffered pic.twitter.com/MwwGU6P7fM  ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2025

PA of Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal, Kamal, told PTI that he was in the office when he first heard about the fire. We have lost everything - jewellery, clothes, fridge, and all other household items, including documents. Ill have to start my life from zero," he said.

VIDEO | Delhi: Fire broke out at Brahmaputra Apartments. PA of Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal, Kamal, says, I was in the office, so I dont know what caused the fire. We have lost everything - jewellery, clothes, fridge, and all other household items, including documents. Ill pic.twitter.com/2WzNVb1TEE  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 18, 2025

Brahmaputra Apartments, where the incident occurred, is a relatively new housing complex for Members of Parliament. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2020 as part of a major redevelopment project.

According to a government press release, the site was redeveloped from eight old bungalows, each over 80 years old, into 76 modern flats. The complex was designed with several eco-friendly features, including bricks made from fly ash and construction waste, double-glazed windows for better insulation, energy-efficient LED lighting, motion sensors, rainwater harvesting systems, and rooftop solar panels.

Despite its modern design and safety features, the cause of the fire remains unclear, with residents shocked that such an incident could occur in one of the citys most secure government housing complexes.

Fire brigade delayed, no water in pipes

Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale took to social media to raise an alarm, alleging that fire tenders took nearly half an hour to arrive at the scene.

HUGE FIRE at Brahmaputra Apartments at BD Marg in Delhi. All residents are Rajya Sabha MPs. The building is 200 meters from Parliament. NO FIRE BRIGADE SINCE 30 mins, Gokhale wrote on X (formerly Twitter), criticising the Delhi government for its slow response.

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Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale took to social media to raise an alarm, alleging that fire tenders took nearly half an hour to arrive at the scene. PTI

According to reports, the fire department received a call at around 1:20 pm and soon dispatched six fire tenders to tackle the blaze. Firefighters were later seen battling thick smoke as they tried to douse the flames and rescue trapped residents.

VIDEO | Delhi: Fire breaks out at Brahmaputra Apartments in Gole market area. Efforts are underway to control the fire. More details are awaited.#FIRE #NewDelhi



(Full video available on PTI Videos  https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/TKPncChqIa  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 18, 2025

However, several residents alleged that the buildings fire safety system had failed when they needed it most. Eyewitnesses claimed that the fire hydrants were not working and that no water was available in the tanks or pipes.

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We checked the fire extinguishing facility after spotting the fire, but there was no water. The fire hydrant was not working, one resident told NDTV.

Officials are yet to begin a probe into the cause of the blaze. The cause remains unknown and is being treated as the subject of investigation.

With input from agencies
On October 18, 1867, the United States bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. Russia was seeking to sell the land to prevent potential loss to Britain in the event of war, while the United States aimed to expand its territory and influence in the Pacific. On this day in 2007, former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto returned to the country after eight years of self-imposed exile

United States Treasury warrant in the amount of $7.2 million for the purchase of the Alaska Territory from the Russians, dated August 1, 1868. Wikimedia Commons

The United States made one of its most beneficial transactions by purchasing Alaska from Russia on October 18, 1867. Many experts consider it to be a strategic and economic milestone.

If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events.

On this day in 2007, Pakistans former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto made returned to the country after eight years of self-imposed exile.

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Here is all that took place on this day across the world.

US purchased Alaska from Russia

The United States formally completed the purchase of Alaska from Russia on October 18, 1867. Negotiated by US Secretary of State William H Seward and Russian minister Edouard de Stoeckl, the agreement transferred ownership of the vast territory for $7.2 million, roughly 2 cents per acre. At the time, the purchase faced scepticism in the United States, with critics labelling it Sewards Folly or Sewards Icebox, questioning the value of acquiring such a remote and frozen land.

However, the acquisition was driven by multiple strategic considerations. Russia sought to sell Alaska to prevent potential loss to Britain in the event of war, while the United States aimed to expand its territory and influence in the Pacific. Alaskas abundant natural resources, though not fully understood at the time, would later reveal immense value in fur, timber, minerals, and oil.

At the time, the purchase faced scepticism in the United States. Wikimedia Commons

The formal transfer ceremony took place in Sitka, the former capital of Russian Alaska. A 21-gun salute marked the occasion, and the Russian flag was lowered as the American flag was raised. The event symbolised not just a change in governance but also the beginning of Americas presence in the Arctic and the North Pacific.

Over the years, Alaskas importance grew significantly. The Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1890s, World War II strategic positioning, and, eventually, oil discoveries in the 20th century transformed it from a disputed wilderness into a key economic and strategic asset for the United States.

Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan

The former Prime Minister of Pakistan and leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Benazir Bhutto made a return to Pakistan after nearly eight years in self-imposed exile on October 18, 2007. Bhutto had left the country in 1999 following a military coup led by General Pervez Musharraf and subsequent legal and political pressures that made it unsafe for her to remain in Pakistan.

Bhutto arrived at Karachis airport, where she was greeted by thousands of supporters waving party flags and chanting slogans of welcome. Her return symbolised hope for democracy for many Pakistanis, particularly as the nation was grappling with political instability, military influence in governance, and growing militancy. She vowed to work towards restoring democratic institutions and addressing the countrys economic and social challenges.

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Benazir Bhutto speaks to the media in October, 2007. File image/Reuters

Her arrival was carefully planned, with heavy security due to concerns over threats from extremist groups who opposed her secular and reformist agenda. Despite the risks, Bhuttos decision to return underscored her commitment to participating directly in Pakistans political future and leading her party into the general elections scheduled for January 2008.

Her return invigorated the PPP and its supporters, igniting nationwide political rallies and demonstrations. It also marked the beginning of a tense political period, with escalated confrontations between the government, the military, and opposition parties. Tragically, less than two months after her return, Bhutto was assassinated in a terrorist attack in Rawalpindi on December 27, 2007, shocking the nation and the world.

This Day, That Year

In 1931, American gangster Al Capone was convicted of federal income-tax evasion and sentenced to 11 years in prison.

On this day in 1922, the British Broadcasting Company, Ltd. was established.

Puerto Rico was turned over to the United States following the Spanish-American War in 1898.
Prince Andrew has announced that he will give up all his royal titles, including the Duke of York. The move comes amid renewed scrutiny of his ties to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the resurfacing of controversial allegations that continue to tarnish the British monarchy. But what does this mean for Andrew?

The move comes amid renewed scrutiny of Prince Andrew's ties to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and resurfacing allegations that continue to tarnish the monarchy. File image/ Reuters

Prince Andrew has announced that he will give up his title as the Duke of York, one of the most prestigious titles in the British monarchy, marking a major step back from royal life.

The move comes amid renewed scrutiny of his ties to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and resurfacing allegations that continue to tarnish the monarchy.

In his statement, Andrew said that continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family, and that with the kings agreement, he would step further back.

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But despite relinquishing those royal titles, the question many are now asking is: Does that mean he is no longer a prince? And who, if anyone, could become the next Duke of York?

Heres a look at all the answers

But first, who is Prince Andrew?

Prince Andrew, 65, is the third child of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and currently stands eighth in line to the British throne.

He is the younger brother of King Charles III and Princess Anne, the Princess Royal.

Andrew was married to Sarah Ferguson, who became the Duchess of York upon their marriage but lost the title when the couple divorced. Together, they have two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

Before his royal controversies, Andrew had a 22-year career in the Royal Navy. He served as a helicopter pilot during the 1982 Falklands War, flying missions aboard HMS Invincible after Argentinian forces invaded the British territory in the South Atlantic.

He retired from active service in 2001 with the rank of Commander, later receiving honorary promotions to Rear Admiral in 2010 and Vice Admiral in 2015.

Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Anne, Prince Charles and baby Prince Andrew on the lawns at Balmoral in September 1960.

Outside of his naval service, Andrew took on a diplomatic role when the UK government appointed him as Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, promoting British business interests overseas and representing the country at major trade events.

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Between 2011 and 2019, he was an active working royal, attending engagements on behalf of the Crown, until serious allegations tied to his association with Jeffrey Epstein forced him to withdraw from public life.

What are the allegations against him?

Prince Andrew became embroiled in controversy after being accused of sexual abuse in a civil case filed in the United States.

According to court documents, Virginia Giuffre claimed she was a victim of sex trafficking and abuse by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein from the age of 16. She alleged that part of that abuse involved Epstein lending her out to powerful men, including the Prince.

Giuffre said that Prince Andrew had sexually assaulted her on three occasions when she was under 18. In her posthumous memoir Nobodys Girl, she wrote that the prince was entitled and believed having sex with me was his birthright.

Prince Andrew has repeatedly denied all allegations over the years and even insisted that he had no recollection of ever meeting this lady". Although a picture of them standing close to one another surfaced in public in 2011.

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Prince Andrew is seen holding Virginia Giuffre by her waist, as Ghislaine Maxwell looks at the camera from behind them, at the London home of Maxwell on March 10, 2001. (Photo: AFP)

On February 15 2022, court filings revealed that Andrew and Giuffre had reached an out-of-court settlement, reportedly worth around 12 million.

While the settlement included no admission of guilt, it did confirm that the prince would pay an undisclosed sum to Giuffre, effectively ending the lawsuit, but not the scrutiny that continues to follow him.

Which royal titles did he give up?

In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace on Friday evening, Prince Andrew confirmed he would no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me.

This means he has relinquished all his official titles and honours, including his wedding day titles  The Duke of York, the Earl of Inverness, and Baron Killyleagh  as well as his Knighthood as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) and his Royal Knight Companion role in the Order of the Garter.

He will also stop using the initials KG after his name and will no longer identify himself as the Duke of York in any public or private capacity.

Stepping away from the Order of the Garter also prevents him from attending the annual Garter Day service at Windsor Castle. Although previously barred from the public procession, Andrew had continued attending privately  a privilege now withdrawn.

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In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace on Friday evening, Prince Andrew confirmed he would no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. Reuters/File Photo

It has also been confirmed that he will not join the royal family for Christmas at Sandringham, effectively marking his complete exclusion from royal life.

Andrew had already stepped down from public duties in 2019 following the backlash from his BBC interview, and later stopped using the style His Royal Highness (HRH).

In 2022, the late Queen Elizabeth II formally stripped her son of his military affiliations and royal patronages.

He also lost a series of UK military titles, including colonel of the Grenadier Guards, honorary air commodore of RAF Lossiemouth and colonel-in-chief of the Royal Irish Regiment.

Is he still a prince?

Yes  Prince Andrew continues to hold the title of prince.

He automatically received the title at birth as the son of Queen Elizabeth II, and it can only be revoked if the reigning monarch issues a Letters Patent. So far, King Charles III has not taken such a step.

His daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, remain unaffected. Both retain their royal titles, with Andrew and the King reportedly wanting to ensure their status stays protected.

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Who will be the next Duke of York?

Traditionally, the Duke of York title is reserved for the second son of the monarch.

The late Queen Elizabeth II granted the title to Andrew on the morning of his wedding, a title that once belonged to her father, King George VI, before he became monarch, as per the BBC.

Now that Andrew has given up the title, Prince Harry would be next in line to inherit it. However, since he and Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties in 2020, its unlikely he will receive it.

As per Parade, the next possible heir could be Prince Louis, the seven-year-old son of Prince William. But royal insiders suggest that the King may wait until Louis is older before deciding whether to bestow the title upon him  if at all.

With input from agencies
Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly preparing to travel to Hungary to meet US President Donald Trump for talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. However, travelling outside of Russia, especially the EU, could mean a potential arrest for Putin, who faces a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC)

Flying to Hungary wont be simple for Putin. Russian planes are banned from both US and EU airspace, meaning he would need special permission to cross the skies of any EU member state. Putin faces an ICC warrant over Ukraine war crimes. File image/ Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly preparing to travel to Hungary to meet US President Donald Trump for talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. But this is no ordinary trip  Putin is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for him in March 2023, accusing him of involvement in the abduction of children from Ukraine during the conflict sparked by Russias invasion.

Headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, the ICC depends on member states to enforce its arrest warrants. However, Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has shown little interest in enforcing the courts warrant.

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But why? To make sense of this, it helps to first understand what the ICC does, why Russia and Hungary reject its authority, and the careful planning likely behind Putins proposed journey.

International Criminal Court in a nutshell

The International Criminal Court (ICC), established in 2002, was created to hold leaders and senior officials accountable for the gravest crimes, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

Today, the court has 125 member states, though some major global powers like the United States, Russia, and China have chosen not to join. Ukraine became a member in January.

The ICC has a staff of over 900 and operates on a budget of just over 195 million euros (around $228 million) this year. Despite its reach, enforcing arrest warrants remains a challenge: judges have issued warrants for 61 individuals, but 30 of them are still at large.

As a court of last resort, the ICC only steps in when national legal systems are unwilling or unable to prosecute alleged perpetrators.

Why US and Russia not members of the ICC?

Trumps administration has slapped sanctions on the courts chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, some ICC judges and Khans two deputies. Trump accuses the court of illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and Israel.

Trump previously sanctioned Khans predecessor, Fatou Bensouda, during his first term in the White House. The Biden administration subsequently lifted those sanctions.

Russia also rejects the courts authority and has issued a warrant for Khan and the ICC judge who signed Putins warrant.

Putin has already travelled overseas since the warrant was issued in 2023, including to ICC member state Mongolia. Hes also travelled to China and North Korea, which are not court members.

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Why have some countries left the ICC?

A few countries have chosen to leave the ICC, citing concerns over what they see as selective or political justice. Burundi and the Philippines are among them  in the latter case, former President Rodrigo Duterte is currently in the courts custody in The Hague over charges linked to his deadly crackdown on drugs.

Recently, military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger also announced their withdrawal, claiming the court targets certain nations while ignoring others.

Hungary followed suit earlier this year, declaring its intention to leave the ICC and calling it a political court. In doing so, it became the first European Union member to take such a step.

Hungary even welcomed leaders wanted by the ICC. It hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces allegations of crimes against humanity in Gaza, and is now preparing to host the Russian president, despite his own ICC arrest warrant.

How could Putin travel to Hungary?

Flying to Hungary wont be simple for Putin. Russian planes are banned from both US and EU airspace, meaning he would need special permission to cross the skies of any EU member state.

Hungarys PM Viktor Orban, one of Putins closest allies in Europe, has already discussed the planned summit by phone, BBC reports.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto reassured reporters, saying, We will of course ensure that he can enter Hungary, hold successful talks here, and then return home.

Even with approval, Putin may need to take a complicated route. Ukraine is completely off-limits, and Poland is also likely closed due to strained relations with Moscow.

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The most direct path could take him along the eastern coast of the Black Sea, through Turkey, and then via Bulgaria and either Serbia or Romania into Hungary. Serbia, a non-EU country and Putin-friendly state, could provide a safe corridor, as President Aleksandar Vucic has strong ties with Moscow and Air Serbia flies directly over EU airspace.

Consent from EU countries like Bulgaria or Romania would be necessary to allow his plane through their skies. Both nations are strategically important, with Romania soon hosting Europes largest Nato base and Bulgaria also building a Nato facility on its eastern flank.

For added caution, Putin could choose a longer route: flying around Greeces southern coast, through Montenegrin airspace, and then into Serbia before reaching Hungary. While much longer, this path could avoid sensitive areas and reduce political risk.

With inputs from AP and BBC
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday (October 18) flagged off the first batch of BrahMos missiles produced at the new BrahMos Aerospace facility in Lucknows Sarojini Nagar.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday (October 18) flagged off the first batch of BrahMos missiles produced at the BrahMos Aerospace facility in Lucknows Sarojini Nagar, marking a major milestone for the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC).

According to officials quoted by news agency PTI, the launch of the first batch will boost Indias push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Speaking at the event, Rajnath Singh hailed the success of Operation Sindoor, saying Indias military strength had reached a point where victory has become a habit.

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Operation Sindoor has proven that victory is no longer a rare event for us  victory has become our habit, he said.

Praising the armed forces for their precision and readiness, Singh said Indias adversaries could no longer escape the reach of its advanced missile systems.

Our adversaries will no longer be able to escape BrahMos. Every inch of Pakistani territory is within its range, he said, sending a strong message to Islamabad.

Referring to Operation Sindoor, Singh added, What happened was just a trailer. That trailer alone made Pakistan realise that if India could create Pakistan, it need not say what else it can do.

The defence minister also revealed that BrahMos Aerospace had signed contracts worth around 4,000 crore with two countries within a month.

In the coming years, experts from across the world will come to Lucknow, making it a global hub for defence technology. The Lucknow units turnover is expected to reach 3,000 crore from the next financial year, with an annual GST contribution of around 5,000 crore, Singh said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the missile production facility would strengthen the states industrial growth and generate thousands of jobs.

We have provided over 2,500 acres of land in six nodes under the Defence Corridor, creating employment for over 15,000 youth, he said.

He added that the BrahMos unit, inaugurated in May 2025, is equipped with modern systems for missile integration, testing, and quality checks.

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When 100 BrahMos missiles are made every year, and production capacity increases to 150, the state will earn 150200 crore annually through GST, Adityanath said.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, and senior officials were also present at the event.
Operation Sindoor may have destroyed Jaish-e-Mohammeds stronghold, but the real battle now lies in dismantling the ideologies rising from its ashes

When the dust settled over Bahawalpur after Operation Sindoor, what emerged was not only the ruins of a terror stronghold but also the disquieting silence of a family in mourning. The Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah complex  long considered the nerve centre of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)  lay shattered. Ten members of Maulana Masood Azhars family were killed in Indias strikes: his mother, his elder sister, her husband, and several children.

Even JeMs own Ilyas Kashmiri was later heard at the Mission Mustafa Conference in Pakistans Punjab, admitting that Azhars kin had been torn into pieces in Bahawalpur. And now, from that rubble, emerges a chilling new symbol of reinvention  JeMs first-ever womens wing, Jamaat-ul-Mominaat, headed by none other than Sadiya Azhar, Masood Azhars sister, who lost her husband in the Indian strikes.

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The announcement of the terrorist outfits womens brigade came from its propaganda wing, Al-Qalam Media, and marks an inflection point in Pakistans militant ecosystem: the formal entry of women into one of the subcontinents most virulent jihadist networks. But beneath the headline lies something deeper  a carefully calculated shift in terror strategy, cloaked in gender and grief.

Gendered and Familial Radicalisation

JeMs move is as psychological as it is operational, and the timing is not accidental. Just weeks after Operation Sindoor, in August 2025, reports emerged of the groups open fundraising campaigns to rebuild its Bahawalpur headquarters and establish 313 new markaz across Pakistan, with a hefty target of 3.91 billion Pakistani rupees. This money is allegedly being routed through untraceable digital wallets and mobile numbers all associated with the Azhar family, a sign that Pakistans so-called proscription remains paper-thin. This revival attempt, camouflaged as community rebuilding, was accompanied by the launch of a womens unit, signalling JeMs determination to adapt, evolve, and sustain itself through ideological diversification.

By appointing Sadiya Azhar, the terror group is attempting to transform familial loss into a narrative of endurance and weaponise both gender and grief. Within jihadist storytelling, the personal tragedy of the leaders kin becomes collective inspiration; the deaths within the Azhar family have been recast into a rhetoric of martyrdom. It allows JeM to cloak vengeance in virtue, recasting women not as victims of war but as its new standard-bearers.

This mirrors patterns analysed by Jamille Bigio and Rachel Vogelstein in a 2019 paper titled Women and Terrorism: terrorist groups increasingly deploy women as ideological multipliers, logistical facilitators, and sometimes combatants, precisely because they expand reach and legitimacy. Where men evoke fear, women evoke faith and familiarity. JeMs womens wing is not, therefore, a novelty; it is an adaptation. It exploits gender norms to rebuild recruitment pipelines and circumvent surveillance, all while projecting continuity after the devastating blow of Operation Sindoor.

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JeMs leadership has long been a family enterprise. With the formal elevation of Sadiya Azhar, that nepotism has now acquired theological sanction. In the opaque world of militant leadership, such familial concentration guarantees intergenerational loyalty, secrecy, and ideological purity, and most importantly, a self-replication structure with the ability to survive decapitation strikes and regenerate from within.

Sadiyas leadership is therefore more than symbolic. It institutionalises terror and nepotism, creating a narrative of inheritance and organisational coherence. Its a chilling form of continuity: where the next of kin become the next generation of combatants.

Historical precedent shows this is neither new nor isolated. Across decades and continents, terror networks have repeatedly discovered the strategic utility of women  not as symbols of empowerment, but as instruments of endurance. The Black Widows of Chechnya turned private grief into public terror, their acts cloaked in the moral authority of loss. In Sri Lanka, the LTTEs Black Tigers elevated women into an elite suicide squad, exploiting their perceived vulnerability to strike at will. Al-Qaedas Sajida al-Rishawi, who nearly detonated herself in the 2005 Amman bombings, embodied the manipulation of faith and gender for spectacle.

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From ISISs self-styled jihadi brides to Boko Harams young female bombers, the pattern remains chillingly consistent  terror organisations instrumentalise women to expand their reach, soften their image, and evade the scrutiny that men inevitably attract. The feminine face of extremism has always been a mask  one that conceals the cold calculations of ideology beneath the guise of devotion and sacrifice.

While Islamist terror networks have previously relied on women in peripheral roles, such as couriers or fundraisers, JeMs initiative marks a qualitative shift in South Asias insecurity. Jamaat-ul-Mominaat seeks not only to recruit women, something they claim they have already started since October 08, but to radicalise and train them ideologically within a formal organisational framework. This mirrors ISISs Al-Khansaa Brigade, a womens morality police and recruitment arm that effectively extended the groups reach into communities unreachable by male operatives.

Pakistans Dual Realities

In Pakistan, this evolution is particularly alarming because of the institutional contrast it creates. Over 5,000 women serve in the Pakistan Army, as revealed in the National Assembly in September 2025. The country even got its first and only female three-star general in 2024, and the US State Department reported a 150 per cent surge in female Pakistani military personnel receiving training in the top institutions in the US in the decade. However, gender equity - whether in the military or in public spaces - remains a distant dream for Pakistan.

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These female personnel represent a modernising force within the states security apparatus  trained professionals who challenge the stereotype of women as passive participants in national security. Yet, the rise of JeMs womens wing risks corrupting that very narrative.

The cadres of women being drawn into Jamaat-ul-Mominaat are not random recruits; they emerge from the inner circles of militancy and the margins of poverty. Many are wives and relatives of JeM commanders, while others are economically vulnerable students enrolled in the groups religious institutions across Bahawalpur, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Haripur, Mansehra, and Karachi.

With women and girls constituting nearly 75 per cent of Pakistans most impoverished population, and the country ranking last at the 148th rank in the World Economic Forums Global Gender Gap Report 2025, JeM finds itself with a vast and impressionable demographic base for indoctrination.

In April 2025, a conference in Karachi  organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in collaboration with Pakistans Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) and the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA)  spotlighted Empowering Women in Countering the Financing of Terrorism. While such initiatives mark an important acknowledgement of womens potential as agents of prevention, they must go far beyond symbolic dialogue.

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Unless Pakistan acts to dismantle the very networks that allow groups like JeM to thrive on its soil, and unless international institutions reinforce these efforts with sustained monitoring and capacity-building, these conferences risk remaining well-intentioned theatre.

Implications for India

For India, the emergence of JeMs womens wing opens a new and dangerous chapter. First, it complicates the security calculus and creates potential intelligence blind spots. Women operatives can exploit social and cultural assumptions that often exclude them from suspicion, thereby facilitating surveillance, fundraising, cross-border recruitment, and relatively free movement, which can be used to relay messages, cash, or small items.

In Kashmir and along the Punjab border, this could translate into new networks of radicalisation  built through family, marriage, religious, and community channels rather than overt militant contact. Women also enable access to new demographics  students, widows, and economically vulnerable homemakers  through religious study circles, community outreach, and online spaces. They can radicalise quietly, without the visual markers of militancy.

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Second, this development signals a potential shift in information warfare. JeM has always been adept at narrative manipulation. By placing women at the forefront, it can now humanise its message  projecting a softer, victimised image while continuing to propagate extremist ideology.

Third, it underscores the urgency for Indias counter-radicalisation and intelligence frameworks to evolve beyond male-centric models. The challenge is not just to prevent women from being radicalised but to empower them as counter-forces. At the same time, the role of digital ecosystems cannot be ignored. Online recruitment has blurred gendered boundaries, with extremist forums targeting young women through emotional and spiritual appeal. Strengthening cyber monitoring, building early-warning systems, and integrating civil-society networks, especially womens NGOs and educational institutions, will be crucial.

Ultimately, Indias counter-terror strategy must recognise that gendered radicalisation is not an aberration but an evolution. It is a reflection of how terrorism adapts to social structures and emotional vulnerabilities. The challenge now lies in ensuring that women are seen not merely as potential recruits but as powerful agents of resilience within their communities.

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JeMs creation of Jamaat-ul-Mominaat reclaims the narrative of loss after Operation Sindoor, weaponising grief into a call for vengeance and legacy. But it also exposes a paradox: as Pakistan celebrates its growing number of women in uniform, its soil continues to nurture ideologies that exploit women as martyrs for causes that destroy their future.

For India, this is not just a security concern  it is a moral and strategic one. The fight ahead will not be won by bombs or drones, but by ideas, narratives, and communities that refuse to let half their population become instruments of hate. Operation Sindoor may have destroyed JeMs stronghold, but the real battle now lies in dismantling the ideologies rising from its ashes.

The author is a research assistant at Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS). Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Mumbai, accompanied by the largest-ever UK CEO and academic delegation, was much more than a of bilateral friendship. Instead, it illuminated a pragmatic shift in IndiaUK relations where defence cooperation has quietly taken centre stagea critical development in an age of great power competition, mounting security risks in the Indo-Pacific, and the global search for resilient, trusted allies.

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For decades, the IndiaBritain relationship was hemmed in by history and habit. There was strategic comfort but little operational consequencea partnership rooted in exchange visits, diplomatic overtures, and the soft power of a globally dispersed diaspora.

The , then, marks a new phase,one where defence diplomacy is not a sideshow to trade, but the very platform on which future prosperity and stability will be built.

The tone was set by reminders of shared democratic values and historical camaraderie, but the substance lay in the contracts.

At the top of the agenda were agreements on defence co-production and technology transferareas where India has long sought British willingness to treat it as a co-creator rather than a mere market. The Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) deal exemplifies this new approach: a direct government-to-government arrangement that sees India as a trusted customer and prospective collaborator, not simply a buyer. This transactional trust was mirrored in agreements for sharing advances in maritime electric propulsion and establishing protocols for co-designed naval vessels, where British legacy engineering and Indian manufacturing scale can combine for competitive and strategic advantage.

The pivot goes further, for the first time, Indian Air Force instructors will be embedded within the UKs Royal Air Force, a move signalling true operational integration and trust. On the high seas, joint naval drillsparticularly the KONKAN series have developed from signal exercises into meaningful platforms for doctrine exchange, coordination in anti-submarine warfare, and experimentation with multi-domain concepts. The creation of a Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative represents not just the pooling of resources, but the recognition that credible deterrence in a region as complex as the Indo-Pacific demands that intelligence, platforms, and personnel flow seamlessly between partners.

This defence realignment sits atop a broader framework of technological and industrial convergence that is rapidly gaining momentum. The UKs post-Brexit search for strategic partners dovetails with Indias Atmanirbhar Bharat drive, resulting in a mutual willingness to co-invest in R&D, diversify sourcing in critical minerals, and collaborate on next-gen tech such as AI, quantum, semiconductors, secure communications, and green ship propulsion. Here again, the rhetoric at Mumbai was followed up with commitments to make Indian and British industries, universities, and start-ups the beating heart of the new relationship. The setting up of the the IndiaUK Connectivity and Innovation Centre and the Joint AI Research Centre serves this ambition, creating institutional vehicles for genuine knowledge exchange and technology development with direct defence applications.

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These frameworks are not mere abstractions. Both governments understand the necessity of resilience by designensuring that supply chains for critical platforms and components can withstand geopolitical turbulence, sanctions, or sabotage. The Critical Minerals Industry Guild, with a supply chain observatory anchored at IIT-ISM Dhanbad, is a direct response to this imperative. It ensures security of inputs not just for civilian industry but for the military-industrial ecosystem that will increasingly define both countries global leverage.

Maritime security emerged as an unmistakable focus throughout the Mumbai dialogues, reaffirmed by joint condemnation of terrorism, commitments to safeguarding freedom of navigation, and expanded ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) and data-sharing operations across Indias and Britains growing naval footprints. In a world where non-state and state actors alike threaten maritime trade, uphold sanctions evasion, or project force through piracy and unmanned systems, the bilateral coupling of Indias Navy with the UKs Carrier Strike Group is more than symbolicit makes for a credible deterrence architecture, especially as both countries double down on participation in wider frameworks like the Quad and global task forces.

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Beyond the hardware and software, both sides recognized the necessity of investing in human capitalthe backbone of sustainable strategic partnership. UK universities opening campuses across India, and new science, engineering, and strategy programs crafted for bilateral flows of officers and students, reflect a deliberate strategy to create a cadre of future-ready military technologists, analysts, and strategic thinkers. The migration and mobility agreements, often seen through the lens of economics or education, must now be considered essential to defence as well: every academic, startup founder, or doctoral student transplanted between Birmingham and Bengaluru seeds the trust and transferable expertise that make defence ties credible and agile.

The Mumbai summit did not neglect the big issues of our time: climate security, pandemic resilience, and counter-terrorism, all areas where softer security threats can undermine the very bases of military strength. With joint climate tech funds, offshore wind task forces, and clean energy MoUs in place, both governments are future-proofing strategic assets against next-gen challenges that will almost certainly impact defence postures, from the Arctic to the Arabian Sea.

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Policy challenges remain

A partnership of this scale and ambition faces inevitable headwinds: slow procurement cycles, regulatory friction, offset hurdles, and the need to align Make in India with Britain as a Third Country in global supply chains. The question for policymakers will be whether the momentum generated in Mumbai can be institutionalized into agile monitoring mechanisms, timely review protocols, and robust dispute resolution frameworks. Only then will agreements morph into platforms, and platforms into daily operational readiness.

For all the ceremony and symbolism, the Mumbai meetings signal a partnership in motion, not at rest. India and Britain can no longer afford to treat defence merely as a pillar among othersthe volatility of the Indo-Pacific, the shadow of global terror, and the race for technological dominance make it the lodestar. If Delhi and London manage to turn ambition into readiness, trust into capability, the next decade will see them not just keeping pace with global transformations, but shaping their very contours. In a world where alliances are as important as arsenals, IndiaUK defence synergy stands out as both model and mandate for purposeful, adaptive cooperation.

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Gaurav Kumar is a Researcher at the Centre for Professional Military Studies, United Service Institution of India, New Delhi. He Tweets @gaurav15_isk. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The move will help build a stronger military-industrial complex, cushion India from supply chain shocks, and shift the country from an import-heavy posture to a resilient and globally competitive defence ecosystem

Recognising international defence companies with fully owned subsidiaries that manufacture in India as Indian will be a wise, strategic step. It is reported that the government may be considering that. This author had recommended this in a paper to attract defence manufacturing.

If done, it will support Indias long-term aim of self-reliance and will help develop our defence ecosystem and increase the countrys appeal to global investors and technological partners. It could potentially attract major subassemblies that India imports and constitute nearly 50 per cent of even indigenously designed and developed weapons systems.

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The current Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 categorises procurement into five tiers: Buy (Indian  IDDM), Buy (Indian), Buy and Make (Indian), Buy (Global  Manufacture in India), and Buy (Global). Recognising wholly owned local subsidiaries of foreign OEMs as Indian vendors would elevate them into the Buy (Indian) or even Buy (Indian-IDDM) categories, provided they meet Indigenous Content (IC) requirements, which is 50-60 per cent by value. A policy shift could potentially move defence procurement away from purely global imports to manufacturing in India, especially at the critical major subassembly level.

Bridging Critical Capability Gaps

While India has made progress in defence indigenisation, most major platforms are 50-75 per cent indigenous, leaving vital subassemblies reliant on foreign vendors, especially their propulsion system. The HAL Tejas, for example, is 55-60 per cent indigenous, with engines and avionics imported. Even the latest order for 97 LCA Mk1A signed in September 2025 will have 64 per cent IC. The Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv is roughly 50-55 per cent indigenous, with imported components in its engine, avionics and materials, and the Light Combat Helicopter LCH is 45-55 per cent indigenous.

Even Indias biggest naval platforms show a similar reliance: the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier is 70-75 per cent indigenous, Scorpene-class submarines 60-70 per cent, and Kolkata-class destroyers 65-75 per cent, with imported power systems such as GE gas turbines. Frigates and corvettes have 60-75 per cent indigenisation. The Arjun Main Battle Tank is 40-55 per cent indigenous, with imported engines.

Major sub-assemblies of indigenous weapons systems are imported. Nothing illustrates the risks of import dependence more vividly than propulsion systems. For example, GEs F404 engines were directly imported for the LCA Tejas fighter aircraft. The F404 production line was shut in 2016 after delivering for the earlier LCA batches, and restarting production has been slow due to supplier constraints. This has led to delays in delivery of the 83 LCA Mk1A order placed in 2022.

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Had GE manufactured these engines in India, sourcing at least 60 per cent of the components locally, India would have been cushioned from global supply chain disruptions. Local manufacture of such engines would strengthen Indias aerospace capability and resilience.

Similarly, the Arjun MBT is reliant on the German company MTU for the engine, and production has been set back due to delays in supply. Indias Zorawar light tank is similarly beset with engine woes.

Other critical imported subsystems include engines for helicopters and warships, radar and avionics for aircraft, radar, sensors and weapons for warships, helicopter gearboxes and transmission systems, precision guidance munitions and anti-tank missiles.

If foreign manufacturers operating locally are recognised as Indian vendors, it will enable these critical subassemblies to be onshored, boosting indigenous content, strengthening supply chains, and reducing reliance on global suppliers.

Bringing Major Platforms Into the Domestic Ecosystem

Many of Indias critical weapons platforms are currently procured under the Buy (Global) or Buy (Global  Manufacture in India) categories. Examples include Rafale fighter jets, Apache and Chinook helicopters, S-400 air defence systems, and SIG Sauer assault rifles. Recognising foreign companies with local manufacturing operations as Indian would potentially incentivise the onshoring platforms like these in the future, integrating critical components, assemblies, and maintenance into Indias defence ecosystem.

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For instance, Airbus C-295 programme has already started assembly at Tata Advanced Systems in Gujarat with technology transfer, while Mahindra Defence assembles M777 howitzers in partnership with BAE Systems.

India has been assembling weapons systems for over six decades with the transfer of technology. Yet, this has not led to major capacity building that has made India self-sufficient in most of the parts.

For example, India has made over 220 Su-30MKI fighters in India over 20 years. Yet the level of indigenous content is just above 50 per cent. For the 12 new Su-30s contracted in 2024, the Indo-Russian contract requires that all raw material needed for the Su-30MKI  including 5,800 titanium blocks and forgings and aluminium and steel plates  must come from Russia, as must such items (7,146) as nuts, bolts, screws, and rivets.

If these and similar programmes were counted as Indian, for companies invested in India, India could significantly increase indigenous content, strengthen its supply chains, and accelerate the development of a robust military-industrial complex  all while attracting foreign investment and technology transfer.

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Attracting Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer

Despite the efforts of successive governments in India, foreign direct investment (FDI) in Indias defence sector remains small, reaching roughly 5,000 crore by 2024. Historically, policy restrictions hindered deeper engagement. Recognising foreign enterprises operating locally as Indian vendors creates a strong incentive to invest, establish production lines, and transfer technology.

Companies such as Tata Advanced Systems and Dynamatic Technologies, which have become essential suppliers for Western OEMs, have demonstrated how effective such collaborations can be. Expanding this recognition will help India become more integrated into global defence supply chains.

Strengthening Supply Chain Resilience

Global uncertaintiesfrom supply chain disruptions to sanctionshighlight the need for domestic manufacturing capabilities. Encouraging foreign companies to set up operations locally mitigates over-reliance on external suppliers. The C-295 programme demonstrates how local assembly with technology transfer ensures long-term supply chain stability. The GE F404 experience underscores that even indigenous platforms can be delayed when key imported subassemblies face production bottlenecks.

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Promoting Indigenous Innovation and Employment

Local manufacturing by foreign firms would foster innovation and create employment. Minimum IC requirements of 50-60 per cent will ensure significant value addition occurs in India, stimulating collaborations with MSMEs and nurturing domestic R&D. New facilities would generate jobs across production, maintenance, and research sectors, addressing youth aspirations and boosting economic growth.

Enhancing Global Defence Exports

India is transitioning from a major importer to an emerging exporter of defence equipment, with defence production reaching a record 1.27 lakh crore in 2023-24  a 174 per cent increase since 2014-15. Integrating foreign companies into the domestic ecosystem will further boost export capabilities. Recognition as Indian vendors facilitates compliance with offset obligations and opens avenues for exporting defence products globally.

Conclusion

There will be concerns over what this will mean for the development of indigenous weapons systems and how it will impact MSMEs in the defence sector. But as experience over the decades has shown, we still lack considerably in indigenising technologies.

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Recognising the local arms of foreign defence companies as Indian is a pragmatic step that can strengthen Indias path to self-reliance. It offers an opportunity to bring critical technologies into the country, deepen the industrial base, including MSMEs, generate jobs, and unlock export potential. More importantly, it will help build a stronger military-industrial complex, cushion India against supply chain shocks, and move the country from an import-heavy posture to a resilient and globally competitive defence ecosystem.

The author is an Adjunct Scholar at the Takshashila Institution. He tweets from @YusufDFI. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The Taliban now appear to have significant popular support and have maintained stability in much of Afghanistan, both militarily and politically which makes enaging with it a strategic necessity

When Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was received by Foreign Minister S Jaishankar at the Hyderabad House meeting and accorded full diplomatic protocol, India signalled that national interest and regional stability remain central to its foreign policy  even as the Taliban faces global criticism over gender apartheid and democratic norms.

The Islamic Emirate is led by its Emir, cleric Haibatullah Akhundzada, who has been tagged with an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for crimes against humanity on gender grounds. The Taliban has come to power through military force not once but twice  a phenomenon almost unprecedented in modern history.

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In 1996, during a visit to Peshawar, I met the founder of the Taliban, the late Maj Gen Nasirullah Khan Babar, who unfurled a map and, with a red Chinagraph pencil, traced a trade route from Kabul to Singapore, calling it the New Grand Trunk Road. The meeting was held at Peshawars Pearl Hotel, where a sign outside read: No drugs and guns inside; rest are welcome!

Many have exited war-torn Afghanistan  the British, Russians and their Afghan proxies, and the Americans. India, too, had to evacuate its embassy in Kabul and four consulates (Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Jalalabad and Kandahar)  some more than once  with a few being targeted by terrorists.

In 1975, I trained alongside two Moscow-trained Pashtun officers at the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, US. On a map of South Asia, we planned a coordinated military advance to the Indus River  the original Durand Line  from Delhi and Kabul, overrunning Pakistan and effectively eliminating the line. The Pashtun population has historically had strained relations with Punjabi-dominated Pakistan.

Today, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan are hubs of domestic resistance within Pakistan. Before Partition, India shared historic borders and relations with Afghanistan  a link that still exists via Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In a joint statement with Muttaqi, Jaishankar described India as an Afghanistan-contiguous neighbour.

The Taliban regime of 19962001 was recognised by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. However, the UAE and Saudi Arabia severed ties after the Taliban refused to hand over Osama bin Laden. Currently, only Russia has fully recognised the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. China, some Arab states, and Central Asian countries have exchanged ambassadors without granting full diplomatic status.

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Russia, with longstanding strategic and commercial interests in Afghanistan, continues to treat it as a vital bridge between South and East Asia and West and Central Asia. The Moscow Format set up in 2022 keeps key stakeholders  including India  engaged. In 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the Taliban as allies in fighting terrorism.

At the most recent Moscow meeting, attended by India, it was unanimously resolved that no external military infrastructure (a reference to the Bagram base) would be acceptable in Afghanistan. It also called for the US to release $9 billion in frozen Afghan assets. Meanwhile, Chinas growing investment and engagement in Afghanistan has become a concern for India.

Parallel to this, the UN-led Doha process, initiated in 2022, has held three conferences on health, education, gender and human rights, while humanitarian agencies continue to operate in the country. Afghan women remain barred from higher education and most employment. Over 2.2 million girls above the age of 12 are denied primary school access. Internet-based education remains ineffective due to widespread connectivity issues. 85 per cent of Afghanistans 22 million people live on less than a dollar a day.

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The Taliban regained control of Kabul on August 15, 2021  the same day it now marks with a victory parade at the former US Bagram base. Last year, the largely unseen Supreme Leader Akhundzada celebrated the day by reaffirming the imposition of Sharia, upheld through morality laws and a dedicated ministry for Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

While internal power struggles remain subdued, divisions between the Kabul and Kandahar factions persist  primarily over womens rights, continued US aid, and the strategic control of Bagram. The Pashtuns remain the dominant ethnic group; Tajiks, Uzbeks, and Hazaras constitute minorities.

The non-Pashtun National Resistance Front (NRF), led by Ahmad Massoud  son of the legendary Ahmad Shah Massoud  is currently based in Tajikistan. After early successes in northern Afghanistan, the NRF has gone quiet. Interestingly, Pakistan is now supporting the NRF  the same Northern Alliance that defeated the Taliban in 2001 with support from the US and India.

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Indias role in that defeat was significant, albeit clandestine and respectful of Afghan sovereignty. Today, countries that once opposed the Talibans rise and its enforcement of Sharia now appear to accept that the group enjoys popular support and cannot be easily defeated, militarily or politically. While not invincible, the Taliban has ended prolonged factional conflicts and now controls nearly 90 per cent of Afghan territory.

Muttaqis visit to India (October 916) included a pilgrimage to the Deoband seminary, whose edicts the Taliban follows. He cancelled a planned visit to the Taj Mahal for personal reasons. At his Deoband stop, he was received as both a cleric and political leader. India has agreed to upgrade its Technical Mission in Kabul to a full-fledged embassy and will appoint an ambassador in due course. A comprehensive joint statement followed Pakistans air strikes in Kabul and Paktika, where Islamabad claimed it had killed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan leader Noor Mohammad Mehsud. On 15 October, Mehsud reappeared in a video.

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India reaffirmed its commitment to Afghanistans development, to which it has already pledged $3 billion. A 2018 Pew poll ranked India as the most popular country among Afghans, followed by Germany, though its political influence was perceived as outsized. Despite Pakistans continued refusal to allow Indian humanitarian aid via Wagah  though selectively through Karachi  India chose to bypass Pakistan entirely by developing Irans Chabahar port.

The Chabahar project began in 2003, when India and Iran agreed to jointly develop the port. Indias Border Roads Organisation constructed the Zaranj-Delaram highway, linking Afghanistan to Irans border and bypassing Pakistan. In June 2015, during a Track II India-Afghanistan-Pakistan dialogue (20032019), we visited Tehrans Institute of Political and International Studies, where it was announced that India, Iran, and Afghanistan would soon sign a trilateral agreement on Chabahar.

In May 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi formalised the 10-year Transit and Trade Agreement. By 2018, Indian Ports Global Limited took over operations at Chabahar. Although Trump 1.0 imposed sanctions on Iran in 2018, Chabahar was initially given a waiver, which was revoked in September 2025. During his recent visit, Muttaqi urged Jaishankar to request the US to restore the waiver.

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Indias primary objective in Afghanistan has been to limit Pakistans control over Afghan economic and foreign policy. Pakistan supported the Talibans rise in Kabul both times. Ironically, while the Afghan Taliban has asserted strategic autonomy and reduced Islamabads influence, the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) has gained strategic depth within Pakistan.

Muttaqi has assured Jaishankar that Afghan soil will not be used for attacks against India. Though not devoid of moral complexities, re-engaging with the Taliban aligns with Indias evolving strategic interests.

The author is former GOC IPKF South Sri Lanka and founder member Defence Planning Staff, now Integrated Defence Staff, Ministry of Defence. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
After iPhone 17s hit the shelves in September this year, shipments from India moved up by 95 per cent on total export of $1.8 billion, as per data provided by the India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA)

For the first time, the latest iPhone 17 series, including the high-end Pro models, will be assembled right here from day one.For the first time, the latest iPhone 17 series, including the high-end Pro models, will be assembled right here from day one. File image/Reuters

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday said that India has surpassed in the export of smartphones to the US than that of its neighbour, as New Delhi pushes ahead to be the hub of smartphone manufacturing.

This year, India has surpassed its neighbour in exporting smartphones to the United States. This is a huge achievement for our country. Some of the biggest companies, about 20 per cent of their manufacturing is now happening in India, Vaishnaw said in a press conference.

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Indias smartphone exports up by 60%

Indias mobile phone exports surged by 60 per cent in the first half of the current fiscal year, reaching $13.5 billion in shipments from April to September FY26, up from $8.5 billion during the same period in FY25. The feat was led by Apples iPhone, which has set a new record for exports with the launch of iPhone 17 this September.

After iPhone 17s hit the shelves in September this year, shipments from India moved up by 95 per cent on total export of $1.8 billion, as per data provided by the India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA).

This confirms that Indias mobile phone manufacturing sector continues to build scale, efficiency, and reliability  three pillars of sustained global competitiveness, the agency said, adding that most of the exports went to US, UAE, Austria, Netherlands, and the UK.

Besides Apple, India also exports phones from brands like Samsung and Motorola. In contrast, Chinese companies Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi remain focused on the domestic market, with no significant push toward exports at this stage.

India surpasses China

India has overtaken China in smartphone exports to the United States, marking a major milestone in the countrys manufacturing journey, according to a social media post by PIB citing research firm Canalys in August.

As per the post, schemes such as Make in India and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) have played a key role in reshaping the electronics sector.

It said, As a result of schemes like Make in India and PLI, India is now moving at a new pace in those industrial sectors in which it was never even considered a key manufacturer before. According to a report by research firm Canalys, in the second quarter of this calendar year, i.e., April-June, India has also overtaken China in terms of smartphones exported to the US.

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With inputs from agencies
Three Indian nationals have died, five remain missing after a boat capsized near Beira port in Mozambique.

Five Indian nationals are reported safe, with one currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Beira. (Photo; ANI)

At least three Indian nationals have died and five others are missing after a launch boat carrying crew members of a tanker overturned during a routine transfer operation off Beira port in central Mozambique on Friday, the Indian High Commission in Mozambique confirmed. The vessel was carrying 14 Indian nationals when it capsized under circumstances that are still under investigation.

The High Commission stated that some of the crew have been rescued. Five Indian nationals are reported safe, with one currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Beira.

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Search and rescue underway

Indian authorities are working closely with local officials and maritime agencies to locate the five missing nationals. A consular officer from the Indian Mission visited the hospitalised survivor and is providing support to the families affected.

In a series of posts on X, the High Commission expressed condolences for the loss of lives and assured that efforts to locate the missing continue.

Boat accident: Search and rescue efforts are underway. Mission is coordinating with local authorities regarding the missing 5 Indians, the High Commission said in an update.
The rare earth controls had sparked a fiery response from US President Donald Trump, who threatened to impose an additional 100-percent tariff on imports from China and to cancel expected talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in South Korea

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday that he would likely meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng next week to prepare for the upcoming high-stakes talks between the presidents of the worlds two biggest economies.

Bessents high-level meeting comes as trade tensions flare between Washington and Beijing over Chinas announcement of tighter export controls on the critical rare earths industry.Washington has been working to rally allies to respond to Beijings new curbs, with the Group of Seven finance ministers agreeing this week to coordinate their next moves.

The rare earth controls had sparked a fiery response from US President Donald Trump, who threatened to impose an additional 100-percent tariff on imports from China and to cancel expected talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in South Korea.

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But Trump said in an excerpt of an interview with Fox News, released Friday, that he would meet Xi after all at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Bessent told reporters at the White House on Friday that he believed things have de-escalated between both countries.

He added that he would speak to Chinas He later on Friday before both of them meet in Malaysia, probably a week from tomorrow, to prepare for the two presidents to meet.

Bessent previously accused China of seeking to hurt the world economy with its new rare earth controls.

International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva also expressed hope Friday for an agreement between the countries to cool tensions.

- Coordinated response -

For now, G7 finance ministers have agreed to coordinate their short-term response to Chinas export rules, and diversify suppliers, the EUs economy commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis told reporters in Washington.

Speaking after the grouping met this week, Dombrovskis noted the vast majority of rare earth supplies come from China, meaning that diversification could take years.

We agreed, both bilaterally with the US and at the G7 level, to coordinate our approach, he said on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Banks fall meetings.

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Countries would also exchange information on their contacts with Chinese counterparts as they work out short-term solutions, he added.

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil told journalists he hopes Trump and Xis meeting can help to resolve much of the US-China trade conflict.

We have made it clear within the G7 that we do not agree with Chinas approach, he added, referring to the group of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.

Trade tensions between the United States and China have reignited this year as Trump slapped sweeping tariffs on US imports and both countries engaged in tit-for-tat retaliation.

At one point, tariffs on both sides escalated to triple-digit levels, effectively halting some trade as businesses waited for a resolution.

The two countries have since lowered their respective tariff levels but their truce remains shaky.
China Eastern Airlines will resume direct flights between Shanghai and New Delhi from November 9, marking the first such service by a Chinese carrier since 2020. The move comes amid a gradual normalisation of India-China relations after years of disruptions and border tensions.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend the group photo session during the Brics Summit at the Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center in Xiamen, southeastern China's Fujian Province on September 4, 2017. (Photo: Kenzaburo Fukuhara/Pool/AFP)

China Eastern Airlines will restart round-trip flights between Shanghai and New Delhi from November 9, marking a significant step towards normalising India-China ties after more than five years.

The airline will operate three flights a week  every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday  becoming the first Chinese carrier to resume direct India services since the suspension of flights in 2020 amid the pandemic and border tensions.

According to the airlines schedule, flight MU563 will depart Shanghai Pudong Airport at 12:50 pm and arrive at Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport at 5:45 pm (local time). The return flight MU564 will take off from Delhi at 7:55 pm, landing in Shanghai at 4:10 am the next day. Tickets are already on sale.

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China Eastern said the A330-200 aircraft will be used for this route, offering a comfortable cabin experience, in-flight Wi-Fi, and instant messaging services.

The decision to resume flights was finalised during Prime Minister Narendra Modis meeting with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin earlier this year, where both sides agreed to restore air connectivity between select cities.

Earlier this month, IndiGo announced new routes to Guangzhou from Kolkata (from October 26) and Delhi (from November 10), signalling a broader reopening of air links between the two countries.

Chinas foreign ministry described the move as a positive step that shows both sides are faithfully acting on the understandings reached between the two leaders to improve bilateral relations.
In a turn of events, Trump has now backtracked from his previous statement and said that a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese goods is unsustainable. He, however, maintained that he was forced to say such a high number

China has expressed its willingness to conduct a fresh round of negotiations on trade with the US as soon as possible as tensions between the two countries simmer and leaders try to avoid another battle of tit-for-tat tariffs.

The announcement came following a video call between Beijings chief negotiator, Vice Premier He Lifeng, and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, which involved candid, in-depth and constructive exchanges, state news agency Xinhua said.

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose an additional 100 per cent tariff on Beijing after Chinas announcement that it would expand its rare earths export controls, adding five new elements and extra scrutiny for semiconductor users as Beijing tightens control over the sector.

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Potus also said at the time that he would not meet his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, as planned before, due to the rising trade tensions. However, the meeting between the two in South Korea seems to be on track now.

Not sustainable

In a turn of events, Trump has now backtracked from his previous statement and said that a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese goods is unsustainable. He, however, maintained that he was forced to say such a high number.

Asked whether such a high tariff was sustainable and what that might do to the U.S. economy, Trump replied: Its not sustainable, but thats what the number is.

They forced me to do that, he said in an interview with Fox Business Network that was broadcast on Friday.

Trump also has threatened to impose new US export controls that would halt supplies of any and all critical software.

Bessent to meet Chinese Vice Premier

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday that he would likely meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng next week to prepare for the upcoming high-stakes talks between the presidents of the worlds two biggest economies.

Bessent told reporters at the White House on Friday that he believed things have de-escalated between both countries.

He added that he would speak to Chinas He later on Friday before both of them meet in Malaysia, probably a week from tomorrow, to prepare for the two presidents to meet.

Bessent previously accused China of seeking to hurt the world economy with its new rare earth controls.

With inputs from agencies
Egypt is set to lead an international stabilisation force in Gaza, backed by the US and Europe, aiming to enforce security, manage disarmament and shift regional influence post-conflict.

An aerial view shows the Al-Maqussi Towers district, heavily damaged by massive Israeli bombardment over the past two years, in northwestern Gaza City on October 15, 2025, during a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian factions.- Image- AFP

Diplomats say Egypt is poised to head a planned international stabilisation force in Gaza, a move aimed at enforcing security and curbing violence in the aftermath of the latest conflict.

The initiative, backed by European and US members of the UN Security Council, is expected to grant the force robust powers to operate inside Gaza, though it will not constitute a traditional UN peacekeeping mission.

The United States is advocating for a mandate that allows the force to operate with authority akin to international troops deployed in Haiti to combat armed gangs, giving it broad operational latitude without full UN oversight.

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The goal is to stabilise Gaza quickly while ensuring the force can respond to security threats independently, a diplomat involved in the planning told Middle East Eye.

Egypt, long a key mediator in Israeli-Palestinian affairs, is expected to provide the leadership and bulk of personnel. Other prospective troop contributors include Turkey, Indonesia and Azerbaijan, though the final composition is still under consultation with Cairo.

The international stabilisation force would be tasked with leading the implementation of security measures, including disarmament efforts, while Israel maintains a controlled buffer zone along its borders.

While European and British combat troops are not expected to participate directly, the UK has deployed advisers to a US-run operational cell inside Israel, which is helping coordinate the second phase of the 20-point plan developed by President Donald Trump, Reuters reported.

British officials emphasise that the ultimate objective remains a unified Palestinian state, encompassing Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.

The proposed force would assume lead responsibility over Palestinian police units that Britain has been training, effectively centralising security oversight under an international umbrella. This development could allow Israel to gradually withdraw from parts of Gaza, though Israeli authorities insist they will maintain a substantial presence along the border to deter future Hamas attacks.

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A central challenge for the force will be managing the disarmament of Hamas. A senior British diplomat admitted to Middle East Eye that the process would be the most difficult aspect of the mission, noting lessons from Northern Irelands decommissioning of IRA and loyalist weapons could provide a blueprint. Independent verification and strict compliance mechanisms are expected to be key components.

Hamas has already signalled its reluctance to relinquish arms entirely. A senior official told Reuters, Hamas aims to keep its grip on Gazas security and cannot commit to disarmament at this stage. The standoff highlights the delicate balancing act the international force will face: maintaining order while negotiating a sensitive political settlement.

If successfully implemented, analysts say, the UN-backed stabilisation effort could mark a significant post-war shift in Gaza, moving security control away from both US and Israeli hands and establishing a model for international intervention in fragile urban conflict zones. The Arab Weekly notes that such a deployment could also enhance Egypts regional influence, positioning Cairo as a key arbiter in future Israeli-Palestinian affairs.

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However, the operation faces inherent risks. According to Northeastern Universitys assessment of international stabilisation missions, forces operating in dense urban environments often confront both insurgent attacks and local resistance, and coordination between multinational contingents can be challenging. Diplomats emphasise that the success of the Gaza force will depend not just on troop strength but also on local political buy-in, careful intelligence sharing, and credible mechanisms for enforcing disarmament.

As discussions continue at the UN and among prospective troop-contributing countries, the international stabilisation force in Gaza is shaping up as a high-stakes test of diplomacy, regional leadership, and multilateral coordination in one of the worlds most volatile territories.
The European Commission intends to use frozen Russian central bank assets held at Euroclear, Belgiums central securities depository, to finance a 140 billion reparations loan for Ukraine in response to the ongoing war

Ukrainian soldiers fire a self-propelled howitzer towards Russian positions near Bakhmut, the site of the heaviest battles, Donetsk region, Ukraine, on March 7, 2023. (Representative Photo, Credit: AP/Libkos)

The European Union has said it is ready to buy US-made weapons with Russias frozen assets worth 140bn for Ukraine, on the condition that Washington keeps backing Kyiv in the war.

The European Commission intends to use frozen Russian central bank assets held at Euroclear, Belgiums central securities depository, to finance a 140 billion reparations loan for Ukraine in response to the ongoing war.

The announcement comes as US President Donald Trump has once again leaned towards Russia, with Potus announcing that he will meet President Vladimir Putin in Hungary later this month.

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What has the EU proposed?

As per the commissions plan, seen by the Financial Times, the biggest chunk of this loan would be used to procure weapons and support Ukraine and Europes defence industries.

France had proposed the use of European weapons for the cause, but the bloc noted that co-operation could be envisaged with international partners that commit to provide substantial additional support to Ukraine.

The proposal aims to use large-scale weapons procurement contracts to maintain US support, according to diplomats and EU officials. In recent months, Trump has shifted his stance, permitting increased US arms sales to Ukraine, on the condition that Europe and other allies cover the costs.

Trump rejects Zelenskyys Tomahawk proposal

During a meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump downplayed the prospects of supplying Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv in its war against Russia. At the White House meeting between the two leaders, Trump seemed more intent on brokering a peace deal than on supplying the missile system.

While the American president did not rule out providing the long-range missiles to Zelenskyy, he went on to exclaim that the United States may need them in future conflicts. He appeared to be cool on the matter and said he is looking forward to his meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Hungary, The Guardian reported.
French police have arrested four men suspected of plotting against exiled Russian rights activist Vladimir Osechkin, who has exposed abuses in Russian prisons. Osechkin believes Russias security services are behind the plot, calling it a special operation, sanctioned and financed from Moscow.

French police have detained four people suspected of plotting against exiled Russian rights activist Vladimir Osechkin, who exposes abuses in Russian prisons, the countrys national anti-terror prosecution office said.

In an interview with the Associated Press on Friday, Osechkin, founder of a group for Russian prisoners, said he believed Russias security services were behind the plot after seeing video evidence from French authorities, including footage of his home.

I saw how everyone was filming, how they prepared the sites from which to shoot, he told the AP, adding he believes this was an expensive special operation, sanctioned and financed from Moscow.

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Frances counter-espionage agency, the General Directorate for Internal Security, has led the investigation. The four men, aged 26 to 38, were detained Monday. Authorities did not provide details on their nationalities, motives, or possible foreign links. Osechkin said he thinks some of the suspects are from Dagestan, a region in southern Russia.

The suspects are being held on preliminary terror-related charges while the investigation continues. French officials did not confirm any attempt on Osechkins life, and Russias Foreign Ministry did not respond immediately to the allegations.

Western officials say Russia has run a broader campaign of sabotage and hybrid warfare targeting European allies of Ukraine. This reportedly includes arson, cyberattacks, espionage, and threats to exiled opponents. Some of the alleged targets have included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Poland and a German arms manufacturer supplying Ukraine. The Kremlin has denied these claims.

Osechkin has long feared assassination due to his activism, even while living in Biarritz, France. He said the suspects circled the area where he livestreams and scouted escape routes. French police have provided him protection, often moving him and his family to safe houses when threats arise. Those who were arrested are just a part of the overall picture, they are part of a big team, he said.

Osechkin fled Russia seeking asylum in France after facing pressure over his prison activism. His group, Gulagu.net, documents alleged torture and corruption in Russian prisons and revealed Russias military recruitment of prisoners for Ukraine. The group also helped bring Russian fugitive paratrooper Pavel Filatiev to France in 2022, who exposed corruption in the Russian military.

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Other critics of the Kremlin have been killed, including Russian helicopter pilot Maxim Kuzminov, whose body was found in Spain in 2024 after fleeing to Ukraine. Osechkin warned that attacks like these are not only meant to target him personally.

This isnt just about the killing of me as an individual, he said. The aim is also to frighten other human rights activists into reducing their activity or stopping it altogether.
Hamas handed over to Israel the remains of one more hostage on Friday night, after insisting it was committed to returning all the dead captives still unaccounted for under Gazas ruins after two years of war

Friends, families and the wider Israeli public attend the funeral procession of slain hostage Inbar Hayman, who, according to the Israeli army, was killed during the deadly attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023 after attending the Nova festival and her body was taken to Gaza, in Israel October 17, 2025. Attendees dress in pink in honour of Inbar Hayman, who was a talented graffiti artist. While Hamas has returned some bodies, at least 19 have not been handed over to Israel. Reuters

Hamas handed over to Israel the remains of one more hostage on Friday night, after insisting it was committed to returning all the dead captives still unaccounted for under Gazas ruins after two years of war.

Israel received, via the Red Cross, the coffin of a deceased hostage who was returned to its security forces in Gaza and would be identified at a medical analysis centre in Israel, the prime ministers office said in a statement.

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Under a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas spearheaded by US President Donald Trump, the Palestinian militant group returned all 20 surviving hostages and the remains of nine out of 28 known deceased ones, not counting the remains handed over Friday night.

In exchange, Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners from its jails and halted the military campaign it launched in Gaza after Hamass October 7, 2023 attack.

Bodies under Gaza rubble

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday reaffirmed his determination to secure the return of all hostages, and his defence minister has warned that the military will restart the war if Hamas fails to do so.

Senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad on Friday called those threats unacceptable pressure tactics.

The issue of the bodies is complex and requires time, especially after the occupation changed the landscape of Gaza, Hamad said in a statement.

We will return the bodies and adhere to the agreement as we promised.

Turkey dispatched a team of specialists to help retrieve remains buried under the rubble, but the group was still waiting Friday for Israeli permission to enter the territory.

It remains unclear when Israel will allow the Turkish team to enter Gaza, a Turkish official told AFP, noting that the teams mission included locating both Palestinian and hostage remains.

A Hamas source told AFP the Turkish delegation was expected to enter by Sunday.

Gazas civil defence agency, a rescue force that operates under Hamas authority, said more than 280 bodies had been recovered from the rubble since the ceasefire went into effect.

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Aid enters Gaza

The ceasefire deal has seen the war grind to a halt after two years of agony for the hostages families, and constant bombardment and hunger for Gazans.

The UNs World Food Programme said on Friday it had been able to move close to 3,000 tonnes of food supplies into Gaza since the ceasefire took hold.

But it cautioned it would take time to reverse the famine in the Strip, saying all crossings needed to be opened to flood Gaza with food.

Trumps 20-point plan for Gaza calls for renewed aid, with international organisations eagerly awaiting the reopening of southern Gazas strategic Rafah crossing.

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said he entered Gaza on Friday, where he watched a convoy of aid head to Rafah from Israels Kerem Shalom crossing and later visited a bakery making pita bread.

Weve begged for this access for months and finally were seeing goods moving at scale: food, medicine, tents, fuel, a lot of fuel got in today, he said, in a video message posted to social media.

Identifying the dead

Families of surviving hostages rejoiced in their return while others buried the returned remains of their loved ones.

Weve been waiting for this for so long, two years that weve been fighting for him every single day, said 30-year-old Gal Gilboa Dalal, the older brother of Guy Gilboa Dalal, who was released after two years in Hamas captivity.

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Gal told AFP that Hamas had intentionally starved his brother and another prisoner for three and a half months to use him as a prop in a propaganda video about hunger.

Their bones hurt, their muscles hurt. Their recovery will be very long.

At the Nasser Hospital in Gaza, meanwhile, families searched for their loved ones among the bodies of Palestinians returned by Israel.

One, Akram Khalid al-Manasra, told AFP he identified his son thanks to the birthmark on his nose and his teeth.

Others were clearing the rubble from their destroyed homes.

Im right under the threat of death. It could collapse at any moment, said Ahmad Saleh Sbeih, a Gaza City resident. But there is no choice.

The war has killed at least 67,967 people in Gaza, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory  figures the United Nations considers credible.

The data does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but indicates that more than half of the dead are women and children.

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Hamass October 7 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,221 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
Hamas said it will hand over the bodies of two hostages later on Saturday, after Israel warned that the main crossing from Egypt into Gaza would remain shut until the Palestinian group returns the remains of all deceased captives.

Palestinian children cheer as members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) arrive at a site where people are digging with excavators, reportedly in search for bodies in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, on October 17, 2025.- AP

Hamas announced on Saturday that it will hand over the bodies of two hostages later in the day, following Israels warning that the main crossing from Egypt into Gaza would remain closed until the remains of all deceased captives are returned.

The armed wing of Hamas, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, said on its Telegram channel that the handover would take place at 10:00 PM local time (1900 GMT), specifying that the bodies of two Israeli captives recovered earlier in Gaza would be delivered.

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This comes as the UN relief chief called for extensive humanitarian assistance for Gaza, where infrastructure and homes remain severely damaged after weeks of conflict.

Under the ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump, Hamas has already released all 20 living hostages and returned the remains of nine Israelis and one Nepalese. The most recent handover, on Friday night, was identified by Israel as Eliyahu Margalit, aged 75, who died during Hamass October 7, 2023 attack.

In return, Israel has released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and 135 Palestinian bodies since the truce took effect on October 10.

The Palestinian mission in Cairo indicated that the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt could reopen as early as Monday, initially for Gazans residing in Egypt wishing to return. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office later clarified that the crossing would remain closed until further notice.

Its reopening will be considered based on how Hamas fulfils its part in returning the hostages and the bodies of the deceased, and in implementing the agreed-upon framework, it said, referring to the week-old ceasefire deal.

Further delays to the reopening of Rafah could complicate the task facing Tom Fletcher, the UN head of humanitarian relief, who was in Gaza on Saturday.

The British diplomat and his team travelled in a convoy of SUVs to see a wastewater treatment plant in Sheikh Radwan, north of Gaza City.

I drove through here seven to eight months ago when most of these buildings were still standing and, to see the devastation  this is a vast part of the city, just a wasteland  and its absolutely devastating to see, he told AFP.

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Digging latrines

Surveying the damaged pumping equipment and a lake of sewage at the Sheikh Radwan wastewater plant, Fletcher said the task ahead for the UN and aid agencies was a massive, massive job.

He said he had met residents returning to destroyed homes who were trying to dig latrines in the ruins.

Theyre telling me most of all they want dignity, he said. Weve got to get the power back on so we can start to get the sanitation system back in place.

We have a massive 60-day plan now to surge in food, get a million meals out there a day, start to rebuild the health sector, bring in tents for the winter, get hundreds of thousands of kids back into school.

The Rafah crossing has yet to reopen but, just over a week since the brokering of the truce, hundreds of trucks are rolling in each day via Israeli checkpoints and aid is being distributed.

According to figures supplied to mediators by the Israeli militarys civil affairs agency and released by the UN humanitarian office, on Thursday some 950 trucks carrying aid and commercial supplies crossed into Gaza from Israel.

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Relief agencies have called for the Rafah border crossing to be reopened to speed the flow of food, fuel and medicines, and Turkey has a team of rescue specialists waiting at the border to help find hostage bodies in the rubble.

What did they do wrong?

Some violent has persisted despite the ceasefire.

Gazas civil defence agency, which operates under Hamas authority, said on Saturday that it had recovered the bodies of nine Palestinians  two men, three women and four children  from the Shaaban family after Israeli troops fired two tank shells at a bus.

Two more victims were blown apart in the blast and their remains have yet to be recovered, it said.

At Gaza Citys Al-Ahli Hospital, the victims were laid out in white shrouds as their relatives mourned.

My daughter, her children and her husband; my son, his children and his wife were killed. What did they do wrong? demanded grandmother Umm Mohammed Shaaban. They were little What did they do wrong? There is no truce.

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The military said it had fired on a vehicle that approached the so-called yellow line, to which its forces withdrew under the terms of the ceasefire, and gave no estimate of casualties

The troops fired warning shots toward the suspicious vehicle, but the vehicle continued to approach the troops in a way that caused an imminent threat to them, the military said.

The troops opened fire to remove the threat, in accordance with the agreement.

With inputs from agencies
President Donald Trump confirmed a new strike on a Venezuela-linked drug-smuggling submarine, saying Nicolas Maduro has taken steps to defuse mounting tensions as Washington intensifies its Caribbean anti-narcotics campaign

US President Donald Trump on Friday confirmed a new strike on a drug-smuggling vessel linked to Venezuela, leaving survivors, as tensions between Washington and Caracas intensified. The strike forms part of a broader US military campaign launched in September, targeting alleged narcotics operations in the Caribbean.

Speaking at the White House, Trump said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had offered major concessions to ease hostilities. He has offered everything, youre right. You know why? Because he doesnt want to f#ck around with the United States, Trump remarked when asked about reports of potential de-escalation talks.

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Washington accuses Maduro of leading a drug cartel and has deployed stealth aircraft and seven Navy ships for counter-narcotics missions. Maduro, accused of rigging last years elections, insists the US is plotting regime change.

Survivors, regional fallout, and leadership changes

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez dismissed a Miami Herald report claiming she had discussed Maduros removal with Washington. The latest strike, reportedly targeting a drug-carrying submarine, left survivors now held by the US Navy, according to CBS and NBC.

The US says such semi-submersible vessels are built in jungle shipyards to transport large cocaine shipments from South America to Central America or Mexico. Officials claim the campaign is crippling drug trafficking, but critics note no proof the 27 people killed so far were traffickers. Legal experts also warn such killings violate international law.

Neighbouring nations are being drawn into the fallout. Police in Trinidad and Tobago are probing whether two of their citizens died in Wednesdays strike, while Colombian President Gustavo Petro believes Colombians were also among the dead.

A defiant Trump has pledged to expand operations and hinted at authorising CIA covert actions and possible land strikes. B-52 bombers recently circled Venezuelas coast, reinforcing speculation of escalation. In response, Venezuela deployed 17,000 troops to Tachira state and reinforced southern and coastal borders.

Amid these developments, the head of US Southern Command announced his retirement after only a year in the role, continuing a recent pattern of rapid leadership changes within top military ranks.

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Hong Kong has helped 4.5 million people in need worldwide over the past year through the relief agency World Vision, its president Andrew Morley said, as he called on the city to become a global humanitarian aid hub. Morley highlighted that government funding for humanitarian aid has dropped by around 25 per cent in 2025 compared with 2024, even as global conflicts and natural disasters have increased the demand for support.

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Morley described the past 15 years as an imperfect storm, with the number of children in need rising sharply while relief funds have been cut. He thanked Hongkongers for their contributions, noting that the citys population of about 7.5 million had directly supported 4.5 million people worldwide during the financial year ending September 30, 2024.

Focus on children and future plans

The citys donations have helped children in countries across Asia, including Cambodia, Myanmar, and Nepal, as well as in East African nations such as Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. World Vision supported over 335 million vulnerable children globally in the same period and raised about $73 million in Hong Kong, with 73.4 per cent coming from public donations, reported the South China Morning Post.

Morley highlighted local initiatives, such as the Let the hungry be heard campaign, and shared the story of a Kenyan girl named Esther, who was rescued and educated through World Vision projects funded by Hong Kong supporters.

The organisation also provides support for children with special educational needs and nutrition challenges in Hong Kong, while mainland programmes focus on children with disabilities, those left behind by migrant parents, and migrant children, helping about 173,000 people on the mainland and 4,200 in Hong Kong in the year to September 30.

Looking ahead, Morley said World Vision plans to prioritise resources for the most vulnerable and apply artificial intelligence (AI) to improve disaster prediction and community response. He envisioned that within 10 years, every project worldwide would incorporate AI to enhance the organisations impact.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met US President Donald Trump at the White House, earning praise for his black military-style suit while discussing Ukraines request for Tomahawk missiles.

US President Donald Trump welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he arrived for a meeting at the White House in Washington. (Photo: AFP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met US President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday, wearing a black military-style suit that once again drew praise from the American leader. The meeting focused on the war in Ukraine and Kyivs request for Tomahawk missiles from the US, a request that Trump appeared hesitant to approve.

Trump complimented Zelenskyy in front of reporters, saying, I think he looks beautiful in his jacket. I hope people notice it. Its actually very stylish, I like it. The remarks brought smiles and cheerful giggles from others present at the meeting.

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Take a look at the video:

Trump gives Zelenskys jacket a thumbs up



Very stylish I like it



Zelensky, unsure of himself: YEAH? https://t.co/F27PgzjISz pic.twitter.com/irWBkaQyVi  RT (@RT_com) October 17, 2025

When asked later by a reporter about his choice of clothing, Zelenskyy explained, Same suit because the same president, its very simple. Next president will have another suit.

His choice of outfit echoed a similar moment during his August visit to the White House, where he also wore the same black suit following earlier criticism in February for not wearing formal attire.

Zelenskyys August visit had been marked by attention to his wardrobe. During that trip, he opted for a black suit after a reporter questioned him in February, asking, Why dont you wear a suit? Do you own a suit? A lot of Americans have problems with you not respecting the dignity of this office. The outfit change was widely noticed.

During the August meeting, Trump expressed surprise at Zelenskyy being all dressed up, while a White House reporter complimented him, saying, President Zelenskyy, you look fabulous in that suit.

Trump quickly interjected, saying, I said the same thing, and pointed out that the reporter, Brian Glenn, had criticised Zelenskyy during the previous meeting. Zelenskyy responded with humour, noting that Glenn was wearing the same outfit as before and joking, Youre in the same suit. See, I changed, you have not.

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Zelenskyys latest trip to Washington followed Trumps meeting with Russias Vladimir Putin in Alaska, highlighting ongoing discussions over the Ukraine war and international support for Kyiv.
Mangiones attorneys submitted a letter in New York federal court on Friday, where they argued that their clients case is prejudiced owing to social media posts and public comments made by the Department of Justice and White House that have made his trial unfair

Luigi Mangione, the man who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year, is being used as a pawn to further the Trump administrations political agenda, his lawyers have claimed as they filed an argument seeking to dismiss his federal indictment.

Mangiones attorneys submitted a letter in New York federal court on Friday, where they argued that their clients case is prejudiced owing to social media posts and public comments made by the Department of Justice and White House that have made his trial unfair.

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Mr. Mangione is one young man, alleged to have acted alone, fighting for his life in three separate cases, against the full force and might of the entirety of the United States Government that is actively and persistently using him as a pawn to further its political agenda, Mangiones defence lawyers wrote.

What has Trump said about Mangione?

In September, President Donald Trump told Fox News that Mangione shot someone in the back as clear as youre looking at me.  He shot him right in the middle of the back  instantly dead.  This is a sickness. This really has to be studied and investigated.

The attorneys letter also highlighted that an X account affiliated with the White House, Rapid Response 47, posted a video of the interview on its handle a day later.

Mangiones lawyers stated that the video was later reposted by Chad Gilmartin, deputy director of the Justice Departments public affairs office. In his repost, Gilmartin wrote that Trump is absolutely right, according to a screenshot included with the letter.

Lawyers urge to block Mangiones death penalty

Last month, Mangiones lawyers urged a federal judge in New York to block prosecutors from seeking the death penalty for their client.

In a court filing, Mangiones lawyers argued that US Justice Department officials should be precluded from seeking the death penalty because of actions that had violated his due process rights. They said these included staging a dehumanising, unconstitutional perp walk where he was televised, videotaped and photographed clambering out of a helicopter in shackles on his way to his initial appearance.
A fire broke out at Dhakas Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday afternoon, forcing a temporary halt to all flight operations, authorities said.

A fire broke out at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon, forcing a temporary suspension of all flights, local media reported.

According to the Dhaka Tribune, the incident occurred around 2:15 pm. Biman Bangladesh Airlines spokesperson Kawser Mahmud said teams from the airport fire department, the Bangladesh Air Force fire unit, and other agencies quickly responded to contain the blaze.

Four units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence were deployed and managed to control the fire after swift action.

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Confirming the incident, HSIA Executive Director SM Ragib Samad told BSS, The fire broke out at the cargo area of the airport, and all relevant fire units are working to bring the blaze under control.

He added that flight operations have been temporarily suspended due to the fire.

Airport authorities, along with the Fire Service and Civil Aviation Security officials, have launched an investigation to determine the cause. Further information will be revealed to media as soon as possible, said Samad.
Afghanistan and Pakistan were holding peace talks in Doha on Saturday, both sides said, after the South Asia neighbours extended a ceasefire following a week of fierce border clashes.

Residents stand on the roof of a damaged house as they inspect the destruction caused by Wednesday's two drone strikes, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai)

Afghanistan and Pakistan convened in Doha on Saturday for peace talks, following an extension of a ceasefire after a week of intense border clashes that left dozens dead and hundreds injured. The meetings come amid growing concerns over regional stability and the resurgence of militant groups in South Asia.

Both countries dispatched their defence ministers to lead discussions focused on immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghanistan and restore peace and stability along the border, according to Pakistani officials.

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Each side continues to accuse the other of initiating aggression, while Afghanistan has denied claims that it harbours militants carrying out attacks along the frontier.

The violence marked the most serious clashes between the neighbouring states since the Taliban regained control of Kabul in 2021. The brief 48-hour truce that was meant to halt hostilities expired on Friday evening, after which Pakistani forces reportedly conducted cross-border strikes.

Regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have urged restraint, warning that escalating tensions could further destabilise an already fragile region. The situation remains particularly sensitive as extremist groups, such as the Islamic State and al-Qaida, are attempting to re-establish footholds across the region.

As promised, negotiations with the Pakistani side will take place today in Doha, Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said, adding that the Kabul team led by Defence Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob had arrived in Doha.

Talks could be extended

Pakistans foreign office said Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif would lead discussions with representatives of the Afghan Taliban.

The talks will focus on immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism against Pakistan emanating from Afghanistan and restore peace and stability along the Pak-Afghan border, it said.

It was not immediately clear how long the talks would last. Officials on both sides have said they could be extended from Saturday, adding senior intelligence officials from both countries were part of the talks.

The ground fighting between the one-time allies and Pakistani airstrikes across their contested 2,600-km (1,600-mile) frontier were triggered after Islamabad demanded that Kabul rein in militants who had stepped up attacks in Pakistan, saying they operated from havens in Afghanistan.

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The Taliban denies giving haven to militants to attack Pakistan and accuses the Pakistani military of spreading misinformation about Afghanistan and sheltering Islamic State-linked militants to undermine its stability and sovereignty. Islamabad denies the accusations.

Militants have been waging a war for years against the Pakistani state in a bid to overthrow the government and replace it with their strict brand of Islamic governance system.

On Friday, a suicide attack near the border killed seven Pakistani soldiers and wounded 13, security officials said.

The Afghan regime must rein in the proxies who have sanctuaries in Afghanistan and are using Afghan soil to perpetrate heinous attacks inside Pakistan, the Pakistan Army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, said on Saturday, addressing a graduation ceremony of cadets.

With inputs from agencies
Four police officers were injured after protesters attacked the US embassy in Bogota with arrows and explosives during a rally against President Donald Trumps policies

Demonstrators march close to the US embassy during a protest in Bogota on October 17, 2025. (Photo: AFP)

Four police officers were injured on Friday in Colombias capital, Bogota, after protesters attacked the US embassy with arrows and explosives during a rally opposing President Donald Trumps policies. The clash occurred when members of the protest group Congreso de los Pueblos (Peoples Congress) gathered outside the embassy to denounce what they called US interference and right-wing agendas.

Bogota Mayor Carlos Fernando Galan condemned the incident, saying delinquents, some of whom were hooded, attacked the embassy with incendiary devices, explosives and arrows. He confirmed that four police officers were wounded in the face, legs and arms. Images shared by the defence ministry depicted a chaotic scene, including one officer with an arrow lodged in his arm.

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Protesters condemn US policies and demand sovereignty

Jimmy Moreno, spokesperson for Congreso de los Pueblos, told AFP that the demonstration aimed to defend Colombias sovereignty and oppose what they called US involvement in the genocide of Palestinians, interference in Latin America, and threats against the Venezuelan Bolivar model.

The group had been staging demonstrations across Bogota since Monday, but violence only broke out on Friday. President Gustavo Petro, who has clashed with Trump earlier this year, wrote on X that he had ordered maximum caution with the US embassy in Bogota. He added, A more radical group has attacked the police guarding the embassy, with several young people injured with arrows.

In a later statement, Congreso de los Pueblos expressed agreement with Petros comments but urged his government to form an anti-imperialist front.
Protesting the direction of the country under President Donald Trump, people gathered Saturday in the nations capital and communities across the US for  No Kings  demonstrations  what the presidents Republican Party is calling Hate America rallies.

Thousands of protesters fill Times Square during a "No Kings" protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Olga Fedorova)

Thousands of Americans took to streets across the country on Saturday in the latest wave of No Kings demonstrations, voicing opposition to President Donald Trump and what they perceive as a slide toward authoritarianism.

The rallies, taking place in over 2,700 cities and towns from major urban centres to small communities included a high-profile gathering near Trumps Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida where the president is spending the weekend. Organisers are expecting millions to participate nationwide.

The protests mark the third mass mobilisation since Trump returned to the White House and come amid a government shutdown that has shuttered federal programs and services while raising questions about the limits of executive power.

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Demonstrators argue that Trumps confrontations with Congress and the courts, coupled with attacks on political opponents and the media, threaten the democratic norms of the United States.

In the nations capital, protesters carried signs declaring Queens Say No Kings and We Love America, Not Trump, emphasising their patriotic intent. Brian Reymann, waving a large American flag in Washington, D.C., described the vilification of protesters by Republican lawmakers as sad, pathetic and terrifying, telling CNN, This is America. I disagree with their politics, but I dont believe that they dont love this country. I believe they are misguided. I think they are power hungry.

The movement, which unites around 300 organisations under the No Kings banner, insists that the United States has no place for monarch-like authority. The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we dont have kings and we wont back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty, the group said on its website.

Across the country, demonstrators expressed similar sentiments with chants of We love our country, we cant stand Trump, and in Los Angeles, organisers plan to float a giant balloon depicting Trump in a diaper, with an estimated crowd of 100,000 expected.

A growing opposition movement

While the earlier protests this year  against Elon Musks cuts in spring, then to counter Trumps military parade in June  drew crowds, organizers say this one is building a more unified opposition movement. Top Democrats such as Senate Leader Chuck Schumer and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders are joining in what organizers view as an antidote to Trumps actions, from the administrations clampdown on free speech to its military-style immigration raids.

There is no greater threat to an authoritarian regime than patriotic people-power, said Ezra Levin, a co-founder of Indivisible, among the key organizers.

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Before noon, several thousand people had gathered in New York Citys Times Square, chanting Trump must go now, and waving sometimes-profane signs with slogans insulting the president and condemning his immigration crackdown. Some people carried American flags.

Retired family doctor Terence McCormally was heading to Arlington National Cemetery to join up with others Saturday morning and walk across the Memorial Bridge that enters Washington directly in front of the Lincoln Memorial. He thought the protests would be peaceful but said the recent deployment of the National Guard makes him more leery about the police than he used to be.

I really dont like the crooks and conmen and religious zealots who are trying to use the country for personal gain, McCormally said, while they are killing and hurting millions of people with bombs.

Rallies were held in major European cities, where gatherings of a few hundred Americans chanted slogans and held signs and U.S. flags.

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Republicans denounce Hate America rallies

Republicans have sought to portray participants in Saturdays rallies as far outside the mainstream of American politics, and a main reason for the prolonged government shutdown, now in its 18th day.

From the White House to Capitol Hill, GOP leaders disparaged the rallygoers as communists and Marxists."

They say Democratic leaders, including Schumer, are beholden to the far-left flank and willing to keep the government shut down to appease those liberal forces.

I encourage you to watch  we call it the Hate America rally  that will happen Saturday, said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.

Lets see who shows up for that," Johnson said, listing groups including antifa types, people who hate capitalism and Marxists in full display.

In a Facebook post, former presidential contender Sanders said, Its a love America rally.

Its a rally of millions of people all over this country who believe in our Constitution, who believe in American freedom and, he said, pointing at the GOP leadership, are not going to let you and Donald Trump turn this country into an authoritarian society.

Democrats have refused to vote on legislation that would reopen the government as they demand funding for health care. Republicans say they are willing to discuss the issue later, only after the government reopens.

But for many Democrats, the government closure is also a way to stand up to Trump, and try to push the presidency back to its place in the U.S. system as a co-equal branch of government.

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The situation is a potential turnaround from just six months ago, when Democrats and their allies were divided and despondent, unsure about how best to respond to Trumps return to the White House. Schumer in particular was berated by his party for allowing an earlier government funding bill to sail through the Senate without using it to challenge Trump.

In April, the national march against Trump and Elon Musk had 1,300 registered locations. In June, for the first No Kings day, there were 2,100 registered locations.

What we are seeing from the Democrats is some spine, Levin said. The worst thing the Democrats could do right now is surrender.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he wasnt sure if he would join the rallygoers Saturday, but he took issue with the Republicans characterization of the events.

Whats hateful is what happened on January 6th," he said, referring to the 2021 Capitol attack, as Trumps supporters stormed the building to protest Joe Bidens election victory. What youll see this weekend is what patriotism looks like.

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With inputs from agencies
Organisers say that at the last No Kings protest, held in June, more than five million people took to the streets to denounce Trumps political agenda. They say the upcoming protests are intended to challenge what they describe as Trumps authoritarianism

The first major 'No Kings' protest took place on June 14, 2025 across the US

Republican governors in several US states have placed National Guard troops on standby in preparation for a nationwide protest movement aimed at opposing Donald Trump and his policies.

The organisers of the No Kings protests say that gatherings will take place at more than 2,500 locations around the US. Trump allies have accused the protesters of being allied with the far-left Antifa movement.

Governors in Texas and Virginia have activated their states National Guard troops, though it remains unclear how visible the military presence will be during the protests.

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Organisers say that at the last No Kings protest, held in June, more than five million people took to the streets to denounce Trumps political agenda. They say the upcoming protests are intended to challenge what they describe as Trumps authoritarianism.

The president thinks his rule is absolute, they say on their website.

But in America, we dont have kings and we wont back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty.

Some Republicans have criticised the demonstrations, calling them Hate America rallies.

Well have to get the National Guard out, Kansas Senator Roger Marshall said ahead of the rallies, according to CNN. Hopefully itll be peaceful. I doubt it.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Thursday activated the states National Guard ahead of a protest scheduled in Austin, the state capital. He said the troops would be needed due to the planned antifa-linked demonstration.

Democrats denounced the move, including the states top Democrat, Gene Wu, who argued: Sending armed soldiers to suppress peaceful protests is what kings and dictators do  and Greg Abbott just proved hes one of them.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has also ordered the activation of the states National Guard.
South Korean authorities arrested 64 nationals repatriated from Cambodia over alleged involvement in cyber scams, human trafficking, and other criminal activities

South Korean police monitor citizens detained in Cambodia for alleged cyberscam operations as they wait to board a chartered plane at Techo International Airport. (Photo: AFP)

South Korean authorities arrested 64 nationals upon their return from Cambodia on Saturday, following suspicions of involvement in cyber scam operations, human trafficking, and other criminal activities.

The individuals had been detained in Cambodia amid an ongoing investigation into fake jobs, kidnapping cases, and online fraud centres targeting South Koreans. The repatriation came after a South Korean team travelled to Cambodia on Wednesday to discuss the cases, coordinate the safe return of nationals, and ensure law enforcement action.

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According to officials, the group arrived at Incheon International Airport on a chartered flight and were immediately placed under arrest. Each suspect was transferred to the relevant police station overseeing their case. Television footage showed most of the suspects wearing masks and caps, handcuffed, with cloth covering their restraints, escorted through the airport arrival hall by two police officers each.

Allegations and investigations into scam operations

Park Sung-joo, head of the National Office of Investigation, said the individuals were implicated in various crimes, including voice phishing, romance scams, and so-called no-show fraud schemes. He added that, due to suspicions of drug use in Cambodia, all returnees would undergo drug testing as part of standard procedures.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac clarified that the group included both voluntary and involuntary participants in these criminal networks. Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina thanked Cambodian authorities, noting their ongoing efforts to crack down on illegal operations and cooperate closely with Seoul.

South Korean authorities estimate that about 1,000 of their nationals are among roughly 200,000 people working in scam operations in Cambodia. Many are reportedly forced to execute pig butchering scams, which involve cultivating victims trust over time before stealing their cryptocurrency funds. Experts note that Cambodias illicit online fraud industry has grown rapidly, involving thousands of perpetrators, some coerced and others willingly participating.

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Human rights concerns and public outcry

Amnesty International has raised concerns over widespread abuses in Cambodias scam centres, reporting forced labour, torture, human trafficking, and deprivation of liberty at over 50 compounds. Cambodias anti-cybercrime commission stated that, since late June, authorities arrested 3,455 suspects from 20 Asian and African countries, sent dozens of alleged ringleaders and accomplices to court in cases involving online fraud, murder, and trafficking, and deported more than 2,800 foreign nationals while rescuing some victims.

The repatriation follows public outrage in South Korea after a college student was kidnapped, tortured, and killed in Cambodia in August. Cambodian authorities confirmed that the student died from severe torture, with multiple bruises and injuries across the body. South Korean police are conducting a joint investigation with Cambodian authorities into this case.

(With agency inputs)
US President Donald Trump has confirmed that the United States carried out another strike on a vessel in the Caribbean Sea this week, escalating the tensions in the Latin American region.

US President Donald Trump waves from the stairs of Air Force One as he boards upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews, as he travels to Israel. AP

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that the United States carried out another strike on a vessel in the Caribbean Sea this week, escalating the tensions in the Latin American region. During a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in the Oval Office on Friday, Trump made his first statement about the attack.

The remarks from the American president came when he was confronted by reporters at the White House about the sole survivor of the incident. We attacked a submarine, and that was a drug-carrying submarine built specifically for the transportation of massive amounts of drugs, Trump said, without offering evidence about what kind of vessel it was or what it was transporting. This was not an innocent group of people. I dont know too many people who have submarines.

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On Thursday, Reuters broke the story of a new attack in the region. It was the first time survivors had been reported since the US began its bombing campaign in the Caribbean on September 2. A Department of Defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told news outlets in the US that the two survivors have been taken into custody after the attack.

The fate of the survivors remains unclear

The officials did not say whether these two survivors will be prosecuted or what their current condition is. According to reports, two other people died in the blast. In the Friday meeting, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to offer further details when asked about the survivors.

However, he did defend US operations in the region, stating that they aim to intercept illegal drugs. Were undertaking these operations against narco-terrorists, Rubio said. Thats what these are. These are terrorists. Lets be clear.

As of now, the Trump administration has confirmed five other attacks with at least 28 people killed in total. The White House has been arguing that the strikes are an effort to stem drug trafficking from Venezuela. However, the Trump administration has yet to offer any evidence to support its accusations.

Amid the chaos, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has said he believes some of his citizens were among the deceased. A family in Trinidad and Tobago, which lies 11 kilometres (six miles) from the Venezuelan coast, has also said it believes a relative was killed in the recent string of attacks. Meanwhile, Venezuela has appealed to the UN Security Council for the strikes to be declared illegal.
In the White House meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump downplayed prospects of supplying Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv as he appeared to tilt towards Russia after a call with Putin

President Donald Trump, second right, and Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, seated left, sit as reporters ask questions before a lunch in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Washington. AP

During a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump downplayed the prospects of supplying Tomahawk cruise missiles to Kyiv in its war against Russia. At the White House meeting between the two leaders, Trump seemed more intent on brokering a peace deal than on supplying the missile system.

While the American president did not rule out providing the long-range missiles to Zelenskyy, he went on to exclaim that the United States may need them in future conflicts. He appeared to be cool on the matter and said he is looking forward to his meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Hungary, The Guardian reported.

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After holding over two-hour-long talks with Zelenskyy, Trump urged Ukraine and Russia to stop the war immediately, even if it means Ukraine conceding territory. You stop at the battle line, and both sides should go home, go to their families, Trump told reporters on his way to his home in West Palm Beach, Florida. Stop the killing. And that should be it. Stop right now at the battle line. I told that to President Zelenskyy. I told it to President Putin.

Zelenskyy remain adamant with this Tomahawk demand

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy was frank, telling Trump that Ukraine has thousands of drones ready for an offensive against Russian targets, but needs American missiles. We dont have Tomahawks, thats why we need Tomahawks, he said. Trump responded: Wed much rather have them not need Tomahawks.

Trump went on to reiterate that he wants the United States to hold on to its weaponry. We want Tomahawks, also. We dont want to be giving away things that we need to protect our country, he said. It is pertinent to note that Trumps dodgy tone over the matter came after his surprise call with Putin on Friday.

During the phone call, the Russian leader told Trump that supplying the Tomahawks to Ukraine would damage US-Russian relations. Ever since returning to the office, Trumps position on providing Ukraine with weapons has changed several times, and the change often came after negotiations with Putin or European backers of Ukraine.

During the latest White House meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump also discussed plans to hold a bilateral meeting with Putin in Hungary, saying it was to be determined whether Zelenskyy would join but that he would inform him of the discussions. There is a lot of bad blood, Trump said.

After his meeting, Trump took to social media to issue a stern call to stop the killing, and make a DEAL!. They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide! Trump posted on Truth Social. Zelenskyy, on the other hand, told reporters that he did not want to talk about long-range missiles, saying the US did not wish to escalate, and he was realistic about his chance of getting them.

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The Ukrainian leader went on to speak to his European allies on the phone, during which he said that he was counting on Trump to pressure Putin to stop this war.
Trump is likely to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his Asia visit next month, CNN reported. The meeting, however, has not been confirmed yet, with officials saying discussions are still at an early stage

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shake hands during a meeting at the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, in Panmunjom, South Korea, June 30, 2019. File image/ Reuters

US President Donald Trump may meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his Asia visit next month, CNN reported on Saturday (October 18, 2025), though the meeting is yet to be confirmed.

According to the report, Trump administration officials have privately discussed the possibility of arranging a meeting with Kim but have not started any logistical planning or communication with Pyongyang. Earlier outreach from Trump this year was reportedly rejected by North Korea.

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The White House has not yet commented on the matter.

Trump last met Kim at the Korean Demilitarised Zone in June 2019  a meeting that came together just 48 hours after Trump extended an invitation on social media.

While officials remain cautious, Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in meeting Kim again. The White House is also preparing for Trumps potential meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid growing US-China trade tensions.

Trump showed renewed interest in engaging with Kim when he met South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House in August, where he accepted an invitation to attend the APEC summit in South Korea. I will do that, and well have talks. Hed like to meet with me. We look forward to meeting with him, and well make relations better, Trump said, according to CNN.

Kim Jong Un has also signaled openness to meeting Trump but linked it to Washington giving up its obsession with denuclearisation. Personally, I still have good memories of US President Trump, Kim said in a speech before North Koreas parliament last month. If the US drops its hollow obsession with denuclearisation and wants peaceful coexistence, there is no reason for us not to sit down with the US.
Trump on Friday said it would be easy for him to resolve the ongoing conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as tensions between the two neighbours continue despite an extended ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump on Friday said it would be easy for him to resolve the ongoing conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan, claiming he has already ended several global wars during his presidency.

Speaking during a working lunch with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, Trump referred to recent border tensions, saying, Although I do understand that Pakistan attacked, or there is an attack going on with Afghanistan. Thats an easy one for me to solve if I have to solve it. In the meantime, I have to run the USA, but I love solving wars. You know why? I like stopping people from being killed, and Ive saved millions and millions of lives.

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His comments came as Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to extend a 48-hour ceasefire following days of deadly cross-border clashes that killed dozens and left hundreds injured.

According to reports, delegations from both sides met in Doha with mediation support from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Despite the ceasefire extension, Pakistani airstrikes were reported in Afghanistans Barmal and Urgun districts, according to Reuters.

Earlier, a suicide attack near the Afghan border killed seven Pakistani soldiers and injured 13 others. Security officials said militants targeted a military camp in North Waziristan, using an explosive-laden vehicle to breach the boundary wall before being neutralised by security forces.

A statement from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs office said six gunmen were killed in the assault.

Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid later told Ariana News that Kabul had instructed its forces to maintain the truce as long as Pakistan refrained from further attacks.

Once close allies, Pakistan and Afghanistan are now locked in intense fighting along the border. The surge in militant violence has strained Islamabads ties with the Taliban government, which returned to power in 2021 after the withdrawal of US-led forces.
US President Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of former Republican congressman George Santos. The controversial political figure was serving seven years in prison for fraud and identity theft.

US President has commuted the sentence of former Republican congressman George Santos. The controversial political figure was serving seven years in prison for fraud and identity theft. On Friday, Trump called for the immediate release of the infamous conman.

In a post on social media, Trump said Santos has been horribly mistreated, adding, Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY. Good luck, George, have a great life! It is pertinent to note that the former lawmaker was only the sixth in American history to be expelled from Congress after a damning ethics report in 2023.

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During his trial, Santos admitted to stealing the identities of 11 people, including his family members. He is currently serving his sentence at a minimum-security jail in New Jersey. In April, when Santos was sentenced, a judge told him: You got elected with your words, most of which were lies.

Trump defends the move

In his Friday post, Trump justified the move by criticising a Democratic lawmaker, Senator Richard Blumenthal, whom he accused of fabricating his US military service. This is far worse than what George Santos did, and at least Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN! Trump wrote.

The president has previously called for an investigation into Blumenthal over the claim. The Democrat has acknowledged that he misspoke on numerous occasions about his time in the military, but has said the mishaps were more than a decade old. This allegation of 15 years ago has been really rejected by the voters of Connecticut three times, overwhelmingly reelecting me, Blumenthal told CNN earlier this month.

Meanwhile, a lawyer for Santos told the Associated Press that it remains unclear when his client will be released. The defence team applauds President Trump for doing the right thing, said Andrew Mancilla. The sentence was far too long.

During his April hearing, Santos reportedly cried in court and begged for forgiveness, saying: I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the road ahead. Prosecutors argued that the right-wing politician had lied about his background and misused campaign funds to finance his lifestyle. He was eventually charged with 23 federal felony crimes, and in 2023, he became the first expelled member of Congress in more than 20 years.

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As the US federal government shutdown nears record length, millions of workers face furloughs, federal programs stall and economic growth slows. Experts weigh the implications for essential services, small businesses and national infrastructure.

The federal government shutdown, now approaching the second-longest in US history, continues to disrupt the lives of millions of Americans.

The closure, which began on October 1, has furloughed an estimated 750,000 civilian federal employees daily, according to the Congressional Budget Office, while nearly 2.3 million federal employees remain on payroll as of March 31.

Workers designated as excepted continue to provide essential services, but both groups face delayed paychecks, adding financial strain. The nations 1.3 million active-duty service members temporarily avoided missing a paycheck after President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to redirect funds, NBC News reported, though a second reprieve appears unlikely.

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Administration pushes policy priorities

Beyond the immediate workforce impact, the Trump administration is reportedly using the shutdown to reinforce priorities it favours and dismantle those it does not. White House budget chief Russ Vought told NBC News on The Charlie Kirk Show that the administration plans to implement thousands of reductions in federal workforce, saying, We want to be very aggressive where we can be in shuttering the bureaucracy. Not just the funding, but the bureaucracy, that we now have an opportunity to do that.

A federal judge has temporarily blocked firings affecting 4,100 workers, citing concerns over political motivation, while the White House expressed confidence in prevailing on the merits in future legal action.

Economic and sectoral repercussions

The shutdown is also reverberating across the economy. Oxford Economics estimates that each week of closure reduces US economic growth by 0.1 to 0.2 percentage points, potentially slashing quarterly growth by up to 2.4 points if the closure persists.

Certain sectors are disproportionately affected. The US Travel Association forecasts a weekly loss of $1 billion as national parks, historic sites and Washington-based attractions remain closed. The Small Business Administration has suspended new loans, affecting approximately 1,600 small businesses and withholding $860 million weekly, NBC News reported.

Delays in flood insurance issuance have also disrupted mortgage closings and real estate transactions, while Federal Aviation Administration staffing shortages have caused widespread flight delays from Boston to Dallas.

Political standoff and public perception

Negotiations between Republicans and Democrats remain stalled, with neither side willing to compromise. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told NBC News, Were not conducting negotiations in a hostage situation, insisting health care discussions must occur after the government reopens.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries countered, saying, We are not going to bend and were not going to break because we are standing up for the American people. Public opinion is split: the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that roughly 60% of Americans hold Trump and congressional Republicans largely responsible, while 54% attribute significant responsibility to Democrats.

Impact on federal programs and infrastructure

The administration has also suspended funding for critical infrastructure and energy projects. Approximately $18 billion for a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River and the Second Avenue subway extension in New York is on hold, along with $7.6 billion in clean energy grants supporting hundreds of projects in 16 states, according to BBC. These delays primarily affect Democratic-leaning states and cities, raising concerns about the intersection of policy priorities and shutdown strategy.

Looking ahead

As the shutdown continues, millions of Americans remain in limbo, balancing the need for essential services against the political standoff in Washington. Past shutdowns have had only temporary economic impacts, but the growing scope of closures and workforce reductions underscores the stakes. With both parties entrenched and the public split, resolution may require significant compromise or risk the shutdown becoming the longest in US history.

With inputs from agencies
President Donald Trump last week announced new tariffs on medium and heavy-duty trucks imported from the US from November 1, a move that the Republican leader says is to protect manufacturers from unfair outside competition

The US has announced tariff relief for trucks and parts imported from Canada and Mexico ahead of the imposition of the 25 per cent levies, which are set to take effect next month.

President Donald Trump last week announced new tariffs on medium and heavy-duty trucks imported from the US from November 1, a move that the Republican leader says is to protect manufacturers from unfair outside competition.

Amid this, senior White House officials have worked out a plan to exempt trucks and their parts that comply with the terms of Trumps 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

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Those trucks will only be subject to tariffs on their non-US content, while parts will remain exempt from duties until the Commerce Department develops a method to calculate tariffs on the non-US portion.

Larger vehicles include everything from delivery trucks, garbage trucks, public utility trucks, transit, shuttle, and school buses and tractor-trailer trucks, as well as semi-trucks and heavy-duty vocational vehicles.

The US Chamber of Commerce earlier urged Trump not to impose new truck tariffs, noting the top five import sources are Mexico, Canada, Japan, Germany, and Finland, all of which are allies or close partners of the United States posing no threat to US national security.

Mexico is the largest exporter of medium- and heavy-duty trucks to the United States. A study released in January said imports of those larger vehicles from Mexico have tripled since 2019 to around 340,000 today, according to government statistics.

Under the North American free trade deal USMCA, medium- and heavy-duty trucks move tariffs free if at least 64 per cent of a heavy trucks value originates in North America, via parts like engines and axles, raw materials such as steel, or assembly labour.

With inputs from agencies
Last month, Netanyahu formally apologised to Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani for an Israeli airstrike in Doha on September 9 that killed a Qatari security guard and several low-ranking Hamas members

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a cabinet meeting with the US President's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the President's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, on Thursday. Israel GPO

US President Donald Trumps Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff and top advisor Jared Kushner have said that they felt a little betrayed by Israel after it launched a series of attacks on its ally Qatar last month.

In an interview with CBS News, Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law, Kushner, said that the president felt the Israelis were getting a little bit out of control after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a strike on Hamas leaders in Doha.

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It had a metastasising effect because the Qataris were critical to the negotiation, as were the Egyptians and the Turks. We had lost the confidence of the Qataris. And so Hamas went underground, and it was very, very difficult to get to them, Witkoff said.

Kushner said that Israels actions made Trump realise that it was time to be very strong and stop them from doing things that he felt were not in their long-term interests.

Last month, Netanyahu formally apologised to Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani for an Israeli airstrike in Doha on September 9 that killed a Qatari security guard and several low-ranking Hamas members.

Qatar had suspended its mediation role with Hamas following the Israeli airstrike in Doha, which targeted  but failed to eliminate  senior Hamas leaders. The strike also killed a Qatari security guard, further straining diplomatic channels.

Meanwhile, Hamas handed over to Israel the remains of one more hostage on Friday night, after insisting it was committed to returning all the dead captives still unaccounted for under Gazas ruins after two years of war.

Israel received, via the Red Cross, the coffin of a deceased hostage who was returned to its security forces in Gaza and would be identified at a medical analysis centre in Israel, the prime ministers office said in a statement.

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Under a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas spearheaded by US President Donald Trump, the Palestinian militant group returned all 20 surviving hostages and the remains of nine out of 28 known deceased ones, not counting the remains handed over Friday night.

Netanyahu has said that he is determined to bring back all the remaining dead hostages from Gaza after Hamas declared that it has returned the remains of all the captives it has retrieved, adding that it cannot recover any more bodies without special equipment.

Netanyahus comments came as he addressed a memorial for victims of the Hamas-led attack on 7 October 2023, where he vowed to fight terrorism with full force. Israel has accused Hamas of breaching the ceasefire deal by not returning all the bodies, although the US has downplayed the claim.

With inputs from agencies
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed support for his US counterpart Donald Trumps suggestion that Moscow and Kyiv should stop the war where we are and commence peace negotiations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is greeted by US President Donald Trump (left) upon arrival at the White House West Wing in Washington, DC. AFP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed support for his US counterpart Donald Trumps suggestion that Moscow and Kyiv should stop the war where we are and commence peace negotiations. The remarks from the Ukrainian leader came after he held talks with Trump at the White House on Friday.

He is right. The president is right, and we have to stop where we are, Zelenskyy told reporters after meeting Trump at the White House on Friday. This is important, to stop where we are and then to speak. Meanwhile, Trump took to TruthSocial and said that the meeting with Zelenskyy was very interesting and cordial, and he urged Kyiv and Moscow to stop the killing and make a deal.

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They should stop where they are. Let both claim victory, let history decide, Trump wrote. While speaking to reporters, Zelenskyy described the discussions as productive, citing talks on air defence and production. We spoke about long range, of course, he said. We decided that we dont speak about it because nobody wants  I mean, the United States doesnt want this.

Zelenskyy believes Putin is afraid

While speaking to NBC News, Zelenskyy said, Its good that President Trump didnt say no but for today, didnt say yes, about the supply of long-range Tomahawk missiles. He went on to admit that the American leader was concerned about a potential escalation with Russia, but Zelenskyy admitted that even Russian President Vladimir Putin is also afraid of the weapon system.

I think that Putin [is] afraid that the United States will deliver us Tomahawks. And I think that he [is] really afraid that we will use them, he said. It is pertinent to note that while Trump did not rule out providing the Tomahawk missiles, he appeared cool to the prospect as he looked ahead to a meeting with his Russian counterpart in Hungary in the coming weeks.

After his meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy spoke with European and NATO leaders on the details of the talks. In the conversation, the Ukrainian leader stressed the joint goal of safeguarding lives and strengthening security across Europe, Sky News reported.

Zelenskyy said in a post that he held talks with the leaders from the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Finland, Norway and Poland, as well as with the heads of the European Union and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

I shared details of my conversation with US President Donald Trump. We discussed many important issues. The main priority now is to protect as many lives as possible, guarantee security for Ukraine, and strengthen all of us in Europe, he wrote on Telegram. He added that national security advisors from the involved countries will meet to coordinate next steps, expressing gratitude for continued support and solidarity with Ukraine.

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With inputs from agencies.
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump met with Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday and shortly afterward stated that Russia should be allowed to keep the Ukrainian land it has seized since dictator Vladimir Putin invaded nearly four years ago.

It is time to stop the killing, and make a DEAL! Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by War and Guts. They should stop where they are, he wrote in a social media post about 45 minutes after the Ukrainian president had left the White House. Let both claim Victory, let History decide! No more shooting, no more Death, no more vast and unsustainable sums of money spent. This is a War that would have never started if I were President. Thousands of people being slaughtered each and every week  NO MORE, GO HOME TO YOUR FAMILIES IN PEACE!

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He repeated that sentiment upon landing in Florida, where he is scheduled to spend the weekend at his country club in Palm Beach.

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Go by the battle line wherever it is or else it gets too complicated, he told reporters. Stop right now at the battle line.

It is unclear whether this reflects yet another policy shift from Trump or, as is often the case with him, merely a random idea that popped into his head and will disappear just as quickly.

At a de facto news conference at the start of his meeting with Zelenskyy earlier Friday afternoon, he again expressed his surprise that the Ukrainian leader, whose citizens are getting slaughtered nightly by Russian drones and missiles, does not get along with Putin, the man ordering those attacks.

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Theres a lot of bad blood with the two presidents, Trump said. These two leaders do not like each other.

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Putins attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine have been condemned nearly universally, and he has been charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court.

Fridays meeting came the day after Trump spoke with Putin by phone for two hours and claimed theyd made great progress toward ending the nearly four-year-old war started when Putin invaded his neighbor in February 2022. On the agenda was the possible transfer of U.S. Tomahawk missiles, which have a range that would allow Ukraine to hit targets as far as 1,500 miles into Russia.

Trump, after having called Russia a paper tiger in recent weeks because of Putins inability to conquer and seize all of Ukraine quickly, seemed to equivocate on the idea Friday. Whats going to happen if the United States is in a conflict and we need the Tomahawks? Thats the problem. We need Tomahawks, he said.

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Trump also talked up the idea of meeting again with Putin in the coming weeks in Budapest  even though the city is in Hungary, currently run by possibly the only pro-Putin leader, other than Trump, in the NATO alliance, Viktor Orban. The city was also where Russia in 1994 promised not to invade Ukraine if it gave up the nuclear weapons it inherited upon the breakup of the Soviet Union.

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For his part, Zelenskyy used the same strategy for dealing with Trump that has been successfully adopted by other U.S. allies: praising him profusely.

Again, congratulations with your successful ceasefire in the Middle East, Zelenskyy said, which followed up on a similar statement he posted online Thursday. Thank you. Thank you so much.

President Donald Trump, left, gestures as he greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Oct. 17, 2025, in Washington. AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Zelenskyy again wore a blazer and tie, thereby avoiding the scolding he received at the hands of pro-Trump reporter Brian Glenn and Vice President JD Vance for sporting military fatigues rather than a suit during his February visit to the White House, his first since Trumps return to the presidency. That meeting ended with Trump and Vance piling on Zelenskyy for not being adequately grateful, and was viewed with horror in European capitals.

In the days following Putins invasion in 2022, Trump praised the Russian leader as a genius and savvy for having sent in troops to kill Ukrainians and seize their land. In the months to follow, including following his return to office nine months ago, he blamed Zelenskyy for his country getting invaded and former President Joe Biden for letting it happen.

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Only in recent months has he begun blaming Putin, too, for his continued drone and missile attacks against civilians, particularly following conversations with Trump.

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The frequency of Russian attacks against Ukraine ramped up dramatically after Trump returned to office, according to a BBC analysis.

Despite Putins willingness to kill civilians, Trump still boasts of his good relationship with him. He cited that as the reason for inviting Putin to meet with him in Alaska in August and rolling out a red carpet for him, literally, upon his arrival.

Putin, nevertheless, went right back to his assaults on Ukrainian cities afterward, even though Trump had warned repeatedly that he expected Putin to agree to a ceasefire at the meeting.

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Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024.
Dennis received bachelor's degrees in communication and political science with a TAG degree in Spanish from The University of Akron in Ohio. He grew up in Ohio with two sisters and two brothers, one being his fraternal twin. He and his wife have two dogs: Bacio, and Cal. Dennis currently covers natural resource and environmental issues for The Daily Sentinel
The 27-year-old man indicted for coercing his friend to overdose on a lethal amount of methamphetamine at gunpoint appeared in court Friday for a formal filing of charges.

According to court documents, Joshua Mayfield, has been charged with seven felonies: class-four manslaughter; two counts of second-degree assault; two counts of class-five menacing; class-three criminal extortion; and distribution of a schedule two controlled substance.

Despite protest from Mayfields attorney and a community member who spoke to the suspects respectful character, presiding Judge Craig Henderson ruled that the $40,000 cash-only bond would remain.

The Sentinel reported last week that Mayfield was arrested and extradited from Cleburne County, Arkansas, last month  nearly four years after the victims death was ruled an accidental overdose.

Since then, an arrest affidavit has revealed more, including how tips from the public and family of the deceased, then-21-year-old Kurt Hodges Abney, cast doubt on the deaths accidental nature as early as one week after the body was discovered.

Nonetheless, police were unable to obtain a firsthand account until about one year later.

THE INSANE CLOWN POSSE

On Feb. 3, 2022, law enforcement discovered Abneys body under the Fifth Street bridge, covered with several sleeping bags and a brown blanket.

There were no apparent injuries or signs of foul play, according to the affidavit; however, an officer noted that the unhoused man was only wearing one shoe and lying directly on the ground, despite the February weather and a nearby shopping cart filled with camping gear.

The subsequent autopsy detected 26,000 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter) of meth in Abneys blood, which the acting coroner said was one of the highest levels  he had seen during an autopsy.

Citing a compilation of phone records and testimonies, Mayfields arrest affidavit claimed that he had either accompanied or tracked Abney to his spot under the bridge before a confrontation suddenly erupted.

According to affidavit testimonies, the alleged confrontation stemmed from a deal the two had that if Mayfield ever caught Abney using or dealing hard drugs (anything but marijuana), a witness said in the affidavit, Abney would have to drink whatever amount he had.

The peculiar deal was attributed to both parties identifying as Juggalos, a subculture of goth clowns centered around the hardcore hip hop duo, Insane Clown Posse (ICP). Various factions of juggalo culture exist, some being non-violent fanbases and others designated by the FBI as criminal street gangs.

Although it is not a verifiable characteristic of juggalos nationwide, a witness in the affidavit said that  in the Juggalo/ICP, members could only use alcohol/marijuana; no other substances were allowed.

Two individuals, who police believe were present for the moments leading up to the alleged incident, said that Mayfield was actively seeking to confront Abney after discovering that he was attempting to sell meth.

One witness said he left as tensions continued to rise, citing that he did not like confrontation. About five minutes after departing, he said Mayfield caught up with the individual.

The witness said that Mayfield did not mention what happened between the two, but felt something bad likely happened to Kurt and felt like whatever happened was likely not an overdose.

The other individual, whom the previous witness said was not there, told officers that Mayfield repeatedly pointed a gun at him and Abney.

According to his statements, the suspect told Abney that he would have to eat half of his supply if he wanted to keep his hatchet man tattoo (a logo associated with Juggalos).

That second witness said he watched Abney drink the dope water at gunpoint and convulse almost immediately afterward. At that point, Mayfield allegedly told the witness to run, so he did.

The affidavit added that nearly one year after the alleged incident, Mayfield told several people on Facebook that he was moving to New Mexico, denying his involvement in Abneys death and claiming that people upset over the rumor had broken into his RV and murdered his dog.

While his subsequent Facebook activity indicated that he had traveled to New Mexico at the end of January 2023, the affidavit noted that local law enforcement had contact with Mayfield in November of that year.

Some time after November 2023, the defendant traveled to Arkansas, where he was arrested last month.

FAMILY, FRIENDS WEIGH IN

At Mayfields Friday hearing, his defense attorney argued that the $40,000 cash bond should be changed to a non-monetary personal recognizance bond.

She cited Mayfields low income, a lack of criminal history, found family that reduces his flight risk, a medical condition and only one lifetime failure to appear (for a traffic case in Moffat County).

The defense added that all of Mayfields charges are probation-eligible, and given Mayfields lack of a criminal history, she argued that the court would have to consider a no-prison sentence even if he is found guilty of all current charges.

Community member and known advocate for the unhoused, Eric Niederkruger, also requested that the judge reduce Mayfields bond.

I work with the homeless community quite a bit, and I met Josh in 2019, and he was pretty helpful in  serving the homeless and doing voluntary community service, Niederkruger said. Im 65, my roommate is 65 and my wife is 67; were all on disability. Josh used to come check on us to see how we were doing, and hes very respectful to elders, to us.

The prosecution argued that Mayfields found family in Niederkruger does not appear strong enough to negate how Mayfield has spent much of his recent time traveling through Arkansas, New Mexico, North Carolina and Ohio.

Chief Deputy District Attorney for the 21st Judicial District Tearsa Storms Olson added that Mayfield might not have committed new offenses in the years since the alleged incident, but this offense itself is so harmful, dangerous and risky.

In the circumstances of this case, Mr. Mayfield felt empowered to punish Mr. Abney for his addiction  Olson said. Certainly, that willingness in that moment was fatal to Mr. Abney and shows a significant risk to others in the community should he deem punishment is appropriate in his own sort of world view.

Abneys adoptive mother, Christy Abney, and his former significant other, Aneisha Kennedy, also provided their input during the hearing.

I would like the bond to remain the same or even higher, Kennedy said. I am scared for my safety if Mr. Mayfield gets out. Ive had multiple problems with Mr. Mayfield.

I would also like the bond to stay high (given) that Mr. Mayfield was my sons supposed best friend, Abney added. Hes known to make threats within the community, and the (case) being several years old doesnt mitigate the fact of what he did.

Judge Henderson acknowledged that this is a very difficult case for the court to determine bond on, but ruled that Mayfields $40,000 cash-only bond would remain in place  primarily due to his history of sporadic travel between states.

The defense went on to request a preliminary hearing and waive the 35-day demand without protest. Mayfield did not comment during the proceedings.

The next hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Nov. 19.
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